A Strong Arm DORA at Iron Horse

19 manly men post for a 65º arm day.

DISCLAIMER
PRAYER
COP

• Through The Tunnel 10 IC
• Motivators from 7
• Block Merkins 10 IC (w/ a 10 count plank hold on the last one)

THE THANG

Mosey to the field, and organize into teams of 4 or 5 for a STRONG-ARM DORA. As per DORA, do prescribed cumulative numbers while taking turns with a 40 yard out-and-back sprint.

• 800 Block Curls
• 800 Overhead Presses
• 800 Block Rows

MARY

• Crunches IC 20 (4 count = 80)
• 1 Minute Block Plank
• Motivators from 7
• 45 second Block Plank (we held until time)

CIRCLE OF TRUST
PRAYER
MOLESKIN

Two things:

One. When life is hard, when things are out of control, when you’re at the end of your rope — push back against shame about what has happened or worry and fear about what might happen and just put in the work. It’s tempting to stick your head in the sand. It’s tempting to give up. It’s tempting to turn to the unhealthy coping mechanisms that we use to self-medicate or reward ourselves for our suffering. But don’t do that. Instead, take responsibility for the only thing you can control — how you respond — and make things better. Seasons of hardship are shortened when you persevere, put in the work, and see them as an opportunity to grow and mature, especially in the areas of humility, self-control, faith, hope, and love.

And two. Confess. All of us are struggling in some way. We’re struggling against sin. We’re struggling in a relationship. We’re struggling at work. We’re struggling with our attitude. We’re struggling to meet someone else’s expectations (or to meet our own). We’re struggling to make wise decisions or change unhealthy habits. We’re struggling to do work that we know we need to do, to be disciplined, or self-controlled, or patient, or financially responsible, or humble… We’re all struggling.

But there is freedom from sin, fear, worry, shame, and being alone. There is freedom in being known, and there’s good work to be done in helping carry one another’s burdens, and to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Confession helps us believe that we’re loved, even though we’re a mess. It takes the power away from sin and shame. It helps us to grow in humility. It lets others know that they are not alone, and it helps those who are struggling believe that you will feel compassion toward them in their weakness, and not judgement.

Here are a few verses and a quote that comes to mind:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” – Matthew 6:27

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed. For his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is HIS faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden.” – Ian MacLaren

I promise, if we lined up our failures in a row to compare them, I’d win. Or at the very least, it’d be a tie (at least with Honcho, because that dude is a mess). Confess and repent. Be known, brothers. Be humble. And be free. The Gospel promises righteousness in exchange for our filthy rags. Jesus promises to be near those who are humble in heart. Confess to God for forgiveness. Confess to your brothers to be healed.

Finally, because I know Donatello has a sweet spot for hymns, I wanted to throw this out there. I’m praying for and expecting joy and peace and hope to all of you, even in the midst of whatever heavy trial you are carrying. Plus… It seemed totally appropriate since we pretty much had ARM DAY all over NETN today.

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Pythagoras’ broken toe (which occurred while doing yoga, by the way)
• Whoopie’s presentation of the Gospel at this week’s Creativity Camp
• 3rd F 3rd Thursday is TONIGHT at Main Street Pizza, 9:00 PM.