The One That Came Back

I wonder if I would have come back. Ten lepers - lepers who were outcasts to society, unable to be with family and friends - saw Jesus and from a safe distance exercised faith. Let's read the powerful passage together. 

"It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you." Luke 17: 11-19

First thing that jumps out of the story to me is the fact that they kept their distance. In that day and age, those suffering with leprosy weren't allowed near clean people, so they stuck to protocol behind an invisible, uncrossable border. Faces pressed against it, hands up, they did the only thing they could; scream. Their plea mirrored their pain. If octaves equaled misery, theirs was a high C. Then after a 'good look at them' Jesus told them to go show the priests. Catch that? They figured they were keeping a safe distance, and yet Jesus got a good look at them. Wow. (I could get a full week of lessons from that one phrase). And then, it happened. On their way to see the priests, new skin. Fingers replaced nubs. Faces filled voids. Thoughts of holding children and kissing wives ran through their minds.

Now, one of them did what I hope I would do. He stopped. Wait a second, he thought. I cried, He cared. I moaned, He gave mercy. I have to go back. 

And here's another great moment for me in this story. He came back shouting his praise. He figured if his suffering called for screaming, his healing called for hollering. But this time, no barrier. No outer marker. No holding pattern. He was clean and he knew it - and getting close to the One that made him that way was his default reaction. Like I said in the beginning, I wonder if I would have gone back.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I've moaned in pain over the years, and I know many of you have too. Did my praise of His healing mirror my plea for His help? Did yours? Well, we don't know exactly how far the healed man traveled before turning back to thank Jesus, but I do know it's not too late for you and me to do the same. Let's take a second right where we are and thank Jesus for getting a good look at us. If you have a praise you'd like to share with everyone, please share it in the comments section below. If you'd like to keep it private and yet raise your hand, just say "Unspoken" and we'll celebrate with you. 

Our Healthiest Request

When God said to Moses, "I myself will go with you. I will do what you ask, because I know you very well, and I am pleased with you" (Ex 33:12), what was Moses' response?

He stuck around.

Picture it. That one phrase from God - I will do what you ask - had Moses scratching his chin. So what did he ask for? More money? Power? To be liked by the ungrateful Israelites? Or what about health? Surely he wanted clear eyes, strong muscle, fast feet? Perhaps a bit less waist around the waistline, or maybe a little youth in his step? No. Moses wanted nothing of that. "Please show me your glory" he said. (v. 18)

And Moses wasn't alone. Amid painful and dangerous circumstances, who would have blamed David for requesting refuge? Not me. Knowing what David had been through, we may have anticipated his plea for safety, or even the ability to fly. But David set his heart on the pearl and his eye on the prize. "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm 27:4)

With our short Summer hiatus coming to an end, I want that to continuously be our plea and our most earnest desire. Like David, to seek Him in His temple and to seek Him with ours.

I can live with an aging body. I can live with weakening muscle, a slower metabolism, a crumbling spine and an ever-receding hair line (although I wouldn't mind keeping a little on the top.) Yes friends, I can live without my body, but I can't live without my Jesus. May our health be one of the many reasons why the lost are found. May 'seeing His glory' be our healthiest request. 

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What is your heart's desire this week? If God said to us what He said to Moses, what would our response be?

Rock The Fitness World

One of the single greatest obstacles facing the fitness industry isn’t a lack of Christians supplied with the gospel, it’s in the distribution of it. In some cases, it’s fear. Fear of being a radical. Fear of being the freak. Or rather than seeing the gym, fitness center or ‘box’ as a mission field, we’re competing for attention on a physical level. 

But imagine if one of our “fitness goals” each week was to mention the name of Jesus to just one (1) perfect stranger we encounter (or even to someone we’ve been training with for a long time.) No attention, no glitz, no new “likes,” no new followers, no hearts on Instagram, but just a simple, humble desire to reach those God has brought into our midst for the cause of Christ. 

Frankly, I’m convinced that one of the most devious of the enemy’s ploys has been to convince us that our time in the gym is “me” time. "Yes, block everyone out – especially those that need Jesus – and focus on your SELF. Turn up the music, ignore the have-nots, disregard the lonely. You’re here to take care of the body after all." 

Meanwhile, the sound of clanging iron echoes like prison doors, while those sentenced to "life" believe that more size, more beauty, more strength, more attention are the keys to freedom. 

Guys, wanna set some prisoners free? Ask questions this week. Break the ice. Start talking about how God has blessed you. Drop His name: 

“Man, I don’t know where I’d be without God.” (Or)
“Bro, are you a Christian? No? Cause you’d make an awesome Christian.” (Or maybe)
“Dude, would you like to get a protein shake after we lift so I can tell you about a time that changed my life?” 

Guys, the fact is, the gym is as much of a mission field as the mission field. What if we rocked the world – the fitness world – for Jesus? Worth a try, don't you think?
Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Do you see your time in the gym or on the road as an opportunity to do something great for Jesus? Have you been noticing opportunities to witness for Christ lately? If so, will you commit to sharing Him with one person this week? Let's set some goals.

Walk With Me

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

— John 15:2

Walk with me. There's something I want to show you, because it's almost that time of year again. Just down this street is a row of trees. For years I've watched pruning crews pull up and do their work. I admit, it's painful to watch. Cut, snip, snap, buzzzz. And just like that, the crew cleans up the rubble and off they go, leaving nothing but a seemingly empty, barren-looking tree. And here we are. A couple of weeks ago, I took the picture on the left. To the right: the same tree today.

Now, I'm not the first person to see Heaven in a pruning process, and I won't be the last, but I've learned a few simple things. 1) The pruning process helps keep trees healthy. 2) Trees will eventually bear more branches and fruit. 3) Pruning allows more light and oxygen to reach the center of the tree. And 4) pruning trains a tree to take the shape the owner desires.

I probably don't have to say another word, but as long as we're walking, it leaves me no choice. In the area of faith, health, fitness, food, what do we need to prune? Perhaps, for starters, instead of grabbing the cell phone or logging on each morning, we instead reach for God's word or Godly devotional (cut). We can rid the pantry of unhealthy food choices and fill it with natural, healthy alternatives (cut, snip). We can park away from the mall's entrance, take the stairs, walk the block with spouses, play outside with kids. (cut, snip, buzzzz, TIMBER!!).

And when the rubble at our feet is cleared away, we're left with more time for the Lord, healthier options to eat and better alternatives to spark metabolism. Yep, I'm not the first person to see Heaven in a pruning process, but if you and I can 1) get healthy, 2) bear more fruit 3) allow His light to hit us more deeply and 4) take the shape spiritually and physically that our Owner desires, I say, "Bring on the crew."

Thanks for the walk. This is my stop.
- Jimmy Peña
 

You Will

When the naysayers said to Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Arnold, we never want to look like you," he famously quipped, "Don't worry. You never will." My younger self chuckles, because on the surface that's one of the best replies I've ever heard. But then again, it's not the surface I'm worried about.

Thing is, honoring God with our bodies has nothing to do with the size and shape of muscle. If you think about it, our eyes are part of the body. So what we look at or avoid, what we notice, what we see, what we LIKE on social media, and what we don't look at, that's honor. Our ears too, can't forget those. What we discipline ourselves to listen to, and when we cover our ears to gossip, when we choose to miss a workout to listen to somebody's hurts, that's honoring God with the body. And the tongue, oh man, our words. Talk about honor God! What we say, who we say it to, the topic of discussion, just name it; to say nothing about the time we take to actually talk to Him!

Biceps? Not about circumference, but about picking up your brother. Triceps? Not about what you can pressdown, but about extending the arms to serve, to help, to shake hands, to wipe tears, point directions, and wave hello. (I could go on, but I'll spare you.) Cover your ears Arnold, but any amount of muscle we have should serve to enable us to get where God needs us to be so we can honor Him with the body.

I think that's why Paul - inspired by God - urged us to train in godliness above all. And as I sit here thinking about it, when we train in godliness, spending time in God's word, on our knees in prayer, listening to worship music or Christian lyrics, we're training to look just like Jesus. To think like Him. Walk where He would walk. Talk like He would have us talk. It's a divine twist, right? The purpose of our health is to make much of Jesus, but it's when we eventually lose that health that we'll finally see why: Him. And in that moment, we'll look just like Him. We'll forgive just like Him. We'll extend grace JUST LIKE HIM. We'll be everything we trained for; that's glory.

When we say, "Jesus, we want to look just like you." He says, "Don't worry, you will."

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Anyone ready for heaven to make sense of earth? What does it mean to you to look "just like Jesus." Is that your goal when you hit the gym? The studio? The road? Share your thoughts. What would you DO - if you accomplished your goals?  You know, I don't go back in time that often, but above are a couple of shots from one of my last training days over 8 years ago taken for a photo shoot. A year or so later, doctors told me I'd never train the same again because of a genetic degenerative spinal disorder. The pics are literally from one of my last days in the gym. But truth be told, that's actually when my body started to work.

The iPrayFit Project So much in store, kids. As you heard from last week, we are donating all of the iPrayFit memberships to charity beginning next month. So all the dues that you as members donate each month will go to worthy causes; from building wells, donating wheelchairs, sending bicycles. More of that to come, but we are actively interviewing for internships for the iPrayFit Project, so reach out if you are website savvy, social media meaty and pretty much love PrayFit. Or...if you just want to give to charity while being a member of iPrayFit, join us. Things are about to get fun.

Giving Up The Boat

Brian Field - Mission's Pastor at Calvary Community Church - preached this last Sunday. And by preached, I mean he opened up my chest to perform surgery on my heart, blasting my system with the gospel and sowing me up with mere threads of thought and questions and hope.

