F3 Knoxville

Author: Stitch

Salt and Light, and Heavy

THE SCENE:

Clear, 60 degrees, Near 100% humidity

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH – Morrocan Nightclubs – Imperial Walkers – Tempo Squats – Shoulder Taps (20 OYO) – 5 Burpees OYO

THA-THANG:

Football Mosey to CMU pile. Dropped passes = 2 Burpees for both Thrower/Catcher.

Partner up. Slowsey, taking turns carrying CMU to football field.

At the field, 25 dips on the bleachers.

Partner up at the goalline. 1st partner runs to the 50 yd line and back. 2nd partner begins group of exercises (take turns):

  1. Curls
  2. OHP
  3. Upright Rows
  4. Bench Press
  5. Bent Over Rows
  6. Skull Crushers
  7. Burpees

2 FULL ROUNDS.

MARY:
4 Core exercises: Hello Dolly, Flutter Kicks, 5 Burpees, 45 sec plank, BBS

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
I’ve read this often, but lately I’ve heard it on more than a few occasions; The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF-CONTROL. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23). Paul wrote this to churches in Galatia 2000 years ago.

So what does this mean for us, as believers, here today?

I think that so much in scripture can seem redundant and repetitive. We can recite things over and over and believe that they are true. But do they change who we are? We need repetition, don’t we? Isn’t that the point? Isn’t that why we have church services every Sunday? Dont’ we come to F3 3-5 days a week and often do the same exercises? Why?

If you’re going to be good at something, you have to practice. If you’re going to follow Jesus, you have to read about and study who Jesus was. And if you’re going to live by the Spirit, we have to put into practice these exercises…to grow the fruit. We have to look different from the world. A dark world.

In Matthew, Jesus tells his followers that we are the salt and light of the world. “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16). So we do these things, not to make us look good but to reflect and glorify the one who is good.

My challenge for us today is to not only memorize Galatians 5:22-23, but to practice these 9 fruits of the spirit. Know them, think about them every day, and put them into practice.

We are going to fail at these, every day, but the goal here is practice. Practice kindness to those around you. Practice peaceful responses. Practice offering forgiveness to those who harm you. Practice being gentle to your wife. Practice patience with your kids. Practice taking a pause when you feel an urge or desire that you know is not from the Lord. Practice listening to a coworker. Practice love.

The more we practice these things, the more they will become habits and the more we will become like Jesus. And when we mess up, often, we take that opportunity and run to Him. We repent and know that He is trustworthy to forgive us.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Convergence – Shamrock – July 8.

Treasure Matters

THE SCENE: Clear, 60 degrees, 88% Humidity

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

WARM-O-RAMA:

SSH – Reach for the sky Cherry Pickers – Willie Mays Hays – Up/Down Dog – Lower back/glute stretches – Stretch OYO – Toe Merkins

THA-THANG:

Mosey to westside entrance guardrail for 30 dips

Football Mosey to eastside parking lot. Dropped passes = 2 Burpees for both Thrower/Catcher.

Line up on curb facing east and 1 Exercise for each line

  1. Bear Crawl to the first line
  2. Duck Walk to the next.
  3. High Knees to the 3rd
  4. 30 2ct Flutter Kicks – OYO
  5. Lunge Walk to the 4th
  6. 30 2ct Freddie Mercurys
  7. Side Shuffle 2 lines to #6
  8. 30 Hello Dolly
  9. Reverse Side Shuffle 2 lines to #8
  10. 30 LBC’s
  11. Bernie two lines to the end
  12. Hard Run back to the start

Football Mosey to the Coupon Pile. Partner Up with one CMU and one Coupon. Partner 1 will run the steps, touch the building while Partner 2 does a CMU/Coupon exercise. Switch after each has a turn.

  1. Curls
  2. OHP
  3. Bench Press
  4. Bent Over Rows
  5. Skull Crushers

REPEAT AGAIN until time called.

MARY:
Football mosey back to COT. PAX call out exercise – Freddy Mercury X25

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
I heard a passage on Sunday and then again on Monday when Kick Flip referenced it at Shamrock…
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

God made this beautiful world and all of the good things in it, but the “from the world” John talks about in verse 16 is a reference to our hearts and the importance we place on those things and stuff.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven….For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” John was talking about our hearts. Our treasure.

Another question that got me recently was “If someone were to ask your children what does your father love the most, or think the most about?” What would they say??

Life is fleeting. Think about the time you have left here and where you are investing it. Is it God honoring? Is it eternal or does it collect dust? Make your treasure something that matters!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
KARM Dragon Boat Races this weekend. Father’s Day Sunday.

Blocks, the Sequel

THE SCENE:

Crisp, clear, 45 degrees

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

WARM-O-RAMA:
1. SSH 2. Morrocan Nightclubs 3. Imperial Walkers 4. Tempo Squats 5. Burpees OYO

THA-THANG:

Football Mosey – Run and Pass duos with drops to do 2 Burpees (both), around Career Path Way to CMU pile.

Grab a CMU and walk to the base of Stadium Hill. 6 sets of 50 Reps (broken into 2 sets of 25). Between each 25, take one lap up Stadium Hill and back.

