Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
We Can Take It
"We are well able to conquer it." --Numbers 13:30
Of the twelve spies to survey the promised land, the Bible says that only two came back positive that they'd be victorious with God's help. Two dream chasers. Two true believers. When everyone else was negative, these two were wide-eyed and hopeful. We can take it, they said. (You know how I am with a good theme.) Well, this week we're going to take a look at Joshua and Caleb and what it meant for them to stay faithful and true to what God had called them to do. Their story of courage is both spiritual and physical and one that I know we'll be able to apply to our daily lives. I hope you don't miss a day.
Speaking of chasing a dream, I'd like to show you something special. You'll recall way back in early January my #OneWord? Well, over the last few months, Loretta and I have been in discussions about something God placed on our hearts: A PrayFit Conference. An event that celebrates health with speakers, experts, preachers, an expo, food and music. A place where grace meets health and where faith and fitness collide. I'm too excited not to share this. We have approved the logo and have decided upon the city and month: Los Angeles in September will host PrayFit RISE.
I can't articulate what it means for me to be able to show you this logo. Suffice it to say that when God puts a dream in your heart, you fight for it. Thank you for the inspiration, Joshua and Caleb. Oh how we want to apply your kind of faith and courage in our lives. We can take it.
Have a good week, dreamers.
--Jimmy Peña
HEALTHY MOTIVATIONS FOR THE WEEK
Ahhh, Mondays. The good news is that each Monday can mark a renewal of health -- a time when we can recommit to eating better and moving more. Let's focus on the good news with these quick tips to keep us on the right path.
1 FOCUS ON DOING...MORE What's your activity of choice? Walking? Swimming laps? Dance? Lifting weights? Riding your bike? All good choices. But don't let yourself slip into the same old routine this week. Focus on doing a bit more to challenge your body. Go a little farther or a little faster. Take that extra lap or ride that extra mile. Add 1-2 reps to each set with the same weight, or add a few pounds to the bar. As Jimmy always reminds us, "The body will only change to the level at which we stress it." This week, add a little "stress" and watch your body respond in kind.
2 FOCUS ON FOOD TYPES Most of us fall into two camps when it comes to nutrition: counting calories or not caring about calories at all. Neither group is really right, but neither is really wrong either. Instead of focusing on quantity this week, shift your focus to quality. Getting a healthy mix of protein, carbs and healthy fats at each meal and snack will be far more valuable in the long run. Studies show that a balanced, 33-33-33 macronutrient (protein, carbs and fat) ratio can yield more positive health markers than other types of "diets." It also keeps you feeling fuller and provides plenty of activity for "doing more" this week (see tip No. 1).
3 FOCUS ON YOUR "WHY" The PrayFit team has been a part of a lot of "how to" when it comes to fitness. "The how is easy," Jimmy says. "The how can only take you so far. It's the why that is going to keep you that way." In other words, ask yourself each day why you are making an effort for better health. It could be your spouse, your friends or coworkers. It could be something as simple as the promise of walking your daughter down the aisle. Or maybe it's your recognition in the importance of better stewardship of the body you've been gifted. Whatever the case, remind yourself of your "why" each day -- set yourself a reminder, hang a Post-It, jot it in your journal or, if you're feeling bold, share it with us here.
A Prayer: I Need To See You Move
"I need to see you move. I need to see your hand. I'm trying to live by faith. I don't know if I can. But I know you've not changed. There's nothing you can't do. I've done all that I can. I need to see you move."--Newsong
Dear Lord, like it says in the chorus of this song, so many of us reading this sentence (and the one writing it) need to see you move. From ailing health to crippling financial situations, may the position of our necks mirror that of Abraham during doubt, David during despair and Moses during fear. We know that it's not only during crisis that you want us to look to you, but we're comforted to know that we can. We just need you.
Tonight Lord, may the flame that ignites the opening ceremony of the Olympic games remind us that it takes discipline to create a destiny of excellence. And even if just for a moment, let it also remind us Lord that because of the cross, we've won a reward we didn't train for, work for, or ever deserve. May you prevent our pride from blinding us to the truth that our hearts and minds are not medal-worthy. Our thoughts and actions don't deserve a podium's praise. But by your grace, your face is all you see in us. Therefore, may it be your perfect performance we get lost in. May we be mesmerized by your relentless love. Give us the resolve to realize that life is a vapor-quick gift -- a vanishing moment that's here today and gone tomorrow. Help us gather for ourselves the mind of Paul that our chance at life is our chance to show the world that we live not to hoist a medal but to wear a crown. (2 Tim 4:8)
And Lord, while we need to see you move, may that same desperate plea echo inside our hearts as something you're saying to us each day. Help us respond in obedience and out of love. Like the shepherds who ran when you were born, you're still our good news. Like an unborn John, your presence still makes us jump for joy. And like David may we dance to a rhythm that only a life spent serving you can provide.
It's so true Lord. You alone satisfy. And so -- much like it satisfied the men and women who fill the pages of your Word -- seeing you move is all we need. And may you be pleased with our response when you lovingly and sovereignly ask the same of us. Thank you for another week. Any health is only possible through you, and any health we'll use to glorify you. In Jesus' name and for His sake, Amen.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion (and a request): What went well this week? Any victories to report? Praises to lift? Let's celebrate and give God the glory together. Any prayer requests? What's on your hearts and minds? And personally, please pray for me and Loretta. For a few weeks, we've been in daily meetings and discussions on PrayFit-related projects and dreams, and we covet your prayers. We just want to please Him. His renown is all we want. Wisdom and courage as we make decisions. Providence. Thanks guys. Nothing means more to us than your prayers.
FITNESS, NUTRITION AND MORE
For many of you, the PrayFit Daily is your entry point to our ministry. But how many of you have taken the time to explore the rest of what our site has to offer? Take a minute and find a few of these key links and be sure to bookmark your favorites!
