A tiny baby in a manger. Vulnerable. Poor. Experienced gossip, injustice, discrimination. He could’ve come with an army of angels, but he chose to be born and to live among the marginalized and disenfranchised. Christmas isn’t about the conquering Savior. It’s about sacrifice and service and strength in weakness. It’s probably not how you and […]
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One Or The Other?
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” I still remember the physics class. The professor demonstrated conclusively that light is a stream of particles, best understood by thinking about a bunch of tiny objects that can be counted one by one. Then – in the same class – he showed us that light isn’t […]
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Show Your Work
Setting: A middle school math classroom Student: “I got the correct answer. Why didn’t I get all the points for this problem?” Me: “I already knew the answer. I want you to show me how you got there. I want to know your process, what you’re thinking.” Student: “That’s not fair!” Rinse and repeat that […]
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Just Do It?
Folks join the FREEDOM TOUR with all kinds of backgrounds. Some have done multiple tours and have tons of experience with group cycling. Others have never been part of a group ride. We love that variety. It’s a blast bringing people together and watching them become team. It’s a process, though, and we’re intentional about […]
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Look Again
Ever see a brand new idea wrapped in familiar words? Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” It’s part of the sermon on the mount. He spoke to a crowd. You…plural. All of us. Light, not lights. You, me, all of us…one light, the light of the world. We’re in this together.
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It’s Really Pretty Simple
Did you watch CNN Young Wonders? Five remarkable young folks are making a difference. They remind us it’s possible to change the world by simply by doing what they can, where they are, with what they have. One of them was asked for advice. Her reply: Start small. Invite your friends. Have fun. Simple, huh? These […]
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DQ Drive Thru
“Where’s Larry?” On a toasty day, the team stopped for some rest and water. As they enjoyed the shade in front of a strip mall someone noticed a missing rider. Larry has this tendency to travel his own path (some would call it “wandering”). So no one was especially concerned by his disappearance. As they […]
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Who’s Your Neighbor?
This week America celebrates the life of its 41st president. George H. W. Bush lived a remarkable life marked by devotion to service. Among 41’s considerable accomplishments, I’m personally grateful for his support of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Bush’s 1989 signing of the ADA marked a major milestone in civil rights legislation. Like […]
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It’s Not About The Hashtag
Today is #GivingTuesday. Sort of odd, in a way, to set aside a day to be generous with its own cool hashtag, but maybe that’s not the point. Maybe it’s like Thanksgiving, not a special day to be thankful but a day that reminds us to always be thankful. So maybe the purpose of #GivingTuesday […]
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It’s Too Crowded
“Nobody goes there any more, it’s too crowded.” Yogi Berra offered, in his unique style, a humorous review of a popular nightspot. As holiday shopping begins in earnest, Yogi’s upside-down analysis reminds me of my impressions of the crowds, lines, and occasional confrontations connected to the Great American Tradition known as Black Friday. “Nobody I know […]
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Faith And Fake Thanks
I’m having a tough time feeling thankful. Details aren’t important, and honestly it’s hard to admit because tomorrow’s THE BIG DAY and I’m surrounded by blessings I don’t deserve and we’re supposed to be thankful. What in the world is wrong with me…how can I possibly not be thankful? Wait…I never said I’m not thankful. […]
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Fruit Salad
Are you a plum…or a banana? Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” Great advice for you and me as we navigate a world of often-picky fruit lovers. If you are the world’s finest plum and someone you love does not like plums, you have the choice of becoming a banana. But you […]
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