Book Review-Crazy Love by Francis Chan
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Last month I read the popular book-Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
wow, Wow, and WOW.
The author is intense and "on-fire" for God.
Chan is the former pastor of Cornerstone Church in SoCal.
He says that his intended audience is "those who want more Jesus," and he encourages readers to surrender ALL of our lives completely to God.
He begins the book with a shock and awe approach to God; he shares some amazing facts about the universe that can be found on the book's own website: http://www.crazylovebook.com/
He sees a disconnect between American Christianity and New Testament Christianity. He feels that most Americans want a safe, balanced life that does not involve suffering. Using 2 Cor 13:5 as his premise, he proceeds to give 18 examples of "Lukewarm People." If you read this book, I recommend sitting down with this list and asking God where you may have become lukewarm in your relationship with Him.
God wants AND deserves our best, but often we offer Him our leftovers- remember Cain in Genesis 4? Chan asks, "are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is MORE important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you KNOW that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made (Matthew 22:37-39)?"
God is HOLY and He deserves our best...our first. How is that going for you?
Think back to a time when you were in love with someone: didn't you go to great lengths to spend time with them? Perhaps you would drive for hours to be together, stay up late talking, think about them all the time, AND anticipate the next time you may be together. Are you really that "in love" with God? That is what crazy love is.
So... are you ready to live what you believe? Because 1) that means obedience in what He has called you to-"if you love me [Jesus], you will obey what I command" (John 14:15) and 2) because "we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ" (2 Cor 5:10).
I pray you were both blessed and challenged by reading this review.
You are loved,
sarah
Last month I read the popular book-Crazy Love by Francis Chan.
wow, Wow, and WOW.
The author is intense and "on-fire" for God.
Chan is the former pastor of Cornerstone Church in SoCal.
He says that his intended audience is "those who want more Jesus," and he encourages readers to surrender ALL of our lives completely to God.
He begins the book with a shock and awe approach to God; he shares some amazing facts about the universe that can be found on the book's own website: http://www.crazylovebook.com/
He sees a disconnect between American Christianity and New Testament Christianity. He feels that most Americans want a safe, balanced life that does not involve suffering. Using 2 Cor 13:5 as his premise, he proceeds to give 18 examples of "Lukewarm People." If you read this book, I recommend sitting down with this list and asking God where you may have become lukewarm in your relationship with Him.
God wants AND deserves our best, but often we offer Him our leftovers- remember Cain in Genesis 4? Chan asks, "are you willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants? Do you believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is MORE important than any other thing or person in your life? Do you KNOW that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made (Matthew 22:37-39)?"
God is HOLY and He deserves our best...our first. How is that going for you?
Think back to a time when you were in love with someone: didn't you go to great lengths to spend time with them? Perhaps you would drive for hours to be together, stay up late talking, think about them all the time, AND anticipate the next time you may be together. Are you really that "in love" with God? That is what crazy love is.
So... are you ready to live what you believe? Because 1) that means obedience in what He has called you to-"if you love me [Jesus], you will obey what I command" (John 14:15) and 2) because "we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ" (2 Cor 5:10).
I pray you were both blessed and challenged by reading this review.
You are loved,
sarah
Crazy Love rocked my world the first time I read it. God used it to reassure me that I wasn't crazy for going "all-in" as a missionary to Africa with my husband. It also challenged my perception of love. I had previously struggled with going through the motions of obeying Him, serving Him, etc. yet I wanted to "feel" something. I had to face the reality that my consumer-minded view of love was conditional and shallow and self-focused. CL helped me realize that unconditional love is just that - without condition. The same kind of love that Christ demonstrated for us as unworthy, unlovely, undeserving sinners for whom He selflessly died in order that we might live. That's the kind of love I want to have for God and others. Not based on feelings but on obedience and self-sacrifice. I'm working on it. I think I've got the "crazy" part nailed down!
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