Quite Right

I'm typing this sentence in my best English accent, I'm afraid. And I assure you it is not without merit. See, my wife and I spent the better part of the weekend being swept away into the world of Downton Abbey; a show on PBS that depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era. It's quite lovely. This may all seem a bit - oh shall we say - humorous for a Monday morning, but I confess that I have a point. It was something Lord Grantham said to his daughter about the estate he has been blessed and charged with upholding. He said, "My fortune is the work of others, who labored to build a great dynasty. Do I have the right to destroy their work? I am a custodian, my dear, not an owner. I must strive to be worthy of the task I have been set."

Wow, indeed. Pause it. I think to type in my normal voice may be the only way for me to sincerely applaud what he said. When it comes to this wonderful life, and the gift of grace, and the body God Himself built for us to experience it, we are precisely that. Stewards. Servants. Protectors. Tenants. Recipients of a fortune. Custodians for a time. I may not have royal blood coursing through my veins, nor am I near polished enough to work the servant's hall in Downton, but I do serve at the pleasure of our Lord and Savior. And this body - built by God and designed for me to follow Him - will get my utmost. And I will do it for His renown and not my own.

Dr. Charles Stanley says, "The body merits our respect and esteem in the same way that the most holy place of worship deserves upkeep."

Amen, Dr. Stanley. Quite right, sir. Quite right. Jimmy Peña

Life Gets The Best of Me

Someday our souls will soar. You know, I talk a lot about how our lives are all about Jesus in our hearts and not about how we look on the outside. It's not that I don't have anything else to say, but I just can't exhaust that point. The comparison between the condition of our soul and the condition of our body isn't worth the kilocalories it took to type this sentence. And yet you and I still hear something within us telling us to take care of ourselves; an urge to push away from the table a little sooner; a nudge to start being more active. Say, ever been behind the wheel of a stalled car? You turn the key and you hear, "Click, click, click, click", nothing. Won't start. Well, the next time that happens, and you're pleading with your car to "Please start, please start", just think of your heart's cry. That whisper you hear to take better care of yourself is coming from your driver's seat, and it's loud...but only your ears can hear that plea.

You know, the day our frail bodies actually stall for good, the spirit will do exactly what it was built to do. But first, our souls have work to do on earth. And this body - even if it's just for a minute - will have to keep up. Jimmy Peña

Tools To Help: The PrayFit App is about to get even better. As many of you know, I used to be the training expert and fitness director to the mainstream magazines, wrote some books, and was the go-to physiologist for some celebrities. Well, I am going to be taking questions via the app and answering your training, fitness and nutrition questions on the new video feature. Neat huh? VID-EEE-OOooooo. They don't call me "One-Take-Peña" for nothin. So, hit me up. Fire away. Send me your questions to [email protected] and I'll answer them into camera. My body may not be able to train, but this brain still knows the way and my heart still wants to show the way.

PrayFit RISE: Team PrayFit is actively preparing for PrayFit RISE Los Angeles. Super early bird registration is underway and tickets are going fast. Be sure to get yours soon before prices go up! And if you can't make it to SoCal, please share the news with friends and family who may be near. I'd appreciate it.

He Stopped In His Tracks

"When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.'" --Mark 10:47

A few of you have heard me share this story, but this seems like a good week to repeat it. A few hours before one of my recent surgeries, Loretta and I were reading together about the blind man sitting on the side of the road in Jericho. His name was Bartimaeus. When Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus who was walking by, he began to shout out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Over and over he yelled. Despite being rebuked by others, he continued to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And it's the reaction of Jesus that touched my heart that morning of the surgery. The bible says that when Jesus heard him shouting, He stopped walking. Some Bible versions say that He "stood still," but I prefer the version that says  "He stopped in His tracks."

