Marching Forth!

In the book Where the Red Fern Grows , Billy caught his first raccoon by using a method his grandpa taught him.  He drilled holes in logs, drove nails pointing inward, and placed shiny objects in the holes.  A curious raccoon would be able to slide his paw in and grab the objects, but the shape of his fist prevented him from removing it.  I have read monkeys can be caught in a similar way.  Once the raccoon grabs on to the object he wants, he won't let go - even if it kills him.  If animals could think things through like a person, maybe they would let go.  But taking into considering the decisions people make, however, maybe they wouldn't. We fancy ourselves intelligent, but we can be foolish as senseless beasts.  We bring all sorts of mischief upon ourselves because we forget to heed God's wisdom.  We can resemble the pitiful raccoon whose greed is the source of those sharp nails digging into his paw.  After informing Timothy godliness w...

Hannah was a devout woman who was mercilessly provoked by Peninnah, a rival wife.  Hannah was distressed about her barrenness, and Peninnah seemed to take great pleasure in reminding Hannah of her inability to conceive.  After Hannah earnestly sought the LORD in prayer, God caused her to conceive and give birth to a son.  Hannah had promised to "lend" her son to the LORD's service all his days, and she made good on her word. I find wonderful the joyful prayer of Hannah after giving birth to Samuel, knowing she had consecrated him to the LORD.  God answered her request and removed her reproach, and she rejoiced to give her weaned son to serve in the tabernacle.  It is common for people to make promises to God and when He has made good they waver to do their part.  Not so with Hannah:  she found peace and rest in the God who answered her prayer, and as hard as it must have been to leave her little son behind at the tabernacle in care of the priests sh...

I find the book of Ruth deeply touching.  Many parallels can be drawn between the lovingkindness demonstrated by Ruth and Boaz with God's love for us.  Ruth was obedient to Naomi, and Jesus was obedient to the Father.  Boaz delighted to redeem Ruth, and Jesus joyfully paid the cost of our redemption with His own blood.  The book of Ruth contains foreshadowing of what Jesus delighted to accomplish as our Redeemer.  What Jesus has done is infinitely greater than what Ruth or Boaz did, and it remains a compelling and insightful read. After Ruth conveyed her desire to be redeemed by Boaz, he set about the task at the break of day.  Noami knew Boaz was trustworthy and focused on the task, for she told Ruth not to worry in Ruth 3:18 :  " 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 ."  Boaz went to the gate first thing in the morning, the place where legal p...

" We've forgiven you, so forgive yourself ." lyric excerpt from "Up Against the Ropes" by August Burns Red The concept of "forgiving self" is a statement commonly accepted without critical thought.  But does the Bible in any way support the idea of a person's need to forgive self?  There is plenty written about how God forgives sins and that we are called to forgive others, but forgiving self?  This self-focus stinks of humanism and suggests God's forgiveness is insufficient. I don't believe people are malicious with their encouragement to "forgive self," but I see no biblical evidence this exhortation comes from God.  Instead of self-help, God tells us to deny self.  Naturally self is our primary focus and our feelings and desires are central to our existence.   1 John 1:9 says concerning believers, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...

Bitterness and disappointment ruin our perspective.  A friend told me an amusing anecdote he was taught in sales which displays the power of perspective.  A shoe salesman was sent to sell shoes to people in a remote area and he returned despondent:  " Nobody  wears shoes!"  His efforts were wasted because it was a dead market.  Another shoe salesman went and returned bubbly, his eyes wide with excitement:  "Nobody wears shoes!  Think of the potential!"  The little story shows we can be negative over things which can be a great boon when viewed from a different perspective. Naomi in the book of Ruth was embittered by her losses.  Naomi, her husband, and two sons left Bethlehem due to a famine and moved to Moab.  Over the course of time her sons were both married, but eventually her husband and sons all died.  When the famine was over in Bethlehem, Naomi decided to return.  She sent her daughters-in-law away to their fa...

In world news lately there has been a ramping up of "rhetoric" and "provocation" between North Korea and the United Nations, spearheaded by the United States.  The script looks something like this:  North Korea fires a missile over Japan because of war games in the region.  President Trump threatens the offenders with "fire and fury."  Chairman Kim Jong Un makes inflammatory statements, claiming increased sanctions will only increase the push for nuclear weapons.  The United Nations slaps additional economic sanctions on North Korea.  North Korea then fires another missile over Japan.  And the cycle starts over - with no end in sight. Despite the widespread international condemnation of these acts, these dangerous provocations continue.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have noticed another kind of provocation which goes largely unnoticed:  provocative deeds and proud words spoken against God.  To reject God's Word - adding or takin...

One thing I appreciate about the scriptures is how they are true to real life.  There are intense victories won in battle, the unspeakable pain of losing loved ones, frustration over being slandered, and awe over the beauty of nature.  The breadth and depth of the human experience is expressed with insight and understanding of what matters to us.  Because of this agreement with our souls the people of scripture resonate with those who seek after God to this day. A glorious revelation in the Bible about the nature of God is it is always time to seek Him.  Whether we win or lose, if we are healthy or feel sick, when we are filled with joy or deep depression, God is glorious and praiseworthy.  The book of Psalms is filled with people who knew and trusted God who found themselves in impossible situations.  Desperate times were often the background of David's songwriting.  It seems when he was in great danger the sweet psalmist of Israel was at his most ...