Spoofing is an internet term for an annoying practise whereby emails appear to be coming from people that you know but the content is usually a give away that it did not originate from the sender you know. I have three friends whose email address appears to have been spoofed. Typically the email invites the receiver to click on a link. If they do so they make themselves vulnerable to various possible computer attacks. Obviously keeping anti-virus software up to date and your system regularly scanned helps, but if you can't stop it, changing your internet service provider might be wise or getting a new email address. I'm not an expert so I could have got that slightly wrong. The bottom line is never click on a link unless you are really sure you can be sure it is safe.
There is an intriguing biblical record of someone trying to use another person's identity in Acts 19. The sons of Sceva sought to invoke the name of Jesus to cast out demons but did not have appropriate authority to do so. They said, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out". The response is fascinating as the demons say, "Jesus we know, and Paul we know about, but who are you?" The demons suspected the communication as somehow lacking integrity. Of course we would expect them to be familiar with who Jesus is, but they also knew about Paul. I wonder whether our life and work in Christ would cause the powers of darkness to have reason to know who we are.
Checking identity was also featured in the life of Jesus when John the Baptist felt a need to be absolutely sure that Jesus was the Messiah (Luke 7:19-22). Jesus answered the enquiry by pointing to what he did. Similarly, Jesus asks his own disciples who they think he is (Mark 8:27-29). If Thomas had any doubt about the identity of the rabbi he had travelled with for three years, it was settled in the upper room in the presence of the risen Christ.
John 10 also records interesting things about those who can recognise the voice of Jesus and distinguish it from the voice of a stranger. If we keep close to the shepherd we will not be led away by anyone who might claim to speak in his name. We will know the genuine from the false.
The past week
Holiday at Home in Market Harborough saw over 40 people booked in. Among other activities Jeanne (a friend and colleague) and I took a group for an hour looking at story telling and drama. We were able to draw on scripture and aspects of the gospel to illustrate our teaching, and all that were there seemed to stay engaged through the session.
This week's Bible Discussion at Yelvertoft focused on Philippians 3: 1-14. Throughout the letter Paul makes regular reference to service for Jesus. Here in this chapter he focuses more on 'being' than doing. We explored what he had to say about the attributes of true Christians, their ambition, and attitudes.
On Friday I took part in an international telephone conference preparing for an event taking place in 2013. In the evening I took part in a meeting in Ashby de la Zouche for the East Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation, arriving back home at 11.15pm.
After a nights rest I joined other Christian men walking the six and a half miles from Yelvertoft to Ravensthorpe where two of the wives joined us for lunch and to give us a lift home. Apart from the fellowship I needed the exercise!
The coming week
Sunday 22nd - Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Tuesday 24th - Gartree Prison and a Church Meeting in the evening at Theddingworth, Leics.
Wednesday 25th - studying and attending a seminar at University of Leicester as part of my research work.
Thursday 26th - evening Bible Discussion Group, Yelvertoft
Saturday 28th - depart for Norfolk
Sunday 29th - Ministry and afternoon session on rural mission at Foulsham Baptist Church, Norfolk, celebrating their church anniversary.
As always there are other activities. I will be putting finishing touches to publicity for a Church Leaders' Conference after Easter, reading and writing for my university work, and preparing for 29th.
As always - a big thank you for your prayers. Let's continue to forget that which is behind and "press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenwards in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14).
Barry
There is an intriguing biblical record of someone trying to use another person's identity in Acts 19. The sons of Sceva sought to invoke the name of Jesus to cast out demons but did not have appropriate authority to do so. They said, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out". The response is fascinating as the demons say, "Jesus we know, and Paul we know about, but who are you?" The demons suspected the communication as somehow lacking integrity. Of course we would expect them to be familiar with who Jesus is, but they also knew about Paul. I wonder whether our life and work in Christ would cause the powers of darkness to have reason to know who we are.
Checking identity was also featured in the life of Jesus when John the Baptist felt a need to be absolutely sure that Jesus was the Messiah (Luke 7:19-22). Jesus answered the enquiry by pointing to what he did. Similarly, Jesus asks his own disciples who they think he is (Mark 8:27-29). If Thomas had any doubt about the identity of the rabbi he had travelled with for three years, it was settled in the upper room in the presence of the risen Christ.
John 10 also records interesting things about those who can recognise the voice of Jesus and distinguish it from the voice of a stranger. If we keep close to the shepherd we will not be led away by anyone who might claim to speak in his name. We will know the genuine from the false.
The past week
Holiday at Home in Market Harborough saw over 40 people booked in. Among other activities Jeanne (a friend and colleague) and I took a group for an hour looking at story telling and drama. We were able to draw on scripture and aspects of the gospel to illustrate our teaching, and all that were there seemed to stay engaged through the session.
This week's Bible Discussion at Yelvertoft focused on Philippians 3: 1-14. Throughout the letter Paul makes regular reference to service for Jesus. Here in this chapter he focuses more on 'being' than doing. We explored what he had to say about the attributes of true Christians, their ambition, and attitudes.
On Friday I took part in an international telephone conference preparing for an event taking place in 2013. In the evening I took part in a meeting in Ashby de la Zouche for the East Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation, arriving back home at 11.15pm.
After a nights rest I joined other Christian men walking the six and a half miles from Yelvertoft to Ravensthorpe where two of the wives joined us for lunch and to give us a lift home. Apart from the fellowship I needed the exercise!
The coming week
Sunday 22nd - Yelvertoft Congregational Church
Tuesday 24th - Gartree Prison and a Church Meeting in the evening at Theddingworth, Leics.
Wednesday 25th - studying and attending a seminar at University of Leicester as part of my research work.
Thursday 26th - evening Bible Discussion Group, Yelvertoft
Saturday 28th - depart for Norfolk
Sunday 29th - Ministry and afternoon session on rural mission at Foulsham Baptist Church, Norfolk, celebrating their church anniversary.
As always there are other activities. I will be putting finishing touches to publicity for a Church Leaders' Conference after Easter, reading and writing for my university work, and preparing for 29th.
As always - a big thank you for your prayers. Let's continue to forget that which is behind and "press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenwards in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14).
Barry
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