If it’s worth the effort, it’s likely didn’t happen the way you imagined. God-sized dreams are generally messy, difficult, and scary. It takes courage and trust to look beyond challenge to see opportunity. I love this video! I admire the sort of creativity that can capture and express an idea so powerfully and succinctly. I invite you […]
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Exploding My Brain (Part 2)
Last time I recalled a college professor’s lesson that exploded my brain. I wasn’t exaggerating. I thought college would be a place to learn math and physics. I didn’t expect some random psychology lesson to to present an idea so completely new that I had no prior learning to which I could connect it. The […]
Continue readingWhen A Simple Lesson Changed Everything
Where were you the first time your brain exploded? I was a college freshman during the winter of 1969-70. In one of those huge psychology lectures the professor showed a slide, a photo of a Marine ROTC student in full dress uniform. The reactions were immediate and visceral. Babykiller! Murderer! Hero! More guts than any […]
Continue readingWhen You’re Too Slow
My first handcycle rides were slow. We’re talking an embarrassing kind of slow, the kind of slow where the neighbor ladies pushing kid-carriers sometimes passed me. And that’s when I was moving at all and not stopped to rest my weak, skinny arms. I was really, really slow. My fastest ride during the summer of […]
Continue readingWhy We Need Bridges (And Why They Scare Us)
I’m fascinated by rivers, paths, and bridges. Aside from the people I encounter, rivers, paths, and bridges are consistently the most interesting and inspiring features of nearly any bike ride. In nearly every setting there seems to be some sort of unique charm. This captivation sort of evolved within my parallel interests of cycling and writing. […]
Continue readingFake Dream Or Real Community?
Doing a big, crazy, impossible bike ride taught me something about following dreams. For perhaps three years I cranked around the same familiar streets and trails near my house, imagining what it would be like to do a cross-country ride. I planned and schemed and visualized. Eventually I even started talking about it. I loved it, […]
Continue readingMonte Learned About Fear
Five years ago, Monte encountered his first taste of fear. As you’ll see, he was confused. We could all learn something from Monte’s response to fear. # # # We’re in another new place called the South. I don’t know what that means—it’s just another place with unique smells to check out. But I have […]
Continue readingInspired By Hope
Five years ago I was riding my bike 1500 miles. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the ride was long hours to think, ponder, and just be alone with God. You know you’re lost in your thoughts when you lose track of which state you’re riding in. # # # I wonder if I’m motivated or […]
Continue readingHow Will You Fill Your Tiles?
My friend Eric and I had breakfast in one of those old restaurants with the one-foot square checkered tile floors. We’re about the same age. He said, “Here’s a good way to visualize our legacy and the work we still want to do. “Count out seven of those tiles and let each one represent a […]
Continue readingDoes The Process Matter?
Results-focused thinking is dangerous. Five years ago we were riding along the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A post called Traveling Well contrasted two rides and prompted some thoughts about current events. “It’s about the journey, not the result.” Thursday’s ride was about as routine as it gets. Straight roads, wide shoulders, a fair amount […]
Continue readingWhen Push Comes To Shove
I hope I never diminish my dreams by settling for practicality. I wrote that four years ago in a post titled Abraham and Martin. I’ll adapt my words from that post. # # # Becky and I visited the Lincoln and MLK Memorials following our 500-mile bike tour to benefit International Justice Mission. I admire both men, and I […]
Continue readingMonte Talks About Jobs
About halfway through the Mississippi River journey, Monte reflected on the notion of a job. # # # Last week I told you we’re involved in something called a “project.” I don’t really understand; I don’t think dogs do projects. But I it sounds like something I’d like. Rich and I don’t go to school […]
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