The victory of Jesus and his resurrection is the most important victory in human history. If that's the case, why didn't Jesus throw himself a victory parade right there on the spot? Read on to see what he did instead...
All in Relationships
Using Our Platform for Good
Last night my family and I attended a concert together.
Well, maybe that’s too generous a statement. We all know that in 2020, “attended a concert together” means we all sat on the couch watching a livestream video while being distracted by our dog’s silly antics.
But hey – in 2020, we take what we can get, right?
The Journey of Healing
I hopped on my road bike yesterday for the first time in about a year.
The last time I rode it was shortly before I ruptured my Achilles – an injury that is nearly a year in the recovery process, and still not where I would like it to be.
Now, full disclosure, the picture shown above was taken during my glory days on that bike. She and I (the bike, that is) would travel all over the local roads together, climbing mountains, enjoying views, speeding down descents. That bike and I have enjoyed thousands and thousands of miles of blissful togetherness.
And then, with one loud snap of the Achilles, it all came to a screeching halt.
It's the Little Things That Matter Most
It’s been one of those mornings. Disrupted is really the only apt descriptor.
It started with waking early, as is my custom, to go to the gym for a light workout.
(I’m in the process of rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles tendon, so my “workout” consists of walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes while being flanked by silver-haired old ladies who like to sprint. I’m not making this up. I think they derive great pleasure from watching a “young” mid-forties man struggle to sustain 3mph on the treadmill. I’m pretty sure it’s the feature story in their afternoon knitting groups.)
But the workouts help set my mindset for the day. I’m doing something to grow, to improve, and to clear the cobwebs that the morning cup of coffee was unable to do.
This morning, however, I walked into the gym to find that the blustering morning winds had knocked out the power and they were sending everyone home.
Wonderful. Disruption #1.
Reflections on the past week (or: 1 week down, 20+ more to go)
Dealing with an injury is more complicated than it might seem from the outside looking in. Little things that I took for granted just a week ago require a tremendous amount of effort. I often find myself tired and sweaty just from something as basic as getting dressed.
I’m suddenly very appreciative when people hold the door open for me.
When they do, I feel slightly ashamed because I know I’m capable of opening it for myself, and I don’t really need their help.
When We Come Alive
The hills in southern California have sprung up in vibrant greens recently – wildflowers of orange, yellow, and purple carpet the green hills, making a tapestry of color and life that I haven’t seen around here in many years.
These colors were highlighted recently on a bike ride I took at sunrise, where the sun’s long shadows cast a contrast on the hills, making them stand out all the more glorious, all the more beautiful than they already were.
Are you lonely? Try this…
I came across an interesting quote about Mother Teresa and her observation that loneliness is the leprosy of the Western world.
Wow.
As devastating and alienating as leprosy was in the ancient world, apparently loneliness is what we get to deal with in our culture instead.
Loneliness is an interesting phenomenon. In my experience, I’ve felt lonely when there’s no one in the room, but often times even lonelier when in a room crowded full of people.
Why is that?
How on earth could it be that we can find ourselves lonely in the midst of the company of others?
Because I’m guessing I’m not the only one who has ever felt this way.
My guess is, you can relate.
Let Love Rule
We had no idea Las Vegas was about to happen.
We recently released our latest coffee t-shirt, and as you can see from the picture, it has nothing to do with coffee.
We wanted to go with something simple; a message we could all rally behind, and so we went with “Love People”.
We figured it was time to get back to the basics—that we all can lean in directions opposite of loving people from time to time, and so we thought a tangible reminder wouldn’t be so bad.
Because loving people is one of the more difficult tasks we have.
Hell on Earth (Why Playing It Safe Emotionally Doesn't Work)
I’ve found that I’ve been a man of few words lately. Despite my genuine efforts, I’ve quite simply had very little to say, particularly in social settings. This, from an attention-getting extrovert…
No details seem to be available when my wife asks me how my day is.
In a discussion with a friend yesterday, I was unable to answer simple questions about the week, and even the weather.
The funny thing is, I’m not in any kind of emotional distress. Not angry, not agitated. Actually fairly happy, to be honest.
If I could choose one word to articulate how I’ve been feeling lately, it’s detached.
Let's Stop Being Angry
It seems that everywhere I look these days, I come across people who are angry.
Not like, irritated angry, but deep-down-inside angry.
The kind of anger that surfaces when things aren’t going quite right, when we’re downright sick and tired of how things are—that kind of anger that arises out of discontentment of the soul.
I see it in our presidential election, I see it on social media, in the news, in my friends, and in my own personal relationships.
So I have to ask: Why?