I happen to be one who does not believe in the Prosperity Gospel. That God intends all believers to be 'rich' materially.
All the Apostles were not rich materially. They laid down their lives for Christ, spreading the Good News, not building up treasures on earth.
If someone focuses on getting rich, the chances are he will become rich someday - because whatever he puts his heart and soul on achieving, if it is not too absurd a goal such as flying to Mars, he will most likely achieve it. If someone aims to enrich himself with US$1million, he will likely to fulfill his goal within 20 years, if not 10 years.
However, Matt 6:21 clearly stated that "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also..." and not the other way round "Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also." Sometimes where your heart is, there is no treasure -- only passion and good deeds are there. However, you can be sure that if your treasure is on earth, your heart will be on earth too. See the difference!
So many wonderful christians died poor or extremely poor. But they are like Apostle Paul the poor tent-maker, like Jesus the poor carpenter. They have no treasures on earth. Their hearts were not here either.
Well if God-willing, I like to be a rich christian too. But here is not where my treasures are - otherwise I believe in Christ in vain.
Monday 27 December 2010
Saturday 25 December 2010
Bacteria and Viruses - what's the difference?
Both are microscopic. Both cause diseases.
Bacteria are single-cell organisms that live everywhere. Some are beneficial - for example help us to digest food. Others, called pathogenic, cause illnesses. Bacteria are self-sufficient and can replicate themselves from any other living cell through subdivision.
Viruses are typically 1 to 100 times smaller than bacteria. Viruses can only reproduce by entering a living cell. Drugs which target viruses are usually very toxic to the host cell.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, but not viruses. In fact, if you take antibiotics to try to treat a viral infection, this will affect the virus and may cause other unwanted effects.
Other microscopic invaders that cause disease include fungi - slightly larger than bacteria and responsible for conditions such as candida and protozoa - tiny single cell parasites such as Cryptosporidium that can live in your body.
(Excepted from Reader's Digest Sep 2009 Edition)
Bacteria are single-cell organisms that live everywhere. Some are beneficial - for example help us to digest food. Others, called pathogenic, cause illnesses. Bacteria are self-sufficient and can replicate themselves from any other living cell through subdivision.
Viruses are typically 1 to 100 times smaller than bacteria. Viruses can only reproduce by entering a living cell. Drugs which target viruses are usually very toxic to the host cell.
Antibiotics kill bacteria, but not viruses. In fact, if you take antibiotics to try to treat a viral infection, this will affect the virus and may cause other unwanted effects.
Other microscopic invaders that cause disease include fungi - slightly larger than bacteria and responsible for conditions such as candida and protozoa - tiny single cell parasites such as Cryptosporidium that can live in your body.
(Excepted from Reader's Digest Sep 2009 Edition)
Friday 24 December 2010
Besides Cloning, there is Parthenogenesis
Recently, I learnt a new word - Parthenogenesis.
I know cloning means reproducing a life without the use of a fertilised egg. No 'male' is involved. How it works: The nucleus of an unfertilised egg is removed. It is then fused with the nucleus of a donor cell (which has DNA and a full set of genetic material). The fused cell develops into an embryo and thence a new life.
Only a few weeks ago I learnt about Parthenogenesis - another reproduction process which does not require fertilisation by males. How it works: A female egg X splits into four cells, three cells were discarded. Another female egg Y splits into four cells, three cells were discarded. The remaining X cell combines with the remaining Y cell, giving rise to offspring which has all the genetic material from the mother.
Only recently I learnt that cloning and Parthenogenesis sometimes take place naturally in nature. Bynoe Gecko is an all-female species which clones themselves. Leiolepis Ngovantrii lizards reproduce by cloning. A boa constrictor (snake) recently gave birth to litters of all-female babies without contact with any male boa. The New Mexico Whiptail reproduces solely through Parthenogenesis. A Hammerhead shark in captivity was observed to reproduce through Pathenogenesis, having no contact with males.
I find all these new discoveries amazing. I know so little. Human beings know so little. SOMEONE must have created all these.
I know cloning means reproducing a life without the use of a fertilised egg. No 'male' is involved. How it works: The nucleus of an unfertilised egg is removed. It is then fused with the nucleus of a donor cell (which has DNA and a full set of genetic material). The fused cell develops into an embryo and thence a new life.
Only a few weeks ago I learnt about Parthenogenesis - another reproduction process which does not require fertilisation by males. How it works: A female egg X splits into four cells, three cells were discarded. Another female egg Y splits into four cells, three cells were discarded. The remaining X cell combines with the remaining Y cell, giving rise to offspring which has all the genetic material from the mother.
Only recently I learnt that cloning and Parthenogenesis sometimes take place naturally in nature. Bynoe Gecko is an all-female species which clones themselves. Leiolepis Ngovantrii lizards reproduce by cloning. A boa constrictor (snake) recently gave birth to litters of all-female babies without contact with any male boa. The New Mexico Whiptail reproduces solely through Parthenogenesis. A Hammerhead shark in captivity was observed to reproduce through Pathenogenesis, having no contact with males.
I find all these new discoveries amazing. I know so little. Human beings know so little. SOMEONE must have created all these.
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Monday 6 December 2010
Timbuktu
The Australian poetry contest in 2001 came down to 2 finalists. One was a Melbourne University law school graduate from an upper-crust family. The other finalist was a chap from Broadmeadows.
Each finalist had to compose a 4-line poem in 1 minute or less, and the poem had to contain the word "Timbuktu".
The melbourne grad went first. Abuot 30 seconds after the clock started he jumped up and recited the following:
"Slowly across the desert sand
Trekked the dusty caravan
Men on camels, two by two
Destination - Timbuktu."
The audience went wild. How, they wondered, could the Broadmeadows guy top that?
The clock started again and the second contestant sat silently in thought. Finally in the last few seconds, he jumped up and recited:
"Tim and me a-hunting went.
Met three sluts in a pop-up tent.
They were three, we were two,
So I bucked one and Timbuktu."
He won.
(Just a joke. Tim bucked two is not Timbuktu.)
Each finalist had to compose a 4-line poem in 1 minute or less, and the poem had to contain the word "Timbuktu".
The melbourne grad went first. Abuot 30 seconds after the clock started he jumped up and recited the following:
"Slowly across the desert sand
Trekked the dusty caravan
Men on camels, two by two
Destination - Timbuktu."
The audience went wild. How, they wondered, could the Broadmeadows guy top that?
The clock started again and the second contestant sat silently in thought. Finally in the last few seconds, he jumped up and recited:
"Tim and me a-hunting went.
Met three sluts in a pop-up tent.
They were three, we were two,
So I bucked one and Timbuktu."
He won.
(Just a joke. Tim bucked two is not Timbuktu.)
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