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Towards Rest
How do we experience rest? Our new book explores this question and its qualities for our lives, rhythms, and conventions today.
God rests. From the very beginning, rest is marked with sacred significance among all of creation. God calls individuals and communities alike into lives, rhythms, and conventions of rest. More than a mere afternoon nap, rest is a holy orientation and divine chronology that completes life as we know it. Just as God rests, we rest with God.
This book is meant to move us towards rest, into recovering its wisdom and consequence in our lives. As we contemplate and practice these many qualities of rest, may our personal lives be rejuvenated, our families strengthened, and our communities reoriented towards justice and peace. And may we rest with God. Amen.
Chapters include:
Rest & God
Rest & Awareness
Rest & Resilience
Rest & Play
Rest & Community
Rest & Pace
Rest & Changing the World
Design aspects: This book is softcover, 160 pages, perfect bound, and printed in full color on uncoated paper in Canada. The dimensions are 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
God rests. From the very beginning, rest is marked with sacred significance among all of creation. God calls individuals and communities alike into lives, rhythms, and conventions of rest. More than a mere afternoon nap, rest is a holy orientation and divine chronology that completes life as we know it. Just as God rests, we rest with God.
This book is meant to move us towards rest, into recovering its wisdom and consequence in our lives. As we contemplate and practice these many qualities of rest, may our personal lives be rejuvenated, our families strengthened, and our communities reoriented towards justice and peace. And may we rest with God. Amen.
Chapters include:
Rest & God
Rest & Awareness
Rest & Resilience
Rest & Play
Rest & Community
Rest & Pace
Rest & Changing the World
Design aspects: This book is softcover, 160 pages, perfect bound, and printed in full color on uncoated paper in Canada. The dimensions are 6.5 in x 8.5 in.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
23 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Alabaster Co.
96 books81 followersAlabaster explores the intersection of creativity, beauty, and faith through original artistic content and stories of makers/doers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 8, 2023
This was a wonderfully refreshing book. I very much love the insight and perspectives from believers at Alabaster Co.
An extra bonus: their books are filled with beautiful photography. The kind that makes you breathe deep and feel like everything’s going to be alright.
An extra bonus: their books are filled with beautiful photography. The kind that makes you breathe deep and feel like everything’s going to be alright.
October 25, 2021
What does God say about rest in our lives filled with constant work? In Towards Rest, Alabaster Co. helps us discover the qualities of rest for a life of faith.
Belonging and Identity
With 7 chapters fitting the 7 days we have in a week, this book gives a theology of rest that also moves you towards rejuvenation. The book helped me see the relationship that rest has with God, myself, others, and the world. To rest is to find belonging and identity in God and his family.
Calm and Serenity
Alabaster’s iconic photography is featured throughout the book, and the green pastures, yellow flowers, grey skies, and blue oceans gave me a sense of calm and serenity. I felt connected to the God of nature, who created the concept of rest and patterned it in our world.
Freedom in Christ
In a world that rewards non-stop work, champions hustle, and desires busyness -- a good word on rest is desperately needed. We can find rest in God. We are no longer slaves. We are free in Christ.
My copy of Towards Rest was complimentary through Alabaster’s influencer program.
Belonging and Identity
With 7 chapters fitting the 7 days we have in a week, this book gives a theology of rest that also moves you towards rejuvenation. The book helped me see the relationship that rest has with God, myself, others, and the world. To rest is to find belonging and identity in God and his family.
Calm and Serenity
Alabaster’s iconic photography is featured throughout the book, and the green pastures, yellow flowers, grey skies, and blue oceans gave me a sense of calm and serenity. I felt connected to the God of nature, who created the concept of rest and patterned it in our world.
Freedom in Christ
In a world that rewards non-stop work, champions hustle, and desires busyness -- a good word on rest is desperately needed. We can find rest in God. We are no longer slaves. We are free in Christ.
