The weight of glory is a happy burden. Thus God is the happiest Being in the Universe. To know Him in His pleasures is to see Him as He is- and to have a fresh encounter with His transforming presence. If you are hungry for this deep delight, consider the gladness of His great heart. The things that make God glad are the measures of His greatness. Christ and the cross. Choosing His people and bruising His Son. Creating the world and revealing His worth. The gladness of His people in the greatness of His glory. // John Piper has been the senior pastor to Bethlehem Baptist Church in Menneapolis, Minnesota, since 1980. He holds degrees from Wheaton College, Fuller SEMInary, and the University of Munich (Dr. theol.). A respected theologian and author, Dr. Piper has authored many books including the best seller, Desiring God. He and his wife Noël have four sons and one daughter.
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"I read this book while I was in college, searching for the reality of God. It changed my walk. It showed me that God loves me passionately. To not do so would be for Him to be unfaithful to Himself. The mediations of this book made me leave behind trying to please God who was always upset and knit picking, but to see that He loved me out of His own great pleasure."
— Maki (5 out of 5 stars)
" a book that is the zenith of all books of John Piper.... "
— Nitoy, 2/8/2014" This is on my read over and over list. "
— Karl, 2/3/2014" top three favs among Pipers works. "
— Stephen, 1/27/2014" First Piper book I ever read. Piper's God-centeredness has made a huge impact on my life. "
— Towens23, 1/26/2014" One of the most influential books in my life. "
— BJ, 1/24/2014" This was a great book despite Piper's tendency to be a bit dry and long-winded. "
— Rachel, 1/21/2014" Incredibly 'challenging' book. In the best way. Revolutionised many of my views. Blew my mind a number of times. Many times I would turn to my wife and say "you have to hear this!" I can't recommend it highly enough; read it and God's greatness will expand in your mind. "
— Lindsay, 1/16/2014" The character of God - a beautiful topic and a masterful work. "
— Nathan, 1/14/2014" I stopped every few pages every to absorb the richness of text and truth. The perfect book to get your eyes off of yourself and onto God! "
— Robin, 12/31/2013" I generally like his teachings and I thought this book pretty much was along the lines of what he preaches. "
— Annie, 12/27/2013" A paradigm shaping and mind-blowing book. Amazing!! The best of Piper. I will read this again and again. "
— Wes, 12/18/2013" As with all of Pipers book I found it challenging and encouraging. "
— Tim, 12/17/2013" God has given us our pleasure so is our pleasure for Him? "
— Jared, 12/10/2013" One of the most important books in my life! "
— Dr., 12/6/2013" If you were only allowed one single book other than the Bible, it should be this one (especially since Jonathan Edwards' complete works are in two volumes!) "
— Al, 9/22/2013" This book opened my eyes to a completely new view of our creator. "
— Andy, 1/28/2013" Also read 4/20/98 "
— Brian, 12/19/2012" After hearing Piper talk for the fist time, I bought everything I could get my hands on. This was the first one I read and was great. Not a fluffy Christian book, but deep, meaningful that makes you think. "
— Melissa, 12/12/2012" Simply put, this is the most important book I have ever read outside of the Bible. It is massively changing, worldview shaping, heart molding, mind forming, eye opening stuff. "
— Bryan, 9/4/2012" Sort of a halfway step between Desiring God and God is the Gospel. The whole book focuses on the things that please God, and half or more of the book focuses on God's pleasures in himself. "
— Josh, 1/1/2012" Amazing book :) I love it! "
— Greta, 9/19/2011" Perhaps the best book from my favorite Christian author. In an age of man-centered theology, Piper mines the rich biblical teachings on the God-centeredness of God. Understanding God's delight in being God is the key to understanding our part in God's plan. "
— John, 7/27/2011" Mind blowing... "
— Paul, 7/9/2011" This is probably my favorite book on God and Christian identity. Piper's commitment to clear writing, saturated with Scripture, makes for a book that is both theologically deep and personal. "
— Anna, 5/25/2011" Sort of a halfway step between Desiring God and God is the Gospel. The whole book focuses on the things that please God, and half or more of the book focuses on God's pleasures in himself. "
— Josh, 3/29/2011" Incredibly 'challenging' book. In the best way. Revolutionised many of my views. Blew my mind a number of times. Many times I would turn to my wife and say "you have to hear this!" I can't recommend it highly enough; read it and God's greatness will expand in your mind. "
— Lindsay, 12/28/2010" Fantastic stuff - this book will anyone love God more, and know him better. The best Piper book I have read. "
— Simon, 10/20/2010" One of my all-time favorites. This book was the slam dunk that God's Word teaches, what have come to be known as, the "Doctrines of Grace." "
— Dan, 7/20/2010" Amazing overview of what makes God happy and what gives Him pleasure - it opens one's eyes to the very possibility and reality that God is happy. That's priceless and gives you an understanding of who God is on a much deeper level. "
— Michael, 1/18/2010" super deep/philosphical. such a worthy read to enhance your understanding of who God is. "
— Kmeirik, 11/3/2009" A paradigm shaping and mind-blowing book. Amazing!! The best of Piper. I will read this again and again. "
— Wes, 8/19/2009" This is on my read over and over list. "
— Karl, 7/4/2009" Worth reading and discussing with others. "
— Michael, 2/24/2009John Piper (DTheol, University of Munich) is the founder and teacher of DesiringGod.org and the chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary. He served for thirty-three years as the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the author of more than fifty books, including Desiring God, Don’t Waste Your Life, This Momentary Marriage, A Peculiar Glory, and Reading the Bible Supernaturally.
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.