Day 1, 2026 Great Cycle Challenge is Here!

My friend sent this to me today. I just learned he is suffering a debilitating disease. Actually both he and his wife are suffering from debilitating diseases. But in his and their respective struggles he finds the time, strength and determination to send such a beautiful gift 💝🎁

What an amazing way to start the GCC challenge.

September 1, 2026

SONGS IN THE NIGHT

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

— Acts 16:25

WHILE IN PHILIPPI, Paul and Silas were stripped of their clothes, beaten, and put in the stocks in the inner part of the prison. Can you imagine a more dismal plight?

What do you think that you would do under those circumstances? What would your thoughts be? You had only wanted to serve God. You had felt the call to take the gospel to Macedonia, and now your back is throbbing with pain; your hands, feet, and neck are fastened in the stocks. Your future is uncertain. You don’t know how serious the charges are, and you don’t know how long they are going to keep you in prison.

In this very uncomfortable situation, Paul and Silas did the only thing that made sense to them: they prayed and sang praises to God. Though their bodies were bound, their spirits were free. Instead of moaning and complaining, they turned their dark dungeon into a house of worship. Rejoicing lifted their spirits. The more Paul and Silas focused on the Lord, the smaller their problem became.

SINGING TAKES OUR THOUGHTS OFF OF OURSELVES AND FOCUSES THEM ON THE LORD.

The next time you find yourself shackled by worry or confusion or pain, look up. Take your eyes off your problems and place them on God. Sing to your Creator—and watch your dark prison change into a house of praise.

Father, we thank You for the songs that You put in our hearts— songs of joy and blessing and rejoicing in Your goodness.

In The Name of Jesus, Amen.

The 2026 Great Cycle Challenge is Around the Corner!!!

Tuesday, September 1st is the start of the Great Cycle Challenge and my 10th year of participation.

I’ll be honest with all ya, I am approaching this year’s challenge with a different mindset. I have a lot of ideas in trying to stay motivated and showing my appreciation of your support over the years. I want this to be a banner year in donations, but I also realize times are challenging as they have been it seems for a long time now.

Any help from you, whether it is a donation large or small is appreciated. If you can’t support with a donation, even just a message of support and encouragement, especially to the kids fighting cancer each and every day means the world to them and me.

I am going to attempt something a bit different this year. 10 rides for 10 years of participation. Each ride will be unique in location. I want to highlight the beauty and adventure that can be found, discovered and experienced while being on a bike. In truth, I have never liked taking selfies of my self on the bike. It is not about me. I want it to be about the adventure being experienced.

Maybe one child or many will find joy and happiness in a moment in their day while fighting to live and be free from this horrible and ugly disease in seeing some beautiful scenery instead of my goofy face.

I am looking at the month of September and the challenges I face. Not only about physically being on the bike, but the mental challenges too. Staying motivated, etc. But my challenges are absolutely NOTHING compared to the fight and challenges that each kid fighting cancer faces each moment of their lives.

I’ll end with this, THANK YOU for all the years of support with donations and encouragement. I THANK YOU in advance to the start of this year’s challenge. I hope it will be the best ever.