Marching Forth!

How often are God's ways different than ours!  We are always looking and praying to avoid difficulties while God intends we endure them!  I don't see things the way God sees them from the onset.  The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego has taught me much.  These Hebrew men stood resolutely in the face of certain death believing God could deliver them out of King Nebuchadnezzar's hands.  When the music played they refused to bow before the image he set up, and he commanded the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual so their death would be certain. If I had been in their shoes, I suppose I would have prayed the wrong things from the start.  I would have prayed something like, "God, help us not to be caught when we refuse to bow down."  Well, they were caught.  Then, "LORD, please keep us out of that fiery furnace."  They were thrown into the furnace.  Only THEN would I have thought to pray as clothes caught fire, "God, ple...

I saw a viral video the other day which caught my attention.  I actually read about the video "Double Rainbow" before I saw it because people were curious about the man who shot the footage.  What was the story of the man behind the camera who was so excited about a double rainbow?  Was he on drugs?  A follow-up interview on youtube was very insightful into the mind and life of the man overcome by emotion at seeing the glory of God's creation. As Paul Vasquez responds in ecstasy to the beautiful rainbow, he asks a question a couple of times:  " What does it mean ?"  Humans are distinct from all creation in that we appreciate beauty.  Beauty is linked with significance.  Whether we see a gorgeous painting, a masterful sculpture in a gallery, catch the scent of a gently perfumed rose, or drink in a majestic sunset, we are naturally filled with appreciation and delight.  Works of art do not randomly occur, and the beauty of nature is no acci...

Job 9:2-3 reads, " Truly I know it is so, but how can a man be righteous before God?  [3] If one wished to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one time out of a thousand ."  When we read this verse tonight during our family Bible reading, my mind instantly thought of the game show "Jeopardy!".  I haven't watched the show in years, but during my teen years I enjoyed trying to answer the questions before the contestants.  Occasionally I would know the correct answer, and rarely I would give the right answer twice in a row!  I can't say that I have ever correctly answered a final Jeopardy! question, and I certainly never could have qualified to appear on the show. In 2004, Ken Jennings appeared on 75 consecutive shows, winning 74 times in a row.  He amassed over 2.5 million dollars during these games.  Even though he was absolutely dominant, even he did not answer every question correctly.  It's amazing to consider that even someone as smar...

I read a tremendous passage ( on pages 187-188) in a book called " Between Two Worlds " by John R. W. Stott too good not to share: "...We have to open our minds wide enough to risk hearing what we do not want to hear.  For we have been taught to come to the Bible for solace.  Does not Paul himself write of 'the encouragement of the Scriptures' (Rom. 15:4)?  So naturally we cherish the hope that through our Bible reading we shall be comforted; we have no wish to be disturbed.  Hence we tend to come to it with our minds made up, anxious to hear only the reassuring echoes of our own prejudice.  Moreover, it is not difficult to insulate ourselves against the challenges of God's Word, or to barricade ourselves against his unwelcome incursions.  The very two cultures we have been thinking about - of Bible authors and Bible readers - can act like two layers of thick cushioning to protect us against the impact, sometimes the shock, of the Word he wants to speak to...

I've been working out of town lately and with all the extra drive time I haven't been able to set aside much time to contribute to the blog.  When I normally would be working on the blog I'm either spending time with the family or trying to catch up on sleep!  Thankfully no one needs to rely on a person to receive from God.  He's willing to use anything to speak to our hearts:  animals, nature, signs, or even things sent in the mail. Case in point:  Zed hasn't played baseball for a year and is about to turn 11.  Because of this it was strange to receive a brochure in the mail seeking serious baseball players aged 13 to 18 for a national tryout to be discovered by college scouts!  It was a catch-phrase at the bottom of the page which caught my attention which read, " Build your way to greatness ."  I rarely can take things at face value even when reading a brochure!  It is almost a natural habit for me to look at things from a biblical, spir...

This Saturday past our church put on a "Children's Festival" at a neighborhood park for a couple of hours.  It was wonderful to see many people from our church fellowship ministering Christ's love to the community.  There were crafts, balloon animals, interactive games, face painting, Gospel bracelets, caricatures, and snacks.  Opportunities abounded for handing out Gospel tracts or simply having a talk. It was a beautiful reminder of how the Body of Christ is intended to work.  All of us have different gifts, talents, and passions, and the Holy Spirit brings them to life through unique personalities.  God has given us various abilities for a single purpose:  the glory of God.  By the grace of God we are who we are.  Not all are evangelists, teachers, administrators, or able to physically carry trash cans full of water balloons.  But every Christian is filled with the love of Jesus and an ability to share that love with others. As neat as...

There is hardly a sin more needless or tragic than bad preaching.  In an attempt to be relevant, some sacrifice truth.  Others, though they speak truth, do so without applying the text in a way that impacts the hearers.  The preacher's work is not to stimulate minds but engage hearts through the Holy Spirit's anointing and power.  Charles Spurgeon lamented of those who missed the mark in his day:  " For instance, the great problems of sublapsarianism and the supralapsarianism, the trenchant debates concerning eternal filiation, the earnest depute concerning the double procession, and the pre- and post-millenarian schemes, however important some may deem them, are practically of very little concern to that godly widow woman, with seven children to support by her needle, who wants far more to hear of the loving-kindness of the God of providence than of these mysteries profound.  I know a minister who is great upon the ten toes of the beast, the four faces of ...

My first post on this blog was July 8th, 2009.  It's amazing to think a year has passed since I started posting.  To be honest, it feels like much longer.  I suppose 200 posts in a year isn't too shabby!  It has been a cathartic exercise to share what God puts on my heart in this format, and I hope you have been blessed as I have. In looking back over the past year, much has changed.  In July 2009 I was the youth pastor at Calvary Chapel El Cajon and heading off to summer camp at Green Valley Lake.  What followed camp was the realization that our (my wife and I) ministry with the youth was fulfilled.  I resigned my position in September and left for a two month trip to Australia.  To make a full year very short, I came back to the States and we sold our house.  Laura and I went for a two week trip to Australia this year and we are awaiting word on a possible ministry opportunity on the east coast.  It's remarkable how much has happened...

Many people come to Christ as one decides to go to the doctor.  The only relationship most people have with their doctor is not a personal relationship at all.  When a man feels sick enough, he makes an appointment and goes to the doctor for an exam or prescription of medication.  Once out of the office and feeling better, most will never even think of their doctor again until the next time they are ill.  When people's lives are out of order, they decide to give Christ a try - they attend a service, see a pastor for counsel, or something along those lines.  If things improve, they will likely never think about God until the next time their lives unravel.  On the other hand, if things don't improve quickly they will be hardened towards God and Christianity, now convinced it is all rubbish. It is a simple thing to realize other people are messed up.  It is also easy to notice when things are not going smoothly in our personal lives.  But because o...

" It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat ." Theodore Roosevelt, words from a speech delivered on April 23rd, 1910 From the moment these words were spoken, they have been unsurpassed on this point:  it would be better to try and fail than do nothing.  A prime obstacle which s...

It's neat when object lessons appear outside your window.  I was working last week in Building 6 of Balboa Hospital and looked out the second floor window.  Dry brown grass and coastal sage scrub stretched over the hills.  But right in front of the window a large waterfall had been constructed, a huge contrast to the deadness all around.  Because of the life-sustaining water, about a dozen little birds were chirping and swooping from the chain link fence onto the river rocks.  They gathered together and splashed around in the water until they looked fuzzy and damp.  Then they flew back to the fence to sun themselves.  The scene brought a smile to my face.  Even birds love a refreshing bath. In a way that noisy little oasis reminded me of what Christ is for believers.  In a lifeless world consumed by sin, Christ provides a way to be cleansed, refreshed, and sustained.  There were a handful of birds utilizing the fresh flow of water, and...

Today I worked at San Diego State University and insulated a chilled water pump and piping.  The Peterson Gym is in the process of being upgraded.  On my way to wash my hands I walked through an impressive new lecture hall.  The sound-absorbing panels were being installed in a modern, bright, immaculate room.  The flooring was a mix of light hardwood and carpet, with maple wood and laminate accenting the decor.  The room sloped down like a small amphitheater with descending stairs.  There was a large area down front where the professor would stand and lecture with enormous boards set up to accommodate Power Point.  Rows and rows of long desks stretched across the room, and evenly-spaced black chairs sat vacant.  It smelled like money.  Even in a recession, business is booming. It is like no classroom I have ever seen.  It looked more like a place the leaders of the United Nations would meet, without the microphones, pitchers of water, ...