Tag: 3rdF

3rd F meetups are service and faith related where faith is believing the world is bigger than just yourself

  • 3rdF Service Opportunity: Historic Evergreen/East End Cemetery Cleanup

    3rdF Service Opportunity: Historic Evergreen/East End Cemetery Cleanup

    Gents – after Dogpile this Saturday (4/3/21), I’m heading out to the East End with the 2.0s to do some heavy lifting for a good cause. The community service organization that oversees the event offers volunteer slots from 9-10:30 and from 10:30-12. Please join if you can! Here is a description:

    Historic Evergreen Cemetery is a historic African-American cemetery, created in 1891 and located in Richmond’s East End. East End Cemetery was established in 1897 next to Evergreen Cemetery. These cemeteries are the resting place for many of Richmond’s African-American leaders of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Maggie L. Walker, Hezekiah F. Jonathan, John Mitchell, Jr., Rosa D. Bower, and Rev. J. Andrew Bowler. There are an estimated 23,000 plots in Evergreen and East End, most of which have become overgrown after over 40 years of neglect. Clean-up activities have been conducted at Evergreen and East End Cemetery for several years. We are walking in the footsteps of some amazing volunteers – including family members who gave their time to hold the line for years. Thank you!

    signup link is here: https://www.handsonrva.org/opportunity/a0C1J00000JENbZUAX

    Make it a great one!

    Doublemint

  • Dad Wisdom

    YHC offered to take this post today. YHC has attended other 3rd F events but was not the Q until tonight and similar to the first Q on the first F was nervous, restless that will the right things get covered? Is there a definitive process? Well we had a great discussion this evening and all I can say is it was humbling to see what other brothers are doing and possibly going through these days. Probably the easiest topic was talking about being a dad and we picked up from there.

    YHC is reading a book by Neil Peart titled Ghost Rider – Travels on the healing Rode which he chronicles his riding a motorcycle across Canada, across the US, Mexico to Belize. Driving 55,000 miles working out the meaning of life after just recently losing his wife and only daughter the year before in 1997/1998. In one short year he is alone, no longer a dad or husband. I have just started this book and already feel his pain and emotion. Powerful and YHC appreciates the fortunes in his life as I have had multiple friends lose their children, tragically, sudden and unexpected. And have witnessed the change to their family and friends forever.

    We wrapped up and YHC took us out in prayer this evening.

    It was an honor to lead this group this evening and I look forward to seeing you in the gloom. Prayers….CB.

  • Lots of oversharing, the good kind

    7 faithful joined to discuss the difficult topic of Forgiveness. We went over Matthew 18, Romans 3:21-24. Christ tells us all are worthy of grace & forgiveness and practicing forgiveness with others allows us to accept his grace. Lots of good discussion and some good examples of the difficulty of this topic in their own life. Couple of PAX tearing up, including YHC, means we all have work to do.

    Plus Boberry’s new 2.0 made an appearance!

  • Who do you trust?

    Four gathered for some 3rd F discussion on trust.

    Who do you trust? We began by recounting the story in Genesis 22 of Abraham and Isaac. YHC asked how old everyone thought Isaac was when Abraham was about to sacrifice him. DTH said 7, Gypsy said 37, and YHC was thinking more like 18. In any case, Isaac was old enough to know what was going on and yet he fully trusted his father. Jesus does the same in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26.

    Is anyone having trouble fully trusting God and what exactly does it mean to trust God? YHC’s interpretation is that no matter what happens in your life (not matter how good or how bad things are), you continue to turn to God in prayer…you just keep praying.

    Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

    Psalm 46:11 – Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on earth.

    Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

    Joshua 1:9 – I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.

    Mark 5:36 – Do not be afraid; just have faith.

  • IN WHAT IS OUR SATISFACTION?

    DTH’S RECENT REVELATIONS

    Having Covid sucks

    I value energy, strength, motivation

    Have felt stir crazy, frustrated, sick and tired

    I value my work, and exercising all 3 F’s with my F3 brothers

    My Dry January – no booze, no screens, no sweets

    Have been seeking God for a fresh indwelling of the Holy Spirit

    How can I “Fan into flame”…???

    2 Tim 1:6-7

    For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

    BUT, I HAVE FOUND…

    Devotions & prayer feel lackluster / monotonous 

    Fasting feels empty of return, especially with having Covid illness

    Find my flesh tugging for indulgence

    Connections with friends and family feels distant and superficial, lacking challenge/excitement

    I am bessed beyond belief. Have I become lukewarm and complacent? Do I need all these riches and blessings? 

    Revelation 3:16

    So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

    Fulfillment felt more abundant in the PNG mission field…

    SO…how do I “fan into flame the gift of God” and incite greater purpose and fulfillment every moment?  With respect to being moved and led by the Holy Spirit, do we have to “feel it”?

    Phil 3:13-14

    Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

    Proverbs 3:5-7

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

        and lean not on your own understanding;

    in all your ways submit to him, 

        and he will make your paths straight. 

    Do not be wise in your own eyes; 

        fear the Lord and shun evil.

    What Spiritual disciplines ought we observe daily, regardless of the outcome, to best gird up for battle? …PRAYER, WORD, BODY

    James 1:22-25

    Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

    1 Peter 4:7-11

    The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

    James 5:13-16

    Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

    Is there something clouding our ability to fully turn to God & tap into the Holy Spirit? Is there some unrepented sin or shame or unforgiveness that is impeding the full reward of walking with God? 

    Gal 5:7-9

    You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 

    1 John 2:9-11

    Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

    Romans 12:1-2

    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

    Gal 5:1

    It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

    Where do you get your satisfaction from? …from the work you’re doing, or validation from others, or endorphins from tough workout, or worldly distractions? Similar to marriage counseling – don’t let your identity and fulfillment exist only in your spouse. Our foundation of reliance on Jesus and satisfaction in His love SHOULD be the primary source for our fulfillment. 

    Matthew 6:31-33

    Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

    Psalm 51:10-12

    Create in me a clean heart, O God,

        and renew a right spirit within me.

    Cast me not away from your presence,

        and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

    Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

        and uphold me with a willing spirit.

    Missing the usual F2 in a pandemic, how might we better pour those energies and investments of love and connection into those within our home and workplace? Develop a better friendship with spouse or kids. Take responsibility to go deeper in leading them closer to God?

    Hebrews 10:23-25

    Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

  • You are the light in the darkness

    Prayers for those facing Covid and other darkness in their life.

    We explored the power of light in the darkness, how God created the light and gave us the Word. He also gave us the power to choose the right path AND also the power to bring our light to others. How can you be a light in the darkness for others?

    Genesis 1:1-5 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ​2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. ​3Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. ​4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ​5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

    John 1:1-8 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ​He was in the beginning with God. ​All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ​The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. ​There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ​He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. ​He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

    Matthew 5:14-16 14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ​16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

    Thanks for letting me lead.

    Gitty Up!

  • Sabbath for 3rd F

    Six script studies tackled our bi-weekly 3rd F Zoom call with only minor tech issues. Topic was the concept of Sabbath, in both the old & new testament. Lot of focus on 2020, with all the isolation and chaos being similar to a Sabbath year to refocus and renew with yourself and family.

    NMS: Gypsy worked in a good Old Testament stoning verse, so par for the course. Good group and good discussion as always. Apologies for the Q’s spotty reception.

    Next 3rd F is 12/22. Who will bring home the meaning of Christmas for this Q?

  • Who Are You?

    A four PAX reunited over Zoom for some 3rd F. Thankfully, none had used the notes that YHC posted for last time, because that was the basis for our discussion.

    The Headline Analyzer says that “Big Gulp and Hot Fries” is a better headline than “Who Are You?”, but what does it know? Probably some algorithmic bias in the AI…

    The 3rd F continues Tuesday, December 8th at 8pm. SYITG!

  • Lasagna Party

    Lasagna Party

    YHC had some free time on his 49th birthday before a dinner reservation, so what better way to spend it than by Breaking Bread and sharing some celebratory cheer with the Medical Respite residents. Here’s how it went:

    Warmarama: 20 minute run to Kroger for Lemonade/Iced Tea 2 Liters x 2, cupcakes x 12, caesar salad kit + tupperware bowl x 2, and lasagna fixings.

    The Thang: preheat oven to 350. Brown 1.5 lbs ground beef and 1 lb hot italian sausage and 2 minced garlic cloves, drain and add crushed tomatoes x 28 oz and tomato paste x 12 oz, 2 TBS basil, 2 TBS dried parsley 1 tsp salt and simmer 20 min. In medium bowl, combine 2 beaten eggs, 3 cu. cottage cheese, 1/2 cu. parmesan cheese, 2 TBS dried parsley, 1 tsp salt. In 9 x 13 pan, assemble:

    1. layer oven ready lasagna noodles
    2. layer cottage cheese mixture
    3. 8 oz. sliced mozzarella
    4. half of meat/tomato mixture

    repeato and top with grated parmesan. Bake 20-30 minutes until top bubbles.

    Mosey to 180 Belt Blvd and start unloading grub. MedRespPAX having smoke break in parking lot offers to help carry bags, learns that it is dinner and expresses deep gratitude. Site Q Barbara receives dinner and $15 Starbucks gift card and expresses appreciation for efforts of Upchuck & F3RVA.

    NMMS: YHC echoes everything Upchuck has said and written about how much the Medical Respite folks appreciate any time and effort that we put in to share our blessings with them. Just as a brutal 1stF beatdown will bring you closer to the PAX who sweat through it with you, humble 3rdF engagement with people who need a helping hand will bring you closer to those whom you serve and to the best version of yourself. For the scholarly minded, in a recently published article in the Journal of Positive Psychology (“Prosocial behavior increases perceptions of meaning in life”) Nadav Klein wrote:

    The present results appear to coincide with well-known
    aphorisms suggesting that to find meaning in life, one
    must be motivated by something ‘greater’ than oneself.
    In philosophy, Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying
    that ‘the purpose of life is not to be happy’, but rather ‘it is
    to be useful’ to others (Brown, 2000). In literature, Charles
    Dickens (1864) echoes a similar sentiment through the
    main character in the novel Our Mutual Friend: ‘no one
    is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for
    anyone else’. In religion, the Bible suggests an association
    between prosociality and meaning in life (e.g. Galatians,
    5:13–14) and Buddhism promotes benevolence (mettā),
    sympathy (muditā), and compassion (karuṇā) as essential
    qualities necessary for enlightenment. The conventional
    wisdom that meaning is generated by being useful to
    other people appears to have solid empirical foundations.

    http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2016.1209541

    TLDR: To live third is to live well. SYITG!

    Doublemint

  • Breaking Bread: We Need You – Now TWO Nights Per Month

    Breaking Bread: We Need You – Now TWO Nights Per Month

    We talk about being HIMs. High. Impact. Men. This message is about asking for your help to make a real-life Impact – both in time and effort – on behalf of a group of people who F3RVA has sponsored for the last 4+ years.

    For those not familiar, F3RVA helps by feeding residents in the Medical Respite facility at the Southside Health Center. This is on the Q sign-up sheet as, “Breaking Bread.” 

    The PAX (sometimes multiple PAX and/or with their family/kids) sign up to bring dinner to 10-15 people recovering from injuries or illnesses at the Medical Respite Clinic on Belt Blvd. This is a place for those who have no other place to recover.

    Most of us will never need Medical Respite. For that matter, most of us will never have a reason to drive on Belt Blvd. Due to COVID, other groups have stopped providing meals. That is F3RVA’s reason to step-up. We are going to take TWO nights per month instead of one (fourth Saturday and fourth Sunday). That means your F3RVA brothers are asking you to step-up. Some PAX have already volunteered to take on the extra load (t-claps; you know who you are). YHC asks that you do the same. Look for the sign-up slots on the Q Sheet. Look for reminders from YHC, who thanks you in advance. And, for those of you who have a Q during the week, please make an Announcement that we need PAX to commit themselves to making an Impact. Sign up.

    For those who believe that making a group dinner sounds hard, it is not. 

    1. You choose the menu. 
    2. You make dinner for 10-15 humans. 
    3. You deliver it at 5:30 p.m. (even the time is perfect for F3). Note: due to COVID, we simply deliver the food – we are not allowed inside the building to serve. 
    4. The residents will open the door to take the food.
    5. The residents will thank you profusely. 
    6. You are done. 

    Boom. It’s far easier than a Spit Q, the IPC, a CSAUP, or any exercise that references murdering (or murderous) varmints. 

    These people need F3RVA’s help (meaning YOUR help). As YHC has said many times, if you want to impress your M with a monologue about an F3 event, your best option is to make and deliver dinner for Breaking Bread. Tell her about that. Unlike an incessant description of the length of Twin Team hill, how to count the number of reps times steps in the Amphitheater, or anything involving a “coupon,” this activity will impress her. Involving your kids will impress her more.

    Sign up on the Q sheet. Reach out to me with questions. Make an Impact.