Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
VERIFIED ACCOUNT
June 16, 2011Read Luke 24 "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" --Luke 24:5
We can proudly say that PrayFit has a steadily growing Twitter account. Not sure if you've been on there, but for the more popular people on Twitter, a blue checkmark is placed beside their name to signify a "Verified Account" -- a sort of seal of approval that tells the world that all the others are fakes and phonies; mere look-alikes. The seal says you can trust who's behind it.
Well, today as I was updating "what's happening now," I saw people sharing all sorts of wisdom. I read a compelling quote from Ghandi, Confucius said not to chase two rabbits, and if I was born this month, my horoscope says I'm in for a big surprise. Awesome. But with all the different opinions, mantras and beliefs, who can we trust? Well, at PrayFit, we simply look to the empty tomb. The seal of approval? A rolled away stone -- a verified account that tells the world you can trust who's not behind it.
--J.P.
CALORIES IN, CALORIES OUT
While I'm on the subject of online debates, I saw a long stream of comments talking about the notion that losing weight (or not gaining weight) can't be as simple as taking in less calories than you utilize. Well, folks, it's true. The simple science of our bodies says that if you use more calories than you take in, you won't gain weight and you may in fact lose weight. But here's the catch: the quality of calories is key when it comes to how you look, perform and function. To be, act and appear your best, you must choose quality protein, complex carbs and healthy fats. Sure, if you take in a total of 2000 calories in a day, and those 2000 calories are empty calories, if you utilize 2001, you won't gain a pound. But you won't be your best either.
Questions or comments? Share it in the comments section below or post in our forums.
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
May 24, 2011 Read: Philippians 1
"Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." --Philippians 1:6
I bet Noah spent a good deal of time at the window when he was on the ark. If nothing more than for some needed fresh air, something tells me he often kept his eye out for land. After all, he built what he had to, and he was ready to deliver. So I'm guessing if he wasn't caring for his precious cargo, he could be found watching and waiting.
If you're like me, you spend a lot time at your window. Oh we're not at sea, per se, but you may often feel like you're drifting as you wait for that offer letter, that e-mail, that phone call. You've done everything in your power, but what you need most -- to land something -- seems nowhere on your horizon.
As for Noah, hope in the form of an olive branch finally arrived. The dove on the window sill was Noah's "You've Got Mail." No more waiting, no more watching, no more send/receive. Land was nigh. Yours just might be too.
--J.P.
COLORADO SLIM
It's not just a cool Old West poker name. In one of the most recent surveys conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Rocky Mountain State was found to be among the leanest in the nation, with a prevalence of obesity below 20%. Only the District of Columbia joined Colorado below the 20% mark. Louisiana weighed in the heaviest, with a 34% obesity rate.
CARRY ME HOME
May 6, 2011 Read: Isaiah 46
"Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." --Isaiah 46:4
On a softball team, each player has her role to play. And in the highly competitive world of collegiate athletics, even more specialization occurs. In 2008, Western Oregon University right fielder Sara Tucholsky, a pesky contact hitter by trade, strode to the plate with two runners on base in a game against conference rival Central Washington.
Just looking to play her role -- perhaps to draw a walk, or poke a run-scoring single into the shallows of the outfield -- Sara was just as surprised as the rest of the 300 spectators in attendance when she drove the ball over the left-center field wall. The three-run home run was the first of her waning softball career and, in her excitement, she missed first base. As she turned to run back to first, she felt a distinctive pop -- she had ruptured a major ligament in her right knee . Collapsing and crawling back to first base, Sara was met by her coach. The umpire informed them that no one could complete the home run trot but Sara, or else the home run would be ruled a single, negating this watershed moment for the ailing senior. If anyone from her team touched her, she would be called out.
Then, in a stunning act of sportsmanship, Central Washington's Mallory Holtman -- a senior on her club and owner of nearly every major offensive record in her school's history -- offered to carry Sara around the bases. Scratching his head at why the opponent would want to, in essence, give the team a run that they were about to lose, the umpire informed her that there was no rule against it. Mallory and teammate Liz Wallace then lifted Sara up and carried her around the bases, gingerly touching her foot to each base along the way.
Sara was in tears, in pain and out of options but in her wounded state, she was shown the way home by those willing to carry the burden, even at great cost to them. This simple act of sportsmanship beautifully illustrates the fact that when we feel too broken to carry on -- when we feel like we don't know the way or when the pain is too heavy to bear on our own -- we also have someone to pick us up and lead us home.
For ESPN's take on this inspirational story, click here.
--E.V.
ENGAGE, SHARE, SHOP
>> ENGAGE: One thing that PrayFit prides itself upon is fellowship. Bringing like-minded readers together to share struggles and successes, tips and tricks is fundamental to what we do here! Here are a few of the current topics going on our forums...
What's Your Testimony | 7 posts
Questions for the Trainer | 22 posts
>> SHARE: Help us get others on board with this whole "faith and fitness" thing. Use the "Recommend," "Tweet," "E-Mail" and "Share" buttons at the top of each day's entry to get your social network in the know about PrayFit. Also, you can "like" us, "follow" us or "watch" us by clicking the Facebook, Twitter and YouTube icons at the bottom of each page.
>> SHOP: As we head into Mother's Day weekend, you can select a gift for mom that will keep on giving long after those flowers wilt. Visit our online store to pick up official PrayFit shirts, hats or wristbands or send her a copy of our print project, "PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days." The book includes meal plans and easy-to-follow workout programs that can help keep mom fit and healthy.