God Spot

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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!

Monday, May 31, 2004

Fountain of Life

Carol, thanks for your inspirational post. I enjoyed it a lot. Was reading at the weekend in Jn4 (Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well):

"Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

which is for our benefit; then in Jn7 of the benefit (or blessing) of this inner spring of water to others:

Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

# posted by geoff @ 12:57 pm

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New BSF Leader

Gary, thanks for the commendation of "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth". I would like to have time to read it. And yes, you are responsible for me being a BSF study-group leader (thanks!) and I feel moved to continue, for the present. We will miss you, but you will find worthwhile things to do and it is even more important that we keep this blog going, to keep in touch and for you to buoy our spirits.

BTW, I've just discovered an e-version of "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth"!

Our very good friend in Perth, Felicity, has just accepted to be a BSF leader for next study (Acts). She & husband Ron are actually members of this blog, albeit non-contributors to date. I am going to remind Felicity of how to write here, and I'm sure she too will contribute with gems from our studies (and help to keep the BSF strictures in perspective!)

# posted by geoff @ 12:39 pm

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BSF and Joy

Gary, you are right about this BSF study in particular (Israel and the Minor Prophets) making us incredibly busy (although I've got heaps out of it). I think it would help a little if their attitude was just a bit less inflexible, if occasionally they lightened up and acknowledged that we need a bit of light-heartedness in life. That's the reason I'm not going to this year's BSF retreat (a weekend of "fun" at a hotel in Melbourne). My trip to Vienna has been moved two weeks later, but still I'm not tempted (life is busy enough anyway, and weekends too short for family and simply catching one's breath).

But, having said all that, and wondering if BSF types are mostly "kill-joys" despite the emphasis on "joy" as the theme of the second half of Nehemiah (is it the Baptist in them?), I must admit to a moment of incredible JOY at last Saturday morning leaders' meeting!

Gary, you were there. It went something like this. We were studying Malachi. The question was something about how modern people also dishonour God's name. One of the children's leaders (who else!), a lovely guy whom I respect greatly actually, provided this moment of sheer joy.

He started by saying how some ministers don't even believe God's word, how they twist it to go soft on certain categories of modern society; how people sing choruses without even considering the words, many of which are doctrinally sus. And how even some Christians blaspheme God's name in speaking; how some people turn up for church dressed as if they're off to the beach; and (obviously on a roll by now) how even things like drinking can be bad examples to others "which is why I don't drink, haven't done for years, but (rubbing tummy) it would be nice sometimes to have the occasional sherry - the last time I drank actually was when I visied an Anglican church..." at which point Grant steeped in. To see Gary shaking his head in disbelief at this slight on the great Anglican institution was priceless!

Actually we found the notes from last week (second half of Nehemiah, about what we should be doing and not doing on the "sabbath" and how much we should be tithing) very judgemental.

# posted by geoff @ 12:16 pm

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Sunday, May 30, 2004

Its wrong to be too busy

Ah two or three weeks to go of BSF. I've done every study twice; six and a half years the first time then a three year break and seven years the second time. Possibably I have stayed a year too long but I wanted to do the minor prophets study.

I have joined other things, namely a bible study at church, the committe of t.o.w.n. club and the committee of our neighbourhood watch group. And i want to read more.

I have noticed how aggressive BSF is. To talk about personal peace is beyond them, even recently when the focuss for once was on joy. It needs a reatreat with the Franciscans.

Geoff and David I gather you are continuing with the next study: yes do them all if its not too much. You would be interested that Holy Trinity has failed to invite 3 BSF groups now, but maybe BSF can't make the right approach. Would I know, well I know the church treasurer and chairman of the vestry well.

# posted by Anonymous @ 6:15 am

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Saturday, May 29, 2004

yes Carol

I think that I can handle the blog now but of course there is another problem, that is, having something intelligent to write.

I'll be better soon, half-way through reading "How to read the bible for all its worth" -- yes everyone should read it, its that good, especially the second ed. for I had read the first some years ago and we need to be reminded about translating, bias, setting, expressions, themes, customs and anthromorphological expressions. I may have spelt that wrong but David Webb can correct me on that and explain it : he's into big words.

# posted by Anonymous @ 3:52 pm

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Friday, May 28, 2004

Lost?

Hi Gary,

That "lost" post of yours published!
Are you ok now??

Carol

# posted by Caroline @ 10:52 pm

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Thursday, May 27, 2004

lost

I cant get things to publish. They just vanish
Gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 9:24 pm

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The Fountain of Life: Warning, long post:) Read for spiritual sustainance!

Hi, I receive this newsletter once a week or so and thought his time was marvellous! I hope it is not illegal to reprint it here .... but guess I can delete with a flick of the finger if needed!
Hope it strikes a chord in your hearst like it does mine.
Love to all readers
Carol:)

Luke 7:39 says, “He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, from his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.” Here the Word of God makes a promise to us. In other words, when our full confidence, loyalty and unwavering faith are in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ springs and rivers of living water shall flow out of our life. However, we do fall short of this promise according to Jeremiah 2:13, which says "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters. And hewn for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water." We can forsake the Lord by withdrawing our thoughts, our volition and our feelings or emotional connection from God. Staying connected to the Lord means we are being loyal to Him and putting our full confidence and unwavering faith in Him. We understand that no other source can meet our needs and that our Source desires to have our attention.
Jeremiah also says not only do we withdraw from the Lord, we also make for our self a container, a cistern, it does not hold any water, it is broken. We drink from a well we believe will satisfy us, instead of drinking from the fountain where the water is fresh and clean and satisfies the soul. Instead of going to the Fountain, we go to the well with our broken container and the water leaks out and we have to continue to go back to the well over and over again. Why do we go to the well instead of the fountain? Doubt and unbelief keep us from going to the Fountain. We don’t believe He can satisfy our thirst. Alternatively, we may have a lack of knowledge about the Fountain. In other words we may need to have our mind renewed by the Word of God in this area. Ephesians 4:23 says, “And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]. In my life, renewing my mind to the Word of God has also included learning more about the Lord and who I am in Christ. When we identify with Christ and constantly seek Him in the Word of God, we are less likely entertain doubt and unbelief which keep us from Him. Through Christ, the Lord can satisfy us in the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional aspects of our lives and the Word of God has this knowledge for us to read. Psalm 81:16 - But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." Psalm 90:14 - Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 91:16 - With long life, will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. Allowing the Lord to satisfy us glorifies the Lord in our lives.
There are only two places we can go to quench our thirst and Deuteronomy 10:15 tells us this "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.” Therefore, it is our choice to go to our Lord and creator who knows us better than anyone or we can go to our enemy. John 10:10 says, the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. Our enemy offers us many choices instead of the Lord. We can forsake the Lord for example: for money, food, our spouse, our children, hobbies, shopping, gardening, computers, televisions, radios, our friends, our parents, our sisters our brothers, they can all become wells we draw from instead of the Fountain of living water. While these things are all gifts, God should be our source and the blessings He gives us we should enjoy and not make into wells we rely on or cleave to and drink from. John 7:37b says this, if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
In His love,
Angela Davenport
Philippians 1:6 - And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you (and me) will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting it and bringing it to full completion in you (and me). The Amplified Bible

# posted by Caroline @ 11:57 am

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Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Inside the Cosmic Control Room

Back in March, I heard some teaching by Gary's Paul Barker on Rev ch.4 which for me was quite inspirational. Rev is a book I've not really understood or spent much time in. So, this has sort-of unlocked a little of it for me. Paul is a gifted teacher of God's word who paints word-pictures which are very pertinent and easy to remember. And they give us an understanding in modern-day images we can readily relate to. These are my notes:

As humans, we find it fascinating to go behind the scenes in a great place - such as a palace or some other place where we normally only see the end product. For example, on a tour of the great MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), we get to see the player's rooms and the motivational pictures and messages on the walls, and the room where the radio commentators broadcast the game from. Normally, we only see or hear the game itself, the end product of all that's gone on in those places behind the scenes.

Rev ch's 4-22 are like a view behind the scene, into the control room of the universe. In Rev ch.4 we go with John, through the door and behind the scenes in the "cosmic control room" ("After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you..."). An amazing invitation to John, to go "behind the scenes".

The purpose of Rev is to stir up perseverance in faith, especially in face of opposition, and it does this by taking us into the control room. Who is in charge? Who rules on the throne? God, the real authority. What matters most is not SEEING but hearing and heeding God. In Rev we don't get a picture of God (we are to avoid the temptation to make any image like God).

The rainbow around the throne indicates to us that God tempers His judgement with mercy. Throne is a source of thunder and lightening - terrifying sign, but under God's control. A place of awe, majesty, beauty. We were given a picture of one of those grand old chairs with carved animal's paws on it's legs. God's throne has the animals themselves.

And heaven is a place full of praise for God ("And the four living creatures ... never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!") Honour to God as creator and for His providence.

We see behind the scenes that God reigns on His throne in heaven, not divorced from this earth! The sovereignty and dominion of God. And in this ch.4 we haven't even got to the Son yet! Praise bubbles out and we need to share it. As we grow in understanding of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - this must lead us to praise God.

Now Gary, I want to hear Paul Barker finish the remainder of Revelation. You (being a person of some influence) are going to request that Paul does this for us at Belgrave Heights Summer Convention - remember? (actually the two speakers - Paul Barker & Mike Raiter - are both Anglicans!)

# posted by geoff @ 1:14 pm

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Monday, May 24, 2004

Branham

Stan, you confirm my instincts from the little I've read. And fascinating anecdotes from the Branham church near you. Amazing! Thanks for the facts and the flavour.

Gary, the 2 posts you did on Sunday never saw the light of day. Don't know what went wrong. Can you re-do them? (maybe save a copy in MSWord before publishing, just in case!)

Geoff

# posted by geoff @ 11:06 pm

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Tuesday, May 18, 2004

William Marrion Branham

OK, who was William Marion Branham? Who knows anything about the guy? Anybody (but Stan, you must help out here).

I gather he was a founder of the charismatic Pentecostal movement. I found the guy by accident (looking up the link between Esau, Edom and Herod who rebuilt the temple that was around in Jesus' day).

This guy, once an admirer, now bags Branham as a false prophet, satisfying generations of "sign-seekers", much of what he did being "extra-Biblical and thus very suspect". And quotes 2Cor11:13-15 "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds."

This is the bit I found most telling:

Because of the signs and wonders in his meetings Branham demanded that the people accept his teaching. The "Word" he delivered was "confirmed" by signs following (or preceding at times). What does the Scripture say regarding this?

Deut. 13:1-3

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

This text has always proven troublesome to those in the prophetic movement. They attempt to point out the signs and wonders proving what they are doing and teaching is approved of God. The problem is what they are teaching is usually either diametrically opposed to orthodox Christian doctrine or extra-Biblical in content.

Branham arose, he did signs and wonders, much of what he revealed about people was true... (but we cannot discount the reality of familiar spirits who also can reveal exactly the things Branham did with the help of his angel). What of his doctrine? Did it lead God's people way from the true knowledge of God? YES!

Checkout the guy's doctrine - he vehemently denied the Trinity and preached a works-based salvation. Fundamental errors alive and well today, in those who preach an extra-biblical message!

# posted by geoff @ 4:38 pm

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Churchy Humour

Some people like this sort of stuff, especially our mate Graeme Forbes (who we thank or blame, as the case may be):

There was a church that had problems with outsiders parking in its parking lot, so they put up a sign:
CHURCH CAR PARKING - FOR MEMBERS ONLY,
TRESPASSERS WILL BE BAPTIZED!
which took care of the problem!

"How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Non-smoking?" (AAAGH!!!)

"Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives" (one to get up the noses of all those anti-scripture types)

"Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world." (and one for the more works-based types - often one and the same as the above category, actually)

"It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin."

"Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church."

"If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns." (but my football team doesn't!)

"This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing?" ----- (U R)

"In the dark? Follow the Son."

"If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd."

With apologies to all those who cringe at some of these, in the interests of others who have a good chuckle!

# posted by geoff @ 11:01 am

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Monday, May 17, 2004

Gary - On Wars and Walking the Dog

Gary, I admire the way you relax and enjoy your busy life. And like you, I'm thoroughly sick of football. Today, anyway! But yes, it's graceful at times and something rather awesome about watching skills of the very top level of athlete - to watch Sampi soaring twice as high as any others of the giants on the ground to take a mark (spekky, in the local parlance) is somehow a wonder to behold (we were sitting just above Sampi's head, right behind him in the photo!).

And the images of war are sickening. This from another blog I occasionally read:

I'm sick to my stomach. Yes, I just watched the Nick Berg video. I now feel sick to my stomach and terribly dirty. My small apologies to the Berg family.

I can't describe the feeling.

I have several friends in the military that are in Iraq right now. I wanted us to get out of that country this weekend, because I fear for their safety.

Now, I want Bush to just nuke the whole damn country. Ocean-front property anyone?

If you want to see the video, read Charles Johnson's written description before you watch it.

It's so easy to forget about who we're really dealing with over there.

One of my best friends from the Army just returned from Iraq and when I asked him about what it's like, he said:

"The people over there aren't all bad - the insurgents are animals. They only understand power. They only understand pure unadulterated power and they only respect people that show and use their power."

# posted by geoff @ 4:30 pm

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Thursday, May 13, 2004

football and other things

I think that sport shown us considerable skill, and somethimes graceful movement. Alas people become fanatical about it and those who play it at the top levels are over-paid. I haven't been to a football game for 3years and went to the cricket last summer because son Andrew wanted to go. But Geoff and Katrina enjoy it: fine.

We need to relax sometimes and I keep saying to people that the Christian life was not meant to be a burden: some people are doing too much, it seems. Well I do relax by walking the dog and listening to music.

Haven't we all been sickened by the pictures from Iraq this week. Wars bring out unnatural horrible actions; I have never regretted being in the peace marches and refusing to do national service 30 years ago.

Gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 9:17 pm

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Are you related to yourself?

Many many years ago when I was twenty three,
I got married to a widow who was pretty as could be.
This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red.
My father fell in love with her and soon the two were wed.
This made my dad my son-in-law and changed my very life.
My daughter was my mother, for she was my father's wife.
To complicate the matters worse, although it brought me joy,
I soon became the father of a bouncing baby boy.
My little baby then became a brother-in-law to dad.
And so became my uncle though it made me very sad.
For if he was my uncle, then that also made him brother
To the widow's grown-up daughter who, of course, was my step-mother.
Father's wife then had a son, who kept them on the run.
And he became my grandson, for he was my daughter's son.
My wife is now my mother's mother and it makes me blue.
Because, although she is my wife, she is my grandma too.
If my wife is my grandmother, then I am her grandchild.
And every time I think of it, it simply drives me wild.
For now I have become the strangest case you ever saw.
As the husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa.

# posted by Caroline @ 5:51 pm

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Wednesday, May 12, 2004

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GEOFF

Waited for Dave to make the announcement, but it wasn't forthcoming!!
Hope you enjoyed the day!

I remember that story about the woman/basket ... from years ago somehow.... but forget the details. Will check it out again and let you know:)

In all the world, I never would have thought "Best Reflections" was for BSF!!!!! Thanks for explaining the riddle to me!

I have a close friend staying from another city at present. Wow ... it's great living the high life.... visiting, coffees, lunches at beautiful cafes, MUCH talk (she's VERY spiritually minded), late nights ..... and all the things us girls do when we get with otu good friends after a long gap!

Later taters.....

# posted by Caroline @ 11:08 pm

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Gary and "BESF Reflections"

Carol, poor Gary meant "BSF" but understandably mistyped (his footy team is struggling, they're below my beloved Demons on the ladder - this is BIG DEAL over here!). He needs much gentle nurturing and care as he's not used to this experience (last time it happened, he swapped allegiances, from the Magpies to the Lions!)

Anyway, as regards visions. Were you aware of the vision (by that fellow Zech again, actually) of the "woman in a basket"? (it's in Zechariah 5, straight after the "flying scroll" vision which reminded me - but no-one else apparently - of the microsoft Windows logo). All the 13 guys in my BSF group admitted to not knowing that there's a vision of a "woman in a basket" in the bible before last week's study (and the basket's got a lead lid, too, to cap it off - sorry!).

Carol, what do you make of "the woman in the basket"??? The woman represents wickedness (it tells us that in v.8), and Dave gave me the best lesson, it implies "something that's out of place, not meant to be there" amongst God's people in Jerusalem. God removes it.

Grant told us that we might imagine the woman as being not very attractive, maybe repulsive (she gets her head shoved right back into the basket when she tries to get out). But the guys in my group didn't buy this, they felt that Grant was taking liberties beyond what we are told in God's word - and in fact, most felt that wickedness is generally very appealing so that she was probably very attractive!

An certain attractive female friend of mine thought that it was wishful thinking on Grant's part, trying to convince himself that he's not missing out on much (these women!)

And while on that subject, the women were told by their leader (who's best mates - married actually - with one of the men leaders) that "while none of us women have a problem with this vision, the men leaders did"!!! We have a serious leak, guys! (think it's called pillow talk).

# posted by geoff @ 5:08 pm

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Friday, May 07, 2004

Salvation

That was very nice about salvation. Yes, I had a time where I knew instant salvation...... and it is an ongoing thing as well. I know I feel saved and that I am saved... but yes (big big sigh) I do NOT always act becomingly for our Lord and Saviour.

I know that when I sin in some way (knowingly) that I walk round with a long face and feel worse and worse, until I remember that I need to repent and a fresh peace comes over me. I feel uplifted again! Thank God for this!

Well, Friday evening here and I need to go and sort my family out. Hope to go out to a restaurant with some good friends this evening..... but a mother can't do that without much organisation first!!!!!!!!

Gotta go organise........

# posted by Caroline @ 4:47 pm

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Best Reflections (whatever that means)

Awesome to love the Bible!

Your comment on leaving visions alone.. were you referring to all visions in the Bible, or just the ones in Zechariah?
I think the visions were a big part in God teaching or showing people in the Bible about important things. There are certainly a LOT of visions recorded throughout the Bible, anyway!

# posted by Caroline @ 4:27 pm

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Salvation - Past, Present & Future

Doing a little bit of research (the lazy way, using Mr Google's wealth of knowledge) to answer a question on whether salvation is a once-off event in a Christian's life, or a process (I believe it's both!), came across this site which rang pretty true to me:

Salvation Past, Present, and Future by Chris Passerello. The two Notes at the end are interesting!?

Then there was another site which didn't ring quite as true (not sure about the evidence for justification having present and future aspects, for instance) - but still worthy to make us think:

Salvation Past, Present, and Future by James Akin.

This is how I understand (poorly, I imagine) this process - right now, in my case, having been saved (past event in my life, looking back to the day I yielded my will to Christ), I am in the present sense of salvation, where I need God's power daily to save me from the sinful lusts of my nature (a continual process of sanctification - the gracious work of God by which we are being made more like Christ. A process in which we are increasingly enabled to say "No" to sin and "Yes" to righteousness. Being "transformed by the renewing of our minds", being saved from the corruption and power of sin).

