The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife is written in the format of an 18-part study for daily or weekly reflection. Not only is it a powerful tool for personal growth, it’s also an ideal study-guide for small groups! Each lesson leads you through one virtue at a time, offering you applicable and inspiring ways for a wife to grow closer to God and her husband. The virtues discussed are •Purity •Self-control •Love •Diligence •Patience •Kindness •Humility •Faith •Forgiveness •Joy •Passion •Radiance •Encouragement •Balance •Goodness •Trust •Courage Virtue calls us to action. As we exercise each one, they bring our flesh in line with our Spirit. It’s one thing to know what’s good, and it’s another to walk in obedience to the knowledge that we have received. Not always easy, but obedience to our faith is always worth the effort it takes!
Darlene Schacht is known by her readers as The Time-Warp Wife. She's an Evangelical Christian whose number one priority is to serve Jesus Christ in every area of her life. She and her husband Michael live in Manitoba Canada. Married 26 years, they have four children, a bird and two pugs. She's an award winning and New York Times best-selling author.
The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife is written in the format of an 18-part study for daily or weekly reflection. Not only is it a powerful tool for personal growth, it’s also an ideal study-guide for small groups!
Each lesson leads you through one virtue at a time, offering you applicable and inspiring ways for a wife to grow closer to God and her husband. The virtues discussed are these:
Virtue calls us to action. As we exercise each one, they bring our flesh in line with our Spirit.
It’s one thing to know what’s good, and it’s another to walk in obedience to the knowledge that we have received. Not always easy, but obedience to our faith is always worth the effort it takes!
-- Darlene takes us so easily down a path with each virtue, not staying too long but a few verses and thoughts about each virtue. Then using the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer) method you work through each virtue a little bit.
With Darlene's style of writing, you read and re-read it, possibly stopping to pen notes, pray and sometimes cry a bit. Darlene gives bits of herself, leaving her open and vulnerable. I always loved the idea of a mission statement, but being married for so long, I thought, heck those are only for the newlyweds. But after Darlene's urgings, I think I will request we do one!
I could hear Darlene's voice the whole time I was reading, you can just tell her heart is in this book. As she gently nudges us all closer to Him. What a blessing! This will make great small bible studies as well as great gifts for others.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Some of the chapters wandered. Each chapter was to focus on a singular virtue, but I think Schacht instead of talking about the obvious (the virtue at hand), tries to take a different angle. And instead of intriguing me, I felt confused and even annoyed me a little. For example, the virtue being discussed was 'trustworthy' and Schacht focuses on gossiping and hardly even mentions trust itself.
Even more confusing, marriage was only mentioned occasionally. I had to check the cover once to see if it did really mention anything about marriage on the cover.
Two fantastic features of this book: each chapter was just laden down with Bible verses. Just bursting with them. And I love that! To me, that communicates that I can trust this author because she is embedded deep in the Word. I am more likely to then follow that author's advice and continue to read other books by them as well. Secondly, at the end of each section Schacht includes a S.O.A.P. section with a scripture and prayer. This helps the reader refocus on the Biblical virtue and its meaning. It also can lend the book to be read as a devotional as well, an added bonus.
Overall it was a bit of a confusing read, but well written and Biblically based. I would share it with women who are already fans of Schacht's books and blog, married Christian women, and those looking for a basic primer in virtue. I am rating it with 3.5 Stars.
--I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My women's group at church studied this book this semester--it worked well for us, because it was just the right amount (i.e. not a whole lot) of homework for a bunch of young moms, but it sparked some good conversation. I think the 18 chapters tended to overlap with material (the difference between being good and kind and patient and faithful all kinda run together), so by the end some of it seemed repetitive. A couple of the biggest things I got out of it: -humility is power, it's victory over the flesh and sinful nature. -do you really want to let other people's actions and lack of character determine your own?
I participated in a 9 week Facebook group discussing and blogging about this book. This was such an eye opener for me on how to become a more Godly, Virtuous Wife. Almost every chapter spoke to me personally. My family and I have been greatly blessed from reading this book. It is definitely something I will read again and again so I don't forget to apply the principles. Can't recommend this book enough!! I posted weekly recaps on my blog for this book if anyone is interested in reading more in detail. My blog link is in my profile. I would give it 6 stars if I could!!
I appreciate the reminders this author provided. I think reading about, studying, and developing virtues is always a good thing and something we should never stop doing. I highlighted quite a bit throughout this book and am certain that I will revisit this devotional/book again and again. Definitely recommended.
I enjoyed this study because it has helped me to know that even in my struggles that I am courageous. I recommend this to who ever is struggling. Stand strong in your faith and get ready to take on the worl!
Always helps to read encouraging words from women who have gone before us journeying a walk to lay it at His feet and allow Him to mold us outside of what is in with the world. The world may be in disarray but as for me and my home we will serve the Lord.
I enjoyed this book. From having to change from a ‘self’ mindset to a mindset of God, husband, family and having spiritual eyes to understand the wife’s role. The joy, gratitude and blessings from God to be the carer of the family, appreciating my husband and how to really love your husband through action.
A much needed reminder that following God’s word (not the world’s idea) about your role as a wife is not about being a slave to your husband but instead, being obedient to God and fulfilling your role as a child of God.
I love how well written this book is. As a bride to be, I enjoyed reading the Scripture passages that were paired with each chapter in light of to be a Christ-centered wife.
This is an easy to read devotion. It is much like sitting at the table with a sweet friend and hearing how God has put himself at the centre of every part of her life and marriage and learning how you can make space so he can do the same for you.
Darlene’s writings cut to the heart of who God had called us to be as Christian’s. She offers practical, biblical guidance for marriage and motherhood.