Crazy Love

Most of the good things in my life were introduced to me by my wife... Although I have eaten food my entire life, it wasn't until I married Sarah that I realized that you probably should really eat from all 4 food groups. It wasn't until I married Sarah that I had a real appreciation for Broadway musicals. It wasn't until 1999 (in an attempt to win her heart) that I started attending Mt. Auburn and I believe really met Jesus Christ for the first time. From Broadway to green leafy vegetables, Sarah has introduced me to many of the good things in my life today.

Last summer, Sarah read aloud to me a book review of a book that she wanted to read. I didn't think much of it until I came across a sermon by the same author (Francis Chan). I watched the sermon and was intensely stirred by what the pastor was saying. He painted a picture of "Lukewarm Christianity" that was disturbing, but even more so convicting. Let me read you a couple excerpts from his book Crazy Love...

"I quickly found that that the American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. The goals of American Christianity are often a nice marriage, children who don't swear, and good church attendance. Taking the words of Christ literally and seriously is rarely considered. That's for the "radicals" who are "unbalanced" and who go "overboard." Most of us want a balanced life that we can control, that is safe, and that does not involve suffering. Would you describe yourself as totally in love with Jesus Christ? Or do the words halfhearted, lukewarm and partially committed fit better?"

"If Life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. When we stop swimming, or actively following Him, we automatically begin to be swept downstream. Or to use another metephor more familiar to city people, we are on a neverending downward escalator. In order to grow, we have to turn around and sprint up the escalator, putting up with perturbed looks from everyone else who is gradually moving downward."

Now a lot of books I've read with this same kind of message end up guilting you into service by proving the disobedience of the church to God's Word. Now don't get me wrong, I agree that the perseverance required to Obey the Bible often get's lost in the magnitude of God's grace. But Crazy Love is unique, not in its message but in the contagious passion and awe that Francis Chan has for Jesus.

I am not the type of person to jump on the bandwagon of "New & Improved" Bible studies or "next Best thing to the Bible" books. But I really enjoyed the way Crazy Love inspired me to examine my life and the way that I feel about my God. http://www.crazylovebook.com

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves."
II Corinthians 13:5