Resignation

Weirdest thing just happened. I sat down in my corner where I love to write to all of you and I turned on my music to an old album called, "The Story." Filled with amazing songs that walk us through the entire Bible, The Story has a song about the Old Testament's suffering Job; exactly who I wanted to think about tonight and for this series. But I'll come back to that.

Spurgeon, as we learned on Monday, had his share of deep, painful physical needs. So painful in fact that in 1886 he said, “When I am suffering very greatly from gout, if anybody walks heavily and noisily across the room, it gives me pain." In his autobiography he wrote, “I thought a cobra had bitten me and filled my veins with poison. I think it would have been less painful to have been burned alive at the stake than to have passed through those horrors and depressions of spirit.” (The Spurgeon Center)

It's no wonder Spurgeon was able to connect with his audience. He understood. It's no wonder he said, "The greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness." More than ever, I get it. If a once-able weightlifter can be so bold to say, only someone who has suffered thinks to check himself at the door of pride, remove his shoes, and while he may have plenty of head room, knows to stoop.

I remember lying in my bath tub. A year removed from my neck replacement surgery and two away from my back reconstruction, I was dealing with something far more severe. Most of you know I had a colon infirmity where a spasm prevented me from being able to function normally, and the 2-year, daily war with pain was nearly unbearable. For months leading up to that risky surgery - in my bathtub with water full of blood and waste - I'd cry, I'd worry, I'd get angry, I'd apologize to my body, I'd question. Until one day, I resigned. Those that have my latest book recall my journal entry:

"I never predicted such weeks like this. If I ever get up...if I ever hope and rise and stand...if I ever smile, truly smile and speak and write and encourage, make no mistake, it won't be because I kept fighting. It won't be because of my inner man, my deep faith or some gut-summoned passion of belief. No, I have none of that. If I ever get better, it will only be by the mercy and unbelievable, inconceivable grace of my dear God."

Spurgeon: "O dear friend, when thy grief presses thee to the very dust, worship there! If that spot has come to be thy Gethsemane, then present there thy ‘strong crying and tears’ unto thy God. Turn the vessel upside down, and let every drop run out; but let it be before the Lord. When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, then take to worshipping...” (Job’s Resignation)

Notice the sermon title? Job's resignation. If you ever get a chance, google it and read it. Watch what Spurgeon does to describe a suffering Job. And as you do, realize that Spurgeon himself, perhaps the moment he delivered the message was in much agony himself.

You'll forgive the long entry today, but I often stand above that tub and look down. That tub, and the years, and the loss of function, the loss of weight and ability are the reasons I stoop when I enter your lives each day. Today the tub is quiet, it's kept and clean, but it's where I resigned. It will always be the "dust where I worshipped."

Well, anyway, let's bring this to a close. I think I'll end with that song about Job from The Story. The fact that I stumbled upon Spurgeon's sermon about Job's resignation the very minute this song began, well, it was just too good of a moment for me to ignore. Perhaps because I'll never forget it.

If one more person takes my hand and tries to say they understand.
Tells me there's a bigger plan that I'm not meant to see.
If one more person dare suggest that I held something unconfessed
and tries to make the dots connect from righteousness to easy street.
Who else will see my suffering as one more opportunity to educate and help me see all my flawed theology?
If one more well-intentioned friend tries to tie-up my loose ends;
hoping to - with rug and broom - sweep awkward moments from the room...

But who am I to make demands of the God of Abraham?
And God, who are You that You would choose to answer me with mercy new? 
How many more will wander passed to find me here among the ash.
Will you hold me? Will You stay so I can raise this broken praise to You?

But You were the one who filled my cup.
And You were the one who let it spill.
So blessed be Your Holy Name if you never fill it up again.
If this is where my story ends, just give me one more breath to say, "Hallelujah."  

- Jimmy Peña

The Black Velvet

Standing outside church this weekend, I happened to glance to my left to see a lady with her seeing eye dog walking toward the building. A rather large outdoor entryway, there's plenty of room to meet friends, grab a coffee, catch up and, as it turns out, to get a bit turned around.

Well, for whatever reason, I happened to look to my left and saw this Labrador retriever leading a red-headed blind believer toward the main entrance. But they were a bit off course. As they passed, I wondered if perhaps they were headed toward a small group of people gathered outside the building, but no. They walked right on by them. And then, having traveled a bit too far, they stopped. I knew something was wrong.

Walking up behind them, I asked if they were ok. She said, "We can't seem to find the door." She humorously blamed her sweet dog, who by the way looked a lot like Josey. I introduced myself, offered my assistance and helped them to the door. She said thanks. I nodded and winked at the sweet pup. He looked at me as if to let me know that he could take it from there.

(To think I thought I was the one helping them...)

Intrigued. That was the prevailing response I got last week from "The Black Velvet" post on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. If you've arrived at our tiny corner of the internet because of that post, I'm so glad you're here. If you happen to be new, give me a shout in the comments section. Introduce yourself. You'll quickly find that PrayFit is a place where we love to forget our "self."

So, where was I? Oh, yes. The Black Velvet. Well, reading Spurgeon last week, I happened upon a wonderful quote of his. He said, "Our infirmities become the black velvet on which the diamond of God’s love glitters all the more brightly." Pause it. Close your eyes. Sit there for a second. The need for context is blinding, right?

Well, Spurgeon suffered from a myriad of mental and physical hardships; kidney inflammation, gout and depression just to name a few of his struggles. "You must go through the fire if you would have sympathy with others who tread the glowing coals," he later wrote. (Feel free to read that sentence again for its amazing imagery.) Meaning simply that if you've made it to the end of any distance of difficulty, you know what others are going through as they suffer in step, and your heart hurts along their way.

This week, we'll take a look at a few of Spurgeon's thoughts on the subject of illness and health and how the two paths convene and diverge along the road to Calvary. But to a "faith & fitness" industry - filled with its meadow maidens striking a pose under the guise of faith while verse-splattered tank tops with their easily-devised metaphors fill your media feed - Spurgeon has plenty to teach us. Some of you reading this sentence could likely add to its content, I'm sure, because your feet still throb from the coals of suffering.

And for those wondering if Spurgeon honored God with his ailing body (never mind the millions and millions of current readers) he baptized almost 15,000 members, maintained a weekly attendance of 6,000 people, and spawned 66 para-church ministries, including two orphanages and a theological college. By 1892, Spurgeon had published more words in the English language than any other Christian in history. Without the aid of television, radio, or the Internet, Spurgeon proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ to an estimated 10 million people in his lifetime (The Spurgeon Center).

So, as chief curtain holder, allow me to pull back Spurgeon's introduction to this week's theme; a theme that doesn't forget the forgotten canvas; that ignored territory that was trod most frequently by Jesus Himself on His road to Calvary.
The fit and fiddle mock it.
The strong and independent vilify it.
But the blind, the lame, the beggars, the sick, the suffering and the souls with their soles upon the coals, they kiss it. For those whose "grief presses them down to the very dust to worship” it's home. 

Pulling Curtain:
"Health is set before us as if it were the great thing to be desired above all other things. It is so? I would venture to say that the greatest blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness. Sickness has frequently been of more use to the saints of God than health has. If some men, that I know of, could only be favored with a month of rheumatism, it would, by God’s grace, mellow them marvelously.”

Imagine. To be favored with illness. What would that do to our industry? Well, for this little corner of it, may the curtain we pull back this week be a source of perspective; a reservoir of comfort; a reminder that faith doesn't mean fitness. (It's almost absurd to clarify it, I know.) But may the curtain we pull back be the black velvet where God's love glitters. After all, like me, someone you know needs help finding the the door.

- Jimmy Peña

One Day More

"One day more. Another day, another destiny. This never-ending road to Calvary." Jean Valjean lived to see another day, and he lived to see his place in glory. In the end, he joined his heroes. He discovered what God in Heaven had in store.

Well, friends, in a week that could have been written to go in a thousand different directions, I hope something you've read about Les Mis has inspired hope in some area of your life and health. Whether it be to celebrate mercy, to think of others first, to forgive, and maybe even to help you battle pride. Pride, that's the war, amen? At least it is for me.

I recently ran across a retweet of someone quoting a popular fitness athlete who said, "No one and nothing can stop you from getting fit if you truly want to." (Oh to hear Jean Valjean's reply to that false statement.) Not sure how many "likes" she'll get on her wisdom, but I doubt she's ever visited a cancer wing or walked the halls of a children's hospital, and I know for certain she doesn't have a spinal disorder. I tell ya, sometimes pride makes us say the ugliest things.

But she needs grace just like the rest of us. Just like me, just like you. We need Jean Valjean-like grace. Truth is, you don't always get what you work for. But you always know WHO you work for, and that's the difference. A difference only grace can distinguish. If you have health, it's a gift. Open it, treasure it, use it, enjoy it, give thanks for it, and thrive. But we can't applaud Heaven while beating our chest. C.H. Spurgeon once wrote, "We have nothing to be proud of; the lowest place is ours; but Lord, we often conceive ourselves to be something when we are nothing.” 

Indeed, this morning's sunrise says we have another day. Another day, another destiny on our never-ending road to Calvary. Isn't it something? We're called to care for bodies that are designed to fail. What a humble honor. Some days just feel more humbling than others.

One day more.

-Jimmy Peña

There Is A Life

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

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

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

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

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

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Whether "others" is social media, opinions, the mirror....we can take back that control. This is a music of a people who will not be slaves again. Let's spend time just talking to the Lord today about those things that have muddied and muffled the sound to which we should be marching. May the beating of our hearts echo the beating of the drum.

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We are so grateful for you.

Answer The Question

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

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

Chills just typing that. Jean Valjean defined himself by the One his soul belonged to; not by staying silent or claiming innocence. Freedom happens for us when grace happens to us; when we face the fact that we are nothing unless we accept Jesus and admit our sin. And His extended grace is what makes life possible. It's how we forgive others, love others, pursue life, and yes, it even defines our pursuit of health. You are not defined by your fitness or your illness.

But rather, your health is worth the effort, your modesty is worth the privacy, your illness is worth the pain, and your struggles are worth the agony, because God says who you are; His. So stop running. Turn, face your accuser and answer the question.

- Jimmy Peña

Support PrayFit by joining iPrayFit!

By joining the iPrayFit Membership, not only will you allow us to continue delivering content to people in need around the world, but you'll also receive invaluable education on health, illness, recovery, culinary expertise and exercise physiology. Just click here, join us and help support PrayFit.org.
We are so grateful for you.
 

A Tale of Grace

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

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

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

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

This week, we'll begin answering questions like "Who Am I?" and "Has Life Started?" as it relates to the stewardship of health. But for today, here's a question I'd love for you to answer:

Are we breathing, living, forgiving, working, striving and training for results? Or are we breathing, living, forgiving, working, striving and training AS as result? One is fleeting. The other, endless. One has limits. The other, limitless.

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

Welcome to a week of Les Mis.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I felt like hanging out with Jean Valjean again, amen? Maybe you're in need of a few reminders as well. What does your week look like? What can we be praying for today?

Friends Lift

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 of 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 forgave sins, healed bones, and read minds.

Part of me likes to think Jesus was pleased with the faith of those guys; a faith they exercised with their backs. And 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: If you have the gift of ability and health, you never know who it's for. Have a good weekend.

P.S.
Many of you remember Eric Velazquez; friend and co-founder of PrayFit and writer extraordinaire from back in the day. Not only did he grab one end of PrayFit with me, but many a day he lifted my broken bones through the roof to be near Jesus. Well, today Eric fulfills a dream. He becomes a cop. Yep. Today we will watch him graduate as class president. Eric is going to be a police officer. Can we praise the Lord for Eric? And can we pray for his safety? Thank you for lifting with me buddy.

Our Healthiest Request

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

He stuck around.

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

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

I want that to continuously be our plea and our most earnest desire. Like David, to seek Him in His temple and to seek Him with ours.

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

- Jimmy Peña

PrayFit RISE 2017: Here's a praise. The next PrayFit conference is on the books! Details and early bird tickets will soon go on sale, but I wanted to share that with everyone. May all we do together bring God glory.

Until It Gets To Jesus

Charles Spurgeon once said, "It's not a sermon until it gets to Jesus." Go ahead and read that sentence again, and this time let it marinate a minute before you move on. Isn't that our prayer today and everyday? That our lives would get to Jesus? Lives so moved by grace that they become sermons? 

Our approach toward, perspective about, and outlook upon our health is one of those messages. Our attempt at humble, bodily stewardship is simply a way to give back to God the life He gave us. Neat right? He gave us life. We live it out. He gave it all. We give it all back. Although, I wonder if I'm giving back all that He gave me. (The cursor on the keyboard is literally flashing on the screen as I contemplate my own question.) Do I? Am I?

With the clock already ticking on a new week, our lives are ALL we have to give back. Am I emptying the tank? And I don't mean simply in sweat, but in the right way, with the right heart, for the right reasons, and for the right people? Sweat is easy. Sermons are tough. And it's not a sermon until it gets to Jesus.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Our lives, including our health, are all we have to give back to God. What area of your life needs to be emphasized or de-emphasized in order for your health to be a sermon? Dang, that's a tough question. There goes my cursor again. What comes to mind when you think of your life as a sermon? Love to know your thoughts.

iPrayFit: Some neat things happening as we enhance the iPrayFit Membership. Here's a sneak peek at yours truly demonstrating his stretch sequence to keep his hips and lower back functioning. If anyone suffers with back pain, I look forward to serving your needs and walking along side you. We'll hold each other up.

Glowing With Health

“God will choose to use you based on the direction of your heart,
not the accomplishments of your life.”

— Pastor Shawn Thornton

Believe it or not, I used to sing solos in church and school. Growing up in a gospel-singing family 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 recently while listening to a message 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, may that be our goal this week -- to glow with health, for no other reason but that our hearts are looking more and more like His. 

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Hearts that look like His. #goals. What can my team help you pray for as we start a new week?  

NEW in Store:

The Response

As you lace up your shoes for a run - (those whose ears adjust to the frequency of the beckoning road) - you anticipate your feet responding for the sake of your calling. One foot in front of the other; stride, plant, flex, push, extend, over and over again. Your brain tells your feet to move, and your arms to swing, and your core to stabilize as your lungs expand and contract to supply the oxygen required with of course, the heart driving it all - all in perfect harmony.
And then, the response. You run.

Do me a favor and close your eyes for about ten seconds and imagine the sound of a runner on a gravel road in the early morning when it's quiet. Listen for the sound of each step as well as the rhythmic regularity of each breath. Tat....tat....tat....tat....inhale-exhale....tat....tat....tat....tat....inhale-exhale........

Ever thought of life as a response? Not as a reaction to the things of life, but as a response to God for life. Louie Giglio says, "Worship is our response to God for who He is and what He's done, expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live. We inhale salvation, we exhale praise. That's worship." 

Our health (and illness) is a means of praise. In Acts 17, the Bible says God gives life and breath to all things. He GIVES life and He GIVES breath. And then, the response.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Worship is bigger than the muscle we build and faster than our feet can move, because in truth, it has nothing to do with either of those things. Much like the runner is dependent on the heart to power each step, worship is a spiritual heart issue. If there is no heart, there is no worship. What does your heart sing when you train? Whether you're a walker, runner, lifter, athlete. You inhale grace, exhale praise. That's worship.

GOING TO PRINT:
The words of our little video have meant so much to us over the years, as well as to many of you. (You've likely seen it on our Facebook page.) Well, it's been added to our April inventory. Hope you enjoy yours and thank you for your support of PrayFit. Pre-Order HERE.

You Were Carried

Vince Lombardi famously said, "The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there." Now, you don't have to read this entry to know what he meant by that. But of the many takeaways, one is that if you've reached the summit, you worked for it. You put in the miles, the time. Three cheers. You weren't given this view.

Now, Lord knows I'm nobody to argue with Vince Lombardi; arguably the greatest football coach of all time. I realize I'm on hollowed ground. But, the quote is a little - how do I put it - off.
Right? 

You'll forgive my simplicity, but if God made the man, and God made the mountain, and God gave man the grace to have the desire to use the ability of putting one foot in front of the other to get up said mountain...at what stage on the mountain does God not deserve all the credit? But that's not my focus today.

My focus isn't the credit Vince failed to give away, but it's the glory he wanted us to keep.

Max Lucado once wrote, "God let's you excel so you can make Him known. Kings of the mountain forget Who carried them up there." Now, I'm not waging Max against Vince (after all, winning isn't everything), but what I am saying is that our success, whether physical or otherwise, is intended to reflect God. And to bring it home to this little corner of the fitness world, it's God who gives us the ability to be healthy. But if you're like me, you find it pretty easy to plead for God to help you accomplish a goal, but rather than let others hear God's thunder, you try and steal it. Cover your ears my fellow mountain climbers, but we were absolutely given this view.

Thing is, we don't disagree with the great Vince Lombardi; about the work needed to climb the mountain, we just try to remind ourselves where the glory goes, even as we wipe the sweat off our brow. It takes a lot of work, even when you're carried.

- Jimmy Peña

Deep Breath: I saw a news story recently about people dying on the way back down Everest. See, once climbers reach the summit, they can't spend too much time celebrating because they waste their oxygen and energy. There's a thought. Our industry will tell us that we weren't dropped atop our peak, so spend as much time as we need to bask in the glory. We're "worth it." Hogwash. Makes me wonder how much precious energy we waste trying to gain attention for every hard-fought byproduct of grace. Speaking for myself, more than I care to recall. 

Grace, Fitness and Middle C

I have no desire to be as fit as possible. Been there done that. I spent decades 'strong,' able and as it turns out in many ways, worthless to the Kingdom. Worthless because my health was all about me. Sure, I loved God in the process, but He certainly wasn't my purpose. Gone are the days of my sour notes of wasted health.

Many others have used the metaphor of "middle C" as a means of finding balance in life, so I won't dare claim it as an original thought, but oh, if only I could utilize it as a commanding one in my heart. Max Lucado once wrote, "We all need a middle C; a still point in a turning world."

Well, for our part at PrayFit Ministries, amid this industry that demands our pride and attention, we have a middle C. Somewhere between vanity and gluttony is abundant health; a health (or illness) that needs a tuning pillar and unshakeable landscape. In a word, grace. When it comes to our approach to health, grace is our middle C. This week, let's find it. Let's tune our hearts to its pitch, depth, height.

Grace has a ring to it. Grace has a cascading, all-instruments on deck calling to it. Try lifting one weight today without hearing it. Try taking your first step of today's run in its absence. Attempt anything loud when grace is silent and you won't make a sound. No amount of "Motivation Monday" can mock a muted grace. No goal is attemptable - let alone achievable- without its serenade. So, play it. Play it often. Find it daily, hourly, and as often as possible in your pursuit of health or in your battle with illness.

Graaaaaaace, grace, grace, grace. Middle C, C, C, C, C. It finds us at our highest highs and rescues us at our lowest lows. It bounces off the walls of the dungeons of infirmities and it travels down the corridors of every bodily blessing. As you wake this morning, pour your coffee, sit down at your computer, or turn on your phone, just tap the note and touch its tone.

It's true. I have no desire to be as fit as possible, just necessary; whatever God's will is for my life and the health He would allow me in order to fulfill it. That's the sound of middle C.

- Jimmy Peña

We Are The Body: Our new spring line is hitting the stores for pre-order. Yesterday we launched the comfy tank. Enjoy, and thank you for your constant support of this ministry. To pre-order, click here.
 

He Gave The Sea Its Limit

You're likely familiar with the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, and that Pharaoh had a change in heart; to hard. Ultimately, he chased Moses and his people to the brink of the Red Sea. And that's where I want us to stand on this Monday. Look down at your feet where they meet the water.

Ever stood at the edge of the ocean? My wife Loretta and I visit the ocean often to pray, watch the sunset, dream. And I always find it amazing that God tells the waves how far they can go. That's not me being merely mesmerized by His creative nature and the moon's gravitational pull. It's a literal awe of what it says in Proverbs, "...I was there when he gave the sea its limit..." Proverbs 8:29

Slow down the words as you read them, " gave the sea...its limit." You and I have limits. When we set "personal records" in the gym or otherwise, they're not indicators of strength, but indicators of limits. And that's good news, because God has none. Not sure about you, but I am more in awe of the innumerable, unsearchable, unreachable number above my personal record than I am at the pitiful few below it.

And I think that's why standing here at the edge of the Red Sea is appropriate for us as we seek to honor God with our health this week. Why would God lead Moses to what looked like a trap? After all, a hard-hearted Pharaoh was at his back and unforgiving waves were in his face. 

Well, are you at your wits end? Is a family member struggling with an illness? Are you feeling the pressure of your past mixed with a daunting future? If so, then there's your answer. He led Moses to his limit in order to lead us through ours.  Now would be a good time to look down at your feet.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Are you at your own Red Sea? Are you trusting God to see you through to the other side? What are you doing to show God you trust Him with your current circumstance?

NEW RELEASE: If you happen to make this far down the page, thank you. And I also want to show you a new spring release that you can pre-order to help support the ministry of PrayFit. Our "We Are The Body" line is being unveiled this week and the first item is our comfy tank. It's available in the store and they ship in a few weeks, so please hurry. We are the Body of Christ, designed to love and serve. Let's do that.

Better Than I Deserve

This last weekend, Loretta and I once again were honored to spend time with special needs kids at Calvary Community Church. 'Buddy Break,' - directed by one of the nation's most respected leaders in special needs ministry, Gina Spivey - is simply a time for parents to get a much needed rest; where kids with autism or other illnesses are paired with volunteers to just play and hang so their parents can have a date, watch a movie, go to lunch, take a nap.

I was once again paired with my best pal Jordan. Jordan asks me every question he can imagine. And I love him for it. He's trapped inside, as Gina would say, and his mind races a mile a minute to repeat his question about the color of the sky, or what sound a frog makes, and if I like mustard; questions I'm highly honored to answer as many times as he asks them.

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

Honoring God with my body isn't about goals, although I encourage you to set them. It isn't about weights or sets or reps or beating yesterday's best, although it's my life's work to help you along that path. But write this down: Goals and achievements describe capability, not impact. They can be a means, but they are never the mark.

Now, I doubt that my fitness motives have ever been so pure that they had no sin or pride or vanity in them, but I often wonder how fit I need to be to feed the hungry, help the poor, or visit the sick? In the end, I don't need a heavy set of ten. I need a heavy heart. Stewardship doesn't require muscle, endurance, speed, agility, progress or a pump, just a pulse. 

And yes, sweet Jordan. I like mustard.

- Jimmy Peña

Prayer Request: Most of you know that for a decade prior to the launch of PrayFit, I was the worldwide fitness editor and strength & conditioning expert for Muscle & Fitness Magazine, as well as the author or contributor to eight fitness and nutrition books. What a ride. And even though my illness removed much of my ability to workout personally, I still find such honor in helping you steward your health to enable you to serve others. For that reason, we are working on the iPrayFit education center to help us better assist you in your daily endeavors. We are also close to announcing the date of the next PrayFit conference. Please pray for us. God is opening doors as I type. More soon.

A Prayer for Lent

For the first day of Lent, here's a wonderful prayer by our dear friend, Rev. Scotty Smith:

Dear Lord Jesus...Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. For the next forty days we’ll have the privilege of surveying your all-sufficient cross and acknowledging our present need, as we worship our way towards Easter Sunday — Resurrection Day, the foundation of our hope and the fountain of eternal joy.

For your glory and our growth, we ask you to inundate us with fresh grace in the coming weeks. We don’t want an ordinary Lenten season, Lord Jesus. Saturate it with the gospel. It’s all about you, Jesus. It is all about you, what you’ve done for us, not what we’ll promise to do for you.

Over these next forty days intensify our hunger, our assurance, and our longing for the day of your return—the Day of consummate joy—the wedding feast of the Lamb. Fill our hearts with your beauty and bounty, that we might freely confess and gladly repent of the ways we contradict the gospel — with our thoughts, words and deeds. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.

--Rev. Scotty Smith

With YOU: Friends, as we begin the season, we're here for you for all the ways you'll celebrate and prepare your hearts. From all of us at PrayFit, be blessed this first day of the greatest season God ever gave man to enjoy. Amen?

I'm Giving Up

As you'll soon see, we love this time of year. Longer days, better weather, and of course, baseball, all help put a spring in my step. Maybe you're the same? It's just a good time of the year for fresh starts and new beginnings. Which always reminds me of what Louie Giglio once said, "For Lent, I'm giving up."

Naturally, we think there's something missing from his sentence. Um, Louie? You forgot something buddy. When in truth, "period" is exactly what should come next. As we begin the Lenten season, let's remember that it's all about Jesus and what He did for us; not about what we can do, give up, commit to, or accomplish. (Or about our failure to succeed at any of that.) Nothing to prove, nothing to lose, nothing to hide.

- Jimmy Peña

Discussion: The pressure isn't just off - it's non-existent. How does that help you prepare your heart for the Easter season? If part of your heart's preparation is indeed physical, as part of obedience and humble stewardship, will your commitments to healthier choices take on new meaning? Will it help shape not only the goals you set, but how you prepare and execute them? Or forgetting the physical changes, maybe you're just ready to give up trying to always be seen or applauded? Maybe you're ready to give up striving, competing, comparing, being noticed? If so, there's freedom when you do.

Just remember. Lent is a heart issue, because when Jesus said, "It is finished," it was and still is. Aren't we glad we don't have to measure up? (And that actually makes me want to work harder in all areas of life. Isn't that incredible?)

Seeing 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 above, 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.

Today Lord, after a night of Academy Awards, remind us that it takes discipline to create a destiny of excellence. But more importantly, remind us also 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 you give us we'll use to glorify you. In Jesus' name and for His sake, Amen.

- Jimmy Peña

Grace Upside Down

Sometimes God allows things to be turned upside down for our own good, amen? I thought of that yesterday while hanging completely upside down. I wish it were because I was cool, trendy or a serious Batman fan. Well, that one may be true. But, no. See, because of my disk disease, an inversion table is a fixture in my home. Of course, Loretta makes me hang around downstairs in my cave, but each day, I do everything in my power to help relieve the symptoms of an otherwise irreversible trend. My disks are failing rapidly, and they're unforgiving.

In a recent article with InTouch Magazine, Max Lucado was asked, "Why do you think we miss out on this aspect of grace and try to live for God on our own strength? Max answered by saying, "Grace goes so contrary to everything else in life. Everything else in life is a barter system. We work, so we get paid. We love others; we hope they will love us back. Then we come into a relationship with God with the same idea — that it’s going to be some type of exchange with a merit system. Religion says that if you do good, God will notice you. The Bible says God has already noticed you. He’s loved you and adopted you, and given you a new heart. Now go out and do good. It just really kind of flips everything upside down."

Yeah, grace does that. When everyone and everything is unforgiving, God's grace turns it upside down. I can no sooner turn back the clock on my disks than I can take back yesterday's sin. But Jesus gives grace. Grace great enough to secure my soul forever. And that's why I hang upside down; just in case He gives me another day to share that news.

- Jimmy Peña

Oxygen Debt

As athletes, you know the feeling; hands on your knees, trying to catch your breath after a grueling set of wind sprints. (Or for example, me, pictured here exhausted during one of my last days in the gym back in 2007.) You try and stand tall, putting your hands on your head, desperately gasping for air. Before you know it, coach blows the whistle for the team to get back on the line to do it all over again. In exercise physiology there are all sorts of wonderful phenomena going on inside your body immediately following an intense bout of exercise.

One of the more traditional terms tossed around, and one that was hammered into my head during graduate school, was the term "oxygen debt." And for the sake of the conversation, you can think of oxygen debt as recovery time, or the amount of oxygen required during recovery to get your body back to a steady, normal state. The thing of it is, while it's called "oxygen debt," it's not something you can actually pay back.

Rev. Scotty Smith says, "Breathe in God's grace like you breath in air. It's just as vital, actually, more so." Reading that makes me think back to those old days of training. If you're a swimmer, maybe the gasp just above the water is a better picture. Either way, air is vital for our survival. But even more so is the grace that God offers us through Jesus. And the sin debt He paid in full on the cross of Calvary is a debt we can't repay. Good works -- when performed to try and keep us in good standing -- will only leave us gasping; think of a fish out of water. That's us without grace.

So as you hit your training today - whether you're a walker, runner, yogi or lifter - Grace allows us to breathe easy while we work. Because no matter your success or failure at whatever mode of exercise you choose, God can't love you any more or any less than He does right now. So don't try and repay Him. Simply accept His grace, take a deep breath and sigh.

- Jimmy Peña