Ordinary

Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World

De: Michael Horton

Narrado por: Michael Horton, Chris Ciulla

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 readers 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 readers 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.

A Good Overview

Ordinary focused on the individual in all aspects of life. Horton did not advocate for the individual to live his or her life to do something extraordinary for Christ but instead live in the moment looking how to best serve those in front of our faces. Horton did not condemn those who are called to seemingly higher forms of service, but rather gave a picture of how it takes many individuals serving in different capacities to make up a church. I believe the book could have been condensed in some places and still had the same message.

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.

Awesome book on the church and our purpose

Wonderful insights into our purpose in life and that of the church. You are a awesome narrator. You should narrate all your books!

Necessary in our radical culture

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

We need this message!

With the culture we live in having such an influence on our personal lives, families, and the church, we need to stand firm in the "Ordinary" and stay true to the faith and God's biblical leadership in our lives and church. The message in this book is so liberating!