Want to Get Your First Pull Up?

I got my first unassisted pull up at the age of 71. That's right. Never before in my life had I been able to do a single pull up. Today, the pull up is my favorite exercise at the gym. If you're reading this, you might be stuck in doing a pull up. In this blog post I will talk about different variations that will help you get your first unassisted pull up. 

The first exercise that helped me to get my first pull up was the dead hang. All you do is passively hang from the bar. This helps your wrists and arms begin to adjust to the movements involved in the pull up. Next comes scapula pull ups. All you do is retract your scapula while hanging. Then comes the negative pull up. This is where you use a stool to get your chin up and over the bar. Then you simply go back down in a slow, controlled tempo. You are basically already doing a pull up, just starting out at the top. At this point, you will transition to a jumping pull up. It's basically the same thing as the negative pull up but you jump until your chin reaches over the bar. From there you slowly lower yourself in a controlled fashion. Finally, I found assisted pull ups to be the key to getting my first pull up. The resistance band decreases your weight slightly in doing the pull up. Once you master two or three band assisted pull ups, you're ready for your first unassisted pull up. 

Of course, don't forget to work your arms and back. The best exercises here are the latt pulldown and the dumbbell curl.

God bless! 

Everyone a Runner

I'm the last person who should be blogging about running. I've never won a race. I can't qualify for Boston. Nor am I part of a running tribe. Only on rare occasions will a family member run with me. At 6'4" and 225 pounds, I more closely resemble a power forward than a runner. In fact, I hated running while growing up. (Why run when you can surf?) In the traditional sense of the word, I hardly qualify as a "runner."

Which is the very reason I feel compelled to write about running!

All the things I talked about above are exactly the reasons that compelled me to begin running. I'm just like you -- a normal guy with a normal life and a normal job. Ultimately my hope is to show anyone and everyone that (with very few exceptions) anyone can be a runner -- or a swimmer or a cyclist or a hiker, etc. None of these activities requires a certain body type or background. God has designed all of us with the ability to move. All that's required is the effort. Most of the reasons we're sedentary are nonsensical. So ignore them. I beg you -- get off your okole (Hawaiian word) and become active while you still can, even if it's only a 30-minute walk a couple of times a week. I can assure you that you'll be glad you did. Listen to your heart and your conscience. They'll never let you down.

Below: Today's run. 😊

When It Comes to Greek, Most Pastors Get This Wrong

In this blog post I'm going to give you 3 key steps you can take to stop using Greek in your ministry effectively. If you follow these guidelines, you're going to minimize whatever gains you made when you took Greek in seminary. 

The first step you need to take is to ignore the grammar of the Greek text and focus exclusively on word studies. Doing word studies in the pulpit is much more likely to make you popular than if you spent hours laboring on the meaning of the entire passage. Things like verbal aspect and discourse structure can be safely ignored in a day when you can satisfy itchy ears with comments like "We get the English word 'dynamite' from this Greek word" or "The Greek word here is one from which we derive the term 'hilarious,' and so God loves a hilarious giver." 

The second thing you can do is to not only say the Greek word from the pulpit but to spell it out as well. This will give everyone the impression that you are a Greek scholar and it has the additional benefit of distancing yourself from your audience since schlepps like them don't have access like you do to such insider information. Be careful, however, to ensure that you don't have a Greek professor in your congregation who might call you out when you both mispronounce and misinterpret the Greek word. 

Here's the final thing you can do to make sure you don't spend too much time in the Greek when you're preparing a sermon. You need to stop your exegesis before it gets hard. You want your time in the text to be very fast and easy. If you want to be 100 percent safe from overdoing it, just make sure you're always looking at your phone or answering emails. Multitasking is awesome, and you can get a lot more done in your office than just Bible study. And don't use your phone merely to check websites like Bible Hub or Bible Gateway. The best way to use your phone at the office is to stay up to date with social media. You may even need to reply immediately to a comment someone left you on Facebook. That is way more important than staying focused on such irrelevant matters as Greek word order or verb tenses. 

I hope you found this post helpful for minimizing the role that Greek plays in your sermon preparation. If you're looking forward to getting even less results make sure you don't come back to my website any time soon.

Oh the Memories!

Join the Y! (PLEASE!)

My morning Bible study completed, I wanted to get in a run today but ended up at the gym instead because of the rain. 

I know I've said this before, but it makes a lot of sense to join a gym. It doesn't have to be the super fancy one down the street either. The Y will do. 

Can't afford the Y? They have scholarships. You think all those younger bodies will stare at you? No worries. First, you're not there to get dates. Second, younger lifters are remarkably accepting of older lifters. After all, they're hoping they'll still be exercising when they are your age. Finally, people at the gym are so focused on their own exercises that they'll hardly notice you. They have their workout routine. You have yours. The simple point is that God designed you for exercise. When you exercise, you become a much better version of you.

I love my 2022 Honda Trailsport. 

It already has 80,000 miles on it. I'm asking myself, "Should I trade it in for a new one? Or should I keep it for another 80,000 miles?" Either way, car engines wear out with use.

For a long time, people thought that their bodies wear out with use. But it doesn't work that way. When we exercise, we don't wear the system down. We build it up. In fact, this is the ONLY way it becomes strong. Use it and it improves. Let it sit idle and it goes downhill -- fast. I am blessed because exercise is fun for me. I've never once felt guilty for having too much fun at the Y. Pretty soon, you find yourself telling others to join.

If you're in awful shape, why not daydream for a moment about how things might be? In a surprisingly short time, you might feel so much better. You'll start feeling like a human being again and not like a broken-down jalopy. 

Embracing Impermanence

Recently I was with a group of retirees who basically did nothing but complain about life. Perhaps they forgot that this verse is in the Bible (1 Tim. 6:17):

Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.

I love how The Message puts this: God "piles on all sides all the riches we could ever imagine." God not only allows pleasures and gratifications in this life, but he lavishly provides them abundantly more than we deserve. Everything in creation he has given to us for our happiness. They are his gifts. He is the author and maintainer of all good things. The sin is not in enjoying them but in abstaining from them. Of course, they shouldn't replace God as the sole object of our affection, but no good purpose is served by pretending that he didn't intend for us to enjoy the pleasures of this life, even in our older years. Every good thing that comes from God's hand we're to enjoy. Every season of the year, which he changes, we're to enjoy. Every transition in life -- from younger to older, from employment to retirement, from healthy to maybe not so healthy, from life as a married man to life as a widower -- we're to enjoy. 

Endings are just as important as beginnings. To have life you must have death. That's what gives existence its value -- its impermanence. Everything eventually comes to an end. This is the deepest truth about existence. Endings make room for new beginnings. So be thankful for the opportunity to experience something while it lasts. Nothing lasts forever. All good things must come to an end. 

As far as I know, I will be teaching classes at the seminary for the foreseeable future. But I won't teach there forever. All good things must come to an end. 

I had a great time in Dallas over the weekend, but all good things must come to an end.

I loved growing up in Hawaii, but all good things must come to an end.

My time in Basel was supremely enjoyable, but all good things must come to an end.

I loved teaching at Biola, but all good things must come to an end.

I enjoyed my ministry in China, but all good things must come to an end.

Knowing that everything changes helps us to be at peace and get ready for what comes next. Saying goodbye to old adventures makes room for new adventures. 

Aging friend: It's time to let go of past attachments. Open yourself to new opportunities and blessings. Cherish the present. Accept change as a natural part of life. Life's closures aren't just endings but also starting points. Accept the temporary nature of life's experiences. Even the most enjoyable things will eventually stop. That includes me going to the gym, as I did today. 

Embrace impermanence. Welcome change with an open heart and mind. For with every ending comes the opportunity for growth and new adventures.

And for crying out loud, stop complaining all the time. 

Don't Be Afraid to Try Again

Major kudos to a colleague of mine who ran in last Saturday's 100K (62 mile) race in Farmville. It takes a lot of courage to even start a race like that. Due to a hip inquiry he had to drop out after 57K. He did the right thing by not injuring himself further. None of us should ever jeopardize our running career for "one" race, even if it's been on our bucket list for years. I myself was scheduled to run last Saturday in the 50K race in Farmville. I ended up in Dallas instead. But if I had started, there's still a question mark in my mind if I would have been able to finish. I do understand the fine line we runners walk. We have to know when to say "no" to protect future races and even our health. Sometimes this is a very tough spot to be in. I have never been at my friend's level, but I've been to ultramarathons where I started with niggles that cleared up as soon as I started running. You just never know what your body will do on race day. I have never run an ultra where I did not feel COMPLETELY exhausted when I finished. That's just the nature of the beast.

My friend tells me he'll try another 100K some other time. I too would like to try another 50K next year. 

Friend, just because we start something doesn't mean it will turn out the way we planned. We are not guaranteed anything in life. Yet that should never stop us from working hard and giving it 100 percent. And we can't let failing paralyze us and make us afraid to try again. As is so often the case, the journey is the real experience. Even an injury can serve a purpose. It can ignite a fire in us to recover and to keep moving forward. "Fall down seven times, get up eight." 

Have a wonderful day! 

Running in a race on the High Bridge Trail in Farmville. A back-of-the-packer I definitely am! 😅

Chicken Love

All of my grandkids love their chickens. 

But none more than Peyton. 

I love being his "Papa B."

The True Meaning of Being "Rich"

Visiting mom in Dallas this weekend reminded me of how well loved she is. 

By her family.

Even by her servers. 

Mom raised 5 daughters and 1 son in this tiny Dallas home -- with only one bathroom. 

She is my hero. 

This is the true meaning of being "rich."

Rich in love.

Rich in relationships.

Rich in discipline. 

Rich in generosity.

Rich in beauty. 

Rich in courage.

You cannot buy these things. Money can amplify them. But money can never obtain them on its own. 

The richest things in the world you cannot buy.

How We Got Our Gospels

This is so well done. If anyone is interested in my view about the Gospels, go check it out. 

Honesty Is the Key

You never lose face by telling people, "I don't know. But I'll try to find out." 

Grief = Love

Grief over the loss of someone you love is really just love with no place to go. 

Don't fight it. 

It is a gift. 

"Learning to Learn"

Ever heard of "learning to learn"? The idea is that knowledge per se will soon be outmoded and educationally useless, whereas if you have the ability to learn, that will be a permanent acquisition. It's the old saying, "It's better to tell students how to fish than to give them a fish." To me, this is a gravely inadequate metaphor of learning. The difference between learning skills and learning factual knowledge is an almost totally misleading opposition. Both are necessary in life, and that's why I aim to achieve both goals in my classroom. 

Moon Conjunction Tonight

I love the camera on my iPhone. But it just can't do justice to what I am witnessing right now -- the moon and Venus taking an evening stroll in the night sky. Look to the southwest and you should be able to see them. Here where I live, the skies are crystal clear. It's God saying, "I surround you 24 hours a day with evidence of my love and glory. Don't be too busy to notice." Open your eyes and he is right there! 

Running Even When Your Snot Freezes

Most people tend to way overdress when they run in the cold. Not me. After all, I was hatched and raised in the islands. RULE OF THUMB: Wear more than you think you need. You can always take off a layer.

When I began running today it was 32 degrees. I found the experience totally invigorating and refreshing. You should try it sometime. Your snot freezes, which in itself makes the experience worthwhile. I even wore mittens. They were snug and believe it or not they really do keep your hands warm. 

The moral of the story? Don't stop running just because it's cold outside. Layer, and be sure to keep your hands and feet warm.

Life to the Fullest

I climbed a mountain in the Alps in 2016 and raised $25,000 for the UNC Cancer Hospital where Becky received such outstanding treatment for 4 years. At last, I made it to the top. I realized that day that I could do many things that I had been fearful to do. I also made the decision to stay active for the rest of my life. There are so many things I want to do and places I want to visit. I am excited to know that many adventures are in store for me now that I have my new attitude. I intend to enjoy life to the fullest. I hope you do too. 

Fitness: It's Your Turn

Here are some videos from today's activities. 

As I worked out and ran, I remember being a 20-something at Biola and being mentored by Dr. Harry Sturz, the elder statesman of the faculty. He lived and breathed a paradigm of health, vitality, and fitness. During class breaks he loved to throw the frisbee with his students. I seemed to tire out long before he did. He was the opposite of your stereotypical aging man -- overweight with a noticeable pouch and little to no muscle tone. He was able to maintain his physique and his health well into his late 60s. He showed me that remarkable physical fitness and vitality can be achieved at any age. He was a true educator who had the unique combination of a scholar's intellect and the practical wisdom that can only be achieved when you combine knowing what to do with doing what you know. 

Sitting back and refusing to take control of your health and simply accepting the status quo is a guarantee that you'll age faster and be at much greater risk of chronic disease. Take it from me: When our health delines, everything about life suffers. That's why Sturz's story is so important for every man to hear. You -- yes, you -- can make a significant change in every aspect of your life. Gradually you will learn how to lift weights, how to build muscle and strength, how to eat clean, and how to lose body fat.

You will set goals as high as possible and take small, intentional steps to reach those goals. You will feel so much better about yourself when you take a proactive approach to disease prevention and health. It is truly an uphill battle, but it is worth it. 

At 72, I continue to train consistently. 

What's so exciting to me is that not only do I feel better, I've been able to travel and visit my loved ones or go on adventures. I love training with people half my age and continuing my fitness journey surrounded by 20-year olds like I was when I first met Harry Sturz. 

Now it's your turn. I blog about my fitness journey so that you can begin yours. I'm here to tell you that  as you age, you don't have to get old. For many, retirement is all about doing next to nothing. The truth is, you can stay active as you age. I may not be as strong or as fast as I once was, but my energy levels are every bit as good as when I was in my 40s. An energetic, active lifestyle is something you can experience now. We have the knowledge and the tools to make it happen. 

Let's get started. 

Love Me Some Rock Music

Before I leave for Dallas on Thursday I hope to get in another long run. I've been putting together my music set -- mostly songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I came of age in the perfect music era. I was there for the birth and death of many genres of music, and most of my favorite bands are slowly fading away. There's a reason why younger generations keep embracing this music. It's both of its time and genuinely timeless. Think:

• 25 or 6 to 4
• Kashmir
• A Horse with No Name 
• Rocket Man
• Saturday in the Park
• Peaceful Easy Feeling
• More Than a Feeling
• Hotel California
• Carry On Wayward Son
• Don't Fear the Reaper
• Another Brick in the Wall
• Layla
• Comfortably Numb
• Knights in White Satin
• Just What I Needed
• Sweet Home Alabama
• Jump
• Free Fallin'
• Listen to the Music 
• Reelin' in the Years
• Ramblin' Man
• Born on the Bayou
• Owner of a Lonely Heart
• Beginnings
• Message in a Bottle
• Everywhere
• Go Your Own Way 
• Pinball Wizard
• Dust in the Wind
• Take It Easy 
• Lady in Red

Goosebumps every time I listen to this music. 

Best Christmas Flash Mob EVER

Don't miss the last note.

Lovely Day in Greek Class

This was our final grammar class of the semester. Thus my 48th year of teaching comes to an end. 

The early church turned the world upside down, guided by the teaching of the apostles. Today we have this teaching in a book we call the New Testament. Fellow Christians, we have a calling! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't study the Bible for yourself. Each of us has the inestimable privilege of reading God's word daily. My plea is that we return to the regular habit of Bible study. 

I'll never forget this group of hardworking students. They started well and will finish well when they take their final next week. Their enthusiastic and tireless commitment to learning Greek has been an inspiration! It is my hope that God will use this tool in a powerful way in their lives to contribute to the master plan God is building -- the church.  May their lives honor the One who promised, "I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will never overpower it!" Matt. 16:18). 

You're Crazy If You Surf the Wedge

 How I miss surfing the Wedge in Newport Beach.

Not. 

I lived in SoCal for 27 years and not once did I surf the Wedge. I may be dumb but I'm not stupid. Why do surfers do this? Call us crazy I guess. 

That said, a trip back to Hawaii in June sure sounds good. 

