Cross Training

Cross Training

If you are like most people, it probably makes sense that some kind of exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.   But like most people, you probably have found that fitting it into your schedule is sometimes a challenge.  At times, our reasons are fairly legitimate but more often than not, they are as sour as expired milk.  Just like anything else in life, you have to find a way to pay now or you are going to have to pay later.

Steven Head, health educator with Sports Therapy Services in McLean, Virginia, doesn’t buy the “too busy” theory though.  He says, “We seem to find time for things that are important to us, no matter how busy we are.”  Ain’t it the truth?

Surveys reveal five common excuses for not beginning an exercise program:

1)      Intimidation.  Peg Jordan, spokeswoman for the Aerobics and Fitness Association in Sherman Oaks evaluated the statistics of 1,880 people about fitness motivation and found that more than 80% saw exercise as “too scientific, too complicated…so that beginners risked exposing their incompetence and ineptitude.”

2)      Impatience.  Susan Kalish, executive director of the American Medical Athletic Association in Bethesda, Maryland argues that “People want a quick fix.  Even though it took them 30 years to get out of shape, when they don’t get fit overnight, they blame their genes.”

3)      Unrealistic Expectations.  “People who exercise in search of the perfect body are doomed to failure,” says Kelly Brownell, director at the Yale University Center for Eating and Weight Disorders.  “But if they are looking to become healthier, happier, more energetic…then exercise can deliver.”

4)      Denial.  “Many people are in denial that health problems could happen to them,” says Carol Kleinman, a therapist in Maryland.  “Then when they have a heart attack or physical problem, all of a sudden they have the motivation to reorder their priorities to exercise.”

5)      Irrelevance.  Pam Peeke, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland said that people falsely believe, “With today’s technology, it’s no longer necessary to move to exist.  Exercise doesn’t add to people’s income, and many people consider it another chore to add to a time-starved life.”

Peeke adds that physical movement is essential to health, especially in handling stress as her book, Fight Fat at Forty, contends that sedentary living turns our natural “fight or flight” response into an obesity-promoting “stew and chew.”

May I suggest that there is another kind of exercise that we know is important to a healthy spiritual life, and like others, we at times neglect to fit it into our schedules.  We even tend to use all the time-worn excuses from intimidation to irrelevance.  Of course I’m referring to studying God’s Word.  Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Gives a whole new meaning to the idea of “working out” your salvation, doesn’t it?  

Terry Risser

Copyright  2015 - Terry Risser

The Great Escape

The Great Escape

Born in 1874 in Budapest, Hungary, Eric Weiss had little idea of the notoriety that he would one day gain as a world renowned performer.  After settling in Appleton, Wisconsin, his father Samuel would struggle to support his family as a Rabbi for the German Zion Jewish Congregation.  So at the age of 12, young Eric would leave home to make his way in the world and support his family.  His move to New York would change his life and introduce him to the world of big-time magic.

Originally, he touted himself as “Eric the Great” in his attempt to draw recognition through  his slight-of-hand card tricks at amusement parks, dime museums and Chicago’s World’s Fair in 1893 and would eventually become a “challenge escape artist.”  But as he picked up a book written by inter-

nationally known magician Robert Houdini, the ambitious young man decided to change his name to “Houdini,” hoping to somehow emulate his mentor.  Soon, a legend was in the making.

  

Before long, Houdini’s name would become synonymous with the ability to escape from any

restraint or difficult situation.  Young Harry began offering rewards to anyone who could successfully restrain him, first in handcuffs and straightjackets, then to coffins and the famous Water Torture Cell.   For the underwater escapes, he practiced holding his breath in the bathtub for more than four minutes.  Boldly, he would claim he could escape from any device…anytime, anywhere.  And sure enough, he did.

