Shade

The confetti is all but cleaned up, the streamers are in the trash, and the calendar is brand new. Deep breath...ah, so this is 2018!

But it doesn't take long for things to feel normal again does it? For some reason, the commute this morning is still bumper to bumper, co-workers are still grumpy, and junk food options are available at every corner. Seems last year's ho-hums and habits still cast their shadows.

This week, we're resting our physical pursuits. I haven't been shy about that. Some of you are enjoying the new eBook, others are digging into the upgraded Bible plan on the app, and others are just taking a deep breath before January 8th rolls around. 

The reason we're being so deliberate this first week is because a new year is only new if we make it that way. For you and me, a change in year only matters when it changes in here (this is me pointing to my heart). So starting today, no matter what seems old, let's find a way to make it new. Our morning workouts don't happen unless we've spent time in God's word. That commute? Try seeing it as an extended quiet time with the Lord. Those co-workers? Be the only one in the office unwilling to gossip. And at lunch, be the first to push away from the table as a way to praise the Lord for the gift of health. Slowly but surely, we'll realize the difference is in us. Seems those weren't shadows after all. It was shade.

- Jimmy Peña

Let's Pray:
As we seek shade this week, who else but my friend Scotty Smith to lead us in a first week prayer?

Heavenly Father, whether or not 2018 is going to be a “happy” New Year, remains to be seen. But as in 2017, there won’t be a day this year you’ll fail to send us new mercies and give us sufficient grace. You’ll steadfastly delight in us, and rejoice over us with singing, no matter the happenstance, circumstances, or providences. Because of Jesus’ finished work, your love for us is irrepressible, immeasurable, and inexhaustible. That will be the most predictable and reliable truth in 2018. Hallelujah!

In response to the words you spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, this is our prayer for 2018. May it be a year filled with knowing you better, boasting in you more robustly, and serving you more joyfully. Though our desire for approval and power, riches and relationships, comfort and control will be unrelenting, may intimate fellowship with you seize our hearts, shape our schedules, and consume our days. Our only New Year’s resolution is to believe the gospel more fully and gladly.

May the gospel compel us to love mercy, work for justice and walk humbly with you in 2018. Don’t let us forget that all of history is tied to your commitment to redeem a Bride for Jesus from every nation, tongue and people group. Show us our place in that story.

May we dance and suffer, work and pray, serve and love all to your glory. Reveal more of Jesus to our hearts; bring gospel-renewal to our churches; and advance your kingdom in our cities. May we live each day this year confident of your great love, resting in your sovereign rule, and longing for Jesus’ return. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.

Your Turn

I say it every year, but I can't help but already notice - from Twitter, to Instagram, to Facebook – the avid exercisers mocking the new faces at the gym (or those they will soon see.) And they all have the same, general theme: "Oh those resolutions. I wonder how long they will last…”

Aren’t we glad God doesn’t say the same about us? “Oh, here’s Jimmy again. Same sin, same confession, I wonder how long this commitment will last.”

Guys, if it helps, think of the new face at the gym, or on the road, or in the studio, like a visitor at a crowded church on Christmas day. Acknowledge them, welcome them and tell them you’ll see them next time. They may not be familiar with the gym's layout, but they'll know where to find grace.

You never know, your words of encouragement might be what saves their life. Remember, it takes courage for them to show up. Now, it’s your turn.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Let's be the arms that reach around the gym.

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Almost Here: The first week of January - usually filled with promises and promotion - is being replaced with rest and recalibration. Are you joining us? 

Minimalism and Fitness

Confession. I'm becoming more and more of a minimalist. Well, perhaps not a poster representative, but admittedly, I'm someone growing more and more accustomed to enjoying life with less. Now granted, I have plenty of things that I could likely do without, but what's a sentimental fool to do? This is me, looking at old stuff and making the painful yet necessary break.

Speaking of, the week after Christmas is a good week to discover, to uncover, to declutter. It's a good week to clean out drawers, cabinets, make trips to Goodwill, unburden yourself. Clean house, clean man cave, clean slate.

Funny, I follow a group of minimalists on Twitter and over Christmas they tweeted, "Merry." Just, "Merry." No Christmas. Knowing them by now, I realize that they see Christmas as a clear and present opportunity to simply horde more junk. And in some ways, I agree. But their tweet left me feeling a bit...empty. I get the fact that we want to remove commercialization from Christmas and that we can be happy and joyful without "things," but none of that matters without Christ. So, I replied.

