Marching Forth!

The example of giving generously has been demonstrated by God to all people.  There is nothing we are or possess which did not first pass through His hands graciously to us.  The question which can stump people is, "How much should I give?"  When I read Deuteronomy 16:17 this morning, it answers the question well:  " Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you ."  The question then becomes, "How much has God blessed me?"  We are to give cheerfully to God according to the blessing which He has given us.  We humans are funny creatures:  we want blessings with no end in sight, but we set limits on giving unto God. Jesus says in Matthew 7:12, " Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets ." This is commonly called the "Golden Rule."  Long before that in Deuteronomy, God had established what could be called the golden rul...

Yesterday I was afforded the very rare privilege to watch a San Diego Padres baseball game.  I set the DVR to record and watched bits and pieces during the day.  It had been years since I actually watched a Padres game.  When I lived in San Diego I would watch a majority of the games (or bits of them) on Channel 4.  Even though the Padres lost to the Red Sox, it was fun and nostalgic to see the many new faces of a team I have followed since 1984. Now I always smile to myself when people are sympathetic to sports teams who have historically been doomed to defeat.  Not once have I heard commentators mention the San Diego faithful.  Neither the San Diego Padres or Chargers won a world championship on the biggest stage.  The Chargers were smashed in the 1994 Super Bowl, and the Padres were whooped in the MLB World Series in 1984 and 1998.  Man, it's been a long time since we were even that good - or bad, however you want to look at it.  Maybe, ...

Jesus was invited by a Pharisee to his home for a meal.  During the meal, a woman - a well-known "sinner" in the town - came to see Jesus.  She was so moved she washed Christ's feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  She then kissed his feet and anointed them with precious oil from an alabaster box she broke for that purpose.  Not everyone was pleased by this display of affection and generosity.  Luke 7:39-40 reads, " Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it ." Did you see that?  The critical Pharisee spoke to himself, meaning this was an internal conversation he had in his mind.  What happened next proved that Jesus was more than a prophet:  He answer...

This long awaited day has finally arrived, a day that at times I wondered would ever come:  our family received word from immigration that we have been approved for permanent residency.  The notification reads, " You have been granted a permanent visa which allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely ."  It feels unreal even as I read those words now.  The walk of faith in Christ provides unimaginable twists, turns, and surprises.  It is like a roller coaster where one feels the anticipation of the slow ascent, big drops, corkscrews, the sickness in the pit of the stomach, and g-forces all combine to make it a ride that at the conclusion you laugh and say, "Let's do it again!"  Well, almost like that.  I am glad beyond words the forms, documentation, physicals, and expense is concluded with a positive result.  I am blessed that this chapter of our immigration process is complete.  God-willing citizenship is only a year and a half away! I...