God Moments: Unexpected Encounters in the Ordinary

by Andy Otto

Where do you seek God? Are you waiting for him to appear in a monumental, life-altering event?

In God Moments, Catholic blogger Andy Otto shows you how to discover the unexpected beauty of God’s presence in the story of ordinary things and in everyday routines like preparing breakfast or walking in the woods.  Drawing on the Ignatian principles of awareness, prayer, and discernment, Otto will help you discover the transforming power of God’s presence in your life and better understand your place in the world.

Andy Otto found God’s presence in surprising moments during his life—when, as a Jesuit scholastic, he taught children in Jamaica and also as he discerned the call to marriage with his wife. By combining elements of Ignatian spirituality with the lessons that came from his experiences, Otto identified three practices that helped him find God in all things:

Awareness—Gain an understanding that God is present in the ordinary messiness of our lives such as battle with depression or sharing in the struggle of a friend.

Prayer—Develop a prayer life using Ignatian practices such as asking for a morning grace and examining how your prayer was answered at the end of the day. That way you can focus on a personal relationship with God that finds everyday physical activities such as making a meal as an opportunity to talk to him.

Discernment—The more you are aware of God’s presence and draw closer to him in prayer, the better you can learn how to plug into God’s narrative of the world in a way that enables you to participate in the divine story through the use of your gifts and talents.  
With God Moments as a guide, you’ll have a better understanding of how to seek personal wholeness in the reality of God’s presence in the ordinary and learn to accept his invitation to participate in his transformation of the world.

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2017

About the author

Andy Otto is a Catholic writer, speaker, blogger, spiritual director, and podcaster who works with the Jesuits in adult faith formation and retreat direction in Atlanta, GA.

Otto earned a degree in communications from Curry College in 2006 and spent almost three years as a Jesuit seminarian before discerning marriage. He earned a master's degree in theology and ministry from the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College in 2015.

Otto created and edits God In All Things and he also founded the website Ignatian Resources. He previously worked as a theology teacher at Mercy High School in Red Bluff, CA and as programming and acquisitions coordinator at CatholicTV. He has contributed to Busted Halo, America magazine, Millennial Journal, and EcoJesuit. Otto and his wife, Sarah, live in Atlanta, GA.

Reviews

[James Tomasino · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a joy to read this. Andy and I shared a room in the Jesuit novitiate years ago and shared many, many evenings discussing our faith and prayer experiences. This book took me back to that little house once again.

Andy's stories come from his personal journey, but they speak to a broader experience of God that any of us can find. His earnestness and intimacy invite the reader to journey with him through both profound and mundane moments, and discover for themselves that the divine is everywhere.

[Terresa Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary read. Straight forward and to the point. Validating.

[Alyssa Gaede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Thank you, Mr. Otto. I needed exactly this, exactly now.

[Janka H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this spirituality-based book being one of a good sources on looking for and finding God in the everydayness of our lives, God in all things. There are understandable and insightful points on prayer and discernment of God's will as well (these chapters are wise and practical). Short and on point, this was an enriching spiritual read.

On the critique part - I think that mentioning of all things Jesuit was a bit overdone. I see that the author is immersed in the Ignatian spirituality and has tremendously gain from it, and also how he is a part of the Jesuit family. Nothing wrong with it! But maybe a less is more here, as Church has many traditions and spiritual ways. No need to write on them, when the author, so to say, "specializes" in the Ignatian spirituality. But maybe he could embrace the broad Church more? But this is just a small thing, more a pet peeve of mine. Otherwise, this is a good spiritual book.

[Fred Christopherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOD MOMENTS provides serves as a primer on Jesuit spirituality for those of us who have not been called to be Jesuits. It describes, for example the components of the “examen,” how this differs from an examination of conscience, and how this practice can help us to notice how God works in our lives. It discusses how a Christian can receive guidance from God in a way which considers our feelings but is not dependent upon our emotions.
The book is easy to read; it has a conversational tone without being wordy. This is accomplished using examples from the author’s life. It is thus imparts significant information while remaining approachable by those who are neither Jesuits nor academics

[Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good primer for Ignatian spirituality. Straight, simple explanations and great examples from his life.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a part of my training to become a spiritual director. I think the best way to describe this book is as a primer on Ignatian spirituality. Andy Otto puts the truths of St. Ignatius into simple language that is easy to read and understand. And he does this without watering down the truths.

If you want to know more about seeing God in all things or what it means to live an incarnational faith, this book is a great starting point. It is my hope that after reading it, people will look for deeper learning and seeks ways to experience God in our everyday lives.