Cue The Mountain

Hey everyone, I've missed you the last couple of weeks. As many of you know, I've been knee-deep in the PrayFit Summer challenge. What a wonderful time we've had. Almost half-way home and we've all been challenged in so many ways, spiritually and physically. I'll be sure to do a summary post when we're all done.

But yesterday I saw a blurb on social media that made me think of the years we've had together. For nearly 9 years, I've written this devotion each day, excluding weekends. And over the years we've explored the complexity of physical stewardship. What a ride, amen? 

Well, anyway, the post read, "God gave you this mountain to show others it can be moved." At first, I like it. I can buy it. Yeah, I believe it. Kinda. Well, wait a minute. I mean, I understand the meaning behind it. Motivate people to press on and conquer the obstacle ahead. Yes. I'm in. Faith can move mountains, after all.

But then it dawned on me. God chose me to be weak to protect me from me.

Paul Tripp says, "God made you weak to cause you to value the strength that only He can give. They don't expose gaps in theology nor are they indicators of the failure of His promises. They protect us from the self-reliance that tempts us all."

The quote I read on social media begs for back-slapping, unless God indeed is given the honor and glory. So I suppose that's why the apostle Paul said, "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited...I am content in my weaknesses. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

The mountains we're assigned point to God either way, right? If we move them - or at least for me, when I can't - it shows others that God is God and we're not. Fact is, if faith in God can move mountains - and I can't make a pebble roll - how mighty must He be? I guess my point is, an unmoved mountain is as much an indicator of God's strength as one that's been thrown into the sea.

Yeah, no need for unnecessary attention my way. No cause to pause. I'm just a weary, needy, broken soul still in need of a Savior. Need proof? I can either flex or we can just cue the mountain. 

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Have you ever pushed passed a limit God set for you? Think about it. Our industry basks in convincing us that we can push beyond our limits, but is that true? Can we push past our actual, God-given limits? Or is it more likely that we're pushing passed our perceived limits; limits that He's given us the ability to push beyond? Let me know you thoughts. I have my own. :-)

New Addition: Pre-order the custom PrayFit Water Bottle soon. They ship in two weeks, so be in the first round! As always, 100% of the proceeds go toward non-profit ministry.
Click here. Great idea for Dad! (Not to mention our classic caps.) Check out the store today.

The Dry Well

Confession. I was so skinny in high school, I never wore a short-sleeved shirt to class; not one day in 4 years. At least not during regular school hours. And shorts? Probably didn't own a pair. But then came college, old Russell gym, grad school and years of practice. After that, I wore short sleeves and shorts 365 days a year, rain or shine. As long as I was growing, I was showing. I even walked around with a bit of what we called "lat syndrome," as if I was so wide I'd have trouble fitting through the door. I had a sincere belief that I would be bigger and stronger each week, and I trained with that kind of hope. Even as a Christian, I based much of my satisfaction on my ability to pick heavy things up and set them down and to do it multiple times. Sounds kind of corny to describe it that way, but I glorified in my ability to lift stuff.

But hope changes everything.

I recently read a blurb on social media from someone saying that you can trust the iron, because "Iron will never lie to you, iron is your best friend, and you can trust it, because 200 lbs will always be 200 lbs." What a commentary. I chuckle a little, because I could have easily written that 20 years ago. Thing is, it's just not true.

We can't put our trust in a weight we can lift.

Guys, hopefully something you've read this week has been a reminder that we don't base our satisfaction - our hope - in any "thing;" be it the money in our wallets, the cars in the garage, the boat hitched to the trailer (for those of you with boats), or the gifts of diligence in the gym. We can dig and dig and dig and dig, but the well of stuff - even health stuff - is dry. Bone dry. Should we strive to be the best at our calling, absolutely. Work hard? Without a doubt. But the hope on our lips, and in our hearts, and on our minds, can't be found on the scale, or in the mirror, or under the bar, or the bench, or from the PR (or via the selfie you take in its aftermath.) Our highest hope is in the person of Jesus.

Are you training - living - with that kind of hope?

-Jimmy Peña

Greatness of Soul

Over the years, I've tried to make it a point to encourage you to take care of the body that carries the soul. Not that I won't continue to cheer us on in the fight for bodily stewardship, but the more I study and grow and fail, the more certain I am that while the body carries the soul, it's the soul that protects the body; not the other way around.

John Ortberg writes, "The soul knows a glory that the body cannot rob. In some ways, in some cases, the more the body revolts, the more the soul shines through." He goes on to say that the "greatness of soul is available to people who do not have the luxury of being ecstatic about the condition and appearance of their bodes." 

Wow.

That particular quote came on the heels of a story about Patricia. Patricia suffered from the effects of diabetes, a heart attack and two strokes. She went blind and lost both legs...all in her thirties. But before she died, she led a team to build a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C. At her funeral, alongside Secretary of State James Baker, standing in reverent respect were - of course - the homeless. "Somehow my body is mine, but it's not me," she said.

Greatness of soul.

- Jimmy Peña

The Standard

There's a great scene in the classic movie Hoosiers where the aging coach, portrayed by Gene Hackman, leads his young team onto an empty court hours before the state championship. The intimidating arena was something the young team from Hickory had never dreamed of, let alone seen.

As the team's collective jaw dropped at the enormity of the venue, Coach quietly took out a tape measure to determine the distance from the basket down to the floor. With the team huddled around him, Coach revealed that the measurements matched those of their humble court back home, and the kids quickly realized the lesson: No matter how daunting or unexpected the surroundings, the standards of the game remain the same.

As we wake up the dawn after the long weekend, let's measure it. When we evaluate our life and health against God's Word, we're guided -- some toward better habits of physical stewardship and others perhaps toward less self-admiration. Dr. Charles Stanley says, "One of Satan's strategies is to get our minds so occupied with peripheral concerns that we compromise our reliance upon Christ."

You know, as fitness-minded believers we can get so caught up in how we look that we never see the battlefield. And others of us have neglected our health so much that we can't reach it. But grace, the most humble of motivators, changes us. It frees us from us.

What a perfect chance to measure out the day against life's only true standard. When we do, our collective jaw will drop because none of us measures up. None of us. Our eyes are opened. God is too good, too big, and too incredible for us to either sit idle or to be full of ourselves. Let's determine today that we will play the game of life with both absolute reliance and radical humility.

--Jimmy Peña

Just Days Away: The doors are closing on A PrayFit Summer. Hurry and reserve your spot and join the challenge as we train ourselves to be godly. Not only will you join a growing community and be encouraged toward new habits of spiritual and physical diligence, but 100% of the funds goes toward church ministry. Pretty cool. Just $10 to get your login details and all the benefits, and you will also be automatically entered into the iPrayFit membership just for signing-up! (opt-out at anytime.) Hope you join us.

The Scars and Stripes

Driving along Malibu Canyon recently, I came across a tall, old tree in the front yard of a beautiful home. Next to the tree stood an equally tall flag pole. Now, most days I probably wouldn't have noticed, but as I went by I realized the flag was tangled around some branches, evidence of some recent high winds.

Now, you may be just like me, but something stirs inside when I see the stars and stripes helpless like that. I don't know, but our symbol of freedom shouldn't be stuck to a tree. It was wrapped so tight in fact, I literally said to myself, "Oh, someone has to climb up there."

With amazing pity for my crimes and yours, our Freedom willingly crawled up that old rugged cross. We were helpless, so Someone had to climb up there. And Jesus, with His scars and stripes, embraced it.

- Jimmy Peña

Significant To The Kingdom

On a recent flight home, I took my usual aisle seat. Here's the thing, I have to get the aisle. With as much water as I have to drink, not to mention the need to stretch my back and these hips -- unfortunately -- I'm that annoying guy on a plane. You know, the one who walks the length of the aircraft the entire time? Yeah, that's me. But at this point, I'm in my seat, buckling up and here she comes.

With the help of her daughter and a couple of flight attendants, the elderly women needed lots of time getting to her seat. The scene literally brought tears to my eyes but she finally got situated and everyone proceeded to their respective posts. I was leaning, chin in my hand looking at her, when she glanced my way.  I smiled as she widened her eyes and gave me a "Whew, I made it" look. I could tell she had a good sense of humor. Sweet thing. I don't know why, but I reached over and touched her sweater and nodded as if to say, "You did good." I liked her right away.

Well, midway through the flight, after a few hours of glances and grins, she had to use the lavatory. I watched the interaction with her daughter. I listened to the prep work, the planning, what to hold on to, what not to do, where to put her feet, how far away it was. Folks, I was in the presence of a fighter, strategizing at 30,000 feet.

But I close the week with this quick story because as we taxied to our gate and we began to exit, I felt a pat on my forearm. "You're such a nice person," she said. (Gulp, lump in throat, c'mon Peña, hold it together.) We exchanged "God bless you's" and I went on my way. Guys, I can't tell you what that pat on the arm did for me. Trust me, it's never too late to make an impact on someone. Your health is significant to the Kingdom; through your impact on others, your specific calling, your ability to serve and more. It took work for this silver-haired saint to raise her arm and reach mine. But while it was shaky and frail, it landed. And the impact on me was eternal. No matter your age or ability, your health is significant to the Kingdom.

-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Who made an impact on you this week? Physically, spiritually? Care to share someone you may or may not know that lifted you this week? Please share.

Benchwarmer

"So Sarah laughed to herself." --Genesis 18:12

Yesterday during a PrayFit meet-and-greet at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, I was asked how I encourage the older population. It was a great question. I tend to do a lot of applauding of the older generation, thanking them for their example, their courage and for paving the way for the rest of us. Part of my answer reminded me of this memory.

Benchwarmer. Not something that sat well with me. But during my sophomore year in high school, I endured it for the first time in my life. See, I was a baseball player, and a good one. But basketball? I probably should've hung up the Air Jordans as a freshmen. Sitting at the end of the bench during a blowout game, I hoped my friends and family would assume I was injured; maybe I twisted an ankle during warm-ups or something. But with a little over a minute on the clock, the unthinkable happened. Coach called my name.

"Reluctant" would be putting it mildly. I literally peeled myself off the chair. I removed my warm-ups from my cold body and joined the otherwise sweaty and necessary group of kids on the court. What's the use, I thought. Well, the clock ran out, we shook hands, and I put my warm-ups on as slowly as I had removed it.

Well, leaving the locker room that night to face the awkward "good game" from loved ones, Coach stopped me. He said something that I'd carry the rest of my life. He said, "I wanted to see your reaction when I called for you late in the game. Jimmy, it's never too late to make an impact."

Maybe you're wondering what kind of influence you can have. Perhaps you think it's way too late in the game for God to use you. That family member? Too far gone. That group of friends? Too set in their ways. No way God is calling me from the bench at my age, with my past. 

Folks, God has a way of doing the unexpected. And if He noticed Sarah laughing at the news of her baby on the way, rest assured He sees our reaction. So, take a minute to consider what the Spirit is whispering to your heart. If it's too lofty, too lowly, too late...God just may be looking for our reaction to His call. Carve this into your heart...If God calls for you, it's never too late to make an impact.

--Jimmy Peña

Worthy of a Frame

Where do you keep your pictures? I’m not talking about the fun, random, cell phone snaps or the countless Instagram pics. I’m talking about the special ones –- those worthy of a frame. That’s where we need to start…the mantle of your heart.

You know, we’ve all heard the statement that if God had a mantle, your picture would be on it. And while I love knowing that, I wonder what you and I would actually look like? At first, that thought might sound a bit weird, awkward or even irrelevant. I suppose it would be if we were talking about the body, but God sees our hearts. And like we’ve said many times, life is not about the body, and our bodies-- these frames -- will most certainly not last Heaven.

But if anyone knows our bodies, what they’re capable of, and most importantly, the purpose they have on earth, it’s Him. So I guess you could say, we’re just pictures of grace; souls He saw worthy...of a frame.

--Jimmy Peña

QUESTION: God loves our souls so much he framed them with bodies. How does knowing that change the way you view the importance of health, the care you give your body and the heavenly purpose it represents? 

