Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Crave - Wanting so much more of God (review & giveaway)



Excerpts from Crave: Wanting so much more of God by Chris Tomlinson:

“I hate to floss.”

“I don’t like people all that much.”

Not exactly declarations you might expect to read from a book in the “Spiritual Growth” section of your local bookstore.

But what if I told you “I hate to floss” begins a chapter about developing spiritual disciplines, or that Tomlinson’s admission of “I don’t like people all that much”, begins a monologue about putting aside our need to “do big things for God” and embracing the concept that the Story of Jesus is the only one that truly matters?

With no hint of false humility I've sometimes sensed in other so called “spiritual growth” books, Chris Tomlinson takes his readers through his own spiritual journey; one which he openly admits he is still struggling through. In one of my favorite, and for me, one of the most relatable passages in the book, he shares one of his prayers, filtered through his rambling thoughts:

God, You are so amazing and majestic. The heavens declare Your glory, and there’s nothing quite like a sunset to show off Your artistry. I love to watch the sun setting over the ocean, God. You know, I love the ocean. In fact, my favorite place to be is sitting on a surfboard in the water at El Porto, gazing over the mountains behind Malibu. Actually, that view is always ruined by the smokestacks at the oil refinery. Who would put a refinery on the beach? I wonder how they actually make gasoline? You know, it cost me $60 the other day to fill up my truck. Why are gas prices so high right now?

I shook it off.

God, I’m sorry I wandered off there. Thank You for Your mercy and for always being there for me.You are such a loving Father, and You are always so incredibly patient with me, even when I’m off doing my own thing or I’m stuck in a rut. You know, Anna was in a bad mood the other night; I said what I said to her to try and help, but it only made things worse. I don’t think she was actually listening to me at all, and it was really hard to be patient with her. But I was. I’m a pretty patient guy; no, I’m am really patient guy. Don’t You agree, God?

If you're looking for a Sunday School type guide book on how to become a better Christian, this book is probably not for you. However, if you're looking for a frank, honest and open account of one man's ongoing journey (and chances are, many of yours) to make less of himself and much more of Jesus, I would highly recommend Crave.


Chris Tomlinson is a businessman and writer. He grew up in Memphis, TN, went to college in Colorado Springs, spent 9 years in Los Angeles, and now lives in Northern Virginia. For more information about Chris Tomlinson and his writing, and for a free download of the first three chapters of Crave, visit him at his website, Crave Something More.

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Harvest House Publishing has generously provided me two copies of the book. If you would like to win a free copy, please leave me a comment letting me know. I will choose a winner at random a week from today.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book... and with your endorsement... even better.

I'd love to read it.

Kathleen Overby said...

Don't you think prayer IS rambling thoughts like this, instead of the learned, weird words and tone mostly used by churched people? It is a conversation, similar to the kind we have with our spouses. Sometimes urgent, sometimes apologetic, sometimes sweet shuga, sometimes ruminating, sometimes informational, sometimes questioning, etc?

Glad to hear someone is saying it. And you are encouraging people to read it. YES. You hit a very hot hotspot. You pointer, you.

Melissa Brotherton said...

This year I've committed to reading 35 books I've never read before. I would love to add this to the list. Sounds like a great read!

Joanna said...

I'd like to enter :)

Shark Bait said...

I can totally relate to that.

I think sometimes my prayer life sounds like the sort of thing you would hear if you gave an ADHD jack-russel a shot of Red Bull and hooked him up to a mind-reading machine. (See Wild at Mind for my take on why I hope GOD is okay with that.)

The book sounds cool, but don't enter me. I am, as you know, geographically inconvenienced.

Queen said...

I'd love to be entered to win a copy!

My prayers are rambling outpourings as well, usually ending in my falling asleep mid-sentence, as though burdens of the day are unloaded and I'm free to rest.

Billy Coffey said...

I'm in. Sounds great.

HisFireFly said...

I'd love to read this. It seems so many of my prayers get distracted the same way.. but really, all God desires is for us to talk with Him!

Sockrma18 said...

That's how I pray....and I often feel guilty about it! I blame it on my ADD, but glad to know its just me being human. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read this book! (three "loves"...count 'em...three) :0)

Maureen said...

I'm Crave - ing it!

Michelle DeRusha said...

I would love to read it, too. His prayer is a dead ringer for mine -- I have a serious case of rambling mind.

Thanks for your comment on my blog today -- I hope your situation improves! I will pray (though it will be rambling...)

Marni said...

I was SO confused for a while (story of my life, but I digress). I thought this was by the singer Chris Tomlinson. And I was all "huh? He didn't grow up in Tennessee, and who the heck is Anna? and why is Chris freakin bald???" I'm with it now.

Also, that rambling prayer sounds like just about every single one I give to God. I feel so much better now.

Marni said...

Tomlin, not Tomlinson. I knew that. Just typed it wrong. See what I mean about confused? Pray for my ADD ways...

Indymavs said...

Sounds good... sign me up for a chance!

jasonS said...

Sounds like it's up my alley. I would love to read it. Count me in.

katdish said...

Oh, Sharkbait! Joanna lives in further away than you do (I think - I suck at geography). But I don't mind sending it to you if you win.

Bina said...

ooooo....just what I need. another book to hit me over the head with the 2x4.

wait, actually...that is exactly what I need. hee hee

Sign me up, fellow sock hater. :)
Bina

Sarah Salter said...

Thanks for entering my contest last week. Now, I'd like to enter yours. Thanks! :o)

Terra said...

I have the same rambling while praying condition. Sometimes I pray lots of short prayers to avoid the rambling girl thing.
I'd love to read it and I have someone in mind to give it to after I read it, a young family member. This sounds like a book he might read.

Unknown said...

Any book by someone who strives to "make less of himself and much more of Jesus" is worth reading. I'll look it up even if I don't win here, I think.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to win a copy of this book!

Confused Christian said...

I'd like to win a copy!

Confused Christian said...

I'd like to win a copy.

Anonymous said...

Me! Me! Oh -- I never win anything! ME!!!

Candy said...

I'd love to win - and perhaps I can focus long enough to read it. I've often felt that my rambling prayers were born out of my own selfishness. I really do want less of me and perhaps Chris' book will show me the way.

tinabea said...

Would love to read this book! The rambling prayer sounded much like me every single day except mine tend to wander more towards laundry or dinner or why the heck are those Legos still on the floor over there when I told that boy to pick them up...

Dan said...

I'd love to win this one. Count me in.

Annie K said...

I know just the person who should read this book. Me. (And how did I miss you were giving away something...sheesh I'm late to the party.)

Anonymous said...

If there is one thing I enjoy more than writing, it's reading.

Just saw your tweet about this book.

I'll definitely be reading the book, one way or another. :)

Anonymous said...

I am a huge reader and want to read this book. I'd love to win a copy and read it!!! And...if I win...I promise to give the book away after I read it so someone else can enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

i wanna be a big fat winner!
send me the book!

Helen said...

Hi. Looks like I filed to comment. Looks like a good book.

katdish said...

According to Random.org, the winner of the free copy of Crave - wanting so much more of God is....

Drumroll.........

Bina!

Congrats, fellow sock hater!

email me at katdishrich@gmail.com with your 411 and I'll send you your new book.

Thanks for participating everyone. This was fun. I'm gonna do this at least once a month.