Christian Living
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Crazy Faith: It's Only Crazy Until It Happens
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Relationship Goals . . . Will you be remembered as a person who claimed to follow God but liked to play it safe? Or as a person who lived your life out on the limb and trusted God enough to live in crazy faith?
Noah looked crazy when he started building the ark . . . until it started raining. It was crazy for Moses to lead a nation of people into the desert away from Egypt . . . until the Red Sea parted. It was crazy to believe that a fourteen-year-old virgin would give birth to the Son of God . . . until Mary held Jesus in her arms.
There are many things that seem normal or average today that at one point in time seemed absolutely crazy. Smartphones, Wi-Fi, and even the electric light bulb were all groundbreaking, history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. Our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith-one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines, but it's crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals His promises.
In Crazy Faith, Pastor Michael Todd shows us how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. Even if you have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, you can become empowered to let go of your lazy faith, trust God through your hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. With powerful stories of modern-day faith warriors who take their cues from biblical heroes, Michael Todd equips you to
• believe for the impossible
• choose hope over fear
• be alert to the voice of God
• cope with loss and doubt
• develop a deeper level of trust in God
• speak faith-filled declarations
• inspire crazy faith in others
God's not looking for somebody to give Him all the reasons why His plans can't happen. He's looking for somebody to believe they will happen. In fact, He has so much He wants to do through you. The question is, Are you crazy enough to believe it?
Noah looked crazy when he started building the ark . . . until it started raining. It was crazy for Moses to lead a nation of people into the desert away from Egypt . . . until the Red Sea parted. It was crazy to believe that a fourteen-year-old virgin would give birth to the Son of God . . . until Mary held Jesus in her arms.
There are many things that seem normal or average today that at one point in time seemed absolutely crazy. Smartphones, Wi-Fi, and even the electric light bulb were all groundbreaking, history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. Our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith-one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines, but it's crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals His promises.
In Crazy Faith, Pastor Michael Todd shows us how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. Even if you have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, you can become empowered to let go of your lazy faith, trust God through your hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. With powerful stories of modern-day faith warriors who take their cues from biblical heroes, Michael Todd equips you to
• believe for the impossible
• choose hope over fear
• be alert to the voice of God
• cope with loss and doubt
• develop a deeper level of trust in God
• speak faith-filled declarations
• inspire crazy faith in others
God's not looking for somebody to give Him all the reasons why His plans can't happen. He's looking for somebody to believe they will happen. In fact, He has so much He wants to do through you. The question is, Are you crazy enough to believe it?
Editorial Reviews
"In true Michael Todd fashion, his infectious, genuine, and compelling way of teaching translates to the page as if you are sitting in the same room with him. In Crazy Faith, he helps us remember that our biggest leaps of faith aren't actually crazy. Each one is a demonstration of whether we believe God is faithful and we trust Him enough to follow where He is taking us. With responsibility and honesty, Michael gives us wise words and pumped-up encouragement that makes me want to walk with more faith and more of God in my decision-making. Get yourself a copy of Crazy Faith today!"-Lysa TerKeurst, #1 New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
"Michael Todd is one of the craziest pastors I know-crazy in a good way. If you are struggling with your faith and need inspiration, this book is for you! Michael Todd is the perfect guide to jump-start your faith. His mountain-moving stories and practical wisdom paired with biblical truths will teach you to trust in the power and promises of God so you can step off the sidelines and into a crazy faith."-Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church and New York Times bestselling author
"Hand to heaven, Pastor Mike's faith has not only inspired me, but it has transformed me. I've always considered myself a woman of faith, but this book (and Mike's life) has pushed me to dream bigger, believe for more, and possess crazy faith! The best part of crazy faith is that it transforms into contagious faith in which we cannot help but tell everyone about a big God who does big things and fulfills big dreams. This isn't something Mike just believes; this whole book is what he breathes."-Bianca Juarez Olthoff, author, podcaster, and co-pastor of the Father's House, Orange County
"Crazy Faith is a beautifully inspiring, laugh-out-loud funny, and incredibly profound journey into the lifestyle of faith. Faith is so important to me because I believe it's how we honor God. I trust Mike's words in this book because he's walked this journey before writing about this journey. Lean in and get ready because you won't be the same after you read this book!"-Chad Veach, lead pastor of Zoe Church, Los Angeles
"It's tempting to think that either you are born with lots of faith or you aren't, but that's not how it works! Faith is a muscle that can be strengthened as we walk with God, and even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains. In Crazy Faith, Michael shows us exactly what that looks like, pointing to a crazy big God who will be there for you even when it seems impossible. Don't read this book if you are okay with where you are; it will spoil your appetite for the status quo."-Levi Lusko, lead pastor ...
