The Sacred Slow: A Holy Departure from Fast Faith

Description

Tired of quick fixes and fast faith The Sacred Slow is an invitation to unhurried honesty before God. If yesterday's word was simple, tomorrow's word will be slow. Our culture is shifting from fast food to healthy 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. The overflow of Dr. Alicia Britt Chole's more than thirty years as a spiritual mentor to leaders and learners as well as her personal, practical, and penetrating tone will guide you to a richer, more life-giving relationship with God. Perfect for use as a devotional or in small groups, each chapter features: A short, unexpected reading Two options for application-a thought focus or a heart exercise Encouragement to develop growing, sustainable intimacy with God Whether you're exhausted by emptiness or worn from weariness, you'll discover healing and restoration in these pages. In this age of distraction, learn to slow down and reorient your life to learn, grow, and experience God as never before.

As a young atheist, Alicia Britt Chole believed that man had invented God to fill the gaps in human knowledge. 'Truth to me was dead, God had never lived, life was full of pain, and death was the end of life.' In 1983 God captured Alicia's attention and soul. She now speaks to leaders, professionals, women's groups, ministers, and college students concerning spiritual life, temptation, conflict, disillusionment, deception, mission, and mentoring. She has authored the books Pure Joy and Until The Whole World Knows, and written several audio/video series, email devotions and more. She and her husband Barry have a son and a daughter.

'This book is simply stunning. Whether you're exhausted by emptiness or worn thin from weariness, you'll discover healing, restoration, and the God-life waiting for you in these pages. That gut-level, gnawing sense that there's got to be more--well, it wasn't your imagination. This book will help you spelunk the depths of God like never before. --Margaret Feinberg, Author of Flourish 'In a world where the words fast, instant, automatic, rapid, speedy, ready-made, and prefabricated are marketed as that which is preferable and desirable, mistakenly there has developed a spirituality that trumpets the instantaneous, the quick, the immediate, and the right now as being signs of the hand of God. This has resulted in what Alicia Britt Chole correctly terms 'fast faith.' In The Sacred Slow, Alicia provides a corrective call away from addiction to experiences and into developing intimacy with God. With the care of a seasoned spiritual director, she lovingly takes us on a deliberate journey into points and places of trans-parency and closeness with God that can only occur over time. It is a journey well worth taking. -- Senior pastor, The Park Church, Charlotte, NC 'It's hard to find an appropriate sentence or two to describe The Sacred Slow. It's like asking someone to describe their life in three minutes-- impossible! Alicia has poured thirty years and countless hours into this content, asking the reader to breathe, to think, to dig deep, to see soul health restored, and in turn, to see the joy of daily living reinstated. With my whole heart I endorse not only the book but the writer, who lives as she writes and walks as she asks us to. Take the time and dive in deep.' --Darlene Zschech, Pastor, worship leader, author 'We live speedy lives today--yet fast can quickly become an enemy of the good, and it's easy to miss God when you're rushing by. So how do we enter a life of wonder and fullness? How do we RSVP yes to God's invitation for listening and rest? Alicia Britt Chole is a trusted guide to help you live present to the God who is already present to you. In The Sacred Slow, she distills from her thirty-plus years of experience men- toring others to provide not only biblical concepts but practical tools for application that can help us enter God's sacred invitation to go deeper in life with him.' -- Joshua Ryan Butler, Pastor at Imago Dei Community (Portland, OR); author of The Pursuing God and The Skeletons in God's Closet 'The Sacred Slow is the fruit of a carefully crafted and vetted mentor- ing sequence that emphasizes that intimacy with God is intentional, not accidental. This spiritual guidebook stresses process over product and demonstrates that without shabbat there is no shalom. It wonder- fully portrays the often-missing skills of listening, stillness, waiting, and attentiveness that are critical components of abiding in Jesus.' -- Kenneth Boa, Reflections Ministries, Atlanta, GA 'There are two words that absolutely should never be placed together in the same sentence: fast faith. And in this deeply intimate and fulfilling book, Alicia does a superb job in explaining why! The Sacred Slow takes us on a journey straight into the presence of our heavenly Father and it leaves us there to learn, to grow and to experience Him as never before. Alicia is an excellent mentor, coach, and friend throughout this journey. This book is a must-read for any Christian who wants to understand the true secret to intimacy with God.' -- Jennifer Keitt, nationally syndicated radio host of The Jennifer Keitt show 'In The Sacred Slow, Alicia uses her stirring story to help us dare to look at our own. Her candor and truthfulness about her life's highs and lows have taken her to levels of depth and growth that few of us know even exists. As she sensitively bears her soul, we are caught up in making the whole of our lives a loving dialog with Jesus. She cuts and cures. As I read, I felt she was reading me--and in my faith journey with me. Alicia has accepted that pain is often a gift, so her story is transformational, without bringing attention to herself. I wouldn't have missed dwelling in this book!' -- Gail MacDonald, Author of High Call, High Privilege; serves as chancellor and wife at Denver Seminary alongside her husband, Gordon MacDonald 'The title The Sacred Slow not only describes the content but also describes Alicia and her writing. Every now and then you come across a person whose presence and writing has a sense of the sacred. When you read Alicia's writing, you quickly know she is a person who has a deep, rich, winsome, and life-giving relationship with God. And, like enjoying an exquisite meal, it is best enjoyed slow. She is such a gifted writer that every sentence and paragraph must be slowly pondered and absorbed. This book is a wonderful blend of insight, inspiration, and invitation.' -- Lance Witt, Founder, Replenish Ministries 'Alicia is a trusted and gentle guide offering profound wisdom and thoughtfulness into a new way to live. Quietly and slowly taking time with these pages will change your life.' -- Nathan Foster,Director of community life, Renovarand eacute;; author of The Making of an Ordinary Saint 'Dr. Alicia Britt Chole practically explains how to reorient your life so that rather than living for God (or anything else) you learn to live with God--a subtle shift that offers life-giving fruit. Her road map is deliv- ered in easily digested bits that encourage reflection, sustainability, and growth that is healthy for your mind, body, and soul. In an age full of cacophonous distraction, The Sacred Slow has the power to lead you on a spiritual journey that will truly change your life.' -- Dr. Holly Carlson Zhao, Neuropsychologist; director of the Center for Optimal Brain Health