Its time to take a stand.

To the sojourners abroad,

This is a little bit overdue. Funny thing life. You know we get so busy that we just forget other things that are going on. When we get busy our lives become so "me" oriented.

I've been reading this book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I would tell some of you its another Christian book but it is far from that. It is a calling. A calling to live a life that is set apart from that oh so well known stereotype Christians are associated with. I will admit I have a hard time reading "theological" books. Not because I dont like reading about my faith and sucking up anything new, its just they are hard to get through.

This book is different. Francis is practical but very straight forward. I appreciate that about him. My dad was explaining that the book is not really a book. My dad stated its a "calling to action". I am steering away from the "train" scenario mostly because these are just my thoughts lately. See Francis states "Because we dont often think about the reality of who God is, we quickly forget that He is worthy to be worshipped and loved. We are to fear Him".

It hit me. Life is interesting on this side of California. I live with 13 people. Have an Amazing boyfriend (including his family who have been there for us) of a year and couple months. Fantastic friends who amazingly still check in on me when I have seemingly fallen off the face of earth. And for the sake of kicks and giggles, a dog who is only alive because its my moms dog. I am surrounded by people who cover me with their love. Yet I forget about my first love?

Francis says it is an easy thing to do. To forget about the God who came down in the form of a man. Who lived a life I will NEVER meet and then died a death that my brain cannot grasp, not only physical but taking on MY sin and I have the decency to forget Him? I have screwed up many a times. Maybe not the big stuff most people think like drinking and the such a like, but I've done my fair share of screw ups. (Ask the family of 13 over here, they got some doozies and so does the boyfriend). Yet Jesus forgave me on that cross. Incredible.

Funny. I was just reading my journal and RC Sproul states "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God".

I have no clue where this post was going. My thoughts just flowed out of me like a waterfall. I have learned a lot already from 10 pages of Francis' book. My intentions are not to be idle with this new knowledge. A couple of years ago my mom tried her hardest to make a Bible study for the three of us kids. We started to walk through Proverbs. I suppose thats always been pressed on her heart because I remember starting it at least 3 different times with her, and each time learning something new. I remember one thing specifically and it was the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

I remember sitting at the table of our apartment and she telling us that knowledge is only in our heads and will never be enough until it is put to action. I say this because Francis' book is more than that "good Christian" book. My goal is to put it to "action" as my dad phrased it. If there are two things I could leave with you one would be this quote from the book.

"God is the only Being who is good and the standards are set by Him. Because God hates sin, He has to punish those guilty of sin. Maybe thats not an appealing standard. But to put it bluntly when you get your own standards. When we disagree, lets not assum it's His reasoning that needs correction".

I guess it makes sense to me to have God as an authority figure in my life. Let me correct that. THE authority figure in my life. life is not easy and our plans are not our own. I have learned this the hard way and still am.

Secondly, I leave you with this verse.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

Love always,
Corrine