I was surfing the forums today and came across a very heated argument on whether Jesus is still dead or not.
Reference to Jesus being dead:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1593441,00.html
Reference denying the article above: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1593893,00.html?cnn=yes
Seriously, I do not want to start a discussion about these 2 articles which have been seriously blown up by the forum I read today by both believers and non-believers. ( Just check out the forum at hardwarezone.com.sg).
Recently, there have been many controversies regarding Christianity caused mainly I believe due to some things that have been said in Dan's Brown movie The Da Vinci Code. Basically, I just regard it as a movie.
Actually, I have read all 4 of Dan Brown's books and the 2 books which stirs up the most issues are The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. I don't think I wanna go into the details. (Anyone interested can borrow the books from the library or google it).
I am in fact pretty glad that there have been a greater interest and greater number of people reading up on the Bible or Christianity as a whole due to the conspiracy theories raised in the books and movie. ( I just treat the movie and books as fiction by the way)
Many churches have in fact used the publicity to spread the word of God.
Phi 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that i am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
In the same way, Paul rejoiced when the gospel was preached for whatever reason, I rejoice for people wanting to learn more about the truth about Jesus and the Word of God for whatever reasons and by so the gospel is preached. And every step taken bring you closer and closer to the truth.
But just to clarify, our walk with God is always a walk in the spirit, a walk of faith. If we are absolutely certain of the truth as it was proven to be true by maths or scientific evidence, there will no longer be a need for faith.
To be more than conquerors in life, we have to sit tight, walk right and stand up and fight.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Liverpool vs Barca 2-1
This week has been a great week with lots of juicy news and information in the newspaper.
It started with Britney Spears shaving off her hair to show her determination to reject drug abuse in her life before going for drug rehab. Then there was a fight of the millionaires in the wrestling world with either Vince Mcmahon or Donald Trump ending up with a shaven head too. But the greatest news must have came on early Thursday morning.
In the wee hours of the morning, amidst all problems at the club, Liverpool overcame all odds to beat Barca 2-1 at Nou Camp. Being an avid Liverpool fan, that was great news. But the greatest joke of all was the 2 unlikely heroes in the game. The men who were fighting over karaoke before the match, Bellamy and Riise.
When Riise scored the second goal from the pass from Bellamy, I was having a laugh of my life. Just hours ago, Bellamy was out to break Riise's leg with a golf club over K Box and now they were hugging each other as if they just got married!!!
What an unexpected turn of events. But as I was watching the game, the Lord started to speak to me. He wants me to see that God has a plan. It may seem to be a joke for Riise and Bellamy in this situation but I believe that this is a test of their conviction to the club and to one another as fellow team mates.
I believe that it is the same in the body of Christ. Some times we have arguments and disagreements in the body but as we begin to resolve the problems seen in the family, we will start to grow in faith and move from glory to glory.
Cor 12:14 For in fact the body is not a single member, but many. 12:15 If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:16 And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? 12:18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided. 12:19 If they were all the same member, where would the body be? 12:20 So now there are many members, but one body. 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.”
In soccer, they are defenders, midfielders, strikers and the goalkeeper. Not a single member must be missing in the team for the unit to function properly. For each of them have different roles in the team. But I believe in Italian soccer, total football. I believe that although every one have different gifts in a team, such as defending or attacking, everyone must support the body when the need arises. That is unity.
When the eye is injured, the hand should help the eye by applying eye lotion. When the mouth is unable to talk, the hands should replace it as means of communication in sign language. This is unity.
Only when everyone is willing to go beyond their "prescribed" roles in the family such as providing laughter when the "joker" is not around or going the extra mile to play different roles in the family will there be unity in the family.
This is especially true as Riise had to play an attacking role to score the goal despite being a defender and that Bellamy had to provide for Riise despite being a striker whose main aim is to score goals. Both people were willing to interchange roles as the situation deems fit.
Questions to ponder:
Is the eye willing to play the role of the leg when the body needs to walk?
Is the arm willing to act as the means of communication when the mouth fails to talk?
Are you willing to exchange roles with another in the family because of God's timing in the body?
Only when we listen and obey the lord who can be personified as a brilliant manager of a team will the team be able to go from glory to glory and achieve great achievements beyond its abilities.
Thank God that God was a Liverpool fan for the night.
Go Deep, Look Far, Ask Big.
It started with Britney Spears shaving off her hair to show her determination to reject drug abuse in her life before going for drug rehab. Then there was a fight of the millionaires in the wrestling world with either Vince Mcmahon or Donald Trump ending up with a shaven head too. But the greatest news must have came on early Thursday morning.