As imitators tried to take advantage of his success, Houdini originated new and more difficult escapes.  From those early years until 1926, his incredible ability captivated the entertainment world.  On October 22^nd of that year, he was in Montreal performing at the Princess Theatre when a young athlete from a local university asked if Houdini could actually withstand punches to his stomach.  Before he was able to tighten up, the man punched Houdini and unknowingly ruptured his appendix.   The next few days brought on a condition of internal gangrene known as peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal cavity.  On October 31^st, he died making the claim that each anniversary of his death, his followers could expect him to perform his greatest escape and return.  And each Halloween, many

trek to his gravesite and find things are still the same.

Many years have come and gone since Houdini’s passing and nothing has changed.  He finally met his greatest challenge and lost.  While he could escape everything else, the grave was an escape that only One other has performed and lived up to His billing. 

A couple thousand years ago, Jesus laid a bold claim far greater than Houdini’s.  In John 2:19-22, we read, “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’  The Jews replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’  But the temple he had spoken of was His body.  After He was raised from the dead, His disciples recalled what He had said.  Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.” 

And since the day Christ arose, countless have made the trek to the empty grave of “The Greatest Of Them All.”   Truly you could say, there was nothing up His sleeves…except maybe a couple of nail-scarred hands.   

Terry Risser

Copyright  2015 - Terry Risser

Victory Celebration Prayers

Victory Celebration Prayers

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16

During a football game, a touchdown or score will often elicit a celebration or even a taking of knee for prayer.   Looking at these different definitions of football, we find that they remind us of a very real battle that we are in that we will find victory.  Paul writes in Romans 7, “But thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  On this final day of our football prayer definitions, as Monday Night Football marks the conclusion of a weekend of games,  take time to invite God to work in you. 

Scheme:  A play or call devised to deceive or confuse the opponent.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to identify the schemes of the enemy.  He is constantly trying to trick me, trap me, and taunt me through enticing me into things He says are fine, and then cornering me when I have fallen with accusations of failure.   I resist the devil and he will flee from me as the Lord will be my shield and protector in any challenges he brings my way.

Signals: The code that a team uses to call their plays.

Prayer:  Lord, you are constantly wanting to talk to me through your voice, circumstances, challenges, and so much more. I ask that You would enable me to catch the signals You are offering to Me.  Thank you that Your communication did not stop in the Bible days, but You are desirous to direct Me and are looking for people who know the Shepherd’s voice.

Spot:  The exact location on the field that a player's forward progress is stopped, as marked by an official.

Prayer:  Father, cleanse the spots on my heart that create guilt, weight, and separate me from you.  The smallest spot can create the greatest chasm with you.  I ask that you would allow the blood of Jesus to be my victory today as without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin…but with the shedding of blood that you offered on the cross, as far as the east is from the west, so far have my sins been taken away from me.   I receive that today.

Stance:  The position that a player assumes prior to the snap of the ball.

Prayer:  I agree with the Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6, who prayed that when challenges come, I am going to take a stand in the Lord.  You have given me a stable stance that causes me to plant my feet upon the Rock of Jesus Christ.  I ask that you would renew that stability where things have seemed to waver and I have found life creating an imbalance.  I stand in you today.

Sweep:  A play where the ball carrier runs to the outside with other players moving in front to block.

Prayer: Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”  (Message) I speak that for my family, friends, church family, and personal life.  When it feels like the water is rising too high, help me to remember the spiritual buoyancy with which I am able to rise.  I will not be swept under today or tomorrow, but will hold strong to the Rock and the Fortress of Jesus Christ.

Turnover: When one team loses control of the ball and possession is assumed by the opposing team whether through a fumble or interception

Prayer:  I am going to exchange my problems for His grace.  I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. I going to trade my sorrows for the joy of the Lord. I am going to practice the principle of turnovers

Upright: Refers to the two poles on the goal post which are used to measure whether a field goal attempt is successful or unsuccessful.

Prayer: My prayer is that God would give me His character and His integrity to be like Him.  I make Psalm 64:10 my request which says, “Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise Him! “  God, may it be said by You and by others; there is an upright man who follows the Lord.

Veer:  An offensive team formation which designates a type of running play

Prayer:  Father, I realize the heart is deceitful above all things and can lead me down a path of pain.  When I am tempted to “veer’ tomorrow in some place in my life, I pray that you would enable me to see it ahead of time and be resolute in my decisions to follow You rather than follow the enemy, the world, or even my own flesh.

Victory Celebration: Various types of emotional displays over a team’s win.

Prayer: Today, I celebrate your victory on the cross and all that it has brought to us.  1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Name a victory you found in the past through salvation, healing, answered prayer, or God’s love to you.)

Though the schemes of the enemy will come, we can celebrate the victory Christ brought once and for all, the victory that He brings each day.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)   Name one of the greatest schemes the enemy uses to tempt you?

2)   Call upon Christ today and ask His Holy Spirit to give you power to   

      overcome.

Terry Risser

Copyright 2015- Terry Risser

Receivers of Grace

Receivers of Grace

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.” Psalm 143:1

Sunday is the highlight of the football week.   As teams compete for standings, God has called us to stand.   Ask His help today in your life and find His strength filling you whether you are facing minor obstacles or major battles.  Time and again in the Word, we find God offering freedom from the “penalty” of sin as grace is offered to all who desire to receive it.  Pray these prayers:

Pass:  Throwing the ball so that it ends up further downfield than it started. Prayer:  The un-offended life is a fulfilling life.  Lord, help me to learn to let things go.  We live in a world that is obsessed with respect.   Even in those times where people don’t give me what I want, I will resist the temptation to react and will pass those offenses onto You. 

Penalty: Punishment for an infraction of the rules.

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for paying the penalty for my sins.  It was me who was supposed to go to the cross yet you took my place. Hebrews 9 says that Christ died to set us free from the penalty of death that was ours.  Forgive me for forgetting all that You have done and bring a new sense of freedom to me in that I no longer have the penalty over me but am free in Christ.

Personal Violation:  Rules violation committed by a player resulting in a penalty.

Prayer: In my past, there have been personal violations that have brought hurt to my life.  The people that have caused that pain have become a source of irritation at the least, and brought hatred at times, at the most.  I ask you, Lord, to begin the healing process in me as I take a step toward releasing them from my vengeance and allowing you to bring justice as only you can do.  Free me as I hand it over to You.

Protection: The blocking scheme used by offensive players to keep the defense from getting to the quarterback on passing plays.

Prayer:  I pray your protection on my home, family, friends, and my personal life.  Put a hedge of protection around me, cover me with your canopy, and undergird me as a Rock is a fortress in times of trouble.  I declare that you are the God who protects His children and is faithful in every situation. 

Receiver: The receiver who, on a particular play, is designed to be the first option for the quarterback to throw the ball to.

Prayer:  I thank you for the words of John 1:16 which say, “For of His fullness we have allreceived, and grace upon grace.” (NASB) I open my heart “wide” to be a “receiver” of your grace today as I respond to your forgiveness and love and keep my heart open as I give your forgiveness and love to others. 

Recover:  Taking control of a ball that has been fumbled.

Prayer:  Lord, I would ask that you would recover everything that has been lost in my life in the past.  Where there has been financial loss, I pray in the words of Zechariah 9, that you would restore twofold.  Where there has been relational loss, I pray that you would restore twofold.  Where there has been pain or sickness, you would restore twofold.  I thank you that you are a God who recovers my life from the things of the past.

Rush: An attempt by the defensive players to get to the quarterback so they can tackle him before he can complete a pass.

Prayer:  In the stress and rush of life these days, I give myself over to you to keep the pace that you have called me to go.  I’m deciding, with your favor, to not go too fast and not go too slow.  As you said, Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30 “I can come to you when I’m weary or rushed and you will give me rest.”

Safety:  A defensive player who lines up the deepest in the secondary and defends the deep middle of the field against the pass. 1. A two-point score by the defense that occurs when one of its players tackles an opponent in possession of the ball in his own end zone. 2. A defensive player who lines up in the secondary between, but generally deeper than the cornerbacks.

Prayer:  Ezekiel 34:28 say that they will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. I agree that perfect love casts out fear.  In those areas of my past where fear has set in, I will take hold of the safety that comes in following You.  I refuse to allow my past, circumstances or people to destabilize me but I will rest in the shadow of the Almighty where there is a security and safety as children of the Lord.

As we continue in this football prayer emphasis, let God lead you to grow in prayer and thank Him for all that He has done.  David wrote in Psalm 143:1, ““Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.”  May we find His protection in our lives.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)  Where do you need God’s protection most in your life?

2)  Commit that area to Him today and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Copyright 2015- Terry Risser

God’s Great Game Plan

God’s Great Game Plan

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”  Colossians 4:2

On this Saturday, many college football teams across the nation will prepare for a gridiron battle.  However, greater battles of a spiritual vein are occurring in a less visible arena.  As you read these familiar terms from the football scope, may that prompt us to grow closer to Christ.  Here are a few ways to pray today:

Guard:  A member of the offensive line. There are two guards on every play, and they line up on either side of the offensive center.

Prayer:  I claim the verse in Proverbs, “Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.”  Lord, be the guard and gatekeeper of my heart and increase in me an awareness that I have been called to partner with you in making decisions toward healing and wholeness in every part of my life.  As I realize my weakness, your strength comes in. Thank you Holy Spirit that you are with me.

Hand Check:  Legal defensive back or player technique used to obstruct or adjust a player’s motion.

Prayer: Psalm 24:3, 4 (NIV) says, “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?  Who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.”  Father, do a hand check on me today.  Make sure that any soiling or bloodying is purified by the powerful blood of Jesus.

Home Field Advantage: The benefit a team gets by playing games in its own stadium.

Prayer: Father, help me to be a tempo setter in my household.  If there are times it becomes a place of opposition, I pray that you would help me bring change.  I want to be a “thermostat” that sets the temperature rather than a “thermometer” that simply reads the temperature. Make my home a place where you dwell and you give us an advantage.  Joshua 24 says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Huddle:  When the 11 players on the field from one team form a group to discuss the upcoming play.

Prayer:  Hebrews says, “Forsake not the gathering of believers.”  I recommit to the importance of small huddles with friends with whom I can play and pray;  as well as large huddles at church,  where I can be a blessing and be blessed.  Remind me Lord that while I go to church to hear Your Word and worship, I go to make a difference in others people’s lives.   Thank you for keeping that before me.

Intentional Grounding: The quarterback, while he is still in the area between the tackles, purposely throwing the ball out of bounds or into the ground to avoid taking a sack.

Prayer:  This week, my prayer is that I would be able to get on my knees or lie prostrate before You that I would remember that I am submitted to you in every aspect of my life.  When I humble myself in Your sight, you increase and I must decrease.  You are exalted and others are drawn to you.  Help me to hold then posture both literally and figuratively in my heart in all that I do, because only You are worthy of my praise.

Out of Bounds:  The area touching or outside the sidelines and end line.

Prayer:  Lord, forgive me where I forget that you have given me your Words of life to avoid stepping out of bounds.  Give me a new mind to see that your Spirit, Your Scriptures, and Your Salvation have been offered to keep me in the game.  I don’t want to find my life removing me from playing time, but staying in bounds to experience all that you have for me.  Where I have stepped out of bounds with my words, cause me to make amends. Where I have stepped out bounds through my thoughts, bring me back in the game.

Pass:  Throwing the ball so that it ends up further downfield than it started. Prayer:  The un-offended life is a fulfilling life.  Lord, help me to learn to let things go.  We live in a world that is obsessed with respect.   Even those times where people don’t give me what I want, I will resist the temptation to react and will pass those offenses onto You. 

Whether guarding, hand checking, experiencing your home field advantage, huddling, or more, let Christ make us more into His image.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)    Where are you going to huddle to celebrate Christ this weekend?

2)    Ask Him to “guard” your heart today.

Copyright 2015- Terry Risser