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Slow Brewing Tea

Randy Loubier (Goodreads Author)

4.29 · Rating details · 3,776 ratings · 64 reviews

Slow Brewing Tea is an epic spiritual adventure and a touching love story that will compel you to look deeper at your relationships with your God, your spouse and the path beneath your feet.Isaiah set off on a ten day motorcycle adventure in northern, rural Japan. His quest, at the age of twenty, was to photograph the quiet mysterious culture, meet a beautiful Japanese wom ...more

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Published July 11th 2020

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Aug 19, 2020 Alison Sofra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book breaks all the molds!

I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. And I would like to think of myself as someone who can write a decent, objective review. Maybe you won’t agree after reading this, but here goes.

I heard about this book first on Twitter. The author was posting some of the reviews that had come in and I was intrigued. But one of the reviews compared this book to The Shack. And I saw a review on Net Galley also that was comparing this book to The Shack. I almost didn’t buy i This book breaks all the molds!

I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. And I would like to think of myself as someone who can write a decent, objective review. Maybe you won’t agree after reading this, but here goes.

I heard about this book first on Twitter. The author was posting some of the reviews that had come in and I was intrigued. But one of the reviews compared this book to The Shack. And I saw a review on Net Galley also that was comparing this book to The Shack. I almost didn’t buy it because of this. In my view, The Shack was okay, but not great. But, after reading all the reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, I decided to go for it.

This is no Shack. In my opinion this is what Christianity has been waiting for in a novel. It’s rich in every way. Who would put a romantic love story into a Bible study, into a mystery, into a guide to evangelism, into a book on apologetics, into a setting to reach Eastern mystics, and into an expose on how a shy man thinks? Any two of those would be interesting, but all seven? It is a fascinating book--rich in symbolism and truly original teaching. I have been a life-long Christian, 52 year now. I am an avid Bible reader. I am in women’s Bible studies and a Christian book club for many years. I’ve never read a book like this.

All the facets I mentioned are woven into a great setting, the scenes painted with enough strokes to get you to see them but not so much you get bored with the descriptions.

The story is engaging because it is about a young man who is shy, comes from an abusive background and HATES Christianity. But he is convinced there is a good God and decides he is going to look in Japan for the way, The Tao (Taoism). He has a serious motorcycle accident and is rescued by a Japanese man, Itsuki. Itsuki becomes his mentor teaching Taoism and eventually leading him to the narrow gate. But Isaiah stubbornly holds onto his anti-Christian views despite all the amazing signs he witnesses of God’s love. The teaching from the Japanese family is patient, wise beyond this plane and delivered with grace. Just what an anti-Christian (and all of us) needs! Itsuki’s faith will stand out in my mind forever as a vivid portrayal of a man in Christ.

Hearing how this Japanese family teaches an anti-Christian and mentors him for 40 years in an instruction book in apologetics and practical fundamentals of the Gospel. I always wondered what the non-Christian thinks, and what they need to hear, and how they need to hear it. So that was interesting.

But the real value for me was learning along the way with Isaiah. The teaching of Christ in this book is original and it deepened my faith. I am a life-long Bible student, but I learned important new perspectives about my faith and about Jesus teachings.

I am not a prophet, but in my humble opinion this book will go down as one of the most epic Christian novels of the century. Big prediction, I know. But, read it slowly like the slowly brewed tea, and tell me I’m wrong.
...more

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Sep 14, 2020 Coconuts rated it it was amazing

This is a beautiful story of one man's life, Isaiah. The book starts off strong and captivating with stories from The Cold War but the overall sense this book creates is peace. With a strong push for realism the main character navigates through calms and through storms. There are a lot of things to learn from this novel and although slow and steady in parts it is worth every moment of your time. This isn't a book for adventure and excitement but for spirituality and inner strength, peace of mind ...more

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Oct 03, 2020 Sandy rated it it was amazing

The best novel to hit the Goodreads shelf!

This book is pure genius. Let yourself steep slowly in this pot. It will change you. I had drifted a bit from Jesus. Life got busy, doubts came in about why bother. Anger got more. Stopped reading the Bible. You know how it goes. Slow Brewing Tea recaptured my first love. I am back on fire!

I read reviews about this being the new The Shack. I agree. Better in my opinion.

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Sep 13, 2020 Stephen Verrill rated it it was amazing

Cute little love story with a deeper Love story going on in the Spirit. An interesting venture into a culture unlike mine. I tried assembling the scrolls in my head and am glad that the author has a diagram now available. Pursuit of a relationship with the Creator is easier when you realize He is already pursuing you. I served in the Air Force so I could relate to some of the scenarios. I'm not familiar with Eastern religions so this was new exposure for me. I will definitely read this again and ...more

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Aug 07, 2020 Allen Madding rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Moving story of redemption and love filled with romance and adventure. Yes, it moved me to tears.

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Aug 09, 2020 lisa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Glad to see writer invested their 3 years for writing such a great book. Book is so captivating and emerging.
I am in love with this delighful creation by WRITER RANDY LOUBIER. MUST BUY

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Sep 17, 2020 Grady rated it it was amazing

‘A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step’ – Lao Tzu

New Hampshire author Randy Loubier is the pastor of a church who has lived in Japan for a time, soaking up the culture and atmosphere he incorporates so well in this his third book SLOW BREWING TEA. He has experienced both Eastern and Western spirituality and blends these two approaches beautifully in this book.

Though there are many spiritually oriented books that blossom the message through a story rather than a ‘sermon,’ SL ‘A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step’ – Lao Tzu

New Hampshire author Randy Loubier is the pastor of a church who has lived in Japan for a time, soaking up the culture and atmosphere he incorporates so well in this his third book SLOW BREWING TEA. He has experienced both Eastern and Western spirituality and blends these two approaches beautifully in this book.

Though there are many spiritually oriented books that blossom the message through a story rather than a ‘sermon,’ SLOW BREWING TEA is a special format for making the message feel especially credible. Part of that is the manner in which Randy launches his story, and that is worth sharing for those new to his talent: “Something big is going down,” Joe yelled into my room as he came inside, slamming the door behind him. His excited green eyes reflected a naïve desire to see war for the first time. “Big Red is on the move,” Joe said. “Ships are headed for the gulf; planes are flying non-stop. We’ve got action, man!” He tugged at the top button on his fatigue shirt and turned around to head into the barracks bathroom. It was eight o’clock in the morning, and Joe had just returned from his night shift on the Hill. The Hill was the secret location on the base where the huge antenna, the ”elephant cage,” was located. I had never been up to the Hill. And, officially, I had "no need to know” the purpose of the Hill. But everyone stationed at Misawa Air Base knew that the Hill was the main reason we were there. It was 1978. We were frigidly deep in the Cold War, located just miles from the Russian coast. We were spying on Russia…’ That tie to reality opens the gate for the spiritual message this book carries.

To put the idea in context, the plot is condensed: ‘Isaiah set off on a ten day motorcycle adventure in northern, rural Japan. His quest, at the age of twenty, was to photograph the quiet mysterious culture, meet a Japanese woman and find The Tao (the way). He took stunning photographs, fell deeply in love with an extraordinary Japanese woman and found an old man willing to teach him the way, the truth and the narrow gate. Over the next forty years Isaiah’s life tumbles through lessons of pain and redemption, loss and victory in search of a path of unconditional love and faith.’

Both a story of love and spiritual growth, Randy shares ‘Isaiah’s’ search for God in a manner that feels like a personal story, a memoir…and that may be one of the reasons it resonates so well. Looking for inspiration? Here it is…read and absorb. ...more

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Aug 14, 2020 Randy Loubier rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

This novel is a quest through the deep valleys and high peaks of a land you have never seen. It is a tea steeped in lingered love, with a rich flavor you have never tasted.

Quests take time, and they change us. We may return home geographically, but never the same person. If you resolve to join Isaiah on his quest, his thoughts, frustrations, defeats, and victories will become yours.

You may choose to leave the quest early or discard the tea before it’s ready, but you will always wonder why… why ...more

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Oct 08, 2020 Buttercup rated it really liked it

A great book to show how a person can blossom with the right inspiration. I found the book truly engaging and thought provoking and although the book is long it doesn't feel stagnant at any point. Reading Slow Brewing Tea brought me so much enjoyment and I felt lifted by the time it was over. ...more

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Aug 15, 2020 Jim Knox rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was moved to tears by this novel. I saw myself in Isaiah. Painfully shy, not knowing what to say to women. Wanting to be loved, but doing or saying things that seem to drive them away. I finished the book in two days, couldn’t stop. Last night, I made a decision to try reading the Bible.

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Aug 18, 2020 Daniel Dunkirk rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

FIVE STARS ISN’T ENOUGH. I can’t recommend this book strongly enough.

I asked for a free copy from the author so I could give it an Independant review. He refused siting that a reviewer had “judged my book without reading it thoroughly (stopped after 14%), and ironically missed an important message of the book—that judging people without walking in their shoes (or in this case a book without reading it) is irresponsible and against Jesus teaching.”

He rejected my offer to review it. So, I decide FIVE STARS ISN’T ENOUGH. I can’t recommend this book strongly enough.

I asked for a free copy from the author so I could give it an Independant review. He refused siting that a reviewer had “judged my book without reading it thoroughly (stopped after 14%), and ironically missed an important message of the book—that judging people without walking in their shoes (or in this case a book without reading it) is irresponsible and against Jesus teaching.”

He rejected my offer to review it. So, I decided, after reading the other reviews, I had to investigate it myself. I bought a copy.

My overall impression is that I highly recommend this book. The characters are real, compelling, engaging, vividly described and leave the reader wanting to know them as friends. The plot has great depth even though nearly all of the story takes place in one location, on a remote mountain in Japan. It has many surprising storyline developments that the reader will not anticipate.

The writing is excellent. For a first novel, this author shows talent rarely seen. I would say there were some sentences that I would write differently, but I feel that way about nearly every book. The love story component is particularly brilliantly written. Great novels have plot, characters and great use of language. Five stars in all three is my opinion.

But what really sets this novel apart is the ingenious weaving of biblical truths in three ways: casual conversations between characters, direct original scriptural teaching and symbolism that runs from start to finish. All three will cause you to pause to let it soak in (brew slowly). The symbolism alone will make you to want to read and re-read this novel (I am on my third time). From little literary techniques (Isaiah’s shallow selfish thoughts developing to self-reflective maturity by the end) to slightly more obvious symbols of Christ, “I loved Ellie because she loved me first.”

I want to address The Shack references that have cropped up on Amazon. I agree with the connection people are seeing. In The Shack, spiritual enlightenment happens by visiting a remote shack. In Slow Brewing Tea, spiritual enlightenment happens in a tea room on a remote mountain in Japan. The Shack introduced many millions of people to faith. Despite criticism about the writing style and the “light Christian content” The Shack was an important book, in my opinion. Slow Brewing Tea does all The Shack does and more.

I believe Slow Brewing Tea is better written and with more solid biblical content, making the tea room a better place to learn about Jesus than the shack.

Overall, Slow Brewing Tea, leaves the reader craving for more, more tea room teaching, more conversations with Isaiah, Nori and Akira, more love. I cannot overstate how much the world needs this novel right now.

...more

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Sep 01, 2020 Joanna E.Lopez rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Spiritual Love.

Twenty-year-old Isaiah is on a motorcycle tour through rural Japan. He is on a quest to take beautiful photographs of the people and sights of Northern Japan and to discover more about the religion of Tao (The one true way). He also plans to marry a beautiful Japanese woman. His journey leads him to all of this as well as discovering an important lesson of Redemption, faith, pain, loss, and the road to unconditional love with his girlfriend Nori and his God.

What a beautiful movi ...more

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Oct 08, 2020 Pegboard rated it it was amazing

Slow Brewing Tea by Randy Loubier is an enticing novel with wisdom woven within the story. The author merges much of his own life into his book; with his travels in Japan and a similar personality to the principal character, Isaiah. At twenty, Isaiah takes a 10-day tour of Japan looking to enrich his life with the Japanese culture, a woman, and to find God. On his first day he finds a woman he wishes to meet, but is too shy. By accident, he ends up staying with her grandfather and finds so much ...more

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Oct 05, 2020 Sunshine_45 rated it it was amazing

One of the best books I have read for a while, and I found the love story incredibly touching but the story also deals with very traumatic events. The life the main character, Isaiah, has lead is full of hardship and true to life. That is until everything starts to fall into place. The descriptive language used throughout the book created very vivid imagery for me and I was moved by it. Highly recommend.

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Aug 09, 2020 Sunny_rainbow rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

if i recommend one book this year ,it would be this. the twists and turns.it's hard to describe th novel.its a love story.i want to know more about the tea room scrolls.
anyway, you just have to read it. this is the new shack ,but i think more biblically sound. ...more

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Sep 25, 2020 Robin rated it it was amazing

This is a very moving and inspirational novel about a man finding his way in life and being guided towards Christianity. Isaiah has led a very troubled life and begins a quest to find peace and serenity - he finds love, acceptance and enlightenment through God. While the main purpose of the book is to show the greatness and clarity of Christianity the author also paints beautiful settings over and over again. The events Isaiah goes through, the places he visits and the people he meets are all de ...more

