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Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul’s Deepest Desire
What if the longing we feel is a sign of God’s longing for us? Thirsting is a deeply spiritual exploration of a life-changing truth: only when we learn to live in the ache of our thirst instead of running from it will we know the joy of receiving God in every part of our lives.
We may be able to imagine God saving us, using us, and even loving us—but wanting us? Pursuing us? Longing for us? And yet, as spiritual director Strahan Coleman teaches, God’s greatest desire is to commune with us in the depths of our souls.
In Thirsting, Strahan eloquently guides us to:
Acknowledge the God-given thirst within us so we can offer it to God in all its depth
Learn to open up our pain to God so we can experience Him in the midst of our aching
Allow God’s desire for us to open up a whole new experience of communion
You thirst because you are thirsted for. Take a rich, vulnerable journey toward an inner knowing with God as you step over shame, receive His love, and drink Him deeply. The very journey you were made for.
We may be able to imagine God saving us, using us, and even loving us—but wanting us? Pursuing us? Longing for us? And yet, as spiritual director Strahan Coleman teaches, God’s greatest desire is to commune with us in the depths of our souls.
In Thirsting, Strahan eloquently guides us to:
Acknowledge the God-given thirst within us so we can offer it to God in all its depth
Learn to open up our pain to God so we can experience Him in the midst of our aching
Allow God’s desire for us to open up a whole new experience of communion
You thirst because you are thirsted for. Take a rich, vulnerable journey toward an inner knowing with God as you step over shame, receive His love, and drink Him deeply. The very journey you were made for.
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 16, 2024
God not only loves you. He wants you.
If I could boil this book into one sentence, it would be that. A simple statement, but one so profound for our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world we live in.
This book, both for those long steeped in Christian spheres and those only recently exposed to the Gospel, is a refining of the concept of desire that tends to be unfairly married to sin management within modern churches.
Reclaiming desire and longing is a holy pursuit, and this book seeks to invite the Church into a life that more honestly reflects the vision of the patriarchs and matriarchs that have paved the way for the body of Christ by passing these concepts through the filter of God’s own love - a love that is constantly giving over of itself for the sake of the other.
Strahan has been gifted with an uncanny ability to translate his gentle and compassionate demeanor into his writing. Because of this, each chapter produces a dialogue that invites the reader to share in a conversation about the deepest parts of oneself, making it natural and normal to approach such realities rather than avoiding them as taboo topics which we tend to do all too often in the church.
For those numb and with a faint flickering flame for God, read this and be reminded of His longing that never fades. For those addicted and stuck in patterns of turning away from God, read this and be reminded of His love that eternally chooses you regardless of what you say or do. For those seeking more of the Divine, read this and be reminded that the depths of love are unsearchable, and God only waits for your yes for further and deeper.
I read this in the midst of a particularly monotonous, exhausting, and numb season. And yet I was reminded I cannot conjure up a love that has always been moving toward me. A Love that not only loves me because I am His creation, but because He wants me, and longs that I feel that same longing for Him.
If I could boil this book into one sentence, it would be that. A simple statement, but one so profound for our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world we live in.
This book, both for those long steeped in Christian spheres and those only recently exposed to the Gospel, is a refining of the concept of desire that tends to be unfairly married to sin management within modern churches.
Reclaiming desire and longing is a holy pursuit, and this book seeks to invite the Church into a life that more honestly reflects the vision of the patriarchs and matriarchs that have paved the way for the body of Christ by passing these concepts through the filter of God’s own love - a love that is constantly giving over of itself for the sake of the other.
Strahan has been gifted with an uncanny ability to translate his gentle and compassionate demeanor into his writing. Because of this, each chapter produces a dialogue that invites the reader to share in a conversation about the deepest parts of oneself, making it natural and normal to approach such realities rather than avoiding them as taboo topics which we tend to do all too often in the church.
For those numb and with a faint flickering flame for God, read this and be reminded of His longing that never fades. For those addicted and stuck in patterns of turning away from God, read this and be reminded of His love that eternally chooses you regardless of what you say or do. For those seeking more of the Divine, read this and be reminded that the depths of love are unsearchable, and God only waits for your yes for further and deeper.
I read this in the midst of a particularly monotonous, exhausting, and numb season. And yet I was reminded I cannot conjure up a love that has always been moving toward me. A Love that not only loves me because I am His creation, but because He wants me, and longs that I feel that same longing for Him.
October 3, 2024
Too many books on spiritual growth read like travel guides or recipe books. Someone else's path to the vista or ingredients for the good life. The way Jack London makes us yearn for the wilderness or Asimov for possibilities yet realized, Strahan stirs the heart to realize its desires and to draw deeper from the well that never runs dry. Often poetic and always personal, Strahan is no guru or self-help expert, but a fellow pilgrim on a journey. A Sam to our Frodo. Encouraging us that though the road is hard, the quest is worth it!
December 31, 2024
Best NF book of the year by far (& maybe my whole life???) Strahan beautifully articulates things I’ve struggled to for years now. The reality that the thirst we experience in this life is a mere foretaste of the glory to come & that in sitting in the tension of this unquenchable thirst that the invitation to deep communion in God is fully realized has me 😭🤯😭😭. A book I will come back to over and over!!!
October 20, 2024
A beautiful reminder of not only our thirst for God and how we often fill that with earthly things, but the Devine love & thirst the Lord has for us. Humbling read and an encouragement to just sit with Him more often in the shared thirst. Thank you Strahan for your offering.
October 9, 2024
I am probably biased cause I really appreciate Strahan’s insights and advice. Additionally this book was very timely for me and things I’m working through. If I remove those two layers I would say the book is 4.4 haha
Thirsting if I had to describe at a high level helps explain how we all have a deep desire within us and how God pursues us first and foremost and how that perfect fit helps us to relate to others, bring order to the chaos inside our deepest chambers of ourselves, and allow God in and let Him grow us in His timing.
The chapters on being faithful to God, dealing with shame in our “nakedness”, and letting it be not about God filling us than trying to will away the darkness in our lives were so helpful. If you know Strahan you may be resistant to read due to his streak of the charismatic or recommendation to live a slow and simple life but I really think there are a lot of good points that can help any Christian fulfill their deepest desires vs scrolling or going to
Thirsting if I had to describe at a high level helps explain how we all have a deep desire within us and how God pursues us first and foremost and how that perfect fit helps us to relate to others, bring order to the chaos inside our deepest chambers of ourselves, and allow God in and let Him grow us in His timing.
The chapters on being faithful to God, dealing with shame in our “nakedness”, and letting it be not about God filling us than trying to will away the darkness in our lives were so helpful. If you know Strahan you may be resistant to read due to his streak of the charismatic or recommendation to live a slow and simple life but I really think there are a lot of good points that can help any Christian fulfill their deepest desires vs scrolling or going to
December 17, 2024
What if our deepest longing is a reflection of God’s longing for us? This transformative journey invites you to embrace the ache within, opening your heart to God’s presence. By surrendering pain and thirst, you’ll discover the joy of intimate communion—a love that pursues, heals, and fulfills the deepest desires of your soul.
I’m always down to read a book on spiritual formation, add in a rec from Annie F. Downs and John Mark Comer and you can guarantee the book is being pushed up on my TBR. But none of those things could have prepared adequate expectation for how aww inspiring this book was going to be.
We all know I’m a romantic at heart, and really a more truer expression of that sentiment: I love romanticism of everyday things and soul caring moments. In thrifting Strahan cultivates the beauty and romanticism of the nature of our relationship with god- the most beautiful relationship of them all. God not only loves you, He wants you. What is more breathtaking than that.
God’s longing never fades. Whether you are in a season of spiritual numbness or thriving devotion, this book will stir your soul.
Perfect for you if you like:
Enjoy spiritual reflections that blend vulnerability with truth
Long for a deeper, more intimate connection with God
The beauty of relationship with God
Similar to:
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
Life of the Beloved by Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
I’m always down to read a book on spiritual formation, add in a rec from Annie F. Downs and John Mark Comer and you can guarantee the book is being pushed up on my TBR. But none of those things could have prepared adequate expectation for how aww inspiring this book was going to be.
We all know I’m a romantic at heart, and really a more truer expression of that sentiment: I love romanticism of everyday things and soul caring moments. In thrifting Strahan cultivates the beauty and romanticism of the nature of our relationship with god- the most beautiful relationship of them all. God not only loves you, He wants you. What is more breathtaking than that.
God’s longing never fades. Whether you are in a season of spiritual numbness or thriving devotion, this book will stir your soul.
Perfect for you if you like:
Enjoy spiritual reflections that blend vulnerability with truth
Long for a deeper, more intimate connection with God
The beauty of relationship with God
Similar to:
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer
Life of the Beloved by Henri J.M. Nouwen
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
September 22, 2024
A favorite of all time. Not for everyone because it walks through some very deep concepts. But actually life changing. Strahan’s heart is so pure, honest, and raw which makes it easy to connect what he is talking about. I especially think it can be helpful for people who have walked through a lot of suffering and ongoing pain because it brings beauty to those experiences.
December 29, 2024
Strahan is a close personal friend. He is the real deal.
I believe he carries a depth of wisdom with humility that has come at great cost.
We deeply love and respect Strahan and Katie as we’ve seen them outwork their faith.
I think the amount of yellow highlighter ink used throughout the book, is testament to how much the Lord has spoken to me through it.
Chapter 9: Praying the Pain, particularly resonated with me. So true. I love how he encourages us to be present to those moments of pain. Instead of trying to bury it, or deaden it by distraction or whatever, that we actually ‘follow the pain’. Ask questions of it. That it’s actually an opportunity for growth and potential freedom, if we actually stop and focus, rather than suppress or run.
Love that!
Be blessed!
I believe he carries a depth of wisdom with humility that has come at great cost.
We deeply love and respect Strahan and Katie as we’ve seen them outwork their faith.
I think the amount of yellow highlighter ink used throughout the book, is testament to how much the Lord has spoken to me through it.
Chapter 9: Praying the Pain, particularly resonated with me. So true. I love how he encourages us to be present to those moments of pain. Instead of trying to bury it, or deaden it by distraction or whatever, that we actually ‘follow the pain’. Ask questions of it. That it’s actually an opportunity for growth and potential freedom, if we actually stop and focus, rather than suppress or run.
Love that!
Be blessed!
November 24, 2024
I feel that Strahan addresses every reader’s human struggle and journey with longing and desire. I found myself taking more notes, setting it down to pray over a passage and genuinely just captivated by all he had to say and allowed God to say through him. A phenomenal read. Strahan has a real gift.
November 29, 2024
the words are beautifully written and has challenged me to sit with Jesus and ask myself if I am truly following His call to come and drink. thank you for putting words to thoughts and feelings I have been wrestling with. May rivers of living water flow from within 🤍 John 7:37-38
November 2, 2024
Its theology, art and prayer. Strahan once again just grips me with his writing. Totally recommend this book!
Read
December 26, 2024tender. loved.
December 1, 2024
Best book I’ve read this year.
September 13, 2024
Thirsting treats aches and longing with too much care and esteem to be read lightly.
In a manner recalling the work of Ronald Rolheiser (an author Strahan cites) Thirsting brought emotions of lament and regret rushing to the surface at the recollection of experiences not entered into and situations where I wasn’t wholehearted. I wasn't left there. Later chapters lead the reader in how to begin to commune with God in our areas of powerlessness, pain, and shame. Not just so that unpleasant feelings might be whisked away, but instead by sitting with them and allowing God to enter into them with us, to redeem them.
While rich with language and a posture often associated with liturgical streams of the Church, Thirsting is rich with expectation for a present and potent experience of God. As narrator-guide, Strahan shares his experience of the movements of contemplative prayer and in doing so sketches a helpful framework of expectation to take up in personal application.
In broadening the horizon of prayer beyond simply the words we can say, Thirsting offers an exchange: in place of linear cause and effect we are offered a map to begin and continue to experience the depths of God and the deep parts of ourselves in a way that truly renews and satisfies.
Ultimately Thirsting is about God’s love for us. Though the Western culture and the Western Church hasn’t given us many handles for it, Thirsting joins in chorus with the writer of Songs of Songs, “I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is for me”.
In a manner recalling the work of Ronald Rolheiser (an author Strahan cites) Thirsting brought emotions of lament and regret rushing to the surface at the recollection of experiences not entered into and situations where I wasn’t wholehearted. I wasn't left there. Later chapters lead the reader in how to begin to commune with God in our areas of powerlessness, pain, and shame. Not just so that unpleasant feelings might be whisked away, but instead by sitting with them and allowing God to enter into them with us, to redeem them.
While rich with language and a posture often associated with liturgical streams of the Church, Thirsting is rich with expectation for a present and potent experience of God. As narrator-guide, Strahan shares his experience of the movements of contemplative prayer and in doing so sketches a helpful framework of expectation to take up in personal application.
In broadening the horizon of prayer beyond simply the words we can say, Thirsting offers an exchange: in place of linear cause and effect we are offered a map to begin and continue to experience the depths of God and the deep parts of ourselves in a way that truly renews and satisfies.
Ultimately Thirsting is about God’s love for us. Though the Western culture and the Western Church hasn’t given us many handles for it, Thirsting joins in chorus with the writer of Songs of Songs, “I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is for me”.
September 29, 2024
I have so many questions that roll around my head when I think about “thirsting for God”, and if I’m being honest, so many fears. While all of my questions are by no means answered (got to love the mystery of God), Thirsting offers a tangible, contemplative road map for understanding this desire we tend to talk around in church. Strahan’s gentle, kind voice clearly shines through the pages, and I often feel like he is speaking right to me over a cup of coffee. My favorite parts are in the second half of the book where he wades into some deep waters that I will probably be rereading in the months to come. There is so much to chew. Warning: if you are unwilling to look inward and face pain, disappointment, fears, and your own unfaithfulness to God, I probably wouldn’t read this book because Strahan is presenting biblical realities that are not always easy and always require the reader to do the actual work with Jesus. It’s beautiful work, bone deep work. And it hurts so good because the work is prompted by a Father that welcomes you with endless fathoms of love. You can trust Strahan to take you through this journey, knowing that he will care for you along the way, pointing you right back to the loving gaze of Jesus every moment.
September 12, 2024
Strahan delves into conversations on desire and thirst that provide such a balanced and holistic approach to understanding God’s desire for us, and our built-in desire for God. In a culture that beckons for you to give into your desires, Strahan provides a way of understanding that doesn’t squash desire and thirst, but also doesn’t deny our brokenness and need for reorientation of our disordered selves.
Thirsting, and Strahan’s first book “Beholding”, feel like a bridge harmonizing a deep respect and love of Scripture with tangible and intimate experience of God through Prayer. He speaks of prayer so poetically, yet practically like no other book I have read.
A quote from the "Author's Note" hit hard- “Nothing has marked my life greater than my wholehearted pursuit of God, and nothing has wounded me more deeply. Because God, in His extravagant love, will refuse anything within us that would hinder us from our full engulfing in His astronomical want of us. Love, by nature, refuses to be separated in any way from its object” [pg. 15]. God desires us in a beautifully passionate way, and our thirsts are a homing beacon to Him.
As Strahan says, “if I’ve written this book right, it will be a liberating but dangerous invitation” [pg. 15]. I agree, but I think it is an invitation worth accepting because it just might transform your understanding and relationship with God forever. I know it has and will continue to do so for me personally.
Thirsting, and Strahan’s first book “Beholding”, feel like a bridge harmonizing a deep respect and love of Scripture with tangible and intimate experience of God through Prayer. He speaks of prayer so poetically, yet practically like no other book I have read.
A quote from the "Author's Note" hit hard- “Nothing has marked my life greater than my wholehearted pursuit of God, and nothing has wounded me more deeply. Because God, in His extravagant love, will refuse anything within us that would hinder us from our full engulfing in His astronomical want of us. Love, by nature, refuses to be separated in any way from its object” [pg. 15]. God desires us in a beautifully passionate way, and our thirsts are a homing beacon to Him.
As Strahan says, “if I’ve written this book right, it will be a liberating but dangerous invitation” [pg. 15]. I agree, but I think it is an invitation worth accepting because it just might transform your understanding and relationship with God forever. I know it has and will continue to do so for me personally.
September 21, 2024
This isn’t the book to read if you want to stay surface-level with your soul. Thirsting is a treasure of a book, written in a gospel framing that our generation needs: ”What does glorifying God mean in the lens of desire?” and an acceptance for who He’s “made me for: to be completely engulfed in His Trinitarian love.” Strahan argues how our society’s definition of desire often looks like leaning into sexualizing desire while promoting distance with the One who desires us.
Strahan asks us to sit with the Lord in what it looks like to venture into our Dark Oceans, the parts of our souls that we are scared to enter into because of that level of vulnerability or pain (or both). He ups the ante of our relationship with Jesus, that we would have “a thirst for something much greater than friendship or proximity.” In the Church, we’ve gotten comfortable referring to Jesus as our friend - which to be fair, has its value - but way less comfortable with Jesus as our Bridegroom. When we see Jesus as our Bridegroom, we walk in vulnerability that allows us to sit with our pain before Him and find greater comfort in His love.
This book helps create a safe space to bring everything to Lord: our longings, our disappointments, our joys, and everything in between. While there are some moments in the book that got a little too abstract for me, the poetic nature of it invited me to plumb the depths of my soul with the Lord, and the encouragement of how much further I can go.
Strahan asks us to sit with the Lord in what it looks like to venture into our Dark Oceans, the parts of our souls that we are scared to enter into because of that level of vulnerability or pain (or both). He ups the ante of our relationship with Jesus, that we would have “a thirst for something much greater than friendship or proximity.” In the Church, we’ve gotten comfortable referring to Jesus as our friend - which to be fair, has its value - but way less comfortable with Jesus as our Bridegroom. When we see Jesus as our Bridegroom, we walk in vulnerability that allows us to sit with our pain before Him and find greater comfort in His love.
This book helps create a safe space to bring everything to Lord: our longings, our disappointments, our joys, and everything in between. While there are some moments in the book that got a little too abstract for me, the poetic nature of it invited me to plumb the depths of my soul with the Lord, and the encouragement of how much further I can go.
September 20, 2024
In Thirsting, Strahan offers a holy embodied pathway for how to live as God’s creatures who deeply thirst and desire. The answers that we are given in our day and age for what to do with all our longings and desires are loud and pervasive, but they’re always hollow and leave us empty. Strahan speaks to all the forces in our world at work against us that are both trying to convince us that we should let our desires entirely rule us or that we should just kill desire altogether. Through his focus on the self-giving love of the Trinity and the Spousal love of God, Strahan takes us on a journey of discovering that all of our deepest thirsts ultimately lead us back to our dearest Love, who thirsts with all of His heart for our hearts. If you want to understand and be at peace with the vast beauty of your God-given longings, thirsts, and desires, I highly recommend this book. And if you want to better understand and truly experience the wild love of God for you, don’t hesitate to read this. Strahan is one of the most trustworthy voices and authors I’ve read from. I would highly recommend anything he’s written because he’s suffered deeply and offers beautiful fruits of deep wisdom born out of immense pain— his words are a truly treasure, like gold that’s been refined through fire. Don’t hesitate to read Thirsting!
November 6, 2024
Thirsting is a very special book to me. It came at just the right time in my life, when I was feeling fatigued by a growing emphasis on spiritual disciplines in my church community. Though the classic Christian practices are essential to a strong faith, I felt frustrated that they weren't leading me into deeper communion with God.
Strahan put words to my longing to know God's love, not just an intellectual understanding of it but an emotional and physical experience. Thirsting touches on the deep, soul-level aches that we all have and gently encourages us to lean into them as a doorway into closer connection to God. Strahan's simple yet powerful poetic writing style is so comforting and uplifting. It's the perfect tone for such a tender topic.
I found myself often pausing while reading Thirsting, digesting the words like a rich meal. Each chapter posed its own invitation to reflect on my desires and welcome God into them. This led to several sweet moments with Jesus throughout the book. If you're struggling to feel close to God and seeking a more intimate and loving relationship with him, I highly recommend Thirsting.
Strahan put words to my longing to know God's love, not just an intellectual understanding of it but an emotional and physical experience. Thirsting touches on the deep, soul-level aches that we all have and gently encourages us to lean into them as a doorway into closer connection to God. Strahan's simple yet powerful poetic writing style is so comforting and uplifting. It's the perfect tone for such a tender topic.
