Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out (Paperback)

by Joanna Weaver (Author)

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&... --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400072476
• ISBN-13: 978-1400072477
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,114 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 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 (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

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

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Krisie (Gloucester, MA USA) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	T. Suzanne Eller, Author "Suzanne Eller, Author" (beautiful NE Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

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.