This Is Why I Love Latin

Speakers up.

Grateful!!!!

All praise and glory to God! A great workout at the Y.

A fantastic 7-mile run at the HBT.

Getting up hay in one of our largest fields.

Grateful!!! 

It's Never Too Late to Take Control of Your Life Again

So you've been trying to lose weight and get in shape for 2 years. That's 104 weeks. However, those 2 years didn't fix your problem. That shouldn't come as a surprise. Anyone telling you 8 weeks is enough is lying. Anyone telling you 8 months is enough is lying. I know how hard it is to go from fat to fairly lean. I started off at 240 pounds. I've gone down to 185. I know exactly what you're struggling with. Getting in great shape isn't a sprint. It's consistency, month after month and year after year. That means:

• Workouts you actually enjoy, not workouts you dread.
• A way of eating that isn't poisoning you.
• Progress you can sustain, not just survive.
• Strength training at least 2 times per week.
• Treating sleep and recovery like training. 
• Regular walking.

Some men over 40 think that getting into shape isn't sustainable. The problem is they're doing things they can't stick to. What I do is simple on purpose. I train a few hours every week. I eat mostly real food. I walk every day. I keep my habits simple. And that's what makes everything sustainable. No complicated meal plans. No cutting entire food groups. No neglecting the things in life that really matter to you -- your family, your God-given purpose on this earth, your mind, your body, your health, your peace. This comes from self-control. Self-discipline. Simplicity. Living with intention. 

I'm not trying to look like a bodybuilder. I'm not trying to be 30 again. I'm just a normal guy who got tired of feeling soft and uncomfortable in my own skin. I'm a man who decided he still cares about his health. So I kept showing up. Now, at 74, I'm in the best shape of my life. 

It's not too late for you to do the same, my friend. It's not about becoming obsessed with fitness. It's not about starving yourself. It's about moving again. It's about building up your strength. It's about losing a bit of that extra weight. It's about getting your energy back. It's about feeling confident in the body God gave you. I'm able to chase my grandkids around the yard and actually keep up with them. That's the whole point. You see, as you get older, fitness isn't so much about how you look but about how you feel and how well you move. At my age, staying fit isn't something you can put off any longer. The stakes are just too high. 

How about you? 

If today feels like a reset moment, don't put it off. Make this the last year you just talk about getting into shape. Just think about how a little more God-given self-respect and self-discipline could change everything. The work isn't always easy. But for me it's been worth it. The point of this post is a simple reminder that it's never too late to take control of your life again. Fight for yourself. 

A Matter of Urgency

Good intentions will not get you very far in personal Bible study. It takes a willful commitment on your part. You have to go through the steps of observation, interpretation, and application. I want to challenge you to see at least one new thing in every passage you read. The ability to see details in Scripture is one of the most powerful skills you can develop. One of the things I observed in Hebrews 13 this morning in my quiet time was an instance of paronomasia in verse 22. 

I had never seen it before. Here Paul opens and closes his sentence with two Greek words that clearly parallel each other. 

Yet this connection is completely lost in your typical English translation. Here are a couple of examples with the parallel terms printed in bold:

NIV: "I urge you ... my word of exhortation."

CSB: "I urge you ... this message of exhortation."

ESV: "I appeal to you ... my word of exhortation." 

Sherlock Holmes, that master sleuth of yesteryear, could often be found on his hands and knees, inspecting the floor for cigar ashes or footprints. In the same way, finding clues in a passage of Scripture demands more than a quick overview. Here in Heb. 13:22 we clearly have a pun or wordplay that many if not most interpreters overlook. But not in German. Here's how Luther rendered the verse:

"Ich ermahne euch, aber, liebe Brüder, haltet das Wort der Ermahnung zugute." 

I absolutely love that. Paul is "urging" his readers with a "word of urging"! I thought, You've got to be kidding! As I said, I'd never seen this before. The genius of the word of God is that it has wordplays like this one on practically every page. With every book I've written, you can pretty much put it on the shelf and move on to something else. That's never true of the Bible. You can read it over and over again and you will still discover things you've never seen before.

So we're back to the same issue: the books of the Bible were meant to be read and studied. They were never intended to be given a perfunctory once-over. One way to avoid that is to slow down and, if you can, use a variety of translations. You're bound to notice new things! 

The Whole Game

Getting in my steps today. 

Exercise keeps you independent, sharp, and active for decades to come. 

Train now for the 70-year old (or, in my case, the 80-year old) version of you. 

That's the whole game. Running and surfing in my 80s is the goal! 

How to Build Muscle over Age 70

(All videos from today's workout.) 

When it comes to building muscle over age 70, I certainly know it's possible, but there are certain ways to train that will help us to maximize the time we spend in the gym. 

First, there needs to be at least 2, preferably 3, days spent in the gym that are dedicated to working out. 

This can come in the form of total body workouts dedicated to both strength and hypertrophy (muscle building). 

As I have often said, we lose strength and muscle mass with every passing decade of our lives, so in order to preserve the muscle we have and the strength we need to complete everyday tasks, we need to work on strength training. 

The way to build muscle during your workouts is to slow down and really command control over your reps. 

Be sure to train the full range of motion in order to maintain strength and integrity in your muscles, tendons, and joints. 

Partial reps rarely build muscle and strength. When you have completed your workout, be sure to get in your daily step count (whatever that is). 

If your goal is to build muscle, burn fat, and get lean, walking can be a powerful addition to your routine because it is low impact, easy to recover from, and easy to do consistently. The key is to walk with purpose. Stand tall, pick up the pace, and make every step count. 

Movement is proof that you're alive. Every lift and every step is a confirmation of your place on the planet, of your ability to move through time and space. Because of my workouts, I'm a little bit more alive each day. What was once a slow, steady march toward old age has become a race to cover all the miles that my life (and the Lord) will allow. These moments of activity will be yours to keep and to share with others. These moments, more than how heavy you lift or how fast you run, will distinguish you as an athlete. The joy you feel will be like the joy children feel when they run across a field of wildflowers or through a lawn sprinkler on a hot summer day. Eventually you'll forget that your muscles and your heart are getting stronger. You will do it simply for the pure joy it brings.

I Am Not a Greek Teacher

I don't teach Greek. Never have. I teach logic. I teach thinking. I teach language skills. I teach the importance of each and every detail in the text. I teach Christology. I teach Pneumatology. I teach Ecclesiology. I teach Historical Theology. I teach Practical Theology. Mostly I teach Global Missions.

Teachers impart far more than subject matter. They impart thinking skills, social skills, emotional intelligence, and overall spiritual development. Their role extends far beyond just delivering content. They shape students' character and prepare them for real-world challenges. The impact of a teacher extends far beyond academic instruction. Being a teacher is a multifaceted role that requires a combination of skills, aptitudes, experience, and empathy. Only by embracing all of these aspects of  teaching can we create an environment in which all students have the opportunity to succeed. 

Teacher friend, you are doing so much more than you realize. This week inspire your students by your example. If it wasn't for Harry Sturz and Bo Reicke, I wouldn't have realized that I actually had potential to become a Greek teacher. God used them to steer me in the right direction. Do the same for your students! 

11 Weeks

Guess what? Only 11 weeks before my next ultra. So it's time to train! Got in some steps this morning at the good old Y. 

I plan on getting in some more when I'm in Wake Forest later today. 

This is moi as of today. 

It's the best I can do. You have to take whatever talents and gifts you have, train as well as you can, and then go out and see what happens on race day. That's true whether you run at the back of the pack like I do or out in front. The ultra is one of the top experiences of my life, ranking right up there with my wedding day and the birth of my kids. I savor every step of the 32-mile race, amazed at how far I've come as a runner since Becky died. Racing is a giant unknown. But getting to the starting line is something you can control. 11 weeks. That's all I've got. And no one can run a single step for you. It's all up to you. 

One of the biggest mistakes runners make is overestimating their level of readiness. I've made that mistake all too often. So when you decide to train, make sure your training plan is the best plan for you. No one knows you better than you know yourself. And remember: Goals can never be too high, but expectations can. 

One Month Ago

My last evening in Waikiki. The perfect end to a perfect vacation. Silhouetted against the golden hour. Ready for one last ride. 

Bengals Win!

The road to the Super Bowl began today with a win by my favorite team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Tampa Bay came to Cincy with a freshly paid Baker Mayfield, but he was no match for the Bengals' defense. 

The Burrow era continues. TB is a great team, so it's a good win for Cincy. Still a work in progress (Burrows' horrible pick-six made the game a nail-biter), but like every great QB he delivered on the final drive. The real test will come next week in Houston. 

By the way, in case you're wondering why I'm such a Bengals fan ....

People choose their favorite NFL team for any number of reasons, from rooting for the local team to thinking their logo looks cool to choosing a lifelong rival to annoy their friends. Some people love the Bucs simply because they fire the cannons. I'm a Cincy fan because I ran my first ever marathon in that town and then, because I enjoyed it so much, went back and ran two more. 

At the start of the Flying Pig lined up next to the Paycor stadium where the Bengals play. 

The Cincinnati marathon is called the Flying Pig. It combines a unique pig theme with scenic river views and incredible community support. 

Cincinnatians are proud of their race and enjoy sharing it with the world. Skip Disney and do the Pig, folks!

Don't Just Push Your Students; Pull Them Forward Too

This Monday night during Greek class we'll do a word study of the first declension noun ekklēsia. Every time we meet I try to illustrate how God's word provides his people with divine insight as they contend with the challenges of living in a complicated world. That's the legacy I want to leave behind: a generation of Bible students armed with the ability to correctly handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). My concern is that in the rush to adopt new technologies, the current generation of students may lose their ability to read. 

Fellow Greek teacher, let's pull people in rather than just pushing them. Inspire confidence through trust rather than authority. Always emphasize the "Why?" Expose the bigger picture so your students can understand the purpose, not just the task. Show them how mastering Greek helps them succeed at things they already care about, such as how they define a New Testament "church." You can't force a rope forward from behind. It only moves when you lead it from the front and pull it. 

Let's all remember that as we enter the classroom this week. 

It's Okay to Be Last

Three years ago I came in dead last at a half marathon and was still on cloud nine. It felt marvelous just to be able to finish on a really hot day. 

Friend, whatever the endeavor, there will always be people who are better at it than you. You can only do your personal best and hope for improvement along the way. We can get so wound up in our goals that we get tunnel vision. There is more to life than time goals. In fact, there is a lot of life to live beyond race day. It's okay to be last. Not every race will be your best or your strongest. Not being able to keep up makes you humble. 

There is WAY more to life than numbers! 

Your Know You're a Runner When ...

You know you're a runner when you're too tired to clean the house but have plenty of energy for a run. 

A Memory Not Soon Forgotten

Some summers never really leave us. They just beg to be remembered. 

She looks like she was made for Hawaii. Just sunshine on her face, the waves before her, the palms behind. The ocean was pleasant, the breeze smelled of plumeria, and nobody was thinking about tomorrow. Years later, photographs like this can make you wonder where those days went. 

Do you remember a summer that felt this special? Where were you when life seemed a little slower? 

Two Simple Hacks for Getting into Shape

If anyone asks me, "How do I get started exercising?", I always tell them the same two things: First, go to the gym and strength train, as I did today. 

Start out 2 days a week. Then go 3 days a week. Eventually you're going to get super excited about going to the gym. 

So just start. Challenge yourself every time you go to the gym. I don't care if you're lifting 5 pounds or 50 pounds. 

Challenge yourself to stress the muscles God has given you. That environment is SO GOOD for you. Just challenge yourself with weights. 

The next thing? Walk (or run) as often as you can. 

You can walk outside. You can walk on a treadmill. But get in your daily steps. Here are mine from today. 

Just find time to move. You can eat more freely when you move more and have more muscle. So do some walking. Walking is medicine. So said Hypocrites 2,500 years ago. 

That's it. Do these two things and eventually your weight and waist will start trending down. 

An Amazing Day

Today I had an amazing day filled with exercise, work, and family. Got in my steps.

Got up about 15 acres of hay.

We worked surrounded by thunderstorms. 

But the Lord kept us dry.

Mexican food was next. Nothing like fajitas texanas after a day of working in the fields. 

To cap things off, we went to Food Lion for ice cream and popsicles. 

I do believe Reuben liked that idea. 

Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful day! My heart is full to overflowing! I love you! 

Marriage and the Providence of God

Half a century ago today I married Becky Lynn Lapsley in a delightful ceremony at her home church in Dallas, Texas. The next day we were on our way to Hawaii. For 37 years we lived an adventure that could only have been crafted in heaven. Our marriage was beautifully flawed and deeply fulfilling. It was impossible to imagine that a quiet illness would steal Becky away before 40 years had even passed. 

If you've ever lost the one you were married to, you know that grieving is a disorderly process. You wish you could control or even schedule it, but you can't. Grief is not a highway but an orbit. You keep passing the same heavy star. The days go too fast -- or too slow. The future is hard to envision. You find yourself easily distracted or even disoriented. 

