If You're New to Lifting (1)

Starting to lift in 2025? Remember that compound lifts (rather than isolation lifts) give you the most bang for your buck. These are lifts that involve multiple joints (deadlift, bench press, squat, pull up). These should always be done at the beginning of your workout because they are harder than isolation lifts (such as the dumbbell curl) and will take A LOT out of you. My favorites are the bench press and the pull up. 

Never Thought I'd Ever Say This ...

... but a big part of my life is lifting things and putting them down. 

Back to the Alps! (Yes, It's Been Decided)

Research has shown that we don't do the things we want to do oftentimes because we're too afraid to try. Why are we humans so afraid? It's one thing to be afraid of something that's obviously dangerous. Such fear has kept me from handling snakes, skydiving, or surfing Waimea Bay. But that's not the kind of fear I'm talking about. I'm talking about a kind of perceived fear that ties us down and keeps us from living our best life. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe for most of us this is the fear of failure. We're so afraid of falling short of a goal that it paralyzes us. What we can't forget is that progress in life is made by taking reasonable risks. That's how my grandson Reuben is currently teaching himself how to walk. Part of that process is falling down and then getting right back up again. After all, who wants to be stuck in their baby stroller forever? 

So today I bit the bullet, faced the music, took the bull by the horns, crossed the Rubicon, lept into the breach, paid the piper, took my medicine, and swallowed the pill. That's right. I bought my plane tickets for Zermatt, putting my money where my mouth is. I've always found that after you pay the entry fee for a marathon you are far more likely to show up on race day than if you put that off. Today I also booked my hotel in Zermatt. I used this place on my last visit and it was both cozy and affordable. It's the Hotel Bahnhof, so-named because of its proximity to the local railway station. 

From there you can walk anywhere in Zermatt, including to the local tramways that take you in every direction. (Everyone walks in Zermatt. The town is car-free.) 

Mein Ziel? (Sorry. Back to English.) My goal? As everyone knows who's been following this blog of late, it's a local mountain called the Riffelhorn. It's not the hardest peak to climb in the Alps but it will surely give me a run for my money. 

I think that's why they call it mountain "climbing." 

Here we are looking down at the famous Gorner Glacier from the base of the Riffelhorn. Gorgeous. 

Zermatt has always been my number 1 resort for spectacular scenery. It's pretty hard to beat. Because Zermatt in mid- to-late June can still have snow in some parts, I've planned on being there the first week of August. And guess what? RDU now has a direct flight to Frankfurt, where I'll catch a quick flight to Geneva and from there travel by train to the Bahnhof in Zermatt. 

Obviously, there's no guarantee I'll be able to summit this peak. But the fact is, most people who attempt the climb finish it. I won't attempt it without my guide, of course, counting on him to talk me into making the one last grunt to the top. Here's the thing. He could just as easily turn me around. So why do it? Because in life you have to keep living, and sometimes that means doing things even when your knees tremble and you say to yourself, "Not sure if I can do this." That's when life really happens. I keep telling myself that I have to relinquish all doubt. At the same time, I know that I need to be consistent in my training before I get there. True, I might not succeed. But it won't be because I didn't train. 

Other than surfing Pipeline and Pupukea, climbing the Alps has been the most exhilarating, thrilling, and exciting thing I've ever done. My advice? If there's something challenging that you really want to do, do it. I promise you it will make your life richer. "The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing" (Leo Buscaglia).  

My 2025 Faith Goals (Rom. 12:9-21)

Prior to every new year I go through the same routine in my study. I get out my day planner where I write down my plans for the new year as I think through the as-yet unlived span of time that stretches out before me. Some of you may do the same thing. I mark birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, my upcoming travels, courses, races, speaking engagements, and the like. I ask myself, "Lord, how can I make the most of this year for your glory? Would it be possible for you to use me in such a way as to make a difference in other people's lives?" While thinking and praying about all this, I also think about my spiritual goals for the new year. Invariable I turn to a passage in the book of Romans that sets forth what I call "faith" goals or "spiritual" goals for the believer. I realize that 2025 could be the best year of my life spiritually speaking. It could also prove to be a wasted year. It shouldn't surprise us, then, that Paul's letters contain several lists of Christian virtues that describe what it means to say "yes" to the Christ who is calling us to renounce our own fleshly desires and to conform ourselves to his death by daily taking up his cross of sanctification and self-sacrificial service to others. One such list is found in Rom. 12:9-21. 

There are two things to observe before we take a look at the list. First, all of these virtues involve choices on our part. We may choose to do these things or not to do them. We can choose to go our own way. This is especially true if you're somewhat successful in ministry or have known the Lord for a long time. You can get to the point where you begin to fake your walk God and simply go through the motions. In fact, the very first thing Paul is going to tell us in this list is that we need to be genuine (12:9). But it's a choice. It's not enforced. You're free not to do it or to live that way.

The second thing to observe is that all of these exhortations are commands or imperatives. This is even true of the Greek participles and adjectives Paul uses in this passage. When in 12:9 he writes (literally) "abhorring what is evil," he means "Abhor what is evil." It's a command. Think of each of these injunctions in 12:9-21 as a "must." You must be patient in trouble. You must not pay back evil with evil. You must be at peace with everyone. And so on.

It may help us to appreciate what Paul says here by calling attention to what he does not say. He does not say you have to be a Baptist. He does not say you have to attend seminary. He does not say you have to have a college degree. He does not say you have to have a high IQ. He does not say you have to be a particular race. He does say you have to be handsome or beautiful. He does not say you have to be a certain age. He does not say you have to speak well in public. He does not say you must have gone to the mission field for 10 years. That's not necessary. That isn't a "must." 

What, then, are the things that I must do to be a more devoted follower of Jesus in 2025? Here they are. Because they are so familiar to many of us, I've paraphrased them to make them sound a bit fresher. Please take your time going through them. You might even want to pause after each one and ask yourself, "How am I faring in this area of my walk with the Lord?" 

1. When you show love to people, don't just pretend to love them. Be completely sincere.

2. Absolutely abhor what is evil.

3. Hold on tightly to what is good and never let go.

4. Since you all belong to the same family, love one another affectionately. 

5. Take delight in honoring each other above yourselves. 

6. Never be lazy in your work but always work hard. Be passionate about everything you do.

7. Serve the Lord obediently. When he tells you to do something, don't ask questions. Just do it.

8. When you realize all the good that God is planning for you, be glad.

9. When you experience trouble, endure it patiently.

10. When you pray, always expect God to answer you.

11. When God's people are in need, always be ready to help them.

12. When strangers need a place to stay overnight, welcome them into your home.

13. When people mistreat you and cause you to suffer, ask God to bless them. Yes, ask God to bless them. Don't ask him to make something bad happen to them.

14. When people are joyful, be joyful with them.

15. When people are weeping, weep with them.

16. Don't try to act big or think you're more important than other people. Instead, be willing to associate with ordinary people and do ordinary things. Don't think you know it all or are smarter than others.

17. When someone does something evil to you, don't pay them back with more evil. 

18. Always be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

19. Do everything possible on your part to live peaceably with everybody.

20. My dearest friends, when people mistreat you, never take revenge. Instead, leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scripture says, "I will take revenge. I will pay them back." This is what the Lord says.

21. Instead, if your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. If they're thirsty, give them something to drink. By acting toward them in this surprising kind of way, you will make them burn with shame and maybe even help them change their attitudes and actions. 

22. Don't be overcome with evil. Instead, overcome evil by doing good. 

This list is one reason I love the Bible so much. The Bible is God's way of stepping out of the shadows and making himself known, telling us exactly what he's like, what he's done for us, and what he expects of us (and empowers us to do through his indwelling Holy Spirit). It's my hope that this brief journey through Rom. 12:9-21 will help you better achieve your faith goals in the new year and experience a fuller, richer walk with the Lord than ever before. 

Have a wonderful day! 

This Running Business Is for the Birds!

Today's run on the day before Christmas was on a completely empty High Bridge Trail. 

Well, almost completely empty. 😀

Got me an easy 5 miles. Nice way to get in your daily steps. 

Hope y'all have a lovely Christmas Eve! 

When Your Dad Is Proud of You

Congratulations to Charlie Woods. 

My New Pull Up Challenge for 2025

Today I'm talking to you about pull ups. Why pull ups? The reason I advocate pull ups for everyone to do regardless of your goals is because they are fundamentally one of the best exercises if not the best exercise you can do. You can perform as many lat pull downs or cable rows or biceps curls as you want, but you will never get the results that you do from pull ups. The pull up trains your lats, your traps, your upper back, your biceps, and even your core. As you know from reading my blog, I am currently able to do about 6 band assisted pull ups with good form. As of today, I can barely do two unassisted pull ups with the proper form. This leaves a lot to be desired. See what I mean?

During the next few months, I hope to increase this from 1 to 2 unassisted pull ups with absolutely proper form, and I invite you to join me on this journey. By proper form I mean that your arms should be fully locked at the bottom and the scapula uncontracted. I wouldn't call myself strong as I'm still at the beginning stages of my pull up journey, but I do want to improve. Wish me well!

"When the Right Time Came" (Gal. 4:4)

One of my favorite Christmas verses is Gal. 4:4. "But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son" says the Living Bible. The world, says Paul, was especially prepared to receive the Savior when Jesus was born. How so? Here are a few ideas:

• Rome ruled the entire inhabited earth.
• Roads had been built to facilitate travel.
• To a great extent, the world was at peace (Pax Romana). 
• The pagan gods and idols of the day were losing their hold on the common people.
• The law of Moses had completed its work of preparing hearts for Christ.
• The Jews were scattered among the nations, looking for the Messiah that Paul preached when he spoke in their diaspora synagogues.
• The same language -- Koine Greek -- was the common language and was understood by most among the world's nations. 

Wow, what sovereign preparation! He's sovereign in your life too my friend. Jesus is man, so he can understand you. Jesus is divine, so he can help you. He is uniquely positioned to carry us home. 

P.S. Yes, it has occured to me that if Christ had come at some other time, Greek might not have been the lingua franca of the day, and I would have had to find a different career path! 

Brrrr!

It was 15 degrees when I left the house this morning. 

Thankfully, the gym is always cozy warm! 

I'm Curious

Quick question guys.

What's the number one thing holding you back from accomplishing your exercise goals in 2025? Let someone you love know. They might be able to give you some helpful advice. 

Have a wonderful week! 

Books, Book, Books

Looking to build up my reading list for 2025. What's the best book you read this year? 

Do I Have One More Alp Left in Me?

When I got back from the gym this evening, a loaf of freshly-baked cinnamon bread from my daughter was awaiting me. I toasted it. It was delicious. I texted her: BEST CINNAMON TOAST EVER. 

Moving along....

As you know, there is buried deep within me an intense desire to return to Zermatt this summer to attempt one last peak in the Alps. Eight years ago was my last trip to Switzerland. I wanted to raise $25,000 for cancer research at the hospital in Chapel Hill where Becky had been treated for four years. If Becky passed away from endometrial cancer, it was not for any lack of excellent medical care. She got the best at UNC. Of the four peaks I attempted that summer, the Lord allowed me to summit three. People congratulated me for conquering those peaks. I certainly never "conquered" them. If I have learned a deep understanding of anything through my climbing, it's this: God alone deserves all the credit for any of our so-called "accomplishments" in life. He is always there, wherever you need him. I could have accomplished nothing apart from him. If you asked me whether I relied on the Lord during my climbs, the answer would be yes. In the words of John Wesley when he was asked by some cynic whether God was his crutch, "No, my God is my backbone." 

I was profoundly changed by my time in the mountains. I was happier than ever before, and more scared than I ever want to be again. My mountain guide was such a blessing. It's his expertise that literally keeps novices like me alive up there. The faith and trust he placed in me made all the difference. He knew when to push me, and he knew when to say no, we're not going any further. Last summer I intended to return to Switzerland and climb the Allalinhorn, but it was not to be. I thought I could do it. My guide felt otherwise. I'm proud to say that I didn't argue with him. 

I can attest that peak bagging in the Alps is one of the unique events in anyone's life. Everyone revels in the excitement and shares in the journey. If I've truly reached the end of climbing 4,000-meter peaks, maybe I've got a 3,000er left in me. That peak, I believe, is the Riffelhorn. It's a difficult climb. Can a 73-year-old manage it? At times like this, I often think of Kipling's "If." 

If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master

If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster 

And treat those two imposters just the same ....

Dreams are powerful things. They are among those intangibles that have inspired men and women to change the world. I've always been taught, "Dream big, Dave. Make sure it is physically possible, and as long as the key ingredients to achieving it are vision and hard work, then go for it." And so tonight at the gym I resolved I would go for it. I'm finding my biggest limitation is lack of upper body strength. Through the sport of running, I've become generally fit, but running is leg-focused while mountaineering is full-body or upper-body focused. Climbing technique alone won't help at all if the upper body and grip strength aren't there as well. For this reason, starting today I will consciously work toward upper body strength during my workouts as never before. 

Climbing the Riffelhorn will require not only pushing with your legs but pulling with your arms. My goal is to be strong and flexible. 

Like so many things in life, climbing isn't focused on the destination. It's so much more than that. Most of our life lessons happen during the journey. Climbing teaches you so many things: discipline and focus, how to be committed to something, how to overcome obstacles, and how to move forward despite adversity. I tell people all the time that the hardest part of running a marathon isn't the race per se but rather the months leading up to the race. Was completing my first marathon one of the most amazing experiences of my life? You bet it was. But the finish line was merely the icing on the cake. When you keep putting one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles and then cross the finish line, your sense of satisfaction at finishing the race will be thanks to all that you've invested in preparing for that event and everything you went through to get there.

I could go on and on, but I think you get a taste of what I'm feeling right now. This website is all about understanding and tapping into your full God-given potential. It's also about understanding the power of failure and what it can teach us. Goals that are not frightening are not worth having. I appreciate the opportunity God gave me to climb the Alps in 2016. I look forward to another great year in 2025 as I train for another peak. In the bleakness and coldness of a Virginia winter, I've got my eyes set on the prize. I admit, I have no clue as to whether or not it will happen. But he does, and that's all that matters.

Start NOW

Don't start to become a new person next year. Start now and BE that person next year. 

Just Ordered

 Very excited! 

The Problem with Assumptions

Malcolm Gladwell once wrote a brilliant book simply titled Blink.

In it he presents an imaginary puzzle and leaves you the reader to figure it out. Here's the story:

A man and his son are in a serious automobile accident. The father is killed, and the son is rushed to the emergency room. Upon arrival, the attending doctor looks at the boy and gasps, "This is my son!" 

