In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake: Trusting the God Who Meets Us in Our Storm

by Patrick Schwenk, Ruth Schwenk

Your Storm Doesn’t Have to Sink You

At some point in our lives, we all find ourselves in a boat in the middle of a lake. We might be there due to a job loss or the death of a loved one. Maybe disability, divorce, or financial insecurity has stranded us. Patrick and Ruth Schwenk found themselves feeling battered after five miscarriages and then surrounded by the waves with Patrick’s cancer diagnosis at age forty-three. They were alone. Drifting. And that’s when their transformation began.

In this compassionate and powerful book, the Schwenks weave together lessons from their own experience with insightful Bible teaching to remind us that one of the greatest ways God transforms us is through trials. As they unpack why Jesus called the disciples into the middle of a lake when dry ground was so safe and comfortable, they help us

 


understand why the depth of our hurt enables us to experience deep hope;
learn to conquer fear to experience the freedom God has for us; and
discover how God uses chaos, and not just the classroom, to shape and work through us.
Today—in your confusion about God’s intentions, your disappointment over lost dreams, your disillusionment about prayer—God is offering hope. Because Jesus is still Lord over the water. And while he is not moved by the waves, he is moved by you. And this flood might just be a path to abundance.

 

“A powerful reminder that our current reality is not our final reality, and God is Lord over all chaos and suffering!”

—Candace Cameron Bure, actress and New York Times bestselling author

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2020

About the author

Patrick Schwenk is a husband, father, and pastor. Ruth Schwenk is a wife, mom, and blogger. She is the coauthor (with Karen Ehman) of Hoodwinked: Ten Myths Moms Believe & Why We All Need to Knock It Off. She and her husband are the creators of ForTheFamily.org and TheBetterMom.com. Patrick and Ruth met while attending the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. They have been married for more than seventeen years, have four children and have been in full time ministry for over fifteen years. They live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Reviews

[Lisa Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one wants to wake up and suddenly realize they’re in the center of a storm. But how many of us have found ourselves in just such a situation? And we honestly don’t know where to turn or what to make of it. This is why I highly recommend Patrick and Ruth Schwenk’s much-needed message shared In A Boat In the Middle of the Lake. These two offer a powerful, compassionate, and biblical encouragement for anyone navigating those inevitably choppy waters of life.

[Charisse Patchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speaks truth to your heart when you are going through hard things.

[Arthur Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical events like this.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?

In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.

It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.

I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...

Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:

1. Reading Exercises the Brain

While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.

2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment

Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.

3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus

We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.

4. Reading Improves Literacy

Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.

5. Reading Improves Sleep

By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.

6. Reading Increases General Knowledge

Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.

7. Reading is Motivational

By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.

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[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake
Trusting the God Who Meets Us in Our Storm
by Patrick and Ruth Schwenk
Nelson Books
Thomas Nelson
Christian | Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 08 Sep 2020


I am reviewing a copy of In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake through Nelson Books and Netgalley:



There are times we all feel like we are in a boat in the middle of the lake. We can feel that way because we lost a job, or we lost a loved one.




We can find ourselves stranded due to disability, divorce, or financial insecurity.



Patrick and Ruth Schwenk found themselves feeling like they had been battered after five miscarriages and Patrick’s Diagnosis of Blood Cancer when he was only forty three. They were drifting and alone, and that is when the transformation began.





This book reminds us that there are times when it is okay, not to be okay, and that we need to be honest about the pain. We are reminded too that Denial most often leads to an avalanche of emotion. We feel it all. Everything from fear to anger to sadness and sometimes guilt. When the shock wears off, the emotions set in. It can all feel like a slide to the bottom of a pit.



We are reminded too that suffering hurts, but the reality we are in at that time is not our final reality. We are reminded too that trust requires humility. Trust requires saying, “I don’t understand, God, but you do.” Trust requires admitting our powerlessness. Trust requires giving up control. Which maybe is the hardest part. We like control. We like to be at the center of things. We like the comfort it brings us.


This book reminds us that God does not want us to be alone in whatever struggles we are going through.



The Schwenks have created a book that has both compassion and power, they weave together lessons from their own experience with insightful Bible teaching to remind us that one of the greatest ways God transforms us is through trials. They show us why Jesus called his disciples into the middle of a lake when dry ground was so safe and comfortable, they help us.



In A Boat in the Middle of the Lake helps us to understand why the depth of our hurt enables us to experience deep hope;learn to conquer fear to experience the freedom God has for us; anddiscover how God uses chaos, and not just the classroom, to shape and work through us.



