The older I get the more I understand the need for exercise and physical fitness. My motivation is no longer about improving my outward appearance. My focus now is to stay active and be healthy as I age.

Retired law enforcement officer, Anthony Vaccarella shared with me about his health journey and concerns after retiring in 2012. Like many, his own weight and the early loss of some of his colleagues prompted Anthony to get serious about his health. Today, he continues to learn about the benefits of exercise and hard work as he does strength training and growing blueberries on the family farm in his retirement.

– Martin Johnson

What motivated you to start improving your health?

Anthony Vaccarella: After retiring as a police sergeant in New Jersey, I was a little overweight and had some health concerns. Plus a number of my fellow officers died not long after retiring from the force.

I’m sorry to hear that. As the saying goes, “A body in motion stays in motion!”

Anthony Vaccarella: Exactly, my fitness goals were to improve my quality of life. I hope others can learn from my journey to improve their health.

ANTHONY VACCARELLA’S HOME GYM

Want to workout at home? Anthony has configured a space in his basement utilizing an area near his furnace. It really doesn’t take much room to create a personal gym that is extremely functional. Build it piece by piece and feature by feature to make it adequately equipped. Here you see Anthony has installed: [1] TRX Suspension Trainer strap, [2] a hanging heavy punching bag, [3] plyometric jump platform, [4] dumbbells, [5] adjustable bench with preacher curl station, [6] barbell with plates, [A] clock, [B] several basic full length mirrors and [C] rubber flooring panels. As you build your home gym, pray and seek God about using it as a space where you and others can physically train, fellowship and grow in Christ. Go to our Garage Gym Church page to learn more and get started.

What steps are you taking to improve your health?

Anthony Vaccarella: I practice intermediate fasting and I start my mornings with a protein shake before going to the gym.

THE GOOD ROUTINE OF FITNESS

What is your favorite exercise in the gym? And what are your fitness goals?

Anthony Vaccarella: My goals are to keep my weight down and keep active. When I retired I was alternating muscle groups every other day for 5 or 6 days a week. I like doing circuits and about 2 years ago I began a program like HIIT called E2M. It is an eight week weight loss program for adults. The workouts and meal plans change weekly. I have been doing this routine for the last two years and it’s great.

I’m not familiar with the program. Can you share more about it?

Anthony Vaccarella: Its three days of HIIT and three days of lifting with cardio every day. You choose five exercises (things like mountain climbers, jumping jacks, dumbbell swings with squats) for a minute nonstop. The workouts are posted on-line and change weekly. You can do the circuit workouts on-line with a trainer or on your own. Then you can do “extra credit” workouts you can do if you want to push yourself. You just keep going.

You shared with me earlier that you model your exercise after the growing seasons of farming. What has farming taught you about your faith and health journeys?

COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY = BETTER HEALTH AND DEEPER FAITH

Anthony Vaccarella: We need to form good habits and walk with the Lord. I tell everyone it takes two things, commitment, and consistency. You don’t always see the fruit of your work immediately; it takes time before the work pays off.

It sounds like with journeys of faith, we have to keep believing and going even if we don’t see the fruit of our labor.

Anthony Vaccarella: That’s exactly right. Even in farming, the planting season takes more work, effort, and time than the harvest season.

Share about your experience with blueberries and farming.

Anthony Vaccarella: Even before retirement, I worked on our family blueberry farm in between policing shifts and on vacation time. That’s when I learned the importance of staying active.

I’m impressed, because law enforcement itself is physically demanding, then adding the physical labor of farming is pushing it.

Anthony Vaccarella: It was and I only got through it by the grace of God. Farming has taught me a lot about my faith.

Those who read the bible are familiar with the verse that talks about having faith of a mustard seed. God doesn’t require for us to have “big” faith. We talk about how God can move in our lives even when our faith is as small as a mustard seed. Blueberries are tiny with even smaller seeds. Yet they are some of the most powerful fruits we can eat, because of their health benefits.

Anthony Vaccarella: That is so true, each blueberry has about 20 seeds in them and we don’t even notice them. I can live off of blueberries.

0h, to have the faith of a blueberry!

MAN DOES NOT LIVE BY BLUEBERRIES ALONE

Ok the real Bible proverb says, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God.” It’s wise instruction that food alone doesn’t fully sustain us. We have spiritual needs that require a healthy diet of Bible reading done frequently.

You can bet that meal prep at the Vaccarella home includes a wide range of healthy foods including a few more blueberries than most of us might have. Making a meal may be a primary role and ministry of one member of a household. However it can be a rich time of conversation, cooperation and celebrating the richness of life in Christ when breakfast, lunch or dinner are prepared together as a couple or as a family.

Being healthy is just as much inward as it is external. All we need is to have the faith of a blueberry to help us be consistent and committed!

In this article I’ve focused on Anthony’s fitness lifestyle. Now, learn more about the blueberry farming he and his family does in the companion article, A Legacy Of Faith And Fruit, published in ripen – a gardening lifestyle magazine.

QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION OR SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

1. What actions can you take to remain consistent and committed to both your spiritual and physical health?
2. What does consistency mean to you?
3. What is God showing you about your faith life?
4. How healthy is your inner life?
5. How much faith do you need to make lasting changes in your life?

The post Better Health, Deeper Faith – Anthony Vaccarella appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

Since it was 2013 when we first did the story A Pillar Of Fired-Up Muscle Ready To Help You Feel The Burn and 2017 when contributor Martin Johnson talked with Michael in Play Hard Rock – Workout Hardcore, we thought it was high time to put this guy on the cover and catch up with him. We’re glad we did because while building muscle, training people and good music may be some of the most visible and obvious aspects of his life, it is Christ at the center of his daily lifestyle that leads him and his family into greater works.

GOD WORKS HOPE

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned in my 46+ years of life is that there is always HOPE with Jesus. I went through a dark time about 12 years ago, but I see now I’ve been able to use that experience to share the gift of hope. God didn’t create that dark time, but He used it for good so that I could help others.

My wife and I separated for a short time and back then I really believed our marriage was beyond repair. I remember thinking it was utterly ‘hopeless’. A good friend of mine sat down with me and told me there is always hope with God. At that moment I didn’t believe that was true.

Oh, I believed in God, but failed to see how my marriage could be repaired at that point. I am here to tell you all that in Christ ALL things are possible. My marriage was restored. I have been able to share my story with many men through the years and encourage them that there is always hope with God.

GOD WORKS PASSION, CONSISTENCY AND BALANCE

When I list my fitness credentials it almost sounds like I’m bragging, but I’m not. I just really love helping others being their best, and I’ve really jumped into all things fitness with a singular focus.

I am an ISSA internationally recognized trainer, 10x Natural Pro Fitness Champion, Master World Champion, Natural Olympia Master Champion, 9x cover model [Make that 10 now with Faith & Fitness Magazine!], published articles featured in 50+ magazines, and published over 12 books.

