• Desiring God

  • Meditations of A Christian Hedonist
  • By: John Piper
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (949 ratings)

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Desiring God  By  cover art

Desiring God

By: John Piper
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.

In this paradigm-shattering work, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist. Delight is our duty.

Join him as he unveils stunning, life-impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.

©2003 John Piper (P)2008 christianaudio.com

What listeners say about Desiring God

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    5 out of 5 stars

BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ OTHER THAN THE BIBLE!

I've read quite a few theological works by great Christian authors, but in my opinion, they all pale in comparison to this one.

What John Piper does so well is to make it so clear that we are creatures made for worship, and we were created to worship God. It is in this activity alone that we find complete peace and satisfaction. It is not that we have too much desire; it is that we do not have enough desire. It is not that we seek too much satisfaction, but too little. God is the only desire that will fulfill us. Piper compares this truth to C.S. Lewis' infamous analogy of a child playing in the mud because he cannot imagine a holiday at the beach. We attempt to satisfy ourselves with lesser things to our detriment because we don't understand just how full our satisfaction can be when we seek it in God.

Piper does not stop there, however. He goes on to discuss what pursing God means and how to incorporate that pursuit into our daily lives. He tells us that joy is something we have to fight for, and he discusses various tactics for that battle. He makes his presentation very easy to understand. He uses quotations from other well-known Christian authors, such as C.S. Lewis, but he keeps theological rhetoric to a minimum. His style is conversational, and it was translated very well through the narrative talents of Grover Gardner. Gardner did an outstanding job with the narration with a beautiful melodic voice that maintains an upbeat cadence throughout the audiobook.

Let me just say that by applying Piper's view of God as my ultimate goal and desire, decisions have become much easier, bothersome thoughts don't bother me as much, and I am a much happier and more satisfied person.

I know...You're thinking..."Seriously? She read this book and it changed her life that much? This sound suspicously like that self-help nonsense that works for five minutes until life happens." Life has happened and life will happen, and I know that I will continue to see it differently...through the eyes of a God Who wants nothing more from me than my worship, praise, adoration, and love. I'm not suggesting that I will do this perfectly, but, at least, John Piper has shown me what a holiday at the beach with God might look like, and once you've seen an image like that, there's no going back.

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67 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • G2
  • 06-24-14

Best Blueprint for Living Life Honoring Christ

Next to the Holy Bible, this is the best book I have ever read. I reread this book about every year. It helps keep my life's focus on properly on desiring God more than anything this world can offer.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Great Book, Bad narration

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It sounded computer generated. There was little inflection and most of the time it was monotone. I would have preferred it being read by Piper himself. It seemed the narrator did not understand what had been written and therefore was unable to convey the depth of the book adequately. I actually stopped listening and went back to reading the book only.

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16 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Chapter divisions are messed up

This audio version clipping of chapters doesn’t correspond with the printed book. Needs to be fixed

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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God glorifying, soul encouraging

John Piper's classic has been on my list for years, and I only just got to it. Had I read it earlier in life, my life might have been different. Piper's exposition of the Scriptures' focus on the joy of the Lord in our hearts is beautiful, encouraging, and peace-inducing. He show's how God's pleasure is for us to find our pleasure IN HIM. It is not selfish, it's based on the fact that God actually IS the source of life, joy, and peace, and that our happiness and effectiveness are not possible unless resting in Him. But don't take my word for it, dive in for yourself.
This book can be read straight through, or almost as a devotional. It could even be re-read continually for continuous encouragement. I am so glad I finally got to this one. The joy of the Lord will be my strength.


Note: The only complaint I had about this audiobook was the chapters. The Audible chapters do not line up at all with the chapters of the book, so it's hard to know where I am in the book.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Way to ecstatic rapture

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it changes lives for the best, eternal best !

Who was your favorite character and why?

God, He's so good !

Which scene was your favorite?

Psalm 37:4

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No but the songs quoted in it made me cry with joy: Knowing You Jesus, for example.

Any additional comments?

May God's joy be your salvation !

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Good book but hard to listen to the reader

Would you consider the audio edition of Desiring God to be better than the print version?

Have not read the printed version.

Would you recommend Desiring God to your friends? Why or why not?

Not the audio version

Did Grover Gardner do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Grover Gardner is not easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Neither. Its dry material the way it is read.

Any additional comments?

I will not purchase any more books read by Grover Gardner.

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5 people found this helpful

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Changed my perspective!

Loved it! The concept of enjoying God and my walk with Christ was novel to me. Abiding in God should be something that I enjoy, not drudgery. I especially liked the chapter on suffering. I look forward to reading/listening to this book again!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Great, necessary concept. Redundant in some small ways and perhaps repetitive for seasoned Christians

John Piper makes an excellent case for why we are to delight in the Lord and find our pure joy in Christ. This book is needed for anyone who's struggling to love God more closely. I appreciated the many biblical references this book gave as well as its sound theology. Listening to it in a three-week span; it went by quick and I was able to notice that the second half of the book seems to be longer than necessary. In the beginning of the book he's already made the case for why we should pursue our joy in God. The remaining chapters describe how we should apply that to things in our lives such as marriage, money, missions, and prayer. In my opinion after the prayer chapter the points made in the remainder of the book could have been much shorter and much quicker. For where I'm at the remaining parts of the book beyond that were redundant. Nonetheless, this is a needed book for anybody who disciples, counsels, or needs encouragement in their walk with the glorious Lord.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love Piper Love Grover Love God

This book will help you understand God in a much deeper more meaningful way. It made me love God more, opens up my bible to truths that I never saw before. Now I love John piper's stuff, all of it because he explains CS Lewis in simple terms. And who could understand Lewis without help? Lol great work just heard to decipher. Furthermore I wish every book I listen to was narrated by Grover Gardner, he has such a rich voice full of kindness and a great tone. I would pay to have Grover read all of John's books! I think this is a book every Christian needs to listen to at least once.

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