Intro.

I realized something here.
I like to blog in series.
Weird I know!

Today I want to start a new series.
One a little bit more in depth than the color series. But one that is just as fun. In a whole new way.
The title of this:
NOT A FAN

I'll explain this a little bit later.

About a week and a half ago I got a package in the mail. I wasn't expecting a package so I was really interested in who would be sending me one and what was in it.
As I looked at it I saw that it was from my uncle in California. Mark. The one in the Marines.
By this point I was super excited because he doesn't send packages.
I opened it and inside was a book and a DVD. Both titled "not a fan."
I was surprised.
I wasn't expecting this gift.
And I certainly wasn't expecting this gift to be a book.
When I read the back of the book I was even more shocked.
This book was talking exactly about what our church's theme is for the month of September.

So this is what my new series is about.
I shouldn't really call it a series. I feel like a pastor or something when I say that. And I'm pretty sure I'm not a preacher or anything. I'm just very passionate about my faith and my God. As I should be.

The goal of this new sequence of posts is this:
Becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus.

Simple.
Captivating.
Challenging.
Fulfilling.

So here's how this goes. Basically I'm going to write a post per chapter in this book.
Chapter 1.

D.T.R.

 

Are you a follower of Jesus?

 

I know that most of you probably didn't really understand or take very much time thinking about that question. So I'm going to ask you again.

Are you a follower of Jesus?

 



 

There are normally two groups that people fall into.

1. The "Jesus Fish on the Back of My Car" Group

2. The "Why is their a Fish on the Back of My Friend's Car?" Group.

 

I'm going to ask you a few questions to help you determine if you're in group 1.

Do you go to church?
Are your parents or grandparents Christians?
Did you raise your hand at the end of a sermon one time?

Did you repeat a prayer after a preacher?
Do you own three or more Bibles?
Have you ever appeared in a church directory?

Did you grow up going to VBS and/or church camp?



Have you ever worn "witness wear"?
Under "religious views" does your facebook page say "Christ follower"?
Did you dog Harry Potter and rave about Lord of the Rings?

Point is. Many of us are quick to say, "Yes, I'm a follower of Jesus," but I'm not sure we really understand what we are saying.

If you are part of the second group than I don't need to help you figure out if your in it or not. It's pretty self-explanatory.
If your in this group than you probably think like this: "It doesn't bother me that my friends and family have a Jesus sticker on the back of their car, but why? "

It doesn't bother you that people follow Jesus. It's cool, but not your thing. You don't really care. If that's what they like, okay. Just don't try to make me like it.

But...what if?
Put your life on pause for a moment and ask yourself this question, what if all of life comes down to this one question? What if there really is a heaven and there really is a hell, and where I spend eternity comes down to this one question?

To you, this may sound completely ridiculous. But to others you may be considering this a minute possibility. Isn't it worth at least thinking through this question?

I believe that the reason we were put on this earth is to answer this one question. And the truth is, whether or not we do so consciously or intentionally, we all answer this question.

First things first! I'm not here to "sell" Jesus. He's not for sale. And if He was, no amount of money, or good works could even measure up to a hair follicle of how much He is.
My goal here is help you. And to help myself.
That's all.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.

I hoped that little tidbit helped you in some way, shape, or form.
Know that I love you guys!

Lovingly,
Miriam <3