"Glorify God in your body"
Tags: treadmill, weight loss, pushups, bench presses

"Know you not your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A story moved on the wire today about Mark Brown, a football player turned pastor who has written a book called "Coming Alive at 55."

In the interview, Rev. Brown tells how he got himself back in shape after being injured in an auto accident a few years ago and letting his weight get out of control. He believes strongly that physical and spiritual health go hand in hand.

Rev. Brown's website (www.drmdb.com)  includes a feature called "Word and the Workout," in which he reads Bible passages while running on the treadmill. He cites the above quote from 1 Corinthians as his favorite Bible verse.

Memo to Fitster Kettlebell: What a great example of how promoting fitness can be doing God's work!

Here's a link to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's interview with Rev. Brown:

http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1213432344262990.xml&coll=2&thispage=2

on 6/17/2008

1 - 10 out of 10
davegleason Thanks for this post!
davegleason on 6/18/2008 Respond

davegleason Well put! Deny the flesh is another reference to "dying to self" and our own selfish desires and seeking the will of God.
davegleason on 6/18/2008 in response to JimB Respond

JimB Correction on Dr. Brown's website:
http://www.drmdb1.com/
JimB on 6/18/2008 Respond

JimB All the more reason to do cardio, as well as seeking spiritual growth!
JimB on 6/18/2008 in response to OldeButGoode Respond

JimB Perhaps "denying the flesh" wasn't the best choice of words. I was referrring to extreme asetics who believe in starving themselves to the point of malnutrition or even whipping themselves. Perhaps "mortifying the flesh?"
JimB on 6/18/2008 in response to kettlebell27 Respond

JimB Valid points, Rick. In that sense, "denying the flesh" should also mean refraining from things like overeating, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking or a sedentary lifestyle that can damage our health. And you're right, there are a lot of people who have physical infirmities who manage to rise above them and inspire others.
JimB on 6/18/2008 in response to kettlebell27 Respond

kettlebell27 I think denying the flesh is meant to be the denying of sinful acts (sex before/outside of marriage, etc). If you are to treat your body as a temple, you should take care of it. Some people like the size of their temples and choose to take care of them as they wish. Some of the holiest people I've met haven't been the healthiest overall, but they exhibit a spiritual health that surpasses many.
kettlebell27 on 6/18/2008 Respond

OldeButGoode The Bible does mention taking care of the body "temple" of God but it also says that God does not judge by outward appearance but judges the "Heart" !!
OldeButGoode on 6/17/2008 Respond

JimB In some religious quarters, people believe that in order to reach God you have to deny the flesh. I just can't accept that. The body and soul are inextricably linked. We are stewards of the bodies God has given us, and we're of far more use to God when we're healthy.
JimB on 6/17/2008 in response to OzzieOcean Respond

OzzieOcean We are made in god's image. One of the deadly sins is glutony. The more we take care of our bodies, and help others do the same, the more we are doing god's work.
If you notice, as you get healthier physically, your spirit and mind are more at ease as well... I doubt that is just sheer chance.
OzzieOcean on 6/17/2008 Respond


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