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The God Chasers #2
The God Catchers: Experiencing the Manifest Presence of God
Why do some believers experience genuine, life-changing, personal revival while others don't? In The God Catchers , the sequel to the phenomenal The God Chasers , Tommy explains the difference: "God in a sense plays hide and seek. But like a loving parent, He always makes sure He can be found by those who take the time to look." Simply put, those who earnestly seek God rather than wait for something to happen find Him. Full of biblical and contemporary accounts of believers who chased God and caught Him, The God Catchers will motivate readers to discover the joy of finding God and having a loving relationship with Him.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 9, 2001
68 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Tommy Tenney
124 books113 followersTommy Tenney is the author of multi-million selling The God Chasers series. He has written more than thirty books, with eight best-selling titles to date. Tommy has books in over forty languages, traveled into more than seventy-two countries and television broadcast into one hundred twenty nations. Tommy spent ten years pastoring and has spent over twenty years in itinerant ministry. His two passions are leading others to seek the presence of God and encouraging unity in the body of Christ. He is the founder of GodChasers.network, a mission's ministry organized to assist pastors globally, and distribute Tommy's teachings through various media. Three generations of ministry in his family heritage, and three daughters, have given Tommy a unique perspective on ministry. The Tenneys reside in Louisiana with their three daughters, their son-in-law, four grandchildren and two Yorkies.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 27, 2013
Inspired by small everyday life situations, this book reveals one of the basic truths about the relationship with God - He is irresistably attracted to a broken heart which has realised its own emptiness caused by His being away. Great source for learning the sensual and emotional dimensions of the deep worship which each Christian is called to live in.
The book moreover opposes the wide spread "moderate" attitudes regarding church services, gatherings and worship experience tollerated in nowadays Christianity. It gives a new view to the sens of discontent, revealing it as one of the main sources for pogressing in the depths of God's manifested presence.
The book moreover opposes the wide spread "moderate" attitudes regarding church services, gatherings and worship experience tollerated in nowadays Christianity. It gives a new view to the sens of discontent, revealing it as one of the main sources for pogressing in the depths of God's manifested presence.
July 26, 2011
I could not help but feel frustrated whilst reading "The God Catchers". I have not read Tenney's earlier "God Chasers", but will, when I come across it.
Tenney says frustration is good. Brokeness is good. Emptiness is good. Tenney hates religion. He hates church. Why? They get in the way of his earnest seeking from religion, from church, that which it proposes to offer — that is, God. Tenney claims he has experienced, on rare occasion, the "catching of God". It is, according to Tenney, a transient experience, which ultimately leaves one all the more empty, frustrated, and broken, which, he says is good, because this opens the way for more earnest seeking, which will lead to more transient experiences with the presence of God.
My frustration comes from two things:
1. Tenney is very good at telling us how to properly seek, the attitudes the Body of Christ should carry — we should be passionate in our quest. What frustrates me is that Tenney is terrible at relating to his readers what he found in his experience with the manifest presence of God. The buck stops with him simply relating to us that he has experienced Him, a couple of times, and that it was life-changing. I can relate to the fact that ethereal experiences are hard to relate in words, much less a personal experience with God. I think I could have done a bit better job than was shown here. I would expect some details to come forth from one who has experienced God on a personal basis. We simply do not find such details here. Instead, we are rushed along, and told that such an experience will only lead to a greater hunger for another such experience, and that we will be ruined for any lesser experiences. This is very frustrating — reading an entire book on seeking, with no clear clue as to what it is exactly that is sought. Will we see God the Father? Will we be transported into the Spirit? Will we be aware of our environment? Will we be capable of holding conversation with God? Are all experiences with God subjective and unique to the individual? If so, pray tell, what was Tenney's experience as? Why did Tenney hold back? Was he afraid at offending his readers with the Truth of his experience? Was he afraid at offending God by relating that which was intimate? Was what he experienced even possible to relate? If it was an experience, I would say that of course, it is possible, to in some way relate to others, and that there is a duty to relate such an experience. In this, Tenney failed.
2. Tenney uses his own children and himself as a father as a metaphor for the Body, and God the father. I won't say that this was not insightful, but I found it irritating to have to read about his daughter and he playing hide-and seek, his daughter bringing him coffee, his daughter wanting smooches, him wanting to smooch on his daughter, and her, having grown older, not wanting smooches. As Parham told Seymour: "God is sick to his stomach!"
I wouldn't say that I did not enjoy "The God Catchers". I enjoyed it very much when Tenney waxed scripturally, which was rarely. I can't help but feel though, that I have come away hungry, having experienced in this book, another shallow and unsatisfying experience. Tenney might very well be pleased in this.
Tenney says frustration is good. Brokeness is good. Emptiness is good. Tenney hates religion. He hates church. Why? They get in the way of his earnest seeking from religion, from church, that which it proposes to offer — that is, God. Tenney claims he has experienced, on rare occasion, the "catching of God". It is, according to Tenney, a transient experience, which ultimately leaves one all the more empty, frustrated, and broken, which, he says is good, because this opens the way for more earnest seeking, which will lead to more transient experiences with the presence of God.
My frustration comes from two things:
1. Tenney is very good at telling us how to properly seek, the attitudes the Body of Christ should carry — we should be passionate in our quest. What frustrates me is that Tenney is terrible at relating to his readers what he found in his experience with the manifest presence of God. The buck stops with him simply relating to us that he has experienced Him, a couple of times, and that it was life-changing. I can relate to the fact that ethereal experiences are hard to relate in words, much less a personal experience with God. I think I could have done a bit better job than was shown here. I would expect some details to come forth from one who has experienced God on a personal basis. We simply do not find such details here. Instead, we are rushed along, and told that such an experience will only lead to a greater hunger for another such experience, and that we will be ruined for any lesser experiences. This is very frustrating — reading an entire book on seeking, with no clear clue as to what it is exactly that is sought. Will we see God the Father? Will we be transported into the Spirit? Will we be aware of our environment? Will we be capable of holding conversation with God? Are all experiences with God subjective and unique to the individual? If so, pray tell, what was Tenney's experience as? Why did Tenney hold back? Was he afraid at offending his readers with the Truth of his experience? Was he afraid at offending God by relating that which was intimate? Was what he experienced even possible to relate? If it was an experience, I would say that of course, it is possible, to in some way relate to others, and that there is a duty to relate such an experience. In this, Tenney failed.
2. Tenney uses his own children and himself as a father as a metaphor for the Body, and God the father. I won't say that this was not insightful, but I found it irritating to have to read about his daughter and he playing hide-and seek, his daughter bringing him coffee, his daughter wanting smooches, him wanting to smooch on his daughter, and her, having grown older, not wanting smooches. As Parham told Seymour: "God is sick to his stomach!"
I wouldn't say that I did not enjoy "The God Catchers". I enjoyed it very much when Tenney waxed scripturally, which was rarely. I can't help but feel though, that I have come away hungry, having experienced in this book, another shallow and unsatisfying experience. Tenney might very well be pleased in this.
March 12, 2009
I read this because they talked about it alot at church. It was okay, and I definitely want to be a God catcher.
April 20, 2012
its a must read,,,i grew in prayer
March 18, 2020
The author is clearly passionate about his topic. The writing reflects a life dedicated to seeking and finding God in all His glory. Excellent emphasis on the gathering being about inviting the presence of God. My only caution is that people need to be led to a place of desperately seeking after the presence of God and it sometimes requires working through issues before they can come to this place. Still, I recommend this as an important read for any who want their church and individual experience with God to be more than what they are currently experiencing.
May 8, 2021
Does Tommy Tenney appear to think he's a prophet? Comes across as charismatic and talks in circles.
Biblical Christians may feel ripped off like I would have if I'd paid full price for this. Thankfully, it was a thrift store bargain.
I didn't take an exact count, but it seems like Tommy referenced himself as much or more than the Bible. And when he mentioned the Bible, there was never a chapter or verse attached. I'm no expert, but I believe true Christians may stay away from this sort of thing.
Biblical Christians may feel ripped off like I would have if I'd paid full price for this. Thankfully, it was a thrift store bargain.
I didn't take an exact count, but it seems like Tommy referenced himself as much or more than the Bible. And when he mentioned the Bible, there was never a chapter or verse attached. I'm no expert, but I believe true Christians may stay away from this sort of thing.
September 12, 2018
My issue with this book is the idea that God seekers should always be hungry and thirsty. Jesus said whosoever drinks of the water He gives will never thirst.
There is a place for brokeness, but to be constantly groveling like the author suggests does not seem appropriate for a child of God.
I have seen a lot of abuse in this area. I have seen sevices where if God does not move, they act it out anyway.
That being said, I believe in the manifest presence of God. Just be real.
There is a place for brokeness, but to be constantly groveling like the author suggests does not seem appropriate for a child of God.
I have seen a lot of abuse in this area. I have seen sevices where if God does not move, they act it out anyway.
That being said, I believe in the manifest presence of God. Just be real.
October 20, 2019
The first two chapters spoke alot to me... however the rest felt like just filling in space. I dont enjoy his writing style as it come across as negative/critical at times. It felt like alot of "where are the people who do this?? God needs this!" Preachy. Also no personal experience or connection beyond the first few chapters. He is critical of churches several times through the book which rubbed me the wrong way. Anyway there were little bits that were good but not alot, sadly.
December 22, 2018
There are only a few books that are so bad that they're unreadable. This isn't quite that bad, but it's close. I wasn't quite nearly as impressed with Mr. Tenney as he appears to be with himself. A giant dose of humility would go a long way with this guy.
July 22, 2021
A BLESSING
This read is a true blessing! We all must become God chasers in order to catch our God! Accompany this book with Experiencing His Presence devotions for God Catchers by Tommy chimney and experience the fullness thereof!
This read is a true blessing! We all must become God chasers in order to catch our God! Accompany this book with Experiencing His Presence devotions for God Catchers by Tommy chimney and experience the fullness thereof!
November 16, 2022
Chase to Catch
If I don't chase Him, I can't catch him. Only a God Chaser can become a God catcher. My brokenness is what draws the father in. Its time to raise the cry God can't deny; "Daddy, I want you".
If I don't chase Him, I can't catch him. Only a God Chaser can become a God catcher. My brokenness is what draws the father in. Its time to raise the cry God can't deny; "Daddy, I want you".
November 12, 2019
While I really enjoyed reading The God Catchers, it was not as punchy and convincing as The God Chasers. Nevertheless, it is a very good read and I recommend.
July 5, 2020
The continuation of God Chasers. If the first book tell us about the importance of chasing God, this book focused on how could we chasing the God. The examples from bible and in real life.
May 10, 2021
One word: Heretical!
February 11, 2022
Fantastic sequel to The God Chasers. I absolutely love them.
December 16, 2024
This book was rich! I’m going to have to re-read it multiple times. There was so much to “catch,” haha get it. Loved it so much.
January 28, 2009
Already I am excited about the prospect of reading this. It seems to summarize where we have been heading as a church.
Another book that is helping me on my journey, understanding the heart of God. The basic premise advocates worship as a means to invoke the manifest presence of God. Only when we seek Him in our brokenness, our neediness, and our desperation does He come to meet with us. We need to present our emptiness to Him, individually and corporately, in order for Him to fill us with His presence. This seemed a logical next step after reading "Pagan Christianity", "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore", and "The Shack". I was especially moved by the simplicity of the examples drawn from the author's relationship with his daughters and how those experiences correspond to our relationship to God as Father. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall see God." I want to see Him. I want to know Him. I want to hear His voice.
Another book that is helping me on my journey, understanding the heart of God. The basic premise advocates worship as a means to invoke the manifest presence of God. Only when we seek Him in our brokenness, our neediness, and our desperation does He come to meet with us. We need to present our emptiness to Him, individually and corporately, in order for Him to fill us with His presence. This seemed a logical next step after reading "Pagan Christianity", "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore", and "The Shack". I was especially moved by the simplicity of the examples drawn from the author's relationship with his daughters and how those experiences correspond to our relationship to God as Father. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall see God." I want to see Him. I want to know Him. I want to hear His voice.
December 9, 2010
A continuation of what was started in "God Chasers". The idea being that those who passionately seek after God will find Him, because He will let Himself be found. In the same way that when you play hide-n-seek with a small child, you hide in order to be found, the author's premise is that God positions Himself to be found by us.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. I've read it multiple times and each time I read it, it stirs up the hunger to do whatever it takes to continue the chase. I can't settle for what I've known in my Christian walk to this point. This book is one of many to encourage me that I'm headed in the right direction.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. I've read it multiple times and each time I read it, it stirs up the hunger to do whatever it takes to continue the chase. I can't settle for what I've known in my Christian walk to this point. This book is one of many to encourage me that I'm headed in the right direction.
December 16, 2008
This book mostly just quoted his 1st book. Not a lot of new stuff.
September 28, 2014
THIS BOOK STIRS UP THE STAGNATE PLACES WITHIN AND IGNITES A FIRE OF PASSION FOR GOD'S LOVE
AND A DESIRE TO PURSUE HIM
AND A DESIRE TO PURSUE HIM
August 31, 2016
Just what I was looking for!
Read
May 14, 2016IT MAKE ME FEEL THE PASSION OF WHO I AM
August 20, 2016
Great continuation to the God Chasers book by the same author!
November 2, 2016
Reading this book was a wow! Experience. I have enjoyed and learned from many of his books.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews