Entry #4—It’s In The BOUNCE!

My brilliant niece Jennifer (she’s only 15) who helped me get started in blogging made a delicious cranberry salad for Thanksgiving.  I am not super big on cranberries (though there are some excellent health benefits to be had by eating them), but Jen’s cranberry salad was DELICIOUS!  The next day my sister Karen found this devotional piece that had something unusual to say about cranberries.   I’d like to offer this thought to you:  With cranberries, it’s the BOUNCE that counts!!

                      
 According to Science Digest, processing cranberries involves pouring freshly picked berries down a series of step-like boards.  At each level only those berries that BOUNCE over an 8- to 10-inch barrier pass the test.  Each berry gets eleven chances.  (Don’t ask me why 11 chances; who came up with that number?)  Those that fail are discarded.  Many fruits are judged by firmness and color, but the cranberry is distinguished by its ability to “BOUNCE like a golf ball.”The strength of our faith can also be judged by our ability to BOUNCE back after defeat.  Although setbacks hurt (OUCH), they allow us to show our underlying confidence in Christ.  A spiritual reversal should not cause us to give up!  It’s the “BOUNCE” of our faith and HIS forgiveness that are important!    

DEFEAT ISN’T BITTER UNLESS WE SWALLOW IT!           

Published in:  on November 26, 2006 at 11:41 pm Comments (18)

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18 Comments Leave a comment.

  1. On November 27, 2006 at 4:21 am writeathome Said:

    Tom,

    I love this cranberry devotional! May we all have that faith in God that will help us to bounce through the setbacks of life. Thanks for sharing.

    Love,

    ‘lynnie

    Reply
  2. On November 27, 2006 at 6:52 pm tommyjoe Said:

    ‘lynnie:

    I have a feeling a lot of us were BOUNCING out of there (or is ROLLING the better word here?) after leaving your house Thanksgiving evening. The “spread” was GREAT, and a good time was had by all, I’m sure.

    Love,
    Tommy Joe

    Reply
  3. On November 27, 2006 at 8:16 pm helenl Said:

    Hi Tom, Good post, and good to have you back blogging again. How is your eye?

    Reply
  4. On November 27, 2006 at 9:13 pm Shirley Said:

    Quite an interesting article on cranberries. Thank you for sharing it.

    We also make a delicious cranberry salad in our home. It almost tastes like ice cream. I like cranberries, though, in every way I’ve ever tasted.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

    Reply
  5. On November 27, 2006 at 9:52 pm tommyjoe Said:

    I guess I don’t like cranberries as well as some other berries because it seems like I never know what to expect; they’re either too sweet or too tangy, but Jen’s salad was good.

    The humble blueberry is one of my favorites! It’s considered a Superfood, and I believe the cranberry is a sidekick. I’m basing this on the book Superfoods Rx (by Stephen Pratt & Kathy Matthews) that lists the 14–must foods we should eat. It’s a simple lifestyle plan, doable–nothing WAY OUT, includes food (and beverage) from every food group AND IS COLORFUL. I think that’s important!

    Reply
  6. On November 27, 2006 at 9:56 pm tommyjoe Said:

    Helen, my eye (right eye) seems to be getting better little by little. I had a scleral buckle surgery to reattach a detached retina. Evidently the surgery is now considered the GOLD STANDARD SURGERY for my ailment. There’s a 90-95% success rate, and I was told the day after that it was successful; the Dr. did a very good job, so I’m very encouraged. After 2 weeks, I’m still somewhat blurry, but already feel there’s been some improvement. I go for a checkup today. It’ll take about 9 months to REALLY KNOW the final outcome. Maybe I’ll be 20/20 again?!! That’d be the ultimate, but we’ll see.

    Reply
  7. On November 28, 2006 at 3:12 am Shirley Said:

    Good news about your eye, Joe.

    Reply
  8. On November 28, 2006 at 5:24 am Karen Said:

    Tommy Joe,

    I like cranberries, and imbibe in them throughout the year. I think cranberries and their bounce may be like Weebles that wobble but don’t fall down. Could be a similar principle, but Weebles are manmade, and cranberries are God-made. He’s so good to give us so many wonderful foods to enjoy.

    Reply
  9. On November 28, 2006 at 5:41 am tommyjoe Said:

    Keek:
    Cranberries, to me, are a “once-in-a-while” type food. I really don’t mind them. I have got to reconnect with my inner child and get some Weebles soon. I love the variety of foods God has given.

    Reply
  10. On November 29, 2006 at 6:05 am myblessings Said:

    I loved Weebles when I was growing up and the other day when I was doing some Christmas shopping for some little nephews, there they were and I started singing “weebles wobble but they don’t fall down”.

    I also love cranberries. Juice, plain, in food, dried, crushed, I like them anyway.

    I love your post. Cranberries that bounce. How did your appt go? Hope to see you soon.

    Reply
  11. On November 29, 2006 at 7:08 pm Jen Said:

    Hi Uncle Tom!!!

    Glad you’re getting better all the time. Thanks for mentioning me in your post. We’re out of cranberries now!! lol

    -Your Favorite Niece :lol:

    Reply
  12. On November 29, 2006 at 7:18 pm tommyjoe Said:

    Jen:

    My eye seems to be gradually getting better. My toe does too. I’ve not been using the cane as much. I’m hoping one of these days to be able to RUN!

    Stay tuned for my #5 blog entry. I’m mentioning your brother (among others) in it!!!

    - (Your Favorite Uncle–next to Dean, I KNOW)

    Reply
  13. On December 2, 2006 at 12:07 am Jen Said:

    That’s great your eye seems to be doing better!!! And I love ALL my uncles, even you. :lol:

    Reply
  14. On December 2, 2006 at 12:33 am tommyjoe Said:

    You can “fess up,” Jen. I know I’M THE FAVORITE. HAW!

    Jen, how do I do smiley’s in the blog? Do I have to go to e-mail or Microsoft Word and copy from there???

    Reply
  15. On December 5, 2006 at 9:06 am Cltgrace Said:

    Mmmm – I love cranberries. Throw them in the brownie batter or the cookie dough…it’s all good! UB needs to be keeping up with this blog business given he’s being nudged out as the favorite. :o ) He’s so busy now – go ahead, Tom – enjoy the moment. :o ) Miss ya round here for the Christmas production – we’ve gone from “play” to “production”. Bob, Joyce, Stacy & I were laughing bout the good old days & Christmas plays of times past. Something ’bout Cheryl as Lady Liberty?? What a hoot! We’ve come a long way baby. Wish you were here.

    Reply
  16. On December 15, 2006 at 12:32 pm Cltgrace Said:

    Hey, I already commented here but read the post as new. Bounce is definitely a must when we are walking with the Lord. Mmmm – and I just bought some cranberry orange biscotti mix for a get together this weekend. Love those cranberries. Thanks, again, for sharing again. AND HEY… you’re so thoughtful to comment on my Gracie blog so often, Tommy. Sending happy hugs your way!

    Reply
  17. On December 15, 2006 at 7:21 pm tommyjoe Said:

    Carmen: I’m JUST NOW starting to get more into the blogging AND UNDERSTANDING IT a bit better. Just in time for me to probably SLACK OFF a bit during the Christmas season (I’m really going to be busy the next few days), but I’ll be back (WITH A VENGEANCE)–HAW! And, I want to start making comments on Randy Beal’s blog. Keep on keepin’ on. GOD BLESS. Tommy

    Reply

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