In Strength and Fitness
We are more than simply a fitness organization. We are intentional about our faith, living life well, and being our best in whatever role(s) we find ourselves in life. We aim to honor God with everything we are. And we want to help you do the same.When you become a Body & Soul® Fitness student, you’ll be given a free copy of our most current devotional booklet. In this, you’ll find our current playlist of songs/artists, and spiritual content that we hope will encourage and inspire you. Download a copy of our previous devotional booklet.
MIRACULOUS LIFE
John 11:25,26 “Jesus said to her (Martha), I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in ME will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (NASB)
After winter’s freezing weather has turned my flower plants brown, it always amazes me to see new green leaves emerging at the base of 
the plant in the spring. What appears to be dead surprises me with evidence of new life.
Like freezing weather, cancer took the physical life of my husband and he died in my arms. I wondered how I would continue living. It felt like my heart had suffered an amputation. I leaned on God when I did not feel like I could stand, by reading the Bible and praying every day. Jesus is my gentle Shepherd…patient with my tears and yet nudging me onward with tasks of showing love to others such as cooking for the homeless, teaching Vacation Bible School, walking a dog for a veteran, and sharing His comfort with those who experience grief. It is HIS presence with me that has enabled me to go on. The comfort that life is not over, it just changes. It is awesome to know that I will see my husband again in heaven some day because he asked Jesus to be his Savior (and I have too).
But for now, I am here to tell you this good news…Jesus is alive and well and just waiting for you to ask Him into your heart. And if you already believe in Him, you have HIS Word that HE will give you a life worth living…an abundant life.
How has God shown you miraculous new life?
by Sheree Carlton
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Sheree Carlton is a Daughter of the American Revolution, retired pharmacist, a widow, mother and grandmother, who lives in Friendswood Texas. She enjoys singing and playing guitar, piano and flute and dancing with Body & Soul®.
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This is the time of year for graduations. It’s a big year for our family, as our oldest grandson will be graduating from high school on a Thursday and headed to the Air Force Academy 4 days later! Despite the pandemic he has had a wonderful high school experience including lots of intense AP classes, his track team going all the way to Nationals, and being a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that met at his school. But now is a time of commencement—a new beginning, a clean slate. They call freshmen “doolies” at the Academy—lots of pushups are in store for him and lots of long runs. Physical endurance will be needed, as well as spiritual, mental and emotional endurance.
This is true of our lives, too...
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I was reminded of young motherhood recently when I had the privilege of helping my son, daughter-in-law, and toddler grandson when their second baby was due. I was grateful my Body & Soul® classes had strengthened and energized me for the three-week adventure with a toddler and new baby!
But within hours of arriving at their home we experienced our first toddler accident – under Grandma’s watch!...
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I love the changing of the seasons, especially the change from the cold of Winter to the warmth of Spring! I love green grass and flowers blooming and the warm sun. One little flower pops through the soil, then others follow. Crocuses, then daffodils, tulips, irises, each with a new burst of color and beauty as they show their faces. Then come the flowering trees that bloom and fade, giving way to green that will last for months. The normal, gradual change into spring is good change. However...
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Do you ever wonder where the time goes? I feel like we all are in one of two categories throughout the day:
- being the one who is waiting or
- being the one who is making others wait.
I usually am in the latter. Many times a day, at work, my opening comment to a patient (whom I hope is actually “patient”) is: “Hello, so-and-so, I’m Dr. Berbano…I’m so sorry that I’m soooo late...
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When I see the first tinges of color in the sky early in the morning, I hurry to find a place where I can pause and watch the sunrise unfold. It’s selfish, really, because when I watch a sunrise it brings up so many positive emotions in my heart. It gives me joy just because of the pure beauty of it. Some mornings I feel like God has painted the sky just for me. It gives me hope, knowing that a new day with new possibilities lies before me, and it leads me to pray, asking God to help me follow his will in every moment...
...My teacher would tell stories from the Bible and she would stick felt characters to a background board, as the stories would come to life. On Palm Sunday, the felt Jesus would make his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, on the back of a donkey. The townsfolk would cheer and wave palm branches. They would shout, “Hosanna”!!
I’ve learned that Hosanna is a word used in Judaism and in Christianity. In Judaism, it refers to a cry for divine help. In Christianity, it is used as a cry of praise.
As I consider all the hills and valleys I’ve been through...
Last week, I was able to go for a walk in my neighborhood. The air was fresh and crisp, even chilly, but still felt warm. The sun was shining, and you could see it and feel its warmth. The sky was blue, not winter gray! There were many birds chirping loudly. My heart thought, YAY, Spring is on the way...
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