"Michael Todd is one of the craziest pastors I know-crazy in a good way. If you are struggling with your faith and need inspiration, this book is for you! Michael Todd is the perfect guide to jump-start your faith. His mountain-moving stories and practical wisdom paired with biblical truths will teach you to trust in the power and promises of God so you can step off the sidelines and into a crazy faith."-Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church and New York Times bestselling author
"Hand to heaven, Pastor Mike's faith has not only inspired me, but it has transformed me. I've always considered myself a woman of faith, but this book (and Mike's life) has pushed me to dream bigger, believe for more, and possess crazy faith! The best part of crazy faith is that it transforms into contagious faith in which we cannot help but tell everyone about a big God who does big things and fulfills big dreams. This isn't something Mike just believes; this whole book is what he breathes."-Bianca Juarez Olthoff, author, podcaster, and co-pastor of the Father's House, Orange County
"Crazy Faith is a beautifully inspiring, laugh-out-loud funny, and incredibly profound journey into the lifestyle of faith. Faith is so important to me because I believe it's how we honor God. I trust Mike's words in this book because he's walked this journey before writing about this journey. Lean in and get ready because you won't be the same after you read this book!"-Chad Veach, lead pastor of Zoe Church, Los Angeles
"It's tempting to think that either you are born with lots of faith or you aren't, but that's not how it works! Faith is a muscle that can be strengthened as we walk with God, and even a mustard seed of faith can move mountains. In Crazy Faith, Michael shows us exactly what that looks like, pointing to a crazy big God who will be there for you even when it seems impossible. Don't read this book if you are okay with where you are; it will spoil your appetite for the status quo."-Levi Lusko, lead pastor ...
Readers Top Reviews
Tranquilo Dognini Ne
Every single person on the planet earth should read this book. Besides the author having more than authority to rhe subject, it is life changing applying the principles taught in it.
ReNEWal Counselling
Loved thus book. Inspiring to move forward in faith. Trusting and knowing God is with me and faithful to do what he promises.
Jess Rachell
So far so good! I can hear Pastor Mike’s personality in each sentence! The quality of book is great too.
Leslie Renee Vargas
This book follows the faith journey of Pastor Mike, and those at Transformational Church in a fun, engaging way. If you are looking to read the Bible, this may not be your top choice. If you want to hear how faith worked for what would seem on the surface like an ordinary, young, naturally undeserving Black man; and then be motivated that God can do the same for you, if you walk in crazy faith, this is for you. I'm not from Tulsa but I love Transformation Church and how the Represent the gospel. I posted a picture of the chart in the first chapter. I definitely can grow my faith in certain areas. Disclaimer: Some of the analogies and references are comparing worldly artist. If you know the artist, even if you don't listen to them, you will find the humor and understanding of the analogies on an engaging cultural level. If you don't, you just might be the uptight, can't take a joke, hypocritical type believer who loves scrutinizing everything but yourself. Jkjk.... kind of. I like the flow of the book, I think the cover is well excuted. A non-believer could enjoy this and maybe cross over to our side and experience new life in Christ.
