Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey (Sensible Shoes Series)
Original price was: $21.99.$10.95Current price is: $10.95.
Over 100,000 Copies Sold Worldwide!
Four Strangers, One Retreat Center, A Story of Transformation
Sharon Garlough Brown tells the moving story of four strangers as they embark together on a journey of spiritual formation:
Hannah, a pastor who doesn’t realize how exhausted she is.
Meg, a widow and recent empty-nester who is haunted by her past.
Mara, a woman who has experienced a lifetime of rejection and is now trying to navigate a difficult marriage.
Charissa, a hard-working graduate student who wants to get things right.
You’re invited to join these four women as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find themselves drawn out of their separate stories of isolation and struggle and into a collective journey of spiritual practice, mutual support and personal revelation.
Along the way, readers will find:
Key spiritual practices that they can take into their own lives,A cast of characters that any reader can find themselves in, andTangible support for the deeper life with God.
If you want to travel this journey with others, you will find a group study guide and book club resources at www.sensibleshoesclub.com.
From the brand
Women’s History Month
Prepare for Lent
Meet Saint Patrick
Start a New Bible Study
Recommended Books
Books to Read with Your Kids
Ebooks on Sale
Who Are We?
Since 1947, InterVarsity Press (IVP) has been publishing thoughtful Christian books that shape both the lives of readers and the cultures they inhabit. Throughout these seventy-five years, our books and authors have established a legacy of speaking boldly into important cultural moments, providing timeless tools for spiritual growth, and equipping Christians for a vibrant life of faith.
Publisher : IVP (February 27, 2013)
Language : English
Paperback : 349 pages
ISBN-10 : 0830843051
ISBN-13 : 978-0830843053
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
Related Products
Original price was: $21.99.$10.95Current price is: $10.95.
Arabic
English
Urdu
Placeholder –
Four Realistic Life Stories with Tools for Spiritual Growth
I really enjoyed this book and felt that I could personally identify with the spiritual struggles of several of the four women who meet and become friends as they learn how to support each other at the “New Hope Retreat Center” where each of them has come because they need spiritual direction and help to make changes in their lives. As the reader hears the stories of these women who during the course of their studies with the group at the retreat center, develop the inner strength to look into their own hearts and their own past and choose healing, we also learn about numerous spiritual tools and processes which their spiritual counselor Katherine, shares with them which the reader can also use personally to get closer to God.Some of my favorite tools or processes from the book are walking a labyrinth; how to use the imagination in prayer or to place yourself in a Bible story where you can personally encounter God; the palms up, palms down prayer and especially – “praying the Examen”.Katherine, the spiritual counselor in the story, who runs the retreat center shares with the retreat group that, “the prayer of examen was developed by Ignatius of Loyola in the sixteenth century as a discipline for discerning God’s will and becoming more attentive to God’s presence”. She tells the retreatants that this prayer is a way of sitting with Jesus and talking through the details of your day. The examen, Katherine tells us, “helps us to perceive the movement of the Spirit and to discover God’s presence in all of life.”I enjoy using this “prayer of examen”, during which I use a series of questions to prayerfully review the events of my day, my thoughts, words and actions and to surrender to God those which have been unkind and hurtful to myself or others. Using this process I can accept God’s forgiveness for all the negative stuff and give thanks for the events of my day and those of my responses which have helped to draw me closer to the heart of God. Some of the questions teh reader in this prayer are posed as suggestions by Katherine to her group such as “When were you aware of God’s presence today? When did you sense God’s absence?”; When did you respond to God with love, faith and obedience? When did you resist or avoid God?”.And after responding to these kind of questions which we ask ourselves, Katherine instructs Hannah, Meg, Mara, Charissa, the rest of her retreat group and us, the reader, that we confess what needs to be confessed then allow God’s Spirit of love to bring us wholeness, grace and forgiveness.”Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey”, is the kind of book which makes a fantastic spiritual study for an individual or for a group who may want to explore the ideas and tools presented with others in a group setting. I was introduced to this book by a friend whose church group used it for Lenten Study.
K. Marie Frances –
as a part of a wonderful “PhD Survival Kit
Almost two years ago, my friend Lorna told me that I just had to read this book called Sensible Shoes. I added it to my list of books to read, but I never got around to it. So, I was pleasantly surprised when, as a part of a wonderful “PhD Survival Kit,” she gave me a copy. When I was packing to go on my retreat, I slipped the book into my bag without really thinking about it. I figured, why not? It might be a good read.It was so good that I couldn’t set it down.The thing about Sensible Shoes is that it’s about a group of four women who are doing a long retreat and Brown’s writing style enables the reader to go on the retreat alongside the characters. This book is more than just a good novel, it’s a spiritual renewal—and for that, I think I would give the book 5 stars. But as a novel, it is also touching and helps reveal something intimate about the reader as the characters’ souls are being laid bare.From a literature perspective, the story is well done. The writing is superb and the way in which the author switches between the character perspectives keeps you wanting to read more and find out what happens. I’ve already written on the blog about how I related to each character, so I won’t take up space writing about that now. I will say that each character is so real, so relatable that it makes it feel like a true story. I guarantee that you have met women just like Meg, Mara, Hannah, and Charissa. Reading this novel, you might well find yourself thinking of a friend who, like Meg, needs to learn her worth. Or, you might be reminded of a former classmate who, like Charissa, makes your blood boil when she is being superficial and judgmental. Each character has different struggles, different addictions that keep them from being in perfect communion with God. The story, then, is how each overcomes those obstacles and moves forward to be in better communion with God and with each other. Since that is the story of each of our own lives and spiritual journeys, I think that makes Sensible Shoes a hopeful read.When the story reaches the bi-monthly meetings of the retreat group that the women belong to, there is a discussion in the story of a certain type of prayer. To help the reader in their own prayer life, Brown even includes a copy of the handout that the women receive from their retreat director in the story. I even borrowed from Brown in articles for my magazine. That’s how good these handouts are. With an M.Div. from Princeton and a job as pastor at an Evangelical church in Michigan, Brown is obviously an experienced retreat director in addition to being a great author—making me even more inclined to support her book. We ministers have to support each other.I highly recommend this great work of fiction and hope that you will take the time to read it. I guarantee it will help you in your spiritual life.
Annie Cochran –
Wonderful
A beautiful story, a great book must have.
stephanie lake –
I got this book for a book club I belong to. It was a great read. Couldn’t stop reading it.
Rebecca –
Ein tolles Buch! Ich kann es kaum aus der Hand legen und freue mich schon auf die restlichen 3 Bücher!
Gamechanger –
What an incredible book! You truly feel a part of the story, not just an observer. The book is very cleverly written and draws you in. I recognised bits of myself in all 4 characters, which I’m sure is the intention. It provokes thought about your own life and journey and helps you to see why/how you arrived at the present point. You find yourself taking part in the tasks given to the characters at each session of the retreat, so in a sense you are moving with them but working on yourself. I feel the book found me just at the right time – thank you Jesus. Looking forward to working through the study guide followed by book 2. Would definitely recommend and have already bought one as a gift for a friend.
Nan –
Boek met veel inzichten en wijsheid. Iedereen kan zich met de personages vinden. Dus
Shirlz –
This book will challenge your own christian walk with Jesus. It follows 4 women and explores their pasts and the reasons they find walking with Jesus in a close relationship with Him. It is a great book to study with other women and find that most of us have had similar hiccups on our journey. There is a good study guide that goes with it. It is a book that you want to keep reading over and over. Although fiction it touches the heart of each reader to question their own spiritual journey.