Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
Be Friends, Not Enemies
"He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control." --Philippians 3:21
Read: Philippians 3:21
Before your very first day of school, or prior to getting your driver's license, and even before you began the family with which you spend your days...came your body. Not only did God inspire your soul's dream, but He gave you the body necessary to pursue the job. Since God will always equip us with what we need to accomplish His will, we know our bodies were His choice. Can you imagine the moment?
It was as if God said:
"Sweet soul, here is your body. I've carefully woven it together. It has what it takes for you to pursue me and tell others about me. And oh precious body, this is your soul. Of all the matter in the universe, this is what matters most. Carry it where it needs to go. Protect it. Honor it. Now, I want you two to be good to each other. Be friends, not enemies."
So, do me a favor and take a quick glance at your arm or hands. Think for a second that God himself has touched that skin. He was first. In fact, talk to your body. It's okay, go ahead. Maybe you need to thank it. Perhaps you need to assure it. Or like me recently, maybe during your dark hour, you need to apologize. Could be for something you've knowingly done or for something out of your control -- an ailment, an accident maybe, or even a disease. But much like any friend going through a tough time, just tell it you're so very sorry. After all, it was God who knitted it and then breathed life into it. Miraculously, He gave your heart a knowledge that there is something more to this life than life. And like it says in our verse, in order to pursue Him and then share Him, He gave you a weak and fragile body. Oh, it may not last this earth, but you can rest assured it was indeed a match made in Heaven.
--Jimmy Peña
WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: MIX & MATCH Your body was fitted for a particular soul and every body out there is different. Some folks may just need to get busy with some cardio to build that friendly soul-body rapport, while others may be interested in reshaping a particular bodypart. Whatever your need -- and wherever your soul leads -- we have a great selection of workouts for you to choose from. Pick one (or more) of the 10-minute workouts listed here, or click here to go straight to our fitness page. Be sure to share these on your Facebook pages to get others in your social circles moving this week!
Not sure how to do an exercise? Click here to see many of these moves in action!
THE TOUGH GEAR
December 6, 2010Read: John 16
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“ –John 16:33
Who am I, Lance Armstrong? Well, as much as I’ve been on the bike, you’d think I was in the Tour de France (Well, minus the necessary aerobic capacity and superior conditioning, of course). But everyday, I jump on the bike and I start pedaling (Wait, did I mention my bike is stationary...and in the garage? Again, not important).
And even though I’m on a practice bike, I can feel that when I switch to the tougher gear, I go further. Change to an easier gear, I go nowhere. Isn’t that the way it is?
I recently read an article by Max Lucado where he cited a passage about the disciples following Jesus onto the boat. First Jesus, then the others. Sure, we all know what happened during the storm, but the getting on board part was also significant. Jesus first, the disciples followed, then came the rough waters.
Isn’t that the way it is? Life in the Tour de Faith means rough years in tough gears. But Heaven, by any other road, is not possible. And since we’d rather be on a tough road with Jesus than on an easy one without Him, I say we keep pedaling.
–J.P.
10-MINUTE WORKOUTS: Low Back and Core
It's a fact that as we age, our lower backs find it more difficult to keep up with our active-living endeavors. Frustratingly, even long bouts of sitting can leave you with an achy back. While some of this is inevitable, we can do our best to stall the aging process in this region with a short, targeted dose of preventative medicine.
By regularly targeting the deep, "core" muscles of your abs (transverse abdominis) and the long muscles of your back (erector spinae), you can strengthen your back to withstand the test(s) of time and bolster your ability to lead a more active lifestyle.
"If you want to work your low back and inner core to help protect and strengthen the muscles that protect your spine, do 10 minutes of Superman (low back work) and planks (core; transverse abdominis)," says Jimmy Pena, MS, CSCS, founder of PrayFit.com.
THE WORKOUT
Superman: Lie on your stomach with your arms overhead (like superman would do) and with your legs straight. Raise your arms up off the ground until you feel tension in your low back, then lower your arms back to the floor. Then raise your legs off the floor, keeping them as straight as possible.
>> Alternate back and forth between your arms and legs for 30-60 seconds.
Plank: Rise up onto your elbows and toes, keeping your body in a straight line. Draw your navel into your spine as tight as possible and with your eyes focused on the floor.
>> Hold plank position for 30-60 seconds.
Each minute go from the superman into the plank without rest in-between until you reach the 10-minute mark.
>> PRAY-FITTER: Looking for more fitness tips? Visit the our new fitness section by clicking here.