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Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of Where and When God Has You
How to accept our limitations and be free to live in the moment, fully and faithfully present with God and with others. Do you ever wish that life would slow down? Or perhaps you’re in a season when you would like to hit the fast-forward button and speed things up a bit. We have a complicated relationship with time, usually wishing we had more of it. Many of us live life at full speed, trying to be in two places at once, our minds too busy and distracted by all the things we feel we ought to be doing to be mindful of God’s presence. In this thought-provoking book, Adam Ramsey teaches us to embrace the limitations of time and place that we have as created beings, liberating us from the feeling that we need to be everywhere at once. Read this book to discover how to be intentional with your time, living each day fully and faithfully present with God and with others. Be equipped to find contentment in every season of life as you learn to see God in every moment of your here and now.
176 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 31, 2023
Faithfully Present is an excellent book. It is weighty, humbling, and at times funny. I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions and then needing to pause and reflect as I was smacked by some weighty perspective.
Adam does a great job of reminding us of who we are: flawed, limited, and clearly not God. He outlines that we are created to exist in the time and moments in front of us. Despite our longing to join in the chaos of this fast-paced world, this hopeful book leads us to rest in the kind, sovereign Father who is leading all things to his will, at his pace.
Do yourself a favour, lock some time away, grab this book and let it lead you to the antidote of your restless heart: Jesus.
Adam does a great job of reminding us of who we are: flawed, limited, and clearly not God. He outlines that we are created to exist in the time and moments in front of us. Despite our longing to join in the chaos of this fast-paced world, this hopeful book leads us to rest in the kind, sovereign Father who is leading all things to his will, at his pace.
Do yourself a favour, lock some time away, grab this book and let it lead you to the antidote of your restless heart: Jesus.
January 4, 2024
{full review here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/fa...}
We're particularly averse to talking about things we can't do. When we're told we can't, our instincts respond with, "watch me."
From a biblical perspective though, our limits remind we are created—not creator, saved—not saviour, and spirit-filled—not the Spirit.
In Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of Where and When God Has You by Adam Ramsey we have the opportunity to examine our limitations, as uncomfortable as it may be, in order to draw us nearer to the presence of God and into the presence of others.
This book is a journey through Scriptures to teach us about our human limits of time and place to encourage our faithful living for Christ today.
The first 8 chapters address different aspects of time and how it influences our daily lives; whether it’s our busyness, our stage in life, or our memories. The last 4 explore our physical place and presence.
If you’ve never considered the limits of our humanity, this is a good one to pick up. Maybe you have and wonder how this relates to our everyday busy lives, this is a helpful resource.
When you’re worn out, missing the moments around you, living your life in tunnel vision, this resource will help you step back a minute to reflect on your season and surroundings.
*A big thanks to the Good Book Company for the complimentary copy and the opportunity to post an honest review.
We're particularly averse to talking about things we can't do. When we're told we can't, our instincts respond with, "watch me."
From a biblical perspective though, our limits remind we are created—not creator, saved—not saviour, and spirit-filled—not the Spirit.
In Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of Where and When God Has You by Adam Ramsey we have the opportunity to examine our limitations, as uncomfortable as it may be, in order to draw us nearer to the presence of God and into the presence of others.
This book is a journey through Scriptures to teach us about our human limits of time and place to encourage our faithful living for Christ today.
The first 8 chapters address different aspects of time and how it influences our daily lives; whether it’s our busyness, our stage in life, or our memories. The last 4 explore our physical place and presence.
If you’ve never considered the limits of our humanity, this is a good one to pick up. Maybe you have and wonder how this relates to our everyday busy lives, this is a helpful resource.
When you’re worn out, missing the moments around you, living your life in tunnel vision, this resource will help you step back a minute to reflect on your season and surroundings.
*A big thanks to the Good Book Company for the complimentary copy and the opportunity to post an honest review.
February 11, 2024
This book arrived in my life just when I needed it most. Lately, I've been wrestling with the feeling that time is slipping away too quickly, drowning in the busyness of daily life, and struggling to prioritize what truly matters. And if I'm honest, I've noticed myself spending way too much time mindlessly scrolling on my phone.
