It’s been a while since I’ve talked about 300 touches. It’s one of my core thoughts about Jesus, and it comes from this question: What if it takes 300 touches to really see Jesus? In this context, a touch means any sort of interaction or impression, sort of like advertising where the idea doesn’t always […]
Continue readingAuthor: Rich
Early Birds
The early bird gets the worm, right? At the FREEDOM TOUR, we’re not handing out worms. We are, however, offering discounts for early registration to the FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC. But you have to act soon. The discounts end February 1st. There’s a route for every ability. You could bring your family and enjoy a 15 […]
Continue readingQuid Pro Quo
We’re sort of conditioned into a quid pro quo idea of generosity. Want great service? Tip generously. It’s odd, because the link implies there’s no point to giving generously if we don’t get something in return. At the FREEDOM TOUR, we’re surrounded by one-way generosity, by people who give time, talent, and money – expecting […]
Continue readingLet’s Go!
What if you could stand against injustice simply by walking, running, or riding your bike? What if every mile raised a dollar, and what if you were part of a community accumulating miles and dollars that change the lives of kids rescued from human trafficking? We would like to invite you to join the HOPE […]
Continue readingOn Your Mark
Ever watch the sprint at a track meet? The starter gives three commands. ON YOUR MARK! Runners settle into the starting blocks. A few moments, until everyone’s completely still and relaxed. SET! Runners rise into takeoff position. Muscles tensed, waiting, anticipating… BANG! The race begins. “SET” can only last a second or two. Once everyone’s […]
Continue readingFirst Things
I don’t do resolutions, but I ran across an idea that might make for a good thought to begin 2023. Honesty, without empathy, is cruelty. I always strive for honesty – as I write, as I lead the FREEDOM TOUR. But I hope I never hurl truth at people without listening first, without doing my […]
Continue readingOut Of Sight
It’s more comfortable when the shepherds stay in their fields. When they’re out of sight, I can ignore how we’ve isolated them, made them outcasts, treated them as less than. I can pretend it’s okay that they’re unwelcome at our gatherings, our neighborhoods, our homes. But then God does something crazy. He chooses these guys […]
Continue readingThe Shepherds
For some reason, I’m listening to more Christmas music this year. And I’ve noticed the shepherds. We idealize them. Kids play the shepherds in the church pageant. But they were the lowest, outcasts doing a stinky job no one else would do. When God decided to announce the pivotal moment in all of human history, […]
Continue readingJohn 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” They’re among the Bible’s most familiar words. As we approach Christmas, as we give and receive gifts, I wonder: What sort of perspective might be gained if we focused some attention each day on this greatest of all gifts?
Continue readingWe’re In!
For me, this week marks an anniversary. The occasion recalled a question. More than 40 years ago, a pastor asked if Jesus welcomed outcasts and embraced untouchables to make them acceptable to God. His answer: a resounding NO! He did it to show them, and everyone else, that God had already accepted them. To a […]
Continue readingA Worthy Cause
I thanked a friend for a generous donation to the kids at the Home of Hope. I said I appreciated his support of such a worthy cause. He replied, “There are lots of worthy causes.” My friend’s right. There’s no shortage of worthy causes. His comment got me wondering why people choose to support our […]
Continue readingBarriers?
A weird thing happens as we plan for next summer’s FREEDOM TOUR. We look back and realize hundreds of people had a great time, nothing but praise and encouragement. And one or two folks were disappointed because something didn’t meet their expectations. Guess which one I obsess over? Guess which one tempts me to change […]
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