Features

Ben Booker’s journey through life has had challenges. An auto accident and alcoholism were two of his greatest setbacks. Today however, through consistent hard work and sacrifice he is achieving a flurry of success in the bodybuilding world. But the future is unwritten and demands that both Ben and his family must now pursue God like never before. Can they do it? Can you? Discussion questions at the end of this interview will help you consider the real sacrifice in finding the real prize. Listen to streaming audio of the new song Destiny by the band Press Play while you read.

At age 52 most women would find lifting a 202 pound barbell for exercise to be... well pretty dangerous. For country musician Susie McEntire the words pretty and dangerous mean pursuing beautiful relationships and taking her role as a woman who loves God further. Play streaming audio of her hit tune Sky Full Of Angels while you read.

Bodybuilding.com is a website that boasts being “the future of bodybuilding”. More than 450,000 people have created their own personal BodySpace profile. If you look beyond all the egos and self-promotion you’ll find one of those profiles belongs to John Rozmus. The University of Cincinnati student uses his BodySpace to model more than muscles. John’s online presentation represents a growing number of people who are motivated to seek God and find multiple ways to actively live out their faith in Jesus and make a difference.

National Police Week is May 9-15. Faith & Fitness Magazine celebrates the physical and spiritual leadership of those who serve by recognizing Sergeant Rebecca Arguelles of Chicago. Her life shows how all of us can take the gifts of compassion and personal wellness to positively impact the lives of others.

In:ciite Media's artist Charmaine releases her first album, Love Reality. Her songs encourage others to trust God. In her interview here with Faith & Fitness Magazine she shares her perspectives on how faith must be the key force to deal with struggles and be whole. Find out how she stays fit with tough training and healthy eating. Listen to her new tune, Fighting Furies, while you read.

How is your progress going in our Fit To Serve challenge? If it is new for you, it is not too late to start. This installment of our year-long challenge examines common struggles and sets the stage for a closer look at the specific improvements the members of our team are making. Read their online journals. There you can interact with them and be encouraged in your own Fit To Serve challenge.

Your physical body is like a canvas painted by your spirit. On it you show strength, beauty, hope and other reflections of a healthy life. But, how do you cope with tension? For some people they do self-inflicted cutting, burning or other types of injury. This must-read article by Vicki Duffy offers clear insight into the dark corners where expectations and pain derail God’s plan for living. Learn practical ways to create a lasting change for you or someone else.

Start your 2010 Fit To Serve Challenge here. We’re pleased to introduce Clay, Joy, Sharon, Mark and Kim our five challenge participants. They’ve begun a yearlong training program with Coach Powers. But this isn’t just for them. It is for you too. Plan to interact daily in our FORUM with the coach, our team and other readers and become fit to serve.

You may not be in a wheelchair like John Quinn but to say he is “confined” would be far from the truth. In fact from where he sits he sees possibilities that help him go further than he ever could have before. He is standing in faith to someday stand. Quinn reveals that walking isn’t the only thing we take for granted. Your personal challenge, if you give it to God can be your greatest victory.

Ready for an exciting new workout? The ChurchFitness.com 2010 New Equipment Showcase is sure to deliver. Our equipment expert, Rob Killen previews some of the best machines that could be debuting in a club near you soon. Learn everything you need to know about the latest and greatest for 2010.

Are you committed to doing everything you can to achieve physical and spiritual fitness for the rest of your life? Here is your call to action and accountability. Fitness isn’t about self-gratification - it’s about obedience to God. We have found five people to start an exciting journey. They will get the book FIT TO SERVE free and an entire year of free personal coaching from Coach Powers in 2010. Read and learn more.

Is fitness fun for you? It can be. Gregory Hansen brings you four perspectives from individuals who know the importance of making fitness fun. They’ll help you find motivation, spiritual formation, the ability to overcome and a larger perspective on being active. Get practical tips to transform fitness from boring to fun and redefine your faith.

What does it take to get in shape and stay that way? Kardashian offers principles from experience that will get you on track to a healthier you. Do something good for you and others – find out how you can get a free copy of his book and DVD while supplies last.

Get ready to download a free fitness tune you can enjoy the next time you exercise. But before you do, read how a fit lifestyle shapes the music of Brian Bates. From the gym, to his concerts, to his work in Africa, Brian dives deep into life’s experiences.

I am the mother of 4 teenagers. It occurred to me that a lot of skin issues are affected by sport and fitness activities. I’ve discovered an approach to skin care that is effective for the active person and spiritually strengthening too.

Do you play church or do you live your faith? Just being a “member of the church” is like having a fitness club membership and never using it. To experience the vibrancy of your faith you have to engage it. Time to say goodbye to the status-quo church model and redefine fitness.

If you go to church read this and discover the growing trend to use fitness to create exciting to-capacity daily ministry. If you don't go to church this may be the "church experience" for which you've been waiting.

The professional bodybuilding scene has offered Mark Dugdale a deeper glimpse into the weight training culture. In this short commentary written especially for our theme “What Would Jesus Lift?”, Mark builds on his unique insights and challenges you to put behind your insecurity and vain-pursuits and instead build commitment and focus.

Get ready to meet six high performing college students. They excel in academic strength and physical fitness. They’re not just smart and healthy. They are committed to building their whole life to be in shape for a higher calling. Each one has a page. Meet all six.

Tired of lifting and carrying all that extra weight that you don’t want or need? Join with others who are finding they can transform their body into a better example of what God intended for them. It is happening at churches everywhere. Your church could be the next place where people come to lose more than weight and gain more than eternal life.

Looking to have a successful, results-focused workout? In the third of a three part series, Granger introduces you to using the acronym WHAT’S UP to create fitness success. Asking WHAT’S UP will help you remember your focus, set accurate and useful fitness goals, and recognize the blessings that God continues to give you.

Can you take a big leap of faith? One dark night Army Staff Sergeant Richard Bradley did exactly that. A bad exit – a tangled parachute --- he had just seconds to think and pray. Surviving the fall had a spiritual impact that would require him to give more than he ever had before. Could that same force be at work in your life too?

When facing challenge, change, or opportunity, ask, “WHAT’S UP?” In the second of a three part series, Granger introduces you to using the acronym WHATS UP to create professional success. He encourages you to, “Focus on God’s greatness. Lean on the power of God’s grace and keep your head in the right direction.”

Jessica had to do something to lose the weight and keep it off. Could an herb called “bitter orange” do the trick? Doctor Brown helps you understand the relatively unregulated supplement industry, risks and benefits and the value of obtaining wise counsel. Read and think before you pop another pill.

When feeling lost, uncertain, or confused, ask, “WHAT’S UP?” In the first of a three part series, Granger introduces you to using the acronym WHATS UP to create spiritual success. He says, “How comforting to know there is nothing unexpected to God. Within that context, seeing my place in the world and listening to the voice of God is often so easy.”

I lost my hearing at age three from having a high fever. At first, my self-esteem was very low. Through fitness, I learned the importance of setting goals and visualizing where I wanted to go and what I wanted to achieve. Instead of making excuses, stay in Christ, and conquer your limitations.