Overview

In a world tense with anger and division, how can we preserve our sense of well-being and inject a little more kindness into our daily interactions? Pastor Jill J. Duffield finds an answer in the apostle Paul’s guidance in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Thinking about, looking for, appreciating these eight things can reorient our hearts and minds in ways that nurture compassion for ourselves, those in need, and those with whom we are inclined to disagree. Duffield leads the way with stories and insights that will transform your outlook on the world—and maybe even the world itself. With eight chapters of six reflections each, Appreciate These Things can serve as a daily devotional, an eight-week group study, or an accessible, inspirational individual read.

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Reviews

""In a culture that can tear us apart with contempt and disdain of others, Jill Duffield offers a wise perspective. Her invitation is to consider how a 'generosity of spirit' can heal and connect us as we appreciate the good in each of us.""—Elizabeth F. Caldwell, author of Pause and coeditor of Growing in God’s Love  ""Duffield offers a combination of thorough theological grounding, a rich capacity for storytelling, and a deep attentiveness to the everyday reality of our lives. Here she is guided by Paul’s ethical catalog in Philippians. The outcome of her generative work is ethical instruction concerning the most practical of work done for the well-being of our neighbors. Her book is a welcome summons to the good, sustainable work of transformative faith.""—Walter Brueggemann, author of Sabbath as Resistance and Gift and Task  ""In this moving book, Duffield takes seriously Paul’s invitation in Philippians 4:8 about what virtues one should think deeply about. She dwells in this verse of Scripture and offers her readers gift after gift—stories of compassion, insights of love and joy, visions of the holy in ordinary life. Her finest gift, though, is the way she trains our imaginations to pay attention to the signs of God dispersed everywhere, all around us. This is a book to celebrate.""—Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Candler School of Theology  ""With gentleness and clarity, Duffield invites the people of God to live into what we say we believe: that all people are created in the image of God. She has given us a practical and accessible resource that encourages self-reflection and dialogue and dares to hope that learning how to 'appreciate' one another could actually change the world.""—Carol Cavin-Dillon, senior pastor, West End United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee  ""With transparency and compassion in her message, Duffield manages to walk a razor’s edge. While the stories can be almost folksy at times, Duffield still holds those in privilege accountable, including herself. Her scholarship shows a keen mind while, at the same time, her writing shows a kindness and grace that is much needed in today’s world. Appreciate These Things is book that everyone would benefit from reading in these challenging times.""—Jerry Herships, author of Last Call and Rogue Saints  ""Duffield takes what seems like a list of abstract virtues and brings them to life through engaging stories and well-grounded reflections. Her luminous writing draws us in, inviting the reader to connect her stories with their own. This book will provoke new insights on the ongoing process of learning how to live the Christian life in our ordinary days."" —Cynthia M. Campbell, author of Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes  ""As a Sunday school child, I heard Philippians 4:8 as an admonition to wrangle my thoughts and constrain my heart, to block out sin by a mind control that allows only good things. But reading this book, I felt my jaw unclench and my shoulders drop, drawn into Duffield’s loving view of God, of life, of others, and of Scripture. Hers is an invitation into the compassion that lies at the heart of it all. Her stories, teachings, practices, and questions offer new channels of understanding for me—and a gentle assurance that gratitude is indeed the way to peace.""—Karen Wright Marsh, executive director, Theological Horizons, and author of Wake Up to Wonder and Vintage Saints and Sinners ""Brief spiritual practices are interspersed throughout Appreciate These Things, and each chapter concludes with user-friendly reflection questions. Small group leaders will find that these questions (along with free videos the publisher shares on YouTube) make for a meaningful (and low-prep) experience"" - Presbyterian Outlook

""In a culture that can tear us apart with contempt and disdain of others, Jill Duffield offers a wise perspective. Her invitation is to consider how a 'generosity of spirit' can heal and connect us as we appreciate the good in each of us.""—Elizabeth F. Caldwell, author of Pause and coeditor of Growing in God’s Love  ""Duffield offers a combination of thorough theological grounding, a rich capacity for storytelling, and a deep attentiveness to the everyday reality of our lives. Here she is guided by Paul’s ethical catalog in Philippians. The outcome of her generative work is ethical instruction concerning the most practical of work done for the well-being of our neighbors. Her book is a welcome summons to the good, sustainable work of transformative faith.""—Walter Brueggemann, author of Sabbath as Resistance and Gift and Task  ""In this moving book, Duffield takes seriously Paul’s invitation in Philippians 4:8 about what virtues one should think deeply about. She dwells in this verse of Scripture and offers her readers gift after gift—stories of compassion, insights of love and joy, visions of the holy in ordinary life. Her finest gift, though, is the way she trains our imaginations to pay attention to the signs of God dispersed everywhere, all around us. This is a book to celebrate.""—Thomas G. Long, Bandy Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Candler School of Theology  ""With gentleness and clarity, Duffield invites the people of God to live into what we say we believe: that all people are created in the image of God. She has given us a practical and accessible resource that encourages self-reflection and dialogue and dares to hope that learning how to 'appreciate' one another could actually change the world.""—Carol Cavin-Dillon, senior pastor, West End United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee  ""With transparency and compassion in her message, Duffield manages to walk a razor’s edge. While the stories can be almost folksy at times, Duffield still holds those in privilege accountable, including herself. Her scholarship shows a keen mind while, at the same time, her writing shows a kindness and grace that is much needed in today’s world. Appreciate These Things is book that everyone would benefit from reading in these challenging times.""—Jerry Herships, author of Last Call and Rogue Saints  ""Duffield takes what seems like a list of abstract virtues and brings them to life through engaging stories and well-grounded reflections. Her luminous writing draws us in, inviting the reader to connect her stories with their own. This book will provoke new insights on the ongoing process of learning how to live the Christian life in our ordinary days."" —Cynthia M. Campbell, author of Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes  ""As a Sunday school child, I heard Philippians 4:8 as an admonition to wrangle my thoughts and constrain my heart, to block out sin by a mind control that allows only good things. But reading this book, I felt my jaw unclench and my shoulders drop, drawn into Duffield’s loving view of God, of life, of others, and of Scripture. Hers is an invitation into the compassion that lies at the heart of it all. Her stories, teachings, practices, and questions offer new channels of understanding for me—and a gentle assurance that gratitude is indeed the way to peace.""—Karen Wright Marsh, executive director, Theological Horizons, and author of Wake Up to Wonder and Vintage Saints and Sinners

Author Information

Jill J. Duffield is the Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, and formerly served as the editor of The Presbyterian Outlook. She holds an MDiv from Union Presbyterian Seminary and a DMin from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is the author of Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects and Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects.

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