How many times have you seen memes like this on Facebook and Instagram? Worse, how many times have you fallen for this trend? God does not write these memes, and He does not reward us with money or anything else for clicking our mouse and typing Amen.
I’m saddened every time I see a meme like this and even sadder to see friends and family fall victim to them. These memes prey on superstition, that something bad will befall you if you don’t type Amen.
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.
1 Timothy 4:7
God does not play silly games with us centered on challenges to type Amen or any other word in Facebook comments. I can assure you that no matter how many times you type Amen, God is not going to put $10,000 in your account tomorrow.
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
MATTHEW 19:21
If riches are what you’re looking for, then give everything away to the poor. If you spend your time looking for ways to serve the least among us, then you may find in return you’re a wealthy man. God will reward you with riches in heaven, that doesn’t exist here on earth.
So the next time you see one of these rags to riches memes, just pass it on by.
Are you being the man today, that God has called on you to be?
I haven’t discussed the name “FaithFit7,” so let me do it now. There are many words that describe Christianity, being a Christian, following Jesus Christ, and having faith. I tend to focus on faith as the most important element of being a Christian. Having faith means that we are able to trust God with everything. It’s not just a word, it is a complete way of life. That said, it takes every element to be complete and perfect in our walk with Jesus Christ.
In a later post, I’ll get into what is required of us to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, and to have faith in God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
FITNESS
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,
Hebrews 12:12
In Hebrews 12 the writer uses athletics as sameness with spiritual growth. Taking care of our bodies, the temples built by God is part of our walk with Jesus. The walk will be long, and arduous at times, so being healthy and fit will help us along the narrow path.
SEVEN
In the scriptures of the Holy Bible, the number 7 symbolizes completeness and perfection, both spiritual and physical. I have to admit that perfection is a pretty lofty goal for men here on earth, but we can strive in earnest.
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
It would be nearly impossible to name all of the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. This Memorial Day, I am remembering Corpsman Maxton Soviak and the other 12 service members killed at Abbey Gate during the abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 26th, 2021.
After graduating high school in 2017, Maxton enlisted in the Navy and was serving as a “Doc” with 2/1 Ghost Company, U.S. Marines. He enjoyed time with friends, cliff diving, scuba diving, cross-fit, wrestling, and jujitsu. Maxton loved the life he was living, but his sweet spot was his love of family. He is survived by 12 brothers and sisters, and his mother and father.
Maxton’s parents Rachel and Kip Soviak founded the HM3 Maxton Soviak Memorial Foundation to help Veterans and their families with adventure, experiences, and resources to live life to the MAX!
Today we honor the memory and service of Maxton Soviak and so many others and pray a hedge of protection over all who are standing the watch this Memorial Day, 2022.
The observance and remembrance of our military war dead and those who died in service predates the American Civil War. More than 25 American towns claim to have originated this observance, and all are steeped in rich history. This holiday observance like many in America has taken on a life of its own. The phrase “Happy Memorial Day,” will be said millions of times, but this isn’t a happy day. Today we should all take pause and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, for the safety and security we enjoy as a nation each day.
Everything from cars to appliances will be discounted this weekend, but sadly so will the importance of this day if we don’t collectively make a point of sharing and explaining what Memorial Day is all about. More than 2.8 million Americans have died in service to our nation since the American Revolutionary War. So today isn’t a random celebration of a long weekend, it’s a celebration of the contributions and sacrifice of so many.
Memorial Day is NOT about backyard barbeques or a trip to the beach. It’s not a “happy Memorial Day,” it’s a day of remembrance.
USAA has done an incredible job of honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and way of life. From explaining the meaning behind the holiday to the origins of the Red Poppy as a symbol of remembrance, they hit a home run.
USAA doesn’t allow redirect links to their site, but you can Google – USAA Memorial Day Tribute – and be led to their site.
