Tony Merida does not live on standby. He and his family are active in their faith and live in the trenches, doing something about the lack of gospel-intentionality. Simply put, they are doers of the Word and not hearers only. They don't live a deceived life, they live a received life, because of what they received from Jesus' life.
This book is brief and packs a punch, but the punch is normal and that's exactly what makes it powerful. There is nothing flashy about doing what we ought to be doing, but the results can change people's lives and the world around us.
It's fun to sit on the sidelines and watch athletic competitions, but it's better to be a part of it on the field and Tony Merida is pushing for us as believers to get in on the game and leave the sidelines behind.
The book begins with a premise that Christianity is not what we are making it out to be: large conferences, rockstar speakers/bands, lighting effects, book releases, etc. It is simply living day to day in our careers and neighborhoods with gospel intentionality. We are to deny ourselves daily and do the little things well...such as serving our neighbors and coworkers and having our home open to others. Merida's plea is that if we would put effort forth in the menial things of life, then those things would no longer be menial but they would be meaningful and people would be changed.
It doesn't take long in the book for the author to take a stand for adoption and foster-care, which is biblical and a major segment of the Gospel. This is the author's heart and passion and he won't backdown from it. After reading this and seeing his heart, you'll be left without excuse to do something to support adoption and orphan care. However, after reading this book in it's entirety, it seems the book needs a new title, because the majority of the book is about orphan care and adoption. I'm not anti either of those in any way. But the book is titled ordinary and starts with an aim at our homes, careers and neighborhoods and most people need to know how and what they can do to reach their immediate circle of influence.
When the book takes a turn toward adoption and foster-care, I think some readers will be swift to neglect the remainder of the author's insight to Ordinary. But, this insight is needed because of the great need for both adoption and orphan-care. Just know that prior to reading, you're going to be challenged in that area of social justice.
Merida is a great writer and speaker and is grounded in Scripture. Therefore it's hard to argue against his stance, because it's not his stance, but God's stance.
I believe an entire other book could be written on Ordinary Christianity since this book leans so heavily on adoption and foster care.
Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for the copy. I was not required to write a positive review.
This book is brief and packs a punch, but the punch is normal and that's exactly what makes it powerful. There is nothing flashy about doing what we ought to be doing, but the results can change people's lives and the world around us.
It's fun to sit on the sidelines and watch athletic competitions, but it's better to be a part of it on the field and Tony Merida is pushing for us as believers to get in on the game and leave the sidelines behind.
The book begins with a premise that Christianity is not what we are making it out to be: large conferences, rockstar speakers/bands, lighting effects, book releases, etc. It is simply living day to day in our careers and neighborhoods with gospel intentionality. We are to deny ourselves daily and do the little things well...such as serving our neighbors and coworkers and having our home open to others. Merida's plea is that if we would put effort forth in the menial things of life, then those things would no longer be menial but they would be meaningful and people would be changed.
It doesn't take long in the book for the author to take a stand for adoption and foster-care, which is biblical and a major segment of the Gospel. This is the author's heart and passion and he won't backdown from it. After reading this and seeing his heart, you'll be left without excuse to do something to support adoption and orphan care. However, after reading this book in it's entirety, it seems the book needs a new title, because the majority of the book is about orphan care and adoption. I'm not anti either of those in any way. But the book is titled ordinary and starts with an aim at our homes, careers and neighborhoods and most people need to know how and what they can do to reach their immediate circle of influence.
When the book takes a turn toward adoption and foster-care, I think some readers will be swift to neglect the remainder of the author's insight to Ordinary. But, this insight is needed because of the great need for both adoption and orphan-care. Just know that prior to reading, you're going to be challenged in that area of social justice.
Merida is a great writer and speaker and is grounded in Scripture. Therefore it's hard to argue against his stance, because it's not his stance, but God's stance.
I believe an entire other book could be written on Ordinary Christianity since this book leans so heavily on adoption and foster care.
Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for the copy. I was not required to write a positive review.