Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1

Recently, I have begun a new cycle aimed at preparing me for a Bulgarian cycle. It involves quite a bit of squatting, and a lot of triples in the olympic lifts. Because of this, my legs and low back are dead, and it has made my olympic lifts rather difficult. I have found that as the weeks progress, the same weight is feeling heavier and heavier with each successive day. There have been a few days were nothing would land, and I had to drop weight (and my pride) in order to finish the work requirements.

To be honest, it has made me a bit frustrated. I often find myself thinking "the harder I work, the harder this seems to get." I feel like I am doing all the right things- I am stretching and foam rolling, I am doing all the exercises to the best of my ability, I am sleeping enough, I am eating well. But for some reason, nothing seems to be clicking. It is tempting sometimes to quit. "Why put in all this time and effort to something that is not giving me a return?" What keeps me coming back day after day is faith- faith that my coach programmed this because it was supposed to be hard, and faith that if I persevere it will make me better in the end. The hope is that in undergoing this temporary trial, I will become a more refined weightlifter, and my coach will receive more glory because of his hand in my training. I must keep this end goal in mind as I train, for if I lose sight of it then I lose hope.

Too often I think we, as entitled, upper middle class Americans, feel that if we follow Christ, then everything will be good and we won't have to undergo trials. On the contrary, if we follow Christ we are promised that we will suffer. "In this life you will have trouble..." If this is all we were left with, despair would surely be soon to follow. In this we have hope though- "Take heart! I have overcome the world!" (Jesus- John 16:33)

The reality of this truth set in this morning as I received news from the man who discipled me all through college that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday. He is a man who loves the Lord more ferociously than anyone I have ever met. His desire to honor, serve, and exalt Christ is contagious, and his boldness is encouraging. He has four children, all under the age of ten. My initial thoughts upon receiving this news was "how could this happen? He is such a good man, and he and his wife love the Lord so much? How could this be a part of God's plan?"

Ironically, what brought me peace was this man's status on Facebook:

"Please pray for my precious bride who was diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday. God is always good, His plan is always perfect, and He is always worthy of praise. In the healing Name of Christ, we will rebuke fear and move on in victory no matter the outcome. Please, Holy Spirit, give us strength, wisdom, and guidance. Much love to all and thanks for your prayers- they are so desired."

What gives us strength in the midst of the storm is faith- faith that the pains of this world are temporary, faith that God's plan is for our good and His glory, faith that perseverance is sanctifying, and faith that one day Christ will make all things new again. We can take courage knowing that those who have come before us have also undergone trials. I think of the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11. It begins by recounting the ways that men of God remained faithful which lead them to triumph. But then in verse 35, the tone shifts.

"Others were tortured, and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith..." (Heb. 11: 35-39)

Our greatest sense of encouragement comes from the King Himself. Let us "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our Faith. For the joy set before him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him, who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb 12:2-3)


The hope is that as we undergo temporary trials, we become a more refined, and our King will receive more glory because of his hand in our refinement. No matter the outcome, good our bad, the call is to give Him the glory that is due to His Name. How foolish it would be for us to think that we, as finite beings, know what is best for us and that He, as creator and Lord of the Universe, does not.

Hold fast brothers, He knows. Blessings

Giftings

In my time as a coach, I have had athletes of all different shapes, sizes, and abilities. One thing that has always struck me is that some athletes are just naturally good squatters/olympic lifters, while others really struggle. While some of this is due to natural ability, spatial awareness, base strength levels, and coordination (all of which can be improved upon with training and practice), some of it can also be attributed to biomechanics (something the athlete has no control over). I have drawn a few diagrams to help explain what I mean.

This first diagram depicts two athletes with identical torsos, but differing femur lengths. The athlete with the shorter femur is able to maintain a nearly vertical shin angle while keeping the shoulder (where the bar or external loading sits) over the midfoot. In order for the athlete with the longer femur to keep the shoulder over the midfoot, their knee must push further over their toe, which requires a sharper angle between their shin and their foot, a.k.a. more ankle mobility.

