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God-Soaked Life: Discovering a Kingdom Spirituality
God's presence permeates our lives and activities. His song of delight reverberates throughout all he has created. As we open our ears to that song, we hear the truth of the gospel spoken to our the kingdom of God has come to us. Chris Webb, an Anglican priest and retreat house director, wants us all to enter into that kingdom and to experience its freedom. Written with verve, depth, and uncontainable joy, God-Soaked Life invites us to live in the reality of God's presence in our everyday lives. It's an invitation into the community of God's people, into fearless honesty about our own weaknesses and failures, into the daily experience of God through silence, Scripture, and prayer, and into a new life of love and service in the broken world around us. God's kingdom is not far away, a remote and future promise. It is here, now.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2017
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101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 23, 2017
Some great insights regarding what it means to live in Christian community. Also helpful counsel on spiritual practices that connect us to and ground us in God's presence. My main reservation is in boiling God's character down to Love. God is multidimensional, just as we, beings created in God's image, are multidimensional. The Christian community that results IS a community of love, but also a community of obedience, etc.
February 4, 2018
God-Soaked Life (InterVarsity Press - Formatio) is Webb’s second book, after previously releasing the delightful and beneficial The Fire of the Word in 2011, and it certainly lives up to his previous accomplishment.
God-Soaked Life takes the reader through seven chapter-sections each with four sub-chapters within, all pointing and progressing towards the aim of living one’s life in the presence of God and in the reality of the Kingdom. Webb reveals and emphasizes the significance of the Christian living in community. Living alert to the Kingdom and conscious of the ever-loving care and compassion of the Father, motivates the Christian to live with that same desire. A loving Christian community is the natural outworking of a God-soaked life.
Chris Webb beautifully articulates the deep meaning of living as the community of God, the church, here on the earth. Life is not a precursor to eternity. Life is not a waiting room before we get to Heaven. Life is the marvelous opportunity to live in the presence of Christ, furthering and continuing His ministry, His Kingdom, now.
A quote from the book that summarizes well the direction the author is leading the reader, comes near the end of the book: “To follow Jesus is to accept his call to participate in the gift of God’s kingdom realized in our own time and place, and so to live as members of the God-soaked community of love” (Webb 2017, 170).
Rather than simply defining or outlining how one should live, think, or act within the Kingdom, or God-soaked life, Webb also sympathizes and identifies some of the struggles and mistakes we all make as human beings. This establishes authenticity and credibility between the author and reader, but also allows for feasibility, user-friendliness, tangibility, and practical application into one’s life.
I highly recommend reading God-Soaked Life. It is an easy read (under 200 pages), but not lacking in profound communication and insight. Although the intriguing stories and illustrations keep the reader turning pages, I suggest reading this book slowly, prayerfully, and contemplatively. The magnitude of the transformation that a God-soaked life necessitates is worth the time and patience.
One characteristic of the book that I absolutely loved was the Scripture and Reflection pages, found at the end of each of the seven sections. These extra reflections allow the reader to not only engage the topic in a more profound manner, but also to provoke thought and behavior change. Don’t read past these. Take the time and effort to “soak” it all in.
Overall, God-Soaked Life was a thorough, comprehensive, and transformative look at what it truly means to live in the Kingdom of God right now.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary publicity copy from the publisher. (This in no way affected my honest review of the book)
God-Soaked Life takes the reader through seven chapter-sections each with four sub-chapters within, all pointing and progressing towards the aim of living one’s life in the presence of God and in the reality of the Kingdom. Webb reveals and emphasizes the significance of the Christian living in community. Living alert to the Kingdom and conscious of the ever-loving care and compassion of the Father, motivates the Christian to live with that same desire. A loving Christian community is the natural outworking of a God-soaked life.
Chris Webb beautifully articulates the deep meaning of living as the community of God, the church, here on the earth. Life is not a precursor to eternity. Life is not a waiting room before we get to Heaven. Life is the marvelous opportunity to live in the presence of Christ, furthering and continuing His ministry, His Kingdom, now.
A quote from the book that summarizes well the direction the author is leading the reader, comes near the end of the book: “To follow Jesus is to accept his call to participate in the gift of God’s kingdom realized in our own time and place, and so to live as members of the God-soaked community of love” (Webb 2017, 170).
Rather than simply defining or outlining how one should live, think, or act within the Kingdom, or God-soaked life, Webb also sympathizes and identifies some of the struggles and mistakes we all make as human beings. This establishes authenticity and credibility between the author and reader, but also allows for feasibility, user-friendliness, tangibility, and practical application into one’s life.
I highly recommend reading God-Soaked Life. It is an easy read (under 200 pages), but not lacking in profound communication and insight. Although the intriguing stories and illustrations keep the reader turning pages, I suggest reading this book slowly, prayerfully, and contemplatively. The magnitude of the transformation that a God-soaked life necessitates is worth the time and patience.
One characteristic of the book that I absolutely loved was the Scripture and Reflection pages, found at the end of each of the seven sections. These extra reflections allow the reader to not only engage the topic in a more profound manner, but also to provoke thought and behavior change. Don’t read past these. Take the time and effort to “soak” it all in.
Overall, God-Soaked Life was a thorough, comprehensive, and transformative look at what it truly means to live in the Kingdom of God right now.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary publicity copy from the publisher. (This in no way affected my honest review of the book)
August 21, 2017
Chris Webb’s God-Soaked Life: Discovering a Kingdom Spirituality is a beautiful and encouraging reminder to live with eyes to see and ears to hear the reality of the kingdom of God right now. Disciples of Jesus are not called to wait until they “fly away” somewhere; they are called to live in the kingdom now until we are fully united with God in the new heavens and new earth. What does that mean? Living and acting now in such a way that embodies the future kingdom that is “already among [us]” (Luke 17:21) and “not from this world” (John 18:36)—a kingdom and worldview that originated in God, not a human mind or institution. This way of love is not merely a suggestion; it’s a command. But if all we’re being are rule followers, then we’ve missed the entire point of loving God and neighbor—the kingdom.
Webb presents perspective on and life in the kingdom of God in practical and accessible ways. The book is divided into seven sections (The Invitation, Heart Renewal, Fearless Honesty, Close to the Father’s Heart, God in Everyday Life, Creating Community, and The Politics of Love), each containing three substantial chapters followed by a concluding fourth, which includes seven helpful and introspective questions based on particular readings of scripture. These questions may be pondered and answered all at once or, as suggested, taken a day at a time for a week’s worth of introspection and devotional time.
I will be recommending this book to my students, as well as many others (including you!). If it were scheduled to be published a month earlier, I would have had it on a reading list. Alas, it will be released too late, but never too late to recommend!
Grace and Peace to you all, and may you have eyes to see and ears to hear the kingdom of God in which we already live!
*I received a temporary, unpublished digital copy (hence no page numbers for included quotations) for review from InterVarsity Press via NetGalley.
Webb presents perspective on and life in the kingdom of God in practical and accessible ways. The book is divided into seven sections (The Invitation, Heart Renewal, Fearless Honesty, Close to the Father’s Heart, God in Everyday Life, Creating Community, and The Politics of Love), each containing three substantial chapters followed by a concluding fourth, which includes seven helpful and introspective questions based on particular readings of scripture. These questions may be pondered and answered all at once or, as suggested, taken a day at a time for a week’s worth of introspection and devotional time.
I will be recommending this book to my students, as well as many others (including you!). If it were scheduled to be published a month earlier, I would have had it on a reading list. Alas, it will be released too late, but never too late to recommend!
Grace and Peace to you all, and may you have eyes to see and ears to hear the kingdom of God in which we already live!
*I received a temporary, unpublished digital copy (hence no page numbers for included quotations) for review from InterVarsity Press via NetGalley.
September 25, 2017
The book begins with: “Imagine the day after your death.”
You have my attention.
What is more powerful is after a beautiful description of what could be as we enter heaven comes this thought: “Imagine that this is not the day after your death. Instead, it is today.”
What God dreams for us in our “now” is what we only think of after we die. Chris Webb’s powerful invitation is for us to think about what is now as powerfully as we can imagine what “eternal life” is like.
Webb builds this book for discussion. Each section is small bite-sized chapters full of rich thought followed by a section of study and discussion.
The goal for Webb is to understand what God has for us, as believers, now. It is to understand the Church is not an institution or some political movement. It is a community. And that community is powerful.
Our deepest need may be to understand the thorough calling of the Kingdom of God. Repentance isn’t about changing our minds. It is to change our outlook on life. It is to change our perspective on the world that reshapes us from the heart outward. No part of our life is unchanged.
We need a life of repentance.
Part of that new worldview is to understand that the basis of the kingdom of God is truly love. God is love. He creates a community of love. In our combative culture today, it is hard to see the transforming work of love that is possible.
Webb works his way deep into the human soul and holds out the possibility of incredible change. It comes in the deepest part of our core and works its way out. Deep truth within is the road to a beautiful community.
Soak in this book. Get aggravated by this book. Read this book. Don’t be in a hurry. Allow the questions to soak in and work out tough answers. Read it with a friend. Read it with a group. Watch transformation happen in a beautiful way.
IVP sent me a courtesy copy for review. I am under no obligation to give this book a positive review.
You have my attention.
What is more powerful is after a beautiful description of what could be as we enter heaven comes this thought: “Imagine that this is not the day after your death. Instead, it is today.”
What God dreams for us in our “now” is what we only think of after we die. Chris Webb’s powerful invitation is for us to think about what is now as powerfully as we can imagine what “eternal life” is like.
Webb builds this book for discussion. Each section is small bite-sized chapters full of rich thought followed by a section of study and discussion.
The goal for Webb is to understand what God has for us, as believers, now. It is to understand the Church is not an institution or some political movement. It is a community. And that community is powerful.
Our deepest need may be to understand the thorough calling of the Kingdom of God. Repentance isn’t about changing our minds. It is to change our outlook on life. It is to change our perspective on the world that reshapes us from the heart outward. No part of our life is unchanged.
We need a life of repentance.
Part of that new worldview is to understand that the basis of the kingdom of God is truly love. God is love. He creates a community of love. In our combative culture today, it is hard to see the transforming work of love that is possible.
Webb works his way deep into the human soul and holds out the possibility of incredible change. It comes in the deepest part of our core and works its way out. Deep truth within is the road to a beautiful community.
Soak in this book. Get aggravated by this book. Read this book. Don’t be in a hurry. Allow the questions to soak in and work out tough answers. Read it with a friend. Read it with a group. Watch transformation happen in a beautiful way.
IVP sent me a courtesy copy for review. I am under no obligation to give this book a positive review.
September 10, 2017
God-Soaked Life
Discovering a Kingdom Spirituality
by Chris Webb
InterVarsity Press
IVP Books
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 11 Sep 2017
I am reviewing a copy of God-Soaked Life through Intervarsity Press and Netgalley:
In this book author and Anglican Priest Chris Webb reminds us of the delight God finds when his children are drawn to him. We are reminded too that God takes us as we are.
The author points out too that he will renew our heart if only we ask him too. We are reminded too that God is love, and he wants us to seek out that love.
We are reminded too of the importance of growing closer to God's heart.
I give God-Soaked Life five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
October 8, 2017
Chris Webb’s book , God-Soaked Life, begins with an engaging prologue that sets the tone for his book, imagining ourselves into a kingdom ruled by God. Then he gently draws us to the reality that we already live in this kingdom. The rest of the book hangs from this prologue. While most of the concepts are not new, Chris Webb presents his ideas in a poetic, layered way, providing a fresh viewpoint on what it means to live in God’s Kingdom. His writing is positive and encouraging, with the final epilogue (a fitting bookend to the prologue) issuing us with a challenge to “explore, to learn, to grow, to change, to live.”
(This book was provided free of charge by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
(This book was provided free of charge by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
October 30, 2017
"God-Soaked Life" was a touching work that primarily focused on God's formation of a loving community, His kingdom on earth. There are many aspects of God's kingdom community that make life both rewarding and challenging, and the author does a good job outlining the Christian's responsibility in both. While I didn't agree with every little thing the author wrote and wasn't completely engaged by the book, I still thought it was well-written and particularly enjoyed exploring the topics of human nature and "heart hospitality" through the author's explanations.
*This review is based on a free digital copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
*This review is based on a free digital copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
January 15, 2018
This was an easy read but don't let that cause you to think it isn't thought provoking. Chris presents some very interesting perspectives on Kingdom living. This will be one of the books I will return to again and again.
March 6, 2018
Some thought provoking as well as familiar ideas. Worth giving time to chew on the cud...
November 4, 2018
Thought-provoking and engaging discussion of what it might mean to embrace a transformation by accepting God as a moment-by-moment part of one's daily life..
July 22, 2020
Excellent
May 7, 2023
Refreshing and challenging look at what it means to live a life immersed in the pursuit and presence of God’s kingdom.
February 1, 2025
An open read
July 19, 2025
I really enjoyed this fresh view of living in a god soaked community.
I loved the message and conversational, easy style of writing.
I loved the message and conversational, easy style of writing.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews