Come back next week for a new “New Move Monday“. Today, we have a book giveaway and review!

Have you ever asked yourself these questions?

Is it a sin to be overweight?

If my body is going to die anyway, why take care of it?

Does my physical life have any connection with my spiritual life?

I am excited to share with you a book that answers these very questions, and 3 of you will win a copy of it!

Many of you have read books from Gary Thomas. He has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I follow him on Facebook and Twitter and his daily quotes are very challenging and inspiring.  He’s well known for “Sacred Marriage” (sold over 400,000 copies!) but he has a whole host of other excellent books! Listen below as Gary shares a little bit about his new (Just released last Monday!) book, “Every Body Matters“!

(If you can’t see video, click here!)

It’s really hard for me to narrow down why I love this book because the truth is , I highlighted just about everything in it! However, I want to help you out, so here’s my summarized version!

Gary’s Style of Writing and Sharing

♦ Gary has a way of “sticking it to ya” without making you guilt ridden. He uses such grace and compassion to encourage, motivate and uplift you. There’s no doubt that this subject is tender issue for many. Gary keeps this in mind as he shares of his personal struggles and victories. Love the transparency!

“If we remember that humility is the chief virtue—if we look at fitness through the lens of humility and build community that embraces humility—then we can look at this issue through the lens of encouragement instead of judgment, inspiration instead of condemnation.” pg.73

Real Life Stories

♦ There’s no better way to drive a point home than with a real life story. Gary shares a few people’s journey’s to a healthier life. He even includes Kristen Armstrong (ex-wife of Lance Armstrong) and how getting control of her physical life helped her through her divorce.

Three Hundred Pounds. Mark Bejsovec, a youth pastor, looked at the scale and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. As a younger man, he had always been in pretty good shape, able to eat what he liked without worrying about gaining weight. During his high school football playing days, he carried just 186 pounds on his six-foot-two frame. He was the picture of health. At twenty-six, his metabolism started to slow down; at thirty-two, it felt like it had stopped.”  pg.135

Scripture Emphasis

♦ In every area of my life, I want to hear what God has to say about it. My physical life is no different. Gary shows us what scripture has to say about our physical life and how it plays into our spiritual walk. He examines passages and draws wise conclusions from them.

“Paul appeals to the highest authority to give us new motivation. If we want to develop a silver soul and become more useful to God and better prepared to do any good work he has planned for us, we will take these words to heart: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor 6:19-20)” pg.46

If you are struggling with any of the issues listed above, then I invite you to get this book. Believe me. I wouldn’t suggest something if I didn’t deem it appropriate and helpful! Let me finish off with one final thought from Gary.

“As I wrote this, my race isn’t over.  I don’t know how long it will last. Maybe it’ll be finished tomorrow. Maybe next year or several decades hence. God alone knows. But this much I do know; If you’re reading this your race isn’t over either. God will restore us and refresh us along the way. He will provide moments of nourishment and rest, but He wants me, HE wants you, to continue to run, to be available to do any good work. We need to keep going—even in the rain, no matter how dark it gets—and finish the race. Christian, keep running.” pg.207

♥♥♥

Do you want a chance to win this book?

1.) Leave a comment to enter telling me what is your greatest obstacle in weight loss/healthy living?

2.) For Bonus entries – tweet, facebook or pin this giveaway and leave me a comment letting me know you did!

3.) For 2 Bonus entries subscribe via email to Peak 313 and leave me an extra comment letting me know you subscribed!

I will randomly choose 3 winners and you will receive a copy of this book! CONTEST ENDS Friday, December 9th at 12pm EST!