| 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! |
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Tuesday, May 31, 2005 Hi GaryNice to see you again.Thanks for your prayers. I do remember when my mother died, wondering with a very sad heart, if there was anyone who would pray for me regularly from now on? I knew she did, and it was so comforting to know someone was praying in the background! A close friend of mine phoned me a few days ago and said to me she felt alone, and would I please pray for her? (Interesting she felt "alone" as she is a very popular person, and she and her family have a busy and popular life!) I told her I do... I pray for she and her whole family every day. I knew the comfort it was and still is to me when I know someone is praying for us, and she also received so much comfort. Isn't that how it should all work? That we pray for our friends, those who "despitefully use me" (and repentance for those I despitefully use!!) and our ministers, the world? What else? Also for individuals we feel prompted by Him to pray for? Great topic, prayer! Anyway, thanks again, Gary! Geoff, is Gary a drama queen? To be honest, I am about the only one I know in amongst my friends and aquaintances who would write on a blog . or even read one! In this age of computers,and the age of not being able to exist without them .... I don't know of any personal friends (here) who blog, do lists or hardly even email. I shall keep my eyes out though, for any potential bloggers! Gary, anyone can reach me on that email on the front of this site! Must run, off to the gym! Carol # posted by Caroline @ 5:59 am 0 commentsMonday, May 30, 2005 a half truthThe minister was in the middle of a sermon on forgiveness, and about to be practical with the congregation. He said,"Ok people, hands up those here who have someone they need to foregive for something!" All put their hands up, except for Alice the oldest person in the church, and the minister said, "Alice dear, you are 98 year old, are you sure, from all your years there is no one that you should foregive for even just a little thing?" She smiled and quietly said, "Lots of scumbags, but I've outlived them all!" I like it somehow, time for exercises to keep healthy. Gary # posted by Anonymous @ 8:36 pm 0 commentsSaturday, May 28, 2005 a half apologyWell, blessings to you, I pray for all the Christian people that I know during the course of a week.I deleted the terrible resignation of two weeks ago, I must have learnt something from my mother, a capable drama queen, sorry about that (that she is a drama queen and that I did much the same). I would like to be involved in a blog with people, who communicate a couple of times a week -- its not too hard to hold a cup of coffee in one hand and use a mouse in another, then write 50 words in a few minutes, but over the last months that has seemed too hard. Are there 3 members now? How about we have a drive to involve more people: an effort in the first few days next week to invite a dozen people from our Address Book, why not? Doggy and I have discussed how pathetically shy are all the Christians I know, except for just a few. I'm included in the shy group, definitely, but we can ask people to come in by e-mail. My e-mail address is garybondfield@iprimus.com.au, considering the pace here we could communicate taht way. Carol I don't know yours, do you have a neat NZ one? I think that somewhere I have yours Michele, but of course would not write unless you sent something to me. I'm enjoying the St. Johns work, and the people I meet through it, and in it. Oh I did a terrible thing at the bible study last week, I used the terrible 'v' word -- (complaining about a lack of) variety in the church. gary # posted by Anonymous @ 5:52 am 0 commentsWednesday, May 25, 2005 Thankyou GeoffThankyou Geoff, for conveying that Gary is still around!I am very pleased to hear it. # posted by Caroline @ 12:57 pm 0 commentsTuesday, May 24, 2005 Not Igor...Discovered last night that Igor is not your elder Michele, the BSF meeting was in his home the Wednesday before last - it moves from home to home, apparently.Carol, Gary is fine, we had a curry with him & Shirley Sunday night and I think his tongue might still be burning. But he will be back, I notice he has removed his resignation post, so that's a start (btw Gary, did you post something on football and the once-mighty Brisbane Lions which you removed too? - I was keen to hear your football wisdom, of late). Interesting your roots in Gippsland, Michele. We know folks (Jones) from Thorpedale. Boisdale was our immediate family's district, and another rellie managed the Drouin Butter Factory. Longwarry was another family dairy-farm, once-a-year experience of farm-life for a city-bred boy! (they probably bought petrol off your grandfather). # posted by geoff @ 9:26 am 0 commentsMonday, May 23, 2005 shy or otherwiseHey Michelle,Sometimes I don't say anything, and sometimes I say too much and want to cut out my tongue! I have noticed that shy, quiet people, as well as efferescent, outgoing people all make this comment. You are not alone. I also would make this comment for myself. I guess the only way is to think long and hard before each and every comment one makes. But by then, the conversation has passed on two miles!!!! So what is the answer? Maybe we should pray more for wisdom and an understanding heart (as Solomon did) and then when we do speak, our words are wise and understanding! Well.. its a thought! Come back Gary. PLEASE! Geoff, can you phone him or something? Tell him since he left a 'book' has been written on here!!!!!!!!!! He really got us going again! # posted by Caroline @ 4:32 pm 0 commentsCorby Finds FaithIn today's news, Corby Baptised Ahead of Verdict. Guess there's nothing like the imperative of facing life in an Indonesian prison to cause one to realise the depths of one's human need. Let's hope Schapelle has indeed found a living hope through faith in God, and that she can accept and face suffering, even maybe injustice, with rejoicing and in a way that glorifies God (eg. 1Pe2:19-25).But that's tough for a mature Christian, so a very tough call for a recent convert such as Schapelle. # posted by geoff @ 1:23 pm 0 commentsIgor the Elder??!Michele wrote:The preliminary meeting of the mens BSF was held in one of our Elder's homes on Wednesday night. It's a pity that our church building is not suitable for the meetings - not enough rooms. I think that meeting on Wed night was in Igor's home (a co-DL in our BSF group). Which would make Igor the elder in your church. If that is the case, indeed a very small world amongst us believers down here! (btw, since Gary bailed out and left us on our own on Saturday mornings, Igor is the bright spark to brighten such an unearthly start to the weekend) # posted by geoff @ 1:14 pm 0 commentsFriday, May 20, 2005 On Gippsland and Lingering.Geoff - how interesting to know that your dad lived in Longwarry as a young lad. I went to the Longwarry Union Church (Methodist) and was even married there. In the evenings we went to the little Methodist Church in Longwarry North which was situated along the Princes Highway. We were very involved in the night service. At one stage when I was aged between 5 and 9 (was I ever that young?)my parents and grandmother owned the Picnic Point Service Station in Longwarry North. Dad would never turn anyone away and one night counted 18 times when he got up to serve petrol. After that he bought a Shoe Shop in Bunyip and then in Drouin. My grandmother grew up in Thorpdale and my friend from school lives in Mirboo. It certainly is a small world.Carol - I enjoyed the post of what Joyce Meyer wrote as well as the one on Lingering. I think that I got disillusioned with BSF because there was no wavering from the scripted text. If there was someone in the group with a need to unburden themselves there was not the opportunity to do so. On the other hand - me, being of a rather peculiar type, often feels threatened when in a small group. Sometimes I don't say anything, and sometimes I say too much and want to cut out my tongue! I do believe though that fellowship is important, but we must be prepared to give of ourselves. But we need to realize that in giving of ourselves we are opening our hearts and minds to the threat of being hurt. At the same time we need to be able to accept friendship, and learn to trust. By the way, Wilf has spoken to RC's at length about the Immaculate Conception, and the people involved had no idea that the meaning of it was that Mary was born herself without sin - just as Christ was. I didn't know about the 'Bodily assumption'. Where on earth do people get these ideas? The preliminary meeting of the mens BSF was held in one of our Elder's homes on Wednesday night. It's a pity that our church building is not suitable for the meetings - not enough rooms. Til next time... # posted by shellymac @ 7:32 pm 0 commentsLinger LongerCarol, a useful article. My life is too busy. Need more time to walk the dog, chat with Gary, ...I found the para on the bible-study leaders' meeting interesting - BSF adds the extra dimension, but still the study is too quick for any topics that require in-depth searching (but BSF is too inflexible to allow for ligering!). Here is an interesting link to an interesting couple - and the lady Carla has an interesing section on "Titus 2 woman" (is this something like Magna Man??). # posted by geoff @ 10:30 am 0 commentsThursday, May 19, 2005 The Art of LingeringReally enjoyed this article.The Lost Art of Lingering Getting beyond superficial relationships in a fast-paced world. by Shawn Young Don't apply the "cheap and easy" mentality of consumerism to relationships with God and each other. Have you ever noticed how long it takes to make microwave popcorn? "Delicious popcorn in only three minutes!" Well, that's what it says on the bag, but standing there waiting for it to get done seems like an eternity. We live in a microwave society. We've come to expect that everything in life will take only three minutes. But the best things, the most important things in life, cannot be microwaved. Our relationship with God and our fellowship with one another are two of the greatest things in life, yet we have scarcely understood how these relationships grow. It troubles me to see things like The One-Minute Study Bible. Do we really expect to have a meaningful relationship with God if all we can give him is one minute of our time? In the same way, we fill our schedules with so many "good" things, that we don't have time for true fellowship with other believers in Jesus. When I first came to the University of Nevada at Reno, I noticed a trend among the Christian students. They made themselves busy going to every Christian concert, fellowship night and party, but struggled with shallow relationships. Just because we do more doesn't mean we are doing better. We American Christians have taken the "cheap and easy" mentality of consumerism, and applied it to our relationships with God and each other. As a result, we have many acquaintances but few committed friendships. We know trivial things about God and about other people and have stopped expecting anything more. We are surrounded by Christians, yet we have a nagging feeling of loneliness. Our efficient machines which promised to give us more leisure time have only increased our expectations and anxiety about being more productive. We have lost our appetite for the deeply satisfying rewards of true fellowship. The fact is, we are afraid of real Christian fellowship because it takes—you guessed it—time. If it can't be cooked in under three minutes, we don't want it. Somewhere between the microwave and the microchip, our society has lost the great art of lingering. Last fall our Bible study leaders made a small but radical decision. They were meeting each week to study the passage they were going to lead the next week. They loved learning together, and would often take two hours just to study the passage because they wanted to answer every question thoroughly. Halfway through the semester, we evaluated how the leaders' meeting was going, and the leaders all agreed that two hours was not enough time to prepare for Bible study and still deepen their relationships with each other. So they decided to add another hour to the meeting just to share more about their lives with one another. This is a refreshing sign in a culture where Christians bring cellular phones to church, check their watches ten times during the service and then bolt for the exit as soon as the pastor offers his closing prayer. Our leaders are discovering the lost art of lingering—allowing enough time to discuss the really important things in life and taking time to get to know one another. It didn't take long for us to see the benefits of lingering. One time, one of our leaders took the opportunity to share about her struggle with sexual temptation. This led to other leaders confessing their temptations, and then we spent more time in prayer for healing. On another night, we talked about our families and how they've influenced us. As we took turns talking, it was clear that as a group we were moving to a new level of trust. I was astonished at how much I didn't know about the people I was leading with! If we want to experience the meaning of true fellowship, we must learn to make the conscious choice to linger. It will require making fewer commitments to all those good things so that we can go deeper into some of the best things, including relationships with people. We need to have unhurried conversations without the nagging worry that we are going to be late for something else. There are nights when I sit in the busy campus coffee shop just because I know I will see someone from our group with whom I can have a relaxed but meaningful conversation. Some of my most enjoyable times in ministry have happened in that coffee shop as I listened and asked questions late into the night.
Learning to Linger The first step is to set aside ample time. Most people have to schedule their lingering at the start. When you hope to linger with someone, don't schedule other things too close to it. Allow an hour or so for extra lingering!Since I love to snowboard, and it takes at least three hours to get in a good "ride," I always take along someone I want to linger with. The 45 minutes in the car each way is great for talking. I've spent several wonderful times with my friend Mark on the slopes. Other kinds of road trips are also good for rich conversations and shared experiences. On commuter campuses, you have to take advantage of the times when you can get together. On our campus, some of the leaders just wouldn't go home after our large-group meetings because they wanted to further their conversations. Perhaps you could also linger with your pals somewhere after large-group meetings. We're all busy, so you have to create time for lingering. Ben and Ardrena were busy freshmen who found that they were really encouraged by conversations with their Bible study leader, Estelle. Since she worked nights at the front desk of a dorm building, Ben and Ardrena decided to sit with her during some of her shifts so they could talk more about what they covered in Bible study as well as discuss other things on their minds. Ask questions. So many great conversations get started by a thoughtful question. Lingering is not watching TV with other people in silence, but rather an exchange of thoughts, ideas, stories and even Scripture. It is personal interaction that benefits the heart, soul and mind. Our fellowship has started some dorm Bible studies in the late afternoon around 4:00 p.m. This is so the group members can more naturally spend extended time with each other by eating dinner together after Bible study. In our blinding, busy, breathless world, we are becoming lonely, unconnected and shallow. Current culture claims that we are into hanging out together. In reality, we are at risk of losing all sense of community and belonging. Some of us sit alone in our rooms before a glittering screen and grow isolated. Others of us squeeze God and other important relationships into the cracks of our overbusy lives and wonder why we feel so empty. The machinery of today's culture that promises productive satisfaction doesn't deliver. As difficult and costly as it may seem, we need to "waste" more time on the things that really satisfy our deepest longings. Lingering is just one good way to "rage against the machine." Shawn lives in Reno, Nevada with his wife Caryn and his children Kalena and Nathan. He was a student leader and has also served on InterVarsity staff in both Las Vegas and Reno.Originally published in Student Leadership journal, © 2001 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Used by permission. # posted by Caroline @ 7:15 pm 0 commentsWednesday, May 18, 2005 How much notice, Carol? Oh, about a couple of hours. Probably a bit longer if that dinner is to be in Vienna. Let me know.LOL And Vienna isn't on the cards at this point in time! Interesting article on the Catholics and Anglicans. Thanks for sharing. Later.... Carol # posted by Caroline @ 8:21 am 0 commentsTuesday, May 17, 2005 BSF UpdateMichele, here are details of the next six months of BSF studies in Oz, maybe of interest to some in your Evangelical Christian Church in Keilor East, because a new men's group will be starting in the western suburbs with these studies. It will be on Monday nights at 7 pm, not sure where yet. But maybe you could advertise these studies, and if any of the men in your church are interested I can give you details.It is a unique opportunity to do these two short studies, because we have six months to fill in before starting the year-long study of Genesis early next year (switching from the US system July-to-June to a more sensible calendar year). Gary, I have a membership form for you to fill in. Here are the study details: Colossians Lessons 1-5, 15 August to 12 September Ruth Lessons 1-5, 10 October to 14 November # posted by geoff @ 11:04 am 0 commentsChit ChatHow much notice, Carol? Oh, about a couple of hours. Probably a bit longer if that dinner is to be in Vienna. Let me know.Gary, I've seen those reprobate rellies of yours recently, not very happy either! Never mind, things will get better for them. And Michele, my father lived in Longwarry as a boy. And we still have family on a dairy farm down there somewhere. There's a little patch of country there, in the hills around Thorpdale, which for me is heaven on earth. # posted by geoff @ 10:19 am 0 commentsAnglicans and Catholics in Bed TogetherAn interesting development - in today's Age "Almost 500 years of feuding over Mary ends". Yes well, we'll see. Sounds overly optimistic, to this simple fellow. The article starts:Nearly five centuries of division between Catholics and Anglicans over the place of the Virgin Mary have ended potentially in a historic agreement that she was Christ's foremost disciple and a model for all Christians but not a saviour. So far, so good. But... Both churches released a statement early