Secrets from the Treadmill: Discover God's Rest in the Busyness of Life

by Pete Briscoe, Patricia Hickman

We're all aware of God's commandment to "remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." After all, it's one of the Big 10. But how many of us really observe a Sabbath of rest? More than just a lazy Sunday afternoon, we all need "Sabbaths"-times of reflection and relaxation-in this stressed-out world.

With a pastor's experience and insight, and an award-winning writing style, Secrets from the Treadmill presents a rejuvenating plan of rest replenishment to stressed-out, overworked people. Offering practical and spiritual motives to engage in periods of rest, the book also provides realistic solutions for fitting Sabbaths into a busy life. Finally, it includes a chapter devoted to wise "resters" from the Bible.

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2004

Reviews

[Randy Alcorn]

Reading Secrets from the Treadmill did for me what the book encourages—it made me relax and reflect. I learned years ago that I have to say no to the great majority of things I’m asked to do, so I’m available to say yes to those few God wants me to do. But I need to relearn that lesson periodically, and Pete Briscoe and Patty Hickman helped me do that. Jesus calls upon us to carry our crosses, yet paradoxically promises a light burden and rest for our souls. If the burden’s usually heavy and our souls aren’t at rest...we’re missing something. This book will help you find what you’re missing.

[Pamela Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life gets crazy and we often go crazy right along with it. Pete Briscoe presents the lessons he learned when he decided a sabbatical was necessary and essential. He outlines Biblical principles of the Sabbath and also teaches us the mindsets and heartsets that prevent us from living out this principle that is so essential to our health.
I gleaned many fantastic truths from this book, and was motivated and convicted to look at my life and apply certain truths to it. There were points where the book was hard to follow, as it meandered through personal stories, testimonies of others, and exposition of the Bible. It lacked a bit of cohesiveness but the main truths were clear.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good book that is simple and quick to read. The tips are practical but tend to be overly simplistic, granted rest shouldn't be hard. The beginning and middle of the book were great but the end tried to focus an application that seems forced.

I am a fan of Pete having attended his church for several years. He writes much the same way that he preaches: very relatable.