Welcome to an online community where we discuss issues that you can’t always discuss so easily at church. For example, why you are changing churches, how you view church or controversial doctrines and practices. Historically there has been a megachurch or Pentecostal theme, but topics are often broader than that. Everyone is welcome.
The original Signposts2 was finally deleted by its administrator. A big thank you to Lance for running it. Lance is now running a new blog, now with a comments facility. His blog is Group Sects: www.groupsect.wordpress.com.
For SignPosts02 (SP02) to work, people need to contribute posts. So post away. Should you wish to become an author here, or contribute an article, contact the site administrator at this email: specks_and_planks@hotmail.com
Specks&Planks is taking over from RavingPente as administrator from 13 JUNE 2008.
About Specks & Planks:
I’m not someone who lives behind the screen, but is active in ministry. So I put my actions where my mouth is. I operate in gifts of the Spirit and have open dialogue with God. And (shock-horror!), He does talk back. I am adamantly zealous in holding to heart the fundamental gospel message. I believe His gospel message is living. Therefore I am incredibly stubborn with where I stand with certain issues and ministries. But because I believe in the sovereign grace of God, I do not doubt that those who are completely in error are going to hell. If God loves them, I must.
Someone once described me as a fundamental, charismatic, non-denominational, methodical, pentecostal, conservative, spirit-filled believer. I liked that. I thought it described me well. I also like to think that I am open to criticism and rebuke. So if you think I am too extreme on issues, I am keen to grow and learn.
My user-name is a reminder for myself to make me wonder if I am being a hypocrite or reasonable in the issues that I believe need to be looked at.
Do you have an agenda with Signposts?
The more authors we have on Signposts02, the more various things we have to discuss. The more various things we have to discuss, the more it remains Signposts02. So I am constantly looking for Christians who think they have things to share.
Having more authors is important to me, as many seem to see where my focus seems to lie. Unfortunately, my passion can get the better of me and I can say some stupid things. Fortunately, I am open to listen and make changes if people make comments about what I have written. I’m growing as I write so I hope you grow with me in love, truth and wisdom as we discuss what is happening in the body of Christ.
I’ve observed that people like to be challenged with controversial topics, this is an art-form I need to master. I pray that you all will be blessed but challenged at Signposts02 so that the issues raised may sharpen the minds of all of you. We are to love the Lord with all are heart, our MIND, soul and strength. May the grace and Spirit of God keep us all together. I do my best to live with everything I’ve got. I encourage you not to sit behind a screen and be a cynic for the rest of your life. I look forward to running this race with you all!
Consider the speck. Consider the plank.
S&P of SP
Hi folks … your friendly neighbourhood Bull, who lives the other side of the world, is now the SP02 administrator!
Yup, I’ve taken over. BUT … I do not know the local scene in Australia at all. I get hints of it but not enough to originate that many posts. So … you guys are going to have to pick up the ball and run with it if we are going to keep the interest up.
My mission statement is as follows:
“To give space and time for those who are in a troubled church situation to find fellowship, understanding, teaching, safety, hospitality and above all LOVE.”
Many of those who contribute can sometimes be vitriolic and harsh with their brethren. Indeed, they sometimes even question the validity of the concept that those they argue with are brethren! However, I do not want to see those who humbly come looking for answers to their problems with church or doctrine to be flamed.
We are all looking to perfect our doctrine that we might more fully know God. We don’t have it all right. But we are all getting there.
Whoever we are,
Wherever we are,
God accepts us as we are …
But He doesn’t leave us there.
Shalom.
Hi RP
you obviously had more success than I had – I started up a Signposts2 Final which hasn’t appeared on the web yet simply to give people a chance to say goodbye.
I emailed Lance the day after he pulled the pin, because I gathered that is what he had done.
I sent a thanks to him when I got the word but I think he might have taken an extended holiday as he hasn’t responded.
Who can blame him.
Anyway – I’m glad someone else has picked up the baton.
For mine now that I know you’re on the case I will look in occasionally but I really need to focus on other things for a while.
Thanks for your contributions in the previous lives, and hope it goes well for you here
Regards
MN
Yes, indeed, who can blame him.
MN, its just great to know that you are out there still and have found us again. This site formed out of those of us who found ‘signposts3′ before it got taken down too. Still don’t know who set that one up – can only guess.
I’m administrating here for now, but other people are also contributing posts, so this is now a community effort. If I decide to stop for some reason, I’ll let everyone know in time to pass the admin role on, or let people say goodbye, so we won’t have the plug pulled again unless WordPress pulls its plug. In fact, since we have several authors, it could continue without me right now.
