Walking On Rooftops

Pastor Shawn Thornton recently gave a wonderful sermon about the prideful heart, and he used King Nebuchadnezzar as an example. Loretta and I couldn't take notes fast enough. Our church has a simple mission statement; to be a church that lives and loves like Jesus. Well, as far as King Nebuchadnezzar, he let his pride get the better of him. As he walked along the roof of the palace in Babylon he boasted, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” Notice a theme in his words? Which I have built...by my might...for my glory...of my majesty.

It's easy for us in our industry to go wandering out onto the roof of our palaces, isn't it? Oh we may not be tyrants, but we forget where our gifts come from, and we tell the world that hard work justifies pride, vanity and arrogance. But Nebuchadnezzar - one of the most powerful rulers the world has ever known - said it best. After 7 years of living like a beast, walking on all fours and eating grass, this once self-praising and prideful king proclaimed, "I praise the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just, and those who walk in pride He is able to humble."

Guys, this week, let every meal, every rep and set, every run and lap, let each element of training help us as temples - God's church on earth - live and love like Jesus. If that's not our mission statement - if that's not the purpose of our effort - we might be walking on the roof.

- Jimmy Peña

The One Who Doesn't Count

"They all ate and were satisfied." --Mark 6:42 Read: Mark 6:30-39

When the crowds grew hungry, can't you just see the disciples on their tip-toes counting heads? I wonder what number they reached before they realized they were outnumbered? But just to be sure, they decided to count inventory of the basket. "Two, three, four...nope, we're sure of it. Five loaves, two fish."

If you're like me, depending on the day, you've been both the worried disciple and the hungry crowd. In either case, the only one we can ever count on is the only onenot counting. But some days, I feel like the young boy don't you? Imagine him for a second. Little did he know that when his mom packed his bag that morning, he would literally hand it to God.

And while we don't hear the disciples say, "Thanks kid!" or "Glad you didn't come empty-handed, son," I like to imagine that after he got squeezed between the disciples and pushed to the back of the crowd, he found a nice spot on the hill with a good view. Grinning, he put his chin in his hands and watched God make a miracle out of his lunch.

We never know what the day has in store, but we do know what we bring to the day, spiritually and physically. (Let's remember to bring it.) And like Alistair Begg says, "We don't attempt to make ourselves acceptable to God, but to live in the empowerment of God in a way that pleases Him." So while we may not get applause, make sure to stick around to watch God do what only He can do with your life, and be sure to save me a seat.

And oh, did you notice the verse?: "They all ate."

You never know, maybe the boy grinned with his mouth full, and maybe Jesus Himself brought the little guy his meal. But what we do know for certain is that our work never goes unnoticed -- at least not by the one who doesn't count.

--Jimmy Peña

The Lord Hears

Lately I find myself praying for God's will and protection more than ever before. Have you ever been in such a place? I just want Him to be pleased. As I sit around listening to all sorts of voices around the room, all I want to hear is His.

In 1 Samuel, young Samuel was awakened by God three times, but he thought Eli was calling him. And as we learned from the text, when Eli finally understood what was happening, he instructed Samuel to answer God with, "Yes, Lord, your servant is listening."

Makes me wonder: Could we already be as fit as necessary to accomplish God's will for our lives, but so focused on being as fit as possible that we miss it? Or on the other hand, some of us need to be as fit as possible in order to be as fit as necessary! Whichever the case, are we really listening?

Anyway, Samuel ended his life as well as he started. His mom, Hannah, had trouble conceiving him but the Bible says that God remembered her. And because of that, she named her baby "Samuel" which means "The Lord hears". Maybe it's just me, but I think it's neat how the very first words from young Samuel (The Lord hears) were, "Yes Lord. Your servant is listening."

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Samuel ended up being one of the most obedient and effective men in the Bible. A priest, judge, a prophet and an anointer of kings. And, appropriate for us at PrayFit, he was the one that God told, "Do not look at his outer appearance...For the Lord does not see what man sees. Man looks at the outer appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Friends, I don't want us to ever miss what God has for any aspect of our lives. I want us to hear what God wants and for us to put everything we have to use for His glory. For some, that may mean more focus on the body and for others it may mean putting to better use the gifts you already have. Either way, I'm honored to be listening with you. We're here, Lord. Listening for You. 

Join iPrayFit: What an amazing LIVE webinar we had on Saturday with the iPrayFit membership. For $10/month, you can help support our efforts here at PrayFit and take part in our webinars, our cooking demos, our training, articles, and of course, our small group curriculum and workbook-style Q&A's. Please join us. Click HERE and find out more.

Is Strength Inevitable?

I recently saw a popular post on social media that read, "Strength. An inevitable side-effect of effort." 

OKAY. Sounds good. Short. To the point. Strong. Inspirational. But at the risk of disagreeing with something that was so very popular, even loved, I have to ask...is it true?

Is strength inevitable?
Is growth guaranteed?
Is progress promised?

This last weekend our pastor Shawn Thornton delivered the final installment of a 4-part series on Hope. The Easter weekend message served as the series climax, while this last installment served as its commission. He called it, "Hope: Unleashed." The main message: While we represent Jesus on earth, Jesus represents us in Heaven. While we bleed for Him, He pleads for us. Despite our sin, He's our advocate, and He's never lost a case.

My blog won't reach millions. My post won't win awards for popularity. It won't draw crowds or summon much attention, but then again, I'm not pleading my case. 

Rewards of this earth are not inevitable; especially those that require our physical effort. That's not to say that strength, growth and progress aren't - at times and under certain conditions - byproducts. But they are - under every circumstance - on loan. Perishable gifts.

The only sure thing about every aspect of our lives is Jesus and the grace He gives our souls. My our response to that truth be inevitable.

- Jimmy Peña 

Chain. Reaction.

“...the load is lightest the closer you get to the floor.”

Way back in the day, I would often incorporate various tools and tactics into my training in order to become stronger, better. One of my favorites was the use of big, heavy-linked chains. Yes, chains. Boy how times have changed. Seen rarely, and often only in shipyards, these chains were massive. Popeye would be so proud. Well, depending on the exercise, you attach them to the ends of the bar (which already have free weights on them) and perform the exercise.

I got to thinking about those old chains recently. See, chains provide a unique value to training. As you raise the bar higher and higher, the bar actually gets heavier. Why? As you lift the bar up, more links of the chain leave the ground. As you lower the weight toward the floor, one-by-one, the links begin piling up and the load you're carrying gets lighter. Simply put, the load is lightest the closer you get to the floor.

What are you lifting? What burden are you carrying? In many ways, our obligations and daily demands -- linked together -- create a pretty heavy load. Family, work, bills, deadlines, grades, health, illness, link, link...link. Even if you love the calling and the work, the occasional rest is necessary.

Friends, why do we stress having quiet times? Because burdens get lighter the closer we get to the floor. If the day were a heavy set of deadlifts, then the quiet, prayerful rest periods do a soul good. Matter of fact, back in the weight room, it's proven that short periods of rest help the lifter sustain the workload with greater success. Beat that with a stick.

I just knew those old chains would come in handy someday.

- Jimmy Peña

We're Silent

Today, we're silent. Like the angels for six hours that Friday, we're still. Like the naysayers and doubters, who waited at the foot of the cross to hear Jesus take back His promises, and with the disciples who hid their faces from the enemies who sought them, we're speechless. It's Friday. And it is finished. 

- Jimmy Peña

Uphill Battles

Uphill battles. If anyone understood the phrase, Simon did.

Simon of Cyrene was of course the man who helped Jesus carry the cross up the hill toward Calvary. In one moment, a bystander. The next, a cross bearer. He did literally what you and I are called to do figuratively. Little did he know the example he was setting. I wonder if he knew his sin would soon be nailed to the tree he carried.

Uphill battles. If anyone understood the phrase, Jesus did.

Yet Jesus knew that what He faced, He had to face alone. Nobody on earth, above or below, could take His place as He took ours. But the thought of you and me facing our days without hope was enough to kill Him. The weight of the cross and our helplessness were more than He could bear.

Simon, Jesus. One cross and an uphill battle.

--Jimmy Peña

A Prayer During Holy Week

“ As he [Jesus] approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” ”

— Luke 19:41-42

Yesterday, our friend Scotty Smith prayed a prayer for Holy Week, and I think he needs to lead us to that end today. Let's pray.

Dear Lord Jesus, long before the Day you will wipe away our tears, you wept many of your own; and we praise, bless, and adore you for doing so. The tears you shed coming into a broken and rebellious Jerusalem, underscore the mercy and magnificence of these words from the Apostle Paul:

     “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6-8).

     Jesus, I humbly and gladly acknowledge Paul was writing about me in this Scripture. I am one of the powerless, ungodly sinners for whom you gave your life—demonstrating God’s lavish love for the undeserving. I wasn’t an impassioned seeker or a misguided God-fearer; I was an indifferent rebel and self-righteous fool, when I received the gift of reconciliation (Rom. 5:10). The only reason I have peace with God is because God made peace with me through you.

     I would still be looking for peace elsewhere, if you hadn’t opened my eyes to see my need and your grace. I have no claim to salvation—no boast or hope, no assurance of sins forgiven or of righteousness received, apart from God’s sovereign grace.

     Jesus, I long for the Day when I will no longer even be tempted to look for peace anywhere else, but in you. Until that Day, show me more of your incomparable beauty and the bounty of the gospel. So very Amen I pray, in your tenacious and tender name.

Scotty Smith of The Gospel Coalition

What Will WE Do With Easter?

Pastor Paul Tripp recently asked, "What will you do with Easter?" He related it to issues of life, money, relationships, and troubles.

What a powerful question for us in the fitness industry. What will we do with Easter when the storms of life arise? What will we do with Easter? What will we do with Easter on Monday when we get to the gym?

What will we do when we're tempted to gloat, to boast, to pat ourselves on the back? What will we do?

What will we do when we get sick? Like, really sick. What will we do when our dreams of gains, of glorious pain, of wondrous work, when the welcome pursuit of fitness is denied us? What will we do?

What will we do when the status call on social media stokes our fear of missing out? What will we do with Easter?

What will we do when our loss of muscle, or our gain of bodyfat, our diminishing bone mass, elevated resting heart rate, our unrelenting atrophy, our irreversible disease progression, or our unmistakeable loss of strength testifies to the truth that we are made of dust, not iron. What will we do with Easter?

When we peer into the empty tomb of Easter this weekend, that's the lens through which everything else in life can be seen, even our bodies. And as fitness people, as hard-chargers, as iron-pushers, as mile runners, record-breakers, goal makers and as broken-down, out-of-the-game lifters like me, the empty tomb is full of grace, and joy, and relief. The thought of His victory eternally exceeds our loss or gain in this vapor-quick life.

What will we do with Easter?

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: May we never get so caught up in the process of health, that we forget about the purpose of it.

Meeting His Eyes

"The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." --Luke 22:61

Have you ever stopped to think about all the great and odd ways that God gets the attention of His people?
Lazarus woke up. 
Jonah saw the inside of a whale.
Daniel had breakfast with lions.
The woman at the well found living water.
Just run through the Bible and we find countless examples of jaw-dropping, head-swiveling surrender to God's presence and authority.

And though you and I don't cheat tombs or choke whales, we can all identify with Peter at the fire pit. Heard any roosters lately? How many opportunities to witness for Jesus have we allowed to go up in smoke? Perhaps around the fire pit of jobs, school or the gym? 

Like Peter, we all know how it feels to disappoint Christ, and though we'd like to turn back time, Christ turns back our attention. (Notice today's verse.) Just like Peter, it's when our eyes meet those of Jesus that we're broken -- in heart and in spirit -- and His work through us truly begins.

- Jimmy Peña

Question for Holy Week: What does it say to you that amidst the chaos, the trial, and the death sentence, Jesus' attention was on Peter and his darkest hour?

Carry Your Purpose

There he was.
Tied up.
Who knows how long he’d been waiting?
The most insignificant of animals with an inconsequential life.
No thoroughbred blood running through his veins.
His next meal was his only solace between chores.
A helpless laborer, a meaningless creature. When, all of a sudden…

If you’re like me, you’ve questioned your significance. Is this really what I was meant to do? Well, the next time you ponder your purpose, think of that donkey. Jesus asked for him SPECIFICALLY. Sure, the Lord could have chosen any method of transportation, but He chose him. Uniquely qualified, his purpose was to carry Jesus to His.

Forgive my sentimental imagination, but I like to think that a donkey NOBODY had ever ridden knew exactly who he carried. I bet he did his best to make Jesus proud. Of course we don’t know what the Lord said to him as He got off and walked away, maybe nothing. But this humble writer likes to think that as the crowd took Jesus the rest of the way, that little donkey stood taller than ever. After all, Jesus needed a ride. 

- Jimmy Peña

Question: Ever felt unnoticed? Passed over? Insignificant? Disregarded? Ever wondered what Jesus could use you for? No matter what your life’s calling or trade, there is someone you know or someone you don’t who is empty and lost. You’re hand-picked. Like the donkey in our story, you may be the carrier of their only hope. So, deliver. Carry your purpose.

The Comeback

In his latest book, "The Comeback", the great Louie Giglio writes, "Everybody needs a comeback, and everybody is offered a comeback. No matter what our obstacles are, no matter what mistakes we've made, no matter if we're in a season of wandering or darkness, God's purpose and plan will still prevail. Our comebacks may involve difficulty. Our comebacks will almost always look different from what we expect, and yet our comebacks will always be better. Because God writes the story of our comebacks."

Most of you know the impact Louie had on my career about 10 years ago when he encouraged me to embrace my smallness, and his message of a comeback is resonating with me these days, spiritually and physically.

Next week we'll be looking at handful of comeback stories in the Bible, and what better week to talk about a comeback than Easter week, amen? I hope you'll join us.

And if I may, I'd love to update you on something. Now, I know this isn't the spotted owl, but here I am training in my man cave; some raw footage for you. I rarely show my training, but this is big because, it's my first time on the bike since all the surgeries and setbacks. Nearly 5 years. Has it been that long? New artificial neck, new low back, (new colon) it's a...long story for anyone that may not know. But here I am getting creative to support myself throughout the ride.

Here's to the comeback. And despite what the fitness industry or Hollywood for that matter will tell you, comebacks don't prove our strength. Comebacks shout "GRACE, GRACE, GRACE!" The fact that we NEED a comeback is proof enough of utter, desperate, rock-bottom weakness. 

- Jimmy Peña

The Act To Follow

“…one is coming who is more powerful than I, and I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps.” –Luke 3:16

Sitting in a music studio recently, I had the unique privilege of being the private audience of a young, talented band. This particular crew happens to open the show for a household name. Their task is simple: set the stage and prepare the audience for the main attraction; master's of the second fiddle. 

You know, something tells me John the Baptist would understand their job. It’s a role he played until the day he died. Sitting there listening to them, I got to thinking about John; what he said, how he acted. But I think of all his many traits, his best quality was knowing it wasn’t his show; that the act to follow was really the act to follow.

Yes indeed, John showed us that our primary job is to invite a crowd, pull back the curtain and get out of the way.

- Jimmy Peña

Places, everyone: May that be the purpose of our health this week; to use our minds, our time, our passion, our health, our sickness, our limbs, our breath, our pose, our voices, our talent, our clumsiness, our mistakes, our nothingness, and our everything to simply get out of the way. Let's set the stage and prepare the audience. Amen? 

. 

Not A Scratch

Danny was class president. Voted most likely to succeed. He was large and in charge. His name topped the list. Yes indeed, he out-shined them all. And they hated him for it. In fact, Danny's enemies resented him so much that they looked into his past to find at least one skeleton to bust him; just one scandal to try and ruin his reputation and bring him down a notch or two. But alas, not a scratch on him. The bullies in his life couldn't find one bad thing about him. No dirt. So they figured the only way to bring down this "goody two-shoes" was to trap him and find him breaking the law; a law they were about to write.  

THE DECREE: "For the next thirty days no one is to pray to any god or mortal except you, O king. Anyone who disobeys will be thrown into the lions’ den." (v. 6-7)

THE RESPONSE: "When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done. His house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God." (v.10)

This is where this gets good for me. Walking out of the lion's den without a scratch on him, Daniel said, "God sent his angel who closed the mouths of the lions..." Yes sir. He praised God. The first thing he did was the very thing that got him thrown down there in the first place. And as far as his enemies, the decree that was meant to shut the mouth of Daniel did not have the effect they had hoped. (You have to read the rest of the chapter six to find out what I mean.)

