Ordinary

Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World

By: Michael Horton

Narrated by: Michael Horton

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Radical. Crazy. Transformative and restless. Every word we read these days seems to suggest there's a "next-best-thing", if only we would change our comfortable, compromising lives. In fact, the greatest fear most Christians have is boredom - the sense that they are missing out on the radical life Jesus promised. One thing is certain. No one wants to be "ordinary".

Yet pastor and author Michael Horton believes that our attempts to measure our spiritual growth by our experiences, constantly seeking after the next big breakthrough, have left many Christians disillusioned and disappointed. There's nothing wrong with an energetic faith; the danger is that we can burn ourselves out on restless anxieties and unrealistic expectations. What's needed is not another program or a fresh approach to spiritual growth; it's a renewed appreciation for the commonplace.

Far from a call to low expectations and passivity, Horton invites listeners to recover their sense of joy in the ordinary. He provides a guide to a sustainable discipleship that happens over the long haul - not a quick fix that leaves listeners empty with unfulfilled promises.

Convicting and ultimately empowering, Ordinary is not a call to do less; it's an invitation to experience the elusive joy of the ordinary Christian life.

©2014 Zondervan (P)2014 Zondervan

The Fish is Made Aware of the Water

There's a saying (I don't know the origin) about how fish don't know they are in water even though they eat, sleep, breathe and spend every moment of their lives in the water...
This book has made me aware of the water. It's difficult to express just how much this book opened my eyes. I so completely bought into our culture's obsession with "radical" living that when I first read the title and synopsis, I thought it was a joke...some sort of satirical riff. But I'm so thankful that for whatever reason, I dove in anyway. Down the road, I imagine that I will look back and discover that this book has marked me.

Working as a Christian

If you are wondering what you are called to be or to do as a Christian this is a great place to start. And Horton gives vivid pictures of big ideas. Large concepts are well articulated by Horton.

To live the life you have been called to live

This is a thought provoking book to the point of bringing about action as a result of changes brought about by living life through the ordinary means of grace.

Biblical life primer

An excellent exploration of a Christ-centered life for all believers. This book frees the Christian from feeling they need to solve all the problems of the world in order to live a life that honors God.

A disappointment

I was legitimately excited to delve into this book at first and was looking forward to hear what Horton had to say about the Church's issues with the "ordinary." Unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed as he essentially takes the Boomer view of blaming the younger generation for immaturity. He also takes the liberty of defending groundless traditions and needlessly forcing his cessationist views into the work. What a waste of my time! While I agree with Horton on the issue of each successive generation basically trying to reinvent the wheel, I have an issue with this blatant close-minded perspective, and condescending know-it-all attitude that has thoroughly permeated, and tarnished, Christian academia and scholarship for decades. Please, PLEASE, come out of your ivory towers for once and see how things actually are instead of spouting your high-minded, self-important nonsense. The utter lack of attentiveness and honest listening is destroying the church. We don't need your theology. We need life.

Serving God in the ordinary

Ordinary illustrates how Hod works through our daily tasks to accomplish His Will. I love it.

Excellent!

This book was so good! Excellent compliment to a book like "don't waste your life" by Piper.

Excellent discussion

Very thoughtful engagement from single life to parenting to worshipping in the local body. Loved it.

Necessary in our radical culture

The church needs clear visibility in its purpose and this book is a great help in that.

Insightful Book

I enjoyed this book. It's both interesting and informative. It made me optimistic about my opportunities to give in Christ.

Excellent

A real antidote to performance based, event based, celebrity based Christian activity. This is such a useful book.

Ordinary

Horton is always helpful but there's nothing too out of the ordinary about this one.