I hope I’ll always be a learner. Last time I talked about a lesson re-learned from COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR 2021. Paraphrasing a pastor friend: You learn a lot about how a person feels about serving and sacrificing by asking them to serve and sacrifice. Jesus is pretty clear…my profound words don’t mean much to Him. […]

I always wonder what I’ll learn from a tour. As a teacher I learned a great deal from students. On these tours I’m supposed to be a leader, but each year I learn – or re-learn – important lessons from my amazing teammates. COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR 2021 brought together a remarkable team of individuals with […]

Last in a series about how I’m talking to Jesus about the COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR. First parts here, here, and here. + + + There may be some discussion about this one. Honestly, my most frequent specific request is “Your will be done.” Along with the courage to actually mean it. I’m better at the […]

Part 3 of a series about how I’m talking to Jesus about the COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR. First parts here and here. + + + I say “Thank You” more than I used to – and mean it. Often it’s gratitude for people and relationships. Sometimes it’s just “thank you” for nothing in particular, even when […]

Part 2 of a series about how I’m talking to Jesus about the COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR. Part 1 here. + + + I love it when our team prays together. I love the community and the unity. Praying together over time is such a bonding experience. Especially for folks with such a broad range of […]

The COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR begins this week. I find my conversations with Jesus (prayers) about our tours are different these days. I wonder if you’ve had similar experiences. I’ll post a series of short thought thoughts leading to our departure Thursday Morning. Maybe they’ll prompt some discussions. For example, I don’t ask for specific outcomes […]

My best friend got married a few years ago. I suspect his mom secretly wanted – for her only son – the big, formal Catholic church wedding with a priest and all the traditions. Instead we gathered in a beautiful meadow in the foothills. The groom and groomsmen wore flannel shirts. I performed the ceremony, […]

Our COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR team will gather in 2 weeks. 22 people will show up to ride bikes in beautiful country with amazing people. Each morning an old guy with a teacher’s heart will bring them together and nudge them to keep their eyes open. What will you see? Who will you meet? How can […]

As a kid I took freedom for granted. In middle class, white, small town America, of course we were free. It wasn’t even a question. Less than 2 decades removed from WWII and well into 50’s-60’s struggle for civil rights, I grew up in an isolated little bubble in which freedom was as obvious as […]