Now lets say that the athlete with the longer femur does not have the ankle mobility required in picture 1. Now, in order to keep the shoulder over the midfoot, they must decrease the angle between their torso and their femur to account for the longer femur. Though the athletes have the same ankle mobility and thus the same shin angle, athlete 1 will be able to maintain a much more erect torso throughout a squat. Athletes who find themselves in this boat should seek to maximize ankle mobility as well as hip mobility, for a restriction of either one of these with ultimately limit their success as a squatter/olympic lifter.

To further complicate things, there are some athletes who have a relatively shorter torso. In this diagram, both athletes have the same ankle mobility and same femur length, but athlete 2 has a shorter torso than athlete 1. Because of this, they must have a sharper angle between the femur and the torso to account for the shorter lever. Again, athletes who find themselves in this category should regularly do ankle/hip mobility drills.

Sometimes, an athlete comes through that has short femurs, great ankle mobility, and a long torso. After 5 minutes, I can have them squatting butt-to-ankles with a vertical torso no problem. Other times, someone comes through with the trifecta of problems: short torso, long femurs, limited ankle mobility. To an extent, I find myself in this category. These athletes have to work much harder to do what comes naturally to athletes with different biomechanics. I would probably make a great runner- long legs and a short torso. But for Olympic Weightlifting, I do not have the ideal body type. Different athletes have been molded differently for different purposes, all of which have equal value. In many ways, it reminds me of the body of Christ.

In Romans 12, Paul reminds that "in one body, we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function." Later, in 1 Corinthians 12, he tells us that "to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." The Lord, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has granted to each of us a specific set of skills and giftings. These giftings are not meant for us to build ourselves up, but rather to build up others and in doing so glorify God.

It is easy to look at others and see their giftings, but often times much harder to see what the Lord has made us good at. I have a brother who is the most gifted person I have ever met at making people feel loved. He is a great listener, and his charisma makes you feel like you have known him for a lifetime after knowing him for only 5 minutes. Because of this, he has been able to connect with a wide array of folks, and has led many of them to the feet of Jesus. What comes very naturally for him comes much harder for me. I have to actively think and work to do what flows for him. I think of Matt Chandler who so obviously has a gift of teaching. I have given several sermons/bible studies, and have always felt slightly out of place in doing so. No matter how much I prepare, no matter how much I practice, the Lord just has not gifted me with an innate ability to captivate peoples attention with public speaking (this is probably to keep me humble, for if I was good at it I would likely attribute the success to myself.)

In any case, the point is that we all have things that we just naturally are good at in regards to our service to the Lord. It does me no good to sit around and be jealous of others gifts. "For the body does not consist of one member, but of may. If the foot should say, 'because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body.... If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.... As it is, there are many parts, but one body." (1 Cor 12:14-20). In the same way that the Lord built people of all shapes and sizes, He molded and crafted each one of us with a specific set of giftings meant to be used for our joy and His glorification. Now, just because I am not biomechanically the best squatter ever does not mean I don't squat, and in the same way just because you are not the greatest teacher/listener/server/preacher/counselor/whatever does not mean you should not do those things. But you also should seek to cultivate that which God has gifted you most naturally at.

For your good and His glory.
Blessings.

The New Normal

It's funny how strength gains seem to sneak up on us. The top video was almost a year ago, and what it doesn't show is the 12 misses that occurred before I finally was able to hit 185. Nowadays, 185 is a warm up weight, as evidenced by the fact that I hit it for a 3 position power snatch. I remember having to get psyched out for weights that I now do without much thought. It didn't happen overnight, but as I got stronger, my body adjusted to the increasing demands I was putting on it. What was once the upper limit of my capacity is now the new normal.

