Generous Love , livre ebook

Baker Publishing Group - Becky Kopitzke

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117 pages

English

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A Fresh, Down-to-Earth Look on Living and Loving WellIf asked, most of us want to make a difference, to live and love generously. But we get caught in the crazy rush of household routines, work demands, cranky attitudes, difficult people, exhaustion, worry, and pride, and once again we fail to love the people around us at all--let alone well. We too easily default to focusing more on self than on others, on receiving more than giving, in ways we don't even recognize. We dream of reaching out. We just . . . forget. Or don't have the energy.Using relatable stories, discussion questions, and careful application of God's Word, author and speaker Becky Kopitzke gives you the inspiration and practical tips and ideas you need to see the opportunities around you, to reach out, to live generously, and to love others bravely and selflessly. To bless and be blessed is to actualize the joy of Christ--and to propel love forward.

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Publié par	Baker Publishing Group
Date de parution	03 avril 2018
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781493413454
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	1 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0432€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2018 by Becky Kopitzke
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017961596
ISBN 978-1-4934-1345-4
Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified® Bible, copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2011
Scripture quotations labeled GW are from God’s Word®. © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.
Scripture quotations labeled HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations identified ICB are from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson™, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled The Message are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( www.Lockman.org )
Scripture quotations labeled NIRV are from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®. NIrV®. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NLV are from the New Life Version, copyright © 1969 and 2003. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio, 44683. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled TLB are from The Living Bible, copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.
Cover design by Emily Weigel
Author represented by The Blythe Daniel Agency
Endorsements
“If you don’t want to make the world a better place, don’t open this book. But if you’re ready to take part in a global revolution, read on. Becky’s powerful message will remind you that the biggest world change often begins with the smallest acts of love. And each of us can change the world right where we are.”
— Alicia Bruxvoort, Proverbs 31 Ministries writer, speaker, and abundant-life seeker
“Becky’s timely book is a healing balm for a broken world and a cynical heart. The stories and practical applications have been forged in her life and leadership among our faith community. This book is sure to encourage you to love generously and discover God’s redemptive purposes.”
— Judy Episcopo, women’s ministry director, Appleton Alliance Church, Wisconsin
“Encouraging and practical, Generous Love is the perfect how-to guide for loving well in day-to-day life. Becky’s words and stories highlight the powerful impact made by even the smallest acts of kindness, and her insight leaves me feeling both equipped and inspired.”
— Jen Weaver, author of A Wife’ s Secret to Happiness
“I want to get this dynamic book into the hands of every single person I know. Becky Kopitzke is taking us back to the basics of loving others well, which in turn revolutionizes the world with the love of Christ. She reminds us that loving others doesn’t have to be hard or dependent upon complicated gestures. Rather, it is the simple things such as looking each other in the eye, gifting a heartfelt compliment, and saying thank you. I am certain Generous Love will take the world by storm as readers apply its biblical, practical, and fun wisdom.”
— Sarah Philpott, PhD, author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss
Dedication
For the Stoffels
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 3
Copyright Page 4
Endorsements 5
Dedication 7
Introduction: It Starts with One 11
1. What Is a Blessing, Anyway? 17
2. Why Are We So Stinking Selfish? 27
3. The “Me” Weeds 35
4. The Blessing Toolbox 47
5. Four P’s of Blessing— #1 Presence 61
6. Blessings Near and Far 73
7. Four P’s of Blessing— #2 Possessions 85
8. Olivia’s Heart 95
9. Four P’s of Blessing— #3 Perspective 105
10. Loving People Who Aren’t Like You 117
11. Four P’s of Blessing— #4 Prayer 131
12. A Church on Every Corner 145
13. Why? Because God Says So 161
14. And Because It Benefits You, Too 175
15. When Blessing Is Hard 187
16. About That Golden Rule 201
Epilogue: A Life Well-Lived 213
Bonus Materials 217
Acknowledgments 219
Notes 221
About the Author 223
Back Cover 224
Introduction
It Starts with One
We sat at her dining table, stabbing plastic forks into Chinese takeout. My sweet friend spoke gently—about her health, her spirit, her sleepless nights. I listened, nodded, and let my heart swell with each word.
We had just spent the morning on the second floor of Erin’s home, organizing clutter and assembling new shelves for her children’s bedrooms. We rearranged picture books and collected a small pile of stray Legos that had been left stranded under beds and on dressers. Simple chores, really, but important steps toward creating a fresh space for this beautiful family in this house that held a presence so thick you could feel it prickling on your skin.
Earlier that morning, I had arrived at her back door with two lattes in my hands, and she led me upstairs to a closet. “I forgot about this one,” she said, then opened the door to reveal a small space packed tight with cardboard boxes and a row of men’s shirts on hangers. In a moment my brain registered the scene, and a gasp of breath caught in my throat.
These were her husband’s shirts.
Jon .
Gone, eight months ago, into the arms of Jesus.
And I tried not to let her see my eyes fill with tears.
Quickly, I grabbed a Rubbermaid bin and set to work. She pulled shirts from the closet, and I folded them into neat stacks. This one was from high school. That one he wore to work. How long has he had these overalls, anyway? Now, this sweatshirt—there’s a story behind this one.
We chatted and folded and cleaned out that closet until it became clear we had more stuff than space to put it. “I don’t think we’re going to fit all these,” I said—and then I volunteered to run to Walmart to buy a few more bins, mostly out of a heart to serve, but also, I confess, so I could let the tears leak down my cheeks as I drove to the store to call my own husband just to hear his voice.
Now, a few hours later, after a job well done, we were rewarding ourselves with fried rice and Hunan shrimp, talking softly across the lunch table about God’s grace even in the midst of grief.
“The last year of our marriage was the best one,” Erin told me.
“Really?” I smiled, encouraging the happy memories. “Why do you say that?”
“We just treated each other differently—really listening and putting each other first. We were more intentional about our actions toward each other,” she explained. “I would do something to bless him, then he would do something to bless me. . . . It was like we couldn’t wait to outbless each other.”
Outbless.
The word stunned me in my seat. I blinked and let it soak deep, and I knew at that moment God was speaking to my heart. Erin continued her story.
“It really starts with yourself. I stopped looking for Jon to fulfill my needs because I knew he couldn’t do that. Only God could. So I asked God for wisdom as a wife. I grew to know Jon’s needs and what made him happy. To not get upset with the little things that bugged me. We started communicating better, too, talking about our feelings and encouraging each other. I knew he needed to be told he was appreciated and that all he has done for our family has not gone unnoticed. As I wanted to bless Jon more, it came back full circle. He did the same. We grew so much that year in our marriage and began to see real change in each of our hearts. Our love just grew.”
Erin started giving Jon more snuggles and hugs, even though outward affection didn’t come naturally to her. He, in turn, became more attentive and helpful around the house. She cooked his favorite venison steak. He fixed the sink. She held his hand. He prayed for her.
And so it continued for an entire year, blessing spurring blessing, husband to wife and wife to husband, until one memorable day when a trip to a wedding demonstrated how deep her husband’s tenderness had grown.
Jon was a groomsman and a well-loved extrovert. Erin had no ties to the wedding party