F3 Knoxville

Tag: Crispr

The Lord Is In This Place Although We May Not Know It

THE SCENE: Thunderstorms initially but clearing after we got started
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
We met at Northern Ball Fields Pavilion instead of Admin Bldg parking lot due to the initial thunderstorm.  We started with:  20 Side-Straddle Hops, 10 Pinto Twists, 10 Picnic Table Pull-ups, 10 Bench Dips, 10 Tempo Merkins, 10 Cherry Pickers, Arm Swings, Little of This and That
THA-THANG:
Mosey to parking lot with islands in it that is south of northern ball fields.  Stop to do 20 American Hammers.  Mosey to CMU Pile.  Each man grabs one CMU.  There will be cones placed in the CMU Pile parking lot and the shady parking lot directly across the street.  We will make the circuit of cones four times.  These are the exercises at each cone:

  • Cone 1:  (with CMUs) 1. 25 Overhead Presses  2. 25 Curls  3. 25 Squats  4. 25 Rows  (Bernie to Cone 2 )
  • Cone 2:  1. 20 Curb Jumps  2. 10 Burpees  3. 20 Squat Jumps  4. 20 Bobby Hurleys  (Run to Cone 3)
  • Cone 3:  1. 20 Hello Dollies (4 ct)  2. 20 Flutter Kicks (4 ct)  3. 20 Box Cutters  4. 20 Bicycle Kicks (4 ct) (Bear Crawl to Cone 4)
  • Cone 4:  1. 20 Iron Mikes (both legs = 1) 2. 20 Mountain Climbers (both legs = 1)  3. 10 Burpees 4. 20 Plank Jacks (High Knees to Cone 5)
  • Cone 5:  1. 10 Hand Release Merkins 2. 20 Merkins 3. 20 Big Boys 4. 15 Shoulder Taps (both shoulders = 1) (Lunge to Cone 6.)
  • Cone 6. 1. 10 Burpees.  40 Baby Crunches.  3. 20 Diamond Merkins.  4. 20 Carolina Dry Docks.  (Butt Kick to Cone 7).
  • Cone 7:  1. Run to top of Mini Cardiac (to the crosswalk) and then run back to Cone 1.  2, 3 and 4.  Same as above.

Go back to CMUs that are at Cone 1.  Do the following exercises with CMUs, running to curb at other side of parking lot and back after each exercise:

  • 25 Overhead Presses
  • 25 Curls
  • 25 Squats
  • 25 Rows

Replace CMUs.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
We had 13 men with no FNGs.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Examining What We Take For Granted

In our lives we need to take a close look, more often than what we usually do, at the things we take for granted.  This Coronavirus Epidemic has been a reminder to me, and I know it has to you as well, of things that we take for granted.  Hugging our friends.  Standing together for a picture.  For me, going to Coffeeteria with my buddies.  Watching Current sporting events on television.  Going to a good old crowded restaurant, even if you have to wait to be seated. Feeling the jostle and enthusiasm of sitting with fans at a sporting event.  Going to a live music concert.  For some of us, staying in a hotel.  Going up to greet a neighbor without having to stand a social distance away from them.  Dropping your kids off at school without worrying about what the school will look like, how your children will keep their masks on, whether they may be exposed to Covid-19, or whether school might have to close again.  Finding what you want at a grocery store.  Helping out an old man or lady without scaring them because you might expose them to “you know what.”  The fact is, we are blessed with so much that we rarely take a close look at.  It sometimes takes awful events, tragedy or pandemics to make us truly see.  I know Pinto always loved coming to F3 workouts but I guarantee he thinks on it more poignantly because he is suffering Multiple Myeloma.  I know Filter will yearn for F3 now that he tore his Achilles.  I know Thunderstruck has always loved his mother but I think now of how he relishes the days with her knowing she has cancer.  My wife’s breast cancer has certainly brought home the idea of how much she means to me.

Even in this difficult year of 2020 we can look to see the ways we are blessed.  In those awful days in late March and April when I couldn’t work out with you guys, it sure helped me to just sit on my porch and watch the birds.  To see the flowering trees and bushes.  We may not be able to go to movie theaters or watch live sporting events but we can certainly spend meaningful time with our families.  The mountain, the stars, the cool breeze on a hot summer day, the blue sky, the smell or rain, the wandering animals, even the tiny little crawling insects are still there for us to observe or experience.  I encourage you to just take some time now and then to be thankful for it.  And, thank our Lord for it.  He is still there, he is still Majestic, even in 2020.
MOLESKIN:
Prayers for Crispr’s father who just had total knee replacement surgery; for Thunderstruck’s mom as she continues with chemotherapy and for Lillydipper’s wife as she continues with chemotherapy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
We will have Q101 at Asylum PM on Thursday, June 16.  Don’t forget CSAUP at Dog Pound on June 18.

#2ForTuesday

THE SCENE: Insert info about the weather, etc.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

  • Welcome to F3: Fitness/Fellowship/Faith
  • My name is Steam and I’m honored to be your Q this evening. And welcome to #2ForTuesday
  • ANy FNGs?
  • Couple things before we begin:
    • I’m not a professional
    • You’re here on your own volition – aka you’re here on purpose.
    • I don’t know any injuries you may or may not have – so if you need to modify anything we do this evening feel free to do it, but push yourself and the men around you! They deserve it and so do you.
    • I do have water and medical gear in my pack just so everypone is aware – and I will have my phone on me for the duration of the Q.
    • If at any point in time you feel dizzy or overheated – let someone know immediately. We’re gonna watch each other’s 6 and push each other, but safety is #1.
    • And I know that this point has been driven in time and time again – but if you’re not hydrating before you come out here and try and do an intense workout, ideally the day before at the latest, there’s potential that you’re going to be a liability and risk to no other’s safety. So hydrate. This heat doesn’t mess around.


WARM-O-RAMA:

 

  • SSH: 20 x 4 IC
    • #2FT
  • Squat: 15 x 4 IC
    • #2FT
  • Imperial Walker: 10 x 4 IC
    • #2FT
  • Man-Maker: 5 x 4 IC
    • #2FT
  • 10 Motivators (All on a 4 count – except the final count/hops)
    • (1) SSH
    • (2) Half SSH
    • (3) Legs only SSH
    • (4) Hops (1 count)
    • Finished at 2 – killer

THA-THANG:

(mosey to CMU pile)

—Lightpost trail by Pickett’s Charge—

  • Every lightpost for 8 total lightposts = 1 Man-Maker
  • When you get done with your 8th Man-Maker – execute Plank-Ups on a 4 count
  • #2FT –> back up the hill for 8 lightposts – do the same thing

(mosey to CMU pile down the hill)

—CMU Pile—

  • Grab a CMU each
  • Quarter Pounder
    • 25 Curls
      • Sprint to the flag by the pavilion = 1 burpee
      • sprint back
  • 25 chest presses
    • sprint to the flag by the pavilion = 1 burpee
    • sprint back
  • 25 swings
    • sprint to the flag by the pavilion = 1 burpee
    • sprint back
  • 25 1-handed merkins (rotate hands)
    • sprint to the flag by the pavilion = 1 burpee
    • sprint back
  • PAX executes 25 x 4 flutter kicks (x2 for #2FT)
  • PAX executes 10 SSHs on a 4 count

(mosey across the street to Pickett’s Charge hill)

  • 2 lines going all the way up the hill – American Indian run style.

 

  • At the very top – PAX is halted and reminded of “No Man Left Behind – No Man Left the Same” — 10 up/down merkins
  • Mosey back to the AO

MARY:

6 Minutes in Heaven

  • SSH
  • Imperial Walkers
  • Final 4 minutes = work on recovering/breathing/stretching techniques

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

25 PAX

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

 

