Do the best you can with yourself and hope for the best.
In the long run, you make your own luck–good, bad, or indifferent.
Loretta Lynn (1932-2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.
Do the best you can with yourself and hope for the best.
In the long run, you make your own luck–good, bad, or indifferent.
Loretta Lynn (1932-2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.
Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude–an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God.
From Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer.”
Arthur Walkington (A. W.) Pink (1886-1952) was an English Bible teacher and Christian writer. Following his death, many of his writings were well-received by readers. This turnabout established him as an influential evangelical author.
I want to write books that unlock the traffic jam in everybody’s head.
Writers may be disreputable, incorrigible, early to decay or late to bloom, but they dare to go it alone.
John Updike (1932-2009) was an American novelist, poet, and short story writer. In his generation, he was considered by many to be one of America’s most gifted writers of fiction.
Nothing just happens. You always have to strive.
Always look forward, never back.
Marcus Luttrell (born 1975) is a retired United States Navy Seal. In June, 2005, he was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for heroic actions in Afghanistan.
If you don’t have peace, it isn’t because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you,but you can control what happens in you.
From Isaiah 26:3: “Those of steadfast mind You keep in peace, in peace because they trust in You.”
John Maxwell (born 1947) is an American pastor, author, and speaker. He has written numerous books about leadership, with a Christian point of view.
From Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Raging storms now surround
Trusting Him in hard times
Always, God by my side
With each step, hope shall climb
Anchoring in His peace
Nurturing faith through grace
Always, God by my side
Love flows from heaven’s place
Rising every morning
Spending time in prayer
Always, God by my side
Comfort found in His care
Silencing each tempest
Shining countenance beams
Always, God by my side
Journey heading downstream
Leading with righteous truth
Hearing mercy’s voice
Always, God by my side
Faith accepts blessed choice
Escaping from bondage
Following perfect light
Always, God by my side
Sheltered at His campsite
From Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Edward Vernon (Eddie) Rickenbacker lived a dynamic life in ways that few can imagine. His times filled up with feats of remarkable courage, dedication, and hard work.
Born to parents who were Swiss immigrants, Rickenbacker was born on October 8, 1890. Along with his six siblings, the family struggled to stay above water with their finances.
In 1904 at the age of 13, his father was killed in a construction accident. Realizing that his mother needed money, he dropped out of school to become the family’s breadwinner. This marked the beginning of Rickenbacker’s resolute attitude to make a difference. Others witnessed his unwavering, positive outlook over and over again throughout his life.
Rickenbacker loved working on machines and engines. This led to work as a mechanic, and later into automobile racing. He exhibited a fearless attitude as a driver, and he survived numerous close calls and accidents. In 1911, he competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500, and he finished in 13th place.
As America entered World War I in 1917, Rickenbacker’s future destiny waited to be fulfilled. He joined the army and arrived in Europe where his first role was to serve as mechanic and driver for General John J. Pershing, commander of all American forces in Europe. What Sgt. Rickenbacker wanted most was to serve in the U.S. Army Air Service.
With encouragement from Colonel Billy Mitchell, a leading American advocate for tactical air power, he finished flight training in just 17 days. Lt. Rickenbacker was now prepared to serve his country as a fighter pilot. He was assigned to the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron.
Just as he had proven to be a fearless race car driver, Rickenbacker accepted the challenges of air combat with the same “can do” attitude. He became a daring, yet gifted pilot. His prowess in aerial combat earned “Captain Eddie” the Medal of Honor in recognition of his 134 combat missions and 26 air victories, the highest of all American pilots. Nicknamed the “Ace of Aces,” he was recognized as the most celebrated American fighter pilot of the war.
Upon being promoted to Captain of the 94th Aero Pursuit Squadron, Rickenbacker impressed upon his pilots that an experienced fighting pilot did not have to take unnecessary risk. It was a pilot’s business to shoot down enemy planes, not to get shot down.
Following the war, Rickenbacker turned his attention to a variety of pursuits. He briefly owned a car manufacturing company before financial troubles closed its operations. He purchased the Indianapolis Speedway in 1927, and he owned it until 1945.
In 1938, he bought Eastern Air Lines, and turned it into one of the most profitable airlines during the 1940s and 1950s. He remained in a leadership position until he retired in 1963.
Two significant events further sealed the legend of Eddie Rickenbacker. While traveling on a civilian plane on February 26, 1941, he along with a few other passengers survived a crash. Both pilots and 11 passengers were killed. Rickenbacker sustained serious injuries: shattered pelvis, broken ribs, broken leg, and a torn eyelid. After several days in the hospital, he made a total and miraculous recovery.
During World War II, Rickenbacker became an eager volunteer and supporter of American troops. He toured numerous Army Air Corps bases to boost morale and inspect methods of training. One more brush with death waited for him in the South Pacific.
Aboard a B-17 flying fortress in October, 1942, Rickenbacker was enroute to New Guinea to deliver a message to American General Douglas MacArthur. Unfortunately, the plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean a few hundred miles off course. Rickenbacker and seven other men attempted to survive while floating in rubber rafts. Forgotten for 24 days, they lived on rainwater and fish. With Rickenbacker’s leadership and encouragement, only one of the men would perish. A leading American newspaper, The Boston Globe, described him as “The Great Indestructible.”
Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.
Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.
Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973) was an American combat pilot, race car driver, and business executive. Born in Columbus Ohio, he became America’s top flying ace during World War I.
The vision of God is the source of patience, because it imparts a moral inspiration.
From Habakkuk 2:3: “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
Creating a rainbow, love inspires
Connecting two lives, becoming one
Merging together, feelings inside
Celebrating, we’ve only begun
Meeting at life’s crossroads, love brings truth
Confessing before our Lord, now one
Living as a twosome, sharing love
Spending time together, never done
Cherishing our love, always special
Sharing our dreams, dwelling between us
Leading us on a life adventure
Capturing a moment, on life’s bus
Depending on each other, love bonds
Growing tired of each other, never
Celebrating God’s gifts, shared with us
Changing our minds about us, never
Weathering life’s storms, love conquers all
Singing Hallelujah, love declares
Leaning on each other, love endures
Treasuring us, God’s love truly cares
From 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Originally published April, 2020.