Category Archives: Discipleship

Collecting Experiences, Discipleship, Faith in Action, Life, My Jesus Month

Let The Journey Begin

A couple of years ago, I read a great book called The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs. I enjoyed reading about Jacobs’ adventures in trying to live out the biblical commandments as literally as possible. Jacobs focused mainly on the Old Testament rules and regulations while recently, Ed Dobson, a Christian minister, inspired by Jacob’s memoir, decided to spend an entire year living like Jesus. Dobson’s true life “In His Steps” really inspired me and refreshed my soul. Dobson talks extensively about the impact living like Jesus had on his day to day life. He focused on prayer, giving, teaching, and loving more deeply. After reading The Year of Living Like Jesus a wild and crazy idea entered my imagination.

I just could not shake the thought of truly, literally, living just like Jesus. 1John 2: 6 says that “whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus walked.” I began to ask myself what living like Jesus would look like in my life and in my context. I was transfixed. I knew I needed to do something. I desperately wanted to throw myself headlong into walking just as Jesus walked.

“Could I do that? Could I live like Jesus for a year?” Based on Ed’s account probably not. At least not to the extent that he did. Usually, that would have been the end of my wondering. Then I asked myself one more question: “Could I live like Jesus for a month?”

I don’t know… but we are going to find out.

Tomorrow, I will turn 30 years old.  According to the Gospels, Jesus began his ministry at the age of thirty. I have a tattoo on my wrist that says “disciple” and I struggle everyday to discern what being a disciple of Jesus means and looks like lived out to the fullest. In April, I want to get a firm grasp on what it means to literally walk as  Jesus walked.

The idea will be to live SIMPLY this month: SIMPLY live like Jesus. I already know that there will be some severe limitations but I’ll use Ed Dobson’s 3 rules as a basis for my Jesus month. Basically my goals will be “To live more ‘Jewishly,’ to read through all four Gospels every week and to obey the commands of Jesus.” As the month goes on I will be posting some of my thoughts and experiences but I will not post everyday.

This journey will be made up of external changes and internal changes. Tomorrow, I’ll post a bit about some of the visible, external changes I will be making in my routine, dress, and diet.

I ask that you pray for me as I embark on the fantastic journey. I have already been impacted greatly as I have prepared for this over the last two weeks and I have seen plainly that this call to walk as Jesus walked was laid on my heart and not just some harebrained experiment I cooked up.

I look forward to sharing what I learn and what I experience over the course of this month. If you have any suggestions or thoughts on how I can live more like Jesus this month leave a comment on this post.

Today is the last day of my Twenties. Tomorrow brings a whole new decade and a whole new, radically different way to live. Until then- Shalom!

Discipleship, Experience, Family Ministry, Leadership, Ministry, Top 5 Things

Top 5 Opportunities YOU Have TODAY

On the ride in this morning, I was listening to January’s Catalyst Podcast interview with Seth Godin. Seth was discussing his latest book, Linchpin, and said something that caught me ear and captured my imagination.

In the middle (your day to day work activities), people say, “Uh, it’s just my job.” They are grumbling about the way they were treated, they’re not getting paid enough, they don’t like their customers, they don’t like their parishioners. “Uh, this is stupid. Blah, blah, blah.”

OR…

You say, “This is my platform. This is the one and only chance I get to do today. What am I going to do with this platform? This opportunity?”

So, today is YOUR day.  You have 24 hours to impact today and today alone. What are you going to do with today?

These are the TOP 5 OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAVE TODAY:

  1. Worship: You have an opportunity to worship God and to live for Jesus Christ today. Take a moment (this moment) to stop and pray, think and honor, worship and praise the God who created the entire world and who knows you inside and out. Right now, I have been living inside the powerful and profound Revelation Song. The lyrics quote the song of the living beings in Revelation 4 & 5: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty- who was and is and is to come.” You have an opportunity to WORSHIP today through the work that you do and through person who are. How will you worship in the midst of your day to day?
  2. Lead: I’ve been thinking a lot about the leadership legacy I want to leave. A legacy comes from developing other leaders to take your place. I once heard that the goal of leadership is to work yourself out of a job. Today you have an opportunity to LEAD. Who are you leading today?
  3. Learn: We live in an incredible time where information is readily available and often free to access. Leaders are learners. Are you learning today? What lessons are being offered to yu today through books, podcasts, conversations? You have the opportunity to LEARN today. Are you taking advantage of the lessons around you?
  4. Serve: Imagine how your day would go if you approached every email you wrote, class you prepared for, phone call you made, text you sent, and every conversation and activity by asking, “How will this serve this person?” of “How does this best serve these people?” You have an opportunity to SERVE today. Do you have the attitude of Jesus (Matthew 20:28; Philippians 2:5-11) when it comes to serving those in your care?
  5. Connect: I have a list of 10 connections that I try to make each and everyday. I got the list from the book 99 Thoughts for Youth Workers by Josh Griffin. Making connections is what life and ministry is all about. Each day I try to take time to connect with God, my family, a student, a friend, and my philosophy. You have the OPPORTUNITY to connect today. How are you doing making connection with God and with others? What are some other important people or things you need to make connections with today?

You have all sorts of opportunities today. Make the most of these opportunities. Worship for today. Lead for today. Learn for today. Serve for today. Connect for today.

Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry, Wrestling With Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthians 9:24-27 TNIV)

There is not another scripture about living and serving as a minister that speaks as powerfully to me as as 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Everyday there is another story about a minister packing it in or leaving full-time ministry. That’s not the story I want to tell my grandkids. I plan to be in this for the long haul and this passage gives me a workable game plan to run the race to completion.

Run in such a way as to get the prize. Ministry is a marathon and not a sprint. Long nights, little encouragement, and aimlessness is a great way to get burned out and off course. Understanding that the journey is long and listening to those who are running ahead of me allow for me to pace myself. I am thankful to the coaches in my life- those ministers and teachers who have given me the tools and taught me habits to help me minister to the best of my ability from the healthiest place in my heart and mind that I can.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. Just as an Olympic athlete trains for the games I have to train for my ministry. Spending time in God’s word gives me the endurance and the focus of purpose that will help me fall deeper in love with Jesus and his ways.

I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I want to leave a legacy for Jesus Christ to the generation I leave behind but not at the expense of my own soul. Soul training makes sure that I am growing in my faith and my reliance on Jesus.

What are you doing to prepare for the ministry God has given you? I want to put forth the same challenge that Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians:

Run Your Race- be the best minister you can.
Get Fit- Work out those spiritual muscles. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your personal trainer and dive deep into the Word of God. Get you lungs in shape and pray boldly to your Heaven Father.
Stay Strong- Don’t minister out of your leftovers. Give God your best, don’t forget about your own soul, and finish the race!

Discipleship, Firm on the Rock

Are You a Picture?

I came across a great song by Ben Harper tonight called Picture of Jesus. I want you to read the last verse and chorus:

Some days have no beginning
And some days have no end
Some roads are straight and narrow
And some roads only bend

So let us say a prayer
For every living thing
Walking towards a light
From the cross of a king

We long to be a picture of Jesus
Of Jesus
In his arms
In his arms so many prayers rest

I long to be a picture of Jesus
With him we shall be forever blessed

In 2 Corinthians Paul says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (3:17-18).”

To be a picture of Jesus to the world is the challenge. The good news is that you don’t have to go about this transformation on your own. In fact, you can’t do it on your own no matter how strong you are or how determined you may be.

The Spirit transforms you into the picture of Jesus- transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory- road by road, day by day, minute by minute.

What an amazing blessing and an amazing promise! Amen!

Book Review, Books, Discipleship, Ministry, Resources, Theology, Wrestling With Scripture

Book Review: Dug Down Deep

“The wise builder is the one who comes to Jesus, listens to his words, and then puts them into practice. This activity- this faith-filled approach to Jesus, the acceptance of his truth and then the application of the truth and then the application of the truth- is what Jesus said is like a man who dug down deep and built on a solid foundation. When problems and trials and the storms of life came, the “house” of his life kept standing.”

I don’t know when exactly it happened but there came a time where I had no desire to read another pithy, saccharine-sweet devotional book. I craved the deep stuff. I wanted to know and understand beyond mere comfort and enjoyment. I wanted to dig deeper into the inner workings of my God and my faith. I wanted theology over warm fuzzies, truth over platitudes.

Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters by Joshua Harris is a great primer for those who want to go a bit deeper in their faith understanding. For those who would like a beginner’s tutorial in the realm of theology you probably couldn’t find a more accessible book. Harris tackles everything from the doctrine of God (theology proper) to the doctrine of Scripture to the doctrine of Sanctification.

Don’t let the word doctrine turn you off. Harris makes each of these deep truths understandable without watering them down or coming across as some stuffy, thick-glasses academic. Harris writes about understanding and experiencing these teachings within the context of daily living. He talks openly about his struggles, his missteps, and his inability to understand it all. He does this in a way that invites the reader into the difficult task of building faith not of the shifting sands of the culture but but firmly in God and in the truth revealed through Scripture.

As a minister, where the rubber meets the road for me is whether or not this book is a good resource for me and my ministry. Would I recommend Dug Down Deep to my teens or their families? Yes. Could I use this book to help me teach a class on theology to teenagers/college students/families? Absolutely.

Joshua Harris cost me a few dates back in college when his I Kissed Dating Goodbye was all the rage. The young guy who rashly encouraged all the pretty girls to turn me down for dates has matured into an honest, thoughtful, and engaging author and minister. With Dug Down Deep Harris has proven that theology and doctrine are necessary to deepen one’s faith and understanding. Even more than that theology and doctrine help solidify the relationship between the believer and the Creator.

Disclaimer: This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah. (However…I would have bought this book anyway.)

2010, Discipleship, One Year Bible

All Is Quiet

Welcome to 2010 and a brand new decade!

Thinks are so swamped around the Felker household but we are very much looking forward to a successful and healthy New Year. One thing that we plan on doing as a family (Hewson included) is to read through the Bible together in 2010. We are using the One Year Bible reading schedule.

We want to invite you to join us in our journey through the Bible. Each reading will take you only 15-20min. The time commitment is negligible compared to the Return On Investment.

Take the Challenge! You know you want to.

Psalm 1:1-3
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

I wish you all a wonderful New Year. See you next week!

Book Review, Discipleship, Ethos, Experience, Leadership, Life, Ministry, Mission, Resources

Book Review: Primal

One of my favorite authors, Mark Batterson, has a great new book called “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity.” I got my hands on an advanced copy and finished reading it earlier this week. I want you to know that this is Mark’s best book yet.

The challenge of “Primal” is to get back to the basic element of Christianity. Len Sweet once remarked that the best picture of the church is that of a swing. The power of a swing comes from the point where we lean back and kick forward. In order for the church to make an impact in the future we must be willing to lean back- past all church traditions and dogmas- all the way into the arms of Jesus. When we do that, we can then move powerfully into the future with the Gospel message. For Mark, the essence of the Gospel message– the most basic element- is living out the call of the Greatest Commandment. That’s the heart of the Gospel. Well.. the heart, soul, mind, and strength of the Gospel.

If Jesus said that loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the most important commandment, then doesn’t it logically follow that we ought to spend an inordinate amount of our time and energy trying to understand it and obey it? We can’t afford to merely good at the Great Commandment. We’ve got to be great at the Great Commandment.”

