Sorry I Have been Away

Hi there everyone - I am so sorry that I have been missing from the blog world for over a week. I have been having some major computer problems and have also been working like a maniac to get the house ready for sale.

So...please return in full force - read this blog and enjoy the Lord.

Just an update on the America's Cup:

Go here to see these magnificent boats "flying" on the water: America's Cup

After two wins yesterday, New Zealand leads the USA by 6 to -1 (The USA was docked 2 points due to some irregularities prior to these races. So...after 1 win, the USA now stands at -1) The winner of the Cup is the first team to reach 9 points.

I am a very proud American, and I cheer loudly for the Dodgers and other sports teams, but...I am unashamedly a Kiwi fan when it comes to dialing, rugby, cricket and all NZ sports. I ams erious - if you have the time, go and check out the American's Cup link.

Fly, Kiwis!! Fly!!

America's Cup - Louis Vuitton Cup

Today Emirates Team New Zealand clinched their place in the Final of the America's Cup (September) by beating Italy's team Luna Rossa and winning the Louis Vuitton Cup in San Francisco Bay. This was a best-of-seven series, and New Zealand came away with a 7 - 1  victory. Congratulations Kiwis!!!

Now New Zealand will face America's team : Oracle USA. These races begin on September 10th. Catch the coverage on NBC.

Over the next 2 weeks, both teams will be preparing their boats and trying to find more speed on the water. Go Kiwis!!

America's Cup

I was still getting home from Colombia today, so I am going to put up another short clip for tonight - this is a clip from today's race in the preliminary round of the America's Cup. These races are for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the chance to race Team Oracle USA for the famed America's Cup. Right now, Italy's  team Prada is up against the New Zealand team in the finals of the Louis Vuitton. There are a series of races, and the first team to win 7 races gets the Cup and the chance to go against the USA for the major trophy - The America;s Cup!!

The exciting races are being held in San Francisco Bay - I only wish O could see them live.

New Zealand won today's race and are up 5 - 1 against Italy. There are 2 races tomorrow (Saturday) and if NZ wins these races, they will have won this LV Cup and will go into the final races against the USA in September.

The remarkable thing is watching these boats race - they are a thing of beauty. The boats are  very high-tech 22 meter long (72 feet) AC72 wing-sail catamarans, that can reach speeds of  over 40 knots (46mph) and just seem to fly over the water - especially when they are up on their foils. These are truly the world's fasted sailing boats.

You can see a summary of today's race: HERE

Here are a few stats from Jack Griffin - guest blogging: HERE

Wing (sail)

Bigger than the wing of a 747, the rigid wing sail is 72 feet (21.9 meters) tall and has five times the surface area of the wings that have been used to date on the AC45s. Flaps on the trailing edge provide lift. The flaps have multiple segments to shape the wing to match the wind and control the power.

Daggerboards

Now the center of atttention, the daggerboard shapes enable hydrofoiling. Emirates Team New Zealand were the first to exploit a loophole in the design rule — no movable control surfaces are permitted on the daggerboards or rudders. But moving the entire daggerboard gives enough control to permit the AC72s to fly. The control systems are closely guarded secrets.

Ergonomics

Perhaps the sleeper issue in AC72 design, deck layout and crew choreography are not as sexy as wing sails and hydrofoiling. The severely short-handed crew of 11 must provide all the power for the maneuvers — no stored energy is permitted. Hoist the gennaker 130 feet to the top of the wing. Furl and unfurl it during gybes. Raise and lower the daggerboards during every tack and gybe. Trim the headsail and the wing. And sprint across the trampoline netting – 30 percent wider than a doubles tennis court – at every maneuver.

Up on the foils - flying

Go New Zealand!!

Update - Saturday Aug. 24th

New Zealand won another race today - setting a course record of over 47 knots (54 mph) - a wonderful sight to behold. The 2nd race today was postponed due to high winds and if NZ wins tomorrow they will have the Louis Vuitton Cup and the honor of going against the USA for the America's Cup

Bryne

Norway:

Now I am in Bryne - about 25 miles south of Stavanger - the south-western corner of Norway: 

As with everywhere in Norway - the countryside is stunning and the people are fabulous.

There is a river that goes through town - this sculpture (spears in the water) is called Momento Mori which is Latin. It is supposed to remind us of the victories we have today - because tomorrow you might not have a victory - you could be dead!! In other words, you are only human - you will die some day. I think is a particularly "Norwegian" perspective on life!

I am very sad to hear about the bombings in Boston earlier today. My heart and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack.

Pray For Our Nation - Walk In Holiness

Here are 7 strategic foundations of holiness to pray over Our nation as we prepare for the elections. We need a holy Church to watch over the USA:

• Holiness is not an option for the Church in these days. It must become the cornerstone of our faith just as it is the foundation of God’s throne (Ps. 89:14), and we must hunger for it and search for it with all our hearts (Matt. 5:6; Matt. 6:33).

• The Lord will hear the cry of those who are rooted in holiness (Ps. 34:15).

• The authority to declare the Kingdom of God and His reign comes from, and through, a holy people (Ps. 45:6).

• The Church must be clothed with righteousness (Ps. 132:9; Is. 61:10; Rom. 6:13-20).

• Holiness and righteousness will bring peace and life to God’s people (Prov. 11:19; Is. 32:17; Is. 54:14).

• Holiness is the light of glory that will be revealed in, and through this nation (Is. 42:6; Is. 56:1; Is. 58:8) – then God’s people will catch the attention of all nations (Is. 61:11; Is. 62:2).

• Righteousness (not riches or power) will make our nations truly great (Prov. 14:34).

Church: Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

God and the Olympics - 7 Things

How does God compare to the Olympic athletes? Here are examples of seven of the strongest, fastest, bravest and most skilled of our time - with a final slam dunk of excellence:

Usain Bolt can run 100 meters in 9.63 seconds - he runs at about 38.48 mph

My God has lightening coming out of His hands that travels at 186,000 miles per second! (Job 36:32)
...and Michael Phelps swims at about 4.7 mph
My God rides on a swift cloud at about 170 mph - depending on the wind (Isaiah 19:1)

Female Olympic shot putters can hurl an 8 pound 13 oz metal ball just over 68 feet. Men throw a 16 pound shot put approximately 
71.5 feet

My God threw the massive R136a1 star (with a mass 300 times our Sun) 22,000 light years from earth - in miles, that is 1.29326996x10 to the power of 17!

There are about 100 thousand million stars in the Milky Way Galaxy alone - there are millions upon millions of galaxies apart from that! Each star has come from His hands. (Psalm 8:3-4)

Olympic high jumpers leapt over the bar at 7 feet 9.7 inches!


My God leaps on mountains and skips over hills!! (Song of Solomon 2:8)


Olympic weight lifters can lift totals over 720 pounds


My God holds oceans in His hands!! (Isaiah 40:12)

Olympic archers do well to score in the mid-1300s as they shoot at a target 229 feet 8 inches away

My God sends out arrows at the speed of lightening - 186,000 miles per second (670 million mph), and He always hits His target (Zechariah 9:13-14)

Olympic equestrian riders compete in a grueling three day event testing the skill and endurance of both horse and rider

My God will endure to the end at the head of the victorious heavenly army. He will be seated on a glorious white horse as He makes war against all evil. (Revelation 19:11-21)

Olympic fencing athletes compete in the disciplines of epee, foil and sabre. They have to have great balance, speed, co-ordination, timing, endurance and footwork.

My God has given me a sword that is sharper and quicker than any known Olympian's sword (Hebrews 4:12)

Here is Kobe Bryant doing a spectacular slam dunk in a game against Nigeria

My God has completed the greatest slam dunk of the entire universe when He raised Jesus from the dead - to conquer sin and death for all mankind - for all time! (1 Corinthians 15:26; Hebrews 2:14-15)

I could go on, and on, and on!! Think about the applause and honor that these athletes receive for these feats. Let us give the Lord the honor that is due to Him - we should shout and dance with joy at the wondrous things He has done:

Psalm 96 (Message)

1Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!2Sing to God - worship God! Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,3Take the news of his glory to the lost, News of his wonders to one and all!4For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;5Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags. God made the heavens -6Royal splendor radiates from him, A powerful beauty sets him apart.7Bravo, God, Bravo! Everyone join in the great shout: Encore! In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.8Bring gifts and celebrate,9Bow before the beauty of God, Then to your knees - everyone worship!10Get out the message - God Rules! He put the world on a firm foundation; He treats everyone fair and square.11Let's hear it from Sky, With Earth joining in, And a huge round of applause from Sea.12Let Wilderness turn cartwheels, Animals, come dance, Put every tree of the forest in the choir -13An extravaganza before God as he comes, As he comes to set everything right on earth, Set everything right, treat everyone fair.
And I just need to show you some of the bravest of all the athletes:

I salute all the women from Islamic countries who represented their countries.

Sarah Attar from Saudi Arabia

South Sadanese Marathoner Guor Marial had to run under the Olympic flag as he

has no passport and no citizenship.

He fled his native country because of civil war 11 years ago

and has not seen his parents for nearly 20 years

  Defending champion Matthias Steiner of Germany survived 432 pounds falling on his neck

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives power to the weak

and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired,

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary