What is the weekly mettle maker? It’s a weekly shot in the arm, a semi-fortnightly kick in the pants — your helpful heckler, hammering away at you to stop hemming and hawing and hurdle headlong into becoming your own hero!
Step Up: Mettle Maker #298
Self-defense: Footwork drills. On paper this is as easy as puddin’ ‘n’ pie — but in real life it’s a whole other matter. Assume your dominant fighting stance. Complete 6 reps of each of the 8 essential foot maneuvers of Western martial arts: Front Lunge, Back Lunge, Rear Lunge, Surge (forward, then off-angle backward), Skip Step (forward then off-angle backward), Split Step, Switch Step, and Décollage. Switch to non-dominant fighting stance and repeat. If you don’t know what these foot maneuvers are, perhaps you’d benefit from the Heritage Self-Defense program. Click here to sign up — it’s free.
Fitness: A go-to fitness routine. When I’m asked to recommend a simple fitness routine, or I’m stuck in a hotel with no gym, or I need a training idea with zero prep time, this is my go-to. It even has a built-in warm-up and cool-down. Complete a pyramid of Push-ups, Jackknifes, and Squats. Do 1 of each, 2 of each, 3, 4, 5, etc. Beginners climb to 5, intermediate to 7, advanced to 10. Then go back down he pyramid to 1. A full pyramid to 5 = 25 reps of each, 7 = 49, and 10 = 100. Need help designing a fitness program that suits your specific needs? Enroll in the free Heritage Fitness Distance Learning Program . Did I mention it’s free?
Wildwood: When was the last time you went for a hike? Stop fantasizing about it. Step up. Pick a route, set a date, text your friends, send out an evite or whatever, and go. If nobody shows up, go by yourself. Life’s too short to sit around waiting for things to happen! Actually go do the things you want to do. Maybe you always wanted to hike in the Swiss Alps, but you’re broke. Well, I bet there are some mountains within driving distance that you could go hike instead! If you want daily inspiration sent straight to your cell phone, and you want to learn more about nature appreciation and survival, click here to sign up for the 100% free Wildwood distance learning program.
Spirit: Where do you find God? At the end of your rope. In tomorrow’s readings we’re going to have to contend with a dark and frightening tale from Genesis 15 that ends in an important promise. See below for a sneak peak. There are a ton of adorable, witty, memorable quotes and aphorisms to remind us of how to deal with situations like this: it’s always darkest before dawn, things have to get worse before they get better, you have to make a mess before you clean one up, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, etc. But in real life, getting through a dark patch isn’t something you can navigate that easily. You need the support of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the company of brothers and sisters in Christ. CLICK HERE to join our email list and to begin participating in church activities. And if you need someone to talk to, CLICK HERE to set up a phone call with Archdeacon Mitch.
Genesis 15: 10-12, 17-18 American Standard Version
And God said unto Abram,
“Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not. 11 And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.
17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces. 18 In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”