The Women Who Met Jesus: New Testament Stories of Lives Transformed by the Savior

by Dorothy Valcarcel

Just like us, the women of New Testament times were ambitious, worried, broken, lonely, insecure, and unfulfilled. Discover the powerful stories of their encounters with the perfect, unconditional love of the Savior. Rather than trivializing their problems or ignoring women, Jesus responded to their deepest needs with compassion, reminding them of their value and transforming their past, present, and future. Let this engaging book introduce you to the man who loves women like no other.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2019

Reviews

[Rebekah Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not finish this book, through no fault of its own. I just take forever to read nonfiction books and I did not have forever to write a review.
My rating is for what I did read.

Author Dorothy Valcarcel has no idea what she's done to my heart.

I was deeply touched. Her pen dug deeply into my heart and brought to light past hurts I'd been hiding.

Valcarcel made me realize in order to move on, I must first face those hurts and give them to God.

Valcarcel is a deep well of wisdom and I believe that everyone could learn something from her.

She touched on a few things from her past that I believe a lot of women can relate to.

While explaining her past hurts Valcarcel teaches us how we can give our hurts to Christ. How we can forgive and move forward.

She likens the struggles we go through today with the struggles women in the Bible went through

She shows how each of these women met Jesus and were changed for the better.

Some of these women met Jesus physically, and though we cannot physically meet Him yet, our lives will still change when we meet Him spiritually.


I definitely recommend grabbing The Women Who Met Jesus!
I hope you'll be as blessed by it as I was.


**I received a a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

[Jazzy-girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHECK OUT FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG! https://thrivinghope.wordpress.com/20...

Unlike many books, The Women Who Met Jesus by Dorothy Valcarcel, to me, felt more like a personal letter from a friend than a book by an author. Through Dorothy’s personal experiences and words of encouragement, these stories about women in the Bible, ones that we’ve all read multiple times, come to life and truly become relatable to women (and men) of all ages.

Rejected, Hungry, Insecure, Worried, Hopeless, Misunderstood. From Mary, the mother of Jesus, to Peter’s mother, Pilate’s wife, and the women at the well and so many more, Dorothy has brought new light on all these lives that Jesus touched, revealing his kindness and immense love for all of us through his response to all these women’s various problems, albeit seemingly unimportant; Jesus knew differently and transformed their lives by his example and compassion.

In addition to exceptional writing and wonderful storytelling, the format of this book was wonderful; at the end of each chapter, the author included a lot of exploratory questions to ask yourself or to use in a group study, as well as other Bible passages to read. I loved that she didn’t just stop with just her book, but left room for the readers to do some research for themselves, pushing us to seek out God’s word and the truth within.

[Fay Jacobsohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although women were second-class citizens in Jesus day, He still met, helped, talked with them and changed their lives. Some of the women followed Jesus and helped provide for Him. Although we don't know a whole lot about some of these women, this book goes through the lives of eighteen women whose lives were impacted and changed by Jesus when He lived here on earth. Some of the women, such as Joanna and Pilate's wife the Bible says little about, but the author has fleshed out their stories through research and imagination. Others we are familiar with and know quite a bit more about them, including Mary and Martha of Bethany, Jesus mother, the Samaritan women, etc.

Each chapter is written like a devotional, with a title such as the Unfulfilled Woman, the Empty Woman, the Rejected Woman, Insecure Woman, etc. It describes the woman and her circumstances and ends with a section of reflection, questions, and affirmation. I enjoyed reading this book and seeing how God can change and heal a broken, flawed woman like me.

This book can be used as a study or a devotional and is really good at revealing our brokenness and how God can reach out and heal us and how he used women in Scripture who were also flawed. It would be a good book to read and discuss as a group or to read individually in your quiet time.

(Please Note: Although this book was given to me to review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, all opinions expressed are my own.)

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good story, and the best ones tell about the things that touch us deeply enough to permanently alter us.

My absolute favorite stories are about women in the Bible. Ladies just like me who encountered the one true GOD in the Old Testament or met face to face with the LORD JESUS in the New. The LORD revealed Himself to each of them in wondrous ways and they were forever changed! Their stories are real and raw, but also firmly grounded and gloriously lifted by HOPE.

Through CHRIST we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, we rejoice in hope of the glory of GOD… and this hope does not put us to shame, because GOD’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:2,5

I was recently introduced to a kindred spirit in Dorothy Valcárcel. In the introduction to her new book, “The Women Who Met Jesus: New Testament Stories of Lives Transformed by the Savior,” she tells how her life-long love of libraries and great stories began when her mother gave her a library card at age seven. Her appreciation for the very best stories drew her again and again to the Bible:

“My insatiable desire to read motivated me to seek out books on historical events, classical literature, philosophy, and religion. But of all the books I read, one of the most fascinating was the Bible. This book was filled with personal experiences that plumbed the depths of human love and tragedy. I was fortunate to have parents and teachers who not only supported but encouraged my study of the Bible, even when it meant I asked some difficult questions and, at the same time, demanded answers to some of life’s most perplexing problems.” (p.11)

Dorothy also shares that this book was birthed from a skeptical challenge from a close friend who couldn’t imagine that the Bible could be relevant to her life or that JESUS knew anything about women! As Dorothy studied, her heart swelled to realize just how MUCH He really does know about each and every individual, women included! And more importantly, how tenderly He loves them and how abundantly He provides for them! It was equally stunning to her to realize that every woman who met JESUS face to face experienced life-altering transformation!

It has been a joy to read her insights about these Bible stories, woven amongst her own personal experiences (followed with scripture references for my own study and wonderful questions for reflection)! I encourage you to let Dorothy help you get to know these precious ladies in the New Testament. You will not be disappointed! Their stories are touching and the discoveries about our Savior are sweet!

In her conclusion, Dorothy echoes my own heart:

“These stories originate with the Man who loves women. He is the same Man who loves women today. I have fallen in love with JESUS all over again. I hope you have too. Because if you have, His love will fill the empty spots in your life and make you whole. His love will change those things about you that you may have thought were unchangeable. And His love will empower you to do things you never thought you were capable of doing. You’ll have the courage to shout from the rooftops that your “Dad” loves you just the way you are. You’ll go to the ends of the earth if He asks you to, because His love will give your life purpose. And you will give everything you are to this Man who has given everything He is to you.” (p.260-261)

Take a fresh look at the stories these women tell, of real life, and a Savior who makes all things new… and be emboldened to share the unique piece of His story He has given you to tell!

“We love to tell the story… of JESUS… and His love!”
Katherine Hankey, 1866, Philadelphia

“Go and tell what great things GOD has done for you.” Luke 8:39

[Leona Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review of The Women Who Met Jesus
New Testament Stories of LIVE TRANSFORMED by the Savior
By Dorothy Valcarcel

Jesus, the Word of God, manifested in the flesh here on earth, walked, talked and interacted with many people and the New Testament gives us many accounts of those happenings.

This book introduces us to twenty women who actually met Jesus in the flesh during those New Testament times and tells us how their lives were transformed because of their meeting Jesus.

Many of us who are believers can testify how our lives changes when we spiritually met Jesus, but what would it have been like to actually meet Him in the flesh? To look in His eyes, listen to Him speak, watch Him perform miracles or eat with Him. It must have been amazing and surely the women who met Him were never the same.

In this book we read about Broken Women, Flawed Women, Empty and Rejected Women all whose lives were changed for the better after meeting Jesus. Women not that different from ourselves, even though they lived long ago, who still had hopes and dreams as we do. Women who worried, were insecure and unfulfilled. Women who were isolated, hungry, ignored, hopeless and stressed. Lonely Women, Misunderstood Women, Women who needed a Savior.

These New Testament women were transformed from their lives that they deemed worthless, all because they met Jesus and His power of Unconditional Love.

In a time when women were looked down upon and not regarded as important, Jesus took the time to meet with them to bring them healing, help and hope.

I would recommend his book to any woman, believer or non-believer. It is a wonderful testament to the wonderful love of Christ to all those He meets, and as He did back then in the New Testament times, He still does today.

No matter what you or the world has labeled you as, when you meet Jesus you will be changed. Your life will be transformed. The old you will be gone and the new you will come when you encounter the Word of Life, Jesus Christ.

This is a book that can be read over again and again as the need arises. It can also be used as a book study alone or in a group as at the end of each chapter there is a time for reflection, questions, affirmations and inspiration.

I was given a copy of this book to read in exchange for writing an honest review. All comments are mine.

--Leona J. Atkinson

[alexis martinique newlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heads up: I receive these books each month for free in exchange for my honest review. I receiver no other compensation other than the chance to read new books...which I LOVE!

My Review: Dorothy's book invites you into the lives of 18 different women in the New Testament and allows you to view how their lives changed as they encounter Christ. I could relate with each chapter that I encountered and I loved how Dorothy tied the struggles with these women from so long ago, with the struggles we women face in the modern day. Dorothy is very real with her readers and has no difficulty sharing the struggles she's faced in her walk while at the same time, encouraging you to walk with God through your own.

What I loved: I loved how Dorothy shared snippets of her life with her readers. My favorite story in this book was her mothers' Christmas table. Without giving too much away, the table may not have been the best, yet what people received at that table was way better than how the table appeared. I related to the need for things to look beautiful and presentable, but what I learned through this story is what you offer means so much more than how you appear. This story will stick with me for a lifetime.

