A CRAZY kind of LOVE

So, I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan again. I could seriously read some books over and over (and probably need to for them to really sink in). Last night I started thinking about how much we focus on what's in front of us - temporary things that could be here today and gone tomorrow. I have had 2 house fires in my life (once when I was 5 and again when I was in college). You would think that I could stop collecting crap, but I just accumulate so many THINGS through the years. We work and work so that we can buy more things while there are so many people in the world (in our own communities) who have so little. In a world where 'the kid with the most toys wins', it's a little difficult to keep things in perspective and to remember that sometimes less really IS more.

I have always said that the way you live your life indicates what your priorities are. You will spend time doing things that are important to you. You will make time for the people who are important to you - this includes God. Is He a priority? Are you obsessed with Him? As I was reading last night a few things just stood out to me that I thought I would share with you. These 13 things have really pricked my heart. I want to be this kind of obsessed!

"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." (p. 87-88)

"People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress." (p. 88)

"People who are obsessed with Jesus live lives that connect them with the poor in some way or another. Obsessed people believe that Jesus talked about money and the poor so often because it was really important to Him." (p. 89)

"Obsessed people are more concerned with obeying God than doing what is expected or fulfilling the status quo. A person who is obsessed with Jesus will do things that don't always make sense in terms of success or wealth on this earth." (p. 89-90)

"A person who is obsessed with Jesus know that the sin of pride is always a battle. Obsessed people know that you can never be "humble enough, " and so they seek to make themselves less known and Christ more known." (p. 91)

"People who are obsessed with Jesus do not consider service a burden. Obsessed people take joy in loving God by loving His people." (p. 91)

"People who are obsessed with God are knowns as givers, no takers. Obsessed people genuinely think that others matter as much as they do, and they are particularly aware of those who are poor around the world." (p. 92)

"A person who is obsessed thinks about heaven frequently. Obsessed people orient their lives around eternity; they are not fixed only on what is here in front of them." (p. 93)

"A person who is obsessed is characterized by committed, settled, passionate love for God, above and before every other thing and every other being." (p. 94)

"People who are obsessed are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don't put it on for God; He is their safe place, where they can be at peace." (p. 94)

"People who are obsessed with God have an intimate relationship with Him. They are nourished by God's Word throughout the day because they know that forty minutes on Sunday is not enough to sustain them for a whole week, especially when they will encounter so many distractions and alternative messages." (p. 95)

"A person who is obsessed with Jesus is more concerned with his or her character than comfort. Obsessed people know that true joy doesn't depend on circumstances or environment; it is a gift that must be chosen and cultivated, a gift that ultimately comes from God." (p. 95)

"A person who is obsessed with Jesus knows 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. An obsessed person knows 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." (p. 96)