pooh

Merkins Make Me Mad

, , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

Date: 03/05/2024

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Pax: Bunt, Wood, Pooh, Deez, Semi, Woodstock, Ruxpin, Chattahoochee, Probe, Fireplex

Warm up

Merkins – 20 OYO

SSH – 20 IC

Cherry Pickers – 15 IC

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

Windmills – 15 IC

Imperial Walkers – 15 IC

The Thang

Super 21 Routine – 21 Merkin & 21 Big Boys, 20 Merkins & 20 Big Boys, 19 Merkins & 19 Big Boy’s, repeat until completing 1 of both.  Equals 231 of each exercise. 

Spartan Run Routine – Run/sprint 100 yards (modified to 50 yards) and drop and do 15 merkins.  Plank until all PAX are complete.  Wosey back to the start.  Run/sprint 100 yards (modified to 50 yards) and drop and do 15 merkins.  10 reps for 150 merkins for the exercise (Totals 150 if 10 reps of 15 are complete).

A total of 401 merkins for the beat down includes the 20 completed on the warm-up.

F3 Message 03/05/24

THE ANGER MONSTER – #9437

March 14, 2023

As an airline passenger, those video images from the Los Angeles airport that day were just plain disturbing: a human stampede, terrified passengers, fleeing from a gunman on the loose in the terminal.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Anger Monster.”

These explosions of violence have happened in a theater, a mall, a school, an office, a church. The bullets may start flying any place, leaving behind lost and shattered lives. And you can be pretty sure the person pulling the trigger is an angry man. Whose anger – often hidden from those who know him, one day erupts like a volcano, destroying whatever is in its path.

My sense is that there are a lot of angry people around us these days, seething inside, sinking into a darker and more dangerous place each day. You see it surface as road rage, angry parents at their kids’ games, frustrated shoppers, bullies at school and on the Internet creating anger in their victims.

Usually, behind anger is pain. Angry people feel wounded, wronged, unheard, victimized, and taking it out on whoever inadvertently pushes their buttons. Many times there are, in fact, things in their past that have left them broken inside, but never with an excuse to wound or do violence to someone else because of it.

I suppose, at one time or another, each of us is the angry person. Not on a rampage to end lives, but angry enough to inflict some serious damage on people around us. Most often the people we love the most.

Mount St. Helens in Washington used to be considerably higher until she literally blew her top in an eruption one day. The eruption didn’t last long. The damage? That’s there forever. Underlying a lot of our explosive moments is this full glass thing. If I pour water into a half-empty glass, it will take quite a bit to make it spill, right? But if I’m going through life with a glass that’s already full, it only takes a drop to make it spill. And there are plenty of “drops” in a day’s time; aggravations, conflict, and difficulties.

And with the spill comes the lashing out. Usually the violence is the verbal kind. The world’s best-selling book, the Bible, describes it as “reckless words (that) pierce like a sword.” See, long after the wounder has forgotten, the wounded carries the scars of that anger.

Part of the problem is that some of us were raised to stuff our emotions. We don’t deal with them. That’s what fills up the glass. The time bomb’s going to keep ticking until we make room in that glass, which means taking a bold healing step; facing that pain that we’ve stuffed in our closet. It’s the match that keeps lighting the fuse of the anger and leaving a trail of burn victims in our wake.

It may mean walking through the pain with a counselor. Or digging deep into spiritual resources for the most liberating step a wounded person can take – forgiving. Even seeking forgiveness from those who’ve been the victim of my anger.

Maybe the kids are right. There actually is a monster in the closet, a wounded monster, who needs to be dragged out into the light so the healing can begin. Ironically, it is often the “monsters” that we can’t control that drive us to a greater power; someone who has repeatedly proven He can subdue the dark forces that control us. The dark side is what drives me to Jesus Christ.

