One Thousand Gifts

A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

By: Ann Voskamp

Narrated by: Ann Voskamp

More than 1.5 million copies sold! What if you discovered that the life you already have is the life you’ve always wanted? What if joy is possible right where you are? New York Times best-selling author Ann Voskamp invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative journey of chronicling God's gifts.

How can you find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and even the death of loved ones? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?

“It is in the dark that God is passing by...our lives shake not because God has abandoned but the exact opposite. God is passing by. God is in the tremors. Dark is the holiest ground, the glory passing by. In the blackest, God is closest, at work, forging his perfect and right will. Though it is black and we can’t see and our world seems to be free-falling and we feel utterly alone, Christ is most present to us...”

In One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp invites you to discover a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of living that is fully alive, and a way of becoming present to God that brings deep and lasting joy. It's only in the expression of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted...a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. Come to feel and know the impossible right down in your bones: you are wildly loved by God.

As Ann invites you into her own beautiful, heart-aching moments of amazing grace, she gently teaches you how to:

• Biblically lament loss and turn pain into poetry
• Intentionally embrace a lifestyle of radical gratitude
• Slow down and catch God in the moment

Not an audiobook merely to listen to, One Thousand Gifts is an invitation to engage with truths that will serve up the depths of God’s joy and transform your life forever. Leave pride, fear, and control behind, and abandon yourself to the God who overflows your cup.

©2011 Ann Voskamp (P)2011 Zondervan

Her voice, though...

I loooved the book. Completely fantastic! I would recommend it to anyone... THE BOOK, that is, not the audio book. It was very hard for me to listen to... she whistles when she talks, and just doesn't have the most pleasant speaking voice for hours and hours of listening. I'm sorry if that I'd too honest, it is just my opinion!

An Excellent Listen

This is an excellent book that looks at Ann's own experiences through the Biblical lens of joyous grace and seeks to show us to look through the same lens every moment. Written with a slight whimsical style, the book is far from whimsical, profoundly deep in thought and emotion and yet, easily understandable through the several anecdotes the author uses. An seems very conscious about pulling the reader into reality - both the reality of a sin-filled world and the reality of a joy-filled Christ. While the book is enjoyable to read, it is this reviewer's opinion that it is far better when listened to, being narrated by the author herself. I will read this book again.

Wonderful Insight!!

I recommend listening to this, to remind you of what is truly important, and to help you realign yourself if needed. I laughed, I cried, and I appreciated that she shared her story with the world!!

Must be listened to, not read silently

It is good to HEAR the author read this aloud. It is too poetic and emotional to be read silently.

Great book!

I loved reading the book and I loved hearing the author read it herself. God has used it to change so much in my life. I highly recommend reading it.

This book is deep, important to understand.

I kept finding myself rewinding to make sure I got the point. It may be a book you have to read over and over and let it sink in.

Very slow narration.

I absolutely loved the truths shared in this book. I have listened to several chapters more than once and plan to buy the paperback to read again- highlight- review- and keep!! HOWEVER, I found the narration too slow and monotone for me. I listened on 1.25 to make it a bit easier.

Good message, hard to get through

Would you try another book from Ann Voskamp and/or Ann Voskamp?

Probably not. I can see that some would like her still but I don't. I don't enjoy non fiction or poetry. There was was too much story here for me. I am a "get to the facts" person. She is a story writer. That said, God did speak to me with the book. I have started the 1000 blessing journey. It is a great message! After the first chapter I had to force myself to keep going but in chapter 2 or 3 I heard the message and kept going to see what more God had to say through her for me.

How could the performance have been better?

Just too flowery

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I could have never read this as a book. I woiuld have given up, the fact that I could listen while I ran got me through it.

Amazingly Encouraging Book

Although there are some definite tear jerker moments in this book, I couldn't quit listening to it! Finishing chapters 3 through end in one day! Already reccomended to many friends! Finding things to be thankful for in ALL circumstances.

Great Message

The message was powerful once I pushed through the dullness and lack of emotion in the narrator's voice.