8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. Psalm 132:8-13 (KJV)
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
We may start with 10 pounds, then progress to 20, and after that progress to 30 pounds. Strength is built in stages over a period of time. Spiritual strength is no different. First comes the lion, then the bear, and then the giant. God allows only what we are able to handle at any given moment. Remember that when you are tempted to do what you know you should not do, or not do what you know you should. God allows just the right amount of spiritual resistance you need to build more spiritual strength. Have faith in God and be willing to endure the inner work. Strap on the full armor of God and fight the good fight of faith. Don’t seek for relief, or excuses, sedatives, and distractions a plenty you will find. It is far better to step up, drive on like a good soldier, and pray for the needed grace of God to patiently endure. He will strengthen you. Now go and help others learn to do the same.
Today’s Question to Consider
The Lord says take my yoke upon you. What says your heart?
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. Psalm 119:73-80 (KJV)
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Exercise without a proper diet is lacking. Eternal life without freedom from sin would likewise be an incomplete salvation. Sin is a transgression of the law. The law is God’s moral standard of what is right. Obeying the law of God is righteousness, which requires a voluntary wholehearted obedience. The law of God is holy, and to obey is holiness. The requirement of the law of God has not altered since Adam and Eve were in the garden of Eden. All that is known and unknown is governed by the law. Conscience, even in the heart of the sinner, bears witness that the law is good. If we go about trying to establish what is right or wrong as we see fit, the root sin of selfishness easily sets self on the throne of the heart. Self is the abomination of desolation seeking to destroy us all. The prayer of faith is the key to experiencing the victorious life over the hyphened self-sins that are so common among us. The law of God is just, and justice requires transgression of the law to be punished by eternal damnation. Either we repent and accept the offered grace of Jesus Christ paying our penalty for sin for us, or we will surely die. It cannot be otherwise. Regardless of what others may say who hold the doctrine of the deceiving serpent who persuaded our first parents with the lie you surely won’t die. Save us Lord! Teach us to deny self. We know that we are free to turn from sin because of our new life in Christ Jesus. Jesus Christ is on the throne of our hearts. He who has given the law reigns, and He is also the keeper of the law in our hearts. Our faith, our righteousness, and our sufficiency is in God, not self.
Today’s Question to Consider
What is the role of the conscience in guarding the heart?
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:19-24 (KJV)
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Doing what we already know to be right is more important than gaining more and more unused knowledge. First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness Everything else that is needful will be added after that. Walk by faith not by sight. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, and never complain. Complaining doesn’t make what is bad any better, it only makes what little good there be any situation seem even less so. It is far better to find one thing to be thankful for than it is to heap up great stinky piles of gripes and complaints. The Bible shows us the way to be content under any and all circumstances. We are to praise and thank the Lord for His loving kindness when things are going well. When things aren’t going well, we are to praise and thank the Lord for His faithfulness knowing that He will work all things together for good. Rest in the love of God, because He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Trust, Pray, Expect, Praise, Receive, Rejoice and be Thankful. All this we know already. Now faith is consistently believing the gospel.
Today’s Question to Consider
What one thing, that you already know, if you start doing today will give you a 1% improvement over yesterday?
32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. Psalm 68:32-35 (KJV)
The Prayer for This Week
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Here is wisdom: give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose. Giving up our selfishness is the only way to enter into the Kingdom of God. The Master has commanded us to deny self, pick up our cross, and follow Him. The only way to obey this is to stop living for our own self-interest. Our secular educational system from elementary to post-graduate is focused on strengthening self while ignoring God. The cardinal mind of the self-life is the enemy of our soul that the Bible calls the flesh. It is deadly because it cannot agree with the Word of God. When the flesh reins in the heart, the ultimate counsel of the cardinal mind is to always walk by sight. Allowing what you see in the mirror to discourage you is a perfect example of the type of persuasion born of the cardinal mind. If the reflection is pleasing on the other hand, the cardinal mind will with equal ease puff up the heart with pride. Who will free us from this body of death? Take your eyes off the pool searching for evidence of its stirring. Rather, fix your eyes on Jesus, and cast down every thought and imagination the cardinal mind offers that exalts itself above the Word of God. Be strong and courageous. With praise and thanksgiving, go to work with eager expectation based on the Word and not what you see. This is the walking by faith that the Holy Bible teaches us. The rule in the Kingdom is this: according to your faith will it be done unto you. Know without doubting that what is seen will surely catch up to our faith in due time. The safeguard against abusing the privilege to ask for whatsoever we want is in the motive. Asking for something to simply gratify self is to tempt God.
Today’s Question to Consider
Knowing that all the promises of God are “yes and yes” in Christ Jesus, what will you ask God for today?
Congratulations! You can’t buy them anywhere, you’ve got to earn them. This post is about how to get them and keep them in good working order. I ditched my workout gloves probably about 15 years ago. Partly because I couldn’t find any that worked well for me no matter how much money I spent on them. I finally just let the body do what it does to protect its self. I let my hands develop a set of callouses and I never looked back. Yes, the initial jump start for calluses will be a bit painful. You’ll be alright though buttercup. Once you have some good ones, use a little gym chalk and you will never go back to using workout gloves no matter how cool looking you think they are right now.