Four Phases of Bible Study

I would like to suggest a pattern of Bible study for reading the Pauline letters that has proved helpful to me. If consists of four different phases. Begin by selecting any section of Scripture (a chapter might be a good place to start) and then number the paragraphs (the paragraph being the basic unit of meaning in language). 

Phase 1. Underline any words and phrases that seem especially significant to you.

Phase 2. Read the first paragraph and then ask, "What question or issue must have been asked for Paul to have written this paragraph?" Repeat this step with each paragraph. 

Phrase 3. Reread each paragraph carefully and ask, "What is God saying to me today through this paragraph?" 

Phase 4. Summarize what Paul is teaching in each paragraph under these headings:

• God
• Christ
• The Holy Spirit
• The Church
• The Christian Life
• Missions and Evangelism

I believe your experience in Bible study will be greatly enhanced by using this (or a similar) method.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Consistency Is the Key

Day by day nothing seems to change visually. But looking back months or years later, everything is completely different. Consistency is the key.

Happy lifting all! 

Care to Learn Latin?

You'll need a good textbook. Here are three of the best. 

My fave is in the middle. 

Have a super day! 

It's Never Too Late

I know you know this already, but exercise serves as a great metaphor for life. 

Any goal is attainable ...

All you need is desire, hard work, and consistency ...

If you put your mind to it ....

You get the drift.

Exercise is not easy. But "average" people like you and me become athletes all the time. Why? Because they want to achieve something in life. You can do the same thing. Here are the steps involved:

1. Decide on your goal.

2. Evaluate how much time and effort you can dedicate to that goal.

3. Write down a plan to get where you need to be.

4. Begin executing your plan.

5. Deal with setbacks as you encounter them.

6. Achieve your goal and then ask yourself, "What's next?"

Exercise is much more than walking or lifting or biking or running. It can become a personal philosophy, a way of life. That's why I was so happy to get back to the Y today. 

I hadn't lifted in 5 days and I missed it. After all, my goal for 2025 hasn't changed -- climbing another peak in the Alps. Unfortunately, many people over 50 think they can't increase their level of exercise. Some, in fact, think it's impossible for someone over 60 or 70 to go from a sedentary lifestyle into training for a marathon or an ascent of a 4,000 meter peak. Thankfully, God put people in my life who pushed back traditional limits and expectations. That's why I'm just as excited as the 20-year olds at the gym. 

Like you, I don't know the year I will leave this earth. But if you make the right adjustments, you can expect to achieve more vitality with every decade of life -- if you don't give up. I am so thankful for my local gym. My life has been changed for the better because of it, and I can't express how great I feel. I'm energetic, motivated, and love life each day. It is an undeserved blessing of God's grace to be able to be active.

Whether you are 26 or 76 or anywhere in between, it's not too late to get with the program. As we near the end of the year, why not take a moment and reevaluate your lifestyle and diet and see if there's room for improvement. You've got nothing to lose except the extra pounds that are slowing you down and negatively affecting your quality of life. 

Jesus Is GOD (1 John 5:20)

Never be afraid to call Jesus God. The New Testament writers weren't.

Here's 1 John 5:20 in the Basis Bijbel (Dutch): "Jezus is de ware God en het eeuwige leven."

The German translation known as Hoffnung für Alles reads: "Nun sind wir eng mit dem wahren Gott verbunden, weil wir mit seinem Sohn Jesus Christus verbunden sind. Ja, Jesus Christus ist selber der wahre Gott. Er ist das ewige Leben."

One Spanish translation of the New Testament has: "Y nosotros estamos unidos al Verdadero y a su Hijo Jesucristo, que es Dios verdadero y vida eterna."

And I love The Message: "This Jesus is both True God and Real Life."

Now reader, go to John 1:1 and see what you can find there about the deity of Christ or I will never talk to you again for the rest of my life. 

Surprising Facts about Patrick Henry

During my recent flights to and from Birmingham, I reread this fascinating account of the life of Patrick Henry, whose oratory ("Give me liberty or give me death") is forever linked with the cause of American independence. 

But he was so much more than a speech-maker. His accomplishments might surprise you. For one, as governor of Virginia, in 1785 he prevented citizens in southern Virginia (yes, exactly where I live) from creating a new state with parts of North Carolina. I had no idea! For another, he was an original trustee of Hampden-Sydney College (founded in 1775), which is only a stone's throw away from Farmville, where (it seems) I spend half my life either running or cycling. Noted alumni and/or students of the college include talk show host Stephen Colbert, theologian Dwight Pentecost of Dallas Theological Seminary and the pastor in whose church Becky and I got married in 1976, and well-known apologist Francis Schaeffer, under whom I had the privilege of studying ever so briefly during my sojourn in Switzerland from 1980-1983. Henry also believed in religious liberty, defending the religious minorities of Virginia (like us Baptists) even as he personally enjoyed the rich tradition of the Church of England. I think he would have made a great president, though he was so anti-Federalist that he probably never would been able to take the job without compromising his convictions. 

For a report on my visit to Henry's home, Red Hill, in nearby Charlotte County, go here.

Thanks for reading! 

Feeling Stressed? Watch Some Sheep

Studies show that watching sheep significantly lowers your stress levels. 

When you interact with animals, your body releases oxytocin, also known as the "feel good" hormone. Technically you should watch 9.8 sheep graze for an hour for maximum stress relief. Okay. I made that up. But I can attest that there's nothing like listening to and watching animals chowing down to kick in some good old oxytocin. It's funny, but I have misophonia with people. But animals? The louder the better. I can watch and listen to my dogs eating for hours. But begin crunching your Doritos too loud or smacking your lips while eating, and I start silently plotting your demise. 

Have a wonderful (and stress-free) day! 

Just Back from Alabama

I could post a hundred photos but they still wouldn't be able to describe my visit to my daughter and her family in Alabama over Thanksgiving. 

It's life in its rawest form, old and young and everyone in between. Good food matched only by good conversation. 

Even Hank wanted to be in on the action. 

I find myself already looking forward to next year's visit. In the meantime, it's back to text messages and phone calls -- and prayers for one another, storming the gates of heaven for the ones we love.

Bring it on. I'm excited. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give thanks for everything to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:20).

Let's all spend some time today and tomorrow in giving God thanks. Don't worry about having just the right words. Worry more about having the right spirit. He's not seeking our eloquence but our heart. Even in life's heartbreaking moments we can pause to thank him for providing unimaginable strength. Thank him as if it were your last opportunity. Pour out your heart of gratitude to him like there's no tomorrow. Thank him, then thank him again. 

The Lord grant you a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

Be Thankful

This is Thanksgiving week. Here's some of the places I found gratitude today:

I am thankful for the strength I had to get out of bed this morning and go to the gym.

I am thankful I can still do pull ups.

I am thankful for gym staff who are always there to assist and guide.

I am thankful for the resources to get biweekly massages. 

I am thankful I can still run.

I am thankful for running trails like the HBT, where I ran 7 miles today.

I am thankful I never get lost while running on it. 

I am thankful I can fly to Alabama tomorrow Lord willing to spend Thanksgiving with family.

Not a day goes by without me counting my blessings. I have never before had so much in life. And so much to cherish. My kids and grandkids are all healthy and love the Lord and I don't take that for granted. I enjoy friends who are closer than brothers to me. (You know who you are.) I am grateful for things to look forward to. I am grateful I don't sweat the small stuff like I used to. I am thankful to be focusing on things that truly matter. 

Life really can change in a heartbeat. Never take anything for granted. Savor each moment the Lord gives you. If you're married, kiss your spouse and tell them  you love them. Ask them the questions you've been meaning to ask them as you may never get another chance. 

You value what you notice. Try to notice the little things every day. Be thankful for all of it. Truly, gratitude can change our attitude in a split second! 

The JOY of Firsthand Bible Study!

At the gym today, it occured to me that we humans communicate with each other either through a snapshot ...

... or a video. 

The New Testament authors did exactly the same thing!

There are two basic ways of describing an action in Greek. You can use a snapshot, or you can use a video, as it were. Phil. 1:21 is a classic example. Here Paul writes, "For to me, to live (video) is Christ and to die (snapshot) is gain." We could render the Greek here as follows: "For to me, to go on living is Christ and to die is gain." 

While reading Acts 4 this morning I noticed Luke's use of his video camera in verses 29 and 31. The basic idea in both of these verbs is "keep on doing" or "do habitually." 

You see, the apostles had been speaking the word of God fearlessly but had been warned by the authorities to stop what they were doing. Hence, in verse 29, the church prayed to the Lord, "Grant your servants great boldness to continue to speak your word." And in verse 31, their prayer was answered: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." 

I love that! 

Personal Bible study enables you to evaluate the words of Scripture. How exciting! I can assure you, there is no joy comparable to the joy that comes from a firsthand study of the Bible. To discover for yourself what God has written for us in his word will send you into the stratosphere with excitement. Unfortunately, sometimes these truths are missed in even our finest English translations. (Here the NIV writes simply "to speak" and "they spoke," completely missing Luke's use of his video camera!) 

I am never more excited than when one of my students comes up to me before class and says," Dr. Black, let me show you what I just discovered in this passage!" Sometimes students are beside themselves with enthusiasm. You never know what new wrinkle in the text you'll discover!

I hope you'll catch that disease as you get into your own habit of daily Bible study. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week! 

Exercise: It's a Fine Balance

Over the years I've discovered an approach to exercise and training that has helped with implementing consistent workouts. Every morning I check in with all my systems -- not only my legs and feet but also where my head's at, what's my stress level, and how everything is feeling. All of this guides what I do (or don't do) for the training that day and how hard I push down on the gas pedal. Sometimes I see athletes kill themselves with grueling workouts that are extremely hard on the body and central nervous system. I've been there myself. It isn't that day's workout that will make you a strong and healthy person. It's the consistent gradual adaptations you make over time that set you up for success. It's a very fine balance with knowing when you should push and when you're causing damage. All growth -- be it in exercise or in life -- comes from adaptation, consistency, and being present in the moment. We don't want to be too hard on ourselves, but we don't want to be too easy either.

Hope this can help! 

Fun at the Cap Trail in Richmond!

Cycling can help us better use the strength we build from training. 

As I've done frequently in the past, today I drove up to the Virginia Capital Trail between Richmond and Jamestown. 

To bike the entire trail you'll need to do about 52 miles. I've done that 3 times. Today I only did about half that distance.

Like many things I discuss, this is low-hanging fruit. All you need is a bike! 

When I got home, happy and tired, this is what awaited me.

God is good.

Have a wonderful evening!  

Names in the Bible

My name is David Black. (Duh.) In Hawaiian, it's Kawika Eleele. "Eleele" means "Black" in Hawaiian. "Kawika" (pronounced ka-vee-ka) is simply "David" written with the Hawaiian alphabet. 

The apostle Paul likewise had two names. His Hebrew name was Saul, meaning "asked of God." But as a Roman citizen, he also had the Latin name Paul. Both names have a similar sound but vastly different meanings. The Latin adjective Paulus (or Paullus) means "little" or "insignificant." Augustine once referred to Paul as Paullum modicum quid -- "a little something." Chrysostom called Paul "the man 3 cubits tall." In ancient Rome, a cubit was equal to about 1.5 feet. Apparently Paul was thought to be only 4.5 feet tall!

In Paul's earliest writing, 1 Thessalonians -- which was the focus of my Bible study this morning -- he uses his Roman name instead of his Hebrew name in 1:1.

"Saul" (Greek saulos) was perhaps too likely to be misunderstood. Who wanted to be known as "loose, wanton, lewd, free from moral constraint"! Incidentally, associated with Paul are Sylvanus (Latin for "Forest") and Timothy (Greek for "Honorer of God"). Love it! 

Isn't it so true that once you understand the meaning of your name, you appreciate it more? My youngest grandsons are named Reuben and Noah. Reuben is Hebrew for "Behold a son!" 

While Noah is Hebrew for"rest." 

My own name, David, means "beloved." And I feel loved! 

For people in the Bible, names often held great significance. Of course, here in the modern West, we don't imbue names with as much significance. Nevertheless, we can all sense the importance of names. To you, your name is more than a word. In some ways, it IS you. 

I never study a passage in the Bible that contains a name without asking myself, "What's the significance of the name mentioned here?" I invite you to do the same. 

"Partnership in the Gospel" (Phil. 1:5)

The Mississippi Drainage Basin (MDB) is the third largest in the world. Only the Amazon and Congo watersheds are larger. It covers all or part of 31 states and resembles a funnel with its sprout at the Gulf of Mexico.

Whether you live in Great Falls, MT, or Asheville, NC -- 2,000 miles apart -- you're still in the MDB. 

Few people realize how critical this inexpensive transportation network was to the growth of the U.S. The products from the best farmlands in America could flow downstream to markets all over the world. But the "mighty" Mississippi wouldn't be nearly so mighty without all the little tributaries that make up the greatness of the MDB.

In Phil. 1:5, Paul expresses his gratitude for the Philippians' "partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." This aligns with Paul's broader point of emphasizing unity and collaboration among all believers everywhere. He views the Philippians as co-laborers, and he's confident that Jesus will continue to work through their faithfulness until he returns. 

Participation in the gospel was at the very center of Paul's relationships with other believers. It's a joint commitment to an enterprise -- in fact, the most important enterprise in the world. This participation involves not only the money the Philippians sent to Paul but their own evangelistic zeal in promoting the gospel. Paul may have been the "big river," but all of us are tributaries that have a vital role to play. 

How wonderful the grace of God! What joy to be partners in the gospel! 

Today's Fabulous Gym Session

Still chasing down my goals.

How about you? 

Two Lessons about Teaching from James 3:1-2

Lecturing this past Tuesday at Liberty reminded me that teaching is not only a privilege but a grave responsibility. 

That's clearly taught by James in James 3:1-2, my morning Bible passage. Here are two truths from that text that I jotted down in my journal.  

1. Learning to be a teacher is a never-ending process. I get this from the verb ginesthe that James uses here. He doesn't say, "Not many of you should be teachers." He says, "Not many of you should become teachers." Here's the lasting lesson I wrote down in my journal:

"I will be effective as a teacher only to the degree that I am continually growing as a student of Scripture."

2. Because our role demands that we speak so regularly, teachers are especially vulnerable to failures of speech. This may mean talking too much. Or it may mean talking about things we know nothing about. Or becoming careless in our speech. Or failing to keep our sarcasm in check. Or trying to please both God and the world at the same time. Or failing to manifest grace in our speech. The principle?

"I will be effective as a teacher to the degree that I allow the Spirit of God to produce consistently (though not perfectly) pure speech with my tongue."

As a teacher, "my times" are not really mine but his. I am the steward of my days and had better number them that I may apply my heart unto wisdom. Lord, let me use my final days of teaching to faithfully witness to my times concerning the Timeless One.

Virtual Chat

If we were enjoying a cup of hot chocolate together, there are some things I would tell you. 

If we were having a cup of hot chocolate together on my front porch this evening, I would tell you how much I enjoy living in rural Virginia. This was my drive to Farmville this morning. 

There is never any traffic here to speak of. And the colors -- oh my goodness. The peak foliage may be over, but this view will still take your breath away.

If we were enjoying a cup of hot chocolate in my library enjoying a warm fireplace, I would tell you how much I love all the history you can find in Virginia. A major battle took place on this very site during the Civil War. 

It was a Union victory just a couple of days before the end of the war. You know, this isn't the only "rail trail" we have in the commonwealth. I think this is a great use of these former railroad beds, don't you? 

If we were enjoying a cup of hot chocolate together while watching the sheep graze, I would tell you what running has meant to me since Becky died. I would tell you how cathartic this sport has been to me. I love how it's challenged me to keep running the race of life. Life is never easy, but hardships are always temporary and for that I am grateful. 

Well, it's been nice sipping cocoa and chatting. It's so easy to sabotage ourselves. For God's sake, don't overthink everything. Just make it happen. Plan your route, set out your clothes, then get on out there. You'll be glad you did. 

Don't Let Yourself Down

I don't know who needs to hear this, but maintenance of strength and muscle can be achieved with surprisingly little volume, even just 1 day per week. Multi-joint exercises like pull ups, squats, presses, and rows should be prioritized over isolation exercises.

But if you decide to add an isolation exercise, the dumbbell curl is a great place to start. 

Going to the gym is more than just a workout. It's proof to yourself that you're willing to fight to become the person you want to be. Don't let that version of yourself down. 

Lecturing at Liberty Again

Today I had the joy of speaking in the New Testament Honors class at Liberty University. 

And mightily bored they were!

LU is definitely one of our best Christian universities in my opinion. The campus is knock-dead beautiful, plus the amount of things to do around campus is amazing (shooting range, ski resort, equestrian barn). Their biblical studies faculty is second to none. All the profs I know are incredible! The school has tons of international students, including this one from Ethiopia who's enjoying a copy of Becky's book My Life Story. 

I have met many fine students full of positive energy and great studiousness during my campus visits. Everyone is willing to help and assist you. I suppose that if you're there just because your parents wanted to "straighten you out," you won't get too much from the experience. But if you're serious about your studies, the school can truly help you achieve your dreams. (No, I was not paid to say that!) 

My thanks to Dr. Thomas Hudgins of the Divinity School for organizing today's visit. It was a great honor, sir!

New Greek Diacritical Mark Discovered

The Yoda subscript. 

Video credit: Thomas Hudgins.

Special thanks to my student Joey for coming up with the concept in Greek class today.👍

1 John -- Here We Come!

Ta-daaaaa! Today in our Greek class we begin our study of the book of 1 John. 

1 John has two main purposes. On the one hand, John wants to encourage his readers to live in fellowship with God and with his Son Jesus Christ. On the other hand, he wants to warn them against any false teaching that would destroy this fellowship. A big theme of the letter has to do with sin. For the believer, sin is inexcusable. It's also inevitable! (Read 1 John 2:1-2.) How do we live with that tension? Stay tuned! 

We Love Dutch

So happy Dutch is so easy to learn. Do half of the swaps and you're speaking German. Do the other half and you're talking in English! 

German went through a major consonant shift that English and Dutch avoided. On the flip side, English went through a major vowel shift that German and Dutch missed. So match the German vowels and the English consonants and you've got it made.

By the way, it's almost mandatory to call what I just described "the great vowel movement" 😂

Time Traveler

When people say 2014, I think of it as 4 or 5 years ago. When people say 20 years ago, I think of it as in the early 90s. I'll be 73 next year and I still feel like it's 2010. Time goes by so fast! 

Generosity Defined

Driving home from church today I couldn't help but think about the definition of "generosity" I heard in the sermon:

"Generosity is the act of doing more than is expected and expecting nothing in return."

Would love to become a generous person like that!

What to Do with "Ausgangstext"?

"English doesn't 'borrow' from other languages: it follows them down dark alleys, knocks them over, and goes through their pockets for loose grammar and valuable vocabulary." -- James Nicoll

Having learned German as a second language, I can attest to the fact that speaking English has been enriched by German loan words. A lot of what makes English such a great language is its fluidity and adaptability. For example, the livestock words borrowed from French (beef, poultry) didn't replace the Old English words (meat, chicken). They just gave us alternatives. Now I realize why we have so many synonyms in English. I always thought it was primarily because it was just to express similar ideas with slightly different meanings, but sometimes the real reason is the melding of different languages. 

It's a very interesting topic and good intellectual "fun" as long as one doesn't become too insurgent with it. An illustration might be the introduction of the German word Ausgangstext ("initial text") into the vocabulary of New Testament textual criticism. For some, the term has replaced the more traditional "original text." Generally speaking, when a word falls out of use, it's largely because it has outlived its usefulness. Scholars are therefore always coming up with neologisms -- often from German -- to move us "past" the past and into the future. Think Weltanschauung for "world view" or Heilsgeschichte for "salvation history." As a guy who teaches New Testament, I must say I find Ausgangstext a little disingenuous. Yes, it's punchy, even a bit scholastically elegant. But if all you mean by the term is that version of the text that was ultimately approved by the author for eventual publication, then I think I prefer to stick with the expression "original text." 

I'm not against neologisms. I think it's great to have both native words and long loanwords. "We were slaughtered" and "We were decimated " feel very different despite their similar meanings. The soldier says the former. The commander says the latter. But the choice is not insignificant! 

That's my thinking for now. 

You CAN Do It!

You CAN get into shape, my friend!

Here's how to progress:

1. Get to the gym. Find a few exercises you can do confidently and safely. When in doubt, start with the easiest ones. 

2. Work these hard 3 days a week. 

3. Get outdoors on nice days like today and either walk or jog. Find a track or a trail you enjoy. 

When we know or suspect something can hurt us (going too far, going too fast. etc.), do the exercise at a level you can handle. My rule of thumb is to feel "effort" but not "pain" (especially in the joints). 

4. Reward yourself for a job well done. Today that reward came in the form of a plate of camarones a la diabla. Delicious, but I almost had to call 9-11!

Let me know how it goes. Have a wonderful day! 

Extrinsic Versus Intrinsic Motivation in Education

"You may be able to maintain certain minimum standards by stressing duty. But the highest moral and spiritual achievements do not depend upon a push but a pull. People must be charmed into righteousness." -- Reinhold Niebuhr.

Hello friends.

How do you create intrinsic motivation? Let's explore this question together, shall we?

Students always seem to want some kind of tangible payoff for studying (a grade, a GPA, etc.). Schools (even grad schools) use a reward system just for doing the right thing at any given time. This is extrinsic motivation, and hardly ideal. 

For years I've been asking myself, "How is it possible to generate intrinsic motivation?" My experience has been that students will become motivated by their own desire for a successful future if you can help them see the immediate connection between what they are learning today and how that fits into their big picture. It is no longer about making their teacher happy or just following the rules or avoiding a bad grade. They are working hard because they find the work inherently satisfying. (Think of the time you volunteered somewhere and you enjoyed it because you chose to do it.) So I think it's definitely possible to encourage intrinsic motivation. But once students have been in the American school system long enough, it is extremely difficult to do so. Their natural curiosity and sense of autonomy have been discouraged because they have become used to doing only whatever is needed for a good test score and tend to loathe open-ended evaluations. 

Intrinsic motivation begins with proper pedagogy. Appeal to emotion. Appeal to creativity. Appeal to the beauty of the subject matter. Be Socratic. Surround your students with a meaningful and satisfying experience. Make them laugh. Model curiosity. Wonder about things out loud. "I wonder why Paul used this grammatical construction in this verse. Oh my gosh, now I have to know!" Let your students see you fail and try again. Talk about how silly it is that you once thought grammar was boring. "Can you believe I really thought that?" Mention interesting things without explaining them. The goal is to have students dying to know what that big word means. Or to beg for a chance to work with you in solving the exegetical problem you're working on.

External motivation, at least my perspective on it, is only doing something if the reward or punishment is present. Intrinsic motivation is finding some personal value in the activity. 

My anecdotal experience is that most students are eager to be treated like grown up adults. Research shows that achieving goals is dependent on the type of motivation you use. Shifting from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation is essential for obtaining our goals. When we do something we love doing, we're like an automobile that doesn't require any fuel. For me, that is marathoning and mountaineering. For others, it's mastering a biblical language. Research has not yet identified a foolproof way to develop intrinsic motivation. What we do know is that extrinsic rewards often undermine intrinsic motivation (the so-called "undermining effect"). 

Typically, people are driven by a combination of motivational factors. Sometimes these factors are internally driven. At other times they are more externally driven. Our motivation is highest when both factors are present. 

Thanks for putting up with this quirky philosophical dialogue! 

"DACH"

Did you know that DACH is used as a common term for the three largest German-speaking countries -- D (Deutschland/Germany), A (Austria), and CH (Switzerland)? "Dach" is in fact a German word meaning "roof," which fits as all German-speaking countries fit under one roof! 

Which Foreign Language Is Easiest to Learn?

The one you want to learn. 

"God's ... God's ... God's!" (1 Cor. 3:9)

As the semester winds down, I'm reflecting on the joy it is to be in the classroom. Teaching has been the best thing that ever happened to me after my conversion to Christ and my marriage to Becky. Why on earth the Lord believed in me and championed me like he did I haven't the slightest idea, but I'll be eternally grateful because he's the one that called me into this wonderful work. So much love to my Greek class. We've shared participles and principal parts together and still like each other. Our adventure in learning New Testament Greek will shortly come to an end. The difficult has turned into our life's mission and we will never go back. 

Which brings me to the passage of Scripture I was studying this morning in my devotionals -- 1 Corinthians 3. 

See, I am always looking out for repetition in Paul, and boy do we have it here in spades -- "God's ... God's ... God's!" Paul is saying (my paraphrase ), "Because Apollos and I work together with God, you are a field under his cultivation, or, if you like, a building being built to his plan. I planted, Apollos watered, but it's God alone who can make things grow."

Farmers like me know one thing. Our own contributions to a successful harvest are minimal compared to the contribution of the One who created the soil and provides the sun and the rain. I am writing this blog post today from a place of repentance, not arrogance. I am ashamed of all the times I may have left the impression that my students' success is dependent on their teacher's skill. It isn't. It never was. We -- teacher and students alike -- are sharing in the work of God. The Spirit is the one who fills our empty minds with an understanding of Greek grammar and launches us into ministry with that valuable asset in our toolboxes. I won't defile my blessings by imagining that I deserve them. It's all "God's." That's the magic. Jesus' kingdom continues in the same way it was launched -- through behaving like we truly believe that the surpassing greatness of the power is of him, not of us. When we do this, then and only then will we be able to align ourselves correctly with the humble ministry of Jesus, knowing that one day we will cast all of our crowns at his feet. 

My Fat Loss Journey (FINAL Part)

Either you want it. 

Or you don't. 

=

What began in June ended today. By God's grace, I've reached my desired body fat goal. 

If you're wanting to get leaner, it will take work. Heavy people aren't likely to be physically active or, if they are, are not exercising with enough consistency to make a real difference. They are also probably eating and drinking whatever they want, whenever they want it. The biggest change is in the incorporation of strength training (weight lifting) 3 times a week, as I did today. 

Your workouts will not just make a visible impact, they will increase your body's metabolism so that you are able to burn more calories at rest. Nutrition, however, will likely make the biggest difference as always. Caloric deficit + nutritious diet + regular exercise + sufficient rest = fat loss.

Just sharing some thoughts. Hope this can help you in your own health and fitness journey! 

Break from Lifting

A little b-ball ain't never hurt nobody. 

Dallas, Here We Come!

Just bought my tickets to Dallas to visit mom in December. She'll be 93 years old. Can't wait to see her again.