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Crave: Wanting So Much More of God
People yearn for many things, but only Jesus Christ can satisfy the deepest cravings of the human heart. Many individuals, however, have settled for a cultural Christianity and lost their vibrant, day-by-day relationship with Him. This collection of short, real-life stories from an exciting young author reveals that life with God can be a surprising, challenging, and richly satisfying journey. Readers of Donald Miller and Anne Lamott will love these vignettes of people who... Sometimes humorous, occasionally tender, and always thought-provoking, these slices of life connect with 20- and 30-somethings who crave a deeper level of intimacy with God.
- GenresChristianityNonfiction
218 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 27, 2011
I really enjoy reading books by younger Christians. Don’t get me wrong, I love John Piper. I read R.C. Sproul, D.A. Carson, and many others. Men like these have been extremely influential in my theological and spiritual growth. It’s nice, however, every now and then, to read something by a younger Christian, someone who has a similar perspective to me about things, someone who can articulate many of the same thoughts I have about living out faith in Christ in our current context.
That’s why I enjoyed Chris Tomlinson’s Crave: Wanting So Much More of God so much. Tomlinson isn’t a pastor or theologian. He’s a businessman. His stories aren’t all about fighting big battles for the Lord and accomplishing giant things for Him (though like me, he wants to do those things). Instead, they’re about things like struggling to be fervent in prayer, obedient in action, and vulnerable in evangelism. Yes, Tomlinson has done some pretty cool things and been a lot of places, but his descriptions of his walk with the Lord seemed extremely familiar for me. I’m guessing it will for many of you as well.
Told in large part through stories, Tomlinson discusses a series of areas of the Christian life (Habit, Silence, Rules, Hunger, Suffering, Joy, among others). Written with some of the straightforwardness and transparency of what you’d typically get from a blog, most of the chapters begin with a story from his life that deals in some way with the topic. For example, in “Habit,” he described trying to use sticky notes to remind himself to pray for 21 days straight to make it a habit. This leads to discussion about what he learned from the experience and how he’s grown (and still learning) in that area.
One thing I really enjoyed about the book is that Tomlinson’s brutally honest about himself and his motives in the different situations. He explains, for example, why he doesn’t really want to talk to the girl next to him on the plane that seems to really need it. He articulates the struggles each of us face as we try to walk faithfully. It’s extremely encouraging, actually. I think that’s what I came away from the book with the most: encouraged. The Christian life isn’t easy; sanctification isn’t instant. We all spend our lives trying to “figure it out.” Tomlinson doesn’t pretend to have figured anything out, but he has learned enough to encourage others.
Theologically, there are clear influences from men such as John Piper, which is probably part of why I identified with his stories so much. He’s trying to live out practically the things he knows to be true theologically about God and who we are in Christ. This is what I try to do every day. I felt a connection to him through this. God is glorified when we do this, even though we constantly fail. In many ways, this is the book I wish I'd written.
If you’ve tried all kinds of different methods to stoke your fire for God, or have settled into a comfortable Christian lifestyle that demands little of you, you should probably read this book. It will challenge and encourage you to pursue God in all of your life.
That’s why I enjoyed Chris Tomlinson’s Crave: Wanting So Much More of God so much. Tomlinson isn’t a pastor or theologian. He’s a businessman. His stories aren’t all about fighting big battles for the Lord and accomplishing giant things for Him (though like me, he wants to do those things). Instead, they’re about things like struggling to be fervent in prayer, obedient in action, and vulnerable in evangelism. Yes, Tomlinson has done some pretty cool things and been a lot of places, but his descriptions of his walk with the Lord seemed extremely familiar for me. I’m guessing it will for many of you as well.
Told in large part through stories, Tomlinson discusses a series of areas of the Christian life (Habit, Silence, Rules, Hunger, Suffering, Joy, among others). Written with some of the straightforwardness and transparency of what you’d typically get from a blog, most of the chapters begin with a story from his life that deals in some way with the topic. For example, in “Habit,” he described trying to use sticky notes to remind himself to pray for 21 days straight to make it a habit. This leads to discussion about what he learned from the experience and how he’s grown (and still learning) in that area.
One thing I really enjoyed about the book is that Tomlinson’s brutally honest about himself and his motives in the different situations. He explains, for example, why he doesn’t really want to talk to the girl next to him on the plane that seems to really need it. He articulates the struggles each of us face as we try to walk faithfully. It’s extremely encouraging, actually. I think that’s what I came away from the book with the most: encouraged. The Christian life isn’t easy; sanctification isn’t instant. We all spend our lives trying to “figure it out.” Tomlinson doesn’t pretend to have figured anything out, but he has learned enough to encourage others.
Theologically, there are clear influences from men such as John Piper, which is probably part of why I identified with his stories so much. He’s trying to live out practically the things he knows to be true theologically about God and who we are in Christ. This is what I try to do every day. I felt a connection to him through this. God is glorified when we do this, even though we constantly fail. In many ways, this is the book I wish I'd written.
If you’ve tried all kinds of different methods to stoke your fire for God, or have settled into a comfortable Christian lifestyle that demands little of you, you should probably read this book. It will challenge and encourage you to pursue God in all of your life.
December 10, 2012
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"Taste and see that the Lord is good," writes the Psalmist. Chris Tomlinson gives that verse a 21st-century context in his first book, Crave: Wanting So Much More of God.
Tomlinson is uncomfortable with comfortable. Rather than craving comfort, the author wants to crave more of God, to press in deeper. But with this desire comes trepidation. "It is a terrifying thing to desire submission to a mysteriously unpredictable God who delights in leading people in ways that upend the world," he writes.
In the chapter called Comfort, Tomlinson writes about the compelling, yet dread-laden, sense that he needed to get busy talking to people about God. But the fear of looking like a weirdo and facing possible rejection filled him with anxiety. Since misery loves company, he recruited a handful of friends to join him in an evangelistic foray into a fashionable, high-traffic, outdoor shopping area. The group arranged some folding chairs in a circle and hung a placard inviting people to "Ask anything about God." They felt like they were heading down the road to becoming weirdos, but found that people were genuinely interested in talking about God. It was a significant topic for more people than they realized. They engaged in awesome conversations that delved well beneath superficial conversation. And the small band of evangelists found it incredibly satisfying and comforting to talk about, and point people towards, God. Tomlinson sensed the pleasure of the Lord.
This kind of comfort is sadly unavailable to those who refuse to leave the zones of comfort they've staked out. Comfort flows from God only when we obey. This is what we're built to crave. Obedience puts us on a path of discovery.
I enjoyed Tomlinson's honesty about himself. Quite frankly, he was honest about me and, probably, about you too.
I also enjoyed his approach to his topics. He tells stories. Although Tomlinson is a character in the story, God is the star. And God is the teacher, always helping the author (and reader) to find rewards in obedience. Actually, the tasks seem kind of small as you read about them. But if you put yourself in the author's shoes - his story-telling makes projecting yourself into the narrative really easy - you see that obedience isn't that simple, but that the rewards far outweigh the obedience. That's the lesson learned in Tomlinson's book; it seems hard, because we crave the opposite of God's will, but the rewards can only be sampled on the other side of obedience.
Tomlinson wrote this book for regular Christians, ordinary people who are probably not on the wrong track but are living the Christian life by going through the motions and being stuck in a routine. Maybe they are on the wrong track. Well, then, what is it you crave? What do you want to crave? If your answer is "more of God," pick up this book and get back on track. If your answer is "more of the things that fill my life with comfort," then you, too, should pick up this book. There's a wonderful adjustment that needs to be made.
Author: Chris Tomlinson
Eugene, Harvest House, 2010
http://goodnewsfl.org/christian-news/...
July 9, 2015
Chris has an honest, refreshing way of describing universal cravings we have being human. He shares about short comings in his pursuit of getting closer to God. He prays for more obedience, purity, charity, humility, love and prayer in his life. He figured concentrating on these areas of his life would increase his chances of an intimate walk with the Father.
Chris describes a plane ride he takes where he was sits next to a 17 year old girl. He senses that God wants him to talk to her and he can’t quite figure out how to start the conversation. This young girl has her Ipod blaring in her ear buds and looking out the window. He describes the Holy Spirit as our pager. We need to answer it and do as he requests not just check the caller idea and see who it is, then decide not to answer it. He describes his attempts and agony at trying to follow Gods request. He’s straight forward and funny. Then he sums up the message of the example he shared at the end of the chapter which I liked.
This is what he says about Gods request of him on that plane ride, “I suppose part of the reason I try to ignore His directions so often is that I don’t fully understand who He is in the first place. And because I don’t understand Him, I probably don’t fully trust Him either. Does He really speak to me and live inside me? Or is that just an expression people I understand He is not a pager; an alarm clock, a megaphone, or a forgotten watch, but these images remind me that He speaks to me. I have given up trying to picture Him, but He is slowly becoming more real in my life. God’s spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is living within me here and now.”
I really enjoyed this book. He made me look at life, Jesus and scripture in a new way. It also encouraged me in my walk, my relationships with others and gave me a new way to view trials we face each day with hope. This book is good for a new Christian and for those who have walked with Him all their life. I highly recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Chris describes a plane ride he takes where he was sits next to a 17 year old girl. He senses that God wants him to talk to her and he can’t quite figure out how to start the conversation. This young girl has her Ipod blaring in her ear buds and looking out the window. He describes the Holy Spirit as our pager. We need to answer it and do as he requests not just check the caller idea and see who it is, then decide not to answer it. He describes his attempts and agony at trying to follow Gods request. He’s straight forward and funny. Then he sums up the message of the example he shared at the end of the chapter which I liked.
This is what he says about Gods request of him on that plane ride, “I suppose part of the reason I try to ignore His directions so often is that I don’t fully understand who He is in the first place. And because I don’t understand Him, I probably don’t fully trust Him either. Does He really speak to me and live inside me? Or is that just an expression people I understand He is not a pager; an alarm clock, a megaphone, or a forgotten watch, but these images remind me that He speaks to me. I have given up trying to picture Him, but He is slowly becoming more real in my life. God’s spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is living within me here and now.”
I really enjoyed this book. He made me look at life, Jesus and scripture in a new way. It also encouraged me in my walk, my relationships with others and gave me a new way to view trials we face each day with hope. This book is good for a new Christian and for those who have walked with Him all their life. I highly recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
February 8, 2010
"Crave" by Chris Tomlinson is a layback, everyday book for people who crave a deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father, that goes beyond just saying one is a Christian and attending church once a week.
I found "Crave" by Chris Tomlinson to be a thought provoking read, because there were many times when I would read "Crave" by Chris Tomlinson and think how I wanted to have a richer and fufilling relationship with our Heavenly Father, but often found myself limited either by my own fears created by what I was afraid what my community, what the world would think and sometimes borderlining on what I worried to be a legalistic approach that took away the love for our Heavenly Father and instead replaced with a shallow, non-heart reaching relationship that was on the surface but not below the surface.
I had read a review of the book that said,"God so often takes a back seat to everything else, and though reading a book like this isn't a quick fix,....."
How true.
It does take intentional thinking that so often we don't do as we get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and how true is that.
How often do we forget to remember to be thankful for what our Heavenly Father has blessed us with and too focus on what someone else has, or what we feel we need.
With "Crave", it's about really stopping and asking ourselves,what are our thoughts, our wants and our cravings and while we strive so passionately for the material things in life, what about our pursuit and craving for our Heavenly Father.
Written in an conversational tone that makes this both an indepth and convicting read, "Crave" is great for jumpstarting when you feel like you are faltering in your walk with our Heavenly Father!
I found "Crave" by Chris Tomlinson to be a thought provoking read, because there were many times when I would read "Crave" by Chris Tomlinson and think how I wanted to have a richer and fufilling relationship with our Heavenly Father, but often found myself limited either by my own fears created by what I was afraid what my community, what the world would think and sometimes borderlining on what I worried to be a legalistic approach that took away the love for our Heavenly Father and instead replaced with a shallow, non-heart reaching relationship that was on the surface but not below the surface.
I had read a review of the book that said,"God so often takes a back seat to everything else, and though reading a book like this isn't a quick fix,....."
How true.
It does take intentional thinking that so often we don't do as we get caught up in the busyness of everyday life and how true is that.
How often do we forget to remember to be thankful for what our Heavenly Father has blessed us with and too focus on what someone else has, or what we feel we need.
With "Crave", it's about really stopping and asking ourselves,what are our thoughts, our wants and our cravings and while we strive so passionately for the material things in life, what about our pursuit and craving for our Heavenly Father.
Written in an conversational tone that makes this both an indepth and convicting read, "Crave" is great for jumpstarting when you feel like you are faltering in your walk with our Heavenly Father!
March 14, 2010
"Crave" is both a Spiritual Growth book and an open, honest memoir of Chris Tomlinson's often-humorous journey of spiritual discovery. He used experiences from his life as parables to teach solidly Bible-based principles in an easy-to-grasp fashion.
He came across as encouraging rather than judgmental, and his focus was on drawing closer to God by focusing on building our relationship with Him. It's written for regular Christians who aren't entirely satisfied with their Christian walk, and it helps them get their focus back where it ought to be rather than the mechanics of doing prayer, service, etc, "right."
I appreciated that he acknowledged the tensions of God's character (God is love, but He's also just) rather than focusing exclusively on one trait. I also liked that he referred to all three members of the Trinity.
The chapters built progressively on each other, and some of the topics covered were: praying as a conversation (which involves listening), purity (what we let in our minds might be hard to get rid of), being different (in a good way), getting out of your comfort zone and following God's leading when reaching out to others, loving others, God is God and we're not Him, who sets the standards of right and wrong, trusting God like a child, spiritual nourishment, how God uses suffering, and finding the joy of the LORD and in the LORD.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Overall, I thought it was well-written and easy-to-understand, and I'd highly recommend it.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
He came across as encouraging rather than judgmental, and his focus was on drawing closer to God by focusing on building our relationship with Him. It's written for regular Christians who aren't entirely satisfied with their Christian walk, and it helps them get their focus back where it ought to be rather than the mechanics of doing prayer, service, etc, "right."
I appreciated that he acknowledged the tensions of God's character (God is love, but He's also just) rather than focusing exclusively on one trait. I also liked that he referred to all three members of the Trinity.
The chapters built progressively on each other, and some of the topics covered were: praying as a conversation (which involves listening), purity (what we let in our minds might be hard to get rid of), being different (in a good way), getting out of your comfort zone and following God's leading when reaching out to others, loving others, God is God and we're not Him, who sets the standards of right and wrong, trusting God like a child, spiritual nourishment, how God uses suffering, and finding the joy of the LORD and in the LORD.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Overall, I thought it was well-written and easy-to-understand, and I'd highly recommend it.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
May 5, 2010
“From the heart of one seeking Christ, comes an exceptional book for the new believer as well as those who have walked with God for some time.”
In the fifteen chapters of Crave: Wanting So Much More of God by Chris Tomlinson, you will find provocative questions, humorous real-life stories, and perhaps even some answers to questions that have lingered in your mind about Christianity.
Popular icons anchor each topic to connect the question to reality. I especially enjoyed the Treasure Chest icon associated with the topic of Joy.
The writing style engaging. The tempo is quick and keeps your interest from Chapter One through to the end. Great illustrations and glimpses of a what a believer really asks about Christianity.
Sound teaching on truth with his own reflections about hard concepts like ‘God is good – but He is also just’ which addresses the issue of trust and justice. And the issue of suffering as instruction and eventually a blessing. And of pride, he speaks from a been-there done-that perspective, always key when connecting with others.
Recommended highly, I suggest you grab a copy and settle down for some interesting reading that may even present some new questions for you to ask God yourself.
Disclaimer:
The review copy of this book was provided free of charge by Chris Tomlinson and donated to the library of Westwood Baptist Church.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: Chris Tomlinson
In the fifteen chapters of Crave: Wanting So Much More of God by Chris Tomlinson, you will find provocative questions, humorous real-life stories, and perhaps even some answers to questions that have lingered in your mind about Christianity.
Popular icons anchor each topic to connect the question to reality. I especially enjoyed the Treasure Chest icon associated with the topic of Joy.
The writing style engaging. The tempo is quick and keeps your interest from Chapter One through to the end. Great illustrations and glimpses of a what a believer really asks about Christianity.
Sound teaching on truth with his own reflections about hard concepts like ‘God is good – but He is also just’ which addresses the issue of trust and justice. And the issue of suffering as instruction and eventually a blessing. And of pride, he speaks from a been-there done-that perspective, always key when connecting with others.
Recommended highly, I suggest you grab a copy and settle down for some interesting reading that may even present some new questions for you to ask God yourself.
Disclaimer:
The review copy of this book was provided free of charge by Chris Tomlinson and donated to the library of Westwood Baptist Church.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: Chris Tomlinson
February 1, 2010
I also learned another lesson on not sleeping. When woken do not start reading a really good book. For then reading is more important than sleep.
Yeah, I started reading "Crave: Wanting So Much More of God" by Chris Tomlinson. Now I felt lucky enough that Chris contacted me to review his book personally. But I did not expect for the book to be so griping to me. Here I was tired, wound up from a horrid crank caller and just wanting to read myself back to sleep. Instead I started finding some answers to a hunger I have. You know when you have that empty pit inside that never can be filled. We all try with food, people, work, hobbies and more. Filling up our time and our lives with busy work but not ever feeling satisfied. We have a craving that there has to be more. Well of course there is.
Many of us know that craving is for God to be part of our lives. Well here Chris helped me see better ways of filling that hole. How I can share and take in God's desires. Especially when I was already so angry and irritated for being rudely woken up. The next thing I realized was that it was 6 a.m. I had been reading 3 1/2 hours and was feeling quite at peace too. Thanks for sharing "Crave: Wanting So Much More of God" with me Chris.
Yeah, I started reading "Crave: Wanting So Much More of God" by Chris Tomlinson. Now I felt lucky enough that Chris contacted me to review his book personally. But I did not expect for the book to be so griping to me. Here I was tired, wound up from a horrid crank caller and just wanting to read myself back to sleep. Instead I started finding some answers to a hunger I have. You know when you have that empty pit inside that never can be filled. We all try with food, people, work, hobbies and more. Filling up our time and our lives with busy work but not ever feeling satisfied. We have a craving that there has to be more. Well of course there is.
Many of us know that craving is for God to be part of our lives. Well here Chris helped me see better ways of filling that hole. How I can share and take in God's desires. Especially when I was already so angry and irritated for being rudely woken up. The next thing I realized was that it was 6 a.m. I had been reading 3 1/2 hours and was feeling quite at peace too. Thanks for sharing "Crave: Wanting So Much More of God" with me Chris.
February 11, 2010
Crave by Chris Tomlinson is a thoughtful guide to helping readers satisfy their desire for more of God. Tomlinson's debut book is daringly honest, snarkily funny, and incredibly insightful. Like most Christians, he wants to live a life of purity and holiness but it's far too easy to be a comfortable Christian, coasting along without really digging deeply into what it means to be a follower of Christ. His writing is like the conversation many Christians wish they could have with their pastor. He's real and honest and unafraid to tell the harder truths, even when he is convicted. One of the most poignant chapters is his discussion of his faith along with being a soldier. I was deeply sad when I finished Crave; I wasn't ready for it to be over yet. I want to continue this conversation that opened my eyes and my heart. I hope that Tomlinson writes another book soon.
May 30, 2013
Good stuff. Using Donald Miller's Million Miles in a Thousand Year's as pretty near my gold standard, Chris earned a place in my heart. I'm going to get copies for my sons and nephew's. My hope is that the honesty displayed within the pages of this book will strike home in their hearts. Each is in a different place, spiritually, and I don't pretend to fully know a man's heart. Still, I feel pretty confident of the Spirit's use of Chris for this to hit home.
(And it's not just for guys, but this is where I feel led to share the message of Crave just now.)
God's peace alone...
(And it's not just for guys, but this is where I feel led to share the message of Crave just now.)
God's peace alone...
February 10, 2014
This book is an easy read series of personal stories. The author effectively gives a glimpse into his life and realizes (which seems an often realization) that he can't do a lot FOR God. Instead of all his striving, a la Brand, Ibsen's verse drama about an uncompromisingly idealistic priest; the author realizes he needs to simply desire God and the results of that yield the fruit he seems desperate to have. Fun, quick read, especially if you love stories.
May 25, 2010
A great look at moving beyond "spiritual mediocrity". The author is transparent and thinks outside the box.
February 9, 2012
I didn't like the flow of this book. He did use some good down to earth examples of finding prayer and becoming a better Christian.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews