Am I Crazy?
I have always wanted to participate in the Marathon Des Sables. That translates to Marathon of the sands and it's been called the Toughest Foot Race on Earth. The past few weeks I have been seriously thinking about making an attempt to actually participate in that race. One of the things I love about this race besides the challenge, is that many of the competitors use this as an opportunity to raise money for a charity. I have always wanted to participate in this race, and there are a few Christian organizations I really want to help. So, this seems like a great opportunity...doesn't it?
Here's some information from their website:
It covers 243km/151 miles (in sections similar to 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km) run over 6 days (7 for some) - equivalent to 5 1/2 regular marathons. That's a speed of between 3 and 14 km an hour for competitors aged between 16 and 78). In addition to that, competitors have to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint.
You will have to prepare all your own food throughout the race and I warn you that there is not a chain of Tesco stores or corner grocery shops dotted around the Sahara. You will experience mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, of running or walking on uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.
Check out this video I found on Youtube that will give you an idea of what it is.
So...yeah, that's what I want to do and why. Wait, I didn't mention what organization I want to raise money for...I want to raise money for Gospel For Asia. It's a great Christian missionary organization in which 100% of the money donated goes directly to the field. They raise all administrative costs separately. The idea behind their ministry is to fund native missionaries because it costs only fraction of the cost of foreign missionaries. Also, native missionaries already understand the culture and language which makes things even easier. They are in reality the largest missionary organization in the world.
Comments (0)05-05-2008 22:46
Walking By Faith Not Emotions
I am now convinced more than any other time in my life that God exists. This doesn't mean that I feel closer to him now, it only means I am convinced of his existence. The past few years God has seemed farther and farther away and yet the more real he appears to me and no this is not a contradiction. I have spent hours on my knees calling out to God and wondering why I haven't had the emotional spiritual experiences that so many people write and talk about.
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)04-24-2008 23:33
Holding On To Hope
Life always seems to have a way of bringing out the worst in us rather than the good. The good does come out but almost always after we have seen ourselves at our worst. As we go through life things begin to annoy us and frustrate us and then we begin to complain, gossip, and insult others. Finally there comes, or at least there should come a point when we realize that we have let the unimportant things bring us to a place we never thought we would be. It's these times that we see the reality of our fallen nature as humans. These are the times that we realize that there is nothing good in us unless it comes from God.
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)04-24-2008 23:06
Dark Night Of The Soul
I recently began reading "Dark Night Of The Soul" by St. John of the Cross and it was like he could read my thoughts. It's very humbling to see a description of yourself when it's not pretty. Although I hate to admit that I struggle with these things, it makes me appreciate even more the cross of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)04-24-2008 22:27
All I Have Is Faith!
As I look at my life it appears as though I am the biggest of hypocrites. I have spoken to others about the goodness of God and His faithfulness, I've heard all the stories, I've lived the Christian life, I've walked the talk and talked the walk; I've memorized literally thousands of verses including most all the epistles of the Apostle Paul, brilliantly explaining the work of salvation through faith in Christ alone. Even through all this, I find myself saying "it appears as though God does not exist." When I look at all the evil in the world I come to the same conclusion as the atheist, if God exists why does he let this happen. Have you seen an aborted child? Have you seen the effects of aids on millions of orphaned children living with aids themselves? Have you seen the effects of poverty? Have you heard the stories of children being physically and sexually abused? How can God let this happen? Then there is my own life as a living testimony of evil.
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)04-24-2008 22:18