Description:
What if the path toward an extraordinary life is becoming more ordinary?Ordinary is not a call to be more radical. If anything, it is a call to the contrary. The kingdom of God isn’t coming with light shows, and shock and awe, but with lowly acts of service. Tony Merida wants to push back against sensationalism and “rock star Christianity,” and help people understand that they can make a powerful impact by practicing ordinary Christianity.
Through things such as humble acts of service, neighbor love, and hospitality, Christians can shake the foundations of the culture. In order to see things happen that have never happened before, Christians must to do what Christians have always done. Christians need to become more ordinary.
Let’s think together about how we, ordinary people, doing ordinary things, might turn the world upside down. (From the Publisher’s Website)
Book Trailer:
Review:
How do we impact the world around us? How do we do it in a way that reflects Christ? How do we find time for ministry to the people we run into on a daily basis? If you have thought about these or similar questions, this book is for you.
Mercy ministry is gaining momentum in this generation. We are finding ways to do it corporately. But how do I do it as an individual?
Tony Merida has written an excellent guide to show us how and why we should be involved in the world around us. Here are some of the reasons I would recommend this book:
1. The concepts in this book have an underlying philosophy: everyone you come in contact with is made in the image of God.
Whether it is your Christian granny or your atheist co-worker, it is important to remember that every person you encounter is made in the image of God. This means that no one is excluded from the call to love our neighbor.
2. The author gives us this formula: “The same motive for giving a cup of cold water, or to adopt an orphan, is the same instinct that drives us to proclaim the gospel: love.”
I think the way I and many others have looked at this in the past is for mercy ministry to become a platform for evangelization. Evangelizing might happen and often does in the context of mercy ministry but if it becomes the end game, we often look past the people and their needs. They become a statistic. We should do good for others because we love them. We also proclaim the gospel to them because we love them.
3. The author gives us practical ways to help those around us.
Each chapter talks about a specific way to love those we come in contact with and also gives several examples of how to demonstrate that love. He does not give a one-size-fits-all solution that leaves the reader feeling shamed if they cannot do that specific ministry. But we can all do something and he merely presents options with their implications.
I highly recommend this book for every Christian.
Book Details:
- Author: Tony Merida
- Publisher: B&H
- Format: Hardcover
- Page Count: 160
- ISBN#: 9781433684166
- List Price: $12.99
About the Author:
Tony Merida is lead pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He earned a Ph.D. in preaching from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as associate professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His books include Faithful Preaching and Orphanology. (From the Publisher’s Website)
Where to Buy:
Disclaimer: I received this book from B&H via Cross-Focused Reviews in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Books - Reviewed by Cliff 