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!  

Not a Fan

Hi friends! I want to invite you to join us for our latest endeavor: an online book club! Starting on May 9th, we are going to be reading the book, "Not a Fan" by Kyle Idleman. I've already read through this book once, and it is great. It basically deals with the difference between people who are fans and people who are true followers of Jesus Christ. It is a very convicting, practically applicable, and even (at some points) humorous book - and totally worth a read!

Please consider joining us and inviting others who might be interested as well.

Believe it or not, May 9th will be here in NO TIME so, if you're planning to participate, please order your book soon! soon! soon! You can order the book here for $7.50 http://www.christianbook.com/not-a-fan/kyle-idleman/9780310331933/pd/331933?item_code=WW&netp_id=878629&event=ESRCG&view=details

Once you've got a copy of your book, please read the prologue (pages 11-15).  You will get your next reading assignment on May 9th.

I am SO looking forward to what God is going to do through this!

-Amy

James Mercy Triumphs - Session 8

Well, the time has come to say farewell to James (for now). This, by far, felt like the fastest Bible study I have completed to date. Time seems to be buzzing by at crazy speed.

As I reflect on all I have learned, I can’t help but come back to James’ words in Chapter 1, verse 22 (NLT): “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” I don’t want to walk away from this study unchanged. I want the study of God’s word to mark me, to alter me - forever.

I am currently reading a book entitled, “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman.* Kyle notes that a fan is defined as “an enthusiastic admirer.” And that “Jesus was never interested in having admirers.” I thought James would be proud when I read Kyle’s words on pages 32 and 33:

One of the reasons our churches can become fan
factories is that we have separated the message of
“believe” from the message of “follow.” ...the two
are firmly connected.... One can’t live without the
other.... Our churches will continue to be full of
fans until we break down the dichotomy between
following and believing. To truly believe is to follow.

We’ve learned some stuff in this study, girls. And James doesn’t play. Indeed, James tells us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17, NLT. Or, in the words of my new friend Kyle, “To truly believe is to follow.”

Scarily, (on page 27) Kyle also notes that “one of the core symptoms of ‘fandom’ is that fans almost always consider themselves to be followers.” Or, in the words of our protagonist (who was responding to people who also thought they were “followers” of God), “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder.” James 2:19, NIV.

So, as we conclude, the questions I want to leave with you are these: do you truly believe? How do you know? How would anyone else know?

James meant to get in your business. So do I. And I hope you love me enough to get in mine. Let’s do this thing for real, girls. It’s time to get out of the bleachers and onto the field. Let’s be more than fans!

---

*As I read, the author is kind of cracking me up because he is referencing all these funny stereotypical christian experiences from the past 20 years. If you decide to read the book for yourself (and yes, I would recommend it), you will appreciate this little footnote all the more :) http://www.notafan.com/

***

If you have committed to posting a comment in response to our weekly lessons, feel free to post anything you like. If however you find it easier to respond to a specific question, our question of the week is this:

What is the primary thing you are taking from this study and actually applying to your life?

***

This week, we’ll be watching video session EIGHT. The viewer guide (to be completed while watching the video session) can be found on pages 212 and 213 of our workbooks.

PLEASE NOTE - This Is Important!
The Lifeway website has CHANGED! To order the “Session 8” video, take the following steps:

1) Copy and paste the link below into your browser.
2) Choose the box that says “Session 8" in the section that says “Select Session Number” and click "Add to Cart".
3) When you are SURE you have session 8 in your cart, then proceed to check out.
4) Follow download instructions.

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/james-mercy-triumphs-video-sessions-mp4-downloads-m00000088#

Thank you for studying along with me. I have enjoyed studying with you. I pray God has worked in your life through this study, as He has in mine, and I hope to study together again sometime.

Your friend, Amy

James Mercy Triumphs - Session 7

If you didn’t read the “Next Level with Melissa” entitled, “James 5 & 2009” (on pages 182 and 183) this past week, grab your workbook and read it now.

With that in mind, let’s recall. What was it that James said in James 5:16? “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Do you believe it? I have a feeling Melissa does.

A couple of years ago, my good friend’s mother had a brain aneurysm. She almost died. Many people were offering words of encouragement to my friend on Facebook, and my mom was one of them. I remember it like yesterday; she quoted James 5:16. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” It stopped me cold.

Shortly thereafter, I was on my knees interceding for my friend’s mom. I started to pray, but was intimidated by James’ reference to “a righteous person.” I was trying my best to walk with the Lord, but I was not righteous. How could I be confident my prayer had any power or effect whatsoever?

Then it hit me. The Lord Jesus is Righteous. And by His Spirit, I suddenly understood. How is my prayer powerful? How is prayer effective? Because I come before the Throne of Grace - not according to my own unrighteousness - but according to the Righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is by that Name - the Name above all names - that I am justified before the Father and counted among the children of the Most High God. That’s right - I am righteous! And my prayers are not only heard - but also are also powerful! And effective!

***

If you have committed to posting a comment in response to our weekly lessons, feel free to post anything you like. If however you find it easier to respond to a specific question, our question of the week is this:

Give an example of a time when God answered a prayer in an obvious or amazing way.

***

This week, we’ll be watching video session SEVEN The viewer guide (to be completed while watching the video session) can be found on pages 184 and 185 of our workbooks.

PLEASE NOTE - This Is Important!
The Lifeway website has CHANGED! To order the “Session 7” video, take the following steps:

1) Copy and paste the link below into your browser.
2) Choose the box that says “Session 7" in the section that says “Select Session Number” and click "Add to Cart".
3) When you are SURE you have session 7 in your cart, then proceed to check out.
4) Follow download instructions.

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/james-mercy-triumphs-video-sessions-mp4-downloads-m00000088#

Our homework for week 7 begins on page 187 of our workbooks and ends on page 211. Again, the homework is broken down into 5 days that should take about 45 minutes each day to complete. Make every effort to complete this homework before next Saturday, when I will post the link for our next video session and discuss some of the things that we learned this week.

Okay, so that’s it. Please do not hesitate to ask for help (by private inbox to me, if you prefer) if you find yourself struggling with the homework or anything else. That is why we are studying as a group instead of studying on our own.

Also, please feel free to post any comments and/or prayer requests at any point throughout the week. We will all enjoy and benefit from hearing what you’ve been learning, and it is truly our privilege to lift one another up in prayer.

Your friend, Amy

James Mercy Triumphs - Session 6

Yikes! Late again! So sorry if any of you were waiting on the video link. I’m pretty sure none of you are completely up to date on homework and videos but, even so, I like to get my posts up on Saturday. I apologize for any inconvenience.

As you probably know, I have had the privilege of going through this Bible study with an awesome group of women at my local church in Cherry Hill, NJ. Sadly, however, I was unable to study with those ladies this week because my youngest little miss wasn’t feeling well. I missed that time - it is usually a place where I reflect on the week and glean even more from what God has taught me through study. For me, it is a place where the rubber meets the road. A place where concepts become practical - as my friends and I work through how these truths are actually applied rather than merely considered.

Missing this week of personal interaction got me thinking about different stages of my life when I didn’t have a safe place to honestly and vulnerably work through what God was teaching me. Church, for me, was a place where I felt condemnation - not freedom. It was a place where I was afraid of being judged, and a place where I myself judged others.

While, I still work at being free from judging others and having personal feelings of condemnation, this is (all glory to God!) an area where I am beginning to see signs of victory.

Today in church it was said by our Assistant Pastor, “the safest place for anyone to walk into should be a church.” Oh, that this would be true in our churches!

***

If you have committed to posting a comment in response to our weekly lessons, feel free to post anything you like. If however you find it easier to respond to a specific question, our question of the week is this:

Beth taught meaningfully on the subject of judgment this week. In what ways did these truths challenge or encourage you?

***

This week, we’ll be watching video session SIX The viewer guide (to be completed while watching the video session) can be found on pages 154 and 155 of our workbooks.

PLEASE NOTE - This Is Important!
The Lifeway website has CHANGED! To order the “Session 6” video, take the following steps:

1) Copy and paste the link below into your browser.
2) Choose the box that says “Session 6" in the section that says “Select Session Number” and click "Add to Cart".
3) When you are SURE you have session 6 in your cart, then proceed to check out.
4) Follow download instructions.

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/james-mercy-triumphs-video-sessions-mp4-downloads-m00000088#

Our homework for week six begins on page 157 of our workbooks and ends on page 183. Again, the homework is broken down into 5 days that should take about 45 minutes each day to complete. Make every effort to complete this homework before next Saturday, when I will post the link for our next video session and discuss some of the things that we learned this week.

Okay, so that’s it. Please do not hesitate to ask for help (by private inbox to me, if you prefer) if you find yourself struggling with the homework or anything else. That is why we are studying as a group instead of studying on our own.

Also, please feel free to post any comments and/or prayer requests at any point throughout the week. We will all enjoy and benefit from hearing what you’ve been learning, and it is truly our privilege to lift one another up in prayer.

Your friend, Amy

James Mercy Triumphs - Session 5

The taming of the tongue... ouch! Anyone else feel more than a little convicted on this issue? If so, be encouraged. I am going to keep this post brief tonight, but I want you to consider this:

In the third week of our homework, Beth told us to, “keep in mind that God gave us mouths on purpose so the point is not to cease talking.” Shortly after having read this, I was reading a chapter of Francis Chan’s book, “Forgotten God.” In it, he mentions that the most Spirit-filled christian he knows is a woman by the name of Joni Eareckson Tada. If you are not familiar with Joni, she has a really amazing testimony, and I encourage you to google her or check out her website: http://www.joniandfriends.org/ In any case, Francis Chan listed the MANY charitable organizations Joni founded and accolades Joni has received, and then concluded by saying something like this, “I do not think Joni is the most Spirit-filled christian I know because of any of the things I have mentioned. I think she is the most Spirit-filled christian I know because every time I talk to her, she encourages me with Scripture, or she sings a hymn, or she testifies to a work God is doing in her life or the lives of others.”

Think about that. Joni uses her mouth to give glory to the Lord, and that is what marks Joni (in Francis Chan’s mind) as the most Spirit-filled christian Francis Chan knows. Her mouth!

So what do you say? Do you want to use your mouth with me?

***

If you have committed to posting a comment in response to our weekly lessons, feel free to post anything you like. If however you find it easier to respond to a specific question, our question of the week is this:

Share some of your childhood family’s happy or annoying quirks :)

***

This week, we’ll be watching video session FIVE The viewer guide (to be completed while watching the video session) can be found on pages 126 and 127 of our workbooks.

PLEASE NOTE - This Is Important!
The Lifeway website has CHANGED! To order the “Session 5” video, take the following steps:

1) Copy and paste the link below into your browser.
2) Choose the box that says “Session 5" in the section that says “Select Session Number” and click "Add to Cart".
3) When you are SURE you have session 5 in your cart, then proceed to check out.
4) Follow download instructions.

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/james-mercy-triumphs-video-sessions-mp4-downloads-m00000088#

Our homework for week three begins on page 129 of our workbooks and ends on page 153. Again, the homework is broken down into 5 days that should take about 45 minutes each day to complete. Make every effort to complete this homework before next Saturday, when I will post the link for our next video session and discuss some of the things that we learned this week.

Okay, so that’s it. Please do not hesitate to ask for help (by private inbox to me, if you prefer) if you find yourself struggling with the homework or anything else. That is why we are studying as a group instead of studying on our own.

Also, please feel free to post any comments and/or prayer requests at any point throughout the week. We will all enjoy and benefit from hearing what you’ve been learning, and it is truly our privilege to lift one another up in prayer.

Your friend, Amy