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, February 28, 2005

Forgiveness

Last Saturday the Victorian Women's Christian Convention held a day convention on 'Forgiveness' which was held in our church. To be honest I didn't really want to go, and didn't really feel like forgiving anyone, but went because it was expected of me.

It turned out to be a very good day, beginning at 9:30 and going through to 4:00pm with plenty of 'tea' breaks. The visiting speaker was a lady who lost her parents in W.W.II, and was adopted out. Her adopted parents abused her terribly and she went through all kinds of hardships because of it. There was a time when she attempted to commit suicide, but didn't realize that you have to cut 'across' the wrist not up and down. She prayed for her husband for over 30 years that he would give his life to the Lord and in only the year 2001, he did. She realized that it was not through anything she had done that he made a commitment as she had been extremly difficult to live with. She had to learn how to forgive all the abuse over the years. She likened 'Forgiveness' to the 5 steps that E.Khubler-Ross states in her book on death and dying, that people go through when facing death.
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
Each person goes through these steps when truly forgiving a person or persons that have wronged them. How long each step takes is an individual thing.
She explained that the person who has done us wrong does not have to ask us for forgiveness, we need to be able to forgive that person for our own benefit. Unforgiveness can cause all sorts of problems in a person, emotionally, spiritually and physically. She likened a deep hurt to a part of you dying - which is so true.
Number 4, is a very critical time and a person needs great understanding. The worst thing to say to a person who is undergoing depression is to say "Just trust Jesus " etc. (I fully agree with that as I can relate to it)

I believe a good friend will listen without judgement, and without trying to 'solve' the problem. A good friend will let you say whatever, and not think you are any less 'spiritual'. A good friend will keep your confidences and not, so call, - share - in the church prayer group as a matter of prayer. (Anyone ever experienced that?)
You know the saying - "A good friend knows the worst about you but loves you just the same" I disagree! I believe that a good friend knows the worst about you and loves you even more.

Have any of you read - 'A Child Called It', 'The Lost Boy','A Man Named Dave' These books can be bought in one volume called "My Story" by David Pelzer. I bawled my eyes out as I read it and even 'downloaded' his picture so I could look at it as I read it. He had to learn forgiveness in a big way. Also two other books - " Dorie - The Girl Nobody Loved" and "No Place to Cry" are written by Doris Van Stone. Wilf and I had the privilege of meeting this remarkable woman on two occasions at Conferences in Queensland and have a photo taken with her. She didn't get her first hug until she was in her early 20's. She is an elderly lady now, but if she meets you she can't help but hug you - and believe me, you can't help but hug her back. If you can get hold of any of these books you will not regret it.

Anyway, that's enough from me. And yes Geoff, you are right, I do barrack for Essendon, but a bit of me barracks for Geelong too!

# posted by shellymac @ 7:12 pm

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Help wanted, Gary...

"I'm doing an evangelism course at church, Monday nights then St. Johns training on Tuesday nights. Last nights was on oxygen equipment and was useful in knowledge and building confidence..."

Gary, was the oxygen at the evangelism course or the St. Johns one?

"Actally I'm quite a conservative, and believe the bible 'straight down the line' after the first 7 chapters of Genesis." How did you work out (or who told you) that the first seven ch's are fiction but the rest of scripture isn't? Is that in Maccabees ch17 perhaps?

I think Michele said she barracks for Essendon (she won't have learnt humility like Demons' supporters!).

And you are quite right to regard any football this side of Easter as irrelevant practice.

# posted by geoff @ 4:32 pm

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Wednesday, February 23, 2005

you need help Geoff

A spiritual dimension to football, oh, well after a hard week and half a bottle of cheap red, mmmm maybe. I'm so uninterested in these mickey mouse games I didn't know that Brisbane lost and your team actually won something. Anyway I'm trying to get to a number of games with St. Johns. Maybe the blog peole could get together in the Southern Stand one night, well us real people who are not MCC members.

Michele do you folk follow football, cricket nuts I expect?

I'm doing an evangelism course at church, Monday nights then St. Johns training on Tuesday nights. Last nights was on oxygen equipment and was useful in knowledge and building confidence in using the equipment.

I don't have any doubts about the historical accuracy of Acts.

Acutally I'm quite a conservative, and believe the bible 'straight down the line' after the first 7 chapters of Genesis. And I have nothing much else to write. And Charles can marry Camilla in a church by me. That will get an attact from the other side of town! I may read some the DaVinci Code tonight, tired as always though.

gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:52 pm

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Historical Reliability of Acts

Start researching the historical reliability of Acts on the web, courtesy of Mr Google, and it's a minefield.

Here's one viewpoint, which rather fits with my faith in the infallibility of scripture. Specifically, the article addresses "Those who regard the book of Acts as non-historical often point to the difficulties between the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15:1-29 and the writing of Paul in Galatians 2:1-10. Although Luke's account of the council is straightforward, the main difficulty arises when it is compared with what appears to be the same event as described by Paul in Galatians."

Also of interest is the archaeological evidence, and the comments on Sir William Ramsay (sections 44 & 60).

# posted by geoff @ 5:07 pm

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Tuesday, February 22, 2005

It's Back!

Football, that is. To bleating comments like "it's only practice games" or "it's mickey mouse football" (all from supporters of losing sides, naturally - notably Brisbane, Geelong and the Adelaide Crows). It's like a religion to many, so probably an OK topic for here. It certainly has its spiritual dimension (agreed, Gary?).

The mighty Dees had a good win - and we were brave (or foolhardy?) to make the prediction before Saturday's belting of Brisbane that Melbourne would win on the first and very last weekends of the football season. Half way there!

And for any o/s readers who don't understand why Australian Rules is the greatest game on God's earth, a quote from David Rath, "lateral football thinker" (Einstein of football?) gives a hint.

On why football is fundamentally chaotic, unlike baseball or soccer or gridiron - "Baseball has far fewer crucial performance variables and therefore is more easily broken down, whereas football is not. The fact that we can move the ball so quickly and randomly in football, and that there is tackling and an uncertain bounce means you can have a game style, but you have to have room to be creative within that style".

So there. And we just thought it was watching 22 superbly fit athletes running and kicking and catching and tackling, solidly for 120 minutes - and for spectators after 2½ hours of being totally involved and emotionally drained, whatever worries of life one took into the game, by game's end - win, lose or draw, all is forgotten in the perspective of your team's fortunes on the day. Excellent therapy!

# posted by geoff @ 12:02 pm

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Sunday, February 20, 2005

good stuff

Something in common Michele. Superstar did things for me ie for my faith. I actually still have the record version. Do you want it?

Now the good football, is Australian rules, Geoff and I agree on somethings occasionally, and Geoff you should see me there. MCG football info came from St. Johns yesterday and I could do a lot of time there, and even plenty of Melbourne games. Are you still sitting with my elderly relatives.

I'm actually doing two local concerts next weekend, an athletics event, then the motocross in East Burwood and want to do some football and then have experience enough for the concerts in a few months ie Mark Knoffler, Delta Goodrem, Kylie, alas Dianne Krall is at the Pallais, and I think that the local group get that while the football and many concerts are open to all experienced St. johns members. Nothing has come up yet about the Franklin Grhan crusades.

I bought a copy of DaVinci Code yesterday, but when I'll find time to read it, I don't know. A friend said its a good crime book with the heresies of Arius included. Sounds right. If you don't want to read the book look up Arius is a Bible Dictionary, or encyclopaedia. I learnt all about the heressies of the early church once, now have forgotten most but they go around in another form frequently, therefore you probably know them.

We need a part-time minister at church. I told Paul Barker that I hoped the person would be another female and he agreed. A lady I went to school with, is one of the favourites for the next bishop in Melbourne: fine by me. Paul I think is quite a conservative but he can 'handle' women clergy. There is some gossip around that he is difficult to work with. I don't believe and I don't listen to gossip.

