Starting Something New: Spiritual Direction for Your God-Given Dream

by Beth A. Booram

Do you have a dream? Do you have a creative idea stirring within you to do something different or start something new? If so, you're not alone. Many people have God-given dreams but don?t know how to discern what they are and develop them into something real. Most of these dreamers aren't business people or experienced entrepreneurs. They're just sincere Christ-followers who need a spiritual and practical guide to help them realize their dream―whether it be to start a new ministry, non-profit or business, or even the vision to begin a new lifestyle. Drawing from her personal experience and the stories of fifteen others, spiritual director Beth Booram has written this companion guide for those who wonder if they have a God-given idea but don?t know what to do with it. Interviews from people like Chris Smith, Phileena Heuertz and Randy Reese who have courageously embraced a God-prompted idea are included with each chapter to add further vision and insight. Carefully designed exercises at the end of each chapter will guide and provide practical support for those who are on the spiritual journey of identifying and acting on a God-given dream. By the end, you will know that one of the privileged tasks of life is to discern, shape, birth and sustain something new.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

185 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2015

About the author

Beth A. Booram is the cofounder and director of Fall Creek Abbey, an urban retreat center in Indianapolis, where she and her husband David lead The School of Spiritual Direction and offer individual and group spiritual direction. She is the coauthor of Awaken Your Senses and the author of several books including Starting Something New, Picturing the Face of Jesus, and The Wide Open Spaces of God.

Beth is a deep feeler who loves to think, an extrovert with a penchant for solitude, and an artist who sees the hand of God in even the smallest encounters with creation. She speaks around the country on topics related to spiritual formation and Christian leadership and has been involved for more than thirty years in a variety of ministry roles on the college campus and within the local church.

Reviews

[Kelly Belloli Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting Something New is the perfect book for those of us who feel something stirring inside of us, who know we're meant for more, but can't quite decipher what what or how "more" plays out in real life. Beth Booram does a fantastic job of leading the reader from recognizing their burgeoning dream to making it a full-fledged reality. Through her own story, and the inspiring stories of others who have tentatively stepped out into the unknown of a higher calling, the author provides many examples of how we might also verify our instincts and take steps to act on strong urges to make the world a better place. She also employs reflections and value questions to aid in gaining clarity on dreams and desires that seem to initially manifest as vague inclinations. Starting Something New is an encouraging read with quotes or poems at the beginning of each chapter that spark hope in the dreamer. Beth's role as a Spiritual Director also permeates the book, and she details how the book could be used in a mentoring situation. I highly recommend Starting Something New to anyone seeking encouragement and direction as they journey where life leads.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.

~Zechariah 4:10

What Erik Erikson did when he gave description to the stages of life development, Beth Booram has done for the process of birthing a God-given dream. In her book, Starting Something New: Spiritual Direction for Your God-Given Dream, the reader is introduced to the various stages of discerning, shaping, and birthing a dream. The basis of the book comes not just from the Scripture passage quoted above, but also from her own experience of fulfilling her dream to start an urban retreat center. Each chapter also features other individuals who have followed the Holy Spirit's promptings, following the format of interview, chapter reading, and reflection questions. The examples range from entrepreneurs who started their own small business to Christians who started a non-profit organization to individuals who simply felt called to use their talents or who chose an entirely different calling.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the book lies in the reflection questions or discernment questions at the end of each chapter. It really is almost as though one has a spiritual director through this book, asking the insightful, Spirit-prompted questions that spiritual direction is all about. I think anyone who has a desire to start something new should consider reading this book, but this is an especially excellent "go-to" book for spiritual directors themselves. As for myself, I have been in the process of following my own God-given dream over the past year and this book has helped me to understand where I am at in the birthing process as well as helped keep me from getting ahead of myself and God's activity in it. Having seen some progress in fulfilling a dream I've had since I was in Germany, I've been somewhat anxious to get started, wondering if I should pusue this path or that, when I know I need to wait and follow Christ's leading.

I do want to point out that while one chapter does mention writing a business plan for those whose dreams require a business plan, this book is less about the technical details of creating a new venture and more about the discernment process and stages of a dream, making this book applicable not just for entrepreneurs in business or non-profits, but for all who feel a "small beginning" stirring in their heart. To learn more about the book, the following link will take you to a beautiful promotional video for the book: http://stadtmenschblog.wordpress.com/.

To read more reviews and articles on related topics of calling and spiritual formation, you can visit my blog at: http://stadtmenschblog.wordpress.com/.

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource to help you move through the process of dreaming... in soulish and very practical ways.

[Ally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed through the final third of the book, it wasn't as great as I thought it would be.

For starters, the formatting drove me nuts: I wish it had started with the author's experiences and then moved to other organizations & their experiences. Instead, it was chopped up, 1, 2; 1, 2.

Second, the author describes themselves as a "Spiritual Director" and mentions this book would benefit other spiritual directors, but gives zero definition to what that is. I'm going to guess that because Google understood what a "Spiritual Director" was, this means it's a totally different denomination from what I am used to or have learned from, so this book might be better suited for those who already know what this role means.

But the content also made me theologically nervous. I'm not certain why exactly, but it gave "prosperity gospel" vibes despite having a focus on ministering to the poor and needy. Might explain the Spiritual Director problem mentioned above.

Overall, I felt like this book was the spiritual equivalent of the book "What Color Is Your Parachute?" but with worse formatting. I didn't enjoy that book in particular, either.

[Brian Virtue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. Was refreshing and brings together a lot of wisdom from various sources. There's a lot out there on how to accomplish your dream or accomplish or realize this or that. This comes at it from a spiritual formation and direction perspective and I think she did a great job. It's theologically solid and honors the aspect of discernment and the Holy Spirit's guidance as well as the crucible of waiting and suffering in such journeys. So it's honest and hopeful. I think it's something that can be read all the way through, but also something you can go back to chapters when you find yourself in a specific season/part of a transition process or evolution of a dream. If you're wanting to make sure you pursue a dream, but that it's a dream that God is in (and not just your own vain pursuits), this is a great resource.

[Kathy Rhyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed reading Beth's book which encourages each of us to follow our dreams! It's time for a change in my life! Her words inspired me to move forward daily in my own authentic way. I especially liked the chapter on Discerning, for that's where I am now on my journey to the next phase in my life! "The crossroads of change and choice can be a very confusing place." ~ Lois A. Lindbloom I am at the crossroads ~ a mid-life challenge. Lots of work to do!

Thank you Beth for this very creative and thoughtful book. I look forward to visiting your retreat center soon. Love Always, Kathy 💛

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for those living with a dream that has not yet come to fruition--and for those starting to live out that dream.

[April Yamasaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been savouring Beth Booram's book that moves from discerning your God-given dream to shaping and birthing it. I love the way she traces her own journey and introduces readers to many other dreamers who have started something new. Read my entire review, How to Grow Your God-Given Dream: Listening for God.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a book group. Although I don't feel as if I'm starting a new dream, the book held my interest. I think it was easier to read than most books of this type because it alternated the author's thoughts with personal interview.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In transition? Wondering what's next? Seeking a fresh vision for your life? Beth's newest book could be an invaluable tool in your Discernment "toolbox" as you seek direction for your next step.