I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan lately, and I'm having a hard time getting through it. Not because it's not interesting, or that it's hard to understand, but because every single chapter rocks my world and my outlook. I'm forced to stop and try to digest it all. Some chapters I've had to completely read over and over again just to absorb it all.

Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about. Chan doesn't waste any space in his book, and just like his preaching he pretty much hits you right between the eyes with each and every paragraph. This is from the final paragraphs of chapter four: Profile of the Lukewarm.

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. ~Luke 14:34-35

Jesus isn't just making a cute little analogy here. He is addressing those who aren't willing to give everything, who won't follow Him all the way. He is saying that lukewarm, halfhearted following is useless, that it sickens our souls. He is saying that this kind of salt is not even fit "for the manure pile."

Wow. How would you like to hear the Son of God say, "You would ruin manure"?

When salt is salty, it helps manure become good fertilizer…but lukewarm and uncommitted faith is completely useless. It can't even benefit manure.

Ouch!

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