1. OHP (25 Reps x 2)

2. Curls (25 Reps x 2)

3. Tricep Press (25 Reps x 2)

4. Bench Press (25 Reps x 2)

5. Lawnmower Pulls (25 Reps x 2)

6. Skull Crushers (25 Reps x 2)

Rifle carry CMU’s back to pile.

Everyone finish with 10 Burpees.

Football Mosey (with burpees) back to COT with 1 stop for Mary (Flutter kicks)

Back at COT, we got in some Hello Dolly, Hover Crunches (not the name), Box Cutters, Freddie Mercuries

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

12 HIMS, including 7 RUSHers

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

MAKING REAL CONNECTIONS

I’ve always struggled to listen intently to others. A few years ago, I was really put to the test when I went to work for a bank, taking on the role of a “Personal” banker! I was going to have to start listening to people. I was going to have to listen intently to their story and provide solutions that fit their individual needs…not mine. I was going to have to start putting THEM first.

If you call yourself a Christian, it’s important that, more often than not, we put others before ourselves. In Philippians chapter 2:3-4, Paul challenges us to be Christ’s example and “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,…”
We have to look different because of who we serve and because of the One who served us.

I’ve recently talked about the importance of relationships and forgiveness, and then I thought and read about ways we can start to have more meaningful conversations with others:

1. We should be present with them. It’s not easy today but it’s very simple. Give someone your full attention. Put away your phone and other distractions. Be in the moment!

2. Ask Questions. Ask open ended questions. “What is most important in your life right now?”, “What struggles are you having at home?”, or simply “What do you mean by that”? This will help gain understanding and make it less likely that we’ll misrepresent them. They will feel valued and heard. Questions are also disarming and can help break down some walls.

3. Be honest! Allow yourself to say you don’t know. It’s okay to not know everything. This can lead to more questions and show honest humility about your own knowledge. People will see and remember this about you.

4. Last and this goes back to the beginning of my story. Listen intently! Go into the conversation with a genuine interest in getting to know them, even if you disagree about something. In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey says, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. We might ask a question but then not really listen to the response. We’re already having a conversation in our head while they are still talking. I say that because that I do it! Listen intently.

Remember that all people are created by God, bearing His image. This makes them worthy of our time and attention. So let’s follow Christ’s lead and start working on our conversations today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Escape from Haw Ridge – this Friday

Take Stock and Block

THE SCENE:

Clear, 58 Degrees, Perfect

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

WARM-O-RAMA:
1. SSH (x20) 2. Willie Mays Hayes (x10) 3. Morrocan Nightclubs (x10) 4. BACF (x10) 5. BACB (x10), 6. Shoulder Taps (x20) 7. Tempo Squats – (x10),

THA-THANG:

Tennis Ball Mosey (hat tip to KickFlip) – Run and Pass duos with drops to do 2 Burpees, around Career Path Way to CMU pile. Partner up and Grab CMU or coupon.

Dora Style with one partner beginning the exercise and the other taking the short loop in the back right corner lot. After 100 collective reps, move on to the next exercise.

1. OHP

2. Curls

3. Tricep Press

4. Heavy Squats

5. Bench Press

6. Upright Rows

7. Skull Crushers

Mosey back to COT with 2 stops for Mary (Freddie Mercuries & Flutter Kicks)

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

18 HIMS (1 2.0 – Stiff Arm) including 10 RUSH

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

I get a weekly email from a site called Parent Cue. It’s a online resource for parents, with tools and tips on helping you raise your kids, whatever their age. Anyway, I rarely look at the emails, usually deleting them, but this week I took a closer look.

The short article was titled 3 Steps for Better Relationships (Even When You’re Busy). Again, I started to delete it and then I thought…Relationships! That’s the single most important thing in our lives…
They are why we exist.
They shape everything about who we are.
They give us joy, and heartache.
They are a source of our happiness, and our pain.
They drive us to succeed and sometimes to fail.
Our memories are filled by them.
They give us purpose.
They give us meaning.
We have access to our Creator because we have a relationship with his son, Jesus.

So I looked at the 3 steps and the first was to make a list of your key relationships. Your spouse, your girlfriend, your parents, your kids, your in-laws, your close friends, and Yourself! I don’t think I’ve ever done that, but I think it’s a great idea!

Number 2 was that we are to assess our relationships…Overall and then Individually… Things like…
How do we connect in our relationships?
What keeps me from being fully present with family and friends?

How well do we truly know each other?
What energizes or drains me about this relationship?
Am I the real me around this person?

Just inventory your close relationships and what they mean to you.

#3 was to Make a New Commitment for your relationships. Like putting into action things you can do to build and restore some key relationships.

The Bible has so many things to say about our relationships. You can start with Jesus. He was asked about the greatest commandment in the Law and he said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Then he said love your neighbor as yourself.

Think about our group here and we know that Proverbs 27:17 says “Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another”. In Hebrews 10 says “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another.” That’s what we do!

If you’re married it says in Ephesians 5:28 that husbands should love their wives as their own bodies and that He who loves his wife loves himself.

Think about those challenging relationships! The joke insert here would be “the in-laws”! Ephesians 4 says “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up…that it may give grace to those who hear”.

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Relationships are important! We have God given instructions to bring life and be a reflection of his light to those closest to us.
That won’t be easy, but that’s the point of the article…
Make a list of your key relationships, assess those relationships, and put into action a plan to build and/or restore these key relationships.

31 Degrees of Exercise

THE SCENE:

Clear, 31 Degrees, Nice crescent moon

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

WARM-O-RAMA:
1. Cherry Pickers (x5) 2. SSH (x20), 3. BACF (x10) 4. BACB (x10), 5. Merkins (10 OYO), 6. Tempo Squats – (x10),

THA-THANG:

Mosey to the guardrail. Do 31 Dips. Football Mosey (Run and Pass duos with drops to do 2 Burpees) around Career Path Way to CMU pile. Grab CMU and do 31 Curls.

Circle back around to the far east lot (next to the big duck pond). Regroup at the curb. Bear crawl to the first line and back to start as 1st exercise, mosey to 2nd line for 2nd exercise, back to start, etc. (see below)

  1. Bear Crawl to 1st line and back

2. SSH (x31)

3. Squats (x31)

4. Merkins (x31)

5. Heels to Heaven (x31)

6. Iron Mikes (x31)

7. Carolina Dry Docks (x31)

8. Freddie Mercury’s (x31)

9. Monkey Humpers (x31)

Mosey back to COT. Sty called out American Hammers.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

7 HIMS including 3 RUSH

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Contending for the Faith

A few years ago I attended a worldview conference at my church. During that weekend, I listened to a Christian apologist and radio show host named Greg Koukl. An apologist is defined as a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial. In this case the controversy would be Christianity.

The weekend was centered around gaining an understanding of the Gospel and helping Christians think more clearly about why they believe what they believe. There were sessions about the types of challenges Christians face, how we can respond gracefully, and how we can challenge others to think more critically about their own worldviews. I loved it! I am a truth seeker. Always a believer, but at that time I was still really struggling with my own faith and what it meant for my life. I needed purpose and understanding.

Recently, I found an article by Mr. Koukl that reminded me of this Timothy theme, which is central to a men’s group I’m in (The Good Fight), but also sounded a warning and a challenge (which we also do here). Jude v3 says “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

First of all, Jude points to a specific message and content, the “faith once for all handed down”— which is the foundation of “our common salvation.” Second is the recommendation to “contend earnestly” for that faith—to proclaim it, guard it, and defend it. And then, Jude reminds us that it has been “handed down” to the saints—passed on from the disciples to the next generation in the church.

Here is why those three elements of Jude’s council are critical for you and me right now. We are engaged in a cultural and theological fight. The attack is coming from many directions. Atheists are tearing down God’s Truth and the integrity of our authority base, The Bible. Our children our under attack. The moral rulebook is being rewritten; Right has become wrong, and wrong is right. It’s clearly seen! These challenges are coming from not only our culture but even in some Christian denominations, the Gospel is seen as a message of hate.

2 Timothy was Paul’s spiritual last will and testament. It was the last thing he ever wrote. He was very clear and to the point in addressing the challenges for that day and practically to the ones we face today. Second Timothy gives the answer to our question about guarding the gospel, because that is the book’s theme, found explicitly in chapter 1, verse 14: “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” That message is absolutely vital to each one of us today because he tells us exactly what it looks like in any century to “contend earnestly for the faith”.

The early church was under a great attack in that culture. Christians were falsely accused and tortured (and still today in some places). Paul’s response and message was simple…

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:14–17)

Simply put, Paul tells Timothy to guard the gospel by continuing in the truth already revealed. When all else fails, read—and follow—the directions. But, there’s more…

In the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, American runners suffered a humiliating defeat in the 4 X 100 relay. In the anchor leg, Darvis Patton handed the baton to Tyson Gay, but Gay never got it. In the middle of the handoff, they dropped the baton.

Tyson Gay was our best sprinter. We had the fastest team. It didn’t matter. They dropped the baton, so we lost the race. In fact, we never even finished that race.

Paul told Timothy, “If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules” (2:5). In other words, Paul said, “Timothy, you cannot drop the baton.” And we cannot drop the baton, either. If we do, we lose.

As Husbands, Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Co-workers…we do 2 things; We continue in the things handed down and second, we pass the baton.

If we disregard Paul’s solution, we should not be surprised when we remain children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Eph. 4:14).

If we don’t pass the baton, we should not be surprised when we will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have our ears tickled, we accumulate for ourselves teachers in accordance with our own desires, and turn away our ears from the truth, and turn aside to myths (2 Tim. 4:3–4).

If we are to survive the current spiritual onslaught, we 1) Guard the gospel by continuing in the truth already revealed then 2) we pass the baton. Proclaim the truth faithfully, guard it diligently, and pass it on carefully.

MOLESKIN:
Praying for Cosmo’s mother as she enters hospice care.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Low low temps for Friday! Be smart and safe out there and Happy Christmas to All!!