Resurrecting Ophelia

My morning reading these days is Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher, PhD. It was written in 1995 and was a New York Times Bestseller. I'm only in the second chapter and I have to admit my Christ-filled heart drains with each paragraph, and the love is replaced with searing hatred! The truth of what's written on these pages is stirring up the angry adolescent girl in me, and I'm feeling the need to cut somebody! Maybe I need to move this reading to a different time in my day; I will require time to shift into a new mood before entering the world.

Ophelia doesn't just need to be revived, she needs to be brought back to life! She is assassinated daily these days and will not respond to CPR. I knew being a girl was a challenge as a teenager - mine was especially tumultuous for reasons not described in Pipher's book. Her book is "An eye-opening look at the everyday dangers of being young and female..." And that was over 15 years ago! Please pray, today and every day, for the young girls in our world. If you have a girl child, read this book. As you read, quadruple the cultural battering Pipher describes to make it true to our current society. My question in response to what I've read thus far: What it will be like by the time my little girl is a young adolescent? (--------------------------------------------!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) No words, just me screaming.....

The One Year Mother Daughter Devotional by Dannah Gresh

When I read the title of this book, I thought it would be a good way to connect with my oldest daughter. Yet, when I opened the package that contained this free read, I realized right away that Gresh's devotional would be more appropriate for much younger girls - born in the 50s! Though it's idyllic to wish for such innocence in our teenagers, I need a devotional without the flowery frills, one that cuts right to the heart of the pressing issues facing today's youth.

It's a Candy Land devotional more appropriate for elementary or early middle school girls. It would be ideally suited for homeschool tweens who have not been corrupted by the societal and cultural norms impregnating public schools. I could simplify the language and use it with my five-year-old. But like the dreamy white picket fence, The One Year Mother Daughter Devotional only traces a hedge of spiritual protection around her. It's not solid enough to stand on it's own. With the exception of the Bible, no book can. To be fair, the only claim this book makes is that "after 365 days, mother and daughter are sure to see a difference in their relationship." Is this a good resource to strengthen our bond? Perhaps in the same way a slice of processed cheese is a good source of calcium. Quick, easy to swallow. As a supplement, it's a spiritual snack. I was looking for a mother daughter home cooked meal. Still, I might use this devo when I need a stencil to start real conversation.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Living With Confidence In A Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah

In Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World, Dr. Jeremiah tries to lift the weight of worldly worries with the Word, offering a constructive approach for those who trust their lives to the faithful hands of God, and encouraging those who have yet to turn over their fears to He who is always in control, even in the midst of chaos.  

Dr. Jeremiah offers a solid stone in the foundation on which we can stand firm: God's word. The key word here is stand, or "stay" as Dr. Jeremiah succinctly orders each chapter, followed by a level-headed "c" verb.  In chapter three, for example, "Stay Constructive" speaks of body building, like the man who builds his house on the rock.  

If the gates of hell have flung open into your living room, or if you know someone who is currently playing dodgeball with demons, Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World is a strong strap of truth to gird your loins. Though there were some parts within chapters that could have gone deeper, on the whole it serves as a useful tool, one I can pick up to whet my sword of the spirit in the days, months and years ahead.   

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com (http://BookSneeze.com) book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 (http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)