“I’d run through a brick wall for you.” It’s supposed to indicate commitment and enthusiasm, top-level motivation, a willingness to do the impossible. Kind of a silly image, though. Running into a brick wall, on purpose, is a waste of time and effort. It’s a token effort that accomplishes nothing, aside from possible brain damage. […]
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We Shouldn’t Forget
I’ll always remember the day we snapped this photo. Our gathering on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial marked the conclusion of IJM Freedom Tour. Hugs and good-byes and pictures and tears…a bit like the last day of summer camp. We met the next day at the headquarters of International Justice Mission. A rare tour […]
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Pure Religion
“Revelation is God’s Word, in all its forms…religion is how humans respond.” It’s a little simplistic, but I still remember feeling a bit gobsmacked by the notion that religion is human-created. I’d never really considered the idea seriously, but I sort of assumed there was something supernaturally-ordained in the rituals and processes of organized religion. […]
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Cool To Be Kind
“We can choose to be kind…rather than right.” Very cool guidance from an expert on dementia care – when dealing with someone who struggles to remember, we can give up our right to be right and choose kindness instead. We frequently tend to forget that elderly people who struggle to remember details because of dementia […]
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Come In. We’re Open!
FREEDOM TOUR 2019 is open for business. Okay, we don’t really have doors, so technically you can’t “come in.” Details, details. It’s a cool sign. It’s 2019. Time to plan for those glorious summer bike rides. Yeah, I know it’s cold and snowy. But you know it won’t be long before trees are green and […]
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Here It Comes!
2019: A brand new year. Time for the lists. Best of. Worst of. Top 10. _____ of the year. And resolutions. There will be lots of resolutions, things to begin or end, to do more of or less of. Gyms will be crowded for a couple of weeks. Nothing really special about New Years Day. […]
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It Doesn’t Matter. Until It Does.
“It’s not about dollars.” We say that a lot about the FREEDOM TOUR, and we’re serious. We’re about building community, following Jesus, doing justice. I spoke recently with Jonathan Barrett, CEO of Project Rescue. He agreed…it’s about the work, about educating, supporting, and building a couple dozen kids into whole, healthy adults. “Doing that work, […]
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Not How I Would Do It
A tiny baby in a manger. Vulnerable. Poor. Experienced gossip, injustice, discrimination. He could’ve come with an army of angels, but he chose to be born and to live among the marginalized and disenfranchised. Christmas isn’t about the conquering Savior. It’s about sacrifice and service and strength in weakness. It’s probably not how you and […]
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One Or The Other?
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” I still remember the physics class. The professor demonstrated conclusively that light is a stream of particles, best understood by thinking about a bunch of tiny objects that can be counted one by one. Then – in the same class – he showed us that light isn’t […]
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Show Your Work
Setting: A middle school math classroom Student: “I got the correct answer. Why didn’t I get all the points for this problem?” Me: “I already knew the answer. I want you to show me how you got there. I want to know your process, what you’re thinking.” Student: “That’s not fair!” Rinse and repeat that […]
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Just Do It?
Folks join the FREEDOM TOUR with all kinds of backgrounds. Some have done multiple tours and have tons of experience with group cycling. Others have never been part of a group ride. We love that variety. It’s a blast bringing people together and watching them become team. It’s a process, though, and we’re intentional about […]
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Look Again
Ever see a brand new idea wrapped in familiar words? Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” It’s part of the sermon on the mount. He spoke to a crowd. You…plural. All of us. Light, not lights. You, me, all of us…one light, the light of the world. We’re in this together.
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