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:

Amy Wilfong said...

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!

Amy Wilfong said...

I like Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

Amy Wilfong said...

I like Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

Anonymous said...

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

Cindy said...

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 :)

Hannah Joy said...

This has been in my reading list!! :)

Hannah Joy said...

I liked Jesus Feminist on FB

Hannah Joy said...

I like Sarah Beasley on fb. :)

Melinda said...

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

Sondra said...

This sounds interesting! I would love to read it!

Sondra said...

I like Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Billie Letso

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Sera Fradgley

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Jaime Lynn Braden

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Jessica Holst

dulce de leche said...

Jessica Holst follows Jesus Feminist

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Hall Family (Amy)

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Sara Brodt

Jema said...

I'd love to read this!!!

Heather said...

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

Heather said...

Like Sarah Bessey on FB

Lauren Mulford said...

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

Maggi said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

I am subscribed to her email list.

Unknown said...

I am following her facebook.

Unknown said...

I am following Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

Anonymous said...

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]

Unknown said...

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!

Unknown said...

I also follow Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

A Beautiful Inheritance said...

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.

A Beautiful Inheritance said...

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.

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

I follow Sarah Bessey on Facebook!

Unknown said...

I follow Jesus Feminist on Facebook!

Unknown said...

I subscribe to Sarah Bessey's posts

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Darci Cahail

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Suzi Lang

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Lauren Mulford

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Beth Ricci

Kristen M. said...

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.

Kristen M. said...

I follow Sarah on twitter. (@mclanek)

Emily Harden said...

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.

Emily Harden said...

I like Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

Emily Harden said...

I like Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

Emily Harden said...

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

Migennes said...

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

Migennes said...

I subscribed to Sarah Bessey's posts by email.

Migennes said...

I'm following Sarah Bessey on Facebook.

Migennes said...

I'm following Jesus Feminist on Facebook.

Migennes said...

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

Jema said...

I also follow Sarah Bessey on FB.

Jema said...

And follow Jesus Feminist on FB as well..

Anonymous said...

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

Kate K said...

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

Sara at CatholicAgain said...

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!

Sara at CatholicAgain said...

I like Sarah Bessey on FB

Sara at CatholicAgain said...

I also like Jesus Feminist on FB

rheadeja said...

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

rheadeja said...

Following on Facebook

rheadeja said...

Subscribed to her page.

Cheryl Oatts said...

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

Cheryl Oatts said...

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

Cheryl Oatts said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Kyle & Jenny said...

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

Brenda K. said...

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

Brenda K. said...

I liked Sarah on Facebook.

Brenda K. said...

I have subscribed to Sarah's website.

Heather said...

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

Cindy said...

I like and follow Sarah Bessey on Facebook :)

spindimccoo at g mail dot com

Cindy said...

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

Vanessa said...

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.

Rachel said...

Have been wanting to read this.

Mary K said...

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.

The Cook Family said...

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

The Cook Family said...

I liked Sarah on FB

dulce de leche said...

Entry for Stephanie Pickett