Customer Reviews

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

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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

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.

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!

This is an excellent book about female Christians that gave up a lot for God. I'm a teenager, and found that this book was well-written and easy to understand. I liked the fact that the stories were really short but still deep, and about women from around the world, not just in the U.S. If you're looking for a good book, read this!!!

This book is a very product of true christianity!! If your ever feeling selfish or like your life is so rough read this book to jolt you back into reality. These women in this book know the true meaning of living their lives for Jesus Christ and I only hope to even come a little bit close to there devotion to our Saviour. Excellent book for anyone to read!

I bought this book to send to my daughter while she was on the mission field in South Africa. I started reading a few of the stories and could NOT put the book down! This is an excellent devotional book!

This is a good book. Easy to read. However, I found it a bit slap dash.

For instance, the chapter on Clare of Assisi sadly lacking. The proper translation for Friars Minor (Latin) is Lesser Brothers. Not Brothers Minor. Lesser Brothers comes from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25 Verse 40. The omnipresent NIV translates it as "least of my brothers."

She skips entirely over the part that as sick as Clare was, she refused to die until the pope granted that the sisters be able to live in poverty. Stating only that the pope was impressed by her. Superficial don't you think?

If one is going to write a book about courageous women, then tell us exactly how courageous they were!

repetitive of Jesus Freaks
not enough new stories in it that differ from the Jeasus Freaks book.