April 04


Lavishing Love from a Broken Heart


... a woman came to Him having a very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”

Matthew 26:7-9 (NKJV)


Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the home was filled with the fragrance of oil.

John 12:3 (NKJV)


Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched ... Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, “I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others ... she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)


Here is an important fact to understand: we get Jesus’ attention when we gratefully lavish our love on Him, and when we give Him our everything—expecting nothing in return.

This morning in prayer my heart is full as I offer it to Him, as I know Him and express my gratitude. In my weakness, I fall at His feet. I can choose to be like Mary or like this widow. My heart can be this true.

Humble and broken, my desire is only for Him, and I only want to be used up for Him. Granted, I’m not much, and I have so little to give ... I have to wonder, will my gift matter? Will He notice me like He did the widow? Will He remember me and speak of me as He did of Mary? If so, it is not because I am great. It is because He is so consistent and so full of grace!


Lord, help me in my weakness to give You all my strength, all my power, all my influence as well as my sorrow and pain. May You take it all and use me for Your glory. Amen.

April 03


The Beauty of Wisdom


A wise child brings joy to a father….

Proverbs 10:1a (NLT)


I could have no greater joy than to know my children live in the truth.

III John 4 (NLT)


My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart for they will give you a long and satisfying life. … Happy is the person who finds wisdom.

Proverbs 3:1, 2, 13 (NLT)


My son Alex goes to Trinity Lutheran School—an easy four or five block walk from home. This last week he brought something home that caught both Kris’ eye and mine. It was a white, 11X17 inch paper with a colorful Bible verse on it. I love the fact Trinity kids all memorize Scripture, I really do! And this … this was extra-special. I was impressed with both the teacher’s idea and Alex’s creativity. His letters and colors and illustrations brought Philippians 4:13 to life!

The verse started out with a rather prominent capital I. It was in red—attention getting yes, but also a sign of danger (I reflect that it’s usually me who gets me into more trouble than anyone else!), and it was a fat I and zigzagged almost like it was shaking and trembling (I can relate to that too, can’t you?). I can do all things…. Can do all—these words were compact, neat, purposeful and they did their job. But things! This word was grayed and skewed and scattered just like the things of my life. Things—a material thing and the s a dollar sign (if Christ can help me get a handle on managing His money wisely, He can do anything!). … through Christ ... The through was in bright green and looked like a series of tunnels penetrating a grassy hill. It led to the majestic, royal purple and boldly centered CHRIST—underlined to show His significance. The King was in the center of His verse! ...who... The W was capped and turned into the two questioning eyes of an owl! ... strengthens ... The word stretched across the page—bold and black like heavy steel pipes. Perfect. And ... me ... like the trembling I, it had red in it, but it transitioned from the dangerous color to a lovely, flowering pink. This me was full of life and it stood tall! I read the verse again and again, convinced it needed to be framed!

To me this verse was a work of art, and I thought ... Alex gets it! What joy for a father to realize his child, his dear child understands and embraces life-giving truth. What a joy to love and see its fruit.


Father, bring joy to my child. May my son grow in wisdom and in truth! Amen.

April 02


A Vision to Die For


We are alive, but for Jesus’ sake we are always in danger of death so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our bodies that die.

II Corinthians 4:11 (NCV)


At the 2007 Leadership Summit, Bill Hybels gave the opening talk entitled Vision to Die For. He spoke to us about how a vision can be owned even to the point of death—a willingness to go so far as to die for the cause. Bill then cited an example from the Justice Journey. Specifically, he spoke of March 7, 1965 and what happened on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. For many, it was the defining moment in American Civil Rights history.

Many of the people marching for that cause of equality stared in shock at what awaited them at the other side of the now famous bridge—uniformed men with clubs and dogs and teargas. This sudden reality tested their resolve. Was their mission one for which they would die? For many it was, and several in fact did die as Alabama State Troopers and white supremacists launched into them. For many of the 600 dedicated to the Justice Journey their journey from Montgomery to Selma ended right there. They died for the vision … and in the process … helped change the nation.

Some may not realize it, but there is a cause greater than civil rights. It is a vision for freedom in Christ. If we are committed to this vision, ours can be a dangerous journey as well. And truth be known, we may come face to face with an even stronger hatred. If so, we may not make it to the other side of our earthly bridge, but the cause is so right, our Leader so true, we can face venomous dangers free from fear. Christ faced it. Paul faced it too. For them, it was a vision to die for. So the question is: is this our vision too? Is this a vision to die for?


Lord, grant your strength that we may live for You and, if need be, that we would be willing to die for the cause of Christ. Amen.

April 01


Right Righteousness


The work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness quietness and confidence forever.

Isaiah 32:17 (NAS)


Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6 (KJV)


Righteousness works, righteousness serves—not for itself, but for others. This is my own desire, not to be self-righteous, but to be so at peace with myself, with my friends and family, in fact with everyone—even my enemies—that there is a greater peace enjoyed by all.

But this is not my work; it’s God’s. And I can’t do this (John 15:5), but God can (Phil. 4:13) and will (Phil 4:19).

Jesus showed us the way to this peace, the way to truly abundant living. Read the Sermon on the Mount again. These words direct us away from our ways. They point us to the disciplines that lead us closer to God’s ways. They help us see how to be transformed, how to change on the inside—moving away from self-righteous busyness to God-loving being.

Jesus showed us how to slow down and love everyone. This is our calling. This is our joy. This is His desire and mine … for everyone.


Lord, how beautiful is the life of Christ. Give us this life I pray—abundant … and free! Amen.

March 31


Follow the Plan


Moses was more humble than any other person on earth … He is entrusted with my entire house. I speak to him face to face, directly and not in riddle! He sees the LORD as he is. Should you not be afraid to criticize him?

Numbers 12:3, 7-8 (NLT)


Moses was one of the most incredible men ever to walk the planet. Not perfect, but God-honoring in most every way. Moving from glamour to glory was a messy business, but in the process of giving up all the beauty and busyness of Egypt, Moses eventually discovered the greater business of God.

Now, in this passage, we find him knee deep in dissension, and more problems will soon arise when this fickle people refuse to enter their Promised Land. Leadership is not easy, but the good news for Moses is that God stands by His man.

It’s the people closest to Moses who turn on him here. Miriam and Aaron criticized their brother for marrying an Ethiopian woman. They were ticked. They grumbled that they were just as good as their leader-brother … and God responded. Oh, how He responded! He took the three of them to the Tabernacle, came down in their midst, scolded them and then covered Miriam in leprosy. God was really ticked!

The lesson here is simple: don’t mess with God’s man (or woman). When a leader is following God passionately and loving Him wholeheartedly, he or she enjoys God’s special attention and the greatest care. Abusive jealousy is something God deals with and removes. Here in the desert, His plan for His man moves forward, but first, He punishes the self-centered complainers. He teaches this humbling lesson: Don’t mess with My choice, don’t mess with My design, don’t mess with My plan.

Sometimes things don’t seem right, or fair, or the way we would have them. Let’s get over this. Let’s accept God’s will and move on … let’s move into our own promised lands ... where beauty, joy and a better future await us!


Father, help us see and understand Your will. Help us hear Your voice and follow Your plan. Amen.

March 30


Breakaway Truths


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5,6 (NAS)


… by the mercies of God … present … a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God … your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world….

Romans 12:1,2a (NAS)


Listen my child, to what your father teaches you.

Proverbs 1:8a (NLT)


It’s Sunday, and Pastor Dick is gone. This means I get the chance to teach the seniors—well seasoned, sharp and very experienced people. I've scratched my head over what to share.... Well, here goes: I’m going to share five Biblical truths they probably understand better than I do. These are for all of us, true, but probably the younger generation—their grandkids—are the ones to hear this. If I know this group, we’ll probably have a lot of testimonies and I’ll get a chance to listen!

For all my Georgia friends out there … this information comes from Andy Stanley’s teaching. If you haven’t been there yet, you Georgia peaches may want to pay North Point Community Church a visit. Andy is so on the money!

There is a simple reality: our beliefs drive our decisions, which drive outcomes.

Because our human nature is so self absorbed, we believe things that we want to believe, things that in fact may end up hurting us or others. These beliefs drive bad decisions and result in lousy outcomes, terrible circumstances, and even desperate situations. To change those potential outcomes, you and I should change our beliefs. Or, as the Bible says, be transformed by the renewing of your mind….

Here are five truths for a new generation or any generation;

#1 God knows what’s best for us! (Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 3:5, 6) Do what God decides is best for you and see a better outcome.

#2 Every person is valuable, because they are someone for whom Christ died! (I John 4:9-11; II Peter 3:9) People have immeasurable value to the One we value. Why? God gave His Son for them. This should be our frame of reference for every relationship. Get this: God thinks everyone is precious….

#3 Regarding finances: God owns it all! (I Chronicles 29:10-13) When you realize you are a manager and not an owner, you’ll stop feeling guilty about all you are blessed with. Everything is distributed by God!

#4 God is up to something in the world! (Psalm 33:8-11; John 10:10b) God has a plan! God has the power to thwart the plans of man. God’s plans are firm! God has a great plan for you and for me!

#5 We make decisions based on what we want to do, based on what we think! (Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 28:26; Romans 12:1-2) We make decisions based on how we feel and then we find excuses to justify them. Let’s change the way we think, make good decisions, and realize better outcomes!

Beliefs drive decisions, which, in turn, deliver outcomes. I believe it, do you?


Father, help us to trust Your better plan and find Your perfect pathway! Amen.