In an Age of “Spirituality,” Pastor Danny’s New Book Explores the God Who Draws Near
In A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Presence of God, Daniel R. Hyde traces one of Scripture’s most beautiful themes — from Eden to the New Creation — in a concise guide for everyday Christians.
Christian Focus Publications has released Pastor Danny’s latest book: A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Presence of God (160 pages; paperback and ebook).
In a generation desperate for spiritual experience—manifesting, tarot, "witchcore," mysticism, even manufactured experience within the church—the Bible's actual teaching on God's presence goes untaught. Many believers sadly think they have to "feel God's presence" through fleeting feeling or elusive mystical experience. When they don’t, they “deconstruct” because God "feels absent.”
The antidote is what the story of Scripture lays out: the Triune God personally and covenantally draws near to His people—and always has. The whole storyline of Scripture from Eden, tabernacle, temple, Immanuel, Spirit, New Creation is God dwelling with His people. And we ca experience His nearness in his Word, sacraments, prayer, worship, and Christian love.
Written for personal devotion, small groups, and any reader longing to know the comfort of God’s nearness. Readers of this brief, accessible guide will:
Trace the storyline of Scripture through the lens of God’s presence, from creation to consummation.
See how God pursues His people even in seasons of rebellion, wilderness, and exile.
Discover Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God’s nearness.
Understand the Holy Spirit’s work in making God’s presence a daily reality.
Be encouraged in worship, prayer, and perseverance, knowing God goes with them wherever they go.
“God’s presence is not something we have to conjure up or chase after,” Hyde says. “From the first pages of Genesis to the last pages of Revelation, the story of the Bible is the story of a God who delights to dwell with His people. My hope is that this little book helps ordinary Christians see that glorious reality—and live in the joy of it.”
The book has drawn early praise from church leaders. Mike Neglia, lead pastor of Calvary Cork in Ireland and host of The Expositor’s Collective, commends it for showing that God’s nearness is a gift of grace enjoyed in Christ rather than an experience believers must manufacture. Jonathan Black, principal of the Apostolic Church Theology School in the UK, calls it a “brief, but wonderfully biblical book” demonstrating that when Scripture speaks of God’s presence, it is speaking of God Himself.
About Pastor Danny
Daniel R. Hyde (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) has been the founding pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church in Carlsbad/Oceanside, California, since 2000. He teaches at seminaries and conferences across the world and is the author of numerous books. He writes at www.danielrhyde.com.
Availability
A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Presence of God (ISBN 978-1-5271-1425-8) is available now in paperback and ebook from Christian Focus Publications, Amazon, and wherever Christian books are sold.
Review copies, interviews, and speaking inquiries: Members of the media may request a review copy, schedule an interview, and inquire about speaking with the author by contacting Daniel R. Hyde at pastor@oceansideurc.org or via www.danielrhyde.com/contact.