Our church is going through Kyle Idleman’s book and small group study, Not a Fan. Think: Experiencing God, only with less homework and written for the average Joe. Idleman cuts to the quick and compels the reader to take a bluntly honest look at his or her spiritual walk. He raises the question of whether we are merely fans or truly followers of Christ.

There have been several smack-me-upside-the-head moments while reading the book and working through the journal, but it’s a good kind of reality check. Even for (especially for?) someone who has been a believer in Christ for many years, it is good to be jostled a bit and remember that our faith isn’t supposed to be complacent; we must refocus each and every day.

The book/journal is designed to work through as a group, but you could still get a lot out of it if you read it individually. The journal is private, like a diary, so you would only share what you felt comfortable talking about, as is the case with any small group discussion.

P.S. Since book reviews I read on other blogs always have a disclaimer at the end about how they didn’t receive anything for the review, blah, blah, I guess I should note that I bought the book out of my own pocket.

Wherever? Are there places you frequent day-to-day where Jesus is not welcome to join you? What would change if he came along?

Whatever? If you are already using your skills & gifts to serve the Lord, thank you! Please keep up the great work! If you aren’t, why not?

Whenever? What loose ends do you feel like you need to wrap up before you can be serious about your faith-walk? What’s more important?

Wherever? Write down a list of places (local, abroad, etc.) where you would not be willing to go. Will you entrust that list to the Lord?

I had an imaginary conversation with God this week, and it went something like this:

God: “So, what time do you want to meet for lunch today?”
Me: “Whenever, Lord.”
God: “Let’s say noon.”
Me: “It’s really crowded then. How about 11:30 a.m., instead?”
God: “What do you want to eat?”
Me: “Whatever, Lord.”
God: “Let’s have Thai.”
Me: “Eww, you know how sick I got in Thailand that one time. Besides, I don’t like curry.”
God: “But, I like Thai.”
Me: “Fine, which Thai restaurant do you want to go to?”
God: “The one in Thailand.”
Me: “Where?!?”
God: “But, you said you’d follow me whenever, wherever, whatever.”
Me: “I meant anywhere but there, Lord.”

I know better than to say that I would never move someplace (Never say never!), but there are certainly spots on the globe that I would rather not go. No offense to the breathtaking terrain and colorful culture of Thailand, but if I had my druthers, I’d prefer to not go back. I became violently ill the one time I was there; consequently, the smell of curry makes my stomach churn, even to this day.

When we sing songs in church with lyrics like, “Where you go I’ll go,” or “I surrender all,” do we really mean it, or are we just giving lip-service to God? I don’t believe that God calls each of us to a life of poverty or compels us to move continents away from our extended families, but I think the point is that we are willing if he does call us, and that we are open to his voice. We are each gifted in unique ways (check out 1 Corinthians 12 and take Crosstraining 301 to learn more about spiritual gifts). He expects us to use those gifts to his glory, no matter where we are. Be assured, though, that our faith-walk does require sacrifice. It may not mean getting cholera and typhoid immunizations and relocating to South Asia, but it could mean inviting your grumpy co-worker to church or giving up an evening of television every couple of weeks to tutor at C4.

Whenever. Whatever. Wherever. Do you mean it?

After Peter denied Jesus, he went back to doing what he did in the old days: fishing. When we decide to follow Christ, let’s not look back.

Imagine that Jesus was coming over for dinner tonight. What would you do to prepare for his arrival? Is he welcome to make himself at home?