It's a new year. What do you choose?
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Title: Choosing Gratitude
Author: Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Release Date: April 11, 2011
ABOUT THE BOOK
Gratitude is a choice. If we fail to chose it, by default we choose ingratitude.
And once allowed into the heart, ingratitude does not come by itself, but with
other seedy companions that only succeed in stealing joy.
Derived from a popular Revive Our
Hearts radio series, Choosing
Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy challenges and equips the
reader to live a life of intention, a life based on thankfulness for the
freedom Christ has provided and for the blessings of others.
By intentionally thanking God and
others, bitterness and entitlement are replaced with joy and the humble
realization of just how undeserving we really are.
To not choose gratitude is more
costly than we usually realize. When we do choose a lifestyle of heartfelt,
humble gratitude, we are mindful of the benefits received from our gracious
Savior and those He has placed around us, and our joy becomes full.
Includes a bonus 30-day plan of journaling, prayer, and activities to help the reader on her path to joy.
Includes a bonus 30-day plan of journaling, prayer, and activities to help the reader on her path to joy.
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MY THOUGHTS
What is "gratitude"? According to the Oxford Dictionary, gratitude is "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness." How are you in the area of gratitude? I'll let you think about it. For me, I am forever grateful to and for many people and things, and especially to God. How do I show it? I know I'll say the occasional "thank you", but is that all? Is that the only thing we can do? Do we truly understand what gratitude is?
Ms. DeMoss states in Choosing Gratitude, "True gratitude is not an incidental ingredient. Nor is it a standalone product, something that never actually intersects with life...No, gratitude has a big job to do in us and in our hearts. And it is one of the chief ways that God infuses joy and resilience into the daily struggle of life." (23)
With testimonies and perspectives from others, and especially with those that seem in tough struggles, Choosing Gratitude shared with us what gratitude really is, and how it can change one's life, allowing "an abundance" of "grace to flow in". A wonderful reminder that acts of kindness, are not to be taken advantage of. It is only with a humble and grateful heart can we truly see the grace that our Lord have given us, freely. Ms. DeMoss not only gave us a book to read, but an attitude adjustment. It is with reading this book, that I'm choosing gratitude in my life as my new year resolution. I want to find the good and God's role in everything, and I pray that I won't lose site of Him. In this process, a grateful heart to all those that encouraged, prayed for and loved me.
Choosing Gratitude is one of those books that you will choose, and with it, find joy in searching and seeking Him. As Ms. DeMoss said, "Anything that makes me need God is a blessing." (139)
Ms. DeMoss states in Choosing Gratitude, "True gratitude is not an incidental ingredient. Nor is it a standalone product, something that never actually intersects with life...No, gratitude has a big job to do in us and in our hearts. And it is one of the chief ways that God infuses joy and resilience into the daily struggle of life." (23)
With testimonies and perspectives from others, and especially with those that seem in tough struggles, Choosing Gratitude shared with us what gratitude really is, and how it can change one's life, allowing "an abundance" of "grace to flow in". A wonderful reminder that acts of kindness, are not to be taken advantage of. It is only with a humble and grateful heart can we truly see the grace that our Lord have given us, freely. Ms. DeMoss not only gave us a book to read, but an attitude adjustment. It is with reading this book, that I'm choosing gratitude in my life as my new year resolution. I want to find the good and God's role in everything, and I pray that I won't lose site of Him. In this process, a grateful heart to all those that encouraged, prayed for and loved me.
Choosing Gratitude is one of those books that you will choose, and with it, find joy in searching and seeking Him. As Ms. DeMoss said, "Anything that makes me need God is a blessing." (139)
QUOTABLE QUOTES
"To 'recognize' what we receive each day, the eyes of our heart must be open and alert. This means constantly being on the lookout for blessings, making each day a treasure hunt....To 'express appreciation' means being intentional about thanking God and others for the blessings that come our way...Gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day and look back on the day. " (169)To end, I want to say the 30-day devotional at the end of the book is one not to miss. The book itself will instill a sense of gratitude in you, but the devotional is the stepping stone in how to act out and express gratitude.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
TO PURCHASE A COPY
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nancy Leigh DeMoss is the host and teacher for
Revive Our Hearts¿a radio program for women heard daily on over 700 radio
outlets, reaching over 1 million listeners nationwide. Since 1980, she has
served on the staff of Life Action Ministries, a revival ministry based in
Buchanan, Michigan. Nancy has an exceptional gift for communicating biblical
truth and has shared her burden for personal and corporate revival in
conferences and retreats for over thirty years. Some of her books include The
Wonder of His Name, The Quiet Place, Seeking Him, Choosing Forgiveness,
Choosing Gratitude, A Place of Quiet Rest, Lies Women Believe, Lies Young Women
Believe, A Thirty-Day Walk with God in the Psalms, Brokenness, Holiness, and
Surrender.
"Great minds think alike", as the quote goes - Annie, lol. The word Gratitude is my "One" word for 2016. During my bout with serious illnesses the last few years I have become even more aware of my many blessings - both large and small. However, I wanted to become yet more mindful by making "Gratitude" my "One" word - I purchased a simple sterling silver ring with the word "Gratitude" attached to it, an additional reminder. Thanks for your wonderful post!! Shared post!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie. You're always anice encouragement to me. Thank you. Gratitude is so simple when we say our "thank yous," but it's much more than that. I pray that we and people in general will understand and express gratitude in our/their lives and be open to see His grace flow abundantly.
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