It was clear that it was a usual early Monday morning cause the mumble chatter was to a minimum. Several of the usual suspects were MIA this gloom but we still had 8 PAX show up for a moderate workout by YHC. Did the disclaimer cause we had an FNG and got to work.

The Thang

To get the blood flowing:                                                                                                                  Right over Left 10 count                                                                                                                      Left over Right 10 count                                                                                                                    SSH x 25 IC                                                                                                                               Moroccan Night Clubs x 25 IC                                                                                                      Windmill x 15 IC                                                                                                                                   Hill Billy x 15 IC                                                                                                                                 Slow Merkin x 10 IC

The Real Deal:                                                                                                                                        Moseyed down to the lower field where we played a little Blackjack today with coupons, and everybody came up with a winner with 21. Pick up 2 coupons (cinder blocks) per PAX and placed them approximately 15 yards apart. Pick up first block and perform 1 squat with coupon. Lung Walk to other coupon and perform 20 Over the Head Presses. Mosey back to 1st block and add 1 squat. Lung Walk back to second and 19 OTH presses. Keep routine up by adding 1 squat and dropping 1 OTH press with both adding to 21 until u get to 1 OTH Press.

SHORT 3rd F Break                                                                                                                          Real Tree gave a great 3rd F last week at Trinity from Acts about forgiveness. His message was about how Stephen while being stoned by the Religious leaders for proclaiming the Good News asked God to not hold this against them (kinda like Jesus on the cross). His message reminded me of the events leading up to te passage Real Tree shared.                                                                 The apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost shortly after Jesus appeared to them and then was taken back to Heaven. After they received the Holy Spirit things started making a lot more sense to them and their eyes were open. Even Peter who denied Christ 3 times began to evangelize and became “The Rock” we now refer to him as. Peter and John  began spreading the Good News and 1000’s of people believed. One day Peter healed a crippled man at the Gate called Beautiful near the temple and after he preached the Word 5000 men believed. This infuriated the religious leaders and they immediately arrested them and began questioning the 2 and warning them to stop teaching what they referred to as blasphemy. Good old Peter let them know real quick he healed that man in the name of Jesus, and he was going to continue to listen to God and proclaim what he had witnessed about Jesus with his own eyes. The leaders were scared to do anything to Peter and John because the were concerned they would start a ruckus with all the witnesses to the miracle who began to believe. They reluctantly let them go with a stern warning that if they continued to preach this message, their fate may be the same as Jesus. We read “The Believers Prayer” found in Acts 4: 23-31 to find out what these HIMS did after this frightening event. These great men went back to their little group (just like ours), they gathered up in a COT and prayed to God. Do you think they asked for His Protection? NO!!! Do you think they thanked Him for getting them out of such a sticky predicament and wanted to tone down their message so they wouldn’t get in any more trouble or offend anyone? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Do you think they prayed that God would punish these religious leaders who were standing in their way? NO!!! THEY PRAYED FOR BOLDNESS. BOLDNESS TO GET UP AND DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. We don’t fear being put to death for our beliefs in this country. We fear being ostracized by others that don’t believe the way we do. We fear being made fun of or called a Jesus Freak. We worry how we may be disciplined at work for not leaving our religious beliefs at home. These HIMS faced death. HOW CAN WE BE MORE BOLD IN OUR OWN LIVES WHEN CALLED ON TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS AND TELL OTHERS WHAT JESUS HAS DONE IN OUR LIVES. Food for thought now lets get back at it.

Finished the remaining time out by doing 10 Man Makers with cinder blocks. Basically a Burpee on a block and instead of jumping at the end you press it overhead (learned this from Nunchuck). Moseyed back to the AO to finish it up.

Numbered off with 9 on Q and did the Name a Rama. We were blessed with an FNG we named Hot Spot and welcomed him. Announcement about 5K at Summerfest this weekend, prayers for PAX missing, and Dollywood’s home. YHC prayed us out in a big sweaty man ball. Enjoyed the Q this gloom.

With much love,                                                                                                                                   Redwood