The potential for spiritual healing in this book is significant. Barton comes across at once both an expert in the field of retreat and a co-struggler with a life that can too easily spiral out of control. The comfort of hearing from someone who doesn't cast lofty platitudes from a pedestal, who acknowledges the realities of normal life and the difficulty of getting time to reflect and regroup, is far greater than someone who might merely show up with a set of nifty ideas.

I was particularly taken by the completeness of this work. It is not merely a call to wholeness. It is not merely a how-to which can be used on a retreat of any size. It is not merely a personal account of struggle. It is all these things at once, and has value both on retreat and off.

There are parts of this book that I will certainly take on their own, part and parcel at times, but I feel like I could also take it along on a personal time of solitude over a longer period of time. It would also be a fantastic resource for a group retreat. I feel like I could take this book and facilitate a retreat with a moderate level of confidence.

Simply put, it's a great package. Put into practice, there is significant potential for personal breakthrough. What Barton has given us is the fruit of her professional career, distilled into a usable delivery system. I am certainly appreciative for her gift.

The Publisher’s note describes this beautiful book so perfectly I need not add more, except to say, “Yes!” And award it 5 of 5 Stars!

"’Come away and rest awhile.’ Jesus invites us to be with him, offering our full and undivided attention to him. When we choose retreat, we make a generous investment in our friendship with Christ. We are not always generous with ourselves where God is concerned. Many of us have tried to incorporate regular times of solitude and silence into the rhythm of our ordinary lives, which may mean that we give God twenty minutes here and half an hour there. And there’s no question we are better for it! But we need more. Indeed, we long for more. Here, Transforming Center founder and seasoned spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton gently leads us into retreat as a key practice that opens us to God. Based on her own practice and her experience leading hundreds of retreats for others, she will guide you in a very personal exploration of seven specific invitations contained within the general invitation to retreat. You will discover how to say yes to God's winsome invitation to greater freedom and surrender. There has never been a time when the invitation to retreat is so radical and so relevant, so needed and so welcome. It is not a luxury, but a necessity of the spiritual life.”

Pub Date 18 Sep 2018

Thanks to InterVarsity Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#InvitationToRetreat #NetGalley

I was given an advanced copy through Netgalley for my review. I would highly recommend this book to family and friends and will buy a copy for myself.

A really instructive and practical guide to rest and retreat. I found this a profound and helpful read. I particularly loved the tips at the end of each chapter and the way the author uses her personal experience within the book.
I highly recommend this read!

Highly recommended. This book makes the case for taking quiet, alone time for yourself to discern what’s working (and not working) in your life, what God might be calling you to do, and what you might need to let go. The book is both well written and well edited, covering both the “big picture” concepts and more practical advice for your own retreat. The author offers her expertise on the subject, based on years of leading and undergoing retreats herself. She offers wise words of guidance to both the spiritually mature and to adults who simply need to take some time off to recalibrate. For those in professional ministry, she even offers tips for stepping away from the ego problems inherent in high profile ministry.

I appreciated that this book reached out to all Christians. The author includes nods to those in more Evangelical traditions, Episcopalians (including references to the Book of Common Prayer), Roman Catholics, and anyone seeking spiritual growth and refreshment. Liturgies and suggestions for retreat reading materials are included, along with differentiation between silent retreats, “preached retreats,” or purely solitary retreat time in your own space.

The imagery of this book was particularly helpful. The author paints lovely word pictures which stick with the reader and illuminate the concepts presented.

I cannot get enough of this book and the thoughts that Ruth shares about retreating. I have spent so many years of ministry running and gunning only to come up short and exhausted and it hasn't been but this last year that I have come to learn the art of slowing down, filling myself up with Jesus, and then serving the people. This book has captured for me what I have been missing for almost 20 years in ministry. It is important that you read this book and realize that depth is sweeter with serving others. In fact, I have been convicted reflecting on my life thinking, what had I been offering all those people I served years ago? Now, because of my sweet time with Jesus, I know that I am now giving them Jesus. Discipleship is key, but in order to do discipleship effectively, in my humble opinion, we must spend quality time with The Master. This book was good for my soul and I am thankful for Ruth's ministry and for her sharing her heart.

I really wanted to like this book, because I am in desperate need to have an extended quiet time with God. The author did a good job of explaining the importance of retreat, and why we need to include this in our lives. I just could not get into the book. My mind kept wandering, and I was not engaged in the text. I felt it was a bit repetitive at times. One thing that I did find to be valuable was the resources in the appendix of the book. There were some prayers and scriptures to pray that I know that will be beneficial to me when I am seeking to rest in the Lord. I also enjoyed the section that helps you plan your retreat. This section outlined the types of retreats, and steps that you could take to plan a retreat that meets your needs.

Overall, I feel that this book had some good points and nuggets of wisdom, and it may be beneficial to some. I think that it would have been more helpful to me if it was condensed into an article and then included the resources in the back of the book. I give the book 3 stars because it was okay.

Invitation to Retreat
The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God
by Ruth Haley Barton

Reading this book is like having your own spiritual director sitting beside you in an armchair. Ruth Haley Barton writes in an accessible and thoughtful way. The book is unhurried and gently stirs a desire to retreat and spend more time with God. It is sensible and practical, offering life stories and practices which can be used on or before a retreat. Throughout the book, the author leads and encourages the reader to a deeper intimacy with God.

The only slight qualm I would have is that the book could be taken as a way to work on your own interior, without a clear focus on worshipping God. While I am sure this is not the author’s intention – and the book is quite clear that the purpose of a retreat is to draw near to God – it would be a shame if people used this book more as a self-help guide than as an opportunity to worship.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling dry or over-stretched, or is looking to deepen their relationship with God.