January 01

Love & Respect

So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:33 (NLT)

I received a book for my birthday last November. My friend had gone through it with his men’s group and said, “this is one of the best books on marriage relationships I have read….” Hmmm. Nice. I laid it aside.

Then one of our small groups at church began reading and discussing it, and word came back, “this book is rocking their worlds!” Friends reported, these young couples were gaining new understanding and making incredible progress in their marriages and families.

Then I gave a copy to our church Executive Director and he said, “I wish I’d read this thirty years ago!” Wow.

And now, this book is having the same impact on me and my wife. The book, Love & Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs cuts to the chase: Husbands must love their wives sacrificially; wives must respect their husbands. Why? Because this is what is needed. Without this, we spin on what Dr. Eggerichs calls the crazy cycle and end up living frustrated and defeated lives.

This concept is so powerful; the apostle Paul makes it a final summation. These last words of Ephesians Chapter Five are so important, he leaves us with the reminder, the foot-stomper, the “this will be on the test” hint: “So I say again, each man must love his wife … and the wife must respect her husband.”

In marriage, this is the way to life.

Father, help us to learn. Help us to love and respect. Amen.

December 31

Pass It On: the Gift of Giving

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35 (NLT)


This verse is so very true, and it is a great reminder, God has gifted me with the gift of giving. And I can tell you I am happy, no make that happiest, when I am giving something away.

My time, my talent, my treasure … these are things best employed when they are shared. And I find great joy in this. Like when I send a gift to an orphan child, or write my son an encouraging note. When I spend time with my wife (which is so important) and see her smile. Or like two weeks ago when I shared a message God had given me with our church congregation.

These are simple things; these are things I can do. What makes it so easy is these are just gifts from God that I get to pass along. And as I do, I learn once again this simple truth: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”


Lord, let me be a blessing. Amen.

December 30

Stephen: Qualities of a Godly Disciple

But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right side.

Acts 7:55 (NCV)


I love the example of Stephen. In fact, I want to be more like him. Consider some of Stephen’s traits and characteristics:

1) He had passion. There was never any doubt whom he loved or where his life was focused.

2) He had vision. Stephen clearly saw the past, present and future and had the foresight to give his life for the eternal.

3) He faced the tension of the crowd—and won. He did the right thing—even when it cost him everything.

4) He displayed compassion. Pure-hearted, his last words were words of incredible kindness, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.” Though he couldn’t control the mob's reaction, he did control his own response and in so doing, provided us with the ultimate example of thoughtfulness.

Stephen’s words, his life, and even his death show us the better way of following God: in truth, in whole-hearted love and in forgiveness.


Lord God, help me to be such a man as Stephen—one who will lose his life to find it. Amen.

December 29

The Leader and His Team

So Joshua did what Moses had commanded, He led his men out to fight the army of Amalek. Meanwhile Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of a nearby hill … then they stood on each side and held up his arms until sunset.

Exodus 17:10, 12b (NLT).


Exodus shows us the value of teamwork: victory. Moses was a great leader, but he came to understand, he couldn’t do it all himself. For without Joshua and his men in the field, and without Aaron and Hur by Moses’ side, Israel would not have prevailed.

In this chapter, there are at least two conflicts and two victories, but there are also two teams depicted as well. Moses had a team of leaders who stood shoulder to shoulder with him, certainly, but he was also part of a greater team.

You see, before he teamed up with Aaron and Hur and Joshua, he teamed up with God. He went to God; he cried out to God; and he obeyed God. And God gave the victory—through Moses and his team.


Father, thank You for reminding me of the value of teamwork and ultimately the need to let you lead. Help me to listen and, when You call, to lead as a part of Your team. Amen.

December 28

All Around this Globe

God sent his Son … for us so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

Galatians 4:4, 5 (NLT).

At this point in time there are at least 15-million orphans in our world … from HIV/AIDS alone. Fifteen million! Seems like a lot, and it is, but compare that with the billions who are spiritual orphans. Orphans God wants to adopt.

Do you remember the children’s song, Jesus Loves the Little Children?

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight—
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Finally, at 52 years of age, I am beginning to appreciate the personal and theological depth of that tune.

This last year, we have had the privilege of sponsoring four orphans: Ruth in Haiti, Uwamahoro in Rwanda, Yeshi in Ethiopia, and Divine in India. These kids are dirt poor, sure, but believe me, they have so much to offer. I see it in their faces; I hear it in their letters.

As God and His people have reached out in love—they have reached back—no longer spiritual orphans, they have become children of the King. And you know what? Though they still own next to nothing, they have so much more than many of the richest people on earth (see Ephesians).

You see, they have God as their Father. And so do I. And, I hope, so do you. We are family, and oh! the joy in that!


Father, thank You for making me Your child and for giving me such wonderful brothers and sisters all around this globe. Amen.