Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
BORN IN US
"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy."— Matthew 2:10
If you missed "Christmas Presence" last week, we talked about the shepherds and their efforts to see the newborn King. We agreed that their best was all they had to offer Him; our pacesetters if you will, and they made it. Can't you just see their cold breath and chests rising as they arrive? But today, let's focus on the one who didn't run. Though she trembled, Mary waited for the promise.
As I write this, a song by Francesca Battistelli called Born In Me is ringing in my ears. The chorus:
I'll hold you in the beginning, you will hold me in the end. Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem, be born in me.
Isn't that what we want? For our hearts to be His Bethlehem? Born in us? When you and I walk into work or school, when we make dinner for the kids or visit a neighbor, we hold Him. We're His home on earth. Mary offered to God what she was denied at the inn; a vacancy. The shepherds offered to God the only thing they could; an audience.
As Christmas nears, let the ones who ran to Him, and the one who didn't run from Him, give us courage to do both.
–Jimmy Peña
PRAYFIT IN THE NEWS
>> PRAYFIT ON ITUNES: Yes, you can find PrayFit's 33-Day Total Body Challenge DVD on Amazon but did you know that you can also download it on iTunes? Now, you can sweat with PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena anywhere you can take your iPad.
>> CHRISTIAN POST: Jimmy Pena Talks 'PrayFit,' Healthy Holiday Tips
>> CROSSROAD MAG: PrayFit Stepping into Living Rooms This Winter
ARE THEY HERE YET?
"They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was."— Matthew 2:9
This week, like many of you, we'll finally arrive at the home of family and friends to celebrate Christmas. Do you have "going home" traditions? We do too. One tradition my parents actually started during my college years was hanging a "Welcome Home, Jimmy!" sign at the house. When I got married, they added "& Loretta", and we've seen that banner for 16 years now. And no matter how quick our trip might be, that sign is waiting. It's seen its share of attics, but it brings Mom and Dad a lot of joy to pull that out of storage. That sign symbolizes Christmas, and that their children are almost home.
Beyond a doubt right now, celebration plans are almost ready in homes such as yours and of those you love. All the decorations have been hung, everyone's favorite dishes are being prepared and front room curtains are being impatiently pulled back to see if "they're here yet."
You know, I've often wondered if the star in the east was as much God's way to honor His son, as it was our way to find Him. Even though Jesus' time on earth was short, God knew how He'd be rejected, and of the cross that awaited him. So perhaps it was God's way to say, "I love you, Son" and in doing so said to us, "Here He is".
He loves us that much. And if we look forward to seeing loved ones, how much more does He? Because you see, someday God will send for us. And I like to think that after spreading the table for the great celebration and hanging the welcome-home banner across the door, the angels will pull back the curtain, peeking to see...are they here yet?
--J.P.
PRAYFIT RECIPE OF THE WEEK: ROAD TRIP SNACK: TURKEY & CHEDDAR PANINI
There's something about the crunch of a perfectly toasted panini that's hard to resist. But oftentimes, it ends up on the "do not eat" list for those of us trying to lean up or lose a few pounds. This recipe, however, is a healthier, protein-packed alternative that will serve you well, whether you're looking to build muscle, get lean or just recover from a tough workout.
Turkey & Cheddar Panini
2 slices Ezekiel Bread 2 tsp Dijon mustard 4 oz deli turkey 2 slices tomato ¼ cup baby spinach leaves 1 slice low fat cheddar cheese 1 tsp canola oil
>> Spread each slice of bread with mustard and assemble panini by layering turkey, tomato, spinach and cheese between slices of bread. Heat canola oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add panini and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing down gently with a spatula. Cook until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.
Calories: 390 | Protein: 30 grams | Carbohydrates: 38 grams | Fat: 12 grams
SIDE SHOW
July 30, 2010Read: Psalm 148
"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name is exalted. His splendor is above the earth and the heavens." --Psalm 148:13
"The kid's got skills," I said to myself as I sat at a traffic light. Waiting my turn, I looked to my right to see this kid on the corner. He was dancing with one of those big cardboard ads, flipping and turning it with ease. Effortlessly, he'd toss it up and catch without even looking. He had all the drivers mesmerized. He probably flipped it a dozen times while I sat there and never once did he drop it.
Well, the light changed, and I went on my way. "The kid's got skills", I said again with a half smile as I drove off, but then it hit me. I have no idea what he was advertising. Talented? Absolutely. Dedicated? Unquestionable. But for the life of me, I couldn't tell you what he stood (there) for. All I know is that whatever he was asked to promote took a back seat to his show.
I couldn't help but think that we're sometimes like that kid on the corner. We've been called to share the truth of Jesus, but we often do our own song and dance, amusing or confusing those around us. Lord, help us remember that you're the star of the show, and we'd be wise to drop the act.
--J.P.
ON YOUR MARK
Leave it to a couple of weights guys to encourage you to go for a jog, but that's exactly what we're encouraging you to do. Few exercises will burn as many calories as an all-out run. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, running at 6 mph for 30 minutes will burn approximately 389 calories in a 160-pound individual.
But if you're currently not running, we're not saying you should take to the streets with Usain Bolt-like enthusiasm tomorrow, but rather, ease into the routine. In fact, be sure you have some good and supportive shoes that can withstand the pounding long before you head out for your run.
And for those of you who either used to run or have just been itching to see what a good, solid jog can do to your mood as well as your physical health, try this for the next four days:
Find a safe, unimpeded area like a stretch of road or a football field and do a five-minute "up and back." Start the clock and jog to a point on the street (roughly 100 yards) and jog back. Do that as many times as you can in five minutes. Over the next four days, do more laps in five minutes each day than you did the day before. Then at the beginning of the next week, bump up your time to seven minutes and each day beat your previous day's laps again.
If you're not quite ready for a jog, try a jog/walk. Jog to the point, walk back, so on and so forth.
POP QUIZ: What is your VO2 max? a. the newest teenage dance craze b. the latest hair volumizer c. the dog's name on The Jetson's d. your body's rate of oxygen consumption
(Hint: For the answer to the quiz, rule out the three insanely ridiculous answers!)
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