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I was absolutely tickled when one of my favorite bloggers asked me to write the endorsement for her new book, More Than Rules. I've been encouraged by Bambi's blog, In The Nursery of The Nation, for years and it was an honor to give her masterpiece a hearty applause.

More Than Rules is, hands down, the best work I have ever read on modesty. It delivers a timely and convicting message with humility and humor. Though generally a divisive topic among Christian women, Bambi breaks through barriers of legalism and antinomianism and presents a biblical doctrine with grace and kindness that will ultimately lead others to contentment with who they are in Christ.

It's an affirming and encouraging read for those who sometimes feel like living in the modesty trench is a losing battle, and for anyone just curious about what it means to be modest, consider More Than Rules your ticket to a whole new wardrobe!

16 engaging chapters include :

• Introduction
• In Which I Go to the Salon for Some Detailing
• Why We Are Preoccupied with Physical Beauty
• Motivations of the Heart {and Is it Wrong to Enhance the Appearance}
• Imperishable Beauty
• When You Are Not Your Own
• More Than Bikinis and Burqas
• Wanton Eyes, Outstretched Necks and the Demeanor of the Christian Woman
• Captives to Lust
• Modest Dress {What it is and Eight Reasons Why We Don't Want to Talk About It}
• Read Any Good Looks Lately?
• Introducing Six Immodestly Dressed Women
• What a Christian Woman Should Wear
• Giving Grace and Six Reasons Why Outward Adornment Should be in Moderation
• On Making Rules {Sniff, Sniff. Do I Smell a Legalist?}
• The Immodesty of Modesty {and Other Warnings}

Bambi is generously giving away 3 copies of her book. You can enter below for your chance to win one, or purchase More Than Rules right here if you just can't wait to dive in! Winner will be announced Monday, July 29.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. Thank you for your continued support!
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, A Wise Woman., Hip Homeschool Moms, Living and Learning at Home, Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom

Last week, I wrote something in a Facebook status that shouldn't have been written. It was an attempt at humor, but ended up being more off-color than funny. An older, wiser, godly friend wrote me about it.

Initially, I felt hurt and offended. "It's none of her business what I write," I thought. I didn't want to respond in a reactionary way (it's a sure way to make an even bigger fool of myself, I've discovered), so I mulled over her words for a while before re-reading them again after I had cooled down.

Everything she had written was done in a spirit of love and gentleness. She presented the truth and offered it up with plenty of grace and forgiveness. Like a good Titus 2 mentor, she took the opportunity to teach me "to be discreet, chaste, good... that the word of God be not blasphemed." (v.5) She wrote be because she was taking her responsibility to "be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, teachers of good things" seriously (v.5).

It wasn't about picking a bone with me. In all the years I've known her, she's never been one to offer cutting, critical, or dissenting opinions, or insist on having the last word. It's out of character for her to be disagreeable or write to prove how much she knows. She is sweet, gracious, kind, wise, godly, and clothed with humility.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how blessed I am to have someone in my life who, in an era where it's cool to scream "Intolerance!" to anyone who picks up on our sin, cares enough about my personal holiness and spiritual well-being to risk friendship, misunderstanding, criticism, gossip, and being falsely accused of judgementalism, legalism, and self-righteousness. I was floored when I realized what she put at stake out of genuine concern for my own reputation and well-being!

On the one hand we younger mothers often bemoan the lack of Titus 2 mentors; on the other, we get upset when they are courageous enough to do their job. Having a mentor isn't just about receiving practical help, advice, and words of encouragement; it's about desiring to live a holy life that's pleasing to God, which necessarily entails being confronted in our sin at some point or another.
"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11"It's just a phase they all go through," we explain as we reprimand our toddler for snapping "NO!" at us again.

"Sarcasm is my spiritual gift," we laugh in an attempt to soften the edges of our cutting words.

"I'm just sayin' it like it it," we confirm of an honest statement, not spoken in kindness.

"I'm not arguing; I'm enjoying a healthy debate," we justify of our need to always have the last word.

"I'm just sharing my concerns so we can pray for her more specifically," we gossip about the details of another's life during prayer meeting.

We are adept at wrapping up sin with pretty bows. Who can argue against a "natural progression" in childhood development, a joke, honesty, a healthy debate, or prayer without appearing to judge another's motives or reeking or self-righteousness? We feel so insured and justified by our ability to reason sin away, and few things are more painful then someone tugging at the end of our ribbons to reveal what's inside and call it by name.

Suddenly the Bible, which seemed to have nothing to say about the sin we cleverly concealed, comes alive with rebuttals to put our accusers in their place.

"Judge not that you been not judged," we quote perfectly.

"How about you worry about the plank in your own eye before pointing out the speck in mine," we ask, referencing Matthew 7:3.

"The Lord knows my heart," we say, as if that's supposed to be comforting.

Excusing our sin and taking offense to biblical reproof doesn't just categorize us as fools (Proverbs 28:13; 1:5; 12:1; 9:8), it stunts our spiritual growth, and eliminates opportunities to live out the Gospel for our children and all those we meet.

It's not until we begin to grasp God's holiness, our grave depravity, and His extraordinary grace and forgiveness that we can understand and appreciate the biblical institution of mentorship, and seek out a godly role model who is willing to address our unhealthy habits with Scripture and in Christian love so we can become more and more like the God we claim to serve.

What if you could be mentored by 17 Moms? Well, you can through our brand-new, 153-page eBook, The Pursuit of Motherhood! It covers everything from homeschooling, adoption, and infertility, to breast-feeding, special needs children, and leaving a legacy... and it's on sale for $3.99 to help you ring in the New Year with a new attitude! You can read more about it and view the Table of Contents here.

The Pursuit of Motherhood
153 pages
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Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife