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Pond River Ocean Rain: Find Peace in the Storms of Life
For those who seek to find new depths in their spiritual lives, Pond River Ocean Rain helps readers wade into the beautiful water that is God through stories, questions, and accessible illustrations.
Feel
the Living Water wash over you while contemplating chapters on
stillness (such as a pond), the full trust in God’s will (much like the
rush of a river), peace within mystery (as experienced in the depths of
the ocean), and the movement of God’s relentless love for us (the
refreshing rain we receive).
Pond River Ocean Rain,
like all bodies of water, is simple, occasionally wild, and
consistently beautiful. And there are depths that, when explored, reveal
abundant life for all who jump in.
Feel
the Living Water wash over you while contemplating chapters on
stillness (such as a pond), the full trust in God’s will (much like the
rush of a river), peace within mystery (as experienced in the depths of
the ocean), and the movement of God’s relentless love for us (the
refreshing rain we receive).
Pond River Ocean Rain,
like all bodies of water, is simple, occasionally wild, and
consistently beautiful. And there are depths that, when explored, reveal
abundant life for all who jump in.
- GenresTheology
144 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 14, 2017
This small, little book has powerful words. It's probably better suited to be read more like a devotional, as there are a few questions at the end of every chapter. Each chapter is only a page or two. It's broken into 4 sections- Pond, River, Ocean and Rain -- and all the lessons we can learn about God from nature. I also love that the author is from
Baltimore, MD!
Baltimore, MD!
May 8, 2017
This book, written by a member of my church, was a welcome surprise! It was a beautiful read over the Lenten period! I plan on giving this book out as gifts from time to time. An easy but soothing read that was perfect for my soul which needed some TLC. If you love water - like I do - you will love this book too!!
July 19, 2017
Chaz put together a great collection of essays and I enjoyed reading!
March 13, 2024
It's no coincidence that I drank in this refreshing work during a desert season. Charles Lattimore Howard takes readers to untold depths as he uses the images of pond, river, ocean, and rain to explore aspects of God and humanity. Pond River Ocean Rain is a tiny gem rich in poetic metaphor and spiritual depth. It is stunningly beautiful and simply profound. It's so good that I was sad when I finished it because I didn't want it to be over.
February 27, 2017
In this intriguing book, the author takes us on a personal journey whereby—through his physical experiences of pond, river, ocean, rain—he reveals, via anecdotal stories, how they speak to his life. In the process, he gently weaves in other stories, quotes and metaphorical references to God in all four of these elements. His perspective ranges from the daily to occasional occurrences, enlarges in scope then reduces down to a more microscopic view.
We are invited to see the divine with different eyes and prayerfully think about the images raised in our minds by means of reflective questions at the end of each chapter. Thus, we are able to personalise our own spiritual journey in terms of these four elements and to see how they also impact our lives.
As we dive deeper, we begin to see how uniquely different, yet totally connected, these watery elements are. And we are encouraged to pay closer attention to the divine footprints in our midst, as God makes himself known through created things. It's a lovely book that can be picked up and enjoyed any time of the year, paused and pondered over at intervals or simply read as a daily devotional.
We are invited to see the divine with different eyes and prayerfully think about the images raised in our minds by means of reflective questions at the end of each chapter. Thus, we are able to personalise our own spiritual journey in terms of these four elements and to see how they also impact our lives.
As we dive deeper, we begin to see how uniquely different, yet totally connected, these watery elements are. And we are encouraged to pay closer attention to the divine footprints in our midst, as God makes himself known through created things. It's a lovely book that can be picked up and enjoyed any time of the year, paused and pondered over at intervals or simply read as a daily devotional.
December 5, 2016
Pond River Ocean Rain
Find Peace in the Storms of Life
by Charles Lattimore Howard
Abingdon Press
Christian, Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 07 Feb 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Pond River Ocean Rain through the publisher and Netgalley:
A collection of poetry and reflections on faith and life. This book will help those who are seeking a closer, deeper,relationship with the Lord.
I give Pond River Ocean Rain five out of five stars.
Happy Reading.
March 30, 2017
I've been on an intense journey this lent season - one that has been painful, though good. After reading through a few books that served to highlight all the dark corners in myself (that I like to pretend don't exist), I have been feeling put low -- to say the least.
Enter Pond River Ocean Rain. After a wander through my own desert, this book is living water. A much needed oasis for my thirsty soul, and grace for my broken heart. A reminder that Easter and spring and Love will rise, that darkness will be put away, and that there is an Unending Source of life flowing beneath and throughout and above and in the midst of all our deserts.
Practical, mystical, and poetic, this book has its roots in Christianity, but with an ecumenical outreach that will affirm anyone with a spiritual bent. Quoting from great writers, poets, musicians, and leaders, the books seeks out the divine in every place and every heart, from turtles sunning in a pond to John Coltrane.
This can be read as a daily devotional, or read in a few sittings. I divided the book into four readings, one for each section. A few of the chapters I ended up reading over and over again (the chapters on spiritual drowning touched me in particular).
Enter Pond River Ocean Rain. After a wander through my own desert, this book is living water. A much needed oasis for my thirsty soul, and grace for my broken heart. A reminder that Easter and spring and Love will rise, that darkness will be put away, and that there is an Unending Source of life flowing beneath and throughout and above and in the midst of all our deserts.
Practical, mystical, and poetic, this book has its roots in Christianity, but with an ecumenical outreach that will affirm anyone with a spiritual bent. Quoting from great writers, poets, musicians, and leaders, the books seeks out the divine in every place and every heart, from turtles sunning in a pond to John Coltrane.
This can be read as a daily devotional, or read in a few sittings. I divided the book into four readings, one for each section. A few of the chapters I ended up reading over and over again (the chapters on spiritual drowning touched me in particular).
April 1, 2017
How we handle the storms of life says everything about our faith. Howard puts those tests to trial by calling them 'Pond, River, Ocean Rain'.
He describes the 'Pond' as allowing the feel of Living Water to wash over us while we contemplate the stillness. 'River' is described as full trust in God's Will. The 'Ocean' he states is as peace within mystery (we've all been there! Out of our depths!) And 'Rain' as the movement of God's relentless love for us.
A beautifully written, easy to understand book that reveal the wonderful abundant life we can enjoy, if we only jump into the water and allow God's will to carry us where He leads.
I give this book Five Stars.
A big Thumbs Up.
And I personally Recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews