About the book:
Your physical body needs oxygen in order to survive. Inhale, exhale ... one leads naturally to the other. Inhale too long and you feel as if your lungs will burst. Exhale too long and you get light-headed.
The same rhythm is essential in the life of faith. You inhale life-giving strength from God through things like prayer, study, solitude, and silence. You exhale generosity, hospitality, and service to the poor. If you try to do one without the other, you wont' last very long.
This fresh perspective on the classic disciplines of the faith will empower you to process the oxygen of the Spirit. Discover how you can develop a balanced spirituality that reflects the life of Jesus and keeps your faith growing stronger.
About the author: Richard Dahlstrom is Senior Pastor of Bethany Community Church in Seattle , WA , in the heart of the city, among university students, young professionals, families, the homeless, and the elderly. He is also a popular teacher in North America and Europe for the Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers. He holds a M.Div. from Talbot Theological Seminary. Find out more about Richard at: http://raincitypastor.blogspot.com/ .
My review: I found the beginning of this book not very interesting; however, the more I read on, the better it was. In this book, you will see an analogy between faith and breathing. Usually, we do not consciously think about our inhaling and exhaling. The author encourages us to be more aware of and to practice regularly our spiritual inhaling (prayer, studying God's Word, solitude, resting in Christ, paying attention to creation, silence) and exhaling (service, hospitality, generosity, being artisans of hope). We need both in living a life of faith. The author reminds us to breathe more purposefully. I appreciate Mr. Dahlstrom's insight, transparency, and humility. If you love God but somehow still feel exhausted or bored or confused, this book will help refresh you like a breath of fresh air :).
Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/O2-Breathing-Life-Faith-ConversantLife-com®/dp/0736922148/ref=sprightly-20
Watch a video about the book: http://www.conversantlife.com/life-with-god/o2-breathing-new-life-into-faith
Read the first chapter: http://www.conversantlife.com/files/resource_downloads/O2.pdf
Study Guide: http://www.conversantlife.com/files/resource_downloads/O2%20Discussion%20Questions.pdf
Contest: Win a signed copy of 02 for yourself! There are two ways to enter! The winners will be announced 10/26.
1. Jump over to Pastor Richard’s blog “Pastoral Musings from Rain City" and leave a comment between October 5th and October 24th. Just say hi or tell Pastor Richard what you liked about his book, or share with him how you’ve experienced ‘new life’ in your faith!
2. Tweet this: @raincitypastor Pub. Weekly voted Breathing New Life into Faith as top 10 book in 2008 check it out! http://tr.im/Au8q#02
Blog tour schedule: http://www.litfusegroup.com/latest/current-blog-tours/92-02-breathing-fresh-life-into-faith-by-richard-dahlstrom-blog-tour
~This book was provided for review by Litfuse Group. | 
