FREE WEEK!!! — Weekly Newsletter
One of the last century’s most enigmatic figures was a German theologian named Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
In his short 39 years, Bonhoeffer demonstrated the power of Christian critical thinking, unapologetic apologetics, and downright in your face head knockin’! These things led to his imprisonment by the Nazis and to his eventual execution.
One of my favorite Bonhoeffer quotes is this one:
“The essence of optimism is that it takes no account of the present,
but it is a source of inspiration, of vitality and hope
where others have resigned;
it enables a man to hold his head high,
to claim the future for himself
and not to abandon it to his enemy.”
Some of you reading this are facing tough times, difficult struggles, health challenges, financial uncertainty, and family dynamics so complicated that it would tax the wisdom of Solomon to solve. I know these things because you’ve told them to me. I appreciate knowing about the life you lead beyond Boot Camp.
I know there are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic in this world; I didn’t just fall off the banana truck. None of us will forget 9/11. We’ve all seen enough of this world’s evil and heartache to recognize that bad news, defeat, and ruin are there for the choosing.
But being happy is too.
Happiness and optimism are choices.
As Jesse Jackson said a few years ago, we must “Keep HOPE alive!”
Today, in addition to doing all of the right things for your body, like eating right and exercising with Sergeant Tony … I hope you’ll keep HOPE alive today!
Without hope, we all fall into negativism, cynicism, and fatalism.
Today, be strong and courageous!
HOPE!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer walked to the gallows on April 9, 1945, taunted by his Nazi executioners, with calmness, dignity, and a twinkle in his eye, a wry smile on his face … with HOPE and optimism in his heart, even at the hour of his death.
Choose hope and optimism, despite the circumstances.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
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IN HIS STEPS
This coming Saturday is the In His Steps 5K at Christ Methodist! The run benefits SOLD: Sports Outreach Leadership Development. The race begins at 8 AM. You can get more information and register online at http://www.cumcmemphis.org/
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HALF MARATHON TRAINING
This Saturday we’ll run 5K … no long run. Instead, let me invite you to run the IN HIS STEPS 5K! This would be a good time to do a little speed work. Go to http://www.cumcmemphis.org/ for more info.
This is the schedule for the rest of our training:
March 31, IN HIS STEPS 5K
April 7, 1 hour 50 min at the U of M
April 14, 2 and 1/2 hours at Shelby Farms
April 21, (Our last run before the half marathon) 1 hour at Shelby Farms. This will be a straight run at 11′30″ pace with no breaks.
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FREE WEEK, FREE WEEK, FREE WEEK!!!
Next week is “BRING a FRIEND to BOOT CAMP WEEK!” Bring a friend to Boot Camp and they get the first week of April for FREE!
That’s right, your friend or family member can have the whole first week of Boot Camp for free!!! If they decide to join, they can join for $90 (the Buddy Program discount), instead of the usual $180 Recruit Month Fee! This is a limited time offer for April only.
If you’re a former active duty Boot Camper who’s been hanging out in Turdeville, you can come back into the fold for the first week of April for a FREE WEEK too! If you decide to rejoin, you can pick right back up with the current monthly fee of $75.
Come on back! Don’t put it off! I know it’ll be tough at first. But now is the time … and if not now, then WHEN?
To all active duty Boot Campers:
The first week of April (2-6) is FREE for your friends, but you can bring a friend any other day of the month for free as well.
Now, here’s some extra incentive: The Boot Camper who brings the most friends during the month of April will get $100.00!! CASH MONEY!!! For each visitor who joins, you get a FREE MONTH when you reenlist!
Tell your friends, co-workers, family members, even your annoying relatives to come to Boot Camp. It may change their life.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. JOHN WHITTEMORE
The infamous Doctor John, along with his partner Dr. Todd Gruen, were featured in a full page article of the March 16-22 edition of the Memphis Business Journal. John is, among other things, your Drill Instructor’s dentist and a sometime slacker dog Boot Camper! Congratulations John!
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WET SUIT
One of our fellow Boot Campers, Jane Clark, is looking to buy or borrow a wet suit for the Memphis in May Triathlon. (Way to go JANE!) If you’ve got one that you’d like to unload or loan, lemme know!
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“It is the nature, and the advantage, of strong people that they can bring out the crucial questions and form a clear opinion about them. The weak always have to decide between alternatives that are not their own.”
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Have a HOPE filled Wednesday!
To your continued health and fitness,
Sergeant Tony
