Mura Di Lucca

by DanWolgemuth on November 15, 2024

The Walls of Lucca.

During the month of October, Mary and I had the opportunity to travel to Italy. It’s something that for years we have saved for, dreamed about, and planned. Part of our journey included time in the Italian town of Lucca.

Lucca is located in Tuscany, and consequently has many of the quaint and engaging aspects of many of the towns in the area. In addition, Lucca is known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls that encircle the city center. Construction on the walls began in 1504 and took over a hundred years to complete.

Today, the walls provide a stunning pathway around the city. To walk and to cycle. Roughly 2.6 miles.

Photo credit to Georges Jansoone

On October 28th, Mary and I took full advantage on a sun-soaked fall afternoon. First, we walked the loop, and then we rented bikes and rode around it twice.

While we loved the classic views, there was something more profound about our experience on the wall. In short, what became apparent is that the wall is a treasured conduit into something deep and lasting. Certainly there were tourists, like us, who were there to explore, but it was the locals that captured our attention and admiration.

Locals. Two older men walking and engaged in animated and demonstrative dialogue. Stopping and arguing. Patting each on the back. Serious and yet cordial. Unhurried and oblivious to everything outside of their orbit.

Then, a daughter pushing an elderly parent in a wheelchair. The delight of the wheelchair occupant was inspiring. A constant heavenward line of sight. And the effort of the daughter was compelling and convicting. Care is inconvenient and time-consuming. The pace is slow. Deliberate. Difficult. It’s selfless and sacrificial. But on the wall, it’s possible.

Another woman. Old. Hunched. But walking. Poles as an aid. But committed. Intentional.

Me… I was tracking my steps and my miles on the exercise app, Strava. Fitness before faithfulness. Muscle tone over relational depth. Noise over quiet.

So our pace slowed. Our conversation deepened. Our delight grew.

What we observed we relished. What we witnessed we embraced. In Lucca. In Tuscany. In Italy.

But now, Lucca is history. It’s behind us. No doubt the locals continue to walk, and push, and talk, and gesture.

So what now? In Aurora, Colorado. No walls. No vineyards in view. No relics in sight.

Schedules. Appointments. Meetings. Calls. Calendars…

But no excuse. None. While the setting changed dramatically, the priority doesn’t have to.

To linger more. To slow down. To grab a hand instead of an iPhone.

To walk my own set of walls. Not Mura di Lucca, but Mura di Aurora.

2.6 miles to engage. To converse. To listen. To love. To sacrifice. To push. To celebrate.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG)

The lessons linger still. God help me to remember. To change. To practice.

Unforced rhythms of grace…

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Incarcerated – Revisited – Epilogue

by DanWolgemuth on November 8, 2024

In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way…

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)

Coupons. The currency inside incarceration. For those in positions of power, they represent the pathway to behavior modification.

Tucked firmly in the hand of every inmate… coupons. With them you buy the most basic supplies. Salt. Pepper. Catsup. Even haircuts are available with coupons.

The instructions are clear… hold your coupons. Not in your sock, not in your waistband. In your hand. And they did… I did. Each coupon had the “Resident’s Name”, the Date, the “Staff’s Name” and the behavior observed. The behavior that warranted the coupon…

•  Cooperation
•  Participation
•  Act of kindness
•  Sportsmanship
•  Attitude
•  Rational thinking
•  Respect…
Coupons as currency. And coupons as a means to an end. Behavior change.

… and, quite unintentionally, coupons become the theology of the incarcerated. I heard it, and felt it from the young men who remain branded on my soul.

God, in His heavens, becomes the cosmic dispenser of coupons. And coupons as a sign of His approval and acceptance. And approval as a means to win access to “the good stuff”, and actually access to God Himself. If you have enough coupons, you have access. No coupons. No God.

The deal is straightforward, logical, and so completely unbiblical. Make no mistake, there was a cosmic exchange. But it has nothing to do with my good behavior. In fact, I trade my foolishness for Christ’s righteousness. Not behavior modification, but radical transformation. And I do this as an act of faith, and faith alone. And the faith I utilize to embrace grace is a gift as well.

I sat with young men who believed that God was waiting… not pursuing. He was waiting for them to accumulate enough coupons for His interest and love to be ignited. That’s the way the system works, so naturally, that’s how God works… but it’s not. Humbly, it’s not.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8, NLT)

While we were empty handed. No coupons in sight. Jesus came.

Our righteous behavior, not a manipulation scheme, but the fruit of a complete rebirth. From dead to alive. From alienated to family. Daughters and sons… not because of our coupons, but because of Jesus. The ultimate coupon.

And perhaps, just maybe… a sixty-four year old who spent twenty-six hours in a detention center on his own initiative shifted the spotlight from coupons to grace. Pursued. Rescued. Redeemed. Transformed.

Now, three and a half months removed… Lord, remind them… he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5, NIV)

Amazing grace. For every incarcerated soul.

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Incarcerated – Revisited – Part 5

November 1, 2024

In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… I’m […]

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Incarcerated – Revisited – Part 4

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In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… When […]

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Incarcerated – Revisited – Part 3

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In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… February […]

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Incarcerated – Revisited – Part 2

October 11, 2024

In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… Within […]

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Incarcerated – Revisited – Part 1

October 4, 2024

In May of 2019 I embarked on a journey that profoundly and deeply impacted me. In the years since then, I’ve spoken often about this experience. As such, it seems appropriate to revisit the experience in the next few editions of the Fragment. I trust that this story impacts you in a fresh way… I […]

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Three Words Can Change Everything…

September 27, 2024

They’re hard words. Selfless words. Honest words. But they grate against the very nature that we were born with. Ironically, they are words that Jesus never uttered. He didn’t have to. Yet, He invites us to say them. He understands clearly that when we say these words they become a pathway to personal growth and […]

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You Are Now Free to Move About the Country

September 20, 2024

In 2005 Mary and I moved to Denver to be a part of the mission of Youth For Christ. In the 19 years since that move, I have flown on many, many flights into and out of Denver International Airport. What I’ve learned is that there is a common refrain that is communicated on nearly […]

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For the Sake of 700 Million

September 13, 2024

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;     and give me life in your ways.” (Psalm 119:37) Roughly once a month I enter our household income and expenses into Microsoft Money 2006. Yes, the orphan software child of Microsoft that it abandoned in 2011. Regardless of the neglect, the package has remained loyal and functional. This […]

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