Customer Reviews

Strong Women, Soft Hearts

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this book as a Christmas present, and I read it in two days, vowing not to like it, but enjoying it, anyway. Ms. Rinehart tells us in a simple, but not simplistic, style, how God can restore passion in the lives of women, through daring to love, to desire through God, through forgiveness, through letting go of too much control. Indeed, I wondered if she had experience with 12-step groups; I recognized a lot of her wisdom in 12-step work I have been doing lately. Perhaps her sentence in the final paragraph says it best: "If God has you in the palm of his hand and your real life is secure in him, then you can venture forth -- into the places and relationships, the challenges, the very heart of the storm -- and you will be safe there" (p 182). If I have one complaint, it is that she seems to assume her readers are married women, particularly in her chapter on sexuality, in which she reserves only a paragraph or two on the sensuality of non-married women. But I still found it helpful, and it's a book I will continue to refer to even though I have finished reading it.

If you loved the Sacred Romance, you are in for a treat with this new book, which I endorse as my personal "Book of the Year"
Paula may be the most gifted woman writer of our day, up there with Philip Yancy in insight, honesty and beautiful use of the language. It's perfect for a small group study or book club as well, asking deeper questions of the soul -- leading to discussions you won't easily forget.

Mixed feelings about this book. It was recommended highly, so my women's Bible study group is using the book for study and discussion. But after going through about two-thirds of the book, our group is split about whether or not to continue. A couple of the women really like and are inspired by it. But the first sentence gives you a clue about the tone of the book: "This book began to write itself a few years back, when I first washed up on the shores of midlife and wondered how I could feel so empty." Not all of us could identify with that, or we have been there and don't want to work through it again. Would prefer something more uplifting than introspective.

This just may be one of the most impactful books by a woman for women that I've ever read. It's not likely to be an "Oprah" pick, but it deserves that kind of audience. If you're a woman who's caught up in doing to much and feeling too little, you owe it to yourself to read "Strong Women, Soft Hearts." You might just recapture a little of the passion, hope and honesty that the world and its cares manage to squeeze out of most of us over time. It's "Braveheart" for us girls. Don't miss it!

As a Bible study leader in women's ministry this is the kind of book/resource we pray God will lead us to. We are using it for summer Bible study and the impact has been very powerful. Paula Rinehart encourages us to fearlessly explore the places we have been in our lives and discover how God can use our experiences to impact positive change and grow closer to God. Paula teaches us to understand that God can, and will, use sorrow and suffering to make us Strong Women with Soft Hearts. The resources, quotes and study questions are fantastic. Through our tears, smiles and laughter our study group is richly blessed by Paula's words.

Excellent book, like having a conversation with a trusted, wise friend. Paula Rinehart is listening to the heart of a women. Each chapter is filled with poetic, practical advise on matters of the heart. No loaning this book out, it is one I will read again.

I'm giving five stars only because I can't give twenty!! This is an incredibly POWERFUL book! After each chapter, follow the guide designated in the back, before moving on to the next chapter. Simply a must-read for every Christian woman! Of spiritual books besides the Bible that have helped me the most, this one ranks at the very top. Get it!!!!! it's worth every penny!

This book is truly extraordinary. It is making me dig deeper into who I am and why I live the way I do. I highly recommend it for anyone doing some soul searching.

this is a great book and very peaceful to read. loved reading it

The underlying assumption of Strong Women, Soft Hearts seems to be that we all live lives with a considerable degree of unfulfilled dreams. I struggled with that assumption and so my assessment of this book is mixed. There are some useful insights. For example, "the movement of God in our lives is always to take us by the hand and walk us through the territory of our fear." She also presents some insights about struggles we experience when our spouse or best friend doesn't really understand us. However, several times there is no clear conclusion, which unfortunately mirrors real life, and the author can only encourage us to continue on the path toward a passionate life without doing anything that empowers us to complete that task.