Marching Forth!

I have heard it said, "Beggars can't be choosers" but I assure you they can .  I have met some selective and demanding beggars over the years.  I have met many people who would regularly come into the church I attended in San Diego to receive food kept for that purpose.  They preferred to pick and choose what they wanted rather than receive what they were given.  So what we did is have bags prepared beforehand ready to give to those who requested food.  Sometimes we would find some of the food thrown on the ground or deposited in the rubbish bin outside.  Most of the time these people who were not actually hungry at the time, but they were doing their rounds like people go to the shops to buy groceries. I remember one time I was enjoying some carne asada burritos in Point Loma with friends and we struck up a conversation with a homeless man.  He said he was hungry and we offered to buy him a burrito.  He assured us one burrito alone would not sati...

I read an article that detailed a recent 60% increase of theft on construction sites as reported by  A Current Affair.  Jessica Nagel wrote, " Supply shortages and price hikes combined with items sitting on site for longer periods of time has created the perfect storm for an increase in theft ."  Whilst this on the surface may seem true, this statement is akin to shaming victims of sexual assault for their choice of clothing. I happen to live in a suburb that has many incomplete new home builds all around.  As I take early morning walks I see building materials piled high on job sites awaiting the break of day:  bricks, sand, steel, timber, tiles and windows are staged behind locked fences with the oversight of security cameras.  And guess what?  People walk by the stuff day after day of " supply shortages and price hikes " and there it sits secure until it is installed or a greedy, selfish thief steals it. God commanded people in His law, " Thou shal...

At times I admit I am baffled by the idealistic ways people describe themselves or others.  I read an article recently where an aspiring model was called "independent and strong," and have seen t-shirts emblazoned boasting "Girl Power" and car decals that espouse the "power" of a race or ethnicity.  Apparently some find inspiration in terms like "Mommy Warrior" and from a biblical worldview these titles and aspirations are puzzling, for what is the power of a man or fierceness of a woman compared to God? It seems to me the aspirations of the world is to be and do what only God can, and this at the core is a satanic notion:  " I will be like the Most High ." ( Isaiah 14:14 )  People may raise their children to be fiercely independent, but the scripture puts forth a completely different view of what is good and right.  God's will is we would be increasingly dependent on Him by faith.  Strength is not achieved by standing up for one...

One interaction in the Bible I love is what Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth who had just proposed marriage to Boaz.  Ruth 3:17-18 reads, " Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day ."  Ruth was the antithesis of a sedentary person, one who would work all day in the field to gather food her mother-in-law and herself.  She was industrious and had an impressive work ethic.  Sitting still required her to stop pacing, exerting nervous energy or bustling around the house.  There was no need for her to prepare to leave because the matter had not been settled yet, nor would her toil advance her desire to be married.  In that moment she was wise to heed the words of Naomi, having committed the matter and her future into the hands of the LORD and her future husband. Naomi knew the quality of character possessed by Boaz and she knew he would not for...