Posts by Aimee Byrd

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Platforms, Blogs, and Why We Write

Nov 10, 2015
The responses to my last blog about the lack of older women who are writing and speaking in our Reformed and reformedish circles have been encouraging. The fact that my combox is filled with refreshing and engaging interaction testifies that there are women over 40 who would like to contribute more...

Where Are the Mature Women Writers?

Nov 5, 2015
Lisa Spence has written an excellent article , observing the lack of Christian women speakers and bloggers over 40, particularly at the large women’s conference that she was attending. This is a question I have been asking myself. I will be turning 40 in a couple of weeks, and I am...

"Helping Wives Begin to Heal After Betrayal"

Oct 30, 2015
The Mortification of Spin team took advantage of our time together in Philadelphia this week. We were together to participate with Dr. Joel Beeke and Dr. Kent Hughes on the panel for the Westminster Theological Seminary’s Pastor’s Conference, but we also spent the morning recording...

Proleptic Meals

Oct 22, 2015
In light of our MoS episode on the Lord's Supper this week, I thought this article would be fun to share. This is a fascinating book which prompted me to write a lot of reflections on it while reading. I wrote this one a couple of years ago: It came in the mail while I was working out. Just...

The Need for Pastor Theologians

Oct 20, 2015
Authors and pastors Gerald Hiestand and Todd Wilson are “resurrecting an ancient vision,” that of The Pastor Theologian . In their book, they lament that with the rise of the academy, theologians and intellectuals tend to find their home in that atmosphere, while pastors “no...

"Everyone You Know Will Be Able to Rate You on the 'Yelp for People'"

Oct 15, 2015
“’There are no private affairs,’” one of the “bright people” says to the “big ghost” in C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce . Believers know the reality of that statement. And it is probably something that everyone really knows, but suppress the truth...

"Eschatology and Enjoying Your Mate"

Oct 6, 2015
In his first lecture on Biblical Theology (available for free download on iTunes U), Dr. Gregory Beale begins to build his case that eschatology is the key to our sanctification. He even half-jokingly suggests teaching one day on the topic, “Eschatology and How to Enjoy Your Mate.”...

On Headship and Households

Sep 24, 2015
Denny Burk says he would like to see more discussion on how the “headship norm” established in Genesis 2 as a “creation norm” informs one’s view on maleness and femaleness. In his response to the questions and challenges we at MoS have raised to some of the popular...

Why I Still Read Comboxes

Sep 22, 2015
There are plenty of trolls on the internet. But one thing I have always loved about blogging is being sharpened by thoughtful readers who leave comments. I did not expect my post about John Piper’s answer to the question to the single woman who wishes to be a police officer to get as much...

What it Means to Have Courage

Sep 16, 2015
One of the perks of moving back to my hometown is that my son now gets to take his Mixed Martial Arts training at my brother’s dojo, Clinch Academy. Yesterday they had belt promotions. Any of you who may have trained in the martial arts know that belt promotions are a major right of passage...

Why Must We Forgive?

Sep 9, 2015
Every Christian knows that we are called to forgive others. But as soon as we talk about what that means, disagreements abound. Stanley Gale has a new booklet out on the important topic of Christian forgiveness as part of the Cultivating Biblical Godliness series published by Reformation Heritage...

Virgin Nation

Sep 2, 2015
I review an interesting book today over at Books at a Glance . And if you are a member of their website, you can listen to the audio version of my review, read by me: I have two teenage daughters. Two! So purity is definitely a Christian value that my husband and I want to guard, promote, and teach...

Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Aug 25, 2015
I married fresh out of college. I was a mere 21 years old. My husband and I found a church, and I was eager to be the perfect Christian wife. So I began reading books from trusted authorities in the church on this matter. One was Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood . I remember my young,...

John Piper's Advice For Women in the Workforce

Aug 17, 2015
I know that John Piper’s books and sermons have been a tremendous blessing to many in the faith. That is a wonderful truth that I do not want to minimize. But especially because of this, because many Christians look up to him and receive his teaching with much enthusiasm and appreciation, I...

John Piper's Advice For Women in the Workforce

Aug 17, 2015
I know that John Piper’s books and sermons have been a tremendous blessing to many in the faith. That is a wonderful truth that I do not want to minimize. But especially because of this, because many Christians look up to him and receive his teaching with much enthusiasm and appreciation, I...

A Curious Statement

Aug 11, 2015
I was eager to read G.K. Beale and Benjamin Gladd’s latest book, Hidden But Now Revealed , this summer. And I was not disappointed. Reading this book helped me to learn more about the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament. By a thorough study of the use of the word...

When the Sexual Purity Movement Sounds the Same as LGBT Culture

Aug 3, 2015
If I were to talk to you about the language of personal fulfillment and revolutionary expressions of sexual identity, you probably would think that I am referring to the LGBQ community. Or, maybe I am talking about the latest craze of cheating apps that married couples are using. But what if I told...

What Goes Under the Umbrella of Women's Ministry?

Jul 20, 2015
In my last article , I discussed how Christ has given the church the gift of ordained ministerial office and that this is how the church ministers to every member through Word and sacrament. With that in mind, let’s get back to women. What goes under the umbrella of women’s ministry?...

How the Church Ministers to Every Member

Jul 16, 2015
So I am a woman, who is a Christian, who loves to be a part of women’s Bible studies. I used to think that meant that I should be actively involved in a women’s ministry. But I haven’t always been sure of what women’s ministry should entail. And one theological concern that...

Why We Are So Insulted

Jul 13, 2015
On Friday I kicked off a series of posts I will be doing with the heading The Danger of Women’s Ministries . I am encouraged from the responses and messages I have received over the weekend that many women resonate with this danger. And there has been some good reflection on this word “...

The Danger in Women's Ministries

Jul 10, 2015
Every now and then I get a disturbing email from a pastor or concerned woman about the women’s ministry in their church. The scenario is usually about a group of well-intentioned women studying a popular book that is marketed for women’s ministry groups, and it is full of bad doctrine...

Marie Durand

Jul 6, 2015
I love reading Simonetta Carr’s Christian Biographies for Young Readers. The books in this series highlight those who have persevered in the faith. Some are familiar names, like all the “Johns:” John Calvin, John Owen, John Knox, and Jonathan Edwards. But Carr has also written on...

Monogamy is No Joke

Jun 30, 2015
This past weekend Matt and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. We were planning on a night away together in a nearby town. Except it happened to be the same weekend as my son’s MMA campout. And next weekend Matt is driving our oldest and some youth to the location for their mission...

Why Do We Know So Little About Two-Third's of Christ's Disciples?

Jun 24, 2015
Well school is out and the calendar also confirms the beginning of summer. But it’s not quite official for me yet because I haven’t started on my summer reading list. My family has moved from West Virginia back to Maryland and the busyness that comes with that has me plodding a little...

"Eschatology is the Key to Your Sanctification in the Christian Life."

Jun 18, 2015
There has been much to say in books and blog posts about sanctification. This is a doctrine that is both important and practical for every Christian. As I’ve been listening to G.K. Beale’s lectures “Biblical Theology of the Gospels” on ITunes U, something he said in his...

When a Transgender "Female" Competes in Mixed Martial Arts

Jun 11, 2015
Well this is interesting. A transgender “female” is now competing as a woman in MMA. After a 37-second knockout victory in 2013, the fifth first-round victory in a row against women, it was revealed that Fallon Fox was not born a female, but had transgender surgery in 2006. He made the...

Tha Agony of Fitness

Jun 9, 2015
Even the fit have to suffer. In fact, the fitness inclined intentionally suffer for the greater glory. Let’s take the marathon analogy from Hebrews 12. No matter how much you may train, running a marathon is no easy task. Actually, the more conditioned you are, the better idea you have of the...

Why Didn't I Think of That?

Jun 8, 2015
I'm over at Books at a Glance reviewing a series that I am buying books from like crazy for summer gifts. This is how I stumbled upon it: One afternoon while I was innocently getting my mail, I pulled a Reformation Heritage Books catalogue out of the mailbox. As I walked up the driveway,...

"I Love Your Love but I Hate Your Tolerance"

May 22, 2015
One thing that really stands out to me while I am reading through the letters to the churches in Revelation is the danger of majoring on one good cause. We can be doing so well in one area, but if we are neglecting another, we are still culpable for our sin. Jesus’ words of judgment and call...

Where I Make a Fool Out of Myself with Nunchucks:

May 13, 2015
My new book, Theological Fitness: Why We Need A Fighting Faith , is now available (May 15th). Part of my contract with P&R is to provide a brief book trailer. That puts me in a bind right away because book trailers aren’t exactly as exciting as movie trailers. They are usually either...

Van Gogh Isn't the Only One Missing an Ear

May 12, 2015
Confronting someone who is in sin or error with the truth is a very sensitive topic. As we strive to teach with truth in love, Christians often disagree about delivery. At times it’s hard to discern when we are being overly offensive or not offensive enough. Sometimes we are just plain...

Something Important That I Have Learned From My Parents

May 5, 2015
I am reading through Melissa Kruger’s new book, Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood , for review. This is not the review. It’s just a reflection about something Kruger says on p. 3. While explaining that this is not a book about parenting, she says this about the season of...

"My Name's Blurryface"

May 1, 2015
I’ve reached that point in my life where my kids are always trying to be the DJ in the car. And let me tell you, there are many “conversations” about the songs that are out now. If you will pardon my housewife theologian language, most of it is just crap. Every now and then...

Fear and Faith

Apr 30, 2015
I guess you wouldn’t expect me to use the word “comforting” to describe a book that is about fear. Well, that’s what happens when you read Trillia Newbell. She is an encourager, and her book isn’t only about fear, it’s about Fear and Faith . Trillia is pretty...

Give Them Truth

Apr 27, 2015
I have always benefitted greatly from reading Starr Meade’s books. She is one of the few authors who succeed at writing for children without succumbing to cheesiness. Parents can use her books on teaching the Westminster Shorter Catechism and teaching the Heidelberg Catechism to their...

What Happens When You Open the Hatch

Apr 15, 2015
Today marks the 100th episode of Mortification of Spin. Todd, Carl and I reflect on what has been revealed since we opened the mysterious hatch of the unground bunker. The time in the bunker has led us to some interesting locations, revealed that some of us may talk a little funny, that Carl and...

Don't Just Think of Him as Your Husband

Apr 14, 2015
Something was brought up in my Sunday School class this week that was a very good reminder. We were talking about speaking the truth in love, and more specifically, honest communication with our spouse. Except this one point reminded me not to think of my husband only as my spouse---he is my...

Toxic!

Apr 10, 2015
Evangelicals have taken note that our culture has systematically wiped out the word “evil” from our vocabulary. But don’t be mistaken, Christians and non-Christians alike are still very much aware of malevolence. But instead of recognizing the evil one, the evil of sin, and the...

The Demythologizing of Sex

Apr 7, 2015
Kevin DeYoung points something out in his latest book that I would love to read more about. The second half of What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality is filled with short chapters answering popular and thoughtful objections to the biblical position of marriage, and therefore sexual...

On Muffin Tops, Billboards, and Beauty

Mar 30, 2015
This is a billboard advertisement just minutes away from my house. I have to drive by it on many occasions. It’s no wonder why so many women, from tweens to moms, have such body-image issues. A plastic surgeon, who is ostensibly all about helping people feel better about their bodies, is just...

Constructive Criticism at Work

Mar 27, 2015
Is it just me, or has the whole idea of good critique and constructive criticism these days been snubbed like the awkward, knobby-kneed boy asking for a tweenage diva’s number? It seems that as a society, and even in the evangelical world, all questions, differing opinions, and critique are...

Amy Carmichael vs. Aimee Semple McPherson

Mar 23, 2015
I love reading biographies of strong women in the faith. Ian Murray provides this in his biography, Amy Carmichael, ‘Beauty for Ashes.’ Some women in the church are truly magnetic. It appears that Carmichael had that combination of delightful disposition, strong convictions, and...

Maybe Christianity is Less Like a Journey and More Like Fitness Training

Mar 20, 2015
About four years ago, I decided it was time to get more seriously involved in a workout routine. Having been raised in a family that values physical fitness, I have always lived a somewhat active life. However, in my thirties it became apparent that my body was not as obliging to my requests. It...

Before You Burn the Books

Mar 17, 2015
I’m just going to go ahead and embarrass myself here---for the sake of the gospel and all. When I was a sophomore in college, I was heavily convicted that I was not living my life according to who I was---a Christian. But I also realized that I really didn’t have a lot of knowledge...

Inheritance of Tears

Mar 12, 2015
This book is long overdue. I have never suffered through the tragedy of a miscarriage, but a number of women I love have. I am so glad that Jessalyn Hutto has written a book for all those who have been affected by the loss of an unborn child. Her goal is to help the reader “see the unique...

The Theological Significance for Laughter

Mar 10, 2015
Conclusions can often be unimpressive. But this is not the case in Carl Trueman’s latest book, Luther on the Christian Life . One thing that stuck out to me while I was reading this excellent book was that there is a lot of Carl in this biography on Luther. You can sense the enjoyment it was...

A Hilarious Providence

Mar 3, 2015
At my last speaking engagement, I had a Pinterest-worthy basket of goodies waiting for me in my room. I could tell that the women who put it together had researched my taste a little bit. There was a cute bag of granola by “Mama Bird,” a tin can of Jittery Joe's coffee (The Freudian...

Do We Live in a Well-Run World?

Feb 27, 2015
The MoS gang is once again gathering together in my hometown today to do a batch of recordings. Aside from hearing Carl repeatedly pronounce Maryland wrong, I am looking forward to what we have lined up for the day. One of our topics for discussion is the excellent commentary on Job by Christopher...

The Cool Table

Feb 25, 2015
This week's MoS podcast is about Sunday. Well that reminded me of the cool table. I wrote it a couple of years ago, but it's a reflection from one of my favorite books: You know what I’m talking about—the coveted table. The exclusive table. Maybe there was a time in your life (...

Does a Mantilla Make Me More Feminine?

Feb 24, 2015
I consider Luma Simms a friend. We aren’t close in the sense that we keep tabs on everyday life kind of stuff, but we have met in person, we have communicated online, and we have even talked on the phone about some pretty deep matters in the Christian life. So it saddened me to see that she...