When He was on earth, He encountered a man in the grip of forces so dark no one could control him. And it says, “He tore the chains apart… No one was strong enough to subdue him.” No one except Jesus. He expelled the “evil spirit.” And the man ended up “sitting at Jesus’ feet… in his right mind” (Luke 8). Jesus is still doing miracles like that, fixing what’s broken inside us, transforming the evil inside us. That victory over our darkness cost Him his life at the cross.

Our word for today from the Word of God, Revelation 1:5 says, “He loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.” Today He wants to bring peace into the angry storm in your life if you’ll open the door of your heart to Him. How to do that? Go to our website. You’ll find it there – ANewStory.com – and let Him begin the transforming relationship that tames the monster inside.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

Who’s in Charge

, , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

Date: 01/04/2024

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

Pax: Bunt, Quattro, Wood, T-Rex, Mr. Mom, Chattahoochee, Pooh, Probe, Fireplex, Streudel

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

Bolt 45’s – 15 squats full up to half way down, 15 squats half way down to full down, & 15 squats full motion.  All completed IC as a 4 count.

Monkey Humpers – 10 IC

SSH – 20 IC

Windmills – 15 IC

American Hammers – 20 IC

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Mosey @.1 miles to Holy Hill

The Thang

1st & 10 Routine per the Exicon…Well sort of….:)…..Perform 10 burpees and 1 merkin.  Nur up the hill and run down.  Perform 9 burpees and 2 merkins.  Nur up the hill and run down.  Perform 8 burpees and 3 merkins.  Nur up the hill and run down.  You recognize a pattern developing here.  Pax took a break for the 3rd F (see below) after completing the round of 5 burpees and 6 merkins.  After the break for the message, all HIM completed the rounds down through 1 burpee and 10 merkins with a final Nur up the hill and the run down.    

Mosey @.1 miles back to CHOP. 

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 01/04/2024

HOW NEW IS YOUR NEW YEAR? – #9386

January 2, 2023

There’s a reason so many of us grandparents are overcoming our technophobia and venturing into cyberspace. We get to see pictures of our grandkids as soon as they’re taken!

There’s that hilarious photo that our son sent me. It was a picture of our then one-year-old grandson sitting on the kitchen floor with a fork in his hand. Oh, yeah, with a lemon-meringue pie splatted on the floor next to him. He’s looking at the camera with an expression somewhere between “uh-oh” and “what’s the problem?”

Then came the story with the picture. Dad and big sis were outside, and Mom had to leave the room briefly. As she left, she said to our seven-year-old grandson, “You’re in charge.” Which apparently was interpreted as, “Keep playing your video game.” That’s when Terminator Toddler made his move to the pie on the counter above him. The law of gravity? Well, of course, that provided a very valuable assist.

That’s when Daddy – the event photographer – walked into the room. As he surveyed the mess on the floor, big brother made a proud announcement, “Guess what, Daddy? I’m in charge!” All Daddy could think was, “You sure you want to own this mess, son?” Strange as it may seem, I’m actually thinking about that little drama as a personal parable early in this new year.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “How New is Your New Year?”

I wonder how many times that would be a picture of imaginary conversations between God and me as He surveys that mess right in front of me? And there I am saying, “Guess what, Father? I’m in charge!” And He must be thinking as He looks at the damage, “Yeah, I could tell you’re in charge, Ron.”

So how new is any new year really going to be? Especially in the parts of our lives that are messy, confused, tense, and troubled? It may all depend on who’s in charge. I’ve found that the messes are usually in areas where I’ve hijacked the wheel from God and decided to take charge myself, often without even realizing it. Then I hear the echoes of a haunting question from God. It’s in our word for today from the Word of God in Galatians 3:3 – “After beginning with the Spirit” (that’s the Holy Spirit) “are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

When I’m facing something that I can’t fix or change or control, I desperately turn to Him and I say, “Jesus, take the wheel!” But somewhere along the way, Mr. Control takes it back. And that’s where the messes come from. A new year, a fresh start, usually makes us reflect a little on things that aren’t as they should be; in our marriage, our family, our finances, maybe our relationships. Maybe it’s our lifestyle, our love life, our walk with God.

