We long to serve God with grace and strength, to reflect Christ in every word and action. Yet we find ourselves continually struggling to bring that vision to life in our daily walk. At the very core, every one of us is a "twisted sister" within whom the flesh and spirit battle constantly for control. We are afflicted with spiritual schizophrenia, the disconnect between our "good girl" desire to put Jesus first and our "bad girl" realities that crowd our thoughts and push him out of the way.
In Having a Mary Spirit, Weaver, author of the bestseller Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, directs your gaze past your own shortcomings to the God who stands ready, willing, and able to make a new woman out of you. She equips you with biblical insights and practical tools to partner with Christ, inviting him into the hidden places of your soul and giving him full permission to redeem and renovate. Drawing on the stories of biblical Marys and others whose experience with God transformed their lives, Weaver shows how you can find the hope, healing, wholeness, and joy your heart longs for. Includes a 12-week Bible study for both individual reflection and group discussion.
Devoted fans of Weaver's bestselling title, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha
World, have waited some seasons for a follow-up worthy of this original
Mary/Martha signature piece. According to Weaver, a six-month writing
sabbatical morphed into six years while two children grew up, a third was
born, church-building projects loomed large, relational miscommunications
snowballed and inner chaos reigned. She admits that the tugs between flesh
and spirit took their toll on her flagship message for Christian women to
achieve life balance between the soulfully serene "Mary" and perfectionist
"Martha." Weaver spends 16 delightfully entertaining and spiritually hefty
chapters challenging and entreating women to allow God entrance to the heart's
inner places for a "soul-surgery" of sorts. She discusses guarding one's
heart from distractions and cynicism; bringing thoughts under control; honing
a fearless, courageous attitude; and learning to adopt a discerning, malleable
and servant-minded spirit. Weaver's insight is keen and far-reaching, patient
and practical. Clearly, the substance of this material is neither new or
unique, yet Weaver has a way of approaching even well-worn subject matter with
a neighborliness that both charms and enthralls. (Oct. 10) Copyright 2006
Reed Business Information.
In her new book, Having a Mary Spirit, Joanna Weaver, introduces us to the super-antagonist known as Flesh Women, our evil alter ego. As our sinful nature struggles to control us, she leads us on a journey to discover our own Mary spirit. The journey isn't easy. On the way we learn to identify where in our life Flesh Women exists, and to turn her over to Christ for banishment to the lower realms.
We all have our core issues; struggles of discouragement, self-worth, pride, fear, bitterness, gossip, envy, lies, and ingratitude. These must be identified and destroyed before we can be the woman God created us to be. Yet it isn't our own doing that brings about change. As Weaver points out, being with Jesus Christ isn't enough: we need His Spirit in us. Step-by-step, Joanna strives to bring the reader closer to His Spirit. Included in this book are many beneficial sidebars that offer practical advice for our journey.
I found Having a Mary Spirit to be a wonderful encouragement for my own Christian life. With chapters such as "A Mary Heart," "Twisted Sisters," "Mind Control," "The Flesh Women Diet," and "Spirit Led," Joanna instills in the reader a desire to seek a change in her own life. Through humorous anecdotes, Joanna shares with the reader from her own experience and warns her of the pitfalls she might uncover in her own journey to create a Mary-like spirit. – Janice LaQuiere, Christian Book Previews.com
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 23 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Darlene Seger (Bethel, PA), August 13, 2009
I purchased this book to use for our Ladies Bible Study. We just got started in it last night and everyone seems to be really enjoying it. It gets right down to where we are living and helps us see what we need to allow the Holy Spirit to do in our lives.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sara Hoffman (Playa Del Rey, CA), May 17, 2009
Great book so far! Well written and insightful; looking forward to getting through the whole thing.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jill Good (Parma, MI), May 08, 2009
Our women's Sunday School class is really enjoying this book. It has great advice for developing your Christian walk as a woman. We are finding it easy to relate to and enjoying the study.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Maureen Smith (Burleson, TX), March 24, 2009
This book has given me that boost to just enjoy loving, praising and worshiping my Lord. So often I am thinking of me and my problems and not just giving them over to the One Who can handle all of them. Thanks to a wonderful author.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jimmie Patterson (Kerrville, TX), March 04, 2009
Great personal and study book. the questions were the best of any study we'd done and really got to the heart of the matter.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Julieann Hull (Auburn, GA), February 25, 2009
This book is a wonderful aid to a godly transformation. Don't read this book unless you truly want and expect God to change your heart. Joanna Weaver has a very personable way of writing that anyone can relate to. Her transparency is a blessing in knowing you are definitely not alone in your struggle. I highly recommend this book!!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deb Mcconkey (League City, TX), February 07, 2009
Doing this with a "small" group that has grown to 25 women. Word has gotten out about how great it is....You really examine yourself and are reminded when the flesh woman begins appearing and you are no longer listening to the Holy Spirit. it has been wonderful. Recommend it to all that desire the leading of the Holy Spirit.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by La Toya Ross (Hampton, VA), December 12, 2008
I really love this book. It is very beneficial in my growth with my walk with Christ.
View all 23 Reviews
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