Nonfiction Review: Defying Normal by Skip Heitzig and Jeff Kinley

"Defying Normal: Soaring Above the Status Quo" looks at the life of Daniel as inspiration for prayer and dependence upon God. The authors use basic storytelling and ample Scriptural support (sometimes too much New Testament for a book that's supposed to look at things from Daniel's Old Testament perspective), and they even surprise every so often with a fascinating fact or two. The applications, however, are fairly obvious from a basic read of Daniel. This is a book that goes off the pages of the Bible for extended, real-life applications.

We learn about self-control through Daniel's experience under foreign indoctrination, confusion and isolation. As Nebuchadnezzar's wise men were humbled by failure, humanity will fail its defiance of God and disregard for God's knowledge. We learn to live in balance between integrity and interaction with the world. As Daniel had courage and relied of God in prayer, so we must come to God with adoration, confession, petition and motivation, replacing anxiety with hope.

"Defying Normal" encourages its readers to influence the world by reaching up to God, reaching in to self and community, and reaching out to the lost. It's a great motivational book, but not an original one.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.