Today’s Friday, and I would like to give us all a break. We talk here about intense issues–God-sized dreams, building community, human trafficking, long distance cycling, following Jesus. We try to do it all with joy and passion, but during my bike ride yesterday it struck me that we might need a break. So today […]
Continue readingMore TagAuthor: Rich
It’s All About Service
How can I add value to others? ~ John Maxwell One theme dominated Global Leadership Summit. More than worthy goals, efficient processes, streamlined organizations, and effective feedback/accountability systems, true leadership values people. Effective leaders are servants. Authentic servant leaders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They operate in lots of different ways, and […]
Continue readingMore TagWhy We Don’t Dream Alone
If you can accomplish your vision by yourself, your vision is too small. ~ T. D. Jakes At Global Leadership Summit (GLS) I heard some themes woven into many of the messages. Last time I said Keeping stuff safe isn’t God’s plan. The second theme dovetails with the first. Enlarge Your Vision Over and over, in different […]
Continue readingMore TagKeeping Stuff Safe
Keeping stuff safe isn’t God’s plan. I attended the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) last week, an amazing opportunity to learn about leadership from a few influential leaders. Two days, far two much information to absorb, there’s only one way to avoid feeling overwhelmed. In such circumstances, I look for patterns. If you believe God’s involved […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s Hard To Be Humble
Service, if it’s truly service, must involve humility. Do you agree? The problem is, like most folks I struggle with humility. I’m not sure I understand it, or know when I have it. And just when I think I might be getting close, I start feeling good about being humble and that’s pride and I […]
Continue readingMore TagWhere Do We Go Next?
How does an idea grow? We’re in reflection mode at the FREEDOM TOUR, wrapping up 2016 but already looking at 2017 and beyond. As I wonder where we’re we’re going, I find it helpful to look at where we’ve been. God seems to mostly operate long-term and big-picture. Events that appear senseless and disconnected in the […]
Continue readingMore TagGreat Expectations?
Are you excited about watching the Olympics? For two weeks we get to watch men and women follow their dreams. We’ll see incredible performances made to appear routine, and we’ll hear stories of people who overcame insurmountable obstacles just to be there. The Olympics are almost more about perseverance and mental toughness than about higher, faster, […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s Complicated
Once in a while I write something that raises interesting questions. A couple of times recently I’ve said something like this: Our $100,000 dream goal matters because the funds matter to the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. But reaching it or not doesn’t define the success of the FREEDOM TOUR because our DNA is […]
Continue readingMore TagToo Much Hope?
Is it possible to hope too much? The FREEDOM TOUR grew out of the impossible dream of a 1500-mile handcycle ride along the Mississippi River in 2011. We continue to pursue God-sized dreams; building community, bringing hope and freedom to kids rescued from human trafficking. We continue to pursue our dream goal of raising $100,000 […]
Continue readingMore TagNever Give Up?
On our Mississippi River trip I encountered a unique bike trail design. The trail was constructed on top of the levees. Great idea, huh? Nice and level, no traffic, you could just cycle along and gaze at the river, the boats. It was great, except every couple of miles there was a break in the […]
Continue readingMore TagTHIS Day Is Special
Becky and I attended a memorial service last week. I didn’t know the man well. The service touched me more deeply than I expected. I left with two lasting impressions. I felt like I knew him better. His friends and family shared memories in an incredibly personal, vulnerable, and yet perfectly authentic and appropriate manner. Tears […]
Continue readingMore TagThat Looks Easy
The essential element of the FREEDOM TOUR is community. Of course we raise funds and awareness for the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. And we enjoy riding bikes. Cycling, fund raising,and fighting human trafficking comprise the face of the tour, but its DNA is community. In what might be a classic understatement, our friend […]
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