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Good Things: Seeing Your Life Through the Lens of God's Favor
Take a fresh look around you with eyes that cut through the daily distortions and see the undeniable and extravagant goodness of God.
There are certain messages today, both outside and inside the church, that have tainted the true message of God’s favor. The reality is God isn’t obligated to provide good things for us—but He wants to! This is your opportunity to adopt a favor-minded mentality and realize that God’s favor, like His grace, is unearned, limitless, and never-ending. And, it’s for us!
In Good Things, Kevin Gerald invites you to become a good finder.
This book will equip you to:
● Discover that the goodness of God exceeds the pain of life’s hardship.
● Know how to keep your mind on God’s favor not your failure.
● Recognize that Grace and Favor are so intertwined you can’t separate them.
● Apply seven favor dynamics that will help you overcome relationship barriers.
● See what you are certain to overlook until your eyes are trained to see it.
It’s time you move forward in confidence, knowing that God is for you. He is always seeking to give you good things, and His favor is forever!
- GenresFaithNonfiction
209 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
51 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 30, 2015
One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Hope is a stubborn, unrelenting determination to not allow the hardships of life to downsize the bigness of God."
The author eloquently puts some of the questions he's wrestled with throughout his life on paper. He takes the reader along with him on a journey of choosing to believe that God is good no matter what and see God's goodness in our lives.
I was introduced to new concepts like Theodicy, the Garden of God's grace, Plus Ultra, etc while also being challenged to see familiar concepts in a fresh way.
Knowing the author personally, I appreciate that he lives out this message in his everyday life. It's not just a book for him, it's a real life application of biblical principles that he puts into practice daily.
I received an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for a review.
The author eloquently puts some of the questions he's wrestled with throughout his life on paper. He takes the reader along with him on a journey of choosing to believe that God is good no matter what and see God's goodness in our lives.
I was introduced to new concepts like Theodicy, the Garden of God's grace, Plus Ultra, etc while also being challenged to see familiar concepts in a fresh way.
Knowing the author personally, I appreciate that he lives out this message in his everyday life. It's not just a book for him, it's a real life application of biblical principles that he puts into practice daily.
I received an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for a review.
September 30, 2015
So often we ask the question, If God is so good, then why do bad things happen? In the middle of the disappointments and tragedies of life, is He really there? This book helps answer these questions and helps us realize that God is good, all the time and He desires Good Things for our life. Good Things shows us how we can find the goodness of God in our everyday lives. It is one of those must read books. Get your spirits lifted and your hope renewed. God is good!
September 15, 2015
Right from the start the author hits his reader with the question, “What do you think God thinks about you?” (10) Combine that with some polarized sunglasses and you are off and running through this book.
This is a short, easy read that surveys seeing your life through the lens of God’s favor, borrowing his subtitle. I say survey since each of his chapters could have been a feature length presentation. Happily, he gives us enough to get the idea and go with it. You could almost say he’s an optometrist of sorts, staying inside his metaphor. He’s out to help his reader see the good things more clearly.
One statement in particular stood out for me. The authors says, “The actual challenge for us is not gaining God’s approval but rather accepting God’s approval.” (13) That’s just the starting point since favor in most of our minds involves approval. Gerald covers pessimism, optimism, Mondays and lots more. However, he does not allow the topic to descend into a matter of mere positive thinking. He’s too real and human for that one and knows we are too. He’s aware that life is tough, bad things happen, and evil exists. The vision correction he’s going for does not avoid the hard stuff and where the good things go in those really bad times.
Lots to mull over in this 200 pages of book. It’s a starter book and one that could probably be read again in a while to look for the good things the reader can now see, and as reminder where to look for more.
I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
This is a short, easy read that surveys seeing your life through the lens of God’s favor, borrowing his subtitle. I say survey since each of his chapters could have been a feature length presentation. Happily, he gives us enough to get the idea and go with it. You could almost say he’s an optometrist of sorts, staying inside his metaphor. He’s out to help his reader see the good things more clearly.
