Are You Lukewarm? Part 3

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?"

Are You Lukewarm? Part 2

"Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives." (Crazy Love, Francis Chan, pg. 69)

This comment by Francis Chan really hit home with me. What about you?

Are You Lukewarm?

Lent is a season of the Christian calendar traditionally given to reflection on one's spiritual condition.  It's also been a time that many churches over the ages have used to prepare confirmands for baptism and reception into the church on Easter Sunday.  I thought it would be a good time therefore to reflect on just what kind of Christ follower some of us have become and whether or not this is what Christ had in mind when he died for us and when he said, "Come, follow me."  

I'll share a statement or two with you.  After you read it just ask yourself two questions.  First, "Is this true of me?"  And secondly, "What's one action I need to take in light of this?"

You might be lukewarm if...

...you give money or time to charity and the church as long as it's safe, easy and doesn't impinge on your lifestyle.

Reflect.

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.

One Way to Improve the Quality of Your Life

Would you like to improve the quality of your life? If so, I think I can help. Simplify. Instead of assuming that life will be better if I can just add one more activity to it,or if I can achieve another rung in the corporate ladde, or by adding another to do to my to do list, or havinga host of New Year resolutions that have all ready been broken, think of the word "one".

Alot has been said over the years about having a personal mission statement and vision to guide your life. I have given hours and hours conversing with God about this. But today I thought that instead of trying to craft a catchy statement to guide my life that I should find a single word that I will rally around for the year. A one word purpose statement or mission. A sense of peace came over me as I thought about this.

I don't have my "one" word yet, but I have it narrowed down. The word "faithful" comes to mind. I want to be faithful to God, to my wife and children, and to my calling as a pastor.

The word "redemption" has been on my mind too. Sometime ago God spoke to me saying "that life is all about redemption". I want to remember that God has redeemed me. I want to redeem relationships. I want to let others knows of God's desire to redeem their lives.

"Fruitful" is another word. I want my relationships with my wife and kids to produce fruit. I want my work and ministry to produce fruit in the lives of others. I want to be fruitful when it comes it sharing the good news associated with Jesus the Christ.

And of course there is the word "love." Jesus said there is nothing more important this side of heaven than love.

I felt a heavy load lift from my shoulders as I began to think of a one word mission statement for my life. And I suspect that could happen for you too.

What might be a word that you would want to build your life around this year? Take some time to think about it, talk about it with your friends and most importantly with the God of the universe who desires to converse with you.

I'd love to hear what some of your words are. If you feel comfortable send them on to me via the comment box or email me and maybe I'll include them in my post.

I Get No Respect - God

Rodney Dangerfield is one of Jay Leno's favorite comedians. When I think of Dangerfield I think of his one liner jokes that begin with the phrase, "I don't get no respect..." and then he goes on tell explain what he means with a joke. He can be very funny as well as very crass. But, that's beside the point.

God has brought to my attention that there are times He feels like Rodney Dangerfield in that He doesn't get the respect He should from those who worship Him. For example I've heard young and old alike in the church respond to something with, "Oh my God!" or "God!" And most recently with the texting craze some will txt "OMFG!" For those who don't text much, "OMFG" has several connotations to it. The watered down version is "Oh my freakin God".

The bible says in Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." (NRSV)

More and more I appreciate our Jewish heritage in this regard. God's name is so holy that they can not spell it out completely and if it's written down, it can not be removed or erased. The name of God is so sacred that it's not even pronounced. Instead of referring to God as YHWH or Yahweh during prayer they call God Adonai. And if they want to reference YHWH in a coversation with another they will use the word "Hashem" which means "the Name."

How do you use the name of God? Have you used it in an unworthy manner? If so, then why not take two little steps to rectify it? First, ask God to forgive you for using Hashem in an unworthy manner. And secondly, invite the Holy Spirit to work in your heart to enable you to be obedient to this command from God's Torah from now on.

Doing this will help you to have the best life ever.

May you be covered by the dust of The Rabbi, Jesus.