#59 Empty Shelf Challenge 07 [101 in 1001]

Book: The Diva Principle.

Author: Michelle McKinney Hammond

Info: Copyright 2004 Harvest House Publishers

Where acquired: Checked out of public library's electronic books section.

Availability: amazon.com for purchase.   

Why:  When I hear the term "Diva," think of a lady with the proper swag factor.  I've always been short on swag and was hoping for some help from this tome.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags):  #

What it's about:  Hammond presents biblical examples of "Diva-tude" and gives some Diva dos and don'ts with prayer and devotional guides.

Favorite Quotes:  Note, the Kindle Edition does not contain real page numbers, so I'm merely citing the quotes.

You will never be able to see yourself clearly through your own eyes—your “knows” is in the way. Get it? The things you think you already know about yourself stop you from getting a new perspective on your situation.

“Go where you are celebrated, not tolerated.” - Mike Murdoch

A selfish or insecure woman makes others dependent on her strength so she will be important to them. This renders the others powerless, stunts their growth, and in the end completely paralyzes them.

What I Liked:

• I liked the general idea of the book, but the author never took it anywhere.  It's a one size fits all in a world where one size does not fit all.  Nice try, sis.

What I didn’t like: 

• This was my first go at reading a Kindle book.  I didn't know that not all of them had access to real page numbers.  Bummer.  A real pain when trying to quote from it.  "Position 1746" doesn't help me.
• There is really nothing of the author in the book.  She gives no personal application of the principles she suggested.  The advice was OK, but let's see how it worked in your life, sister.  It's kind of like recommending a diet plan, but giving us no before and after photos.
• I know I gripe about authors explaining too much at the beginning of a book, but this author does not explain enough.  I wish she had explained what the different sections meant and what the reader is supposed to do with them.
• All of her examples were women who's "Diva-tude" was in the context of their relationship with men.  In other words, they were all married or in relationship.  Even the mention of Lydia (Dorcas) was punctuated that she "may have been widowed," as if to say she couldn't possibly be a diva without having had a man.
• She is pro "Helpless Female Syndrome," as we call it in our family.  In other words, she believes it's perfectly fine for a woman to "need rescue" from someone, preferable a man--or at least act like she's helpless to get it.  That kind of weak, limp wristed thinking is what has the church society believing that a single woman above the age of 18 is useless and not worthy of honor because she is not "completed" by a man. 
• Recipes?  Really?

To sum up:  My main takeaway from this book:  Her summation of the story of Ester pretty much sums up what the main point of the book was, "She mastered the art of being beautiful and getting a man’s attention."  No thanks. 

Want to join the challenge?  Click the empty shelf photo on the right to learn more.  It's not too late!