"The new normal" is an interesting concept to me, and I started thinking about it the other day as I was talking to my mom today about stuff that has been going on with my sister. Long story short, she has had some medical issues that led to a partial paralysis of her left side of her body. Things that are simple and a part of every day life for most kids (tying their shoes, playing on the playground with friends, social interactions) can be challenging for my sweet sister. My mom explained to me that her and my dad are learning how love her and raise her best, and are doing so through a different set of lenses than how they viewed things with my brother and I. They are adjusting to "the new normal"- a normal that is defined differently than that of the world; a normal that is slower paced; a normal that comes with its own set of struggles. It was a beautiful picture of how the Lord loves us despite our struggles. He does so not because we deserve it, but because He is good. What was once our shame is now Christ's glory- those of the world are marked by insecurity, despair, and aimlessness, but for those in Christ, the new normal is one of security, joy, hope, and purpose.

Blessings

Diagnosis

Grace, typically Rx'd at 135. Rich does it at 225

Someone asked me a really good question the other day in regards to how I program. She asked how I pick the weight for Rx, and why some days it was heavy and some days it was light. It was a great question, and I will attempt to answer it as best I can.

Some days I want the stimulus to be light, and for people to get more of a metabolic burn (like in Fran) where the weight is light enough that it should not be put down but heavy enough to still make it hurt. Other days, I want it to be heavy enough that people have to drop the bar, take a step back, and reset. Every once in a while, the goal is to get someone to realize how strong they are, or more often than not, how much strength they need to gain. For example, if I were to program 225/155 power cleans, there would only be a handful of people that could actually do it. The goal would not be for people to get discouraged, but rather to realize "okay, if I want to be able to Rx this kind of weight, then I need to get significantly stronger." The WOD is designed to diagnose their lack of strength, not to fix the problem of their lack of strength.

In reading through Romans, I am reminded that in His great mercy, the Lord has given us a similar litmus test designed to diagnose, but not fix a problem- the Law.

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in God's sight, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin." - Romans 3:20

"For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law." -Romans 5:13

"Now the law came in to increase the trespass..." -Romans 5:20

"For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death." -Romans 7:5

"If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not know what it is to covet if the law had not said 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me." - Romans 7:7-8, 9-11

It seems clear that the Lord gave us the law not so we could keep it perfectly and earn His favor, but rather to reveal in our hearts idolatry, rebellion, and waywardness. Much like an MRI reveals cancer, but does nothing to actually cure it, the law reveals our sinful disposition, but does nothing to actually reconcile us to God. What the cancer patient needs is a cure, a doctor, chemo. What we need is a savior. The law makes us aware of the fact that we are in need, and the gospel holds out for us the medication for our sick hearts.

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Christ obeyed where we couldn't, and then imparted His righteousness to us through His atoning death on the cross. He took our sinfulness upon Himself that we may be clean (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Blessings

Continuum

Talent + Hard Work

I have not been very consistent with my blog posts as of late, and so I apologize to all 4 of my followers (ok, that may be a bit liberal... to all 2 of you). 

There seems to be a continuum that exists in the world of athletics with respect to strength and conditioning. In the last year, I have been exposed to several different atmospheres that have made me aware of this.

In the collegiate strength and conditioning world, I constantly had to be hounding my athletes to put forth effort. Many of them had almost no work ethic, but had tons of natural talent. The challenge for me was getting them to realize that natural talent would only take them so far, and that without pushing themselves to the limit on a daily basis in training and in practice, they would never reach the next level.  They simply could not rely on talent alone- it would require blood, sweat, and tears. It was frustrating for me as a coach to watch, and I couldn't help but think how many people would kill for the genetic giftings that many of these athletes had. By doing too little they are stunting their growth and preventing themselves from reaching their desired goals.

The crossfit world lies on the opposite end of the spectrum. One of the things I respect most about crossfitters of all abilities is their innate desire to "be better than yesterday". People always start crossfit with the desire to get "in shape" (whatever that means) or to get a six pack, or whatever else. But gradually you see a shift in them that occurs, usually about 4-6 weeks in to their crossfit journey. Instead of wanting to see physical results, they want to get their first pull-up without a band. Instead of a hotter bod, they want to snatch their body weight. I love it, but something tends to happen- people let these desires rule them, and in doing so they work themselves into the ground. I have had clients come in, do a crossfit class, stay after and do Smolov (notoriously the most feared squat program), then go run a mile, then come back in later that day for "skill work". I admire the dedication, but what they fail to realize is that they are completely overdoing it, and that their bodies simply cannot handle that kind of volume. By doing too much they are stunting their growth and preventing themselves from reaching their desired goals.

The line between too much vs. too little is a fine one, and one that I think many of us as Christians struggle with as well. I typically don't consider myself much of a theologian, but from time to time I do enjoy delving into the realm of higher thinking. This week, the topic in view was Legalism vs. Antinomianism. I will do my best to lay these out. 

Legalism is "strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or moral code." It is simply the belief that by adhering to a set of laws or morals, that we can earn God's favor and simultaneously put Him in our debt. It is a life marked by joylessness, duty, and burden. The driving motive is fear, not affection for Christ.

Antinomianism, on the other hand, is the belief that under the gospel dispensation of grace, the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation. It is simply the posture of the heart that says "I am already saved, so I can do whatever I want because God will and has already forgiven me." It is cheap grace, a grace without obligation, and oftentimes manifests itself as a life without concern for personal holiness.

The continuum is a difficult one. Our God is "not served by human hands" (Acts 17:5) and needs nothing from us, so it is foolish of us to think that we can earn our way to Him. The bible is clear that "all of our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), and that even on our best day we still fall short. Paul completely eliminates the possibility for us to earn grace. In Romans 11:6, he reminds us that "grace cannot be based on works, for if it were, it would not be grace." Thats the whole idea of grace- it is given, not earned, and it is free. But free does not mean it is without cost. At the same time, our God does not simply call people to Himself so that they can be wayward and do whatever they want. His saving grace is also His sanctifying grace. In 1 Peter, we are called to "be holy in all our behavior; because it is written 'you shall be holy for I am holy.'" As a people who reflect the nature and character of the living God, we are called to a life of personal holiness.  Paul also answers the question "are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?" (Romans 6:15) with the resounding "By no means!" So how do we balance these two ideas? I am about to straight nerd out on y'all.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian, described what he calls "cheap" and "costly" grace in his book The Cost of Discipleship. 

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. 

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. 

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock."

Excerpt from full passage

Whereas the legalist thinks "I obey, therefore I am accepted," the antinomian thinks "I am accepted, therefore I don't need to obey." Both, however, are wrong, for a true, gospel centered, Christ adoring view would be "I am accepted, therefore I obey." Our adoption as sons and daughters rolls up into worship through obedience, which leads us to ever increasing joy and Christ's ever increasing glory. So where should we strive to fall on the continuum of legalism vs. antinomianism? Nowhere, for those who truly love, adore, honor, and obey Christ are on a whole other level, a playing field that is completely separate. I am constantly reminded that the Lord is not after our begrudging submission, but our joy. We are not joyful, and He is not glorified, if we simply obey out of a sense of obligation. Neither will we find ultimate satisfaction, or will Christ be ultimately exalted, if we pursue our own fleshly passions and desires with no regard for Christ's desires. Our joy and His glory are inseparably linked to our delight in His law- as the Psalmist says in Psalm 119 "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day."

I shall leave you with this quote: 

"I want to call people to holiness, as the new creatures they are, by bringing them into deeper and deeper awareness of the gospel of grace. Some believe “effort and action [are] central to sanctification.” I believe the gospel is central to sanctification, and that effort and action are neither central nor optional (optional = antinomianism) but integral.

The rhythm of the New Testament is “walk in love as a response to how deeply you are loved in Christ.” “Be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Eph 5:1). In a nutshell: if the imperatives of Scripture are extracted in preaching without being self-consciously placed within their (heart-transforming) indicative framework, then such bald imperatives will invariably devolve into a counterproductive reinforcement of the Pharisee lurking in every human heart—even the regenerate human heart.

For the regenerate, holiness has taken on a strangely attractive hue, for God is now our loving Father, not our wrathful judge. We now delight in the law in a way we never did (never could) before. But the law itself remains impotent to generate this holiness. The law can guide us, but not propel us. It is a steering wheel, not an engine."

Excerpt from full passage

Hope I didn't blow too many minds... pretty sure I blew my own mind there. Blessings