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Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis
What if the soul-safe space you long for turned out to be what God most longs to give you?
What if your crisis is the portal that takes you there?
The world is broken. Wars shake the earth, natural disasters upend communities, crises hit our marriages and families, churches crumble under moral failure, sickness wracks our bodies. More than ever, we feel the effects of living in a fallen world.
When crisis hits, our instinct says retreat. But have we considered where we’ve been hiding? Is it in a flimsy shelter of our own making? What if you could find a place where you feel “soul-safe,” where even the worst that life dishes out cannot shake your faith or steal your peace, but “steels” your peace? A place so deeply rooted in the presence and love of God that nothing can move you.
In the pages of Sacred Refuge, meet ten modern and ten biblical women who stare in the face of homelessness and hunger, life-threatening illness, the loss of a child, debilitating sin, life-altering rejection, and untimely death. Across space and time, author Lynne Rienstra invites you to join this sisterhood and learn from their fears, mistakes, and triumphs. To enhance your journey, she adds biblical teaching, ten Transforming Truths, application questions, encounters with Jesus, and a study guide.
Step out of your isolation—as these women did—and into Christ’s sheltering embrace. Learn how to live there as your permanent dwelling place. Invite others to share this sacred refuge. And begin to change the world.
What if your crisis is the portal that takes you there?
The world is broken. Wars shake the earth, natural disasters upend communities, crises hit our marriages and families, churches crumble under moral failure, sickness wracks our bodies. More than ever, we feel the effects of living in a fallen world.
When crisis hits, our instinct says retreat. But have we considered where we’ve been hiding? Is it in a flimsy shelter of our own making? What if you could find a place where you feel “soul-safe,” where even the worst that life dishes out cannot shake your faith or steal your peace, but “steels” your peace? A place so deeply rooted in the presence and love of God that nothing can move you.
In the pages of Sacred Refuge, meet ten modern and ten biblical women who stare in the face of homelessness and hunger, life-threatening illness, the loss of a child, debilitating sin, life-altering rejection, and untimely death. Across space and time, author Lynne Rienstra invites you to join this sisterhood and learn from their fears, mistakes, and triumphs. To enhance your journey, she adds biblical teaching, ten Transforming Truths, application questions, encounters with Jesus, and a study guide.
Step out of your isolation—as these women did—and into Christ’s sheltering embrace. Learn how to live there as your permanent dwelling place. Invite others to share this sacred refuge. And begin to change the world.
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2024
8 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 16, 2024
Lynne Rienstra’s Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis takes the reader on a powerful and deepening journey of what it means to have God as our Refuge. Using examples from women’s lives today, as well as her own, and weaving them together with stories from the Bible, Ms. Rienstra confidently helps to show us there is no life crisis too harsh that will keep God from being our Refuge if only we allow Him to be. Each chapter is soaked in Biblical Truth and Wisdom from experience, giving the reader life examples from today and examples from the Bible of how God can be a True Refuge in our time of crisis. Along with Biblical and today’s life examples of having God as a person’s Refuge, each chapter also dives deep into the meaning of having God as our Refuge and includes (of what I call) a type of letter from Jesus, telling us His Heart in regards to what that particular chapter is discussing. There are also questions and reflections at the end of each chapter, as well as various helps in the back of the book to help you go even deeper into making God your Refuge.
The title of Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis is what drew me to the book the most. Being a new-to-me author, I did not know what to expect from Lynne Riensta’s work and Sacred Refuge did not disappoint! Sacred Refuge is very well written and researched. I love how Ms. Rienstra weaves life examples of both past and present and secures them together with God’s Truth. I love how the Biblical examples used are depicted in their own voice and perspective. The depictions reminded me of how Liz Curtis Higgs writes her Bible Studies. I love how Sacred Refuge explored what it means to truly have God as our Refuge for all time. I love the perspective of the Bride of Christ that Ms. Rienstra brings out in the book. For me, Sacred Refuge was a really deep, but needed read. I found myself really having to take my time reading it because I wanted to really get what God was trying to teach me through Sacred Refuge, which is a good thing. I think Sacred Refuge would be a great read for a personal devotion time. I believe Sacred Refuge would be great for a women’s Bible Study or to use in helping Minister to women in crisis. Sacred Refuge truly Ministered to me and I highly recommend it!
