Stop Calling Me Beautiful by Phylicia Masonheimer

-
Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World - By: Phylicia Masonheimer

Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World

I picked this book because a friend had talked about getting it and I was curious what it was about. The title is catching and makes you wonder what the author is meaning to talk about. Well, it turns out, that that is exactly what the author wanted to address: Stop calling me beautiful.

In an age, where women strive for beauty, where we give lip service to God and tell our fellow sisters that they are beautiful and God loves them and now all their troubles should be over, Phylicia comes with a different message. She brings a message of change, but also one of lasting hope. She encourages women to move past the "pink fluff" of being beautiful in God's eyes, which while true can hide a lot of sin, and to purse lasting change, to pursue a real relationship with God.  "Being told we're beautiful in God's eyes is a surface response to a soul-deep problem. That problem is our own sinfulness."

"A worshipful heart naturally desires the things of God." Phylicia points out the need to read and study the Bible for who God is, for seeing what His Word says and then living that out through the power of the Holy Spirit. This enables us to live lives free of shame, free of worrying about what people will think, free of anxiety and panic; it allows us to live for God, bringing our brokenness to Him and letting Him make us new.  "When we live under condemnation, we naturally condemn others. But when we live under grace, we are quick to offer compassion."

This book challenged me a lot. I want to live that life of freedom in Christ, that life of freedom from shame, that life of walking in step with Jesus and listening to the Holy Spirit, that life that reflects Jesus and not others' opinions. I have much growing to do, but I was encouraged by the message that Phylicia gives to the world and I hope many people will follow her example and dig into the Word of God.

I received this book from Harvest House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)

-
Image
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life. Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too.  I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book. First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers
Read more

PRECIOUS CHILD

-
In my dreams, you are alive and well Precious child, precious child In my mind, I see you clear as a bell Precious child, precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be filled But in my heart, there is hope 'Cause you are with me still In my heart, you live on Always there never gone Precious child, you left too soon Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart In my plans, I was the first to leave Precious child, precious child But in this world, I was left here to grieve Precious child, my precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be  filled But in my heart there is hope And you are with me still In my heart you live on Always there, never gone Precious child, you left too soon,  Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart God knows I want to hold you,  See you, touch you And maybe there's a heaven And someday I will again Please know yo
Read more

With Every Memory by Janine Rosche

-
Image
  The story opens with Lori returning home after a year in rehab following a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and missing memories. She works hard to regain her former life, but as her memories return, things seem confusing and hard. What happened in those years she is missing in her memory? I'm not going to say more about the story; I don't want to give anything away, but you start to wonder pretty early on in the book, what actually happened. The story flips back and forth between Lori and her daughter, Avery.  This is a story of redemption, hope and healing. It is a story of grief and loss, a bit of rebellion, but a lot of love too. It's a story about faithfulness in the midst of unfaithfulness. All in all, it's a good book, and one that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how everything came together in the end.  I really enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading more by Janine in the future. I received this boo
Read more