Donation Total

Hi all,

One thought away donations through 9/30/12 = $455.20

Not quite as much as I hoped to raise, but every little bit counts.

Thank you again,

Miles

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Last Spring I had this crazy idea to run a marathon sparked by a coworker on a random afternoon at work (thank you Korie!).  I then had a crazier idea to tell a bunch of different people and raise money for an orphanage over 3,000 miles away through the Portland based non-profit Ncompass*.  Thank God for crazy ideas.

Thank you for kindling this spark that allowed me to finish my first marathon yesterday and shed a little light on the power we ALL have that is only One Thought Away.

*Keep in touch at http://www.facebook.com/worldncompass for fundraising totals that are currently being calculated.  Didn't have a chance to donate?  Navigate at the following site to make your tax deductible donation:  https://dlq4.donatelinq.net/qv10/Donation.aspx?MerchantID=NCompass

Let it Shine

So here we are: the final week before the big race.  Since I started running and blogging last May I have logged over 275 miles, written 14 blogs and been encouraged by many family and friends along the way.  The hope has always been that through these many months and miles the concept of “one thought away” would spark the mind, heart and spirit of those who took a moment to read.  Although the tangible goal at the beginning was to spur prayer and financial support for the children at Maranatha House in Titanyen Haiti, I soon realized this concept had a larger scope (stay tuned after Oct. 7^th on fundraising results).  I have heard many stories of people applying this concept in their personal lives as they face their own “marathons” in life.  What is your “marathon” and why do you run it? I have asked this before, but I emphasize it because it is important.  The reason?  Every fire has a spark and without that spark your world remains dark.

Sparks may start small, but anyone who has seen a fire start knows how quickly a spark can transform into a roar of orange and flickering blue flames.  During my summers fighting forest fires I remember seeing fires that were hot enough to burn roots from trees and crack rocks.  Many of these fires were started by lightning strikes; in other words a spark.  This spark would grow by igniting easier to burn objects such as grass, underbrush, or sometimes would smolder for days before growing exponentially with a gust of wind.  Our aspirations and thoughts are best described in the same way.  We all have sparks; they happen daily.  The problem is we too often let someone extinguish them with their negativity and doubt before they grow to a large scale.  Let’s be honest, sometimes that “person” is ourselves not being patient enough to let the spark build.  There is a passage out of the Bible (Mark 7) that says it is not what comes into a person’s body, but what comes from within a person’s heart that allow evil thoughts to contaminate us.  Let your spark burn and light shine within because you can be your own best ally, or your own best enemy.

Logically, it is easier for your light to shine in ideal conditions (e.g. surrounded by positive people, or people of the same likes/dislikes).  In fact sometimes it may seem like you do not need your light when you are surrounded by light (have you ever seen someone use a flashlight in broad daylight?).  However, your light is brightest in the dark; I guarantee it.  You could be in the middle of the woods with just a camp fire yet it provides a sense of security and comfort despite being surrounded by darkness.  You will go through dark times and going off of last week’s blog you need to remember those around you will, or are going through dark times as well (unemployment, depression, divorce, death, anger, slavery, etc.).  Like any fire it needs fuel, so remember to sharpen your axe (reference last week’s blog) and feed the right wolf within (reference 9/1/12 blog) to ensure you don’t burn out (hint: God’s light within is everlasting J). 

Remember that all fires start with a spark; be patient and don’t be your own worst enemy.  To be transparent, I am writing this specific blog on a day when I had a bad night and a bad morning based on negative thoughts.  However, you have all helped me build a roaring fire that isn’t so easily put out by one bad day.  Your spark is one thought away and your fire not only brightens your life, but shines for those around you who may need a little kindling.  Remember to let your light shine, let it shine, let it shine!