God, Grace, and Horses
Life Lessons from the Saddle
by Laurie M. Brock
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Feb 15 2022 | Archive Date Mar 22 2022
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Description
From the beloved author of Horses Speak of God comes a warm and inspiring guide to the life lessons we can learn from horses
Laurie Brock, Episcopal priest, messy Christian, and horse lover, shares the experiences of love, grief, humility, joy, and deep wisdom that she discovers day to day with horses. From barely-there trails in the Grand Tetons to muddy fields in the Kentucky Bluegrass, God is revealed in the simple ways of these magnificent creatures. For anyone feeling doubtful, distracted, or anxious in these challenging times, Laurie brings us back to center, reminding us to breathe, get back on the saddle, and move beyond the familiar into the freedom of something new.
Advance Praise
"In these essays, Laurie Brock takes bold and imaginative steps on a holy trail. Even if you are not a horse person you will find plenty to love in God, Grace, and Horses. In the tradition of Anne Lamott, Brock explores the barn, the arena, and the trail with quirky humor and earthy insights about the relationship between creature and Creator." —Amy Frykholm, author of Wild Woman: A Footnote, the Desert, and My Quest for an Elusive Saint
"To read this book is to experience centering prayer, an invitation into the holy relationship between humans and horses, between chance and change. Laurie Brock invites us to examine our intimate, embodied connection with other species who share this Earth with us." —Mallory McDuff, author, Our Last Best Act: Planning for the End of Our Lives to Protect the People and Places We Love
"God, Grace and Horses is exactly the balm we need in these uncertain times. Brock lyrically and intelligently reminds me of the importance of my faith, and of how animals can help center that. 'Horses take me on the holy trails where God walks with us,' she writes. So does this lovely book." —Silas House, author of Southernmost
"The horses she rides are angels and the insights she receives while astride them are blessings from God. For Laurie Brock, Episcopal Priest and equestrian, all creation declares the glory of God, but it is through horses that she has learned some of the most ordinary and therefore profound truths about life. Whether it is Maverick taking his own path through the brush in the driving rain or Brock’s Aunt Tote (the person, not a horse) who drove across the United States without ever putting the car in anything but Drive or Park (“Aunt Tote could drive—just not in reverse”) Brock offers reflections on how God is present with us on every trail ride and journey with great wit, humor, and warmth. Horses are exotic to most Americans now, most of us do not have the opportunity to ride on a regular basis, as Mother Laurie does, yet what she is teaching us is how to reflect upon our own lives, rides, and trails. While we gain immensely from her insights and wisdom, Brock gently encourages us to examine our own life, to listen for the voice of God in nature and our friends, and to experience the grace and presence of God." —Christian M.M. Brady, author of Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Christian Struggle with Suffering, Grief, and Hope
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781640606074 |
| PRICE | $18.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
KRISTINE Y, Bookseller
The first thing I must admit is that I do not have any real experience with horses. I am fascinated with them none the less and found this book very engrossing. The connecting with nature and the Lord was very well told. I think the stress of our times right now calls for a read like this one.
david s, Reviewer
If you loved her book Horses Speak of God then you’ll love this one. Brock builds upon the rich, theological world of nature and God with horses as deep teachers.
In my childhood, I had a Tennessee Walking Horse. After tiring of putting on the saddle one too many times, I would simply put on the bit and bridle and take off. His name was Sham, and he was one of the few things that kept me grounded in order to deal with childhood trauma. In heated moments of stress and strain, I’d jump on and let him take me wherever gripping his mane for dear life. With his speed and unpredictability, I felt like I was flying and dying at the same time. Only surrendering to the journey kept me close to what I can only describe as the heartbeat between God and nature. Laurie’s writing took me back to this sacred journey….
My prayer for anyone reading is that it will do the same for you as well.
Recommended: nature lovers, Christians, Horse enthusiasts
**thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy**
Annette J, Reviewer
I love the cover of this book. In fact that’s why I wanted to read it. There’s lots of horse information in this book. She draws parallels from riding horses to religion. It’s an interesting book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Eunice C, Reviewer
This book has a lot of good spiritual and everyday horse sense within its pages and the author, Laurie M Brock, writes at an easy, gentle gait. Like one of her cowgirl riding instructors once advised her, "around horses, go slowly". In other words, one shouldn't gallop through this book; walk and maybe transition into a trot but take time to "see purple" and smell the roses, or the horses, as the case may be, to more fully appreciate the embedded gems.
Before reading this book God, Grace and Horses, I just thought, a horse is a horse. However, it was fun to meet the various horses Brock rides, such as: Moe, Spencer, Izzy and her own Nina, to name some, and discover their respective personalities and the experiences from which these horse sense lessons have evolved.
I deduce from reading this book, that variety in horses creates a variety of nuances in how to ride despite the various standard operating procedures of how to post; hold the reins to communicate with individually respective horses and to build a better relationship and ride for both horse and rider. Such is life and our own human diversity of living experiences with God.
Obviously, experenced horse people will love this book; however, it is instructional for those of us with minimal horse connections as well. Those of us who love Jesus will definately be blessed in learning better ways to communicat and relate with God and others with greater grace and to live in His grace, ourselves. Additionally, pastors and counselors or others who often deal with high stress issues on a regular basis may well find this a very beneficial "sermon solace" to still their hearts and minds.
There could be pricks of challenge akin to a horse feeling the taps of the crop upon its rump, for our own good and improvement.
Although this has been great "riding horses" with Brock there is one word of caution to readers who believe in a young earth. Brock appears not to. However, overall, this book certainly has good value of thought and I'll certainly look at a horse with greater affinity and perception in a next encounter and try to remember the lessons Brock shares.
If a reader enjoys this book and wants to "ride more horses" with Brock, know that she has a string of several other 'lessons from horses' books already "in the barn," groomed, bridled and saddled, just waiting for you to come 'ride'.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
December 2021
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
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