Oh my sweet family and friends, although I'm not blind, I was begging. I didn't want the Lord to take another sweet step. Seconds before surgery, a nurse tried small talk, but I'm afraid she sounded more like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons. They transferred me to the operating table which - for all I knew - sat on the side of that dusty road in Jericho. When the doctor said he would see me in recovery, I slowly turned my head to the side, and as tears streamed from my shut eyes, I stole a line from Bartimaeus and fell asleep.

Well, the surgery was successful. Jesus stopped in His tracks. Praise God, He stood still to hear a prayer. You know, when Bartimaeus received his sight, the very first thing he did was follow Jesus along the road. I suppose he figured the best test of his new peepers was to focus on the One who finally made them work. I plan on doing the very same thing.

--Jimmy Peña

Friends Lift

Read Mark 2:1-12 The two lived on the same block as kids. Both had strict, loving parents. Daily chores included loading hay, carrying feed and helping in the fields. Their young backs were growing strong because of it. After school and homework, they'd meet up in the streets to play childhood games till dark. They were tight-knit. Best pals.

As it turned out, the two had a mutual friend that lived down the street. Their same age, he couldn't walk; paralyzed from birth. But that didn't stop him from telling a good joke or razzing the game's underdog. He was part of the crew. One of the boys.

As years passed, they grew into strong and able men with families of their own. Except, of course, for the one who was crippled. His two buddies checked on him daily though. He had a place at their table on holidays. He was the full-time ref in neighborhood competitions. They worshiped together each weekend. Indeed, after all the years, still tight.

Well, when news arrived that He was in town, the two ran toward each other's homes. In fact, they met in the middle and took turns catching their breath as they talked about their plan. Strong boys became strong men, and carrying their friend all the way across town to the One they say was able to work miracles made all those childhood chores worth it. And in fact, those chores made it possible.

The crowd around the house made it tough to get inside through traditional means. Holding the ends of the bed, the two looked at each other as if sharing the same memory; hauling hay, hoisting feed, playing games and growing up. Only one thing left for friends to do. Lift.

Most of us are familiar with the actual Biblical account of the friends who lifted their friend through the roof to be healed, but isn't it neat to wonder what got them there? What we do know is that Jesus was pleased with the faith of those guys. And they exercised that faith with their backs. You know, I like to imagine the three of them walking home together don't you? Who knows, maybe they played a street game for old times sake. Someone had some catching up to do. Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: You never know who your health is for...

Can Anything Good Come Out Of This?

"'Can anything good come from Nazareth?' Nathanael asked. 'Come and see,' said Philip." --John 1:46Read: John 1 What a verse. What a story. (If you haven't already, I urge you to read John 1 before continuing. I'll wait.) Like I said, what a story. Oh, I'm sure Nathanael meant well. After all, so do you and I, right? We've asked the same. Just replace Nazareth with your hurt. Can anything good come out of your diagnosis? The unemployment? The heartache? Lord knows I've asked this year. Can anything good come out of this?

Sitting in crowded waiting rooms, watching my doctor go from room to room, just begged the question. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I wouldn't be as close to the Lord today, I wouldn't have had a chance to share Christ with my neighbor, and I wouldn't have such a hunger for God's word. In fact, reading through the Gospels this month, I've come to realize more than ever that Jesus healed so many people physically in order to heal the world spiritually. Everywhere He turned, more healing, more believing.

It's no wonder Philip answered like he did. And I like to think he had a grin on his face when he said it: "Come Nathanael. Come...and see."

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Can anyone relate to Nathanael? Ever asked his question? Tell me how God saw you through it. I'll wait.

P.S. Guys, if you didn't catch yesterday's entry, skip it and head straight to the prayer requests. Help us pray for each by name. I hope this week is already blessing you and those you love.

Your Suffering Is Your Sermon

For years, we've said that our health is a means of praise and that our fitness can be a witness, and it's the truth. But if you look through the gospels, you won't find Jesus with the fit and fiddle. You won't find him around the strong, talking about able muscles, clear lungs or stable legs. And He certainly never wanted us to boast or show any of those things off. Nope. Where do we constantly find our Savior? With the sick. The ill. The needy, hurting, ailing, failing, and wailing. Fitness is a witness - yes - but like Max Lucado says, "Your suffering is your sermon." This week, we'll look back at a few times the Lord allowed me to confess it. And at the same time, I'll ask you to share your life, your pain, your strain and the stories of those you love. Friends, our God is at much at work during our illness as He is during our mountain-top moments. Thing is, we tend to ignore Him the closer we get to the peak. Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: How we handle our pain-free abilities and gifts of good health can serve a mighty purpose - we can't downplay it - but where we go in times of pain and sickness says more to others about the God we serve than all of that combined. Who's ready for this week? And as we begin this Monday, does anyone have prayer requests? Let's go to the Lord together. List your need or simply say, "Unspoken" and I promise we'll all pray for you.

Finally, The Chorus

Finally, the chorus. As a noun, the definition of chorus means, "A piece of music, especially one forming part of a larger work." And as a verb it means, "To say the same thing at the same time." Yes, finally, the chorus. As I've found my corner of the house each night to punch this keyboard, I've turned this song on. And each day that I've gotten out of bed to start the day, it's been my theme. So finally, Friday, the chorus.

Friday is typically a recap or summary of the week, and it's been a good one, amen? Neat to circle the wagons around a theme. The prodigal son and his turn for home - coupled with a father's grace - is enough to fill a week like this, and it's enough to fill the weak like me.

Carry on my wayward son, they'll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Don't you cry no more.

The chorus. My life and health - YOUR life and health - beautiful music that forms part of a larger work; the song of creation. And guess what? We're saying it at the same time. The definition of me and you is the life we live for Jesus. Faith is the key, love is the rhythm, and grace is the bridge. And if we're listening, Jesus our Savior and Conductor is giving us our only note: "me, me, me,...Me."

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Anyone still with me this week? Much love guys. Have a good weekend. Thank you for your constant prayers and faithful reading. Power, off.

Your Life's No Longer Empty

Yesterday on social media, Pastor Scotty Smith said, "Pray as if everything depends on God, because it does." To which someone replied, "Don't forget to work like it depends on you." Now, at first that seems reasonable. Pray like it depends on God. Work like it depends on you. But what Scotty gently countered with was spot on: He said, "Nope. Because if I work like it depends on God, then I work harder, with more joy and more hope."

Working hard with joy and hope - not in order to achieve or gain what's to come - but simply because of what's to come. Ah, enter the wayward son...

"Carry on, you will always remember. Carry on, nothing equals the splendor. Now your life's no longer empty. Surely Heaven waits for you."

For Discussion: Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as unto the Lord and not for man..." What does this verse, or rather, how does this verse help you in your daily routine of health and fitness? Does it convict you to work harder or perhaps does it convict you to train for the right reasons? Maybe both? Does it help you evaluate your motives? Whatever the case may be, when we train knowing it all depends on God, we'll have more joy, more hope along the way. And He gets the credit. Beat that with a stick.

Wayward Son, Part II

"So he got up and went to his father." --Luke 15:20 We had a rule growing up. If my brother and I got in trouble for doing something wrong, we weren't allowed to keep pouting about it. No sir. Once it was done, and my brother got what he deserved, it was over. Finished. Like it never happened. Well okay, we suffered consequences, yes, but it wasn't held over our heads. In fact, if I was pouting about it later on, you guessed it, I got in trouble for pouting. You know what that taught me? Trust. I trusted my parents. I knew what to expect. Periodically reprimanded, constantly loved.

Although he came back with memories of deeds as stinky as his pig-slopped clothes, yesterday's prodigal couldn't stray beyond his father's love. Before he knew it, a robe replaced his rags, a ring dressed his hand and a feast filled his belly. And while you and I may not have mud on our shoes, there's not a person reading this sentence who doesn't need that kind of grace from a grace-giving God.

You know, many of us have treated our bodies -- our inherited health -- much like the prodigal treated his promised pay. We've over spent and wasted it. But something tells me the prodigal son took better care of the things he was given after he got home. And so can we. For some, there's a family waiting for you, too; waiting for you to start eating better, to stop smoking, to start exercising. They're waiting to celebrate you. Who's coming home, been home, staying home? You're the life of their party. It doesn't begin without you.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Knowing that God sees our hearts - not our waistline - should invigorate and empower us to be better stewards of health. We're constantly loved. Doesn't that fire you up to live your entire life to its fullest? Let's see a few "YES" comments. We ask again: Who's coming home, been home, staying home?

Wayward Son, Part 1

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare and here I am starving to death!'" --Luke 15:17Read: Luke 15

You know the story. A silhouette appears on the horizon. Too far away to distinguish, but a father who's been waiting for his son to come home can't help but wonder. Squinting, he raises his hand over his eyes to block the sun's glare. As the distant figure gets closer, the father begins to walk in that direction; slowly at first, trying to match the pace of his visitor. Until he realizes this is...this is no visitor. It's him. It's his boy. His long, lost son was home. And with compassion and forgiveness, he ran to him, embraced him, kissed him, clothed him and fed him. Grace happened.

You know the story. The prodigal son is nothing new to you. The son takes his inheritance and high-tails it his way to the highway. You know the story. And in one way or another maybe you've lived it. Perhaps you're living it now. Maybe not with an inheritance, but perhaps with your inherited health. Long hours, long days, obligations, deadlines, family matters, friends that matter, must-see TV and your must-read social media find you on foreign soil; a place you were never designed to be. Maybe it's time to go home.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: How could I not revisit the prodigal son during our "Wayward Son" review? Grace happened, amen? Yesterday we talked about a sweet spirit and a strong soul. I think the father in the story of the prodigal son had both. 

Sweet Spirit, Strong Soul

Well, Monday...we meet again. And with that, hey everyone. I've been excited to begin this new series "Carry On Wayward Son" with all of you this week. I hope you don't miss a day. Being a baseball fan, I'm not the biggest football fan among us, but I keep up with my Baylor Bears and Dallas Cowboys. (Hopefully I didn't just lose too many of you with that truth.) But during Saturday's Baylor/TCU game, I heard the announcer say about a Baylor player, "He's got a sweet spirit but a strong soul." Wow. Guys, had he been sitting here with me as I type this sentence he could not have summarized our upcoming week any better. Sweet spirit, strong soul.

And our theme for the week comes from an unlikely song; Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas. Do you know it? Look up 'wayward' in the dictionary and synonyms like willful, stubborn, headstrong, disobedient, undisciplined, unruly, wild, unmanageable, difficult, rebellious, defiant and impossible make the list. Any wayward sons and daughters reading this today? Well, a wayward son is writing it.

I tell you, few lyrics of any song carry as good of a picture of grace - even as it relates to our temporary health. And over the next few days I'm going to try to navigate us through them. Hopefully, whatever you're facing, something you read this week will help your sweet spirit and strong soul carry on.

"Carry on my wayward son There'll be peace when you are done Lay your weary head to rest Don't you cry no more."

EXCITING NEWS: Super Early Bird Registration for: PrayFit RISE begins today! Click the link and read more about the wonderful event being planned for April 11th, 2015. Share it with friends, because you don't want to miss this weekend. Matt Brown, Lauren DeMoss, Alisa Keeton, Brooke Boon, Dana White, Shawn Thornton and Scotty Smith are all speaking and helping bring the message that when it concerns our health, "Grace is Enough."

I Am One Of Them

In the third century, St. Cyprian wrote to a friend named Donatus: "This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden under the shadow of these vines. But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see; brigands on the high road, pirates on the seas, in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds, under all roofs misery and selfishness. It really is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. Yet, in the midst of it, I have found a quiet and holy people. They have discovered a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of this sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians...and I am one of them." (Max Lucado study bible; Gordon Macdonald, Forging a Realworld Faith) I paste that quote because the subject of being quiet and holy has been on my mind lately; quiet as it pertains to humility of health as well as service. In reading the books of Thessalonians and James, I've noticed some common themes, a few of which we're going to dive into next week. But make no mistake, our health can have an eternal impact. Not in the way it looks so much, but in how we use it to serve others. Paul urges us to "lead a quiet life, and to work with your own hands," while James says, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Folks, we are in this place right now to put this body to use for God's kingdom. If we make too much of its reflection, we're vain. If we sit idle and don't put it to work, we waste it. But in a time where health is disregarded as a means of praise, there is a quiet and holy people. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians, and I am one of them. So are you. Can you think of any higher compliment?

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What does quiet and holy mean to you? What comes to mind? Maybe the phrase makes you think of a particular friend, family member or Biblical character. And for those of you in the fitness industry, what sort of battles do you face in this area?

New Series Monday: I'm out of pocket tomorrow, but please join me next week for a new series titled, "Carry On." I hope you all check in each day. You know how I love a good series. 

Give To PrayFit Ministries: Your giving makes all things possible. If you'd like to make a one-time donation or a recurring donation, click the GIVE button on the home page. God bless your heart, and thank you. (PrayFit Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit organization.)

What Do You Say?

"I thank you, Lord, with all my heart." --Psalm 138 Sitting in a waiting room recently, I filled out paperwork, answering questions, checking this box and that one. Circle where it hurts and on a scale from 1-10, rate this, gauge that. And just as I was about to turn in my clipboard, I watched a daughter taking care of her mother in a wheelchair. When a nurse brought the mother some juice, the daughter gently asked, "What do you say?" Then her elderly mom -- barely able to hold the bottle -- turned and weakly said to the nurse, "Thank you."

With a lump in my throat I thought to myself, "She knows how to say thank you. She's just thirsty." My heart broke on a couple of levels.

But the moment made me wonder if I know how to say thank you. Not sure about you, but I spend a lot of my time listing my life's aches and pains, inconveniences and delays. Much like that paperwork, my daily prayers often go straight to where it hurts, and what I need, and my worry and fear. Like you, I'm so grateful that in no particular order, I can go right to Him with all of it.

But if I could, I'd erase my answers and start over. Rather than ask God to heal what hurts, I want to mention to Him the things that don't. I want to circle my blessings. And as I read my list, may I hear that gentle reminder, "What do you say?" And like that sweet women, I know how to say thank you.

--Jimmy Peña

Question: What are some ways you can thank the Lord for the blessings you have? If you could thank God right now, what would you list? You can share them with us if you'd like. I'm sure they'll be a blessing to others.

The Road to Bethany

"Jesus wept." --John 11:35 Yesterday's list of prayer requests reminded me of one of the most powerful chapters in the gospels. If you can, please go back and help us pray for each other. In John 11, the city of Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem. And when Mary finally reached Jesus, Lazarus had been dead four days. Perhaps they thought Jesus didn't hurry or didn't notice. Either way, the grief and pain that Mary and the others were feeling moved Jesus to tears. Although Lazarus would soon be having a good laugh, Jesus cried. Why? Because their loss was His too, and their pain hurt. Picture it. Their agony hit His heart and...gush.

Yesterday I received encouraging news with one of my surgeons (last year's). And it was the doctor who delivered the good news to a teary Loretta. But he wasn't concerned. He didn't console her, hold her and he definitely didn't cry. Why? He knew the outcome. He knew that all was going to be well. Which makes the story in John 11 so incredible.

