Tuesday, July 15, 2014

The Ordinary Hero by Tim Chester

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It is with enormous excitement that I recommend this excellent book. I have been reading it this holiday and have been challenged, reminded, rebuked, encouraged and have fallen in love with Jesus again. I think it is safe to say that this book will singlehandedly bring about great fruit in any and every Christan's life who reads it.

The theme is about living with the Cross= Jesus at the very heart of who we are. It is clear, easy to read and practical. It is sure to remind you if not challenge you and many fronts.

The first chapter is entitled: How do you know God loves you?
This is a great way to start and it is a good question to ask. I asked my kids after reading it and was surprised and interested at their answers. 

The amazing thing Chester does is to draw us from the cross to our present lives in Christ. If God loves us this much well then what does that mean for....

* how and when I love others
*accepting others
* laying down my life
*complaining when I am let down by others
*being gracious to others

These are just a small taste of some of the great gems in this great book.

The chapter entitled: The way of the Cross just blew my mind. This is the challenge to make sure we are really selfless ; self-denying- self-surrender and not merely as the world calls us to self-expression; self-confident;  self-fulfilled and self love. This chapter is a reminder that we are made for something much bigger than the small kingdom of our self made world.

There are 5 parts to the book which are the key areas relating to the cross and each has several sub headings. If you are wanting to come to the cross for the first time or if you just need to be reminded about who jesus is and what his dying means for your life, then this is a book you will thoroughly enjoy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to explore the Christan Cross shaped life more clearly and with real desire to have a changed life.

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