My passion for fitness started back when I was 15 years old when I was so skinny I was embarrassed to go swimming with my friends or change in a locker room. My dad bought me a gray Weider bench with red pinstripes, and these gold plated weights along with Arnold Schwarzeneger’s Encyclopedia.

While I’ve had periods of inactivity through the many years since, I have never really turned back on fitness. There has always been something about the art of discipline and consistency that I connect with in my soul.

During my 20’s my friends and I started touring the world in our Christian rock band Pillar. Even then we carried a bench and weights under the bus to workout before shows. Our bus eventually had a permanent lean to one side because of all the extra weights.

Once we stopped touring, because of all the kids we had, I leaned into my longtime passion of fitness and started building a new career in my mid-thirties. I haven’t missed a workout since and have had the honor to help thousands of people world-wide get healthy.

I have never been the strongest or have I had the best physique, but what I am extremely good at is being consistent. Consistency over the years has helped me make exercise and healthy eating a lifestyle. What I hope to help people with the most when it comes to their health is making it a consistent lifestyle. When they learn to make it a lifestyle they can be their best selves.

A healthy person can be a better partner, parent, worker, and friend. Individuals will often feel selfish taking out 30-60 minutes to do exercise when their loved ones need their attention, but I am here to tell you that taking that hour will make you better and more productive at everything else in life.

I am also a big believer in balance. While I am a recognized health coach and certified nutritionist, I also love donuts and pizza among other tasty things. If you are exercising and eating healthy most of the time you can also enjoy your favorites. But balance to me is also not allowing health and fitness to completely consume one’s life. We need to make ourselves available and flexible to be available and attentive to our family and friends.

Motivation will come and go. Understand this from the start. There will be some days you absolutely don’t feel like moving. This is when being consistent is the most important. Do what is necessary especially when you don’t feel like it. Do the right thing. You can see how fitness greatly parallels our spiritual life.

GOD WORKS IN US THROUGH FAITHFULNESS AND PRAYER

I personally feel that my life is a gift. I was spared death at an early age to do great things for God and to help other people. Because of this I also feel it’s my duty to stay healthy so I can continue to be there for my family and do the work God has planned for me. Being a father of four children (Kaden 18, Kyler 16, and twins Kinely and Kennedie both 12) I also want to lead by example and leave a legacy of health for generations of my family.

My kids watch what I do and hopefully they will take some of what I do into their adulthood. Then their kids will learn from them. What we do now can affect generations of our family to come. The same is true about our walk with God. Our children will benefit their entire lives going to church with us and praying together.

I also take my exercise and healthy eating seriously because I want to be around for my children for many years to come. I was raised by my grandparents and my grandpa (dad) passed away when I was only 16 and my grandma (mom) passed about 12 years ago both from heart disease. I know we are all eventually going to die and oftentimes that time is out of our control, but if I can work now to be around for my family longer I am going to do it.

I don’t just want to be present, but be active and have fun with my family as I age. These are my main driving forces, my personal ‘whys’.

While I am very regimented with my exercise and meal planning, being as intentional with my spiritual life is something I am always working to improve. Just like I don’t like missing a workout, my family and I try not to miss church. This is the same with my personal prayer life. It’s too easy to get so busy we forget to take out even 5 minutes daily to pray. This is something I am always working to do better.

Recently we went through a very tough time with a family member. I am going to keep the details private, but it was very painful. During this time my wife and I prayed and pleaded with God daily. During this time I had the thought of how well we pray when there is trouble, but when things are going great how easy it is to let the practice slip. Daily prayer is no different than daily exercise, you just do it. When I hit a workout I almost skipped, I feel great afterwards. It’s the same when you take the time to talk with God.

WHAT WORKS FOR WITTIG AND HOW HE WORKS HARD AT IT

1. Training Consistently: While I always give every workout my best, there are days I’m tired or just don’t feel like it. During those times I am a believer of doing what is necessary especially when I don’t feel like it. Doing your best and being consistent is way more important than being perfect.
2. Nutrition Planning: I always know what I will eat the next day before going to bed. Backing up, this all starts with my family having an ongoing shopping list so I never run out of my healthy essentials. If my schedule is different one day because of acting or travel I plan ahead and bring what I need. Do today what will help you tomorrow. 
3. My Prayer Life: I realized it’s too easy for us to slow down our praying when everything is going smoothly. I’ve allowed this to happen. So nowadays I’ve been working to build the new habit of praying the second I get into my car and drive to the gym. Even if there is a great song on the radio I turn that volume down and talk with God. 
4. Managing My Time: I started getting extremely early in the mornings around 4 years ago. I’m talking 4am early! I did this to carve out new unused time to work on a specific program for 1 hour each morning before the family woke up. I sacrificed and did this so I wouldn’t have to cut into family time to pursue this new program which was writing for fitness magazines. Currently I wake up to go to the gym at 4am for the same reason. My goal is to get back right before the kids get up to make them breakfast and get them out the door for schedule. 
5. Career Building: I have been blessed to have successful careers in music, fitness, modeling and acting. Some of the principles that have helped me in all these careers include: Being kind to others, doing more than is asked of me, doing everything with excellence, and helping others succeed.
6. Being the Best Dad I Can Be: I am where I am today because of the amazing support my parents gave me when I was younger. They helped me pursue music which ended up working out very well. I try to be as supportive and helpful to my kids as possible when it comes to their dreams. My son Kaden wants to be a film director so I got into acting to help him navigate that world and make contacts. But one of the things I realized I was terrible at was being on my phone too much. It’s a work in progress, but now I try to make a point of putting my phone down when my kids are talking to me. These are moments I will not want to miss. I hear such great stories especially from my younger twin girls.

MUSIC THAT WORKS FOR MICHAEL

Here is one of Michael’s favorite songs from his band Pillar that he listens to during his workout. We thought you might like to take it to your gym the next time you lift.

The post Michael Wittig Has Found What Works And Works Hard At It appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

The post Muscle Up With Rebecca Shingledecker – VIDEO appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

Life for Rebecca has been way too intense. For many people, what she’s experienced would be a total attitude adjustment of the worst kind – a workout that would beat you up day after day until you couldn’t take it anymore – wouldn’t want to take it anymore.

Her story is the last thing she desired but it’s brought her to a place where she can bravely say, “I’ll continue the grief journey and see what God has for me.”

I’M NOT NEW TO EXTREME

Having done several marathon races Rebecca started Crossfit in the spring of 2017. She’s been an EMT and is a self-described adrenaline junkie. So when she learned that her stabbing headaches were a result of a brain tumor she wasn’t one to break down and cry. She’s stubborn. She was determined to not let it define her but instead beat it.

By the grace and strength of God along with the support of her family and friends that’s exactly what she did. The road to recovery took time and along the way her story has inspired others, particularly within the Crossfit community to have hope. But her story doesn’t end there. The happy ending of surviving a brain tumor would soon be overshadowed by a more profound and darker tragedy.

Her story is far more than a nice pretty faith and fitness story. She wants to help you examine what it means to let God fully stretch your desire. You’ll see just how far you can go and how strong in Christ you can be when you say, #iwantgod.

How important is it really to set a new PR, lose weight, build muscle, win or just simply be ‘liked’? Rebecca’s personal life story will both minister to you and challenge you to dig deep and consider what is and could be driving your desires. You’ll want to watch the video above BUT if you’re on the way to the gym or CrossFit box, prepping a meal, doing cardio, or simply chilling then we have this AUDIO version just for you.

The post Muscle Up With Rebecca Shingledecker appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

Holy Communion and Fitness are not traditional or immediately compatible partners. The tradition of sharing Holy Communion is focused on Jesus, an exclusive personal relationship and intimate practice of Praise and Worship.  Sports and Fitness can be idol worship, elevating the self or activity above Jesus thus removing the possibility of worship. 

However, if practiced by making a conscious decision, with accountability, community and prayer sports and fitness can be practiced reverently without conflict to the practice of Worship. It can become the practice of spiritual adoration and holy reflections upon Jesus Christ intertwining the physical body and blood with the physical body and practice of honoring God to use the body God has given you to worship God. That in union with Christ any form of participation in sports and fitness can be a practice of spiritual adoration, Praise and Worship and Prayer if practiced safely, securely and in community with other like minded Christians.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

In response to the articles question, are Communion and Fitness compatible, Doctor Greg Linville described some excellent suggestions for how Holy Communion and Fitness could be practiced. 

Linville (2020) made the following four suggestions which the author of this paper approves for further research.

1. Don’t be bound by tradition…dream, create, lead…create new models.
2. Don’t be bound by “the way it’s always been done.”
3. Go in confidence that the traditional formal eucharist (partaking of bread & wine/juice) is great and should be partaken in but the spirit of the Eucharist can open many new ways of engagement…such as expanding the bread & wine/juice to a full meal and extended time of fellowship, teaching, prayer.  
4. Also perhaps an evening/afternoon begins with a sporting/exercise activity and then proceeds with a “Lord’s supper” communion (Linville, 2020).

It is in these areas that further research and study should be completed to gain further insight into how a religious service could be practiced alongside a sports or fitness based activity. 

For the original full-length report go to Tim’s Free & Fit website.

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A lot of times a “small” group is considered… well, small! In some cases it’s little more than small talk, delivering small value and outcomes and certainly way too small to be God-sized. Matt Chastain thinks differently and he wants you to see his movie so you can discover the limitless capacity your small group has to do a really good work. Unlike (lead actor) Sterling Hurst’s biceps this movie doesn’t have a big agenda. It’s simply a great movie that takes viewers on an unexpected, fun ride that reflects Christ.

Listen to the conversation below as we discuss the movie. After you listen to Matt share here in Faith & Fitness Magazine and watch the movie (including at least once with your small group) I think you’ll  discover how it can help you do your small group better. Small faith-centered groups, particularly when part of a recurring fitness activity can strengthen individuals and shape communities. This movie offers a compelling perspective into what small church groups often look like. We invite you to grow your small group into – – – exactly what Jesus Christ intends it to be. Get a front row seat to the future of a totally fit church.

“SMALL GROUP THE MOVIE defies the expectations many have for faith films,” said writer and director Matt Chastain, who also stars. ““I got the idea from my own experience in a small group. The less formal, more real and raw nature of small group culture just lends itself to more genuine storytelling that tends to be a bit of a surprise and a huge relief to viewers who are a bit skeptical of the genre.”

Documentary filmmaker R. Scott Cooper moves his family from Los Angeles to Athens, Georgia, after being hired to make a film about the dwindling influence of Christianity in America. Upon arrival, he learns that his producer, Ballard, intends to make a cheap hit piece rather than an objective documentary. Scott turns the job down to protect his journalistic integrity, but financial difficulties force him to negotiate with Ballard, who deceives Scott into believing that he will, in fact, tell an honest story.

To dive deeper than a public worship service will allow, Scott and his wife, Mary, infiltrate a small group at a local church, finding a group of imperfect people doing their best to live for Christ. As the Coopers’

SMALL GROUP ‘FITNESS’?

Should the church, both on an organizational level and as individual Christians be doing fitness? YES! Listen to my conversation with Matt Chastain above as I ask him to share more about incorporating the story element of the movie’s character Mary Cooper having a passion for yoga and opening her own yoga studio.  He does a nice job of showing how one spouse can support the other in making a fitness passion an entrepreneurial venture and how a small group can be supportive toward it having community impact for Christ.

So, is Chastain a regular in the yoga studio? Ummm, no! But, he does like to get active in other ways both at the gym and home. He sent us a couple of videos that he has on his phone to share with Faith & Fitness Magazine readers. Looks like he’s got heavy lifting in the bag and certainly makes a splash as dad. Thanks Matt for illustrating that when you do small group wellness as Amia Freeman says, you “go small to go big.” CONTACT US for help in doing faith-centered small group fitness in your community.

Get Small Group The Movie

The post Is Your Small Group Like Small Group The Movie? appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

FRANCO’S STORY

Franco Santoriello was considered one of the top bodybuilders in the world in the early 90’s.

He was on the cover of muscle magazines back then but now heads Jack’dup4Jesus, a ministry that uses body-building to bring people to Jesus.  Franco grew up as a tough kid from South Indiana, and his first sports interest as a teenager was football.

“My max bench press was 495, I could squat 740 and curl 90 pound dumbells.” The result of total power and pure devotion – physically. Today Franco goes harder for a much greater strength, “150 percent total dependency on God!”

‘My dad and I had a dream of me becoming a football star so I trained intensely in the weight room early on’.  When Franco was 15 years old his father left home leaving a void in his heart and his football dreams came to an end.  Franco soon turned to drugs and escalated his use for several years.  He entered his first bodybuilding contest and went on to win Mr. Teenage USA when he was 18 years old.

Watch Faith & Fitness Magazine’s interview with Franco Santoriello hosted by Shawn Maves.

PRO CAREER

Franco went on to win the 1989 NPC Men’s Nationals light-heavy weight class in Miami to earn his pro card.  He also signed a big contract with Cybergenics, a leading supplement company at the time.  Franco was featured on TV advertisements on ESPN and magazine covers for Muscle Mag, Muscular Development, Ironman as well as many European media outlets.

Franco admits to the use of anabolics ‘but only a fraction of what other pros were using”, he told me.  In my exclusive video interview above for Faith & Fitness Magazine he mentions “I never used GH but a close friend of mine died because it”.

Franco owes much of his success to his relentless intensity in the gym and John Parillo’s training system and nutrition. In the Faith & Fitness Magazine interview, Franco recalls his strength: “My max bench press was 495, I could squat 740, curl 90 pound dumbells for 6 reps and military press behind the neck 315 x 6 reps”.

Franco continued to enter pro contests until his last one at the Night of Champions in 1995.  Just before that he was introduced to heroin by a pro wrestler he was training with.  Later that year Franco had an overdose that sent him to the emergency room clinically dead, but God spared his life and the doctors were able to revive him.

DRUGS and ADDICTION

What started as an experiment with marijuana and alcohol ealier in high school turned into a full out drug addiction by age of 30. After using cocktails of drugs from pain pills, cocaine, crack, heroin and crystal meth, Franco faced death a second time when he survived a widowmaker heart attack.

PRISON

In 2011 Franco was convicted for charges of a hit and run incident and drug warrants in Ohio.  He started a 3 year sentence at a Correctional Facility in Caldwell, Ohio.  After a few months in prison Franco remembers thinking “I can’t do this”.  He started to get suicidal thoughts, “Being dead seemed like a far better option than being alive. I knew I had the better part of three years left to serve…”

In his prison cell he recalled all the crushed lives and broken relationships, and all the people he hurt, compounding his guilt, shame and pain.  Franco cried out in surrender to Jesus Christ to be Lord and Saviour.  God was right there in the storm.  The God of the Bible is the God of the second chance, the God of the reversal and that’s exactly what started to happen in Franco’s life: a reversal.

NEW GOALS, NEW LIFE

Franco’s new life in Christ started in prison.  His tortured soul was set free long before being physically released from prison.  He no longer had suicidal thoughts and found purpose as he started to daily read his Bible right there in his prison cell.  He began working out again and soon Franco was using his platform to minister to other inmates.

“Nine months later, I was running that prison,” he says. “I was doing workouts four hours long. I had everybody in the prison wanting to work out with me. I was running fitness programs and Bible studies.   When Franco was released from prison, he didn’t go back to his addictions and old ways like many others do.

Franco’s story illustrates that God always has a plan for us and no matter how far we’ve gone it’s never too late to make a U-turn.

After surrendering his life to Christ in prison, Franco found his real purpose in life in serving others.  “We need to pray like it totally depends on God and work like it totally depends on you. 150 percent total dependency on our God/Jesus and very hard work is a winning recipe for success”, Franco says.

A BETTER KIND OF GRIPP

There’s a lot in the past – a lot that God has put behind Franco. Drugs and alcohol addiction, prison, selfishness and even the all-consuming behaviors of bodybuilding. Sin has a way of holding you in it’s grip but God has a much stronger grip on your life.

Santoriello is now back in prison and the gym – BUT in a very different way. He’s praying for people, sharing his life story and by training with others who are passionate about bodybuilding he is helping them discover what it means to draw on the total power of God and have pure devotion to the compassionate and hope filled work of Christ.

In addition to his autobiography, Before and After, his second book is in production. This book is a powerful new tool to help people grow in faith in Christ Jesus. It is titled GRIPP and is a 5-point discipleship program for use in prisons, gyms and the military. You’ll find it available on his website for individual and group study.

Franco has been featured in many interviews and articles. Watch the dramatic telling of his story as it appeared on CBN’s The 700 Club.

GREATEST AMONG YOU IS YOUR SERVANT

Franco still trains hard at the gym and gives fitness advice, but he says he wouldn’t trade his life now for  his former fame of being a top Bodybuilder.  “There’s no way in the world I would give up what I have today.  I’m newly married 5 years ago… I have a beautiful baby, we have a business, we have a ministry, we’re doing Kingdom work.  We have lives of purpose.  Our life is serving the King [Jesus], reaching out to broken people and seeing lives restored.”

The disciples once asked Jesus who would be the greatest, and Jesus answered ‘the greatest among you is your servant.  Franco also shows us pure religion in action.  Some day Jesus will ask us when we get to heaven: When I was hungry, did you feed me? When I was sick and in prison, did you visit me? Franco and others are following those commands from God.

Our life is serving the King. There’s no way in the world I would give up what I have today.

Franco sums the Christian life this way: ‘Hard work, consistency and discipline with the Word of God [Bible], worship and prayer with acts of love and service make for an excellent child of God/ Christian”.

Be sure to watch our exclusive interview with Franco hosted by Shawn Maves.

Franco Santoriello is featured on the cover of the October/November 2020 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine. To connect with him directly go to his website: Jack’d Up 4 Jesus.

The post Franco Santoriello – Total Power, Pure Devotion appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

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By Brad Bloom, Publisher

Get your summer refreshment right here! The days are long, the sun shines bright, and life is in full growth. This is the perfect time to explore and even max out your God-given potential. Go ahead and discover just how active you can be and how good that can feel. Then get alone with God to pray and meditate on His words of  biblical wisdom and personal counsel. Breathe deep and est in the shade of a cool outdoor breeze, hydrate with flavor and take time for some rich fellowship with family and friends. This is true fitness infused with faith.

Each day we invite you to dig into the resources below. The content, music, videos and more are carefully crafted and hand picked to help you enjoy yourself and create for others hours of summer celebration.  CONTACT US and let us know how it goes. Post your own personal pics and include the hashtag #summercelebration

Summer Chef Saladbration

NUTRITION: 3 Chefs – 3 Salads – 3 Ways To Celebrate Summer. Chef Anthony Jordan brings his fellow chefs together at the Lord’s Gym in Cincinnati, Ohio for a flavorful party for the gym members. Now, you can make all three of these summer favorites and have your own Saladbration!

7 SUMMER WORKOUTS THAT ARE FUN

TRAINING/FAMILY FITNESS: Dave Prowitz says, “I’m not a big fan of traditional workouts, so I’ve had to get a little creative in findng activities that help to keep me in shape.” Here are 7 fun outdoor activities you can do to train stronger and experience God’s creation with your family and friends.

SPARKLING FRUIT SMOOTHIE

NUTRITION: Smoothies are a great way to pack a generous portion of fruit and veggies into one refreshing snack. For breakfast, after an outdoor workout or whenever you want some wholesome nutrition, smoothies are the “cool” way to have a summer celebration!

MUSIC: CELEBRATION BY RAZE

VIDEO: FAITH & FITNESS MAGAZINE KIDS! EPISODE 1

The post Summer Celebration appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.

