I hope I never diminish my dreams by settling for practicality. As next week’s elections approach, I’m reminded of our visit two years ago to the Lincoln and MLK Memorials in Washington, D.C. I’ve been reflectingon social justice, and I looked back at these thoughts. # # # Both men genuinely opposed injustice. Both believed in […]
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No Help Wanted?
Thanks, but I can do it all by myself. Of course, I know better. There’s no such thing as “all by myself,” but that doesn’t stop me from fighting to maintain the illusion of independence. I think about “help” a lot. Because of the wheelchair, others ask often how they can offer help without offending […]
Continue readingHere’s An Ancient Call To Action
Learn to do good. Seek justice. How’s that for a call to action? It’s clear, strong, unequivocal, and even comes with specific methods of engagement. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isaiah 1:17) Learn. Seek. Help. Defend. Fight. It’s stuff we […]
Continue readingSometimes, Stuff Happens
It’s just part of the deal. I’ve handcycled nearly 33,000 miles since 1999. I’ve no idea how many hours I’ve spent within literally a couple of feet of speeding traffic, but honestly there’s never been much fear. Last week, I guess the law of averages caught up with me. I stopped at a stop sign […]
Continue readingExperts
Happy Monday! An interesting comment in a class for small group leaders prrompts today’s word-of-the-week… EXPERTS “People would rather read books written by experts about the bible than the bible itself.” It’s an interesting notion–why not let someone who knows the intracacies of Hebrew and Greek, the in’s and out’s of ancient culture, figure out […]
Continue readingI Needed To Watch This
Happy Saturday! I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and be inspired by a 20-minute video. I invite you to leave a comment concerning your reaction to the guy in the top hat. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now […]
Continue readingLove With A Wagging Tail
Most of the time I think Monte’s smarter than I am. He’s certainly better behaved and much better at things like trust and forgiveness. I sometimes wonder what’s happening in his brain, and I frequently wish I culd be as relaxed as he is. I dusted off these thoughts from November, 2011, in which Monte […]
Continue readingDo You Suppose He Was Serious?
“Peace be with you.” Jesus said those exact words at least three times in John 20. The other night during our small group study a random thought popped into my head: Do you suppose He really meant it? What if He was serious? What if He really intended for us be at peace? It’s a […]
Continue readingDo You “Need” An Enemy?
RICH’S RIDE is a community. I can’t count the number of times Becky has to remind me that everything we do is about relationships. Our vision has always been to create a community that empowers people to trust God, work together as servant leaders, and offer hope to others. Recently I read an old article […]
Continue readingIn Search Of Big Arms
Last time I wrote a serious story about My First Handcycle. As always, there’s a bit of humor and a few more lessons just beneath the surface of the story. It’s true that I resisted handcycling, mostly out of fear. I was sure I’d fail. But secretly, I wondered what it would be like. See, […]
Continue readingFacts
HAPPY MONDAY! A three-year-old conversation prompts today’s word-of-the-week FACTS “I’m a science guy. I rely on evidence, data, and facts.” I’ve frequently pondered my friend’s rationale for not believing in God, because I’m a science guy, too. I want bridge designers and architects and physicists—and lots of other folks—to be science guys as well. I […]
Continue readingExplaining What Doesn’t Make Sense
I sat on my first handcycle in March, 1999. You can read the story of The First Ride, but it’s fair to say that two blocks in thirty minutes wasn’t exactly a rousing success. (Amazing how primitive that bike looks now.) I’d just spent more than ten years whining and giving up. But when I […]
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