Thanks, Brandy, for sharing your discovery!
I must admit I was a little nervous about reading Francis Chan’s Crazy Love Overwhelmed By a Relentless God. I had heard the hype and thought it might make me feel like a failure. As a new true Christian, I am fully aware of my failures. When I gave my life to Christ, I instantly began to question all the things I had been taught and told throughout my life about God and Christianity. When I really began to read my Bible, I saw that things did not add up. I began to deeply pray for wisdom and knowledge.
Francis Chan has put his finger on the problem in American Christianity. He even states in his book that when he began to realize something was wrong and ask questions, people told him he was “good enough” or “godly enough”. I have heard those same things as well. This book made me “test myself to see if I was in the faith”. Just like Paul says we should. Some of the content wasn’t easy to hear but I didn’t feel discouraged, I felt like there was hope. God calls us to a higher standard. He has given us so much.
If every person who has read this book, including myself, would take it to heart, we could make a great change in this world. It would be a better place. The way God intended for it to be. I don’t just want to go out and do something good, I want to make a life change.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow closer to God and follow Christ.
Thanks Francis Chan, but to God be the glory forever!!
Related:
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God at Amazon [paperback, Kindle, and audio editions]
Francis Chan Freedom Quotes!
Francis Chan left his 1600 member church to reassess. “There’s a LACK OF PEACE in so many people … WE PRETEND.” “There is this NARROW ROAD … FEW will find it.” “Let’s go back to what THE TRUTH has always been…and has NEVER BEEN POPULAR.”
John Tesh & Friends [including Francis]: How Important is FORGIVENESS in a Relationship? | FORGIVING: Our GREATEST OPPORTUNITY to SHOW the LOVE of Christ!
Jeff Fenske
Brandy,
This is the first time I’ve written the first comment on my own site.
Today is Francis Chan day. Look at what you started by encouraging me to read his book!
More Chan to come! He reminds me so much of my friend, Rod.
Thanks,
Jeff : )
Jeff Fenske
I have been listening to the audio version in my car — Francis reading ‘Crazy Love.’ I would recommend it to everyone! I think it’s close to perfect, so far (I’m almost done, and I’m listening to each CD twice).
The only place where I have serious reservations so far is chapter 7, where he encourages people to downsize in order to be able to give more money to others. And he even talks about maybe not even putting money aside for retirement.
Perhaps this feels right and is right for some, but I really don’t believe at all that God expects this of *all* Christians. The main thing is that we all should be willing to do what God wants us to with money and things. We should not let the root of all evil drive us in any way — the love of money.
I think many would probably be surprised that if they were totally open to what God said, that He would not require them to downsize at all.
There are different ways to serve others. Giving money and things is only one way. We’re all gifted differently. Some have the gift of helps specifically, whereas some help others in different ways.
So I thought I’d write this to bring balance to what Francis said. For those who feel led to downsize or just give more to others, do it. But the Holy Spirit won’t even put this on many of His children’s hearts, as He leads them to serve people in other ways — maybe even out of their wealth.
Few people can handle wealth and stay free from the love of money, but some can.
The main thing is to trust God that He knows what is best for us and others, and be willing to do whatever He calls us to do with what we have.
The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, which includes helping us know how specifically we should love our neighbors as ourselves.
And this could change with different seasons in our lives too.
We should all be diligent to enter into His rest — whatever that means for us individually.
I am inclined to believe that “the root of all evil” is actually a major demon that affects people who fall into the love-of-money trap. We need to all make sure we are free from all demons that drive us to do anything.
This is obviously a big one for it to be the root of all evil.
I think most Christians will know in their hearts what to do in order to be free. Some really do need to sell almost everything and give to the poor. But many do not.
This is what being led by the Holy Spirit is all about in the new covenant. It’s not “one size fits all.” The Holy Spirit will lead us all to do specifically what we are called and gifted by Him to do.
Paul said we should determine in our hearts how much to give. Percentages no longer apply. We should all know God well enough to know specifically what we are to be doing with our time, talents and treasure.
I still think this is a great chapter to read, but with the above thoughts in mind.
Jeff Fenske