Most people think we choose between fear and courage. Coward or hero. Live in fear or face it, that’s how the choice is framed. Perhaps one of my lasting impressions of FREEDOM TOUR 2017 comes from the story behind this photo. (Click the link to read the inspirational tale of Phil and J.C.) I suppose […]
Continue readingCategory: Rich’s Ride
When Is It Enough?
Nobody cares. Work harder. Texas football coach Tom Herman stamps that motto on his program. Don’t tell us your problems–nobody cares. Want to get better, to win? Work harder. It’s a great bumper sticker slogan. Works well on t-shirts and posters and weight room walls. If you’re an athlete griping about the length of practice […]
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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 readingGrateful To Be Together
You and me. I’m thankful for us. Together, on this remarkable journey of hope.
Continue readingThe Police Were Waiting
After a long, hot day of cycling, the La Junta police were waiting. That sounds a bit ominous. Perhaps I should back up. Pueblo-to-La Junta should have been an easy day. No climbs, just a nice steady 62-miles, mostly gently downhill through high desert ranching country. After two days of hills, everyone looked forward to a chance to […]
Continue readingWhen It’s Worth The Risk
Stepping out in faith is risky. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Trusting God to commit to the climb without knowing where it leads–that’s a risk. Actually climbing the staircase probably isn’t that hard. On the other hand, a well-marked, well-planned climb to the […]
Continue readingGrace In Unlikely Places
We encounter grace in unexpected places. Four years ago this month I was cranking my bike on a 1500-mile journey along the Mississippi River. We found Grace at a Mississippi crossroads. It was an unlikely story, one worth re-telling. We spent last night in a hospital. It’s not what you think. Nobody’s sick or injured. […]
Continue readingThings We Didn’t Try
Occasionally a question hits the sweet spot in a particular group. “What do you think you’ll regret more in ten years–your failures or the things you didn’t try?” Man, you could have heard a pin drop in the room across the hallway, that’s how silent it got. You could see the wheels turning for a […]
Continue readingWhere Do You Begin A Big Dream?
Our FREEDOM TOUR team is discussing a big dream for 2016. Can we raise enough money to cover the entire budget for all of the kids at Project Rescue’s HOME OF HOPE? Can a project that’s raised about $65,000 in 3 years jump to $100,000 in a single year? Every time I consider an outrageous goal I’m reminded of a […]
Continue readingWhy We Should All Throw Stones
The FREEDOM TOUR has a tradition regarding stones. At the beginning of each tour we ask each rider to select two stones. On one they write something they’d like to leave behind at the end of the ride. On the other, a lesson they want to carry with them after the tour concludes. Each team […]
Continue readingHe’s Always Been There
From Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert: When Helping Hurts We are not bringing Christ to poor communities (or other communities victimized by injustice). He has been active in these communities since the creation of the world, sustaining them “by his powerful word” (Heb 1:3). Hence, a significant part of working in these communities involves discovering and […]
Continue readingHaters Gonna Hate, Right?
We should be careful with the word hate. One of my relatives recently became somewhat famous (details here). This week his home town had a “day” for him–mayor read a proclamation, key to the city, the whole cool small town deal. And of course there was an article in the local newspaper. So someone just had to jump […]
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