Customer Reviews

The God Who Pursues: Encountering a Relentless God

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The God Who Pursues, and the follow up The Relentless God, should be on every Christian's reading list. Cec Murphey writes in a personal conversational style that reminds me of Max Lucado. He uses OT examples and examples from his own life to illustrate God's continual pursuit of us despite what we do or don't do. His honest revelations about himself speak to the reader without sounding preachy.

Highly recommended.

Cec Murphey has personalized the stories of Old Testament Characters in a way that will make you reconsider your thoughts about God, His grace, and His unending love. Murphey uses real-life experiences that illustrate God's never-give-up attitude towards us. Time and time again I've mulled Murphey's lessons on Gopd and life over in my mind, only to see them in a new light each time. This is a must-read for anyone who's looking for a life changing book.

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, but can't get it out of my mind. Never have I read a book that so clearly describes God's longing for a relationship with me. I think Cecil Murphey has made that so clear by his use of stories. He weaves in stories from his personal experiences, yes, but he also tells the story of various Bible figures.

Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Job, Moses, Samson, David, Jonah--and even Baalam--all their stories are told from the viewpoint of a God who was crazy about them. Some of them embraced the God who loved them, and some of them didn't. But with each story comes another layer of the story--the story of a God who cares and who relentlessly pursues.

This is a book I will read again.

The God Who Pursues is a beautifully written, insightful book. Mr. Murphey has taken stories from the Old Testament and blended them masterfully with stories from his own life to show the reader a depth of God's love that is often overlooked. Not only does God call us, he also pursues us-constantly-in ways that are unseen and often unknown to us. If you're looking for a deeper understanding into the heart of God's love, this book is for you.

The God Who Pursues is a timeless book that speaks to us all - every human being, Christian or not. I was challenged as I read this book, and saw a reflection of myself in most of the author's illustrations.

Cec Murphey's openness and persistence in helping others understand God's care for us continues to enrich my life. What a comfort to read his words and hear that God does not give up on us. His examples from the Old Testament shed new light on familiar scripture and his shared personal experiences bring hope and inspiration.

Cecil Murphey gets to the heart of the matter. You know that when he talks earnestly about a God who pursues, he's talking from experience. He also gets to the heart of Bible stories and uses contemporary illustrations to flesh out some really essential principles about life and spirituality.
This would be a wonderfully healing experience for anyone who's been burned out, or browned out by unhealthy religion.

Now and then we all pick up a book to read that's so good, you don't want to put it back down again. The God Who Pursues is that kind of book.
In it, Cecil Murphey, the author, uses more than words to capture you attention, he uses real-life experiences so pivoting, it's as if you can feel the hot breath of God as he pursues the author through the stages of his life.
There is an honesty written on these pages that touches you so deeply, you're sure if you glanced back over your own shoulder while you're reading it, you'd feel God pursuing you as well.
Chapter by chapter, the author uses Old Testament characters to demonstrate how God's grace is all around us all the time, especially during those moments when we least expect it.
This is a must read for anyone who wants to see God in ways they've never seen him before.

Cec Murphey, author of The God Who Pursues, coaxed readers out of box type thinking, figuring and assuming. Cec is the kind of writer who has the unique ability to bring Old Testament characters to life as they seem as real as our next door neighbor. He gently reminds readers giant truths about the saints of the past--like how God pursed Jacob for 20 years! "..." (pg 68)Readers are forced to think a little deeper about human nature and God's nature. For instance, Cec shares a remarkable revelation with his readers with the unusual request for Abraham to slay Isaac!

Cec shows readers how "..." (pg 79) We discover how Job never abandons God, even though he loses everything but his life. Job's personal relationship with his Creator remains intact-- even as his own wife screams for him to forsake God. Cec also gives the reader insight to modern day people and their struggles through several situations close to Cec's family and ministry.

Cec's writing of Old Testament is never dull. The readers feels connected to these imperfect, sometimes unfaithful people in history. Maybe what woes me the most with this book,is to realize that God still pursues little 'ole me and wants intimacy above anything else. God pursues us regardless of how fast we run. He always wants fellowship.

I recommend this book for anyone who feels like giving up--and especially for those who have already given up. I also strongly recommend this book for those who have a desire to pray for others--or just for those of us who miss His whispers.