Going Deeper: This question is one we'll be tackling together in A PrayFit Summer. It's not too late to sign up. You'll receive so many benefits and it will benefit so many. It's just $10 for a month-long look at 1 Timothy 4:8. We will strike the imbalance this verse demands. For some, it may mean greater attention to the body, for others it very well may mean less. Let's do this together.

In The Meantime

It's well-documented that 20 years ago when Yankees ownership asked then professional scout Dick Groch if he thought Derek Jeter would be going to Michigan after high school, he famously replied, "The only place this kid is going is Cooperstown." Few predictions have ever proved more true. We've merely had two decades to see what Derek Jeter would do in the meantime.

You know, blessed with having a master's degree in clinical exercise physiology, I can tell you why muscle reacts the way it does. After 8 books and nearly 2 decades of published articles, I can detail why our cells become oxygen-efficient through cardiorespiratory training. In my sleep, I can meticulously diagram the energy systems. I can discuss the finer points of the overload principle and how the body reacts to less, more or the same stimulus from one day to the next. The chemical reaction of fiber damage? Yes. Agility, flexibility, endurance, atrophy? Yep, those too. Like I said, I can explain a lot about this body, but my feeble self can't explain why God gives grace to the soul inside.

All I know is that if you were scouting me the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior, the only place you'd be certain I'd be destined for is Heaven. What I would do in the meantime - college, grad school, marriage, a publishing career, PrayFit.com, PrayFit.org, PrayFit Ministries and a lot of stumbles, strikeouts, falls and falters - surely wouldn't deserve it or prove it, but unlike Cooperstown, Heaven isn't dependent on votes.

Yeah guys, ever since I was a kid, I've always been passionate about things in my life. I'm all in. Sentimental. And my favorite athlete of all-time is taking his final bow as his number is retired. He just climbed out of the dugout one last time to wave to the crowd and to those of us watching at home. And I promise you that I was standing in the middle of my living room, holding my wife with one hand and tipping my cap to baseball's Captain with the other. It's not pretty in the house of PrayFit. After all, between the day of Mr. Groch's prediction of Jeter's destination to the moment of his ultimate induction into baseball's promised land, I watched what he did in the meantime.

 Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Guys, is anyone a thinker like me? Somebody please say 'yes.' Do you ever hold sand in your hand and think of Abraham and the stars and the length of eternity? Do you ever let neat things like baseball and legends and halls of fame remind you of Jesus and grace and love and faith? Because of the Cross of Calvary, we're assured Heaven.

 Oh Lord, what would you have us do in the meantime?

Glory Thieves

In his message entitled, "The Myth of Greener Grass," Pastor Shawn Thornton, while beginning a new series on the book of Ruth said, "It is better to be in a hard place with God than in a happy place without Him." Pastor went on to say that, "God's greatest goal for our lives isn't our happiness, but our holiness." Wow. A hard place and holiness.

Well, sparing you a smooth transition, where does the body come into play then? Hard places, happiness, holiness, health?

As the team is knee-deep in writing and constructing the June challenge for you, I find myself asking that question of myself. What is it all about? When doctors removed my 4th disk from my spine, did I rejoice in my salvation more than I mourned my loss of function? And when they said I wouldn't need to wear a colostomy bag, did I celebrate Heaven or did my joy come from the fact that I could still lead a normal life on earth? Tough questions, and perhaps they're a bit unfair. Yanking them from the context of my circumstance to help me write this entry seems too easy. After all, Lord knows either you or someone you love has gone through much worse than I have. 

But the truth of the matter is that everything health related is meant to shape us into living and loving like Jesus. Ultimately, every workout is designed to direct our attention to the Giver of that ability and eventually to the service of Him and others with its byproducts. And therein lies the dilemma and the exposure of our brokenness. We don't do that do we? We are glory thieves.

For us, it's all about our satisfaction, our status, our goals, our dreams. Give me comfort, a little recognition, some financial security and whatever physical goal I'm aiming for, and I'm right as rain. It's under those Instagram-worthy conditions that Philippians 4:13 seems to roll right off tongue.

But the older I get and the more mistakes I make, God is showing me that my tiny will isn't His. My little kingdom won't come, and His ultimate goal for my life isn't to make my body work.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: Only grace can rescue us from ourselves; we glory thieves. That's partly what "A PrayFit Summer" is all about; the daily siege to forfeit our precious control and sabotage our touchy honor. It's not going to be easy. The physical components - the walking, the jogging, the lifting, the eating - will all bring about their benefits for sure. But that's really not the challenge. Hurry and sign-up to reserve your spot.

Discipline Determines Destiny

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should." 
--1 Corinthians 9:27 

Many of you have heard me share this experience, but I think it's perfect for this Monday as we prepare for "A PrayFit Summer." I once had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Charles Stanley with In Touch Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia. I've met a few celebrities in my career, but none of them ever made me nervous. Friends, my hands were sweating and my legs were shaking when I had the honor of speaking with him.

Well, anyway, he delivered a message entitled, "Discipline Determines Destiny." Of course, he made it clear that he wasn't talking about eternal destiny, but that he wanted to discuss our earthly effectiveness; how we handle our money, our time, our relationships and ohhhh yes, while I was at the edge of my seat, he said it..."how we handle our health."

None of the other topics received much of a reaction (perhaps because they were expected), but when he asked the question, "Who wants to live a long, healthy life?", there was a noticeable murmur. When it became quiet, Dr. Stanley simply asked his congregation how they expected to live abundantly when they're facing avoidable and preventable road blocks of health. Hearing it from me is one thing, but when Dr. Charles Stanley says it, it's another thing altogether.

As he preached, I scribbled. He used words and phrases like,

The value we place on our health will be evident in our diligence... Fulfilling, achieving, orderly, less stressful... Aimless and lethargic versus Godly and confident... Feeling good about yourself... Nothing to do with age... He still has the best in mind for you... Positive impact on others...health can be a way to witness... Build better health and a better faith...

Folks, go ahead and quiet the murmur in your mind and settle your thoughts on this one: Your health is important to God. Any personal justification you've otherwise convinced yourself with, is false. The call to action this week is a call of discipline. And it doesn't matter what you decide to do.  Just decide and work within your means. Walk the block or the dog. Do some push-ups or lift some weights. Walk away from the dessert menu and step up to the plate of clean eating. Discipline determines destiny, and if you're reading this, yours is still unwritten.

--Jimmy Peña

FINDING SHADE: In preparation for the PrayFit Summer Challenge which begins on June 5th, we are going into the wilderness to pray, write and prepare to serve you. I covet your prayers for my little team. Thank you to all of you that have signed up for the challenge. Your $10 entry fee goes to ministries like special needs and global missions, and I hope you have a blast with us over the course of the challenge. If you haven't signed-up, there's still time.

Dress Like A Man

Dress like a man.

Now, stick with me, because this isn't God telling good, old Job how great his manhood is. Actually, this is God telling Job how great his manhood isn't. God is putting Job in his place. Pastor Paul Tripp says that when God tells Job to dress like a man, he's demanding that he put his best "person pants" on, because He is going to ask him a couple of questions.

See, God is drawing a line of distinction between creature and Creator. God says, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined the measurements? You surely know." (Job 38:4)

Does your fitness or general health as a dependent, created being help produce awe, wonder and worship inside you? Or does it produce a desire for you to be worshipped; for others to be in awe of your story and in wonder of your achievements? If so, then we have a lot in common.

But God was doing for Job what we need to happen for us. Here's the picture God was painting: I'm God, you're not. Get dressed. Lift some weights. Get pumped. Feel the fullness of your manhood! Ready? Good. Because in all your "human" ability, you can't answer Me.

Awe, wonder, worship. That's what all this health stuff is about; to enable us to look up while being face down. The fitness industry - and even the "faith & fitness" industry - wants you to think it's about you; how you're enough. But in truth guys, it's when we realize that God is God, and we're not, that we actually get it; that our greatest achievements in life (especially our perception of physical strength) are a distraction if we allow them to be, especially when we buy the lie that we deserve anything. The line of distinction between the created (us) and the Creator (God) will never be crossed.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: God never commanded me to put on size. You would have thought He did considering the decades I spent trying to. But no, He commanded me to put on things like gentleness, kindness and humility. But I will never put those things on if I don't have a clear understanding of my place before God. (Is this reaching anyone?)

Here I Am To Worship

As I explained the A PrayFit Summer to some friends yesterday, I was reminded of an old entry. Some of you may remember it and for others it may be new. But from a physical standpoint, this is it.

Here I am to worship. If it's been a while since you've been to the gym, whisper it to the Lord as you open that door. If you're starting to walk after work with your spouse, pray it together as you take that step. Maybe you're about to take a swim, go for a jog or start your at-home DVD. Whatever the case, say it: Here I am to worship.

And as you do, remember -- it's not about the mirror, or lower bodyfat, or the muscle. Those things may happen, they may not. If they do, consider them gifts of obedience and blessings of diligence. But we believe it warms God's heart when we take care of ours. So go ahead. Lift, run, walk, swim, stretch. Have church. After all, you are a temple.

--Jimmy Peña
 

Join the challenge for just $10 by clicking here and get complimentary access to iPrayFit and entered into a sweepstakes for an all-expense paid trip for two to Los Angeles for PrayFit RISE.

PLUS!!

• Fitness and nutrition expertise and daily guidance
• Downloadable journals
• At-home training plans for beginners, intermediate and advanced
• Gym-specific routines; tips, techniques and strategies
• Are you a runner? We have a challenge for you too!
• "PrayFit Dares" that will rock your world and transform communities (these will stretch us all)
• Daily devotions, Scripture memory, Bible trivia (with ebooks, prizes and giveaways)
• Weekly webinars with Jimmy & Team PrayFit
• Private Facebook group; community, feedback, encouragement, accountability
• Downloadable "The PrayFit Prayer" and "The PrayFit Poem" posters.

More To Racing Than Winning

This weekend we announced "A PrayFit Summer" - a 4-week physical and spiritual challenge here at PrayFit. Something for everyone; for the walkers, the runners, the heavy lifters, those coming off long layoffs and those who never miss a workout...there is something in this challenge for all of us. It begins June 5th with pre-registration going on now, so I hope you'll sign up, It's only $10 with all of the proceeds going to support ministries such as global missions and kids affected by special needs.

Speaking of, on the morning we announced, Loretta and I happened to be scheduled to serve the special needs ministry at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village; the new home of PrayFit.org. Thankfully, I was paired again with my best buddy Jordan. It's my favorite day of the month, as you know. Thing is, I was a bit distracted as we began the day because of some technical difficulties with the launch site. Anyway, Jordan and I were talking and enjoying our conversation, playing with cars and stuff, and he says out of the blue, "You know, there's more to racing than winning, Jimmy."

Wait, what? Huh? Where did that come from, Jordan? Say that again?

He moved on to other topics like rocket ships and hot dogs, but I couldn't get beyond the sermon he just preached. I mean, I know it may have come from a movie he saw, but why say it now? I looked at him as he played. Here I was worried about the successful launch of the PrayFit challenge while the purpose of it was needing me to figure out if macaroni and cheese would make for a good snow cone.

Anyway, we finished our day and Jordan's mom picked him up. As he walked away, I fought back the tears as I have grown accustomed to doing, and as I turned and walked away, the fire in my belly grew hotter with every step. There is a purpose to our health, and it's not so that we can crush goals; what tiny objectives. The purpose of our health is so that we can live and love like Jesus, to spread the gospel, to serve those in need. And therein rests the entire purpose of "A PrayFit Summer."

No matter who you are, there is something in this challenge for you. And no matter what you get out of it, Jordan and his friends will be blessed simply because you chose to join the race. Take it from Jordan, there's more to racing than winning.

- Jimmy Peña

What's In The Challenge?

For only $10:

• Fitness and nutrition expertise and daily guidance
• Downloadable journals
• At-home training plans for beginners, intermediate and advanced
• Gym-specific routines; tips, techniques and strategies
• Are you a runner? We have a challenge for you too!
• "PrayFit Dares" that will rock your world and transform communities (these will stretch us all)
• Daily devotions, Scripture memory, Bible trivia (with ebooks, prizes and giveaways)
• Weekly webinars with Jimmy & Team PrayFit
• Private Facebook group; community, feedback, encouragement, accountability
• Downloadable "The PrayFit Prayer" and "The PrayFit Poem" posters.
  PLUS+
• Complimentary iPrayFit Membership throughout the challenge!
• Sweepstakes Drawing: Chance to win an all-expense paid trip for TWO to Los Angeles for PrayFit RISE 2017 just for signing up!

I Believe

“I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth.

— Psalm 121:1

When Jesus asked the once blind beggar if he believed in the Son of Man, the man asked, "Who is he? That I may believe." Jesus said, "You're seeing Him. It is He that is speaking to you." With his eyes open, the beggar's next words: I believe.

I believe. What a powerful statement. Down through the centuries men and woman have staked their lives and their eternity on those two tiny words. We're going to wrap our hearts around them.

When I first started PrayFit back in 2009, much of what I'd do and say was hard-charged. Each day - like we had taken over enemy territory - I'd drive a stake in the ground with the still-certain truth that faith was the most powerful tool we have to conquer life's obstacles. Our mission was to help the church body take back their health, and I was going to help lead that charge as long as I could breathe.

The last few years - as some of you realize - the message changed. When I got sick, I learned first-hand that you don't always get what you work for, and things like illness are as much or more of an opportunity to exercise faith as wellness. God taught me that health is a gift of His grace.

In Christian artist For King and Country's hit "Shoulders," they answer Psalm 121:

“My help comes from you. You’re right here pulling me through. You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on your shoulders. Your shoulders. My help comes from You. You are my rest, my rescue. I don’t have to see to believe you’re lifting me up on your shoulders. Your shoulders." — For King and Country

Friends, I hope the mountain you face this week reminds you of both the Psalmist and the blind beggar. They lifted their eyes and believed. May you and I believe that God is right here pulling us through. The weakness, sickness, brokenness as well as the fitness.. All of it. His.

Mountains are no match. Let's close our eyes, take a deep breath, exhale and utter those two precious and powerful words: I believe.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion:
1) I still believe God gave us faith to conquer life's obstacles, and 2) I am more certain than ever that any health we have is a gift of grace. And when we embrace our faith by the grace of God, it changes everything. Glad you're here, guys. 

Speaking of mountains, here is a 'peak' - eh, see what I did there - at one of our newest videos in iPrayFit. Enjoy.  (For the entire video and series, log in!)

(And if you're not a member, I pray you'll join us. All of the proceeds go to support ministries like global missions and special needs care. Thanks guys.)

He Moves In

Years ago, I had the privilege of spending a week on the set of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. When it aired, I remembered the feeling I had when that family first answered the knock at the door, then came back a week later to a brand new house. Talk about gut-wrenching! Someone they never expected came into their world and freely gave them something they couldn't afford on their own. He saw where they lived and said you don't have to live here anymore.

As I stood and watched the process, I couldn't help but think of Jesus. Just like we did for that family, He knocks gently, anxiously awaiting our answer. But rather than calling for a wrecking ball, He does the unthinkable: He moves in. Instead of a hammer, He carries a suitcase. He gives us something we could never afford on our own -- Himself -- saying we don't have to live here anymore, alone.

–-Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: This Easter weekend, we spent time listening to Pastor Shawn Thornton explain to us that when Jesus died and rose again, He granted us immediate, unlimited access to the throne room of grace. Anytime, anywhere, and for any reason, we can boldly approach Him. Let's do just that. Quietly, humbly, boldly, let's move in. The veil was torn. No barrier. Freedom. Before we hit our workouts, let's begin this Monday with a simple, "Amen."

We're Silent

Today, we're silent. Like the angels that Friday, we're still. Like the naysayers and doubters who waited at the foot of the cross to hear Jesus take back His promises, and with the disciples who hid their faces from the enemies who sought them, we're speechless. It's Friday. And it is finished. 

- Jimmy Peña

Uphill Battles

Uphill battles. If anyone understood the phrase, Simon did.

Simon of Cyrene was of course the man who helped Jesus carry the cross up the hill toward Calvary. In one moment, a bystander. The next, a cross bearer. He did literally what you and I are called to do figuratively. Little did he know the example he was setting. I wonder if he knew his sin would soon be nailed to the tree he carried.

Uphill battles. If anyone understood the phrase, Jesus did.

Yet Jesus knew that what He faced, He had to face alone. Nobody on earth, above or below, could take His place as He took ours. But the thought of you and me facing our days without hope was enough to kill Him. The weight of the cross and our helplessness were more than He could bear.

Simon, Jesus. One cross and an uphill battle.

--Jimmy Peña

Discussion: The old song says, "I'll cherish the old rugged cross. Where my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown." Are you singing that this week? In our busy lives, it's important for us to shift our gaze. Have you been able to turn your eyes toward Calvary this week in preparation for the resurrection? Let's spend the next few minutes doing just that. Perhaps in your heart you're taking someone you love with you; a family member, a friend, a lifting or running buddy, coworker. Somebody needs Jesus. Let's cherish the old rugged cross together.

What Will We Do With Easter?

Pastor Paul Tripp recently asked, "What will you do with Easter?" He related it to issues of life, money, relationships, and troubles.

What a powerful question for us in the fitness industry. What will we do with Easter when the storms of life arise? What will we do with Easter on Monday when we get to the gym, or the studio, or the track?

What will we do when we're tempted to gloat, to boast, to pat ourselves on the back? What will we do?

What will we do when we get sick? Like, really sick. What will we do when our dreams of gains, of glorious pain, of wondrous work, when the welcome pursuit of fitness is denied us? What will we do?

What will we do when the status call on social media stokes our fear of missing out? What will we do with Easter?

What will we do when our loss of muscle, or our gain of bodyfat, our diminishing bone mass, elevated resting heart rate, our unrelenting atrophy, our irreversible disease progression, or our unmistakeable loss of strength testifies to the truth that we are made of dust, not iron. What will we do with Easter?

When we peer into the empty tomb of Easter this weekend, that's the lens through which everything else in life can be seen, even our bodies. And as fitness people, as hard-chargers, as iron-pushers, as mile runners, record-breakers, goal makers, and as broken-down, out-of-the-game lifters like me, the empty tomb is full of grace, and joy, and relief. The thought of His victory eternally exceeds our loss or gains in this vapor-quick life.

What will we do with Easter?

- Jimmy Peña

What Sorry Company

Charles Spurgeon, in a sermon about the thief on the cross, said, "Carefully note that the crucified thief was our Lord's last companion on earth. What sorry company our Lord selected when he was here! He did not consort with the religious Pharisees or the philosophic Sadducees, but he was known as "the friend of publicans and sinners." How I rejoice at this! It gives me assurance that he will not refuse to associate with me. When the Lord Jesus made a friend of me, he certainly did not make a choice which brought him credit."

Yesterday we reminded ourselves that the passion and elation we have inside us was given to us by God for God. I'm reminded about the countless Biblical examples of people who had physical reactions to Jesus, either to be near Him or because they had just been with Him. We've said it before, but He just moves us! But there was one person who didn't move a muscle.

The criminal had just been given Heaven. Every sin of his wasted years had been forgiven, his name had just been written in the Lamb's book of life, and soon the angels would be teaching him to sing. And yet, despite this gift of grace and mercy, He didn't run to embrace Him. He didn't leap for joy, lift his hands in praise or kneel in worship. Why? Well, he couldn't move. See, the nails were too deep, the pain was too great. If he could've climbed down that cross, he probably would've demonstrated physically what his heart had experienced spiritually.

Given to us by God for God. May we marvel at how low Jesus went to meet us; that he rode on a donkey and spent his last minute with sinners. And may we make much of any chance we get to do what Christ's last companion couldn't.

I think Spurgeon has today's discussion:

"Do you think he gained any honour when he made a friend of you? Has he ever gained anything by us? No, my brethren; if Jesus had not stooped very low, he would not have come to me; and if he did not seek the most unworthy, he might not have come to you. Yes, after all, our Lord did make a good choice when he saved you and me; for in us he has found abundant room for his mercy and grace."

- Jimmy Peña