Positively Dangerous: Live Loud, Be Real, Change the World

Insightfully written by Frank Mercadante (whose experience in youth ministry training extends to being the executive director of the not-for-profit corporation Cultivation Ministries), Positively Dangerous is ideal means to help spread the passion of faith among teenagers today. Stressing love for God, love for one another, authenticity, integrity, and making the most of evangelistic opportunities, Positively Dangerous is an enthusiastic guide incorporating mentoring, peer training, and small-class activities. Ideal as a manual for adults working with youth, Positively Dangerous is especially recommended reading for young people seeking to embracing and sharing the Good News within the context of the Catholic community.

This book will inspire you to live the great, impactful, positive and giving life all of us of faith believe in. It inspires the reader to strive for great things. It also shows us how that life is a collection of small, wonderful choices we make in every day, and every interaction. Upon reading this book you will want to share it with all your friends of faith. I ordered several copies for friends after reading only the first 3 chapters! I especially liked the fact that it's stories apply to people of faith across many religions.

We've all heard the expression, "You have to walk the talk." In other words, practice what you profess to believe. I liked the book because Mercadante makes a good case in Chapter 8 on "talking the walk," reminding us that evangelization is an important part of the Christian life. Too many of us are 'closet Christians' afraid to let our faith show in even the smallest ways, like praying before meals in restaurants. I like the book because it challenges us to talk the walk, and gives guidelines on how to do it.

While this is a book directed at teens, it offeres a strong reminder of what anyone can do to be a person of faith whose faith will make a difference in the lives of others. I was particularly taken with the chapter that reminded me that in order to have a strong personal relationship with the Lord that I needed to spend more time in prayer. I would strongly recommend that anyone who is interested in strengthening their faith read this book. It is a quick, easy read that will make a difference in your life and the lives of those you give a copy to as a gift.

I read Positively Dangerous because it claimed to offer a chance for teens to live a passionate and committed Christian life. And I was delighted to discover that Frank Mercadante has written a book that appeals directly to young people's innate desire to find an ideal that they can devote themselves to. But I was also pleasantly surprised that the book also spoke to me, a sixty-two-year-old grandfather, and challenged me to renew my commitments and revive my disciplines. Frank has a way of speaking personally and directly to the heart of his reader. He writes well, gives practical advice, and uses many examples to illustrate his points. Young people and older folks like me will take away great benefits from Positively Dangerous.