Hayley DiMarco

I am honestly pretty scared that so many young women have read this book. I agree with the principles it puts forth - principles of modesty and being careful in relationships - but the manner in which the author's beliefs are delivered is incredibly hurtful. Hayley DiMarco harshly admonishes women who have sexually screwed up in some manner. She teaches that, if you lose your virginity (technical or otherwise), you lose your value. That should NOT be the way we teach our sisters and show more daughters the importance of abstinence. The most effective teaching is not fear-based but love-inspired (after all, the point of remaining abstinent isn't so much to avoid going to hell, the point is to please God). Teach young women that they will be so much more if they guard themselves sexually, teach them that they are loved and accepted and forgiven even if they make a mistake (because people do make mistakes). Be firm and unwavering, yes, but always with love. show less

Hayley DiMarco's A Woman Overwhelmed reads like a faith-based Gilmore Girls episode script. Her witty banter and blunt honesty about faith, its implementation in her own life, and how to "walk it out" make me feel like I'm sitting across from her at a local coffee shop, sharing heart-to-heart conversation.

Sometimes I felt like I was still catching up with her train of thought, only to find she'd moved to the next topic, but that was small potatoes compared to the goldmine this book truly is. show more I definitely went back and re-read elements, which helped. It will convict and encourage you in turns; for myself, I was grateful to know I wasn't the only one that has struggled in some of the areas she covers - even though my life situation and hers differ rather significantly!

I could see this book being popular as a group study, though it also works as an individual read. Broken into bite-sized chunks, you can enjoy it in small doses or straight through.

I received a free copy of the book from Litfuse. All opinions are my own. show less

The author must have had me in mind when she wrote this book. I feel overwhelmed everyday. I am always asking myself did I remember to do this and oh yeah I need to do that errand before they close. Some days I’m so out of it, I see myself coming and going. This book is just what I needed. It is so refreshing to read that I am not alone in my thinking. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing when the author said, “I’m overwhelmed simply because I’m not in charge.” Well of course show more that’s the answer to my problems. Let me be in charge of everything, then I know it will get done. Then I stopped and realized I’m the problem. I want to do everything to please others, make myself feel good and yes I forgot that God is in charge, not me.

The book is filled with wonderful insights that help women understand that it’s ok to make a mistake. We can’t do it all and God has given us spouses and families to balance everything out. I hated it when I was at work and would make a mistake and someone would point it out. I felt like a little child being scolded by my dad who I could never please. So I became a shell of myself. I slowly started to see myself putting a wall up so no one could get in. I didn’t invite the most important part of my life to help me. I walked away from God, but I didn’t feel worthy enough to be in His presence. What I needed to do was ask God to help me and work through what had transformed into anxiety.

The author has so many points that really helped me. I loved when she said, “I may never know why God slows me down when He does , but I want to find the strength to trust Him in those times.” I want to stop, smell the roses and enjoy my life. I love the personal stories the author shares and the humor she brings as she shares her life . There are so many nuggets of eye opening topics I decided to slow down and start taking notes as I read. I loved at the end of every chapter she provides a section called “ Thoughts To Ponder.” It summarizes what you just read and gives you questions to take your study deeper. I loved this book so much and it will be a book I refer back to along with the notes I made. This is a must read for every woman. We don’t need to be overwhelmed anymore.

“ God’s mission is never interrupted and is always completed; it’s just not always completed in the
ways we might expect.”

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion. show less

My daughter was excited when I told her that we would be receiving this bible as a review copy. In fact each day for several weeks she would eagerly await the mail to see if the package containing this bible was in the bundle of mail for the day. I don't think she could get it opened fast enough when it finally came.

I was unfamiliar with the God's Word Translation and so I was anxious to read it and see how it flowed. However, Anna beat me to it. She loved the ease of the language because show more she said it made it very easy to understand. She, in fact, said she thought it was close to her ESV. She also said on more than one occasion that this was her new favorite bible because of this very thing. Last year she had received an iShine bible that is printed by Tyndale, though she liked it she quickly shelved it because she did not care as much for the translation or notes. This is quite the opposite reaction to the God Girl bible. She devours the scriptures with this translation often stopping to make comments about certain scriptures as she is understanding the meaning easier with this particular translation.

I have enjoyed her conversation about the devotionals that are included, and the "Ask Yourself" sections. These have served as great conversation starters (and most moms would agree that this part of the mother/daughter relationship sometimes suffers during the pre-teen/teen years). She is eager to discuss these and her own personal thoughts. This has often opened the door to teaching moments but more so has allowed me to see into her heart and hear what God is writing on it. Another section that Anna has really enjoyed is the "Spiritual Self-Check" - in this section a girl is challenged to look at their life and see if there are things they need to change. She has shown significant spiritual growth and personal change by applying these things in her life. She is always excited to talk about the things that she is learning and the things she is working on changing. As a mom this is so great to see but it also serves as a challenge to myself to look at these same areas in my own life. In addition Anna has enjoyed the God Girl Stories about other girls like herself that are striving to serve God. In this world I think that often Christian girls feel like the odd man out - even in church settings. This has given her a new confidence in her Christian walk in knowing she is truly not the only one out there with these views and desires to serve God.

It has been a long time since my daughter was so excited about a bible. Though she has always done personal bible study and scripture memorization the tools in this bible are helping her to develop a new spiritual depth and understanding. I am glad to see her recommend this bible to others - simply because she loves the bible translation and wants other girls her age to have the same enjoyment when they read the bible.

In my daughter's own words - "This bible ROCKS! And it's even more awesome because you get to decorate it yourself!"

Thank you Revell for this review copy show less