| 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 |
Thursday, March 31, 2005 OM and my doubtful behaviourGeoff, Shirley went on one of the ships for a few hours when it was in Melbourne some years ago, and we read The Doulos Story and other books. Shirley said that it was a good experience seeing and being on the boat; it would be marvelous to be on it as crew for a time. A good way to see much of the world too for the ships go to ports 'off the beaten track'.Now Geoff, there were people at Belgrave in the Convention Hall, holding hands. I need your opinion on this one and I know that you will consult the BSF Manual. I don't have a copy now but I'm sure you will find the BSF ruling on this right between the section on How to hold your coffee cup at a supper, and the section on Which hand to hold the telephone in when calling a member. I did wear a tie to church on Easter Sunday but up to then I have worn a tie to two weddings and to nowhere else. See I'm degenerating into hopelessness. While you are at home on holidays from BSF Saturday morning, I'm doing first aid at post 6 of 8 on the Oxfam Trailwalk. There are 1,640 entrants who think that they are going to walk 100 kms, oh yes, but on past experience three quarters will finish. Geoff will I patch up these loonies, or just hit them on the head with a hammer. I'm sure that the BSF Manual ........ I'll let you know when I'm going to the football, but doing enough of the other things, Bette Middler, Mamma Mia, motocross, and other things. # posted by Anonymous @ 6:33 pm 0 commentsOperation MobilisationBefore we start, if Dave was a good BSF leader he would show little or no interest in winning a bottle of Sp Burgundy, wherever the Cats finish. Nevertheless, we will see if we can tempt him...Does anybody know anything about OM (Operation Mobilisation) and its' founder, George Verwer (described as "one of the most influential Christians of our time with an infectious passion for world mission")? He gave an inspirational talk at BHC on Sunday afternoon. They run missions from two ships, MV DOULOS and MV LOGOS II. Great adventure for young kids! We are planning on hearing George again Saturday night, at a meal at Holy Trinity (coming Gary???). # posted by geoff @ 11:15 am 0 commentsSaturday, March 26, 2005 Is the Belgrave Comvention worth going toIn my usual way I tried to look at something from a number of angles.I finished Good Friday swamped with fine teaching, from my own church in the morning, and two sessions at Belgrave. But now, as in every day, I thank God at the start, and have to live the Christain life in the rest. Unfortunately the phrase 'just do it!' has been taken by a commercial entity. But I did think about Belgrave Convention: In the times I've been there, I've never heard a female speaker giving the teaching. (yes, some have spoken on a missionary society), and I've heard speak, Australian, American and British men. Has there even been a female speaker? Has there ever been a speaker from a country other than the above nationalities? gary # posted by Anonymous @ 6:18 am 0 commentsWednesday, March 23, 2005 Franklin GrahamWell my husband and I faithfully attended all three meetings at the Telstra Dome - Friday, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. We were rather disappointed at the amount of people that turned up. Saturday night saw the biggest crowd, maybe the draw card was Guy Sebastian, who I enjoyed of course, although seeing him in the flesh was like looking at an ant in the far distance.We were amazed at the amount of people who went forward at the altar call - yes - it did remind me of the old Y.F.C. days, only on a bigger scale. One thing that I noticed that seemed to be missing with 99% of the people going forward, was the emotion of a broken and contrite heart. People were just looking around, laughing and chatting as they walked out the front. I was speaking to the Radiographer that I work with who is a Pastor. She said that she went with a group that had five non-christians. One of those non-christians wanted to go to the front but was nervous and self-conscious about going so four others from the church went out with her. During the counselling session, the person doing the 'counselling' insisted on recording all of the five people's names. The other four were already christians, indeed one of them was an elder. They were pressured to give their names and addresses and were counted as making decisions. A bit disappointing to hear. But lets pray that if even only 10% of the new converts meant what they did, then it was worth it. I felt that the preliminaries went too long. On Sunday the Governor General talked for about 1/2 hour. What he said was good and there was a write up in the Herald Sun, but it went on way too long (I thought so anyway). Personally I thought that Franklin Graham could have given more depth in his messages - hitting it where it hurts the most - but his messages were very simple. I know that it was directed for the person who hasn't heard the Gospel, but there needed to be more 'relevance'. Well I read the Da Vinci code in two & 1/2 'sittings'. Rather controversial. It saddens me that there would be people out there who will read this book and believe that Jesus was indeed married to Mary Magdalene and that there is still a blood line somewhere. But I did learn a few things about the Catholic church. Apparently there is a book out by Dallas entitled "Breaking the Da Vince Code". It's not on the book shelves - you have to ask for it. My friend from church is going to buy one. It will be interesting to read. Good idea for us to write out our testimonies - I haven't done that for several years - so it will be a challenge! Getting old now - clocked over another year today, and it's costing me a fortune to keep those grey hairs covered, but my kids tell me to keep it up! # posted by shellymac @ 7:27 pm 0 commentsBelgrave Convention?Is anyone going: its too early for us to decide, usual form. We may not even go but Shirley thinks its great and I'm not fussed -- well all we do is sit there and listen. There is a rumour too that David Jackman is speaking at Holy Trin. on the following Sunday.Ok. I'll make a decision, dinner together Friday night, so I can hear David Cook and the other one at church. If anyone doesn't have a program its at www.bhc.org.au How about some comments on Franklin Graham, other than mine. For a course at church I have to write my testimony, (and it may be published) No you don't get a mention Michele but your brother does! How about everyone doing theirs in the after Easter time. Another good year for the Lions coming up. Definitely! gary # posted by Anonymous @ 5:53 pm 0 commentsMonday, March 21, 2005 my weekendFirst let me deal with Geoff's ignorant comment, "how come I didn't get to sing with the oldies on Sunday". To be kind 'never' and I will keep other thoughts about the geriatric timewasters to myself.I had some highlights over the weekend. Friday night Shirley and I went to the first night of Franklin Graham, two of a small crowd. It was a good amount of 'hype', but I was disppointed with Franklins talk, (do I know a lot of people who could have done better including Wilfred, Michele's husband and of course Paul Barker). But but, I was thrilled at the number of people who commited to a true faith and that there seems to be more of a follow-up and encourangement into churches than before. Were you there Michele. How was it like the YFC rallies. Nostalgic? On Saturday morning on went the St. John's uniform and I went to my first motocross day, wisely taking some earplugs. The noise, the dust, the jumps, falls and colour were all at a high level. I treated a few people, but no serious injuries on Saturday and again I didn't have any trouble with an amount of blood. While walking out at the end dust in my hair, eyes, ears, sox, undies, shirt, everywhere the leader said, 'its a lot better than mud!' Probably right! On Sunday I realised why I sit next to Shirley in church -- I can ask her the meaning of all the big words that the asistant minister used. Ah the clergy are an educated lot and I wonder if church is for simple working class people like me. And she woke me up after the oldies did their attempt at singing. # posted by Anonymous @ 9:12 pm 0 commentsEvents at Gary's ChurchGary, how come you didn't get to sing along with the oldies on Sunday morning???And was it you who said something about a real baptism (immersion) happening at Holy Trinity recently? Thanks for your assessment of Franklin Graham and Reiki, Michele. We heard similar reports re FG, and your feelings about being in amongst a group of "believers" who practice and demonstrate their christianity very differently than we do, can test one's tolerance! Belgrave Heights is looking good! David Jackman (UK) & David Cook (Sydney). # posted by geoff @ 2:12 pm 0 commentsSaturday, March 19, 2005 Franklin Graham/Reiki/St PatLast night a few of us from our church attended the first of the Franklin Graham events at the Telstra Dome.I have come away with mixed feelings. For one thing I had to remind myself of what I said earlier that "many people express their faith in different ways." We seemed to be sitting right in the middle of a very expressive Pentecostal group of people. They seemed to talk all through the prayers (general talk not 'in tongues') and clapped a real lot. I do admit that I was tapping the old foot and at one stage got up and got into the swing of things - I had to - I was getting numb from sitting for so long. The message was O.K. - I felt it needed more depth, but then again, it is geared for the non-christian, for people who may have never heard the gospel before. We were thrilled that so many people went forward and we pray that there will be people who have made a genuine committment. I especially loved Marina Prior and am lookin forward to hearing Guy S in the flesh. Being of the 'old school'I would have liked a hymn or too, maybe they will have one on Sunday, although I doubt it as they are having a Hillsong time. I sang along when the singers were singing 'Just As I Am'. I have mentioned the meetings to a few people and none of them had heard anything of it. Sad. Reiki - there is no way that I would go near anything that is even slightly tainted with the occult - which I believe Reiki to be. I had a few pretty scarey experiences in my wayward youth with the occult - don't want to go back there. I wasn't aware of an "exorcist" visiting melb. until it was all over. My husband had to speak at the Hostel where my mum lives. He goes there every third Thursday of the month. When we realized it was St Pat's day we looked up the books and found some interesting facts. As most of the ladies are R.C. Wilf was able to intertwine St Patrick and the Gospel by using the Shamrock (as did old Patrick) to explain the Trinity etc. Apparently the old girls were very happy. # posted by shellymac @ 2:27 pm 0 commentsThursday, March 17, 2005 St Patrick's Day TaleAnd a foine day it is, too!No better day to relate the tale of a colleague some refer to as "Wally" but will be Dr John to us, and the Irish master of John XXIII college at ANU. Applying for a position as chemistry tutor at Queens College, a stuffy protestant institution at the University of Melbourne, Dr John approached the master of John XXIII and told him Queens was asking for a reference. The master, a benedictine priest OP, knew the opposition well. He asked Dr John what he wanted him to say, then after a moment's reflection simply advised "I will tell them you're sober and industrious - the protestants like that!". And indeed they did - as Dr John, tutor at Queens for many years, can attest. # posted by geoff @ 5:16 pm 0 commentsMature relationshipsMichele, appreciated your mature comment "that different people express their relationship with the Lord in different ways". Was good to be reminded of that.Geoff # posted by geoff @ 2:09 pm 0 commentsTwo Visitors - Franklin Graham & The ExorcistThis month we have two visitors to Melbourne - an exorcist (just departed) and an evangelist (Franklin Graham, just arriving).Any thoughts on either, the exorcist in particular (any strong views by any here - did anybody hear him interviewed by John Faine for instance?) Maybe someone went along? Curious. # posted by geoff @ 9:28 am 0 commentsSunday, March 13, 2005 Franklin Graham etc.Shirley, my wife, and a group from church have been doing some calling on people telling them and giving them a printed invitation to the Franklin Graham events. The conclusion it that (a generalization) --no one under 40 knows who is Billy Graham and Franklin Graham is not known either. I hope that this week the committee do some advertising in the papers and radio; I expect that tv is too expensive. Is anyone planning to go: we are, on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Geoff, Dave, Michele. We are praying each night for many to turn to Christ. (Michele going to see Guy Sabastian on Saturday night?) To his credit, Paul Barker, is giving F.G. plenty of support in our church, (usually only Anglican things have a hope). Am I the only one to have read The DaVinci Code? And what Michele just put on, its very good that people in music and movies are Christians. gary # posted by Anonymous @ 9:31 pm 0 commentsSaturday, March 12, 2005 Christians in HollywoodAt the moment my husbands sister is staying with us for a couple of weeks.Every time she sees that a movie star or singer has given their lives to Christ she makes a note of it. Here are a few of them that she has written down:- Jim Caveizal (Actor -The Passion) - has shared the platform with Billy Graham, Gary Busey, Michael York, (both actors,) John Tesh (Singer) and his wife Connie Seleca (Actress), Chad Everett, Gavin McLeod & his wife, Dihan Canon, (all actors), Listen to this one - Stephen Baldwin! (He is very outspoken concerning his faith and the rest of the family are not impressed. He does alot of work with young people) Jane Fonda - (her chauffeur led her to the Lord and she is very active in a Southern Baptist Church). Church Norris & his wife, Mr "T" (I knew about him for a long time). Kirk Cameron - he stars in the Left Behind series - he use to act in Family Ties. Apparently he preaches on one of the Christian channels. Jennifer O'Neil, Alan Autrey (both actors - Alan is the son of Gene Autrey), Cliften David and Randy Travis (Both singers). Isn't it interesting to know that there is such a movement of God in peoples lives. I know that since Sylvie Paladino gave her life to Christ she has found many Christians in the musical world. Every time they have the Carols at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, she and Marina Pryor have a prayer meeting in the rooms there, and many of the artist join them. There was a time when I would have been very judgemental looking at the lives of each of these different people, and I would have expected more from their lives as Christians. But I'm learning that different people express their relationship with the Lord in different ways. Just because they may not live their lives the way I was brought up to do, does not mean that they are any less of a Christian. We are all learning and growing and adjusting. Some of us find it harder to adjust than others. My brother's wife - Jan - accepts people they way they are, I'm learning slowly to do so as well. And I'm trying not to be so judgemental in my old age. Anyway - who am I to say anything - I'm the biggest sinner of all!!! God Bless - Michele # posted by shellymac @ 2:55 pm 0 commentsWednesday, March 09, 2005 less on footballYes Carol being a Christian helps put thing into perspective. So you two paid good money to see an aged Neil Diamond, a great singer 30 plus years ago but now. The abomination is that Suzi Quatro is still going. And Tom Jones! Did I drool over her, (Quatro) once, but pop music is not for geriatrics, its for young people! Having said that I'm trying to go with St. Johns (and free) to Bette Middler and Mark Knoffler, well I wouldn't pay good money to see those.Geoff must have been rushing out the door to write so little about football. He is almost 'the living end' of sanity, but complete is my wife's uncle and aunt Albert and Nancy, who I can assure you from being at their place on Sunday, have placemats of the team at the dinner table, dolls and posters of players in their living rooms, and a video collection of of 50 plus tapes of the teams past games and of course victories, which they watch if they don't want to see the movies on tv. Comment Geoff seeing you follow the same team and sit with these 'unfortunates' at the football regularly. Just 'true blue' supporters? Carol in case you haven't figured it out, Australian tease each other considerably, especially over football. Geoff will that hopeless team get anywhere this year? Will the Brisbane Lions? # posted by Anonymous @ 7:58 pm 0 commentsA FootballCarol asked "I don't understand a word of football. What shape is a football?"It's like an Easter Egg! (the round ones are soccer balls - and in the case of rugby ones, they didn't know what shape, it was just modelled on somebody's head I believe). # posted by geoff @ 4:46 pm 0 commentsTuesday, March 08, 2005 Neil Diamond and suchlike.....
# posted by Caroline @ 2:35 pm 0 commentsMonday, March 07, 2005 right on The DaVinci CodeI was at an engagement party Saturday night and at one time chatting to my sister-in-law, Maree, a lapsed R. C. Maree asked me absolultely seriously if the part in the book that Jesus was married to Mary is true!# posted by Anonymous @ 6:11 pm 0 commentsJesus is Watching!A burglar broke into a house one night.He used his flashlight to look around for valuables. As he was putting a CD-player into his sack, he heard a strange, disembodied voice say, "Jesus is watching you." Hearing nothing more, he shook his head, and then began pulling the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires. Again he heard, "Jesus is watching you." Frantically he shone his flashlight around the darkened room until the beam came to rest on a parrot in a cage. "Did you say that?" he hissed at the parrot. "Yes," the parrot confessed. "I was trying to warn you." "Warn me, huh? Who the hell are you?" "Moses," replied the parrot. "Moses!" the burglar laughed. "What kind of stupid people would name a parrot Moses?" The bird answered, "Probably the same kind of people that would name a rotweiller Jesus" # posted by geoff @ 1:03 pm 0 commentsThursday, March 03, 2005 The DaVinci Code and foregivenessI read it in three days and loved it. A great crime book and I was happy with the ending.Dan Brown gets into the R. C. Church and especially the part Opus Dei ('work of God'). And its about a hunt for documents that supposedly prove one of the great heresies, that Jesus was married to Miriam of Magdala and she gave birth to a child. This daughter and Mary were out of favour with the male dominated early church but the child's generations can be traced, and they mainly lived in France. I don't believe the heresy. I think that all of you should read it, and enjoy the book. And be aware that people with little faith are reading all about one of the heresies that surface time and time again. On, foregiveness, well I don't know. Michele's steps might be the case for one person and may be helpful. From my own experience, there is foregiveness of the things that happened, then there is forgiving myself, of jealousy, anger, the poor me syndrome, times of depression and wrong desires. Its reasonably easy to say things are past and I'll get on with living; its heaps harder to deal with myself. It (foregivness) may only be complete when people revisit the places and people of the past and the outcomes of course are different. I'm raving but it makes sense to me. Oh you pooor football fanatics over a particular team: just enjoy the skills! gary # posted by Anonymous @ 8:16 pm 0 commentsTuesday, March 01, 2005 Re ForgivenessCan relate to your sentiment Michele "didn't really feel like forgiving anyone" - boy, do we have days like that!!Especially enjoyed: 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 (depression), 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. And some of those Christian platitudes - God-speak, the "saintly language" are rather inane when you think about them, and often just mindlessly mouthed to get the speaker off the hook (so they can get onto an interesting topic - for them). "Travel mercies" is another that grates with me, everytime. 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. Thank God for good friends, many of mine being on this blog. # posted by geoff @ 3:07 pm 0 commentsReiki?Anybody got any experience of Reiki? Is it sus?? Here's a web-link which suggests it has a serious spiritual dimension, as you go deeper into it.I know some Christians who practice it, others who use it or regard it as an innocent alternative healing method. Seems no doubt there's a power for natural healing there. I know also other Christians who regard it as a spiritual practice, potentially evil and certainly not Christian. A bit like a big funnel - at the top it can all look quite peaceful, even blissful. Strong swimmers can probably swim around there quite happily. But weaker ones get sucked down. Or those who want to go deeper, can and do. And gradually they are inevitably sucked, funnel-like, down a vortex to destruction. Powerless, trapped, entranced, fooled. Which is the correct perspective on Reiki? # posted by geoff @ 10:00 am 0 comments |
|
| << That's it! But checkout the Archives for more... | ||
|
||