__Christians are called to be thankful.__

What we believe about God is evident in how we exhibit thankfulness for all he has done. In this book, pastor Sam Crabtree encourages us to express glad-hearted thankfulness for God's unending provision in all circumstances. Through the daily practices of expressing gratitude—saying "thank you" to a neighbor, serving others in practical ways, or simply thanking God for his many gifts—we recognize the absolute and total lordship of God and his sovereignty over all things.

"After more than fifty years living as a quadriplegic, I can definitely say that godly gratitude is the key to contentment. It's why I am so excited about Sam Crabtree's Practicing Thankfulness. This remarkable work provides thorough biblical support as to how God-focused gratitude alters a Christian's orientation to himself, to others, and ultimately to the Lord himself. The pages are filled with practical guidelines to help a believer seize every life situation as a powerful opportunity to cultivate a glad and thankful heart. I give Practicing Thankfulness a double thumbs-up!"  
—__Joni Eareckson Tada,__ Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

"Christians have much to be thankful for—more than we could possibly imagine. But knowing we should be thankful isn't the same thing as living a life marked by thankfulness and gratitude. Sam Crabtree provides a helpful and essential book that reminds Christians of what we have received in Christ and in the gospel as well as practical steps to cultivate a thankful heart. We should be thankful for this book."  
—__R. Albert Mohler Jr.,__ President and Centennial Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

"As I read Practicing Thankfulness, I was freshly inspired by the beauty, necessity, and power of a grateful lifestyle and found myself thinking, Every believer needs to read this book. Not long ago, my precious husband, Robert, and I were plunged into turbulent waters as he was faced with two back-to-back cancer diagnoses (during a pandemic). Through it all, even in the midst of the most difficult days, gratitude has been a life preserver for our hearts, has transformed our perspective, and has infused us with unexplainable peace and joy. This terrific book will show you how thankfulness can do the same for you."  
—__Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth,__ author; Founder, Revive Our Hearts and True Woman

"What a spiritually refreshing book this is! Reasoning from dozens of passages of Scripture, and showing substantial theological insight, Sam Crabtree explains blessing after blessing that come from a heart filled with continual thanksgiving, even in hardship. This is the best treatment of thanksgiving I have ever read. Highly recommended!"  
—__Wayne Grudem,__ Distinguished Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary

"With theological precision and pastoral wisdom, Sam Crabtree helps us understand why it matters that our hearts are overflowing with thankfulness to God and how we can cultivate this godly grace in our lives. For many of us, this will be the most important book we read this year."  
—__Bob Lepine,__ Cohost, FamilyLife Today; Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Community Church, Little Rock, Arkansas

"In the midst of uncertain days we take comfort in the certainty of Christ's love for us. We have so much to be thankful for! Many of us are asking along with the psalmist: 'What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?' The answer to this question is authoritatively inscribed in Psalm 116 and beautifully illustrated here in Practicing Thankfulness. Powerful and practical, this book is an invitation to come and see and enjoy what the Lord has done, lifting up the cup of salvation in response."  
—__Gloria Furman,__ author, Alive in Him and Labor with Hope

"An attitude of gratitude is always in season. And I want to be around anyone who reminds me of this. Sam Crabtree is that guy. In this book, he has given us a well-crafted, engaging, thoughtful, and most importantly biblical look into thanksgiving (not the holiday, but the Christian virtue and lifestyle). He reminds us that God is great, and so we worship him. God is good, and so we give thanks. Amen! Not many books are solely designed to encourage thankfulness. This is one, and thus deserves your attention and a place on your bookshelf. But before you put it there, read it. It will remind you of the importance of giving thanks to God for everything, beginning with this book."  
—__Anthony J. Carter,__ Lead Pastor, East Point Church, East Point, Georgia

"Giving thanks is not theoretical for Sam Crabtree. He knows it. He lives it. And now he's studied it and labored to put one of his life's works into these pages for you to enjoy. Those of us who have long known Sam and labored with him in pastoral ministry have seen the message of this book in action. And now we get to go behind the curtain and see more of what makes Sam such an example of Christian gratitude. Neither he nor his fellow pastors will pretend that he's a perfect example, but in a day in which so many seem to be sinking deeper and deeper into cynicism and ingratitude, Sam is a genuine model and gifted teacher of giving thanks."  
—__David Mathis,__ Senior Teacher and Executive Editor, desiringGod.org; Pastor, Cities Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota; author, Habits of Grace

"I thank God for Sam Crabtree. He is a wise and jovial brother who practices what he preaches in this book: he gives thanks in all circumstances. (Don't miss the last chapter—a creative list of one hundred practical ways to be thankful.)"  
—__Andrew David Naselli,__ Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament, Bethlehem College and Seminary; Pastor, the North Church, Mounds View, Minnesota

Pastor Sam Crabtree surveys the Bible's teaching on gratitude, demonstrating that every moment is an opportunity to observe, embrace, and appreciate with thankfulness the wondrous workings of God in ordinary life.

Sam Crabtree

Cover

Newsletter Signup

Endorsements

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction Where Life Pivots

1 The Rightness of Gratitude

2 The Wisdom of Gratitude

3 Portrait of a Grateful Heart

4 The Fruitfulness of Gratitude

5 Dangers of Ingratitude

6 Thankfulness in Action

7 Thankfulness and Contentment

8 Thankfulness and Wonder

9 Thankfulness and Suffering

10 Hindrances to Thankfulness

11 Various Questions about Thankfulness

12 One Hundred Ways to Be Thankful

Acknowledged with Thanks

General Index

Scripture Index

__Christians are called to be thankful.__

What we believe about God is evident in how we exhibit thankfulness for all he has done. In this book, pastor Sam Crabtree encourages us to express glad-hearted thankfulness for God’s unending provision in all circumstances. Through the daily practices of expressing gratitude—saying “thank you” to a neighbor, serving others in practical ways, or simply thanking God for his many gifts—we recognize the absolute and total lordship of God and his sovereignty over all things.

Introduction: Where Life Pivots

Chapter 1: The Rightness of Gratitude

Chapter 2: The Wisdom of Gratitude

Chapter 3: Portrait of a Grateful Heart

Chapter 4: The Fruitfulness of Gratitude

Chapter 5: Dangers of Ingratitude

Chapter 6: Thankfulness in Action

Chapter 7: Thankfulness and Contentment

Chapter 8: Thankfulness and Wonder

Chapter 9: Thankfulness and Suffering

Chapter 10: Hindrances to Thankfulness

Chapter 11: Various Questions about Thankfulness

Chapter 12: One Hundred Ways to Be Thankful

“After more than fifty years living as a quadriplegic, I can definitely say that godly gratitude is the key to contentment. It’s why I am so excited about Sam Crabtree’s Practicing Thankfulness. This remarkable work provides thorough biblical support as to how God-focused gratitude alters a Christian’s orientation to himself, to others, and ultimately to the Lord himself. The pages are filled with practical guidelines to help a believer seize every life situation as a powerful opportunity to cultivate a glad and thankful heart. I give Practicing Thankfulness a double thumbs-up!”

Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center

“Christians have much to be thankful for—more than we could possibly imagine. But knowing we should be thankful isn’t the same thing as living a life marked by thankfulness and gratitude. Sam Crabtree provides a helpful and essential book that reminds Christians of what we have received in Christ and in the gospel as well as practical steps to cultivate a thankful heart. We should be thankful for this book.”

R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Centennial Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“As I read Practicing Thankfulness, I was freshly inspired by the beauty, necessity, and power of a grateful lifestyle and found myself thinking, Every believer needs to read this book. Not long ago, my precious husband, Robert, and I were plunged into turbulent waters as he was faced with two back-to-back cancer diagnoses (during a pandemic). Through it all, even in the midst of the most difficult days, gratitude has been a life preserver for our hearts, has transformed our perspective, and has infused us with unexplainable peace and joy. This terrific book will show you how thankfulness can do the same for you.”

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, author; Founder, Revive Our Hearts and True Woman

“What a spiritually refreshing book this is! Reasoning from dozens of passages of Scripture, and showing substantial theological insight, Sam Crabtree explains blessing after blessing that come from a heart filled with continual thanksgiving, even in hardship. This is the best treatment of thanksgiving I have ever read. Highly recommended!”

Wayne Grudem, Distinguished Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary

“With theological precision and pastoral wisdom, Sam Crabtree helps us understand why it matters that our hearts are overflowing with thankfulness to God and how we can cultivate this godly grace in our lives. For many of us, this will be the most important book we read this year.”

Bob Lepine, Cohost, FamilyLife Today; Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Community Church, Little Rock, Arkansas

“In the midst of uncertain days we take comfort in the certainty of Christ’s love for us. We have so much to be thankful for! Many of us are asking along with the psalmist: ‘What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?’ The answer to this question is authoritatively inscribed in Psalm 116 and beautifully illustrated here in Practicing Thankfulness. Powerful and practical, this book is an invitation to come and see and enjoy what the Lord has done, lifting up the cup of salvation in response.”

Gloria Furman, author, Alive in Him and Labor with Hope

“An attitude of gratitude is always in season. And I want to be around anyone who reminds me of this. Sam Crabtree is that guy. In this book, he has given us a well-crafted, engaging, thoughtful, and most importantly biblical look into thanksgiving (not the holiday, but the Christian virtue and lifestyle). He reminds us that God is great, and so we worship him. God is good, and so we give thanks. Amen! Not many books are solely designed to encourage thankfulness. This is one, and thus deserves your attention and a place on your bookshelf. But before you put it there, read it. It will remind you of the importance of giving thanks to God for everything, beginning with this book.”

Anthony J. Carter, Lead Pastor, East Point Church, East Point, Georgia

“Giving thanks is not theoretical for Sam Crabtree. He knows it. He lives it. And now he’s studied it and labored to put one of his life’s works into these pages for you to enjoy. Those of us who have long known Sam and labored with him in pastoral ministry have seen the message of this book in action. And now we get to go behind the curtain and see more of what makes Sam such an example of Christian gratitude. Neither he nor his fellow pastors will pretend that he’s a perfect example, but in a day in which so many seem to be sinking deeper and deeper into cynicism and ingratitude, Sam is a genuine model and gifted teacher of giving thanks.”

David Mathis, Senior Teacher and Executive Editor, desiringGod.org; Pastor, Cities Church, Saint Paul, Minnesota; author, Habits of Grace

“I thank God for Sam Crabtree. He is a wise and jovial brother who practices what he preaches in this book: he gives thanks in all circumstances. (Don’t miss the last chapter—a creative list of one hundred practical ways to be thankful.)”

Andy Naselli, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament, Bethlehem College and Seminary; Elder, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis

__Sam Crabtree__ is a pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he has served for over twenty years. He is a former public-school teacher, is the chairman of the board of Bethlehem College &amp; Seminary, and is the author of Practicing Affirmation. Sam and his wife, Vicki, live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Practicing Thankfulness

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