My friends Dick and Ruth planted peach trees. Peach trees along the Colorado Front Range produce fruit about once every five years. In our short-term culture, maybe you think Dick and Ruth (who are in their mid-70’s) are a bit silly. Dick and Ruth follow Jesus. They’re not short-term people. Short-term is all about momentary […]
Continue readingAuthor: Rich
Oldest Trick In The Book
If you’re not on our side, you’re on their side. Draw a line in the sand. Rally the troops. You’re either one of us, or you’re one of them. And we all know what they’re like, right? A line in the sand arbitrarily reduces complex issues to black/white, yes/no. We all know most important matters […]
Continue readingSoul-Sucking Cynicism
“It’s easier to be a cynic.” A guy said that a few weeks ago after I talked about hope. In his experience, hope opened the door to disappointment and heartache. Easier, he figured, to avoid the pain and resign to the inevitable. I listened. I’m sure I tried to offer some wise-sounding words of encouragement. […]
Continue readingWhat’s The Cost Of Being Right?
“Stone her!” Some reading took me to the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11). I lost whatever else I was studying as I got stuck on this single fact: the Pharisees were willing to stone this woman—to death! Her life mattered less than their desire to trap Jesus and uphold […]
Continue readingI’m Failing At Generosity
It’s better to give than to receive…right? You and I know everyone benefits from generosity. Wisdom and experience substantiate the incredible joy that comes from giving with open hands. Well, I’m trying to give something away. And failing miserably. Every year FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR team members carry a stone to the top of Raton […]
Continue readingWhen The Only Reaction Is WOW!
Today’s an anniversary. Six years ago, Becky and I stepped out in faith on the remarkable journey that became RICH’S RIDE. I thought you might enjoy looking back at what I posted about that wonderful day. # # # Day one of Rich’s Ride…wow! We experienced a gorgeous beginning, a prayer shared with friends and […]
Continue readingIn It Together
We’re all in this thing together. We awaken this morning to images of destruction as Hurricane Irma grinds its way north. Now begins the massive task of response. I admire those who step forward, who are able and willing to assist their neighbors in the immediate aftermath of massive disasters like Irma and Harvey. If […]
Continue readingHow About Those Results?
All’s well that ends well. right? We’re a results-based culture. Final score. GPA. ROI. Seth Godin recently said…Nothing Matters More Than Results…except for all the things we really value. Relationships and community. Eternal principles. Forgiveness. Grace. Hope. It’s that pesky question again. Do I really believe what I believe? I say it frequently: There’s no […]
Continue readingThere’s Stuff You Don’t See
A picture’s worth a thousand words. I publish lots of words about the FREEDOM TOUR. I write about the community and the cause, but the pictures really tell the story. Pictures show the ride, the climbs, the laughs, the prayers in a way words can’t describe. We have LOTS of images. You can go to […]
Continue readingIt’s All About The Likes
How many likes did I get? The epic selfie, the spontaneous staged video. If I can attract just a second or two of your attention, maybe you’ll like me or follow me or **gasp** maybe even be my friend. We all know the secret. No big deal if I got a hot dog at a […]
Continue readingWhat To Do About That Boulder?
A modern-day parable (an old tale with a slight twist): A wise king once ordered a large boulder to be placed on a heavily traveled path, then hid nearby to observe how people dealt with this barrier. Almost everyone who encountered the boulder expressed annoyance. Many were simply angry and frustrated about the inconvenience and delay. […]
Continue readingLearning What I Already Know
“The most important stuff I learn are things I already knew.” A guy said that yesterday during Q&A after a class. It’s a powerful reality. In 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every 100 years. By the end of 1945, the rate was every 25 years. Currently it’s 13 months. We long ago became overwhelmed with […]
Continue reading