Are you engaged? I experienced the Christmas holiday a bit differently this year. For many positive reasons, Becky and I spent the weekend in separate locations. It’s not something I want to establish as a family tradition, but spending the holiday weekend mostly in solitude allowed some worthwhile introspection. I explored a great book (more later), […]
Continue readingReflect
Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed a peaceful Christmas weekend. Today we begin a week traditionally dedicated to our word-of-the-week… REFLECT During Rich’s Ride I used this photo in a post titled The Right Rear View. The gist was that the rear view mirror should be small. Most of what’s important is ahead. You shouldn’t stare at […]
Continue readingBreath Of Heaven
Now there’s an expression to ponder on Christmas Eve. I’ve listened to that song many times without really hearing the words. Jesus was indeed the Breath Of Heaven. If you can’t see the video, click here. The video includes excerpts from the wonderful movie The Nativity Story. Follow the link to a full version of the movie […]
Continue readingDigital Nativity
Okay, I know this isn’t the serious Christmas reflection I should be posting. But I thought this was pretty clever, and those of us who spend a lot of time online may find some truth in how the story might play out today. Mostly, though, I just thought this was fun. I hope you do […]
Continue readingNo Room At The Inn
I’m fascinated by nativity scenes. I know they’re mostly historically inaccurate. I know they romanticize and condense and even fictionalize a very messy episode. I know Jesus’ birth was nothing like the shiny porcelain portrayal on the mantle. But I’m still drawn to it as I think about Christmas. I guess, for all its idealized […]
Continue readingAll I Want For Christmas…
…I already received. It’s THE question of the season: WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? None of us completely outgrows the childlike wonder of Christmas. We all secretly enjoy the surprise of a Christmas gift. However, this year I can truthfully say that I’ve received a gift beyond my wildest imagination. Rich’s Ride was not […]
Continue readingWhy Do You Believe In Christmas?
Why do you believe? Cranking my bike along the Mississippi River somewhere in Missouri, I wasn’t ready for that question. I’m not sure how I responded—I think I was more concerned with the next hill than a coherent rationale for my faith. I’ve thought a lot about the question since then. I’m not sure I […]
Continue readingCost
Happy Monday. During church yesterday I encountered today’s word-of-the-week… COST We talk about the price Jesus paid at the cross. As I listened to beautiful Christmas music I wondered about the incredible cost of Christmas. I thought about infinite God choosing to confine Himself in a human body. He volunteered for nine months in a […]
Continue readingPowerful
Here’s a video based around two powerful quotes. I’m inspired–hope you are as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_7I7iasuIdw If you can’t see the video, click here. Have an inspired weekend!
Continue readingToo Busy
Happy Saturday. Have you ever lamented the “busyness” of the Christmas season? I see those heads nodding. We’ve all done it. Regardless of how much we enjoy the parties and lights and gifts, no matter how much we strive to keep Jesus at the center of our celebration, the season gets busy. My friend Jim […]
Continue readingWhat Did I Learn?
I thought I share a working list of what I learned from the experience of Rich’s Ride. Might be chapters for a new book… Don’t let your resources determine your vision God values character more than comfort Hope changes what’s possible God wants actors rather than spectators It’s about the journey and the destination Faith […]
Continue readingThe Battle For Christmas
It happens every year. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Holiday concert or Christmas pageant? Baby Jesus or Santa Claus? Atheists oppose public religious displays. Christians insist, often angrily, that Jesus is the reason for the season. Battle lines appear. Each side demands respect through disrespectful acrimony and sarcasm. It happened again here. And it’s all very, […]
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