July 04


The Full Load


O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. ... You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know! ... You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts toward me, O God! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of the sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me! ... Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139:1,2,5,6,16-18,23,24 (NLT)


No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)


From the very beginning, God has known it all—known all about us, known about every day, every moment; known about every stray thought, every sin; known about every joy, every good desire. He’s known it all, seen it all coming, and knows what’s ahead. And in spite of us, He offers us something so much better ... if only we’ll stop and listen, consider the way He wants it done.

Consider His promise for those who line up their lives with His desires. He promises NOT to hold back. Whoa! Can you imagine what He has in store for us if we’ll just give up on us, on our plans and embrace His?

It’s mind boggling. It’s unthinkable. No wonder the psalmist says, Search me, O God ... test me ... point out anything that offends you!

This is my cry too. Lord, don’t hold back! Please ... give me the full load.


Lord, whatever You want ... that’s what I want too!

July 03


Adoption


His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)


For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:15-17 (NKJV)


Fear not ... you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)


I love Mark Hoeffner’s favorite adoption story. He’s got several. You see, Mark thought he and his wife were done after adopting four special-needs kids, but then there was Loretta, a young girl in Mrs. Hoeffner’s third-grade class. Loretta had been in eight foster homes and been through four failed adoptions. The last to a lesbian couple who didn’t endure. Mark’s wife thought, “Enough of this!”

So arrangement’s were made and in time, the Hoeffner’s found themselves in court expecting the usual, quick, no frills process. But then, a surprising thing happened. People started streaming into the empty courtroom. One after another they came, quietly, until they filled the room. What was going on? Mark and his wife looked to the judge.

He smiled at them and said something like, “You’re wondering who all these people are, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes....

“Mr. Hoeffner, I invite the court staff in every time we have an adoption. I’m afraid this is the only positive thing that goes on here, and I don't want them to miss it.”

What wisdom. The judge then asked Loretta some interesting questions. “My question to you today is this: Do you want them to be your parents?”

“Well....”

“Understand, once you become family, you believe what they believe. You’ll be one of them. Do you truly choose them to be your parents?”

“Yes.”

Mark said that judge catapulted their family's understanding of their special relationship light-years ahead. It can be true of us too. We can gain a similar knowledge of our spiritual family, for God our Father has spelled out our adoption. He’s defined it for us and clued us in to all the benefits that go with being a part of His wonderful family. Read Ephesians 1 and Romans 8 sometime and see what he has done for us in regard to His priceless gifts of identity, inheritance and everlasting love.

This adoption is the sweetest thing. Let’s understand it, embrace it and ... live it. For Him ... always for Him.


Abba, Father, oh the sweet blessings You give. Oh, how I love You. May You smile at Your children this day. This day ... and every day. Amen.

July 02


Feeling Joy


Our life is really full if you stand strong in the Lord. We have so much joy before our God because of you. We cannot thank Him enough for all the joy we feel.

I Thessalonians 3:8-9 (NCV)


I read Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, and I can’t help but relate. These are my words. This is what I would say to my children. And this is what I feel—joy! But the joy comes with another powerful feeling—concern.

My boys are no different from anyone else, really. We each are born with strengths and weaknesses. We either develop them or languish in them. My boys are no exception. Each has a strong suit, but like all of us, each is prone to weakness as well.

Drew is brilliant. He has such incredible potential, but will he make right choices? Will he choose to be the best he can? I think he will. I pray it everyday.

Ryan is so full of life. He is extremely social and very focused on what he wants to do. Will he slow down enough to see the great needs of those around him? I believe God is working in his heart to do just that.

And Alex, who is so much fun and with such a big heart. He notices others. He notices everything, and like his dad, he feels everything. Will he have the smarts and will power, not to take everything so personally? I am confident he will. Alex, like his brothers, is changing. He is growing. He is learning.

We all experience change; we grow; we get stretched. Some people call it growing pains. I call it life! And this life Jesus gives is special life. It's really full—full of joy!


Lord, I am so proud of my children. I love them so much. Help them to grow. Fill them with your joy. Amen.

July 01

Consolation


... the morning stars sang ...

Job 38:7 (NLT)


Yesterday, my son Drew’s planned birthday celebration did not come off as I expected. In fact, I was rather disappointed. I got stuck at home when a huge avalanche closed the Cascades highway I would have traveled. The snowy roads had patches of black ice as well. They were hidden underneath their white blankets AND the schools closed ... leaving me at home with a couple of excited younger brothers. A new sled and the snow hill were waiting!

Though it was fun to see my younger boys romping through the snow, what I really wanted was to be with my eldest to celebrate his 20th birthday. My plan to deliver cards and presents on the other side of the mountains burnt like charred pumpernickel in my broken toaster.

I felt low but told God okay, I understood. He had control not me. I glumly acknowledged this then switched gears and started cleaning up and reorganizing my stuff. That’s when it happened.

I discovered and experienced something I hadn’t enjoyed in almost 6 years: my oldest son’s first UIL recording. It was Drew’s middle school choir CD—the one I took to the Saudi desert. There, in the heart of the Middle East, those sweet voices sang me to sleep every night for a year!

I quickly hustled it to my Bose sound system and soon the familiar words greeted me like an old friend.

“This is the Randolph Mixed, Non-varsity Choir directed by Mr. Lonnie Nielson. They will sing Hodie ... All Through the Night ... and Shoshone Love Song, arranged by Emerson.”

The old grand piano started up and smoothly introduced the young choir’s clear, bright sound. My eyes welled as the forgotten tunes came back to life, reaching deep into my soul....

Once again, I was sitting in the audience listening to the magic sounds of my son Drew, and, in that instant, disappointment turned into fresh joy.


Thank You, Father, for allowing missed experiences in one place and rediscovered dreams in another. Amen.

June 30

Oneness


... they shall be one ...

Genesis 2:24 (KJV)


My wife Kris has given me many gifts, but one stands far above all others. This is the gift of truth.

Jesus said, “The truth shall set you free.” No doubt there is great freedom in truth and so many other things ... like responsibility. John quotes Jesus again, praying this time, “Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth” (John 17:17 NLT). This truth Jesus speaks of is, at times, a giant light. It reveals. To many, it must seem a blinding searchlight.

Well, guess what? Sometimes my wife swings her big spotlight of truth into my life—times when she speaks right to my soul. Not easy times mind you, but good and helpful.

She did it again last week. I thought everything was fine, that I was covering all my bases, being a pretty good husband and dad. Yeah, in my own scorebook, I was doing well. I’d even written a little card and put it on my desk to remind me how important she was. The card read: “ALWAYS REMEMBER: Kris needs more of my time—not less.” That’s it. Helpful advice—right guys? Wrong.

She pointed out the error of my thinking.

“That little card on your desk bothers me.”

“What? The ALWAYS REMEMBER card? You’re kidding!”

And then she said something like, “Craig, it’s not about going through the motions. It’s not about simply making time for me. It’s about oneness. It’s about you and me being one—together.”

It was true, and it was like a soft arrow right through my heart. Now this truth is embedded deep within; it’s in my soul; and now ... it’s on paper. Now I have a new sign. “ALWAYS REMEMBER: It’s all about oneness.”


LORD God, help us to be one. Amen.

June 29

Drew


Children are a gift from the LORD....

Psalm 127:3a (NLT)


A wise son maketh a glad father....

Proverbs 15:20a (KJV)


January 31st is a special day, and this January 31st is extra special. Today, my son Drew turns 20. The big 2-0! No longer a teenager. He is 20. He is a man, and I am so proud of him.

Drew was born on this day in 1988 at 11:26 p.m. in an Air Force hospital on Castle AFB, California. He weighed a very common 8 pounds 5 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. His arrival took twenty hours of labor for mom and a ton of ice chips, and for his dad it took left over nurses’ pizza and breathing exercises between Super Bowl plays. Hmm ... that doesn’t sound right! Let’s just say Kris went through a lot to give us our first son ... and we’ve never regretted the hardship that got him here.

Now, he turns 20, and I want to make this special. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have the Soderquist coat-of-arms to give him—a sort of passing of the mantle. And encouragement to be all he can be—giving his best for Christ. The coat-of-arms reflects this, I think.

The shield displays four dramatic scenes. One, shown twice in a box on a diagonal, is a powerful walking lion. To me, this represents the power and motivation of Christ, the Lion of Judah. Christ can make a difference in anyone’s life. The other picture (again shown twice in the same box on an opposite diagonal) is that of a well and a water bucket—a beautiful picture of John 4 where Jesus meets the woman at the well and changes her life forever. Again, so meaningful as it pictures Christ and His thirst-quenching gift of salvation—the water of life. A good reminder, too, of our calling to share this gift of life with others.

My gift to Drew is small, but I pray it means so much more to him. God’s gifts, you see, are the best gifts of all.


Father, help us to love our children. Help us to give them our very best—this wonderful knowledge of You. Amen.

June 28


His Life


The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him.

Galatians 3:11 (The Message)


And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.

John 12:26b (NLT)


As I begin another volume of devotional thoughts, this simple truth comes to mind: we are so much better off when we pursue God wholeheartedly, that is, when we obey Him completely.

God’s powerful kingdom seems so upside down at times, and He asks us to follow Him in some pretty strange ways. We lose to gain? We humble ourselves to be lifted up? We die to live? Whoa! I don't know ... who wants to follow a riddle?

Jesus’ words seem hard, but understand this, they are spoken from a heart of bottomless love. While some find His teachings so out-of-the-box, still, they reveal timeless truth for all of us. Consider these realities: He proved His love by agreeing to die on a cross; and He proved He Himself was and is truth by rising from the grave. And now He looks our way with eternal eyes and He speaks to us. In our day. In our situation. With a heart of compassion, His admonition flows, “Ye who have ears to hear....”

His compassion. His admonition and, now, an invitation.

“Come follow Me,” He says. I hear His call, and I can't resist.

I will follow—with all my heart. Won’t you?


Lord, I come. Help me to follow You and only You. Amen.

June 27


A Family that Loves


Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God.

I Peter 2:17 (The Message)


... see to it that you love each other intensely with all your hearts.

I Peter 1:22b (NLT)


The Body of Christ is most beautiful when united in following Jesus’ highest directives: Love God wholeheartedly; love others as you love yourself. This month, this truth came alive at Eastmont Church. Pastor Marshall McBride’s letter of thanks to his church family reveals the power of the love of Christ. I post it here for all who have been following the news and to those who would be encouraged by the love shown by so many....


Dear Eastmont family,

The people of Eastmont Church have earned the name "Family of God." We would give anything to change the events that began to unfold three weeks ago, but it is true that we have felt more love and caring from our fellow Christians and more of a sense of community than we have ever experienced before. That afternoon, when I saw the dreaded sight of a uniformed man approaching our door, I imagined that from that point on, each night and day would stretch out endlessly, and that it would be an ordeal just to get through the day. But thanks to a steady flow of visits, phone calls, e-mails, and cards, in combination with some tasks we had to get done, the days went by surprisingly quickly, and by God's grace we were able to sleep fairly well most nights-better than I expected.

Some of you may have wanted to stop by or call, but decided not to, concluding that we might be overwhelmed or feel that our privacy was being invaded. In truth, neither staying away nor coming was the wrong decision. We didn't advertise that we wanted visitors, nor did we try to discourage our friends and fellow Eastmont people from coming. The result was a balance or flow of support and distraction that kept us just a little too busy-which was good for us, those first couple of weeks.

Everyone had about the same thing to say-that they didn't know what to say! And I fully sympathized and agreed with that sentiment. I didn't know what to say, or what anyone else should say either, so we were all in the same boat together: all of us believing that Zack was in Jesus' hands, that we all cared about each other, that we'd all survive in the end, but that there was nothing to say that would make everything seem OK right then. Nobody at all was guilty of trying to whitewash the tragedy with cliches or platitudes.

I guess what moved me the most was how people, both here and in our previous churches along with relatives and old friends, reacted to the news with such grief. It was as if they had lost a member of their own immediate family, for example, a friend here who said he almost smashed his fist through the wall when he first heard; a young woman who had been in one of our NY youth groups wailing and it taking her family a while to get her to calm down. We always feel bad for those people who have a death in the family, but in this instance I felt people were really going through it with us.

Eastmont people did a lot of practical things for us, bringing all kinds of food, driving us places, running errands, helping us notify people. Roger Austin served as our press agent-it's a good thing I got talked out of trying to handle this myself-and Bob Shaw, helped to coordinate and lead the memorial service, The work of these two men greatly enhanced our comfort and the way God was glorified in the eyes of the public. But many people working behind the scenes also made a big difference. The families who have or had a loved one in Iraq were particularly sensitive and supportive.

Special mention must be made of the wonderful staff we have at Eastmont. Their caring and competence was seen and felt on three fronts: taking up the slack for those two weeks when I was out-of-action; ministering to our family in our grief; and working way beyond their normal long hours to insure that all events related to the funeral were as beautifully and flawlessly done as one could imagine. Sarah's school and church friends were friends indeed, gathering with her night after night. With Chris and Jenn there too, it sometimes looked as though Youth Group were being held in our living room.

We are still mourning and weeping. While the moments and stretches of sadness are just as sad, we are finding more and more moments of joy and light. During the second complete week after Zack's passing, each of us began some of our regular occupations, and we are functioning and working better all the time. We don't expect this life to ever feel "normal" again. January 9, 2008 will forever be the great dividing point in the history of our family. But we have seen God do good things for others during this time-both believers and non-believers. And we have already seen Him use this to make us better people, and we believe he has a plan for our lives that makes our lives worth living. So we go on living, in His love and the love of His people, as we look forward to being reunited with our son.

Pastor Marshall,

for the McBrides: Marshall, Laurie, and Sarah


Father God, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” May this hope fill our hearts, and may we continue to love in Your name. Amen.

June 26

Circle of Friends


You are my friends....

John15:14a (NLT)


I find these words interesting. After three years, Jesus finally calls His disciples His friends. Maybe it’s just me, but I think there is something special about small groups and this three-year point.

I have a friend who shepherds a couples’ small group, and he says it took them three years to get to the point where the men of the group felt close enough to do their own Bible study and be accountable to one another. Interesting.

Our small group finds itself at the three-year point, and I feel so attached and so connected to these people and their families.... I thought of that yesterday afternoon while driving across town in a driving snow storm. It was a bit dicey on the roads, but my defroster hummed along with my CD player as it pounded out Point of Grace's, Circle of Friends—a 10-year old classic with legs! It warmed me and made me long for my own group. We were supposed to meet that night, but I wondered, “Would we?”

The snow and ice reeked of coming havoc on our roads. “Darn weather,” I thought. “I’ll miss my group tonight!” Well, guess what? The weather held off, just enough, and we did meet, and it was so good. To hear answered prayer, to see my friends excited and challenged by God’s word ... and by each other ... wow! It just made my weekend.

These connections are solid, healthy, good and I don’t want to lose them, and yet ... Kris is ready for a new group ... just when her slow-moving, relationship-challenged husband finds his comfort zone! But I can see her rationale ... we can relate more, perhaps even bond tighter with parents of teens rather than with parents of toddlers. Maybe? Well, we’ll see.

One thing I know. These friends who’ve found my heart will never leave there. They’ve joined our circle. Our circle of friends.


Father, You know how much I care for my friends. Thank You for giving me a glimpse of Jesus’ love for His friends. Give us wisdom for the future, and may this circle of friends endure in truth and love. Amen.

June 25


A Final Word


Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye.

Proverbs 7:2 (NAS)


Love ... does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.

I Corinthians 13:6 (NAS)


I write my thoughts every morning in a journal, and here I am down to my last entry. The last page and the last words for this volume must certainly speak of priorities ... of something of highest importance. I can think of two: love and truth. It’s what Jesus spoke of so often, and it’s what is on my heart today. To love truthfully and to truly love God and His word. It’s my desire for life and it’s my heartfelt challenge for all who read these words: Live and love in truth.


Father God, may we rejoice in Your perfect will. Amen.

June 24


Marshall


And of some have compassion, making a difference.

Jude 22 (KJV)


Our Worship Pastor, Marshall McBride, has endeared himself to many people. Besides his excellence as a musician and worship leader, he is an outstanding pastor with two standout qualities. One is his dry wit, the other is his loyal compassion.

Marshall’s wit comes with a twist and typically at the most unexpected time ... even after this terrible tragedy. Take last week for example. It had been two-weeks since their only son died in combat in Iraq. I had visited their home twice for short visits, but the crowds of people were overwhelming. The third time, there were no other parked cars as I approached their modest two-story home, and all seemed quiet as I walked the snow-lined sidewalk. I avoided ringing the loud doorbell and rapped lightly on the door instead. Immediately, there was a return knock coming from the other side—a perfect rhythmic echo of my own. Then the door opened and there was Marshal in mock surprise, “Oh, it’s you! Come on in.” Typical Marshall.

Marshall’s humor always surprises me. Last week, his humor even invaded my dreams. In the dream, I was standing at a kitchen counter next to the refrigerator. I had just taken a quart container of milk out and was preparing to pour myself a drinkinto one of two tall glasses. I don’t know what the problem was, but as I poured the first glass, I missed completely! Milk went all over the counter and onto the floor. Marshall stood next to me—expressionless. He looked through his eyeglasses at the mess and then to me. His stare fixed on me, he said, “Here let me help you.” He stepped toward me, took the milk carton from my hand and proceeded to pour the second glass of milk. But he missed his glass entirely as well. So we now had two empty glasses and milk pouring from the countertop onto the kitchen floor. Marshall returned the milk carton, said, “There!” and walked off.

It was so Marshall. Crazy.

Besides his crazy humor, Marshall possesses that brand of compassion Jesus loves—one without fanfare. In quiet ways, he shows others the love of Christ.

I remember last summer, when one of his instrumentalists took her family on a short-term mission trip, and problems developed. Marshall who speaks fluent Spanish, flew to Mexico and helped them through a rough transition. He was heaven sent, I’m sure.

Marshall’s love for God and people drive him to do things no one else would dare. Over a year ago, our church suffered the agony of a member who molested a couple of children in someone’s home. It was a terrible time for everyone. The court convicted the man and sent him to Federal prison in another state. It was a raw time, and people quickly dismissed the individual, but not Marshall. Every few months, Marshall drives five or six hours to visit and minister to a man who is broken, friendless, and in great need. It’s just Marshall. As I reflect, I catch a glimpse of how his son Zack learned to go beyond himself, to help others, and to be brave. And now I have a new understanding: Marshall is a godsend to us all.

These last two weeks we showered love on Marshall and his family as we continued to grieve for Zack. This family means so much to us. Amid the pain there is one thing for which I am so thankful. In spite of the great loss, we still have Laurie and Sarah and ... Marshall!


Father, thank You for the McBrides. I never knew how deep you planted these seeds of compassion. I never realized how severe their hurt nor how deeply You placed them in my heart.... Bring healing Lord, please, bring Your compassionate healing. Amen.