F3 Knoxville

Tag: Steam

CMU Trail of Fears (Being Conquered)

[ The Scene ]

  • It’s hot with a capital h o t
  • PAX circle up in the bat cave where some shade is afforded

[ Warm-o-Rama ]

  • Windmill: 10 x 4 IC
    • 1 burpee
  • Rockette: 10 x 4 IC
    • 2 burpee
  • Baby Arm Circles
    • F: 10 x 4 IC
    • B: 10 x 4 IC
    • 3 Burpee
  • Seal-Clap Squats: 5
    • Down —> 1 4-count seal clap
    • Up = 1
    • 4 burpees
  • SSH: 10 x 4 IC
    • 1 burpee

[ The Thang ]

—mosey to CMU pile by bat cave—

(1) CMU Warm-Up

  • 5 CMU Getups
    • Deadlift up CMU
    • Squat w/CMU
    • Up + chest-press CMU
    • Deadlift down CMU on ground
  • 10 Cross-Overs
    • CMU on ground
    • Burpee on 1 side
    • “Jump” on the burpee is over the CMU
    • Burpee on the other side
  • 15 CMU Curl Presses
    • Curl + press – back down
  • 20 CMU Flutter Kick Presses
    • Execute flutter kicks while doing 20 CMU presses above
  • 25 CMU Drags
    • Bear Crawl formation
    • Take 1 hand – pull CMU through your legs to your other hand
    • Bear crawl up until the CMU is in the same start position as before
    • R & R
    • Every CMU pull = 1

(10 count)

—walkdown the stairs from the bat cave—

—mosey with CMUs to the beginning of lighted path leading up to Saturday morning AO—

(2) CMU Trail of Reps

  • CMU Curls
  • CMU Presses
  • CMU Squats
  • Nickel – Dime – Quarter
  • Light 1 = 5 CMU Curls
  • Light 2 = 10 CMU Presses
  • Light 3 = 25 CMU squats
  • Rinse & Repeat until we get to the small parking lot right over there
  • However – switch the order of the Xs once you get done with the first 3 lights
    • 4th light = 5 CMU Presses
    • 5th light = 10 CMU squats
    • 6th light = 25 CMU Curls

***Disclaimer: this sucked***

There was a teaching moment in this evolution of the beatdown however

Teaching Moment/Q Tip #1: Sweep/Pickup the 6/Wagon-Wheel/No Man Left Behind

The command of “Sweep/Wagon Wheel” was given 3x by the QIC

Pele was the singular HIM that responded and came back initially – the rest of the PAX followed suit after some prompting.

Why do we circle back/wagon wheel/pickup the 6/sweep if the QIC gives the command? (1) Not because the Q is in charge or commands it, but because any one of us could be the 6 on any given day. All of at some point in time have been the 6, you know what it’s like. (2) Circling back/wagon wheel/pickup the 6/sweep isn’t just a physical thing – it’s also mental as well. Sometimes all people need is a little encouragement and if you’re the 6 I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you probably needed some encouragement. Think about what circling back/wagon wheeling/picking up the 6/sweeping does for the 6 – not only does it reaffirm physically “No man left behind” but it also affirms mentally for the 6 and the PAX “No man left behind.”

We circle back. We Wagon Wheel. We pickup the 6. We sweep. No man left behind. That is a non-negotiable of F3. Period.

(Teaching Moment/Q Tip #1 was sunk in with 5 burpees by all PAX – we grow and move together – no man left behind)

Teaching Moment/Q Tip #2: It’s just a piece of rock

We have this thing at Asylum PM – if you break a CMU, 100 burpees or something crazy (stupid) like that. I’ll tell ya, people are generally pretty safe with their CMUs then, right?

However, it happens.

Dewey broke his CMU. Two pieces, on the ground. Disclaimer: Dewey is a tough hombre. Dewey is also the youngest PAX out there and he’s holding his own with the rest of us. Dude is straight crushing it in arguable one of the hardest CMU workouts to hit Asylum PM in a while.

Sometimes all people need a little encouragement. So you broke your CMU? Guess what? It’s a piece of rock – it’s okay. You’re crushing it man, keep your head up.

The bigger of the 2 broken CMU pieces is then shared by the PAX all the way back to the CMU pile. That’s what we do. CMUs are gonna get broken. It’s okay.

However, Teaching Moment/Q Tip #2 was sunk in with 5 burpees as well by all PAX – we share each other’s burdens)

Ah, I digress. Back to the hellish workout.

(Recover by parking lot)

(10 count)

Time to deliver these from whence they came – if you get down to the CMU pile first – come help someone else out with theirs that might be struggling (20/80 success on this).

(3) Pickett’s Charge to the Bat Cave

  • From the Asylum weekday morning AO car parking lot to the top of the overlook to the bat cave

Q lines up PAX in 2 lines – with Lilydipper and Pusher out front

The standard is as such —> run up Pickett’s Charge led by Lilydipper and Pusher —> no one passes them on the way up.

Teaching Moment/Q Tip #3: No one is above the standard, not even the Q.

Q stops PAX after first small hill on Picket’s Charge – reminds men of the standard set – PAX get in merkin plank position – 5 up/down merkins are executed.

Why? You are not above a standard – set by a Q or not. I am not above a standard – set by a Q or not. No one is above a standard – set by a Q or not. I don’t care how fast you are. No one cares how fast you are. There is a standard (set by the Q or not) for a reason. And a Q (and HIM) should expect and accept it to be followed. It’s not about you. It’s about the PAX. Challenge me on this. All feedback is encouraged and welcomed.

[ COT ]

  • # off
  • Name o Rama
  • FNGs
  • BOM

“Learn how to discern a win” – Jerry Flowers

    • Sometimes all people need is encouragement
    • When you can’t discern a win you’ll begin to mislabel victories
    • Identify a win – examples:
        • Lost something but gained something else
        • Lost something but gained a prayer life
        • Didn’t get the position or promotion but got character development and discipline along the way – that’s a win
        • I wanted to give you 5 examples of what I’ve identified as a few wins/victories for me so far this year:
          • Told to work from home indefinitely and feeling trapped inside all day —> freedom to be more intentional with my prayer life and pour more into things I love like F3 and walking outside – that’s a victory and a win.
          • A couple “failed” relationships —> intentional experiences and I’m being protected – given insight. That’s a victory and a win.
          • Started leading a small group of men – who are all married and in their 40s and up – I don’t say that to boast, I say that because for me this is a win for me because I didn’t see that modeled well a lot when I was growing up and now the Lord’s placed me there so I can actually see it modeled well while I learn how to lead – irrespective of my age or life experience – that’s a blessing and a win.
          • A few different opportunities have come and knocked on my door professionally and personally and instead of just flinging open the door – I’m learning to exercise judgement and wisdom in my decisions – for me that’s a victory and win.
          • We all have that one friend – and if you don’t that’s okay too – that has always been a little crazy right?
            • Well my dad has that one friend too. Great guy, snuck pre-21 years old Steam  a 6 pack at my dad’s wedding a while ago. We all get together for a guys weekend this weekend and play golf, shoot, wet our whistles probably a little more than we should, especially this particular guy and a bi-product of that led to him just opening up and saying “I remember having nowhere to turn, and just crying out to God for help.” Getting to recognize the weight of what was actually happening when he was verbally processing this was a huge win and victory. God’s on the move. 

So, what did we learn?

(1) No Man Left Behind. Period. Circling Back/Wagon Wheeling/Picking Up the 6/Sweeping is more than just a physical action.

(2) Stuff happens. Things break. There are consequences. But we share each other’s burdens. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your head up.

(3) There’s a standard for a reason. No one is above the standard. Not even the Q.

(4) Learn how to discern a win so you don’t mislabel victories in your life.

(5) Sometimes all someone needs is just a little encouragement.

Iron. Sharpens. Iron.

-Steam

 

Hill Yeah

[ The Scene ]

  • Muggy
  • Hot
  • THICK air

[ Welcome/Disclaimer ]

  • Welcome to F3: Fitness-Fellowship-Faith
  • My name is Steam and I’m honored to be your Q this morning
  • Any FNGs?
  • Couple of things before we begin:
    • (1) I’m not a professional
    • (2) You’re here on your own volition
    • (3) You know your body better than anyone so if you need to modify anything we do in the next 45 minutes feel free to do so, but push yourself and the men around you.
  • I’ll have water, my phone, and med gear in my ruck so feel free to toss anything like your keys/wallet/phone in there before we step off

[ Warm-o-Rama ]

  • SSH: 25 x 4
  • Baby Arm Circles: 20 x 4 (forward & Backwards)
  • Man-Maker: 15 x 8
  • Tempo Squat: 10 x 4

[ The Thang ]

(1) Cash-In w/Ring of Fire with All Benches

    • Pick a bench
    • Long sides: 5 incline merkins
    • Short sides: 5 dips
    • Mosey clockwise to the next bench
    • Rinse & Repeat until you get around to your OG bench
  • We Warmed Up?

(Mosey to the bottom of colorful stairs)

(2) 25s by 5s

    • Here: burpees
    • Up the hill at the top before Maplehurst apartments: Lower LBCs
    • Only 5 reps at each station
    • 25 total – end here
      • Done? Pickup the 6 with someone else —> Abort went full BEAST MODE and swept the crew

(20 count)

(Mosey down to the light and across the street – American Indian style – headed back to WFP)

(Turn R into WFP at the entrance)

(4) 25s

    • Every lightpost from here to the security building on the left under the bridge: 
      • 5 squats
      • 5 merkins
      • 5 SSHs
      • 5 Shoulder Taps (4 count)
      • 5 SSHs

(Mosey back BTTW to the AO)

[ Mary ]

(1) Quarter Pounder – 25

    • Flutter Kicks: 25 x 4
    • LBCs: 25 x 4
    • American Hammers: 25 x 4
    • Hello Dolly’s: 25 x 4

(Light stretching to finish out the 60 seconds)

[ COT ]

  • # off
  • Name o Rama
  • FNGs
  • BOM

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive”

John Eldridge, “Wild at Heart” 

The Pav-Maker (Patent Pending) + Some Other Character Building Stuff

[ The Scene ]

    • 70s
    • About as humid and muggy as it can get

[ Welcome/Disclaimer ]

    • Welcome to F3: Fitness – Fellowship – Faith
    • My name is Steam and I’m honored to be in your company and be your Q this morning
    • FNGs?
    • Couple of things before we begin:
      • (1) Contrary to popular belief I am not a professional
      • (2) You’re here on your own volition
      • (3) If you need to modify anything we do this morning – feel free to do so as you need but push yourself and those around you.
      • No man left behind – no man left the same
      • COVID measures are still in place so as much as you can let’s try and keep 6ft if possible.

[ Warm o Rama ]

    • SSH: 25 x 4 IC
    • Half-Burpee: 20 x 4 IC
    • Rockette: 15 x 4 IC
    • Shoulder-Tap: 10 x 4 IC
    • Cherry-Picker: 5 x 4 IC

[ The Thang ]

(Mosey to Pavilion by Flag)

(1) – 4 Corners Dora

  • Battle-Buddy up
  • Here at the Pav: Pav-Makers(Patent Pending)
    • Incline Merkin + Box Jump + Dip (8 count?)
  • AO Parking Lot:
    • Corner 1 (closest): 25 SSHs (1 count)
    • Corner 2 (top R): 25 squats (1 count)
    • Corner 3 (top L – farthest): 25 American Hammers (1 count)
    • Corner 4 (bottom L): 25 Rocky Balboas on curb (1 count)
    • (Counter-clockwise)
    • Each BB will complete all 4 corners – 1 at a time – recovering the BB doing Pav-Makers down here in between
  • When each you both have complete all 4 corners – regroup here and wall-sit it up
  • 3-8 count Pav-Makers

(10 count)

(Mosey to lightpost path by AO car lot Via through playground)

(2) – 10s

  • Every lightpost up to the top:
    • Alternating merkins and Imperial Walkers
    • All on a 1-count
  • Separate into 2 waves for space
    • Wave 1 – you’re with me going up first — when we reach the top we’re going to knock out 50 SSHs on a 1 count together
    • Wave 2 – (appoint TL) 50 SSHs on a 1 count together on the front end to let us get some ground in
  • Execute.

(10 count)

  • SSH: 100 x 4 (Shoutout to Charmin)

(Mosey to AO for Mary)

[ Mary ]

(1) – 4 COREners (Ha-ha….)

  • C1 — 20 Lower LBCs (1 count)
  • C2 — 20 V-Ups (1 count)
  • C3 — 20 Cockroaches (1 count)
  • C4 — 20 Freddie Mercury’s

(Toe the line on the curb when done)

[ Post-Thang ]

(1) Lateral moves across AO parking lot to loosen up post-thang

    • Karaoke
    • Walking Rockettes
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Top downs

(2) – Cash-Out with ATMs

  • 15 shoulder taps (4 count)
  • 10 slow merkins (4 count)
  • 10 merkins (1 count)

(3) Dynamic Stretching

    • Lower back
    • Neck/shoulders/Triceps
    • Lower Body

[ COT ]

    • # off = 13
    • Name o Rama
    • BOM

For my BOM this morning I just wanted to share a verse from the Bible I was introduced in the past month or so that has stood out and kept entering into my thought patterns.

Setting the stage: In 1 Chronicles 12:23 these groups of men are introduced, who came to King David armed for battle to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him as the Lord had said.

1 of these groupings specifically stood out for a couple reasons, and not because of the numbers they brought to the table like the other groups (6,800, 7,100, 4, 600, 3,000, 20,800, 18,00 50,000 for example)

1 Chronicles 12:32 —> “from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do – 200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command”

Another version reads: “from Issachar, men who understood both the times and Israel’s duties — 200 leaders with their families”

And I want to specifically draw attention to a couple things about these men

  • (1) They were faithful – came to David ready for battle – faithful to what the Lord had said
  • (2) They were classified both as men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do and as chiefs — Because they were faithful this was the reputation they were given. They knew who they were and what they were about.
  • (3) They had people that were under their command of leadership and looked to them to lead – specifically all of their relatives and families.

2,000 years or so later — the world still needs men like this. Men like this still exist in the world. What we would call the High Impact Man. 

    • As HIM we should want to both understand the times with wisdom and faithfulness, as well as recognize the people who fall under our command and the sound of our voice.
    • You are the men of Issachar. Call that out in one another. Remember that for yourself as well.

Quarter Pounder +++

[ Welcome/Disclaimer ]

  • Welcome to F3: Fitness – Fellowship – Faith
  • Name is Steam and I’m stoked to be your Q this morning – we have a great morning ahead of us
  • Any FNGs?
  • Couple things before we begin:
    • I’m not a professional
  • You’re here on your own volition – and I want to phrase that a different way too – you’re here on purpose, meaning both not by accident and we also have a purpose this morning – to sharpen some iron.
    • And if you need to modify anything we do this morning feel free to do it – I don’t know any injuries you may or may not have.

[ Warm-O-Rama ]

  • SSH: 20 x 4
  • Rockette: 20 x 4
  • Squat: 15 x 1
  • Merkin: 15 x 1
  • Imperial Walker: 10 x 1
  • Cherry-Picker: 10 x 1

[ The Thang ]

(Mosey to WFP Track)

(1) Quarter Pounder

    • 25 merkins
      • Take a lap
    • 25 squats
      • Take a lap
    • 25 Mountain Climbers
      • Take a lap
    • 25 BBSs
      • Take a lap
    • Recover after your 4th lap here – crush some flutter kicks until the 6 is up
      • 25×4

(10 count)

(Mosey to Parking Lot before Neyland Drive)

(2) Quarter Pounder with Cheese (Rock)

    • Grab a rock from the pile
    • Middle of the parking lot: 25 rock get-ups
      • Rock on ground — deadlift — squat — chest press — deadlift rock down = 1
    • Mosey/walk to the Left end of the parking lot island with your rock
      • 25 Curls (1 count)
    • Run back a round to the start
    • Rinse and Repeat
      • 2nd Evolution: Each PAX executes 5 Rock Get-Ups
      • All PAX executes 5 Rock Get-Ups together
        • Walk to Left end of parking lot with rocks
      • Ring of Fire Curls with Rock + 1 merkin in between
        • Going in a circle, 1 PAX calls out the curl rep —> every PAX executes 1 merkin —> ring of fire style up to 25 reps
    • Replace rocks

(20 count)

(Mosey R on Neyland Drive to big parking lot by Neyland)

(Mosey to the top of the lot by way of stairs)

(3) The Neyland Pass + Feels Like ‘98

    • PAX pause before going under Neyland
      • Execute 10 down/up incline merkins on rail
    • PAX mosey down under Neyland
      • Every Gate sign (8) = 5 squats (1-count)
    • After Gate 8 —> PAX mosey in front of gate gazing on the field
      • Q leads Flutter-Kicks on a 4 count in 2 groupings of 30 + 1 grouping of 38 = 98 reps of Flutter Kicks (‘98 may be gone but never forgotten)

(20 count)

(Mosey up from under Neyland via stairs – Bear Crawl up last 3 rows)

(American Indian Run at the top to an outlook overlooking WFP)

(Mosey down below engineering buildings down by stream separating the university + WFP)

    • PAX circles up by the right in front of the stream and executes 20 SSHs on a 4 count)
    • PRE-BOM: “Leadership should cause disruption”
      • Q encourages men to think about that on the mosey home

(PAX links up in 2 man teams —> Battle Buddy American Indian Run back to AO)

[ Mary ]

(1) Quarter Pounder

    • 25 x 4 Flutter Kicks
    • 25 Lower LBCs
    • 25 x 4 American Hammers
    • 25 x 4 flutter kicks

[ COT ]

  • # off —> 6 
  • Name o Rama
  • FNGs
    • Jon Connor “Livestrong” Davis
  • BOM

[ QSource by David “Dredd” Redding ]

I recently received a copy of “QSource” by Dredd in the mail and it is PACKED with leadership strategies and tactics and ideologies that HIM are called to. Definitely worth the read and felt like this was something I wanted to share in my BOM, probably because I needed to hear it the most (typical of Q BOMs right??). So here are some instrumental passages taken out of the first chapter of QSource.

”Because it induces movement, leadership causes Disruption.”

    • Leadership wrenches people away from the place at which they were determined to to remain. It causes them to question the foundation of their belief that their status quo was desirable, and that stasis was in their best interest. It attacks the palpable (but false) sense of security that inertia provides.
    • Like the agitator in a washing machine, leadership dislodges things long embedded in people’s emotional fabric”
    • If a man calls himself a leaders but does not cause Disruption by initiating movement, then he is not practicing leadership. He might be doing something else, like managing or governing, but he is not leading.
    • A leader is a person who influences movement to advantage.

Takeaways to let marinate:

    • Leaders influence movement to advantage
    • Because it induces movement, leadership causes Disruption
    • A great Leader’s legacy is built on love.

 

    • What needs to be dislodged from your emotional fabric? What needs disruption in your life?
    • As HIM we are expected to lead – not just those we love, but lead ourselves as well. Lead BOTH yourself  and those you love to movement and the advantage.

Building Bridges

THE SCENE: Stormy, but stayed dry, cloudy, low 80s.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

Welcome to F3, Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. F3 is a free workout program designed to improve fitness, share some camaraderie, and foster male leadership in the community.  I’m Pele and I will be your Q today.  I am not a professional, and I do not know your fitness level or injury history.  Please push yourself, but modify the workout as necessary to avoid making any existing injuries worse.  The goal is to get better together!  Some additional COVID-19 considerations: keep your distance between you and other members of the PAX and any other folks that we pass during moseys, etc. to 6-10 feet.  We will be splitting up into groups smaller than 50 if necessary.  We need to set good examples and be good neighbors out here at this public park, especially with so many folks out and about.

WARM-O-RAMA:

-43 +1 Side Straddle Hops (4-ct), in cadence

– 10 Hillbilly Squats (4-ct), in cadence

– 10 Abe Vigodas (4-ct), in cadence

– Orphan Annies (Hold elbow plank, lift one hand up and do circle motions like washing the floor.  Switch after 30 seconds)

THA-THANG:

MOSEY to end of Dragon’s Tail.

Special ROUTE 66. Combination of Route 66 and 11s. At each light do both exercises, with the total equaling 11.  Exercises: MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS and PETER PARKERS (both are 2-count).

MOSEY to parking lot by baseball fields.

  • CENTURY CLUB
    • Four STATIONS, each with two exercises. Must complete 100 total of the exercises (Must be at least a 75/25 split, but otherwise can be any combination.)  Must complete the 100 before moving to next Station.  After completing the 100, Move to the next station using the method indicated.
      1. STATION 1: CMU Pile
        • Curls/Overhead Press
        • BERNIE SANDERS to Station 2.
      2. STATION 2: PAVILLION
        • Table Pull ups and Dips
        • EL CAPITAN to Station 3.
      3. STATION 3: PLAYGROUND
        • Bench Step Ups and Incline Merkins
        • SPRINT to Station 4.
      4. STATION 4: Parking Lot across from ballfields
        • BEAR CRAWL and LONG JUMPS back and forth
        • Run to BONUS BOX
  • BONUS BOX in the Middle: Rotate doing 25 of the following in the four corners until the 6 catches up:
    1. SSH x 25
    2. Overhead Claps x 25
    3. Imperial Walkers x 25
    4. Standing calf raises x 25

BERNIE up Baby Cardiac 1/2 way, then sprint.  20 American Hammers (4-ct, IC)

Mosey to monument/lookout, 10 Tempo Squats

Mosey to AO.

MARY:

  • Static leg raises. On 6, bend one knee, lift the other leg as high in the air as possible and hold. Switch after 30 seconds.
  • 43 +1 Side Straddle Hops (4-ct), in cadence

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
12 Strong
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

We did Four Score and Seven (i.e., 87) SSH to start and end the work out.  This refers to the opening words of the Gettysburg address, written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln, “FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO TODAY”…  The Gettysburg battlefield has been in the news recently, and it prompted me to revisit the Gettysburg Address.  Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and left over 40000 soldiers dead and wounded. Often seen as one of the turning points in the war, Gettysburg pointed the path to Union victory and full emancipation for enslaved Americans.  One of our favorite (insert eye roll…) exercises here, Pickett’s Charge, is named for a doomed attack on Union Forces at during the Battle of Gettysburg.

After the Battle of Gettysburg, the war turned fully in the Union’s favor, and the Civil War ended soon thereafter.  On November 19 of the same year of the battle, President Lincoln was persuaded to say a few words at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg.  It also essentially served as his re-nomination address for the election of 1864, which was not assured: The country was still in the midst of the Civil War, the Democrats were disgruntled and angry, and even Lincoln’s own party was questioning his re-nomination.  So he agreed to speak “a few appropriate remarks.”

The Gettysburg address is quite short.  It’s only 272 words long.  It wasn’t even the main speech of the day.  Lincoln was a reticent man who was not prone to long-winded speeches.  But it is widely regarded as one of the most sublime and patriotic speeches in our nation’s history, and one of the most influential statements of national purpose ever crafted. Its transcript follows, with some inserted notes:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we [Notice that he never used the first person singular in the speech. He used the first person plural] are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. [Notice that he extols the sacrifices of the soldiers who died, without calling out or casting blame on the Confederates.]

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Important Takeaways:

  • Short and Sweet! It was not a grandiose speech that was all about him.  It was also positive and inspirational. (To quote the musical Hamilton, “Talk Less, Smile More”)
  • This nation was conceived in liberty, and ALL men are created equal
  • Lincoln always uses the first person plural, not singular.  “Now WE are engaged in a great Civil War.”  “It is rather for US to be here, dedicated to the great task remaining before us”.  It was not about Lincoln, what he did, etc.  He also did not further divide the nation by calling out the Confederacy.  We’re all in this together.  The speech served to begin the process of mending bridges and put some salve on the wounds caused by the Civil War.  Lincoln took the high road, and refused to be divisive.

We still have unfinished business as a nation,or “a great task remaining before us”.  We are too quick to divide, to accuse, to attack, too slow to forgive, to compromise, to forget old grievances.  During these days of political divisiveness, it is refreshing and hopeful to look back at the words of a truly great man and President, and seek to return to those values described in the Gettysburg Address.

MOLESKIN:
Prayers of gratitude that Lilydipper’s wife, Jan, had successful surgery.  Prayers for Curveball as his family deals with a positive COVID test for one of his daughters. Prayers for Hooker as he ramps up staffing at his office.  Prayers for all involved as schools across the country reopen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None