When I lost my bride to cancer 13 years ago, I learned that not only was God offering me the gift of grieving, but he was also granting me an opportunity to claim one of the greatest treasures a believer can possess -- the doctrine of the providence of God. The Christian cannot live a day without it. And when you keep it at the forefront of your mind, it makes a difference every moment for the rest of your life. 

Theologians tell us what God's providence is. It is his timely provision for all of our needs. It is his purposeful intervention in our lives. It is his love and watchcare over every minute we are alive. It is the carrying out of a plan that is never frustrated, a purpose that will never go unfulfilled. No matter what happens to us, God's plan is unfolding precisely as he has arranged it in flawless precision. 

When sufferers embrace the providence of God, they come to realize that there is a plan that is above and beyond what happened to them. God knows it all and always has. Nothing is a surprise to him. He has a bigger and better plan than we are able to grasp at the moment. He knows exactly what he's doing. This means that life is not chance. It's not blind fate. Life is his project, not ours. We are the instruments, not the composer. And so every experience you and I will ever have, God can sovereignly use for our good. He directs. He allows. He permits. He releases. How invaluable is that truth? Don't argue with it. Don't fight it. Accept it. Take it seriously. 

Will the grief ever go away? Yes, but not before instructing us. I love the words of Nancy Guthrie in her book Holding on to Hope:

"And so it is in our sadness that we discover a new aspect of God's character and reach a new understanding of Him that we could not have known without loss. He is acquainted with grief. He understands. He's not trying to rush us through our sadness. He's sad with us."

God does not want me to forget my past with Becky. He doesn't want me to forget all the good times we enjoyed together. He does not ask me to forget the 37 delightful, at times difficult, years of marriage. At the same time, the believer can experience a new life while constructing memories for himself of his past life with his loved one. 

Today the emotional energy I once invested in Becky is being poured into my children and grandchildren. As I have done this, the pain has subsided. I know that the ache in my heart will never go away completely. Some scars do not heal; they learn to hum a quiet hymn. But because of the providence of God, hope has replaced despair. There are more smiles than there are frowns. Every day I am finding something new to be thankful for. And because both she and I are believers in Jesus Christ, I look forward to being reunited again someday. 

Below: Pictures of Becky. She was breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. 

Happy 50th Anniversary to the love of my life. Only the Lord could have given me a wife as wonderful as you. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I love you. 

Another "False Fall"!

The early color change and premature leaf drop we are seeing in Southside are a direct result of the severe heat and drought stress we had this summer. To conserve water and energy, trees start shutting down their systems earlier than normal. Today I had very nice walk on the HBT. Look at how colorful everything is! 

This is called a "false fall." Even though the days are still warm and long, the trees are duped into thinking they have to pull back on their chlorophyll prematurely. We'll probably have an early though spectacular foliage display this year. 

The drought this year has been much more severe than the one we had last year. Where we live there's still a massive 8-inch deficit. I always feel bad for the trees when I see them leaf-ing from stress! 

Nevertheless, we are out there baling a big field today. We are so blessed and thankful! 

A Farm Boy and His Rabbit

Jest chillin, Pap B. 

The Most Critical Decade of Your Life

Welcome to the most critical decade of your life. "What decade is that?" you ask. It's the one you're in. You may be 25 or 45 or 65. It doesn't matter. If you play the next 10 years smart, you can remake your body into a fitter, stronger, and sleeker version of your younger self. The next 10 years can be the healthiest and most satisfying of your life. 

I've faced down 74 candles on my birthday cake. I'm old. To my students, very old. But age is not only chronological. It's physiological. The problems associated with age typically have less to do with actual aging than with our sedentary lifestyles. 

It's never too late to take care of the temple. There's no reason you can't be fitter than you were 5 years ago if you make smart tweaks to your fitness and diet. You'll be set for years of feeling and looking great. Once you experience the improvements that regular exercise and eating right bring to your body, you'll find plenty of motivation to keep at it for the rest of your life. 

You have control over your weight. I'll say it again: You have control over your weight. With God's help, you can press the reset button, take in fewer calories, and boost your metabolic burn through regular activity. 

It's just that simple. Above all, pair a healthy diet with resistance training. Resistance training is the fountain of youth. 

The beauty of a gym workout is that it's versatile enough for almost anyone at any fitness level. Find a workout plan that fits your goals and time constraints and I guarantee you'll start losing weight and feeling a whole lot better.

Start today.