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Interview with Dr. Richard Scott By Jeremy James

NOTE FROM JEREMY JAMES: Richard Scott is a family doctor in the city of Margate in the United Kingdom. Faith & Fitness Magazine asked me to speak with him and share his story because he brings his wellness vocation together with the Christian faith, which ultimately has an influence in culture. He actually prays with his clients, which is an amazing thing. He brings Jesus into the whole realm of the medical world. It is an example that all Christians active in fitness, wellness, sport or other aspects of physical life could learn and grow from.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Our interview with Dr. Scott is featured in our Faith and Fitness Culture department because he offers a very important and insightful narrative into how the Christian faith can be generously and graciously lived to bring a positive influence in human culture. Being faithful to God in vocation and through relationships with others is a reasonable calling, self-expectation, and human character quality that adds value, health and strength to all who experience it. Feature photo, library photo and beach photo Copyright Jeremy James. Used by permission.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: Why did you become a doctor?

Dr. Richard Scott: Thank you. I had an operation when I was fourteen. That was 1974. Around that time I was wondering whether to do biology at school. I woke up from this operation on my neck to see an absolutely gorgeous nurse and I thought that was the prod from God to say, “I want you to do biology rather than other subjects.” Maybe that’s what I needed to go into medicine. It sounds a bit corny. But God works in mysterious ways. I am delighted He did. I had just become a Christian at that point.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: So, why are you adding ‘prayer’ to your medical consultancy?

Dr. Richard Scott: Well I had become a Christian. I had walked away at twenty-six. I had come back and worked abroad as a doctor, as a medical missionary but never really shared my faith much. Even abroad as a surgeon operating on people, I was praying before operations, sharing my faith with staff but not really [with] patients.

I came back [at age] thirty-five and discovered Alpha. During week 7 I was sharing Alpha with other people. I suddenly realized that Nicky Gumbel was talking to ME.

WIKIPEDIA: Nicky Gumbel, is an English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions. He is known as the developer of the Alpha Course, a basic 10/11-week introduction to Christianity supported by churches of many Christian traditions.

So I made a decision. I did a pact with the Lord, “I will share my faith with patients, [those whom] I suspect it helps.” [Ultimately over the course of a] whole year I only spoke to two patients about the Lord. Not much happened but the sky didn’t cave in.

I was a Trainee GP (General Practitioner) Family Doctor at that stage. My pact with the Lord was this: put me in a Christian practice with other Christian doctors and I will really go for this.

So, he moved me to Margate on the coast, which was another prayer answered and I began to [share]. Drug addicts often end up on the coast in very poor places. [So] all these drug addicts came in my room. I discovered they were coming out of prison. The government would give them £46 and they would meet somebody unsuitable who would help them to spend their £46 on drugs. They would run out of money, rob the local supermarket, get stoned, get pulled up by the police and go back to jail. This was their revolving circle.

It [occurred to me], “Alpha has helped me – I’ll offer them Alpha.” So I did and my well-meaning Christian medical colleagues said, “They won’t come. It’s a course for the middle class.”

I began to introduce these drug addicts to Alpha and some came. In fact, if you [were to] come to our church now, [you could meet] the lead guitarist a [former] heroine addict [who had] been to prison nine times until he discovered God through Alpha. No more prison; no more heroin.

[You could also meet] James, our second guitarist. I had to see him at home as a doctor. I had to climb over the cans of beer, through which he was working his way. Since he has come to Christ, alcohol has been kicked into touch. He worships the Lord and leads the rest of us.

I made a decision. I will share my faith.

I began to see that faith in God really changes lives. So I began to offer it to other people: the depressed, anxious, people with bitterness and people with anger, which is hugely common in our area. I offered it to the homeless and anyone with mental health problems in any way and I saw lives change.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: So it seems that by praying for people you come up against some obstacles. Why would you risk your career for prayer?

Dr. Richard Scott: I started as a General Practitioner, Family Doctor in 1998. Over the next twelve years I had maybe six or seven minor written complaints because not everybody, not every patient is happy to have God presented to them as an option in clinics.

So, say somebody comes with depression? I will always do the standard medical stuff first. Do they need antidepressants? Do they need counseling? Then I will offer something which I think is much more important than all of these, which is faith in God.

It is always an offer – people can turn it down. I had a few complaints over the years out of literally thousands of consultations involving God.

I knew that one day I might get a big complaint. Sure enough, in 2010 I got the mother and father of all complaints! I went before my main professional body called the General Medical Council. I took them on knowing that I would probably lose because I wanted to emphasize that doctors should be able to share their faith because it helps.

So, when I went to see them in their court, as it were, I brought two of my drug addicts with me. They weren’t allowed to speak but they were there backing up the hundreds of statements I had from patients that God had helped them in clinic.

I had seen much good [achieved] so I could take it on the chin knowing that not everybody would be delighted. [When] you read the gospels; many of the disciples were killed for their faith. Jesus was on a cross which was deliberate from his point of view, but also because it just reflected how not everybody will sign up to [embrace] Christianity.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: Well done for that but if you were told, you cannot pray anymore with patients, what would you do?

Dr. Richard Scott: Well, first of all, I wasn’t told that. The General Medical Council warned me in 2010 that, if I had another spiritual complaint reaching them in the next 5 years then I would be in real trouble, probably lose my job. I just gave that to the Lord, you know, the Lord can cope with that.

If someone said to me, you can’t pray, I will pray anyway. Ultimately what doctors and other Christians have to know is who the boss. I ask them, “When we get to the Pearly Gates, who opens the door?” It’s not the General Medical Council, the General, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the OFSTED for schools [or anyone else]. It is Jesus.

We shouldn’t have fear of man. The Bible makes that clear, do not fear man, only Him who has power over our souls – God himself. So, if somebody said to me, you cannot pray, well I’m afraid that is not in line with the Gospels. Whilst we try to remain in the law, so to speak, we can only do that if it is in line with God’s word.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: Fantastic! Can I ask, can you give testimony of praying with people and how much healing and prayers you have seen answered?

Dr. Richard Scott: Absolutely. I have had a whole range of prayers answered. I can give you some financial ones. I remember when I first discovered the power of supernatural prayer. I came back from Africa, working in Tanzania, running mission hospitals in 1995. I had said to the Tanzanian looking after the hospital, whatever you do, don’t order drugs from England; order it through me, I will look at your bank account and, you know, as long as we have money in the account you can have your medicines. Within a month everything goes wrong. He orders drugs straight from England and I get a £4,200 bill.

At that point, my wife is about to have our third baby, so she’s not working. I’m living with my father-in-law who is dying of cancer. Suddenly I get this bill, which I cannot pay. I thought oh my, this is a real problem. So I sat down with my wife Heather and prayed, “Lord help us, [with this need for] £4,200.” Two days later, having not mentioned it to anybody, I got a check in the post from some Monks I didn’t know for the full £4,200! I thought, “That is a supernatural result of prayer. That is very exciting!” I’ve seen God work in terms of money and I’ve seen God work in terms of patients.

I had a patient come to see me and she was desperate. Her whole-life had fallen apart. Her husband had died. Her parents had disowned her. She was owed seventeen months of benefits and was about to go to court the next week. I said, okay; let’s pray for this. Two weeks later she told me, “I got everything I asked for. “

This is WHY we pray; it absolutely changes lives.

I’ve also seen patients not go to prison through prayer. Drug addicts who were about to go to court for steeling. I prayed out of God’s mercy they would get a community sentence, rather than being incarcerated; both of them were. That led them to at least some knowledge that God is powerful.

I have seen prayers for healing answered. I could tell you loads but I will give you just one. A friend of mine in my church, a District Nurse went to see a patient – an old lady who was blind. The lady wouldn’t let her in the door. So, all my nurse friend could do was ask, “Can I pray for you?” She said, “Yes, I would like you to pray that I can see enough to get my affairs in order before I die.”

Six weeks later my nurse friend returned to see this lady. When she got to the house gate she looked up and there was the lady reading a book on her porch. My friend took her to see an ophthalmologist, who said, “this lady was blind but now she can see and I have had no part to play in this”. I have come across many, many, many, healings over the years as a result of prayer.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: That’s great.

Dr. Richard Scott: My wife prays for infertile couples. She has seen at least four rapidly become pregnant when infertility treatment wasn’t working. She also has a particular ministry with those who have lung cancer. This type of cancer usually kills people rapidly. She prayed with a lady on treatment and the lung cancer has shrunk. This is what we see and it’s absolutely fantastic.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: What do you tell people who ask why we should pray?

Dr. Richard Scott: Let me share this example. I had a lady I prayed for last year. She had a terrible scan result. She had, what seemed to be malignant cancer throughout her body and her biggest fear was that her ex-husband would get her children when she died. That was her biggest fear.

I said to her when I got the result, “Bring your best friend.” I said, look, this result looks like it is cancer everywhere but if you agree, I will pray this isn’t cancer. It looks like cancer but I am going to pray this is not cancer.

So I prayed. She had her spleen out; she had bone biopsies. All the experts were sure it was cancer but they couldn’t find cancer anywhere. It came up with a very unusual diagnosis of benign vascular tumors throughout her body. There are only 50 cases of this worldwide known to man.

Now, I didn’t ask for this lady to be cured; I simply asked that it wouldn’t be cancer and she was delighted – that is how it turned out to be.

This is WHY we pray; it absolutely changes lives.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: Earlier we discussed what led to a BBC report in 2011 that you were warned for having faith discussions. More recently in 2020 The Guardian reported that there was “fresh scrutiny” over you initiating conversations. Share more about that.

Dr. Richard Scott: So I ran into trouble recently with the General Medical Council again in January 2020, after I did an interview on Radio 4 on behalf of Christian Concern, Christian Lawyers who support people like myself who run into trouble for their faith. I talked about how I prayed for patients and brought in Jesus into consultations. The National Secular Society in England and Wales complained. It came to the General Medical Council who has given me a lot of grief since then. But, what they failed to properly consider is the good that prayer does. Prayer changes lives. Not everybody likes it and that is up to him or her. But the fact is that patients are desperate.

People say, “I’m desperate”. Without being rude I ask, “You have no idea what to do, do you? That is why you have come to see me.” They say, “I have got no idea; I need help.” From there we proceed. Medicine does not have all the answers; it can help. Tablets can help and counseling can help but Jesus has all the answers.

I had a patient come to see me and said, “I’m like a sheep without a shepherd.” If that is not an entree to the gospel, I don’t know what is! As a Christian if I do not offer Jesus, what am I doing? What are we doing?

Of course, there are places for medicines. I have had ten operations myself for cancer and other operations on my body. I’m very grateful for medicine and surgery. But Jesus changes lives. Operations don’t transform our hearts.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: How would you encourage other health care and wellness professionals like personal trainers or nutritionists to pray for their clients?

Dr. Richard Scott: Yes, absolutely every Christian professional can do this: personal trainers, doctors, nurses, students, occupational therapists, physios, whoever you are share your faith because it is the most precious thing we have.

I learned that as a medical missionary traveling abroad. I used to think that the most important thing was keeping the body alive. I was a surgeon. I operated on people and did my best. I realized that as a doctor, I might be able to keep someone alive until they are 100 by managing their blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and more. I’d be identified as a really good doctor. But, if that person doesn’t know Jesus, dies and goes to hell; that is a bad result not a good result In fact that it’s a disaster.

For Christian it’s not good enough to only achieve physical outcomes, maintain professional soundness and success and justify our salary. We need to share our faith otherwise people die without Jesus.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: How could the church better help the health care of people by using faith as a preventative measure?

Dr. Richard Scott: Anxiety and depression are common conditions that doctors, wellness providers and churches all regularly address. Most people even Christians assume that the answer to these rather complex conditions are primarily medical. You know, do you need counseling? Do you need antidepressants? Certainly these things can help. But the Bible counsels us to not be anxious about anything but instead talk with God and listen to Him. Though that we gain the greater peace we need that can’t be achieved through medicine or human wisdom.

Instead of worrying, pray. Keep to the script, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. –Bible

What I’m saying is that people need to realize that all of life including the biggest issues we have need to be laid at the foot of the cross and given with anticipation to God. Jesus has the answers! The church (every Christian) should be teaching people to give their problems to God first.

We are not saying that doctors, counselors and physical therapists can’t help; of course they can. But don’t forget to bring your stuff to God first. Often we use God as a last resort; that is daft. We should be going to Him daily as part of our lifestyle routine and certainly as a first preventative measure in our own health care. He might well say to us, yes, go see your doctor.

Let me better illustrate this for you. An evangelist friend of mine developed diabetes needing insulin treatment. He thought, “Well, I am a Christian, I don’t need to take my medicines.” He stopped taking insulin and six weeks later ended up in intensive care. As he was recovering God said to him, “Listen, take your insulin and I will look after you. I haven’t told you, I will heal you from diabetes. I will use doctors to keep you alive, but I will look after you in other ways.” He then lived for many more years, sharing faith and doing the wonderful work of an evangelist.

God didn’t say; stop your medicines in that particular case. He does for other people. He can heal them completely as Jesus did with leprosy. [However] In many instances God uses doctors to help. All healing comes from God including through doctors or physical therapists, physiotherapists, personal trainers and more.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: No that is a miracle.

Dr. Richard Scott: That is supernatural.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: Beyond healing (the care and treatment) should the church teach more about health and fitness – “prevention”? How can Christians help people to better care for the body God has given to them?

Dr. Richard Scott: Yes, Paul in the Bible says there is some value to physical fitness. He goes on to say that the most important thing is our spiritual fitness. But, he isn’t saying there is no value to practicing good physical fitness. Our body is the physical dwelling place of our spirit. When we neglect or abuse our body, then our spirit may not fully tap into the miraculous grace and glory of God’s spirit. So I think the church (everyone who identifies as a Christian) should absolutely (with a faith-centered perspective) teach more, on self-care, physically, mentally, as well as spiritually.

Faith & Fitness Magazine: For many people when it comes to healthcare the preventative thing is not really happening for them. Do you think there is a way a transformative mindset can be better shared through medical teams, hospitals and things?

Dr. Richard Scott: I think so but I would start earlier in schools. I think we need to have better health education in schools. Of course, I would love for there to be a spiritual perspective shared but that might be difficult in schools nowadays. But the fact is we should certainly be starting in schools so that people are more informed.

As a doctor I don’t neglect standard Western medicine. I offer an extra beyond that with the spiritual care and it is allowed within what I do. The General Medical Council says that doctors shouldn’t share their faith unless the patient has previously indicated a desire to do so. But of course a patient can’t indicate a desire unless you offer it to them.

This [spiritual care] is always an offer. Say you come to me and you have recurrent tonsillitis. I might say, “My advice would that in addition to antibiotics, I think you should have your tonsils removed.” If the patient says, “I don’t want surgery”, that is fine – that is his or her decision. It’s the same with offering faith.

My experience is that most people would say, “Yes, what is it you have to offer? I want to know?” Most people are very open. They are open to prayer also. It is rare that a person turns down prayer.

The General Medical Council, my bosses, allows those conversations to take place. They don’t always follow their own rules, but they reflect the World Health Organization years ago, which said that full wellbeing is mental, physical and spiritual.

Questions for group discussion and personal reflection:

1. Dr. Scott shares how, “I went before my main professional body called the General Medical Council” to respond to a complaint and “emphasize that doctors should be able to share their faith because it helps”. Who do you know in your community (professional or otherwise) who has been questioned about offering faith to others? What were the outcomes and impact? What do you think would be necessary for this to happen to you? What attitude and understanding would you need to have to respond with a vision for opportunity rather than a risky defense to a threat?

2. What do you think or know are some of the spiritual needs of people where you live? How are they getting those needs met? What are some practical actions or solutions that could help? What is the scope and limits of pragmatic treatments? What spiritually focused care can you offer and what could be the results of such care?

3. How does this conversation shape your perspective on what defines and characterizes the “faith and fitness culture”? What makes others-mindedness such a key component of practicing intentional leadership among others? How can Doctor Scott’s story be applied to personal trainers, gym owners, nutritionist, and other fitness professionals? In your own words explain how offering prayer to others is a way you can be fit and strong in your community and be like Christ.

Use the above graphic to post into your social media and share this with your friends and contacts. CONTACT US for help in organizing an online conversation via Facebook LIVE or Zoom so that you can help strengthen leadership and culture in your community. Post a Facebook COMMENT immediately below and share your thoughts and perspectives with others on this topic.

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By Kimberly Bloom, Character Strength Department Editor

Cliff divers just step up to the edge and with precise gracefulness dive forward. I want to help you desire God in such a way that you can dive into His grace with that same energy and confidence. Why? Because that’s what God desires for you!

There seems to be no fear in their lean bodies as they take long deep breathes and then with bold strength jump into the sea. These divers arch their bodies and lunge with confidence. Years ago, while on a mission trip, I had the opportunity to witness cliff divers at La Quebrada on the Pacific coast of Acapulco, Mexico. It was both terrifying yet mesmerizing to watch. Diving into the depths of God’s grace is just like that – a frightful yet simultaneously thrilling rush of strong emotions.

[Watch this short video then continue reading to explore both the fear and freedom of the dive into God’s grace.]

In this season of your life visualize the grace of God as the deep blue ocean. What lies below is unknown yet the plunge is invigorating and refreshing. Though it may be an unfamiliar environment, adapt to it and enjoy being surrounded by a different atmosphere. Don’t fight. Instead let it move you and learn to move with it. Here are four ways all of us can grow stronger and have a deeper understanding of the power of grace:

1. God generously lavishes care on YOU.
2. Conquer fear.
3. Leap from the familiar.
4. Gain a bigger view.

GOD GENEROUSLY LAVISHES CARE ON YOU

You’ve seen it. Many people practice self-care by being utterly selfish. But, the self-care of resting in faith is different. Understand that a big part of self-care is providing yourself the same grace that God asks you to extend to others. It is important to remember that being well and fit in your own body, mind, and spirit is more fully experienced when you rest first and foremost in God’s grace.

[Read thin places and the rest of your story for more on resting in God.]

Life sometimes is disturbing, disruptive, and at times dangerous. Each area of your life is intertwined and twisted together; you struggle to fulfill your obligations. During these times I find grace meets me when I simply say, “This is the day the Lord has made”. I release my fears, my ambitions, and the desires of my heart and allow God’s grace for the day to encompass me.

We have to give ourselves grace and remember it’s okay to take a nap. It’s okay, if you didn’t check everything off your list. Most importantly it’s okay that you are not in control. “When darkness seems to hide His face; I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.” (Edward Mote 1834)

One hot summer day years ago as a camp councilor, I was cleaning after a youth camp program had ended; I was assigned to cleaning the camp dorms. The dorms were not air-conditioned, the windows were all opened, and the bunk beds were bare. I decided to take a moment and rest on one of the beds. As the hot air rushed over me, it sent me into one of those drowsy naps from which you just don’t want to wake. I was resting both physically and spiritually.

For more content on self-care and self-stewardship go to the Spa & Fitness Retreat department of Faith & Fitness Magazine.

It had been a challenging, exhausting and rewarding week. The large group of kids faced obstacles in their lives. We helped them dive into God’s grace and discover resiliency, fortitude and a lasting faith in Jesus Christ. I indeed needed the rest, but more importantly I was resting – in God’s presence. I actively choose to rest and receive the comfort, recovery and freedom in the words of God we had been sharing all week. I had been extending God’s grace to others and in that moment it was time to receive God’s grace to me!

I know from experience my need to be in control, makes it extremely difficult to rest in the fact that there are things that I cannot figure out, fix, or forgive on my own. This can be true for anyone. However, we have been provided with one of God’s most amazing tools. It is diversified and is designed to handle any situation. It is GRACE. To ask for it, accept it and give it out we must press pause (like the diver does just before the jump). This is God’s way to help us practice self-care.

God gives us a better approach to self-care. It is a deeper approach to dive into God’s grace – self-stewardship. Like the diver falling forward, it is how we press in to what God calls us to do.

CONQUER FEAR

Acknowledge and conquer your personal fears of extending grace. Whether it’s the fear of allowing others to get close, fear of rejection, or fear that your faith will not be understood. If you or someone you know has been wronged grace calls you to release the anger. Extending grace can be a fearful plunge into the unknown. Receiving grace personally is like the jubilant moment when the diver emerges from the depths for an even deeper breath of air.

I am not always prepared, but God, He is always prepared and ready to help me reach out and thoughtfully touch someone close. I often become overwhelmed with change, have my own fears, and question my ability to serve Christ. I am a natural introvert and comfortable in sitting alone in public places, observing the sights, and sounds that surround me.

Read Jonnie Goodmanson’s blog, which offers a “fasting” perspective on fear.

We may not want to admit that we’re “afraid of heights” but that is the place where God takes us and we must follow to confront our fears. This is the hard stuff. When you and I don’t feel like extending grace, that is exactly the time Christ asks us to be obedient. Even in the midst of trials and sufferings. We may prefer to be left alone, feel as if we’re not capable, or are afraid that we will bring attention to our faith. However, this is the time we are to remember who we are; a warrior of Christ – a reflection of His strong character.

Standing on a solid perch and clinging to the safety of the rock is affirming. But you won’t find Christ there for long. Pray that life gets dirty and uncomfortable. Being really human, as God intends, means to be selfless, obedient and to empty yourself of your fear. Like children we’ve got to understand and embrace risk.

The unknown can be scary. Often we may experience surface feelings of hurt and bewilderment brought on by the negative actions of others. We may want to tuck our heads and heart into our inner shell like a turtle, so that others only see our hard, bad and uncaring self. But, is this the action of grace? No, grace is long suffering. It can provide life changing results and open doors of renewal.

The “hard part” may simply be acknowledging you have strong feelings against someone. Take the time to see the situation, opinion, or action from the other person’s perspective and experience. Then take time to pray. The deeper grace of God has a wonderful way of drawing back the curtains to give you a fuller view. Help others you don’t understand or don’t even know. By extending grace in that way, God takes you into new experiences beyond your norm.

LEAP FROM THE FAMILIAR

Why should you jump? What will you gain by diving and subjecting yourself to a force that will pull you fast from where you are? There is something far greater than the adventure, the thrill, the glory and even the faithfulness. In fact the more you dive deep into God’s grace the more you’ll realize it’s not about you at all. By taking a leap off your stable “cliff side” you help others. When you jump into grace you increase your ability to be others oriented – and that means you impact the lives of others.

Falling forward means I deliberately descend so that I may ascend to another level or dimension. I’m willing to risk looking like a fool or even getting harmed to achieve my dreams and fulfill my destiny and purpose.

– Marla J. Henry, Moments with Marla, Westbow Press

I was once given a gift at work that I looked forward to taking home and sharing with my family. Yet, later in the day, that strong inner voice of God called me to give it to someone that I only occasionally saw each evening when I left work. On this particular night, as the close of my workday approached, I began arguing with God about the purpose of this request. All the way out the door and nearly to my car I questioned God! The urging was so strong I stopped, turned around, went back into the building, found the young man that was still working, handed him my prized possession and simply said “I thought you might like this. Have a good night.”

Once back outside, and basically with my most childish inner voice, I asked God “what was the importance of that?” God simply replied back, “obedience is better than sacrifice”. This scene, ordeal, or whatever you want to call it was really not about me extending grace to someone else, but God extending grace to me! God was teaching me a lesson! Letting go is a graceful act of obedience. I Samuel 15:22 “ Then Samuel said: Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice; to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.”

God graciously helped me release from something good to fall into something greater. The gift to someone else isn’t the thing you think you give. It is the future work of God’s grace in their life that is now more freely and abundantly released through the fulfillment of your obedience to God. Take a long deep breath and get a good look at the lean spiritual physique of the graceful diver you are becoming.

GAIN A BIGGER VIEW

Finally, these first three principles lead us to the last and most truly amazing concept; God desires for us to have a broader view of grace, His view. When that happens we gain a greater strength of character.

Just like the cliff divers up high can see calm or crushing waves, empty faces, or cheering friends, the unknown and the ultimate win, God’s grace is sufficient. But what does that mean?

Is that grace what ultimately helps us to do the perfect dive – to be perfect at what we do, what we want to do, what we’re called to do?

[Listen to this song as you finish reading.]

God tells all of us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Yet, we find it tough to embrace weakness as strength. It runs counter to everything our culture teaches us – be brave, achieve your own success, focus intently, have no fear, and never be satisfied. The limits that we think hold us down are what God uses to lift us and others.

How do you gain a bigger view of grace? Start by praising God and listing relationships and deep internal/external gifts that you are grateful for. Remind yourself of that time when saving grace was bestowed on you. In your praise, recall redemption, have the confidence that just as Christ redeemed you, He calls you to move His grace forward in the lives of those around you and in your areas of influence. Moreover, know that His grace can also call you to the unknown – that space between the cliff above and the water below.

The only difference between imperfect and I’m perfect is the space in between us.

-Perfect, by Elizabeth Grace

With His grace your faith can become an action word. You can experience the full view of grace not only in your life, but in the lives of others.

I still have contact with the woman who as a teenager reached out to me and extended grace to me. As a fellow teenager, I was lost, feeling alone, and without purpose. Now as adults, as we reminisce of the day that she and her little church prayed three years for me, my heart and soul still can barely take in the grace that was bestowed upon me. This grace, this God given grace is what changes lives.

Dive deep into God’s grace. Quit feeling like you have to be so strong and instead let Him generously lavishes care on you. Then with His strength you can conquer your fears so that you can leap from the familiar into God’s unknown. As you experience the depth of God’s grace you’ll gain a bigger view.

Remember, Grace is an action that is personal, intimate, and sometimes big or small, but it is always God’s gift to all. More beautifully, God chooses us to extend grace during our most filthy and blemished filled times.

QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION:

1. What makes self-care and self-stewardship an important first step for you in diving deeper into God’s grace? In what ways do you often miss experiencing the grace of God because you feel you aren’t worthy, don’t have the time or some other reason?
2. How has fear kept you from experiencing God’s grace or extending it to someone? Look more closely and discuss a significant journey through fear that God has helped you to conquer OR one that is still a struggle for you.
3. Visualize yourself perched on the cliff in Acapulco looking at the water below. Play out the “leap of faith” in your mind. Describe it from the jump, through the fall and all the way plunged under the water and then returning to the surface. How do those visuals relate to a deeper dive into God’s grace? Describe the beauty of leaving the familiar and being thrilled by profound grace. What character traits of God does this build in you?
4. What does it mean to you to gain a bigger view of God’s grace? With whom do you need to venture further with God’s grace? How can you do that? Now that you’ve read this article and discussed it, what is one revelation you have about God’s grace that is different from what you originally envisioned?

This article appears in the April/May 2020 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine.

The post 4 Ways To Dive Deep Into God’s Grace This Season appeared first on Faith & Fitness Magazine.