FITNESS: Here, you'll find all you need to start putting your body in motion for whatever it is called to do. From workouts to exercise demos, we provide you a wide variety of ways to start reshaping your body and boosting your health. NUTRITION: Recipes. Research. Dietary tips. It's no wonder that this is one of the most popular pages on our site. To start eating in balance, click here.
Genuine Affection
"This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth." --3 John 1:1
Read: 3 John 1
"I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." (v. 2) Notice John's choice of words. I hope all is well with you. Everything. Completely. Like, totally. And yet, even to that, John needed to add something. He felt the need, the pull, the urgency to claim good health on his friend Gaius. I'm not sure what John knew about his friend, but we do know from the previous verse that he loved him dearly. And his genuine affection compelled him to hope he was as good on the outside as he was on the inside.
When was the last time we wished that on someone? When I was so sick last year, the first question on a daily basis from my family and friends was, "How are you really doing?" Why? They knew I was on the edge. In truth, if we have Jesus in our hearts, our inside can't get any better. But we all suffer physically. We all endure pain, aches, disease and unforeseen infirmities. And as a matter of fact, many keep it to themselves or worse, they don't know they're sick; apparently healthy but the furthest thing from it. The diagnosis is yet to come. The prognosis even more difficult to predict.
So try this today. As you reach out to people either on social media, e-mail or text, keep it short and sweet. Steep it in prayer. Type it with hope. Claim it for a friend or loved one as you echo the genuine affection from the heart of John and simply say, "Hey...I hope you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit."
--Jimmy Peña
Staggering Stat: The number of U.S prediabetics who don't know of their own condition exceeds the combined populations of California and Texas.
Source: Sugar Nation by Jeff O'Connell
>> To bring this message to your church, write us today at [email protected]! (Click 'play' below)
Creator, Curator
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." --Ephesians 2:10
God is a lot of things. To be more precise, He is everything. But certain of His attributes are more salient to us at different times. Today, you cling to His grace. Last week, you were grateful for the comfort of His word. But we are also sometimes just plain taken with His workmanship -- the artful, purpose-driven brushstrokes that He has made on everything we see. Masterpieces, all, to be sure. But what do you think is the pièce de résistance in His divine gallery? An expansive cosmos? Brimming oceans?
The world of art is a fickle one, where value is determined by discriminate buyers. The smallest imperfection can turn a multimillion dollar print into kindling -- colorful canvas that no one would want to hang in their foyer.
Similarly, we are all a part of our Father's collection, each of us besmudged by our own sin. But the same hands that created us are the same that maintain us. Day to day, we are touched up, reframed, resituated. In this gallery, the Creator is also the Curator and in His hall, we are never devalued.
--Eric Velazquez
For Discussion: Do you train regularly? If so, what is your true aim? How much time do you spend in the mirror evaluating the fruits of your labor? One of the "smudges" we all share is the desire to take credit. So let's try to remember Whose image we're supposed to reflect and whose handiwork we're really evaluating in the first place.
THE ULTIMATE HEALTH CARE SOLUTION New ABC report sheds some light on what really is the best medicine
"Millions of people in our society suffer from a ridiculous number of health problems -- some major, some minor that could become major -- because they lack basic fitness," writes Jordan Metzl, MD, in his new book The Exercise Cure. And it's not just making us fat and lazy -- it's also bankrupting the nation. "Based on current estimates, the United States spends more than $2.6 trillion -- 17 percent of the gross national product -- on health care. That's $8,300 per person," he adds.
Can we be doing more to solve the health care crisis in America?
>> For the full story, 9 Health Problems That You Can Treat with Exercise, click here.
The Little Jobs
"I know that you can do all things; and no one can stop you." --Job 42:2
Read: Job 42
"Jimmy, come help your Daddy." As a little boy, I'd make my way to the garage, and he'd be halfway under his '34 Ford, or welding, hammering or fixing something, whistling the entire time. "Yes sir?" I'd say. Of course, I probably had a baseball glove in my hands and eager to go outside and play. But within seconds I'd be holding a light, turning screws he'd practically completed, or he'd hammer a nail almost all the way and then let me finish it. I think back to those days a lot. He gave me the little jobs. And while they were tough, he knew I could handle them. But if I could whisper anything to my younger self, I'd say, "Ask him to show you the tough stuff." See, I'm not the best with my hands like Daddy, and not a day goes by that I don't wish I was. Can anyone relate?
You know, Jesus gives us the little jobs. If Heaven were up to our ability to be good enough or Godly enough, we'd never reach it. So He climbed on the cross to die for our sins so we can spend eternity with Him. A job nobody on earth -- below or above -- could do. He's put us in charge of things that require our effort.
So I take it back. Actually, if I could whisper anything to my younger self, I think I'd say, "Hey, don't hurry outside. He doesn't need your help, he wants your help. He just wants to spend time with you. Whistle with him. He's got the tough stuff. Just stay close."
Oh friends, may you and I -- as we tackle our little jobs on earth -- do just that.
--Jimmy Peña
Question: We can't work our way to Heaven, but God put us in charge of something that requires our effort: this body. What are you doing to be a good helper for the little job He's given you? A job He still oversees.
>> Bring this message to your church by contacting us here.
A Holy Climb
"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea', and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." --Mark 11:23
Read: Mark 11
Hey everyone. After an amazing weekend in Baker City, Oregon, we're excited to start a new week. I'll be sure to write about our weekend experience real soon; sweet, sweet people of Blue Mountain Baptist Church. And a special welcome to all the new readers. So grateful you're here. We have a couple of common mountains we climb -- two objectives as we make our way up some pretty steep hills. For some, PrayFit is a place of encouragement to begin or continue an exercise program or sensible eating plan. Others don't need such nudging on the health side but have come to enjoy the fact that we're nestled in God's word and steeped in grace.
It's a holy climb, really. That's what we chat about each day as we scale. As one hand digs for its stronghold, we remind each other of our need of greater health in order to live abundant lives, serving and doing. And as we secure our grip with the other, we echo the truth that no amount of health or fitness, muscle or endurance is worth anything if God isn't behind each motive.
So, maybe you're like me. Maybe it's easy to imagine yourself clinging to the side of this cliff. For whatever reason, either by neglect or something that blindsided you, you're stalled physically. Or perhaps your fitness is just fine, but you're so focused on reaching the summit of health or even body image that you're missing the purpose of it all. Well, wherever you are on this hillside, I hope and pray you spend some time with us each day. It's my experience that the more we focus on Christ, the stronger we are to get over hurdles or to get over ourselves.
Make it a holy climb -- one you make only by reaching for His hand.
--Jimmy Peña
>> WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: PrayFit has partnered with Lionsgate Entertainment to bring you two home-based workout DVDs -- the second more challenging than the first. Train along with founder Jimmy Peña as you work to become stronger, leaner and healthier, all from the comfort of your living room. Below is a sample of what you can expect with our newest video offering, the PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System.
Drop 'Em
"They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." --Matthew 4:21-22
Recently, I was relating to Jimmy how shallow my faith seems compared to the first disciples. Peter was a fisherman. James and John also made a living casting their nets. But this then-anonymous Nazarene walks up and kindly suggests that they leave it all behind (v. 19). And they do. No arguments, no hesitation -- immediate surrender to a higher cause, forsaking their livelihood and everything they'd ever known, simply because they were asked to. Ponder that for a moment. Better yet, put yourself in their shoes. Would you be able to set down your Macbook if He called you? What about your tool belt? Your barbell?
Now, it's easy to think of this story of the first disciples as faith-testing hyperbole -- a tale meant to symbolize our surrender to Christ. But folks, if you had the benefit of living in the context of that verse, you'd go back to the shore to see a pile of abandoned nets and a ship anchored in the shallows with no captain. These were things of great value to men who had very little and they left them behind without batting an eyelash.
We all have things that we place (or misplace) great value on, both tangible and intangible -- things of this earth to which we electively and misguidedly assign value -- material things, workout schedules, turbulent relationships and more. But how much better off would we be if we simply dropped them all and just followed Him.
As you get set to cast your nets overboard today, take pause, look to the shore and just listen. This is a call you don't want to miss and those nets, however important you think they are to the day's haul, won't travel well with you on this journey. All you have to do is drop 'em.
–-Eric Velazquez
For Discussion: There may just be things that we need to abandon to flourish in the splendor of His grace, including the mirror. But stepping away from our reflection isn't the same as stepping away from our health. As Jimmy says, "It's not about the mirror, but about the One we're trying to mirror." It's worth noting that it wasn't the last time these first disciples fished -- they just found new nets and new waters to fish. What (or whom) can you haul in with your commitment to health today?
BRING PRAYFIT TO YOUR TOWN
This weekend, Jimmy is addressing parishioners in Oregon. Could your church be next? More and more pastors, elders and churchgoers are inquiring about how to bring PrayFit's message -- one of stewardship, faith, humility and endurance -- to their next Sunday service. They want their congregations to be as healthy as they can be to take care of the work that needs doing in their communities and on missions abroad. Help us make your church next. Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details. As always, for churches and other non-profit events there is never a speaking fee. Talk to your pastors and leaders. Reach out to us and let's see health as a means of praise, together. For a sample of what you can expect, click play below.
Emergency Exit Woe
Tomorrow, Loretta and I fly to Oregon. We have the tremendous blessing of speaking and sharing the message of health with a small church and community there. We're so excited and honored. Tomorrow, I will also board a plane for the first time in a while. Reminds me of the last time I flew alone. I admit, I knew I would share this story with you at some point.
It wasn't long after my second surgery and I remember consciously booking the emergency exit row. See, at that time I needed the ability to extend my hips as much as possible, so what better place on a plane than in the exit row? Well as I got to my seat, I realized that I needed help getting my carry-on in the overhead bin. I'm shaking my head as I type this but a sweet flight attendant assisted me. Thing is, just as soon as I said thank you, I knew I didn't inspire much confidence from her. With everyone else already in their seats, she asked, "Are you sure you should be sitting in this row?"
Freeze frame. In that moment, my mind traveled back to when Loretta and I first got married. Back then I was impenetrable. I felt like Superman. We had a tiny little apartment on the second floor and we had bought a stackable washer dryer for the unit. We were so proud of it. The only problem was I had nobody to help me get it upstairs. So what did I do? I put it on an upright dolly and then attached my hands to said dolly with my pulling straps, and I proceeded to deadlift it up each step. Strong legs, back, core and heart. Speaking of, Loretta's heart was in her throat, and yes, that day my brains were in my biceps.
Where was I? Oh, yes, the plane. Well, no longer Superman, I knew right away that the flight attendant had a point. And the point was that the emergency row wasn't there to meet my needs, it was there so the needs of others could be met. Of course, back in my 20s and 30s, I could've pulled the door plum off the side of the plane, but alas, I switched seats.
Friends, isn't it something? Our health in so many of life's circumstances isn't about us at all. It's about what we can do for others. I guess that's why I hope we board that same plane with that same flight crew. Like in Superman II, when Clark Kent goes back to that diner after regaining his power, I hope I'm asked if I can perform the duties required to help others. I'll humbly say yes. I may even steal Clark's line as I adjust my glasses and say, "I've been working out."
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: So grateful for your prayers as we travel tomorrow. And, of course, grateful for your prayers of health that are allowing us the opportunity to serve. Yesterday, I did modified push-ups from the knees. What are you thankful for today? What can we praise the Lord for today? And any prayer requests? As we prepare for the trip, we are lifting you up. You can also simply say "Unspoken" and we will pray for you by name. See you guys next week.
UNPLUG FOR HEALTH
The best move you make for your health today will likely occur outside of the gym. Forget about the squats, push-ups and treadmill runs -- simply powering down your phone and computer can improve vitality, lower stress and extend your life span. In 2014, a full 33 percent of Americans get six hours of sleep or less. Work 11 hours or more per day? Then you are 67 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack. Get the full story from NBC Nightly News by clicking here.