I give In A Boat in the Middle of the Lake five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Brett D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last few years I have read a healthy list of books, both Christian and not, about overcoming grief. While not specific to grief, and perhaps best left until the initial intensity of grief has softened, this is absolutely the best book of them all. The Schwenks offer a frank and genuine, yet gentle discussion of how to make sense of significant struggles in life while believing in a perfect, loving God. I recommend it particularly for Christians, but also for anyone who may ask why bad things happen if God is good (just be open-minded in that when you ask questions of Christianity you should expect responses from a biblical perspective). There are no easy platitudes here. You also won't likely find a specific answer to the question, "Why me?" but the reality is that in many situations no answer would be satisfactory, anyway. The book offers insights that I have not found in other books I have read on this subject (i.e. God's love is not always gentle), though the bottom line is familiar: there is hope for the future in Christ even as we experience many struggles and tragedies in life.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
"For some people, suffering causes them to doubt God's existence. Their hurt or disappointment leads them to walk away from their faith. They give up. But where do they turn? If we are just accidents, alone in the universe, then why do the things that go terribly wrong not feel right? If we are just surviving, getting by longer and better than others, than why are we so moved by tragedy, injustice, sickness, and seemingly senseless evil? Why does cancer, miscarriage, premature death, or an unfair job termination hurt so badly?
The answer is because we know better.
Because deep down we all carry the faint memories of life as God intended in the garden of Eden. Deep down we all know there is a God. That life and joy and beauty and truth and goodness and justice are real things. Sacred things. Things essential to what it means to be human. This is why pain proves God's existence. Something is desperately wrong from what we all know, and feel, to be true. Getting away from God is not the answer. Getting back to him is."

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake” is a raw, honest and real book about struggles we face in life. The Schwenk’s open up about dealing with a cancer diagnosis and show us how to deal with the hard things that come our way. They talk about how God is our refuge and strength and we can look to Him when it feels like the storms that are coming our way will overtake us.

God can provide the calm within the storm. He probably won’t take away the storm or remove us from it – but he will help us through it. Even though there is chaos all around us, He can provide peace in the midst of the storm.
I highly recommend this book to others who are facing a storm in their life. It may not be as big as a cancer diagnosis, but any storm that looks to separate us from God, is one that we need to battle. This book helps us to keep our focus on God, not the wind and the waves. He will be right beside us to help us stay calm.

I was given an advanced reading copy of “In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake” by Patrick and Ruth Schwenk for an honest opinion of the book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The question isn’t whether each of us will face storms, but how we will respond and Who we will look to when we do. In “In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake,” Pat and Ruth Schwenk share the story of Pat’s cancer diagnosis (and other trials they have faced or walked with others through) with realness and vulnerability. Storms in life often leave us feeling confused, scared, alone, and adrift. They know that, and I appreciated how they don’t attempt to rush the reader (or themselves) through the “lamenting,” rather share how acknowledging suffering is a part of the journey and that our hope can be deeper and stronger because of it. Ultimately, their message shines with faith and hope, and points to how God may be using our suffering, and a reminder that this suffering isn’t our final reality.

[Josh Olds · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake is a story of finding stability in Christ amid unrest. And if that isn’t a needed theme in 2020, I don’t know what is. Heartache and loss have been a theme of this year. Lost opportunities. Lost expectations. Lost jobs. Lost lives. And into this time of global crisis, Patrick and Ruth Schwenk tell their own story of struggle and loss to highlight a God who is with them in the storm.

It’s a story that begins with blood cancer. Patrick was a fifteen-year veteran of the pastorate and had just started doctoral studies at Biola when the news hit. He had cancer. And just like that, current plans were canceled and future plans were altered and what once seemed so certain was now the height of uncertainty. And through their journey—through their continued struggles—the Schwenks share what they’ve learned through the process.

“It’s OK to Not Be OK,” is an excellent setup, giving readers a blueprint how to share and live with bad news. We don’t have to cover it up. We don’t have to deny it. We can be honest about it. We should be honest about it because that’s the only way we can move forward and see what God can do in it. “The Blessing of the Unblessed Life” talks about the benefit of suffering, how it can be refiner’s fire to draw us closer to God. Above all, the Schwenks teach readers to anchor themselves in the Lord, to trust in him through the storm, to not downplay or deny it, but preach a God who is bigger than it.

I cannot think of a more comforting book for a time such as this. Right now, we’re all In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake. Patrick and Ruth Schwenk don’t give you a map to shore, but instead give you confidence and strength to trust the Captain—even when he has a different kind of shore in mind.

[Mariale & Pieter Dros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book. I am in constant tears. Something I love about Patrick and Ruth's books is that they are easy to read but at the same time so well rooted in the bible. Even though, at the moment, i am not going through difficult times this book has been so encouraging and helped me understand pain and suffering in a different way and how to support those around me who are going through hard times. Through the pages of the book you can see Patrick and Ruth's heart, It really encourages you to keep seeking God and be thankful to Him always!!!

