Exercise as Worship?

So often we get caught in the mindset that exercise is just a way to look good or lose a few pounds or even help lower cholesterol, blood pressure etc. Although proper exercise, nutrition and rest can do all these things, I believe that exercise serves a far greater purpose than that.

Upon realizing that God is the God of all of my being (not just spiritual things but all of me including my physical health) I began to view exercise in a whole new light. Is it possible that as I perform my squats and lunges and push ups that not only is He concerned about these things, but that He is actually delighted? In fact, I believe we are bringing God much pleasure and glory as we lift, run and sweat in the gym. I'll even go as far to say that in scope of living a proper physical life, Exercise is an active sens of worshipping our Lord through being a good steward of the body He so intricately designed.

As you think about this new idea, how does it change your view of exercise? How does it change your motivation to exercise? What about eating properly and getting the right amount of rest? Can these things also be acts of worships? I look forward to your thoughts.

Have some PIES

Last night was a great start to our Faith, Fitness and Fasting program. I hope you are feeling good today and are excited about the next 6 weeks.

As I said in addition to working out together we are going to spend some time during this Lenten season really examining our current lifesytle and determining if we are Glorifying God with our bodies.

The term PIES refers to P(physical) I(intellectual) E(emotional) S(spiritual). You'll hear me mention this over the next few weeks. PIES really represents a lifestyle that we need to strive to live on a daily basis. Since this is a Faith, FITNESS class, we'll start with the P of pies

God has blessed us with an amazing body. As the bible says, "it has been knit together" by God in our mothers womb. The bible says we were "made in the image of God" and also, "fearfully and wonderfully" made. When we keep these phrases in mind, we begin to realize the importance of taking care of our physical bodies. Not to mention the fact that how we live our physical life will have a direct effect on our emotions, mental capacity and spiritual life.

There are 3 main areas that we will discuss in our physical life -
1. Exercise,
2. Nutrition
3. Rest

Before going any further, let's get a little discussion going. Of the above components, which do you struggle with the most? Why is it tough for you? Are you glorify God in all 3 of these areas?

Post your comments below. I can't wait to hear back from you.

Fuel for the soul

Have you ever read those Chicken Soup for the Soul books. You know, they are uplifting stories that make you feel better about yourself and the world. It's a great idea and they seem to have a book or two now for every genre of people. Chicken Soup for the Mom's soul, Chicken Soup for the graduate's soul, Chicken Soup for the vegan soul (read that one again if you didn't get it). Anyway, you get my point.

Too often, we live our lives where we think of food as only for our physical bodies. However, those of us living a PIES lifestyle realize that it is also important to fuel our IES (intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual) side as well. You may not know it but you are feeding your Spirit one way or the other.

Just as we choose to eat healthy natural food or factory-made junk, we choose to feed our spirit as well. If I spend my time gossiping, thinking negative thoughts and watching tv shows that promote violence, lust and greed, I am putting "junk" into my body. However, if I concentrate on "whatever is good, whatever is pure" what a difference that can make in my life simply by changing what I'm "feeding" my spirit.

I urge you today to start keeping a Spiritual food log. Take note of your thought life, what you are watching and the conversations that you are having. Always remember the saying, "Garbage in, Garbage out"