today (Melbourne time) that they hope will surmount one of the main theological objections to a united Western church. The Anglicans embrace such a wide spectrum of theology, that I suppose adding a Mariolatry wavelength won't upset things too much. But what is the point of such unity based on compromise? Anyway, there's more... The joint statement, Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ, tackles four main issues: the Catholic doctrines of Mary's immaculate conception (that she was born free of sin) and bodily assumption (that when Mary died, her body and soul were taken into heaven) - both of which most Anglicans reject - the authority of the Pope in making them dogma, and how Mary should be honoured. Sound pretty insurmountable differences, on the face of them... The statement, yet to be formally adopted by either church, draws on Scripture and ancient tradition, seeks a language that reflects what the churches have in common but transcends the past controversies. Sounds like woolly compromise... The document...says the disputed doctrines are "consonant with Scripture and the ancient common traditions" Now, that we would like to see! Ancient traditions maybe, but consonant with scripture? Maybe not surprisingly, one of the major authors is our "mate", Anglican Primate, Perth Archbishop Peter Carnley. A suspect character if ever there was one. Seems we're not the only sceptics, the European Institute of Protestant Studies has this to say: We wonder how the Commission can possibly claim to place the Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Mary in any Scriptural context. This document, like its predecessors, will attempt to dress up pure Roman doctrine in language that will deceive those ‘Protestants’ who wish to be deceived. Gary, your thoughts and what would Paul Barker make of it all??? # posted by geoff @ 9:54 am 0 commentsMonday, May 16, 2005 not at southbankGeoff:We've got a date! (just not near the waterfront at Southbank!!!) Sooo..... did you and I have coincidental dreams? Prophetic? Perhaps we leave that one in the too-hard basket, huh? Geoff: But I'm not too sure about dreams, I think some could be prophetic, but probably many more are just nonsense or our vivid imaginations while the brain is resting, so there's too much interference and it's too complicated for me to sort out what's real and what's just "dreaming" (but I'm not taking any chances!!) I'll stick with the same answer, if it's all ok with you! Geoff: Looking forward to a looong dinner - whenever! I'll let you know nearer the time. How much notice do you need? When are you next going toVienna, or somewhere? Carol # posted by Caroline @ 8:28 pm 0 commentsMy dogCarol wrote:"To be honest, I am scared of all dogs ... so don't bring him to meet me when we meet for dinner one night later this year. You probably wouldn't see me for dust!" We've got a date! (just not near the waterfront at Southbank!!!) But I'm not too sure about dreams, I think some could be prophetic, but probably many more are just nonsense or our vivid imaginations while the brain is resting, so there's too much interference and it's too complicated for me to sort out what's real and what's just "dreaming" (but I'm not taking any chances!!) My dog is a lovable female - border collie cross kelpie. Very smart lady, she would lick you to death. And yes, she's good to talk to like Gary's dog (and I assume she understands far more than us stupid humans imagine). Looking forward to a looong dinner - whenever! # posted by geoff @ 4:24 pm 0 commentsMERCYHope you enjoy this as much as I did. Joyce Meyer wrote it.Carol If there is anything you and I need a lot of every day, it is mercy. Mercy is both an action and an attitude of the heart - it is kindness in excess of what may be expected or demanded. Years ago, I had a real problem of not knowing how to receive mercy. I was very legalistic with myself, always feeling I had to behave properly and do certain things to be accepted by God, others and even myself. So when I got into a relationship with God, I thought He would treat me the same way. When I did something wrong, God would try and give me mercy, but I would put myself under the law and try to pay for every mistake that I made. How did I do it? By sacrificing my joy and peace and allowing myself to feel miserable. I was also legalistic with other people. I didn't want to be harsh and hard. But it seemed like I had a hard heart and I didn't know how to change it. Thankfully, God showed me that Jesus had already paid for my sins completely - past, present and future. All I needed to do was believe it, repent, and receive His mercy. Once I began receiving His mercy, my heart was softened and I was able to begin extending mercy to others. We can only give away what we have. I'm so glad God is NOT like people. He willingly gives mercy to anyone who believes in Him, repents, and is willing to receive it. Now, this doesn't mean He doesn't deal with us when we do things wrong, because He does. But while we're changing, He doesn't withhold His help from us. What God gives, we need to give to others. Sometimes in relationships, we have a tendency to offer others forgiveness with strings attached. We say, "I'll forgive you, BUT ... I won't be getting you a Christmas gift" ..... or "I don't want to be around you any more". And, that is not an attitude of mercy. Mercy in action chooses not to spread negative information about someone - even if it is true. Mercy also chooses not to expose the faults of others, or share their secrets. This doesn't mean we're always to remain silent and never voice our concerns about situations we are in. It just means we need to guard our words and be careful not to get into gossip or slandering others. God has mercy on us when we fail and His love covers our sins - it doesn't expose them. (1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.) What God does for us, we need to do for others. Thats the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus said: But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. This means He desires to show us mercy when we fail and is ready to help us when we experience trouble. And, as His children, we are to imitate Him in this way. Freely we have received and freely we should give (Matthew 10:8). Don't make people bring you sacrifies to pay for their mistakes. Give them mercy just as God gives you mercy when you fail. The devil is making it hard enough for people - lets not help him! It's bad enough we have to deal with the enemy's attacks and the day to day stresses of life. We need to start helping each other by focussing on each others strengths instead of focussing on each others faults. Noticing the good that people do is what brings healing in our relationships and keeps them strong. Remember, James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. and Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression. I encourage you to begin developing a merciful attitude towards peoples failures and mistakes. Just as Jesus understands us, our weaknesses, our background, and why we do what we do, make it your aim, through Christ, to understand others. God never expects us to give away what we don't have, but once He gives us mercy (which He provides continually) He expects us to be willing to give mercy away. As you sow mercy, you will reap mercy - good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over! # posted by Caroline @ 9:10 am 0 commentsSaturday, May 14, 2005 At Last!!Well, at last the other 'bloggers & bloggerites' have remembered this site! I wrote my testimony a few weeks ago but was reluctant to post it. Thanks Carol for your sharing yours. When I go to New Zealand I'll make sure that I meet up with you. But I have a feeling that my longed for trip to new Zealand will never become a fact.I don't have a dog to talk to - we did when I was a kid living in Longwarry North, but that's eons ago. My daughter is constantly getting calls from friends telling her of their woes, and she tells her own woes to the cat - me too at times! Now for my brief testimony... It's pretty hard to fit 53 years (and getting younger each day...)into a few words - but a good exercise nevertheless. PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE PAST I was born the youngest of four and my childhood was spent in various parts of Gippsland. My parents were both Christians and my life was surrounded with Christian activities. My father instigated a Missionary Program at our Church in Longwarry North, and each month the church would have a dinner with a visiting speaker from a mission. Many of these missionaries would come to our home first,and I found it exciting and a privilege to have known so many workers from 'the field'. During my teenage years I attended the local youth group called Teen Age Fellowship - TAF for short. It was a branch of the existing Youth For Christ program that was held in Warragul. Up to this point I had a clear understanding of what it meant to be a Christian and at the age of 14 I gave my life to the Lord. But inspite of my 'open' home and a supporting youth group, I was extremely shy and self-conscious (I still struggle in this area at times). I left home at the ripe old age of 17 to pursue nursing. A very green country girl was suddenly living in South Yarra. Confused and mixed feelings were beginning to surface,causing me to make some wrong decisions in the way I was living. The highlight of my nursing was to work at Yooralla in Balywn, with many children affected by Cerebal Palsy. During this time we were to find that my newborn niece would suffer from the same affliction. I found my self in a position of understanding. Obviously the Lord placed me there for a reason. When I was 21,after much struggling with the Lord,I entered the Melbourne Bible Institute at Malvern. I had promised the Lord one term. Two Diplomas, a husband,a baby on the way, and four years later I left! Again I could see the hand of God upon me leading me to MBI. PRESENT My husband has been the Pastor of the Evangelical Christian Church in Keilor East for the last 22 1/2 years. We have four children, with two of them married. Each one of the children have given their lives to the Lord for which we are so very grateful and I firmly believe that it was through the example and teaching of my husband that they took this step. I work as a permanent part-time Medical Receptionist at an X-ray Clinic and have been there for 11 years. We have experienced the hand of God during all these years, and my husband has helped me and encouraged me to use the gifts that God has given me. Our lives are full of various challenges as we face each day. I know that I fall far from God's standards, but I also know that He is a loving and patient God. FUTURE "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself..." Mat 6:34 I need to heed this verse, being born into a gene pool of worriers! Sometimes the future seems to be fraught with troubles and impossibilities, but as I look back over my life, I can see how the Lord has led and protected me, and I just have to trust Him daily for my future and the future of my family. # posted by shellymac @ 5:46 pm 0 commentsGeoff Dogs and DreamsHello GeoffI enjoyed your contribution here. Your obversations on your dog was excellent and very appropriate. I didn't know you had a dog! To be honest, I am scared of all dogs ... so don't bring him to meet me when we meet for dinner one night later this year. You probably wouldn't see me for dust! (Trouble is with dogs, their tongues are too wet and their pawmarks are so difficult to get off my clothes!) Interesting too how our posts were so close and neither of us had looked onto this blog for so long. I sent mine at 2.47 and you at 3.19 ... pretty close, huh? I forgot about those dreams we had .. ... do you think all dreams, some dreams or no dreams have some kind of significance in our lives? Are they messages? There are certainly enough books out there on the shelves about such things, but to be honest I have never delved into them very deeply. Was Vienna successful? Thankyou as always for your encouraging comments of encouragement! Have a good weekend all of you Carol # posted by Caroline @ 9:09 am 0 commentsFriday, May 13, 2005 Great Stuff!Having felt too guilty (because of not having anything inspired to post) to even look here for about three weeks, today, just now, I timidly take a peek, and yours was there Gary. I knew what to expect! Then, as soon as I'd finished reading about the truths you tell your dog (better come back to BSF and start telling them these truths, just last Saturday I told Dave how much we are missing you!) - I discovered that Carol had just posted, similar thoughts to my own. Amazing! But perhaps it's not, not even that the timing was almost exactly identical (because without letting secrets out, Carol & me even share the same dreams occasionally!!).Anyway, really enjoyed reading yours too Carol - so a double bonus. Just two (uninspired) bits to add. Dogs are great - I think I learn a lot about my relationship with God, from my dog's relationship with me. For instance, she loves me madly, even to the extent of doing silly things when I'm around at times. I just shake my head (but smile, outwardly but deeply inside too). And she's so easy to train and discipline, because above anything else she wants to please me (but she still can't resist digging big holes sometimes in the garden, even though she knows and hates my displeasure). Second - after finishing the BSF Acts study Gary, we will do two pilot studies to fill up the second half of 2005. One is Colossians, the other (brand new) is Phillipians, I think. You better come back for them - only 6 months, and that way you could truly say you've done ALL the BSF studies. Might even be fun (it will be if you do come back with us!). And Carol, keep posting and encouraging us, you probably will never know how much we MISS YOU! # posted by geoff @ 3:19 pm 0 commentsTo GaryDear Gary,I trust the Lord will move you to come back for another look ..... and that you will read this. Please can you forgive me for not being here on this blog, in a reading way, or a contributing way for some time? My only excuse is that I have experienced some slight concerns in my life in the past while and have hardly come to the computer at all for quite some time. The concerns (in case you are wondering) are all in Gods hands where I have firmly placed them, and my relationship with God, although questioned greatly by others, is not only well intact, but stronger than ever. Back to you. I am actually glad you wrote your "Goodbye" post here and it is amazing that today, only one day after you wrote it, the Lord moved me to read this blog again! I realise now that God moved me to read the blog this afternoon, as I admit I have been a little selfish in just remaining concerned with my own concerns, and it is very good and necessary for me to reach out beyond myself and those very close to me. You have always shown a really interesting spirit on here. You seem to me to be close to God, interested in people, in helping them and being there for people. This has been noticable from the first post I ever read of yours. In fact, if you are willing, I would be interested sometime meeting you. Meanwhile, I have just read your testimony. No wonder you have formed a beautiful and close relationship with the Lord, as you have sought Him and found Him and He has meant a lot to you in your life. I appreciated your openess in sharing it with not only us, but any readers who may cruise by. For myself, also in a nutshell, I am 47 years of age and when I was 12 years of age I felt very drawn to the Lord God and wanted Him in my life. I attended many services in our church, asking in my heart, many questions and yet they never seemed to be answered. I continued to have great unrest in my heart. At the age of 19, I decided that nothing seemed to be happening as far as coming to know the Lord Jesus, and so I made the decision to openly tell people I was now a christian. I became a christian in name, and a christian in desire, and a christian in my lifestyle, but not a christian in my heart. I lived this way for many years, getting married at 23 years of age, and becoming an active member of our church. I always felt unfulfilled though and continued to have an unhappy heart. When I was 43, I became obsessed with coming to know the Lord as life was passing and I was not any closer to Him than when I was 12 years old. I basically, due to desperation, spent 90% of my day in prayer and reading my Bible and trying to find Christ for myself. I asked many many people what it was actually like to know Him for themselves and how they actually did come to know Him. This was an act of delicacy, as I was supposedly already close to God for many years in everyones eyes! I discovered that not many people wished to speak of their heart thing with God (nor do many still like to) , and I became more and more frustrated. Finally after a month of this desperation which overtook my heart, mind, Soul and whole being, the Lord God spoke to me in what might be termed audibly. I know it wasn't actually audible, as if someone had been in the room they would not have heard ... it was for me alone. I was also given in that moment, a physical and heart and mind feeling of utter peace. This was what I had been waiting for all my life! This was actually a supernatural experience. One which was my complete turning point and one which I shall never forget, right into eternity. From that day until now, I have felt safe, secure, loved and very close to the Lord, and have never lost my peace of knowing Him for myself. The times since then (as I think you also experienced) have actually been difficult. God has not given us easy times, but this is something I welcome, as it has only driven me towards God in a deeper and deeper way. Now, when I have some kind of trauma or happening which I do not understand, or I would normally get frightened or shy away from, I merely go to Him in prayer........... for as long as it takes. The Lord ALWAYS ALWAYS fulfills me, and I leave His presence with overflowing love and satisfaction and a knowing that no matter what ... I am protected and loved. And I also love Him more than anyone or anything in this whole world. Thats my testimony, Gary. I am so grateful to be able to share it. The Lord loves us to share these things as He loves to be glorified! As Max Lucado writes, and titled his book, "It's not about us"!! Our life is created to glorify Him in all we do! I do hope Gary, that you can read this and know how much I apologise for not coming here as often as I should. Love, Carol # posted by Caroline @ 2:47 pm 0 commentsMonday, May 02, 2005 TestimonyThanks for sharing your testimony Gary. It can be a difficult and threatening thing to do - opening oneself up to others.We should all do one on the blog. I'm thinking mine through - not an easy job though. # posted by shellymac @ 6:50 pm 0 comments |
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