Are you building a wall or creating a circle? Walls exclude. The very purpose of a wall is division, creating us and them. Mostly a wall keeps “them” over there and offers “us” some illusion of exclusivity or safety. Walls are often about fear, of the others, of those who seem different…of “them.” A circle – […]
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These Three Remain…
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” When you spend some of your final minutes making this kind of point, it’s probably pretty important. Earlier Jesus said it’s THE MOST IMPORTANT commandment, the one upon which everything else depends. LOVE is clearly Jesus’ most central, most […]
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How Big Is Your Dream?
Thirty years ago I confronted an insurmountable obstacle. After spinal surgery and five weeks of recovery, therapists loaded me into my first wheelchair and rolled me into the hospital hallway where they’d placed a 10-foot strip of red tape. My first therapy goal was to push my chair 10 feet. I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t. […]
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About Thirty Years
Thirty years is a long time, or it’s the blink of an eye. A few days after my injury I asked a doc for an honest prognosis. He said, “You’re 36 years old. You’ll probably make it to 40, but most likely not to 50.” Well, I wanted honest. I really didn’t mind his blunt […]
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A Letter To Myself
Do you get consumed by the stuff around you? I do. I know better, but knowing doesn’t seem to matter. Natural disasters, mass shootings, political divisions–I can’t seem to turn away or turn them off. Too often I allow external clatter to become a defeating internal narrative. I just haven’t figured out how to be “in […]
Continue readingWhen The Only Reaction Is WOW!
Today’s an anniversary. Six years ago, Becky and I stepped out in faith on the remarkable journey that became RICH’S RIDE. I thought you might enjoy looking back at what I posted about that wonderful day. # # # Day one of Rich’s Ride…wow! We experienced a gorgeous beginning, a prayer shared with friends and […]
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There’s Stuff You Don’t See
A picture’s worth a thousand words. I publish lots of words about the FREEDOM TOUR. I write about the community and the cause, but the pictures really tell the story. Pictures show the ride, the climbs, the laughs, the prayers in a way words can’t describe. We have LOTS of images. You can go to […]
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Between Fear And … ?
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 readingWhen 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 […]
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