Pastor's Corner

My God Shall Provide

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Last month, I talked about resting in Jesus. And if you remember I said that you can become more productive! Have you figured out yet that the rushing around, toiling and working, burning ourselves out doesn?t work. I wonder if many of us have ever gone through a time of complete dependence on God for our material needs? Perhaps a job loss, or getting sick and not being able to work. Circumstances in our lives can often put us in places where we don?t want to be.

The people of Israel left Egypt and in the desolate desert, they had no ability to provide for themselves. God provided manna from Heaven. Each day they would awake to one day's portion of what they needed. This was a season in their lives to learn dependence and the faithfulness of God as provider. By and by, they entered the Promised Land. When they did, "The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan" (Josh. 5:12).

In both cases God was the provider of the need. For most of us, we derive our necessities of life through our work. Like the birds of the fields we are commanded to go out and gather what God has already provided. It is a process of participation in what God has already provided. Although it appears it is all up to us; sometimes it appears it is all up to God. In either case we must realize that the Lord is our provider; the job is only an instrument of His provision. He requires our involvement in either case.

"You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today" (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

Acknowledge the Lord as the provider of every need you have today. He is a faithful provider.

I leave you to have these comforting thoughts and reflections as you enjoy two restful & fruitful summer months.

0 God, we thank You for Your comforting promise that You will never leave nor forsake us. We need your assurance from time to time. You are our Rock and our Salvation. We look up to You, because we know You will always be there for us. Thank You, so much, for Your love and dependability.

May God bless you,
Your friend and pastor,
Samuel King-Kabu.

Round Churches, part 4

Østerlars - Østerlars Rundkirke (Round Church) is the best known and largest of the Round churches on Bornholm, and was built around 1150 AD in answer to two needs: a church for the locals and a fortress to give the locals a sanctuary and defence from the pirates and robbers that were numerous and very active in attacking Bornholm.

A round church on Bornholm has two layers - the outer fortress or defensive layer and the inner church or religious layer. However, the two layers were not entirely separate - in the religious layer people would pray for divine protection from the attackers.

The outside supporting pillars were added in 14th and 15th century to support the granite boulders that make up the main wall.

The round church is not a passive defence fortress. Archers would be positioned in the ?windows? at the top and shoot arrows at the attackers. The round ?ship? (the main circular part of the building) is 3 floors high and one floor you can see the arrow slits where the lookouts would also be posted.

On the second floor would be the safe room. (For a token charge you can visit the church and climb up to the rafters by a narrow inside staircase hugging the outside wall.)

Østerlars Rundkirke is located about 6 kilometers South of Gudhjem near the East coast of Bornholm, close to the Kobbeå stream. On the one hand this is an advantage because it gives easy access to water, but on the other hand a disadvantage because it's an easy path

for attackers to follow from the coast up to the church.

The church has about 120,000 visitors a year and is one of the main tourist sights on the island.

Dedicated to St Lawrence, this is regarded as the oldest of the four round churches on Bornholm, even though it is not known precisely when the 4 churches were built.

The pointed wooden roof was added much later, around the 17th century, when the church had lost its importance as a defensive structure. The underside of the roof dates back to the church?s foundations, and three of the supporting pillars are runic stones whose inscriptions date from the eleventh century.

The central pillar of the church is so wide that it now contains a room ? the ?oven? - in the centre of it. It was once enclosed but has been open since 1955, connected to the nave by arches. This is where the baptismal font is now situated. On the outside of the pillar is a fresco from 1350 that shows biblical scenes from the annunciation and ending with judgment day. The baptismal font is originally from the Rø church.

The church is central to the theory of there being a link between the French Knights Templar and the location of Bornholm's medieval churches.

Secret crypt: A new investigation of the floor of the church of Østerlars with a gravimeter instrument has revealed a secret crypt hidden under the church floor. The crypt has not yet been excavated. It is thought that the Ark of the Covenant is kept here, but don't bother looking for the treasure, as you are not likely to find it.

Templar Treasure Hunters Dig in Bornholm Island Church
(From the Copenhagen Post)

As discussed in The Templar Code for Dummies, Denmark's Bornholm Island is the hot new spot for Templar treasure seekers. And apparently, some would-be Holy Grail hunters decided to dig some exploratory holes in the largest round church on Bornholm Island. The Copenhagen Post reported:

Stories of hidden treasures and connections to the Knights Templar inspired unknown vandals early one Tuesday morning to drill two holes into the floor of Østerlars Church on the island of Bornholm, reported TV2 News.

The church is especially popular among fans of conspiracy stories surrounding the Holy Grail and a possible union between Jesus and Mary Magdalen - a tale most recently made famous by Dan Brown's 'The DaVinci Code'.

Danish author Erling Haagensen's books readily connect the island's round churches to the crusading knights. He claims that the churches' symmetrical placement is part of the ongoing mystery surrounding the knights, who he claims settled on the island. Haagensen also wrote that there was a secret chamber under the floor of the church. Geo-radar studies have confirmed that the room does actually exist, and Haagensen has suggested drilling holes in the floor to send a micro camera down to view the room.

The would-be thieves attempted to take that message to heart that Tuesday morning, but it is not known whether they managed to sneak a peak at the secret room's contents.

In a recent Danish children's film, 'The Lost Treasure of the Knights Templar', it is suggested that a valuable treasure is hidden in the room - possibly the Holy Grail.

In the next issue of The Messenger we will begin to explore the other Round Churches in Denmark.

Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner & Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2010/07/15
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