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The Cross: 38,102 miles. 38 years. 1 mission.

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This is an anecdotal account of one mans journey of faith. Although I say one man, it is important to know that this is not a journey he took alone. Family and friends were there with him from beginning to end.

As a child Arthur Blessitt felt that he heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him. Even though he was a well behaved boy who did as he was told, listening to Jesus came first. It was not an easy time for him, until he learned to compromise with the help of his Jesus.

As he grew so did his faith, and he felt compelled to spread the Good News among all and sundry, to anyone who was willing to listen. In the 1960's God called him to minister to the young people in Hollywood California. He spoke to runaways, drug addicts, flower children and bikers. At least to those who would give him a moment to listen.

He brought the children of strangers into his home, giving them food and shelter and The Word. In March of 1968, he opened His Place, on Sunset Strip. A place to gather and to worship. His Place was far from the average religious center, as it was decorated with fishnet and wild lighting and so on, to appeal to the young people that Arthur hoped to reach. Soon after this, Arthur once again heard the voice of Jesus telling him that he had a new mission for him. That mission resulted in this book.

The Cross tells of Arthur's Journey through 315 nations and island all over the globe.He walked more than 38,000 miles carrying a life sized cross every step of the way. It was not easy. There were difficulties in getting the cross into planes to cross oceans, and some countries were not eager to give aid to a Christian, he explains. Difficulties aside, he managed to continue to do as he felt his God wanted him to do. His efforts were recorded by the Guinness Book of Records in 1996 as well as in the Millennium edition in the year 2000.

Over a time period of four decades he carried on. As the years passed he was accompanied by his wife and children. Not an easy task for them. His second wife has added a bit of her own story to this book, to give another perspective. She too, is a woman of great faith. His children have learned much from this journey . They too are faithful to Jesus.

I did not read this book for religious reasons. I do not practice any organized religion. I read this book because I enjoy reading about other people, ordinary people, who do extraordinary things. This by anyones estimation is extraordinary. Four decades spent carrying a cross over his shoulders across friendly and unfriendly lands, in all weathers with every imaginable block thrown across his path and removed by diligence and faith is extraordinary.

I found myself bringing this up for discussion whenever possible when with friends, family and co-workers. An interesting pattern developed. I noticed that those who were loosely affiliated with their churches, or had no church or religion in their lives were interested in this man and his mission. While not necessarily believing in any god or religion, each of these people, myself included, were intrigued by his dedication and his beliefs. I also found that those among my friends who are deeply involved with their own faith were very quick to judge him, or apologize for him. The word wacko came up more than once. Intrigued by this trend, I sat down and tried to count up those with whom I discussed this book.
I estimate twenty seven people over a period of five days. Of these twenty seven five are religious, or faithful or call themselves Christian. Each of them denounced the man and his journey. I include this only because I am perplexed by it, and wonder if others have different experiences when discussing The Cross.

Wow, Arthur Blessitt is truly TIME OF TARGET with this book! With so many churches that don't recognize the CROSS anymore, read this book and I promise you that you will put the CROSS back up at your church! Arthur shows us in this book how important the CROSS should be in every area of our lives!

This man was truly called by GOD, just like Moses was called to lead the children of GOD to the Promise Land! But guess what? GOD has called you also to a mission, read this book and it will help you to find your mission!

Reaching Families for JESUS CHRIST
Colonel Mike Miller, Co-Founder
FAMILY DAY MINISTRIES, INC.
www.familydayministries.org

I have always been blown away by real men of faith. Although no man or woman will ever be perfect, since Jesus filled that role on the Cross 2,000 years ago, God still uses us! There are only so many miracles one can attempt to throw away before admitting all the things that happened for Arthur Blessitt and his family are from God.

We try to reason away what God does, and that is why our country is in the condition it is in. It is time to get back to our faith, as a child. Giving Jesus a chance, asking if he is real, to show you. Hey, what can in hurt?

Read this book, and then go see the movie opening March 27, 2009 and see if it doesn't have an impact on your life.

I for one am very excited about this book, I love it, and the movie, I am more then excited to see.

Hope this helps.

This will change your life. It will bring you to tears and joy as well. It is truly an amazing and adventurous journey. You will definitely want to get rid of all pride and desire to become humble. This is an excellent reading that will stir you to want to change anything in your life that needs changing. Great read!!

As a travelogue of Mr. Blessitt's experiences of carrying the cross around the world, this work falls short. But as a book of advice on how to be a better follower of Jesus, this book is a resounding success. Using short examples from his travels to illustrate the points he is making, Mr. Blessitt encourages his readers to move forward on their own journeys of faith in Jesus. His fearlessness in pursuing his God-given mission is definitely inspiring. Too many of us who consider ourselves faithful are nonetheless fearful of seeking the Lord's will in our own lives for fear we will be asked to do more than we are willing to do or even think we can do. Some of the ideas I found particularly helpful were: taking small steps but getting started, seeking to know God's will, sharing my faith with everyone - not just with those I feel most comfortable, and giving God my best. As an example of someone who is living what they believe, I found this book inspiring and renewing to my relationship with Christ.

I was blown away by the movie and have just ordered the book for my home library. I want to hear every tale this man has to tell, after seeing him for just 90 minutes on the movie.

Others call him a wacko -- I call him a very sincere Brother in Christ.

Decide for yourself -- but see the movie and read the book before you do, or you're likely to form an opinion you'll regret later.

Wonderful, everyone should see it. It is a great over view of traveling the world mixed with a beautiful testimony.

This is a great story of what God will do in a person's life when they are totally committed to follow where God leads. A life changing story of one man and his wife living in God's grace who touched and changed hundreds of thousands of lives, both in common ordinary people and world leaders. They experienced turning points in history 1st hand. I purchased extra copies to give to my brothers and sisters.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'" -- Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)

Since the first time I ever read this verse, I've wondered how I should tell if Jesus meant for me to take up a literal cross to follow Him. Having read Arthur Blessitt's astonishing testimony of literally doing so during 38 years and over 38,102 miles (including some pretty cross-unfriendly territory such as North Korea and Saudi Arabia), I now know the answer: If I listen to Him, I'll know what cross He wants me to bear.

Many times people who aren't Christians will ask me what it's like to have a close and continual relationship with Jesus. In the future, I intend to point them to this book for the answer.

The book does a wonderful job of showing how Jesus prepares us to hear him (Mr. Blessitt began receiving directions from Jesus about where to go during chores as a youngster) and then strengthens us to be prepared for the burdens He wants us to carry for Him. In the process, the book demonstrates beautifully how He will provide and how His purposes will be served.

Today, many people will tell you that they like Jesus just fine, but they can't stand Christians. In becoming very Christ-like through his sanctification of service, Arthur Blessitt provides a great example of what it means to be a true follower of Christ.

The book is wonderfully illustrated and the vignettes from the long journey are well told.

I was reminded of this verse as well: "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, . . . ." -- Isaiah 45:5 (NKJV)

To live a life like this one is a great blessing. May you receive such a blessing from following Him.

Some people are far more driven by their spirituality than others. "The Cross" is a chronicle of the mission embarked on by author Arthur Blessitt. Over the span of four decades, he sought to carry a large wooden cross across the planet, visiting every country in the world along with his cross. With no shortage of stories from his travels, his remarkable narrative is utterly fascinating to read, regardless of one's religious views.