Poor In Spirit

Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I had always heard poverty of spirit related to bankruptcy. I think that is an accurate comparison, but a few years ago I heard a sermon by Tim Keller that helped me understand the term “poor in spirit” in a new way.

In the sermon, he told a story about a minister who had spent a summer in an inner city church. The minister met a fourteen year old girl who became a Christian. When the summer ended, the minister had to leave. The young lady approached him and begged him not to leave. She told him there was a gang that forced young ladies in her neighborhood into a prostitution ring for wealthy white business men. The minister encouraged her to refuse the gang and stand strong in her new faith. He left.

Months later, he returned to the church and asked about the girl. He was told she left the church and joined the prostitution ring. He found her and asked her why she gave in. She told him the gang threatened to beat her father. She refused, and they beat him. They threatened to beat her brother. She refused, and they beat him. The gang then threatened to rape her mother. She gave in. The minister asked the young girl why she didn’t go to the police. She responded, “Who do you think they are?”

Most of us, as middle class Americans, cannot relate to that type of poverty. There is a poverty far beyond bankruptcy. There is a level of poverty that not only has nothing, but is incapable of getting anything. There are people who are not protected by society because society has basically decided they aren’t worth protecting. The contributors get protection. (For the record, I do not believe all cops do this sort of thing)

Being poor in spirit is not only admitting we have nothing. It isn’t mere bankruptcy. It is an admission that we have nothing in ourselves that can contribute to our protection. We have nothing and we can’t get anything. Our only hope for protection is a savior.

In his mercy, Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) with poverty of spirit. Before he lays out moral truths like hate is the equivalent to murder and lust is equal to adultery, he tells us that our only hope is to admit we can’t measure up. When we truly admit our poverty, we are free to see the beauty of God’s law and commands without the fear that has to come if the commands are taken seriously.

For the believer, Jesus freely gives all of his obedience and righteousness to the one who admits his complete poverty. On the cross he took all of the disobedience and unrighteousness of his people. He lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died.

Jesus, the rich, heavenly king, left his throne and became poor, so his poor love could become his rich bride. Through his death, his bride is united to him and shares in all of his wealth. The bride inherits the kingdom of her husband.

Come to him today. Admit your poverty. Admit your desperation. Look to the king. Give him your rags and let him clothe you in his righteousness.

Here is a link to the sermon where I heard the story. Blessed Are the Poor

Holding Hands

Joshua Charge

Its Not Rocket Science, but its Fun

Why is Joshua Angry?

Peace and 'I Don't Want to Fight' by Derek Webb

I briefly wrote last week about God teaching me about peace. My mind has been captivated by Jesus' words in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

As I learn more about Jesus and his kingdom I am struck by the tension that always exists. Like the thieves on Jesus' sides, there are always thieves on both sides of the gospel that threaten to rob the gospel of its true meaning. We don't want to live lives of daily dependence and trust in the Holy Spirit. We would much prefer some type of list or formula that pleases God and gets him off our back.

Peace making is one of the most challenging areas in my personal walk. The thieves of peace are false peace (just not addressing the issues that separate us and pretending to get along) and making the opposition personal instead of focusing on the issues that separate us.

To truly seek peace we must address the important issues that stand between us, not for personal revenge or vindication, but for the other person. The battle has to be fought for the person we are opposing. God's word says, "Love always hopes." To love our enemies means to hope for peace and reconciliation. We hope for their best. We make every effort to seek their best.

The only way to live this kind of life is to look at Jesus. Like Jesus, the reconciler of God and man, we must lay down our lives for our enemies. We must remember that Jesus sought us while we were still his enemies. He came to us, told us the truth, confronted us with his truth, and laid down his life for our peace.

There is a day coming when all of the peacemaking will culminate in constant peace. There is a day coming when the promises made by Jesus in Matthew 5 will be fully realized. The meek will inherit the earth, the peacemakers will fully know the benefits of being sons of God. Until that day, there will be a tension. A tension that drives us to our knees in a humble realization of our need for the Savior.

Father, give us the grace for peace. Give us the grace and faith to obey you. When obedience requires confrontation, give us the grace to confront in love and to seek and hope for the best in our enemies. Forgive us when we fail. Thank you for sending Jesus, the Peacemaker, the Son of God, as our Savior. Fill us with your Spirit and teach us to love you and live like citizens of your kingdom. In Jesus Name, Amen.



I don’t want to be right anymore
I don’t want to be good
I don’t want to change your mind
to feel it like I do

I don’t wanna sell graves
peddle them door to door
a little something to ease your mind
and prepare you for what’s in store

[Chorus]
I don’t want to fight
brother I’m not joking about peace
we can have it here tonight
it all comes down to you and me

you never asked me to save anyone
not in whole or in part
like I was some kind of Holy Ghost
come to change their hearts

[Chorus]

you know the tree by the fruit
but just between me and you
I never do what I want
I do what I’m taught
and I’ve been learning a lot
about the violence I’m capable of

so I’m walking away from this
before I hurt someone
‘cause I’m facing enemies
on both sides of the gun

Joshua and Andrew

This is about two months old, but still quality entertainment!

I Am Weak

I am weak. I am tired and weak. I am learning more and more about my weakness everyday. I’m beginning to become thankful for my weakness. I have had several seasons in life where God seems to pull the string on the light bulbs of my faith. Lately the light has been shining on my weakness, his strength, and the promise of his kingdom.

Having two little guys crawling, running, screaming, and learning around the house is hard and joyful. I’m learning my best is nowhere near good enough. I want to love and serve Rebecca perfectly. I want to love and teach the boys perfectly. I don’t. I don’t even come close. Sometimes it’s because I’m tired. Mostly it’s because I’m selfish. Turns out the one I love the most is me. I’m learning my worth and identity cannot be found in being daddy or husband. Sometimes I’m a bad daddy. Sometimes I’m a bad husband. Jesus is always righteous. I’m thankful to have my life hidden in him.

I’m learning about peace. I used to look for fights under the guise of conviction. It made me tired and abrasive. I don’t want to fight anymore. I’m learning about the tension of “blessed are the peacemakers” and Jesus coming “not to bring peace, but a sword.” I’m learning the fight isn’t mine, but his. I’m learning he doesn’t need me, but allows me to work for him.

I’m learning about grace. It has never been clearer to me that I haven’t taken a breath that God didn’t give me. He doesn’t owe me anything. If he did, grace wouldn’t be grace. I’m learning Jesus didn’t come to earth to give people a chance to know him or to help out. He came to save his people, and having a living God who saves makes all the difference. Grace is beautiful because it makes absolutely no sense. Christians aren’t good investments. Christians aren’t good people. Christians are people who were once dead, but have been given life.

Lastly, I’m learning about the promise and peace of the coming kingdom. I’m learning that the darkest night will only make the light of eternity more glorious. All of earth’s suffering will only make the peace of God’s presence more beautiful. Knowing a day is coming when “every sad thing will become untrue” is giving me the hope and strength to love, repent, and forgive.

God's Story by David Arms

(click on the painting for a better view)


One of my pastors, Scotty Smith, asked David Arms to capture "the Story from which all other stories come." The original is hanging at Christ Community Church. I have never been moved so deeply by a piece of art.

Arms beautifully captured creation, the fall, redemption, and the new creation in his painting. God's story, spoken through his word jumps off the canvas (or print in my case).

Follow this link if you're interested in reading Scotty's explanation of the painting.