Marching Forth!

For about 11 years of my working life I was part of a labour union which provided training, top wages and opportunity for advancement.  The emphasis when I joined was to work "8 for 8" (work all 8 hours for 8 hours of pay), buy American if possible, show up on time, have a good attitude and do quality work.  The training and efficient, quality work our union was known for enabled us to charge top-dollar for our services and actually saved customers money because of the superior product.  Over the years, however, the position of the union shifted in regards to how we could be successful in our industry:  making friends in politics through financial contributions. I found the shift from doing quality work to seeking political sway as our primary way of profitability, sustainability and survival most concerning.  Instead of the union existing to support the membership, it had become cannibalistic, increasing dues from members to neutralise threats to "our work" by ...

When the children of Israel returned from captivity in Babylon, they rebuilt the temple.  They did not possess the wealth of King Solomon who lavishly adorned the first structure built roughly 450 years before.  The new temple was modest by comparison and was hardly an impressive edifice even to those who laboured to construct it.  Rebuilding the temple in the city God placed His name was a most worthy effort, yet the new building failed to capture the former glory of that which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed. Haggai 2:1-3  reads, " In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 'Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing ?"  Ther...

Even in western society that places small value on images as object of worship, idolatry is a real danger in the lives of Christians.  During our pilgrimage on earth, similar to the children of Israel whether in the wilderness or in Canaan, we will face temptations to look to people or things rather than God.  Our idolatry is not as obvious as a shrine with candles and incense because it is fundamentally a matter of the heart. A pastor recently told me an interesting observation during marriage counselling over the years.  He noted the tendency of people to make demands of marriage to be something God never intended, to provide for their needs how only God can.  A single person who seeks fulfillment, satisfaction and belonging from life through a romantic relationship alone will ultimately be disappointed.  There is a persistent myth that we are incomplete without a spouse or sex.  It is ironic the very thing we seek and obtain can be the source of great co...

Hebrews 11:1 describes faith like this:  " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen ."  Everyone, to some degree, daily demonstrates a measure of faith.  After buying a new car we trust the sensor on the fuel tank is reasonably accurate.  We trust motivated workers to finish the task they were assigned without feeling the need to check on them.  When we place our faith in God as revealed in scripture we are also are convinced and sure of unseen realities.  The Bible gives us insight to the character and power of God to save, forgive, help and save.  Without ever seeing Jesus Christ many people trust and love Him, not because they are weak-minded or mentally unstable, but because of the historical account of His life, death and resurrection. One of my favourite passages that explores the victorious, sustaining faith in a child of God is seen in  Habakkuk 3:17-19 :  " Though the fig tree may not blossom, ...