Heroes

Last night I was talking to Carrie about a book I was reading while in Barnes and Noble. It was a biography of one of my heroes, but when I told her this person was one of my heroes she gave me that "Carrie" look and said "Really?! I never knew that!"

So I thought I would share a few of my heroes with you today.
Walt Disney:
Walt Disney was a visionary. Started from a very humble family, began drawing pictures and developed a vision for entertaining people through his art. That vision expanded and grew into the Disney empire. I grew up going to Disney World pretty frequently. I can probably draw you a map from memory. I still get teary eyed when I see my kids light up when they go there. My kids love Disney movies, my kids love Disney Channel, and dream of going to Disney World again soon (so do I). All of that happens because one man has a vision and carries it out. And the remarkable thing is that for the most part, Walt's ideals are still carried through everything Disney does. It's a crazy huge legacy.



Joe Kittinger:
Joe Kittinger is just a MAN in the sense of the word that I don't think anyone else can compare to when it comes to bravery. He began as an Air Force test pilot. What he did next is incredible. This dude jumped out of a balloon gondola in 1960 from an altitude of 102, 800 feet. Folks, that is 19.4 miles up! That is in space. The dude rode in a balloon to space and freakin' jumped out! He was in freefall for 4 minutes and 38 seconds! He hit a speed of nearly 700 miles per hour on descent! That is enough to break the sound barrier.

One day I would love to meet this guy. (He is still living and in Florida) If you have a hookup, let me know!

William Tyndale:
Gutenberg created the moveable type printing press. Tyndale used that new technology to mass produce and print the Bible. Tyndale was a true rebel...in the Biblical sense, that is. He challenged the Church of England as well as the Catholic Church openly on their treatment of people, as well as their doctrinal shortcomings. He challenged the prevailing idea of the day that the way to God was through the Pope. He stated that the way to God was through His word. I agree. Tyndale's vision was that every person would have access to a Bible. This is one of the statement's that led to his end: "I defy the Pope, and all his laws; and if God spares my life, I will cause the boy that drives the plow in England to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope himself!"

In 1536, Tyndale was found and arrested on the charge of heresy and strangled, then burned at the stake.

Vision, Courage, Steadfastness....heroes.