The Ecstacy of Loving God: Trances, Raptures, and the Supernatural Pleasures of Jesus Christ [Paperback]

John Crowder (Author), Jeff Jansen (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

"though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory," (1 Peter 1:8 NASB).

It is time to return the joy of the Lord to everyday Christian life. The Greek term for ecstasy is linked with the pleasurable, God-given state of out-of-body experience recorded throughout the New Testament and the church age.

Author John Crowder shows you how God's active interaction with men and women throughout the ages has always been marked by supernatural experiences. More than a state of mind, you will see how the nature of God's ecstasy is found in the joy, bliss, and inner raptures of His presence.

You will also:
* Learn the history of trances in revival ministries.
* Gain a biblical understanding of Christian mysticism.
* Explore the ecstatic states of prayer and spiritual trances.
* Learn how to walk in continual joy and pleasure before the Father.
* Examine miraculous phenomena.
* Be refreshed by the new wine of God's Spirit!
* Be encouraged to drink from the river of His pleasure! (Psalm 36:8)

There is no doubt that you can experience the joy and ecstasy of His presence every day of your life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Combining a depth of historical research and passion for Jesus, John Crowder brings together a rare blend for an emerging generation voice. His writings inspire me, challenge me, and make me turn my head. His calling to take the historical orthodoxy of the Holy Spirit packaged into a "today's style" is an amazing work of art. ----James W. Goll, Cofounder of Encounters Network

"John Crowder's book dispels fear and gives historical understanding and wisdom, properly enticing all of us into loving encounters with our Lord. In this time, when the Holy Spirit is calling us all into intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, this book is greatly needed and should be welcomed by all Christians who seek His face." ----John Sandford, Cofounder of Elijah House Ministries

"John Crowder is a revolutionary writer and speaker who carries a message of a heart overwhelmed and immersed with divine pleasure, and I am honored to call him a friend." ----Benjamin Dunn, Joy Revolution

About the Author

John Crowder is an itinerant revivalist, ministering in churches, conferences, and events worldwide. He is author of Miracle Workers, Reformers and the New Mystics and founder of Sons of Thunder Ministries and Publications. John carries a vision to see mystical, supernatural Christianity restored to the church and for revival to burn to the margins of society. John, his wife Lily, and their four children find satisfaction in the simplicity of loving God and demonstrating the finished works of the Cross.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Image (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0768427428
• ISBN-13: 978-0768427424
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Crowder is an internationally recognized author, speaker and advocate of supernatural Christianity. John is on the forefront of a fresh renewal movement marked by ecstatic joy, miracles and recovering the foundational preaching of the cross of grace.

As founder of Sons of Thunder Ministries & Publications, John hosts massive evangelism campaigns in some of the poorest areas of the world. SOT also houses, clothes, feeds and educates orphaned and abandoned children. His team hosts mission trips, bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ into some of the most dangerous places on the globe - in addition to visiting the poor in garbage dumps, leper colonies and war zones.

John has authored four books, including: Mystical Union, Seven Spirits Burning, The New Mystics, and The Ecstasy of Loving God. He also publishes a number of multimedia resources, including a bi-annual magazine, The Ecstatic. John broadcasts a free weekly video teaching - The Jesus Trip - featuring fresh teaching. John also offers a monthly Web seminar for subscribers called Inner Sanctum at TheNewMystics.TV

John hosts multiple supernatural equipping schools throughout the year, called Mystical Schools. These are three-day intensives aimed at instilling a theology of grace and the finished work of the cross, while activating believers in a miraculous, Spirit-filled life of creative miracles. He also speaks at conferences, seminars and churches worldwide.

John, his wife Lily, and their four children find satisfaction in the simplicity of loving God and demonstrating the finished works of the Cross. They have partnered together with friends to plant The Santa Cruz Church in Santa Cruz, California. John carries a vision to see mystical, supernatural Christianity restored to the church and for revival to burn to the margins of society. Find out more about the Crowders and Sons of Thunder at TheNewMystics.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will change your life!, February 28, 2009

By 

A. Johns (P-town, Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ecstacy of Loving God: Trances, Raptures, and the Supernatural Pleasures of Jesus Christ (Paperback)

I couldn't put this book down. We've all heard of the Love of God but John Crowder puts it in such a way that you won't ever forget it. I highly recommend this book. You won't ever be the same.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worship Reveals the Ecstasy of God, December 20, 2008

By 

Robert A. Burns "Pastor Bob" (Wyomissing, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ecstacy of Loving God: Trances, Raptures, and the Supernatural Pleasures of Jesus Christ (Paperback)

This hit me as I was reading this book "Jesus knew how to throw a party". The first miracle of Christ reveals this to us. Ecstacy in Christ is more than defined for us in this book. It does come from the merry-making love of Jesus in us. Do you know the distinguisahing marks of ecstasy as a believer? The writings of this improtant and timly book directs our hearts to a deeper, closer relationship of ecstasy with our Lord. The writings are solidly biblically-based. The author directs us to a life of revival in our hearts so that the change that comes within allow us to have "fun", yes fun, living with our Lord Jesus while growing spiritually. Waves of God's glory reaches us for His special life within us.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Radical, Bold, Liberating, January 12, 2009

By 

Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Ecstacy of Loving God: Trances, Raptures, and the Supernatural Pleasures of Jesus Christ (Paperback)

John Crowder's "The Ecstasy of Loving God" explores the supernatural and mystical experiences of divine encounters with God. It is a clarion call to become equipped and outfitted for the spiritual battles ahead.

Openly honest and brutally frank, John communicates a message of revival, mysticism, and revelation. Using the vernacular of today's drug culture Crowder presents a radical bold message of present day resurrection power.

The pages of the book are filled with exciting stories of people from every culture, every economic, social, and ethnic status who are hungry to find true spirituality by feasting at God's table.

John traces the history of the trance in the lives of Old Testament and New Testament stalwarts and throughout the accounts of revivals in the church. Extreme spontaneity, demonstrative worship, physical manifestations, and a call to repentance marked these movements of the Holy Spirit.

Crowder goes on to encapsulate the way of ecstatic prayer, its stages, distinguishing marks, and supernatural phenomena. In the final chapters Crowder reviews the history of the Great Awakening, discusses martyrdom, and end times revival.

"The Ecstasy of Loving God" is an important book for anyone wanting to know more of the heart of God, develop a life of contemplative prayer, or practice the presence of God. This message is clearly an invitation to all believers to "embrace the finished work of the cross" and to visit the heavenlies.