John Shore contacted me a few weeks back about reading his book I’m OK-You’re Not. I’m all about “free” books so I said yes.
As I was reading the first 3 chapters I was just breezing through it. Then I hit chapter 4 What’s Love God to Do with Us? and I was stopped dead in my tracks. I wrote about it here. I won’t recount that post but these two quotes stick out to me again:
“Love is always suspect and absolutely conditional”
“And in` real, practical terms, what that always boils down to is that most of us don’t feel very lovable at all.”
I can’t imagine feeling like that. I am married to a beautiful woman who has. I guess that is why it cut so deep. I imagined Cassandra as I was reading that chapter.
John became a Christ-follower later in life. To someone like me who has been a believer since I was 5 his insights are valuable to me. At the end of every chapter he included heartbreaking correspondences he had with unbelievers. Their confessions made my heart break.
He uses the term “Normie” to describe unbelievers. He points out that most “Normie’s” are law abiding, honest and sincere people. They just don’t have a way to deal with guilt like those of us who have a relationship with Jesus.
The main point I got out of the book is those of us who are believers need to have “real” friendships with “Normie’s” and it is OK if they don’t want to be believers.
I can accept the fact that “Normie’s” may not want to become followers of Jesus but I don’t think I will ever be OK with it. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and I believe I will always be passionate about people coming to Jesus.
I highly recommend I’m OK-You’re Not. I give it 4.5 hockey sticks out of 5.
Filed under: book review
Alas, more cultural confusion. Calling an Ozzie a Normie is quite insulting.
I agree Francoise,
Calling me a Normie is insulting.
Momma say I am special….
….just like everyone else.
What is a Normie? If you take the general population, are Normies those whos behavior fits into some psychologists ‘bell curve,’ or everyone since we all have basic behaviors in common? Who sets the criteria?
One thing I love about the gospel because it is not confusing. When the bible says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, All means all. No one has the right to point a finger at anyone and say another is inferior…we’re all inferior and in need of grace.
Francoise, for those Christians who would offend you, I am sorry and ask for your forgiveness and understanding. What can I do personally to make you feel wanted, and appreciated and valuable?
In Christ
Andrew \o/
Titus 2:13
No, “Normie”, down this part of the world, doesn’t mean “normal” ( whatever that is!).
It was a cartoon character, created to show TV viewers how silly and downright dangerous it is to drink and eat too much junk food and loll in the lounge, rather than eating good food and taking regular exercise. It became synonymous with “lazy, stupid slob”.
Why on earth should you seek my forgiveness? You’ve never done me any wrong.
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