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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Super Parenting Library Giveaway ~ Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey (Ends February 23, 2014)



Dear readers, I am so, so thankful for you all.  Really.  I felt so alone early in our parenting journey, but you have helped me to feel understood and supported, and your knowledge and generosity have helped me to grow as a person.  I wanted to give a tangible thank you, and since books are pretty much my favorite things in the whole universe (well, you know--along with chocolate and coffee), I thought about the writers who have given so unreservedly of their experience, wisdom and love.  Their words lodged deep in my heart and have helped me in so many ways.  So, to thank all of you, we are giving away some of my all-time favorites!  Each book will have its own post, and you may enter for any or all of them.  To enter, simply comment and tell me why you would like to have this book.  :) 


*****
Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey

Over and over on days when I have felt overwhelmed and doubted this whole mothering thing, I would go back and reread Sarah's blog, especially her Practices of Mothering*.  Each time, I would end up with tears streaming down my face and hope rising in my heart.  I was so excited to hear that she had a book coming out, and it did not disappoint.

As a young girl, I was steeped in the writings of Elisabeth Elliot and other Christian authors who argued vehemently against feminism--or at least what they imagined feminism to be.  The primary accusation against feminists that I grew up hearing was that they were rejecting womanhood in an effort to be an (inferior) imitation of men.  All of the condescending platitudes about separate but equal (which in practice was just as "equal" as it was towards people of color) ignored the reality of feminism, which is seeing both men and women as created in the image of God.  God is not a man!  When I grew older, I found myself rereading the Scriptures and seeing a call for mutual submission, not the one sided subservience of woman to man, but both men and women supporting and submitting to each other.  

Sarah Bessey's book is, without question, one of the most refreshing I have ever read on Christian women.  Don't let the title fool you--this isn't a caricature of feminism, strident and shrill, the straw-woman of most Christian books that discuss feminism.  This is a joyful, lovely praise song, joining hands with sisters everywhere and raising a melody of love.  Whether you are a stay at home mom of tinies, a single woman, a pastor, an executive, a kindergarten teacher, or whatever God has called you to be, Sarah's book is a celebration of you and of our freedom to fulfill our destiny together, no matter what that looks like in our individual lives.

I have three daughters and a son, and I hear deep in my soul the call to teach them about what it means to be a child of God, to embrace their destiny in Him and to embrace their brothers and sisters in Christ.  I want them to see that valuing each other lifts all of us up.  I am so glad for voices like Sarah's that sing grace and truth over us.

You can win your own copy of Jesus Feminist To enter, leave a comment on this blog post telling why you would like to read it.  If you have subscribed to Sarah Bessey's post by email, follow her on FB or follow Jesus Feminist on FB, please leave an additional comment for each to increase your chances to win. :) If your comment does not link to a profile with a public email address, please make sure that you either leave your email address (myemail at whatever dot com) or sign up for notifications for replies so that I can notify you if you win.  I will choose a random winner on February 23, 2014.  Also, please check out Sarah's website and the Jesus Feminist FB page--you will find some wonderful things there!
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*I think that there may be some changes on her site.  This link works for the list of posts, but when you try to go to an individual link you will get an error code.  It is worth using the search or archives tab on her site to find the original posts.   

79 comments:

  1. This has been on my to-read list ever since it was published, but I haven't had time to pick it up. I'd love to win a copy!

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  2. I want this book, please. My email seboruca@yahoo.com.

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  3. I would love to read this book because I have appreciated everything I have read by Sarah Bessey on her blog (that I probably came across by way of Dulce de Leche!) Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  4. This has been in my reading list!! :)

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  5. Love Sarah Bessey! This has been on my list since before publication...was so happy for her to have this out. Awesome.

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  6. This sounds interesting! I would love to read it!

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  7. I like Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

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  8. This has also on my To Read list for many months!

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  9. I've heard many good things about this book. I'd love to read it! lauren.mulford at gmail dot com

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  10. I've been wanting to read this for a while.
    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  11. I love her writing and have been really excited for this book to be available. I'd love a copy!!

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  12. I am subscribed to her email list.

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  13. I am following Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

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  14. i am a middle-aged [i guess, sigh] white dude and so by habit more than choice i tend to read books by middle aged [and older] white dudes - but i have really started to try and expand the diversity of the people whose voices i am inviting into my life and so focusing on people of colour and also on women, Sarah Bessey's book was one that immediately jumped to mind - i have appreciated a lot of what she has written and even her recent post on what she will and won't blog about her children i had just written something similiar about... so feel like we're largely on the same page and would love to get the chance to read this book that has inspired so many other people...

    thankx for the possible opportunity and for sharing your thoughts
    love brett fish [brettfish@hotmail.com]

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  15. I have been waiting forever for someone to publish a book like Jesus Feminist that brings the truth of the value of Christian women to the mainstream. We are not underlings, we are equal partners, and the bible says so. Can't wait to read Sarah's book. Also, planning to have our first baby this year so good parenting books are high on my priority list!

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  16. I also follow Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

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  17. I just recently fell in love with Sarah Bessey via the IF:Gathering and have been stalking her blog since. She speaks to something my soul that few do. Really appreciate God's work in her.

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  18. I have recently discovered Sarah Bessey via the IF:GATHERING and have fallen in love with her sweet spirit. She speaks to a part of my soul that few do, and I appreciate ehat Gid is doing in her.

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  19. Can't wait to read this book! (Marie.e.osborne at gmail dot com)

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  20. I follow Sarah Bessey on Facebook!

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  21. I follow Jesus Feminist on Facebook!

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  22. I subscribe to Sarah Bessey's posts

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  23. I've been interested in this book since it was released. One of those things I'd like to challenge or grow in my life is my view of feminism.

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  24. I follow Sarah on twitter. (@mclanek)

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  25. I have been dying to read this book! I have been reading Sarah's blog for a while, and she blew me away with her teaching at IF: Gathering.

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  26. I like Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

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  27. I like Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

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  28. Oops, I forgot my email address! em_axo at yahoo dot com.

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  29. The book sounds really intriguing, and this is a subject I have been struggling with since becoming a Christian.

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  30. I subscribed to Sarah Bessey's posts by email.

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  31. I'm following Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

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  32. I'm following Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

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  33. Oops, my email is norris dot amie {at} gmail dot com

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  34. I also follow Sarah Bessey on FB.

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  35. And follow Jesus Feminist on FB as well..

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  36. I have heard about this book- and want to read it. I have several online friends reading it. I have always felt that feminism was opposite God's will (due to my upbringing) and I would like to know what this book has to say! My email address is christinagirdner@outlook.com

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  37. I absolutely love the work that Sarah has been doing. As I am striving to claim my own authority in my identity as both a women who loves Jesus and a feminist, I have been looking forward to reading this book. :) katey.mcgrath@gmail.com

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  38. I keep hoping this book will somehow end up at my public library... Maybe if I win I'll read it and donate it to them!

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  39. I have enjoyed Sarah's writing since finding her birth story while working on my thesis "God, Birth, and Midwifery". Would love to read her new book! rheadeja at gmail dot com

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  40. I would like a copy of the book b/c I think she is a thoughtful writer. ccoatts@bellsouth.net

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  41. I subscribe to Sarah Bessey's posts by email.
    ccoatts@bellsouth.net

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  42. I follow Sarah Bessey on FB.
    ccoatts@bellsouth.net

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  43. I heard Sarah speak at the "If Gathering" and subscribed to her blog. I would love to read her book and share it with my young adult daughter.
    kdenison8@knology.net

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  44. A friend highly recommends this book and I'd love to own a copy to read and re-read.

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  45. I am super fixated on gender equality issues in the church lately- I can't stop reading!!! I am currently reading A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachael Held Evans, but Jesus Feminist is next on my list!

    Jennymecher@gmail.com

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  46. I would love to have a copy of this book because it's a subject I've been wanting to know more about.

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  47. I have subscribed to Sarah's website.

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  48. I have heard great things about this book and am really wanting to read it!

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  49. I like and follow Sarah Bessey on Facebook :)

    spindimccoo at g mail dot com

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  50. I like and follow Jesus Feminist on Facebook! Thanks!
    spindimccoo at g mail dot com

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  51. I have actually read it, but I had an advanced copy (digitally) that was not proofread yet, and had lots of missing parts, etc. I'd love a full book so I can re-read it.

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  52. I have heard really great things about this book, I hope I'm not too late to enter! I am quite passionate about women and our role in this world, but I often bury my head so I don't have to see the overwhelming bad flanking us. This book sounds like a breath of fresh air.

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  53. I think I could learn a lot from her book and would love to read it.

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