girltalk Blog
2007 at 4:03 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps”—wise truth for all matters of life, but as John Ensor rightly observes, the stakes are high when it comes to matters of the heart.
In this book, as in Scripture, we are presented with two options:
1. Be simple—and believe in the “postmodern paradigm of meeting up, hooking up, shacking up, and breaking up” because “that is what most people are doing.” The results are “weeping into tear-stained pillows through sleepless nights…hot flashes of shame…spiritual incapacitation…self-doubt and self-loathing” for starters.
OR
1. Be prudent—and “consult the Maker and Master of hearts when it comes to matters of the heart” and build a firm “foundation of lasting love and…enduring friendship.”
Maybe you have already been defrauded by the world’s way. It’s not too late to receive forgiveness and “do things right.” Or you may be a young women with no experience in matters of the heart. This book can be an invaluable guide. Or maybe you’re married and think “matters of the heart” are a thing of the past. Nevertheless, this book has some vitally important to convey to you.
Whatever your situation, John Ensor makes good on his claim: “I present a compelling vision of complementarity between the sexes. I propose action, but it is a complementary action for each.”
This book contains beautiful truth and and it also compels us to act. And we want to encourage you to take one action this week in response to chapter one. Read chapter two (of course). But also consider: Who in your life passes the pudding test? Who are the single women or married couples you know whose lives present “a compelling vision of complementarity”?
Once you’ve answered this question, go and tell them so. All too often we reserve intelligent encouragement for milestone birthdays or eulogies. But let’s not wait until then. Let’s thank those whose wise counsel is backed by real-life “pudding.” And let’s do it this week.
What’s more, let’s follow their example and the godly advice of this book. For if we do, someday we’re sure to have some pudding of our own.
2007 at 3:27 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
Just after Christmas this past year, Steve and I went on vacation with some friends. On the road trip home I read aloud to him from a manuscript of a soon-to-be released book that my parents had let me borrow. For most of the drive on Interstate 81, we enjoyed a memorable and helpful discussion, which touched on many points throughout the book. It was insightful, fresh, well-written, and although directed at single men and women, surprisingly applicable to a six-year married couple like us.
We’re so happy to announce that this book has recently been published and is the next selection for our girltalk book club! The title: Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart
by John Ensor.
Crossway, the publisher, describes the book as an “easy-to-read guide for men and women [that] presents a biblical alternative to the culture’s broken system of ‘serial dating.’” And Dad adds his endorsement:
“Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart defines and describes biblical masculinity and femininity for single adults. I would also encourage those who are married to read it. John Ensor is a creative and theologically astute writer. I have thanked him for writing this book and you will too.”
As Dad explains, this is more than just a relationships book for singles. It has valuable insight married men and women need to hear (and probably wish they’d heard much earlier!) and can be a useful tool for parents seeking to train their teenagers in biblical masculinity and femininity (although please exercise wisdom based on the maturity of your child).
You can order the book by clicking on the link on our sidebar. We will give you several weeks to obtain it before we begin reading assignments. Then together, we’ll all consider how to do things right in matters of the heart.
2007 at 3:43 pm | by Kristin Chesemore
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Series Girltalk Book Club
As we conclude our book club series (interview with Sharon James coming soon!) this quote from chapter twelve fits well with our spring-clean topic this week. On page 193, Elizabeth writes to a friend:
“I sympathize with your fear of spending too much time adorning your home, etc. etc. It is a nice question how far to go and how far to stay. But I honestly believe that a bare, blank, prosaic home makes religion appear dreadfully homely [unattractive]. We enjoy seeing our children enjoy their work and their play; is our Father unwilling to let us enjoy ours?...It seems to me that we are meant to use all the faculties God gives us…”
Elizabeth understood the truth that Mom highlighted on Monday. By making our homes beautiful we can reflect God’s delight in beauty to those around us. So let’s enjoy using the faculties God has given us and pick that one spot!
2007 at 2:24 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Series Girltalk Book Club
I get to be the bearer of some very exciting news for today’s book club post. Sharon James, the author of our current selection has kindly agreed to do an interview with us. What a treat!
Here’s the deal. Instead of us coming up with the questions, we want y’all to do the asking. So decide on a question or two that you would like to ask Mrs. James, hop on your e-mail and send your question to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by April 11th. This only gives you a couple of days, so you don’t want to dawdle. We can’t promise that we will be able to use every question, but we will get to as many as possible. This is gonna be fun!
