Customer Reviews

Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: The Secrets Women Keep and the Grace That Saves Them

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There are not too many Christians who would have the courage to tackle the difficult and messy subjects that this book. Alot of people in the Christian world today seem to believe that our struggles suddenly stop at the time of salvation. I really wish that were true, but I know from experience it is not. There are a lot of people in the church today who struggle with these types of issues, but very few who are willing to actually admit it. Tammy is shockingly honest about her own struggles. She pulls no punches. Thankfully, she also avoids the quick fix and pat answers that permeate so many Christian self-help books today. These are issues we need to talk about. But unfortunately, most people would rather sweep issues like these under the rug. After, talking forthrightly about issues such as addiction, sexual sin, mental illness and suicide makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Even though I haven't had personal experience with all of the issues in the book ( including domestic violence and divorce) I still benefited from those chapters and got a better understanding of the struggles that come from those types of events. I would definitely recommend this book to any Christian who is struggling with a lot of these isssues. It takes a lot of courage to admit you are struggling with these types of issues. I know that the shame and stigma attached to these types of issues can be incredibly intense. In my opinion, the Church has a long history of shooting the wounded rather than attempting to deal with these types of issues head on. After all, it's much easier to simply judge and criticize than it is to try to walk a mile in someone else's shoes. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. Just because someone is a Christian that doesn't mean that all their previous hang-ups, problems, brokeness, and struggles just simply disappear. I became a Christian just a little over 3 years ago and I can tell you, I struggle on a daily basis with some of the issues in this book.

Another thing I really like about this book is that Tammy is not afraid to call sin what it is. So many Christian books today focus on our failures, mistakes, shortcomings, but are reluctant to call sin what it is. Tammy does not do that. When I first started this book, I was a little concerned that it was going to be just another "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life book." The love, mercy, forgiveness and grace are God are definitely central to this book. But so is the issue of sin. In every chapter, Tammy talks about how each issue is rooted in sin, the consequences of sin, and how it can lead to other sins.

This is a rare book indeed. I know I will be thinking about and referring to this book for a long time. If you know someone who is struggling with these types of issues (or if that someone is you) do them a favor and give them a copy of this book.

I highly recommend Tammy's book. It is not so much the type of book that one enjoys as it is one that resonates with the heartache in one's own life. It reminded me a lot of Shiela Walsh's books because of the transperancy and honesty, looking at difficult subjects to discuss within the context of Evangelical Christendom. After all, we've all been taught to always present the perfect picture. It has to be one of the most common myths of the Church that once you're saved everything should be just fine and hunky-dory in your life. If you have issues, then it usually is seen as being a sign that you're just not living up to being a real Christian. But oh how we're learning the truth of brokenness in the church these days, and God is beginning to teach us that we need to be transparent in our brokenness so that real restoration can be experienced within the Body. I hope that finally people will be able to begin to pull down their masks and reveal their true brokenness, so that the world might see the real power of the Wounded Healer working in the lives of His people. This book is a good first step. If you are a woman who has been wounded by the circumstances of your life, this book is for you.

Tammy is awake to what others have buried their heads in the sand to: we're all broken inside, and our journey to wholeness comes in sharing our stories with one another. Why is it that we struggle so with this?

Why does it seem like Christians are the last ones in on the joke: we claim to love others, yet are known to our neighbors as hypocrites? Motivated more by guilt and shame than by love, we hide our hurts from everyone including ourselves. It's a broken way to live and it certainly isn't Jesus' way.

And that's why we need more books like "Confessions" as an invitation to others that says not only is it safe to be vulnerable, but that is the only way to health, and in fact, is the only way to be a true disciple of Jesus. In "Confessions" you'll recognize parts of yourself and you'll see where perhaps you still need healing and how that healing can begin.

If you're like the great thundering herd of Christians that, lost in the dust and the noise of others around you, struggle to voice the broken parts of your story, you need this book as a catalyst to your healing and growth. The paradox is that by confessing your humanity to others, Christ, the God-man, is formed in you. Read "Confessions" and weep - with joy and recognition.

Confessions of a Good Christian Girl: the Secrets Women Keep and the Grace That Saves Them is powerful...and seasoned with grace. It's filled with wonderful quotes and more importantly, points to the one who can heal all of our brokenness. Many times throughout reading, I thought...Oh that is powerful...Oh that ministers healing...It's the kindness of God that leads us to repentance and it's the brave woman of God, willing to be transparent, that ministers to the broken. I know the darkest hours of my life exposed the tenderness of God the most. Though I never would wish a divorce on anyone...for me it proved to be the time God revealed His grace most powerfully. I felt as though I committed the ultimate sin. It broke my self-will and my belief that somehow I might earn God's love...As I read your book I realized you learned the same thing and it encouraged me. No matter how "good" we are we can never merit God's love or our salvation. That's the beauty of Christianity. We don't need to have all the answers or be perfect because God loves us no matter what. His grace is for every area of our life...not just our salvation. He equips and empowers us to "be" for Him. Each of my dark seasons produced more of Christ character and caused me to love others more unconditionally. He loves us...because He chose to...and nothing can change that.

When I first became a Christian at age 22, I devoured every possible Christian book, I needed all the direction and information I could get! After a while, I got burned out, so I took a break from them ~ for years.... However, this book has brought me back in a big way. It is refreshing, honest, edgy, real, hopeful and different. If you are a women who doesn't feel she fits in to the classic mold, but one who feels she has to put on a smiley face and hide her real pain and confusion, then be encouraged with this book - you will find women just like you, who aren't perfect, but find the hope and love of Jesus. Tammy, thanks for writing a book that's filled a much needed void....Bravo

I would highly recommend this book. The author Tammy Maltby lays out her life on paper so candidly and honestly. She gives so much inspiration to women out there who are facing the same issues. Trying to be the perfect christian girl and yet faced with depression, abuse, addictions and suicide. Tammy shares what most of us good christian girls would be too ashamed to ever talk about. Those of us who hide in shame on church pews, being paralyzed emotionally because of sin and past regrets. Tammy lays out steps in order to overcome and be victorious. This book is scriptural and guided by bible truths and the promises of God. She writes about how we should step out in faith, pray, and and know that God wants more for us than what we want for ourselves. This book is for any women who may be living in emotional or physical bondage or in some situation that prevents you from living a peaceful life due to circumstances. This book will bless your life with all the tools you need to find peace and understanding. You will learn how to not suffer in silence and get out of the personal prison you've been living in. Most importantly, Tammy Maltby will give you the help you need through her own personal circumstances and how we can move forward to the life that Christ so lovingly wants us to have. This book will bring you the freedom you've been searching for.

I started this book at 9 am on a saturday, and could not put it down,
thank God for a real book about real women, we start out with the biggest dreams and best of intentions, but life can be so much more challangeing than we ever imagine, this book gives you hope for healing in the most difficult of circumstances that you never thought would be a part of the dreams you have for your live,
thank you to Tammy and everyone that told their story in this book...it was refreshing and beatuiful...a must read for all women..

this book is truely a God send. Finally honestly addressed issues that many of us has struggled with, and beat ourselves up over, or even more, for years.

Dear Ms. Maltby,

My name is Jen and I live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. I have been married to my husband for a little over six years, and we are not able to conceive children. The last year has been the most difficult year of my life, and frankly I'm in a battle like I never thought possible. This past fall a variety of issues in my life came to a head, and I crashed. As a survivor as child sexual abuse, I have struggled with depression on and off for about twenty years. My marriage is falling apart, and the issue of infertility continues to haunt me. I have been involved with a wonderful Christian counselor who is guiding me with God's help toward healing, but there are still a great many battles to be fought before my world will be sitting upright again.

I stumbled across your book in the local Lifeway store, and the provocative title led me to pick it up. I decided to purchase it, and from the last page of Chapter One I was in tears. It seemed that every chapter held something to say about some profound truth that was affecting my life, and I have never been so blessed by someone else's words. I am a follower of Christ, and as such I know what the Word says about truth. But my life experiences have twisted many of my beliefs and I struggle every day to remember who I am in Christ and what that means about how this journey through life trials will ultimately work out. Your work addressed many of the pitfalls I find myself struggling with, and your gentle, loving delivery was like a salve to this battered heart. Thank you, dear woman of God, for the insights and reminders. I know that as I re-read your book I will glean something new from it each time, but for now know that your inspired work has changed me. Thank you for allowing God to use you...a. perfect stranger...in such a powerful way in my life.

May God continue to bless your ministry...you are making a difference for His kingdom, and I'm so happy to have found your book.

Much love in Christ,
Jen

This is a powerful book every Christian woman should read. Sometimes we forget that it is not our works, or our perfection, that keeps us in relationship to God. It is His grace. This book is an awesome reminder of that grace, and what it can mean in our broken, incomplete lives.