Are you ready for our list of the most inspiring stories from the past week? Here we go:
1) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is a shrewd and successful politician, but he’s also a deeply spiritual man — a paraplegic who credits his Christian faith with guiding him through the aftermath of a horrific accident in 1984 that left him with a crushed spine and the permanent loss of his leg function. Here’s his amazing story.
2) Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson has announced that she and her husband, Mark, are expecting their first child — a “miracle” that came after the couple struggled for quite some time to conceive. Patterson closed her Instagram announcement with a Bible verse as well: 1 Samuel 1:27. It reads, “For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart.”
3) Moving on, it’s no secret that “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are deeply in love, with the two frequently speaking openly about their marital bliss and how they help one another grow spiritually, personally and professionally. Now, they’ve got another message to inspire us with.
4) And a woman who overdosed and nearly died last month is crediting a car accident with helping save her life. Sometimes, it takes a major event to shock us into changing for the better. Here’s an example.
5) A 12-year-old girl is being called a hero for saving herself and her little sister from getting abducted. The story is pretty crazy.
6) On the Hollywood front, actor Chris Pratt has been very open and vocal about his faith. Earlier this week, the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 actor shared on Instagram a snapshot of his Hollywood Star in the making, along with this Bible verse: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy”-Psalm 126:3.
7) Actor Rodney Coe was in the midst of a budding stage career when a violent mugging left him with significant brain damage — a life-altering attack that nearly killed him. He lost everything, and then: He discovered God.
“I know what it’s like to forgive…for the Lord to transform your heart and your life and to give you a new beginning,” he told Faithwire.
8) Bestselling author David Limbaugh is on a quest to help readers better understand the Old and New Testaments alike, shining insightful and thought-provoking light on the overarching biblical narrative in his new book, “The True Jesus.” You’ll want to see what he had to say about his biblical journey and how he thinks modern culture gets Jesus totally wrong.
9) Holocaust survivor Eva Kor was awarded by the governor of Indiana for her advocacy work and her stunning willingness to forgive her Nazi captors, and she recently delivered a passionate, must-read message to every member of Congress.
“I would like to tell them we all must stop fighting with each other and try to help one another,” she said to rousing applause. “If they keep fighting, they cannot help the Americans.”
10) Doctors told Austin Prario’s parents in 1997 that the then-infant would never be able to run a marathon due to a rare congenital heart defect, but two decades later Prario has proven them wrong by successfully completing this year’s Boston Marathon.
BONUS: This year’s Boston Marathon clearly featured several unlikely heroes. One runner – a veteran who lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan – was approaching the finish line when he picked up his guide and an American flag, crossing the line as bystanders cheered.
—
Other Must-Read Stories:
– Is 4/20 Cursed? Here’s a List of What’s Happened on This Strange and Eerie Day
– Chris Pratt Celebrates His Hollywood Star With a Specific Bible Verse