If Jesus could instantly dry the eyes of a broken Mary, surely He could prevent His own from welling up. But aren't we glad He knows how we feel? And shows it? Which makes me think, that probably wasn't the last time Mary cried, or cried out to a healing God. And yesterday wasn't the last day we'll follow her example. Come to think of it, I'm learning that it's true that on this side of Heaven, the healing never ends. Like you, like Mary, I often want Him to hurry. If I didn't know better, I'd say this life looks a lot like that short road to Bethany.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Who's with me? Anyone feel like you're looking down the road from Bethany? Isn't it good to know that He cares and hurts when we hurt? What a comfort.

PrayFit RISE Update! A week from now we'll begin super early bird registration for PrayFit RISE in Los Angeles. A celebration of grace being enough. Enough to put faith to work, enough to humble us, enough to give us hope in hurt and enough to remind us of Heaven. Stay tuned this week both here and on the app for more details on how you can attend, support or sponsor. Please pray for us, ok? Big week. Here's a pic of the venue the Lord has provided.

Bring Me To Life

“But about the day or the hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father knows.”

— Matthew 24:36

Goofing off with Loretta in the truck outside of Trader Joe's, we were asking Siri (the male voice) some questions on our phones. Have you ever done that? Well, from updates on football scores, weather and traffic, he had all the answers. And then in jest, I asked him something nobody knows the answer to. I inquired, "When's the end of the world?" His answer hushed the truck.

Suri pic

Loretta and I sat silent, staring at each other with wide-mouthed grins. Typically, Siri will check the internet or offer some type of helpful pathway for most questions. But instead, he made a wish.

Now I admit, the sentimental side of me could have easily formed a lump in my throat, but I assure you, I pulled it together. It's just a computer after all! But his sense of urgency to enjoy life was something to take to heart. Amen? Even though he didn't know the answer, he gave us one.

Bring me to life for one glorious day. Wow. Is that your heart's desire? What do you burn inside to do? Share Christ, celebrate health, spend time with family, make a difference, run on the beach? I'm guessing all of the above and more. Well, me too. And yeah, maybe with a little ice cream.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Like Siri, you and I don't have the answers about the end of the world or the end of the day for that matter. But sometimes they share the same date. That's why we have to choose now. To accept Christ, to share Christ, to serve Him, to come to life! Along with that comes all the rest, including the need for health. As we begin the week, what can we pray about with you today? List it below or simply say, "Unspoken" and we promise to lift you up. We don't have the answers, but we know Who does. Let's ask Him for one more glorious day.

PrayFit Flow

If I were to put my testimony in a rap song, this is what it would be. I admit, I've written a few books, a screenplay, over a thousand articles and a wedding song. But never a rap. Trust me, I'll stick to devotions, but for a Friday, I thought this would be fun. (Read it fast.) Love you guys. Have a good weekend. Be blessed. Gimme a beat.

I used to be full of muscle, enjoyed the hustle and the bustle All the pain, the strain, the strife, the life Of blood, sweat and tears, no fears Time to go, and grow, too slow But I was wrong, singing my own song, Trying to be strong, when in truth I was weak God said to be meek, never thought I would stumble, got humble No more reps for me, the weight got heavy you see But my burden got light, Jesus took the fight, alright, alright Gave me peace within, said I would win All about grace, an about-face, this is my race I’m in it, gonna win it, Heaven is the goal, the prize, fix my eyes He gets the glory, the good in my story, Got a purpose, ain’t my surface, He’s my affection, my reflection looking dim, Body weaker, but still a seeker of His heart, every single part Tho my back is broken, God stood me up straight, God is good all the time, God is great. I used to be full of muscle, but now I know, In my weakness He’s strong, not that far to go Life is quickly fading, in a minute it’s over, be bolder Don’t boast in what you lift, but hold up what you can’t Let the Gospel be our chant So focused on what I eat, I forget Who feeds me, leads me Through the valleys of this life, high and low Pull back the curtain, we’re not the show Out of the way, out of the light, put up a fight Take a stance now, He shows us how, take a knee at the Cross, take two, take someone with you, show them His face, His grace, His amazing grace Too sweet a sound not to go round, Mountains melt in His presence, even mountains of muscle, through the hustle and bustle, not about the figure, go figure. Thank God for the life, the strife, thru His blood sweat and tears, no more fears. Peace and grace took their place. Jimmy out.

