Marching Forth!

In our family, we love board games.  Playing a game together is one of our first choices on a family night.  One of the games in our closet is called "10 Days in Asia," a favourite of Laura.  Players can walk or use a airplane or train to connect their international destinations.  Being a person who loves to organise things, Laura plays the game exceptionally well.  Cambodia is one of the countries in the game, and a country God-willing I will visit on a 10 day trip that begins tomorrow. Cambodia is historically a country that has endured much suffering at the hands of its leadership.  During the years spanning 1975 to 1979, nearly two million people were killed at the command of Pol Pot of the Khmer Rouge .  It was a tragedy of such immensity the wounds have only begun to heal.  The hurt is so profound that even time can hardly numb the pain:  only God has the power to redeem such misery.  Wherever the Gospel goes, love, hope, and joy...

Christmas Eve and 40 degrees Celsius in the shade!  Converted to Fahrenheit, that is a toasty 104 degrees.  As I sit in my sweltering non-air conditioned house baking birthday cakes to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance.  Maybe we will have a downpour or some hail before the day is over.  But I didn't drag myself up the stairs to post on this blog just for a weather report, as interesting or unimportant it may be. Yesterday we had the pleasure to accept a friend's invitation to a Christmas carol presentation at his church.  It was a grand affair with thousands in attendance, bright lights, skilled musicians, talented vocals, and booming volume.  As I was singing along with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," I noticed one of the opening three lines was curiously omitted.  It has come back to mind several times today, and therefore I feel compelled to expound upon the deleted line. The familiar carol begins, ...

I have met many people who are professing Christians but cannot see the need to regularly attend church.  There are a vast amount of good reasons to do so.  The primary reason is that God's Word commands us to.  Hebrews 10:23-25 reads, " Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching ."  Gathering together to pray, worship God through song and the preaching of God's Word are also modeled throughout scripture.  Because all born again Christians are part of the universal Body of Christ, we have all been given talents and gifts to glorify God and edify the church.  It is impossible to edify a local or international Body of Christ without personal involvement. God lament...

We live in a rotten world.  It is a world of unspeakable beauty yet unfathomable evil because of the deeds of the wicked.  It is the wicked who kill the innocent and their shed blood cries out for justice, justice only satisfied by an eternal, holy God.  Inevitably in times of grief we shift our gaze from the individual perpetrators and take aim at society as a whole.  What could have been done to prevent such tragedies like Columbine and Sandy Hook Elementary?  When it is so fresh, what can we do but weep?  It sometimes feels like the pain of the victims, their families, and even the perpetrators are lost in the ensuing debate.  Since sane people cannot fathom what exactly drives a person to such insanity, we can only stab in the dark for answers.  For every suggestion, it seems there are more who disagree than agree. It has been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  The trouble is, all the prevention in the world ca...

" Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you ?" Judges 6:14 The tasks God calls His people to undertake will always require faith.  These will always be greater tasks than a man can accomplish in his own strength.  The Israelites had been greatly impoverished by the Midianites who brutally oppressed them.  God called Gideon and said to him, " The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour ."  Gideon did not look or feel the part.  He certainly was unable to destroy the Midianites on his own or he would already would have tried to do it!  It was God that prompted him to even consider the crazy notion of massing a force to defeat the mighty Midianites.  It was God and His mighty sword that routed the Midianite nation. God said to Gideon, " Go in this might of yours !"  It was not that Gideon himself was mighty.  Because God was with hi...

I am blessed to be the dad of two budding men aged 13 and 10.  It dawned on me the other day how fast the time is going.  It was depressing to think that in 5 years Zed could leave for university or that my wife and I could have an empty nest in less than a decade.  Whoa.  A lot can change in that amount of time, but it saddened me just the same. Years ago at a men's retreat, the LORD gave me a vision of our Jeep Grand Cherokee.  It was wrecked beyond imagination, a twisted mess of metal.  I just knew my family was in there when the crash happened.  It literally made me cry, thinking about their deaths and what an empty loneliness it would leave inside me.  In that profoundly sad moment, I rejoiced that God did not take my family from me.  He wasn't showing me a picture of the future (we have sold the Jeep!).  But I heard His still small voice tell me that I needed to give them back to Him.  I needed to give them away.  That ...

I love the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris.  It is a challenge to all people to boldly undertake tasks bigger than yourself with faith in God for His glory.  While it is true that a chronic problem exists in society of holding low expectations for youth, people of all ages have a propensity to abandon tasks when faced with obstacles.  Christians can adopt an unfounded idea that because God is in us, the Christian life is similar to a cake-walk at a fair:  you have your ticket in your hand, walk around in a circle prompted by happy music, and in a couple minutes you'll have your pick of a sweet dessert.  Christianity is not the life you've always wanted - it is the life God has designed for you to embrace.  It is a life of doing hard things that God does through willing vessels completely committed to Him. In Australia we have a saying.  When someone chooses to do hard things, they are "doing the hard yards."  Everyone loves the ide...

From Wednesday to Saturday I attended the 2012 Envison Conference in Manly, an outreach of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.  The weather was idyllic as we gathered daily for Bible study, worship through song, and encouragement through the fellowship of like-minded believers. Before the first morning session of each day I enjoyed grabbing a coffee and sitting on a bench reading my Bible, watching the waves roll in.  Joggers, walkers engaged in conversation, and people strolling with their dogs passed in front of me on the boardwalk.  Beyond them the ocean disappeared into the distance, a glorious testimony of God's creative beauty.  Countless people enjoy visiting Manly from overseas annually, and others are privileged to call Manly home.  I wonder:  is the beauty lost on people who wake to such beauty every day?  Living in the western suburb of Beaumont Hills, I rarely enjoy mornings at the beach. Even though I appreciated the cool weather and gentle oce...

Yesterday I was listening to a sermon by Ray Bentley which explored why God allows difficulty in the lives of believers who are in the center of God's will.  The first reason pastor Ray gave was most appropriate:  to refine us and in so doing draw out impurities from our lives. He spoke about when he used to work as a jeweler.  Before a ring would be cast, Ray would take a lump of gold and heat it until it was molten.  This is the best way to remove the impurities of this precious metal which is mined from the earth.  There are often different metals mixed in with the gold, and the only way to purify it is to apply great heat.  Most of us know when a cake or biscuit is fully cooked, but how does a goldsmith know when the gold is pure?  It is when he looks into the gold and can see his own reflection. God allows tribulation and difficulties not because He hates us, but because of His great love for us.  He created the first man from the dust of...

As I was reading last night Romans 14:12 stood out with renewed impact:  " So then each of us shall give account of himself to God ."  We will not be held responsible for the conduct, decisions, or lifestyles of others.  God's standards and my obedience or disobedience will be the only topic of conversation.  I will not be able to justify myself by the actions of anyone else, or claim that others are to blame for stumbling me.  God is perfect and does not change.  Uncomfortably, I will be the prime and sole subject of this accounting.  This accounting for Christians will not be a recollection of sin because God has cleansed us and chosen to remember our sin no more.  It will be an accounting to see if we have been faithful stewards to use for God's glory the talents and gifts He has entrusted to us.  Those under the Law, having refused to enter into the New Covenant through Christ's blood, will be judged according to the Law.  Romans 3:...

The advance of the internet has made a big impact on medicine.  People are more apt to "self-diagnose" on the internet rather than making an appointment to see a professional physician.  When they finally do go to the doctor, they are already convinced they know exactly what condition they are suffering from, various treatment options, and even what kind of medicine would be best from the commercials they have seen on TV!  Faith in the experience, training, and skill of a doctor to diagnose and treat illness can erode to a point that the doctor can be viewed with contempt by internet sleuthing patients - someone who has the access to drugs and treatments people know they need and has the power to withhold them!  It must be a difficult situation to train for years in university to practice medicine only to have your word trumped by Wikipedia. Even before the internet, this is a similar way that people can treat God.  We can look at our lives, decide what is w...

Last night I saw the end of the popular film "The Avengers," featuring many Marvel superheros.  The first time we watched the movie as a family, we turned it off as the credits began.  Laura discovered there was a short scene at the end of the movie which obviously points to a sequel.  In the scene an alien is heard making statements about characteristics of human beings with fuzzy comic book logic:  " They are unruly and therefore cannot be ruled ."  Hmmm.  Sounds like someone needs logic lessons. One thing the extra scene confirmed to me is that humans are never satisfied.  One movie packed with special effects is not enough:  we need more, bigger, and better.  When Tolkien wrote the three books which comprise the Lord of the Rings trilogy, man was not satisfied with books alone.  Three "Lord of the Rings" movies were made, one movie per book.  Extended editions with hours of extras were also produced.  Now The Hobbit has...

Yesterday I was thinking how blessed we are to have God's Word written in a language we can easily understand.  I most commonly read the King James and New King James versions, and my life is enriched by familiarity with both.  While reading recently I came across the passage in Acts when Paul was discussing his Roman citizenship with a Roman captain.  The NKJV rendering of Acts 22:28 is, " The commander answered, "With a large sum I obtained this citizenship." And Paul said, "But I was born a citizen."    When I read it in the KJV however, my eyes and understanding were further opened:  " And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born ."  In the Strong's Concordance, the Greek word " politeia " is transliterated "citizenship" or "freedom" which means " citizenship; concretely a community, commonwealth, freedom ." When the Roman captain ...