In the wee hours of the morning, amidst all problems at the club, Liverpool overcame all odds to beat Barca 2-1 at Nou Camp. Being an avid Liverpool fan, that was great news. But the greatest joke of all was the 2 unlikely heroes in the game. The men who were fighting over karaoke before the match, Bellamy and Riise.
When Riise scored the second goal from the pass from Bellamy, I was having a laugh of my life. Just hours ago, Bellamy was out to break Riise's leg with a golf club over K Box and now they were hugging each other as if they just got married!!!
What an unexpected turn of events. But as I was watching the game, the Lord started to speak to me. He wants me to see that God has a plan. It may seem to be a joke for Riise and Bellamy in this situation but I believe that this is a test of their conviction to the club and to one another as fellow team mates.
I believe that it is the same in the body of Christ. Some times we have arguments and disagreements in the body but as we begin to resolve the problems seen in the family, we will start to grow in faith and move from glory to glory.
Cor 12:14 For in fact the body is not a single member, but many. 12:15 If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:16 And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell? 12:18 But as a matter of fact, God has placed each of the members in the body just as he decided. 12:19 If they were all the same member, where would the body be? 12:20 So now there are many members, but one body. 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.”
In soccer, they are defenders, midfielders, strikers and the goalkeeper. Not a single member must be missing in the team for the unit to function properly. For each of them have different roles in the team. But I believe in Italian soccer, total football. I believe that although every one have different gifts in a team, such as defending or attacking, everyone must support the body when the need arises. That is unity.
When the eye is injured, the hand should help the eye by applying eye lotion. When the mouth is unable to talk, the hands should replace it as means of communication in sign language. This is unity.
Only when everyone is willing to go beyond their "prescribed" roles in the family such as providing laughter when the "joker" is not around or going the extra mile to play different roles in the family will there be unity in the family.
This is especially true as Riise had to play an attacking role to score the goal despite being a defender and that Bellamy had to provide for Riise despite being a striker whose main aim is to score goals. Both people were willing to interchange roles as the situation deems fit.
Questions to ponder:
Is the eye willing to play the role of the leg when the body needs to walk?
Is the arm willing to act as the means of communication when the mouth fails to talk?
Are you willing to exchange roles with another in the family because of God's timing in the body?
Only when we listen and obey the lord who can be personified as a brilliant manager of a team will the team be able to go from glory to glory and achieve great achievements beyond its abilities.
Thank God that God was a Liverpool fan for the night.
Go Deep, Look Far, Ask Big.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Emptiness
Tennis star Boris Becker was at the very top of the tennis world—yet he was on the brink of suicide. He said, “I had won Wimbledon twice before, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed . It’s the old song of movie stars and pop stars who commit suicide. They have everything, and yet they are so unhappy. I had no inner peace. I was a puppet on a string.”
Becker is not the only one to feel that sense of emptiness. The echoes of a hollow life pervade our culture. One doesn’t have to read many contemporary biographies to find the same frustration and disappointment. Jack Higgens, author of such successful novels and The Eagle Has Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: “That when you get to the top, there’s nothing there.”
Our Daily Bread, July 9, 1994
SPOILERS ALERT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN PROTEGE
Yesterday, I went down to Century Square after dinner to watch Protege with my sister. There was this statement made by Daniel that gripped me a lot. He asked this question: I do not understand why people take drugs until now? It is because of the emptiness in our hearts. So the root of the problem drugs or is it the emptiness in the heart?
Till the end, he couldn't find the answer to this question. The two characters dealing with the emptiness in the show were two extremes in society.
One was played by Andy Lau as an extremely rich drug dealer who sought after the riches in life by selling drugs but had problems with his health and his family as a whole. He was rich, yes, but purposeless in his pursuits in life. He lived in self-denial, believing that he was not at fault for selling drugs but it was those who created the demand for drugs that is causing harm to themselves.
The irony about the whole thing is that he could never trust anyone in the show. He spent his life seeking the riches of life but his heart was empty, he was careful not to trust anyone for fear that they might betray him. Like Boris Becker, he had no inner peace.
Many times in life, we sought after riches, love, regonition just to fill up an emptiness in our lives. We try so hard to climb to the top of the corporate ladder just to find nothing up there. Even if we come in 1st in a rat race, we are still rats. Are we missing out something in life?
I believe that the answer lies in serving the greater purpose the lord has for me in my life. My brother once told me that a watch will never know its purpose on earth, only the maker knows that its purpose is to tell the time. The same goes for us, we will never know our own purpose in life on our own. An if we continue trying to achieve a meaningless purpose in our lives, we will never be able to fill that emptiness in our heart which I believe can only be filled with the purpose and love of God.
