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Aching for Greatness: Discover God's Love in the Restless Search for More
Tanner Kalina was destined for an acting career in Hollywood but couldn’t escape the nagging feeling that the limelight would never be enough; after all, neither was baseball stardom, stand-up comedy, or the thrill of surfing. No matter his pursuit, he was always haunted by the reality that booking the part, winning the award, or catching the perfect wave (you name it) would never quite satisfy him.
In Aching for Discover God’s Love in the Restless Search for More, Kalina shares how his restless search for more led him to the realization that God is the only one who can ever truly fulfill the longings in his heart. Kalina didn’t change everything about his life overnight, but he did commit to giving Jesus a real chance, going all in and no longer walking with one foot in and one foot out.
Inspired by the early Christians after Pentecost, the men and women who “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42), Kalina shares how these four spiritual practices became a model for developing intimacy with
Learning about faith Finding healthy fellowship Embracing the sacraments Spending time in prayer Chances are, this restless search for more is something you can relate to, something you’ve experienced in your own life. When those empty feelings lead you to ask, “Why do I feel so alone? Why don’t I feel fulfilled?,” Kalina encourages you not to feel ashamed or defeated but to realize that acknowledging how you feel is the first step to a life filled with greater joy, connection, and peace.
So, what’s your next step? Are you ready to find what you’ve been looking for?
Aching for Greatness will inspire you to set out on the adventure that only a deep, personal knowledge of God can offer. With a two-thousand-year-old roadmap to follow and the conviction that nothing aside from an intimate relationship with God will bring lasting peace, you’re sure to discover God’s powerful love.
In Aching for Discover God’s Love in the Restless Search for More, Kalina shares how his restless search for more led him to the realization that God is the only one who can ever truly fulfill the longings in his heart. Kalina didn’t change everything about his life overnight, but he did commit to giving Jesus a real chance, going all in and no longer walking with one foot in and one foot out.
Inspired by the early Christians after Pentecost, the men and women who “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42), Kalina shares how these four spiritual practices became a model for developing intimacy with
Learning about faith Finding healthy fellowship Embracing the sacraments Spending time in prayer Chances are, this restless search for more is something you can relate to, something you’ve experienced in your own life. When those empty feelings lead you to ask, “Why do I feel so alone? Why don’t I feel fulfilled?,” Kalina encourages you not to feel ashamed or defeated but to realize that acknowledging how you feel is the first step to a life filled with greater joy, connection, and peace.
So, what’s your next step? Are you ready to find what you’ve been looking for?
Aching for Greatness will inspire you to set out on the adventure that only a deep, personal knowledge of God can offer. With a two-thousand-year-old roadmap to follow and the conviction that nothing aside from an intimate relationship with God will bring lasting peace, you’re sure to discover God’s powerful love.
- GenresCatholic
160 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2024
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 7, 2025
Truly one of my favorite reads. I brought this with me to adoration and would read a couple chapters each week. Tanner’s perspective on the faith through his own experience in deepening his love for God just speaks to how he yadas God. (you’ll learn more about the word yada in the book☺️).
July 3, 2025
5 stars
I always appreciate a religious topic written coupled with a life story, especially when it covers something hard and personal like reversion. Because, when you think about it, isn't that what testimony is about? Each person's story has the power to testify to the good God has done for them, amidst the highs and the lows, the confusion and perhaps not total clarity but peace and trust.
I could relate to many of the parts of Kalina's story, and I think I'm in that rough patch of seeking companions on the journey that he very clearly and empathetically touched on throughout the book as part of his guide to growing one's connection to God.
This book was refreshing and motivating to read, and I feel it is the kind of voice my generation needs from the Church to know that striving for sainthood within the Church is still a universal experience for today's age. That today's youth can join the saints in heaven even with all the pressures of a technological world. That we can relate to them still even though they are from "back then" and we are in "the world today."
Highly enjoyed and recommend.
I always appreciate a religious topic written coupled with a life story, especially when it covers something hard and personal like reversion. Because, when you think about it, isn't that what testimony is about? Each person's story has the power to testify to the good God has done for them, amidst the highs and the lows, the confusion and perhaps not total clarity but peace and trust.
I could relate to many of the parts of Kalina's story, and I think I'm in that rough patch of seeking companions on the journey that he very clearly and empathetically touched on throughout the book as part of his guide to growing one's connection to God.
This book was refreshing and motivating to read, and I feel it is the kind of voice my generation needs from the Church to know that striving for sainthood within the Church is still a universal experience for today's age. That today's youth can join the saints in heaven even with all the pressures of a technological world. That we can relate to them still even though they are from "back then" and we are in "the world today."
Highly enjoyed and recommend.
November 14, 2024
“The ache for greatness swells up in waves. The spiritual life is learning to rise those waves into greater intimacy with our Lord”
Uses the four ancients practices of the church from Acts 2:42 - the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, the sacraments & prayer - to encounter the Lord anew and to bless you on your spiritual journey
A profoundly relatable and inspiring book
Take the challenge into a more intimate, deeper relationship with the Lord and find lasting peace
Thanks @tannerkalina @avemariapress @netgalley for the thought-provoking, challenging book
Uses the four ancients practices of the church from Acts 2:42 - the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, the sacraments & prayer - to encounter the Lord anew and to bless you on your spiritual journey
A profoundly relatable and inspiring book
Take the challenge into a more intimate, deeper relationship with the Lord and find lasting peace
Thanks @tannerkalina @avemariapress @netgalley for the thought-provoking, challenging book
October 29, 2024
Such a good book!! As a friend of Tanner and Alli (his wife), it was so fun to read about his life and learn more about him. Thankful for his witness and his willingness to share that is evident through this book!
February 1, 2025
Truly a beautiful witness of Tanner’s walk with Christ. I loved how as he explained his testimony, he wove in lessons that we can learn from to cultivate our own relationship with God. Such a phenomenal book. Definitely will read again soon!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews