Marching Forth!

A cliche is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as, " A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought ." I agree with this assessment, even when it comes to commonly used cliches in Christian circles.  Since truth can endure careful inspection, it is wise for us to carefully evaluate Christian cliches rather than smugly repeating them.  I do not judge anyone for using cliches, and as I continue to follow Jesus I have found cliches to be far less useful than the plain word of God.  When a statement is recognised as cliche, it is a wise practice to filter it through scripture.  Often there is a more biblically accurate description than commonly parroted ones. One cliche I considered this week is, " God is not looking for ability but availability ."  On the surface this seems true enough, but look deeper and substance is clearly lacking - it is a cliche, after all!  The use of alliteration makes it more convincing like a famous o...

Yesterday I read an amazing and enlightening article in The Sword and the Trowel  written by C.H. Spurgeon on Rizpah, Saul's concubine.  The brave deeds of this noble woman impressed King David and are an inspiration to this day.  Masterfully written and powerfully applicable, I highly recommend you to seek out an online copy to read the entire article.  I have read much Spurgeon over the years, and this is the "prince of preachers" at his very best.  This call to vigilance in our walk with Christ and unconquerable love for Him is widely applicable. He expounds upon a Bible passage found in  2 Samuel 21:10 :  " Now Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until the late rains poured on them from heaven. And she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night ."  For five months this vigilant woman grimly guarded the corpses ...

Of all the days commemorated in Australia, ANZAC Day must be included among the most sacred.  Across the nation, millions rise before the light of day to attend dawn services to remember the landing of Australian and New Zealand diggers on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April, 1915.  Many of these troops would die or be wounded in the following conflict.  The enduring phrase which sums up ANZAC Day is, "Lest We Forget."  It would be a grave tragedy for the bravery, courage, and loss of life to be forgotten.  As I stood yesterday with thousands of fellow countrymen at the Riverstone cenotaph, the ANZACs who served and gave their lives were remembered with honour and respect.  A minister fittingly quoted the words of Jesus in  John 15:13 , " Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends ."  He made the point that if the sacrifice of the diggers means anything to us, Jesus laying down His life on Calvary ought to be ...

This morning I read the unique passage when God spoke directly to Aaron the high priest rather than through Moses in Leviticus 10 .  God forbade the priest Aaron and his descendants from drinking wine or strong drink during their times of service to the LORD in the tabernacle.  This command was given right after Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu were struck dead for offering "strange" or profane fire before the LORD.  It is not known for certain, but the context suggests an overindulgence of drinking might have led to their lapse in judgment. There is undoubtedly a connection between alcohol, risky behaviour, serious injury, and even death.  That is why drink driving is a crime in Australia and drivers are often subjected to random breath tests.  When it comes to drinking, some laud health benefits whilst others see drinking as a grave vice.  The fact is, the drinking of alcohol is common among Christians and non-believers alike, and God have given people the...

Last night after dinner as a family we read Zechariah chapter 7 , when delegates inquired of the LORD concerning their traditional fast during the fifth and seventh months.  This prolonged period of mourning and fasting had not been commanded by God but was a self-imposed observance.   Zechariah 7:4-6 revealed God's answer to the prophet:  " Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me?  6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?"   God's answer provided amazing insight:  if we do not eat and drink unto the LORD, can we really say we fast for Him? The concepts of sacrifice, self-denial, and abstaining from activities in which people find pleasure are common components of religious observances across the world.  It is like...

I was looking through pictures I took in Cambodia a few years ago and an object lesson jumped out at me.  It is very common to see small pagodas and idols everywhere.  These demonic habitations look like ornate mailboxes on the street or shrines in shops and hotels.  Once you notice them, you will see them everywhere - like one in a shop on the left in the Russian Markets of Phnom Penh.  The picture on the right is a shrine sitting in the foyer of our hotel, a more "low maintenance" presentation with plastic flowers. It is common for shopkeepers to light incense, candles, and place a plate of food before the shrine.  From what I am told this is so they will have good fortune, luck, protection, and prosperity.  Going on appearances the people of Cambodia are generally religious, even boasting the temple of Angkor Wat on their national flag.  Buddhism is practised by about 95% of the population, and the trappings of it can be found everywhere - fr...

" Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, "Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth." So they walked to and fro throughout the earth ." Zechariah 6:7 This verse is part of a vision Zechariah was shown concerning the future, and the steeds represented the four spirits of heaven sent forth to judge.  I cite this passage not to expound upon it in the context of Zechariah, but to consider the importance of eagerness to do God's will.  God created horses from the beginning strong and powerful to run.  The spirits were personified as strong steeds that " went out, eager to go ," for the purpose of doing exactly what God would command them.  They wanted to walk to and fro throughout the whole earth, God told them to walk to and fro throughout the whole earth, and then they did! In serving God it is wonderful to discover things God has called us to do.  Though feelings are not ...