Böcker av Mary Walker

"Mary Walker isn't just one of my favorite living poets. She's one of my favorite poets, period. I'll keep this book close and read it often. I advise other readers to do the same!" - MARTHA BECK, New York Times bestselling authorThe Land Will Hold You is full of poetry for those who love the land and long to hear her speak. This collection of 63 poems reminds us who we truly are, reconnects us with what we already know and reassures us that, indeed, the land will hold us. The Land Will Hold You offers support, solace, courage, and connection. There are poems to soothe grief, sadness and fear; poems for direction, inspiration and faith; and poems for peace, love and hope. If you enjoy reading poetry that makes you feel close to Mother Earth, grounded and at peace, this book is for you.--"I am on poem number four, and I have decided this book is going to change my year." ~ Amber-Jayne Bain"To all the poetry lovers out there, this book is an absolute treasure." ~ Wellington Apothecary"These poems are like medicine." ~ Chantal Cropp"A lovely book of gentle words for you, me and the land. So fitting in these turbulent times." ~ Lizzie Beere-Mary Walker is a poet and writer from New Zealand. She is also the author of Lullaby for Mothers: motherhood in poems. "We don't need to know how or when or why, only that the waves will carry us, gentle hands passing us all the way to shore."~ from the poem Faithwww.marywalker.co.nz

Social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954) suggests that individuals determine their worth and status in different areas of their lives based upon how they compare with 9 others. Positive and negative comparisons and self-evaluations can lead to individuals experiencing themselves either positively or negatively. Festinger was interested in the role and impact of social comparisons made with peers in social groups (Festinger, 1954; Buunk & Gibbons, 2007). Since then, over the past 20 years, studies have drawn from social comparison theory to understand the impact of exposure to different media platforms on psychological outcomes (Heinberg & Thompson, 1999). Studies have considered different media types as additional platforms for comparison, suggesting that TV exposure, advertising and magazines all allow opportunity for social comparison processes and related impacts (All Party Parliamentary Group, 2012; Heinberg & Thompson, 1999; Cattarin, Thompson, Thomas & Williams, 2000; Bessenhoff, 2006). Studies exploring the impact of these platforms have suggested that where there is negative social comparison with idealised content and images, individuals can experience negative impacts such as lower mood and self-esteem, increased anxiety and decreased body image satisfaction (Heinberg & Thompson, 1999; Cattarin et al., 2000; Tiggemann & McGill, 2004; Bessenhoff, 2006). Interventions have attempted to mitigate the impact of social comparison via different media platforms. For example, media literacy interventions introduced in schools have aimed to improve body image (All Party Parliamentary Group, 2012). These have encouraged individuals to critically evaluate images shown in the media to reduce the impacts of comparison (Alleva, Sheeran, Webb, Martijn & Miles, 2015)

"I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help" (Psalms 40:10).During its two-thousand-year history, the Christian faith has been influenced and passed down by faithful women. The women whose stories are in these pages were martyrs and nuns, mystics and scholars, writers and reformers, preachers and missionaries, abolitionists, and evangelists. These women are examples to us of faith, perseverance, forgiveness, fortitude, and truth and righteousness.In this book, we will recount the stories of many women from the Early Church to today who sought to follow their callings to serve in God's kingdom. There are very important reasons for learning about the lives of the female saints beyond giving them the recognition that they deserve for their achievements. We can learn much from the stories of the lives of the women in this book. Women and men are heirs to the promise and have a joint responsibility to practice truth and righteousness and to take the gospel to the lost (Galatians 3:26-29). These dedicated women faced many barriers and confronted many obstacles in their paths as they sought to serve Christ. They did not seek God's truth and righteousness for themselves but for God's glory."For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." (Psalms 33:4-5).

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.--Matthew 5:9The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.--Psalm 33:5People are longing for peace and justice. The women whose stories are in these pages followed the Lord Jesus Christ in his way of compassion and justice for the world. The Gospel message is better presented when Christians match their actions to their words in acts of mercy and love. These women pursued a God of peace and justice who respects all persons, especially the lowly, the weak, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the poor.Lasting peace comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. True justice comes from God. "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," (Romans 5:1-2). Justified women and men who have the peace, comfort, and assurance of God's forgiveness have the privilege and the responsibility to advance true justice as they spread the gospel of peace in word and deed. From Shiphrah and Puah to Dorothy Day, the women in these stories are a shining example for Christ's followers who have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the message of hope to a lost world."He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with hour God." (Micah 6:8)

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace..." (I Peter 4:10).The women whose stories are in these pages display many exceptional traits. They are wise, dependable, thrifty, energetic, and unselfish. They are good wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Some will stand out in one or more of these spheres, while others will shine in different areas. But there is one thing they all have in common: they were all very courageous. How do these women show their courage? Many will exhibit grace under fire. They have a strong presence of mind. They are able to act decisively because they are sure of their convictions. A courageous woman can say, "I'm sorry," and mean it. She is gracious. Courageous women depend on God. They trust Him and accept His will in their lives. They are willing to accept what God gives them in their lives. When they perceive His will, they put their all into the tasks before them. Brave women are willing to take a stand for what they believe. They will draw a line in the sand and not cross it. Unjust powers, no matter how fearsome, will not deter them from their righteous goals. Courageous women also love others. They are unselfish. They put the needs of others ahead of their own. Their confidence in God's call in their lives is high enough to free them to be able to act independently. Women of courage will share Christ's gospel of peace, forgiveness, joy, and love with others.We live in uncertain times. Only the courageous woman will get through the perils holding her head up high. In these stories, we have examples before us of how a victorious life can be lived.

"Mary Walker is one of the most beautiful poets I know." - Martha Beck, New York Times best-selling author¿Lullaby for Mothers is a collection of poems for motherhood and beyond. Mary captures moments with her children that are both small and personal. These are moments we all experience every day, the kind of things we hope we never forget.Lullaby for Mothers reminds us it is not the special occasions but the everyday, repeated gestures that bind us together as mother and child. In the midst of our busy lives, a moment with our child stands out. We are brought to a standstill, overwhelmed by love or fear, or both.Lullaby for Mothers provides a window into the universal experience of being a mother. It reminds us that life-and our treasured relationship with our children-is happening all around us, every day. It invites us to slow down, to listen, and to love."If we are all tired mama souls feeling our way along an unknown road in the dark, Mary's poetry is a sweet light guiding us home." ~ Annie Ferguson Muscato"Mary's collection of thoughts is timeless, giving me a solid place to stand as I continue to explore my own identity as a mother." ~ Michelle Wells, Creation Co-op"Mary has a way of quickly transporting her reader right into her worlds, inner and outer, through her vivid and touching poetry. The gentleness and honour she conveys on her experiences comes through and touches the heart." ~ Lauren Oujiri