One statement in particular stood out for me. The authors says, “The actual challenge for us is not gaining God’s approval but rather accepting God’s approval.” (13) That’s just the starting point since favor in most of our minds involves approval. Gerald covers pessimism, optimism, Mondays and lots more. However, he does not allow the topic to descend into a matter of mere positive thinking. He’s too real and human for that one and knows we are too. He’s aware that life is tough, bad things happen, and evil exists. The vision correction he’s going for does not avoid the hard stuff and where the good things go in those really bad times.
Lots to mull over in this 200 pages of book. It’s a starter book and one that could probably be read again in a while to look for the good things the reader can now see, and as reminder where to look for more.
I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
January 9, 2016
It's good to see a book about divine favour which focuses more on acknowledging and expressing thanks for what we've already got, rather than giving us tips to stir up more and more. I've read several of the latter sort over the years, and often what they stir up is a feeling of discontent and falling short.
Kevin Gerald begins with the premise that our attitude should be like wearing polarised sunglasses. What we choose to look at comes out in sharpest focus, whether we choose a positive or negative stance. Choosing to focus on the good isn't denying life's ups and downs, but helps us to notice little blessings we might otherwise overlook.
The book points out that so many of us unconsciously live from the premise that we don't have approval and need to earn it. This mindset is backed up by Old Testament stories about God choosing to turn away from his people for whatever reason. Reading them may fuel a common belief that God's favour is performance based, but Gerald discusses how the new era of New Testament grace is completely different. The 'on again, off again' relationship between God and his people is a thing of the past, but it's so easy not to grasp that. That's why we buy into the stress and burn-out of making approval earning our way of living.
Using stories, examples and personal anecdotes, this book is a great reminder that we should live from the premise that we already have approval, then look for signs of that, because we're bound to see them.
Thanks to Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multnomah for giving a review copy through Net Galley.
Kevin Gerald begins with the premise that our attitude should be like wearing polarised sunglasses. What we choose to look at comes out in sharpest focus, whether we choose a positive or negative stance. Choosing to focus on the good isn't denying life's ups and downs, but helps us to notice little blessings we might otherwise overlook.
The book points out that so many of us unconsciously live from the premise that we don't have approval and need to earn it. This mindset is backed up by Old Testament stories about God choosing to turn away from his people for whatever reason. Reading them may fuel a common belief that God's favour is performance based, but Gerald discusses how the new era of New Testament grace is completely different. The 'on again, off again' relationship between God and his people is a thing of the past, but it's so easy not to grasp that. That's why we buy into the stress and burn-out of making approval earning our way of living.
Using stories, examples and personal anecdotes, this book is a great reminder that we should live from the premise that we already have approval, then look for signs of that, because we're bound to see them.
Thanks to Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multnomah for giving a review copy through Net Galley.
October 4, 2015
What some may interpret as redundancy in the book's illustrations, may also proof that one elects to see the bad in things as oppose to the good in things. The author intentionally uses the repetitive approach to help us retrain our mind through Pavlov's famous method of Classical Conditioning. In a similar manner, like when Pavlov trained his dogs to associate salivation when they saw his assistant, Gerald encourages us to salivate God's goodness regardless of what our physical eyes see. If one finds the book redundant, then they have missed the point as this book's mission is to retrain our way of seeing life. I recommend you read no more than one chapter a day so you can really retrain your mind and answer the question posed throughout, Why wait to accomplish the better you when the season in life is better?
Overall, Gerald allows us to find the spiritual glasses to correct our spiritual myopia and realize that God's favor is always surrounding us as our lives ARE continuously falling into place. Expect good things.
Overall, Gerald allows us to find the spiritual glasses to correct our spiritual myopia and realize that God's favor is always surrounding us as our lives ARE continuously falling into place. Expect good things.
October 20, 2015
This book is so good in any season you are going through! Whether you feel like you're having a hard time seeing the good around you, or you just want to see more of Gods favor in your life, this book is for you!
October 20, 2015
This is an amazing book about the goodness of our God. Loved it!
January 20, 2025
This helped so much with my relationship with God and helping to understand how to apply the bible to life. A very easy read for those who are exploring their relationship with God. Kevin Gerald is great!
January 21, 2018
Great reading! Easy to read, easy to remember and very challenging.
February 18, 2016
Understanding God's favor as different than, but not separate from, His mercy was one of the treasures this book held for me!
A tenacious fear of "prosperity gospel" has taught many of us to avoid, downplay, or misinterpret the Bible's teaching regarding God's favor.
I found this book to hold much good Biblical counter-balance.
A tenacious fear of "prosperity gospel" has taught many of us to avoid, downplay, or misinterpret the Bible's teaching regarding God's favor.
I found this book to hold much good Biblical counter-balance.
October 20, 2015
If you have ever questioned Gods goodness....This book will have you seeing things very differently! Kevin Gerald will grab you and tell you the TRUTH about God and the Good Things that can be found in every situation!
October 20, 2015
Love it! Seeing the goodness of God in our daily lives. So important to understand.
August 20, 2017
Good read
I love reading Kevin's books. Always uplifting.. easy to read. Plan to re-read it to keep these awesome principles active in my mind
I love reading Kevin's books. Always uplifting.. easy to read. Plan to re-read it to keep these awesome principles active in my mind
December 17, 2018
Wonderful read
Extremely thought provoking. Very insightful, I’ve marked off a number of paragraphs which will be helpful through life’s many seasons
Extremely thought provoking. Very insightful, I’ve marked off a number of paragraphs which will be helpful through life’s many seasons
December 21, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and very relatable. I didn’t feel preached at or talked over while reading it.
Such a great book to realize God’s favor is never ending.
Such a great book to realize God’s favor is never ending.
October 27, 2015
This book is a must read! The main premise of Good Things reminds us that God's Goodness is not negated because of the storms that come in life. This message seems obvious at face value but in actuality is sometimes one of the hardest concepts for all of us to grasp. Pastor Kevin explains how God’s Goodness is the outworking of His Favor, which is founded in His Grace. Therefore, God’s Favor is not something we work to receive but something that God has given to us through his Grace because of his Goodness.
October 20, 2015
It seems like every time I turn around the character and goodness of God is under attack. I always hear people say things like "If God is good then why is this bad thing happening?" Or "why is that happening..." or "why did this bad thing happen to me?" This book eliminates the "if" and can help to change our culture. We don't need more negative voices, we need more good finders that can find God in the middle of every good thing. Whether you believe in God or not, read this book!!!
October 27, 2015
What an incredibly life changing message. More of God's goodness and His message needs to be shared with everyone! Being a goodfinder is something anyone can do. This book teaches you how in simple steps and makes your life richer and full of joy. You can easily marinate in negativity...anyone can. What Pastor Kevin does is show us all how to see the good and know that God is good in all situations.
January 20, 2017
Incredible book about learning to see the goodness of God and His favor for our lives! "There's something that happens in our hearts and minds when we go from hearing that God is good to actually seeing God's goodness".
October 20, 2015
This book was nothing short of amazing and life changing! I am a better person because of the Good Things book, and I am not able to see things through Gods favor that i might not have otherwise.
October 20, 2015
I can honestly say that this book has changed my life for the better. It challenged the way I see the world and helped me see that despite difficult times I have so much to be thankful for.
October 20, 2015
So excited to get this book in my hands. Kevin Gerald is an excellent communicator and is always so relevant. This is going to be my Christmas gift to all my friends and family!
October 27, 2015
Sometimes its hard to find the good in life... this book helped me realize that there is Good Things all around me. Highly recommend it....
January 27, 2018
amazing book a real and honest perspective on the favor of God
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews