"By the Light of the Silvery Moon"

What a great way to work. 😊

In Case Anyone Is Interested ...

Two Habits of Highly Effective Seminary Professors

Just a thought or two about seminary teaching and seminary teachers. 

1. Highly effective seminary professors stay focused on what is essential. At my school, you could reduce it to a motto: "Every classroom a Great Commission classroom." The goal isn't to study Hebrew and Greek. The goal is to do something -- fulfill the Great Commission. 

2. Highly effective seminary professors exist for the students, not the other way around. Our availability is equally important as our scholarship. We exist for the sake of our students. We wouldn't have a job without them. Something I've noticed over my 5 decades of teaching is that people can't learn from teachers who don't like them. The most effective teachers I know enjoy being around their students. Studies show that the soft skills a teacher possesses can have just as much impact as subject expertise. Compassion is essential. Students need someone who cares about them and is willing to go the extra mile on their behalf. Be that caring professor, and you can teach your students more than you ever thought possible.

The teaching profession is not just a job. It's a personal commitment to shaping future generations. Every Monday I get up and can't wait to teach my classes and to be involved in the training of my students. It was because of my own professors that I discovered the joy of learning. And now I love watching my own students discover that same joy. What a privilege that is. 

Our Lovely Weather

Again, the weather couldn't be better for haying. Thank you, Lord. 

Tomorrow the good work will continue. Can't wait.

Welcome to the Badger State, Micah

I can't believe the Packers got Micah. 

The Pack was 5th in defense last year without Parsons and now just added the best pass rusher in the league to their roster. Way to go J.J. 

Week 4 is Sunday Night Football between GB and Dallas. Should be a doozie.

Post Surgery Update

Well, here it is. My post-op photo in all of its glory. 

I'm surprised. I was expecting there to be more swelling. And the stitches to be more visible. But I almost look "normal." I've experienced no pain at all. Nada. I slept extremely well last night. Wow, what a mighty God we serve! Thanks to all for your prayers! 

Is This My Climb Next Year in Austria?

You're Not Weak If You Can't Do a Pull Up

You're not weak. Pull ups are just insanely hard. 

The "Majority" May Be Wrong

I just received a copy from Amazon of the latest introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism. Sorely disappointed. Among other things, the author blithely repeats the old "since most scholars say ..." adage. Most scholars adopt reasoned eclecticism. Most scholars don't believe text types ever existed. Most scholars think that the Byzantine text type is late. 

I've found that the majority is rarely right.

I'd like to encourage you to be sure of your facts by checking them, not simply by following "the majority of scholars." 

A Historic Walk in Southern Virginia

Not being permitted to do anything strenuous today, I thought I'd drive over to Red Hill and stroll among its famous buildings and pastures. This was the last home Patrick Henry owned. It was, in fact, the last of 12 different homes he had lived in since his birth in 1736. He called it "one of the garden spots of the world." (I've often called my own farm, Rosewood, the same thing.) The plantation's 2,900 acres straddled the line between Charlotte and Campbell countries. From his house you could see the Staunton River (the site of a famous Civil War battle) and the wooded hills of Halifax County, just adjacent to my own county of Mecklenburg. From the window of the small building where he spent the last hours of his life, Patrick Henry could see a century-old osage tree, which has since grown into the giant that has won "champion" status for its species in North America. Visible to his right would have been the walkway that linked Henry's house to a two-room structure that served as his law office. 

Here are a few photos of this historic site in Charlotte County. It was a great place to get in a 2 mile walk and just sit and soak in some of the history of the great Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Have a fantastic day! 

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball

Today I missed my workout at the gym and all 659 pull ups I was planning on doing today because I had outpatient surgery at Duke. The surgery wasn't a huge deal, but even if it's not a big deal you spend the entire day at the doctor's office. 

• There's registration, where they ask you all the same questions you filled in the day before online.
• You get asked 50 times if you are allergic to anything.
• You wait for the doctor. Then you wait for the doctor some more.
• You get a visit from the therapy dog. (Kidding.)

Right now I'm back on the farm and doing well. Now I can go back to being my usual ornery self. To be honest, I was a bit anxious going into the procedure today. Surgery is surgery, and when it happens to a loved one -- or to yourself -- it's a bit unsettling. During the 6 hours I spent at the clinic I saw the doctor for perhaps 20 minutes total. The man was all business. He's the only doctor there and he does 18 of these surgeries every day, so he's not exactly in a position to engage in small talk.

Fair enough.

"What kind of surgery did you have?" you ask. I had a tumor removed from my right cheek. My dermatologist discovered it 2 weeks ago during my annual full-body evaluation. A week ago the pathologist ruled it as "superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma." I was immediately referred to the Duke Mohs Micrographic Surgery Center in Durham. Since squamish cell is more aggressive than basal cell, the surgeon wanted to operate on me as quickly as possible -- hence today's surgery. Thankfully, he only had to make one cut to remove all the cancer and to assure me that there is no chance of recurrence, metastasis, or death. Praise the Lord. There will be a scar, but in the bigger scheme of things, that ain't no big thing. (I used to be tall, dark, and handsome. Now I'm just tall hehe.) 

Life throws curve balls. I've gotten kinda used to it. Most of the things we worry about never come to pass, but all kinds of random stuff that never occurred to you comes out of left field. C'est la vie.

In case you're young and don't know, as you age your body becomes subject to all kinds of cellular breakdowns. Despite the fact that I am naturally dark-skinned, easily tan, and have used sunscreen religiously for 50 years, I did spend 19 years in Hawaii, 27 years in Southern California, and the past 28 years farming. That puts me in the high risk group for skin cancer. On the other hand, I'm "in the Lord's hands, and there's no better place to be" (as a friend texted me today).

Today I'm in recovery mode. I'll let you know how it goes. The nurse ordered me not to lift anything heavy for a couple of days, so no workouts for this weekend. Or running for that matter. Did I tell you I'm training for the Honolulu Marathon in December? So I'm eager to get back to the gym and out on the trails. In God's good time.

Not a day goes by that I do not count my blessings. Never before in my life have I had so much to cherish -- and so much to lose. My body has held out for 73 years. My family is always there for me. I'm still able to teach, and I don't take that for granted. Sunsets. Travel. Haying. A good book. Hot showers. Ethiopian food. The kindness of others. A cup of Bo's coffee. A view of the Matterhorn from my hotel room. Wave riding. The fall weather we're experiencing. My daughter's jambalaya. A grandchild's hug. 

A world-class skin cancer surgeon.

We value what we notice, you and I. I'm trying to notice the little stuff every day. For some, gratitude comes easily. For others, it takes work. A surgeon is a good reason to regain perspective. You notice the beauty all around you. You focus on what you have and not what you think you lack. You learn to appreciate the people in your life.

After today I may be a little uglier, but I am thankful the surgeon was able to remove all the cancer that had assaulted my epidermis. I am thankful that I've got the resources to go to the doctor. Not everyone does. I am thankful for the life and career that the Lord has given me. Most of all, I am so thankful that the Father adopted me into his forever family 66 years ago when I was an 8-year old boy who lost his father through divorce at the age of 3. Without the pain of that loss, I might have never been in the place to acknowledge my need for Christ. 

At times, life gets a bit hard. But you eventually figure it out and keep going. I try to be grateful for the challenge. As much as I dreaded this day, it turned out to be one of the best days of my life. It reminded me that things aren't really as bad or as hard as we anticipated. And it reminded me that, by God's grace, you can keep trudging on. 

Hay There

Worked until well after dark this evening. The Lord has blessed us this summer with some of the best hay we've ever grown. All glory and praise to him! 

Off to bed, tired but happy.

Sleep well! 

The Baby That Grew Up

I suppose people thought Jesus lying in a feeding trough holding onto his baby blanket looked kinda cute. Let's not forget the smell of cow dung that filled the air. Life is like that. You take the good with the bad, the sweet smell of baby shampoo with the pungent odor of manure. 

On bright and cloudy days, that baby who grew up is with his people. Because Jesus is human, he understands you. Because he is divine, he can help you. As the Way to God, he is uniquely able to carry us home. 

A Simple Education Hack

I have nothing against online classes. But isolation is anathema to Christianity. The body of Christ is built on relationships. That's why Paul spoke so often about "body life." 

If you haven't taken an in-person class yet, try it. You might find it enriching in ways you can't even imagine. 

Greek, Though Fun, Is Also Hard Work

Yesterday I said studying Greek is fun. The flipside? It's also a sweaty struggle. It may be the hardest thing you'll ever do. But huge -- I mean huge -- rewards await those who face the struggle, work diligently, and don't give up. 

Be Yourself

"We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people." -- Arthur Schopenhauer. 

Always Be Thankful

Before asking God for anything first thank him for everything. 

Language Study Is Fun

My Greek students have just begun their study of the verb. It will be a long and rewarding journey. Just think: in 9 months they will be able to read their New Testament in Greek. 

Friend, always study something. 

Keep your momentum up. 

If you can hold a basic conversation in Spanish, do it. Eventually you'll improve your language skills. 

Enjoy the process even if it's just a hobby. 

Learning grammar is super fun. So is acquiring a new skill. 

It's intellectually stimulating, requires mental discipline, and opens up entire worlds of literature and history. 

Language study is like opening the doorway in one's mind. 

It's so satisfying seeing progress. 

Sometimes it doesn't even feel like work. 

Health Care: Treatment AND Prevention

Why isn't a discussion of exercise a standard part of our annual physicals? It should be.

Unfortunately, medical training is focused more on treatment and medication than on prevention and lifestyle. 

Most physicians aren't getting any training on the preventative aspects of health, and that includes exercise and nutrition. 

Health care in general is a drug-oriented thing. Patients think it's easier to take a couple of pills every morning than to put in the effort to be active. 

I'm not against medication or prescriptions. But no pharmaceutical drug can do what exercise does. 

I've told my doctors, "I don't want to take a pill for something I can change." To me, exercise and nutrition should be the first line of defense. 

But this won't happen without effort and commitment. 

Three Generations

So proud of my grandson. Like his dad he's a hard worker and a natural farmer. 

Love you both! 

If You Are Over 50 ...

Don't overlook the importance of strength training.

Strength training has results far beyond the effects on muscle. It is extremely important for overall health. 

There is a direct correlation between muscle and strength. When you lose strength, you lose functional independence. And that's a pretty big deal from a quality of life standpoint.

Once you lose functional independence, you become more sedentary which leads to other health related complications. 

There is often a depression that sets in. You now have to rely on others to do things. Lack of strength leads directly to falls. 50 percent of people over 65 who fracture their hip never fully recover. They often end up either in nursing homes or in dependent care. This precipitates mortality.

Some people say they don't have time for strength training. But two 30-minute sessions per week can go a long way to reversing the effects of aging. You will not only build some muscle and gain strength, there are various other health-related benefits as well. You reap rewards for the rest of your life.

If you are over 50, would you please pray about improving your strength and other functional-related capacities through strength training? It's never too early to start, and it's never too late to start. There is ample evidence that those who undertake a strength training program, even well into their 70s, can undo a good deal of damage that has been done. 

Thanks for listening. 

Today's workout: 

Interview with Paul Weaver of DTS

This morning I got to campus early for an interview with Dallas Seminary's Paul Weaver. 

His Youtube channel is called Bible and Theology Matters. Our topic was the authorship of Hebrews. It should be available online in a week or so. In the meantime, why not take a gander at Paul's channel. Lots of good stuff there. 

First Cutting Is Done; Second Cutting to Start

Don't you love farming? I think the Bible does. Genesis states that God put mankind in the Garden to work it. The book of Proverbs contrasts the diligent farmer with the sluggard. James compares the farmer's patience to our waiting for the coming of the Lord. And Jesus used farming parables to teach us about the growth of the kingdom of God. I love Deut. 28:12: "The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." And boy, has he blessed. Tonight we worked on baling the last of our 12 major fields. 

The bales then had to be put up in the barns. 

But while we are the laborers, the Bible emphasizes that blessings and harvests ultimately come from God. It all belongs to him. We are merely the stewards of his bounty. 

Tomorrow, Lord willing, begins our second cutting of the season. Tomorrow also begins a new day of opportunity for you. May God help all of us to be diligent and faithful in our service and ministry for Christ! 

Pull Ups Alone -- A Good Idea?

Are pull ups alone good enough for developing your biceps? There's a lot of evidence out there to suggest that the answer is yes. Pull ups alone -- yes alone -- can be good enough for your biceps. This doesn't mean you shouldn't do curls. By all means, do them. But from my experience, getting an optimal biceps workout can be accomplished with pull ups alone. 

My biceps have exploded ever since I began doing pull ups and chin ups consistently. Pull ups, chin ups. close grip chin ups -- and you're done. But don't get carried away. Pull ups put a lot of stress on your central nervous system. Doing them more than twice a week is probably a bad idea!

You MUST Visit the Gornergrat

If you ever get to Zermatt, you simply must take the train to the Gornergrat. It's a place everyone should visit in their lifetime. The mountain panorama and the view of the Matterhorn are unforgettable. You take the train up to the Gornergrat and then you're able to see several 4,000 meter meter peaks including the ones I climbed 9 years ago, the Breithorn and the Matterhorn, as this amazing video shows. 

How great is our Creator God!

The Day Is Done

My view tonight as I returned to my car after work. 

I like the old saying, "Keep spittin' in the bucket." It's for tasks that seem overwhelming. But if you keep doing a little bit at a time, eventually it'll get done. 

That's hay season. 

Slow but steady wins every time. 

Good night! 

Getting My Running Mojo Back

I can't thank you enough for reading my post-climb reports and for travelling my alpine journey with me through (literally) the peaks and the valleys, the ups and downs, the emotions, and the distance. See? I really can talk about things other than Greek verbs and nouns. I am still basking in the afterglow of my summiting of the Riffelhorn. Such a great buildup, such a great day, then status quo again. All of my momentum was towards the climb and after that, it's pretty much back to normal. 

Except that I've been running again. Not just going to the gym. Not just getting my daily steps. But running. There are some constants in my life, and running seems to be one of them. Some people have the idea that running is all about weight loss and cardiovascular health. But for a runner, that's only a very small part of why we run. We run because we can. It's always there, a lifeline in the storm, a way to regain perspective when things go awry in our lives. 

Running is difficult. But in a good sense. My belief is that running keeps thing moving -- your blood, your oxygen, your muscles. It promotes energy and confidence. For some of us, it's a surefire way to combat the anxiety that sometimes accompanies aging and life transitions. No matter what I'm going through, I am forever grateful for running. The more I do it, the more I enjoy it. And, now that I'm running again, I feel as if I'm getting my running legs back. I used to hate running more than you do. But after Becky's death the Lord used running to help me embrace the suck and push through. 

Like life, you expect running to be hard. But the irony is, you love the hard. I got in 10 miles of "hard" today at the High Bridge Trail and it was a breeze. Sure, I was able to get in some steps. 

But more importantly, running actually gives me energy, which I will need when we get up hay this evening. In addition, I feel like I sleep better after I've run. Running is much more about mental strength than physical strength. You will NEVER forget the joy of crossing your first marathon finish line. Or your first ultra finish line for that matter. It was on this very trail that I completed three 50K ultras. 

It was hard but I loved every minute of it. 

Even when I don't feel like running (which is rare), every time I get out there I'm glad I did. So I'm grateful to God that my running is going so well. Maybe I'll be able to chase down another 26.2 mile race this fall or winter. I hope so. 

If you ever do a race, you will hate moments of it, but you will love most of it. Trust me. That's the lure of running. 

WOW

A Perfect Evening -- for Farming

I mean:

• 75 degrees.
• 0% chance of rain.
• Light breeze.
• Slightly humid.
• 31% cloud cover.
• Excellent air quality.

This is my life. And I love it. 

Grieving the Heart of God

I first memorized Psalm 139:23-24 in the King James Version (my first Bible). In verse 24 there's a Hebrew word that can be rendered in several different ways:

• KJV/ASV: "any wicked way in me"
• NIV/CSB: "any offensive way in me"
• ESV: "any grievous way in me"
• NASB: "any hurtful way in me"

The Living Bible has, "Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad." 

The Hebrew says "a way of pain." But just who is experiencing the pain? 

David could be referring to pain that he himself was experiencing. Or he could be referring to pain that he caused others to experience. But he could also have been referring to pain that he caused God, as it says in the Living Bible. I think David had in mind anything in his heart or life that grieves the heart of God. A similar idea is found in Eph. 4:30, where Paul warns us not to "bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit" (NIV). We are guilty of this whenever we do something that wounds God's holiness. Think of Noah's drunkenness. Or Moses' anger. Or David's affair. Or Jeremiah's self-pity. Or Abraham risking his wife's chastity for his own safety. The fact is, even those who are most used of God fall short of his holy expectations. They frequently miss them by a mile. 

I am ashamed to say it, but the wrongs these people did aren't that different from the ones I ignore or rationalize away. I sometimes wish God would shrug off these things and not be so sensitive about right and wrong. But his holy standards are serious business with him. He proved it by sacrificing his only Son on my behalf. When I realize that my sin prompted such a sacrifice and that God feels pain when I hurt others -- or gloat, or bear grudges, or seek revenge, or fail to live up to his standards as a father or as a teacher -- I become weary of the daily battle of the Christian life. I'm tired of Satan's whispers. I'm tired of making excuses. Most of all, I'm tired of asking for forgiveness from the One I love the most. 

It makes me want to cry out -- and really mean it --  "Come soon, Lord Jesus." I live in anticipation that it could happen tomorrow. Or, for that matter, today. 

Even so, come Lord Jesus! 

Proper Grip Position During Pull Ups

Today I managed to get in 7 miles of walking at the gym along with a killer arm and back workout, which included 20 sets of neutral grip pull ups. One of the things I've been working on is hand position while doing a pull up. 

Please note: When you do a pull up, you're not going to hang from your fingers. You're going to put your hand completely around the bar and then rotate the hand down slightly. Now the bar is in that area of your hand that allows the greatest amount of surface contact with the bar. Keep your wrist slightly upwards rotated in order to keep your skin less pinched on the bar. Always try to use a bar that's not too thick or you won't be able to properly grab around the bar. The thicker the bar, the more demanding the pull up. The same is true if the bar is too thin. A thin bar gives you very little contact surface. So if you have several options, try the bar that offers you the best grip and the best ratio for your hand so that you can grab around it with a good surface contact. 

Have a wonderful day! 

Bravo!!

Finally, someone plays this piece at the right tempo. Magnificent! 

Today's Exercise

As you know, I'm thinking about signing up for the Honolulu Marathon on Dec. 13. Coming back from climbing the Alps, I am only up to running about 10 miles at about 20,000 steps at a time. I figure if I can slowly up my mileage without upping my speed or frequency, I would be okay. You know me. I'm all about the 10 percent rule these days. I have 120 days to train. Today I got in only 7 miles before it began to rain. 

Prior to that I did some scapular pull ups to work on my upper body strength. 

It was an amazing day. And I hope it was for you too. Tomorrow I hope to get in 10 miles. 

We will see! 

Fewer Experts, Please

The world needs fewer experts and more teachers. The difference? Experts traffic in ivory towers and theory, and teachers are grounded in the real world and application. 

The Best Greek Students

The best Greek students aren't consistently great, but they are great at being consistent. 

New Exercise: Biceps Chin Ups

Hey guys!

Today the Lord gave me 9 wonderful miles at the high school track. 

Gotta get in those daily steps, right? 

Afterwards I tried out a new exercise called biceps chin ups. If you want to emphasize your biceps a little more during chin ups, you have to use a super narrow grip. The result is an excellent squeeze on the biceps. For biceps gains, be sure to keep your elbows in nice and tight. And when you lower back down, try to keep those elbows in. In addition, if you want your biceps to give out faster, just pause at the top as I did here. 

The burn will be insane. By the time you get to the bottom you'll be wasted, not because your back has given out but because your biceps are burning. 

Tip: When you get to the top position, be sure to squeeze the life out of your biceps! 

Have a wonderful day! 

Faith: The Gift of God! (Eph. 2:8-9)

Wonderful sermon on Sunday on Eph. 2:8-9. Here Paul speaks of (1) grace, (2) salvation, and (3) faith. He adds, "And that not of yourselves." What does "that" refer to -- grace, salvation, or faith? Well, no Christian would try to take credit for grace or salvation. But some might claim faith in that way. You see, God saved us by his grace. But it's we who believe. We were saved when we trusted in Christ. Yet Paul's point is that even faith is the gift of God. This is brought out beautifully in the Living Bible:

"Because of his kindness you have been saved through trusting in Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God." 

I love that! Phil. 1:29 puts it this way: "God has granted you the gift of believing." Hence my definition of eternal security: "Eternal security is the work of God that guarantees that the gift of salvation, once received by faith, cannot be lost."

Faith is a gift from God!!! 

Why Worry?

Never let your worry list be longer than your prayer list. 

How to Stay Lean While Traveling

You don't need to lose your gains while on the road. Long flights, random hotels, no routine -- all these make it tough. But when discipline is in place, you can actually maintain your weight while you're gone. 

God Is Good!

Today's steps. 

Can't believe it was only a month and a half ago that I was running 9 miles on Oahu. 

God is good!

Greek Starts Tonight!

At my Wake Forest office, loving me some A. T. before class tonight. 

Brushing up on the history of the Greek language. 

Life don't get any better than this. 

Mowing -- and Praying

I'm so grateful! It was finally dry enough to mow! 

It was a great opportunity to pray for my kids. No service rendered to our children is more important than our intercession. A dad's job is to supplicate for his children, to stand in the gap, to ask for God's intervention in their lives. 

Are your children well prayed for? Jesus is the stability they need and want. 

Is Another Marathon in the Making?

Now that my mountaineering desire has been somewhat satiated by my Riffelhorn climb, I think I might get back into endurance running. It was so much fun to do a 10 mile run today. 

It allowed me to easily get in today's step count. 

I've even begun entertaining the idea of running another marathon this fall. The last one I did was in Fort Worth. I was one of the last runners out on the course that day. I did manage to finish under the time limit. But it was a struggle. I'm not someone who thinks finish lines should be open all day long. A cut off time is perfectly reasonable. The marathon distance is the ultimate challenge. Running is still my passion, my hobby, my sanity if you will. I finally feel ready to start marathon training again. A marathon symbolizes the Cadillac of accomplishments. You can't be out of shape and complete a marathon. That's just not happening. I've missed doing the marathon. I have no clue if and when I'll be able to qualify for Boston. I've tried to do this 20 times and failed each time. Merely the idea of running another marathon makes me tired. You are running a silly marathon! Between you and me, I don't think I have what it takes to make it to Boston. But I can still try. 

I'm looking into the Honolulu Marathon in December. There's no time limit for the event, and running it in December promises cooler weather than in, say, July or August. It's a clearly marked course. There are many water stations with electrolyte drinks as well. It's almost a flat course (except for Diamond Head). 

There are 47,000 runners. (I like big races.) They even have malasadas at the end. 

We'll see. I'm asking the Lord for wisdom. I would love to qualify for Boston. My chances are quickly dwindling as I age. Boston is elite and exclusive. Only about the top 5 percent of marathoners get a bib. These are people who've made running a lifestyle. What's more, they just lowered the cutoff times by 5 minutes. But if we had no challenges in life we'd be bored. You have two choices. You choose your challenges. You make it happen. Or else you do nothing and wait for life to throw something your way. But then you're on the defensive. 

Would you rather create your own challenges and chase down the dreams you want, or wait till you have to fight your way through whatever life throws at you? 

The choice is yours. 

Not Enough

What got me up the Riffelhorn a week ago? 

Well, the answer hit me right between the eyes this morning. And again, Hebrew proves its solid worth. I'm talking about these two words in Psa. 40:2.

We might pronounce them something like kownen ashuray. They mean "He established my steps" or "He made my steps firm." The idea seems to be:

• He enabled me to walk along.
• He conducted me along in safety.
• He kept me from stumbling or falling.
• He established my goings.
• He removed me from the danger that surrounded me.
• He gave me firm ground under my feet.

I love how the New Living Translation renders them:

He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

And that's exactly what happened out there on the mountain. God put steel in my bones. He met my needs in that pit of despair I had gotten myself in. And he gave me a new song. But it didn't come right away.

• The right mountain guide and the best training -- not enough.
• Excellent physical conditioning and preparation -- not enough.
• Superior weather and climbing conditions -- not enough.

It was enough for me when God set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 

Getting Your First Pull Up

For years I couldn't do a single pull up. Not even with poor form. Not even an inch. Zero. I found that so frustrating. It took me a year and a half before I could do my first unassisted pull up. Pull ups are insanely hard. But once you've unlocked them, they are insanely fun. This includes the band-assisted pull up. 

One reason why pull ups are so hard is because you're pulling your entire body weight. With a push up, you're only pushing about 60 percent of your body weight. That's because your feet are planted on the ground during a push up. But with a pull up you're lifting your entire body weight vertically with no (or very little) support. 

Also, did you know that our pulling musculature tends to be a lot weaker than our pulling musculature? That's why it's easier to train your pushing muscles than your pulling muscles. A lot of activities surrounding daily life involve pushing rather than pulling -- pushing to get off the ground, pushing a grocery cart, pushing to open a door. And so our pulling muscles can get a little bit neglected. Most likely, your push is a little stronger than your pull. Which means that your pull muscles are probably undertrained. 

A pull up challenges your strength, your grip, your coordination, and your control all at once. And that's a lot to ask of your body! But that's why it's also so worth it. 

If you keep practicing and staying consistent with it, I'm sure you'll be able to get that first pull up. 

Three Kinds of Preachers

That great professor of preaching, Haddon Robinson, once said there are three kinds of preachers:

1. Those you can't listen to.
2. Those you can listen to.
3. Those you must listen to.

Preacher, please be the latter. 

Don't Ask a Fish to Define Water (Part 1)

In a couple of weeks I'm scheduled to be interviewed about my book on the Pauline authorship of Hebrews. I'm sure some are wondering why I've taken to defending such an obscurantist position. 

I suppose a good place to start would be to confess my decades-long adherence to the majority position. Which reminds me of a saying I ran across on one of my visits to China:

"If you want to know what water is, don't ask a fish."

One's first reaction to this statement might be to ask, "Why not?" After all, fish can't survive without water. They depend on it for their very existence. In fact, they are literally immersed in it. Still, they have no clue what water is. It's such a big part of their lives that they're oblivious to it.

Perhaps there's an application here to our culture today. Specifically, to our evangelical subculture. Believe it or not, we can exist in the midst of this environment and become so much a part of it that we become oblivious to it and to what it's doing to us. Before long we find ourselves thinking like everyone else in this subculture. I call it "evangelical group think (EGT)." We don't see what's actually happening. Instead, we react to it. Before we know it, we've succumbed to the ever-present pressure to fit into it like a hand in a glove. Such unthinking conformity is not what the Lord wants for his people. 

When I began teaching at Biola I met a young hiree in the New Testament department who'd just completed his doctorate. He had written it on the Gospel of Matthew. He was kind enough to show it to me. Now, the dissertation had nothing to do per se with the synoptic problem. Yet I noticed that in the introductory chapter he had come out in support of Markan priority. When I asked him if that was a strongly held conviction of his, he was very honest with me. "No," he said. "But I knew that my dissertation would have never been approved had I espoused any view other than the two-source hypothesis." 

This is perhaps a simple reminder that in the realm of New Testament studies it's easy to be caught up in what we're oblivious to. The tendency is to allow the subculture around us to squeeze us into its own mold. I see this happening all the time. I should know, as I'm a charter member of the EGT club.

(More in part 2.) 

Thankful

I'm thankful for the steps the Lord allowed me to get in today. 

I'm thankful for our local running path that enables runners and walkers to exercise on comfortable crushed gravel. 

I'm thankful that I have the resources to drive to and from the trail. Not everyone has this resource. 

I'm thankful that I have a nice place to come home to, cook dinner, and relax before doing my afternoon chores. 

I'm thankful for all of it.

What are you thankful for today? 

Adoramus Te, Christe

Indeed we do. 

O, the Joy of Being a Greek Teacher

Matthew Arnold said it well:

Rigorous teachers seized my youth,

And purged its faith and trimmed its fire,

Showed me the high, white star of Truth,

There bade me gaze and there aspire.

Walking Is Literally the Best Exercise Not Just for Fat Loss But for Fitness in General

Here are my steps from today.

I'm 73 and have been officially retired since I was 69 though I'm still teaching 2-4 classes a year and I'm still farming. I walk between 12,000 to 20,000 steps per day. I've lost over 40 pounds and I feel great. 

Walking has completely changed my body. I've gone from walking almost nowhere to walking 2-3 hours per day. My cardiologist has never been happier. My stress levels, blood pressure, and wallet are also benefitted significantly from making walking a wonderful way of life. This is not another silly gimmick or diet hack but a simple but highly effective daily habit to help you lose fat and lean down considerably. It's something that can make a considerable difference to your fat burning progress if you implement it consistently. I am now at my lowest body fat percentage in years and can actually see muscle. 

Walking is now a non-negotiable part of my day. The overall health improvement I've gotten, aside from the fat loss, has been amazing in itself. Walking allows you to burn a significant amount of calories while putting minimal stress on your body as a whole. It's very easy to stick to and that's absolutely crucial. You can literally walk as much as you want and get that calorie expenditure without running into systemic stress or joint damage. Just by incorporating this one simple thing into your day can have a tremendous effect on your overall health and fitness. 

Please consider making walking a regular part of your day!

How to Do a Lat Pulldown

When doing a lat pulldown, be sure that your torso is set to the right angle when you pull the bar down. Leaning back from the vertical means that you will be shortening the focus of the exercise to the muscles in the upper back. Target the upper chest muscles at around the height of the collar bones. Make sure that you are also in control of the eccentric portion of the lift -- the ascent of the lat pulldown bar. Intensify the exercise over time. 

It's just that simple. 

Great and Wonderful Are Your Works, O God!

Scanning Youtube, I see about a billion videos telling you what to see on a visit to Switzerland. Well, I've been all over that country and can tell you that if you don't visit the Gornergrat, you have really missed it. Here's the view I'm talking about.

At the Gornergrat you'll find this plaque when you exit your gondola:

No truer words were ever spoken. The sign reads:

_________________________

Great and wonderful

are your works,

Lord, Almighty God (Rev. 15:3). 

_________________________

Mountains raised high

their Creator praise,

snow-capped peaks,

rocks, high treetops

praise God's majesty! 

There's always a breathtaking view from a mountaintop, and all that glory goes to God. We must remember that this is all his handiwork. This is beauty and majesty that God created. Just think: A mountain top experience is a taste of what eternal life has in store for us in heaven. I'm sure I can't even imagine. 

None of us knows what the rest of our journey on this earth will be like. I do know that it will not be an easy route for any of us. For now, let us keep climbing with Jesus. Let us praise God on the mountain. Let us search for his beauty in the midst of our circumstances. Let us wave a palm branch and proclaim that victory is of the Lord!

The Myth of the Lone Ranger Athlete

Here's what I think is an interesting video. 

It shows me taking turns doing pull ups yesterday with a group of high school football players. We're like "You can do it" to one another. 

Friend, there's no rule that you have to succeed at your task alone. That's ludicrous. Wisdom loves company. It may not take a village (sorry Hillary), but asking for help isn't a sign of weakness. Welcome it when it comes. 

There is no such thing as Super-lifter, only Super-friends. None of us is perfect, and we need each other more than we think. 

It's Not Rocket Science, Folks

Education: Not Just for Information

Jesus' disciples were attracted to him because of his life.

They became devoted to him because of his love.

Classes at the seminary start in two weeks.

I pray that my classes won't be just informational.

I pray they will be transformational. 

Is there anything more a teacher could ask for? 

God, Our "Cliff of Ages" (Isa. 26:4)

It may sound weird, but climbing isn't meant to be all about enjoyment. It's meant to be a challenge. It's meant to be a chance to improve performance. It's meant to help you become stronger. 

Every single climb I've done over the past 9 years has been extremely challenging. I get so sick of hearing myself and lots of other people making excuses for why they're not doing the things they want to do. Climbing, like anything else in life, is a decision. You make it a part of your life and you GO. That's it.

Every single climb I've done has taught me an important lesson. Actually, several important lessons. Often they provide insights into something I read in the Bible. Like this last climb. Let me give you an example. 

The Anglican minister Augustus Toplady once wrote a hymn called "Rock of Ages." It was based on a footnote in the KJV for Isa. 26:4. Tradition has it that Toplady drew his inspiration for the title from an incident that happened to him in Burrington Combe, England -- a cliff where he found shelter during a storm. 

This led me to examine the verse he used, Isa. 26:4. Here Isaiah refers to God as our tsoor owlamim, our "rock eternal" or "rock of ages." The word tsoor properly refers to a sharp rock or a rock wall. The term could well be rendered "cliff." It depicts a crag that offers water, shade, shelter, and protection. Israel's topography is dotted with such stony landscapes, as are the Alps. The Riffelhorn is one such tsoor. 

Now that I've climbed it, I believe I have a better understanding of what Isaiah meant when he called God our tsoor owlamim. 

Figuratively, it means that God is our security. His protection is unassailable. 

Like a rugged cliff face, the safety he provides is steady, immovable, unshakable. 

I love that!

Friend, do not grow weary in the battle, even though sometimes God gives us more that we feel we can handle. With God, we can climb cliffs! He gives us the needed strength, hope, and courage. Faith helps us to hold on and prevail even on rocky crags. But we must humble ourselves and admit our weakness and receive his help. "He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand," wrote the Psalmist. "He put a new song in my mouth. a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him" (Psa. 40:2-3). "He is my strength and my song" (Exod. 15:2). "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). He will make us "strong, firm, and steadfast" (1 Pet. 5:10). 

He is our tsoor owlamim!