Crazy Love

Without a doubt, my favorite book is the Bible. There is no other book I've discovered that speaks to me over and over like that book. It is amazing to me that I can read a passage from the Bible that I know I've read two or three dozen times before, and for some reason, I will see some new concept or application for my in the passage. There is no other book that continues to change my life like the Bible.

But... every now and then I'll come across some other book that will really speak to my heart. In January a friend recommended to me Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is a fairly short book - maybe 200 pages, but I have been reading it for nearly two months now. It's not that I'm that slow (please... no snide comments from those who know me), it's just that the book is so convicting, I've had to read a few pages, then stop and digest and pray. The thrust of the book is that as American Christians, we've become quite complacent in our faith. We are fine with lukewarmness. Or, to quote Chan directly:

"This (lukewarmness) went against everything I was reading in the Bible... I began to compare all aspects of my life to Scripture. I quickly found 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." (p 68)

Please do not read this book if you are not ready to be challenged to make your pursuit of God the number one priority of your life. You won't get past the first few pages without tossing the book aside. But if you want your heart spurred toward a whole-hearted pursuit of God's presence in your life, I highly recommend this read.