A New Approach to Faith - and Spiritual Freedom

Upon receiving my book i was hesitant about reading it. Though I am a Christian I have never practiced fasting, and inn this book Stoval really hits the subject hard. He explains so much that I now understand the general concept, however I must admit I did not fast nor do I long do to it...........by myself. I feel that it would have a greater impact if it were a group effort with support and accountability.

Yet it is not all about fasting, it is totally about awakening, awakening your spirit and love for Christ. Stovall explains the reason for awakening in several different scenarios, which I soon understood once my own scenario came into play. When we accept Christ and allow him to take control of our lives, we have this deep passion for his love much like we did the day we faced marriage proposal.

Our hearts were filled with compassion,excitement and overwhelmed with joy. We have a ceremony and pour our hearts into our vows, meaning every breath taking word. Then life hits, we are still in love but the passion is gone. We begin to pour our hearts into things that have less meaning than our purpose because the world tells us that is how it is suppose to be. But it's not and Stoval explains why with scripture.

Awakening is just that it is an Awakening of your faith bringing back the passion you once had for Christ Jesus and shows you how to keep that passion for every day life. By sharing these simple steps * experiencing surrender * experiencing passion for God * experiencing God's goodness *creating space for God to fill, Stovall explains how to remain awakened.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and am in no way required to give this book a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own alone.

This book is a 21 day plan to help you along your path to a lasting relationship with God in a world where there is so much going on that is seems there is no time for God. There is so much going on around us, so much noise, so much crap, twitter, facebook, television, video games, music, and we don't take time out until we drop into bed exhausted...and by then we sleep, we don't really take time to listen...let alone talk to God.

Mr. Weems let's us know that the most important thing we need to know is that we are here on this earth on assignment from God. But are we really fulfilling what God intends? We think so but can we know? The only way is to stop intently and purposefully and take time to listen to God.

God's voice is not...
"the voice of worry
the voice of guilt
the voice of need
the voice of ambition
the voice of pressure
the voice of success
the voice of failures"

Whatever voices you are hearing, they will not all be negative, they will not all be good, either way, what you need to be listening for is the voice of God, because God's voice is the only one who will give you your true purpose in life and when you hear that you will finally find peace and intent in life.

"You're not here on earth simply to exist-you were sent here by God"

I really liked this book. I found it inspiring. I found it extremely readable, and liked Mr. Weems writing from the beginning. There is a lot to be said for finding peace in the busy days to listen for the voice of God and finding our purpose.

I would recommend this book to people who want a little inspiration. To people who are hurting and feel lost. To people who feel like God has left them. And to people who feel they have no purpose in life. Mr. Weems reassures well that this is not the case.

I will definitely be paying it forward and sharing this book with someone that I feel will enjoy this book!

Awakening will remind you of the keys to Spiritual freedom if you have been a follower of Christ for any length of time. If you're a brand new believer this book will point you in the right direction and will be a great road to travel on. It comes complete with instructions in detail in how to experience your own spiritual revival , reflecting on Prayer & Fasting. If you have an interest in fasting and are wanting some solid information on the benefits of going on a fast you will glean from Stoval's pages purposeful goodies for your spiritual quest. Towards the end of the book there is a very detailed 21 day plan on how to experience your personal Awakening. There is even a short and to the point study guide included that can be used on your journey with others or for personal devotion. It's a Biblically based book that will be food for your soul."I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

Do you long to grow spiritually? Has your relationship with God become stale? Perhaps fasting is missing from your life. Stovall Weems' Awakening details the renewal process even in our electronic, fast-paced world.

Every January, Weems and his church complete a 21-day fast, encouraging others to join them. Awakening explains the value of a commitment to fasting and its function.

The book is not so much a manual on how to fast as it is a resource detailing the Scriptural benefits of fasting. I ended prior fasts wondering if I fasted "correctly". Weems confronts such confusion and clarifies how to achieve the Bible's promised rewards from fasting.

Awakening is not a book of recipes or how-to hints. Weems addresses the Biblical background and admonition to believers for regular fasts and the practical and spiritual solutions fasting brings. He also details the personal and corporate benefits of fasting.

Chapters end with "An Awakening Story", testimonies from people who complete 21-day fasts, with explanations of how fasts change lives. Weems teaches the reader to understand God's leading during a fast. His extensive fasting experience resonates authenticity and strength, and includes success stories from people around the world. The book includes a 21-day devotional and fasting calendar.

Favorite quotes:

"God will meet you right where you are." (page 14)

"There is a closeness to God that you simply will not experience from prayer or personal devotions alone. You must fast." (page 63)

"Alignment by God [through fasting] is the place where He begins to put things in order so that His kingdom can come into our lives." (page 75)

I recommend this book without reservation. Weems' homey, open style makes the subject accessible and easy to understand, and he addresses common struggles which keep people from fasting. His particular combination of practical instructions and Biblical reasoning work well, and inspire me to begin a fast of my own this month.

