13th February, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
Since it’s the weekend of Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d share an interesting article about some proactive ways to nurture relationships. It’s called 7 Simple Steps to Appreciate Others.
I was especially struck by the notion of “practicing love.” I need to work at that.
A small side note: I’m honored to be the guest writer (Friday, 2/12/10) on a wonderful site called 300 Words A Day. I invite you to check out my article called words or Word and consider making 300 Words a regular habit (right after you’ve read Bouncing Back, of course!)
Last week I announced that Relentless Grace is now available as an audio book. The video below offers a sample of the audio narration of one chapter called Back To School. I hope you enjoy the golden voice of my frend Jim Thurston.
If you have trouble viewing the video, click here.
If you’re interested, click here for additional details.
11th February, 2010 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love. Mother Teresa
Are you grateful?
One of the amazing benefits of this work is meeting and connecting with truly remarkable people. Recently I’ve encountered some especially inspirational folks who’ve blessed and enriched my circle. I want to tell you about them, but I’m struggling for an appropriate description. (more…)
5th February, 2010 by Rich Dixon 4 Comments
In essentials, unity.
In non-essentials, liberty.
In all things, love.
Augustine
Yeah, but what are the “essentials”?
Yesterday I asked the question Who’s “They”? in the context of our propensity to draw lines and categorize ourselves in terms of we and they. Then I ran across this familiar Augustine quote.
It made me wonder why, as followers of Jesus, we’re so quick to point out distinctions and differences. (more…)
21st January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 8 Comments
Am I the only one who struggles with the need to be right?
Actually, that’s not quite correct. My real issue involves needing others to acknowledge that I’m right.
I get passionate about something, an idea, a cause, a program—nothing wrong with that. But the next thing you know I’m immersed in a knockdown argument with someone who disagrees. I perceive it, but I can’t let it go. Just one last comment, one more tweet, and my desire for the last word becomes an endless series of “one more” responses. (more…)
15th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [1 John 4:7-10]
Where is Jesus?
An earthquake devastates an already impoverished nation. Horrific images flash across the television screen. Haiti scrambles to rescue and survive.
I recall similar pictures—terrorist attack, tsunami, hurricane, tornado—and the question always arises.
Where is Jesus? (more…)
21st December, 2009 by Rich Dixon No Comments
Agape.
That’s it. If you want to distill the entire notion of Christmas into a single, simple concept, it’s Agape.
Self-sacrificial, intentional love. That’s the message of Christmas.
I was thinking this morning about the idea of approaching Christmas intentionally (10 Ways You Can Enjoy An Intentional Christmas) and I had the idea that I could make choices this week based on two simple criteria.
What can you choose that will bring agape into your Christmas celebration?
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! [Philippians 2:5-8]
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
Related articles:
13th November, 2009 by Rich Dixon 1 Comment
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11: 28-30]
What do you think Jesus wants you to do?
I’m not thinking of specific choices like whether to have pizza or turkey for lunch (I don’t think He cares). But in terms of overall life choices and directions, what do you think He wants? There are probably a lot of answers to that question, but I’m thinking of one right now that I’ll bet nobody else mentioned. (more…)
30th October, 2009 by Rich Dixon No Comments
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” [Mark 2: 1-5]
Does Jesus surprise you? (more…)
22nd October, 2009 by Rich Dixon No Comments
I felt lost, and I desperately wanted God to show up. Instead, people appeared and gradually helped me toward the light. Only later did I realize that was how God shows up.
How can you help someone who needs you?
I’ve been working on a presentation for folks who are working in difficult areas of ministries. Since I’m a wheelchair user, I’m supposed to offer a seated perspective of things people have done that have been helpful and some that haven’t.
Here’s my list so far. Hopefully you’ll help me with something I’ve missed.
Show up. I seem to always need help at inconvenient times, and I’m grateful for friends who show up even when they’d rather be somewhere else. There’s a difference between Signing Up And Showing Up.
It’s easy to say, “Call me if there’s anything I can do.” It’s hard to ask for help. The real heroes are the folks who show up.
Don’t label. Labels isolate. When you label someone, you hide their individuality behind a category. The person in front of you isn’t a category—she’s a uniquely gifted, precious child of God. Here are some additional thoughts: God’s Version Of Special
I’ve been asked whether I prefer to be called “disabled,” “physically challenged,” or “mobility impaired.” Personally I prefer “Rich.”
Stay away from clichés and inspirational platitudes. “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” Really? When you’ve just discovered you’re permanently paralyzed, that feels like a slap in the face.
Clichés can be like labels—they make us feel better without really having to do anything.
Change what you can change. World peace may be a bit too much to tackle, but some issues aren’t that complicated. A family living in their car doesn’t need a lecture on the benefits of facing adversity—they need shelter. A hungry child doesn’t need a gardening lesson—he needs a meal.
When snow keeps me from leaving my driveway, I understand that the weather’s beyond my control. I’m grateful for folks who show up with a thermos of hot chocolate and a snow shovel.
Accept what you can’t change. Life isn’t fair. Some circumstances stink, and that just the way it is. Complaining, lamenting, and worrying only make it worse.
Be creative. I’m quick to decide a particular task or situation is hopeless or impossible. I’m astounded by the creativity people demonstrate in helping me discover how to do things that seemed beyond my capabilities.
Be realistically optimistic. I’ve explained The 8000/2000 Principle as my way of avoiding pessimism. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we focus on possibilities rather than obstacles.
Have a healthy sense of humor. When we’re struggling, everything becomes an earth-shattering crisis. It helps to keep some perspective and chuckle at life’s absurdities.
It’s never okay to laugh at someone’s misfortune. But we all find ourselves in silly circumstances, and it’s good to avoid taking things too seriously.
Choose hope. Most of all, I’m grateful for friends who helped me believe, and believed for me when I was so immersed in darkness that light seemed impossible.
I’m not talking about empty wishes—I hope someone gives me a bag full of money, but I’m not counting on it. I’m talking about hope that’s an expectation rooted in faith that Jesus always walks with me.
Love. Agape is the self-sacrificial concern for others that makes it all work. Someone once said she felt frustrated because she didn’t know how to help, and it felt like all she could do was love me.
That’s plenty.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:13]
What would you add?
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
Subscribe to receive updates by Email
Related articles:
16th October, 2009 by Rich Dixon 2 Comments
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [Galatians 5:1]
How much do we limit ourselves with a misguided sense of obligation? (more…)
I'm a writer and motivational speaker who enjoys exploring issues related to adversity, hope, dreams, and faith.
