The (insert your name here) Exercise Program

How crazy can it get? The morning television news has a feature, Weapons Of Mass Reduction highlighting “innovative” apparel and body treatments to slim you and make you look better. Bizarre and ineffective are more accurate. In the evening, models put on fat suites so that we can see how cruel we are to those who are overweight. Survivor has an anorexic. Don’t worry though you can buy a one-month supply of Lipo-somethingorother for just $24.95 and never have to exercise or eat healthy and you’ll still lose the fat. The bariatric surgery ad shows some woman who thinks her surgeon is God. But wait, then there’s the news… how dangerous is cosmetic surgery? And – how natural is all-natural chicken. Never mind, just do the pyramid scheme of selling colon-cleansing antioxidant juice and you can at least make money while your friends run to the bathroom.
This kind of non-stop gimmickry could almost trump the shenanigans of the most brazen televangelist except that they have now jumped on the wacky-wellness-wagon too.
Had enough? You wouldn’t fall for any of this stuff would you? No way! You’re going to get a gym membership (that you’ll rarely use) and get on one of those goofy machines so that you can REALLY get in shape.
Come on… let’s take a break from our manufactured “reality” lies and ponder a couple of old-fashioned Bible verses:
One of the kings of Israel, David, prayed to God and recognized, “My times are in your hands”. Later in the Bible we are encouraged, “If God be for us who can be against us?” The honest truth is that you are often your own worst enemy. You try junk that you know isn’t any good. You waste your own time, money and energy. You accept defeat before you ever get started. You don’t really put your time in God’s hands and you’re not really convinced that God is there to support you and care for you.
Quit insisting that you are part of the masses. Break free from the crowd and find your own physical and spiritual fitness. Take time to understand how God made you unique then create an exercise and development program that is right for you. Use your head and be smart about it. Listen to your heart for encouragement. Find your passion and fuel it. Insist on being challenged. Pursue the physical and spiritual strength that only God can give you. Then use that strength daily to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Beginning with childhood throughout all of life, physical and spiritual training has to be customized to meet unique individual needs. That is the way God designed us. We’ve designed an issue to help you personalize your fitness. Our spa section will help you to tune out the world and get in-touch with God. Our firefighter feature will inspire you to make personal fitness a gift to others. In our Family Fitness Department discover the value in exercising together as a family. Start your own exercise program by assessing your physical and spiritual health. Identify your needs and opportunities for growth. Disregard all the clutter that screams for your attention. Focus on God with your own custom exercise program.
Train strong in Christ,
-Brad Bloom
Publisher