Let’s face it. As women who are willing to do big things, like respect our husbands according to God’s way instead of the world’s way, we are going to face opposition. Sometimes, right in our faces will be screaming opposition that we are doormats, babying our husbands, and not fulfilling any of our own dreams. And sometimes, the opposition will creep in slowly, over time, eroding the ground from where we stand till we’re left on an island and feel alone. But we aren’t alone.
One of the things eroding the ground right out from underneath us is erotica like 50 Shades of Grey. Soft-core “romance novels” have been passing as literature, and harmless at that, for some time, and gradually it has gotten racier and racier until we have this opposition to marriage and intimacy that is just accepted and ok when it’s not in God’s plan.
So that got me thinking – if we want to stand against this as women of faith, we need to know truth to stand against the lies of this world. We need to have more tools in our toolbox to pull from as we encounter more and more hurting women trying to escape in these kinds of books. We need to read, get equipped, and talk to people. It can be scary to put yourself out there, but God may already be nudging at you to say something about this. And saying something is easier with information.
[In case you missed it, in this post, I complained about 50 Shades of Grey and suggested we do a book club on a book that gives us information on why reading it is a bad idea in September (after we get the kiddos back to school…I even have one starting preschool….I’m a mess….moving on….). And then in this post, I listed several other blogs that also are not fans of 50 Shades, because, well, sometimes people just have a way of saying something that sticks to your ribs. Like oatmeal for breakfast.]
Actually I have some good news. Actually two good newses.
One – I’m totally loving the idea of this book club and the community of women to join in. And I don’t know about you but sometimes, when I DESPERATELY need community the most is when one of my kids is sick, or my car is in the shop, or I haven’t showered in 4 days and am covered in spit up, so leaving the house isn’t really an option. Which got me thinking Should we make this book club a “thing” that we do here for community and building into one another? What do you think? How often? I’m definitely thinking Christian books but we could do novels, studies, lifestyle books – you name it! And most importantly, what should we call it? (Answer these questions in the comments, it will give you another entry for announcement two…)
Two – Authentic Intimacy has sponsored a giveaway of TWO copies of the book Pulling Back the Shades and I’m going to give you a bunch of chances to win one of the two copies. Check out all the ways you can enter!
A HUGE thank you to Authentic Intimacy for sponsoring this giveaway, and our first run at Book Club!
And if you want to go ahead now, and get your copy or buy one for a friend, here it is:
So excited to see how God will move in and through this group!!
**links to Amazon are affiliate links and help keep the lights on around here….thanks for your support!**
I love to read! This sounds so exciting. Count me in.
I have heard the Fifty Shades series described as “lady porn” on more than one occasion, so I hope that Pulling Back the Shades delves into the effect of pornography on women. We frequently hear about the effects on men, but rarely the other way around, and I’m curious to know and understand those facts. The double standard, in regards to this series in particular, is appalling to me.
On the topic of a book club: I LOVE the idea! I am always looking for new and encouraging books to read and help uplift me spiritually, so being able to discuss those books with other like-minded Christian women sounds wonderful! I can’t promise I could commit to each one, but I would participate as much as possible with you. I like a variety of books, but especially practical application (like devotionals or lifestyle). Novels are fun, but I’d personally prefer to see them less frequently than the other types.
I cant wait for this study!!! Lady porn is still porn! So many women I know who proclaim to be Christians and read the book and loved it are the same women who get all upset when men look at porn. Saddens me that so many of my Christian friends read the book and are excited for the movie!
I think a book club would be a great idea. And varying the books between nonfiction and fiction makes it more fun IMHO 🙂 As for a name… I think tying in the word Respect would be cool.
I haven’t really looked into the 50 shades of grey book. The little I know about it doesn’t sound good though. I know some people who have read it and I think reading Pulling the Shades Back would help me to better help other see why it is wrong.
Love the book club idea! As someone else said: I don’t know that I can commit to every book reading but would love to join in a few! About the book club name, what about: The Book Dare… Seems like a lot of different kinds of books could be in the pool, some that might push us on a personal or spiritual level, so The Book Dare seems fitting to me!
I forgot to add: since you ask, I prefer books of Christian content or that have ‘life lessons’. About Pulling back the Shades; to b honest, I was on the fence about reading this book… After reading a summary on Amazon, I think it would be an excellent read; eye opening in the subject of intimacy. A sentence on the summary read: “Pulling Back the Shades will address your desire to be both sexual AND spiritual.”
I would llike to join the Book Club. Do I need to be on Facebook to do that (join) or cand I just join through this method? I believe Fiction and Non-fiction books would be a good idea. However, I do believe they should be morally relevant. Anyhow, would like to do the one on “Pulling Back the Shades”. I already have the book, as I bought it several months ago.
Mariajj2555 – The first book club for PBTS will be held through facebook event on facebook. To participate, you will need a facebook account. If this becomes a “thing” and we keep doing it, I will probably find a different way to do. -Leah
I would use the book as a resource to defend my own stance. I know where I stand but it’s hard to verbalize it to other people – especially when they see nothing wrong with reading erotica. I think a book club that includes Christian fiction is a great idea! That hasn’t been done anywhere else I’ve seen.
I would love to share this book with other women… I have friends who read erotica and see nothing wrong with it…yet wonder why their marriages are crumbling.
Also, I LOVE the idea of an online book club… I am home all day with 3 small kids so it would be fun and something to look forward to.
Leah:
Thankyou for letting me know I need a facebook account. I will look into that. Much appreciated for the information. Mariajj
I love to read and I’d love a book club for women of faith! I hope to gain a better understanding why women are reading the 50 Shades of Grey………I would never do that or read those books! I am faithful to my marriage and respectful to my husband!
The book club is a great idea, although I am wary of committing to new things in the next few months given first baby’s arrival in October. I just don’t know yet what’s going to be possible! I am pleased that someone has woken me up to the idea of making a stand against 50 Shades. Up until now I just thought that it was something I could ignore; it’s not for me therefore I don’t need to pay attention. I never thought of it as a respect thing so thanks for helping me to see that!
I would love to be a part if this book club. I too just kind if ignored “fifty shades”. I had no interest in reading it and haven’t had any of my friends say much about it.