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Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late
A bestseller since 2001, Lord, Change My Attitude Before It's Too Late is classic James bold, practical, and communciated in a way designed to set readers free from the negativity that erodes happiness. This new revision now includes study application questions in each chapter to help readers identify the attitudes of the heart that need change in order for God's abundance to flow. While patterns of thinking won't always change overnight, Pastor MacDonald shows readers how to begin to recognize wrong attitudes and work on replacing them with the right ones.
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2001
174 people are currently reading
1892 people want to read
About the author
James MacDonald
260 books105 followersJames MacDonald (D. Min. Phoenix Seminary) is married to his high school sweetheart, Kathy, and both are from Ontario, Canada. He is the father of three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and grandfather to four amazing grandsons. James’ ministry focuses on the unapologetic proclamation of God’s Word. In 1988, along with a small group of ministry partners, James and Kathy planted Harvest Bible Chapel which has grown to 13,000 people each weekend, meeting in six locations.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
In 1997, a Bible-teaching broadcast ministry called Walk in the Word was established, now reaching more than three million people weekly. In 2002, a church planting ministry called Harvest Bible Fellowship was born and has established more than 70 churches across North America and around the world. James’ vision is that God will use him to help plant 1,000 churches in his lifetime.
James’ extensive ministry also includes a training center for pastors, a year-round camp, a biblical counseling center, a disaster recovery organization, and a Christian school—all used to reach more people with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Now impacting millions of lives annually, God’s favor upon these ministries has been described by James as “abundantly baffling.” The MacDonalds’ view their ministry as proof that God still uses broken vessels to pour out His grace.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 18, 2021
An excellent, Scripture-based set of lessons that show how the wrong attitudes can wreck our lives, and what to do about them!
EDIT: I've known for a while that my attitude needs some work...and this book did the trick!
EDIT: I've known for a while that my attitude needs some work...and this book did the trick!
Read
December 17, 2023Well this is awkward. This book has been sitting on my shelf so long that I hadn't realized the author had become.... everything he warns against in the book? So now I feel weird about rating it. I guess it serves as an intense warning, because while I disliked the overall tone of the book and it's unnecessarily long, I feel like there was good reflection I gained from it. Guess the real takeaway as always is to just read and study the Bible itself, so I'm planning on doing a deep dive into the wilderness wanderings since that's what this book mostly focused on and I think there's a lot of benefit to be gained from that. Praying the author repents and returns to Jesus because wow. What a horrific time.
September 11, 2015
This is a must read for everyone even if you don't think you need to read it. You do.
October 7, 2017
I listened to the audio book. This was a time when I really needed to be challenged, and this book helped me to do that. I honestly do feel like I've grown closer to God and even fixed some of my other relationships. The audio that I listened to (mp3) was very clear and the narrator had an easy voice to listen to, and was also very easy to understand. The principles outlined in the book were very helpful.
August 7, 2020
Daca ai nevoie de ceva prin care sa-ti evaluezi starea la nivel de atitudini care au devenit atat de obisnuite incat nici nu-ti mai dai sema ca sunt negative, poti folosi aceasta carte ca si strument.
June 19, 2020
Este chiar o carte care te schimbă din interior spre exterior. Scoate gunoiul afară și te umple de viață, de prosperitate.
January 18, 2021
Everyone should read this and then use it to help you along a journey to changing your attitude. It has helped me immensely to see my grumblings and rebellion in a new light and to see my shortcomings in these areas and begin (with God's help), to repent. So often when reading, I think of others who need to hear the message. This time, it was definitely me that needed this message and these words to readjust my thinking and my approach in certain areas.
September 29, 2024
Convicting yet encouraging and motivating advice on the much-needed topic of attitudes. The chapters are in pairs; one about the sinful attitude to remove, the following about the godly attitude to replace it with. Each chapter ends with questions for self-evaluation and action, and sample prayers for help.
The book frequently uses the Israelites wandering in the desert (Num 11-16) for examples of sinful attitudes. It often uses the New Testament (NT) for examples of godly attitudes.
Notes
Introduction
Just as Israelites experienced desert due to their sinful attitudes, our sinful attitudes put us in a joyless, unfulfilled spiritual desert.
It's not enough to remove sinful attitudes; you must replace them with godly attitudes.
Replace a Complaining Attitude
Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with a situation that isn't wrong, and that you're not doing anything to correct. It's not sinful to express dissatisfaction about things that are wrong, or take action to correct a situation.
God has ordained for each of us just the right amount of adversity to accomplish His eternal purposes in our life.
What 2-3 things about your life would you most like to change? Are you complaining about them, verbally or non-verbally? Are you accepting and thankful, or resisting and complaining?
Are you reaping consequences of complaining in your relationship with God? If God said to you, "I hear all your thoughts," would you have a different attitude? Do you lack joy and sense of God's presence? If so, examine your attitude.
With a Thankful Attitude
Thankfulness is attitude that perfectly displaces tendency to complain, and releases joy and blessing in life.
Acknowledge God as gracious provide of general blessings (life, breath, food, shelter, etc.) to comprehend your personal need for Him and express faith.
If you never received another thing from God for rest of your life, you could still be genuinely grateful for each new day (time, life, breath, health, strength, etc.).
3 levels of gratitude
1. "Elementary school": basic thankfulness; recognition of God's involvement (Heb 13:15)
2. "High school": giving thanks in every situation (1 Thess 5:18); shifting focus from what's wrong to what's right; produces joy
3. "Graduate school": thankful for all things, even bad things you wouldn't choose (Eph 5:18-20); trusting that God knows what's best for you; produces deep joy
Are you choosing thankfulness right now? Choose to be thankful moment by moment.
Every night, read 1 Thess 5:18 and write 5 things to be thankful for (large or small). When you wake, read what you wrote.
Replace a Covetous Attitude
Covetousness: wanting wrong things, or wanting right things for wrong reasons or at wrong time or in wrong amount.
Covetousness becomes sin of action when you give in to temptation. Being tempted (having awareness of attractiveness of sin) isn't sinful, but dwelling on that desire is a covetous attitude, which is sinful.
God is the only essential thing. Thinking anything else is essential is idolizing it.
Do you spend more time thinking about things to accumulate or people to positively affect?
Do you think, "Once X happens …" or "Once I have Y … then I'll be really happy."
When you think of happy future, do you imagine having more things, or having more positive affect on people?
Are you reaping consequences of covetousness in your relationship with God? Do you find Christian practices tedious?
With an Attitude of Contentment
Contentment: satisfaction with God's sufficient provision; resting in what you already have, and not seeking more; settled sense of adequacy.
Desire for gain or improvement isn't inherently wrong, but exercising desire in wrong way that's sinful.
Replace a Critical Attitude
Criticism: dwelling on perceived fault of another with no desire for their good.
If you frequently think things like, "That's not right," "Who thought that looks good?" "Someone should've taken care of that," "That's not how I would do that," or "Why would they do that?" you have a critical attitude. You can't necessarily stop being analytical; the problem is when you choose to dwell on your observations.
It's not criticism if you dwell on someone's fault as long as you'll pray about it and/or pursue a solution.
3 drivers of criticism
• Unforgiveness and associated bitterness
• Envy, jealousy, resentment
• Feeling like a failure; feeling defeated
Are you a critical person? Are you negative and harsh in your opinions of others? Are you quick to find fault? Are you an analytical person who gets carried away into criticism?
Are you reaping consequences of criticism in your relationship with God? Are in a joyless, unfulfilled spiritual desert?
Ask God to forgive you for thinking too highly of yourself, for thinking your perspective is always right. Ask for graciousness, love, forbearance. Thank God for making people different, and ask for help in celebrating differences. Ask for help to quickly turn from critical thought patterns.
With an Attitude of Love
Replace critical attitude with attitude of love.
We're not to balance love and truth as if they're separate; truth is part of love (1 Cor 13).
Lesson of 1 Cor 13 is, "On the majors, action. On the minors, acceptance. In all things, love."
Criteria for major things that require action
• Is this a critical path? Will failure to take action produce major fallout (major doctrinal error, marital unfaithfulness, criminal act, abusive behavior)? Will this sin destroy sinner or someone else?
• Is problem chronic, even if each instance seems small?
• Does your proximity to the situation involve your responsibility (e.g., family)?
Very few things fit above criteria for being major issues (maybe 3%). Accept other 97% issues that are minor.
Most relational problems are caused by minor issues.
Love believes the best about people (1 Cor 13:7). See people not as they are, but who they will be, by God's grace.
Study occurrences of word "love" in Bible to stoke loving attitude.
Are you seeing the benefits of love in your life? Do your relationships show that you're showing love to others, in minor and major issues? Are you choosing love over criticism, moment by moment?
Let Christ love others through you. He can give endless capacity to love people who exhaust you.
Replace a Doubting Attitude
Doubt: lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises; a settled, persistent choice to live in uncertainty; thinking, "I don't know, and I don't care."
God's promises
• Provide for our needs (Phil 4:19)
• Protect us (Isa 54:17)
• Prosper us (not necessarily financially) (Ps 84:11)
Faith in a person is like water in a bucket; you find out how much is inside when you bump it. When circumstances bump you, you spill what you're full of: faith or doubt.
God regularly tests our faith, and testing makes us better or bitter.
Whenever you're in a difficult circumstance, ask yourself if it's stretching or shrinking your faith.
Doubt sees obstacles; faith sees opportunities.
Expressions of doubt
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Frustration, ange
• Withdrawal
• Bitterness
Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you choose to respond.
Instead of focusing on obstacles, think and talk about God's grace, miracles, actions.
With an Attitude of Faith
To grow your faith, confess it (Rom 10:9), in church and to the world.
How would you rate yourself in 3 keys to growing your faith (focusing on Word, having witness, walking daily in faith)? In what ways has your life become a joyless, unfulfilled spiritual desert because you've been choosing doubt and unbelief rather than trusting God in faith?
What practical steps could you take to grow faith using the above 3 keys?
Replace a Rebellious Attitude
Roots of rebellion
• Jealousy
• Delusions (not accurately seeing your strengths and weaknesses and the situation)
• Ungratefulness
• Stubbornness (not to be confused with strength of character)
• Disappointment
• Distrust
With an Attitude of Submission
Do you practice submission? Make a list of primary authorities in your life. On scale of 1-10 (total rebellion to total submission), what's been your attitude of submission to each? Write how you plan to improve your attitude of submission toward each.
Are you experiencing results of submission? Can you see evidence of submission by decisions that have cost you?
God is for our highest and best. He doesn't use and abuse us. Choose to submit to Him. There's enough relational conflict to stifle anyone's joy, and enough sinful, plenty of people in positions of authority who take advantage of others, but focus on God, and obey Him.
Ask God to replace your pride and rebelliousness with submission, grace, forbearance, hard work.
See your submission to human authorities as submission to God.
Epilogue
The world will try to push you into having a miserable attitude. There will always be enough injustice and irritation to keep you in a joyless spiritual desert if you choose to murmur, complain, criticize, covet, doubt, rebel. There are also plenty of people and situations to generate thankfulness, love, faith, submission, contentment. You must choose your attitudes.
You shouldn't simply try harder to have a good attitude. Christ is the answer; you must walk personally and intimately with Him. Your efforts will be vain without asking for and yielding to God's work in you.
If you're a Christian who wants a change of attitude, pray, "Lord, I don't have the strength to follow you. Forgive me for thinking that I needed you to save me, but I could change myself. Flow your grace and strength into my life. I desperately need your help. Fill me with your Spirit, and give me the strength for every difficult circumstance and person. Help me to replace all sinful attitudes with righteous ones."
The book frequently uses the Israelites wandering in the desert (Num 11-16) for examples of sinful attitudes. It often uses the New Testament (NT) for examples of godly attitudes.
Notes
Introduction
Just as Israelites experienced desert due to their sinful attitudes, our sinful attitudes put us in a joyless, unfulfilled spiritual desert.
It's not enough to remove sinful attitudes; you must replace them with godly attitudes.
Replace a Complaining Attitude
Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with a situation that isn't wrong, and that you're not doing anything to correct. It's not sinful to express dissatisfaction about things that are wrong, or take action to correct a situation.
God has ordained for each of us just the right amount of adversity to accomplish His eternal purposes in our life.
What 2-3 things about your life would you most like to change? Are you complaining about them, verbally or non-verbally? Are you accepting and thankful, or resisting and complaining?
Are you reaping consequences of complaining in your relationship with God? If God said to you, "I hear all your thoughts," would you have a different attitude? Do you lack joy and sense of God's presence? If so, examine your attitude.
With a Thankful Attitude
Thankfulness is attitude that perfectly displaces tendency to complain, and releases joy and blessing in life.
Acknowledge God as gracious provide of general blessings (life, breath, food, shelter, etc.) to comprehend your personal need for Him and express faith.
If you never received another thing from God for rest of your life, you could still be genuinely grateful for each new day (time, life, breath, health, strength, etc.).
3 levels of gratitude
1. "Elementary school": basic thankfulness; recognition of God's involvement (Heb 13:15)
2. "High school": giving thanks in every situation (1 Thess 5:18); shifting focus from what's wrong to what's right; produces joy
3. "Graduate school": thankful for all things, even bad things you wouldn't choose (Eph 5:18-20); trusting that God knows what's best for you; produces deep joy
Are you choosing thankfulness right now? Choose to be thankful moment by moment.
Every night, read 1 Thess 5:18 and write 5 things to be thankful for (large or small). When you wake, read what you wrote.
Replace a Covetous Attitude
Covetousness: wanting wrong things, or wanting right things for wrong reasons or at wrong time or in wrong amount.
Covetousness becomes sin of action when you give in to temptation. Being tempted (having awareness of attractiveness of sin) isn't sinful, but dwelling on that desire is a covetous attitude, which is sinful.
God is the only essential thing. Thinking anything else is essential is idolizing it.
Do you spend more time thinking about things to accumulate or people to positively affect?
Do you think, "Once X happens …" or "Once I have Y … then I'll be really happy."
When you think of happy future, do you imagine having more things, or having more positive affect on people?
Are you reaping consequences of covetousness in your relationship with God? Do you find Christian practices tedious?
With an Attitude of Contentment
Contentment: satisfaction with God's sufficient provision; resting in what you already have, and not seeking more; settled sense of adequacy.
Desire for gain or improvement isn't inherently wrong, but exercising desire in wrong way that's sinful.
Replace a Critical Attitude
Criticism: dwelling on perceived fault of another with no desire for their good.
If you frequently think things like, "That's not right," "Who thought that looks good?" "Someone should've taken care of that," "That's not how I would do that," or "Why would they do that?" you have a critical attitude. You can't necessarily stop being analytical; the problem is when you choose to dwell on your observations.
It's not criticism if you dwell on someone's fault as long as you'll pray about it and/or pursue a solution.
3 drivers of criticism
• Unforgiveness and associated bitterness
• Envy, jealousy, resentment
• Feeling like a failure; feeling defeated
Are you a critical person? Are you negative and harsh in your opinions of others? Are you quick to find fault? Are you an analytical person who gets carried away into criticism?
Are you reaping consequences of criticism in your relationship with God? Are in a joyless, unfulfilled spiritual desert?
Ask God to forgive you for thinking too highly of yourself, for thinking your perspective is always right. Ask for graciousness, love, forbearance. Thank God for making people different, and ask for help in celebrating differences. Ask for help to quickly turn from critical thought patterns.
With an Attitude of Love
Replace critical attitude with attitude of love.
We're not to balance love and truth as if they're separate; truth is part of love (1 Cor 13).
Lesson of 1 Cor 13 is, "On the majors, action. On the minors, acceptance. In all things, love."
Criteria for major things that require action
• Is this a critical path? Will failure to take action produce major fallout (major doctrinal error, marital unfaithfulness, criminal act, abusive behavior)? Will this sin destroy sinner or someone else?
• Is problem chronic, even if each instance seems small?
• Does your proximity to the situation involve your responsibility (e.g., family)?
Very few things fit above criteria for being major issues (maybe 3%). Accept other 97% issues that are minor.
Most relational problems are caused by minor issues.
Love believes the best about people (1 Cor 13:7). See people not as they are, but who they will be, by God's grace.
Study occurrences of word "love" in Bible to stoke loving attitude.
Are you seeing the benefits of love in your life? Do your relationships show that you're showing love to others, in minor and major issues? Are you choosing love over criticism, moment by moment?
Let Christ love others through you. He can give endless capacity to love people who exhaust you.
Replace a Doubting Attitude
Doubt: lack of confidence or assurance that God will keep His promises; a settled, persistent choice to live in uncertainty; thinking, "I don't know, and I don't care."
God's promises
• Provide for our needs (Phil 4:19)
• Protect us (Isa 54:17)
• Prosper us (not necessarily financially) (Ps 84:11)
Faith in a person is like water in a bucket; you find out how much is inside when you bump it. When circumstances bump you, you spill what you're full of: faith or doubt.
God regularly tests our faith, and testing makes us better or bitter.
Whenever you're in a difficult circumstance, ask yourself if it's stretching or shrinking your faith.
Doubt sees obstacles; faith sees opportunities.
Expressions of doubt
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Frustration, ange
• Withdrawal
• Bitterness
Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you choose to respond.
Instead of focusing on obstacles, think and talk about God's grace, miracles, actions.
With an Attitude of Faith
To grow your faith, confess it (Rom 10:9), in church and to the world.
How would you rate yourself in 3 keys to growing your faith (focusing on Word, having witness, walking daily in faith)? In what ways has your life become a joyless, unfulfilled spiritual desert because you've been choosing doubt and unbelief rather than trusting God in faith?
What practical steps could you take to grow faith using the above 3 keys?
Replace a Rebellious Attitude
Roots of rebellion
• Jealousy
• Delusions (not accurately seeing your strengths and weaknesses and the situation)
• Ungratefulness
• Stubbornness (not to be confused with strength of character)
• Disappointment
• Distrust
With an Attitude of Submission
Do you practice submission? Make a list of primary authorities in your life. On scale of 1-10 (total rebellion to total submission), what's been your attitude of submission to each? Write how you plan to improve your attitude of submission toward each.
Are you experiencing results of submission? Can you see evidence of submission by decisions that have cost you?
God is for our highest and best. He doesn't use and abuse us. Choose to submit to Him. There's enough relational conflict to stifle anyone's joy, and enough sinful, plenty of people in positions of authority who take advantage of others, but focus on God, and obey Him.
Ask God to replace your pride and rebelliousness with submission, grace, forbearance, hard work.
See your submission to human authorities as submission to God.
Epilogue
The world will try to push you into having a miserable attitude. There will always be enough injustice and irritation to keep you in a joyless spiritual desert if you choose to murmur, complain, criticize, covet, doubt, rebel. There are also plenty of people and situations to generate thankfulness, love, faith, submission, contentment. You must choose your attitudes.
You shouldn't simply try harder to have a good attitude. Christ is the answer; you must walk personally and intimately with Him. Your efforts will be vain without asking for and yielding to God's work in you.
If you're a Christian who wants a change of attitude, pray, "Lord, I don't have the strength to follow you. Forgive me for thinking that I needed you to save me, but I could change myself. Flow your grace and strength into my life. I desperately need your help. Fill me with your Spirit, and give me the strength for every difficult circumstance and person. Help me to replace all sinful attitudes with righteous ones."
February 9, 2017
About the Book:
Change your attitude, change your life.
We're very good at explaining why we're unhappy: bad job, bad relationships, bad luck. But there's probably a better reason: bad attitudes.
In Lord, Change My Attitude, James MacDonald shows us just how much our attitudes affect our lives. One of his bestsellers, this book is classic James: It's clear, it's inspiring, and it packs a punch.
Drawing from the experience of the Israelites who grumbled through the wilderness, MacDonald shows how bad attitudes rob us of joy. Coveting, complaining, and being critical are not what our hearts were made for. They were made for thankfulness, contentment, and love. Is your heart straining under the weight of a bad attitude?
Don't read this book if you're looking for a quick fix. Don't read this book if you're unwilling to change. Read it if you're ready for a serious, inside-out attitude adjustment.
My Review:
Its not all that hard to experience defeat to such a magnitude that you just hate life, in general. That defeat can grow over into your spiritual life by way of bitterness and that bitterness can turn into down right anger. James MacDonald, is an awesome minister and speaker and he uses what he has learned to guide us in the way we should go. God doesn't like murmuring and complaining.
Lord, Change My Attitude Before It's Too Late, is not for the faint of heart. James wants us to look long and hard in the mirror at ourselves. This book is not a quick fix, it is a must fix in order for us to grow in God and finally receive the blessing that He has always wanted to gives us. Using the Israelite's as an example, the author shows us how badly they messed up and what God did to turn it all around.
Wow! this book is eye opening and could explain a lot of why we go through what we do. I love reading the author's insight into a very touchy subject for my family and me. There is a study guide also included in the book for further study or for a small church group.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author. All opinions are my own.
Change your attitude, change your life.
We're very good at explaining why we're unhappy: bad job, bad relationships, bad luck. But there's probably a better reason: bad attitudes.
In Lord, Change My Attitude, James MacDonald shows us just how much our attitudes affect our lives. One of his bestsellers, this book is classic James: It's clear, it's inspiring, and it packs a punch.
Drawing from the experience of the Israelites who grumbled through the wilderness, MacDonald shows how bad attitudes rob us of joy. Coveting, complaining, and being critical are not what our hearts were made for. They were made for thankfulness, contentment, and love. Is your heart straining under the weight of a bad attitude?
Don't read this book if you're looking for a quick fix. Don't read this book if you're unwilling to change. Read it if you're ready for a serious, inside-out attitude adjustment.
My Review:
Its not all that hard to experience defeat to such a magnitude that you just hate life, in general. That defeat can grow over into your spiritual life by way of bitterness and that bitterness can turn into down right anger. James MacDonald, is an awesome minister and speaker and he uses what he has learned to guide us in the way we should go. God doesn't like murmuring and complaining.
Lord, Change My Attitude Before It's Too Late, is not for the faint of heart. James wants us to look long and hard in the mirror at ourselves. This book is not a quick fix, it is a must fix in order for us to grow in God and finally receive the blessing that He has always wanted to gives us. Using the Israelite's as an example, the author shows us how badly they messed up and what God did to turn it all around.
Wow! this book is eye opening and could explain a lot of why we go through what we do. I love reading the author's insight into a very touchy subject for my family and me. There is a study guide also included in the book for further study or for a small church group.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author. All opinions are my own.
September 28, 2018
James MacDonald's Lord, Change My Attitude is essentially a Christian self-help book, and a good one, though I think that virtually anyone could benefit from its study. The book's chapters move in pairs, comparing a negative attitude with a positive attitude we'd be better off adopting. For instance, the first chapter is on complaining, and the second chapter is on thankfulness. So the first and second chapters are about converting an attitude of complaining to a grateful attitude.
MacDonald does an excellent job of defining his terms when talking about these negative and positive attitudes. If a person is not careful, he or she may mistake any attempt at airing a grievance as complaining. Not so, MacDonald says. Complaining is expressing your dissatisfaction with something that either isn't wrong in the first place or something that you're making no effort to remedy. Talking about problems at work are not complaining provided you're doing something about it. In general, protest isn't complaining either, MacDonald says, because by demonstrating against a wrongful behavior is raising awareness and therefore doing something to solve a problem.
MacDonald is also forthcoming about how difficult it is for a person to change his or her attitudes. The more ingrained in habit the attitude is, the more difficult it is to extricate. This is why MacDonald advocates constant vigilance, including taking time to stop and evaluate where you are in this moment. Are you, in this moment, being thankful for what you have, being content with what you have and who's in your life? Are you fostering a deep love for friends, family, acquaintances, people in general?
I'm glad I read this.
MacDonald does an excellent job of defining his terms when talking about these negative and positive attitudes. If a person is not careful, he or she may mistake any attempt at airing a grievance as complaining. Not so, MacDonald says. Complaining is expressing your dissatisfaction with something that either isn't wrong in the first place or something that you're making no effort to remedy. Talking about problems at work are not complaining provided you're doing something about it. In general, protest isn't complaining either, MacDonald says, because by demonstrating against a wrongful behavior is raising awareness and therefore doing something to solve a problem.
MacDonald is also forthcoming about how difficult it is for a person to change his or her attitudes. The more ingrained in habit the attitude is, the more difficult it is to extricate. This is why MacDonald advocates constant vigilance, including taking time to stop and evaluate where you are in this moment. Are you, in this moment, being thankful for what you have, being content with what you have and who's in your life? Are you fostering a deep love for friends, family, acquaintances, people in general?
I'm glad I read this.
May 4, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book with my small group. He takes you through a negative attitude in one chapter and a positive one in the next (Complaining/Thankful, Covetous/Contentment, Critical/Love, Doubting/Faith, Rebellious/Submissive). He asks questions that help you take a good hard look at yourself to see if these are attitudes that you need to work on. He introduces these attitudes by looking at the Isrealites in Numbers Chapters 11-16. This book definitely helped me to see how God feels about my bad attitudes by looking at His response to the Isrealites. MacDonald points out that these events in Numbers are referenced in 1 Corinthians 10 (and elsewhere in scripture) and Paul says that they were written as an example for our instruction. It is definitely a book that is great to go back to and check your attitude as it is an on going process. I really like his emphasis on owning up to your attitudes rather than trying to place the blame elsewhere. All of the students in the small group seemed to like it as well, we had some good discussions and they have all mentioned wanting to read it again on their own.
June 22, 2020
I tried. I really did. This book was written about 20 years ago, well before the author's very public fall from grace. I thought maybe this book represented a time before all his obvious moral failings had taken hold. Sadly, that is not the case. The author explains early on that this book is ACTUALLY a compilation of several sermons. So, it doesn't actually read like a book, it reads like a sermon. A long, intense, aggressive sermon, during which the preacher yells and brow-beats his audience. I couldn't take more than 30 pages of the "yelling" before I had to put it down. I may pick this book up again, say in 10 years when I've got some extra time on my hands and maybe a bit thicker skin. But, for right now, during a pandemic, when I'm stuck at home, the last thing I need is to be yelled at.
July 15, 2019
This book is probably one of the most life-changing ones I have ever read (apart from the Bible, of course). I have always known I have a rotten attitude, but this book addressed different kinds of wrong attitude, showed how destructive they were, and helped you see how to start working through them with God.
One of my favorite things about this book was that the author said several times that you cannot change your attitude on your own, you have to have God's help.
This book really challenged me, and sometimes I wished I didn't need the book as much as I did.
I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to grow in their relationship with God. There is something in this book for everyone.
One of my favorite things about this book was that the author said several times that you cannot change your attitude on your own, you have to have God's help.
This book really challenged me, and sometimes I wished I didn't need the book as much as I did.
I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to grow in their relationship with God. There is something in this book for everyone.
August 11, 2008
This book has reveal kinds of small grumble, small complaint and relate to other bad attitudes which is often human carry out acted in term of every day life. Those attitudes which is kept people from God's blessing and at the same time that those bad attitudes have also destroyed the lives of God's people. I have realized through every single page that this book have somehow changed my thought, my old ways.....about being grumble and keeping complaint. I recommend for every one who has willing to change their bad attitude into positive one, to read this book. It gives u a blessing by knowing your weakness and further take an action on it.
February 24, 2016
This book was selected by a school book club and led to some great discussions. I enjoyed reading the books and am trying to work on the attitudes presented in there, especially complaining. What I really liked about the book was that rather than telling what attitudes should be done away with, there were replacement attitudes suggested. When making a change, it is important to replace what you are getting rid of. Another book filled with good ideas. I would like to take a second look at this one as well
January 21, 2019
This book is a life changer. I started reading it because I thought my family needed new attitudes. I learned my attitude is the only one I can change, with God's help. It's not a quick fix. I've been working through this book for almost a year. It's not easy. I've had to do a lot of soul-searching. I've lost track of the number of times God hit me with the Big Stick of Conviction. But is it worth it? Absolutely. And guess what? As I continue to adjust my attitude, my family's attitudes don't seem so bad.
August 14, 2020
The book contains many valuable and thoughtful key points. Unfortunately the choice of the author to style it towards a 3rd grade reading comprehension, coupled with the persistent condescension, made it a struggle to read. Constant eye-rolls. However, maintaining an open heart and mind, there is much to be gained.
December 6, 2022
In the 25+ years of doing Bible Studies, this is definitely one of the most impactful and life changing books I have been blessed to do. I need to reread this at least once a year. It stomps on your toes and hurts a little, but it is life changing. RUN to get this book and be blessed at how it transforms you and your relationships!
July 5, 2023
While there were statements phrased in such away that seemed theologically misleading or wrong, this book had a ton of good points that led to fruitful conversion. I am undecided if I would recommend it or not.
July 4, 2016
Convicting and thought provoking without condemning
June 19, 2022
Nobody could read this book without being challenged in at least one area (complaining, coveting, criticism, doubt, or rebellion). MacDonald uses the misadventures of the children of Israel recorded “for our learning” to lay out each of these “wilderness” attitudes, and then immediately follows each one with a New Testament application of the “promised land” attitude that should replace it. His writing is grounded deeply in the text of Scripture, peppered with personal examples, practical and challenging, and conversational without sounding trite or fluffy. A great book that I already anticipate re-reading soon and possibly adapting for a Sunday school class (pending permissions)!
June 22, 2017
This was an amazing book! Filled with so much wisdom and insight this book was an outstanding read and was such an excellent reminder that our attitude makes such a huge difference in our life.
Drawing heavily from the story of the Israelite and their lousy attitude while wandering in the wilderness. This book draws some strong parallels between the Israelite and our own attitude this is very though provoking and sticks with you long after then final pages.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Drawing heavily from the story of the Israelite and their lousy attitude while wandering in the wilderness. This book draws some strong parallels between the Israelite and our own attitude this is very though provoking and sticks with you long after then final pages.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 13, 2022
Ouch! It took me several years after buying this book to get the courage to pick it up. Then I read the introduction earlier this year and it took me a number of months to pick it up again. When I first looked at the table of contents, I figured there was one wilderness attitude that applied to me, and nope. They all do. *Sigh* There were just a couple spots where I'd like to ask the author to clarify something or that I wish he has phrased a touch differently, but overall, this is a book I am going to need to re-read every couple years, maybe more often. Very good and very convicting.
April 17, 2023
Not a book I’d be excited to just read cover-to-cover. While it’s casual, it just feels like reading a sermon. I used it as a reference in teaching a Bible class on attitudes to the teen girls in our church. It was invaluable for that. He provides helpful illustrations, works from the book of Numbers and doesn’t try to make changing attitudes sound easy.
September 21, 2023
Echt tiefgehendes bewegendes Buch!
Es geht um unsere Einstellungen, attitude is everything! Such a Great reminder!
Es sind unsere Einstellungen, die unser Leben zur Wüste machen!
Zufriedenheit begnügt sich mit dem, was Gott gibt.
Wir suchen uns unsere Einstellungen selber aus.
Hilf mir Herr Deine Einstellung in und für mein Leben zu haben! 🙏🏻
Es geht um unsere Einstellungen, attitude is everything! Such a Great reminder!
Es sind unsere Einstellungen, die unser Leben zur Wüste machen!
Zufriedenheit begnügt sich mit dem, was Gott gibt.
Wir suchen uns unsere Einstellungen selber aus.
Hilf mir Herr Deine Einstellung in und für mein Leben zu haben! 🙏🏻
October 5, 2019
I was shocked and disappointed to read that Pastor MacDonald had been removed from his pastorate. This book was inspirational and definitely should be added to a Christian’s library. However, the lesson learned is no one is exempt from the wiles of Satan, including this author.
April 8, 2020
This is a wonderful book for everyone. I love how James broke things down and put everything back together again. This book will give you something to think about and help you think and act differently. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!!
February 15, 2017
Life changing.
December 5, 2018
Very good book. I suggest watching the videos after finishing each chapter
February 19, 2019
A great bible study book!
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