Refreshed

A brilliant book. The past two years have been exhausting for me personally, and I know I’m not alone. So I love the idea of a book helping others find refreshment and renewal in the midst of this weary world. Pastor John points us to the rest beneath all other forms of rest: the spiritual refreshment we find in the grace of Jesus. I highly recommend it for everyone, especially for the weary—and double-especially for the weary who are about to go on vacation!

In these short devotions, John Hindley reminds us that rest and vacations are good, that God gave us this world to enjoy, and that there is value in thinking deeply about the world that God has made. It doesn’t matter whether you find rest in exploring the city or relaxing on the beach—there is something for everyone in this book.

Too often our holidays are times of spiritual atrophy. We rest our bodies but not our souls. In these little devotionals, John Hindley points us to the glory of God in the creation around us to lift our gaze to Jesus, who gives the deepest and sweetest rest. Read and be properly refreshed!

As a mom of young children, getting away to ‘rest’ sometimes feels pointless. I stopped packing books to read on ‘vacation’ a long time ago, but this is one I won’t be leaving without. It is sure to transform your family’s experience of time away. Hindley’s thoughtful biblical reflections beckon you to enjoy the rest Christ offers to his own, and his engaging bits for families make it easy to invite your children to join you.

This book is a rich gift! As I read, it became to me a counselor and friend. Its format, creativity, depth, and brevity lend to its purpose: aiding Christians in being deeply refreshed. It will serve as a guide for the individual, couple, or family—making holidays truly times of renewal and refreshment!

I LOVE this book. It’s refreshing, inclusive, and encouraging! A brilliant book to take on holiday, filled with great suggestions of conversations to have and activities to try that encourage great faith conversations with kids. Pack it on your next family holiday!

John writes like the true pastor he is. He cuts to the issues of my sin when it comes to rest and time off—but, at the same time, I have never felt more loved or encouraged. Most of all, this book has been used to draw me closer to Christ and his heart for me. I have come away ready for the next season, no matter what it brings.

Refreshed brings together John’s pastoral heart and understanding of people’s lives and struggles; his wisdom and skill in teaching and applying the breadth and depth of God’s word; and his keen eye for the beauty and richness of God’s creation. The result is a beautifully written book that is highly readable but also profoundly wise, rooted both in human experience and in the gospel. A great holiday companion—and a book that I’ll want to come back to throughout the year.

Lots of us struggle to maintain our devotional lives on holiday. This book could help! Well-chosen Bible passages and comments work well together. The sections for families make it especially attractive for those with children.

I’m so glad someone has written this book! It’s a wholehearted exhortation to enjoy all that is good in our earthly rest, while at the same time to savour the heavenly reality to which it all points. John helpfully articulates the roller coaster of emotions as expectations are fulfilled or dashed on holiday. The questions for individuals and families at the end of each study are creative, sometimes hilarious, and brilliantly imagined—helping us cultivate great habits in our family chatter, even when the holiday is over. This book will definitely be accompanying us on many holidays to come!