It will be good to have you look in and join in if you have the time – I enjoyed your contributions on the previous blog and missed your input here. But in the meantime, good luck with all those other things you are focussing on – hope all goes very well.
May God bless you!
RP
Cheers RP.
You too!
This is a ministry I believe which can be used of God as a light on the hill to mix Australian cultural and biblical metaphors, a blessing and ministry to those who may need some after whatever, and simple plain old fellowship.
Help please.
How do I get my caricature to appear on my comments…?
Copy it to a file as a jpeg, or gif, Register it with http://www.gravatar.com, LF.
or you can just save the image to your desktop and then upload it to be your avvie.
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This has been up since april 28th 2008?????
Hi Bull! Good to see you are still out there.
This site is now administered by S&P (I did it for a few months), and if you’d like to author a post, I’m sure he’d take my recommendation to make you an author. There are several people here who can author, not necessarily having the same viewpoints.
Its a less active site than it used to be, but is still active.
Hope all is well with you – and Happy New Year!
Cheers,
RP
Hello Bull
Good to hear from you.
I am an infrequent visitor these days
Cheers
MN
d’oh!
should be endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com
or even http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com
[...] UK’s Christian heritage? An incredibly disturbing story, for Christians in UK anyway, posted by Bull outlines the outlandishly politically correct values of some social service organisations in [...]
Important Note About Me:
The more authors we have on Signposts02, the more various things we have to discuss.
Everyone seems to see where my focus seems to lie. Unfortunately, my passion can get the better of me and I can say some stupid things. Fortunately, I am open to listen and make changes if people make comments about what I have written or said. I’m growing as I write.
My user-name is a reminder for myself to make me wonder if I am being a hypocrite or reasonable in the issues that I believe need to be looked at.
I’ve observed that people like to be challenged with controversial topics. This is an art-form I need to master. I pray that you all will be blessed but challenged at Signposts02 so that the issues raised may sharpen the minds of all of you. We are to love the Lord with all are hearts, but with also are MIND, soul and strength. Looking forward to running this race with you all!
Oh dear god, this is what my incredibly precious brothers and sisters were dealing with. this is a most awful thing to have read, a most awful thing for a group of “christians” to have done to younger brothers and sisters.
I went to the Balmain C3 church once and it really scared me.
Aside from the face the pastor spoke down to every one, he openly mocked members of the congregation and humiliated them and no one thought anything wrong of it.
It left a very bitter taste in my mouth and since then I’ve told everyone who would listen to STAY AWAY from Balmain C3.
Good on you for starting this blog where people who’ve been hurt by C3 can gather and recover with the help of God and the support of each other.
Dearest in Christ,
Calvary greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.I am Deacon Patrick mclaren a member of Redeem
Ministry, basically a prayer and deliverance ministry.
During a Prayer and fasting session in my Ministry, I
asked our Lord Jesus Christ to give me the opportunity
to redeem my life and purify what remains of my
wealth.
God delivered revealed to me to Invest in His
Kingdom and also give to the needie,orphanages,widows,and charities.I will want you to please get back to me so that you can lead me through to the right way of the lord.
Remain blessed
Patrick mclaren
Bull, I understand your sentiment re Chirpy and the subject he was talking about. I originally said I would not comment, because it angers me so much. And looking over the subject matter – testimonies and videos either make you cry or rage with anger.
But, I realized that I erred in a way. Because I honestly think the whole subject is beyond debate (as most everyone does except conspiracy theorists, and anti-semitics, I didn’t address his specific points, but talked in generalities – which didn’t satisfy him.
As a Christian, it really bothers me that a young Christian (I assume Chirpy is young), has been sucked into that nonsense. But, I think he is just honestly mistaken and worthy to engage. So I would like to answer his questions – I am sure that if someone works through point by point and shows him the abundance of evidence he will change. If nobody does that, he could easily spend the rest of his life being further poisoned by idiotic websites. So, I won’t comment anymore on this blog, but would like to communicate with him.
If you read this post – I will say to you Chirpy that I DID read that website (blog) you listed. So, according to you, I have moral courage!
Bull, please feel free to pass on my email address to Chirpy. I want to engage him and show him the truth. But, I agree that this blog is probably not the best place to do it.
How does that sound? Chirpy, if Bull gives you my email address, I will gladly answer your questions on this subject.
Thanks in advance for your understanding. If Bull doesn’t give you my email address, or if you decide to not take me up on the offer Chirpy, I will just say that I have 100% confidence that I can convince you, if you approach the subject with an open mind. And I agree to read any websites you list. (I’m already familiar with the content anyway – Yes, I’ve read revisionist history).
Sorry Bull for continuing on that other thread. If nobody answers these people, the internet will just get gradually taken over by nonsense like that. Already, if you do a search, the crackpot theories come up all the time. Young people who have missed out on decades of literature, documentaries and anecdotes, can easily be deceived. The internet is a great resource but unfortunately because of the the whole “link” system, people who don’t understand proper research methods can just get stuck in a narrow internet world based on only one view.
So, there is my offer. Bless you all.
churchman, that blog went on for days and days. You had every chance to respond to my points. You responded to nothing. I asked you three times to reference a credible resource to back up your figure of 9 million Jews in Europe before WWII and 3 million after. You didn’t supply any evidence for these figures.
Now you want to discuss the subject? The discussion is over. I wouldn’t waste any more time on you. You’re not worth it. You are not intelligent enough to approach the discussion in an objective way as evidenced by your assumption in your post above that I’m young.
The video I posted about 9/11 near the bottom of the thread proves that the North Tower of the World Trade Center was brought down using explosives. Nobody responded to that video because it simply can’t be refuted.
Then Bull closes the thread. The whole thing would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
I asked what sources you would deem as credible? You claim things and your sources are all from revisionist history websites which nobody considers credible except who? People who hate Jews!
I assumed you were young because of the way you argued. I was hoping. If in fact you are old and have kids then I feel like weeping. I’ve never said this to anyone on this blog, and I’ve always tried to be civil, but really Chirpy, you are a complete idiot. Seriously. Only an idiot would argue the way you do and then assume that if people don’t respond to a specific ludicrous point that they can’t refute it. We can communicate by email. It’s very easy. The offer is there, and I can answer every question. Very easily.
See, I was trying to be nice but you responded like that. LIke I said, I read that website you offered. It’s ridiculously stupid. A person who believed that would probably believe that Pringle is doing satanic hand gestures during sermons to signal his mates back at the coven…..
Come on, let’s do it by email. I don’t want you to embarrass yourself any further. And Bull doesn’t want this blog to be marred by raving that is not only nonsense, but evil.
Is Wikipedia at all credible? Are encyclopedias at all credible?
Are US govt figures, UK govt figures at all credible? Jewish statistics? German? Polish? Multiple books written about the holocaust? They all say the same thing. If you only accept statistics given by anti-semites, then how can there be any discussion?
Btw, if you had done any research you would realize that the 6 million figure is an approximate rounded up figure, and that nobody claims that 6 million were gassed with zyklon B.
If you haven’t learned about death by bullets, forced starvation,
carbon monoxide.. (did you read about carbon monoxide? or is that something you haven’t thought of, or not researched thoroughly enough?), then you are just another goof who stumbled on some hate-filled websites.
“The whole thing would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.”
Nothing funny about it at all. Makes me wonder about the education of Australians, and if there isn’t something in the water that renders people incapable of basic reading and comprehension skills. But that isn’t it because 99% of people aren’t holocaust deniers.
No, not funny at all. I’ve only actually met one person in real life who denies the holocaust. And he believes every other idiotic theory too. You name it.
Start your own blog and i will comment on it tough guy.
How about that?
When you come to your senses and learn the truth, I hope you truly repent and go do charity work for Jews.
Yep, and it won’t bother me if I get banned from this site either. I would be okay with being banned for calling a holocaust denier a complete idiot.
churchman, I’ve told you time and time again; I will repeat it again now: I don’t deny the holocaust of Jews which involved the death of many Jewish prisoners in Nazi Germany. What I deny is that any Jewish prisoners in Nazi Germany were killed by gassing. That you continue to call me a “holocaust denier” is further evidence of your intellectual dishonesty.
From the Bible:
“And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:22
You are sinning by calling me an idiot.
“I don’t deny the holocaust of Jews which involved the death of many Jewish prisoners in Nazi Germany”
Chirpy, I was actually going to call you a fool, because I knew you would then quote that verse. To which, I say, I don’t mind being in danger of hell fire for calling someone an idiot who denies the holocaust.
So, here is a short summary for you. 6 million is a round figure. I believe it’s about 5.7 million who died. Not all of that number died by systematic gassing. Many Jews were shot to death. Some died as a result of evil medical experiments. Many were worked to death. They were purposely given a very reduced diet so that they would work for a short time and then die. Many died as a result of lack of medical care -on purpose.
There were concentration camps in Germany. Deaths by gassing occurred in these, but not on a large scale like in other countries. Most of the so called death camps or extermination camps were in Poland. There were 6 big ones that are famous, but there were many many more scattered through many Nazi controlled countries. Zyklon B was used, but carbon monoxide was used moreso.
Even if you just search around youtube, there is more than enough audio and video evidence. Have you read much about the Nuremburg trials? Do you know who Rudolph Hess was? Himmler?
As well as Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, russian prisoners, Jehovah’s Witnesses, mentally ill – different categories of undesirables were murdered.
So, if you are willing to bother arguing the point that you believe in the holocaust but all your comments were just to try and prove that no Jews were killed by “gassing” inside Germany itself, I don’t get why you would bother doing it. That wouldn’t negate the horror of the holocaust.
But, if you are going to say that NO Jews were killed by gassing in Dachau which was in Germany, show me your credible sources.
If you want to argue that it wasn’t 5.7 million, but only 3 million or 1 million that died……why? If you want to argue that the number of Jews killed purposely by gassing is not 6 million, then I have no argument with you. But to go from that to say that there is some Jewish conspiracy going on is nonsense.
So what if 6 million didn’t die from Zyklon B. Nobody says that anyway.
If you can find an error on the Wikipedia entries under Holocaust, Death Camps, Final Solution, then let me know. They are sourced. If you can give me any proof why the numbers listed are not right, then show me your credible sources. Because the listings of labor camps, and extermination camps, and overall descriptions are backed up by sources – and the articles are basic summaries of facts that most people (except revisionist historians ) agree on.
I will say again. do you know what kind of people are revisionists? They hate Jews. In the end when they are cornered they end up saying that the Jews deserved to be persecuted.
Just read or listen to speeches of Hitler, Himmler, Hess (or Hoss)
It’s all there. You can argue about exact numbers of where people were killed and whether it was by Zyklon B or carbon monoxide, but the intent was there. And plans were indeed made.
My friend’s father was a young man who was there to help liberate a camp.
If you like read about Katrin Himmler, whose great Uncle was Heinrich. She has written a book. She doesn’t argue with what her Uncle was responsible for.
I am sure if you read more, listen more, and watch more documentaries you will repent with sackcloth and ashes. If you study properly and still don’t get it, I’ll probably do another Matthew 5:22.
Yes, to tell an idiot that he is an idiot is indeed sin.
churchman, you write like a troll. You twist my words, put words in my mouth which I haven’t said and make extrapolations that I haven’t made.
It’s people like you who give blogging a bad name.
Bull has closed the thread. I no longer want to discuss this with you.
ian vincent, thank-you for your profound contribution to the discussion.
“to tell an idiot that he is an idiot is indeed sin.”
Is it?
Okay, Goodbye Chirpy. (Though I notice that when I finally bring out facts and figures you run). So, go away. But remember to study.
DOn’t hijack this thread either, please. The last thing I want to do is close comments on every post due to this subject.
No one agrees with Chirpy. Let’s leave it there.
Bull, understood. Sorry.
Sorry to Chirpy too while I’m at it.
I have a huge character flaw that expresses itself online and in real life that sometimes causes me to go way overboard in my responses.
I will fix that. Sincerely. Forgive me.
I need to get back to the things that God called me to. Bless you people.
OK, we can’t tell an idiot that he is an idiot, as that would not be a redemptive act.
But we can tell an idiot that his views, beliefs, opinions or actions are idiotic. That way we are judging what he does, and not judging the person.
Then it is redemptive, bcos it may dawn on him that he is indeed an idiot and should repent.
http://ianvincent.wordpress.com/
churchman, I forgive you. I always find I have to resist doing the same thing that you’re talking about and I’m not always successful by any means.
We all get frustrated when people don’t agree with the point that we’re trying to make. It’s natural and the feelings of frustration are strong.
The blogging environment is a highly challenging environment.
Thanks Chirpy.
Did some checking on your site.
The Glory Conference posted as a Prophetic Roundtable event is not. It is a shame that people maskerade as Born again Believers and Lie and try to make you believe their false statements about good people.
Hi guys – my commenst never get through. Am I censored?
Regards
OK… this one got through – so I suspect I am getting through again! Yay!
Lionfish, are you attempting to upload more than one link in your comments? WordPress puts a default block on this to prevent spammers sending rubbish.
It’s a long time since anyone was banned from here, and I don’t think you would warrant this, especially with the more congenial and emotionally secure Bull in charge.
dunno how to take that!
Lionfish, couldn’t find your unapproved comments …
You sure you don’t have a problem your end?
Hi, I was googling New Earth Tribe & I came up with this site. Do you guys have a bone to point at this group? I cant work out what you are on about. New Earth Tribe used to meet a few blocks away from where I lived. Sunday afternoon I would get woken up by their music, after a weekend of pot smoking. That was code for me to smoke more pot & go to their church. I really loved the music about Jesus & they were kind & caring and never judged me, even when I found some of the pretty chicks attractive & would have loved to have humped a few. But the chicks were so pure & innocent they got my full respect & honor. I started attending them & well after much pray & tears about the idea of never getting stoned again, I dont smoke as much as I used too. 1 joint in 9 months. & while I’d still like to bonk a few of the sheilas, my hearty has changed & I feel protective of them now. And sex is for marrage. So why the F*** are you C**** bagging a good church, you arsholes.
You are aware Dave of this scripture
This basically means any normal red-blooded male whos not homosexual will go to hell (as will homosexuals of course)
OK Im sorry if I offended anyone, That was way way off the planet. Please forgive me for saying such silly things. I guess as a single bloke I was jusitfing my desires as a extention of the Song of Songs & calling people names is really unhappy karma, & I think Jesus wasnt happy. So Im really sorry for writing what I did. Peace & love
Thanks for commenting, Dave. Don’t mind wazza2. He was just cruelly using you to argue with others.
Your comments are noted and relevant.
If you are found by Jesus through this group and hand your life over to him, he will give you a greater intoxication than pharmaceuticals or alcohol can ever give.
He’ll give you the Holy Spirit. Clean, pure, love! And free!
I hope you take the extra steps into Jesus full time, full heart. It’s well worth the journey.
I say this as a former drug and alcohol addict, now free from substance dependence for many years.
God bless you!
So, Steve, you’re suggesting the Holy Spirit is just a better alternative to drugs?
What about the Holy Spirit plus drugs? Wow!
The Holy Spirit isn’t ‘just’ anything. He is ‘Just’, but not the way you mean.
He is absolutely holy, righteous and just.
And he doesn’t do drugs.
im very sad when anything arise regarding hillsong for all i can hear for one is jesus saying come as you are and you have now every tool required for the journey cultish scam it is i see alotta people suffering needlessly everyday within community and yet even the local christian brain has a hillsong approach go the meeting is all entertainment whatever jesus if that is you choose to follow as i choose nothing of this world give to ceasar was is his hey ah well my bible say god same 1thousand years as a second etc no change for god he say one day i turn my back all in his hands so happy i found only jesus and not mans game praise god
I’m a nobody here so it’s probably not my place to make suggestions, but maybe signposts needs to start again with some moderation policies and rules etc.
Maybe in the distant past there wasn’t a need for it. But things change, and websites evolve. Just a thought.
All very well, DOL, but the only way you can possibly be switching ip’s at this rate on this blog is by putting in false email addresses.
Now this is, surely, potential identity theft, since, even if you are randomly adding email names you must eventually hit upon someone’s genuine email address.
Still, why should you be concerned about this when you have shown yourself to be a liar and false prophet, amongst all else, in the space of a few days.
I know it is possible to create a new email profile on Hotmail, Gmail or Yahoo, or other free email outlets, but this takes far more time than it takes for you to flick comments up here under different pseudonyms with a new gravatar for each.
Maybe your conscience is so seared you don’t care whose email you steal for your scam.
Bull, there’s a post above here you might like to delete, for the sake of poor Brooke Fraser. (You can delete my comment here too – only mentioning this to bring it to your attention.)
Thanks RP … I have spent a couple of hours going through as many comments as I could … looks like he was bored over Christmas.
I have gotten rid of the spam, but left stuff he posted over 6 months ago … i assume he was genuine back then and something has happened since then.
Shalom
What ever happened to plain old good manners.
Hi guys, how do you post an article on here?
You need to contact Bull and ask him to give you posting rights. He will set you up with an account access to produce and moderate posts.
Thanks Steve.
Bull, if you’re out there I’m ready to be unleashed.
I thought first time posters had to wait for their comment to be moderated and then could post at will. If that is so, how come all this spam keeps hitting random threads?
“Bull, if you’re out there I’m ready to be unleashed.”
I like that line. Sounds like something from Gladiator.
Two of my favorite movie lines. “unleash hell” and “I’ll show them something they’ve never seen before”.
Go Bones. Don’t take no prisoners either.