Warm-a-Rama 17 Seal jacks. I/c 14 Cherry picker. I/c Capri lap, side shuffle around circle, switch halfway 17 SSH. I/c 14 Windmill. I/c Capri lap, nur halfway, mosey rest 17 seal waves. I/c 14 MMP. I/c
Mosey to old napa store
14 burpees mosey around building, 14 merkins mosey around building, 14 squats mosey around building for 3 rounds.
Mosey to school
44 lbcs 22 e2ks 14 big boys Go up steps and Jump wall to sidewalk 3 rounds
3rd F
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:6-10 ESV A good affirmation that you are not alone in your struggles. There is season for everything. God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
14 HIM beat the lag from the new hours of Daylight Savings Time and posted at CHOP in Milton, DE for some ab work. Plus, the PAX got in their fair share of Merkins for March Merkin Madness (actually only 147 total).
WARM-O-RAMA: (Intended for Phyfe but he couldn’t make it because of working the Blue Light Special today – no worries, we’ll get him on the schedule again.)
SSH – 18 IC
Swartzjack – 18 IC
Smurfjack – 18 IC
Plankjack – 18 IC
Crabflippers – 18 IC
THE THANG:
PAX lined up single file at the edge of the field which had 6 cones lined up evenly from one end of the field to the other (lit up with chem-lights – you gotta admit it was cool looking!)
RR Tracks to the far cone (approx. 175 yards)
Cone #1 – COP Hello Dolly – 50 IC (…and the mumble chatter begins)
Mosey to parking lot – 6 Merkins OYO
First 3 guys back to lot had to grab a Restrictor Plate (Sandbag)
Mosey out to Cone #2 – COP X’s & O’s – 18 OYO
Mosey to parking lot – 12 Merkins OYO (from here on Restrictor Plates were voluntary, at least for the most part. Well, see what happened was…instead of mumble chatter there was some “mumble yelling” by the enforcer, Leatherman, to get everyone to step up and shoulder 1 of the 3 sandbags (i.e. some guys appeared to be bypassing the bags)
Mosey out to Cone #3 – COP 4-Count Freddies – 25 IC
Mosey to parking lot – 18 Merkins OYO
Mosey out to Cone #4 – COP Box Cutters – 30 IC
Mosey to parking lot – 24 Merkins OYO
Mosey to Cone #5 – COP Dying Cockroaches – 30 IC
Mosey to parking lot – 30 Merkins OYO
Mosey to Cone #6 – COP American Hammers – 30 IC
This is how it went…back and forth like suicides, only for abs instead.
PAX circled up for 3rdF:
One of the more popular Bible verses referred to in F3 circles is Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Most of us have shared that verse as part of a 3rdF, and if not, all of us have at least heard it because it’s been shared regularly.
Iron sharpening iron is a pretty simple concept. We all get it—I think that’s why its included in the Book of Proverbs—its masculine practicality speaks to the hearts of all men!
I’m referring to it today in terms of the leadership principle/practice of ACCOUNTABILITY. By very definition, without accountability there’s no iron sharpening iron. Having no accountability makes you about as useful as the file hanging by itself on a hook in my shed. (P.S. – proper use is critical!)
The question I want to pose is this: In an age when there is so little accountability (i.e. men refuse accountability) do you have someone to whom you’ve MADE YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE—willingly? I’m not talking about your workplace, where you’re subordinate to a supervisor or to someone who holds your paycheck. But I’m talking about a brother in the Lord, a brother in this circle, or another man, who, in any given circumstance can not only encourage you but call into question a decision, a motive, a response, a reaction, or a path you’ve taken? Have you made your heart receptive to the counsel of someone who might even wound you so that you’ll continue to grow and mature as a man, a husband, a father, and friend? Earlier, Proverbs 27 also says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” (27:6). If you don’t have that other piece of iron in your life (I think Mr. T’s words might be for you: “I pity the fool!)
The term ACCOUNTABILITY as its defined in our F3 lexicon is: “Submitting to a standard through enforcement and consequence. To practice Accountability, there must be a STANDARD (and objective measure of performance or behavior…p.s., you’re NOT it!), ENFORCEMENT (an external force to apply that Standard), and CONSEQUENCE (the result of the Enforcement of the Standard). This is certainly a larger definition by context than just a friendship with a brother from another mother, yet it still applies to iron sharpening iron.
