Wednesday, July 16, 2008

"Love as a Way of Life": A book review and 2 giveaways!

~Congratulations to the winners of the Love as a way of Life, book. They have been contacted. Contest is now closed.~
Dr. Gary Chapman's book Love As A Way of Life, is a great guide book to help us to love others in our relationships. We are relational people, and designed to love our "neighbor." I got so much benefit out of reading this book! I learned how I can change different ways I respond to people in situations.
Dr. Chapman view's love not as a single entity, but as a cluster of traits, which if developed will enhance all of life. These traits are:
Kindness: discovering the joy of helping others
Patience: accepting the imperfections of others
Forgiveness: finding freedom from the grip of anger
Courtesy: treating others as friends
Humility: stepping down so someone else can step up
Generosity: giving your time, money, and abilities to others
Honesty: caring enough to tell the truth
In the book, Love As A Way of Life, Dr. Chapman presents poignant stories of real people who have discovered the joys of living out the seven characteristics of authentic love. There is so much to learn, and I am thankful to have this book to always go back to for good, and helpful tips. I really liked the Habits to Acquire (how we can use what we learn in the book, to make it a good habit), Questionnaires (self tests to challenge our thoughts), and the Competitor (or the enemies that work against developing our character traits) sections in the book. I think that Dr. Chapman is so insightful, and God has given him such wisdom with relationship topics.
About the Author:
Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-five books, including the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages, with more than 4 million copies in print. His daily radio program, A Love Language Minute, is broadcast on more than 100 stations nationwide. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, Wake-Forest University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, serves on the pastoral staff at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
WOULD you like to WIN YOUR OWN COPY of Love As A Way of Life? This is open to all non-bloggers and bloggers of the United States! There will be 2 winners picked at random. Please leave a comment telling me what your favorite holiday is. If you want, you can tell me why. Click here to see how you can earn extra credits. Good Luck! This contest is open until July 28th at 7:00 PM CST.

109 comments:

MCS Girl said...

My favorite holiday is Halloween as I love to see all the creative costumes people and children dress up in.

Anonymous said...

I have to say christmas as that is my birthday and it is a time I don't have to send invitations and everyone gathers not only to celebrate the christmas holiday, but also I get to spend time with others on my birthday. To me that is pretty special.

platt
neneelynn@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is hands down Christmas. I love everything about it, from the decorations, to the time spent with family, to the feeling of peace and joy.

Jillian (jordan.jillian@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas because the season lasts for a month and everyone seems so happy, pleasant and content that time of year. I love gathering with my family and just enjoying each others company.
Laura
lrooker@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite is Thanksgiving--great time to spend with family and friends without much commerical frenzy

Sonya Cocherell said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas. It's just a great time.

Anonymous said...

My favorite holidays are Christmas because we celebrate Jesus birth then Easter because we celebrate His resurrection.

Alicia @ refinedisaiah648.blogspot.com said...

Its hard to pick one holiday but I really like Christmas and Valentines day!!! One for all the family and one to celebrate love!

Fangirl Jen said...

Definitely Christmas. It is a time of year that brings my family together and reminds us of how much we love each other and how much we share.

Fangirl Jen said...

I subscribe to your feed.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

to be honest I love the summer holidays especially fourth of july- yes I love Christmas but we get together because of school, weather over the summer nad the fourth is so beautiful celbrating freedom, family and the beauty of the outdoors

Anonymous said...

I know this is not original - however true it may be :-) - but Christmas is my favorite holiday. It is the only one I do much decorating for, and I definitely believe that the Christmas holiday starts Dec. 1st and goes all the way through Jan. 1st. :-) I love the music, the lights, the giving to others, the food and the family time.

Thanks for the chance to win! This looks like a really great book.
author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would definitely have to say that Christmas is my favorite holiday. It's the one time of the year, that the WHOLE family gets together to just have fun, no excuses!

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

I love Christmas

Miss Spoken said...

I've always loved Halloween.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com

Miss Spoken said...

Also a subscriber. Thanks.
gkstratos@ yahoo.com

Cjnedrow said...

My favorite holiday is definitely Christmas. I still look forward to that time of year even as I did as a child!

cjnedrow@gmail.com

Snowpuff said...

My favorite holiday is the 4th of July, as it is also my birthday, it's warm and summertime, and I love BBQs and fireworks!

dwarzel said...

gotta be Christmas

susan1215 said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas

mverno said...

christmas what else

kygirl said...

My favorite is Easter.

susies said...

I love Halloween! Such a fun time of the year with the wonderful decorations and the beautiful fall weather. And I know there aren't a lot of sad people out there missing their loved ones like at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
susies@alltel.net

agordon10 said...

Xmas.

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas because of the togetherness and the giving feeling surrounding the season.
doot65 at comcast dot net

Anonymous said...

Christmas, by far. I love the intimacy of my family all getting together, and no matter what are problems are, we can all come together and share in the same holiday and the same experience.

Danielle
ddevizia@gmail.com

Jenn S. said...

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love getting together with family and all that yummy food. I also like all the fall/harvest decorations.

Stephen Saunders said...

I love Halloween.

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is Halloween.
Love seeing the kids dressed in costume, handing out candy, watching scary movies, and going to haunted houses.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Eryn said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I start getting pretty giddy in...well...October lol I just love the excuses that the month+ between Thanksgiving and give us to be with our family and to say "thank you" and "I love you." I know we shouldn't need these excuses, but it just gives us all a reason to slow down a bit, and be with our family. (In theory, ya know lol)

Eryn said...

I also subscribe to your blog through my google homepage :) I love checking back, and seeing your blog button on the other blogs I cant stay off of ;)

Anonymous said...

Christmas! I love all of the decorations and lights. We like to drive around at night and see some of the amazing displays that people put up at their home.

pamela.callahan@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Easter - the Ultimate Love !

Mya Brooks said...

As a football freak, I'm gonna say Thanksgiving. Not for the food, but for the football...LOL

iluv2pray@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. We have the big gathering of family, which I like, but the stress is not there and the decorations are simple and natural.
itaskah@comcast.net

toughturtles said...

Christmas

sweetsue said...

My favorite holiday is Easter. It is such a beautiful time of year.

idahomom said...

I love Christmas. I collect Santas and they stay out year round.

byoc said...

Christmas it is. That book sounds like just what I need right now.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it.

Princess Golden Hair said...

christmas of course. I love how it feels. i love how it smells. and i love how it tastes. it is truly the most wonderful time of the year

maweisberg said...

easter- it reminds me of the sacrifice made on my behalf

Unknown said...

I love Thanksgiving; the crisp yet not too cold time of year, the great food, family and friends...christmas shopping the day after too!

trishden said...

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday since I was young. We would go to grandma's house watch the Macy's parade, have a big meal and watch football. All very memorable.

msrodeobrat said...

thanksgiving.. good company and great food make a fantastic holiday

Unknown said...

I have no favorite holiday. I distain them all. I wish I could embrace them....b

Anonymous said...

Christmas is my favorite holiday!

dbstout[at]juno[dot]com

michelle said...

My favourite holiday would most likely be Christmas. We always just make it a simple family day, but the food is always awesome.

michelle at northofthe49 dot com

sabb266 said...

We all love Christmas of course but I have avorite holidaywould have to be Easter because it is the sign of Spring for me with everything getting ready to bloom and the World waking up from it's winters sleep!

Anonymous said...

definitely Christmas! as soon as it's over I start looking forward to the next year's.

gotfire [at] yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Christmas is my fave...I love going to my Aunt Mary's on Christmas Eve. In years past before my favorite uncle fell ill, I used to pick him up on Christmas eve and bring him back the day after Christmas. He would spoil me rotten with wonderful lunch treats on both days. I love Christmas beause of the time with friends and family. The cold air in the wintertime is refreshing and there's nothing like seeing people's homes decorated for Christmas. My Dad used to call me his "spirit of Christmas". I miss Dad so much. He, too, loved Christmas.

majqa1966@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love Easter. I love the newness of the spring season pairing with the hope of all Christ did for us. Easter baskets aren't too bad, either! :0)

Thanks! This book caught my eye a while back.
Megret
musesofmegret@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite is Christmas because that usually means that I get to go home and spend time with my family.

I also subscribed via Yahoo and I've added a link to the contest on my blog.

Anonymous said...

I guess I should have done this seperately.

I subscribed.

Anonymous said...

I just did my post about the contest.

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday has always been Halloween! It's near my birthday, and I love autumn and dressing up :)

Anonymous said...

We love Halloween around here,mainly because we love the fall season that so quickly rolls into the holiday season

pancak said...

I love Christmas and try to keep it meaningful. Second fave is Halloween!

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I'm not crazy about all the fuss leading up to it, but I love the excitement and being around family!

Anonymous said...

Christmas

Unknown said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love everything about it, from the decorations, to the time spent with family, to the feeling of peace and joy.

Anonymous said...

Would love to win this - thanks!!!
cdrury@gmail.com
it would be christmas!!

Smooshy said...

Christmas!

Donna said...

I love Christmas because of the togetherness and the giving feeling surrounding the season.

Mommy Minded said...

I love everything about Christmas! Dirty Secret: I put my tree up after Halloween, not Thanksgiving! I love the smells, giving, time with family, road trips to get to the family! No look, you have me all worked up about it! Maybe I can get the tree up before Hubby gets home! lol (Drives him crazy that I put it up so early... it's just a month! lol)

Christine said...

I love Christmas because of all the anticipation leading up to the big day. I love shopping, wrapping gifts, and enjoying the decorations.

Anonymous said...

Christmas

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is Valentine's Day because I love romance :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

ols[dot]moonmaiden[at]gmail[dot]com

Denise S. said...

I love all the festivities, decorations, and food of Christmas!

Karen said...

Fav holiday is Halloween !

Dallimomma said...

I just heard him talk about his book on the radio the other day. I would really like to read it.
My favorite holiday is Christmas, especially if all my kids make it home this year. Thanks.

yadgirl said...

I love Easter

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas, but my second favorite is Independence Day. I love fireworks, time outside with the family, swimming, and watching a boat parade. And of course, I love celebrating living in this wonderful country. Although it is not perfect, there's no place I'd rather live.

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas and Easter!

Julie Donahue said...

We love holidays. My hubby and I got married on Valentine's Day. :) Our first son was born on Pearl Harbor Day. Our daughter is a firecracker (born on the 4th of July!). Our youngest son wasn't born on a holiday, but some years his birthday falls on Memorial Day.

zanvia said...

My favorite holiday is the 4th of July. NOT because of fireworks but because it is the holiday we all gather (the entire family) at the lake for a GREAT week! I'm sad it is already over!!

Anonymous said...

Christmas because of the joy of the season, and because more family gets together
cherylfrancisco@hotmail.com

purplepassion126 said...

Thanksgiving--good food, good people, and relaxation.

kmartin said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love all of the traditions and sharing time with all of my family together! Thanks for the opportunity!

chromiumman said...

christmas - everybody loves christmas

Aisling said...

I love Christmas. I love the religious aspect, the decorating, the shopping and wrapping and giving, the baking, the get-togethers, and . . . obviously, just everything about it.

Giulianna @ Family Blueprint said...

Honestly, I am torn between this decision. Selfishly, I would choose Christmas, because I love the nostalgia of it. It makes ME feel warm and fuzzy! Sure, I try to make it about Christ, but it still ends up being about snowmen, hot chocolate, Christmas trees, singing carols, buying gifts, etc.

But I also love Resurrection Day. Why? Because it keeps me in awe of a God who loves me so deeply that He gave Himself a ransom for someone like me! And not only did He die, but then He gave me the power in His resurrection to live for Him. And so I love the silly things my children and I do to keep that resurrection truth in our lives and celebrate with much joy!

Blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas - tha anticipation, family, presents...
Carolyn
ceimusic@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Christmas is my favorite! I love getting together with my extended family! sarahpauzauskie@yahoo.com

Allison said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas, my far! I love spending time with family, and seeing the excitement in my children's eyes on Christmas morning.

Roseann K. said...

My favorite holiday would be Thanksgiving. I love to make the complete turkey dinner and have my family over. Plus it's the all American holiday!

Anonymous said...

Christmas can, at times, get away from me, so I choose Thanksgiving!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

yellowlabs said...

Definately Christmas!

Anonymous said...

My favorite holiday is Valentine's Day which is also my birthday! Two gifts instead of one. Very romantic too.






BShaw75015@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Thanksgiving, A day we give Thanks as a family

Anonymous said...

Christmas is my favorite.

garnet63@msn.com

Jinxy and Me said...

I love Christmas!

Larry West said...

Christ's Birthday

kananee said...

Christmas! I know alot of it is commercial but it's so much fun, esp for the kids! And the whole atmosphere with the decorations, music, mood and the food, makes it so much merrier!

lokeelanee (at)netzero(dot)com

Jessilyn82 said...

I love Halloween, it's so much fun to get creative with decorations and whipping up spooky themed treats

Jayfr said...

Groundhog Day is my favorite. Love the movie version.

Samantha P said...

i loooove Halloween and Chanukah!

Anonymous said...

Christmas, as my two little girls are at the right age to so enjoy all the lights and the joys of getting gifts from Santa.

Unknown said...

Christmas is my favorite hokiday. garrettsambo@aol.com

Unknown said...

i really like New Years, lots of drinks!

bev said...

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the decorations and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Thanks for the contest!

Anonymous said...

Halloween is my favorite!

carissaad said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas because of what it represents and I enjoy getting together with family and friends. Although, this Christmas is going to be a little sad for my family because my brother will be deployed.

Thanks!

carissaad at aol dot com

carissaad said...

I subscribed.

mrstrooper said...

Halloween

klp1965 said...

i love halloween :)

masonsgranny59 said...

My favorite holiday is definitely Christmas.

lilyk said...

My favorite holiday is Christmas.

Anonymous said...

I love Christmas !!!!!

luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net