Have you read Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis? How did it Minister to you?
Thank you to Karen from Book Lovers & Launchers for giving me a copy of Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis to review, helping me with the information needed for this post, and for letting me be on the Launch Team. Thank you also to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The title of Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis is what drew me to the book the most. Being a new-to-me author, I did not know what to expect from Lynne Riensta’s work and Sacred Refuge did not disappoint! Sacred Refuge is very well written and researched. I love how Ms. Rienstra weaves life examples of both past and present and secures them together with God’s Truth. I love how the Biblical examples used are depicted in their own voice and perspective. The depictions reminded me of how Liz Curtis Higgs writes her Bible Studies. I love how Sacred Refuge explored what it means to truly have God as our Refuge for all time. I love the perspective of the Bride of Christ that Ms. Rienstra brings out in the book. For me, Sacred Refuge was a really deep, but needed read. I found myself really having to take my time reading it because I wanted to really get what God was trying to teach me through Sacred Refuge, which is a good thing. I think Sacred Refuge would be a great read for a personal devotion time. I believe Sacred Refuge would be great for a women’s Bible Study or to use in helping Minister to women in crisis. Sacred Refuge truly Ministered to me and I highly recommend it!
Have you read Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis? How did it Minister to you?
Thank you to Karen from Book Lovers & Launchers for giving me a copy of Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis to review, helping me with the information needed for this post, and for letting me be on the Launch Team. Thank you also to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 15, 2024
Years ago my husband and I toured Key West during our cruise ship’s stop there. While walking around we noticed a mother hen with her chicks out on the street and when some children ran excitedly toward them, she spread her wings and the chicks ran up to her. She closed her wings around them and it looked like she was standing alone just staring calmly at those around her while her chicks were hidden and still pressed in safely next to her. It was the most amazing sight! I loved the author’s recounting of her own experiences with learning to run to the sacred refuge of God’s sheltering “wings” as scripture encourages us. Her book was a wonderful teaching of how to, not only run to in a crisis, but how to dwell permanently in the safe refuge of God’s peace, strength, and presence. So insightful and inspirational. I'm going to buy some copies for Christmas presents. Highest recommendation!
October 16, 2024
In God's timing, I started reading this book while sitting in my house in Western North Carolina while the winds of Hurricane Helene were flooding my neighborhood and blowing pieces off my neighbor's roof. I had downloaded it the day before the storm, and when I needed it, it was there. It was such a gift to have Lynne's words to point me to the Lord as he reveals himself in the scriptures...our high tower and our sacred refuge in the storm.
There are so many storms in life, and God is present for all of them. I have so appreciated the words on these pages - stories of the women of the faith, who held tight to their Lord when the waters rose and the winds blew. This is an absolute must read for anybody who wants to draw closer to the Lord when troubles come.
There are so many storms in life, and God is present for all of them. I have so appreciated the words on these pages - stories of the women of the faith, who held tight to their Lord when the waters rose and the winds blew. This is an absolute must read for anybody who wants to draw closer to the Lord when troubles come.
August 22, 2025
I highly recommend this book! my faith was challenged and stretched throughout reading each chapter of this book. also wow the author writes so beautifully, especially in the letters from Jesus. The way she shifts from biblical women to modern women and highlights the connections and similarities between them really made me realize how much I can relate to people in the Bible. There is a practicality in the way this book is written that connects to the more human and vulnerable side of people. I read this in a Bible study with other women of God and it not only strengthened my relationship with God and gave me sacred refuge with him, but it also gave me a sacred sisterhood that formed so intentionally. I know I will definitely continue to revisit this book!!
October 22, 2024
Lynne's words are a beautiful reminder when life is so hard that are best action step is to take refuge in Jesus. I love this acronym she has in her book that really stood out to me is REST under the wings of Jesus:
Release control.
Exchange your old fears for the shelter of Jesus’s love.
See yourself in union with Christ.
Trust Christ as your promised Savior.
This is posted on a sticky note on my mirror so when fear starts setting in I can be reminded where I need to REST... under the wings of Jesus.
Make a cup of coffee or tea, put on your comfy clothes and go on the journey with Lynne as she guides you through finding your sacred refuge in Jesus.
Release control.
Exchange your old fears for the shelter of Jesus’s love.
See yourself in union with Christ.
Trust Christ as your promised Savior.
This is posted on a sticky note on my mirror so when fear starts setting in I can be reminded where I need to REST... under the wings of Jesus.
Make a cup of coffee or tea, put on your comfy clothes and go on the journey with Lynne as she guides you through finding your sacred refuge in Jesus.
October 16, 2024
I tend to find refuge in temporal means: new clothes, food, new decorative scheme for the house. But quickly the newness wears off and I still face the same struggles for identity, acceptance, and approval. That's why I was delighted to find Sacred Refuge: Finding Unexpected Shelter in Your Crisis by new author Lynne Rienstra. Through careful teaching from stories of biblical women, she shows us that we will only find safe shelter and understanding and care in the arms of the God Who Loves Us. I recommend this new book highly!
October 24, 2024
As we all know, the storms of life and heartbreaking trials of living in a broken, fallen world can be overwhelming. But God. Only he can provide the protection and healing that we so desperately need. Lynne Rienstra clearly communicates God's love for his beloved daughters throughout time and space, no matter what circumstances they are facing or what struggles they have endured. What a powerful encouragement to trust and rest in Jesus. Order a copy for yourself and a copy for a friend!! You will not be disappointed.
October 21, 2024
Grab a cup of tea or coffee, and get ready to be blessed! This is not a self-help or five steps to a better you!! Lynne Rienstra brings real Hope by layering Truth upon Truth upon Truth! Sacred Refuge has been such an encouragement to me during current personal difficulties addressing fear, anxiety, approval, and personal performance. You will come back to this book again and again, and you will want to share it with others to encourage them. Excellent book! I HIGHLY recommend it!
October 22, 2024
What a beautiful place to be! In a Sacred Refuge! We can be there! We can know that it's Who He Is! What a beautiful author! Her heart shines through! The intro alone was amazing! I read the first chapter out loud to my daughter and she wanted me to read it again! That's just the 1st chapter! It is full of Beautiful stories and examples of being sheltered in our trials and tribulations! No other place that I would want to be and this book ushers you into a place of Sacred Refuge in Jesus!
September 24, 2025
This book is full of such depth as the author carefully crafts retellings of Biblical stories of women as well as sharing modern day struggles to show how to overcome the problems in our lives. As each chapter ends she gives a REST checklist sharing how to give that area over to God through Releasing Control, Exchanging false ideas for truth, Seeing ourselves in union with Christ and Trusting in God.
October 21, 2024
This is a wonderful book to help you when you’re in a crisis. It not only helps you, it offers you hope, healing but also a sacred connection with our Creator. It’s this connection that will see you through your crisis. This book is one you’ll want for yourself as well as for someone you know may be going through a crisis.
October 24, 2024
This book has been a wonderful reminder that we are not alone in this world to figure out our crises. We can take refuge in our Father. I was reminded while reading this book that I am not the first nor only one going through these storms and God is here to cover us in His never ending and never failing love.
November 11, 2025
There were some really good insights in this book, but I really did not care for her "this is how it might have gone" liberties with the biblical women's stories.
October 21, 2024
Life is hard and we all face a myriad of struggles, whether it is financial, sickness, or family problems, and most of the time we are barely keeping our head above water. Sacred Refuge reminds us that our perfect refuge is found only in Christ. Each chapter is designed with a personal story, a biblical example, how Jesus might encourage us, and a personal reflection. Plus, there is a study guide to help facilitate small group Bible studies. This book has something for everyone!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews