Crazy Love
So I sat down with my friend Angie Smith the other day to shoot a video for the book club she and Jessica are hosting. They’re studying the incredible book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.
We sat down and had an incredible conversation about Chapter 1. If you’re interested you can still join the book club. I think there are like 1,000 plus women participating so I’m sure there will be some great conversation.
Join the fun OVER HERE!
If you’re a part of the book club or you’ve read the book I would love to hear how God is speaking to you through it.
Crazy Love (chapter one) from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.
43 Comments:
I really enjoyed watching both of you…..Angie has such a loving fun spirit about her and I loved how you kept it real.
I am right there with you on the struggles of gratefulness…or lack of. I have been trying to say “Thank You” rather than “Please”.
ps. looking forward to watching your new series too!
*~Michelle~*´s last blog ..Too close for comfort
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*~Michelle~*
4:46 am
I’m participating in the book club-I’ve never been in a book club with 1000 before. I’m reading the book for the first time and loving it.
One comment about eliminating noise…this is something I’ve been working at and I do think it takes effort. I’ve been walking every morning (just me and the dog) and I use that time to really talk to God, to be thankful and full of praise, not just ‘gimme gimme gimme’ which is often how my prayers in a rush go. I think sometimes we fear too much quiet or at least I did. I am discovering that once you do find a way to quiet the noise, you will begin to really crave that time with the Lord, that quiet….and in the quiet I find it is easier to go deeper with God. I am learning a lot in the quiet.
joyce´s last blog ..Just Coasting
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joyce
5:39 am
Crazy Love was a great book! Two sections really stuck out to me: the one on giving God leftovers and the one on obsessed people. But I would have to say that as good as it was, his new one Forgotten God, is even better. I reviewed it here: http://billgrandi.ovcf.org/wordpress/?m=20090811
I also did the Crazy Love DVD series with a small group and they enjoyed it.
bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..Sea of Faces
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bill (cycleguy)
5:55 am
@joyce, That’s awesome. Find that rhythm that works for you.
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Pete Wilson
6:17 am
I really enjoyed that conversation between the two of you. Hooray for technology!
I just finished reading Crazy Love. It was awesome. I am also coming through a fairly dry spiritual season and this book was a great encouragement to be thankful for all things.
As I was struggling through the last several months, lots of questions came to my mind. Things like “Who am I?”; “What have I accomplished in life?”; “What am I supposed to be doing?”. I was begging God for a direction, a path to take. I struggled for what felt like forever, until it gradually sank in that I am God’s, I am supposed to be pursuing Him in all of life. So I began to eliminate the noise in my life. The things at church I was helping with because I felt like I needed to. The other endeavors in life that were good ideas, but not the best ideas.
And, what I found was that as I cleared away the clutter, it became easier to see God in everything in my life. Now, I am focused on my husband and our kids. I am here to support and love my family and help them succeed at their purposes and paths through life.
Also, I’ve been fortunate enough to start a project at church that will allow us to reach people in the community. I can see God’s hand working through this already and it’s still early in the process.
But, what’s really been encouraging to me, is that reading Crazy Love helped me become more aware of God. It wasn’t a magic-fix-it-all book; but I think that because I was working toward God, He was meeting me there. God really does have this crazy passion for us and there is no good reason to deny Him the same.
Sorry, that got kinda long, but thanks for sharing the video. (Love the boys yelling in the background – makes it feel like home.)
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Jen C
7:04 am
I have read the book. I can only say that I “love-hated” it. I loved it for the truth it presented and hated it because it left me convicted and unable to return to my usual life ‘already in progress.’ God used this book to open my eyes to the depth of my own consumerist mentality and to the selfishness that still lurked deep in my heart. It’s been a year since I read it and I’m still trying to make adjustments to my life to reflect what “Crazy Love” helped me to learn.
Carl B. Schultz´s last blog ..From Whence We Came
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Carl B. Schultz
7:20 am
‘Crazy Love’ was THE most personally challenging book I have read in some time. Not an easy one to read. In short, it exposed some unchanged and unwilling parts of my heart. It’s a wonderfully sobering book (if thats possible).
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Jonathan
8:08 am
I am enjoying the book club so far, and finding that even the first chapter of the book has given me a lot to chew on. It’s going to be powerful to read, connect with others, hear what stands out to other people, and to be challenged by guest speakers like you.
I really connected with the need to eliminate hurry/busy-ness from our lives. I think that has been a weed that has choked out the fruit, joy, and freedom to live life fully for the last couple months. I will be thinking today of ways to remove hurry from my days/weeks.
Thanks for posting!
Kelli´s last blog ..One Year
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Kelli
8:21 am
Holy cow! I’m posting a comment before I even watch the video.
I saw that Angie was doing a book club but never saw what the title was.
A few days ago I was in the book store and saw Crazy Love. I read the back and thought…I think he wrote the book I was going to write! So much stuff just on the back cover I could relate to. I felt like I just HAD to read it.
Wow!
I’m on Chapter 2 now. I need to go join the book club…and watch the video.
Amy´s last blog ..The Crafts-man
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Amy
8:51 am
On with B&N now, they have it in stock! And, I think I talked the sales girl into buying her own copy, LOL!
Just joined the online bookclub at Bloom, I think. I’m in the community, I know that much (I’m not savvy on these things, LOL)
Thanks for telling us about this! Great vid interview you both did.
Tina Dee´s last blog ..Giveaway & Interview ~ Author Susan Page Davis
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Tina Dee
10:04 am
Pete,
This interview was really great. I loved the quote you said about being ruthless about noise in your life and the hurry. If things aren’t noisy then your rushing to get somewhere or to do something. God said to be still, so why I think I will find Him in all the hurry of my life is just crazy.
Thanks for keeping it real. I needed this today,
Dawn in MO
dawn´s last blog ..(Update) Rocking Monett!!!
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dawn
10:05 am
The part about unforgiveness stemming from being ungrateful really resonates with me. Thanks for pointing that out.
OneGirl´s last blog ..Don’t You Think?
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OneGirl
10:06 am
Very well said, Pete. Very well said. I want to love God with a crazy kind of love.
Ashley´s last blog ..Not Helpless
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Ashley
10:09 am
I went in to Family Christian Stores this morning to see if I could buy a copy of Crazy Love and it is a bestseller. I wonder if that is thanks to this bookclub?!! Anyway I can’t wait to read the first chapter. And the funny thing is that the lady in front of me in the checkout line was buying 2 copies of the same book! How cool is this!
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Iris
10:30 am
Just so you know. I am so jealous that he is your pastor. If nothing else, his hair
I struggle with the business of life.. My FAVORITE part is “you can’t microwave spiritual transformation” LOVE IT!!!!
Thanks for the great interview! I’ll be praying for you.
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Shawna Kurth
11:06 am
Just going through a period of spiritual drought in my life, after three years of relentless growth. My faith remains strong but spiritually I feel like someone or something has extinguished the fire in me. The Lord gives and takes away. I know that through this drought he is working something in me, but I miss that closeness I used to feel and the sense of purpose and direction. Who knows? Maybe He is teaching me to be more grateful by allowing me to painfully miss what I had “spiritually” before. Lukewarmness is not an option and a genuine grateful heart will always keep the fire alight.
This book sounds inspiring and so I have just bought a copy online. Thank you for the suggestion.
Blessings,
ransom33´s last blog ..How to combat the spirit of discouragement
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ransom33
11:10 am
Your pastor is awesome, Angie! His words spoke to me. I don’t enjoy reading (yes, I know this is a book club…) but I am going to go get this book and make myself set aside time alone to absorb it. I think I need this. Thanks for doing this!
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michelle horton
11:16 am
i just KNEW it! i knew you were gonna be the first guest. it’s been such fun to be a part of bloom (the book club) and to see what God is doing.
pete, thanks for your thoughts. i need to really ponder what you said about anger and unforgiveness stemming in part from not being grateful. when i feel entitled to the anger and think someone doesn’t deserve forgivness, what is that really saying?!
this is my third time reading this book and i’m still loving it. thanks again, pete!! great to see you.
sheryl´s last blog ..Claiming The Promise
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sheryl
11:21 am
@Amy, what are the chances? Very cool!
@Ransom33, praying for you during this season. Been there many times before.
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Pete Wilson
11:25 am
You touched my heart. I have had many experiences throughout my life with MANY different pastors teachers and believers. I just want to say thank you! Thank you for gardening, thank you for talking about SIN in the christian, thank you for laughing, thank you for being real and open about what you see in yourself and the Body of Christ at this time in History. Bless you!
Charlotte´s last blog ..July- Sean
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Charlotte
11:26 am
Thank you Pete!
I really appreciate your prayers, specially because having been there yourself, you have a special insight for what is needed to get through this season.
Bless you!
ransom33´s last blog ..How to combat the spirit of discouragement
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ransom33
11:31 am
thanks pete!
i love how God just speaks right through you in such a powerful humble & real way.
angie is pretty awesome too!
totally fired up about this book…how God’s gonna use it globally and personally in mine & many others lives.
ps-is that a rockin back porch or family space you & brandi are host too?
paige´s last blog ..KC4HQ
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paige
12:32 pm
Ok..I love the comment – You can’t microwave spiritual growth!!! I am longing to grow in my realationship with Christ and I see the fruits, but I know that it is a process…
Lori Fields´s last blog ..Hi Peeps! I know it has been a while….
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Lori Fields
1:23 pm
Thanks Pete and Angie!
What I desire more than anything is to be close to Jesus but I often feel like I am not living ‘intentionally’ enough, if that makes sense. I need to constantly remind myself to clear out the clutter so that I can be more ‘engaged’ in my relationship with God. I fail at this more often than I succeed.
ransom33, it sounds to me like you may have simply outgrown your old ‘wineskin’ in God. Maybe what used to work for you doesn’t do the trick anymore because you are in a time of transition and its like you are in a birthing canal, being squeezed out into a new place in your walk with God.
It is my experience anyway, that any time of growth is always preceded by a time of difficulty, dryness, even confusion, which propels me to seek God more desperately and reach out for that new thing he has for me. (Which I would never do if I was still in my comfort zone.)
Praying for you!
Sumi D.´s last blog ..All I want
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Sumi D.
2:40 pm
Pete… weren’t you ever told not to hit girls?
You punched me square in the stomach with the “If we look at lust, and we look and anger, and we look at a lack of forgiveness, all of that is a root of me not being grateful in my life for what God has has given me.”
I think I’ll go off and cry now. And tell everyone I got punched by pastor.
Jen´s last blog ..Death in the Family
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Jen
4:49 pm
I’ll watch the video later, but I do want to answer your questions. I’ve read through it once, and am in the process of reading it again. It has taken me awhile both times because I have to stop, pray, and process what I’m reading quite frequently.
One cool God story that came from it was that God confirmed a calling in the missions field and a specific country for me through it. It’s a cool story, I’ll share if asked =]
susan´s last blog ..Jesus Is the Lord of the Way I Feel!!
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susan
5:53 pm
Thanks Pete and Angie!
You guys are just what I need to give me a good kick. I am so selfish–aren’t we all. I need to be more grateful for LIFE–so right this minute I am so grateful for the intoxicating, heart warming giggles of my little boys! God is Amazing!!
Thanks for the reminders guys! I am so enjoying the book club. Just might have to venture up 65 to Cross Point!!
Vikki O’Brien´s last blog ..Mama Gettin’ Creative
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Vikki O'Brien
7:10 pm
@Jen, oops, sorry about that.
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Pete Wilson
7:16 pm
You know there is a website with videos for each Chapter, right?
http://www.crazylovebook.com
I started it, but then got sidetracked with the new Donald Miller book.
I plan on starting the Chan book from the beginning when I get finished reading the Miller one.
Steven´s last blog ..A Million Miles in a Thousand Years Tour
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Steven
7:39 pm
Well done, Pete & Angie! The book club has been a real blessing. I’m enjoying this book so much more the second time around.
I think I just heard Francis Chan say “you complete me, Pete.”
Candy´s last blog ..Where Were You 9/11/01?
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Candy
9:00 pm
what a way to start this off.
pete, i realize this book is packed full of wisdom. no one can deny that. but you, my friend, in listening to you speak here of this book with your own thoughts, are equally packed with wisdom too.
you extended and broadened the challenge to us to prioritize and place God back on the throne, in His rightful position, in our lives.
truly blessed to have watched this. thank you!
tam´s last blog ..lukewarm people
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tam
12:13 am
Reading this book changed my life – or maybe more truthfully I want to make changes. Like Carl said “unable to return to my usual life in progress”. Pete…you and I have corresponded a few times. I saw a reference to this Bible study on another person’s blog. Hadn’t looked on Angie’s until then and got so excited about the study.
I used find God in nature. The ocean, the mountains….took my breath away. Walking in the morning and listening to the birds. I felt so close to Him.
And now, because of this illness am confined to a wheelchair. With more time and quiet on my hands than I ever ever wanted. Being extroverted off the scale makes this incredibly difficult. But here is the really cool part….now I am finding God in His word. In a way that I never have.
Exodus4: 11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?
I look at that verse and am blown away by the awesomeness of my Creator.
I’ve been a Christian for 29 years and feel like I am just starting to “get” stuff. I called it an awakening in my blog.
http://jillhhollis.blogspot.com/2009/09/awakening.html
Thanks for doing this.
Jill´s last blog ..A Little Bit Crazy
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Jill
8:21 am
The chapter on being Lukewarm kicked me in the pants…love, love, LOVE this book and all the things it’s reminding me off, including all the ways I fall short. And yes, I am jealous that you are Angie’s pastor and not mine. Thank goodness for the online messages and outlines!
Lisa Martin´s last blog ..Today He Turned 88
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Lisa Martin
8:54 am
Loved watching you guys talking about this book….so far, this book is really challenging me to grow and think and feel. Actually, I think I’m on chapter 4 already where Chan talks about a *Lukewarm Christian,” and I’m finding that I feel pretty ashamed with myself! Hopefully, everyone reading this book will fall into a “Crazy love” with Jesus!
PS. I didn’t realize we could watch your sermons online..will have to check it out!
Stacy´s last blog ..Major life change
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Stacy
12:00 pm
Awww…. just watched you and Angie and have to tell you I miss you both. BTW..just read the book “Crazy Love” on my way to Ecuador and it rocked me.
Patricia
Patricia Jones´s last blog ..Creepy Crawly squiggly things…
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Patricia Jones
2:02 pm
@Patricia, We MISS you too. Hope you guys are doing well. If you’re ever in this area you better look us up. We need a reunion.
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Pete Wilson
2:38 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I’m a part of the book club and just thought I’d chime in with a few things.
You posed the question about how God is speaking to me/us through the book…
I think God is using a combination of reading the book and real difficult life stuff to speak strongly to me during this time. My husband has been out of work for almost a year and yet God has so perfectly and completely taken care of us and our 10 month old daughter; My parents were in a rough accident about 12 weeks ago and yet God has been using this time for good in their lives and my little family’s as well even though we’ve been living over 7 hours away from them… and most recently my dad has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and my little family has had the opportunity to be here with them to help care for my recovering-from-broken-pelvis-mom and my dad in what is possibly his last months of life.. He’s only 62 and yes, there have been times I have wanted to question God and have asked him some about what he is up to, but I still have had this amazing peace that he is still in control and he has his reasons for allowing the things he does and he doesn’t have to tell me what they are. I have literally felt like he has been providing the “manna” I need for each day, as I need it and not a moment before… To care for these people he has put in my life AND more importantly even, as Chan’s book has pointed out… pointed me to HIM and his big picture view being so much more huge than my little view.
Also, I really loved what you said, Pastor Pete, about ruthlessly eliminating noise and hurry from our life! I feel like before this intense year or so I have been living through that the Lord allowed a really serious time of about three years of moving towards more elimination of noise in my life… and that that time was so well spent because even in the “noise” of all of this craziness right now, I sense him more than ever. He is right in the midst of the chaos and he himself is my Prince of Peace in the noise.
Angela Sweeny´s last blog ..1000 Blessings Post 2
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Angela Sweeny
8:53 pm
I’m so excited to begin this book with our highschool students at youth group. They are hungry to discuss join with me in prayer that they will discuss. haha
Rhys Searles´s last blog ..The King of Pop?
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Rhys Searles
6:17 am
I just bought Crazy Love and I am excited for the journey thats ahead. I’ve been struggeling lately because for the past 9 years I have attended a church that is full of on fire, passionate people that are hungry for a move of God. I recently had the realization that although I’m around these people and have only missed a small few church services in my life and am a “good” person I have no “relationship” with God. I have blended so well just trying to be who everyone thinks I am and should be that I never took the time to truely seek God out and make my relationship with him personal. What a discouraging realization. Your new series sounds like something that could really help me to get where I need to be in God.
Thanks for the encouraging video.!
Deedee
[Reply]
Deedee
10:30 am
Pete, have you seen the rob bell video called “noise”? very cool. And, oldest daughter got the job and I’m moving her to Nashville next weekend. See you on the 27th brother.
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woody.mcminn@archong
4:36 pm
Wow! I am taking this book very slowly due to the “noise and hurry” of my own life. I just read the end of chapter one, watched the videos on the Crazy Love website, and now have watched this one. I have tears in my eyes as I begin to imagine what God is planning to do with all of this. Our God is SO awesome and I am incredibly thankful that He keeps reminding me of that in everything I am doing/seing/hearing right now. Pete, I have suggested that my 20 year old daughter tune in though she isn’t doing the book club. You appeal to the masses with your God-given words and blessed countenance and hair-do! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Angie and Jessica, and Pete! YOU ARE CHANGING THE WORLD FOR HIM!!! Amen!
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StephanieJR
5:07 am
What words of encouragement I needed to hear this Monday afternoon. Extraordinary video from the two of you (or 3…the camera lady too!). I am going out to buy this book for my husband and I to dig in…I can’t wait.
Also, Angie I am “jealous” and wish I had Pete as a pastor and Crosspoint as my church. I enjoy watching all the stories of inspiration through Without Wax. How about starting a campus in Gastonia, NC? :0)
Also, will you post the title of the music playing in the background of the video?
Thank all of you for taking the time out of your busy lives to reach out to all of us out here around the globe. Blessing to you both on your new books!
Mary Catherine´s last blog ..Five Days at Band Camp
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Mary Catherine
1:40 pm
I found the Crazy Love book to be pretty disappointing. Very judgmental, especially in Chapter Five. For an extended discussion of the book see:
http://expreacherman.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/macarthur-type-new-apostacy/
[Reply]
Donnie B.
10:51 pm
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