The Furious Longing of God

There is no greater truth than the reality that is God's love. You have to experience it to know it. That said, Manning explains it as well as I have heard, encouraging the reader that this love can be experienced, even when one is at their worst, ugliest state. 

Words Elude Me. Wow. I really wish I had read this book years ago. Truly one of the best “Christian thinking” books I have ever read, and so very quotable.

I loved every word of this book. Brennan Manning has composed a work that truly points to the furious longing of God. A God who is loving and calls us to love. A God who wants more from us than actions and passivity. There were so many passages and quotes that I wanted to share with everyone I know because of how they presented God's truth (e.g. Gerald May's words on page 66, St. Augustine on page 77, discussion of healing and affirmation on pages 82-83, and stripping ourselves of the world in the spirit of the gospel on pages 116-117).
I enjoyed the anecdotes and references to everything from Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree (I'll never look at that story the same) to Don Quixote (ditto to the previous parenthetical thought) to Henri Nouwen and Goethe. The questions throughout the chapters are great indicators of when to slow down and really digest something Manning discussed. I could see this being a great read for individuals and small groups alike. It's a quick but meaningful book that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to feel challenged and loved as a child of God at the same time. So wonderful!!