Chairman

CHOP 12-17-19

https://youtu.be/4gOf6RvqrsE

Warm-O-Rama

  • 5 Burpees OYO
  • 20 Side Straddle Hop IC
  • 20 Windmills IC
  • 20 Cherry Pickers IC

The Thang

  • Mosey to the main entrance of HOB
  • Complete in descending order from 11- each of the following: Dips, Squats, Merkins, and Big Boys. After each set mosey around the middle circle of the parking lot. 10, 9, 8, 7… you get the idea.
  • Mosey back to CHOP

F3 message: Qualifying the Called.

Doce Dias De Navidad

Date: 12/12/19

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE.

QIC: Quattro – Warm-up VQ & Fireplex on Q

Warm up

12) Side Straddle Hops

11) Chinooks

10) Cherry Pickers

9) Alabama Ass-Kickers

8) Windmills

7) Mountain Climbers

6) Goofballs (ladder climbers)

5) Golden Merkins

4) Copperheads

3) Mountain Man Poopers

2) Annie’s

1) Lap… keeping cadence

The Thang – 12 Days of Christmas or Doce dias de Navidad to keep with the “Quattro” theme…..:)…. Exercise set courtesy of Quattro’s M….

Each exercise was completed and repeated in descending order just as the Twelve days of Christmas Song would be sung. You get the idea. After reaching the eighth exercise, we took a break for the third F provided by Quattro….see F3 Message below…. Once the beatdown resumed, we jumped to the twelfth exercise and worked our way down to #1 after-which we jogged our block back to the pile.

1– 30 sec Plank with a run around the Church before adding the next exercise on the list of twelve.

2 – 4 count Mountain Climbers

3 – Overhead block presses

4 – Glute Bridges

5 – Burpees

6 – Donkey kicks

7 – Split jacks

8 – 4 count SSH

9 – Curtsy lunges

10 – Block swings

11 – Full motion squats

12 – Block dead-lifts

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 – Quattro

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.   

The Twelve Days of Christmas – True Meaning Behind the Lyrics

Ace Collins – from crosswalk.com

To many people, the lyrics of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” seem strange beyond belief. The odd carol’s words might make one think it is a novelty song, in the vein of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” or “My Favorite Things.” Though a host of modern internet sites and some magazine articles have tried to reduce “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to a little more than a silly Christmas carol, most scholars of the Catholic Church deem it a very important surviving example of a time when that denomination used codes to disguise their teachings. Originally a poem written by Catholic clerics, this song was transformed into a carol at a time when celebrating the twelve days of Christmas was one of the most important holiday customs. By understanding the meaning the clerics chose the twelve days as wrapping for their poem, the full impact of the tradition of the twelve days of Christmas can be understood.
 

The 12 Days of Christmas – True Meaning

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . a partridge in a pear tree.

The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge, the only bird that will die to protect its young.


 On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . two turtledoves.

These twin birds represent the Old and New Testaments. So in this gift, the singer finds the complete story of Judeo-Christian faith and God’s plan for the world. The doves are the biblical roadmap that is available to everyone.

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . three French hens.

These birds represent faith, hope, and love. This gift hearkens back to 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter written by the apostle Paul.


 On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . four calling birds.

One of the easiest facets of the song’s code to figure out, these fowl are the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
 

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . five gold rings.

The gift of the rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch.
 

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . six geese a-laying.

These lyrics can be traced back to the first story found in the Bible. Each egg is a day in creation, a time when the world was “hatched” or formed by God.
 

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . seven swans a-swimming.

It would take someone quite familiar with the Bible to identify this gift. Hidden in the code are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. As swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on earth, they would seem to be a perfect symbol for the spiritual gifts.
 

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . eight maids a-milking.

As Christ came to save even the lowest of the low, this gift represents the ones who would receive his word and accept his grace. Being a milkmaid was about the worst job one could have in England during this period; this code conveyed that Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood. The eight who were blessed included the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
 

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . nine ladies dancing.

These nine dancers were really the gifts known as the fruit of the Spirit. The fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
 

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . ten lords a-leaping.

This is probably the easiest gift to understand. As lords were judges and in charge of the law, this code for the Ten Commandments was fairly straightforward to Catholics.
 

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . eleven pipers piping.

This is almost a trick question, as most think of the disciples in terms of a dozen. But when Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, there were only eleven men who carried out the gospel message.
 

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me . . . twelve drummers drumming.

The final gift is tied directly to the Catholic Church. The drummers are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.”

The Context & History Behind “The 12 Days of Christmas”

Teaching the Catholic faith was outlawed in sixteenth-century England. Those who instructed their children in Catholicism could be drawn and quartered. Thus, the church went underground. To hide the important and illegal elements of their teaching, clerics composed poems that seemed sill to most people. But these verses were veiled works that taught the church’s most important tenets. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is said to be one of these teaching tools.

Most people today believe that the twelve days of Christmas start on December 12th or 13th and run through Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. But in fact, the first day of Christmas is December 25th and the final day is January 5th. Thus, for hundreds of years the Christmas holidays didn’t begin until Christmas Eve and didn’t end until Epiphany.

Why were these twelve days important? These dozen days were tied to more than just the teaching of the Catholic Church. A host of other denominations also celebrated the twelve days of Christmas. Some denominations celebrated Christmas in January and began to count the twelve days then. But whenever they began, the counting of the days became an important facet of each holiday season. Even in the Dark Ages, in some Eastern European churches, the twelve days of Christmas meant attending daily church services. For Christians who lived during this extremely difficult age, the twelve days were a time of rededication and renewal. It was also a period when small, simple, and usually symbolic gifts of faith were given to children. Thus, in both coded poems and public worship, the twelve days were considered a holy period.

For many Christians today, even the recognition of the twelve days of Christmas has been lost . . . for two reasons. The first is that when Epiphany lost out to Christmas as the day of giving gifts, many simply quit celebrating the twelve-day observance. The other reason is based more on the change in the fabric of culture than on overlooking the Christian holiday of Epiphany.

In ancient times, when most societies were rural, few people worked in the dead of winter. It was a time when many were spending long, dark days inside their homes, looking forward to winter’s chill giving way to the spring thaw. So devoting a dozen days to prayer, reflection, and attending church was not a huge undertaking. Yet with the coming of the Industrial Age and the regular year-round work schedules it brought, finding time to continue the activities that had been traditionally associated with the twelve days of Christmas became all but impossible for most people.

So the passing of the twelve-days custom probably had as much to do with “progress” as with anything else. As fewer and fewer churches and families participated in the tradition, it was all but lost. Yet in the obscure poem that was later turned into a popular carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” live on. And the twelve days described are actually a wonderful and complete picture of the Christian faith.

The “true love” mentioned in the song is not a sweetheart but the Catholic Church’s code for God. The person who receives the gifts represents anyone who has accepted Christ as the Son of God and as Savior. And each of the gifts portrays an important facet of the story of true faith.

So, just a silly song? On the surface maybe, but in reality, a refreshing reminder of the essential elements of Christian faith. The twelve days of Christmas may no longer be a widely recognized holiday tradition, but the days were an important bridge that connected persecuted believers of the past with the whole story of God’s plan. In the complicated world of today, a trip back to the not-so-distant past when Christians celebrated the twelve days of Christmas would only enhance the meaning of Christmas for everyone.

Ace Collins is the writer of more than sixty books, including several bestsellers: Stories behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, The Cathedrals, and Lassie: A Dog’s Life. Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, he continues to publish several new titles each year. Ace has appeared on scores of television shows, including CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and Entertainment Tonight.

This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!

Respectfully Submitted,

Quattro & Fireplex

Keep them burnin while their burnin 2.0

QIC : semi

Warm up

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

THE THANG

Mosey to pavilion across bridge

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

Mosey to bathrooms near AO

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

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

Mosey back to AO

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

Number Rama

Name Rama

COT

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

Sand Bear, Sand Bear, What Do You See?

DATE: 12/10/19

QIC: Chappie

A dirty dozen PAX won THAT FIRST BATTLE, gave their fartsack a beatdown, and posted for the first beatdown of the week on an amazing 63 degree day in December!

If you can’t figure out the beatdown from the title, then read on. If you have children at home, you get the reference. If you were 1 of the 12 HIM who posted, then you know…

WARM-O-RAMA:

  • Disclaimer given
  • SSH – 18 IC (Because many men are 18″ from life eternal)
  • Swartzjacks – 10 IC (Because, well, it’s the 10th of December)
  • Sealjacks – 10 IC
  • Crab Flippers – 10 IC…Nice and slow for full effect
  • Patty Cake Merkins – 10 OYO (w/partner)
  • Bolt 45 – No complaint breaks in between – Squats: 15 – Top to half, 15 – Half to bottom, 15 – Top to bottom

THE THANG:

PAX stayed paired up, each pair retrieved a 40# sandbag and lined up at the edge of the Grace Church field. Approximately 150 yards in length, PAX alternated between doing 10 Burpees & the Sand Bear Drag (planked over the sandbag, PAX Bearcrawled and pulled the sandbag forward) while advancing the entire length of the field. “Sand Bear, Sand Bear, what do you see? I see the opposite end of the field looking at me.”

  • Partner 1: 10 Burpees
  • Partner 2: Sand Bear Drag
    • Swap, rinse & repeat as necessary

To return from opposite end of the field, PAX swapped out from 10 Apollo Ohno’s to Burpees while advancing the length of the field in return. “Sand Bear, Sand Bear, what do you see? I see the opposite end of the field looking at me.”

  • Partner 1: 10 Apollo Ohno’s
  • Partner 2: Sand Bear Drag
    • Swap, rinse & repeat as necessary

————————-

Back in the AO parking lot, PAX circled up for the day’s 3rd F Message:

(Source: Adapted from F3 Nation QSource Nov. 20)

COMMITMENT – Unwavering Loyalty To The Group And Unflinching Determination To Accomplish It’s Mission

Loyalty requires abandonment of self

How important is commitment to you?

Are you someone who values loyalty and follow-through? When things get tough, are you in the habit of standing firm? Or do you have a tendency to compromise your level of commitment or even quit? More specifically, how committed are you to your team? Is your support solid? Is your dedication undeniable?

WAYS to improve your level of commitment . . .

1) TIE COMMITMENTS TO YOUR VALUES.
Because your values and your ability to fulfill your commitments are closely related, take some time to reflect on them.

First, make a list of your personal and professional commitments. Then try to articulate your core values.

Once you have both lists, compare them. You will probably find that you have commitments unrelated to your values. Reevaluate them. You will also find that you have values that you are not living out. Commit yourself to them.

2) TAKE A RISK
Being committed involves risk. You may fail. Your teammates may let you down. You may discover that fulfilling your goals doesn’t give you the results you desire. But take the risk of committing anyway. George Halas, former owner of the NFL Chicago Bears, asserted, “Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.”

3) EVALUATE TEAMMATES’ COMMITMENT
If you find it difficult to commit in particular relationships and you cannot find a reason for it in yourself, consider this: you cannot make a commitment to uncommitted people and expect to receive a commitment from them (Emphasis added). Examine the relationship(s), team, group to see whether YOU are reluctant because the potential recipient is uncommitted (maybe even untrustworthy).

4) INCREASE YOUR LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND STAND FIRM ON MATTERS RELATED TO YOUR VALUES
Loyalty is firm, and constant support and allegiance manifested, through the subordination of one’s own well-being to the Prosperity of the Group. A Loyal person puts the interest of his Group and the needs of its Members before his own. In his decision making, he is concerned first with the impact a course of action will have on the Group and only secondarily upon himself. His relationship with his Group and its Members is that of a fiduciary, in that he is charged with a special duty of Trust that obligates him to safeguard the groups Prosperity in everything he does.

DAILY SCRIPTURE

Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

1 Kings 8:61
Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men

————————-

Next PAX circled up with sandbags & bricks: 1 PAX on Sandbag, 1 PAX on a brick, sandbag, brick, sandbag, brick, etc. (you get the idea). PAX rotated counter-clockwise around the circle alternating between Sandbags & Bricks:

  • Sandbags = 10 Sandbag Squats
  • Bricks = 10 Merkins (touch chest to the brick to work on full form)
  • Final stops of bags & bricks = 20 reps each
  • Total = 70 reps Sandbag Squats, 70 reps Merkins

One final COP: Al Gore for a couple of 10 Counts

With that, it was a wrap! Sand Bear, Sand Bear, what do you see? I see the end of the workout looking at me!

COT/BOM:

  • Announcements: Plan B has been activated for this year’s F3 first State Christmas Party – We’re moving to Irish Eyes, Friday, Dec. 13 @ 7 pm. Come one, come all. Thanks to Chairman for taking the lead on making the reservations call! Dec. 21-22 Crossroad Christmas (See Quattro for the skinny on the times)
  • Prayers: Streudel’s M, Lisa, biopsy today. Danielle, continued prayers thru her battle. Aaron, Chappie’s nephew deployed. Vanilla, continued prayers for health for entire family recovering from colds and flu. Prayers for all PAX to check their commitment levels.

Always an honor and painful pleasure to Q. Shout out to the Dirty Dozen who posted, and, as Chattahoochee’s shirt said, “Embrace the Suck.” Way to embrace it men!

~Chappie, out!

Pre-Blast F3 First State Christmas Party

First State Christmas Party

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

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

What: Annual Christmas Party

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

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

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

Q&A:

Q: How much does it cost?

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

Q: BYOB?

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

Q: When should I RSVP?

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

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

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

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

PRE-GOBBLE WOBBLE

QIC: CHATTAHOOCHEE

8 PAX posted on this cool breezy morning for a pre thanksgiving beatdown to work up an appetite followed up by a little fellowship and coffeteria plenty of laughs and oh the stories that were .

WARM UP– 25 SSH, 20 WINDMILLS, 20 IMPERIAL WALKERS, 20 CHERRY PICKERS ALL IN CADENCE 15 BIG ARM CIRCLES FOWARD 15 BIG ARM CIRCLES BACKWARDS OYO.

THE THANG– THE Q TRIED SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS MORNING AND ANNOUNCED THAT ANYTIME DURING A MOSEY ANY PAX CAN YELL DROP AND GIVE ME 5, 10 OR 15 MERKINS. THIS STARTED OUT PRETTY STRONG DURING THE FIRST MOSEY BUT SLACKED OFF A LITTLE AFTER THE FIRST PAIN STATION. I DID LOSE COUNT BUT PLENTY OF MERKINS WERE DONE.

MOSEY TO THE FISHING PIER,

1st PAIN STATION BEAR CRAWL THE LENGTH OF PARKING SPACES EXCLUDING THE HANDICAP SPOTS, 25 DIPS ON BULKHEAD, 25 DERKINS ON SAME BULKHEAD, TOY SOLDIER SET 35 (LBCs) 25 (E2Ks) EACH SIDE, 15 (BIGBOYS), 25 SQUATS

MOSEY TO STRAWBERRY ALLEY,

2ND PAIN STATION HEY THERE’S A WALL WE HAVE NOT USED YET ALL PAX HAVE A SEAT AGAINST THE WALL WHILE PAX INDIVIDUALLY PERFORMED 5 TEXT BOOK BURPEES SOME OF US MAY HAVE BEEN GLAD THERE WERE ONLY 8 PAX A SHORT BREAK FOR A LITTLE 3RD F.

MOSEY TO THE PARK

3RD PAIN STATION 15 STEP UPS EACH LEG ON BENCH, PAX WORK CAPT. THOR WHILE 2 PAX AT A TIME MEET DO A MAX SET OF PULL-UPS ON THE HUMBLING RINGS.

MOSEY UP THE HILL AND BACK TO THE CHOP JUST IN TIME FOR 4 MINUTES OF MARY.

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING WAS A 3 DAY FEAST FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL HARVEST. NATIVE AMERICANS AND PILGRIMS FROM THE MAYFLOWER COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE HEALTH AND HARVEST. WHEN WE SAY THANKSGIVING WE ARE SAYING THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED MAKE AMERICA THE PLACE IT IS TODAY. KEEPING WITH THAT I WOULD TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMAN, POLICE FIRE AND EMS THAT CONTINUE TO MAKE AMERICA WHAT IT IS TODAY.

AS YOU ANTICIPATE TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND A DELICIOUS THANKSGIVING MEAL TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON THE HOLIDAY AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT MEANINGFUL. THANKSGIVING IS FULL OF WAYS TO NURTURE GRATEFULNESS, EXPRESS GRATITUDE TOWARD GOD AND CELEBRATE A MEMORIAL HOLIDAY. DISCOVER HOW TO GO BEYOND FOOD AND FOOTBALL AND GLORIFY GOD ON THIS THANKSGIVING DAY. BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT TAKE THE DAY AND LEAVE OUT THE GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE UNLOCKS THE FULLNESS IN LIFE. IF THE ONLY PRAYER YOU SAY IS THANK YOU THEN IT WILL BE ENOUGH AND REMEMBER THANKSGIVING IS A TIME OF TOGETHERNESS AND GRATITUDE.

Primis Pre Thanksgiving

11/27- 

QIC- Summit

Warm up- 

11- wind mill

27- side straddle hop 

Bolt 45s 

11- Moroccan night club

27- Cherry pickers 

The Thang-

Mosey to pavilion 

20 – dips. Fingers facing your toes 

20 – wide arm merkins 

20 – dips 

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

Mosey to parking lot 

Abs- 

50 lbc

25 big boys 

50 supermans 

25 flutter kicks in cadence 

3rd F- Thanksgiving 

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

Mosey across bridge to pavilion with benches 

20 – merkins 

20 – derkins 

20 – Erkins 

20 – ranger merkins 

Mosey back to courts  

Abs-

50lbc

25 Big Boys 

Count off 

Name-a-Rama 

Welcome FNG- Kyle Ricker 

COT 

Happy Thanksgiving y’all! ????????????  

Muppet Legs

Date: 11/21/19

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 20 IC

Windmills – 15 IC

Bolt 45’s IC (4 Count) – 15 squats to halfway down.  15 squats halfway to full down.  15 full squats.

Cherry Pickers – 15 IC

Mosey .48 miles to Food Lion Shopping Center

The Thang

Pax performed a quick Mike Tyson set of 7’s in the alley between Walgreens and Dollar Tree utilizing a bear crawl to traverse the distance between the walls.  Once complete Pax went right at a set of Doracides which is identified in the Exicon as follows:  Two Pax worked together to reach exercise reps of 100, 200, 300, & 400 of 4 different exercises.  One Pax worked on the exercises while the second Pax completed suicides to three designated waypoints.  The extra twist is at the waypoint of each suicide run; the Pax completed 1 burpee, then 2 burpees, and finally 3 burpees before returning to the starting point.  Once all three suicide sprints were completed, the Pax switched stations until all reps of each exercise were completed.  The exercises completed are as follows:  100 American Hammers, 200 Merkins, 300 LBC’s, & 400 squats.   

Mosey .48 miles back to CHOP

F3 Message

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers. Specific prayers were lifted up for Lisa, Doubtfire, Briggs Family, and Aaron.  

TEMPLE TREASURE – #5193

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

“I only had 24 hours in Athens, Greece. Well, what am I going to do? Well, I knew what I wanted to see – the Acropolis, and there it is. It’s on this hill that dominates the city, and it’s there that the ancient Greeks built this incredible temple to their goddess Athena. Even after 20 centuries, I have to tell you, it’s still an impressive, imposing structure and it still dominates the city. The Acropolis was the most sacred, most protected, most honored place in all of Athens. In fact, it was a serious crime to violate that temple, as it was in many ancient cultures. Hey, everybody knew the temple got first class treatment because the gods live there.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Temple Treasure.”

Now, those ancient worshippers had the wrong God, but in a way they had the right idea about His temple. It was in the time of those temples and ancient deities that Paul wrote our word for today from the Word of God in 1 Corinthians 6:19- 20.

Here’s what he says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” Now Paul is presenting here one of Christianity’s most revolutionary and most shocking ideas. If you belong to Jesus Christ, you are the building God lives in!

And even pagan people knew that the way you take care of your god’s dwelling place tells a lot about how you feel about your god. If you know Christ, you are God’s two-legged temple! You don’t have to go to Greece to see a temple – all you have to do is look in the mirror! So everything you do with that body of yours, God is part of. Everything you do to that body, in a sense, you do to God.

So the question is: Are you treating your body like the temple treasure that it is? If you really care about the God you say you love, you won’t let His temple run down, get overweight, get abused by an eating disorder, or get all out of shape. Ancient pagans knew you had to keep the temple in good condition because your temple advertises what your god is like. That’s what you and I do with the body that His Holy Spirit has come to live in. Maybe you’re devaluing that temple God lives in with the junk you put in it, or by playing around sexually, using His temple to satisfy your glands or your curiosity. Do you know who lives in the body you’re doing that with? The Holy Spirit of God.

It isn’t smart to junk up God’s temple. It isn’t smart to misuse God’s temple. That’s what the moneychangers found out when they were abusing God’s temple in Jesus’ day – when His temple was a building. It’s one of the few places in the Bible where Jesus is really angry. He physically, angrily goes after those who have messed up the place that is God’s dwelling. Today, that’s your body, and Jesus doesn’t like it when you junk up His temple.

It matters what you do with His temple; what you put into it, how you treat it. The reason it matters to Jesus so much – what you do with that body of yours – with that temple of yours – is that He paid for you with His blood. You were, remember, “bought at a price.” And that price was Jesus’ life. He has a right to expect that the body His Spirit has moved into will be kept very special for Him.”

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

MUPPET LEGS – Compliments of Bolt 45’s, Mike Tyson’s, & Doracides !

Into the Void

Date: 13 Nov 2019

QIC: Chappie

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

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

WARM-O-RAMA:

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

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

THE THANG:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mosey return to the home court

NUMBER-RAMA:

NAME-O-RAMA:

COT/BOM:

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

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

~Chappie out!

Bring Sally Up the Bridge

Location: Primis, Lewes, DE

PAX: Chairman(Q), Chappie, Chattahoochee, Fireplex, Gump, Leatherman, Quatro, Semi, Vanilla, Wild Wing & Special Guest: Ryan Mavity (Cape Gazette)

Warmups: All In Cadence 18 SSH 20 Moroccan Night Clubs 18 Windmills 18 shell pickers

The Thang: Bring Sally Up Merkin Challenge (lots of complaining and grunting!).

Mosey to drawbridge. Toy Soldier Set: 35 LBCs 20 E2Ks 15 Big Boys.

Bear Bridge: Crawl bear up bridge incline, Ltnt Dan across deck, Bear Crawl down bridge. 10 count. Nur up bridge incline, Ltnt Dan across deck, crab walk down bridge. 10 count.

Mosey back to Primis. F3 Message:https://f3nation.com/2019/04/06/mammon-q1-9/

The Thang 2: Abbreviated version of William Wallace. Pax in 4 Corners of BBall Court: 3 in 2 corners & 2 in 2 corners (Thanks Chattahoochee!). Half Pax run to middle and do 10 Burpees while other half plank. Pax in middle run back when done and switch. All Pax to middle for 25 American Hammers IC.

Number-O-Rama and Name-O-Rama. https://youtu.be/VssjeqmRUjs

COT prayers for Chappie nephew Aaron overseas, Danielle Briggs and family as she battles cancer, Vanilla & Summit brother-in-law Jay (pancreatitis), Chairman’s Dads upcoming tests.

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