The Greatest Life Ever

You Might Be Lukewarm - Part 4

God seems to be telling me that He wants me to quit being complacent and comfortable with my version of Chrsitianity.  I am learning that I still have to room to grow when it comes to being a fully devoted disciple of Jesus.  I would like to think that I am completely sold out to Christ, that I've "arrived" so to speak.  But when I reflect on passages like the following, I realize that I am still holding back.  

"Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act.  They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones.  Lukewarm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers." (Crazy Love, Francis Chan, pg. 70-71)

I agree.  What we consider radical Christians is what Jesus had in mind for baseline for his followers.  What's the implication for you?

Finks Find Priceless Diamond

 A week ago my family and I ventured to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.  I was amazed at how many people were out with their boots, pans, screens, chairs, shovels and coolers.  Some people even had heavy duty wagons loaded up with tools.  There were recreational treasure seekers like me and there were those I could tell were very serious about finding something worthwhile to keep.  It seems that everyone is trying to find their treasure in this life.  We're all looking for that diamond, that catch, that find, that something that will magically make our life better.

I spent years looking for that diamond and finally found it.  I'm glad to say that my entire family has also found that diamond.  But it's not a rock unearthed from the ground, it's not in being liked by everyone, it's not found in a large bank account or being important.  The treasure my family and I have found are the words and teachings of Jesus.

Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (The book of Matthew 7.24-27)

If you're looking for a diamond or a rock that will make your life better, I invite you to get familiar with the teachings of Jesus by reading them for yourself.  You can find his teachings in the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Read them, study them, and then put them into practice.  And don't be surprised if they turn out to be the treasure you were always looking for.  Iam reminded of the treasure map and how x marked the spot of the buried treasure.  In the next post I'll show you where another treasure is buried and how to uncover it.  

The Fink Diamond Mining Company Opens

 

We sloshed through mud and dirt looking for a buried treasure on March 20, 2010.  We loaded up our buckets and boots, shovels and shoes, and spent the afternoon at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas.  Thousands of diamonds have been found here over the years.  In fact this year a diamond over 3 Carats and another one over 2 carats were unearthed not far from where we plopped down.  Okay, from where I had the family working while I took photos.

As I watched my family through view finders I was reminded how it seems we're all seeking for that magic diamond in life.  That something that will bring us contentment or deep satisfaction and joy in life. Know what I mean?  Honestly, it isn't in diamonds, cars or a career move.  It's found in something else, or should I say SOMEONE else?  

More on that in the next post as I still have to get the mud out of my toes.