Biblical
Graduate
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of Theology
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Biblical
Graduate
School
of Theology
ChapelAt chapel last week, we took a closer look at King David. From 1 Chron. 17 - 21, some of the characteristics of this godly man were elicited.David was a man who was concerned about the dwelling place of God and who wanted to do something about it. Verses 4-11 show us how God considered him: God would build him a dynasty and establish his throne forever. David had a clear view of who God was, who he was, who his people Israel was in relation to God. We saw that in his prayer in chapter 17. Chapter 18-19 showed him as a capable warrior, a just and righteous king over his people and one who earned the loyalty of his people. The exploits of his followers (chap. 20) in winning battles against giants of the neighbouring lands reveal to us his capable leadership. Yes, David was a man above all men. Yet we read in chap. 21 of his fall. Verse 1: Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. Perhaps David felt that he had, as the king, the right to take that action, even though his faithful commander Joab pleaded with him against it. Verse 14 recorded the consequence of that decision: 70,000 men died of the pestilence God sent. Three reminders were offered:
This week we welcome Mr. Calvin Chong from SBC who will share with us. |
Newsbitshttp://www.levsoftware.com/verses.htm to choose from more than 23,000 verses. Instantly, Hebrew text, English transliteration, and translation are "served". If your browser does not display Hebrew, Lev Soft-ware offers a complementary downloadable Hebrew font. So all BH students, go and check it out! Away from office ... Dr Moira Lee will be on leave from 4 to 6 Dec. She will be attending the 2nd Asia-Pacific Conference on Problem-Based Learning organised by Temasek Polytechnic. From the desk of Dr Moira Lee ... academic planning & developmentFRIDAY, 8 DECEMBER DEADLINE FOR HANDING IN ASSIGNMENTS FOR "THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT", "MINISTRY & SPIRITUALITY" & "ENTREPRENEURSHIP & TENTMAKING". Please make every attempt to complete your assignments and hand them to BGST office so that Prof Paul Stevens and Prof James Houston can personally attend to the marking of your papers. The scripts will be mailed to them in Vancouver.JANUARY 2001 OVERSEAS GUEST LECTURER DR J.W.MARIS In 5 weeks’ time, Dr Maris is expected to be in Singapore to conduct two courses. Dr Maris is Professor in Systematic Theology and Rector at the Theological University of the Christian Reformed Church in Aperldoorn, Netherlands. He brings to his teaching a rich pastoral experience, having been a minister of the Christian Reformed Church in the Netherlands since 1967. He received his theological training at the Free University at Amsterdam. His PhD dissertation was entitled, "Faith and Experience - From Wesley to the Pentecostal Movement." [ cont ] |
Sign up now for his
two courses:
* THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE LORD & GIVER OF LIFE (3 credits) - Sat, 6 Jan (3-9pm); Mon, 8 Jan (7-10pm); Tue, 9 Jan (7-10pm); Thu, 11 Jan (7-10pm); Fri, 12 Jan (7-10pm); Sat, 13 Jan (3-9pm). * MAN - CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD (1.5 credits) - Mon, 15 Jan
(7-10pm); Tue, 16 Jan (7-10pm); Thu, 18 Jan (7-10pm); Fri, 19 Jan (7-10pm).
Pondering about Pottery!The first spiritual discovery I made had to do with 'centering'. When a potter works with a wheel, he begins with the very crucial task of centering his lump of clay. Unless the clay is centered, the potter will be unable to build a perfect pot with even sides and will more likely have a collapsed mess on the wheel before he gets very far. So even before we can begin to think about being moulded by God for use of any kind we should understand the importance of being centered. My experience with centering taught me quite a few lessons. My early efforts at desperately squeezing my clay to get it to behave as it should (to stay on the wheel and in the centre) almost reduced me to tears. I have since discovered that it isn't necessary to apply a lot of pressure. All that is needed are firm, steady hands, the right pushing forward, the left guiding the lump. And oh, the sweet joy of the clay running true! The potter knows that he can plunge his thumb into the lump, open it up, pull it up to the required height and then set about shaping it, all the time in harmony with the clay spinning on its true centre. It seems to me that we often chafe against God's 'moulding' of our lives because we find the process terribly painful and, like the uncentered clay, we fight against His hands. But if we first allow ourselves to find our centre in Him, we would realise that He is gentle, wise and purposeful. He doesn't have to push us to behave if we allow Him to guide us to where we should be. And when we are truly centered no words can describe the utter delight of yielding to the creative hands of our heavenly Potter! Pauline Koe
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