tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51494802309164171122023-11-16T10:18:20.435-06:00the POWER of flightlet God give you wings!<br>—Isaiah 40:31seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.comBlogger467125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-17831537788046331062018-12-27T10:17:00.001-06:002018-12-27T10:17:55.560-06:00"Max Gets Wet"Bryce had his turn this morning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-iNp9tf8_RYUqYLc_9w45xS_IZ54Tuvqd0fQ8r6nWw9M7wn_VKIxTVDjvlpYUh3W53gNgf3zVbdrDv3J0iEfVJFbL15JO_hP_0AdFUCCYOc_ckgPmd39ksaIU3S2bMbSEY2EQ-q_OjnH/s1600/20181227+Max+Gets+Wet+by+Bryce.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-iNp9tf8_RYUqYLc_9w45xS_IZ54Tuvqd0fQ8r6nWw9M7wn_VKIxTVDjvlpYUh3W53gNgf3zVbdrDv3J0iEfVJFbL15JO_hP_0AdFUCCYOc_ckgPmd39ksaIU3S2bMbSEY2EQ-q_OjnH/s400/20181227+Max+Gets+Wet+by+Bryce.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-20638842857045499952018-12-26T12:19:00.001-06:002018-12-26T12:19:43.494-06:00"Breakfast"Another guest author. Peyson is creative too:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBNQohajgf9RjeAp_UEePmxHNssKVQVygKEoIhrv0HjIpnnLEK70CkRed9tpRUq7G9VTGFtlb6U_P47dYkmD483ygmAd6F-X84VZvERnX_kGm6ym3hSJ0TiblZpK6SUjXq6TkdrqdK54c/s1600/2018+Breakfast+by+Peyson.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="1600" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBNQohajgf9RjeAp_UEePmxHNssKVQVygKEoIhrv0HjIpnnLEK70CkRed9tpRUq7G9VTGFtlb6U_P47dYkmD483ygmAd6F-X84VZvERnX_kGm6ym3hSJ0TiblZpK6SUjXq6TkdrqdK54c/s400/2018+Breakfast+by+Peyson.png" width="400" /></a></div>
seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-83424825634253138682018-12-26T10:39:00.000-06:002018-12-26T10:39:00.435-06:00"Late Game Day"I had a guest author at my <a href="http://www.pixton.com/" target="_blank">Pixton</a> account today. I showed him the ropes and we made the comic below together. Aidan is quite creative!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0pYDl_oAFOR5HTnb95iPSipgBELVXzabdptWqb4foPS6iw-X6h5JXBf3eeNDR62RwbXFeAuCd2zE1gQylTTVTcHpB70D943J6XP6wdmo3fiKtm5x7gUdqd2vk5G9t2r3ifjSswHvW0qd/s1600/20181226+Late+Game+Day+by+Aidan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0pYDl_oAFOR5HTnb95iPSipgBELVXzabdptWqb4foPS6iw-X6h5JXBf3eeNDR62RwbXFeAuCd2zE1gQylTTVTcHpB70D943J6XP6wdmo3fiKtm5x7gUdqd2vk5G9t2r3ifjSswHvW0qd/s400/20181226+Late+Game+Day+by+Aidan.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-72729696543689098922018-01-10T10:37:00.001-06:002018-01-10T10:37:23.166-06:00Candles Candles Candles #helpneeded #urgent #traffickingHi friends,<br />
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Houston-based Free the Captives is an anti-trafficking organization that I've worked with a few times. One of their focuses is helping rescued victims get on their feet with counseling, employment help, and support. One way they do this is by hiring the girls each summer to make and sell candles.<br />
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FtC just sent out an urgent request for help. Hurricane Harvey impacted several of the vendors that usually sell the candles, to the point that they were unable to sell this year (due to damaged property, lack of funds, etc.). There are A LOT of candles left (1500 as of when the email was sent). If these are not sold, FtC will not be able to hire the girls this year.<br />
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The candles are small (10 oz.) and cost $25 each. This is expensive for a candle but reasonable for helping victims of the sex slave industry.<br />
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Would you consider one or more of the following to help?<br />
(1) Buy a candle (or more than one).<br />
(2) Forward the link below to friends, family, coworkers, etc. that might be able to help.<br />
(3) Pray that God would intervene and take care of this situation in a way that goes beyond what FtC could think or imagine.<br />
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Link to Free the Captives' main page: <a href="http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/">freethecaptiveshouston.com</a><br />
Link to Free the Captives' online <a href="https://freethecaptiveshoustonshop.com/?utm_source=Free+the+Captives+List&utm_campaign=8b1da1b86b-Brand_New_Template_to_use_for_Mobile10_16_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1ee99a71ba-8b1da1b86b-418895365">store</a> (they also sell purses).<br />
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Thanks for your time. God bless,<br />
Seanseanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-35955900861352989302017-12-14T17:32:00.000-06:002017-12-14T17:32:14.671-06:00Bebop's First Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVdPSEjzj7T48hlbz1NYr4nAYbQMjih_7b17RdF9fPphfg5eSwBI1Of6liTIJ8jpvPnmxNVZa6paPohKIPAlkR65OhwzN22xWk9iEX9a8hiQjhu6vXKNXfv7-oE8F4GcQME75NN958Ma8/s1600/Pixton_Comic_Bebop_s_First_Ride_by_Sean_Rackley+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1520" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVdPSEjzj7T48hlbz1NYr4nAYbQMjih_7b17RdF9fPphfg5eSwBI1Of6liTIJ8jpvPnmxNVZa6paPohKIPAlkR65OhwzN22xWk9iEX9a8hiQjhu6vXKNXfv7-oE8F4GcQME75NN958Ma8/s400/Pixton_Comic_Bebop_s_First_Ride_by_Sean_Rackley+%25281%2529.png" width="380" /></a></div>
<br />seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-72448649523493814202017-03-10T14:36:00.000-06:002019-05-13T18:05:43.564-05:00On CommunionI've been thinking about the Lord's Supper lately. The church I attend serves Communion every week; others do it less often. We line up at the end of the service to take a piece from one member's homemade bread and dip it in grape juice; some churches pass around small wafers and tiny plastic cups. There are other ways of doing it and I have absolutely nothing against any of them. I wonder, though, if the Church has missed out on something greater. I believe the Lord intended much more than an occasional bit of bread and a sip of wine or juice.<br />
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Aside from the actual event described in the Gospels, I suspect the most frequently quoted verses regarding Communion are the instructions given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. Several key phrases stand out: "this bread," "this cup," "in remembrance of me." We're told the bread specifically symbolizes the broken body of Christ and that the wine specifically symbolizes His blood and the new covenant He purchased. We are to remember Christ's life, death, and resurrection and look forward to His return.<br />
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Over the course of time, "breaking bread" has come to mean having a meal with someone. That understanding may actually originate with the Lord's Supper; I don't know. I do know a meal is a time of food, fellowship, family, and friendship. Storytelling and getting to know one another over food that is, hopefully, a delight to all in attendance. So, what does "this bread" refer to? Is it only the leaven-free loaves shared that one day in Jerusalem? Or is it any bread, any meal? "Taste and see, for the Lord is good," admonishes the psalmist (34:8). Jesus said of Himself that He came "eating and drinking," and he often had meals with "tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34, among others). May I suggest that "this bread" could be a pizza or a plate of smoked brisket with Texas toast, shared among friends? It’s worth considering.<br />
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What about the wine? The issue of Christians and alcohol has been argued, often angrily, or at least with great passion, for centuries. A friend recently summed his thoughts on the consumption of alcohol this way: "It should be used to make a good day better, never to make a bad day worse." However, that is not the subject of this article. I only wish to explore Communion. Jesus used wine; some churches today use juice. The symbolism is what matters most. Crushed grapes, fermented over time, become wine; a peaceful teacher was beaten to an unrecognizable pulp before being hanged on a Roman cross. He revealed Himself to be the Savior of humanity in a way only God expected, and it had been a <i>long</i> time for His plan to unfold. Wine makes one merry; the shed blood of Christ makes one right with God, putting an end to the misery of sin and <i>uncorking</i> the joy of salvation. Hmm... Wine is drink which makes a meal an even more cheerful gathering. A hot cup of coffee or a cold Dr Pepper, depending on the time of day, does it for me. Gatorade after an intense workout? Recuperative, replenishing, refreshing. So too is the comfort of Holy Spirit, the absolute best part of the new covenant.<br />
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"In remembrance of me" is, in my opinion, the single most important part of Jesus' and Paul's instructions for Communion. Eating and drinking are necessities for basic survival, but remembering what Christ did is absolutely essential for a robust, satisfying spiritual life. Without him, our lives have no purpose. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. A vapor in the wind. As we remember Him, we must honor the truth in the Bible and acknowledge the presence of Holy Spirit in our lives. This can be done alone but is best accomplished in the presence of other believers. "Iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17). Don't forget to get together, encourage one another in love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25, paraphrased). Remember that Jesus shared His last meal with beloved friends. There was singing, foot washing, and teaching; there was celebration, service, and learning. Our gatherings should be similar as we "do all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). That same verse begins with eating and drinking. Interesting.<br />
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In conclusion, I believe a weekly nibble of King's Hawaiian and an ounce of Welch's are good, ceremonial reminders of what Jesus has done. He doesn't want just ceremony though; He wants our lives. He already gave us His abundant life, and He wants to be involved in every aspect of ours, to be a partner in every conversation, and to have a seat at all of our tables. So, have a cookout with your friends or go to a coffee shop on a Saturday morning. Bring your love for one another. Share stories of how Jesus has been working in your life. Discuss the Word. Eat, drink, and remember. Have Communion.seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-88900108577806569162017-02-14T20:20:00.000-06:002017-02-14T20:47:02.396-06:00#Geocaching with Hedwig the OwlYou know I'm into geocaching. I've blogged about it and often share snippets of my adventures with a quick tweet. However, some adventures are worth writing about in more than 140 characters. What follows is my "Found It!" log for just such an adventure, had at <a href="http://coords.info/GC5XVDN" target="_blank">GC5XVDN: Hedwig the Owl (Harry Potter Geocaches #1)</a>.<br />
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<i>So, a funny thing happened while geocaching one evening at Rice University...</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>I have learned to not stick my hand in a tree's bole hole without first looking. This is a little challenging when the hole is above my eye level, so I've taken to raising my phone and snapping a picture of the inside before making the plunge. This technique has spared me countless ant and spider bites and at least one encounter with a snake.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>While searching near GZ tonight, I found just such a hole that would be perfect for a size small cache. I raised my phone per usual and pressed the button. There was a slight, anti-red-eye pause before the flash went off. Then, SURPRISE!!, out leapt a critter! It thumped to the ground and then flew off. I'm 90% sure it had feathers and 100% sure it startled me, for, SHOCK!!, out from my mouth leapt a four-letter word. That too thumped to the ground and then flew off. Heart racing, all I could do was laugh. The students walking by gazed at me suspiciously. "It's okay! I'm a professional!" or something. WWAVD: What Would Ace Ventura Do?</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>Anyway, I opted for no more surprises, read the hint, and quickly found the cache. This will be a great story, for many geo-events to come, I'm sure!</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>TFTC. God bless! 2 Corinthians 5:21</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>(oh yeah... cool statue!)</i><br />
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I sure love this hobby of mine!seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-5480344728506493182017-02-03T11:25:00.000-06:002017-02-03T11:48:38.639-06:00"Bullets, pimps and purses" - the latest from @FreetheCaptives #trafficking #Houston<h1 class="m_4539268289900917425mc-toc-title" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Super Bowl Street Outreach Update</h1>
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by Julie Waters</div>
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Before we had even crossed the parking lot, we found a bullet casing laying on the ground. This was <strong>not</strong> a safe area. Luckily, we had two police officers with us. So we loaded up our arms with purses and set off to meet young women who were walking the streets.<br />
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We immediately saw three young ladies standing together. At first, they didn't want to talk to us but after they got to pick out a pretty purse, they started to open up more. One young lady said that she had come in from Arizona for the Super Bowl this weekend. Another girl was talking on the phone with her trafficker as we handed out the purses filled with hygiene products.<br />
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We walked further down the street and encountered a pimp and his two girls. How do we know that he was a pimp (aka trafficker)? Before we even said a word, he declared, "These are not h**s!" And then he started ranting and raving. He was definitely on drugs. We did manage to give purses to the two ladies, and one of them said, "It is so nice that you are doing this. God bless." So even though we couldn't do much because the pimp was right there, that woman knew that someone cared about her.<br />
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As we continued with the outreach, the thing that struck me the most were the JOHNS...the men who bought the women from the traffickers. This is what hurt me the most and made me the most angry. We stood in a very busy parking lot and watched as car after car picked up and dropped off young ladies. You would think we were watching a school drop-off. <strong>It was that busy</strong>. On a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279696198" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279696199" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2pm</span></span> in broad daylight! These men had no shame. They drove up in beat up trucks and $60,000 cars. They bought girls as if they were buying a drink through the drive thru at McDonald's.<br />
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As a young lady got in a car, my heart sank because I knew what she was about to have to do. When a young lady was being dropped off, she was unceremoniously discarded on the side of the road. I wanted to scream and yell. <strong>These are women!! These are not objects or playthings to be used and discarded. They are precious daughters of God! STOP it! How can you use these women like this?</strong><br />
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My heart hurts at the many levels of depravity involved, but deep down I know that God is at work. On that very day, not far down the road, law enforcement were running operations to shut down this horrible problem. <strong>And I am so thankful for everyone who prayed yesterday after getting my newsletter with the prayer requests.</strong> Thank you for the many emails and texts letting me know that you are praying! I truly felt God's peace and saw Him work in incredible ways. Here's how:</div>
<ul style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The missing girl was found! I spoke to her last night! She is safe. Praise God!</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">My baby had woken up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279696200" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">1am</span></span> with a fever of 102.2. This was his first fever. I sent out a newsletter at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_279696201" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:30am</span></span> asking for prayer. When he woke up yesterday morning, the fever was gone so I was able to lead the outreach.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">God provided <u>the perfect law enforcement personnel</u> to help us. We had 3 different agencies assisting us.<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The male officer was big and burly and knew all about the streets. I learned so much from him. He definitely made us feel protected. His years of experience helped tremendously.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The female officer had an amazing rapport with the ladies. They warmed up to her instantly. God picked exactly the right officers to help us.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">We also had unmarked cars patrolling the area and watching over us.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><strong>Without them, it would have been unsafe and ineffective</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">It turns out that I was pretty sick too but really didn't realize it until after the outreach was over. God sustained me!</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Every purse donated was such a blessing! We were overwhelmed by your support. For example, Denise of Kingwood collected 249 purses from her friends and network. <strong>Without the purses, the girls would not have spoken to us.</strong> Thank you for your support!</li>
</ul>
seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-23383250051362113782016-09-19T14:33:00.001-05:002016-09-19T14:33:16.013-05:00Napoleon Hill's 11 Principles of Effective Leadership<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>(summarized from information in his 1937 book,</i> Think and Grow Rich<i>)</i></b></div>
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1. Unwavering courage<br />
2. Self-control<br />
3. Keen sense of justice<br />
4. Definiteness of decisions<br />
5. Definiteness of plans<br />
6. The habit of doing more than paid for<br />
7. A pleasing personality<br />
8. Sympathy and understanding<br />
9. Mastery of detail<br />
10. Willingness to take full responsibility<br />
11. Cooperationseanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-10530423412161134532016-07-21T10:00:00.002-05:002016-07-21T10:01:23.179-05:00A Dream I Can't ShakeLast night I had a pretty intense dream. I can't seem to shake it. Read below and let me know if you have any interpretation from the Lord:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The evening news reported the appearance of a UFO that looked like a huge, gray slab. It had no distinguishing features except its color and its size. It floated ominously in a vertical position, looking like one section of a gigantic wall. The news report showed the object from a distance, hovering over some unidentifiable city. The reporter called it The Iran.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>In the morning (</i>still in my dream<i>), I was in my childhood bedroom with two friends. My mom came in and advised us against looking out the window. Once she left, we couldn't resist. One friend stuck her head all the way out the window and looked south toward Austin, Texas. Terrified, she quickly came back in. I poked my head out to look and noticed that it wasn't just hovering anymore; it was moving, and moving closer.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We scrambled outside as the object flew lower over my neighborhood and eventually landed on the house two doors down. It didn't perch on the roof or crush the house. It came down and settled on the ground as though there was a hole in the bottom of it the exact size and shape of the house. Its shape wasn't as rectangular as it appeared from a distance; it looked more like a trapezoidal prism. It was still large, at least double the height of the house it had landed on.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>My friends and I went back inside our house, frightened and seeking shelter. Other people on the street came outside, standing around, curiously observing the object. We then heard a loud announcement (the voice shook the walls and floor) in English that if we didn't all beat each other with sticks, the interlopers (it used the collective "we") would kill us all. My friends and I looked at each other and then outside. The neighbors were eyeing each other with fear. Then one man grabbed a stick and headed across the street.</i></blockquote>
At this point, I woke up. I've looked for recent headlines about Iran but nothing seems to strike me as relevant. I'm still looking, but if you're aware of anything, please let me know. Of course, it could've just been the cheeseburger I had for dinner last night.seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-17355592102276561922016-07-04T11:11:00.000-05:002016-07-04T11:11:00.822-05:00Christina's Story, Part Three: "Transition Out Of The Life: Hope And New Beginnings" #trafficking<div style="text-align: left;">
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<b><i>What follows is part three of "Christina's Story." It is a fictionalized account based on the stories of several trafficking victims from the Houston area. I first encountered it at the 2016 Freedom Fest & Houston Human Trafficking 5K, sponsored by <a href="http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/" target="_blank">Free the Captives</a>. Each entry will consist of part of the story (in normal text) and facts about human trafficking (in italics text). The original display included artwork by several of the victims that is at times informative, inspiring, and heartwrenching. Please pray as you learn more. Thanks for reading.</i></b><br />
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“Free?”</div>
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Having made the decision to flee, I ran away. Now I was technically free, but, having gone through so many traumatic experiences, I did not know how to integrate back into society. I felt as if I was on the outside, looking in, but unable to join everyone.<br />
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<i>Integration into the larger society is very difficult for sex trafficking survivors. Often, they do not have tools to survive on their own: no physical or financial support, no education to rely on, no life skills or psychological health. They often suffer from acute PTSD. </i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
“Pregnant”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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At some point in my life on the street, I became pregnant. I know that my baby was not off limits to my trafficker. He had used the children of his other girls to manipulate them and keep them from leaving him. I would not allow my child to be used by my trafficker, so I ran from him again, this time for good.<br />
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<i>Minors entrapped in sex trafficking do not have many options of getting out. Many die along the way from drug overdoses, suicide or violent pimps and Johns. The grim reality is that few girls make it out alive. Christina is lucky to escape.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
“Homecoming”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had to find a safe place for my child and for myself. I learned that my mother’s abusive boyfriend was out of the picture, and started thinking about returning home. At the same time, my mother, who had been searching for me all along, was finally able to connect with me, and begged me to come home. I was willing to give it another try. <br />
<br />
<i>More often than not, trafficking survivors return to their families, where the real work of healing and reconciliation begins. Sometimes victims may go to a “safe house,” but these facilities are often short-term. Also, victims often do not feel comfortable in highly structured environment and will run away from safe homes. Thus, they often return to their communities. If it is safe, they will return home. Otherwise, they will live with another family member or close friend. It is important to note that the majority of human trafficking victims will return to their community or family.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“A Family Affair”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My mom and I realized that in order to avoid falling into the same cycle of neglect, abuse and isolation, the entire family needed to work together for a better life. I wanted a better future for my child, and was determined to make it happen.<br />
<br />
<i>Oftentimes, concerned parents push for the family to be involved in the healing process of the trafficking survivor. After all, part of the reason that many girls fall victim to traffickers is that there is a great level of dysfunction at home. Free the Captives, along with other non-profit organizations, works with the entire family to stabilize the home by providing support and assistance. Free the Captives offers groceries, furniture and other tangible help. They also have a support group for parents.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Future Possibilities”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Through many months of work with Free the Captives, I began to have hope. I joined Free the Captives’ support group for trafficked teens. Finally, I felt like someone understood me and what I have been through. In the support group, no one judged me and I could finally talk about what I had been through. Also, through Free the Captives’ tutoring, I was able to complete my education and to find my self-esteem once again. I worked hard to graduate from high school and to put the dark past behind me. <br />
<br />
<i>Free the Captives offers many services to trafficked teens, including the support group and educational assistance. Many victims find it very difficult to open up about their trafficking experience, but in the support group, they feel safe and understood. For many of them, it is the first time, they can open up and share about their experiences, which is an important step in recovery. Also, Free the Captives works diligently to assist girls in furthering their education. From graduation fees to tutoring to college scholarships to laptops, Free the Captives does whatever it takes to see trafficking survivors walk across the stage in a cap and gown.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
“A Real Job”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Today, an early summer morning finds me on the street, but this time, I am waiting for the bus. This is my first day at my job as an assistant in a doctor’s office. I am thrilled and eager to have a real job in a professional work setting that I was able to find through my own determination and the hard work of supporting agencies such as Free the Captives, which connected me to my first employer.<br />
<br />
<i>Finding a legitimate job is a great stepping stone out of the life on the streets. It provides sex trafficking survivors with a much-needed income, but also boosts their self-confidence and shows them that they are able to succeed in society despite what they have been through. Free the Captives works with multiple employers such as law firms and doctors’ offices to provide survivors with professional job opportunities in a caring and supportive environment. These job opportunities are the linchpin in breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse and destroying the power of traffickers in impoverished communities.</i>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-59449088824156544692016-06-27T11:03:00.000-05:002016-06-27T11:03:05.768-05:00Christina's Story, Part Two: "Into The Life" #trafficking<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>What follows is part two of "Christina's Story." It is a fictionalized account based on the stories of several trafficking victims from the Houston area. I first encountered it at the 2016 Freedom Fest & Houston Human Trafficking 5K, sponsored by <a href="http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/" target="_blank">Free the Captives</a>. Each entry will consist of part of the story (in normal text) and facts about human trafficking (in italics text). The original display included artwork by several of the victims that is at times informative, inspiring, and heartwrenching. Please pray as you learn more. Thanks for reading.</i></b></div>
<br />
<hr width="75%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Reality Hits”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Away from home and under complete control of the pimp, I came to a rude awakening. He beat and violated me to condition me for the life to come. Desperate and broken, I still clung to the illusion that the trafficker loved me.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Prostituted minors are routinely beaten and violated by their pimps. This serves to keep them frightened and oppressed, and gives the pimp total control over them. It also destroys their sense of self-worth, and as a result, often they do not leave because they’ve been brainwashed to believe that they don’t deserve a better life.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“The Life”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
While working on the street, I was forced to be with up to 10-15 men each night. I was not allowed back home until I met my quota, and when I did return, all of the money was handed over to the man who I thought loved me, but who in reality was just a trafficker. <br />
<br />
<i>Prostituted women and girls do not get to keep anything that they “earn.” They are forced to live in sub-human conditions and are required to rely on their trafficker to meet basic needs such as food and shelter. They are treated as property that can be sold, exchanged, or gotten rid of.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Rock Bottom”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After many months of subjugation, violence and pain, I finally began to see the pimp for who he really was. I felt that I must get out of “the life”, but who could I turn to? I feared that everyone would look down on me…”who would want me after what I have done?”<br />
<br />
<i>Often, prostituted girls remain faithful to their pimps because of the Stockholm syndrome, which has the victim falling in love and making justifications for their tormentor. The trafficker’s tactics keep the girl psychologically chained even if she is physically free. Girls often feel a great deal of shame and guilt.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Heartbroken”</div>
<br />
Deep inside, I felt that the man who promised to love me forever was not who he said he was. But, due to sexual abuse early in life, I was unable to draw clear distinctions between love, lust and violence. <br />
<br />
<i>While some traffickers stop pretending to love their victims the moment they are lured away from home, others may continue pretending for a long time. This assures them that their trafficked girls do not turn them in or testify against them in court. </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Sea of Doubts”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
How could I flee the “stable” of the pimp? How could I leave? No matter where I’d go, he would find me. He drilled that thought into me everyday and had made examples of girls who had tried to leave in the past. My will to survive was small, but it was there. Yet, as I tried to leave again and again, troubling questions made me hesitate: how will I make money? How will I hold down a real job with a criminal record? How will I return to school? Where will I stay?<br />
<br />
<i>Statistics say that a girl will leave her pimp an average of seven times before she is able to separate from him for good. The trafficker uses the stigma of prostitution to keep the girl bound and feeling helpless. It is very difficult for a girl to leave her trafficker even though she is not held by force. She is physically free, but he has a mental hold over her that is hard to break.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Supply and Demand”</div>
<br />
What also shocked me all along was that the Johns who tormented me were regular men, some working high-paid jobs and holding prestigious positions. And there seemed to be an endless number of men who wanted to buy me. Didn’t they know how old I was? But then again, with the right make-up and clothes, a 13 year old can easily pass as a legal adult, and the Johns only saw what they wanted to see...<br />
<br />
<i>The terrible business of sex trafficking would not be possible without an immense demand for young women. Historically, the men who buy sex, commonly known as Johns, were rarely stigmatized and were often let off the hook easily, while the victim of sex trafficking was punished. Fortunately, this trend is changing, with more and more punishment assigned to the pimps and Johns and more help offered to the victims. The strongest deterrent for men to not buy sex is the prospect of being caught and arrested. In Houston, law enforcement has made a concerted effort to arrest the men buying sex. Men are being arrested in troves for their role in fueling sex trafficking.</i>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-62204575991967895802016-06-20T11:02:00.000-05:002016-06-20T11:40:31.698-05:00Christina's Story, Part One: "Before The Trafficking" #trafficking<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>What follows is part one of "Christina's Story." It is a fictionalized account based on the stories of several trafficking victims from the Houston area. I first encountered it at the 2016 Freedom Fest & Houston Human Trafficking 5K, sponsored by <a href="http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/" target="_blank">Free the Captives</a>. Each entry will consist of part of the story (in normal text) and facts about human trafficking (in italics text). The original display included artwork by several of the victims that is at times informative, inspiring, and heartwrenching. Please pray as you learn more. Thanks for reading.</i></b></div>
</div>
<br />
<hr width="75%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Lines Blurred”</div>
<br />
Growing up, I did not have a loving father. I never even met my dad. My mother’s boyfriend sexually abused me at an early age, but I was afraid to tell anyone. I had no one to turn to.<br />
<br />
<i>Children run a higher risk of being lured into sex trafficking if they have experienced physical or sexual abuse in their past. 1 out of 4 girls and 1 in 5 boys have been sexually abused. Sexual abuse can occur by family members, friends, or strangers. It is critical for mothers to believe and support their children when they report instances of sexual abuse. </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“On Her Own”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After school, I would come home to an empty house. My mother worked two jobs to help make ends meet and was often not there for me, her only daughter. My older brothers were experimenting with drugs and were not good role models.<br />
<br />
<i>The risk of being tricked or forced into prostitution is higher for girls with no strong network of support and if there is a lack of supervision in the home.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Blocking the Pain”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As I was growing up, I was haunted by the sexual abuse that happened during my childhood. Even when I was with friends, I could not connect or relate to them. To drown out my pain, I turned to alcohol and drugs, including marijuana and Ecstasy.<br />
<br />
<i>Resorting to drugs and alcohol leaves minors more vulnerable to manipulation, abuse, kidnapping and coercion. When their judgment is impaired, teens are more likely to make bad decisions. But they often turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain and fight off depression and feelings of low self-worth, shame and guilt.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Street Life”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sometimes I felt safer on the street than in my own home. I was desperate for money, for support, for someone to take care of me, and for love. As a result, I ran away from home in search for these things.<br />
<br />
<i>Pimps are master manipulators who prey on girls who are already vulnerable and whose needs for affection from a father figure are unmet. They often find this combination of traits in runaways. Girls who chronically run away from home put themselves at great risk for being trafficked. The risk is greatest for girls who run away from home many times and stay away for one or two nights to weeks at a time. Two thirds of all girls who run away from home are approached by a trafficker within the first 48 hours. He offers them food and a place to stay. He offers to take care of them and often times the girls will go with a complete stranger.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
“Social Media”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unable to get love and support in real life, I tried finding closeness through social media. A seemingly affectionate older man started talking to me, and I was smitten.<br />
<br />
<i>Sex traffickers and pimps use social media to prey on vulnerable girls. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat are used by traffickers to find girls. They pose as potential boyfriends and lure the girl into a relationship. After the girl has fallen in love with the “boyfriend,” he coaxes or forces the girl into prostitution. All the money that she earns must be given to the “boyfriend”/trafficker. Teens must be extremely careful of who they friend on social media and of what they post. Traffickers are looking for girls who post inappropriate pictures such as low cut shirts or pictures in just their underwear. </i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
“Into the Sunset”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Finally, at age 13, I met the man of my dreams. He was much older. He had a nice car and a job, though I wasn’t clear on what he did. What mattered was that he had money and he promised to take care of me. He bought me a nice cell phone and new clothes. He took me to get my hair and nails done. Finally, I felt special. Someone was paying attention to me. It didn’t take long for him to turn me against my family and to run away from home. I moved in with him and dropped out of school.<br />
<br />
<i>When a pimp brainwashes the girl with gifts and affection, he is able to manipulate and isolate her. She does not hesitate to follow him with unwavering loyalty. This process can happen in as quickly as a few days. He is able to compel her to do sexual favors with men “because we need it for our family.” Often, having nowhere to turn to, she complies. The average age of a girl being trafficked by a pimp in the US is between the ages of 12 to 14 years old. Girls this age are highly vulnerable.</i>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-35597726376911172122016-04-21T16:52:00.000-05:002016-04-21T16:56:14.565-05:00She Deserves A Parade...and maybe a cape.<br />
<br />
I read the story below in a weekly email sent to everyone at First Transit. I don't personally know this driver but I'm proud to work in the same company as she does. She's a hero, especially for coming back the next day, despite her fear, to show the kids how it's done. That's courage. Check it out:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1PyAmv5pOfIJka8nT5Q558dTLAcAWEGYGm_KJYz8UmU_1XtDe7lDDCZXCxv5LdKQRRB5sJpD5Yik2O38V591fCOwLdEvnMB-oSQqVoSS7tkIqhuSipxqe1AuqlK96W8Fw-YALcbq2dLl/s1600/Commendation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1PyAmv5pOfIJka8nT5Q558dTLAcAWEGYGm_KJYz8UmU_1XtDe7lDDCZXCxv5LdKQRRB5sJpD5Yik2O38V591fCOwLdEvnMB-oSQqVoSS7tkIqhuSipxqe1AuqlK96W8Fw-YALcbq2dLl/s400/Commendation.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<i>First Student bus driver Tiesha “Ty” Donner from Location #11404 in Jefferson City, Mo. was taking elementary school children home on the afternoon of April 6 when suddenly the bus was shot four times. "It was chaotic, hectic, the kids were crying and everybody outside was loud," she said.<br />
<br />
She told the kids to get down until they reached a safe place. "I wanted them to get under the seat, it was bullets," she said. She immediately called 911, and drove to a nearby parking lot where police met the school bus.<br />
<br />
No one on board the bus was hurt.<br />
<br />
"She didn't think anything about it. It's just how she did it. It was the norm, the level of how she does things," said Jefferson City Public School Superintendent Larry Linthacum.<br />
<br />
"She's awesome, she did a good job, and she saved the lives of those kids. Had she stayed there, or froze, who knows," said Location Manager Frank Underwood.<br />
<br />
A First Student bus driver for two years, Ty said her main concern was making sure her students didn't get hurt. The day after the incident, although she was shaken up, she said she knew she had to go to work.<br />
<br />
"[The gunshots] weren't for us. We were innocent bystanders. So let me show (the kids) I can go to work. I can go to work, you all can go to school. We're gonna be okay," said Ty.</i>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-17241004446058726502016-01-20T09:59:00.001-06:002016-01-20T09:59:53.280-06:00Short Order Lingo In A Fantasy TavernWhile rummaging through some old notes and ideas, I came across the following and thought it would make a fun post:<br />
<br />
<b>Example orders:</b><br />
<br />
A frazzled serving wench calls to the grumpy ogre cook: “Dwarf on a hoard, hold the diamonds; two halflings on a dragon hunt; bag of gold, hold the snow; and elf tips in trouble!”<br />
<br />
In minutes, the customer receives a loaded baked potato without salt, two fried eggs on toast, fried dumplings without powdered sugar, and a steaming mug of mint leaf tea.<br />
<br />
Soon, she calls out again: “Bear in a cave; two halflings in armor and another in bed with rubies and an extra blanket!”<br />
<br />
This customer receives a sausage patty with gravy, two boiled eggs, and an omelet with bacon and extra cheese.<br />
<br />
<b>Glossary:</b><br />
<ol><li>Halfling</li>
<ul><li>… on a dragon hunt = (2) fried egg(s) on toast</li>
<li>… in armor = hard boiled egg</li>
<li>… in bed = cheese omelet</li>
<li>… armed and dangerous = scrambled eggs</li>
<li>Example: “Halfling in bed with rubies and emeralds!” = omelet with bacon and bell peppers</li>
</ul><li>Hold the snow / Double the snow = no powdered sugar / extra powdered sugar</li>
<li>Bag of gold = golden batter dumplings, deep fried and crispy (think doughnut holes)</li>
<li>Bear in a cave = sausage patty with gravy</li>
<li>Elf tips = mint leaves (as a garnish or tea)</li>
<li>Drown it and drag it = all sauces and all veggies</li>
<li>Dwarf</li>
<ul><li>… on a hoard = baked potato, fully loaded</li>
<li>… with rubies = baked potato with bacon pieces</li>
<li>… roll it in diamonds = baked potato, coated with butter and salt</li>
<li>… on a bad day = baked potato, plain</li>
<li>… from Nevermelt = raw potato</li>
<li>… with a red beard = sweet potato</li>
<li>… shave the beard = peeled potato</li>
<li>… and stomp it = mashed potatoes</li>
</ul></ol><div><b>Would you eat here? What other terms could be added to the tavern's glossary?</b></div>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-72189723968548747492015-10-06T11:46:00.001-05:002015-10-06T11:55:17.389-05:00Perfect NamesThe Bible is chock full of people whose names, given either retrospectively by parents or purposefully by The Lord, point to their roles in history. Consider Jacob ("deceiver") who tricked his brother out of his birthright with a bowl of soup or Abraham ("father of many nations") who, well—you get the idea...<br />
<br />
I'm fascinated with some current-day people who are also appropriately named. Check out my growing list of those whose names seem to have set them up for their careers or hobbies. Can you think of others?<br />
<ul>
<li>Joe Champion, pastor who very likely has preached more than once on Romans 8:37</li>
<li>Bob Smiley, comedian</li>
<li>Richard Chopp, urologist specializing in vasectomy (this guy gets <i><b>2</b></i> points!)</li>
<li>Ollie Cowart, skateboard enthusiast (friend)</li>
<li>Sam Landsman, groundskeeper</li>
<li>Marc Webb, director of two Spider-Man films</li>
<li>Januray Jones, actress who portrayed mutant telepath Emma Frost</li>
<li>Lee Haxall, film editor</li>
<li>Daniel C. Law, Caldwell County sheriff</li>
<li>Zach Bright, lighting technician for Christian band For King & Country</li>
<li>Shondo Blades, MMA fighter who participated in fantasy-themed reality competition <i>The Quest</i> (he wielded a sword on multiple occasions)</li>
<li>Tito Beveridge, central Texas vodka maker</li>
<li>Ryder DiFrancesco, motocross competitor (at age 9!!)</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-66523690254737946482015-09-05T08:55:00.000-05:002017-02-14T20:47:02.390-06:00What I've Learned From A Year Of #GeocachingOn September 5, 2014, Aidan and I were hiking in the <a target="new" href="http://www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm#Ringtail">Ringtail Ridge Natural Area</a> in San Marcos. We had a great time, tasting prickly pear, spotting some deer, and chasing a rather large lizard into the hollow at the bottom of a tree. We didn’t really want to catch the lizard, but it was fun watching it run away from us. In the shadowy hole were several sticks that appeared to have been placed with some intended purpose. I moved them aside to see if our quarry was trapped or if it had managed to escape. Instead of a critter, I found a small container wrapped in camouflage duct tape. I knew immediately what it was; we opened it, signed the log, and carefully rehid it.<br />
<br />
A year later, I’m totally hooked on this hobby and look forward to more caching in the future. I’ve been places I never would have visited and discovered some that I didn’t know existed. I’ve made new friends who also enjoy this worldwide treasure hunt. I’ve also learned a few life lessons and I want to share some of them with you.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>Everyone Plays the Game a Little Differently</b><br />
<br />
In geocaching, the world is the playing field, the rules are simple, and the goal is clear: get outside and find stuff. Beyond that, however, the hobby can be completely customized to the preferences of the individual cacher. Some play solo while others hunt in pairs or larger teams. Some cachers aim for a high found-it count (there’s a man in Austin who logged his <i>50-thousandth</i> find back in April!), others who love the more challenging hides at the tops of mountains or the bottoms of lakes (they obviously have special equipment), and still others who play casually, checking for nearby caches when they’re just out and about. There are magnificent vistas to gaze upon while some caches are hidden in ugly back alleys and parking lots. You can play for free or you can spend untold amounts of money on GPS devices, SCUBA or climbing gear, snow shoes, etc. You can also hide or seek, or both. The game is really open-ended and everyone plays a little bit differently.<br />
<br />
Such is life. Every single person on the planet experiences life a little bit differently. Some people, by choice or by circumstance, are loners while others are the consummate social butterfly. Some define success by the size of their bank account or the number of trophies on their mantle. Some like to push themselves to the limit physically or academically while others are content to go with the flow. There are roses to stop and smell but some people walk right past. There are the journey-focused and the destination-focused. Some value family or job or physical fitness or cultural heritage more than other things. Life experiences are as numerous and diverse as the people who inhabit Earth are numerous and diverse.<br />
<br />
There are countless ways to geocache. And that is okay. There are countless ways to experience life. And that is okay too.<br />
<br />
<b>Setting Goals Actually Works</b><br />
<br />
I’ve known about goal setting since middle school or high school. I know how to set them and write them down, but I’ve had mediocre success at accomplishing them. This has led to frustration and a decline in my attempts. Over the past year, I set more than a few caching goals: finding 150 caches by Christmas, earning all the special badges offered for a given period, and finding 500 within a year of my first. I ended up accomplishing all three and then some. I am encouraged that setting goals actually works, and I think there are three key principles that I have neglected before.<br />
<br />
First, it helps to tell people about your goals. Anyone can help but it will work best when the other person(s) is involved in the same activity, whether it be writing, weight loss, financial growth, or any number of other pursuits. When others know what you’re working towards, they can encourage you, hold you accountable, and even share their own achievements as a way to tell you, “See? It <i>is</i> possible! If I did it, so can you.” Another benefit of having likeminded helpers is that they get it. People not involved in the activity may not understand why you’re wanting to achieve it. Maybe it’s weird or a niche hobby (like geocaching). People who participate in the same activity understand why it’s important to you because it’s likely important to them too. Also, when you do meet your goal, you have someone with whom to celebrate. This offers encouragement for future endeavors (“Attaboy!! Now, go for <i>three</i> chapters a day!”).<br />
<br />
Secondly, goals require disciplined work. The achievement won’t happen on its own. If it is something that’s truly important to you, you’ll work at it. But that isn’t always enough. Disciplined work means setting a schedule, knowing how much you have to do each day in order to succeed, and making adjustments where necessary. Prioritizing is a must. Sacrificing is likely. It may mean long hours, less TV and game time, and, in the case of geocaching, sunburn, poison ivy, blisters, and mosquito bites. If it’s worth it, it’s worth it.<br />
<br />
Lastly, it’s important to not let momentary setbacks derail your ultimate pursuit. In geocaching, there are disappointments called DNFs, or Did Not Finds. You go to the location and, despite searching high and low, you cannot find the container. Maybe someone stole it (whether they know about geocaching or not). Maybe a flood carried it away. Maybe it’s missing because a person in authority at the location found it and discarded it. Or maybe the cache is just hidden <i>really</i> well. Whatever the case, it can be both frustrating and disappointing when you can’t find a cache. Life is no different. Changes in work or schedule, the birth or death of a loved one, and natural catastrophes can all work to dissuade you from your goals. Your dream may have to be put on hold until things settle down. Your dream may even change and new goals will have to be set. But don’t give up. Thomas Wayne told his young son Bruce, who would later become Batman, “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”<br />
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<b>Treasures Are Worth Seeking</b><br />
<br />
One writer quipped that geocaching is the use of a multi-billion dollar network of satellites to find Tupperware in the woods. Oh, how true that is! To some people though, the finding of the cache is a worthy endeavor in and of itself. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The definition of treasure is all up to the person doing the seeking.<br />
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In this respect, people are like caches. Some are lowly and easily found. Others are challenging and require much effort. All are worth seeking. I’m reminded of Jesus’ parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price (both in Matthew 13). One treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven, passionately pursued by a person. The other parable presents people as the treasure, soulfully sought by the Savior. Again, the definition of treasure is all up to the person doing the seeking. God is infinitely more desirable than anything we could find with billion-dollar satellites. And we may be Tupperware in the woods, but to Him, we are all treasure.<br />
