Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship

The heartbeat of this book reflects what has long been the returning, churning desire of my heart. To see and behold our Beautiful Savior in every moment—the joyful, the ordinary, the painful moments— in the majestic and the mundane. To hear my Jesus call to me to look at Him, see Him, walk with Him in trust, behold His beauty, listen to His voice of love and see His hand of magnificent power through the wonder and marvel of His creation. Through Ruth’s words and her stunning artwork, I was completely drawn to the Savior, to linger in His presence. I longed to stay, overtaken by the beauty of my Lord’s life-giving words enhanced and magnified by stunning and arresting lettering and beautiful artwork. I know I will return to this book again and again. To read slowly and deliberately and to read with hunger, simply not wanting to put it down. It will encourage me to behold, worship and fix my gaze upon Jesus. As Ruth wrote: “He never forgets to send out the moon and stars! He sees you in your ordinary, daily, mundane faithfulness, and reminds you with the steady and consistent rhythms of the day, ‘I’m not going anywhere.’ And how that comforts us and causes our hearts to worship.” I highly recommend this book and recommend that you linger long on its’ beautiful, inspirational and “reason to pause” pages. This will also be a gorgeous and amazing book to gift. Thank you, Ruth, for sharing your heart and gifts with us and pointing us to Jesus.

I received an early copy of Beholding and Becoming but these are my own thoughts. Ruth continues to give us words of truth, wisdom, and encouragement in her newest book Beholding and Becoming. After receiving her book Gracelaced as a gift, I began following her on Instagram (you should too). I always feel that her words are in line with Biblical truths and how we can make it through the day to day seeking to follow Jesus. None of us are perfect or have it all together, and she doesn't pretend to be that way. Beholding and Becoming gives you words to encourage in the daily struggles as in this from her book: "Faithfulness in the unremarkable daily tasks often goes unnoticed, but not to the God who numbers your days. To our all-seeing God, everyday faithfulness is an act of worship and not just an act of survival." The beauty of her art reflects on the beauty of our Creator. As one who loves to see God's beauty in nature, this book showcases the amazing designs that God will show us every day if we just look around us or out the window. It is a great choice to add to your daily reading, or to give as a gift. The book itself is just beautiful. The pages are thick, and the art continues throughout every page. I look forward to reading over these pages for years to come.

“Heartaches can either mold us into confident worshippers or defensive doubters. Who we become in the wrestling of them is not neutral... we aren’t promised answers that heal, outcomes we think we deserve, or timing that makes the most sense to us. Instead that In every circumstance Gods purpose will prevail and will not be thwarted by manipulators, liars, or cheats. Injustice and selfish schemes are no match for him who wastes nothing. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Hin, who have been called according to his purpose. “ Romans 8:28NIV Once again Ruth takes the word of Lord and gives them to us in morsels beautifully wrapped in gorgeous paintings and abundant wisdom. This is not a self-proclaimed wisdom but a wisdom that can only come from beholding God’s word for herself. Her work reflects the work the Lord wants to do in our hearts, to create beauty out of ashes and emptiness. Not only will the beautiful artwork speak to your heart but it will also encourage you to examine your heart. What circumstances and struggles in your life have shifted your gaze to yourself and away from the Lord? Have you felt empty after Sunday church feeling despondent that the day is over and you must return to “normal” life? Well, pick up this book and learn new rhythms, find new insights into the Lord’s heart through Ruth’s art and heart. The pages of this book make it easier to practice His presence. Ruth says, “Practice makes a posture become a pattern.” The devotions in this book will cause you to create patterns that breath new life into your everyday moments. One of those everyday moments is around the table with your family. Seeing God through sharing a meal together stirs my heart for community deeply. Here’s a snippet of how she sees the table. “Sometimes I think about the table of hospitality the same way. People who are invited in and given a seat at our table observe and receive relationship, provision, nurturing, and welcome in a way no mere invitation to church can provide. Instead of handing someone information about Jesus or an invitation to Easter service, or telling them that the gospel is life changing, we give them the opportunity to experience it through our hospitality. So much of Jesus ministry was done at the table.” What an encouragement to know that we don’t have to go far but we can start around our table and if our table needs filled we can bring others in to show them Jesus as we break bread. Not only are you invited to behold Him throughly the mundane moments in our lives, but also through the busy moments. The invitation to stop the hustle and to sabbath well abounds in this book. Throughout the book there two page spreads of gorgeous artwork and in them you will find practical suggestions for ways we can enter into be rest of the Lord. Ruth, reminds us that, “cutting corners on rest doesn’t get you ahead.” She urges us to “fight to abide.” There is so much richness in this book and I am so grateful to have read it beforehand but I am so looking forward to holding it in my hands, but most of all I am ready to make space for this book to be a daily reminder that I am His and he abides in me. A must have for everyone and one to constantly refer back through the ups and downs of life.

Beautiful book! Gave to my wife as a gift she absolutely love it. Worthy to buy, vet inspirational & beautiful pages to go through!

Not only is this an excellent read full of truth it’s beautiful to look at. The artwork is fantastic

Have you gotten distracted from your First Love? Are your days spent striving and chasing after "all the things" (or just surviving)? Then Ruth Chou Simon's latest book, "Becoming and Beholding: The Art of Everyday Worship" is for you! (it also makes a terrific gift for a friend, btw) If you read and enjoyed Ruth's first book, you're going to love this one! If you haven't, it will still meet you in the place you're at - but trust me, you'll want to run out and buy Gracelaced too! The combination of her words and detailed artwork is not only gorgeous (would look lovely on any coffee table, begging to be picked up), but also powerful. I personally appreciated the glossary at the beginning of the book, explaining the meaning behind the images the artist choose to use, knowing that it had been thought out, not just there to "look good". In addition to fruits and flowers, you're also going to see bees, beetles and other creatures (but they're so beautiful, you won't be squirmish one bit;) All these things are meant to draw our eyes back to the Creator. God's redemption story isn't just for Sundays - it's for EVERY day. "The Lord is the author of this day you and I get to live. We become joyful and glad about this day - today - as we take our eyes off of what we must do and behold the One who created us to do it in the first place." Ruth is the first to admit she is far from perfect and a hidden camera would likely capture her "half-tank attempts to hustle while (her) Bible fuel sits on the shelf". She asks the hard questions: what are you fixing your gaze on? Your time, your efforts? Does it line up with what you say you believe and Who you say you follow and love? She doesn't sway from hard topics, challenging and encouraging you at the same time. I would often read a sentence, re-read it, then have to write it in my Quotes Journal. This is a book you will want to read over and over again. The chapters are short enough you could keep it in *gasp* the bathroom. Not neccessarily a book you'll want to speed through; it can however be read in approximately a month, while savoring one section per day. Because your days are not too ordinary or flawed to be turned into a radical act of worship!

Excellent, perfect, beautiful - product, service & delivery. Thank you!

Love the style and look of this book as well as biblical principles.