Steve & Candice Watters: Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies
This is an engaging book written to help young adults take an intentional path toward starting a family. Citing Scripture, trends, and history, the Watters dig into some of our cultural assumptions to hold up a mirror to our behaviors and thought patterns in light of God's purposes for families.
Iain M. Duguid: Daniel (Reformed Expository Commentary)
Iain Duguid writes eminently readable commentaries that overflow with profound observations. This edition is no different. As an Old Testament scholar, Duguid presents the Scriptures in an authoritative, yet accessible style. Each chapter can be read alone in narrative style or as a Bible study aid.
Joshua Harris: Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World
Everyone struggles with sinful sexual temptation. Everyone. So what can you do about it? Josh Harris candidly explains how to untangle God's good gift of sex from the issues of lust and sexual sin. A great book for both men and women!
Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre, Kristin Chesemore, Janelle Bradshaw: Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed
This is a short book with a lot of wisdom. At under 100 pages, it won't take a lot of time to read. But the eternal perspective on time management that it contains will be well worth the investment.
Dave Harvey: When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage
Dave brings a humorous and light touch to a heavy subject, creating a winsome and appealing approach to an important topic. Dave spends the first four chapters addressing the doctrine of sin and why we need to have a healthy suspicion of our own hearts and motives before seeking to address the hearts and motives of others. But some of the greatest "gold" is found in chapters five and six, when Dave addresses mercy and forgiveness. Recommended for everyone--you don't need to be married to learn from this book how to live redemptively in close relationships.
John Ensor: Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart
A basic, user-friendly guide on the weighty matters of romance and the roles of men and women. Highly readable, concise guidance on how men and women can find lasting romance and enduring friendships.
Timothy S. Lane and Paul D. Tripp: How People Change
This book helps Christians understand the roots of problems that are bearing bad fruit in their lives. Then it shows how the gospel can exchange bad roots for good roots--and good fruit. A gracious and encouraging book for anyone weary of trying to change through sheer willpower alone.
Tim Lane and Paul Tripp: Relationships: A Mess Worth Making
I love this title! The mess is because of our sin and self-centered drives. The worth comes from what God is doing among our relationships. There are so many excellent insights in this book--I recommend it for everyone. Though we tend to think romance when we hear the word "relationship," this book addresses a far broader scope with graciousness and biblical truth.
Gary & Betsy Ricucci: Love That Lasts: When Grace Meets Marriage
This is the second edition of a book I first read as a new believer. It was the first book I ever read on marriage and its gracious and encouraging approach made an indelible mark. This revised edition is even meatier and more winsome than the first. Highly recommended for singles and marrieds alike.
C. H. Spurgeon: The Triumph of Faith in a Believer's Life
This collection of Spurgeon's writings spans faith's sure foundations to what mature faith looks like. It is both inspiring and practical, and will revive the flickering embers of faith in any reader's soul.
Henry T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby: Hearing God's Voice
This book expands on many of the principles found in Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby's highly successful book from the mid-'90s. It reminds us that we are here to serve God's purposes and not vice versa, so our prayers should be conformed the same way. The authors help us to discern the voice of God, to identify ways He speaks, and to respond to revelations of His will. An ideal book for those who are seeking God for direction and guidance.
C.J. Mahaney: Living the Cross-Centered Life
It seems that there are many ideas that compete for the attention of single adults. In the end, what we will be commended for has nothing to do with having a 'successful' dating life, a great career, the ability to travel widely, or to own a lot of expensive possessions. It has to do with hearing, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' This little book keeps us all focused on the One who is our mediator. An outstanding resource for any Christian who feels caught in the "performance trap."
John Piper: God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love As the Gift of Himself
This compact book argues eloquently that the good news of the Gospel is all the things we normally assume--salvation, justification, propitiation, new heavens and new earth, etc. But the heart of the Gospel is not found in the gifts of God but in God Himself. The good news of the gospel is the enjoyment of the glory of God in Christ. Recommended especially for long-time Christians who may need to be refreshed in the wonder of the Gospel.
John MacArthur: NASB MacArthur Study Bible
This is the revised edition of Dr. MacArthur's study notes and commentary within the NASB translation. This Bible includes additional supplements on topics such as how we got the Bible, how to study the Bible, and the progress of revelation. An excellent personal study Bible!
Paul David Tripp: Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens
Do you think rebellion is automatic in the teen years? It shouldn't be. Paul Tripp's book challenges our assumptions and shows parents how to make the teen years a season of opportunity, instead.
Mark Dever: The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept
What a priceless Bible study tool this is! Though Mark is a superb scholar, his evangelist's heart is clearly evident in his accessible writing style. This book is packed with outstanding teaching but it is written in a winsome manner that is free of dense theological terms. The goal of this book is to present an overview of each book of the New Testament so that we can understand how it fits in with the rest of the Bible.
John MacArthur: Twelve Extraordinary Women
The women MacArthur chose as subjects for this book are: Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, Anna, The Samaritan Woman, Martha and Mary, Mary Magdalene and Lydia. Each chapter goes into the cultural and theological background of these women and then shows how God worked through ordinary women to make their faith and fruit extraordinary. Highly recommended!
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, editor: Biblical Womanhood in the Home (Foundations for the Family Series)
This book collects chapters from several leading women writers and teachers to address a wide array of topics concerning biblical womanhood. I'm partial to Carolyn Mahaney's two chapters on femininity and beauty, but I also highly recommend Nancy Leigh DeMoss's two chapters on the portraits of a wise and foolish woman.
Tedd Tripp: Shepherding A Child's Heart
Every adult should read this book, but it's a Must for parents. As you'll soon read in this valuable book, parenting is not about behavior modification--it's about reaching the heart of children so they understand their motives, their sinfulness, and ultimately their need for a Savior.
Sinclair Ferguson: Discovering God's Will
The counsel contained in this slim volume is timeless. Nine chapters comprise the book: God's Ultimate Purpose, Guidelines for Guidance, Guarding the Heart, A Christian Lifestyle, Principles of Conduct, Consider Your Calling, Marriage?, Wait for the Lord, and He Leads Me. The last four chapters are priceless, but they need to be read on the foundation of the teaching in the earlier chapters.
C.J. Mahaney: Humility: True Greatness
This small book packs a wallop. C.J. starts by showing us why God opposes the proud and is drawn to the humble. Then he illustrates how to cultivate humility in many practical ways. From chapters on The Promise of Humility and The Perils of Pride, to Identifying Evidences of Grace and Responding Humbly to Trials, this is a book of seasoned wisdom.
Randy Newman: Questioning Evangelism
This book helps us understand how to ask questions of unbelievers to expose their assumptions about God and get to the heart of their questions--rather than getting sidetracked in our conversations. I'm still reading this book, so I'll add more commentary when I'm finished. But the fact that my pastor recommended it was all I needed to buy it!
Randy Alcorn: Money, Possessions & Eternity
Here is a comprehensive study of what the Scriptures teach about earning, spending, saving, and investing money. Randy is a gracious writer with a personal testimony of living what he has written. It's a big book, but well worth the investment to purchase and read it.
Randy Alcorn: Safely Home
This is a fictional account of a Christian persecuted for his faith in China, but Randy Alcorn has done his homework. You'll learn a lot about the reality of Christianity in China through reading Safely Home. But you won't be able to read it flippantly. Well-crafted, well-developed, and moving--I highly recommend it.
Wayne Grudem: Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth
While Mary Kassian's book (below) is a great sociological examination of the impact of second-wave feminism on our culture, Wayne Grudem's book is a detailed look at the claims of evangelical feminists against the teaching of Scripture. An excellent theological resource, written in a thorough yet humble manner. This is a life's work from Dr. Grudem and well worth having in your own personal library.
Mary Kassian: The Feminist Mistake
This book is subtitled "The Radical Impact of Feminism on Church and Culture." It's an in-depth, academic overview of the impact of what's been called second-wave feminism, spanning 1960s to 1990 or so. As a former feminist, it was eye-opening to read an historical account about the era in which I grew up. Kassian is a thorough writer, and her writing and research underscores one essential point: When you start by disregarding one aspect of the Bible's teaching, it's a short ride down a slippery slope to discarding Christianity altogether. A sobering read.
Arthur Bennett, editor: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
I once read that the public prayers of Christians today are anemic and repetitive. That charge may be true. If so, this book could be a remedy. It is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions, organized by theme. This is one of my favorite tools in my personal devotions. I enjoy reading these prayers aloud, for their vocabulary and grammar force me to slowly savor their meaning. I am not praying aloud these days with the Puritan "thee" and "thou," but I do remember their concepts and try to incorporate their ideas into my prayers. As one writer here stated, "We ask great things of a great God." That's as true today as it was 400 years ago.
John Piper: When I Don’t Desire God: How To Fight For Joy
Joy doesn't just happen. It's a fight for most Christians. And this book is an excellent guide for both why and how. An excellent resource for Christians who have grown weary and/or rusty in their personal devotions.
R. C. Sproul, editor: The Reformation Study Bible
This is the English Standard Version Bible with study notes from contributors such as Wayne Grudem, Sinclair Ferguson, Bruce Waltke, Graeme Goldsworthy, and James Boice. It's the version I currently use for personal study.
Jonathan Edwards: Charity and Its Fruits
Charity is the old-fashioned word for love. This book is a collection of sermons from Jonathan Edwards from the mid-1700s. It's not a fast read, but it's worth the work to plumb the concept of Christian love as understood in another era by a formidable theologian.
Gary Thomas: Sacred Marriage
Gary asks the book's central question in its subtitle: What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy? In this book, Gary looks at marriage as a spiritual discipline, examining how marriage is one way God conforms us to the image of Christ. Many of my newly married friends have found this book to be quite helpful.
Carolyn Mahaney, Nicole Whitacre: Girl Talk
This book, written by a mother-daughter duo, is for both mothers and daughters to go through together. It's subtitled "Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood." I've given many copies away to mothers. But I've also heard of single fathers going through the book with their daughters. No matter how it's done, the point of the book is to disciple pre-teen and teen girls about biblical womanhood. It's an outstanding and winsomely-written book.
Lies Women Believe: Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The subtitle is, "And the Truth that sets them free," which is really the focus of this succinct yet wide-ranging book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Tackling lies we can believe about God, ourselves, sin, priorities, marriage, children, emotions, and circumstances, there is plenty here to challenge our current thinking and replace it with truth from God's Word.
Noel Piper: Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God
This book profiles five women who lived courageous, fruitful lives from the 1700s on. Four of the five were single women, a fact that was not lost on me. A book that will provoke you to examine your own life. Highly recommended!
Elizabeth George: Loving God with All Your Mind
By going through Philippians 4:8, Elizabeth George teaches us how to think thoughts about God and others that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent. An excellent book for women who wrestle with sinful judgments of others (suspicion, insecurity, and critical attitudes).
Edward T. Welch: Depression: A Stubborn Darkness
Everyone wrestles with depression at various times and in varying degrees, and this book is an outstanding resource for defeating it. Ed Welch writes with such compassion and clarity, yet with firm conviction in the sufficiency of God's Word. Each chapter tackles different manifestations of depression and assigns helpful "homework" assignments for overcoming depression. The book closes with advice to friends and family members of those who suffer from more severe depression.
John Piper: Don't Waste Your Life
It seems that John Piper writes books faster than I can read them. This is one of his more accessible books and it makes a strong argument for living wisely in light of eternity.
Joni Eareckson Tada, Steven Estes: When God Weeps
This powerful book explores the issue of suffering. Joni writes elegantly of her personal trials as a quadriplegic, and Steve Estes adds a pastoral voice and perspective about God's character. Includes one of the most powerful chapters about the crucifixion that I've ever read. It will take your breath away--if you can still read it through your tears.
