Dear Friends,
In July, I was privileged to attend a seminar, Gratitude in Worship and Preaching, at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Co-leading the seminar was Cornelius Plantinga, author of one of the primary texts for the seminar, Gratitude: Why Giving Thanks Is the Key to Our Well-Being.
Gratitude, according to Plantiga, is an essential ingredient of the Christian life. Specifically, he writes: “Gratitude is the Christian’s natural response to God. God has created and redeemed us and is now sanctifying us through the work of the Holy Spirit. In response, we are grateful. We are grateful for an abundance of gifts – for family members and work and good friends and the beauty of nature to humble and inspire us. Even when life is troubled, there is almost always something inside the trouble we can be grateful for.”
I have found Plantinga’s book to be so practical and helpful that I would like to share it with you! Therefore, I am planning a five-week study of Gratitude during the months of September and October. As we have done in the past, we will hold book discussions twice each week in order to accommodate various schedules. We will meet in the Minnema Room (lower level) Wednesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Choose the time which best suits your schedule.
Books may be ordered wherever you buy your books or at Gratitude:
Why Giving Thanks Is the Key to Our Well-Being: Cornelius Plantinga: 9781587436222 - Christianbook.com
Here is the schedule:
September 18 - What Is Gratitude? / How Do We Get Gratitude?
September 25 - What Blocks My Gratitude? / What Happens to Me If I Am Ungrateful?
October 2 - Biblical Themes / Thank God! Why?
October 9 - It Could Always Be Worse / Savoring and Celebrating
October 16 - Taking Care / A Cornucopia of Gifts
Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can prepare the right number of handouts. And one more thing: Friends are welcome!
Grace and peace,
Bruce
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