Week 1 Day 1

Bench Press (warmup) (10,6,3)(135 lbs)

Bench Press(6 x 3 sets)

6 reps @ 225 lbs/ 6 reps @ 225 lbs/ 6 reps at 225 lbs

Close-grip Bench press(8 x 1)

8 reps @ 185 lbs

Wide Grip Bench press(8 x 1)

8 reps@ 185 lbs

Incline dumb bell Press(8 x 3)

8 reps @ 70 lbs/ 8 reps @ 75 lbs/ 8 reps @ 75 lbs (will do 80 lbs next week)

Dips(10 x 2)

10 reps @ 120 lbs of help/ 10 reps @ 120 lbs of help

Peck Deck Flyes (10 x 2)

10 reps @ 210 lbs/ 10 reps @ 210 lbs

Skull crushers(10 x 2)

10 reps @ 90 lbs/ 10 reps @ 90 lbs (may go to 110 lbs next week)

Tri Pressdowns(12 x 2)

15 reps @ rack(97.5 lbs)/ 15 reps @ rack(cant go any high so raised reps

This was a VERY good start to the week. i was overall happy with the results of my first day on this workout. I felt pretty strong, which is really a first since I came back to the gym

Weight Lifting

So I have been thinking about doing this for a while. I have been going to the gym pretty consistently over the last couple months. Yet I think I still need something to push me even further. I think if I set my goals and place them on my blog then not only with my workout partner keep me accountable, so will all who read my blogs. So what I am going to do in this particular post is list my current stats and my goals for the end of my current workout. I will also list  what my current workout is.

Currently I weigh 295 lbs. My personal long term goal is to get back down to 220 lbs. The actual physical working out i have no problems with. Between a physical job and going to the gym 4 to 5 times a week, along with a pretty physical life.

The problem I have is what most people struggle with, nutrition. A lot of that has to do with the fact I am not good at cooking. Plus I get out of work and go to the gym, do journey groups, or Saturdays I tend to go out. My lunches I tend to eat out all the time and what I SHOULD do is start taking lunches to work. That will do 2 things:1) I would be eating better than I do now and 2) I would save a lot of money. I have been saying that I should bring lunches for a while now, yet I still don’t do it.

I get paid again next week. I think I am going to start bringing lunches to work the following week. By doing this, I will start to eat better and the weight will start dropping off faster.

Some other current goals I have are:

Current Max(not true max totals)                          goal for 2nd part of 8 week workout

Bench Press     225 lbs(6 reps)                  275 lbs(3 reps)

Weight              295 lbs                                285 lbs(at end of 8 weeks)

Dips                  120 lbs of help                    80 lbs of help

4 day workout: strength building

weeks 1-4

Monday(4:00)

Big Bench

Bench Press (warmup) (10,6,3)(135 lbs)

Bench Press(6 x 3 sets)

Close-grip Bench press(8 x 1)

Wide Grip Bench press(8 x 1)

Incline dumb bell Press(8 x 3)

Dips(10 x 2)

Peck Deck Flyes (10 x 2)

Skull crushers(10 x 2)

Tri Pressdowns(12 x 2)

Tuesday (6:30)

King squats

Squats(warmup)(10,6,3)

Deep squat(6 x 3)

Narrow Squat(8 x 2)

Wide Squat (8 x 2)

Leg Press 12 x 3

Seated Calf Raise (12 x 2)

Calf Push Machine (10 x 2)

Thursday(6:30)

Ripped Abs

20 minutes treadmill

4 sets 15 reps

Kneeling Rope Crunch

Hanging Leg Raises

Machine Crunch

Twists(25 each side)

wrist curl(knees)

wrist curl(bench)

Friday(4:00)

Pulls

Deadlift (10,6,3)

Narrow Stance Deadlift(6 x 3)

Wide Stand Deadlift (8 x 2)

Box Deadlift(8 x 2)

Seated Cable Row (8 x 2)

Bent over barbell row (10 x 2)

Lat Pull downs (10 x 2)

Standing barbell curls(10 x 2)

seated dumbbell curls(12 x 2)

The thing with this current workout is that it is a 8 week program designed for strength building. Weight loss probably/shouldn’t come that fast with this program, but good to great gains on the bench press and overall core strength should come. I am going to post the first 3 days of this workout shortly and the 4th day later on tonight. Wish me luck and keep me accountable.

Supernatural

One of my favorite shows is Supernatural. Its about a couple of supernatural hunters(Dean and Sam Winchester). They have been running a story line this year about how they are doing work for God. Todays episode took Dean and Sam and placed them in a company. They had no memories of anything.  They didn’t know each other. However they both felt they did.

 

 The company was starting to have some weird happenings. This was due to a ghost. Instinct took over and they got rid of the ghost.  This brought up serious questions to them about who they were. Sam was working as tech support in teh company. After the ghost hunt he was sitting in his cubicle. Phone rang and he took a crowbar and smashed the phone. He then calmly said “I quit” and walked out.

 It goes back to Deans office(he was Director of sales and marketing). In walks Deans boss.  His boss offers him a bonus to reward his hard work in the company and to ensure he would stay.  dean turns down the offer and says that this wasnt the life for him.

 

 The man nods and says “about time”. He then touches dean on the forehead and explained to him that this was a test. He introduced himself as Zachariah, the superior of  the angel who was watching over Dean and Sam. He then went on a speech that I found to be amazing:

Dean: So what I’m just hallucinating all this? Is that it?

Zachariah:No. real place. Real haunting. Just plunked you in the middle without the benefit  of your memory.

Dean:Just to shake things up? Just so you guys can have fun watching us run around like ….. in monkey suits.

Zachariah: To  prove to you that the path you’re on is truly in your blood. You’re a hunter. Not because your Dad made you. Not because God called you back from hell. Its because its what you are. and you love it. You’ll find your way back to it in the dark every single time. And you’re miserable without it. Dean lets be real here. You’re good at this. You’ll be successful. You will stop it.

Dean:Stop what? The apocalypse? huh? lucifer? What? Be specific man.

Zachariah: You’ll do everything you’re destined to do. All of it.  I know I know. You’re not strong enough. You’re scared. You got daddy issues. You can’t do it, right?

Dean:Angel or not, I will stab you in the face.

Zachariah: All I’m saying is Its how you look at it. Most folks live and die without  moving the dirt it takes to bury them.  You get to change things. save people. Maybe even the world. This isn’t a curse. Its a gift. So for God’s sake Dean, stop whining about it. Look around. there are plenty of fates worse than yours. So are you with me? Wanna go steam yourself another latte? Or are you ready to stand up and be who you really are?

 

 end scene

 

Now teh week before he told teh other angel he couldnt do the job presented to him. he wasnt strong enough. But what really gets me in all of this is that last speech by Zachariah.  ”Most folks live and die without  moving the dirt it takes to bury them. “ How sad is that, yet so true.  There are so many people in this world that live meaningless lives. 

 

“You get to change things. save people. Maybe even the world. This isn’t a curse. Its a gift.” This is EXACTLY what we get to do as disciples.  By doing the things we are suppose to be doing we can change our community, change our state, change our country, and even change the world.  

 

“Or are you ready to stand up and be who you really are?” 

1 Thessalonians 5

READ: 1 Thessalonians 5

MY KEY VERSE : 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

MY REFLECTIONS : Its like every chapter I do, I get smacked in the face. I may do a lot of things, but I am a lazy guy.  I put things off because I just dont feel like doing it.  And I shouldnt do that. I could be so much further in my life in a lot of things if I wasnt so lazy. 

But thats not the only thing in thsi verse. I think I am for the most part pretty patient. I have such a laid back personality that it can be good, and bad at the same time. It allows for patience, but it also hinders me in my laziness.  If I didnt say “whatever” all the time maybe things would get done faster.

 Its something i have to work on. With Gods help I will make it through.

MY PRAYER :  God, I pray that I wouldnt be so lazy. I pray that I would get up off my butt and work for You. I pray that I wont have a “whatever” attitude. Sure there are things I should let slide. But i pray that I hop on the things that shouldnt. Thank You, Amen

1 Thessalonians 4

I know I have slacked for a few days. I started a blog yesterday but I just dont like teh way it was coming out. I may edit it and try again. Who knows. But heres Thessalonians

READ: 1 Thessalonians 4

MY KEY VERSE : 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body^[a] and live in holiness and honor—5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways

MY REFLECTIONS : Lust is something that a lot of men struggle with. We are so visual. Lust is something I struggled with for a long time. It was one of the hardest things to conquer. It is so easy to find things with the technology these days.

 Lust can take control of you.  There are things I wish I never did. But I cant take those back. Theres nothing I can do about them. I’m forgiven and have moved on.

 What I can control is what I do now.   This reminds me of the fact I have moved on. And I thank Jesus for it everyday.

MY PRAYER :   God, I am such a sinner. I thank You for being able to look past my sinful nature. I thank You for forgiven me even though I dont deserve it. I pray that I can live a holy life.  I pray that I can control my own body. Thank You Jesus, Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3

READ: 1 Thessalonians 3

MY KEY VERSE : 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

  Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.

MY REFLECTIONS :  There is so much right there. Paul,seeing that the Thessalonians were going through much trouble, sent Timothy to encourage them  We may be going through a lot in our lives, it is awesoem and up lifting when our friends encourage to stay strong and faithful during the rough patches.

  What was really awesome is that when Timothy got there, he saw that their faith was very strong. What some people fail to realize is that the Christian life will be filled with troubles. Its not that it is a sign of sin in their lives. In actuality  it could be that we are living right. When we live right and do things for God, we get Satan a little mad.

 And he tries so hard to ruin everything  But with God on our side, we can defeat him. We just have to stay strong in our faith.

MY PRAYER :   God I pray that the faith I am growing in You, will continue to grow. That when I hit the rough patches in life, I continue to lean on You. That my faith stays strong. Thank You for staying by my side. Amen

1 Thessalonians 2

READ: 1 Thessalonians 2

MY KEY VERSE : 1 Thessalonians 2:9

Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you

MY REFLECTIONS :  This verse here reminds me of Mike. The sacrifice he and his family have made to make Cinema Church what it is, and to reach teh unsaved. Just like Paul did here, Mike does nto recieve a paycheck from Cinema Church, and refuses to do so until we launch.

 How he does that simply amazes me. I can only hope to be able to trust God so much. I am on my way there however. For the longest time I felt distant from God. And during all that I havent been doing what I am suppose to do. I wasnt tithing that much. I wasnt sacrificing that much.  

 But since I started a journey through the Timothys with Sarette, I have been feeling Gods presence in my life so much more. And I should of known why. I wasnt spending time with Him. But now I am. Am I in the Word everyday? No. But I am getting there. I tithed a couple weeks ago(I get paid every 2 weeks). Last week I gave to the sound equipment. And most importantly, I am spending time with God.

MY PRAYER :  God, I want to thank You for Mike and his family. Thank you for putting them in my life. Thank you for giving me a example. Thank you for giving me some close friends that are so close to You. I pray that I can be a example to others. I pray that I can learn to and apply sacrificing like Paul did then and Mike does now to my life. I pray that I can stay strong and stay in Your Word and keep chugging away. Thank You, Amen

1 Thessalonians 1

READ: 1 Thessalonians 1

MY KEY VERSE : 1 Thessalonians 1:8

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it

MY REFLECTIONS : Wow. How crazy is that?! The faith of these people was so strong that people everywehere were talking about it. They had it figured out. they were doing church right. They were out in the communities doing Trunk or Treats or Bikes or Bust, getting their hands dirty. They were changing lives.