  • “Expiration Dates”
    • This is something I want to share because this is a lesson I’ve learned before – I’ve just mislabled it. But I’m going through it right now again and have been able to use discernment to better understand what’s really happening.
    • When you think of an expiration date, let’s say on something in your fridge for example – it’s a prophecy of what’s to come. On this date – this will no longer be in your best interest or be good for you to consume. They’re pretty self explanatory right?
    • The reason for the expiration date is so that it can be removed so something else can take it’s place. Not just anything else – but something that’s good, something that is new and fresh. If I keep milk that’s past it’s expiration date in my fridge, it’s only existing to take up space in my fridge, instead of being replaced with something that’s more lifegiving. And you know what happens when you keep something that’s past it’s expiration date in your fridge? It starts to spread an aroma or an unpleasant smell – thus making the fridge and anyone who opens the fridge that much more aware that something expired is still being housed.
    • But what happens when things don’t have a nice, printed out expiration date right on the front? What do you do then?
    • There are things in life that will become expired without you even knowing it. There are things in your life that will have an expiration date that at the time of purchase you never thought would have an expiration date. But the producer and supplier did.
    • And that’s a hard thing to acknowledge sometimes – when there’s something in your life that’s past it’s expiration date and you can tell. How can you tell? Because of it’s aroma and the way it is affecting other things in your metaphorical fridge (your life). These could be things that are good! These could be things that you don’t want to have an expiration date and you’re looking up at the producer asking why did this have to expire?
    • Because the producer knows something else is coming. The producer knows that sometimes things that we wanted to keep in our fridge had an expiration date from the very beginning and just because they were in our fridge at one point doesn’t mean they were designed to stay there forever.
    • Let me back this up with what I think being a responsible fridge owner that seeks wisdom and discernment looks like – or as we refer to – High Impact Men
    • 1 Corinthians 13:11 — “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”
    • It’s hard to recognize some things in your life might have an expiration date. It is. I’ve been there. I’m there right now. But until you remove what has become expired, it’s gonna be really hard for the producer to take you higher.

244th Edition of Patriot Games – F3 Style

THE SCENE: Pre-Ruck with the Flag at 0615 to finish scouting out F3 route – arrived back at the AO at 6:50 to Cheatsheet and Mermaid ready to rock

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

  • WELCOME to F3: Fitness – Fellowship – Faith
  • My name is Steam and I am HONORED to be your Q this morning, on America’s 244th birthday
  • A couple things before we begin
    • Any FNGs?
    • I’m not a professional
    • You’re here on your own volition – meaning you’re here on purpose. And I firmly believe that.
    • I don’t know any injuries you may or may not have so if you need to modify anything we do this morning, feel free to do it, but push yourselves and the men around you – they deserve it and so do you.
  • Like I said earlier – you are here on purpose. It is no accident you showed up this morning – just like 244 years ago the greatest nation was founded on purpose, with things like this in mind.


WARM-O-RAMA:

 

  • SSH: 61 x 1
  • Mountain Climber: 61 x 1
  • Flutter Kick: 61 x 1
  • Squat: 61 x 1

= 244 (Happy Birthday 🇺🇸)

  • Merkin position —> all PAX sing “Happy Birthday” while holding the Merkin plank

THA-THANG:

***The Standard for the Q*** = The Shovel Flag will stay at the front of the PAX for the duration of the Q. The QIC does not go past it and neither does anyone else. This will be our rallying point for the entire Q. Flags out front.

(Mosey over to Pickett’s Charge)

  1. Pickett’s Charge
  • Pushups have been crucial to our country since day 1
  • The founding fathers coined the phrase “Merkin” for pushups before they signed the Declaration of Independence. Once again, I’m not a professional so don’t hold me to that
  • So we will honor them this morning by doing 10 Merkins on a 4 count together in cadence – taking the small hill – executing 10 more Merkins on a 4 count in cadence together and rinse and repeat until we hit the top, AYE?
  • Execute 10×4 Merkins and take the hill
  • PAX executes evolution on Pickett’s Charge – the Flag being passed to a new HIM after each iteration of merkins

 

(Mosey to light post path across from Veterans Memorial)

 

2. Light-Post Path Across from Memorial

  • “Bringing the Hammer Down”
  • Every other light = 13 x 4 American Hammers
  • Finish at the street/crosswalk

 

(Mosey to Everest)

 

3. Everest

  • Q sends Cheatsheet 1/4th up (big stump where a tree used to be) with the flag – with instructions to wave it and give the command to charge up the hill balls to the wall after SSHs are completed by all PAX
  • Line up facing Everest
  • Buy-In = 50 SSHs (1 count)
  • TAKE THE HILL

(Wagon wheel with the flag to get the 6 up)

  • At the top – Steam asks for a 50 count – yes you heard right – a 50 count
  • Q asks men to focus on their breathing and think about their time “in country” from the day they were born

(Mosey carefully back down Everest to the other side of the walking path and with the flag out front execute 10 x 4 merkins

(Mosey down the street across from Veterans Memorial)

  • Out of respect, when we get to the top, we will stay in silence until we step off to mosey back to the AO. I will instruct us in a few things, we’ll take a moment, and head back. Sound good?
  • American Indian walk up the veterans memorial hill – flag stays up front
  • all the way to the top where the flags are
  • At the Top
    • 10 Merkins in silence
    • When you’re done — recover, and focus on your breathing
  • Here’s what’s about to go down:
    • We’re going to take a moment of silence together – I’ll say a prayer over us (below in BOM section) take a moment and look at these white stones, at the flag and just breathe. 

(Mosey back across the street)

Final push to the AO –> 100%

Post-Thang:

  • Go out the same way we came back in
    • SSH: 244 x 4
  • CheatSheet leads in 100 SSHs
  • 25 merkins on a 4 count

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

18 PAX

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

 

  • “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness……….And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
    • Declaration of Independence

 

  • Recited from the “Pray for America Bible” at the top of the Veteran’s Cemetery (See here on Amazon)
    • From the D-Day radio broadcast, June 6, 1944: “My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
      • Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. And for us at home – fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas – whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them – help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts……And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade……With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Leas us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.”

 

  • 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (14) Act like men.”

 

  • The Declaration of Independence cannot exist without the Bible. Neither can this country. It’s what it was founded on. However, the Bible transcends time and exists so that things like our great Nation, the Founding Father’s guidance, and the Declaration of Independence could come about.

 

  • This is the most unique and greatest nation in the world. And it was founded by High Impact Men. 244 years later – the United States (and the world) needs High Impact Men just as much as it did in 1776. More than ever. The High Impact Men that founded the United States of America believed in what they stood up for – that truly, by the hand of Almighty God – all men are created equal and there are certain unalienable rights. They stood for something. They were men of initiation and courage. 244 years later – we need those same men more than ever. We need fathers, sons, bosses, brothers – we need men of impact to stand up and follow the 1 Corinthians 16:13 model to the fullest. And it starts with you. Praise be to God we exist in the greatest country in the world – where we can openly say the name of Jesus and do things like F3.

 

  • The necessity for Iron Sharpening in 1776 still exists in 2020.

 

  • Just as the founding fathers understood their necessity for a savior and for freedom – we too, need to recognize this same need, 244 years later.

 

Slow to Judge, Quick to Listen

THE SCENE: Windy, temp about 70 degrees
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
20 Side Straddle Hops.  10 Pinto Twists.  40 Grady Corns.  10 Windmills.  10 Tempo Squats.  Little of This and That.

THA-THANG:
Mosey to northeast corner of Admin Bldg.  From Cone 1 we will run to Cone 2 atend of sidewalk.  From Cone 2, bear crawl to the Cone 3 positioned at sidewalk going to steps of admin bldg.  At Cone 4, on steps do 40 Shin Lifts and 40 Bench Dips.  Then run back on sidewalk to Cone 5 on street.  At Cone 5 do 20 Merkins.  Then Bernie to Cone 6 by stop sign.  At that cone, do 20 Big Boys.  Then go back to Cone 1.  Rinse and repeat two more times.

Mosey on roadway and through parking lot to CMU pile.  Each man takes CMU.  Do 25 each of the following exercises but also sprint to end of parking lot and back after each exercise.  Here are the exercises:

  • Overhead presses
  • Curls
  • Squats
  • Rows

Mosey on grass past dugouts to bottom of Cardiac Hill.  We will go up hill stopping at corners and benches to do exercises.  Here are the exercises:

  • Corner 1:  20 American Hammers (four count)
  • Corner 2:  20 Hello Dollies (four count)
  • Corner 3:  20 Decline Merkins
  • Benches:  20 Bench Dips

Mosey to shady area by northeastern corner of Admin Bldg.  We will do 20 Flutter Kicks and 20 Bicycle Kicks.

Mosey to AO.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
26 men that included four FNGs:  Sparty (Tony Burkhart), Hermes (Mason Burkhart), Orphan Annie (Dylan Berry) and a Flying EH, Couch Potato (Reginald Williams).
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Slow to Judge and Quick to Listen

Our current society is very quick to judge.  A politician makes a statement and the other party immediately attacks it, often taking the statement completely out of context.  Even news stations, which are supposed to give us the truth, are quick to judge.  CNN quickly pounces upon anything Trump says.  Fox News is sure to badmouth Biden.  It is difficult for any public figure to say anything without being judged.  Athletes are considered anti-American for taking the knee during the Pledge of Allegiance or racist for saying they will not join others in taking the knee.  We ourselves tend to blame the “other side” for the “state of affairs” whether that state be the declining economy, the coronavirus numbers, or good ol traffic on the way to our jobs.  We join with friends who are similar in opinion to us so that we can find support and comfort in our criticism of the other side.

The problem is, where does this get us?  How do parties resolve anything when they are so sure to attack and so unlikely to listen?  We cannot give an inch to reasonable comments from the other side because we feel that, in doing so, we would somehow admit that we are wrong.  Well, maybe WE are a little wrong.  Maybe THEY are a little right.  But we refuse to even look to see.  And we lose love and grace in the process.

Doubtfire gave a great message several weeks ago about Forgiveness. He said we need to learn to forgive even if we dislike what the other person has done.  Jesus talked about turning the other cheek to our enemies.  I get the idea that Jesus would also say we should be willing to listen to our enemies.  What do they have to say?  Is there anything reasonable in what they are saying.  And, if it doesn’t seem reasonable, what has happened in that person’s life that leads to their perspective?

Maybe it is too personal to look at the behavior of another human.  Let’s look at the behavior of an animal, a dog. Some of you may have read the book “White Fang” by Jack London.  In the book, a man meets up with a dog that is vicious toward humans.  People have used and abused the dog.  The dog, indeed, is mean.  The man finds the dog when it has been so badly mistreated that it is near to death.  He feeds the dog, talks kindly to it.  He cannot initially get close to the dog because the dog would attack him.  But he slowly, after many weeks, gets closer and finally, touches the dog.  The dog initially reacts with a biting move.  The man is patient.  Many days later he tries again.  The dog growls a low growl while the man keeps his hand there.  The dog both dislikes the touch but also thinks it good.  And as he learns to love the man, he learns to cherish the touch.  The dog gradually changes.  And, because of the love that the man shows him, he finally sees the man as his “Love God.”  An incredible bond forms between the man and this dog that once hated humans.  And, toward the end of the book, the dog saves the lives of the man and his family.

We must learn to listen to others, even our enemies.  We must learn to be quick to listen and slow to judge.  We must hold our tongue with others.  Try to see the perspective of the other.  Maybe there is some truth in what they say, particularly if you see things from their perspective.  You don’t have to fully agree.  But you may find some commonality.  You may find that the “enemy” has hopes, hurts, and dreams just like you.  As Sting once said in a song he wrote, “Maybe the Russians love their children too.”

MOLESKIN:

Prayers for Crispr’s coworker and her husband.  Her husband has a terminal illness and will likely die soon.  Prayer of praise for the birth of Crispr’s niece.  Prayers for family member of Swimmies and Octomom as she has been in labor for over 24 hours and their is concern for the baby.  Prayers for David, a friend of Brick, Sparty and Hermes.  David’s son has been diagnosed with Melanoma.  Prayers for Pusher and his family, particularly his father as the one year anniversary of the death of Pusher’s mother will be this Friday.  Prayer of praise for Title 9 who has been coping with angst regarding an upcoming move to Oregon.  After reporting this last week he has had a sense of calm come over him.

Patience of Unanswered Prayer

THE SCENE: Sunny, temp about 90 degrees
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
20 Plank Jacks, Plank Stretches, 10 Rockettes, 10 Windmills, Little of This and That
THA-THANG:
Mosey to Stop Sign at Southeastern Corner of Admin Bldg.  We will do 20 American Hammers.

