"We are common folk. We sit in the bleachers, eat at diners, change diapers, and wear our favorite team's ball cap. Fans don't wave when we pass. Servants don't scurry when we come home. Chauffeurs don't drive our cars; butlers don't open our doors or draw our baths. We are regular fold. And we wonder: Does God use people like us? He did. God stampeded the first-century society with swaybacks not thoroughbreds. Their (the disciples) collars were blue, and their hands were calloused, and there is no evidence that Jesus chose th"
em because they were smarter or nicer than the guy next door. The only thing they had going for them was a willingness to take a step when Jesus said, 'Follow me.' Are you more dinghy than cruise ship? More stand-in than movie star? More blue jeans than blue blood? Congratulations. God changes the world with folks like you." This sounds like you and me doesn't it? Normal everyday folks. We are the people that Max Lucado is trying to reach with this book.
This is not a book that tells you "go feed the hungry" or "provide shelter to the homeless", rather this is a book that reminds us that you don't have to be a "somebody" in the world to be a "somebody" to someone in need. It is a book that reminds us that while we may feel overwhelmed by the problem, we can't fix it if we don't do something. Even something as simple as actually looking that homeless person in the eye and acknowledging that he/she exists. This book is a look at Acts, with a call to action, a call to act, in today's world.
I admit, I cheated. I went to Max Lucado's website and checked out his video series about this book. Even though I was getting to read this book before it was released, I just really wanted to know what this was about. After having read the book, I have to say that if you get the book watch the videos too. If you watch the videos, get the book also. I had goosebumps as I read each chapter and having seen the video (especially the first one with the clamshell) I kept visualizing what I was reading. Mr. Lucado does a phenomenal job of illustrating how we can easily blind ourselves to the call to help others, how we can create excuses to not help. He demonstrates how even little actions can have a huge impact. The book includes a discussion and action guide at the end for each chapter (that I really wish I had found before I read the book). Before I even finished the book I had a need to get out of my shell and into the world. Not to outlive my life so much. I don't really care if people know my name 5, 10, 100 years from now. But I do want to make a difference. I don't want to be just another person wearing a christian label but not having a christian heart.
Looking for a way to reach out to others after reading this book? Here are a few of my favorite ways
God's Tiny Angels
Caps for Good
Food for the Hungry
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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