Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.
If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.
Jim Valvano (1946-1993) was an American college basketball coach. Born in Queens, New York, he brought his indefatigable spirit wherever he went.
From Luke 15:31-32: “Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'”
Marking calendar
Making this His day
Back on course with God
Kneeling now to pray
Forsaking darkness
Finding blessed light
Immersed in God’s Word
Hearing truth so bright
Growing in God’s grace
Worshipping with Him
Each precious moment
Walking in rhythm
Returning back home
Living in His peace
Promised Christ’s coming
Bringing life’s new lease
From 2 Peter 3:17-18: “You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
God doesn’t tell time as we do. He does remarkable things, regardless of our time of day. He will leave our particular Red Sea absolutely closed, without an opening, without a sign, until He has finished teaching us the lessons we need to learn.
From 1 Chronicles 16:27: “Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.”
Clouds mask over joy
Morning sunrise hesitates—
Playing peek-a-boo
Escaping again
Stormy clouds migrate away—
Rainbow’s colors smile
Clouds’ darkness building
Thunderstorms brewing tempest—
Restless night ahead
The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.
Not to punish evil is equivalent to authorizing it.
From Isaiah 55:1: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”
Seeking abundant life
Never arrives from man
All will thirst for much more
Accept God’s Holy plan
Our Lord’s invitation
Never hidden from us
Just step forward today
Follow God, always a plus
Tasting His bread of life
Never bitter to eat
Peace arrives with each day
Listen for its steady beat
Our Father’s always near
Never absent with love
Come, come worship the Lord
Read His Word, from above
Finding life’s one true joy
Never alone with Him
Invitation welcomed
Filling us to the brim
From Isaiah 55:12: “For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace.”
There’s a unique sense of fulfillment that comes when we submit our gifts to God’s use and ask Him to energize them in a supernatural way–and then step back to watch what He does.
From 1 Timothy 4:14: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.”
Lee Strobel (born 1952) is an American Christian author. Before accepting Jesus Christ, his former life revolved around investigative journalism.
From Deuteronomy 30:11, 14: “Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.”
Sowing faith’s seeds
Freeing from sin
Darkness recedes
New life begins
Guiding beyond
Walking with thee
Heavenly bond
Christ sets us free
Living with doubt
Leaving dark past
Grace reaches out
Divine broadcast
Singing with praise
Gospel’s new lease
Faith now ablaze
Bringing Christ’s peace
Bearing life’s woes
Moving each heart
Love always shows
Righteous jumpstart
Mercy abounds
Choosing life now
Seeking high ground
Christ shows us how
From Deuteronomy 30:19-20: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him, for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
The deeper into the heart of God I go, the more the Enemy will oppose me, bu the more God will draw me. The Enemy may be strong, but his strength is limited, whereas God’s grace has no limit.
From Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.”
A select few face overwhelming challenges in life. Encouraged by a heart filled with perseverance, these trailblazers adopt an attitude where “Can” outplays “Can’t.”
Olympics track star Wilma Rudolph overcame many obstacles in her life to achieve ultimate adoration for her speed and grace.
From the words of Wilma Rudolph: “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.”
Born in 1940, Wilma was born in St. Bethlehem, Tennessee. She was part of a large family with 21 siblings. Facing a challenging life in the segregated South, she found athletics to be her path forward in life.
However, before Wilma pursued basketball and later track, she faced major hurdles because of health issues. Born prematurely, she endured bouts with double pneumonia, scarlet fever, and polio. Her weakened left leg required her to wear a brace, and some doctors didn’t expect her to ever be able to run.
Wilma remembered her childhood journey with these words: “My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.”
Eventually, her leg grew stronger, and the brace thankfully disappeared. She became active in sports during her high school years. She was recruited by the legendary track coach at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Ed Temple.
While still in high school, Wilma qualified for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. At age 16, she was the youngest athlete on the U.S. team. As a member of the 4 x 100 meter relay, she earned a bronze medal.
After high school graduation, Wilma moved on to Tennessee State. This natural, gifted runner prepared and trained to return to the Olympics in 1960 at Rome, Italy. Nicknamed “Skeeter” by her teammates, Wilma was more than ready to compete.
At the Rome Olympics, Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympics. Competing individually in the 100 and 200 meters, she overwhelmed the other competitors for two gold medals. Wanting her teammates to also earn a cherished gold medal, Wilma anchored the winning 4 x 100 meter relay.
Accolades for Wilma continued to pour in following her Olympics’ exploits. Because of her speed, beauty, and grace, the Italian press nicknamed her “The Black Gazelle.” The Associated Press awarded her Female Athlete of the Year in 1960 and 1961.
Wilma retired from competition in 1962. She fulfilled her dream of earning a college degree. For a few years, her post-athlete life included teaching, coaching, and working with underprivileged children.
The story of this African-American girl overcoming polio, poverty, and racism became a film, “Wilma,” which was released in 1977.
The following video shares a few highlights of Wilma Rudolph’s life and Olympic career.
Big Sky Buckeye 