WEIRD: Because Normal Isn’t Working

Written by Craig Groeschel

Narrated by Tom Schiff

Break free from the norm to lead a radically abnormal (and endlessly more fulfilling) life.

In our over busy, unprincipled, oversexed world; lust, debt, guilt, and shame are far more common than a healthy relationship to time, money, and relationships. Simply put, normal isn't working.

In WEIRD, bestselling author of Winning the War in Your Mind Craig Groeschel unpacks a Christ-centered philosophy that will help you know how to:

• Use your time wisely.
• Put money in a godly perspective.
• Have healthy relationships.
• Understand sex as God intended it.
• Center our values around Jesus.

If we follow Christ, we're not supposed to be like everyone else. We’re supposed to be a little bit…well, weird. The whole point of Christianity is to become more like Jesus and less of who we are when left to our own devices and desires—to become less like the rest of the world, less normal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Apr 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9780310597445

Craig Groeschel

New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, which created the free YouVersion Bible App and is one of the largest churches in the world. He has written more than fifteen books and hosts the top-ranking Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. He speaks regularly for the Global Leadership Network, which reaches hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world annually. Craig and his wife, Amy, live in Oklahoma. Connect with Craig at www.craiggroeschel.com.

Reviews for WEIRD

[jpogue_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If “normal” is our goal in life, Craig Groeschel believes we are aiming much too low. In "Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working", this pastor/author warmly invites us to walk on the narrow path where true fulfillment and purpose lie. He shreds the notion that blending in is a good thing and dares us to shift our paradigms to the downright weird. Looking at five fundamental areas in our lives―time, money, relationships, sex, and values―Groeschel challenges us to look beyond the “acceptable” and dig deep into what God has to say about our everyday choices.This down-to-earth book is especially helpful in revealing the lies we are up against in our affluent, success-driven, overly-busy Western culture. Groeschel holds nothing back as he systematically attacks the norm and points us to a much greater Truth, one which seems counterintuitive to most. His perspective on time management, for example, caused me to evaluate the rushed pace and full schedule I normally keep. I realized that I am often a slave to the urgent, rather than the important, living as though my busyness is an indication of my worth and value. How freeing to understand that “when we follow Jesus, we’re about our Father’s business, not about the world’s busyness”!Groeschel also shines as he ponders our values, the final section of "Weird". He boldly asks us to consider God’s “unusual” blessings…burdens. Examining those things that break our hearts, that make us righteously angry, and that move us towards action, Groeschel paints a poignant picture of how God can use his burdened children to make a difference in this world. I was able to see how God uses those things that deeply disturb us as a catalyst for change and for making an eternal impact. Rather than stopping my gratitude short for only the good things, I am able to thank God for those things that leave an ache in my heart, too.For those Christians who feel as though they’re stuck in a rut, going through the motions of Christianity, but not living much differently than the rest of America, this book is a timely gift! Looking at Isaiah and the Book of Revelation, we examine God’s description of those “people (who) come near to me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me” (Isa. 29:13). These are those whom God calls “lukewarm” in the Book of Revelation. Groeschel wraps up his message with a powerful punch: “My concern for our culture…is that we’ve made lukewarm synonymous with normal.” Here’s to being weird!

[aegan_13 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I like the premise of the book and most of his preaching was fairly dynamic. (and yes I did deliberately use the word "preaching" as much of the material I'm sure has been used in his sermons). He doesn't soften the message that there is right and wrong which makes his message resound with commitment and thus makes the book more interesting. But he really doesn't understand the difference between sexual promiscuity and homosexuality. He lumps them together. Obviously, he hasn't ever known someone well that is homosexual. And when someone is a reverend that makes me wonder why...

[Will Harrison · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a good book. Some of the subjects may not be very popular but they do need to be explored in our lives.

[ADRIAN ROHARD · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Challenging but superb to get your spiritual life on track

[justagirlwithabook · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is another one of Craig Groeschel's books that just really seeks to help people in the church to find who they are in Christ and to be representative of the life God has called us to live. Like all of Groeschel's books, it requires a bit of thinking and soul-searching.

[josh12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I always thought that "normal is what i wanted to be, but after reading "Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working", i realized that normal wasn't working for me either and the book is real world examples of situations.the book talks about how to spend time,and money. it also talks about relatonships, and sex. the book also touches on values as well. I really enjoyed the book "Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working", because it is so straight forward and down to earth. My favorite section in the book was the Sex section. it was my favorite part because sex before marriage is a big problem in our society. if everyone were to read this section it says that sex is ment for after marriage only. if everyone viewed sex as i do now, after reading that section, i dont think we would have a problem with sex before marriage. this is one of the reasons i liked this book so much. Many books i have read have avoided getting deep into real life problems but in the book, it attacks them head on.I would reccomend this book to anyone. This book would be great for anyone who is just finding God and would like to explore, but this book would also be good for a follower of God and would like to research. All in all, it was a very good book.

[montanari500244 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the novel “Weird,” Craig Groeschel shares a Christ centered philosophy on the way that one should live their life. People often try to live a “normal” life, but as Groeschel states, “weird” is the way to go. “Normal” in today’s society means stress, discontent, debt, and often depression. Groeschel says to live differently than everyone else; live a life that will bring you peace emotionally, financially, and spiritually. The only way to achieve this quality of life is to be just plain weird; live in a different way than that of the world. People may question your way of life, but the contentment you can achieve through your weirdness nullifies any judgment the world tries to place on you.I was very fond of “Weird.” The principles described in this book interested me and hope to be able to apply the ideas explained in this book to my everyday life. I feel that if one would follow everything Groeschel teaches, a happy life will follow. I would recommend this book to any Christian looking to come closer to God. If one lives their life based on the principles shown in this book, they can have a relaxed time here on earth.