Mosey to grassy area that is south of Area 51.  There will be four cones set up in a square pattern.  We will be going in a counter-clockwise route around the square four times, stopping to do an exercise at each cone.  By the end we will have done four exercises at each cone.  Following are the exercises at each cone and the method by which to get to the next cone:

  • Cone 1:  1. 20 Side Straddle Hops (4 ct)  2. 15 Mountain Climbers (4 ct)  3. 20 Star Jumps  4.  20 Iron Mikes (both legs = 1)  (After exercise, Sprint to Cone 2)
  • Cone 2:  1. 20 Merkins  2. 15 Shoulder Taps  3. 10 Hand Release Merkins  4. 20 Carolina Dry Docks  (After exercise, Skip to Cone 3)
  • Cone 3.  1. 20 Big Boy Sit-ups.  2. 20 Hello Dollies (4 ct).  3.  20 Flutter Kicks (4 ct.)  4. 20 Bicycle Kicks (4 ct)  (After exercise, Bernie Sanders to Cone 4)
  • Cone 4.  1. 10 Burpees  2. 15 Imperial Walkers (both legs = 1)  3. 20 Bobby Hurleys  4. 20 Squat Jumps  (High Knees to Cone 1).

Mosey to Northshore Entrance to Park.  We will go south then east on the perimeter trail, doing Nickel Dime Quarters with the following exercises:

  • Squats
  • Dead Bugs
  • Diamond Merkins
  • Dive Bombers

We will be near the Southern Ball Fields when we have done the above.  Mosey to the parking lot at the Southern Ball Fields.  We will do 8 count Bear Crawls then 8 Count Lunges, repeating this pattern from one end of the parking lot to the other.  

Mosey to Outdoor Chapel.  Take 15 second breather.  Then mosey up hill all the way to the new built area near the Admin Bldg.  Take 30 second breather.  Mosey to AO.

MARY:
25 Hello Dollies
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
22 men with two FNGs whom we named Whistler (Brett Marshman) and Leo Turcas (Nadia).  Nadia was a Flying EH victim!
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Asking with Patience

Matthew 7: 7-8

7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

2 Peter 3:8

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

At last week’s internet streamed worship service at my church, a line struck me from one of the songs we sang.  The song is “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” by Croly and Digerness.  The line that struck me is “Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.”  That is certainly a line I need to hear during the time of this coronavirus and national unrest after the death of George Floyd.  I read the bible verse that says, “everyone who asks receives.”  I know that people all over Earth are asking that this coronavirus would end.  I ask, “God, when will you answer our prayer?”  Yet, I need to also ask, “God, teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.”

When I was a boy, my best friend, Neil, who lived next door, was the first family on our block to get a Color TV set.  Seven years later, most people had Color TV sets but I was still praying for our first one.  My mother was a single parent and a teacher – and, just like today, teachers don’t make enough money for all the work they do.  I remember getting excited when we went to a big store that had a television promo.  As part of the promo, people could bring in advertisements they received in the mail.  If your code number on the advertisement was one of the winning code numbers, you could get a free TV set.  My mother, of course, told me the odds were minuscule for us to have a winning number.  We went to the store and there were all these magnificent color television sets, sitting there for a kid like me to gawk at.  Needless to say we didn’t win a set.  “But, mom, can’t we even buy one of the smaller sets?”  I know my mother felt bad for me but with her lack of funds she was also teaching my about life – about limiting oneself to a budget; about not coveting; about appreciating what we have; about patience.

About six or seven months later I came home to find a portable television set sitting on a cabinet in our living room.  It was on, it was playing a television show, and the show was in living color!!!  My mother had saved for quite some time to get that portable but color TV set.  I was so happy!  It may have been small but it was a COLOR SET!

God, teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.  I think of people who have endured wars that last for many years.  Teach me to be grateful for what I do have.  I think of people who endured plagues like the Black Plague where cities of people were wiped out by the disease or indian tribes in America who were practically wiped out by diseases that Europeans brought from another continent.  God, teach me to have trust that you are there for me, for us, no matter what difficulties and even tragedies beset us.  For in You we have something that hardship, suffering, even death cannot take away.  As the famous poet, John Donne, said, in you Death Shall Die.

MOLESKIN:

Prayers for our nation at this time of unrest, prayers for Iceman’s father who will need surgery for his heart again, prayers for Thunderstruck’s mother and grandfather, prayers for Lillydipper’s wife.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
F3 Launch at Morristown this weekend.