The book divided into 4 sections to highlight the different facets of the Greatest Commandment that Jesus brings to our attention. Mark “reimagines” these elemants as follows:

The heart of Christianity is primal compassion
The soul of Christianity is primal wonder
The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity
The strength of Christianity is primal energy

Mark’s power as a writer comes from his ability to weave his heart and passion for the things of God into every story, every bullet point, and every conclusion. You become enthralled in the quest because Mark is enthralled with the quest. Mark Batterson is the real deal. He is a loving husband and father who loves his church and wants to introduce everyone to his Savior. You will not be disappointed by this book.

Here’s a great challenge for you. Make “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity” the first book you read in 2010. As we start a brand new decade begin by working out your heart, soul, mind, and body to reconnect to the Gospel of Jesus. Start 2010 as a part of the primal movement to rediscover the Greatest Commandment for your life.

Disclaimer:This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Discipleship

Tear Down, Build Up

Our bodies are simply amazing. The wife and I have started a workout journey this week and I am fully aware of my body right now. My joints ache, my muscles quake, and I’m having a hard time doing anything without feeling a twinge all over. Today, especially, my hip flexors are on fire! I’m even uncomfortable sitting!

All joking aside, while I am sitting focusing on my aching body I know that I am in pain for two reasons:

1) All those hours sitting on my duff in front of the tv have put me way out of shape
2) The workouts have beat my muscles up but they are rebuilding themselves to be stronger, more flexible, and more powerful.

I know that this pain, caused by tearing down my muscles, is actually building my body up.

Our spiritual muscles work in much the same way. It is never fun to confess a sin or change a habit. It hurts when we begin to turn around and repent of our past. Starting up spiritual habits can be just as much of a challenge as ending bad ones but we are promised that this discomfort will truly be for our gain.

One of my theme verses for life is 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In this passage we hear from Coach Paul as he encourages us to get away from our old, sinful lives and to get into the new life offered to us by Jesus Christ.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Truth be told, my physical body needs to get it in gear, shed this weight, and get healthy. However, it would be a great tragedy if I ignored the one thing about me that will last forever- my soul.

My soul- our souls- get trapped in vicious cycles of sin and selfishness. Satan loves to whisper in our ears words of discouragement. He tells us, “You’re not good enough! God can’t change you and He does even want too. You might as well give up!” All lies! Satan’s native tongue is lying.

Don’t give up! Keep moving forward toward that which Christ has called us. He will heal you. He will change you. He does love you!

What are you doing today to connect with the Father? What is your workout plan with Jesus?

Spend some time in God’s gym today, shed the sin and the weight that keeps you apart from God, and press on!!!

Chase the Lion, Discipleship, Ethos, Experience, Faith in Action, Life, Ministry, Self-Leadership, Worship, Wrestling With Scripture

Chase the Lion Week 3 Notes

This is the midway point in our Chase the Lion series. This week is all about reframing your problems. Each day brings it’s own set of problems, issues, and challenges. We can choose to view these problems through the world’s perspective and find ourselves crushed under the weight of life’s problems or… we can begin to see our problems through the frame of Scripture and find that God meets us and carries through anything that is thrown at us.

Chase the Lion Week 3: Reframing Problems
Reframe (verb): to recondition a mental attitude or outlook
Problem (noun): a source of perplexity, distress or vexation

In order for us to put our faith firmly in God we must learn to reframe problems. Life throws everything it has at us and we feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities, expectations, crisis, and problems facing us.

We shared stories though about people facing extreme situations- cancer, poverty, injustice, and death. The men and women, in the face of extreme problems, stood tall and proclaimed “God is Good!”

Have you ever wondered what it is that enables someone to overcome adversity? How can someone have that “God is Good” attitude in the midst of suffering? Their problems have been reframed. Rather than seeing a problem, they see an opportunity. An opportunity to worship.

“Who you are is not determined by your circumstances. The outcome of your life will be determined by your outlook on life.”

This isn’t some pithy, new-age, believe-and-achieve, feel-good statement. If you look at your problems through the frame of Almighty God and His Word- if he is bigger than your fears or problems- than you can begin to see as He sees. Your outlook will begin to be His outlook.

Scripture will reframe your perspective on everything:

It reframes your Identity (Who you are)
It reframes your Destination (Where you are going)
It reframes your Circumstances (What you’re going through)
It reframes your Legacy (What you leave behind)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11–12 TNIV)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2–4 TNIV)

“For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” (Philippians 1:29 NLT-SE)

Charizomai– Greek word meaning to grant favor, in kindness.

Do we really see our suffering as a privilege gift from God? We should.

The ultimate key to reframing our problems is the act of worship. In the face of suffering, in the midst of trials the key to turning our pain over to the Lord is pure worship.

The best example of this is found in Acts 16.

Despite (in spite?) of their dire circumstances, Paul and Silas reacted with worship and actually witnessed to those around them.

“Worship reframes circumstances. The circumstances you complain about become the chains that imprison you.”

What about you?
1) Are there any circumstances that are currently imprisoning you? What are they?
2) What things have you complained about this past week? How can you turn those situations into opportunities for worship?
3) List 10 things you are thankful for

Discipleship, Ethos, Faith in Action, Family Friday, Family Ministry, Leadership, Ministry, Orange, Prayer, Resources, Worship, Wrestling With Scripture, Youth Ministry

Halloween Orange

1 Comment

I’ve been working my way through Reggie Joiner’s Think Orange this semester in an effort to help me connect better with the whole family. As a youth minister I work with families but too often I have gotten the feeling that at times I am working exclusively with teens and at other times I’m focused on parents. My desire is to minister to the whole family and so I’ve been seeking out resources to help me do this.

Think Orange has been invaluable because Reggie’s heart families mirrors my own. “Orange” is the idea of “two entities partnering together to make a greater impact or to create a better solution.” To Reggie, the church is ” a bright yellow” light that exists to illuminate Jesus. The family is a bright “red” heart that demonstrates God’s love and character through unconditional relationship. Together these two forces combine to create Orange. What a beautiful picture and a perfect metaphor for authentic family ministry. The book has been great and I am excited to share some of this with those I minister to but, in the Spirit of Orange, I’ve really been thinking about Halloween this week.

Something Reggie wrote about this family-focused holiday (yes, I just called Halloween family-focused) has been on the forefront of my mind all week. Here is what he said:

– An estimated 47 percent of household consumers decorate for Halloween.
– Halloween is second only to Christmas in the volume of decorations sold
– Over 790 million pounds of jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin pies will be bought
– Candy sales will exceed $2 billion.
– More than 93 percent of children go trick-or-treating every year. (I wonder how many of those families go to your church?)

Most families love Halloween. Right or wrong, there is something about October 31 that stirs the imagination of children and engages the hearts of parents.

Watch your neighborhood closely this fall.
Listen to the laughter.
Take a look at the generosity.
Taste the sugar.
Feel the energy.
See the glow in the children’s eyes.
Notice the parents walking with their kids.
And observe how families connect with other families.
It seems kind of… magical.

Why can’t the church be more like that? Why can’t the church create the kind of atmosphere for the family that captures their imagination and incites a relational revival in the home?

No color commentary from me on this today. It is just a question that I’m pondering right now.

How can the church create the kind of atmosphere for the family that captures their imagination and incites a relational revival in the home?

I believe that somewhere inside the answer to this question lies the secret to a dozen generations boldly proclaiming– in word, in deed, in heart, in mind, in power, and in strength- the Glory of Jesus Christ. So, there’s your challenge. It’s not just for this weekend but for the rest of your lives.

Have a Happy Halloween. Keep your eyes and your hearts open as you look for the answers to impact future generations.

How can the church create the kind of atmosphere for the family that captures their imagination and incites a relational revival in the home?