Opening Day

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." --Romans 8:1

Yep, I'm too predictable, aren't I? As I do each year, I'm celebrating the beginning of the Major League Baseball season. Many of you know we're thrilled that the Boys of Summer have taken the field. In fact, I'm not kidding when I say I've been whistling "Take me out to the ballgame" a lot lately. (And maybe now so are you.)

But as I watch my beloved Yankees take the field in their home opener today, it occurs to me that Opening Day can teach us a lot about grace. Reason being, right before player step into the batter's box, each person's average on the screen will be .000 -- a clean slate. Scotty Smith says, "Jesus didn't just die to give us a clean slate, but to give us His righteousness." Take a swing at that for a second.

Each morning you and I step up to the plate ready to swing away at whatever the day throws at us. Thankfully, no matter how many strikeouts we had yesterday, God's mercy is new with each plate appearance. And with the Resurrection celebration yesterday, it feels so appropriate, no? Jesus conquered death so we can have life; an abundant life with no record of wrongs. When Jesus rose from the grave, He gave us every reason we need to look alive. 

You know, I'm now whistling a medley. "Take me out to the ballgame"...because I know "He Lives".

--Jimmy Peña

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There's a new race In town: We are less than two weeks away from the PrayFit 5K & 1-Mile Walk-N-Roll. Are you registered? If you're not in Los Angeles, you have a couple more days to reserve your VIRTUAL spot. You can walk, jog or run with us from your own treadmill or neighborhood. I'll send you an official race bib you can hang on your wall, a t-shirt, and an official medal. Of course, 100% of the proceeds are going to kids and families affected by special needs

What Sorry Company He Kept

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."

We recently 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, and I think about him every year...

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. May we make much of any chance we get to do what Christ's last companion couldn't.

-Jimmy Peña

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DISCUSSION - Let's please allow Spurgeon to lead us in our final thought..."Do you think he gained any honor 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."

What Will We Do With Easter?

Pastor Paul Tripp once 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

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Click below to reserve your t-shirt and medal and let's walk and run coast-to-coast for those who can't.

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The Heart I Got

In our recent discipleship class at church, I learned about a man named Bill Wohl. Bill had a new heart. Days after receiving it, he opened a letter from Michael Brady's family. Michael Brady gave Bill his heart after Michael died doing what he loved. His heart was removed and transplanted into the heart of another man, this Bill Wohl. According to the story, when Bill opened the letter from the Brady family, he couldn't believe what he read. But a little about Bill will help lay the reasons why. Bill was a type A, overweight, money-obsessed businessman pursuing a jet-setter lifestyle.

That was Bill with his old heart.

Michael's family wrote Bill and included pictures of Michael and some background information. Michael was a 36-year old, good-looking, super-fit stuntman who died on the job. Bill thought, "Are you kidding me? That's whose heart I got?" Today Bill works part-time, spending most of his new-found energy winning speed and performance medals in swimming, cycling and track.

This is Bill with his new heart.

As we end the week, let's remember that when we accepted Jesus, He gave us a new heart; His. Our response should mirror Bill's. "Are you kidding me? That's whose heart I got?" And then we try and apply it to every aspect of life, including bodily stewardship.

You know, I may not have the tools anymore, but the heart, I got. And as it turns out, it's all I need. Friends, we woke up today with fresh mercy and grace. Grace, of course, is God giving us what we don't deserve and mercy is us not getting what we do. That's why we strive. That's why we set health goals to the glory of God. Try finding more compelling reasons to work at staying healthy than fresh mercy and grace. I assure you, you can't.

The next time someone asks you why you're trying lose weight or why you're making better food choices, just think of Michael and Bill and what they shared. Just tell them you got a new heart.

- jimmy peña

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ONE MONTH AWAY!

We are a few short weeks away from the PrayFit 5K & 1-Mile Walk-N-Roll. Are you registered? If you're not in Los Angeles, please hurry to reserve your VIRTUAL spot. You can walk, jog or run with us from your own treadmill or neighborhood. I'll send you an official race bib you can hang on your wall, a t-shirt, and an official medal. Of course, 100% of the proceeds are going to kids and families affected by special needs. In most cases, you're walking and running for those that can't. And based on today's entry, you know what that takes. 

High Regard

 I recently posted on social media something Max Lucado said in his podcast. You'll forgive the long quote, but it's worth the read. He said, "God has a high regard for your body. Paul calls our body the “temple” of God. Be careful how you feed it, use it, and maintain it. You wouldn’t want anyone trashing your home; God doesn’t want anyone trashing His. After all, it is His, isn’t it?

A little jogging and dieting to the glory of God wouldn’t hurt most of us.

Your body, in some form, will last forever. God will glorify your body. He will remove all weakness and disease. Isn’t that great news? Your pain will not last forever. Is your heart weak? It will be strong in heaven. Has cancer corrupted your system? There is no cancer in heaven. For a season, your soul will be in heaven while your body is in the grave. But the seed buried in the earth will blossom in heaven. And you will be just like Jesus."

(Hurry, Heaven.)

But notice what He said. God will glorify our bodies. That's not our job. Our job is to follow Jesus and encourage others to do the same, and "for the glory of God" we look after ourselves in the process. To think, God cares more about our bodies than we do. He made them, He knows we need them and someday He'll heal them. A little jogging and dieting sounds about right, Max.

- Jimmy Peña

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The PrayFit Podcast
For those that enjoy podcasts, I hope you'll subscribe to mine. This first podcast allowed me to describe the tension and complexity of bodily stewardship. And for those that have never heard the story of how PrayFit began, you may enjoy that section. If you happen to listen and enjoy it, by all means rate it for us and give me feedback. I'd appreciate it so much.

Madness

In his book, "The Explicit Gospel," Matt Chandler writes, "March madness is the greatest sporting event. I say that because it's also the last athletic venue in which David can still beat Goliath. All over the country, fans are nervous. They're nervous in their guts, they want their team to win so badly. They watch the games and yell at their televisions. "No!" Yes!" Kids are crying in fear, wives are running for more nachos - it's chaos. It's madness. With victory comes elation and surfing a thousand websites to read the same article over and over again, and with defeat comes destitution of spirit and days of mourning and moping, angrily arguing on a blog about who really deserved it or an official's botched call. Every bit of those affections, every bit of that emotion, and every bit of that passion was given to us by God for God. It was not given for basketball."

This week marks the beginning of March Madness 2018.

Friends, in a couple of weeks it'll be Palm Sunday; the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an obscure donkey - whose job I would have gladly taken - amid the thrill and anticipation of a crowd with Final Four-like fever. The Messiah had arrived to overthrow the Romans. The favorite was entering the forum with no chance of losing. Phones out and selfies about, "LET'S GO, JESUS! Bom, bom, bom-bom-bom! LET'S GO, JESUS!" Any minute and you'd expect to hear "We are the Champions" being played in the background.

In our industry, even during this Holy season, we have an insatiable desire to conquer, to prove them wrong, to beat yesterday, to promote "faith and fitness," but like Chandler said, all of that passion and emotion that you and I feel toward the body - or our "ministry" - was given to us by God for God. As upside-down as it sounds, it wasn't given to us for gym. It wasn't given to us for the progress, or a scoreboard, or a goal, or a crossfit competition, or in my case, an ongoing recovery or continued rehab. All of the stirring of desire that swirls deep within my belly for my most prized objective was given to me by Jesus to be used on Him alone. 

Wait, here He comes. Here He comes down this narrow path on a mule amid chaos. What will I do with my moment near the Messiah?

As we enter March Madness and the holiest of seasons, may we all simply halt the game. Pick up the ball. Stop the momentum. Call a time out. Let the noise of the desperate crowd go silent even as they demand you to, "Shoot!! Shoot!"

Shoot, not this month. And maybe never again. At least not in the same way. Matt Chandler asks, "Where is our elation over the Resurrection?" Well, it's on our social media account. It's on our status. It's on our progress. It's on us.

Madness.

- Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: I'm so ready for a new week. To dig deep into God's Word. To pursue excellence in my marriage, my work and yes, to steward whatever health He allows with 'clear eyes and a full heart.' Does anyone have prayer requests that we can go to the Lord about? We promise to pray for you, and if you'd rather not get specific, simply say, "unspoken" and we'll lift you up by name.

RSVP

Last week around this time you would have seen me polishing my shoes and straightening my tie, as Loretta made some last minute decisions on earrings. We dressed up. Yes sir. Although my bride and I were likely the most unrecognizable pair at the pre-Oscar party, we dressed to the nines. Granted, our names are not in lights or surrounded by a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, so I know full well that our presence wasn't because of anything we'd done, but only because of who I know (and who knows me). 

Pastor Shawn Thornton says, "Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve." Like our presence at the party, nothing we've done merits the invitation, but because the Host wants us there, our acceptance is enough.

I'll spare you a dramatic transition, but I like to think that our temporary life and the humble, diligent care of the body He fashioned for it - is in many ways our opportunity to proclaim our RSVP; to say to those around us, "I care for myself because of Who made me and for those around me I can serve with it, all for the glory of His grace." And as we grow in that grace, we become increasingly aware of how much we are not the star of the show. Growing in grace in the fitness industry means realizing that our walk in the gym is sometimes a stride and oftentimes a crawl, but it's not a strut.

Indeed, our perspective about and our quiet care for our health during fit times (and sick times) is a visible RSVP that says we know who the award goes to.

--Jimmy Peña

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40 DAYS! Speaking of RSVP, time is running out. Whether you're here in L.A or anywhere coast-to-coast, please hurry and sign-up for our walk/run. And here's something, use this discount code on the image below. Share it with friends and family. Tell a neighbor. Some churches are forming teams! LET'S GO.

Start Pulling

I'll never forget it. I was nineteen; the newest member of a very small band of brothers. We weren't an official group on the Baylor University campus, by any means, these "Russell Rats." We had no membership roster, no board of directors or rules and regulations to speak of, but we were very exclusive. And although we weren't organized, we did pay our dues -- dues of a different kind that were collected daily. As far as acceptance into the group, well, it just happened. Call it a nonverbal recognition of pure heart. If you had it, you were in. And rather than Greek letters across our chest, we had chalk and sweat across our backs. There was no mistaking our crew.

In the late 80s, a small family of guys came one by one into the best (and only) fitness center on campus, Russell Gymnasium. The gym itself was actually a corner hole-in-the-wall within a bigger auditorium of basketball courts, with a two-tone, green concrete wall separating the outdated Universal equipment and rusty dumbbells from the courts next door.

Well, one sunny Waco afternoon, at a campus-wide celebration called Diadeloso (Day of the Bear), the group decided to enter itself into the annual tug-of-war competition. We wanted nothing more than to show the fraternities what real strength felt like. After a lot of hooplah, we marched -- in slow motion if I recall -- onto the sand. We could hear the audible gasp from the opposition. We nodded to one another with pre-victory smiles. After all, not only were we obviously strong, we had ourselves a plan. We reasoned that because we outweighed the competition, only half the team would pull when the whistle blew. And when one of us gave the signal, the rest of us would begin pulling. Trust me. We had it covered.

Well, we found our grip as our competition found theirs. I remember they were a preppy bunch. Handsome. But no doubt mismatched. We did our best not to giggle or point. The referee raised his hand to alert the start of the match and the whistle blew. And?!.....We got crushed. Within 20 seconds, we were pulled across the line. It honestly felt as if the rope was somehow cleverly tied to an F-150. What happened you ask? Well, a couple things actually. First, they had seven guys and we had six. Completely fair because the only limit was total weight, but an extra pair of arms pays off come to find out. But I think we lost miserably because we were overly confident and planned poorly.

Why the long stroll down memory lane? Well, if I learned anything that day as I lay face down, swallowing dirt and pride, it's that we can never underestimate the enemy in life, and we can't wait to start pulling. Plainly said, we have to give it all we have, never saving anything for the second half, the second set, the climb down, or the swim back. We can't wait to share Christ, visit the widow, give to the needy. The fact that you're reading and I'm typing means we're knee deep in sand and it's quick.

Friends, we have to be humble constantly and plan wisely. In every area of life, be it with quiet times, workouts, relationships, school, work...a humble heart and wisdom will please God every time. So hang on tight. And when the sun comes up and you've given God your day, just start pulling.

--Jimmy Peña

P.S. Four years later, I led a team of seven onto the sand. We won every match but the last one; to a team of eight.

For Discussion: Say "Amen" to new grace and mercy this Monday.

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Final Month: This is the final month leading up to our PrayFit 5K. Will you walk with us? You can do so from where ever you live. We're also unveiling one of our newest t-shirt to help celebrate and support the effort. They're available for pre-sell! Hurry and get yours! CLICK HERE!

Whine or Worship

Let's finish this week - a week that began by seeing how our physical suffering can be a sermon - with a prayer from none other than my friend Scotty Smith. (Loretta and I are holding his book and can't get enough of it.) I think prayer is the appropriate response for our condition and posture of pain. After all, like we've said before, it's not a sermon until it gets to Jesus so let's take it to Him together.

"Dear heavenly Father, the current annoyances and pains in my body (and the illnesses and aches of some very dear friends) give me an unavoidable opportunity either to whine or worship. And since I know where my whining usually takes me, I gladly move to the posture of worship.

First of all, thank you for giving us the important gift of lament. I’ve learned the hard way that if we’re unwilling to grieve our losses then our compassion for others will be significantly stunted. I don’t like brokenness and sickness, and limitation and pain, but if it tunes my heart to care for others, grant me grace, Father, to rejoice in suffering.

That being said, I am SO looking forward to the new body we will receive when Jesus returns, which Paul celebrates in the Scriptures. Our healing will be complete, and never again will we experience sickness and pain in any form. No more cancer or even headaches; no more joint replacements or even runny noses.

Father, thank you that Jesus not only secured the perfection of our spirits, but also the resurrection of our bodies. Even as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too will be raised. We groan now, but will be whole forever. Hallelujah! These “light and momentary troubles” are incredibly inconvenient and bothersome; but our rejoicing will be eternal.

Until that Day, Father, I will seek to take care of myself, and will trust you for healing and health. And by the power of the gospel, please help me be someone in whom the weak, weary, and broken find understanding and encouragement. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name."

-Scotty Smith

For Discussion: Does any part of Scotty's prayer strike a chord with you today? If you don't have this book, order it before the day is up. I promise you it will bless your life. Click here to order yours: 

More Molding Than Sculpting

“The suffering of the apostles is the means by which 
the gospel makes its way.”

— NT Wright

What a powerful quote. I had the honor of listening to NT Wright lecture last year. Genius.

Well, hopefully you've a chance to read the last couple of entries, because they've reminded me of Gungor's hit song, "Beautiful Things." If you haven't heard it, the short chorus goes:

You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things.
You make beautiful things out of us.

I don't always feel beautiful, do you? I mean, I'm capable of some pretty ugly things. Thoughts, actions, tendencies, habits. Put me in charge of something beautiful and I'll make it otherwise. But that's the beauty of salvation. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, He saves us from the penalty of sin. And as we live, He sanctifies us, progressively saving us from the power of sin. And ultimately, He will glorify us; forever saving us from the presence of sin.

What a picture for us in the fitness and nutrition industry. Dirt that gets molded and formed into the likeness of its Creator. Not always painlessly or peacefully, but like NT Wright's wonderful quote, when God's creation suffers, we have the glorious appointment to further the gospel; like the outstretched baton of a runner delirious in his relay. 

