Month: March 2023

faith

Devotional for March 31

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

I Will Rejoice in Your Salvation 

11 Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation. Psalm 9:11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

One basic tactic of our enemy is to get us to doubt the veracity of the Holy Bible. If that persuasion is not resisted, next will come enticements to offer strange fire based on scientific principles and human reasoning rather than worshiping in accordance with the revealed word of God. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt don’t come from the one who has called us. Let us not be like the unbelievers who read the word of God while questioning in their heart, “how could this or that be true?” Woe to those who read the Holy Bible to decide if they are going to believe it. Such a person only receives the letter. The same fire that provides warmth and cooks food, will without being properly handled burn and cause death. Go to the Bible to determine “what to believe” and avoided the heart-hardening snare of  an “if you should believe” attitude. Though there be many mysteries like God making Arron’s dead stick blossom, let the believer answer the question of how can this be like this: “the Lord knows and I know the Lord, therefore my soul is at ease like a weaned child.” Affirm the fact that all necessary knowledge is made plain in the Bible. To know everything without all the other infinite attributes of God would surely only corrupt us (1 Corinthians 13:2). Let us take our place with Christ far above the elementary principles of this world. Be it rain or shine, the soul that knows the peace of God is thoroughly convinced of the goodness of our heavenly Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Be strong in the power of Almighty God.

Question

What place does skepticism have in the believer?

Answer

Be skeptical of anything that contradicts the whole of biblical teaching (2 Timothy 2:15; James 2:19; 2 Peter 3:3-7).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 30

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Bring Me to Your Holy Mountain 

3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:3-5 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The nearsighted hangout on the same street corners, talking the same folly year after year, chasing the same vain pleasures until the day they die. Delusion causes them to think they will be happier tomorrow when they haven’t learned the secret of being content today. You must come out from among them. It is impossible to soar with the eagles if you refuse to stop pecking around with the chickens. While straining and pressing forward to walk in your calling from God, pray for contentment regardless of any and every state you may come to in the present. He will never leave nor forsake us. By His grace, the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Question

Does an easy life mean we can float up to heaven on flowery beds of comfort?

Answer

Not at all (Hebrews 11:32-40). Easy for this life comes from believing the truth (Romans 10:16-17), and the simplicity of faith (Acts 17:16-34),  not comfort and ease (Proverbs 21:17; Ecclesiastes 4:6, 12:13-14).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 29

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

O God of Our Salvation 

1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Psalm 65:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Happiness comes from trusting the Lord for good works. Commit the preparation of your heart and the strengthening of your hands to the Lord. Set your mind on heavenly things. Press forward with a childlike faith to know the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don’t anchor your consistency to feelings which change like the wind. The time will surely come when the wind is contrary. Be ready to put out the oars when necessary and go to work. The Lord is faithful and infinitely bigger than any difficulty that can ever come against us. There is great joy in walking in the truth of the Word. Be willing to love. Choose faith. Live in the light. Walk in the Spirit. This is the will of God for all called to be in Christ Jesus.

Question

How do we get His love (John 15:9-10), His peace (John 14:27), His faith (Galatians 2:20), and His joy (John 17:13)? 

Answer

Having His word abiding in us as we live in Him (John 15:1-11), and in time we will mature to bear His fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 28

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Trust in the Lord 

13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. Psalm 31:13-16, 19-21 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God speaks. The hour will come when all will hear. However, right now He has given us the choice to obey or ignore His voice. Some don’t hear God because they don’t believe He will speak to them. Others don’t hear God because they fear being thought of as crazy. Still others don’t hear from God because they don’t want to hear what He has to say to them. A personal word from God would likely be too hard to hear for the soul who doesn’t already love the written word of God. The written word of God is the seed that when sown in the heart is able to save the soul. The roots must first be strengthened, and then the leaves and buds come before the fruit. Even though much of the growth you won’t see, keep working for the eternal gains to which you have been called in Christ Jesus. We persevere in strength, courage, and the assurance of faith because Almighty God, who has commanded us to be so, is forever faithful.

Question

Why is trust in the Lord so important?

Answer

Because the wheat that doesn’t trust the Lord will never fall into the ground to be made fruitful. The soul that lacks trust in the Lord, will never consent to be sown (John 12: 20-26). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

fitness

Today’s Workout

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

This is a really good hip opener.

Five on each side is enough for me.

I’m going to re-think my one rest day of the week. I woke up earlier than I wanted to this morning. Stiffness, aches, and pains disturbed my inner peace and sleep. Maybe I need to do some easy mobility work on my rest day. Just to get the blood moving a little. My age doesn’t make me feel old. Feeling stiff all over is what makes me feel old. Going to focus on mobility work today and get this stiffness out of me.

My hands and feet also feel like they are swollen. I suspect this is because I’ve been eating a lot of restaurant food. Pretty sure that means more sugar and salt than I normally consume. Add to that the fact that the plus 100 degree heat has made staying hydrated a challenge. Planning on taking a good old fashioned South American siesta during the hottest time of the day in a nicely air conditioned room.

Going to watch what I eat today and my water intake. Plan seems solid. Time to get the workout started.

Today’s Workout Description

Thailand Date: 27 March 2023 | Start: 05:11 | Finish: ?

Warm up: Started with about 10 minutes on the stationary bike. Nearly finished listening to Jean-Pierre de Caussade’s Abandonment to Divine Providence on audiobook. Parts of this book were like a kiss on the lips. There were other parts however, that I thought lacked a proper balance. I will need to think more about this one.

I was very deliberate with 1 pound Indian Clubs after the bike. Pain in my left shoulder as I was sleeping is part of what woke me up so early.

No jump rope today….just didn’t have the juice.

Main Work: Mobility work on the floor. It’s been too long since I’ve done this sequence and it felt like it too. I should probably look to do this at least once a week. I didn’t track the time, but it usually takes a little less than 30 minutes to do these exercises.

Cool Down: Not much of a cool down needed. I when outside and repaired the fence, put a little paint on the gate, and cleaned up around the yard. That was all I could do as the sun was starting to get high, so it was time to get back into the house before it got really hot.

The purpose of this blog is to encourage, inspire, and connect with other like-minded Christian men who are over the age of 40. Subscribe with your email. Leave some comments pertaining to the faith, fitness, bodybuilding, and working out. Praying that all who find this blog may be blessed by it.

faith

Devotional for March 27

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Who Is Like the Lord Our God 

5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113:5-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Living physical forms without flaws are in a tasteless state void of the seasoning of time. Accept your flaws, imperfections, and wrinkles as given by God to create your individually unique flavor. You should know that what makes you beautiful has more to do with the inside than it does with your mere physical appearance. You are a one of a kind original made by the hands of God and set apart for His purpose. Turn from all the tail chasing vanities of the world. Physical flawlessness is not to be desired. Even the physical beauty of youth fads quickly if there is nothing more substantial underneath. As St. Augustine pointed out long ago, our hearts will always be restless until we find rest in God alone. Many are called by God, but only those who are willing to be obedient to His decrees are chosen. The Burger Cains of the world, who want to have it their way, are on the board path that leads to destruction. It is God that initiates, establishes, perfects, and maintains our love for Him from the first to the last on the narrow path. Our part is to submit to the Spirit of Christ within us, lift up our hearts and say, “Abba Father, Thy will be done.” Stop looking for meaning and purpose in any other place or thing, and you are sure to come to the knowledge of God and the fulness of joy in Christ Jesus.

Question

Don’t we have the right to choose how we live and the freedom to pursue whatever makes us happy?

Answer

Yes, but here is the truth the serpent hid from our first parents: Along with the knowledge of good and evil, comes the responsibility to choose the good. Along with this responsibility, comes accountability for whatsoever is chosen. There is no freedom without choice, no responsibility without accountability, and no changing of the law just because you don’t like it. 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 26

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

Sing Praises to God Our King

47 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

What do you do when you wake up feeling like an ugly duckling still in the shell? Remember that feelings are vain and faith creates reality, so get to pecking. That’s what to do. Just as the Israelites in the desert had to lift their gaze off the snake bites and onto the bronze serpent, so do we need to lift our gaze off what is troubling us and onto our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our all sufficient loving Savior, whose name is above every name, and in whose hands are all power and authority on earth and in heaven. Despite any feelings, regardless of the circumstances, we are commanded by the written word of God to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Pharaoh commanded the Israelites to make bricks even while denying them the materials they needed to obey his command. Be fully convinced of the truth that God is righteous and always abundantly supplies the means to accomplish what He commands of us. It doesn’t depend on your strength or your will power. That would be to fall into the trap of trying to do the work of God in the power of the flesh rather than in the power of the Spirit. Deny self if you would know the power of God. The flesh and the Spirit are not compatible. To hold onto one, you must choose to let go of the other. Though the enemy will try to convince you otherwise, it is so easy a child can do it. Only believe. “Have faith in God” is the one command that unlocks all the promises of God. 

Question

Money problems, family problems, health problems, and many more heavy and grievous burdens there are for us to bare in this world. How many of such burdens are Christians to struggle underneath?

Answer

Not a single one! Remember the command of our Lord Jesus Christ who beacons all who are weary under heavy burdens to come take His yoke upon you (Matthew 11:28-30). Give your burdens to Him and He will give you rest (1 Peter 5:6-10). We only need concern ourselves with doing the best we can with each present moment, and in faith release all future results to be determined by the Lord (Matthew 6:25-34). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep me both outwardly in my body and inwardly in my soul, that I may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 25

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

God Is the Restorer Of My Soul

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. Psalm 71:1-6 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Complaining only helps the enemy of our soul to feed us discouragement. Submit to God and resist the devil. Be filled with the Spirit, the God of all comfort, and take courage. Remember our God rules. Blessings come in two forms: those that are inherently good and those that are inherently bad. Like any loving parent, God only permits what is best for us at any given moment. If good fortune and pleasure is best for us, than God is sure to grant it. If at any particular point pain and suffering is best for us however, God will allow it. Here is the Word for complete assurance in accepting the sweet and the bitter from the hand of God—God works all things together for good for those who love the Him (Romans 8:28). Move to praise and step up to thanksgiving.  Encouraged yourself in the Lord as  David did when everyone and all the world turned against him (see 1 Samuel 30). The words we speak to ourselves and others may not break bones, but they can cause hurt to the soul just the same as sticks and stones hurt the body. Our words can also be used like a healing balm or soothing ointment. Choose to be obedient to the Word of God. By the faith of Jesus Christ we can always praise, give thanks, and rejoice in the goodness of our God. Bearing this fruit in good times and bad glorifies our Father in heaven.

Question

Why do bad things sometimes happen to good people, and good things often happen to bad people?

Answer

All the world groans waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. In the meantime, the righteous may fall seven times, yet rise again each time. Not so with the wicked, shackled with sin, they fall and perish forever.

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

faith

Devotional for March 24

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment

In the Roll of the Book It Is Written Concerning Me

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:6-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God provides the willing heart with the grace to do all that He commands. He who did not spare His only Begotten Son, will surely grant the necessary mercy to all who ask for a heart that willingly loves Him. Let not your soul be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The Word of God is the ultimate power everywhere from everlasting to everlasting. By grace we are saved through faith. Believe first, and then keep the words of Jesus Christ until love brings the full assurance that comes from knowing God. Hope that is not rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ is vain. To wait on the Lord means to hold on by faith alone, through the weeping of the night, until He sends the joy that comes in the morning. Even in ordinary human relationships, it’s an easy thing to believe a promise when you know the one who has promised is trustworthy. The Triune God is infinitely more trustworthy than all the most honorable of men combined. Give no place to the devil by entertaining any doubts born out of so-called knowledge that  is contrary to sound biblical teaching. Rehearse often the lovingkindness of God towards us, be diligent to hold firm the hope of the glory of God to be revealed in us through Christ Jesus. Let the love of God dwell in your heart as you actively seek to grow in Christ to the full spiritual maturity predestined by God for you. How the heart burns within at just the thought of this. 

Question

What could have been the “one thing needful” ( see Luke 10:38-42) Jesus spoke about to Martha?

Answer

Some say this, some say that. But for those in Martha’s time, our time, and for all those yet to come…the simplicity that is in Christ must be maintained as a needful first principle (see 2 Corinthians 11:3).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer

fitness

787 Workout and Today’s Confession

Bruce ColemanLeave a comment
Count 2, 4, and 6 of the 8 Count Bodybuilder

Count 2, 4, and 6 of the 8 Count Bodybuilder

Count 3 and 5 of the 8 Count Bodybuilder
Count 3 and 5 of the 8 Count Bodybuilder

I’ll start with a confession. I’m writting these blogs to be a trail of breadcrumbs. I’m not what I used to be, but I am not yet all that I can be. An overnight success is a person who has no record of what has lead up to their success. This blog is my record. I have been pretty consistent over the last 10 years or so with Bible reading, devotional writing, and exercise. Please understand that my divinely inspired devotionals are first of all my strongest exhortations to myself. Today’s devotional is a good case and point. I’ve been in Thailand for about 2 weeks now. I have lots of free time on my hands. I’ve spent far too much of it doing things like watching movies when I have tons of books to read and pages to write. I’m not suggesting that anyone should be working around the clock. There is a big difference however, between resting when you are tired and lazing about without being tired from work. Today’s devotional helped me to acknowledge my need to do better at sticking to the basics.

Today’s Workout Description

Thailand Date: 24 March 2023 | Start: 04:30 | Finish: 0535

Warm up: Started with about 10 minutes on the stationary bike while listening to Jean-Pierre de Caussade’s Abandonment to Divine Providence on audiobook. It’s been so long ago since I purchased this audiobook that I’ve nearly forgotten about this Christian classic. Listening with new ears and a sense of the timing being right.

Continued my warm-up with my 1 pound Indian Clubs. Getting back to the circular motion designed to lubricate the vital natural function of the shoulders. I have found nothing thus far that does that better than these ancient little clubs.

Last part of my warm-up was 10 minutes of the ropa-dope. That’s what I call jumping rope Muhammad Ali style. I realize that is a dated reference. My beard is more sliver than black, but I’m totally okay with my age. I was catching the rope almost as much as jumping it though. Uggh! It seems I have a bit of muscle memory of how to get it done, but I’m a far cry from being able to perform it anywhere like the younger me. Nothing to do with old age and everything to do with not having practiced it for a long time now. I think I will make this a part of my daily warm-up while I’m here.

Main Work: Going to call this one the 787 Workout

I started thinking about this workout yesterday. This morning I actually decided to do it. It is literally the hardest I’ve worked out in a very long time. Injuries more than my age have gradually pushed me to almost all easy exercise sessions. While I have discovered the benefits of easy exercise, my desire to go hard has been increasing for the past few months now that I’m able to go hard again. Today’s workout fit the bill, and balance is always desirable.

It consisted of 7 Hindu Squats, followed immediately by one 8 Count Bodybuilder. That was one round. I completed as I could in 7 minutes. So I call it the 787 Workout. Seven minutes doesn’t sound like much I know, but it didn’t take long to get my heart rate up to about 154. I was breathing hard and all noodled legged. Just the right amount of hard without sending me to bed for the rest of the day to recover, I did a totally of 13 complete rounds. I will try to beat that next week. Going to shoot for doing this workout two times a week. That should increase work capacity nicely.

Cool Down: Did an additional 10 minutes on the bike listening to Abandonment to Divine Providence. Best workout I’ve had in a few weeks.

The purpose of this blog is to encourage, inspire, and connect with other like-minded Christian men who are over the age of 40. Subscribe with your email. Leave some comments pertaining to the faith, fitness, bodybuilding, and working out. Praying that all who find this blog may be blessed by it.