 Being a part of the launch team at Cinema Church, I can only hope that we can make a impact like that. I believe we are.  As long as I, along with everyone else, gets sold out and gives their all, Connecticut will never be the same again.

 I cant wait to see everything God has in store for Connecticut. Its going to be sweet. And He is going to blow the doors off of every church stereo type. And to be a part of something that is already starting, I am so blessed.

MY PRAYER :   God, I am so honored to be a part of Cinema Church. I thank You every day for being a part of Your plans for my community. I pray that I can really put everything I have into it. I pray that You can use me in ways I could never imagine. Thank You for giving me a role in Your movie. Amen.

2 Timothy 4

So this is the last of the Timothys. Monday I will start going through the Thessalonians. Its been really awesome to be blogging through the Bible again. I have had some eye opening experiences already. And I cant wait for more.

READ:2 Timothy 4

MY KEY VERSE :2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

MY REFLECTIONS : Being such a sports fan and competitive person, this verse always sticks out to me. How sweet would it be to be able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. ” when all was said and done. Not only say it, but mean it and be truthful.

 There are so many times on this journey that it is so easy to give up and throw in the towel. Only the tough survive.   Only the faithful can truely finish the race.

 

Paul was so sure of himself that he did everything he could to be faithful to his call, that he faced his death with such calmness. He knew for a fact he was going to recieve rewards in Heaven.

 Do I have that confidence? I think so. Not completely though. I know theres more that I could of done. There have been so many times that I could of stepped up and didnt. But thats in the past. I cant change that. What I can do is make sure I step up in the future.

MY PRAYER :   God, I want to be able to say that I fought the good fight. I want to be able to say I finished the race. I want to hear You say “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Right now I dont know if You would say that. I know I have messed up countless times. But I know that You have forgiven me, and I thank You for that.  God I pray that I can be more faithful to You in the future. I pray that I can be more faithful right now. I pray that I can step up and be the leader You want me to be. I thank You for Your patience in me.  Thank You, Jesus. Amen

2 Timothy 3

READ:2 Timothy 3

MY KEY VERSE :2 Timothy 3:12

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

MY REFLECTIONS :   This verse right here says it all.  Life as a disciple will not be easy. We will be subject to all kinds of persecution.  Its how we come out of that, that will define us. Do we give into the persecution and temptaions laid before us? Or do we stand our ground, grit our teeth, and stay strong for and WITH God?

 I think for the most part when people see me, they see that I stand for God. Do I talk about Him all the tme? No. Definitely not.   But they see in the way I act and carry myself that theres soemthing different about me.

 I remember when I was working at Foodmart and my cousin Nicole was in drivers ed. When she was in drivers ed, there was another girl that worked at foodmart there named Ashley. They ended up talking a lot while at drivers ed(explains a lot doesnt it?) and somehow I came up in their conversations. Ashley said to her “I knew there was something different about Rob. Its like hes into that whole church thing.”

 I think that is the biggest compliment I have ever recieved. When Nicole told me that I almost broke down in tears in amazement.

 But what would I do when I faced life or death situations?  Would I still stand for God? I would like to think so. But unless I was put in that situation I could never guarentee it.  However if the person with the gun to my head knew me before that day would surely know that I followed Christ.

 We dont face those kinds of  persecutions for the most part here in America. I thank God everyday that we live in a Christian nation. but we do face persecution, and we will until Christ comes again.

MY PRAYER :   God I pray that even though I face persecution, that I can stand up for You. Despite the ridicule, I stand for You.  I pray that I can be so transparent that when people see me, they see You like Ashley did. That story broke me down. I was blown away. But how many other times have I failed? Too many to count I am sure. Thank You for being patient with me. Than You for not giving up on me. Thank You, Amen