Faithfully Present

Ray Ortlund

Something inside us longs to be God-like. To be fully freed and self-defining is the existence we ‘post-everything’ people are reaching for. But our pursuit is exhausting. What if we admit that God alone is God-like? What if we accept the good limitations of how he created us? That’s what Faithfully Present helps us to see, as Adam Ramsey guides us into those green pastures and beside those still waters.

Jared C. Wilson

In Faithfully Present, Adam Ramsey proves to be a reliable, insightful, and frequently playful guide who helps us navigate the changing seasons of our lives. This book is a heartfelt magnification of the unchanging God, who is faithful and with us through them all.

“Timely”

💕 What’s it about?
Faithfully Present is divided into two sections - how to be faithfully present in time and in place which seems to be a great difficulty in our current culture.

Whilst there is so much in the book that I cannot possibly cover in one review, I certainly found his wisdom, all rooted in the Bible, to be of great encouragement for me during this current season of waiting. My husband and I feel like we are very much in the in-between and this book spoke directly into that.

💕 Who’s it for?
Everyone!

💕 Concluding thoughts
This book speaks into so many things. Maybe you:

- feel like time is slipping away
- feel time is dragging on as you wait
- have experienced loss
- are struggling to enjoy the present as you're missing the past
- are struggling to be present where you are

the list goes on…. this book holds so much biblical encouragement, as we seek to be faithfully present where we are, fixing our eyes on Him.

Thank you TGBC for generously providing this copy in exchange for my honest review.

“Perfect for group discussion”

I am working through this book with some friends. Taking a couple chapters a week seems to be the right pace. It's definitive enough to push us to conclusions, but leaves a lot of room for really good application and discussion.

“An Encouraging and Thought-Provoking Read”

“I want you to have your eyes open to here and now in the ever-changing seasons and spaces of your life. To glorify God right where you are, not where you think you ought to be. To be present to the life that you do have, not the life you think you should have.”

In Faithfully Present, Adam Ramsey opens our eyes to the truth about time and how we can live faithfully whether we are on the mountaintop, in the valley, or somewhere in between. He reminds us that all our seasons and every place that we are is appointed by God who stands sovereign over all.

Brimming with Truth, insight, and wisdom, Faithfully Present is an encouraging and thought-provoking read that not only blessed me but also inspired a themed luncheon (In Our Waiting) for the women at my church; and therefore, I would love to bless one of you with your own copy!

Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

(4.5 stars rounded up)

“Learning to Pay Attention”

We're particularly averse to talking about things we can't do. When we're told we can't, our instincts respond with, "watch me."


From a biblical perspective though, our limits remind we are created—not creator, saved—not saviour, and spirit-filled—not the Spirit.


In Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of Where and When God Has You by Adam Ramsey we have the opportunity to examine our limitations, as uncomfortable as it may be, in order to draw us nearer to the presence of God and into the presence of others.

This book is a journey through Scriptures to teach us about our human limits of time and place to encourage our faithful living for Christ today.

The first 8 chapters address different aspects of time and how it influences our daily lives; whether it’s our busyness, our stage in life, or our memories. The last 4 explore our physical place and presence.

If you’ve never considered the limits of our humanity, this is a good one to pick up. Maybe you have and wonder how this relates to our everyday busy lives, this is a helpful resource.


When you’re worn out, missing the moments around you, living your life in tunnel vision, this resource will help you step back a minute to reflect on your season and surroundings.

{full review here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/faithfully-present-book-review}

“Encouraging, convicting, refreshing. Must read!”

Adam Ramsey writes with humor, humility, and honesty. He dives into our human limitations between time and place with the purpose of encouraging us in Biblical wisdom on how to be faithfully present in spite of these constraints.

Adam begins the book with laying a foundation of what time is - chronos and kairos - which both belong to Jesus, serving His purposes, just as He intends them to. (Pg 36)

I really appreciated Adam’s writing in chapter 3 where he distinguishes the seasons of life with the Spring of Childhood, the Summer of Adulthood, the Autumn of Midlife, and the Winter of Our Final Years. His descriptions of how the Christian life evolves in these seasons is both encouraging and convicting.

Chapter 7 was like a punch in the gut in the best possible way. Comparing both nostalgia and regret as unbiblical when they intrude into the present in a way that makes you think God is either holding out on you now, that your best life has past, or that He hasn’t fully forgiven you.

I liked the first part of the book re: time better than the second half re: space. Both were good, but I felt like he just nailed so many things in the first half. And perhaps it’s because of my current life-stage and struggles that it resonated with me more. Adam covered topics of time, seasons, various types of time such as waiting, resting, and changing, as well as places like earth, human body, relational spaces, and heaven. And he did so with the foundation of Scripture and a Biblical worldview that encouraged all of the things we do during our limited time and place to be held against the backdrop of the gospel. At times I was laughing, at times my eyes were filled with tears. This was a book that cut to my heart and renewed my soul, reminding me just how precious Jesus is, and encouraging me to be faithfully present.

“Encouraging & Insightful”

This thoughtful book leads us through a meditation on time & place & the significance of both in the Christian life. He points to the way we fill & overfill our schedules with activities & tasks, but we don't allow margins for those moments of wonder & awe over what God has done. We don't allow for "interruptions" in our day because they throw us off trying to check off that ever-present to-do list.

“Helpful Insights; Mostly Focuses on Time, Not Place”

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Adam Ramsey shares helpful insights about the importance of accepting when and where you are in life, making the most of your present moment instead of constantly looking for the next thing and fighting your natural limitations. He shares wisdom from Scripture about topics like accepting different life seasons, learning how to slow down and rest, persevering during times of waiting, and dealing with the mingled joy and sadness of nostalgia. Ramsey includes anecdotes from his own life, and he also gives examples and illustrations from people in other life stages. Although I sometimes felt that this book was too general, it’s a good flyover view of the topic.

Eight chapters of this book focus on time, and only four address a sense of place. Those chapters are about earthly places, embodiment, human relationships, and eternity, and it surprised me that Ramsey only devoted a single chapter to accepting where you are geographically. Even in the chapter about earthly places, he isn't very thorough with the topic, especially since he also spends time writing about the disembodied nature of the Internet. I think that warranted its own chapter, and I would have liked to see more on the theme of physical places, especially because so many people struggle to accept their immediate surroundings.

"Faithfully Present" shares helpful insights from Scripture and life experience, and it can encourage adults and teens who are struggling with contentment. However, this book mainly focuses on "when," not "where." This is primarily for people who want to grow in how they think about and engage with time, and it offers only brief, passing perspectives on the role of physical places in our lives.

Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A longer version of my review is available here: https://www.lifeisstory.com/nonfiction/faithfully-present-embracing-the-limits-of-where-and-when-god-has-you-adam-ramsey/

“A much-needed antidote to the hurried pace of modern life”

Faithfully Present is a brief yet impactful work that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt the weight of time's tyranny. In our fast-paced lives, where we are constantly pressured to plan, achieve, and keep up with the clock, Ramsey's book serves as a much-needed reminder that true fulfillment comes from living faithfully in each day the Lord grants us.

The book is divided into two parts, "Time" and "Place," and it allows for a thoughtful contemplation of the interconnectedness of these two aspects of our lives. Ramsey encourages readers to appreciate the significance of time and place in shaping our existence. He emphasizes the importance of finding contentment in our current circumstances and embracing the unique opportunities and challenges they present.

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Faithfully Present is Adam Ramsey's relatable and warm writing style. He effortlessly weaves personal anecdotes, humor, and reflections about life into his writings. These aspects not only make the book an engaging read but also help readers connect with the material on a personal level. Ramsey’s thoughts are also firmly grounded in scripture.

Faithfully Present by Adam Ramsey is a gem of a book that invites readers to reflect on the profound theology of time while providing practical guidance on how to live in the moment. Ramsey's message of contentment, faithfulness, and joyful presence is both timely and timeless, offering a much-needed antidote to the hurried pace of modern life.

“Just bought this book at TGC 2023”

The Lord blessed Adam Ramsey with a mighty pen and humble heart. This book hits home in so many ways in our current times. I highly recommend picking this book up.