May 23


The Better Way


You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)


With all your heart you must do what God wants as people who are obeying Christ. Do your work with enthusiasm. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving men and women. Remember that the Lord will give a reward to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.

Ephesians 6:6-8 (NCV)


Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us.

II Corinthians 5:14a (NLT)


I think we all struggle with this thing called the search for happiness. And, too often, we see the devastating end results.... Happiness, like all emotion, is fleeting. It comes, and it goes, but God offers something better. He offers us His joy! He offers joy, in this life, the abundant life Christ promises (John 10:10b) and, in eternity, the joy of His presence as we see in Psalm 16. Nothing can compare to this final joy.

While it may seem difficult to achieve joy, it really isn’t. Jesus tells us His burden is light, His yoke easy. Yeah, why is that? It’s because there are two sides to an oxen’s yoke. Jesus is there helping. So, if we pull with Christ, if we give Him all our heart, what’s the result? Eternal reward. Unexplainable. Unfathomable. Joy like we will never have here on earth.

So, sure, enjoy happiness when it comes your way, but think deeper, think strategic. Love God wholeheartedly ... and enjoy what happens!


LORD, motivate us solely for Your good will. Fill us with Your love. Amen.

May 22


Thanksgiving


But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)


Yesterday was a golden day. Even Alex, my hyperactive 9-year old said, “This was the best Thanksgiving ever!” Hard to believe with all the incredible pressure of the last few weeks, the oncoming busyness of the season, and the fact we spent the holiday in the assisted living facility with my parents! But it was true, this was a great celebration of thanks even as we shared a meal away from home and prepared by the facility’s capable dining room staff. So what made it special?

Just being with family and ... giving thanks. That’s what made our holiday special. There is joy in these: being content and giving thanks.

Last night as we drove home through the mountains, we were treated by God’s creation. A twilight moon threw its light onto Mt. Hood, the towering ghost looming high above us. Below this quiet, white giant, and underneath a chalkboard canopy, black ridgelines stood at attention, silent sentinels saluting our passage on the winding road. My mind took in the pleasing sights and I reflected on the day. I tried to choose my favorite moment. It was easy.

My mind journeyed back to our Thanksgiving dinner in the small dining room, so peaceful as light filtered in from the beautiful day outside. Its warmth made our somewhat crowded area seem, well, cozy. Thirteen of us were passing a cup from person to person. We would drop in three beans and tell the others three things for which we were thankful. It was so simple but so good. Everyone nodded or clapped or voiced approval as we shared our thanks. Me? I shared second, quickly plopping my three beans into the mostly empty cup, I expressed thanks for family and friends and freedom. That got some heads bobbing, but my special moment didn't come until the cup passed to Kris, and she looked up at me. Then holding my gaze she dropped her first bean in. “I’m thankful for Craig.” She smiled softly and looked at the next bean. She dropped it in and said, “And for my family.” She paused as the third bean chinged as it hit the sides of the ceramic cup. Finally she added, “And for my home.” She smiled again and passed the cup. That moment made my day. I was affirmed and appreciated. Someone was thankful for ... me! How special is that?

Back in the car, I savored the memory as Lincoln Brewster’s voice came from the Toyota’s CD player. I clung to every word as I drove through the darkening splendor, and each word became my own as I saw God’s creative beauty in the moon's dim light.

God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
And I don’t care
What the world may throw at me now
I’m gonna be alright

Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud their freedom song
All in all that the world
Would know Your name
We’re gonna be alright

‘Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His Word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here....

(i Worship 24/7)


This Thanksgiving we waited on the LORD. We rested and enjoyed what He has given. We enjoyed each other, and ... it made all the difference!


LORD, allow us to fly high as we trust in You ... as we wait on You. Amen.

May 21


My Bestest Friend


I do not understand ... how a man loves a woman.

Proverbs 30:18-19 (NLT)

Husbands, love your wives....

Colossians 3:19 (NKJV)

I do not understand ... how a man loves a woman. Commentators have wrestled over this passage for centuries. I am by no means an expert. In fact, I've needed a lot of help along the way, but here are a couple of things someone smarter than me has shared regarding love in marriage:

1) Love is not an option.

2) It is a choice we make every day.

3) Far more than emotion, it is a matter of the will.

This morning as I rise, I am in love, yes, but I am also committed to that love. It is not an option. It may be a struggle, but it is a struggle we will win, and I am so proud of her. Kris is committed too, and I know her struggles.

The truth is, every couple struggles, and every marriage needs work. So, while I may be an easy going, laid back kind of fellow, I am not the easiest person to live with. Kris knows this and has been patient; she is really giving it her all; and I’m surprised she hasn’t bitten a hole through her lip!

As I look back at our relationship, I should have seen this coming—my shortcomings, my mistakes, and our ... humanness. One date early in our courtship seemed to foreshadow my own struggles with failure and imperfection.

Kris had flown in to San Francisco to stay with an aunt, so I drove over from the valley, met her and showed her the town. We did and saw everything we could. And I was so taken by my beautiful blonde that I took pictures of her at every opportunity. I caught her in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. I took a picture of her next to Giradelli's, and another by the shops on Fisherman’s Wharf. We hopped on cable cars and drove down Lombard Street and I captured those moments as well. We had lunch at the Magic Pan creperie where we were introduced to my favorite salad of all time—Mandarin Orange with Almonds. From our high vantage point, I snapped more pictures. We were on top of the world in every sense! It was a truly memorable experience, and the day was one I have treasured for years, but there was a problem. On the final trek from Fisherman’s Wharf to our car, I stopped to change my roll of film, and ... well ... I soon discovered the camera was empty! I had no film. I had no pictures. I was dumbfounded. Upset. What stupidity! What a loss! And what did my new girlfriend do? She laughed. She thought it was the funniest thing ... the perfect ending to a really great day.

I see this in her now—making the best of things. Making the best of me, of us. Hmm.... I may not completely understand how we men love our wives, but we do. And thank God, they choose to love us too!


Father, thank You for these precious gifts of love. Help us to grow in love, in respect and in understanding. Amen.

May 20


Divine


It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king....

Ecclesiastes 4:13 (NLT)


Divine is 9-years old now, and though he lost his parents to AIDS, his Aunt Philomena has adopted him as her own son. Life is not easy for a young boy and his single mother in south India. The average monthly income for a full-time laborer is only $20 US, and since mom only works part-time ... well, you can imagine! I have been allowed to help and it has been my joy to sponsor Divine at the child development center. As I have corresponded with Divine, these two have become my heroes.

While Divine is studying hard and learning to read and write English as well as his native Tamil, Philomena works part-time at the school helping to feed the hungry students. She recently splurged and took Divine to a wax museum where he discovered likenesses of the influential leaders of India—both past and present. The wax figures included Mother Teresa, M.G. Ramachandran, Mahatma Ghandi, Bharathiyar and Dr. Abdul Kalam. Divine seemed most interested in them and I sensed there may be some leadership talent here too.

Whenever I read Divine’s letters three things stand out. First, how much he enjoys eating! I recently sent a little extra money to the family and they bought a pressure cooker. Divine says the chicken and rice is most excellent! And when they are not cooking, they store water in the steel pot. Having food is a big deal, and having tasty food is a real treat. Second, I’m learning just how little they possess. Earlier in the year, I sent Divine a few dollars for his birthday. Can you guess what he bought? I was surprised to learn he had purchased a suitcase. He bought it so he would have a place to put his clothes rather than leaving them on the floor. Their's is a simple life, and I continue to learn from them. The last thing that stands out is his thankful spirit. In every letter, he expresses thanks and not just for the money or education he receives. He enjoys life. He is a happy, well-adjusted kid in spite of his poverty. In addition, he is spiritually in tune and closes every letter with prayer.

I love Divine and I am so proud of him and Philomena. He inspired another poem....

Divine John Samuel

Lion of inspiration to me
Young man studying, working, trying so hard
Pursuing that light that makes us free

Divine John Samuel, not an empty boy, but
A young man full of grace and truth
A strong voice and able hands set free

Divine John Samuel—my friend, my hero
Divine John Samuel ...
Lion of inspiration to me!


Father, guard and guide Divine and Philomena. Give them enough and a little more. Grant them Your divine joy in abundance. Amen.

May 19


Being Compassionate


You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Luke 6:36 (NLT)


I took another spiritual gift assessment last week and it confirmed (again) what I already knew. God has given me the gift of compassion (or mercy as some call it). It’s my primary gift. It means feeling so much for people, especially for those in great need. It makes me a bit sentimental at times I think, and it makes me extremely non-judgmental, which can be good or not. I think mercy tends to give the benefit of the doubt, and it seems always willing to give, even when hard pressed to do so. But in the end, it’s having these incredible feelings and concerns for others. It can be overwhelming at times. It is joy and heart all rolled into one. And it’s mine. It’s me.

I like the way Chuck Swindoll explains it: “Compassion usually calls for a willingness to humbly spend oneself in obscurity on behalf of unknowns.... Truly compassionate people are often hard to understand. They take risks most people would never take. They give away what most people would cling to. They reach out and touch when most would hold back with folded arms. Their caring brings them up close where they feel the other person’s pain and do whatever is necessary to demonstrate true concern.”

I understand exactly what Chuck Swindoll is saying, and I’ve seen this gift in others too. I think of my small group as an example. Chris, Jenn and Katie have this gift as well. What a blessing they are. They and those like them have such big hearts. I only hope I use this gift well—to bless others without the misunderstanding Chuck Swindoll talks about, and to please God ... always to please God.


Father, help these sensitive hearts remain true to You and become a blessing to others as You have purposed. Amen.

May 18


Bad to Good


... all things work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)


A bad grade in college. A fiancé who decided she didn’t want to get married. The USAF airplane assignment I didn’t want. A son born with serious defects and years full of corrective surgeries. Career setbacks and being separated from wife and children for an entire year. Being out of work. These are just a few of the difficulties and challenges my life has produced.

Setbacks, problems, disappointments. My life has been full of them. Character building trials, some would say. What seemed unique to me, was not. The truth is, these things happen to people all the time. Maybe not all of them to any one person, but these things are common to many.

What impresses me most is this promise from God and the hindsight that he gives us. So often, we can look back and say, "Ah! That's why...." And even if we can't, we can trust God to know what he is doing. Only God can connect the dots. Only He can work these events to produce a “perfect” life. Perfect in the sense of performing His specific purposes. What a glorious truth! What a delightful realization: God has a plan and you and I are in it!

So what do we do? How do we apply the promise? This passage provides two way points for us to navigate on: love God and pursue His purposes. That’s it. When we do these, everything else comes together, and all the other things begin to make sense. Our lives have impact. They become bigger than us. They become what he designed them to become—good!


Heavenly Father, wow! Thank You for this great promise. Thanks for hindsight and the ability to trust You. You are so good ... please ... bring Your blessing in Your time. Amen.

May 17


His Greatest Loss


Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me ... The LORD will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me....

Psalm 138:7-8 (NLT)


"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)


At 52 years of age, I had never seen my father cry. Never! Well ... at least not until his 91st birthday last month. It happened when we were sitting at a table in his favorite German restaurant—all six of us huddled over a pile of gifts. Dad was opening his last gift ... and he froze. About a minute later, there it was—a lone tear. It looked like a tiny piece of crystal leaving a clear trail on his cheek. I was spellbound. What was this?

My mother says she can remember Dad crying only once. It was at his aunt’s funeral, before I was born, so this was a first. Well anyway, what caused the tear? It was a picture of his mother. My sister discovered it hidden away in an old box and had the photo restored for his special day.

You can see a lot in this picture. My grandmother looks strong, healthy ... and so kind. Mmm. She was a good woman, but the tumor in her brain forced her to leave my dad with his dear aunt. So my grandmother left him in America and sailed back to Sweden ... where she soon died. Can you imagine? What a loss.

I don’t know what was running through my father’s mind last month, but I think I understand what he was feeling—the reality of losing someone so dear, so precious. Feelings can sometimes be overwhelming. Still, I can’t quite fathom what my grandma was feeling. I picture my grandma standing at the ship’s rail, bracing against the cold, salt air at her back, and watching the Statue of Liberty fade from view. All the while knowing she would never see her boy again. What heartache....

Sometimes pictures and memories are overpowering. It hit my dad at his party, and I’ve felt this too. When life’s realities sit on us, knock the wind out of us, and we don’t think we’ll survive, but we do. My father did, and we can too, because there’s good news for us today. No matter what life throws at us, we are not abandoned ... and we never will be....


Father, thank You for friends and family who help us through the rough spots. And thank You ... for always being there....