Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World

This is from my official endorsement of this book. "I didn't realize how thirsty my soul was for rest until I read the words in this stunning book. Shelly Miller found a secret door that leads to true rest--a door discovered right in plain sight--and with exquisite prose, she invites you to walk inside. Don't miss this book."I also want to add this: I read this book twice -- once as an author asked to give an endorsement, and then again as a weary pilgrim who NEEDED these words. I can't say enough good things about Rhythms of Rest.

After several intense years of caring for each of my parents in turn following cancer diagnosis, helping plan three daughters' weddings, completing a large household addition and remodel, welcome a precious granddaughter, and completing a Master's program, I was ready to rest. But until I began to read Shelly's words about rest as a gracious gift, I didn't know how.If you are longing to find ways to put rest into your life, but hesitate because you are afraid you will lose something---productivity, momentum, adrenaline---pick up "Rhythms of Rest" and follow her journey, along with other real people, to a place of rest. Wherever you are in the search for rest and restoration, some thread of Shelly's journey will lead you to a glimmer of hope and renewal.

Shelly Miller's book, Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath, is in itself a haven of Rest. Rest is a difficult subject but an even more difficult reality. It is also a necessity of we expect to live alive in this world. I think Shelly has done a compelling job of both the subject and the reality.I struggle with the reality of Rest so much. Shelly is open and honest about her own struggle with rest and she encourages me to keep walking toward the goal. I know Rest is a command and I know Rest is a love-letter from our Gracious Heavenly Father. So why do I struggle? Why do we all fight such a battle to enter such a beautiful embrace from God? I think Shelly has cracked the case, discovered the "whys" as well as the"how's" for us. As I read, I found my desire for Sabbath growing and, believe me, I was hungry to begin.I highly recommend this book. Like I said at the beginning, the book itself is restful, drawing us into more than just a how-to list...drawing us into a deeper desire to true Sabbath and connect with our Loving Heavenly Father in quiet communion.Thank you, Shelly, for taking us by the hand and inviting us along on your journey of learning to live in Sabbath Rest.

I’m pretty sure Shelly Miller moved with her family across the ocean from South Carolina to England just so she could take a holiday for three weeks.You know what I mean—those Brits seem to be the only wise people on the planet who can actually take a holiday for more than one week. Every year.Gross generalization perhaps. But not many of us know people who, if they could afford it of course, would actually TAKE a three week vacation. Not many.We Americans pride ourselves on our over-busy, 24/7 lives, wall to-wall days and non-stop weekends. Multi-tasking has become a religion. Why, we scoff at anyone who might appear to be just sitting and daydreaming.‘Do something! Act engaged! Busy yourself!’ are the unspoken mantras of our day.Precisely.Shelly Miller is such a firm believer in slowing down and reclaiming the days that she wrote an entire book about it.Her belief in the power of Sabbathing—taking at least one day a week to stop from one’s own effortsand rest—is the impetus for “Rhythms of Rest.”Shelly’s message of taking a full-stop in our weeks is backed up by psychologists, theologians and physicians --we need to get off the hamster wheel that we call our lives and REST. Rest with family, rest with a book, go for a walk, dare ourselves to do nothing but look around and take it all in.But how does one begin? Is it really possible to put into practice? Shelly answers all these questions and many more in Rhythms of Rest—a book you’ll want to slow down and savor. Maybe on your couch. Maybe on your front porch. Maybe on your vacation.And you don’t have to move to England to do it; a simple book purchase is all it takes.

Sometimes you read a book and think, "I wish I knew this writer personally because there is such wisdom and grace and insight. I bet we could have a great conversation." And sometimes, you read a book and think those things and realize you DO know the writer and she is full of wisdom and grace and insight and conversations with her happen far too infrequently but they are always soul-filling.Rhythms of Rest by my friend Shelly Miller is a gift to all of us who wonder how to navigate the craziness of our busy lives. It's not a "how to" book but rather, a lovely invitation to experience the "why to" rest.Inside these pages you'll find stories of lives changed by the choice to practice Sabbath. But you'll also read the truth about the tension we live in between Sabbath and scurry. Shelly has captured the heart of countless women who know life has to be more than the endless piles of laundry and neverending demands of work, home, and church — and as she shares her own Sabbath story, she invites us all to know the One who is the Author of all Sabbath stories.

Excellent understanding of Sabbath Rest. I took many notes to go back and savor Shelly Miller's words. Sabbath asks not, "What will you give up for Him?", but "How will you wait for Him to come?" "Are you willing to risk the discomfort of responsibilities piling up while you connect with your Maker?" Am I willing to surrender to Him no matter the circumstance? To do anything new, preparation is the key. Preparing not only the meals ahead of time, but preparing our hearts to meet with Jesus. This book helps to undo some of the legalistic aspects about Sabbath Rest.

I bought this book a few months ago as I had read a review of it and was looking in to the whole area of sabbath and rest and busyness etc. Before I had a chance to start it I discovered an online book club running through July of this book so I participated. From the foreword by Mark Buchanan I was hooked, exactly what I was looking for. It was extremely easy to read, Miller has a nice friendly, descriptive writing style. By the time I had finished the book and watched a couple of videos of her as part of the book club, I felt I knew her.She looked at the origins of sabbath and its purpose. She was extremely motivating when she talked about the necessity of sabbath - we say we're too busy, but the reality is that we can't afford to not take time for Sabbath. If we say we have too much to do, we are actually demonstrating that we do not trust God to look after our minutes. She was also most helpful with her suggestions on how to make Sabbath happen, when, and what to do.It was a breath of fresh air to me. There were so many nuggets - I will be rereading them for a long time. And I'm recommending the to all my friends. Anyone who says they're too busy, too frazzled ... that's my opening.My one disappointment with the book? It ended. I wanted to read more from her and about her. I didn't want the 'journey' that she had led me on to end. But all good things must come to an end, and I go forward now with answers, suggestions, ideas, and encouragement, to continue to discover my 'rhythm of rest'.If you are still unsure if this book is for you, download the Kindle sample and have a read. Mark Buchanan's foreword had me wanting more.

I can’t remember exactly how I came across Shelly Miller’s book, but I’m very glad that I did. The concept of Sabbath was one I have now come to realise I didn’t have a correct understanding of. Rest in a very busy and tiring life, was something that I was craving. Following Shelly on her journey to an understanding of what it means to have a “Sabbath heart” as she calls it, really helped the lights to come on for me. I ended up highlighting quite a lot of sentences in the book, things that I now need to go back and chew over. I still have quite a way to go on this journey, but I’m very grateful that Shelly has passed on her experiences to help fellow travellers. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

I loved this book. From the first page you are drawn in as Shelly guides you into practical ways of finding a rhythm of rest that works for you, no matter how busy you are. I have given this book as a gift to some of my 'busy friends' and they have loved it too. For me it has been a revelation and a life changer!

I really enjoyed reading this book - Shelly has an excellent writing style that draws the reader in. I’ve underlined loads and need time now to reflect on what I’ve read and process it.

A really helpful and challenging book too try and get into the habit of rest. She gives advice and ideas for all sorts of situations and gives great encouragement as to why God designed Sabbath.