#1 Amazon Best Seller (Top 100 Free Social Media 1/2/2025)
Discover the Life-Changing Power of The Focused Reclaim Your Focus and Deepen Your Faith in a Distracted World!
Are you addicted to your phone? Is your spiritual life being undermined by the distractions of modern technology? Do you have trouble focusing on the important things in life?
If so, it's time for a change.
In today's society, staying focused has become a constant struggle, largely due to the attention economy—an industry built around capturing and monetizing our focus. Tech companies and digital platforms deliberately design distractions to keep us hooked, leaving us overstimulated and unsettled, often without understanding the cause.
When it’s time to concentrate on meaningful tasks, whether it’s work, personal aspirations, or spiritual development, we’re easily sidetracked. Instead of making progress, we find ourselves drawn to distractions like scrolling through our social media, checking emails, or doing anything except the task at hand. This isn’t mere procrastination; it's a byproduct of the attention economy, which thrives on diverting us from our true priorities.
Does the above description sound familiar in your life?
If so, you are not alone and there is a way out!
The Focused Faith will help you to overcome these distractions. This groundbreaking, short guide reveals how the attention economy negatively affects your life and walk with God. Specifically, you will
why you are unable to focus,how distractions leave you feeling unfulfilled,methods used to keep you addicted,reasons why you struggle to read deeply, pray, and enjoy solitude, why you struggle to go deeper with God and others,After learning both the reasons and results of your distractions, Dr. Brian S. Bovee, tech expert and researcher offers proven solutions. You'll
How to cultivate three types of attention to deepen your relationship with God and others,The reason why a digital detox, alone, does not work,The antidote to distraction that allows you to focus completely on your God given gifts,A proven six-step method to engage your focus fully,How to create daily habits that keep your focus on the promise of an abundant life,How to create a balanced life where technology serves your spiritual goals rather than sabotaging them.What others are "Bovee quickly moves from summarizing what we know experientially to giving us what we need desperately -- practical, step-by-step, tested ways to resist the pull of technological tyranny so we can live abundantly." Dr. John Dyer, author of From the Garden to the The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology
"If you just read one book on the subject, make it this one." Dr. Erick Cobb, Pastor Covenant Grace Church, Menifee, California
As a special BONUS, this edition
FREE Online resources such as study guides and useful checklists,Chapter summaries / key take awaysDon't let another day slip by while digital distractions pull you further awa
Book Review by Kieth R. Moritz Program and Audio Producer for UnchangingWord.LIFE Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast and Podcast
The Focused Faith by Dr. Brian Bovee touches on the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" that shows the ever enlarging and encroaching influence that technology is placing on everyday life. The focus of attention is rightly presented and personally practiced within a "balanced view" of the various and numerous technologies in vogue within our current culture and society.
Dr. Bovee states in the Preface that
"This book is your guide to reclaiming your attention and setting your course toward a life of deeper meaning, stronger faith, and true joy" (page 6).
The author relates personal experiences that are "a reminder of what truly matters and a commitment to regain control of my focus" (page 8).
The author outlines the three parts of the well documented 146 pages of this book as
a. Offense b. Defense c. Disconnect and Reconnect
which cover the content of the seven chapters of The Focused Faith (page 9).
Scattered through out the book are various terms and phrases such as “solitude deprivation”, "attention economy", “attention capitalism”, "FOMO", "JOMO", "gamification", "flow theory", and "ART" which are defined in their respective contexts.
The author also introduces the term "digital detox", (page 9), which is then expanded upon in chapter 7.
In good rhythmic style he also puts forward an artful alliteration "decoys of digital distractions" which warns of the deceptions and dangers of digital devotions in one's life which hinders living life abundantly (page 23).
Understanding the meanings of these various terms and phrases in their digital context, centers one's attention on the need for a managed disconnection from the current opulent digital diet.
As the author rightly states, "God is calling you to the attentive life amidst the distractions of the digital age" (page 58).
He writes concerning a need for a philosophy of technology saying,
"For the Christian, our deep values are derived from the Word of God. The thesis of this book, therefore, is that the abundant life is found in pursuing with all our being the disciplines found in the Bible such as solitude, prayer, and meditation. " (page 24).
In keeping with the author's Biblical view on solitude, focused attention and deep reading, one can agree with the Bible's statement that as people in the midst of an ever expanding technological world in which too much attention to the digital device can cause it to be an idol, (page 40) we are to "guard our selves from idols" (1John 5:21).
He rightly refers to Hebrews 12:1 to regain that Focused Faith through a "Transformative Journey of Detox and Flow", chapter 7. Hence we are to "...lay aside every encumbrance and sin which so easily entangles us and run with endurance the race set before us looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
The Focused Faith is one of those books that feels like a wake-up call. Brian Bovee digs deep into how distracted we’ve become in today’s world and shows how massive corporations are intentionally designing social media to trap us, hijack our thoughts, and profit off our attention. That alone was eye-opening, but what really stuck with me was how he tied this issue back to a Christ-centered life.
One of the most surprising and impactful parts of the book was his perspective on boredom. I had never thought about boredom as something good, but Bovee makes the case that it’s actually essential. When we stop filling every quiet moment with scrolling or distractions, we create space to focus on God, reflect on His Word, and realign our lives with biblical priorities. That idea hit me hard—I’ve been so used to avoiding boredom that I didn’t realize how much I’ve been missing out on the clarity and connection it brings.
This book has made me think critically about how I use technology and how I can break free from the traps designed to keep me distracted. Bovee doesn’t just point out the problem; he gives real, practical strategies for living intentionally and using technology in a way that serves a biblical, Christ-centered purpose.
It’s a book I’ll keep coming back to, and I honestly can’t recommend it enough. If you feel overwhelmed by the noise of modern life or want to realign your life with God’s Word, The Focused Faith will challenge and inspire you in the best way.
The attention economy! What a fascinating topic and read from Brian Bovee. Brian writes like a kind surgeon. Dissecting the culture and our draw towards technology, yet giving us tangible steps to escape this product prison.
It's so interesting to learn from the research about how we are like rats conditioned for rewards. Definitely feel that in this rat race of life.
Brian urges us to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, choosing the fruit of the Holy Spirit and to spurn the rotten fruit that comes from our addiction to those other things that are clamoring for our attention.
We are encouraged to follow the pattern of Jesus to regularly escape and find solitude to foster our spiritual growth.
When we are disconnected from technology, boredom sets in, which can spur us on to creativity and connect with Jesus.
This message is what we need to hear in the church and world today. Go grab a copy of "The Focused Faith" to help you throw off those things that entangle and run after Jesus!
Wow, wow, wow! I'm a Christian who is highly interested in the attention economy and how technology affects us. I was drawn to this book because it promised to address our addiction to technology using a biblical worldview. I was not disappointed, and I don't think you will be either.
The author has a personable and transparent writing style. His thoughts were easy to understand, and he did an excellent job citing the current literature (most being books that I've read before). He imparts a lot of wisdom and brings to light the deeper issues that come from technology addiction. The solutions he proposes are practical, and he includes a step-by-step guide for how to detox from technology and reclaim your focus on the Lord.
I am very impressed with "The Focused Faith." It's worth the quick read. Thanks to the author for this early review copy.
The author has taken on the challenge of the effects of online addiction and all the ramifications on our society worldwide. It has been forever for me to read a self-help edition of any kind, and I found this publication well thought out, with tons of supporting research to reinforce the claims made. I especially appreciate the personal anecdotes of his maze-like journey through this current internet minefield. As I burned through and absorbed the content, I realized how appropriate a time for this material to surface, just in the nick of time! This is not only a timely addition to the archives, but I anticipate a strong and swift advance in sales. So glad I could be on the ground floor in reading it! God bless you Brian for using all that God has given you to help your fellow man!
Well-written, thoroughly researched, and helpful guide to understanding the problems of addiction to our "the trinkets of digital pleasures". This volume goes beyond the problem and provides solid, do-able plans for moving from Fomo to Jomo (joy of missing out) through dedicating oneself to solitude, reading, prayer, and meditation - the authentic currency of abundant life.
Highly recommended for those who stuggle at times to focus hearts and minds on God in the midst of a distracted and distracting society. I feel encouraged in my own pursuit of a deeper, more meaningful life that won't be sidetracked by fluff.
The author generously invites the reader into his personal experiences while presenting faith affirming directives of intentional activities and practice. Dr. Bovee's focus on the "Attention Economy" integrates the highly discussed impact of attention levels in our personal and technological environments. In addition, highlighting what is deterministic and what is instrumentally in our control. Great read, especially for a retired cellphone engineer before the advent of social media, and a believer in God's necessity as a focus in this conversation.
Loved the very detailed guidance on executing a digital detox. Extremely relevant and practical. The overall discussion prompted me to think about the topic with a bit more scrutiny. My conclusion, based on the excellent discussion, and the integration of my own thoughts, reinforces and highlights my understanding that what I read can and will affect me as a person, and, how I empathize and thus treat others. So, it’s important to “deep read”, but it is even more important to “deep read” the right stuff.
Dr. Bovee’s new book, The Focused Faith, confronts a pressing but often overlooked truth: as believers, we’ve allowed our devices to dominate our attention, eroding our capacity for deep focus and meaningful relationships. In this compelling work, Dr. Bovee weaves together scientific research, practical biblical wisdom, and his own insights as a tech scholar to offer a path forward. With clarity and conviction, he calls on us to break free from the digital distractions that consume us and return our focus to what matters most—our relationship with God and the profound joy that comes from living with intention and purpose.
In this great little book Bovee brings together all of the latest insights on how to regain focus in our distracted age. And he delivers it in a concise way that’s easy for even the most distracted of us to follow. Most importantly he gives relevant application from a decidedly Christian point of view. If you just read one book on the subject make it this one.
A great foundational survey of the impact the digital age has on our attention span and mental processes. Packed with relevant, data driven, information that brings to light the need to apply discipline and healthy patterns of consumption. Eye opening and full of great application to increase your focus and keep your faith from being stunted and distracted.
Two words… “Attention Economy”. It’s a real thing!! And It’s something we should all be aware of and take the time to consider how it is impacting our lives. Brian does a great job of highlighting the fact that technology is far from neutral, and then offers some insightful practices we can use to combat the tactics the industry is employing to gain our attention and form our affections.
Excellent work! Depth of a high level of abstraction, humble, kind, and affable language; and most importantly, perhaps, a pervasive applicability to an epiphany in areas not directly related to the sub-title. Just a quick piece upon the rating: it would be 9 out of 10 and 92 out of a hundred; Ordered a paperback version!