Grace doesn’t forget. Grace chooses not to remember. Can God really “not remember” my sins? He’s God, right? He knows everything. And if He knows it all, how can He not remember? I’ll bet it’s been debated in countless all-nighters at every seminary over coffee and, depending on the seminary, other adult beverages. Because if […]
Continue readingYour Dreams Are Valid
I’m generally not a big fan of the academy awards. I don’t care much for the self-congratulatory posing and over-the-top glitz. But this year a couple of moments made the entire experience worthwhile. Like most folks, I was touched by Lupita Nyong’o’s heartfelt acceptance speech after winning Best Supporting Actress. Instead of the usual litany […]
Continue readingCast The Net Just Once More
I’m in the midst of a book called FAITH IN THE FOG by my friend Jeff Lucas. Jeff’s story revolves around Jesus’ breakfast with the disciples after His resurrection. You may recall the incident—Peter, John, and some of the other disciples fished all night but caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the […]
Continue readingServe
HAPPY MONDAY! I feel compelled to comment on today’s word-of-the-week… SERVE Jesus told a story we know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s about a man who’s attacked, beaten, robbed, and left half-dead by the side of the road. A priest and a Levite (the religious good guys) passed by without stopping to […]
Continue readingMaybe It’s Not Far Away
“It’s easy to miss stuff that’s right in front of you.” Yesterday I sat for about an hour with one of the most influential businessmen in our community. He’s kind enough to spend some time a couple of times a year offering his insights about what’s happening with RICH’S RIDE, and yesterday he mentioned the […]
Continue readingHow Big Is Grace?
Do you think you “get” grace? I’ve been hanging out in a workshop with some guys who are trying to find their way out of addiction. Today one of them said he felt really blessed and wanted to know what God wanted in return. Grace is a hard concept, isn’t it? We receive a priceless gift […]
Continue readingRadical
HAPPY MONDAY! An off-hand remark from a pastor friend inspires today’s word-of-the-week… RADICAL My friend invited me to speak to a group of young adults last week. As we talked prior to the event he said, almost matter-of-factly, “I never stop being surprised by just how incredibly radical Jesus’ message really was.” He paused for […]
Continue readingWhat If Special Is Okay?
Becky and I once visited a very large church in another city. At the door the usher said, “Oh, you’ll want the special section.” It wasn’t a question. We were herded to the back, off to one side, where everyone with an obvious disability was grouped together. Becky, Monte, and I felt welcomed there, but […]
Continue readingWho’s In The Looking Glass?
How would you live a life that “magnifies the Lord?” Our small group looked this week at the passage known as “The Magnificat,” or Mary’s song of praise. In Luke 1:46 (ESV) she says, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” One of the discussion questions asked how you’d go about living a life that “magnifies the […]
Continue readingWhat If I’m Almost Sure I Will Lose?
As a kid I thought the only thing that really mattered in the Olympics was gold medals. Silver was okay, bronze seemed like a crummy consolation prize. I had no idea why the guys who finished twentieth even bothered. I’ve since realized my perspective was skewed by limited and somewhat biased television coverage. In those […]
Continue readingMaybe This Is Why People Are Unchurched
Our pastor recently stated that I live in one of the most “un-churched” communities in the U.S. I’m not sure how closely church attendance correlates to an authentic relationship with Jesus, but it’s worth asking why a large percentage of my hometown isn’t attracted to the message the institutional church offers. # # # After […]
Continue readingHow Does Riding A Bike Help People? (Guest Post)
Shared sacrifice to accomplish a common purpose forges lasting relationships. It’s one of the huge benefits of joining a team like the one that’s forming around FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR ‘14. When you laugh, work, and sweat together as part of something bigger than yourself, I think you get a glimpse of connection as God […]
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