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!

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

If you read the Bible, Shawn, what penalties

Shawn you cannot believe in prisons! They are not mentioned in the Law. There are physical penalties and penitalies by the payment of money but no mention of prisons.

The reason of course is that the Law was given by God through Moses to a nomadic people still the best part of 40 years out from the 'promised land'. They had enough to move around and no need of a number of criminals in 'the clink'. What then should the penaly be for robbers -- restitution fourtimes to the victim? Do you think that the principles of God apply to modern times, to a modern society?

# posted by Anonymous @ 6:53 pm

1 comments

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

A parent's worst nightmare

How my heart bleeds for the mother of Van Nguyen who is to die this Friday by hanging.

Yes, at last she and her other son (the twin of Van) have been able to visit their son and brother, which must be so bitter sweet for each one involved.

BUT - they cannot touch him.
All their contact is through toughened glass.

I can feel the ache in my own heart at not being able to hold my son. Surely it's not too much to ask for?
If this was happening to me - I'd go crazy.
I would need that one last, long, tight hug, when I could whisper in his ear how much I loved him.

Just writing this and thinking about it has brought tears to my eyes.

There are some people calling for Australia to have a minute of silence on friday when Van Nguyen is hung. I would not call for that, as what he did was so wrong even though it was for the right reasons. But be assured, my mind and heart will feel the ache for another mother.

I just pray that this young man has had a personal encounter with the Lord and that he would not go to a Christless eternity.

# posted by shellymac @ 8:11 pm

0 comments

Saturday, November 26, 2005

We need to be against all death penalties

The guy in Singapore to be hanged next Friday gets us to the next question, do we oppose all death penalties. I do but it seems that the Australian government does not, and in a few months they could be too late again with the "Bali 9' are convicted and sentenced in Indonesia. Many countries around the world have death penalties and not just the third world for many states of the USA, I don't know if its most or not.

Christians are divided as on everything, (divided on beliefs or too busy getting richer).

The Australian government under John Howard won't really do anything. Are lives of minor consideration when there is commerce and trade to build up?

We might go and live in New Zealand one day.

# posted by Anonymous @ 5:48 am

1 comments

Sunday, November 20, 2005

daylight again

I'm writing this at 5:30 in the morning, and I've been awake nearly an hour. I can't sleep in, as 5 days a week my alarm goes off at 4:20 for me to go work. Its not quiet now, the birds are up and some are happy that our 'bottle brush' bushes are still in flower and the grass was cut yesterday so worms and insects are easy to find. Of course the birds are 'singing'. They are happy. And they are beautiful.

There's something in the Scriptures about the Father looking after the birds, as an example to us so we will not be stressed, and the 'extra' teaching then is that we will be looked after even more.

I have always enjoyed birds, animals and flowers; being alone a lot of the time has helped. Walking the dog helps. Having different work and times to Shirley helps, getting away, definitely. My father wants me to take up bowls, if he gives me his set I might and if he helps the right way -- he was a very good bowler and coach. Its a good game, but for the momement I will stick to St. Johns as a hobby. I'm doing first aid at a rowing event next Saturday, my first for a few weeks as the motocross for last weekend was moved. This week I will hear from Swineburne College if I have got into nursing for next year. On the aptitude testing I got down the the last quarter, then had an interview: half of the quarter will be 'cut'. Taking the wait calmly. Enough personal news.

best wishes from Gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 5:25 am

1 comments

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Capital Punishment - Yes or No?

Lately Australia has been in the local media of different countries all for the wrong reasons. We have Shapelle sentanced to 20 years for alleged "Drug Smuggling' and we have Michelle Leslie who has got off with a three month sentance, finishing now for having drugs in her possession. We have the 'Bali Nine' awaiting court proceedures and most likely the death penality and we have another young man sentanced to death on Dec 2nd for drug smuggling.

These instances have caused so much heartbreak for so many people.

The mother of the young man who faces death on Dec 2nd was notified by Registered Post. How heartless and cruel to be told in such a way. Where was the tenderness which should have been given to a mother who's heart was being torn and crushed.

There was a time when I believed in the Death Penalty. But I'm not so sure now.

Several years ago I watched 'Dead Man Walking' and was a sobbing mess by the end of it. I was identifying with the victims, then with the Sister, then with the Accused and then with the parents of both the victims and the accused.

How would I feel if the victims were my own loved ones. Would I want revenge?

How would I feel if the accused was one of my loved ones. Would I want Mercy?

So often we only think of ourselves and not how the other party may feel.

Corrie ten Boon comes to my mind. The agonies that she and her family went through in the Prison Camps. The abuse, the degredation, the humiliation, and yet, when she met one of the prison wardens some years later, God gave her the grace to extend her hand and shake his and tell him that she had forgiven him.

Would I be able to do that? Definately not on my own,but with God's help and grace - I pray that I could.

I also think of Joe Korp who hanged himself after it all came out about his wife in the Car boot (I'm sure that other members from overseas would have heard about it in the media). I had people saying to me 'serve him right', but all I felt was pity and sadness that he felt that committing suicide was the only option.

Everybody deserves some compassion.

# posted by shellymac @ 9:55 am

1 comments

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Wonders

Yes Geoff the comments part could be good. It just needs people to write some, and something to the blog. We are so busy, very busy, so busy, I can't be a Christian unless I'm very busy, flat out and flat out some more. I'm my humble opinion the Christian life was not meant to be a burden, there is supposed to be a joy in it.

Now we are coming up to Christmas, so we can be busy some more. Where will I find time to sleep. I should understand when some people here don't reply to my e-mail, such busy and too important people. I'm not stressed, I'm used to it. If it doen't get done then it can't be important, let's all relax and enjoy the last 7 weeks of the year. You do know how to relax Geoffery, I hope so, I worry about you.........

Gary

# posted by Anonymous @ 6:48 am

0 comments

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Now a forum!

Hi everybody, had a rush of blood to the head and decided to tinker with the mechanics of this blog. We've got our title back (the Blogger bar at the top had over-written it). And i've added "Comments" capability, so now all of us and anybody else in this universe also, can add comments to a specfic post.

So we're now God-Spot Interactive!

To have a go, simply click on the "Comments" button at the bottom of every post, and comment away. You do the same to read the comments (oh, and Gary should get an email everytime someone adds a comment). Cheers!

(sorry, had to add the clumsy step of "word verification" to prevent spam - some of it quite rude)

# posted by geoff @ 2:45 pm

2 comments

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