Name: Courtney's review of Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons
Item: Rhythms of Renewal
Rating: 3
Author: Courtney

Rebekah Lyons

Daily struggles with anxiety and stress make it difficult to receive God's peace. In Rhythms of Renewal, Rebekah Lyons helps you walk through four rhythms to the vibrant life you were meant to live. By learning to rest, renew, connect, and create, you will find mindful habits that quiet inner chaos and make space for the peace you long for.

Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose

Rhythms of Renewal

piri

Courtney

I’m a bit conflicted on this book. I love the rhythms and ideas presented. The table of contents was actually my favorite part to reference as I incorporated these ideas within the past few days that I read this book. So this book fell short in some ways for me. I couldn’t relate from the start with the beach vacation on California’s northern coast in the house overlooking the cliffs of the pacific blah blah blah. I get that it’s supposed to set the mood for her anxiety attack, but this is just where I prefer Brene Brown’s approach to just get to the point. It doesn’t matter that it was in a hotel in Paris, it happened in a hotel and that’s good enough. Really, the ideas are good, and the points made are helpful, but the fluff surrounding it is a tad bit more than I could ever relate to and that disconnects me from the author and her intentions. So overall, yes, the style of this book just wasn’t for me, but the ideas are GOOD. I guess I’m just more used to Brene Brown and Holley Gerth’s more humble writing style and that’s fine.

Elle.

This was a pretty decent read. Overall, however, it felt like a biography with tiny sections of life applications. It was a “feel good, God loves you” kind of book with not a lot of scripture; it was more of how she feels when it comes to having a relationship with God. Would love for Christ and the gospel to have been mentioned and how, through Him, we can find rhythms of renewal. 

Her rhythms were fine, but it wasn’t anything I haven’t heard or read countless times before (eat healthy, get good sleep, fellowship, go for walks, pick up a new craft—you know, the usual list). She seems like a sweet and vulnerable woman, I loved her transparency! But I just couldn’t relate—her life felt too privileged (constant travels both domestically and internationally, lectureship speaking engagements, attended a private design school in NYC for the fun of it, lived in the upper East-side of Manhattan, etc). There are, however, occasional statements I thoroughly enjoyed sprinkled throughout the book, and the writing is simplistically sweet. 

This book was more of “how to live better in the here and now so that I can live comfortably?” and not “how to live better here while in preparation for the new, eternal life to come in light of the gospel?” Her tips were materialistic based and not spiritual. Yes, eating and sleeping better can be great for your health, but this is only beneficial physically. It is written, "for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8).

Here’s what I was thinking while reading:
***What are some practical ways of cultivating a holy lifestyle in everyday moments in order to be renewed? 
***How are we putting off our old self and putting on the new self that's conformed to the image of Christ? 

This is what New Testament Christianity is about: it's living new, resurrected lives because of Jesus. When I picked up “Rhythms of Renewal,” I was expecting to receive ways of spiritually refreshing and refilling your cup after a day of pouring yourself out to others. But this book is more modern-day denominational prosperity "Christianity."

I guess I’m more of a scripture-saturated, need conviction, ways of living a holy and Spirit-filled life kind of reader. There are no substitutions for God’s word, but I do enjoy reading religious works as small supplements to my faith for edification or challenge.

This book was ok, but not great.

piri &
Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons

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