Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out [Paperback]

Joanna Weaver (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 10, 2006

“Lord, Whatever It Takes, Make Me Like You!”

You long to serve God with grace and strength, to reflect Christ in every word and action. Yet you find yourself continually struggling to bring that vision to life in your daily walk.

At our very core, every one of us is a “twisted sister” within whom the flesh and spirit battle constantly for control. We are afflicted with spiritual schizophrenia, the disconnect between our “good girl” desire to put Jesus first and our “bad girl” realities that crowd our thoughts and push him out of the way.

In this life-changing book, Joanna Weaver, author of the perennial bestseller, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, directs your gaze past your own shortcomings to the God who stands ready, willing, and able to make a new woman out of you. She equips you with biblical insights and practical tools to partner with Christ, inviting him into the hidden places of your soul and giving him full permission to redeem and renovate.

Drawing on the stories of biblical Marys and others whose experience with God transformed their lives, Joanna shows how you can find the hope, healing, wholeness, and joy your heart longs for. Having a Mary Spirit will launch you toward lasting personal transformation–soul-deep change that results in a complete makeover, from the inside out.

**Includes a 12-week Bible study for both individual reflection and group discussion**

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Devoted fans of Weaver's bestselling title, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, have waited some seasons for a follow-up worthy of this original Mary/Martha signature piece. According to Weaver, a six-month writing sabbatical morphed into six years while two children grew up, a third was born, church-building projects loomed large, relational miscommunications snowballed and inner chaos reigned. She admits that the tugs between flesh and spirit took their toll on her flagship message for Christian women to achieve life balance between the soulfully serene "Mary" and perfectionist "Martha." Weaver spends 16 delightfully entertaining and spiritually hefty chapters challenging and entreating women to allow God entrance to the heart's inner places for a "soul-surgery" of sorts. She discusses guarding one's heart from distractions and cynicism; bringing thoughts under control; honing a fearless, courageous attitude; and learning to adopt a discerning, malleable and servant-minded spirit. Weaver's insight is keen and far-reaching, patient and practical. Clearly, the substance of this material is neither new or unique, yet Weaver has a way of approaching even well-worn subject matter with a neighborliness that both charms and enthralls. (Oct. 10)
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Review

Praise for Having a Mary Spirit 

“Once again, Joanna Weaver guides us gently, lovingly, yet firmly along the life-changing path of righteousness. Her honesty about her own struggles assures us we're not alone. And her commitment to biblical truth reminds us God will be with us every step of the way. I promise you'll emerge from this reading experience a changed woman!”
–Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Bad Girls of the Bible

“Reading Having a Mary Spirit is like having a cherished friend visit and speak right to my heart. As someone who loved Having a Mary Heart in Martha World, this second book focuses on intimacy with Christ, but it also takes us deeper, showing us--through personal anecdotes and touching stories--the joy found in turning ourselves over for a holy makeover. If you're ready for a transformed spirit, you'll adore this book!”
–Tricia Goyer, award-winning author of eight books including Generation NeXt Parenting

“It seems the most authentic books are the ones that inch their way out of an ordinary life and quietly speak of all that is eternal. That is the case with Having a Mary Spirit. This personal and life-pondering book will strengthen and soothe the places in your spirit where your everyday life has left you parched. Drink deeply!”
–Robin Jones Gunn, Bestselling author of Sisterchicks® on the Loose! and Take Flight!

Weaver spends 16 delightfully entertaining and spiritually hefty chapters challenging and entreating women to allow God entrance to the heart’s inner places for a “soul-surgery” of sorts. She discusses guarding one’s heart from distractions and cynicism, bringing thoughts under control, honing a fearless, courageous attitude, and learning to adopt a discerning, malleable and servant-minded spirit. Weaver’s insight is keen and far-reaching, patient and practical. …Weaver has a way of approaching even the most tried subject matter with a neighborliness that both charms and enthralls.
–from the Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 277 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400072476
• ISBN-13: 978-1400072477
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: Focus on the Family, The Harvest Show, Moody's Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall's America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But of all her roles, including serving beside her pastor husband, Joanna loves most being a wife and mother. For more information about Joanna and her books, please visit www.joannaweaverbooks.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended to women's Bible studies and Christian book clubs everywhere. June 5, 2007

By FaithfulReader.com

Format:Paperback

Without true transformation, the best many of us can do on our own is alter our behavior in efforts that in the end look more like self-improvement and sin management than actual heart change. That's why we need God to transform from the inside out. In Having a Mary Spirit, bestselling author Joanna Weaver draws on the stories of various biblical Marys as well as others who have experienced true transformation through God's power and grace.

It's been more than six years since Weaver finished writing the wildly popular Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World, but she still hasn't lost her ability to connect with women and delve deeply into the issues that many of us face on a daily basis. She points out that a number of women struggle between their good-girl spirit and their bad-girl fleshly desires. In any given situation, one side may win over the other. But the key is transformation through our relationship with God.

Weaver explains that how we think can often affect how we behave and underlines the importance of placing all of our thoughts before God. She writes:

"God has recently been convicting me of such careless thinking. Of allowing thoughts to come and go much like cars crossing the Oklahoma-Arkansas border. No roadblocks. No checkpoints. No sin-sniffing dogs. No discipline of the will. Careless thinking is a dangerous habit. For as our thoughts go, so go our emotions. And as our emotions go, so often goes our faith. If the Enemy can get me confused, he can get me discouraged. If he can get me discouraged, he can cause me to doubt."

The transformation is responsible for taking every thought captive, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, and bringing them into obedience to Christ. She points to the power of Scripture in the transformation process.

The book circles around what Christians can do to become more like Jesus. Many of the tips are practical but welcome reminders. Listen more and speak less. Refuse to gossip. Avoid arguments. Get rid of iffy language. Choose humility. Turn to scripture. Pray constantly.

Throughout the book, Weaver quotes dozens and dozens of writers, pastors and thinkers, many of whom are popular in evangelical circles, including Max Lucado, Charles Stanley, Chip Ingram and Elisabeth Elliott. Readers will enjoy the insights from a long list of well-known authors, though at times they will want to know more of what Weaver thinks and feels from her own words and expression.

One of the great strengths of Having A Mary SPIRIT is that it points us toward the One who can truly transform us. It explains that nothing is beyond God's redemption and provides biblical insights and tools to accompany readers on the journey.

In addition, readers will find a helpful bonus feature: a 12-week Bible study designed for individual or group use that allows for digging deeper into the scripture. Recommended to women's Bible studies and Christian book clubs everywhere.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Feinberg

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent personal study January 9, 2007

By Krisie

Format:Paperback

If you enjoyed the author's 'Having a Mary Heart, in a Martha World' you will also enjoy this one. This book covers some hard questions of character, in order to help you become more like Jesus Christ, in His strength. I highly recommend this book, although it does overlap slightly with the afore mentioned book. Another great, spirit-filled study written by Joanna Weaver.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking it deeper January 3, 2007

By T. Suzanne Eller

Format:Paperback

Joanna Weaver takes her first best-selling book deeper by teaching us how to find that Mary Spirit within us. This is a power, practical, book that addresses faith from the inside out--our attitude, our spirit, our words, our outlook on life. It's a powerful read. It's not fluff--thank goodness, but rich with insight.

Thank you, Joanna, for waiting six years to write your next book. It was worth the wait.