Tag: Gump

Keep them burnin while their burnin 2.0

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QIC : semi

Warm up

20 Seal jacks. I/c
25 Cherry picker. I/c
15 smurf Jack’s. I/c
Capri lap – nur length of court, side shuffle across, mosey, and side shuffle
20 Seal wave. I/c
25 Windmill I/c
20 Ssh. I/c

THE THANG

Mosey to pavilion across bridge

20 derkins
BB 45
15 Upper big boy
15 Lower big boy
15 Full big boy
20 erkins
40 lbcs

Mosey to bathrooms near AO

3rd F
Squats
Toes out. 15 i/c Sumo style
Feet 6″ apart 15 i/c
Should width 15 I/c hold in squat on 15 count

35 reverse crunch
Side plank for 15 count
35 flutter kick – double count
Side plank for 15 count

Mosey back to AO

6 HIM showed – semi, Ruxpin, Chairman, Wildwing, leatherman, Gump

Number Rama

Name Rama

COT

UNCOMMEN: Being Better Husbands And Fathers Daily • Devotional
https://bible.com/reading-plans/4128/day/1?segment=0

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Aegiss Donkey wall

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Warm o Rama

  • 12 SSH
  • 25 Windmills
  • Bolt 45
  • 12 Cherry Pickers/ hairy chiggers
  • 25 Smurf Jax

The Thang!

  • Mosey to Georgetown FIre company and put Backs to wall
  • 5 donkey kicks hold last kick until 6 was in and do 5 count
  • Hold peoples chair whild PAX takes turns doing 10 merkins
  • 10 donkey kicks, hold last kick until 6 was in than do 10 count
  • Hold peoples chair while PAX takes turns doing 10 burpees
  • 15 Donkey kicks, hold last kick until 6 was in than do 15 count
  • Hold peoples chair while PAX takes turns doing 10 LBC
  • 20 Donkey kicks, hold last kick until 6 was in than do 20 count
  • Mosey 1/2 mile to local school
  • On front lawn of School we completed the Sheldon Cooper
  • First we did 10 burpees, 10 merkins, 10 BBSU, 10 squats do 1 lap
  • 9 burpees, 9 merkins, 9 BBSU, 9 squats do 1 lap all the way down to 1 (Most of the HIM completed!! way to go guys Great push!!)
  • Mosey aprox 1/2 mile back to the AO
  • COT, name o Rama, Prayer requests, please keep Vanillas family lifted up in prayer they are going thru the sick season. Please keep all our families lifted up during this season. Also for our brother Doubtfire and his wife please keep them lifted during every prayer, Briggs family, Faith and Sue, Aaron(Chappies nephew) and please keep our brother Chappie lifted up in prayer also, he is facing possibly having a hernia, and we all know how much our brother loves being out in the Gloom.

F3 message Leadership

The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”

– General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Let nothing be  done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

Proverbs 29:2

He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.

Psalms 78:70-72.

  • Words can be powerful, but only if you follow up their inspiration with action. Remember, a great leader requires more than a title — you need drive, creativity, and a willingness to learn. In any case being a leader requires great patience, an ability to learn, and the ability to stand firm on your decisions. A great leader accepts responsibility, is accountable.A great leader studies The Word of God and conciders it highly in His daily life. He is strong and courageous. Just like a Joshua Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
    Joshua 1:9
  • PROPER CONDUCT FEARS NO EXPOSURE
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Gritt Mill 12/5/19

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Warm-o-Rama

  • 25 SSH IC
  • 12 CHerry Pickers IC
  • Bolt 45
  • 12 Windmills
  • 25 smurf Jacks
  • 20 Rosalita Wip

The Thang

  • Mosey .25 to parking lot, Welsh Dragons across parking lot, Bear Crawl forward 4 steps, do 1 merkin, 1 plank jack, and tap the BACK of each shoulder 1 time. Repeat adding 1 rep to each exercise each time, Bear crawl forward 4 steps do 2 merkins 2 PJ, and 2 shoulder taps etc. all the way until we reached other side of parking lot.
  • COntinued Mosey another .25 Miles over Milfords beautiful riverwalk bridge until we got to our pain destination
  • At our pain destination we did 10 Burpees, did a lap around church, did 10 burpees and 20 jumping beans did lap around church, did 10 burpees, 20 jumping beans, and 30 Merkins, did lap around church, Inster F3 message here details are down below. Did 10 merkins 20 MJB, 30 merkins, and 40 Prison Squats, lap around church. FInally 10 Burpees, 20 MJB, 30 Merkins, 40 Prison squats, and 50 LBC.
  • Mosey back to AO

COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP daily devotional

John Haggai defines leadership as, “the discipline of deliberately exerting special influence within a group to move it toward goals of beneficial permanence that fulfill the group’s real needs.” I feel that the most significant word in this sentence is ‘influence’ and so we can say in brief, “Leadership is Influence.” Growing up, the image I had of a leader was that of someone who headed an institution. But I soon realized that I was a leader in my home, in my church and in my friends’ circle because of the influence I exerted on these groups. As we go higher in our leadership position we influence more people. We can identify people as good or bad leaders depending on what kind of influence they exert. The recent ‘Arab Spring’ exposed so many leaders in the Middle East and Africa who exerted a bad influence on their countrymen. 

Nehemiah is an example of an excellent leader. When it was reported to him about the miserable state of the Jerusalem wall, he was a captive in a foreign land. His immediate reaction was of great sorrow. But he also fasted and prayed, confessing the sins of the Israelites and asking for God’s guidance in his future endeavors. He saw the need and heard the call. He already had a good job of being the king’s cup bearer, but took the risk of pursuing a difficult task. He faced mockery but continued to deal with injustice. Indeed he motivated and gave leadership and direction to a hopeless and demoralized people. Nehemiah’s dependence on God and his positive influence on the people enabled them to rebuild the wall in fifty two days. Not only did he rebuild the wall he also made the people confess their sins and affirm their faith in God’s Law. The book of Nehemiah ends with a simple prayer, “Remember me with favor, O my God.”

When we look around us we will notice that people are looking for good leaders. Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes that “were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt.9:36). Are we ready to be the godly influencers

Proverbs 11

Where there  is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there  is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

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Pre-Blast F3 First State Christmas Party

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First State Christmas Party

  • When: Friday 12/13/19
  • Time: 7 p.m.
  • QIC: Ruxpin & Shawna

Who: PAX, M’s, & 2.0’s of F3 First State

What: Annual Christmas Party

When: Friday, December 13th — 7 pm…until we get kicked out

Where: Teddy McNamara’s (Ruxpin) — 20306 Applewood Drive | Lincoln, DE 19960

Why: Why not? You’ll regret not being there if you miss it.

Q&A:

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Not a dime. But each PAX/M is asked to bring a pasta dish of your choice, salad, & dessert (just bring something to share)

Q: BYOB?

A: Drinks will be provided. But booze…I think is BYOB. Check with Ruxpin

Q: When should I RSVP?

A: Yesterday. Since you can’t do that hit up Ruxpin on the GroupMe or DM him so that he and Shawna can start to get a headcount.

Q: What if I have any additional questions not covered here?

A: Reach out to Ruxpin or Chappie in the Gloom or on F# First State FB or IG.

Thanks ahead of time to Ruxpin and his M, Shawna, for hosting this always-a-fun-time event. Let’s get together, celebrate Christmas and another year of F3, and enjoy some 2ndF beyond a morning workout (i.e. lets introduce our families to each other…)

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Primis Pre Thanksgiving

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11/27- 

QIC- Summit

Warm up- 

11- wind mill

27- side straddle hop 

Bolt 45s 

11- Moroccan night club

27- Cherry pickers 

The Thang-

Mosey to pavilion 

20 – dips. Fingers facing your toes 

20 – wide arm merkins 

20 – dips 

20 – diamond merkins. Keep fingers together , nose into center of diamond. 

Mosey to parking lot 

Abs- 

50 lbc

25 big boys 

50 supermans 

25 flutter kicks in cadence 

3rd F- Thanksgiving 

https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-the-power-of-a-thankful-heart-11616835.html

Mosey across bridge to pavilion with benches 

20 – merkins 

20 – derkins 

20 – Erkins 

20 – ranger merkins 

Mosey back to courts  

Abs-

50lbc

25 Big Boys 

Count off 

Name-a-Rama 

Welcome FNG- Kyle Ricker 

COT 

Happy Thanksgiving y’all! 🙏🏼🦃  

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Into the Void

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Date: 13 Nov 2019

QIC: Chappie

Seven PAX broke the Fartsack chains and won THAT FIRST BATTLE to brave the polar vortex, which brought a 30 degree temp drop since yesterday’s workout. Those who took on today’s Gloom repeatedly jumped “into the void” for an ab beatdown at the hands of YHC.

