Category: Notes From The Road

I spoke yesterday at a Rehab Celebration at Gunderson Medical Center in La Crosse. I talked about community, because rehab and recovery aren’t individual efforts. Like most meaningful parts of life, rehab happens in community. I offered three stories, including one I don’t share often. I thought you might appreciate a giggle wrapped around an […]

Yesterday I spoke to a group of leaders at Dynamic Recycling in La Crosse. During Q&A time, we heard a great question. “On your Mississippi River trip, where was the tipping point? Where was the point when you knew you’d make it?” Interesting notion—where’s the tipping point? Where’s that instant where impossible transforms to inevitable? When […]

I believe God keeps His promises. Jesus said, “Knock and the door will be opened to you.” So yesterday we spent much of the day trying to get through a door we were sure should open, and I was a bit disappointed when it remained firmly shut. Clearly, the gatekeeper didn’t get the memo. In […]

We encounter some of the nicest people in the coolest places. We met these folks in Elroy at a quaint little converted railroad depot that’s now a bike trail stopover. They listened to our story and talked about friends who have quit trying. This story resonates wherever we go. People respond to the promise of […]

We spent Monday evening with the staff and some friends at Bridgepoint Church in Wisconsin Dells. Actually, we met in their newly-opened and still-under-construction coffee house, Bella Goose. It’s located next to their ministry center in a strip mall. They have the unique opportunity to work with more than 4000 international students who descend on […]

We were honored to speak on Friday to a roomful of folks preparing for Sunday’s Ironman Triathlon. These people are following a God-sized dream. On Sunday we watched as they hit the water at 7:00 am for a 2.6 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run. The first […]

Some problems are complex. Want to end world hunger, stop human trafficking, or wipe out poverty? I wouldn’t know where to begin. But feeding a hungry child? That’s pretty simple—you provide some food. Hal Donaldson, co-founder of Convoy Of Hope, tells of meeting Mother Teresa in the early 1990’s. She asked him what he’d done […]

(I’m posting this on both blogs today. Apologies to those who received it twice.) How do you measure success? For many speakers, lots of people = success and two people = not so much success. Yesterday we scheduled a speaking gig, sort of last-minute, at Crossroads Coffee House in Cross Plains. Everyone was invited, and […]

Most people begin a bike ride by riding a bike. So today we begin Wisconsin Hope Tour with two speaking engagements. Bikes will have to wait until Thursday, unless we sneak in an early morning ride today. # # # Yesterday we remembered the balance we need between planning and trusting. When we did our […]

Nothing lasts forever. This week we begin a new ride. Wisconsin Hope Tour offers a fresh canvas, a blank expanse of road stretching out in front of us. Each time we begin a tour I’m excited to see what God has in store for us just beyond that hill. This time, though, there’s another level […]

I think when I ride. Yesterday I realized I’ve been focused a lot on the future. A big part of this year has been about anticipating the next project, and I sense that perhaps I’ve been missing a lot of moments. We’re about to hit the road for Wisconsin Hope Tour 2014. Another stretch of open, […]

We meet a lot of interesting people on amazing journeys. I’m not sure anyone will top the story of Sylvester and Nate from Long Road To Freedom. All they’re doing is cycling from Seattle to Key West, seeking opportunities to serve, and raising awareness about human trafficking. Some other tidbits: they began the trip on […]