The Life of the Body: Physical Well-Being and Spiritual Formation
"There are a handful of books that I couldn't stop thinking about after I put them down.The Life of the Bodyis one of them. It is thought-provoking, insightful and well-grounded. . . .  If you want to push yourself toward who you are intended to be, let this book challenge your assumptions." (Keith Eigel, Ph.D., cofounder of The Leaders Lyceum)"The risen Christ said, 'Touch me and see.' Valerie Hess and Lane Arnold illuminate the truth that resurrection life is lived in and through our bodies. As the authors reclaim the long-neglected relationships between spirit, mind and body, we discover grace-filled ways to discover life abundant in Christ. I heartily recommend this book." (Karen Wright Marsh, executive director, Theological Horizons)"Do body wisdom and spiritual formation belong together? Two experienced Christian teachers of spiritual formation say yes. Valerie Hess and Lane Arnold give us an energizing workout for the weary soul, suggesting ways to discard the burden of bad ideas and false behavior in favor of energetic Christ-living that works on many levels. An encouraging book." (Emilie Griffin, author, Souls in Full Sail and Green Leaves for Later Years)"In a gentle, humble, yet firm way, Valerie and Lane have ventured into a subject where few authors have dared to go. I appreciate the way they challenge us as persons with individual bodies and members of Christ's body to examine our issues and embrace the healing offered in Christ." (Richella Parham, ImpartingGrace.com)"Through the wisdom of their words, through numerous probing questions and through embodied spiritual exercises, Valerie and Lane artfully show us how, in love and obedience, to present our bodies as living sacrifices to our Lord who sacrificed his body for us. In a day when the physical body is used as a tool for selfish pleasure or neglected as excess baggage on a more 'spiritual' journey,Life of the Bodyprovides a sturdy corrective and a refreshing way forward. The hopeful result that the faithful reader can expect, along with the apostle Paul, is that 'Christ will be exalted in my body.'" (Howard Baker, instructor of Christian formation at Denver Seminary and author of The One True Thing)"The Life of the Bodyis a timely gift to the body of Christ, which, even today, stands guilty of the tendency to split off the body from the whole notion of spirituality. The authors' work is richly informative and educational, highly practical and--to my own embarrassment--personally convicting! A much-needed corrective to our misguided understanding of what holistic formation is about." (Wil Hernandez, Ph.D.,  Andrews Chair in  Spiritual Formation at Spring Arbor University and the author of Henri Nouwen and Spiritual Polarities)"The Life of the Bodyskillfully illustrates how God mediates transforming grace through the God-created body and its senses. Carefully researched and winsomely written, the book offers constructive protocols for formation into Christlikeness and optimal health. Here is an engaging contribution to vital spirituality and physical wellness, or total-person shalom." (Bruce Demarest, senior professor of Christian formation, Denver Seminary, and author of Seasons of the Soul)