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The Lipstick Gospel: A Story About Finding God in Heartbreak, the Sistine Chapel, and the Perfect Cappuccino
Find out why more than 60,000 women have fallen in love with The Lipstick Gospel...
Inspired by a broken heart and a wicked hangover, Stephanie May Wilson tells the story of throwing in the towel on the life she'd been living and packing her bags for a pilgrimage across three continents - determined to find her way again.
Go on an adventure with her in a can't-put-it-down, quick and fun read that invites you not only into a life full of freedom, adventure, and meaning, but into a life lived abundantly in Christ.
What people are saying:
"I just found my new favorite book. I couldn't put it down! The Lipstick Gospel is the story of a sorority girl who never planned on becoming a Christian, until she met God in the most beautiful and unexpected way. It's a travel journal, a testimony that will leave you with tears in your eyes as you realize you're simply not alone.
Best of all, her story shows the kind of life you can have in Christ. Not a boring, vanilla-type life, but a fun, adventurous and exciting life - way more than you could ever imagine! Trust me, you'll want this book to last forever."
"I fell in love with this book SO hard. Listen. You MUST read it. It's a beautiful and inspiring and fantastically written book. It so drew me in, I read it in a single evening (except for the last chapter. I was so upset about being finished with it... I waited THREE WEEKS to finish those final pages. Have you ever done that? Mourn when a book was over?) Anyway. Read it. Now!" - Teresa
Inspired by a broken heart and a wicked hangover, Stephanie May Wilson tells the story of throwing in the towel on the life she'd been living and packing her bags for a pilgrimage across three continents - determined to find her way again.
Go on an adventure with her in a can't-put-it-down, quick and fun read that invites you not only into a life full of freedom, adventure, and meaning, but into a life lived abundantly in Christ.
What people are saying:
"I just found my new favorite book. I couldn't put it down! The Lipstick Gospel is the story of a sorority girl who never planned on becoming a Christian, until she met God in the most beautiful and unexpected way. It's a travel journal, a testimony that will leave you with tears in your eyes as you realize you're simply not alone.
Best of all, her story shows the kind of life you can have in Christ. Not a boring, vanilla-type life, but a fun, adventurous and exciting life - way more than you could ever imagine! Trust me, you'll want this book to last forever."
"I fell in love with this book SO hard. Listen. You MUST read it. It's a beautiful and inspiring and fantastically written book. It so drew me in, I read it in a single evening (except for the last chapter. I was so upset about being finished with it... I waited THREE WEEKS to finish those final pages. Have you ever done that? Mourn when a book was over?) Anyway. Read it. Now!" - Teresa
130 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
44 people are currently reading
858 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
January 4, 2018
Speaking solely on the writing, it's poor enough to garner the two star rating - it's wordy, full of cliché phrases, and reads like a rambling blog post - but my rating is based mostly on how the Gospel is misconstrued.
The author starts out with a recounting of her college days spent going to drunken parties and trying to fit in with her sorority friends while she was trying to get over a rough breakup. Feeling empty and unfulfilled by alcohol, she goes traveling abroad with two of friends who are Christians and gradually comes to become a Christian under their influence. Her journey follows some ups and downs and the book concludes with her giving up her career for a mission trip and deciding that writing this book is what God wanted her to do.
Now, I'm sure Ms. Wilson is a nice, sincere gal, and I'm don't want to come across as criticizing her personal faith, but her explanation of the Gospel is seriously problematic. The concept of sin is practically nonexistent in her version. When she is discussing issues such as drunkenness and premarital sex, she describes them as "not God's plan" but also states that she and her Christian friends often got tipsy and says that she didn't HAVE to stop having sex for God to love her. Which is true in a sense, but in the context she was using I understand she doesn't believe anything is truly forbidden to believers and that obeying the Bible's rules is more a good idea than a MUST. It seems that many in this brand of secular Christianity view living a moral life as a form of works based salvation. There is never a mention of repentance, Christ's suffering or forgiveness. Her Gospel is pretty much limited to "God loves me", which again, is absolutely true, but it's still only half the story.
It's disappointing (and concerning) to see the richness of the Gospel watered down to one-sided positive thinking like this.
The author starts out with a recounting of her college days spent going to drunken parties and trying to fit in with her sorority friends while she was trying to get over a rough breakup. Feeling empty and unfulfilled by alcohol, she goes traveling abroad with two of friends who are Christians and gradually comes to become a Christian under their influence. Her journey follows some ups and downs and the book concludes with her giving up her career for a mission trip and deciding that writing this book is what God wanted her to do.
Now, I'm sure Ms. Wilson is a nice, sincere gal, and I'm don't want to come across as criticizing her personal faith, but her explanation of the Gospel is seriously problematic. The concept of sin is practically nonexistent in her version. When she is discussing issues such as drunkenness and premarital sex, she describes them as "not God's plan" but also states that she and her Christian friends often got tipsy and says that she didn't HAVE to stop having sex for God to love her. Which is true in a sense, but in the context she was using I understand she doesn't believe anything is truly forbidden to believers and that obeying the Bible's rules is more a good idea than a MUST. It seems that many in this brand of secular Christianity view living a moral life as a form of works based salvation. There is never a mention of repentance, Christ's suffering or forgiveness. Her Gospel is pretty much limited to "God loves me", which again, is absolutely true, but it's still only half the story.
It's disappointing (and concerning) to see the richness of the Gospel watered down to one-sided positive thinking like this.
April 7, 2017
This book was so beautiful. It was a humble, down to earth, and refreshingly honest of her journey into becoming a Christian. I would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone.
December 11, 2017
I was introduced to Stephanie May Wilson through her shared experience with my best friend in the World Race, an 11 month service trip to 11 different countries around the world. Attracted by her free book offers, I signed up for her blog and then subscribed to her podcast. Initially I was skeptical of just another rose colored glasses on life, Pollyanna positive, Christian girl alternative to the dating and single girl podcasts for women of the world. Warily, I gave the podcast a try, and I was pleasantly surprised. I found that one episode led to another until I was eagerly awaiting the next installment. In each podcast, Stephanie referenced her spiritual autobiography The Lipstick Gospel and offered it as a free download. Even though I prefer paperbacks to reading on my phone, I decided to give it a try. Between books, I clicked on Lipstick Gospel as I was sitting on the metro. I nearly missed my stop. Stephanie's story captivated my attention. Pregaming with her sorority for a David Guetta concert, cursing out of frustration, being offered a Molly, savoring Sangria, and encountering God in Michaelangelo's fresco The Last Judgment in the Sistine chapel during a semester in Spain. These were the experiences of a girl I would want as a best friend! These were most definitely NOT what I had expected from her story.
"God is not a god of boring shoes and turtlenecks. He's a God of cappuccinos and art, of cobblestones and the fresh scent of oranges wafting through the air. He's a God of dancing with a bullfighter and being adopted by a brand-new family. A God of best friends and weekends at the beach…And every lesson I learned about God was taught in the language I understood – the language of travel and beauty and delight for the senses…He was wild. He would send you to the corners of the world if you said you were willing and would heal your wounds with soothing tenderness. He was everything good about life wrapped up into one. He was French wine and Spanish olives and Italian cappuccinos. He was quiet times in Costa Rica and being baptized in the mountains and best friends, and the creakiest bunk beds. He was fireworks and adventure and love that seeped into every corner, spreading further than the eye can see. And I wanted more of Him.”
Reminiscent to one of the author's inspirations Eat. Pray. Love., this short, succinct, quick read will profoundly impact your perspective on God, Christianity, meaning and where true identity is found--the reflection in the mirror or the message in the lipstick.
“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”—Habakkuk 1:5
Check out The Lipstick Gospel to find out for yourself!
"God is not a god of boring shoes and turtlenecks. He's a God of cappuccinos and art, of cobblestones and the fresh scent of oranges wafting through the air. He's a God of dancing with a bullfighter and being adopted by a brand-new family. A God of best friends and weekends at the beach…And every lesson I learned about God was taught in the language I understood – the language of travel and beauty and delight for the senses…He was wild. He would send you to the corners of the world if you said you were willing and would heal your wounds with soothing tenderness. He was everything good about life wrapped up into one. He was French wine and Spanish olives and Italian cappuccinos. He was quiet times in Costa Rica and being baptized in the mountains and best friends, and the creakiest bunk beds. He was fireworks and adventure and love that seeped into every corner, spreading further than the eye can see. And I wanted more of Him.”
Reminiscent to one of the author's inspirations Eat. Pray. Love., this short, succinct, quick read will profoundly impact your perspective on God, Christianity, meaning and where true identity is found--the reflection in the mirror or the message in the lipstick.
“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.”—Habakkuk 1:5
Check out The Lipstick Gospel to find out for yourself!
March 1, 2019
Great travel memoir, not a great representation of the actual Gospel.
October 1, 2017
***4/5 Stars!!! :)
Wow. This book is so adorable, first off, and second off, incredibly uplifting and encouraging. I gotta be honest, I was a little skeptical at first thinking it may be a peaches and cream kinda book; but there were real life situations and stories and real feelings that were brought to the surface throughout this book. I really loved it and it gave me a new perspective on many things I had been struggling with. I know that God has a plan for my life and I will keep on keeping on so He can reveal those plans through me. This book re-ignite my faith.
So, thank you, Stephanie May. Your words have touched my life.
xo,
Rach
Wow. This book is so adorable, first off, and second off, incredibly uplifting and encouraging. I gotta be honest, I was a little skeptical at first thinking it may be a peaches and cream kinda book; but there were real life situations and stories and real feelings that were brought to the surface throughout this book. I really loved it and it gave me a new perspective on many things I had been struggling with. I know that God has a plan for my life and I will keep on keeping on so He can reveal those plans through me. This book re-ignite my faith.
So, thank you, Stephanie May. Your words have touched my life.
xo,
Rach
November 20, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Stephanie has a way of writing that makes you feel like she's talking to you directly, at a cozy little coffee shop over a great cappuccino, or over a home-cooked dinner and a nice glass of wine. Her story is truly inspiring, and makes me proud to be walking through this faith journey with her as my sister!
October 21, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's like sitting down with a best friend over cappuccinos and hearing her story!
September 4, 2019
Stephanie writes as though she were sitting next to you on your couch while you're both in your pajamas. The comfortable and genuine nature of her story invited me into her experiences and showed me the simple but profound truths she has gleaned from God's work in her life.
January 3, 2020
This book was just what my soul needed. “Life with God is wilder than the wildest roller coaster ride, and safer than your childhood bedroom.” “He’s just waiting for us to go all in..”
January 28, 2021
I can’t forgive her for the turtleneck slander
May 10, 2018
A short, sweet, and honest testimony about finding God in the most unexpected of places and learning how He can change your life in incredible ways.
Stephanie's story begins as a fairly typical college sorority girl story, but heartbreak, opportunity, and a visit to the Sistine Chapel completely changed her life. Things weren't always easy after that point, and despite some setbacks and some questions, another international trip really cemented Stephanie's faith and helped her realize that the plan God had for her life was better than any plan she had. The result was this book, which is fun and insightful and really made me want to travel to Europe!
I really appreciate Stephanie's vulnerability and her willingness to share the doubts and questions she had as a beginning Christian. Although I've been saved for while now, I still sometimes struggle with feeling God's presence and wanting to control things according to my plan rather than the plan He has for me. I'm really in a season now of not knowing what my future holds and having to remind myself day in and day out that God has something amazing planned for me, so reading about Stephanie's struggle helped remind me that I'm not the only Christian who has or who will face this season.
The Lipstick Gospel is a great introduction to Stephanie and her story and a great gateway to all the wonderful insights and resources she has developed since the years described in this book.
Stephanie's story begins as a fairly typical college sorority girl story, but heartbreak, opportunity, and a visit to the Sistine Chapel completely changed her life. Things weren't always easy after that point, and despite some setbacks and some questions, another international trip really cemented Stephanie's faith and helped her realize that the plan God had for her life was better than any plan she had. The result was this book, which is fun and insightful and really made me want to travel to Europe!
I really appreciate Stephanie's vulnerability and her willingness to share the doubts and questions she had as a beginning Christian. Although I've been saved for while now, I still sometimes struggle with feeling God's presence and wanting to control things according to my plan rather than the plan He has for me. I'm really in a season now of not knowing what my future holds and having to remind myself day in and day out that God has something amazing planned for me, so reading about Stephanie's struggle helped remind me that I'm not the only Christian who has or who will face this season.
The Lipstick Gospel is a great introduction to Stephanie and her story and a great gateway to all the wonderful insights and resources she has developed since the years described in this book.
January 2, 2019
I read this book in one day. Really
This book immediately enraptured me with its conversational tone and realness. I loved the travel aspect of the book, but as I read about all the cappuccinos and fancy wine I had to wonder where all this college girls money came from. It seemed more like fiction than memoir. I like Stephanie’s dynamic view of God, but I also feel like some of it is not Bible-based. I can really see God leading in her life but to be honest, I feel like she has a lot of room to grow. Which is beautiful and true about all of us, but I just don’t understand how she can run a Christian ministry while she still seems like very much of a baby Christian to me. I loved reading the book, it was entertaining and insightful, but I also felt like it ended very abruptly. There was no ending—no maturing in Stephanie’s Christian life. Which I guess points to the fact that she is still living and growing in Christ like all of us. My question is then, how beneficial is this book written by a baby Christian for nonbelievers? The gospel is there, but slightly confusing. As a believer, I loved reading it and got some valuable insight, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend to a person who is struggling to find God—which is exactly the demographic this book is written to.
This book immediately enraptured me with its conversational tone and realness. I loved the travel aspect of the book, but as I read about all the cappuccinos and fancy wine I had to wonder where all this college girls money came from. It seemed more like fiction than memoir. I like Stephanie’s dynamic view of God, but I also feel like some of it is not Bible-based. I can really see God leading in her life but to be honest, I feel like she has a lot of room to grow. Which is beautiful and true about all of us, but I just don’t understand how she can run a Christian ministry while she still seems like very much of a baby Christian to me. I loved reading the book, it was entertaining and insightful, but I also felt like it ended very abruptly. There was no ending—no maturing in Stephanie’s Christian life. Which I guess points to the fact that she is still living and growing in Christ like all of us. My question is then, how beneficial is this book written by a baby Christian for nonbelievers? The gospel is there, but slightly confusing. As a believer, I loved reading it and got some valuable insight, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend to a person who is struggling to find God—which is exactly the demographic this book is written to.
September 1, 2016
I heard about this book when I finally went to my new church's bible study for the first time. A girl who was about to move back to Florida casually mentioned and I thought "sure, I'll subscribe to the author's website to get a free book." Then, of course, I kept forgetting to read it after downloading it into my Dropbox (I was given a PDF).
I remembered it last night and decided to start it. I couldn't put it down. She's honest, funny, and thoughtful. I didn't think I'd be able to relate to her cause I had no desire to join a sorority in college and grew up in a Christian home. But her journey to finding Jesus was thrilling. It ended up relating to me more than I thought it would.
I have since liked her fb page and subscribed to receive other free things through her website.
This book is a quick read, but definitely worth it!
I remembered it last night and decided to start it. I couldn't put it down. She's honest, funny, and thoughtful. I didn't think I'd be able to relate to her cause I had no desire to join a sorority in college and grew up in a Christian home. But her journey to finding Jesus was thrilling. It ended up relating to me more than I thought it would.
I have since liked her fb page and subscribed to receive other free things through her website.
This book is a quick read, but definitely worth it!
February 11, 2019
So to be honest, I just adore Stephanie May Wilson - in the last few months, she has become a good friend of mine (although she knows nothing about it! lol). I was first introduced to her when looking for podcasts to listen to when my work suddenly left me with long, long days in my car. Just like her podcast "Girl's Night" (highly recommend!!), Steph's simultaneous vulnerability and joy is so tangible in The Lipstick Gospel. I laughed and I cried, because I could feel the emotion in her encounters with God seep through the pages. I am so grateful to Steph and others like her for giving a voice to experiences along her faith journey that some can relate to so deeply but are still learning how to express. Thank you, Steph, for your transparency and willingness to be used for God's Kingdom! :)
December 10, 2016
I think it's been a while since I've been so touched by God while reading a book. Every chapter was a profound experience of something I've always known but never knew or forgot. Seeing myself in author, in this messy, guilty and lost life, I can't imagine why God would care about me with all the other people in this world. But He does! He always will! He's with me and I don't think I'll ever get over it.
March 20, 2017
From the epilogue: "Life with God is wilder than the wildest roller coaster ride, and safer than your childhood bedroom. It's more thrilling than the greatest adventure, and more delicious than an Italian cappucino- if you can even believe it." I loved this honest, beautiful story of a girl who collides with love in the messiest and best possible way.
February 15, 2016
This was a good and easy read! It was amazing to see how the Lord kept pursuing her even though (at the time) she wanted nothing to do with Him. Her travel experience was so beautiful and it made me want to go to Europe even more!
February 29, 2016
Funny, Witty and a good easy read. The author fails to mention the amount of privilege she had by being able to travel so many times. However, if you read this critically her humor is great and she gives a relatable way for a millennial to find God in the most unlikely of places.
July 27, 2016
I read this in under 3 hours! It was witty, charming, and extremely relatable. I could definitely see God speaking to me through the book. If you're a young woman, no matter where you are in your faith journey, I'd highly recommend this book!
May 14, 2017
If you think being a Christian is boring & out of date I suggest you read this book. It is so real & down to earth and a great read especially for young women heading off to college. You can even get an electronic copy for free by accessing Stephanie May's web site, so no excuses!
March 10, 2018
I've been following Stephanie and religiously listening to her podcast, and her book did not disappoint! She is so inspiring and relatable - I finished the book in two hours because I couldn't put it down!
August 17, 2018
So this book came on my radar through Instagram if you can believe it! Apparently it was something God knew I needed to read at this point in my life. It’s such a touching story about a young woman’s journey to finding Christ. I will definitely be sharing this with ALL of my girlfriends!
September 19, 2018
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did! The authenticity and warmth behind Stephanie May Wilson’s words crept into my soul and made an impression on me. I’m glad I took the time to read this!
May 12, 2016
This book was so good! Stephanie was so honest and vulnerable with her story. It was an easy read and more like talking with a best friend than reading a book. Definitely read this!
July 7, 2017
I'm not a very good Christian, I never have been, but this book was definitely an eye opener! I really enjoyed Stephanie's writing techniques and would love to read anything else she puts out.
March 24, 2017
Excellent book for young women, especially college and in their 20's.
February 26, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. Stephanie writes from her own personal experience and it's so real and raw. I love her perspective on Jesus and her writing style. Highly recommend this book!
August 9, 2018
I LOVED this book. It made me want to know God like the writer does. Full of adventure and anything but boring.
December 27, 2018
I wanted to like this book, I really did. Too cliche and cheesy for me. Might appeal to a younger reader!
December 28, 2018
I loved this book!! I gave it 4 stars because some of the writing seems a little too cliche, but she means well! It really opened my eyes and hit home for me
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews