Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Chapter 6 Irresponsible Passion

* You called, you cried, you shattered my deafness. You sparkled, you blazed, you drove away my blindness. You shed your fragrance, and I drew in my breath, and I pant for you. I tasted and I now hunger and thirst. You touched me, and I now burn with longing for your peace. - Saint Augustine, Passion for Pilgrimage

* Passion is the roller coaster ride that can happen when you follow Jesus Christ. It is the breathtaking, thrill-filled, bone-rattling ride of a lifetime where every moment matters and all you can do is hang on for life dear. When you become a Christian, when you decide to follow Christ, you decide in favor of passion. Jesus came to forgive us of our sin, yes, but His mission was also to introduce us to the passion of living. Most people believe that following Jesus is all about living right. Not true. Following Jesus is all about living fully.

* What is passion? Aliveness. Living with expectancy, anticipation, and enthusiasm. What is the opposite of passion? Dead living. Living a life that is borrrrring!

* I had no idea that God's love was extravagant, irresponsible ... and irresistible. I had no idea that God of the universe loved me with no conditions, no addenda to the contract, no fine print. I had no idea God was passionate about me! His passion for me, His love for me, makes me want to love like Him. Passion is much harder than legalism. The behavior of the father appears to be irresponsible, but his passion is irresistible, staggering, compelling - the young man is loved to his senses. It was an act of pure passion.

* Passion is extravagant. Passion can't be fabricated or manipulated. Passion springs from gratitude.

* Go ahead, live irresponsibly! Forget about what is sensible, responsible, and prudent and rediscover the childlike passion of falling in love with God. Take the ride of your life on the roller coaster of His unconditional love. Go ahead, say it: What a ride!

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