Book Review: 7 WOMEN And the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

Psalm 119:94(MSG)

Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for Your words of wisdom.

Publisher's Description:

In his eagerly anticipated follow-up to the enormously successful Seven Men, New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas gives us seven captivating portraits of some of history’s greatest women, each of whom changed the course of history by following God’s call upon their lives—as women.

This book is a collection of brave stories
of conviction, strength, and faith
experienced through the lives of seven
seemingly ordinary women.

Each of the world-changing figures who stride across these pages—Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Maria Skobtsova, Corrie ten Boom, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks—is an exemplary model of true womanhood. Teenage Joan of Arc followed God’s call and liberated her country, dying a heroic martyr’s death. Susanna Wesley had nineteen children and gave the world its most significant evangelist and its greatest hymn-writer, her sons John and Charles. Corrie ten Boom, arrested for hiding Dutch Jews from the Nazis, survived the horrors of a concentration camp to astonish the world by forgiving her tormentors. And Rosa Parks’ deep sense of justice and unshakable dignity and faith helped launch the twentieth-century’s greatest social movement.

Writing in his trademark conversational and engaging style, Eric Metaxas reveals how the other extraordinary women in this book achieved their greatness, inspiring readers to lives shaped by the truth of the gospel.

My Personal Review:

Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas is an inspiring and motivating book. The seven brief biographies of Godly women included within this work will serve to ignite your dedication and determination to follow hard after the call God has placed on your life. 

Seven Women  by Eric Metaxas provides a spring board of encouragement that will grow the reader's faith. Reading the detailed stories of each of these faith filled women as they took a stand for what they believed in, despite staring into the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and adversity is more than just compelling, it's inspiring. After completing the book, I found myself searching my own heart for what God might be asking of me. 

I chose to read this particular book, because I read Metaxas' book: 7 Men and The Secret Of Their Greatness and found it quite fascinating. I was delighted when I heard the author was working on a similar book about women. I have a great admiration for Corrie Ten Boom as well, so when I discovered she was one of the women to be included in the book, I knew it must be on my "reading list."

The fact that each of these women were empowered by a deep trust in God to fulfill very specific, albeit quite different callings across time, makes this one of the most captivating books I have ever read! The author's choice to illuminate the women's successes and failures plus their tenacity and weaknesses made this work all the more meaningful. The common denominator in each of these ladies lives seemed to be an uncanny ability to not only receive the Lord's direction in their lives, but to follow the voice of God. Literally, Joan of Arc heard audible instructions from God, while the other women seemed to receive their guidance more subtly through God's written words, music, a pressing vision, or a strong sense of injustice. Whatever the means by which God supplied His directives, these women intuitively followed Him. 

Each life represented on the pages of 7 Women have been frozen in time and can now be utilized as role models for generations of young women. Their memoirs of selflessness and dedication to God serve as a reminder that what we etch on our heart will most surely be lived out in our lives. I plan to make this book a "required read" for my high school daughter, as I think it will be an invaluable tool to assist with growing her confidence in God as she reads how He has spoken into these women's lives. I am hoping that after reading 7 Women by Eric Metaxas, she will answer an unequivocal "yes" to Mother Teresa's famous question.... "Would you like to do something beautiful for God?" I am praying that the same "determination to live in complete reliance on Him" that was at the root of Mother Teresa's actions will find it's way into my heart and home. 

I appreciated each of the lives sketched out in this book. I am amazed and in awe at: the persistence and tenacity of Mother Teresa; the bravery and courage of Joan of Arc; the forgiveness of Corrie Ten Boom; the sensitivity toward injustice of Rosa Parks; the determination, organization and family dedication of Susanna Wesley; the morality, writing skills and perception of marriage as an "institution to advance the kingdom of God" of Hannah More; and finally the authenticity, devotion and servant-hood of  Maria Skobtsova. 7 Women by Eric Metaxas reveals that the Lord has a gift for each one of us, if we are willing to hear and respond to His voice!

I would like to thank Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. for this review copy of 7Women by Eric Metaxas provided to me through BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a favorable review. The opinions within this review are strictly my own.

Book Review: 7 Men and The Secret Of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas

In Seven Men, New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas presents seven exquisitely crafted short portraits of widely known―but not well understood―Christian men, each of whom uniquely showcases a commitment to live by certain virtues in the truth of the gospel.

A MUST read for every parent!
This book brings a clarity to the
definition of "greatness" as defined
by the lives of seven men from
history. 

Written in a beautiful and engaging style, Seven Men addresses what it means (or should mean) to be a man today, at a time when media and popular culture present images of masculinity that are not the picture presented in Scripture and historic civil life. What does it take to be a true exemplar as a father, brother, husband, leader, coach, counselor, change agent, and wise man? 

What does it mean to stand for honesty, courage, and charity, especially at times when the culture and the world run counter to those values?

Each of the seven biographies represents the life of a man who experienced the struggles and challenges to be strong in the face of forces and circumstances that would have destroyed the resolve of lesser men. 

Each of the seven men profiled―George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, John Paul II, and Charles Colson―call the reader to a more elevated walk and lifestyle, one that embodies the gospel in the world around us.

My Personal Review:

7 Men And The Secret Of Their Greatness  by Eric Metaxas is a wonderfully well written book that brings to light the intentions of seven men, who by their own selfless actions, changed the course of history for countless lives. 

7 Men  by Eric Metaxas was an excellent read! I chose this book specifically because I had the privilege of listening to Eric Metaxas a few years ago as he spoke about his book, Bonhoeffer. His undeniable attention to detail  combined with his obvious intelligence level (glad I have a Kindle to quickly decode some of his vocabulary) will hold the reader captive. 

In this book, 7 Men the author chooses seven men in history and proceeds to summarize their lives and highlight their convictions and courage to stand up for what they believe in. The men span across cultures, countries, and centuries, however, they all have a common thread running through their life, and that is the spirit of humility driven by a desire to serve others.

I found this book to be an essential tool for parents in general, but specifically for those who are trying to raise up Godly men in the 21st Century. 7 Men by Eric Metaxas, gives tangible examples of men in history who have lived a life filled with challenges and yet these men were able to rise to each occasion and bring about an outcome that was reflective of a love for God and His people. This is a fast and insightful read that I am confident you will find not only enjoyable, but useful. 

Pre-order this book today.

After reading this book, I am very excited to read Eric Metaxas' new book which will be released in September, 2015 titled: 7 Women and The Secret of Their Greatness. He gives a sneak peek to this new informative work on "great women" in history at the end of his book, 7 Men. It includes my "faith hero", Corrie Ten Boom! I canNOT wait!!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for this review copy of 7 Men by Erick Metaxas provided through the BookLook Bloggers program. I was given this copy in exchange for an honest review of this work. The opinions expressed within this review are my own.

Book Review: Their Name Is Today~Reclaiming Childhood in a Hostile World by Johann Christoph Arnold

This book has the power to
strengthen & encourage
parents!  Don't miss it!

There’s hope for childhood. Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that are robbing children of a healthy childhood, courageous parents and teachers who know what’s best for children are turning the tide.

Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books on education, parenting, and relationships have helped more than a million readers through life’s challenges, draws on the stories and voices of parents and educators on the ground, and a wealth of personal experience. He surveys the drastic changes in the lives of children, but also the groundswell of grassroots advocacy and action that he believes will lead to the triumph of common sense and time-tested wisdom.

Arnold takes on technology, standardized testing, overstimulation, academic pressure, marketing to children, over-diagnosis and much more, calling on everyone who loves children to combat these threats to childhood and find creative ways to help children flourish. Every parent, teacher, and childcare provider has the power to make a difference, by giving children time to play, access to nature, and personal attention, and most of all, by defending their right to remain children.

My  Personal Review:

Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold is a great book calling all parents to wake up and take a stand for their children…..NOW...while it is still today!! Reading this work highlights the daily challenges that parents are faced with in the increasingly electronic and over stimulating culture in which we live.  The author does not stop with merely informing us of the obstacles we face, but he also outlines significant and tangible solutions to equip the reader with a plan of action.  

Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold is a call to reclaim our role as parents and step up to meet the true needs of our children in an ever changing, increasingly fast paced world, and inherently materialistic culture.  The book is not for the faint hearted as it illuminates a lot of the monstrous challenges that we face as parents in our attempt to raise well balanced, God fearing, respectful, productive adults in western civilization today. 

The author, Johann Christoph Arnold is a senior pastor of the Bruderhof, described as a Christian community.  His esteem for children and family is heartwarming and champions a desire within the reader’s heart to make a genuine effort to clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses within each of our children and respond appropriately.

The author has much to say about the way in which we should guide our children including ample time for them to be a child through play and plenty of outdoor nature exploration, as this is truly how they learn problem solving skills that will take them into adulthood.  Arnold also emphasizes the extreme importance of authentic human interactions and the danger of missing these opportunities due to time lost in electronic screens. 

There is much to learn within the pages of this book.  The urgency that is felt as one reads this text is contagious and presents the reader with the simple truth that our children really are only children for a short time, therefore, we cannot afford to miss the opportunity to give them the best of ourselves in a devoted manner, while it is still today.  Arnold reminds us that culture is constantly undercutting our job at every turn, but we must stand firm in our convictions. 

There is a spirit of love and compassion sprinkled with reverence from beginning to end in this book.  Arnold’s sincerity is clear and his mission is undeniable.  The message is a cry to put away our electronics; reprioritize our schedules to personally lead our children; be role models without hypocrisy; and to live with the constant reminder that “parenting is a privilege and not a problem!”  Do not delay in getting this book.  You will be a wiser parent for having read it!

Thank you to Plough Publishing House for this review copy of Their Name Is Today by Johann Christoph Arnold.  The opinions within this review are my own.  I was honored to have read this book, and feel that I have been given a gentle reminder of the importance of the job called, “parenting”.