I love the concept behind this book. It's one I first heard from Jen Wilkins and one I support wholeheartedly: let's offer more than just "milk" theology to women who are able to handle solid food.

Now maybe I used a more stringent statement standard while reviewing this book because of the author's claim that too many books for women are really just watered-down sermons, but I really wanted more.

In many ways this book felt like a series of disconnected ideas that were kind of smushed together in this book. While there were some interesting lessons, I felt as though the author did what she accused other writers of doing: hinting at something greater without telling us how to do it.

The greatest piece of irony for me was found in the chapter on overcoming legalism. It was in this quote which I really hope will be corrected before publication:

The scribes and Pharisees took God’s broad principle— the command to set aside the first day of the week to honor the Lord— and made it a heavy, legalistic burden.

There is no commandment to set aside the first day of the week to honor God. All biblical occurrences of this commandment refer to the Sabbath as the seventh day of the week.


Know God--Ms. Masonheimer makes a good point, we should be reading the Bible to learn more about the God who wrote it. Only when we know him will we give him the honor and glory due to his name.

Know yourself--if we are to have a more intimate relationship with God, we have to be aware of the state our present relationship is in. Only then will we know that change is needed.

Run your race--it's great to attend Bible study and conferences to learn more about God but ultimately each person needs to put in the work to know more about God.

One thing I have taken away from this book is that when reading the Bible, I always look for an attribute of God and what the passage teaches about him. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley; a positive review was not required.

Stop Calling Me Beautiful is a powerfully written reminder that Christian women need more than just "milk" in order to grow in their faith; they require 'solid food'. Masonheimer convincingly argues that women are taught the less important truth-that they are beautiful-without being taught the fundamental truths about Christ. As a result, women are leading empty lives attempting to earn their way to heaven, overcome anxiety, or bear the burden of sexual sin without understanding the basics of the faith.

Stop Calling Me Beautiful is an honest, practical book for the woman struggling with questions about her faith, legalism, or particular areas of sin and a call to Christian women's ministry leaders to go deeper with the women they serve.

I found Stop Calling Me Beautiful by Phylicia Masonheimer to be so much more encouraging... and yes, challenging... than the typical "women's ministry" message we often hear about how we are "daughters of the King" (i.e. princesses) and just so beautiful. That's not untrue, but there is so much more available to us than just being told how entitled we are as royalty... or something like that.

In the New Testament story of the woman at the well, the Samaritan woman got far more than she ever anticipated when she encountered Jesus. Throughout this book the author ties in this well-known story with how it relates to our lives today. She addresses how we often "try to fill ourselves up with temporary 'water': relationships, social media, food, shopping, or careers. Our water jars are full and our hands are busy, but our hearts are empty and overcome by defeat."

The book touches on several areas relevant to modern life such as legalism, anxiety, grief, brokenness, relationships, community, shame, and other issues that tend to keep us discouraged and defeated in our Christian walk. I appreciated being reminded that we don't have to life that way. Jesus offers us so much more.

"Thousands are self-helping their way through life, reading the same book—just a different author—longing to be told they’re beautiful, but never really believing God can change the parts of them that they know need to be redeemed."

Just WOW. I've been following Phylicia on Instagram and her blog for years, and am so pleased that she has written this book. Perfect for new and seasoned believers alike to get a straight and narrow view of Christianity. No sugar coating, but lots of grace. Highly recommend!

I found this book interesting, with some really good points. There were also some wonderful ideas that I look forward to adding into my bible study. However, I think a lot of the ideas in this book I've read in other books. There was also a lot of information about what not to do, but I wanted more of what is the best way to bible study and practice it in life.

I have followed Phylicia on Instagram for a while, and I was so excited to hear she was coming out with a book.

This book is amazing. It's a kick in the pants, with a hug on the side! Phylicia takes us deeper, which is what I love about her. She believes that we are capable of hearing more than just the standard women's ministry messages. I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone!

“The “beautiful daughter of God” message is not untrue. In Christ, we are indeed beautiful. We were also created in the image of God and are part of His kingdom work. These are beautiful truths. But the beauty of God’s people is not the point of the gospel. The goal of the gospel is to unite us in relationship with our holy, loving God, and to invite others to have that relationship through our witness in this world.”
Quote from Stop Calling Me Beautiful

Stop Calling Me Beautiful is a message that women need to hear more. We need to stop listening to the water down messages that are being preached more and more today. Phylicia tackles some pretty hard topics throughout this book, along with parts of her story from listening to watered down theology to actively reading, studying, and being dependent God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.

I graciously received an advance e-copy from Netgalley for a review. All opinions are my own.

