Self Improvement – Page 6 – Muscular Christianity

James Madison – Changing Your Mind Wisely

Prior the war of 1812, President James Madison had instituted some policies that weren’t especially popular, but nevertheless appropriate.

Britain had yet to respect the new nation as anything other than a collection of former colonies that needed to be disciplined. Napoleon’s war machine required Britain to respond with a Royal Navy that was nothing less than combat ready. So, in order to keep her ships adequately staffed, England often boarded American vessels and forced US sailors to serve in the British Navy.

The practice of impressment was more than exasperating and Madison’s administration instituted embargoes against England in order to try and discourage her from doing so. While the effect of the embargoes was questionable in terms of Britain’s disposition, it was both obvious and dramatic in the minds of those in New England.

Those in the northern part of the new nation depended upon a healthy amount of trade between themselves and England. Madison’s embargoes, however needful in order to respond to Britain’s actions without going to war, were nevertheless condemned as evidence of shortsightedness and bad leadership on the part of the Oval Office.

Madison had to maintain a firm resolve in order to perpetuate the economic pain he hoped to inflict upon England. But the scene in Europe would change. Whereas the embargoes were a logical strategy given England’s inability to trade with very few nations in light of Napoleon’s rule over much of the continent, once Napoleon was defeated, England now had access to any one of a number of opportunities. Read more

A Tapestry of Tiny Streets

If you’ve never had the privilege of delivering newspapers at 3:30 in the am, let me describe to you the joy and the fulfillment that one is treated to as part of this experience.

Upright at 2:30 AM

First of all, you need to be upright by 2:30 am, 2:45 at the latest. You’ve got to get down to the distribution building where you’ll receive your newspapers as well as your fliers. Those fliers will need to be inserted into each of your newspapers and then you’ll have to load those up into your vehicle. You don’t want to be dragging your feet, either because technically you’re supposed to have all of those papers delivered by 5:30.

Depending on the size of your route, you could have as many as a couple hundred papers that have to find their way to their subscriber. Most deliveries are pretty intuitive, but there’s always some random locations that are hard to find – especially the first time you’re on your route. Read more

I Can’t Find My Keys

Keys.

They can be the most exasperating little “jingle” in your pocket. They’re always there when you’re not looking for them, but woe to the person who’s in a hurry and can’t find them.

A Bad Day

Recently, I was having a bad day. Nothing especially dramatic, just a lot of little irritants subconsciously building up in a way that I wasn’t even aware of.

I was headed out of the house, on my way to go get something done and I couldn’t find my keys.

At first, I’m just absentmindedly walking around the house, thinking about the myriad of items on my “to do” list that hadn’t gotten done, while simultaneously looking for my keys. After a few minutes, I’m still coming up with nothing and now The Keys are center stage in my thinking.

Of course by now, it’s not just “the keys.” The Keys now represent everything that hasn’t gone right and everything that I’m now confident is teetering on the precipice of epic failure. I’m angry, I’m not a nice person to talk to, I’m obviously preoccupied with things that have nothing to do with my keys. But still…

I. Can’t. Find. My. Keys! Read more

Financial Planning When You’re Not, You Don’t, You Can’t and You Won’t

A Healthy Desire

On one hand, you’ve got greed and a “love of money.” (1 Tim 6:10) On the other hand, you have a healthy desire to succeed (Josh 1:8) and prosper (1 Chron 4:10).

What distinguishes those two extremes is not always readily apparent. However noble a particular venture or desire may be, apart from being intentional about your relationship with Christ, “compromise” poses as “reasonable” and you’re on your way to something unhealthy (1 Pet 5:8).

But assuming you’re on top of your spiritual game, you’re quest for more in the way of material resources is not so much about satisfying a selfish agenda as much as it’s a desire to bless others. Perhaps you want to alleviate someone else’s angst over a financial burden, maybe you just want to surprise someone with an unexpected blessing. Whatever the reason, it’s an honorable one, but regardless of how hard you work, how hard you pray, your hand keeps getting slapped by different forms of discouragement. Whatever “financial planning” you would like to do, you can’t, because you’re not, you won’t, and you don’t.

You’re Not, You Don’t, You Can’t and You Won’t

You’re not, you don’t, you can’t and you won’t…

It’s not a negative disposition, it’s not a lack of confidence. It’s a fact.

I’m not qualified
I don’t have the platform I need
I can’t make someone give me more money
I won’t ever get beyond my current situation

And being a person of faith, you’re more than willing to believe that God can completely transform your situation. But that can make it even more exasperating in that He’s not responding and your situation, rather than being remedied, continues to drag on and on.

Brace Yourself Like a Man

It’s interesting that when God finally responded to Job’s plea for some kind of explanation as far as why he was being allowed to suffer the way he was, God didn’t start by apologizing nor did He let Job in on the conversation with Satan that had set the stage for the disasters that Job would have to contend with. Instead, God’s first comment to Job was:

“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” (Job 38:2-4)

In the verses that follow God’s introductory statement in Job 38:2-4, He enumerates various examples of His Absolute Authority in the context of creation. His Attributes are so obvious and so overwhelming that Job, who is still in the throws of physical pain and emotional despair, does a complete one eighty. However “deserving” he felt a moment ago, as far as some kind of rational explanation for everything he’s had to endure, he enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to simply revere his King.

He goes as far as to say “I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:6) He says that because he’s awestruck by the Grandeur or God. The instant God appears, His Perfection effortlessly overwhelms whatever indictments Job had prepared and the only thing that registers as present and worthy of consideration is God Himself.

A Position of Strength

It’s imperative to realize that Job’s response is not fearful, nor is he begrudgingly admitting a subordinate position relative to God’s Omnipotence.

Confronted with a clear view of God’s Reality, He figuratively runs to God’s Throne and drinks in every drop of Substance and Glory that emanates from it. And while it may not change Job’s situation, it completely changes Job. Rather then feeling like a hopeless victim of unfortunate circumstances, he’s now on his feet and facing his situation from a position of strength.

By reminding Job of Who it is that commands every nuance of creation, Job is able to perceive the true nature of his status. It is neither random nor is it intimidating when viewed from the perspective that recognizes God’s unchanging commitment to his welfare and the subsequent sense of Purpose that now characterizes every aspect of his dilemma.

Psalm 16

David’s being pursued Saul who’s determined to kill him. Things were looking especially bleak in that Saul was closing in and David’s options were nonexistent. That is the setting for Psalm 16. At one point, he says:

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:6)

Strange verbiage, considering it’s coming from someone being hunted and on the threshold of complete destruction.

David would be delivered and he would go on to great things. But the point here is that David penned this Psalm at a point where he could say with confidence: “I’m not, I don’t, I can’t and I won’t.” But David was also aware of the fact that his plight was not based solely on what he could see or what he could control. He knew that, not only God CAN deliver, but He IS in the process of doing that presently.

That’s the Truth that needs to be recognized. God hears and God answers. There’s no disconnect and there’s no delay. His response is exactly what it needs to be in order for His Purposes to be accomplished. And while His Purposes don’t always include the immediate relief you’re hoping for, the fact of the matter is, you’re being heard and your situation is being addressed. You can, you are, you will and you do.

You can, you are, you will and you do.

Job’s pain did not go away in Job 38 and David was still several chapters removed from becoming king of Israel as God had promised. But in both instances, they experienced the same strength that you and I have access to right now. The perspective that gives meaning and purpose to the pain, the mindset that’s founded on God’s Awareness and Power and the disposition that’s authentically optimistic because of Who it is that’s Ultimately in charge.

It’s the basis for the contentment that Paul refers to in Philippians 4:13 and it’s the Truth that gives us what we need to not only endure, but to excel and to grow into the enhanced character that God has designed us to become.

You’re not, you don’t, you can’t and you won’t…?

No.

You are, you can, you will and you do.

A Position of Strength

Overcoming Adversity

There was a time I worked for a guy who, although he was good to me, was the kind of character where if you were interested in securing a favorable deal for yourself, you needed to be able to approach him from a position of strength.

At least, that’s what I called it: A “position of strength.”
By that, I mean that you had to be able to substantiate your terms with something that compelled him to agree to what you’re saying. For example, I want to see my hourly wage increase. If I was going to emerge from his office as a successful negotiator, I needed to be able say something like, “I’ve got another job offer,” or something comparable. Short of that, he had you in a place where you obligated to accept his deal, which wasn’t always inspiring.

The bottom line, though, is that you could get what you were hoping for as long as you had that trump card – as long as you were approaching him from a position of strength.

Wouldn’t That Be Sweet?

Negotiating life is similar. Of course, in life you’re not interacting with an individual per se, but if you could, for a moment, envision your need to overcome some kind of adversity as something you could manipulate via an exchange between yourself and this figure who can hypothetically alter your circumstances, you can see how approaching this meeting from a “position of strength” would constitute a huge tactical advantage. So, just as they’re getting ready to refuse your terms, you could lay that “something” on the table and suddenly your platform is dominant and you emerge with an ideal scenario.

Wouldn’t that be sweet? Read more

I Despise My Own Life – How to Handle Depression

Sadness, Regret and Reflection

With Robin Williams’ recent death comes a wave of emotions: Sadness, regret and also reflection.

Robin didn’t die due to an accident. He intentionally took his own life.

In order to justify suicide, you have to reach a point where you’re willing to elevate your assessment of yourself above all others, including God’s.

To call it “selfishness” isn’t really accurate because it implies an immature preoccupation with yourself and that’s not the situation here. Rather, it’s a dark resolve to ignore every perspective on your self and your world apart from your own.

According to your Heavenly Father, you have value, you have hope and you have a future. As long as God continues to allow your heart to beat, you have a difference to make and therefore a reason to get up and get moving. Read more

What is “Muscular Christianity?”

A Brief History

From a historical perspective, the term, “Muscular Christianity” first came into the public spotlight when it was used as part of a book review written by T.C. Sandars of a novel entitled, “Two Years Ago” by Charles Kingsley in 1857. Sandars had seen in the book’s main character a combination of physical athleticism and Christian virtue and he called, “Muscular Christianity.”

But it was Kingsley’s contemporary, Thomas Hughes in his book, “Tom Brown at Oxford” where the characteristics of the “muscular Christian” were fleshed out and described in a way that resembled a 19th century Christian knight or a “true” gentleman:

…the least of the muscular Christians has hold of the old chivalrous and Christian belief, that a man’s body is given him to be trained and brought into subjection, and then used for the protection of the weak, the advancement of all righteous causes, and the subduing of the earth which God has given to the children of men. He does not hold that mere strength or activity are in themselves worthy of any respect or worship, or that one man is a bit better than another because he can knock him down, or carry a bigger sack of potatoes than he. For mere power, whether of body or intellect, he has (I hope and believe) no reverence whatever (The Victorian Web).

While it was never an organization per se, it was nevertheless a mindset that was encouraged by English clergy who saw sports as way to improves one’s physical capacity to serve in the context of personal and public ministry. In addition, it proved an effective way to get men interested in church and their spiritual disciplines when in 1899 women constituted 75% of church membership and 90% of church attendance.¹

Men’s Ministry…it can be a tough thing to get moving because reading one’s Bible and spending time in prayer is often perceived as a last resort reserved for those who can’t get it done.

There’s a difference between being transparent and being defeated. While conversing with one’s King should never be perceived as a sign of weakness, it can be given the way it’s portrayed in our culture and even the way it’s sometimes voiced by well meaning believers.

Even some of our Praise and Worship focuses more on the weakness of the one that’s worshipping rather than the True Muscle of the One being worshipped. It is a very healthy and necessary thing to confess one’s inability, but not at the expense of celebrating God’s Perfect Ability to do all things.

To get a man interested in reading the Word of God, it has to be seen as more than just a Divine Emergency Kit. Rather, it has to be engaged as part of a Holy Ghost Strategy to be better than your best and being able to, not just get things done, but being able to get things done in a way that translates to an outcome that’s better than you could have planned on your own.

