When I found out that sisters Bethany Baird and Kristen Clark were releasing a book, I was so excited. I have been following their blog for about a year or so, and I have been so compelled by the powerful truth their site presents ever since. These sisters have so much wisdom about biblical femininity that bursts out of the pages of their blog, and now much of this wisdom has made its way into a book. This was part of the reason I was interested in becoming a part of the launch team for this book, and as it turns out, I did! This means that I have once again had the opportunity to not only connect with another great book team, but I have also had the chance to interact with Bethany and Kristen on social media. Having interacted with them in a little more personal way has helped me appreciate their heart and passion for ministering to girls and woman all the more. It makes me all the more convinced that more women need to hear this powerful message. I was personally inspired to not only strive to live out the God-given purpose as a woman, but I was also inspired to help other women come to understand it too. This book is great for teens and young women, no matter what phrase of life you are currently in. If you are interested in knowing more, just ask ~ Bethel Millions of women and girls are searching for their identity. But unfortunately, most of them aren’t finding it. This is because without realizing it, they are letting the culture define their beauty, worth, and identity by elusive standards of happiness that can never achieve lasting fulfillment. These standards of happiness, such as independence from men, idealistic relationships, and illustrious careers, send many of us into vicious and unforgiving cycles of low self-esteem and unhealthy outlets for our emotions, with seemingly no way out. This is all happening because most women, even Christian women, don’t know how to answer a rather simple question: What does it mean to be a girl? In their first book, Girl Defined, sisters Bethany Baird and Kristen Clark take us on an incredible journey that defines womanhood from a biblical perspective. They address the lies that our culture has fed us of a femininity that is counterfeit. They clarify them by describing the three pillars of counterfeit femininity and pointing out what they have done to distort God’s design for our gender. Then, they bring us back to the way and reason that God’s designed the female gender in the book of Genesis, reveal the three pillars of biblical femininity, and give practical ways to live them out, no matter what phrase of life you are currently in. Single or married, with or without kids, teen or young adult, they cover all of it in an honest and relevant way. It all brings home the powerful truth that we cannot find our value through any of the methods prescribed by our culture. The only place where we will truly find our value and purpose is in Jesus. All of this is done with relevant examples and stories from the lives of the authors that bring home many powerful truths. The balance of perspective from a women who is married (Kristen) and one who isn’t married (Bethany) helps this book to be appealing and relevant to women in all phases of life. The discussion guide and questions after each chapter also helps the readers see how to practically apply what they read. In a time when God’s standards for both manhood and womanhood are constantly being called into question, this book’s explanation, understanding, and application of biblical womanhood is needed now more than ever. Women of all ages can gain something from reading and applying the truth in its pages. This book is now available from most major book distributors, so get your copy today! For more information, check out Bethany and Kristen's website: www.girldefined.com
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I was first drawn to this book by the recommendation of Jefferson Bethke, one of my favorite YouTubers. When he referenced it in one of his teaching videos last year, I knew I wanted to read it. When I finally sat down to read it, I couldn’t put it down. It only took me three days to finish. I was encouraged, inspired, and challenged by this powerful message, for I found it to be such a fresh approach and understanding of the concepts of pain and suffering than is usually taken in Christian books. As I reflect on the trials of my life, most specifically when I’ve lost loved ones, I found that much of what Lusko said gave better articulation to thoughts I’d already had during these trials. Because of the weight of the themes and certain events described in this book, I would recommend reading this book to adults and teens only. It’s probably not for someone much younger than 12. If you have any questions about it, just ask ~ Bethel Pain. Most of us think of this as an ugly word with bad connotations. No matter what type of pain (physical, emotional, spiritual, etc.), we will do anything we can to avoid it. Then, when the situation comes that we are forced to face pain, we have a difficult time coping. Many will use their pain as an excuse to shut others out, especially God. Some allow the pain to consume their hearts and lives until they lose themselves to it. But no matter what type of pain or how severe it is, most everyone will face some sort of pain. The real question is how we will respond to it. The way that most people respond often leaves them in worst shape than when they started. It makes us look at the pain and suffering and ask “How am I supposed to face unbearable pain? Is there a better way to deal with it?” In his first book, Through the Eyes of a Lion, author Levi Lusko takes us on a powerful personal journey, and invites you to glean from the lessons he learned through his own personal tragedy – losing his 5 year old daughter Lenya to an asthma attack 5 days before Christmas in 2012. But he goes beyond just recounting the story of that horrible night or reliving the painful days that followed. He chose to use the difficulties and the pain as an opportunity to draw closer to God and find incredible power through his pain. Most people would not think of pain as having a positive power, but that is the choice Lusko has made. He refers to it as “running toward the roar.” He also helps give us a perspective that is anchored in hope, and is more focused on the things of eternity, not the problems of this world. These approaches to the concepts of pain and suffering are fresh and much needed, as everyone will inevitably face suffering at some point in their lifetime, probably several things throughout their lives. The honesty and vulnerability with which Lusko writes makes this one the best books I’ve read, especially on this particular subject. This book can be a powerful tool, whether you are currently facing a trial in your life, or if you want to better prepare yourself for when you do. I know that you will find inspiration and encouragement in this book if you take the opportunity to read it, so get your hands on a copy today! I was so excited to discover that Alyssa Bethke, wife of one of my favorite YouTubers, Jeff Bethke, co-authored her first book with Robin Gunn, for I grew up reading some of Robin’s children’s books. This book spoke directly to me as I looked back on my struggle to understand my worth through my high school and college years. Although I came to finally understand my own value prior to reading this book, I think that the message of this book has the ability to help other young women discover the same truth for themselves. I wish I had read a book like this when I was a teen. I hope that by writing this review, I can encourage other young women to pursue the discovery of the truths contained in this powerful book. If you want to know more about it, just ask ~ Bethel Most women in our culture today, especially teens and young adult women, struggle with knowing or understanding their own value. We struggle with discerning the truth about our worth and our identity when Satan and the culture around us feeds us so many lies about where they should be found, especially when you’re single. Many young women turn to the wrong source to find their value, whether it be the love of men, their dress size, the approval of others, or other invalid sources. When they don’t get it from these sources, they are dissatisfied with their own reflections and often turn to methods of self-harm just to cope with life. Too many women are stuck in this cycle in our world today. It makes us ask: is there something better? And how do we find it? In their book Spoken For, authors Robin Gunn and Alyssa Bethke set out to help us women understand the place where we find our value – at the feet of Jesus. They help give us a much needed perspective on the value we have in God’s eyes through our identity in Christ. We are spoken for because we belong to Him. Robin and Alyssa describe how we are wanted, pursued, cherished, and valued, and how our lives can change if we live like we believe all this to be true. This is done both with the explanation of biblical promises as well as personal stories from both authors, written in each of their voices for every chapter. You come to enjoy Robin’s and Alyssa’s life journeys as they reveal their struggles to believe these truths in their own lives and dating relationships, including Robin’s break up of her first engagement and Alyssa’s struggle with an eating disorder. Although she is young, Alyssa has been mentored by Robin, and has just has much wisdom to share in her story. The two generations of experiences and honesty shared between them would be valuable to any young women that takes the time to read it. This book also includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which can be used for group discussion or personal reflection. This is all done with the intention of helping us understand that we are not up for grabs. “You are spoken for.” This book is a must read for teens and young adult women seeking to understanding their value and their purpose. This would also be a great resource to older women that want to minister or mentor younger women. It’s available through most major book distributors, so girls, get your copy today!
When I was asked by the library ministry at my church to recommend and review some books, this was always at the top of my list. I found this book to be applicable to my life in so many ways. Like Jon, I too had powerful experiences that shaped my spiritual life and the course of my future at my home church camp. I spent two years as a counselor for a week of junior cabin camp, and one summer as an employee of the same camp. I am also currently working a few small jobs in which I work with preschoolers. I have discovered that I personally know a few of the kids Jon worked with at his camp. Finally, I also met Jon in person a few months back, and even heard him retell a few of these stories live. I enjoyed this book all the more when I realized all the connections I have to the stories in it. This book is an easy read and would be a great resource for anyone, if you take the time to read it ~ Bethel “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew 19:14 The concept of becoming like a child for the kingdom of heaven is one that has confused Christians for centuries. I think this is because there is a tension between the immaturity of childhood and the maturity needed to be the complete person we are called to be in Christ. Many people fall into one of these two extremes, either assuming the mentality of an immature child (“I don’t want to grow up!”) or the overly mature adult (“I’m too grown up for that!”). All the while, they are missing the call of Christ to live somewhere in between, retaining the genuine qualities of a child-like faith, joy, and authenticity while still pursuing the maturity needed to attain completion in Him. One of the best ways to learn how to do this is to observe firsthand what it looks like when kids are able to live out these qualities, especially when it’s done with the intention of learning from them. That’s what happened to Jon Jorgenson over the course of eight summers he served as a camp counselor at a Christian theater camp, and it changed the way he saw everything. In his book, Authentic Love, Jorgenson tells the stories of how several of the kids he worked with impacted his understanding of faith and authenticity. You will enjoy stories of food in the cafeteria, mail time games, intense dodgeball, and a camp talent show. You will learn how he eventually managed to memorize every camper name each week every summer, or how he survived being the camp director on the last full day of camp after pulling an all-nighter (which was quite an impressive feat). You will hear the stories of some of the fun kids that he worked with, and reveals that they taught him more than he could have taught them. Although this was his first book, published when he was only 22, his entertaining stories reveal powerful truth in an applicable way. His passion and love for these kids, as well as the lessons they taught him, is evident on every page. Although Jon went on to be in a Broadway play, found a popular YouTube channel, and become a travelling speaker, he will tell you that he owns much of who he has become today to these kids and lessons they taught him. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to teens, young adults, and anyone that works with kids. The stories in this book will probably have something to teach you as well. This book is now available from more book distributors than before, so get your copy today! For more of Jon’s writings, both on his blog posts and his other books, check out his blog: www.jonjorgensonblog.com
You can also check out Jon’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAnimaSeries (Note: He recently changed the name of the channel. It used to be The Anima Series, but it’s now just Jon Jorgenson) To read the story of how I met Jon, click here This have been another great review to write! I was selected to be on the launch team for Surprised by the Healer. This means that not only did I have the chance to read it before its release, but I also had the chance to participate in a few webinars with the authors of the book. I’ve also been part of a community of over 200 women on the launch team, who have been working on finding ways to promote the book. It has been an awesome experience in which I have already seen this book working in the lives of women who have read it, even before its official release. Because of the maturity of some of the stories and subjects in this book, I would recommend it for those over the age of 17, but probably not for someone younger than this age. Although this book is by women and for women, men are also finding value it reading it. If you have any other questions, just ask We live in a broken world, a world that has been broken by sin. Whether it be the sins we’ve committed, or the sins committed against us, we have all seen the consequences played out in our lives, as well as the lives of those around us. Some of our brokenness is visible to others, while other times the brokenness is internal, often making our struggles unknown on the surface. Of all the brokenness we as humans struggle with internally, sexuality is probably one of the most difficult to overcome. For many, the struggles with the things we’ve done or the things done against keep us in hiding in fear. It’s hard to know what to do when in you’re in the depths of that struggle, or what to do when someone you love is facing such a struggle. It makes us ask the question: can we find hope amidst our brokenness? In the book Surprised by the Healer, you meet nine women that found hope in the midst of their personal and sexual brokenness. They all courageously chose to share their stories, stories of sins and struggles that most of us would be afraid to share. While following the journeys of these women in such an honest and vulnerable way, everyone will find ways in which they relate to the brokenness of these women. Even if you’ve never experienced sexual brokenness somehow, you will find ways in which your personal struggles with mirror these women’s stories. Although all their stories are different, they all had one thing in common: they were all surprised with healing in their brokenness by Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. Their healings looked different, and many of them are still a work in progress, but they all found healing and freedom from the prison of their brokenness. After each story, authors Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery take us through the principles of healing proclaimed in each story. This book doesn’t end in a sermon demanding that you have everything all put together, but it ends with an invitation to be surprised by the healing you will find if you choose to pursue it. It’s a matter of choice to pursue it yourself, or to help others do the same. This book is specifically for women (17 and older), but it is especially for women that have brokenness in your past (or present), or those that desire to counsel women who have such brokenness in their lives. This book can be a powerful tool, if you choose to use it. Get your hands on a copy today! |
Lion's Eyes Reviews is a blog dedicated to reviews of Christian books, most of which are non-fiction, but may also occasionally review movies and musicals. It will also feature the work Bethel does to help launch and promote the works of Christian authors.
The name is derived from one of Bethel's favorite books, Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko. Through these reviews, Bethel hope to give Christians the tools they need to look at the world "through the eyes of a lion" so they can find the courage to "run toward the roar". To find the detailed archives of these reviews, you can check them out here: Books In Review Movies in Review Broadway In Review Quick Reviews To understand the rating used in these reviews, click here Categories
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Bethel Grove is a Christian young woman who loves to read and write, eat Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzards, and disciple teen girls as a youth leader. What started as a hobby of writing book reviews and doing deep biblical studies eventually led her down the path of self-publishing and helping other Christian authors launch their books. She hopes to someday be a vocational youth minister and well-known author.
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