THE CORNER BOOK BLOG

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Extraordinary, The Life You're Meant to Live


The giveaway copy was won by Kathy Carlton Willis. Congratulations!




For a change, I have a non-fiction book to review. I must say that this one was a bit difficult for me. I don't really do a lot of non-fiction because it's hard for me to focus on non-fiction. And this one was no different. I actually started it about four times before it really started to hit me how good it was.

The book is Extraordinary, The Life You're Meant to Live by John Bevere.

Let me start you off with the publisher's blurb:

There’s a question that troubles many believers: “Why am I not experiencing more joy, more hope, more satisfaction, more intimacy, more power, more everything in my Christian life--didn’t Jesus promise that?”

He did promise an abundant life, but too many people are trapped by the curse of “the ordinary.” They have accepted the wrong idea that following God means losing individuality, creativity, and a passion for achieving lofty goals.

Nothing could be further from the truth! John Bevere builds a convincing case, straight from Scripture, for a way of living marked by extraordinary experiences and accomplishments—the life God always intended for his children.

Here is a guide to understanding God’s incredible plans, and how to enjoy a life where he adds the “extra” to “ordinary.”

Mr. Bevere is quick to point out that there is a difference between God loving us and God being pleased with us. That ties directly in to the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary. We're taught that God loves us no matter what, and that's true. But are our actions pleasing to God? And what are the rewards of pleasing God? No, this is not selfishly trying to "get" for ourselves. God wants to give us all things - but many times we ourselves hinder that process.

Mr. Bevere shows us through personal examples and the most wonderful scripture selections (that he clarifies right in the selection) how we can move forward in living our lives extraordinarily. I saw things that I have read and heard in church since I was a small child with a completely new view. There's so much more to life than the ordinary and God wants it all for us.

Pick this book up and see what you can learn from it. You can follow this link to information about purchasing this book:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307457721&ref=externallink_wbp_extraordinary_sec_0817_01

If you leave a comment below you can be entered into a drawing to win a copy of this book. I'll be drawing a name on October 16. This drawing will be limited to US residents and the odds of winning will depend on the final number of entries.

Jody

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

6 comments:

  1. We're doing Driven by Eternity in our church. It's my first introduction to John Bevere. I would love to win Extraordinary by John. Please enter me.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds pretty interesting to me, although like you, Jody, I much prefer fiction to nonfiction, but I'd like to give this a try. Thanks for your honest review.

    Julie

    gsusatcharterdotnet

    ReplyDelete
  3. I read mostly fiction books but am always looking around for non-fiction as well. I would like to read more non-fiction during the day and this sounds like it should be good. Please enter my name in the drawing.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This book seems to address one of the most troubling aspects of my life, and the kind of self-doubt that most frequently attacks my faith. I would love to win a copy!

    Pat Smith
    (aka Fat Cat)

    pbsmith@wt.net

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really really want this book! Thanks for posting the promo for us to read more about it. WillisWay(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've read one of his books before and loved it. This one looks to be an encouraging read. I hate those feelings of self-doubt and wondering if my life will always seem unproductive and ordinary. Don't we all want a life that is extraordinary? :)

    sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete