In "Enjoy," Trillia Newbell hopes to help readers realize that the many nuances of life can all be enjoyed for the glory of God. Newbell asserts that God has graciously placed in each of our lives numerous opportunities, things, and people of which we can freely enjoy. Although the Fall has significantly twisted the ability for us to appreciate and experience the pure pleasure that existed when God created the world, we can still receive these blessings with thanksgiving, gratitude, and joy. Throughout the chapters, Newbell discusses many different aspects of everyday life including relationships, art, work, marriage, music, rest, possessions, food, and creation. In each of these areas, the author highlights how we can turn what seems to be mundane into opportunities to capture a glimpse of God’s beauty and magnificence in what He has placed in our lives. For example, in one chapter, she argues for a renewed appreciation of food as a gift that God gives us to enjoy both individually and corporately. Combinations of different flavours and cooking styles allow us to appreciate the creativity of God and the diversity of His creation. Meals enjoyed in the context of family and friends help foster loving bonds and lasting relationships. Moreover, the Communion meal we partake as members of God’s household remind us that Christ is the eternal bread and wine which saves us. Thus, the food we eat in the present is not only for sustenance and pleasure but is also a foretaste of the wedding banquet that we will participate in when the Groom returns to wed His bride. Throughout the book, the author is cautious to steer away from prescribing instructions so as not to inadvertently promote legalism when one should simply be enjoying what God has given. However, Newbell does provide a set of suggestions at the end of each chapter to help readers being to look for ways to view life with a transformed perspective that focuses on both the small joys of the present and the grand joy we will experience in the future. At the end of the book are discussion questions pertaining to each chapter which would be of use to those engaging in group study.

I would recommend this book to those who struggle to find joy in the lull of the routine activities and occurrences in life. Newbell reminds readers that God’s manifold blessings are signposts that point to Him as the ultimate Giver and Source of all good things. Thus, instead of unmitigated indulgence or frugal abstinence, God calls us to take hold of and experience the beautiful things and people that He has placed in our lives in the present. While doing so however, we are to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal blessings that we will one day receive when Christ returns. What I find most compelling about Newbell’s book is the call to slowly and thoughtfully savour the goodness that God graciously showers upon us. When we allow these ordinary occurrences to slip through, we lose crucial opportunities to receive, relish, and praise God for the grace and love He lavishes upon us.

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission guidelines, I received a review copy from The Crown Publishing Group in exchange for a book review.

Blog: https://contemplativereflections.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/book-review-enjoy/

This thought-provoking book invites you to explore the truth of God’s Word and discover how to nurture daily a spirit of gratitude and deep satisfaction.

Is It okay to enjoy this life? Watching a gorgeous sunset. Sharing a laugh with a friend. Tasting a sun-ripened strawberry. Each day is full of opportunities for you to savor the countless gifts the Creator has given.

But do you feel free to delight in God’s abundant gifts, or is your joy sometimes distorted by guilt, fear of idolatry, or simply an overwhelming awareness of sin’s effects on this world?

Trillia Newbell explains how we often miss opportunities to participate in God’s divine delight because we’re discouraged, fixated on selfish fulfillment, or paralyzed by guilt. Enjoy serves as an encouraging reminder of God’s gracious gifts and also challenges women to view all of these gifts—from relationships and careers to food and sex—as reasons to rejoice in the Lord and grow in our understanding and appreciation of who He is.

Enjoy will open your eyes and your heart to the freedom of fully enjoying all God has given us!

A great book that helps the reader understand that they can fully live life. God has a plan for each one of us and we should live our lives fully in His grace and love; fulfilling what He has for us. This book will help the reader understand the possiblilities of this.

In eleven chapters, Newbell looks at how despite living in a fallen world, the Christian should never feel guilty about unwrapping and delighting in the many and varied gifts that God has intended for us to enjoy. This exploration includes our God-ordained enjoyment of (and with) other people, work, possessions, sex (in marriage), food, and more.
Rich with scripture, Enjoy continues to point the reader back to Christ as the ultimate gift of God that we should enjoy in and above everything else. Through the pages of The Enjoy Project (practical application found at the end of each chapter), Enjoy is relevant and readily adopted into the life of every Christian for their good, and God’s glory. This is a great read for individuals or small groups.

“We enjoy because we know that the gift is given by God for our enjoyment.” Trillia J. Newbell’s new book Enjoy provides a Biblical framework for enjoying all aspects of one’s life simply as gifts from God to enjoy. The guilt of enjoyment is removed as she shows how God intended for us to be content and to enjoy His gifts. Each chapter details an action plan for her “Enjoy Project” which is simply offered as a guide towards enjoyment of life and not a rigid to do list that must be followed. Enjoy covers many topics such as friendships, money, food, work, and rest. The journey through these topics is full of freedom and grace. I highly recommend this book as one to be savored and reviewed often. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.