Happy Thanksgiving from Sydney, Australia!  Instead of football on TV, we are in the second day of a cricket test between Australia and South Africa.  With my San Diego Chargers taking another season off from competitive, quality play, I will relish this two-ton effort from Clarke and a century from Hussey instead!  For those who are curious, yes, turkey is on the menu for tonight.  But I have to say, there are trappings, traditions, and people long associated with our Thanksgiving celebrations that we will miss. I've celebrated Thanksgiving in Australia and Israel, but it's never the same as celebrating it in the States with family and friends.  The good thing is that no matter where we might live in the world, God is still completely worthy of worship, honour, and praise.  He never changes and remains worthy of all honour.  Thanksgiving is traditionally my "favourite" holiday, but it's not because of the food, companionship of family, or the fun ac...

Climate change is a common topic these days.  Australia has made an effort to "go green," reducing carbon emissions and creating a "carbon price" (a tax, in other words!).  I am no expert when it comes to researching scientific studies conducted to prove our climate is indeed changing permanently or we are in the middle of a long term cycle.  I support conservation and efforts to keep the air, water, and land clean that God has provided us.  I am convinced, however, that God has marvelously created the earth to cool, clean, and maintain itself.  Man didn't make the earth, and his best efforts to preserve it will prove fruitless in the end.  Using less electricity in Australia is not going to keep the polar ice caps from melting. I have been reading through the book of The Revelation lately, the last book in the Bible.  When the just wrath of God is poured out upon the earth and its inhabitants it will make the most apocalyptic movie created seem sil...

Benjamin Franklin is often credited with the maxim, " God helps those who help themselves ."  Whether or not this thinking actually originated with Mr. Franklin, it has been perpetuated even to our day.  This quote is both true and false, depending on your perspective.  The statement infers that God only helps those who "help themselves."  If you believe that God created the world and remains in complete sovereign control over all, then it is clear that God helps people who can't help themselves.  When I was enslaved by my sins, the ability to help myself was beyond me.  It was only by the grace of God my eyes were opened, I came to my senses by the power of the Holy Spirit, and received the Gospel. by faith. This statement is true in the sense that the level of faith and obedience to God I choose to walk in either restricts or frees God to further teach, guide, and empower me for His service.  Because God's promises are often conditional upon my bel...

At the close of this mornings service, I felt led to read from Ephesians 4:20-24 :  " But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holines s."  The emphasis of the passage is that to put on the new man, we first must put off the old man.  Following Christ is more than imitating Him outwardly:  it is a transformation that must take place in the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the classic movie "The Christmas Story," Ralphie is a boy who desires more than anything to have a genuine Red Ryder BB Gun.  There is a memorable scene where his little brother, Randy , is heavily wrapped in winter clothes befor...

WARNING!  This post may contain spoilers concerning a jolly man with a beard clothed in red often associated with Christmas. As far back as I can remember, Santa Claus has always been a fictitious character along with the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny.  For the large majority of my childhood I was raised by Christian parents who valued honesty even when it came to traditions.  I remember even to this day a negative experience I had in kindergarten.  As Christmas drew near, I was discussing with a girl my age about whether Santa Claus was real or not.  The discussion escalated into an argument.  The little girl marched me right into the kitchen where both our mothers were conversing.  "Mommy, is Santa real?"  The eyes of the woman narrowed on me with a fierce look that unnerved me with its intensity.  Her words were even harder to understand.  "Of course, sweetie.  Santa is real."  I wonder if my jaw dropped in amazement a...

No one enjoys the sight of emaciated children, malnourished from lack of food.  While some of us have only seen pictures of such suffering, starvation and lack of clean water is a reality for millions in the world today .  It is heart-rending to see the vacant stares of the starving, too weak to swat the flies from their eyes and mouths.  Quality food and water are necessities for life, and for some they have become an elusive luxury.  God created our bodies to produce hunger pangs that alert us to our need to eat.  If our bodies do not receive the nutrients required, the body will feed on stores of fat and even muscle tissue to survive, leading to organ failure and death. Physical starvation is a tragedy only eclipsed by spiritual starvation and death.  What does it profit a man to have all the food and clean water in the world and lose his own soul?  The body is temporary and the soul is eternal.  Through a prophet God said in Amos 8:11-12:...

