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Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi
Praise is something we are, not something we do. Musician David Crowder redefines our perspective of God and helps us develop a habit of praising God by reflecting on targeted psalms from The Message//REMIX. Ideal for teens and those who love the beauty of the Psalms.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2005
63 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
David Crowder
5 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 13, 2010
if someone were to ask me for a great book explaining the Psalms, I would probably not recommend this book. However, if someone were to ask me "Hey Marissa, what's David Crowder like?" Then I would send them straight to this book. I found the stories with each chapter to be gratuitous and for the most part only tangentially related to the subject of the Psalms. Not my fav.
August 9, 2008
I randomly found out a few years ago that a guy I was in church youth group with is/was in a band with the author. Fact: I had a terrible schoolgirl crush on him. Fact: one year at summer camp some girls wrote some anonymous love notes to him and he thought they were all from me. Fact: this is nothing in comparison to some of the more embarrassing moments I had growing up. and Fact: seeing him now I wouldn't touch him with a 30 foot pole.
That was NOT meant to be mean. I'm just saying, things change, people change.
I found this modern take on the Psalms a little disorganized (but perfectly so if that makes sense) and very ADD. Sort of a Christian/inspirational House of Leaves. Still, I think it would be perfect for today's youth groups as it's fun and he says 'crap' a lot. Nothing like the staid devotionals of my teen years. Which makes me wonder what church camp is like now. Do kids still write anonymous love letters? Is there sushi on Sunday night?
That was NOT meant to be mean. I'm just saying, things change, people change.
I found this modern take on the Psalms a little disorganized (but perfectly so if that makes sense) and very ADD. Sort of a Christian/inspirational House of Leaves. Still, I think it would be perfect for today's youth groups as it's fun and he says 'crap' a lot. Nothing like the staid devotionals of my teen years. Which makes me wonder what church camp is like now. Do kids still write anonymous love letters? Is there sushi on Sunday night?
March 24, 2013
I really wanted to like this book.... But it was just too hard to get through, just so boring. A rare book I started and didn't finish, just couldn't make myself. There were some good points in what I was able to read.
January 10, 2011
I just finished reading Praise Habit Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi, by David Crowder and I have to say it is fantastic. David digs into what it means to give God praise and he does so by unpacking the Psalms. This book is full on tangents and hilarious stories from David's own life that I could relate to. At times, I was wondering "Where is he going with this story..." but then he would tie it together with the Psalm and it would open up new understanding of God. David does an excellent job of pointing out God in our everyday lives. I am already a big fan of David Crowder and his music, this book didn't disappoint me! David Crowder is a great writer and a good example of a man in love with GOD as a follower of Jesus Christ...and look at that hair, how can you not laugh!
April 2, 2007
I loved Crowder's meditations on selected Psalms with birdwalks on everything from marshmallow Peeps to Stretch Armstrong. Psalms are taken from The Message: Remix, which is a present-day vernacular interpretation (not translation, if I have my terms right) of the Bible. I like putting it next to the King James version for added interest. Oh, and Crowder compares daily praise to wearing a habit (as in nuns), hence the title and appendix of nun photos. So fun.
December 30, 2014
David Crowder has a way of looking at life that is contagious and gripping. He helps you to find God where he is and not where you left him. Even in a Chic-Fil-a sandwich. (Read it....you'll understand)
October 30, 2013
David Crowder is a very funny writer. He uses situations in his life and relates them to the Psalms on a level that everyone can understand much more clearly. I wanted to read this book for a very long time because David Crowder is my favorite Christian Band, and this book did not disappoint me. :)
August 17, 2012
A must read for everyone who enjoys worshipping with David Crowder. This book is very enjoyable from the first chapter to the last. Filled with laughter and simplistic insights, I find myself wanting to enjoy God as a child would enjoy life.
February 19, 2017
Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi is all about worship in the everyday. The majority of the book acts almost as a daily devotional, beginning with a Psalm from The Message translation of the Bible and continuing with Crowder's thoughts. Crowder's thoughts are entertaining in their unapologetic quirkiness, bouncing from story, to science lesson, to pop culture reference, and finally to scripture in hilarious fashion with an energy that is hard not to be captivated by. Here we get an insight into the seemingly unfiltered internal monologue of a prolific songwriter, who clearly has an affinity with engaging storytelling.
At times his writing seemed disjointed and disorienting, and the parallels between his wild tales and the Psalms that preceded them were sometimes hard to discern. Having said that, the style as a whole is a refreshing break from the traditional sermon structure. Crowder paints a canvas of truth rather than writing post-it notes of advice.