The plan was to stay put on the AO’s home court, however, the stiff winds not only moved us during the warmup, but also the workout. During the warmup PAX were moved to behind the screens on the tennis courts…

WARM-O-RAMA:

  • SSH – 18 IC
  • SwartzJacks – 18 IC
  • Crab-flippers – 10 IC
  • Imperial Walkers – 18 IC
  • Prison Squats – 18 IC

The stiff wind, along with 24 degree temps, forced us to take a short mosey downtown to a beatdown sheltered by surrounding buildings, so off we went…

THE THANG:

PAX were circled up where the following beatdown instructions were received: The middle of the circle will be called “The Void,” 1 PAX would be in the void, executing 10 Burpees, while PAX on the outside of the circle would execute, IC, AMRAP Ab exercise pulled on the card. PAX would rotate strictly voluntarily to jump into the void. PAX executed the following random ab exercises as written on the cards:

  • Crab Cakes
  • Box Cutters
  • Gas Pumpers
  • American Hammers
  • E2K’s
  • Freddie Mercury
  • Protractor (10-Counts)
  • Big Boys (Feet interlocked)
  • Half Pumpers
  • Side Planks (10-Counts)
  • Not-So-Lazy-Boys (10 Counts)
  • Dying Cockroaches
  • Heel Touches
  • X’s & O’s
  • Flutter Kicks – lots of extras here, read below

After first round thru with each PAX rotating into the void for Burpees, the following 3rdF was shared:

Quote I read recently from a GORUCK selection IG post: “HE WHO JUMPS INTO THE VOID OWES NO EXPLANATION TO THOSE WHO STAND AND WATCH.”

We’ve all come across those in life who stand and watch. But we are not those; we know we cannot afford to be. No man can. Instead we’re leaders, we’re those who have jumped into the void (or are prepared to do so at a moments notice, at first call) we’re those who are HIM! And HIM, by definition, jump into the void.

Teddy Roosevelt referred to the same idea when he said, “THE CREDIT BELONGS TO THE MAN  WHO IS ACTUALLY IN THE ARENA; WHOSE FACE IS MARRED BY THE DUST AND SWEAT AND BLOOD; WHO STRIVES VALIANTLY…WHO, AT WORST, IF HE FAILS, AT LEAST FAILS WHILE DARING GREATLY; SO THAT HIS PLACE SHALL NEVER BE WITH THOSE COLD AND TIMID SOULS WHO KNOW NEITHER VICTORY NOR DEFEAT.”

In the Bible, when the Lord said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” he was calling Joshua to the enormous, overwhelming, fear-inducing task of leading Israel into the Promised Land. He called Joshua to jump into the void, into the arena! In that very moment Joshua had to make the decision, as Kyle Carpenter writes, “On behalf of Future You (actually in his case future Israel, my emphasis). You know that Present You is probably going to have to deal with a little more discomfort or inconvenience right now, but long-term, you will be grateful for the choices you made today. You don’t want merely to hope for better days ahead, you want to take the steps necessary to ensure them.” (You Are Worth It, 229)

Our workouts are preparation, a small microcosm of this, an incubator, if you will, but it applies to all of life. You may be “nudging, creeping, or stumbling forward because it’s the only option you have: forward or backward,” but you’ve jumped into the void, you’re in the arena getting sweaty, marred, and bloodied—but YOU’RE STRIVING, not standing and watching!

“Even when there’s no reason in the world to continue, you’re making decisions that take away your own excuses to quit (every one of them) because you know how it would affect the way you carried yourself afterward. And once you make those kinds of choices to continue, you find it easier to make them again and again.” (Adapted: Ibid. 231, 261, 262)

So, what’s God calling you to do? How might this bare out personally? In the very least, refuse to align with being a cold and timid soul:  Be a HIM in your home, in your workplace, and in the communities in which you serve! Maybe God’s even calling you to something additional, seemingly enormous, like Joshua? Whatever it is, dare greatly and jump into the void, because “HE WHO JUMPS INTO THE VOID OWES NO EXPLANATION TO THOSE WHO STAND AND WATCH”!