I found myself often pausing while reading Thirsting, digesting the words like a rich meal. Each chapter posed its own invitation to reflect on my desires and welcome God into them. This led to several sweet moments with Jesus throughout the book. If you're struggling to feel close to God and seeking a more intimate and loving relationship with him, I highly recommend Thirsting.
September 10, 2024
Do you dare to open you heart to Jesus, to the Trinity and to the possibility of true love?
At the end of the authors note, Strahan warns the reader that "if you're not ready for love, continue at your own risk." At the start of the book I thought I was ready, half way through I was not as confident. This book is very giving, very real, and maybe, too much for some to handle.
However, if you are willing to face some of your dark rooms in your soul, willing to let God's light shine truth into your heart, and are open to wrestling with some core beliefs, than this is a must read.
In this book Strahan articulates the struggles that many people face in their faith journey. He manages to put down on paper what many are feeling and perhaps have never been able to vocalize. This book will minister to you, and God will use it to find you where you are at and bring you closer to His light, His community and His love.
Tip: Put two more in the cart - you will be wanting to share this journey with others.
At the end of the authors note, Strahan warns the reader that "if you're not ready for love, continue at your own risk." At the start of the book I thought I was ready, half way through I was not as confident. This book is very giving, very real, and maybe, too much for some to handle.
However, if you are willing to face some of your dark rooms in your soul, willing to let God's light shine truth into your heart, and are open to wrestling with some core beliefs, than this is a must read.
In this book Strahan articulates the struggles that many people face in their faith journey. He manages to put down on paper what many are feeling and perhaps have never been able to vocalize. This book will minister to you, and God will use it to find you where you are at and bring you closer to His light, His community and His love.
Tip: Put two more in the cart - you will be wanting to share this journey with others.
September 30, 2024
Just like Strahan's book, Beholding, Thirsting takes you on a journey of deepening your relationship with God. No hiding, no masks, just an authentic and honest exploration into the way God thirsts for us while we too thirst for Him, bringing every part of our lives into His loving gaze.
This book reads you as you read it. Not a book that you read cover to cover and put down. It is best read slowly and digested in silence and solitude as you allow God to completely satisfy your thirst.
It feels as though Strahan is speaking to you as he opens his heart and lets us into his experience with pain that leads him into the most precious and intimate relationship with God. Such an encouragement and a challenge to be vulnerable before our Heavenly Father.
"Why not now, this moment, take a deep breath and open up your places of shame to God.
Come out of hiding, allow His loving eyes to see you.
Reveal your whole self, experience His love.
And never turn away again." excerpt from the book, Pg 192.
This book reads you as you read it. Not a book that you read cover to cover and put down. It is best read slowly and digested in silence and solitude as you allow God to completely satisfy your thirst.
It feels as though Strahan is speaking to you as he opens his heart and lets us into his experience with pain that leads him into the most precious and intimate relationship with God. Such an encouragement and a challenge to be vulnerable before our Heavenly Father.
"Why not now, this moment, take a deep breath and open up your places of shame to God.
Come out of hiding, allow His loving eyes to see you.
Reveal your whole self, experience His love.
And never turn away again." excerpt from the book, Pg 192.
September 23, 2024
Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul’s Deepest Desire
I’ve just finished reading this book, I didn’t want it to end… in fact I read it all the way through to the endnotes, scanning for any hidden pockets to continue the deep companionship I felt within the pages. Strahan has not only crafted language for what has been constant yet evasive to articulate, our thirsting, he has curated space within the process of reading for the reader to engage in a deeper narrative, there own internal narrative.
I can’t recommended this book highly enough, its unassuming transparency quickly transform its pages from being one persons generous testimony into a visceral invitation into seeing and honoring your own thirst as a gift.
I’ve just finished reading this book, I didn’t want it to end… in fact I read it all the way through to the endnotes, scanning for any hidden pockets to continue the deep companionship I felt within the pages. Strahan has not only crafted language for what has been constant yet evasive to articulate, our thirsting, he has curated space within the process of reading for the reader to engage in a deeper narrative, there own internal narrative.
I can’t recommended this book highly enough, its unassuming transparency quickly transform its pages from being one persons generous testimony into a visceral invitation into seeing and honoring your own thirst as a gift.
September 26, 2024
A solid follow-up to his first release, Strahan sets out to write, inform, and help us all experience the life of the Spirit as we experience our thirst for God and recognizing that such an ache exists because God first thirsts for us.
While feeling a bit repetitive in the first half of the book, I felt the repetition paid off in the latter half where Strahan really brings the point if it all home.
Drawing from his personal experience in life, engaging with wisdom from those who have gone before us, and looking at the intermingling life that is God the Trinity, Strahan offers a beautiful resource to bring us to the source of longing and bring clarity to the ache we have to know and be known in the ache of our Deep Ocean.
An absolutely beautiful addition to what will hopefully be a growing library of written works from the heart and mind of Strahan for a generation that needs this kind of voice.
While feeling a bit repetitive in the first half of the book, I felt the repetition paid off in the latter half where Strahan really brings the point if it all home.
Drawing from his personal experience in life, engaging with wisdom from those who have gone before us, and looking at the intermingling life that is God the Trinity, Strahan offers a beautiful resource to bring us to the source of longing and bring clarity to the ache we have to know and be known in the ache of our Deep Ocean.
An absolutely beautiful addition to what will hopefully be a growing library of written works from the heart and mind of Strahan for a generation that needs this kind of voice.
October 2, 2024
Strahan Coleman has continually offered language to the longings and movements of God in my heart, and Thirsting is no exception. Thirsting puts words to our human aching, our deep desire, our pain, and the Loving God whose presence we find there, inviting us to say “yes” to His invitation to go deeper with Him.
I felt so seen, known, cared for, and encouraged by the words of this book. Strahan shares deep truth, so clearly embodied first in his own journey, as if he’s sitting with you over a warm cup of coffee in his home. His humility makes this read all the more moving.
The most beautiful part of this book, however, is the hope that Strahan’s words have rebuilt within my heart—hope that I’m safe to trust God with my deepest longings, hope that His presence is truly in my thirsting and desire, and hope that there are others experiencing the pain and longing that comes from moving more deeply into communion with God.
What a gift this book is to our generation. An invitation to explore our deepest longings with the One who longs for us. Thank you, Strahan, for sharing your communion with God with us in the pages of this book. Words cannot contain the gratitude.
I felt so seen, known, cared for, and encouraged by the words of this book. Strahan shares deep truth, so clearly embodied first in his own journey, as if he’s sitting with you over a warm cup of coffee in his home. His humility makes this read all the more moving.
The most beautiful part of this book, however, is the hope that Strahan’s words have rebuilt within my heart—hope that I’m safe to trust God with my deepest longings, hope that His presence is truly in my thirsting and desire, and hope that there are others experiencing the pain and longing that comes from moving more deeply into communion with God.
What a gift this book is to our generation. An invitation to explore our deepest longings with the One who longs for us. Thank you, Strahan, for sharing your communion with God with us in the pages of this book. Words cannot contain the gratitude.
September 30, 2024
As a believer who has fallen prey to the exhausting habit of striving, Strahan's writing has served as a tender balm for insecurities and wounds, and an invitation to true, wholehearted communion with God - the kind that is utterly familiar with His scandalous pursuit of us.
The Holy Spirit has stirred my heart and challenged my thinking as l've read through Thirsting, and my fickle, fragile heart is all the better for it. This book has spoken to the deepest, untraversed parts of me and has highlighted again and again with great compassion, gentleness and humility, that our souls are in desperate need for the only One who can satisfy.
Communicating a message that is both pastoral and theologically rich, Strahan provides a response to the aches of our age with a voice that is seasoned, steadfast and potent.
The Holy Spirit has stirred my heart and challenged my thinking as l've read through Thirsting, and my fickle, fragile heart is all the better for it. This book has spoken to the deepest, untraversed parts of me and has highlighted again and again with great compassion, gentleness and humility, that our souls are in desperate need for the only One who can satisfy.
Communicating a message that is both pastoral and theologically rich, Strahan provides a response to the aches of our age with a voice that is seasoned, steadfast and potent.
December 23, 2024
If you're seeking greater intimacy with God, may I encourage you to read this book. But it's a book that deserves to be read slowly, or as another reviewer suggests to be sipped. There is such goodness and beauty to be found.
Strahan Coleman is a modern day mystic. Ever since his early 20s he's been seeking to go deeper in his relationship with God. 'Thirsting' charts his journey and the gradual revelation of discovering that one's thirst for more of God is 'the very presence of God, calling me deeper into Him.'
This book is as much about God's thirst for us as it is about one man's thirst for God. That in itself, God's thirsting for us, came as a revelation to me on reading this book.
It's a tremendous read and one I expect I'll both return to many times and also give copies to my friend San family.
Strahan Coleman is a modern day mystic. Ever since his early 20s he's been seeking to go deeper in his relationship with God. 'Thirsting' charts his journey and the gradual revelation of discovering that one's thirst for more of God is 'the very presence of God, calling me deeper into Him.'
This book is as much about God's thirst for us as it is about one man's thirst for God. That in itself, God's thirsting for us, came as a revelation to me on reading this book.
It's a tremendous read and one I expect I'll both return to many times and also give copies to my friend San family.
October 17, 2024
This book is often all over the place and I think that’s the most beautiful part. It touches our deepest longings for God from every angle and facet and beckons you come and drink. Let your unsatisfied yearning for God be a sign of His presence not His absence.
This line especially gripped me…
“Because vines, branches, and gardens don’t operate on productivity. They live by the rule of fruitfulness. They’re not in control, they’re at the mercy of the sun, moon, and wind. Vines don’t produce fruit all year round at a steady pace, they’re pruned and shaped. Death and waiting are a natural part of their fruiting year on year…its fruitfulness, not productivity, that is the primary criterion of love and spiritual growth in the New Testament.
This line especially gripped me…
“Because vines, branches, and gardens don’t operate on productivity. They live by the rule of fruitfulness. They’re not in control, they’re at the mercy of the sun, moon, and wind. Vines don’t produce fruit all year round at a steady pace, they’re pruned and shaped. Death and waiting are a natural part of their fruiting year on year…its fruitfulness, not productivity, that is the primary criterion of love and spiritual growth in the New Testament.
October 20, 2024
“One of the great fallacies of some church teaching has been to deny or suppress the beauty of our thirst rather than celebrate it as part of our essential spiritual life. In the vacuum of having no positive theology for desire, we make it our enemy, trying to pretend it away.”.
This was an amazing read. The poetic way that Strahan communities deep theological truths felt very refreshing. A lot of his ideas were somewhat new to me, and it's definitely shaped my prayer life the past couple weeks as I've been reading and applying. From what I can tell he's a relatively new author, but not new to the contemplative spirituality that many are starting to promote. I'm excited to see how his writing develops over time.
This was an amazing read. The poetic way that Strahan communities deep theological truths felt very refreshing. A lot of his ideas were somewhat new to me, and it's definitely shaped my prayer life the past couple weeks as I've been reading and applying. From what I can tell he's a relatively new author, but not new to the contemplative spirituality that many are starting to promote. I'm excited to see how his writing develops over time.
October 2, 2024
If you are looking for a book that will penetrate your heart, unlock it and prime it to receive and experience the truth, freedom and love we all yearn for, then this is it. Strahan is like a modern day Nouwen - able to express rich and profound truths into simple language and practices that stir the heart and exposes the reader to Reality itself. In this book I am reminded that I am the beloved and God is my Beloved. In that mutual experience of being the beloved/Beloved, my/His thirst is satiated. This book is a must read for anyone wanting to take Jesus’ invitation seriously: 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'"
October 2, 2024
As with anything Strahan Coleman writes, this book is raw and real and doesn't just give you the same Christian cliches that many other books do. Strahan outlines is own struggles and vulnerabilities on his way to cultivating a deeper thirst for the Lord, and recognizes the roadblocks that common life struggles put in the way of that. As someone who is in a current state of numbness in their relationship with the Lord, I felt I was able to connect with what Strahan has experienced, and was given hope in rekindling the thirst for the Lord I so deeply desire. Don't hesitate to pick this up no matter where you are in your walk with Christ.
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