Drago

Go Tell Your Dad

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Date: 06/13/2024

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

PAX: Deez, Quattro, T-Rex, Whirlybird, Drago, Toy Soldier, Chattahoochee, Probe, Streudel, Fireplex

QIC: Fireplex

Warmup

SSH – 25 IC

Moroccan Night Clubs – 40 IC

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

Windmills – 15 IC

Hydraulic Squats – 10 IC (6 Count)

Mosey from the AO to “Oh Hill No”

Over the Hill Set – Modified Burp Back Mountain  

  1. Split Pax into two groups or if it is a smaller group you can complete it as one unit together.
  2. 1st round the 1st group Nur’s up the hill and mosey back down while 2nd group completes clock merkins on the incline completing 5 reps each at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, & 9 o’clock. Rinse and repeat until your partner returns.  Switch stations and repeat.
  3. 2nd round the 1st group bear crawls up the hill and mosey back down while 2nd group completes the same evolution of clock merkins. Rinse and repeat until your partner returns. Switch stations and repeat.
  4. 3rd round the 1st group completes the inch worm up the hill and mosey back down while the second group completes the same evolution of clock merkins.  Rinse and repeat until your partner returns.  Break for the message

F3 Message 

  • Final round the 1st group completes the crawl bear up the hill and mosey back down while 2nd group completes the same evolution of clock merkins.  Rinse and repeat until your partner returns.  Switch stations and repeat.

All Pax Nur up and moseyed down the hill Twice to complete the set.

Toy Soldier Set – 100 LBC’s, 50 Y2K’s x2, 25 Big Boys OYO

Mosey back to the AO for the Circle of Trust including announcements, prayer, the Count-O-Rama & the Name-O-Rama.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.

F3 Message 06/13/24

THE POWER OF A FATHER’S SMILE

June 14, 2023

It’s important for fathers and sons to do things together – like when my son helped me with the yard work so we could bond. I remember one day when my oldest son was about five. It was a hot day. I was mowing and my son was following around after me clipping. I looked over to him and I smiled. About five minutes later he came over and yelled over the mower, “Daddy, could you please do that again?” I said, “Could I do what again, son?” He said, “Daddy, could you smile at me again? Your smile keeps me going.”

Ephesians 6:4 has some great parenting instructions: “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” God says, “Don’t tear your children down. Bring them up.” A father has incredible power to be either one – to make your son or daughter feel inadequate and small, never good enough, or to make your son or daughter feel competent, worthy, appreciated, and valued. It’s clear which one God expects from a father, and from a mother.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Paul is likening the lives of believers to a positive father. Here’s what he says, “For we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God.” Do you see the verbs there? Three words that are the godly ways of a father – to encourage your child, comfort your child, and urge him or her to live a godly life.

How are you doing? Did I just describe most of the conversations you have with your son or daughter – you’re encouraging, you’re comforting, are you urging? Think about the comments, for example, made years ago by one of President Clinton’s most impressive advisors, a man named Bill Galston. The news article I read back then said he was at the peak of his career when he resigned from his position. No one could believe it! Why?

Well, Bill Galston had worked hard trying to balance time with his ten-year-old son and his hugely significant job. He took his son to his White House office so they could talk while he worked. He even woke up at 6:00 in the morning so they could spend a few minutes together. But Bill was at the breaking point. He couldn’t do both. His son wrote him a letter saying, “Baseball is not fun when there’s no one there to applaud you.”

There’s just no substitute for a father. In the moments that matter to our children: the proud moments, the hurting moments, the amusing moments, the arriving home moments, the serious moments. And there are few sources more influential on earth than your approval of your son or your daughter. Could it be that there’s been too much emphasis on what’s wrong with your son or daughter, on what you want them to improve, on their weak points rather than majoring on the positive?

So much of the sense of security and sense of worth comes from knowing that Dad is pleased with them, that Mom is pleased with them. Focusing on the encouraging, on praising what’s good about them, on noticing even the slightest improvement, on building up not tearing down, concentrating on the things that matter to them. Realize what your most important job is. Bill Galston told the President of the United States, “You can replace me. My son can’t.”

Does your son or daughter need to hear your applause again, see your smile again? Maybe you need to make a new beginning by asking their forgiveness. Or start now to make it your daily mission to build them up, focus on their good points, and give them all of you sometime during that day. Your son or daughter is looking your way for something only you can give them; the smile that keeps them going, because a father’s smile is powerful, life-giving encouragement.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

Hair Of The Dog Or Maybe Just A Feather From Woodstock?

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Date: 12/05/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Pax: Bunt, Chauffer, Drago, Fireplex, Probe, Ruxpin & Streudel

Warm up

SSH – 20 IC

Windmills – 20 IC

Imperial Walkers – 20 IC

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Moroccan Night Clubs – 30 IC

Hydraulic Squats -10 IC

The Thang

Grab a block and run around Strawberry alley back to the CHOP parking lot.  Pax will complete 20 Merkins each side with one hand on the block.  Pax will utilize the block and the curb to complete 20 abyss merkins.  Pax will complete a Lt Dan for approx. 50 yards up the hill toward Strawberry Alley utilizing the block before moseying around the block back to the CHOP parking lot for 20 American Hammers double count with the blocks followed by 20 Big Boy Sit-ups with the blocks.  Leaving that pain station each Pax will complete a 50 yard murder bunny up the hill toward the Strawberry Alley corner with the block before moseying around the block back to the CHOP parking lot.  A break was taken for the F3 Message.  All Pax will mosey up the hill to Mill Street stopping at the corner to complete a Bolt 45 set with the block in cadence.  Pax will continue the Mosey around the block from Mill Street back to CHOP parking lot where each Pax will complete 10 Alabama Ass Kickers and 10 Blockees.     

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.

F3 Message – 12/05/2023

THE PAYOFF FOR THE PAIN – #3867

Tuesday, November 6, 2001

When our son was playing high school football, he looked like the tattooed man at the circus, with bruises all over his body. He always dreamed of playing football. And he had his dream, but he paid a price. As soon as practices started in August, the coaches had those players running ’til they almost dropped, and hitting, and tackling, and straining, and sweating. Some guys quit because it was just too much. Finally, the season began – and his team started winning – a lot. I remember one incredibly rowdy victory celebration on the bus home after they had managed this 20-0 shutout. He had weighed the pain of playing against the pleasure. What he concluded may help you weigh yours.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Payoff For The Pain.”

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Romans 8:17-18 – written by a man with plenty of bruises for taking his stand. But when he weighs the pain of his commitment against the pleasure of the payoff, there’s no comparison. Paul say, “We are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Now that was the conclusion of spiritual warrior Paul. Now here’s what our football player concluded when he weighed the pain against the payoff. He told me, “Dad, the feeling of victory is worth all those hours of practice. You didn’t think so when you’re slugging it out in practice, but it is.” Same conclusion. The victory more than makes the pain worth it. But there is one major difference between his equation of football-suffering and Paul’s equation of suffering for Christ.

Our son said, “Unfortunately, the pleasure of winning doesn’t last very long.” That was true–15 hours of practice a week for a few hours of joy. But when it comes to the pain-and-victory comparison in Christ, the opposite is true. Paul said any hurt we have here is like minutes compared to the forever celebration of victory we’re going to enjoy.

But right now you’re in practice, and you don’t feel very victorious. It hurts. You’re under a lot of pressure; you’re trying to do what’s right but it doesn’t seem to be working. And maybe God has trusted you with the assignment to show His joy and His love in the midst of physical suffering. Or perhaps you’re paying a price for the stand you’re taking. It’s tempting to compromise, to back off, maybe to give in to despair, or even to quit.

Remember, God will record your faithfulness so He can reward your faithfulness 100 times over! If you decide what to do based on comfort or convenience, you will never know the thrill of ultimate victory.

Our son said the suffering was “worth it all.” Those words make me think of the values-clarifying words of a great old hymn. “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase. So gladly run the race ’till we see Christ.”

That kind of outlook enabled the Apostle Paul to have a very different perspective on his hurts. He says in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And then in verse 37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us!”

So take the hits that you’re getting in practice right now. The victory will be so glorious you will soon forget the wounds. Don’t quit now. The practice is just a little while – the party is forever!

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

They Named A Corner After You

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Date: 10/03/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE 19968

QIC: Fireplex

PAX: Bunt, Chattahoochee, Drago, Fireplex, Probe, Ruxpin, Toad, Toy Soldier

Warm up

SSH – 20 IC

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Bolt 45’s – 15 squats to halfway down.   15 squats halfway to full down.  15 full squats

Windmills – 20 IC  

The Thang

Hindenburg BLIMPS from the Exicon

Modified version of Blimps. Perform exercise at corner #1, mosey to corner #2, perform exercise, mosey to corner #3, perform exercise.  Then mosey to corner #4, perform exercise, and then mosey back to corner #1.  Plank it up until all PAX are in.  That completes one round.  Round #1 – 10 Burpees. Round #2 – 20 Lunges each leg.  Round #3 – 30 Imperial Walkers.  Round #4 – 40 Merkins.  Round #5 – 50 Plank Jacks.  Round #6 – 60 Squats.

Each round consists of @ .25 miles – Mill Street was the block of choice.  All Pax completed four rounds through the round of 40 Merkins at each corner. One evolution of the 50 Plankjacks and one evolution of 60 squats was completed in the COT to finish the morning strong.

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayers.

F3 message 10/03/2023

THE HARVEST OF DOING GOOD – #9207

April 26, 2022

Our friend Mark grew up on the farm; actually on an Ozark Mountain farm. And that means rocks in your fields! One local grandfather used to say, “Every time it rains I grow rocks in my field.” Mark knows all about that. Over a period of time, his mother made him clear hundreds of rocks out of one of their fields when he was just a little guy. Well then, Mark bought some land from his mother as an adult. And as he started to work one of those fields, he was really pleasantly surprised by how amazingly rock-free it is. Then it dawned on him, this was the field he had made rock-free when he was a boy!

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Harvest of Doing Good.”

Mark was reaping the good work he did many years ago, enjoying the benefits of those efforts. That’s a reminder of one of the wisest laws in the Bible, “Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). We usually think about that in terms of the bad consequences of the bad seed we sow, but there’s another side to that reaping equation.

In Galatians 6:8-9, our word for today from the Word of God, it says, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life.” So you don’t just reap the bad you sow; you reap the good you sow. Paul goes on to make a very practical application, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Why do we sometimes give up on some of the good we’re trying to do? Well, because of the nature of harvesting. If a farmer plants corn on a Tuesday, he doesn’t go out and pick it on a Wednesday, or maybe for many, many Wednesdays after that. There’s a time lag between sowing and reaping, and so it can look like nothing’s going to come from it. So we quit sowing in the lives of our children, our church, our coworkers, our friends.

But we end up living today in the life we built yesterday – the relationships we built – good or bad, the reputation we built. We’re living in it today. The ways we’ve treated people. Well, you did some sowing today and you’ll ultimately get back the kinds of things you sowed. So spend the time that person needs from you. Consciously do random acts of kindness each day. Give a gift when there’s no occasion for your appreciation; just giving it for the person themself. Send those thank you notes. Give that compliment; that word of encouragement. Use the money God’s entrusted to you to lift people’s burdens and people’s spirits. Don’t be afraid to be generous. After all, Jesus said, “You lose your life by trying to hang onto it, but you find your life by giving it away” (Luke 9:24).

Scripture is full of encouragement to keep sowing good seed. “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more” (Mark 4:24). “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). Don’t be afraid of what you’ll lose by giving. God has promised that you’re going to gain so much more. You don’t become richer by keeping what you’ve got. You become richer in your life in some way or another by giving it away.

So, keep scattering good seed wherever you go. Make it a daily thing, because when you do, somewhere down the road there’s an awesome harvest coming.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

F3 A Burpee

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Date: 08/17/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 15 IC

Bolt 45’s – 15 squats to halfway down.   15 squats halfway to full down.  15 full squats

Imperial Walkers – 15 IC

Windmills – 15 IC

Mosey from CHOP .2 mile around Strawberry Alley and back to grass by the bank parking lot.

The Thang

 Q brought a modified Super 21 beatdown in descending order.  21 Burpees to 21 Big Boy Sit ups.  20 Burpees to 20 Big Boy Sit ups.  19 Burpees to 19 Big Boy Sit ups, etc., etc., etc.  An option was given to modify the evolution in ascending order.  A break was called for the 3rd F message at the Q’s discretion.  231 of each exercise would be completed if the evolution is completed in its entirety.  The best for the day was completed by Probe descending down through the round of 8.  

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayer. 

F3 Message 08/17/23

WHEN THINGS ARE OVERWHELMING – #9541

August 7, 2023

My wife always said I usually try to cram in one more thing before I leave for an appointment. No, she was right. Yeah, she’d say that I usually try to make it up on the road, and sometimes I do have to plead guilty I guess. And it usually works okay if the weather’s on my side. And then there are those very rainy days when it’s a little tougher to hurry. You know, you’re zipping down the highway at top speed, and suddenly you feel yourself losing control of the rear wheels. You ever had that happen to you? Yeah, it’s what they call hydroplaning. The water builds up under those tires so that well, you’re suddenly skiing. You’re skimming along on water rather than on the pavement and the rear of your car starts to go somewhere you don’t want it to go. Now, if that’s ever happened to you, you know it is a scary feeling to start hydroplaning because, well, you’re going so fast and you’re starting to start losing control.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “When Things Are Overwhelming.”

Now, our word for today from the Word of God comes from Psalm 42. As we read this, the author (DAVID) is hydroplaning. Well, he didn’t have a car, he had a chariot. And I don’t know if chariots hydroplane or not, but things were moving so fast for him, he was beginning to lose control. In fact, listen to some of the descriptions he gives. He says, “My tears have been my food day and night.” Then as you read on later in this very personal Psalm, he uses words like this: “Why are you so downcast oh my soul? Why are you so disturbed within me?” Then he says, “My soul is downcast within me. All Your waves and breakers, Lord, have swept over me.” This guy’s in bad shape!

He says, “Man, things are just totally out of control.” I was there not too long ago feeling this way. I think it was accumulated over a period of several weeks. Challenges had just been getting much bigger than my resources. Personally I felt like my faith was kind of like a fitted sheet on a king sized bed and I couldn’t quite get it over that fourth corner. I couldn’t get it to reach far enough to cover the particular challenges and the pressures that were accumulating. And I’ll be honest with you, I was overwhelmed, I get there sometimes. I was pretty anxious, I was feeling like I would never catch up. And then I wandered into Psalm 42, where I was hit with a very probing question by a man who was feeling things out-of-control like I was. And as it turned out, that question turned out to be the answer.

Here’s our word for today from the Word of God. The question is in Psalm 42:2. It says this: “When can I go and meet with God?” So the writer says, “I’m losing control. It’s bigger than I am. When can I go and meet with God?” You know, just like the writer of that Psalm, I needed to stop the world and get away for 24 hours with my Bible and a notepad and meet with God. And I did.

That’s been repeated many times. Maybe that’s the prescription for you right now. You say, “Well, there’s too much for me to stop right now.” See, that’s why you need to. Set a time to stop. Stand back, and listen to your Lord for an extended, unhurried chunk of time – for hours, not just minutes. Write down what you’re feeling and what you’re thinking as you’re in His presence for that extended time. And ask Him for a fresh look at the people and the pressures so you can see the forest and not just the trees. Ask Him to help you see it through His eyes. Set some priorities while you’re in that away spot. Make plans. Weed out things that can go. You can trust what you get from God when you’re in an extended time in His presence. And those need to be scheduled on a pretty regular basis.

So, if you’re traveling at high speed, you feel yourself losing control, slow down, hit the brakes, carve out time away where your Lord can show you what He wants, and He can have your undivided attention.

The number one question you have to answer right now is this: “When can I go and meet with God?”

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

August 17, 2023 – F3 A Burpee

What the Hill Pooh

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Date: 03/23/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Pooh VQ

Warmup

SSH – 20 IC

Moroccan Night Clubs – 30 IC

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Imperial Walkers – 20 IC

Bolt 45’s

The Thang

Moseyed to “Oh Hill No” where Pax completed a bear crawl up the hill and a crawl bear down. Then each Pax completed 10 burpees, 20 merkins, and 30 squats. Plank for the six. Pax Nur’d up the hill and ran down and completed 10 burpees, 20 merkins, and 30 squats. Plank for the six. Pax Nur’d up the hill and ran down and completed 25 LBC’s, 25 flutter kicks, and 25 squats. Plank for the six. A break was taken for the 3rd F Message. Then each Pax completed a bear crawl up the hill and a crawl bear back down and completed 5 of the 6 previously identified exercises at their discretion. Plank for the six. Pax mosey’d back to the AO for a round of Mary to finish the beatdown.

The beatdown ended with a COT with a name-o-rama, announcements, and a prayer.

F3 message 03/23/2023

God created humans in His image. We have the distinction of being designed on the model of our creator and Lord. As such, we are treasured by Him. We should take note that those around us are also made in the image of God. That person in line at the grocery store, that face on social media, that server at dinner — all are made in God’s image, and God cherishes them all. They are all human beings and creations of God. Knowing that we are all made in the image of God should prompt us to see value in others. God calls us to love one another. Seeing value in everyone is not the same as agreeing or being best friends with everyone. Instead, it means showing all people the love of Christ through what we do and how we treat them. Each person brings value to the world and to God’s kingdom. We all have purpose, and we should treat all people mindfully and with great respect because God has deemed them of value.

Respectfully, POOH

This One is for Lenny

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Gee eye VQ – Warm up

Hip Circles – 20 OYO each Direction

Superman Merkins – 15 IC

SSH – 20 IC

Slow Tempo Squats – 15 IC

Mountain Climbers – 20 IC

The Thang

Mosey to Little League Park

F3 Message – Q shared the story of how he found a painted rock at the workout on 3/14/23.  The hashtag on the rock pointed to #Teamlennyrocks on Facebook.  The message was about Lenny Williams, a 20yr old that passed away from a battle with cancer back in October of 2022. Lenny’s family are all Milton FD members and Lenny was bestowed honorary membership in the dept. posthumously.  He loved the FD, and he loved baseball as he was active with his family at the Milton Little Park.  A benefit tournament was held on the Little League premises and it was only fitting that the rock be “hidden” there for the next person to find and to be inspired by the story and the strength of young Lenny Williams.  Q offered a word from Ron Hutchcraft below about preparing for the worst and the power of God’s Grace.

The Cycle – From home plate, bear crawl to 1st base, 3 burpees, crawl bear back to home From home plate, bear crawl around the bases to 2nd base, 6 burpees, crawl bear back to home From home plate, bear crawl around the bases to third base, 9 burpees, crawl bear back to home From home plate, bear crawl around the bases to home plate.   *The Thang was modified for time and all PAX completed the full cycle Bear Crawl around the bases, 9 burpees at home plate, and then a full cycle Crawl Bear back around the bases to home plate.*

Mosey back to AO

Count-O-Rama, Name-O-Rama, and the Circle of Trust.  Please keep all our HIM in your thoughts and prayer. 

F3 Message 03/16/23

PREPARING FOR THE WORST – #9430

March 3, 2023

During the high school football season, our Campus Life Club used to have a crowd breaker that provided a lot of entertainment for all of us. We had four cheerleaders up front with a box of football equipment, minus the more personal stuff, of course. They raced to see who was the first to get fully dressed in shoulder pads, hip pads, knee pads, helmets, the rest, you know. Well, they each had a football player providing verbal coaching, but the results were still hilarious. Those cheerleaders had no idea what gear went where. But that’s okay. They didn’t need to know. You can be sure the players knew. Every day, whether it was for a practice or a game, they got that equipment on. They didn’t need it all day in school, of course, because they weren’t generally being chased, or run into at high speeds, or thrown to the ground. But when it came time to play, the coaches made sure they had the equipment they needed. The coach wasn’t about to send them into the battle without what they would need to protect them.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Preparing For the Worst.”

Our missionary son called us one day and, in an uncharacteristically sober tone of voice, he opened with these words: “Mom, Dad, get your grace helmets on.” He was preparing us for some bad news. They were in their sixth month of pregnancy with our grandson, and the doctor had just spotted some rare and serious medical problems. Our son knew what he, his wife, and our whole family were going to need for the trying months ahead. We were going to need God’s grace; the equipment that God provides to give us that extra strength and protection we will need for the battle we’re headed into.

Right now, you may be in one of those seasons where all your human resources are just totally inadequate to keep you going. Here’s God’s open invitation, recorded in Hebrews 4:16, our word for today from the Word of God. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” See, grace is God’s enabling power that sustains us when we’re running on empty. It’s sort of like a reserve fuel tank that kicks in when our emotional and physical fuel tank has run out.

And it’s not just generic grace, you know; not like “one size fits all.” No, it’s customized grace, specially designed for the kind of situation you need it for. So, God provides parenting grace when that’s needed; forgiving grace when forgiving is what you need to do. He’ll give you cancer grace, suffering grace, persecution grace, funeral grace. For our family, facing the deep questions, the deep feelings, and the critical decisions about that little baby, God’s grace came in like a Daddy’s arms picking us up and carrying us when we couldn’t walk any farther.

That little guy has had his battles, and he’s not a little guy any more, and he’s doing okay. But even if we have some more, you know what? His story is already one miracle after another. Not the least of which is the strength and the grace that has protected us like body armor on a soldier, or gear on an athlete. And, as God promised Paul in the pain and limitations of his thorn in the flesh, “My grace is sufficient.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Or, as the original Greek says, “Enough for you – My grace.”

His grace really is enough for you, no matter how desperate the situation. Because He’s said “your strength will equal your days.” (Deuteronomy 33:25) Whatever the burden, He will match it with His grace. More than match it, if you’ll go to His throne of grace to get it. You have to go for the grace that this moment requires.

No matter what hits you, God is no less in charge; His plan is no less on target. Things may be out of your control. They are never out of His control. If you trust Him, He will give you just the equipment you need for the battle you’re facing right now, because God’s plan will not lead you where His grace cannot keep you.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

Roll & Rock

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QIC: Chappie

Date: 2/28/23

A double-deuce of PAX (22) won #thatfirstbattle and posted for YHC’s Roll & Rock workout: I.e. Roll the dice and rock out the reps and run. So it could be called Reps & Run as well, but that’s just not as catchy. YHC has been on a hiatus so it was good to be back out in the Gloom. Welcome to this morning’s two FNG’s: Lil’ Joe (yes, Hoss brought him) and Snagglepuss; so named because he posted last week, but he exited Stage Left after YHC Rick Rolled him. IYKYK. Oh, there were many other nickname options like Houdini, Stage Left, Casper, Walk-Off, etc., however, when an FNG states he doesn’t particularly like a name, well, he gets THAT name–it’s just the F3 way! Lol. Again, welcome to F3FirstState Lil Joe and Snagglepuss! That being said, here’s how things went down…

COP/Official Disclaimer given

WARM-O-RAMA:

  • SSH – 18 IC
  • Hip Circles – 10 L, 10 R OYO
  • The MOTIVATOR – Always a crowd-pleaser
  • Cherry Pickers – 18 IC
  • Imperial Walker – 15 IC

THE THANG: (no standing around, no stopping, only Planking acceptable)

The Brief: Roll the Dice & Rock the reps, then run. Clydesdales run the short lap (.27 miles); Shivering Whippets run the long block (.05 miles)

Round 1 – Rolled a 14

  • Burp-Jacks – 14
  • 4-Count Freddie’s – 14 IC
  • A2G Squats – 14 IC

Run around respective blocks

Shared 3rdF, check it out at this link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnmhFsXL0Z0/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Here’s YHC’s adapted hard copy:

This is from Skip Bertman when he was head baseball coach at LSU and led the Tigers to 5 National Championships: Let’s say you have 25 nickels to represent 25 guys on the team, in your group, or at your respective workplaces. (Bertman stacks the nickels)

Boy, they’re easy to stack, aren’t they? We can put ’em right on top…on top of one another, and you can stack all 25, not much of a problem. We can stay together, we can be one. But, boy, if you have one guy, bent out of shape, not in the system; some guy who’s not with it (kinda just settled on doing his own thing his own way). I guess we could carry him for awhile [places bent nickel on top of stack]. If you had two guys, maybe we can carry…maybe two guys like that [places 2nd bent nickel on stack]. But they can offer no foundation, you see. If they’re bent out of shape, not with the team, group, or company) there’s no chance that we’re going to be able build on top of these guys [places bent nickels on bottom and tries placing others on top]. There’s no chance they can help any of us. If we try and put ’em in the middle and we try and stack some guys on them, but they’re bent out of shape—their altitudes are different than the rest…it’s just not going to happen, boys! [Bertman places bent nickels in middle with nickels on top, they fall]. You can’t be bent out of shape (just doing your own thing, in your own way, if your part of something bigger). HIM gotta be with the team (the group, the company and they gotta stay together and gotta be One as they strive to carry out the mission of that team, group, or company that hired them. Or as Skip Bertman said, “You gotta remember the nickel demonstration.”

Time to roll again…

Round 2 – Rolled a 6

  • Bearcrawl out/Crawlbear back (count only left step) – 6 steps
  • Dying Cockroaches – 6 IC (double count)
  • Lunges (count only left step) – 6 out/back

Run respective blocks

Round 3 – Rolled a 15

  • Hand-Release Merkins – 15 OYO
  • Triple Threat Gas Pumpers (side-middle-side) – 15 IC
  • MJB’s – 15

Omaha due to time: All PAX run short block

  • Clydesdale total run distance = .81 miles
  • Shivering Whippets total run distance = 1.27 miles

Note to self: Mumblechatter Radar detected words to the effect, that, “We need to do some more running...”

COT:

  • Number-Rama – 22 PAX
  • Name-O-Rama – FNG’s named Lil Joe & Snagglepuss
  • Announcements: Happy 51st Birthday to Ruxpin…REEESPECT! ShamRuck (family ruck) coming up Friday, March 17 @ 6:30. Stepping off from the Aegis AO. ShamRuck FAQ’s: see Deez.
  • Prayers: T-Rex’s dad; travel mercy for Chauffer; Blockbuster’s success going before Soldier-of-the-Month Board today, etc., and for God to help us all to be HIM instead “bent nickels”

YHC is glad to be back out. Thanks men!

Chappie, out!

Crawling is for Pooh

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Date: 02/07/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE 19968

QIC: Pooh – Warmup VQ & Fireplex – Q

Warm-up

SSH – 21 IC

Cherry Pickers – 15 IC

Moroccan Night Clubs – 20 IC

Windmills – 20 IC

The Thang

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

Pax completed a Toy Soldier set consisting of 100 LBC’s, 50 E2K’s each side, and 25 Big Boy ‘s.

Hydraulic Squats – 10 IC (6 Count)

“Chairman Lap” out the back driveway of the CHOP, to the left on Willow, left on Union and to the left back to CHOP parking lot.  Approx. .25 miles.

All Pax were asked to complete a set of 21’s approx. 30 yards apart. Complete 20 merkins and bear crawl approx. 30 yards and complete 1 Bobby Hurley.  Bear crawl back the @30 yards and complete 19 merkins, then bear crawl back and complete 2 Bobby Hurleys.  Continue until you complete 15 merkins and 6 Bobby Hurleys. Pax took a breather for the F3 message after which they finished strong with 10 Burpees, a 30 yard bear crawl, 10 burpees, and a 30 yard bear crawl.

F3 Message 02/07/2023

BOUNCING BACK WHEN YOU BLOW IT – #3801

Monday, August 6, 2001

I’m about 5’8″. You probably know that because I sound about that tall, right? Years ago, I was carrying 210 pounds on this little 68″ body. Goodyear actually offered me a job as their blimp. But thankfully, I have weighed about 45 to 50 pounds less than that for a lot of years. Of course, I’ve still got the same metabolism that inflated this body many years ago. So, ohhh, do I know about dieting! And I also know the point at which your diet is in the greatest danger. OK, you’ve really been good…the scale has been giving you good news the last couple of weeks…your diet discipline is holding. Then somebody offers you something that you just can’t resist–let’s say, a few french fries. You consume them in one bite. So, you buy a whole order of fries for yourself. And now you feel bad. You have blown your diet. You could just get back on track right then. But no–you say to yourself, “I blew it! I’ve failed! Oh well, what’s the use? I might as well have a milk shake to wash down those fries. Hey, and anybody got the number of Pizza Heaven?” Yeah, you messed up. So you give up–and soon return to your former roundness.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about “Bouncing Back When You Blow It.”

Now, it’s a shame when one or two failures make you give up on your diet. Or, more importantly, on living like Jesus wants you to live.

Maybe it’s a pattern you know all too well. Like a dieter, you’ve made up your mind to change–to do things Jesus’ way. You’re living right, you’re doing well. But one day you mess up and fall back into something the old you would do. And you feel ashamed. Now right here is the point–in dieting or being a disciple–that will determine whether or not this is a brief detour or a huge defeat. What will you do when you’ve blown it? Now, you can clean up or give up. And, believe me, Satan is gonna be right there whispering, “What’s the use? You tried this Christian thing, and look at you! You’re a spiritual lose. You’ll never make it. This is too hard for you. Give it up, man.”

Now, Jesus said Satan is capable only of telling lies–and this is no exception. But he wants to take one defeat and turn it into many defeats…to use this one detour to get you to turn back completely. And maybe you have. Well, it’s time for the truth. Our word for today from the Word of God, Proverbs 24:16, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” Notice it doesn’t say, “a righteous man never falls.” It says that when he falls, he gets right back up and starts walking again! See, that’s God’s intention for you when you’ve messed up.

That’s why He invites us in 1 John 1:9 to “confess our sins” because “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It’s not Jesus standing there, condemning you for falling. God says, “there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) No, that’s your enemy trying to pull you into a cycle of defeat. Live right…then mess up…then feel ashamed…then you give up…then you mess up a lot more…and then you crash spiritually. That’s the cycle of defeat. But Jesus is saying, “One failure is one failure. And the only people who never fell down are people who aren’t trying to walk. Bring that sin to My Cross. Let me clean you up. Tomorrow’s a new day!”

So when you mess up spiritually, it’s either the cross or a crash. Bring that sin straight to Jesus’ cross, and you can get up and keep going. Believe the “what’s the use?” lie, and you’ll crash. Because of Jesus, no failure is final. If you’ve fallen, you can get up, in the forgiveness and power of your Savior.

Now take it from a veteran dieter–it’s a terrible mistake to give up just because you mess up. Today’s failure doesn’t have to sink you tomorrow. You have a Savior who makes each new day a brand new beginning.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pooh & Fireplex

Ye Old 4×4

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PAX: Baaa, Chappie, Chattahoochee, Chauffer, Drago, Fireplex, Flat Bottom, Focker, Probe, Quattro, Rooster, Roscoe, Ruxpin, Semi, Streudel, T-Rex, Whirlybird, Wildwing, Woodstock,

QIC: Chappie

DATE: 1/31/23

PAX at CHOP won #thatfirstbattle and posted for yet another surprise Chappie Q, who stood in the gap for Bunt who “called in sick.” YHC jumped at the opportunity and jumped into action with an oldie but a goodie–Ye Old 4×4! That is, 4 corners around the block x 4 exercises at each corner, plus the transitions from corner to corner around the CHOP’s .5 mile square. This workout has been done before and has been returned to from time to time as a bit of a measuring stick. It has been awhile, so…

WARM-O-RAMA:

YHC was all set up for a good warmup and completely forgot Roscoe was scheduled for his VQ Warm-O-Rama. Fortunately said PAX was mingling in the circle and ready to go. YHC doesn’t recall all the warm-up exercises, but kudos to Roscoe who did a great job leading. Thanks brother for being ready and NOT slipping into the shadows thinking maybe you could just do it another time. After that, off we went to get in the 4×4…

THE THANG:

PAX moseyed from the AO to the dentist office parking lot

Corner #1: Merkins (Corner of Union & Tobin)

  • 05 Diamond Merkins
  • 10 Ranger Merkins
  • 15 Regular Merkins
  • 20 Hand-Release Merkins

Transition to next corner: Lt. Danger to light pole, Mosey to corner #2…

Corner #2: Abs (Corner of Tobin & Mulberry)

  • 20 X’s & O’s
  • 20 E2K’s
  • 35 4-Count Freddie’s IC – A real crowd-pleaser
  • 60 Dying Cockroaches

Transition to next corner: Bearcrawl to power pole, Dragoncrawl to light pole, Karaoke rest of the way

**3rdF attached below was shared here after a 10-count (see below)

Corner #3: Legs (Corner of Mulberry & Willow)

  • 18 Smurf Jacks IC
  • 30 Calf-Raises OYO
  • The Bolt 45
  • 05 Compass Squats (Omaha’d from 10 for time’s sake)

Transition to next corner: 50% Jailbreak to church driveway, 75% Jailbreak to next corner)

Corner #4: Full body (Corner of Willow & Union)

  • 10 Burpees
  • 10 Plank Jacks (4-count)
  • 05 8-Count Body Builders (Omaha’d from 10 for time’s sake)
  • 10 Mule Kicks

Transition back to AO: Just a good ol’ fashioned Mosey

Returned to the AO at 0602 hrs. (apologies to the PAX). Had a few extras ready just in case there was time:

  • Jack Webb
  • Hands of Time

**3rdF shared at Corner #3:

In the OT book of Exodus, Ch. 7 begins a record Moses’ repeated visits with Pharaoh (King/Ruler) of Egypt to plead with him to “Let my people go!” God called Moses to lead Israel out of 430 years of Egyptian slavery. Each time Moses met with Pharoah he said no, or he said yes, only to turn around and recant Israel’s release to freedom.

Throughout this exchange with Pharoah, Moses warned with plague after plague–10 to be exact–and repeatedly we read that Pharaoh hardened his heart. But we also read the peculiar verse in Ex. 9:12 which says “the Lord hardened Pharoah’s heart.” I’ve always wondered about this, even at times fearing that God, in my own stupidity and rebellion, might harden my heart. But this goes against the concept of Free Will (the idea the we have the ability to interact with God voluntarily and NOT under compulsion).

I want to share some thoughts on this I recently discovered that helped me understand the verse. “Maybe you have your own thoughts on this verse, but let’s look at it another way–through the lens of a metaphor: Let’s say God is the sun, and let’s say Pharaoh is a leaf that IS NOT connected to the vine, and Moses is a leaf connected to the vine.

Now keep in mind the verse in John 15:5 where Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” We know the sun is the same today, forever, and always, but it will have a drastically different effect on the leaf that is connected to the vine, compared to the one that is not. The sun causes the vine and everything connected to it to flourish and to have life in itself. While on the other hand, it causes the unattached leaf to harden, shrivel up, and to eventually die. The same sun, the same leaves. The difference is one is connected to the Vine and one is not.” (Source: kingdom.story.films )

COT:

  • Number-Rama – 19 PAX
  • Name-O-Rama
  • Announcements: Take a look at the nation site F3Nation.com and check out the information for GRT Event coming up in D.C. Mar 24, 25, 26. This is THE premier F3 event. Sign Up today.
  • BOM/Prayer: Praise for the outcome/justice in the trial mention in previous prayers; strong finish for Swartz’ wrestling season and for his school work as his marking period is coming to a close; prayers for YHC’s parishioner who lost her husband to suicide yesterday; prayers for Bunt to get well soon and return to action; prayers for other requests mentioned–forgotten as of this writing by YHC, but never forgotten by Sky-Q, our great God and King who will continue to keep our hearts pliable and teachable and full of life IF we remain connected to Him through faith in Jesus.

Always honored to Q and appreciate the call from Bunt to fill in.

Chappie, out!

Moving Parts, Too Many?

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Date: 1/12/23

QIC: Chappie

YHC jumped in to fill the gap as requested by Bunt who was out of town. 23 PAX won #thatfirstbattle and posted for yet another multi-station workout, which YHC confesses may have had too many moving parts. Nonetheless, those who did the work got “gassed”–says Quattro. Several PAX dressed in red to honor Cardinal from F3Knoxville, who actually collapsed and died during his VQ just yesterday, 1/11. (Forgive Streudel’s laughter in Name-O-Rama, he wasn’t aware why the PAX next to him announced “Cardinal!“) Cardinal leaves behind his M, Andrea, and 2 young children, Clay and Evie. Our hearts go out to the family and F3 PAX who were with him when he died. There are no guarantees that we’ll have our next breath…let’s live like it! And let’s be prepared for eternity!

As mentioned, there may have been too many moving parts. Still, here’s how it all went down…

WARM-O-RAMA:

  • SSH – 51 IC
  • Imperial Squat Walker – 15 IC
  • Tempo Merkins – 10 IC
  • Italian Night Club – 51 IC
  • Cherry Pickers – 15 IC

>>>>>>Mosey to H.O.B.

THE THANGITY THANG: (WORKOUT RULES below)     

PAIR UP for Stations: Run counter-clockwise aroun stations, stopping to do the workour (if bags are available)

CONE #1 • 40lb sandbags – 40 OH Presses, then go to next station; if there’s no sandbag, keep running all the way around…

CONE #2 • 40lb sandbags – 40 Sandbag Curls, go to next…

CONE #3 • Long Sit/Cross Legs – 30 reps, Single Count (Grab a card, do exercise, before moving on. KEEP YOUR CARDS!)

CONE #4 • 40lb GORUCK BAGS – 10 Sandbag Burpees (clean & toss), go to next…

CONE #5 • 20lb Medicine Balls – 10 OH Squat Thrust & Catch or Slams, go to next.

CONE #6 • X’s & O’s – 25 Single count (Grab a card, do exercise, before moving on. KEEP YOUR CARDS!)

CLOSING GAME OF WAR:  2 lines/2 teams: I. De. Clare. War! Winners: No exercise Losers: Exercise on winning card.

OVERALL WORKOUT RULES:

  1. Move in Pairs
  2. Spread out among 6 stations/directions are in chalk at each CONE.
  3. GOAL: Keep moving! Rule: If you see a PAX walking you may Grab a card from the deck, charge them with it (they do exercise) AND you get to exchange it with and keep the highest card from their hand (no exercise charged to you!)
  4. If there’s no bags at a station, rock on! (Keep running till you’re able come around and complete all stations.)
  5. After each time at the ab stations (3&6), grab card from deck, do the exercise, but keep your cards to the end. Try to get 3 cards.
  6. Once you’ve done a station you’ve completed that station. By-pass it if already done. DO NOT throw down actual sandbags!

Bonus: RETURN TO AO WITH ALL THE COUPONS, AND WITH WATER IN MOUTH (Spit it out/Swallow it no Burpees!) Due to time no Burpees were rewarded, however, several PAX did them after BOM. Growing success—most of the PAX succeeded at this crazy exercise invented by the Apache Indians (who ran great distances while holding water in their mouths)

Wait a second! 23 PAX/24 Waters…who didn’t drink up?

3rdF shared prior to the round of I Declare War:

Navy Seal, Admiral McRaven, told this training story during a commencement address:

He said, “Every day during training you were challenged with multiple physical events. Long runs. Long swims. Obstacles courses. Hours of calisthenics, something designed to test your mettle. Every event had standards, times you had to meet. If you failed to meet those times, those standards, your name was posted on a list. And at the end if the day those on the list were invited to a circus.

A circus was 2 hours of additional calisthenics, designed to wear you down, to break your spirit, and to force you to quit. No one wanted a circus. A circus meant for that day that you didn’t measure up. A circus meant more fatigue, and more fatigue meant that the following day would be more difficult, and more circuses were likely. But at some time during training everyone, everyone, made the circus list.

An interesting thing happened to those who were constantly on the list: Over time those students who did 2 hrs. of extra calisthenics got stronger and stronger; the pain of the circuses built inner strength and physical resiliency.

Life is filled with circuses. You will fail. You will likely fail often. It will be painful. It will be discouraging. At times it will test you to your very core. IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR WORLD—don’t be afraid of the circuses!”

In 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Paul used this kind of physical training as an illustration to tell of something of greater importance—living for Christ.

“Don’t you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (More important.) Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I beat my body [discipline] and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”

The Bible gives this allegory to tell us that to cross the finish line effectively it’s going to take work. Not to earn it, but it just takes work AND because, like any athlete or any man, there will be times when we just don’t feel like putting in the work [out]. T.D. Jakes reminds us, “Your feelings will never cooperate with your dreams. Beat your feelings into captivity. Because when you beat your feelings into captivity, that is what discipline is!”

This sounds like Admiral McRaven, except that it stretches across the spectrum from physical training to the things we face in our everyday world… “Life is filled with circuses. You will fail. You will likely fail often. It will be painful. It will be discouraging. At times it will test you to your very core.”  IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR HOME, YOUR WORKPLACE, YOUR COMMUNITY, AND YOUR WORLD—IF YOU WANT TO BE A H.I.M., don’t be afraid of the circuses!” [Anticipate and expect to do the extra work]

COT:

  • Name-O-RAMA – 23 PAX
  • Announcements: SLT Meeting tonight @ Tequila Real, 6:30 pm; Roving RuckF3st Friday stepping off at Georgetown Circle in the Gloom; Quattro need girls clothing and school supplies for trip to girls orphanage
  • Prayers: Quattro as he’s preparing for mission trip to El Salvador; Cardinal’s M and children and the PAX with Cardinal when he died during the workout.

Honored to stand in for Bunt in his absence, thankful for the opportunity to Q

Chappie, out!

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