To Live Is Christ - Chapters 1 & 2

"Living a Worthy Life" by Christian Trautner

Congratulations!  We survived the first week of blog confusion!  I apologize again to anyone who experienced technical difficulties when attempting to post a comment.  I'm still not sure why that is happening so (as I indicated in my last e-mail) unless you feel exceedingly confident that you can successfully post a comment, PLEASE EMAIL ALL FUTURE COMMENTS TO ME (Amy).  I DO NOT MIND posting them.  I would rather post them than see anyone else waste their time typing a response only to have it deleted.  

Okay, so, with that out of the way, I'm excited to officially begin our discussion of this book!  Our blog contributor this week is none other than our beloved Christian Trautner.  Christian has written a fantastic summary of our reading this week - drawing out many of the poignant, convicting questions raised by Matt Chandler. Like me, I'm sure you will find Christian's response to Chapters 1 & 2 refreshingly honest and thoughtful.  

So, with much love, here is Christian:

Good Morning!! 

Let’s start from the beginning.

Chapter One lays the groundwork for the letter Paul is writing the Philippians. Paul is writing this letter out of love. He tells the Philippians that he holds them in his heart and that he yearns for them with all the affection of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:1-8) - The same affection that took Jesus Christ to the cross. 

Chapter One also takes us back to the beginning. Paul is in Philippi with three other missionaries (Acts) - Luke, Silas and Timothy. Here three people are converted: Lydia - the rich business woman, the slave girl and the “blue-collar joe” prison guard. All three VERY different people. All three converted out of very different circumstances which reconciles that the gospel achieves, not just of unholy individuals to a holy God, but superficially incompatible people to each other! Jesus takes strangers and makes them family (page 27). The gospel is not natural and goes against our natural tendency to surround ourselves with similar people. Paul, through the gospel, is able to unify people who wouldn’t normally be unified. The gospel, Matt tells the reader, creates a new reality that deepens our understanding of the world and our place in it. This is where Paul is headed with his letter to the Philippians. Paul wants to bring to their minds the assurance of life in Christ in their day to day, wherever they may find themselves – even in prison. The last sentence in Chapter One (page 29) informs the reader that Paul is writing this letter from prison. Do you find yourself having to be reminded of your life in Christ? 

In Chapter Two, Matt talks about the worthy life. Paul continues that it has become known that his imprisonment is for Christ (Phil 1:12-13). Paul sees his imprisonment as a necessary sacrifice to make the rest of the missionaries fearless sharers of the gospel. Paul sees this as necessary in order to win the lost to Christ (page 32). He is even willing to die. Paul finds joy in prison. He finds joy living at Lydia’s beautiful home. Paul finds joy in life wherever he finds himself because for him to live is Christ. In the logic of the gospel, Matt continues, there are no alternatives to Christ. Every other option is no option at all. When everything considered valuable in life is seen to be nothing in comparison of to the glory of Christ (ie: Lydia’s riches), you learn that Christ alone is worth living for. Christ alone is worth of an entire life’s affections and devotions. He is worth so much more that Paul completes his declaration “to live is Christ” this way “to die is gain” (page 36-37). Paul knows that there is a greater day coming, a greater life coming and the purpose of life is to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. Do you feel this? Do you feel to die would be gain? To leave your spouse, your children, everyone you hold dear? It’s a VERY hard concept for me to wrap my mind around. Of course I believe Christ died nailed to a tree for me, I believe in heaven and that one day I will warship my King in heaven,  but it’s still extremely hard to willingly accept death (or the threat of death). 

Matt then talks about “Gospel Courage”. Paul tells the Philippians (1:27-28) to stand firm in one spirit , with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel and to not frightened in anything or by their opponents. As Christians we must be fearless, regardless of the situation. To have fearless faith, Matt explains, results from holding onto Christ as our treasure (page 45). We, as the Lydia, the slave girl and the guard all did, need to lose all confidence in the flesh and find or courage in our Redeemer. Christ is all and we must understand this in order to live a life worthy of Jesus Christ and to live and love people who are different from us. 

Are you living a life worth of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Have you found Christ worth living for, worth dying for, worth casting all away for His sake? Do you just hang out with people who are like you? Are you timid and fearful when it comes to any oppositions to your faith? In the end, are you growing in God, or are you stagnant and cold?

Answering these questions is very difficult. I know I find myself “adjusting” to the world and compromising what I know is right (even something small). Living my day to day in Christ is difficult… It takes effort and conscious decision making. Life is hard, but knowing that living in Christ means gaining in death makes it quite a bit easier. To know that by living the gospel, I am promised a great reward vastly outweighs the funny looks or snide remarks.   

Wow - it takes "Gospel Courage" to write a post like the one Christian has written.  She's pulled out the tough questions Matt Chandler challenged us to "fearlessly face," and she's offered a transparent personal response.  What about you?  If you have committed to following along with us, please share a comment or question in response to Christian's post (and/or anything else from this week's reading).  

This week, we are reading Chapters 3 & 4 of the book.  And from the Bible, we are reading Philippians Chapter 2.

Be sure to keep each other in prayer throughout the week.  Also, check back next Monday to hear from our next contributor, my cute mom, Cathy Kunkle!

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5, ESV

To Live Is Christ - Welcome!

"To Live Is Christ To Die Is Gain" by Matt Chandler

Welcome to Week ONE of our online book club.  Today we begin Matt Chandler’s book, “To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain”.  If you need to get a copy of the book, you should be able to pick one up at your local bookstore (I bought mine from Barnes & Noble), or you can order a copy on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Live-Christ-Die-Gain/dp/1434706850

This week, we are going to read the Introduction and Chapters 1 & 2 of the book (pgs 9-46).  And from the Bible, we are going to read Philippians Chapter 1.

As you read this week, I encourage you to underline and make notes in your book and your Bible (if you are so inclined) 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 Monday, 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 log in and post your comment.  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. 

Easy, right?  Okay, so I’ll go first:

1. My first name is Amy.
2. A few fun facts about myself: Although it gets a bad rap, I love living in New Jersey.  I am the oldest of three sisters, and now I have three daughters of my own.  I am celebrating 10 years of marriage with my sweet husband this year.  
3. I am participating in this book study because it is doing things like this that keep my faith alive.  I recently read in James 2:26, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”  As I sat there and stared at that sentence, I realized that God uses the good works that He prepared beforehand for me to do (Ephesians 2:10) in order to keep my own faith alive!  So I’m stepping out in obedience because I know (in addition to hopefully helping others) God will use this book study to quicken my own personal faith.  Does that make sense?

Okay then, so now it’s your turn. Go ahead and make your comment...  Yes, now!  I’ll wait :)

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 or on Facebook, and I will post the comment for you.  

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

Happy reading!  I can’t wait to get the discussion going!  

In Christ, Amy :)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10, ESV

Not a Fan - Chapters 12, 13 & 14

Well ladies, we've done it.  We've finished reading the book.  But before we put it on a bookshelf, let's take time to consider the final three chapters.  Our contributor this week is Kandi Tucker.  And if you don't know Kandi, you're new.  I type that with a smile because Kandi is probably the most welcoming person I've met at church.  Thus, she is very well-known.  Kandi makes every possible effort to ensure that each person she meets is included and loved.  She remembers people's names, she invites them to get involved, she checks in when no else is checking, she serves when no one knows she's serving.  Kandi loves on so many of us, and she is very much loved by us in return.  So if you haven't "met" her already, you are long overdue.  I am happy to introduce Kandi:  

“What would your life look like if you followed Jesus completely?  No excuses.  Wherever. Whenever. Whatever.”This sentence pretty much summed up Not a Fan to me.  Let me begin by giving a quick definition of the wherever, whenever, and whatever:

1. Wherever – Following Jesus out of our comfort level.  Kyle asks, “Where is the one place that you find most difficult to follow Jesus?”

1. Whenever – Immediate obedience. Following Jesus
right now!  No excuses!

1. Whatever – Giving Jesus every part of my life.  Making Jesus the only priority of my life.

Am I the only one a bit intimidated by this list when it’s laid out in black and white?!?!  No excuses?  What about my kids waking up at all hours of the night so I’m too tired to pick up my Bible in the morning…  What about letting other people reach out to that person that I don’t seem to have much in common with…  What about those hours I spend on the computer each night…  I can’t speak for anyone else, but my life certainly needed this reminder by Kyle to follow Jesus completely.  Let me start by giving anyone reading this a little history. 