That verse means that when iron is rubbed against another piece of iron it SHAPES and SHARPENS it. Similarly, we as men, can help each other become better by our discussions, criticisms, suggestions, ideas, and accountability. As HIM we should not only provide that kind of influence, whether good or bad, but we MUST welcome it as well!
The verse implies both the pleasure and advantage of accountability. Accountability means you have wise and profitable discourses by which you sharpen and are sharpened. I.e. something is added—you are filed, made smooth, or are given a good edge by accountability with another High Impact Man (HIM)…or other High Impact Men (plural). One last question: Do you have the MORAL COURAGE to make decisions for which you will be held accountable?
(Sources: QSOURCE by DREDD, F3nation.com Lexicon, & TBKC)
THE THANG #2:
PAX moved to the wall for a short game of Merkin Dice. PAX took turns rolling the BIG dice to determine the number of Merkins to be done between 10-Count BTTW’s. It went a little something like this:
Roll #1 – 10 reps
BTTW – 10 Count
Hand Release Merkins – 10 OYO
Roll #2 – 5 reps
BTTW – 10 Count
Tempo Merkins – 5 IC
Roll #3 – 6 reps
BTTW – 10 Count, courtesy of Leatherman. Recount courtesy of Doubtfire
Prison Cell Merkins – 6 OYO
Times up…and good thing because somebody’s pain was starting to become “special.” Lol. Plus, PAX had to have time to name our FNG>
COT/BOM:
Number-Rama
Name-O-Rama
Naming of FNG – Welcome FNG Jeff Chorman, now known in F3 circles as Woodstock
Announcements:
Softball games Saturday in Milton to raise support for Delaware Food Bank: Bring your non-perishable food items to the ball fields (Suggestion: You could ruck them to the ball fields.)
2nd Annual Shamruck: Family Ruck this Sunday (3/15). Stepping off from the Big Lot’s parking lot in Milford at 3:17 p.m. Rucking 1 mile to McDonald’s for Shamrock Shakes. Rucking 1 mile to return to parking. Bring a ruck (40 lbs if you weigh over 150, 20 lbs if you weigh under 150. If the kids can’t ruck pull ’em in a wagon, bring friends, etc. Let’s just enjoy some time together under ruck and having some quality 2ndF and giving our families the opportunity to get to know one another.
Prayers: Stafford Family, effected by cancer. Family of Trion’s M’s uncle, Roger. YHC’s friend, undergoing brain tumor removal tomorrow. Other PAX’s families battling for the marriages, etc. P.S. – don’t forget to pray for Quattro, who is sick.
Grateful for the beautiful weather and the amazing full moon to workout under. More than anything, YHC is grateful for the HIM who posted and the accountability that is available (for all who are willing) through this special esprit de corps among F3 brothers. Thanks for posting men!
WARM O RAMA: IN CADENCE —- SSH x 20, Cherry Picker x 20, Morrocan Night Clubs x 20, Smurf Jacks x 20, Travoltas x 20, Elwoods x 20
THE THANG:
(1). Each HIM receives a die to carry with him through the workout. The PAX mosied to a series of stations located throughout Lewes (Canal Gazebo, Canal Lot, St. Peters Wall).
(2). Before the PAX arrived at each station, the QIC threw his die. The group then performed ten times the number of Merkins shown on the initial dice throw.
(3). Upon completion of these Merkins, the PAX mosied to the next exercise station to perform the following routine: (a) Seal Jacks, (b) Tennesee Rocking Chairs, (c) Smurf Jacks, (d) Travoltas, (e) Elwoods, (f) Mountain Climbers. The number of repetitions for each exercise was determined by the sum total of all dice thrown by the PAX.
(4). The QIC then throws his own die and the PAX performs ten times that number of Merkins before again proceeding to the next station.
THIRD F:
The question posed was why vote on Super Tuesday? And if there is a reason, is this reason relevant to anything else happening to us? The QIC suggested that voting is an opportunity to think through what is important, to be inquisitive, and then to be intentional with the information gathered.
If this is a valid reason to vote – and to decide how one is voting – this same approach might be applicable to situations at home or work when an important decision needs to be made. Inquire, think, act. Simple…..?
And since there is a Presidential election coming our way, here are words of wisdom from earlier office holders:
“It’s easier to do the job right than to explain why you didn’t. (Van Buren)
“Amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets credit.” (Truman)
“In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” (Jefferson)
“Accomplishment is a journey, not a destination.” (Eisenhower)
“Presidents are like cemeteries, there are lots of folks under you and no one is listening.” (Clinton)
“If I walked across the the Potomac, the headline would read ‘Johnson can’t swim'”. (LBJ)
“I left an order to be awakened in case of any emergency, even if I was in a Cabinet meeting.” (Reagan)
COT / ANNOUNCEMENTS / PRAYERS
Milton Parade coming – See Pre Blast for workout next Saturday
Eleven PAX posted at CHOP this Gloom for a beatdown hosted by YHC himself. Some wonder was expressed over where the other (potentially) 12+ PAX were at on such a perfect day, and for the first beatdown of F3 First State workout week.
YHC has been trying not to be a “numbers watcher” but, hey, you’ve gotta understand there’s been just a little invested in the past 3.5 years to put a shovel-flag in the ground here in the First State and get this mustard seed growing. So, yeah, there’s this tendency (because of ownership) to watch the numbers and want to see both F3 PAX and more and more FNG’s welcomed into the fold. Put it this way, if you’d been the one to put the first shovel-flag in the ground in the First State, you’d very likely want to see all the guys out, all the time; you’d want to see every man consistently win over the fartsack in order to sharpen others and make F3FirstState the best it can be. That’s a pretty high expectation, yet YHC is aware of reality too. Nonetheless, he merely wants to see that ownership spread [ownership in a healthy way…as in responsibility]. Still, we had 11 who broke the grip of the fartsack this morning, and it was the perfect number for a beatdown in honor of Faye Marie Swetlik.
YHC saw the post last night calling PAX across the F3Nation to wear the brightest colors we had to our workouts on Tuesday, Feb 25th. Known for wearing our dark colors, the bright colors instead were worn to honor Faye, a 6-yr-old girl who loved pink and purple and brought sunshine into the lives of all those around her. You likely saw on the news that Faye was recently abducted from her front yard in Cayce, SC. Sadly, she was found deceased 4 days later near her home.
YHC used to land-survey all over the community of Cayce, but F3 PAX from AO’s in that area have both family and friends familiar with the family—some of their 2.0’s went to school with Faye.
Wearing bright colors was a small thing for our PAX to do this morning, but it was at least one way for us to stand in a shield-lock with F3 brothers, the Swetlik family, the community of Cayce, and all those, especially LEOS, who spent countless hours searching for 6-yr-old Faye. Our hearts go out to everyone effected by this tragedy. YHC appreciates all the PAX who read the post last nite and came dressed for success at today’s workout…
Leatherman
QuattroThe boys
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH – 10 IC
ImperialWalkers – 10 IC
The Motivator – 10’s Single Count IC (YHC still has to figure out how to properly end this heart-pumper)
Crab Flippers – 10 IC (A legit local favorite, cousin to the Cherry Picker)
Hillbilly Walker – 10 IC
Windmill – 10 IC
Patriot Run to “Merlot Hill” (a.k.a. the end of Behringer Street by the park, so named after a PAX by the same name. And, yes, you know why!)
THE THANG:
YHC introduced the conspicuously placed Restrictor Plates (20lb sandbags) lying in the shade beside the power pole.
The Workout: 11’s on the hill.
Merkins at bottom and top. The sandbags? Only rule was that you could never pass one up (unless you had just carried it either to the top or bottom) 11 PAX, 2 bags…no problem. Everyone got their fair share of carries by the time this series was completed. No one slowed! No one quit! No one passed up opportunities to carry an extra 20 lbs!
110 Merkins total + Racing hearts = Great cardio
And…no one splashed!
PAX Circled Up for 3rdF:
The leadership strategy of subordinating your ego.
A few verses I want to share as an underlying foundation for today’s 3rdF:
▪1 Pet. 5:5-6 say, “You younger men, likewise, he subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one-another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives GRACE to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
▪Critical Quote: Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.
▪Rom. 12:3 “For through the GRACE given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought...”
I’m reading Jocko’s book LEADERSHIP STRATEGY AND TACTICS. In one portion he talks about Subordinating Your Ego. As men we tend to think AND practice otherwise, but subordinating your ego IS a leadership strategy!
Jocko tells of meeting with senior executives from a young and very successful company. He was impressed with all of them! The COO, the CFO, the CTO were all solid! Then he tells of meeting the CEO. The guy had been an NCAA athlete. A 6’5″ beast! He’d earned his MBA at an Ivy League school. Was already running a hundred-million-dollar company in his mid 30’s! Was physically impressive, and had a massive ego to match. His attitudes and the look on his face screamed “I’m better than you are!”
Jocko said there was immediate tension because of the guy’s enormous ego. But after realizing that ALL of the CEO’s senior executives and midlevel managers liked and respected the man, Jocko assumed “He’s got them all fooled!”
At several of the company’s training sessions, Jocko observed the man’s self-important, ego-driven attitudes. He wondered, “what the heck is wrong with this guy?”
As he pondered why fellow executives weren’t bothered by the CEO’s conceit and self-importance, Jocko began to think, “Wait, is it possible the problem is me? Could it be my ego causing this problem? Was there a chance that my ego was intimidated by all this and that I was the one who was acting like an idiot?” His conclusion: “Of course—Our two massive egos were bumping into each other and causing friction.”
At one break Jocko asked the man to step out in the hallway, out of earshot from the other team members, where they could talk. He gave him a quick assessment: “Your leaders are solid. Your company has great morale. Everyone understands the mission here. But the most impressive thing I’ve seen here is you….” He spoke of several more items about the CEO that brought Jocko to the point of telling him he was impressed and that he had nothing but respect for the CEO. RESULT: They talked of their deep respect for one another and both laughed as the tension between their two egos disappeared.
Jocko wrote: “The problem was solved. How? Simple. As soon as I was able to detach and recognize that this was a clash of egos, all I had to do was humble myself for a minute; I had to subordinate my own ego to allow the tension to break. Once I did that, the problem was solved.” “Subordinating your ego is actually the ultimate form of self-confidence. That level of confidence earns respect.” He said, “To put your ego in check, to subordinate your ego, you must have incredible confidence. If you find you cannot put your ego in check because you’re afraid it might make you look weak, then guess what? YOU ARE WEAK. Don’t be weak.
Subordinate your ego. Build relationships. Win the long game” (Adapted from Leadership Strategy and Tactics 72-78) …a great read, get it!
▪Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
I love that: Don’t be weak! Subordinate your ego, its what HIM do!
Patriot Run back to the CHOP AO: Shovelflag + two 20lb sandbags. YHC said next time we’re taking the backstreets. Moseying back up Union was a bit of a clusterbanger (Rush hour in Milton!)
Short round of Mary complements of Leatherman, Beeker, & Fireplex (Flutterkicks, LBC’s, and Crabjacks respectively)
COT/BOM:
Announcements:
Saturday, March 7 workout moved to Crossroad Community Church@ 6 a.m., instead of the usual 7, followed by breakfast and Operation Timothy Men’s Conference at the church. (See Quattro for details)
Lucky Rucker, March rucking challenge by @ruckingchallenges. Whoever is a HC and wants to roll the dice for accountability, stick around because YHC has the BIG dice available…see results below
Sunday, March 15 @ 3:17 p.m.Annual Shamruck Family Ruck. Park in Big Lots parking lot in Milford. 1 mile around industrial park loop to McDonald’s for Shamrock Shakes, 1 mile return. Bring the M, the 2.0’s, and friends and family. Bring the wagons and strollers! Recommended weight: Over 150lbs, you carry 30lb ruck; under 150, you carry 20lb ruck. The weight, however, is not important—the 2nd F is!
Nothing like a ruck with a reward: Shamrock Shakes!
Prayers:
Hoffstetler family
PAX’s Marriages
Swetlik family in Cayce, SC
Chairman’s mom, ankle surgery
Semi’s M, Leah, going for job interview
Chappie: 6 Rucks, 4 miles each
Leatherman: 5 Rucks, 4 miles each
Ruxpin: 3 Rucks, 5 miles each
That’s a wrap! Honored to lead the workout and offer a little something for transformation as HIM. Thanks men for posting! Remember: Don’t be weak!
15 count playboys each side (to keep the sniper away)
7 Pretzel Merkins each side IC
THANG
Mosey down Union St to Magnolia St, 6-inches for the 6
Jailbreak to Mulberry St
Carry-Ockie to fishing pier parking lot switching legs halfway across bridge
50 4-count American Hammers IC on wooden ledge
50 foot-elevated Big Boys OYO on ledge
Move to grass, 6-inches for 6
Superman-Bananas IC 5-count front, flip 5-count back, flip, Rinse and Repeat BEWARE sniper! Start off on your belly, in this case embracing the suck, arms out in front slightly raised, legs straight behind 6-inches off the ground (looking like superman flying). After Q counts to 5, PAX yell BANANAS! Then immediately flip onto 6 in a banana-like curve (arms out and slightly up, legs out feet 6-inches) Q counts to 5, PAX yell SUPERMAN! Immediately turn over. Rinse and Repeat as needed.
Wosey to base of Governor’s Walk
Indian Crab Walk up Governor’s Walk [mumble chatter was epic at this point!]
Indian Crab Walk UP Governor’s Walk
Wosey back towards CHOP while 3rd F was shared: an exerpt from “The Masculine Mandate” ‘God’s Calling To Men’ By: Richard D Phillips
Mosey once 3rd F was complete
Chapter 3, Page 18,19
10 BombJacks as a moral booster and simple accountability
12 HIM showed up for the early morning beatdown, 37°
Warmup:
25 SSH
11 Michael Phelps
25 Windmills
25 Mountain Climbers
25 Cherry Pickers
Bolt 45 set
The Thang:
Mosey to Food Lion Parking lot
Crawl Bear from one light to the next
25 Burpees
Bear Crawl Back
3rd F Leadership Nuggets:
1) Servant Leadership: Jesus was our ultimate example of servant leadership. Whether we are leading a business, a sports team, a church, a class, a or squadron, we are all in a leadership position. Servant leadership is all about making the goals clear and then doing whatever it takes to serve those around us to help THEM accomplish THEIR goals. They don’t work for us or serve us, we serve them. Good leaders must first become good servants. Give your Power away!
2) Team work: Jesus engaged a team of 12 to accomplish his mission. I remember the story of this man lost on a country road in his pickup truck and found himself on the road and into the ditch. He walked to a nearby farm to ask for help. The farmer pointed to his old decrepit mule and said Ole Worwick can pull you out. The man, with doubt, accepted the offer. The farmer hitched Ole Warwick to the man’s pick up truck and said “pull Fred, pull Jack, pull Ted, Pull Warwick” And Ole Warwick pulled the truck right out of the ditch with no problem. The man asked in amazement, “why did you call out all of those names?” The farmer said with a grin on his face, “you see, Ole Warwick is blind and as long as he believes he is part of a team he will pull just about anything!” Teamwork is a powerful tool, just see what the 12 disciples were able to accomplish in such a short period of time. A group can accomplish things which the cumulative individuals of the group could never bring about. Such is the case with this amazing group of HIM!
15 HIM beat the fartsack in the rain: Gump, Bovine, Quattro, Leatherman, Vanilla, Chairman, Beeker, Waterfall, Ruxpin, Chattahoochee, Chappie, Fireplex, Streüdel, Wildwing, Doubtfire
Warmup:
25 SSH IC
25 Cherry Pickers IC
25 Windmills IC
20 Triple Bears IC
30 Sumo Squat Jump OYO
Mosey to HOB
The Thang:
Dragon Crawl from one light pole to the next
25 Burpees
3rd F :Be the Buffalo: When storms brew on the Colorado plains, they typically move in from the west, many times building in strength and intensity as they travel eastward. Cattle and buffalo share the plains as their home, but their response to the impending storms is very different. Cattle will attempt to avoid the storms by running away from them. They scatter and run with the storm for a longer period of time, increasing panic in the herd as well as the chance of injury. Buffalo, however, will gather together, turn, and run directly into the storm, thereby reducing the duration of time in danger and increasing their chances of emerging unscathed on the other side. By nature, most people want to avoid confrontation. Like the buffalo, the best relationships are the ones that encourage each other to continually turn headfirst into the issues. So much of the health of our relationships is riding on our ability to confront each other well!
Buttkickers halfway around circle Toysoldiers the other half.
Mosey to school for BOMBS
Split up into 2 man teams 1 pax does exercise the other mosey’s half way across school yard Nur’s back as a team 50 Burbees, 100 overhead arm claps in jackwebb position, 150 merkins, 200 bigboys, 250 squats
Mosey to library- Lt. Danger across parking lot Lunge walk back.
Mosey to Armory- Toy soldier set 50 LBCs, 25 E2Ks, 15 bigboys.
1 set of Aiken legs 20 Squats, 20 box jumps on step, 20 Lunges, 20 Splitjacks.
Mosey back to the AO for number-rama, name-o-rama and COT
Bolt 45’s IC (4 Count) – 15 squats to halfway down. 15 squats halfway to full down. 15 full squats.
Windmills – 15 IC
Burp & Merk – Burpee with Ascending Merkins up to 10
Chilly Jacks – 25 IC
20 lunges (10 each Leg) – OYO
20 split Jacks (10 each Leg) – OYO
The Thang
B.O.M.B.S. – 50 Burpees, 100 Overhead Claps, 150 Merkins, 200 Big Boy Sit-ups, 250 Squats. PAX partnered up and worked on exercises while their partner ran a “Chairman Lap” out the back driveway of the CHOP parking lot, left toward Union Street, and then left back to the CHOP. The distance per circuit is approximately .25 miles. Pax switched off with their partner after each lap. Each PAX completed their half of the listed exercises before moving on to the next exercise. The entire “Thang” was complete before a break was taken for the F3 Message.
Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust. Prayers were offered for multiple needs within the attending PAX, but please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.
F3 Message 02/04/20 – From Ron Hutchcraft Ministries
A BUCKET OF WATER, OR A THREE-ALARM FIRE – #7744
I’m a tornado and hurricane kind of guy. I mean I don’t like them but, I’ve lived where you learn about those things. I’m not an earthquake kind of guy. I’ve never lived where those mattered much. But when I was in San Francisco, I was where earthquakes are a big deal! Most people there still have dramatic stories to tell about what happened during that big quake in 1989, the one that interrupted the 3rd game of the World Series. Some of the heaviest damage and injury was in the Marina District of San Francisco.
Well, actually, I was doing a youth radio program back then, and we went there to record part of it. In fact, we were right on the comer of Beach Street and Divisadero where several buildings collapsed or burned, including one that had been totally consumed by fire. One of the neighbors described the scene for us, one very different from this quiet neighborhood with beautiful rebuilt homes. The night of the quake was total chaos. This neighbor described that awful fire with the unbearable heat that had destroyed the building on the other comer. He said, “The fire started out with a gas leak. It was small. If I could have gotten over there, I literally could have put it out with a bucket of water. But then it started to spread and pretty soon there was no way to stop it.”
I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “A Bucket of Water, or a Three-Alarm Fire.”
God believes in fighting fires when they’re small, when you can still put them out with a bucket of water. He talks about it in Ephesians 4:26-27, our word for today from the Word of God, and some of the most insightful verses in the Bible for preserving relationships. Here’s what God says, “In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Could it be that you have let a fire smolder in some relationship in your life? Let it go, let it grow and you will have a blaze on your hands you cannot control.
Maybe there is a strained relationship in your life right now, between you and your mate, or you and a child, you and a co-worker, you and your parent, you and a spiritual brother or sister. Maybe there’s trouble in your marriage and so often, honestly, it’s the guy who’s the last to admit that anything’s wrong. Men – let’s face it – tend to be postponers when it comes to dealing with relationship difficulties. But I’m telling you, the fire isn’t going to stay the same size. Relationships of all kinds burn down when someone lets the small fire just go, until it becomes this uncontrollable inferno that can do so much damage.
In fact, the Bible says that when you let conflict or strain or anger go longer than a day, you literally give the devil himself a place to get into your relationship. Four verses later, in Ephesians 4:31, God lists the kind of ugly things that come from letting relationship fires go unaddressed: “All bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, every form of malice.” Look, can you see some of those flames maybe right now growing in a relationship of yours.
Don’t wait another day to do something about the fire. It’s as small now as it’s ever going to be. Gently confront what you have to confront, forgive what you have to forgive, apologize for what you need to apologize for, and overlook what you have to overlook, but deal with whatever is between you, whatever is breaking or broken.
Because I’ll tell you this, the devil is standing there with his gasoline can ready to pour gasoline on that fire so everyone involved will get burned. You need to come running with whatever water it will take to put it out now. A bucket of water now is a whole lot better than a 3-alarm fire later.
Bolt 48’s IC (4 Count) – 16 squats to halfway down. 16 squats halfway to full down. 16 full squats.
Windmills – 24 IC
Jiminy Crickets – 8 OYO
Mosey .5 miles to “Oh Hill No” by way of the Black “Mamba” Snake Run
The Thang
The Super Sheldon Cooper Mamba Style. Inch worm or “Mamba Slither” up the hill, run down and complete 8 Burpees, 8 Squats, 8 Merkins & 8 Big Boys. Plank for the 6. Dragon Crawl up the hill, run down and complete 8 Burpees, 8 Squats, 8 Merkins & 8 Big Boys. Plank for the 6. Crawl Bear up the hill, Bear Crawl down and complete 8 Burpees, 8 Squats, 8 Merkins & 8 Big Boys. Plank for the 6. I had a few more “Mamba Hill Slithers” planned had time allowed. Break for the F3 message. See Message Below….
Mosey .5 miles back to CHOP by way of the Black “Mamba” Snake Run
F3 Message 01/30/20
CP CURRENT PAGE: VOICES | TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020
Kobe Bryant’s death reminds us life is not fair
By Greg Laurie, CP Contributor (The Christian Post)
I could hardly believe the news this weekend: Kobe Bryant, the LA Lakers basketball superstar, had died in a helicopter accident near Los Angeles. Eight other people, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, also perished in the crash.
How could a champion like Kobe, so vibrant and full of life, suddenly leave us?
Kobe Bryant was among the very best to play in the NBA. He played 20 seasons with the LA Lakers, won 5 championship rings and finished with 33,643 career points. At 41 years old, he was a living and breathing legend that even other NBA stars were star-struck by.
He even picked his own nickname, “Black Mamba,” after the fastest lethal snake in the world — and passed it on to his daughter Gianna, a budding basketball star, whom he called “Mambacita.”
The truth is, the vast majority of us didn’t know Kobe personally. Maybe we went to one of his games, but that was the extent of our relationship with him. Yet his death somehow has touched millions of Americans deeply. I believe it’s because it suddenly jolted us to the reality that life is not fair.
Why are people like Kobe and his daughter and the other passengers aboard that fateful flight taken while others will wake up tomorrow to face a new day?
There are no easy explanations, but here are three things we should keep in mind as we reflect on Kobe’s passing:
1. Life Is Precious
I have a smartwatch. Periodically, I will get a message on it that simply says, “Breathe.” Funny thing is, I was breathing already, but it’s reminding me of something that I should never take for granted.
Every day is a gift. Every single heartbeat and every breath you take is a blessing. Don’t take it for granted. And don’t take your health or your family for granted either.
The Bible reminds us, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NLT).
Kobe was a very successful man with many beautiful things, but I am certain he would have traded it all for one more precious day of life. He was not given that choice.
2. Don’t Ask ‘Why?’ — Ask ‘Who?’
I remember the day 11 years ago when my wife and I heard the devastating news that our son Christopher had died in an automobile accident on his way to work. It was as if all the air was sucked out of the room and time stood still. I felt as though if words could kill you, I could have died on the spot that day.
In my time of pain and darkness, I called out to God, and He was there for me. The Bible says He is “the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3).
Sometimes things happen in life that are unfair, and we will never get a satisfying answer for why they happened. At times such as these, I have learned that the right question to ask is not “Why?” but “Who?” Who do you turn to at a time like this?
You turn to God and ask Him for the strength you need to go on another day. And you cry and mourn.
The Bible says, “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 NLT). Many people wept with us when our son Christopher died. Right now, Kobe’s family needs support and love.
We need to remember to pray for Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, and his children, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. Kobe is also survived by his father Joe and his mother Pam. I cannot imagine the devastation they are all feeling over the loss of both Kobe and Gianna. We must also remember to pray for the families of the seven others who died as well. Their names are:
● John Altobelli, 56, Orange Coast College head baseball coach
● Kerri Altobelli, John’s wife
● Alyssa Altobelli, John and Kerri’s daughter, who was Gianna’s basketball teammate
● Sarah Chester
● Payton Chester, Sarah’s daughter and another basketball teammate
● Christina Mauser, girls basketball coach at Mamba Sports Academy
● Ara Zobayan, pilot
3. We Must Prepare
Death isn’t a respecter of people. It doesn’t care if you are rich or poor; religious or not; famous, infamous or unknown; or even the great Kobe Bryant, who had vast resources and money at his disposal. It knocks at every door, and sadly one day it will knock at your door and mine.
But death is not the end. The Bible talks about an afterlife — a concept even many people who are nonreligious believe in. Jesus spoke about it.
He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
It’s because of this hope of eternity that followers of Jesus do not “grieve like people who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). If we believe in and follow Jesus, we can rest assured that death will not get the final word but we will be in Heaven with Him.