Jerry Bridges: Trusting God
In the end, the Christian life boils down to one simple element: trusting God. In this classic book, Jerry Bridges writes clearly and pointedly about what we must do to grow in our relationship with God and to trust Him unreservedly.
Edward T. Welch: When People Are Big and God Is Small
There's a lot of talk these days about peer pressure and co-dependency. The Bible calls it "fear of man," which includes both being afraid of people and craving their approval. EVERYONE is affected by this sin tendency, and in this book Ed Welch wipes aside the murk and provides a shining view of God's grace. One of the most significant books in my life. A Must Read for singles!
Ken Sande: The Peacemaker
When conflict arises in your life, do you ever see it as an opportunity to glorify God? You will after you read this book. Ken Sande provides clear, biblically-based thinking on conflict resolution.
Charles Spurgeon, Roy H. Clarke: Beside Still Waters
This daily devotional features a collection of C.H. Spurgeon's writings on suffering, faith, and perseverance in trials. My copy is exceedingly highlighted. Recommended for every Christian, but especially for those whose faith is flagging due to trials or disappointments.
Joshua Harris: Boy Meets Girl
This is my favorite Josh Harris book. I highly recommend chapter ten, "When Your Past Comes Knocking," for those wrestling with past sexual sin. Josh candidly explores how to experience God's forgiveness, both to receive yourself and to extend to others.
Matthew Henry: The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit (Puritan Writings)
It's good to read authors from different centuries, just to shake out the 21st-century ideas and tap into some timeless wisdom. Though this book requires some concentration to read, there is nothing else like it for learning to subdue your passions and cultivate contentment.
Paul Tripp: War of Words
You know the old saying--women use WAY more words in any given day than men do. That's why this is a Must Read for every woman. The subtitle says it all: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles.
Paul Tripp: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Have you ever found yourself at a loss to try to help or counsel someone else? Have you been too critical? Too impatient? Too disinterested? This book shows people in need of change how to help people who need change. It's a roadmap for grace when sinners counsel other sinners.
Paul Tripp: Lost in the Middle
The subtitle is "Midlife and the Grace of God." An outstanding book! Don't let the "midlife" label turn you away. It will give you a Godward perspective whether you are tempted by a "quarter-life" crisis, "thirtysomething" crisis, or a full-blown "buy the Corvette and get a face lift" midlife crisis. A "crisis" is really just God showing us we've been putting our hopes into something other than Him. Paul Tripp challenges us to examine the harvest from our lives and not give up hope for planting a newer, more fruitful one in the future.
Joshua Harris: Stop Dating the Church
You may be experiencing a "lack of commitment" in many areas of your life, but there's one area for Christians that shouldn't be affected: commitment to the church. Not convinced? Read this book.
John Piper, Justin Taylor: Sex and the Supremacy of Christ
This book is a compilation of messages given at the 2005 Desiring God National Conference. In our sex-saturated society, this book is important for singles to read--not only because there are specific chapters included for single men and women--but because throughout the book God's glory is promoted and His original purpose for sex is celebrated without shame.
C.J. Mahaney: Sex, Romance and the Glory of God
This is a Must Read for married men and those about to get married. I would even recommend it for single men who have converted as adults and who need to find a biblically-oriented guide to what God really intended in the gift of sex.
Carolyn Mahaney: Feminine Appeal
Many single women have asked me what books they should be reading in order to prepare for marriage--or even to better understand marriage in order to relate to their married friends. This is one of the Must Reads. Based on the principles found in Titus 2, Carolyn Mahaney addresses the virtues that all godly women (married and single) should emulate.
Carolyn McCulley: Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?
Of course I have to plug my own book. But remember, the title is a question, not a statement! The subtitle is the heart of the book: Trusting God with a Hope Deferred. A book for single women of all ages who want to understand what biblical femininity looks like for an umarried woman.
