Ordinary Lives Extraordinary Mission: 5 Steps to Winning the War Within

by John R. Wood

These are difficult times for the Catholic Church and the United States of America. There is only one solution to the problems we face... saints! Becoming a saint is a choice, and we must begin choosing the saint within each of us. The biggest crisis of our time is not economic, health care, or vocations, but is an identity crisis. We have forgotten our mission to become saints and forgotten our story as Catholics. We must rediscover that mission and hold each other accountable to accepting responsibility for that mission. Business as usual is not going to cut it. We need heroic Catholicism. We must stop talking, and start walking... stop crying, and start sweating... stop defining ourselves by our sins, and start realizing we are saints in the making! Everything we need to accomplish our mission is in the Church... but the Catholic Church is a sleeping giant. It is time we wake the sleeping giant!

This book is a five step guide to choosing the saint within you. The world doesn't need another John Paul II or Mother Teresa. The world needs you. Your ordinary life has an extraordinary purpose.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Faith, Nonfiction, Self Help, Christian, Christianity

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started off talking about how people need to be working toward becoming saints rather than just better people. However it quickly turned into the authors views on social issues. Incredibly disappointed as this book did not deliver it's proposed message. Nor will books like this do any good for the Catholic church.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and inspiring. Given to me by our church as a christmas gift. Forwarded it on to mom. I would like to buy a few copies to give to others. It made a great impression and made me think about who I am and how I treat others. God is good. "Our sufferings through faith is our road to salvation."

[Maggie Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Awesome! A call to action. . .

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book that was easy to read but filled with wonderful advice and tips. Our mission is to become saints. I plan to read it to my boys.

[Traci Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, inspiring read for anyone, not just Catholics.

[Tommy Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could be a strong impetus to change one's life.

[Bill Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good inspirational book with many practical tips to increase your spirituality. Become a Saint!!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for someone who is already Catholic but may be dwindling in faith. It has definitely enlightened me and inspired me to work harder at my relationship with my church. But I think this book is also beneficial to those who believe in the stereotypes of the Catholic church as a medieval, outdated, and corrupt institution. Reading this book helps to explain the beliefs of the Catholic church and dispel the negative and misguided stereotypes that people have.

"The path toward perfection revolves around finding your weaknesses and changing them into strengths."
"No force on earth, and none in hell, can take your will from you. Your will is yours. You choose."
"I am still waiting on a president or leader who has the courage to say, 'I can't fix this problem. This isn't my country. This isn't our government's country. This country belongs to the American people. I will do all I can to lead by example, restore morality to our government, and reward good choices, but it's only the American people who can choose to end this crisis.'" (pg. 90-91)
"In a culture dominated by lust and gluttony, temperance is needed now more than ever." (pg. 105)
"Lord, help me to see you in the eyes of everyone I meet, so that everyone I meet may see you in me." (pg. 121)

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, but powerful modern day call for the new evangelization. The author, through many real life experiences, both failure and accomplishment, lights a path for us to become saints in our modern, and anything but ordinary, lives. He intertwines stories of Church teachings and the lives of the saints to help guide us into rebuilding our culture, our country, and our Church. It will be hard to look at your life the same after reading this book, and you'll want to embark on the author's mission to make a difference in the lives of all those around you.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing, easy to read and understand book on how to put the spark back into Catholicism. He gives real life examples of how to strive to be a saint in the secular world. I have incorporated many of his ideas into my daily life and I have felt a great change. There are a few habits he touches on that I had been practicing prior to reading his book but that helped to reinforce that I am on the right track. This book is so positive that I am planning on re-reading it again and taking notes as I go along.

[Ursula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book is very thought provoking and gives good advice to become a saint. Bit so many times I felt as if this author is just trying to cram his political agenda down the reader's throat. I know America is not perfect but it is not all doom and gloom either. I wish the author would spend some more time looking for the good in the culture that he condemns because it is out there.

[Heather Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and inspiring. He is correct, though, if you've read Matthew Kelly, Peter Kreeft, and other current Catholic authors, much of what he has to say, you will have heard before. Still a worthwhile read, but don't expect to hear anything new.

[Hee-jung Cranford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the book mostly in the Adoration Chapel. An inspirational read on becoming and creating saints on earth for Heaven.

[Frankie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to before of a rambling reflection that pulled excerpts from other writers than a spiritual tool. Doesn't help that there is a typo on the first line of the introduction.. "Unites States" for United States."

[Sawn Medrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise book with great ideas on how to become a saint. To live each day for Christ is easier than you think. It is all in the little things. With perseverance and faith, we can all become the saints we were created to be.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that packs a punch and gives the reader a lot to think about.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing game plan playbook for spiritual warfare. 10 out of 10 recommend regardless of if you a Catholic or not.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward, down-to-earth guide on how to order your life, fight temptation, and become a saint.

[Sarah Bolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but very hard to read much at a time. A lot of info and not a feel good about yourself book. I think Matthew Kelly's books are the same topic but a lot more how to and less guilt.

[Sharon Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars.
In the introduction is the sentence "Wisdom is an acquired trait." The book is developed in a way that I indeed felt like I'd acquired wisdom by reading it.
Each chapter ("Step") addresses a certain weakness in our culture, either an unawareness of it being a weakness or the reasons we have not been able to make it a strength. A variety of stories and situations are presented to help the reader wrap his/her mind around it. At the end of each chapter is a summary of sorts, called "Mission" which provides a reminder of the problem, a goal, and a challenge to complete your mission.
Now this description sounds rather blah and much like a do-it-yourself instruction book, but it was interesting and entertaining...and enlightening.
The author was a competitive runner for 10 years, is married, and is an eye doctor whose only patients are elderly residents of nursing homes. Both running and his nursing home experiences are worked into his stories.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "beginner's manual" in how to be holy or become a saint. It touches on subjects very rarely touched upon in other books on Catholic spirituality, such as physical fitness and good eating habits and how they contribute to our spiritual health. After all, we are integrated beings, not a person divided into "sections".

[Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good read since it makes you think about your life differently. Strong start and finish, however it sort of lost its way in the middle. The description of, and need for purgatory quoted by C. S. Lewis was very thoughtful and compelling.

[Tom Wascoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discusses much about the hedonistic, minimalistic and individualistic culture of modern American society and the role Catholics and the Catholic Church should play in existing within and changing that culture. Presents some practical steps for the battle.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the beginning of this one, and then got a bit bogged down in the fact that I can't relate to some Catholic terminology.

Overall, inspirational to not be one who goes along to get along.

[Jill Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 2 chapters and the last are the best of the book. It's the most concise Catholic read I have seen.

[Elizabeth Hermesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, amazing book! It makes you on fire for your faith.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

It grows on you. Some good practical steps for increasing your Catholicness (that is a real word, I swear) and a call to action.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and challenging. A book to be reread.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll never need to read a self-help book ever again. This book is the key to living a joyful and fulfilling life.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

BECOME THE SAINT YOU ARE MEANT TO BE