Crazy Love

Last week we began hosting our small group, reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This was the book that we were involved with a small group through Southeast Christian and it helped motivate us to move to Clear Creek. It's a great book - and great discussion.

The fellowship was great! We have one couple, and a single who have committed to the small group. Not too big, but sometimes that works out better for discussion.

Topics that struck out to me in the beginning of the book and through the first chapter:

• We need to stop blaming America for the problems that the American church has today. We should in fact blame ourselves, because we are the American church. Speak up and stand for biblical truth.
• We serve an incredibly diverse and creative God. Did you know that there are more than 350,000,000,000 galaxies? That a caterpillar has 228 separate and distinct muscles on its head? The average elm tree has approximately 6 million leaves on it.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." ~Psalm 19:1-4

• Stop talking at God, instead take a long, hard look at Him before you speak another word. Solomon warned us not to rush into God's presence with words. That's what fools do. And often, that's what we do. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.
• When we pray to God picture what John describes in Revelation 4. He describes the One seated on the throne with two gems, "jasper and carnelian," and the area around the throne as a rainbow that looked like an emerald. John describes "flashes of lightening" and "rumblings and peals of thunder" coming from God's throne.

Next time you approach God in prayer, picture Revelation 4 in your mind. See how it changes your prayer life. We are to fear God. You'll find yourself more in praise and worship rather than selfishly requesting needs. Not that we shouldn't bring God our burdens, but sometimes, that's all we ask for. We pray out of emotion, only when we are in need of something. Don't ever get into that rut. Remember who God is, fear Him. I challenge you to read Revelation 4 and next time you approach God in prayer vision that picture in your mind.

Post your comments on how it changes your prayer life with Him!