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, April 25, 2005

testimony from gary

This is amazing on my part, it was painful to do, its is the slightly longer than the one handed to the person at church running an evangelism course, a couple of explanations were needed. Gary

Gary’s Testimony

At the age of 12 things changed very much for the good. There were 3 changes: I became a very good reader, (and read many books I shouldn’t have), I got into sports, (and wasn’t very good at most but there I met people and developed some social skills), and a girl in my class organized a group of us to a Youth For Christ rally in my home town. I had a marvelous night and there became a Christian whereas Sunday School hadn’t done much for me.

The day after that Saturday night YFC rally my life became a struggle if not a battle, to keep going because, (I’m trying to keep this short), I had a very unhappy homelife and there were going to be some bad experiences, some bad Christian experiences too.

A month later the same group from school plus a few others were at the next Youth For Christ rally when a quite confident and little older boy and girl asked us to join the youth group. I quickly became considerably jealous of the guy, Roger, and the girl, named Coralie, gets a mention soon.

I was the only one of my school group who went to the Youth Group but generally I had a great time despite: (1) I wasn’t the norm as I dressed in early 60s ‘swinging sixties’ clothes and shocked the ‘squares’, (the rest of them), I came as an only child from a family of divorced parents which was very very bad in those days, and I was rapt over my JB Phillips translation of the New Testament while ‘they’ all had the ‘real’ bible of King James; and (2) most of them, if not all, they gossipped about me, (they had enough without finding out about my being psychologically and to a slight extent, sexually abused), until after a couple of weeks Coralie told them to shut up and ‘mothered’ me.

But I was on the way to being involved in Christianity, doing lots of reading, lots of church involvements over the years, getting great amounts of good teaching and forever trying to make the right choices. My wife, Shirley, has been a huge help, often by just being there and by keeping her faith as we all have done. Roger’s younger sister, Michele, (of this blog), has helped a little recently. When I was in YFC she was just a shy schoolgirl, I’m pleased she is confident now.

At 13 I chose to be baptised and remember it all well. It was a highlight of my life which I followed quickly by confirmation. It was also the year that I read three very significant Christian authors, John Robinson, who got me thinking deeply, JB Phillips who got me thinking in an expanded way, and Billy Graham who got me thinking clearly. Then I read lots of other Christian books while reading many many novels.

Over many years (I’m now 55) my knowledge has grown. At one time my faith went radical then became more traditional. I had a few people to forgive and I expect some needed to forgive me for I was often brash to hide my considerable shyness. The foregiveness on my part wasn’t so hard to do, but, getting over the jealousy (mine of many people, Roger wasn’t the only one with a family I wanted, or the confidence I didn’t have, or the success I didn’t get) and the anger, yes, those were both hard and took many years. A few things were put right from prayer, and a few from good teaching, and a few from my own understanding. Being alone hasn’t always hurt: some things were ‘realised’ while walking the dog.

Enough! Gary March 2005

# posted by Anonymous @ 9:33 am

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Saturday, April 23, 2005

The Pope - Old & New

We receive the weekly Christian Paper - New Life - and there were a few things written about the Pope that I found interesting. I'll share with you just two quotes - "...While no one can deny that Pope John Paul II was a significant influence in the fall of communism and that he took a major stand on abortion, for example, never-the-less he led a church further into apostasy on at least one key point. Namely the promoting of Mary to only a step short of making her co-redemptrix with Christ..."(David Stephens, Qld) and "...Pope John Paul II was unquestionably the most influential voice for morality and peace in the world during the last 100 years. His extraordinary gifts, his strong Catholic faith and his experience of human tyranny and suffering in his native Poland all shaped him and yet he was respected by men and women from every conceivable background across the world. He was truly one of those rare individuals whose legacy will endure long after he has gone..."(Billy Graham) Hmmm interesting.

Now the new Pope. He apparently has very strong convictions concerning abortion, homosexuality etc., only time will tell if he continues to uphold these views now that he is a leader of so many people. Many people have commented about his participation in Hitler's Youth. I have a cousin, through marriage, who was also in Hilter's Youth. He had no choice but to join it and when he was able to he ran away. Until now, he rarely speaks of this time as it still upsets him. I hold nothing negative about the new Pope's past. Indeed, isn't it our past that shapes us the way we are today?

On a different note - I was chatting to my sister-in-law today and she was talking about 'prodigal children'. A comment that she passed on to me was "They are out there working on their testimony". I like that! Something to take solace in for those who have 'prodigal children'. (But in actual fact - isn't that what we are all doing? Working on our testimonies day by day?)

God Bless,

# posted by shellymac @ 6:13 pm

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Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Giving people a go

Well Geoff, people do rise to the occasion and maybe the new pope will lead the church in a good direction, (I will give him a go, being a good Australian).

The is in the light of being out of favour at the St. Johns empire at the MCG. Ah, the world is petty; no one is picking my first aid ability or my writing up the reports either. To be less cryptic, I didn't do it exactly right because no one told me at all, let alone told me clearly.

I have been accused of many things over the years, it is part of the fun of living. Time heals all wounds; and wounds all heels!

And I'll stop writing silly cryptic things to myself. How is BSF?

blessings gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 4:35 pm

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Pope Rottweiler

Well, the new pope is announced and on the radio they were already referring to him as Cardinal Rottweiler. Pretty irreverent, but he did take the name of that great American traitor, Benedict Arnold.

And we didn't get the apparently-prophesied (by whom?) Jewish pope, rather somewhat diametrically he's German with a boyish history in the Hitler Youth.

"There's been no evidence to show that he committed any crimes or has been implicated in crimes," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, the founder and head of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Centre, "but clearly, joining the Hitler Youth is not something you want to boast about on your CV."

No, it's not. The GodSpot jury remain out - no white smoke from here, just yet.

# posted by geoff @ 10:53 am

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Tuesday, April 19, 2005

Second Pope - Linus

According to the Catholics, the second Pope (ie. after Peter) was Pope St Linus (either AD64-76, or 67-79). Irenaeus claims that Pope Linus is the Linus mentioned by St. Paul in his II Timothy 4:21. The passage by Irenaeus (Adv. Haereses, III, iii, 3) reads:

After the Holy Apostles (Peter and Paul) had founded and set the Church in order (in Rome) they gave over the exercise of the episcopal office to Linus. The same Linus is mentioned by St. Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. His successor was Anacletus.

As The Catholic Encyclopedia says, We cannot be positive whether this identification of the pope as being the Linus mentioned in II Timothy 4:21, goes back to an ancient and reliable source, or originated later on account of the similarity of the name.

An interesting guy incidentally, Irenaeus - he wrote (Adversus Haereses) refuting gnosticism (this heresy's been with us a long time). The Catholic Encyclopedia has an interesting section on gnosticism, particularly its rituals and the role of angels. We spend a lot of time and energy, re-learning the truths that guys like Irenaeus knew and wrote about, back in the 2nd century.

And for the record, Peter was crucified (upside down) in Rome, and Paul was beheaded (by Nero) in Rome, both around ca. AD64 or 67. However, exact dates back then are problematical.

Again, the Catholic Encyclopedia: The task of determining the year of St. Peter's death is attended with similar difficulties... The date of Peter's death is thus not yet decided; the period between July, 64 (outbreak of the Neronian persecution), and the beginning of 68 (on 9 July Nero fled from Rome and committed suicide) must be left open for the date of his death. The day of his martyrdom is also unknown.

# posted by geoff @ 12:53 pm

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Peter

This from a gnostic site I definitely wouldn't recommend, but seems a fair summary of the guy the RC's call their first pope:

We come to the end of our consideration of a man called Peter – the disciple about whom more has been written in the New Testament than any other. At the end of this journey, two questions remain:

- How was this heir apparent to the ministry of Christ, this recognized leader of the fledgling church at Pentecost, so easily shoved aside by James and Paul?

- What is the ongoing relevance (if any) of Peter’s life, his writings, his example, to this current generation?

Peter’s reputation for acting before thinking – an asset at Pentecost – became a liability as the early church required stronger leadership. The unusual deaths of Ananias and Sapphira may have been nails in the coffin for Peter’s leadership. And compared to Paul, James (and John), Peter was no intellectual giant.

Peter had a problem at articulating and then holding to a position. Vacillation over the issue of gentile circumcision undoubtedly lost friends on both sides of the aisle. His heart may have been in the right place, but he could never articulate the case for a moderate position clearly enough to hold his own in the heated debates of the early church.

Over time, Peter has fared substantially better in the annals of Church history than his early counterpart in leadership, James the brother of Jesus. This is despite Peter’s loss of official church leadership to James and transfer of missionary mantle to Paul.

Maybe this is because so many of us see something of ourselves in Peter. A man with a heart of gold, but for whom courage evaporates at the critical hour. A person who can be bold and impetuous, yet who ultimately compromises for sake of keeping everyone happy.

# posted by geoff @ 11:27 am

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New Pope

Some amusement in the reports coming out of Rome - such as we might see the first Jewish pope (to squeels from my catholic colleague "there's already been one" - Peter of course, which some here might dispute). Incidentally, who was the next "pope" after Peter - maybe another protestant??! (were they around back then?)

And from the report in today's Age, a vivid photo encaptioned "Storms clouds gather over St Peter's as 115 cardinals go into conclave to seek help from a higher authority to choose a new pope."

"We're going to be unusually reliant on the Holy Spirit," one cardinal joked before they went in, to be sealed from the outside world until their work is complete.

And of course, the smoke over the Vatican this morning was thick and black.

Incidentally, my Roman Catholic colleague (calling him Roman Catholic annoys heck out of him; "catholic, thank you!") referred to the photos of the red-capped cardinals yesterday as looking like "roosters". Say a few "hail marys", John!

# posted by geoff @ 10:31 am

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Monday, April 11, 2005

really

Oh Michele! 'the faithful few' stayed up to watch the wedding (C & C), what! still faithful to Mills and Boon are you, if you were ever? I didn't waste good comfortable bed time and slept all through it. But Shirley is 'dippy' too and also watched the wedding. Then 'if their marriage (Di & Charles) had been strong in the first place'... Well I don't know these things: you are just so much more definite than I am. Dr. Hannibal Lecter said, "What do people want, they want what they haven't got". Is that relevant to marriage and other problems?

I was actually tired Saturday night after doing my first time with St. Johns at the football. It was a good day for me, treating 3 people then being put on the bondary to watch the players for injuries and the crowd in my area, while watching the game too. I saw most of it. I've put in to go again this Satuday. Others can do Sunday games.

I wish Charles and Cammy well being married, and I don't know what really went on with Charles and Di (who seemed a fair creampuff to me). If they, (C & C) have problems then they can blame me, why not, yes a good idea, I can have a few minutes of fame. (I'm still raving on about celebrities in the church). Then the new pope will get the publicity. And another conservative is certain and The R. C. Church, the biggest in the world, will stay in crisis, and in many ways different to the other churches. Its a bit sad, isn't it?

Gary (raving and tired)

# posted by Anonymous @ 9:24 pm

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Sunday, April 10, 2005

One Funeral & a Wedding

Well, we've been inundated with media showing us the funeral of the pope and the wedding of Charles and Camilla. When I saw the masses that attended the funeral of the pope, I couldn't help but think of what it will be like in the future, and how people will be so easily persuaded to follow a "man of peace" - namely THE antichrist. Of course not all our members on the Blog have the same view of the end times that I have, but that's O.K. One day I can say "I told you so"!!! :)

I was one of the faithful few that stayed up late into the night watching the wedding of Charles and Camilla. I liked one comment that was made by one of the hosts in London - that Camilla didn't break up the marriage between Charles & Diana, but that they did that to themselves. If their marriage was strong in the first place then old Charley didn't need to look elsewhere for love and acceptance. Not morally right of course, but when all is said and done I'm glad that they are married at last. Their love has endured over 3 decades of critism, sinfulness, and media suicide. Now at last it has been put right.

# posted by shellymac @ 2:34 pm

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Tuesday, April 05, 2005

OM & The Pope.

When "The Doulos" was here in Melbourne several years ago, I went to have a first hand look at it. It was O.K. and I guess if you don't mind communal living you could get by. I'm afraid it reminded me of Bible College and I felt that closed in feeling once again and couldn't wait to get off it. I think serveral years of nursing and living in the nurses homes and seven years of being in Bible College (four as a student, one year on campus as a wife - two years off campus) cured me of communal living for life. I go on our church camps and a couple of other camps occasionally, but three nights is the longest that I need to stay,and I find that more than enough. Wilf's nephew was on the 'Doulos' for around 12 months and just loved it. Also a young man who was once in our church, then was an addict, and now is going great, has just come off the ship. He loved the experience. A great learning time.

The Pope. I was asked at Church on Sunday if I thought he had gone to Heaven. My answer - "He will sure know all about it now" I'm just thankful that God is the judge and not me. I know several RC's as do we all, and I understand their grief etc, but the whole thing leaves me cold. The people seem to worship and adore him - two activities that should be reserved for the Lord only - but they are blinded. By the way - for someone who is deemed so 'holy' - does he still go to purgatory? Do the followers still have to pray for him and pay for his way out of it?

Some clergy (and their wives) think they that ARE celebrities, and even get treated like that. Here in our church we (Wilf and myself) are certainly not celebrities, part of the furniture is more like it! Worn out old furniture at that!

Does anyone know if Charles and Camilla's wedding is to be televised? I would like to watch it. They should have married 30 years ago!

# posted by shellymac @ 8:07 pm

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Phillip Adams on Pope

Good article by Adams in today's Australian:

This brawling between reactionary theology and secular consensus in a pluralist society was balanced, however, by the Pope's profound opposition to the death penalty. This despite its popularity with many of the same US Christians - the best-known being the born-again President - who stridently oppose abortion and any form of euthanasia. (Throw the switch but don't pull the plug!) It was the Catholic nun who has spent more time on death row than most convicted murderers, as crusader and friend to the doomed, who persuaded her boss to speak out more strongly on the issue. Sister Helen Prejean convinced the Pope to oppose the death penalty in any circumstances.

# posted by geoff @ 2:35 pm

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Dead Pope

Gary, I asked my RC colleague, Dr John (or Wally affectionately) what the masses outside the Vatican were praying for the Pope as he lay on his deathbed. His response "that's a typical protestant question". When I pressed him more, were they praying to extend an old man's life, or for some other blessing, he simply replied "there's power in prayer, Geoffrey". I think it's a pretty formal ritual for many (on both sides).

I think the clergy (including Paul Barker) are quaint. I get a feeling that Paul is terrified that he might be regarded (no, surely IS regarded) a celebrity by many. No chance with me, but he doesn't know that, so treats me at arms length.

In regard to that little white cap the Pope wears, is he Jewish perchance?

# posted by geoff @ 1:18 pm

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Sunday, April 03, 2005

so the pope is dead

What were all those prayers and masses for; he died. We all will, probably looked after less. At 84 he had a good innings and in any other organization he would not have been the leader for the last 5 plus years.

Apart from being a nice old bloke, did he do God's church any good. He was an arch conservative, and took the RC church backwards. And therefore did he take all of Christianity backwards.

Now they will pray for his soul. the RCs, to me when someone is dead its too late. I pray for the living.

Now we will se the wealth and glory of the Vatican, and we will see the cardinals all dressed up and glorious. They will all fly in and stay there for weeks.

Why can't they keep in touch by e-mail and elect the next pope by video conferencing. It would save a fortune. The funeral will be on tv, why do the cardinals have to go.

Is the answer that the leaders of the church, (cardinals, the pope, the arch bishop of canterbury, the arch bishop of melbourne, paul baker, the local minister who has been in his area a long time), are all these people celebraties on some scale. And in a few cases their wives are celebraties. Or are church leader so quaint, not celebraties but curios.

gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 6:26 am

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