This article is the third part of a four-part series examining the four main chapters in Mick Owens’ Diamond of Life.
In this part, we consider Chapter III: “Second Base: Living Out Your Various Roles: Family, Church, and Community.”
Author Mick Owens finds his groove in Chapter III as he discusses family, church, and community. He shares some intimate stories about his family and his upbringing, and he uses those examples to show readers how to persevere and overcome no matter what life throws your way.
Chapter III isn’t about personal finance. In fact, you’ll find very few numbers in this 10-page chapter. Unstead, this chapter is about living a life that brings you closer to Jesus Christ. It’s about leading a life guided by the Holy Spirit that will make a difference in your family, your church and your community.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you,” Colossians 3:13
Here’s a summary of Chapter III.
Part 1–Family
The first section of Chapter III discusses family. To underscore family’s importance, Mick writes, “Don’t forget – God created the family before work and His Church. Take care of it!”
Mick strongly believes in the family structure, and he writes about the critical role that family plays in society. He also stresses the important role that each family member plays. About fathers, he writes, “A father must be willing to be a father before he is their [his children’s] friend.” He concludes, “Your children will follow your actions a lot more than your words especially if your actions and your words aren’t consistent.”
Part 2–Church
Churches are one of the key foundations of any community, and Mick encourages people to use their gifts and participate in church life as much as possible. If you have the gift of public speaking, consider a role as an adult Bible teacher. If your gift is organization, consider a role helping with the Church’s operations. “Be a regular in church attendance when you are home,” he writes. “You must stay plugged in even when you are on the road.”
Part 3–Community
Mick has a tremendous passion for people who get involved in their communities. He writes, “Opportunities are everywhere. We need to open our eyes.”
He tells a story about baseball in his community. He explains that the community was blessed to include several coaches for the local teams, but some lacked the skills needed to teach the game. Mick loved the game so much that he sponsored clinics to teach coaches how to coach. Ultimately, these efforts helped young players reach their potential.
“Opportunities abound!” he wrote. “Seize the day!”
If you only have time to read one chapter of Diamond of Life, consider jumping to “Living Out Your Various Roles: Family, Church and Community.” Mick shares a thoughtful, step-by-step guide on how to honor Jesus Christ each day by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our choices. The message is uplifting and empowering.
