What is the point? Several years ago, I called a friend and caught him at the hospital undergoing a round of chemotherapy. I asked him how he was doing and he said, “Well, now I know why I got the cancer. My nurse doesn’t know Jesus and the Lord has me here to talk with her.” He was on point. This was the theme folks shared throughout Jesse’s funeral service recently – a lifelong commitment of sharing the love of Jesus with family, friends and strangers. His battle with liver cancer these last five years was simply another platform for him to share the love of Christ in a powerful way.

Ron is another friend that transitioned from this world to glory with our Lord recently. He was on point for Christ throughout his life, particularly in his role as a husband and as a father to two lovely girls. The love nurtured through his intentionality to date each daughter from childhood into adulthood was on full display. After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, it was natural for Ron to use his 3-year battle with ALS as a platform to encourage others in Christ. When asked how he was doing, Ron would say, “Blessed, Jesus loves you and so do I.” Visit this LINK for Ron’s story.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the Law My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. - Joshua 1:7. Joshua was on point as he led the Israelites into the promised land. Later, after many battles and successes, he continued to obey all the Law but the people were beginning to drift. Joshua said, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15. Joshua was staying on point with his Lord. In many ways men today can drift off point as men, husbands and fathers. What the devil stirred up to distract the Israelites in Joshua’s day pales in comparison with what has been stirred up to distract a generation today. When a dad commits to staying on point as a modern-day Joshua, a generation is blessed. The charge is to stay on point with Christ through the day to day example in marriage, family and beyond.

We are all terminal. None of us get out of this life alive. In his study, Quest for Authentic Manhood, Robert Lewis challenges men to write the epitaph for their tombstone. In the day to day busy-ness, it is powerful to think through what kind of impression you hope to leave behind. Staying on point with faith and trust in the Lord is the impression to leave behind. How well we do that is how well the faith, liberties and freedoms enjoyed in this one nation under God will be passed on to the next generation.

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and your grace in my life. I confess I have drifted off point by focusing on success in work and finances, often at the expense of relationships You brought into my life. Forgive me. Thank You for the example of my dear friends You have taken Home, men that lived on point in relationship with You and reflected Your love where You had them. Help me be a modern-day Joshua, staying on point with You in the home and public square for the next generation to see. Amen.

A faithful father stays on point to glorify the Father where he is.