What's Here Now?
How to Stop Rehashing the Past and Rehearsing the Future—and Start Receiving the Present
About
What really keeps you from experiencing peace in your life?
It's not the state of the world. It's not your particular circumstances. It's not even your turbulent relationships. When it comes down to it, what keeps us from experiencing peace is either living in the past or living for the future. When we obsess over what's already happened or put all of our efforts into creating a picture-perfect tomorrow, we miss what God has for us here and now. The result is regret over what we can't change and anxiety over what we feel we must change.
That's not what God wants for us.
With honest transparency, hope-filled compassion, and plenty of vulnerable humor, pastor Jeanne Stevens reveals the shockingly simple path to peace: presence. She helps you slow down, center yourself, and ask the all-important question, What's here now?
By incorporating this simple question into your everyday life, you can stop obsessing about the past or worrying about the future. Instead, you'll learn how to experience peace and purpose in this moment.
Ready to get started? There's no time like the present.
"Why is it so hard to live in the only moment we really have access to--today? If you're ready to live in the now instead of the later or someday, read this book!"--Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Soundtracks
"Sometimes one simple question can unlock unlimited possibilities. And sometimes one simple book can open doors that we never even knew existed. What's Here Now? is both that question and that book."--Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author of Love Does, Everybody Always, and Dream Big
"Jeanne Stevens has been a trusted friend for many years. She lives and leads from her soul and has the kind of wise and authentic voice we all need in our lives. I'm grateful for how she has been a voice in my life."--Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun, sought-after speaker, and podcaster
"Jeanne's ability to see into a soul is unmatched. I trust Jeanne with everything, and I'm proud to be able to tell the world that their world is about to become much richer with her words in What's Here Now?"--Carlos Whittaker, author and host of the Human Hope podcast
"What's Here Now? is a must-read! Jeanne Stevens is someone I know who not only writes beautifully on the spiritual practice of presence but lives it out."--Jamie Kern Lima, New York Times bestselling author of Believe IT and founder of IT Cosmetics
"Jeanne has given us a delightful invitation into presence. Something we all could use more of and something this book helps make more accessible and desirable. Her insight, honesty, and humor are refreshing and help make this book not only easy to read but easy to practice."-- Daniel G. Amen, MD, author of You, Happier and Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
Endorsements
"Sometimes one simple question can unlock unlimited possibilities. And sometimes one simple book can open doors that we never even knew existed. What's Here Now? is both that question and that book. I am so excited for Jeanne and for this book, and I can only imagine all the ways that it will help people find God and themselves in the most obvious and unexpected places!"
Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author of Love Does, Everybody Always, and Dream Big
"Jeanne Stevens has been a trusted friend for many years. She lives and leads from her soul and has the kind of wise and authentic voice we all need in our lives. I'm grateful for how she has been a voice in my life."
Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun, sought-after speaker, and podcaster
"I've sat under many preachers but under only a few pastors. Jeanne's ability to see into a soul is unmatched. Her pastor's heart and prophet's discernment have set her apart from a crowded culture of wordsmiths and with a small number of soulsmiths. I trust Jeanne with everything, and I'm proud to be able to tell the world that their world is about to become much richer with her words in What's Here Now?"
Carlos Whittaker, author and host of the Human Hope podcast
"Jeanne is a trustworthy guide, a person who has pursued depth and groundedness in a world that values fast and flashy. Her wisdom is a gift, and her authenticity is an invitation."
Shauna Niequist, New York Times bestselling author of Present Over Perfect, from the foreword
"Raise your hand if you ever donate too much of today to thoughts about yesterday. Raise your hand if you ever spend too much of today focused on what might happen tomorrow, next week, or next year. Why is it so hard to live in the only moment we really have access to--today? Jeanne Stevens knows and is here with a personal invitation to return to the present. If you're ready to live in the now instead of the later or someday, read this book!"
Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Soundtracks
"Jeanne has always been thoughtful and brilliant. She's someone I've been inspired by through her truthful storytelling and her wise and honest advice. I've known Jeanne for many transitions in her personal life. This is the book we all need now. I trust her and her words. Most importantly, I trust Jeanne's actions. The words written in this book are a gift for now and for generations to come because they are truly God-inspired."
