I Like These Odds

"I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me [into the land]; as my strength was then, so my strength is now." --Joshua 14:11

Read: Joshua 14

Take a look at our verse again. That's Caleb talking. In yesterday's entry, he was a 40-year old, modern day Billy the Kid, only with Godly morals and a conscience. Funny, not sure if you ever saw the movie Young Guns, but when Billy the Kid (played by Emilio Estevez) was completely surrounded and in a seemingly impossible scenario, he was the only optimist. The rest of his clan of regulators had all but given up and surrendered, but not Billy. Oh no. In fact, as they realized just how badly they were outnumbered, what did Billy say? "I like these odds." That's Caleb. Courageous, optimistic, full of hope.

What about you? Imagine yourself crawling up to the ledge of a canyon to overlook your dreams. You're quiet so you don't call any attention, but down in the ravine is your heart's desire. College maybe. A different job. Weight loss. Recovery. Married life. The bank loan. Being alone. What goes through your mind? It's too late, too soon, too much, too little, too...???

Friends, if God is behind the dream -- like He was in Caleb's -- it's never "too" anything. Caleb along with Joshua were the only two faith-bearing spies to believe that with God anything was possible. And because of that, God inspired the dream that one day the promised land would be theirs. A dream and a promise Caleb never forgot. I get the chills just telling you this, but when Caleb spoke today's verse, he was 85 years old. That's right. Caleb had to wait a generation of 40 years before he could realize God's dream in his life. But he stayed faithful, fruitful, young, able and eager. Not even a lifetime of shattered dreams and heartbreak were enough to remove his resolve. All he knew was that when the time was right, he'd be ready. Even at 85 years of age, with God, Caleb liked his odds.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Don't you just love dreaming? Me too. But now more than ever, I'm in love with the Dream Giver. God is bigger than anything I can imagine, and He wants more for my life than I could ever want. That's why I fight tooth and nail for whatever that is. I'll admit, I've been dreaming a lot lately. Studying, praying, asking, over and over. And if it takes a generation for me to realize it, I want to take Caleb's example. What about you? You don't have to tell us, but what is God inspiring you to do? And like Caleb, what work do you have to do while you wait for God's timing? Could be spiritual, financial, social or even physical. Looking down into that ravine, if God inspired the dream of yours, He may be waiting for your prep work.

BRING PRAYFIT TO YOUR TOWN

Churches. Community events. Schools. Corporate events. PrayFit is on the march in 2014 with its unchanging message; one of stewardship, of faith, of humility, of endurance. The team is actively booking spring and summer events! Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details. As always, for churches and other non-profit events there is never a speaking fee. Talk to your pastors and leaders. Reach out to us and let's see health as a means of praise, together.

Life is a Subhead

"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did." --1 John 2:6

Read: 1 John 2

Subheads are critical. Ever had to write one? Well, over the years, Eric and I have agonized over our share. For those who may not know, a subhead is that little, tiny sentence under the title of an article, short story, book or manuscript. It's more than the summary sentence and greater than any synopsis. Extract the root of a 10,000-word body of writing and distill it down to one pivotal, all-encompassing core phrase, and there's the subhead. In fact, every one of those 10,000 words -- every paragraph or sidebar -- is subject to it. And above that, it can make the difference between someone reading more or leaving the store. Make no mistake, although it's short and sweet, it's powerful and nothing means more to the author than someone being drawn to the story.

Our lives are subheads in a way. I remember as the fitness editor for magazines, my purpose was to help people shape their bodies, but I wanted my words to help shape souls. I wanted a different subhead. And I'm grateful you're reading it.

The office worker who refuses to gossip, that's a subhead. The cashier at the supermarket who -- after standing on her feet 12 hours -- still asks, "How are you?" and means it, that's a subhead. The second string athlete who out-hustles the starter -- subhead. What's yours? Are you a teacher, lawyer, assistant, stay-at-home mom or dad? Friends, we have the honor and privilege to agonize over our daily subheads, constantly rewriting and revising to get it right. Why? Simple. Someone reading us may choose to turn the page. Our lives are short and sweet, but they're powerful and nothing means more to the Author than someone being drawn to His story.

--Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: As many of you already know, the last thing we want you to be known for is your body. Good health, poor health...it's how we serve God, family and others with our bodies that matters most. How can your heart towards health help write your subhead? Please share your thoughts below.

ALLEVIATE BACK PAIN, BOLSTER CORE STRENGTH

Yesterday, we introduced you to Holy Yoga founder Brooke Boon, her love for the Lord and how her calling has helped people all over the world meet the Lord through movement. Today, we give you the same opportunity with a quick lesson on one of her most foundational poses: downward facing dog. This pose can help to alleviate back pain, bolster core strength and relieve tension in minutes. Brooke breaks it down for you, step-by-step, to help you get it right.

>> Click here to learn the pose.

BE A PART OF THE 2014 PRAYFIT TOUR

2014 is booking up! We are so excited that more and more churches are welcoming our unchanging message; one of stewardship, of faith, of humility, of endurance. The team is actively booking April and May events! Reach out to us at [email protected] for more details. As always, for churches and other non-profit events there is never a speaking fee. Talk to your pastors and leaders. Reach out to us and let's see health as a means of praise, together.

Namesake

"I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." --Ephesians 4:1

Read: Ephesians 4

Yesterday my wife Loretta and I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I'm still sifting through my mental rolodex of unbelievable moments and monuments. From the quotes, triumphs, walking inside Air Force One and standing at the President's final resting place, there is a tangible specialness to the leader -- past or present -- of the greatest country in the history of mankind.

Well, a story that the First Lady recalled stuck with me all day. As an actress years ago, she was looking for assistance, because somehow she had been listed as an American Communist and was desperate for someone of influence to help clear her name. There entered Ronald Reagan, who at the time was the head of the Screen Actor's Guild-- long before he became the leader of the free world. The rest is such sweet, sweet history.

Later as we left the museum, it dawned on me. I'm not certain how he helped get her name off that list, but I do know he would eventually give her his name. All cleared.

As we start the week, back to work, school and healthy habits, let's remember that we too were in desperate need of someone of influence to help clear our names. But we didn't need the leader of the free world, just the One who freed the world. And that's why we do what we do. We stand for, kneel to and worship with our lives the One who didn't take us off a list, but put our names on one...by giving us His.

Break's over. Welcome back to PrayFit.

--Jimmy Peña

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK: BODY TONING SYSTEM You can always browse our fitness page for cool workout ideas to take into the week. But if you're looking for something more structured that can take your body on a journey, we've got just the thing for you. PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System (Lionsgate) is a more advanced system that toggles between targeted exercises that build lean muscle and high-intensity cardio to blast through body fat. By repeating these intervals, you’ll see results faster than you would by doing cardio alone. This DVD will help you improve steadily each day, building your fitness and your faith. This DVD incorporates toning exercises with “PrayFit Minutes” – encouraging, weekly devotionals aimed at helping you become healthy in body and strong in Spirit.

“If you thought the first DVD was fun, effective and challenging, you won’t believe our newest edition,” says Jimmy Pena. “Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the most respected names in Christian publishing, is exclusively releasing our second DVD through retailers everywhere. We hope you order it and are blessed by the message and workout. Get ready. You are going to love it!”

>> For other PrayFit products to help boost your faith and fitness, click here.