What better way to go into the weekend than spend some time with your brothers in Christ and a deck of cards…..Sounded good when I was preparing to Q at Juggernaut.  52 cards, only 4 exercises, in the lighted picnic pavillion area, what could go wrong? 12 came out to see what kind of hand they could play and play they did…..Post is rather long but in the end you will know the meaning of a deck of cards.

The Thang No FNG’s, disclaimer given and also a hint of what was to come.

Warm Up – SSH X 25, Good Morning X 15, Fazio Arm Circles X 10 Reverse X 10, Windmill X 20, Mountain Climbers X 20

Let the Game Begin – Deck of Death – Spades – Burpees, Diamonds – Merkins, Clubs – Sumo Squats, Hearts – Step Ups – This equates to 105 reps of each exercise. Super Star cut the cards and let the drawing begin..1st card 6 of hearts – step ups (this is going to be fun) 2nd card Jack of Diamonds (that warmed up the shoulders and the arms), 3rd Ace of Spades ( At least the Burpees Ace is out of the way) 4th Jack of Clubs (Quads are gonna feel this later) 5th King of Spades (Really?).  I will not bore you with the rest of the draw just know there seemed to be more than your average number of face cards in this deck of cards.

Followed up with Peoples Chair 10 count for each man standing.

Merry – LBC X 30, Heels to Heaven X 20, 6 inch leg raise 10 count for each man, finished the Q with American Hammer X 20.

Announcements – Forum on Mondays at the Panera Bread ( Strickland & 6 Forks), Crispy Kreme Run February 14, Mud Run April 11, Second Empire 5K April 26.  Need Q’s for Juggernaut and all sights.  If you have been coming to F3 for a while and have not Q’d yet, step up the Pax will help you when you get confused…trust me.

Prayer requests went out to Grady’s Mother-in-Law as she battles cancer. Dingo took us out with an eloquent prayer as he always does.  It was an honor to play cards with such noble, tough men, my respect goes out to all especially Super Star, you are a born leader!  Pink Slip, I hope your voice returns.  Great work out.

 A DECK OF CARDS

This is a story about a soldier in the North Africa Campaign in World War II.
After heavy fighting, the men returned to camp. The next day being Sunday, the Chaplain had set up a church service. The men were asked to take out their Bibles or Prayer Books.

The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major. The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself. The young soldier told the Major that during the battle he had neither a Bible or a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained:

“You see Sir when I look at the ACE, it tells me that there is one GOD and no other.
When I see the “2”, it reminds me that there are two parts to the Bible, the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT

The “3” tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The “4” reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN.

When I see the “5”, it tell me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and the five were saved.
The “6” makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAY, and GOD said that it was good.

GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.

As I look at the “8”, it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL LIFE BY WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son’s wives.

When I see the “9”, I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed, There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him.
The “10” reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of GOD.

The “JACK” makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can.

When I look at the “QUEEN”, I see the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS.

As I look at the last card. ‘THE KING’, it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS.

There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each year.

There are 52 cards to deck and that is the number of weeks in a year.
There are 12 picture cards and that is the number of months in a year.

There are 4 different suits in a deck and that is the number of months in a quarter of a year…”
And so, the young soldier then said to the Major,”You see, Sir, that my intentions were honorable.My deck of cards serves as by BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC.”

A deck of cards should most importantly remind us that we need JESUS 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months a year and that we should PRAY “4” others.
May you never look at a deck of cards the same way.

This song was a narrative. It was done by Tex Ritter, Wink Martindale and T. Texas Tyler.