Crazy Love study, Chapter 1...

We started our first week doing a small-group study of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The first chapter is entitled "stop praying"...many people saw warning signs going up when they read that, I know. It's not what you think! It's about not being in a rut...not doing the ususal, ritualistic, same old, same old. We need to be focusing on a more relational conversation, while also focusing on what and who God really is. He's not just a guy we should talk to as an equal, without a reverence and fear.

What I would like to do over the course of this study is open up a forum for you to share each week what the specific chapters meant and how they spoke to your heart personally. I am not being paid by any publishers and only put a link to purchase the book so that interested individuals can become a part of what we are part of studying. Leave your thoughts...

"Crazy Love" book review

Today, I wanted to take a few moments and relive the experience of the book "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" by Francis Chan. For those of you who don't know where to get the book, you can find it here.

I had heard from many friends, worship leaders and ministers around Facebook, Twitter, and various other places about this book for quite some time before I finally ordered it. Now that I have completed the experience, I understand the fuss. This is not a book to be read if you are looking for a "pat on the back" if you are just "trying to get by" in your walk with the Lord. This is a book to "tell it like you need to hear it"!!!

Many times throughout the book, I found myself being attacked from all angles in how I have been showing the love of Christ to others. One of the really great features that I enjoyed with the book was the accompanying website content here. There are videos ranging from an introduction to the book, to Chapter introduction videos, and also illustration videos that give images to go along with the story.

There are a few illustrations that really jumped out in the study...one of a Holy God who is far beyond the comprehension of man, that is wanting a relationship with me (insert your name in place of me). Another, was Chapter 5 "Serving Leftovers to a Holy God"...I don't think that would need much more input from me, it hits particularly close to home, no matter who you are. Then, there is Chapter 8, entitled "Profile of the Obsessed" that also hit me hard, because if we are so obsessed with our HDTVs, iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, PCs, fast cars, big houses, or whatever it is in your life, shouldn't we be much more willing to show obsession about God to everyone we contact?

If you are wanting to be challenged in your life with God and want to get a bigger picture of Who He is and what you could be doing better to show His love to others, "Crazy Love" is a must read! Once again, you can pick it up here and you can find out more at the accompanying website here And, if that wasn't enough, there is also a DVD Study Resource available here.

Check it out, or let me know what "Crazy Love" meant when you read and studied it...

Do you have a "Crazy Love" for God???

My wife and I have been reading through this book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan over the past week. I have been challenged and also feel led to share this video. If you haven't picked up the book, you can find even more info here...there are chapter introduction videos and countless other goodies to check out. Here is the introduction video from the book.



Let me know if you have read the book and what it meant to you...once we complete the book, I will be posting a review here, so check back for that...

But before I let you go, let's take one last look at our memory verse for the week from 2 Timothy 2:15..."Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I hope that it has spoken to you as it has me. Please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!