You Have Some Body

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." --Genesis 1:31

Read: Genesis 1

When we think of creation, it's easy to think of the depths of the ocean floor. Mention God creating the world and our minds gravitate toward the peaks of Everest. Trees, birds, deserts, the sun. Some of God's best work, wouldn't you agree? But folks, He didn't rest until He made us. He didn't stamp "It was very good" until He gave us freckles, elbows and our little toes. His glorious face wouldn't show a Father's pride until He saw a smile on ours.

Make no mistake, you're not one. When you think of creation, look in the mirror. When you consider the breadth of His work, take a deep breath yourself. Because when He said it was good, He was looking at you. What did He see? His image. Rediscover His handiwork. You have some body.

--Jimmy Peña

Question: How often do you stop to ponder the amazing craftsmanship of the Maker? How many times during the day do you stop to marvel at the function of your limbs, the cadence of your heartbeat or the countless other functions that God breathed into you? How often do you take these things for granted? Why or why not? Give your honest responses in the comments section below.

BOOST HEART HEALTH This wonder food can help lower bad cholesterol by 16% Keeping your heart vibrant and healthy goes way beyond exercise and eating less. But luckily, there are foods that you can eat that can boost your efforts. This source of healthy fat has been shown to reduce your levels of LDL, or bad cholesterol, significantly.

>> Click here for the full story.

Shepherds In Suits: Part I

"And even the very hairs on your head are numbered." --Matthew 10:30

Read: Matthew 10

Back in 2009, I wrote about a small group of soldiers-turned-bodyguards. Once brave on the battlefield for our country, these men now stand in the gap between danger and their client, with no regard for self. On watch and on guard, for the sake of their call.

As it so happens, I was asked to advise their client with training and nutrition as he prepared for a movie, so I had a rare, bird's eye view of their excellence.  And what I witnessed was nothing short of perfection. Selfless, stealthy. Shepherds in suits. I say shepherds because shepherds are fierce protectors; they can handle themselves, no problem. And yet shepherds are as caring for their sheep as nurses with newborns. And because I stayed close to the client, I shared his shield. I was safe, not because of who I was, but because of who he was. One call from the client, and you got the calvary.

So I suppose it's no wonder the bible refers to Jesus as the Great Shepherd. He watches over us night and day, and would go through hell to keep us safe. As a matter of fact, He did.

One call to Him? Calvary.

--Jimmy Peña

Question: How does knowing Jesus watches us so closely help you strive for better health or achieve modesty in how your portray yourself? Does it make a difference?

EGGS & CHOLESTEROL Are eggs bad for you? Hardly. Researchers have found that subjects who ate three whole eggs per day gained twice as much muscle in 12 weeks as those who only had one egg per day and that those who ate eggs at breakfast stayed fuller longer. And despite long-held beliefs, eggs really pose no danger to your heart when part of a balanced diet.

>> To read about how eggs affect cholesterol, click here. EGG FACTS: One whole egg contains 72 calories, 6 grams of protein, 0 grams of carbohydrate and 5 grams of fat. But don’t worry — about 80% of that fat is monounsaturated and saturated fat, which actually aids in the muscle-building process.

Cut To the Chase

"Come. Follow me." --Matthew 4:19

Read: Matthew 4

The phrase "cut to the chase" originated in scripts during the silent film era. After dramatic story lines, these mute motion pictures would routinely end in chase sequences on dusty roads. Today, the phrase has come to mean "get to the point." Fittingly, that's exactly what we intend to do.

At PrayFit, we believe that a pursuit of health is all about enabling us to follow Christ with reckless abandon. Frankly, everything we have should help us chase Him; our money, our time, and yes, our bodies. The more fit we are, the better we serve Him, not for health's sake, but for heaven's. So, let's get to the point. Let's follow so close that we're "covered in His dust." He's the Producer and Director. And our storylines of life will become motion pictures of grace...the sooner we cut to the chase.

--Jimmy Peña

RUNNING ON EMPTY

February 17, 2011Read: John 2

"But the temple he had spoken of was his body." --John 2:21

Panic. I was driving over a 10-mile canyon heading to an appointment today when I suddenly remembered my truck had less than 10 miles of gas left in the tank. After some quick math, sheer panic. Bumper-to-bumper traffic on both sides of a two-lane highway with less than enough fuel for the trip.

Do you ever start your day like that? I know I do. But running low on fuel is no way to travel, amen? The good news: when we put Him first, we'll never be empty. Today, let's make sure He runs through our thoughts before we run out the door.

--J.P.

EGGS: NO LAUGHING MATTER

A couple years ago, I was made fun of on the cable clip show The Soup because of something I said about starting your day off with eggs. Well, regardless of the laugh, the benefit of starting your day off with eggs is no joke.

Research shows that this jolt of perfect protein not only helps promote healthy muscle tone, but it also helps curb cravings for unhealthy food choices throughout the day. It seems that eggs, like another familiar breakfast staple, do a body good.

RELATED STORIES:

>> Eggs for Muscle

>> The Truth About Eggs & Cholesterol

STATE OF OUR UNION

January 25, 2011Read: Daniel 2

“Praise be the name of God for ever and ever... He sets up kings and deposes them.” –Daniel 2:20-21

Regardless of whether you agree with the president's  policies or not, the idea of the State of the Union speech is pretty awesome. It’s a time for the president to share with the country the progress that has been made in the last year, as well as an opportunity to lay out strategies on how things will improve. More than anything, this speech allows the  president a chance to acknowledge that he hears the cries of the people while asking them to embrace his plan.

You know, with each new day, we’re able to address our own state of the union; of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If we think listening to our president is cool, how amazing is it that we can hear from the founding Father Himself? And you can bet your soul He hears the cries of the people, and He asks the world to embrace his plan.

And so Lord, we do pray for our President. Help him realize that a better state of the union will always begin with one nation under God.

--J.P.

EGGS & CHOLESTEROL: THE SIMPLE TRUTH

Jim Stoppani, PhD, co-author of "PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days," (Regals Books) is a big fan of the good ol' egg, and not just because he makes a mean omelette.

"I firmly believe in eating at least three whole eggs per day as research shows that whole eggs boost muscle size and strength and that those eating eggs for breakfast lose more body fat than those not eating eggs," Stoppani says. "But many people worry about the cholesterol in eggs. As I always tell you, the cholesterol in eggs won't necessarily raise your bad cholesterol levels."

Stoppani's take has been met with skepticism by some but new research is showing that he is dead on in his assessment. Studies cited by researchers at UC Berkeley point out that there has been no conclusive link between egg consumption and heart disease, except in people with diabetes. The researchers also point out that dietary cholesterol only raises blood cholesterol in about one third of people and that a resulting rise in "good" cholesterol, or HDL, offsets any potential damage from a rise in LDL.

For more on this study, visit the source article at UC Berkeley here.

For more tips on healthy eating and training for size, strength and athleticism, visit www.jimstoppani.com.

>> GET PRAYFIT!: "PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days," is out on bookshelves now. In it, readers will find two, progressive 28-day bodyweight-only exercise programs, accompanying daily devotionals and the meal plans to tie it all together. To pick up a copy for yourself or a friend, visit Barnes & Noble or Amazon today!