I can’t stop thinking…
“God put me in Simi Valley, California, to lead a church of comfortable people into lives of risk and adventure. I believe He wants us to love others so much that we go to extremes to help them. I believe He wants us to be known for giving- of our time, our money, and our abilities- and to start a movement of “giving” churches. In so doing, we can alleviate the suffering in the world and change the reputation of His bride in America. Some people, even some at my church, have told me flat out, “You’re crazy.” But I can’t imagine devoting my life to a greater vision. We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You’ve probably heard the expression, “I believe in God, just not organized religion.” I don’t think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live. The expression would change to “I can’t deny what the church does, but I don’t believe in their God.” At least then they’d address their rejection of God rather than use the church as a scapegoat.” {Francis Chan, “Crazy Love pg. 21-22}
What if OUR church looked like that.
What if we looked like that…
or…
What if I looked like that?
See, it starts with me. It starts with you!
WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO IN ORDER TO SEE THIS HAPPEN?
~Peter
2 Comments
Powerful… For the last century the Church has let the poor, elderly and orphans of this country down in a mighty way. About 80 years ago the country as a whole took its first steps in allowing the government to take care of the countries poor, elderly and orphans. Our Founding Fathers never would have sacrificed the blood of innocent people had they known it would come to this. They knew it was the peoples’, Primarily the Church’s, responsbility to take care of its sick, dying and under priveledged. We scene select to the present day and we find that the country is sprinting towards more government solutions. Sadly the solutions of 80+ years ago still haven’t worked. Meanwhile the Church as a whole has said, “Oh well it is the government’s responsbility to take care of its people.” IT IS UP TO US!
The only thing crazy about what Francis Chan says, is that it took 80 years for someone to print it.
So you ask what am I willing to do, it has been the desire of both my wife and I to become debt free. We are in the final stages of removing the shackels called our mortgage. Hopefully this will free us from bondage and allow us to live a life Christ called us to.
With all sincerity and grace,
Happy Easter. Indeed, He is Risen!