Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
LISTEN, BE HEARD
August 26, 2011Read: Jeremiah 29
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." --Jeremiah 29:12
It's been a blessed and educational week for us at PrayFit. For the last several days, we've been happily confined to studios, warehouses and soundproof stages, rehearsing for today's filming of our very first home workout DVDs. The good people of Lionsgate Entertainment have entrusted us with taking our message of faith and fitness to the masses, while we've placed our trust (and gratitude) into those helping us make sure we get it right.
PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena, who will host the DVD series (due out this winter), has been on camera before, but this week has been an entirely different beast. Working with an incredibly talented cast and crew, Jimmy has had to learn to absorb tons of feedback from every direction. As you can imagine, the volume of opinions can make things tough to process, even for an established fitness veteran like Jimmy. But he knows that following the lead of those who have been here before is an integral part of this new venture . The communication hasn't been one-sided, however. Jimmy's input on why PrayFit's message is so important has helped everyone get on the same page. Ultimately, a combination of listening and being heard will make for a much more powerful message, both in substance and in spirit.
It is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of Christianity that our Lord craves dialogue with us. He has written the law on our hearts, but he also desires constant two-way conversation that can enrich our lives, feed our souls and even nourish our bodies. When we pray, He listens. When we listen, we learn. Taking the cue of the One who came before us, we can't go wrong.
--E.V.
Lord, this morning, as we finalize our goal of bringing PrayFit's message to families everywhere, we pray for wisdom, confidence and calm. We are so grateful that you hear our prayers and pray that you would help us listen for your voice among the noise of the day. We are humbled by the opportunity and pray that you help us see it through in a way that pleases you. In your name, amen.
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LEAVING HIM BEHIND
June 8, 2011 Most people, Christian or not, are familiar with the Footprints story. The end stanza where the Lord tells the author why there was only one set of footprints during the hard times puts a lump in the throat of even those with the most hardened of hearts.
"The time when you have seen only one set of footprints is when I carried you."
This week, amidst a storm of work tasks and family obligations, I also found myself alone on the beach. As I chatted to the Lord about all of my stresses -- the deadlines, the bills, my overcrowded daytimer -- I was stopped in my tracks, not by his response but by His silence. Hurt and agitated -- as I would be with any friend -- by the apparent indifference to my woes, I turned to look at Him. Seeing that He was no longer by my side, I looked back. There He was -- quickening His stride to hear what I was saying.
He never stopped caring about my problems. I had just become so consumed with stress that I didn't realize that I'd left Him behind. In just a few days, I seem to have outpaced my Maker, the distance between us filled with my own neglect.
Sometimes, as we struggle to navigate the chaos of life, we forget that God wants us to walk with Him. He still carries us through the tough times but we'd do well to remember to stay close by His side because He died to hear every word.
--E.V.
CARBS: FUEL NOT FOE The simple truth about carbs and fitness
There are scores of books and mounds of literature on the consumption of carbohydrates and how this macronutrient relates to performance and body composition. But the bottom line is that your body needs carbohydrate to fuel any number of basic processes. Carbs are the preferred fuel source of the cell, so going totally without them in hopes of shedding a few pounds can end up working against you. To keep things simple, try to focus first on the types of carbs you're consuming daily and when you're consuming them.
Complex carbohydrates, referred to as "good" carbs, are slower-digesting in nature and thus have less of an effect on blood sugar. They provide a steady stream of fuel for your work day and for your active lifestyle while having a minimal impact on your waistline. Examples of these good carbs include oatmeal, vegetables, wheat bread and other whole grain products.
Simple carbohydrates, or "bad" carbs, are digested rapidly in the body causing huge swings in blood sugar and spikes in the hormone insulin which can signal for your body to store fat. White bread, white tortillas, sugary snacks and beverages can be detrimental to your energy and overall health if consumed in excess.
STRATEGIZE: Most of the day, make sure that your carb sources are of the complex variety. The only exceptions to this rule are first thing in the morning or after a hard workout, when your body actually needs a rapid refuel of sugars to fuel recovery.
>> FAD DIETS: Have you ever tried a brand diet like Atkins, South Beach or Paleo? Do you rely on microwave diet meals to keep you in balance? Tell us your experience with diets in the comments section below, being sure to mention your successes and stumbles.
BE REALLY STILL
September 14, 2010Read: Psalm 46
“Be still and know that I am God.” –Psalm 46:10
If you’ve never had an MRI procedure, let me paint the scene. You lay down and the technician gives you ear plugs to numb the deafening sounds that are soon to come. You get secured into position and after a short list of instructions, you’re sent inside this narrow tube. Claustrorphobes should skip the next sentence, because they send you in head first, so that your entire body is inside the casing, with just a couple of inches between the end of your nose and the inside of the cylinder. To say you feel vulnerable is no exaggeration. You battle mental questions like, “What if I can’t get out? What if the power goes out? What if?!”
Your only solace is the comforting voice of the tech that booms around you throughout the exam, repeating his instructions and making sure you’re okay. The most important thing? Be very, very still. Regardless of what’s going on around you, what you hear, as well as your seemingly helpless predicament, don’t move a muscle until the test is done. If you’re able to be still, the physician has a better chance to determine what’s going on inside.
Pretty good advice, don’t you think?
We have a lot going on around us; from the economy, to security issues to relationships. Sometimes we feel trapped, surrounded by the strange but familiar sounds of a life we’ve chosen, asking scary questions like, “What if I don’t get the job? What if I fail? What if?!” Yet the most important thing? Be as still as we can, and listen for His voice through the noise.
--J.P.
(VIDEO) RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars
A few weeks ago, Dana Angelo White gave us a delicious recipe for breakfast bars, and many of you told us you loved them. Well, here's an added treat: Dana demonstrating how to make them in the kitchen! Take it away Dana,and thanks for all you do at healthyeats.com, The Food Network and for all of us here at PrayFit.com!
VIDEO: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars
THORN BUSHES AND DOG LEASHES
August 30, 2010Read: 1 Chronicles 16
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” –1 Chronicles 16:11
Amidst my usual helping of chaotic and unpredictable mornings, there is one constant in the day’s beginning: Josey. Josey is our chocolate labrador...our very strong and excited chocolate lab. The apple of my eye. Blink blink.
Each morning Josey acts as if she hasn’t seen me in weeks. “Dad! It’s me, dad! I love you! I missed you!” (If only I started my days like that). And after our reunion, she heads to the door. Wait, let me rephrase, she attacks the door. “Okay Josey, okay!” I put her chain on, and we begin our morning adventure; she knows exactly where she wants to explore. First, she looks for the rabbits, then the squirrels, then the birds. So much to do! But it’s interesting that once we go outside, it’s as if I’m not even there. The one who opens all her doors, the one she couldn’t get enough of, was now an invisible bystander. Can anyone relate to her behavior?
Well, getting caught in some bushes today was not part of her plan. Tangled inside a bush on a steep hill, her joy turned to panic. And for the first time since emerging outside, she looked up at her master (the one who never lets go of the leash). Now, from my vantage point, all she had to do was listen to me, back up a few steps, and she’d be as free as the very bird that got her there in the first place.
Packaged in the unexpected, sometimes God speaks to us with thorn bushes and dog leashes.
--J.P.
PRAYFIT WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: Chest Both men and women want strong upper bodies, and there's not a better place to start than with a strong chest, front delts and triceps.
We've been asked to provide a solid chest workout, and this week's workout won't disappoint. This routine covers all areas of your chest, and also involves the front of your shoulders and triceps to a certain degree. You hit the upper chest with incline presses, the middle with flat-bench presses, the lower with decline flyes, and the inner pectorals with the pec deck. You'll finish the routine with bodyweight push-ups all done to failure.
After warm-ups on the first movement, you’ll go right into your heaviest sets to start each exercise, as this is when you’ll be strongest and will be able to handle the most weight. That's important, especially because for the greatest impact, you have to select a weight that causes you to fail at the designated rep range. Post your comments and questions on our forums! Have a great week.
Exercise Sets/Reps Incline Dumbbell Press 5/10 Bench Press 4/10-12 Pec-Deck Flye 3/12-15 Decline Dumbbell Flye 3/12-15 Push-Ups 4/To Failure
--Rest 1-2 minutes between each set.