On a personal level, I found the book very entertaining, and it helped splash some colour for me on a subject often dulled by routine and tradition.
At times his writing seemed disjointed and disorienting, and the parallels between his wild tales and the Psalms that preceded them were sometimes hard to discern. Having said that, the style as a whole is a refreshing break from the traditional sermon structure. Crowder paints a canvas of truth rather than writing post-it notes of advice.
On a personal level, I found the book very entertaining, and it helped splash some colour for me on a subject often dulled by routine and tradition.
April 18, 2019
It was very basic and random. It seemed more like random babbling than a coherent book about anything. If you are a big David Crowder fan and you like him and his songs, read this book. If you don't like him or if you want to understand the bible better, don't get this book. All the scripture used is the message, which is very... free with its paraphrasing of scripture. Not a big deal there, but combined with the aimless nature of the book, it was just kinda another thing. Crowder does this thing where he goes off on metaphors more or less arbitrarily, and then uses a cluster of really big words. I don't know if he's just a really smart guy that can't tone it down or if he pretends, but either way, I'm pretty sure he has ADHD. This book irritated me, which was too bad because Crowder seems like more or less a pretty cool guy. But this book makes you think that he is a super arrogant turd. Don't read this book unless you know who the guy is, because it will leave a terrible first impression. Maybe I should have waited until I wasn't irritated to write this review, but it was all so fresh.
April 25, 2021
Written in David Crowder's unique style, I wasn't sure how far into this book I'd be able to get - I couldn't finish a different title by him recently. It's a hard book to categorize - I suppose it could be read as a devotional - but basically, Crowder takes a look at some Psalms written in The Message Remix style and discusses through stories and anecdotes how to incorporate praise into our daily lives. How to make praise a habit. Some things stood out, some things I thought 'where is he going with this?' I think I'll stick with his music.
Favorite quotes: "There's a cycle that takes place where we find/experience a spiritual habit that brings connection and meaning, but eventually even that thing will get stale and something else will need to find its way in. We need to continually redefine what our spiritual disciplines look like, an importunate redefining of the habits that define us. There is inherent danger in ritual, but there is still the necessity in our movement toward Christ and His intentions for our lives."
Favorite quotes: "There's a cycle that takes place where we find/experience a spiritual habit that brings connection and meaning, but eventually even that thing will get stale and something else will need to find its way in. We need to continually redefine what our spiritual disciplines look like, an importunate redefining of the habits that define us. There is inherent danger in ritual, but there is still the necessity in our movement toward Christ and His intentions for our lives."
August 25, 2017
This book is written in hopes that you begin to find God everywhere. Yes, in church on Sunday at 9:00 a.m., but also in the seemingly mundane. In traffic on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. In a parent-teacher meeting. In the colors of the sunset. On the other end of a tragic phone call. Every second is an opportunity for praise. There is a choosing to be made. A choosing at each moment. This is the Praise Habit.
The David Crowder Band has been one of my personal favorite musical groups since I discovered them just over a decade ago. They were already a relatively popular group among the Christian music circles, so I was slow to the uptake on their blend of praise music and truly thoughtful, soulful songs. Every one of their CD's contained subtle decisions that pointed back to an overarching theme they were addressing at the time. For example, on their CD A Collision, there is the picture of a boy staring upwards at the illustration of an atomic molecule. Beneath that there is a math equation, 3+4=7. During one of the final songs of the album, David Crowder is giving a mock interview to a seemingly distant and disinterested column writer. When asked about the cover illustration David remarks that it's an example of how we see things even though the actual object itself may appear quite differently; that what we think an atomic molecule to look like is actually an imperfect representation of the actual thing. He then states that that is how we see and think of God; that His wholeness and perfection and actuality is so much different than what we fathom as an illustration in our mind.
Then there is the title. A Collision. The tagline for the CD was 'When our depravity meets His divinity it is a beautiful collision' The number 3+4=7 is a play on the biblical symbolism of numbers. 'Three' being a symbol of holiness or the triune God, 'four' standing for all the Earth, and in this instance its depravity, and 'seven' being something perfected, and completeness. The theme of the CD is a response to death; it's a reaction to the pain of loss and grief being inspired by the death of one of Crowder's friends who died suddenly from electrocution. It's an emotional lament that walks the listener through the grief process while building toward the ultimate truth that there is still hope and beauty, and just because we see something in an imperfect way doesn't mean that we can understand the complete act. The music, combined with the artistry of the CD itself, created an experience that influenced my faith at the time. A Collision remains my favorite of their albums, and was the fourth of a series of seven CD's the group would make, each of them containing a similar amalgamation of parts that elevates the experience of listening to a shared participation in the mystery and beauty of God.
