[Note: I have authored 32 books to date; yet, I have realized that many of you do not know what my books are about. 😆
In these audio Deep Dives, the hosts discuss the book in focus, and it ends up being quite inspirational! You can listen to this audio presentation in your podcast app or right here in the email as you drive to work or put on your make-up. (Also, there is a transcript available in the link above.)
I have also provided an overview for those who prefer to read. Enjoy and check out the huge 80% limited-time special discount on PDF and .epub ebooks below. If you really like the ebook, you can always pick up the paperback at Amazon as a gift for your friends and family for Christmas. Thanks for reading and listening! Iann ]
Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart) by Iann Schonken
Main Themes: This book emphasizes the importance of incorporating “sacred pauses” into our busy lives to better connect with God and hear his guidance. It argues that by intentionally pausing for prayer, reflection, forgiveness, and praise, we can experience greater peace, purpose, and direction in our lives.
Key Ideas and Facts:
The Deceitful Heart and God's Call: Schonken acknowledges the biblical teaching of the heart’s deceitfulness (Jeremiah 17:9) but emphasizes that God can cure and guide us if we listen. He uses the analogy of a blinking answering machine message to illustrate God's persistent call that we often ignore in the busyness of life.
"Daily, God calls out to us to offer His help as we try to navigate life’s troubled waters."
Sacred Pauses: The book outlines seven sacred pauses:
Pause for a Talk with God: Cultivating a consistent and authentic prayer life.
Pause for 24 Hours: Observing Sabbath rest to reconnect with God and our true identity.
Pause for Perspective: Stepping back to gain God's perspective on our situations.
Pause for Stillness and Silence: Creating space to hear God's "gentle whisper."
Pause to Stand in the Gap: Interceding for others through prayer.
Pause for Forgiveness: Releasing bitterness and extending forgiveness to others and ourselves.
Pause for Praise: Cultivating a heart of gratitude and expressing praise to God.
Prayer as Connection and Transformation: Schonken highlights prayer as a means of connecting with God and experiencing personal transformation. He emphasizes that we don't need to be perfect to approach God, as His grace covers us.
"Prayer pauses are not about having the right motivations and personal perfection."
Sabbath Rest and Identity: The author stresses the importance of Sabbath rest, not as a legalistic requirement but as a way to reconnect with God and reclaim our identity as His beloved children.
"The biblical truth is that our Christian identity is in Christ. It is shaped and strengthened in the place of Sabbath-rest."
Perspective and Ownership: The book challenges readers to shift their perspective by recognizing that everything ultimately belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of what He has entrusted to us.
"We never really own anything during our brief stay on earth. God just loans the earth to us while we’re here."
Stillness, Silence, and God’s Whisper: Schonken uses the story of Elijah hearing God in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13) to illustrate the importance of cultivating stillness and silence to hear God's voice amidst the noise of life.
Intercession and Standing in the Gap: Drawing on the examples of Jesus and Job, the book calls readers to intercede for others, standing in the gap between their needs and God's provision.
"If the mediation is not going to come from you, then whom?"
Forgiveness and Freedom: Schonken emphasizes the liberating power of forgiveness, both giving and receiving. He reminds readers that God has forgiven us and calls us to extend that same grace to others.
"When we forgive others, we unchain ourselves from a painful memory."
Praise as Transformation and Authority: The book highlights the transformative power of praise, both in our own hearts and in our situations. It argues that praising God, even in difficult circumstances, invites His presence and authority into our lives.
"When our praises go up, God’s throne comes down."
Quotes:
On Prayer: "Prayer is a conversation that leads to a divine connection."
On Sabbath: "I am special to my Heavenly Father. I am no longer a slave to my limited efforts and my backbreaking labor!"
On Perspective: "If you don’t get God’s perspective on your situation or problem, you will not be able to live out God’s pattern for your life!"
On Forgiveness: "Pride is a forgiveness killer!"
On Praise: "Many things will not change until we learn to praise God in every situation."
Overall Impression:
"Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart)" offers a practical and encouraging guide for Christians seeking to deepen their relationship with God and live more fulfilling lives. It reminds readers that God is constantly speaking, but we must intentionally create space and silence to hear his voice and experience his transformative power.
Get your copy and get a few paperbacks for your friends for Christmas:
Paperback: $9.99 | Kindle: $9.99 | PDF+epub Ebooks: $1.99 (limited time 80% discount)
