Crazy Love Chapter 10: The Crux of the Matter

By now, you are wondering, like the disciples – “Brothers/Sisters, what shall we do? How do each of us respond to what Chan has asked us to think about? I do not wish for you to be so anxious in your ponderings that it hamstrings your responds, or to have an “aha!” moment and then do nothing.

Consider these scriptures: Acts 2;  Phil. 2:12;  1 Cor. 12:4-7, 15:10,19-20;  John 14:15, 16:7-8,13;  Eph. 5:15-20; 2 Cor. 5:5-15; Jer. 32:17-19;  Rom. 14:7-12;  2 Tim. 4:7-8

Think about how God has made you, the life He has given you, the people that He has placed in your life, the resources He has provided, the opportunities that are around you…what do you see?  Through the Word, communing with the Holy Spirit in prayer and worship, how do you need to simply live out in your daily life the love and obedience that God asks of you?

If I can pray with you, feel free to drop me a line.

Be blessed in His crazy love for you!

Beth

Good Morning!

I am writing this early as it is the best day this week to accomplish the entry. It really belongs with the previous chapter anyway….while it is still fresh. I know the profile of the obsessed is heavy reading (the whole book!!), and has set some of you back on your heels a bit. All I can say about that is: Good!    Not, to be cheeky…but seriously, Good!  Me too. Maybe God means to scramble our brains a bit about how we live out our lives before Him and the world. No, not maybe…definitely. And that’s a good thing.

I learned long ago that God will speak in themes and patterns when He is trying to get something across to me. I find this to be true for others as well. Co-incidences? Hhhmmm….GOD-incidences?

It is no co-incidence that I did not get to attend a study group all last year because of illness, then scheduling while I was recovering and re-learning some ways of taking care of myself that I have neglected for half of my life and making myself sick. (Still learning)  Because of this, I started the study of the book of Matthew this summer and have been pretty slow in getting through it. But, God is right on time…it just so happens that I am right in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount as I am reading “Crazy Love”. It has been spot on.

Then I leave for New York on the 27th and my sister in law invites me to their home group that night. What do we end up talking about…and has been on  the hearts/minds of  the members of the group?  Losing their life, being increasingly willing to die to self that Christ might be fully alive in them. This is a group that is looking to do missions there in the Hudson Valley, as well as India, Africa, South America, and anywhere else God might lead them. But, they too feel the pull of the world and their responsibilities to family, work, school…and let’s be honest, the things that we have grown accustomed to in this world. And you feel kind of stuck in the middle, right? How do you respond? What does this “letting go of self, Isaiah 58, Sermon on the Mount, Galations 2:20″  type of life look like? I have asked God the same question…repeatedly.

At times, very clear. At others, very cloudy and out of focus. Scripture often clears things up for me when I am searching for the right lens. Other times…He is asking me to choose between two worlds and it is obvious what the choice should be…other times, He seems to say either choice is good and He will work either way. He will…I just feel the pull to make it the BEST choice, the perfect one! Either choice asks for my willingness to trust Him in it. To let go of my life and leave the outcomes to Him. No guarantee that it will turn out the way I want it to. But, I do have the guarantee that He is in control, loves me perfectly, and that I am held no matter what happens. And perfect love casts out fear.

So, really, what do I have to lose…besides what I can’t really hold onto in the end anyway. And maybe I need to be reminded of what those things are anyway.

And I am not alone…some of you are responding to this book by asking God the same questions that I am “What do I do with this?”. Here is a note I recently received from someone who (like so many of you) are feeling the weight of this book and God’s hand, and it is so personal it is hard to share in a blog comment setting (also, like so many of you). I totally understand where this writer is coming from. Maybe you will too:

“I have been reading Crazy Love, and keeping up–surprise!! I do not feel comfortable responding on your blog page, because I am still in the dumbstruck, blown away stage. Each chapter I read makes me say, “Wow, amazing, oh my!” He really cuts to my heart, and makes me think about my relationship with God in ways I haven’t before. And what I feel most overwhelmingly is guilt and shame.  With each chapter I finish, the question comes to my mind, “What are you going to do with this?”