They didn't respond. It's likely they didn't see it or didn't care, but either way, it's true. And what a reminder it is for us as fitness-minded believers, right? Jesus didn't have anything and yet was everything. He didn't store up for himself any treasures on earth. (We can apply this to our muscle, our mindset, our goals. More, more, and more of anything can become a distraction or worse; a god.)

Anyway, Scotty Smith once wrote, "Clutter is like zucchini; it just keeps spreading. Once a treasure, now most of these things are just a bother. But Jesus, what concerns me more than my attic and garage are my mind and heart. The older I get, the less storage space there is, and I don't want to finish my journey into eternity with a distracted mind and cluttered heart. So, Lord, help me declutter and recenter on you. I am so glad you love me the same with or without my clutter, but I will love you better without it."

As we approach the New Year - and our brief break from physical training between January 1-7 - what in your life feels like clutter? Maybe you're like me. It's that closet or the trunk of your car. Or maybe it's social media or the basement. Or maybe it is a recalibration of balance for bodily stewardship. Whatever it is, freeing yourself can have an enormous impact physically and spiritually on yourself and perhaps on those around you.

Good riddance. Wherever our treasures are, that's where our hearts will be. Time to make room.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Anyone feel like being minimal in certain places?

An Inconvenient Faith

When was the last time faith interrupted your life? Can you remember the last time your faith was inconvenient to what the world deemed prevalent?

Today falls in-between; in between Christmas and New Year's Eve when business isn't quite business as usual, school is still out, and we're counting down the days; counting down the days until we put a button on the year and begin newness; a newness I have had the honor of stepping into with you for 9 years.

But unlike the previous years together, this year we're going to do things a little differently. Before we shake 2018 to its foundation, let's be shaken to ours. For the first 7 days of the year, we're devoting ourselves to humble reverence, complete awe, and utter dependence (true for every day of the year, really.) Apart from God, nothing we do physically means anything, so for the first 7 days of January, join us for total rest from all physical training. That means, runners, no running. Lifters, no lifting. Yogis, no...yoga...ing. Well, you get the point.

I hope this isn't shocking, but we'll devour God's Word, begin memorizing entire books, praying, talking and dedicating the year to Him alone. Radical? Not really. Uncommon? Perhaps. But whether it seems too relaxed or too reckless, let's meet right here; here where we have no desire to draw attention or crowds; here where we have no aim to make a name for ourselves. For many, this will be a sacrifice of praise.

We're here to abandon self. We're here to follow Jesus. 

Tozer says that faith is, "more dangerous than it sounds." And at the risk of sounding crazy and losing precious ground on physical goals, dreams and resolutions, let's pray our faith breeds a dangerous dissatisfaction on any satisfaction our physical pursuits provide us. 

May we - even but for a few short days in January - deepen our faith to the point of a sure, undeniable distinction between faith and fitness. 

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I realize that for some, the first week is such an exciting time to tackle new goals (in time I'm going to help you to those ends), but this will take some discipline to wait. For others, like any other week, your life wouldn't be normal if you didn't train. You too will be stretched.

Either way, will you be here on January 1-7 as we begin a new year a little differently? Will you allow your faith to interrupt your plans? As a companion piece, I've assembled this free eBook - "Still. At The Start." -  and it'll be available soon. Hope you enjoy.

Come and Get Your Love

In a recent Christmas prayer, Scotty Smith writes, "Thank you for making room for us in your heart, Jesus. There’s no greater welcome or hospitality than the gospel. Our lives are now hidden in yours, and your life is now growing in ours. Oh, the peace this brings us."

You may be like me, but I often run the risk of letting various elements of the Christmas story become routine. For example, the fact that we made no room for Him can easily become one of those "every-year" events. May that not be the case ever again. But rather, let that detail jolt us into realizing that it was Jesus who was calling us, welcoming us. After all, it's His world, His timing, His terms. The manger, the stable, all of it, His chosen scene. With the face of grace, His little smile put earth at Heaven's doorstep, making His birth a galaxy-halting invitation to come and get your Love.

Hillsong sings a wonderful worship song that many of you are certain to recognize called, "What a Beautiful Name." A line from that song says, "You didn't want Heaven without us, so Jesus You brought Heaven down."

