Hurrah!--The 48th Capitol

After several days with his parents, John drove to Canyon, TX, to meet up with his cousin, Bill. They left early Thursday morning and drove to Santa Fe, NM.

This photo was taken in front of the capitol, known as The Roundhouse. The only capitol built in a round shape, it is modeled on the New Mexico state symbol, the zia. The roundhouse was a traditional structure built by ancient people in Asia and brought to the New World by the original Native American settlers.

Today John and Bill are on their way to Phoenix. Watch this space for a photo of their arrival.

"Texas, Our Texas"

Singing the Texas state song, John crossed the state line yesterday from Louisiana to his home state. The night before, he'd enjoyed visiting with the Richard family in Jennings, LA.

By the time he reached the Texas capitol in Austin yesterday, he'd traveled over 600 miles for 12 long hours--one of his most grueling rides. At the capitol he claimed the state for God and prayed for Texans to acknowledge their Creator.

Today John travels to Abilene, TX, to meet up with his cousin Bill, who is also a KLR650 rider. Bill, in fact, rides today in a dirt bike competition in Abilene. I'll let you know if he wins another trophy.

We're in the Countdown!

John drove 550 miles today to Atlanta, GA, where he prayed for people of the "Peach State" at the capitol shown in the photo. Here's some information about how this state was founded.

Earlier today John prayed in Columbia, SC, which is known as the "Palmetto State," after the state tree. He says that once he crossed into the southern states, he began seeing lots of monuments and statues to Confederate Civil War soldiers.

The best news is that we're in the countdown. The state capitals are separated by long distances, but he has only six more capitols to visit!

Monday's Travels

John spent Sunday night with our friends, the Wilsons, in Washington, DC. On Monday morning, he followed Mike and Linda back to their home in Raleigh, SC. On the way, they stopped off in Richmond, VA, to take this photo at the capitol and to pray for Virginians to set an example in honoring God in their state. Virginia is called the "Mother State" because it was the first state to be colonized.

After arriving in Raleigh that afternoon, John drove down to the capitol building, where he prayed for the lawmakers and citizens of the "Tarheel State." How did the state get this name? Look here.

"With Charity for All"

Distances being what they are on the East Coast, John was able to visit three capitals Friday: Trenton, NJ, Dover, DE, and Annapolis, MD. The capitol in Dover is shown to the right.

This weekend John went to Washington, D.C. with friends to pray for our country. The first place they went was to the Lincoln Memorial. You can't help but be awed when you stand before this 19-foot statue of our 16th president. Then when you read the words of his great speeches, you understand the deep faith of this great man. Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 by this memorial?

Following is the famous final paragraph of the President's second inaugural speech, given as the Civil War was drawing to a close:

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

Four Capitals in One Day!

John traveled to the capitals of four states today--New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Although traffic clogs every road, distances are short between capitals.

In Concord, John snapped this photo of a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the capitol. In fact, every state possesses a Liberty Bell, for replicas—crack and all—were commissioned in 1950 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and shipped as gifts to every state. Did you know that on the Liberty Bell a verse from Leviticus is inscribed? Click here to read about this American icon and here to read about the bell now hanging in Philadelphia's Independence Hall.

John has now prayed at 35 capitals. By the way, if you're wondering about the difference between "capital" and "capitol," the capital is the city and the capitol is the building. To see the latest map, click here.

The Point Furthest-Out

Look at the beautiful setting of the Vermont capitol in Montpelier. This morning John arrived there, took this photo and was preparing to pray for Vermonters when he received a phone call. It was John Mitchell, his former fellow traveler on the first third of this marathon. Together they agreed in prayer for John's home state, where his family still lives.

This afternoon was hot and muggy as John drove in unseasonably warm weather to Maine's capitol in Augusta. Along the way he gazed into deep forests interspersed with stands selling maple syrup. He was glad to arrive at the capitol, not only to pray for people of the "Pine Tree State," but also because this is the point farthest out on his trip. From now on he travels in a southerly circle toward home.

John's 29th Capitol

John prayed at his 29th capitol building this morning, having traveled over 11,000 miles so far. The last few days he has stayed with family in Warren, PA, pastor friends in Silver Creek, NY, and Africa missionary friends in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Notice that the New York capitol is not built in the usual classical style, but instead is modeled after the city hall in Paris, known as the Hôtel de Ville.

"Government of the People"

John prayed at the Keystone State's capitol in Harrisburg this morning. Several of our nation's most important documents were written in this state, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. As Christians who revere the religious foundations of our country, we echo President Lincoln's words:

...from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

In God We Trust

John enjoyed his time in Indiana, where he stayed last night with our friend David Brown's mother, Anna. Before arriving at this sweet lady's house in Muncie, he visited the state capitol in Indianapolis and took this photo.