I've been following Phylicia online for years now, but what she has been talking about recently, especially about discernment and the Holy Spirit, have really helped me grow in my faith journey and walk with the Lord. I went to Verity Conference the first year (when it was Driven Women) and I read Safe to Feel, which also helped me a lot.

I was very excited to learn that Netgalley had her forthcoming book available and I was thankful to be approved. This book pulls all her main topics and talks into concise formats. I really felt like she was corralling things that were discussed over many days on Instagram Stories or many posts and pulling them together in a summary. I liked that because when a discussion happens over time, you can have a hard time formulating thoughts and opinions on what to do with the information. Now, we have it in a solid chapter.

Each chapter ends with points for consideration and action. Phylicia's goal is to help you change. She does not want you to read her book, nod your head in agreement, and then continue on the way you were going. No. She wants you to experience freedom.

In pursuit of that goal, she talks CONSTANTLY about being in the Word, listening to the Spirit, and letting Him lead. Almost to the point of becoming a broken record, but it's not because so few people are talking like this. Everything Phylicia does is to point you back to the Scriptures and push you back towards your Father.

This is an excellent book for women who are tired of what is traditionally offered and available to women. I even think it would be good for teens so that they can get started on the right path instead of having to correct later in life.

I've followed Phyilica for years and was excited to hear she was releasing a book based on her viral blog post. As a mentor for women's ministry leaders, I can say with authority that Phylicia's experience with pink, fluffy women's ministry is all too common, but thankfully changing. This book goes far beyond the surface level problems with women's ministry and today's Christian culture and dives deep into the real issues. Phylicia is not afraid to tackle the struggles women face - legalism, sexuality, shame, anxiety, and more. Weaving her own experiences with Bible passages, readers are encouraged and given hope.

I highlighted many passages, but this is one of my favorites - "Shallow Christian teaching keeps women from fulfilling their Great Commission purpose of Matthew 28:19-20. But when these same women seek out discipleship and theological understanding, their lives and relationships are transformed. They no longer have to make a difference, they are the difference in their communities."

This would be a great book club book as well as a personal read for any woman wondering if there isn't more to Christianity than what they've experienced so far.

Having attended a Christian university where I studied Women’s Ministry, I was in a classroom setting where every class began with “turn to tour neighbor and tell them they are a beautiful creation of God!” Oh how I despised that. So much of what was taught in my undergrad women’s ministry courses was centered around the role of a woman and her unique identity as being marvelously made by God. This focus frustrated me as a student and reading this book by Phylicia has been like someone took all my thoughts, feelings, and processing over those courses and put them into a book. Women do not need more self-help, positive statements about themselves, or surface level bible teaching. They need real theology with real encounters with scripture so they can get to know the living God who wants to have a relationship with them. Women need the gospel that is for broken people. This book is a powerhouse of wisdom for any woman, but has the potential to transform those leading women’s ministries. I am so thankful for Phylicia’s strong presence to speak truth and challenge women to go deeper in their relationship with God. It’s a book I will reference for years to come.

Earc from netgalley.

I did not really care for this book, it seemed a lot like other books out there, but it was okay.

First sentence: I attended my first Bible study when I was 16 years old. I came into the house clutching my copy of Beth Moore’s Believing God and spent the next sixteen weeknights glued to my pastor’s TV screen.

I have a confession to make. I may do a decent job of not judging a book by its cover. Most of the time. But. When it comes to christian books--especially nonfiction books--I tend to judge a book by its publisher. Stop Calling Me Beautiful is published by Harvest House. Yet the description of this one sounded GREAT. Like the author and I would get along well. For she too opposes "pink fluff" theology written by women, for women, that consists of little real substance.

She addresses three problems that she sees in typical women's ministries: 1) Christian women are being taught a message that is theologically deficient. Modern women’s ministry’s framework for presenting and understanding God contains pieces of truth, but these pieces do not present an accurate picture of God and the gospel. 2) The message we’re hearing is self-focused. Flawed theology always turns attention away from God and onto ourselves, and that’s exactly what has happened with women’s ministry today. 3) The message is superficial, watered-down.

She concludes, "Theological education—learning about God, the Bible, and how these truths apply to life—is not just for men or for those called to ministry. Women must be spiritually equipped with the knowledge of God through His Word so they can minister to the people around them...The true gospel is available to all of us through God’s Word. We must learn to study it. We must know it well enough to rightly divide the truth and check teachings against the Word of God as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). In other words, we must cultivate a holy curiosity." I couldn't agree with her more!

The book doesn't focus, however, on how everyone else is doing it wrong. Far from it. Most of the book serves either as a first introduction or a refresher course on the Christian faith, on how to live the life and walk the walk daily.

I found myself highlighting passage after passage. I guess you could say I was nodding my head and going, YES.