3rd F Monthly Theme – March: Obedience

“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15

Obedience is a word that often carries a sense of restriction, yet in faith, it is a source of freedom. As men striving to lead well—at home, at work, and in our communities—we are constantly called to make choices. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we obedient to God’s calling, or are we only following when it’s convenient?

Obedience to God isn’t about blind rule-following; it’s about trust. It’s about recognizing that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9) and that when we walk in obedience, we find purpose, peace, and growth.

Obedience vs. Convenience

Too often, we obey when it suits us—when it aligns with our plans, when the cost is low, or when it doesn’t challenge our comfort. But true obedience means saying “yes” to God even when it’s hard. It’s stepping forward in faith even when the path is unclear. It’s taking action when called, even when we don’t feel fully prepared.

Think of Abraham. When God told him to leave everything behind and go to an unknown land (Genesis 12:1), he didn’t hesitate. He obeyed. When God called Moses, despite his doubts, he obeyed (Exodus 3-4). These men weren’t perfect, but their obedience allowed God to use them in powerful ways.

Where is God Calling You to Obedience?

This month, reflect on these key areas where obedience may be required in your life:
✅ Obedience in Leadership – Are you leading your family and those around you in a way that honors God?
✅ Obedience in Service – Are you serving selflessly, or only when it’s convenient?
✅ Obedience in Integrity – Are you making the right choices when no one is watching?
✅ Obedience in Time with God – Are you prioritizing time in the Word and in prayer?

Challenge for March

This month, let’s not just listen to God’s calling—let’s act. Choose one area where you know God is calling you to obedience and take a bold step in faith. Whether it’s in leadership, service, integrity, or devotion, lean in and trust that God’s way is always best.

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him.” – Psalm 128:1

Get Involved

The 3rd F is about more than just talking—it’s about living it out. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your faith and obedience, join us at our weekly Bible studies, service projects, and fellowship gatherings. Reach out to your Shield Lock, your small group, or a fellow PAX and commit to holding each other accountable this month.

Obedience isn’t always easy, but it always leads to blessing. Let’s step up together.

A Universal Perspective

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” – Abraham Lincoln

Obedience is often seen as restrictive, but in reality, it is the foundation of discipline, growth, and leadership. Whether in faith, family, career, or personal development, true obedience is about aligning our actions with a greater purpose—even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.

Obedience vs. Comfort

Many of us follow through on commitments when it’s easy—when it fits our schedule, when it benefits us, or when there’s no immediate sacrifice. But the true test of obedience comes when we must choose discipline over desire, long-term impact over short-term gain.

Think about the great leaders throughout history—those who made an impact didn’t do so by following the path of least resistance. They did so by staying committed to the mission, even when the road was uncertain.

Where Are You Called to Obedience?

Obedience isn’t just about faith—it’s about integrity, resilience, and leadership in all areas of life. This month, challenge yourself in these key areas:

✅ Obedience in Leadership – Are you leading with conviction, even when it’s unpopular or hard?
✅ Obedience in Discipline – Are you sticking to the commitments you made, or making excuses?
✅ Obedience in Service – Are you stepping up for those who need you, even when you don’t feel like it?
✅ Obedience in Character – Are you making the right choices when no one is watching?

Challenge for March

This month, take ownership of one area where you need to be more disciplined and obedient. Maybe it’s in your fitness, your relationships, your personal growth, or your leadership. Identify one change and commit to it—no excuses.

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” – Winston Churchill

Step Up & Lead

The men who make an impact are the ones who follow through—even when it’s tough. This month, let’s push each other to stay committed to what matters most. Lean on your Shield Lock, your accountability partners, and your community to help you stay the course.

Growth begins where excuses end. Choose obedience. Choose discipline. Choose impact.

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“The Luka” aka Fast 5 – The World’s Fastest 5K Relay April 12, 2025

From the producers of famous CSAUPs such as:

The ClaveBoss 5k

The Sweati

The Barry & Sweati Barry

…. and because of the sheer awesomeness of bacon, The Fort presents – Fast 5, The World’s Fastest 5K: back from the archives to support our very own Vuvuzella and his family.

“Fast 5, The World’s Fastest 5K” is a far cry from your standard 5K. That’s Right, 5 Men (or Women, that’s right open to all) run a break-neck pace for 1 Kilometer each. Why you ask a 5K relay? Because it’s CSAUP…mostly S but this one does have PURPOSE. Think of this as a mini-Blue Ridge Relay, but instead of hauling butt in the mountains for 200 miles, we’re just running circles around Pleasant Knoll Middle School track and be done in 30mins.

Vuvu’s son needs a procedure and its in Mexico and its life changing. This costs a boatload, so we want to help fill the boat for Luka to have a life changing procedure. We are asking for $50/runner/$250 per team. Goal is 20 teams or 100 runners to get $5k in the boat.

Will the Sons of Ballantyne come and defend their title from years ago? Will Lake Wylie or Rock Hill send their Studs to claim glory? Will CSPAN run a lap short again? Will there be more bacon? Yes, there will be much much more!

When, Who, Why, How? Some of these questions are answered below:

Where
Pleasant Knoll Middle School Track
2320 Pleasant Road
Fort Mill, SC 29715

Date & Time
April 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM (starting on-time)

2ndF After
Print Shop for post race where fellowship and stories will commence as well as BBQ lunch from Wegmans

Rules: Each 5 man team must have at least 1 Clydesdale (200+ lbs) or 1 50+ F3 Man (RESPECT!) If you have a 60+ you will get a 30sec deduction from time

Awards: Bragging Rights for the 1st Place Team and Probably some cheesy trophy from Good Will

Start forming your teams now! Bring an FNG! This event will be bigger and better! More teams! More Regions!

Sign Up –> ( just fill the form out!!)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/106Ay60pelm5rUkj8f2HL5FYrSm80hWzteJrh5zIrl2U/edit

Once signed up, Payment instructions via PayPal or directly to VUVU’s Go Fund Me will be sent to team

Here are some particulars about the event. This is a loose/non-regulated relay race.  Here are the semantics:

  • Each Team will be provided with a baton or bacon
  • Each Team Member will run 2.5 laps around the track (slightly longer than 1K each)
  • Exchange Zones will be marked on opposite sides of the track where batons are to be exchanged
  • Exchange Zones are 1st Come 1st Serve as it pertains to lanes (1st to Exchange Zone may exchange in lane 1, 2nd in lane 2, etc.). Will explain on race day!
  • We will be self regulating and timing.  I will communicate to the Team Captains the process.

Winners may or may not win a pound of Bacon but have exclusive bragging rights until next installment!

2.0 Race following the Fast 5. One Lap with all they got!

You are encouraged to invite your family and friends!  The more people who partake in this nonsense the better. The Postrace afterwards will be a great time of fellowship and regaling of the event that took only a few minutes to complete.

Update:

This just In! Since this is an “endurance” race, we thought we should open up a 2-Man Ultra Team option (no requirements). So if you think you’re good enough, put your team together and show us what you got! Use the link above.

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Acceleration Project 2024 – Leave Right

The Construction Of Legacy
Only a Virtuous Leader can leave a Legacy

The Leave Right is the fourth quadrant of the G3L. In the first quadrant we explored what a man must do to Get Right, to be in proper personal alignment. In the second quadrant we discussed what it means for a HIM to Live Right through dedication to Purposefulness. In the third quadrant we outlined the Practice of Virtuous Leadership that is required to Lead Right. Now, having arrived at the fourth and final quadrant of the G3L, we take on the Leave Right, which is a Virtuous Leader’s construction of Legacy.

Join us for the final installment of the Acceleration Project 2024 and a panel discussion on legacy from two HIMs, Flouder and Gekko at St. John United Methodist church located at 13 Tom Hall Street

Agenda:

5:15 AM – Bootcamp workout

6:30 AM – Leave Right Discussion

Coffeeteria is included. Special thanks to Bandcamp and Mainframe.

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Bourbon Raffle for Children’s Attention Home

The D2D25 Bourbon Raffle is on!
A Buffalo Trace distillery collection.
5 bottles up for grabs!
750mL each of the following
Buffalo Trace
Eagle Rare
Col EH Taylor
Weller Antique 107
Blanton’s
Each will be a prize.
5 opportunities to win with your entries. If you’re lucky you’ll win more than one. More may be added later.
Tickets:
$20 each
6 for $100
11 for $150
15 for $200
23 for $300
Drawing will be held on Saturday November 23rd. It will be open to non F3 people as well.
All proceeds will go towards F3 The Fort Dam to Dam 2025 charities- The Fort Scholarship Foundation and The Children’s Attention Home.
To purchase tickets:
Cash in person.
2. Vemno:
@Eric-Ransone
Last 4 of cell is 1794
3. Paypal: @EricRansone
In the notes be sure to give your full name, F3 name, cell phone, and how many tickets you want.
Local only. Winners to arrange pickup.
Spread the word. Good luck and thanks for supporting The Fort D2D charity efforts!

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🚨 Leaders on the Links Golf Tournament 10/28/2024 At 1:30PM 🚨

Ready to hit the greens and support an incredible cause? The Leaders on the Links Golf Tournament is happening at Fort Mill Golf Club on October 28th, and we want YOU to be part of it! All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Attention Home and the F3 Fort Mill Community Scholarship—two amazing organizations making a real difference in our community.

⏰ Don’t wait—team registration is $500, but after 10/21, fees go up to $600. Get your team locked in now!

🏌️‍♂️ Sponsorships Available (deadline 10/14):

  • Hole Sponsor: $150 – Custom sign at one of the holes.
  • Silver Sponsor: $300 – Custom sign at one of the holes + banner recognition at the event.
  • Gold Sponsor: $600 – 1 golf team (4 players) + custom sign at one of the holes + banner recognition.
  • Platinum Sponsor: $1,000 – 2 golf teams (8 players) + custom sign at one of the holes + banner recognition + special recognition at the check presentation + social media shoutouts.

🎁 We need your help! We’re also looking for raffle prize donations—every contribution counts toward making this event a big success!

📅 Mark the date:
🗓 October 28th
📍 Fort Mill Golf Club

🔗 Register or sponsor today at https://givebutter.com/leadersonthelinks before spots fill up and prices increase!

🔗Looking to volunteer?  Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449A4A72CA1FF2-51495425-f3golf#/

Don’t miss out—get involved, have some fun, and make a difference for Children’s Attention Home and the F3 Fort Mill Community Scholarship! 💥

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Camp Changing Life’s Together

Preblast: Camp CLT Sept. 13-15.
Camp CLT for kids with physical disabilities needs volunteers to make it happen. Noah will be attending and I will be volunteering in the background. Please consider taking a shift.

The 4th Annual Camp CLT is Sept 13-15 at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie. This is a Camp for kids in 4th – 12th grade who have some physical disability. This is a free camp for the participants and we expect 35-38 campers this year.

We are still looking for volunteers and need the most volunteers still for the Friday shift and the Sunday shift.

LINK to Camp CLT Volunteer Sign-Up

High Level Activity Plan
Fri 4-10pm Session – Team games, pizza party, dance/glow party, yard games, camp fire & smores
Sat 215-930pm Session – pool, lake slides/inflatables, cookout, dunk tank, movie/games
Sun 9-3pm Session – tree climbing, tie dye shirts, giant slip n slide, other games, lunch

A video of last year’s camp can be found here — http://www.cltfoundation.org/camp

Important Reminders:
Volunteers need to stay for their ENTIRE session, otherwise it impacts the kids.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old

Mike Dascal
Co-Founder & Executive Director – Changing Lives Together (CLT) Foundation
mailto:mike@cltfoundation.org
tel:(704)620-9203

http://www.cltfoundation.org
Click HERE to see the change YOU can help make
Click HERE to donate
Find us on: Facebook | InstagramCamp Thunderbird in immediate need for volunteers:

The 4th Annual Camp CLT is Sept 13-15 at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie. This is a Camp for kids in 4th – 12th grade who have some physical disability. This is a free camp for the participants and we expect 35-38 campers this year.

