Several years ago, I met Ben Ferguson through a priest who had become an Army chaplain after serving as my parish priest for several years. Ben was one of the founders of an organization, Adopt-A-Chaplain, “supporting our troops through the chaplains who serve them.” I worked with him to re-edit and re-publish a Christian living book that had been previously published by a traditional publisher. God, I’ve Got a Problem gives advice on dealing with life’s major problems.
Last year, Ben came to me with another project—compiling a collection of devotionals into a book. I loved this project because Ben is an excellent writer and a joy to work with, and I’m very proud of the results. Although I believe any Christian will enjoy and benefit from A Pause to Refresh, one of Ben’s primary goals is to inspire and encourage our troops, and especially chaplains. Therefore, he offers the ebook for free through Smashwords. The cost for the paperback edition of A Pause to Refresh
Read the endorsements from several chaplains for A Pause to Refresh , and you may see that, whether you are a chaplain or even a military member, this devotional book is for you.
“Ben writes for a contemporary audience with historical anecdotes, personal experiences, and sound Scriptural truth. I thoroughly enjoy his relevance and humor. He has a way of making a point in such a way that you want to share it with others. Each chapter of A Pause to Refresh leaves you wanting another drink of Ben’s wisdom.”
CH (LTC) Peter Strong U.S. Army
A Pause to Refresh by Ben Ferguson is exactly what the title says, REFRESHING. Ben’s collection of insights and spiritual encouragements are something that can be read individually, as a family, or even as a group devotional. The only problem is that the reader will find that he cannot just read one a day. As you finish each one, you will want to read ‘one more.’
In just three or four pages for each chapter, Ben is able to focus in on a Biblical truth and cleverly weave it in into a shared story, TV show, or personal story that will make you clearly identify with the topic. What is fantastic is that Ben is able to draw from some really old pop culture (only the Shadow knows) and also draw from some stories that will make you think you are actually there experiencing the event. And the really great quality of A Pause to Refresh is how Ben is able to give a very catching title to each chapter and then finish each chapter with a catch phrase that will make you remember the topic perfectly. As you finish reading each chapter with the catch phrase fresh on your mind, you might actual think that this is the way Paul Harvey would have written a devotional book……………..”Good day.”
~CH (LTC) Stanton Trotter U S Army
Ben’s book of devotionals is spot-on for an easy quick read that packs a punch with an impact that reaches the heart and mind on the reader. The illustrations are powerful and provide a good connection to the Scriptures while providing wonderful insight. As a bottom line kind of person, I thoroughly enjoy final closing statements with each devotional that leaves the reader with a bottom line thought and challenge!
~CH Ray Bailey CDR U.S. Navy
The sacred, vocational call to military chaplaincy is both joyfully fulfilling and awfully lonely. It is a strange paradox for the man or woman who embraces the high calling to shepherd the souls of our nation’s sons and daughter in uniform. Pastor and author Ben Ferguson understands ministry to the military. And he genuinely loves chaplains. His collection of devotionals has been a balm to my own soul through my three combat deployments and many operational assignments. I value his friendship, insight, and wisdom—take up and read his refreshing words of encouragement and challenge!
~CH Todd Cheney (MAJ) U.S. Army