Guys, that particular line is my star in the East; an irresistible siren that draws me nearer to my blessed Lord.

I didn't want Heaven without you, so come and get your Love. 

That's Christmas. 

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Because He invited us into His heart, we can invite Him into ours. And in doing so, we allow Him into our life. We make room for Him in our dreams, our jobs, and yes, our health. We invite Him into our quest for bodily upkeep, disease management, and goal-making. In fact, the first week of January we're taking inventory of our physical life. Anyone joining me? 

Be Born In Us

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy."— Matthew 2:10

If you missed Christmas Presence last week, we talked about the shepherds and their efforts to see the newborn King. We agreed that their best was all they had to offer Him - our pacesetters if you will - and they made it.

Can't you just see their cold breath and chests rising as they arrive? But today, let's focus on the one who didn't run. Though she trembled when she was told of the miracle, Mary waited for the promise.

As I write this, a song by Francesca Battistelli called Born In Me is ringing in my ears. The chorus:

I'll hold you in the beginning, you will hold me in the end. Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem, be born in me.

Isn't that what we want? For our hearts to be His Bethlehem? Born in us? When you and I walk into work or school or the gym or studio; when we make dinner for the kids or visit a neighbor, we hold Him. We're His home on earth.

Mary offered to God what she was denied at the inn: a vacancy.
The shepherds offered to God the only thing they could: an audience.

As Christmas nears, let the ones who ran to Him, and the one who didn't run from Him, give us courage to do both.

–Jimmy Peña

Prayer Requests: Will you pray for me today? I have an unspoken request. And if you have a prayer request, please list it here or say "unspoken" and I, the team and the rest of the readers will pray for you by name. Grow in grace.

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Available January 1: "Still. At the Start." - a new eBook designed with you in mind to help you rest, rejuvenate, recalibrate and pause the first week of January. Would anyone like to wait with me as we allow the rest of the field to pull away? Will you be the dark horse? 

Christmas Presence

"What do you give to someone who has everything?" That's a common question asked year after year by a countless number of people.  But what do you give someone who is everything? Well, that original question was uttered only once by a small group of eyewitnesses. Maybe the Shepherds asked each other that very thing as "they hurried off "(v. 16).

Wait, did you notice that? Long before Jesus gave the lame the strength to walk, He had shepherds running. After the angel told them the news, I doubt they hung around the fields, or grabbed a bite to catch up on the latest herder's gossip. No, the news of Jesus had these shepherds high-stepping with hearts pumping. Were they unsure of what to give God? Perhaps. But they were ironclad-certain about doing their best just to get there. Showing up out of love, out of excuses and out of breath. What they lacked in presents, they made up with their presence.

–Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: If you've been on PrayFit for a few years, you recognize today's entry. I just can't help but imagine that night, right? The announcement, the reaction, the action. Just to be near Him. What do you give someone who IS everything? You give Him everything, beginning with all you got.

Life Disrupted: As we've done over the years, we're resting, recovering and recalibrating ourselves during the first week of January. Enjoy this short video as I explain.

Advent and Health

We know the story, but we love it. Two thousand years ago, God made an unexpected trip. Because we were unable to get to Him, He came to us. God left Heaven's hall for Bethlehem's stall. He then climbed out of his crib and onto the cross for your sins and mine. Imagine, God with us. Say that out loud and emphasize a few words with me. 

God with us.
God with us.
God with us.

Amazing, isn't it? The distance He traveled for you and me. I love Christmas time. The traditions, old and new. But something about Christmas will never change, and that's the story of our Savior. 

So Jesus, we know the story, but tell us again. Show us the faith in Joseph's eyes. Reveal the awe on a shepherd's face. Convey the courage of Mary. We know the story, but take us back. Remind us that your birth began a rescue mission. We know the story, but please Jesus, we love it. Be born again.

 --Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Now and again over the next few weeks, we'll take a look at Christmas and some of the incredible themes we can apply to our health. What are some of the ways Christmas helps put your health into perspective? I'd love to know. I may even write about it, so please share. Let's have a good week, friends.

Glorify God

When advertising Hall of Fame legend Bill Backer died last year, the news may have been easy to miss. I mean, after all, who among us recognizes his name? Bill Backer...hmmm....nope. Doesn't ring a bell. But consider the phrase he implanted into our brain:

"Mmm Mmm good. Soup is good food." - Campbell
And if that phrase doesn't resonate, Bill Backer was responsible for putting Dave Thomas into Wendy's commercials. The guy was a legend; just in obscurity.

What Bill Backer did for companies, we're called to do for Christ; even as fitness-minded believers. Amid everything we set out to accomplish in the gym, it all comes down to this: Glorify God. Whether we're trying to lose weight, gain muscle, achieve flexibility, reduce blood pressure, or all of the above, the end result is to make Jesus famous.

The final product isn't our reputation, or our "likes" on social media or our status. It's God's renown. Fact is, whether or not any of those goals are achieved (if they do, consider them gifts of obedience and progenies of prudence) our job is like that of Bill Backer: promote the prize, get out of the way, deflect attention.

Oh, to be Christ-marketers like that, amen? The moment we walk into the gym or step onto the mat or hit the road, the ad goes live, and we're on the air to promote Him. In fact, I like to think that Bill Backer set the tone for us when he wrote, "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony."  Me too, Bill. Me too.

- Jimmy Peña

The PrayFit Flow

Because so many of you participated in the iPrayFit Membership Drive- getting us one step closer to helping ministries near and dear to our hearts - I thought I'd sing a little. I thought I'd give us a little beat. (Approaches mic, clears throat, closes eyes.) Here's a throwback to last year's flow. This is me overjoyed because of you. My testament in a rap song; best if you read it fast. Give it up. - jp 

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(Raffle, Yo: Someone that shares this to their social networks will receive a gift card from Team PrayFit. Use the hashtag #iPrayFit.)

Lifetime Membership Special

The membership arm of PrayFit Ministries - iPrayFit - is having an amazing, limited-time offer. Please consider joining. Thank you!

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All proceeds of this membership go to support ministries such as global missions and kids affected by special needs. Not only will you receive world-class fitness education, but your giving will help construct the new special needs area (restrooms, outdoor access, and more) for those with autism, cerebral palsy and other infirmities. Thank you for your purchase.

With your iPrayFit Membership, you'll have access to the education center filled with:

AT-HOME Video Tutorials: Seminars on power, strength, hypertrophy and endurance as well as sport-specific tutorials. PLUS! Learn the ins and outs of proper exercise technique, tips & strategies, as well as, pitfalls to avoid.

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NEW RECIPE CARDS, Tips and Food Bytes: Embrace food like never before. PrayFit's expert dietitians - including JENNIFER FIELDEN and other culinary experts - will help you learn to use food to fuel your life, not rule your life. Food bytes, recipes, and much more.

SMALL GROUP CURRICULUM: for your church, friends and family. Enjoy our growing library of PrayFit Small Group Curriculum. Groups take on lives of their own. Some meet in homes, others at gyms, and some meet online. But no matter how they meet, there is only one reason why; to see health through God's eyes. And it's with our health (and our illnesses) that we serve Him and others.

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Our gift to you for becoming a new member! (While supplies last)

White Noise

Question. Do you sleep because you get to, or because you have to? Both? Reason I ask is because I recently downloaded a white noise app to help me at night. I'm hoping it helps me sleep, but I don't want it to distract my wife. I'll come back to that.

"I wanna run," I said to Letta while she was getting ready for work this morning. Her positive, grateful-laced reply came as quickly as you can say go: "Yeah...you can't...but you can walk fast!"

This is where I nodded my head and forced the corners of my mouth downward in a sort of agreeable frown. "True...(nod)...true."

Some people will tell you that they train because they "get to." They see it as favor, a blessing, something to enjoy, a means to give back to God and celebrate life and limbs and ability. And that's awesome. Lord knows I've written a few entries on the subject over the years and I built a platform on any measure of health being a gift.

And yet there are others who train because they "have to." They see it as obedience, an honor and high responsibility. Much like they would manage their money, they see exercise as temporary physical stewardship. They don't love it, but they love Him, so they take care of themselves. Obedience, after all, doesn't have to be fun. For that reason, I could argue that they are the ones truly making a sacrifice of praise.

But here's the skinny. The problem is in our hearts. We sin when we get off track by feeling self-righteous for being in either camp. Fact is, if you get to, it's only because in God's sovereignty you have to. And if you have to, it's only by God's grace that you get to. (Try saying that five times really fast.) 

Anyway, this morning as I watched the onslaught of Black Friday deals and the stampedes at the corner store, I decided to hit the gym to work back. Looking down at the pitiful light weight on the row machine, I had a flashback toward my days when I used to row 200 lb. dumbbells with rhythmic regularity. Today I have a 40 lb. limit for both hands combined. 

I got to thinking. I would love to be strong again, but I make a conscious choice to stay weak. I would love to run, but I reluctantly choose to walk fast. What camp am I in? I get to train within my limits and I have to train to reach them.

- Jimmy Peña

ANSWER: It doesn't matter, but I probably have a pillow in both camps. Regardless, the outcome of my decision is a filthy rag. Like the awful, fuzzy sounds coming out my phone at night, our promotion of our purpose can often be one giant distraction. Like white noise, it's there, but we don't always need others to hear it. Aren't we glad God sees the heart? 

Weakness For His Glory

“In all things give thanks...”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:15

A show of hands of those who find that to be one of the most difficult, curious, or at times seemingly impossible messages we can find in God's Word.

Yesterday we began listing our blessings and what we're thankful for, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your comments. Truly, if the week of Thanksgiving reminds us of anything, it would be our ultimate and utter dependence on the Lord. When we imagine what all we have, we acknowledge that none of it is earned or deserved; from the air we breathe, to the cars we drive, to the family and friends joining us at the table. All blessings, all gifts, all God.

But then come the weaknesses of life. Those don't always make our list, right? In this selfie generation and especially in the fitness industry, we don't like to talk about our weaknesses. We'd rather boast, gloat, and promote ourselves. But friends, like we discussed on Monday, thankfulness and contentment aren't found in self-confidence, self-talk, self-esteem, self-sufficiency or self-assurance. If anything is self-evident, it's that we need a little self control. The Biblical truth? God doesn't applaud our self-reliance.

So, pause on this: One of our greatest strengths is realizing just how weak we are. If that's tough for us to admit, chances are we'd feel really uncomfortable around Paul. After all, it was Paul who said, "I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for His glory." (2 Cor 12:5) 

Friends, make no mistake, our weakness drives us (and those around us) to the Lord. And that's one of the ways we can give thanks in all things. Call it divine irony. The tough stuff of life brings us to our knees, which just so happens to be the only place of strength.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: At the top of Paul's list on Thanksgiving would likely be his weaknesses. Does knowing that free you to boast in yours?

Saved. Alone.

Over 100 years ago, a very successful lawyer and real estate mogul, Horatio Spafford, lost a lot in the great Chicago fire of 1870, but years later he lost much, much more. The fire left thousands homeless, and Horatio and his family spent years helping those less fortunate. Exhausted, Horatio and his wife, along with their four daughters planned a cruise to Europe. But just prior to pushing off, Horatio was called upon to stay for business. Still, he sent his family on their much-needed vacation.

The ship - the Ville du Havre - along with his kids, didn’t make it to England. Horatio learned of the tragedy through the now famous and urgent telegram from his wife. It read simply, "Saved. Alone."

I'm probably not the first person to do a poor job of summarizing the story of Horatio Spafford, but I was reminded of it recently as I turned a corner, talking to the Lord about my "needs" and "concerns," I came across a homeless woman; mid-thirties, sunburned, sitting next to what looked like years of life in a shopping cart. I smiled. She didn't. As I continued to walk, I thought to myself, "I'm worried about web traffic. She lives in traffic."

This week is a good reminder to hug those close to us, and to help those less fortunate. And 130 years later, Horatio can help us do just that. You may not recognize his name, but you know his famous hymn. As he boarded a ship to find his wife, he wrote these words:

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, 
When sorrows like sea billows roll; 
Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say, 
It is well, it is well with my soul!”

Good words for us to remember and repeat as we give thanks, if for no other reason than being saved alone.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Saved alone. Is grace sufficient? Truth is -if it were all we had - it would still be enough. On top of it, God allows a lifetime of blessings. Let's start to name them. For me, I'm thankful for my salvation, my wife, and all of you. What about you? Give me your tops in the comment section. Let's make a list!

My Fighting Self

“In every Christian there should be a holy shyness about self and a holy boldness about Jesus. ”

— Scott Sauls

Waking up this morning, I was tempted to wallow. The start of Thanksgiving week began with a bout of body aches. But those are the least of my woes. I woke up today fighting my self.

The self is that opponent I seldom slug. I pull my punch. I love him too much. But even when I do - by grace - knock him down, he is never out. Inevitably, out of my periphery I see him getting up off the canvas. He is relentless. He is as unwelcome to me as a sunrise to the sleepless. I would know.

What's more, there are no neutral corners with him. He can't hear the bell. He won't stay down. And like a seasoned sparring partner, he knows my soft targets.

Self-pity: My sin; my guilt; my fits of anxiety and my bouts of depression; my loss of health, fitness, dignity, friendships; those are the fast jabs. Those are the blows that hit me swiftly and quickly each day. While they don't knock me out, they hurt as deeply as any. Even as I type this sentence, they make my eyes water.

Self-promotion: Oh how I want to humbly brag. I long for attention, demand respect, and crave the credit. I want to compare resumes, accomplishments and reach. Look at me! Don't forget me. I've been on those shows, featured in those magazines. My sin makes me want to be regarded and rewarded. I still want a name for my self.

Self-righteousness: As if because I toe the line on various matters in the fitness industry I can think highly of myself, I privately judge and quietly pat my back. Even typing that sentence seems to satisfy me in ways I know aren't godly. I should throw in the towel, because my good works are rags.

I could go on. The fearsome battle rages. If only I could simply tell my self that I've had enough. But that's not enough. Tozer says, "Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us. It can only be removed by spiritual experience. The veil is made of living tissue. It's made of the quivering stuff of which our whole beings consist, and to touch it is to touch us where we feel pain. To tear it away is to injure us, to hurt us and to make us bleed. To say otherwise is to make the cross no cross, and death no death at all. We must bring our self-sins to the cross for judgement. It is never fun to die."

That's the fight I'm talking about. That's the reason behind my pugilistic theme. As I grapple with the flu, I think that's how best to approach a week of thankfulness and gratefulness. It's deeply satisfying to think of the day when my self will no longer dare raise his fists.

That's the fight. That by His grace we are set free, forgiven, saved, delivered and healed. That's why we get up again to mix it up in the middle. Grace doesn't make us soft. Gentle, thankful, grateful but not soft. It doesn't give our self a break. 

That's the fight. That as we thank God for food, shelter, clean water, the gift of fitness, ability, motivation, working limbs and muscles that respond, we thank Him most for going the distance. For loving us that much. For seeing beyond our faults and meeting our direst need.

Someday it will come naturally for us. Until then, we do what isn't natural, easy or painless. We put up our dukes and we fight. We bring our self to the cross.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: What are you grateful for today? What are you thankful for as you fight your fight? Clean water? Sober children? Forgiving spouses? Healed illness? Or maybe your thankfulness isn't nestled in any of these, but in knowing Heaven will make sense of earth? Love to know.

Becoming Clay

As if I have any chance of successfully conveying my spiritual experience in Israel, I find myself staring at the cursor that's blinking at the end of this sentence. Too much to write. Too rich. Too many angles. That's why A.W. Tozer's quote is so fitting. I feel like somewhere along our journey, God breathed on me.

Somewhere in Israel, I changed.

Was it when we were sailing on the Sea of Galilee? Storms were no match for Jesus, after all. Maybe it happened when I was on the Mount of Beatitudes? Blessed are the meek, the poor in spirit, the peacemakers. Or perhaps it happened when I waded into the River Jordan to be baptized; dead to sin, alive in Christ. I left the old Jimmy under the water, no doubt. I think in all of these situations, God was doing a wonderful work in me.

But I know exactly where I was when I became clay.

The white, outdoor chairs were warm from the sun. The tour was almost over and the next day would be our last in the holy land. When the pastor began reading of those six hours on Friday, I felt my skin changing. Somehow my DNA was being altered and any last pieces of my outer shell were breaking.

Walking into that empty tomb, I was Thomas touching scars. I was a flat-footed Peter looking at my feet on the waves. I was the woman at the well. I was both the mocking criminal and the soon-to-be saint. I was Bartimaeus after receiving his sight and the rich young ruler afraid to part with his toys. I was arrogant Saul blinded by grace. 

By the time he and the other pastors read about the third day and the stone being rolled away, I had become a malleable mess. To think that after all I've fought through physically - good and bad and with all the highs and lows - my frail, little body was merely a few feet away from where Jesus made it well with my soul.

Indeed, as Loretta and I took communion in that garden, Jesus wrote me a note in the dirt and I became clay.

- Jimmy Peña

Lord, thank you for waking us up with new grace and mercy. Breathe on us today. Amen.

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For Discussion: I've been a follower of Jesus for nearly 35 years, but isn't it amazing how we can still pursue Him? Do you remember when you became clay? Say 'amen' in the comment section.

In Praise of Dave: My friend Dave and his wife Lori were on the trip. Salt of the earth. Some of you may remember them from the Summer Challenge. Well, give it up for Dave because he lost 35 pounds to prepare himself for all the walking he'd need to do in Israel. Right!? He did what he needed to do physically in order to be blessed spiritually. I remember shouting some encouragement his way while walking up the hillside of Masada; a place where ancient battles once raged. It seems warriors still visit on occasion.

God Loves Jerusalem

"On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord. He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel. O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!" (Psalm 87: 1-3)

Let me know if you agree, but I think that of all the glorious things said of Jerusalem, none is as powerful as "He loves the city of Jerusalem." Having visited the region a year ago, I wasn't sure what to expect. Of course, I was just as excited to go, perhaps even more so, but I wasn't exactly certain if the places that brought the Bible to life a year earlier would repeat their performance. (I'll come back to that.)

Tom sat among a dozen or so fellow travelers catching their breath and sipping water after climbing a steep hill. Then as our wise guide gave us instructions concerning our next destination - seeing that the group was breathing heavily and sweating - he jokingly remarked in beautiful, broken English that a trip to Jerusalem requires a 3-month physical preparation. Tom slowly raised his head, took a swig of his water, wiped his mouth with his shirt and replied, "I've been training for this trip my whole life." And with that sentence, he wrote this entry.

An avid runner, Tom is in great shape. He's hit dozens and dozens of marathons and was a top ten finalist in the biggest triathlon in the world. The guy is fit. But it was his fire-in-the-belly for the Biblical context for the land we were standing on that spoke volumes to everyone on the bus. He didn't want to miss a word from the guide about how this building or that monument connected us to Christ, and if the guide began speaking too soon or wasn't understandable, Tom would unashamedly let him know. I liked him right away.

Over the course of this week, it's my honor to share some of the places and testimonies that touched my heart and how I plan to apply them to my own life spiritually and physically. I hope you enjoy the week. As far as whether the places I visited repeated their performance, well, they brought the Bible to life a second time, not doubt, but just as miraculous, they brought me to life, perhaps for the first.

I have been to the city God loves. I have seen Jerusalem. I plan on reporting on what I saw and heard. Starting with Tom; catching his breath and ready for the next hill. After all, Tom is 80 years old. And he's been training for this trip his whole life.

- Jimmy Peña

Sending PrayFit

Hey everyone,

It's been a minute since I've been able to be in my corner with you, but many of you know I've been working on a writing project for our trip to Israel. By the way, we leave soon. (What?) Indeed, we're going back to the Holy Land for an 11-day tour with about 125 people from our church family; along with an additional 100+ from around the country. I was humbled to help Pastor Shawn with a 30-day devotional for the group; what an honor.

But I wanted to say goodbye as well as to beg for your prayers. (Specifically for my ongoing health concerns and sleep issues.)

As far as our trip - among so many other places - we'll again visit the Dead Sea. We'll witness an unbelievable panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives. We'll walk down the Palm Sunday Path, visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and The Western Wall. We'll walk the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We'll look down into Nazareth and spend time in Capernaum where Jesus spent most of his life. Loretta and I will wade into the River Jordan together with our pastor and we'll sail a boat out onto the Sea of Galilee for a time of prayer.  And then...

...we will kneel where our sins were forgiven.

Suddenly anything I will ever write falls gloriously short of that sentence. We still can't describe what's in store. But in my thoughts while we're there will be all of you.

I prayed for all of you this morning from my little corner of the world; my little corner where I rehab, where I fight, where I "train." You'll notice my old belt on the wall. But mostly, this is where I come face-to-face with my smallness, frailty and dependence. For years, grace has put my faith to "work," to move, to dig deep. These days grace makes me want to be still.

Funny, many of you remember my mainstream fitness days. Some of you remember my first devotion in 2009. Others remember the books and DVDs, and still some of you remember all the surgeries, the illnesses and loss of ability. But may we be known for what we did with it all.

Because frankly, being remembered isn't my goal; at least not anymore. Truth is, I just want God to know me, and for my circumstances to be used for His glory. I'm reminded of a portion of a poem called, "The Indispensable Man" by Saxon White Kessinger. He writes, "

Sometime when you're feeling important;
Sometime when your ego 's in bloom;
Sometime when you take it for granted,
You're the best qualified in the room:
Sometime when you feel that your going,
Would leave an un-fillable hole,
Just follow these simple instructions,
And see how they humble your soul.  
Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out and the hole that's remaining,
Is a measure of how much you'll be missed.

Truthfully, being remembered isn't the goal - because I won't be, nor do I need to be - I just want my little corner of the world to be a place where God is glorified and where He uses me to serve you. If you forget everything I've ever written, let that be the last to go.

Speaking of, they're calling our flight.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I'll miss you all. Devotions will resume later in November after my return. Thank you for your constant encouragement and prayers.

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iPrayFit November: Also, be sure and check out all the new original recipes and meal plans that Jennifer Fielden has assembled for November. Oh guys, so delicious. 

The Worshipping Heart

Yesterday on our Facebook page, I said,

"I've lost health, friends, dignity. Personally and physically, I've lost my grip on a lot. But God's grace has a grip on me. He won't let go. That's my boast.

Physically, I have irreversible bone loss and disk degeneration and unrecoverable colon function. I have trouble sleeping. Working on getting my mind right. On the shallow end, my muscle will never thrive like it once did. I can't run, twist or jump. But my physical state doesn't determine my call to steward the body God gave me. So I keep tryin. Fighting.

Spiritually, well, that's far more important. I need clear eyes and a clean heart. New morning mercy. I'm growing in grace because of how much I need it. My sin is met by amazing grace. Wow. He's holding on to me.

Free-flowing this Thursday. On my way to edit something for you guys. It's a gift to me and from me. Hope you enjoy it when it comes out. Typing in tears as I listen to "Holding On" by Josh Baldwin. Just Jimmy being Jimmy.
Grace. Period."

Yesterday's emotion and reminiscence had me raising the banner verse Psalm 139:14, "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Let's look at the verse for a second.

"I will praise you." In other words, the outflow, the attention, the adoration, the praise is appropriately leaving the Psalmist. Nowhere in that verse is there any sense of a longing for attention from the writer.  

"Fearfully and wonderfully." Adverbs that divinely and miraculously qualify the verb, made. 

Made. Created, done, finished, completed, approved.

Fearfully and wonderfully made. In other words, completely dependent upon; nothing until made something. The created (that's us) totally releasing all honor and glory to the Creator (God) for the most basic of reasons: being nothing without Him. 

A.W. Tozer says, "The worshipping heart does not create its Object." Guys, the fact that we're fearfully and wonderfully made says something profound about us, but not nearly as profound as what it says about God.

Our workouts are a begging. Our workouts are an ovation. You and I aren't "creating" when we train. We're not making, or building, and we're most certainly not improving God's work. But every move, every step, every rep, set and stretch is a glorious unfolding and an instantaneous, miraculous unveiling. Just...not of us.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: The worshipping heart does not create its Object. What makes our workouts worship is not the effort or the byproducts, but the target of our affection. Does this connect with anyone? Hope you have a good weekend.

In The PrayFit Kitchen NOVEMBER!
Jennifer has out-done herself once again for each of us. Her new, original 2-day meal plan is full of fresh ingredients and real food. She designs these special for you. Won't you join us at the table! She's created recipe cards for each meal, shopping list and the summary meal plan. Amazing.

I Am The Least

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

Pretty bleak times for Israel. Enter, Gideon. Hiding in a wine press, Gideon is threshing wheat in private to avoid being seen by the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "God is with you, mighty warrior."

Now, this exchange is where this gets good for me, because first, I can imagine Gideon looking over his shoulder when he replied, "Who, me? My family is the weakest, and I am the least of them." But the angel of the Lord knew what Gideon was capable of - and probably knew the future - and addressed Gideon by his God-given character and future reputation and said, "Go in your strength." (v. 14)

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

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

- Jimmy Peña

IN THE KITCHEN: Our resident dietitian, Jennifer Fielden, is preparing and praying over so many new meal plans and recipes for you in the iPrayFit membership. Enjoy. We're here to serve you. We also have recipe cards for all of her delicious meals for you to download.