Latasha Morrison, author of Be the Bridge, speaker, reconciler, and bridge builder
"Jeanne Stevens is the voice we so desperately need at this moment. With earned authority and authentic vulnerability, she calls people to the place where Jesus wants to transform their souls. I have seen the fruit of her ministry firsthand at Soul City Church, and I'm so excited for her to share with the world what this church has been receiving all these years."
Nona Jones, author of Success from the Inside Out, speaker, and leader
"Jeanne has given us a delightful invitation into presence. Something we all could use more of and something this book helps make more accessible and desirable. Her insight, honesty, and humor are refreshing and help make this book not only easy to read but easy to practice."
Daniel G. Amen, MD, author of You, Happier and Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
"Jeanne Stevens is a leader worth following and a voice worth listening to. She is someone who is grounded in a deep faith, honesty, vulnerability, and humility. She has over twenty-five years of serving in the trenches of everyday leadership. Jeanne offers a wise and prophetic perspective for the challenges and the opportunities we all face. She can be trusted because she practices the principles she preaches!"
Jo Saxton, author, speaker, podcast host, and leadership coach
"Jeanne is a wise and winsome guide to finding our deepest longings satisfied not in the story just out of reach but in the story right in front of us. What's Here Now is a timely and timeless resource on this personal but universal journey toward hope."
Katherine Wolf, author of Suffer Strong and Hope Heals
"Jeanne is a proven leader and has become a trusted voice for those exploring or returning to faith. Her new book, What's Here Now?, draws from her personal story and ministry experience. Enjoy!"
Andy Stanley, author, communicator, and founder of North Point Ministries
"Jeanne is a soul-full woman. She is committed to practicing presence in her everyday life and committed to sharing that practice with others. In our overly distracted world, What's Here Now? is like a lighthouse, calling us back to what matters most: presence. I am so grateful for this book and so excited for others to read it--and more importantly, practice it."
Rebekah Lyons, cofounder of Q Ideas and bestselling author of Rhythms of Renewal
"Jeanne Stevens is a rare gift to my life, the church, and the world. For over twenty-five years she has lived what she teaches and has built something beautiful at Soul City Church. I am so excited for her to share her deep wisdom and transformational teaching with the world through her new book, What's Here Now? I believe God wants to use this book--and this woman--to change your life."
Bianca Juarez Olthoff, author of How to Have Your Life Not Suck, speaker, and copastor of The Father's House
"What's Here Now? is a masterclass in learning to hold space for you. Jeanne Stevens writes in such an honest and human way that guides you to live freely to this present moment. She teaches you to honor what's really stirring within and all the ways the past and future are relentlessly trying to hold you back. A must-read!"
Steve Carter, pastor and author of The Thing Beneath the Thing
"Jeanne Stevens is first and foremost my friend. For some fifteen years now I've had the privilege of sitting in the front row and cheering on her life, family, church, and leadership. She is a gifted voice with a way of speaking right to what matters most. And she does it all with a real sense of humility, vulnerability, and generosity. I can't wait for you to read her new book, What's Here Now!"
Jeff Henderson, author of Know What You're FOR, leader, and pastor
"What's Here Now? is a must-read! Jeanne Stevens is someone I know who not only writes beautifully on the spiritual practice of presence but lives it out."
Jamie Kern Lima, New York Times bestselling author of Believe IT and founder of IT Cosmetics
"What's Here Now is a beautiful reminder that there couldn't be a better moment to embrace your very own life than now! Jeanne has always been a fresh voice for me, as she is a trailblazer in soulful living. As I turned the pages, it was as though I was joining her again on that precious path, this time awakening to the power of presence and practical ways on how to live that out. Her vulnerability is breathtaking, as it is an invitation to be kind to your truest self as you embark on your own journey with God."
Lauren Tomlin
The Author
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© Todd James Photography Jeanne Stevens
Jeanne Stevens is the founding and colead pastor of Soul City Church in Chicago, one of America's fastest growing urban churches. Prior to starting Soul City Church, Stevens was on the pastoral staff at Willow Creek Community Church and North Point Community...
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