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What is “Muscular Christianity?”

220px-Muscular_Christianity_GrugerA 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

The Best Workout Plans – What Makes Them the “Best?”

Christian workout plansThe Best Workout Plans

“Muscular Christianity” is not just a workout plan or a fitness regimen. Yes, it is that. But in order to ensure that your fitness goals are realized and not just pursued, you want to step back and be able able to articulate “why” you want to get in shape. That’s a large part of what’s going to distinguish an effective fitness program from something that you’ll contribute to the next neighborhood garage sale.

Why Do You Want to Get in Shape?

Why do you want to get in shape? Most respond to that by saying things like ” I want to look better, I want to feel better and I want to be able to perform at my best.” That’s all good and healthy, but in order to lose weight and build muscle, we’re going to have to make some sacrifices and that’s where our inspiration is either going to help us or hold us back.

If the primary reason for getting in shape is to gratify ourselves – if we’re looking at fitness as yet another way to make ourselves feel better about who we are, then pause for a moment and consider how the psychological math is going to play out the first time you’re confronted with something inconvenient.

The Psychological Math

The alarm goes off. It’s early. We’re tired and the idea of getting up is loathsome to us, let alone the idea of getting hot and sweaty as we toil through an uncomfortable workout routine.

Now, hold up right here.

If our whole premise for getting in shape can be boiled down to a desire to gratify ourselves, the unspoken thought going through our brain right now is how much easier it would be to make that happen is by remaining in bed!

Now, let’s look at it according to a “Muscular Christianity” approach.

The “Muscular Christianity” Approach

Fitness is more than just being healthy, it’s also being obedient. When we position our pursuit of fitness alongside everything else we’re doing in an attempt to please and obey our King, now the allure of concessions is nowhere near as compelling because we’re targeting something other than just our reflection in the mirror.

Smart, Strategic and Wise

Setting a goal and securing an accountability partner is smart. Writing down what you’re going to eat before the day begins is a good strategy. But establishing a Source of Inspiration for what you do that reduces what would otherwise be deal-breaking concessions to easily dismissed distractions is nothing short of wise.

Regardless of what program you use, you’re doing well to approach your workout plans from a standpoint that incorporates a carefully crafted reason for your efforts that go beyond yourself. Should you choose “Muscular Christianity,” not only will you become physically fit, when you make a habit of blurring the lines that traditionally separated the secular from the sacred, that’s how you get spiritually ripped!

… and that’s a good plan!

Faith Versus Fiction

stained_glassYou’ve heard the statement “It takes more faith to be an atheist…”

I’ve concluded that when you’re conversing with a non-believer, that’s not a strategic contribution to the dialogue. In a way you’re implying that there’s a more noble effort being put forth by eliminating God from the human experience than there is by revering His Presence and Activity.

Faith in God isn’t always logical in that you’re operating according to a perspective that exceeds the boundaries of human intellect. It’s because of the way it sometimes flies in the face of what’s empirical, that critics sneer at anything that strikes them as supernatural and therefore nonsensical. The problem with their platform, however, is that in an effort to explain the created order or to establish a sound philosophical base for morals and a sense of purpose, they’re obligated to adhere to imaginary numbers and concepts that exist in theory more so than practice. It’s not faith they deploy in those moments, rather it’s a resolve to maintain the illusion of control over themselves and their environment. While they insist theirs is a more rational perspective, in the light of Truth, it’s nothing more than an alluring fiction.

On the other hand, faith in Christ is based on a historical reality. The Person Jesus Christ did exist and the circumstances surrounding His birth, life, death and resurrection are documented in Scripture and corroborated by other extra-biblical accounts. It’s neither illogical nor unreasonable to accept and trust Christ as the One He claimed to be. And when you’re subscribing to a Resource that can be trusted, it is no longer illogical to embrace whatever content comes from that Resource, regardless of how it may or may not resonate with the obvious.

