Not a Fan Part 1

Fan or Follower? In which category would you place yourself?

Defining the Relationship?  What does that really mean?

Luke 9:23 states "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, & follow Me"......which leads to a question.... Am I a fan or follower of Jesus?  And the question isn't answered by my words but my actions.

Can you tell that we have entered a very interesting and dynamic sermon serious that will cause (and is causing) a lot of deep thoughts and reflections?  This past Sunday was just the introduction.
Some notes that I took:
Jesus never wanted fans (enthusiastic admirers) but followers!
Jesus wants us to know that there is a real cost to follow him.
Do I pick and choose where to and what to do?  Have I customized my christianity?
Fans come to church, followers are the church!
Has the American church become a stadium full of fans?
How is my heart condition?
.....Is my love for Jesus so strong that it takes precedence over all other loves? - TOUGH

I wish I could give you a link to the sermon but it isn't online yet....but man was it a word from the Lord!


and now for the rest of our activities..,
Dinner menu for the week:

• Monday - was Fried Chicken salad
• Tuesday - hamburger steak with veggies and pasta
• Wednesday - church
• Thursday - ?, not sure yet....might be pork chops might be chicken on the grill
• Friday - date night (Dean will be spending the night out)....what to do, what to do
• Saturday - Bama Football!  Stadium dogs!

And a few verses to share what I have been reading:

Isaiah 33:15-16

 ^15-16The answer's simple:
   Live right,
   speak the truth,
   despise exploitation,
   refuse bribes,
   reject violence,
   avoid evil amusements.
This is how you raise your standard of living!
   A safe and stable way to live.
   A nourishing, satisfying way to live.

and

1 Corinthians 15:44

⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
   If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Crazy verses to put together is what you are probably thinking but they really do work together.  I have been meditating on and studying what God's word says on living a balanced life.  God's word is our answer for everything....
Just think of what all we juggle in our minds:
work schedules
school schedules
practice schedules
exercise schedules
meal plans
reading lists or plans
budget plans
vacation plans
grocery lists
to do lists
laundry lists
errand lists
wish lists......how do we find proper balance in our daily routines and still smile? still worship? still serve?  It takes practice and effort and a realization that our natural body and our "natural, day to day lives" need balance BUT you can not do this without our spiritual bodies being balanced!  An utter dependance on Jesus!