And the Grammy Goes "Too"
"We left the Grammys early. I've many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I'll say this: I've never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I've never been more sure of the path I've chosen." --Natalie Grant on leaving the Grammys early My wife and I didn't watch the Grammys but I was asked about them on Monday. Thankfully, I had no reply. And I don't plan on spending time discussing the things that happened on stage that night. But with that said, let the uproar from the Christian community about the Grammys be a lightning rod for the Christian in the fitness industry.
Now, I realize that if hard work is paired with modesty and humility rather than pride and narcissism, the industry would crumble. But then again, honoring God with our health has absolutely nothing to do with what the fitness industry says. And I realize I could do more teaching in the area of fitness via protocols, techniques, schemes, intensity techniques, and so on. But after all my years, degrees and book projects, I am more sure than ever that grace is the most important reason to be as healthy as God wants us to be. It's the greatest motivator, perspective-giver, heart-pumping, blood-flowing, mind-blowing catalyst the world has ever known. We'll remove grace from the fabric of "fitness" when a cat swims the Atlantic. And I'll stop talking about grace as it relates to our health when grace ceases to be the only reason we have it.
I'll stop talking about grace as it relates to our health when grace ceases to be the only reason we have it.
Truthfully, I'm not suggesting we need blinders. We need a shield. We don't need Christians blending in with the rest of the crowd. We need a perplexed world noticing and simultaneously wondering what makes the Christian so different in whatever the sport or activity and then given the answer with love. In Monday's post, I wrote that "God runs this body." Friends, that declaration creates for us a wonderful, amazing, divine dilemma. It compels us to be the hardest workers in the pool, on the track, in the studio and in the gym. And while it demands that Olympic-style dedication, it cloaks us in character, harnesses us to humility and grounds us to grace. What a powerful place to be.
That's where we'll find Paul, disciplining himself like an athlete to turn hearts, not heads. That's where we find a battered and beaten Job, proclaiming -- unlike the world boasts -- that health is surely given. And it's where we find the Proverbs woman -- strong arms from her work but too invested in value to show them off in vain. What a powerful, divine dilemma. We only practice what's in our hearts. I think that's why Natalie Grant did what she did and said what she said following her Grammy experience. May we all have her kind of heart when we stand up and walk out.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: In what ways can we share Christ in love to those in our respective sports? How can we show the world that we love it and still not be "in" it? Do you make it a practice to share Jesus with those you train with? Do they know you're a Christian? Share any thoughts with those who may need your encouragement and wisdom.
RECIPE: SICK CHICKEN
It's going around here. What about where you are? The flu has a firm foothold across many parts of the country and amid the aches and pains, the coughs and sleepless nights, one thing that gets lost is your focus on healthy, body-fortifying food. This recipe, from our contributor and friend Kimberly Fuller, provides a tasty recipe packed with protein and vitamins to get you back on your feet. Who says comfort food has to be bad for you?
Training Wheels
"Nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way Jesus our Master has embraced us." --Romans 8:38
On my way to a meeting yesterday, PrayFit V.P. Eric Velazquez shared with me one of those moments. You know, a pivotal, unforgettable snapshot in time. The kind that leaves dads like him standing on sidewalks wondering where the years are going without his permission. Yes indeed, his little Mya is learning to ride her bike. He says she does alright until she looks back to realize he's let go. Real freedom is scary for Mya.
Yeah, I can't help it. Who reading this just loves the scene he's living? What a picture. We all know that Eric needs to let go so Mya can learn to ride on her own. After some good coaching and maybe a few innocent spills, it won't be long before she has the confident balance required to get up and go. What a spectrum. Mya will soon realize she doesn't need help, and Daddy will soon realize he has to stop giving it.
Letting go. Not something that comes easy for us. Whether it's about control, a habit, a burden, a worry, or the past, God knows how tough it is for us. But as Eric and I talked about the experience, we both gave thanks for one gospel fact: God never let's go of His children. Like little Mya, we pedal our hearts out, don't we? School, work, church, family, relationships, and health; a life full of spills, skinned knees, broken hearts and bruised egos.
Real freedom. Weeping dads on sidewalks know the feeling. Kids on bikes do too. But taking a page from Mya's lesson, real freedom for the believer comes when we look back only to realize that grace has a real good grip.
--Jimmy Peña
"Freedom for the believer comes when we look back only to realize that grace has a real good grip."
EXPERT ADVICE: Rest & Recovery
So here we are in the closing days of January. How are you doing with those resolutions? Have you been diligent about your workouts? Still using good discretion in the kitchen? We certainly hope so. Yet while some of you struggle to find a foothold with your recommitment to exercise and nutrition, others may be going a little overboard -- and feeling the effects. You see, you can get too much of a good thing. Click here to learn the signs of overtraining and how to scale back to keep your results on track.
>> WHAT IS OVERTRAINING SYNDROME?
FAITH & FITNESS ON TOUR IN 2014
Churches. Community events. Schools. Corporate events. PrayFit is on the march in 2014 with its unchanging message; one of stewardship, of faith, of humility, of endurance. The team is actively booking spring and summer events! Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details. As always, for churches and other non-profit events there is never a speaking fee. Talk to your pastors and leaders. Reach out to us and let's see health as a means of praise, together.
Life's Greatest Pleasure
"People will be lovers of themselves." --2 Timothy 3:2
Read: 2 Timothy 3
I happened to run across one of those motivational posters this weekend. You know, the kind with those powerful statements meant to inspire you to be all you can be. Well, even though it wasn't exactly new to me, this one caught my attention nonetheless. It said, "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you can't." Evidently, people agreed because it had about a million "likes" underneath it. And why not? Who doesn't want to show the world? But then it dawned on me: How many times someone has actually said to me, "Jimmy, I don't think you can do that." How 'bout you?
