Marching Forth!

It occurred to me how seldom I have seen people actually desperate to be saved.  In the Bible there are grave warnings given concerning those who have done wrong.  Ezekiel 18:20 bluntly states, " The soul that sinneth, it shall die ."  The death spoken of here is not merely a physical death, but a spiritual death spent in eternal torment separate from God.  I have great concern that this warning is either not being given, people don't really believe it is true or could care less.  Most people are more worried about being stuck in traffic, their car breaking down or losing their mobile phone than going to hell.  Something is very wrong with that picture. Are people any less desperate now than they used to be?  I don't think so.  We are so desensitised to death from TV and movies that when we see it for real we don't know how to respond.  There are also more distractions in our lives than ever to keep us from thinking about the things of ete...

The Bible is an utterly awesome book in every respect.  I feel humbled and privileged every time I open God's Word and explore the limitless storehouses of wisdom contained therein.  It is not just history, poetry, dialogue, and hard-hitting action:  it is the primary means of God speaking to us as we are led by the Holy Spirit.  Every word of it is pure, powerful, and relevant to the struggles and questions we have today.  For a high daily percentage of the last 30 years of my life, I have read the Bible.  The lustre of its truth has not dimmed, nor the depth of the riches of wisdom.  Through it God is revealed to man, and man is shown his great need for a Saviour and King. When I was young, I used to report weekly at church to my friend Evan all the juicy tidbits I found.  I loved reading the book of Judges most of all.  Some of the historical accounts are quite graphic in detail.  One of my favorites was when Ehud gutted King Eglon ...

" A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment ." Proverbs 18:1 Because of sin, a man is naturally separated from the holy and righteous God who created him.  Adam rebelled from God and chose to go his own way, the way of disobedience and death.  Even as sin has passed to all men and death through sin, God has provided the opportunity for eternal life for all through Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:13-18 explains, " But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came...

There's a saying that goes, "Don't sweat the small stuff."  It is important that as we journey through this life we align our perspective with God's.  What the world sees as insignificant God views with utmost importance.  The opposite is also true:  the things the world cites as paramount are not crucial in God's eyes.  While the world is focused on outer appearances, God looks upon the heart.  Many people make riches, earthly security, and physical gratification their aim.  Instead Jesus says to " seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness " and He will meet all our needs. Discipline in seemingly small matters speak volumes concerning our true condition.  I am convinced that when it comes to matters of the heart, even seemingly small things have enormous implications.  If we do not show ourselves faithful in little things, why should God commit greater responsibility to us?  Jesus says in Luke 16:10-12 :  " He who is fa...

This past week I had the opportunity to spend some time fishing at Lake Jindabyne and Lake Lyell.  A friend and I drove about six hours southwest from Sydney to Jindabyne.  The weather was brisk and mostly very good.  One thing that struck me is how fast a clear day can change to overcast, or how a choppy surface can quickly become like glass.  I took this photo from the bank of Lake Jindabyne, and I assure you it does not do the breathtaking beauty of the scene justice.  After several days we packed up and drove six hours north to Lake Lyell, about two hours west of my home.  As we walked around the lake looking for a good spot we came across a couple full grown kangaroos.  I was almost right on top of one before it moved.  The beauty of this place was equally striking. Since it is still early spring, the water was quite cold.  I expect when the water warms up the fishing will too.  Not too many fisherman were out on the lak...

As I read the Bible before bed last night, I came across Joel 3:14 :  " Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision ."  How true it is, I mused to myself, that the valley is the place of decision.  The place of decision is not the mountain peak or the plain:  it is in the valley.  When we are at a low point every man must decide what he will do:  dig a grave and lie down in it, or decide to follow Jesus to a higher plane.  He stands at the right hand of the Father and bids us join Him.  Every man is in the valley of decision, and the day of the LORD is near. When everything is going smoothly in our lives we are happy to just keep plugging away.  But when disaster strikes, the fiery trial brings us low, or the depression begins to take hold, we are in that all-too-familiar valley of decision:  should we remain in the valley or climb out of it in God's strength?  There ...

Next week I plan to head down with a friend to Jindabyne.  It will be our first time ever visiting the snowy mountains.  While I am not too interested in the "snowy" bit, I am looking forward to fishing and having a little break from the normal routine.  It's amazing how much preparation goes into planning even a short trip to be a success:  accommodation must be booked, fishing gear prepared, planning for the weather conditions with clothing and boots, buying food, sorting out activities, and on.  It's like a full-time job trying to prepare yourself to not be on the job!  Perhaps a little bit of my American self is showing through:  planning a getaway is so much work it is a relaxing thought to stay at home, go back to work Monday, and forget the whole thing! All this preparation has me thinking:  with all the prior planning necessary for a short holiday or vacation, how can it be that people think no preparation is necessary for eternity?...