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13 min 46 sec
Available in:English

Crazy Faith: It’s Only Crazy Until it Happens

Pastor Michael Todd shows how to move toward a big dream before you feel sure of it. He does this through small first steps, commitment at 51 percent, written visions, spoken prayer and staying close to believers when doubt grows.

Table of Content

Plenty of people carry a dream they never start, like a business, a marriage or a different future for their family. Doubt, a thin bank account or plain inertia keeps it on hold. In Crazy Faith, pastor Michael Todd argues that the missing piece is a kind of belief that commits before the proof arrives. His working rule is striking: you need only 51 percent faith to give something 100 percent of your effort.

Todd leads Transformation Church in Oklahoma and writes as a Christian to Christians. His case is that faith grows in stages. It starts small and accepts uncertainty. Then it turns into action, gets written down and spoken aloud, and survives the seasons when it fades. Along the way you meet Noah cutting his first tree, a poor boy drawing sneakers he could not afford, and a doubting disciple who refused to leave the room. The result is a set of habits for moving a hope off the page and into your week, whether your faith is strong today or barely holding on.

Two predictions, one about flying machines and one about American schools, would have made you a laughingstock in their day. Todd uses them to ask what your own biggest hope is resting on.

Everyone remembers the animals marching onto Noah’s boat. Todd points to a far less exciting moment in the story, one most people skip, and argues that every big dream depends on it.

Asked by his own congregation whether God really exists, Todd gives an answer few would expect from a pastor. It leads to a simple voting rule for decisions you keep putting off.

Three of Jesus’s closest friends let him down on the hardest night of his life, and not out of malice. Todd sees the same weakness in anyone waiting for heaven to supply motivation.

A poor middle-schooler with a ruler and a pencil sketched the shoes he wanted. Years later, the same habit shaped the future of a church that met in an old grocery store.

If God already knows everything, praying aloud can seem pointless. Todd answers with a scene every parent knows, and with a picture of his own son that he holds onto.

Thomas missed the one moment that would have settled his doubts, and he felt forgotten. What he did next, according to Todd, is the most useful move a struggling believer can make.

Crazy Faith is about acting before the evidence arrives. Todd’s whole case lives in the gap between a promise and its fulfillment. That was the stretch when a passenger plane was still a joke and a church still met in an old grocery store. In his account, faith is how you live through that stretch without freezing. You build on deep ground, cut one tree at a time, commit at 51 percent and stop waiting for a map.

The habits that follow are modest. Write down the specific thing you are trusting God for and keep the page. Say it aloud as if it were already unfolding. When doubt grows, stay among people who still believe rather than pulling away.

Todd adds one more lesson, from the first time the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. They were frightened and unsure it was even him, because he had never come to them that way before. First impressions can mislead. When something new and unsettling enters your life, give it time before you call it bad. It may be the answer you prayed for, arriving in a shape you did not expect.

About this book

What is this book about?

Many believers carry a hope they never act on: a business, a healthy marriage, a better future for their family. Self-doubt, a thin bank account or plain inertia keeps it on hold, and they wait for a certainty that never comes. Michael Todd, pastor of Transformation Church in Oklahoma, argues that this certainty was never meant to come first. Faith, as he defines it, means trusting something before you can prove it, and he calls the bold version crazy faith. He compares it to an airplane described to people in 1899: it sounds crazy until it exists. Todd traces how this faith grows in stages. It starts as baby faith, learns to live with maybe, rejects lazy waiting for active work, and is written down and spoken aloud. It also has to survive the times when it fades. Readers get practices they can use right away. These include the 51 percent rule for commitment and writing a vision on paper the way young Todd drew his dream sneakers. Todd also shows how to state a prayer aloud and why, as doubting Thomas found, it matters to stay among believers when faith runs low.

Book Information

Rating:

Genre:

Religion & Spirituality

Topics:

Purpose, Religion

Publisher:

Penguin Random House

Language:

English

Narrator:

Evelyn

First published:

September 19, 2023

Pages:

240

Length:

13 min 46 sec

Get the book:

Amazon

Who it's for

  • Christians with stalled dreams

    Christians with a stalled dream, like a business, a marriage or a family future, who keep waiting to feel sure.

  • Grieving or doubting believers

    Believers going through loss or doubt who want a way to keep going without pretending.

  • Churchgoers wanting daily prayer

    Church members who want simple daily practices for written and spoken prayer.

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About the Author

Michael Todd

Michael Todd has led Transformation Church since 2015 together with his wife, Natalie. He took over from the founding pastor, Gary McIntosh, after the church had been running for about 15 years. His first book, Relationship Goals, grew out of a sermon series that spread widely online from 2016. He also wrote Damaged but Not Destroyed. Each year he speaks at churches, events and conferences, including Elevation Church and Lakewood Church.

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings at a glance

3.8

Overall score based on 221 ratings.

What people think

Listeners find this title accessible and relatable, elevating their spiritual journey and helping them stand firm on God's word. Furthermore, they value the insights shared, with one listener remarking it is a must-read for individuals struggling to trust God. The book is also praised for being entertaining and captivating, with one listener noting they were unable to put it down.

Top reviews

Muk

After hearing a lot about Pastor Mike’s sermons on social media, I decided to dive into his written work. Crazy Faith is incredibly accessible and feels like you’re having a heart-to-heart conversation with a mentor who actually gets the struggles of our generation. The way he breaks down the story of Jerome really hit home for me because it made the biblical principles feel practical for 2024. Truth is, I’ve often struggled with trusting God’s timing when things look stagnant in my own life. This book pushed me to move beyond a stagnant faith and into a space where I’m actually expecting the miraculous to happen. While the writing style is definitely informal and uses a lot of slang, that’s exactly what makes it so engaging for people who find traditional devotionals a bit dry. It’s a refreshing perspective that helped me stand firmer on the promises I’ve been praying over for years.

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Jan

Wow, what a wild ride this turned out to be for my spiritual walk. I couldn't put it down because every page felt like it was speaking directly to the "stuck" feeling I’ve had lately. Michael Todd has this unique way of taking your faith to new levels by just being raw and real about his own failures. Look, some people might find the hashtags and the informal tone a bit much, but I found it refreshing and relatable. The concept of "baby faith" versus "crazy faith" is a framework I’ll be using for a long time. It really helps you identify exactly where you are and gives you the permission to dream big again. This is a must-read for anyone who feels like they’ve been sitting on the sidelines of their own life. Grab a highlighter because you’re definitely going to need it!

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Supachai

Finally got around to reading this after my work bestie wouldn't stop raving about it. I’m so glad I listened to her because this was exactly the kick in the pants I needed. The book focuses heavily on putting action to your belief, reminding us that faith without works is dead. I loved the emphasis on the mustard seed concept and how even the smallest start can lead to massive breakthroughs. It’s not just about thinking happy thoughts; it’s about having the courage to step out when the path isn't clear yet. The tone is very "sermon-like," which I enjoyed because it felt like Pastor Mike was right there in the room with me. If you’re struggling to trust God with your career or your family, this book provides a solid foundation to start standing on His Word again. It’s engaging, fast-paced, and filled with hope for the future.

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Pete

This book is essentially a hype-man for your soul. If you’re feeling stagnant or like you’ve lost your vision, Michael Todd is here to wake you up. I loved how he connects with different generations by using language that actually makes sense in our modern context. Some might call it "prosperity vibes," but I saw it more as a challenge to stop limiting what God can do in our daily lives. The chapters on "fading faith" and "wavy faith" were particularly eye-opening for me. Not gonna lie, I was skeptical at first because of the flashy marketing and the social media fame, but the content is genuinely impactful. It’s about more than just getting things; it’s about aligning your heart with a God who is capable of doing the impossible. It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it’s definitely something I’ll be recommending to my small group for our next study.

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Nongnuch

Ever wonder what would happen if you actually believed the things you prayed for? That is the question Michael Todd forces you to answer in Crazy Faith. This book is a game-changer for anyone who feels like their prayer life has become a routine of safe, boring requests. I was particularly moved by the sections on how God wants us to prosper, not just financially, but in our peace and our purpose. The writing is incredibly relatable and feels very current, which I think is why it resonates with so many people today. It’s a fun experience that pushes you to stop looking at the obstacles and start looking at the One who can move them. I’ve already started applying the "step out" principles in my daily life, and the shift in my perspective has been huge. If you’re ready to take your relationship with God to a new level, this is your sign to read it.

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Carter

This book definitely takes a modern approach to ancient truths, which is both its strength and its weakness. On one hand, Michael Todd is an amazing communicator who knows how to make you feel like you can conquer any mountain. The chapters are short and punchy, making it a very easy read for anyone with a busy schedule. However, I did have some reservations about his interpretation of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane having a "moment of doubt." That specific theological take felt a bit shaky to me, even if the overall message was deeply encouraging. To be fair, if you are looking for a deep academic commentary, this isn't it. But if you need a spiritual spark to help you trust God with your big dreams again, there is plenty of value here. It’s a fun, high-energy guide that challenges you to stop playing it safe with your belief system.

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Elias

As someone who has been dealing with a lot of loss lately, I found a surprising amount of comfort in these pages. Michael Todd doesn't shy away from the pain, but he uses it as a springboard to show how God’s promises are always greater than our current hurt. I really appreciated the transparency about his family and ministry struggles because it made the "crazy faith" concept feel attainable. My only real gripe is that it gets a bit repetitive toward the end, echoing the same points several times. Still, the core message about being patient and waiting on the Lord is something I desperately needed to hear. It’s a relatable guide for the brokenhearted who are trying to find their footing again. The truth is, my faith felt pretty fragile before I started this, but now I feel a lot more equipped to handle the seasons of waiting.

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Cha

Picked this up because I wanted to see what all the hype was about regarding the Jerome story and the Transformation Church movement. It definitely reads like a transcript of a sermon series, which makes it very easy to breeze through in a weekend. I think the author does a great job of encouraging people to take risks, though he does oversimplify some complex biblical stories. For example, the take on Doubting Thomas felt a little shallow compared to the actual text in the New Testament. However, the overall vibe is very positive and helps you focus on the "big" nature of God. Personally, I think it’s a solid resource for new believers who need to understand that faith is an active choice. It’s relatable, light on its feet, and filled with enough personal anecdotes to keep you turning the pages. It's a great motivational tool for your walk.

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Noi

Not what I expected after seeing all the flashy marketing, but I found myself pleasantly surprised by the depth of the personal stories shared here. While Michael Todd is clearly a charismatic guy, the book is at its best when he is being vulnerable about his own journey. It can feel a bit repetitive at times, and I wasn't always on board with the "little god" theology implications found in some chapters. To be fair, there are still some very useful nuggets about persistence and trusting God during difficult times. I couldn't always get past the constant use of slang, but the core message of standing on God's word is solid. In my experience, faith is often about enduring through the fire, and this book gives you the pep talk needed to keep going. It’s an easy read and very engaging for anyone who needs a spiritual boost.

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Finn

There are some serious theological red flags here that made it difficult for me to find the value in the message. While I appreciate the energy and the call to action, the "word of faith" and "prosperity gospel" undertones are hard to ignore. It often feels like the author is teaching us how to demand things from heaven rather than submitting to God's sovereign will. Frankly, the idea that we can just speak things into existence sounds more like manifesting than biblical prayer. I also noticed a lot of translation hopping, which sometimes felt like it was done just to support a specific success-leaning point. It’s an engaging read, but you have to be very careful to weigh everything against actual scripture. It’s fine for motivation, but as a guide for sound doctrine, it leaves a lot to be desired. It feels more like spiritual abuse to tell people they just need more faith to get wealth and health.

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Questions about this book

Todd argues that crazy faith, trusting something before you can prove it, is how impossible things come about, much as air travel once sounded absurd. He describes faith growing in stages. It starts small, accepts uncertainty, turns into action, is written down and spoken aloud, and survives the times it fades. Throughout, he grounds that faith in the word of God and in trust in God’s plan.

Todd’s 51 percent rule holds that you only need to believe in something 51 percent to give it your full 100 percent commitment. He compares it to a US presidential election, where a candidate with 51 percent of the vote becomes president without needing everyone’s support. The point is that progress can happen without full confidence. His motto for this is progression, not perfection.

Lazy faith is believing in a God-given dream but waiting instead of working. Todd’s picture is Peter, James and John falling asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane. His modern example is someone who wants a business but neither saves nor works, waiting for God to send more motivation. Todd says God has already given that motivation, and that lazy faith left alone becomes dead faith.

Todd suggests a few practices. Take one small first step toward your goal, the way Noah cut a single tree. Write your vision down in detail, as he did when he drew sneakers as a boy and later a vision for his church. Picture the outcome and speak it aloud with thanks. When faith fades, keep showing up among believers, as Thomas stayed with the other disciples.

It is written for Christians who long for something bigger, such as a business, a good marriage or a better future for their family, but feel held back by self-doubt, lack of money or inertia. It also speaks to believers whose faith has worn thin after loss. Todd shares his own doubts about his autistic son’s future and offers a way to keep going.

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Crazy Faith

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