“Equal Parts”

by mlindberg on June 26, 2026

She was barely 18 when I first noticed her. My memory is that it was in a cafeteria line, though there were other places across campus where our paths crossed as well.

There was no simple way to explain what it was that tugged me in her direction. But tugged I was.

Equal parts mystery and beauty.

In February of 1975, I risked rejection and asked. A date. A concert. An evening of conversation. A small corner of the mystery exposed, along with a full measure of beauty on display.

The math says it was 51 years ago. And now, the 18-year-old is turning 70. Tomorrow.

Two apartments and six houses later.

Three babies. Three weddings. Eleven grandchildren.

So much has changed. Yet the formula remains:

Equal parts mystery and beauty.

Mystery leads to adventure.

Beauty leads to gratitude.

How is it possible that so much has changed—and so much has stayed the same?

Ten days ago, at the wedding of a friend in Kansas City: BEAUTY.

Then, less than a week later, with three grandchildren at her side: MYSTERY and ADVENTURE.

Birds tucked among the branches of a Costa Rican tree. Nearly every discovery a grandchild makes is followed by the same declaration:

“Emmie!”

They want her attention. Her affirmation. Her delight.

Equal parts.

Mystery. Beauty.

Adventure. Gratitude.

She was 18 then.

She is 70 now.

The words apply to her walk with Jesus as well.

Beloved daughter. Beautiful soul.

Childlike delight and discovery.

Equal parts.

Infectious.

Splashing beauty wherever she can.

Inviting discovery.

Inquisitive.

Observant.

Spontaneous.

Aware.

Unhurried.

Dialed in.

Ecstatic.

“Emmie…”

Long before she was my date. Long before she was Mrs. Wolgemuth. Long before she was Mom. Long before she was Emmie, she was a masterpiece—designed by God for good works. Stewarding beauty, and exploring mystery.

His design. His idea. His plan.

For her. For us.

Elegant without pretense.

Mysterious without arrogance.

Contagious beauty.

Shared mystery.

Two pictures, taken only days apart, offer irrefutable evidence.

My companion.

My true companion.

Seventy years.

Still beautiful.

Forever mysterious.

My Mary.

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“Now. Therefore. Arise. Go…”

by mlindberg on June 12, 2026

In May of 2021, Robert Wolgemuth published his book, Gun Lap. Less than two years later he released Finish Line.

Both books focused on the imperative of living the later years of life with intentionality, focus, generosity, and purpose.

As Robert’s younger brother, I engaged with him frequently as this work was underway. And certainly, was delighted to see how frequently these titles were purchased and used as a guide for those in the sweet spot of this demographic.

On January 10th of this year, less than three years after Finish Line was released, Robert did just that… he finished his earthly race.

Now what?

Through the life of Moses and his successor, Joshua, we get a very clear answer.

After the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.” (Joshua 1:1-2 ESV)

Now.

Therefore.

Arise.

Go…

Moses had lived a long, faithful life. God had used his authentically lived journey to provide a pathway for the future. For what was next. For the habitation of the land that God had promised.

The death of Moses didn’t mark the end… but rather a transition to the beginning of a new era. A new chapter. A fulfilled promise.

Moses had lived his “Gun Lap” and had crossed his “Finish Line” with courage and wisdom. In humility, he knew what was his to possess, and what was left for Joshua to occupy.

There is a sequel to the book Finish Line. It is rightly titled Now. Therefore. Arise. Go…

Robert is not the author. I am. You are.

Now -> Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t wait.

Therefore -> We don’t need more evidence or more convincing. Because of the finished work of Christ and the faithfulness of those saints who have gone before us.

Arise -> Move. Take a step. The Jordan River is ahead, but we must step out.

Go -> That’s right. Go… even as we live into the great commissioning message of Jesus. Go.

Six months have passed since I witnessed Robert’s passing. I was there when his chest broke the tape at the Finish Line. He was indeed “my servant, Robert” …

And while I still grieve his loss, I am compelled by the example of Joshua. He stepped in and stepped up. He didn’t wait. He seized the opportunity. He lived into the promise. And he led the nation. Now!

Yes indeed, the sequel has yet to be written. The Jordan needs to be crossed…

Be strong and courageous.

It’s our turn now… therefore… arise… go!

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“Brothers, and the Tale of Two Paint Brushes”

May 29, 2026

My brother, Ken, and I were born roughly ten years apart. That means for every “significant” birthday – especially the ones with round numbers – Ken has already blazed the trail. While Ken and I share the same gene pool, we are different on many fronts. Over the years, those differences have provided wonderful opportunities […]

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“Heat the Griddle”

May 15, 2026

Spring. The invasion of green against the dominant brown. From black and white to color. And indeed… an invasion of birds whose behavior suggests that love is in the air. Spring. Love. Emotion tipping the scale away from reason. Passion eclipsing sensibility. Risk sacking the quarterback named Safety. 1975 and 1976. A rush to win […]

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“Living the Lyrics”

May 1, 2026

1966. Andraé Crouch. “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” If you’re like me, the mere mention of this song sends the melody and lyrics racing through your mind. But like many songs we sing, the words can dance in our heads without fully landing. The seeds scatter but seldom take root. Providentially—and with renewed […]

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“What’s your favorite app?”

April 17, 2026

I’ve been in several settings where this question sparks lively and helpful conversation. But seriously… what is it? For me, there’s a notable top five—but one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Tucked inside my “Exercise” folder (with only a tangential link to exercise) is the Merlin Bird ID app. Developed and updated by […]

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“The Pivot of all Pivots”

April 3, 2026

Words, like fashion trends, ebb and flow in popularity and usage. At times, this shift is driven by significant cultural or historical events. In 2020, the word pivot vaulted to the top of the charts on a global scale. A pandemic necessitated—and then turbocharged—the idea of massive change in direction. This was true in classrooms, […]

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“The Power of Imitation”

March 20, 2026

It was roughly five years ago when I stepped up to the granite-topped island in our kitchen, my daughter Alli at my side, and we Zoomed into my first-ever online class. Technology made the miles irrelevant, but the British accent of our instructor brought a kind of global clarity. Sara Ward—our primary teacher and owner […]

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“How would you define leadership?”

February 27, 2026

And with that, the podcast interview began. Jake Smith is a talented coach and consultant in the executive coaching arena, and his new podcast, Reframe Fix, is off and rolling. Graciously, Jake invited me to record an episode scheduled to air sometime in the future. His first question was direct and simple. As I’ve reflected […]

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Less Than One Percent

February 13, 2026

Once a year, Mary and I retrieve a couple of plastic tubs from our basement, both loaded with camping gear. We also pull out our tent, our cots, and our five-gallon water container. Then we load everything—along with meals and snacks—and head to a campsite that Chrissy, our family organizer, has reserved for us. The […]

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