Dear Friend,
How faithful He was!
Over and over, God opened my eyes to truth in his Word, and guided my pen, as I wrote about a rather sensitive topic: women and their control issues! It was truly a worship-filled experience as I dug, struggled, listened, waited, and then rejoiced as God gave me just what I needed for each and every lesson. Thank you, Lord!
Endorsements
I want to share with you the endorsements listed below,which I am very, very grateful for, given by Christian leaders. Did you know that endorsements are biblical? Repeatedly in the New Testament, we see established church leaders endorsing newer leaders and commending them to the church. (Barnabas first spoke up for Paul in Acts 9:27 and then Paul repeatedly endorsed other leaders, such as in Rom. 16:1-16). This is essential because God wants us–his people–to be guarded about who we allow ourselves to be influenced by (Rom. 16:17-18). Relying on endorsements from those we trust is an important part of guarding ourselves against error.
Yet endorsements require a huge amount of time and sacrifice! I am so very thankful for each and every one of these recommendations below, given by trusted, faithful men and women of God. Thanks especially to Chris Brauns and Erin Davis for their help, as I sorted out several of the more difficult parts of this book. Their help was invaluable to me.
Know Anyone Looking for a Women’s Bible Study?
If you know of someone in church leadership, or a women’s small group leader, would you consider passing this email on to them? You could also point them to the “Control Girl” tab on my site for information about the book, a FREE downloadable discussion guide (coming soon), plus other resources related to the book.
Group leaders work tirelessly to find well-written, interesting, doctrinally sound resources for their women. (I know this because I’ve been on those committees!) I would love it if you could let your friends and leaders to know about my book, Control Girl, as an excellent choice for their groups.
The book’s official release date is Jan. 27, but it is available for preorder now (here are links to Amazon, ChristianBook.com, and Barnes & Noble). Thanks so much, *|FNAME|*, for your help in getting the word out! I’m so thankful for this opportunity to share truth with women who long to go from “Control Girl” to “Jesus Girl”.
Warmly,
“Shannon has a wonderful ability to translate the truths of God’s Word into interactive Bible studies that speak to relevant issues women face today. Control Girl is a penetrating look at how selfishness and self- protectiveness wreck lives—and why surrender and trust are God’s life- giving pathways to true freedom and joy.”
—Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, author and Revive Our Hearts teacher and host
“Psst . . . You there . . . the one with the control issues. I know you have a craving to control. We all do. We have since the garden of Eden, but there’s hope! In this funny, tender, and truth-telling book, Shannon Popkin peels back the layers of our control problem. If that sounds a bit like a root canal, wait until you crack the cover. In a tone that feels like coffee with a close friend, Shannon bravely goes first, letting us see the reality of her own need to control while simultaneously pointing us to the hope found in God’s Word. You will find your heart warming, your lips smiling, and your fists unclenching as Shannon leads you away from control and toward sweet surrender. A must-read for every woman east of the garden.”
—Erin Davis, author, blogger, and recovering Control Girl
“Delightful. Insightful. Helpful. Popkin’s sweet blend of storytelling and Scripture helps the medicine go down. If you’re a control freak, this study is just what the doctor ordered.”
—Mary A. Kassian, author of Girls Gone Wise
“In the style of Liz Curtis Higgs, Control Girl is an easy and entertaining read, yet Shannon Popkin packs a punch where we so need it if we are to be set free from the stressful habit that robs our joy and ruins our relationships!”
—Dee Brestin, author of Idol Lies
“Authentic, relevant, and truth-filled, Control Girl is written especially for any woman longing for security, peace, and joy. Through her Bible-based teaching and humorous stories, Shannon reminds us God never intends us to carry around the burden of control, and instead offers us the gift of sweet surrender to him. I finished Control Girl being reminded afresh that for those who love God, there awaits the happiest Happy Ending imaginable. Hooray! Highly recommended!”
—Cindy Bultema, women’s speaker, Bible teacher, and author of Red Hot Faith
“If you’ve ever struggled with control issues, read this book. With personal vulnerability, biblical depth, powerful personal illustrations, and pointed application questions, Shannon Popkin reveals how seven women of the Bible can teach us how to surrender our will to God’s design for our future. It’s ideal for personal use or for small-group studies.”
—Carol Kent, speaker and author of Becoming a Woman of Influence
“Shannon gets painfully honest and to the point as she challenges all of us Control Girls to surrender that burden and experience the Happy Ending God has planned! . . . She takes us through the lives of seven women from Scripture to help us discern more readily when we are grabbing for control rather than walking in the rest that Christ provides.”
—Kimberly Wagner, author of Fierce Women: The Power of a Soft Warrior and coauthor of Men Who Love Fierce Women
“No one wants to be enslaved to anger, anxiety, or fear. Yet many battle those emotions without making any headway in their struggle to fix themselves and others. In Control Girl, my longtime friend Shannon Popkin offers an alternative strategy. She shows how biblical thinking helps readers understand the conditions of their hearts so that they can find freedom in true spiritual growth through the wisdom of the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. I highly recommend it.”
—Dr. Chris Brauns, pastor of The Red Brick Church and author of Unpacking Forgiveness and Bound Together
“When you start out reading a book for an endorsement and it becomes your Bible study, that is a good sign. Instead of making notes about how good the book is, I found myself writing down how God was using Shannon’s words to address the heart of my own control issues. Control Girl is helping me solidify my foundation as a Jesus Girl, giving me confidence to practice surrender first and be OK with God not answering all my questions.”
—Jen Ferguson, coauthor of Pure Eyes, Clean Heart: A Couple’s Journey to Freedom from Pornography
