I really appreciated some of the author's stories and points, but this book was a "did not finish" for me because of the Jesus Calling style "God’s Whispers to You" sections in each chapter.

I loved Bonnie Gray's Finding Spiritual Whitespace and her latest book Whispers of Rest is the perfect follow up! I do not typically find devotionals useful, but Bonnie's format is one that is more than just reading. She uses her writing to challenge you to apply it personally to your own life. I love the prompts that she includes. This is more than just a book or just a devotional. It is an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God.

The division of the book is nice as it provides focus areas for each section. I like this since it contributes to the flow of the book, but also builds one area before moving on to the next. This is more than random collections to read through each day. It is a map to guide the reader through a journey of self-discovery to a deeper more meaningful faith.

Rest doesn’t come easy for me, but this book has helped me to see the importance. Bonnie Gray has written a book just for me, well maybe you too, OK, a book I think many of us need. This world is loud and busyness is a problem, not only for ourselves, but we will miss out having a relationship with others, and most important the relationship that we need most of all with God. Bonnie has done her research on ways to find rest, helpful suggestions to slow down, and most importantly connect with God.

When I found out Bonnie was writing another book, after reading her first book Finding Spiritual Whitespace, I knew this book would be worth a read. Her new book is almost like a follow-up to her first book, because if you read her first book she shared how she found God and dealt with PTSD. However, you don’t need to read that book to read Whispers of Rest.

I have been reading through this devotional book daily and partaking in the wonderful journey of resting with God. Bonnie pointed to our need for Jesus, shares Bible verses for the day to focus on, along with reflect and prayer time, and journaling or activity suggestion to connect deeper. This doesn’t have to take hours, but a few minutes will refuel you.

These are some of the notes I have taken, that spoke to me:

Say yes to following Jesus, trust Him to lead you where He calls you to go.
Holding onto guilt of not being enough by doing more..instead draw near to Him and say yes and let my heart be free in HIM.
We were never meant to journey alone. God is with us. In the day and in the night.
Rather than striving to please, to belong or avoid hurt, what is the more restful journey that God is inviting me into, step out in faith and experience Him?
Am I moving by God’s invitation or by my striving?
Checklists never end, we need to step away and rest: to feel our emotions, hear God’s whispers, to be present with others, to be who we were created to be!
When we’re most stressed, we often deprive ourselves of what we need most, God.

Some of the activity suggestions, I did:

Breath prayer was a wonderful way to help me to pause, slow down and connect.
Write a letter to your younger self, was heart opening.
Her reminder, that I will never be able to love as perfectly or unconditionally as God has loved you, but to dedicate your life to loving better.
Make a mosaic of your favorite activities, places, things, people, music, colors, foods, experiences,…is a great way to remember your passions, the beauty the God provides.
Unplug! Instead, journal, create, and remember God is of peace, not confusion, distractions.
Loved this one, drink coffee! Coffee has some added benefits as does art!

After going through this devotion, which by the way I plan to reuse, as a helpful tool to use on days when I get frustatred, worry, or become distracted and need those God whisper reminders. God is gracious and will hear and answer our cries. He will lead and teach us in difficult times. He always acts out His love for us. We must be willing to follow Him. Remove the impure things that cause us to wander.

Be sure to go check out this book for yourself or to give to a friend.

Whispers of Rest is an excellent book for anyone who has been through recent stresses that have put pressure on their faith journey. Full of reminders that God's love for us is not dependent on us, the daily readings come with questions to consider, points to journal and added extra challenges. Definitely going to buy a copy or two to give away.

Whispers of Rest is probably the best devotional book that I have ever read. Bonnie Gray really knows the Lord and you can tell in her writing. This book got me to take the time and stop and rest. I journaled through the prompts she gives in the book. I really feel that I have gotten closer to the Lord through taking my time and my entries in this book. The prayers in the book are amazing and just really hit me right where I was at. I’m sure a lot of people felt that way while reading this book as well. I could go on and on forever but you’ll just have to trust me. I highly recommend this and it gets 5***** from me.
*I was given a copy of this book from the author via NetGalley. The opinions stated here are solely my own. *

Thoughts:

Author Bonnie Gray takes a hard look inside our must get it all done motivations, as one who experiences this dash that we all put ourselves through. To gain the rest that is already ours, we must take His hand, lean into Him, and recharge.

I am touched immensely by this devotional, as I had to face some difficult facts.

In order to give of ourselves to others, we must take care of ourselves, and it’s not about getting everything done or about twisting ourselves into a pretzel shape to accommodate everything in need of our attention. We must rest. It is not wrong to put something down, to set boundaries, and to say no.