Our hearts are broken over the horrible loss of life in Uvalde, TX. We pray for peace and comfort as 21 families were devastated by the indiscriminate violence that took the lives of their loved ones. The power of prayer is great, and today our Nation prays for those affected.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
I was looking at (editing) the Posts page this morning and my eyes kept being drawn to the photo of the two young boys arm wrestling. I had placed that photo on the page earlier to illustrate the innate masculinity boys are born with. I know some will argue that some boys aren’t born with innate masculinity, but I personally doubt that. I don’t care what your sexual persuasion is, but masculinity exists in all men and boys. Feminine traits and behaviors can be learned, but they don’t have to be exhibited.
As I was looking at this picture again, Proverbs 22:6 popped into my head. This verse is speaking directly to us as men, fathers, brothers, cousins, and uncles. I was raised by my mother in a single-parent home. I had to look outside the home for strong men figures. I had uncles who fit this bill, and the fathers of friends who also served as role models. I even watched strong masculine family men portrayed on TV for clues and insights on how to be a man. As men in any capacity, we must live by the Word, and train up our children in the way he should go.
In the heat of last summer, I weighed in at 300lbs and had just undergone a male double mastectomy. While recovering in the hospital with two tubes draining from my chest, I took inventory of my life. My relationship with God was strong, but my body had grown weak. I needed to make a decision to change my life, improve my health, and lean heavily and completely on Jesus Christ in doing so. I had allowed the Temple God built in me to fall into ruin. Couple that with a health scare, and I had to do something. My choice was simple, I needed direction and support from our Lord, and He gave it freely. When I think back on this period I realize how easily I could have just given up on life. God had other plans for me. I joined a large gym and started working out daily (five days a week). It was hard, I couldn’t squat my own weight when I started. I used online trainers (contact me for more info), some of the best in the nation. Starting with a 12-week program that reacquainted me with free weights and cardio, and then a six-week program that included intense cardio between sets (all timed).
Since returning to the gym for the first time in nearly two decades, I put on significant muscle and lost enough weight to clone a 7-year-old. I still have more work to do. God is responsible for getting me thru the last seven months, it has been difficult.
God tests me again
In the later months of this period my relationship with the two men I had founded a ministry with wained. I felt lost and questioned the several preceding years of ministry with these men. I believe them to be good men, but we had apparently grown apart as close friends. The ministry I poured myself into was coming to a close. I was wandering in the desert and prayed it wouldn’t last 40 years.
Enter Evan Anderson
Evan Anderson
Over the past 7 months, I have scoured the internet for inspiration to keep improving my physical fitness, health, and understanding of the methods and processes necessary to achieve my goal. I’m not interested in becoming a bodybuilder or fitness model at my age, but there is much to be learned from the folks that are. I was following a lot of trainers and fitness experts on social media. One of those trainers was Evan Anderson. Evan is an incredible, strong Christian, who has absolute faith in our Father God. His walk with Jesus Christ is on a narrow path and it does not waver. One day I saw a post from Evan on social media that he was going to help Christian men lose weight … for free.
I’m a Christian man who needs to lose weight
Even though I had lost a small human in weight, I have more to go. I applied to Evan and was accepted. I had a friend who once said he couldn’t learn anything from someone younger than himself. I on the other hand was sure I had everything to learn from Evan. Age is no barrier to faith or ability, and Evan was sharing both with the men he was mentoring, yes a young mentor. From health and nutrition tips to inspiration for the mind, body, and soul, I was taking it all in. Evan even shared his journal where he writes notes to God. He is sharing so much of himself with this group of Christian men (of varied ages), and it made me think about his generosity.
Still wandering in the desert
With the ministry I had poured myself into over the past several years coming to a close, I was lost. What would God have me do with the time I had spent on that ministry. God spoke to me and said to be like Evan, sharing your faith and skills with others for free. FaithFit7 was born as my new purpose. My goal is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, help other Christian men grow in their relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and strengthen their temple while sharing my own areas of knowledge with others. Now I’m no fitness trainer, but I do know how to point folks in the direction of trainers like Evan that can help them.
We’ll get more into my own skill set later. Don’t forget to subscribe and please leave your thoughts in the comments.
FaithFit7 