Defining A Dream

I’m willing to accept wisdom wherever I can find it, even if the source is an egg-shaped philosopher named Humpty Dumpty. Whenever I struggle to understand a word I’m reminded of this conversation from Lewis Carroll’s Through The Looking Glass:

“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”

“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”

“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master — that’s all.”

As I write and speak about RICH’S RIDE I use the term “dream” a lot. It’s a tricky word because it means different things to different people. That’s the sort of confusion that leads to a muddled message and a lot of misunderstanding.

I think Humpty Dumpty’s correct. I can use the word “dream” to mean just what I choose it to mean. But I need to clarify exactly what that is.

So I’ve been wrestling with what I mean by “dream.” I’d appreciate your feedfack.

A dream is the God-inspired desire to share your unique gifts and passions to serve and make a difference in the world.

Think of a personal dream. Does this sentence describe your experience? What’s missing? What doesn’t belong?

What do you think of this definition of a “dream”?

Please leave a comment here.

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If you’ve enjoyed the updates from Rich’s Ride, please check out my blog at BOUNCING BACK.

We’ve got a great circle of folks who look at living life on purpose and following Jesus in the real world. I hope you’ll join us.

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An Evening With Becky And Rich

Becky and I were blessed to share some stories from Rich’s Ride at Timberline Church.

I hope you enjoy this video of a great evening that included a humbling surprise near the end.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

All I Want For Christmas…

…I already received.

It’s THE question of the season: WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

None of us completely outgrows the childlike wonder of Christmas. We all secretly enjoy the surprise of a Christmas gift. However, this year I can truthfully say that I’ve received a gift beyond my wildest imagination.

Rich’s Ride was not a one-time present–it was the gift of a lifetime, and you gave it to me. I can’t come up with the right words to adequately express my thanks.

I still don’t know what’s next. Next week’s the time for looking back and projecting forward, and I’ll share some of that.

For now–thanks for the incredibly thoughtful gift.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Please leave a comment here.

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The Price Is Right

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Powerful

Here’s a video based around two powerful quotes.

I’m inspired–hope you are as well.

If you can’t see the video, click here.

Have an inspired weekend!

It’s Only A Bike Ride

We received another dose of humility this weekend. Pastor Dick Foth at Timberline Church in Fort Collins invited Becky, Monte, and me to share a bit about Rich’s Ride in weekend worship services.

Dick asked each of us to offer a one-word takeaway from our experience. Becky talked about the supportive power of prayer; I reflected on generosity. For some reason, nobody asked Monte’s opinion. You can watch the sermon and our short cameo here.

After each service people talked about how the ride impacted them. Tears, laughter, and more wonderful stories emerged as they scratched Monte and told us how much our crazy project inspired them.

I thought back a year, when I first began talking seriously about this idea. I thought I wanted to go for a bike ride.

It became a lot more, and we had little to do with what occurred. God sent people who caught the vision and saw possibilities we couldn’t imagine. Thousands of people touched by a message of hope, more than $40,000 (with matching funds) donated to feed hungry children—all that didn’t happen due to anything we did.

We’ve planned an evening at Timberline to tell the stories and talk about trusting God and stepping out in faith to dream big dreams. If you’re in the Fort Collins area, please join us on Wednesday, January 18^th at 7:00 pm. It’ll be a time for discussion, questions, and perhaps the birth of new dreams. If you can’t attend, we’ll post the session online.

This whole process is exciting and very humbling. It’s a wonderful demonstration of what can happen when we allow God to use our gifts and passions. As I’ve said many times:

If an old, bald, crippled guy can crank a bike 1500 miles, what can you do?

I just wanted to go for a bike ride.

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Responding To A Gift

It’s been a month since we reached New Orleans. Thanksgiving’s past, and many of us are focused on Christmas. And Christmas, of course, is all about gifts—or at least that’s what the culture wants us to believe.

As I distill the experience of Rich’s Ride, one central notion keeps popping into my head. I sense that I’ve received an amazing, priceless gift. I feel like you all wrapped this incredible experience, placed it under the tree, and then sat back and smiled as you watched me open it.

It’s humbling to unwrap an especially meaningful gift. When someone puts so much into finding something special, “thank you” isn’t sufficient. You say it anyway, but you know a big part of the process is the joy others receive from seeing your excitement. You understand that fully embracing the gift is perhaps the best expression of thankfulness.

But…what then? After the unwrapping and the thank-you and the excitement, what’s next?

I feel as though I sit here holding this unbelievable treasure. I opened it, savored the experience, and said “thank you” in every way I can imagine. And now I want to know what to do with it.

I can’t escape the sense that the gift doesn’t really belong to me. You were kind to allow me to enjoy it, but I don’t think I want to store it in the attic. I think this experience, like all significant gifts, was always intended to be shared.

I’m trying to figure out how to hold this treasure in open hands.

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The Price Is Right

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Who Decides?

Imagine traveling a deserted, desolate stretch of crumbling highway past abandoned commercial facilities and dilapidated shacks. Snarling dogs chase you; wind and sun turn your skin raw; people stare at you as you pass.

Imagine rolling along a quiet country back road on a bright, sunny morning. The cotton harvest provides unfamiliar, interesting activity. Prosperous-looking farmyards sit side-by-side with isolated groups of run-down houses. Drivers honk and wave.

Now imagine that both paragraphs describe the same day of he same journey.

As I distill what I learned from the experience of Rich’s Ride, I’m reminded of an important principle:

My life is less about circumstances and more about my attitude toward circumstances.

I’m a slow learner. I grumble too often, seeing a glass that’s half-full and leaking. I know better, but knowing isn’t much use when I behave as though I’m hostage to events beyond my control.

Circumstances aren’t irrelevant. Some situations certainly wouldn’t be my first choice.

But I can always control my attitude. Desolate highway or quiet country back road—same circumstance, vastly different experience.

My choice.

Please leave a comment here.

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Ain’t No Normal

Before the ride began I did my annual physical, including lab tests on various fluids and functions. When we discussed the results the doctor handed me several papers. Each item listed my results and a range that’s considered “normal.”

I’m fortunate—aside from the whole paralysis thing I’m quite healthy. In all important categories on the page my numbers were normal.

Meaning … what?

In medical terms it’s obvious. People within the normal range tend to be healthier and less at risk for developing specific issues.

So normal means acceptable, okay, nothing to worry about.

I think we do the same thing in life. We probably haven’t developed scientific criteria. We don’t like to admit it. But we’ve all learned a comfort zone, a range of behaviors and characteristics in others that feels safe and secure.

The question isn’t whether we possess those filters. The question is what we do with them.

Sadly, we tend to label folks within our personal comfort zone as “normal.” They’re similar to us, it’s easy to hang out with them. We can relax and be ourselves. There’s nothing to worry about.

And what about those outside the zone, those with whom we feel uneasy or awkward?

During the ride we met a lot of people who feel like they’re on the outside looking in. They’re folks with physical, psychological, or mental challenges. They’re poor or homeless; they haven’t overcome some past trauma or personal failure. They’re certain that, for one reason or perhaps many reasons, they don’t fit.

They’re not acceptable. They’re not…normal.

I’m guilty. Like everyone else I gravitate toward those with whom I feel at ease. And if I’m not aware I begin to draw invisible lines that isolate others. Those lines create categories and labels.

I wish I could see each person as a unique individual with gifts and talents and problems. I don’t want to decide who’s okay and who’s not. Regrettably, I fail too often to conform behavior and belief.

But awareness is the first step toward change, and Rich’s Ride reminded me of this essential reality:

There ain’t no such thing as normal.

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Let’s Make A Deal

Don’t miss out on our 2-for-1 deal on copies of Relentless Grace. Click this button and give the gift of Relentless Grace.

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Between Here And Now

“What did you learn—what’s the take-away?”

I get that question a lot as I tell stories from Rich’s Ride.

I’m still processing the answer. I’m not sure I’ve generated any earth-shattering insights—mostly it’s stuff I already knew and needed to be reminded about.

Here’s one principle that challenges me as I think about where this project should go next:

I’m responsible for doing what I can, where I am, with what I have.

I’ll bet I’m not the only person who wonders when “they” will stop being so greedy, quit bickering, and use their resources to actually help the situation.

After all, what can I do? I’m just one old bald guy in a wheelchair. How can little-old-me have any meaningful impact?

Of course we all know that’s a lie, a great way to avoid responsibility. As long as I accept that lie, I’m off the hook. I’ll never make a difference.

Rich’s Ride proves that one dream can attract a circle of committed supporters. And that kind of circle can accomplish something remarkable.

Here’s a music video from a band called Stars Go Dim. They’re doing what they can with what they have to raise $12,000 in 12 days to support Convoy of Hope.

If you can’t see the video, click here.

I encourage you to check out the group’s web site and learn more about what they’re doing to support Convoy of Hope.

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Cyber Monday

Don’t miss out on the holiday fun. Take advantage of our 2-for-1 deal on copies of Relentless Grace. Click this button and give the gift of Relentless Grace.

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Get In The Spirit

So … did you get out into the madness of Black Friday?

I’m never quite sure what to do with the day after Thanksgiving. After an overdose of turkey and being stuffed with stuffing, after football and naps and pumpkin pie, after pausing to be intentionally thankful, here’s this day sort of stuck in before the weekend. It’s not a normal day, but not really a holiday either.

Unless you’re a shopper. Then it’s THE DAY.

“Black Friday” sounds ominous, like a day to stay inside and hide. And that’s precisely my approach. I have a tough time getting excited about the notion of camping out, standing in line, getting up early, and battling crowds.

I hope the season brings huge success to retailers and small businesses who’ve struggled through recent economic hard times. But today I’ll do more football and some leftovers.

However, today kicks off a string of unofficial shopping holidays—Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. And since I’m the smallest of small businesses, I want to get in the spirit.

Seriously, my real goal is to get the story of Relentless Grace into the hands of readers who need hope, encouragement, and faith in new beginnings. I believe in the power of this story. But the words don’t make a difference when they’re sitting in boxes.

Shopping Season just wouldn’t be the same without a special offer, so here’s mine. Until December 15, 2011, I’ll make a 2-for-1 deal. If you order a copy of the book at the already-discounted price, I’ll toss in a second copy for free.

• We all know folks who’d enjoy an inspirational story with a subtle romantic twist. (Guys—think about those ladies!)
• We all know people who wonder where God went in the midst of a crisis.
• We all live near a detention center, shelter, or nursing home where people seek hope and meaning.

Books pass through many hands, especially those donated to jails and shelters. You may never know who was touched by the story, but I’m confident God will get your gift to someone who’s ready to listen to Him. I’m just asking for your help in reaching out to those who need to know about God’s Relentless Grace.

Here’s a comment from a young lady who wrote to me after I spoke at a jail (shared at her request).

I read your book the first day I was locked up. Someone gave it to me, and it totally changed my outlook. I’ve made a lot of really bad choices, but after reading your story I knew I could start over. I’m using my time here to learn to know God again. When I get out in a few weeks, I’m not looking back. They need more books like that in here. Thank you.

Click this button to take advantage of this offer and give the gift of Relentless Grace.

In addition to your purchase, you can help a lot by recommending this book to friends and linking to this post on Facebook and Twitter. Your word-of-mouth is the best word of all.

Have a great weekend. Thanks for your comments, notes, and support. You encourage me, and I don’t say “thanks” quite enough.