Digging Deeper

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Over the past few weeks I have been taking a Life Group through a study of a book by Francis Chan called Crazy Love. Here’s a brief description of the book:

God is Love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love.

Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it?

It’s crazy if you think about. The God of the universe–the creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor–loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs and try not to cuss.

Whether you’ve verbalized it or not…we all know something’s wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts–it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, you will never be the same.

Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

This study and this book have really made me to re-examine my relationship with God. There have been some very difficult and challenging things in these chapters. But through it I see and feel a closer, more passionate love with the Creator. I have also witnessed that growth in the others in our group.

If you feel that you are not madly, crazy, in love with God I challenge you to read this book. And strive for that love, and strive for that God.

God is love…

Please join me in this prayer:

Heavenly Father, I love You. I love that you have shown me what love really is and that even though I am who I am. Even though I fail to show love toward others and You at times, You continue to love me unconditionally with  that crazy, radical love. Lord help me to walk and talk in that love and to reflect that love on others each and every day. Amen

by Rick Phillips