The other character in the show would be Ah-Fen who takes drugs due to circumstancial problems in life such as a drug addict husband and a lack of money.
Another key problem in our life that we face is escapisim. We are down and out, poor and sick. We feel that there is no way out. Some people in life choose to escape from the problem by filling themselves with other issues in life when the way to solve the problem is to tackle it head on.
I had a friend during my army days. He once attempted to committed suicide when he was younger by taking drugs. He told me that he had no purpose in his life, he had family problems, relationship problems, the only way to solve the problem is to commit suicide at that time. But since then, he had came to know the lord and have been a changed man since.
Jacob faced similar problems in his life, he escaped from his brother and rather be ill treated by his uncle than to face his fear, his brother at home. Fear I believe is the key problem to becoming more than conquerors. Ah-Fen was afraid of her husband, afraid of facing the problem, afraid of rejection from Daniel. She sought help and eventually died of drug overdose due to depression when Daniel would rather help a dog than her.
As for Daniel Wu, he had lost focus on his purpose in life . Initially, he started off as an undercover cop who was supposed to catch Andy Lau. Eventually, it ended up with a false sense of achievement in becoming a 3rd sergent and a handshake for being undercover and putting his life on the line for 7 years and betraying his best friend Andy and his entire family. Eventually, he decided to continue working undercover for the police as a drug lord. He no longer had a meaning in his life. Eventually, he even wanted to inject himself with the drug in an attempt to fill that emptiness in him.
Share with you all a true story of the Taj Mahal:
The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and costly tombs ever built, but there is something fascinating about its beginnings.
In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife’s casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years into the venture, the Shah’s grief for his wife gave way to a passion for the project. One day while he was surveying the sight, he reportedly stumbled over a wooden box, and he had some workers throw it out. It was months before he realized that his wife’s casket had been destroyed. The original purpose for the memorial became lost in the details of construction.
Dr. James Dobson, Coming Home, Timeless Wisdom for Families, (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton; 1998), p. 122
Sometimes, we are so coped up with the flow of things in life like studying or working that we have forgotton the purpose behind all that. Do we study to gain knowledge or because of the fear of being percecuted by parents or teachers? Do we work to provide for ourselves and our family or is it for our personal fame and false sense of achievement for reaching the top of the corporate ladder? Do we sustain a marriage because of love for each other or because of a commitment to each other and the children?
Sometimes, in life, we should all take a break to reflect and ponder the reasons for pursuing a dream in our life.
There is one of my friends who is dejected as he failed to pass the test for becoming a pilot, he seems to have lost purpose in his life. In order to fill that emptiness in him, he diverts his attention to making money, to earn as much money as possible. What formerly was a dream to soar high in the sky as a pilot has become a dream to own a plane of his own and to earn the money to do so. We should look far, beyond our lifetimes and see that do the will of the lord as at the end of time, only 2 things remain, the Word of God and the Lives of Man. Nothing else in the world matters.
John2:17 And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.
We should look far, beyond our lifetimes and see that we do the will of the lord as at the end of time, only 2 things remain, the Word of God and the Lives of Man. Nothing else in the world matters.
So what is the main cause of tragedy in the show? Drugs which eventually led to to the death of the two people or the emptiness and fear in their lives to face their problems? What is the purpose in the lives of all three?
I believe that only the person who makes the watch truely knows what the watch is made for.
Go Deep, Look Far, Ask Big.
Becker is not the only one to feel that sense of emptiness. The echoes of a hollow life pervade our culture. One doesn’t have to read many contemporary biographies to find the same frustration and disappointment. Jack Higgens, author of such successful novels and The Eagle Has Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: “That when you get to the top, there’s nothing there.”
Our Daily Bread, July 9, 1994
SPOILERS ALERT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN PROTEGE
Yesterday, I went down to Century Square after dinner to watch Protege with my sister. There was this statement made by Daniel that gripped me a lot. He asked this question: I do not understand why people take drugs until now? It is because of the emptiness in our hearts. So the root of the problem drugs or is it the emptiness in the heart?
Till the end, he couldn't find the answer to this question. The two characters dealing with the emptiness in the show were two extremes in society.
One was played by Andy Lau as an extremely rich drug dealer who sought after the riches in life by selling drugs but had problems with his health and his family as a whole. He was rich, yes, but purposeless in his pursuits in life. He lived in self-denial, believing that he was not at fault for selling drugs but it was those who created the demand for drugs that is causing harm to themselves.
The irony about the whole thing is that he could never trust anyone in the show. He spent his life seeking the riches of life but his heart was empty, he was careful not to trust anyone for fear that they might betray him. Like Boris Becker, he had no inner peace.
Many times in life, we sought after riches, love, regonition just to fill up an emptiness in our lives. We try so hard to climb to the top of the corporate ladder just to find nothing up there. Even if we come in 1st in a rat race, we are still rats. Are we missing out something in life?
I believe that the answer lies in serving the greater purpose the lord has for me in my life. My brother once told me that a watch will never know its purpose on earth, only the maker knows that its purpose is to tell the time. The same goes for us, we will never know our own purpose in life on our own. An if we continue trying to achieve a meaningless purpose in our lives, we will never be able to fill that emptiness in our heart which I believe can only be filled with the purpose and love of God.
The other character in the show would be Ah-Fen who takes drugs due to circumstancial problems in life such as a drug addict husband and a lack of money.
Another key problem in our life that we face is escapisim. We are down and out, poor and sick. We feel that there is no way out. Some people in life choose to escape from the problem by filling themselves with other issues in life when the way to solve the problem is to tackle it head on.
I had a friend during my army days. He once attempted to committed suicide when he was younger by taking drugs. He told me that he had no purpose in his life, he had family problems, relationship problems, the only way to solve the problem is to commit suicide at that time. But since then, he had came to know the lord and have been a changed man since.
Jacob faced similar problems in his life, he escaped from his brother and rather be ill treated by his uncle than to face his fear, his brother at home. Fear I believe is the key problem to becoming more than conquerors. Ah-Fen was afraid of her husband, afraid of facing the problem, afraid of rejection from Daniel. She sought help and eventually died of drug overdose due to depression when Daniel would rather help a dog than her.
As for Daniel Wu, he had lost focus on his purpose in life . Initially, he started off as an undercover cop who was supposed to catch Andy Lau. Eventually, it ended up with a false sense of achievement in becoming a 3rd sergent and a handshake for being undercover and putting his life on the line for 7 years and betraying his best friend Andy and his entire family. Eventually, he decided to continue working undercover for the police as a drug lord. He no longer had a meaning in his life. Eventually, he even wanted to inject himself with the drug in an attempt to fill that emptiness in him.
Share with you all a true story of the Taj Mahal:
The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and costly tombs ever built, but there is something fascinating about its beginnings.
In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife’s casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years into the venture, the Shah’s grief for his wife gave way to a passion for the project. One day while he was surveying the sight, he reportedly stumbled over a wooden box, and he had some workers throw it out. It was months before he realized that his wife’s casket had been destroyed. The original purpose for the memorial became lost in the details of construction.
Dr. James Dobson, Coming Home, Timeless Wisdom for Families, (Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton; 1998), p. 122
Sometimes, we are so coped up with the flow of things in life like studying or working that we have forgotton the purpose behind all that. Do we study to gain knowledge or because of the fear of being percecuted by parents or teachers? Do we work to provide for ourselves and our family or is it for our personal fame and false sense of achievement for reaching the top of the corporate ladder? Do we sustain a marriage because of love for each other or because of a commitment to each other and the children?
Sometimes, in life, we should all take a break to reflect and ponder the reasons for pursuing a dream in our life.
There is one of my friends who is dejected as he failed to pass the test for becoming a pilot, he seems to have lost purpose in his life. In order to fill that emptiness in him, he diverts his attention to making money, to earn as much money as possible. What formerly was a dream to soar high in the sky as a pilot has become a dream to own a plane of his own and to earn the money to do so. We should look far, beyond our lifetimes and see that do the will of the lord as at the end of time, only 2 things remain, the Word of God and the Lives of Man. Nothing else in the world matters.
John2:17 And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.
We should look far, beyond our lifetimes and see that we do the will of the lord as at the end of time, only 2 things remain, the Word of God and the Lives of Man. Nothing else in the world matters.
So what is the main cause of tragedy in the show? Drugs which eventually led to to the death of the two people or the emptiness and fear in their lives to face their problems? What is the purpose in the lives of all three?
I believe that only the person who makes the watch truely knows what the watch is made for.
Go Deep, Look Far, Ask Big.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Happy Chinese New Year
Before I start, I would like to wish everyone reading my blog a Happy CNY.
Matt5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 5:39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 5:40 And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible.
In Lev 24:19-20, it was stated that If a man inflicts an injury on his fellow citizen, just as he has done it must be done to him – fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth – just as he inflicts an injury on another person that same injury must be inflicted on him. This has been the basis of the law that we follow in most societies. However, don't we realise that after a while there will always be a cycle of revenge, hatred and pain if we follow this model.
When I was young, I loved to watch chinese swordfighting shows. Those where there would be lots of blood shed in the family, when the hero have to take revenge on the ones who kill his parents and vice-versa. Most of the time, the show would end up in tragedy till one side decides to give up on revenge. Only then will the vicious cycle be broken.
When I was reading this verse again on CNY, I was reminded of many issues in our family especially during New Year.
Most families would go visiting on CNY for both the mother's relatives and the father's relatives together. However, in our family, my mum have not visited my dad's parents or relatives for the past decade and vice-versa due to some misunderstandings that happened in the past which caused much hurt and pain to my mum.
Due to the inability to forgive my dad's mum(to avoid confusion), my mum forbides my sister from visiting my dad's mum who is already 86 years old. She have not seen my sister since the day she was born. My grandmother is already so old and she may be called to join the lord in heaven before she gets to see my sister.
A little background story here: When my mum's mum (just not to be confused with my dad's mum) passed away, my dad did not allow my elder brother to go to the funeral as he had studies the next day. My brother was in primary school at that time.
Thinking back, this may be the main reason why my mum was not willing to allow my sister to see my dad's mum. However, the one thing I do not understand is that why my mum is unwilling to forgive and let go after all these years.
I truely believe that the day my mum is able to release forgiveness to the family would be the day she would be able to accept Christ and vice-versa and leading to the healing of the family as an overall.I pray that my mum would be able to come down under the cross in the near future and comprehend the greatness of our God who is willing to sacrifice even his only son to redeem us, people who have persecuted Christ, denounced him and committed sins like adultery, murder, robbery, cheating...
In the Old Testament, any of the crimes would amount to death. But by sending his only son to die for us, he have redeemed us all. As God has so freely given us grace, we should show grace to others as well. I pray that my mum would be able to know our lord as the lord who has given us mercy.
Tit 3:4 But “when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 3:5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. 3:7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.”
The Lord did not save us because of what we do but because he so gave us mercy and he justified us by his grace so that we can become co-heirs of Christ, sons of God. I truely ask that the lord will be able to bring about healing in my family. I pray for healing not only for this generation but for my mother and my grandmother's generation which feuds have persisted for up to 30 years. For my prayers to be heard and victory be seen in my family, I believe that I should and must follow in the vision and just believe in the lord for complete healing.
As We step into the year of the Pig, I believe that this is the year of the victory. And to be more than conquerors in our lives and achieve miracles in our life, we must
Go Deep, Look Far, Ask Big.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Breaking From The Circle
Gal 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.
If you've ever felt like you're just running around in circles, it may be because you are.
An experiment was once carried out by the great French naturalist, John Henry Fabray. He took a number of processionary caterpillars so called because they always march in unison, and lined them around the inner edge of a flowerpot, forming a complete circle. For 3 days, he monitored them as they marched around the edge of the pot. At the end of the 3rd day, he placed some pine needles in the centre of the pot. Now pine needles are what the caterpillars eat. But for 4 more days, they continued walking, never once breaking the circle to look for food. Finally, one at a time, they fell and died from starvation.
When I was in my teens, like many I sought after the purpose in my life. What is the purpose of my life? Is it just to study and pursue a degree? Is it just to seek worldly desires like money, houses, women that will eventually come to pass?
I did not have an answer then, I still do not have one now. But I believe that at least I'm starting to look out of that circle, starting to look at the Lord for the answer. And I believe that my greater purpose in life can only be found through him.
Only when we start breaking free from the circle and start feeding on the Word Of God, the pine needles, will we caterpillars find the true, greater purpose for us in our lives and grow into the beautiful butterflies that God has meant for us to be in our lives.
Go Deep, Look Far, Dream Big.
If you've ever felt like you're just running around in circles, it may be because you are.
An experiment was once carried out by the great French naturalist, John Henry Fabray. He took a number of processionary caterpillars so called because they always march in unison, and lined them around the inner edge of a flowerpot, forming a complete circle. For 3 days, he monitored them as they marched around the edge of the pot. At the end of the 3rd day, he placed some pine needles in the centre of the pot. Now pine needles are what the caterpillars eat. But for 4 more days, they continued walking, never once breaking the circle to look for food. Finally, one at a time, they fell and died from starvation.
Source: Focus on the family TODAY 15022007
As I read through this article in the morning on the train, I was reminded of how my life used to be before I knew Christ. I was just like the caterpillar, following blindly behind others, always looking for affirmation from others, never breaking free from these chains. I was blindly seeking results, friends, escape from my life, when what I needed to sustain my life was the pine needles in the centre of the pot, Christ.
Do we need to endlessly chase things that will not last in our lives like success, money, love, recognition like the caterpillars without ever finding its purpose in life or do we want to take the step of faith and step out of the circle to feed on the pine needles?