What I did not love: Dorothy shares 18 stories of women of the New Testament. While I loved that she did this, I was not a fan of building backstories for these women. For me, I just want the stories that are from the Bible. I don't need a created backstory or an idea of how the women may have felt. For me, the backstories (I'm not even sure that is what you would call it) distracted me from what Dorothy was trying to say in each chapter. Again, some may be okay with this, but it was not my preference.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book. I loved learning about Dorothy's story. She is very open with her readers, which makes this book a wonderful read. seeing how such a tragic event caused her to create Transformation Garden and work to encourage others through devotionals and prayer.

Thanks for reading my review! Be sure to pick up Dorothy's book and visit her site: transformationgarden.com. Drop me a line if you do either.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Women Who Met Jesus" is a study that looks at how meeting Jesus transformed 18 women mentioned in the New Testament. The author started by looking at why these women were so drawn to Jesus that they stayed with him even when he was on the cross. Then each chapter focused on individual women. The author would talk about a trial or challenge that she (or family or friend) faced that this woman also faced. She described the woman's story and how Jesus encountered her and met her need. The author provided verse references for where this event happened and quoted several verses that related to the topic. She drew out lessons to be learned from these women and their encounters with Jesus. She asked a series of questions about if you have experienced something similar and how does this woman's encounter change you, too? The last chapter focused on how Jesus can meet our needs and transform our lives. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting study.

The women were Mary (Jesus' mother), Anna, the woman at the well, Joanna, Peter's mother, the woman with the issue of blood, Jairus' daughter, the mothers who brought their children to be blessed by Jesus, the Canaanite woman, the woman who couldn't stand up straight, the widow from Nain, the woman caught in adultery, Martha, Mary, the mother of James and John, the widow who gave two small coins at the temple, Pilate's wife, and Mary Magdalene. The issues that they dealt with were feeling the pressure to be perfect, empty, rejected and unloved, lacking something fulfilling, fearful and off balance, isolated, hungry, worried about their children, like no one was listening to her concerns, hurt when called names, hopeless and grieving, shame and guilt, overwhelmed and overworked, misunderstood, misled by wrong priorities, trouble identifying what is truly valuable, like one must compromise and conform, and lonely.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Julie D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduces us to twenty women who met Jesus face-to-face in the New Testament. The author shows us the care and concern that Jesus gives each one of these women and how their lives are transformed because of their interaction and acceptance of Him.

One thing I really like is that the author shares her own personal struggles and how Jesus has made such a difference for her. The book is not a text-book type book but a book that makes our experience with Jesus personal as we read through the Bible and ponder the questions the author shares after each study of the encounter and she also gives us more in-depth questions for a deeper study. I like when the book helps us to make what we've read in the Bible personal and the questions are really great for going deeper into our faith and understanding.

Each of these women were broken in different ways and we are able to relate to what they went through. I love how we see the transformation these women have because of their encounter with the living God, Jesus.

The only negative I have about this book is the liberty the author takes in making a connection of the woman's problem or what she may have been thinking/feeling. I read my Bible literally and am very cautious when an author takes liberties in their study just to make a point.

Overall, I liked this book and I loved the fact that it wasn't just a shallow study of Jesus. I felt like there was a lot of positive things about the book and I enjoyed it. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Revell. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered if a single man who traveled with 12 other men could ever understand you as a woman?  Have you read the New Testament and missed how often Jesus interacted with women?  

Jesus cares deeply for all people, including women, and He proves it throughout the New Testament.  He didn't always seek out women, but when they came to Him, He never denied their need.  He saved Mary Magdalene from seven demons. He was a frequent visitor of Mary and Martha. He offered salvation and unconditional love to the Samaritan woman, often referred to as the woman at the well.  He rescued women who were broken, flawed, isolated, insecure, unfulfilled and rejected.

In "The Women Who Met Jesus", author Dorothy Valcarcel discussed 18 women in the Bible who came to Jesus and found love, peace and healing.  In addition to the Bible stories, she shows how modern-day women with the same needs and issues can come to Jesus and find their miracle.  She offers personal stories and life stories of other women to show us examples of how Jesus works today.

Discover for yourself the transformative power of Jesus' unconditional love by reading "The Women Who Met Jesus" and be forever changed as you encounter Jesus and let Him meet your deepest need.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, as part of its Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy book to read but be prepared to devote a lot of time to it because you will often feel the urge to return to a previous chapter. There is so much wonderful information in The Women Who Met Jesus and there are so many sections that deserve a second reading. You may also find youself highlighting paragraphs and even full pages and the margins will probably also be filled with thoughts that you don't want to forget!

Author Dorothy Valcarcel devotes twenty chapters to eighteen women of the New Testament who experienced life changes because they met Jesus and she shares how today's women can experience the same transformation. Those women experienced feelings just like ours: feelings of being broken, flawed, empty, rejected, unfulfilled, insecure, isolated, hungry, worried, ignored, labeled, hopeless, guilty, stressed, misunderstood, ambitious, worthless, compromised, lonely, and hopefully, transformed! I like that she opens each of these chapters with Bible scripture and she then compares present-day accounts with stories taken from the New Testament. Each chapter also has A Time for Reflection, Exploration, Inspiration, and Affirmation. So much food for thought in these 269 pages!

The Women Who Met Jesus is a wonderful resource for personal devotion time but I can also see it being used in a women's Bible Study at church. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy as part of the Revell Reads blog tour but I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts.

[Rebecca Burnsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've noticed that when you read the Bible, there is more emphasis on the men. Why must that be? I've always wondered this. But, there are so many people who have met Jesus during His time. This book, "The Women Who Met Jesus" by Dorothy Valcarcel is about just that. This book takes into account some of the women who had met Jesus face to face. The author takes stories from her own life and places a woman from the Bible along with her story. She backs this up from scripture and gives thought-provoking questions that are great to use as a Bible study.

I feel that this book would be great for women of all ages. Some men might benefit too but I feel that it could be geared more towards women. It would be great to read and ponder with the questions. However, it would be great to use as a devotional study. You might want to get out a notebook and pen so you can take notes and write out your answers to the questions that are in this book. So if you are looking for something to dig deeper into the Bible, and gain knowledge about the women of the Bible, this would be that book.

I was given this book by the Revell Reads/Baker Publishing Group program in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Using 18 stories from the New Testament this book shows how Jesus understands and restores our brokenness. Dorothy Valcarcel uses stories from her own life and experiences along with women from the Bible to show how Jesus fulfills our needs, transforming lives.



20 chapters introduce us to the women of the New Testament, using various translations and paraphrases of the Bible as well as drawing from personal experience each chapter reads like a devotional. Each chapter is divided into multiple parts, with times for reflection, questions, affirmations, and inspirational quotes.



I liked the author's dedication and study of scripture, with the premise of showing the transformation of lives truly touched by Jesus Christ. I didn't always connect well with some of the introductory stories by the author right away, and it was kind of a slower read for me. It was an encouraging read, and I liked how even though for some of the women featured their encounter with Jesus was brief, it changed everything.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Caitlin (CMAReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Women Who Met Jesus: New Testament Stories of Lives Transformed by the Savior by Dorothy Valcarcel 4/5 ⭐️

Thank you to Revell for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

In this book, Valcarcel walks the reader through stories in her life and relates them to women that are found in the Bible. She shows how the lives of these women are still applicable today and can be learned from. The reader is given hope through these stories, and they also show how the women dealt with these issues they were walking through.

There are also places in the book to stop and reflect. I like this because it helps the reader engage with what is going on in the book, and they may be able to take a deep lesson from the chapter.

This book is out now, and I recommend it for women that may need encouragement. It can be found through the stories of these Biblical times women. Valcarecel shares enough ways that anyone can be encouraged by the different topics and stories in this book.

[victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extraordinary writing and compelling to read with that also had an encouraging and incredible story from twenty different women had been change and transform their mine and their life and what is the key that can be to empower them to capable to doing. This book will experience you to, where these women found the connection with Jesus and his love. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “I received complimentary a copy of this book from Revell Reads for this review”.

[Denise Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of women from New Testament. It caught my attention as author shared her love for books in beginning. Shared personal experiences while giving a new perspective on different women encounters with Jesus. One story stood out, Anna was a childless widow and the baby she possibly longed for was Jesus. Emphasized how Jesus fills our void

[Cassie Foulger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Women Who Met Jesus: New Testament Stories of Lives Transformed by the Savior is a wonderful read. I was inspired by all of the chapters that spotlight different women, such as, the broken, the flawed and the empty. Each chapter includes: scripture, a story, A Time for Reflections, Exploration, Inspiration, and Affirmations.


The Women Who Met Jesus would make a fabulous gift for any woman, especially for those who are seeking inspiration and faith. I am giving it five plus stars.


I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Charity Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didnt hate it, but I got half way through and hadn't read anything that spoke to me so I stopped reading it. I felt the author took the women out of the bible and took great license with them. I also felt that she started with a story she wanted to tell about herself and then found a women she felt she could make match it by creativity. The author is a good writer. I didnt mind reading her stories...but I just didn't feel like they matched the Bible character or taught me much. Loved the concept, the execution was disappointing.