Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Go...
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'"— Mark 16:15
Read: Mark 16
"Tell me, Jimmy, can you talk about some before and after successes?"
Of all the questions about PrayFit I fielded on the radio this week, that was probably the toughest to answer. Not because we don't have powerful testimonies of physical change, but like I told the host, "It's too early for a victory lap." Because honestly, the day health won't be a necessary battle will be the day it's no longer our responsibility.
But right now, during this "before" called life, our souls want to go places our bodies simply can't go. And because of that, sadly, our minds don't let our hearts even dream of living abundantly. Serve on the mission field? Laugh. Participate in a charity walk? Chuckle. Make it to church? Sigh. Our physical troubles have become spiritual warfare. We're soldiers of the cross who can't reach the battlefield.
Sure, someday we'll be rescued from a body that doesn't work, but until then, let's see what it can do for the cause of Christ. After all, His great commission to us -- "Go" -- hasn't changed. It's still an action verb.
--Jimmy Peña
RECAPPING THE WEEK IN FAITH AND FITNESS
NEWS: ACTOR TERRY CREWS ENDORSES PRAYFIT
You may recognize Terry Crews from his roles on TBS's Are We There Yet?, UPN/CW's Everbody Hates Chris or the action blockbuster The Expendables. You may also recognize him from his hilarious commercial spots for Old Spice. But this faithful, action-comedy star also happens to be one of the fittest men in Hollywood...and a fan of PrayFit.
"Jimmy Pena has been doing his thing in fitness for decades, but with PrayFit, he's taken things to a whole new level," Terry said in his endorsement. "If you're looking to build a stronger faith while also getting healthier, then this is the resource for you."
Crews joins a powerhouse list of endorsers that includes actor/producer Tyler Perry, TV host Mario Lopez, actor/entertainer LL Cool J, 2010 American League Most Valuable Player Josh Hamilton, two-time boxing champion Robert Guerrero and actress Rachel Cannon.
>> For the full list of PrayFit endorsements, click here.
SHAPE MAGAZINE ADOPTS POPULAR PRAYFIT MANTRA
SHAPE Magazine, one of the country's most widely-read women's fitness publications, had a little bit of PrayFit in its pages when it hit newsstands in March. Jimmy Pena's exercise battle cry that Yesterday's best is today's test will now serve as inspiration to the SHAPE reader base. Pena was recently named to the SHAPE Magazine advisory board. You can visit SHAPE online at www.shape.com.
Rate of Failure
"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"— Galatians 2:21
Much is made of the failure rate in baseball. A successful hitter, it is said, fails to get a hit seven out of every 10 trips to the plate. Despite this otherwise abysmal statistic, those who perform up to such a strict standard are held in high regard. The familiar sound of bat meeting ball is met by a chorus of applause, the hitter greeted by high fives and offered hands of affirmation by teammates upon his return to the dugout. The spoils of a job well done.
In our walks with God, the only measure of success -- the perfection of Christ -- makes failure a certainty. More often than not, despite our best efforts, we will swing and miss at opportunities to glorify God in how we live, work and play. Still, despite no quantifiable measure of achievement and no earthly rewards to be won, we test ourselves, training for a contest in which the outcome has already been determined. Because we know that someday, no matter our rate of failure, we too will be greeted -- not by the roar of the crowd but by choirs of angels. The spoils of a life redeemed by grace.
--Eric Velazquez
PRAYFIT: A WEEK IN REVIEW Can we be nostalgic about stuff from like, a little while ago? Sure can. Here's the highlights
FAITH
>> NOW WHAT?: The answer to our biggest question went climbed out of a crib and onto a cross
>> THE CLOSER: Stay ready -- you never know when you'll be called upon
>> A FIGHTING SPIRIT: If the spirit is willing, your body has no right to hold it back
>> ME AND MY DRUM: We've got nothing that's fit to give a King except our best effort
HEALTH & FITNESS
WORKOUT: Use this push-ups and planks program to build a stronger torso and core >> FOOD: Broaden your protein horizons in five easy steps
>> REPORT: Even mild intensity training can help you reduce blood pressure and lose bodyfat
>> NUTRITION: How this key macronutrient can help you get lean for good
HOT TOPICS Weigh in on these and other issues at the PrayFit forums
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