PRE-GOBBLE WOBBLE

QIC: CHATTAHOOCHEE

8 PAX posted on this cool breezy morning for a pre thanksgiving beatdown to work up an appetite followed up by a little fellowship and coffeteria plenty of laughs and oh the stories that were .

WARM UP– 25 SSH, 20 WINDMILLS, 20 IMPERIAL WALKERS, 20 CHERRY PICKERS ALL IN CADENCE 15 BIG ARM CIRCLES FOWARD 15 BIG ARM CIRCLES BACKWARDS OYO.

THE THANG– THE Q TRIED SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS MORNING AND ANNOUNCED THAT ANYTIME DURING A MOSEY ANY PAX CAN YELL DROP AND GIVE ME 5, 10 OR 15 MERKINS. THIS STARTED OUT PRETTY STRONG DURING THE FIRST MOSEY BUT SLACKED OFF A LITTLE AFTER THE FIRST PAIN STATION. I DID LOSE COUNT BUT PLENTY OF MERKINS WERE DONE.

MOSEY TO THE FISHING PIER,

1st PAIN STATION BEAR CRAWL THE LENGTH OF PARKING SPACES EXCLUDING THE HANDICAP SPOTS, 25 DIPS ON BULKHEAD, 25 DERKINS ON SAME BULKHEAD, TOY SOLDIER SET 35 (LBCs) 25 (E2Ks) EACH SIDE, 15 (BIGBOYS), 25 SQUATS

MOSEY TO STRAWBERRY ALLEY,

2ND PAIN STATION HEY THERE’S A WALL WE HAVE NOT USED YET ALL PAX HAVE A SEAT AGAINST THE WALL WHILE PAX INDIVIDUALLY PERFORMED 5 TEXT BOOK BURPEES SOME OF US MAY HAVE BEEN GLAD THERE WERE ONLY 8 PAX A SHORT BREAK FOR A LITTLE 3RD F.

MOSEY TO THE PARK

3RD PAIN STATION 15 STEP UPS EACH LEG ON BENCH, PAX WORK CAPT. THOR WHILE 2 PAX AT A TIME MEET DO A MAX SET OF PULL-UPS ON THE HUMBLING RINGS.

MOSEY UP THE HILL AND BACK TO THE CHOP JUST IN TIME FOR 4 MINUTES OF MARY.

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING WAS A 3 DAY FEAST FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL HARVEST. NATIVE AMERICANS AND PILGRIMS FROM THE MAYFLOWER COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE HEALTH AND HARVEST. WHEN WE SAY THANKSGIVING WE ARE SAYING THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED MAKE AMERICA THE PLACE IT IS TODAY. KEEPING WITH THAT I WOULD TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMAN, POLICE FIRE AND EMS THAT CONTINUE TO MAKE AMERICA WHAT IT IS TODAY.

AS YOU ANTICIPATE TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND A DELICIOUS THANKSGIVING MEAL TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON THE HOLIDAY AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT MEANINGFUL. THANKSGIVING IS FULL OF WAYS TO NURTURE GRATEFULNESS, EXPRESS GRATITUDE TOWARD GOD AND CELEBRATE A MEMORIAL HOLIDAY. DISCOVER HOW TO GO BEYOND FOOD AND FOOTBALL AND GLORIFY GOD ON THIS THANKSGIVING DAY. BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT TAKE THE DAY AND LEAVE OUT THE GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE UNLOCKS THE FULLNESS IN LIFE. IF THE ONLY PRAYER YOU SAY IS THANK YOU THEN IT WILL BE ENOUGH AND REMEMBER THANKSGIVING IS A TIME OF TOGETHERNESS AND GRATITUDE.

TClap |
0

Go to Hill – Again

Date: 11/12/19

AO: CHOP, Milton DE.

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 20 IC

Imperial Walkers – 20 IC

Bolt 45’s IC (4 Count) – 15 squats to halfway down.  15 squats halfway to full down.  15 full squats.

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Mosey .5 miles to that darn hill again….:)…

The Thang

Q revisited the beatdown that could not be completed on last Q opportunity.  We started with the exercises originally slated for the descending evolutions of the hill climbing portion of the beatdown….but we decided to start back at 10 instead of 5 where we had left off last time….:)……PAX completed 10 Burpees, 10 Squats, 10 Merkins & 10 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 9 Burpees, 9 Squats, 9 Merkins, & 9 Big Boys.  Dragon Crawl up & mosey down and complete 8 Burpees, 8 Squats, 8 Merkins, & 8 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 7 Burpees, 7 Squats, 7 Merkins, & 7 Big Boys.  Boo Boo Bear Crawl up the hill and mosey down and complete 6 Burpees, 6 Squats, 6 Merkins & 6 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 5 Burpees, 5 Squats, 5 Merkins, & 5 Big Boys.

Mosey .5 miles back to CHOP

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.

F3 Message 11/12/19

LAST-SECOND VICTORIES
They’re usually some of the most exciting moments in sports: the touchdown or field goal that wins the game with no time left on the clock, that game-winning basket as the final buzzer sounds, or the game-winning home run with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Whatever the sport, there is nothing like a sudden victory when victory seems out of reach. It makes the fans go ballistic.

It can be really nerve-wracking when you’re behind and time is running out, but it’s really thrilling when a hero pulls it out at the last minute. The longer someone walks with God, the more they come to appreciate Him as the God of the last-second victory, the God of the eleventh hour.

The Bible reveals many names by which God wants us to know Him. One that has meant so much to so many for so long is the name Jehovah-jireh. It means, “The Lord will provide.” You may be facing a need or situation right now where that is literally your only hope – that the Lord will provide. Maybe it’s a job, a friend, the funds, the person, the answer, the house, the healing, or the breakthrough you need.

There is a rock-solid promise in Philippians 4:19 that “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” God’s supply has nothing to do with what’s happening in the economy, in the news, at work, or in what your resources can do. It’s all about His unlimited “Jesus-account” in heaven, which transcends every limitation earth has.

God sometimes waits a while to meet that need. That’s when we tend to panic, to come up with some desperate way to meet the need on our own, or to abandon our trust in God because we think He’s taking too long. That takes us right out of the will of God and aborts what God was going to do.

It’s in Genesis 22 that God is known as Jehovah-jireh for the very first time. We can learn a lot from how He worked that day for Abraham. Abraham had, by faith, obeyed God’s direction to take the son God had once promised to him, climb Mt. Moriah with him, and sacrifice his son – as God Himself would do one day when Jesus died on the cross.

Believing that God will somehow provide something Abraham can’t imagine, Abraham promises his servants that both he and his son Isaac will return from the mountain. Genesis 22:10 says his faith and obedience went so far that “he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” At the very last moment, God stopped him and showed Abraham a ram, stuck in a thicket, who would be sacrificed instead of his son. The Bible says, “So Abraham called that place, ‘The Lord Will Provide.'” Jehovah-jireh made His move when there was no time left.

Now, about your need. God loves to come through for us when there is absolutely no place else that answer could come from, and there is no time left on the clock. It’s 11:59 and the buzzer is about to sound. God shows up with His provision at a time and in a way that will blow you away, that will give Him all the glory, that will show the people around you the greatness of God, and that will take you to a whole new level of faith and worship.

Have faith in God. God’s last-minute victories are some of the most awesome moments of your life. The greater the need and the later the hour, the more amazing God’s work on your behalf is going to be. Hang in there until the end of the game, because that is when God really does His stuff!

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

TClap |
1

Bring Sally Up the Bridge

Location: Primis, Lewes, DE

PAX: Chairman(Q), Chappie, Chattahoochee, Fireplex, Gump, Leatherman, Quatro, Semi, Vanilla, Wild Wing & Special Guest: Ryan Mavity (Cape Gazette)

Warmups: All In Cadence 18 SSH 20 Moroccan Night Clubs 18 Windmills 18 shell pickers

The Thang: Bring Sally Up Merkin Challenge (lots of complaining and grunting!).

Mosey to drawbridge. Toy Soldier Set: 35 LBCs 20 E2Ks 15 Big Boys.

Bear Bridge: Crawl bear up bridge incline, Ltnt Dan across deck, Bear Crawl down bridge. 10 count. Nur up bridge incline, Ltnt Dan across deck, crab walk down bridge. 10 count.

Mosey back to Primis. F3 Message:https://f3nation.com/2019/04/06/mammon-q1-9/

The Thang 2: Abbreviated version of William Wallace. Pax in 4 Corners of BBall Court: 3 in 2 corners & 2 in 2 corners (Thanks Chattahoochee!). Half Pax run to middle and do 10 Burpees while other half plank. Pax in middle run back when done and switch. All Pax to middle for 25 American Hammers IC.

Number-O-Rama and Name-O-Rama. https://youtu.be/VssjeqmRUjs

COT prayers for Chappie nephew Aaron overseas, Danielle Briggs and family as she battles cancer, Vanilla & Summit brother-in-law Jay (pancreatitis), Chairman’s Dads upcoming tests.

TClap |
3

HOB Playground

QIC: Semi

WARM-A-RAMA

20 All i/c
Seal jack
Plank jack
Windmill
Ssh
Seal wave
Cherry picker

THANG

Mosey to HOB entrance

Bear crawl to first light pole
Nur to next light pole
Lt. Dan to next light pole
Dragon crawl to next light pole

Mosey to playground

Split into groups
3 rounds of 15
Swerkins
Hanging knee raises
Merkins
Sumo squats
Step ups – each leg
Bulgarian split squats – each leg

20 big boys

Mosey back to CHOP

14 HIM showed today; semi, Chappie, summit, Vanilla, Chairman, Gump, Ruxpin, Waterfall, bovine, toad, Chattahoochee, Fireplex, quattro, FNG gore

Number Rama
Name rama
Cot

Difference Makers Devotional Plan • Devotional
https://bible.com/reading-plans/14159/day/6?segment=0

TClap |
1

Frosty beatdown

QIC- Chattahoochee

8 HIM braved the cool frosty weather this morning and posted at the circle for a little fun

Warmup- 25 SSH, 25 Windmills, 15 smurfjacks, 15 cherry pickers, 15 seal jacks, 15 MNC,

The Thang, nice friendly mosey to the fro t yard of Georgetown middle school and started off there with a round of BLIMPS

5 burpees (handrelease)

10 lunges each leg

15 imperial walkers (4 count)

20 Merkins

25plank Jack’s

30 squats

Then we near crawled to the first sidewalk for a super toy soldier set

50LBCs, 30E2Ks each side, 20 big boys

Lt. Dan to next sidewalk for 30 hand release merkins.

Crab walk to next sidewalk for 20 Bobby hurleys.

Mosey back to beginnings for a few capt thors 1:4 ratio big boys to american hammers only went to 5/20. After this we took a short break for a little 3rd F followed by another Mosey to Georgetown Armory steps for a round of Aiken legs 20 Squats, 20 box jumps, 20 lunges each leg, 20 split Jack’s, followed by another set of Capt. thor. Same as the last one followed up by by rinse and repeat on the Aiken Legs. From there we took a mosey to the front pad of Georgetown fire company for a round of Howling monkeys each Pax held their own ankles while we went around circle individually 10 monkey jumpers while all pax held start position. Since we were in front of camera fireplex requested something manly so we added 20 merkins in cadence. Then the one last mosey around the block just in time for 8 mins of mary. To old to remember what all that consisted of but we did get thru 7 pax each adding their own little bit to the ending of the beat down.

Finished up with count-o-rama, name-o-rama and COT.

Pulled the 3rd of from Q source

A man’s right relationship with himself, his fitness begins with his body because it is his most fundamental piece of physical equipment. A man must get it and keep it in the normal upright position at all times if he wants to be effective. In fact because preparedness requires him to be ready for the unexpected. ( not just to get ready for the expected) the him is focused on gradually but consistently accelerating his fitness level rather than merely staying in shape. Staying in shape is what amateurs try to do. These fragile bodies of ours are what we are given to house our souls. Life the thing so precious to each person that he will fight tooth and nail to preserve it. Is contained within this bag of muscle, flesh and bones we call the body. How can the soul prepare if the body withers and wither it will if we dont put it in motion against continually steeper hills and heavier rock. The body is made to be used. Let it fallow and it will not produce a good crop. But if it is well plowed and carefully tended the result will be a bounty of preparedness.

TClap |
4

Triangulation Scars

Date: 10/29/19

QIC: Chappie

Those who stayed cozy got lapped! Especially those new young guys. What the what? Get upppp! Sorry, not sorry! Nonetheless a dirty dozen HIM started the week by winning THAT FIRST BATTLE and posting for an ad hoc beatdown by YHC. Doubtfire had to back out of his scheduled Q due to his back being tied in knots. Here’s to a recovery day for our brother and a quick return to the rotation. We have so many on the Q rotation that it sometimes feels like you don’t get to Q enough; that’s a good problem to have. YHC was excited to step in.

Never really JUST a standby, YHC went to the Exicon toolbox, pulled out the Bearmuda Triangle, and used it on the PAX. It lived up to its name…we mysteriously lost a PAX along the way (oh, wait, that was only a modification?). Here’s the skinny on the workout:

Warm-O-Rama:

  • SSH – 18 IC
  • Crab Flippers (Cherry Pickers on Delmarva) – 18 IC
  • Swartz Jacks – 18 IC (Uno, dos, tres, QUATTRO!)
  • Moroccan Night Clubs – 18 IC
  • Merkins – 18 IC

Patriot Run around the block – nice pace!

3rdF Message shared here – Content posted below

The Thang:

THE Bearmuda Triangle – 3 cones set up in a triangle pattern, 90 feet apart. PAX Bearcrawl from cone to cone, adding 1 Burpee at each cone. 3x around the cone triangle = 45 total Burpees

Two 10-counts later, PAX found themselves on the side wall of the church:

  • People’s Chair – 10 Count
  • 5 Mexican Jumping Beans, OYO
  • BTTW – 10 Count
  • 10 Mexican Jumping Beans
  • People’s Chair – 10 Count, 2x
  • 15 Mexican Jumping Beans

The Jack Webb Finale: (Always a crowd pleaser)

  • Ratio: 1 Merkin/4 OH Claps all the way up to 10 Merkins/40 OH Claps
  • Though Leatherman tried to stop us, and stop the pain, we went…a WHOLE 30 secs over :-)’ Nice try brother, nice try!

Count-O-Rama:

  • COT/BOM:
    • Announcements: Nuh’in (at least not that YHC remembers)
    • Prayers: For family of Fireplex’s friend who passed from ALS, Chappie’s nephew (Aaron) who is deployed, for our bro Doubtfire on several different fronts

That was about it. Again, honored by the opportunity to lead. Always enjoy Q’ing. Humbled by it all. Get back soon, Doubtfire.

~Chappie, out!

Scars – 3rdF Content:

The theme of SCARS seems to keep coming up an awful lot in the last few weeks. Scars are often a kind of credential. Each of them has a story.

Kyle Carpenter (MOH recipient) bears some serious scars for jumping on a grenade to save the life of a fellow Marine. He devoted an entire chapter of his book YOU ARE WORTH IT to scars (cf. Ch.13, Don’t Hide Your Scars). In it, he wrote that “scars are a kind of credential”(210). Kyle added this story: “There is a greeter at my local Walmart, an elderly gentleman who always has a cheerful hello for everyone who comes through the door. One day, as I was walking in, he spotted me, flashed his huge grin, and then did finger pistols at me as he playfully asked, ‘Motorcycle wreck?'” I did finger pistols right back at him and replied, ‘Taliban!'”

Later he continued, “I would never encourage anyone to share something they aren’t comfortable sharing. But there are some scars that are so obvious, so apparent, that it is impossible to hide or ignore them. Instead of being ashamed of them, I think there is power in embracing these ‘stories’ that leave their marks on our bodies and souls” (211).

Scars are a kind of credential. They have tremendous power for creating bonds. “Wear them proudly. Wear them for yourself, to honor what you’ve been through. And wear them for others, to connect with them and inspire them to keep on fighting. They reassure others they’re not alone. They give hope that someday, their wounds will become nothing but scars, too” (215).

In 2 Cor. 11, the Apostle Paul shared quite a list of experiences which undoubtedly left him with serious scars. The context of the list was that he was facing off with false teachers who were trying to lead the Corinthians away from the truth. Paul shared the list not to brag about personal experiences, but to express that his heaviest burden of all was for the churches. The best scars are always the ones left from a cause that is bigger than we are! Listen to these verses from 2 Cor. 11:22-29…   

22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I.    23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.     24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.   25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.     26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;     27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.     28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.     29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

Had Paul NOT been a true follower of Christ, had he NOT been truly concerned for the church, he would not have experienced (willingly endured) those trials — he would not have borne the scars which those trials inevitably produced — especially the 39 lashes x5! (Btw…that’s 195!).

Scars are a kind of credential. The nail-scarred hands of our Savior are credentials of His unconditional love. Proof that He paid our penalty in the cross. They are further proof that He is alive! Add to that, sometimes some else’s scars remind us we’re living, we’re ALIVE!

This past week you heard about the death of Toby Mac’s (and his wife, Amanda’s) oldest son, Truett, age 21. Toby Mac’s Facebook post was nothing short of phenomenal. In the midst of feeling exceptional pain that will leave exceptional scars, he and his wife, Amanda, were able to inspire others. Here’s how/why: (This is the last paragraph of their post)

Scars in the lives of HIM are a kind of credential. They’re credentials that we ARE unquestionably ALL IN, whether it be in relationship with God, in our families, our churches, our workplaces, or the communities in which we serve. Scars heal and tell a story BECAUSE YOU ARE ALIVE; scars mark you as resilient, tough, and as a survivor! They mark you as a HIM!

TClap |
4

The Hill You Say

Date: 10/24/19

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 25 IC

Cherry Pickers – 15 IC

Bolt 45’s IC (4 Count) – 15 squats to halfway down.  15 squats halfway to full down.  15 full squats.

Windmills – 15 IC

Mosey .5 miles to “Holy Freaking Hill”

The Thang

The Super Sheldon Cooper on a “freaking hill” with a few of my friendly animals – Complete 10 Burpees, 10 Squats, 10 Merkins & 10 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 9 Burpees, 9 Squats, 9 Merkins, & 9 Big Boys.  Crawl Bear up & mosey down and complete 8 Burpees, 8 Squats, 8 Merkins, & 8 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 7 Burpees, 7 Squats, 7 Merkins, & 7 Big Boys.  Inch worm up the hill and mosey down and complete 6 Burpees, 6 Squats, 6 Merkins & 6 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 5 Burpees, 5 Squats, 5 Merkins, & 5 Big Boys.

Time did not allow us to finish, but below are the remaining evolutions as planned.

Dragon Crawl up the hill and mosey down and complete 4 Burpees, 4 Squats, 4 Merkins, & 4 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 3 Burpees, 3 Squats, 3 Merkins, & 3 Big Boys.  Boo Boo Bear Crawl up the hill and mosey down and complete 2 Burpees, 2 Squats, 2 Merkins, & 2 Big Boys.  Nur up the hill and mosey down and complete 1 Burpee, 1 Squat, 1 Merkin, & 1 Big Boy.

Mosey .5 miles back to CHOP

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust. Welcome to FNG Thomas Bunting a.k.a. Radar.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.  

F3 Message 10/24/19

UCG.org / Beyond Today / Climb Every Mountain

Climb Every Mountain

Posted on Jan 2, 2006 by Robert H Berendt

Robert H Berendt

Pastor, United Church of God

Ambassador grad 1970. Pastor in Canada and Germany retired in 2017. On the Council of UCG-Canada and COE of UCGIA. Wife Valerie is British. Four adult children, 14 grandchildren and 7 great.