People love happy endings.  They want to see good triumph over evil, the right guy to get the girl, and the villains to receive the justice they deserve.  A movie that does not end "happily" in the eyes of the viewers is wholly tainted.  I feel I am a bit of an anomaly because I don't need a happy ending to enjoy a film.  I actually appreciate a director who will risk his movies being unpopular because he or she is willing to to throw aside the cliche to make a point.  Perhaps this ruins the fantasy escapism people seek when they choose entertainment.  They would rather a movie end their way, even if it is predictable. As I'm reading through Killing Fields Living Fields by Don Cormack, there are glorious testimonies among the darkness that shine with Christ-like brilliance.  When Cambodia was in the throes of her genocidal revolution primarily from 1975 to 1979, the amount of suffering of Christians and ordinary citizens is hardly thinkable.  I...

God willing, a small team and I will be making a mission trip to Cambodia before the end of this year.  Our goal is to meet some of the practical needs of the people and spread the Gospel.  We have coordinated our trip with small teams from the U.S. and Mexico.  One role of our team is to provide reading glasses for those who need them.  It is our fervent desire God will give the people spiritual sight as well.  The field is ready for a bountiful harvest.  I recently bought Killing Fields Living Fields by Don Cormack, an enlightening portrait of the history of the church in Cambodia.  Though glasses are common in much of the world, the history of Cambodia provides a chilling perspective:  if a person was seen wearing glasses or even owning a pair after the Khmer Rouge gained power in 1975, that person would be killed as an "enemy."  All those considered intellectuals or those who had years of schooling were ferreted out and killed, along wit...

I recently finished reading Frank Peretti's novel The Prophet .  In the story, a news anchor John Barrett was forced to come to grips with truth.  Is TRUTH important?  How far are we be willing to go to lay our hands on the truth?  Are we willing to boldly stand, holding up the truth for all to see - even if our convictions and principles cost us everything? Opinions are everywhere, but genuine belief is rare.  Like love, belief is a word highly diluted and spread thin.  Jesus made a stand for truth, being ". ..the Way, the Truth, and the Life " (John 14:6).  A proven way to know what you really believe is to ask yourself the question:  are you willing to die for your beliefs or convictions you know are true?  God's eternal, absolute truth is greater than the temporary life of a man.  The truth of the Bible is greater than all the people and nations of the earth.  If we are not prepared to die for Jesus, you do not truly believe i...

Life is unpredictable.  No one can predict when you will meet someone or have an experience which permanently changes your life.  I can testify God is a Master of using my failures to reveal the depravity in my own heart, spurning me to repentance and transformation by His grace. If I asked "Who had the biggest impact upon your life?" I would receive a plethora of answers.  One of the people who changed my life I have never seen since.  I never even learned her name.  I affectionately call her, "The Fish Lady."  Let me lay the groundwork by admitting that when I was a child, youth, and even into adulthood, I was very frugal (selfish even!) with money.  I didn't receive a weekly allowance but could earn money through mowing the lawn, washing the cars, or other household chores - and it wasn't much.  I remember mowing lawns for two years to save up $205 to buy a GT Performer freestyle bike.  My first real job was at McDonald's, "raking" in a ...

Reading the Bible this morning, my eyes came across this exhortation of Christ in Revelation 2:25 :  " But hold fast what you have till I come ."  No matter how difficult or hopeless our situation may appear on the surface, we are to hold fast to what we have.  We may not have much faith, but let us exercise it.  We may not have many talents, but may we use them feverishly for the glory of God.  There may not be much daylight left, but let's work hard until Christ returns.  Our hands may be blistered and sore, our legs almost without strength.  Keep going!  Don't give up!  Don't concede any ground to Satan in your heart or mind!  God has not forgotten us, and nothing is impossible for those who believe.  Be strong in the LORD and the power of His might, having done all to stand! A great example of this holding fast can be seen in the life of Shammah the son of Agee, one of David's mighty men.  When all of his fellow Israelite...

Life on earth is one of pursuit.  Everyone is chasing something:  status, a feeling, career, relationships, sexual conquest, entertainment, riches, security, and on the list goes.  Inigo Montoya in "The Princess Bride" thirsted for revenge, but when his desire was finally obtained he didn't know what to do.  It was anti-climactic and left him empty.  King Solomon explains his many royal pursuits in Ecclesiastes.  His conclusion after following the rabbit trail of alcohol, comedy, women, work, and music to the end?  Vanity of vanities, all is vanity! An example of this human tragedy is seen in the story of Amnon and Tamar.  Amnon was a prince in Israel and loved his half-sister Tamar.  He was so love-struck he became literally ill with desire.  One of his scheming friends concocted a plan so he could have his way with her.  It's an ugly story, but a reality that plays out in unregenerate hearts every day.  The trap was set by ...