Next BC Bible study - June 26!!

[Elihu]

The next guild Bible study will be held on June 26th, at 6:30 PM ST. It will be held at Allerian Stronghold in Terrokkar forest. For those unable to attend the Bible study in-game you will be provided with the ability to listen in on Ventrilo or ToJ's Teamspeak server. For an in-game invite to the Bible study please whisper Fjorboug. For TS or Vent info please press "o" while in game, select the guild chat tab, and press the guild information button.

 

[Elihu]

Bible Notes for you from the June 26th meeting. Big thanks to those who attended and showed their support.

Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Many of you probably have accountability partners or best friends, wives, husbands, etc. that help to keep you accountable to the Word of God. God says MANY times in His word that we are to speak unto one another so that we may build each other up, edify, fellowship and for mutual edification. (Ephesians 4:3 "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.", Psalm 133:1 "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!", Romans 15:5 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,") We're going to take a minute to focus in on that relationship and break down what this is for and how it helps to shape one another.

Let's talk about sharpening iron for a minute. There are many items crafted from iron that require constant upkeep and sharpening. Some of the most common of these items are spokeshaves and drawknives. Both items have very specific ways to be sharpened, as we will find out momentarily, but also both are very different from one another. These are only a
couple of the many commonly sharpened iron items out in the world, leaving possibilities almost endless.


SPOKESHAVES
As soon as a spokeshave begins to dull, it gets harder to control. (This is a fair representation of us in our walk, slowly straying from God.) Therefore, AS SOON as it shows signs of being harder to control, assume that it is time to sharpen, or at least hone the somewhat-but-not-really-sharp edge. (As a Christian, we are to be watchful for these signs and ready to help correct when necessary.)

Sharpening a spokeshave iron is no different from sharpening any iron or chisel. First you establish a bevel of about 25o, then hone that bevel with successively finer stones until you get very smooth surfaces on both sides of the bevel. When both these surfaces are smooth, the edge where they meet must, by definition, be sharp. Because the cutting tip of this edge is very small, pushing it through wood wears it away and it becomes rounded, or dull. Sharpening grinds away metal behind the rounded area until the round is gone and again you have a bevel and two smooth sides. (As a Christian, our aim should be able to get around the issue at hand, and grind it away from the persons walk.)

You must hold it by hand. (It takes a personal touch.)This is a bit tricky, because if you hold it too low, you aren't grinding on the edge of the bevel, if too high, you change the bevel angle at the
edge. (Basically, if we don't apply the accountability to a person when most applicable, be it too late or too soon, consequences may occur that are irreversible and sometimes irrepairable.)
Begin by holding it too low, then, while pushing it across the stone, slowly raise the iron. This gradually brings the tip to the stone. When it begins to contact you will feel a difference in the grinding action- as though the iron were trying to take a slice off the top of the stone. (Shows the sharpening process as taking place.)

You can see when the edge begins to dull. Note that the center of the edge reflects the light, because it is rounded and so dull, whereas the two ends, unused and still sharp, do not reflect the light.


DRAWKNIVES
Sharpening a drawknife is tricky because you must bring the stone to the knife, not vice versa, otherwise the handles get in the way. (As a Christian, we MUST bring the Word as our tool TO the person, not wait for him\her to come to us.) Hold the drawknife firmly when you do this, because you will be moving your fingers very close to the edge, and you don't want anything to slip. (Carefully handle accountability issues.) One way to hold it is to prop it against a steady object, then apply the stone with some oil on it. (Be steady, like a brace for that person to lean on, coat it in oil=love if necessary to avoid too much friction\heat.) Colossians 3:14-
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

We as a guild have been around for awhile now....and we have had our issues and arguements. God calls us to be better than the world though. A shining beacon that beams forth. One way of ensuring that we are doing this is by helping one another through this process, day by day. Let's make it a point to be that iron wheel, ready to help sharpen our brothers and sisters in Christ when necessary day in and day out.