Maybe you're taking a stance. Could be for better health, maybe it's your stance on humility, your decision not to gossip, or your inability to quit on a dream you know God inspired in you...either way...you will not flinch. Is that you? Are you praising God despite the rules? Maybe Daniel is your Biblical counterpart. Before he was a conqueror, he worshiped. My, what company you keep.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Eventually, Daniel even had king Darius himself worshiping God. Can you think of a better legacy?

I Am The Least

Read the first part of Judges 6 with me: "Yet again the People of Israel went back to doing evil in God’s sight. God put them under the domination of Midian for seven years. Midian overpowered Israel. Because of Midian, the People of Israel made for themselves hideouts in the mountains—caves and forts. When Israel planted its crops, Midian and Amalek, the easterners, would invade them, camp in their fields, and destroy their crops all the way down to Gaza. They left nothing for them to live on, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. Bringing their cattle and tents, they came in and took over, like an invasion of locusts. And their camels—past counting! They marched in and devastated the country. The People of Israel, reduced to grinding poverty by Midian, cried out to God for help." (v. 1-6)

Pretty bleak times for Israel. Enter, Gideon. Hiding in a wine press, Gideon is threshing wheat in private to avoid being seen by the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "God is with you, mighty warrior." Now, this exchange is where this gets good for me, because first, I can imagine Gideon looking over his shoulder when he replied, "Who, me? My family is the weakest, and I am the least of them." But the angel of the Lord knew what Gideon was capable of - and probably knew the future - and addressed Gideon by his God-given character and future reputation and said, "Go in your strength." (v. 14)

Wow. This wasn't some pep talk: You can do it, Gideon. This was a description: God is with you, man of valor and you've already done it.

As we start the week, what's on your plate? Big meeting at work? School stuff? How's your health? Let's go to Him together as a family. List your prayer requests for the week or simply say "unspoken" and we will all pray for each other. Gideon knew he was the least, but with God he had a future. Like us.

- Jimmy Peña

There Is A Life About To Start

Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again. When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums, there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes.

If you know this song, it has a particular cadence. Yes indeed. Grace has a certain beat. And it builds.

Scotty Smith once wrote, "Lord, thank you for giving me back the control that I had given to others over my heart." Amen and amen. "Others" can be people, insecurities, jealousies, (insert your "others" here). When we get out of step when it comes to our relationship with the Lord - much like when we get out of our physical groove - our hearts tend to miss the beat. Nothing is more paralyzing to our souls than being out of God's will. Shame sets in like rust to a gear.

But thankfully, Jesus paid our sin debt which means God loves us as much as He ever has or ever will. And He'll never love us less regardless of how good or bad we act. In fact, God loves us as much as He does His own Son because our lives are hidden in His. And that's what I mean about grace having a certain beat. We can count on it. It is life's inexhaustible incentive and our eternal metronome. Jean Valjean sang his music like a man who would not be a slave again, and he did so with the fight of his life!

Guys, the closer we get to the Lord - each day nearer to Heaven - the greater the unmistakable echo grows. We may be fitness-minded, sure, but we're marching in the crusade nonetheless. Let's give all we can as we join the fight. Hearts under His control. Stand with me as I stand with you. We have a banner to advance.

-Jimmy Peña

Answer The Question

For his entire life, Jean Valjean ran. From his past, from guilt, shame, and from his accuser, Javert. Javert - who preferred to address Valjean by his prison-issued convict #24601 - made it his life's purpose to never let Valjean forget the past, the guilt, the shame and the law he broke. And in a terrible struggle with himself, Valjean faced his darkest fears by remembering who he was and where his strength came from. He goes to court to free an innocent man by revealing that he himself is the one the law pursues. He admits his guilt. He stops running. (Enter genuine freedom.)

Who am I? Can I condemn this man to slavery Pretend I do not feel his agony This innocent who bears my face Who goes to judgement in my place Who am I? How can I ever face my fellow men? How can I ever face myself again? My soul belongs to God, I know I made that bargain long ago He gave me hope when hope was gone He gave me strength to journey on Who am I? Who am I? I am Jean Valjean!

Chills just typing that. Jean Valjean defined himself by the One his soul belonged to; not by staying silent or claiming innocence. Freedom happens for us when grace happens to us; when we face the fact that we are nothing unless we accept Jesus and admit our sin. And His extended grace is what makes life possible. It's how we forgive others, love others, pursue life, and yes, it even defines our pursuit of health. You are not defined by your fitness or your illness. But rather, your health is worth the effort, your modesty is worth the privacy, your illness is worth the pain, and your struggles are worth the agony, because God says who you are; His. So stop running. Turn, face your accuser and answer the question.

