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Craving Grace: Experience the Richness of the Gospel
"I was stuck. I believed the gospel changed people, but I knew it wasn’t changing me. My head was filled with knowledge about God, but my heart was not convinced He even knew my name. How could I live as His child while feeling like a spiritual orphan?" — Ruthie Delk
Are you stuck? Craving something but don’t know what? Ruthie Delk shares a clear and concrete way to preach the gospel to yourself. We all need to be reminded of the gospel, the real gospel that brings freedom and life and hope, a gospel that is worth celebrating and sharing. This book will empower you to move from a cycle of resistance, separation, and loneliness to a life of restoration and freedom.
Are you stuck? Craving something but don’t know what? Ruthie Delk shares a clear and concrete way to preach the gospel to yourself. We all need to be reminded of the gospel, the real gospel that brings freedom and life and hope, a gospel that is worth celebrating and sharing. This book will empower you to move from a cycle of resistance, separation, and loneliness to a life of restoration and freedom.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
20 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 5, 2019
This book is super helpful and personal. I appreciated how she walked through the different stages of either living in grace or out of grace. Helped me to define where I am at and how to simply take hold of grace. Helpful book for someone like me who can resort to other ways of "proving" myself to God.
September 23, 2015
I really liked Craving Grace. It made me think and was a very easy read. A lot of truths in the book and I can see myself rereading it sometime.
*I received a NetGalley e-copy for free for my review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own."
*I received a NetGalley e-copy for free for my review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own."
December 6, 2013
Craving Grace: Experience the Richness of the Gospel by Ruthie Delk is a work of love, the fruit of the author’s passionate desire to help people embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that it captures their hearts and not just their minds. Living in a world where it is easy to get lost, Ruthie shows how it is possible to live out and see the gospel in a new way, one that radically transforms one’s life inside-out.
Ruthie honestly admits that it do not contain earth-shattering truths, or anything that has not been said before but the short book is a fruit of her journey – a journey where God breathed life into what had become sterile and meaningless. The main focus of the book is the diagram described in the pages of this book which will give a clear and concrete way to preach the gospel to yourself every day.
Ruthie exhorts the reader to run to the cross even when one continues to sin and struggle with doubt and unbelief because it changes everything. It is a path-breaking book which ought to be in the hands of every Christian.
Ruthie honestly admits that it do not contain earth-shattering truths, or anything that has not been said before but the short book is a fruit of her journey – a journey where God breathed life into what had become sterile and meaningless. The main focus of the book is the diagram described in the pages of this book which will give a clear and concrete way to preach the gospel to yourself every day.
Ruthie exhorts the reader to run to the cross even when one continues to sin and struggle with doubt and unbelief because it changes everything. It is a path-breaking book which ought to be in the hands of every Christian.
December 12, 2023
A beautiful little book full of big, beautiful truths.
Delk offers a clear, visual exploration of living like children vs. orphans. Her graphic depiction of the gospel explains how we need it not only for salvation but for every moment that follows.
“Sin is about more than just behavior,” she writes. “Our sinful behaviors flow out of sinners’ hearts. We sin because we are sinful. The danger of focusing only on the external actions is that as long as we maintain a small view of sin, then we will believe in a small cross and a small Jesus. It’s a convenient way to keep him at arm’s length.”
Her observations hit tender spots inside me.
“So often I repent of the ‘fruit’ of my sin – things like anger, pride, jealousy, and discontentment. I don’t even consider the unbelief that has caused those sins to take root in my life – believing He doesn’t love me, that He isn’t in control, that He won’t provide.”
She explains the tension between faith and works clearly. I was struck especially by her diagnosis of efforts that are fueled by something other than deep gratitude for grace.
“Our faith in what God has done will lead to a transformed life characterized by worship and works. Unless these flow out of an understanding of the gospel of grace, they will be nothing more than sterile acts of service that lead to spiritual burnout and disappointment with God.”
Delk offers a clear, visual exploration of living like children vs. orphans. Her graphic depiction of the gospel explains how we need it not only for salvation but for every moment that follows.
“Sin is about more than just behavior,” she writes. “Our sinful behaviors flow out of sinners’ hearts. We sin because we are sinful. The danger of focusing only on the external actions is that as long as we maintain a small view of sin, then we will believe in a small cross and a small Jesus. It’s a convenient way to keep him at arm’s length.”
Her observations hit tender spots inside me.
“So often I repent of the ‘fruit’ of my sin – things like anger, pride, jealousy, and discontentment. I don’t even consider the unbelief that has caused those sins to take root in my life – believing He doesn’t love me, that He isn’t in control, that He won’t provide.”
She explains the tension between faith and works clearly. I was struck especially by her diagnosis of efforts that are fueled by something other than deep gratitude for grace.
“Our faith in what God has done will lead to a transformed life characterized by worship and works. Unless these flow out of an understanding of the gospel of grace, they will be nothing more than sterile acts of service that lead to spiritual burnout and disappointment with God.”
September 19, 2018
Wow. This book was so, so good. My former church's motto was "The Gospel Changes Everything." Our pastor would say it from the pulpit every week, and he led me to begin to understand the significance of such a statement. I love how that exact statement is the over-arching, explicit message of this book. This book explains and fleshes that statement out in a very understandable way. I'd love to read this book as part of a weekly discussion group. There was so much to mull through in a group setting. Highly recommend this. Kelley, it would be a deviation from what you've been doing in LBS by studying a book of the Bible each year, but I think this would be so good for SR ladies.
January 5, 2018
I love how Ruthie explains things. A different take on the growth model
August 23, 2020
Helpful and informative. Glad I read it.
July 3, 2022
“Sometimes the gospel grabs hold of us in a fury and totally saturates us. At other times, it is just a slow, steady drip pursuing and wooing us back to Him”.
November 10, 2022
Great foundational Gospel truths. Kind of hard to discuss in a group. I feel like it’s a good one to read on your own.
March 14, 2017
Good new believer follow-up material. Read a chapter and answer questions together.
March 14, 2014
Author and Bible teacher Ruthie Delk introduces the Gospel 8 diagram in her book Craving Grace: Experience the Richness of the Gospel. She says that while the concepts are not new, the diagram, birthed out of her own journey, helped take her from a head knowledge of the gospel to a heart knowledge.
Delk says that we must continue to preach the gospel to ourselves, and her Gospel 8 diagram provides an easy platform for remembering and recounting the gospel. In the first chapter of Craving Grace, Delk gives a brief overview of the diagram, and the remainder of the book fleshes out in more detail each section of the diagram. She says that the diagram illustrates the process of becoming more like Christ, and that no matter where we are on the diagram, God's grace always propels us, moving us back into relationship with Him.
My favorite parts of Craving Grace include the sections on identity and truths that transform. In the identity section, Delk gives a wonderful equation, God is ____; therefore, I am ____. She even includes a table with examples of how this works, such as: God is Redeemer; therefore, I am redeemed. The truths contained in that section are some I know I need to rehearse over and over, and the table gives me user-friendly tool for that.
Just as practical is the section on truths that transform in chapter six. Delk shows readers how to discover lies we've believed and then replace them with the truth. She even includes another helpful tool--the Truth Chart--with one completed as an example. She helps readers identify life patterns when they don't believe a truth about God's character and how it would change the way they lived if they did believe that truth.
I found Delk's manner to be engaging, warm, and personable, almost as if we were sitting down to coffee together. The truths she presents are valuable and needed by so many followers of Jesus today. The "Digging Deeper" sections at the end of each chapter provide individuals or small groups a chance to dig into God's Word, discover truth for themselves, and begin applying that truth. The questions are deep, introspective, and meaningful.
Craving Grace is small and easily fits in a purse or small tote bag so you can take it with you on the go. The cover's clean, simple design beckons readers to pick it up. Besides that, the book features the Gospel 8 diagram, charts, and tables for the visual person, and it shows readers how to draw and explain the Gospel 8 diagram.
This is a must-have book for any woman who disciples other women. It's also the perfect read you feel you're in a spiritual rut or you are tired of feeling you have to earn the approval of God and others. You're Craving Grace and you just don't realize it! Pick up a copy of the book for a breath of fresh grace!
Learn more about author Ruthie Delk and find videos and book resources and more at www.cravinggrace.org.
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for this review. However, the opinions expressed in the review are my own.
About the Author
RUTHIE DELK'S passion is to help women embrace the Gospel in such a way that it captures their hearts and not just their minds. She enjoys teaching, watching movies, drinking sweet tea, riding her bike and eating any assortment of cheap chocolate. Ruthie grew up in Europe as a missionary kid and met her husband David while at Furman University, where she graduated with a degree in Special Education. She and David have been married for 24 years and live in Orlando, Florida where he is President of Man in the Mirror. They have three children.
Delk says that we must continue to preach the gospel to ourselves, and her Gospel 8 diagram provides an easy platform for remembering and recounting the gospel. In the first chapter of Craving Grace, Delk gives a brief overview of the diagram, and the remainder of the book fleshes out in more detail each section of the diagram. She says that the diagram illustrates the process of becoming more like Christ, and that no matter where we are on the diagram, God's grace always propels us, moving us back into relationship with Him.
My favorite parts of Craving Grace include the sections on identity and truths that transform. In the identity section, Delk gives a wonderful equation, God is ____; therefore, I am ____. She even includes a table with examples of how this works, such as: God is Redeemer; therefore, I am redeemed. The truths contained in that section are some I know I need to rehearse over and over, and the table gives me user-friendly tool for that.
Just as practical is the section on truths that transform in chapter six. Delk shows readers how to discover lies we've believed and then replace them with the truth. She even includes another helpful tool--the Truth Chart--with one completed as an example. She helps readers identify life patterns when they don't believe a truth about God's character and how it would change the way they lived if they did believe that truth.
I found Delk's manner to be engaging, warm, and personable, almost as if we were sitting down to coffee together. The truths she presents are valuable and needed by so many followers of Jesus today. The "Digging Deeper" sections at the end of each chapter provide individuals or small groups a chance to dig into God's Word, discover truth for themselves, and begin applying that truth. The questions are deep, introspective, and meaningful.
Craving Grace is small and easily fits in a purse or small tote bag so you can take it with you on the go. The cover's clean, simple design beckons readers to pick it up. Besides that, the book features the Gospel 8 diagram, charts, and tables for the visual person, and it shows readers how to draw and explain the Gospel 8 diagram.
This is a must-have book for any woman who disciples other women. It's also the perfect read you feel you're in a spiritual rut or you are tired of feeling you have to earn the approval of God and others. You're Craving Grace and you just don't realize it! Pick up a copy of the book for a breath of fresh grace!
Learn more about author Ruthie Delk and find videos and book resources and more at www.cravinggrace.org.
*Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for this review. However, the opinions expressed in the review are my own.
About the Author
RUTHIE DELK'S passion is to help women embrace the Gospel in such a way that it captures their hearts and not just their minds. She enjoys teaching, watching movies, drinking sweet tea, riding her bike and eating any assortment of cheap chocolate. Ruthie grew up in Europe as a missionary kid and met her husband David while at Furman University, where she graduated with a degree in Special Education. She and David have been married for 24 years and live in Orlando, Florida where he is President of Man in the Mirror. They have three children.
January 15, 2026
Really thought this would just be a cute little book but it hit hard sometimes
August 25, 2016
****(3.5 starts)
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.*
As Ruthie Delk admits, nothing in this book will be “new” or revolutionary for most Christians. But she does present the gospel of grace in a slightly different way that will particularly appeal to visual learners. This book is based around a diagram that Delk designed, and it includes various charts that help illustrate key concepts. I'm not a visual learner, so some of these seemed extraneous to me, but they did give me a new way of thinking about my faith and how I react to God’s grace.
The book describes the Christian life as a cycle that consistently moves between two stages: on the one hand, there are the times when we draw near to God, rest in grace, repent of our sin, and live like true children of God; on the other hand, there are times when we live like spiritual orphans, resist grace, dwell on our pain and our circumstances, and convince ourselves that we can handle our sin on our own. This is part of the cycle of faith in a fallen world. I appreciated the honesty in Delk’s message as she admits to her own struggles and moments of spiritual isolation, while constantly encouraging the reader to draw near to God, to embrace grace and their adoption in Christ
For me, the most significant realization in this book was that we resist grace because we believe lies: lies that God doesn't love us, that He isn't in control, that He doesn't understand us... In order to live like a child of God, we must fight the lies, seeking and clinging to the truth. This is something I’ll be thinking about for the next few weeks.
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.*
As Ruthie Delk admits, nothing in this book will be “new” or revolutionary for most Christians. But she does present the gospel of grace in a slightly different way that will particularly appeal to visual learners. This book is based around a diagram that Delk designed, and it includes various charts that help illustrate key concepts. I'm not a visual learner, so some of these seemed extraneous to me, but they did give me a new way of thinking about my faith and how I react to God’s grace.
The book describes the Christian life as a cycle that consistently moves between two stages: on the one hand, there are the times when we draw near to God, rest in grace, repent of our sin, and live like true children of God; on the other hand, there are times when we live like spiritual orphans, resist grace, dwell on our pain and our circumstances, and convince ourselves that we can handle our sin on our own. This is part of the cycle of faith in a fallen world. I appreciated the honesty in Delk’s message as she admits to her own struggles and moments of spiritual isolation, while constantly encouraging the reader to draw near to God, to embrace grace and their adoption in Christ
For me, the most significant realization in this book was that we resist grace because we believe lies: lies that God doesn't love us, that He isn't in control, that He doesn't understand us... In order to live like a child of God, we must fight the lies, seeking and clinging to the truth. This is something I’ll be thinking about for the next few weeks.
August 26, 2014
No matter whether you have accepted Christ or not, you will face times in your life where you feel like you're in a pit. You are wanting more, but have all kinds of excuses to justify where you are. Hopefully, you will realize, as Ruthie Delk shares, that you are Craving Grace.
I have encountered times that I wondered why I wasn't as productive of a Christian as I "should" be. Why did it seem natural for others, and I struggled even when I was trying my best. Though I made headway at times, now I realize that it was because I was trying. As Delk put it, I was living as an orphan instead of living as a child of God.
Using clear language, and relating to people who are facing the same problems, she shares what she has discovered. That we all face low times, but that we just need to let go of what we're clinging to and return to God. The actions we use to make ourselves look and feel better can actually keep us from being better because they keep us from returning to God.
This book is great for individuals, but can also be used in a group. It includes questions that you can use as part of a study.
I received a free copy of Craving Grace from Moody Publishers in exchange for this review.
I have encountered times that I wondered why I wasn't as productive of a Christian as I "should" be. Why did it seem natural for others, and I struggled even when I was trying my best. Though I made headway at times, now I realize that it was because I was trying. As Delk put it, I was living as an orphan instead of living as a child of God.
Using clear language, and relating to people who are facing the same problems, she shares what she has discovered. That we all face low times, but that we just need to let go of what we're clinging to and return to God. The actions we use to make ourselves look and feel better can actually keep us from being better because they keep us from returning to God.
This book is great for individuals, but can also be used in a group. It includes questions that you can use as part of a study.
I received a free copy of Craving Grace from Moody Publishers in exchange for this review.
April 18, 2014
Have you ever felt like you understand the concept of the gospel, but are unsure how to apply it to your life? The author was struggling with some of these same feelings and has gone on to share a piece of her heart with the readers, as she takes us on a journey into how she learned to crave grace.
The book deals with different aspects of our lives that could be hindering us from a full relationship with Christ. The simple, yet profound thoughts are easy to grasp and put into practice. It is very clear from the writing that this is a personal journey the author is sharing with us. Each chapter ends with a section called Digging Deeper that shows the reader more in depth ways to crave grace.
I not only enjoyed reading this book, I was also blessed. The book is small, but has an impact. The author knows her stuff and has the talent to share an easy to grasp, yet gripping manner.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
The book deals with different aspects of our lives that could be hindering us from a full relationship with Christ. The simple, yet profound thoughts are easy to grasp and put into practice. It is very clear from the writing that this is a personal journey the author is sharing with us. Each chapter ends with a section called Digging Deeper that shows the reader more in depth ways to crave grace.
I not only enjoyed reading this book, I was also blessed. The book is small, but has an impact. The author knows her stuff and has the talent to share an easy to grasp, yet gripping manner.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
June 14, 2014
For many Christians, the gospel is in danger of being assumed and forgotten. It’s seen as the doorway to salvation, the way you get “in”, but largely irrelevant after that. For another camp, the gospel is in danger of becoming trite. “Gospel-centered” is a bit of a buzzword, and every other book seems to be about the gospel. This book is written for the first camp.
The author herself states in the introduction that there are no earth-shattering truths in this book, and you won’t read anything that hasn’t been said before. However, for a Christian who hasn’t come to understand the biblical gospel and has just relegated the gospel to the method of entry into the Christian life, these simple truths can have earth-shattering, life-transforming effects.
It's short and small and written in an engaging style. You'll find lots of stories here and no big words. However, the content is biblically faithful.
The author herself states in the introduction that there are no earth-shattering truths in this book, and you won’t read anything that hasn’t been said before. However, for a Christian who hasn’t come to understand the biblical gospel and has just relegated the gospel to the method of entry into the Christian life, these simple truths can have earth-shattering, life-transforming effects.
It's short and small and written in an engaging style. You'll find lots of stories here and no big words. However, the content is biblically faithful.
July 21, 2015
If you are stuck in your faith, if you can see the disparity between what you say you believe and what you spend your time and energy thinking about, this book is very likely for you. I am very appreciative of what the author has done here. She has acknowledged the persistent and ugly inner monologue many of us struggle to silence while reminding us that we are beloved of God.
Sometimes the timing of a read makes the book amazing. Sometimes it's the content. For me, this book has been great in both areas. It is an easy and relatable read, perhaps not a man's cup of tea but not because it is smarmy or weak theologically. Oh, and it has charts. Great charts and lists.
Sometimes the timing of a read makes the book amazing. Sometimes it's the content. For me, this book has been great in both areas. It is an easy and relatable read, perhaps not a man's cup of tea but not because it is smarmy or weak theologically. Oh, and it has charts. Great charts and lists.
June 20, 2012
The gospel changes everything!!! For someone who grew up in the church and believed that if I just tried harder and did more for God, I would be a spiritual Christian, this book brings freedom! The Gospel is not about doing, but believing who you are in Christ. The most helpful thing is this book is the Gospel 8 diagram--repentance brings freedom, resistance to God brings slavery. I cannot just manage my sin, that is nor repentance.
This is a self-published book, but totally worth finding! www.cravinggracelikechocolate.com
This is a self-published book, but totally worth finding! www.cravinggracelikechocolate.com
November 27, 2018
This book truly is a must-read and one that should be discussed with others. It summarizes the gospel and its application to one's life in a way that is comprehensible and eye-opening. Delk's diagrams and charts (found in this book and on her website) are resources I will use for the rest of my life and will share with others. Use this book in your discipleship relationships --I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. It is written from a woman's perspective, but the content would be helpful for men too.
September 20, 2012
This book is marvelous! It will now be one of my two most highly recommended books for people that are seeking to understand how the Gospel is for everyday life, not just for our initial salvation.
I purchased an entire box of these for the ladies in a Bible study at my church.
I purchased an entire box of these for the ladies in a Bible study at my church.
November 8, 2022
This book helped me to do transformative work. It not only helped me to identify my sinful nature and the areas I repeatedly fall short, but to discover the root cause of these shortcomings and to deconstruct the lies I’ve been telling myself about God. Thank you Ruthie!
April 17, 2014
3.5 stars. Easy to read, down-to-earth, simple but powerful reminders of God's grace and its ability to transform our everyday lives.
March 11, 2023
THIS book shifted my perspective on Gods grace & how I view myself, a book that needs to be read multiple times to keep being filled with truth
April 20, 2013
Enjoyed Ruthie's presentation at our Ladies' Retreat. Check it out!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews