I love this photo. It shows the grand adventurer, Arthur Blessitt, standing a cross on top of the “throne of satan.”

Incredibly, Arthur, has carried the cross to every nation of the world. His story is absolutely remarkable and tremendously encouraging.

I bought the recently released movie chronicling his journey, The Cross The Arthur Blessitt Story, and have so far shared it with half a dozen other folks. It is exceptional.

Here are a few excerpts from the Arthur Blessitt blog, concerning the cross and the journey:

This is the first cross to be carried around the world on foot and the longest journey in the history of the world.

Length – 12 feet
Width – 6 feet
Thickness – 4″ x 4″
Weight – 45 pounds
Tire – 12″ inflatable
Average tire life – 2,000 miles

Miles carried the cross on foot – (Actual) 38,102 miles (61,319 k.m.)
Cross taken by boat – Estimated 20,000 miles
Air miles cross flown – Estimated 2,020,000

Number of different countries cross carried -315
Times arrested or in jail – 24
Most apt country to be arrested in – USA
Most apt city to be arrested in – Hollywood, CA

Most beautiful countries – Norway, Switzerland, Greenland, Antarctica
Most peaceful places – American Samoa and Manos Island (both in the Pacific), Maldives
Most modern city – Perth, Australia and Hiroshima, Japan

Worst traffic – Lagos, Nigeria; Istanbul, Turkey; India and Bangkok, Thailand
Most angry toward the cross – Amsterdam, Holland and Tetouan, Morocco

Greatest welcome to the cross – Papua New Guinea, Poland, Spain, India, Lithuania, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu & West Africa
Friendliest Armies – Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Army

Longest time cross lost – one month (Alitalia Airlines)
Cross stolen – Christmas Day 1979, Assisi, Italy
Cross wheel stolen – Bordeaux, France
Cross overboard ship – Philippines
Cross broken – Joplin, Missouri; Nigeria; Guam, Turkey

Worst storm at sea – Philippines and Papua New Guinea and The Drake Passage to Antarctica
Best road pets – El Salvador del Mundo (parrot), Central America; Basco (rabbit), Spain; Belfast (dog), Northern Ireland; Loretta (parrot) South Africa – USA; HRH Windsor (dog) U.S.
Biggest animal scares – Green Mamba snake in Ghana; baboon attack in Kenya; elephant chase in Tanzania; crocodile attack in Zimbabwe

Worst jail – Concord, New Hampshire

A few memorable scares – Firing squad in Nicaragua: stoning and beating in Morocco; Civil Guardia attack in Spain; LAPD choking, Hollywood, California; pistol attack, Orlando, Florda; “to burn the cross,” Birdseye, Indiana; man broke the cross, Nigeria; War in Lebanon crossing minefield, Belfast, Northern Ireland bomb blast.

Worst bed – The “Pig Hilton” (a pigpen in Columbia); a single narrow board at a blown up bus stop in the Golan Heights, Syria-Israel border area.

Biggest crowd preached to – Half a million, Atlanta Rock Festival, 1970; Washington for Jesus Rally, half a million in 1980

Wars – Carried the cross in 52 countries at war

The cross has been turned away from being left overnight at more than half the churches requested, but has never been turned away from spending the night at a bar or nightclub in 40 years around the world.

Ya gotta love it. And that final sentence bears repeating: “The cross has been turned away from being left overnight at more than half the churches requested, but has never been turned away from spending the night at a bar or nightclub in 40 years around the world.” Go figure.

Another guy that has been a real inspiration to me is Os Hillman. I’ve quoted him before, here on RoadTurn, and I’ll do it again today. Os is something. If you’re not signed up for his daily email, I encourage you to check it out on his Marketplace Leaders website. There is no charge, and Os is not a spammer.

In today’s edition, Os quotes Jonah 4:2. Here is a bit of what he says:

…”I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2

God understands our disobedient heart. He sees what we really are; yet He gives second chances. God gave Jonah a second chance. He gave the people of Nineveh a second chance. It is a lesson of love from a heavenly Father who specializes in second chances. Have you blown it? Have you disappointed someone close to you? God is the God of second chances. All we have to do is acknowledge our waywardness. He will restore. He will give grace. Ask Him.

For my part, I am daily in need of grace. RoadTurn is all about the second chance and the less traveled road. Prayers today for Aijalon Gomes and the thousands of other Christians imprisoned by North Korea. Prayers today for all who are not free. Prayers today for us all.