In addition, good health, while it was more of a given during the years prior to the Civil War, where a lot of the work that was being done was agricultural, now was in a state of peril due to the way in which the Industrial Revolution had transformed the country’s economy and sedentary desk jobs became commonplace (1870-1914).²

Over time, the formation of church sport leagues and the building of gymnasiums would crescendo to the point where the formation of a formal association became a logical next step and this is how the YMCA got its start.

While the Y was formed in 1844 in London, it didn’t have it’s own sports facilities until the establishment of the New York City YMCA in in 1869. At the time Theodore Roosevelt was only eleven years old, but he was raised in a household that subscribed to the “Muscular Christianity” perspective and would go on to become one of its more vocal supporters.

You don’t hear the the term, “Muscular Christianity” as much today, although organizations such as the “Fellowship of Christian Athletes” do well in keeping alive the idea that athletics is an appropriate way to reinforce biblically based morals and character. From that perspective, “Muscular Christianity” is still very much a part of the contemporary Christian landscape.

What’s Different Here

“Muscular Christianity,” in the context that it’s used here, is different in that while fitness is still processed as an extension of discipleship, it’s taken a step further and used to describe an intentional effort to apply God’s Word to every nuance of the human experience. Fitness, Politics, Church Life, Relationships, Culture – everything!

Moreover, one’s spiritual disciplines are pursued not just as way to endure the trials of life, but also as a way to excel (Col 3:17, 23)!

The “Prosperity Gospel” movement positions Jesus as a Holy Appliance that one uses to secure financial and material blessings. Instead of using Christ to get what you want, “Muscular Christianity” is all about obeying Christ to order to do and become more than you could ever accomplish on your own and receive all that He would give (Josh 1:8; Dt 8:18; Ps 1:1-3; Rom 12:1-2; Phil 2:13).

You’ve been put on this planet to make a difference and not just an appearance (Eph 2:10). That doesn’t happen in the absence of challenges (Jn 16:33). In order to put some points on the board, you can’t afford to be merely smart, you need to be wise (Lk 12:13-21; Jas 1:5). Nor do you want to spend more time and energy rehearsing what you can’t do than on what God can do in and through you (Is 41:10; Eph 1:19-20; Phil 4:13, 19).

The goal of “Muscular Christianity” is to present Discipleship as an invitation and not just an obligation. By keeping your hand in His, He doesn’t just walk you through the fire, He leads you to the prize of time well spent, a victory well won and a life well lived (Matt 25:21). And all of this is accomplished by reeking of excellence in everything you do, think and say (Ps 19:14). That way, you’re not only getting things done, you’re doing the right thing at the right time in the right way for all the right reasons (1 Pet 1:16) and all the while inspiring others to ask you what it is that makes you tick (Matt 5:16).

The End Result

The result is a game winning approach to Discipleship. We’re not just launching an effective defense by standing up to temptation, we’re running down the field and putting some points on the board. We can explain not only what we believe, but why we believe it. We make a point of staying on top of our spiritual disciplines because, not only are we supposed to in order to avoid the baggage that goes along with sin, but so we can deploy God’s Purpose, Peace and Power in a way that translates to you and I reeking of excellence in everything we say, think and do!

In short, we’re spiritually ripped, physically fit and fully equipped.

Welcome to Muscular Christianity!

Bruce Gust

In addition to a number of articles on this website that cover a lot of ground, you’ve also got some specific strategies represented by a collection of resources:

Fitness: Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan – pursuing a toned physique using the Bible as our mental starting point and then unpacking the subject of nutrition, working out everyday using a USMC approach and combining that with a daily conversation between your and your King. You can do it on your own or with a group. You’ll find a number of ideas by clicking on the “Fitness” tab on this website.

Bible Study: If you’re going to apply God’s Word to everything that’s going on in your life, you need to know how the Bible is laid out and what it says so you know where to go when it’s time to get some Answers. The “90 Day Bible Study Guide” breaks down every book in the Bible and gives you some highlights so you can see how everything “fits” and works together. It’s a great introduction to Scripture and is a great primer for more in depth Bible study.

Professional Development: “The Greatest Salesman in the World” is a book by Og Mandino that at one point was considered THE book that every business professional needed to read. It uses a clever story to introduce 10 Laws that, when properly applied, help you to succeed in the marketplace. “The Greatest Bible Study in the World” takes those laws and shows how they can be traced back to Scripture and from that standpoint, you’ve got more than just a book that shows you how to succeed in business, you’ve got a biblically based template on how to succeed in life.

Politics, History, Culture and Climate Change: “Perception Changes” is a book that looks at the things that dominate the headlines and asks the question, “What does this look like if Jesus really did die and come back to life?” Rather than wondering IF Christ’s death and Resurrection occurred, this book looks at the issues believing that He did rise from the grave and how that impacts our convictions and the way in which our “perception changes.”

In addition, you’ve got several articles that pertain to a variety of issues on this site…

Discipleship | Fitness | Self Improvement | Politics | Social Issues

The common thread being a concerted effort being deployed to craft a conclusion based on the whole of God’s Word and not just a few select verses.

1. “Muscular Christianity”, Clifford Putney, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. London, England, 2001, p41

2. Ibid, p23-24

Higher Education

So, Peter and his crew have been fishing all night. They know what they’re doing. They do this for a living. But despite their best efforts, they haven’t caught anything and you can imagine the way their wheels are spinning. They’ve got bills to pay and mouths to feed. This isn’t bragging rights they’re pursuing, this is their livelihood.

They’re wrapping things up. It’s morning and they’re already rehearsing what they’re going to be telling their wives, I’m sure. “Sorry, baby…we didn’t catch anything.”

They’re washing their nets, when here comes Jesus. He’s got His typical crowd following Him and He asks Peter if he would be willing to let Him get into one of his boats and speak from a position just off shore. “Sure,” says Peter. It’s not like they’ve got anything pressing going on now, in light of last night’s epic fail. Read more

3:00 Today

Last nite was nuts! A collection of ridiculous trials had been quickly put together for the sole purpose of making a case so Pilate would be obligated to hear it and, with any luck, they could extract from him the death penalty that they couldn’t legally administer on their own (John 18:31).

He looked rough by the time Pilate took Him aside. He wanted to figure out a way to out- maneuver the irrational types outside – He wanted to set this guy free. Pilate had had Him flogged and this was after the beatings He had already received (John 19:1-3). Surely the sight of a man that ravaged would be enough to pacify these Jews, but they were insistent. Pilate was between a rock and a hard place once it became apparent that this Christ was setting Himself over Caesar (John 19:15-16). So at 6:00 that morning, the verdict the Jewish religious authorities had been hoping for was a reality and by noon Jesus was on the cross (Luke 23:44). Read more

Ankle Deep – Part Two

Welcome to Part Two of “Ankle Deep!” We’re looking at a particular passage in Ezekiel – popping the hood to first get an idea of what’s being said and then bring it back around in order to glean from it a call to action for the “here and now” as opposed to the “there and later.” In short, I want to be moving forward and in over my head in order to ensure that it’s a God sized task being done and a God sized life being lived! No room and no time for staying “ankle deep!”

It’s Almost Science Fiction

You read through these passages and there’s almost a science fiction dynamic to them – their word pictures are that cataclysmic and that beyond the realm of the normal and the every day.

If the theme of God’s Redemptive Power, Final Judgment and a new and altogether amazing world order was limited to a few obscure passages, it would be easy to dismiss it as figurative language that required no real contemplation.

But Zechariah and Ezekiel are but a few of Divinely inspired individuals who detail, both symbolically and literally, what we can expect to see at some point when God establishes a new Heaven and a new Earth. It’s not a question of “if” it’s going to happen. Rather, it’s a matter of “when.”

Some want to react to the Reality of God’s coming by jumping headfirst into some kind of nuclear winter survival mode. Practical priorities are cast aside and a gaping disconnect is allowed to appear between what is a current reality and what is a forthcoming dynamic.

The fact that God is coming back and these visions of life giving rivers will come to fruition is not our cue to quit living, but rather to be that much more diligent in terms of producing and stewardship. Look at Ephesians 5:15-16: Read more