In business, you’re inevitably confronted with things you can neither control nor anticipate. The best product, the best marketing strategy, the best business plan can be dismantled in an instant by an unexpected occurrence. Look at what it says in James:

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. (Jas 4:13-16 [see also Prov 27:1])

What this verse is pointing out is that in light of the fact that we can never know what awaits us just around the corner, it’s not smart to brag about anything that has yet to happen. Regardless of how you’ve prepared and schemed, the outcome is totally in the Hands of God. That’s why, following the directions of your Heavenly Father in terms of a business strategy, while it may not look as though you’re operating in a sensible manner, it is very sensible to navigate your vessel from the Perspective of One Who both knows and sees everything whereas you and I are limited to that which is right in front of us (see Luke 5:4-6).

When you’re being truly faithful, you’re being genuinely wise. There’s nothing ludicrous in handing over the day to day operations of your shop to One Who is in a position to guide and direct based on unlimited Strength and a Perspective not restrained by the limitations of a human perspective.

So keep the faith and be assured that you’re being smart in doing so. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your indication like the noonday sun.” (Ps 37:4-6)

 

Higher Education

2.5.13-College-Graduation-Students-600x426So, 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

clockLast 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

The Difference Between Spiritual Maturity and Spiritual Intelligence

Old-NewIt says in Scripture to do your “best” when it comes to understanding and obeying God’s Word:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

But Paul talks about how knowledge can lead to arrogance and that’s not healthy:

We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. (1 Cor 8: 1-3)

That phrase in verse two: “Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.” How do you know something correctly? Read more

The Tyranny of the Urgent

urgentThe Dictionary defines “tyranny” as “cruel and oppressive power.” When you consider the context of the title of this post, it makes sense.

Here’s the situation: You’ve got several plates spinning. Among them there are some legitimate deadlines, but you also have some things that, while they need to get done, don’t have the same sense of professional urgency attached to them.  And while that might be plain when you step back and really evaluate your to-do list, it isn’t always obvious when you’re just in your “zone,” trying to get things done.

But in order for your day to be truly productive, you have to step back and collect your thoughts enough to ensure that your efforts are being deployed in the wisest manner possible. Otherwise, the “tyranny of the urgent” takes over and those things that are authentic priorities are usurped by what poses as “urgent.”

And I’ve come to discover that it’s not always obvious… Read more

The Pitch

baseball-pitch-640x426I teach an 8th Grade Boys Sunday School class. I’m often encouraging them to be able to state what they believe and why without stumbling and mumbling their way through a bunch of clichés and statements that don’t come across as confident, let alone compelling.

It’s the “elevator pitch.” That collection of sentences that you can articulate in the time it takes to get from the first floor to whatever floor you’re going to. A well thought out description of what you believe and why you believe it.

Recently, I decided that I wanted to help them craft what they want to say. It’s got to be something that expresses their personal convictions – I don’t want to hand them a bunch of “cue cards” and they just mimic what they hear resulting in something that comes across as “canned” rather than “planned.” After thinking about it, I decided the optimum starting point is to simply given them my “statement” and let that be the equivalent to putting the key in the ignition and see if that doesn’t get their apologetic motors running.

So, here’s my “pitch:”

It’s not a subjective collection of personal preferences or a desperate desire to fill in the philosophical gaps that comprise the human experience that drives me. I’ve had more than ample opportunity to wonder if I’m playing for the right team. At the end of the day, the bottom line is: It works. Without an Absolute Standard, the goalposts never stop moving. Without a Creator, the universe is never sufficiently explained and without a Savior, life is nothing more than a temporary tapestry of highs and lows. Christ wasn’t just a great thinker or a noble sentiment. His business card reads different than any other religious figure in that He didn’t offer commentary about God, He claimed to be God. And He proved it by dying and coming back to life. While that flies in the face of all that’s normal and possible, if He was limited to what can be explained, He wouldn’t be God.

I wasn’t there to shake His Hand when He emerged from the empty tomb. The evidence that validates His Identity from a historical, scientific and philosophical standpoint is compelling, but what ultimately tips the scales in Christ’s favor is the way I’ve been able to test and experience firsthand what He brings to the table in terms of perspective, significance and confidence. He’s God, it works and I’m sure. That’s what I believe and that’s why I believe it.

 

The Butterfly Effect

andrews_tbe“The Butterfly Effect” is a book written by Andy Andrews. He starts off by introducing Edward Lorenz who presented a hypothesis to the New York Academy of Science. He is theory was that:

“A butterfly could flap its wings and set molecules of air in motion, which would move other molecules of air, in turn moving other molecules of air – eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet.”(1)

As you might expect, his ideas were laughed out of the venue. But thirty years later, his theory as revisited and found to be true ,to the point where it was accorded the status of a law, now known as “The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.”(2)

Joshua Chamberlain

In his book, Andrews demonstrates how the same phenomenon exhibits itself in people. He uses the story of Joshua Chamberlain, the commanding officer of the 20th Maine Regiment who was tasked with protecting the left most flank of the Union lines at the Battle of Gettysburg. His role was crucial in that should his position be overrun, the Confederates would be able to envelop the entire Union army from a tactically superior position. Read more

The Strenuous Life – the Mindset of a “Muscular Christian”

strenuous-life

…I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desire mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph.1 (Teddy Roosevelt)

“Muscular Christianity” is organized according to three, broad tenets:

  • Know What You Believe and Why – be able to articulate what you believe and why you believe without sounding hesitant (1 Peter 3:15)
  • All Things at All Times – God is the Filing Cabinet and not a mere, File Folder (2 Cor 9:8)
  • It’s Not About You – His Agenda, His Timing, His Resources. You benefit by subordinating yourself to God and to others. In other words, it’s not about you and that’s a good thing (Phil 2:3-4)!

Taken together they serve as a solid, theological foundation that is simultaneously both practical and logical.

It’s unfortunate that much of what translates to something that’s legitimately motivating and beneficial gets lost in the midst of a conventional perspective that limits a relationship with Christ to either a Divine Emergency Procedure or a Sanctified Insurance Policy – supernatural options reserved for crisis situations and funeral arrangements.

That’s not what Christ intended.

He defined eternal life as “knowing God (Jn 17:3)” and when you make a point of positioning Him as your Motivation for everything you say, think and do, the resulting Standard of Excellence is downright inspiring.

So, what does the day / mindset of a “Muscular Christian” look like?

Here’s some Biblical scaffolding that answers that question, as far as how you’re “thinking” throughout the day in order to accommodate a godly perspective that is as Powerful (Phil 2:13) as it is Practical (2 Cor 9:8):

Reveille – Morning! It’s a good day It’s not about the mistakes of the past (Lam 3:22-23), it’s not about what’s looming on the horizon (Matt 6:34), it’s about the fact that I’m upright, God’s got a Plan (Jer 29:11; Phil 2:13), I’m destined for great things (Eph 2:10) and it’s going to be a great day (Ps 118:24).

Holy Ghost Briefing – I follow the example of my King in that I spend some time with my Heavenly Father at the top of the day (Mk1:35). I don’t just race through a couple of theological sounding thoughts, I take the time to consume some Truth and I pray in a way that combines reverence, intercession and appeals (John 1:8; Matt 6:9-13). I’m training to be godly and not just going through some spiritual looking exercises (1 Tim 4:7).

Keeping my Body Tight – my body is God’s Temple. It doesn’t need to be the size of Atlanta nor does it need to be a feather pillow. And my age doesn’t matter. If I’ve got a metabolism like that of a racecar, I’m still watching what I eat. And if it takes a little longer to get my muscles warmed up, that doesn’t matter either. I’m a pointless, puddle of perspiration when I train and I’m not clogging my pipes with ludicrous carbohydrates either. I don’t look at it as an obligation, I see it as an invitation to be excellent and in that way I’m an effective commercial for my King on top of being able to enjoy all the benefits that go along with looking my best and being able to perform at 100% capacity. Dig that!

Kiss on the Cheek – Depending where I’m at in my life, I’m either kissing my Mom and Dad goodbye as I’m heading out the door, or I’m kissing my bride and my kids goodbye. Regardless, I honor them and I treat them as the priority treasures that they are (Eph 5:22- 6:1-4; 1 Pet 3:7).

Work / School – I’m knocking it out of the park! I’m bringing my “A” game to whatever it is that I’m doing (Col 3:23) and I benefit because people are drawn to excellence and / or those who pursue it.

Going South – not everything works out the way I prefer. Sometimes my heart gets broke, sometimes I get angry. But rather than careening off into an emotional ditch, I reign my passions in and bring them under the Umbrella of my Savior’s Purpose, Peace and Power. The clouds don’t always clear, but the Son’s given a chance to break through the cloud cover and there’s enough Light to justify an even disposition and a genuinely optimistic outlook (Rom 8:28; Phil 4:6-8).

Riding Off into the Sunset – the day is done, but actually it’s not. I’m not just collapsing in front of the TV. Maybe I’ve got homework, maybe I’ve got some other commitments but I’m still engaged right up to the point when my head hits the pillow. It’s called “diligence (Prov 12:24).” Clean up after yourself (Dt 23:12-14), take care of any chores or admin, read a book (“To lead, you must read.” [Theodore Roosevelt])2, invest some time in other people, invest some time in improving yourself (Phil 2:3-4).

A Good Night’s Sleep – now you’re done. And you can look forward to a good night’s sleep (Ps 127:2). There’s always going to be something else to do, there’s often something on your mind, but the “Muscular Christian” is giving the keys to his Heavenly Father as part of being a “responsible driver.” It’s not that you’re incapacitated. Rather, you’re wise enough to know that it’s God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose and provided your obedience is in place, you can rest well knowing that it’s all good (Rom 8:28; Phil 2:13).

The quote from Theodore Roosevelt that’s referenced at the beginning of this devotional refers to a life that is “strenuous.” At first brush, it may be tempting to process “strenuous” as being strained or stressed. It’s not. “The Strenuous Life” is the life of a Hardcharger. It’s the approach taken by a Muscular Christian. It means that you’re engaged, motivated and productive for all the Right Reasons (Matt 5:16) and utilizing all of the Right Resources (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 2:16; Col 1:27). It’s the practical manifestation of the Divine Life that proceeds from knowing God (Jn 17:3).

Below is a spreadsheet that you peruse every morning that includes all of the verses / themes referenced above. Read through the verses everyday and start each day by getting your spiritual tires aligned in a way that positions you for some quality Gains (2 Cor 3:18) and some true Success (Josh 1:8):

The Mindset of a Muscular Christian
Theme ✓ Monday ✓ Tuesday ✓ Wednesday ✓ Thursday ✓ Friday
Morning! Lam 3:22-23 Matt 6:34 Jer 29:11 Phil 2:13 Eph 2:10
Holy Ghost Briefing Mk 1:35 Jn 1:8 Matt 6:9-13 1 Tim 4:7 2 Tim 2:15
Keeping Your Body Tight 1 Cor 6:19-20 Rom 6:12-14 Prov 23:2 Prov 12:1 Eph 5:1
Kiss On the Cheek Eph 5:22 Eph 6:1-4 1 Pet 3:7 Prov 29:15 Prov 6:20
Work / School Col 3:23 Ecc 9:10 Matt 5:16 Col 3:17 1 Cor 3:12-13
Going South Phil 4:6-8 Matt 6:34 Rom 8:28 Rom 8:32 Is 30:21
Riding Off Into the Sunset Prov 12:24 Dt 23:12-14 Phil 2:3-4 Prov 6:6 Prov 20:4
A Good Night’s Sleep Ps 127:2 Rom 8:28 Phil 2:13 Is 41:10 Ps 37:5-6

 

You’ll see some of what’s discussed in this post expanded upon in the devotional material included with the “Muscular Christianity: 90 Day Workout Plan.” Thing is, you don’t want to limit it to a three month training period. Being able to explain what you believe and why, applying all that Christ offers to every aspect of your life and establishing God as both the Target and the Source of your ambition is a lifelong dynamic. In other words, it’s not just a timeframe characterized by a spike in spiritual disciplines and physical training. It’s a mindset – the mindset of a “Muscular Christian!”