Years ago, when I lived in a village, I had a neighbour who earned extra income by being a medium.
Ah Tim built a shed near to his house and installed an altar in it. On the altar sat an idol whom he would offer jossticks day and night. When customers came to consult him, he would light extra jossticks, josscandles and burnt some josspaper.
As it happened very long ago, I have forgotten much of the details. I vaguely remember that he could have an average of 1 or 2 customers a day. They came to ask him about the predicament of deceased relatives, asked whether they had offended any spirits, and very often, to get 4-D numbers to 'buy lottery'.
Ah Tim would go into a semi-trance and conversed with his customers in a mumbly voice. At times he would grab some pomelo leaves and stuff them inside his mouth to chew while meting out advice and information to his customers.
Now and then, a customer would return to Ah Tim and announced that he had won a 4-D lottery and would now wish to offer the idol thanksgiving and respect. Ah Tim would receive a thanksgiving 'red-packet' of course. Some neighbours would laugh and reasoned that if Ah Tim gave out 100 4-D numbers, surely 1 would 'open' as a winner.
By and by, all the families in the village were re-settled, and the area was renamed Potong Pasir Housing Estate instead. Ah Tim was re-settled in Toa Payoh. The last I heard was that he was doing pretty well as a medium.
I am writing this in my blog just to show that there are still such activities in Singapore.
Monday, 1 June 2009
We are never 100% sure !
If you have been reading my blog entries below, you would realised that I am always questioning, to the extent of being cynical sometimes. I have always questioned what I believe.
In my quiet moments, I would still ask myself "Are you sure you are a Christian? Are you 100% sure you believe in the right thing?"
As a "Doubting Thomas" by nature, I love to learn about apologetics. I think I can offer several reasons why Christianity is most creditable. I can cite many reasons, such as fulfilled prophecies, fulfilled claims of Jesus Christ, evidence of the empty tomb, Jesus appearing to hundreds of living people after he rose from the dead, real-life witnesses such as apostle Thomas poking his finger into the risen Christ's body, and the credibility of the many gospel books, etc.
But I am really not 100% sure. I have not seen Jesus Christ. I am only intellectually convinced. I am also experientially convinced. My heart has been touched many times by the grace of God. But, maybe, just maybe, I am only 95% sure or 97% sure....
I have never spoken in tongues. I do not have any gift of vision or healing or prophecy. Perhaps if I have such spiritual gifts and abilities, I may be 98.5% sure!
I would like to ask my mentors and seniors, people like Dr. Wilson Lau, like Dr Roland Tan, like my pastors, priests, bishops and even the Pope... Sir, are you 100% sure...?
If they understand my question, their answer would be no. No matter how brilliant we are, our understand and beliefs will not be 100% correct. We are corrected, time and time again for understanding the wrong thing - one moment, we are told drinking 8cups of water a day is good, another moment we are told drinking 8 cups of water is too much, etc. We will never be 100% right. Even godly men, in the bible stories, had their moments of doubt.
But even though I am not 100% sure overall, one thing I am 99.99% sure - that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day and appeared to a few, and then to hundreds at the same time.
With this 99.99% level of confidence, I know that Jesus Christ is alive somewhere. This is enough.
All the rest of my belief may be only 97% or even 50% sure. But, but all the rest of my belief, doesn't matter.
In my quiet moments, I would still ask myself "Are you sure you are a Christian? Are you 100% sure you believe in the right thing?"
As a "Doubting Thomas" by nature, I love to learn about apologetics. I think I can offer several reasons why Christianity is most creditable. I can cite many reasons, such as fulfilled prophecies, fulfilled claims of Jesus Christ, evidence of the empty tomb, Jesus appearing to hundreds of living people after he rose from the dead, real-life witnesses such as apostle Thomas poking his finger into the risen Christ's body, and the credibility of the many gospel books, etc.
But I am really not 100% sure. I have not seen Jesus Christ. I am only intellectually convinced. I am also experientially convinced. My heart has been touched many times by the grace of God. But, maybe, just maybe, I am only 95% sure or 97% sure....
I have never spoken in tongues. I do not have any gift of vision or healing or prophecy. Perhaps if I have such spiritual gifts and abilities, I may be 98.5% sure!
I would like to ask my mentors and seniors, people like Dr. Wilson Lau, like Dr Roland Tan, like my pastors, priests, bishops and even the Pope... Sir, are you 100% sure...?
If they understand my question, their answer would be no. No matter how brilliant we are, our understand and beliefs will not be 100% correct. We are corrected, time and time again for understanding the wrong thing - one moment, we are told drinking 8cups of water a day is good, another moment we are told drinking 8 cups of water is too much, etc. We will never be 100% right. Even godly men, in the bible stories, had their moments of doubt.
But even though I am not 100% sure overall, one thing I am 99.99% sure - that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the 3rd day and appeared to a few, and then to hundreds at the same time.
With this 99.99% level of confidence, I know that Jesus Christ is alive somewhere. This is enough.
All the rest of my belief may be only 97% or even 50% sure. But, but all the rest of my belief, doesn't matter.
Still Surviving !
Over the last 3 years, I have the opportunity to dabble in a number of business ideas. I have earnestly tried going into the caregiver's business, the property business, the financial industry and some other business ideas. I have been waiting for the stock market upswing as well. (But I lost focus and I missed the boat now.)
Experience tells me that the chances of success in business is not much better than shrew timing when buying stocks and shares.
With holding power, it is unlikely that you will lose money in stocks and shares. In other words, you will not lose money if you are a long-term investor.
In business, the chances of profitability is probably 20% - i.e. for every 5 businesses that I spend time on, only 1 will succeed.
I am now expanding my small business in delivering training products. I started off by providing Silk Screening Worshops for Primary Schools. By God's grace, I am now a certified MOE AMIS trainer and a Peoples' Association (PA) trainer.
I have started extending the range of products to teaching Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. Now I am considering adding Decoupageing as a new product. I am trying to extend my customer segment from schools to RC Centres (Residents' Committee Centres) too.
So what is the relevance of God in all these endeavours? As a 'free-lance businessman' I am totally dependent on God's grace for customers and opportunities to close deals. I guess hawkers and businessmen generally have a 'religious pre-disposition' for the same reason - sometimes, oftentimes, whether you can successfully close a sales contract, is not something that you can control.
This is just some private information I can share with friends and readers. Please let me know if you can introduce any school teachers or RC members to me so that I can introduce my products to them.
Thank you.
Experience tells me that the chances of success in business is not much better than shrew timing when buying stocks and shares.
With holding power, it is unlikely that you will lose money in stocks and shares. In other words, you will not lose money if you are a long-term investor.
In business, the chances of profitability is probably 20% - i.e. for every 5 businesses that I spend time on, only 1 will succeed.
I am now expanding my small business in delivering training products. I started off by providing Silk Screening Worshops for Primary Schools. By God's grace, I am now a certified MOE AMIS trainer and a Peoples' Association (PA) trainer.
I have started extending the range of products to teaching Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. Now I am considering adding Decoupageing as a new product. I am trying to extend my customer segment from schools to RC Centres (Residents' Committee Centres) too.
So what is the relevance of God in all these endeavours? As a 'free-lance businessman' I am totally dependent on God's grace for customers and opportunities to close deals. I guess hawkers and businessmen generally have a 'religious pre-disposition' for the same reason - sometimes, oftentimes, whether you can successfully close a sales contract, is not something that you can control.
This is just some private information I can share with friends and readers. Please let me know if you can introduce any school teachers or RC members to me so that I can introduce my products to them.
Thank you.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Chi, the BioEnergy, Part 3 of 3: Digestive System and Trophology
The human digestive system consists of a 40-feet tubing, from mouth to anus. This is quite unbeliveable! It's 7 to 8 times the length of our body! Compare this to that of a tiger or lion which is 9 or 10 feet long. Hey, why must our food travel such a winding, torturous path before being passed out?
The Bible did gave some instructions on what can be eaten and what could not. Much was mentioned about hoofed animals, fish without scales and other crustaceans. You can read about them in the first 3 books of the Bible.
In Exodus 16, God provided some guidelines on trophology, the science of mixing food.
"And ... the (hungry) Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron...'...so you have brought us out from Egypt into this wilderness to be killed with hunger?'
After consulting God, Moses said to the Israelites, 'This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the Lord hears your gumblings which you grumble against Him.'..."
God was instructing the Israelites NOT to take meat/protein and cabohydrates at the SAME time, but at DIFFERENT time of the day. Our digestive system secretes one type of chemical to breakdown protein, and another chemical to breakdown cabohydrates. When both types of food are taken at the same time, the digestive system is 'confused'. Instead of breaking down the food for proper assimilation into the body, the food turns foul and putrid in our stomach and intestines instead.
The same goes for fruits. Fruits travels much faster through the digestive system than either protein or cabohydrates. Hence fruits should be consumed first, before the main meal of protein or cabohydrates. If protein or cabohydrates were eaten first, and then fruits were eaten as dessert, can you imagine what will happen? The slow-moving items will 'block' the fast-moving items all the way from the throat to the anus. When all are mixed-up and moved sluggishly along the 40-feet-passageway, how much good can be absorbed into the body?
So eat fruits before taking a main meal. Remember, raw food, such as fruits provides 'chi'. Cooked food does not.
The Bible did gave some instructions on what can be eaten and what could not. Much was mentioned about hoofed animals, fish without scales and other crustaceans. You can read about them in the first 3 books of the Bible.
In Exodus 16, God provided some guidelines on trophology, the science of mixing food.
"And ... the (hungry) Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron...'...so you have brought us out from Egypt into this wilderness to be killed with hunger?'
After consulting God, Moses said to the Israelites, 'This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the Lord hears your gumblings which you grumble against Him.'..."
God was instructing the Israelites NOT to take meat/protein and cabohydrates at the SAME time, but at DIFFERENT time of the day. Our digestive system secretes one type of chemical to breakdown protein, and another chemical to breakdown cabohydrates. When both types of food are taken at the same time, the digestive system is 'confused'. Instead of breaking down the food for proper assimilation into the body, the food turns foul and putrid in our stomach and intestines instead.
The same goes for fruits. Fruits travels much faster through the digestive system than either protein or cabohydrates. Hence fruits should be consumed first, before the main meal of protein or cabohydrates. If protein or cabohydrates were eaten first, and then fruits were eaten as dessert, can you imagine what will happen? The slow-moving items will 'block' the fast-moving items all the way from the throat to the anus. When all are mixed-up and moved sluggishly along the 40-feet-passageway, how much good can be absorbed into the body?
So eat fruits before taking a main meal. Remember, raw food, such as fruits provides 'chi'. Cooked food does not.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
What Rick Warren Did With His Money
We all know Rick Warren made lots of money from the books he authored.
Here's a snippet of Larry King asking Warren how he keeps his life balanced despite his success:
----------------------------------------------------
KING: So, the question is, how do you keep your balance?
WARREN: Well, you know what, when the book, Larry, and this caller, when it began to become a big success world-wide, I actually began to got to scripture to pray about what I called the stewardship of have affluence and the stewardship of influence. And that was, God, what do I do with me money, and what do I do with the notoriety. Because, I don't think God gives either money or fame for your own ego, certainly not a pastor.
And I didn't want it. And in fact, that's the whole reason why I never put our church services on television. Twenty Five-years-ago I made the decision to never be on television as a church service, because I didn't want to be a televangelist. I didn't like the lifestyle. And I didn't like a lot of the -- I think always being in the spotlight blinds you.
And Kay (ph) and I made two very important decisions, based on two passages of scripture. First Corinthians 9 and Psalms 72. First with the money, we made five decisions. First was, we weren't going to change our lifestyle one bit, no matter how much money came in. So, we still live in the same house. We didn't buy a bigger house. We don't own a guest house. We don't own a yacht. I still drive a 4- year-old Ford. And we're just are not going to let money change your lives, and I'm not going to use it to impress people.
The second decision we made was, I stopped taking the salary from my church about three years ago.
The third decision is, I added up all that the church had paid me in the past 25 years and I gave it all back. And I did that because I don't want anybody to ever think that I was doing this for money, because I don't. I would have done it for free from the start if I could have. And now the book made it possible for me to give all that money back.
And right after I did that, I was interviewed by a major news magazine. And the first question was, what's your salary? And I was able to say, well, actually, I've now serve my church for free for 25 years. Then we set up, No. 4, we set up three foundations, one of them called Acts of Mercy, which is used to help those who are infected and affected by AIDS globally. And then the fifth is, we actually became reverse tithers, which means that when Kay and I got married, we began to tithe 10 percent of our income to charity, and each year in the last 30 years we've raised it a percentage, and we're not actually reverse tithers, so we give away 90 percent and live on 10 percent.
----------------------------------------------
There's something about Rick Warren that is very refreshing. It's not to say this "his way" is the right way or what everyone should do, but I would say that he has, so far, done a great job keeping his life and his wealth in balance.
Here's a snippet of Larry King asking Warren how he keeps his life balanced despite his success:
----------------------------------------------------
KING: So, the question is, how do you keep your balance?
WARREN: Well, you know what, when the book, Larry, and this caller, when it began to become a big success world-wide, I actually began to got to scripture to pray about what I called the stewardship of have affluence and the stewardship of influence. And that was, God, what do I do with me money, and what do I do with the notoriety. Because, I don't think God gives either money or fame for your own ego, certainly not a pastor.
And I didn't want it. And in fact, that's the whole reason why I never put our church services on television. Twenty Five-years-ago I made the decision to never be on television as a church service, because I didn't want to be a televangelist. I didn't like the lifestyle. And I didn't like a lot of the -- I think always being in the spotlight blinds you.
And Kay (ph) and I made two very important decisions, based on two passages of scripture. First Corinthians 9 and Psalms 72. First with the money, we made five decisions. First was, we weren't going to change our lifestyle one bit, no matter how much money came in. So, we still live in the same house. We didn't buy a bigger house. We don't own a guest house. We don't own a yacht. I still drive a 4- year-old Ford. And we're just are not going to let money change your lives, and I'm not going to use it to impress people.
The second decision we made was, I stopped taking the salary from my church about three years ago.
The third decision is, I added up all that the church had paid me in the past 25 years and I gave it all back. And I did that because I don't want anybody to ever think that I was doing this for money, because I don't. I would have done it for free from the start if I could have. And now the book made it possible for me to give all that money back.
And right after I did that, I was interviewed by a major news magazine. And the first question was, what's your salary? And I was able to say, well, actually, I've now serve my church for free for 25 years. Then we set up, No. 4, we set up three foundations, one of them called Acts of Mercy, which is used to help those who are infected and affected by AIDS globally. And then the fifth is, we actually became reverse tithers, which means that when Kay and I got married, we began to tithe 10 percent of our income to charity, and each year in the last 30 years we've raised it a percentage, and we're not actually reverse tithers, so we give away 90 percent and live on 10 percent.
----------------------------------------------
There's something about Rick Warren that is very refreshing. It's not to say this "his way" is the right way or what everyone should do, but I would say that he has, so far, done a great job keeping his life and his wealth in balance.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Chi, the BioEnergy Part 2 of 3: Internal Elixir
In the last blog entry (below), I touched on the 2 approaches to health and longevity, i.e. External Elixir and Internal Elixir to cultivate 'chi'. I touched on one aspect of External Elixir, which is Diet.
Here I touch on one aspect of Internal Elixir, which is Exercise and Breathing.
Exercise refers to calithenics such as Qigong and Taichi which increases the 'chi' in the body. 'chi is also moved round different parts of the body to remove negativities or harmful elements.
Breathing refers to deep abdominal breathing and internal energy control. Deep breathing provides 2 major benefits. a) Deep breathing downloads beneficial negative ion energy from the air to the human body system. b) Deep breathing also 'massages or exercises' all the organs involved and boost blood circulation.
I shall not give instructions on how to do deep breathing in this blog. You can learn about this from videos on Youtube. Just go to Youtube, search for 'Qigong Breathing', and there are some good easy-to-learn breathing lessons free-of-charge.
For many years, I was wondering whether a serious Christian like myself should learn and practise Qigong or Yoga or Meditation exercises which are beneficial to health. I have concluded that these are 'good things', and are part of God's gift for humankind to promote good health. Just because these have been 'hijacked' by other religions and 'claimed' to be part of those religions, does not mean Christians have lost our right to these God-created gifts. Christians can use Qigong or Yoga exercises to promote good health too, as long as we avoid the spiritual elements associated with other religions.
Here I touch on one aspect of Internal Elixir, which is Exercise and Breathing.
Exercise refers to calithenics such as Qigong and Taichi which increases the 'chi' in the body. 'chi is also moved round different parts of the body to remove negativities or harmful elements.
Breathing refers to deep abdominal breathing and internal energy control. Deep breathing provides 2 major benefits. a) Deep breathing downloads beneficial negative ion energy from the air to the human body system. b) Deep breathing also 'massages or exercises' all the organs involved and boost blood circulation.
I shall not give instructions on how to do deep breathing in this blog. You can learn about this from videos on Youtube. Just go to Youtube, search for 'Qigong Breathing', and there are some good easy-to-learn breathing lessons free-of-charge.
