Divine Applause by Jeff Anderson

We know God sees us all the time, but might there be ways we could live to capture His attention?

Anderson says, “Yes.” He begins his book by helping us “see” as God sees. He relates his own experiences with God, as well as stories he uses to illustrate his relationship with God. He encourages us to ask for moments where we receive more assurance of His presence. He encourages us to be pleasing to God. When we embrace the idea of pleasing God, we will be much closer to experiencing the rewards that come with walking with God, like divine applause.

In the second part of the book, Anderson encourages us to take bold steps to live differently. We can put ourselves in a position to notice God noticing us. He explores hearing God's voice. “Hearing God requires initiative, planning, and action.”

The last part of the book is on living blameless. He writes of rewards but I am not convinced we will have “possessions and positions in heaven.”

Reading this book will not guarantee you will experience God's presence. Anderson shares his own experience of going on a 40 day juice fast. He writes that on day 32 he felt his spirit was empty. At the end of the 40 days, he admits he had not experienced the God encounter he had prayed for. Yet, he was at peace, trusting what he could not see or feel. “We don't always get tangible proof of God's presence.”

This book is a good wake up call for us, reminding us, “Our purpose on life is to please God.” He has great suggestions for ways to do that, all the while being aware of God's attention on us. “God is more engaged with us that we realize,” he says. That is encouragement indeed.

You can find out more about the book and associated resources at www.DivineApplause.com.

You can read chapter one here.

Jeff Anderson speaks and writes about walking with God, combining Scripture and story. He began his career working as a CPA for a Big Six accounting firm then became a day-trader in the stock market. Following that, he joined Crown Financial Ministries as vice president for North American Generosity Initiatives. In 2010 he launched AcceptableGift.org where he speaks, writes, and consults with churches and ministries in the area of financial giving. He blogs about walking with God at www.JeffAndersonWalking.com.

Multnomah Books, 224 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.