Hawaii Calls

While getting ready (along with 200 million other Americans) for the winter blast that's coming this weekend, I've been watching the Live Cam from the Sheraton Waikiki. 

As you can see, the waves are pretty flat. That's typical for winter. Oahu experiences seasonal shifting swells. The North Shore breaks from about November to April, while the South Shore (which includes Waikiki) breaks from May to September. The East Shore (or the Windward Side, where I was raised) has waves year-round, while the North Shore swells can wrap around to the Leeward (Western) Shore of Oahu and break at such beaches as Makaha. During the winter, the South Shore is usually flat, while during the summer the North Shore is usually flat. That said, the South Shore can still have some good days during the winter months. The nice thing about growing up as a surfer on Oahu is that you always had rideable waves regardless of the season of the year. Kailua (my hometown) had a shore break, a reef break, an island break, and a point break. At 16 (shown below), I had a fondness for the beach at Kailua. 

The waves rarely got bigger than 5-6 feet, but there were almost always rideable waves to be enjoyed. If I didn't surf Kailua, it was only a 30 minute drive to Waikiki or Ala Moana or Panic Point, which this photo shows I am about to enjoy at the age of 19 while on summer break from Biola. 

If the South Shore was flat, it was only a 45 minute drive to the North Shore. I still find Waikiki enjoyable because of its long, rolling break -- perfect for a longboard. During the winter season, Sunset Beach sure was a lot of fun, along with Pupukea. If you're actually going to surf 300-365 days a year like we did, you will want to live really close to the ocean. 

Pretty eager to get back there this summer to surf as well as do some teaching! 

The Community Called "Gym"

The gym community is just that -- a community. I hope newcomers see a community with wide-open arms, that welcomes and is determined to build one another up. I hope they find us kind and always willing to help another member. May we show love in big and small ways, because we are not a tribe of superhumans but a collective of fitness conscious pilgrims. My own gym, I think, is a good example of what I'm talking about. At the gym, we're not Lone Rangers. We don't just train solo. We show up for others, not just for ourselves. This may mean spotting for someone on a heavy bench press, or cheering someone on their last rep of a hard set, or videotaping each other so that we can evaluate ourselves after our workout, as a friend did for me today. 

When you're part of a fitness community, feelings of intimidation and self-doubt are greatly reduced, and overall mental wellbeing is given a hefty boost. Remember, behind every person you meet at the gym, there is a story. At the end of the day, it's the little things that count -- giving a fist bump, saying "Good to see ya," observing the rules of gym etiquette such as re-racking your weights. That's because it's not just the barbells and machines that make up a gym, but the people. 

Have a wonderful day! 

Today's step count.

Today's progress photo. Grateful for small improvements! 

The Brutal Truth about Fat Loss and Muscle Building

Guys, one of the things I've learned in the past 2 years is that literally anyone can get in shape. This is what I used to look like:

I wanted to show you so that you could have some proof that I actually did a transformation and, by God's grace, was able to change my body. You can see that I had a good amount of body fat and didn't have a lot of muscle. I just remember waking up every morning and looking in the mirror and I wasn't super happy with what I saw. I remember thinking that my physique was predetermined and that I was just going to have an average to below average physique for the rest of my life. Thankfully, I was able to completely change my look through just a few basic steps that anyone can do. As a result, I lost a lot of body fat, gained a bit of muscle, and just overall lived a much healthier and better lifestyle. As I said, literally anybody can get into good shape and be healthier.

When I started my weight loss journey, the biggest challenge I ran into was avoiding an all-or-nothing mindset. I would make progress and then fall back into my old eating patterns. I would be filled with anxiety and regret about it and it was all very discouraging. I had to learn that it's okay to eat in a moderate (not gigantic) calorie deficit and have cheat meals occasionally. As the old Greek proverb says, "Moderation is a good thing." Progress isn't a day-to-day type thing. It simply needs to be an overall pattern. How am I trending? Am I making progress in a gradual and a realistic and sustainable way? My point here is that you can't expect to get into shape in a couple of months. It's going to take longer than that. In addition, all progress should be fun and exciting. If you lose a pound of weight in a month, that's a good thing. It's something to be celebrated. And if you can increase your calorie deficit up to 500 calories each day, you can even expect one pound of body weight loss per week (which is what I ended up doing over a 10-month period).

The other thing I struggled with was the number on the scale. Scale weight is influenced by many different factors including water weight, sodium retention, a high carb meal the night before you go to bed, and even your hormones. All of these factors will show up on the scale. You need to look for trends over time. So again, going back to what I was saying earlier, you need to be super patient with yourself. I like to compare weight loss to a sport you love doing, like basketball or surfing. It's something you're going to look forward to doing and sustaining throughout your life. I think this mindset is totally worth developing when you're getting into shape. Learn how to get back on track the day after you've messed up because we're all human and will makes mistakes. There's always going to be bumps in the road no matter what we're trying to accomplish in life. Don't think that making a mistake is abnormal. It's actually extremely normal. Just learn the skill of getting back on track. 

Everyone wants fat loss yesterday. But fat loss isn't quick or easy. Here's the brutal truth. You're going to have to cut way back on your junk food for a few years. You will probably need to be in the gym 3 times a week. And when you're there you're going to have to push yourself harder than last time. And if you go over your calories, you're going to have to get back on schedule straightaway. You're going to do all this for a very, very long time. No one wants to hear this. But it's the reality. Even if you just take that one truth away from this blog post, you're 80 percent of the way there. The key is to stay consistent over time and win every day, day by day. 