Hi, I'm Phoebe and I am a college student studying piano. I read RW the blog because you give such a good cultural perspective. I love it when you address current issues, such as aspects of feminism that you see in the news and in social movements. Thanks so much for Radical Womanhood the book! I already had a very biblical perspective, but it is great to have it as a resource.
Posted by: Phoebe | July 14, 2009 at 12:40 AM
My name is Amy Matthews and I have been reading only a short time. I am blessed to be encouraged by women who embrace and stand for a biblical view of womanhood. I am a young mother of four babies four and under and I am blessed by any post regarding motherhood or God's plan for a homemaker.
I just finished Feminine Appeal and posted about it on my blog. I wish I had read it years ago and thank you for it.
Posted by: Amy Matthews | July 14, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Hi, I'm Eva from Spain, I'm a houswife (or housmaker?).I'm christian and I like your links particularly, and your point of view about of womanhood. I don't remenber how I arrive here a year ago but I realize that this was a good blog.
Greeting
Posted by: Eva | July 14, 2009 at 06:17 AM
I follow your blog, because I love to see a real, lived-out, culturally-relavant biblical woman. You write well and address some serious issues on which I'm usually out of the loop. You keep me up-to-date. You're funny, and follow a lot of the same folks I love to read...Carolyn Mahaney, John Piper, and more. :) Thanks for being great and glorifying the Lord with your blog!
~Mrs. Erven
Posted by: A. Erven | July 14, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Hi~ I found you through Sovereign Grace. I was looking there because I feel like I'm past the "warm and fuzzy" "baby steps" of young Christianity and I'm looking for more meat, more substance, more ... more. I'm in the Word, I'm in prayer but I'm also an avid reader and since I'm mostly broke, blogs and websites help fill in the gap to keep me reading spiritually correct stuff.
I'm wife and full-time caregiver to a disabled husband (no challenges there, haha), mom to two teenage boys (they're great kids but -still- YIKES). I was raised by a feminist mom and haven't had the faintest clue about living life as a women in a biblical fashion until recently (say the last six months to a year). I do (mostly) all the things that are required of me in terms of chores/duties but I have failed miserably at doing them BIBLICALLY with the right attitude and joy that serving my family is as serving God.
I still fail at it and often find my negativity overflowing.
Resources and inspiration like yours are JUST what I'm needing.
Posted by: Carrie | July 14, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Hello! I just started following this blog about a month ago although I had heard about Carolyn's books and listen to some of her talks.
I'm from Dominican Republic and teach at a Christian School in Santo Domingo. I follow this blog because my desire is to be a women that serves the Lord and honors her calling and role as a helper.
I'd like to hear about fasting as a spiritual discipline.
Posted by: Massiel | July 14, 2009 at 09:31 AM
I am a married/middle-age/semi-retired/open-nester in the Pacific Northwest. The RW blog has opened the doors for me to many subjects, activities, countries and peoples--all approached with a biblical worldview. The reason that RW is a must-read for me is its excellence in writing. Posts are genuine, reflective, humorous, intelligent and thought-provoking. Womanhood is approached from a solidly biblical, intelligent perspective; there is nothing "air-headed" or "cutesy" about biblical womanhood. Thank you!
Posted by: Doreen | July 14, 2009 at 10:12 AM
My name is Jacqueline. I have an MA in Biblical Studies, my husband is in seminary, and I work for a seminary. But it is lonely being a serious female theologian who is also conservative. I enjoy interacting with the men at seminary, but our campus is less than 5% female.
So I am always hungry for theological insight from other women who are serious about the study of God's Word. Your blog is a mixed bag, which is fine, but I really enjoy the Biblical and/or theological tidbits to give my brain something to munch on. It's also a good spot to find out about other places I can go to keep up with what conservative women are thinking about theologically these days.
Posted by: Jacqueline | July 14, 2009 at 10:15 AM
I'm a single woman in my late 30's and I read your blog because it is one of the few places I have found that directly encourages single christian women. My desire is to be encouraged to yes, leave my heart open to the possibility of marriage...but way more importantly to pursue Christ always...no matter what gifts are given or withheld.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 14, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Hi, my name is Allyson. I go to the Sovereign Grace church in Kingsville, MD and first learned of you and your blog at a NA breakout session - before you wrote your first book. I have since had the pleasure of meeting you on a few occasions. I enjoy all of your content but probably what I appreciate most are still your perspectives on dealing with extended singleness, desire for marriage, navigating friendships and relationships with men, etc. Your wisdom and encouragement in these areas has been helpful to me. Thanks for blogging!
Posted by: allyson watt | July 14, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Hi I'm Rachel, I've commented here before, and i think you featured one of my questions once for people to respond to! I just graduated with my masters degree in social work. I am looking forward to starting my career, very possibly in a new town. I think it'd be really neat if you could answer reader questions on a regular basis.
Posted by: RachelV | July 14, 2009 at 01:33 PM
My name is Sarah. I learned of your website via the Family Life today Show that aired your interview with them. Raising two girls (as well as 2 boys)I need as much help as possible teaching them how to navigate in this world with a Biblical Worldview.
Posted by: Sarah Puebla | July 14, 2009 at 03:41 PM
My name is Jennifer I am a 34 year old single woman who is really trying to serve God in my singleness... unfortunately my family and some church folks don't seem to think it is possible to be single and thankfully, contentedly so. How do I go about showing this, and how do we train the young children in the church that singleness is a blessing (so that they don't have to go through the years of heartache that I went through learning to be content)?
Posted by: Jennifer Hovestadt | July 14, 2009 at 03:54 PM
My name is Sara. I don't remember how I got to your blog (although it wasn't very long ago). I'm a nursing student who just enjoys all the encouragement you post through different stories and such. Being single, it's easy to get down when your friends are starting relationships. Thanks for all the encouragement!
Posted by: sara | July 14, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Hi! I am Tami and I've been reading your blog for quite some time now... maybe not all 5 years, but just about as long!
I enjoy reading your blog because I find encouragement in my as-yet-unmarried state; I get a lot out of your ideas for serving others; I love your emphasis on missions; and I appreciate your humility and humor. :) I've also learned about many good documentaries on your site!
Posted by: Tami | July 14, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I attend Sovereign Grace Church in Illinois. I'm almost 30 and married. I read your blog for a few reasons:
1) I studied and leaned towards egalitarianism in college, then gained a conviction about complementarianism. I always enjoy and benefit from your thoughtful take on feminism and biblical womanhood.
2) My husband leads a small group primarily composed of singles, and your writings have been a great resource for me with the gals in the group. (As a side note, we're trying to grow in the "ministry of the set-up" in response to some of the helpful things you've written on that topic!)
3) We've been battling infertility for close to 5 years, and I find that your writings on suffering, hope deferred, and the trials of extended singleness contain much that I can apply to the trial of extended childlessness.
Posted by: andrea_jennine | July 14, 2009 at 04:36 PM
I'm single by choice, believe I have the gift of celibacy for the sake of ministry, specifically as a "servant of the church" (Rom. 16:1), and currently blessed to be in a wonderful little church in rural Texas. All of my friends are married, and I read this blog for ideas specifically on hospitality and homemaking as a single woman...and for encouragement in the occasions when loneliness strikes.
Posted by: Ann | July 14, 2009 at 05:10 PM
I don't know how long I've been reading your blog (three or four years?) or how I found it. I'm single in Southern California. Thank you for encouraging single women, especially regarding hospitality. Also, thank you for your book reviews (e.g., My Hands Came Away Red) and movie reviews (many, including Amazing Grace). I love your variety of topics and appreciated your piece about the Sex and the City movie. What do you think about Christian women watching The Bachelorette? Blessings. : )
Posted by: KS | July 14, 2009 at 06:11 PM
I'm a grandmother, living in Hawaii, working part-time in our family business, and read your blog to get a biblical, woman's take on current events, issues, books floating in the Christian lake, and even your occasional recipes are enjoyed.
Posted by: Claudia | July 14, 2009 at 06:51 PM
I have been reading your blog for about 3 years now. I don't remember how I first came across it, maybe from Joshua Harris' site.
I am a single thirty-something woman who may have kissed marriage good bye :( I was attracted to your posts because they were informative, realistic and encouraging for Christian women in this life stage. There are so few resources for "older" Christian singles, so your blog has been invaluable to me in providing a biblical and practical perspective on how to live this life.
Posted by: Lynn | July 14, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Hi, I'm Kim. I am a single Christian woman and I'm trying to deal with unwanted singleness. I started a new blog to help me sort through my feelings- it will be interesting to see where that blog is in 5 years. I would love to see you blog more about singleness. It seems as though it's not something you feel a need or desire to blog about anymore? But, if I could have my way, your single readers would benefit from hearing about your journey as a single woman.
Posted by: Kim | July 14, 2009 at 08:00 PM
I'm a rising college freshman. In contemplating my future, I started thinking about what I might want, esp. marriage-wise. Having been raised by a divorced mother, I'm scared about being married and had been taught some things, esp. about men, that I realize are feministic and unbiblical. I have always struggled with the concepts of submission and biblical femininity and associating that with weak, spineless women who can't be leaders and who sit in silence. Recently, I have started discovering the value of strong biblical femininity, beginning with the book Fight Like a Girl by Lisa Bevere. Her book is amazing; I recommend it to everyone. That spurred me on to see what other conservative Christian, strong women were saying. That includes you:) So anyway, that's why I read your stuff.
Posted by: Lindsay | July 14, 2009 at 11:22 PM
I'm Lauren P. and I've only been reading for about a month now. I have yet to read your book, Radical Womanhood, but am looking forward to it. I am a 16 year old student at a public high school and am very involved with my amazing church: Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, GA. It has been my church since I was born, and it will be sad when or if I depart from it someday. I am gradually realizing that it is totally in God's plan and timing when I get married. It's hard to trust and surrender to God when I desire to marry young, but I know that His way and timing is perfect. All I can do is follow and obey Him and trust in His promises.
Posted by: Lauren | July 15, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Hi, my name is Heather, and I'm about to begin my second year of college and my second year of life as a Christian.
I stumbled upon your blog through some Sovereign Grace links (I believe Josh Harris' website) and have only been reading for a short amount of time.
I began reading your blog because I feel like I have NO idea of what women are supposed to do and be before God. In the past year I scoured the Bible and felt that while most commands are for men AND women, there are many that are just particularly for men, and VERY FEW for just women. It seemed like there was very little in God's word defining what being a woman means and should look like, particularly in contrast to men. I realized that my understanding of femininity came from a mixture of the world's warped views of male superiority and militant feminism. But there seems to be very little information out there about God's words directly for women.
I have now done a lot of research, and would recommend "Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" to anyone. It is an excellent and thorough academic study of what the Bible says about both being a man and being a woman and all of the controversial issues surrounding their identities in relationships, the family, and the church. This book, among MANY other resources, has been very illuminating in my search for an identity as a woman in Christ.
I really enjoy reading your blog as well and I hope to continue to learn from you. I believe it is important for women to learn from their elders about marriage, family, and walking with God as a woman. Thanks and keep up the good work! =)
Posted by: Heather | July 15, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Hello!
I'm in my mid-20s and I have been reading your blog for the last 3 years. It all started when I moved away from my church family in starting medical school, and I was really struggling with my role as a single Christian girl in a professional world. Most of the ladies at my new church are wise loving grandmas, but sometimes I just wanted another woman's opinion about current issues. I stumbled across your blog via a link from girltalk and have been hooked ever since! I find your perspective on singleness encouraging, and your opinion on movies and books thought-provoking. Thank you for being such a faithful role model! I would just like you to continue to do what you do. :)
Posted by: Irene | July 15, 2009 at 12:47 AM