Marching Forth!

As I continue along the road of recovery from ACL reconstruction, the path stretches beyond me as far as I can see.  In addition to walking, weights, and cycling occasionally, I have begun to add jogging to the mix.  Running on the grass is good for strengthening stabilising muscles and taxes areas of my legs not addressed on the bike.  The knee is a bit sore when I first start running, and afterwards I definitely notice it when walking down stairs. Jogging around the park yesterday was not for the fun of it, I assure you.  My whole body hated the experience.  I had set a goal for myself to run at a good pace around the park three times.  About halfway through each lap, I so wanted to stop and walk.  But you know what kept me going?  The promise of a break when it was all over.  Looking forward to the rest helped me to push through pain with determination.  The pain I was experiencing would soon be over, and I would carry the benefits ...

When the disciples of Jesus asked Him honest questions, He provided wise answers.  Jesus often appealed to simple visual illustrations to provide deep spiritual truth.  We read of such an interaction when the disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 18, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Jesus answered their question in a profound way.  Matthew 18:2-4 reads, " Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ." To answer their question, Jesus simply called a little child to himself.  We do not know who this child was or what he was doing.  It could have been a son or daughter of Christ's disciples, or it could have been a street urchin working his way through the crowd.  Who ...

Friday nights at Calvary Chapel Sydney we have been slowly working our way through the book of Proverbs.  Eternity will not provide enough time to plumb the depths of God's wisdom, but it has been fun diving in.  One passage which was especially useful for me this week was Proverbs 24:30-34 :  " I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; 31 and there it was, all overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down. 32 When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: 33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; 34 so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your need like an armed man ." Solomon looked upon the fruit of laziness with a keen eye.  He did not do as many of us would do, sneering or shaking our head at the state of the lazy man's neglected property.  The state of the vineyard spoke vo...

There are few tings more devastating to a Christian's witness than condemnation from the judgmental hypocrite.  I sadly confess as I young child I once told a neighbour he was going to hell for some petty issue.  When the accusing words flew out of my mouth, it was a fleshly response to conflict without a hint of compassion or love.  My mother was wise to quickly discipline me for such folly in my youth, for I learned early the error of such hurtful and divisive censure.   "But people are going to hell," some might protest.  "Isn't it the loving thing to do to tell them where they will spend eternity if they remain in sin?"  Ah, but there is a loving way to communicate biblical truth.  Jesus met many people heading to eternal destruction in hell, but He never raised His voice to utter the phrase, "You're going to hell!"  If Jesus, who intimately and perfectly knew the hearts of men never spoke to sinners in that fashion, we are foolish to th...