The Sacred Slow by Alicia Britt Chole

If yesterday’s word was “simple,” tomorrow’s word will be “slow.”

Our culture is shifting from fast food to health food both physically and spiritually. Self-care, soul-care, life coaches, and spiritual retreats all show our dissatisfaction in quick fixes and fast faith. The Sacred Slow is an invitation to unhurried honesty before God. Formatted as 52 experiences, The Sacred Slow reminds readers on every page that God never wanted to use them: He always wanted to love them.

Experienced devotionally or in small groups, each chapter features a short but unexpected reading and two options for application: a thought focus or a heart exercise. The content is the overflow of Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s thirty+ years as a spiritual mentor to leaders and learners. The tone is personal, practical, and penetrating. The fruit is sustainable (as opposed to event-based) intimacy with God.

My Take:  In today's world of fast everything and instant gratification this book is about slowing down and taking the time to really developing your relationship with Jesus.  This book is perfect to take one chapter a week for a whole year and really working on that particular weeks topic and putting in the work. Each week is meant to bring you closer to Jesus and to take your spiritual walk to the next level.  I would recommend if you are seeking to grow closer to Jesus.

I received a review copy from Handlebar in exchange for my honest opinion.  

Water My Soul by Darla Weaver

From Goodreads.com:  Darla Weaver writes out of her own struggles with Christian discipleship so that others will know Old Order Mennonites are human too and often long to walk closer to God. She bares her heart in these 90 devotionals drawn from her home-centered life in western Ohio's hills. While family, gardening, cooking with home grown food, and living as naturally as possible off the land are the focus of her days, her utmost goal is to serve and honor the Christ she loves and serves through all aspects of her life. Women especially will relate to these meditations generously sprinkled with stories from Darla's children, marriage, community and wider friends and family. Daily scripture readings, poignant prayers and journal prompts or ideas for active responses are included with each inspiring devotional.

My Take:  I don't know about you but when I think of Old Order Mennonites and even the Amish I think that both have got this Christianity thing down pat and they would never struggle with the things that are addressed in this devotional.  After all they don't live with all the technology and rush rush of our modern world.  But just like the Israelites in the Bible struggled , they struggle too.  And we in all our technology and rushing around just might have something to learn from the people we may think are a little backward compared to us.  I would highly recommend this book if you feel the need to maybe slow down a bit and spend more time with God.  

I received a review copy of this book from Herald Press in exchange for my honest opinion.