Each year the Tour de France captures our attention 00:00:24.19\00:00:28.82 with its glamour, appeal, and popularity. 00:00:28.86\00:00:31.46 And it also reminds us that some of our fondest early childhood 00:00:31.49\00:00:36.50 memories are associated with our bicycle. 00:00:36.53\00:00:39.70 We all remember what it was like the first time we 00:00:39.73\00:00:43.71 tried to ride a bike, after some falls a few bruises 00:00:43.74\00:00:47.61 and lots of practice, we eventually succeeded 00:00:47.64\00:00:51.11 and it's the feeling of accomplishment, freedom, 00:00:51.15\00:00:54.82 and excitement that is indelibly etched in our memories. 00:00:54.85\00:00:58.99 There's nothing quite like the relationship of a child 00:00:59.02\00:01:03.86 to their bicycle, the exhilaration of self-propelled 00:01:03.89\00:01:07.73 speed, the sense of freedom, and the endless adventures 00:01:07.76\00:01:11.77 still live on with us and for many people that early love 00:01:11.80\00:01:17.37 for bikes stays with them through life. 00:01:17.41\00:01:20.14 It seems that we humans have an endless love affair with 00:01:20.18\00:01:25.21 bikes. Perhaps that helps explain why there are over 00:01:25.25\00:01:29.48 one billion bikes in the world and 364,000 new ones 00:01:29.52\00:01:34.82 are produced every day. 00:01:34.86\00:01:36.39 That's 15,000 per hour, or 253 a minute or four bikes 00:01:36.42\00:01:43.77 every second. In fact 47,670 bikes are sold every day. 00:01:43.80\00:01:51.07 Yes, every two seconds someone will buy a bike and an 00:01:51.11\00:01:57.11 elite few of those bikes make it into the world's most 00:01:57.15\00:02:00.88 prestigious, biggest, and most difficult bicycle race, 00:02:00.92\00:02:04.99 The Tour de France. 00:02:05.02\00:02:06.82 It attracts the world's very best bikes and bike riders. 00:02:06.86\00:02:11.59 The race is staged for three weeks each July 00:02:11.63\00:02:15.20 usually in some 20 day-long stages and covers some 00:02:15.23\00:02:19.83 3,600 kilometers or 2,235 miles mainly in France. 00:02:19.87\00:02:26.94 The tour is France's Premier Annual Sporting Event and has 00:02:26.98\00:02:32.11 deep cultural roots. 00:02:32.15\00:02:33.72 It is televised around the world and watched by over 3 billion 00:02:33.75\00:02:38.12 viewers in over 190 countries as one of the supreme tests 00:02:38.15\00:02:43.36 of human endurance. 00:02:43.39\00:02:44.73 The bike race is also watched live by huge crowds 00:02:44.76\00:02:49.50 over 12 million along the course of the race, 00:02:49.53\00:02:52.87 the largest and most excited crowds gather to watch 00:02:52.90\00:02:57.14 the final stage of the Tour De France as the winner 00:02:57.17\00:03:00.38 of the coveted yellow jersey makes his way to the 00:03:00.41\00:03:03.71 finishing line on the avenue, Champs-Elysées. 00:03:03.75\00:03:07.42 This year we are going to join them, so come along with us 00:03:07.45\00:03:12.75 and recall and relive some of those childhood bicycle memories 00:03:12.79\00:03:18.06 as we depart London and cycle through the rolling hills 00:03:18.09\00:03:22.46 of the English countryside and quaint villages of France 00:03:22.50\00:03:26.47 on our way to Paris. 00:03:26.50\00:03:28.34 It's the journey of a lifetime between these two iconic 00:03:28.37\00:03:32.51 capital cities as we arrive Paris to see the grand finale 00:03:32.54\00:03:38.01 of the premier bike race in the world. 00:03:38.05\00:03:41.08 And as we do so, we'll discover ways to be a winner 00:03:41.12\00:03:45.75 in the greatest race of all, the race of life. 00:03:45.79\00:03:49.29 Can you imagine a world without bikes? 00:04:05.11\00:04:07.84 When the only way to travel way by horse or walking. 00:04:07.88\00:04:12.48 Well, in 1817 in Germany Baron Karl von Drias 00:04:12.51\00:04:17.55 who was a prolific inventor constructed the first bike. 00:04:17.59\00:04:22.26 This bike had no pedals, weighed a massive 22 kilos 00:04:22.29\00:04:27.33 and was made primarily of wood but the inspiration 00:04:27.36\00:04:31.87 of transporting people on two wheels and a frame 00:04:31.90\00:04:35.20 had begun and the bicycle has continued to evolve 00:04:35.24\00:04:39.54 over the last two centuries. 00:04:39.57\00:04:41.34 Sophisticated technology is used more and more 00:04:41.38\00:04:45.71 to help create the best bike from the most basic for children 00:04:45.75\00:04:50.25 right up to the most competitive elite cycling races. 00:04:50.29\00:04:54.76 Dubbed as the world's biggest annual sporting event 00:04:54.79\00:04:58.89 the Tour de France continues to grow in popularity and fame. 00:04:58.93\00:05:03.67 Now surprisingly the race was first organized by a 00:05:03.70\00:05:07.74 newspaper company L' Auto in order to increase sales. 00:05:07.77\00:05:12.44 Well, they certainly succeeded and many were enthralled with 00:05:12.47\00:05:16.85 the race. The initial plans for the tour was just six stages 00:05:16.88\00:05:22.48 but the stages were long and the competitors had to 00:05:22.52\00:05:26.45 ride through the night to complete each faze. 00:05:26.49\00:05:29.49 The race was so daunting and unprecedented that only 00:05:29.52\00:05:34.00 15 people would gain enough to enter it. 00:05:34.03\00:05:37.07 There have been many variations to the Tour de France 00:05:37.10\00:05:40.94 over the years. For instance, due to cheating that occurred 00:05:40.97\00:05:44.84 during the nine sections of the 1904 tour, 00:05:44.87\00:05:48.04 from then on stages were only ridden during daylight hours, 00:05:48.08\00:05:53.25 this meant that more stages were added. 00:05:53.28\00:05:56.69 For a few years the winners were calculated by points 00:05:56.72\00:06:01.29 rather than their times. It wasn't until 1937 that riders 00:06:01.32\00:06:07.76 could have some support teams to assist them on the tour. 00:06:07.80\00:06:11.13 In 1947 for the first tour back after World War II the race 00:06:11.23\00:06:17.77 continued under government management and officially 00:06:17.81\00:06:21.21 renamed The Tour de France. 00:06:21.24\00:06:24.11 Today the race has evolved to include 20 to 22 teams 00:06:24.15\00:06:29.92 of eight riders each, which cycle a new course developed 00:06:29.95\00:06:33.99 each year involving the general clockwise or anticlockwise loop 00:06:34.02\00:06:38.76 around the country of France. 00:06:38.79\00:06:40.43 The race always includes some steep elevation of Pyrenees 00:06:40.46\00:06:46.17 and the French Alps. 00:06:46.20\00:06:47.70 Only the most elite cyclists from around the world 00:06:47.74\00:06:51.81 can ever hope to compete in this ultra-endurance race. 00:06:51.84\00:06:56.11 These days the overall winner of the Tour de France 00:06:56.14\00:07:00.45 is based on total quickest accumulated time of the race. 00:07:00.48\00:07:04.65 Each day of the race the leader of each stage is calculated 00:07:04.69\00:07:10.23 and wears the coveted yellow Jersey for the next day. 00:07:10.26\00:07:14.16 Overall, this endurance bike race has brought 00:07:14.20\00:07:19.30 millions of people to France and created worldwide fame. 00:07:19.33\00:07:23.67 But we're on our way to see the finish of the Tour de France 00:07:23.71\00:07:29.64 so we joined a charity ride called 25,000 spins 00:07:29.68\00:07:34.72 initiated by philanthropist businessman and entrepreneur 00:07:34.75\00:07:38.95 Craig Shipton. 00:07:38.99\00:07:40.32 While living in London in 2009 Craig dreamed of cycling 00:07:40.36\00:07:45.49 all the way from London to Paris in time to watch 00:07:45.53\00:07:48.76 the Tour de France, he soon realized people would join him 00:07:48.80\00:07:53.07 on trips like this and would be also willing to raise money 00:07:53.10\00:07:57.57 for charity while doing it. 00:07:57.61\00:07:59.64 Combining these two passions has been a successful endeavor 00:07:59.67\00:08:04.25 and more than a decade later Craig still runs trips 00:08:04.28\00:08:08.18 consistently in Australia, New Zealand, and occasionally 00:08:08.22\00:08:12.52 in Europe. Over the past 14 years 25,000 spins have cycled 00:08:12.55\00:08:19.39 four million kilometers with over a thousand cyclists 00:08:19.43\00:08:23.30 participating and have raised more than 7,000,000 dollars 00:08:23.33\00:08:27.37 for charity. 00:08:27.40\00:08:28.84 After weeks of planning, the longer way from London to Paris 00:08:28.87\00:08:32.84 Charity Bike Trip begins, so come piddle with me and 00:08:32.87\00:08:37.65 the other 24 participants as we explore the journey together. 00:08:37.68\00:08:42.72 We stopped the ride here in the center of London, 00:08:42.75\00:08:47.32 this is a 21st-century city with a history dating back to 00:08:47.36\00:08:52.39 Roman times and it's packed full of iconic attractions. 00:08:52.43\00:08:56.43 The city is famous for Buckingham Palace, Westminster 00:08:56.46\00:09:01.24 Abby, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, London Eye, Big Ben, 00:09:01.27\00:09:05.14 Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, St. Paul's Cathedral, 00:09:05.17\00:09:09.94 the River Thames, and Trafalgar Square, just to name a few. 00:09:09.98\00:09:14.92 Big Ben, the world's most famous clock is located at 00:09:14.95\00:09:20.12 the northern end of the Houses of Parliament in the borough of 00:09:20.16\00:09:23.22 Westminster is almost 100 meters tall and each of the 00:09:23.26\00:09:28.00 four nations in the United Kingdom, England, Scotland, 00:09:28.03\00:09:31.80 the Northern Ireland, and Whales are represented on the 00:09:31.83\00:09:35.57 Shields of the tower, then before leaving London, 00:09:35.60\00:09:39.01 we ride past the beautiful Buckingham Palace. 00:09:39.04\00:09:42.18 This is the residence of the royal monarchs of the 00:09:42.21\00:09:45.78 United Kingdom and is a focal point where the country gathers 00:09:45.81\00:09:50.52 in times of celebration and in times of mourning. 00:09:50.55\00:09:54.49 This first day of real cycling is a big one, 00:09:54.52\00:09:59.39 it's a solid 108 kilometers and is not for the faint-hearted. 00:09:59.43\00:10:04.30 We're leaving from Sutton and we'll enjoy the exquisite 00:10:04.33\00:10:08.60 English countryside as the team makes its way down 00:10:08.64\00:10:12.11 the rolling hills and leafy roadways of Old England 00:10:12.14\00:10:16.31 to Brighton where we'll cycle below the white cliffs 00:10:16.34\00:10:19.75 which stretch all the way to Dover. 00:10:19.78\00:10:22.35 It's time to stretch our legs and get some sustenance 00:10:22.38\00:10:27.39 before continuing on past country parks, nature reserves, 00:10:27.42\00:10:32.76 cute villages, glorious English gardens, and idyllic 00:10:32.79\00:10:38.07 countryside. Fifty-five kilometers further on brings us 00:10:38.10\00:10:43.24 to Brighton and its iconic Royal Pavilion and the famous Palace 00:10:43.27\00:10:48.94 Pier. After lunch, we cycle along the base of the white 00:10:48.98\00:10:54.08 cliffs that stretch along the coast line towards Dover 00:10:54.12\00:10:57.22 but we only cycle as far as New Haven where nearing the end 00:10:57.25\00:11:02.12 of our day one, we join the other weary cyclists 00:11:02.16\00:11:06.19 and catch the Ferry across the English Channel to 00:11:06.23\00:11:09.26 Deep in France which is about 125 kilometers or 78 miles 00:11:09.30\00:11:15.84 away across the channel. 00:11:15.87\00:11:17.87 With our leg muscles and our energy batteries recharged 00:11:20.54\00:11:23.85 by a good night's sleep, here we are on our second day 00:11:23.88\00:11:28.52 which is full of seaside villages and French countryside. 00:11:28.55\00:11:33.05 We're riding mainly on the Avenue Verte route 00:11:33.09\00:11:37.06 through Normandy towards Paris, which is many ancient towns 00:11:37.09\00:11:41.56 and half-timbered buildings scattered among the farm fields 00:11:41.60\00:11:45.33 along the way. The rolling landscape with a field of wheat 00:11:45.37\00:11:50.27 the farm and round bales of hay typified this region 00:11:50.31\00:11:54.84 that we're cycling through. 00:11:54.88\00:11:56.24 After 40 kilometers we stop at the beautiful village of 00:11:56.28\00:12:01.28 Neufchatel-En-Brae for refreshments and then on 00:12:01.32\00:12:05.15 through more beautiful countryside to Claret for lunch. 00:12:05.19\00:12:08.92 Finally after a long 92 kilometer day, the team is 00:12:08.96\00:12:14.80 rolled into the beautiful historic town of Rouen 00:12:14.83\00:12:18.27 for the night. Now Rouen is a town rich with Medieval 00:12:18.30\00:12:22.64 architecture and historical significance, it's a 00:12:22.67\00:12:26.81 perfect town to explore the story of Joan of Arch 00:12:26.84\00:12:31.11 a national heroin of France. 00:12:31.15\00:12:33.78 She was a peasant girl who led the French Army to victory 00:12:33.82\00:12:37.39 against the English during the siege of Orleans and 00:12:37.42\00:12:41.39 was later tried by the English and religious leaders 00:12:41.42\00:12:44.39 in the great cathedral here and the burned at the stake. 00:12:44.43\00:12:48.46 We've had a rest day and are feeling ready for another big 00:12:48.50\00:12:55.00 day of cycling, we're riding over 90 kilometers through some 00:12:55.04\00:12:59.44 magnificent countryside including beautiful fields 00:12:59.47\00:13:03.58 of sunflowers, though there will be some testing times 00:13:03.61\00:13:07.42 today with some steep hilly sections which no doubt 00:13:07.45\00:13:11.95 will be a true test of our physical endurance. 00:13:11.99\00:13:15.06 I'm reminded that at times when cyclists may be struggling 00:13:15.09\00:13:19.73 the comradery of a team and the purpose of cycling 00:13:19.76\00:13:23.97 for a meaningful cause keeps us all peddling and 00:13:24.00\00:13:27.50 pushing forward and this feeling may be quite similar although 00:13:27.54\00:13:31.81 of course not entirely to the Tour de France competitors. 00:13:31.84\00:13:36.24 Being able to ride with a team no doubt pushes and encourages 00:13:36.28\00:13:41.92 each rider to perform at their best. 00:13:41.98\00:13:44.69 In cycling, there are times when riders rely heavily on each 00:13:44.72\00:13:49.89 other such as when riding in a Pelton, 00:13:49.92\00:13:52.59 this is where the lead rider breaks the wind and others 00:13:52.63\00:13:56.67 can benefit from riding in their slip-stream a pocket-protected 00:13:56.70\00:14:01.24 from the wind that can pull riders along. 00:14:01.27\00:14:05.61 We stopped for a break and to visit the famous 00:14:05.64\00:14:09.21 impressionist artist Claude Monet's home and Garden 00:14:09.24\00:14:12.85 at Giverny and then after a hard day covering over 00:14:12.88\00:14:16.92 100 kilometers we arrive at our most unique accommodation 00:14:16.95\00:14:20.96 of the trip so far. We stay next to the magnificent 00:14:20.99\00:14:24.66 La Roche Guyon Chatteau nestled in the heart of the country. 00:14:24.69\00:14:29.43 Our arrival is marked with a great celebration 00:14:29.46\00:14:33.54 by all of the cyclists. 00:14:33.57\00:14:35.84 It is day five of the trip and there is a sense of excitement 00:14:35.87\00:14:40.28 in the air, today we ride our final 109 kilometers 00:14:40.31\00:14:45.71 to the city of Paris. 00:14:45.75\00:14:47.45 Then after another beautiful morning of riding through 00:14:47.48\00:14:51.55 French terrain, we arrive at the exquisite 00:14:51.59\00:14:54.96 Palace of Versailles for lunch. 00:14:54.99\00:14:57.83 Around 15 million people visit this palace each year 00:14:57.86\00:15:02.86 making it one of the most popular tourist attractions 00:15:02.90\00:15:05.90 in all the world. 00:15:05.93\00:15:07.57 Continuing on after lunch we just started seeing the 00:15:07.60\00:15:12.74 skyline of Paris opening-up before us, we can even see 00:15:12.77\00:15:16.95 glimpses of the Eifel Tower in the distance as we arrive 00:15:16.98\00:15:20.45 on the outskirts of Paris. And then it's on to the 00:15:20.48\00:15:24.55 very heart of Paris, in the 60 meter or nearly 200 foot tall 00:15:24.59\00:15:29.46 Arch of Triumph situated on the right side of the Seine River 00:15:29.49\00:15:34.56 it is the center for 12 radiating avenues, 00:15:34.60\00:15:38.80 the arch is a living record of important triumphs 00:15:38.83\00:15:42.50 and commemorates French victories and the World War I 00:15:42.54\00:15:46.88 tomb of the unknown soldier. 00:15:46.91\00:15:48.54 The Arch of Triumph flows into the Champs-Elysées 00:15:49.84\00:15:54.48 to the place where the famous Tour de France finishes. 00:15:54.78\00:15:58.59 This is the final stretch which decides once and for all 00:15:58.62\00:16:04.29 the winner of this extreme fete of human endurance. 00:16:04.33\00:16:08.10 As we ride down the Champs-Elysées mirroring 00:16:08.13\00:16:11.60 what each Tour de France competitor will do in 00:16:11.63\00:16:14.97 only a few days' time. 00:16:15.00\00:16:16.64 We all feel this moment of accomplishment or an elation 00:16:16.67\00:16:21.48 of our own achievement. 00:16:21.51\00:16:23.38 As a 25,000 Spins Team we also embarked on this 00:16:23.41\00:16:29.15 tough journey of cycling across hundreds of kilometers of 00:16:29.18\00:16:34.06 terrain to reach this climactic arrival into Paris and how much 00:16:34.09\00:16:39.36 more for these elite athletes having endured weeks on the road 00:16:39.39\00:16:43.83 circumnavigating the entire country of France 00:16:43.87\00:16:47.07 will that feeling of excitement fit in for them? 00:16:47.10\00:16:51.24 In fact, this incredible achievement is so profound 00:16:51.27\00:16:55.91 for the Tour de France competitors that even 00:16:55.94\00:16:59.41 in the midst of this intense race, the cyclist has made 00:16:59.45\00:17:03.75 a truce. At the start of the last stage on the outskirts 00:17:03.79\00:17:07.96 of Paris, the teams all agree to take an opportunity 00:17:07.99\00:17:12.19 to have a moment of celebration. A time when they can laugh 00:17:12.23\00:17:17.23 and smile, hug, and absorb the feeling that the end is near 00:17:17.27\00:17:21.64 and that they have done it. 00:17:21.67\00:17:23.44 They've almost achieved a fete that many could only dream of. 00:17:23.47\00:17:29.14 The second part of the final race day is when the riders are 00:17:29.18\00:17:34.05 completing 6 to 8 laps of the wide partly cobblestone circuit 00:17:34.08\00:17:40.02 of Champs Elysees, riders at this point are trying to 00:17:40.06\00:17:44.39 win by breaking away from the Peloton and going solo. 00:17:44.43\00:17:48.73 Most wins are from the final sprint where specialist 00:17:48.76\00:17:53.84 sprint riders often take the victory. 00:17:53.87\00:17:56.57 Here today in our team, no one seems interested in doing 00:17:56.60\00:18:01.78 multiple laps on the Champs Eleysees circuit but were 00:18:01.81\00:18:05.58 excited to embrace the experience of riding through it 00:18:05.61\00:18:09.28 once knowing the special and unique history of the place 00:18:09.32\00:18:13.19 will hopefully make those cobblestones more bearable 00:18:13.22\00:18:16.96 and finally, here we are. 00:18:16.99\00:18:20.20 Now, you can't talk about riding to Paris 00:18:20.23\00:18:23.47 without some mention of the Eifel Tower. 00:18:23.50\00:18:26.13 This iconic 330-meter or about 1,000-foot high structure 00:18:26.17\00:18:32.51 towers over the city with impressive and intricate 00:18:32.54\00:18:36.48 architecture identifiable world-wide. 00:18:36.51\00:18:39.85 At its construction in 1887, it became the tallest manmade 00:18:39.88\00:18:46.05 structure in all the world. 00:18:46.09\00:18:48.32 For those eager enough, you can climb the 600 stairs 00:18:48.36\00:18:53.33 up to the top of the second level or you can take the lift 00:18:53.36\00:18:58.23 from the ground all the way up to the observation deck 00:18:58.27\00:19:01.70 at 276 meters or 900 feet. 00:19:01.74\00:19:05.14 After what we have been through in the past five days, 00:19:05.17\00:19:08.91 I'll be taking the lift. 00:19:08.94\00:19:10.98 But first, some team photos and maybe a few hugs, 00:19:11.01\00:19:16.65 tears, and high-fives too. 00:19:16.69\00:19:18.85 This has been such an incredible journey and a 00:19:18.89\00:19:22.82 beautiful way to celebrate all the terrain that 00:19:22.86\00:19:25.89 we cycled through and the money we've raised for worthy causes. 00:19:25.93\00:19:30.27 The Tour de France is one of the most physical demanding 00:19:30.30\00:19:37.17 of any major sporting event in the world 00:19:37.21\00:19:40.71 it takes endurance, resilience, and commitment to keep riding 00:19:40.74\00:19:46.21 day after day, week after week, and in many ways 00:19:46.25\00:19:50.09 this ongoing relentless ride can bare many similarities 00:19:50.12\00:19:55.42 to our own race of life. 00:19:55.46\00:19:56.96 It requires the same endurance, resilience, and commitment 00:19:56.99\00:20:01.26 to live it well just like the elevation of riding through 00:20:01.30\00:20:06.27 the French Alps. There can be many days where everything 00:20:06.30\00:20:10.47 feels like an uphill battle, then there are days where 00:20:10.51\00:20:14.21 we are cruising with ease, wind in our hair, 00:20:14.24\00:20:17.91 and we are flowing freely and comfortably down life's path. 00:20:17.95\00:20:22.32 You know, there's an ancient book full of wisdom and stories 00:20:22.35\00:20:26.82 that can help us understand more about ourselves, others, 00:20:26.86\00:20:31.19 and how to live well. 00:20:31.23\00:20:32.66 This book is the Bible written over a period of 1,600 years 00:20:32.69\00:20:38.53 by 40 different people who captured their own experiences 00:20:38.57\00:20:42.57 of life with others and with God. Now within this book 00:20:42.60\00:20:47.64 there is some wisdom on this idea of endurance 00:20:47.68\00:20:50.78 and the race of life. 00:20:50.81\00:20:52.51 There's a section called Ecclesiastes which was 00:20:52.55\00:20:56.58 most likely written by Solomon, a wealthy and wise Jewish king. 00:20:56.62\00:21:00.92 In this book Solomon is reflecting in his old age 00:21:00.96\00:21:05.59 back over his life and he writes insightfully... 00:21:05.63\00:21:09.33 Time and chance, we are all subject to these things 00:21:26.05\00:21:30.05 no one can live a life completely avoiding 00:21:30.09\00:21:33.29 all of its troubles. 00:21:33.32\00:21:34.69 With enough time and life experience chances are 00:21:34.72\00:21:38.99 we've all experienced moments of deep heart-wrenching loss, 00:21:39.03\00:21:43.20 confusion and destruction and in these times how do we endure, 00:21:43.23\00:21:48.70 how do we cope? 00:21:48.74\00:21:50.21 Just like in the Tour de France when the lactic acid is building 00:21:50.24\00:21:55.31 and the riders feel like they cannot go on, 00:21:55.34\00:21:58.45 or even worse, they experience a fall from their bike due to 00:21:58.48\00:22:02.72 an unforeseen obstacle or unexpected accident. 00:22:02.75\00:22:06.22 It is in these moments that we can see the beautiful colors 00:22:06.25\00:22:10.99 of human resilience and perseverance rise from the ashes 00:22:11.03\00:22:15.40 but, how do they endure it? 00:22:15.43\00:22:18.53 How do they keep going? 00:22:18.57\00:22:20.34 Well, some suggest that having a connection with something or 00:22:20.37\00:22:26.44 someone higher than ourselves can be an inspiring factor 00:22:26.47\00:22:30.18 to help change the motivations and purposes in our lives 00:22:30.28\00:22:34.45 There a numerous testimonies of people who were on their 00:22:34.48\00:22:39.05 last inch of hope, people who felt as though maybe life wasn't 00:22:39.09\00:22:43.49 worth all the effort and heartache and then when they 00:22:43.53\00:22:47.00 encountered and experienced Jesus or God or the supernatural 00:22:47.03\00:22:51.60 then all of that changed. 00:22:51.63\00:22:54.07 You see, the Bible recounts numerous stories of people 00:22:54.10\00:22:58.87 who met Jesus of Nazareth and their own lives were changed. 00:22:58.91\00:23:02.71 Paul was a powerful character in the New Testament 00:23:02.74\00:23:06.75 of the Bible who experienced Jesus personally 00:23:06.78\00:23:10.55 and flipped his life around and I mean literally flipped. 00:23:10.59\00:23:15.62 He went from killing Christians to becoming one of the 00:23:15.66\00:23:19.23 biggest advocates of Christianity and towards 00:23:19.26\00:23:22.60 the end of Paul's life he also reflects and encourages other 00:23:22.63\00:23:26.84 followers of Jesus in a letter that is now titled Hebrews. 00:23:26.87\00:23:31.57 And this is what Paul shares... 00:23:31.61\00:23:33.81 Paul shares here that Jesus went through the crucifixion 00:23:56.46\00:24:01.60 experience with joy, a terrible, stressful experience 00:24:01.64\00:24:07.21 with joy! Why was He joyful? Well, friends, Jesus was joyful 00:24:07.24\00:24:14.82 because He knew that His sacrifice would reconnect 00:24:14.85\00:24:18.95 himself with humanity with you and me for all eternity. 00:24:18.99\00:24:23.79 Now this thought can inspire us to not grow weary or 00:24:23.83\00:24:30.10 lose heart along the journey of life, it could help us to 00:24:30.13\00:24:34.24 dig deep in life's trials knowing that God understands 00:24:34.27\00:24:38.97 and that He has endured the depths of despair too 00:24:39.01\00:24:42.08 in order to redeem us from ultimate suffering. 00:24:42.11\00:24:45.95 At times, we can feel discouraged in our walk 00:24:45.98\00:24:50.89 through life but perhaps drawing on this ancient wisdom 00:24:50.92\00:24:55.39 can give us the motivation and encouragement that we 00:24:55.42\00:24:58.73 need to dig deep, stand back up after falling and keep 00:24:58.76\00:25:03.87 persevering in the race of life. 00:25:03.90\00:25:05.87 Maybe we don't just have to tolerate or endure these 00:25:05.90\00:25:09.84 situations but we can thrive and even find joy within them. 00:25:09.87\00:25:15.18 So, it's importance to remember when we face the trials 00:25:15.21\00:25:19.41 and challenges of life that even the prestige and honor 00:25:19.45\00:25:23.35 of winning the Tour de France and even the sense of 00:25:23.39\00:25:26.52 achievement of completing the 25,000 spins ride 00:25:26.55\00:25:30.93 from London to Paris doesn't really in any way compare 00:25:30.96\00:25:35.56 with the reward that awaits those who endure the 00:25:35.60\00:25:39.30 trials of life for Christ's sake. 00:25:39.33\00:25:41.74 And that is a reward we're focusing on and aiming for 00:25:41.77\00:25:46.07 the reward of eternal life. 00:25:46.11\00:25:49.11 Our journey through the mountaintops and valleys 00:25:49.14\00:25:53.35 and each unique experience is what shapes our lives. 00:25:53.38\00:25:57.55 How is your peddling going? Have you found something 00:25:57.59\00:26:01.26 worthwhile to keep peddling for? 00:26:01.29\00:26:03.29 If you're looking for an Inner Strength and a connection to 00:26:03.32\00:26:07.63 something or someone that can fuel us through the tougher 00:26:07.66\00:26:11.37 moments of life. 00:26:11.40\00:26:12.73 If you would like to find the secret to a positive attitude, 00:26:12.77\00:26:16.34 if you'd like to experience lasting peace and true happiness 00:26:16.37\00:26:20.71 then, I'd like to recommend the free gift we have for all our 00:26:20.74\00:26:24.98 Incredible Journey viewers today, it's the booklet 00:26:25.01\00:26:28.85 Harnessing the Power of Enthusiasm. 00:26:28.88\00:26:32.05 This book is our gift to you and is absolutely free, 00:26:32.09\00:26:36.16 I guarantee there are no costs or obligations whatsoever 00:26:36.19\00:26:40.26 so take this opportunity to receive your free gift today. 00:26:40.30\00:26:45.77 Phone or text 0436.333.555 in Australia, or 020.422.2042 00:26:45.80\00:26:55.94 in New Zealand, or 770.800.0266 in the United States 00:26:55.98\00:27:02.75 or visit our website tij.tv or simply scan the QR Code 00:27:02.78\00:27:08.99 on your screen and we'll send you today's free offer 00:27:09.02\00:27:12.13 totally free of charge and with no obligation. 00:27:12.16\00:27:15.50 You can also write to us at the addresses on your screen, 00:27:15.53\00:27:18.87 or email us at info@tij.tv. Don't delay call or text us now. 00:27:18.90\00:27:26.47 If you've enjoyed finding out more about the greatest bike 00:27:26.51\00:27:31.85 ride of all, and our reflections on the strength, commitment, 00:27:31.88\00:27:35.78 and perseverance it takes to sucseed in the race of life, 00:27:35.82\00:27:39.72 then, be sure to join us again next week when we will share 00:27:39.75\00:27:43.59 another of life's journeys together. 00:27:43.63\00:27:46.19 Until then, let's pray to the one who gives us strength, 00:27:46.23\00:27:50.83 peace, and happiness, every day. 00:27:50.87\00:27:53.30 Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of 00:27:53.34\00:27:56.84 cycling, and exercise, it helps keep us strong and fit. 00:27:56.87\00:28:00.91 Thank you more importantly for your example of perseverance 00:28:00.94\00:28:05.31 through hardships. May we also dig deep and show the same 00:28:05.35\00:28:09.48 resilience and perseverance in our own lives too. 00:28:09.52\00:28:13.02 And we ask all this in Jesus' Name. Amen! 00:28:13.05\00:28:17.43