-Jimmy Peña

Have a good Tuesday. Be blessed.
 

A Tale of Grace

Meet Jean Valjean. A just-released prisoner. A vagabond with a past. No room in the inn. Nobody to take him in. Until, of course, he knocks on the door of a bishop named Monseigneur Myriel. Valjean tells the bishop his story and the bishop gives him a seat at his table, feeds him and provides a roof. Valjean, however, just can't wrap his head around forgiveness. It's too much for him. Restless in the still of the night, he proceeds to steal what little the bishop had and rushes out into the dark. He doesn't get far.

Police: "Monseigneur. We have your silver. We caught this man red-handed. He had the nerve to say you gave him this."

Bishop: "That is right. But my friend. You left so early. Surely something slipped your mind. You forgot, I gave these also. Would you leave the best behind?"

I'm not the first and I won't be the last to hoist the story of Les Misérables as one of the best tales of grace ever written. The things that Jean Valjean endures, and builds, and creates, and struggles through are too much to fill a week's worth of devotions. But like us, Valjean had a choice. Believe his accuser and be chained to his past, or trust his forgiver and live a life of victory; choose to stare into the whirlpool of his sin or let another story begin.

This week, we'll begin answering questions like "Who Am I?" and "Has Life Started?" as it relates to the stewardship of health. But for today, here's a question I'd love for you to answer. Are we breathing, living, forgiving, working, striving and training for results? Or are we breathing, living, forgiving, working, striving and training AS as result? One is fleeting. The other, endless. One has limits. The other, limitless.

Isn't it amazing? Grace didn't simply give Jean Valjean the key to his chains, nor did it merely open the jail's door. Grace said, "What prison?"

Welcome to a week of Les Mis.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: After a week off - a week full of ways for me to quantify my need of grace - I felt like revisiting Jean Valjean. Maybe you're in need of a few reminders as well. What does your week look like? What can we be praying for today?

My Best Pal

I always called you my best pal, for that title you had no equal.
You and I had something special; a bond I didn't have with people.
For nearly 14 years we walked the block as if we owned the joint.
That route won't mean the same, big girl, after all, you were the point.
You made your way into many a devotion, a reader's favorite no doubt.
You reminded us to watch the Master; what life's really all about.
So, thank you for being such a good girl, our protector, loyal friend.
So strong and full of love even up to the end.
And with that I thank the Lord above for giving me this little gal
The Outlaw Ms. Josey Wales forever my best pal.

When we arrived at the breeder's house all those years ago, the man said they had one puppy that had been sent back, rejected for a number of reasons, and she was ours if we wanted her. Sent back? Rejected? I'll take her. (That sentence is today's entry, but I'll just let you imagine it.)

Anyway, some of you have undoubtedly been through this before, as have we, but this is a rough time for me and Loretta. However, before Josey suffers with this cancer she has, we're gonna tell her goodbye tomorrow. For those of you that have watched her grow up (and get caught in those thorn bushes) I'll tell her you say goodbye. Enjoy a few of our pictures of her.

Here's to 44

So this past weekend was my birthday. In some ways I feel younger than the math would report, but in other ways I'd say the math seems just about right. And my birthday falls at an ideal time, don't you think? During the days leading up to it, flower shops are buzzing and heart-shaped chocolates are everywhere. Love is in the air. And the older I get, the more I notice it.

Thank you, Lord, for my life, my wife, family, friends, my health. Thank you that you've numbered my days. Whereas when I was younger that truth seemed limiting, these days it's liberating. As the years claim their increase on me, so does my dependence on you. Thank you for another year to try and live like you and love like you. Your grace amazes me. And thank you for enough health to keep fighting the good fight. Thank you that the fire you lit in my belly is still burning. Again, your grace still amazes me. Where some may think that faith grows when physical goals are achieved, my faith in you is increasing with every goal I can't reach. Lord, I just love you.

Please bless each reader; each seeker of your heart on this site. Please bless their health and the health of their loved ones. Here's to 44, Lord. You gave it to me. I'll do my best to give it back. For it's in Jesus' name I pray, amen.

- Jimmy Peña