Again…Good! Don’t be afraid of these questions and don’t let them send you into condemnation. Instead, let God work on your heart and mind about what you believe and let Him align those beliefs with His Word. Not just in words only…but, that it transforms you so that it is in deed as well. That is a process….and it sounds like it is a process He is working out in YOU (and me!)!  He is changing us to look more like Him, to be the Bride – The Church – HE meant for us to be….not a bunch of Pharisees whose lips speak but whose hearts are far from Him. We pray the prayer to be more like Him, to have a heart like His, the have the mind of Christ….why should we be surprised that He answers these prayers?!?  In the answering, He will rock your world…don’t be surprised, and don’t fear!!  This is a good thing!! Keep asking, seeking, knocking with those questions about how to live this out.  The answer lies in letting Him transform us, to believe Him, to trust Him, to take Him at His Word….and obey. How that will look in YOUR life is between You and Him. I don’t know what He might ask you to do in obedience. But, I know it will be worth it.

In Chapter 9, you will read short bios of people who did answer the crazy love song of their God and what it looked like for them. Some of those are people whom God has used in my own life (Rich Mullins – oh, my yes…but, that’s a long story!  George Mueller, Rachel and Nate Saint) and it brings to mind others that God has used to influence my life…some might be familiar to you, some you’ve never heard of. Can I share some of them with you? Will you share yours with me?

Keith Green, The ten Boom family, Joni Eareckson Tada, Peter and Catherine Marshall, Jim and Elizabeth Elliott, Mother Teresa, Amy Carmichael, John Wesley, Loretta Adels (my high school Sunday school teacher) and her husband Wolfie, Pastor Dan, John and Dave – my youth group leaders who “fathered” me and encouraged a call they saw in me before I ever recognized it.  There are more…some of you are reading this blog and have no idea the difference you have made in my life. By simply saying “YES”.

Who are those who by saying “yes”, have impacted your life? Who would you add to Francis Chan’s list? (Tell me, I wanna know!!!)

In January of 1996, the senior pastor that we were working with in Roanoke began a series from Galations focused around verse 2:20. (Look it up!)  He no sooner began the series than I knew I was in trouble. It echoed a call that was growing in me of a greater depth of letting go of my life and saying “yes” to God. I wanted to do this…and knew it would cost me. God knew my heart wanted this…yet, I knew it would not come without pain, even in the joy. A few months later, through a series of events that I won’t go into here, He led us to resign our position in a church and city that we had grown to love very much. AND I found out I was expecting our first child. This was the beginning of years of change and growth and eventual breaking free of the chains of depression that had held me for so long. Someday, I’ll share more of that story. But, suffice it to say….what looks like death to us as humans, can bring great life to our souls in Christ. I cannot tell you of how many times He has proven this true in my life…yet, each time He begins to shake me (like He is now), the fear rises. It is in those times I am learning to still my soul before the Lord and remember His faithfulness. And abundance! And that the best is yet to come….

When we left Roanoke in 1996, I left listening to a song that He reminds me of when I am struggling to let go. Maybe it will minister to you too:

Lay It All On the Line (from “The Message” by 4Him)

So don’t go wasting your time

Holding on to your life

There are treasures that I have possessed

Meant the world to me

But they never fill the emptiness

I needed something more than these

In the middle of my wilderness

God reached down to me

When I let go to His tenderness

I found His love was more than i ever dreamed

So don’t go wasting your time

Holding on to your life

Just lay it all on the line

Gotta make up your mind

There can be no more compromise

Just lay it all on the line

It’s a matter of surrendering

Every hidden fear

And by letting go of everything

Jesus will meet you there

In the heart of everyone of us

There’s a call to faith

Even though we’ll never measure up

That’s why the Savior that’s why the Savior came

Gone are the days of holding on

This is the time to surrender

Now is the moment you’ve got to let it go

Just let go, just let go, just let it go now

Don’t go wasting- wasting your time

Gotta make up make up your mind

There can be no more compromise

Just lay it all on the line

You are loved!

Beth

Morning Everyone,

It is a beautiful morning here in Michigan! I attended my 25th High School reunion in New York over the weekend and spent a lovely week with my brother and his family. Now we are visiting with my husband’s family for the next week. Much needed R&R is what I am hoping for! Pray with me that the mission will be accomplished.

I read Chapter 8 of “Crazy Love” while waiting in the Albany airport lounge for my plane to arrive on Tuesday. It was duly marked up, highlighted, and considered all that night as I traveled. Especially in light of all of the precious ones that I got reacquainted with at my reunion, and watched as they went about their business at the airports. So many precious lives. Each so loved by God. And I wonder…am I able to get over myself enough each day that Christ might be seen in me? Not just that I am a nice lady. But, do they see the possession of God on my life?

Take a look at what Francis outlined as the profile of one obsessed with God. What does it say to you?

Obsessed: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language)

Francis Chan offers snapshots that describe the portrait of lives consumed with Christ and desiring to faithfully live out His Words…and the profile looks like lives obsessed. Read the chapter, take a look at these descriptives and accompanying verses. Meditate on these Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you about what you see in the Word and in Chan’s profile. Are there any other scriptures that come to mind? How do you believe the Holy Spirit is asking you to respond?

Lovers: People who are obsessed with Jesus give freely and openly, without censure. Obsessed people love those who hate them and who can never love them back. Luke 6:32-36, 14:12-14

Risk Takers: Aren’t consumed with personal safety/comfort and care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or discomfort.

Friends of All: Willing to live lives connected to the poor in some way or another. Believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him. 1 Tim 6:6-13, 1 John 2:4-6, Matt. 16:24-26

Crazy Ones: More concerned about obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo, will not always do things that make sense in terms of success or wealth. Luke 14:25-35, Matt. 7:13-23, Rev. 3:1-6

The Humble: Know that the sin of pride is always a battle and that you can never be “humble enough” – Christ must become known/self less. Isa. 42:8, Matt. 5:16

Servers: Do not consider service a burden. Take joy in loving God by loving His people. Matt. 13:44, John 15:8

Givers: Known as givers –not takers. Genuinely think others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world. James 2:14-26, Matt. 22:39, Matt. 5:16

Sojourners: Thinks about heaven frequently. Orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them. Phil. 3:18-21, Matt. 24:42

The Engrossed: Characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing or being. Deut. 6:4-9

Unguarded Ones: Raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. He is their safe place, where they can be at peace.

They Rooted: Have and intimate relationship with God; nourished by God’s Word throughout the day because they know that 40 minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages. Ps. 1

The Dedicated: More concerned with his/her character than comfort. True joy does not depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God. James 1:2-4

Sacrificers: Know that the best thing he can do is be faithful to his Savior in every aspect of his life, continually saying “Thank You!” to God. Knows that there can never be intimacy if he is always trying to pay God back or work hard enough to be worthy. He revels in his role as a child and friend of God. Ps. 50:9-12, 14, Rom. 11:35-36

He is worth it, my friend. Those that He would reach out to through us are as well. Remember there is no condemnation here (Romans 8), but there is a loving, passionate Voice that is serious about souls and what it cost Him to redeem them. Are you (am I?) willing to count the cost of the obsessed and shed the shackles that hold you back? The truth really does set you free!

Be blessed in Him…and go bless another!
Beth

Very thoughtful the last few days. So many sad events in the world, in lives of those I love, and I wonder what can one person do? But, I am reminded that though one person can wreak great damage out of selfishness, anger, greed, hate, etc….one person can also make a great difference for good by seeking to be filled with the love, peace, and joy that comes from God, and then living in it, spilling it out to all with whom we encounter. In myself…I do not possess enough. He is total love, peace, joy…to the full, inexhaustible, and complete. His love is greater. I choose His love. I cannot control what other people choose. I can only control what I choose. I KNOW that He is ENOUGH. When I choose Him…He gives me enough to be what I need to be in that moment. For myself and for others that He puts in my path to love that day. When I don’t choose Him, I feel the lack…in every way imaginable. Why I choose at times to do it in my own strength and self when He offers Himself in every moment, is a constant wonder…but, no surprise…I am human.

Francis Chan, in chapter seven of his book, “Crazy Love”, talks about us living our best lives…later. Do we recognize the foolishness of seeking fulfillment outside of Him? Do we understand that its impossible to please God in any way other than a wholehearted surrender? Do we grasp the beauty and deep joy of walking in genuine intimacy with God, our holy Father and Friend? Do we want to see God more than we desire security? (uuuuhhh, he got me there!) What does it cost me and those around me to live life coasting…floating downstream? What does running toward Christ and pursuing Love look like in daily life?

As I said earlier, events in the world, in lives around me, in my own have left me pondering (not to mention Chan’s book). The events in Norway (no, friends…he may state that he is a Christian, but the heartbreaking reality is that in his zealousness and anger, he was deceived and his deception, fueled not by the love of God, but by anger and hate, bore the fruit that it did. What did he accomplish….nothing but destruction. Satan laughs at the ruin of his life and the indescribable pain his choices have brought. God weeps. But, God is bigger still and I pray for his eyes to be opened and his heart to be changed and for God to do a GREATER work of love and bring beauty out of the ashes of those whose lives were affected by this tragedy. AND that I learn from it as well.), the US, the heartbreak of wasted lives, selfishness and need all around me. Inside of me. What am I choosing to live for right now? What is it costing me? What is it costing those around me?

