Tray Tables Full Of Dreams

"We've reached our cruising altitude. At this time you may use all approved electronic devices..." Flying back from The 700 Club taping last week, I sat staring at the tray table in front of me. It all happened so fast, I thought. Instead a sit-down interview plus cooking demo, they decided to make it a kitchen segment. I did my best to try and convey the message of grace while showing a day's worth of food. The team (Eric) busted my chops for closing my eyes so much. Passion, I laughed back in a text. Just pure passion. Oh friends, what a blessing of an opportunity.

Where was I? Ah, yes. The plane ride home. Well, across the aisle, a gentleman was thundering away on his laptop. A tall fellow, his knees were near his chest but that didn't stop him from furiously typing with purpose. For nearly five hours his eyes never left the screen. Meanwhile, I was exhausted and I could feel my glands getting swollen and a tickle in my throat. The days of little sleep and all the emotion were catching up to me. I was ready to get home.

Long flight story short, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign as we've begun our initial descent into LAX." Music to my clogged ears. And for the first time since we took off, my neighbor stopped typing and made a mad dash to the lavatory. Placing the computer on his seat with the screen open, I couldn't help but read the heading of his document. In big, bold letters it read, "PASSION PROJECTS." No wonder. I wish you could have seen me grin and nod at him as he returned to his seat. I was this close to encouraging him. After all - because of grace - I'm living mine.

As we begin a week's worth of devotions surrounding the holiest of weeks, passion will be a common theme. Of heart, of health, of hope. Please join us each day. Let's dive into Scripture together. Let's look at training, running, activity and balanced eating. If there's ever been a week to celebrate abundant life for the right reasons, this is it. Welcome to Monday.

--Jimmy Peña

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Tilapia with Mango Salsa

Our recipe of the week comes directly from the pages of The PrayFit Diet. Like every other recipe in the book, it is a tasty concoction from the mind (and kitchen) of Food Network contributor Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC.

Ingredients: 1 mango, peeled and diced ½ cup chopped red bell pepper ½ cup chopped cucumber Juice of ½ lime 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro Salt Hot sauce 8 ounces tilapia 1 tablespoon canola oil

For the salsa, combine mango, pepper, cucumber, lime juice, and cilantro. Season with salt and a few dashes of hot sauce, if desired; set aside.

Season tilapia with canola oil, salt, and hot sauce. Cook fish in a nonstick skillet or grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until completely cooked through. Serve topped with salsa.

THE 33 DIFFERENCE: Tilapia is a healthy, protein-loaded mainstay on the PrayFit Diet, and there are a number of ways you can prepare it. But after you try this recipe, you may be more of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” persuasion. By combining mango, bell pepper, cucumber, lime, and cilantro, you get a flavor explosion that jazzes up an already amazing source of protein and healthy dietary fat.

For another recipe and an excerpt from the The PrayFit Diet on BeliefNet, click here!

Alone in a Crowded Courtyard

"If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." --John 15:20

Read: John 15

Yesterday's post stirred my heart. Here's how I see the same scene. When Jesus was taken into custody and led to the home of the high priest, Peter followed, wanting to stay as close to Jesus as he could. He did so at his own peril -- if the guards had realized that he was one of the twelve, Peter could have been on the fourth cross at Calvary. But that was Peter...a bold, brazen and unapologetic follower of Christ. Then they entered the courtyard.

Peter sat there, the glow of the firelight on his face, his mind racing with ideas on how he could be used to help his captive Savior. Just then, the flames betrayed more than his concern -- they revealed his identity. Recognized by someone from across the fire, Peter began to shrink from his steely determination and quickly denied who he was and who He was there for. A second mention of his association with Christ brought knots to his stomach. Again he denied. And the third put an arrow through his heart -- because at this denial, he caught the eyes of a crestfallen Christ. Though He knew Peter would disassociate himself, the denial didn't hurt any less.

Whether it's in the court of public opinion or our family's Sunday dinners, we as believers can sometimes feel like loners in a crowded courtyard. Persecuted for who we follow, we can find ourselves absorbing the whispers and suspicious scowls of those across the fire but we can rest on two unquestionable truths: 1) He said it would be this way. 2) Peter became the rock upon which the Lord built His church.

Being alone in the crowd isn't comfortable...just an honor.

--Eric Velazquez

HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR COPY? Thanks to you, The PrayFit Diet has seen a huge surge in its opening week. Social media is abuzz with the simplicity of the plan -- "The 33 Balance" -- and what it can do to help you change the way you look and feel...forever. No deprivation, no elimination of food groups -- just perfect, biblical balance that triggers weight loss, reduces inflammation, improves joint health, heart health and brain function and drastically increases energy! Help us carry the momentum into the weekend by ordering yours today!

JIMMY ON THE 700 CLUB

Did you catch Jimmy on yesterday's episode of The 700 Club? Jimmy got to cook one of the recipes from The PrayFit Diet in studio while discussing the amazing principles of the "33 Balance" laid out in the book. Click on the player below to watch!

Meeting His Eyes

"The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." --Luke 22:61

Read: Luke 22

Have you ever stopped to think about all the great and odd ways that God gets the attention of His people? Lazarus woke up and Jonah saw the inside of a whale. Just run through the bible and we find countless examples of jaw-dropping, head-swiveling surrender to God's presence and authority.

And though you and I don't cheat tombs or choke whales, we can all identify with Peter at the fire pit. Heard any roosters lately? How many opportunities to witness for Jesus have we allowed to go up in smoke? Perhaps around the fire pit of jobs, school or the gym? Like Peter, we all know how it feels to disappoint Christ, and though we'd like to turn back time, Christ turns back our attention. (Notice today's verse.) Just like Peter, it's when our eyes meet those of Jesus that we're broken -- in heart and in spirit -- and His work through us truly begins.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Have you had "that moment" with Jesus, when you realized that you were broken? When you finally grasped just how much you've let Him down? We have. What freedom did you find in that moment and what has He done with you since?

IN THE CLUB: For those of you who are early readers, be sure to tune in to see Jimmy The 700 Club, talking about our new book, The PrayFit Diet. For air times with your provider, click here. If you miss it, you can catch it later on by visiting The 700 Club homepage.