From Nolan Ryan's biography:
"Perseverance is rooted in the belief that discipline, hard work, patience, faith, and time will overcome all obstacles. It exemplifies Nolan Ryan to a tee.
His work ether is a product of his perseverance, and the major credit for it goes to his Depression-era parents, who instilled in him the belief that work was a privilege.
Perseverance is also the result of a lifetime of good habits. For Ryan, those habits began at an early age in downtown Alvin.... From ages eight to 18, Nolan and his dad wrapped newspapers from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., seven mornings a week. After going home for a brief nap, Nolan went to school where he lettered in two sports... for Ryan, it laid the foundation for his impeccable habits." (Rob Goldman. Nolan Ryan. The Making of a Pitcher. Triumph Books, Chicago - 2014)
Nolan Ryan - Hall of Fame Pitcher; Banker; Rancher; Businessman; and now works again for the Houston Astros. More importantly, husband to one wife - Ruth, father, grandfather
Paul writes: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith in this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, be we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God ha pour out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:1 - 5)
Do you have to be Nolan Ryan to obtain these kinds of life lessons? Do we have to be Paul to obtain the gift of faith and the characteristics that he identifies in our faith walk?
Pray that God shape us and use us as his own. Pray that we have the discipline necessary to have a walk that reflects our own discipline and perseverance. Pray for that forgiveness when we stumble.
Hope Men's Ministry
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