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Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life
Updated with a new 12 week companion Bible study, Joanna Weaver's popular book shows women how to blend intimacy with Jesus and service for Him.
An invitation for every woman who feels she isn't godly enough...isn't loving enough...isn't doing enough
The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you lo...more
An invitation for every woman who feels she isn't godly enough...isn't loving enough...isn't doing enough
The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you lo...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
July 18th 2000
by WaterBrook Press
(first published 2000)
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I gave this book four stars because of how I stumbled upon it, which correlates exactly with the message within. As a busy working mom of 2 young boys, I often find myself rushing through every day and missing life as it passes me by. At my swim club there is a book swap basket and I was in a rush to take my son to physical therapy one day when he stopped and said "look mom, free books". This one was right on the top and not at all what I would have expected to find in my neighborhood where I as...more
I feel a little guilty about not liking this book very much. I know so many Christian women who found it quite nice, and I really wanted to love it and feel changed by it in some way...
I don't believe my dislike for "Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World" has to do with lack of faith or lack of a personal relationship with Jesus; rather, it has to do with the book itself. First off, it is basically a self-help style book, complete with space for notes and journaling. As one who subscribes to th...more
I don't believe my dislike for "Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World" has to do with lack of faith or lack of a personal relationship with Jesus; rather, it has to do with the book itself. First off, it is basically a self-help style book, complete with space for notes and journaling. As one who subscribes to th...more
A wonderful book for any Christian Woman to read is Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. This powerful book details the differences between Martha and Mary, the two sisters of Lazarus in the bible. Martha is described as “the original Martha Stewart, the New Testament’s Proverbs 31 woman, and Israel’s answer to Betty Crocker.” She is busy serving and preparing for Jesus, while Mary worships and listens at the feet of Jesus. While both roles are important, the purpose of the bo...more
When I saw this title, it peeked my curiosity because I have been making more of an effort to be more like Mary than a Martha. It is a reference to a short story about two sisters in the Bible. Martha is the busy frazzled one preparing the meal for the company and Mary is the one who visits with Jesus instead of helping Martha. Jesus said Mary chose the better part. I think Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World Joanna Weaver would make an excellent Bible study. It is loaded with scripture and pr...more
This book is about finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life. It wasn't a great book but I still recommend it. I learned that I am very much a Martha and that I need to allow myself to become a Mary once in a while, perhaps more than that. Teaching yourself to have balance in the busy life of a mom, wife, sibling struggling with taking care of an aging parent and now back in the work force part time, is not easy. My daughter asked me yesterday, "Is it hard being a mom?" I paused, and ans...more
This book was fantastic, I wish I could have taken time to read it through a second time and do the study portion at the end. I learned so much about keeping the right focus and balance in my life.
This book has extremely deep and personal meaning to me. I was in a book club and offered this book to a new girl in town and asked her to join...she said yes...thinking it was a book about Martha Stewart!! Boy, was she surprised to read it and find it was not about Martha Stewart but about being a child of God. We have since remained friends and that was over 9 years ago. She has become one of the strongest,tenderhearted, compassionate, and loving people I know. She knows who she is as a wife,...more
I read this for a women's group study at church. While it sparked some interesting discussion, i thought the book itself was poorly written. I didn't appreciate the author's descriptions of Jesus sitting in a chair by the fire, waiting for her to come in and spend time with Him or her walking back on a path to meet and talk with Jesus about how she wasn't involved in the activities He wanted her to be. She later acknowledged she had never heard Jesus' voice. I don't see the value of such stories...more
An invitation for every woman who feels she isn't godly enough...isn't loving enough...isn't doing enough
The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet...but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him...yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.
Then comes Jesus, right into the midst of...more
The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet...but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him...yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.
Then comes Jesus, right into the midst of...more
I really tried to take my time reading this book because I wanted to reflect on the author's observations. Two things I really liked about this book:
1) The author's transparency, in giving examples from her life experiences and also in how hard it was for her personally to write this book. She really struggled with it and you really understand her sense of wanting to be changed by what she is learning and sharing in this book. I too, feel I have so much further to go in my journey and struggle w...more
1) The author's transparency, in giving examples from her life experiences and also in how hard it was for her personally to write this book. She really struggled with it and you really understand her sense of wanting to be changed by what she is learning and sharing in this book. I too, feel I have so much further to go in my journey and struggle w...more
Apr 08, 2008
Michelle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Becky
Shelves:
spiritual
This book was aloe vera to an overwhelmed spirit; I've rarely been so perfectly "in tune" and needing exactly what a book delivered at that moment as this book now. I've struggled with this story, struggled with the reality of trying to live a spiritual life, at a slow and savoring pace, and still getting done all the "stuff" that perpetually needs doing.
Weaver does an exceptional job of taking meaning from this story and applying it to real life, because she has struggled with the exact same th...more
Weaver does an exceptional job of taking meaning from this story and applying it to real life, because she has struggled with the exact same th...more
Lines that I loved from this book:
Have you ever tried to do it all? I have, I do, and I probably always will. It’s not only in my nature; it’s also in my job description – and yours, too. Being a woman requires more stamina, more creativity, and more wisdom than I ever dreamed as a young girl. And that’s not just for today’s busy women. It has always been the case.
With everything still left to do, there sits little Mary, being quite contrary, crashing a party meant only for men. But worse, she s...more
Have you ever tried to do it all? I have, I do, and I probably always will. It’s not only in my nature; it’s also in my job description – and yours, too. Being a woman requires more stamina, more creativity, and more wisdom than I ever dreamed as a young girl. And that’s not just for today’s busy women. It has always been the case.
With everything still left to do, there sits little Mary, being quite contrary, crashing a party meant only for men. But worse, she s...more
Any woman who has ever been overwhelmed by the responsibilities in her life needs to read this book. It's a Jesus book, let me just get that out there right now. But it's a Jesus book that's full of insight into why we need to stop doing doing doing (as Martha did) and start stopping and listening as Mary did.
Oh, and the "Martha World" doesn't refer to Martha Stewart -- although the allusion works quite well. It refers to the New Testament story of Jesus going to visit Martha, Mary and their bro...more
Oh, and the "Martha World" doesn't refer to Martha Stewart -- although the allusion works quite well. It refers to the New Testament story of Jesus going to visit Martha, Mary and their bro...more
There are things to be gotten out of this book, but it's definitely too Protestant for me to feel comfortable with it entirely. Again, I didn't finish the book.
----one-star below, October 1, 2007
Not really something I would choose to read. Vassi asked whether anyone had read it, so I got it from the library to review for her. I had to return it to the library before I finished the last chapter and a half, as someone else had requested it.
Things I liked: The concrete what-to-do blurbs suggesting...more
----one-star below, October 1, 2007
Not really something I would choose to read. Vassi asked whether anyone had read it, so I got it from the library to review for her. I had to return it to the library before I finished the last chapter and a half, as someone else had requested it.
Things I liked: The concrete what-to-do blurbs suggesting...more
I have the tendency to become over saturated in the "to do's" and often forget that what's most important is that which is right in front of me. This book helps those of us who are struggling as young moms with the guilt of balancing the daily to do's and spending quality time with both our families and God.
This is also a great description of this book:
The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the L...more
This is also a great description of this book:
The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the L...more
There's a thin line between service and works. if one is not sensitive enough, he/she is bound to cross that line and beging to live a life of frustration. We spend ourselves doing the un-necessary things thereby tiring ourselves out. Jesus's question to the distracted woman was why was she entangled up in so many things. Just one thing is needful! This book dug out the needful thing out of me. Excellent book if you are lost and need a sense of direction to what The Lord is calling you to do.
My Mom's Group at church read this book. It took us an embarrassingly long time-- we were too busy to read it quickly! ... Ironic, really. But I liked the concept of the book: take stock of your life, and if you find it lacking in spirituality, then spend some time focusing on God. Obvious advice, but good to hear, and she did give some practical examples of HOW to spend more time with God when your day is absolutely chock-a-block with kids and schedules and family responsibilities and work and....more
I read this several years ago as part of a women's Sunday School class study and really enjoyed it. I think it is a great book for that sort of group study and discussion.
Even though I am more of a Mary - quiet & contemplative - I still have Martha tendencies, especially in regards to focusing on outward things and productivity rather than slowing down and focusing on my inner self and my relationship with God. This book was a good reminder to not let the business of life take over what is t...more
Even though I am more of a Mary - quiet & contemplative - I still have Martha tendencies, especially in regards to focusing on outward things and productivity rather than slowing down and focusing on my inner self and my relationship with God. This book was a good reminder to not let the business of life take over what is t...more
Very good insights but found some items I didn't agree with. For example, the KJV version of the Bible has "that good part" and doesn't use the word "better part" indicating to me that the Saviors rebuke came to Martha because she was criticizing another's method of service. I like Camille Fronk Olsen's "Mary, Martha & Me" much better. This is good but doesn't hit doctrine squarely on the head. Still good insights though.
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In today's world those of us who have accepted Christ are mostly Martha's trying to do all expected and left for us yet our time with The Lord is short. This book address the issue and provides chapter by chapter worksheets for small to large groups in back of book. Helped me tremendously, now I have no problem letting you know what doesn't work for me to ensure my time with The Lord is first and foremost.
The title and idea were appealing to me, but I found the book to be boring and unoriginal. About half of her many illustrations were ones I'd heard before (often multiple times), and the illustrations from her own life came across as inauthentic and cheerfully superficial. It reminded me of the many women's ministries events I've attended that had the same tone, and I finished the book feeling much the same as I did when those events ended -- even more disconnected from other Christian women tha...more
I find it almost amusing that one of my primary motives for reading this book was far more Martha-like than Mary-like. I like a completed to-do list, not one in process. I also knew my tendance toward work and wanted to have my mind and heart changed through the message of these pages. My mindset has been challenged. The author's testimony and the thought provoking chapters have made me think through my reasons for serving and my frequent lack of joy in the midst of it. The contrasts between Mar...more
The story of Mary and Martha, one who is anxious, one who is relaxed. Martha choose to serve, while Mary choose to sit at the feet of Jesus. But is there more to the story? And how can that apply to you? Find out in this amazing book. Joanna keeps your attention, answers your questions, and makes the story from the Bible come alive to where you are in today in your life.
This really was a wonderfully comforting, enjoyable book. I could absolutely relate to this topic. I am Martha. I want to be Mary. The author gave me great ideas and tidbits on how to be both...to strike that elusive balance. It's not all-or-nothing. On almost every page I felt like the author was talking about my life or giving me helpful suggestions on how to live a more Christ-like life. It was inspiring and motivating and makes me want to try harder in my life to live in "The Living Room" an...more
I didn't really expect to like this book too much - it seemed kind of a pithy title, and all. But it is really great -- speaks to many issues we women have today. Being busy, anxiety, hospitality, etc and so on. Much more in depth than I was expecting. I have so many dog eared pages I'm going to have to make some notes before returning it to the library. Excellent read.
We read this book for our book club this month. It couldn't have come at a better time for me....
I tend to place everything else a priority, before I turn to coming before the Lord.... I have since spent more time reading my bible and journaling and coming to the Lord in Prayer..... I have already seen answered prayers....
I tend to place everything else a priority, before I turn to coming before the Lord.... I have since spent more time reading my bible and journaling and coming to the Lord in Prayer..... I have already seen answered prayers....
It took me forever to read this book. Ended up reading it out loud to Reagan during our afterschool reading time. Enjoyed it but didn't find the "ahah" moment that I was looking for in it. Wanted more practical information. It was a good reminder for me that I constantly struggle with doing rather than just being.
This book is inspiring to read. It encourages women to spend time with God because that is the most important (better choice)part of our lives. Women's work is never done anyway so why not get your peace in God's presence and his grace to get it all done. I gave this book to my daughter she loves it too.
Sep 12, 2010
Brittany
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
new & old Christian females
Recommended to Brittany by:
Denise Menefee
My pastor's wife loaned me her issue of this book, but by the third chapter I was so in love and wanted to take so many notes I just closed it, returned her copy and bought my own. I'm so glad I did because I found so many helpful things in this book.
I was relieved to read a book not written by a self-righteous know-it-all Christian. Although towards the end Joanna Weaver got a tad carried away with relating herself to the reader in a very human way, the humility she protrayed throughout did not...more
I was relieved to read a book not written by a self-righteous know-it-all Christian. Although towards the end Joanna Weaver got a tad carried away with relating herself to the reader in a very human way, the humility she protrayed throughout did not...more
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Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening. These books have sold over a million copies. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She loves sharing the heart of God for women at conferences around the country.
More about Joanna Weaver...
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“All over the world, people go to unimaginable lengths to find God--which is sad when you consider the unimaginable lengths God has already gone to find us”
—
2 people liked it
“We only trust people we know,' says Martha Tennison...'If you're struggling to trust God, it may be because you don't really know God.”
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1 person liked it
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I have wanted to read this book because the title sounds so interesting. I just now put it on hold from the library. Thanks for your comment a...more
May 20, 2008 09:27am