This terribly long, and completely unnecessary introduction which is far more a review of the band than of this book simply serves to state that, as a fan of the band's music, when they released a few books, I was quick to purchase them, seeking the same depth of experience I had received from their CD's.
Praise Habit is David Crowder's riff on a devotional (which is how I read it) with each one of his entries based around one of the psalms, and embellished with personal stories. He talks about the psalms and how they are the works of normal people crying out to God in a variety of emotional states. There is anger, frustration, impatience, love, laughter, gratefulness, joy, and hope; each an expression of what it is to share the human condition with those who wrestle with God and the life we're living. The psalms themselves are taken from 'The Message' style of biblical translation, which carries a very modern vernacular, so some may dislike that approach. Much of the introduction and conclusion are very well-written and include some wonderful language and insights into the psalms, though not all of the personal stories really seem to further the depth of the psalm addressed. Some work very well, while others didn't seem to carry the weight they were meant to. The entirety of the book, however, carries its core message very well, stating a view of God that says He is present in all things.
We, like the Israelites, often find rescue in the burnt offering and not in the GOD who is the source of all. We find comfort in the song and not in the Comforter. It is a subtle but necessary shift. It is more difficult to find the Creator in a barbecue sandwich than in your favorite Sunday-morning song, but when you do, when you begin to find Him in all the stuff of life, everything starts singing. Every moment breaks into song. Every breath becomes a sacrifice, and the songs become sweetness. This is living praise.
I enjoyed Praise Habit and I certainly agree with the suggestion Crowder is making that when we look for Him, God is found everywhere. We recognize His work in a good meal, in a brilliant and breathtaking sunset, or His presence in the tears of the mourning. God is in the mundane and in the unbelievable, and when we recognize that we turn our lives into a living praise seeing His hand in every breath we take and day we experience on our journey home to Him. I'm not sure if this is one I will return to in the future, but it was worth a second read. Recommended as a casual devotional.
Sometimes life comes at us with the delicacy of a sunset, and other times it comes with the rawness of sushi and the bitter bite of wasabi. Sometimes the tears will be because you cannot stand empty-eyed in the presence of such beauty and sometimes they will be full of fire, but notice/know this:You are here. You Are Here! You are here and you are not alone.
The David Crowder Band has been one of my personal favorite musical groups since I discovered them just over a decade ago. They were already a relatively popular group among the Christian music circles, so I was slow to the uptake on their blend of praise music and truly thoughtful, soulful songs. Every one of their CD's contained subtle decisions that pointed back to an overarching theme they were addressing at the time. For example, on their CD A Collision, there is the picture of a boy staring upwards at the illustration of an atomic molecule. Beneath that there is a math equation, 3+4=7. During one of the final songs of the album, David Crowder is giving a mock interview to a seemingly distant and disinterested column writer. When asked about the cover illustration David remarks that it's an example of how we see things even though the actual object itself may appear quite differently; that what we think an atomic molecule to look like is actually an imperfect representation of the actual thing. He then states that that is how we see and think of God; that His wholeness and perfection and actuality is so much different than what we fathom as an illustration in our mind.
Then there is the title. A Collision. The tagline for the CD was 'When our depravity meets His divinity it is a beautiful collision' The number 3+4=7 is a play on the biblical symbolism of numbers. 'Three' being a symbol of holiness or the triune God, 'four' standing for all the Earth, and in this instance its depravity, and 'seven' being something perfected, and completeness. The theme of the CD is a response to death; it's a reaction to the pain of loss and grief being inspired by the death of one of Crowder's friends who died suddenly from electrocution. It's an emotional lament that walks the listener through the grief process while building toward the ultimate truth that there is still hope and beauty, and just because we see something in an imperfect way doesn't mean that we can understand the complete act. The music, combined with the artistry of the CD itself, created an experience that influenced my faith at the time. A Collision remains my favorite of their albums, and was the fourth of a series of seven CD's the group would make, each of them containing a similar amalgamation of parts that elevates the experience of listening to a shared participation in the mystery and beauty of God.
This terribly long, and completely unnecessary introduction which is far more a review of the band than of this book simply serves to state that, as a fan of the band's music, when they released a few books, I was quick to purchase them, seeking the same depth of experience I had received from their CD's.
Praise Habit is David Crowder's riff on a devotional (which is how I read it) with each one of his entries based around one of the psalms, and embellished with personal stories. He talks about the psalms and how they are the works of normal people crying out to God in a variety of emotional states. There is anger, frustration, impatience, love, laughter, gratefulness, joy, and hope; each an expression of what it is to share the human condition with those who wrestle with God and the life we're living. The psalms themselves are taken from 'The Message' style of biblical translation, which carries a very modern vernacular, so some may dislike that approach. Much of the introduction and conclusion are very well-written and include some wonderful language and insights into the psalms, though not all of the personal stories really seem to further the depth of the psalm addressed. Some work very well, while others didn't seem to carry the weight they were meant to. The entirety of the book, however, carries its core message very well, stating a view of God that says He is present in all things.
We, like the Israelites, often find rescue in the burnt offering and not in the GOD who is the source of all. We find comfort in the song and not in the Comforter. It is a subtle but necessary shift. It is more difficult to find the Creator in a barbecue sandwich than in your favorite Sunday-morning song, but when you do, when you begin to find Him in all the stuff of life, everything starts singing. Every moment breaks into song. Every breath becomes a sacrifice, and the songs become sweetness. This is living praise.
I enjoyed Praise Habit and I certainly agree with the suggestion Crowder is making that when we look for Him, God is found everywhere. We recognize His work in a good meal, in a brilliant and breathtaking sunset, or His presence in the tears of the mourning. God is in the mundane and in the unbelievable, and when we recognize that we turn our lives into a living praise seeing His hand in every breath we take and day we experience on our journey home to Him. I'm not sure if this is one I will return to in the future, but it was worth a second read. Recommended as a casual devotional.
Sometimes life comes at us with the delicacy of a sunset, and other times it comes with the rawness of sushi and the bitter bite of wasabi. Sometimes the tears will be because you cannot stand empty-eyed in the presence of such beauty and sometimes they will be full of fire, but notice/know this:You are here. You Are Here! You are here and you are not alone.
November 15, 2023
I'm a huge fan of David Crowder and his music, and had this book bought for me by my pastor when I first accepted the job as the worship coordinator.
The book has some theology sprinkled in, but at its core, the book reads more like a memoir. The first 80% of the book is a good and compelling read, but every readthrough I've had of the book (which is around 2 or 3 times), I've struggled trying to finish it. The last parts of the book feels like Crowder didn't really know what he wanted the book to be about, and tries to add "meaning" to a book that otherwise covers his own life.
Still, if you are a fan of him and his music, the book is at least worth checking out.
The book has some theology sprinkled in, but at its core, the book reads more like a memoir. The first 80% of the book is a good and compelling read, but every readthrough I've had of the book (which is around 2 or 3 times), I've struggled trying to finish it. The last parts of the book feels like Crowder didn't really know what he wanted the book to be about, and tries to add "meaning" to a book that otherwise covers his own life.
Still, if you are a fan of him and his music, the book is at least worth checking out.
July 27, 2019
What I enjoyed about this book is that each installment was really more of a meditation than application (not that you couldn’t apply it to your life if needed) on a chosen psalm. I would recommend reading the psalm first in whichever translation is preferred, simply because he quotes The Message at the beginning of each, & I have always found The Message to be more effective/powerful alongside a translation and not just as a paraphrase.
March 30, 2020
This is more of a 3.5. I rounded it up to a four because it’s Crowder. I wanted to love this book because I love Crowder. I think he’s one of the most talented and creative artists out there, and he definitely brought his quirkiness to this book. It just felt scattered and his stories seemed unrelated at times. It’s not a bad book, but definitely not my first recommendation for a book about worship.
July 10, 2021
If you are expecting contemporary worship rock star David Crowder (or more recent contemporary worship countrified David Crowder), this will be a bit of a shock. Instead, Crowder is suggesting a form of worship that includes a guided Lectio divina over several of the Psalms. His insights are what you’d expect from Crowder, but the format of the book allows for deeper reflection. Overall, this was a pleasant read.
December 26, 2018
I just couldn’t get into this book, I am not sure why. It just didn’t seem to have a point. Somehow that is important to me.
I love the Message translation that it refers to and I like the idea of people revealing their realisations and David Crowder does not appear to be an unintelligent person without insight.
Check out the other review of you are considering buying this. People like it.
I love the Message translation that it refers to and I like the idea of people revealing their realisations and David Crowder does not appear to be an unintelligent person without insight.
Check out the other review of you are considering buying this. People like it.
March 21, 2020
It’s a short read, but it made me cry and laugh in the span of it. I don’t think David Crowder brings anything new, but he emphasizes again and again what is central to the Bible — that we live to glorify and praise God. He focuses on the main points of a selection of Psalms using hilarious and thoughtful illustrations and he always points back to the glory of God.
