What makes some things—even hard things—so satisfying? I just know you jumped up this morning wondering about my first hand cycle ride after a two-month layoff. I promised pictures. And you’re wondering how it went, right? Well, it was awkward and unfamiliar. It was a bit scary, hoping I wouldn’t cause further damage to a […]
Continue readingAuthor: Rich
Small Problems Or Big God?
Do you think you limit your mental picture of God? This week is a big deal for me. Tomorrow I get to resume training by riding my hand cycle for the first time in more than two months. Yes—there WILL be pictures! I’m excited, but honestly I’m also scared. I’ve made a huge commitment to […]
Continue readingResilient
HAPPY MONDAY! My lovely wife—and the weather—inspired today’s word-of-the-week… Resilient Last week Becky was finally able to put out her normal array of flowers. Usually that happens earlier, but we’ve had an odd spring. Since I’ve been trapped in bed, she placed an especially beautiful hanging basket right where I could see it. Yellow, red, […]
Continue readingWater And A New Economy
HAPPY SATURDAY! We all get overwhelmed by issues like poverty and homelessness. Too big, too many, too much–what can I do? So we give up and leave it to governments or billionaires to do something. And I’m reaching a conclusion: governments and charities will never impact these sorts of problems. People need partners and resources, […]
Continue readingGod STILL Works For Good In ALL Things—An Interview
My friend Jon Swanson is helping me promote the video for Rich’s Ride. Jon recently interviewed me for 300wordsaday. We’re running the interview on both sites today along with a fun little contest. More about the contest (along with the video) at the end of the article. First, here’s the interview. # # # # # 1. […]
Continue readingTaking It Personally
Do you have trouble hearing the Bible in a personal way? We hear a lot of discussion about whether we ahould interpret the Bible literally. I want to tell you about an experience that makes me wonder if I ought to take it a bit more personally. The other night I was feeling really down. I’d received disappointing […]
Continue readingWho’s REALLY In Charge Here?
What do you believe without really realizing it? I wish the past couple of months had happened differently. I don’t like the illness, doctor visits, disappointments, inactivity, and interruptions of my carefully-constructed plans for the bike ride project. Makes me angry. Makes me sad. Makes me frustrated, disappointed, discouraged…makes me all sorts of stuff. Who […]
Continue readingFitness
HAPPY MONDAY! We’re launching into summer. It’s a good time to consider today’s word-of-the-week… FITNESS I’ve fussed a lot lately about the forced inactivity that’s gradually degrading my physical fitness. But I wonder if I should be a bit more concerned about my spiritual fitness. Hebrews 12:1 talks about following Jesus using an analogy of […]
Continue readingNo Charity?
HAPPY SATURDAY! Sometimes people need help. A hungry child needs a meal, a thirsty man needs a cup of cold water. But mostly people don’t want a handout. They want someone to come alongside, help them get what they need to help themselves. When I considered the many worthy causes we might support with donations […]
Continue readingGod Might Know Best
Have you ever thought God might be better off asking your advice? Several months ago when this crazy bike ride project began to take shape, my friend Clark Osborn offered a suggestion: get a small group together to pray regularly with you about this project. Of course, I knew better. I didn’t need any silly […]
Continue readingLearning From Adversity
Have you learned something important in a time of struggle? The past weeks have been something of a roller coaster for me, emotionally more than physically. I’ve discovered that one helpful practice in such times is reflection. Often by looking back at a difficult experience I find peace. I see patterns and themes that weren’t […]
Continue readingSurprised By Prayer
Have you ever been surprised by a prayer? I’ve been wondering what God’s been teaching me through this whole period of forced inactivity. I’m thinking He may be showing me something about prayer. That’s a good thing–I have a lot to learn. Last week we met a new doctor—not a unique experience over the past […]
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