Be sure to read the Epilogue and Conclusion of the book for this coming week.
2007 at 3:32 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
In chapter ten we read about the publication of Elizabeth Prentiss’ most popular novel, Stepping Heavenward. No doubt this book is well loved by many of you. Over a year ago, Kristin posted some brief thoughts on this book, a work that continues to encourage women even in the twenty-first century. We’ve reposted her comments below for you to enjoy.
Chapter eleven covers a time period when Elizabeth published several more works—among them Aunt Jane’s Hero, “an ‘advice’ manual on courtship and marriage cast in the form of a novel.”
On page 233 of Elizabeth Prentiss: ‘More Love to Thee’ you will find a list of current works by Elizabeth Prentiss still in print. You can purchase Aunt Jane’s Hero along with several others from Calvary Press. A.B. Publishing has made still more of her works available, and Solid Ground Christian Books has reprinted Golden Hours: Heart-Hymns of the Christian Life. We hope this study of Elizabeth Prentiss’ life has encouraged you to read more of this godly woman’s writings.
Please read the final chapter, twelve for next week. And stick around for the Friday Funnies.
Stepping Heavenward
August 17, 2005
Several years ago, in between the births of my sons Andrew and Liam I suffered two miscarriages in a row. When I was walking through the disappointment of my first miscarriage, my friend Nadia gave me the book Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss.
In this book, Elizabeth’s fictional character Katy begins as a selfish teenager, and Elizabeth brings us into her thoughts, struggles, and sin. Then she takes us on the journey of Katy’s life as she embraces her call as a wife and mother. We are able to see up close the Lord’s work in her life as she walks through much trial and suffering.
As I found my soul tempted towards discouragement and unbelief, Prentiss’ (loosely autobiographical) character’s suffering put mine in perspective. She lost one of her children and experienced significant physical challenges that confined her to her room for lengthy seasons. Yet as she passed through this shadow of death she took hold of Scripture and began to embrace a God-centered perspective on her trials.
As Katy recounts:
“During my long illness and confinement to my room, the Bible has been almost a new book to me, and I see that God has always dealt with His children as He deals with them now, and that no new thing has befallen me. All these weary days so full of feebleness, these nights so full of unrest, have had their appointed mission to my soul. And perhaps I have had no discipline so salutary as this forced inaction and uselessness, at a time when youth and natural energy continually cried our for room and work.”
Whatever my days and nights hold, my confidence is this: they always have their appointed mission to my soul. Whether it’s the significant trial of a miscarriage or the simple daily temptations faced in just patiently caring for my two-year-old, I can be sure that in every day the Lord has an appointed mission for my soul.
Ultimately my hope and joy rest not in my circumstances. Whether my days are happy or difficult, whether I experience loss or gain. God’s word points me to the joy that is unshakeable, the joy of knowing peace with Him, through Jesus Christ. Prentiss’ character, Katy, found in God the same unshakeable joy. And these are her words on a particularly happy day:
“This is the 10th anniversary of our wedding day and it has been a delightful one. If I were called upon to declare what has been the chief element of my happiness I would say it was not Ernest’s love to me or mine to him or that I am once more the mother of three children or that my own dear mother still lives, though I revel in each and all of these. But underneath them all, deeper, stronger than all, lies a peace with God that I can compare to no other joy, which I guard as I would guard hidden treasure, and which must abide even if all other things pass away.”
I want to be faithful to guard that hidden treasure of peace with God, whether in joy and prosperity, or in suffering.
2007 at 3:25 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Series Girltalk Book Club
A stomach virus hit my baby girl in full force on Wednesday night. (Yes, this is the Book Club post. I’m getting there.) I awoke to her crying around midnight and her little stomach didn’t calm down (trying to put things delicately for all you easily grossed out people) until around 5 a.m. She is slowly recovering but wants Mommy to hold her or sit right next to her constantly. Lots of snuggle time!
While we are sharing many special moments together, the days have been long and required sacrifice. I have been tired from a lack of sleep and can’t get anything done unless Caly is napping. And when she is napping, something seems to pull me to my bed too! Caly isn’t thanking me; no one is here to watch and sing my praises.
But the Lord knew exactly what I needed to be reminded of. In chapter ten, when Sharon James describes Elizabeth’s novel, Stepping Heavenward, she writes: “The novel thus urged women to view every act of obedience, however humble, as an act of worship. This gave significance to all aspects of everyday life.” I was reminded that caring for my sick girl can be an act of worship to God. Motherhood is significant, regardless of how unglamorous or challenging, if done in obedience to God. Amazing!
This truth reaches far beyond sick kiddos. You may be sitting at work or school, or maybe you are carpooling or cleaning—doing tasks that don’t seem very important. If so, read these words again: “Your EVERY act of obedience, however humble, is an act of worship.” Rejoice in these opportunities to worship your Savior this day!
P.S. Read chapter 11 for next week.
P.S.S. Picture of my sick girly…
2007 at 4:16 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Series Girltalk Book Club
In last week’s book club discussion we asked you to send us your story of how a woman brought you the “consolation of Christ” in the midst of difficulty. Thank you for your entries—it was very moving to read each one! Although it is always hard to choose, we thought you would be blessed to hear from another Elise (read a testimony from yesterday’s Elise here) and how her pastor’s wife and her mother faithfully cared for her during a trying time.
Don’t forget to read chapter 10 for next week.
I have been privileged to be carried and cared for by many over the past two and a half years, but two women in particular stand out as ladies who brought me the “consolation of Christ” (I’m sorry I can’t pick just one!) and those would be Nancy Loftness and my mom, Pam Ecrement.
Briefly, my story is one certainly many have shared… the joy of pregnancy, my fourth child and the overwhelming news at our 20 week sonogram that something was wrong. First, our son appeared to have only one finger, an arm that was significantly shorter than the other side, a foot that was twisted laterally in half and because all of these vascular defects were on one side, the prognosis was not good. Various “syndromes” were predicted and we were asked if we were comfortable with continuing the pregnancy.
Throughout the remaining weeks of pregnancy we saw specialist after specialist and had numerous additional sonograms and tests. Often the appointments would reveal information that was worse or more sketchy than the previous with one doctor even professing that our child might not live past the first several hours.
But God took care of all of us and healed Nathan (our son) of much! When he was born, all that remained was a limb deficiency in his right hand. He was born with only 1 ½ fingers… but everything else was fine and he was and remains an absolute joy. A marvelous testimony of God’s grace and healing power.
We have had four reconstructive surgeries on his hand since (Nathan is now 2.) with an additional 3-8 more in the coming years. It was a season we didn’t choose for ourselves, but God sovereignly ordained for His good and His glory and two women helped me to keep that focus, my pastor’s wife, Nancy Loftness and my mom, Pam Ecrement.
Nancy Loftness prayed with me numerous times prior to Nathan’s birth, walked me through fear, helped me keep my eyes focused on God when my circumstances pulled to have the focus on me. When I gave into anxiety and fear, she was there to pull me out. She always had a timely word, always a timely scripture. She came to the hospital when Nathan was born and has encouraged me as I’ve sought to care for not only Nathan, but my other children in navigating surgeries which took place hundreds of miles from home. Nancy asked questions, gave godly council and helped me stay focused on the cross. We didn’t simply survive as a family, but thrived as a result of folks who cared for us and carried us like Nancy.
My mom was instrumental too as she cried with me, laughed with me and was the first, outside of my husband to look at Nathan’s hand and give glory to God at His marvelous, yet different design. She encouraged me and cared for me, by helping me to formulate questions I’d need answers to in navigating Nathan’s care. She listened to me cry and gave glory to the Lord with me at each turn. She was and remains always there. She shared our need with others and gathered others to pray and sought to care for me practically the many weeks we were in Ohio around Nathan’s surgeries, always taking off work, always putting the needs of our family before she and Dad’s. We did “no make-up, no fixed hair” days and should have bought stock in Starbucks. We began working through Girl Talk during these trips and shared blurry nights comforting my son, discussing aging and reminiscing about when I was his age. How fast time has flown.
Friends who provide this balm to those whose trials loom large can never know the depths to which their care can impact hearts. God has never been more real to me than he has been these last two years. What a privilege to have these (and several dear others who know who they are) ladies near. What a joy to learn dependence and submission to God’s will and be released from my own. There’s peace there and so much more.
2007 at 3:24 pm | by Janelle Bradshaw
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Series Girltalk Book Club
Happy Friday, y’all. Friday is book club day here at girltalk.
Last week we read chapter eight and received a front row view into the lives of the Prentiss family during the Civil War. Chapter nine (the first half of your assignment for next week) takes us right into life after war and Elizabeth’s full return to pastor’s wife duties. I found the most wonderful quote describing her perspective of her role…
“She counted it one of the joys of being a pastor’s wife that she had the opportunity of being the first on the scene of human tragedy or need, bringing consolation of Christ. She wrote to a friend: ‘You can’t think how sweet it is to be a pastor’s wife; to feel the right to sympathize with those who mourn, to fly to them at once, and join them in their prayers and tears. It would be pleasant to spend one’s whole time among sufferers, and to keep testifying to them what Christ can and will become to them if only they will let Him…’”
Being married to pastors ourselves, we can all attest to the truth of these words. However the caring for others is not solely the privilege of a pastor’s wife. Many of you have stories of how you have been carried through trying seasons in your life by the love and support of another. Perhaps it was your pastor’s wife or maybe it was the leader of your small group or a faithful mentor. We want to hear your stories. So the second half of your assignment for this week is to hop on your e-mail (by Thursday night) and send us a story of how a woman has brought you the “consolation of Christ.” The author of the winning story, and the woman who cared for them, will receive a copy of the next book club selection as a gift.
2007 at 5:34 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
With the Prentiss family in Europe this week, we thought it would be a good time to let you know about a radio interview with the author of Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee, Sharon James. You can hear Mrs. James share how she became interested in the life of Elizabeth Prentiss, how she went about researching the book, and learn further details about the life of this extraordinary woman. Listen here, and read chapter eight before next Friday.
2007 at 3:24 pm | by Kristin Chesemore
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Series Girltalk Book Club
When Elizabeth Prentiss was unable to visit her dear friend Carrie, who like her, lost two children, she extended the following words of comfort:
“I long to fly to you and weep with you; it seems as if I must say or do something to comfort you. But God only can help you now and how thankful I am for the throne of grace and power where I can commend you, again and again, to Him who doeth all things well. ...Dear Carrie, I trust that in this hour of sorrow you have with you that Presence, before which alone sorrow and sighing flee away. God is left; Christ is left; sickness, accident, death cannot touch you here. Is that not a blissful thought? May sorrow bring us both nearer to Christ!”
Today’s link takes us to Covenant Life Church where my dad also extends words of comfort from Scripture to those who are suffering. In this message entitled “Transformed in Trials” he considers how we can emulate the prophet Habakkuk’s example when circumstances—such as Elizabeth and Carrie’s—seem to contradict the character and promises of God.
Thanks to the good folks at the Sovereign Grace Store, this message is available as a free download through the month of March.
May these words strengthen and encourage those of you who are presently “walking through the valley.”
BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENT: Please read chapter seven this week.
2007 at 2:24 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
After the unimaginably difficult death of her two little children, Elizabeth was distraught—"Empty hands, empty hands, a worn-out exhausted body, and unutterable longings to flee from a world that has had for me so many sharp experiences. God help me, my baby, my baby!"
What held her back at the edge of utter despair? Sharon James records that "She could only repeat over and over to herself something that one of her friends had said when calling on that last dreadful day. ‘God never makes a mistake.’ Somehow she clung on to that truth.”
Have you experienced tragedy in your life? The same God to whom Elizabeth clung remains faithful to this day. He has never made a mistake. And He never will.
Debbie Demi knows this to be true. Like Elizabeth, she lost a little one this past year, shortly after she was born. In the following paragraphs, Debbie allows us to listen in as she contemplates God’s character in the midst of overwhelming sorrow.
Thoughts from Mom,
My dear sweet Destiny died 2 days ago. It’s amazing how much you could love someone who did so little so much. I marveled in anything that she could do. We were excited every time she went “poopoo” on her own or turned her eyes to look at something. Her body was perfect. I marveled at her little toes and fingers and beautiful hair. She was mine, especially designed by God for me for a time such as this, and I loved her.
Destiny was a lot of work. She required medicine to make each part of her work – a medicine to sleep, a medicine not to seize, a medicine to move her bowels, a medicine to help keep food in her stomach… I cried many nights since she was born – saddened by what her future held and fearful of when her last day would come. The doctors and hospital visits were getting exhausting. I felt like I was in the 3rd watch (as it says in the Bible). I was weary – yet at the same time, I was confident that the Lord would not give me more than I could handle.
I would have never chosen this trial or any trial for that matter. The pain of losing a child is at times unbearable. Yet, by God’s grace, I was able to press into God and try to see what purpose He had in bringing Destiny into my life – because I have no doubt that God doesn’t allow anything without a specific purpose. He had everything calculated down to the minutest detail including the perfect number of her days to accomplish the purpose that He had in mind for us. He knew the exact amount of pain and emotional energy that I could handle to keep me pressing into Him – that it wouldn’t be too much that I would grow weary or bitter. I always knew and still continue to rest on the fact that He is good all of the time and not only is He good – but all things that He allows into our lives are for our good. We can’t always see how a circumstance like this could be good – yet our confidence is not in how we feel or how we see things – but in who God is.
We often think that all pain is bad and that it’s our goal to avoid it at all costs. It all hurts right now in an emotional way as a surgery to remove a large cancerous tumor would hurt physically. If we didn’t know what we were being saved from, the surgery would feel like trouble upon trouble… the incision, the bills, the recovery process… Yet, what a benefit the surgery would be: it would keep one from death; it would remove future pain; it would allow one to live life to the fullest. What’s going on in our lives at this time could be God’s way of doing surgery on our souls – we just can’t see what the pain is sparing us from or preparing us to do or how it will be used for the future. It’s all a matter of faith in a God who is faithful. A God who doesn’t allow pain for the sake of pain – but has a plan even for the pain that seems unnecessary. We just can’t see the work that He is inevitably doing beneath the surface. He’s allowing circumstances that if we could see the outcome of His plan – we would say, “Cut deeper.” May we not miss what He intends!
Destiny’s name means, “for which you were meant to do.” She accomplished what her loving Creator meant her to do on earth. Now we have the hope that she will spend eternity with Him in glory where we will be with her one day.
(Due to the significant nature of this topic, this will be the final post for the weekend. Please read chapter six prior to next week’s book club installment. May God’s comfort and love be with you all!)
2007 at 1:15 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
Elizabeth wondered—as I’m sure every woman has: “Oh, what is it I do want? Somebody who feels as I feel and thinks as I think; but where shall I find that somebody?”
God alone knows the answer to “where shall I find that somebody?” But He’s already told us how we—and that somebody—should feel and think. For a true soul mate is one who ultimately feels and thinks as the Bible feels and thinks.
In our book, Girl Talk, Mom outlined several biblical qualities we should look for when considering “that somebody.” She also provided a few question to evaluate how we as women should “feel and think” about a potential spouse.
Whether you’re still wondering where you will find that somebody, or are currently in a relationship, we hope these thoughts will help you evaluate love from God’s point of view this Valentine’s month:
C.J. and I sought to provide our daughters with a “list” from Scripture of essential qualities that should characterize any man desirous of pursuing them. These qualities included:
1. Genuine passion for God. The greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matt. 22:37). A mere profession of faith is insufficient. A godly man will consistently display love, obedience, and increasing passion for the Savior.
2. Authentic humility. ‘This is the one to whom I will look,’ says the Lord, ‘he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word’ (Isa. 66:2). Your daughter will marry a sinner—that is certain. But if he is a humble and teachable sinner who is quick to repent, then he will be sure to grow in godliness. This humility will also be evident in his love for and submission to God’s Word.
3. Love for the local church. At the center of God’s plan on earth is His church. A young man must be pursuing fellowship and serving faithfully in a local church if he is to make a good candidate for a husband.
4. Biblical convictions about manhood and womanhood. A successful marriage is due in large part to a couple’s grasp of their respective roles and responsibilities. A potential husband must be committed to complementary roles found in Scripture. He must be ready to embrace his responsibility to love and lead his wife. (Eph. 5:22-25).
In addition to comparing the young man to this list of essentials, we also helped our daughters evaluate God’s commands to wives. From Scripture we asked our daughters the following questions regarding the young man each was considering:
-Do you fully respect this man the way a wife is called to respect her husband?
-Can you eagerly submit to him as the church submits to Christ??
-Do you have faith to follow this man no matter where he may lead??
-Can you love this man with a tender, affectionate love??
(1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:22, 33; Col. 3:8; Titus 2:4-5)
Again, this list of qualities and questions is not exhaustive. However, it provided clear, objective, and biblical criteria to assist our daughters in determining God’s will—whether or not they were meant to join their lives with a certain young man.
The conclusion to this chapter appropriately sets up the courtship stories to follow: “Each courtship, whether or not it ends in marriage, is its own unique journey. But God has provided all the wisdom that we need in His Word.”
For more on relationships and our own personal courtship stories click on our “Courtship” link.
BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENT: Please read chapter five and come back next Friday to hear a present-day Elizabeth share how “God Never Makes A Mistake.”
2007 at 12:59 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
Thanks to Corrie for sending in this thoughtful response to last week’s book club question!
For everyone, your assignment for this week is to read Chapter Four and check back next Friday for more thoughts on the life and example of Elizabeth Prentiss.
The Question: How did Elizabeth display biblical womanhood as a single woman and how are you inspired to follow her example?
The Answer: Elizabeth showed bibical womanhood by:
Submitting to her mother and her leaders.
A. She stayed with her mother instead of acting on her own desire of going into the mission field. She felt that her mother’s desires should go above her own. "She honestly belived that her first duty was to own mother, and then to the mission." (James pg 27)
B. She decided to stay at Richmond even when the hard times came.
"Elizabeth soon realized that she would never recieve full payment for her services, but she remained at her post thoughout this difficult school year out of a sense of loyalty." (James pg 39)
One of the characterisctics of a biblical woman is that she is "...submissive to [her] own husband…" Titus 2:5 Though she was not married, Elizabeth was submissive to her dear mother and leaders. This, I believe, helped her to always be submissive not only to her future husband but her Dear Heavenly Father.
This has inspired me to always think of others more than myself. If I am to be more Christlike shouldn’t I myself do as Christ did and taught? It also inspired me to think of my parents and elders before I think of my own selfish desires.
2007 at 7:19 am | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
This is just a reminder that your book club response for this week is due Thursday evening by midnight. And we forgot to mention that if we choose to post your response, you will receive a free copy of the next book club book.
Again, the question is: How did Elizabeth display biblical womanhood as a single woman and how are you inspired to follow her example?
2007 at 4:11 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
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Series Girltalk Book Club
In Chapter Two we learn that “Elizabeth professed faith in Christ…at the tender age of twelve” but that “she would look back in years to come and seriously question whether she had truly been converted at that time.”
Mrs. James goes on to record her spiritual wrestlings: “she vacillated: at some points she felt very sure of her faith, was diligent in Bible reading and prayer, and devoured Christian books; at other times she would become completely absorbed in novels, poetry, music, drawing, clothes, and friends.”
Then, in the midst of a local revival in 1838, Elizabeth began to be tormented by doubt: “while she was leading others to faith in Christ, she lost the assurance that she herself was a Christian.” So intense was her despair that it even affected her physical health!
Finally, after many months of distress and prayer, “she was assured her sins were forgiven and she was full of joy.”
Many of us can relate to Elizabeth’s struggle with a lack of assurance. Or, if we have children, we can be unsure how to help them evaluate the state of their soul. Few things are more important than discerning the legitimacy of our child’s profession of faith or coming to a place of personal assurance of salvation.
So, we called in a pastor for this one—Dad of course! He is our go-to-source for the best books and resources on any given topic.
If you are personally struggling with assurance, he recommends:
How Can I Be Sure I’m A Christian? by Donald Whitney
The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
Holiness Chapter Seven: “Assurance” by JC Ryle
For parents, he would encourage you to read/listen to:
Your Child’s Profession of Faith by Dennis Gundersen
“How Children Come to Faith in Christ” by Jim Elliff (audio cds)
“Childhood Conversion” by Jim Elliff (online article)
“New Life: Conversion” and “New Life: Sacraments” by Mark Mullery (audio sermons)
We hope these resources serve you and your children and that God may grant you the same joy and fellowship with Him that Elizabeth experienced!
BOOK CLUB ASSIGNMENT: In Chapter Three, we learn about Elizabeth’s single years. So teenagers and singles—your assignment for this week is to read the chapter and email us your answer to the following question: “How did Elizabeth display biblical womanhood as a single woman and how are you inspired to follow her example?
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