In 2025, I would like to write a book called, The Receptive Life. Think of it as a spiritual travelogue (and field guide) to finding the soul’s sacred rest in the Triune God.
Who Needs This Book?
Lord God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless (“unquiet”) until they find their rest in you.
— SAINT AUGUSTINE, CONFESSIONS, BOOK 1
I believe that the soul’s sacred rest is not a spiritual state you achieve—it is a gift you receive. The Triune God is the only One who can give it, and we can only receive it through faith.
I think most of us believe that our restless hearts will be quieted by external changes—more time, less stress, better circumstances. But the truth is that rest for an unquiet heart can only be found in the Triune God.
Recognizing our restlessness is not a sign of failure but the first step toward receiving the surpassing peace that only Jesus can give. And the good news is, this rest is not earned—it is received. It is a gift given by the Triune God through His Word, in the Sacraments, and in the person and work of Jesus.
Would you Like to Help?
Go at it boldly, and you’ll find unexpected forces closing round you and coming to your aid.
– BASIL KING
As I begin to write the book, I’d like to ask for your help. I’m looking for a group of like-minded people who would be willing to …
- tell their stories about restless (“unquiet”) hearts
- share their frustrations of how they were falsely taught and wrongly told to deal with it by friends or the Church
- suggest what they might need, what they are looking for, or what would be of service to them in finding the soul’s sacred rest in Jesus
- read through rough drafts, portions, and chapters of the book
- offer up comments to make the material more accessible and useful
If that’s you, you can sign up here.
You’ll be subscribed to my email list and I’ll send you more information and updates.
If you would like to read a working draft of the book, you can access it below …
We’ll write, design, publish, and distribute it all ourselves. With the Lord’s help everything is figure-out-able.
A sacred joy and surpassing peace to us in Jesus.
Come what may, we do belong to Him.
Paul
If you would like to financially support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit, you can either give a charitable donation by check or through electronic giving. Here’s a link that will give you more information … Support Missionary at Large (here).