We’re systematically excluding God from our culture. Excuse me? You’ve heard the refrain. The country’s in trouble because we exclude God from the public square. Christmas loses its meaning because someone says Happy Holidays. Public schools stink because kids don’t pray. Apparently, we need to let God back into our culture. Every time I hear […]
Continue readingWhat’s The Church’s One Unique Resource?
Why does our city hate homeless people? We have great discussions in our workshop. Sometimes they’re about the stuff I’d planned. Homelessness matters to these guys. Many have been there, and they know they’re one bad choice from returning. So they’re concerned about the way our city is addressing the issue recently. “What makes you […]
Continue readingGod Might Be Talking–Are You Listening?
I love questions, but I like them better when someone else is asking. I’ve been asking a question for a few months. Basically, it’s about the direction RICH’S RIDE ought to take as we move into 2015 and beyond. I’ve learned that answers to those sorts of questions tend to come slowly. They don’t show […]
Continue readingNarcissistic
HAPPY MONDAY! A fairly common question raises today’s word-of-the-week… NARCISSISTIC “Why is an all-powerful God so narcissistic that He demands our worship? Why does He need us singing and bowing down to Him? I love questions, and this is a great one. Is God a narcissist? Does He “need” our worship? I’ve written about this before. […]
Continue readingWhat’s Your Take On Justice?
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 […]
Continue readingNo 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 […]
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