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Attend: Forty Soul Stretches Toward God
A young Christian writer presents a practical guide for reconnecting with God and practicing the presence of God in our frantically busy world today.
Our world is full of distractions that do not promote the health of individual souls. What can people do when they feel they have no time or ways to find God? In her new book Attend , Laura Davis Werezak reminds readers to encounter God through 40 brief everyday activities that they have been taking for granted, from opening a window to jotting down a dream. Modern life and technology increasingly render these activities obsolete, and readers who struggle to connect with God through "typical" devotions will discover depth in their everyday lives through each beautifully written exercise. Like the wisdom Brother Lawrence provided in his 17th century spiritual classic The Practice of the Presence of God, these daily reminders guide readers to appreciate God in our midst today.
Our world is full of distractions that do not promote the health of individual souls. What can people do when they feel they have no time or ways to find God? In her new book Attend , Laura Davis Werezak reminds readers to encounter God through 40 brief everyday activities that they have been taking for granted, from opening a window to jotting down a dream. Modern life and technology increasingly render these activities obsolete, and readers who struggle to connect with God through "typical" devotions will discover depth in their everyday lives through each beautifully written exercise. Like the wisdom Brother Lawrence provided in his 17th century spiritual classic The Practice of the Presence of God, these daily reminders guide readers to appreciate God in our midst today.
- GenresDevotional
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 21, 2017
2 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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February 26, 2017
I love the premise of this book. I think we all go through a time where we may or may not connect with God. Sometimes it’s difficult to remain faithful in times of strife. Even my son questions Gods existence as he grows and explores his faith.
This book is a wonderful tool that will help re-connect yourself and the existence of God. The author breaks it down into four different parts: Returning, Rest, Quietness, and Trust.
Within each section there are motivational stories and chapters that direct us on how to reconnect and recharge our faith and believe in God.
The author writes with grace and wisdom. She includes prayers to help us find our way. She writes with deep insight and the love of God shines through.
This book is not a quick read, but a beautiful study that you can take chapter by chapter to understand the connection we have with God.
Attend by Laura Davis Werezak is a great book for anyone that wants to get back in touch with their faith and revive that belief.
Full review - http://amidlifewife.com/attend-by-lau...
This book is a wonderful tool that will help re-connect yourself and the existence of God. The author breaks it down into four different parts: Returning, Rest, Quietness, and Trust.
Within each section there are motivational stories and chapters that direct us on how to reconnect and recharge our faith and believe in God.
The author writes with grace and wisdom. She includes prayers to help us find our way. She writes with deep insight and the love of God shines through.
This book is not a quick read, but a beautiful study that you can take chapter by chapter to understand the connection we have with God.
Attend by Laura Davis Werezak is a great book for anyone that wants to get back in touch with their faith and revive that belief.
Full review - http://amidlifewife.com/attend-by-lau...
February 10, 2017
I am a distracted man and I live among a distracted people. Our electronic devices buzz and chirp. Our online worlds provide portholes to cat pictures, news (real or fake), click-bait quizzes and a nearly endless supply of slideshows on what celebrities wear (or whatever else they do). We work and care for our families. Duty calls and we plod through it all, but feel pulled away by every-little-thing. Is it any wonder we have little sense of God's presence in our lives? Laura Davis Werezak has written Attend: Forty Soul Stretches Toward God to help us cultivate a greater awareness of God (and everything else). This is a semi-autobiographical exploration of the spiritual practices Werezak has found helpful. She invites us to incorporate these stretches into our own life and faith.
What does attend mean? Attend means to be present (as in 'attending class'). It can also mean 'to serve' and 'to wait' (59). The word literally means "to stretch toward"(2). So these stretches are designed to help us as readers attend well to the condition of our soul and to the relationships of those around us, as we stretch toward God.
These forty stretches are organized under four headings taken from Isaiah 30:15, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." So it's organized as follows: I. Returning, II. Rest, III. Quietness, and IV. Trust. This provides the flow for the stretches which Werezak describes: We return (or turn) our attention to God by learning to pay attention to life; we rest in the Lord, learning to enjoy His presence; we cultivate our ability to hear him the quietness and risk discovering what it means to trust in the Lord in our actions. Werezak begins by describing the practice of opening a window (physically and spiritually) and allowing fresh air to blow in and ends with a call to plant a seed of peace through the work of justice. Between these two practices there is not a sequence but a series of interconnected stretches which aim at helping us to attend well.
One of the things I really enjoy about this book is the scope of the practices which Werezak describes. These practices are spiritual (e.g. ways of prayer and mediation), relational (e.g. writing notes, playing with a child, reconnecting with a friend, listening to others), sensate (lighting candles, watching sunsets and sunrises, breathing, writing down five-sense experiences), and mundane (e.g. making your bed, setting tables). She reveals how we can develop our attention to God in all of life (even if it means unplugging from something for a while).
I always have two questions I ask whenever I read a book on spiritual practices. First: is this book just another Christianized version of a self-help book? Certainly there is overlap being what Werezak calls attentiveness and the concept of mindfulness borrowed from Buddhism and slapped on the cover of every pop-psychology, business and personal growth book. Indeed I think if you practice many of these stretches, you'd be more mindful, aware, more present, and more appreciative of what you have in life. Making your bed, setting the table, cleaning, cutting an onion a la Robert Farrar Capon and watching a sunrise will help you be aware and intentional. Also, Werezak's stretches are helpful for getting us pay attention to our relationships. However this isn't just a self-help book because ultimately her hope is that we stretch our attention to God and his place in our lives.
Second: Is there an ecclesiology here? Books on spiritual practices often lack corporate dimensions. Even influential books like Dallas Willard's Spirit of the Disciplines lack a developed ecclesiology. And yet our experience of God is fundamentally shaped through our participation in church. Werezak focuses her stretches on the personal dimension, emphasizing embodying our attention to God; however she does connect her experience to the wider Body of Christ. She shares about finding a home in Anglican liturgy and delving deep into Christian tradition. She draws insights from mystics and the weird old prayers of the Book of Common Prayer. She connects her personal attempts to pay attention to God with the corporate practices of confession, praying written prayers, saying a creed out loud, listening to some else read the Bible for you, etc.). She sees deep connections between her experience, the church and the world and she connections her practices to the church's Sacraments (44-45, 65, 80). But the strength of this book is how rooted these stretches are in Werezak's own experience. These stretches are practices which have nourished her and her own relationship to God.
Because this book features 40 stretches, this is an excellent devotional reader for Lent (coming up March 1), or as something substantive to read if your church is embarking on a forty day extravaganza. Certainly this book can be read by yourself (as I did) but books on spiritual practice are often more fruitful and fun if read with a friend. There is enough meat here for some good discussion and it is more fun to do stretches and work-out with a friend. Or with a small group. This book is a worthwhile read. I give this book four stars.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
In the interest of full disclosure, Laura is a friend of mine. We attended the same Christian grad school, sat in class together, were once near neighbors on the University of British Columbia campus and were once, together with our spouses, in the same justice-themed-small group. These days we catch up occasionally via Facebook. I know Laura to be a smart, reflective woman with a vibrant faith. I think this comes through well in her prose.
What does attend mean? Attend means to be present (as in 'attending class'). It can also mean 'to serve' and 'to wait' (59). The word literally means "to stretch toward"(2). So these stretches are designed to help us as readers attend well to the condition of our soul and to the relationships of those around us, as we stretch toward God.
These forty stretches are organized under four headings taken from Isaiah 30:15, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." So it's organized as follows: I. Returning, II. Rest, III. Quietness, and IV. Trust. This provides the flow for the stretches which Werezak describes: We return (or turn) our attention to God by learning to pay attention to life; we rest in the Lord, learning to enjoy His presence; we cultivate our ability to hear him the quietness and risk discovering what it means to trust in the Lord in our actions. Werezak begins by describing the practice of opening a window (physically and spiritually) and allowing fresh air to blow in and ends with a call to plant a seed of peace through the work of justice. Between these two practices there is not a sequence but a series of interconnected stretches which aim at helping us to attend well.
One of the things I really enjoy about this book is the scope of the practices which Werezak describes. These practices are spiritual (e.g. ways of prayer and mediation), relational (e.g. writing notes, playing with a child, reconnecting with a friend, listening to others), sensate (lighting candles, watching sunsets and sunrises, breathing, writing down five-sense experiences), and mundane (e.g. making your bed, setting tables). She reveals how we can develop our attention to God in all of life (even if it means unplugging from something for a while).
I always have two questions I ask whenever I read a book on spiritual practices. First: is this book just another Christianized version of a self-help book? Certainly there is overlap being what Werezak calls attentiveness and the concept of mindfulness borrowed from Buddhism and slapped on the cover of every pop-psychology, business and personal growth book. Indeed I think if you practice many of these stretches, you'd be more mindful, aware, more present, and more appreciative of what you have in life. Making your bed, setting the table, cleaning, cutting an onion a la Robert Farrar Capon and watching a sunrise will help you be aware and intentional. Also, Werezak's stretches are helpful for getting us pay attention to our relationships. However this isn't just a self-help book because ultimately her hope is that we stretch our attention to God and his place in our lives.
Second: Is there an ecclesiology here? Books on spiritual practices often lack corporate dimensions. Even influential books like Dallas Willard's Spirit of the Disciplines lack a developed ecclesiology. And yet our experience of God is fundamentally shaped through our participation in church. Werezak focuses her stretches on the personal dimension, emphasizing embodying our attention to God; however she does connect her experience to the wider Body of Christ. She shares about finding a home in Anglican liturgy and delving deep into Christian tradition. She draws insights from mystics and the weird old prayers of the Book of Common Prayer. She connects her personal attempts to pay attention to God with the corporate practices of confession, praying written prayers, saying a creed out loud, listening to some else read the Bible for you, etc.). She sees deep connections between her experience, the church and the world and she connections her practices to the church's Sacraments (44-45, 65, 80). But the strength of this book is how rooted these stretches are in Werezak's own experience. These stretches are practices which have nourished her and her own relationship to God.
Because this book features 40 stretches, this is an excellent devotional reader for Lent (coming up March 1), or as something substantive to read if your church is embarking on a forty day extravaganza. Certainly this book can be read by yourself (as I did) but books on spiritual practice are often more fruitful and fun if read with a friend. There is enough meat here for some good discussion and it is more fun to do stretches and work-out with a friend. Or with a small group. This book is a worthwhile read. I give this book four stars.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
In the interest of full disclosure, Laura is a friend of mine. We attended the same Christian grad school, sat in class together, were once near neighbors on the University of British Columbia campus and were once, together with our spouses, in the same justice-themed-small group. These days we catch up occasionally via Facebook. I know Laura to be a smart, reflective woman with a vibrant faith. I think this comes through well in her prose.
February 13, 2017
I think most of us have had days where God feels distant. I am also a firm believer in that old saying that says when God feels far away, it's not Him who moved, so I was more than a little intrigued when this was offered for review from FaithWords. I have had these times here and there, usually in the midst of busyness and some of the disappointments that have happened all the years. I decided to request the book.
First off let me say I wasn't sure I would like the book. While the overriding theme was one I knew hit home, I also knew there would be difficulties. First of all, it's a devotional style book. I don't usually do devotionals. I don't have a problem with devotionals, but my usual devotional reading is straight from the Scriptures so this would be a stretch. Secondly, I knew I would not have 40 days to devote to this reading. I usually try to post my reviews within two weeks of receiving a review copy. The most telling reason I thought I might struggle was because of how little I have in common with the author. She is a young woman, I am an old(er man). She is a fairly new parent, my kids are grown and I'm a fairly new grandparent, so we're at vastly different stages of life, lastly while we are both Christian, her Anglican faith tradition is far different than mine. Even with all these differences (I'm probably nowhere near her target market), I have to say, I really enjoyed this book.
The idea behind Attend, is pretty well summed up in the sub-title of the book: Forty Soul Stretches Toward God. You've no doubt at one time or another asked someone to pay attention. That's what it means to attend and Davis-Werezak approach here is to help us give God our attention through a series of 40 disciplines and practices designed to redirect our focus. While many of these are obvious, she takes them beyond surface level and helps the reader to go deep. As you read this book, it becomes really clear that these "stretches" were born out of a real-life struggle to come into a stronger, better relationship with God. Her faith perspective and frequent references to the Book of Common Prayers, really intrigued me and made me think perhaps there is something to a more contemplative approach to faith and devotion.
This book was a strong effort that I really enjoyed. I think I am going to keep this on on my shelf for a slower time when I can do the "stretches" day by day. It's clear this book could help a lot of people in this world where a million things are constantly competing for our attention. This is a well-written book that I really recommend.
First off let me say I wasn't sure I would like the book. While the overriding theme was one I knew hit home, I also knew there would be difficulties. First of all, it's a devotional style book. I don't usually do devotionals. I don't have a problem with devotionals, but my usual devotional reading is straight from the Scriptures so this would be a stretch. Secondly, I knew I would not have 40 days to devote to this reading. I usually try to post my reviews within two weeks of receiving a review copy. The most telling reason I thought I might struggle was because of how little I have in common with the author. She is a young woman, I am an old(er man). She is a fairly new parent, my kids are grown and I'm a fairly new grandparent, so we're at vastly different stages of life, lastly while we are both Christian, her Anglican faith tradition is far different than mine. Even with all these differences (I'm probably nowhere near her target market), I have to say, I really enjoyed this book.
The idea behind Attend, is pretty well summed up in the sub-title of the book: Forty Soul Stretches Toward God. You've no doubt at one time or another asked someone to pay attention. That's what it means to attend and Davis-Werezak approach here is to help us give God our attention through a series of 40 disciplines and practices designed to redirect our focus. While many of these are obvious, she takes them beyond surface level and helps the reader to go deep. As you read this book, it becomes really clear that these "stretches" were born out of a real-life struggle to come into a stronger, better relationship with God. Her faith perspective and frequent references to the Book of Common Prayers, really intrigued me and made me think perhaps there is something to a more contemplative approach to faith and devotion.
This book was a strong effort that I really enjoyed. I think I am going to keep this on on my shelf for a slower time when I can do the "stretches" day by day. It's clear this book could help a lot of people in this world where a million things are constantly competing for our attention. This is a well-written book that I really recommend.
February 21, 2017
Werezak came to a point where she longed for a connection with God. Her regular practice of study, prayer, and worship were not working any more. At a low place, she began to see things from a different perspective. She realized God wanted her to turn her face to him in full attention. She started having experiences that broke down her ideas of who God should be and how faith works. She began discovering God in new places and new people.
Werezak shares what she has learned and encourages us to discover for ourselves how God can show up in unexpected places. She provides 40 readings to help us as our “soul's muscles ache to be stretched toward God...” (10)
We are given a wide variety of suggestions of deeds and practices to help us pay attention to God's presence in the world. They range from planting seeds to practicing the Daily Examen. We might go for a walk. “Walking can create a space and time to attend to God.” (76) We might read a spiritual classic, watch a sunset, or pray the Jesus Prayer. These are ideas aimed at interrupting the harried pace of our lives. By doing so, we give place for God. My favorite suggestion was journaling. As Werezak explains, “I write to take refuge in God.” (187)
Werezak is an Anglican and some of the practices, such as praying with beads, may be foreign. Also, referring to God, though only once, as “Mother-gentle God” may surprise some. Nonetheless, I found the ideas Werezak suggests are good ones. They help change up our lives, relax a little, experience peace, show love, and more, as we recognize God's presence.
I recommend this book to readers who are open to new practices to help them pay attention to God. Werezak mentions many additional resources, such as books, so if you wanted to pursue some of the practices more deeply, that could be done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Werezak shares what she has learned and encourages us to discover for ourselves how God can show up in unexpected places. She provides 40 readings to help us as our “soul's muscles ache to be stretched toward God...” (10)
We are given a wide variety of suggestions of deeds and practices to help us pay attention to God's presence in the world. They range from planting seeds to practicing the Daily Examen. We might go for a walk. “Walking can create a space and time to attend to God.” (76) We might read a spiritual classic, watch a sunset, or pray the Jesus Prayer. These are ideas aimed at interrupting the harried pace of our lives. By doing so, we give place for God. My favorite suggestion was journaling. As Werezak explains, “I write to take refuge in God.” (187)
Werezak is an Anglican and some of the practices, such as praying with beads, may be foreign. Also, referring to God, though only once, as “Mother-gentle God” may surprise some. Nonetheless, I found the ideas Werezak suggests are good ones. They help change up our lives, relax a little, experience peace, show love, and more, as we recognize God's presence.
