Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God [Paperback]

Rebecca St. James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2005

Bestselling author and award-winning singer Rebecca St. James brings together a group of inspirational true stories about young women who gave their all for Jesus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (October 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446695602
• ISBN-13: 978-0446695602
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profiles of young women who have found purpose and boldness through their faith, November 1, 2005

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God (Paperback)

Rebecca St. James knows how to inspire an audience. Having received both Grammy and Dove Awards, she's been called "the definite voice in today's contemporary Christian music." She has a particular interest in encouraging teens and young women to claim and act on their Christian faith. In the introduction to SISTER FREAKS, she says, "I admire the bold women, the ones who stand up for something, the sisters strong enough to be considered 'freaks' for the cause of Christ."

After the short introduction, the book loses the personal touch of St. James, and in a third-person voice presents profiles of young women --- in their teens or early 20s --- who have found purpose and, yes, boldness through their faith. The 60 profiles, each about four pages long, are organized in 12 groups of five, suggesting that the selections be read devotionally, over the course of three months. Though the book's sections (Week 1, Week 2) aren't topically titled, the journaling questions at the end of each section suggest the segment's common theme, such as servanthood, acknowledging and overcoming fear, being secure in God's love, and distinguishing between lies and truths.

A few women discussed early in the book are saints of a different era: Joan of Arc, Clare of Assisi, the early martyr Perpetua, Katherine von Bora (who became Mrs. Martin Luther) and Amy Carmichael.

Sprinkled throughout are international stories of great courage, often set in countries where Christians are in physical danger. Most of these are contemporary; some are historic. One particularly moving story is of Manche Masemola, a South African teen of the Pedi tribe martyred in 1928 at the hands of her own family, which disapproved of her desire for baptism. Several profiles such as this model a faith based on allegiance to God that is more radical than a cursory command to obey one's parents.

Most of the stories are of young women who've grown up in the U.S. Some involve facing and overcoming obstacles all too familiar: peer pressure, poor self-image, unwanted pregnancy, abandonment. Some are inspiring stories of women who've dedicated their lives to loving service to others, in inner cities, in restrictive countries, in African orphanages, in pregnancy centers, and in college student ministries.

This is a book for women who are young in physical years but seasoned in faith. On one hand, the book requires little of its reader, explaining, for example, that malaria is "a disease passed through mosquitoes" and cholera is "a very deadly disease from contaminated water." On the other hand, it sometimes relies on a Christianese that the uninitiated may not connect with. One high schooler is quoted as saying that God "gave me beauty for ashes and called me out to go forth and allow Him to use me." And one chapter begins, "Eight years ago, God lit a fire for missions in [Jaime's] soul."

In her introduction, St. James explains that all the women profiled in this book "held true to God, and they all inspire me to live a bigger, greater life." In some circles, SISTER FREAKS may become a modern hagiography. Should I explain the word? An idealized biography, especially of saints.

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great companion book to Jesus Freaks, September 21, 2005

By 

Jrobby (TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God (Paperback)

This is a great devotional/inspirational book about the lives of women who lived and died for the Lord. Rebecca St. James and the other women who contributed did a great job putting this book together. It is divided into daily devotionals, which is nice, but I was way too impatient - I read the entire book in two days! However you read Sister Freaks, read it with the desire to make your own life "freakishly" devoted to God. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed the Jesus Freaks books by dc Talk and for anyone who wants encouragement for the journey.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLET BOOK, January 5, 2006

By 

Kristy R. Paulson "fallen_super_hero" (Eau Claire, WI, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sister Freaks: Stories of Women Who Gave Up Everything for God (Paperback)

After reading Rebecca's "Wait for Me" book I looked to read more of her work. I was impressed with how it related to "today's" up and coming women. It is definetly a book I would recommend for the younger generation of women and young ladies to inspire them to be bold for God. I also liked the weekly questions to really make one think about their own faith. It is also a nice formate to do as a group study to really make the girls/young women think about who they want to become and where they themselves are headed in their faith. The stories range from acts of great courage in a unbelieving world to everyday ways to living for God. It shows that one doesn't have to lose their life or be tortured to stand up for their faith and live a life worthy of being call a Christian. It shows that any age person can be bold and give everything for their faith. A great book!