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Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats

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"I barely get enough sleep, let alone time alone," we often say in this fast-paced, multi-tasked way of life. The idea of a spiritual retreat - time set aside for solitude and silence - can seem like an unrealistic expectation, and only reserved for those who already live a quasi-quiet lifestyle. Most of us are glad when we get ten minutes a day to read the Bible and pray. But, do our quiet times satisfy the longing in our souls? Are we spiritually refreshed?

Resting Place is not about setting a plan for prayer and Bible reading. Rather, it's about "rest". As early as the first chapter, the reader will see from the examples and exercises that it is possible for the most harried heart to feel refreshed, even if only a mini-date with God while stuck in traffic.

Jane Rubietta, author of several books on intimacy with God, uses Psalm 23 to show that rest comes when we sit quietly and unhurried in our Shepherd's presence, basking in His love. He is always waiting and ready to speak peace to the rattled soul, whether we have one minute of quiet or three hours.

This guidebook will help the reader identify what keeps him or her from accepting God's invitation, for example, fear, anger, lack of trust, etc. The reader will also discover many creative ways to block distractions, such as singing a hymn as a personal prayer.

Even if we don't get enough sleep, we can feel rested when we heed the longing in our hearts, the Shepherd's invitation to "drop our bags and briefcases, take off our running shoes or wingtips, and stretch out beside the rippling stream of his loving care and protection and provision for us."

Resting Place is an invitation to the very thing we long for - rest. I found this book to be refreshing! Jane shares honestly from her own life as she addresses issues that cause us to be weary. Through scripture, quotes to contemplate, questions for reflection, and journaling ideas, Jane provides tools for a personal retreat. It is both thought provoking, and practical in guiding us to move into the presence of God where we can find the comfort and rest we need. This is a great book for anyone wanting a reprieve from the craziness of everyday life.

Jane Rubietta is disarmingly real. By revealing personal foibles ("I became Police Woman of the World"), she inspires us to explore our public and private selves. Be it unresolved anger, relationships, or finances, she helps us identify and understand what keeps us from rest -- with God, ourselves, and others -- then emboldens us to risk change.

But more than relinquishment how-to, Resting Place celebrates intake, drinking deeply of grace rather than making do with occasional splashes. Restorative, practical, and interactive, the book itself is a sanctuary. Each chapter is followed by "soul model" quotes, journal prompts, prayers, and more. New to me was the "The Prayer of Examen," a suggested evening oasis. Taking only minutes, one asks the Spirit to re-run the day's events, pinpointing spiritual disconnects as well as encounters. It's a great springboard for further prayer, enhanced creativity, and better sleep.

Equally suited for individuals or small groups, Rubietta's insights are geared for believers in warp-speed times. She's that combination journey-mate / spiritual director so many long for.

Thanks, Jane. Building respites into frenetic life seems easier now.

Do you have a hectic life, do you need a rest and just don't know how to work it into your life? What is the cost of this busyness? What are you missing? Jane Rubietta addresses this. She has written eight books with her latest being Resting Place: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Retreats. Jane is a popular speaker at conferences and retreats. She and her husband Rich operate Abounding Ministries, whose mission is to offer people a life-changing experience of God's love through music, writing, speaking, and retreats.

The name of this book is based on the Scripture Jeremiah 50:6 KJV "...they have forgotten their resting place." We don't slow down and our busyness keeps us from connecting with God. We give ourselves away to people, we are slaves to expectations, and we don't answer a cry for rest. The author admits our "shoulds" and their accompanying guilt exhaust us. Within the pages, Jane describes the various ways to rest and retreat. If resting involves silence, inactivity, meditation and trusting would you be comfortable resting?

You don't need to read this book chapter by chapter. Jane suggests you let the Holy Spirit guide you. You'll find quotes, Scripture to meditate on, ideas shared, questions to ponder, poems, and guides to journaling your thoughts. Subject matter includes: soul hunger, excessive behaviors, need for relationships, the spotlight and solitude selves, depression, faith, anger, giving up control, money, and power. With a list like that, there is something for everyone and there certainly were many areas of interest and learning for me in Jane's book on personal retreats. When you make the time and choose the place--Jane has good suggestions for that--Resting Place can guide you through a spiritual experience. - Debra Murphy, Christian Book Previews.com

I've had the opportunity to spend some extended time with Jane Rubietta's book, Resting Place: A Personal guide to Spiritual Retreats. I'm not entirely sure what I was looking for, but what I got was not entirely what I expected. I realize that sounds potentially misleading, so let me add that I really enjoyed the book and admire all that it has to offer.

As I said, I was not sure what to expect when I began reading the book. I think I may have considered more of a "how to" conduct a spiritual retreat as the title somewhat implies. I think; what I discovered was much more than a "how to" guide, although the "guide" is there too. I consider this a positive thing.

There are twelve chapters in the book, each centered upon a theme for focus and reflection. The author suggests that they can be used according to the needs of the retreatant.

"It is not necessary to read the chapters in order, but rather allow the Holy Spirit to highlight which subjects are important at this time to restore a resting heart" (pg. 11)

I found the subject theme and writing style of Jane Rubietta soothing and inviting. As I would begin a chapter, I was almost immediately drawn into a state of reflection and examination. I started to ask questions of myself and consider the health of my soul. This, I think, is part of the purpose of the retreat. There needs to be a time of reflection, examination, and diagnosis to identify the soul needs and each chapter helps to set a stage for this to take place. Completing each chapter, there is a section of "helps" to encourage and facilitate further reflection and soul rejuvenation. Rubietta has included quotes to contemplate, Scripture lessons to meditate upon, and some spiritual discipline exercises to assist in maximizing the retreat time.

I found the Resting Place was much more than a guide, I found it to be a friend. I think it will serve well in the role of a personal retreat devotional for individuals, but it will also serve equally well as a guide for group retreats. As a spiritual director, I can appreciate the format the author follows for this particular book and find it very well thought out... one might even call it "inspired."