Just as I Am - Softcover

"When 22 year-old Mayla Strongowith her purple hair and assorted facial piercingsomakes the walk down the aisle to publicly commit her life to Christ, the congregation gapes. But Mayla doesn't care. She's used to stares, rude comments and the like. Somehow, Mayla's choice of hair color, clothing and jewelry make her distinctive and noticeable, and that's the intent. So the long walk to the front of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church is a piece of cake for this independent, strong-minded young woman. . . .Throughout this lively and often comedic text, author Virginia Smith successfully bridges the gap between Christians and their failures in reaching a hurting world with a message of hope through kindness, love and transparent humility. Excellent reading!"--Michelle Howe"teenreads.com" (09/01/2006) "What I love most about Just As I Am is, it shows just how much God accepts people just the way they are, and how He doesn't change people to conform to the church's standard of how a Christian should dress or act. Instead, this delightful story shows us how God takes each one of us and uses us just the way we are. It also reveals the difference between humans and God. People sometimes judge a person by their outward appearance and their lifestyle, while God looks at the heart and sees each individual's potential. So the next time 'I' am tempted to judge someone by their outward appearance or by what they do, I'll remember that no one else's sin is greater than my own, and that God loves them too. Thanks for reminding me, Virginia. You did it with such grace and tactfulness. And fun!"--Debra Ullrick (03/15/2006) -What I love most about Just As I Am is, it shows just how much God accepts people just the way they are, and how He doesn't change people to conform to the church's standard of how a Christian should dress or act. Instead, this delightful story shows us how God takes each one of us and uses us just the way we are. It also reveals the difference between humans and God. People sometimes judge a person by their outward appearance and their lifestyle, while God looks at the heart and sees each individual's potential. So the next time 'I' am tempted to judge someone by their outward appearance or by what they do, I'll remember that no one else's sin is greater than my own, and that God loves them too. Thanks for reminding me, Virginia. You did it with such grace and tactfulness. And fun!---Debra Ullrick (03/15/2006) -Just As I Am is l lighthearted, contemporary fiction. I cried sometimes and laughed a lot. It is entertaining, easy reading with a bonus! I got a surprising reminder and deeper understanding of the truth that God loves each of usojust as we are and meets us just where we are. I recommend this book. I left me inspired and encouraged, thanking God and Mrs. Smith for the lesson in Christian living.---Lynn Chapman-BellaOnLine.com- (07/01/2006) -When 22 year-old Mayla Strongowith her purple hair and assorted facial piercingsomakes the walk down the aisle to publicly commit her life to Christ, the congregation gapes. But Mayla doesn't care. She's used to stares, rude comments and the like. Somehow, Mayla's choice of hair color, clothing and jewelry make her distinctive and noticeable, and that's the intent. So the long walk to the front of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church is a piece of cake for this independent, strong-minded young woman. . . .Throughout this lively and often comedic text, author Virginia Smith successfully bridges the gap between Christians and their failures in reaching a hurting world with a message of hope through kindness, love and transparent humility. Excellent reading!---Michelle Howe-teenreads.com- (09/01/2006) "Just As I Am is l lighthearted, contemporary fiction. I cried sometimes and laughed a lot. It is entertaining, easy reading with a bonus! I got a surprising reminder and deeper understanding of the truth that God loves each of usojust as we are and meets us just where we are. I recommend this book. I left me inspired and encouraged, thanking God and Mrs. Smith for the lesson in Christian living."--Lynn Chapman"BellaOnLine.com" (07/01/2006) "When 22 year-old Mayla Strongowith her purple hair and assorted facial piercingsomakes the walk down the aisle to publicly commit her life to Christ, the congregation gapes. But Mayla doesn't care. She's used to stares, rude comments and the like. Somehow, Mayla's choice of hair color, clothing and jewelry make her distinctive and noticeable, and that's the intent. So the long walk to the front of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church is a piece of cake for this independent, strong-minded young woman. . . .Throughout this lively and often comedic text, author Virginia Smith successfully bridges the gap between Christians and their failures in reaching a hurting world with a message of hope through kindness, love and transparent humility. Excellent reading!"--Michelle Howe"teenreads.com" (09/01/2006)

When purple-haired Mayla Strong struts down the center aisle of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church, the bug-eyed congregation strains to get a peek at her pierced nose and lip. But Pastor Paul welcomes her with a huge, infectious grin and baptizes her on the spot. Determined to make her Heavenly Father proud, Mayla's sincere and often hilarious attempts to let Him change her from the inside out take her into some difficult places. Through it all she grows in faith and wisdom--sometimes through pain, sometimes through humor, but always in a way that is uniquely Mayla.