Never Settle for Normal
The Proven Path to Significance and Happiness
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Paperback
$14.99
Jul 18, 2017 | 160 Pages
ISBN: 9781601429063
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Ebook
$12.99
Jul 18, 2017 | 160 Pages
ISBN: 9781601429070
About Never Settle for Normal
Every human wants to matter and be happy, which is as it should be. God made us to resemble and reflect His worth as we enjoy our true identity in Him.
But we too often swap that calling for the trifles of this world, pursuing cheap substitutes to fill the craving of our souls. As Jonathan Parnell puts it, we settle for “stupid normal” over the transcendent, even though this world can never satisfy our hopes and dreams.
In Never Settle for Normal Jonathan speaks to the heart of both skeptics and searchers by addressing their deepest longings. With insight and passion, he examines the key tenets of Christian faith—creation, fall, redemption, new creation—and reveals the life-changing glory of the Christian story in a fresh, new light.
Praise
“Never Settle for Normal may be the key to help you doubt your doubting of God, because the god you are doubting might not be the real God. And if you lose reality while turning from the imaginary, you lose everything. You long for happiness and significance. Jonathan Parnell makes a compelling case that the whole history of the world exists to show you where this is found. This book is a journey from eternity to eternity. You may find what you are longing for not in a collection of ideas organized around themes but in a kind of earthy itinerary from creation to the end of the world. I hope so.”
—John Piper, founder and teacher at desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis
“Jonathan Parnell shares astounding truth, making what it means to be a Christian understandable for any reader—from the wanderer to the veteran in the faith. Never Settle for Normal is a helpful primer and tool for anyone exploring Christianity.”
—Trillia Newbell, author of Enjoy, Fear and Faith, and United
“Jonathan Parnell has written an engaging book about our relentless quest for satisfaction that takes us down thousands of culs-de-sac and dead-end streets—until we follow Jesus. It’s refreshing to read about God as a happy, loving Father in a book that doesn’t minimize his wrath against sin. Never Settle for Normal shows sin for what it is and does, exalts Christ, and powerfully portrays his violent rescue of his people.”
—Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven, Happiness, Truth, The Treasure Principle, and other books
“In moments of true awareness we look around at one another and this world and we know. Deep in our soul we know there is more than what we can see with our eyes. Proverbs tells us to get wisdom and insight; there is no quest as noble as this. The stakes are high and we need real help for the journey. Parnell’s book is a trustworthy guide for all who are seeking God or any who are unsure where to begin.”
—Gloria Furman, author of Glimpses of Grace and Alive in Him
“Most people I meet have a gap between the life they live currently and the life they believe they were born to live. The frustration that comes from wanting to live a life that matters, while seemingly never getting there, can be maddening. The way to bridge that gap is through the way, truth, and life—Jesus. Jonathan Parnell has written a captivating book to help show this reality. Read it, embrace it, and share it with someone you know who is searching for more.”
—Alvin L. Reid, senior professor of Evangelism and Student Ministry and Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Never Settle for Normal is a great help to anyone seeking more than this life offers. I’d encourage believers to read this book and take careful note of the clear way Parnell teaches biblical truth. Then buy a few copies to give away to skeptical or curious neighbors and friends."
—The Gospel Coalition
About Jonathan Parnell
Jonathan Parnell is the lead pastor of Cities Church in Minneapolis. He is a graduate of The College at Southeastern and Bethlehem College and Seminary and has served as a longtime writer for John Piper’s Desiring God website. Jonathan and his wife, Melissa, and their seven children, live in the middle of the Twin Cities.Featured Videos
Book Trailer: NEVER SETTLE FOR NORMAL by Jonathan Parnell
Product Details
160 pages | Published by Multnomah
On Sale Date: Jul 18, 2017
Trim Size: 5-3/16 x 8
Carton Quantity: 24
Sneak Peek
Click Here to download the first chapter of Never Settle for Normal by Jonathan ParnellAbout Never Settle for Normal
Press Release
DesiringGod Writer & Pastor Shows How the Gospel Story Is the Only Thingthat Can Quench People’s Desire for Happiness and Significance
“Jonathan Parnell has written an engaging book about our relentless quest for satisfaction that takes us down thousands of culs-de-sac and dead-end streets—until we follow Jesus. It’s refreshing to read about God as a happy, loving Father in a book that doesn’t minimize his wrath against sin. Never Settle for Normal shows sin for what it is and does, exalts Christ, and powerfully portrays his violent rescue of his people.”
—Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven, Happiness, Truth, The Treasure Principle, and other books
Every human wants to matter and be happy. . .as it should be. God made people to resemble and reflect His worth as we enjoy our true identity in Him. However, they too often swap that calling to pursue cheap substitutes to fill the craving of their souls. As lead pastor Jonathan Parnell puts it, we settle for “stupid normal” over the transcendent, even though this world can never satisfy our hopes and dreams.
Parnell, who has been a longtime writer on John Piper’s website DesiringGod.org, speaks to the heart of both skeptics and searchers by addressing their deepest longings in Never Settle for Normal (Multnomah, July 18).
With insight and passion, he examines the key tenets of Christian faith—creation, fall, redemption, new creation—and reveals the life-changing glory of the Christian story in a fresh, new light.
In his accessible style, Parnell skillfully unfolds topics including:
· Why people have an innate spiritual hunger for glory and greatness
· Understanding what the Bible says about the priority of seeking pleasure
· How the Christian story is different from other stories and religions
· How humans misperceive what sin really is and its consequences in their daily lives
· How Jesus came to earth to violently rescue mankind from sin
· How God is both a loving and happy father but can also be angry at times
Readers will discover the richness and wonder of the Gospel story anew and be encouraged and equipped to share it with others.
More Praise for Never Settle for Normal:
“Never Settle for Normal may be the key to help you doubt your doubting of God, because the god you are doubting might not be the real God. And if you lose reality while turning from the imaginary, you lose everything. You long for happiness and significance. Jonathan Parnell makes a compelling case that the whole history of the world exists to show you where this is found.”
—John Piper, founder and teacher at desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis
“Jonathan Parnell shares astounding truth, making what it means to be a Christian understandable for any reader—from the wanderer to the veteran in the faith. Never Settle for Normal is a helpful primer and tool for anyone exploring Christianity.”
—Trillia Newbell, author of Enjoy, Fear and Faith, and United
“Most people I meet have a gap between the life they live currently and the life they believe they were born to live. The frustration that comes from wanting to live a life that matters, while seemingly never getting there, can be maddening. The way to bridge that gap is through the way, truth, and life—Jesus. Jonathan Parnell has written a captivating book to help show this reality. Read it, embrace it, and share it with someone you know who is searching for more.”
—Alvin L. Reid, senior professor of Evangelism and Student Ministry and Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Religion/Christian Living
ISBN 978-1-60142-906-3 ● Paperback ● 160 Pages ● $14.99 U.S./$19.99 Canada
eBook ISBN 978-1-601429-097-0 ● $11.99 U.S./$13.99 Canada
