| God Spot This Christian Resource Blog has been created by a group of friends from around the world. Our purpose is to provide links to useful resources, some commentary on topical or doctrinal issues, a place where anyone can come with questions and a means whereby we can share our faith. And above all, to grow and encourage each other. As Christians, we believe we bear God's image in this world, and seek to glorify God's name in this endeavour. Any Christian who wants to join with us is very welcome! |
||
| . | ||
|
Information Scripture Resources Interesting Links Archives |
Sunday, March 28, 2004 Israel and other thingsWell I think that it is terribly sad. I doubt that anyone there has some minor level of forgiveness and desire to live in peace. I'll see what I can find for you Geoff. I expect the situation to get worse, before it gets better.Friend Jill is doing KYB and her group is on the booklet for the 2 Peter letters. She says that is the recommended study at present but a group can do which studies they want. Everyone at BSF has noticed that the leader is 'getting into the people' time and time again, too much. I wouldn't run KYB like that, in fact I'm not going to run KYB as I think that leading on the night should be shared around. Geoff a certain TL has blood pressure problems. I'm praying for him. The strain of doing too much is showing. He turned 40 last year and I don't think has got to 41 yet. You should pray for your football team. Carol is it ok to pray for football success? He should pray for other reasons: two codes of football in Australia have been rocked by scandals of sexual behaviour by yobos of players. Yet some are good people. Nathan Buckly wrote the other day in the paper that he learnt discipline and many skills through football. The Bucklys are wild Port Adelaide people! I'm not sure whose side I'm on in the middle east. We get told Hamas is a terrorist organisation, when really it is a welfare society with anow offshoot of tough people who won't be pushed around by the Jews. What are Moslems like with wealth living in a country like Australia or NZ? enough from Gary # posted by Anonymous @ 6:45 am 0 commentsMonday, March 22, 2004 Israel in FearNormally, CNN news in the mornings is terribly boring; re-runs after re-runs of old or inconsequential news. This morning, I awoke to the rather significant news of the Israeli assassination of the Hamas leader, Sheik Yassin, killed leaving a mosque at dawn in his wheelchair in Gaza.All the interviews since have warned of impending terror on Israelis (eg. one moderate Palestinian peace-negotiator says 'violence breeds violence; bullets breed bullets' - too true). I'm just wondering how the average Israeli feels right now, knowing it's coming, and waiting not knowing where, who will be affected, not enjoying the peace and certainty we have come to expect in our daily lives. While I'm in general a supporter of Israel and it's causes, I don't like such state-sanctioned assassinations (state-terror?!), neither by Israelis, Yanks nor by Australia as we go about our current government's role as lickspittle to the US. The only comfort in all this is the confidence that it's all working out as sovereign God wants it to. BTW, can anyone point me to where in the bible there's the prophecy that both kingdoms of Israel (Israel , the northern kingdom, and Judah the two tribes that split off in the south) will one day be re-united? I think it may be in Isaiah. Gary, David??? # posted by geoff @ 5:27 pm 0 commentsVotes for HeavenFirstly, Carol - thanks for your rousing encouragement to keep some interest going here. I found something while reading yesterday's Age on the plane (no, I didn't read my BSF notes!). It was an article about today's Malaysian election. One of the parties (the Parti Islam SeMalaysia or PAS of Nik Aziz Nik Mat) has been warned by the Malaysian Electoral Commission that anyone promising eternity in today's elections faces fines and possible disqualification.Water off a duck's back for Nik Aziz, it seems, who still has heaven on his election menu - despite the warnings of electoral authorities. "Only PAS stands for Islam. If you vote for Islam, the probability is great that you will go to heaven. It's the road to heaven, God willing" says Nik Aziz. Clever way to buy a few (or perhaps a lot of) votes. But can't see it working in Oz - "a vote for Johnny Howard will likely get you your ticket to heaven" somehow doesn't compute! However, J. Howard just might use Aziz's next line on Latham's opposition "On the contrary, what the other side is doing will lead the public to the fires of hell". Who says politics and religion can't work together?? # posted by geoff @ 2:44 am 0 commentsSaturday, March 20, 2004 Geoff says:He is off to Vienna for a while... could we all keep the blog going until he returns!!!OK any new spiritual thoughts in the past day or two? Something small but significant? Its late Sat night here... daylight saving ends in the middle of the night .. wonder who's going to be late for church tomorrow? TTYL # posted by Caroline @ 11:43 pm 0 commentsMonday, March 15, 2004 Answers...Gary, I don't have any books by Spong, and I don't have time to read all that I have to (the quantity of required weekly BSF reading has something to do with this!), so I'm not inclined to read Spong just now. As you know, I'm not a big rap for Spong, and I regard much of what I've heard of his ideas as herecies. But I guess I should actually read what he himself says, before being too firm in my judgement. I just haven't time!As for us getting a Baptist slant in the current BSF study, I tend to agree (from the little I understand of Melbourne Bap's). In fact, I'm wondering how many of the writers of what we're studying (Kings, Chronicles and all those minor proph's) were actually closet baptists themselves? Carol, it was good to meet your Dad and his wife on Saturday. Your Dad is very proud (in the "delighted" sense) of you and your family (as indeed he should be!). It is good to have personal, face-to-face contacts - adds to just knowing each other electronically! # posted by geoff @ 9:41 am 0 commentsThursday, March 11, 2004 from GaryCarol,I've had enough of BSF for both reasons. It has a method and no deviation is possible, (isn't variety in most curch things unusual?) And the Leaders' meeting is too long. The present teaching leader is having a lovely time getting into the fellows, for the prophets got into Israel and Judah, and there are plenty of 'you should' 'we should' you must' 'have you' -- the introductions of legalisms and ways to work on guilt feelings. There is no peace or joy, patience, or understanding proposed in this study. There is no thanks either, though each week I thank my group for coming. The scripture referred to, and really the parable of the sower teach us that some people will not accept the faith, some people I work with or live near or are in the clubs I'm in. I don't see it as my fault; its theirs! I do see a Baptist style in the notes, questions, and the talks from the present TL. Geoff and David do you? Geoff or David do you have any of Spongs books. I'd like to read for myself? Gary # posted by Anonymous @ 8:30 pm 0 commentsWednesday, March 10, 2004 Good Question...Carol; very good question! That puts our Gary on the spot!!!No, Gary I don't think the guilty party is us if someone we know (even for most of our lives) doesn't come to belief in Christ. Romans 1 tells us that "none are without excuse" which means that the guilty party is the individual who rejects God: For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. There was a a chaplain to a school here in Victoria, killed tragically in a car accident, whose death notice by the local community read "he always preached the gospel, using words when necessary". I agree with you, that creation and the corporate church in general is a powerful witness to God, as are the lives of individual Christians (and even this blog!). Interestingly, in that quote from Romans ch.1 above, one of the important things mentioned about God, one of His attributes which is significant in knowing Him, is his divine nature. Which, I believe, includes the divine nature of Christ. I will post here shortly my summary of Paul Barker's first talk on the Trinity. I remember well Charles Price's teaching from Romans ch.1 - went something like "men start on the downward slippery spiral that Paul is taking us through in the latter part of this chapter by first getting God wrong (fail to understand and appreciate who God is), which results in us getting our humanity wrong (fail to understand who God has created us to be - created in God's image). This leads on, and is manifested in getting our sexuality wrong (read it - "For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error"). So, get God wrong and we'll get our humanity wrong, which in turn leads to getting our sexuality wrong. And Charles Price isn't a Baptist! Ciao. (Stan, where are you???!) # posted by geoff @ 5:10 pm 0 commentsTuesday, March 09, 2004 BSF GaryGary, I am slightly confused......... are you saying that you are sick of BSF, because of it's Baptists point of view, and you want to leave? (or thereabouts).# posted by Caroline @ 10:12 pm 0 commentsquestions and answersGeoff, KYB did start in 1972 as a womens' bible study, started by jean haddon who 'walked' from BSF. I wonder why, but its for all. yes I think its seems good and that depends on what depth we take it. I'll mail you my plan soon.Geoff and Carol and all, if the man next to me dies a non-believer is it my fault. I've been a Christian witness, invited him to special things at church, and he knows that I'm involved in bible study, church, Town club, and neighbourhood watch. Also there is the witness of the greater church around and the beautiful creation. I'm in need a break of Grant Hutchinson's baptist style of leading -- getting at people, legalisms and working on guilt feelings. How about some joy, peace, love, paitience! Geoff, no I don't think Grant is monitoring the blog. He must be incredibly busy. Next time you are in a Christian bookshop buy a copy of "How to read the bible for all its worth", and read it on the 'plane. Janice do you agree with me. How long have you done BSF. KYB planning over a bottle of wine Geoff? best wishes Gary # posted by Anonymous @ 9:15 pm 0 commentsSnippets...Carol, me... back to normal? Some would see this as impossible. And anyway, I'm off to Vienna again on Saturday 20th for 10 days. It sounds fun, but it has all been very disruptive. And disruptive of my BSF class, too.BTW, Gary - do you think Grant monitors us on this blog? (he seems to have inside knowledge from somewhere). Anyway, just in case, I'm going to be extra nice re Grant (ie. even nicer than usual). Aren't Grant's lectures fantastic! :-)) Oh, and Grant, if you are there, send us an email via the little link somewhere near the top of this. Carol, we hope to meet your dad and his wife - probably at our Wed night bible study (Deut 31). Janice, what has grabbed you from the past few BSF studies??? Gary, I found the KYB link - it sounds good (and it's a bible study "by women for women" - what is going on here??) And I notice they're available in a number of languages - I suggest we study in Welsh! # posted by geoff @ 4:18 pm 0 commentsLessons in MicahInterestingly, we’ve just looked at Micah in our BSF study. Janice, interested in your experience!There were a few lessons, some intended and some not, I suspect. We learnt that Micah was a poor prophet of lowly birth, not the type to hang around in the kings’ courts like Isaiah (his contemporary). He had a message of God’s judgement about to be exacted on these unruly “people of God” and there is no clear call for repentance (unusual). And he wasn’t going to get rich from his trade of prophesying, because the people preferred the “prosperity prophets” who, apart from God calling them false, promised the people good times (Mi2:11): “If a liar and deceiver comes and says, 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the prophet for this people!” Lesson: sometimes we may be called to deliver a message, in the face of God’s clear and awful judgement, which will not be well-received or make us popular. And here’s where I think an unintended lesson came in. There was an application along lines of “are you a friend to your office colleague, if at end of life he discovers God’s judgement on him and realises you were a Christian with the message of hope which he never got?” Sort of, us taking the rap for not being good witnesses – instead of (as Romans ch’s 1 & 2 make clear) recognising that the person to blame is the individual themselves; God’s voice speaks loudly through creation and all around us, and yes as Christians who are called to show something of God’s character in this world, we have a role. One we should take seriously. But I don’t accept that we should layer ourselves in guilt over those who won’t listen to God’s voice, and don’t recognise their need. I think we all know the difficulty and futility of trying to talk to those who just aren’t interested. I am learning that in this business of salvation, nothing works like God’s call on an individual. Another lesson concerned the advice that Micah gives (Mi6:8) “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” It was pointed out that this was advice for those under the law, whereas today (recognising that we are not under law but under grace) the standard is considerable higher. Today, where every believer is gifted with the indwelling Holy Spirit (which wasn’t the case prior to Joel’s prophesy being fulfilled at Pentecost), the standard for living is given in the new commandment of Jesus “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Just like Jesus in Matthew 5, with all those “you have heard that it is said…” (under the law) “…but I say unto you”, raising the bar to a seemingly impossible standard for Jews who couldn’t even keep the old law. How do we meet this standard? We are graciously alive in the Holy Spirit, indwelling us and empowering us, so that (I truly believe) we don’t need to consciously witness to our colleagues (unless called to do so), we don’t need to roll up our sleeves and try very hard to “act justly, love mercy, walk humbly” etc. These are things which are part of the character of God, and part of our lives as we are alive in the Spirit, presenting our bodies a living sacrifice each day. And that, I believe, is the best witness we can be of Christ to those who, without him, are facing imminent and awful judgement. Just what I got from Micah. # posted by geoff @ 3:17 pm 0 commentsMonday, March 08, 2004 One last thing.....actually two!Geoff, are you finished your Vienna trips yet? When will you be back to normal?? Janice, NICE to see you here.... you are a cheerful soul.... love you very much. (and everyone else, of course....... but then you all know that, don't you?) # posted by Caroline @ 10:38 pm 0 commentsGeoffTo save sending you a private email (haha) I think you will see my dad and wife soon perhaps? They are there now.Merv Long is staying here again tomorrow night. What a NICE guy. Hmmmmm, come's from New Zealand too....... # posted by Caroline @ 10:36 pm 0 commentsThat movieDid everyone here go??????It seems to be a film the whole christian world is raving about. The things it is going to DO .... Something keeps nagging at me somewhere and I simply cannot put a finger on it. There's something not quite right here. Maybe I am being extra sensitive, and there is nothing. Anyway, for what its worth, God has told me clearly not to go. Of course I emphasise that is for ME. Thats what spirit-led is all about. We each get our instructions from God and that was noone can judge anyone else for what they do. Your thoughts were interesting, Gary. Hows the Taxi's? Bet you meet some interesting people sometimes! # posted by Caroline @ 10:35 pm 0 commentsGaryYou have been studying hard at BSF for many years now..... I would imagine you need a little bit of a break?Its not like you go to a service, sit there and soak it up and go home! You have study to do... and 7 years of it is a LONG time in my book. Ask God what to do. He will tell you. # posted by Caroline @ 10:32 pm 0 commentsFastedYes, I fasted for a day! 24 hours.Not a big deal, you say? For me, I have never fasted in my life. Our home church doesn't think it is necessary as a food thing, and it is generally referred to in a spiritual sense. Started about 6.45pm last Tuesday night and resumed eating 7pm Wdednesday night! For a first time, it didn't go too badly. I made the day as empty as possible and spent it reading and walking and praying and talking..... I focussed mostly on my family. I pray for them (us) each as individuals, and then as a family unit. Funny thing is, a couple of days later, my 19 year old son, really opened his heart to me late at night,a nd we have a very precious talk about his innermost feelings and thoughts ... and worries and cares. It really was beautiful. I am wondering if the fasting did this in some way. # posted by Caroline @ 10:30 pm 0 commentsOffended??What am I going to be offended about?Guys, thanks for making your posts here easier to read and understand. :)) # posted by Caroline @ 10:25 pm 0 commentsFriday, March 05, 2004 Thanks GaryI'm weary too... And Carol's not going to be offended (are you Caro??) - anyway, why should she? And it will be good to investigate the KYB (Know Your Bible - try Mr Google for info) course. But, I don't like Spong...And I enjoyed Paul Barker on Rev 4 (brilliant teaching). Can you give us a summary of any of the Trinity on Trinity teaching, Gary? Now I'm off with Dave to the footy, Geelong vs Melbourne in a night final. One of us will have a miserable night... but we can sleep in tomorrow (no men's leaders mtg - hurrah!) # posted by geoff @ 4:55 pm 0 commentsThursday, March 04, 2004 from GaryGeoff,I did not understand much of what you wrote, about Rob and Tamara. What are 'spirited and scripturally based Christians', I just do it! Its me to an extent, mentally tired and not motivated for long wordy talks or written things. I need a holiday. The more I think and pray about quitting BSF and doing KYB the more its "yes". I've e-mailed Paul Barker asking for his thoughts and help, including a room at church. I'm tracking down some past KYB booklets, and could have some as early as tomorrow to show you. Tell Carol not te be offended. I think that most of the church is the 'righteous right', and needs a good dose of Jack Spong. And why does Christendom need another home run group for, run by male elders. Whats wrong with female elders. Come to Holy Trin. on Sunday, the rev Carol is taking the services and giving the talk. She's fine by me. We could though have a church for working class people, I'd be the only one there! Gary # posted by Anonymous @ 9:14 pm 0 commentsMonday, March 01, 2004 Welcome to Robb & Tamra (we hope!!!)Some of you here know Robb & Tamra from our home-church group; for others they will be new friends to get to know. Both are very spirited and scripturally-based Christians. I have invited them, and hope they join up.Robb described the new fellowship they are moving to as: The assembly we plan to attend in the near future is led by a plurality of male elders with no paid preachers, buildings, or programs. It is comprised of 10-12 large families (8-10 children per family not uncommon). The service lasts well over 2 hours with much spiritual discussion afterwards. Nearly all of the men participate with the women remaining silent during the meeting. Hymns are sung with piano accompaniment. Most appealingly, it is a simple gathering of like-minded, fallible believers who seek to focus on and worship the Savior. I am hoping to hear more of Robb & Tamra's experiences with this form of worship, and to learn where they fit between home-churches and the formal denominational-type services. Because, while our personal relationships with the Lord Jesus are crucial, so too is corporate worship as the Holy Spirit dwells within the corporate church body (ref. Eph 2:19-22 "the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."). And this is where so many of the problems today seem to be in regards to Christian worship... # posted by geoff @ 5:48 pm 0 comments |
|
| << That's it! But checkout the Archives for more... | ||
|
||