Customer Reviews

WEIRD: Because Normal Isn't Working

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a balanced book. Let me explain what I mean. Craig deals with situations the ordinary American believer and unbeliever faces. Things such as time management, responsible financial decisions, marriage, parenting, sexual purity, intimacy, relationship with God, and morals. He approaches the topics with personal stories, others' examples, Bible centered advice, and ways to apply the solutions to life practically. What he said about time is worth mentioning here. God gave us enough time to accomplish His will for our lives, we do not need more time. We need to handle the time we have right. The chapter on marriage stirred my heart to put more effort into my relationship with my wife. The chapter on parenting encouraged me to live Jesus before my daughter and keep an eternal perspective of her becoming Christ-like instead of achieving the world's idea of success. He said to be real with kids by being human and admitting failure. One last thought, Craig states no one starts a marriage thinking they will have an affair, but so many people do today. He shows insightfully how someone gets to the place they have an affair when they thought it could never happen. The tips to be vigilant in this area are great.

Pastor Craig is the weirdest man I know. In the best possible way. I think this book will give you permission to be the kind of Christian you've always secretly known God is calling you to be. You want to overthrow the system of complacency? You want to beat mediocrity? You want to make the devil nervous when you walk in a room? Get this book. There's no better pastor in America than Craig Groeschel. I've never met anyone like him. Prepare yourself. It's about to get weird up in here.

"Normal is to strive for the center of what the world lives like. Weird is to live to be in the center of God's will" p. 120

Craig Groeschel claims to be weird and he encourages his readers to be weird as well. Why? Because normal just isn't that great. In his book, Weird, Groeschel compares the norm for time management, money, relationships, sex, and values with biblical teachings in order to show that "weird" is better.

Groeschel does a very good job exposing the pitfalls of normal ways of life. I think the honest reader would readily agree. In each area, Groeschel delivers biblical insight and practical steps toward something different. Some of his advice will seem very familiar, whereas some will be more challenging. Groeschel attacks the prosperity gospel in his section on money, which may surprise many readers. He also teaches sexual purity for adults, whereas most Christian authors seem to only address this as a topic for adolescents.

However, much of the book just doesn't seem to go far enough. It loses steam. The sections on time and money are much more detailed and valuable than those on relationships and sex. In the end, I think Groeschel could have gotten his point across in a magazine article. To truly get a lot out of this topic, a series of books may have been better.

For many, this may be a good start. Perhaps it is the initial challenge to no longer consider the Christian life as synonymous with the "American Dream."

If your use of time and money has become a problem or you struggle in your relationships or with sexual sin, this book may be a good place for you to start. If you are already reading David Platt or Francis Chan, there is nothing new here.

I've heard Pastor Craig speak before on living a life that is not normal, and was truly inspired by it. That's why i was so excited when this book came out. It takes that concept of not living a normal life and makes you want embrace the weird. A weird that makes you want to live a radical life doing everything you can to bring glory to a Holy God.

Read this book! For anyone who needs encouragement, this book is for you. Pastor Craig Groeschel always brings fresh insight to anyone wanting to grow in their faith. I highly recommend it!

I'm always grateful to read what Pastor Craig has written. He challenges the conventional and celebrates the creative as he calls us out to live life away from "normal." He's been there, he's done that. He leads where few others have been and intentionally seeks new ways to challenge and speak life into people, churches and organizations. There's something else to be done, there's a different way to approach purpose, there's something not normal about living in your sweet spot. Step out ... get Weird.

Most people at some time feel worn out (stress), maxed out (debt), flat out (busy), this book gives practical ways to get ahead in life and live in a way that matters. I also heard the author is donating all royalties to charity... Now that is WEIRD!

Pastor Craig does an inspiring job of motivating me to be WEIRD (because normal isn't working)! Far too often I get wrapped up in all I have going on and as a follower of Christ I drift back into the "normal" routines and patterns of life. This was a great kick in the tail to get me back on the WEIRD side of things. Well worth your time!

This is not your typical "in your face" approach to coming back to Christ. Craig Groeschel really uses personal experiences that felt like he was telling my story. I could really relate to how "normal" I'd become. His challenge is that we become different as Christians. In essence...to be WEIRD! He takes a very balanced approach at using relevant scripture verses to support his stories. His challenges are not hard, and those challenges take you to an introspective view of yourself and where you stand with your relationship with Christ. Being a "Lukewarm Christian" is an oxymoron much like "Jumbo Shrimp", and the author really takes his writing energy and allows God to use him to touch the readers.

Our busy lives really become stale with marriage, children, careers, "church life", and it amazes me how we really lose focus on the gifts and talents that God has given each and every one of us. The author excites you, he inspires you, he made me laugh out loud, and I know you will be blessed!

Pastor Craig Groeschel challenges us to live a not normal life in his latest book "Weird." From the author of "It", "The Christian Atheist" and others, Pastor Craig's latest book is insistent on us living a weird life. One quote that resonates from Pastor Craig is this: "Instead of living stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted, you can live a life of meaningful relationships, intentional scheduling, and deep, fulfilling rest for your soul." "Weird" hits home in all areas of your life: as a leader, an employee, a spouse and a parent. I love this line that speaks to the vision I have for my boys: "Our greatest priority as Christian parents is to transfer our children's dependence away from us until it rests solely on God." You can't go wrong with this book purchase.