Not a Fan - Chapters 6 & 7

Hey there, I'm so glad you stopped by this week!  Lee Anne Dyer is our contributor this time and (by the power of the Holy Spirit!) she has written a very authentic and challenging post.  For those of you who don't know Lee Anne, she is the wife of Justin Dyer (the worship leader at our home church, Bethel Baptist Church in Cherry Hill, NJ) and the mom of three young children.  Lee Anne has a serious desire to please the Lord, to raise children who love the Lord, and to edify the body of Christ.  Suffice it to say, (by the power of the Holy Spirit!), Lee Anne is a rockstar!  I am so thankful for her willingness to serve the Lord (and all of us) through her post this week.  

So with that, I give you Lee Anne:

“By the power of the Holy Spirit…” (page 98).  

Did any of you try to complete that sentence from chapter 5?  

After I read the sentences people had posted on Kyle’s Facebook wall, I was a little intimidated. So I started small. “By the power of the Holy Spirit, I didn’t yell at my eight year old this morning when he was S-L-O-W once again in getting his shoes on for school.” (Trust me that was ALL the Holy Spirit!). “By the power of the Holy Spirit I was genuinely happy for a family member who won an all- expense paid trip to Mexico” (SO could have been jealous). “By the power of the Holy Spirit I have forgiven an individual who said some very hurtful things to my husband.” (Satan tries to bring those thoughts back at the worst times, but the Holy Spirit can have victory EVERY time!) It was actually a very exciting exercise to revisit the times that the Holy Spirit has done things in my life that I could have completely messed up in my own strength! Of course, I could make a list of those messy times too, so I am thankful Kyle didn’t ask for that! WHEW! 

Kyle quoted the part of Galatians 5:25 that says:  

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”. 

 For me, as a young mom, I take a LOT of steps each day! That means I need a LOT of the Spirit!! I found it very telling to look back at my responses to “By the power of the Holy Spirit...” and see if my responses where from last month, last week, or recent days. Kyle says “You can’t live by the Spirit if you only acknowledge his presence once a week when you come to church.” Oh boy. I need Spirit help for that Every. Single. Day! 

As if that is not enough to keep us on our faces before God asking for continuous power, we move to Chapter 6. Kyle says on page 104: “A belief is more than what we say.” This takes me back to 8^th grade. I am thankful there is no room for pictures on this blog because my 8^th grade picture would have you all turning off your screens! One of my teachers, Mr. Tom Horton, used to say at least once a day, “Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.” Read that again if you need to. Get it? We can’t claim to have faith in Christ if our lives don’t back it up COMPLETELY.  

Kyle refers us to Hebrews 11. He says on page 106, “Faith should have a story attached to it.” I would take that a step further, and say faith should have an ongoing story attached to it. Day after day, moment after moment, ALL or NOTHING. This brings us full circle. We are only capable of this with the complete strength from the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord, for providing a way to follow you that does not rely on ME! 

No pressure, but I thought it would be encouraging if, in our responses this week, we shared at least one sentence that starts with “By the power of the Holy Spirit…” Maybe you haven’t commented yet -this could be your week! I am excited to hear how the Holy Spirit is/has been at work. If you are coming up blank, I have a simple solution: Ask God. He gives freely!

Okay, so I love this idea.  Let's do it!  "By the power of the Holy Spirit..." Go!  Let's give our God glory for what He's done and what He's doing in our lives.  Lee Anne said it perfectly, so I'm just going to repeat her: 

Maybe you haven’t commented yet -this could be your week! I am excited to hear how the Holy Spirit is/has been at work. If you are coming up blank, I have a simple solution: Ask God. He gives freely!

Okay?  So that's it (for now).  Check back throughout the week to read and respond to other members' comments and questions.  Then check back again next Wednesday to hear from our next contributor, Laura Camp!

Not a Fan - Chapters 4 & 5

Welcome back everyone!  Believe it or not, we are another week into our reading of Kyle Idleman's book, "Not a Fan."  

This week's contributor is Kristen Cortner, and I am so excited to share her honest and encouraging post with you.  For those of you who don't know Kristen, she is the beloved wife of our Associate/Youth Pastor, Brady Cortner, and the daughter-in-law of our Senior Pastor and his wife, Kathy.  Kristen is a real friend, and a very real person.  To know Kristen is to love her.  So, with much love, I give you Kristen:

“Jesus won’t share you with another lover (pg. 63).” Well, if that statement doesn’t make you sit up and think you may as well put the book down right now. “Divided affection” is how it was described, harmless enough, then Kyle went on to quote part of Ezekiel 16 which gives us a lot of insight as to how God views this “divided affection.” If you haven’t yet, take a few minutes and read the entire chapter and be prepared to feel uncomfortable...it’s scandalous so hold on to your britches!  

Earlier on that same page Kyle describes fans as those that “keep a couch on their hearts and, at the most, give Jesus a cushion.” Sometimes it takes word pictures like that to put things in perspective for me...I imagine Jesus there stuck between my family and friends, getting crowded out. Or him sitting between my tv and computer feeling the squeeze wishing I would give him the same time and attention I give to everything on the waiting room couch...feeling rejected, ignored, replaced. I wonder what other things God has given me that I use to betray him every day.  

Conviction. Ugh...sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. Jesus wants me, but he doesn’t want half of me. He desires me. He fights for me...but am I willing to fight for him? I’d fight to the death for my children and my husband. I’d sacrifice everything in my life for the sake of them! However, if I’m not willing to fight myself and my selfish desires for Christ, I’ll certainly not be willing to fight for him if it begins to really cost me something. 

Then we hit chapter five. Soon I learned that not only am I an adulterer, I’m also a Sadducee (pg. 71)! I was born into “faith.” Raised in a christian home with godly parents religion is something I’ve always had. It’s been relatively easy to live the “christian” life and do (or not do) the appropriate “christian” things.The question is...was/am I doing these things out of routine or is it out of the love I have for God? Is my lifestyle out of desiring to give God glory or simply because it’s just the way it’s always been done? Is my way of life simply “for show (Matt. 23:5)” as Jesus saw with the religious leaders? Am I so focused on the do’s and don’ts of the Christian life that I forget what that life is really about? Difficult questions to ponder...but here is the good stuff...”It’s interesting to note that as severe as Jesus was with these religious leaders he is just as tender and encouraging to those who have genuinely given him their hearts, even if they don’t have it all together on the outside. Please don’t miss this: Jesus doesn’t expect followers to be perfect, but he does call them to be authentic (pg 74).” Authentic huh? How do we know if we are truly authentic in our attitude toward God? Page 77 hits it...“obedience to God comes from the inside out. Submission to what God wants for our lives flows NATURALLY out of that relationship...what we do or don’t do must come from who we are as followers of Jesus.” Does my relationship with Christ lead me to natural submission?  

I so enjoy the questions these chapters leave me with...even if they’re a bit convicting. I know I need to be constantly reminded of who I am and how easily I fall into the easy way of doing things instead of making sure that what I am doing is motivated by my love for Christ.

"Conviction.  Ugh...sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it."  Kristen cracks me up.  But in all seriousness, I think we all can relate.  As you think about what God is teaching you, please take time to post your own comment.  Your comment can be in response to something Kristen has shared and/or something else that you read in Chapters 4-5.  


Also, the comments being exchanged between members have been wonderful to see.  If you haven't checked in on the comments of the fellow-members of this group, you're missing out!  Click on the "comments" section at the bottom of each post to read what other members are saying, and I promise you'll be encouraged.  


So that's it for now.  This week, we'll be reading Chapters 6-7.  Be sure to check back next Wednesday to hear from Lee Anne Dyer!   In the meantime, happy reading!

Not A Fan - Chapters 1 through 3

Hey Ladies, 

So how was your first week?  Is everyone being challenged and encouraged to FOLLOW Jesus completely?  

Our contributor this week is Lynne Braatz.  For those of you who don't know Lynne, she is a Jesus-loving, Jesus-serving, godly example to many of the women in our church.  I have so much love and respect for Lynne, and appreciate her willingness to serve Jesus (and all of us) by offering her contribution to the blog today.

So, without further ado, I give you Lynne Braatz:

Because of my commitment to do this week’s blog before all of you... I have made it a point to really digest all Kyle has written down.  He makes me chuckle, then pricks my heart.  ~ Jerry and I have been on the road quite a lot lately and as a result much of my reading has been done with him not too far away.  Moved by Kyle’s way with words, I have read many paragraphs out loud.  It has made for lots of contemplation and healthy  conversation between us.  Jerry is a good balancer for me.  I hope you have someone close enough to help you remain objective as you attempt to self evaluate... May God help us see ourselves as He sees us.  May we not miss the loving challenges intended to spur us on into becoming more than we ever dreamed.   

Along with my book, I purchased the “follower’s journal”.  It really is very good and has led me into knowing how to be more creative when I’m alone with Jesus.  I recommend it highly.  

What stood out to you from Lesson 1?  

Without a doubt, I can tell you it was when we were encouraged to go to the back of that coffee shop and Jesus comes in and sits down with us for that “DTR” (define the relationship) talk.  Yikes, I was nervous. I would think I should have been excited, but I felt awkward.  Made me think. ~ My truly intimate times with Jesus are daily when I am deep in trouble, but in blessing, sadly not as frequent.  Hmm, too much blessing lately... and not enough challenge.  

What about the statement, “Following Jesus will cost you something.”  When we were  asked us to jot down what following Jesus had cost us, I was blank!  I have given Him my whole life... but practically and daily ???  

I loved the way Kyle distinguished between “knowing about Jesus” and “intimacy” with Him.  Perhaps if my “intimacy” times remained daily, my spaces would not have been blank.  

Oh how I want Him to “interfere” with my life every day... and this takes me to the third and final point I will blog.  May those of us who love Jesus, never be guilty of “selling Him” again... With each opportunity God gives me, I want to be so clear in the in the message I bear, “There is no forgiveness without repentance; no salvation without surrender; no life without death; and no believing without committing.”  He who loses his life will find it!!  ~ May I never sell anyone short again, so help me God. 

Thanks for listening... :) 

Love, Lynne 

Challenging stuff, right?  Lynne talked about several things: (1) the DTR moment in our relationship with Jesus; (2) the fact that following Jesus will cost you something; (3) the difference between knowing ABOUT Jesus and knowing Jesus intimately; and (4) our propensity to “sell Jesus.”  

If you have committed to following along with us, please share a comment in response to Lynne's thoughts and/or something else that you read in Chapters 1-3.  You are also encouraged to respond to the comments of other members, especially if you see that another member has asked a question.  Since we are not physically meeting together each week, let this blog serve a "meeting place" to exchange thoughts, challenge and encourage one another.  Also, remember to pray for one another as we read through this book together.  

This week, we'll be reading Chapters 4-5.  Be sure to check back next Wednesday to hear from Kristen Cortner!  

Welcome to NOT A FAN :)

Welcome to Week ONE of our online book club.  Today we begin Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus.”  If you haven’t already, stop now, and read through the prologue of the book (pages 11 through 15).  

This week, we are going to read Chapters 1, 2 & 3 (pages 19-53) of the book.  This is a total of 34 pages, and breaks down to an average of 5 pages per day.  As you read this week, I encourage you to underline and make notes in your book whenever you read something that resonates with you, or convicts you, or confuses you, etc.  Reference to your notes will help you remember what you have read, and will hopefully provoke you to discuss your thoughts with the other members of our book club.  

Fun, right?

Okay so here is how it is going to work:

Every Wednesday, a different contributor from our book club will make a post discussing our weekly reading.  Read these posts, and think about the contributor’s comments and questions.  In response, I want to encourage every participant of our club (that includes you!) to post a responsive comment.  There is no right or wrong way to make a responsive comment.  A comment can be short, or a comment can be long.  A comment can ask a question, or a comment can answer a question.  There is also no limit to the number of comments you can make during the course of a week.  Again, I hope to see every participant make at least one comment each week, but you are welcome (and encouraged!) to make multiple comments if you wish.  

In order to make a comment, you must have a Google Account.  If you do not already have a Google Account, you can obtain a free account here:

        FREE Google Account

Once you have a Google Account, you can make a comment as follows:

1. Click on the word “comments” at the bottom of the blog post.
2. Enter the text of your comment in the space provided.
3. Select “Google Account” where it says “Comment as: Select profile” (You might have to log into your Google Account during this step)
4. Click “Publish”

Your comment will then be posted to the blog.

Got it?  Okay!  Let’s practice.  

I want everyone participating in our book club to make their first comment now.  Your comment should contain three things:

1. Your first name
2. A few fun facts about yourself; and
3. What brings you to this book club. 

I’ll go first:

1. Amy 
2. I am a wife and mother.  I’ve got two dogs (one calm, one crazy).  I love Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.  This is my first book club.  
3. I am prayerful that God will use this book club to convict, empower, and encourage all of us to follow Jesus with everything we’ve got.  I don’t want to waste my life (this is our shot!), and I don’t want to see anyone else waste their lives either.  That’s why I’m here.

See how that works?  Okay then, now it’s your turn. Go ahead and make your comment now.  If you want, click this link for some inspirational music to get you in the mood:

      INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC

Ha!  Okay, so I hope that wasn’t too painful.  If you cannot (for the life of you) figure out how to make a comment, send your comment to me in an e-mail, and I will post it for you.  Please make sure to note “Not a Fan” somewhere in the subject line of your e-mail.  You will find my e-mail address at the top of the Reading Schedule distributed at our Introduction Meeting.  If you do not have the Reading Schedule because you are participating exclusively online, please contact me through Facebook (Amy Baxindine Hill).  

There is only one last thing to settle before I conclude.  Now that you have a Google Account, you can officially join our blog.  By doing this, you can opt to receive updates when new posts and comments are made.  Just go to the top right corner of this blog and click the blue button that says, “Join this site.”

Okay, so, that’s it!  I hope you all are as excited as I am to see how God uses this book and this club to work in us as individuals and collectively as a group.  Again, our reading assignment this week is Chapters 1, 2 & 3.  As you read, underline and make notes in your book.  This will help you remember what you have read, and will hopefully provoke you to discuss your thoughts with the other members of our book club.  

Be sure to check back next Wednesday, when another contributor from our book club will make a post discussing this week’s reading.

In the meantime, anyone care to make a comment about what we read in the prologue?  Or if you attended our Introduction Meeting this morning, what did you take away from what we discussed?  Why wait until next Wednesday?! Let’s get the discussion going!