Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal

Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal (Herald Press, 2013).

Available in paperback or e-book format from:

and your favourite online and local bookstores.

I would also love to send you a free copy of the Sacred Pauses Group Guide.

Summary

In a fast-paced world full of distractions, this book offers fresh ways to find everyday personal renewal. Each chapter explores a different spiritual practice—from classic disciplines of Scripture reading and prayer to less conventional approaches like having fun and living simply. Through personal stories, scriptural insights, historical examples, and practical suggestions, this book serves to guide us into new connections with ourselves and others, with creation, and with God.

Endorsements

Sacred Pauses helps you participate in an interactive life with God. In fact, it is hard to finish the book because you want to put it down and simply engage in each down-to-earth, versatile practice!

– Jan Johnson, spiritual director and author of Abundant Simplicity

A superb survey of practices we can use to help us in Sabbath-taking throughout our busy lives —not just on Sundays.

– J. Brent Bill, Quaker minister and
author of Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God

Modern life often runs us ragged, with little space for us to catch our spiritual breath. Sacred Pauses offers creative opportunities for connection with the transcendent in the midst of the everyday.

– Albert Y. Hsu, author of The Suburban Christian

I love Yamasaki’s personal, real-life stories, which draw me into her exploration of ways to draw close to God.

– Christine Sine, author of Return to Our Senses and
founder and facilitator of Godspace

April Yamasaki’s stories and practical advice not only show us how – they make us want to pursue spiritual practices.

– Gordon Houser, author of Present Tense

Rooted in Scripture, and drawing from a rich breadth of other sources both historical and contemporary, Sacred Pauses offers a feast of insight into spiritual discipline with wisdom, honesty, humility, and thoughtful clarity. April Yamasaki probes deeply into the heart of what it means to walk with God, blessing us with a gift for both renewal and transformation.

– Barbara Nickel, poet and author of
Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach

Video Book Trailer

Foreword by Arthur Boers
Introduction

1. Creating Space
2. Slowing Down
3. Becoming Quiet
4. Engaging Scripture
5. Praying It Like It Is
6. Getting Outside
7. Being Alone Without Being Lonely
8. Valuing Relationships
9. Giving
10. Praying the Lord’s Prayer
11. Making Music
12. Fasting
13. Having Fun
14. Paying Attention
15. Confessing
16. Praying Scripture
17. Living Simply
18. Ending Well