[Tracye Goad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you grab a book because you want to read something that increases your faith and is filled with encouragement.  The Schwenk's book definitely did just that for me! However, I didn't just grab it, it grabbed me back. With every page, I found myself being held closer and closer, drawn deeper and deeper to Christ. This isn't just a book of fluff and inspiration, it's a powerful writing that helps your heart realign with God's sovereignty, surrender and hope. It doesn't just leave you with a "good feeling", it leaves you with a new strength to navigate your own hard seasons.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Won this book on Goodreads). I enjoyed the reading as it was smooth and easy to understand. To sketch out their life's troubles and let us in on how they still praise God and how they still grieve and worry but are still strong in spirt and rejoice in everyday that is given to them is a breath of fresh air. No matter what we are going through God's hand is in it and there is purpose. We may not see nor understand until hindsight but we will see. Prayers to this family for health, healing, and love. Thank you for letting me read this.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a needed journey for me. Lately, as we prepare to graduate our 2nd child from high school, I have been lamenting what I have not been able to do for our children. Limitations that I have no way of changing for medical reasons. Still. I have been doubting myself as both Mom and teacher.
This book helped me to focus on what God has to say and do during our individual trials when we're in a boat in the middle of a lake.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.

[Angela Baughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me appreciate that good things can come from hardship. It also held a caution about pitfalls I can fall into when I do not open myself to God's work in me during trials.
The Schwenks are honest about their doubts and questions, and I appreciated the reminder that I am not alone when I experience the confusion that accompanies suffering. Thank you both for sharing pieces of your story with us.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such encouragement. If you are not in a storm there is one coming. This is a great tool for your toolkit when you do!
"Our deepest hurt is also where our greatest hope emerges. While we experience pain and loss, those circumstances are also the fertile soil for new beginnings. For new life. For a new day.We just need to look over and past that hurt to see it. Not ignore it but rise above it."
*I did receive an advance copy for early review.

[Kimberly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed parts of this book. I have never read a book that is so deeply religious, so that was a new experience for me. I liked that the story was interwoven though the text. I do wish there had been more of their feelings written although I understand that is easier said than done. I really liked how the audience was connected and included. I thought the book was very well written. I can only hope to someday have the level of faith that Ruth and Patrick have!

[G. Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frequently, books in this genre take an optimistic tone, trying to minimize the pain and go for a self-help solution. Here the authors go for something more honest, admitting that the Bible's answers to suffering are more complex than just self-actualization. By noting that God often uses suffering as a route to highlight issues that need to be resolved, they help readers see a route forward that allows for seeing the unexpected blessings in the midst of pain.

[Morgan Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Opening

This book really makes you sit and think about what is happening in your life and how you can fix your gaze upon God. It opens your eyes to show you that we really are not alone and God is always there no matter if we feel him or not. Definitely needed this reminder! Fantastic book!!

[Sassijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real people offering one of the most inspiring, encouraging, and uplifting approaches to addressing suffering and, "life" and it's challenges that I have ever encountered! I can hardly express how thankful I am to have found this book. I have purchased an extra copy and have made a point of encouraging others to read it as well!

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift 3 years ago from Patrick and Ruth. For reasons unknown to me, I didn't read it when I was gifted the book. Until now. I read this book in two days. As well as journaled about what I read. I needed to read this now. Thank you Pat and Ruth for your guidance. It truly helped me put things into perspective. Thank you <3

[Sarah Kelnhofer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this was a good and helpful book, I just "couldn't" (didn't want to) finish it. Apologies to the sincere and lovely authors. It just didn't hold me .... though the topic is great, it felt a bit ... stale? Canned? I don't know. I felt guilty putting it down but - not guilty enough to keep reading.

[Zac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main gift in this book for me was hearing Pat’s voice again. I can say with certainty that Pat and Ruth really walked out everything written in this book. It’s full of heartbreaking yet encouraging stories, and it drew me in closer to God in my suffering by realizing the wonderful ways He can use even the most painful and confusing things for His Glory and our good.

[Vera Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received in a sweeps. It's a wonderful book written by a preacher and his wife. I could relate, since in July 2019 went thru cancer surgery and then cemo treatments. God can be with us all the way. Great book of trusting in God. Would recommend to others.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts out a little slow but keep going. The book is very good at putting suffering into a biblical perspective. There's a lot of hope within its pages!

[Nicole Forcum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!! Really helped me during a trying time.

[Mark Cuneo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Excellent reminder when you are going through a storm. Fed my soul. Uses scripture to remind us of God’s goodness abs plan. Very easy to read.

[Hil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome book!!! 10/10 recommend

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amen and amen! So much solid truth. Written in a raw, relatable way that both rebukes and encourages. Highly recommend for anyone grieving or struggling through hard times.

[Amy Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some great content, and it is an encouraging read. However, there is hardly a paragraph without a sentence fragment. I found the grammar to be incredibly distracting.

[Emily Pullin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and encouraging read

I really found this book to be an encouragement. I have struggled with illness for many years and this book was comforting.