Running for Water

Anh Hinshaw is a dedicated supporter of Living Water International and "Hannah's Hope."

Anh had a novel idea to raise money: she's sponsored to run races, and donates the funds she receives so people in rural Africa can have clean drinking water.

On her web site, Anh explains "Hannah's Hope is a volunteer chapter of Living Water International committed to providing clean water and the Gospel to the people of Tanzania.  Lance Whyle is the project developer and began his service to the people of Tanzania in 2004.  

"Over 24 projects have already been completed providing water to over 75,000 people and there are 9 projects scheduled for Oct/Nov that will provide for 30,000 more."

She'll be running in the Richmond Half Marathon on Nov 15.

Check out her web site and start your sponsorship here.

First post with Scribefire

Hmmm, this Firefox extension is supposed to make blogging easier.

I guess blogging is easier, then. Woo hoo, ok.

Now I have a headache.

Un-Wired to the world

Several folks keep reminding me I should attend Ravens games, be deferential to certain influential people and watch every episode of The Wire.  Just so I can Know And Belong.

Well in the first place tickets to home games are about $75 bucks, and  in the second place I'm unwilling to go to the trouble of driving Calypso, taking a cab or riding the water taxi to the (waterfront) stadium, so that option's out.  And I keep forgetting who's who, who's when and who's More Popular and Influential Than Ever.

But I did start watching The Wire on DVD from NetFlix.

I immediately noticed my worldview changed soon as I saw the first scene of the first episode from Season One.  Because The Wire takes place around me and in the environment where I am.

Suddenly I realized I was at the center of something huge, a totally urban and grungy mini-universe ... without even knowing it.  Suddenly I was "city-fied" and street-wise, surrounded by tough acquaintances familiar with death, drugs, promiscuous sex and violence; stone-faced men who speak from a full vocabulary of words and expressions unfathomable both to folks old as I am, or to most folks whose skin color is the same as mine.

Wow, The Wire world is where I live and its environment describes me ... just look out the window and see.  The Wire is a portal showing me who I am.

No no no, not at all: that reality is just a made-for-cable HBO TV series that happened to be filmed nearby, in familiar locations.  I even know some people who've appeared as regulars.

But neither The Wire, nor any sports team or man-made social status, has anything to do with defining who I am ... by the grace of God.

Because I Am Not.

---  ---

"Many people are trying to define who they are by a position or a title. Position or title will never satisfy your soul or define who you are. We must define ourselves by who we are in Christ alone."  - Jake Beaty

--   --   --

When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

- 1 Corinthians 11:32

But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

- John 8:23-24

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

- 2 Corinthians 10:4

Bowden Out

"Clemson ousted football coach Tommy Bowden on Monday, four days after the Tigers -- who were the favorites to win the ACC championship -- lost to Wake Forest and fell to 3-3."

- ESPN story here

Always ready, always relevant, always Live and Alive

Restore to me the joy of your salvation 
       and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

- Psalms 51:12

bad connection

Virtually impossible to get online today ...

Chomp Chomp down in De Swamp

(4) LSU 21(11) Florida 51

I can't find a church I like

OK ... but what about finding a church where you can set your personal likes and dislikes aside, to serve Christ, in the meantime?

Or is that even a consideration?

Getting really Real

What's your Faith based on?

Being a BIG SHOT in your church?  Your role on a committee, or your assurance that your pastor can't wait to return your phone calls?

Is it based on dressing up for church, singing hymns and feeling superior or self-righteous toward sinners?  Is church really all about suits, steeples and contatas?

Are you struggling as a believer, satisfied your sins are small and "don't really make a difference?" Is your faith based on "just getting by" or "trying to hang on and do the right thing"...  in hopes of rewards and a blissful eternity in Heaven?

Are any of those things really what being a believer is all about?

Or is your Faith really based on the gospel and a real conviction that the Son of God loved you so much he was willing to die, and was resurrected from the grave, to pay your debt in full and forgive your sins ... for Real.

I feel so weak, alone and helpless

On the other hand,

 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

- Philippians 4:13

8PM ET Gametime: Florida vs Louisiana

I'm not a big college football fan, but tonight SEC rivals Louisiana #3 and Florida #12 will be gettin' busy down at The Swamp in Gainesville.

And kudos to CBS Sports for broadcasting the game in HD.

Crackdown on tight pants

"JUBA, Sudan (Reuters) - South Sudan's president shut down a police investigation Wednesday that saw scores of young women arrested for 'disturbing the peace' by wearing tight trousers.

"The women were arrested over the past week by police who said they suspected them of belonging to youth gangs known for drinking, fighting and public nudity.

"But government officials, including the south's gender minister, said they were angry at the way the women had been targeted and treated after arrest.

"President Salva Kiir had ordered a "serious investigation" into the police crackdown, said a government minister."  - full story here

Ok, but what's a "Gender Minister"?