Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
A Walk That Counts
"Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin." --Job 14:16
Along with some of her co-workers, my wife is watching her step, literally. In a company-wide initiative, she and a group of co-workers have decided to encourage activity and join the Get Active campaign. To help keep track of daily movement, everyone is wearing a pedometer to catch each step of the day, from the first to the last. And they've dispersed log books to help monitor their every move. It's a neat exercise among co-workers and friends. (Hmm, I'm starting to think our nightly walks have taken on a new meaning.)
Well, a friend of hers in the group playfully figured out that if you wave the pedometer in the air a certain way, it thinks you're walking. One wave equals a step. Seems it's easy to fool a pedometer by going through the motions but it's impossible to fool God. He knows the steps we take, doesn't He? Just look at today's verse. In fact, the bible also says that, "The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him." (Psalm 37:23) Indeed, pedometers may count steps, but our goal is to take steps that count for the cause of Christ.
On this week's stroll, plan on counting things; from the blessings, to the stars, to the cost. Yes friends, because of Jesus, we can take a walk that counts.
--Jimmy Peña
5 FLU-FIGHTING FOODS
So it's already going around -- the aches, the sniffles, the coughs. Flu season is settling in across America. Here are five foods that you can take down to increase your odds of making it through unscathed (or only minimally impacted).
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What Do You Say?
"I thank you, Lord, with all my heart." --Psalm 138
Read: Psalm 138
Sitting in a waiting room recently, I filled out paperwork, answering questions, checking this box and that one. Circle where it hurts and on a scale from 1-10, rate this, gauge that. And just as I was about to turn in my clipboard, I watched a daughter taking care of her mother in a wheelchair. When a nurse brought the mother some juice, the daughter gently asked, "What do you say?" Then her elderly mom -- barely able to hold the bottle -- turned and weakly said to the nurse, "Thank you."
With a lump in my throat I thought to myself, "She knows how to say thank you. She's just thirsty." My heart broke on a couple of levels.
But the moment made me wonder if I know how to say thank you. Not sure about you, but I spend a lot of my time listing my life's aches and pains, inconveniences and delays. Much like that paperwork, my daily prayers often go straight to where it hurts, and what I need, and my worry and fear. Like you, I'm so grateful that in no particular order, I can go right to Him with all of it. But if I could, I'd erase my answers and start over. Rather than ask God to heal what hurts, I want to mention to Him the things that don't. I want to circle my blessings. And as I read my list, may I hear that gentle reminder, "What do you say?" And like that sweet women, I know how to say thank you.
--Jimmy Peña
Question: What are some ways you can thank the Lord for the blessings you have? If you could thank God right now, what would you list? You can share them with us if you'd like. I'm sure they'll be a blessing to others.
PROTEIN PLUS Is protein helping to decrease your blood pressure? Science says ‘yes’
In addition to the protein they consume from whole foods like chicken, beef and fish, many active individuals also choose to supplement their diets with protein powders. Doing so ensures more complete recovery from exercise, and works to blunt appetite and increase fat burning. And if you’re not using a protein powder to support your training, you may want to start.
>> Click here to figure out another crucial way protein is helping you keep healthy.
Full Hands In, Full Hands Out
"He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" --Luke 10:2
Read: Luke 10:2
For anyone who has ever worked in the restaurant industry, you might be familiar with the phrase, "Full hands in, full hands out." This simply means that when you go into the kitchen, you take something from the restaurant floor, maybe empty plates or things that need to be put away. And when you come out of the kitchen, you bring something with you, like food to a table or cups to restock; whatever it is, you come out with full hands. This helps everyone work as a team and keep the ship running smoothly and effectively so that everyone has everything that they need.
I often relate this to my daily spiritual life as well as my physical stewardship. I am surrounded by so many that add to my life and allow me to have “full hands in" -- family support, church, or a close friend, for example. When we receive, we must also turn around and share that with others. Maybe it’s love, a healthy recipe or tip, or even a life lesson. But I am praying that I am able to be a river and not a reservoir. I want to allow His blessings to flow to me and through me. Full hands in, full hands out.
--Allison Earnst
Question: How can you and I become a river that flows into someone's life today? What blessings have you received that you can now offer to others? Make that part of your day's agenda. And, if possible, be a blessing to someone without them even knowing where it came from.
PrayFit's contributing writer, Allison Earnst, is a fitness expert, motivator, competitor and mother of three. She's been featured in numerous magazines including FitParent, Natural Muscle and Oxygen magazine. She has shared her fitness story on Good Morning America, Extra TV and Lifetime's "The Balancing Act." You can visit her blog by clicking here.
HEALTH TIP: TAKE IT OUTSIDE Do you workout in a gym? In your home? Well, if you are finding it tough to reach your fitness goals or if you're looking to rejuvenate your program, you may want to take it outside. Research offers some positive research on just how important a little Vitamin Sunshine can be for your training this summer.
To The Prayfit Faithful
What started as a daily blog being sent to a handful of friends, now reaches nearly 8,000 like-minded people every morning (with nearly 10,000 likes on Facebook and over 5,500 followers on Twitter). And we can say with the utmost certainty, it's an honor we take seriously. Steeped in prayer, and surrounded by walls of perspective, our fitness devotions are meant solely to help all of us heighten our regard for health, and our ability to maintain it, as a means of praise. Many of you participate in various kinds of fitness activities, share meal plans and philosophies, all while giving Jesus the glory. By doing so, you energize the PrayFit philosophy: healthy in body, strong in spirit. It's our sincere hope that you continue to read and share our site with loved ones. But most importantly, continue to pray for PrayFit. When we write our entries, you're on our minds and in our prayers. Thank you in advance for doing the same for us.
You know, when C.S. Lewis said, "You don't have souls, you are souls. You have bodies," little did he know he was weaving the very fabric of our purpose. Someday, I'll thank him for it. And today, let that be our mantra. In how we work, move, eat and play, let's take care of the body that carries the soul.
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