The Tight Rope of Faith

The Great Blondin, First Tightrope Walker to Cross Niagara Falls

Jean Francois Gravelot (The Great Blondin) Amazed Crowds with Tightrope Feats

On June 30, 1859, at 5 pm, Blondin made his first journey across theFalls. He wore a dark wig, a vest of purple plush and a pair of whiteTurkish pantaloons. For this crossing, Blondin utilized a 1,300 footlong , 3 inch diameter manila rope stretched from what is now Prospect Park in Niagara Falls, New York to what is now Oakes Gardenin Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Blondin He began his first walk from the Americanside and completed his crossing in 20 minutes. Blondin used athirty-foot long balancing pole that weighed 40 pounds. He stepped ontothe tightrope and started his long descent down the cable, which, atmidpoint, was fifty feet lower over the gorge. There he stopped,dropped a bottle tied a piece of twine into the Maid of the Misttourist boat below, hauled up some Niagara River water, drank it, andresumed his journey, uphill this time. He arrived on the far banktriumphant, though bathed in sweat. He rested briefly, accepted a glassof champagne, performed a little dance on the rope, and walked backacross in just eight minutes. The appeal of the event rested on thecrowd’s secret delight in the possibility that Blondin would fall. 

For two summers, Blondin performed above the Niagara. During hissubsequent performances, he crossed the Falls on a bicycle, on stilts,and at night. He swung by one arm, turned somersaults, and stood on hishead on a chair. Once he pushed a stove in a wheelbarrow across and afterward asked reporter, who had covered many of his walks,

"Do you think I can cross the falls?"

"Of course!" said the reporter

"Are you sure?" said Blondin

"Yes, I know you can do it." said the reporter

"What about me pushing a wheelbarrow across?" said Blondin

"Of course you can, I just saw you do it." said the reporter

"Is there any doubt in your mind as to my ability to cross the falls safely?" said Blondin    

"You are the Great Blondin, I have seen you cross the falls many times and there is no doubt in my mind that you are fully capable of crossing the falls safely with the wheelbarrow." said the reporter. 

"Good!" said Blondin "Now get in the wheelbarrow!"

How many times has God showed us that he is fully capable, all powerful and totally in control yet when he asks us to get in his wheelbarrow and let him take us to new heights, we run in fear?

Happy Anniversary

12 years ago today, I married the women of my dreams.  She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, the Homecoming Queen, yet she was also quiet and humble and I knew she had a beautiful spirit as well.

I never thought I would have a chance with a girl like this. But, God had other plans. 

You are the reason I strive to be a good husband and father. You led me to see that I need to be the spiritual leader of this family. 

The first few years were a struggle as most marriages are, but the last 9 have been the best of my life. You are even more beautiful today then the day I met you.  I love you and thank you for taking a chance on a guy like me.  

Happy Anniversary Legacy Mom

Lance

P.S.  The kids and their friends made us breakfast and a sign this morning.  These are the future spiritual champions for Christ, the future Legacy Dads and Moms.

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We also seek full time writers who wish to publish weekly their thoughts on parenting, religion and anything relating to men.

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Have you ever been robbed?

Have you ever found yourself a victim of a mugging, a crime or has anybody in your life stolen something from you? The result of such a deed would make most of us think that justice needs to be served. That some re-compensation has to be made for the victims in the situation. Let's think about some of these Ponzi schemes that we see all over the papers varying from the US to Europe to Asia. Millions upon millions of dollars have been stolen and never to be returned, yet when we put this in perspective of what is man's and what is God's, the argument really seems kind of silly doesn't it? 


Do we rob God of what is rightfully his? Doesn't God own everything in the heavens and the earth? When Abraham rescued Lot he was met by the King of Salem, Melchizedek, and was blessed by this High Priest of God and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. When the King of Sodom saw this, he asked Abraham to give him the persons and keep the goods for himself, but Abraham said, "I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most HIgh, Possessor of Heaven and earth." (Genesis Chapter 14). No questions asked, no justifying himself to the God of Heaven and earth, Abraham did not hesitate and gave 10% of it all to God. 

Who is this King of Salem, Melchizedek_picture Melchizedek, that Abraham would give him a tithe? Theologians still argue this point to whether He was Jesus or a truly a King of Peace, but no one debates that either man was a High Priest of God. Jesus Christ came to this earth for you and I and paid the ultimate price for our salvation - his death and resurrection. God bought us with a price (his Son) yet for some of us that is not good enough, some still rob him. 

At this point, you may say what if they don't have money, what if they lost their job, what if we don't understand their circumstance - I say let's put this in perspective: Abraham DID NOT HESITATE and he gave 10% of everything and what happened next - GOD BLESSED ABRAHAM! For some people it may never be an issue of money, but rather, time. Some may find that they are too busy to devote themselves to God (Reading the Bible, Praying, Quiet Time, Attending church faithfully, discipling others, becoming mature Christians in which we can decipher good from evil instantaneously...). Whatever the case may be they rob God of time and money and precious resources. The Spirit of God blesses us with talents (spiritual gifts) and we are to use them to the best of our ability, yet, some of us don't. Why not? Why do we move through this life trying to create wealth and security here on earth and build up our earthly treasures yet we have a less priority to build up treasure in Heaven? 

I struggle with this because I wonder what more I can be doing? What more can I do to serve? Am I living God's will for my life or am I robbing God of what is rightfully His? I don't have the answer to this, but what I can do is move closer to reading his word, praying more and serving with a joyful heart, and continue to tithe faithfully no matter what that looks like. What do you think?

Have you ever been robbed?

Have you ever found yourself a victim of a mugging, a crime or has anybody in your life stolen something from you?  The result of such a deed would make most of us think that justice needs to be served.  That some re-compensation has to be made for the victims in the situation.  Let's think about some of these Ponzi schemes that we see all over the papers varying from the US to Europe to Asia.  Millions upon millions of dollars have been stolen and never to be returned, yet when we put this in perspective of what is man's and what is God's, the argument really seems kind of silly doesn't it?  

Do we rob God of what is rightfully his?  Doesn't God own everything in the heavens and the earth?  When Abraham rescued Lot he was met by the King of Salem, Melchizedek, and was blessed by this High Priest of God and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.  When the King of Sodom saw this, he asked Abraham to give him the persons and keep the goods for himself, but Abraham said, "I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most HIgh, Possessor of Heaven and Earth." (Genesis Chapter 14).  No questions asked, no justifying himself to the God of Heaven and Earth, Abraham did not hesitate and gave 10% of it all to God.  

Who is this King of Salem, Melchizedek_picture   Melchizedek, that Abraham would give him a tithe?  Theologians still argue this point to whether He was Jesus or a truly a King of Peace, but no one debates that either man was a High Priest of God.  Jesus Christ came to this earth for you and I and paid the ultimate price for our salvation - his death and resurrection.  God bought us with a price (his Son) yet for some of us that is not good enough, some still rob him.  At this point, you may say what if they don't have money, what if they lost their job, what if we don't understand their circumstance - I say let's put this in perspective:  Abraham DID NOT HESITATE and he gave 10% of everything and what happened next - GOD BLESSED ABRAHAM!

For some people it may never be an issue of money, but rather, time.  Some may find that they are too busy to devote themselves to God (Reading the Bible, Praying, Quiet Time, Attending church faithfully, discipling others, becoming mature Christians in which we can decipher good from evil instantaneously...).  Whatever the case may be they rob God of time and money and precious resources.  The Spirit of God blesses us with talents (spiritual gifts) and we are to use them to the best of our ability, yet, some of us don't. Why not?  Why do we move through this life trying to create wealth and security here on earth and build up our earthly treasures yet we have a less priority to build up treasure in Heaven?  

I struggle with this because I wonder what more I can be doing?  What more can I do to serve?  Am I living God's will for my life or am I robbing God of what is rightfully his?  I don't have the answer to this, but what I can do is move closer to reading his word, praying more and serving with a joyful heart, and continue to tithe faithfully no matter what that looks like.

What do you think?  
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