The Palm and the Cedar

"The righteous will flourish like the palm tree, they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon." --Psalm 92:12

Read: Psalm 92

Many of you know by now that Loretta and I walk each night. Not so much for the exercise -- it's simply a time to share the day. So I'd say it's more like a three-mile mosey. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I noticed a crew caring intently for a tree on our street. A few days went by and there they were, still climbing and manicuring. I admit, I was so impressed with the finished product, I snapped this pic, hoping to share it with you at some point. I think today is a perfect day for it.

In Psalm 92, the Bible says, "The righteous will flourish like the palm tree, they will grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Of all the trees the psalmist could have used to describe the righteous, he chose these two. First, the palm tree can tower as high as 70-90 feet, and its root system is so incredibly strong, it can withstand storms without equal. And what's more? It produces a lot of fruit. And as for the cedar, this symbol of strength has a trunk that's more than eight feet wide. And what's more? It's impervious to not only weather, but also termites; tough to get to this one from within or without.

Sounds about right, doesn't it? The palm and cedar. God wants us to be deeply rooted, nourished by His word so we can withstand the storms of life. And He wants us to grow, to flourish, and to be fruitful all the while.

I'm so glad I watched that crew go to work. They can't take credit for its deep root system. They didn't design and fashion the fruit. And they certainly aren't responsible for its strength during storms. But the fact that they took the time to care for it, we're reading about the One who is.

--Jimmy Peña

Question: How can we be more like the palm tree or cedar? In what ways can our health help us stay fruitful? And how - like the crew - can our humble care for our health point others to the God we serve?

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Mango Lime Chicken Salad

Pretty much every word in the title of this recipe by PrayFit contributor Kimberly Fuller says "health." But remember -- "health" doesn't have to mean "bland." This full-flavored lunch-or-dinner dish packs a punch heavy on vitamins and muscle-building protein.

>> Click here for the recipe!

THANKFUL...NO MATTER WHAT

November 24, 2010Read: 1 Thessalonians 5

"In all things, give thanks." --1 Thessalonians 5:18

The bible is pretty clear when it comes to being thankful: we should be, no matter what. But if you're like me, it's easy to be thankful when times are good. But what about during the storms of life? What then?

Well, thankfully, God is as worthy of our thanks in rough water as He is when our seas are calm. Our circumstances might change, but He doesn't; no matter what. So, even though we might not be praying, "Thank you God for this storm", we can pray, "Lord, if not for this storm, I wouldn't be looking to you for shelter."

So tomorrow, before we eat with friends and family or watch a good game and doze on the couch, we simply want to say, "Thanks for being God, no matter what."

--J.P.

PRAYFIT 101: REST TO PROGRESS

A great many of you that we hear from on PrayFit are hardcore trainers -- people who workout hard four or more times per week. That is fantastic but if you've started to notice that you're a little slower, a little weaker and a little more fatigued than usual, or that your once-meteoric progress has come to a screeching halt, you may be a victim of overtraining.

Overtraining is a very real syndrome that comes as a result of training too often or too intensely -- or both -- and it can wreak havoc on your fitness goals. When you start to notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, take a look at your training regimen. Have you been pushing yourself a bit too hard? Well, as difficult a pill as this may be to swallow, the only prescription for overtraining -- the only thing that will get you back on track -- is rest. Take a few days off from workouts completely or scale your workouts back in frequency and intensity for several days or up to a few weeks. At the end of this "cooling off" period, you should be able to dive right back in with renewed energy, strength and enthusiasm. Training hard is great -- but as with all things, moderation is the key.

>> HELP PRAYFIT BECOME A BESTSELLER! As many of you know, "PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days" from Regal Books, is due to start shipping to mailboxes December 6. And in the month of January, you can find us on display tables at Barnes & Noble. With your help, we believe that "PrayFit" has the muscle to be a bestseller. So pick up a copy or order a few for gifts -- help us spread the gospel of faith and fitness as we approach 2011! A portion of each book sold will go to support mission trips abroad.

RIGHT WHERE HE WANTS US

November 3, 2010Read: Philippians 1 “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” –Philippians 1:12

You’ve probably seen the cartoon depicting a frog in the rain being swallowed by a pelican. Upon closer inspection, you notice the frog choking the bird on the way down. The caption reads: “Never Give Up.” From the frog’s perspective, he had the pelican right where he wanted him.

Rain or shine, Paul kept a tight grip on the higher purpose of spreading the good news. Though deep in the belly of prison, Paul figured, “Good, a captive audience.” Can't you just picture him cracking his knuckles and clearing his throat?: “Fellas…glad you’re here.”

Turning circumstances into platforms, Paul saw the storms of life as downpours of holy water. Let’s find courage in his example today. When God puts us right where He wants us, let’s make the most of the moment at hand.

–J.P.

NUTRITION TIP: Smarter Soup

Soup is a terrific way to get more veggies, so load up your chowder with aromatics like celery, carrots, onions and leeks. To help thicken the soup, sprinkle the veggies with flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes before adding liquid. Starchy add-ins like potatoes, corn and beans will add texture, while their natural starches will also help thicken the soup.

If your favorite recipe calls for butter, swap half of it for canola or olive oil – you’ll still get the buttery flavor and a boost of the more heart-healthy kinds of fats. Shrink down the portion of bacon or make the switch to turkey bacon and you’ll shave off more calories from saturated fats.

Broth-based chowders have considerably less calories than ones made with cream. But if your moto is like mine “go creamy or go home” using half-and-half  instead of heavy cream will save 500 calories and 60 grams of fat per cup. Since lighter dairy products (like milk and half and half) don’t stand up to high heat as well as cream, it’s best to add them towards the end of cooking to prevent them from separating and making the soup grainy.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition