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.
May 15, 2022
graduation
Impact

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...

May 8, 2022
Mama bear
Impact

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!...

May 1, 2022
Heaven
Impact

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...

April 24, 2022
Waiting
Impact

Do you ever wonder where the time goes? I feel like we all are in one of two categories throughout the day: 

  1. being the one who is waiting or
  2. 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...

April 16, 2022
Easter Sunrise
Impact

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...

 

April 15, 2022
You've likely heard it said that Sunday’s coming, and this phrase brings us hope as we look toward better days. Well, Easter Sunday’s coming and with that is great rejoicing for CHRIST IS RISEN! But we can't get to Sunday without going through Friday. And we can't get to Easter Sunday without walking through Good Friday. And I wonder – Is Good Friday really good?...

April 10, 2022
Hosanna

...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...

April 3, 2022
Anticipation

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...

March 27, 2022
Forgiveness
Impact
Forgiveness is a powerful gift from God. I have both extended forgiveness and needed it extended to me. My salvation required me to see a need to be forgiven for the deep rooted sin in my life. My confession and repentance resulted in overwhelming joy that flowed from the foot of the cross of Christ. Could there be a greater sense of joy than that which comes after being truly forgiven?...

March 20, 2022
Choose Joy
Impact
I was visiting someone and noticed a plaque on the wall that said “Choose Joy”. It reminded me of a time when there wasn’t much joy in my life. I had lost my husband after battling cancer for a year. As you can imagine I was incredibly sad and there was nothing to be joyful about. I had been Mrs. Sam McCullough for 43 years. I would wake up in the morning and sit on the edge of my bed and wonder, “Who am I? What am I supposed to do today?”...