How should we think in a Christian way about modern life: about the things we watch, read, eat, think about and do? There are so many voices saying so many different things that it’s tempting to either disengage from modern culture completely or let ourselves be influenced more and more by the world.
This book is designed to help. In short, easy-to-read chapters, the writers will get you thinking biblically about food, films, and social media, as well as discussing larger cultural topics such as body image and racism.
Whether you dip in and out or read it through with a friend, you will be equipped to be beautifully distinct ...in the way that you engage with the world around you and shape it for Christ.
Contributors include Jen Wilkin, Courtney Reissig, Jackie Hill Perry, Dannah Gresh and Karen Swallow Prior.
(Review written for 'Beautifully Distinct')
Rarely do I give a five star rating, and this book has earned it through the great discomfort and response of my own heart, soul, and mind. It took me longer to read than most books of it's length, as I found myself having to reflect after a chapter, maybe two before I could move on. Now that I'm finished, as I ponder the 11 themes covered (side note: by different women to show other women what a beautifully distinct believer might think, read, wonder, pursue, and focus on as she seeks to bring glory to God) this book makes ...me wriggle in my seat. It produces just a bit of discomfort as each chapter examines an area of life, faith, and culture, and even more as the book is split into three parts: being thoughtful, listening well, and speaking well. Yep, wriggle-- wriggle is a little different than wiggle. Wriggle is more of a 3-d response or discomfort, while wiggling is just back and forth.
I do recommend this book, wriggling in my thinking and choosing, is an appropriate place to be as I contemplate hospitality to believers, to believers with different theology, to non-believers in my home (really in my life). As I contemplate my job as a believer to be wise biblically led advocate for all races of people by God's design, and Jesus modeling. As I think about what story I share to other believers and non-believers alike- does my heart that shows in my thoughts, words, and deeds show the godly woman living with the Holy Spirit leading me? or does my story show more of me and less of my love and awe for God?
It's a hard read, if you think and reflect your way through the book. But now I have 11 wider and godly perspectives to discuss with my girlfriends, my new acquaintances, and my own children.
Blessed to be a partner of thegoodbook company.
(Review written for 'Beautifully Distinct')
Every part of this book (Being Thoughtful, Listening Well, and Speaking Well) spoke to me, challenging me to be a better person in Christ. To strive, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to be beautifully distinct. Each contributing author shared words of wisdom in a way that resonated with my spirit. A wonderful book that I will definitely read again and again, and will not hesitate to recommend to others.
(Review written for 'Beautifully Distinct')
This is a great book about engaging with culture, written by a diverse group of formidable women. It covers a wide range of topics which are all relevant to us today. I love the collaboration, as women share their expertise with the reader to help us to shine like stars in the sky. Some chapters speak specifically into American culture, but even these I found challenging and important. It would be an excellent book to read with a friend or as part of a book group. We need to bring our whole lives under the Lordship of Christ, and this ...book seeks to help us to do so.