I grew up in the jungle in Asia with parents who gave up material and relational comforts to serve God.  Two of my siblings currently live in extremely uncomfortable environments touching lives for Jesus in Southeast Asia.  In my mind, following Jesus meant some type of direct ministry or a huge sacrifice of comfort and family.  Thus, for years I’ve battled guilt for my materially comfortable existence, living the “American Dream.”  Oh, I’ve been able to go on some fantastic vacations and buy some beautiful clothes for my kids, but it would all seem meaningless afterwards. It was all so superficial and empty to my heart that wanted to do bigger and better things.   At the same time, I felt so helpless since I didn’t know how to change anything.  I couldn’t exactly leave my kids to go on a missions trip for a week or open my home to foster children without my husband’s blessing.  To solve this battle in my heart, I just kept telling myself that I would do it all later when my kids were older. 

God has used the past year to show me that while I was always thinking big and looking ahead to what I could do for God in the future, I was neglecting following Jesus completely in my day-to-day existence. God cared about what I was doing with my time today and about how close of a relationship we had with each other.  He has used a variety of events and people to show me that living here in New Jersey with my little family cleaning bathrooms and teaching my children to love Jesus has value to Him.  In the process, I’ve discovered that dying to my ambitions and choosing to live a life devoted to Jesus each and every day isn’t easy. However, God has given me so much peace, joy, and contentment in my current circumstances that I know He will continue to do so in the future.  This is why I was challenged by these last three chapters.  Once again, they forced me to examine my personal relationship with Jesus and whether I could honestly say that I am following Jesus completely today.  Not tomorrow or the next year, but today! 

I think it would be encouraging for those reading this post to share our wherever, whenever, and whatever’s with each other.  How are you, right now, stepping out of your comfort zone by making Jesus the ONLY priority of your life?  Here are a few of mine: 

-Picking up my Bible to read instead of the computer.-Turning off the television to pray-Serving my family without consideration of whether I am being served in return.-Continuing to pursue relationships with women in my community without fear of rejection.-Choosing to remain content daily with the distance that we live from family.-Rather than purchasing the latest fad, use my money to bless other people. 

These are all things I’m currently working on with some days containing more victory than others.  Don’t they all sound so basic?!?!  Whew!  I’m thankful today that I can be a slave to Jesus even while living this simple life that he has put before me.  

Okay, ladies, so this is our final "Not a Fan" blog question.  How are you, right now, stepping out of your comfort zone by making Jesus the ONLY priority in your life?  Boom!  I guess Kandi didn't want to let us off easy on our final question, huh?  Ha - but no, in all seriousness, let's consider this.  How are we stepping out of our comfort zones RIGHT NOW?  Don't wimp out on us now.  Let's hear it!  

And thanks for a great book study, everyone - it's been fun :)  xo!

Not a Fan - Chapters 10 & 11

Welcome back ladies.  I can't believe we are so close to the end of our book study!  Our contributor this week is Stephanie Brunges.  For many of you, this is a new name, so I am very happy to have the privilege of introducing you to Stephanie this week.  Stephanie's story is so exciting because it's one in which you can striaght-up see God at work.  As Stephanie shares today, God has used so many things in her life to continually draw her to Himself.  Stephanie's desire to grow in her relationship with the Lord, her freedom to be honest, her security through vulnerability, her willingness to serve, her desire to learn - all of this is a testimony to the work of the Most High.  So let's give God glory for what He's doing in Stephanie's life, and in all of our lives, as we consider together the truths Stephanie shares here:

Deny – a total surrender.  Wow, now I know why my faith faltered in high school.  I think at some point in all of our lives we have been selfish.  While I wasn’t a cruel person I always lived for myself.  If someone gave me the choice to follow Jesus or keep my stuff, I was totally keeping my stuff.  In hind sight I really didn’t have much.  But I was broken, my mom was diagnosed with cancer and my step brother went to jail.  So after that I denied myself nothing.  As Kyle said I called myself a Christian but I wasn’t following Christ. But isn’t it amazing how there is some spark, something that makes you open your eyes and say “I was wrong, God hasn’t given me more than I can handle.”  Because of my challenges I have grown to the person I am today.    

Out of sin came my best blessing, it was Christ’s way of calling me back to him.  I really struggled with what to write, (prayed a lot on this one) but I figured it would be better to be honest.  My husband and I were engaged when I found out I was pregnant with Aiden.  Telling my father was the worst part.  He had just suffered his 3^rd heart attack and I honestly thought this would kill him.  He looked at me and said, “I never thought I would live to see grandchildren.”  As I sat there crying he told me I had to turn my life around, I could no longer be selfish.  Four years later my son looks at me and says “Mom, I want to go to God’s place,” how could I deny him that?  I have thrown myself into Bible study, children’s bibles, books and pod casts.  While it is hard to deny everything in my life (still a work in progress) I have never been happier.   We think that by denying ourselves we will miss out, but just the opposite is true. 

Aiden went to church with a friend of mine on Sunday and he asked me afterwards what sacrifice meant.  I looked it up on the internet and tried to “kid it down” a bit, I told him to sacrifice something was to deny yourself something desired or wanted for the greater good.  He looks over at me and says “so if Riley cries that he wants my Legos, I should just give them to him because it will make him happy and he will stop crying?” I thought it was a good analogy for a 5 year old; ok he seemed to get it.  Then Aiden looks up at me and starts crying but they are my Legos!!!!  It is hard for anyone to make sacrifices.  I pulled a couple questions off the computer that I thought were pretty good. Do you compartmentalize what you give God access to?  Do you refuse to deny yourself from certain worldly things?  

I am actually re reading chapter 11 just to absorb as much as I can.  I have tossed and turned trying to figure out for myself what to die daily actually means.  I am sure there is so much more to it but I came up with this; To die daily, then, is to hold this world with a loose hand and to look upon worldly things, as frivolous joys.  

Wow.  So, Stephanie has made some great observations and has asked some really good questions - hasn't she?  Do you compartmentalize what you give God access to?  Do you refuse to deny yourself from certain worldly things?   Or how about this - what does dying daily actually look like in your life?  As you consider these questions, and other things God is teaching you, take time to make a responsive comment.  Then check back throughout the week to read other members comments and questions.

This week (our LAST week!) we'll be reading the final three chapters of the book: Chapters 12, 13 & 14.  Then, next Wednesday, June 20th, we'll hear from our final blog contributor, Kandi Tucker.

We will also be meeting together for a closing meeting at 9 am on June 20th at Kathy Cortner's home.  Please plan to attend this meeting (even if you didn't attend our introduction meeting, even if you weren't able to post comments every week, and even if you haven't completed the book yet).  I hope to see all of you there!

Childcare for this meeting will again be provided.  But please note, if you plan to attend with children, please e-mail me right away with the names and ages of the children who will need care.  Since schools are letting out for summer break, we want to make sure we have enough childcare on the 20th.

Okay, so that's it (for now)!  Let's get back to our reading this week in Chapters 10 & 11.  Recall again the questions Stephanie posed, and those things that God is teaching you.  Thoughts?  Questions?  Challenges?  Encouragement?  Go!

Not a Fan - Chapters 8 & 9

Have you ever met someone you just connected with right off?  Laura Camp is one of those people in my life.  I just really like her.  She is one of the most intelligent and talented people that I know.  But that’s not why she has my heart.  From day one, Laura has kept it real with me.  Sure, she has got it going on, but she is a real woman with real struggles, and she’s not afraid to be real about them.  And my favorite part?  She loves Jesus.  Ahhhhhh.  That is like a breath of fresh air, isn’t it?  So breathe deep sisters.  Laura has something to say...

Anyone means Everyone 

In Chapter 8, Kyle went back and forth between his daughter Morgan’s nail polish stain story and that of Matthew the tax collector.  I loved seeing these stories side by side. He writes: 

Most of us are hiding some stains. Our worst fear is that someone will flip the cushion over and discover what we’ve tried to hide.  

                                          *** 

Morgan asked, “Do you still love me?” My wife knelt down beside her on the floor, and she whispered to our daughter, “Morgan, you could never make a big enough stain to keep me from loving you.” I wish I could tell you that somehow we were able to get the stain out and make the couch white again . . .  but that stain is still there.  It will always be there. But a funny thing happened.  Morgan started telling the story of the stained white couch.  She liked to show people the stain and tell them what happened. Why?  Because a stain that once represented shame and guilt and fear of rejection, now represents love grace and acceptance.” 

Wow.  What a beautiful story.  What if we were to rejoice in our stains and the grace and forgiveness we received like Morgan did with her stained cushion?  . . .  The way that Matthew – the tax collector – did?  What would that look like in the church of 2012?  How would we act differently if our stains – that once represented shame, guilt, and fear of rejection – now represented love grace and acceptance? 

I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ as my Savior at a young age.  But I have stains.  We all do.  Maybe we hesitate to share our junk because we still feel plagued by it at times.  We can’t celebrate the victory from sin and the forgiveness from the “stain” because we don’t feel victory yet – we are still struggling.  Maybe we fear that if anyone knew our “stain,” it would discredit us in our ministry, that we would in some way make God look bad – de-fame the name of Christ.   

But it is actually quite the opposite.  When I hear another sister tell her story, when I hear her struggles, when I hear how God is growing her and teaching her, I am drawn TO her as a friend and fall more in love with our Great God.  I think, “Thank God that I am not the only one struggling!”  

I was so encouraged by Bill and Brenda Antinore from Seeds of Hope who came to speak at Bethel this past Sunday.  What a powerful testimony!  I loved how they kept saying “this is the best part” and then went on to describe what God saved them from – drug addictions, theft, jail time, failing marriage.  They dealt with the “biggies,” and I was so incredibly BLESSED and moved by their desire to be transparent – for God’s Glory!  (If you missed Sunday or want to learn more about the great work they are doing in Camden . . . check out their website www.seedsofhopeministries.org ) 

If we as women were brave enough to let down our walls; to confess our sins one to another (James 5:16 ); to pray continually for one another  (I Thess. 5:17);   I think our worlds would be ROCKED, our community turned upside-down; and our passion for Christ ever DEEPENED. 

Which brings us to chapter 9. Come after me – a passionate pursuit.  Kyle writes, “So what do you do if you’re a fan who wants to be a follower but your heart just  isn’t in it? You want to come after Christ with a passionate pursuit, but the truth is you feel apathetic and indifferent. You don’t want to feel that way, but you do.”

I mentioned earlier that I grew up in a Christian home.  I believed God at a young age and have always desired to serve Him and live for Him.  However, I have never known any other way.  I am challenged reading this book because I can almost more readily relate with the Sadducees and Pharisees and their desire to study and follow the law then I can relate to someone whose world has been rescued from sexual sin, or drug addiction, or illegal pursuits . . .you know, the “biggies” etc.  I feel like my stains are more like that of the Pharisees – and Jesus did not speak too kindly or deal too gently with them.   

But I have struggled (even very recently) with what Kyle describes above.  Spiritual acedia.  “Losing that loving feeling.”  Apathy.  I find it hard to remember what it felt like when I first came to Christ because I was 5! I don’t remember much about last week . . . let alone Kindergarten!  I struggle to feel the freedom to admit that the passion isn’t always there. I fear I will be judged.  I fear my struggle will discredit the music ministry God wants to do at Bethel.  I feel no one will believe me and will always wonder if I am dealing with a “dry spell.” I fear I will be an embarrassment.    Bottom line – I fear man.   

So, I am bravely stepping out in faith and making a bold move of bragging about my stain so that God will be glorified.  I have struggled to “feel” connected to God.  Sometimes I feel more connected to my kids’ schedules, my “to-do” list, to the family’s responsibilities, etc.   

But I know this.  God is bringing me out of the apathy.  He is faithfully showing himself to me.  He is making me aware of His constant pursuit of me.  He is awakening my heart in worship.  He is drawing me to His Word in a fresh way.  His is igniting in me a DESIRE to pray.  I am falling more in love with Him . . . and I am so thankful.  I pray it continues.  I know it will.  Because . . . “He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.” (Phil 1:6) 

So Ladies, let’s continue to be real with one another.  I have loved this blog format.  I pray that we will continue to “come after” Christ in a passionate and real way.  We are all works in progress, but all the more glory to God!  He is working in great ways – making us more like Him!

Well said!  Let's continue to be real.  Reflect on what God is teaching you, and post your own comment.  Again, this can be in response to something Laura wrote, something else you read in Chapters 8 & 9, a question, an encouragement to another member, anything you like.  Whatever you want to write, I hope you feel freedom to write it.  You are loved here.  

Next, we'll be reading Chapters 10 & 11.  Be sure to 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, Stephanie Brunges! 

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!