One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (review and GIVEAWAY x2)
I read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp sometime last year. I talk about it all.the.time. I mention it in Bible study - a lot. It's just a wonderful book that teaches us to look past the mundane in the everyday into the blessings of the everyday.
The book is full of beautiful thoughts that convict me to dig deeper into the Word, deeper into relationship/fellowship with God. "Without God's Word as a lens, the world warps." So true; when we look around, this world is full of lies that are seemingly true until we look through His eyes."I can say it certain now: All is grace. I see through the woods of the world: God is always good and I am always loved. God is always good and I am always loved. Everything is eucharisteo. Because eucharisteo is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things - take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness." Amen! God is always good and I am always loved - even on days when I feel lonely and horribly unloved. Always loved (good to hear that).
"Feel thanks and it's absolutely impossible to feel angry. We can only experience one emotion at a time. And we get to choose - which emotion do we want to feel?" Whoa! I've been talking about this (in simpler terms) with my children. Even in VBS we're talking about choosing which kingdom we want to be part of (God's or Satan's - good or bad). We get to choose so much. To obey or disobey. To give thanks, to pout. This review is a good reminder for me to re-read this book (which is huge for me; I just don't re-read things) to remember those beautiful words and to search His Word for beauty when I'm having trouble finding any.
My own 1,000 gift list is numbered at 699 as we speak (although I did start over after reaching 564...can't remember why). It draws me closer to the Lord when I remember the eucharist. To be thankful for small blessings, and big blessings. And the biggest blessing of all as the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life to pay the debt for my sins.
We give thanks.
695. no condemnation
696. early to bed
7-8-13 3 gifts in water
697. Moose swimming - for real
698. Squirt putting his face in the water
699. water-melon :)
The Lord doesn't need beautiful words (although Voskamp's words are so beautifully put together it can be intimidating to make your own list) or lengthy prayers but heartfelt ones. He doesn't want our sacrifices or hard work, but our hearts. Voskamp does this beautifully but with so much heart. You can feel her yearning to lean into the Lord and wanting us to follow along.
I also got the opportunity to listen to and meet Voskamp at the Women of Faith Conference I volunteered for. It was such a blessing to listen to her speak in her red boots. She even signed my book (and how many others, of course)! She was really polite and sweet the few moments I got to speak with her.
GIVEAWAY
I have the opportunity to give away 2 copies of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp! Exciting!
To be able to enter (mandatory entry), please leave me a comment telling me one thing you're thankful for.
Extra entries (one entry per comment):
Follow the S Club 4
Like S Club 4 on Facebook
Join Voskamp's The Joy Dare
This giveaway will stay open until Monday, July 22nd at 11:59pm (CST). I will post the winner and contact them on July 23rd. This giveaway is void where prohibited.
Disclaimer: I received this book in order to write an honest review. All opinions are my own. Others may or may not agree with them.
The book is full of beautiful thoughts that convict me to dig deeper into the Word, deeper into relationship/fellowship with God. "Without God's Word as a lens, the world warps." So true; when we look around, this world is full of lies that are seemingly true until we look through His eyes."I can say it certain now: All is grace. I see through the woods of the world: God is always good and I am always loved. God is always good and I am always loved. Everything is eucharisteo. Because eucharisteo is how Jesus, at the Last Supper, showed us to transfigure all things - take the pain that is given, give thanks for it, and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness." Amen! God is always good and I am always loved - even on days when I feel lonely and horribly unloved. Always loved (good to hear that).
"Feel thanks and it's absolutely impossible to feel angry. We can only experience one emotion at a time. And we get to choose - which emotion do we want to feel?" Whoa! I've been talking about this (in simpler terms) with my children. Even in VBS we're talking about choosing which kingdom we want to be part of (God's or Satan's - good or bad). We get to choose so much. To obey or disobey. To give thanks, to pout. This review is a good reminder for me to re-read this book (which is huge for me; I just don't re-read things) to remember those beautiful words and to search His Word for beauty when I'm having trouble finding any.
My own 1,000 gift list is numbered at 699 as we speak (although I did start over after reaching 564...can't remember why). It draws me closer to the Lord when I remember the eucharist. To be thankful for small blessings, and big blessings. And the biggest blessing of all as the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life to pay the debt for my sins.
We give thanks.
695. no condemnation
696. early to bed
7-8-13 3 gifts in water
697. Moose swimming - for real
698. Squirt putting his face in the water
699. water-melon :)
The Lord doesn't need beautiful words (although Voskamp's words are so beautifully put together it can be intimidating to make your own list) or lengthy prayers but heartfelt ones. He doesn't want our sacrifices or hard work, but our hearts. Voskamp does this beautifully but with so much heart. You can feel her yearning to lean into the Lord and wanting us to follow along.
I also got the opportunity to listen to and meet Voskamp at the Women of Faith Conference I volunteered for. It was such a blessing to listen to her speak in her red boots. She even signed my book (and how many others, of course)! She was really polite and sweet the few moments I got to speak with her.
GIVEAWAY
I have the opportunity to give away 2 copies of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp! Exciting!
To be able to enter (mandatory entry), please leave me a comment telling me one thing you're thankful for.
Extra entries (one entry per comment):
Follow the S Club 4
Like S Club 4 on Facebook
Join Voskamp's The Joy Dare
This giveaway will stay open until Monday, July 22nd at 11:59pm (CST). I will post the winner and contact them on July 23rd. This giveaway is void where prohibited.
Disclaimer: I received this book in order to write an honest review. All opinions are my own. Others may or may not agree with them.
Comments
Julie McGee