Radical Gratitude: Discovering Joy through Everyday Thankfulness

by Ellen Vaughn, Chuck Colson (Foreword)

'No one tells a story better than Ellen Vaughn' ---Chuck Colson Why read a nice book about gratitude? After all, being thankful is not controversial. Everyone agrees that gratitude is a good thing. Nor is it rocket science. It is simple. But radical gratitude is also powerful, provocative, life-changing. It's like a pair of glasses that get progressively the more we thank, the more we see to be thankful for. Gratitude is the lens that reveals God's incredible grace at work. It is the key to tangible, everyday joy. True to Ellen Vaughn's signature style, this book overflows with unforgettable, surprising stories that show gratitude's transforming power. It is fun, slightly quirky, deep . . . and immensely refreshing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Ellen Vaughn is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who has written or co-written 23 books. Former vice president of executive communications at Prison Fellowship, she collaborated with the late Chuck Colson on a number of his seminal works. She speaks at conferences, often travels to interview Christ-followers in hostile parts of the world, and serves on the board of directors for ICM, the global church developer. With degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Richmond, Ellen lives in northern Virginia with husband Lee, a regional pastor for McLean Bible Church, a daughter and two grandchildren, and one clueless dog. She enjoys reading, hiking, drinking coffee, and staring pensively at the ocean.

Reviews

[Janna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book is excellent - extreme thankfulness for all we have in Christ. I enjoyed the storytelling style, especially considering they were mostly true stories!

But I couldn't shake the unease of being told to be thankful OR ELSE. While the author brushed up against the immense grace and love of God, her description of our motivation for gratitude was obedience. We've received so much from Him, we better obey His commands and be thankful in all things.

I was hoping to catch a bigger whiff of the fresh air of freedom and the overwhelming awe that comes from being captivated by grace and automatically welling up in gratitude. This gratitude can't help but grow and grow the longer we soak in the vastness of who God is us and what He's done on our behalf.

But alas . . .

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came very highly recommended to me, and didn't live up to my expectations of it. Funny how some books are exactly right for one person and just okay for others.
The author tells many stories, which I enjoyed and felt they really helped drive home the points the author was trying to make. But at the end of each story I found myself a little bored going back to point.
I appreciate and agree with the explicitly gospel centered motive for gratitude explained in the book.
I guess I have nothing negative to say about the book, it just didn't wow me.

[KRISTIN · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author shares horrific things that have happened to people , but they made a choice to be thankful in the long run. Great examples of not letting our situations dictate us. Ultimately, we have a choice to look to God and be thankful.

[Sheila Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich in examples and insights. Some examples of how people endured extreme suffering.

[Danette · Rating 2 out of 5]

i listened to the audio.

2021 A book published by Zondervan

[Jo Skeffington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had high hopes with the title but for me both the style and content fell far short. Not a keeper book and wouldn’t recommend it either.

[Tim Wester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thoughts

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Go2therock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book full of personal illustrations drawn from the life of both the author, the lives of those she's met, and the scriptures. You will be encouraged and drawn towards focusing upon the One from whose hand all things come.

I love reading books which help me to focus on living a life of simplicity, contentment, and gratitude. This one is on the shelf now.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty repetative, but good message.

[Faith]

Didn't read enough to say anything.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to start all over at the beginning and reread it all over again.

[Laurie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't get past the first few chapters. Gratitude is great but I wasn't ready for the religious bent in this one.