Francis Chan - Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

What people are saying about

Crazy Love

Chan writes with infectious exuberance, challenging Christians to take the Bible seriously. He describes at length the sorry state of lukewarm Christians who strive for a life characterized by control, safety, and an absence of suffering. In stark contrast, the book offers real-life accounts of believers who have given alltime, money, health, even their livesin obedience to Christs call. Chan also recounts his own attempts to live crazy by significantly downsizing his home and giving away his resources to the poor. Earnest Christians will find valuable take-home lessons from Chans excellent book.

Publishers Weekly

In Francis Chans unique style, and with an urgency that seeks to awaken a sleeping church mired in the comfort of middle ground, Crazy Love quickly gets to the heart of the matter and leaves you wanting more more of the matchless Jesus who offers radical life for all right now.

Louie Giglio, visionary architect, director of Passion Conferences, and author of I Am Not, but I Know I AM

Franciss life reflects authentic leadership tempered by a deep compassion for the lost, the last, the littlest, and the least. Its all because this man, my friend, is an ardent and devoted disciple of his Savior. In his fresh new book, Crazy Love , Francis peels back what we think the Christian life is, and guides us down the path toward an uncommon intimacy with Jesusan intimacy which cant help but change the world around us!

Joni Eareckson Tada, best-selling author and speaker

In an age of religious phonies, spiritual apathy, and disheartening books suggesting that God is a delusion, Crazy Love shines like a glorious beacon of hope and light. If youre stuck in a religious rut, read this refreshing book. I found it eye-opening and soul-thrilling. Whether in the pulpit or on the page, Francis Chan effuses love for Jesus Christ and demonstrates practical ways to throw off lukewarm Christianity and embrace full-on, passionate love for God.

Kirk Cameron, actor and author of Still Growing

CRAZY LOVE
Published by David C. Cook
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David C. Cook Distribution Canada
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David C. Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

David C. Cook and the graphic circle C logo
are registered trademarks of Cook Communications Ministries.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,
no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form
without written permission from the publisher.

The Web site addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These Web sites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C. Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Italics in Scripture quotations have been added by the author for emphasis. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version . Copyright 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved; and RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971], Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

LCCN 2008922793
ISBN 978-1-4347-6851-3
eISBN 978-1-4347-6665-7

2008 Francis Chan

Published in association with the literary agency of D. C. Jacobson & Associates LLC, an Author Management Company www.dcjacobson.com

The Team: John Blase, Jack Campbell, and Amy Kiechlin
Cover Design: Jim Elliston
Author Photo: Kevin Von Qualen, 2007

First Edition 2008

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace. Your forgiveness is SO good that I struggle with believing it at times. Thank You for rescuing me from myself and giving me Your Holy Spirit. Your love is better than life.

To my best friend, Lisa,
for being a godly, gorgeous, excellent wife and mother

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to

Danae Yankoski for all of the effort and heart you put into this book.

Don and Jenni at DC Jacobson and Associates for your encouragement and help.

Todd and Joshua for serving the church and college God has given us to lead.

My assistant, Sandy, for being a great helper and a cool old lady.

The members of Cornerstone Church for passionately pursuing God with me.

Contents

by Chris Tomlin

Stop Praying

You Might Not Finish This Chapter

Crazy Love

Profile of the Lukewarm

Serving Leftovers to a Holy God

When Youre in Love

Your Best Life Later

Profile of the Obsessed

Who Really Lives that Way?

The Crux of the Matter

FOREWORD

It is with great excitement and honor that I get the opportunity to introduce you to my friend Francis Chan. Francis is one of those rare people you come across in life who leaves you wanting to be better. You know, a better friend, a better neighbor, a better athlete (well maybe not athlete I can take Francis in most things involving competition). But most important, Francis leaves you wanting more of Jesus. If you are around Francis for more than thirty minutes, you soon realize that he is a man with great vision and resolve for the mission of Jesus. Some might say that Francis is a bit of an idealist in thinking that one life can really make a dent in the world. But I would say that Francis is the ultimate realist. Meaning, someone who believes that God is really who He says He is and that the true reality of this life is to follow Him wholeheartedly.

The book you have in your hand, Crazy Love , may just be the most challenging book outside of Gods Word you will read this year. (And for a few years to come for that matter.) The status quo and norms of the so-called Christian life that so many of us are used to experiencing are in for a shock! Isnt it interesting that in Acts 11, at the end of verse 26, it says, The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. What I find interesting is the simple thought that the Christians didnt name themselves. But rather, they were called (or named) Christians by those watching their lives. I wonder if it would be the same today. Could someone look at your life or look at my life and name me a Christian? A humbling question for sure.

Crazy Love is the perfect title for this book. When Jesus was asked, What is the greatest commandment? he responded with Love.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:3740)

As Francis so brilliantly illustrates, the life that Jesus calls us to is absolute craziness to the world. Sure, its fine and politically correct to believe in God, but to really love Him is a whole different story. Yeah, its nice and generous to give to the needy at Christmas or after some disaster, but to sacrifice your own comfort and welfare for another may look like madness to a safe and undisturbed world.

I am challenged to the core by the pages youre about to read. I am excited that you are diving into this much-needed book. I encourage you to face up to the convictions of Crazy Love . I know your heart and spirit will be stirred again for your First Love.