Marching Forth!

When we are judgmental of others, we can know we are guilty of the exact attributes we find offensive.   Romans 2:1 says, " Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things ."  There is perhaps no better example of this in scripture than Eliab, David's oldest brother. After David's three oldest brothers went to fight for King Saul, his father Jesse loaded David with food and commanded him to deliver it to the front lines.  Jesse told David to run to the camp where his brothers were and to see how they fared.  David was obedient to do so.  He was shocked when his discussion with his brothers was interrupted by Goliath of Gath who spoke boastfully against God.  He was dismayed when all the men of Israel (his brothers included!) fled from Goliath and refused to challenge him in battle.  Men of Israel quickly filled David in on how King S...

" Who is a God like You, p ardoning iniquity  a nd passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever,  b ecause He delights in mercy. 19 He will again have compassion on us, a nd will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins  i nto the depths of the sea ." Micah 7:18-19 Have you ever considered how blessed we are the Almighty God is a forgiving One?  We have long memories when it concerns people who have wronged or wounded us.  It seems only death is able to part people from old grudges.  Long after the offender has gone to the grave, hatred and bitterness towards the person can remain.  God could rightly retain His anger forever, for He is eternal and righteous and we are crooked sinners.  But thanks be to God, for He fully pardons those who humble themselves before Him and repent.  To be pardoned is more than being forgiven, for the connection between the offender and ...

I enjoy movies which prompt meaningful thought.  I found "Silence" directed by Marin Scorsese to be such a film, a story of young Jesuit priests seeking their mentor and the persecution of Christians in Japan in the 17th century (spoilers follow).  The slow pace of the film allows time for contemplation as the events of the film unfold.  Although the Jesuit faith has major doctrinal beliefs which differ from my own, I was impressed by the conviction and commitments made by the Portuguese missionaries as they ventured into a land largely hostile to foreign religion.  The Japanese Inquisitor compared Christianity to " the persistent love of an ugly and barren woman ."  Christianity could not flourish in the swamp of Japan, it was said. In the film, a Japanese Inquisitor tortured Jesuit padres and found it only emboldened their followers.  It was discovered the way to influence padres to cease their proselytising was to make them watch the suffering of...

I am not a prophet, but I can identify with what Amos the prophet said concerning his call by God to ministry.  It was never in his plans, and being a pastor was not in my plans either.  As an "untrained" man, this was one way Amos knew it was not selfish ambition or reliance upon his education which caused him to answer God's call.  He wasn't just following in his father's footsteps, having inherited the family business.  He was an ordinary guy who was content with a simple life, and God chose to place him in role which never entered into his mind.  I can relate to this in many ways. God commanded Amos to say many things, and they were not easy on the ears.  He spoke of the punishment God would bring for the sins of the people.  Amaziah the priest didn't like what Amos was saying, and he didn't like where he was saying it.  He sent word to the king, accusing Amos of treason.  Amaziah told Amos to leave, hinting he had no right or authorit...