I first heard of Rebecca St. James from a homeschooled girlfriend half my lifetime ago. Soon after that Rebecca came to give a concert at our church. Several of the youth spent the better part of a day with Rebecca’s family setting up, helping out, and enjoying seeing a homeschooling family of nine who do life and ministry together. From their Aussie accents to their irrepressible senses of humor, they were too much fun! I’ve liked her music and writing ever since, and still keep track of her and her family.
It was only natural that I would read her latest book, Pure. Simply put, this book, a 90-day devotional for the mind, body, and spirit builds off of previous works which include several 40-day devotionals and several editions and branch-offs of a book on purity. And it will stay on my shelf for future reference, whether personally or for younger sisters or my own future daughters. Pure takes one month each to focus on three areas of purity: mental, physical, and spiritual. Some of it is fairly straightforward while other days take an unconventional and welcome slant on topics not immediately associated with purity like bitterness, forgiveness, and the fruits of the Spirit. Rebecca writes:
Striving to live a pure life physically is itself obviously a huge goal, but in addition, the way you turn over your fears and priorities to God, the way you forgive others, the way you think about every subject in your life–and your life to come–are also part of living a pure life before our Father…when living out of love for our Father becomes our biggest passion, our lives are greatly impacted–not only our decisions about how we treat our bodies, but also how we protect and feed our minds and spirits as well. – From the Introduction
What I would change: Rebecca has a preference for The Message Bible which I cannot even call a translation. At best it is a rewording of Scripture. She uses this as her choice for many of the Scripture passages opening each devotional, as well as for passages throughout the text. If I were to use this book I would do more in-depth study on the passages she references in several other translations as well as in their surrounding context.
Another addition I would make is expanding what she gives for each day through journaling, prayer, memorization, and meditation of the Scripture passages. As a base, it is a good place to start but I would not consider the five minutes it would take to read each day sufficient for personal or group Bible study.
What I like: This is not a book to pass by because it is too shallow or liberal to have any practical application. For a devotional–which in my mind is quite a different thing than an exegetical Bible study–it is pretty solid. The passages she chooses are excellent for meditation throughout the day. Her applications are sound and comfortably practical. No matter where you are in life, you can find plenty of food for thought and conviction regarding areas that need work, particularly concerning the theology of holiness and our mental image of purity.
Rebecca is transparent and honest with some great stories to share. Unlike the majority of devotionals geared toward young people, this one maintains a submissive attitude toward God and authority, a proper reverence toward God and His call to holiness, and I could hand it to even a pre-teen without hesitations over graphic or unnecessary content.
Sounds like a great book. I was a fan of Rebecca’s music when I was younger and I still like some of her songs and her message. Can I enter the drawing?
In Him,
Laura Anne
Ever since I was a pre-teen, I had a love for Rebecca’s song, “Wait For Me.” It is “my song,” as I call it. It is everything that I want my future husband to know.
I don’t know, though, if she is married now….
Thanks for the review Natalie. Purity is something that has been on my heart for the last few months. It is amazing to me how every aspect of God’s guiding us and teaching us really boils down to purity. He desires each of us to be pure as He is pure. I have found it especially interesting in a study our church has been doing on “The Law and the Gospel”; essentially, how the Old Testament fits in with the New Testament. Purity is the overarching theme of God’s character throughout scripture, and it is worthy of deeper consideration by all those desiring to live for Christ.
This book will definitely be going on my “read” list
Thanks again Natalie!
In Christ’s Love,
Tiffany
I’m excited about this book – purity is something I’ve been led towards recently.. thanks for this post and letting us know about this book!
-Beloved
I agree with you concerning the Message “translation”. I don’t understand why it’s become so popular among Christians – and I find that if the Bible needs to be reworded in such a base fashion, the Holy Spirit cannot be actively involved in the life of the believer. It is the Living Word not because it is writeen in the vernacular and easy to understand intellectually but because the Holy Spirit moves within the reader as he peruses it and seeks the Lord therein.
Hi, Natalie. Just saying hi, and our family is praying for you!
Hey Natalie –
I would love to be entered in this drawing for the book give away. I would love to read more about living a pure and Godly life.
Stephanie
I have heard about this devotional for awhile. I was going to purchase it the other day, but I decided to get her S.H.E book instead.
Count me in.
You can contact me through commenting on my blog. Thank you!
Sounds like a good book! Please enter me in the drawing. =)
I also have followed Rebecca ever since she came out with the cd Pray!! I love her stand, and all of her albums are full of encouragement!! I also like the fact that she lists scriptures that go along with her songs.
oooo add me in!
I have never actually been to a concert of hers but would go if she ever came to our area…..!
Never heard of The Message Bible either…some homework:)
I have seen some of Rebecca’s books and skimmed them at Christian bookstores but have never read one all the way through. I’d love to read Purity. It sounds like a great book!
Oh Natalie, you are so sweet! I’m not putting the comment here to win, so just skip over it and pick some one else. I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you have done on YLCF (and on heartthought’s tea table). And that even though I have never met you I think of you like a sister and pray for you often (that may seem weird, but you have ministered to me in so many ways through your writing)! Thank you so *much*! Keep looking to Him!
Praying for you,
Rebecca
“…when living out of love for our Father becomes our biggest passion, our lives are greatly impacted…”
What a good point!
Excellent review! Nice to see you back on YLCF, Natalie!
Blessings,
Emily
I’ve heard about Rebecca St. James for years but never read anything by her. It’d be interesting to give this book a try.
I love her, Rebecca’s song, “wait for me”… special… she’s still waitin’ and so am I;)
That sounds intriguing. I have always preferred more in-depth studies over devotionals because they do have a tendency to be shallow, but this sounds like it may be worth it.
~Samantha
I didn’t mean for my comment earlier to sound like I bought another one of her books, and didn’t want the devotional. I would love to have the chance of winning one of the devotionals. I am most definately in a season of life where this devotional would be right up my alley. Thank you Natalie for all you do!
i’m quite interested to see this book so please enter me.
Hi! I didn’t even know she had another book out! I especially liked what you said about being able to hand this book to a preteen without hesitation. I do prefer to read books minus the graphic and unnecessary content. I’m glad to hear that Rebecca leaves those things out of her book. Thank you for the review!
God Bless!!!!!
~Luci
I didn’t know she had written this book. I’ve enjoyed Rebecca’s music and she’s written some helpful articles as well. Didn’t she write the introduction on an older edition of I Kissed Dating Goodbye?
The book sounds interesting! Purity has always been a big topic with me–especially books on purity written for young women. It seems that there aren’t nearly as many for women as for men, and that’s a big area of need. I’d deffinately be interested! (you can contact me through my blog
)
Sophia
Sounds like a wonderful book.
Thanks for entering me in the drawing.
This sounds really exciting and something I could definitely use right now. I’ll have to look for it…though I’d definitely love to be entered in the drawing.
Thanks for the review.
Sounds rather a good read…would you mind entering me?
Praying for you as always.
Much Love & God Bless
Katy-from-Scotland
Thanks for all the great comments, ladies!
To Ella, no, Rebecca is not married yet. I saw her in April and she is still single. I believe she is 28, maybe 29 now. Her patience is inspiring to me. She really wants to be a wife and mommy, but has not been willing to compromise or lower her standards.
This is such a timely post! Too many times, when we think of purity we only associate it with physical purity. Mental and emotional purity are both just as important and this has been on my heart for some time now. This book looks like a great place to start.
Oh and on a side note, I think the lovely Ms St James is actually 31! That’s not to usurp you in any way, Natalie! I myself thought she was much younger.
Thank for the heads-up, Natalie! Your counsel regarding appropriate, Godly literature is always much appreciated.
Naomi xx
How wonderful! I greatly enjoyed Rebecca’s book ‘Wait For Me’, and I’m delighted to see that she’s written another book. Purity has been a passion of mine for several years now, first spurred by hearing Rebecca’s song by the same name. I’ll definately be keeping my eyes open for sight of her new book. Thanks Natalie!
God Bless,
Amanda
This book sounds lovely! I really admire Rebecca St James – she’s an amazing woman of God. I’d love to be entered in the draw, if I may … !
Rebecca St. James has been a positive role model for so many young ladies. please enter me in the drawing.
Thinking and praying for you, Natalie…
Hi Natalie!
I wish I could write like you. You have a talent from God. The book sounds very interesting. Mentors in the faith are always needed and very much appreciated. i’m glad Rebecca has been that way for you, in a sense.
Take care!
Blessings Always,
Jessica Carr
Would love to be entered in the drawing.
I really need a book like this. Over the summer God has taught me that I am a lustful woman, and I have been on the lookout for some kind of resource like this. Please enter me into the drawing. Thank you!
I’d love to win the book!!!
Thanks, Natalie, for writing about it – I didn’t even know “Pure” exists! I’m sure the person who gets and reads it will benefit greatly. So thank you, Natalie, for your generosity to give away two copies!!!
This book sounds really, really good, so please enter me, as well!
I love Rebecca St. James, her life and testimony is so powerful. I would like to enter the drawing! Praying for our YLCF family today…
I definitely want to check this book out! And the possibility of a free book is always entrancing
Our church was looking for resources on purity recently, and Rebecca St. James’ Wait For Me was filled with verses, but not the complete what we’re looking for. I’m interested to see whether this devotional is more comprehensive.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn