The sign said: DRIVE THRU PRAYER. We looked and, sure enough, right next to the church driveway sat a guy in a folding chair under an awning. I made my typical sarcastic remarks. “I need my prayer supersized. Can I get fries with that?” We passed that church a few times during our days in […]
Continue readingCan You Fear Being Afraid?
“Why am I so afraid of everything?” She’s a college junior, perhaps 21 or 22 years old. From my perspective, it was a great question. “What are you afraid of?” She blurted out a list, a litany of seemingly everything that could possibly go wrong in this young woman’s life. “Whoa,” I chuckled, “you really […]
Continue readingStory
HAPPY MONDAY! Today’s perfect for this word-of-the-week… STORY Our recent southwest tour convinces me even more of the power of our own story. I thought a lot about story on the tour because telling our story was a big part of our purpose. Here are some thoughts and observations. I wish church folks didn’t call it […]
Continue readingDo You Pass By Or Stop By Or Jump In?
I’ve been sharing a parable from RELENTLESS GRACE in some of my talks along this trip. It’s the tale of An Unexpected Interruption. Cliff-notes version: a runner stumbles into a pit for which he’s completely unprepared and from which he can’t escape on his own. After several unsatisfying attempts at help from passersby, he “resorts” […]
Continue readingIs There Always A Reason?
“Do you believe everything happens for a reason?” The questions following our presentation at Teen Challenge/Tucson got progressively deeper and more intense. Then the guy in the front row took the discussion to a new level. I love the question. I’m just not sure I’m the right guy to provide the answer. But I’ve learned […]
Continue readingDo You Assume You Know Their Story?
Lonnie was a curmudgeon in a wheelchair. Some would say we were kindred spirits. Lonnie built a successful business after being diagnosed with MS. He was a smart entrepreneur and a hard worker, and he had one personal pet peeve. “Why do people assume, because I’m in a wheelchair, that I’m either ignorant or indigent?” […]
Continue readingCelebrate
HAPPY MONDAY! The end of a long, enjoyable journey brings us today’s word-of-the-week… CELEBRATE A relaxing 42-mile ride on Saturday closed out the 500 mile bike ride portion of TAOS TO TUCSON 2013. When you complete a big goal, you celebrate. It’s important to mark important milestones with parties, special meals, and joyful gatherings. For me, […]
Continue readingHome Of Hope
Last evening we were honored to speak to clients at the Teen Challenge HOME OF HOPE in Casa Grande. As Becky unloaded the trailer I looked at the sign and thought, “That’s what every home should be about.” Every home should be a home of hope. Hope isn’t a wish, like “I hope I win […]
Continue readingWho Cares How It Used To Be?
On this trip people have started saying I’m “slowing down.” This is Monte, dropping in for my occasional guest post. If you aren’t a long-time follower of RICH’S RIDE, we share a little secret here: I’m really able to understand everything Becky and Rich say. This “slowing down” thing apparently has something to do with […]
Continue readingDon’t You Get Bored?
“Do you ever get tired of telling your story?” The young woman told me she was studying to be a teacher and she worried she’d become bored covering the same subject matter year after year. “You must have repeated this presentation many times, but you seem so passionate about it. How do you do that?” […]
Continue readingWhat’s With The Tears?
I started Monday with tears. We were invited to speak to about forty guys at Teen Challenge Phoenix. Before we began we got the honor of watching two men graduate from this phase of the program. These guys made the courageous choice to confront addiction. Several months ago they walked into an unfamiliar environment with […]
Continue readingMessage
HAPPY MONDAY! A lot of words make up today’s word-of-the week… MESSAGE I was honored to deliver the message yesterday at Faith Assembly Church in Phoenix. We had a great time, and I hope I said something worthwhile. If you’d like to watch, the link below shows a streaming video of the service. (FYI: my […]
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