What about Blisters?
When you first stop using the gloves you will most likely get some. It’s a part of the process for building calluses. I will tell you the way I was trained and often used as a Special Forces medic who has spent plenty of time in the middle of lots of jungles far away. Now, I’m not telling anyone to do this. I’m not that kind of doctor, so go sue somebody else. I’m only explaining what I have done and the results I’ve seen. When needing to treat blisters, I would used a sterile needle if I had one (sometimes all I could do was pass the tip of a safety pin through an open flame a few times). After giving it a few seconds to make sure it was not hot, I would poke the blister and squeeze out the fluid. This is necessary, because just continuing to work with a blister will only open it up all by itself. When that happens it will most likely rip open, cause more pain, and generally just make a mess. Not good. By puncturing the blister and squeezing out the juice, the top layer of skin remains intact allowing the tissue beneath to heal faster. That is to say to start building a callus to naturally protect the hands. It’s a beautiful process perfectly designed by our glorious Creator.
Taking Care of Calluses
Calluses are a lot like fingernails. Both are tough hard stuff with no feeling. That is unless you expose the live tissue from which they grow. Just like the longer your fingernails grow the greater the risk of having one pulled off and exposing the live tissue, calluses can also grow too big and need the equivalent of trimming just like nails do. A nail clipper is NOT recommended for calluses. However, I have found a perfect tool. I’m not sponsored or being paid in any what to promote this product. It’s just one that I use, that works great, and I can recommend with complete confidence that it is a genuinely good product. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the amazing Ped Egg.
Original pink, now available in white and blue
I really like this thing. It’s advertised for shaving off the hard stuff that builds up on the feet. I learned the painful way that if I just let thickness on my feet continue to grow, it will eventually lead to cracked heals and pain. I tried to go to one of those nails shops that take care of feet, but I felt really out of place. Like I had just walked into the ladies room by mistake. That was years ago, but I have never really felt like ever getting another professional foot treatment. So, I bought the Ped Egg and it worked great. The thing I like about it the most is that it is really hard to shave off too much of the tough skin while using it. This is a real concern with some other products. If you aren’t careful you can easily be left worst off after having used them. In fact, I was so impressed with what the Ped Egg did for my feet, I decided to see what it would do for the calluses on hands. I was really happy to see that it worked just as well on my hands as it did on my feet.
When my calluses grow a bit too big, they start to cause a little pain. This is a good thing, because it draws my attention. Normally, I don’t think about my calluses at all. I just go to work. When I get a little pain from them though, I know it is time to shave them down a bit with the Ped Egg. This is necessary to prevent calluses from ripping off. It is as traumatic as it sounds. Harden skin torn off to expose the live stuff underneath, that’s what happens when you don’t take care of them when they need a little TLC. Take care of your calluses and they will take care of you. I can go months between when I need to shave my calluses. It really depends on what type of lifting I’m doing. It only takes me about a minute (hands need to be dry). And after trimming them up with the Ped Egg, they once again become pain free during my workouts.
The photo on the top is the before using the Ped Egg, and the one below was taken about one minute later after using it.
After treatment with Ped Egg
85 Days Out from the Charolette Cup?
Question mark because I maybe competing in an earlier contest in March instead of the Charolette Cup in April. Stay tuned and I will post the details soon. The big change I made this week was fasting on Tuesday and Thursday. I was looking to start this sometime in February, but if I’m going to get on stage a whole month earlier than I originally planned it’s time to start fasting two days a week now. I fasted all day after breakfast yesterday. Hopefully, I will get used to going to bed after fasting for about 10 hours without all the tossing, turning, and crazy dreams. Much harder to stay warm too. And this morning I was wondering if I would even be able to even complete my planned workout after doing my warm-up. It’s never a good sign when your normal warm-up nearly wears you out. I’m thinking that it was a combination of being carb depleted and not sleeping well that left me feeling much less energetic than usual. This was a really tough workout just to get it done. It’s the kind of workout that makes the workouts when I’m feeling good, so much more enjoyable.
This Morning’s Workout
PLANNED
ACTUAL
COMMENTS
Start/Finish – 4:30/6:00am
4:00-600am
The earlier wake up time is working great. Looks like it will be here to stay for awhile.
Daily Min. (Feet)
long version
Ends with getting my heart rate elevated a little, but usually only for a few breaths. Took a little longer to recover this morning.
Ab roller
10 reps
Light Dumbbells (with 5 pounders)
as planned
Chest: 3 moves, 30+1 reps each move Biceps: 5 moves, 30+1 reps each move Triceps: 5 moves, 30+1 reps each move
Patrick Step down
as planned
4 Supersets of 5 reps each side. Total of 20 reps each side. Right side is weaker with a little knee pain. Better than last week though.
Squating calf raise and standing tib raises superset
as planned
3 supersets of 30, 30, 30
Mandatory Poses
as planned
Zero juice left in the tank by this time. Ended up cutting it short.
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144 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
3 Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
5 Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; Psalm 144:1-7 (KJV)
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Put your hope in God alone. The peace of God which surpasses understanding comes from knowing that God is in control of everything great and small. From the tiniest hair on your head to the largest galaxy far-far away, God holds everything in His hand. Why does it seem incredible that Almighty God works everything according to His will? The present corruption of this world is passing away, and God has decreed that no good thing will He withhold from those who love Him. If easy times will do us good, then easy times we will have. If pain will do us good, then pain we shall have. Who are you little one, who dares to presume you have better knowledge of what is good than the all-knowing God? Acknowledge your limitations in every situation and give thanks unto God for His goodness. Our highest good and the will of God are one and the same. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, our Rock and our Redeemer, who has purchased us with His own blood. Jesus Christ is the good shepherd and will certainly take good care of you, me, and all His flock.
Today’s Question to Consider
Many are the things that we do not know, that we do not have, that we cannot understand, and that we cannot do. What then, does God has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ mean? (see 1 Corinthians 1:22-31)
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:15-22 (KJV)
Prayer Appointed for This Week
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Obey and pray, then pray and work. Do everything with prayer and thanksgiving. Just as the newborn baby needs to be nourished for physical growth, so to the believer needs to be nourished with the pure spiritual milk of the Word of God to grow. Be it physical or spiritual, you’ve got to be nourished and be willing to grow. Always remember that faith in God must be tested, and that properly placed faith will never fail. Everybody wants to be blessed, but few people are willing to actually obey the Word of God and pray. Our Lord promised to give us His peace. Pray for it, be still and know that He is God. Allow the peace of God to be the normal default temperature setting of your heart. When this inner peace is disturbed, look for the cause and take appropriate action. Be quick to confess and forsake every sin. Be quick to forgive others. Be quick to make amends. Be quick to right any wrongs. Do these things and the peace of God that surpasses understanding will quickly return to you.
Today’s Question to Consider
We are blessed so that we can bless others. What good work can you do today to bless someone?
106 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
4 Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;
5 That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance. Psalm 106:1-5 (KJV)
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Diet and training are but course corrections made in faith. How easy it is to deceive ourselves if we do not observe the left and right limits set by the Word of Truth. What we love severs as our autopilot. Without the love of the Truth, we fall into the ditches of self-love and self-interest on the sides of the straight and narrow path that leads to life. Thank God the way is straight and narrow, so it is easy to follow and difficult to lose the way as long as we keep our eyes fixed straight ahead on Jesus. Let us not forget that to live is to have the love of God as our chief love. Let conscience confirm that Jesus Christ alone is to be enthroned in our heart as King, Ruler, and Lord! This is God’s will for all His children. Receive the adoption with a childlike faith, and wait with an eager expectation for the promise of the Father. The promise of God’s empowering presence has been given before the foundation of the world, and it will surely be manifested to all who seek Him by denying self, picking up their cross daily, and following Jesus Christ.
Today’s Question to Consider
Happiness depends on circumstances, but on what does the joy of the Lord depend?
137 You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:137-144 (KJV)
The Prayer Appointed for This Week
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
Take care when cultivating your affections, because the gravity-like pull of any sin the heart is set upon can only be overcome by willpower for short periods of time. When willpower is exhausted, every course of action will move in the direction of the affections like a self-driving car heading home. Adversity and fatigue are the great tests of our faith. It is easy to have faith in God when all is going well, but do you still believe you have God’s favor when the circumstances of life become cloudy, dark, and tossed about by contrary winds? The storms of this life are meant to drive us deeper into the only safe harbor, which is Jesus Christ. The carnal mind walks by sight, trusting only in its own understanding, and relying on its own strength. The thoughts and actions of the carnal mind are dependent on the feelings that arise from circumstances. It is not to be so for the spiritually minded. We are to walk by faith, trusting in God, and our thoughts and actions are to be depended on truth regardless of any feelings that arise from circumstances. The Word of God is truth. This is our Rock. On Christ Jesus we can always depend, and now is the only acceptable time to do it. Sing songs of praise when you are happy, and pray until every cloud is chased away when you’re not.
Today’s Question to Consider
What is the best thing to do when you don’t feel like praying?
67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 (KJV)
he Prayer Appointed for This Week
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer
The Morning Inspiration
The strongest foundations rest on the bedrock of truth. Overindulgence in fast food speeds to weakness. Healthy food provides the nutritious building blocks for increasing strength. In the same way, the thoughts we entertain in the mind either weaken or strengthen our faith. Put off the thinking patterns of the old man enslaved to sin, and practice the thoughts of the new man created in Christ Jesus to be holy. Transparency is a good guard to set against hypocrisy. Humble self and keep the fear of the Lord always before you, because nothing can be hidden from the eyes of the Lord. Mercy and grace be upon all those who ask God for a clean heart in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Receive it now by faith, and joyfully put off the old ways common to our former way of life. Now that we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus, like a man given new clothes, toss out all the old moth eaten soiled garments fit only for the fire. Be diligent about keeping the inside of the cup clean with obedience to Christ and the sin which defiles will not be able to cling to you inside or without.
Today’s Question to Consider
What are some of the things we can do throughout the day to remember our God?
The Faith and Fitness Blog 