Marching Forth!

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...