Dying in Faith

Dying in Faith.  It is something I strive to do and something the saints and disciples and apostles did.  They ate, slept, and breathed Faith.  They understood that God is Faithful to the promises He made.  They believed in the promises of God and relied on Him for everything to get through the situations they were in, no matter how impossible it may have seemed.  Glory be to God, that He is the God of the impossible and that nothing is too big for Him to handle.  As I read the words Spurgeon wrote about dying in faith, I can't help to think of Lowell Ebie.  Although I never really knew him, much more than just recognizing him, from what I have heard from others is that he was a man of faith.  I know there were many times in his life where the doctors said he wouldn't live, but he was faithful and believed in the healing power of the Lord.  I know he hasn't been able to see all that High Mill has done or will be doing in the future, but Spurgeon said that part of dying in faith looks into the future.  The example he set as a man of faith and of prayer, he helped lay the foundation for High Mill to be the church the Lord has called it to be.  Lord, I thank you for Lowell and the impact he has had on High Mill and for being a true servant of Yours.  He has set a great example as many of the saints in the Bible have of being faithful and trusting in You alone, Lord.  Lord, I thank you for giving me the same precious faith as with those souls now in glory.  Continue to show me to trust in You alone and to Glorify You in all that I do.

ESPN Passport

My brother, Justin, and I have just found about ESPN Passport, which is ESPN's new travel site/application which allows you to check-in, track, and chronicle the sporting events and sporting venues you attend.  It seems to be a better version of facebook's old stadium application.  I love it!  I almost didn't go meet up with some friends last night, because I was too enthralled with trying to find old ticket stubs and remember what games I have been to log them into my profile.  That might be a little over-the-top, but I enjoy being able to document the games, and especially the venues that I have been to, reminiscing about each.  I look forward to adding more games/venues this upcoming year.

On the agenda for the 2011 baseball season:

Colorado Rockies/Coors Field
Cincinnati Reds/Great American Ball Park
Columbus Clippers/Huntington Park

Possibilities of:

Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field
Atlanta Braves/Turner Field
Rome Braves/State Mutual Stadium

And returning to watch:

Cleveland Indians/Progressive Field
Akron Aeros/Canal Park
Chicago Cubs/Wrigley Field
Pittsburgh Pirates/PNC Park





Great diving shot by Andy Roddick to win the match and the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. 



Shamrock Shakes consumed this year:  1

Akron Aeros Do It Again

Back in December we heard about the Akron Aeros new food promotion, The Three Dog Night, which is a hot dog stuffed inside a bratwurst stuffed inside a kielbasa.  Well it looks like the Aeros promotional team has done it again, with the creation of the Nice 2 Meat You Burger.  This scrumptious looking burger features a 1 1/4 lbs hamburger stuffed with a 1/2 lbs hot dog and 1/4 lb of bacon, along with all the fixin's.  My first thoughts upon reading about this burger and seeing a picture of it, was "I can't wait to try that out."  Looks like I will be making at least two trips to Canal Park to sample the new creations.

Hines Ward

As a Cleveland Browns fan it is tough to say this, but I really like how Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers plays the game.  I know some will say he is a dirty play or takes cheap shots, but I just think he plays the game the right way.  Plays it at 100% to the whistle.  Both with physicality and with joy.  He's always smiling and seems to enjoy the time he gets to spend out on the field, understanding how lucky he is to be playing the game.  He is the complete receiver.  Not only does he make all the catches and runs all the routes, but he is also the best blocker for a receiver over the last decade.  That's probably the thing I like most about his game.  It's easy to want to have the ball thrown to you and catch it and get on the highlight film.  But it's another thing to want to do the grunt work and block in the running game and throw ones body around for the advancement of the team.  I love seeing him lay someone out with a big block or make the block that springs a runner for a big gain (well love it as much as I can, since it is helping the Steelers out).

It reminds me of my time playing receiver in high school.  I think I'd echo his sentiments about getting a lot of satisfaction out of making a big block.  Two of my own blocks stand out in my mind.  The first was the opening game of my senior year.  I was running a 15 yard out route and our fullback, Billy, was running a 5 yard arrow route.  Billy was thrown the ball and I peeled back and laid out the defender trying to chase him down.  I remember seeing the highlights on Fox 8 and seeing my block knock the defender out of the camera shot.  The second was my junior year against Jackson.  I remember being in the slot and come across the field and laying out their All-Ohio linebacker on his butt.  I'm sure Hines Ward would have enjoyed those plays.

One other small tidbit about Hines Ward.  I remember playing with the University of Georgia led by Hines and Robert Edwards on NCAA Football 97 or 98, and being able to dominate the opposition with them.  With Ward catching and blocking and Edwards running I was able to achieve many victories.  Funny what you remember.

New Design

 

I am trying out a new design for the blog.  Time for something fresh.  Feel free to share how you like it.  I am still looking to tweak it a bit. The above picture is my background.  It is capturing a coffee house in Damascus, Syria from my medical mission trip there in 2004.  It is a cool little place. 

On a side note, I saw on Sports Center tonight how Bobby Hurley Sr. became the 10th high school basketball coach (and 1st in New Jersey) to reach 1000 wins.  A great milestone, by the legendary coach at St. Anthony's.  His program, story, and impact on the players is detailed in the wonderful book, The Miracle at St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski.  A great read!

Altoids and More

Here are some articles to check out...




22 Manly Ways to Reuse an Altoids Tin - The Art of Manliness shares some unique ways to put a new spin on an Altoid tin or two.


Fear and Trembling - A great article by Rachel Starr Thomson on truly being in awe and wonder of the Lord

Going overtime at Wilson football factory - Check out the Super Bowl footballs being made in Ada, OH

Float like a Butterfly...

I think in another life I would have been a boxer.  I just got done seeing The Fighter tonight (which is worth seeing by the way) and it makes me want to getting into a boxing workout routine.  I would imagine it makes many viewers fantasize about being a boxer, whether it's getting into the ring or just hitting the speed bag.  I'm not looking to get in the ring or anything (don't think my face could take it), but it seems like boxing training is such a great workout.  I really admire the self-discipline of some fighters who are really trying to be the best and put everything into there endeavors.  I remember watching The Contender season 3 on ESPN and being inspired by one contestant's, Sam Soliman, devotion to his craft and the joy he received out of it.  Not only did he work out ridiculously hard, it was cool to see him helping and sharing pointers with one of the younger contestants on the show on how to train and how much one needs to put into training. I wonder at times if I'd have that discipline to do a 6, or 8, or 12 week training session, but I definitely would like to try.  Maybe once my shoulder is in the condition to be able to aggressively train, then I could do just that.  It's interesting though in boxing that one needs to be self-disciplined and self-motivated, but at the same time is encourage, pushed, and kicked in the butt at times by a trainer, sparring partners, or workout partners.  Boxing is an individualized sport, but often one has a team around him to prepare and train.  Almost like 2 sides of the same coin.  There always seems to be a camaraderie amongst boxers and those that train together in a gym.  And I think this seems to cause that each passing "generation" so to speak in the gym, want to pass on some knowledge to those coming up, to help mold youngsters, and pass on something that has been meaningful to them.