A modern-day parable (an old tale with a slight twist): A wise king once ordered a large boulder to be placed on a heavily traveled path, then hid nearby to observe how people dealt with this barrier. Almost everyone who encountered the boulder expressed annoyance. Many were simply angry and frustrated about the inconvenience and delay. […]
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Learning What I Already Know
“The most important stuff I learn are things I already knew.” A guy said that yesterday during Q&A after a class. It’s a powerful reality. In 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every 100 years. By the end of 1945, the rate was every 25 years. Currently it’s 13 months. We long ago became overwhelmed with […]
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A Ripple Comes Home
We talk a lot about creating ripples. Our actions disturb the surface. Mostly we don’t know the ultimate outcome, but we trust God’s hand to guide the waves for good. Occasionally a small swell laps the shore right at our feet. Perhaps you recall my friend Scott Acton and his bike trip around the world […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s Gonna Cost Us (Always)
Count the cost. I always learn new stuff when we do a bike tour…mostly it’s not about riding bikes. One big lesson for 2017 seems to be about culture and the cost of every choice. As a teacher I believed every kid could learn mathematics. “Some people just don’t think that way” is nonsense. Research […]
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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 […]
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A Different Way To Join The Circle
“How can I support the FREEDOM TOUR?” It’s a common question, and we have lots of ways for you to join the circle and support the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. One simple way is shopping…who doesn’t like shopping, right? You can buy a great gift and show your love for the cause. Proceeds […]
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Modern Day (Real) Freedom
On the FREEDOM TOUR we talk about modern day slavery. It’s a heavy topic, the notion that right now, as you read these words, humans buy and sell other humans for economic gain and personal pleasure. Even tougher when it’s children and it’s occurring on a larger scale than any time in history. Get too […]
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It’s Not All Serious
Bike tours have their share of less-than-serious moments. Our mission creates a fairly intense environment. We’re focused on kids rescued from sexual slavery. We’re building a community around following Jesus and sharing our stories. Combine that with cranking bikes lots of miles up and down hills, eating on the move, sleeping on floors, and evening […]
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A Time To Measure (Correctly)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” So said the author of Ecclesiastes (and Pete Seeger). Two tours completed–time to measure, to assess what we accomplished. Question is, what’s the metric? We cycle to bring hope and freedom to kids rescued from human trafficking. Our team raises […]
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A Box Of Chocolates
Forrest Gump’s mom might have been describing our bike tour. You never know what you’ll get. Saturday was clouds and cold rain. Sunday provided crisp, bright blue skies and a perfect day to climb two mountain passes. Different churches each night, lunch at a roadside pull-off, wide shoulders and narrow, winding two-lanes. Something different around […]
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Happy (Wet) Saturday!
What do you do on a chilly, rainy Saturday morning? Extra cup or coffee? Good book? Maybe putter around on some neglected project? If you’re the FREEDOM TOUR team, you load trailers, gulp down a quick breakfast, pull on rain gear, and hit the road. These folks weren’t about to let a little cold rain […]
Continue readingMore TagA Team Is Born
“Team” is an elusive thing. Most teams take a photo at the beginning when everything’s fresh with excitement and anticipation. No stains on the uniforms, no battle scars. Easy to call yourself a team before the work begins. So we gathered with our hosts in Gunnison, fourteen individuals filled with some mixture of “I can’t […]
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