If you see a mess in a part of your life that you’re looking at right now, consider whether you have moved Jesus to the margins and said, “I’m in charge” effectively making you “Lord” of that part of your life instead of Him. That’s when He asks that disturbing question, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

The realization that I was never meant to drive my life; that’s the first step to beginning a relationship with God; the very relationship you were made for. And when you realize that the mess of your life, the guilt of your life, the shame of your life, the hurt we’ve inflicted is because we’ve taken our life and done it our way instead of His. That’s called SIN in the bible.

And you’re ready at that point to say, “I need a Savior. I need a Rescuer from this sin.” Especially when you understand that the Bible says that sin carries an eternal death penalty, which Jesus loved you so much that He paid on the cross when He died for your sin. And He walked out of his grave; He’s alive. He can walk into your life this very day at your invitation and forgive that sin, and erase it forever.

If you’re ready for that next step that makes that possible – a new you – you can find some answers at our website ANewStory.com. I hope you’ll go there. Maybe this new year is time for new management.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

F3 A Burpee

, , , , , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

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

I Hate Burpees

, , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

Date: 06/20/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 20 IC

Cherry Pickers – 20 IC

Bolt 60’s – 20 squats to halfway down.   20 squats halfway to full down.  20 full squats. THANKS PROBE !!

Windmills – 20 IC

Imperial Walkers – 20 IC

Mosey .2 miles to “Oh Hill No”.   

The Thang

Burp Back Mountain….Pax pair up to complete 100 Burpees each or as many as possible.  One PAX Nurs up the hill and runs down 3 times while the other works on his burpees.  When all Pax reached 50 Burpees a break for the F3 message took place. One more complete round was completed before moving on to 50 Four-Count Freddie’s (IC) and finishing with a Toy Soldier set of 50 LBC’s. 25 E2K’s (each side), and 15 Big Boys.

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

Mosey .2 miles back to CHOP.  

F3 Message – 06/20/2023

UNUSED CAPABILITIES – #2736

So much of the furniture and equipment in our office is a God-story. He has miraculously provided so many things through His people – things we could never have been able to buy. One of those things is our telephone system. A Christian brother was upgrading the system at his company – and donated his old system to us. And that old system is great for us! Now our phones have this battery of buttons on them – most of which we have just been looking at or ignoring. We have had no idea what they do. Our Team has been so busy that no one has really had the time to read the manual! Finally, we assigned that research to Jeff – and the other day, he reported back to our Team. He showed us all kinds of sophisticated tricks our phones could do – and here we’ve been settling for just using a phone line and the “hold” button. These phones are amazing. They’ve been amazing all along. We’ve been slumming it – when we could have been going in style!

Well, I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Unused Capabilities.”

Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Matthew 14:25. Jesus’ disciples were out in a boat and they’re being battered by a violent storm. “During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I! Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if its You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

All the disciples were just trying to ride out the storm. But Peter suddenly got a glimpse of the power of his Master – and of something supernatural he could do if he risked everything on Jesus. And suddenly Peter was doing what people don’t do – he was walking on water!

The fact is that Jesus may be preparing you to step up to something far more supernatural than you’ve ever been or done before. In fact, He’s made your heart restless for more so you would get out of the boat and start walking toward Him in an exciting new way. Peter found out that day that if Jesus wants you to do it – no matter how beyond your capability it may be – He will give you whatever it takes to do it.

A lot of our Christian lives are like our Team and those multi-faceted phones. We’re settling for a level that is far below where we could be living. We’re looking at all those spiritual buttons. We may know some other people who have tapped into those capabilities. But we are settling for a powerless life when Christ in us wants to make our life really powerful. We’re settling for the mediocre when we’re wired for the miraculous. You have the Holy Spirit of Almighty God living in your body – you have backing you up the authority that Jesus has over everything in the universe – you have Jesus’ resurrection power in your life – are you living like it? Or are you settling for only pushing a couple of God’s buttons when there are so many more that could open up a whole new frontier for you?

You need to be reading the Manual – the Bible – every day. Not just for theology – but looking for the keys to powerful faith – and then using them. And tell the Lord you want the “something more” He’s been making your heart hungry for. Surrender yourself to Him – let go of those areas you have insisted on controlling – get out of the safe little boat and dare to walk where you’ve never walked before!

Your Lord is “able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:21). Immeasurably more. Like our phone system, it’s all right there. You got it when you got Jesus. It’s time you began to be and do all you were created for.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

Non Dominant Kickball

, , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, DE, Milton, DE / By

QIC: Semi

Warm-a-Rama
20 seal jacks i/c
15 seal waves i/c
10 mountain man pooper i/c
30 marrocan nightclub i/c
10 Imperial walkers i/c

The Thang

Mosey to back parking lot of Milton elementary
Split into teams
Kick with non dominant foot
Throw with non dominant hand
Pitcher rolls ball with dominant hand
Mosey back to CHOP

3Rd F

Don’t fret over the little things.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/893123661937731?s=yWDuG2&fs=e&mibextid=Nif5oz


Round of Mary
20 hello dollies i/c
20 Sitting gas pumpers i/c

Number-Rama
NAME-A-RAMA
COT

Ruxpin received his patch for 100 workouts this year.

11 HIM showed today: Semi, Fireplex, Chattahoochee, Toy Soldier, Pooh, Wood, Woodstock, Bunt, Sherlock, Probe, Ruxpin

Be an Eagle

, , , , , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP / By

QIC: Deez


Warm-O-Rama

  • Side Straddle Hop – 20 in Cadence
  • Hip Circles – 10 each way OYL
  • Cherry Pickers – 20 in Cadence
  • Moroccan Night Club – 30 in Cadence

The Thang

Mosey to Wagamons Pond boat ramp

  • End of parking Lieutenant Dan up the parking lot until the electric pole
  • Top of the parking lot 5 diamond, 5 regular, 5 wide Merkins
  • Back down the parking Lieutenant Dan
  • Top of the parking lot 5 diamond, 5 regular, 5 wide Merkins
  • End of parking NUR (no clue on spelling) up the parking lot until the electric pole
  • Top of the parking lot 5 diamond, 5 regular, 5 wide Merkins
  • Back down the parking NUR
  • Top of the parking lot 5 diamond, 5 regular, 5 wide Merkins
  • Plank for the “6”

Mosey to Park behind Library

  • Find a bench and do 30 Dips
  • 30 Flutter kicks (double count)
  • 20 Dips
  • 20 Flutter Kicks (double count)
  • 10 Dips
  • 10 Flutter Kicks (double count)

Mosey to FireHouse

  • 1 – Round of Sherlock Shuffle
  • 1 – Round of Bolt 45

3rd F

What is that one thing most people afraid of?
It’s CHANGE. Especially when it’s painful or uncomfortable.
But you have to go through the change to become more phenomenal in life. This story will help you understand the same.


The Story of an EAGLE:
The Eagle has the longest life-span of its species. It can live upto 70 years.
But to reach this age, the eagle must make a very difficult decision!
In its 40th year, the eagle’s long and flexible Talons can no longer grab a prey which serves as food.
Its long and sharp beak becomes bent.
Its old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, stick to its chest and make it difficult to fly.
Then, the eagle is left with only two options: DIE or go through a painful process of CHANGE!
This process lasts for 150 days (5 months)
The process requires the eagle to fly to a mountain top and sit on its nest. There the eagle knocks its beak against a rock until it plucks it out.
Then the eagle will wait for the new beak to grow back after which it will pluck out its talons. When its talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its old-aged feathers.
And after this the eagle takes its famous flight of rebirth and LIVES for 30 more years!!
Why is Change needed???
In order to survive and live. We too have to start the change process.
We sometimes need to get rid of the unpleasant old memories, negative habits and our fixed mindset.
Only Freed from the past burdens can we take advantage of the present.
If an eagle can make a life-saving and life-changing decision at the age of 40….why can’t we?
In order to take on a New Journey ahead, let go of your negative old limiting beliefs.
Open up your mind and let yourself fly high like an eagle!
When it rains, all birds occupy shelter. But the EAGLE avoids the rain by flying above the clouds….
The problem is common to all but the attitude to solve it makes the difference!
Don’t be afraid of change…accept it gracefully..!!!

Hydraulic What ? Hill No !

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

Date: 04/04/2023

AO: CHOP, Milton, DE

QIC: Fireplex

Warm up

SSH – 25 IC

Cherry Pickers – 15 IC

Hydraulic Bolt 45’s – 15 squats full up to half-way down, 15 squats half-way down to full down, & 15 hydraulic squats full motion (6 Count).  All completed IC.

Windmills – 15 IC

The Thang

Mosey to “Oh Hill No” and complete a round of Merkin Jax.  Merkin Jax are a 1:4 ratio of I merkin to 4 plank jacks followed by 2 merkins to 8 plank jacks continuing until reaching the 10:40 ratio.  Next all Pax lined up for a modified Spartan Run Routine – Nur up the hill and run down and drop and do 15 merkins. Nur up the hill and run down and drop and do 15 merkins. All Pax completed the evolution as many reps as possible (AMRAP) with the remainder of the time available before moseying back to CHOP.

F3 Message

Mosey back to CHOP

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 04/04/23

THE SURPRISING SECRET OF GREATNESS – #9292

August 23, 2022

The book is called Good to Great. It’s a thought-provoking book on management written by Jim Collins and a research team that he headed. They identified eleven of the most effective companies in the United States, and then they pursued this question: “What specifically makes these companies so different?” This research actually challenged many of the author’s preconceptions. There were actually lots of surprises. Interestingly, the first thing Collins and his team point to as common to every one of these consistently successful companies is this, and it is a surprise – the modesty of the various CEOs who led them. They suggest that the starting point of a great company is a humble leader – highly focused, sometimes driven people – but known for being gracious, self-effacing, understated. I guess in a word, humble.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “The Surprising Secret of Greatness.”

If you’ve listened much to what Jesus says about leadership, those recent “discoveries” shouldn’t be a great surprise to you. In Mark 10, beginning with verse 42, our word for today from the Word of God, Jesus presents what most people believe about being a leader – and then the truth according to Jesus.

He says: “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them…not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” Then Jesus backs it up with the way He lived His own life: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus believes that you can earn your authority in people’s lives by serving them, by putting them first, by helping them succeed. And, sure enough, the most contemporary research only reinforces the importance of humility in leadership. The Good to Great authors illustrate their conclusions in this area with what they call windows and mirrors. When these successful CEOs do something right, they walk over to a window and point to all the reasons out there (especially all the other people) that are the reasons for their success. When they do something wrong, they walk to a mirror and they assume the blame themselves. Less effective leaders? Well, the authors say they do it just the other way around – when things go wrong they point out the window and point to excuses and explanations. When things are going right, they go to the mirror to admire the one who deserves the credit they think.

Whether you’re in a position to lead your children, or lead a business, or a staff, or a church, a class, a project, a ministry, don’t fall for the popular lies about leading people – that success means being pushy or punishing, pulling rank, playing politics, manipulating, promoting yourself. No, it’s humble servanthood that is the surprising secret of success. That’s humility as in always being teachable, and courteous, vulnerable, willing to accept responsibility rather than place blame; caring about the person, not just the project.

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft’s godly father tried to prepare him for life in the nation’s Capitol after his son had gotten elected to the United States Senate. Listen to what he said, “John, the culture of Washington is a culture of arrogance.” (By the way, most power-centers are.) He said, ” But the culture of Jesus is a culture of humility. Don’t get sucked into the culture of arrogance.”

That’s good advice for any of us who have someone to lead. Remember, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

Respectfully Submitted,

Fireplex

What the Hill Pooh

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

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

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

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

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , / Leave a Comment / CHOP, Milton, DE / By

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!

Scroll to Top