Face it! Many are obsessed. Screaming headlines don't help: Lose 10 pounds. Build better biceps. Win the fight against fat.

With society's frenzied obsession for physical perfection, it's tempting to look at yourself and think: Yuck! Seriously, when was the last time you looked past your body's "flaws" and saw only a beautiful creation?

Never? Well, that's not the way it should be. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." God formed us, he knows us, he knit us. He tells us that we--and this includes our bodies--are special to him.

Our bodies--just like our talents, our money, our time, and our world-- are blessings that God gives us to use wisely. How we use them is one way Christians can give glory to God.

Here are three examples of how some Christians are being good stewards of their bodies. See how whether they eat or drink or exercise, they are doing it all for God's glory.

Caring for the body

Matt Schwartz, a senior at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, knows the importance of being healthy. While Schwartz was a vicar in Anchorage, he changed his eating and exercise habits and lost 60 pounds.

"My grandfather went into the hospital for his fourth bypass surgery," says Schwartz. "They say heart disease is genetic, and I had the feeling it could be passed my way."

Feeling the need to live a healthier lifestyle, he began losing weight by cutting out fast food from his diet, and by eating healthier meals, including more vegetables. In addition, he joined a health club for exercise.

He sees the spiritual benefits of his lifestyle change. "It gave me more energy to do more work. Hopefully the Lord will use my healthier lifestyle to keep me around a bit longer to serve him in my ministry."

Caring for the body of Christ

Members at Good Shepherd, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., want to stay healthy so they can do more ministry too. So at this church, physical health is not only a personal issue. It's become a congregational topic too.

They formed a Health Cabinet that consists of 10 members from all age groups and interests--nurses, a dietician, a school counselor, a social worker, two retired members, and two youth group members.

As part of their work, parish nurse Kathy Lee offers blood pressure tests once a month at church, and she includes an article about a health-related topic in the church newsletter. She also uses free

materials from the National Cancer Institute, the American Heart Association, and the free government information from Pueblo, Colo., to help promote good health.

The health cabinet has other plans too, including tying in the health promotion program to the community in two ways. For their community health fair, they are bringing in