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Nov 23, 2020 Valery rated it really liked it

Slow Brewing Tea by Randy Loubier is a riveting and eye-opening novel of self-discovery and love. The story revolves around Isaiah, a young man in Japan looking for something or someone to re-open his eyes and soul to God. After he is involved in a serious motorcycle accident he is taken in by Itsuki, who ultimately becomes his mentor. Isaiah has long given up on his faith, and it is through the tender care of not only his physical wounds from the accident but his spiritual wounds, that he learn ...more

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Nov 02, 2020 Emma Hurst rated it it was amazing

Just because I'm not religious myself, doesn't mean I block myself off from reading books that have religious themes running through them. I've picked up some really interesting insights and knowledge from religious fiction and non-fiction.

The same is true of 'Slow Brewing Tea' by Randy Loubier, which I have to say is a beautiful read. It really takes you on a journey with its protagonist Isaiah - through Japan and its extraordinary culture, through love and friendship, and through his own spiri ...more

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Oct 26, 2020 MoreTea rated it really liked it

A book full of wisdom as the main character, Isaiah, makes his journey to discover answers for the past, present and future. I loved the opportunity provided to understand Japanese culture and how they view religion and family. It was really nice to see Isaiah heal from past traumas and discover love and what family should really be.

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Nov 11, 2020 Grymm Gevierre rated it really liked it

Christian fiction is not a genre I spend much time in, as I often find most stories in this bracket pushy or religious to a degree that takes away from the actual plot or characters. Loubier finds a balance, though, and keeps the story moving. He does a great job maintaining the balance that many authors in Christian fiction miss: you can’t be too preachy and still tell a relatable story to people outside your faith.

I found myself enjoying the story more than I thought it would. The beginning i ...more

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Feb 20, 2021 Lobstergirl rated it did not like it

Shelves: will-never-read, eczema

Most (all?) reviews are from sock puppets. Voted onto listopias by sock puppets.

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Aug 13, 2020 Anneke rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-abandoned

Book Review: Slow Brewing Tea
Author: Randy Loubier
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Review Date: August 13, 2020

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

From the blurb:
“Slow Brewing Tea is a gateway into both groups. It is a biblically accurate novel that chronicles a shy, abused, anti-Christian airman as he seeks love and the Tao (the way) in the mountains of Japan. He falls in love and finds an old man who teaches him Taoist prin ...more

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Feb 14, 2021 Anna Tan rated it liked it

Shelves: christianity, e-books, review-copy, netgalley

80% of why I picked this up was the title; the other 20% was because well, it did sound intriguing.
To be honest, when I started reading, I wavered between "I hope he does it well" and "how terrible can this get?"

Loubier does quite well in the beginning. Itsuki's teachings start off mysterious and enticing, wrapped in Japanese sayings and Taoist words (I don't know how accurate this is) - though if you've been a long time Christian, it's obvious that it has a Christian source, no matter what oth ...more

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Jan 31, 2021 Jennifer rated it it was ok

Slow Brewing Tea is an in-depth apologetics and theology book. In between long sermons that brew like a cup of slow brewing tea, it weaves a short tale of Isaiah, a young man serving his country in Japan during the Cold War. During a motorcycle adventure, he's in an accident and meets a family who will change his life. Over 40 years, Isaiah explores The Way, discovers the enchanting Japanese tea ceremony, and wrestles with spiritual concepts and his relationship with God.
When I signed up to rev ...more

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Mar 22, 2021 Joe Comeford rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I couldn’t put the book down. Extremely well written that leaves you wanting more. The book is fascinating in many respects. It’s a love story with an American GI at Misawa AB in search of God in northern eastern Japan in 1978. It’s a love story with a beautiful Japanese lady named Nori which takes many turns and the friendships that develop over a forty year period of time.

It’s a Christian based book from an “unbeliever” point of view, Isiah searches to find God and what’s in store for him duri ...more

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Mar 06, 2021 Lenor rated it it was amazing

First of all, let’s talk about the beautiful cover, this cover completely make you feel at peace which is truly what the book is about, about finding oneself, about the Christian vision of a path a man took to live and how he found peace with it.

To be honest I’m not a religious person and this book was completely out of the box for me, but I truly enjoyed it.

Isaiah decides to embark in a new path, going to Japan was something he was looking forward, to find himself and find Christ, and what he f ...more

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Feb 21, 2021 Homer Smith rated it it was amazing

This is more of a spiritual book rather than an exciting novel, with teachings of inner peace, faith and christianity. I found this to be a slow paced and captivating love story in more ways than one! The characters are compelling and real which always help to keep me engaged. I have to congratulate the author Randy Loubier for his creation of this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. If you have found yourself straying from the christian path of life then I recommend that you read this book, you m ...more

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Feb 25, 2021 Liliyana Shadowlyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: not-featured-yet, 2021-reads

Slow brewing tea was an intriguing read. I must admit at times the pacing was a bit slow for me at times, but overall, I found the read an enjoyable one. I was expecting the main character to be on more of a journey for God, with a quest for self and love as a side note. What I found was a man who, beginning in Cold War era Japan, was looking for not only God, but who he was, and maybe love. It was interesting to see inside his mind as he traveled his path, and the events that led him along it. ...more

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Oct 12, 2020 Jujandcompany added it · review of another edition

There is so much to love about this novel. The imagery of rural Japan brings the setting alive; the emotion and of a man desiring to find more in life draws us into his internal struggle, and the love and generosity of a family remind us of what is good and true. But this author doesn’t just bring us thru a predictable love story. Randy Loubier takes on a journey of discovery and before we know it, we are falling in love with the characters, with Japan, and with the deep and enduring truth.

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Feb 20, 2021 Daniel Dunkirk rated it it was amazing

Slow Brewing Tea was truly a life changing book for me. Great perspective on love--both human and devine. I then purchased Volume 1 of The Tea Room Scrolls. Incredible. Randy Loubier understands the Asian faiths and can trach the Bible like no other teacher I've read. Just his explanation of the problem with the one elephant view of spirituality is worth the read. If you haven't discovered this author, you are missing out. ...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Inspirational Books: You can have both. Deep Biblical teaching and an enthralling novel	1	4	Nov 03, 2020 12:01PM
Christian Books: Are you a Slow Brewing Tea?	4	6	Aug 24, 2020 04:40PM

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About Randy Loubier

Randy Loubier

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Randy Loubier is the pastor of a small country church in a small town in the small state of New Hampshire, USA. Slow Brewing Tea is his third book and first novel. Some of the geography and settings were sketched from memories of growing up in New England and his time in Misawa, Japan (1978-1980). For Randy, his years in Japan were an adventurous pursuit of the culture with an attitude and shy per Randy Loubier is the pastor of a small country church in a small town in the small state of New Hampshire, USA. Slow Brewing Tea is his third book and first novel. Some of the geography and settings were sketched from memories of growing up in New England and his time in Misawa, Japan (1978-1980). For Randy, his years in Japan were an adventurous pursuit of the culture with an attitude and shy personality, not unlike Isaiah. As a slow brewing tea himself, he spent much of the first fifty years of life denying God the Father and pursuing numerous eastern and new-age faiths. He wrote Slow Brewing Tea and the accompanying series The Tea Room Scrolls as "I found something I'd like to share with the world."

I spent 50 years of my life as an anti-Christian, so I know all the arguments and excuses for disbelieving, doubting, being frustrated with church and Christians in general. During this time, I studied and practiced many Asian spiritual pursuits. At 50 I finally read the Bible for myself and was born again by the Word of God. Now, as an author and pastor, I want to reach two groups of people—curious non-believers and fringe Christians—to ignite or re-ignite their love for Jesus.

Slow Brewing Tea is a gateway into both groups. It is a biblically accurate novel that chronicles a shy, abused, anti-Christian airman as he seeks love and the Tao (the way) in the mountains of Japan. He falls in love and finds an old man who teaches him Taoist principles that lead him eventually to the way, the truth, and the life. Yet, it will take another thirty years of living in hard, shallow, and thorny soils before he is finally ready to let God transform him into good soil. As a slow brewing tea he is finally ready for the truth to be manifested in magnificent love and abundant joy—as a Christian and a husband.

Within the novel, unearthed in 400-year-old scrolls is a unique way of learning and studying scripture, using an ancient Eastern context. Following Slow Brewing Tea is a series of eight-week self-study courses, The Tea Room Scrolls, which use this Asian orientation to teach biblical answers to life's most important questions. Billions of people have an Asian perspective on spirituality, as I did for fifty years. Therefore, in the tradition of Paul visiting Athens and talking to them in their context (the Unknown God), what could happen if Asian oriented spiritualists saw Jesus through their own lens?

And doesn’t it make us more in love with Jesus to re-discover His answers to life’s mysteries as revealed in other contexts, transforming people beyond the church walls?
...more