Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "lean". It is found only in the Old Testament and we will be looking at Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

And lean not on your own understanding; 

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He shall direct your paths.  NKJV

"Lean" here is the Hebrew word "sha`an". Brown-Driver-Briggs Commentary says: to lean on; to trust in; to support oneself; used of trust in God. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: to lean on something or someone, as on  a staff, a spear, or an arm or hand. It also says: used figuratively of an attitude of trust. That is especially true with this verse, where we are told to NOT "sha`an" our own understanding, which is finite, but to lean on, trust and rely on the LORD!  The Amplified Bible says:

5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. AMP

As a very intelligent and accomplished professional, you may find yourself tempted to rely on your own strengths at times. A key to staying in the right frame of mind is to remember that every good thing about you came from God and by listening for that still small voice inside! When you do that, you will find yourself knowing things you haven't even learned yet, because the Holy Spirit IN you will be able to fill you with HIS Wisdom! THAT is the Anointing, the Unction (1 John 2:20), that we have received as born again believers in Jesus of Nazareth! I am expecting even greater blessings for you and your family this year! Here is a group of children singing "Trust In The Lord":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "washing". The verses we'll looking at are Titus 3:4-7 and Ephesians 5:26-27:



Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  KJV

Eph 5:26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. KJV

Here are these verses in the Amplified Bible:

Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. AMP

Eph 5:26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, 27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. AMP

We are "washed" in the Blood, or regenerated, at the New Birth (Titus 4:6). This is the work  of the Holy Spirit! Then we are "washed" clean from the ways of the world by the Word of God. Notice that it is the Lord Himself who presents us TO Himself! The work is all HIS, we just have to supply Him with the Word! Here are two songs:  one for Avery from the Donut Man called: "The Bath Song":

The other one is from Hillsong called "Where We Belong":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "high". The Hebrew word we'll be looking at is "`elyown". Strong's Concordance says: an elevation; lofty; as title, the Supreme. It most often refers to the LORD and is found in these Scriptures, among others: 



Ps 7:17 I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. AMP

Ps 9:2 I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High! AMP

Ps 21:7 For the king trusts, relies on, and is confident in the Lord, and through the mercy and steadfast love of the Most High he will never be moved. AMP


Ps 57:2  I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]! AMP

Ps 83:18 That they may know that You, Whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth. AMP

Ps 91:1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. AMP

In the New Testament we'll be looking at the Greek word "hupsistos". Strong's Concordance says: highest, i.e. the Supreme God. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: most high; used of God as "most High". Here are a couple of passages:

Mark 5:7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, What have You to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? [What is there in common between us?] I solemnly implore you by God, do not begin to torment me! 8 For Jesus was commanding, Come out of the man, you unclean spirit! AMP

Acts 7:48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses and temples made with hands; as the prophet says,  [Isa 66:1,2.] 49 Heaven [is] My throne, and earth the footstool for My feet. What [kind of] house can you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place in which I can rest? AMP

Even though people all over the world may have their own (little g) gods, there is really only ONE Most High God! He IS the One True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! And though He cannot be contained in a house of stone, He has CHOSEN to live in these "temples":

1 Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. AMP

2 Cor 6:16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. AMP

And then this Scripture

2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.KJV

The "treasure" is the Spirit of God Who lives in us! How very blessed we are to live in this time when God lives IN His people! The more that we meditate on the "Treasure" in us, the more we will understand the power that is available to handle any and every situation, the same way that Jesus Himself would have! As your girls watch YOU operate in your authority, they will imitate you because they so love and admire you! Your example will show them Jesus! You are doing a wonderful job now! It is such a blessing to hear Avery talk about Jesus at such a young age! Keep up the great work Dad (and Mom!) and she WILL grow past you! How exciting! Here is Hillsong with another new song from the Cornerstone album called "Hope Of The World":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "run". The first verse we'll look at is Hebrews 12:1:

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  KJV

This is the Greek word  "trecho". Strong's Concordance says: to run or walk hastily; have course, run. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: of persevering activity in the Christian course with a view to obtaining the reward. Another Scripture portion that shows this same meaning is 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours. 25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 26 Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. 27 But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]. AMP

Every person ever born has a "God-plan" for their lives! He revealed His plan for Jeremiah to him in Jeremiah 1:5:

5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. AMP

Everything that He has done to bless your life and direct your life has been done with His plan for you in mind! There are no coincidences where God is concerned! If we get off track, He already has in place the way back to His plan! Ephesians 1:3-4 also shows this under our New (and better, Hebrews 8:6) Covenant:

3 May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm! 4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. AMP

Your life, your love, your integrity, your discipline, your faithfulness, your work ethic, your commitment, shows off the God you serve! You and Kristine are a good and godly example to your children, your families, and the people you work and interact with, of a born again believer! Be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you (1 Peter 3:15)! They WILL be asking! Here is a song from the new Hillsong Live album (Cornerstone) called "Running":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


Congratulations to you, Kristine and Avery on the great news of another beautiful girl for your family! The word for this week is "name", which is appropriate for you now! Specifically, in Proverbs 22:1:

1 A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. AMP

"Name" here is the Hebrew word "shem". Strong's Concordance says: an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: a name; a reputation, fame, glory; memorial. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: name, reputation, memory; renown. Actually, the word "good" is not in the original language. It is simply implied by the meaning of "shem"! 

The name that you and Kristine choose for "baby girl" Weber is important! She'll be hearing herself called that for the rest of her life! But it is not nearly as important as the "name" that she will have as you love, train, lead, guide and direct her into becoming the woman God desires her to be! I had never heard the name Avery before you chose that for your firstborn, but now Avery, to me, means loving, happy, active, smart, creative, funny, adventurous. As she continues to grow, her "name" will grow with her! You have both done an excellent job, so I can't wait to hear the "name" of the new little one, and watch and pray as she becomes that wonderful name! We're so blessed to be a part of your "family"! Here is Hillsong with "For Your Name":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!