It's true, Loretta and I want to be just like Brian. We want to go where he goes and walk where he walks because he lives and loves like Jesus to the corners of the world. He's headed in the direction we want to go. He spoke about the day Jesus took over the boat of the disciples. And while we've all heard great sermons on the subject, and I've written a couple of entries on the scene, something Brian said - something I'd never heard before - reached the marrow. 

I'm paraphrasing, but of all the reactions the eventual disciples had, selfish ambition was NOT one of them. They didn't see all the fish and immediately think dollar signs. "Hey, this can be lucrative. Say, Jesus, ever thought about being a fisherman? I think we just might have an opening. Picture it. 'Jesus and the fishermen.' Yeah, that's catchy. That's got a ring to it. Whaddya say?" Absurd, right? Well, looking around at my industry - and this world in general - not so much.

Well, after 7 years of devotions, most of you know my heart, but Loretta and I have a tug at ours. Beginning soon, the iPrayFit membership will be working with all of you about the destiny of our proceeds. We will be looking for help, deploying regional ambassadors, social media interns and more. (Please participate in the poll question below, as it will help us immensely.) We are so excited and hopeful about the upcoming announcement. But suffice it to say that when you give Jesus your boat, it's His. 

PrayFit Poll Question:
If you're a member of iPrayFit - or you soon will be - where would you want proceeds of your membership going each month? We will be engaging multiple, so feel free to indicate more than one. Using numbers 1, 2, 3, or 4, please complete the sentence:
With my membership, I'd like to:
1. Build a well for those that don't have clean water.
2. Provide bicycles to pastors that need to get to hard-to-reach places.
3. Give wheelchairs to those with special needs around the world
4. Other (please name your charity)

Set Free

The last time I traveled abroad to help a client for a project, the house we were staying in was nestled in the deep, dark reaches of what could have been the Congo for all I know. Spiders the size of small dogs, bugs never before photographed by man...this place was creepy.

Well, one night in the laundry room underneath the house, I was transferring clothes from the washer, when a moth the size of a pterodactyl flew out of the dryer. (I suddenly had new clothes to wash.)

I stood and watched this pre-historic bat beat his head against the window trying to escape his laundromat hotel-turned-prison. I noticed it had a portion of its wing missing, but that didn't stop it from flying around my head as it tried desperately to get out. After many attempts, I was able to catch it and throw it outside.

Nice story, right? Well, the next morning I made my way back to the laundry room. I opened the door and wouldn't you know it -- that giant eagle-moth with that broken wing was back at that same window, trying to get out. Trapped again. Same predicament. Same trouble. As I shook my head in disbelief, it dawned on me...I'm a lot like that moth.

Aren't we like that sometimes? We find ourselves in the wrong place, wrong predicament, wrong jungle -- beating our heads against the wall just wishing for a fresh new start? Well, today is the perfect day for a fresh start, both physically and spiritually. It's time to shed the bad habits and wrong decisions and replace them with God-filled choices for abundant health and living. Like my little flying friend, we just have to realize we've been set free.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Anyone free today? What about your health or your illness do you feel God setting you free from? Is He opening a door or a window, showing you a glimpse of hope and life? 

Easy To Miss

“Open the eyes of my heart Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You.”

— Michael W. Smith

It's easy to miss our destiny.

I can just imagine those two disciples walking toward Emmaus together. It was late in the day, their heads hung low as they kicked up dust with each reminiscent step. After minutes of silence, one would remember something Jesus said, bringing a grin to both their faces. After all, these two heard and saw things not written in the bible.

After another quiet mile or so, the other would bring up "that time when," and the two would smile, shake their heads, laugh and cry. Who would blame them? They missed their friend. Not the miracle maker or the water-walker, but just Jesus. The same Jesus who would tell a good joke at night, sending all the guys to bed laughing. And the same Jesus that listened to their stories with the anticipation of one who didn't already know the ending. Jesus was easy to miss.

Even when He was walking right next to you.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I don't want to miss Jesus in my day. I don't want miss Him in my workout. The person on the treadmill. She just lost her son. The guy that comes in and trains for maybe 15 minutes and leaves. He's trying to spend spend time with his daughter who has special needs. The lady that reads her book while sitting on the stationary bike. She's contemplating the worst scenario. And the guy sitting on the corner begging for money as I leave the gym. He can't remember the last time he slept indoors. I don't want to miss them. I don't want to miss Jesus in them. Anyone tracking with me? Training my body to reach temporary goals is not a destiny, it's a means to reach it. It's a means to reach them.

Wheels

“It’s not about the wheels.”

— Joni

Saturday was a special day. Loretta and I applied sunscreen and packed a few snacks. We put on our sandals, adjusted our caps. It was beach day, but not just any beach day. 

The special needs ministry at Calvary Community Church with Gina Spivey (you've heard me mention it before) is Luke 14 in the flesh. From weekly ministries, monthly buddy breaks for parents, to high school proms and retreats, to yes, beach days.

But, let me back up; to Thursday to be exact. Loretta and I walked into a palatial office located just off highway 101 near our home in Los Angeles. Guys, you walk in and your heart is immediately blasted with goodness. Choice, carefully planned prayers are strategically placed along the walls. There's an infinity pool and fountain echoing throughout the building that serves as the foundation of an elevated chapel in the lobby; which by the way is surrounded by the longest indoor wheelchair ramp in the world.

Speaking of, to get our VIP guests in wheelchairs across the sand - from the street to the shoreline - volunteers laid planks of plywood down and pushed each chair along, picking up the wood and running it to the front of the line; think of applying asphalt down as the car approaches and then running ahead of the car to repeat the process. Well, by midday, people of all ages- some at the beach for the first time and some at the beach in a long time - were making sandcastles, riding boogie boards, running away from the waves up the sand, breathing in ocean air. Can you hear a seagull as you read this sentence?

The longest indoor wheelchair ramp in the world supports the wheelchair of the second longest surviving quadriplegic in the world. A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. She eventually founded Joni and Friends in 1979 to provide Christ-centered programs to special-needs families, as well as training to churches. Joni and Friends serves thousands of special-needs families through Family Retreat, and has delivered over 100,000 wheelchairs and Bibles to needy disabled persons in developing nations.

This week we're talking destiny. Not success, but significance. Not achievement, but a calling. 

Bob Buford in his book, "Halftime" asks himself:
What is my truest purpose?
My life work?
My destiny?
What does it really mean to "have it all"?
What do I want to be remembered for?
What would my life look like if it really turned out well?

Questions I asked myself as I stood in the sand watching Gina. Questions I asked myself as I watched Joni heading up her ramp. Questions I ask you as you read this sentence, as you turn on your cubicle light, as you press start on the treadmill. 

Are your running after your destiny? Am I?

Guys, welcome to a new week. Lord, please bless each person reading this sentence. May our day bring You glory. May our hopes, dreams and our lives find us running after You and Your purpose for us. It's all we want. Amen.

- Jimmy

Say Your Name

Tuesday's used to be "leg day" for me. On Tuesdays, the squat rack - the gym's throne - had my name on it. Arriving early, I'd hang my belt across it, alerting trespassers that for the next hour, this place was reserved. In other words, beware of owner. Keep out. Out of service. Take a number. But if I showed up to a crowded gym - and a busy rack - you'd think the ground collapsed beneath me. After all, I needed to train. But there wasn't enough room for me, my goals, my time and theirs.

When we got to The Holy Sepulchre in Old Jerusalem (the church above the Hill of Calvary), there was a crowd. People of all walks of life, backgrounds, and expectations were desperate; desperate to be near the place; the place of grace.

Walking single file, I'd occasionally peer over the shoulder of the guy in front of me to see how much further we needed to walk. C'mon, people. I just couldn't wait; my frail, little legs, shuffling along an inch at a time. I just wanted to get there.

In Mark 16: 6-7, the angel said, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.

And Peter. Indeed, I'm the millionth writer to stress those words. Peter had denied he even knew Jesus, and Jesus knew it. So Jesus - as only He could - comforts Peter. And in doing so, comforts me. And you. Try it. Just replace Peter's name with yours. "But go, tell His disciples, and...Jimmy. And Loretta. John. And Eric. And Sally. And Leanne. And Jerry. And Casey. Insert your name in the verse and the verse takes on new meaning. Try it. Say your name. And...___________________.

We've all fallen short. We've all denied Jesus by our thoughts, words and deeds. He knows what we've done. And yet, as I found out when we got to the end of the line, there's room. Like He did for Peter, He saved a place for me. And for you. He's called us out by name. But you don't have to be in Old Jerusalem to realize it. You may be reading this from your kitchen table or from your bed while sipping coffee. You may be in your cubicle at work, or you just might be awaiting your turn in the squat rack.

And if that's true, grab a set for me. But do me a favor. With each rep, as the weight gets heavier and heavier, when you come to the point of failure - when your frail legs can do no more than shuffle - say your name. 

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: When I got to the end of the line, we were there. I was able to catch a glimpse of Calvary. I was even able to reach through a small opening and touch the hill. The thought. Somewhere below my feet is where Jesus died to pay my debt and yours. You'd think the ground collapsed beneath me. I know I'm a little sentimental, but to be there was special. Anyone with me? I'd love to pray with you. What's going on in your life? My family and team would love to pray for you. And if you'd rather not get specific, just..well...just say your name.

A Greater Triumph

Some of my favorite writings have been about this room. Looking down into it, I can't help but recite them to myself as if I were pounding away at my keyboard. We've looked at this place from various perspectives; the friends, the paralytic, and the naysayers. Where are we? Well, in Capurnaum (where Jesus spent the majority of time during his public ministry, and my absolute favorite spot on our trip) there's a church with a glass floor that's built over an ancient space. Directly adjacent to the Temple of Jesus - where we know with absolute certainty He preached - sits the very spot believed to be where a man picked up his bed and walked. Yeah, I know, right? I can stop typing.

It was here that Jesus asked, "Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? (Mark 2)

Max Lucado once asked, "Which was easier for Jesus? To forgive a soul or heal a body? To heal the man’s body took a simple command; to forgive the man’s sins took Jesus’ blood. The first was done in the house of friends; the second on a hill with thieves. One took a word; the other took his body. One took a moment; the other took his life. Which was easier?”

This room puts me in check. Want to know why I strain to talk training and nutrition? This room. Want to know why I care more about my soul (and yours) than I do my body (or yours)? This room. Sure, I'm an educated physiologist and author of fitness and nutrition books, but compared to the lesson the Lord taught us - merely 10 feet below mine - fitness isn't worth a darn. Or maybe I should say, it has "little value." 

Alistair Begg said in a recent sermon, "The greater triumph isn't the healing of the body, but is the cleansing of the soul. Because even if we are healed physically, we will surely die. The great miracle is that God can change a heart." 

How does the old song go? 'Change my heart oh God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God, I want to be like you.' Can't you just hear those words echo off the rocks below? I wonder what the healed man treasured more as he walked away, health or Heaven. Someday I'll ask him.

Indeed, the body is a miracle, no doubt. A wondrous creation. All our working joints and muscle and fat and systems are simultaneous explosions of the divine. And yes, I'll always love helping you care for it, train it and treat it. It's my trade. But PrayFit has always been and will always be about the greater triumph; none of which has to do with our effort or the byproducts of any discipline.

But anyway, guys, look at this view! What!? Seems I'm typing again in my head. Let's see...Picking up the mat and walking wasn't the great miracle in the room. Not for the friends, the paralytic, the naysayers, but especially not for Jesus. That's what I see as I look through the hole in the roof...

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What is your favorite part of the story? We all are taught something different, so please share. Knowing what it took for Jesus to heal our hearts, how does that help you maintain a proper perspective of the body? 

Pictured: Here you'll see a candid shot of Loretta waiting for me to get the camera ready to take her picture. :-) I snapped it early. She's standing in the Temple across the way. I love this shot.

Waking Jesus

Here I am doing what some of you would expect sentimental me to be doing while in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. I didn't know Loretta was close by with her camera, anxiously awaiting my reaction to the waves, but I couldn't help but stare. As we sailed out into the middle, we turned off the praise music and shut down the engines. Complete silence. Absolute calm. Perfect safety. 

Two thousand years ago, there was a boat on this very water. One minute, peace. The next, panic. At some point, the disciples may have been singing, telling jokes, or playing their favorite Galilean board game. But the fun didn't last. The clouds rolled in, the winds rushed and the waves rose. This was it. This is how it all ends, they may have thought. Meanwhile, Jesus slept. 

Jesus got into a boat, and his followers went with him. A great storm arose on the lake so that the waves covered the boat...Jesus was sleeping” (Mt. 8:23-24 NCV)

There's a thought. They followed Jesus into a storm. Quite the lesson for us, amen? Following Jesus doesn't mean smooth sailing, but often the opposite, right?

And like I've written before, the disciples knew what to do. Isn't it true? They knew what to do, and they were the first to do it. Do what exactly? Well, they did literally what you and I do metaphorically. They called for Him in the storm. We know the story. First came the wind, then the waves. And with teeth chattering and knees knocking, the terrified bunch woke the only one who could put the sea to sleep.

My week in Israel was such a good reminder for me that it's not that the storm wasn't threatening, or that the disciples were silly for being scared. No, the storm was real. But Jesus took their fears seriously. Of all the things we can learn from this story as I stare into this once-troubled sea is that Jesus didn't hush the storm to prove its insignificance. No, He hushed it to prove their significance to Him. 

Your storms are real. My fears are real. But when your teeth chatter and my knees buckle, we can follow their lead, amen? They knew what to do. We can too. In many ways, we're in the same boat as Loretta awaits my reaction to the waves. Brings a lump to my throat to think He's patiently waiting for me to wake Him up.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Following Jesus. Trusting Jesus. Waking Jesus. The cycle of life. The cycle of my life; me of little faith. Perhaps like you guys, this is me, "I need You, Lord. I'm so scared sometimes. My Shelter. My constant Friend. Let me curl up next to You and even if You don't calm the storm, by You, I'll be.

Home

What a month. The prep, the trip, the return. Team Israel is back. I've missed writing more than you've missed reading, I'm certain, but suffice it to say that I'm grateful to be back in my corner to serve you. The PrayFit Devotion returns after the longest hiatus in our history.

Before we resume our regularly scheduled fitness devotions - where we put one foot in front of the other in the area of humble, bodily stewardship - I want to simply share the purpose of our mission as well as a few of my favorite images of the trip.

Among so many other things, we visited the Dead Sea, and we witnessed an unbelievable panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives. We walked down the Palm Sunday Path, visited the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and The Western Wall. We walked the Via Dolorosa and visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We visited Nazareth, spent time in Capernaum where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish. We were baptized in the River Jordan and took a boat out onto the Sea of Galilee for a time of prayer.  And then...

...we knelt where our sins were forgiven.

Suddenly anything I will ever write will fall gloriously short of those seven words. We still can't put into words what we've seen, where we've walked and what we've touched. We will never read our Bibles the same way again.

As many of you know, we were there to serve in the ongoing reconciliation camp, "Musalaha." Nineteen years ago, Musalaha (which means reconciliation in Arabic) was established by Salim J. Munayer in Jerusalem when he acted upon his vision to see peace between Israelis and Palestinians. What a wonderful man and family. We were honored to be in his home and we’re humbled to be at his service. As to what our purpose was while there, Salim calmly and confidently said, “Be a light in the darkness, build relationships, change the world one child at a time.” We tried to follow his lead.  

And so, thanks to those of you that prayed for us and a very special thanks to those that gave financially to our trip, allowing us to go. Please enjoy the journey in pictures. We have a roll of nearly 5,000 images, but here are some of my favorites.

This is me, smiling and exhausted from crossing ten time zones, hoping that for a few minutes you enjoy our memories.

- Jimmy

Team Israel, pictured here with Musalaha founder, Salim.

Traditional, celebrated birthplace of Jesus.

You'll notice this emblem often in these images. I've grown to love it. It's called The Jerusalem Cross. I will write about it in upcoming entries.

The doorway into The Mount of Olives. Again, you can see the Jerusalem Cross. I'm wearing one around my neck today.

The entrance into the Garden of Gethsemane

My love, Loretta, standing near the garden. This olive tree is estimated to be nearly 5-6,000 years old. We know with absolute certainty that this tree was there the night Jesus prayed, wept and was arrested.

Traditionally known as the Wailing Wall. (Currently, this is called "The Western Wall".)

The entrance into the Holy Sepulchre; the church above the hill of Calvary.

Encased in glass is part of the hill of Calvary. We were able to reach into a small portal and touch the rock. Imagine?

An ancient cemetery just outside the city and surrounding the Mount of Olives.

The Via Dolorosa. For years, I've sung the song "I walked today where Jesus walked" and for the first time in my life, it's true.

Jerusalem Cross and a cat. I loved taking shots of doorways and alleys. You should see my entire camera roll. (I should be a photographer.)

I took this while walking the streets of a 3,500 year-old city, called Nablus. This is located in Palestinian occupied territory where we served the kids. Unbelievable poverty.

Probably the most remarkable church I've ever seen. Built above Mary's home where the angel Gabriel appeared to her, the Church of the Annunciation is breathtaking. It has no equal.

A few kids in ancient Nablus.

Me and Letta at Jacob's well. The actual well where Jesus forgave the samaritan woman.

Loretta working with her kids on one of the camp days.

Standing at the Mount of Precipice; the place from where Jesus was threatened to be thrown. 

The love of my life and I baptizing each other in the Jordan River. Somewhere along this way Jesus met John the Baptist in the water.

The moment Letta's feet touched the water in the Sea of Galilee.

Probably one of the most impactful moments of the trip, we took a boat out into the middle of the sea of Galilee, turned off the engine and prayed in absolute silence for about 15 minutes. You could hear only the waves against the side of the boat. Imagine, it was here that Jesus calmed the sea, encouraged Peter to try the "other side," where Christ walked on water...

Our last sunrise. This was taken from our room along the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Life is downhill from here.

Better Than I Deserve

Been a while since I've been able to find my writing corner. Many of you know we're getting ready for our Israel trip next week, and I've been on a consulting gig for the past 2 months, so I'm grateful for your grace. For 7 years, we've been filling your inbox, and it's something I don't take lightly. It's just, the last month or two have been trying to say the least.

But as I type that, I think back to a few hours ago; walking the halls of the Ventura County Rescue Mission. With 150 beds, hundreds of recovering addicts - whose days begin before dawn for work and Bible study; and a leadership and volunteer base that serve 700 hot meals a day to the hungry homeless - I'd like to rephrase my predicament. Let me just say, I'm better than I deserve.

This last weekend, Loretta and I once again were honored to spend time with special needs kids at Calvary Community Church. 'Buddy Break,' is simply a time for parents to get a much needed rest; where kids with autism or other illnesses are paired with people like me and Loretta to just play and hang so their parents can have a date, watch a movie, go to lunch, take a nap.

I was once again paired with Jordan. Jordan asks me every question he can imagine. And I love him for it. He's trapped inside, and his mind races a mile a minute to repeat his question about the color of the sky, or what sound a frog makes, and if I like mustard; questions I'm blessed to answer as many times as he asks it. Yes, I'm better than I deserve.

