HAPPY MONDAY! This past Saturday we witnessed a completely spontaneous demonstration of today’s word-of-the-week… PREACHING Becky and I got up early Saturday. Some guys volunteered to come by and help her with a few small projects in the garage—nothing major, the sort of things a guy in a wheelchair can’t do. It’s stuff that accumulates and […]
Continue readingLessons From Bamboo
HAPPY SATURDAY! Garr Reynolds is an amazing presenter. He offers often-contrarian ideas about design and effective communication that I’ve found extremely helpful. In this video, Garr talks about bamboo, its importance in Asian culture, and some lessons we can all learn from observing this amazing plant. (If you can’t see the video, click here.) Have […]
Continue readingJoy As A Fruit?
What’s your mental image of “joy”? I’ve been thinking about what I wrote yesterday (Joy? In Adversity? Seriously?). I do that a lot, especially when I write something that actually makes sense to me. I wonder if I got inside my own head and made up what I call “The Bible according to Rich.” I […]
Continue readingJoy? In Adversity? Seriously?
Am I the only one who finds the following passage … uh … confusing? Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2 I don’t know about you, but I don’t normally associate “facing trials” with “pure joy.” I can face trials if I have to. I […]
Continue readingYo Adrian, I Did It!
Do you ever intentionally seek out adversity? There are two kinds of people—those who can picture the scene when Rocky Balboa shouts, “Yo Adrian, I did it!” and those who have better things to do than watch cheesy boxing movies. Like many sports movies, the “Rocky” story incorporates a recurring theme. A “nobody” rises from […]
Continue readingGrowth
HAPPY MONDAY! I feel like I’m being confronted on all sides with today’s word-of-the-week… GROWTH Yesterday our pastor made a statement I’d rather ignore. He said, “If you want to grow, you must embrace the blessing of discomfort.” I’m happy to embrace blessings—on my terms. I’d rather not think of discomfort as a blessing. Since […]
Continue readingDad Life
HAPPY SATURDAY! Share this with a dad. Happy Father’s Day! (If you can’t see the video, click here.) Have a great weekend.
Continue readingA Time To Let Go (Repost)
This article originally appeared on August 11, 2009. I’m reposting it in honor of Father’s Day. # # # # # I like the way we released my dad last weekend. (To Everything There Is A Season) We created an unusual memorial; Dad would have liked that. A small family procession toured his old childhood […]
Continue readingFinding Your Sweet Spot
What makes some things—even hard things—so satisfying? I just know you jumped up this morning wondering about my first hand cycle ride after a two-month layoff. I promised pictures. And you’re wondering how it went, right? Well, it was awkward and unfamiliar. It was a bit scary, hoping I wouldn’t cause further damage to a […]
Continue readingSmall Problems Or Big God?
Do you think you limit your mental picture of God? This week is a big deal for me. Tomorrow I get to resume training by riding my hand cycle for the first time in more than two months. Yes—there WILL be pictures! I’m excited, but honestly I’m also scared. I’ve made a huge commitment to […]
Continue readingResilient
HAPPY MONDAY! My lovely wife—and the weather—inspired today’s word-of-the-week… Resilient Last week Becky was finally able to put out her normal array of flowers. Usually that happens earlier, but we’ve had an odd spring. Since I’ve been trapped in bed, she placed an especially beautiful hanging basket right where I could see it. Yellow, red, […]
Continue readingWater And A New Economy
HAPPY SATURDAY! We all get overwhelmed by issues like poverty and homelessness. Too big, too many, too much–what can I do? So we give up and leave it to governments or billionaires to do something. And I’m reaching a conclusion: governments and charities will never impact these sorts of problems. People need partners and resources, […]
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