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I Was Reading A Book Recently And I Ran Across A ... PRO
Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 16, 2004 (message contributor)
I was reading a book recently and I ran across a little line that totally overwhelmed and motivated me. It appears in Lance Armstrong’s new book "Every Second Counts." He tells about riding the Tour de France and the falls, the heat, the pressure of winning again, the broken ribs, the viruses, and how that the heart of those riding those bikes in that grueling race is the “magnetism of the finish line.” Once you realize that there is a finish and the only way to that finish is to get up and go after it and that no one else is going to help you to get back up, it makes all the difference in the world.
One particular portion of the race he writes about climbing the final climbing stage to a summit called Luz Ardiden. He knew that if he was going to win the race, that this would be the point. He relates how that fear gnawed at him. He was only 39 seconds up on the great German, Jan Ulrich and that every day, Ulrich had shown incredible strength and was chipping away at Lance Armstrong’s lead. It was the longest, hardest ride of the whole journey.
When they passed over the Tourmalet, Ulrich passed Lance Armstrong with a shock attack. Their bikes were about to crest the summit and on the descent, they would be running between 50-60 mph. But before the main descent there was one more incredibly steep peak that would have to be crested.
They headed up the mountain and the magnetism of the finish line began to pound in the legs and heart of Lance Armstrong. At this point, Lance Armstrong felt that this was the time to attack. He lunged at the pedals, scaling the mountain, thinking about empty road that now was ahead of him. He began to gain time on Ulrich. But then something happened. One of the spectators along the way swung a yellow souvenir bag into the path of his bike and down he went. But in all of that chaos as the other riders flew past him, internally there was a screaming, unrelenting voice, “Get Up! Get Up! Get Up!”
Lance Armstrong then began to ride with a vengeance. After a few minutes he caught up with the race leaders. He then attacked and bolted on his bike. In doing so, he gained ten seconds. Then his United States Postal Service team car pulled alongside him and...
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Looking Back, Looking Forward PRO
Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 28, 2002
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD Hudson Taylor founder of China Inland Mission) used to hang in his home a plaque with two Hebrew Words on it: EBENEZER & JEHOVAH JIREH. The first word means ‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us’ and the second, ‘The Lord will see to it or provide.’ One looked back ...read more
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What God Says PRO
Contributed by Paul Decker on Dec 1, 2002
WHAT GOD SAYS In the Spring of 1924, Jack Sundine was a four-year-old kid, standing in a line with his father inside the White House, waiting to meet President Calvin Coolidge. As they neared him, Jack noticed that he said something to each visitor as they shook hands. Soon, the thrilling ...read more
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The Church Is Like Noah's Ark: The Stench Inside ... PRO
Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jul 29, 2003
“The church is like Noah’s ark: The stench inside would be unbearable if it weren’t for the storm outside. It’s true—sometimes we stink and the world is stormy. But as imperfect as we are on this side of heaven, the miracle is that God in fact chooses to ...read more
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In 1829 A Man Named George Wilson Was Arrested ...
Contributed by Bruce Willis on Dec 29, 2006
In 1829 a man named George Wilson was arrested for robbery and murder in a US mail heist. He was tried, convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Some friends intervened on his behalf and were able to obtain his pardon from President Andrew Jackson. But when told of this, Wilson refused it ...read more
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Howard Hendricks Tells Of A Mentor Who Changed ... PRO
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 14, 2004
Howard Hendricks tells of a mentor who changed his life in his book Iron sharpens Iron. Howard was from a broken family, and said, "I could have lived, died and gone to hell without anyone bothering to care." However, a man named Walt from a tiny church in his neighborhood cared about reaching nine ...read more
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