Normal? Who's normal?
Not you, that's for sure! No one you've ever met, either. None of us are normal according to God's definition, and the closer we get to each other, the plainer that becomes. Yet for all our quirks, sins, and jagged edges, we need each other. Community is more than just a word--it is one of our most fundamental requirements. So how do flawed, abnormal people such as ourselves master the forces that can drive us apart and come together in the life-changing relationships God designed us for?
In Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them, teacher and bestselling author John Ortberg zooms in on the things that make community tick. You'll get a thought-provoking look at God's heart, at others, and at yourself. Even better, you'll gain wisdom and tools for drawing closer to others in powerful, impactful ways. With humor, insight, and a gift for storytelling, Ortberg shows how community pays tremendous dividends in happiness, health, support, and growth. It's where all of us weird, unwieldy people encounter God's love in tangible ways and discover the transforming power of being loved, accepted, and valued just the way we are.
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"Read and discussed this for our Community Group over 12 weeks. Some chapters were somewhat basic, but I felt like it got better as the book progressed. Overall, a good book to work through as a group. It has stimulated good discussion and encouraged members to open up, I think."
— Casey (4 out of 5 stars)
" I listened to the audiocassette. "
— Jana, 2/10/2014" This was a book we read in my small group. Some parts were nice and there are some good how-to skills for people like me who need them sometimes, but it seemed a little superficial for me. "
— Lisa, 2/9/2014" GREAT!!!! Loved it! "
— Tish, 2/8/2014" Enjoyed the concepts on personal relationships. "
— John, 1/25/2014" Easy to read, upbeat and humorous. Worked well for a small group setting. Although not terribly profound there were parts that sparked introspection. "
— Amber, 1/24/2014" Wonderful storytelling by John Ortberg. Helps open our eyes and hearts to empathy in beal "real". A place we can all be real just the way we are~ "
— Ann, 1/22/2014" Well, I actually just read about half of it. It was getting pretty uninteresting near the end. "
— Lesley, 1/17/2014" Audio - the title of this book is one of my favorite all time quotes. I so wanted this to be a fantastic book. It just wasn't. "
— Jason, 1/7/2014" Not nearly so good as his other books..... "
— Becky, 1/3/2014" John Ortberg has such a great sense of humor--sometimes he cracks me up, even as I'm marveling at how insightful and applicable his words are. I recommend anything by him! "
— Mary, 1/3/2014" Very good book. Read it a few years ago. "
— Richard, 1/3/2014" I love john Ortberg's thoughtful and humor- filled writings. He is a great story teller that makes you think. Our ladies Bible study read this book together. "
— Benji, 10/23/2013" This was a pleasant read, perhaps a little to cute and comfortable. Ortberg is so entertaining and gentle that it's easy to gloss over the action points. "
— Apryl, 10/17/2013" This is a great book. I love John Ortberg. He is a gifted writer that keeps your interest. This book reminded me about the importance of community and accepting people for who they are. "
— Karen, 9/22/2013" Hoping to find this on audio "
— Yvonne, 9/7/2013" It's a good book for building community within a small group or Sunday school. I found the first half to be more challenging (in a good way) than the later half. "
— Alex, 8/8/2013" laugh out loud funny!!!!!!!!! AND sooooo true! "
— Lori, 12/19/2011" I tried to keep an open mind but was irked early first by a tasteless comment about my profession but more profoundly by a derogatory position on men who dress in all kinds of clothing implying a blind view on homosexuality "
— Lindsey, 8/13/2011" This guy is great! He has a real gift for taking an everyday event and bringing a great spiritual point out of it - and for looking at bible passages and applying them to our lives. I feel really challenged about some of my relationships and attitudes to other people. "
— Alison, 1/10/2011" A must read for any community. This book offers many principles in making relationships to be fruitful and edifying in a community. "
— Eileen, 10/7/2009" Good book. Informative & thought provoking. Took me a second to settle into it, but once I did, I enjoyed it. It had some witty parts & some that were repetitive but all in all it was a good book. "
— Imjstgr8, 8/29/2009" Some good topics on community but could have gone deeper. "
— Heather, 6/2/2009" its a reread and reread and reread. so much to take to heart! "
— Mags, 12/24/2008" I've read this in a small group setting several times and it always generates great group discussion and challenging questions. It's a great book about dealing with all sorts of people you come across in life in a God-honoring way. "
— Christina, 10/18/2008" I loved this book. Ortberg's titles caught my eye first (in addition to this one, I have If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat). His humor adds to a great message in the book. I found myself highlighting and making notes in the margins very often. "
— Lynne, 2/9/2008" Christian approach to tolerating with differences and conflicts amongst people. Center belief - everyone's flawed "
— Maggie, 2/5/2008" Excellent book about building transparency and honesty in our everyday relationships "
— Gayla, 6/4/2005" As interesting as the title! "
— Alina, 5/26/2005John Ortberg is a popular speaker and widely respected teaching pastor. Formerly at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, he is now senior pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California. He creatively brings scripture to life through his use of practical application and humor. He’s the author of numerous books including The Life You’ve Always Wanted, Love beyond Reason, and If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get out of the Boat.