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Newness of Life: Trusting God in Times of Transition
Are you searching for newness of life in your current season?
Perhaps you are in a season of pain: tearing down, grieving, letting go.
Perhaps you are in a season of recovery: mending, gathering, healing.
Perhaps you are in a season of joy: building up, planting, dancing.
No matter what season you are in today, God’s timing is perfect. He is creating new life for you now. New peace, new joy, and new hope perfectly tailored for this time in your life.
How is your faith staying true in the changes? Can you really trust God in your current season and seasons to come? That’s what this study is about. It’s applying the scriptures in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so you can understand God’s plan in different seasons.
All you need for this study is a Bible, a notebook, and your favorite pen. Visit my freebies page for printable study questions. If you want to join in on a wider discussion of this book, I encourage you to comment on my blog at sarahgeringer.com and on my Facebook Newness of Life group page. Your comments bless me, and they also bless others who want to grow in faith. You will be encouraged by the stories and comments of others.
My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:15
God is holding you in his hand in this special time. This study will help you discover what God is teaching you about your current season, and what newness of life is available to you.
Perhaps you are in a season of pain: tearing down, grieving, letting go.
Perhaps you are in a season of recovery: mending, gathering, healing.
Perhaps you are in a season of joy: building up, planting, dancing.
No matter what season you are in today, God’s timing is perfect. He is creating new life for you now. New peace, new joy, and new hope perfectly tailored for this time in your life.
How is your faith staying true in the changes? Can you really trust God in your current season and seasons to come? That’s what this study is about. It’s applying the scriptures in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so you can understand God’s plan in different seasons.
All you need for this study is a Bible, a notebook, and your favorite pen. Visit my freebies page for printable study questions. If you want to join in on a wider discussion of this book, I encourage you to comment on my blog at sarahgeringer.com and on my Facebook Newness of Life group page. Your comments bless me, and they also bless others who want to grow in faith. You will be encouraged by the stories and comments of others.
My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:15
God is holding you in his hand in this special time. This study will help you discover what God is teaching you about your current season, and what newness of life is available to you.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2017
24 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Geringer
12 books152 followersSarah Geringer is a speaker, podcaster, artist, creative coach and author of seven books. She is on the devotional writing team for Hope-Full Living. When she’s not reading over 100 books per year, Sarah enjoys painting, baking, gardening and playing the flute. Her daily must-haves are hot tea, dark chocolate, and fresh flowers. She lives in her beloved home state of Missouri with her three children. Sarah writes about finding peace in God’s Word at sarahgeringer.com, where you can find free discussion guides for her books.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 13, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book to my Mom. We didn't do the study but used it to direct our prayer time together. I plan to read it again and do the studies apart of each chapter. The book is a wonderful faith walk through Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. It is insightful and encouraging for the sojourner of faith in Jesus.
March 17, 2017
Staying Strong in the Seasons of Life
Because we started our family later than some, my husband and I are well into our fifties and are still up to our fetlocks in parenting. Because our oldest son and his wife started their family earlier than some, we are also beginning the season of grandparenting. Since I’m a bit over-the-top in the whole planning and structure realm, I guess I thought that we’d get a break in between these two seasons to re-tool, become wise, and maybe . . . finish our house.
Sarah Geringer reminds me that God’s timing is perfect, and in her devotional Newness of Life, she invites me to examine my life in terms of thresholds with a determination to view each season with confidence and anticipation of all that God will do — even when the seasons overlap in ways that I did not foresee! She is writing from a season of pre-teen children with its financial pressures, time constraints, and quiet doubts. Set against the backdrop of Ecclesiastes 3, her own story and the words of tired King Solomon make it clear that God is at work in orchestrating the big picture: birth and death, planting and harvesting, tearing down and building up, grieving and dancing. And, thankfully, He is also present in the seasons that, to us, seem to be less momentous: the scattering and gathering, keeping and throwing away, silence and speaking.
I have had a tendency, in the past, to view the momentous words of Scripture from a distance. After all, when does a homeschooling mother of four who lives on a country hill with spotty Internet service ever encounter a season that tips on a balance of war and peace? How about on a Sunday morning in a house with one bathroom and six people who need showers? It turns out that this life of mothering and sock sorting is a great test case for the long view that says there is “a time for every activity under heaven.” The truth of the gospel is also present in those long ago Old Testament lines of poetry, for each threshold of life is one more occasion in which to witness the newness of life that Jesus ushered in, that we might have life “to the full.”
Listen to the implications:
“In your seasons of birth and death, Jesus remembers you.
In your seasons of planting and harvesting, Jesus bears fruit through you.
In your seasons of killing and healing, Jesus transforms you.
In your seasons of tearing down and building up, Jesus is your cornerstone . . .
In your seasons of war and peace, Jesus empowers you.”
Hildegard von Bingen famously said, “I am a feather on the breath of God.”
When the unpredictability of life is viewed from this angle, there is beauty and a keen anticipation of what God will do next. In times of transition, our response is key.
What will you do with the newness of this particular season of your life?
//
This book was provided by the author in exchange for my review. 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.”
Because we started our family later than some, my husband and I are well into our fifties and are still up to our fetlocks in parenting. Because our oldest son and his wife started their family earlier than some, we are also beginning the season of grandparenting. Since I’m a bit over-the-top in the whole planning and structure realm, I guess I thought that we’d get a break in between these two seasons to re-tool, become wise, and maybe . . . finish our house.
Sarah Geringer reminds me that God’s timing is perfect, and in her devotional Newness of Life, she invites me to examine my life in terms of thresholds with a determination to view each season with confidence and anticipation of all that God will do — even when the seasons overlap in ways that I did not foresee! She is writing from a season of pre-teen children with its financial pressures, time constraints, and quiet doubts. Set against the backdrop of Ecclesiastes 3, her own story and the words of tired King Solomon make it clear that God is at work in orchestrating the big picture: birth and death, planting and harvesting, tearing down and building up, grieving and dancing. And, thankfully, He is also present in the seasons that, to us, seem to be less momentous: the scattering and gathering, keeping and throwing away, silence and speaking.
I have had a tendency, in the past, to view the momentous words of Scripture from a distance. After all, when does a homeschooling mother of four who lives on a country hill with spotty Internet service ever encounter a season that tips on a balance of war and peace? How about on a Sunday morning in a house with one bathroom and six people who need showers? It turns out that this life of mothering and sock sorting is a great test case for the long view that says there is “a time for every activity under heaven.” The truth of the gospel is also present in those long ago Old Testament lines of poetry, for each threshold of life is one more occasion in which to witness the newness of life that Jesus ushered in, that we might have life “to the full.”
Listen to the implications:
“In your seasons of birth and death, Jesus remembers you.
In your seasons of planting and harvesting, Jesus bears fruit through you.
In your seasons of killing and healing, Jesus transforms you.
In your seasons of tearing down and building up, Jesus is your cornerstone . . .
In your seasons of war and peace, Jesus empowers you.”
Hildegard von Bingen famously said, “I am a feather on the breath of God.”
When the unpredictability of life is viewed from this angle, there is beauty and a keen anticipation of what God will do next. In times of transition, our response is key.
What will you do with the newness of this particular season of your life?
//
This book was provided by the author in exchange for my review. 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.”
January 9, 2017
Newness of Life: Trusting God in Times of Transition takes you through a personal walk through Ecclesiastes 3, discussing each season of life, and walking along with a friend. Sarah, in the same familiar voice from her popular blog, discusses her own walk freely, and you feel as if you're discussing God's Word over coffee with a friend. Sarah takes you with her to work in the garden, build a home from the bottom up, struggle, cry, dance. All of the circumstances Sarah shares of her life are perfectly relatable and bring the scriptures together to make a universal point: trusting God is important in times of transition, leaning on His Word, and depending on prayer. This is why her chapter setup was so beneficial to me. Each chapter includes a personal experience and scriptural lesson followed by a thoughtful prayer, and finally reflective questions. Sarah's prayers will break down a wall in your heart. Life's transitions often leave us struggling to hold onto God. We often fall out of prayer, leave church's completely, and turn away from truths we once believed. Sarah's prayers are a breath of fresh air after struggling to stay afloat in a churning ocean of change. I cannot wait to see what new material Sarah produces in the future. It's such a blessing to find a helpful and honest witness to God's goodness and willing to share it. I would pass this book along to anyone, because we are all subject to change and may need a friend to guide us along.
January 10, 2017
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV) In Sarah's book Newness of Life, she focuses on trusting in God's perfect timing during the changing seasons of life. My favorite quote from this book is, "God has ordained each season of your life. He is guiding you through and can't wait to teach you new things, custom-made for the season you're in." Sarah shares how challenges in her life have shaped her character, and she would like her experiences to be used to bless others. It is definitely worth your time to read Newness of Life and learn about what God has planned for you during this season of your life!
January 10, 2017
Wow! Newness of Life is a must read for anyone seeking direction in their life. It was such an encouragement to me. Sarah Geringer breaks down the Ecclesiastes 3 verses with practical meaning that every single person can relate to and provides useful ways on how to incorporate into your life. Trials and difficulties are only for a season and this book helps get you through those difficult times. If you are in need of encouragement get this book today. Im very grateful I did.
June 13, 2017
I have truly enjoyed this book and would absolutely recommend it to everyone.
June 25, 2018
I just this morning finished the Bible study Newness of Life, and love all the things I have learned from Sarah Geringer's insight into all stages of life from childhood to adulthood and through our many stages of transitioning. This study is very Bible-based as well as very relatable from all the personal stories the author shares. I will definitely do another study by her soon! It's a great way to start your day with God's Word and the counsel of a friend while you drink your hot tea or coffee.
I received this book as a gift from the author for this honest review.
I received this book as a gift from the author for this honest review.
June 29, 2021
A wonderful book from Sarah Geringer that combines personal experience with relevant truths sprinkled throughout. It's one of those books you put in a convenient place for a quick return. So often we experience those transitional times, and this book was a way to find identity in God that helps you through them! Such a well-written and thoughtful book.
August 19, 2019
Easy to read, and great for anyone who is either new to the faith, or has know Christ for a while.
Brings the word of God to life with integrated scriptures and great anecdotes.
Brings the word of God to life with integrated scriptures and great anecdotes.
February 7, 2017
Simplistic, but thought provoking. Use of Scripture & practical suggestions are easily understood & applicable. Fast read, would be a good Reference for a Bible Study.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews