not a fan.

fan: an enthusiastic admirer.

In the Gospels, Jesus never seemed too interested in fans.

Is that how you define your relationship with Him? An "enthusiastic admirer"? Close enough to Jesus to get the benefits but not so close to require sacrifice?

He was looking for followers. Not just any follower though, but a...

completely. committed. follower.

How would things change if you lived as Jesus lived, and loved the way He loved?

Maybe you’re ready to join the hundreds of people who have stepped across a line and said:

I am not a fan.

Are you a follower of Jesus?

Don’t answer too quickly.

In fact, you may want to read this book before you answer at all. Consider it a “Define the Relationship” conversation to determine exactly where you stand. You may indeed be a passionate, fully devoted follower of Jesus. Or, you may be just a fan who admires Jesus but isn’t ready to let him cramp your style. Then again, maybe you’re not into Jesus, period.

In any case, don’t take the question—Are you a follower of Jesus?—lightly.

Some people don’t know what they’ve said yes to and other people don’t realize what they’ve said no to, says Pastor Kyle Idleman . But Jesus is ready to clearly define the relationship he wants with his followers.

Not a Fan calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness sprinkled with humor, Idleman invites you to live the way Jesus lived, love the way he loved, pray the way he prayed, and never give up living for the One who gave his all for you.

A taste...

chapter 5

following jesus

or following the rules?

Matthew 23

Do you remember the story of Matt Emmons? He was one shot away from claiming victory in the 2004 Olympics. He was competing in the 50-meter three-position rifle event. He didn't even need a bull's-eye to win. His final shot merely needed to be on target. Normally, the shot he made would have received a score of 8.1, more than enough for a gold medal. But in what described as "an extremely rare mistake in elite competition," Emmons fired at the wrong target. Standing in lane two, he fired at the target in lane three. His score for a good shot at the wrong target: 0. Instead of a medal, Emmons ended up in eighth place.

That's a picture of what happens to a lot of fans. If you asked them, "Are you a fan or a follower?" they would confidently respond "follower." It's not a question of their effort or desire. They are following hard. Here is the problem; it's not Jesus they are following. Without realizing it, they are aiming at the wrong target. Instead of following Jesus they are following religious rules and rituals. They have confused the targets.

In Matthew 23, Jesus tries to get the attention of a group of fans known as the religious leaders. If you were trying to determine who were fans and who were followers in Jesus' day, it would be likely that these religious leaders would quickly be identified as the followers. They had a mastery of the Scriptures and were considered expert theologians. They were especially known for their strict observance of the law. They would have received high scores for their religious rule keeping, but that's not the target Jesus was most concerned about. Following rules kept them focused on the outside, but who they were on the inside is what Jesus paid attention to. And the problem with these religious leaders is that, like many fans, who they were on the outside didn't match up with what was on the inside. In this chapter Jesus preaches one of his last sermons here on earth and it's directed right at these religious leaders. He doesn't hold anything back. If you grew up thinking of Jesus as a Mr. Rogers of Nazareth who was always smiling, winking at people, and wearing a sweater vest, the tone Jesus takes with these religious leaders may surprise you. The name of the sermon we're going to study is not "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" This sermon is traditionally called "The Seven Woes."

The word "woe" is an onomatopoeia--a word where the definition comes from is sound. The word "woe" is both an expression of grief and curse. Seven times in his sermon Jesus says, "Woe to you..." Each "Woe" is followed by a scathing rebuke. This isn't a warning by Jesus. He isn't caustioning the religious leaders. He isn't offering them counsel or advice. Jesus is going to strongly oppose these religious leaders because he doesn't want people to confuse following the rules with following him. His indictments against these religious leaders should serve as a warning to those fans who consider themselves followers because of their religious rule keeping and Christian credentials.

...

It may rock your boat of comfort. (I know it did mine.)

The Truth can do that.

There is no way to follow Jesus without Him interfering with your life.

So, are you a Fan or a Follower?
not a fan.

Dwell.

Dear Jesus,

People ask me how being a mom is. I respond with, I love every split second. However, I am then left thinking--Gosh, that really doesn't give credit where created is due. Loving every split second seems like an understatement of how I truly feel about being a mom. It's like trying to describe that one delicious dish I had on vacation, at the one particular restaurant that I can't remember the name of because the meal itself took over all thoughts and senses. It's that good but gooder. Yet, even that explanation doesn't shed enough light on the matter.

There are many days, moments, and minutes that I dwell on her tiny face. It's not until I feel my teeth and jaw aching in pain that I realize I have been unconsciously clenching my teeth out of love for her very being.

Do you clench Your teeth when You admire Your children? Are there simply no words or comparison to explain how I feel about being a mom?

I have taken over 2,500 photos of my baby since she was born. She's only been alive for 87 days! Are You that obsessed and distracted by our every move, sound, and smile?

Many moments of disbelief have engulfed my soul when trying to fathom the love You have for me. I sit and dwell in the love I have for my tiny bundle and then surrender to Your majesty of love that I am unable to comprehend.

At night when I am unable to sleep I sit on the sofa, listening and waiting. Waiting in anticipation for a tremble of noise in the dark. Her noise. A noise that calls out in need of me. Here I am sweet tiny, here I am. There is no hesitation or second thought to hold her near; comforting, loving, dwelling. As if I had been away for days, the moment I engulf her sent and touch it brings me back to a place of firsts.

That is how you love, huh? Quickly, without hesitation. Never failing.

Since born, I have watched our blessing grow. Eyes that jump with life, actively take in each view before her. At times when her sight meets my own, I stare into the deep blue of innocence and magic, wondering if the eyes of my child compare to Yours. Unhindered by the world of gluttony, sorrow, and sin.

I think of You often as my time here runs by. Dwelling in Your creation of love. The love that no words or comparison can describe. The love I have for her is a gift You have given me. A gift that reflects a mere fraction of the love You have for me.

I love You--I love You. As only words can describe.

Taylee

A time to take inventory and count your BLESSINGS.

The other day while sitting at a stop sign in downtown Park City, a young man pulled up next to me on his bicycle. Being the gentleman I am, I gestured for him to proceed. What I witnessed next was something that left me with a lump in my throat. As he pulled away from the intersection, I saw he was operating the bike with one leg. His left had been amputated.

My first thought was not one based on empathy; it was one of sheer admiration. Here was a disabled person who wanted to stay in the hunt, a person who saw no limitations and no boundaries that would trap him in his disability. It reminded me of the winter 22 years ago when I came off the slopes from my first experience of skiing in a sit ski, specially designed for people who cannot stand. The run was invigorating, and it tested my limits, but it was what I saw in the locker room that I'll never forget.

It was the Park City Handicapped Sports office (now the National Ability Center) locker room and full of noise, small pools of melted snow and people struggling to get into-and-out-of-boots and parkas. I remember a young woman with garbled speech and jerky movements, the result of a head injury. A volunteer led a blind 18-year-old boy around the locker room to let him oriented so he could get suited up. My own instructor, an amputee who had stepped on a land mine in Vietnam, was there as well. There were the parents, too, waiting outside as their kids came off the slopes, some of them smiling ear to ear, others tearing up as their children made it down and into their arms.

As I watched the man on the bicycle disappear around the corner, and I recalled those kids skiing down the mountain, I thought again how impressive they all were in handling adversity. It was the grace and courage that would define their lives, not the obstacles they had to overcome.

This Thanksgiving, and every day of your life, thank God you can see the sunlight as you awake, as there are those who can't. When you sit down for your meal, bow your head in thanks, for there are many who are hungry. Thank God for your family and friends, for there are many who are alone. And in our country today, there is much human suffering as millions are without jobs, so give Him thanks for yours.

Most of all, give God thanks for the hope that each day brings. For it is hope that rekindles the human spirit, helps us answer the bell every day and gives of us courage to make our own way down the mountain.

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

By John Shuff (salt lake magazine, December 2011)

A CREED

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED

I asked God for strength, that I am achieve.

I was made weak, that I may learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I may do great things.

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...

I got nothing I asked for--but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself,

my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among men, most richly blessed!

-ROY CAMPANELLA

(SEEN POSTED ON THE BACK OF A LOCKER

AT THE NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER, PARK CITY)

...

Lord God,

Humbly I bow down. Humbly I thank you for all that You have done and continue to do in my life. May Your abundant love and grace pour out to the millions.

Amen.

Q & A

Q: Why were you created?

A: To glorify God.

First reaction.

Word is out that the new H&M store is open here.

Today I heard that there is a line of people wrapped outside the doors, waiting to go in.

...

Why don't people get that excited about Jesus?

A reminder.

I'm a mom.

I'm a mom. And every moment of my day is spent basking in the beauty of the tiny creature that was formed inside of me. She captivates my moments with small ears, full luxurious lips, and long thin fingers. The brown hair that covers her head is softer then any fine linen, hardly felt between my fingers when touched. I kiss the nap of her neck, inhaling deeply each time, as if trying to breath in a bite of her.

I hover over her crib during times of rest and wait for the tentative behavior to return. Scooping her up in my arms before the first stretches of awake take place, so to enjoy them myself. While she sleeps I admire the intricate creation of God. How perfectly He knit together each muscle, joint, and bone. How the heart beats rapidly, giving no rest to self, but sustaining each molecular cell that makes up the human body. Created from dust--dry and bare, we were formed in His image; whole, beautiful, and good. And while sin set us apart, I look at my baby and pray that His glory will shine through the dark as she continues on growing and learning.

I'm told they grow so fast. That time slips away quickly.

I'm not worried about the time, only enjoying the now with tiny toes that I kiss. Praying that God will show His time to be thriving and full of Him. If He wills for tomorrow, then I thank Him for another day to glorify His name by being a mom centered in Christ, sure to share the love of Jesus to my tiny.

In one week it will have been one month since the day I gave birth--the experience that has forever left an imprint on my heart. Each day I take a moment to remember the time leading up to her arrival; sure to never forget. The near death pain, the strength felt from the big guys arms holding me in place from the lack of self-strength. The numbing silence that turned into glass shattering screams. How eyes drew near, words of persistence rang out, and unknown energy arose and took place. I wanted to feel her come out of me. Feel what God Himself had blessed me with. Feel the very thing that would in fact change my life forever.

God is Good. My daughter is proof enough for me to stand on mountain tops and scream of His grace and glory.

I'm a mom. Tickled silly by the over flowing joy and love that is bursting from within.

...

Lord God,

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Amen.

Some Truth.

"A bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

-Charles Spurgeon

Have a blessed day!