Customer Reviews

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

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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

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.

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.

I read Joanna Weaver's book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and I expected this to be similar. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover much more. The author gives a thorough explanation of how we are to live the Christian life.

Starting with the chapter "Change me, Lord", she emphasizes the necessity of allowing God to work in one's life rather than just trying harder to live up to the Christian ideal. The first half of the book deals with "how the process of change happens and why God is so intent that it does. The second half focuses on the more practical application of training our minds, guarding our hearts, and purifying our ways." -p.7.

Joanna Weaver does an excellent job of weaving her own experiences into the book so that one can identify with her struggles. I especially appreciated the chapter on "Rooting Out Bitterness." Perhaps, that is because I needed it or maybe we all need help with this.

I would recommend this book for a women's Bible study covering a chapter or two each week. That way, there is adequate time to discuss the material and seek to apply it with others who may be going through similar struggles. It is definitely a book full of information to apply, not just one to read. However, I never felt the author put me under the pile of things to do, but rather presented clearly what Christ wants to do in one's life and how to cooperate in that process.

This book was great! Joanna Weaver is an awesome writer. I laughed, cried and learned so much about how to live "in the spirit" instead of as "flesh woman". I underlined something on almost every page and that is unusual for me. God truly met me in this book and I highly recommend it!

This study has been a real spiritual work out for me. Each week as I read the chapter and the verses God's spirit has opened my heart to areas of my life where He still needs to do some work. Then He sends along a little practice for me to go along with my preaching at the study.
A great book for learning more about the true role of the third person in the Trinity in our daily lives, so we don't do what we don't want to do.

The Lord uses JoAnna Weaver to express the desire of our souls...Lord Whatever it Takes, Make me Like You. Transformation is a process and this precious book draws from both bible characters, the word of god, and daily christain living to help readers to draw closer to the Lord and hear how to be more like Him. I thought many times of writing the author and thanking her then just decided to thank her editor and chief (our father instead) and ask him to bless her for writing a book that in God's time can awaken a desire to take another step heavenward!

This book is wonderful. I love the way it is written, just as if Joanna Weaver was sitting next to you on the sofa. She lets you know that it is alright to be struggling with the same issues over and over. She tells you why and then gives you the tools to change and allowing God to change you from the inside out. Absolutely a remarkable book. I believe that it has changed my life. Do yourself a favor - read this book.

Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out
I am excited to read this book. It is not about Mary and Martha. It is about how God changes us and we become pliable to His spirit. I have not gotten very far. But so far this book is exciting to read. It is not about being an introvert or an extrovert. Read it and see what God does to you.

This book is truly something I've been waiting for and I think every woman should read. So challenging and validating. Would be a great book to study and discuss as a group.