Guys, if you're anything like me, you need a makeover every single day; the kind a thousand reps can't produce. Sounds a bit heavenly-minded, but the highest goal of any fitness program is to bring us - and others - closer to Jesus. That's indisputable. Because we're dust. Come hardships, come pain, come suffering, we're dirt that needs more molding than sculpting. Amen?

Grace says I may not be pretty, but I will be beautiful.

- jimmy peña

Nothing Like It

If you missed yesterday's entry about Nick Vujicic - Your Suffering is a Sermon - I hope you're encouraged to read it. The weekend caused me to think back to something Scotty Smith once asked our PrayFit small groups. Enjoy.

Prayer Requests: What can we help you pray about today? If you'd rather not be specific, just say, "Unspoken" and Loretta and I promise to lift your name up in prayer.

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THE FUN IS ON: 
For those keeping score, we're nearly at 30 states and 3 countries represented in the PrayFit 5K happening on April 14.

Leading the way:
#1 - California
#2 - Georgia
#3 - Texas
#4 - Arizona
#5 - Florida

(And here comes Texas)

No matter where you live, please register to walk, jog, run or roll with us to help families affected by disability. Go solo or form a team.

MY BIB

I think Jordan and I will both wear #2.

Your Suffering is a Sermon

This weekend we had the honor of welcoming Nick Vujicic to our church. What an amazing time. Hundreds came to know Christ over the days of his visit. I look forward to sharing a few of his lines that personally touched my heart.

You know, for years we've said that our health is a means of praise and that our fitness can be a witness, and it's the truth. But if you look through the gospels, you won't find Jesus with the fit and fiddle. You won't find him around the strong, talking about able muscles, clear lungs or stable legs. And He certainly never wanted us to boast or show any of those things off. No. Where do we constantly find our Savior? With the sick. The ill. The needy, hurting, ailing, failing, and wailing. The "fitness is my witness" cliché?  Sure.  But like Max Lucado says, "It's your suffering that's a sermon."

Over the next few days, we'll look back at a few times the Lord allowed me to confess it. And at the same time, I'll ask you to share your life, your pain, your strain and the stories of those you love. Reminds me that when Nick was young he used to pray for a miracle. He used to say, "God, imagine what I could do with just one arm."

Friends, our God is at much at work during our illness as He is during our mountain-top moments. How we handle our pain-free abilities and gifts of good health can serve a mighty purpose - we can't downplay it - but where we go in times of pain and sickness says more to others about the God we serve than all of that combined.  

- Jimmy Peña

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Breathless

Read Luke 7

Back in graduate school, we had our share of underwater weighing assignments. Underwater weighing is regarded as the most valuable tool at determining body composition. However, in order for the subject to be seen accurately, it takes an extreme amount of effort and courage on the part of the person being tested. See, as you're lowered into the water, you have to empty your lungs, breathing out every drop of air possible.

The woman in Luke 7 defied ridicule and disregarded the rules to do one thing: pour everything she had at His feet. Broken, she just had to break free and nothing was going to stop her from seeing her Lord. After her tears cleaned His feet and her hair dried them, she courageously emptied her alabaster bottle of valuable perfume for Jesus to breathe in.

Friends, don't miss it today. When we're empty, we allow Him to see us. When we breathe it all out, He breathes it all in. Grace doesn't flex. It stoops. If only for today, let's pour our health at His feet like perfume and tears. Lord, here is all our praise, expressed from the top of our lungs.

- jimmy peña
 

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For Those That Can't: Are you signed up to walk, jog, run or roll in the PrayFit 5K? I hope so. There's still time to reserve your medal and t-shirt. Nearly 30 states and 3 countries are representing. If you want to know if your state is on the list, register! :-) 100% of the proceeds go to kids affected by disability and families affected by special needs.

1918-2018

With baseball season approaching, we thought we'd warm everyone up for our favorite time of year by talking about...the closer. For those who don't know, the closer is someone who specializes in sealing the deal. See, in baseball you play until the game is over. Not the case in other sports. Take basketball for instance. There's a minute left, you're up five points and rather than drive to the basket, you run out the clock. In football, you take a knee. Soccer, hockey -- you name it. Most major sports have a way to play it safe.

I think we all have the tendency to play it safe on occasion. As Christians, we can get into a mindset of "I'm saved, I can coast, I think I'll run out the clock today." But days can turn into weeks and weeks, years. Which reminds me, in baseball, there is no clock. You don't know how long a life -- I mean -- a game can last. Thus, the need for a closer. Someone who takes the hill and does his best work at the end.

We lost a closer yesterday. A hero of the faith. Although he would never refer to himself as such. But if anyone loved Jesus, it was Billy Graham. And if anyone wanted you and me to know Jesus, it was Billy Graham.

"End your journey well," he said. "Don’t waste your life, and don’t be satisfied with anything less than God’s plan." 

Thank you, Billy Graham. You took the hill your entire life to talk about Jesus. And now you're with Him. 

What a way to close.

photo design: Roger Coles

I'm Giving Up

As you'll soon see, we love this time of year. Longer days, better weather, and of course, baseball, all help put a spring in my step. Maybe you're the same? It's just a good time of the year for fresh starts and new beginnings. Which always reminds me of what Louie Giglio once said, "For Lent, I'm giving up."

Naturally, we think there's something missing from his sentence. Um, Louie? You forgot something buddy. When in truth, "period" is exactly what should come next. As we begin the Lenten season, let's remember that it's all about Jesus and what He did for us; not about what we can do, give up, commit to, or accomplish. (Or about our failure to succeed at any of that.) Nothing to prove, nothing to lose, nothing to hide.

I just finished ready the book, "The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness" by Tim Keller. What an incredible, powerful read. The message of the book has been playing a big part in my life lately in that - like Paul - we can have a low opinion of the opinion of others about us, but we can also have a low opinion of our opinion of us. I'll distill the book down to this: Paul didn't let other people judge him and he didn't even judge himself. He didn't connect his sins to himself, but he didn't connect his accomplishments to himself either. He was free. I want that kind of self-forgetfulness. That's what I want for Lent.

- Jimmy Peña

Discussion: The pressure isn't just off - it's non-existent. How does that help you prepare your heart for the Easter season? If part of your heart's preparation is indeed physical, as part of obedience and humble stewardship, will your commitments to healthier choices take on new meaning? Will it help shape not only the goals you set, but how you prepare and execute them? Or forgetting the physical changes, maybe you're just ready to give up trying to always be seen or applauded? Maybe you're ready to give up striving, competing, comparing, being noticed? If so, there's freedom when you do. Just remember. Lent is a heart issue, because when Jesus said, "It is finished," it was and still is. Aren't we glad we don't have to measure up? (And that actually makes me want to work harder in all areas of life. Isn't that incredible?)

Employ It

Neat week, huh guys? For my part, I've thoroughly enjoyed examining what Tim Challies said and breaking it down into segments. What does God, the owner of your body, expect from you as its steward? He expects that you will present it, steward it, nurture it, and finally, employ it.

"You need to employ your body. Inner godliness is to be displayed in outward acts of kindness. James shows the unity of faith and works in this illustration: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:15-17). The love of God in your heart is to be displayed by the works of your hands. Young men are at their physical peak and bear a double responsibility to use that strength for the good of others. “The glory of young men is their strength,” says Solomon, “but the splendor of old men is their gray hair” (Proverbs 20:29).

Many people today hold to a form of the ancient teaching of gnosticism. They believe the soul has great significance while the body is merely a useless vessel to be used or abused. But as Christians we see that there is much greater unity than this. To care for the body is to care for the soul."

So, I'm sure it's been nice to hear grace-based health advice from someone like Tim Challies. I encourage you to read him at challies.com. Here are his send-aways for us as we wrap up the week:

"Plan to be fit. - Plan to get fit and stay fit through wise, moderate eating and regular, vigorous exercise.
Guard against idleness. - Guard against the idleness that keeps you on the couch when you should be active.
Guard against gluttony. - Food is a great gift, but it makes a terrible god. Learn to practice self-control toward food and renounce any sign of gluttony.
Prepare for the decline. - As your body and perhaps even your mind grows weak, there will be many new temptations to sin. Read Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 as a glimpse of your own biography and ask, “What will sustain me in that day?” The answer is simple: godly character. Nothing but godly character will sustain you as your body decays and your mind weakens. Even while you give attention to your physical health, do not neglect your spiritual wellbeing."

Like I said, it's been a good week. Kinda sums it all up, amen? Did anything new hit you over the last week about our care and concern for the body that may not have ever occurred to you? Hope you've enjoyed the entries. It's my honor to serve you.

- Jimmy Peña

Nurture It

In case you've missed this week's entries, I've been tracing the steps of writer Tim Challies and his thoughts on guarding one's health. In his article, he used a phrase that summed up his core lesson in that when it comes to the body we need to present it, steward it, nurture it, and employ it. Tim writes,

"You need to nurture your body. There is an inseparable unity between body, mind, and soul. When you neglect your body, you will often find your soul heavy and your mind dark. But when you care for it, you tend to find your soul cheerful and your mind enlightened. You can see some of this in John’s prayer for his friend Gaius: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” (3 John 2). For Gaius to be as active and effective as possible in God’s work, he must have a healthy body and a healthy soul. If you wish to tend to your soul and mind, you must nurture your body. To honor God in all that you are, you must eat well, exercise frequently, and rest regularly."

Reminds me of an excerpt from my latest book that some of you will recognize, but I think it fits with Tim's theme of nurture.

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, 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

For Discussion: What do you need to do to nurture your health? I'd love to know your thoughts.

Steward It

Continuing our review of what author Tim Challies says about how to guard our health, we come upon the issue of stewarding our bodies. Not a new concept to most of us on this site, but repetition doesn't diminish reality. Tim says,

"You need to steward your body. As you surrender your body, you acknowledge that it does not belong to you but to God. Just as you are responsible to faithfully steward your time and money, you are responsible before God to faithfully steward the body he has assigned to you. You are to use your body wisely, to put your body to use in ways that bring glory to God. After all, “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

A few years ago, traveling with a friend and client, I was working, writing the first PrayFit book, doing my thing. Well, one busy day my friend and client called me over and said, "Jimmy, let's take a walk." I wasn't sure what he needed, so as always I simply said, "Yes sir." When we turned the corner, he stopped, put his arm around me, pointed and said, "It's yours. Enjoy."

Sitting on a lawn was this beautiful truck. I couldn't believe it. I can still remember the feeling, the moment, my jaw-dropping reaction, and the look on his face when the jolt of recognition hit mine. The most undeserved and unexpected gift. What's more, it was paid in full and being shipped home for me. By the time my work on the road was done, it was waiting for me at my front door. And now that you know the story, I have one question. How much do you think I want to take care of that truck, inside and out? Truth is, to this day I don't climb up in it without thinking of it as a gift from him.

Isn't that how we should think about our bodies? The vehicles - if you will - that God gave us to get our dear souls from one stretch of this life to the next, as gifts? My genuine care and concern for my truck is simply a reflection of respect for the giver. It won't always be new. Like our bodies, it'll have wear and tear, and the miles will someday show (as they already do.) But even though it loses value each day, that truck is no less valuable to me than the day I got it. Why? Because of the one who gave it to me. It's funny, my wife will attest that while I get compliments for it all the time, I never miss a chance to smile and say, "Thank you. It was a gift." I don't tell them who it was from of course, but it just brings me joy to give him the praise, even in his absence.

Please be encouraged, dear friends. If someone asks you about training and food, show them how. If someone wonders why you don't boast or show-off, remind them where your strength comes from. And if there's ever a doubt as to the importance of stewarding a body designed to ultimately fail, take it as a compliment, because you know why. It was gift.

- Jimmy Peña

THANK YOU: Yesterday for my birthday, eleven of you signed-up for the local and virtual PrayFit 5K to benefit kids with disability. I'm so grateful. Thank you so much.

Present It

As promised, we're peeling back the layers of an article about guarding our health written by Tim Challies, and according to Tim, when it comes to our health, God expects us to present it, steward it, nurture it, and employ it.

Speaking of present - eh - today is my birthday. In some ways I feel younger than the math would report, but in other ways I'd say the math seems just about right. But back to the point, Tim writes, "You need to present your body. You are a whole person, your body and soul knit carefully together. You are to surrender to God all that you are, holding nothing back. Your body belongs to God and is to be used for his purposes. Thus, God calls you to surrender your body to him, to dedicate it to his service, to commit it to his purposes."

Imagine if we surrendered to God everything about our health, holding nothing back? What would I have to present and surrender for that to be true in my life? Less or more time caring for the body He made? Better food choices or perhaps maybe less food obsession? Less vanity or pride? More diligence and self control? Questions for all of us to wrestle with every day. My body, your body, is a present. And God held nothing back of His will when He made us. That's crazy, huh?

Thank you, Lord, for my life, my wife, family, friends, my job, my health, my body. Thank you that you've numbered my days. Whereas when I was younger that truth seemed limiting, these days it's liberating. As the years claim their increase on me, so does my dependence on you. Thank you for another year to try and live like you and love like you. Your grace amazes me. And thank you for enough health to keep fighting the good fight. Thank you that the fire you lit in my belly is still burning. Again, your grace still amazes me. Where some may think that faith grows when physical goals are achieved, my faith in you is increasing with every goal I can't reach. 

Please bless each reader; each seeker of your heart on this site. Please bless their health and the health of their loved ones. Here's to 46, Lord. You gave it to me. I'll do my best to give it back. So very Amen.

- Jimmy Peña

#46: I'm dedicating my birthday to the PrayFit 5K event on April 14th, but I need your help. For my birthday, I'm hoping 46 people will sign up for the event either to participate locally in Los Angeles or virtually from anywhere. You can walk your neighborhood solo or get some friends to join you or you can jump on the treadmill and knock it out at the gym. Can I get 46 today? Will you help me? Just click the banner below and register. I'll send you a medal, a t-shirt and please remember that every cent goes to helping kids affected by disability. That's a good birthday present.

Twice-Owned

You'll forgive the long quote, but one of my favorite authors, Tim Challies, wrote a great entry long ago, and I wanted to examine portions of it this week. Check out what he says...

"God owns your body as its Creator. He hand-crafted every bit of your DNA. David celebrates God’s good design in Psalm 139, where he says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (13-14). David’s body was actually God’s possession, carefully designed and deliberately assigned. The same is true for you—God owns your body because he created your body.

God also owns your body as its Savior. You had rebelled against God and sinfully claimed your body as your own. You decided to negate God’s claim over your body and to assert ownership of it yourself. But God drew you back from this treasonous rebellion, and as you accepted his offer of forgiveness and reconciliation, you ceded all your rights and restored proper ownership. In return, God actually took up residence within. So Paul asks, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This is why he can appeal to you and every other Christian “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). To present your body as a living sacrifice is to present everything you have and everything you are to his service, to place it all under his authority. Your body is not your own. Your body is God’s, to be cared for as he demands, to be committed to his service."

Tim encourages us that when it comes to the body we are to present it, steward it, nurture it, and employ it. This week, we're gonna peel back those layers. Is that cool? It's gonna be intense. I think we're in for a good week. Guys, I've said it before, but bodily stewardship is so complex, and this week will help stir that certain truth. Let's do this.

- Jimmy Peña