"Who," asks Gladwell, "is the doctor?"

You read that story and you realize it's a puzzle, an enigma. It's not like a math or logic problem that can be solved with paper and pencil. Gladwell goes on, "The only way you can get to the answer is if it comes to you suddenly, in the blink of an eye" (hence the title, Blink). "You need to make a leap," he says, "beyond the automatic assumption that doctors are always men."

The answer to the puzzle is now clear. The doctor is the boy's mother.

As I reach the end of my career, I am concerned by the way many topics in biblical studies are assumed rather than proved. And not only by your average church member. Scholars can be guilty of the same thing. You'll hear things like, "Paul could not have possibly been the author of Hebrews," or "Matthew's Gospel could never have been the church's first record of the life and ministry of Jesus." But I'm done with assumptions -- with what I've begun to call scholarly group think. Did you know that the majority view has often turned out to be falsifiable? Yet I have had scholars say to my face, "Today no respectable New Testament scholar holds to the Pauline authorship of Hebrews." Remember, I'm the guy who wrote a book called The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Paul. I've also written a book defending Matthean priority -- the historical view of the church through the ages until the advent of modern higher criticism. 

Every one of us makes assumptions to one degree or another. It's human nature to do so. I make assumptions all the time. But if I'm given clearly new information that challenges my assumptions, I just roll and adapt to it. The other day I decided to go to a particular restaurant to eat. My assumption was that the restaurant was open on that date and time I was going. But when I got there the restaurant was closed. Now what was I going to do? Had I decided to check their website first, I could have avoided the problem.

My point is that assumptions can be wrong, in some cases even dangerous. Perhaps we need to keep a couple of things in mind:

• You can't avoid making assumptions in every decision and activity.
• You need to pay attention to your assumptions in every decision and activity.
• You should always acknowledge the possibility that your assumptions are wrong.
• If possible, you should always have a backup plan in case you are wrong.

One thing I've never understood is why my profs in seminary never once asked me to challenge their assumptions about things like the authorship of Hebrews or the synoptic problem. It's like they were asking me not to think and to just blindly accept things the way the beehive wanted me to perceive them. It's basic human nature to make assumptions, especially based on first impressions. This doesn't mean, however, that those first impressions are correct. How many times have I made assumptions based on too little information or bad information!

The good news is that if we make any of these wrong assumptions we can steer the ship in a different direction. But this will happen -- as we saw in the story about the emergency room doctor -- only if we check and spot our mistaken assumptions and then take different actions. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From our house to yours. 

Today's Run at the Tobacco Heritage Trail (To Get Out of a Rut)

Are you ever "stuck in a rut?" I am, all the time. The problem is, I like the ruts I'm in. But sometimes it's a good thing to change things up, don't you think? So for today's run, I decided not to run in Farmville like I usually do. Instead, I stayed local and did my run on the Tobacco Heritage Trail.

It begins in South Boston and follows a path along the Dan River. 

When you get to trail's end, you simply turn around. That gives you a total of 8 miles -- a perfect distance for an easy-medium run for most people. 

If it's a cold day like it was today, be sure to bundle up. And to warm up ahead of time. 

Before my run I stopped by the Y for some stretching and a few easy lifts to get them old muscles going again. 

Then it was off to the THT. Want to see what it's like running on this trail? Here ya go.

Let's face it. Some people can run the same distance over the same trail every day for the rest of their lives and never tire of it. I'm that way -- sort of. To keep running fresh and alive in your life, having a bit of variety is indispensable. 

Anyway, that was today's run. I hope you enjoyed it.

Why I Love the Antietam Battlefield

If there's one thing I really love about the Antietam battlefield is the fact that is it relatively unchanged from the time of the battle. It's far less commercialized than, say, Gettysburg. You really get a feel for what the troops saw 162 years ago. Over the years, Gettysburg got Disneyfied. But Antietam has stayed somber and dignified due largely to the locals who've lived there for over two decades. They've even kept out McDonalds and WalMart.

Here's a picture of the Upper Bridge over Antietam Creek, just south of the John Miller farm. 

It's one of 14 bridges that were constructed in Washington County between 1823 and 1863. All the bridges were made out of local limestone. The Upper Bridge was built where the Keedysville Rd. crosses Antietam Creek. The ford at this point was the scene where a young George Washington and his forces crossed the Antietam in 1775. The builder was payed $1,400 for his efforts. The bridge is still in use today. People used it to come and go on their daily lives just like today. On Sept. 16, 1862 -- the day before the battle -- Union troops crossed it to begin their attack on Lee. General McClellan sent Hooker's corps of tens of thousands of men across the Antietam. Lee did not originally believe McClellan would attack. Now everyone knew this was different. Both armies were now on the same side of the creek. And everyone knew that all hell would break loose the next day. Lee was no longer facing the George McClellan he had encountered outside of Richmond the previous year. He knew that the next day would be a terrible battle. Every single soldier on both sides knew the same thing. 

By the way, this book came in today's mail. 

It's the most recent study of the Antietam battle to be written. I can't wait to read it. I know I won't be able to put it down. 

Burning Fat

Everything we eat is either fat, protein, or carbohydrate. The body doesn't burn protein. This leaves only fat or carbs. So to become lean, you need to burn both. 

Fat is burned pretty slowly. But people who are in good shape can access fat more more easily. That's just one reason to do walking. You can burn a higher percentage of fat by walking than by running. But you burn a higher number of fat calories through intense exercise. Either way, the people who work hardest seem to get the most benefit.

Sigh.

The weird and wonderful truth is that when you do an exercise like pull ups -- as I did today -- you're training not only your arms and back but your heart. Fit people's hearts work better. This is because an exercised heart is a stronger heart.The most important thing is that we can preserve or even improve our health with the right exercises. And it can be done, no matter how old you are. 

P.S. My gym buddy Adrian took this vid of me today. I think my form is gradually improving. What do you think? 

Witnesses, NOT Spectators (Heb. 12:1)

Referring to the expression "a great cloud of witnesses" in Heb. 12:1, Ray Stedman writes, "They are witnesses in the sense of bearing testimony that the race can be run successfully and that the rewards are great" (Hebrews, p. 135). 

I took this video at the Boulder Bolder 10K race at the Folsom Stadium at the University of Colorado. 

See the 50,000 people in the stands? If you thought we were "spectators," you'd be wrong. Each of us cheering on Connor Mantz as he won the race that year was a participant in the race itself -- hence a "witness," not merely a "spectator." And let me tell you. Being in the stands that day drove that point  home to me as never before. Reminds me of that great old hymn of the faith:

"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory." 

The Lord is saving his best for last. He's got a surprise up his sleeve that will boggle the mind. It's a homecoming party reserved for those who, like the heroes of Hebrews 11, quit stewing over the past and kick up their heels in the sunshine of God's love.

Once a Surfer ...

Even as I've gotten older, I've never forgotten my roots. Growing up in Hawaii, I was pretty much just another skinny kid. I didn't care much for sports. Until I began to surf. Here I am at 8 years of age. 

It was the year I learned how to surf. Like everyone else who grew up in Kailua, I taught myself. My first surfboard was a piece of junk. Someone sold it to me for a measly 10 bucks. Its fiberglass nose was all busted in. But I didn't care. 

Transition to my high school and college years. Still basically a skinny guy, but one who now had a really, really sick custom-shaped board. 

Where didn't I surf with this yellow gem? I rode every wave I could. 

Finally, here's me at age 72. I am about to drive to Virginia Beach to catch a few. 

For some reason, I have always loved surfing. The successful drop-ins. The timing of the sets. The stinging in the eyes. Flat days with long lulls. Watching the horizon. Smelling the wax. Quick dips below the surface. Watching sea life. The physical and mental benefits. The endless tubes. No phones. No worries. No distractions. Catching a wave is like climbing a mountain and then savoring a good cup of coffee at the top. 

From the very first time I felt a tiny swell pick me up and push me, I knew that I would spend much of my life chasing that feeling over and over again. Occasionally, while driving 3.5 hours to Virginia Beach only to have to put on my wetsuit in miserably cold weather, I think to myself, "This is awful, man. Why do I do this? You need a new hobby, dude." By the time I'm paddling out, it's not even a question.  

As corny as it sounds, surfing is a spiritual experience. I feel overwhelmed, overjoyed, and everything in between. 

Once a surfer, always a surfer, I guess.  

Say What?

Who else can vividly remember the moment they realized that "paraphernalia" had an "r" in it? 

I Hate Coffee Puns!

Not really ...

• Coffee. It's not exactly my cup of tea.
• Don't stir things up.
• Something's brewing, I can feel it.
• We've all bean there (spoken with a British accent).
• These puns are really grinding my nerves.

Enjoy your evening! 

Asking the Bible Questions

Biblical interpretation involves three (and only three) steps. They are

• Observation
• Interpretation
• Application

These govern everything. 

This means you'll be asking lots of questions about the text. What exactly do I see here? What are the facts? What does the text mean? What's the main verb? What's it literary form? What does it have to say to me? 

For example, this morning I was in Philippians. I've begun a fresh translation of that magnificent letter by Paul. Even the very first verse of the letter requires that we ask certain questions of the text:

• Is it "slaves," "bondsmen," "bondservants," or "servants"?
• Is it "slaves who belong to Christ Jesus" or "slaves who serve Christ Jesus"?
• Is it "to all the saints" or "to all God's people"?
• Is it "bishops and deacons" (that is, titles) or "those who oversee and serve" (that is, descriptions)?

It's amazing to me how people so easily ignore such questions! But each one is important for exegesis. Remember: The Bible isn't embarrassed when we ask it questions. Of course, this doesn't mean that there will always be answers. But we still need to ask them to determine if they can be answered or not.

Finally -- and please don't skip this step! -- try to produce your own translation of the text the best you can. Try to bring out what you believe to be the correct answers to the questions you've been asking. For what it's worth, this is how I ended up translating Phil. 1:1 this morning at the end of my Bible time:

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves owned by Christ Jesus. We are writing to all God's people in union with Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including those who oversee and serve.

Am I absolutely sure that I've answered all of my questions correctly? Absolutely not! But we must still make the effort. Inerrancy means that the Bible is completely trustworthy, reliable, and without error. As we study it, we can eagerly anticipate answers to the questions we ask!

More on the Historic Pry House in Sharpsburg

I did not know this until today, but the Pry House -- which I visited last Friday at the Antietam National Battlefield -- is one of three sites of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. I had known it only as McClellan's Headquarters. After the battle it became the HQ of John Letterman, head of the Union Army Medical Service. It's easy to drive right past the long driveway leading up to the house on the Shepherdstown Pike. 

The house provided a panoramic view of the entire Antietam Valley. Today its exhibits include a recreation of an operating theater, interpretative panels, and objects related to the care of the wounded such as surgeons' tools. President Abraham Lincoln visited the house two weeks after the Sept. 17, 1862, battle in order to visit the mortally wounded Union General Israel Richardson, who died in the house on Nov. 3, 1862. 

His First Division played a key role during the battle, attacking Confederate troops in the center of the Sunken Road. By 1:00 pm his troops had gained control of the high ground in front of the apex of the defensive line. Richardson was organizing another attack when he was struck by a shell fragment. He was among 6 general officers to be killed or mortally wounded at Antietam. Eventually his body was escorted to Pontiac, Michigan, where he was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. 

A historic home in a great setting. Don't miss it! 

Life Lesson (from Today's Run)

The things in life that give you the greatest reward are typically the most difficult to accomplish.

Isn't that motivation enough? 

Scriptio Continua ("Continuous Script") and Phil. 1:1

There's a variant reading in Phil. 1:1 that gave me a good chuckle this morning:

Paul's either saying "with overseers" or "to fellow overseers." The ancient Greeks used no spaces between words. Texts tended to be a continuous string of letters. Sometimes it was difficult to distinguish between words. On the other hand, back then all reading was done aloud, so that readers could use their understanding of rhythm and flow to help determine word boundaries. Interesting! I suppose the same thing can be said for reading a website URL like daveblackonline. Pretty easy, right? 

By the way, if you've studied Greek, be sure to read out loud whenever you're exegeting your Greek New Testament. 

What Are Your Fitness Goals for 2025?

What are your fitness goals for 2025? Mine are:

• Gradually lose more body fat 
• Build more muscle
• Be more active outside the gym
• Improve recovery time
• Get more sleep (at least 9 hours every night) 
• Do more cycling
• Avoid injuries

How about you? 

"I'm Just a Layperson"

Stop saying, "I'm just a layperson. You can't expect a person who has no seminary training to study the Bible on their own." 

Start saying, "I'm discovering that Bible study is fascinating beyond words, even fun."

You don't need professional training to understand the Bible. You don't need to know Greek or Hebrew. If you can read, you can study the Bible for yourself. 

It's Never Too Late to Pursue a Dream

I'm so motivated. I couldn't wait to get back to the gym today. 

It's how I approach life. Anything I write about exercise should be taken with that in mind. I'm not perfect. I've never been perfect. I will never be perfect. I will never claim to be perfect. I can fall short in life just like anyone else. I simply try hard every day to do the best I can in God's strength to live up to my ideals. The gym has taught me that it's never too late to pursue a dream. I'm not the fastest or the strongest or the best athlete, but I can possess the best attitude of gratitude for the gift of good health that enables me to lift or run a race. I may be too old for a few things in life, but I plan to squeeze every drop of fulfillment out of life and stay active as long as I can, no matter what the pace may be. 

Who Wrote Hebrews?

Don't do many Youtube interviews but this one was really fun! If you want to know a bit more about the background of Hebrews, check it out.

Can I Do It?

Really getting back into latt pull downs! 

Super motivated to return to the Alps next summer! 

Do you think I'll be able to climb a 4,000-meter peak again? Or even a 3,000 meter peak? 

A Word of Thanks

Just a quick appreciation post.

Honestly I can't thank my family enough for their support and love as I grow older. Genuinely they have made me so happy. They have motivated me so much to push myself both at the gym and in life. 

Just wanted to say that.

Thanks everyone. 

Students Who Stand Out (Dan. 6:3)

Today is balmy, making it a perfect day for a run. 

During my run I pondered the passage I had studied this morning in my Bible time. It's the story of Daniel and King Darius in Daniel chapter 6. Frankly, I got stuck at verse 3. I found this to be a most instructive verse when it comes to teaching. Here we read that "Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governors, for he had great ability." In short, Daniel stood out above the others. 

The Hebrew word yattira can refer to anything that is great, excellent, preeminent, or abundant. "He possessed an extraordinary spirit" is the way the NASB renders the Hebrew. 

If you're a teacher, you know exactly what this passage is talking about. You've probably had students in your classes in that category. They just stand out. If you're a coach, you've had some athletes that stood out. Sometimes they ended up playing professionally or becoming a member of the Olympic team. They stood out. If you're in business, you might have had an employee who stood head and shoulders above everyone else. 

Every semester, without exception, I have had a student like that. All a teacher wants is a student who tries their best. We can't help anyone who just gives up or doesn't care. But a "yattira student" would be someone who not only does the work but has a love of the subject. Even though they're not a show-off, they shine a bright light over the entire class. Years later you're still talking about them. You wonder what sculpted them into who they are. You feel supremely blessed to have had them in your class. They asked great questions, helped other students, were trustworthy, and showed grit when things got tough. For them, education was never an agonizingly slow, discordant journey. They blazed a trail quickly and easily toward beneficial, high-value truth. 

Appreciate these students, and they'll blossom and grow into wonderful people. If you can, meet with them in private and speak a word of encouragement into their life. Be sincere in your compliments. How rare such people are! Let their example remind you why you teach. Being a good student doesn't just mean achieving great scores on tests. It means having a love of learning, a passion for knowledge, and a hunger to grow academically. 

If God has blessed you with such students, be sure to thank him -- and them. 

Surfing Oahu

I've just made plans to go back to Oahu in June to do what I do every year -- surf. I am at the beginning of the end of my surfing life. I grew up surfing in the 60s when everyone seemed to get along with each other. That was when da country (North Shore) was truly da country. Today it's nothing compared to back then. There are simply too many people on Oahu. You can walk across the boards and not get wet. Most problems arise because the tourist is ignorant, entitled, or can't read the room. I try to tell people who want to surf Oahu: be cool, don't burn anybody, and don't hog waves. I am so grateful I grew up at a time when surf etiquette and respect dominated surfing. We all looked after each other. Hawaii taught me many valuable lessons, mostly about to not be influenced by all the negativity in this world. It's still a place I love to visit. Somedays Waikiki can be the most mystical perfect place to surf. If you're sitting in the right spot you can a get a lot of great waves. Just be aware: Queens has some really nice waves but the "No Vacancy" sign is out. Tourists can still surf Canoes, however! 

Grateful

Just noticed that Learn to Read New Testament Greek now has over 430 reviews at Amazon. I know some people get WAY more than this, but honestly I'm just psyched that the book could reach and help people. Thanks so much to everyone who got it and shared their thoughts. 

Mele Kalikimaka

Taught the grandkids "Mele Kalikimaka" today.

Too much fun. 

The John Miller Farm

Finally found a picture of the John Miller farm. The house was built in the 1840s. 

And here's an aerial view of the farmstead. 

So grateful to God to have found these! 

Longevity

Good news! 

Whether or not we want longevity, people live longer today than they ever have.

Financial planners now tell healthy couples in their 60s to plan on at least one of them living into their 90s. 

The problem with longevity is that so many of us outlive the quality of life by years, sometimes decades.

Growing older isn't easy. Aches. Pains. Loss. These are all normal parts of aging.

But aging is also an opportunity. To find new passion. To meet new challenges. To carve out new relationships. 

You can choose to grow and adapt all the way to the end. 

Moving your body through space is unbelievably satisfying. 

You -- yes you -- are invited to play. 

___________________________________________________________________

Today's workout: 

More on My Family Tree: A Visit to Sharpsburg, MD

If you're ever in the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, you'll approach a place called the Dunker Church. 

It was the epicenter of the Battle of Antietam. You are now on soil where 6,555 Union and Confederate soldiers died in a single day. The date was Sept. 17, 1862. At least 15,000 men were wounded that day. Undoubtedly many of them died later. Who knows how many lost legs or arms.

Last Friday I drove up to Sharpsburg to do some research on my family tree. It's about the 10th time I've visited this historic town and its famous battlefield sites -- the East Woods, the West Woods, the Dunker Church, the Miller Cornfield, the Sunken Road, the Burnside Bridge. As I stood inside the Dunker Church a shiver went up my spine. "These were my people," I thought to myself. Maybe you didn't know this, but my ancestors on my paternal grandmother's side were German pacifists who worshipped in this very meeting hall, built in 1852 by "German Baptist Brethren." 

They were known as "Dunkers" based on their practice of full-water baptism, immersing you in nearby Antietam Creek as a sign of your repentance and faith in Christ. During and after the battle it became a field hospital. Confederate General Robert E. Lee had brought his army to Maryland for one reason: to threaten the North and engage its Army of the Potomac in a battle that would convince France and Britain to enter the war on the side of the South. In addition, Lee thought that Maryland would rally itself to his cause. He was profoundly wrong on both counts.

Today the population of Sharpsburg is 560. In 1862 it was about 1,200, most of them farmers. It's impossible to imagine what these simple people must have thought as 150,000 troops suddenly descended on the area, pouring bullets and cannonballs on everything that moved. Sharpsburg sits in Washington County, Maryland -- the first county in the U.S. to be named after Revolutionary War hero (and later President) George Washington. You're a stone's throw from Pennsylvania to the north and West Virginia to the south. Washington County is located in the Appalachian Mountain Range, an extension of the Blue Ridge. To say it is hilly would be a gross understatement. A full third of its population is of German ancestry. They were a major force in replacing tobacco production with wheat and corn. In fact, much of the fighting on Sept. 17, 1862, took place around David Miller's cornfield. This is what his farmstead looks like today. 

David Miller was named in honor of his grandfather David who, together with his wife Catherine, were from the Rhineland-Pfalz region of Germany. In the 1760s they emigrated to Maryland and established the first store in the new town of Sharpsburg. David's son John was a colonel in the military during the War of 1812. He became rich and, due to his wealth, was able to establish his sons as farmers throughout the Sharpsburg area. In 1846, John's son David married Margaret Pottenger. By the time of the battle in 1862, they had seven children who worked hard to harvest their crops that fall. Just to the south of the Miller farmhouse was his 24-acre cornfield, the stalks standing ready for harvest. While the battle raged back and forth across their land, the Millers were sheltered at his father's house several miles away. After the battle, when the family returned to their home, not a single corn stalk was standing. Surprisingly, there was very little damage to the house and barns. David Miller would go on living until the age of 78, dying almost 31 years after the battle. His wife preceded him in death by 5 years. I do not know where they are buried but I intend to find out.

You see, David Miller's brother John was my great-great-great-grandfather. 

It was on a quest to locate the John Miller farm that brought me back to Sharpsburg. Does anyone else have a similar interest in using genealogy to track down their ancestors? My parents were divorced when I was 3 and I never knew my father. He died before I ever got to meet with him. But through my cousin Michael Black (also born and raised in Kailua) I was able to determine that my paternal grandmother's ancestors were called "Millers" and could be traced back to a certain John Miller "who lived along the Antietam Creek in western Maryland." That blew my mind. I've been a Civil War buff all my life and have even reenacted the Battle of Antietam, along with 40,000 other reenactors. But until last Friday I could not locate the John Miller farm on any topographical maps of the region. All that changed when I visited the public library in Sharpsburg. 

While it lacked a section specifically dedicated to genealogy, its librarian was well-versed in local lore and pointed me in the right direction. I scoured maps and records. I just love trying to figure out the mystery of who was who, imagining who the people I haven't known must have been like. I once read that a person dies twice -- once when they actually pass away, and once when their name is said for the last time. I love the idea of keeping my ancestors alive, even if it's just a thought. Thus you can imagine my joy when I discovered not one but two maps that revealed the location of the John Miller farm. 

I was also relieved to see that no fighting took place on his homestead during that fateful day in 1862. 

Here's a modern map of where the farm is located. 

When I drove to the site, the farmhouse was invisible from the road and I had no desire to drive up a long private driveway to see who might be living there today. However, while grabbing a bite to eat at the local deli, I ran across a group of guys who believed they knew the name of the man who had recently purchased the farm. I hope to be in contact with him in the near future and ask if he might be willing to let me see the place. I can hardly wait. 

Okay, enough rambling. Below are a few more pics from this weekend's fun in Sharpsburg and Gettysburg. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your Lord's Day! 

The new visitors' center at the Antietam National Battlefield Park. 

There are surprisingly few monuments here and those that exist seem to fit in with the landscape well. 

The Pry House -- Federal Commander George McClellan's headquarters during the battle. 

Little Round Top in Gettysburg, featuring this famous statue of Union General Gouverneur Warren. 

Devil's Den. 

The Lutheran Seminary, whose cupola is immortalized in Ted Turner's film Gettysburg. 

Looking out across the field of Pickett's Charge. 

Where the battle ended that day. 

Tips for First Time Marathoners

The other day I was talking to someone who is running their very first marathon. They wanted to know what advice I would give them. My oh my. The lessons we learn in life! I definitely learned many lessons from running the 20 marathons I've participated in. My takeaways include:

It's okay to hit the wall. 

It's okay to feel tired.

It's okay to go slow.

It's okay to use the run-walk method.

It's okay to feel some pain in your legs.

It's okay to wish you were done.

It's NOT okay to rest before you're done. Believe me, if you stop and rest, it's extremely hard to get going again. Take a walk break instead. But don't ever stop.

Above all, enjoy the process!

Quick Trip to MD and PA

Hey guys! Hope your weekend is going gangbusters! I just got home after making a quick drive up to Maryland and Pennsylvania. I wanted to see the improvements to Little Round Top at Gettysburg. I was very impressed with what the park service has done! In Maryland, I spent several hours researching my family tree, especially looking into a relative who lived along the Antietam Creek back in the 19th century. What I discovered was absolutely mind boggling. Can't wait to share the details with you tomorrow, plus some pics of G-Burg. But right now I'm a bit tired and way too hungry to write any more. Lord willing, we'll chat again in the morning! 

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.