Happy Saturday! I enjoy great commencement speeches. Here’s one from writer Neil Gaiman. I invite you to leave a comment and share your favorite bit of wisdom from this remarkable address. Can’t see the video? Click here. Have a great weekend. Want to receive free updates? Click below to get Bouncing Back delivered directly to your inbox.
Continue readingJesus And Weed Control
Yesterday (The Sower And The Weeds) I talked about my take on weed control based on The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9). Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. (Mark 4:7) Jesus is pretty clear about the devastating impact of weeds. They […]
Continue readingThe Sower And The Weeds–A Parable
My friend Dennis grows grass for a living. He’s the superintendent at a local golf course. Our small group was discussing The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-9). It’s the story of a man who scatters seed in four kinds of soil. We spent a lot of time on verse 7: Other seed fell among […]
Continue readingKnow Or Do?
Ever get a pebble in your shoe? Just a teeny one, and you don’t even notice it’s there for a while until you’re limping without even knowing why? It’s just a tiny stone, and maybe you try to ignore it for a while, but eventually it causes enough irritation that you have to stop and deal […]
Continue readingLamp
Happy Monday! Sorry for a really bad pun, but perhaps you’ll be enlightened by today’s word-of-the-week… LAMP What’s the purpose of a lamp? “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it […]
Continue readingYour Actions…
…have long-term consequences This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement. Previous thoughts: You’ll never love too much. When you’re not sure what to do, help someone. Be known by what you’re for (not by what you’re against). I invite you to take a minute to watch this video. (If you can’t […]
Continue readingBe Known By…
…what you’re for (not by what you’re against). (This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement. Previous thoughts: You’ll never love too much and When you’re not sure what to do, help someone.) Today’s guidance: Be known by what you’re for (not by what you’re against). Nobody wants to be a victim. […]
Continue readingWhen You’re Not Sure What To Do…
…help someone. (This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement.) Inevitably, you’re going to reach places where you feel stuck and don’t know which way to turn or what to do next. You’ll wonder about God’s purpose and whether there’s any point to it all. Maybe you’re looking for the right person and […]
Continue readingYou’ll Never…
…love too much. (Note: This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement.) It’s awfully easy to go overboard, even with good things. Almost any idea or action, taken to extremes, will get you in trouble. Most of the time, moderation is the way to go. I know of one clear, absolute exception: You’ll never […]
Continue readingCommencement
Happy Monday! It’s a special season for many students, which prompts today’s word-of-the-week… COMMENCEMENT I love receiving graduation announcements from former students. Each fancy envelope contains proclamations of proud accomplishment and brings back memories of a fresh face entering my classroom filled with possibility. I love the opportunity to remember successes and struggles and to […]
Continue readingWhat Are We Training For?
Thursday I did my first extended training ride of the season. “Extended” is a relative term—I have a lot of conditioning to accomplish before I’m ready to get On The Road Again in July from Cincinnati to Washington DC. While I cranked along I thought about training. I wonder if most of life is training […]
Continue readingThe Tyranny Of Nice–a repost
(This article originally appeared on February 23, 2010) Diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggie” until you can find a rock. Will Rogers Can you really “kill them with kindness”? I’ve never considered the notion of literally harming someone with kindness. But recently I’ve encountered some folks who’ve caused me to wonder. As I […]
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