Now, someone take the mic. :-)

Let It Start With Me

Not sure about you, but I sure have enjoyed spending a few days focusing on a single verse. I know Paul's use of an athlete has a special place in many of your hearts, but do you know the rest of the verse? I - for one - would have been fine had Paul stopped right there. "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should." Simply incredible. But Paul went a step further. Speaking of steps, ever witnessed a false start at a track meet? Seeing as we've talked about runners lately, false starts are tough to watch. On some of sport's grandest stages, many of track and field's top athletes stumble right out of the blocks or worse, they jump the gun -- disqualification from a race you've trained your entire life for is arguably one of the roughest moments to witness.

If anyone in the bible could attest to rough beginnings and false starts, it was Paul. One of Christianity's most zealous enemies, Paul approved of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58). The man whose hands we've traced under the light of the lamp was once merciless. But a face-to-face with the Author of mercy Himself changed all that. Following his conversion, Paul carried out his mission in the face of mental and physical hardship the likes of which we have never imagined. His tireless preaching and unparalleled endurance has inspired countless missionaries for 2000 years, not to mention the person typing this sentence and those reading it now.

But despite his false start, Paul would finish our favorite verse by saying, "So that after I have preached to others I myself will not be disqualified." Why did he discipline himself like an athlete and train himself to do the right thing? Simple. In order to be seen running the same race in the same way he urged others to run. False starts, stumbles, tumbles are no match for the grace of God, but they're tough to witness and tough on our witness. Truly, Paul pleaded for physical and spiritual discipline not in order to earn grace, but because of the gift of it. He finished strong. Oh for grace, may we all.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: As I was posting today's entry, I listened to a wonderful song by the group "No Other Name" called Let It Start With Me. The melody roars and the chorus soars with our week's theme. It's about going around the world like athletes to win the lost.  If you can, take a listen. If not, just do me a favor. Read it out loud to yourself. Pretty cool. (If it hits you like it hits me, share this entry with your communities.) And when you walk outside into your world, let it start with you. Athlete.

In the Streets of every village Every city's soaring tower Empty people live in darkness Every minute every hour Hear the cry of desperation From a billion broken hearts With a need so great, where do we even start?

Let it start with me Open up my eyes Fill my heart with your compassion Free my mind from all distractions Use my hands, to set the captive free Move my feet to follow after you Lord change the world and let it start with me

You've given us the orders There's a place for everyone I don't wanna miss my mission In the plan that you've begun You have promised to go with me To the edges of it all And change everything that keeps me from your call Take my life, all I've called my own Everything I am is Yours alone

Let it start with me Open up my eyes Fill my heart with your compassion Free my mind from all distractions Use my hands, to set the captive free Move my feet to follow after you Lord change the world and let it start with me

Live, Eat and Sleep

There he is. He's been up all night. If you've been with us the last couple of days, you know what he's writing and to whom. He's almost to the end of one of his letters. The rhythmic regularity of the occasional drop of water echoes off the cold walls of the prison, and the light of the lamp is now competing with the small ray coming from a window near the ceiling. Staring at the new patch of light on the floor, he finishes this sentence. "...training it to do what it should."

Paul knew that athletes live, eat and sleep their sport. He understood the rigors, the devotion, the sacrifices, and the quest to be the one to win. If you're a competitive runner, he could've easily been describing you. That up-at-dawn discipline inside you? The dedication toward winning your next race? Paul got it.

But unlike the runner who trains for a race, we train during one. We train daily and compete daily, don't we? So with that in mind, notice carefully his choice of words. "Training" (a process) "it" (the body) "to do" (to act, proceed) "what it should" (the right thing). Paul wants us to train our eyes to notice the lonely, our ears to hear the helpless, and to deny the flesh. We're to run to Christ, run away from sin, run to those in need, and to do it all the time.

And he knew that in order for us to do that, we have to live, eat and sleep the Word of God. You know...like athletes. The kind that -- like Paul -- train to win.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion:  Yesterday I asked for your definition of a Christian athlete. Amazing responses. Did you catch Ashley's? She wrote,  "Someone who trains like a lion and lives like a lamb." Wow. Incredible. Tomorrow we'll finish our study, but as you may have realized, Paul isn't talking about a concern for how the body looks, but he's claiming the kind of spiritual discipline in his life that athletes have in their sport. Are we training our lives?

The Light of the Lamp

Every once in a while we'll begin on Monday by talking about a principle -- such as grace or faith -- and we'll embrace it all week, infusing it into each day's message of health. Welcome to such a week. But rather than circle our wagons around a singular truth or Godly characteristic, a verse will be our central theme. And while there are no ordinary verses, this was no ordinary verse. I'm even guessing some of you know it by heart. But whatever you do, don't miss a day. We're going back. We're going back to sit with Paul in prison cells and dark corners. We'll watch as he painfully and poetically places each word of this sentence in its place. Of the many treasures he crafted, this was worth its weight in gold. If he were writing sheet music, this was a high C. If this were his closing argument, consider this his exclamation point; a point he made to help meet the needs of the people in Corinth, and a point that meets ours.

So as we begin a week full of every kind of obligation -- obligations we've scribbled on our to-do lists -- let's meet each day right here. Let's share the light of the lamp as he dips his pen. In order to do that, we have to get close. Let's gather around him. No time to be shy, squeeze in. There's room, so don't hesitate. He's about to write his first words.

"I discipline...

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon from a Roman prison cell. The actual cell is pictured above. Many that have traveled to Rome have taken this picture. I actually can't describe my thoughts. It was God's will that what Paul wrote in this room would reach our hearts. Unfathomable. Let's honor Paul's work and read his letters. It may mean less TV, a shorter workout or turning off social media. But God speaks to us through His Word.

He's Strong, I'm Weak

"For by grace you have been saved and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."--Ephesians 2:8-9

This pursuit of health. For you, maybe it's another day in the gym, looking at that same row of dumbbells. Or maybe it's walking another lap around the familiar track with the expected turns. Maybe you're in rehab following surgery or perhaps you've been hit with an unexpected illness. In any case, picking up the weight or the pace are the keys to change, improvement, maintenance or recovery. More, again. Again, some more. You huff and puff...(rough). Folks, aren't we glad Heaven doesn't require the same?

Let's face it, we're just not strong enough, fast enough, good enough. Fortunately, Jesus lifted our heaviest burden and walked the steepest hill. We can stop fighting a fight He's already won. In fact, the next time you're struggling to lift yesterday's dumbbell with a body designed to weaken, or you're trying to keep your previous pace with steadily slowing legs, take a second and smile. Go ahead. Just grin and shake your head. Let it remind you of just how small and weak you are, and just how big and able He is. I admit, whenever I do that, I seem to be a little stronger and a little bit faster. I don't know. Maybe it's because I realize He's only put me in charge of something that requires my effort.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Doesn't Friday feel like the right time to realize our smallness? The deep sigh I just gave as I typed that sentence says it all for me. I sure do thank you for your faithful reading, your prayers for me and for each other, for the testimonies and stories you share each week, and for the joy you bring me each day. I thank the good Lord for you each night and day. Hope you have a good weekend. Please pray for me as I prepare for my Pepperdine speech on Tuesday. Keep growing in grace. - JP