Running, Talents and Worship

I am at Coffee Cat as I write. I figured all the serious bloggers must blog from coffee shops, so I should give it try. It is also a lot easier to focus away from my house. My house is one of the hardest places to get anything done. A pit of distraction so to speak =). I went on the longest run I have ever been on this afternoon. I literally ran from one end of Scotts Valley to the other and back. I started at my house and just kept running. About half way through I was wondering what I got myself into. It was a nice run - I enjoyed it. Now I will have to drive it to find out how many miles it was. Unfortunately, I did something to my foot. I am hoping it is one of those things that will disappear overnight. I think ice will be required later tonight. Bummer.

I love to run. I know this is hard for most people to understand. Running isn't always fun for me sometimes I flat out don't want to run, but I'm almost always glad I did. Then there are other times I want to run and love every minute of it. I love running a new path or somewhere beautiful. West Cliff drive is hands down my favorite place to run. I think this a gift God gave me. A way for me express my love for him. Running is a way to use the legs God gave me and way to enjoy his creation. It allows an outlet for everything that has built up during day and a time for him to speak to me. All of us have God given passions or hobbies that we enjoy. We don't always think of using this talent as a way to worship. I encourage you to try it whether it is running, playing baseball, painting, writing and so forth.

There is a parable about a rich man and his servants. He gives each one of his servants a different amount of talents. Talents was the currency of that time. Two of the servants invest the talents and earn more talents for the rich man. A third servant buries and doesn't use the talent given him. The rich man is pleased with the first two servants and very disapointed with the third. I have always thought of the parable in terms of talents as the way we use the word today. If God gives us talents and gifts we should develop and use those gifts. He didn't give us talents for us to sit on the bench. He gave us talents, so that we can glorify him through the gifting he gave us.

This is my hitch hiking picture I took for the newsletter I am going to send out in the mail. My mom laughed at my shoes - I guess there not entirely practical for hitch-hiking =) I think the point still gets across - I can't get to Convoy of Hope by myself I need your help!

Heat Waves and Support Updates

Hello! Northern California is currently experiencing a May heat wave. Apparently we even get a Weather Advisory for heat. I work inside a well air conditioned office, so I only feel the heat in small burst during the day. It makes for a very nice evening and a possible very nice beach day tomorrow... It will definitely be a great night tomorrow for some Giants baseball in San Francisco. I have been wearing my long johns and snow jacket to the night games, but now just a jacket should do. =) Maybe they will even win - you never know with the Giants - they like to keep their fans on the edge of their seat.

The support update is this:

The Cash Budget is 100% - now all one-time gifts get converted into monthly support. The total amount over 100% gets divided by 24 months.

The monthly budget is at 47%. This means I still need to raise $1,146.02 in monthly commitments.

I want to Thank Everyone who has supported me thus far - without you joining me in this effort - I would still be at 0% - instead we are almost to 50%!

I also want to encourage/remind anyone who is thinking of or planning on joining me in this endeavour through financial support to make sure you fill out the commitment forms or mail in the financial missionary gift as soon as possible. I can't go until the support is raised. On the right hand side of this blog is some information on how to give. There is also information on how to give on my very first blog entry.

If you are interested in what Convoy of Hope is doing in Myanmar the link below will take you to a link on their website:

http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/international/current_projects

I've included some verses from Revelation for thought and prayer.


"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come." Revelation 4:8


"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being" Revelation 4:11


Until next time....

Claire Balch