Well, you did it!  You successfully completed reading Crazy Love.  This is my third time to read this book and I have to say that I am challenged to grow each time I read it.  I pray that you have been encouraged and challenged to grow spiritually just as I have been and that this adventure with the Holy Spirit has changed you from the inside out.

Some of you have expressed how much this book has encouraged you while others of you have talked with me about how difficult this book has been for you to absorb. A few have even expressed that they felt that Francis Chan was a bit condemning and judgmental in many sections of the book.  I have listened to both the positive and negative and I continue to believe that this book was written to awaken each of us to a deeper walk with Christ.  Some have said that they felt condemned by a few of the statements within the book, but I continue to believe that Francis was only trying to open our lives to a little introspection. There is a big difference between conviction and condemnation and I believe Francis was helping us become aware of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul writes, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."  If you have trusted Christ to forgive you and save you from your sins, you belong to Him.  He has made you fit for the Kingdom of God. What is the difference between the word conviction and condemnation?  The word conviction can actually mean to be convinced.  As Christ-followers, the Holy Spirit reveals thoughts, attitudes, and actions in all of our lives that do not line up with God's Word and Character.  His ministry of correction and conviction is not enacted to harm us but to help us. On the other hand, the word condemnation is defined as judging or pronouncing someone or something to be unfit for service.  I don't believe for a moment that Francis wrote Crazy Love to reveal that we are unfit for service but that we should be willing to  evaluate our lives in the light of Jesus Christ and surrender ourselves completely to Him.  

I pray that you have acted on those things that the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this book and that you will continue to pursue Christ with Crazy Love.