February 15, 2018
Second time through this one. Crowder is a greater entertainer and he proves to be a good writer also. No over the top revelations here but he does provide a different perspective on the psalms and how to approach them. His candor and humour make it all that much better to read.
February 21, 2024
Crowder is an awesome music artist.
He is not an author.
I found this book very confusing! I also was not a fan of the Bible translation he chose to use (the Message // Remix). A lot of his anecdotes felt irrelevant and hard to follow. I think I'll stick to his music! :)
He is not an author.
I found this book very confusing! I also was not a fan of the Bible translation he chose to use (the Message // Remix). A lot of his anecdotes felt irrelevant and hard to follow. I think I'll stick to his music! :)
September 18, 2017
Crowder takes a comedic look at a handful of the Psalms and what his personal response was.
December 9, 2017
A great reminder to make praise a lifestyle. Does a good job of applying biblical lessons to life today.
May 9, 2019
This wasn't really what I was expecting. A big chunk was just paraphrasing Psalms, then talking about them.
May 24, 2020
David Crowder's first book. I really enjoyed it.
January 14, 2022
Outstanding. It's deep, funny, and inspiring all at the same time. David Crowder is one amazing man.
September 27, 2023
Great reminders in an easy to read book! It's more of a daily devotional from the book of Psalms with a quirky story from David added in.
November 27, 2023
Love Crowder's off-the-wall voice and I love so many of the Psalms. This book is a good combination.
April 1, 2024
I enjoyed Crowder’s take/explanation along with life examples of the Psalms. There are points that are hard for me to follow but I found my way to his explanation
October 18, 2011
Putting his deep faith into incredible music is David Crowder's specialty. And, in this book, Mr. Crowder attempts to do the same thing in prose, with mixed results. It starts with an examination of what the phrase "praise habit" means and then moves into the bulk of the book: reprintings of select Psalms from "The Message" translation of the Bible followed by Mr. Crowder's quirky yet lucid commentaries. Don't get me wrong, I love many of his songs and there are some incredible gems of wisdom and insight into the meaning of "praise habit" as Mr. Crowder examines selections of the Psalms here, but it ultimately suffers from it's relative shortness. And his use of "The Message" version of the Bible, which translates a a timeless classic into sometimes excruciating modern colloquialisms, achieves mixed results too. The main text is only about 150+ pages and, if you choose to do so, can be read in one or two afternoons. At times, I found myself wishing he had written more. And that leads me into the, paradoxical, positive of this book. All throughout you sense Mr. Crowder's passion and deep faith. As mentioned above, there are several wonderful gems in this book, making me wish he had written more because of that too. You probably should slow it down and read each of his commentaries carefully, taking about a week or more to digest everything properly. However, with his quirky tales and analogies and his use of "The Message" Bible translation, this book will appeal to young teenagers rather than a mature audience.
February 18, 2016
Praise Habit is subtitled "Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi". I picked up this book knowing I needed to recognize and praise God more frequently in my day. David Crowder adds a deeper meaning to the title by linking to nuns' habits and suggesting the possibility of praise as our garment, of our lives becoming living praise. He calls us to a life larger and more free than the one we usually settle for.
The first part of the book explores the nature of praising God, and then provides a sampling of Psalms from The Message version with the author's own devotional thoughts. He shares enough instruction to equip readers to encounter God in Scripture on their own.
This is not your stereotypical, formal book about faith and the Christian life. I love the freshness of his language, the new-to-me illustrations he uses - and the humour. This man is brilliantly funny, in an off-beat way. Want proof? Read the copyright page. Read it all, and tell me if you don't at least giggle.
David Crowder's reflections on the Psalms often start with an anecdote, and some of those had me laughing out loud. Then he transitions to practical and insightful application of the passage at hand.
What this book gave me was new language and a sense of renewed wonder for the salvation experience: "live the rescue." I'll return to it for that, and also for the laughter.
The first part of the book explores the nature of praising God, and then provides a sampling of Psalms from The Message version with the author's own devotional thoughts. He shares enough instruction to equip readers to encounter God in Scripture on their own.
This is not your stereotypical, formal book about faith and the Christian life. I love the freshness of his language, the new-to-me illustrations he uses - and the humour. This man is brilliantly funny, in an off-beat way. Want proof? Read the copyright page. Read it all, and tell me if you don't at least giggle.
David Crowder's reflections on the Psalms often start with an anecdote, and some of those had me laughing out loud. Then he transitions to practical and insightful application of the passage at hand.
What this book gave me was new language and a sense of renewed wonder for the salvation experience: "live the rescue." I'll return to it for that, and also for the laughter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews