I’d like to tell you about a hero. She serves the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. Every month, in somewhat halting English, she sends updates. Praise reports, prayer requests, progress of individual kids (with names changed). Despite a constant scramble for staff and resources, her updates are always filled with joy and gratitude. I’d […]
Continue readingMore TagYear: 2017
Here’s How We Really End It
My friends Tom and Melinda are In It To End It. Slavery. Human trafficking. Yesterday was the day to shine a light on this horrible darkness and recommit ourselves to put an end to modern-day slavery. The bright red “X” is a show of solidarity, a demonstration that they stand in opposition to injustice. Of […]
Continue readingMore TagGenerosity Or Goofy Hats?
Selfish or generous, kind or mean. Those are choices, and there’s plenty of evidence that chunks of our culture are choosing the path of the bully. Lots of shouting, line-drawing, name-calling, lie-telling, wall-building. It’s all about power–we win, you lose, no matter the cost. Easy to lose sight of the many who choose to build longer tables rather […]
Continue readingMore TagThere’s No App For This
You can’t really “dumb down” a bike tour. A tour can operate on different terrain, at different speeds, catering to different ability levels. Tours can accomplish different goals and support different causes. But the rider still has to climb onto the saddle and crank the pedals. There’s this cultural tendency to make things easier, require less […]
Continue readingMore TagZoom In Or Zoom Out?
Becky and I (and Monte) love Coors Field. The home of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club is a glorious setting in which to spend a summer evening. Everything about the atmosphere, the view of the mountains, the downtown setting, the amazing sunsets make Coors Field a truly magical spot. We even enjoy watching the baseball […]
Continue readingMore TagWhat If You Don’t Go Along?
We need more people who Get In The Way. John is one of the folks who drives the FREEDOM TOUR. He’s not simply along for the ride, he’s involved in building the community. The people, the process matter to him. We matter to him. Over a period of a few years John has become part of […]
Continue readingMore TagHere’s One Way To Do Good
My friend Phil takes a little boy fishing occasionally. They eat sandwiches and laugh and talk about stuff. I’m sure they even catch a few fish, though I don’t think that matters so much. What if Good isn’t a big, overwhelming, impossible-to-achieve abstract notion? What if Good isn’t something for God to accomplish in the grand sweep of […]
Continue readingMore TagHow To Sell Cycling In Snow
It’s winter right now. Snow. Cold. Ice. Ski racks and skating rinks. No one (in their right mind) rides a bike in that kind of weather unless they have to. And here we are, talking about cycling, asking people to invest in a dream that involves shorts and warm days and sunny skies and it’s […]
Continue readingMore TagGive Good Instructions
“I couldn’t do something like that!” When you talk to people about extended cycle tours, you hear that sort of thing a lot. It’s the kind of focused place where folks tend to argue for their limitations. But there are lots of situations in which people seem defeated before they begin. So many folks are absolutely […]
Continue readingMore TagWhat Will You Choose To See?
We invest a lot of energy in differences. Differences are an easy way to circle the wagons and close ranks. People like them don’t belong here. These pictures look pretty similar, at first. Wristbands, arms, hands together. You have to look closely to find the differences. That’s how it usually works. On the left, the […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s More Than Fun
“Wow, this looks like fun!” It’s probably my favorite comment when people walk up to the FREEDOM TOUR table. They see the photos, the jerseys, the maps, and the whole thing looks like a big, crazy adventure. Who wouldn’t want to be part of the smiles, the sunshine, the friendships and the sense of accomplishment that […]
Continue readingMore TagAre You Sure?
Truth or certainty? Isn’t true also certain, and vice versa? Are they not the same thing? Turns out–not so much. Certain is often a simplistic, watered-down place of political slogans and bumper stickers. It’s great for platitudes and song choruses. Certain rarely describes how the world works, how relationships work, how we can move the ball down the field. […]
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