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Exchanging Mirrors: A Call to Embrace Your Gospel-Given Identity
From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
So begins the epistle of Peter to the early church, a group of Christ-followers facing imminent and intense persecution. In the face of certain suffering, Peter gave the encouragement of hope in the reality of the gospel. The gospel was, and is, the only source of stability in a world of uncertainty, and to the scattered believers this was their anchoring assurance.
Many women, however, are no longer content with this understanding of the gospel. Salvation has been repurposed as a self-improvement program or a means to having a happier life. The intersection of truth and deception forced by this worldview is blurred except when understood through the plumb line of the gospel.
In Exchanging Mirrors, Katherine Hager encourages women to closely examine Peter’s claims about the gospel and its implications for a Christ-follower’s identity.
So begins the epistle of Peter to the early church, a group of Christ-followers facing imminent and intense persecution. In the face of certain suffering, Peter gave the encouragement of hope in the reality of the gospel. The gospel was, and is, the only source of stability in a world of uncertainty, and to the scattered believers this was their anchoring assurance.
Many women, however, are no longer content with this understanding of the gospel. Salvation has been repurposed as a self-improvement program or a means to having a happier life. The intersection of truth and deception forced by this worldview is blurred except when understood through the plumb line of the gospel.
In Exchanging Mirrors, Katherine Hager encourages women to closely examine Peter’s claims about the gospel and its implications for a Christ-follower’s identity.
210 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
About the author
Katherine Hager
9 books6 followersKatherine Hager is passionate about supporting and encouraging women, but especially moms. Her vision for EquippedMama was born out of her vision for her book, Redeeming Mama: Purpose-Filled Prayers for Your Newborn– a new mother’s prayer journey through the Psalms. This book was released Christmas 2019. This book focuses on using the Scripture as the framework for prayer and has been the catalyst for EquippedMama- a broader network of Scripture based encouragement materials for all moms. When she is not writing, Katherine enjoys spending time with her husband, and her two children at their home in central Texas. Katherine loves open skies, fall colors, running and connecting with women over things of the Lord.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 23, 2021
In this book, Katherine Hager encourages Christian women to discern what their true gospel-given identity is by analyzing 1 Peter. She discusses many topics with boldness and challenges the reader to consider how they may or may not be pursuing Christ and their identity in Him in every aspect of their lives. I felt challenged, yet encouraged by reading Exchanging Mirrors and would strongly recommend it for any woman.
August 9, 2021
As I read Exchanging Mirrors, I was convicted of how many ways I fail to reflect Christ's image and live out the gospel. Yet Katherine does not leave the reader to remain wallowed in guilt, but instead reminds her of the gospel message: that yes we fail and are sinners, but Christ is our Savior and will forgive our sins if we repent and turn to Him. Therefore, I was not just convicted, but more than anything encouraged to take my eyes off of my own sinful reflection and look at Jesus. I would highly recommend this book to any Christian seeking to grow deeper in their faith and how to live out the Faith practically, and to any non Christian wondering what the gospel is really about.
*Sidenote: I also appreciate that Katherine is willing to say difficult truths with grace but without compromise. Many Biblical truths, such as that wives should submit to their husbands, are unfortunately extremely controversial in the current culture, even within the church. And sadly many Christian leaders shy away from these unpopular truths. But Katherine doesn't back away from what God's Word says, and I greatly respect that!
*Sidenote: I also appreciate that Katherine is willing to say difficult truths with grace but without compromise. Many Biblical truths, such as that wives should submit to their husbands, are unfortunately extremely controversial in the current culture, even within the church. And sadly many Christian leaders shy away from these unpopular truths. But Katherine doesn't back away from what God's Word says, and I greatly respect that!
August 1, 2021
The author takes a serious approach and is great at clarifying Scripture and meaning. I love the comparisons to current American culture and how we can hold that up against the Gospel to see if it is based in truth, or a false reflection. I truly believe any woman who reads this will glean scriptural wisdom in one way or another!
The reason for the 4 stars: There is a lot of passion behind the ideas just given that the whole book points to Jesus, but I think it fails to be conveyed through the tone of writing. It reads more like an essay with facts and persuasive argument than it does a personal book to make an emotional connection with. Emotions aren't what make us Jesus followers, but if they are left out of faith then I think the point can easily be missed. Maybe it was just heavier than I expected since the title feels more personal than the writing.
Overall I definitely recommend this book and enjoyed reading it, and I encourage anyone who reads this review to find out for themselves!
The reason for the 4 stars: There is a lot of passion behind the ideas just given that the whole book points to Jesus, but I think it fails to be conveyed through the tone of writing. It reads more like an essay with facts and persuasive argument than it does a personal book to make an emotional connection with. Emotions aren't what make us Jesus followers, but if they are left out of faith then I think the point can easily be missed. Maybe it was just heavier than I expected since the title feels more personal than the writing.
Overall I definitely recommend this book and enjoyed reading it, and I encourage anyone who reads this review to find out for themselves!
August 3, 2021
Exchanging Mirrors is such a necessary reminder for combatting the empowerment message bombarding our lives on a daily basis. There is always a strong cultural battle contrary to God’s word that has potential to define and direct us. Katherine encourages the Christian woman to replace such destructive worldly thinking with biblical sound teaching from Scripture. Katherine exhorts us to shift from our own self-empowerment to the power God provides for the Christian life. This book takes us through an in-depth look at I Peter and how we should focus on the image of Christ’s example of love and obedience to the Father. Through training our minds to be reliant & submitting to the Holy Spirit and being saturated in His Word, we can be the women “called by God of all grace to His eternal glory.”
August 3, 2021
I love where Katherine reflects on the much-anticipated wedding ceremony of Jesus and His bride at the end of Chapter 4:
"Suddenly the adornment of godly women that is 'not… with braided hair and gold… but with good deeds' (1 Tim. 2:9b-10a) and is not 'external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes—but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight' (1 Pet. 3:3b-4) makes sense.
"This, ladies, is our dress rehearsal. As we present ourselves before the Lord, adorning ourselves in the way He says is precious, we make ourselves ready for our future celebration in heaven. We release our grasp on our daydreams of flawless bodies and perfect skin and fix our eyes again on the one who calls us His bride."
Exchanging mirrors, indeed—and a good deal, at that!
"Suddenly the adornment of godly women that is 'not… with braided hair and gold… but with good deeds' (1 Tim. 2:9b-10a) and is not 'external—the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes—but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight' (1 Pet. 3:3b-4) makes sense.
"This, ladies, is our dress rehearsal. As we present ourselves before the Lord, adorning ourselves in the way He says is precious, we make ourselves ready for our future celebration in heaven. We release our grasp on our daydreams of flawless bodies and perfect skin and fix our eyes again on the one who calls us His bride."
Exchanging mirrors, indeed—and a good deal, at that!
August 2, 2021
This book offered a fresh, encouraging, and honest look at 1 Peter. Through a careful examination of scripture, Katherine Hager points the reader to the joy and lasting satisfaction found in trading self-love for loving Christ. While not shying away from speaking the truth, the author wrote in such an engaging and personal way that I found myself wanting to read more at the end of each chapter. I would highly recommend this book to any woman seeking to better understand her identity in Christ and the freedom found in following the Lord's call for her life.
*Note- The way this book is structured would also make it a great read for a women's Bible study!
*Note- The way this book is structured would also make it a great read for a women's Bible study!
August 31, 2021
This book is so necessary for Christian women living in the American Christian context. There are many distortions of the gospel embraced by our culture and churches today, and the author does well in identifying these errors and revealing their fallacy according to scripture. There were several points in the book where I had to stop reading and reflect on the truth communicated.
Well researched and easy to read, Exchanging Mirrors is a truly helpful book for the Christian longing to grow in their walk with Christ and follow a belief system deeply rooted in scripture. I highly recommend it.
Well researched and easy to read, Exchanging Mirrors is a truly helpful book for the Christian longing to grow in their walk with Christ and follow a belief system deeply rooted in scripture. I highly recommend it.
August 2, 2021
It was refreshing to see how the gospel message was infiltrated throughout the book and even in the Introduction, the plan of salvation was presented. Katherine Hager unpacks 1 Peter and demonstrates how God desires us, as godly women, to view ourselves and live every aspect of our lives through the "mirror" of the gospel. "The gospel gives us gives us faith in the midst of crushing circumstances, love in the face of hate, strength in the face of fear, and confidence in the face of death." (pg. 177) A great book to inspire and encourage women in their daily walk with Christ.
August 3, 2021
In this study of First Peter, Katherine Hager encourages women to exchange the world's mirror of Self: self-improvement, self-love, self-empowerment etc. for the mirror of God's Word. The truth that we are changed and renewed by our submission to God who created, loved, and redeemed us. The truth, that by submitting to His authority for our lives we are empowered to please and serve Him with confidence, hope and joy. I wish I had been able to read this book, years ago as a young wife, mother and new Christian. I am going to give copies to my granddaughter, and granddaughters-in-law.
August 2, 2021
Exchanging Mirrors is a challenge to look closer at your own attitudes and thoughts and consider if they are in line with the principles in God's word. Katherine has a firm knowledge of scripture and inspires the reader to study and pursue it's meaning in their own life. I highly recommend the book to women who want to use the scripture and principles presented to guide their own study of 1 Peter and the concepts presented in the book by the author.
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September 22, 2021Exchanging Mirrors speaks truth to our hearts as a reminder of what, where, how, and who we are called to be as children of God. Through these pages, Katherine helped me to understand how it is only through Jesus can we accomplish anything, that without Jesus we are not enough and how that is a GOOD thing. This book helped challenge me to grow stronger in my faith and my walk with the Lord. I am grateful for this book and urge everyone to read it
July 16, 2021
In this book, Katherine Hager has a way of writing bold truth in a completely digestible way. She writes from a sound biblical standpoint on a topic that has taken over our culture- the “self help” movement. This book challenged me and reminded me how desperately we need the gospel daily as our one true identity. I highly recommend this book!
August 2, 2021
Exchanging Mirrors is a thought-provoking book that paves the way for us to look more like Jesus. Katherine speaks truths we all need to adopt from scripture while exposing the dangers of our culture. She has well-thought out examples and an easy-to-understand explanation of 1 Peter. I am better for reading this book!
August 2, 2021
Exchanging Mirrors takes the reader deeper - searching the heart as well as looking at practical ways to see life through the lens of scripture - specifically 1 Peter.
Living out love without hypocrisy
Quietness only found resting in God's sovereignty
What submission really means with Christ as our model
You truly will go deeper in the scriptures through Exchanging Mirrors.
Living out love without hypocrisy
Quietness only found resting in God's sovereignty
What submission really means with Christ as our model
You truly will go deeper in the scriptures through Exchanging Mirrors.
July 31, 2021
Looking in the mirror, I see a daughter of a loving and forgiving Father! A beautifully written book of scriptures written for women to trust and obey for a life that Christ wants us to follow! Celia W.
August 3, 2021
Katherine takes 1 Peter and relates it to what all women really need to hear in our modern times. The book shares truth and encouragement.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews