When his picture appeared on the cover of Texas Monthly, Joaquin Jackson became the icon of the modern Texas Rangers. Nick Nolte modeled his character in the movie Extreme Prejudice on him. Jackson even had a speaking part of his own in The Good Old Boys with Tommy Lee Jones. But the role that Jackson has always played the best is that of the man who wears the silver badge cut from a Mexican cinco peso coin?a working Texas Ranger. Legend says that one Ranger is all it takes to put down lawlessness and restore the peace?one riot, one Ranger. In this adventure-filled memoir, Joaquin Jackson recalls what it was like to be the Ranger who responded when riots threatened, violence erupted, and criminals needed to be brought to justice across a wide swath of the Texas-Mexico border from 1966 to 1993.

Jackson has dramatic stories to tell. Defying all stereotypes, he was the one Ranger who ensured a fair election?and an overwhelming win for La Raza Unida party candidates?in Zavala County in 1972. He followed legendary Ranger Captain Alfred Y. Allee Sr. into a shootout at the Carrizo Springs jail that ended a prison revolt?and left him with nightmares. He captured 'The See More Kid,' an elusive horse thief and burglar who left clean dishes and swept floors in the houses he robbed. He investigated the 1988 shootings in Big Bend's Colorado Canyon and tried to understand the motives of the Mexican teenagers who terrorized three river rafters and killed one. He even helped train Afghan mujahedin warriors to fight the Soviet Union.

Jackson's tenure in the Texas Rangers began when older Rangers still believed that law need not get in the way of maintaining order, and concluded as younger Rangers were turning to computer technology to help solve crimes. Though he insists, 'I am only one Ranger. There was only one story that belonged to me,' his story is part of the larger story of the Texas Rangers becoming a modern law enforcement agency that serves all the people of the state. It's a story that's as interesting as any of the legends. And yet, Jackson's story confirms the legends, too. With just over a hundred Texas Rangers to cover a state with 267,399 square miles, any one may become the one Ranger who, like Joaquin Jackson in Zavala County in 1972, stops one riot.

Bestselling author Bruce Wilkinson shows how to identify and overcome the obstacles that keep millions from living the life they were created for. He begins with a compelling modern-day parable about Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. With the help of the Dream Giver, Ordinary begins the hardest and most rewarding journey of his life. Wilkinson gives readers practical, biblical keys to fulfilling their own dream, revealing that there's no limit to what God can accomplish when we choose to pursue the dreams He gives us for His honor.

Are you living your dream— or just living your life?

Welcome to a little story about a very big idea. This compelling modern-day parable tells the story of Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream.

You, too, have been given a Big Dream. One that can change your life. One that the Dream Giver wants you to achieve. Does your Big Dream seem hopelessly out of reach? Are you waiting for something or someone to make your dream happen?

Then you're ready for The Dream Giver.

Let Bruce Wilkinson show you how to rise above the ordinary, conquer your fears, and overcome the obstacles that keep you from living your Big Dream.

You were made for this. Now it's time to begin your journey.

Clear, accessible and practical, this guide introduces the first-time researcher to the various instruments used in social research. It assesses a broad range of research instruments - from the well-established to the innovative - enabling readers to decide which are particularly well suited to their research.
The book covers:

• questionnaires
• interviews
• content analysis
• focus groups
• observation
• researching the things people say and do.

This book is particularly suitable for work-based and undergraduate researchers in education, social policy and social work, nursing and business administration. It draws numerous examples from actual research projects, which readers can adapt for their own purposes. Written in a fresh and jargon-free style, the book assumes no prior knowledge and is firmly rooted in the authors' own extensive research experience.
Using Research Instruments is the ideal companion volume to The Researcher's Toolkit. Together they offer a superb practical introduction to conducting a social research project.

This Bible study is a lot more exciting than getting a paycheck and benefits...and infinitely more important. After all, you're not planning for a lifetime -- you're investing in forever. And God wants it to be great for you! Through these four weeks of insightful group or individual study, Bible teacher and spiritual counselor Bruce Wilkinson clarifies how the choices you're making today are going to affect the quality of your life in heaven. As you investigate key Scriptures and apply them to your own situation with this visual, interactive resource, you'll discover the most fulfilling life you've ever known.

In this book, you're going to discover that God's son Jesus revealed a direct link between what you do today and what you will experience after you die. Astoundingly, the majority of spiritual seekers around the world -- including millions who follow Jesus -- seem to have missed what He said. Could you be one? If so, your picture of the future is missing about a billion stars. Author Bruce Wilkinson shows you what Jesus said about God's plan to reward you in eternity for what you do for Him today. What you'll discover will unlock the mystery of God's power, plan and will for your life. And you'll begin to live with the unshakable certainty that what you do today matters ... forever!

Are You Looking at Eternity through a Keyhole?

In the little book you're holding, you're going to discover that Jesus revealed a direct link between what you do today and what you will experience after you die. Astoundingly, the majority of spiritual seekers around the world—including millions who follow Jesus—seem to have missed what He said.

Could you be one? If so, your picture of the future is missing about a billion stars.

In this stirring follow-up to his bestsellers The Prayer of Jabez and Secrets of the Vine, Bruce Wilkinson shows you what Jesus said about God's plan to reward you in eternity for what you do for Him today.

What you'll discover will unlock the power and potential of your life, starting now. And you'll begin to live with the unshakable certainty that what you do today matters…forever!

In the Secrets of the Vine Bible Study, Bruce Wilkinson shows groups or individual readers how the three Secrets of the Vine introduced in the bestselling book are supported throughout Scripture, applying sound biblical insight to help them move toward making maximum impact for God. This Bible study provides a personal encounter with the life-changing teaching of Jesus in John 15, an inspiring look at God's intervention in His children's lives from Bible times to the present, a practical approach to a meaningful relationship with Him, and a visual and interactive learning tool for individual or group use.

Those familiar with Bruce Wilkinson's breakthrough teaching on John 15 in the New York Times bestseller Secrets of the Vine have had their eyes opened to the work of God in and through their lives. In the Secrets of the Vine Devotional, the founder of Walk Thru the Bible Ministries takes readers even further towards making maximum impact for God. Daily readings, inspiring quotes, practical suggestions, and problem-solving will empower them to bear more fruit as Christians. This indispensable guided mentoring experience is a personal, thirty-one-day spiritual resource to use on the joyful path of consequence for God's glory.

Today's teenagers are learning to pray, and this tool is for them! The impact of The Prayer of Jabez has been phenomenal -- with reports of changed lives, expanded ministries, and massive spiritual breakthroughs among believers everywhere. Now teens can also receive extravagant blessing as they discover, in peer-based stories, supporting scriptures, and interactive questions, how to pray the remarkable prayer of the obscure Bible hero in I Chronicles 4:10. Teens seeking God's best for their lives will respond to the challenge of asking for blessing -- and being 'blessable' before the Lord. Students, youth groups, and future church leaders will welcome The Prayer of Jabez for Teens. Includes group study leader's guide!


From the Hardcover edition.