Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity

In today's fast-paced society, we've forgotten an essential truth . . . that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Inviting you to find a balance between work and refreshment, Kent explores six aspects of this Christian spiritual practice---resting, reconnecting, revising, pausing, playing, and praying---to help you experience renewed energy, grace, and joy. 224 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity explores what it means to live in “Sabbath simplicity” by focusing on six aspects of Sabbath as spiritual practice: resting, reconnecting, revising, pausing, playing, and praying. Readers learn to slow down and find joy and meaning in the midst of their hectic lives.

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Reviewed by Cindy Loven (Glenwood, AR), June 30, 2009

When offered a chance to review this book, I jumped, because the title caught my eye, Rest Living in Sabbath Simplicity. I have for years believed certain things about the Sabbath and was very interested in reading this book. I am going to say up front, this book was not what I expected. Having studied, for several years about Jewish customs, holidays and feasts, I had an expectancy for this book, that was not met. That does not mean this book is a bad book, by all means it is not a bad book, it just was not what I was expecting to read. Keri, expresses her views and ideas of Sabbath rest very wonderfully, and leans hard toward the side of resting. This is a book about resting, taking a break from your busy lives and finding a place and a time to rest and rejuvenate. I did not really find any great truths about the Sabbath, in this book. There were some things that puzzled me, in the chapter about reconnecting, she speaks of Jesus giving the two most important commandments, she discusses how difficult it is to love all people all the time, and then I was left with the impression that she felt it was alright to observe these two commandments only on the Sabbath. I am sure that was not her intention, but it was the impression I walked away from that chapter with. All that said, I am glad for a chance to read the book, there were some great points in the book. At the end of the book each chapter has discussion questions for a book study group, which is very helpful.

Reviewed by Darla (Olathe, KS), June 24, 2009

I became acquainted with Keri Wyatt Kent's writing by reading her book, Breathe. As I explored the concept of Sabbath the more I wanted to learn about how to incorporate Sabbath in my everyday life. Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity gives real-life examples of how to bring rest into our lives. I know that in my life I am constantly wrestling with how to cultivate contentment in my life and in the lives of those around me. I believe that rest is the foundation for our contentment. If we never take time to rest in God, we will never have the opportunity to rest at all. This book is a great read for how to incorporate a Godly Rest into your life. I can't wait for Keri's next book...each of her books has hit home with me!

Reviewed by Susy Flory (Castro Valley, CA), May 11, 2009

It seems like most of my life has been lived in a rush, but it wasn't always that way. I grew up in a Christian home where my parents rested (read: took a nap) on Sundays and all Sabbath really meant to me back then was that I had to be extra careful not to slam doors on Sunday afternoons or my dad would wake up cranky and yell. Now that I'm the same age he was, I'm beginning to understand the value of a Sunday afternoon nap, and the value of deliberately taking a Sabbath. In Rest, Keri Wyatt's winsome book on the value of living in Sabbath simplicity, she quotes Kent Kingston, who grew up in a Sabbath-keeping family: "When you've been keeping Sabbath since childhood, something happens in your brain at sunset on Friday when you realize the busyness of the week is over...a sense of calm settles on your mind and the muscle knots begin to unwind. The problems of the everyday are put on hold--bills, school assignments, work deadlines, renovation projects. And because you know you won't be dealing with any of these things for the next 24 hours, you just forget about them. It's the greatest feeling." I've been choosing to keep a Sabbath for a couple of years now, and Kingston is right. I look forward to it all week. When it arrives, it's like time slows down and my sense of urgency and rushing goes on pause. Everything tastes better, smells better, and I live in the moment, savoring friends, family, my home, my yard, my book. It's a guilt-free day (and who doesn't need more of those? Especially moms?) And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Our God is a Creator-God, a great Intellect, a Founder and Sustainer and Savior...and yet He's personal. He's practical. And He cares about the small things. Like naps. Thanks, Keri, for a book that reminds us of how good our God is and how the times and seasons He's put in place are for our pleasure and care. Read REST, and create that sacred space in your week.

Reviewed by Kimberly Goh (Tustin, CA), March 11, 2009

"You do not have to be an Olympic-level Sabbath keeper. The Sabbath was made for people, Jesus said. It's a tool you can use to become healthier spiritually - more connected with the God who loves you, more peaceful, more joyful. Not perfectly any of those things. Just healthier." This is what I loved most about Keri Wyatt Kent's book "Rest"... It allows you to explore the gift of Sabbath rest without making you feel guilty because you can't do it perfectly. Keri gives practical examples of ways you could keep the Sabbath at various seasons in your life, even if it starts with just choosing to serve leftovers that day instead of cooking a full meal. Sabbath-keeping can be a journey that begins with a few small steps. It seems like a lot of thought went into this book: it is as if Keri read most of the classic literature on Sabbath-keeping, then made those ideas accessible to the modern soccer mom. The book also highlights a study on how top athletic performers gain their strength from the routines of rest they incorporate into their game. It is a book written for people who are, as Keri says, "afraid of taking a break, perhaps because we are afraid the world might stop spinning if we get off the treadmill." In other words, it is a book written for most of us.

Reviewed by Jane Barber (Irvine, CA), February 03, 2009

This is the first book I read by Keri Wyatt Kent. She spoke at our church's women's retreat and I was struck by her authenticity as a speaker. I was glad to find out she writes as she speaks! REST is an amazing book that tangibly challenges me to continue my pursuit of enjoying the discipline of keeping the Sabbath. Keri approaches the Sabbath from all angles - historically, Biblically, spiritually, and practically. I loved the real examples from her own life and from the people she has met and how they practice the Sabbath. This book motivates me to see my family move toward a more purposeful direction in how we practice the Sabbath. This book is a "must read" because it addresses a lost art/practice in our society, and we desperately need to return to this aspect of God's design.

Reviewed by Lynsey (Tustin, CA), February 02, 2009

After reading Rest my heart was restored in knowing how God wants to draw near to us continually yet how I can often block Him out with my "hurried" life. At the same time the tone of the book is full of grace and understanding for having full lives with families, work, and friends. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to have a more restful heart and home!

Reviewed by Jeannie (Rapid City, SD), January 11, 2009

When Rest arrived in my mailbox, it was with some discipline that I refrained from delving into the pages, simply taking a peek to see the layout & chapter titles had to suffice. The final pages of a book I was reading were read in one night & I eagerly jumped into this book the next day. My eagerness in part was due to previous experiences with this author. Although, I have never met her outside of books & email, I have a sense of camaraderie. This is the 5th book that I have read that was written by Keri Wyatt Kent - I have recommended her writings extensively & lead small group studies on 3 of the books with a dear group of women. The books have helped to shift my relationship with Jesus increasingly toward relationship & away from religion. While I have found her writing style easy to follow & “do-able” as a mom of young children, I have also found that it challenges me to grow & change, as a daughter of Christ, wife, mother & leader. So starting to read this new book was a bit like sitting down with an old friend that I haven’t seen in a while & jumping into conversation where we left off a year ago when we were last together. In the book, Keri invites us to place Sabbath practices into life, not just on one day set aside for Sabbath, but throughout each day. Upon recently re-entering the work force outside my home, I have found the suggestions helpful getting through my most intense days of work. What I found most striking about this book though is that it is written to a broader audience than primarily mothers in the earliest of this authors books that I have read. My husband has enjoyed portions of it & would no doubt benefit from reading it in it’s entirety. I am eager to delve into this book with a small group of women. I would recommend this book to all individuals interested in being challenged to consider & broaden their Sabbath practices - female or male, single or married - Enjoy this inviting conversation.

Reviewed by Mary DeMent (Orlando, FL), January 08, 2009

Author Keri Wyatt Kent invites, inspires and encourages us to do the unthinkable in today’s culture: REST! Her words have caused me to think (and re-think) how I spend my time. This well-written, easy to read book on the Sabbath, weaves history, story telling and application all into a practical “How To” book on “rest.” This should be required reading for…everyone (especially those who don’t have time to read it)!

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