I believe that the answers to all of these questions that Chan and I raise is to be found in Scripture. I know it AND believe it. I know and experience the fruit of the choice of living out the answers I find in Scripture…and when I don’t. How I spend my time, my money, my life shows up. At times I am ashamed of what I see. At times I am amazed at what, when yielded to God, He has done with each. Both make a difference.

I was humbled and brought to tears when I came towards the end of the chapter. Throughout the book, he has pointed to scriptures that have meant the most in my life. I don’t know why I am amazed by that, but each time, it has bee the finger of God reminding me of the times He has used those verses to change my focus, direction, the way I thought I was supposed to live my life and Who I thought He was. He has used them to change me. So…why should I be surprised that He uses them in Chan’s life (and then says…”hey, you two…pass it on!) to change him? God used Isaiah 58 to totally change the direction of my life when I was a senior in high school. He used it to basically say…”Beth, your life is not your own. It is not about you. Give me your life so that I can love others through your life. Will you give me your life, will you spend let me give you life, so that you can spend it on account of others? Will you count your life as lost, so that it may be found in Me? Will you count your life as lost, so that others might be found? Will you?”

I wish I could say that I have faithfully lived out what He has asked of me. Sometimes, I don’t even know what He is asking of me. Some days my head is too far up my ____________ to get it. (Sorry if that offends anyone…but, the truth is the truth.) Some days, I am too full of myself to let go of my life. That is when I know HE is faithful to know that even when I don’t “want” to, He knows that I really do “want” to…because He wrecked me for anything else a long time ago. He is faithful to complete what He started when He put His mark on my life. He will not let me get too full of myself before He yanks the chain and reminds me. I cannot tell you how much rest and peace that gives me. I trust Him to be faithful and to teach me faithfulness. What confidence we can have that whatever He calls us to…He is fully able to supply what we need to accomplish it. What confidence we can have to know that we can rest in Him at all times, we can quiet our souls before the truth that He is enough.

So, when I forget what the course and purpose of my life is, He is good to send me reminders of Isaiah 58. And Malachi 3:10, that purely states that I can take God at His Word. If He says He will do what He promises He will do…and will act on my behalf if I will obey, I can trust it. Has He proved His Word true in my life….more time than I can count! Why would He renege on His Word now? He cannot…it is not in His Character.

So, maybe my best life is by losing it in His and spending it upon those whom He sends in my path. Not in my own strength…but His. Not dipping from my own well, but from drawing from His lavish resources. As I seek to be loved, at peace, whole in Him….He gives me the ability to spill out on others, increases my desire to see the needs of others met. My life is found in His. My best life is found in His to be lavished on others. Isaiah 58:10 – “if you spend yourselves….” and He will take care of me….He has proven and fulfilled that promise more times than I can tell you. And I know He will continue. That is not a waste of my life (and I think again of the waste of precious lives on the wrong things!! my heart breaks!!). Isaiah 58 is where my life began to be fulfilled and made whole.

Test Him in this…see if He will not prove Himself and His Word to be true. Your best life is to be found in losing it in His ….and in what He gives you today…and later.

So today, right in this moment, I choose Christ. I choose love. I choose to rest in Him and allow Him room to live and move and have His way in me. It is a moment by moment choice.

“….if you spend yourselves….”

Beth

Hey Everyone,

This is my second attempt at writing this blog post. The first just disappeared. Poof. Gone. I almost closed up my laptop and said “forget it”. It’s true. Not out of temper…just out of sheer weariness and a body/mind dulled by muscle relaxers and not enough sleep. (Not a good combo, I have found.)

Because of this, the Scripture in Chapter 6 in “Crazy Love” has meant the most to me. I keep gravitating back to them. They seem to sharpen, stand out and speak louder than Mr. Chan’s words this week. Maybe it is because in my wearied state of body and mind, His Words are like water and balm to me. They illuminate my need of Him and how far away I have wandered from the rest He offers in His love and life.

John 16:33 has been a constant verse for me in the past 8 months, so it was lovely to see it in this week’s chapter.

A verse that kept coming to me as I read the chapter is one that he alludes to, but never mentions outright. It is in Matthew 11: 28-30, and it speaks volumes to this weary, harried, stressed little ragamuffingirl:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

It says it all to me. Why do I choose the lesser things and run after them with my heart rather than the One who beckons me to “Come”? All through Scripture we see a God who continually beckons to His people to come to Him…and not to turn to whatever they thought would satisfy them at the time.

Whatever keeps you from returning to your first and true love – Jesus – I pray that you will let go. Whether it be fear, weariness, stress, busyness, pain, mistrust, pride, anger, addiction, etc.,….whatever you are bowing to that prevents you from answering His call to “Come”…I pray that you will let it go and be free. FREE! Free to love the One Who calls to you and free to receive what He has called you to receive. Whatever holds you in chains…He has the power and love to set you free from.

The story of Grandma Clara spoke volumes to me. You see, I see myself in her….the self that I want to be, yet allow fear and busyness (which I think sometimes IS the root of my busyness) to crowd out and beat down. If perfect love casts out all fear, why do I respond this way? Maybe 1 John has an answer for me:

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
1 John 4:18

Clara had a freedom and abandonment in her desire to spend time with God…her craving of it! I desire it with all my heart, yet all of the demands and fears and anxieties crowd out my answering that call from Him to come. Do I fear the punishment from others more than I fear what the lack of time and devotion to my Father would cost me? How sad. I don’t know if that is the answer, but I believe it has something to do with it.

But, I want to be free. And I believe it is His will for me. And out of that abandonment will life come to flow out to others…not the other way around.

So, I encourage you to let go…just as I encourage myself…and to run to the sound of your Jesus voice saying “Come”. To quote Chan “God is the only true Giver, and He needs nothing from us. But still He wants us. He gave us life so that we might seek and know Him”.

Isaiah 42:10 “You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know Me, believe Me, and remain steadfast to Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no other God formed, neither shall there be after Me.”

You are Known…Loved…Wanted by God.

Is He Known….Loved….Wanted by you?

So tell me…what Scripture, either from the chapter or perhaps others that reading this chapter has inspired… are the most meaningful to you this week. Why?

What barrier keeps you from loving God fully? Fear, anger, pride, busyness, etc.? Are you willing to offer it in surrender back to God so that you can be free to love Him and be loved more fully?

Praying for greater freedom and passion within you to run after your sweet Jesus!!
Beth

Good evening Everyone,

And it has been. A good evening, I mean. A crazy day (electricity went off for 4 hours, then the plumbing backed up…no water for us tonight!). A kind of crazy week (air in the Jeep went down a few days ago, a dear friend in the church passed away…you know….just STUFF!!).

But, it’s those crazy weeks that can God can speak in amazing ways. Am I alone in that? I mean…He has just been so underneath and all around me this week. I can’t explain it. He just is. Well, He is all the time. But, the way He has just shone up this week…can’t quite explain it, but I am oh, so glad.

Especially because lately it seems like I haven’t been. Glad, I mean. I have just been flat, tired, dull.

I am in the midst of studying Matthew and have just begun chapter 5 – the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. What has stood out to me has been the laying down of self. The lowering of myself that He might be greater, His light shine brighter in me, the salt that He rubs into me making me more distinct and flavorful…and not tasteless, useless and not even fit for the manure pile. So that others might see and be drawn to Him. His Life glorified in His Church. His kingdom increased.

So, although I have read this book before and knew that Chapters 4 & 5 were coming (and yes, we are reading both this week…they really need to be taken in together)…it still made me shake my head in awe as I read it. Why should it surprise me that He would speak in themes? He always does for me it seems!

Why should it surprise me that He was preparing the ingredients and turning up the heat another notch? It doesn’t…but, it does fill me with awe.

He loves us, dear ones. He does not desire that any should perish, but that all would come to a saving and transforming life in Him. He desires fellowship with us. And He desires that we would love Him to a fullness that spills out in a life of obedience and service to others that is salty, distinctive, full of life and light!

Not the lukewarm, flat, useless, tasteless, dry, dull, faultfinding, unloving, stingy, bickering, pretentious saints that – I am sorry to say – many of my friends in the world comment on. Every time I hear or read comments such as those I stated, it breaks my heart. Literally. I want to drop my head and weep.

Okay…I am not here to discourage you. Neither is Francis Chan. Neither was John the Revelator, or Paul, or Isaiah, or so many others I could name. No, we are here to ENCOURAGE YOU!!

So even though Chapters 4 & 5 seem like the heaviest of reads…and they are, and should be….the message is one designed to set you free. Yes FREE!!

That’s what the truth does. It sets you free if you are willing to hear it and allow it to break you out of whatever reverie or chain or sleep, etc., that has been holding you. To remind you that YOU ARE LOVED. YOU have been bought at a great price. To remind you of who you ARE. Of WHOSE you are. And that He wants to live out His life in you…your life is not your own. So, why do you and I keep living life as if it still were?

Easy to forget that, huh?

I don’t want you to miss out on all that He is and all that He wants to be His Church. The Word takes about how in the last days He will refine the Church and make her radiant and beautiful…a light that glorifies Him. In all the bad or discouraging words we might hear about the Church…don’t you ever give up on her!! She (YOU) is the Bride of Christ! He died to give Life to her! He rose to empower her! You – the Church, the Body, the Bride – are who He plans to present radiant to His Father. Don’t forget who you are, Church!!

Let Him fan up the fire in you….and burn up the dross so you can burn bright for Him. Let Him warm up hearts that have grown cold. Run into His Marvelous Light and let it give life to you…so that you can offer that Light and Life to a dark world desperately searching for the way.

He longs to burn in you and to make you distinct in this dark world for Him. Because He loves you…and He loves this world. And He wants to love them through us.

I pray that even as you read the words that Francis Chan shares, and the multitude of Scriptures that he includes…that you will do so soberly, reverently, honestly before your God Who loves you. Offer him your life and let Him open your eyes and ears so that you can hear Him and be healed and transformed, fill you and raise you up to be light and salt and love…set free from lukewarm life.

Aren’t you tired of it? Don’t you want more than a half-way commitment? Are you willing to walk with Him on the narrow path to LIFE everlasting? It cost Him…are you willing to count the cost, as well? All for the love of Him, my beloved friends.

That is the antidote to a lukewarm life….LOVE!! And His perfect love casts out all fear and gives us heart! Just what you need when the way grows weary!

Hang in there, dear ones. We are halfway through!! This is a book that goes deep, I know…but, it will be worth it. Meditate on the scriptures and watch the videos for Chapters 4 & 5, and humbly allow Him to search your hearts this week. Remember the words of the Psalmist:

Psalm 51:17
“My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.”

You are loved!
Beth

Welcome to Week 3/Chapter 3 of the “Crazy Love” Study!

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. Can you believe we are halfway into 2011!? Summer’s here! I am counting down the days until vacation…in three weeks I’ll be on a plane to New York for the first leg. I am looking forward to some time with my brother and his family! I am looking to my 25th High school reunion with curiosity. I am looking forward to the beauty of the Catskill mountains with all of it’s pastoral grandeur. Hope to get a hike or two in while I am there. Such wonders ahead….

Here is another wonder. Have you considered the thought that you are known by God? And not just known right now, but were known before you were ever created? And not just known…but loved with an all-surpassing love? But, not just known and loved….but wanted??

You. Yes, you.

By HIM.

Chan’s question: “Why – when we so constantly offend Him and are so lovable and unloving – does God persist in loving us?” He didn’t have an answer for that question.

The only way I can even come close to approaching an answer to that question , is to realize the absolute truth that God, Himself, IS love. It is a fact of His nature and character. I think that the love and mercy of God is an unfathomable question…we’ll never get to the whole of it, because it is that deep, wide, long. Yet Paul calls us to search the expanses of it in Ephesians. It is a search that never fails to leave me breathless in wonder…and with the wonder that there is more yet to fathom.

In the chapter and in this week’s video, Chan paints a picture of God as Father and how for him, he cannot help but to think about what his own relationship with his earthly father has taught him about how he views God. He uses words like fear…what is it like to reverently fear God, yet also have an intimate love with Him…like his little boy did in the video?

On the other hand, I think about not only God’s thoughts towards me, but mine towards Him. To fathom that I am known, loved, wanted by God….this crazy love of God is a wonder to me. And it is all through Scripture…all of Scripture is God’s crazy love story what Rich Mullins and GK Chesterton deem “the reckless, raging fury that we call the love of God”.

He has already loved us before we ever knew to love Him back. And He is continually working in our lives to draw us towards what is best for us…Him. There is nothing grandiose or egotistical or arrogant of God in that truth. If you have good gifts to give your kids – isn’t it best for you to attempt to give them? If You ARE the best gift you can give your kids – isn’t it unloving and selfish if you did not give IT? But, He did…His Son, Jesus. And still today, everyday. It is Who He Is, and He cannot be any less than Who He Is.

I received a tweet from someone that went like this: “For me, the chief drawback of believing in God is that it makes it terribly difficult to be angry at one’s children for being childish”. A coincidence? I think not.

I was thinking about Chan’s remark at the end of the chapter about how awful it would feel for your child to say to you that he/she really didn’t love you or want your love, but the allowance you had to give was another story. That does happen to God every day. That brings tears to my eyes. The parable of the Prodigal Son brings that to light in my eyes (that parable speaks to me differently every time I read it!). Not only in the actions of the Prodigal, but the actions of the Older Son. Think about it. What do you see in both of them? What do you see in the Father?

So, there are some of my thoughts as I have read this chapter. Is the book opening thoughts in you as well? Go back over Chapter 3, watch the video for this week, think and pray as you consider it and these scriptures:

Jeremiah 1, Ephesians 1, Matthew 7:9-11, 1 John 3:1-2, Luke 15:11-32

Think about the questions I raised earlier. How do you respond? What does God speak to YOU through these verses, Chan’s chapter and video?

It has been pretty quiet here the last week. Feel free to respond to any of the chapters…I am longing to hear what God is bringing up in you!!

My prayers are continually with you!! You are KNOWN…LOVED….and WANTED!! Remember that this week as you go about daily life. He is SO GOOD!

Beth

Welcome to week 2/chapter 2 of “Crazy Love”!

If you are like me…you’ve probably been reading ahead a bit…good stuff, huh? But, today, let’s slow it down and unpack some thoughts that will serve us as we continue on the journey together this summer. This chapter has a lot of thought provoking statements…what an understatement!

I have been sitting here trying to pick just a few to dwell on for today. “I think I’ll start with this statement…no, wait a minute, maybe this one….no wait, I can’t forget this one…”. Oh boy, I’m in trouble. How do you pick just a few?

(I have a feeling this is gonna be a long one….)

Under my last post was a comment left by Scott regarding a quote in chapter 2. I had much the same response that Scott did. Here it is:

“On the average day, we live caught up in ourselves. One the average day, we don’t consider God very much. On the average day, we forget that our life truly is a vapor.”

Interestingly enough, last night we were covering Existential Therapies in Methods of Counseling class and a theme that therapists engage in with this type of therapy is that of confronting the reality of our own death. In doing so, the purpose is to help people engage in the awareness of the brevity of life and allow this awareness to infuse meaning into our living. You’ve heard the question – “if you knew you only had a short time to live, how would it impact the way you lived out the rest of those days, weeks, months, etc?” Maybe that’s a good and serious question worth pondering. Go back and read James 4:13-14 and Ecclesiastes 7:2. My students at first thought this was morbid to consider death….but, then, they began to think about how it might actually infuse LIFE into their lives!

Another question: How many of you could identify with Chan in his discussion of our justification of stress? Guilty.

I teach on Philippians 4 all the time, read it regularly, talk about it with others, counsel others about it all the time. Why? For the same reason that Paul addressed it there, and Jesus did, likewise, in the Sermon on the Mount…because anxiety is everywhere! Stressors are all around us…and sometimes, inside of us.

There were more quotes from Chan about this than I have time or space to comment on ~ so let me share instead a portion of scripture that has been thematic in my life in the past few months….have you noticed God works in patterns in your life?

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

Isaiah 30:15
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not…”

It’s that “but you would not…” that troubles me. I live my life unmindful of God, forgetting about Him, handling my troubles in my own understanding, bent on figuring “it” out, etc. To quote Chan:

“When I am consumed by my problems – stressed out about my life, my family, my job – I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God’s command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a “right” to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.”

So, yeah….WHO DO I think I am, anyway? How arrogant can I be? Apparently, very, since He still forbears to teach this lesson in deeper and deeper ways in my life. Yes…my name is Beth, and I am a recovering control freak. How many ways do I need to get over myself still, at times? Thank you, Lord….your GRACE IS ENOUGH!

The truth is…we do only have such a brief time on this planet. How much time do I still want to waste on the same sin that plagued the Israelites (Hebrews 4)? I don’t want to be one that “would not” any longer!

Aren’t you glad that we have such a loving, Mighty God that we can run to in all of the unknowns, stresses, and trials of life? He is GOD, He is GOOD, and He is ENOUGH.

Read through the scriptures that I have mentioned when you have some quiet time and ponder some of these questions:

1. Consider the brevity of life – are YOU ready? Have you realized that your life is but a vapor?
2. Do you believe it enough to let it change your life? If so, how? If not, what do you think is holding you back?
3. How does stress and worry show up in your life?
4. What is He speaking to you about how you respond to Him in the midst of the worries of life?
5. Read over the passage about Brooke Bronkowski: Think about writing your own essay – just between you and God. What would you say?

Don’t forget to go to www.crazylovebook.com and click on the Chapter 2 video.

I had a feeling this would be a long one. I will not make a habit of it, but as you can see…I had a pretty strong reaction to this chapter.

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this chapter. What has impacted YOU the most?

You are so loved!
Beth

Hey Everyone,

I have had some blogsite issues which have prevented me from posting before now…but, hopefully this will prove to be a success and we can get up and running for the Summer book study.

If you haven’t already picked up a copy of Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love”, you can get them at the CCWC office, or at Christian Book Distributers, Amazon, etc.

Because of the blogsite snafu, we are getting started a little later than I had planned. I am actually writing this away from home, and as I began, I realized that I had left the book in my tote bag at home! No worries…I will let Mr. Chan get us off and running for the first week. I did plan for us to watch the chapter videos that he developed for the book at www.crazylovebook.com each week. You can do that at your leisure and not only comment on the thoughts that your reading evokes, but also on his comments, as well. And OF COURSE, I will post my own thoughts as well…and can’t wait to hear yours!

The first of the week is often a little challenging for me to sit down and write because of my summer teaching schedule, so, I am choosing Thursday as the designated deadline day for me to post thoughts and questions for you to reflect upon, as well as, the link to Chan’s chapter video. You can check in with the blog for each week’s postings from me and your fellow study-mates. You can also subscribe to the blog (link is on the right hand side) and you’ll get notifications. If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment, or email me personally.

I am very excited to be a part of this study with you!! I look forward to what God is going to do in your lives as a result! I am praying for you!!

Go to www.crazylovebook.com and watch the Introductory video on the home page. Read the first chapter and then go to the video section of the website and click on the Chapter One video. Again, because of blog snafus and unintentionally leaving the book at home tonight, I don’t want to waste any time in getting us started. So….I ask that you respond from your reading and from the questions that Francis posts in the book/video. Each video is about 2 minutes in length, so they are not at all time-consuming…and it allows you to “meet” the author in a little more personal way.

Ready…set….go!! (Who’s gonna be first!?!)
Yea!!!
I love you all so much….
Beth

My assignment in the Breaking Free Study for today was to write my personal prescription for anxiety. After the hysterical laughter subsided and I picked myself up off of the floor, I grabbed my pen and commenced to writing. You see, I know EXACTLY what my script would look like…but, I only had so much room, so I stuck to the highlights. Maybe this sounds familiar to you:

“Do not be calm about anything, but in everything fret and try to figure everything out on your own. Drive yourself crazy trying to run around in circles freaking out trying to get the impossible done while never asking for help. Manipulate others and work hard to make it happen according to your plan or the way you think it should be. And the palpitations, which transcends all anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications, will cause your chest to constrict and your BP to elevate until the blood is shooting out of your eyes and your head pounds as your stomach turns, and as you check into the clinic for treatment.” The Gospel of Beth 4:6-7

Funny thing…I didn’t find this particular passage that I wrote (or the book of Beth, even though I was so sure that God would allow it into the Canon!) in His Word. Although I do read another passage that sounds similar…but, without those particular imperatives. He lists a whole different set of directions…prescriptions, if you will….that are so counter-intuitive to how I seem to react. I used to think that sounded so noble and right, but I secretly laughed…I mean, REALLY?! He wanted me to do what?! It’s too hard…I can’t do that…

He said, “Yes, you can. If I commanded you to respond to anxiety this way, then I will give you the grace and power to do it. I said you can…do it.” I learned to allow the triggers that bring on anxiety for me be a choice to run through the paces of what Philippians 4:6-7 (no, He still keeps sending back my manuscript…) directs us to respond in the face of anxiety, fear…the things that choke and control us. Guess what I found out? IT WORKS.

In fact, it was one of the best therapies I have at my disposal. And it is available to you as well…the only cost is obedience. But, out of obedience comes peace. Phil. 4:9 says “PRACTICE (that would be obey, and create a NEW habit) what you have learned and received in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace will be with you”.

His commands always come with a great promise attached. Test Him for yourself…see if He isn’t true to His Word.

So, what does YOUR prescription for Anxiety read like? I’d love to hear your comments AND Scriptures that God has used to help you re-write your prescription.

Can’t wait to hear from you!
Beth