Today's post is was written by Jenny Clark who is mom to Aidan and Ella and who co-leads the Single and Parenting Small Group at Brook Hills. For part 2 of this post, click here.

When I was asked to write a blog post for BH Women, I thought about a lot of "normal" things I could write. Something about single parenting. Something about finding peace in divorce. Something about using your singleness for God's glory. But God has really laid a burden on my heart lately to live my life in such a way that other Christians around me will think I am crazy......and maybe they will start to get crazy too.

What do I mean by "crazy"? You know, "those people." The ones who have giant multi-colored families. The ones who have perfectly good American lives but choose to move their families to some unknown place in the Middle East for the sake of the gospel. The ones who choose to adopt a child who is HIV+ or has another special need. The ones who just refuse to live like "normal Americans" because they are on the Jesus crazy train.

Let me clarify one thing: I think there is a big difference in a Christ FOLLOWER and a BELIEVER.

F=Follower. Followers are typically the crazy people. They take what is in the Bible and actually apply it in tangible and visible ways. Their lives look different to the world. They stand out. They get labeled "do gooders" or "Bible beaters."

B=Believer. Believers are those who claim Christianity. They believe the Bible. They believe in Jesus. But unless you catch them at church on a Sunday, you won't likely see them living out what they believe.

Disclaimer: This part is important. The answers in this quiz are based solely on my experience and how I think a follower or a believer would answer these questions. Neither of these are my answers. I want to be a follower, but I don't claim to be one. And I don't think I will ever fully arrive, and neither will you. Because the only perfect follower was Jesus.

So, now that you have the picture in your mind of what crazy is, let's find out how crazy you are:

THE CRAZY QUIZ

1. Do you believe that all disciples of Christ are called to be disciple-makers?

F: Yes. If you are not actively working to create disciples, then you are being disobedient. That is the whole point of being a Christ-follower. We are called to be like Christ, and making disciples is what He did.

B: That is what missionaries are for. I am not called to be a missionary, so I give my money to the church each week. I am sure they are making disciples because we get new members all the time.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -Matthew 28:18-20

2. How do you feel about missions? What about orphans and widows?

F: I believe John Piper said it best: "There are three types of Christians when it comes to missions. Zealous Goers, Zealous Senders, and Disobedient." Everyone doesn't have to move to a village in Africa, but we should all give our time to serving and spreading the gospel in a different context (i.e. outside of our comfort zones) whether here in the U.S. or overseas. I think the same holds true for orphan care. You don't have to adopt to care for orphans, but many Christians are called to adopt and don't. Adopt or care for those who do. And that means a lot more than writing a check. If the church was more supportive of those who do adopt, maybe more Christians would step up and follow the nudge in their hearts to adopt as well.

B: I think missions are great but I just don't feel called to actually go anywhere. I don't feel called to adopt either. But I will write a check to those who do feel called to it. I don't know any widows, but if I did I would certainly try to care for them!

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! -Romans 10:14-15

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27