I'm no food critic but can't help but compare Bevere's new book to a high dollar entree in a 5 star restaurant. The presentation is a feast for the eyes, drawing you in, stirring the desire for a quick gulp, but knowing it is delicate enough to be nibbled on. However, while tasting the exquisitely presented gem, you note how light it goes down, yet satisfies as a heavy meal. And then, once satisfied, you lean back in your chair and nod with a smile on your face, recalling how delectable it was. Your eyes scan the dining room wondering why everyone wouldn't want to experience the same dish.
Bevere returns to teaching mode in Extraordinary to explain why, as Christians, we tend to fall short and never reach the potential we could. He explains what living in grace daily means. He also makes a convincing argument that many tend to concentrate on just getting saved and not leading a rich, abundant life. But by doing that, we stop short. Real short.
His Island Man story was profound on many levels-more so than he even covers in the book. Later in the book when he explains what transpired spiritually within his staff during the 2002 wild fire, I teared up and became instantly motivated as I finally "got it". It's not about just barely getting by, or just settling. And that word extraordinary? It's not just a cute book title-it's a mandate to get out there and live the life we were meant to live through Christ.
It is my passion to make the word "Christian" mean something. If you say you are one, live it. Demonstrate that you are different and make no compensation whatsoever. Along those same lines, Bevere motivates the reader to step up and rise above a life of apathy and passiveness. He calls the Christian to a life of extraordinary proportions and then explains how.
As you read and have your own moments of finally getting it, you will be tempted to look around you and wonder why everyone wouldn't want to experience the same thing. But that's where you and I come in. We tell them. And we start that conversation with "Have you read Extraordinary yet?"
John Bevere is an internationally popular conference speaker, teacher, and author of bestsellers, including The Bait of Satan, Drawing Near, and Driven by Eternity. His award-winning curriculum and books have been translated in over sixty languages and his weekly television program, The Messenger, is broadcast around the world. John and his wife, Lisa—also a bestselling author and speaker—reside with their family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit his ministry website at Messenger International
Buy Extraordinary here
Live Q&A with author John Bevere today at 6 PM EST. See broadcast here
Read Chapter one here
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307457729
ISBN-13: 978-0307457721
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