I did find out as a teenager that Christians are very good at gossip, being the centre of it in a certain youth group. Remember that from 40 years ago Michele, I expect you don't and I assure all that Michele was not part of it, there was an older group of people and seperate to Michele and her friends from the Drouin school. Its all very funny now!

blessings from Gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:47 am

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Saturday, February 19, 2005

Jesus Christ Superstar

I saw the stage production twice when I was 20 and extremly mixed up. My parents were disgusted that I should see such a show, actually my whole family and friends from the Youth Group too (does that surprise you Gary?) but I loved it. It really moved me in a way that I couldn't clearly explain. I was working and living at 'Yooralla' in Balywn at the time and when I came home, dressed in my 'hippy style' at the time, the other nurses said that I looked so peaceful and happy. I've got the LP too, but sadly it got buckled in the sun. I've also seen the movie several times, but it had nothing on the stage production. I can't remember who I saw it with - maybe one of the other nurses. I think the second time I may have taken one of kids from 'Yooralla'. Anyone else go to see it back then? Or was it only us Gippslanders?
Michele

# posted by shellymac @ 11:23 pm

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Da Vinci Code

Everywhere I turn I hear of this book. I will definately get a copy of it to read. Only today I had one of my friends talked about it.

I've just come back from a week at the beach. It was so nice to enjoy some solitude and appreciate God's creation. I especially love the sea when it is windy and the waves are rough.

Janice & Carol - I don't know your age but today two of my friends and I went to the city to see the comedy "Menopause- The Musical". I laughed so much I was nearly crying - and Oh how true it all was. Maybe if the men folk went they could have a better understanding of the 'fairer sex'.

Gary - how did you go with your friend in the church. Have you been able to give her some words of wisdom or comfort? In 75 seconds or less = tell her that God does understand and to never give up. It's important as well that others know that we care for them during their stuggles. Hmmm 'typical pastors wife answer' - pretty much gleaned my answer from a book I had read. I don't seem to have very many original thoughts.

Spellbinder - yes I've read that one. Sad to day that there are 'T.V. Evangelists' that pretty much live down to the standard of the so called Preacher in this book. But not all. Don't have to be a T.V.Evangelist though - the Pastor who gave the devotions at our Wedding Reception has now been kicked out of the Baptist Church and then kicked out of the Methodist church because of his 'womanizing'. He's been in the Herald Sun, New Idea, That's Life etc. We were at Bible College together.

Now folks - True Football is Aussie Rules!! Up the Bombers!!
Till later ..... Michele
P.S. Carol & Janice - I've only got one 'L' in my name. All my father's fault - he spelt it wrong.

# posted by shellymac @ 11:01 pm

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Friday, February 18, 2005

Desperate Haidressers?

Janice, wonder were hubby and daughter of yours watching that new show about Manchester hairdressers, Cutting It, I think? Used to be a dull profession, now it's glam (I think, again - getting serious, too much thinking for a Friday before the footy season starts with a glorious victory to the Dees over Gary's has-beens tomorrow night).

Taxi drivers have always been a bit of an enigma, some mystery and dark enchantment associated with the profession. Anybody seen Scorsese's Taxi Driver? Travis (Robert De Niro) isn't Gary, but then every driver is different. But they're all enigmas. Could be a turbaned Sikh from Punjab (a high chance in Melbourne), or some sullen character with a big chip on his shoulder. The women are tough. Once I got this guy with this incredible sunny disposition, nothing was bad about the day, the world, his life. All was just great. Turned out he was a Christian who had attended BSF (in Adelaide) for several years...! (and no, he wasn't Gary either)

# posted by geoff @ 9:53 am

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Thursday, February 17, 2005

yes janice

Its a long story Janice but 17 years ago I was a secondary school teacher in some difficulty on many fronts, (that is an understatment), anyway I escaped and fell into the cab busniess and was instantly good at it and of more importance regained sanity and enjoyed it.

Maybe madam cabbies need councelling or councelling courses; there are all kinds in this business and many kinds in any big business.

Say one for me dear that I will have the patience tomorrow, Friday and the end of the week, to be patient with the 74th deary who wants to talk all the trip about the weather.

Do housewives need counselling. You may be watching on tv "Desperate Housewives" I couldn't go more than 12 minutes of it.

best wishes Gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:00 pm

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Saturday, February 12, 2005

What if ...

I ended the last thing with the suggestion that I think cocasionally, mmm, no, just sit in my taxi and look at the pretty girls.

Anyway another thing that has disturbed me is: what if some of the things that are supposed to be wrong are right?

Is the BVM (blessed virgin mary) appearing to people or did appear to people -- Lourdes?
Was Jesus married?
What did Jesus and the others look like? we have plenty of paintings, I'm suprised that an
American sect hasn't produced photos by now.
and a few other questions?

I might buy and read the DaVinci code today.

Has anyone read "Spellbinder" by Harold Robbins, or remember the musical that did many things for me "Jesus Christ Superstar"? (in my troubled teenage years that I'm not sure have finished while saving for an mp3 player).

Success for the mighty Lions is only days away now, albeit in practice matches, yes Geoff?

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:23 am

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Not alone

Hi and what a pleasing situation to see other people writing. And writing such good things, albeit a lot too deep for me a simple guy going senile. I was impressed with what people worte about the prayer problem.

I think that God wants:
1 us to rely on Him
2 to know that he is there -- we are not alone
3 to involve other Christians -- we ae part of a community of support
4 to consider our situation rightly -- why should He help is a valid question, but more to
have the right perspective.
5. Go back to examples in the scripture. When I first read Michele' s part about David I said, just what a pastors wife would write! but in a few seconds, I knew that that's right, the great man of faith felt abandonded and mistreated, but not that God wasn't there.

I still need help on the matter: in 75 seconds, probably less and no sermon, what should I say to the lady about prayer and her daughter?

Geoff buy a copy of the DaVinci Code. I haven't read it but have heard most of, if not all, the heresies before. you will survive it.

# posted by Anonymous @ 7:08 am

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Friday, February 11, 2005

Great...

...to have both Janice and Michele back. And thanks for all the insights on answered (& unanswered!) prayer.

Gary, here is a web-site on BSF, not entirely uncritically supportive - but interesting. Your comments? I particularly liked this bit in the letters at the end:

Dear Dan,
Are you ashamed of the gospel? All over the world this year the book of Acts will be studied, how many people will come to the Lord through the teaching of this study? Can you even imagine Dan? What a testimony it was to me to know that our President George W. Bush [United Methodist] and his wife Laura have both been a part of BSF study. [Excerpts from a much longer diatribe.]

[CB from Mississippi]

I guess this settles the whole matter.

Dan has a sense of humour, too!

# posted by geoff @ 5:14 pm

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Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Michelle

Excellent practical prayer advice, Michelle. Well thought out and scripture supported.

Now Gary, what are your thoughts?

Glad to see you back Michelle!

# posted by Caroline @ 10:28 pm

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Back Again

Hi again, I've been off the blog for awhile - life has it's trials at times.

Sorry Geoff that I missed you at B.Heights, but you met my fantastic son Jonathan & his wife Dianna. He passed your greetings on to me. Maybe we can catch up at Easter or at the Franklin Graham Festival - I think we will be at pretty much all the meetings.

Tim Winton - Geoff, I've read one book and once I got used to the way he wrote I loved it. I could feel those cut feet, weepy eyes and ulcerated legs!

Re Prayer Problem -
There are many different factors to look at. Just one would be why this young person has had a relapse into her depressive state. Did she stop her medication? Has she had wrong advise? Did some one take advantage of her vulnerable state? Just because a person has a relapse does not mean that God is not listening and caring. When speaking with a person such as the mother of the girl, one has to be extremly sensitive in their approach. The mother feels that God has not listened, but we can assure that God has indeed listened and that He truly knows what she is experiencing. He wants her to rely wholly on Him, to draw her strength from Him. He wants to be with her through not only the highlights, but the down times too. Just because we are His child does not mean that bad things will not happen to us. We have had suicides on both sides of our families, and we struggled too with our 'faith' at the time. So many questions go unanswered, but we just have to hang on to God. He knows what we are experiencing. One thing that I would not say to the mother is that 'God is in control' - although we know that, she is not in the position to accept it. Just the same as the Tsunami victims are not in the emotional, spiritual or physical condition to cope with hearing a 'glib' sentance. Encourage the mother to seek God's comfort even more than before. In each situation we can find something in which to give God the glory no matter how hard it may be. Encourage her to read the Psalms, especially Ps 13. At the beginning David speaks of God hiding His face from him and yet in vs 6 he speaks of God being good to him. The whole Ps seems to be a discrepancy. But in actual fact the chapter simply shows the differences between David's feelings and his beliefs. Even though David felt that God had hidden His face he believed that God was being good to him. Encourage the mother not to rely on her feelings but hang on to what she believes. A difficult task - especially for a mother, but one that will give her comfort.

There, I've raved on too long again. Don't know whether this is any help at all.

God Bless

# posted by shellymac @ 9:23 pm

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Gary, your prayer question

Prayer Problem
A lady in my church has a daughter who has been prayed for for a long time. the daughter has depression and may be schizoid. The lady is a fine Christian and active in the church , the daughter is a Christian I am to believe for I'm not to judge one way or the other, but I haven't met the young woman at church.Now daughter is in a lapse at the moment and I gathered in an institution. On Sunday the lady said to a group of people"All those years of praying have not done any good!"I have an answer but other people what do you think and how would you answer the mother? gary

Gary,

God is a gift giver.

He pours out His gift of love and offers the most wonderful Gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. As we both know, we are not judges of who and who does not actually have salvation. Many say they have received this Gift, and really only they and God know the truth of that. Usually we can tell by the fruit, of course, but ultimately we do not know what kind of relationship people have with the Father.

Another Gift God has granted to all mankind is Free will. He NEVER makes our minds up for us. He will bend over backwards to show us and offer us His LOVE yet grants each person the Gift of free will.

God loves us to interceed in prayer, as this woman in your church has been doing for her daughter. However, it is still a two sided thing, and even though we pray for people, the beautiful union of giver, intercessor, and receiver can only happen if the receiver accepts it.

However, it is our duty to pray for each other, those whom God lays upon our hearts to pray for. It is His COMMANDMENT! Love one another as I have loved you. This is our part of the equation. God is well pleased with us when we show divine love and care for others, and intercessory prayer is VERY very pleasing to Him.

Think of us all like pieces on a chess board. One piece can only see the piece next to it, and most certainly not the whole game. Each individual piece doesn't have a clue how the game is going. But, God is the player. HE can see the whole board.

Your sister in your church is a chess piece. Her daughter is another. Her mother only sees what she sees! God sees the whole game!

If we do what is laid on our hearts from God, and it appears not to be working as we thought it should, we cannot be upset .... as the Player knows the Big Picture and in our case is the Master Player.

His plan, combined with our intercession, with the right choice made through free will is like a spiritual spontaneous combustion eventually!

God spoke these things to me this morning and I am not sure if they are what you were looking for, but if they help, then thats wonderful. I also enjoyed the clarity in what God spoke.

Love to you! Perhaps we shall meet some time!
Carol.

# posted by Caroline @ 9:36 am

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Tuesday, February 08, 2005

The Book

Geoff

I havn't even read the Da Vinci Code book, even though it seems to have been front line in every book shop for months and months. I noticed today that it still is!

My brother read it (the one who "knows things") and when I asked him to lend it to me to read, he wouldn't. He said he trashed it!!!!! Whoops! I think he thinks he is protecting me!

(And I'm the one who thinks out of the box, not him!!!!)

Not sure I want to read stuff about Jesus which is fictional, anyway. I might be inclined to feel a bit blasphemous? Am I on the wrong track here?

# posted by Caroline @ 3:59 pm

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Gary

Hi Gary

Sorry I havn't yet done any thinking about your prayer question ..... why didn't it work, she asks???

I will pray about it and see if God comes up with any answers. How's that? Sorry to have taken so long.

C

# posted by Caroline @ 3:57 pm

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The Da Vinci Deception

A book review of the Da Vinci Code. By Mike Raiter of Moore College (but it will be Bible College of Victoria next year!). Anybody read it?

# posted by geoff @ 3:18 pm

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Monday, February 07, 2005

Marriage and RC Priests

This in last Friday's news "Holy Orders - Australian priests have called on the Vatican to lift the ban on marriage within the Catholic clergy. Will they ever walk down the aisle? John Mangan reports."

The article continues:

Television viewers the world over reached for the tissues in their millions in 1983 when Richard Chamberlain's handsome Catholic Archbishop Ralph de Bricassart grappled with that age-old dilemma: should he put his love of God ahead of his love for a woman, or more specifically, should he go to the Vatican and become a cardinal or should he stay on tropical Matlock Island and make out with a nubile Rachel Ward?

Rachel Ward? Shouldn't have thought there would have been any difficulty deciding that one! Strange lot, our RC colleagues.

And Muriel Porter has her two-penneth worth (good for the Anglicans to be able to give somebody else advice, seeing as they rarely ever take their own):

"Church will benefit if priests are able to marry - Celibacy is a rule that the Catholic Church can and should change."

And there's one interesting snippet in all this, that we didn't know before:

Intriguingly, in a nod to its married past, the (RC) church recognises one way you can be married and a priest - by marrying as an Anglican priest and then switching across.

Generally a way around most things. And see how useful the Anglicans can be to their Catholic cousins!

# posted by geoff @ 3:36 pm

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Janice, Gary

Janice, thanks for your post - and big sympathy and hugs on your loss of your dear brother! Chin up...

Gary, glad you enjoy Tim Winton. I agree he takes effort to "get into" - Cloud Street was good, tho. And I have read a little of his faith (in short stories) - interesting, your comment that he finds it difficult to articulate.

I will ponder your prayer question, and get back on it. Carol, your thoughts???

# posted by geoff @ 11:22 am

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Anglican Soul

Article in today's paper "Battle for soul of Anglican Church".

Well, at least they still have one!

# posted by geoff @ 11:20 am

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Friday, February 04, 2005

Prayer Problem

A lady in my church has a daughter who has been prayed for for a long time. the daughter has depression and may be schizoid. The lady is a fine Christian and active in the church , the daughter is a Christian I am to believe for I'm not to judge one way or the other, but I haven't met the young woman at church.

Now daughter is in a lapse at the moment and I gathered in an institution. On Sunday the lady said to a group of people
"All those years of praying have not done any good!"

I have an answer but other people what do you think and how would you answer the mother?

gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 8:29 pm

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Thursday, February 03, 2005

Gary on Tim Winton etc.

It took me a little. I read 'Dirt Music' and said I'd never read another Tim Winton book again. So in 3 weeks I read 'Cloud Street' and loved it and re-read 'Dirt Music' and enjoyed it. I agree with my wife Shirley and ex English teacher that he writes good description and I now have read a few short stories; good too.

And I have heard Tim interviewed on radio; he seems a bit unable to express his faith but does believe.

Pleased that someone other than myself is writing something.

Re the R.C. is all so conservative and complicated, how its organised and staffed. Last night a news service wanted a quote and head and shoulders shot of a priest saying something (about the Pope's health), and I noted that the young priest was an Asian. I happen to know that they are quietly bringing in priests from other countries. Plenty of RC people are doing theology, (I live near Yarra Theological College), but they are unsuitable being married, or who won't take the vows.

The RC church doesn't need my criticism as they have the Jesuits and Hans Kung. And we should support first but there is a place for gentle correction, maybe firm correction if the first doesn't work.

Geoff I've got my full membership of St. Johns -- watch out for me at the football, (and hinting that I should do 'duty' at a couple of coming concerts vis. Mark Knoffler, Bette Midler, Kylie, and Delta Goodrem on the belief that you don't get much unless you ask!)

gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 6:26 pm

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Wednesday, February 02, 2005

RC Reform??!

Papal fixation with sex upsets priests
So says the article in yesterday's news. Think it means he's fixated on people not doing it, rather than some personal lechery.

Most of Melbourne's Catholic priests are more disturbed by the Pope's attitude to sex issues than by unmarried couples or homosexuals living together, according to a leading Melbourne priest.

They believe the Pope's "excessive" devotion to Mary undermines the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that bishops are out of touch and "under the thumb of Rome", according to Father Eric Hodgens of St Bede's in North Balwyn.

Father Hodgens says that most of the older priests in Melbourne "do not like the strong personality cult of the Pope and resent the bishops' sycophantic style of quoting him incessantly".

Father Hodgens says these priests believe that the clericalism and triumphalism abandoned after the 1960s Vatican II council are being reinstated. These priests see the Pope's devotion to Mary as "excessive, pietistic and detrimental to placing Jesus Christ in the unquestioned centre of the Christian message of salvation", he says.

Now, Roman Catholiscism (the system, as distinct from individual enlightened RC's) placing Jesus Christ in the centre of the gospel? That would be reform. But they've got 2000 years of entrenched history, and a formidable hierarchy to overcome.

As a RC work colleague put it, these must be "hippy priests"!

# posted by geoff @ 1:55 pm

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Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Geoff

WHEN do you get time to read?

# posted by Caroline @ 5:34 pm

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Bookish Folk

For all you bookish types (Gary, Carol - your hands are up!). Have you read Tim Winton? He's the bright star of current Aussie writers. And a Christian.

There are few novelists who can write about faith in a real and evocative way. Depending upon the writer’s experiences, depictions of Christian people and their faith tends either towards bitterness or triumphalism. Tim Winton is one exception.

Here's a good interview (and it's in SydneyAnglicans.net Gary - maybe you don't read that stuff from Sydney???).

Let me know, anyone who's read any Wimton. I like the guy.

# posted by geoff @ 4:36 pm

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Is It Hot?

Carol asks "is it hot" in Oz? It's really, really, unbearably, stinking hot! No other way to describe it. 33deg today in Melbourne, yesterday much the same. Last week was 37deg Tuesday 25th, 35deg on Australia Day (with a min. of 23.5), 27 Thursday, 36 Friday, and 31deg yesterday. All of last week was incredibly humid too - quite unpleasant!

But tomorrow... aah, that's what's good about Melbourne. It's predicted to be 19deg and wet. Get out the radiators!

And you also ask "what's football?" That would be like asking a heresy, except you're not from Melbourne. OK, next time you visit (promising you won't ignore us all, like last visit!) then you could get first-hand initiation into the greatest game on God's earth. We try to keep it a secret, but for special people...

# posted by geoff @ 4:21 pm

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Back to the grind!

Yes, it is back to the grind for real today!

Kids went back to school yesterday and today I took a deep breath, packed my gym bag, and stepped forth bravely into that sickening atmosphere of "getting healthy and fit". A person who hates reading the news isn't going to enjoy the gym, is she??????

It's three months since I've been (had to freeze it seeing we went to the USA and then School hols) and one certainly backslides. Maybe thats like prayer, I was thinking. If we "freeze" prayer for a while, can we get back to that closeness with ease???

I usually like the little treadmill bit at the end where I can dive deeply into a world of thought, and communicate with the Lord God. But today, I even found that difficult. Oh yes, I got into my "thinking world" alright, but all I could think about was making it through the 15 minutes!

Well, tomorrow should be easier.

Fingers crossed!

Have a good day, you Aussies. Is it hot?

Cheers,
Puffing Billy!

# posted by Caroline @ 8:05 am

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