My Crazy Obsession

TLC’s “MY CRAZY OBSESSION” Premiered on Wednesday, March 7 2012.

My Crazy Obsession pulls back the curtains to reveal some of the Nation’s most extreme and unique obsessions. The series takes viewers behind-the-scenes of homes that are dedicated entirely to the owners’ infatuation with various objects, people, or lifestyles.

These individuals go to great lengths to preserve the quality and authenticity of their jaw-dropping possessions and daily routines -- and, for the first time, they’re allowing cameras to document their secret world of unbelievable, one-of-a-kind treasures and sometimes bizarre, never-before-seen habits and rituals. My Crazy Obsession reveals the time, money, and effort required to fulfill and maintain these uncommon passions.

The series kicks off with a couple that boasts a collection of over 5,000 dolls. With their favorite doll, Kevin, by their side, the couple plans play dates and parties to celebrate their always-expanding collection with other doll collectors.

VIDEO: “Cabbage Patch Dolls”

Some other addictions TLC has aired has included: a woman who is completely obsessed with the color pink; a collector of mannequins who prefers them to real people; a wig lover with over 2,000 wigs in her possession; and a squeaky clean couple whose idea of a date night is admiring their collection of washing machines.

I think we would all agree that people have some very odd and CRAZY OBSESSIONS in our world. I for one believe that many of us have some CRAZY OBSESSIONS as well. I believe it is CRAZY when we place anything above Jesus. You know what I’m talking about, whenever we skip out on church, prayer, or anytime with God. When we choose a hobby, a job, entertainment, or even family above God. Any time anything is chosen over our relationship with Jesus, that’s a CRAZY OBSESSION.

Illustration: It is said that about 200 years ago, the tomb of the great conqueror Charlemagne was opened, and the sight that greeted the workmen startled them.

It seems they found his body in a sitting position, clothed in the most elaborate of royal garments, with a scepter in his bony hand. On his knee lay the Holy Scriptures, with a cold, lifeless finger pointing to Mark 8:36: What good is it for someone to gain the world, yet forfeit their soul?

There are certain things we need to stop doing in our lives if we are serious about being Christians.

- First of all I believe that we simply need to learn to give up.

I. LEARN TO GIVE UP.

A. Do you feel that the Lord has asked you to give up anything in particular? Many of us will say “NO” because we haven’t ever really thought about it.

1. Jesus wants us to give up everything that we are holding onto that keeps us from focusing totally on Him. What’s the one thing that you said you would never give up that controls you?

Matthew 4:18-22 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. “Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

2. Let’s place ourselves in this story. What would you have done if you had been in their positions? Some of you might have chosen to keep on fishing. And you can substitute anything you like to do in the place of ‘fishing’. Whatever you come up with, is it the thing that Jesus wants you to give up?

3. I am talking about giving up whatever it is that drives our lives. What is it that controls your life? What kind of relationship do we want with Jesus is not the question. The question is simply, “What kind of relationship does Jesus want with us?”

4. Many Christians today do not have the kind of relationship with Jesus that we ought to have because we are driven by our own selfish desires and we think nothing of our true commitment to Christ.

5. Each one of us has been given a ministry by God. It might be a ministry within the church, and it might be a ministry where you help others outside the church. But there is something all of us have been called to do.

6. Jesus desires each of us to have a serving relationship with him. He calls us to leave the world and all the things CRAZY things in it that you have an OBSESSION with and be totally OBSESSED with him and his service.