Ordinary Joy: Finding Fresh Promise in Routine Moments

By Joe Campeau

Book Overview

The discovery of true joy, says Joe Campeau, begins not bybreaking out of the daily grind, but by learning to recognizea joy that is already at hand. Written in an easy conversational style the author includes compelling personal stories and illustrates his message by using stories of minor and even anonymous characters from the Gospels. This book nourishes the reader's faith in the place where it matters most - the familiarity of their daily environment.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806651458
• ISBN13: 9780806651453
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.2" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great discussion tool!

Look closer. If you want to see beauty, learn to view ordinary things in a new way, Campeau says. The author is currently a senior pastor of the fast-growing Christ Lutheran Church in Santa Clarita, California. Campeau says in his introduction that the first key is finding uncommon joy at the center of common life--and that God is in the middle of it. The second key is to recognize the ways in which the simplest areas of life can also be the most profound areas for serving God. If you read nothing but the questions at the end of each chapter--and give serious thought to the answer, you will be way ahead of things. But let's talk about the content leading up to those outstanding questions. My favorite is in the chapter, "Sometimes the giver is the gift." If you have received a gift without knowing who gave it, how did you feel about receiving it? The sections are: 1: Discover God on Ordinary Days and 2: Serving God in Ordinary Ways. In the chapter on being needed, the author states that sometimes we need a break from being needed; when the pressures build, the sacrifice too exhausting, the times we want to run away and hide. Then you ponder: "I wonder if God needs me?" God has chosen to need you and me. Armchair Interviews says: This book would be a great tool for discussion by a church group because of the thought-provoking content and soul-searching questions.

Ordinary Joy

Prior to my reading Ordinary Joy, had Jesus Christ walked right up to me, I most cetainly would have missed Him. Now there is a chance that I will recognize Him every day for the rest of my life. This read has truly made me feel loved by God.

Ordinary Joy, Finding Fresh Promise in Routine Moments

How often have humans found that the wanting or desire for something has often eclipsed actually attaining that item. In Pastor Joe Campeau's book, Ordinary Joy, Finding Fresh Promise in Routine Moments, the author writes, "The key to ordinary joy is finding it in the journey, not simply upon arrival". In reading this book one begins to find the joy of discovering that we can find joy in our daily lives. From the beginning of the book he stresses that we often fail to see the presence of Jesus and his joy. He writes, "In a world of budgets, megabyte computers, and humming technology, our imaginations become infertile, and we often fail to recognize grace". From the beginning of the book to the end, Pastor Campeau reaffirms God's love for us and His unconditional acceptance Campeau writes, "God's invitation to you is come as you are, not as you aren't." In reading Pastor Campeau's book I found such a sense of release and freedom that I am loved by God as I am-not as I think I should appear to others. Campeau again writes, "God is not pleased with you because you are remarkable; you are remarkable because God is pleased with you." One has only to look this far to realize that the joy of life is that we are loved and accepted by God. Pastor Joe helps bring his writing to life as he weaves stories of his family, friends, parishioners, and examples from the Bible onto the pages. These examples of ordinary people help one connect to the points that the author is making. In the hectic life that many of us lead this book is a refreshing reminder that God is all around us and that we only need stop and begin to recognize the joy of Jesus in our lives. Pastor Campeau finishes with an excellent statement of fact that leaves the reader knowing that we are loved. "We have an extraordinary Savior. He inhabits the most common moments of life and delights in everyday discipleship, for he rejoices in the ordinary. He rejoices in me, in you. There is no better reason for joy."

My Faith Rejuvinated

Ordinary Joy reminds you that God is in fact all around you in your ordinary living if you just take a break from all the hustle and bustle and truly appreciate His beauty. Joe Campeau uses personal illustrations that we can relate to, and in turn, relates them to the teachings of Jesus. On a personal note, my own faith has waivered for quite some time that after taking a "closer look," I am rediscovering God's presence in my life and I know that, no matter what, "the sun will shine tomorrow and I will be kissed by Son again and again and it can never be wiped away." Peace and JOY!