Intimacy with the Almighty

by Charles R. Swindoll

Charles Swindoll outlines four decisions, accompanied by four disciplines that can lead us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Almighty and contribute to peace in the middle of the "tryanny of the urgent.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Devotional

Unknown Binding

First published April 23, 1996

About the author

Charles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fast-paced world where everyone is running around to meet their deadlines or fulfil their desires, many are not able to even think about God. This book will help you to know more about spirituality and God.

“God made us plain and simple. We made ourselves complicated.”

I love to read books related to spirituality from every religion. This is a book about Christianity, faith and Christian living. The author talks about simplicity, silence, solitude, and surrender that will help us remain more connected with god.

This book is too short for a deeper understanding of the topic discussed but is still a decent choice to read for those who haven’t read much about Christian living.

[Faith Spinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book. Encouraging and challenging in equal measure.

[Adam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Swindoll, although somewhat less than I used to when I first discovered him, and I think that's because of awakening to radical grace. Still, Swindoll was very integral in my development to where I now am, and I saw touches of what he does best in here. Swindoll understands grace. Sometimes what he writes tends to come from a guiltier perspective than mine, the idea that "I don't spend enough time with God, and before I get down to brass taxes with Him, I need to feel bad about it for a while." There's a touch of that attitude underlying this book. Most people might not even notice it but instead read this for the refreshing bit of fresh water it really is (and it really IS nourishing, don't misunderstand me), but for me, I tend to feel the necessity of bypassing the whole, "I don't spend enough time with God" bit and, well, just SPEND TIME with Him! Don't just long for intimacy with God. Don't think about what's wrong, what's gotten in the way. If you long for Him, just go there. Don't analyze yourself. That's delaying what you really want. Just go for it. Dive in and enjoy.

[Trayc Tooley-Foskett · Rating 5 out of 5]

i first went through this book by myself as an individual study and in so doing was blown away by how much Dr. Swindoll was able to challenge and encourage growth in what seemed on the surface to be a simple little book. it is not a long book, and it does have a workbook to go along with it. it became obvious to me when i went through it a few years later in a small group study that, just as in any Bible study, you will get out of it what you put into it. if you think the depth comes from the reading you will be disappinted (as it seems some of the other reviewers were). if you go through it with the workbook and take the time to dig in, however, this short little book will set fire to your walk with Christ, and you will forever be changed. i guess to put it succinctly, oftentimes pondering the simple truths brings about the most profound opportunities for growth. read the book with the workbook...you will be glad you did.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short read was a good one for me at this time. I used it as a brief devotional, reading one of each of the four decision/disciplines a day. The four disciplines resonated with me as key components to an intimate walk with the Lord and also as generally good guidelines for life. Swindoll did not offer anything in the way of how to practically incorporate these four disciplines into your life but that's why I took my time reading it, soaking it in and praying about how to make this a lifestyle and not just another thing to check off my list.

[Chase Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of like an abridged version of "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer. It talks about four disciplines necessary to become more deeply intimate with God: simplicity, silence, solitude, and surrender. I gave it only three stars because of how short it is. It kept my attention, but I felt like he was holding back at times.

[Ben Talbot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Swindoll's ideas are thought provoking but simple, and his writing is neither pretentious nor arbitrary (important qualities in a book designed to teach). I recommend this book to anyone interested in delving deeper enocunters with God and the practice of oft-forgotten spiritual disciplines.

[Itayi · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good deep book. i am reading it slowly and grasping all i can and learning to practise it as well. A good read indeed

[Colleen Riggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a fast read and definitely worth reading a few times a year.

[Mark Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great book sharing 4 disciplines to be intimate with the Almighty. Quick read but great content.

[Emilee Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every Christian should read. It’s simplicity belies the importance and insight in Swindoll’s words. A wonderful book.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so short with just 5 chapters - and transformative. Simplicity, silence, solitude, surrender. This is what our lives our about in Christ.

Needed it at just this right time. Everyone should read it! Great devotional!

[Joey Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool to know that life was still chaotically busy even in 1998

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuck Swindoll wrote this short book during a period where he was on sabbatical to his pastoral responsibilities. It was only in that down time that he sensed his yearning for greater intimacy with the Lord. Sometimes it's only when we slow down and be still in the Lord's presence are we able to hear our heart's cry.

The book is centred around 4 decisions that need to be made daily and the required discipline for enabling greater intimacy with the Lord:

1. To reorder one's private world -> Simplicity
2. To be still -> Silence
3. To cultivate serenity -> Solitude
4. To trust the Lord completely -> Surrender

I liked this structure particularly the inclusion of simplicity. In this frequently manic world we live in it is very easy to become overwhelmed not just by physical things but our minds can be overtaken by a barrage of unrelenting communications.

This is an easy book to read, only taking an hour, but it's important to allow the teachings and soundbites time to linger in our hearts so we can start to put the concepts into practice.

Highly recommended.

[The Men's Ministry of Denton Bible Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swindoll's points out the busyness characterizing so many of our lives. Over-laden schedules can
leave us hollow, frustrated, impatient, and distant from God. Learn how to regain your intimacy
with God as you're challenged to make some radical changes. Don't let the "tyranny of the
urgent" stand in the way of the most important relationship in your life - your relationship with your
heavenly Father.

[Rachel Lubow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intimacy with the Almighty presents wonderful passages for meditation, superb sources, some excellent exhortations, and a refreshing counter-cultural tone.

Throughout the book were several confusing (potentially misleading) word choices, some unsupported assertions, and a passage removed from its context (page 31).

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (by Donald S. Whitney) is a resource I more highly recommend that discusses some of the same spiritual disciplines.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I asked my wife for a short book to read on a business trip, and she handed me this. I was expecting a boring book on prayer; this is not a boring book on prayer. Ninety percent of this book is about the stuff before time with God. It's the stuff you don't think about, and I look forward to putting into practice.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tiny book is vital to the spiritual life of those desiring to draw close to God. Through the recommended disciplines of simplicity, silence, solitude, and surrender, we may indeed lessen the power of "the tyranny of the urgent" of this all-too-busy world and instead focus our minds, hearts, and spirits on becoming truly intimate with God Almighty.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book born from the author's own time of introspection during a time away from "full-time" regular ministry. Well worth the hour or less it takes to read. Spurs the reader to ponder his/her life in relation to how intimate are they with God and gives down-to-earth suggestions to cultivate that intimacy. A+

[Wes · Rating 4 out of 5]

My men's church group is just finishing this as a study. Easy reading, excellent points, and Dr. Swindoll certainly understands getting to the root of a relationship with God. Solid foundation for anyone who believes that everything on earth is temporary.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming and brief devotional. Charles Swindoll outlines four disciplines (simplicity, silence, solitude, surrender) to aid the Christian in developing greater intimacy with God in the midst of a cacophonous world.

[Jt]

Yes! It is a must read and a great challenge to the importance of spiritual discipline. Whatever you hunger for, you will eat. This book is a great book to pull out time and time again if you are in a spiritual rut.

[Baylee King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a particularly long read, but one that is necessary for followers of Christ if we are to stop and be still in a culture that condemns for even slowing down. Swindoll gives four practical ways to cultivate "intimacy with the almighty."

[Trevor Atwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book that introduces the disciplines of simplicity, silence, solitude, and surrender.

It be read in about half an hour and expose a lot of one’s over-busyness while encouraging the beauty of slowing down to know God

[Jay Risner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always liked this book.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book literally changed my life and my perception of God as a personal being. i highly recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper more practically meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.

[Bobby Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible short read packed with disciplines of a person wanting to walk with the Lord in a deeper sense.

[Adam Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok as a group bible study. More thoughts on my blog

http://bookwi.se/intimacy-with-the-al...

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Enjoyed this short, but meaningful book.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 disciplines: simplicity, silence, solitude, surrender. Apply to life.