Hi Brian!

THAT was a tough loss, but it was SO good to see you and Kristine and those beautiful girls! I would love to have the pic you took with Reagan! The word for this week is "wealth". We'll be looking at these Scripture references:

Deuteronomy 8:17 And you say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand has gotten me this wealth. 18 But you shall remember the Lord your God: for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto your fathers, as it is this day. KJV

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. KJV

In both cases this is the Hebrew word, "chayil". Strong's Concordance says:  a force (whether of men, means or other resources), an army, virtue, valor, strength. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds this: efficiency, ability, wealth, to be firm. The Theological Dictionary also adds this:  to be able, valiant, substance.  This Hebrew word involves more than just the accumulation of riches. It shows the bigger picture of what it takes to get those riches, from attitude to education, experience, endurance, faithfulness, steadiness, courage, character and Godly favor. Those are all of the things I see evident in you and Kristine as you have both grown as people, spouses,  parents, and in your careers. A person can have all the money in the world and not really have 'wealth' such as that! Recognizing that the real source of all of this is God, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:18 above, is the theme behind this new song from Hillsong Worship called "Crowns".

 CROWNS

There is a hill I cherish

Where stood a precious tree

The emblem of salvation

The gift of Calvary

How is it I should profit

While He is crucified

Yet as His life was taken

So I was granted mine

My wealth is in the cross

There’s nothing more I want

Than just to know His love

My heart is set on Christ

And I will count all else as loss

The greatest of my crowns

Mean nothing to me now

For I counted up the cost

And all my wealth is in the cross

I will not boast in riches

I have no pride in gold

But I will boast in Jesus

And in His Name alone

And when I stand in glory

My crowns before the Lord

Let this be my confession

My wealth is in the cross

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!