PAX returned to the COP for Round 2: Instead of Burpees, this time the PAX who jumped into the void would either Plank or Chilcutt for 1 minute (timed). PAX outside the void cycled through the same Ab cards. Only detour taken was an extra long set of Flutter Kicks at the hands of Leatherman (and the finicky timer on YHC’s phone).

Mosey return to the home court

NUMBER-RAMA:

NAME-O-RAMA:

COT/BOM:

  • Announcements: F3 First State Christmas Gathering location up for grabs, somebody act quickly so we can plan. Wanna host? Contact Chappie
  • Prayers: Aaron (Chappie’s nephew deployed), Danielle Briggs (facing cancer), Denny (Chairman’s dad, praise for good test results), Doubtfire, etc.

What a brisk morning it was, lots of work but no sweat–to cold to sweat. Honored to have the privilege to bring the beatdown at the Primis AO and to be able to share a 3rd Word with the PAX. A principle tested is a principle proven (F3 workouts are always outdoors, rain or shine, hot or cold). YHC appreciates all the PAX who braved the elements prove the principle on this very cold and very windy gloom! Aye!

~Chappie out!

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Gritt Mill 11/7/19 Gump B.O.M.B.S

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Warm- o Rama

  • 20 SSH IC
  • 20 Cherry Pickers IC
  • 20 Windmills IC
  • 20 Plank Jacks IC

The Thang

  • Mosey 1/4 mile, Kerioke both sides, side hop both sides.
  • 25 Merkins
  • 25 squats
  • 25 LBCs
  • Mosey around corner to side alley

Ascending Curb Crawl Locate PAX on quite curbed street. Starting position Bear Crawl facing opposite curb. BC to other side, turn & place feet on curb to complete one Derkin, crawl back and complete two Derkins, continue to 13. Jack Webb’s promiscuous cousin.

F3 message was done here (complete message below)

  • Mosey around the corner to the Local church field where we partnered up and completed B.O.M.B.S
  • 25 Burpees each
  • 50 Overhead claps
  • 75 merkins
  • 100 Big Boy sit-ups (modified to LBCs for time)
  • 125 squats (didn’t have enough time)
  • While one partner did their part of the routine the other partner NUR’d across the church field (approx. 50 yards) and sprinted back. Each HIM completed exercises until all were completed before switching to the next exercise.

Mosey back to the AO. approx. 1/4 mile where we circled up for Number-0-Rama, Name- o – Rama

Please keep praying for our Brother Doubtfire, for a speedy recovery and for unspoken prayer requests!!

Also, keep Chappies nephew lifted up in prayer as well for protection and guidance while he is overseas serving our Country!!

Great push today men!!

3rd F.

You version devotional

To live in the light is to center our lives wholly around its only true source: Jesus. Jesus powerfully declares in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As those committed to following Jesus, we are constantly being led by him into the light. He is constantly beckoning us away from the darkness of this world and calling us to a life centered around him and his kingdom.

In and of ourselves, we have no light. Left to our own devices, we would live our entire lives in darkness, void of the abundance of joy and peace available to us in God. But through Jesus the light has come. The Holy Spirit now dwells within us, the glory of God in the hearts of men. If we will simply surrender our lives to God and the light he brings, we will experience a life of freedom and joy founded in his unconditional love. If we will choose to place Jesus at the center of all we do and who we are, we will receive mighty deliverance from the constraints and bonds of darkness.

You see, the path out of darkness always begins by looking to the light. We can’t escape darkness if darkness is all we’re looking toward. We can’t escape sin by just focusing on it and trying to fix it, heal it, or set ourselves free. Freedom comes by turning our attention to the God who conquered sin and death and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” The light of God is within you. Your life as a Christian is hidden in Christ. The darkness will not overcome you. Your freedom has come in the person of Jesus. The love of God is real, available, and powerful enough to set you free from whatever darkness entangles you.

Turn your attention fully toward Jesus today. Center your life around his loving-kindness. Open your ears and heart to this good God who would lay down his life to save yours. Follow him wherever he guides you in full faith that he will only ever lead you into more abundant life. Cease striving for your own freedom and wrap your life up in Jesus that he might be your great deliverer, healer, and source of comfort and strength.

God has abundant grace in store for you today if you will simply position yourself to receive it. Take time in guided prayer to reflect on the light that has come through Jesus, turn your attention completely toward him, and receive the freedom and healing that comes from union with the God of light.

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Bring Sally Up the Bridge

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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.

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HOB Playground

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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

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Triangulation Scars

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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!

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