A Perfect Mess

A Perfect Mess – Why You Don’t Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God
By Lisa Harper
Published at Waterbrook

About the book
Caught up in the self-imposed pressure to do and be all the things they think a Christian woman ought to do and be, countless women are working desperately to convince everyone, including God, that they have it all together. Few have any idea that the Creator of the universe looks at them with delight even when they yell at the dog, drive a minivan littered with French fries, or think bad words about that rude clerk at the store.

A Perfect Mess offers hope to every woman who yearns for a vibrant relationship with God but worries she isn’t good enough or doesn’t do enough to merit His affection. With characteristic authenticity, speaker and author Lisa Harper shares poignant stories from her own imperfect life to showcase the real-life relevancy of the Bible in the lives of modern women.

As she guides readers on a story-driven journey through selected Psalms, they will be inspired to experience for themselves how God’s incomparable love transforms the messiness of life into a gorgeous work of grace.

Who is Lisa Harper?
Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life. She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville.

My Thoughts
I am enjoying this book, learning a lot, and I am taking my sweet time going through the chapters. What makes this book special is that the author illustrates each subject of the chapters with her own experiences and stories. I love it when a teacher/author does that. It makes it more personal and also more realistic to the readers I find.

I wasn’t attracted to the Psalms until about two years ago where I found that they are speaking to me more than I would have thought. I am a woman with many emotions and the Psalms are full of these emotions. So when I started reading A Perfect Mess, I was learning about some specific Psalms that I did read but learning through the pen of Lisa Harper. I love the way she present the “teaching” part of each Psalms she has selected for the book. I find it down to earth and simple. Lisa decorticates the psalm of each chapter so that the reader can fully understand the lesson. She is going verse-by-verse to make sure we fully understand the psalm. She takes the time to explain the meaning of specific Hebrew words as well as pouring out her life in each chapter.

Each chapter also contains many bits and pieces of information – a reflection question, the history or explanation of the Psalms, other information concerning something mention in the chapter from other sources with the thoughts of the author of them, and so on. To top it off, each chapter finishes also with a little study about what you have read and makes you think about your own life. Putting the chapter in perspective is wonderful and some of the questions make you really stop and think before answering. And she makes you dig for more in your bible while doing the study part. You couldn’t ask for more!

I can see this book being used in a mom’s bible study or a woman’s bible study. I think it would make many women reflect on their lives and put down everything to God’s feet. I strongly recommend every mom to take the time to go through A Perfect Mess.

As I said, I am taking my sweet time to go through this book. Consequently, I am not totally done with it. I take my time to digest the information and make sure that God works in me before continuing to the next chapter. I am dedicated to complete this book but this gem needs me to take my time – which is what I am doing. I wasn’t expecting this whatsoever before I started the book.

GREAT NEWS!!!! I have a copy of A Perfect Mess to give away for all my Canadian friends. Post a comment before August 1st, 2009 and I will draw a name from all who have commented on my blog in early August.

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!! Two people commented on this blog to win a copy of A Perfect Mess. So I wrote the names on pieces of paper and folded them. I then put the pieces of paper in my brand new Ladybug bucket my hubby got me in Niagara Falls and asked my 5 year old to pick on of the paper. The winner is: JAMIE! I will contact her and mail the book to her.

A Perfect Mess is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.