Last time I told you about Jerry Schemmel and the Race Across America. After two years of training and preparation, Jerry and his team were ready for anything. Anything except 116° temps in the California desert. At checkpoint #3, race docs diagnosed heat stroke and told Jerry he couldn’t continue. I can’t imagine the disappointment […]
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Godspeed, Jerry
Our friend Jerry Schemmel won’t join us for this year’s FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC. He has a reasonable excuse. Jerry embarks today, June 15, on an epic challenge. Jerry will compete in RAAM, the Race Across America. 3000+ miles. 170,000+ feet of climbing. 12 states. 3 mountain ranges. 30% longer than the 3-week (with 2 rest […]
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Quid Pro Quo
It’s gotten a bad rap lately. Quid pro quo might be an a form of blackmail. I’ll withhold this thing you want – or need – unless you do as I wish. Often it’s not-so-subtle manipulation, Godfather-style. I did you a favor, now you owe me. Do that enough, strategically, and one can accumulate a […]
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Just Because
Groucho Marx once said he wouldn’t join any club that would have him as a member. I wonder what Groucho would think about our recent conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. A few weeks ago I got a call from a guy who’s bringing a national ride to northern Colorado. He wanted some help with […]
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Playing Our Part
We are creatures of story. We remember stories. We dream stories. We pass our culture through stories. As much as we wish to be driven by data and facts, every marketer and politician knows behavior is shaped by stories. The bible is a collection of stories designed to reveal the long arc of God’s big […]
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Small World?
“It’s a small world after all.” Anyone who ever visited a Disney property likely left with that song embedded in their brain. And why not? Silly songs aside, we do live in an increasingly small world. Maybe. In my country the pandemic has begun to abate. Plentiful vaccines, few masks, folks emerging from isolation and […]
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Seeking Easy
“Are you seeking people who are easy to love?” It was a social media question. Got me thinking. Am I looking for people I can love without looking in the mirror? People I can love without being forced to challenge my own privilege, wealth, and security? Do I like loving those who allow me to […]
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Not Fair
If you catch me in a vulnerable moment when I’m not worrying about others’ opinions, I might tell you it feels like my injury isn’t fair. What does “not fair” mean? Mostly I’m acknowledging my disappointment because things didn’t turn out as I expected. Probably there’s some entitlement – things like this aren’t supposed to […]
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Start Or Finish
“You should finish what you start.” My mom taught me that lesson. Don’t quit. Never give up – no matter what. Except, maybe that’s not always right. Maybe it’s good to get started on my bike ride, even if I need to cut it short. Maybe it’s okay to talk to Jesus or read some […]
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What About Justice?
Someone asked me recently what justice would look like for the kids at the Home of Hope. Our task, I believe, is to give our kids the opportunity to become the women and men Jesus sees when He holds each of them in His hands. We can only work toward true justice, which means setting […]
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Does It Scale?
NOTE: I started this blog 13 years ago with a commitment to be honest, especially when I felt foolish or conflicted. Today’s one of those days. Confession: I’m stuck in a perpetual mental wrestling match. + + + Last week we told our story to a wonderful group of high-level Christian leaders. After dinner, two […]
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A Different Mother’s Day
For many of us, yesterday was about cards, flowers, and a special gathering. Mother’s Day. An occasion to celebrate the special women who nurtured and sacrificed for us. Should be every day. The kids at the HOME OF HOPE didn’t get to have a party with their moms. As the pandemic rages out of control […]
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