"Here's the rub about faith. Sure, prayer often changes outward things, but the only guaranteed miracle God offers us is inner peace, the peace of Christ. A peace so crazy deep that it cannot be analyzed or understood. It descends on us even when everything else is falling apart, while the drug-addicted child does not come to his senses, or the job offer doesn't pan out, or the cancer rages and the marriage is a hollow mess. But I'll let you in on a secret. This miracle of the 'inner variety,' this inexplicable and supernatural calm in the storm, is the greatest miracle you'll ever experience."
Bestselling author Ken Gire weaves together stories from the Bible, history, and his own life to reveal how we can find strength and encouragement through the storms of life. Experience the joy of knowing the God who is always there to reach out a hand and pull you out of the waves.
Ken Gire is the author of more than 20 books, including "The Divine Embrace," "Windows of the Soul," "The Work of His Hands," the Moments with the Savior series, and the Reflective Life series. He has also co-authored "The Birthright" with John Sheasby. Two of his books have been awarded a Gold Medallion. A full-time writer and speaker, Ken is the founder of Reflective Living, a nonprofit ministry devoted to helping people learn how to slow down and live more reflective lives so they can experience life more deeply, especially life with God and other people. Ken is a graduate of Texas Christian University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He has four children and three grandchildren and lives near the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Monument, Colorado.
As a bestselling author, Ken speaks primarily on the subjects in the books he has written. In the past, he has spoken at such venues as Bill and Gloria Gaither's Praise Gathering, Billy Graham's Training Center---the Cove, Laity Lodge, Wind River Ranch, Young Life, as well as a variety of denominational and non-denominational churches. He has spoken in the church service itself but has mostly done church retreats. He is available to speak for large, public events as the keynote speaker or for smaller, more private events, such as leadership retreats. In all of his talks, Ken uses a variety of audio-visuals, such as film clips, and so the host would need to have the necessary equipment and someone to operate it. His messages can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the venue. Since most of his speaking topics are from the books Ken has written, you can get a greater feel for his talks by first getting the book from Amazon.com, which carries both his in-print and out-of-print books.
Gire Opens up reminding us how when something goes wrong in our life, a life altering diagnosis or whatever the case may be we spend hours researching the subject, and trying to educate ourselves...It's understandable that we want to do what we can to still the waters...
Gire peppers this book with stories of Christians who have faced life changing trials, like Catherina Marshall who was given a Tubercolis Diagnosis in the 1940's, and it reminds us of the search for peace amidst these life changing events. We are reminded too in this book that during our struggles, the Lord will use friends as well as Strangers, and our Christian brothers and sisters to help us through the trials.
We are reminded too that the Lord will use His Word of course, but uplifting movies, and books to help us through these times of struggle too. When we are going through the valleys we do not have to feel alone, because the Lord is always with us.
Five Stars for a book that will help you through your valleys...
In this book, Ken Gire writes about practical ways to rely on God when you are in a storm - could be circumstances, emotions, depression, physical illnesses or relational pains, etc. I felt understood and also felt hopeful that God can and He helps. Finding peace in a storm is part of running the race in this world God wants you to live. But you are not alone and you can through everything God provided to be connected to His heart. It is sometimes prayer, words, friends, books, music, movies, etc. Even when you don’t even want to lift your fingers to find peace, God works in you. And there are authors like Ken Gire who writes a book likes this to let you know you are not alone and your problem is never too big for God.
This is the kind of book to keep on your bookshelf for those stormy days when it is hard to appreciate the sunshine of God's presence. There is something in this book for every kind of situation, with good life application stories to go with the Biblical references. I found it easy to keep turning the pages, which made it a good holiday read.
A helpful reminder of the various ways that God gives us peace in the midst of storms. Each chapter looks at different means that God uses to still our bodies and souls (music, prayer, friendship, creation, recreation etc…)
At Peace in the Storm – Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most by Ken Gire.
“When you need a Savior who stills the wind. Here’s the rub about faith. Sure, prayer often changes outward things, but the only guaranteed miracle God offers us is inner peace, the peace of Christ. A Peace so deep that it cannot be analyzed or understood… the inexplicable and supernatural calm in the storm, is the greatest miracle you’ll ever experience.”
In my mind, there are times when events happen by coincidence and then there are times that are so uniquely inspired that they can only be orchestrated by the hand of God. I am blessed to be able to read, and review, so many amazing books. These great works of art show up on my doorstep and I do what I’ve been asked to do. And then there is a book or two that show up just when you didn’t think that you needed them. This book is just that. It didn’t show up a day early or a day late. It showed up right smack in the middle of my own personal storm.
This easy, calming style of this author was just that… calm. He didn’t offer me 12 steps out of my storm, he didn’t offer me a program that if I just “do this” or “pray that”, then my life will be filled with rainbows and unicorns. No… reading this book was like sitting at my kitchen table talking to a dear friend.
He brings together stories from his own life along with Biblical truths to show me that I can find strength and encouragement in the middle of my storm. And that peace can be found through prayer, music, rest, recreation, God’s Word, friends and strangers, serving others and in God’s creation. God’s peace is available to us in so many ways; sometimes it takes someone else to point that out to us.
I highly recommend this book to anyone of us that from time to time find ourselves adrift in our personal storms.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com
I have not read anything by Ken Gire before and to be honest, I am not sure if I will again. That is not to say that I disliked the book per se, but I am not sure if I liked his style of writing. As I read this book, it literally took me 30 pages before I started getting interested in what he had to say, as his folksy, almost "Andy Griffith" style was hard for me to get past. His writing style comes across as sitting down with an older person over coffee, perhaps a grandparent or a mentor and listening to his or her life stories and advice. Again, that is not a bad thing, nor does it make this a bad book; it is simply not the particular style I like to read.
The books premise is simply this: You will have periods of your life that are difficult and hard; the storms in your life if you will. It is during these stormy times in life that you should, and sometimes will, encounter the Peace of God, through various mechanisms God uses to give you this peace. Each chapter of the book goes through one of these ways you may experience God's peace in your life. Some of these ways that Mr. Gire writes about include prayer, friends and strangers, God's Word, music, rest and creation. To Mr. Gire's credit, he does not try to give you plans of action to experience this peace, nor does he claim to have all the answers in this book. His book is simply Mr. Gire's observations through living his life as to how he has obtained this peace from God.
The book itself is a short one at only 174 pages in length, with 163 pages of actual writing. The remaining pages are notes and the bibliography of resources he used in his writing. It was a fast read once I got past the initial pages and once again, I have to be honest that the first few pages, to me, were slow and seemed to bog down.
Overall I am giving the book three stars out of five.
The necessary legal disclaimer: I was allowed to read an advanced copy of Ken Gire's book "At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior's Presence When You Need Him Most" by Bethany House Publishing. My review of this book is in no way influenced by receiving the advanced copy; my review is my own.
"Even Jesus struggled when he was Gethsemane and peace eluded him. But in that painfully horrific space of time, he eventually experienced calm. And though his circumstances did not change, and the cup he asked to be removed still awaited him, peace descended upon the Savior, and he faced his appointed mission with calm, grace, and courage." Ken Gire
As a follower of Christ, we are always in need of reminders and guidance from other followers. Ken Gire does both through his book, At Peace in the Storm.
Ken shares, reminds and guides you through life's storms towards God's peace from beginning to end of this book. Ken does so through Biblical stories and scripture as well as his own personal life.
Ken Gire comes along side you no matter what your storm is and guides you towards finding peace through perspective, scripture, personal stories, rest, creation and recreation to name a few. As you read you will be reminded of God's love for you and His gift of peace. You will be reminded that Christ is with you and He is bigger than your storm. Your thoughts will shift from the size of your struggle or storm to the size of your God, which is something we all need to be reminded of at times.
Ken's humility is threaded throughout his book with stories from his own personal storms creating a connection with his readers. I would recommend this book to anyone who is walking through a storm and is struggling to see the light and find God's peace. I would also recommend this book to anyone who knows anyone who is in the midst of their storm, being beaten by the waves and too busy tossing water out to stay afloat to look up and see Christ.
Ken's style of writing is easy to follow and understand. Ken's compassion is comforting and his words are a steady reminder of God's love and grace for His children.
It was such a blessing to read and review this book and I know God will use this book for His glory and His good to bring peace to many in their storms.
Experiencing the Savior's Presence When You Need Him Most
Everyone experiences times of storm that disrupt our lives, but we can have peace even during these times of trouble.
Peace can be found in a variety of ways, but you need to be watching for it. It could be the helping hand of a stranger. Or it could be in something you read. This inner miracle of peace is a gift from God which we can all experience. This doesn't mean that you won't experience the storms of life just that you will be at peace during them.
God's Word is a daily source of comfort and His comforting presence is revealed in many of the Psalms. Though we can lose all our earthly possessions in life's storms God's love can never be lost to us as long as we don't reject God. Peace from God can also be found in daily time of prayer and in spending time with others who are part of the body of Christ.
Music can also be a source of comfort. Which I can totally agree with, after being involved in a car accident I've suffered from panic attacks. But music has a calming effect and keeps the panic attacks at bay (Christmas music is my music of choice in the car if you're curious).
At Peace in the Storm is a book that everyone should have in their home. Yes, it will help you at the time you or a loved are caught up in a storm, but it will provide you with a foundation before the storm hits. Sources of comfort can be found all around us and this book will help us to open our eyes to see and our ears to listen.
I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
As I write this review, severe weather is thundering its way across my home state of Missouri. And I do NOT like storms! There’s been lightening, thunder, rain, and strong winds around me all day. Kinda fitting, huh? ;) This book delivers just what the title promises – stories of hope and peace amidst ALL kinds of life storms. The beautiful focus throughout is set on the sovereignty of God and how He works all things – even the “bad” things – for our good and for His glory.
A great addition to your study time, At Peace In the Storm is broken down into easy-to-read chapters by the author to reveal different perspectives of divine peace in the soul. He shares stories and wonderful quotes from people from Biblical days up to the present day, reminding us that no one is alone who knows God. He touches on many various types of storms or hardships in our lives, including illness and loss, and points his readers beyond the present pain to our true Refuge. (The hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul” comes to mind.)
Life can be difficult, even incapacitating, at times. In his book, At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most, Ken Gire offers hope and encouragement for those who are hurting. He presents several ways to cope with difficulties such as finding peace through God’s Word, prayer, books, rest, and the beauties of nature. Throughout the book, Gire offers insights from the Bible, stories, and personal illustrations to highlight each aspect he emphasizes. Gire concludes that God works through the storms of our lives to accomplish His purpose. This book is a short read and went faster than expected. The emphasis on God’s Word and refraining from voicing trite expressions in the midst of a friend’s tragedy are the strongest points made. However, the book was hard to read because the author’s tone distracted from his sensible suggestions. The emotional appeal was over-emphasized, and some of the illustrations were theologically questionable. Otherwise, At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most would have been a solid book. I give it three out of five stars
We’ve all been through storms in this life. Ken Gire, author of At Peace in the Storm: Experiencing the Savior’s Presence When You Need Him Most, writes about these storms and throughout this book encourages us to seek Him in the midst of them. Mr. Gire writes about the ways in which we can seek His presence in the midst of our darkest hours, such as in nature, His Word, movies, and through others. Many stories are illustrated throughout depicting others’ experiences in their storms and Biblical and other inspirational quotes.
I was sincerely comforted by this book and recommend it to everyone.
Happy Reading!
Note: I have received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
What I loved the most about this book is Mr. Gire comes along side of you, not to offer a 13 step way to conquer the storms in your life to be at peace, but just what his title is in a nutshell- finding peace in the storm. Any storm. His humility is woven into his words as he recounts his storms of his own. All along the book, Mr. Gire helps the reader fix their eyes on Jesus and the promises of His presence and of His peace in all storms you are facing.
Wonderful book and I am looking forward to reading more from Ken Gire in the future.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing in return for an honest review.