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Rhythms of Grace: Discovering God's Tempo for Your Life
Rhythms of Grace will help the listener find the tools to establish sacred rhythms in their everyday life so that the time slots on their schedules reflect the priorities in their hearts.
Burned out and exhausted, Kerri Weems discovered that keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, rather than with the world’s pressures, means being led, rather than driven. In Rhythms of Grace, Weems draws from her own story and Jesus’s encouragement to rest as she helps listeners ask:
• How do both work and rest lead to wholeness?
• How do I set boundaries in relationships and time?
• Is my schedule a pacesetter or a Sabbath stealer?
• How is rest connected with God’s purpose for me?
• What would a year of sacred rhythms look like?
Speaking to women who want to know God’s peace but feel caught in busyness and fatigue, Weems gives listeners the tools they need to establish sacred rhythms in their day. In the end, their schedules will reflect not worry and ambition but the true priorities of their hearts.
Burned out and exhausted, Kerri Weems discovered that keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, rather than with the world’s pressures, means being led, rather than driven. In Rhythms of Grace, Weems draws from her own story and Jesus’s encouragement to rest as she helps listeners ask:
• How do both work and rest lead to wholeness?
• How do I set boundaries in relationships and time?
• Is my schedule a pacesetter or a Sabbath stealer?
• How is rest connected with God’s purpose for me?
• What would a year of sacred rhythms look like?
Speaking to women who want to know God’s peace but feel caught in busyness and fatigue, Weems gives listeners the tools they need to establish sacred rhythms in their day. In the end, their schedules will reflect not worry and ambition but the true priorities of their hearts.
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First published October 7, 2014
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February 18, 2022
3.5 stars
September 7, 2015
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through BookLook Bloggers [Harpercollins Publishers] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
rhythmsRhythms of Grace: Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life
by Kerri Weems
Life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. These well-known words of wisdom remind us to pace ourselves in the journey of life so we reach the finish line with no regrets. Pacing yourself is not as easy as it sounds. Life tends to take on a pace of its own which when left unchecked, will drive us toward burnout and fatigue. We can easily become driven by care, worry, and ambition rather than led by the Holy Spirit. We may tend to think of burnout as a modern problem, but we can see that people in Jesus’ day felt their own kind of spiritual and emotional fatigue. Why else would Jesus have said these comforting words?
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly (Matt. 11:28-30; The Message).
Even though he spoke these words more than two millennia ago, Jesus’ call to rest and peace seem tailor-made to fit this generation.
Author Kerri Weems had let the pace and rhythm of her life get out of control. At first the consequences were only physical, but they quickly impacted her spiritual life. Since then, God has been teaching her to walk in time with him; he is teaching her to be led rather than driven. In this book, she opens up her life and shares this journey with the reader. God’s best for each of us is that we go the full distance of our race, and not just crawl exhausted across the finish line. God wants us to enjoy the race and cross the line with our heads held high, a smile on our faces, and our arms lifted in a double fist-punch! Getting to that moment is all about learning the rhythms of grace and pacing ourselves for the long run.
About the Author
Kerri Weems (www.kerriweems.com) and her husband, Stovall Weems, are founders of Celebration Church, in Jacksonville, Florida. A gifted speaker and teacher, Kerri is passionate about leading women at a local and international level. Kerri and Stovall have three children and live in Jacksonville.
Rhythms of Grace teaches and helps the reader find the rest which God meant for them to experience. Through the content the reader will discover what kind of rest God wants us to have and how we can obtain that rest. By examples and simple steps the way to finding our own life’s rhythm can be found in the reader’s own busy life.
Once again, I have discovered a book that speaks to my current situation. I have learned new things about the kind of rest we are to have according to God’s examples. By giving things up to God and allowing Him to do His part, instead of doing it all myself enables me to find rest. Setting a pace for myself throughout my tasks and deadlines will help eliminate stress and burn out.
Rhythms of Grace is a very interesting read. It has shown me new ways to approach moments in my life. Kerri writes in a style which propels me along through the book’s pages. The author, Kerri, also used Biblical verses and references to support her suggestions and findings.
I would highly recommend Rhythms of Grace to all.
rhythmsRhythms of Grace: Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life
by Kerri Weems
Life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. These well-known words of wisdom remind us to pace ourselves in the journey of life so we reach the finish line with no regrets. Pacing yourself is not as easy as it sounds. Life tends to take on a pace of its own which when left unchecked, will drive us toward burnout and fatigue. We can easily become driven by care, worry, and ambition rather than led by the Holy Spirit. We may tend to think of burnout as a modern problem, but we can see that people in Jesus’ day felt their own kind of spiritual and emotional fatigue. Why else would Jesus have said these comforting words?
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly (Matt. 11:28-30; The Message).
Even though he spoke these words more than two millennia ago, Jesus’ call to rest and peace seem tailor-made to fit this generation.
Author Kerri Weems had let the pace and rhythm of her life get out of control. At first the consequences were only physical, but they quickly impacted her spiritual life. Since then, God has been teaching her to walk in time with him; he is teaching her to be led rather than driven. In this book, she opens up her life and shares this journey with the reader. God’s best for each of us is that we go the full distance of our race, and not just crawl exhausted across the finish line. God wants us to enjoy the race and cross the line with our heads held high, a smile on our faces, and our arms lifted in a double fist-punch! Getting to that moment is all about learning the rhythms of grace and pacing ourselves for the long run.
About the Author
Kerri Weems (www.kerriweems.com) and her husband, Stovall Weems, are founders of Celebration Church, in Jacksonville, Florida. A gifted speaker and teacher, Kerri is passionate about leading women at a local and international level. Kerri and Stovall have three children and live in Jacksonville.
Rhythms of Grace teaches and helps the reader find the rest which God meant for them to experience. Through the content the reader will discover what kind of rest God wants us to have and how we can obtain that rest. By examples and simple steps the way to finding our own life’s rhythm can be found in the reader’s own busy life.
Once again, I have discovered a book that speaks to my current situation. I have learned new things about the kind of rest we are to have according to God’s examples. By giving things up to God and allowing Him to do His part, instead of doing it all myself enables me to find rest. Setting a pace for myself throughout my tasks and deadlines will help eliminate stress and burn out.
Rhythms of Grace is a very interesting read. It has shown me new ways to approach moments in my life. Kerri writes in a style which propels me along through the book’s pages. The author, Kerri, also used Biblical verses and references to support her suggestions and findings.
I would highly recommend Rhythms of Grace to all.
December 26, 2014
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30; NIV)
With this well-recognized portion of Scripture as the foundational theme, author Kerri Weems shares insight to walking harmoniously with God’s will in her new book - Rhythms of Grace: Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life. Released from Zondervan in the fall of 2014, Rhythms of Grace is clearly written from the point of view of a woman who has been there, done that. With empathy and humility, Ms. Weems takes readers on a journey from burnout to hope, from over-burdened schedules to the tempo of God, and the pace of grace.
A few of the many valuable dimensions contained in the pages of Rhythms of Grace include:
- A carefully organized layout includes three sections, each one building on the previous. The main divisions are Foundations of Rhythm (Shalom, Sabbath, and Grace), Pacesetters and Peace Stealers, and helpful guidance and resources to Set Your Rhythm – And Keep It Going.
- Ms. Weems shares endearing and interesting personal anecdotes and metaphors that bring the concepts of her teaching to life in a memorable way. From skiing trips to expecting her first child, each story is clearly written from the heart.
- At the end of each chapter, a selection of thought-provoking questions allows time to reflect on the ideas presented. Most importantly, the final question of each section requires readers to look upwards and inwards, to discern what the Holy Spirit might be saying in regard to the topic.
Certainly the messages of Rhythms of Grace are universal to many women, at least to varying degrees. Haven’t we all felt the burdens of our schedules, and tried to escape the fear that we are running in a hamster wheel, getting nowhere fast? This book addresses these frustrations, and brings the light of God’s truths to the forefront of our focus. Although gems of wisdom will surely be gleaned from each chapter, a downside to the book is the emphasis on working-mother family situations, which may prove difficult for some readers to relate to. Additionally, because the book is centred on rhythm and pacing, the structural suggestions of scheduling with grace may feel overwhelming and ill fitted to those with unusual or less-than-concrete daily routines.
Overall, however, Rhythms of Grace holds an abundance of wisdom and truth-infused guidance pointing towards aligning your life with God’s holy tempo. As Ms. Weems states, “Just as God spoke order into chaos and brought forth creation, His voice can and will bring order into the chaos of your life as you listen closely to the Spirit and step into the rhythms of grace.”
*** This book was provided courtesy of HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for my honest review. It is available for purchase at bookstores from Zondervan Publishers.
With this well-recognized portion of Scripture as the foundational theme, author Kerri Weems shares insight to walking harmoniously with God’s will in her new book - Rhythms of Grace: Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life. Released from Zondervan in the fall of 2014, Rhythms of Grace is clearly written from the point of view of a woman who has been there, done that. With empathy and humility, Ms. Weems takes readers on a journey from burnout to hope, from over-burdened schedules to the tempo of God, and the pace of grace.
A few of the many valuable dimensions contained in the pages of Rhythms of Grace include:
- A carefully organized layout includes three sections, each one building on the previous. The main divisions are Foundations of Rhythm (Shalom, Sabbath, and Grace), Pacesetters and Peace Stealers, and helpful guidance and resources to Set Your Rhythm – And Keep It Going.
- Ms. Weems shares endearing and interesting personal anecdotes and metaphors that bring the concepts of her teaching to life in a memorable way. From skiing trips to expecting her first child, each story is clearly written from the heart.
- At the end of each chapter, a selection of thought-provoking questions allows time to reflect on the ideas presented. Most importantly, the final question of each section requires readers to look upwards and inwards, to discern what the Holy Spirit might be saying in regard to the topic.
Certainly the messages of Rhythms of Grace are universal to many women, at least to varying degrees. Haven’t we all felt the burdens of our schedules, and tried to escape the fear that we are running in a hamster wheel, getting nowhere fast? This book addresses these frustrations, and brings the light of God’s truths to the forefront of our focus. Although gems of wisdom will surely be gleaned from each chapter, a downside to the book is the emphasis on working-mother family situations, which may prove difficult for some readers to relate to. Additionally, because the book is centred on rhythm and pacing, the structural suggestions of scheduling with grace may feel overwhelming and ill fitted to those with unusual or less-than-concrete daily routines.
Overall, however, Rhythms of Grace holds an abundance of wisdom and truth-infused guidance pointing towards aligning your life with God’s holy tempo. As Ms. Weems states, “Just as God spoke order into chaos and brought forth creation, His voice can and will bring order into the chaos of your life as you listen closely to the Spirit and step into the rhythms of grace.”
*** This book was provided courtesy of HarperCollins Canada, in exchange for my honest review. It is available for purchase at bookstores from Zondervan Publishers.
November 26, 2014
More.
It seems as if the fast paced society we dwell in craves more. More of our time, talent, and treasure. Kerri Weems stands in the gap and boldly proclaims that we don’t have to buy into the demands of more. Instead, we need to step into God’s gift of Rhythms of Grace.
Weems argues that we pace ourselves to the wrong rhythm, the rhythm of more and “mammon.” The true pacesetter ought to be God and the Shalom he offers. Shalom, as defined by Weems, is peace and wholeness that comes from walking in the rhythms of God, full of rest and grace. Shalom does not come from productivity, it’s experiencing more of God’s peace in the midst of all the things we have to do.
After making her case for Shalom, Sabbath, and Grace, Weems pivots to practical applications of combating pace stealers by guiding her readers to embrace saying yes to their needs (which are really God’s means for sustaining his creation).
Rhythms of Grace is very approachable and easy to digest. I especially enjoyed her study questions given in the back of each chapter. With that being said, this book is clearly geared toward women. There weren’t too many examples geared toward males, so I would recommend this to my female friends for an engaging devotional read to challenge the underlining cultural narrative or more.
It seems as if the fast paced society we dwell in craves more. More of our time, talent, and treasure. Kerri Weems stands in the gap and boldly proclaims that we don’t have to buy into the demands of more. Instead, we need to step into God’s gift of Rhythms of Grace.
Weems argues that we pace ourselves to the wrong rhythm, the rhythm of more and “mammon.” The true pacesetter ought to be God and the Shalom he offers. Shalom, as defined by Weems, is peace and wholeness that comes from walking in the rhythms of God, full of rest and grace. Shalom does not come from productivity, it’s experiencing more of God’s peace in the midst of all the things we have to do.
After making her case for Shalom, Sabbath, and Grace, Weems pivots to practical applications of combating pace stealers by guiding her readers to embrace saying yes to their needs (which are really God’s means for sustaining his creation).
Rhythms of Grace is very approachable and easy to digest. I especially enjoyed her study questions given in the back of each chapter. With that being said, this book is clearly geared toward women. There weren’t too many examples geared toward males, so I would recommend this to my female friends for an engaging devotional read to challenge the underlining cultural narrative or more.
January 30, 2015
It was so interesting reading this book during the time that I engaged in the BREATHE study by Priscilla Shirer. Rhythms of Grace, much like Shirer's study, spoke about a concept that I am very much learning to appreciate and very much aware that I have need of in my own life - rest. Actually, I think I would prefer to refer to it as breathing space.
This book did an amazing job of getting to the bare bones of things. I really liked how the author delved into the foundations of rhythm. She spoke so well on each front - Shalom, Sabbath, and Grace - that it made me consider my movement and timing and music choices of life. It made me more aware of just how busy and cluttered I have allowed my life to get. It also made me more cognizant of how important it is to include boundaries around my life, which will better enable me to hear God's voice via His word.
With beautifully inspiring words and encouraging thoughts, Weems presented a great work that has the power to influence many. I think readers will enjoy learning about tuning into God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I also believe that they will respond favorably to the Scripture references, reflection questions, and reboot guide.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Status: Christian non-fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
This book did an amazing job of getting to the bare bones of things. I really liked how the author delved into the foundations of rhythm. She spoke so well on each front - Shalom, Sabbath, and Grace - that it made me consider my movement and timing and music choices of life. It made me more aware of just how busy and cluttered I have allowed my life to get. It also made me more cognizant of how important it is to include boundaries around my life, which will better enable me to hear God's voice via His word.
With beautifully inspiring words and encouraging thoughts, Weems presented a great work that has the power to influence many. I think readers will enjoy learning about tuning into God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I also believe that they will respond favorably to the Scripture references, reflection questions, and reboot guide.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Status: Christian non-fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
October 28, 2014
After devouring Rhythms of Grace in one sitting, I can confidently give this title by first time author Kerri Weems a standing ovation. There seem to be books flooding shelves of late identifying areas we all struggle with in our daily lives. Rhythms of Grace goes one step farther by offering a solution to our day-to-day madness.
Kerri Weems has written a much-needed book for women…or men who live in the real world and feel the very real strain of spinning plates without dropping a precious piece. While the entire book is practical and fabulous, I have my favorite parts. I love how Kerri differentiates between a “Good Opportunity” and a “God Opportunity.” This idea struck such a chord with me. She goes a step beyond and offers advice on filtering opportunities by asking some essential questions.
Truly, the second section of Rhythms of Grace, Pacesetters and Peace Stealers, is worth the purchase of this book. I recommend this book for everyone who is feeling beyond exhausted every day. You will no doubt find this title to be a valuable resource. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher and BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.
Kerri Weems has written a much-needed book for women…or men who live in the real world and feel the very real strain of spinning plates without dropping a precious piece. While the entire book is practical and fabulous, I have my favorite parts. I love how Kerri differentiates between a “Good Opportunity” and a “God Opportunity.” This idea struck such a chord with me. She goes a step beyond and offers advice on filtering opportunities by asking some essential questions.
Truly, the second section of Rhythms of Grace, Pacesetters and Peace Stealers, is worth the purchase of this book. I recommend this book for everyone who is feeling beyond exhausted every day. You will no doubt find this title to be a valuable resource. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher and BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.
October 28, 2018
LOVED this book. Came at the perfect time and was the perfect balance of story, truth and practical insight when it comes to rest, decision making, Sabbath and trusting and obeying the Lord in the day to day of life. Kerri spoke at our church and got a taste of the book there. I really enjoyed the book and her style. Felt like I was sitting in on a more in depth teaching than just a night at church for 40 minutes. Excited to do the reboot, which she gives a rubber meet the road guide on how to do. I would love to revisit this book each fall season and prepare to reboot for the new year.
August 15, 2015
Grace is God's undeserved favor that puts us in right relationship with him, and grace is the power God gives that enables us to live the life He's called us to. When we are yoked to Christ, he carries most of the weight. Being yoked to him means that we are living in a way that allows us rest, because we are under his covering of grace. (Matthew 11:28-30)
December 29, 2014
My review will appear on amazon.com and openingsalvocr.blogspot.com
November 14, 2016
This book has some great application for improving life beyond just survival mode. I haven't set down to revamp my schedule yet, but I plan to.
December 19, 2016
Great read for our Women's study group!
May 13, 2018
Kerri Weems goes into details on how to find your rhythm of living based on God's grace. So amazing!
October 2, 2020
I'm really not sure what I was expecting from this book, but I knew that when it came to finding a rhythm for our family, it was in need of some HELP!
Kerri Weems is a speaker and author who has a realistic handle of the craziness of life. Each area covered in this book had me nodding my head as I walked the treadmill and read. It may seem crazy to read a book on how to stop being so busy when you are so busy you need to read and exercise at the same time, but that is exactly why this book was needed.
Weems writes in a way the slowly draws the reader to crave peace and balance in their life and to realize how it can be found. Covering subjects such as work, relationships, your body, spiritual vitality, each area is discussed from personal experience, scripture and a group of questions designed to help the reader focus on the area in their own life. What I appreciated most was the practice of identifying pace setters and peace stealers in each area of my life. After laying a case for why each area needs to be examined. Tools are given to examine the area. THEN, the reader is not left hanging! Specific steps in how to create a calendar and life with margin are added at the end. There is not a one size fits all step by step, simple steps to be taken at the reader's pace to create peace and Shalom in one's life.
Kerri Weems is a speaker and author who has a realistic handle of the craziness of life. Each area covered in this book had me nodding my head as I walked the treadmill and read. It may seem crazy to read a book on how to stop being so busy when you are so busy you need to read and exercise at the same time, but that is exactly why this book was needed.
Weems writes in a way the slowly draws the reader to crave peace and balance in their life and to realize how it can be found. Covering subjects such as work, relationships, your body, spiritual vitality, each area is discussed from personal experience, scripture and a group of questions designed to help the reader focus on the area in their own life. What I appreciated most was the practice of identifying pace setters and peace stealers in each area of my life. After laying a case for why each area needs to be examined. Tools are given to examine the area. THEN, the reader is not left hanging! Specific steps in how to create a calendar and life with margin are added at the end. There is not a one size fits all step by step, simple steps to be taken at the reader's pace to create peace and Shalom in one's life.
January 3, 2020
If you are a minister’s wife like this author, or have a job that allows for flexibility, this is a great book. But if you are working (like most people) in an fast-paced-never-slow-down job where it is even risky to ask for time off for you or your family being sick, it’s not that helpful. Reality is that most people are stuck in a demanding job that allows for very little if any wiggle room. That’s why I gave it only 3 stars.
November 14, 2021
Such a good book! And more helpful than most books I have ever read in my lifetime. I love that she walks you through doing a schedule reboot at the end of the book. It is such a practical way to implement all the things learned in the book. I began doing these reboots 10 years ago, and find them as helpful today as they were then!
May 14, 2025
Surprisingly enough, I found this book better than I expected. I was leaning a lesser star in the beginning, but the book really gave more than I thought it would. It is similar in style to many "pastors wife" books, but Weems is practical, informative and inspirational all at once and gives some good pointers of implementing a rhythm of grace into our lives.
May 14, 2024
I think this was a decent book. I definitely felt called out in a few areas, especially in slowing down/rest. It makes sense that we need to find the rhythm for our life and what our priorities are. I really liked the reflections at the end of each chapter.
January 12, 2021
A great read especially to reset and begin a new year!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews