Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the E-ARC.
Sarah knows how to draw you in and keep you reading, with relatable prose that makes you say “that’s me, how do you know” over and over again. I found her journaling questions really beautiful and enlightening. They helped me take what she was saying to a deeper level and truly apply it to my life. I am so grateful for Sarah’s Wisdom and her obedience in sharing it with us. I’m excited to read more from this author!

From the very first page, Bessey's words resonate with authenticity and warmth, inviting readers to embark on a personal journey within the pages of this guided journal. The book seamlessly weaves together the beauty of the natural world with the complexities of our inner landscapes, creating a harmonious space for reflection and growth.

What sets this journal apart is Bessey's deep understanding of the transformative power of nature. Each prompt is a carefully chosen stepping stone, guiding readers through the wilderness of their thoughts and emotions. It's more than just a journal; it's a companion that gently nudges you towards a better understanding of yourself.

Bessey's writing style is not only engaging but also deeply empathetic. As Vanda, I found her insights to be both comforting and challenging, pushing me to delve deeper into my thoughts and emotions. It's evident that the author believes in the healing power of nature and the importance of intentional self-reflection.

The thoughtful inclusion of quotes, prompts, and blank spaces for personal thoughts creates a perfect balance between guidance and personal expression. It's a testament to Bessey's understanding of the diverse ways individuals engage with their inner worlds, allowing readers to make the journal truly their own.

Christian author/blogger Sarah Bessey, also co-founder of the Evolving Faith podcast and conference, has always felt like a literary safe space for the wounded, the curious, the lost, and the miraculously hopeful. Serving as a companion to her latest book "Field Notes for the Wilderness," this guided journal finds Bessey serving as a spiritual guide, mentor, and coach as we work through practical activities, questions, and challenges following the same framework as her book and following the same themes as Evolving Faith and everything we've come to know and love about Bessey.

Bessey guides us through, among other things:

• practicing wonder and curiosity as spiritual disciplines
• learning to mother yourself with empathy
• making space for lament and righteous rage
• finding good spiritual teachers

There's no question that everything here is ideally suited for conferences, retreats, trainings, and/or simply personal exploration. While I reviewed an electronic ARC Galley of the journal, it wasn't long before I realized this would be a guided journal I would need in my hands once I'm able to obtain it. This is a guided journal that needs to be lived into and truly practiced. There were so many times I found myself deep in reflection, wanting to write, and needing to explore these amazing ideas and practices. I find myself anxious to revisit this journal so that I can immerse myself in these guided practices and really apply them more fully.

While it is likely true that most who obtain this journal will have read "Field Notes for the Wilderness," it's worth pointing out that this truly is a companion journal that would have difficulty standing alone. I at times found myself wishing this journal offered a stronger narrative so that it could, in fact, be a stand-alone experience. However, this is a modest quibble for a guided journal that captivated me from beginning to end.

If your faith is evolving, deconstructing, or reconstructing, "Field Notes for the Wilderness" will serve as a welcome companion and literary friend.

I read and enjoyed Bessey's spiritual formation book Spiritual Practices for Soul Care: 40 Ways to Deepen Your Faith. To explore my journey of faith with this new book is a privilege. NOTE: it will be published in February 2024 ... so put it on your advance reading list and set up a "notification of publication" with your bookseller.

It's worth it. Why?

If you feel like your journey of faith has landed you in the wilderness - scrub-land and deprivation on every hand, or maybe even in the desert - where it seems there is no life, nourishment, or water for you, this set of 2 books will provide sustenance and refreshing along the way.

You'll see the path behind and around you as it is: God's provision for developing in you depth, character, and trust. I highly recommend the book but then also hope you pick up the journal and work through it. If you yourself are not in this season, you will gain empathy, words, and a spiritual companion (the author) to give solace others who walk through their grief, pain, and doubts.

The journal offers prompts, prayers, and questions to guide you through an honest appraisal of where you are and where the Holy Spirit is leading you.

I may not agree with all of Bessey's theology, but that's ok. Her understanding of God-among-us in the unlovely times, in the times we feel unwanted and unwelcome, is unmatched. Get the book. Remember, it's coming soon.

A wonderful journal full of prompts to help believers understand their beliefs. There are prompts that help you deconstruct your faith and pit the pieces back together again. Sarah Bessey takes the person who is journaling through a wonderful maze of faith.

I received a pre-read advanced copy of this book and I didn't even realize this was the book I needed. I love Sarah Bessey and follow her and evolving faith but this book broke me open. I have been struggling internally with my faith but it isn't really my faith I am struggling with, it is the expectations and contradictory behaviors of the church in recent years. Perhaps I was lucky before to not see it as much as the past couple of election cycles and covid 19 but it has been so overwhelming. She speaks the words that I have been feeling with so much grace and love and I have worked through and processed so many of those emotions because of this book. I feel that I am turning a corner back to my faith and prayer and love for Jesus. Thank you Sarah for naming and helping me feel that I was not alone. I know others feeling similar ways and cannot wait for this book to come out to the world.

This is a perfect companion to Bessey’s new book. I can see reading this book with friends and using the journal as we read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This guided journal is a companion piece to the upcoming book of the same name, which I have not read. I didn't realize there were two books when I first opened this volume, but it quickly became apparent that this is intended to be part of a set. The journal is meant to help those deconstructing their faith think through and process some of the elements that have helped the author's faith evolve - presumably in hopes that the questions and answers will help the journaler as well. Key quotes and breath prayers frequently appear within the chapters. I feel that this book will be more helpful in print - and for someone who feels themselves working through deconstruction - but I did enjoy some of the quotes within. I don't fully align with the author's worldview, but I hope this book will be helpful to those who engage with it, taking in what's helpful and letting the rest return from whence it came.

Great questions. Best to get it in the form of a physical book so that you can jot down points and note down things. It would be great to go through the book slowly. Answer a couple of questions each morning and you will have a foundation for the day.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy of the book.

A lot of the questions were thought-provoking and helpful; some were less so. I like that the format includes quotes from the book, "breath prayers" (although some of them would require looong breaths!), and a variety of different types of questions (e.g., name someone who can help, describe something that happened, imagine what could happen). I took a lot of notes, because I have a feeling I will be returning to this questions to help me get through my season of being in the spiritual wilderness.

Thank you to Convergent Books via NetGalley for the free eARC; I was not required to provide a positive review in exchange.