True Beauty

Usually, quite honestly, I don't prefer Carolyn Mahaney's writing style. Sometimes it feels like she's being TOO kind and gentle with me--to the point of it feeling a bit patronizing. And due to an unhealthy tendency to compare, leading me to fits of panic at never being a good enough mom, my husband told me he'd rather me not read her blog.<br /><br />But I gave this book a try, because early in 2018, I realized that I had lived my entire life believing I was an object to attract a man. Just one man, but still. It wasn't anyone in my life who caused this warped view: it was that I am an INTJ-pattern-finder and systems-builder, and I noticed enough of a pattern in my culture to sense, subconsciously, that this was my role. Hidden until this year, it always caused problems between me and my husband: nothing that was too troublesome to our marriage, but always a bother.<br /><br />So I am happy to report that this book literally CHANGED MY LIFE. <br /><br />Only two chapters in, I felt my whole perspective shift. I felt freedom from myself in a way I never had before, freedom to enjoy my husband in a way I never had before (because now he didn't have to prove to me constantly that I was good at fulfilling society's role for me--a game he was too healthy spiritually to be willing to play). I felt, ironically, more beautiful, even with my aging mom-bod, than I ever have before in my LIFE: beautiful the RIGHT way, not the self-conscious, self-obsessed way. <br /><br />It was solid advice, but it wasn't anything I hadn't heard before. But it was all in one place, communicated in the same kind tone (which I did not find patronizing this time--maybe because I was approaching the book out of a felt need and thus more humbly?) Maybe it was just that, once I was aware of the problem, I became more receptive to teaching. Either way, it was <i>transforming</i>. <br /><br />There's also a great discussion of the hotly-contested phrase "gentle and quiet spirit" that has greatly helped me as my functioning definition.

I finished a book in print! I don't remember when I started it, but it's one of several in progress that I'm hoping to polish off soon. <br /><br />This was good, just not quite what I was looking for. The audience was more women who are wrangling with caring too much about cultural standards of outward beauty, and I think the book would be helpful for them. I tend toward the.opposite end of the spectrum -- not caring enough about physical appearance and wanting a little motivation in that direction. Of course the encouragement to pursue inward beauty through contentment and good works is a helpful message for any woman, and the more I grow in those areas, the more beauty will work its way outward.

Fantastic! When we behold the Beautiful One we begin to reflect His beauty - true beauty.<br />The book also deals with teaching our children.<br /><br />A book by or about a pastor's wife.

I would have given 3 stars because it did have some useful things but really wanting to give it 2 stars because it is incredibly outdated and highly offensive at times. Super interesting to think about high school Eli reading this book….but thankful for changed opinions and God giving me strong Christian women in my life!

Really good book, definitely something I needed to read right now

I loved this book. Really, I did.<br /><br />Carolyn and her daughter, Nicole, start their book out by explaining the gospel according to beauty our society preaches to us and flat out tells us how that gospel is one big lie.<br /><br />Yet again, God blows me away with how He uses authors-especially these two women-to preach His gospel and to show how the gospel applies every aspect of our lives. Beauty included. Carolyn and Nicole explain how women-of any age-will be transformed by the truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ once they learn what true beauty is. Because it isn’t the latest hair styles, clothes, make up techniques, face lotions,or botox. It is the true Beauty of God. His Eternal Beauty. His design for us. His craft of man-kind.<br /><br />This book addresses topics like our hearts, body image, clothing, eating disorders, and the beauty of our works as Christians. They surround these topics with God’s truth and wisdom .The gospel in which they preach sets us free from the limitations of our culture’s idea of beauty and directs us to the limitless beauty that rests in our Savior and God’s unfailing wisdom about beauty.<br /><br />Praise and Glory to Jesus Christ for Carolyn and Nicole for writing this book. It was eye opening and life changing in many aspects.

My rating is unfairly low, first because I listened to the audiobook and didn't care for the narrator; second, because I was expecting something a little more philosophical; third, because the book is addressed to women who either have a husband and kids, or who are longing to have them. There are two examples of single women, and both found their "dream man" after handing their desire for beauty over to God (although, granted, the author describes one of these as being widowed some fifteen or twenty years later). So although I didn't enjoy the book, it really wasn't the author's fault.<br /><br />I did really appreciate her main premise: it's not about you (who was it who said humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less? Basically that is the author's point, and a VERY good one!). I also really appreciated how she acknowledged that modesty is more of a condition of the heart, and how it LOOKS is something of a fluid concept, that the outward manifestation is influenced by culture, and what's we think of as "modest" in 2019 is very different from what it was in 1919.

Refreshing. That's the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. It's not your typical Christian teen "God made you beautiful" fluff. This book points to the Gospel. It challenges you to focus on God, your inner beauty, and outer beauty demonstrated through trust in God and good works. The Author explains 1 Timothy 2:8-10 and verses in 1 Peter 3 very well - Biblically, historically and for our practical application. The book does address our struggles with unrealistic beauty standards, dieting, weight struggles, exercise, hair, jewelry, makeup, clothing choices, etc. I really appreciated how questions are posed to figure out what you should wear rather than modesty rules. I enjoyed this read and would recommend to teen girls and women (it even has a section on raising your daughters to understand beauty!).

Además del buen contenido, en este libro encontrarás una lista de preguntas de reflexión sobre cada capítulo. Cada una de las preguntas tiene el propósito de llevar a la lectora a profundizar más el tema tratado y a evaluar su propio corazón.<br /><br />Si quieres entender a profundidad el verdadero estándar de belleza, este libro es para ti. Procuremos de manera intencional contemplar y reflejar la belleza de Dios, y encontremos nuestro gozo e identidad en su hermosa obra de redención.<br /><br />Lee la reseña en <a href="https://www.coalicionporelevangelio.org/resenas/belleza-verdadera-resena/" rel="nofollow noopener">Coalición por el Evangelio</a>.

Helpful tidbits trickled in, but lacked the depth I desired on this subject