CRAZYLOVE speech

Our church has a thing we do periodically called small groups.  It is where we split up in to groups on Sunday nights at different people's homes to do a particular bible study.  I have attended several, but this one was by far the best.  At the end of our session (about 3 months), we have a small groups celebration where different people give their testimony about the study.  This time, I volunteered to speak. 

I should say, that I don't have a problem speaking in front of people, as long as it is something I know a lot about.  I have never been one to speak up in church because I didn't know that much about the Bible.  Thanks to CRAZY LOVE, times, they are a changing!  Please see below, as I have included my speech.

Well, where to begin?  CRAZY LOVE, huh?  It is CRAZY to think that the One who created the entire universe loves me and desires to know me personally.  That is just the beginning of what I got from this study. 

I was in love with this lesson, until I got hit in the gut around chapter 4.  Yikes!  The profile of the lukewarm.   I still cringe at the thought of being spit out.  I moved right along, until….the next chapter.  Serving leftovers to a HOLY God.  I took a hit to the face then.  I always knew I was not the best person on this planet, but I always patted myself on the back because I knew I was most certainly not the worst.  Then, Francis said something along the lines of “God is not grading on a curve.  At judgment, it is only you.”  That’s when I knew, I had some work to do.  I can do better, I will do better.  BUT, I can only do so by getting closer to the One who knows me best.  He is standing there waiting for me while I serve him my leftovers?

Another thing that I read shook me and made me so humble.  Hosea 13:6 said, When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.  Whoa!  How blessed am I?  I have food to eat, clothes on my back, healthy children, and a kind loving husband.  I am satisfied.  I have been proud, and yes, I have forgotten Him.  I never want to forget again.  This study reminded me that with Him all things are possible, and without Him I am nothing. 

Having said all of this, I really must admit that without my small group, I may have not finished reading this book.  My group kept me accountable to read the chapter each week and meditate on it.  I really got to know some of the people in this church.  I don’t know if I ever would have in any other circumstance.  I feel so much more a part of this church today than before this small group session began.  I have stepped out in faith, I have begun to trust in my God, and I have gained a new perspective on His Crazy Love for me.

The children in our small group are truly a blessing.  They are, without a doubt, the future of this church.  They are your future Sunday school teachers, choir, song leaders, and role models.  Chad and I had the privilege of teaching a lesson to them one Sunday night.  We learned about how friends rub off.  They were a joy to teach, and they really did well on their lessons.  I think sometimes, it is they who teach me.  They are the ones who rubbed off on me, and I love them for it.

Thank you so much, Jones Chapel, Brother Ron, Angie and Barry, Jack, and my entire small group.  I love you, and I am so blessed to be a part of what’s going on here.   Thanks to this study, I'm reading my Bible daily, praying more and more, I'm teaching a Sunday school class, and I'm truly getting to know the One who loves me most.

Thank you for reading this.  I hope it makes you want to read it.  I do encourage you to find a friend to read it with you.  I encourage you to find a small group of your own to keep you accountable and discuss this with you.  If you want to find out more go to:  http://www.crazylovebook.com/.

Much love to y'all today and always.

Shan