I would be happy to do that. I'm no shrinking violet, as you know. :0)

Though I want to make sure I ask exactly the right question because I want you to get the specific feedback for your book. If it's no trouble, could you e-mail me with a question that is what you are thinking of? I'm not sure if we want to talk about the imagery concept or what we need ... And I am a tad blunt so your finesse in crafting a question might be very helpful.

Meredith :0)

Thanks for asking....uh... It's the whole imagery thing that doesn't work. Even though I am an exceptionally visual woman...a lot of women are not so much. One point of difference I'm willing to concede in the genders is that men are WAY more visual than women. Men might need imagery a lot more than we do. We seriously need to be bottom-lined. We don't have time for fluff. When I pick up stuff for women, I have to get through the superfluous flowery wording to get to the meat. Our lives are so freaking busy.

If it were a thing of imagery, I don't think there's one kind of imagery that would work for all women...just like with men. Not all men are alike. Even though I am super feminine and like shopping and those fun pursuits...When someone uses fantasy stuff, I feel like I'm being spoken down to. In my mind right or wrong the message I get from the author is, "You probably sit at home all day reading romance novels and watching soaps and don't deal in reality so let me talk to you in a way you get."

The major thing women need is help with their esteem...and fairy princess stories aren't going to do it. We are baraged by images of air-brushed models and told by the media we aren't doing enough and are often so busy we can't think or have time for ourselves. And as you know, I used to be a model. And I'm single, and if I'm struggling with a ton of stuff on my to-do list----I can only imagine how it will be after I am married. As you know being single poses a lot of challenges too. It's just me taking care of me and no one else has my back except God. Women really want to be recognized for our strength and hard work and what we're trying to bring to the world.

I don't know if that helps. I appreciate your asking.

Meredith :0)

I'm so glad he's doing more podcasts! I will definitely listen! I bet Gary and his wife are amazing!

On another subject, I really wish that there were some women's ministry that spoke to me....It seems like it is a popular theme to go off on the fairy tale, princess thing so much now... I'd like something that speaks to me than down at me. For example as much as I liked some Ransomed Heart stuff...I related more to that rugged outdoor adventure stuff...I don't agre with RH that women just want to be swept up in some adventure of another's making...Sometimes we *are* the adventure and bring the adventure often, too!

As feminine as I am, I just can't relate to the fairy princess thing at all...

But back to Gary, I'm glad his teachings are accessible to women, too. I think it will be like striking gold.

Meredith

He has agreed to do a full podcast series (seven more) around the themes of his full teaching on calling. It's good stuff.

I had intended to listen to about 20 minutes of the Podcast and then I couldn't turn it off! I really liked it. One of the things that you and Gary discussed that I felt was compelling was the idea of "diminishement"...This is a big one! I liked his singing analogy and how people can become diminished and discouraged in this way. There have been times when I have encoutered people who tried to pursue something they feel is their "calling" who were not what I considered appropriate in that calling and thought maybe I was the same way. I thought that I was one of the only people who encountered that. Gary really does have a lot to share.

In my thinking, of course I don't know his situation----- his moving from a men's ministry to his new ministry is so important because women who need his teaching maybe would find him accessible in his "assignment" as solely a men's leader.

Also, you all mentioned the pressure of men to have some wham-bang title to describe their work at dinner parties and such. Women have the same pressure too. So you guys are not alone there.

I like how he mentioned women a lot in his interview too. For the most part, callings and great things in churches are understood to be men's business and women are expected to demur and stand in the backgroud.

I did check out his website... It's lovely, but I found he does what a lot of ministries do which is to segregate teachings between men and women. And the women's ministry blub was a lot of flowery language speaking to queens, princesses and the like which doesn't speak to me at all. As one of my best friends says, stuff like that makes me want to "vomit in my own mouth".... I'm sure he has a good heart and is well-intentioned on that point. Even though I am a very feminine woman, I would run from that kind of thing.

But this is coming from a woman who picked up "Wild at Heart" thinking it was about anyone...and related to it even though it was intended for men. :0) Women and men are so much more alike than any of us know.

Great job Jim, and thank you for introducing us to Gary's thoughts! He's great!

Meredith

Wow, that turned out beautifully! I checked out their website...and I love all the Celtic-inspired jewelry!. It is evident that the artists have a real passion for their pieces!

Meredith

Great thoughts here, and I'm looking forward to your further thoughts and the upcoming book.

Good work! This is sooo cool! I'm glad that you are going to start posting in this way and I'm happy to hear about your new project and excited to hear the topic.

Meredith