Planning FREEDOM TOUR 2020 was tricky. Our team absolutely believes we’re called to support the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. We take that seriously, and their needs didn’t disappear with a global pandemic. We also care deeply for the community that’s formed around riding bikes to support these special children. So we did our […]
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It Is Well
It was nearly 40 years ago. Hard to believe. I sit here planning exciting new adventures for FREEDOM TOUR 2021 and a familiar hymn takes me back to the day I publicly began my journey with Jesus. It was a simple ceremony, and I got to choose a favorite song. An obvious choice captured the […]
Continue readingForgetting What We Know
We forget. For eight years, whenever a group of Freedom Tour cyclists completes a difficult ride, everyone celebrates. Smiles, hugs, handshakes, silly pictures. Watermelon and chocolate milk and ice cream. It’s a universal experience of joy and achievement. You know what NEVER happens? We never divide into men and women, conservatives and liberals, Black and […]
Continue readingAbout Enough
I don’t usually think of myself as affluent. I’m learning, though, that wealth is a relative notion, and by rest-of-the-world standards I live in overwhelming abundance. A huge majority of the world’s population would consider it a wonderful upgrade to live in my garage. I don’t know exactly what to do with that knowledge. I’m […]
Continue readingA Key Question
What’s the goal? With a few inches of snow slowing autumn cycling, now’s a good time to go back to basics. As we plan for FREEOM TOUR 2021, what are we actually trying to accomplish? It’s the time when I’m tempted to envision a bigger tour with tons of riders. Because more is better, right? […]
Continue readingWeighty Words
I wrote (but never published) this nearly two years ago. Words matter. “Nick” was a great student. Bright, outgoing, popular, a really good kid to have in class. Except, it always felt like he was sort of distant with me. I couldn’t figure out why we didn’t connect, so one day I asked him to […]
Continue readingDefine Your Terms
We’re all engaged in a two-way interaction with God. In simplest terms, we call God’s side of the conversation “revelation.” Our side of the conversation, how we respond, is our religion.
By this definition, everyone has some sort of religion. Even if it’s a decisive “No,” everyone responds in some way.
Continue readingPlease Or Serve?
You and I live in lots of circles. We’re part of families, neighborhoods, and churches. We have circles at work and with friends. I’m thinking about different ways of expanding and working with those circles. I want to serve people; too often I end up trying to please them. Pleasing people and serving people look […]
Continue readingWhat’s The Job?
I think a lot about my job description. When Becky and I started doing bike tours, I didn’t anticipate a team. Even when we did the first FREEDOM TOUR in 2013, I didn’t envision hundreds of cyclists and more than a quarter million dollars. I believe this whole crazy thing is the result of doing […]
Continue readingTalking Past Each Other
I’ve lost a few friends. Hopefully not too many of the in-person, face-to-face kind, but I’ve definitely lost some social media friends. A few weeks ago when the streets filled with protesters I made a commitment to listen. It was clear to me that people had something to say, something I didn’t truly understand. So […]
Continue readingPay Attention
When an idea keeps reappearing, pay attention. I believe one of the ways God speaks to me is by gently suggesting the same notion in different ways until I finally get it. So when I see and hear a proposition more than once in different forms, I think He might be trying to get my […]
Continue readingWhen It’s A Big Deal
“We make defining decisions every day.” Our pastor said that this weekend. His context was the parable of The Good Samaritan. I’m sure he made lots of insightful points, but I got stuck on that single thought. “We make defining decisions every day.” In the parable, each character made a number of “defining decisions.” It’s […]
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