You know, if there's one thing I've noticed about the fitness industry it's that there's a self-placed chip on its shoulder and the delusion that someone is daring to knock it off. For whatever reason, Godly confidence has been replaced with a harsh, in-your-face tone, backed up with visuals. That topic demands a week's worth of devotions on its own but let me take it further. Even if it was true -- even if the world placed bets against one's "ability" to be do something, in fitness or otherwise -- is proving the world wrong really life's greatest pleasure?
"If man says I can't, and God says I shouldn't, I'd rather show Him than show them."
The correct answer brings me a long way to this point, and one that we try and get across at PrayFit: Let's not take so much pleasure in doing what others say we can't. Let's instead take pleasure in doing what God says we can. If they intersect, great. If they don't, even better. Besides, if man says I can't, and God says I shouldn't, I'd rather show Him than show them. But God runs this body. If you're jumping through hoops of comparison or climbing mountains of ego, stop. Drench your day in the gospel. The taunts and dares around you are subject to Jesus.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: Can you spend so much time in the gym or counting calories trying to "prove" the world wrong (whoever that is) that you actually miss what God is calling you to do with the health you're building? What if the world said, "Believer, I bet you can't invite a perfect stranger to church. I bet you can't give to the homeless person on the corner. I bet you can't be modest." If that's what the world said we couldn't do, I wonder if we'd try to prove it wrong. Would it help us if we realized those things are God's will already? Share your thoughts below.
ONE-MINUTE LESSON: CRUNCH Build abdominal strength by mastering this do-anywhere exercise
In 2014, many of us will be trying to get in better shape. We'll be training our bodies to lift more, run farther, swim faster, jump higher. But no matter the demand we are placing on these bodies, a strong set of abdominal muscles is of paramount importance but maybe for a different reason than you're thinking. Infusing your abs with strength and endurance helps you to do all of those other things that you were counting on doing better this year because all roads pass through your core. A fitter middle means greater success, literally, in everything else. The crunch is a great move to get you started. Here's how to get it right.
http://youtu.be/bSarSds5Whg
Crunch | Focus: Upper abs
Lie face-up on the floor with your hands cupped gently behind your head (do not pull on your neck). Keeping your knees bent and with your feet flat on the floor, crunch your upper body up until your shoulder blades are off the floor. Squeeze your abs then lower yourself back to the start and repeat.
TIP: New to crunches? Try performing 15 slow, controlled repetitions for 3-4 total sets. Rest 30 seconds between sets. If you're more advanced, try setting a clock by your work, starting at one minute of continuous crunches and adding 10 seconds every workout.
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Glowing With Health
"Rise and anoint him; this is the one." --1 Samuel 16:12
Believe it or not, I used to sing solos in church and school. Growing up in a musical family (on mom's side) I guess you could say it was in my blood. Too funny: my first solo in the 4th grade was John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Roads." I remember mother made me wear this Davy Crockett-looking jacket with leather strands hanging down from everywhere. I can assure you I wasn't much to listen to, but I bet I was something to behold. She probably still has the jacket.
Speaking of something to behold, my favorite solo in church was a song about young David called "Shepherd Boy." I thought of that old song yesterday while continuing to read about Samuel. See Samuel was the one who anointed David as the future king. The last of all the brothers to pass in front of Samuel, the Lord said, "Rise up and anoint him. This is the one."
I know I've talked about David in the past -- about how he chose stones to defeat his giant. But something in my reading caught my attention. As he was being brought before Samuel, the Bible says of young David, "He was glowing with health..." (ch.16:12) Neat right? This is the way they described the shepherd boy from the pastures of Bethlehem. The shepherd boy who would drop the armor and then drop Goliath. The shepherd boy who would hide in caves, fight entire armies, and write Psalms. And above all, this is the way they described the shepherd boy who would come to be known as a man after God's own heart.
Friends, as we close-out the week, may that be our goal -- to glow with health, if for no other reason but that our hearts are looking more and more like His.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: I doubt there's a higher compliment in all the Bible than what David is known for: For his heart to look like God's. Anyone agree? And doesn't the thought of "glowing in health" do something to your heart? It does mine. What does it mean to you?
Weekend Prayer: Lord, may the cooling of our passion for you bother us more than weaker muscle, broken bones, higher bodyfat, slower times and fewer reps. At the end of each week, we want our hearts to look like yours. In Jesus' name we pray and for His sake, Amen.
POSE NO. 3: WARRIOR II
Warrior 2 is super similar to Warrior 1, which we learned yesterday. "The benefits are similar, except Warrior 2 taps into the flexibility of the hips more than Warrior 1," says Brooke Boon, founder of Holy Yoga. "Warrior 2 is a strong pose and always reminds me of the strength of our God -- how nothing is impossible for Him and how His promises are always true. It reminds me that He is faithful even when I am faithless to believe because He can never disown Himself. That is great news, friends. For when we are weak, He is strong."
Those Who Are Listening
"Yes, Lord, your servant is listening." --1 Samuel 3:10
I've been taking meetings this week for a PrayFit project we're working on, and I find myself praying for God's will and protection more than I find myself praying for the project to actually happen. Ever been in such a place? I just want Him to be pleased. If He's not in it, I don't want to be. As I sit around listening to all sorts of voices around the room, all I want to hear is His.
In our amazing passage today, 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? And if we are as fit as necessary (or as possible), are we listening? Like, 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 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 me, I may not have the physical tools I used to, but my heart's ears still work. And God hears those who are listening. Share your thoughts below.
PREPAREDNESS TRAINING
"Faithful warriors are made for hard things…root-down warriors. Be ready to move the good news forward today. Not in your strength, but in His." And so Brooke Boon, founder of Holy Yoga, lays bare the soul of today's new pose. Yesterday, we laid foundations with downward facing dog. Today, she walks us through the nuances of Warrior I, which builds strength in our shoulders, back and core and directs our focus on the importance of physical and faith stability.