Well, guys, just some thoughts about how to lose fat and build muscle. Thanks so much for reading. 

Did You Know I'm a Proponent of the Critical Text?

Indeed I am. And I say that as someone who's not a reasoned eclectic. Here's my Greek New Testament. I've had it for decades. 

I've had it rebound 3 times and I need to do it again. 

And which edition of the Greek New Testament is it?

The UBS3 (Corrected Edition)! 

Yes, a Critical Text! 

I love this book. I read it each and every day without fail. I love it's font size and print type. I love its extensive footnotes and detailed list of witnesses for the variants. I especially love the fact that the ancient versions and fathers are included in the apparatus. 

So does this make me a proponent of the Critical Text? Absolutely. But I'm also a proponent of the Byzantine text form. Guys, I'm in favor of any Greek New Testament you will actually use. Yes, there are there some pretty major differences between the Greek texts on the market today in terms of their textual apparatus. But whichever text you use, I hope it encourages personal engagement, serious study, and heartfelt devotion to the Lord. I can assure you, there is life-giving power in the word of God. And there is no joy comparable to the joy that comes from a first-hand study of the Scriptures. PLEASE don't get so bogged down in the debates about the "best text" that you fail to read the one you own! 

"Thank You, God, for School!"

"Non scholae sed vitae discimus." -- Ancient Latin proverb. 

"Thank you, God, for school!" I actually uttered those words this morning. Let me explain. I started school when I was 5. Kainalu Elementary School was a Paradise for me. 

A 5-year old does not yet understand life, but he may well understand mystery. Even at that young age I knew that school would always play a big role in my life. That somehow I had always been and would always be a student. My every day was filled with exploration. By the 5th grade I had reached the zenith of my earthly existence. Not only was I learning Spanish in school, I was playing the trumpet in the band (all 4 of us) and serving as auditor in the school's "bank" (sponsored by the Bank of Hawaii). In time I became a hopeless reader. Books teleported me from a tiny speck in the Pacific Ocean to the forests of Maine (the Hardy Boys series) or the battlefields of Europe (Churchill's The Second World War). I had discovered what a wonderful thing it was to be a human being. 

The Greek word for school (the Latin, too) means "leisure." No capitalist propaganda here! "We study, not for school, but for life" reads the Latin proverb I quoted above. Of course, some ideas do well in the marketplace. Study Greek and you might end up earning a livelihood at it. But the idea behind "school" is the notion that people pursue understanding for its own sake. I am here to tell you that to be a fulfilled person in this life, you must be a lifelong learner. I admit, for example, to being a self-taught linguist. I never had a course in linguistics but still managed to write several books on the subject. I stand here now hoping to transmit that love of learning to the young. I will not deny that I am a Greek specialist. But I will not plead guilty to an "I-am-done-learning" attitude.

Folks, if you want to be an educated person, you must do it yourself. AI can help, but it's no substitute for self-discovery. Spend at least one hour every day in studying something. Never lose that curiosity you had when you were in elementary school. Most importantly, begin your day with the Book of books. If you fail to learn doctrine, don't blame your pastor. It is your own responsibility.

"Thank you, God, for school!"

All day.

Every day. 

Stepping Out in Faith

Every step today was a gift directly from the hand of God. 

Thank you, Lord, with all my heart.

"When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble" (Prov. 4:12, NIV).

Clarkesville by the Lake: My Fair City

I'm Giving Away a Copy of Learn to Read New Testament Greek

Ladies and gents, to celebrate God's amazing goodness to me for allowing me to enter my 50th year of teaching Greek, I'm happy to say that I'm giving away a copy of my beginning grammar. 

It can be used along with my free Youtube videos. 

Now, there are many similar grammars out there and none of them are alike. Mine may not be suitable for you. So if you would, kindly mosey on over to Amazon and read the top reviews of my book. If you're still convinced that it would fit your learning style, send me an email at black@sebts.edu and I will enter you in the drawing. Cut-off time is tomorrow (Tuesday, 1/20/2026) at 6:00 pm. When you write, tell me why you're excited about studying Greek, and be sure to include your mailing address in case you win. I promise to read every single email I get.

Love you guys!

Aww ... Farm Life :-)

The Truth Will Set You Free

Dear students,

No one can think for you. Or needs to. What Luther thought, you may think. What the apostle Paul felt, you may feel. What has befallen any great saint, you may experience. You have permission to live life to its fullest. 

Nobody ever said it would be easy. But we were not put on this earth to avoid pain or hard work. However reluctant, we must enter the arena. It is just you and your God. It is, as Ecclesiastes noted, a pilgrimage with inexpressibly joyful peaks and unspeakably painful valleys. At times you will soar like an eagle, and at times you will become so weary you can barely walk. All of which means you must keep going.

Fellow teachers, let's give our students substance this semester. Believe it or not, they crave depth. Let's give them the goods. Just speak the truth because the truth will set them free. With truth comes light, and when enough bright lights are created, the darkness has nowhere to hide. 

God bless us all,

Dave 

You Got This

Today's step count:

Friends, beginning is easy. Staying consistent and motivated is the hard part. Lean hard on the Lord. He got you started. He will see you through. 

Grateful and Blessed

Guys, I'm doing a 90-day cutting challenge right now and it's a lot harder than I thought. But I'm seeing progress. I'm so grateful and blessed to be in this position. 

God is good. 

Only One Week to Go!

So excited for classes to start in exactly one week. I know I'm capable of being a good teacher only by the grace of God! 

Here Are 20 Signs You're Losing Body Fat

I know it's different for everyone, but here are some signs of fat loss I've noticed in others as well as in my own weight loss journey. Maybe you can identify :-). 

1. Your clothes start fitting looser.

2. You start looking leaner.

3. The number on the scale starts coming down.

4. Your daily energy is increasing.

5. You experience better sleep, which means more fat burning.

6. You're appropriately hungry, not starving.

7. You have improved health markers such as decreased blood pressure and lower LDL.

8. Your step count is probably up 2-3,000 steps per day.

9. You want to move more.

10. You have increased muscle definition throughout your body, including your abs. 

11. Your ankles don't look swollen anymore.

12. You have a mindset shift from "I have to" to "I enjoy this!"

13. Doing physical activity is much easier.

14. It hurts when you bump into things.

15. Getting out of a chair is a lot easier.

16. You can cut your own toenails again.

17. You enjoy fruits and veggies more.

18. You stop eating when you're satisfied rather than when you're stuffed.

19. Your skin is getting jiggly around your midsection as your fat cells begin to shrink. 

20. Your necklace no longer looks like a choker. 

I sincerely hope you become the best possible version of yourself in 2026. Slow and steady wins the race! 

My Verse for the Week

Just decided on my theme verse for Jan. 19-25. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Col. 3:2). May my heart be where my treasure is! 

Great Promise!

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans" (Prov. 16:3).

Blessings,

Dave 

The Art of Observation in Bible Study (Mark 10:46-52)

Today's sermon was from my favorite Gospel -- According to Mark. It was a deep dive into the story of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). 

The theme was "great faith" and there were four points:

1. Great faith sees yourself the way Jesus sees you.

2. Great faith stays on mission.

3. Great faith surrenders your comforts.

4. Great faith trusts even when it is difficult.

I took pages of notes. 😋

Incidentally, I noticed that there was only one verb in this passage that was in the perfect tense. 

If you read Greek, I think you'll understand why. 

It's those little details that I just love about the Bible, don't you? Sherlock Holmes was fond of saying to people who were amazed at his investigative powers, "You see, but you don't observe." The ability to observe what is in Scripture is something that has to be developed. You can't get it through a fly-by-night approach to the Bible. No, there's nothing wrong with the "Through the Bible in a Year" method of Bible reading. (I emphasize this because in the past week I ran across two different Youtube videos in which I was told to immediately STOP reading my Bible this way. Sheesh. You're not my mother.) One of the reasons I tell my students to master Greek is so that they can boost their powers of observation when they read Scripture. And I give them plenty of opportunities to test their skills out on various portions of the word of God. It's funny how often little things make a difference. 

There's a vast difference, my friend, between merely seeing and carefully observing. Pay special attention to words and grammatical structure. Also take a careful look at the context. Always use a pen or pencil to record your observations in and around the text. Expect to find something new in whatever passage you're studying! 

Who Am I? (and ... Who are YOU?)

Sometimes I'm not sure whether I'm a lifter who teaches Greek or a teacher who lifts weights. The two have become inseparable in my life. I cannot teach others to exercise discipline (in learning to master a truly difficult language) without teaching myself to exercise discipline (in learning a hobby as physically and mentally demanding as lifting). Dividing my athletic life from my intellectual life would be as easy as splitting a piece of plywood. 

When I teach, I am the expert. When I lift, I become the student. When I write a book or even a blog post, I begin with an idea. Then I allow that idea to percolate. I will occasionally inspect it. If it stands up to scrutiny, a book or blog eventuates as a finished product. 

What writing is to my intellectual life, lifting is to my physical life. You ask yourself, "Do I really need to be fit?" In my case, the answer is a clear yes. And when that certainty strikes you, you accept the challenge eagerly. 

Neither writing nor lifting is easy. And no matter how well you do either of them, you are never satisfied. Regardless, the idea of effort is natural to both.

The Christian, for all he talks about heaven and the afterlife, knows that the here-and-now has infinite possibilities. He lives on full alert for the opportunities. Even if a man had no reason to believe in God, he would still invent a reason to get the most out of the game of life. The ancient injunction "Know thyself" still applies. 

And the best way to know yourself is through an analysis of your God-given gifts and callings. Who I am is no mystery. I am a teacher. I am an athlete. Neither were accidental choices on my part. 

A philosopher once said, "Man reveals himself through his body." Paul wrote, "And so dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy -- the kind he can accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is that too much to ask?" (Rom. 12:1, TLB). The believer answers, "No, it is not." 

When I draw a portrait, I am concerned simply with the physical aspect of the person. 

Yet in that portrait, a person's soul reveals itself.

We are all, in the words of 1 Thess. 5:23, "body, soul, and spirit." Even the staunchest dichotomist will accept that we are at least material and immaterial beings.

My body shows you who I am.

Who are you?

Take a look. 

Notes on Inerrancy (11)

Even though the autographs (original documents) of Scripture are unavailable to us today, the ascription of inerrancy to these documents still stands. Restricting inerrancy to the autographs enables us to consistently confess the truthfulness of God. Only with an inerrant autograph can we avoid attributing error to the God of truth because he, in the pages of Scripture, takes responsibility for the very words of the biblical authors. 

To assert that God could breath forth a word that contained mistakes is to say, in effect, that God himself can make mistakes! 

Preaching Always Involves Exhortation

With Greek exegesis starting up in a few days, I'm reminded that preaching involves three things.

1. We read the text.

2. We explain the text.

3. We exhort on the basis of the text.

Step 3 is indispensable. Here God confronts us where we live and the Bible is related to life. Thus the preaching task is not finished until we relate the passage to the experience of our hearers, who are called on to live under God in the light of biblical revelation.

Effective sermons always relate biblical truth to life. And they do so in a specific, not general, way. 

The Week in Review

It was an amazing week of workouts. For the most part I'm pleased with my 7-day step count. 

As long as I can average over 12,000 steps daily, I'll be content. This week, as per usual, I had three strength training sessions, including today's. 

It's a sad thing to see the gym so empty. 

Already the newbies who started at the beginning of January (after making a "resolution" to do so) appear to be falling by the wayside. One of my own resolutions this year is to read more. As you know, I want to be a person who is interested in learning and doing new things. I think that books can help you do that. One area I do follow through on is training. It seems that I never lack motivation in that area of my life. For 2026, I am only picking training goals I am excited about. No "shoulds." In addition to my May ultra, June climb, and July wave-riding adventure on Oahu, I'm looking into the idea of returning to Colorado to run the Bolder Boulder again. I am very very sad that I won't be able to visit Israel as planned in order to promote the release of my new grammar, but obviously the timing isn't right in light of world events. Here are some things I'm not going to do:

• Hang out with people who bring me down.
• Miss a chance to spend time with my kids and grandkids.
• Sweat the small stuff. 
• Dwell on the negative.
• Quit.

Someone has said that when we humans set goals, we often play it way too safe and pick goals we think we can easily accomplish. I think there's a lot of truth to that notion. Why are we so reticent to stretch ourselves and take risks? Goals that aren't very intimidating probably aren't worth having in the first place. I remember signing up for my first marathon. I was so scared and excited. Just the thought of crossing the finish line brought tears to my eyes. One of the things 2025 taught me is that just when you think you're working as hard as you can, you're not. The point is not that we achieve our goals, but that we go on to another level and become better. For example, I'm still chasing down a Boston-qualifying marathon time. To some of you that might not sound like much, but so far I've failed in 20 attempts. Training and working towards BIG goals takes a whole different mindset -- one I am ready to tackle! Life is all about understanding and tapping into your full potential. The goal is to stay in the game long enough to let the tough times pass and move into brighter days. 

Enough rambling, however. For those of you who joined the gym but are thinking about stopping, be proud of your body regardless of the flaws you see. Always have a fitness goal, be it running, cycling, lifting, anything. The more you work out (be it at a gym or elsewhere), the healthier you will become. It just takes time and perseverance. 

You're Cordially Invited

A Day to Remember Forever

They've arrived!! 

Praise be to God! 

Life is never what we expect. Just as we can't anticipate the bad things in life, we can't anticipate the good things. I could not have dreamed up a life that is as good as the one I am living right now. The kids, the grandkiddos, the farm, my work, exercise, travel, health. Opportunity after opportunity. Blessing after blessing. On this day, right now, I hope I can acknowledge the many undeserved gifts and blessings I have. Surely, I will never forget this day. 

Thank you, Lord. 

Epieikes in Phil. 4:5

I love doing my workouts first thing in the morning. Here are today's steps:

I love even more getting into the word before that. Honestly, this morning I was side tracked while memorizing Phil. 4:4. Does that ever happen to you -- you start out focusing on one verse and then your attention is drawn away to another? I'm talking about that odd Greek noun Paul uses in Phil. 4:5. 

In Greek, it looks like this: epieikes. The term can be rendered in any number of interesting ways. My favorite is Hendriksen's "big-heartedness." But "forbearance," "gentleness," and even "moderation" would also work. The Living Bible reads, "Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do." Interestingly enough, when I looked at the major German translations, I found at least 3 different words used to render epieikes:

• Freundlichkeit
• Lindigkeit
• Sanftmut

The one that stood out to me was "Freundlichkeit," or "friendliness" in English. German-speakers are not exactly known for their friendliness. Is that a mere caricature? Are the Swiss, for example, as cold and aloof as people describe them? The answer is absolutely not!

Here's the deal. I've noticed that the farther north you go in Europe, the larger the "privacy zone" that people claim in public spaces. If you've ever lived in Germany or Switzerland you will know exactly what I'm talking about. In Switzerland, where my wife and I sojourned for 3 years, people don't easily interact with strangers. This was a bit hard on us because we both have a gregarious temperament. We'd greet someone on the street but were rarely greeted in return. We soon discovered that there was nothing malicious about this silence. It's largely a matter of perspective. Are the Swiss as stodgy as people describe them? Are Americans as intrusive as people think? Whatever you're used to is what is "normal."

Growing up around Americans, Becky and I were used to meeting people, chatting, and making lots of new friends. And yes, for a while at least, Swiss people often seemed cold and distant. Still, friendships were made. The majority of our close friends turned out to be fellow members of our German-speaking church in Basel. They were always very warm and sociable with us. But as for strangers -- Swiss people (and Germans too) tend to engage in very little small talk. They tend to take their privacy very seriously.  A "mind-your-own-business" mentality is very real. But if you can earn their full trust, you will have a friend for life. Here Becky and I are enjoying some Chinese cuisine in Basel with Herr and Frau Jost and their daughter Lilly. They were among the 80 or so members of our small Baptist church there. 

One thing Bec and I learned over the years was this: "reserved" does not necessarily mean "unfriendly." Most Swiss people aren't very talkative at first. They won't "chat you up" easily. But the terms "friendly" and "unfriendly" probably don't apply here. They're just trying to be polite (as they define politeness). 

Incidentally, we met many expats in Basel, mostly from the U.S. and U.K, who prefered to live in their small, expat communities and not learn the language. Then they wondered why they never met any Swiss people or made any lifelong friends during their temporary stay in the country. They go back home thinking the Swiss aren't very friendly. I think it's more an issue of unrealistic expectations than unfriendliness. Whether in America or Switzerland, making friends is an investment of time and effort to really get to know people. 

In Basel, Becky and I had plenty of opportunities to practice epieikes. It is a "sweet reasonableness" that shows forbearance and graciousness all around. This is sometimes very hard to do when you live in a different culture. But it's what Paul is commanding us to do irrespective of who we are or where we are living. 

Have a great day! 

My Fat Loss Journey: An Update

Hey guys. In this post I want to talk with you about that subcutaneous layer of fat just under your skin, usually around your belly. You know, the stuff that never seems to go away. Why won't this fat literally move an inch despite all the effort you're putting into your workouts? 

The scientific reason is that it's chock full of what's called alpha 2 receptors. These receptors are your body's built-in mechanism to prevent fat burning. Simply put, your belly fat gets terrible blood flow, so it's harder for your body to tap into that for fuel. That's why even though your jawline is sharpening and your arms are starting to pop, your belly barely moves. Your body doesn't see this fat as you do -- as excess. Rather, it sees it as insurance. Your genetics double down and think, "You might need this someday." Unless you're consistent enough, long enough, your body will want to hold onto this fat forever. But if you can be patient, your body will have no choice but to let it go. 

This is where most of us get discouraged. I know I do. You've lost weight. Your clothes fit better. Friends are starting to notice how lean you're becoming. But there it is: that stubborn belly fat. Remember, your body doesn't pick and choose where fat disappears. It takes the easy stuff in your arms, legs, and face off first, and then your belly. You and I don't get to decide where fat comes off. Some guys have visible abs at 15 percent body fat. Others have to push past 12 or even under 10 to see their abs. Unfortunately, most people quit before that point. Their metabolism isn't broken. Their body is just doing what it was meant to do. Your body resists losing belly fat with everything it's got. I know mine does. But the longer you stay in the game, the more efficient your body gets at targeting the stuff that's been stuck the longest. 

I have begun to experience this myself in recent weeks. Real change is finally beginning. But it's a struggle. More than anything, it requires patience. You have to give your body enough time to stop fighting back. Your abs will show out as soon as you lean out. 

One thing I've begun doing at the gym is training my abs like any other muscle group, using both cable crunches and hanging leg raises. I'm hoping that eventually my diet will do the revealing. People who lose their belly fat aren't genetic outliers. They're not super-humans. They're just done quitting. They stick with it long enough for the belly fat to say, "Okay, I'm outta here." I like to think of body fat like a big snow bank created by a snow plow. 

It's dense. It's packed tight. It stays there all winter even when the rest of the parking lot has melted completely. The snowbank sits there slowly melting, drip by drip. As we said, because belly fat has different receptors than your arm fat does, it is harder to melt. But eventually the snow bank will melt down to a puddle. Your body is going to fight the hardest to keep that last stubborn belly fat. I have found that losing those 5-10 pounds of belly fat is 10 times harder than the effort required to lose those first 40 pounds. So consistency is the key.

God bless you in your fat loss journey, my friend. 

Keep Moving Forward

I did something very unlike me today. Can you tell what it was? Shocked, aren't you? 

Imagine you're me for a moment. You've lost muscle as you've grown older. The loss began in your mid-30s and has never slowed down. You've averaged a total muscle loss of 5 percent per decade. This has become one of the most sobering aspects of the aging process for you. Muscle is what allows you to move. The less muscle, the less you will move. Not a good thing.

When I was in my heyday I never thought about any of this. It wasn't until I neared retirement that I mustered up the courage to begin weight training. I headed to the gym brimming with all its strength-building equipment. I had no earthly idea how to use the weights or the machines. For 60 years plus, I simply hadn't paid any attention.

But I stuck with my new gym schedule and slowly -- ever so sloooowly -- worked out how to do the various exercises. My routine didn't produce any miraculous results. But after a few months, I actually began to enjoy my trips to the Y. I loved my workout routine. That love has been enough to keep me going. I've got a bit more muscle definition here and there. I'm no bulging AH-nold, but by the same token I've never wanted to get huge, or even shredded for that matter. Lean(er) is good enough. At any rate, along with running, I know I'll be strength training until the Lord calls me home or I end up an invalid. I hit the weights three time a week, and it works out well for me. For the most part, I concentrate 80 percent of my effort on the upper body, mostly because my legs get a workout while getting in my daily steps. 

Today's steps. 

Recently I've been adding ab exercises to my routine, seeking to strengthen those "core" muscles. As we age, we tend to have more balance problems, so having a strong core is a good way to minimise the likelihood of a fall. My trainer preaches "functional fitness" -- that is, exercises that mimic your primary daily activities in life. You could hardly ask for more. 

As we age, we're not able to lift heavy any longer and we tend to get notoriously slower in our running. But if you're still in the game in your 70s and 80s, that's a significant victory on its own. In the late 1990s a runner named John Cahill was one of the best marathoners in his age group. He was 72 when he finished a marathon in 3:05. 

Double that and you have my current marathon time. No matter. A stopwatch can't measure quality of life. I will continue to run and lift through all the seasons of the year, and all the seasons of life. 

If you're an aging man, I hope you're still pursuing excellence. I can't see any reason to stop being active just because I've reached retirement age. I want to keep on climbing mountains (both literally and metaphorically) even if they aren't as high as those I've tackled in the past. 

I'll end this little sermonette by simply saying to anyone who will listen: No matter your age, you should pursue high-but-not-unattainable goals. Please, please don't just sit around. And for the love of God, never stand still.

Let's all keep moving forward, k? 

How God Blesses the World

In Mark 4:26, Peter adds a little detail in the story of the calming of the storm. "And there were also with him other little ships." I love that! When Jesus stilled the wind and the waves that night, all the other vessels shared in the blessing. 

When we become Christians, not only we are blessed but all of society is blessed as well. Multitudes who have never opened a Bible can now watch how we live. 

No translation is quite as effective as when God translates his word into living epistles, known and read by all. All will know that we are his disciples not if we look pious on Sunday morning but if we love one another as well as the souls of all men. 

Feasting DAILY on the Word

I liken a good Sunday sermon to cake, not bread. But to feed only on cake and never live on daily solid food will soon produce dire consequences. Why feed only at the lunch counter of Sunday morning when you can feast daily on the heavenly manna? 

Retirement Is Not in the Bible

It's easy to say, "I've had my day. Let the next generation take care of matters." But we have not had all our day until our day is over. No man can retire from duty as long as he is still breathing. 

Fitness Is a Three-Legged Stool

You don't need cool tricks. 

You just need to lift weights, walk, and have a mild caloric deficit. 

That's it. 

You don't need anything else. 

You don't need cool tricks. 

You don't need gimmicks. 

What else do you want me to say? 

What are you waiting for?

Just do the same stuff. 

The same stuff. 

Are you lifting and walking? 

Because the guy who is constantly lifting and walking is getting results. 

Don't be the guy who watches Youtube and asks for this quick fix or that quick fix. 

It's just a three-legged stool we're after, folks. 

• Lifting
• Walking
• Nutrition

Lift three days a week.

Walk daily.

And maintain a 200-300 calorie daily deficit.

That's it. 

Preaching Is Ultimately God's Work

In 3 short weeks my Greek classes start up again. Much more than grammar will be taught. We'll work through the all-important steps involved in going from text to sermon.

At the end of the semester students will (hopefully) be equipped with the tools they will need for sermon preparation. 

But ....

Even if you study Greek.

Even if you do the most digilent exegesis of the text.

Even if you consult the best commentaries on your passage.

Even if you craft your sermonic outline with skill.

Even if you prepare to deliver it with enthusiasm.

Even if you do EVERYTHING to the best of your ability.

It's simply not enough. 

You never have enough to feed your congregation God's word. 

Only Jesus Christ can do that through his Spirit. 

My classroom instruction is ultimately his work.

Your sermon preparation is ultimately his work.

So let's give him ourselves this year.

Let's place our preaching in his hands as never before.

Jesus is the best teacher that exists, so let's raise him high. 

Discussing the Text of Matt. 5:22 and Anger

James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries discusses a hugely important textual variant in Matt. 5:22.

The question is: Did Jesus forbid all anger or only unjustifiable anger? An essay on the subject by yours truly appeared in the journal Novum Testamentum and was mentioned in the video. Ain't nobody got time for it, I know, but for that one super nerd out there here's a link to the original essay. 

The KJV

I love the KJV. In case you were wondering. 

Secrets I'd Share with You over Coffee

Let's pretend we're hanging out over a cup of coffee. If we were enjoying a cup of coffee together, I'd tell you that I just got back from the gym. 

I feel like I just had one of the best workouts of my life. The best upper body exercise is the pull up.

Pull ups aren't just another back exercise. They are the king of back exercises. A proper pull up is the single best muscle builder for your entire upper body, including your lats, upper back, rear delts, biceps, forearms, and even your core. This isn't just about looking good. It's about building the kind of functional strength that actually matters in daily life while packing on real muscle mass. The pull up is a vertical movement that loads your muscle through a full range of motion without any compressive force on your spine. Pull ups force every muscle to work maximally while your spine stays neutral and decompressed. Pull ups create incredible tension on your arms without destroying your joints. They also improve bone density on your arms and shoulders through natural loading patterns. Pull your chest to the bar, pause at the top, and then lower with control. Even of you can do only one good pull up, that's your starting point. 

The other exercise I LOVE doing is the biceps curl. 

Curls are just insane for me. I love them. Just be sure to control the weight all the way down. Eat plenty of protein, and get good fats. Get good rest. And listen to your body when you need sleep. 

If we were having a cup of coffee together, I'd also tell you that I've been revelling of late in the pics of my grandkids I've been getting. 

I mean, is there anything better in life than watching your grandkiddos being raised by their fantastic parents? 

If we had a cup of coffee together today, I would tell you that a verse of Scripture really spoke to me this morning during my daily devotions. 

The verse I have in mind is Eph. 6:10, which I'm committing to memory today in Greek. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the verb endunamousthe is in the middle voice, not the passive. The idea isn't "Be strengthened in the Lord" as much as it is "strengthen yourselves in the Lord." Think of a gym. When you arrive there, you are "in the gym." But what good does that do for you if you don't avail yourself of its equipment? Likewise, as believers we are "in the Lord." Yet what good does that do if we don't take advantage of all we have in Christ? Yes, it's the Lord's strength we are after. But we have to appropriate it. Every privilege in the Christian life brings with it a corresponding duty to do our part. True strength cannot exist outside of Christ. But we become strong in him when we arm ourselves with his weapons. He is the true fountain of vitality, but we must "abide in him" (John 15:4-7). Hence my paraphrase of Eph. 6:10:

"In conclusion, draw your strength constantly and consistently not from yourself but from the Lord. Be empowered by the strength of his boundless might. Receive your power from him!"

If we were having a cup of coffee together this evening, I'd tell you, finally, about what I cooked for supper tonight. 

My meal had 75 grams of protein in it. Like everyone else, lifters need plenty of protein for optimal health and maximum performance. Consuming protein may also help you lose fat. If you don't get at least 15 percent of your calories from protein each day, you will eat more and more until you do get that amount of calories. In other words, your body is programmed to eat more calories if you haven't reached your daily protein requirement. Besides, when you consume protein, you'll be more satisfied after one meal and less hungry at the next. 

All this to say: If we were enjoying a cup of coffee together, I would tell you that as the spring semester approaches, I am eager to see what God has in store for me and my family. Life is never easy, but hardships are temporary, and for that I am grateful. 

I Love the Houston Texans!

Well, the big game between Houston and Pittsburgh is tonight. Go A-Rod! 

Loved this video.

It shows the Texans' coaching staff doing nothing but compliment the Steelers' players. I love that! This is a classic illustration of the well-known axiom: "To make yourselves look good, you don't have to make others look bad." 

In Heb. 3:1-6, Paul compares Jesus with Moses. His goal is to show how much greater the Son of God is to that greatest of Jewish leaders, Moses. 

Now, if I had been given that assignment, here's what I probably would have done. I would have shown how Moses failed, how he sinned, how he was prevented by the Lord from entering the promised land. Then I would have pointed out how much greater Jesus is. 

But the author of Hebrews was much wiser than that. Rather than pointing out all of Moses' failings (and there were many), he emphasized how faithful he was to God. "Moses was faithful in all God's house," he writes. But then he adds, as if in a whisper, "Pst, Jesus is even greater than Moses, and if he can be greater than Moses, he must really be something." 

In other words, the difference between Jesus and Moses was not in their faithfulness. Both were equally faithful. The difference was one of status. Moses was faithful "as a son in the house," whereas Christ was faithful "as a Son over the house." 

Let us never put down or denigrate the Old Testament. The New Testament never does. Let us never seek to "unhitch" it from the New Testament either. The Old Testament is Christian Scripture every bit as much the New Testament is! 

There's Always Hope

As y'all know, I don't exactly love the treadmill. I am an outdoorsy kind of guy. Plain and simple. But there's a time and a place for the treadmill (like when it's cold or dark outside). Well, today it was sunny but too cold to run outdoors so off to the treadmill I went. 

The result was this daily step count. 

Did you know that the treadmill was originally invented to punish British prisoners? They would be forced to run on the treadmill for up to 5 hours a day. While moving they were actually generating power to make the water mills work. Amazing! So if you've ever wondered why you dislike the treadmill so much, now you know. 

Seriously, I began running after I lost my wife of 37 years to cancer. That's one reason why I still run today. One thing I know -- God has a good purpose in our suffering and pain. And I know that he will use all this for good. So I face the mountain one day at a time and tell my story as I keep on climbing so that God will be glorified and others will perhaps find encouragement to keep on climbing when their own way gets steep. There's always hope, and I truly believe that God honors perseverance! 

How's Your Appetite?

Wasn't it wonderful reading the Bible this morning? An invitation to feast at the table of Scripture has been extended to us impoverished sinners by the King himself. The meal is nothing less than a solid, substantial feast that combines satisfaction with gladness and rejoicing. All this is ready for us. It is the King's table, and its provision is inexhaustible.

So often we prefer the cheap substitutes of this poor world, which are nothing less than the husks of the swine. That goes for anything I've ever written. We do not crave the heavenly manna as we should. 

How's YOUR appetite? 

How's MINE? 

A Gentle Reminder to My Aging Friends

All of us have some kind of potential we're meant to achieve in life. Success in life is always a combination of a God-given work ethic and ability. I don't feel like I've actually reached my potential, but I think that's actually good to feel that way to some degree. Now in my 70s, I'm going through a whole new cycle of figuring out how ambitious I should be over the next decade and what my new long term goals should be. Staying engaged and curious is very important as you get older. So many people languish in retirement because they don't feel like they have a purpose any more. The highest achievers are often people who are never satisfied with what they do. As soon as you reach one level, you're chasing the next one. Personally, I've tried to strike a balance between just enjoying my senior years and trying to reach the potential that I've accepted I'll never reach. 

You're the only one who can make that call. 

It's a daily dance. We all have our value in this life. Don't bemoan not having the achievements of others. Just be yourself. I have everything I need and nothing I don't need. And I'm happy with what I have and don't have. Still, it's never too late to change, learn, and grow. Set your standard high for yourself. Don't be afraid to stretch yourself. Strive for perfection. You won't hit it, but you might hit excellence along the way. 

The goal is to arrive at a just estimate of yourself. The result is true humility -- not an ignorance of our abilities, but a recognition that we bring our gifts to God so that he may use them as he sees fit. This truth came home to me this morning as I read Rom. 12:3. 

Here Paul uses a play on words that's missed in English translations. Literally he says, "Don't be high-minded beyond what you ought to be minded but be minded unto sober-mindedness." The ASV reads, "Think soberly." The CSB has, "Think sensibly." The ESV reads, "Think with sober judgment." I especially like the NLT's "Be honest in your evaluation of yourself." As for takeaways, I jotted these down in my journal:

1. Don't waste your time or energy trying to be someone you're not.

2. Don't hide your God-given abilities under the guise of a false humility.

3. God made each of us with natural abilities. The smallest and greatest among us are all alike to him.

4. Don't be lifted up with pride on account of the gifts God has given you.

Matthew Henry puts it this way: "We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost in the strength of the grace of Christ."

Many people think that growing older and dying are life's greatest tragedies. To that I would say, "Humbug." Marathoner Walter Bortz, MD, coined a favorite phrase about exercising and aging that I've never forgotten. It goes like this: "It's never too late to start, and it's always too soon to stop."

These are words to live by. They are words I am living by. 

Come join the fun. 

Expect Setbacks

That's right. Expect setbacks. 

Nobody is perfect. Whether it's injuries or travel or lack of motivation, you are bound to have parts of your weight loss journey where you are simply not losing weight. This is absolutely normal. It is to be expected. This is me today. 

It's my weekly progress pic. And here is my weekly step count. 

My current weight is 2003 pounds. That's up from 1998. But it's not the end of the world. You're bound to have part of your diet or weight loss journey where you simply aren't losing weight. This is normal and to be expected. If you go into it with that expectation, weight loss is a lot easier. You just need to be patient and consistent and continue to lose this weight. What makes you think you could lose it all in a matter of months when it took you 20 years to put on that weight? Don't think that in 5 months you're going to lose all that weight. The goal should be to make sustainable changes. Don't think you're going to be perfect and have a six-pack at the end of five months. Lose weight slowly week after week and month after month. 

The real champion isn't the person who loses the weight quickest. It's the one who lost the weight but kept it off. 

Notes on Inerrancy (10)

At Corinth there was a party -- not of Paul, not of Apollos, not of Cephas -- but "of Christ." They were probably the most troublesome of all. There are some who claim to be so occupied with the spiritual that they have no time for "irrelevant" doctrines like inerrancy. They will soon learn that they cannot ignore the doctrine of Scripture before they run into the problem -- Christ himself. 

There are unpleasant issues to be faced in the church, and sometimes we must disagree with great and good men. 

Assume Nothing

Remember when I had my last treadmill stress test? Neither do I. So I had one today. 

In a stress test you get a major insight into how your heart really works and it hands on ways to improve training and performance. They put you on a slight incline and gradually increase the speed (and the incline). Once I reached 135 beats per minute, the test was over. All was well and the result was good. It felt like a really really intense workout. The cardiology tech and I chatted the whole time :-) 

Tests like this one are good reminders that we are all very much human and subject to the frailty and vicissitudes of our mortality. Many, many people have issues with their heart, and some of these issues are very dangerous and debilitating. There is no reason that couldn't be me or any of us. We go through life assuming we will watch our kids grow up and get married, hold our grandbabies, run that marathon, vacation in Europe, write that novel. Assume nothing. Step up to the plate now because the plate might not always be there. Be careful about your daily choices. Make sure each one counts. A stress test like the one I had today made me think about my own mortality and the type of legacy I want to leave behind to my kids and grandkids. I want my normal life to sparkle with the allure of the ordinary. I want to be brave enough to grasp the impermanence of life and not let another wasteful moment go by. I want to never take life for granted and find gratitude in every single moment, no matter how satisfying or challenging. I want to: 

Fight the good fight.

Finish the race.

Keep the faith.

Have faith in the future.

Have hope, be kind to all, and smile. 

Embrace the older years and continue to set high expectations for myself. 

The light is not out. It will not go out until the day we die. Keep shining. Leave a memory no one can steal. 

Today's steps (including the treadmill). 

The Style of Hebrews and Paul

One could just as easily argue against the Pauline authorship of the Pastorals as the Pauline authorship of Hebrews. To say that Paul could not have authored 1-2 Timothy and Titus because they differ from Paul's "known style" begs the question since the vocabulary and style of the Pastorals are excluded in the "overall style." The same logical fallacy occurs if anyone tries to determine "my" (Dave Black's) style from my academic writings and then applies it to my books written for lay people. Yet I am indisputably the author of all of these books.

In addition, if you're a proponent of Apollos or Barnabas as the author of Hebrews, how would you answer this question: "How does the style of Hebrews compare with the writings of Apollos or Barnabas?" That's obviously an absurd question to ask since nothing Apollos or Barnabas may have written has come down to us. On the other hand, the numerous affinities between Hebrews and the Paulines are apparent in every paragraph of the letter. No decision about authorship can and should be made without such a comparison. Indeed, one must study the letter in detail in order to determine its style and whether or not that style comports with the Paulines. When this is done objectively, I believe that a case can still be made for the Pauline authorship of Hebrews based on the letter's style, vocabulary, and diction. 

"Ultra" Motivated

As you know, my running form sucks. I started running knowing nothing about anything. Seems there's a proper way to run and a not-so-proper way to run. Who knew? Here's a short litany of issues that plague me:

• My posture is terrible. I lean forward (hunch) too much.
• I pull with my hamstrings. I should be pushing with my core. 
• My elbows should be at 90 degrees but they aren't.
• I force my pelvis to move rather than just letting it rotate naturally.

This whole running business is largely out of my comfort zone. Thank God I'm not afraid to try it anyway. For the record, I've got a big race coming up in May, May 9th to be exact. We're talking 50K, baby. I am about do something incredibly self-indulgent. I am far from being un ultra runner who would turn anyone's head. I do, however, apparently have great endurance, which is required for anyone who is crazy enough to enter a 32-mile trail run. Oh, and did I tell you that runners have the ugliest toes of anyone? I've never had nice-looking toes, but since I've started running they have become simply revolting. At least my dead toenail finally dropped off last night. I'm going to use it for storage. 

Can someone pay for me to have a manicure or maybe a toe transplant?

Anyhoo, if you want to know why I try to get so many steps in every day, the one word answer is "ultra." I am inspired. Motivated. I want to do this. The ultra experience is all about "survival." That's pretty much it.

Today's run.

And steps.