Do we need to endlessly chase things that will not last in our lives like success, money, love, recognition like the caterpillars without ever finding its purpose in life or do we want to take the step of faith and step out of the circle to feed on the pine needles?
| 1Jo 2:15-17 | Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world is not from the father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever. |
When I was in my teens, like many I sought after the purpose in my life. What is the purpose of my life? Is it just to study and pursue a degree? Is it just to seek worldly desires like money, houses, women that will eventually come to pass?
I did not have an answer then, I still do not have one now. But I believe that at least I'm starting to look out of that circle, starting to look at the Lord for the answer. And I believe that my greater purpose in life can only be found through him.
Only when we start breaking free from the circle and start feeding on the Word Of God, the pine needles, will we caterpillars find the true, greater purpose for us in our lives and grow into the beautiful butterflies that God has meant for us to be in our lives.
Go Deep, Look Far, Dream Big.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Happy Valentine's Day
Cor13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 13:5It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 13:6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 13:7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Its that time of the year again for all lovers and friends alike. Valentine's Day. And just like the other 19 yrs of my singlehood, I'm free today as well.
As I started the day with my daily reflections, I start to reflect upon my life. What is the true meaning of love in my life?
Since I was young, I was pampered with material love, my parents would buy for me everything I wanted, be it computer games, toys, food... Anything that could be given they give. My mum would spend time with us, cooking dinner and my dad would spend time talking to us and driving us to school. However, I've never really felt that I have received love from my parents.
Just this morning, my father complained again regarding his work. Last week, he requested help from me to help him with his powerpoint, I was quite busy with church and my work so instead of giving him a false hope or a false promise, I told him that I may not be able to commit. But just this morning, he chided me for not helping him do his powerpoint. And he was threatening not to provide for us again. Then when I said that I do not need the money, he would just force you to take it so that he would have a reason to scold you or force you to listen to him.
Is providing monetary support to your children and wife love? Isn't it more like a bondage or a commitment?
When parents take care of their family, is it responsibility?
cor13:8 Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside.
When your boyfriend or girlfriend says that he or she loves you, is it neverending?
Looking back, I realised the only 1 true love in the world is God's love for us. His love is so great that he was willing to send his only son to die for us on the cross for all our sins, our shame, our pains and every thing that we suffer in our lives.
I would like to dedicate this valentine's day to my one and only lord who really loves me enough to die for me and my sins. Here is to my valentine, the king, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Go Deep, Look Far, Dream Big
Its that time of the year again for all lovers and friends alike. Valentine's Day. And just like the other 19 yrs of my singlehood, I'm free today as well.
As I started the day with my daily reflections, I start to reflect upon my life. What is the true meaning of love in my life?
Since I was young, I was pampered with material love, my parents would buy for me everything I wanted, be it computer games, toys, food... Anything that could be given they give. My mum would spend time with us, cooking dinner and my dad would spend time talking to us and driving us to school. However, I've never really felt that I have received love from my parents.
Just this morning, my father complained again regarding his work. Last week, he requested help from me to help him with his powerpoint, I was quite busy with church and my work so instead of giving him a false hope or a false promise, I told him that I may not be able to commit. But just this morning, he chided me for not helping him do his powerpoint. And he was threatening not to provide for us again. Then when I said that I do not need the money, he would just force you to take it so that he would have a reason to scold you or force you to listen to him.
Is providing monetary support to your children and wife love? Isn't it more like a bondage or a commitment?
When parents take care of their family, is it responsibility?
cor13:8 Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside.
When your boyfriend or girlfriend says that he or she loves you, is it neverending?
Looking back, I realised the only 1 true love in the world is God's love for us. His love is so great that he was willing to send his only son to die for us on the cross for all our sins, our shame, our pains and every thing that we suffer in our lives.
I would like to dedicate this valentine's day to my one and only lord who really loves me enough to die for me and my sins. Here is to my valentine, the king, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Go Deep, Look Far, Dream Big
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The Importance of Unity in the Body
Cor 12:12 For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body – though many – are one body, so too is Christ. 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves 4 or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. 12:14 For in fact the body is not a single member, but many.
At cell today, Ah pa was talking about the importance of the unity of the body and that the spreading of 2nd hand news will never resolve the problem.
At the moment , God reminded me of the many incidents that happened during my secondary school days.
In sec 3, I was the chairman of Chinese Drama, I was indeed at that time proud of my position because I felt that it was a recognition of my contribution to Chinese Drama and that the members had put trust in me to lead them.
However, as time went by, I had many misunderstandings with my committee members. Rumors and accusations were flying around in the society. People lost respect in me and I felt hurt and rejected at that time. ( though hopefully, I have overcame these at encounter. Praise the Lord)
When I heard the passage 1 cor 12 today again, it came back to me. I realised that if at that moment I should have addressed the issue by talking to my committee members 1st. Den escalating to my teacher in charge and if it still couldn't be resolved, leave the society. Because of my immaturity, I caused a bigger problem in the society.
Firstly, during orientation, there was a miscommunication and disunity in the body. This eventually led to the disappearing of an entire batch of sec1 students for the year, having major consequences in the society for the next few years to come. Lesson 1: Disunity will eventually lead to the breakup of the whole body.
Secondly, my relationships with the members would have been much better when I left. Lesson 2: The pain when left untreated for a long time will fester and cause more pain to the body.
I really thank the lord for bringing back memories of the incident and that now I have the opportunity to reflect upon the events that happened long ago. I thank the lord for my spiritual father Chris for being able to stand out and address the various issues within the cell before things start to go awry because of disunity and distrust.
Only when there is unity in the body whether in the body of Christ or in any organization then we can expect to go deep, look far and ask big.
At cell today, Ah pa was talking about the importance of the unity of the body and that the spreading of 2nd hand news will never resolve the problem.
At the moment , God reminded me of the many incidents that happened during my secondary school days.
In sec 3, I was the chairman of Chinese Drama, I was indeed at that time proud of my position because I felt that it was a recognition of my contribution to Chinese Drama and that the members had put trust in me to lead them.
However, as time went by, I had many misunderstandings with my committee members. Rumors and accusations were flying around in the society. People lost respect in me and I felt hurt and rejected at that time. ( though hopefully, I have overcame these at encounter. Praise the Lord)
When I heard the passage 1 cor 12 today again, it came back to me. I realised that if at that moment I should have addressed the issue by talking to my committee members 1st. Den escalating to my teacher in charge and if it still couldn't be resolved, leave the society. Because of my immaturity, I caused a bigger problem in the society.
Firstly, during orientation, there was a miscommunication and disunity in the body. This eventually led to the disappearing of an entire batch of sec1 students for the year, having major consequences in the society for the next few years to come. Lesson 1: Disunity will eventually lead to the breakup of the whole body.
Secondly, my relationships with the members would have been much better when I left. Lesson 2: The pain when left untreated for a long time will fester and cause more pain to the body.
I really thank the lord for bringing back memories of the incident and that now I have the opportunity to reflect upon the events that happened long ago. I thank the lord for my spiritual father Chris for being able to stand out and address the various issues within the cell before things start to go awry because of disunity and distrust.
Only when there is unity in the body whether in the body of Christ or in any organization then we can expect to go deep, look far and ask big.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Suffering and Joy
Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity?Curse God, and die!” 2:10 But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.
Question to all: How many times in life have we felt that God have failed us in one way or another.
You felt sick and down, out of luck, jobless, did not reach your expectations in an examination.
Many times, people will ask, why is there suffering in the world?
Just look around us, floods in Indonesia and Malyasia have taken away many innocent lives and made many homeless and unemployed. Last year, typhoon rampaged across America, making millions homeless. Earlier back, there was the tsunami. Sars, bird flu, poverty in Africa, Aids, cancer......
The numerous examples cited is enough to make people wonder: its God the Lord almighty, why is he unwilling to help those suffering in the world?
This morning, I was pondering through the question and decided to spend some extra time in the train reading the bible. I came around this verse in the passage.
Job 2:10 But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.
Many times in our lives, we only seek the lord when we are down and out. When we want to recive and take things from the lord. We treat God as a vending machine, just inserting money and he will answer to our every wishes. However, God is God. As freely as he gives he takes. When I was reading through Job, I realised that we will never be able to comprehend sufferings as Job is unable to comprehend his own sufferings. We should receive what is good from the lord and what is evil. As what may seem evil to us actually serves an unknown but greater purpose for the lord. In Job's case, it was a test from Satan. To us, it may be a test from God to mould us or a test of our faith to differentiate those he favours from the others. We may never know, but as we freely receive what is good from the lord, we should freely receive the evil from him too.
As some of you may know, during my days in the army, I suffered from anaemia and stomach problems. Till date, there have not been a conclusive reason behind these illnesses. But because of this, I was unable to serve my NS normally. I went in and out of CGH, had blood transfusions, had many follow ups. At a point, I had to go for mental check up as the doctor thought I had anxiety problems earlier on before realising the root was anaemia.
Prior to this, I fractured my finger during the 1st BMT when I had 2 weeks to go, so I had to be taken out of course and was not able to go on to be a commander. During my 2nd BMT, I caught chicken pox and had to be out of coursed as well.
I wondered too. Was the lord forsaking me? During my times of suffering, why didn't he hear my prayers? I lamented about it. I was dejected. I did not even want to go to church at that point.
Then the lord came to me. He told me that the suffering that I was going through was a test, a test of my faith. It was meant for me, I cannot continue in my old ways. I cannot walk away from him any longer. God wants to mould me, use me for greater purposes in his life, beyond what I can imagine. It was of his will that he chose to break me in NS.
And I will praise him for doing so just as Job praised him when he lost all his worldly possessions.
To implore all those who are suffering now, do not blame the lord or reject him. Have faith that he will deliver you out of the suffering just as he blessed Job with more in his later half of his life as he was able to show unwavering faith in the lord.
Go deep with him, look far and dream big.
Question to all: How many times in life have we felt that God have failed us in one way or another.
You felt sick and down, out of luck, jobless, did not reach your expectations in an examination.
Many times, people will ask, why is there suffering in the world?
Just look around us, floods in Indonesia and Malyasia have taken away many innocent lives and made many homeless and unemployed. Last year, typhoon rampaged across America, making millions homeless. Earlier back, there was the tsunami. Sars, bird flu, poverty in Africa, Aids, cancer......
The numerous examples cited is enough to make people wonder: its God the Lord almighty, why is he unwilling to help those suffering in the world?
This morning, I was pondering through the question and decided to spend some extra time in the train reading the bible. I came around this verse in the passage.
Job 2:10 But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.
Many times in our lives, we only seek the lord when we are down and out. When we want to recive and take things from the lord. We treat God as a vending machine, just inserting money and he will answer to our every wishes. However, God is God. As freely as he gives he takes. When I was reading through Job, I realised that we will never be able to comprehend sufferings as Job is unable to comprehend his own sufferings. We should receive what is good from the lord and what is evil. As what may seem evil to us actually serves an unknown but greater purpose for the lord. In Job's case, it was a test from Satan. To us, it may be a test from God to mould us or a test of our faith to differentiate those he favours from the others. We may never know, but as we freely receive what is good from the lord, we should freely receive the evil from him too.
As some of you may know, during my days in the army, I suffered from anaemia and stomach problems. Till date, there have not been a conclusive reason behind these illnesses. But because of this, I was unable to serve my NS normally. I went in and out of CGH, had blood transfusions, had many follow ups. At a point, I had to go for mental check up as the doctor thought I had anxiety problems earlier on before realising the root was anaemia.
Prior to this, I fractured my finger during the 1st BMT when I had 2 weeks to go, so I had to be taken out of course and was not able to go on to be a commander. During my 2nd BMT, I caught chicken pox and had to be out of coursed as well.
I wondered too. Was the lord forsaking me? During my times of suffering, why didn't he hear my prayers? I lamented about it. I was dejected. I did not even want to go to church at that point.
Then the lord came to me. He told me that the suffering that I was going through was a test, a test of my faith. It was meant for me, I cannot continue in my old ways. I cannot walk away from him any longer. God wants to mould me, use me for greater purposes in his life, beyond what I can imagine. It was of his will that he chose to break me in NS.
And I will praise him for doing so just as Job praised him when he lost all his worldly possessions.
To implore all those who are suffering now, do not blame the lord or reject him. Have faith that he will deliver you out of the suffering just as he blessed Job with more in his later half of his life as he was able to show unwavering faith in the lord.
Go deep with him, look far and dream big.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Chloride
Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally only in combined form; it always links itself to another element. Chlorine, on the other hand, is the poisonous gas that gives bleach it offensive odor. When sodium and chlorine are combined, the result is sodium chloride—common table salt—the substance we use to preserve meat and bring out its flavor. Love and truth can be like sodium and chlorine. Love without truth is flighty, sometimes blind, willing to combine with various doctrines. On the other hand, truth by itself can be offensive, sometimes even poisonous. Spoken without love, it can turn people away from the gospel. When truth and love are combined in an individual or a church, however, then we have what Jesus called “the salt of the earth,” and we’re able to preserve and bring out the beauty of our faith.
David H. Johnson
Sodium is an extremely active element found naturally only in combined form; it always links itself to another element. Chlorine, on the other hand, is the poisonous gas that gives bleach it offensive odor. When sodium and chlorine are combined, the result is sodium chloride—common table salt—the substance we use to preserve meat and bring out its flavor. Love and truth can be like sodium and chlorine. Love without truth is flighty, sometimes blind, willing to combine with various doctrines. On the other hand, truth by itself can be offensive, sometimes even poisonous. Spoken without love, it can turn people away from the gospel. When truth and love are combined in an individual or a church, however, then we have what Jesus called “the salt of the earth,” and we’re able to preserve and bring out the beauty of our faith.
David H. Johnson
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