Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

God calls us to remember. I found the word used 168 times in the NASB. Today is a day when Americans remember those who have given their lives in service to the country. As Christ-followers we also need to remember those who serve Jesus in and through difficulty. Many came before us who have created the path we travel. In free countries, we have those who paid and paved the way for us. And this passage asks us to remember those who aren't free either. They're suffering persecution. Remember God today. Listen to him and do what he says. He will direct you and he will make a difference through you.

On this week's episode of the Follower of One podcast, Mike talks with Tyler Ellis. Tyler is the Associate Director at FriendSpeak with over 20 years of ministry experience. He currently works with the Let's Start Talking ministry to teach people across the globe English through God's word.

Episode Breakdown:

00:58 - Meet Tyler Ellis

3:53 - Tyler's TEDx Talk

15:53 - Tyler's Thoughts on What to do next

21:33 - What Questions and Actions Tyler Took

29:38 - Tyler's Story on Why Questions Matter

32:48 - Connect with Tyler

What is Jesus to You?

In the discussion between Mike and Tyler, Tyler talks about the conversations he had with several people at the University of Delaware. He mentions that almost 50% of the Christian population believes that the way into Heaven is by behavior. Do you believe this as well? It bared interesting information because it shows that most people see Jesus as a Role Model for our faith, instead of being the way to heaven. We sometimes forget the grace of God and it is through his grace that we are saved. So, Jesus is absolutely a role model but he must first be the Messiah himself! Do you see your actions as the reasons God will let you into heaven? Is the reason you go to church to show God that you are acting accordingly?

Proverbial Water Cooler

How much can get done within a conversation around your work water cooler? Typically, conversations at the "water cooler" center around gossip, the news, or even upcoming work obstacles, and by design, they are short-lived before returning to your work. Tyler talks about how we might feel intimidated by the briefness of these conversations. What if I am put on the spot? What if I don't know the answer to their questions? It becomes difficult to approach and therefore sometimes avoided so that we do not expose ourselves in the wrong way. Tyler thinks about how we can change this dynamic to be better suited for progress between both parties. "I don't want to give you a ten-cent answer to your million dollar question." In other words, Tyler says to ask them for coffee, or a meeting of some kind where there is more opportunity to accomplish something. Will you chose to put yourself out there more? Are you willing to ask someone who questions your faith out for coffee for the first time? 

Good Questions

Jesus is the master of great questions! When we think about accomplishing something, we usually jump to the word "action". "How can someone accomplish so much? They worked all day and night on it." Yet, within a conversation, speaking on your believes or thoughts isn't always the answer. Sometimes we must first ask the right questions. Tyler talks about the importance of questions and how they can be used to accomplish more with one another. He has a TEDx Talk that directly correlates how questions can open up new pathways to success and friendship. So, are you good at asking questions? Do you think of new and different ways to ask someone why they think the way they do? Go listen to Tyler's TEDx talk Here.

Connect with Tyler:

• Tyler's Linkedin
• Tyler's Website
• Tyler's TEDx Talk
• Let's Start Talking/ FriendSpeak Website

Connect With Follower Of One

Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip!

Often we think we're not qualified to talk about Jesus or religion in the workplace. Matters of opinion, like religion and politics are off limits. Besides, many people notice lately how easily you can get fried for speaking out in our social medial world these days. Everything is a sound bite. But when you trust Christ, you are qualified to talk about what he has done for you. Notice this verse. The Samaritan woman is credited with many Samaritans believing. She simply told them about her interaction with Jesus.

This week on the Follower Of One Podcast, Mike speaks with Lee Whitehead. Lee has caught the entrepreneur bug and started his consulting firm called UVOICE Consulting, Inc., focusing on marketing, sales enabling, and technology audits. He has been working with Follower Of One in several capacities including, editing and producing our podcast. Lee was born and raised in the Dallas, Texas area and his work with us began with a chance encounter between him and Mike at a local Panera Bread, of all places.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:52 - Meet Lee Whitehead from UVOICE Consulting, Inc.
• 05:15 - Early Faith
• 07:40 - A Twist of Fate Leads to Love
• 13:35 - Two Types of People
• 21:32 - Lee Hits Mike with the Hard Questions

Early Faith

Lee grew up in Texas going to a Baptist church every Sunday alongside his parents and was originally baptized at the age of nine or ten. That young Lee had an epiphany while under the water that has stuck with him to this day. Having always been afraid to open his eyes underwater, young Lee opened them for the first time while being dunked under during his baptism and realized that he could do it. That day he got a little taste of God removing his fears. Growing up on a golf course, Lee excelled at playing the sport but a twist of fate at a skateboard park would later lead him to the love of his life.

The Struggle Has Been Constant

In college, Lee began to question his faith, as is common for people who are out on their own for the very first time in their lives. The struggle has been constant as studying and then work, began to take up his time and his faith moved to the back burner. It wasn't until Lee had that "chance"encounter with Mike and began working for Follower of One that faith even began to come back into his life. And, Follower Of One became the only faith-based thing in his life, for that matter.

Two Types of People

Lee says he can only speak his truth and from what he has observed, there are two types of people in the church. Take a listen to the podcast to hear about those two types and why Lee only really enjoys working with one of them. In working with Follower Of One, Lee listens to the podcasts, over and over, as he is editing and has found things that make him think deeper about his faith. One, in particular, Roger Courville's interview, really made him think. If you missed that episode, be sure to check it out.

Hard Questions

As Lee still searches for his faith he has many questions and in the second half of the interview, he hits Mike with some big questions. Is it possible to develop your interest in reading the Bible, in working on your faith, in your relationship with Jesus? Who is responsible for your success, you, or God? Where is our passion supposed to lye, with our work or with God? And, do you believe Jesus has all the answers? Click on the podcast player above or tune in on your favorite player to hear the answers and to learn all about, Lee Whitehead.

Connect With Lee

• Lee's email; [email protected]
• Lee’s LinkedIn profile

Connect With Follower Of One

Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip!