Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Our Place in the Son
The expression on her face says it all. During the Summer, Loretta and I saw the announcement of Disney's Saving Mr. Banks to hit theaters this December, and well, it's been circled on our calendar ever since. Not only that, but because Mary Poppins and Saving Mr. Banks were filmed at Disney Studios in Burbank, they had a special, exclusive engagement in honor of them both. Trust me. If you want to earn major husband points in my little home, you make arrangements for our names to be on the short list of special guests. And oh friends, what a night. Like I said, the expression on her face says it all.
For only the second time in 90 years, members of the public were allowed to watch a movie in their illustrious theater, where just days earlier, sat Tom Hanks and the cast for the premiere. After the movie, we were given a special tour of the sound stage and other places where Walt Disney, Julie Andrews and eventually Mr. Hanks brought the story to life "in a most delightful way." Not sure who had more fun -- Loretta as she took in each moment, or me watching Loretta as she took in each moment.
But alas, I couldn't elude the specialness for long. As part of the tour, we were led to a photo set where we could stand in the shadow of the main characters themselves. Go ahead and re-read that sentence. Yeah, I wrote this entry long before the photographer told us to smile.
Friends, the world will tell us that we can't shine while standing on someone else's sun. But David, a man who's backdrop was God's own heart, knew exactly where he needed to be when he wrote, "Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 17:8)" Even King David knew that finding shade was the bright thing to do.
Yes indeed. The older I get, the more I'm realizing my job isn't to shine so much as it is to reflect. Try to shine on someone else's sun? No. Just save me a place near the shadow of the Son, and I'll be fine.
–Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: How neat is that picture? Don't you love moments like that? I'm praising the Lord that He allowed me the health to make this event with Letta.
STUDY: A SWEET RISK
While it’s pretty widely known too many sodas can lead to excess calorie consumption, huge swings in energy and cavities, new research is suggesting that such beverages can also be a danger to your heart health.
ANSWERING THE CALL
May 5, 2011 Read: Luke 22
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." --Luke 22:42
Though my tiny legs hate me for it, I still head outdoors for a run 2-3 times a week, usually along a two-mile path that takes me around a nearby park. Last week, as temperatures hit the low-to-mid 90s, I found my run labored. Sweat poured from my brow and my legs felt heavy. For a moment, I considered skipping my next sprint and settling into a nice walk for the rest of the way. Then, I noticed the fatigues.
Camped out under a tree to catch what little shade there was to be found, an Army recruiter was coaching a prospective soldier though a set of sit-ups. A hundred yards up the trail, I notice a small group of high school-age guys running my way -- each of them appeared to be waging his own personal battle against the heat, fighting every natural instinct to quit. Each young man in the group was wearing an Army t-shirt. A newer, fitter Army requires soldiers to be in better shape and for these teens, it was training day.
At a time of day when most of their peers were heading to the community pool, these young men were preparing for the privilege to serve. Knowing the dangers inherent to the jobs that they were committing their lives to, not to mention the derision they'd face from their lesser-motivated classmates, these brave young men still chose to defend 307 million people they'd never meet as their trade. Though none of them hoped it would ever come to it, each of them was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so they unwittingly mirror the life (and death) of another soldier.
Though he feared his demise (Luke 22:42), Jesus voluntarily endured mockery, ridicule and ultimately the pain and suffering of the cross for you and me. Bravery isn't necessarily the act of charging into the breach, but rather a willingness to answer the call.
--E.V.
SWEET NEWS ON SALT New research is rewriting the recommendations on sodium consumption
There are so many things out there that can harm us. Why does salt have to be one of them? For years, we've learned that this tasty seasoning should be consumed only in moderation -- that high sodium consumption could lead to heart disease and high blood pressure -- leaving us to lead cautious and bland nutritional existences. But newer research is laying rest to these guidelines.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed over 3,000 healthy European men and women and found that higher-than-normal sodium consumption did not appear to increase the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure) or having a heart attack. What's more startling was that they found those who consumed the least salt had a 56 percent higher risk of death from a heart attack or stroke compared with those who had the highest consumption, even after controlling for obesity, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and other risk factors.
While we're not going to encourage you to schedule a Salt Party, researchers concluded that some individuals simply appear to be more sensitive to the mineral than others and that sweeping guidelines for its consumption may be ill-advised.
For the full story, head to CNN Health.
>> WHAT'S YOUR SUCCESS STORY? Have you lost a ton of weight? Fought off diabetes? Have you been able to drastically change your lifestyle through regular diet and exercise? We want to hear from you. Take a moment to submit your story in our Success Stories forum, or just stop in to encourage others.
BE HEALTHY, QUIETLY
March 8, 2011Read: Matthew 6
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." --Matthew 6:1
We've been talking a lot lately about the importance of our physical health as a means of praise, and if that has reached your heart, we're so blessed. If the mere prospect of a new day is reason enough to praise God with smarter choices at the dinner table, then great. Because you're right...it's not about the body.
With that said, perhaps the challenge is to be healthy, quietly. In truth, if our health is praise, there's no need for a declaration of independence from a sedentary lifestyle, and no need to sound the alarm against a less-than-stellar diet. No speeches, no"look at what I'm doing for God" announcements. We're called to take care of the body that carries the soul, period. So let's allow the byproducts of our obedience do the talking.
Push away from the table sooner, quietly. Turn the TV off earlier to go outside, quietly. Praise God with your health, quietly.
--J.P.
STUDY: A SWEET RISK
One of the most common obstacles that people cite in their quest for healthier living is an inability to shake their soda habit. While it's pretty widely known that having these sugar-laden drinks on a regular basis can lead to excess calorie consumption, huge swings in energy and cavities, new research is suggesting that such beverages can also be a danger to your heart health.
Professor Paul Elliott, senior author of the study, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "It's widely known that if you have too much salt in your diet, you're more likely to develop high blood pressure. The results of this study suggest that people should be careful about how much sugar they consume as well."
His study, published in the journal Hypertension, did not examine the mechanism that might link sugary drinks with blood pressure. However, the researchers suggest that raised uric acid, which has been linked to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, might raise blood pressure by reducing the levels of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes the lining of the blood vessels.
Want an easier way to reduce your risk of hypertension and to keep your waistline in check? Drink more water and limit your soda consumption to special occasions.
Source: Imperial College London
Related Story: High blood pressure linked to high-sugar diets
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