Life is a Subhead
"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did." --1 John 2:6
Subheads are critical. Ever had to write one? Well, over the years, Eric and I have agonized over our share. For those who may not know, a subhead is that little, tiny sentence under the title of an article, short story, book or manuscript. It's more than the summary sentence and greater than any synopsis. Extract the root of a 10,000-word body of writing and distill it down to one pivotal, all-encompassing core phrase, and there's the subhead. In fact, every one of those 10,000 words -- every paragraph or sidebar -- is subject to it. And above that, it can make the difference between someone reading more or leaving the store. Make no mistake, although it's short and sweet, it's powerful and nothing means more to the author than someone being drawn to the story.
Our lives are subheads in a way. I remember as the fitness editor for magazines, my purpose was to help people shape their bodies, but I wanted my words to help shape souls. I wanted a different subhead. And I'm grateful you're reading it.
The office worker who refuses to gossip, that's a subhead. The cashier at the supermarket who -- after standing on her feet 12 hours -- still asks, "How are you?" and means it, that's a subhead. The second string athlete who out-hustles the starter -- subhead. What's yours? Are you a teacher, lawyer, assistant, stay-at-home mom or dad? Friends, we have the honor and privilege to agonize over our daily subheads, constantly rewriting and revising to get it right. Why? Simple. Someone reading us may choose to turn the page. Our lives are short and sweet, but they're powerful and nothing means more to the Author than someone being drawn to His story.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: As many of you already know, the last thing we want you to be known for is your body. Good health, poor health...it's how we serve God, family and others with our bodies that matters most. How can your heart towards health help write your subhead? Please share your thoughts below.
ALLEVIATE BACK PAIN, BOLSTER CORE STRENGTH
Yesterday, we introduced you to Holy Yoga founder Brooke Boon, her love for the Lord and how her calling has helped people all over the world meet the Lord through movement. Today, we give you the same opportunity with a quick lesson on one of her most foundational poses: downward facing dog. This pose can help to alleviate back pain, bolster core strength and relieve tension in minutes. Brooke breaks it down for you, step-by-step, to help you get it right.
>> Click here to learn the pose.
BE A PART OF THE 2014 PRAYFIT TOUR
2014 is booking up! We are so excited that more and more churches are welcoming our unchanging message; one of stewardship, of faith, of humility, of endurance. The team is actively booking April and May events! Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details. As always, for churches and other non-profit events there is never a speaking fee. Talk to your pastors and leaders. Reach out to us and let's see health as a means of praise, together.
If You're Thirsty
"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again." --John 4:14
Remember drinking from the water hose outside as kids? Nothing better, right? After football games, baseball practice or riding bikes, we had the kind of unbearable thirst only known to children. Whoever got there first knew to let the hot water get out of the line before drinking. Can't you just taste it? Best water in the world. Of course, being the youngest kid in the universe, I was always last in line, but I didn't mind. I knew that by the time it was my turn, I could just take my time.
The story surrounding our verse is about a woman who met Jesus at the well. She was looking for one kind of water but her Savior knew she needed another. Her life was in shambles and she was thirsty. Had she continued along the path she was on, she'd be lost forever. But the Bible says Jesus told her of her sin, and that if she drank living water, she'd never thirst again.
Folks, just like water is critical for our physical thirst, the thirst of the spirit is unquenchable without Jesus. As His children, we can't lift enough weights, run enough miles or drop enough pounds to fulfill our direst need. That's why we never place too much emphasis on the physical, but on our heart towards health. Like her well, the mirror will never quench you of anything, no matter how many times you look. So today, go to the well. Let's be kids again. His children. If it's the first time -- or the first time in a long time -- He has water if you're thirsty.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: Do you remember those days as kids? What about now? Are you thirsty, longing to be fulfilled spiritually and physically so that you can be more effective for the Lord?
INTRO TO HOLY YOGA
Learn more about the philosophy and founder of this worldwide health phenomenon
Brooke Boon wants you to be healthy. She wants you to be flexible and vibrant. But mostly, she just wants you to know Jesus. And she has devoted her life's work to helping you do all of it. The founder of Holy Yoga - an internationally thriving movement whose outreach supports mission work, holds faith retreats and develops Bible studies - Brooke is regularly confronted with the reluctance of Christians to participate in yoga programs. Here, she clears up the controversies surrounding the practice and explains what sets Holy Yoga apart from the rest of the posing crowd.
>> What is Holy Yoga? Click here for the answers!
>> Be sure to check back tomorrow as Brooke Boon walks us through the first of three foundational poses for yoga newbies.
The Home Of Your Dreams
"I was glad when they said unto me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" --Psalm 122:1
It's the home of your dreams. White picket fence, freshly cut grass, backyard with a grill. It's that kind of home. When you close your eyes and grin, you're swinging on that front porch watching kids that miraculously -- and perhaps unfortunately -- have your nose. It's the home of your dreams. But despite your best offer, the price is too high. All the money you have can't justify the money you'd owe, so you're labeled unworthy; declined.
Say, ever been in a billionaire's bedroom? Ever walked the President's garden? Well, one thing is for certain: I will never own either. But while I've seen things that only a ton of money can buy, God is building us a mansion that no amount of money can. The offer was Jesus, the payment was His blood, and the asking price is faith. And if you've accepted, the key is yours. Interest paid. The title made to you. Home. The home of His dreams will someday be yours.
So as you and I strive for our little slice of Heaven on earth, be comforted when the world declines you. Because while He keeps asking, God knows what it's like for people to say His offer just isn't enough.
--Jimmy Peña
P.S. Sometimes the bodies that house our souls aren't exactly up to par. Whether by an unforeseen circumstance or perhaps neglect, you feel the Spirit grieve because of it. If so, we want to pray for you. What are your hurts today? What can we pray for? We want to know so we can lift you up. Either let us know or simply say, "Unspoken" and we promise to pray.
HOLY YOGA Many of you know that I've been through some health issues over the course of the last few years. Well, part of my physical therapy for both my cervical replacement and my recent lumbar spinal fusion incorporated some doctor-prescribed/approved yoga moves. Of course, my yoga was limited and supervised, but even as I came home and began my solo treatment, the stretching and strength-building benefits of yoga have remained part of my repertoire.
We get plenty of emails and requests for yoga here at PrayFit, but admittedly, we stay in our lane and leave yoga to the experts. But if you are interested in trying yoga, I urge you to try yoga...BUT from a Christian standpoint. There is one company that I am honored to share with you. Holy Yoga, led by our friend Brooke Boon, is a coast-to-coast and worldwide phenomenon that has nestled and delivered yoga within the Gospel. Beginning today and as we push forward, anything yoga-related will come from our friends at Holy Yoga. If you already love yoga or you're simply interested in learning more, I sincerely urge you to learn from Brooke and her staff.
Check back with us throughout the week as we lean on Brooke to bring you some solid, foundational points to consider for this body-and-soul strengthening practice.
>> To read ahead in the text, visit Holy Yoga's home page by clicking here!
PRAYFIT: WHO WE ARE
If you're reading this, we're blessed to have you. Whether you're a longtime reader of the faith and fitness writings we've been posting here since 2009 or a newbie who stumbled upon us in a friend's Facebook news feed, we take our commitment to you very seriously. We hope that you'll find the inspiration and practical tools necessary to become a better steward of your health.
Newcomer or not, we hope you'll take a second to read the broad strokes on who we are, what we believe and what our mission is. Our prayer is that the soul of PrayFit speaks to yours...
SOCIAL NETWORKS: Now you can "like," "join," "tweet" and "watch" faith and fitness at your leisure. Click the links below to get plugged in with the rest of the PrayFit community in 2014! Facebook HeavenUp Twitter Instagram YouTube
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY!
Thousands of people have chosen to receive the PrayFit Daily in their inboxes each morning. If you haven't signed up for this complimentary service already, simply click the links provided here. Click, type, send -- it could be the most rewarding 30 seconds you spend on the computer this morning! And if you want to help us go viral with this sign-up drive -- if you want to help us continue our faith-and-fitness revival -- you can do so by sending friends this link:
SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/cSd8tp
The Island of Grace
"He refreshes my soul..." --Psalm 23:3
I can't think of a better place to still our hearts and minds than on the island of grace. Be it in the fitness industry or in the aisle at your local supermarket, the water can get choppy, leaving you bobbing in the wake of someone's opinion, society's judgments or self-destructive habits of comparison and self-obsession. The under currents are strong, and it's not long before you're waving your arms, "Look at me, I measure up! I fit in! Can anyone see me?!"
But the anchor of grace reminds us that health is given for one singular purpose: to bring glory to a mighty God. And as we've discussed over the years, that means so many things, and it doesn't mean so many things. But if you're tired, don't worry. Treading water is toughest in really shallow water which is, coincidentally, where the world demands most of your time. But thankfully, God provides a shore. So go ahead and come out. Wrap yourself in a towel of compassion. Have a seat on the beach, run your toes through the sand, take a deep breath, and bask in a warmness only a Godly view of the body can provide.
Next week we'll hit the water again hard, because our health demands our best. But for now -- yawwwwn -- I think I found a great spot for a nap.
--Jimmy Peña
READ + LISTEN
If you're looking for additional inspiration, you can listen to PrayFit founder Jimmy Peña reading through an exclusive selection of devotionals right here on the site. So if you have a few additional moments, click here, open your ears and your heart and give a listen. Or, click below for one of our faves.
Marching Orders
“Jimmy and the PrayFit team embody the words Paul penned to Timothy, ‘For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’ (1 Tim. 4:8) Their daily devotional feeds my spirit and inspires my sweat!” —Josh Cox, elite ultramarathoner, American record holder in the 50K
No Mas: Part II
He saved others, why doesn't He save Himself? Some of those at the foot of the Cross stood in absolute wonder. And why not? They had velvet rope access to the miracles. They saw the blind see, the lame walk and the mute talk. They were firsthand eyewitnesses to His power and might. And yet there He was. Hanging on a cross to die.
You'll forgive the long entry, but I knew before I began today's follow-up to "No Mas" that I wasn't going to get it right. Too many lessons to be learned, let alone teach in so few words.
First, we could easily see this strictly from an athlete's perspective. The crowd around the ring that night had seen Duran for years. They knew his power, speed and heart. Because of that, what he did was beyond their comprehension. To put it into perspective, imagine Michael Jordan at the free throw line in a tied Game 7 of the NBA Championship. With one second on the clock, he gives the ball to the ref and walks off the court unwilling to take the shot. Impossible? Well, that's what the crowd witnessed that night when Duran said, "No mas."
Or, we could also see this from Sugar Ray's standpoint. He demanded answers. Cheated out of the glory that should come with victory, Sugar Ray took it upon himself to find out what happened. And we all know from yesterday's entry how that ended. His peace came when he stopped trying to be rewarded for his work. (That thought deserves an entry for the fitness enthusiasts among us.) But of the two boxers that fateful night in 1980, I can relate mostly to Duran -- the one who stopped striving. The guy who couldn't go the distance. The quitter. Yes, that's me.
Spiritually, I quit fighting my own battle when I was an eighth grader. I knew then what I know now -- that no matter how good I tried to be or how hard I worked, I was at best a wretch. A no-good sinner in need of grace. Accepting defeat, accepting my smallness, accepting Jesus as my Savior...and it set me free forever.
Physically, however, I thought I quit fighting the biggest battles a long time ago when I hit my physical, personal prime of strength or ability. But in truth, I quit just a few years ago. After being diagnosed with degenerative disk disease -- in between my two spine surgeries -- I had part of my colon reconstructed. It was then that I realized something. Our fittest, strongest, healthiest moment should serve as life's awesome reminder of just how small and weak we really are. Sure, I press on (as I type in tears), but I quit believing the enemy's lie that health was somehow earned. Make no mistake, our health is grace dependent.
No mas. No more. We may not step into a ring, but we do have wars raging inside our hearts -- battles of our own making we need to quit. You may need to quit comparing yourself to the world. You may need to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses. You may need to quit social media, get your nose out of your phone and into your Bible or good book. You may need to stop procrastinating about your health, or that job application or that goal. You may need to quit trying to work your way to Heaven.