The future aspect of salvation, described by words like "shall be saved", generally refers to a final glorification (brought into complete conformity to Christ, in resurrected glorified sin-free bodies).

As scripture teaches all three aspects of salvation and its' accompanying elements (eg sanctification), thus we should understand and balance them in the way that scripture teaches.

As Passerello points out:

It is common for individuals and organisations to stress one of the tenses of salvation to the exclusion of the other tenses. Some people will stress the past tense to the point of making Christianity irrelevant to daily living. They speak only about what God did for them when they "got saved" (in the past). There is little or no concept of what God is doing in their lives today, or of what God continually requires of them.

Others will stress the present tense of salvation to the point of saying it is sin to claim "I have been saved". They begin to emphasise good works and ignore the fact that salvation comes through faith. There is little or no concept that salvation is free and that it flows from the grace of a merciful God.

Others stress the future tense of salvation so much that they again make Christianity seem irrelevant. They are sometimes found teaching "pie in the sky when you die" Christianity. As is true with the first group, they often fall into the trap of ignoring what God is doing in their lives today.

I particularly liked his Applications at the end - for example:

1) If we have a basic understanding of the three tenses of salvation we will find that many Bible passages begin to provide promises and encouragement we had never seen before.

2) Since our salvation happened in the past, let us rejoice and be thankful that our God has freely declared us righteous. Let us rejoice that we have been adopted into the family of God. May we always treasure these remarkable gifts.

3) Since our salvation continues in the present, let us strive after holiness and let us persevere in faith and good works. Let us go to God in prayer and in His word, seeking strength and power to overcome sin and corruption.

4)Since our salvation is to be completed in the future, let us look forward to that day with joy and expectation. Let us fix our minds on heavenly and eternal things. May we hold the temporary things of this world with a weak hand, eagerly awaiting the glory that is to be revealed to us in the last day.

# posted by geoff @ 3:22 pm

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Tuesday, May 04, 2004

besf reflections

Well I'm getting a lot from the study and the notes from my bible: I could just spend years reading the bible and the notes.

BSF usually stays well away from visions, trapped this time?

Zechariah is giving a written account of what he saw in the visions, but were they told to the people and were they explained to the people.

I think we should take on simple straight-forward explanations ie;
vision 1 God will restore his people
vision 2 israels enemies will be destroyed by others
vision 3 there will be full restoring of the temple and the city
vision 4 israel will be cleansed
vision 5 Gods Spirit will give Israel power

I'm worried about seeing too much into the visions, which like all visions were meant for a particular people at that time and are about a simple theme, ususally encouragement.

# posted by Anonymous @ 1:26 pm

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Monday, May 03, 2004

Welcome Back - Forgetful Janice!

Janice, great to have you back on board - we've missed you! Forgetting your username reminds me of a lovely (but very vague) lady physicist I worked with in Grenoble in France. She was incredibly smart, too, BTW. Anyway, one morning she was working away with us on our experiment and pulled her hanky out of her pocket, to discover it had a big knot tied in it. She looked puzzled, and remarked to us (who were desperately trying not to roll around laughing) that "oh yes, this is to remind me not to forget something, but what was it..."

Kid you not, she hadn't a clue!

How is BSF going? Any inspiration this week? I was intrigued by the prophesy in Zechariah 6 which today we would see clearly (I think) as a prophecy of Jesus building his church:

It was spoken to the high priest, Joshua son of Jehozadak: "Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two."

But back then, with the people looking at the foundations of the new temple in Jerusalem, and a pile of stones waiting to be put together to rebuild the physical temple, I can imagine them looking over their shoulders and wondering who was this "anointed man" who would come and put it all back together for them. I can't imagine any one of them, even in their wildest dreams, seeing this in anyway as a reference to Christ, the Messiah, building his church on earth. And yet, it's as obvious to us as the noses on our faces!

The folly of trying to make too much of prophecy, before the right time to understand it!

# posted by geoff @ 4:45 pm

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