Book: Crazy Love
Author: Francis Chan
Have you ever wondered if we're missing it?
It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe - the Creator of nitrogen & pine needles, galazes & E-minor - loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrficing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, & try not to cuss.
Whether you've verbalized it yet or not ... we all know somethings wrong.
Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isnt working harder at a list of to-do's & don't... its falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.
Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
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First Line: We all know something is wrong.
This was the book of the year at Family Christian Bookstore... it's also been read I think by every Christian I know. And I had never read it.
I have seen videos & messages from Francis Chan & take his wisdom with a great respect. So what was holding me back from reading this?
I got it & started reading.. & then life kicked in - I think it took me longer to read this book then any other book - but I didnt want to skimp on it or move too fast... because it was good... it was powerful.... it was a kick in the gut.
Chapters on the "lukewarm" & "Profiles of the Obsessed" really showed me how short I fall. I actually closed out the chapter called "Profile of the Lukewarm" so upset & feeling like, "No one is going to make it..." - not what Mr. Chan was thinking when he wrote this book... but it was that eye opening to me. Thank God that he ended the chapter reminding the reader that we do have God's mercy & grace... but that should inspire us to kick off some of that "lukewarm-ness"
This book is filled with so much GOOD STUFF... here are a few of my favorite quotes/lines
*We are slow to listen, quick to speak & quick to become angry. The wise man comes to God without saying a word & stands in awe of Him.
*WORRY implies that we dont quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. STRESS says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others or our tight grip of control. Basically, these 2 behaviors communicate that its OK to sin & not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional.
*Harsh words & the loving truth often go hand in hand
*The irony is that while God doesnt NEED us but still WANTS us, we desperately NEED God but dont really WANT Him most of the time. He treasurers us & anticipates our departure from this earth to be with Him - & we wonder, indifferently, how much we have to do for Him to get by.
*Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.
*How much would my life change if I actually thought of each person I came into contact with as Christ...
I have many many more things I wrote down... each so powerful to me...
This book is definitely eye opening, thought provoking, inspiring to make you want to rethink your relationship with God.. to think about how Crazy in Love He is with us.. are we with Him?
My Rating: 5 skeins
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Last Line
May you be able to say at the end of your life, along with Paul:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, & not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing." -2 Timothy 4:7-8
