“Do you ever wonder why God didn’t answer your prayers?” It’s the time of year when we’re telling people about the FREEDOM TOUR. Often folks will ask how it got started, which leads to telling some version of the story of my injury. Stories connect us in powerful ways. That particular story often winds its […]
Continue readingTry Just One More Time
A while back I read a book called FAITH IN THE FOG by my friend Jeff Lucas. Jeff’s story revolves around Jesus’ breakfast with the disciples after His resurrection. You may recall the incident—Peter, John, and some of the other disciples fished all night but caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the […]
Continue reading
Leave It All On The Field?
A true competitor wants to “leave it all on the field.” When the game concludes she wants to know she did everything, gave everything, held nothing back in pursuit of the win. Pain, sacrifice, the next game, the next season–none of that matters. The competitor has a single-minded focus on this game, this interaction, this win. All […]
Continue reading
But It’s Not Just A Shiny Red Car
Humans are creatures of story. We stop and stare whenever we encounter a good story. No matter how brief, we identify with the characters and take to heart the lessons embedded within their encounters. Here’s a wonderful story from my friend Dick Foth: A man parked his shiny new sports car in a rather sketchy […]
Continue readingHow To Slow The Game Down
Players who move to a higher competition level often say the game “speeds up.” It’s more than the athletes’ physical speed. Everything involved tends to be more complex and requires players to know more, make more decisions, in a shorter time span. When they move up a level–middle school to high school to college to […]
Continue readingNIMBY
Do you feel like really bad things mostly happen somewhere else? Most mornings during the winter, Becky does an indoor spin class. She enjoys the community, sweating with others when they can’t ride outdoors. A while back the teacher was kind enough to tell the class about the FREEDOM TOUR. As she explained the basics […]
Continue reading
When You Hurt People (And How To Stop)
I spent ten years hurting people. After my injury (I’m in a wheelchair because I fell nine feet while installing Christmas lights) I was miserable, angry, and certain no one would ever love me. When you’re hurt, you want to hurt back. It wasn’t like I got out of bed every morning and said, “Hey, […]
Continue readingMeet A Real Hero (Sort Of)
I’d like to tell you about a hero. She serves the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. Every month, in somewhat halting English, she sends updates. Praise reports, prayer requests, progress of individual kids (with names changed). Despite a constant scramble for staff and resources, her updates are always filled with joy and gratitude. I’d […]
Continue readingHere’s How We Really End It
My friends Tom and Melinda are In It To End It. Slavery. Human trafficking. Yesterday was the day to shine a light on this horrible darkness and recommit ourselves to put an end to modern-day slavery. The bright red “X” is a show of solidarity, a demonstration that they stand in opposition to injustice. Of […]
Continue readingGenerosity Or Goofy Hats?
Selfish or generous, kind or mean. Those are choices, and there’s plenty of evidence that chunks of our culture are choosing the path of the bully. Lots of shouting, line-drawing, name-calling, lie-telling, wall-building. It’s all about power–we win, you lose, no matter the cost. Easy to lose sight of the many who choose to build longer tables rather […]
Continue readingThere’s No App For This
You can’t really “dumb down” a bike tour. A tour can operate on different terrain, at different speeds, catering to different ability levels. Tours can accomplish different goals and support different causes. But the rider still has to climb onto the saddle and crank the pedals. There’s this cultural tendency to make things easier, require less […]
Continue readingZoom In Or Zoom Out?
Becky and I (and Monte) love Coors Field. The home of the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club is a glorious setting in which to spend a summer evening. Everything about the atmosphere, the view of the mountains, the downtown setting, the amazing sunsets make Coors Field a truly magical spot. We even enjoy watching the baseball […]
Continue reading