I warned you I wasn't going to get this right, but friends, all I know is that when Jesus said it was finished, what looked like defeat was really our Lord going the distance for us. That's why I quit. My hands are up. Are yours? The raging war is won. The victory is ours for the claiming. Freedom for the taking. Both the Prize and the Fighter is Jesus; who we win by decision.
--Jimmy Peña
I QUIT: When Paul talked about fighting the good fight, he knew we would pay a price. Paul quit fighting on his own and then changed the world. What price will you pay when you quit? Lord only knows how the world will change once you do.
BE A PART OF THE 2014 PRAYFIT TOUR
2014 is booking up! We are so excited that more and more churches are welcoming our unchanging message; one of stewardship, of faith, of humility, of endurance. The team is actively booking April and May events! Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details. As always, for churches and other non-profit events there is never a speaking fee. Talk to your pastors and leaders. Reach out to us and let's see health as a means of praise, together.
No Mas: Part I
No more. I don't want to fight anymore. The 1980 rematch between Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran will forever be remembered by two words: No mas. For those who don't know the story, Roberto Duran, the toughest and most relentless fighter of his era decided he was done fighting midway through the eighth round of their championship bout. And with two words he sealed his legacy.
I recently watched a documentary surrounding Sugar Ray's quest to uncover the real reason Duran called it quits that fateful night. A stomachache -- as one of many reasons given to media from the Duran - could not have been, according to Leonard, the truth. So in Leonard's mind, even though he won fight, he didn't beat him. He needed closure. It's a remarkable film, but something Sugar Ray said in the last frame was a knockout.
For much of his adult life, Sugar Ray lived with alcoholism. And he acknowledged that when he finally told his story to the world, he felt free. Naturally, he related his sickness and years of isolation to how he reasoned Duran must have felt all this time. But alas, when Sugar Ray and Duran as much older men stood face-to-face, Duran stuck to the original story. And Leonard left Panama much like he left the ring in 1980 -- in disappointed wonder.
But then it occurred to him -- and here's where today's entry actually begins -- that in order to have closure, he had to give Duran his own. And in one of the most poetic statements I've ever heard, he did just that. A statement that -- to me -- echoes all the way back from that eighth round when Duran threw his arms up accepting defeat, to this very day, as Sugar Ray finally drops his own. As if issuing a ten count backwards, Sugar Ray mercifully picked each other up off the canvas and said, "As far as I'm concerned, He doesn't have to fight anymore." End Credits.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: Guys, I sure hope you check in tomorrow for "No Mas: Part II." But I'd like to know: What do you get from this story? What Biblical principles jump off the page to you? Too many to get your head around? Yeah, for me too. Love to hear your thoughts. See you tomorrow. Lord bless you all.
DOWN FOR THE COUNT?
Here in the New Year, many of us are trying to streamline our diets. But at every turn, we're barraged with flurries of nutritional temptation -- unforgiving lefts and rights that can leave us wider in the waistline. While no one expects perfection of us in the kitchen we can all use a little remotivation! PrayFit contributing nutritionist Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC gives us a few good reasons to say "No mas" when it comes to excess calories.
>> The unseen cost of extra calories
PRAYFIT: WHO WE ARE
If you're reading this, we're blessed to have you. Whether you're a longtime reader of the faith and fitness writings we've been posting here since 2009 or a newbie who stumbled upon us in a friend's Facebook news feed, we take our commitment to you very seriously. We hope that you'll find the inspiration and practical tools necessary to become a better steward of your health.
Newcomer or not, we hope you'll take a second to read the broad strokes on who we are, what we believe and what our mission is. Our prayer is that the soul of PrayFit speaks to yours...
SOCIAL NETWORKS: Now you can "like," "join," "tweet" and "watch" faith and fitness at your leisure. Click the links below to get plugged in with the rest of the PrayFit community in 2014! Facebook HeavenUp Twitter Instagram YouTube
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY!
Nearly 10,000 people have chosen to receive the PrayFit Daily in their inboxes each morning. If you haven't signed up for this complimentary service already, simply click the links provided here. Click, type, send -- it could be the most rewarding 30 seconds you spend on the computer this morning! And if you want to help us go viral with this sign-up drive -- if you want to help us continue our faith-and-fitness revival -- you can do so by sending friends this link:
SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/cSd8tp
Thanks For The Memory
I'm becoming somewhat of a king of forgetfulness. It's true. And it's not just about where I put my truck keys, but where I actually put my truck. Oh, it gets worse. Things that happened last week might as well have happened last year. Like, blank. Truthfully, I find myself whispering to myself, "I can't remember."
Speaking of memory, did anyone catch the 60 Minutes episode on Sunday about the memory wizards? If you missed it, it was a story about a very exclusive group of people that never forget anything. And when I say anything, I mean it. Pick a date out of a hat from years past and they can tell you what happened, what they were wearing, and what day of the week it was. And what's more, they actually feel the emotion of every day that they've ever lived. Like a sweater against your skin, they do more than remember, they still feel it.
One little boy's story made me pause. On what should've been a normal, happy day, the little boy relives being scolded by his dad. After 365 days, he still feels like he's in trouble. And it breaks his father's heart that his son can't let go of that memory. To the camera the son simply says, "I can't forget."
Buried in the deepest sea; Remembered no more; As far as the East is from the West. These are just a few of the ways the Bible describes how well God remembers our sin. Imagine that. Where as I work to remember my yesterday, He chooses to forget it. Oh my King of Forgetfulness. And yours too. How is it we forget to look to the Cross each day and exclaim, "Thank you for the memory."
--Jimmy Peña
ON THE AGENDA: STRENGTH
If getting stronger this year is on your agenda, then this workout should be on today's to-do list. In this segment from the PrayFit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge, Jimmy walks you through a challenging, at-home routine that can help you build tons of strength -- your base for whatever else you want to do in 2014.