The EBI effect, daring songs, and 8000 paper doves

5 things worth sharing this week

Aug 12, 2025

TWO IDEAS FROM RICH & CASS

“The EBI Effect
I recently read a post from a friend who shared a brilliant method for debriefing weekend preaching. I loved it so much that we’ve started using it for worship as well. I call it the Even Better If effect.

Here’s how it works: after the weekend, ask two simple questions:

What was good?
What would be even better if…?

It’s a subtle shift, but it makes feedback feel less like criticism and more like an invitation to grow. Instead of tearing down, it helps us focus on small, meaningful steps toward flourishing.

Try it this week, you might be surprised at how encouraging and effective it feels.”

“God gives us far more than we deserve, and in turn, He invites us to treat every person we encounter with that same overflowing kindness.”

Read: Luke 6:27-42

TWO QUOTES FROM OTHERS

The way God tells stories is a slap in the face to our mediocre retelling of our own stories!

“We must tell stories the way God does, stories in which a sister must float her little brother on a river with nothing but a basket between him and the crocodiles. Stories in which a king is a coward, and a shepherd boy steps forward to face the giant. Stories with fiery serpents and leviathans and sermons in whirlwinds. Stories in which murderers are blinded and donkeys become heroes. Stories with dens of lions and fiery furnaces and lone prophets laughing at kings and priests and demons. Stories with heads on platters. Stories with courage and crosses and redemption. Stories with resurrections.”

Source: Death By Living. Life is Meant to Be Spent.

Imagine if our songs were dangerous declarations of hope like the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel…

“This song becomes a source of deep and dangerous hope in the world wherever the prospect and possibility of human arrangements have been exhausted. When people can no longer believe the promises of the rulers of this age, when the gifts of well-being are no longer given through established channels, this song voices an alternative to which the desperate faithful cling.”

Source: First and Second Samuel: Interpretation