Radical Womanhood

Vacation!

Being self-employed, I have a crazy, driven boss. She is always keenly aware of the workload. Fortunately, she has given me the week off to enjoy a vacation. 

This fellowship retreat, as it is called, is a real treat for my soul. I am spending the next several days laughing, talking, praying, and enjoying various adventures with good friends in the mountains of Colorado. There's a rumor that we will have a real retro vacation, too: no internet or phone coverage at our destination. Therefore, we are using part of our time to go through the book of Philippians together. I treasure the insights of my friends, so I can't wait to be with them: Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Mary Kassian, Mary Ann Lepine, Kimberly Wagner, Holly Elliff, and Jennifer Lyell.

Therefore, this blog is officially on break for a week!

Coming Soon: A Post Here

Yep, I'm still alive. But between taxes and travels, I haven't been able to add anything here. I have lots of half-baked thoughts running around my head. But I've learned that half-baked doesn't really bless anyone. 

So until I can find a moment to compose something useful, I'd like to hear from you. What I'd like to know is what someone has done for you lately that has been a real help and delight. It's time to sing the praises of people who notice needs around them and step up to do something about them. Post a shout-out to someone who has helped you or someone you know. I love reading stories like those because it makes me think about how I can do something similar for people I know--so let's spread the good ideas around!

UPDATE: I am grateful to read the stories you've shared! Thanks for your comments.

We Like "Free"!

Heads up on this wonderful resource and great deal from Christianaudio.com. If you've never read John Piper's classic book -- arguably his life message -- then make sure to get the audiobook version of Desiring God while it's available for free! Details are below.

"Mind-hammering and heart-warming, Desiring God ignites a passion for God that would set the world ablaze if it were the norm and not the exception today." - Os Guiness

"The healthy biblical realism of this study in Christian motivation comes as a breath of fresh air. Jonathan Edwards, whose ghost walks through most of Piper's pages, would be delighted with his disciple." - J.I. Packer  

Add the download format of Desiring God to your cart and enter the coupon code NOV2009 when prompted during checkout.

 

Discount Price for November: $0.00
Download List Price: $16.98
Coupon Code: NOV2009

My Prayer for You

Last month, I noted the fifth anniversary of this blog and asked you all to leave some comments introducing yourselves and letting me know what you wanted to talk about. I was really amazed to read what you wrote--what a wave of encouragement and perspective you left! I really wasn't trolling for compliments, but you kindly included those along with some great ideas for future blog posts (which I will tackle in the future). So thank you very much for taking the time to write and make Radical Womanhood feel a bit more personal.

Since that time, I've been thinking a lot about what you said. I'm glad to know that the wide variety of topics on this blog is actually interesting and maybe even helpful. That falls in line with something I've been mullling over for awhile: that we are actually people with varied interests, not just people who can be sorted by marital status or season of life. More importantly, in the church, we are disciples of Christ, and we have more in common because of that than we have in differences because of our marital status or season of life. When we slot ourselves in our churches, we can stifle true fellowship. We see each other by role, rather than by the way the disciple John knew himself to be: beloved of Christ. And I suspect that when we share that identity with John, we can be quick to urge others to see themselves in the same way. 

As those who are dearly beloved, let us now celebrate the staggeringly rich truth of God! This is the prayer I have prayed for you all in recent days--and specifically offer today:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

Now in Czech

Next month will be the fifth anniversary of the publication of my first book, Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? Trusting God with a Hope Deferred. It's been kept in print by the thousands of women who bravely bought The Book With The Ominous Title. I salute your courage!

Now, this book has been translated into Czech. My publisher, Crossway, graciously sent me four copies. As I am not fluent in this language, I'm willing to send a copy to the first four U.S. residents who post a comment requesting it. 

I've already seen the Portuguese and Korean editions, and I met the young women who are translating it into Russian. But I am not yet aware of any Spanish editions, even though I've spoken to Bolivian and Mexican audiences on the topic. Maybe someday soon!

Anyway, thanks for your support. And don't forget to leave a comment if you want the Czech edition. No need to post your address - I will respond back directly to the first four who request it. 

Reading Referral

This week, I'm off to the Bahamas with the Citygate Films crew for another shoot. I know -- it's tough. But someone had to do it! And believe me, it's not really that much fun to work in a resort setting where everyone else is vacationing! But fortunately, there is an associated Sovereign Grace Ministries church there and we're going to tell that story for the SGM Mission Presentation.

If I am able technically, I will post photos and updates from the Bahamas during our visit. Though that may be entertaining, it won't be anywhere near as edifying as reading what the Girltalkers have posted this week on their new blog home, girltalkhome.com. Later this week, Carolyn Mahaney will be posting a review of the new book, Womanly Dominion, so be sure to check that out!

Something for Everyone

One of my friends asked me today if I have completed my Christmas shopping. Ha! I haven't even started yet. I'm counting on those slash-and-burn deals closer to the holiday. I also haven't had much time to think about it yet. I'm headed out today to Chicago for two speaking engagements and a number of radio interviews over the next few days. I hope to be able to post some updates while I travel, but it remains to be seen what the forces of technology will allow. I do know this: It's supposed to snow one or two inches in Chicago today. Being from D.C., this means I must panic and run to the store for bread and milk. It's what we do at the first sign of a snowflake. I sure hope I can carry it on the airplane. 

Anyway, in the spirit of thinking of others, I have accumulated a few things that may be of interest -- a little something-something for everyone.

First, an exceedingly helpful item for my single brothers. Boundless has put together the Guy's Guide to Marrying Well, a well-designed compilation of some of the best counsel Boundless has published over the years. Steve Watters at Boundless pointed out to me that I'm the only female voice in this guide. Score! It's just a short blurb, but I'm honored to be included. 

Now for music lovers. Two weeks ago, my church invited the Annie Moses Band to perform a classical concert. The band also joined our worship team for the Sunday morning services. My four nieces were with me that day and they loved the energetic pop-meets-classical performance of this family band. They bought the CDs and have been playing them ever since. You might also enjoy them, so here's a taste from YouTube. It will put you in the holiday mood--"God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen."

Finally, something for husbands and wives. A little while ago, the GirlTalkers ran a great series on how wives can fulfill the Proverbs 31:12 verse to do their husbands good. They solicited ideas and posted some of the best ideas on their blog. These ideas may be the best supplement to whatever you can buy this year. Have fun!

An Ode to Clotted Cream

When I visited Cornwall, England, in 2003, I was all about the cream tea. I was with friends who knew my penchant for tea and they had arranged for a special tea on my birthday. However, every time I saw a sign for tea in a shop window, I stopped immediately and went in. Why wait for just one special experience when you can have a variety of them?!

That's why I knew I had encountered a kindred spirit when I came across an article in the Washington Post travel section titled "Getting Creamed in Cornwall:"

I had fallen madly in love. With clotted cream.

Yes, I swooned over something that sounds like you should put a Band-Aid on it rather than eat it. But, oh, the stuff was glorious: unctuous, buttery, rich. Every afternoon of my trip, I slathered it on scones snatched from tiered silver trays in hushed hotel tearooms.

And, like most of those smitten with a new love, I didn't bother to ask for details. I vaguely assumed it was heavy cream, whipped almost into butter but stopped just short of that transformation.

Returning home to the United States, I pined for clotted cream. It wasn't to be found at even the swankiest hotel tea services, where whipped cream was foisted on me instead. That started the questions: What, actually, is this rich, golden goo? How is it made? And why are the Brits keeping it all for themselves?

On a recent trip to England, I set out to find the answers -- and the best clotted cream the country has to offer.

As it says in the sub-headline: "A search for the best clotted cream is the perfect excuse to explore the English countryside." The rest of the high-calorie expedition can be read online.

Photo By R. Paul Herman, courtesy of The Washington Post

Doing Things Right

I had a longer blog post in the works for Monday, but the new interface on my hosting system, Typepad, is a bit clunky and temperamental. It decided not to save what I had been doing, and to type it all over again was too slow a chore in this system. So I've reverted to show and tell today.

The tell: A week ago Sunday, we had the privilege of hearing John Ensor speak to us at Covenant Life Church on sexual integrity. His message, "Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart" is well worth the listen (it's free!). [UPDATE: Covenant Life just revamped their website, so the sermon is now found on a different server.]

The show: When you don't have a lot of material, go with the photos. So here are two from last week's trip to Little Rock.

Here we are in a restaurant in Little Rock, where Nancy DeMoss had gathered several friends to celebrate the completion of my book. What a special treat to be together again! (From left: me, Mary Ann Lepine, Kimberly Wagner, Nancy DeMoss, and Holly Elliff.)

Below I am in the FamilyLife Today studio with Bob Lepine and Dennis Rainey. We had a great time recording several shows about my book. At one point, Bob and Dennis were joking that we were throwing rocks at a hornet's nest by talking about feminism and Christianity. But I think they graciously offered a humble perspective on why men's sins might make this ideology attractive--and why Christ is truly women's liberator. Just like the first time I recorded with them in 2004, I laughed a lot. You never know what is coming your way when you agree to an interview, but it's always a ton of fun.

Summer Fellowship

It's a summer ritual that developed several years ago. Each year I head south to join a group of fabulous women for fun, fellowship, and several late night conversations. We've hung out in many destinations--including the U.K. one year--but no matter where we are, the big ideas flow. Today, I join some of them again for a brief reunion in Little Rock. I hope to see Nancy DeMoss, Holly Elliff, Kimberly Wagner, and Mary Ann Lepine. We will miss the presence of Margaret Ashmore and Jennifer Lyell, who have been with us in the past. Here's a horribly backlit photo from last year's get-together, nearly one year ago to the day. It's hard to imagine that this group was the genesis of my second book. Nancy had me present my book idea for their feedback. Sitting among them was the woman who would become my editor and good friend -- Jennifer Lyell from Moody. I can't believe a year later, it is finished. Amazing! Thanks be to God, whose grace enabled every step along the way.

Anyway, this week I am in Little Rock to record interviews for Revive Our Hearts and FamilyLife Today. I would appreciate your prayers for clarity, wisdom and gracious speech.

(From left: Yours truly, Nancy DeMoss, Margaret Ashmore, Kimberly Wagner, Jennifer Lyell, and Holly Elliff.)