Right from the start, the book hit me with a powerful line: "We attempt to escape from and transcend our here and now, longing for some other there and then." It felt like God was using those words to wake me up to what's really important.
I really resonate with Adam's writing style; it's engaging and filled with humor, yet it's also deeply thought-provoking. He captures the struggle we all face in navigating the demands of modern life while staying true to our faith. He reminds us that we're not meant to be consumed by the chaos around us but to be present in the moment, trusting in God's timing and grace. Through his words, I've been reminded to slow down and appreciate the beauty of God's presence in every aspect of life, rather than rushing ahead or dwelling on 'what ifs'. It's been a powerful reminder to stay faithful and attentive to God's hand at work in my life.
Right from the start, the book hit me with a powerful line: "We attempt to escape from and transcend our here and now, longing for some other there and then." It felt like God was using those words to wake me up to what's really important.
I really resonate with Adam's writing style; it's engaging and filled with humor, yet it's also deeply thought-provoking. He captures the struggle we all face in navigating the demands of modern life while staying true to our faith. He reminds us that we're not meant to be consumed by the chaos around us but to be present in the moment, trusting in God's timing and grace. Through his words, I've been reminded to slow down and appreciate the beauty of God's presence in every aspect of life, rather than rushing ahead or dwelling on 'what ifs'. It's been a powerful reminder to stay faithful and attentive to God's hand at work in my life.
September 1, 2023
The premise of Adam Ramsey’s book “Faithfully Present” is that we must remember our limits and finiteness as human beings. These limits are placed on us by our all-knowing, ever-faithful God because of His love for us. Such limits and guidelines are actually for our good.
The book’s chapters are organized into two parts: Time and Place, helping us to learn to embrace and be at peace with the limits of the “when” (time) and “where” (place) of our lives.
Ramsey reminds us we can trust God with our time because He is outside of time and He alone has this perspective of time.
“Time need not haunt you, when you know it does not hold you. For the one who holds time holds your life.”
About place, Ramsey reminds us, we “can only faithfully exist in one place at one time,” and that we are called to bless the place and people where we are, and this “deeply matters to God.”
I appreciated the idea to “punctuate the day ahead with brief moments of selah.” Likewise, the chapter highlighting nostalgia and regrets from our past was very moving!
Some quotes I highlighted:
“As far as God is concerned, your earthly body, made of physical matter, matters. And one day, it will be renewed in Christ's likeness.”
“God is not behind schedule in your life because your life is happening on his schedule.”
“Like Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew, we exchange faithful presence for perpetual busyness.”
“I am not unlimited, so I need to prioritise rest. I am not omnipotent, so I need to prioritise prayer. I am not omniscient, so I need to learn to listen. I am not omnipresent, so I need to stop trying to be everywhere for everyone...”
Thank you to The Good Book Company for sending this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The book’s chapters are organized into two parts: Time and Place, helping us to learn to embrace and be at peace with the limits of the “when” (time) and “where” (place) of our lives.
Ramsey reminds us we can trust God with our time because He is outside of time and He alone has this perspective of time.
“Time need not haunt you, when you know it does not hold you. For the one who holds time holds your life.”
About place, Ramsey reminds us, we “can only faithfully exist in one place at one time,” and that we are called to bless the place and people where we are, and this “deeply matters to God.”
I appreciated the idea to “punctuate the day ahead with brief moments of selah.” Likewise, the chapter highlighting nostalgia and regrets from our past was very moving!
Some quotes I highlighted:
“As far as God is concerned, your earthly body, made of physical matter, matters. And one day, it will be renewed in Christ's likeness.”
“God is not behind schedule in your life because your life is happening on his schedule.”
“Like Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew, we exchange faithful presence for perpetual busyness.”
“I am not unlimited, so I need to prioritise rest. I am not omnipotent, so I need to prioritise prayer. I am not omniscient, so I need to learn to listen. I am not omnipresent, so I need to stop trying to be everywhere for everyone...”
Thank you to The Good Book Company for sending this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 1, 2024
A wonderful gospel enriched book that contains a lot of hope and practical advice for the reader. I particularly enjoyed the final chapters. “Our citizenship in heaven makes the worst times in this world liveable and the best times in this world leaveable, because our hope is not ultimately tied to anything in this present world”.
February 10, 2026
This book hit me. I even cried a few times?? It’s a beautiful Biblical theology approach to time and I needed all of it 💗
April 22, 2024
Another 5 star review for Adam Ramsey - a really rich book full of truths about being faithfully present in our time and our place. Particularly enjoyed the chapter on being in a digital age, and the last chapters on eternity. I would have liked a few more examples of real practical application but we're discussing in my book club in a few weeks so we will touch on that!
April 29, 2026
4.5/5 rounded up
Straightforward, well-written, and I loved the way it was structured. May have been a minor point here or there I might have worded differently but it didn’t detract from the timely encouragement it was for me. 👏🏼
Straightforward, well-written, and I loved the way it was structured. May have been a minor point here or there I might have worded differently but it didn’t detract from the timely encouragement it was for me. 👏🏼
August 18, 2023
Adam’s writing is readable, relatable, and is fixated on the beauty of what is held out to us in Christ! This book wants to help us understand why Jesus has us where we are and the importance of being fully present wherever the Lord has us.
This book will cause you to reflect on elements of time that you probably haven’t spent more than a few moments of speculation on. You might never read a time management book after this… and this is not a book on time management! It will cause you to think differently!
I especially felt wonder as Adam led me through the chapter on eternity. My heart was full of worship!
This book will be worth the read… but make sure you build in time to meditate and process the complicated ideas that Adam seems to make so simple.
Thank you, Adam!
This book will cause you to reflect on elements of time that you probably haven’t spent more than a few moments of speculation on. You might never read a time management book after this… and this is not a book on time management! It will cause you to think differently!
I especially felt wonder as Adam led me through the chapter on eternity. My heart was full of worship!
This book will be worth the read… but make sure you build in time to meditate and process the complicated ideas that Adam seems to make so simple.
Thank you, Adam!
November 14, 2023
Like his first book ‘Truth on Fire’, this is a cracker of a book. Highly recommended. One of the best Christian books I’ve read in years. It’s easy reading yet also profound; funny, relatable, but also deadly serious. Gospel-centred and gospel-rich. I benefited from reflecting on my (theological) place in both time and space. It made me long for heaven. I read each chapter and then listened to the same chapter on audible to help it sink in. That worked well for me - this is a book too read slowly and to savour.
February 26, 2026
This book had so many wonderful takeaways that could be put into practice right away. Some points felt a little dragged out at times, but overall this was a really practical and approachable read about living faithfully right where you're at.
October 9, 2025
So many precious reminders of how we should view our life and context, written in an engaging and relatable way. Some favourite quotes include:
“Time need not haunt you when it does not hold you.”
“Sometimes we’re more interested in being used by God than being known by Him.”
“When we learn to master our ambitions rather than being mastered by them we find ourselves discovering, alongside the apostle Paul, the secret superpower of contentment.”
“There are waves of joy in your future so far beyond your comprehension that God needs to strengthen your physical frame with a glorified body just for you to even have the capacity to handle the intensity of such happiness. That’s where we’re heading.”
“Your present limitations are part of your divinely ordained means of sanctification.”
“Receive each day as the limited edition gift that it is.”
“Time need not haunt you when it does not hold you.”
“Sometimes we’re more interested in being used by God than being known by Him.”
“When we learn to master our ambitions rather than being mastered by them we find ourselves discovering, alongside the apostle Paul, the secret superpower of contentment.”
“There are waves of joy in your future so far beyond your comprehension that God needs to strengthen your physical frame with a glorified body just for you to even have the capacity to handle the intensity of such happiness. That’s where we’re heading.”
“Your present limitations are part of your divinely ordained means of sanctification.”
“Receive each day as the limited edition gift that it is.”
May 1, 2026
A really beautiful and compelling read. Chapter 3 on seasons of life and chapter 7 on the temptation to live in the past (nostalgia and regret) were particularly helpful (and timely). Lots to ponder and definitely one I’ll return to.
June 16, 2024
Exceptional. Possibly one of the best books I have ever read. Helps to see how vital it is that we understand the limitations we have been given by God and use them to be present where we are but living well preparing for eternity. Unbelievably challenging but in a fantastic way!!!
March 30, 2026
This was fantastic, jarring, encouraging and convicting.
A great reminder to serve and glorify God wherever he had you and to not wish away your life in discontentment and longing for more.
I need to get off my phone more too.
A great reminder to serve and glorify God wherever he had you and to not wish away your life in discontentment and longing for more.
I need to get off my phone more too.
July 2, 2023
Faithfully Present is a weighty, daunting, joyful, hope-filled reminder of our limitations and not-God-ness, yet also the eternal, perfect joy that is to come for those who are in Christ.
Adam is not afraid in his writing to remind the reader of the shortness of this life, yet in a way that begins to help them to see the beauty in our human limitations, and assist us to live in the present times, places, and spaces with a fresh intentionality, gratitude and perspective.
His writing is easy to read and comprehend, even when covering topics of depth. I highly recommend for anyone to pick this book up and be both challenged and encouraged by it.
Adam is not afraid in his writing to remind the reader of the shortness of this life, yet in a way that begins to help them to see the beauty in our human limitations, and assist us to live in the present times, places, and spaces with a fresh intentionality, gratitude and perspective.
His writing is easy to read and comprehend, even when covering topics of depth. I highly recommend for anyone to pick this book up and be both challenged and encouraged by it.
January 10, 2024
A great first read for 2024. I am reminded of the grounding truths that to be truly present, one must slow down, worship through rest, and consider the good limitations God has given us to live faithfully and well.
December 29, 2024
I think I have not fully understood what "redeeming the time" means (Ephesians 5) until reading this book. A wonderful perspective shift with a joyful look into eternity and a greater appreciation for where and when God has placed me in this world.
June 24, 2025
In a world full of distractions, anxieties, and competing desires, being truly present—to God and to those around us—can feel nearly impossible. This book was a refreshing and timely reminder that God is sovereign over time and over our lives. I was deeply encouraged to rediscover the importance of living faithfully in the present moment, as this is how we live out the greatest commandment: to love God and love others.
August 6, 2024
After reading another book by Adam Ramsey, “Truth on Fire”, I knew I had to read this book. His writing is beautiful and inviting and a great combination of challenge and encouragement. In addition, I felt like I needed what this book was described to be. To live faithfully present in the moment has to be one of the greatest human needs of our time.
I am so glad I read this book. It has helped be honest about my limitations as a finite creature who can only be in one place at a time who lives in a world that is constantly tempting me try to be in more than one place at a time in my mind and heart. Adam helped me reflect on how I can trust the glorious God who transcends time and who is sovereign over every moment of the past, present and future, so that I can enjoy and be a blessing in the place and time where God has placed me.
I suspect that my journey to be more faithfully present will be ongoing, but this book will be part of the progress I make in that direction. I highly recommend this book. Your heart and mind likely need the truth it presents more than you are aware of needing it.
I am so glad I read this book. It has helped be honest about my limitations as a finite creature who can only be in one place at a time who lives in a world that is constantly tempting me try to be in more than one place at a time in my mind and heart. Adam helped me reflect on how I can trust the glorious God who transcends time and who is sovereign over every moment of the past, present and future, so that I can enjoy and be a blessing in the place and time where God has placed me.
I suspect that my journey to be more faithfully present will be ongoing, but this book will be part of the progress I make in that direction. I highly recommend this book. Your heart and mind likely need the truth it presents more than you are aware of needing it.
June 6, 2026
This book is deeply humbling yet immensely encouraging. Reading it in the postpartum season while serving in my church as a pastor’s wife both exposed my limits and comforted me with the gospel. I know this is a book I will need to return to in the future!
This book is for every Christian.
This book is for every Christian.
May 31, 2026
Scriptural perspectives on how believers can approach the limits of time and place in light of a God who has neither. Profound and comforting. Cannot recommend this book enough.
May 19, 2024
I don’t typically give books 5 stars but if I could give a book 10 stars I would for this one. Absolutely incredible. I will 100% be recommending this to anyone in my corner who’s just feeling weary and worn down from life (which I honestly believe constitutes a lot of individuals) and needing a fresh, biblical, encouraging, challenging and refreshing perspective shift. So, SO good!
March 5, 2026
“One day we will say goodbye to all goodbyes.” 🥹
April 27, 2024
I loved this book so much that I know I will come back to the wisdom in these chapters again and again. It was medicine for my soul and the encouragement I needed to press on in this life with the calling I’ve been given. I will not soon forget this one.
July 14, 2024
There are a lot of books on time management, but few on a proper perspective of time. This is a great read, and the author is an excellent writer. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
May 26, 2025
My grandparents picked this one out for me, and they did a great job: I felt quite challenged by it. Young and single, I've often considered that throwing myself into as much work and service as possible was the best use of my time and energy - the tiredness of the grind becoming personal badges of honour that attempt to blur out any doubts or alternative options.
This book completely rejects that mindset and flips it on its head. So it hurt when I started subconsciously resisting some of the wisdom within, yet simultaneously realising it bore truths about myself that I knew deep down I needed to stop ignoring. After all, who likes to admit their limitations? Having said that though, hard work that glorifies God is still a good thing, but it is important to consider how you go about it and guard against letting it consume you.
Well written and Biblically backed, with clearly expressed ideas and logic - I'll be coming back to it as I process how to balance my drivenness in life with the necessity of being faithfully present in the here and now.
This book completely rejects that mindset and flips it on its head. So it hurt when I started subconsciously resisting some of the wisdom within, yet simultaneously realising it bore truths about myself that I knew deep down I needed to stop ignoring. After all, who likes to admit their limitations? Having said that though, hard work that glorifies God is still a good thing, but it is important to consider how you go about it and guard against letting it consume you.
Well written and Biblically backed, with clearly expressed ideas and logic - I'll be coming back to it as I process how to balance my drivenness in life with the necessity of being faithfully present in the here and now.
August 31, 2023
“The more we counted the seconds, the more we tried to squeeze into them. The more we put ourselves under the eye of time, the more power we gave to it. We forgot that Chronos is a taker and insatiably greedy.” - Adam Ramsey, Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of When and Where God Has You
Thank you Adam for this gentle yet firm reminder to be present and also to sit without racing toward the next thing.
This book was such a great reminder for me, as a young mum who spends *a lot* of time working. To not wish away the struggles of being a toddler mum, and to also be faithful with the time that I do have. To put down the phone and put away the laptop. To admit that I can’t do it all even if I desperately want to, and, most importantly, to be ok with that.
This will be something I read regularly - because I’m a sinner, and need constant reminder of the good rest that I can find in Jesus and that the little moments are the most important.
Thank you Adam for this gentle yet firm reminder to be present and also to sit without racing toward the next thing.
This book was such a great reminder for me, as a young mum who spends *a lot* of time working. To not wish away the struggles of being a toddler mum, and to also be faithful with the time that I do have. To put down the phone and put away the laptop. To admit that I can’t do it all even if I desperately want to, and, most importantly, to be ok with that.
This will be something I read regularly - because I’m a sinner, and need constant reminder of the good rest that I can find in Jesus and that the little moments are the most important.
April 8, 2026
A book that reminds the reader of truths that could be seen to be 'obvious', and yet we as human beings generally fail miserably at living effectively in light of them. We are limited in time and space, and Ramsey encourages us to embrace these limitations rather than resent them. Only then can we live free of time's power to toy with us and sadden us, taking joy in our immediate circumstances and being fully present in them.
August 31, 2023
Ramsey writes a refreshingly honest account about the truth of time and how we can be faithfully present in the season we are in. The limitations of our humanity is rightly amplified, but the hope and sovereignty of God overrides this.
With the fast-paced world we live in, this book is a reminder to stop, breath and embrace the God-ordained season we are in.
With the fast-paced world we live in, this book is a reminder to stop, breath and embrace the God-ordained season we are in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews