Note:I’m re-posting this because this film opens this weekend in northern Colorado.

I don’t worry much about things like “unwritten” rules, but one blogging rule has always made sense to me: Don’t recommend a book you haven’t read or a movie you haven’t seen.

Today, I’m breaking that rule. NOT TODAY opens May 24th in Fort Collins. Becky and I will be there, and if you’re in Northern Colorado I encourage you to be there as well. If not, check this list of cities for an opportunity to support this important film.

Here’s the official trailer:

Can’t see the video in your email or reader? Click here.

Why is your support of this film so important? Because we all know the deplorable practice of sex trafficking simply has to stop, and that begins with awareness.

Movies only stay in theaters by attracting crowds. If Christians show up to watch Gatsby or Iron Man, then Not Today will disappear. We need to vote with our ticket purchases, Tweets, and Facebook posts.

It’s really sorta simple. Not Today provides a chance to put our money, time, and attention where we claim our faith is.

I can’t vouch for the film itself. I can vouch for the cause on which it shines badly needed light.

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

Bob Goff (author of LOVE DOES) wrote an interesting article last week about picking fights and making a difference. Bob referenced a bible story I’d never heard.

I know that shocks you.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua is checking out Jericho prior to the big day when he encounters an angel with his sword drawn. You can imagine this was a somewhat intimidating sight, and Joshua asks an understandable question.

“Whose side are you on?”

Makes sense to me. Joshua’s about to lead his men in conquest of this strange land, and he wants a little reassurance. I’ll bet he didn’t expect the answer he received.

The angel tells Joshua he commands God’s army and…he’s not on either side!

Since I wasn’t familiar with this story, I read a bunch about it. I found lots of really deep thoughts and interpretations of the precise identity and prophetic implications of the angel’s appearance. But the angel’s response carried a clear, unmistakable message:

God’s army isn’t “for” anyone. Its sole purpose is to accomplish God’s will.

For me, the lesson is crystal clear. No matter how hard I pray, God’s not going to show up to wear my team jersey, advance my political agenda, or carry my flag. Put another way:

The question isn’t whether God’s on my team but whether I’m on His team.

It’s pretty easy to invoke God’s blessing on our cause. We assume He’s on our side because we’re “obviously” more right than the other side. He can’t possibly be for them, so He got to be for us…doesn’t He?

But the angel’s response makes it clear: God doesn’t choose sides. Instead, He invites us to choose His side.

And as I said last time, there’s a lot more to being on the team than simply wearing the jersey.

When we choose His side, God offers the opportunity to actually participate, engage, and play for the team to accomplish His will.

Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

When I was a kid, cheering for a sports team was simpler.

You knew and cheered for the players on your team. There were no free agents and really good players were rarely traded.

That all changed in the mid-70’s. Now, team rosters vary drastically every season. Last year’s villains might be this season’s beloved heroes. We no longer cheer for players. We cheer for laundry. It’s not about the guy, but the jersey the guy’s wearing.

Like I said yesterday, jerseys are cool.

I have two authentic New York Yankee jerseys in my closet. They’re identical to those worn by the guys who actually play for the Yankees. It’s fun to show them off once in a while, though I don’t wear them to games because I fear mustard stains.

But here’s the thing: I can put on the jersey and the cap and all the fancy equipment, but nobody’s going to mistake me for an actual player.

Wearing the jersey doesn’t make me part of the team. Being on the team involves a lot more than wearing the right laundry.

Fans are involved, even passionate, but they don’t have any real skin in the game. They express an opinion, maybe buy a ticket, but when the game ends they head back to their lives. Win or lose, the jersey goes back in the closet.

Being on the team requires commitment. The players on the field sacrificed to get there. They spent long, lonely hours training and practicing. They risked failure, endured pain, and faced fear in pursuit of a goal.

For the players, the jersey symbolizes commitment to something bigger than themselves. It’s meant to be worn, not displayed. Dirt, sweat, and even some blood stains are okay.

I don’t think Jesus wants fans—even passionate ones. He’s not looking for us to sport the laundry and cheer from the sidelines. I think He wants us to do more than wear a nice, clean, unwrinkled jersey.

I think He wants us to engage, face our fear, and sacrifice courageously together toward something bigger than ourselves. I think He wants followers whose commitment goes deeper than Sunday morning attendance or an opinion on Facebook.

I think He wants followers whose jerseys get sweaty and dirty.

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

I’m excited about today’s word-of-the-week…

JERSEY

Team jerseys are cool and fun. There’s a real sense of belonging, being part of something bigger than yourself, that goes with wearing a jersey.

I’m thinking about jerseys because we just finalized our team for this summer’s Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2013. It’s interesting, and a little scary, to think about bringing a group together for an intense week of physical, emotional, and spiritual challenge.

Deep down, I think we all like being part of a team and wearing the jersey.

One curious aspect of team jerseys is the development of an “us vs. them” mentality. When you’re on a team, people are either on your side or the other side. They’re either for you—or they’re against you.

It’s a false choice, and potentially a dangerous one.

Once you put on that team jersey, it’s easy to assume God’s on your side—and opposed to the other side. This can lead to some good-natured humor when we invoke God’s support for our favorite sports team. It’s not so funny when the issue’s more serious.

I’m spending some time thinking about the issue of teams and jerseys and choosing sides. I’ll share some of it in the next couple of posts. For now, this starter:

The question isn’t whether God’s on our team but whether we’re on God’s team.

Have a great week.

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

Last time I told you my friend Jim’s vision of Jesus’ actions as mediator. Several readers sent notes saying how touched they were by the statement, “It’s okay. He’s with me.”

Jim clearly isn’t worried his encounter with God. He knows Jesus has him covered.

I wonder if those who follow Jesus often miss this simple assurance. I seem to hear so much guilt, so many folks striving to be good enough. It’s as though Jesus provided a simple target, and we’re completely invested in making it harder and harder to hit.

Sometimes I wish we’d make the core message a little more clear.

# # #

You can’t be good enough. Nobody can. Stop trying.

God loves you. You are forgiven. Completely. Not because you earned it or because you deserve it. You don’t. It’s a gift, completely free, through God’s grace.

Jesus bridged the gap between you and God through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. You could never have reached across that gap. There are lots of theological notions about how that worked, but how doesn’t matter. What matters is that Jesus built a bridge you couldn’t build, and you cross it through faith in Him.

Your faith is a response to God’s grace.

# # #

I wonder how many folks spend hours each week memorizing scripture and trying to understand theological intricacies, thinking those somehow get them closer to God. And in their hectic study and prayer, they miss grace.

Without God’s grace, nothing else matters. In the light of grace, all the rest is pretty insignificant.

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

My friend Jim has an incredible way of verbalizing his faith using simple, profound stories.

We’ve been together in a small group for a number of years. We’ll be immersed in some tangled discussion, and Jim steps in and offers a word picture that leaves everyone saying things like “Wow” and “Very cool.”

The other night our study asked a question. “When you envision Jesus acting as your mediator, what do you envision Him doing?”

After several folks fumbled with responses, Jim provided one of his gems.

# # #

“I always picture myself sitting in front of God, and Satan’s there listing all the things I did wrong. And it’s horrible, because everything he says about me is true.

“Then, just when I think I can’t take it anymore, Jesus walks up, wraps His arms around me, and sort of covers me with His cloak.

“And he says, ‘It’s okay. He’s with me.’”

# # #

I smiled when Jim told the story. I’m smiling as I write it.

We make theology pretty complicated sometimes. I suppose there’s a place for that, but I wonder if we’d do better if we focused more on something more basic.

Jesus loves me, this I know.

“It’s okay. He’s with me.”

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

I confronted a curious, somewhat humbling internal dilemma this weekend.

Becky and I spent several hours in our church lobby talking to people about Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2013. Did I mention that May 15^th is the deadline to sign up or order a jersey?

A young lady walked up and looked at our display. As she and Becky talked, her developmental disability became apparent. When she walked away, I asked myself a hard question.

What would I have said if she wanted to join the team and do the tour?

We all know the right answer. She should be included at whatever level is appropriate. We should make whatever accommodations she needs. Right?

And as she walked away, I was a bit relieved that she didn’t say, “Can I do this?”

It’s likely not a big deal to anyone but me. I really think she was more interested in Monte than riding a bike across Colorado. But that’s not the point.

I wonder why I didn’t invite her and encourage her to try. That’s part of what this is supposed to be about, isn’t it?

You would think that I, of ALL people, would know better. It’s so much easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

HAPPY MONDAY!

A random note inspires today’s word-of-the-week…

ACTION

I ran across a note last week that seemed worth recording on an electronic index card and sticking on my virtual bulletin board.

how to change the world

1. Start where you are
2. Use what you have
3. Do what you can

This note seemed like a good reminder for a Monday.

First, I don’t need to wait. I don’t need any special equipment or training. I have what I need, right here, right now.

Second, I like the action verbs. Start—Use—Do.

No analyzing, talking, or meetings. I can take action and change the world.

Time to get going.

Have a great week.

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

I don’t worry much about things like “unwritten” rules, but one blogging rule has always made sense to me: Don’t recommend a book you haven’t read or a movie you haven’t seen.

Today, I’m breaking that rule. NOT TODAY opens May 24th in Fort Collins. Becky and I will be there, and if you’re in Northern Colorado I encourage you to be there as well. If not, check this list of cities for an opportunity to support this important film.

Here’s the official trailer:

Can’t see the video in your email or reader? Click here.

Why is your support of this film so important? Because we all know the deplorable practice of sex trafficking simply has to stop, and that begins with awareness.

Movies only stay in theaters by attracting crowds. If Christians show up to watch Gatsby or Iron Man, then Not Today will disappear. We need to vote with our ticket purchases, Tweets, and Facebook posts.

It’s really sorta simple. Not Today provides a chance to put our money, time, and attention where we claim our faith is.

I can’t vouch for the film itself. I can vouch for the cause on which it shines badly needed light.

Please leave a comment here.

# # #

Please take a minute to stop by today’s RICH’S RIDE blog to see an interesting artistic interpretation of our story. Kinda cool.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.

Last weekend I was drinking coffee in our church lobby when a guy named Brett walked up and introduced himself. First he asked why Monte wasn’t with me. Then he wanted to talk about my “crazy bike ride.”

I struggled to get past the fact that my identity at church is now apparently defined by a goofy-looking dog and a crazy bike ride. While I pondered my self-image, Brett pulled up a chair. He had some serious questions.

He asked about details and logistics. After I explained as briefly as possible there was a long, thoughtful pause. Finally he found the right words.

“Why did you decide to do something so hard?”

I’ve had this discussion dozens of times. You’ve read about some of them. But this was somehow different, because Brett wasn’t half-jokingly asking if I was nuts. I sensed he was seeking the answer within himself.

“Well, I think ‘hard’ was exactly the point, or a big part of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’d been riding my bike for more than ten years. When I started I enjoyed riding but it was incredibly hard, and I learned a lot about myself and my relationship with God when I stuck with it through the difficult parts.”

“Yeah. I read your book, Relentless Grace, and I got that. The biking was a big piece of your recovery.”

“It was, but eventually I reached the point where the hard parts weren’t really hard any more. I could keep riding around town and stay in shape and have fun, but the aspect of challenging myself and learning about God was gone. I’d reached the point where I could pretty much do it on my own.”

“That sounds like a good thing.”

“Well, it was certainly safe and comfortable, the kind of place we all think we want to be. But it wasn’t the dream. I wasn’t using my gifts and passions to serve others. And I believe God planted a seed of discontent that wouldn’t let me settle for safe and comfortable.”

“That’s it!” Brett exclaimed. “That’s exactly what I’m feeling. I’m settling for a safe life, and it’s not enough.”

“But…” I waited.

“But…I like safe. I want to take my faith seriously, I want to be challenged, but I like being comfortable.”

“So,” I smiled, “you want to be comfortably challenged, right?”

“Yeah,” he sort of hung his head. “And it sounds really dumb when you say it out loud.”

It’s not dumb at all,” I chuckled. “It’s exactly what we’re all looking for. We’re all trying to find a risk-free way to follow Jesus.”

“Yeah, and then something just grabs you and you realize you can’t have it both ways. That’s what your crazy bike ride has done to me.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to mess you up.” Thankfully, he was laughing.

“Yes, you did. You totally want to make us squirm. That’s why you’re doing this, right?”

“So are you going to join us?”

“No, biking isn’t my thing, but it’s not about biking, right?

“So can I ask one more question?”

“Sure,” I said.

“Is it as hard as it looks?”

“Honestly? It’s harder.”

We attend a big church. One drawback is that I don’t know everyone. I don’t know if Brett and I will cross paths again any time soon.

I shared this interaction because it seemed like a conversation you and I might have over a cup of coffee. That’s sort of how I think of this blog. I appreciate you being here.

I take mine black. You?

Please leave a comment here.

Want to receive free updates?
Click below to get Bouncing Back
delivered directly to your inbox.