Let us begin. Our first book, "NOT A FAN". This looks to be a soul searching book and might even take us to places we do not want to go. I believe that everyone has already started reading. Homework assignment, read the first two chapters by Monday, the 8th and comment about what made an impression or spoke to your heart. Please, everyone, give your input. Comment on each chapter or one comment for both. As much or as little as you feel comfortable. Looking forward to sharing this journey.Tuesday, October 2, 2012
And so it begins
And so it begins. Our first Bible study or should I should I say, Book club. It will be interesting to see how this evolves. Share your ideas. Thank you, Susan, for forming our "group". I have the blog all set to go but by all means do not wish to be in charge of this study. First things, first. All of us need to have a google account so that we can comment on this blog. Next, test that account by leaving a comment over the next couple days verifying that this is working and we are good to go.
Let us begin. Our first book, "NOT A FAN". This looks to be a soul searching book and might even take us to places we do not want to go. I believe that everyone has already started reading. Homework assignment, read the first two chapters by Monday, the 8th and comment about what made an impression or spoke to your heart. Please, everyone, give your input. Comment on each chapter or one comment for both. As much or as little as you feel comfortable. Looking forward to sharing this journey.
Let us begin. Our first book, "NOT A FAN". This looks to be a soul searching book and might even take us to places we do not want to go. I believe that everyone has already started reading. Homework assignment, read the first two chapters by Monday, the 8th and comment about what made an impression or spoke to your heart. Please, everyone, give your input. Comment on each chapter or one comment for both. As much or as little as you feel comfortable. Looking forward to sharing this journey.
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Good morning. Just testing to see how this will post. Drinking my coffee and looking forward to my first day off in two weeks!
ReplyDeleteI took time to reread chapter one and a couple of questions were coming to my mind... How would all of you answer these questions?
ReplyDeleteHow would you DEFINE your relationship with God or Jesus? Would you be able to pinpoint the definition? Would you begin to list the things you do, such as those listed on page 20? I believe this book is making me question where my heart really is. Am I so into the rules and what I look like that I forget the most important part...the intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior? Just thinking and trying out my new gmail account.
Good questions. I will have to think about that. Still trying to wrap my head around meeting jesus at a coffee shop and our conversation!
ReplyDeleteFinished the first chapter. I liked the point that fans come and go with the need or when things don't go their way. A follower is one who sticks by . This is also a friendship guide.
ReplyDeleteThis mornings reflections are...
ReplyDeleteFans are...religious {rule follower, knows scriptures, doesn't know Jesus necessarily, NOT interested in becoming involved, just shows up at church events)
I am beginning to have a teacher moment and making a t-chart of what fans are vs. what followers are. Feel free to add to or challenge my thoughts and views
FANS
1. doesn't require significant change or committment from them
2. act one way in front of peers (pretending as an actor or actress would) wants to APPEAR religious
3. wants Jesus to give them a 'tune-up' and outward change; minor changes in their life
4. Jesus does ALL the work (inspires)
5. Believe/belief in Jesus but thinks that is where it stops
Followers
1. a relationship with Jesus COSTS something
2. Jesus INTERFERES in your life
3. relationship which involves with committment (i.e. such as a marriage work is involved in keeping the relationship)
4. INWARD renovation/overhaul (not just a tweak or two)
5. More than just belief (100% time relationship, not part-time when it is convenient for us; All or none; 24/7)
I look forward to your thinking and challenges in this journey of learning where we are FAN or FOLLOWER. I see myself both sides at times.
Jesus tells us being LUKEWARM is not an option. He wants us to be hot or cold. (Follower or ?) Lukewarm to me means FAN. What are your thoughts?
Okay...Rick figured this out for me.
ReplyDeleteI have continued to read and reread chapters. I am still continuing my definition of fan vs. follower. Throughout this chapter I am questioning whether I am one that truly seeks a more intimate and personal relationship with the Lord or am I content of knowing who HE is, like a fan. Here are a few additions to what I have previously written...
ReplyDeleteFan...
1. Confuses knowledge for intimacy
2. Spends all of their time to the study OF God, but never SURRENDER their heart
Follower...
1. INTIMATE relationship (growing and seeking more and more knowledgy; never tires always desires to know more about Jesus)
2. to know and to be known completely
3. MINGLING of the souls
Mingling of the souls reminds of a well underlined and highlighted chapter in my Bible {Psalms 139} some of it was included in this chapter, but a few verses that I love and encourage me are
Psalm 139:13-14,17-18
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (17) How precious to me are your thoughts God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand---when I awake I am still with you."
Soak those words in today and be encouraged to know that God loves you so much and how deeply HE wants a relationship with you. Wow!!!
Have a blessed day.
Finished reading the second chapter today. What I am getting from this book is that it is all or nothing. We can not pick and choose what part of Jesus we will let interfere in our lives. God doesn't say do all things in moderation, he says all or nothing. Interesting points, Susan, in outlining fan or follower. We constantly have to be seeking Jesus and not settling for where we are or we will only be a fan.
ReplyDeleteOne thing from chapter one that really made me think about myself and others. First is the passage from Matthew 7 about how we all will stand before God, will he remember us? Need to check and confirm our commitment levels. How far are we willing to go? In chapter 2 I kept going back to being a follower is a 24/7 commitment that will interfere with our lives. Being a fan is clearly the easier choice but the long term benefits are much greater as a true follower.
ReplyDeleteJust finished Chapter 3. Again really knowing is the important issue here. There is knowing Him and there is KNOWING Him. To KNOW is to be so in tune with His thoughts that you can think the same, or act the same or what some would say read Him. I liken it to living with someone over fifty years so that you can predict or speak the same feelings. And then there are times you wonder if you really KNOW that individual. Do I know Jesus that well, I think I do at times but is it only a follower other times, I must really evaluate.
ReplyDeleteI don”t have a lot of comment on chapter 3 although it was good to read. My main take-aways from chapter 4 are as follows; prioritizing what/who is important, stepping back to make sure God is not having to compete with others. Also, remembering that He does not want to share our hearts. Chapter 5 is often hard, making sure our outside looks like the inside and that the inside would please God. Following the “rules” is important but following him tops all. Surrendering our hearts is what he wants and to be authentic. Finally, chapter 6. I really like the breathing. The only way to be filled with the Spirit is to empty myself of me. Me takes up way too much space for the Spirit to work in me on lots of days I’m embarassed to admit.
ReplyDelete