Hi. It’s Monte again. Thanks for the kind comments about my observations along this thing called a “project.” I’m not sure what a project is, but you can read my other articles here. * * * * * One thing I really don’t get is the idea of “work” and “play.” Rich and Becky always […]
Continue readingCruisin’ Into Quincy
A few fun things happened on Tuesday. Our good friends Glenn and Judy joined us for the second day. You’ll see Judy and hear Glenn in the video below. Glenn and I did 45 miles from Keokuk, Iowa to Hannibal, Missouri. The first 32 miles followed a wonderful route known by locals as “Bottom Road.” […]
Continue readingHannibal Devotions
I’m speaking at a men’s breakfast tomorrow in Hannibal, Missouri at the Mark Twain Dinette. It’s probably nothing like the picture I have in my mind, but it sure sounds cool. I just received my “assignment.” I’m supposed to do a twenty minute devotional. So I thought I’d tell you what I’m thinking about and […]
Continue readingHere Comes The Sun
Monday began week four of Rich’s Ride. I can’t believe how fast it’s going. My friend Glenn drove all the way from Denver to ride a few days with me. I’m grateful for the company, the commitment, and the great weather he brought along. We headed south from Burlington, Iowa under cloudless skies. For the […]
Continue readingPatience
Happy Monday. Greetings from Burlington, Iowa, where I’m struggling to find today’s word-of-the-week… PATIENCE I’ve gotten behind schedule on Rich’s Ride. No excuses—for a lot of reasons I’m about twenty miles behind where I need to be, and almost sixty miles behind where I’d hoped to be, to reach my 1500 mile goal. I know, you’re […]
Continue readingDetours
Every Monday while I’m on this crazy ride I’m sharing some reflections about the Mississippi River as a metaphor for a dream. You can see previous articles here. * * * * * Thursday and Friday of last week I scarcely saw the river. I trust that it’s there, that I’ll meet it again at […]
Continue readingUnexpected Blessings
Today I met a good friend for the first time. Jon Swanson writes 300wordsaday.com. It’s the blog I read each morning even if I don’t have time to read anything else. Jon helps me understand what it means to follow Jesus in a practical way. We met via the blog a couple of years ago. […]
Continue readingAll I Can Do Is Pray
“I’m not sure what I can do to help. All I can do it pray.” I’ve heard that dozens of times in conversations about Rich’s Ride. I’ve said it myself—I’ll bet you have as well. The implication is that we’d like to do something real, something that would actually help. But if we can’t think […]
Continue readingIt’s A Matter Of Focus
Today I’d like to share an illustration I use when I talk to groups about Rich’s Ride. * * * * * Leonard was the latest in a series of physical therapists who tried to help me adjust to life with paralysis. We had an unspoken agreement: they worked hard while I complained and made […]
Continue readingThe Real Hero–a repost
This article originally appeared on December 17, 2010. Who’s your hero? I recently heard a surprising, thought-provoking response to that question. A critique group gathered to practice their public speaking skills. They challenged each other to do a two-minute impromptu talk answering the question, “Who is your hero?” The last speaker began with an attention-grabbing […]
Continue readingHome
Hi there. It’s Monte again. In the past few weeks I’ve heard Becky and Rich talk a lot about someplace called “home.” I don’t get it. They talk like home is a place and we’re not there and they seem to miss it a little. And they wonder whether I miss it. When they describe “home” […]
Continue readingClear Eyes. Full Heart.
Did you see the TV show Friday Night Lights? The show traced several characters through the craziness of Texas high school football. The team’s rallying cry was, “Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose.” I love that expression. I’ve been thinking a lot about it as I ride. Clear Eyes To me, clear eyes is about […]
Continue reading