Tolu
This book + sermon series CHANGED MY LIFE! God can use anyone to do anything! And I've now taken the saying into my life, 'It's only crazy until it happens'. It's so true that what's counted as crazy in one season will be seen as faith in another! God bless Pastor Todd + my TC Church for extending the teachings of God past the pulpit. Can't wait for the next book!
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter 1
It's Only Crazy Until It Happens
Today's Normal Was Yesterday's Crazy
Imagine with me that the year is 1979. I walk up to you, brimming with excitement, and announce that I have in my possession an electronic device that fits in the palm of your hand, with no cord or long antenna attached, that you can use to communicate with another person on the other side of the world. "I call it [pause for effect] . . . a cell phone!" You would probably think I need to be locked in a cell somewhere because clearly I am crazy.
Or let's say it's 1955, and racial tensions between Black and white people in America are sky high. In some parts of the country, they're not even legally permitted to drink from the same water fountain. Imagine a young Black man walking up to a crowd of white people and declaring that his children and theirs will one day go into business together, attend the same church, and "maybe even [pause for effect] . . . marry each other!" That crowd wouldn't just think he was crazy but would probably go crazy on him, yelling racial slurs and possibly attempting to end his life.
How about we take it back a little further, to 1899. You're planning to visit relatives across the country for the holidays. As you approach the train station for your weeklong journey, I show up and confidently inform you that in just four years, someone will create a prototype for air transportation. "It will be something like a giant metal bird that will take people wherever they want to go in a fraction of the time! And it will be called [pause for effect] . . . an airplane!" You would probably dismiss me as a nutcase before boarding your reliable and time-tested train, because you know such an idea is just plain crazy.
What if I told you that these little stories are based on actual events? There was a time when no one had ever imagined a cellular phone or racial integration or an airplane. A parking lot full of cars, the app you use to order your lunch delivery, women voting in elections, the chair you're sitting in, social media-all of these were once considered crazy . . . until they actually happened.
So many things that seem normal today were crazy five minutes ago. (Okay, sometimes more than five minutes. But a lot can change in a very short amount of time.) Once we recognize that, it's reasonable to acknowledge that many things that seem crazy to us right now could be normal in the future. Your student loan debt erased or your six-figure mortgage paid off seems crazy. Doctors going up to the ICU to tell the uncle you've been praying for that he's cancer free and can go home seems crazy. The thought of your entire family accepting salvation and living for Christ sounds crazy. Getting your ten-year sobriety chip after abusing substances for decades sounds crazy. Leaving an inheritance of wealth for your great-grandchildren after you grew up in poverty seems crazy. Recovering from what seems like an unending downward spiral of depression to wake up with real joy sounds crazy. Finding out your wife is twelve-weeks pregnant after a diagnosis of infertility seems crazy. Being the first in your family to graduate college when you're a single mom who barely finished high school seems crazy. Being truly loved in a healthy marriage after suffering years of verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse sounds crazy. Forgiving your absent father sounds crazy. Leading a thriving megachurch with only six months of junior-college education sounds just plain crazy.
But it's only crazy until it happens.
You're reading this book because there is something in you that believes the impossible, that knows greater is inevitable, that trusts destiny is unavoidable, and that is intrigued by the possibility of a miracle. This is my life message because this is the life I'm living: one of Crazy Faith. God has asked me to do some crazy things, and I've seen crazy results because of faith. Through this book, I want to be your coach, your guide on this faith journey, by sharing spiritual truth and practical wisdom to help you gain new perspective on God's plans for you: a future you've barely dared to imagine.
Now, don't get it twisted; I haven't done everything perfectly. The Bible says the steps of a good man or woman are directed by the Lord (Psalm 37:23)-and let's just say, I've missed some steps. But I've also learned a lot in the process. I wholeheartedly believe that life is more about progression than perfection, so let's be H.O.T. (humble, open, and transparent) with each other and discover more of the great plan God has for us as we walk by faith.
But first, let's back up a little bit and get to know each other.
Foundation of Faith
Hi! My name is Michael. I'm a dev...
It's Only Crazy Until It Happens
Today's Normal Was Yesterday's Crazy
Imagine with me that the year is 1979. I walk up to you, brimming with excitement, and announce that I have in my possession an electronic device that fits in the palm of your hand, with no cord or long antenna attached, that you can use to communicate with another person on the other side of the world. "I call it [pause for effect] . . . a cell phone!" You would probably think I need to be locked in a cell somewhere because clearly I am crazy.
Or let's say it's 1955, and racial tensions between Black and white people in America are sky high. In some parts of the country, they're not even legally permitted to drink from the same water fountain. Imagine a young Black man walking up to a crowd of white people and declaring that his children and theirs will one day go into business together, attend the same church, and "maybe even [pause for effect] . . . marry each other!" That crowd wouldn't just think he was crazy but would probably go crazy on him, yelling racial slurs and possibly attempting to end his life.
How about we take it back a little further, to 1899. You're planning to visit relatives across the country for the holidays. As you approach the train station for your weeklong journey, I show up and confidently inform you that in just four years, someone will create a prototype for air transportation. "It will be something like a giant metal bird that will take people wherever they want to go in a fraction of the time! And it will be called [pause for effect] . . . an airplane!" You would probably dismiss me as a nutcase before boarding your reliable and time-tested train, because you know such an idea is just plain crazy.
What if I told you that these little stories are based on actual events? There was a time when no one had ever imagined a cellular phone or racial integration or an airplane. A parking lot full of cars, the app you use to order your lunch delivery, women voting in elections, the chair you're sitting in, social media-all of these were once considered crazy . . . until they actually happened.
So many things that seem normal today were crazy five minutes ago. (Okay, sometimes more than five minutes. But a lot can change in a very short amount of time.) Once we recognize that, it's reasonable to acknowledge that many things that seem crazy to us right now could be normal in the future. Your student loan debt erased or your six-figure mortgage paid off seems crazy. Doctors going up to the ICU to tell the uncle you've been praying for that he's cancer free and can go home seems crazy. The thought of your entire family accepting salvation and living for Christ sounds crazy. Getting your ten-year sobriety chip after abusing substances for decades sounds crazy. Leaving an inheritance of wealth for your great-grandchildren after you grew up in poverty seems crazy. Recovering from what seems like an unending downward spiral of depression to wake up with real joy sounds crazy. Finding out your wife is twelve-weeks pregnant after a diagnosis of infertility seems crazy. Being the first in your family to graduate college when you're a single mom who barely finished high school seems crazy. Being truly loved in a healthy marriage after suffering years of verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse sounds crazy. Forgiving your absent father sounds crazy. Leading a thriving megachurch with only six months of junior-college education sounds just plain crazy.
But it's only crazy until it happens.
You're reading this book because there is something in you that believes the impossible, that knows greater is inevitable, that trusts destiny is unavoidable, and that is intrigued by the possibility of a miracle. This is my life message because this is the life I'm living: one of Crazy Faith. God has asked me to do some crazy things, and I've seen crazy results because of faith. Through this book, I want to be your coach, your guide on this faith journey, by sharing spiritual truth and practical wisdom to help you gain new perspective on God's plans for you: a future you've barely dared to imagine.
Now, don't get it twisted; I haven't done everything perfectly. The Bible says the steps of a good man or woman are directed by the Lord (Psalm 37:23)-and let's just say, I've missed some steps. But I've also learned a lot in the process. I wholeheartedly believe that life is more about progression than perfection, so let's be H.O.T. (humble, open, and transparent) with each other and discover more of the great plan God has for us as we walk by faith.
But first, let's back up a little bit and get to know each other.
Foundation of Faith
Hi! My name is Michael. I'm a dev...
