Marching Forth!

" A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones ." Proverbs 14:30   At Calvary Chapel Sydney, we have been taking an in-depth look at the book of Proverbs in the Bible.  What richness is found for those who linger and receive of the wisdom they contain!  They never grow old, and their truth shines undimmed by passage of time.  They hold forth the unchanging, divine wisdom of God.  As we increase in understanding, our love and knowledge of Christ expands because the Father has made Christ to be wisdom for us. I found the above Proverb most delightful, for King Solomon through the power of the Holy Spirit made a connection between the heart and bones which was not understood by physicians until the 19th century!  In the Hebrew, the word translated "sound" is " a curative, remedy, a medicine ."  We all know the heart is important to the overall health of the body, and when it is working efficiently it circulates oxygen-enri...

" It is not "try" but trust, not "do" but done ." Corrie Ten Boom This is one gleaming nugget of wisdom plucked from the surface of an address Corrie Ten Boom made to a group of largely new believers.  In the message she emphasised the love of Jesus and the blessing of forgiveness.  When Corrie speaks of Jesus and the Gospel, it sounds very simple - and it is.  We have ways, however, to exponentially complicate matters when we try to do in the flesh what can only be performed through the Spirit. One of Corrie's common object lessons was a flashlight with only one battery stuffed with rags.  She said that when a person makes a decision to follow Christ and is born again, it is like one battery is placed within us.  But one battery will not allow that flashlight to operate.  We need the second battery, which she said is the gift of the Holy Spirit who operates within us in power.  The spot for the second battery was filled with crumpled rags w...

In a conversation yesterday, a mate of mine asked a question I found quite profound.  He said his physiotherapist constantly asks the question:  "Do you want to be pain free, or do you want to be well?"  The answer to this question will greatly impact treatment.  I believe this simple question holds profound spiritual implications. The point made by the physiotherapist is a critical one for him and each seeking treatment to understand.  This man has broken people coming to him who face various degrees of physical pain.  His expertise and skills to improve the condition of those who seek his service are directly impacted by their willingness and desires.  I suspect most people just want the pain to go away.  They do not care to have their lives terribly impacted by any course of treatment, despite long term benefits.  Most people are not keen to make permanent, major adjustments to their activity level, lifestyle, or habits.  They don't...

We live in a day when self sits on the throne.  During my life I have seen the self-esteem movement develop, and digital technology and social media has made way for "selfies."  A major aspect of social online activity has become self-promotion.  The thirst for significance grows unabated, despite the self-serving platforms.  There are countless ways humans search for significance:  their interests, careers, and political, social, or religious inclinations.  There is a desire in every person to be seen, appreciated, recognised, even liked.  We put so much stock in seeking people's positive comments and opinions it becomes like an addictive drug that makes us feel better about ourselves.  On the other hand, negative feedback and bullying has led to suicide attempts and even death. I read a post the other day which suggested if you were a "real" friend you would read to the bottom of the post, pass it on, write one word that describes that person...