There are some books that I wish I could give to every girl I know! I love to read, but there are some books that have really spoken to me. Since the goal of Shining Stars is to encourage ladies in femininity and biblical womanhood, I would like to begin hosting giveaways of books that do just that. My hope is to do one giveaway a month, but that will depend on the available finances.
When I saw this book advertised, I read a few reviews on it and thought that it sounded interesting. It seemed like the type of book that I would want to feature on this site, so I decided to order it and see what it had to say. I began to read … and wow! I was not disappointed!
The Beauty of Modesty was authored by a pastor and his wife – David and Diane Vaughan. The subtitle expresses the purpose of this book: Cultivating Virtue In The Face Of A Vulgar Culture. As a young women who has grown up in a family where modesty has always been a focal point, this book was not a shocker. I did not come away with earth-shattering revelations! What I did gain, was a new appreciation for modesty and how it affects me and those around me. Let me try to review the aspects of this book that I really appreciated:
The authors of this book do not come across as judgmental or condemning. They are straight-forward with the facts … not beating around the bush, but speaking the truth in love.
This book is very informative on the history of the immodesty in our society, how it has affected our lifestyles and infiltrated the body of Messiah. In many ways, we have become desensitized to the immodesty that surrounds us, to the point that so many people who are considered born-again believers dress in a manner that is no different from the rest of the world.
While much of the focus is on the heart and attitude, the authors explain the importance of the outward appearance as well. It is common for people to say, “Modesty is all about the heart” or “It doesn’t really matter how I dress, as long as my heart is right”. This mindset is rooted in Gnosticism and is not scriptural. The Heavenly Father created our bodies … they were purchased by the blood of the Messiah … His Spirit resides in them … and the way that we cover them matters to Him – as can be seen in Genesis 3:21. The garments that Adam and Eve made to cover themselves were not appropriate in YHWH’s eyes.
They do very little defining of what types and styles of clothing are immodest. You cannot use this book as a guideline for how long a skirt must be, or how low a cut is “too low”. Rather they address the various aspects of immodesty, including ostentation, androgyny, sensuality and association. They also discuss the importance of being modest in our words and actions … modesty is not just about the way that we cover our bodies, but also the way that we conduct ourselves.
This book does not just address modesty, but other aspects of living a godly lifestyle that is pleasing to the Father. The Beauty of Modesty encourages women to see their bodies as beautiful, because they are created in the image of the perfect God … it gives one a desire to dress modestly out of respect and kindness for their own body and those around them … it stresses the importance of not causing others to lust and sin … and most importantly it exhorts women to stand against the secular culture that tries to pervade every aspect of our lives, patterning their lives on biblical instructions, presenting their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable service, not conforming to this world: but being transformed by the renewing of their mind, that they may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I heartily recommend it for any woman who desires to serve the Heavenly Father with all that she has!
(Note: I would recommend that a mother or older sister go through this book before a young girl reads it. As the authors explain the history of cultural immodesty and how it affects us, it may be too descriptive for young girls to read.)
Giveaway Rules:
You must be a Shining Stars Magazine subscriber to enter this giveaway. If you are not currently a subscriber and would like to be, please leave a comment on this post to join the giveaway and include your mailing address. I will then add you to the subscription list, and remove your address before I publish the comment.
All Shining Stars subscribers are allowed one entry.
For an additional entry (leave a comment for each entry):
Follow Shining Stars through Google Connect (on the sidebar).
Add the Shining Stars link to your website or blogroll.
Post about this giveaway on your own blog. (Make sure to leave the link to the post).
This giveaway ends on November 22nd.
I am a Shining Stars subscriber and I would love to enter!!
I am following Shining Stars through Google Connect!!
I read this book awhile ago, but don’t own it. I’d love to add it to my collection. Thanks, Hannah, for providing the chance.
My husband and I are state-side at present. We come in contact with various young ladies in our ministry. This sounds like it would be a real asset to our ministry. Thank-you for offering it. Cora Knight
I would like to enter.
I follow SSM on Google connect
I have the link on my blog.
I posted about it on my blog.
Enter me,please!
I follow your blog!
Please enter me! This book is on my ‘to read’ list, funny enough!
I follow through Google Connect.
I have Shining Stars Mag. on my blog roll.
And last but not least, I posted about this on my blog:
http://godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/give-away-going-on/
Thank you for doing another give-away!
Please enter me!
I am a subscriber and I would love to enter!
I follow you on Google Connect.
Also, I have your link added to my private website.
I am a Shining Stars Mag Subscriber, please enter me, I am the only one in my family on this road and teaching the next generation, my daughter. Thank you and God Bless You.
Please enter me, I’d love to win this great sounding book!
I follow through GCF!
Greetings,
I would love to enter and I subscriber…thank you so much!
Hi Hannah! First of all, I’d love to be added as a subscriber to your magazine …
I’m so enjoying your blog!
Second, please enter me into the giveaway. Sounds like an awesome book!
Thanks!
I added you to the list to start your subscription with the next issue that should be out in a couple weeks (YHWH willing!), but remind me to give you a copy of the last issue when we see you on Shabbat. I usually have a couple in the van, but forget to give them!
I follow on Google Connect!
I would love to read this. Sounds refreshing!
I would like to become a subscriber & enter the giveaway, please! My mailing address is …
Thank you.
I joined the Google Connect for this site!
I’m a subscriber :]
Looks like a wonderful book, I am sure my daughter and I would like to read it together =) I subscribe!
Also a subscriber via GFC =)
I’m subscribed!
You’re on my blogroll!
I’d love to enter! Not yet a subscriber but going to be one. I think you have my address.
Have a lovely day! Blessings, Miranda
I’d love to enter!
I followed you on GFC!!
I have a link to you on my blog…..
Shalom! I would love to join the book drawing. : ) Thank you for doing this.
We have subscribed and would like to enter! On another note, we are in your “neck of the woods” this week (well several hours away), so we will wave in your direction as we leave TN later this week. Have a blessed day! The Zick family
I don’t think I have entered yet-so here I am!! God bless
I’d love to be entered! Thank you so much!!
I ‘m a subscriber!
I follow shining stars. Thanks for having this giveaway!