14 PAX joined YHC on this day to push themselves Beyond their comfort zones.
When I was offered the opportunity to Q, I’ll admit, I hesitated for a moment. I had a busy week ahead and wasn’t sure I was up for the challenge of delivering a message during the beatdown. Then I remembered, never pass up an opportunity to Q! They don’t come too often.
Standard Disclaimer, Disclaimed
Disclaimer to my message – I felt it necessary to preface my message and inform that I’m not an overly righteous person. I come before the PAX with a heart of humility. I come before the PAX not with an attitude of confrontation, but rather with a heart for caring.
The Thang:
Mosey around the parking lot. Karaoke left/right, mosey, high knees, ankles to chest, mosey. Ended up down the hill past the pull-up bars and circled up.
COP –
50 SSH
20 Windmills
20 Merkins
20 Peter Parkers, Honey Mooner, Downward Dog
20 Parker Peters, Honey Mooner, Downward Dog
Message: Going into the planning process for the Q, I thought I would discuss with the PAX what was going on in my life, mainly where my faith has led me to this point. I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship with Christ Jesus because I’m 6 months into a 9 month Journey (Offically called: The Journey) with at least a dozen other PAX in which we’re learning to abide in Christ through scripture, journaling and weekly meetings. It’s an intense program that has really started to transform my level of faith for the better. I could talk more about this process (and certainly that would have been okay!), but I also knew that was well within my comfort zone. I wanted to go Beyond my comfort zone and challenge the PAX to do the same.
I decided, rather, to share how my faith walk as help me to overcome obstacles in my life.
Beatdown:
Run to Pull Up Bars –
3 Sets: Partner 1: 8 strict pull ups / Partner 2: SSH
Plank until 6 is finished
Bear Crawl from the pull up bars down to the first speed pump (~50 yards)
Message: James 5: 15-16
15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
I admitted to the PAX I lost sleep when I decided to go beyond my comfort zone with this message. I was anxious and uncertain about my decision. But I also knew by confessing to my Brothers, I could continue the healing process. I then shared with the PAX that I’ve struggled with porn. I was clear in sharing I didn’t put this out there lightly, without a lot of thought or consideration. These PAX I know and respect.
Why put this out there and risk losing that mutual respect? See above – James 5: 15-16.
Stats on Pornography:
$97 Billion Dollar industry
35% of all downloads are porn related
25% of all internet searches are porn related
70% of men ages 18-34 visit porn sites monthly
YHC then asked the PAX: Have you seen the affects of porn on the world? In your community? In your family?
Beatdown:
Run to The Wall –
BTTW – 40 seconds
35 Donkey Kicks
24 Merkins in cadence
10 burpees
Message: Galatians 6:1
6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
I felt it was a sign from the Lord when the Sunday before my Q, my Pastor spent 40 minutes talking about accountability. During his sermon on accountability, I couldn’t stop thinking about the PAX. F3 is a unique organization that a lot of good comes from. We’re a band of Brothers who desires to lock shields anytime necessary. The problem of pornography can be overcome. It’s much more likely to be overcome if you’re being held accountable. To quote my Pastor, “sanctification requires community”. Again, what an opportunity the PAX provide through this community which is F3! (#WhetStone)
Beatdown:
Mosey to the Band Practice Field:
Sprint 40 yards, mosey 60 yards (3X).
Bear Crawl 20 yards, 20 SSH
Walk 20 yards, 20 Bomb Jacks
Bear Crawl 20 yards, 10 Burpees
Walk 20 yards, 20 Squats
Bear Crawl 20 yards, 10 Burpees
Rinse, Repeat. Modified with doing half the number of reps. Also, we didn’t do the 40 yard sprints.
Message: Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
This habit, this drug, this problem, can be overcome. To quote my Pastor, again, “our ultimate accountability is to God”.
I wasn’t able to get beyond my problem of porn until I got serious about my relationship with the Lord.
My final question to the PAX that morning in the gloom: What is your relationship like with the Lord?
Beatdown:
Sprint 100 yards, mosey to COT.
COT –
Name-O-Rama
Announcements
Prayers/Praises
NMM:
It’s an honor to be among the PAX. The process of preparing the message (and beatdown!) was an exhausting one for YHC. The process also sharpened me in ways I wasn’t expecting. To revisit some bad habits of my past has really helped me to realize how far I’ve come in this life and in my faith. I thank you all for the support.
It’s was an honor to Q.
Maximus – thank you for the opportunity.
#CoopStrong