For the Love of Books: Feminine Appeal

I don’t need or get as much sleep as a normal person usually would. Lately I’ve been putting that time to better use by reading, it’s amazing what you can finish with an extra two or three hours every night! After reading some really great books these past two months, I thought I start some book reviews and share with you what I’ve learned from them! Now, I know that I’m no book critic but I do love read and writing about God’s truth, so here we go:

Book: Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother

Author: Carolyn Mahaney

Written: 2003

Genre: Christian; Women

Summary:

In this book Carolyn is addressing the virtues of a godly woman seen in Titus 2 and the appeal to follow them. She shares all the blessings and reasons to be following a course f biblical womanhood, being transformed by God’s word not the world. Carolyn is the wife of C.J. Mahaney, has been married for nearly thirty years, and has four children. In this book she focuses on 7 specific virtues, which are:
* The delight of loving my husband
* The blessings of loving my children
* The safety of self-control
* The pleasure of purity
* The honor of working at home
* The rewards of kindness
* The beauty of submission

Personally:

I enjoyed reading this book as a single woman desiring to one day be married, understanding what it is to be prepared for and how to be serving others now and ultimately how to be glorifying God through living out biblical womanhood. Carolyn is straightforward and doesn’t “beat around the bush” with things that God has commanded! This book is focused more on biblical doctrine and less on personal experience, her ultimate view is to keep God first and glorifying Him in how I act.

Key Points:


(Some of the main quotes that stuck out)

“Our emotions are a warning system God graciously gave us to attract attention to the sin in our hearts.”

We need to be using emotions to stir us into action, not as an excuse to sin. Checking our feelings and emotions for sinful motives or being out of order in the least bit. Often what needs to be done isn’t what we “feel” like doing.

“In fact, our husbands’ particular sins, unique weaknesses, and even their idiosyncrasies are tailor-made for us. Likewise, our sins and weaknesses are custom-designed for them. Both husbands and wives will become more Christ like by having to deal with each other’s sin and deficiencies.”

Before reading this book I had a difficult time in confronting or rebuking a friend’s sin, whether not at all or not lovingly, I would come off blunt and harsh. After reading this I was humbled in the fact that one day I’ll have to submissively and lovingly confront my husband one day, so I need to cultivate a gentle and quite spirit in this area now.

“But if we submit to these temptations…”

This is kind of a random snippet from the book, but it made me think through my actions throughout my day more, asking myself in each action what/who I am submitting to.

In conclusion this book is so full of truth and practical application but to ultimately adorn our lives with the gospel, showing others the transforming effects it has and the greatness of our God!