Don’t you love those ads? The guy yells at you, and just when you think he’s FINALLY done, he raises his voice a notch to announce the really-super-extra-special deal. This is sorta like that. When we act in the name of justice we believe God uses every mile, every drop of sweat, every act of […]
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We Did It!
When we launched the HOPE & FREEDOM CHALLENGE, Becky said our goal should be 50,000 miles. I’m all for big dreams, but I didn’t think we’d accumulate more than three round trips to and from the HOME OF HOPE in south Asia. All summer we’ve watched the miles pile up. Folks ran through mid-western heat […]
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Pollution (And S’mores)
Our friend Mary took a walk. Might not seem like a big deal, but Colorado is currently experiencing several nasty high-country wildfires. As smoke from those fires drifts onto the Front Range, it feels like we’re living 24/7 around a campfire – minus the s’mores. Local news now includes a “smoke forecast.” The usually stunning […]
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“Our” Wine
Last time I talked about my vineyard. I traced a personal response to Jesus’ story about a vineyard owner. It’s the way Americans tend to view most lessons, because we’re an individual-oriented culture. As I learn more about Jesus, I’m not sure it’s the best perspective. He spoke frequently in the context of community. The […]
Continue readingI’m Not Making Wine
But I’ve been thinking about my vineyard. No, I don’t have a plot of land with vines and grapes. I’m not planning my custom vintage. Jesus told a story about a vineyard owner who hired some day workers for a certain wage. Throughout the day – at 9 am, at noon, at 3 pm, and […]
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Advice Of Consequence
Could you walk calmly toward an angry man intent on beating you? A few years ago, Becky attended a conference when she worked at Timberland Corp. John Lewis, the featured speaker, told the audience of his parents’ admonition to him as a child in the segregated South. “Don’t get in trouble, don’t make noise, don’t […]
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Be Like Mike
My friend Mike took his HOPE ROCK on a trip. He’s working on a bucket-list item to ride his bike in all 50 states. During a 9-day stretch in early July, Mike and his HOPE ROCK did 177 strategically-chosen miles of cycling in 14 different states! Like many of his FREEDOM TOUR teammates, Mike carries […]
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Tough Conversations
I’ve been in some tough conversations recently. I’ve had opportunities to learn, or re-learn, or un-learn. Opportunities to examine my beliefs and either re-think or hold myself accountable. I’ve also had opportunities to engage in arguments. Maybe you’ve had similar encounters. And maybe, like me, you’ve wondered why these discussions so frequently devolve into verbal […]
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Seek Justice
We all believe in justice. I wonder, though, if we all agree on what it means to “seek justice.” In this highly-charged political environment, even this notion has become divisive. A recent Facebook post about justice elicited a comment — from a friend — about “social justice BS.” In scripture, justice is primarily a relational […]
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About Lines
It seems lots of folks are drawing lines these days. Everywhere I look I see lines about US and THEM. Here’s the line: you’re either on my side, or the wrong side. Those who draw them are certain they’re absolute, true, and righteous, but in fact they’re mostly opinions transformed into hard-and-fast rules, unnecessary false […]
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Struggle And Celebration
Paul Hurkman spoke to our team last week about justice. Paul is Executive Director of Venture. In 2012 he taught Becky and me the blueprint for doing a group bike tour, about shared sacrifice and doing what we love to benefit a cause bigger than ourselves. He began with words written by another Paul: “We […]
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Freedom & Truth
I told you last time about our team’s ZOOM conversations. Dick Foth said he wanted to discuss freedom. He began with Jesus’ words: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So there’s a chain: obedience –> truth –> freedom. It’s […]
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