There is something beautiful about a billion stars held steady by a God who knows that He is doing.
From Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them,calling them all by name; because He is great in strength,mighty in power,not one is missing.”
Donald Miller (born 1971) is an American author, speaker, and business owner. Many of his personal essays and reflections deal with faith, God, and self-discovery.
A select few face overwhelming challenges in life. Encouraged with a heart filled with perseverance, these trailblazers adopt an attitude where “Can” outplays “Can’t.”
Born in 1909, American Glenn Cunningham transformed into one of the world’s best middle distance runners. However, there was much more to this man’s personal story.
Born in Kansas, seven year-old Glenn endured burns suffered from a gasoline explosion at school. The lower part of his body was substantially burned. Doctors said that the young boy would never walk again.
Hopelessly crippled by the burns to his legs, young Glenn proved many people wrong about his future. Not only would he walk, but he ran right into the record books.
Nicknamed the “Kansas Ironman” and “Kansas Flyer,” Glenn’s perseverance and dedicated training brought him into a setting that few could ever have imagined. He emerged as one of the world’s premiere track athletes in the 1930s. The mile run became his specialty, and he went on to win numerous races and championships.
In 1934, he established a world record in the mile run (4:06:08), and his performance would not be bettered for three years. After his world record run, Glenn was quoted, “I always believed that I could walk normally, and that was the truth. Now I will run, and run faster than anyone else.”
Glenn’s amazing willpower and faith carried him onto the world stage. Running the 1500 meter run in two different summer Olympics, he proved his greatness. He placed fourth in the 1932 Olympics at Los Angeles, but he saved his best for 1936 at Berlin when he earned a silver medal.
Glenn’s Christian faith was visible in his actions and words. One of his favorite Scripture verses came from Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Throughout his distinguished running career, Glenn endured frequent leg pain. Few could imagine how he needed to overcome so much with a faith-filled, inner strength.
As Glenn’s running career wrapped up, the country needed his service in World War II. He served in the U.S. Navy, and he developed new physical training programs. Later he taught athletics and physical education at Cornell College in Iowa.
One of his most noted ventures exhibited his desire to care for underprivileged children. He and his wife established the Glenn Cunningham Youth Ranch, which offered a temporary home for over 10,000 foster children.
These closing words from Glenn epitomized his approach to his life: “In running it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents. The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions.”
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
An explorer found a silver coin marked 7 B.C. He was told it was a forgery. Why?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
The state of Wyoming is often referred to as the Cowboy State. The capital city is Cheyenne, which is located just north of the Colorado state line.
Admitted to the Union on July 10, 1890, Wyoming later adopted a motto of “Equal Rights.” There is significance in this state motto as exemplified by these three facts:
The Wyoming Territory gave women the right to vote in 1869, which is well ahead of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in both state and federal elections.
Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected governor of the state in 1925. She was the first woman governor in the United States.
One of Wyoming’s nicknames is “Equality State.”
Wyoming Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross. (Photo courtesy of Pinterest.)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
The label B.C. only could have come into usage after 0 B.C. Therefore, the coin could not have been minted in 7 B.C.
From Isaiah 66:12-13: “For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a riverand the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream, and you shall nurse and be carried on her armand bounced on her knees. As a mother comforts her child,so I will comfort you;you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
God is Holy. Exalted. He is the only wise God, the Creator, the Maker, the Sovereign Lord. He is the Master. We have but one directive, and that it is to do His will.
From Psalm 97:12: “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,and give thanks to His holy name!”
From James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
The life of faith isn’t meant for tourists. It’s meant for pilgrims.
From Genesis 12:1-2: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.'”