There Goes The Heart
When I opened up the week with our theme of "heart" I wasn't quite ready to experience writer's block. And not the kind that sometimes arrives when a writer is trying to be creative, ohhh no, but the kind that arrives when there is too much to harness and gather. To try and capture the concept of heart as either a state of mind, or a goal, or as that intangible God-given fortitude -- in conjunction with all of the Biblical examples and modern saints from which to choose -- well, it's like forcing the ocean through a funnel.
What does it mean to have heart? It means so many things. This week we felt a few drops of that ocean when we learned how big of a heart Secretariat had when he ran. Only a heart like his could allow him to run each quarter mile faster than the one before it. Then we talked about those who have heart but have lost the tools, only to learn how God can actually make those same tools sharper for His glory and purpose. And of course yesterday we looked at the sweet woman who mustered enough courage to get up and get through the crowd to touch her Lord. Big hearts, broken hearts, and battered ones. Aren't we glad that's where God spends His time?
Guys, we can have "heart" for all sorts of things and for so many reasons, but the most important thing is for us to have a heart for God. Charles Stanley once asked, "How do you know you have a heart for God?" He gave 5 answers: 1. The priority of life is that we have a relationship with Jesus 2. We place our trust in God when going through trials and difficulties 3. We have a strong, passionate desire to obey God. 4. We demonstrate a spirit of humility. The person for a heart for God is humble. 5. We demonstrate a spirit of service.
I want a heart for God, amen? May our passion and desire for the things that this body can accomplish on earth pale in comparison - and be subject - to our pursuit of God's heart; a relationship, trust, obedience, humility and service. Well, there's your ocean. And there goes the heart. Everything else is just a drop in the bucket. Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: Can we lift your heart in prayer? Please let us know or simply say "unspoken" and we promise to lift you up by name.
Training Update: Pretty neat stuff guys. I'm phasing into some bodyweight moves, including squats (assisted) but I cant quite explain how good it feels to be performing the motion. Below I've listed the skinny on the bodyweight squat. 
BodyWeight Squat
Target: Quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings Set Up: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, a slight bend in your knees and your toes turned out slightly.
Action: Keeping your head neutral, abs tight and torso erect, bend at the knees and hips to slowly lower your body as if you were going to sit down in a chair. Pause when your legs reach a 90-degree angle, then forcefully drive through the heels, extending at your hips and knees until you arrive at the standing position.
Helpful Hint: This will prove helpful, but focus on pressing through the floor with your feet, as opposed to simply raising your upper body up and down. At the top, give your glutes and legs a good isometric squeeze for a second or two before sitting back into the next repetition. You notice I'm using my arms and hands to assist me as needed.
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