Pastor Terry Nightingale joined Bec and Asa to talk about his new book, ‘Sleeping in a Sinking Boat.’

Terry said he always wanted to create something that is honest enough to admit the struggles we all have seeking real and genuine calmness of the heart in the midst of life’s chaos.

The Peace of Jesus

Pastor Terry began by saying the title is a reference to the story of the big storm in the gospels.

“There’s this crazy storm and even the disciples are freaked out. And they find Jesus asleep in the boat.”

He explained that Jesus is at peace enough to be able to sleep. Pastor Terry became fascinated by the story that it inspired the title and theme of his book.

“There are people I’ve known over the years who have stuff going on, but because their faith in Jesus has really helped them to find a place of calm and trust.”

Pastor Terry also studied the story of Jonah and used it against his research of people he had met along the way.

Extraordinary Circumstances

“I talk to people who have gone through extraordinary circumstances. God helped them to find peace.”

He had been thinking about the book for quite some time, while also reflecting on how he has handled stress over the years. He recalled a time during lockdown in Perth.

“I remember being completely freaked out. I thought, I’m a pastor, I can’t be scared. I’ve got to be brave for other people. So I just opened up my Bible and I opened up a Psalm 84.”

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

Psalm 84

“And I really felt the Lord was saying to me, you’ve got to dwell with me. I actually felt God wanted me to intentionally live in his presence a bit more.”

Find Time for God

Pastor Terry said that the best way to start being intentional with your time with God is to prioritise time throughout the day.

“Find a time of the day where you can be with Jesus. And then the second thing is to actually have a regular habit of reading the Word of God, not as an academic, dry, cold thing, but actually… allowing it to minister not just to your mind, but to your heart and your spirit and your soul as well.”

Sleeping in a Sinking Boat

His hope is that readers would see that the storms in their lives are not signs of God’s absence, but the places where He draws near.

Pastor Terry Nightingale’s book Sleeping in a Sinking Boat is available for purchase today.

Check out the full chat with Bec and Asa below.