I recommend this book to readers who are open to new practices to help them pay attention to God. Werezak mentions many additional resources, such as books, so if you wanted to pursue some of the practices more deeply, that could be done.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 16, 2017
I wish someone would have given me the book "Attend" by Laura Davis Werezak five years ago. This book is for anyone who feels distracted or disconnected from God. In this book she writes beautifully how to enter into the relationship that many of us long for with a living God when the world easily entangles us and tries to distract us. I love this little book as each day has made me slow down, refocus and to drown out the noise from this world. As an avid Facebook, Instagram and Twitter user, I have been slowly walking away and only utilizing social media once or twice a day as of a result of this book. It has really given me the ability to do some deep digging with God and to reconnect on things that are important, rather than be engaged in the world around us.
I really enjoyed Part two where Laura talks about rest and Sabbath, which is such a lost art in our culture. I can list the number of stores on my hand that are closed on Sunday. We do not rest on Sunday or just a take a day and Sabbath. We need to be people that rest more and do less.
Overall, I just loved this book! It can be read as a devotional or as a book front to back. It is completely up to the reader. I give this book 5/5 stars and was not required to write a positive review.
I really enjoyed Part two where Laura talks about rest and Sabbath, which is such a lost art in our culture. I can list the number of stores on my hand that are closed on Sunday. We do not rest on Sunday or just a take a day and Sabbath. We need to be people that rest more and do less.
Overall, I just loved this book! It can be read as a devotional or as a book front to back. It is completely up to the reader. I give this book 5/5 stars and was not required to write a positive review.
January 25, 2018
Doing a giveaway for this book on my blog here-- FOR ME, I wanted to like this book more than I did but have to be honest I didn't like it as much as I think I would have based on the style of writing. HOWEVER, there is some good stuff in here that I find useful. Also, DOING A GIVEAWAY for the book so come enter here and see the rest of the review. http://viabella-thebeautifullife.blog...
May 6, 2017
I will need to read this book again. And I could see it being a Lenten companion, or a guide through 40 weeks either on my own or with a group of people.
Delightful. Thoughtful. And rife with intersections between everyday life and theology and liturgy and mystery - with vulnerability and honesty that is disarming and contagious.
Delightful. Thoughtful. And rife with intersections between everyday life and theology and liturgy and mystery - with vulnerability and honesty that is disarming and contagious.
April 16, 2020
This is a beautiful, restful, gentle book of encouragements to seek God's face, written by a mother of young children who understands well how much life, and our own frustrations, get in the way. Highly recommended.
February 21, 2017
Everywhere we look into our busy days there simply doesn't seem like there is enough time to get our items crossed off our "To Do" lists. The biggest challenge is not forgetting time with God during our busy days as Moms, Dads, Women and Men. So how do we find God in the ordinary things we do every single day? Is it possible that we can take time to converse and be in the presence of God while doing our mundane chores that must be completed like making our beds, cleaning up a mess, making ourselves a snack, lighting a candle to fragrance our home or even sitting with a loved one during a painful moment?
Laura Davis Werezak takes readers into the heart of 40 simply ways we can do just that and in the process find that God loves nothing more than to walk with us in every detail of our lives that we complete each day. Often times we feel cut off from God, when it is simply that He is very present, we have simply chosen to forget about inviting Him into the things we do each day. I believe we are simply forgetting those meaningful connections we used to have with Him and strive to find some time in our days and hope at the end of it, we will have a few minutes to connect with him. We find ourselves looking for the next best thing to connect with God so we can feel better about ourselves and the fact we even included Him into our day.
We need to begin to look for God in our every day moments. Take a moment and discover with all our senses that God is very present in everything we do. From the brush of the wind against our cheeks to the gentle kisses of water from rain drops on our skin. God is here. "Unpacking the truth of Isaiah 30:15, this book delightfully ventures through this process of turning toward God, resting quietly in God's presence and taking action to serve and glorify Him. To attend is to live with attention instead of retreating into a spiritualized reality or a digital virtual reality. To attend is to live the reality that God has designed, shaped, and formed specifically for us and for our benefit. Let us turn away from distraction, look one another in the eyes and re-learn how to live in the world." (Front Flap).
I received Attend by Laura Davis Werezak compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups. This is such a simple way to get back to understand the importance of our intimate connection to God in the simplest ways. God isn't looking for over-achievers, just people willing to spend some real quality time with Him. I love the simple lessons found in this book and learning to mediate and understand how things like making a bed can teach us to manage tasks better, and that even if you have a terrible day in which nothing goes right, at least you can come home to an inviting bed. A made bed gives you the encouragement that tomorrow will be better! This would be a wonderful give of encouragement to someone you might know that needs a gentle reminder that God is very present in all things. For that reason, I easily give this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars!
Laura Davis Werezak takes readers into the heart of 40 simply ways we can do just that and in the process find that God loves nothing more than to walk with us in every detail of our lives that we complete each day. Often times we feel cut off from God, when it is simply that He is very present, we have simply chosen to forget about inviting Him into the things we do each day. I believe we are simply forgetting those meaningful connections we used to have with Him and strive to find some time in our days and hope at the end of it, we will have a few minutes to connect with him. We find ourselves looking for the next best thing to connect with God so we can feel better about ourselves and the fact we even included Him into our day.
We need to begin to look for God in our every day moments. Take a moment and discover with all our senses that God is very present in everything we do. From the brush of the wind against our cheeks to the gentle kisses of water from rain drops on our skin. God is here. "Unpacking the truth of Isaiah 30:15, this book delightfully ventures through this process of turning toward God, resting quietly in God's presence and taking action to serve and glorify Him. To attend is to live with attention instead of retreating into a spiritualized reality or a digital virtual reality. To attend is to live the reality that God has designed, shaped, and formed specifically for us and for our benefit. Let us turn away from distraction, look one another in the eyes and re-learn how to live in the world." (Front Flap).
I received Attend by Laura Davis Werezak compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups. This is such a simple way to get back to understand the importance of our intimate connection to God in the simplest ways. God isn't looking for over-achievers, just people willing to spend some real quality time with Him. I love the simple lessons found in this book and learning to mediate and understand how things like making a bed can teach us to manage tasks better, and that even if you have a terrible day in which nothing goes right, at least you can come home to an inviting bed. A made bed gives you the encouragement that tomorrow will be better! This would be a wonderful give of encouragement to someone you might know that needs a gentle reminder that God is very present in all things. For that reason, I easily give this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars!
February 27, 2017
Attend: Forty Soul Stretches Toward God is an anthology of simple, practical, and effective ways to attend to God in our daily lives, written by Laura Davis Werezak. In it, you will find 40 methods for stepping away from the everyday hustle of life and enjoying a closer communion with God through the miracle of everyday moments. Each of the suggestions spans for a couple of pages, where Laura explains not only what to do, but also how and why this act helps our soul to recharge and reconnect with the one who created us. She includes classic teachings, prayers, and scriptures to support her ideas, as well as personal anecdotes.
Some of the included ways to attend to God are as simple as opening a window or calling an old friend to reconnect. Others take more effort and energy (but are worth every ounce of it), such as asking someone for forgiveness. Most of them are designed to be done in ten minutes or less, although the reader is encouraged to spend as much time attending to God as can be allocated. All of these "soul stretches" can be achieved by anyone who has the desire to feel God's breath and presence in their ordinary life.
Laura does a wonderful job at making this book easy to read and understand. I did find that some of the exercises aren't really a good fit for me personally right now, and I would invite you to read every one of the exercises (in order), but pick-and-choose which ones you want to give a shot on your first go-around. Maybe the others will be more appealing at a later date or after you've accomplished the ones that call to you from the start. Overall, I'm giving this book 4/5 stars. While it's not quite what I'd hoped it would be, it's great for someone looking for a starting spot or stepping stone to connect (or reconnect) with God on a more personal level, and most of the activities can be done without too much deviance from your daily routine.
*Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Some of the included ways to attend to God are as simple as opening a window or calling an old friend to reconnect. Others take more effort and energy (but are worth every ounce of it), such as asking someone for forgiveness. Most of them are designed to be done in ten minutes or less, although the reader is encouraged to spend as much time attending to God as can be allocated. All of these "soul stretches" can be achieved by anyone who has the desire to feel God's breath and presence in their ordinary life.
Laura does a wonderful job at making this book easy to read and understand. I did find that some of the exercises aren't really a good fit for me personally right now, and I would invite you to read every one of the exercises (in order), but pick-and-choose which ones you want to give a shot on your first go-around. Maybe the others will be more appealing at a later date or after you've accomplished the ones that call to you from the start. Overall, I'm giving this book 4/5 stars. While it's not quite what I'd hoped it would be, it's great for someone looking for a starting spot or stepping stone to connect (or reconnect) with God on a more personal level, and most of the activities can be done without too much deviance from your daily routine.
*Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
February 21, 2017
Attend means to literally means "to stretch toward," according to Laura Davis Werezak. She wrote Attend to help readers stretch toward God when they may not quite know how or where to start to do that. Attend contains forty days worth of helpful soul stretches.
These forty soul stretches in Attend don't necessarily have to be read straight through. In fact, Werezak says in the introduction that there is no right way to use this book. She encourages you to start your stretching however it works best for you--read the book straight through, pick and choose and read randomly, or read during Lent or Advent when you especially want to turn your focus toward God. Along with those loose reading guidelines, Werezak adds that you may want to read Attend alone or with others in a group to share. Werezak stresses that Attend is not a spiritual checklist, encourages readers to give themselves grace each day, and adds that the real power is found in the "doing."
Each of the forty readings in Attend offer something to meditate on and think about to grow and stretch closer to God. At the same time, each day offers a small, usually simple activity to draw closer to God, to be more mindful in your thoughts toward God and your day, and sometimes to draw closer to those in your community around you. Activities range from opening a window and thinking about the air moving in the room, writing a real letter to someone you care about, to closing your eyes and imagining you are with Jesus living out one of the Bible stories. I think this is a great idea because I know I learn best by doing while I am learning.
Attend would be such a nice book to read through for Lent this year, but as Werezak says, it would be a good book for any time you feel a tug in your spirit to draw closer to God. This small book is a nice size to carry along and read if you don't have time for devotions at home too. However, the flip side of that is that I did think the print is a little smaller than some books. I would encourage anyone to take time to read these short readings and do the activities as they feel God leading them. Attend is a good book not only offering wisdom from God's word, but offering you the chance to experience God in a new way. I highly recommend it.
I received this book from Faithwords/Hachette Book Group. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.
These forty soul stretches in Attend don't necessarily have to be read straight through. In fact, Werezak says in the introduction that there is no right way to use this book. She encourages you to start your stretching however it works best for you--read the book straight through, pick and choose and read randomly, or read during Lent or Advent when you especially want to turn your focus toward God. Along with those loose reading guidelines, Werezak adds that you may want to read Attend alone or with others in a group to share. Werezak stresses that Attend is not a spiritual checklist, encourages readers to give themselves grace each day, and adds that the real power is found in the "doing."
Each of the forty readings in Attend offer something to meditate on and think about to grow and stretch closer to God. At the same time, each day offers a small, usually simple activity to draw closer to God, to be more mindful in your thoughts toward God and your day, and sometimes to draw closer to those in your community around you. Activities range from opening a window and thinking about the air moving in the room, writing a real letter to someone you care about, to closing your eyes and imagining you are with Jesus living out one of the Bible stories. I think this is a great idea because I know I learn best by doing while I am learning.
Attend would be such a nice book to read through for Lent this year, but as Werezak says, it would be a good book for any time you feel a tug in your spirit to draw closer to God. This small book is a nice size to carry along and read if you don't have time for devotions at home too. However, the flip side of that is that I did think the print is a little smaller than some books. I would encourage anyone to take time to read these short readings and do the activities as they feel God leading them. Attend is a good book not only offering wisdom from God's word, but offering you the chance to experience God in a new way. I highly recommend it.
I received this book from Faithwords/Hachette Book Group. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.
January 9, 2017
I read Barbara Brown Taylor’s excellent 2009 book An Altar in the World at about this time last year. It was recommended to me by someone who was going to my church at the time (hi, Jessica!) and I can tell you that it was one of my favourite reads of 2015. The book is basically a list of things you can do to get closer to God by being more attentive to the world. I took her advice to “Get Lost” by getting off my bus one stop too early on my way back from a church function one evening. As I walked the extra distance, I ran into a couple of people from church and crashed a 50th birthday party with them. I’m fairly close to these people now. I don’t hang out with them, per se, but we talk on a fairly regular basis when I come to church or the Christian mediation group I sometimes go to.
So we come to Laura Davis Werezak’s debut non-fiction book, Attend, and I can tell you there are a lot of similarities between it and Brown Taylor’s book. This should come as no surprise because, in the acknowledgements section, Werezak mentions that this book came out of an Altar in the World study group. Altar shows up here in a footnote, even. So Werezak has simply taken Brown Taylor’s template, and grafted it to her own purposes. Now, I’ve read a lot of books this year, and Altar is a bit of a foggy memory. However, there are similarities in writing style and theme. The one difference seems to be that Werezak is younger than Brown Taylor — Werezak is with a small child, while Brown Taylor is closer to retirement age, and I think she didn’t have a kid.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
So we come to Laura Davis Werezak’s debut non-fiction book, Attend, and I can tell you there are a lot of similarities between it and Brown Taylor’s book. This should come as no surprise because, in the acknowledgements section, Werezak mentions that this book came out of an Altar in the World study group. Altar shows up here in a footnote, even. So Werezak has simply taken Brown Taylor’s template, and grafted it to her own purposes. Now, I’ve read a lot of books this year, and Altar is a bit of a foggy memory. However, there are similarities in writing style and theme. The one difference seems to be that Werezak is younger than Brown Taylor — Werezak is with a small child, while Brown Taylor is closer to retirement age, and I think she didn’t have a kid.
Read more here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...
December 28, 2016
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Attend through the Publisher and Netgalley:
In this book Laura Davis Werezak through the publisher and Netgalley:
Laura Davis Werezak reminds us of the importance of being present in our relationship with God. She reminds us too that anyone can turn to God at anytime and in any situation and we will experience transformation.
We are reminded too that we cannot hide from God. She encourages us to take time to turn off our devices and listen to God.
We are reminded too of the importance of giving our worries to God before we go to bed.
The importance of asking someone we have wronged for forgiveness is also highlighted. And the importance of admitting our sins to God is also emphasized.
We are reminded to of the importantce of taking a day off.
I give Attend five out of five stars.
Happy
In this book Laura Davis Werezak through the publisher and Netgalley:
Laura Davis Werezak reminds us of the importance of being present in our relationship with God. She reminds us too that anyone can turn to God at anytime and in any situation and we will experience transformation.
We are reminded too that we cannot hide from God. She encourages us to take time to turn off our devices and listen to God.
We are reminded too of the importance of giving our worries to God before we go to bed.
The importance of asking someone we have wronged for forgiveness is also highlighted. And the importance of admitting our sins to God is also emphasized.
We are reminded to of the importantce of taking a day off.
I give Attend five out of five stars.
Happy
Want to read
January 31, 2017This is a wonderful book to remind us all to see God in the small things we do each day. It is so easy to just move on auto pilot in our busy lives but we miss so much by doing that. This book shows simple ways to get closer to God, by simply changing a few things that we do on a regular basis.
This book is really short so it’s a super quick read but filled with such important information. I look forward to using these activities to deepen my relationship with God. This is also a really small and compact book (4.8 x 0.8 x 6.5 inches) making it perfect to pack with you wherever you go, for those much needed reminders throughout the day.
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*
This book is really short so it’s a super quick read but filled with such important information. I look forward to using these activities to deepen my relationship with God. This is also a really small and compact book (4.8 x 0.8 x 6.5 inches) making it perfect to pack with you wherever you go, for those much needed reminders throughout the day.
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*
February 6, 2017
ATTEND: 40 soul stretches toward God.
Ms. Werezak introduces the book with the clear message that we must be pro-active in our "search toward God. There is no magic formula.
In part one the writer likens our stretch with everyday habits: open a window, make your bed, plant a seed, set your table, etc...do these things to give a place to God in our everyday world.
Part two focuses on REST - Three on Quietness - Four on Trust
Werezak refocuses the reader on the ordinary things to get in touch with an extraordinary God.
It's a fairly quick read - be sure to have a highlighter in reach, you will want to come back to certain passages over and over.
Ms. Werezak introduces the book with the clear message that we must be pro-active in our "search toward God. There is no magic formula.
In part one the writer likens our stretch with everyday habits: open a window, make your bed, plant a seed, set your table, etc...do these things to give a place to God in our everyday world.
Part two focuses on REST - Three on Quietness - Four on Trust
Werezak refocuses the reader on the ordinary things to get in touch with an extraordinary God.
It's a fairly quick read - be sure to have a highlighter in reach, you will want to come back to certain passages over and over.
July 13, 2017
Some great ideas, but the book as a whole fell flat to me.
I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.
I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, but all opinions are my own.
April 7, 2017
Could be helpful to new Christians
As every reader knows, liking or disliking a book can often be where we are at a given point in our lives. My not grasping the writing in “Attend” may simply be that. Let me explain why I wasn’t connecting with it and perhaps that will help you to make a connection.
There are statements that didn't make sense to me. Coming across a number of these kept taking me out of being in the moment of attending to God as I thought, but that’s not what I feel/think/believe. A couple of the jolts were: "It's surprising these days, in our indoor lives, to remember that the sun still rises and sets every single day. (Chapter: Watch the sunrise sunset)” Really? I thrive on sunrises and thrill to watch a sunset. And, “These are moments when we feel that God has abandoned us. (Chapter: Hand over your worries before bed.)” My life has not gotten easier since becoming a Christian, but I have never felt abandoned by God. That is having faith.
I did like the chapter, “Spend ten minutes with an onion,” as a way to break down and extend the time we spend with Christ. This is one I can easily see re-reading to keep me on track with my bible studies.
I think the content layout may be helpful for someone brand new to Christianity who wants to take a slow approach to learning to appreciate Christ. There are some biblical references within the chapters and a bible quote at the beginning of each part. Having a friend in my life who is just beginning to study the bible, I think I’ll gift this book to her and get her opinion on how it helps her connect with Christ.
I received this book for free from Hachette Book Group in request for an honest review.
As every reader knows, liking or disliking a book can often be where we are at a given point in our lives. My not grasping the writing in “Attend” may simply be that. Let me explain why I wasn’t connecting with it and perhaps that will help you to make a connection.
There are statements that didn't make sense to me. Coming across a number of these kept taking me out of being in the moment of attending to God as I thought, but that’s not what I feel/think/believe. A couple of the jolts were: "It's surprising these days, in our indoor lives, to remember that the sun still rises and sets every single day. (Chapter: Watch the sunrise sunset)” Really? I thrive on sunrises and thrill to watch a sunset. And, “These are moments when we feel that God has abandoned us. (Chapter: Hand over your worries before bed.)” My life has not gotten easier since becoming a Christian, but I have never felt abandoned by God. That is having faith.
I did like the chapter, “Spend ten minutes with an onion,” as a way to break down and extend the time we spend with Christ. This is one I can easily see re-reading to keep me on track with my bible studies.
I think the content layout may be helpful for someone brand new to Christianity who wants to take a slow approach to learning to appreciate Christ. There are some biblical references within the chapters and a bible quote at the beginning of each part. Having a friend in my life who is just beginning to study the bible, I think I’ll gift this book to her and get her opinion on how it helps her connect with Christ.
I received this book for free from Hachette Book Group in request for an honest review.
May 3, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed the restoring comfort of this book. I felt revitalized as I was encouraged to take more time to rest, to not resent mundane, everyday tasks, and I loved the variety of literary references, whether Anglican liturgy or T.S. Eliot. I think it is important to follow Laura's advice at the beginning to use the book in whatever way works for you. I also think it’s important to not assume these suggestions are meant to replace traditional personal Bible study. I found that they enhanced personal devotions along with providing ways to connect with God during chaotic, busy times.
April 24, 2017
Attend: Forty Soul Stretches Toward God is a book illustrating ways in which we can attend to God in our everyday lives. Laura Davis Werezak features practical ways in which we can center our very hectic lives to embrace moments with God. The examples that Laura features range from everyday tasks to those tasks that can take a little more effort and time. For each task, Laura writes about how the task will reward you and bring you closer to God. I tried some of these tasks and they really helped me focus on making those moments sharing and experiencing God. Regardless of the task you choose, you will definitely experience moments with God.
Laura writes with ease and in language that makes you feel like she’s a friend. I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for new ways to connect to God.
Happy Reading!
Note: I have received a copy of this book from Hatchette Books in exchange for an honest review.
Laura writes with ease and in language that makes you feel like she’s a friend. I recommend this book to everyone who is looking for new ways to connect to God.
Happy Reading!
Note: I have received a copy of this book from Hatchette Books in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2017
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
I started out with the goal of doing one chapter a day from Attendand recording my results.
Day One, "Open a Window:"
I opened a window for a couple of hours this afternoon, and kept my door shut to keep the cold breeze from messing with the rest of the house. What struck me first was that, even though it was a chilly February day, my room actually felt perfectly fine once I turned off the overhead fan. Just think how much needless energy I waste on the fan when an open window would work just as well! Second, my room smells . . . it's hard to describe. Sweet? Yes, perhaps that's it. It smells fresh, like someone put some life into my normally stuffy bedroom. I need to keep my window open more often, it really does brighten my mood. Seeing how well the first suggestion worked also gives me hope for how it will help me spiritually as well. Also, my cat really loved the open window.
Day Two, "Make Your Bed:"
I usually never make my bed, but doing so this morning actually only took me about two minutes. Now my bed looks very pretty! I'm also feeling the need to clean my floor now, though, because it looks even worse in comparison with my tidy bed. I usually like to do my schoolwork on my bed with the blankets pulled over my lap, but I've had my eye on this pretty, fluffy throw blanket for a while now. I ordered it today for the foot of my bed, and I'll use it to snuggle under during the day.
Day Three, "Plant a Seed"
My pot of dirt, which will soon hold some chrysanthemums, is to the left. I'm looking forward to seeing what grows!
Day Four, "Set a Table"
I didn't really do this one per se, but I often set out my own plate/bowl so I'm counting it. Also, I helped set the table for a dinner party we had, so that counts, right?
Day Five, "Sing a Song"
For this one I'm counting the time a few days ago when I took a ridiculously-long shower and belted out Frozen songs in Spanish for like an hour. Hey, she said any song goes, right? Plus, she said she likes to use Spanish songs with her students!
Okay, yeah, I gave up on doing every single day's "assignment." I kept forgetting to do them, or forgetting to write them down, so eventually I just gave up and read the thing cover to cover over the course of a few evenings.
And what do I think? Well, I think that it's the best devo that I've read in a long time. Werezak's tips are all very good ones, and her discussions of faith and searching for God were both heartfelt and genuine. I loved most of them, and more than that I actually got the feeling that I would like her if she were a member of my church. She's not weirdly conservative or legalistic, something a lot of church leaders seem to be these days, but instead is just nice and straightforward and open to trying novel approaches to spirituality like meditation-type breathing and praying with beads (as a Protestant).
Honestly, I think Attend would make a great devotional for not just Christians but also for Jews and perhaps even for people of other religions (though she does quote a lot of Bible verses). The focus is on God, and growing close to God, but not really on Jesus per se. I think it's nice how much more flexible that makes the text for use by people from a diverse array of denominations and even of religions. If you're looking for a devotional to bring you closer to God, then this is the one that I would recommend.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I started out with the goal of doing one chapter a day from Attendand recording my results.
Day One, "Open a Window:"
I opened a window for a couple of hours this afternoon, and kept my door shut to keep the cold breeze from messing with the rest of the house. What struck me first was that, even though it was a chilly February day, my room actually felt perfectly fine once I turned off the overhead fan. Just think how much needless energy I waste on the fan when an open window would work just as well! Second, my room smells . . . it's hard to describe. Sweet? Yes, perhaps that's it. It smells fresh, like someone put some life into my normally stuffy bedroom. I need to keep my window open more often, it really does brighten my mood. Seeing how well the first suggestion worked also gives me hope for how it will help me spiritually as well. Also, my cat really loved the open window.
Day Two, "Make Your Bed:"
I usually never make my bed, but doing so this morning actually only took me about two minutes. Now my bed looks very pretty! I'm also feeling the need to clean my floor now, though, because it looks even worse in comparison with my tidy bed. I usually like to do my schoolwork on my bed with the blankets pulled over my lap, but I've had my eye on this pretty, fluffy throw blanket for a while now. I ordered it today for the foot of my bed, and I'll use it to snuggle under during the day.
Day Three, "Plant a Seed"My pot of dirt, which will soon hold some chrysanthemums, is to the left. I'm looking forward to seeing what grows!
Day Four, "Set a Table"
I didn't really do this one per se, but I often set out my own plate/bowl so I'm counting it. Also, I helped set the table for a dinner party we had, so that counts, right?
Day Five, "Sing a Song"
For this one I'm counting the time a few days ago when I took a ridiculously-long shower and belted out Frozen songs in Spanish for like an hour. Hey, she said any song goes, right? Plus, she said she likes to use Spanish songs with her students!
Okay, yeah, I gave up on doing every single day's "assignment." I kept forgetting to do them, or forgetting to write them down, so eventually I just gave up and read the thing cover to cover over the course of a few evenings.
And what do I think? Well, I think that it's the best devo that I've read in a long time. Werezak's tips are all very good ones, and her discussions of faith and searching for God were both heartfelt and genuine. I loved most of them, and more than that I actually got the feeling that I would like her if she were a member of my church. She's not weirdly conservative or legalistic, something a lot of church leaders seem to be these days, but instead is just nice and straightforward and open to trying novel approaches to spirituality like meditation-type breathing and praying with beads (as a Protestant).
Honestly, I think Attend would make a great devotional for not just Christians but also for Jews and perhaps even for people of other religions (though she does quote a lot of Bible verses). The focus is on God, and growing close to God, but not really on Jesus per se. I think it's nice how much more flexible that makes the text for use by people from a diverse array of denominations and even of religions. If you're looking for a devotional to bring you closer to God, then this is the one that I would recommend.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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