My copy of Towards Rest was complimentary through Alabaster’s influencer program.
July 22, 2024
I really loved this book. I read this book as I was in a season of burn out. I read it slow. I savored. And I was reminded of what rest looks like in many different facets, but at it's core WITH God. We are so much more than the work that we do. The world is not held together by us. If Jesus WALKED in His ministry from place to place, why are we running to make it all happen? If God is almighty and powerful, why did He choose to rest on the 7th day? He certainly didn't need it, but He knew it was good. I am reminded of how small I am and how big He is. How He allows me to be apart of the work He is doing but it is not dependent on me, which I am so thankful for.
I gave 4 stars just because I would’ve liked a little more Scripture depth but overall, still great biblical examples, just wanted more.
I gave 4 stars just because I would’ve liked a little more Scripture depth but overall, still great biblical examples, just wanted more.
January 22, 2026
Underlined so many concepts & thoughts in this study into the holiness of Rest. Really a lovely read that I used as a daily devotional for the start of this year. Definitely recommend!
“Rest needs no justification other than itself. It is not a means to an end ; it is the means and the end.”
“Rest needs no justification other than itself. It is not a means to an end ; it is the means and the end.”
October 15, 2023
Prepare for a deluge of reviews as I catch up. I'm not sure how I missed reviewing this book, and I'm sure I read it back in the summertime so I'll put the start date when I think a friend loaned it to me and a finish date of when I returned her copy because I bought my own and had finished reading it. I do keep it nearby so I can pick it up and read the chapter I most need at that moment: Rest & God; Rest & Awareness; Rest & Resilience; Rest & Play; Rest & Community; Rest and Pace; Rest & Changing the World. Everyone of those chapters are as good as the titles make them sound. I love that there is such a diversity of writers (male and female: Adobe Ugoagu; Alana Freitas; Bryan Ye-Chung; Daniel Sunkari; Kayla Craig; Lillian Chen; Liuan Huska; and Justin Lee) for the chapters. I highly recommend the book.
October 30, 2021
All of Alabaster’s books have a way of inspiring you and calming you as you meditate on either the words written or the scriptures. Towards Rest focuses on many different areas where rest is important. I found this book especially beneficial for me personally, as I tend to get caught up with the day-to-day tasks and the need I feel to accomplish and do things to the best of my ability. Lately, God has been reminding me that He is glorified, and I am made perfect not in my striving but in my dependence on Him. To the world, this may seem counterintuitive, but with God, it is our intimacy with God and our hearts He is after. This book is so timely in the hustle culture we live in today.
**I received a complimentary copy of the Book of the Gospels through Alabaster’s Influencer Program.
**I received a complimentary copy of the Book of the Gospels through Alabaster’s Influencer Program.
October 26, 2021
My favorite part of this book is the part that talks about belonging. In a era where we are in constant move, pressured to do and be everything, "belonging is the essential value we crave." . The author makes a wonderful connection to the Parable of the Lost Son. The idea is that the struggle to prove ourselves to one another in order to achieve recognition and worth in the eyes of the community, our friend or our own families, is becoming a race. The parable reminds us that the love we have in one another is the one that brings us rest. It's a lesson that the father of the lost son teaches us to be - welcoming with wide arms , making someone feel treasured .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2022
My fist devotional from Alabaster. This was beautifully written and the photography was stunning. I highlighted most of the book. It’s a devotional devoted to the spiritual discipline of rest. It could not be a more appropriate resistance to cultural standards of producing more.
One of my favorite quotes, “Moving from self-importance to dependence on God can release joy in us. We are not meant to be self-sufficient or carry the world on our shoulders; we are meant for dependence, rest, and play. In rest, we acknowledge that God works when we do not.”
This is a guide book for those truths. Alabaster also has a You Tube channel with guided meditations full of truth and peace.
One of my favorite quotes, “Moving from self-importance to dependence on God can release joy in us. We are not meant to be self-sufficient or carry the world on our shoulders; we are meant for dependence, rest, and play. In rest, we acknowledge that God works when we do not.”
This is a guide book for those truths. Alabaster also has a You Tube channel with guided meditations full of truth and peace.
October 26, 2021
I am in awe of the quality and variety of pictures in “Towards Rest”. The content was so inspirational. Every page has wonderful insight and I love how God uses artistic abilities of others to bring this to life! It’s wonderfully done and a much appreciated perspective of God’s work! This book has really allowed me to dig deeper in my faith and apply what I’ve read directly to my relationships within my family life!
A copy of the book was made available to me through Alabaster's Influencer Program*
A copy of the book was made available to me through Alabaster's Influencer Program*
October 27, 2021
This is the book my soul was waiting for! o
An absolutely stunning release from Alabaster.
The book has such a calming theme woven throughout it.
I sat by the open window and savored each page and was reminded of the importance of letting an afternoon slowly drift by without any agenda.
To simply be myself in God's presence and remind myself that God longs to spend time with me and rest with me.
A must read if you find yourself struggling to be still.
Thanks to Alabaster's influencer program for gifting me a copy! I will be purchasing many more as Christmas gifts this year!
An absolutely stunning release from Alabaster.
The book has such a calming theme woven throughout it.
I sat by the open window and savored each page and was reminded of the importance of letting an afternoon slowly drift by without any agenda.
To simply be myself in God's presence and remind myself that God longs to spend time with me and rest with me.
A must read if you find yourself struggling to be still.
Thanks to Alabaster's influencer program for gifting me a copy! I will be purchasing many more as Christmas gifts this year!
November 1, 2021
"Resting means acknowledging things will
be missed, lost, and broken in our absence, but that we will
emerge afterward still whole, loveable, and loved. "
We all need to learn to rest, especially in a time where everything and everyone is rushed or express. The Sabbath teaches us to rest- to not work. Not as a punishment but as a gift. Choose to rest, just as God did in Genesis 2: 3
Towards Rest teaches us the importance of rest, to not neglect all the cues our bodies give us.
My copy of the book was complimentary through Alabaster's Influencer Program**
be missed, lost, and broken in our absence, but that we will
emerge afterward still whole, loveable, and loved. "
We all need to learn to rest, especially in a time where everything and everyone is rushed or express. The Sabbath teaches us to rest- to not work. Not as a punishment but as a gift. Choose to rest, just as God did in Genesis 2: 3
Towards Rest teaches us the importance of rest, to not neglect all the cues our bodies give us.
My copy of the book was complimentary through Alabaster's Influencer Program**
January 27, 2025
“When we participate in rest — all its holiness, awareness, resilience, play, community, pace, and resistance — we create a more beautiful world together. We heal our wounds. We rest our anxious hearts. We liberate ourselves from the forces of exploitation. We discover the slow, delightful, transformative life we were designed to live. And we rest with God.”
May God evermore move us towards rest where we are able to fully comprehend our worth apart from the money, power, prestige, and accolades.
May God evermore move us towards rest where we are able to fully comprehend our worth apart from the money, power, prestige, and accolades.
January 23, 2023
The passion fueling a heart that cries "I will waste my life on you, Lord" will grow all the more once it realizes that this commitment includes wasting our time through rest as well. This work of art by Alabaster Co reminds us of the solemn truth that rest, being a posture of life and not an industrialized life hack, is meant for rest's sake. That it is sacred in and of itself. This book is a welcome paradigm shifter and beautiful addition to the coffee table.
July 17, 2025
This was a beautiful book filled with lovely photographs and wisdom about rest. I really enjoyed what they said about how much Jesus rested and how important it is for us to do the same, especially in a society like ours that is hustle-and-bustle.
"Being with God means walking at his pace, but our steps are misaligned and frantic. Reeling from the whiplash of a hurried society, we forget our divine longing for presence and cannot stand the intolerable weightlessness of sitting still."
"Being with God means walking at his pace, but our steps are misaligned and frantic. Reeling from the whiplash of a hurried society, we forget our divine longing for presence and cannot stand the intolerable weightlessness of sitting still."
October 20, 2021
In a world full of busyness It’s so good to have some reminders to rest. Alabaster has done An amazing job once again communicate through and sure and such a beautiful demonstration of what it looks like to rest. I’m so excited about this project, rest is truly a part of worship, and I think this book does an excellent job communicating that to the reader.
October 28, 2021
I am constantly running around, moving between things, getting myself all up into stuff, & it is wearing on me. Having taken this time to read Towards Rest as part of Alabaster's ambassador program has been such a blessing and reminded me just how powerful living in the Rest of God can be. I needed this and I hope everyone who sees this receives the blessing and peace that I did.
March 9, 2024
I knew this book would be aesthetically appealing, but it surprised me by also being profound.
“Rest unlocks our unhealthy obsession with ourselves, our worries, our idols, and allows us to partake in true humanity: playing with our children, remaining present to others, or simply breathing and delighting in nature.”
“Rest unlocks our unhealthy obsession with ourselves, our worries, our idols, and allows us to partake in true humanity: playing with our children, remaining present to others, or simply breathing and delighting in nature.”
November 15, 2022
Beautiful book! It is a short read but thought provoking. The photography in the book is restful and encourages the idea of rest, awareness of God, play, pace, and community. I hope to read this every year!
December 3, 2022
Very good, kind of simple but a fair primer in all things rest. Good summary and action-oriented. Quick read, pretty pictures and great for students. Could have been more theological but had good stories and examples from the life of Jesus.
August 1, 2023
Beautiful images accompany Jesus’s promises that invite us into rest. This book is filled with the “why” and “how” of resting well as Christians. You’ll find this to be in the vein of “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.”
November 22, 2023
I’ve read many things about rest and sabbath so perhaps it’s just because it was a fair amount of content I’ve already been exposed to, but I didn’t find this especially intriguing or moving. Very visually appealing though!
January 1, 2024
Such a beautiful book about how the Lord guides us towards rest in him, and away from the world that is constantly in a cycle of go go go.
I recommend this 100% if you’re struggling with anxiety and want to see how Christ offers peace through rest at the end of each season and long day.
I recommend this 100% if you’re struggling with anxiety and want to see how Christ offers peace through rest at the end of each season and long day.
May 12, 2024
4.5 stars.
I kind of wish they didn't put a Disney reference in the book(which also places a timestamp on when this was written). Other than that, I think I'm going to have to re-read this 1 to 2 times a year as a much needed reminder.
I kind of wish they didn't put a Disney reference in the book(which also places a timestamp on when this was written). Other than that, I think I'm going to have to re-read this 1 to 2 times a year as a much needed reminder.
August 8, 2024
This book is both absolutely refreshing and convicting in every way. Rest is something I am so bad at but something that is so necessary. Highly recommend adding this to your list to be reminded that rest and play, are absolutely essential.
April 29, 2022
not only is this book GORGEOUS it’s also so freaking wise and i just want to dwell dwell dwell highly jighly recommend my dears
September 25, 2022
Such an enjoyable & important read.
April 14, 2023
This must become an annual read for me - such good, counter-cultural perspective of what is critical to being holy, set apart, and with God.
July 31, 2023
I love the Alabaster devotionals, and the words and photography just add to how beautiful they are. I needed this devotional on rest so deeply, especially as a new mama. Definitely recommend for anyone wanting a quick devotional they can complete in a week or so.
November 30, 2023
I’ve read/listened to a lot of similar content from John Mark Comer, but this book still felt like a fresh perspective! It was beautiful and was easy to enjoy.
March 27, 2024
Wonderful book, well worth the cost. I underlined many bits and also put in lots of bookmarks. Inspiring looking at different aspects of rest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews