man... we have had a great time in the past couple weeks in the Crazy Love class.  we hit on a topic this week that just won't leave my mind.  we posed this question..."if you could have absolute perfection in heaven...if you could have your family, perfect weather, no sickness, no sadness, your favorite foods and hobbies, and eternal life...if you could have all of that but no Jesus...would you be satisfied?"  

wow!! that question brings a lot of empty looks on peoples faces.  i think why that question is so powerful is that we have turned following Jesus into living this "American Christian Dream."  Being a follower of Christ has turned into not cursing, dressing the right way, having good kids in good schools, driving to church on sunday, wednesday and any other time of the week the doors are open, being on committees at church and all other similar activities.  we vote republican, sign petitions for babies rights, listen to christian radio, put fish stickers on our suv's, wear t-shirts with sayings on them like God's gym, and stay away from any place with a flashing neon sign (or simply condemn those who go near one...even if it's where their church meets!!!).

the problem with all of that is that we have forsaken that being a follower of Christ is simply about a love relationship with Jesus.  one of the ladies in the class put it so beautifully...in fact, in my prayer life this week i have closed with the request that i want to fall in love with Jesus just as she has.  she pointed out that she wouldn't want anything without Jesus for the very fact that she didn't deserve His love and He gave it to her anyway!  wow...i want my heart to rejoice just over that fact.

i sat in prayer last night and found myself thanking God for all of the great blessings in my life...my family, my wife, my son, my daughter on the way, my guitars, my mac, my dog...you know...everything.  and then i thought, is this why i'm rejoicing...has my praise of God been reduced to the tangible things He has given me?  yes i'm thankful to have those amazing things in my life...but at the base of it all...i want my praise to simply flow out of a redeemed heart that is madly, deeply, and overflowing-ly in love with it's Redeemer.  i want to love Jesus, the way that she loves Jesus.  because of His love.