I have a lot of balls laying around my house, so I decided to incorporate the balls into the workout. A teaser of the balls was posted Friday evening. Bing commented: “Oh Balls”. Yes. Balls. You got that right. I sorted the balls by color and packed up the balls in containers, it was a lot of balls. 62 balls each, planned for 6 teams made a total of 372 balls.
As the Pax arrived, still hungover from Banjo’s VQ a day earlier (thanks Ripken for the suicides, I needed that), they were curious about the balls, and what was in store for them. At 7am the introduction was given stating the principles of F3 and the typical disclaimer…F3 does not have anything, please don’t sue me, I have 4 kids. Modify the suggested exercises as required, just don’t complain, we left the binky at NBP.
Memory verse was read:
Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
That is exactly what we are all about at F3, not only sharpening each other physically, but more importantly, spiritually. This week we are asked to reflect on repentance and familiar sin. This includes things like that 2nd look, that thing you clicked on, oops (yeah right), that word you shouldn’t say, those addictions and ‘little things’ no big deal right? Well think again. Several verses were read from the bible that discuss repentance: Luke 5:32, Acts 20:20, Matthew 3:8, 2 Corinthians 7:9. And then we headed out for the mosey.
Mosey
We took a mosey out past the dog park and over the bridge. This mosey included butt-kickers, nur, and carioca. Across the bridge we circled up and we all had to do 10 burpees, unless we were without sin. Some Pax (you know who you are) tried to weasel out of it by claiming they haven’t sinned in at least 5 minutes. Nice try. Now drop and give me 10. After the burpees, the Pax had to recite the memory verse Proverbs 27:17 or do more burpees. They caught on quick and were able to escape without any further damage. Q talked about the meaning of the word repentance, it is to have a feeling or care about something. It is an emotional act of repentance. You cannot have this emotional act of repentance for everything all at once. As it’s not possible to be in two places at once. To symbolize this journey we are all on together through life, and how we pick each other up when we fall behind, we did an Indian run style Mosey back to the pavilion.
COP
After the mosey, we located the flag (thanks Bing, I couldn’t find it) and placed it in the center of the balls field. After the Pax stopped staring at my balls (remember the first look was free) we circled up for our warm up exercises, which were a preview of what was to come.
- Moroccan Night Clubs – 10 IC
- Large Circles – 10 IC
- Air Squats – 10 IC
- Lunges – 10 IC
- Merkins – 10 IC
- Carolina Dry Docks – 10 IC
- American Hammers – 10 IC
- LBC – 10 IC
- SSH – 10 IC
- Squat Jumps – 10 (Q says ‘Down’, and ‘Jump’)
The Thang
The 16 Pax present were divided into 4 teams. Each team was responsible for emptying out their bucket of balls. Each member selected one of the 62 balls and had to complete the exercise corresponding to the balls color. After completing the exercise, the Pax had to run to the other side of the field and place the balls in the ‘trash’ but also complete another exercise corresponding to the balls color. All the balls clearly had the Pax distracted as I had to explain it to them a couple more times. Choose one of the balls, do the corresponding exercise, run to the other end of the field, place the balls in the ‘trash’ and do the corresponding exercise. Return home and choose another ball.
End 1 (Start):
- Red – Moroccan Night Club x 31
- Orange – American Hammer x 31
- Yellow – SSH x 31
- Green – Merkin x 31
- Blue – Burpee x 20
- Pink – Air Squat x 31
End 2 (Trash):
- Red – Large Circle x 31
- Orange – LBC x 31
- Yellow – Jump Squat x 31
- Green – Carolina Dry Dock x 31
- Blue – Burpee x 20
- Pink – Lunges x 31
We started the first 15-minute half of this competitive event to the sound of an air horn. Each team chose a pair of lead-off runners to start the event by taking a ball to the ‘trash’ end first. This helped spread the Pax (and their balls) out some. It did not take the Pax long to realize that blue balls are the worst. At halftime the air horn was sounded, and ice cold Gatorade was offered to all the Pax in attendance, a welcome change from handling all the balls. After a 2-minute halftime break, we began our second half of the competition. This time we alternated lead-off runners. At the 2-minute warning air horn, the Pax were allowed to grab a pair of balls each round, and choose a corresponding exercise at each end. Team 1 (JuCo, Rebar, Ripken, Viking …I think) made quick work of their remaining balls and finished first. They were awarded a giant bag of skittles. I’m sure they will be mostly consumed by their ‘kids’.
COT
We finished with a circle of trust, always. The Pax remembered the memory verse and were spared another round of burpees. Q read a final verse about repentance.
Luke 9:23: Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (NIV)
Attention is drawn to ‘deny themselves’. Putting familiar sin behind is a difficult, intentional act that involves pushing those old familiar habits out of the way, to make more room for the Holy Spirit to give you strength. It is not easy and the Pax shared testimonies and encouragement.
Announcements
F3 Faith opportunity – Small group meeting on Saturday mornings at 6:15am (before the beatdown), starting 6/16 to read “Killing Kryptonite” together.
“You Can Destroy What Steals Your Strength
Just like Superman, who can leap over any hurdle and defeat every foe, followers of Christ have the supernatural ability to conquer the challenges we face. But the problem for both Superman and us is there’s a kryptonite that steals our strength.
Of course, both Superman and kryptonite are fictional. But spiritual kryptonite is not.
This book offers answers to why so many people―and the churches they attend―are unable to experience the divine strength that was evident among the first-century Christians.
In Killing Kryptonite, John Bevere reveals what this kryptonite is, why it’s compromising our churches, and how to break free from its bondage.
Not for the faint of heart, Killing Kryptonite is anything but a spiritual sugar high. This is serious truth for any Christ-follower who longs to embrace the challenging but rewarding path of transformation.”
We will start on 6/16, with only a small reading assignment (introduction for example). This gives the Pax 3 weeks from today to acquire the book and get through the first reading assignment.
Prayers
- Chilli Pepper is in Cuba. Continue to pray for his missionary team there. Pray for their safety and pray for profound impact on the communities over there.
- Tex requested prayer for the stress and chaos that surrounds him and his family as they are going through this new business venture.
- Rebar requested prayer for his family’s transition into a new home. This is accompanied by many decisions. Pray for guidance and comfort as his family goes through this transition.
- Whit requested prayer for his daughter as she is entering a new role of leadership at her school. While exciting, please pray for this new transition and the challenges that it will bring. Pray for the impact that she will have on others through her leadership.
- It is my prayer this week that we have the strength to confront our familiar sin. Please, please, please reach out to myself, Wilson, Bing, Ripken, or any other Pax if you need help in this area. We have all struggled with these things in our life. We will be in lock step with you on this journey. It is easier and better to do life together. We are here for you.
Congratulations to all of you. It was truly a privilege to lead all of you in this beatdown. Have a great week and see you next time in the gloom!
Sparky