David- Yesterday, I told you about the "drill sargeant" trainer dude and his "platoon." Later, I asked around Manhattan Beach why so many people seemed so intent on exercising so early together.

People answered,

"It's the thing to do."
"It's a status thing in the South Bay."
"Trophy wives gotta work it."

I will simply say, fitness is going to be a premium in a beach community (think needing a"beach body" pretty much year round). Also, it's just in our nature to want to be in relationship. People who are wealthy need friendships as much as everyone else.

Dave, when you are home, we go to the gym early, too. It is a way for us to spend time together, work our " guns" (yours are more pumped than mine because you don't have any body fat to hide the bi's), and connect with receptive people.

As we've talked about, God sets up "appointments" sometimes, when guys we don't even know, who are in need of a word of encouragement or prayer, will just start talking to us. I have tried to model "how to be a Christian without being a jerk" just as part of my normal life with you over the years, and you have learned well. I am moved when I see you reach out in the same way.

So, if it takes getting up at 5 to workout because you know you may be beginning a relationship that is going to lead someone to discover an amazing personal God, then you do it. And it's almost always more fruitful when you live this life with another brother in Christ- or "son in Christ," as it were.