Namesake

"I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." --Ephesians 4:1

Read: Ephesians 4

Yesterday my wife Loretta and I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I'm still sifting through my mental rolodex of unbelievable moments and monuments. From the quotes, triumphs, walking inside Air Force One and standing at the President's final resting place, there is a tangible specialness to the leader -- past or present -- of the greatest country in the history of mankind.

Well, a story that the First Lady recalled stuck with me all day. As an actress years ago, she was looking for assistance, because somehow she had been listed as an American Communist and was desperate for someone of influence to help clear her name. There entered Ronald Reagan, who at the time was the head of the Screen Actor's Guild-- long before he became the leader of the free world. The rest is such sweet, sweet history.

Later as we left the museum, it dawned on me. I'm not certain how he helped get her name off that list, but I do know he would eventually give her his name. All cleared.

As we start the week, back to work, school and healthy habits, let's remember that we too were in desperate need of someone of influence to help clear our names. But we didn't need the leader of the free world, just the One who freed the world. And that's why we do what we do. We stand for, kneel to and worship with our lives the One who didn't take us off a list, but put our names on one...by giving us His.

Break's over. Welcome back to PrayFit.

--Jimmy Peña

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: BODY TONING SYSTEM You can always browse our fitness page for cool workout ideas to take into the week. But if you're looking for something more structured that can take your body on a journey, we've got just the thing for you. PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System (Lionsgate) is a more advanced system that toggles between targeted exercises that build lean muscle and high-intensity cardio to blast through body fat. By repeating these intervals, you’ll see results faster than you would by doing cardio alone. This DVD will help you improve steadily each day, building your fitness and your faith. This DVD incorporates toning exercises with “PrayFit Minutes” – encouraging, weekly devotionals aimed at helping you become healthy in body and strong in Spirit.

“If you thought the first DVD was fun, effective and challenging, you won’t believe our newest edition,” says Jimmy Pena. “Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most respected names in Christian publishing, is exclusively releasing our second DVD through retailers everywhere. We hope you order it and are blessed by the message and workout. Get ready. You are going to love it!”

>> For other PrayFit products to help boost your faith and fitness, click here.

BETHLEHEM ECLIPSED

December 21, 2010Read: Matthew 2

"...where is the one born King of the Jews. We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." --Matthew 2:2

It's been 372 years since the last lunar eclipse occurred on a solstice, so last night's celestial phenomenon was as rare as it was spectacular. But if you're like me, you missed it. Chances are we were all asleep, exhausted from work, school and Christmas shopping. Who has time for star gazing anyway?

It was 2000 years ago this week that God placed the star in the east to announce the birth of Jesus. But much like last night's midnight miracle, most everyone missed it. The calendar on Bethlehem's Blackberry was booked -- too busy, too stressed, too in control. Things had to get done and nobody else could do them. And yet, Jesus came to earth. Despite a limited live audience, life's main character was born.

Simply put, a lunar eclipse occurs when our world gets in the way of the sun. Lord, may we never let the same happen to us.

--J.P.

FIRST LADY: ADVOCATE FOR HEALTHY KIDS

Regardless of what side of the aisle you are on politically, there's reason to cheer one of the latest bills signed into law by President Obama. With his wife at his side on December 13, 2010, the president put his John Hancock to the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which reauthorizes the federal nutrition program, a $4.5-billion measure that expands free school meals for the needy. The biggest difference is that it sets nutritional standards for all food in schools, including what appears in vending machines, and is designed to fight the growing epidemic of child obesity.

Opponents of the bill claim that it is another example of America becoming a Nanny State, wherein citizens need their lifestyle choices made for them. But advocates of the legislation believe that simply making better choices available to our kids where they spend a great deal of their time each day is a good first step that can help stem the tide of a growing problem.

Urging people to depoliticize the issue, the First Lady said: "“We can agree that in the wealthiest nation on earth, all children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow," she said. “Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children. Nothing."

>> For the full story from the L.A. Times, click here.