He's been noticing license plates around the state, and in Tennessee as well, like this one:

Twenty-six Capitols

If map does not appear, please click on the title above, "Twenty-six Capitols."


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In Nashville

Looking for a little variety in his photos of the capitols, John balances a statue of President Andrew Johnson on his motorcycle helmet. The things bikers do for kicks!

John prayed at the capitol building today, and then went to stay with our relatives in Nashville, Marcus & Holly Robertson and their three children. Marcus is a former pro player and currently assistant secondary coach of the Tennessee Titans.

Bless all of you who have taken care of John on this great trip.

America the Beautiful

John tells me he's been singing "America the Beautiful" as he rides across the purple mountains and fruited plains. Look at the second verse of this stirring hymn written in 1913:

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

John prayed for our beloved country yesterday in the capital of Arkansas, "The Natural State." Let's join him to pray "God mend thine every flaw."

The "Show Me State" Shows What It Values

On Monday John prayed at the capitol building at Jefferson City, Missouri. He took this photo of the statue of the Ten Commandments there. Although neighboring states have been forced to tear down such statues in the name of "separation of church and state," the statue still remains there. Will you say a prayer right now that God's Spirit will move on Christians to not only stand firm for the value of public displays of the Ten Commandments, but also to live by these simple laws without hypocrisy?

"The Prairie State"

On Saturday John joined a group of men from Moline Gospel Temple motorbiking to their fall men's camp. At the camp he attended several workshops and enjoyed the teaching of Pastor Burt Smith, guest speaker from The Church of Living Water, in Olympia, WA.

Saturday night John stayed with Paul & Sue Lindblad, Associate Pastors at Moline Gospel Temple, and then after church on Sunday, he drove over to Springfield, to pray at the capitol.

Sunday evening he called me while going for a walk--much needed exercise after riding his bike over 8,000 miles!

Looking Forward

I've been reading today in "the faith chapter," Hebrews 11, where so many of our spiritual grandparents demonstrated their faith by believing what God said. Verse 11 says Abraham "was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." All these people, apparently, were able to obey God here because "they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one" (verse 16). They model a steadfastness for us that we desperately need today, wouldn't you agree? Take a look again at this encouraging passage--it will strengthen you for whatever you are facing.

Yesterday was one of John's longest days on the bike--12 hours! But he prayed at two capitols, in Iowa (whose capitol shown in the photo has a guilded 23-karat dome) and Minnesota (which has an official state mushroom--the morel). Then today he stopped at Madison to pray for Wisconsins (whose motto, by the way, is "Forward").

Tonight he's at our youngest daughter's house in the Chicago area. Gabe and Ana just moved there (and took away our sweet grandaughter Mia). Tonight they're enjoying a Thai feast with our neice Abby, who also lives in the area.

Bold Faith

At Topeka, the capital of "The Sunflower State," John prayed for Kansans to be bold in sharing their faith. He snapped this photo himself by the Lincoln statue there. Tonight he's staying with my uncle and aunt, Roy and Anita Clark, who pastor Grace Chapel in nearby Carbondale.

Following God's Agenda

I made it back home to Phoenix on Sunday night, but John took off today for Oklahoma City. It was overcast at the capital of "The Sooner State" when John prayed for Oklahomans to follow God's agenda for their lives.

"Following God's Agenda" was John's subject when he preached this past Sunday at River Road Fellowship, in Amarillo, TX.

The question is, am I doing what I want to do, or what God is doing?

Our Job Description

Thursday John arrived in his home town of Fritch, TX, where I was waiting for him. We have a few days together before he leaves next Tuesday to continue his eastern U.S. circuit of capitals.

He tells me he's most impressed with the concern to pray for their communities that he sees in the people he visits from place to place. Christians want to see their friends and families--wallowing in their addictions and pains--come to know the Savior who can heal their souls and mend their lives. They also are fearful for their culture, which they see as sliding farther and farther from what is good and right. We must intercede for our country, for, of course, it's in our job description to prevail against "the gates of hell."

If it's Tuesday, this must be Pierre

Yesterday was Bismarck and today was Pierre. Two more capitol buildings in the Dakotas have been visited and prayed over (photos coming later). Now John's hitting the road through Nebraska, dodging the big storm in the area. Today's a good day for you to remember him in prayer, I'd say.

Look at the first verse of this song written by Harley-rider Norm Shroll of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He's a member of Sonlight Foursquare Church, and he calls his tune, "Holy Hogs."

Do you hear that rumble so far away?
It isn’t thunder; the Holy Hogs are riding today.
Men in black riding steel horses;
Riding for God and fighting dark forces.
We ride highways that are dark and roads that swerve;
with our eyes on Him we will not miss a curve.