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I hope you’ve gained a little insight into my favorite hobby; I know I’ve gained a little insight into life through it. How has your hobby influenced your thinking about larger things? Please comment and share your thoughts.<br />
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(For more on geocaching, see <a target="new" href="http://www.geocaching.com/">Geocaching.com</a>)seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-84907300220037640362015-04-18T19:40:00.000-05:002015-04-18T19:40:26.389-05:00Knock-Knock Jokes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-4052067834932796132015-03-06T20:21:00.001-06:002015-03-06T20:23:23.825-06:00Party TricksSome juggle or pull coins from someone's ear. Aidan does a thing with his tongue. This is (one of) mine:<br />
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What's your special party trick?seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-15737282617812739332015-01-09T05:54:00.000-06:002015-01-09T05:56:19.963-06:00The Seven Pillars Of WisdomProverbs 9:1 - "Wisdom...has hewn out her seven pillars."<br />
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James 3:17 gives us the following seven characteristics for "the wisdom that is from above":<br />
<ol>
<li>Pure</li>
<li>Peaceable</li>
<li>Gentle</li>
<li>Willing to yield</li>
<li>Full of mercy and good fruits</li>
<li>Without partiality</li>
<li>Without hypocrisy</li>
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Could these be the seven pillars of wisdom mentioned in Proverbs? Hmm...seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-16415069204190312152015-01-08T11:35:00.000-06:002015-01-08T11:35:53.015-06:002014 Photo Collage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-758846828173518332014-11-25T21:22:00.000-06:002014-11-25T21:22:45.222-06:00Wrong Side Of The Bed?<center><i>I found this while going through some long-lost files on my computer. It was written February 19, 2009 and may have been a sermon I preached. I don't remember for sure, but it's worth a read now. Please tell me what you think.</i></center><br><hr width="75%"><br>Have you ever had someone say this of you: "He must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed"? It's an idiom that means the subject of the sentence is in an unusually sour mood; it's better left unquestioned and just dealt with later. I understand that this is a euphemism, but I have this to say about it:<br />
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It's a bunch of horse hooey!<br />
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It doesn't matter on which side of the bed one awakens. Truly. Is the distance between left-side-of-bed and bathroom that much greater than from right-side-of-bed? Are there toddler and cat toys on one side of the bed but not the other? Let's be honest. Both sides of the bed are pretty much the same: thrown back covers, carpeted (or not) flooring, and stiff muscles that need a good stretch to get going. And if you're married, I guarantee you always wake up on the same side of the bed every single morning. Now, if, in your early morning stupor, you occasionally climb over your spouse to get out of bed, I'd be willing to bet one of you would have a bad start to your day!<br />
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The phrase itself is silly. Fine. We're used to clichés that don't really mean much in themselves (that's what makes them cliché). So why then do we say it when we're aware someone is in a bad temper but afraid to address the real issue? Are we even aware of the real issue? I have an idea I'd like to share.<br />
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The bed itself is an inanimate object, capable of neither love and joy nor fear and despair. The root of the issue is this: waking up on the wrong side of the head. I don't mean in the naval sense. I mean your noggin, your brain, your noodle, your mind. What do you think about when you first wake up in the morning? I have no scholarly journals or original research to cite but I have a bit of wisdom (based mostly on personal experience). The first thing you think about each morning can and will determine the course of your day.<br />
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There. I've said it. Now what do I mean? Simply this: thoughts are seeds. Think about it (Ha!). What we think about determines what we say and what we say reflects what we believe (Matthew 7:34). So if the first thing on your mind in the morning is the mountain of unpaid bills in the other room, you'll probably have a pretty rough day. If all you can think about is the mile-long list of chores that have to be done before 7 AM, you might just start and finish your day stressed out.<br />
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What about the alternative? I know that when I have something big to look forward to later in the day, I'm ready to go when that alarm clock goes off (sometimes before!). You might start out by thinking about all the people you blessed the day before and be encouraged to do so for more people today. Or maybe you fell asleep in the arms of someone who truly loves you, knowing all your faults and flaws, and you wake up realizing how awesome it is just to be loved. I bet you'd have a pretty good day!<br />
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All too often, we get trapped into believing the lie that we have no control over our thoughts. They just come and go. In one ear and out the other. This is absolutely not true! I prove it by calling to your memory a time in your life when you were head-over-heels in love with someone. You consciously focused your thoughts on that person most of your day, at the expense of other things. You would daydream at work (or in the car). You would doodle in your notebook while the professor droned on about facts and theories. You would go into auto-pilot mode for the better part of your day because all you could think about was that special someone. Am I right? You can absolutely control what you think about—even first thing in the morning. It may take some practice and discipline but it can be done.<br />
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The Bible tells us to think on things that are true and virtuous and lovely and good and pure (Philippians 4:8) and to renew our minds in the Word of God (Romans 12:2). I certainly haven't gotten this down 100% but I'm working on it. I encourage you to do the same. Put little notes with Scripture on them by your bed or your mirror or even in your shower. I have a verse printed out in huge letters and tacked to the ceiling over where I sleep. It's a bit tacky to interior decorators but it's the first thing I see and it sets the tone for the rest of my day.<br />
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I've been listening to some of Joyce Meyer's teachings lately. She parallels the Word of God to physical food: we snack all the time to keep our bodies going; we should also "snack" on Scripture to keep our spirits happy. Satisfied. Well fed. And why not do it from the start? Have a little spiritual breakfast to start your day off right.<br />
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Stop waking up on the wrong side of your head. And have a great day!seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-51366891360012666772014-10-12T18:11:00.000-05:002017-02-14T20:47:02.384-06:00Once Upon A GeocacheI've found a new hobby: geocaching! Check out <a target="0" href="http://geocaching.com/">geocaching.com</a> to learn more. In short, it's a worldwide, real-world "treasure" hunt using GPS satellites and receivers. I've been at it, sometimes with help from Aidan and Peyson, for just over a month. It's a great way to get outside and discover places you may not otherwise have known about. I highly recommend it.<br />
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Anyway, today is International Earth Cache Day, a day on which you can earn a special badge for your Geocaching profile if you find an earth cache. You go to the given coordinates and, instead of finding a container, you learn about some geological process (that God put in motion) exemplified by the location. To get credit for the find, you have to email the person who created the cache, answering a handful of location-specific questions and sharing your adventures.<br />
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I went to one such place early, <i>early, </i><b style="font-style: italic;">early</b> this morning on my way to work. The site was one with which I was already somewhat familiar: Aquarena Springs. The information I learned was fascinating. I don't want to spoil the fun in case you want to go find this cache yourself; I do, however, want to share the adventure I wrote and posted on my Geocaching profile.<br />
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<b>Note: The following account of real events has been fictionalized for your reading enjoyment</b> (in case you couldn't tell).<br />
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<i>It was a dark and stormy night. It sounds cliché but it’s true. The evidence was everywhere: wet, slick streets and small branches broken loose by the wind. I didn’t have time for a fresh pot of coffee and yesterday’s was cold; I drank it anyway and headed out into the night.</i><p><i>Anonymous contacts at GC, known only by their codenames, Waterweasel and Tygress, had tipped me off to the location of the hideout of an old “friend.” I thought the case had been closed years ago, but this new information led me to believe otherwise. The perp was Ralph Swimbacon. Everyone knew the slob was guilty of submerging children and forcing them to watch him bathe, but it had proved difficult to find evidence of the swine’s activities. Investigating his old lair just might turn the case in my favor.</i><p><i>Mazy, my trusty partner on countless cases, helped me navigate the darkened streets. Her experience has proved invaluable time and again. She guided me right to the location given me by Waterweasel and Tygress. The place looked abandoned. It could have been the hour; I may never know for sure because a locked chain blocked the most obvious route to the front door. Perhaps it would be best to observe from the shadows, an old fashioned stakeout.</i><p><i>I pulled out my file to review my old notes. I must have grabbed the wrong one in my rush to leave because, instead of notes on Swimbacon, I found information on geological formations and the flow of underground water. Despite my frustration at having the wrong file, I read intently. The dossier was lengthy but seemed incomplete; further investigation at the office would prove necessary. Mazy and I agreed to come back another time for more observations of Swimbacon’s lair, but before we left, I snapped a few photos. I doubt they’ll turn out very well because of the darkness. We’ll see.</i><p><i>During an uneventful drive to the office, with a brief stop at a local dive for fresh coffee, I continued to ponder the early morning’s discoveries. I attended to my regular routine, ensuring I was ready for a day’s work, and perhaps, a visit from some dame asking for help with the supposed murder of her beloved husband. Then I set about filling in the gaps in my file on the pig’s old lair.</i><p><i>The information proved interesting, educational even. But still no further leads on Ralph Swimbacon. Rumors circulated more than a decade ago that he’d finally met his maker, but I’m not so sure. My usual informants have been quiet about him since then. Maybe I’ll never know for sure. I’m closing this case again...for now.</i><br />
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</tbody></table>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-79355966408899406322014-05-10T12:32:00.002-05:002014-05-10T14:15:38.551-05:00Cry Out To GodIt's been a rough time lately. And <i>lately</i> started back in November when Marissa was hospitalized for a week. Since then, financial difficulties, the stress of potential unemployment with an increased rent, the loss of my beloved pastor, and occasionally sick children have really hammered on me. I'll admit: I've been depressed about all this. Most recently, I've had a poison ivy rash, an itchy straw that has come very close to breaking this camel's back. I even began questioning my faith: Is God really there? Does He hear me? Why do others receive healing when I don't? He must not be real, or at least not the loving Father everyone talks about. The list of doubtful questions went on and on. It hasn't been easy at all. And I've not been reading my Bible, blaming God for all this garbage.<br />
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But He is always faithful and has been walking with me through these trials. In my prayers (in truth, furious, frustrated rantings) this past week, I kept hearing a simple response: "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of My word." Over and over again, I heard that. I meditated on it, but only as an angry man does—in mocking, scoffing, shoulder-shrugging disbelief: "Whatever."<br />
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This morning, I'd had enough of <i>whatever</i> and actually opened my Bible. I asked God what I should read; He directed me to <a target=0 href="http://www.blbclassic.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=34&v=1&t=NKJV#top">Psalms 34</a> and <a target=1 href="http://www.blbclassic.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=105&v=1&t=NKJV#top">105</a>. You can read those for yourself, but here's a synopsis. Psalm 34 was written by David after he pretended insanity to escape from an enemy king (<a target=2 href="http://www.blbclassic.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Sa&c=21&v=10&t=NKJV#10">1 Samuel 21:10-15</a> is quite funny!). It discusses the happiness of those who cry out to God and His faithful response. <i>Cry</i> jumped off the page at me because of my thoughts on newborn babies and how they get milk: they cry! Okay, so the baby cries, the loving parent responds with what baby needs, the baby is satisfied. Great, Sean. You saw something that happens in millions of homes around the world multiple times each day—very insightful. Still scoffing. But God was doing something deeper. Psalm 105 recounts much of Israel's history and how God always stayed true to His covenant with Abraham, even when the Israelites didn't stay true to God. Another amazing insight, Sean. Good job.<br />
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That's exactly what I've been mad at God about. Where is He in <i>my </i>time of trial? Why isn't He faithful to the covenant He made with me? And then verse 33: <i>vines</i>. Wait. Poison ivy is a vine. Now God has my attention. My heart opens up and I feel God's presence all around me; He never left me! Marissa even said as much when she came into the room to get sunscreen for the boyos: "It's thick in here!" Indeed it was.<br />
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I scrambled to find the verse about newborn babes and milk: <a target=3 href="http://www.blbclassic.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=2&v=1&t=NKJV#top">1 Peter 2:2</a>. Suddenly, I saw what God was doing in that moment with me. <i>He</i> is that loving parent who faithfully responds when His children, including me, cry out to Him in hunger pains and teary-eyed stress. His Word is the breast milk that satisfies, soothes, and sustains. Then, just like God was tipping His hat and concluding the moment with a giant exclamation point, I read verse 3: "if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious," which is very similar, and actually cross-referenced in my Bible, to Psalm 34:8. I need to cry out to God in my distress. And so do you. It's not enough to sit, waiting with "hope" that God will do something. Real hope is an active expectancy, based on God's faithfulness and the covenant He cut through the blood of His son, Jesus Christ. Even though God is ever watchful, we must get His attention with a hearty cry. He will respond.<br />
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Just in case you're wondering, I still have the poison ivy rash on my body. It still itches—like crazy at times. But I'm no longer mad at God. We're still facing an uncertain immediate future with my job situation. But I'm no longer brooding about it; I have hope. Will the trials cease? Nope. Will they get easier to handle? Only because of a renewed thought pattern that God is indeed faithful to keep and perform His word. I don't know about you, but I can go forward now, knowing that whatever comes my way is something God is more than able and already prepared to handle. I can handle it to.<br />
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I pray this blesses you. Let God give you wings.seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149480230916417112.post-86923117141909227812014-02-22T22:33:00.000-06:002014-02-22T22:38:15.863-06:00Dads That Never Grow UpThere's <a target=0 href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Dads-Dont-Grow-Up/dp/0803737173/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393130147&sr=8-1&keywords=dads+that+never+grow+up">this</a>. And then there's a glimpse into a "normal" dinner time at the Rackley house. Enjoy!<br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3jhD9W1Om6Nt5mFlosPCRhCaLmxde6qMxqoSZzmtQDwOPrb_8UwgHy2Ngg756cWdNlyM6OWAHJ-Eyl2ZRaw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></center>seanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05982162215790300472noreply@blogger.com0