For many years, I was wondering whether a serious Christian like myself should learn and practise Qigong or Yoga or Meditation exercises which are beneficial to health. I have concluded that these are 'good things', and are part of God's gift for humankind to promote good health. Just because these have been 'hijacked' by other religions and 'claimed' to be part of those religions, does not mean Christians have lost our right to these God-created gifts. Christians can use Qigong or Yoga exercises to promote good health too, as long as we avoid the spiritual elements associated with other religions.
Chi, the BioEnergy Part 1 of 3: Eat Raw
Today, I will write on a new series on 'chi'.
Much of Chinese Studies on life and longevity have been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in China in 1950s and 1960s.
Instead of measuring lifespan in terms of heartbeats, Chinese tradition measures lives by counting breaths. When a person's alotted number of breaths expires, his life ends.
Chinese regards a human's normal lifespan to be 100 years. It should not be 70 or 80years. Compare maturity-to-lifespan ratio with other primates like cats, dogs, monkeys. A dog for example reaches maturity within 1 to 2 years. It's normal lifespan is 12 to 14 years. The ratio is 2/14 or 1/7. Human reaches maturity around 15 years, if the ratio is also 1/7, then the normal lifespan should be 105 !
But the toll of stressful living, pollution and pressure has shortened the 'normal' lifespan of human considerably.
There are 2 broad approaches to increase 'chi' and increase longevity. External Elixir and Internal Elixir
External Elixir refers to 1) diet 2) Physical Exercise 3) life-prolonging herbal supplements. I will only touch on diet in this blog entry.
By far the best life-prolonging diet available is freshly extracted juices of fresh raw fruits and raw vegetables. These are chock full of living enzymes, the only nutritional element capable of carrying the vital spark of life ('chi') into the human system.
Raw fruits and vegetables are 'live' food with 'chi'. Cooked food is 'dead' food with very little 'chi'.
Besides providing 'chi' raw fruit and vegetable juices are the best source of organic vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids which the body requires to replenish dead and damaged cells. These minerals do not require long hours of digestion and the body could absorb them in a very short time.
Now you know why Japanese have longer lifespan! They eat lots of raw fish and vegetables, filled with 'chi'.
Continue reading this blog for more information.
Much of Chinese Studies on life and longevity have been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in China in 1950s and 1960s.
Instead of measuring lifespan in terms of heartbeats, Chinese tradition measures lives by counting breaths. When a person's alotted number of breaths expires, his life ends.
Chinese regards a human's normal lifespan to be 100 years. It should not be 70 or 80years. Compare maturity-to-lifespan ratio with other primates like cats, dogs, monkeys. A dog for example reaches maturity within 1 to 2 years. It's normal lifespan is 12 to 14 years. The ratio is 2/14 or 1/7. Human reaches maturity around 15 years, if the ratio is also 1/7, then the normal lifespan should be 105 !
But the toll of stressful living, pollution and pressure has shortened the 'normal' lifespan of human considerably.
There are 2 broad approaches to increase 'chi' and increase longevity. External Elixir and Internal Elixir
External Elixir refers to 1) diet 2) Physical Exercise 3) life-prolonging herbal supplements. I will only touch on diet in this blog entry.
By far the best life-prolonging diet available is freshly extracted juices of fresh raw fruits and raw vegetables. These are chock full of living enzymes, the only nutritional element capable of carrying the vital spark of life ('chi') into the human system.
Raw fruits and vegetables are 'live' food with 'chi'. Cooked food is 'dead' food with very little 'chi'.
Besides providing 'chi' raw fruit and vegetable juices are the best source of organic vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids which the body requires to replenish dead and damaged cells. These minerals do not require long hours of digestion and the body could absorb them in a very short time.
Now you know why Japanese have longer lifespan! They eat lots of raw fish and vegetables, filled with 'chi'.
Continue reading this blog for more information.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
The Biography Of Abraham - Part 4 of 4: Faith Beyond Doubt
In this last episode of the Biography of Abraham, I could not resist writing about Abraham's example of 'Total Obedience'.
Gen 22 has been a popular text for many sermons. God has been testing, or has allowed his people to suffer or be tested time and time again. Each time His faithfuls passed the testing, they were richly blessed.
When God asked Abraham to "Take now your son...and offer him as a burnt offering...", Abraham was not stupid, and understood straight away what God was asking. God was asking him to:
a) Kill a person to demonstrate his obedience.
b) Not just somebody, but his own son.
c) Not just any son, but his ONLY son who he had begotten at an old age of 100.
Abraham obeyed. Abraham knew God. He had spoken with Him on several occasions. He had also spoke to Him angels on several occasions. God had worked miracles right before his eyes. To Abraham, God was not pure faith, God was beyond faith. God was a real person. God was a real God to Abraham.
The story had a happy ending when God tested Abraham enough, and asked him not to harm the lad at the last fraction of a second.
In life's journey as believers, we will be tested too, perhaps just as painfully as Abraham had experienced when God allows one of our loved ones to be taken away suddenly. Somehow God will carry us through the pain. Our faith must carry us through.
Peace.
Gen 22 has been a popular text for many sermons. God has been testing, or has allowed his people to suffer or be tested time and time again. Each time His faithfuls passed the testing, they were richly blessed.
When God asked Abraham to "Take now your son...and offer him as a burnt offering...", Abraham was not stupid, and understood straight away what God was asking. God was asking him to:
a) Kill a person to demonstrate his obedience.
b) Not just somebody, but his own son.
c) Not just any son, but his ONLY son who he had begotten at an old age of 100.
Abraham obeyed. Abraham knew God. He had spoken with Him on several occasions. He had also spoke to Him angels on several occasions. God had worked miracles right before his eyes. To Abraham, God was not pure faith, God was beyond faith. God was a real person. God was a real God to Abraham.
The story had a happy ending when God tested Abraham enough, and asked him not to harm the lad at the last fraction of a second.
In life's journey as believers, we will be tested too, perhaps just as painfully as Abraham had experienced when God allows one of our loved ones to be taken away suddenly. Somehow God will carry us through the pain. Our faith must carry us through.
Peace.
Friday, 23 January 2009
The Biography of Abraham Part 3 of 4
Abraham Did It Once, Did It Twice
Gen 12: Abraham Journeyed To Egypt. He lied.
...Now there was a famine in the land, so Abraham went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came about when he came near Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and it will come about when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife', and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you."
And it came about when Abraham came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
And Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. Therefore he treated Abraham well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abraham's wife. (Note 1 : God punished Pharaoh for taking Abraham's wife because of Abraham's deceit!)
Then Pharaoh called Abraham and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say. 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go."
Gen 20:2: Abraham use the same deception again. He lied again.
...Abraham journeyed ...then he sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken for she is married." (Note 2: God punished Abimelech for taking Sarai as his wife, because of Abraham's deceit!)
Want to know the rest of the story? Then turn to the Bible and read it.
Abraham did it again, but God still forgave him! This tells us how close God and Abraham were. God's relationship with us are as close too.
And don't ever think of an affair with a married woman or a married man... God will be angry.
Interesting?
Gen 12: Abraham Journeyed To Egypt. He lied.
...Now there was a famine in the land, so Abraham went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. And it came about when he came near Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, "See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and it will come about when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife', and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you."
And it came about when Abraham came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful.
And Pharaoh's officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. Therefore he treated Abraham well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.
But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abraham's wife. (Note 1 : God punished Pharaoh for taking Abraham's wife because of Abraham's deceit!)
Then Pharaoh called Abraham and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say. 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go."
Gen 20:2: Abraham use the same deception again. He lied again.
...Abraham journeyed ...then he sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken for she is married." (Note 2: God punished Abimelech for taking Sarai as his wife, because of Abraham's deceit!)
Want to know the rest of the story? Then turn to the Bible and read it.
Abraham did it again, but God still forgave him! This tells us how close God and Abraham were. God's relationship with us are as close too.
And don't ever think of an affair with a married woman or a married man... God will be angry.
Interesting?
Monday, 19 January 2009
The Biography of Abraham Part 2 or 4
I read somewhere that if you stand on top of a tower, and look at the horizon, your good eyesight can see about 25 kilometres away. In other words, if you look North, East, West, South, you will be able to see a circle of 25km radius.
In Gen 13, Abraham and Lot, his cousin, had a cordial relationship. But as their livestocks increased, their servants and workers started disputing and quarrelling over the vegetation and the water wells.
Abraham said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me: if (you take) to the left, then I will go to the right; or if (you take) to the right, then I will go to the left." Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere...Lot chose for himself all the valley of Jordan... He chose East and journeyed eastward. Thus Abraham and Lot were separated from each other.