Some people may say that my message of "faith and fitness" has grown soft. That this old bodybuilder doesn't spend enough time in the gym; doesn't talk weights or celebrate achieved goals like the rest of the industry. And they'd be right. Beat that with a stick. But by grace, the smaller my arms get, the stronger they grow.  

Honoring God with my body isn't about goals. It isn't about weights or sets or reps or beating yesterday's best. Write this down: Those things describe capability, not impact. Besides, how fit do I need to be to feed the hungry, help the poor, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless? I don't need a heavy set of ten. I need a heavy heart. Stewardship doesn't require a pump, just a pulse.

- Jimmy Peña

He Held On

He held on. Wouldn't let go. Not until he got his blessing. Jacob went through something that forever changed how he related to God. The Lord weakened him physically to strengthen him spiritually. And his story finds its way into our week of adversity. Expecting the worst from his brother Esau, Jacob not only prepared practically (sending Esau gifts ahead of his arrival) but he talked to God. A lot. Then one night the Bible says he wrestled with a mysterious man. As the fight continued, the man touched and dislocated Jacob's hip. And that was enough to convince Jacob that this was no ordinary man, but in fact he saw God (v.30) so he held on, refusing to let go until he received his blessing.

Well, after fight night, battle-tested and blessed, Jacob had two new things: A limp and a name.

The limp is significant to me personally, because Jacob knew that in his new physical state, he would never be able to defend himself against Esau. He had to rely on God alone to fight his battles. Not sure about you, but I know more than ever that I'm weaker than I think. Oh, I know that goes against what the fitness world boasts, but like Jacob, even Paul understood that we rely more on God when we embrace our smallness. What did he say? "I am content in my weakness...for when I'm weak, I'm strong." But I really didn't understand that verse until I was humbled. But gracefully, I feel stronger in my weakness than I ever felt in my strength.

And as far as Jacob's new name, well, he went from "heel catcher, Jacob" to "he who struggles with God, Israel."  Indeed, there's no better way to walk through life than with a limp that says you've been with God Himself.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What is the key to hanging on during the tough stuff? Are you wrestling? How could your present adversity help you lean more on God? What has adversity taught you about God and His grace?

For Dear Life

David was no stranger to caves. From the darkest place came his highest praise. Like you, he was no stranger to adversity. I can just hear the faint echo of water as it drops around him. Every few hours he looks and listens, wondering if the coast is clear. Among other hardships, when David wrote Psalm 57, King Saul was trying to kill him (1 Sam 24). But the young shepherd did what sheep need to do and cried out loudly to the only One who could help him, the only One who could hold him, and the Only one with him in his refuge until the storm passed. From the darkness he wrote:

“I’ve run to you for dear life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together.(v.1-3) I’m ready, God...ready from head to toe, ready to sing, to raise a tune (v.7,8) I’m thanking you, God, out loud...the deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.” (v.9,10)

The safest place for David to go until his storm passed was a cave. Some days I want to join him. I want to duck my head as I step inside - and ask the man whose heart I want - to please scoot over. I then lean my back up against the wall, slide down, sit and hide. Best part is, when he starts to sing, I know the words. You do too. The end of Psalm 57 is a familiar praise. If you're in here with us - if adversity calls for the cave - this is me scooting over. From the darkest place comes our highest praise. In fact, I think David is about to sing. I say we join him.

"We exalt Thee. We exalt Thee. We exalt Thee, O God. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Do you find comfort in hearing David sing? When you and I go through hardships, what is our default reaction? Is it to hide and sing? It's something, but caves can come in all shapes and sizes. Some look like offices, some are shaped like cubicles, others look like the gym or the living room. We know our way around caves, amen?

Adversity Draws It Out

I won't sugarcoat it. The adversity I'm talking about this week isn't watered-down. Friends, I'm not talking about the kind of adversity that's accompanied by "enjoyable" pain; like my old training days and the temporary, tough, voluntary and enjoyable pain that I knew would get me to my goals. No, the adversity I'm talking about is the kind many of you are going through. The kind accompanied by a pain you never saw coming. A pain you don't know if you can endure, because you don't know if it will ever end. The kind of pain that's disorienting, because you can't remember what it felt like not to hurt. The kind of pain accompanied by excruciating, debilitating, humiliating misery. Physical, emotional, financial, relational adversity. And it's real.

I've been studying Habakkuk, and this man is a Biblical role model. After sobbing and moaning miserably, screaming for God to work, he learned the brutal Babylonians would soon destroy his homeland. Yet despite his unbearable circumstance, Habakkuk provided us a response to our own: “I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord GOD is my strength...(Hab. 3:18). And in the midst of adversity - with chaos swirling about him - we find Habakkuk worshipping.

Looking back 20 years ago, I'd often have Loretta turn up the music from the other room to ready my heart for my training. Two years ago, I begged her each day to turn up the music from the other room to drown out the sound caused by the pain of my infirmity. Same music, same body, different faith. Perhaps like you today, my spirit of enthusiasm characterized my suffering.

Guys, we have permission to hurt. We have Biblical examples of those that hurt so deep - physically, spiritually, emotionally - they wailed. Like me, like you, adversity draws it out of us. It might not be pretty, but it can be the first sound of worship.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Habakkuk sobbed, screamed, then sang. He worried, wailed then worshipped. What an example. Is this week reaching you? What can we pray with you about?

Purpose In Adversity

Adversity. There's not a person reading this page that hasn't faced adversity in one way or another. Whether in a relationship, a financial situation, the loss of a loved one, or perhaps even in health....adversity touches us all. This week we're going through some together.

Pastor Levi Lusko says, "The largest pain calls for the loudest praise." If you're wondering how that makes any sense, this week we'll look at the likes of David. Why David? Well, David wrote many of the psalms of praise while hiding in the bleakness and darkness of what? Caves. We're gonna follow the prophet Habakkuk. In his desperation and fear of the Babylonian army, Habakkuk went from worrying, to wailing, to worshipping.

And finally, we'll look at Jacob. After wrestling with God, Jacob was weakened physically to be strengthened spiritually. What better way to walk through life than with a limp that proves you were with God Himself?

If this week teaches us anything, I hope it's these things:
1) You and I have permission to hurt.
2) We need to go through our trials with a spirit of enthusiasm that characterizes our suffering.
3) It's best to bring our pain to the One who can do something about it.

Everyone with me? Say 'amen.' If I've ever wanted to encourage you to not miss an entry, it's this week. Someone you know and love - and that someone may be in your morning's mirror - needs to hear this week's message. What is your reaction in the midst of adversity?

-Jimmy

Be First

"Peter again denied it, and at once the rooster crowed." --John 18:27 

I can relate to Peter. In one moment, he declares adamantly he would never deny he knew who Jesus was; the next, he does it not once...not twice...but thrice. But still, what motivates me about Peter was that while he wasn't perfect, he was the one who stepped up. He wasn't always right, but he was never in doubt.

First to reach for his sword to defend the Lord (only to be taught a quick lesson in self-control), and first to get out of the boat (only to be the example of how we sink without faith). But if you notice a common thread in the stories of Peter, the more he was first to fall, the more he learned to stand.

In our pursuit of a stronger faith, as well as to better health, we often make bold declarations that we will pray more, train more, and eat better...only to do the exact opposite the next moment. But friends, take courage. Keep being first. Set the pace with your family and friends. Remember, Peter knows what it's like to declare and fail, and to step out and sink. Pursuing obedience is a staggering undertaking. Fortunately, like Peter the pacesetter, we have a Savior who reaches further than the fall.

--Jimmy Peña

Discipline Determines Destiny

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should." --1 Corinthians 9:27 

Some of you have heard me share this experience, but I think it's perfect for this Monday. I once had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Charles Stanley with In Touch Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. I've met a few celebrities in my career, but none of them ever made me nervous. Friends, my hands were sweating and my legs were shaking when I had the honor of speaking with him.

Well, anyway, he delivered a message entitled, "Discipline Determines Destiny." Of course, he made it clear that he wasn't talking about eternal destiny, but that he wanted to discuss our earthly effectiveness; how we handle our money, our time, our relationships and ohhhh yes, while I was at the edge of my seat, he said it..."how we handle our health."

None of the other topics received much of a reaction (perhaps because they were expected), but when he asked the question, "Who wants to live a long, healthy life?", there was a noticeable murmur. When it became quiet, Dr. Stanley simply asked his congregation how they expected to live abundantly when they're facing avoidable and preventable road blocks of health. Hearing it from me is one thing, but when Dr. Charles Stanley says it, it's another thing altogether.

As he preached, I scribbled. He used words and phrases like,

The value we place on our health will be evident in our diligence... Fulfilling, achieving, orderly, less stressful... Aimless and lethargic versus Godly and confident... Feeling good about yourself... Nothing to do with age... He still has the best in mind for you... Positive impact on others...health can be a way to witness... Build better health and a better faith...

Folks, go ahead and quiet the murmur in your mind and settle your thoughts on this one: Your health is important to God. Any personal justification you've otherwise convinced yourself with, is false. The call to action this week is a call of discipline. And it doesn't matter what you decide to do.  Just decide and work within your means. Walk the block or the dog. Do some push-ups or lift some weights. Walk away from the dessert menu and step up to the plate of clean eating. Discipline determines destiny, and if you're reading this, yours is still unwritten.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Many of you also know that I lost my ability to train a few years ago, but I still hit it. Those of you that are members of iPrayFit will soon see my training journal as I try and prepare for Israel. God be with us. What can we be praying for this week? What do you need discipline to accomplish? Let's pray together.