The Gutter: Where Life is Meant to be Lived [Paperback]

Mr. Craig Gross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2011

Why did an all-knowing, all-powerful God send the perfection of His kingdom—His only Son—to the earth through the gutter? Why did Jesus spend so much time, reaching out to people in their own secret, dark places? Why do His followers so often turn away from those very same situations? The Gutter chronicles the author’s journey to the gutter, telling the stories and sharing the insights he gained while spending time with the people who dwell there. The Gutter serves as a manifesto for all different types of people in the Church: those who yearn to impact the culture around them, those who have reassessed their discovery of Christ and want to make their story known, and those who are seeking out new, fresh ways of exhibiting Christ’s love to the poor in spirit.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Craig Gross is a pastor as well as the founder of Fireproof Ministries and XXXchurch.com He is a sought-after speaker throughout the country. www.craiggross.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Relevant Media Group, Incorporated (May 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976035707
• ISBN-13: 978-0976035701
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Evangelism > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Should We Serve Our Neighbors?, July 27, 2005

By 

GRB "christian_hedonist" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gutter: Where Life is Meant to be Lived (Paperback)

Craig Gross powerfully answers this question in this new book. We must meet others in the "gutter" to truly love and serve them. Jesus went into the gutters of this world to find people in need - sinners, prostitutes, lepers, and tax collectors, to name a few. Craig argues we should do the same. Where is the gutter? Any place in this world where darkness reigns. Meet people in their world and show them Christ's love, mercy and forgiveness. Craig shows us how to be a light in the dark places of this world. Meet people where they are broken and hurt, serve them and bring them out of the gutter. Love your neighbor. Get in the gutter!!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration and motivation, June 10, 2005

By 

Aaron Alexander (Dallas, Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gutter: Where Life is Meant to be Lived (Paperback)

Before I even picked up this book to read, I was a tad skeptical as to what this book could tell me that I haven't already heard, read or seen. I've sat through hundreds of lectures, church services, discussions about how we are supposed to "live our lives" and how we need to give every spare minute we have to feeding the homeless and the less-fortunate. So, having already been exposed to that like radiation, what new and insightful could this book tell me. It had to be just another run-of-the-mill book with a cool cover, right?

I couldn't have been more wrong. From the minute I flipped past the index page, I had a hard time putting this book down. This isn't just your average "live your life extraordinarily" book. It is gritty, real, and downright dirty - and it challenges me to be the same. Craig Gross is a master at relating the concepts of living our lives in the gutter around US, the gutter that we all experience every day (whether it's the homeless, indigent, middle-class, or rich beyond connectivity). It's truly how Jesus lived - and it's what the crux of Christianity is all about. It's who we're meant to be. It's how we're meant to live. It's damn relevant.

I highly recommend this book for all believers who truly want to make a difference in the world around them and not just be "run of the mill" Christians like Pastor Bible mentioned in the book.

{My thanks to Relevant Books for the special offer on this book}

Aaron Alexander

[e-mail]

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, December 6, 2005

By 

T. Suzanne Eller, Author "Suzanne Eller, Author" (beautiful NE Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gutter: Where Life is Meant to be Lived (Paperback)

I don't consider serving the homeless or going into places where people don't know Christ as the gutter, BUT I do love the heart and passion and authenticity of both this author and the book. We are called to live outside the church pew. We do find real relationships and real outreach when we hang with people who are perhaps asking tough questions about faith and life in general. There were times as I read this book that I paused, wanting to make sure that those who have diverse ministries in the body of Christ aren't discounted because they aren't in the "gutter", but I also underlined and highlighted passages that were right on target.

As an author, speaker, and minister to teens and families, but mostly as a fellow believer, I applaud the courage it took to write this book. It's a great resource and one that every believer and every leader in the body of Christ should read.