Give me mountains to climb and the strength to climb them” was a line I once read. I grew up in the mountains, and although we did not climb in the technical sense of using ropes, pins and other devices, we did spend many hours walking the hills and mountains. The majesty of the peaks makes clear the concept of the grandeur of God the Creator. It is humbling.

Climbing produces many benefits that I’ve found to be helpful: strong legs, building confidence in tackling heights, considering where to place your foot for each step. They are all lessons of good planning and enable the body to become stronger and more physically fit. The sheer exuberance of completing the task makes one want to stand on top of the peak and shout with all of your might.

One of the most important benefits of hiking is pushing yourself beyond what you think are your limits.

In the past, I have taken teenagers and young children for longer hikes in the mountains. I find resistance comes when they get tired and weary. That is normal. One of the most important benefits of hiking is pushing yourself beyond what you think are your limits. Human beings are able to go beyond what they think they can do. The body may be putting a great deal of pressure on the mind to stop, but the mind is able to override the complaints of the body and complete the task. There are lessons learned and character built that will keep you in good stead for a lifetime. One lesson you can learn is knowing when to rest or pause and when to proceed.

The safest place for a ship is a harbor, but ships were not designed for staying in a harbor. You do not become a great sailor by staying in quiet waters. Great sailors learn to be great by facing and conquering the most severe storms and conditions that the sea can give. No one would advocate that a sea captain start his career in the most severe storm. Usually, a person starts out as a helper and assistant. He gains experience during smaller storms and slowly develops the qualities needed to tackle problems with expertise and competence. The same applies to the mountains that we climb in life—whether they are real mountains or the challenges of daily life, physical struggles, emotional or spiritual issues.

A hard trail

Almighty God is very careful about inviting humans to become part of the first fruits and first resurrection. We read in John 6:44 that only God the Father decides whose mind to open. It is not the great of the world that He chooses (1 Corinthians 1:26-27), but those chosen definitely must be able to embark on a hard trail. It is surprising how some seemingly unlikely people have great inner strength. Those chosen will have great rewards that will make the struggle worth every difficult step. It will take all the strength, determination and effort that they are able to put forth along with God’s help to reach the summit. God is a strong helper during all of the struggles, and Jesus Christ intercedes on our behalf.

People who are new to the mountains do not always appreciate the dangers hidden there. They will learn through experience that there is a proper way to climb a mountain.

In Matthew11:12 we are told that forceful men lay hold of the kingdom God offers. Jesus called them “overcomers” in several places in Scripture. The obvious conclusion is that a person will have to look forward and glimpse the wonderful future with such conviction that nothing will deter them from achieving the goal. Hebrews 11 records the suffering of many. In Hebrews 12:3-9 Paul explains that we need to endure hardship as discipline; God is treating us as sons. Hardships are the mountains God has given us to climb. We need to rely on God’s Holy Spirit and use our minds and concentration skills for this daunting task. God will supply what we need, with His only request being that we appreciate what is happening and learn to love His ways. Age and physical abilities are not factors in this spiritual expedition.

Luke 14:28-33 reveals the need to count the cost before embarking on an adventure. We need to know we are able to complete the task. It is certain that no person, by themselves can accomplish this task. They neither know the way nor have the strength. God gives us what we need.

It’s worth the climb

Mountains are climbed one step at a time. There are periods of rest, traversing and planning. Our spiritual mountain gives us similar challenges. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul stated that God only gives us that which we can bear and helps when temptations or hardship come. It is comforting to realize that we are not alone and have a thoughtful Creator who will lift us up.

People who are new to the mountains do not always appreciate the dangers hidden there. They will learn through experience that there is a proper way to climb a mountain. They will find out that the view from the top is breathtaking. This spiritual climb is the only way that leads to eternal life, and it is worth every ounce of expended energy.

It is probably true that most people would rather avoid the strenuous and demanding task of climbing mountains (real or spiritual). Most people avoid pain and suffering. The way God chose for His people is a difficult and narrow path. Jesus Christ felt the loss of many disciples when the way was too difficult (John 6:66). Even His close followers fled in panic when they saw that Jesus was not resisting arrest and torture (Matthew 26:56).

In the end, the reward will be more than worth the struggle. This life is short and full of troubles, whether we choose to follow Jesus Christ or not. This life is physical and temporary. The life we hope for, pray for and suffer for is eternal. God places this hope into the hearts of all people.

Climbing mountains is a great source of joy and satisfaction. How much greater and joyful are God’s mountains when He walks at our side. So then we can pray, “Give me mountains to climb and the strength to climb them.”

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

October 24, 2019
TClap |
2

Make It a Good Day

Welcome our new FNG Toad.

Warm-up:

  • 20 SSH IC
  • 10 Inchworm walkout to Shoulder Tap
  • 20 Prisoner Squats IC
  • 20 Cherry Pickers IC
  • 12 Mountain Man Poopers IC

The Thang:

  • 15 Merkins IC
  • 25 Flutter Kicks IC
  • 15 Flying Squirrels

Walking lunge to light post then mosey to Shipbuilders

  • 20 Mountain Climber Twists IC
  • 25 Big Boys
  • 10 Pendulum Lunges each leg

Mosey to MES

  • 30 Panther Shoulder Taps IC
  • 20 Xs and Os IC
  • 25 Bobby Hurleys

Mosey to HOB entrance

High knees, butt kickers, karaoke down driveway then return with mosey prison break light post to light post

Mosey to Waters Edge

  • 20 Hand release merkins
  • Not so Lazy Lazyboys
  • 8 Iron Mikes IC

Mosey to AO

F3 Message

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

  1. Psalm 118:24

What Does a Good Day Look Like?

Waking up to a new day is the start of a good day. For many of us, a good day includes having some alone time with God during our day, getting our families ready for school and work, and then doing whatever we need to do. Having a fulfilling day at work, being able to help others, and knowing that our kids and spouses have had a good day at work and school makes for a great day. Finally, spending time with your kids is a common and great way to end your day. However, the most important (and best part) of a good day is knowing that no matter what life throws at us, the Lord is there for us.

TClap |
2

Heck on the “Rumpskin”

Date: 10/12/19

AO: Aegis, Georgetown, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 20 IC

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Imperial Walkers – 20 IC

Bolt 45’s – 15 squats to halfway down.   15 squats halfway to full down.  15 full squats

Windmills – 20 IC

Dips – 20 IC

Mosey .47 miles to the School

The Thang

Super 21 Routine using the five sidewalks at the front of the School – 1 Merkin & 1 Big Boy Sit up, mosey to second sidewalk, 2 Merkins & 2 Big Boy’s mosey to third sidewalk, 3 Merkins & 3 Big Boy’s mosey to fourth sidewalk, 4 merkins & 4 Big Boy’s mosey to fifth sidewalk, 5 merkins & 5 Big Boy’s, reverse sidewalks and repeat until reaching 21 of both.  Equals 231 of each exercise.

Mosey .47 miles back to the Aegis with the Armory as a waypoint.

Stop at the Armory steps and complete Aiken legs – 20 squats, 20 box jumps, 20 lunges (10 each Leg), 20 split Jacks (10 each Leg).  The twist is that each PAX will take each step up and each step down before performing each exercise.

Captain Therkin – 1 big Boy to 4 American hammers; 5 Merkins .  2 Big Boys to 8 American Hammers; 5 Merkins in ration to 10:40 with 5 Merkins.

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.

F3 Message 10/12/19 – Q spoke about a recent meeting where he had not exercised the best patience and professionalism. In fact, it was quite a flashback to the “old man” that he thought he had left behind. The following word from Ron Hutchcraft Ministries was shared with all attending PAX, but was still ringing in Q’s ear from his recent “Volcanic Eruption”.

Volcano Scars

When you’re angry, you’re probably a lot like a volcano. You erupt, spew out your lava, and often blow away a piece of the other person, if not yourself.

Every one of us carries around parts of us that have been mortally wounded by something someone said to us in anger. They may have forgotten it, but we can’t ever forget it because those create volcano scars. Why do we do this to other people and usually the people we love the most?

Proverbs 12:18 says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword.” That’s the awesome power of our angry, irresponsible words. Proverbs 18:21 says that “The tongue has the power of life and death.” We can say things that make a person feel more alive or that make them feel dead inside. You’ve had it happen to you, haven’t you?

The Bible pays a high tribute to a person who’s under control. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” That’s real manhood.

If you’re tired of erupting and leaving volcano scars on people, maybe it’s time to follow the steps to becoming an extinct volcano:

  1. Confess your anger and your reckless words as the sin that they really are. Bring it to Jesus’ cross and treat it as some of the ugly sin that literally killed our Savior. Then confess it to the victims of your anger.
  2. Don’t let the lava build up; deal with issues right away.
  3. Make yourself listen and ask questions before you speak. James 1:19 says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” If you listen, you’ll be slower to have anger.
  4. Don’t say anything at all until you’re under control.
  5. Make Jesus Christ the Lord of the raging animal inside you. We’ve all got one. That’s the uncontrollable parts of us that are constant reminders that we need a Savior.

Give it to Him for this new day. If volcanoes could think, maybe they’d think twice about blowing their top. The volcano might reason, “You know, maybe I’ll feel better for a while, but is it worth blowing away a part of myself? Is it worth blowing away a part of a person I love?” Well, when we think about it, we know it’s not worth it. The tongue has the power of life and death and “reckless words pierce like a sword.” Haven’t we left enough volcano scars?

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

TClap |
3

4 for #4, Not 4 x 4…this time

Troy Haynes

Date: 10/1/19

QIC: Chappie

9 HIM posted for the first First State beatdown of the week and the month.

YHC pulled out what has become a standard of measure at the CHOP AO in Milton, DE: The 4 x 4! But the name was changed from 4 x 4 to 4 for #4 this time in honor of #4 Troy Haynes, star QB from Woodbridge High School, Class of 2019. This young-man was starting QB for 4 years, leading his high school football team to 2 State Championships. He was diagnosed in the Spring with kidney cancer. He’s been a strong tower through this battle, and his parents and family have been an amazing testimony of faith in Christ the whole time, hoping, praying for, and expecting the best. Sadly, Troy went home to be with the Lord on Sunday. He just turned 19-years-old!

The whole community of Woodbridge has stood by the Haynes family during this battle. YHC’s wife teaches in the Woodbridge School District and has been involved in rallies for #4 and kept YHC abreast of his situation. What a community! Everyone was praying. Everyone was wearing their shirts that said #fightlike4. Everyone was right there, on the sidelines, rooting for Troy through what turned out to be an insurmountable battle. Troy was apparently not accustomed to losing, but this one was out of his hands. If they could everyone around him, including Troy himself, would no doubt call some other play, any play, that would pull this one out for the win–whether it be a come from behind, after the 2-minute warning, last second, or an OT situation. Texas. In the end, there was no play call to beat this opponent. Cancer. Time ran out. Cancer sucks! A young man has been taken from his parents, family, friends, and this world. Too soon! Our hearts ache for the whole family, but for the parents, especially. Some of you have been there and done that, but most of us cannot imagine losing a child. They’re supposed to outlive us! There’s no understanding this side of heaven to be able to explain, more less fully accept such a loss. There are no easy answers. Presence. Yet, we know Christ who holds this family and the entire world in His hands. In situations like this we may not know the future, but we can find peace in Him who holds it. We pray this for Troy’s mom and dad, and for his siblings. As part of the community-at-large, we’ll continue to pray for and support and stand beside this family–their hopes were not seemingly satisfied. While there are no answers in all of this (yet), the family’s faith has been strong. We trust that it remains as such, and if not, where it is perhaps tested or maybe even broken, may God use this experience to rebuild their faith in due time.

This workout was themed in honor of Troy: 4 for #4: 4 corners [around the block, 0.5 miles] with 4 workouts, one on each corner. It went a little something like this:

Warm-O-Rama:

  • SSM (Side Straddle Medley): SSH – 9 IC, SwartzJacks – 9 IC, SealJacks – 9 IC
  • Moroccan Night Club – 20 IC
  • Cherry Picker (Crab Flipper, Hairy Chigger) – 18 IC
  • Italian Night Club – 18 IC
  • B2G (Butt 2 Ground) Squats – 10 Count Hold (x3)
  • Brief review on the purpose of the Shovel-Flag, the Mission of F3 to plant, grow, and serve small workout groups of men for the invigoration of male community leadership, and the principles of F3: 1. All men 2. Always outdoors, rain or shine, hot or cold 3. Peer lead 4. Free, and 4. Always end with a COT.
  • Brief explanation of workout and how we were going to use it as a simple tribute to Troy Haynes. #4!
  • Mosey to Corner #1…

The THANG:

Corner #1: Merkins – 5 Prison Cell, 10 Diamond, 15 Wide-Arm, 20 Irkins

Transition to next corner: Lt. Dan to light pole, High Knees to green light, mosey to…

Corner #2: Abs – X’s & O’s – 18 OYO, Dying Cockroaches – 18 IC, 4-Count Freddies – 18 IC (Where you been #Hideous?), ‘Merican Hammers – 18 IC

Transition to next corner: Bear Crawl to 1st power pole, Dragon Crawl to 2nd power pole, Karaoke rest of the way to…

>>>>>Inserted 3rdF here for a brief breather (Full version, read below)

Corner #3: Legs – Plank Jacks – 18 OYO, Smurf Jacks – 18 OYO, Monkey Humpers – 18 OYO, Prisoner Squats – 18 OYO

Transition to next corner: Mosey down Willow Ave. toward Union St. 50% mosey to 1st light pole, 75% mosey to 2nd light pole, Jail Break rest of the way to…

Corner #4: Body – Burpees – 10 OYO, Mt. Climbers – 10 OYO, Flying Squirrels – 10 OYO, and Mule Kicks – 10 OYO (YHC’s back still hurts! note to self: NEVER put these on the Weinke again!)

There you have it, 4 [corners] for #4.

Mosey return to the AO. And looky, looky, it’s 0600 hrs.

COT/BOM:

  • Announcements: Lots of chatter about some unheard of run. The Dogfish somethin’ or other? We’re going to check into this thing and see what it’s all about. Anybody know anything? (Seriously, great job to all the guys who ran it! Chairman, Chattahoochee, Leatherman.) Shout out to all those pushing not only to improve their wellness, but also their leadershipness. #F3FirstStateVisibility
  • Prayers: Haynes family, that God and His people would surround them during this time | Gump, recovery from possible stress fracture | A bunch of other requests that I’ve forgotten but Christ has not. All humbly lifted to our Lord.

Thanks to all the HIM who won That First Battle, overcame the draw of the fartsack (which has apparently been very strong as of late), and posted. You posted and that’s why YHC posted! Honored to lead this workout as a simple tribute to #4, and honored to lead the PAX of F3 First State! Aye!

Chappie, out!

3rd F Message shared prior to Corner 3 workout. The full version:

We’ve all inadvertently inflicted pain on someone else, we’ve all inadvertently been the source of someone else’s pain. I remember once when Zeke (our 20-yr-old) was a baby and I had just changed his diaper. As I was getting him dressed again, I began to snap the shoulder snaps on his onesie. One moment everything was fine, a split-second later, he was red-in-the-face screaming and crying. I had no idea what was wrong with my little guy, and I all I wanted to do was finish dressing him so I could pick him up to comfort him. I was having trouble with one of the snaps, so I hurried even more, pressing the snaps harder between my fingers. He screamed and cried louder. I became all the more determined to get the thing snapped, so I squeezed the snap harder still. The result was his escalating pain. At that moment I was horrified to realize he was being tortured by ME! He was screaming and crying because of ME! The snaps I’d kept squeezing harder together would not close because I had the skin of his left shoulder between them. I was the source of his pain! Inadvertently, yes! But I was inflicting severe pain upon someone I loved. (Not talking about discipline here, that’s very purposeful pain, but I’m talking about inadvertent infliction.)

Several pieces of this scene translate into tools we can use when discovering that we’re the source of someone else’s pain:

First: STOP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING. When I discovered I was causing my son pain I stopped. I realized I’d had some of his skin between the snaps and I was hurting him, so I stopped right away. When you and I realize that what we’re doing is a source of someone else’s pain — a loved one, a friend, a peer, an acquaintance, or even someone we may not know — we have to stop doing whatever it is that’s causing them pain. You might discover it on your own, they may tell you (depending on age, they might even scream or cry :-), or an outside voice might come from someone observing what’s going on and mention it to you. The point is that awareness should bring it’s end.

Second: COMFORT THE OTHER PERSON. When I discovered I was causing my son pain I comforted him. I immediately picked him up and I soothed his shoulder the best I could. I couldn’t believe what I’d done. Frankly, I’m surprised there’s no scar there today. Pain brings discomfort. The level of pain inflicted carries with it a corresponding level of discomfort. My son was only a baby at the time, and it was easier to comfort him in that moment than at other times in his adolescence, or since as a young adult when I’ve failed him and inadvertently inflicted pain upon him (or others). The same is true among all of us as adults; we can’t simply pick up another adult and soothe them from [physical/emotional/relational] pain we’ve caused. Oh, if it were only THAT easy! It’s going to be different when we’re dealing with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, still, maybe it doesn’t have to be as complicated as we sometimes make it. After all, we’re “members one of another” according to Romans 12:5. And Romans 14:19 says, “So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” What it is that will provide comfort for someone when we’ve been the source of their pain? Our pursuit of making peace with them (no matter who it is).

Third: EXPRESS YOUR SORROW. When I discovered I was causing my son pain I pleaded my sorrow to him. As a baby, he had no clue what I was saying. But he did understand the action of my love. He knew my sorrow because it was expressed not just by my voice (words he didn’t understand) but by my affection and by my repentance (I stopped doing that which was his source of pain and I picked him up and held him til the pain subsided). God’s Word talks about a sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). While that refers to salvation, I think we can apply it here. When we’re the source of someone else’s pain, its not enough to simply say we’re sorry. Our sorrow over hurting someone else has to lead us not only to stopping, but it has to lead to reconciling with them. Taking full responsibility for our words and/or actions is part of godly sorrow.

When Carol and I were first married we attended what was essentially a small group for Marriage Ministries International. Someone in the group quipped that there were 12 words that we’d have to get used to saying: “You were right. I was wrong. Please forgive me. I love you!” If I recall correctly, the husbands (especially) were taught we’d have to get used to saying them if we wanted a happy marriage. I jest, but there’s truth in those words that we’ve both actually kept handy for nearly 26 years now. Here’s some key advice for expressing your sorrow when you’ve been the source of someone else’s pain. DO NOT just say sorry! DO tell them you know exactly what you did that hurt them. Take full responsibility for it! Plead sorrow and use these words EVERY time: “Will you forgive me?” If you’re the one who’s been hurt, and someone is admitting their wrong and asking for your forgiveness, use these words EVERY time: “I forgive you.” Say it! You’ve probably noticed some who are utterly uncomfortable using these words. Well, make it your practice anyway! Who knows, maybe it’ll catch on. Remember, express genuine sorrow and take full responsibility for doing whatever it was that was the source of someone’s pain, and let the action that follows do the convincing: “…fervently love one another from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus said, “If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you [i.e. you probably hurt him], leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”

Also, in the next chapter, right after the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught this about forgiveness: “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then you Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matt. 6:14-15). In summary, these verses say we are to treat others the way God has treated us.

Rest assured I was careful to never pinch my boy’s skin between the shoulder snaps of his onesie again. Nonetheless, I have been a source of pain to him in other ways. To be fair, he’s done the same. I’m human. He’s human. We’re all human, and there have been plenty of times when we’ve inadvertently been the source of someone else’s pain. And maybe they’ve been the source of ours. Yet, we have this God-driven love for one another, supernatural love, which not only prompts us in the Spirit of Christ to reconcile, but He’s also given us the above tools and many more to work through the pain and continue on in healthy relationships with one another. That’s what HIM men do!

TClap |
4