Monday, June 04, 2007
Damsels in Distress...Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face.
I just finished reading this wonderful book by Martha Peace, entitled *Damsels in Distress*. It is not wonderful as in a *feel good* kinda way...more wonderful in making our hearts more in tuned to our own sinfulness and thus making us more aware at how subtle sin can be in our hearts. Got all that? Let me just say, I needed to read this book because I have been allowing some of these sins, or problems, exist in my own life...even though I have been well aware that they are wrong. I think we all need encouragement and Biblical exhortation to help us do what we need to do--REPENT....I have spent some time repenting and seeing some things I need to change. The funny thing is...one of the problems discussed in this book, I knew I struggled with, but I thought God had overcome this particular sin in my life years ago...I was wrong and I have allowed it to subtly creep back in. I am so glad this book helped me see that!The ladies at our church will be reading this book this fall for the Ladies Bible Study. I could not wait until then to read it! Martha Peace will then be coming to our church for a conference. I plan on taking my 2 oldest daughters to this and making it a fun girls weekend away. I have some other fun things planned, but shhhh...it is a secret for them.
I think I have struggled with every single sin mentioned in this book at some time in my life, so I believe it would be helpful for EVERY woman to read. She states that this book came from her own counseling sessions with other women and the problems these women encountered in their lives. Here are the topics of each chapter:
Gossip and Slander
Idolatrous Emotional Attachments
Manipulation
Hurt Feelings
Vanity
PMS...did you know our sinfulness can be aggravated during this time...oh,yes it can!!! Did you know PMS is not an excuse for sinful speech and actions? I think you need to read this book!
Legalism
Feminist Influence
Role of Women in the Church
Suffering through Trials
I know most of you know I love Martha Peace...her book *The Excellent Wife* was life changing for me and gave me the help I needed years ago. I wrote a little bit about it here. She helped me to see what the Bible says about a wife's speech and what her attitude towards her husband should be. Not that we were having anything serious wrong in our marriage or anything, but I was not being the wife I should be (I was not realizing that) and I wanted our marriage to be the best it could be, but I felt that was up to my husband. I expressed that to him often. I had placed expectations on what I thought he needed to do to help things. In my prideful thinking, I thought he needed to do certain things to make our marriage exceptionally great....but, in reality, I WAS THE ONE STANDING IN THE WAY OF A GREAT MARRIAGE. This book helped me to take responsibility for my own sinfulness and prideful thinking. I needed to learn what God wanted me to do to change and love my husband in the Biblical way....I am still a work in progress. I highly recommend *The Excellent Wife* to you if you have not read it!
Martha Peace is also a Nouthetic counselor and on her website she has some great questions and answers to read. I highly recommend her website to you as well. You can find it here. I have found it to be very helpful.
I just have to add the words to this beautiful hymn...our Worship pastor and former Worship intern arranged the words of this to music and we sang it on Sunday. I love the words!
Sovereign Ruler of the skies
Ever gracious, ever wise
All my times are in Thy hand
All events at thy command
He that formed me in the womb
He shall guide me to the tomb
All my times shall ever be
Ordered by his wise decree
Times of sickness, times of health
Times of poverty and wealth
Times of trial and of grief
Times of triumph and relief
Times the tempters power to prove
Times to taste a saviours love
All must come, and last, and end.
As shall please my heavenly Friend.
Plagues and deaths around me fly.
Till he bids I cannot die:
Not a single shaft can hit
Til the God of love thinks fit.
O Thou gracious, wise and just
In They hands my life I trust
Thee, at all times, will I bless
Having Thee, I all possess
John Ryland, 1753-1825
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
21 Comments:
Sounds like a good book, I'll have to read it :) Thanks for sharing!!
I attended a Martha Peace "The Excellent Wife" conference 4 (?) years ago. The book was indeed life changing to me as well. I did not realize that she had another book out. I will be adding it to the must-read pile. Thanks, Kim
Kim,
I just found your blog, it's great! Thanks for the inspiration!
I want to read both of those books. With lack of sleep (and lack of time in the Word), my speech has been very careless, esp with my husband. There is no excuse - even a newborn. It still boils down to the sin in my heart!
Kim,
Thank you for the book recommendations. Those both sound like books that would be very beneficial to me, as I know I am often not the wife I should be.
I LOVE the words to that hymn. I have never heard of it before. I would really like to hear the musical arrangement too. Is it available anywhere or was it just arranged for your church?
Amber,
The new arrangement was just written by our worship pastor and our former intern...they are very talented men. It is not available online, but maybe I can somehow get it for you...maybe the sheet music or something. I'll check into it. The song is absolutely gorgeous and caused me to have tears as we sang about the sovereignty of God in all things. You would love it.
Kim
Thanks for sharing Damsels in Distress! I want to read it now.
Sounds like a good book.I think this has to be my next purchase.Thanks!
Thanks for the reviews! I will be getting both of those books to add to my growing pile!
I've heard of Martha Peace but never checked her out.
Your "girls weekend" sounds fun--great idea.
Thanks, Kim!
I'm going to be leading a group of young moms using The Excellent Wife starting in September. I wonder if I should read this too!
Would love to hear that song...
Thanks for the personal review of the book. Continued blessings on your marriage and family! :)
Oh...btw - I love your blog presentation.
This sounds like a good book. I've enjoyed Martha's writings too.
The song you posted ministered to me this morning. I just posted on my blog about the tragic death of a 14 yr. old girl, and my heart is so sad, and burdened right now. I'm close to tears even though I don't know the family.
It's been awhile since I have commented!! You are on my Bloglines and I read you everyday!! Its been busy around here!! No excuses but wanted to drop in and say Hello!!
Oooo! I can't wait to get my hands on this one! Sounds like just what I need right now. Thanks for bringing it to light. ; )
Wow, Kim! I think this is exactly what I needed! Thanks for sharing about this!!! I'm looking forward to reading it!!! I have definitely struggled with all of those sins at some point, and am definitely facing some of them now!!! Thank you, thank you for pointing us to this!!!
The next time I'm in the bookstore- guess which book I'm going to look up.....? :-)
I am very intrigued by Martha Peace's new book. I enjoyed "The Excellent Wife" very much so I look forward to reading her new one. Thank you for a great book review. Blessings!
I cant remember how I came across your blog but it has blessed me so very much, I will try to get this book in South Africa can you please post the isb no on my blog thanks dolla. love always me
I've been wondering how good this book was!! I should not have given it a second thought- after all, it is Martha Peace!!
I appreciate your review of this book and I AM adding it to my reading list. Thank you very much for sharing this!
His,
Mrs. U
Ok, I have got to get this book! Thanks for the thoughts Kim
Kim,
I have been wanting to comment all week on this post. With it being our first week of summer vacation, life has been a bit busy. I have this book sitting here on my desk along with several others that just arrived a few weeks ago. I am anxious to dig in and do some reading. It was good to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings to you!
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