Tim Bishop's Blog, page 15
July 11, 2014
Challenges
July 10, Day 8 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Challenges. We can’t live without them, but so many times we don’t make an effort to take on a challenge. We take the easier, softer way.
When was the last time you really challenged yourself? It could be socially, intellectually, physically, or financially. Are you up for a challenge? With bicycle touring, there is no denying challenge. If we want to get back to Massachusetts, we have to put the pedal to the metal, so to speak.
Today, we had a challeng...
July 9, 2014
His Needs, Her Needs
Love and life by bicycle is our tag line for the Open Road Press website, so I thought I would write about the love part today. 
Several days ago while riding, I was thinking of three words to describe my husband. It didn’t take too long to come up with: smart, kind, and patient. I asked him to describe me in three words at dinner that night, and he came up with vivacious, energetic, and joyful. Of course he added that I am not joyful all the time….not too many people are, but it was music to...
Rushing Waters
July 9, Day 7 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
After three rest days in Springfield, Oregon, while tending to Debbie’s sore knee, we were chomping at the bit this morning to get back on the road. Upon departure, we were treated to another gorgeous day and a liberal tailwind. What climbing we did today, and we gained 1,000 feet of elevation, was so gradual that it was hardly noticeable. Had it not been for the intimidating climb that awaits us tomorrow morning, and fewer hours left in the day, we wo...
Commemorating Commitments
July 7-8, Days 5-6 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Yesterday, on an off day, we visited First Baptist Church, an old church with a new facility and typical Sunday attendance of a couple thousand. No pastors were around, so we left some materials about TheHopeLine and accepted the staff’s invitation to their youth summer camp across the street, where a delightful young lady provided a tour of the grounds.
In a special section of their grounds called the “Commitment Garden” were metallic tree-like st...
July 8, 2014
Kindred Spirits
July 6, Day 4 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Today, Sunday, we dropped by the Eugene Christian Fellowship complex that we had passed last night on our way to the motel. The timing was perfect! We enjoyed worship followed by an afternoon picnic, complete with antique car show and a live band playing 50smusic.
Debbie and I are always encouraged with genuine Christian fellowship. You can travel anywhere and find kindred spirits when you belong to the same family, that is, the family of God. We share...
July 7, 2014
Another Form of Compassion
When we rolled off route lastnight in search of the local Super 8 motel and passed the Eugene Christian Fellowship, we suspected it might be more than just a coincidence. We wanted to be surrounded by plenty of services while we took a break from cycling. And we always like to find a good local church within walking distance when we roll in on a Saturday evening.
Just a mile or so down the road, we had arrived at our destination for the evening. A walk across the street would bring us to the f...
Hope to Carry On
July 5, Day 3 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
We enjoyed Burgerville in Monmouth so much last night that we had to revisit it this morning. There’s a great presence of philanthropy on the walls inside. In fact, they’ve supported Young Life, which partners with TheHopeLine. After speaking with the manager, she’s referred us to the area manager who deals with larger programs.
Jack and Joe, friendly cyclists from Corvallis just down the road, escorted us out of town before accelerating their riding p...
July 6, 2014
Chance Encounter?
July 4, Day 2 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
I have a lot of time to think while I’m bicycling…and yesterday, as we left Pacific City, Oregon, and the Pacific Ocean for good, I was thinking about friendship and snaps. On our handlebar bags, snaps are the best method of quick access to things we need in a snap. I use them all day long. Snaps are also very helpful on clothes, when it is too difficult to button. Snaps just…well…snap together! They connect and take all the trouble out of struggling w...
July 5, 2014
Standing in the Gap
Tim Altman is the CEO of the Dawson McAllister Association, which oversees both TheHopeLine and the radio content that sends youth in need to it. Tim wrote the following post.
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Tim Bishop asked if I would consider writing a guest blog or two that he could post on their website during the TheHopeLine Tour of 2014.I agreed but quickly set the thought aside.Then I met a woman whose story had to be told.
A few days ago I played golf for the first time in a year.My friend and I went...
July 4, 2014
Fathers Matter
July 3, Day 1 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014
Debbie and I couldn’t have had better hosts tolaunch us into TheHopeLine Tour of 2014 today. Jim and Karen Massey laid out the red carpet in grand fashion with the same warm hospitality that they treated us to in 2010 preceding our honeymoon on wheels. Jim drove us to Manzanita on the coast of the Pacific Ocean this morning. We then ran into him several times during the first fifteen miles of our route, as he enjoyed leapfrogging us and providing all s...
