Carolyn Mahaney has a fabulous book based on Titus 2 entitled, "Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother". Recently I had the great privilege of facilitating a book study group of mostly young (40 and under) wives, mothers and one precious teenage girl. It was amazing to hear stories, week after week, of how these women had epiphany-type moments in their lives due to the gracious words of the author, combined with the amazing grace of the Word of God.
I'm usually not all that impressed with the average women's bible study fluff out there in Christendom, but if you're looking for a fantastic bible study book, by all means pick up Feminine Appeal.
Google Books has extensive sections of the book available to read online for free here.
I'm right there with you about much of the books available for women in Christian bookstores. It's mostly fluff.
ReplyDeleteWe once attended a church where this book was taught in a Sunday School class. I had my doubts at first, but I really came to appreciate this book and Mrs. Mahaney's perspective.
I'd much rather have studied the Bible during Sunday School, but if we had to do a book study the "Feminine Appeal" was a good one to pick!
Yeah, Hillary. There's no lack of books & learnin' out there. The difficult part comes in the application (I definitely include myself in this observation - the flesh is so frustrating! Glad for Romans 8). It reminds me a lot of that old Amy Grant song, "Fat Baby". I don't think you're old enough to remember it. The song was sung tongue-in-cheek, I'm sure, but it still stings.
ReplyDeleteLyrics:
I know a man, maybe you know him, too.
You never can tell; he might even be you.
He knelt at the altar, and that was the end.
He's saved, and that's all that matters to him.
His spiritual tummy, it can't take too much.
One day a week, he gets a spiritual lunch.
On Sunday, he puts on his spiritual best,
And gives his language a spiritual rest.
Hes just a faaa...
Hes just a fat little baby!
Wa, wa, waaaaa....
He wants his bottle, and he don't mean maybe.
He sampled solid foods once or twice,
But he says doctrine leaves him cold as ice.
Ba, ba, ba, ba...ba, ba...ba, ba!
He's been baptized, sanctified, redeemed by the blood,
But his daily devotions are stuck in the mud.
He knows the books of the Bible and John 3:16.
He's got the biggest King James you've ever seen!
I've always wondered if he'll grow up someday.
Hes momma's boy, and he likes it that way.
If you happen to see him, tell him I said,
He'll never grow, if he never gets fed.
He's just a fat, fat, fat, fat, fat, fa-at, fat...
Fat, fat, fat, fat, fat, fa-at, fat...
Fat, fat, fat, fat, fat, fat, faaaaat...
...baby...
Umm... How badly would it make you feel to know I was in 7th grade when I first heard that song?
ReplyDeleteI was not a Christian, but a friend of mine was, and she really liked that song. :)
Sooo...... I guess I'd have been 12.