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Close Enough to Hear God Breathe: The Great Story of Divine Intimacy
In Close Enough to Hear God Breathe author Greg Paul shows readers through prose, stories, and inventive teaching a message that recounts the story of a God who has been inviting all of humanity and each individual into a tender embrace since time began.
God longs for a relationship with each of His children. Our stories matter to Him. Your story matters to Him. Reading the Bible ought to be like putting one's head on God's chest and listening to His heartbeat.
God longs for a relationship with each of His children. Our stories matter to Him. Your story matters to Him. Reading the Bible ought to be like putting one's head on God's chest and listening to His heartbeat.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2011
15 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Greg Paul
22 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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January 29, 2025
A kind, caring and gentle man, Greg Paul takes us into his compassionate life to show us just how simple and uncluttered the Christian life can be.
Greg runs a street ministry in the centre of Toronto, which to suburban commuters is a crazy moral vacuum of towering glass and steel which they flee at sunset for the warm comforts of home.
To the urban poor, though, it is a desolate and heartless desert of loneliness and alienation.
These simple poverty-stricken foreign folks have left behind all their simple core values, useless over here - but how they miss them in this bleak inner city!
For them there has always seemed to be no warm and human place of escape - until Greg’s Sanctuary opened.
Canada has always welcomed refugees from war-torn hellholes, but so many of them gradually find their to inner-city Toronto, to this same desolate refuge of loners.
Greg offers them the warmth of his caring soul, and a nonpartisan ministry that is so simple that it touches their hearts- in a way some of the comfortable suburban churches have forgotten about.
Greg says he started Sanctuary for one simple reason, and that is ‘to become a healthy, welcoming community in which people who are poor and excluded are VALUED.’
Remember poor Robert Pirsig in the classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
He came to the overwhelming conclusion that we moderns have utterly forgotten the core concept of VALUE.
So how do we find it again? Where is this thing we call VALUE?
Greg would have agreed with Leonard Cohen if he had sung - as Greg would probably amend his lyrics - that VALUE or LOVE “begins with your Family... and later comes round to your Soul.’
And Greg takes us back to the time in his life when he discovered VALUE in the gentle love of his family...
"I was a carpenter then. I'd arrive home weary and dirty, have a quick shower and change into clean clothes, then take the baby while her brothers played and supper was being prepared.
“After warming the bottle, Rae and I would start off in a big pine rocking chair with thick, tweedy cushions. While she wouldn't nurse, she took the bottle easily enough. Rocking gently... Pink porcelain cheeks, fat violet eyelids at half-mast. A light brown milkweed fluff of hair on her round perfect head...
“Returning from the changing table, we move to the couch. I stretch out, my heels propped on the arm, with the snugly wrapped package of baby on my chest. Rachel, my daughter, rising and falling gently with each breath I take...
“The pulse of the soft spot on her sweet little noggin slows down, and together we drift into sleep. Resting together on a greater chest, close enough to HEAR GOD BREATHING."
Greg has found more than enough love and joy in his happy family circle and now SHARES it with others less fortunate than himself.
Isn’t that beautiful?
So many of us though, are, like the poor dispossessed souls Greg’s ministry serves, ALIENATED from our own meaningless lives. What’s happened?
Well, perhaps the same Big Brother who has cast aside these wretched of the earth WANTS to disintegrate any Values we still possess, in order to concentrate our attention on mindless, valueless consumerism and entertainment.
And HABITUATE us to our own alienation in order to make us more fully functioning members of our society -
Without much responsibility outside ourselves.
Or is LOVE the Real Key?
Four WARM Stars, Greg. KEEP SHINING!
Greg runs a street ministry in the centre of Toronto, which to suburban commuters is a crazy moral vacuum of towering glass and steel which they flee at sunset for the warm comforts of home.
To the urban poor, though, it is a desolate and heartless desert of loneliness and alienation.
These simple poverty-stricken foreign folks have left behind all their simple core values, useless over here - but how they miss them in this bleak inner city!
For them there has always seemed to be no warm and human place of escape - until Greg’s Sanctuary opened.
Canada has always welcomed refugees from war-torn hellholes, but so many of them gradually find their to inner-city Toronto, to this same desolate refuge of loners.
Greg offers them the warmth of his caring soul, and a nonpartisan ministry that is so simple that it touches their hearts- in a way some of the comfortable suburban churches have forgotten about.
Greg says he started Sanctuary for one simple reason, and that is ‘to become a healthy, welcoming community in which people who are poor and excluded are VALUED.’
Remember poor Robert Pirsig in the classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
He came to the overwhelming conclusion that we moderns have utterly forgotten the core concept of VALUE.
So how do we find it again? Where is this thing we call VALUE?
Greg would have agreed with Leonard Cohen if he had sung - as Greg would probably amend his lyrics - that VALUE or LOVE “begins with your Family... and later comes round to your Soul.’
And Greg takes us back to the time in his life when he discovered VALUE in the gentle love of his family...
"I was a carpenter then. I'd arrive home weary and dirty, have a quick shower and change into clean clothes, then take the baby while her brothers played and supper was being prepared.
“After warming the bottle, Rae and I would start off in a big pine rocking chair with thick, tweedy cushions. While she wouldn't nurse, she took the bottle easily enough. Rocking gently... Pink porcelain cheeks, fat violet eyelids at half-mast. A light brown milkweed fluff of hair on her round perfect head...
“Returning from the changing table, we move to the couch. I stretch out, my heels propped on the arm, with the snugly wrapped package of baby on my chest. Rachel, my daughter, rising and falling gently with each breath I take...
“The pulse of the soft spot on her sweet little noggin slows down, and together we drift into sleep. Resting together on a greater chest, close enough to HEAR GOD BREATHING."
Greg has found more than enough love and joy in his happy family circle and now SHARES it with others less fortunate than himself.
Isn’t that beautiful?
So many of us though, are, like the poor dispossessed souls Greg’s ministry serves, ALIENATED from our own meaningless lives. What’s happened?
Well, perhaps the same Big Brother who has cast aside these wretched of the earth WANTS to disintegrate any Values we still possess, in order to concentrate our attention on mindless, valueless consumerism and entertainment.
And HABITUATE us to our own alienation in order to make us more fully functioning members of our society -
Without much responsibility outside ourselves.
Or is LOVE the Real Key?
Four WARM Stars, Greg. KEEP SHINING!
January 7, 2012
The book title promises us an intimate journey with God. I was disappointed that the book never got even close to that. I really can’t believe that Thomas Nelson published this. Normally a book from Thomas Nelson is very well-written and inspirational. I especially can’t believe that Greg Paul has had two other books published as well.
One of the first problems I had with this book was near the beginning when the author describes the cheeks of John the Baptist’s rear end. Why is something like that important to the story of Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of His ministry?
Shortly after the baptism, we have Jesus talking to John the Baptist referring to the people standing on the shores of the river as “Yokels.” I can’t imagine Jesus being condescending in any way. For Him to be portrayed as looking down on these people is contrary to everything I have always heard of Jesus.
The book has several interesting stories in it. Each one of these would make a great devotion. : A great deal of this book is more like a personal history of Greg Paul than inspiration or theology.
I am very conservative, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. This book is not for the conservative Christian. The author talks about the “consummation” and “intimacy” in such a way that it comes dangerously close to being an inappropriate book for Christians to read.
There is a point in the book where Greg Paul is speaking about a vision or dream he had where basically everyone he has had any type of relationship with is on a boat together. For some odd reason, he feels the need to tell us that the drink sitting on his wife’s stomach is “intoxicating.” There is no reason to reveal this detail as it has nothing to do with the story but is distracting.
In short, the book has a stated purpose of showing us a relationship with God that is close enough to hear Him breathe. The reality is that this book fails to bring that point home. It fails to be an inspirational book and becomes a personal remembrance of Greg Paul. I, for one, was very disappointed in the book.
Book Review Policy
My policy on book reviews is to give you my honest opinion of the book. From time to time publishers will give me a copy of their book for free for the purpose of me reading the book and writing a review. The publishers understand when they give me the book that I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
If you will look at all my reviews, you will see that there have been occasions when I have written a negative review after having been given a book.
I often provide links to books on Amazon.com where you can purchase books and help support the continued operation of this blog. However, I strongly encourage you to check out your local library. Many libraries now offer electronic borrowing for free.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
I obtained this book from the publisher, Booksneeze.com. This did not influence my opinion or review in anyway.
One of the first problems I had with this book was near the beginning when the author describes the cheeks of John the Baptist’s rear end. Why is something like that important to the story of Jesus’ baptism and the beginning of His ministry?
Shortly after the baptism, we have Jesus talking to John the Baptist referring to the people standing on the shores of the river as “Yokels.” I can’t imagine Jesus being condescending in any way. For Him to be portrayed as looking down on these people is contrary to everything I have always heard of Jesus.
The book has several interesting stories in it. Each one of these would make a great devotion. : A great deal of this book is more like a personal history of Greg Paul than inspiration or theology.
I am very conservative, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. This book is not for the conservative Christian. The author talks about the “consummation” and “intimacy” in such a way that it comes dangerously close to being an inappropriate book for Christians to read.
There is a point in the book where Greg Paul is speaking about a vision or dream he had where basically everyone he has had any type of relationship with is on a boat together. For some odd reason, he feels the need to tell us that the drink sitting on his wife’s stomach is “intoxicating.” There is no reason to reveal this detail as it has nothing to do with the story but is distracting.
In short, the book has a stated purpose of showing us a relationship with God that is close enough to hear Him breathe. The reality is that this book fails to bring that point home. It fails to be an inspirational book and becomes a personal remembrance of Greg Paul. I, for one, was very disappointed in the book.
Book Review Policy
My policy on book reviews is to give you my honest opinion of the book. From time to time publishers will give me a copy of their book for free for the purpose of me reading the book and writing a review. The publishers understand when they give me the book that I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
If you will look at all my reviews, you will see that there have been occasions when I have written a negative review after having been given a book.
I often provide links to books on Amazon.com where you can purchase books and help support the continued operation of this blog. However, I strongly encourage you to check out your local library. Many libraries now offer electronic borrowing for free.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
I obtained this book from the publisher, Booksneeze.com. This did not influence my opinion or review in anyway.
June 25, 2021
The great story of divine intimacy is the subject of Greg Paul's book 'Close Enough to Hear God Breathe'. He likens studying scripture to dissecting your pet frog: you may learn a lot about the frogs anatomy, but what you have left at the end is not a pet frog.
Paul encourages the reader not only to study portions of scripture, but to read the bible as a whole story, with four great themes; Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation.
Although I agree that we can sometimes miss the bigger picture when studying scripture, I do feel that Paul leans too heavily on his story metaphor, retelling sections of the bible in dramatic ways, but with so many added details that the actual scripture becomes a very minor part of the story. His poetic license is stretched to the very limit.
It reminded me of the time my English teacher lost her temper over a piece of coursework that talked about Tibalt shooting Mercutio (the offending author had seen Baz Luhrmann's version of Romeo and Juliet and had never bothered to read the actual play). I wouldn't recommend this book to a new Christian or someone who didn't read their bible well.
However, I did enjoy the book and found two parts particularly striking. The first was in the 'Creation' section of the book.
"A theology that begins with the "total depravity of man" is a theology that starts the story off in chapter two... ...[that] theological system starts too late, essentially ignoring the foundational value of the creation story... ...and all that happens before the Fall, is too precious to relegate it to the status of meaningless introduction".
All too often we can focus on the sinfulness of mankind, without recalling the height from which we have fallen; the wonderful creation that we were always meant to be.
The second thing that really struck me in this book was in the section on the Fall. Paul uses the example of his two children. One is injured through his own fault and one through a sickness that could not be helped. Both end up in hospital. His response as their father is not to be angry with either one, despite causation, but to buy them chocolates.
A beautiful example of how God's favour rests on us, regardless of our sinful nature or the predicaments we find ourselves in. This single chapter revealed more about my Father's heart to bless me, regardless of my circumstances, than many sermons ever have. I'd heard it before, but the simple illustration allowed me to understand it.
Close enough to hear God breathe has many examples like this, and despite the amount of fiction thrown in, I still think its a great book for an adult who already knows these scriptures and won't be easily influenced by the extra details.
Paul encourages the reader not only to study portions of scripture, but to read the bible as a whole story, with four great themes; Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation.
Although I agree that we can sometimes miss the bigger picture when studying scripture, I do feel that Paul leans too heavily on his story metaphor, retelling sections of the bible in dramatic ways, but with so many added details that the actual scripture becomes a very minor part of the story. His poetic license is stretched to the very limit.
It reminded me of the time my English teacher lost her temper over a piece of coursework that talked about Tibalt shooting Mercutio (the offending author had seen Baz Luhrmann's version of Romeo and Juliet and had never bothered to read the actual play). I wouldn't recommend this book to a new Christian or someone who didn't read their bible well.
However, I did enjoy the book and found two parts particularly striking. The first was in the 'Creation' section of the book.
"A theology that begins with the "total depravity of man" is a theology that starts the story off in chapter two... ...[that] theological system starts too late, essentially ignoring the foundational value of the creation story... ...and all that happens before the Fall, is too precious to relegate it to the status of meaningless introduction".
All too often we can focus on the sinfulness of mankind, without recalling the height from which we have fallen; the wonderful creation that we were always meant to be.
The second thing that really struck me in this book was in the section on the Fall. Paul uses the example of his two children. One is injured through his own fault and one through a sickness that could not be helped. Both end up in hospital. His response as their father is not to be angry with either one, despite causation, but to buy them chocolates.
A beautiful example of how God's favour rests on us, regardless of our sinful nature or the predicaments we find ourselves in. This single chapter revealed more about my Father's heart to bless me, regardless of my circumstances, than many sermons ever have. I'd heard it before, but the simple illustration allowed me to understand it.
Close enough to hear God breathe has many examples like this, and despite the amount of fiction thrown in, I still think its a great book for an adult who already knows these scriptures and won't be easily influenced by the extra details.
September 5, 2012
In an age and time when "intimacy" among humans is difficult to imagine let alone achieve, Greg Paul delivers us a book that tells us that "intimacy" is not only imaginable, but also attainable. However, the intimacy that Greg is referring to is the intimacy that God longs to have with us as sinful, fallen members of the human race and that we can experience with him. As humans we know it is always much easier to love and show kindness to someone who loves us; however, to love our most hated enemies and treat them with grace, mercy and kindness is unfathomable and totally foreign in most of our thinking. Who can truly wrap their heads around such thinking and grasp it?
But Greg helps us do just that with his book. He shares that although we hate God and do not seek him or intimacy with him, God lovingly and persistently seeks us and desires intimacy with him...an "abiding in" relationship with him that is unlike anything we can experience in the human realm. And God made this intimacy possible through the supreme sacrifice of his beloved son, Jesus Christ.
Greg informs us as the reader of his book however that experiencing such intimacy is a two way street...God seeks us out and reaches out to us in love and we in turn need to respond to him with faith in his son Jesus Christ. When we do that, we then can experience an intimacy with God and with others that is too wonderful...too amazing to put into words and fully understand.
What Greg does in his book is he weaves together several interesting and captivating personal stories from his own family life as well as from the lives of others to show us pictures of people longing for love, acceptance and intimacy. When they do not receive it in their lives the results are devastating. He also weaves together the Biblical story of how God loves us and seeks us out to redeem us- in an easy to understand manner with the personal stories making it a most interesting and spiritually encouraging read.
When it is all said and done in his book Greg reveals to us that God truly loves us and that he indeed does desire relationship - that is "intimacy" with us if only we will turn to him by faith and believe in him and his son Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord- thus enabling us to "abide" in him and enjoy an abundantly satisfying relationship with him both now and forever.
For more information about Greg's book visit the book page at Thomas Nelson Publishers.
I received a copy of the book at no cost for reviewing it for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
But Greg helps us do just that with his book. He shares that although we hate God and do not seek him or intimacy with him, God lovingly and persistently seeks us and desires intimacy with him...an "abiding in" relationship with him that is unlike anything we can experience in the human realm. And God made this intimacy possible through the supreme sacrifice of his beloved son, Jesus Christ.
Greg informs us as the reader of his book however that experiencing such intimacy is a two way street...God seeks us out and reaches out to us in love and we in turn need to respond to him with faith in his son Jesus Christ. When we do that, we then can experience an intimacy with God and with others that is too wonderful...too amazing to put into words and fully understand.
What Greg does in his book is he weaves together several interesting and captivating personal stories from his own family life as well as from the lives of others to show us pictures of people longing for love, acceptance and intimacy. When they do not receive it in their lives the results are devastating. He also weaves together the Biblical story of how God loves us and seeks us out to redeem us- in an easy to understand manner with the personal stories making it a most interesting and spiritually encouraging read.
When it is all said and done in his book Greg reveals to us that God truly loves us and that he indeed does desire relationship - that is "intimacy" with us if only we will turn to him by faith and believe in him and his son Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord- thus enabling us to "abide" in him and enjoy an abundantly satisfying relationship with him both now and forever.
For more information about Greg's book visit the book page at Thomas Nelson Publishers.
I received a copy of the book at no cost for reviewing it for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
October 20, 2011
I first came across a book by Greg Paul several years ago. I was new to urban ministry and the stories, people and insights of Greg Paul's God in the Alley were well worth it, though frequently heartbreaking.
This book was different. It was not about justice and while a few of the stories were about sanctuary and the neighborhood his church is in, this was much more personal. He told the stories of his relationship with his parents, his children, people he was privileged to walk along side. He told the story of God's relationship with us. The stories of Greg and the people he loves dovetail with God's story and he sees in them the God he loves and who loves him even more passionately.
Greg Paul uses the framework of Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation to tell God's story (a helpful framework given to him by Rod Wilson of Regent College). At each point, Greg's life and metaphors converge to tell the story of God's love. We are created by a loving God. God looks on our sinfulness not with anger and judgmentalism, but with sadness of seeing the pain we are in. God in Christ is our great redeemer. The God of love holds our future.
I would suggest reading this book slowly and devotionally. As someone with 'pastor eyes' reading this, I love how Greg Paul is able to share how biography intersects theology. The truth of Grace is not a doctrine, but a lived reality. We all need to know this more.
This book was different. It was not about justice and while a few of the stories were about sanctuary and the neighborhood his church is in, this was much more personal. He told the stories of his relationship with his parents, his children, people he was privileged to walk along side. He told the story of God's relationship with us. The stories of Greg and the people he loves dovetail with God's story and he sees in them the God he loves and who loves him even more passionately.
Greg Paul uses the framework of Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation to tell God's story (a helpful framework given to him by Rod Wilson of Regent College). At each point, Greg's life and metaphors converge to tell the story of God's love. We are created by a loving God. God looks on our sinfulness not with anger and judgmentalism, but with sadness of seeing the pain we are in. God in Christ is our great redeemer. The God of love holds our future.
I would suggest reading this book slowly and devotionally. As someone with 'pastor eyes' reading this, I love how Greg Paul is able to share how biography intersects theology. The truth of Grace is not a doctrine, but a lived reality. We all need to know this more.
April 20, 2012
Close enough to hear God breathe…and the subtitle is, “The Great Story of Divine Intimacy”…
I derive no pleasure from giving a bad review but this book was entirely disappointing. I did not feel it delivered on the title or subtitle.
This book is full of stories from the author’s life. They were well written and somewhat interesting in and of themselves but they seemed like “fluff” to me compared to the title of the book and they did not seem to have any related meaning or purpose to them.
There was no “how” to hear God breathe. There was not even any “why” we should want to hear God breathe. Unless you just like listening to personal stories and want to get to know this particular author better, save your money and do not purchase this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from publisher through the Booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I derive no pleasure from giving a bad review but this book was entirely disappointing. I did not feel it delivered on the title or subtitle.
This book is full of stories from the author’s life. They were well written and somewhat interesting in and of themselves but they seemed like “fluff” to me compared to the title of the book and they did not seem to have any related meaning or purpose to them.
There was no “how” to hear God breathe. There was not even any “why” we should want to hear God breathe. Unless you just like listening to personal stories and want to get to know this particular author better, save your money and do not purchase this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from publisher through the Booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
March 20, 2017
Written Nov 23, 2011
What is your idea of intimacy and fidelity?
Before reading Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, my thoughts about intimacy and fidelity revolved around an indefinable amount of trust. Greg Paul doesn’t discount the importance of trust, however he shows its process by painting a portrait of physical closeness – a proximity – that ties two individuals together emotionally and spiritually. Such ties forge a trust that deepens intimacy and ensures fidelity. This closeness sounds like a soft puff of air, an almost inaudible exhale or a quiet relaxed heartbeat deep in the chest cavity your head is resting on.
Greg Paul is a great storyteller, he weaves his story into God’s eternal Great Story so intricately that the reader can’t help but to insert thoughts of their own story while reading. In reading Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, I gained a new level of appreciation for imagination, interpersonal communication and the art of writing a good story.
The title suggests a deep level of intimacy with God. As a Bible-believing and practicing Christian, I thought I had a firm grasp on the level of intimacy God expects to have with His creation – with me – but Greg Paul shared his growth, experiences and insights in such a way that the reader becomes aware that whatever their current level of intimacy with their Maker, they can always go deeper – much deeper. Paul parallels his relationship with God with his relationship with people. His stages of intimacy in his physical life – as a son, brother, friend, husband, father, worker, etc – had a direct impact on his spiritual intimacy with Father God.
Throughout Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, Paul re-imagines snippets of the Bible-story. He re-imagines so well in fact that it comes across as a first-hand account from an eye-witness. It’s an intuitively inclusive way to experience scripture. From the beginning of the book to the last word, Paul’s insightful words beckons the reader, drawing them into a tender, warm, loving, and fatherly embrace where he shares an intimate portrait of his home life, his ministry and his relationship with his Maker. He outlines and exposes the correlation between his relationships (family, friends and community members) and God’s relationship with humanity. He does an excellent job of keeping his “little” story, as he calls his life, in perspective with the great divine story that is God and man striving together.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking deeper relationship with their Creator.
What is your idea of intimacy and fidelity?Before reading Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, my thoughts about intimacy and fidelity revolved around an indefinable amount of trust. Greg Paul doesn’t discount the importance of trust, however he shows its process by painting a portrait of physical closeness – a proximity – that ties two individuals together emotionally and spiritually. Such ties forge a trust that deepens intimacy and ensures fidelity. This closeness sounds like a soft puff of air, an almost inaudible exhale or a quiet relaxed heartbeat deep in the chest cavity your head is resting on.
The story of his agelong fidelity to the people of Israel tells me that the Father has not abandoned me, his child, either. He never will. My sin is the proving ground of his grace.
The Fall, and my own willful disobedience, has broken the image of my Father in me, like a mirror shattered into a thousand shards. Yet each jagged piece still in some small way reflects an aspect of his being, and he will not dispose of it. The Fall is not the utter ruin of my relationship with him, but the proof of its ultimate inviolability. He is not sweeping those shards into a dust pan to be thrown into the trash, cursing the inconvenience. He is gathering them, every sparkling sliver. Assembling them into a new mosaic of his identity uniquely reflected in mine. ~ from Close Enough to Hear God Breathe
Greg Paul is a great storyteller, he weaves his story into God’s eternal Great Story so intricately that the reader can’t help but to insert thoughts of their own story while reading. In reading Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, I gained a new level of appreciation for imagination, interpersonal communication and the art of writing a good story.
The title suggests a deep level of intimacy with God. As a Bible-believing and practicing Christian, I thought I had a firm grasp on the level of intimacy God expects to have with His creation – with me – but Greg Paul shared his growth, experiences and insights in such a way that the reader becomes aware that whatever their current level of intimacy with their Maker, they can always go deeper – much deeper. Paul parallels his relationship with God with his relationship with people. His stages of intimacy in his physical life – as a son, brother, friend, husband, father, worker, etc – had a direct impact on his spiritual intimacy with Father God.
Throughout Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, Paul re-imagines snippets of the Bible-story. He re-imagines so well in fact that it comes across as a first-hand account from an eye-witness. It’s an intuitively inclusive way to experience scripture. From the beginning of the book to the last word, Paul’s insightful words beckons the reader, drawing them into a tender, warm, loving, and fatherly embrace where he shares an intimate portrait of his home life, his ministry and his relationship with his Maker. He outlines and exposes the correlation between his relationships (family, friends and community members) and God’s relationship with humanity. He does an excellent job of keeping his “little” story, as he calls his life, in perspective with the great divine story that is God and man striving together.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking deeper relationship with their Creator.
Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. ~ Isaiah 1:15-20
Greg Paul Close Enough to Hear God Breathe: The Great Story of Divine Intimacy Paperback, 224 pages, $15.99US Thomas Nelson, 2011 1400203007 978-1400203000
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
January 20, 2020
Greg Paul makes a strong and simple case for God’s desire to relate to us as a loving father relates to his treasured children. He makes a strong case for the biblical teaching regarding God’s desire for an intimate relationship with those children he so tenderly loves, and who give him pleasure. I also appreciated the author’s description of our destiny as children living and dancing in the New Creation. Although I found nothing to disagree with, something kept making me uncomfortable as I read, something not quite right with it. I found myself skipping over paragraphs and kept wondering why I wanted to put the book away. Especially because I agree with its main contention that what God most desires is the right personal relationship with his human creatures, and that our identity as believers is transformed by His loving grace. Eventually I identified two reason for my unease:
(1) The fatherhood of God is not his only attribute. God is the most loving of fathers, but he is also much more than a loving father. The book suggests that “the great story” is all about “divine intimacy”: “Within the Great Story, there are two primary images of the character of God’s relationship with humanity…Father to child…and the Groom and the bride…” (161-2). This is wrong. This is a reductionist view of God that falls far short of the biblical teaching about who God is. The author quotes passages from Isaiah and Revelation that define the fatherly tenderness of a God who wants to be near his children. But Isaiah and Revelation both begin and focus on the frightening authority and power of the almighty King. Fatherly love is amazing because it’s the love of the King. Far more dominant, and more “primary” in “the great story” is the image of God as a King. Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God, not the Family of God. In keeping with the Old Testament story, most of Jesus’ stories are about the King, rather than the Father. The author’s description of the New Jerusalem omits to mention the throne. Yet the Lordship and Authority of our God the King is the background and context for every Scripture text about God’s fatherly love. The Father in heaven can bless his adopted children as he does because our Father is the all-powerful and almighty King. The book lacks this balance. Furthermore, the King has a job for his children, a mandate, a mission, an assignment. The mandate is more than “enjoy my presence.” It’s a calling to be like the King in how we relate to the rest of his creation.
(2) Although the author is a leader in The Sanctuary, a church in inner city Toronto that claims to “welcome people who have, for the most part, known only rejection and abuse,” his personal stories of parental affection are mostly limited to the positive experiences of his own healthy middle class nuclear family. Greg is rightly proud of his four children, the many ways God has blessed each one of them, and relates in detail many episodes in their lives that illustrate a kind of ideal family history. I found this to be too much. If that is what it takes to understand the divine intimacy, then most people will never get it. Jesus came to stand in the gap for people who don’t have children, have lost their children, abused their children or were abused as children, never had loving parents, or whose family experiences are mostly illustrative of brokenness and heartbreak and bitterness. With the exception of the story of Leonard in chapter 12, the stories in this book don’t detail such pain. And in the case of Leonard, we don’t hear Leonard‘s own words about his experience of God’s fatherly love, or how the power of the King brought transformation to his life. So the lessons in the book are mainly based on the author’s personal experiences with his father or his children or with others that he has pastored, experiences that are so positive and “intimate” that they are insufficient as a basis for understanding the passionate loving power of God to redeem his fallen creatures. The author comes close to confessing this when he writes, “It’s so easy to get lost in the details of my own story…” (141).
We not only look to our own experiences as fathers or children in order to understand God’s fatherly love for us, we need also to look to God’s incredible powerful love as portrayed in the Scriptures in order to better understand, appreciate, and redeem our own relationships.
(1) The fatherhood of God is not his only attribute. God is the most loving of fathers, but he is also much more than a loving father. The book suggests that “the great story” is all about “divine intimacy”: “Within the Great Story, there are two primary images of the character of God’s relationship with humanity…Father to child…and the Groom and the bride…” (161-2). This is wrong. This is a reductionist view of God that falls far short of the biblical teaching about who God is. The author quotes passages from Isaiah and Revelation that define the fatherly tenderness of a God who wants to be near his children. But Isaiah and Revelation both begin and focus on the frightening authority and power of the almighty King. Fatherly love is amazing because it’s the love of the King. Far more dominant, and more “primary” in “the great story” is the image of God as a King. Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God, not the Family of God. In keeping with the Old Testament story, most of Jesus’ stories are about the King, rather than the Father. The author’s description of the New Jerusalem omits to mention the throne. Yet the Lordship and Authority of our God the King is the background and context for every Scripture text about God’s fatherly love. The Father in heaven can bless his adopted children as he does because our Father is the all-powerful and almighty King. The book lacks this balance. Furthermore, the King has a job for his children, a mandate, a mission, an assignment. The mandate is more than “enjoy my presence.” It’s a calling to be like the King in how we relate to the rest of his creation.
(2) Although the author is a leader in The Sanctuary, a church in inner city Toronto that claims to “welcome people who have, for the most part, known only rejection and abuse,” his personal stories of parental affection are mostly limited to the positive experiences of his own healthy middle class nuclear family. Greg is rightly proud of his four children, the many ways God has blessed each one of them, and relates in detail many episodes in their lives that illustrate a kind of ideal family history. I found this to be too much. If that is what it takes to understand the divine intimacy, then most people will never get it. Jesus came to stand in the gap for people who don’t have children, have lost their children, abused their children or were abused as children, never had loving parents, or whose family experiences are mostly illustrative of brokenness and heartbreak and bitterness. With the exception of the story of Leonard in chapter 12, the stories in this book don’t detail such pain. And in the case of Leonard, we don’t hear Leonard‘s own words about his experience of God’s fatherly love, or how the power of the King brought transformation to his life. So the lessons in the book are mainly based on the author’s personal experiences with his father or his children or with others that he has pastored, experiences that are so positive and “intimate” that they are insufficient as a basis for understanding the passionate loving power of God to redeem his fallen creatures. The author comes close to confessing this when he writes, “It’s so easy to get lost in the details of my own story…” (141).
We not only look to our own experiences as fathers or children in order to understand God’s fatherly love for us, we need also to look to God’s incredible powerful love as portrayed in the Scriptures in order to better understand, appreciate, and redeem our own relationships.
February 14, 2020
This book is one I’ve read before, and I recall that I enjoyed it a lot. This time, I noticed that, though many of the points made were good, some of the aspects of writing and tone were off-putting. I wanted to love this book, but I just thought it was average.
The message that God cradles us against His chest, holding us close enough that in those quiet moments, we can hear Him breathing is a lovely reminder of the intimacy He desires with us. The stories told from the author’s life were touching and emotional, and I loved the way they illustrate the bond between God and His people.
Overall, the message of the book is good, it’s just occasionally told in an awkward way. If you want to grow closer to the Lord, this book may help. Recommended for those who are already walking with God and who want to deepen their relationship with Him.
The message that God cradles us against His chest, holding us close enough that in those quiet moments, we can hear Him breathing is a lovely reminder of the intimacy He desires with us. The stories told from the author’s life were touching and emotional, and I loved the way they illustrate the bond between God and His people.
Overall, the message of the book is good, it’s just occasionally told in an awkward way. If you want to grow closer to the Lord, this book may help. Recommended for those who are already walking with God and who want to deepen their relationship with Him.
August 10, 2012
Sharing intimate moments with others requires two things: being close to them and being quiet. This is the central thesis to this thought provoking and richly personal book. Through a mix of Bible exposition, and personal stories, Greg Paul drew me into his thinking. His longing for deep family relationships and closeness to God are made plain in this work.
I enjoyed both the read and the structure of this book. Greg’s takeoff and landing share a private moment with the reader. Thus the prologue and epilogue bind the fifteen chapters together as verses in a poem. The fifteen chapters are split into five parts: each highlights a wonderful act on the great stage of time. Heart, Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation all moved past me as I read with increasing interest in the stories Greg tells.
From a family living to honor loved ones passed to the joy of building a home with your son. Greg holds little in reserve. I felt as if I was watching a passion play unfold as I turned each page. This book was “not merely an academic exercise or a dogmatic wrangle.” but rather the outpouring of a man’s journey to seek after the presence and blessing of his creator.
In this work I was reminded of my frailty as a Husband, Father, Son and Pastor. I was reminded to stop, be quiet and listen to God (from the title I saw this coming). I was stunned however when I realized the true message of this book. It is very powerful and I do not want you to miss it.
We often interpret God’s silence as Him not caring about us. As a loving Father, He is quiet so He can hear us breathe. In His silence God is intent on being very close and very intimate with us. What a wonderful observation and one I won’t soon forget.
“And I wonder, at the end of this interminable night, as I am finally able to hear the sound of God breathing-is my head on His chest, or His head on mine?”
I enjoyed both the read and the structure of this book. Greg’s takeoff and landing share a private moment with the reader. Thus the prologue and epilogue bind the fifteen chapters together as verses in a poem. The fifteen chapters are split into five parts: each highlights a wonderful act on the great stage of time. Heart, Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consummation all moved past me as I read with increasing interest in the stories Greg tells.
From a family living to honor loved ones passed to the joy of building a home with your son. Greg holds little in reserve. I felt as if I was watching a passion play unfold as I turned each page. This book was “not merely an academic exercise or a dogmatic wrangle.” but rather the outpouring of a man’s journey to seek after the presence and blessing of his creator.
In this work I was reminded of my frailty as a Husband, Father, Son and Pastor. I was reminded to stop, be quiet and listen to God (from the title I saw this coming). I was stunned however when I realized the true message of this book. It is very powerful and I do not want you to miss it.
We often interpret God’s silence as Him not caring about us. As a loving Father, He is quiet so He can hear us breathe. In His silence God is intent on being very close and very intimate with us. What a wonderful observation and one I won’t soon forget.
“And I wonder, at the end of this interminable night, as I am finally able to hear the sound of God breathing-is my head on His chest, or His head on mine?”
May 26, 2012
Greg Paul is a pastor and member of Sanctuary in Toronto, Canada, a ministry where the wealthy and poor share their experiences and resources daily and care for the most excluded people in the city, including addicts, prostitutes, the homeless, and gay, lesbian, and transgendered people. Greg is a former carpenter, a father of four and married to Maggie. He is also an author of two other books: The Twenty-Piece Shuffle and God in the Alley.
Close Enough To Hear God Breathe by Greg Paul points out how our God should be viewed as our Father, a parent himself, as we are His Children. Greg breaks down the verses from the Bible and also tells of stories that have happened in his life, which allowed him to get closer to God intimately; but not in a sexually way but with a deep feeling that we should all be with God.
Greg also helps us understand how God is here for us when we need him, through good and bad. He also provides Notes and a Reader’s Guide at the end of the book.
Would I recommend this book? Sure. Everybody reads a book and takes it in differently. I personally enjoyed the book and I hope you do to, if you decide to read Close Enough To Hear God Breathe by Greg Paul.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Close Enough To Hear God Breathe by Greg Paul points out how our God should be viewed as our Father, a parent himself, as we are His Children. Greg breaks down the verses from the Bible and also tells of stories that have happened in his life, which allowed him to get closer to God intimately; but not in a sexually way but with a deep feeling that we should all be with God.
Greg also helps us understand how God is here for us when we need him, through good and bad. He also provides Notes and a Reader’s Guide at the end of the book.
Would I recommend this book? Sure. Everybody reads a book and takes it in differently. I personally enjoyed the book and I hope you do to, if you decide to read Close Enough To Hear God Breathe by Greg Paul.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 25, 2012
Greg Paul, as a person demonstrating compassion in inner-city Toronto to those society most wants to discard--is a person I admire greatly. Truly, his ministry--Sanctuary--illustrates in concrete terms the unconditional love of God for addicts, prostitutes, pimps, and so many others.
His book, "Close Enough to Hear God Breathe" combines many of his own stories of family and relatives with the stories--many incredibly sad--of his street friends. The combination of these two threads reflects life as it is; sometimes sordid, something apparently hopeless, but by the grace of God always pregnant with hope and possibility of redemption. He tells stories of misery and human sinfulness but overwhelmingly the book is about God's love, his forgiveness, his redemptive grace. Throughtout, Greg Paul is incredibly vulnerable and sincere.
Having said all this, my problem is the writing style and organization of the book. It struck me as disjointed lacking the cohesive, progressive theme that I enjoy in a non-fiction book. This may be my overly cerebral bias? True, the stories he tells reflect the often irratic and unpredictable of life...but I wished for a clearer path through the events, a cohesive theme with clear transition between sections and chapters.
His writing is often lyrical and even fairly mystical which will appeal to many readers. I found it difficult to read, and so did my more relational wife. And yet the book just won several awards. Obviously, the tastes of readers and judges vary.
His book, "Close Enough to Hear God Breathe" combines many of his own stories of family and relatives with the stories--many incredibly sad--of his street friends. The combination of these two threads reflects life as it is; sometimes sordid, something apparently hopeless, but by the grace of God always pregnant with hope and possibility of redemption. He tells stories of misery and human sinfulness but overwhelmingly the book is about God's love, his forgiveness, his redemptive grace. Throughtout, Greg Paul is incredibly vulnerable and sincere.
Having said all this, my problem is the writing style and organization of the book. It struck me as disjointed lacking the cohesive, progressive theme that I enjoy in a non-fiction book. This may be my overly cerebral bias? True, the stories he tells reflect the often irratic and unpredictable of life...but I wished for a clearer path through the events, a cohesive theme with clear transition between sections and chapters.
His writing is often lyrical and even fairly mystical which will appeal to many readers. I found it difficult to read, and so did my more relational wife. And yet the book just won several awards. Obviously, the tastes of readers and judges vary.
November 14, 2011
In Close Enough To Hear God Breathe, Pastor Greg Paul shares stories from Scripture and every day life, illustrating how God is present in all moments. Dividing the book in five parts, Heart, Creation, The Fall, Redemption, and Consummation, Paul brings forth how God's breathe in all life circumstances, good and bad, joyful and sad, easy and challenging, is living and working.
From the title, my first thought was the book would be about how to hear God's will for our life. Instead, Paul uses stories from his own life, from the inner city addicts, prostitutes and homeless he ministers, to his own story of career change, divorce and relationships with his children, to show how God longs for a relationship with us. And God loves us, in every moment of our story. His writing is descriptive, even poetic at times and I did find myself re-reading sentences to grasp the deeper meaning behind the metaphors and similies.
Although I read the book all the way through, this book could also be one you may just want to pick up from time to time, reading sections that God may be directing you to, like an individual Sunday sermon. I would recommend this book to those who want to marry their heart with God's, and see His workings in their story.
From the title, my first thought was the book would be about how to hear God's will for our life. Instead, Paul uses stories from his own life, from the inner city addicts, prostitutes and homeless he ministers, to his own story of career change, divorce and relationships with his children, to show how God longs for a relationship with us. And God loves us, in every moment of our story. His writing is descriptive, even poetic at times and I did find myself re-reading sentences to grasp the deeper meaning behind the metaphors and similies.
Although I read the book all the way through, this book could also be one you may just want to pick up from time to time, reading sections that God may be directing you to, like an individual Sunday sermon. I would recommend this book to those who want to marry their heart with God's, and see His workings in their story.
October 13, 2011
My Thoughts:
I did not read any other reviews before I read this book. I wish I had. I don't like giving bad reviews so I will try to be kind. The book was inspiring and well written but I do not agree with some chapters. I did not care too much for chapter 13 and 14. I wish I had not read those two chapters at all. I feel as if his interpretation of the Song of Solomn was offensive, to me. Song of Solomn has always been beautiful, to me, but I feel as if he colored outside the lines, to put it mildly. But it is his version of his interpretation of that Book in the Bible. I was tempted to not write a review at all. But I feel as if readers need to know how I strongly I feel about this book. Just to be clear I am not a prude, just a woman. There is so much more I would like to say but I will not.
I will give this book a 3 out of 5. I do not recommend this book. At first I gave this book a 2 on an after thought I have decided to change it to a three.
Disclosure:
I received a free copy of this book from Booksneeze. This is my honest opinion and in no way that of Booksneeze.
I did not read any other reviews before I read this book. I wish I had. I don't like giving bad reviews so I will try to be kind. The book was inspiring and well written but I do not agree with some chapters. I did not care too much for chapter 13 and 14. I wish I had not read those two chapters at all. I feel as if his interpretation of the Song of Solomn was offensive, to me. Song of Solomn has always been beautiful, to me, but I feel as if he colored outside the lines, to put it mildly. But it is his version of his interpretation of that Book in the Bible. I was tempted to not write a review at all. But I feel as if readers need to know how I strongly I feel about this book. Just to be clear I am not a prude, just a woman. There is so much more I would like to say but I will not.
I will give this book a 3 out of 5. I do not recommend this book. At first I gave this book a 2 on an after thought I have decided to change it to a three.
Disclosure:
I received a free copy of this book from Booksneeze. This is my honest opinion and in no way that of Booksneeze.
September 14, 2011
Both subtle and radical, full of common stories told in extraordinary fashion, this book weaves the experiences of the individual into the great tapestry of the biblical saga. The reader learns to hear the voice of God speaking in the ordinary events and relationships of life, as well as in the broad, deep current of Scripture.
Reading the Bible ought to be like putting one’s head on God’s chest. Close Enough to Hear God Breathe will help readers do just that. And when they do, they’ll hear him whisper, “You’re my child, my love, my pleasure.”
This is a amazing way to help you understand his word. A way that guides you closer to him and helps you see things, life, love, everything in a whole new light. If you need help understanding the Bible, or if your like me you cant get past the language of the Bible, some words mean different things for back when it was written on paper and now. Allowing you to open your mind and truly understand.
Reading the Bible ought to be like putting one’s head on God’s chest. Close Enough to Hear God Breathe will help readers do just that. And when they do, they’ll hear him whisper, “You’re my child, my love, my pleasure.”
This is a amazing way to help you understand his word. A way that guides you closer to him and helps you see things, life, love, everything in a whole new light. If you need help understanding the Bible, or if your like me you cant get past the language of the Bible, some words mean different things for back when it was written on paper and now. Allowing you to open your mind and truly understand.
December 5, 2013
"My child. My beloved. My pleasure." Throughout CLOSE ENOUGH TO HEAR GOD BREATHE, Paul uses beautiful imagery and heart filled stories to emphasize the intimacy Papa God so deeply desires with us. I found the last quarter of the book, until the final page that is, lost me a little in the application. However, the rest I found insightful, moving, and inspiring. Paul's style is so lyrical that you can almost feel God's heartbeat and warm breath as you lie with your head on His chest. This resting in His presence is what's often lacking in the lives of Believers today. Do yourself a favor and take in the revelation in these pages. It may completely rock your faith in ways you didn't even know were missing.
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November 26, 2011"See what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God!" 1 John 3:1 It's a love so amazing, so deep and wide, so beyond anything our feeble hearts can imagine. Thank you, Greg Paul, for helping me come closer to understanding.
December 12, 2011
The language and wording used throughout the book reminded me of a brush stroke on a canvas. I loved the way the author referred to intimacy and breath. The book gave a gentle reminder of the delicate intimacy that exists between the Highest One and His children.
July 26, 2015
It's a beautiful book. I just wished it was delivered better. But I understand it.
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