Survival Guide for the Soul: How to Flourish Spiritually in a World that Pressures Us to Achieve

Description

WINNER OF THE WORD GUILD 2019 CHRISTIAN LIVING BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD "The pages you are about to read may feel like a literal rescue." -Ann Voskamp, New York Times Bestselling author Survival Guide for the Soul is a profound spiritual exploration of God's love-a love that many of us understand intellectually without fully grasping or relying on in our day-to-day experiences-a love that fills our sails with joy and frees us to truly flourish. Many of us are driven by an ambition to accomplish something big outside ourselves. On all sides, we're pressured to achieve-professionally, socially, financially. Even when we're aware of this pressure, it can be hard to escape the vicious circles of accomplishment, frustration, and spiritual burn-out. Drawing on a wide range of sources from Scripture to church history to psychology and modern neuroscience-as well as deeply personal stories from his own life-Ken Shigematsu, recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, BC, vividly demonstrates how the gospel redeems our desires and reorders our lives. Pastor Shigematsu offers fresh perspective on how certain spiritual practices help orient our lives so that our souls can flourish in the midst of a demanding, competitive society. And he concludes with a liberating and counter-cultural definition of true greatness. If you long to experience a deeper relationship with Christ within the daily pressures to succeed, Survival Guide for the Soul is packed with biblical wisdom and a godly approach to transcend the human tendency to define ourselves by our productivity and success. "Loaded with practical insights and encouraging thoughts, every reader will benefit from Ken's work." -Max Lucado, New York Times Bestselling author

Ken Shigematsu is the Senior Pastor of Tenth Church in Vancouver, BC, one of the largest and most diverse city-centre churches in Canada. He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded to Canadians in recognition for their outstanding contribution to the country. Before entering pastoral ministry, he worked for the Sony Corporation in Tokyo and draws on both eastern and western perspectives in writing and speaking. Ken lives in Vancouver with his wife, Sakiko, and their son, Joey.

'Ken has written a gift for every pressured, hurried, performance-driven, success haunted person on the planet. So take a deep breath, and smile, and start to read. Slowly.' * John Ortberg, senior pastor of Menlo Church and author of I'd Like You More If You Were More Like Me * 'Loaded with practical insights and encouraging thoughts. Every reader will benefit from Ken's work.' * Max Lucado, pastor and bestselling author * 'This is only Ken's second book, but it feels like vintage material from an old soul. There's not a line here that doesn't brim with wisdom. Ken is a sensei master of the heart, and he shows us how to live well, deeply, and fully. This is the book for this generation.' * Mark Buchanan, author of The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath * 'Like a great physician, Ken Shigematsu diagnoses our primary problem: striving to achieve in order to feel valued. He then offers soul solutions in the form of spiritual practices, such as Sabbath, service, and gratitude. He explains not merely the how of these practices, but also the why. This book will not only help your soul survive, it will allow it to thrive.' * James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God * 'At once immensely practical and deeply poetic, Survival Guide for the Soul gently instructs us in life-changing ways to stay intimately connected to God's love, grace, and peace. I will keep this beautiful and important book on my bedside table forever.' * Suzy Welch, New York Times bestselling author of 10-10-10: A Life Transforming Idea; CNBC television correspondent * 'Ken has done it again: he has provided us with a gracious, compelling, and challenging call to live Christianly in the midst of the city---what it means to be women and men of Christian integrity in the midst of the temptations and expectations of urban living.' * Gordon T. Smith, president of Ambrose University; author of Courage and Calling * 'This book is a breath of fresh air to the soul! Those feeling burned out or bored with religion will find here a gentle invitation to return to spiritual practices as the simple, life-giving experience of being God's beloved. I don't just like this book---I need this book!' * Michelle Sanchez, executive minister of Make and Deepen Disciples, Evangelical Covenant Church * 'I cannot count the number of pages I have dog-eared---places where Jesus Christ broke through Ken's words to speak to and redirect and heal my soul. This book is a profound gift to the church and to the world and may well become a spiritual classic.' * Darrell Johnson, teaching fellow, Regent College; author of Discipleship on the Edge: An Expository Journey through Revelation and The Beatitudes: Living in Sync with the Reign of God * 'The power of the Christian message is not just its lofty and liberating ideas but also its practical and personal practices. In Survival Guide for the Soul, Ken Shigematsu acts as our masterful guide through the basic training of discipleship to Jesus. Thank you, Ken, for this gift to the body of Christ!' * Bruxy Cavey, teaching pastor at The Meeting House; author of Reunion: The Good News of Jesus for Seekers, Saints, and Sinners * 'As a pastor of a large, diverse church and as a person who has deep knowledge of several cultures, Ken Shigematsu is keenly aware of the potentially toxic terrain in which we live. An astute spiritual pathfinder and trustworthy trail guide, he brings health and hope to the pilgrim seeking to follow Jesus.' * Susan S. Phillips, executive director and professor at New College Berkeley; author of The Cultivated Life: From Ceaseless Striving to Receiving Joy * 'Full disclosure: I am mentioned a couple of times positively in this book and am grateful for the author's generous words. I recommend it with high enthusiasm, not only out of our long friendship but because it is full of scriptural substance and solid guidance. Take my word: through his wise insights Ken will be a good friend on your own journey.' * Leighton Ford, president, Leighton Ford Ministries; author of The Attentive Life * 'A must-read for Christians at all stages of life. In this day and age when one's values are continually tested, we all need help in nurturing our very soul. Without one's soul, what are we other than dust in the wind?' * Santa Ono, president of the University of British Columbia (UBC) * 'I feel like this book was written for me. Much of my life, I've struggled with fear and insecurity and as a result, it's not that I think I have or am nothing, it's that I'm tempted to pursue everything---in hopes of achievement, worth, and purpose. What a beautiful book that reminds us how deeply God loves us and delights in us.' * Eugene Cho, senior pastor, Quest Church; author of Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World? * 'This is not a book to read and ponder. This is a book to do. Survival Guide for the Soul offers a time-tested pathway for all those longing for depth, meaning, peace, and ultimately joy in a moment-by-moment friendship with God.' * Tim Day, director of City Movement and author of God Enters Stage Left *