Big news! Rick is re-launching his podcast Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus after a year-long sabbatical. Even bigger and better news—the Becky-nator will be joining him again to co-host. So check out the Episode 6 of Season 8 “Sitting at the Wrong End of the Table”—a continuation of the series “THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Rick and Becky will be exploring themes drawn from his upcoming book (releasing June 4) titled Editing Jesus. In this episode we’ll explore one of Jesus’ most practical teachings—this one is embedded in something that was happening in the moment, and it’s a huge help to those of ..read more

Join Rick for the first episode of Season 8, continuing the series—“THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Our understanding of death, and our fear of it, colors our life. It plays in the background, like a haunting film score to our life narrative. But if we understand the way of Jesus, relative to death, we will have a much deeper understanding of what it means to live in deep peace, and we’ll discover the secret to the upending way he related to people. Jesus said “Death, where is your victory?” He longs for us to enter into that victory.. Check out Rick’s new book, The Suicide Solution. Go to its Amazon page ..read more

Join Rick for the fourth episode of the new series—“THE WAYS OF JESUS.” We all have rutted narratives that emerge from our painful experiences. But Jesus tells us, over and over, that our un-rescued pain is beauty disguised as ugly. We see weakness as the unwelcome byproduct of pain. But in the Kingdom of God, real weakness is exposed as arrogance. Jesus’ opposes the “strength” of the Pharisees because they are arrogant, and arrogance is really a belief in, and a trust in, your own strength and resources over outside sources of strength and resource. Here we explore the mechanics of strength c ..read more

After a two-month “impromptu sabbatical,” join Rick for the third episode of the new series—“THE WAYS OF JESUS.” The influence of our self-narratives. The story we tell ourselves, about ourselves, can lead us into captivity—the captivity Jesus came to set us free from. Jesus wants to “de-bug” our narrative. In Matthew 5 we have Jesus delivering the “But I Say’s”—they’re a kind of complement to “The Beatitudes.” The “But I Say’s” are a kind of martial arts practice—Jesus uses the momentum of deception against it. “Active pushback” against deception is not just a strategy, it’s a lifestyle. It d ..read more

Join Rick for the second episode of the new series—“THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Researchers say a strong factor feeding resilience is “the degree of control that the person has over the stressor.” When we can’t exert any control over the trauma we’ve experienced, the “agency” that fuels our hope is obliterated. Put another way, painful experiences that are “inescapable and erratic” can cut the soul’s “tendons,” making it difficult to use or strengthen the muscles we need to face and overcome future challenges and pain. The healing we need is directly tied to our ability to reassert control over our st ..read more

Join Rick for the first episode of the series—“THE WAYS OF JESUS.” There was a miraculous birth that preceded the miraculous birth of Jesus—John the Baptist. He was born of an elderly couple, chosen to “prepare the way” for Jesus by calling the Jews to repentance. John targeted their complacency and entitlement—challenging them to turn from following the way of the world to the way of the Kingdom of God, ultimately the Way of Jesus… To repent means to turn your back on, and turn your face toward. Who will be our King? Rick’s new book, The Suicide Solution, is now available! You can check out i ..read more

Join Rick for the eighth and final episode of the series—“JESUS IN THE REAL WORLD.” By mapping our responses to moral decision-making situations we can create a “moral map” for how human beings make right/wrong choices. But what about Jesus’ moral map? We discover that map in His “Sermon on the Mount.” This is Jesus’ epic proclamation of the Kingdom of God’s culture—the “deep good” in the heart of God. It’s the map He uses to make moral decisions. Let’s figure out what that moral map looks like—with clusters of moral decision-making that are weighted with importance. And then, if we’re to live ..read more

Join Rick for the seventh episode in the ongoing series—“JESUS IN THE REAL WORLD.” In a curious encounter with His disciples and a gathered crowd, Jesus suggests that weather forecasting is a good metaphor for moral decision-making. Then He asks a question that seems self-evident: “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?” Of course, we can’t decide for ourselves what is morally right because we have an unreliable “compass” for right and wrong. So the elephant-in-the-room question is: Why would Jesus ask this question? The answer has huge implications for how we live our lives. Rick ..read more

Join Rick for the 7th episode in a new ongoing series—“JESUS IN THE REAL WORLD.” In January our focus shifts to resolutions—making commitments to improve. But are resolutions consistent with the way of Jesus? We all have a deep longing to move toward wholeness. Jesus says: “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Seems impossible... But in the Greek, perfect means “fully realized in its intended function.” St. Clare of Assisi says, “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.” Let’s explore how our “New You” can actually happen… Rick’s new book ..read more

Join Rick for the sixth episode in a new ongoing series—“JESUS IN THE REAL WORLD.” The “messaging” around Christmas is deeply embedded in us—at no other time during the year is gift-giving such a major focus of our life. And there’s a lot on the line for us. People get into fights at the mall in the name of gift-giving. Every year we vow to “make this Christmas different,” but we get swept up in the current of our culture and feel almost powerless to do anything different. Instead of guilting ourselves, or living in regret, what if we slowed down to pay attention to the gift-giving habits of J ..read more