© Sarah Gunning Moser, January 5, 2012

I was provided this book for free in exchange for my unbiased review through the WaterbrookMultnomah "Blogging for Books" Program.

[...]

How many questions do you have about fasting and drawing closer to God? If you're like me probably several. Stovall Weems does an excellent job of tackling how to keep your spiritual life fresh and powerful. His book breaks down some basic principles that will help you stay aligned to God's will. His book also coveys all the important information in a 21 day format so that after getting through the first part of the book the reader can practice what they learned for 21 days. It's a great read and I'd highly recommend it for anyone seeking a bump in their spiritual life.

I'm also supposed to let you know I received this book for free from Waterbrook in exchange for an honest review.

I picked up Stovall Weems book, Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom by Stovall Weems, because of a deep desire for just that, an Awakening. I wanted to have that same passion for Him all the time as I had during the week of revivals at my church we attended last November. As Weems says, we are meant to have that kind of passion all the time, not just during a week-long, or even month long event. That kind of relationship with God is sustainable, but not only that, it is God's desire for our relationship with him.

God created us to be passionate about what we love. If we love something or someone, we can't keep quiet about it.

As a Christian I've never really understood the role of fasting in my relationship with God. After reading this book, and the bible texts that discuss fasting I have come to the conclusion that it should be a part (read Matthew 6:16 and Mark 9:14-29). Christ mentions fasting as one of three 'space makers':ways to create space in our lives for God to fill, as "God is a filler, not a forcer." The three space-makers are: giving, praying, and fasting. I've been praying, and giving, and reading the Word - but neglecting fasting. I became hungry to learn more.

Reading the last section on "how to fast," I realized that after eating the "Eat to Live" way for the past 3 months, I have been fasting all this time. The sample menu's the book give for fasting are essentially the same menu's I have been eating - except I am eating a good amount of beans and tofu, which I feel is healthier for my body overall. I never connected with how close my diet is to the "Daniel Diet."

One point I disagree with Weems on is he says to drink a lot of water during a fast - and I mean a lot of water - more than 12 cups a day. I disagree with this. If you are not eating a high sodium diet - and are eating lots of fruits and vegetables - your body does not need that much water (source).

At the very end of the book is a section on how to fast, and the "Awakening 21-Day Plan." Each day gives a small devotional, bible reading plan, prayer focus, optional book reading plan, and a place to journal. Just skimming through this section makes me excited to start the 21-day 'fast.' But since I'm already fasting, we'll just call it a 21-day-devotional-to-make-even-more-space-for-God-in-my-life - or really call it what it is - fasting with purpose, a closer relationship with God. (And then if you really want to feel great all the time, not just on a 21-day fast, go pick up "Eat to Live.")

Even though I didn't get as much out of the fasting portion of the book, after reading this book I do feel more connected with God, rejuvenated and yes - awakened to God's desire for me. The bible passages he selected and the way he wrote about grace and living a passionate life for Christ has left an impact on me. My favorite passage:

The clause of the New Covenant in Hebrews 8:10-12 says: This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying "Know the Lord," For all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.

What an amazing message to us from God! Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, our sins and lawless deeds He will forget, wipe clean from His memory. Now, that is good news, folks!

Would I recommend this book to anyone wanting to draw closer to God? Absolutely.

I recently read "Awakening," by Stovall Weems and was pleasantly surprised. I saw the tag line, "21 days to revolutionize your relationship with God," and thought it was more of a self-help book than a God-help book. However, what I got was something different.

This book is about fasting as an important spiritual discipline. It doesn't talk about just fasting as a nice option, but as an essential part of a Christian's walk. There just aren't a lot of people saying that right now, so it's nice to hear.

The one drawback, is that Weems kind of draws back on his initial stance and says, if food is an issue, do something else. I get the idea, something is better than nothing and you need to start somewhere, but it seems like a bit of a cop-out. Maybe I'm just nitpicking, though.

Overall, this is a great book and resource. It also includes some suggestions on how to do a 21-day fast and a devotional, which are some nice additions, especially for those of without a lot of knowledge on extended fasting.

Overall, this is a great book that I would recommend to mature Christians that want something to challenge them.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for this unbiased review.

I chose to review this book, thinking I needed something to kick start a fresh devotion to God. Something to revive my Walk. And I was not disappointed with this book.

Awakening by Stovall Weems is a book that will help you to wake up from your spiritual slumber. A slumber that many modern Christians may not even realized they've been lulled into.

This is an easy-to-read book mixed with Scripture and personal testimony to explain how and why a Christian should spend time in prayer, study, and worship. You don't hear a lot of churches talk about fasting anymore, but this book explains why fasting is important. It also explains the different types of fasting and helps you choose the best one for yourself during the 21 day challenge that's designed to help you do as the subtitle says, "revolutionize your relationship with God."

I haven't gone through the fast yet, but I absolutely plan to.

Awakening is a book that I couldn't put down and one that I look forward to reading again.

A practical, informative, and much needed guide to faith, fasting and Spiritual Freedom.
I enjoyed reading through this book but was even more excited to see the practical pages towards the end of the book. There is a 21 day plan for fasting and praying that you can use over and over again. step by step the plan is laid out from what you will need to starts, meal plans, a calendar set up and more. I can't wait to use these tools during my 21 day fast.
I really appreciated the testimonies at the end of each chapter of people that participated in the 21 days of fasting and the impact it made in their life. This book is very easy to read and understand. It walks you through the scripture of the importance these spiritual practices play in your daily walk with the Lord.
I would recommend this book.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".
Gracefully Daisy

This is a powerful devotional book at a crucial time in the history of the church. Weems brings a challenge to "revolutionize your relationship with God" for believers whose relationship with God has become stale. There is no doubt that much of the church has been lulled to sleep, so-to-speak, by the abundance and ease in which we live. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and this book is a call for Christians to implement the basic disciplines of our faith out of a desire to draw closer to God. Weems does a great job of challenging without condemning, incorporating scripture without preaching, balancing doctrinal and practical principles, while weaving several real-life testimonies throughout the book. Not only are the principles practical, but the author has also included some helpful tools for implementation of these principles such as; several sample types of fasts, devotional materials for a 21 day fast, and a small group study guide to share these principles with others. This is an excellent resource that can "reset" a believers relationship with God, and bring back the passion and excitement it is meant to have.Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom

I really enjoyed this book. I thought I would breeze through the early chapters and hurry to the how to part of fasting. Instead I enjoyed each chapter. Stovall's premise is that most people have bought into the lie that we can't always have newness and excitement in our relationship with God. He says "we're constantly bombarded with images, sounds, and counterfeit experiences that demand our attention ... and we settle for these cheap substitutes." In part one, Stovall describes four steps of awakening- experience surrender, experience passion for God, experience God's goodness, and create space for God to fill. As he describes those steps, he includes scripture to reinforce the importance of fasting and life stories to show God's work in people's lives when they fast.
One of my favorite chapters was "God is a Filler, not a Forcer." This was a great reminder of how although God does pursue and woe us, He does not force us. We must carve out quiet time so that we may hear Him. Fasting is one of God's ways to do that. With those thoughts, Stovall leads into Part Two- the Awakening Lifestyle. After an excellent chapter on unlocking the secrets of prayer, he outlines the differences between OT and NT fasting and how that understanding is very important in how we relate to God. With scriptural support, he also explains that fasting is a command from God. I love his statement that fasting disconnects us from the distractions of the world and prayer connects us with God.
Stovall completes the book with the 21 day Awakening plan which includes some specifics on fasting such as acceptable and unacceptable foods, different types of fasts, and a 21 day devotional. I loved the devotional which was scripturally based and included motivation for times you may struggle during the fast and help focusing your time with God. I loved when he discussed the importance of disconnecting and how you can nourish our souls through talking, socializing, playing, and entertainment. He says "When our souls are full of those things, we don't often hunger for God." How true!
I thought this was a great book on fasting and how it can help "awaken" your relationship with God. Stovall did a good job of explaining the steps of awakening, backing everything up with scripture, and describing different ways to fast. He concludes the book with a daily devotional for the 21 day fast. For anyone seeking to improve their relationship with God, I recommend this book and fasting.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

When I first received this book I didn't think I was going to like it. I don't believe that there is any a specific series of steps you take to enhance your relationship with God. If there was, these steps would be clearly outlined in the bible. That said, I didn't dislike this book as much as I initially thought I would.

My first annoyance has more to do with the layout of the book than the actual content. In the middle of the page there is a box with an important point the author is trying to make. I don't usually have a problem with these boxes as long as they 1) are funny or 2) provide more or novel information about the point the author is trying to make. These boxes merely contained repetitions of whatever point the author felt was important. I felt like it was a waste of time to read them and about half way through the book stopped. However, it may be helpful if I was trying to find the place where the author discusses a certain topic.

Throughout the book I felt like the author was trying to sell me something. There were parts of the book I thoroughly enjoyed until the author added "and you will experience an awakening" or something of the sort. If the plan is that good let it speak for itself.

That said, I did, for the most part, enjoy the content of the book. It simply explained basic biblical truths and it was nice to remind myself of these truths. I also enjoyed reading about the benefits of fasting. Until this book I hadn't really put much thought into how fasting could help strengthen your relationship with God.

I don't know if I will adopt Weems' "21 days to revolutionize your relationship with God," but I will be doing a fast sometime in the near future. Weems provides many helpful insights about specific types of fasts and what to expect when you are fasting. I will make use of this information.

Overall, I'd rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. For the most part, I enjoyed the content, but due to the layout and constant discussion of "the awakening" I found it difficult to read this book quickly.

*NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for an honest review. They have in no way influenced my opinion.

I just finished up reading this book. The author writes this book with such ease. I was able to read through it pretty quickly. The first half of the book is content and the back section is a 21 devotional to read as you are fasting. Reading this had really given me a greater understanding of the whole process of fasting and why is good for our bodies not only physically but spiritually. If you have any thoughts or questions about fasting and why you would even consider doing one in the first place, look no further than this book. Enjoy!

I got this book for free from: Blogging for Books

As a child, no matter how far you stray, someone is bound to come after you and pull you back. That's how I felt about this particular book. It seems that God is the alarm clock that suddenly Awakens you in your reverie and pulls you back into an intimate relationship with you.

This book greatly aroused me in my dreamland and got me back on the right track with God. Stovall Weems helps put the Awakening into words that helps each person get right back on track with God.

Stoval Weems is clearly a gifted communicator and has seen God do tremendous things. His mix of confidence in God's work and transparency with his own struggles is evident from the start of his new book, "Awakening." He powerfully states what God has done in and through him, while still admitting freely that staying fresh with and committed to a relationship with a holy God takes work. It is this mix of authority and transparency that drew me into the book early on.

Awakening gets at the heart of what we all need: to be awakened and stirred to a real-life, all-the-time recognition of the presence and power of God in our lives. Weems offers a call for us to break beyond the average and mundane existence of "just being a Christian" and find the spark of true connection and intimacy with Christ. For readers familiar with the theology of John Wesley, you might find yourself asking, as I often did, if Weems is merely repackaging (either knowingly or unknowningly) the classic Wesleyan doctrine of Sanctification. While there is not a one-to-one parallel with Wesley's thought, and Weems never seems to appeal to that stream of tradition/authority, the connections are clear and implicit.

Much of what Weems describes is the extension of the experience of his life and that of Celebration Church- which both lends credibility to what he says, and also opens the potential for the reader to say, "yeah, but, what about..." The "Awakening Stories"- brief testimonials that close each chapter are powerful and drive this experiential focus of the book. No one can doubt the track record of this congregation and God's blessing of it. While not intentional, however, some readers might walk away with the assumption that all they need to do is apply the Awakening strategy in their church to see the same results. Obviously, to some extent, that is accurate: getting God's people to fast and pray (the heart of the Awakening experience) will produce results. Yet, in our modern expression of American church life, we too often link results with the kind of growth Celebration has seen. I guess the disclaimer might be something like, "get a church to fast and pray and God will work in and through its ministry- just don't assume that will look like it has for Weems and Celebration in every single case."

The book is brief and an easy read, with much to recommend about it. The downside (at least for me) was how it seemed to devolve towards the end into a "how to" manual for the particulars of the program that Celebration Church has used in the past. While not necessarily a bad thing, I simply found the earlier chapters biblical and theological explanations of prayer, fasting and awakening a relationship with God of more weight than the packaged program.

Helpful for those looking to implement a type of ministry like what has fueled Celebration's growth, the book concludes with a 21 day plan for personal and corporate fasting.

All told, this book was worth the read- I found God speaking to me through Weem's experience and passion. I was challenged to grow a bit in some areas and for that I'm thankful. The biggest caution to me is the way the book unintentionally lends itself to "Conference Copycat Syndrome"- you know that disease that affects church leaders and convinces us that we just need to export and apply someone else's successful formula to see God make our church a cookie-cutter duplication of another ministry.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

As the Apostle Paul considered his ministry, he presciently wrote a second letter to Timothy which included the following foreboding warning:
For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. [2 Timothy 4:3-4, New English Translation]
Rightfully, Paul feared a day when Christians would not tolerate biblical teaching and instead would want to gather teachers around them to tell them what their itching ears want to hear--as some translations render the latter portion of this passage.

No one can doubt the unprecedented popularity of Stovall Weems, founding pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. According to sources available on the internet, this church started with a handful of people and has grown to include satellite campuses around the United States and internationally in locations such as, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Northern Ireland, and Greece. Recently, the church has boasted weekly gatherings of 12,000 in attendance. Weems has been characterized as a popular communicator, who makes his messages "real" and applicable for today.

Does popular mean accurate, however?

It would seem that Weems' release of Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom implies that popularity does not always equate into accuracy. In the book, Weems shares his heartfelt belief that every year should start with a 21-day fast to accomplish four primary objectives:
* Experience surrender
* Experience a passion for God
* Experience God's goodness
* Create a space for God to fill
Stipulating that he is advocating a new brand of fast, Weems makes some audacious claims about fasting which seem far removed from the biblical intention of fasting.

While it is beyond the scope of this review to provide an exhaustive inspection of fasting, it seems that fasting in the biblical era was employed for the following reasons:
* Propitiation of divine anger (Israel fasted, repented, and put away false gods, I Sam 7:6)
* Penance for sin (David fasted and repented of his sin with Bathsheba, II Samuel 12:16, 21-23; Nineveh repented in fasting, Jonah 3:5; Hearing God's word, Israel fasted and confessed their sins, Nehemiah 9:1-3)
* Transformation of an individual spiritually - away from selfish motives (Isaiah 58)
* In preparation for strategic decisions/spiritual alertness (Jesus fasted for forty days prior to his temptation in the wilderness, Matthew 4; Paul and Barnabas fasted prior to appointing elders, Acts14:13)

Weems writes of fasting as many things, including: the celebration of God's goodness, an opportunity to get the spiritual "gunk" out, and as a way to detoxify the body. Throughout it all, Stovall implies that "this can be your best year ever, if it is your best year spiritually." All the while insisting that fasting draws you closer to God, Weems conflates this message to imply that fasting brings numerous individual blessings. He even states, "Fasting will not do much for you if you have an old school mentality."

The biblical explanations seem contrived throughout the book. For instance, Weems contorts Jesus' words of Acts 1:4 admonishing the disciples to stay in Jerusalem when he ascends to heaven as a way to "create space" for God to fill. Is it possible that Jesus was merely telling his disciples to say in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit's empowerment, as the text implies?

Similarly, Weems preaches a heavy "if you're right with God, you'll tithe" message. While Christians should be good stewards of their time, talent, and treasure, it is hard to make a case that tithing is required in the New Testament era. Weems connects tithing to Jesus' feeding of the 5000 as a proof text to imply that giving to God gives Him quite a bit of latitude to work in the rest of your finances. Three of the testimonial stories he includes, typically at the end of each chapter, includes adherents faithfully proclaiming something akin to, "When we started tithing...our finances, business, etc., took off."

Weems is to be commended for his efforts to awaken people to the biblical act of fasting - but those interested in fasting would do well to look elsewhere. This spiritual discipline should not be framed by pop psychology and self-aggrandizement.

"Awakening; A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom" by Stovall Weems will do just what the cover says, "Revolutionize your Relationship with God".

Has your relationship with God come to a stand-still? Have you hit a plateau? Are you going nowhere fast? Do you find yourself so busy tending to the cares of this world that you are neglecting to spend time with God?

Then this book is for you. Read it, learn it, live it. Weems shows us a completely new way to look at fasting. Rather than suffering through a fast, he shows you how to enjoy fasting. That's right I said "enjoy!" fasting. After learning about "The Awakening Lifestyle" he takes you on a 21 day journey of fasting in various ways that will bring you closer to God.

After 21 days you will have developed a pattern or habit that you can continue on with indefinitely . You will experience the "Awakening" that you have always yearned for, but didn't know how to obtain.

I would love to put a copy of this book into the hands of every Christian who wants a deeper more meaningful relationship with their Saviour.

FTC Disclaimer - "I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

'Awakening', by Stovall Weems, presents 'a new approach to faith, fasting, and spiritual freedom'. I found it to be inspiring and refreshing with numerous examples of every-day people whose lives have been transformed by applying the principles prescribed by Reverend Weems.

'Awakening' suggests a 21-day fasting program as a means of drawing closer to God and really connecting with Him in a personal way. Weems raises the question 'How is it that we can become content with a mediocre spiritual life?' It is a very valid question. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that most Christians, at least those who identify themselves as Christians, live totally in spiritual mediocrity.

I find myself lapsing at times into periods when I am not as focused as I want to be on seeking and serving the Lord. 'Awakening' has been part in re-focusing me recently on discipling one to one ([...].

The 21-day fasting program developed by Reverend Weems has been used by over 1,000 churches worldwide and there are widespread reports of transformed lives. I highly recommend you get the book and join the journey. You can get more information on their web site Awake 21.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Awakening has challenged me to look at my spiritual hunger for God. It is a life changing approach to what is spiritual. Stovall has insite to how to wake up or hearts to where God desires us to be, and that is after Him. God doesn't want us to have other God's beside him ,but all to offten we get so far distracted by everday life that we creat our own God or make God out to be a certain way. God is God and we find Him and His nature in His Word. We build a relationship by commiting our time to prayer and fasting from the things that distract us from His word. And the Word became Flesh and dwelt amongest us. As a whole we lack commitment to God and who He truely is. Stoval has not given a new commandment ,but has showed us what Jesus actually stated that when we hunger we will fast. When we hunger for spiritual food there is only one place to find it that is from the bread of Life Christ Jesus. Redeiscover your relationship with God pick up Awakening and begin anew. Find the fire ,and zest for the Lord again. I highly recomend the Book Awakeing by Stovall Weems.

Fasting is something that many people can't imagine themselves doing. Prayer?... maybe... but not eating food for days at a time?! In "Awakening," a book by Stovall Weems, fasting and prayer is a means for Christians to reignite their life commitment to God and keep it strong and enduring while strengthening it at the same time. The book contains scripture that backs up all of key points that are mentioned. It also provides stories about people who have actually experienced such awakenings discussed. There are several ways to understand and apply fasting to your life instead of just reading about it in the book. How in the world does Weems suggest you fast from food for 21 days? It isn't just about a fast from food, there are many things that you can fast and Weems talks about several examples.
If you know a Christian that doesn't understand all the elements of fasting or desires to grow deeper with God, this could be great gift. Also, if you are looking to teach a study about fasting in a small group, it is definitely a book worth using. It presents a discipline that shouldn't be forgotten in a unique way and even provides application to those reading about it.

Awakening, by Stovall Weems, is a guide on how to revolutionize your walk with Christ and keep it fresh. He gives ways to keep your heart and life on fire for God. The main method Weems gives to doing this is by fasting. He believes that in 21 days, you can completely freshen your faith and he backs it up with lots of Scripture. After every point or idea that Weems shares, he provides Bible verses that say the same thing. I love that he reminded that *"He [God] constantly wants to speak to us."* There are 12 different chapters with different topics, and at the end of the book, there is a guide for a 21-day fasting plan. I thought that was really cool, and if I had the time, I would have done it! I will probably do this at some point later down the road. There are many different ways you can fast; giving up a specific food or activity (ex. chocolate, shopping), a juice fast or water fast. The point of fasting is to get rid of something that will bring you closer to God.

To me, this book was a simple refresher. It wasn't anything I hadn't heard before, and therefore I considered it rather elementary for Christians. He reinforced basic principles about God's love for us, his plan and desires for our lives, and ways we can walk with Him. I received this book for free through the Blogging for Books organization, and am not getting paid for this.

I've recently completed "Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom" by Stovall Weems. Pastor/teacher types are forever exhorting their congregations and classes to spend time alone with God praying and studying his word. However, one rarely hears these folks include a call to fast in their teaching. "Awakening" changes that. Reverend Weems is the pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida and he regularly includes fasts as part of his relationship with God. In the book he shares why he does so and why he thinks it is important for all Christians (who are medically able) to do so as well. Specifically, he calls for a 21 day fast to "revolutionize your relationship with God".

The teaching part of the book is 124 pages long. Weems uses scripture and personal experience to explain how and why Christians should spend time in personal study and worship, including fasting. The chapters are readable and most conclude before they get boring. Each one ends with a personal testimoney from a member of Celebration church who tells something of how God used the 21 day fast in his/her life. These testimonies of God's activity are really neat. Another thing I enjoyed about the book is that Weems is really passionate in his love for Jesus and that comes through in the writing.

The next 20 pages lay out the plans for several types of 21 day fasts. Weems gives his thoughts on the value of each type of fast as well as providing medical cautions where appropriate. Following these plans are 21 days worth of personal devotional readings to use while on the fast. Reverend Weems also throws in some ideas of what to expect your body to do as it responds to various phases of the fast and encouragement to keep going. The final six pages consists of study questions to use if one is leading a small group through a study of this book. I found this to be the weakest section.

I have to admit that I do not understand the subtitle, "A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom". There is really nothing new here. It is a book about spiritual disciplines that many Christians have been practicing for centuries. Still, it is a book worth reading and it is my hope and prayer that many who read this book will apply these disciplines to their own lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Awakening" by Stovall Weens begins with a much needed question in today's society. "How close do you feel to God?" Most us would probably agree that we coming up short to what Jesus promised of having the abundant life.

Stovall challenges his readers to try the awakening experience by sharing his own experience as well as some solid teachings on the spiritual disciplines of prayer and what he calls "New school fasting". The book concludes with "The Awakening 21 day plan". Stovall says that it takes 21 days to develop a new habit. The plan includes a devotional, bible reading plan, prayer focus and space for your awakening journey personal notes.

I believe this could be a catalyst for a deeper relationship with God.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

I just recently finished this book from Stovall Weems and it was a great read. He spends a majority of this book talking about the link between spiritual breakthroughs and fasting. Personally I think this is a spiritual discipline that has been lost in our generation. Stovall uses great examples of Scripture, and he also combines it with testimonies from people in his church. He also outlines a plan for a 21-day fast to begin the new year as you pray God's blessings for the year. As we're still in anticipation for the birth of our son, I have been challenged to fast and believe God for certain things for our son. I can't help but wonder if I spend the time now to seek God on behalf of Blake, will He answer my prayers for the rest of Blake's life? Anyway, it's a great read - but rather than read it, take Stovall up to the challenge and watch God do incredible things in your life.

First, I want to state that the book, Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom, written by Stovall Weems was given to me by the Blogging for Books program from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for review.

I once had a professor in seminary tell me (and I do not know if the saying was his or "borrowed") that there are some books you read in the same manner that you eat fish, you are careful to pick around the bones. In my opinion Stovall Weems', Awakening, is such a book.

I have no doubt Pastor Weems is a dedicated pastor who believes deeply in the book that carries his name, however, as I read the book I could not help be feel like I was reading the script for an infomercial. He makes a lot of promises in the book concerning what he believes fasting will do for an individual backed up by "testimonials" without much real data to support the promised results. Also, especially in Chapter 12, The Awakening Story, I felt like Pastor Weems was using the numerical success (he pastor's a mega-church) as the basis for why we should buy into his program.

Time and time again, Pastor Weems makes the statement that fasting is not about losing weight, becoming healthier, or manipulating God. But then, he seems to contradict his own statements with statements like, "I am now sixty pounds lighter (p.36)", and "Remember, once you complete the "Awakening 21-Day Plan," you will have both your hunger for God and your will power back (p.103)."

Pastor Weems also has a tendency to take analogy to far. I found this to be true especially in his use of the Wineskins story and in his referring to fasting as "the atomic bomb of our spiritual weapons". I also felt phrases like, "Jesus didn't tell His boys just to pray (p.78)", did not really capture the intent of what Jesus was communicating to his disciples.

There are also some theological questions I have with the book. On page 68 Pastor Weems makes the statement, "Old Testament believers did not have the Holy Spirit or the living Word dwelling inside of them as New Covenant believers do." So I guess when the Psalmist in Psalm 51 cries out to not have the Holy Spirit taken from him was mistaken. Also, on page 79, Pastor Weems states: "Through fasting we shut down our natural man so the spiritual man can rise up." I can find no support for this statement in Scripture. As I said earlier, you need to pick through bones to get the meat.

I did find Pastor Weems concepts of agreement, alignment, and assignment very thought provoking and stuff that would preach. I also found his warnings about, "the trap of performance", to be very insightful (even though I feel he contradicted himself in other parts of the book). His material in the section, "Start Your Day with the Right Mind-Set", is something I found to be very clear and helpful. The short devotionals Pastor Weems includes in the book to be used with the 21 day program are good little devotionals. They could be used as a part of a person's quiet time even if the person was not fasting. This was the meat I found mixed with the bones.

Would I recommend this book to an individual wanting to learn more about fasting? I most likely would not.

From the very beginning this book grabbed my attention. If you have been a Christian very long you will quickly identify with this book. Thr author challenges us to awake from the routine, stale walk with Christ to a vibrant relationship.

The book is divided into two parts: Part One shows you how to regain the 'first love' you had when first coming to Christ. I enjoyed his analogy how we can "gunk up" our lives with all our activity, noise, and clutter and need to push the spiritual 'reset' button.

Part Two gives you The 21-Day Plan. This section gives you the different types of fasts, how to get started, and many other additional helps. I think this 3 week plan will be helpful to all Christians.

I highly recommend this book. It is easy to read and understand. It will take you to a rewarding relationship with God.

This book presents a challenge that is hard to complete, but extremely rewarding. I took the challenge and failed the first time because I didn't follow the program exactly as it is laid out in the book. When I went back and reread it, I was able to have a very fruitful experience. I also managed to lose a few extra pounds as a bonus.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a way to strengthen their spiritual life.

I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for review through the Blogging for Books program.

This book teaches you the importance of living a God-first life. As a member of Celebration Church myself, I can tell you Stovall is the real deal. His teachings have helped me to become a better leader; I feel more spiritually educated than ever. This book can (keyword: "can") change your life if you don't hold back and allow yourself to grow stronger, spiritually that is (mind and soul). After reading the first chapter, I knew I needed to be in the right mind-set as I finish this book. This book is very easy to read, yet powerful. Stovall shows/explains the tools/importance in discovering spiritual freedom. Best quote of the book, and so true, "This will be you best year ever, if it is your best year spiritually". Stovall also references the importance of personal devotions. This book is a must read for all Christians and the lost (waiting to be found). "Fasting awakens your hunger for God".

When I received a copy of Stovall Weems book "Awakening," I admit that I was a little skeptical about its claim that by following the program, in 21 days one will "Revolutionize your relationship with God." After reading through the book, I am even more skeptical about Weems' claims. Frankly, the book does not rest solidly on a Biblical foundation. Weems uses very little Scriptural support, and some of Scriptures he does incorporate are of a dubious nature (one in particular was not included in the earliest manuscripts). Moreover, Weems' claims are very bold and extraordinary and mathematical. Essentially, if one follows the program and fasts and pray for 21 days, God will answer what you are asking for. While the author certainly does not promote the prosperity Gospel, he none the less implicitly flirts with it. Altogether, I found Weems' book both flat and lacking in theological depth and enough Scriptural support. Without this, I cannot approve this book.

I was provided a free copy of this book for review by Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books program.

I recently requested to read Awakening by Stovall Weems and I will say it was an awesome book. Weems introduces you to the importance of prayer, fasting, bible reading, and just spending time with the Lord. He goes into to great detail about fasting and the importance of it in a Christians life. I'm not a new Christian, but I will say I learned and lot and was very blessed from reading Awakening. If you need encouragement or need a better understanding of fasting and the goodness of God I would highly recommend this book. Awakening is not just a book that you will read once and place back on the book shelf. It is a book that you will refer back to again and again. Praise for Stovall Weems.

I received this book free of charge from WaterBrooks Multnomah for my review.

[...]

I enjoyed reading Stovall Weems book. The chapters were easy to read and straight forward. The powerful aspect to the chapters is that Stovall points are reinforced with a life story from people in his church.

Stovall captured my attention and imagination with the idea of corporate fasting. While I have fasted and I have been a part of churches who encourage fasting, I have not considered deeply the thought of a fast on a yearly basis with a congregation. I like that! Many of the disciplines have a shroud of personal and private on them that doing disciplines or habits like fasting together can seem unbiblical. Stovall quickly points out that the Israel fasted together for many reasons. Out of that he has challenged his church to step up the habit at the beginning of the year.
Stovall states that fasting quickly brings a person into alignment with Father. He sites that when his first love is waning, he knows that it is time to fast. That it is time to bring his life the Father to allow the God who fills to fill him and restore the hunger of God.

While a large portion of the book is devoted to the discipline fasting what the author has experienced and understands, the book is about living in the life the God designed for you. Stovall challenges the reader to the awakening that God desires with sound basic habits of one who hungers for more of God. Good read and one that I would highly recommend to study and apply to groups or individually, but it is always better together.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

This book really guided me in re-evaluating my approach to my relationship with God, prayer, and fasting. I followed the recommended reading while doing Awakening 2017, and I just felt a spiritual cleanse. I'm reminded of how important periodic fasting is.

I have to admit, this book was a slow read when I started reading it. Fortunately, it became more interesting as it went along. Overall, I was pleased with Awakening. I have always wanted to learn more about fasting, and this book was just what I needed. Stovall is on fire for Christ and it comes through with every sentence. While I'm still skeptical that fasting is for me, I'm going to give it a go. Awakening gives lots of testimonials and helps to give us an idea of what to expect when we fast. We are shown the purpose of fasting is to draw us closer to God. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new way to connect to God.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for an honest review.

Note: I received this book for free as apart of Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program.

This book is a life-changing one. I admit I can be a little hesitant to read any book that promises "spiritual awakening" but unlike many others, this one was actually based on the Bible. It's so easy to get caught up in our normal daily lives that we need a spiritual awakening. No matter how great the book, it in itself can't give you that. But what Stovall Weems does with this book is set up an environment where you can experience the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

I would definitely recommend this book!

This is a very eye-opening book on the subject of fasting. It deals with heart issues as to why we fast. It deals with surrender and growing closer to the Lord. It goes over the difference between fasting in the Old Testament vs. New Testament. Over and over again he includes testimonies of people who fasted with his church and how God did miracles in their lives because they were open to His voice.

I like the matter of fact language that Mr. Weems uses to get across the subject matter of his book.

"Fasting doesn't change God, it changes you." This is such a true statement. I recommend it for all Christians at all levels and stages of maturity. Who couldn't stand to be closer to the LORD?

Wonderful piece of literature that can guide even the novice Christian on their path to God. The book takes you on a 21 day, step-by-step, plan to renew your relationship with God. It is detailed and inspirational. It is truly a must have for any and all Christians.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Like many "10-steps to a better life books" or "weight loss" books, this book promises if you follow 1-2-3, you'll get a new and improved spiritual life, but is seems unrealistic and fails to give any real inspiration or new insights. We've heard it all before - fast, turn to God and live the life. This book is full of promises with selected bible verses plucked out of context and inserted to make you "feel good". To me, it felt sales pitchy, dishonest, and like the author's main motivation was to make easy money from banging out an easy book. Also, I noticed the author contradicts himself: such as when he claimed your motivation for fasting should be improving your spiritual life and NOT to lose weight. But right after he tells you not to use weight-loss as a motivation, he tells you how he lost 60 lbs! Why would he tell you this unless he actually means to entice you to use weight-loss as a motivating factor?

The book was easy to understand and a quick easy read but I've heard it all a hundred times and I didn't find it thought-provoking or anything new here. I would pass because I doubt it will change your life or add much to your life.

I read that Stoval Weems associates with Word of Faith cult, Charismatics and Pentecostals, so these groups may enjoy this book. If you are not one of these groups, you may wish to skip it for theological/belief reasons.

My disclaimer - I received this book from the publisher Water Brook Multnomah free of charge but I always give honest reviews. I want you to be able to choose the best book based on stars because I know you have limited time and energy to read.

In "Awakening," Stovall Weems delivers a powerful, yet entertaing read that will help you grow deeper roots in The Faith. His personality and passion for Jesus really come through. The principles you'll find in Awakening will help you get hungry for Jesus, as you "connect to God through prayer, and disconnect from the world through fasting." Don't forget to check out all the incredible resources on [...], too!

This is a book I'll read yearly-- Stovall Weems gives fresh perspective on Faith, Prayer & Fasting, whether you're a new believer or seasoned-- it will speak to you. Practical tools at the end of the book include fasting calendar, 21 day fasting devotional, fasting recipes, and small group study guide. I've given out several copies and will be ordering more to give to my friends and family.

I could not put this book down. Stovall is up close and personal. I love the way he tells it like it is. He and his God given abilities have helped me build a relationship with God I never knew possible. This is a life changing book.

If we want a spiritual awakening, it will take more than 21 days and more than this book of 'new and exciting' ways to enhance your God 'experience.' But looking at the cast of characters in the editorial reviews by the prosperity seeker speakers such as furtick, ed young, franklin, it is easy to see the motive behind this book.... money. You want a spiritual awakening? Lock yourself in a closet with nothing but a Bible for 1 day or a thousand days and cry out for Him to save you. These silly little self help 'books of the day' do nothing.... except profit the author.