Maid Arise Reviews

Here are just a couple reviews from Toni's newest book "Maid Arise". Although you can find these reviews on "Amazon", I thought it might be nice to put them on here as well. I hope you all get the chance to read it soon. I know it would definitely be worth your time! (You can also find and purchase Maid Arise in our shop.)

(Review #1) "A Must-Read for All Christian Women -- Young and Old!"

"This is a book that I wish could be required reading for all young ladies in today's very confusing and demanding culture -- especially young Christian girls that feel conflicted about what they know from reading the Bible and going to church and what they are being told by their peers at school, or what is seen on TV or in the movies. In Maid Arise, the author explores many of those conflicting views and encourages a return to following what God has to say about being His child. It is not about separating oneself from the world and becoming somehow isolated or out of touch, it is about claiming all the many beautiful and powerful promises that God has made to us as His followers, His precious children and living a life that will shine like a bright star in this often very dark world. It is about becoming the women that God designed us to be. It is about letting go of fear and anxiety and guilt and embracing joy and peace and true confidence as a follower of Christ. It is about rising up from a place of uncertainty and overcoming the pain caused by bad decisions or false teachings. It invites all women to re examine their place and purpose in a hurting world and how they can take God's hand and rise up to a place of service and honor and victory. I wish such a book had been available for me to read when I was a young girl! I am sure it would have helped me to avoid some of the painful events that I experienced because of my own bad choices."

(Review #2) "Definitely An Encouraging Read!"

"Most young christian girls struggle with their single years. "I've graduated...and now what?" The battle that comes between the years of being single and married is very much a real one. We know that our world does not offer the right answers or Biblical solutions that we seek. But what does a young Godly woman look like? What is her purpose? How is she spending her time? Where is her heart? "Maid Arise" is one of the most refreshing, encouraging and honest books I've ever read. It not only approaches these questions, but gives honest, Biblical answers. It is an encouragement in our journey from "girlhood to womanhood", in our walk with the Lord, and our relationships with others. It is written for young girls in our 21st century, but could certainly be read and treasured by all ages. This book blessed my heart over and over again. It had me laughing one moment, and crying the next. I especially appreciated the author's openness in sharing her own personal examples and stories throughout the book. It is certainly a book about trials and triumphs, joys and sorrows, heartaches, and yet, healing; but also about the blessedness of a life completely surrendered and given for Christ Jesus our Lord! This is a must-read for every young lady."

Maid Arise is Now Available!

The Shop 

Now Available!

I am so excited and pleased to announce that Maid Arise (the book) is now available on CreateSpace!  And is also available on Amazon.  Please click here to buy now.  

Or go to our Shop to check it out!

Recently I contacted some of our brothers in Christ. 

This is what I wrote to them:

Hello!

I was wondering if you would do me a favor?

I am currently writing a book called “Maid Arise!”

It is my humble desire to encourage my sisters of the faith in their adventure of being godly young women for Christ in the 21^st Century.

Recently I have been reading some other books that are written by godly women that are geared towards the same readers I hope to address. Even though these authors have a lot of wise advice to share, I was surprised at a couple of similar underlying themes. I'd like to share two of them with you.

These authors mentioned that there is a danger of girls becoming “hidden flowers”. That we can lead a sheltered life and “Prince Charming” will never find us if we are narrow minded enough to stay at home and only think of serving our family. We need to get out in the world! Find our ministry! How else will men realize that we are “available”? One author said young men want to marry women who are industrious, not someone who stays at home and dreams her life away.

Also, one author mentioned the number one importance to most guys she has talked to was that their future wife be beautiful. She admonished her girl readers to stay fit and toned, and concentrate on being beautiful.

This is where you come in.

I'm not sure what type of men she was asking, but I want to know your opinion. I respect you as godly brothers and want to know what you think. In my book I would like to address these two issues. The world tells us we need to “find our career” and strive for perfect beauty....now our Christian mentors are similarly admonishing us.

You probably can guess what I think. But I can write a whole book on the subject and it won't matter to many girls if they believe this is what young men think. This is why I'm asking for your honest opinion. And I really want to hear what you have to say, not what you think I believe. What are some important expectations of your future spouse? What do you think of these author's advice?

Thank you for your help!

Your sister in Christ,

Toni

Once a week I'd like to share a different response from the young men that answered my questions.  Today I am posting Knight # 3

Age 19

Beauty

I would definitely agree with the statement that as young men we want wives that are beautiful. The only problem is how young women, (and young men), interpret that. Our culture tells us that “beautiful” means looking like a glamorous model, or I should say, pretending to look like a model by applying gobs of make-up and wearing the most attractive clothing.

What does beautiful really mean? The Websters 1828 Dictionary says that the definition of beauty is, “Elegant in form; fair; having the form that pleases the eye”.

Honestly when reading this definition I think of a stereotypical pretty girl, maybe a princess, the kind of girl that is popular and everyone's friend. But that is so wrong. Beauty is not what the majority claims it to be or what our culture says it is. When we interpret beauty through the eyes of the majority, our view will always be changing and inconsistent. When we ascribe beauty to those privileged few who mesmerize the word as models and celebrities we automatically condemn the majority of girls that will never attain that model status as under par or even ugly. But there is nothing further from the truth.

Beauty is not based on how fit, or how toned we are, or how we style our hair. Girls that dress up like models are only hiding behind the world's expectations. Yes, beautiful girls are attractive, but again, I ask, what is beauty?

Beauty is the girl so filled with the person of Jesus Christ that His beauty shines through her. Beauty is the girl that is so in love with Christ that the opinions of the world mean nothing to her. Beauty is the girl that so revels in the acceptance of her Savior that she doesn't have to prove to others that she is worthy. Beauty is the girl that is known by the purity of her heart, revealed in her actions, dress and conversation. Beauty is the girl that is so lost in the character of Christ that His light and beauty radiates from her face.

You might think that the difference in the definition of beauty that I just gave and the one by Noah Webster doesn't matter, but I disagree.

We often see beauty as through the tainted eyes of the world. Webster says “...having the form that pleases the eye.”

What is more beautiful to the eye than one fully surrendered to the perfect will of God? I'm not saying I want to marry someone “ugly”, but that the most beautiful women in the world's standards pales in comparison to the humble simplicity of a girl dressed in the garments of His holiness.

If we are so intent on that outward beauty what do we think of Christ of whom Isaiah wrote about in Is. 53:2, “...he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him?”

What would our answer be to Him when He says “come unto me?” As the purest Groom He sought us, despite our uncomeliness, for that wonderful beauty of fellowship.

Home

I want my future wife to be serious and dedicated to what she will be devoting the rest of her life to; being a mother and a wife. Part of that devotion would be shown by preparation.

If you were told that you would be singing a solo next Sunday, wouldn't practicing and preparing be the wise and obvious thing to do? Why is it different with the important and life-long profession of homemaker?

To say that guys won't be interested in a girl that sits around at home all day is illogical. Actually there are two fallacies in that statement. When you say “sit around all day” that builds a straw man argument. Of course a girl that sits around all day is undesirable. But what does “sitting around all day” have to do about preparing to be the helpmeet God has chosen her to be? The drudgery of the everyday, and the monotony of consistency are some of the hardest things you will ever face.

The second fallacy in that statement can be summed up, by saying this, saying that guys won't be interested in girls that sit around all day is like saying a short handed hospital wouldn't be interested in a highly trained medical doctor searching for employment. The only time that wouldn't be true would be if the homemaker is onto what the searching guy is looking for. What better proof of her competence in raising your future children than a young woman passionate about the care of her own siblings?

As long as she isn't lazy, a young women that is a home maker at heart is admirable. It shows character and confidence to me in that she doesn’t have to “go with the flow” of modern day culture and is willing to take the Biblical challenge that most women these days have shunned.

Temptations

Spiritual Lessons

Encouragement and Temptations 

I thought I would like to share a snippet I wrote for my book "Maid Arise!"  I hope it is an encouragement to you single ladies/girls that follow this blog.

I'd like to offer a little encouragement. In this singlehood “stage” of life, no matter how temporary it is, we will run into temptations. Whether they come in the form of a circumstance, opportunity or an actual man they will come. Very often they are harmless or even good things/people. But as my Dad has advised me, good is not good enough. The Lord has the best planned for us.

This temptation of ours may actually be something/someone He plans to give us in the future. But it's not ours until He gives. Wait, He knows best. But here's the encouragement – Temptation is not sin. Christ was tempted. We girls carry this needless guilt when we are attracted to someone. It's very human to admire someone.

We often try hard to not be attracted to that someone. We tell ourselves we really aren't attracted to them or try to find reasons not to be. Resolving to never think about him, scolding and bearing this “dark secret” doesn't do any good. Maybe for a while we will succeed but how much greater the guilt when we fail!

God is there to hear all about it and to take care of our temptation. If this guy is meant to be, then He will work out all the details for us. No scheming or planning on our part is necessary. We can let Him take our thoughts and orchestrate everything. We must focus on what He has already given, and be faithful in our duties. If we do the battling, then our victory is questionable. Our God is sure to win.

He can satisfy our needs and longings to be wanted or admired. He is and always will be our best lover. He will perfect that which concerneth you. Psalm 138:8

Our feelings are so fickle aren't they? But He is trustworthy! He loves us and our future man. He knows best. He is interested in our journey before marriage, in the details of our every day in our “single” years.
Pining away for someone isn't healthy. We must seek Him first. He is the source of contentment. Every time our thought goes to that temptation, we must give it to Him. He doesn't want us to fight it. It is much easier and sweeter to give it up than to battle it. We aren't responsible for waiting for that someone to “move”. Really we aren't supposed to be holding our breath for the Lord to act either. We can sit still, confident in the knowledge that He will do the work. We just faithfully continue in what He has given us to do. Our man is safe in His hands.

This temptation will teach us dependence on Christ if we let it. I know, for I have been here. Times where someone has asked for me, or I am strongly attracted towards someone. It is innate human nature to desire to be held and wanted and protected. It's okay. He gave us that need. It's where we find fulfillment that we need to be careful. He wants us to want, He wants us to need – because He has all that we want and need. We and the Savior are a perfect match! He enjoys holding and protecting. He understands our temptation better than any human being ever could.

Be a faithful daughter and sister. He will bring us to the next stage when it is best. He assures me of this all the time and proves Himself in other areas in my life.

This time of temptation is not a waste. It is growing us. Embrace it. If we fear failing, we are almost sure to fail. We must put our confidence in Him cheerfully, accept our weakness and let Him be our strength. It works every time.


Our discouragement over the temptation is far worse than having the temptation. Simply, without beating ourselves up or examining our soul over and over and dwelling on our temptation and our guilt, we can commit ourselves and our thoughts to Him. There is liberty in being captured by Christ. Such peace. Where He calls, He enables. He knew that we would be tempted, and He allowed it. It can actually become a joy to have something to offer Him. We can become His handmaiden “Acceptance with Joy”. Guilt is needless. And that is encouraging. 

Portion taken out of Chapter 5 "Our Knights" from Maid Arise!