training regimen

Facing The Sun

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7036268-sunflower-field-sunsetThere are less than 3 million people who call Kansas home. If you’re among this number, you may know the sunflower was designated as the official state flower in 1903.  This long-stemmed flower with petals of golden yellow is classified as a turnsole plant, a word of French origin and one that means to “turn towards the sun.”

The sunflower, like all plants, is not self-sufficient—it depends upon the sun for essential nourishment. 

Health conscious individuals are learning what botanists have known for many years:  In proper amounts, there are some benefits associated with exposure to the sun.  There’s ample research that’s easily available, and it indicates the sun’s rays are beneficial both physically and mentally.

While the sun is important to you physically and mentally, the Son is even more vital to your needs spiritually: “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him (John 3:36).”

Cultivate the habit of rising in the morning, facing the Son, and following Him throughout the day.  When you practice this routine you develop a God-focused regimen of strength that recognizes that it’s, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).”

So, when you rise in the morning,  why not give the Son a chance to shine on you?

A Teaching Standard

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std_logoThe usage of the word “mock-up” is attributed to Winston Churchill. While he was drawing up some battle plans, Churchill said: “It is necessary to construct without delay a dummy fleet…They are then to be mocked up to represent particular battleships of the 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons.” A few years later the noun form of “mocked up” found its way into the English language as “mock-up.”

According to dictionary.com, “mock-up” is used to “describe the making of a replica used for study, testing, or teaching.”

Paul had the “mock-up” concept in mind when he said: “Let me be your example here, my brothers: let my example be the standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among those about you.” The word “example” is the Greek word “typos” and is used in reference to a “moral pattern (Philippians 3).”

When you think of Churchill’s “mock-up” and Paul’s “typos” in relation to your life, what do you see? Is your life a “mock-up” or a mockery? Is it a “typos” or a typo?

To live a disciplined Christian life, study the “mock-up” of Paul’s training regimen found in I Corinthians 9:

“Do you remember how, on a racing-track, every competitor runs, but only one wins the prize? Well, you ought to run with your minds fixed on winning the prize! Every competitor in athletic events goes into serious training. Athletes will take tremendous pains—for a fading crown of leaves. But our contest is for an eternal crown that will never fade. I run the race then with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight! I am my body’s sternest master, for fear that when I have preached to others I should myself be disqualified (9:24-27).”