Bounce Back

To “bounce” means the ability to fight through an issue, to be resilient, to be able to stabilize after adversity. To recover  and to thrive.

In 2009 Rick Hoyt completed the Boston Marathon. This race was officially his 1000th race. Since 1977, Rick has competed in marathons, duathlons, and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). In 1992 Rick “ran” 3,735 miles in 45 days. Coast-to-coast.  Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick’s brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. He would never walk or communicate as we do. He would never be “normal”. His life would be lived in a wheelchair.  In 1977, through the use of a special computer, Rick “told” his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Not being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. They finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. “Team Hoyt” rose up from seemingly insurmountable odds and adversity. That’s “Bounce”!

 When life simply isn’t fair. Filled with sickness… debt… or abandonment…

When the walls are pressing in… and you don’t even know your own name.

When you feel like you can’t breathe — or see. And there is absolutely nothing you can do.

When life isn’t the way it is supposed to be…

CONSIDER THIS:

He understands. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “…we do not have a high priest (Jesus the Son of God) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses (frailty — feebleness — sickness — infirmities — troubles), but one who in every respect has been tempted (the trying and testing of our faith, virtue and character) as we are …” (4:14 ESV) He’s been there. He goes before you… and with you!

He will strengthen you. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace… will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1Peter 5:10 ESV) 

Bounce back!

Put the devil on notice in your life… It’s time to get your dreams back… Get your family back… Get your marriage back… Get your anointing back… Get your strength back… Get your step back… Get your confidence back… Get your fight back!

Claim the life changing principle in Genesis 50:20. What satan, or even other people in your life, meant for evil, God can turn it for your good.

“You are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

Bounce back! It just might turn your life around. 

Source: AACC

‘Thank You’

“We need deliberately to call to mind the joys of our journey. Perhaps we should try to write down the blessings of one day. We might begin; we could never end; there are not pens or paper enough in all the world.” -George A. Buttrick

It has been said that the most powerful prayer in the world is just two words long: “Thank You”.

When the worries and fears of life suddenly show up at our doorstep, we pray we ask God for help. Most of us quote the Apostle Paul — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication…”(Phillipians 4:6).  What’s interesting is that the verse continues with these words  “…with thanksgiving”. But, when life is not the way it is supposed to be  when nothing makes sense when the light at the end of the tunnel is a train coming your way  how do you pray “thank you”? I have found reflecting on these scriptures to be a wonderful help:

“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 ESV)

“…come into His presence with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 95:2 ESV)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV)

“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 147:7 ESV)

Praying when you are burdened, and adding “thank you” is a conscious choice. It’s about choosing to put “life” in perspective, especially when I am troubled and anxious.  When you pray, add a “P.S.”  an “attitude of gratitude”. While you may not understand everything right now, tell God “Thank you” for being there… “Thank you” for your steadfast love… “Thank you” that I can trust your heart even though I don’t understand… “Thank you” for your grace… “Thank you” for… you fill in the blank.

Pray? Of course. Ask God for help? Yes. But be sure to add “Thank You”. It just might turn your prayers and your life  around. 

Source: AACC,

Don’t Be So Jammed Up!

Economic unrest. Job loss. Illness. Wars. The deaths of precious lives. Uncertainty of the future. Panic. Fear. Anxiety. Worry.  These must have also been issues in Jesus’ day. Five times in Matthew chapter 6 He uses the expression, “Take no thought”. (vs. 25-34 KJV) “No thought” for… our lives… for what we will eat… what we will drink. Even about what we will wear. The original Greek meaning behind this phrase does not mean mindless existence. Proverbs 21:5 teaches us that “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” (ESV) It’s important to plan. This phrase, “take no thought” would better be interpreted as do not be anxious or worried to the point of “fretting”.  Jesus then uses a simple and yet profound example. The “birds of the air”. They do not sow seeds. They don’t reap a harvest. Neither do they “store up” for the future. And yet, “your heavenly Father feeds them.” (vs. 26 ESV)

So what is Jesus really teaching us? In verse 32 we are reminded that our heavenly Father knows that we have a need for food and clothing. Then he brings it all together in vs. 33 — “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)  Rather than seeking our “day to day” needs out of a sense of desperation, Jesus is admonishing us to seek Godly attributes first and foremost.

Relax. Allow faith in your heavenly Father to replace fear and fretting. No matter what, trust in His goodness. Let him calm your troubled spirit. Consider the birds of the air. It just might turn your life around.


Source: AACC