Tim Bishop's Blog, page 10
September 10, 2014
Divine pairings
September 7, Day 67 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
A special date
September 7 is a very significant date in my life. My mother was born on that day, in 1922. She had a profound impact on my life. I can’t think of anyone whose son I would ratherbe. She passed away in 2012 after 89 full years of life. She was gifted, yet humble, and did her best to know God and reflect His love to others. I think that’s a good model to follow.
When I think of my mother’s passing, I’m reminded of a chat I took on TheH...
September 9, 2014
Never been here.
September 6, Day 66 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Debbie and I have a pet saying that we toss back and forth from time to time. When one of us asks the other a question that could only be answered by someone familiar with the area we are in, we’ll say, “I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.” It doesn’t matter that our question arises only to make conversation or to share our thoughts out loud. We’ll still offer the same response.
Our standard answer brings up an important point. Until you ha...
September 8, 2014
There’s always a silver lining
September 5, Day 65 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Sleeping until 8:30 was a mistake. We checked the forecast last night, and the chance of rain was lowest in the morning and would increase throughout the day. We ventured out of our motel room for a short ride to breakfast just five minutes too late. Lightning lit up the sky while thunder clapped and cracked, so we ducked for cover while we watched it pass. The manager even offered us a return to our room as she wasn’t going to clean it until tom...
September 5, 2014
A Fresh Perspective
September 4, Day 64 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Today began looking just like yesterday: wind from the south and hot temperatures. Oh, no! was the first thought. However, every day on a bicycle tour is different. Today’s route, including a rail trail, would ensure that the weather elements would not make this a repeat performance. And most days come with their own unique lesson…that is…if you pay attention. Today’s lesson would be that a change in perspective can do you good.
After following a...
September 4, 2014
TheHopeLine Tour Progress Report
September 3, Day 63 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
On our third day on the road after our extended break in Sioux City, Iowa, we battled a persistent and strong wind from the south all day long, slowing our average speed to 8 mph. We were again engulfed by massive corn fields, which filled the flood plain of the Missouri River at every turn. Due to the headwind, we felt like we had accomplished something after cycling 50 miles and entering Nebraska, our seventh state on our tour.
Cycling Progress...
September 3, 2014
Healing Power
September 2, Day 62 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
I have been amazed by the healing power of God. When I asked God to take away my bulimia back in 1986, I prayed in June or July of that year, and I stopped six months later. In 1988, I went to my first AA meeting a few days before my birthday in November, and I got sober in June of 1989. God hears our cry for help and healing.
In Iowa, corn is king
Sometimes we are healed instantly, sometimes it takes time. Since I became a Christian, I have had to...September 2, 2014
Do you believe in miracles?
September 1, Day 61 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Minor Miracle or What?
Sioux City had a strong hold on us, but we finally broke free today after our 15-day stay to rest Debbie’s lower right leg. Perhaps symbolic was one of the more bizarre sights I have ever seen, which occurred just outside the hotel this morning while we were preparing our bicycles for a return to the road. Debbie’s right foot was visited by an unexpected intruder. Check out the videos. The first is from my point-and-shoot ca...
September 1, 2014
The Bus Stops Here
August 30, Day 59 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
It is difficult to be on a bicycle tour and NOT BIKE! We have been in Sioux City, Iowa, for almost two weeks as I rest my leg. We have been waiting patiently (most of the time) and asking for lots of prayers so we can get back on the road and finish TheHopeLine Tour of 2014.
While we wait, I’ve had the unique experience of catching a few rides on the Sioux City Transit System bus. One woman I met was a cashier at agrocery store near the mall. She lo...
August 31, 2014
No one is immune from suicidal thoughts
“I’m just looking for a reason to live.”
Those words, from a 27-year-old youth pastor, opened up my final chat of the evening on TheHopeLine last night. They were followed by:
“My whole life is my church. …I feel so wrapped up in the church and don’t know who I am anymore. I’ve lost friends and family because of my commitment to ministry… I feel like God’s asking me to give up leadership in the church, and I have begun that process, but it feels like I have nothing left.”
Eventually, I read, “Ho...
August 29, 2014
Coincidental has become commonplace
“Hey! Is this restaurant open?” inquired a portly,middle-agedgentleman who was sporting a wireless headset for the cellphone he had just deposited into his shirt pocket. He had just abruptly broken the silence as he barged into the room. He was followed several feet behind by “his better (and quieter)half.”
“No, but you can get yourself a bowl of Cheerios,” I retorted, pointing to the half-full dispenser on the other side of the room.
Debbie and I had begun our post-breakfast ritual in the othe...