In fact, sometimes, it is what He wants us to do to draw closer to Him and rest in His embrace. It is about making time for a relationship with Jesus. Easily, we receive peace, shelter, and strength, but we do this by taking His hand and letting Him lead rather than us charting our own path.

Through this devotional, we start with one word, one action, and one goal. Beloved. Stop. Rest.

From seeing Him through your daily lens to journalizing as little or as much as you need, you set down your own story. Scripture carries you through each challenge with prayer prompts, God Stories, and His peace.

I highly recommend the soul searching, mending, and healing of WHISPERS OF REST: 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul by Bonnie Gray!

***This opinion is my own.***

Preview:

WHISPERS OF REST: 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul by Bonnie Gray is a devotional that leads to healing.

Through Scripture, affirmations, reflections, prayer prompts, journalizing, and challenges, the devotions guide you to rest, peace, renewed faith, powerful hope, and joy. The Soul Care tips and trail notes help with stress reduction and nurturing you in godly ways, bringing true intimacy with our Savior.

These guided steps can mend heart and soul to increase well-being through meditation and creativeness!

Love Bonnie Gray's call to us to break away from busy and embrace rest in our daily lives. Whispers of Rest is one of those books you choose to linger in and it leaves an imprint on your soul. I'm still slowing reading through the book and savoring all it has to offer. For any Christian woman who is struggling with all the should do's of life, Whispers of Rest offers a welcome retreat of simply being and connecting with God.

An engaging and inspirational 40 day devotional book written by the talented Bonnie Gray. I voluntarily reviewed a copy through NetGalley.
In the 40 day devotional book, the author recommends to: read God's story inspired by scripture, reflect on the story, and pray and focus on God. A journal, a quiet corner without interruption, and a desire is needed in the 40 day journey.
Read the highly recommended 40 days of reading, reflecting, praying and focusing on God.

This book brought me a breath of fresh air!
I live in a day that is crazy, and busy, all the time!
Bonnie Gray has given us a book to help cope with this.
A book to give a 'soul detox' if you will.
Her writing style is unique in that it is extremely personal & drawing.
I feel like I have gotten to know her and can count her as a friend.
Are you wanting to slow down, to 'stop and smell the roses'?
Then please take time to read through Whispers of Rest!

Whispers of Rest, a beautifully written and designed forty day devotional. This book will challenge you to listen, rest, and spend time with God. To see yourself as the beautiful creation you are, pursued by a loving Father.

Whispers of Rest is like no other devotional I’ve read. It’s encouragement, a bible study, factual and touching. The daily readings are like Jesus Calling combined with a powerful lesson all while having coffee with a friend.
I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit from Whispers of Rest. It’s for the college student, the young mother, the business woman, the empty nester, and the seasoned woman. It’s for the forgotten, the broken, the healed, the happy, the sad, the poor and the rich.
With the powerful use of scripture, Bonnie teaches the reader to listen for God’s whisper. One of my favorite parts is Daily Beloved Challenge where she offers practical steps toward living out that day’s teaching.
I’ve got so many highlighted quotes but a few of my favorites are:
“If we turned back to only what we know, we would miss out on the beautiful journey God has for us now.” (Pg. 19)
“Tomorrow can be different. God will make a way when there seems to be no way.” (Pg. 201)
“Jesus tells us he is that Someone, lovingly whispering your name – I remember you, Beloved. (Pg. 171)
Bonnie Gray has an amazing talent for taking devotional learning a step further, sharing the Whispers of Rest to the reader’s heart. I have absolutely loved this book and can say I highly, very, very highly, recommend it.
The author generously offers some great freebie and a book club at her website www.whispersofrest.com
https://wordynerdyblog.wordpress.com/2017-book-reviews/whispers-of-rest/

If you are feeling weary and looking for rest, or you simply want to develop practices to help you be still and hear God's voice more clearly, I would definitely recommend this book.
Whispers Of Rest consists of 40 devotions each consisting of a short reflection on a Bible passage, some words that God whispers to us, and a prayer for us to whisper back to him. There are also questions for reflection or journaling and a practical challenge each day- something simple but effective to help us take a step back and find moments of rest in the midst of the busyness of life.
I found this to be a helpful guide. Bonnie's writing is soothing and poetic, and working through this book has definitely helped me to slow down: to stop and notice the beauty around me, to prioritise time where I could pour out my heart to God through prayer and journaling, to intentionally listen for his voice, and to make more space for things that bring me joy.

Reading Bonnie Gray's latest release, 'Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God's Love to Revitalize Your Soul', has been a wonderful means of grace, whereby God has spoken powerfully to me. Each chapter ushers us into deeper soul rest, with Bonnie sharing her experiences, several scriptural references, God's whispers to her heart (and to our own), and thought-provoking quotes.

Each day's devotional also offers a word to guide us, a prayer, soul permission slip, room to prayerfully reflect and journal our story, an intriguing, helpful Beloved Soul Care challenge and Soul Care Trail Notes to offer extra inspiration and encouragement.

My biggest faith shot takeaways have been: getting back to keeping a prayer journal again, enjoying times of prayerful listening and stillness in God's presence and savouring each new soul care challenge. I've also benefited hugely from seeing myself more fully as God's Beloved, and I know you will too.

I highly recommend you get a copy of Bonnie Gray's beautifully written new book for yourself and see how God speaks softly to you through its pages. She is a gentle, inspiring, poetic soul companion and an encouraging guide in helping us to have deeper soul conversations with God and be able to hear His reassuring whispers of rest to calm our restless souls.

I am impressed with the depth and honesty of these 40 devotions. They were initiated during a time when Gray was on a three year journey navigating the mysteries of her soul. She collected whispers from God as He healed her and restored her joy. She invites readers along on what has become her daily practice to listen to God and be refreshed. The devotions are not light nor fluffy but are opportunities for readers to investigate and express heart feelings. She suggests finding a quiet place and using a journal. She provides plenty of journal prompts.

The format of these devotions is unique and provides several ways for readers to respond. Gray has comments and then a related Bible passage. Next is an imagined message from God, a written prayer to Jesus and a few more comments from the author. Questions for reflection follow, then prompts for personal prayer on the topic. Last is a challenge for an activity related to the topic. I like those challenges. They provide a combination of spiritual practices and practical living ideas. We are encouraged to read Scripture slowly and then eat slowly as well. After instruction on listening to God we are encouraged to listen to the sounds of nature.

These are good devotions for people who are ready to grow and are willing to think about issues in their lives. Gray writes about the choices we make, about hurts and healing, about when our life doesn't match the dreams God has put in our hearts, and much more. She is honest in writing about her feelings and asks the same of us. These are not light devotions. They are probing, revealing and healing.

There are a few aspects of these devotionals with which I am uncomfortable. Gray includes whispers from God, imagined statements He makes to us. I get a little nervous when people presume to verbalize messages from God and that is the case here. Another area of concern is the use of Scripture passages. Can we take something God specifically said to Israel, for example, Isaiah 62:4-5 where God would name Israel “delight,” and apply it to us today? Another example is applying Mark 1:11 to us when God was specifically speaking of Jesus.

With those reservations, I do recommend this devotional. The devotions are good and I really like the areas where Gray asks readers to respond. Working through the book would be a journey is self discovery and healing.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

When you’re a woman with as much passion as there is water on earth, self-care is an imperative part of our faith journey.

I began going on prayer walks because the world’s punches landed too hard on my spirit. At first, my walks were small hikes from work to the nearby Starbucks or the nearby CVS. On these walks I realized I was slowly growing weary of mentally walking with Jesus. The next three months would unfold into a promising conversation between myself and the Most High.

Whispers of Rest: 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul came at a time when I also wanted to give up on prayer walks. I love Bonnie Gray’s approach to daily living with simple, focused acts of connection. The hook for me was when she explained how the disciples were called from their work to leave their nets and follow him.

“Jesus was calling them to leave something they all had a lot of experience doing – and instead say yes to something they had no experience doing” (Gray).

It resonated with me on my writing faith journey. It gets hard but it’s never a call to stop. I’m grateful for that reminder.

Whispers of Rest was alike her previous book in style, approach, and tone. I expected a different avenue of thought but was not terribly disappointed. The book is a call to journal, to unearth passions stirring inside you. She ends each chapter with a reflection, prayer & rest, and a challenge. Some challenges include journaling for ten minutes, taking a ten-minute prayer walk, and more.

Permission to allow God to move in your life slowly and deliberately is exactly what I felt of Bonnie Gray’s approach. This book is a kind companion to your daily walk. It is permission to rest. It is a call to allow yourself the delight of enjoying the little things in life because each challenge is accessible. On the last day of the challenges, I purchased flowers. It felt like a fresh start.

I recommend this book and would share with a friend.

A really neat little book and concept. I've been looking for a guided way to introduce journaling more into my prayer time. This feels perfect for that. The reading section and everything is a little longer then I'd like on a daily basis. But, it's worth it to find extra time for. The week I have done of following this daily has been really good for me.