Marching Forth!

" A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment ." Proverbs 18:1 Because of sin, a man is naturally separated from the holy and righteous God who created him.  Adam rebelled from God and chose to go his own way, the way of disobedience and death.  Even as sin has passed to all men and death through sin, God has provided the opportunity for eternal life for all through Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:13-18 explains, " But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came...

There's a saying that goes, "Don't sweat the small stuff."  It is important that as we journey through this life we align our perspective with God's.  What the world sees as insignificant God views with utmost importance.  The opposite is also true:  the things the world cites as paramount are not crucial in God's eyes.  While the world is focused on outer appearances, God looks upon the heart.  Many people make riches, earthly security, and physical gratification their aim.  Instead Jesus says to " seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness " and He will meet all our needs. Discipline in seemingly small matters speak volumes concerning our true condition.  I am convinced that when it comes to matters of the heart, even seemingly small things have enormous implications.  If we do not show ourselves faithful in little things, why should God commit greater responsibility to us?  Jesus says in Luke 16:10-12 :  " He who is fa...

This past week I had the opportunity to spend some time fishing at Lake Jindabyne and Lake Lyell.  A friend and I drove about six hours southwest from Sydney to Jindabyne.  The weather was brisk and mostly very good.  One thing that struck me is how fast a clear day can change to overcast, or how a choppy surface can quickly become like glass.  I took this photo from the bank of Lake Jindabyne, and I assure you it does not do the breathtaking beauty of the scene justice.  After several days we packed up and drove six hours north to Lake Lyell, about two hours west of my home.  As we walked around the lake looking for a good spot we came across a couple full grown kangaroos.  I was almost right on top of one before it moved.  The beauty of this place was equally striking. Since it is still early spring, the water was quite cold.  I expect when the water warms up the fishing will too.  Not too many fisherman were out on the lak...

As I read the Bible before bed last night, I came across Joel 3:14 :  " Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision ."  How true it is, I mused to myself, that the valley is the place of decision.  The place of decision is not the mountain peak or the plain:  it is in the valley.  When we are at a low point every man must decide what he will do:  dig a grave and lie down in it, or decide to follow Jesus to a higher plane.  He stands at the right hand of the Father and bids us join Him.  Every man is in the valley of decision, and the day of the LORD is near. When everything is going smoothly in our lives we are happy to just keep plugging away.  But when disaster strikes, the fiery trial brings us low, or the depression begins to take hold, we are in that all-too-familiar valley of decision:  should we remain in the valley or climb out of it in God's strength?  There ...