We are still looking for volunteers and need the most volunteers still for the Friday shift and the Sunday shift.

LINK to Camp CLT Volunteer Sign-Up

High Level Activity Plan
Fri 4-10pm Session – Team games, pizza party, dance/glow party, yard games, camp fire & smores
Sat 215-930pm Session – pool, lake slides/inflatables, cookout, dunk tank, movie/games
Sun 9-3pm Session – tree climbing, tie dye shirts, giant slip n slide, other games, lunch

A video of last year’s camp can be found here — http://www.cltfoundation.org/camp

Important Reminders:
– Volunteers need to stay for their ENTIRE session, otherwise it impacts the kids.
– Volunteers must be at least 16 years old

Mike Dascal
Co-Founder & Executive Director – Changing Lives Together (CLT) Foundation
mailto:mike@cltfoundation.org
tel:(704)620-9203

http://www.cltfoundation.org
Click HERE to see the change YOU can help make
Click HERE to donate
Find us on: Facebook | Instagram

 

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The Tortoise and The Hare

A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
‘Do you ever get anywhere?’ he asked with a mocking laugh.
‘Yes,’ replied the Tortoise, ‘and I get there sooner than you think. I’ll run you a race and prove it.’

The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.

The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.

The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.

After the race, the Tortoise and the Hare reflected on their experience and realized that they could learn from each other. The Tortoise admired the Hare’s speed and agility, while the Hare respected the Tortoise’s determination and steady pace. Over time, they became good friends.

To celebrate their newfound friendship and the lesson they learned, the Tortoise and the Hare decided to organize an annual relay race for all the animals in the forest. This relay race would commemorate their initial rivalry and highlight the importance of both speed and persistence.

In the relay race, teams of animals would pair up with one fast runner and one steady runner, working together to complete the course. The Tortoise and the Hare served as ambassadors for the event, encouraging all the animals to participate and cheering on every team, regardless of their speed.

The relay race became a beloved tradition. The friendship between the Tortoise and the Hare remained a symbol of unity and cooperation, reminding everyone that they could achieve great things by appreciating and supporting each other.

Team Registration

The Tortoise and The Hare will be a relay CSAUP with equal amounts of Ruckers(Tortoises) and Runners (Hares). Teams can consist of 2, 4 or 6 players.
No team? Show up and you’ll be added onto one!

Rules:

Each person runs a lap on a track as fast as possible, handing off to the next leg. Ruck weight has to be at least 30#. The distance covered will be 12 miles.

  • 2 man team – 6 miles (24 laps)/person
  • 4 man team – 3 miles (12 laps)/person
  • 6 man team – 2 miles (8 laps)/person

The TWIST:

  • Teams can mix and match who runs and who rucks, but it has to alternate between running slick and rucking.
  • E.g. Person 1 runs lap 1 slick. Person 2 rucks lap 2. Person 3 runs slick, person 4 rucks, etc. until all laps are complete.

Registration:

Pick your team size, name, and members and register at the link below

Team Registration

No team? Show up and you’ll be added onto one!

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If not Me, then who? Manion WOD

 

ANOTHER YEAR TO Honor the life and legacy of 1stLt Travis Manion, USMC,

On April 29, 2007, experienced Iraq war veteran from the 1st Recon Battalion, 1stLt Travis Manion, and his fellow Marines were ambushed while searching a suspected insurgent house in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. As he led the counterattack against the enemy forces, Travis was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper while aiding and drawing fire away from his wounded teammates. His courageous acts allowed every member of his patrol to survive.

For his actions, Travis was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor. His legacy continues to grow through the work of TMF, inspiring people to make an impact by serving others.”

Join us on 4/26 BEHIND PANERA, 0515 launch, bring sandbags and rucks… REGISTER HERE:

https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/FortMill/ManionWODF3theFort

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420 Partake Workout

Don’t be the smoker, be the smokee with the 2nd annual 420 workout.

Next exercise is… burpees. See you in an hour.

Date postponed to 4/27 to support Amrap for Autism. Yes, we will do the 7 extra burpees

Men partaking in suffering for no reason at all

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