{Straight From the Heart} *The Workout* 11/7/99
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The Workout
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Imagine with me a man who has been given a gift -- a lifetime
membership to a big, beautiful Health Club. It's the sort of place
with all of the latest exercise equipment and facilities, literally
anything you could possibly want to help you build up your body. A
full-time nutritionist counsels members on what they should be eating
to reach their goals. A full-time masseur helps work out those kinked
up, sore muscles. Several full-time trainers are available to teach
members both one- on-one and in groups how to use the equipment and
get the most out of their membership. There are two aerobics
instructors, and special aerobics sessions scheduled for every
conceivable level of health and fitness.
Our guy visits the health club on a weekly basis. First, he stops by
the aerobics studio, and watches an aerobics class doing their
workout. Next, he goes to the room with all of the state-of- the-art
exercise machines. The other members greet him as he walks in, and one
of the trainers asks if he has any needs, questions, or requires help
in any way. Our guy politely declines the offer, and then proceeds to
pull up a chair and watch as people are working out. He's actually
only one of several onlookers, watching carefully as the people step
up to the various machines and begin working their different muscle
groups. He observes the coaches and trainers working with different
members, encouraging, challenging, and helping them stretch their
limits just a little bit farther. When someone reaches a new goal, our
guy even joins onlookers in clapping and cheering in celebration.
The hour has past, and our man makes his way to the door. On the way
out, the club's manager greets him, shaking his hand and asking how
his workout was. Our member compliments the manager on his fine
facility and the great workout session, then moves on to the next item
on the day's agenda.
Months pass. Our member has been going to the club every week, and
following much the same routine. He's not really seeing much
difference in his life, but all it really costs him is an hour of his
time each week, so he keeps going to the club almost every week. One
day, a trainer encourages him to get out of his seat and actually
work out on the machines, but our man declines the invitation -- and
then sits among the onlookers and grumbles about those pushy
trainers. He theorizes that the trainer is just trying to get him to
spend money on something -- these trainers are probably on
commission. As the hour ends, our member makes his way to the parking
lot, asking himself why he even bothers wasting his time coming to
this health club. After all, he's been coming here for months, and
he's not one single bit stronger or healthier. The people aren't all
that friendly -- they keep wanting to talk about working out, and
they keep trying to get him into that stupid aerobics class, or on an
exercise bike. And they call that stuff food? They don't even have
donuts at the health food bar! No ding-dongs, no twinkies, not even a
candy bar -- and he can't stand those awful tasting "power" bars and
drinks they sell all the time. He knows that some of these people
come to the health club 2 or 3 times a week, and they talk about
working out at home, too -- how can they stand it?
Does it seem really silly to you that this guy sits around at the
health club watching other people work out, but never does anything
but watch and complain? Does it seem ludicrous for him to complain
about not seeing any results from his membership, when all he does is
sit and watch? Yes it does, without a doubt -- but, our churches have
lots of folks just like our guy, who sit back, watch, and complain --
but never participate. If folks try to get them involved, they
complain because folks are pushy; if they don't try to get them
involved, they complain because the folks are unfriendly. And, they
really like their spiritual donuts and junk food.
Like a health club, the church is not meant to be a place for
spectators. It's a place to train, equip, and build spiritual muscles
-- and to put those muscles to work, coaching and training others.
When you're at church, are you working out -- or watching?
D.
CaseStudies is written and published for your edification by Dan Case.
Your Feedback is always welcome! Email to feedback@case-studies.com
Copyright 1999 by Dan Case. All rights reserved.
Dan Case lives in Arkansas with his wife Sharon and his daughter Sara,
and works as an Engineer for local radio stations. He writes and performs
drama, and has had many of his articles published in magazines and newspapers.
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REQUEST:
Dear Michael,
I am new to your mailing list for "Straight From the Heart," but I
already have a request. I believe it is in God's master plan that I have
newly found your free email containing the inspirational stories and quotes
at this time of my life.
Yesterday, I went out with my friends, one of which I have known
since kindergarten but had lost touch with during our high school years.
I learned from her while we were talking about those lost years that she
has contracted the terrible and deadly disease known as AIDS. I would
just like to ask for everyone's prayer that she live healthy for a long
time before this disease takes a hold of her body, and leaves her soul
to the Lord. She has recently been re-introduced to the Lord and to the
church, after a rough life through her younger years. Thank you!
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Thought For The Day:
The two most important words: "Thank you." The most important word: "We."
The least important word: "I."
Verse for the Day:
"Don't be selfish...Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself."
Phillipians 2:3
Kid's Thought for the day:
"Nobody likes a tattle tale."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"A gentleman is a Gentle Man."
(Unknown)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"If you are serious about volleyball, the only months to stop playing are
those without a vowel."
(John Kessel)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"A robber broke into the police station and stole all the toilet seats. The
police don't have anything to go on."
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/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20