Abraham was magnanimous. He was left with the half of the land that was arid and barren.
But God had His own decision. After Lot left, the Lord said to Abraham: "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever..."
You see, in his generosity, Abraham asked Lot to chose half, the left half or the right half. But God changed that and gave Ahraham both the left and the right, forever.
This is just one of the examples in Abraham's biography illustrating Abraham's special relationship with God.
As joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), God would treat us the same too.
Alleluia.
In Gen 13, Abraham and Lot, his cousin, had a cordial relationship. But as their livestocks increased, their servants and workers started disputing and quarrelling over the vegetation and the water wells.
Abraham said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me: if (you take) to the left, then I will go to the right; or if (you take) to the right, then I will go to the left." Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere...Lot chose for himself all the valley of Jordan... He chose East and journeyed eastward. Thus Abraham and Lot were separated from each other.
Abraham was magnanimous. He was left with the half of the land that was arid and barren.
But God had His own decision. After Lot left, the Lord said to Abraham: "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever..."
You see, in his generosity, Abraham asked Lot to chose half, the left half or the right half. But God changed that and gave Ahraham both the left and the right, forever.
This is just one of the examples in Abraham's biography illustrating Abraham's special relationship with God.
As joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), God would treat us the same too.
Alleluia.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
The Biography of Abraham Part 1 or 4
I love to read biographies. In my younger days, I read lots of biographies. I read about the lives of Stalin, Lenin, Mao Tze Dong, and of course Lee Kuan Yew and others.
But none of the biographies or autobiographies I have read can compete with the Biography of Abraham. Between Genesis 11 and Genesis 25, the story is fast-moving, detailed, full of surprises, and never a dull moment.
You should read it. This is one of the best biographies I have read.
In this and next 3 blog postings, I will talk about Abraham.
As you read the biography of Abraham, you will wonder why God is so 'friend' with him. God spoke to him as a friend. Friends some times play prank and hurt each other, but always forgiving and not take heart. Friends sometimes betray one another, but in the end always remain loyal.
In the other chapters of Genesis, we confirmed that the Jews and the Palestinians were all decendants of Jacob and hence decendants of Abraham. Perhaps all Jews and Palestinians can take a DNA test to confirm this. They all should have some traces of Abraham's DNA. Then, perhaps, Jews and Palestinians should stop fighting each other in view of the common heritage.
Look out for the next 3 blog postings.
But none of the biographies or autobiographies I have read can compete with the Biography of Abraham. Between Genesis 11 and Genesis 25, the story is fast-moving, detailed, full of surprises, and never a dull moment.
You should read it. This is one of the best biographies I have read.
In this and next 3 blog postings, I will talk about Abraham.
As you read the biography of Abraham, you will wonder why God is so 'friend' with him. God spoke to him as a friend. Friends some times play prank and hurt each other, but always forgiving and not take heart. Friends sometimes betray one another, but in the end always remain loyal.
In the other chapters of Genesis, we confirmed that the Jews and the Palestinians were all decendants of Jacob and hence decendants of Abraham. Perhaps all Jews and Palestinians can take a DNA test to confirm this. They all should have some traces of Abraham's DNA. Then, perhaps, Jews and Palestinians should stop fighting each other in view of the common heritage.
Look out for the next 3 blog postings.
Sunday, 28 December 2008
What is 'Time'?
What is Time?
Our life spans 60 to 100 years. Do we have to plan meticulously to maximise all the time available?
I understand that some insects have a lifespan of less than 10 days. Do they rush through the 10 days to accomplish all they want in their 'short' lifetime?
Will Time Travel be a reality?
Is it true that a thousand years on Earth is but a day in Heaven?
The great Albert Einstein told us that 'Time is relative'. And that is true.
After God created the Heaven and the Earth, the Earth rotates around the Sun, giving us a measure of year, month, day, hour, minute and second.
However God is not subject to the dimension of Time! God created the stars and the planets and hence the concept of Time. But God is not part of what He created. God is above what He has created. God is above Time. God is 'outside' the Time dimension.
God said His name is "I AM WHO I AM". It is in the present tense. There is no past tense or future tense.
To God, there is no past and future. All events happen in the present tense. So the existence of Adam and Eve, of David and Solomon, of Jesus, and of your own self is not over a period of time.
When the Bible provides a perspective of Time and historical events, the writers were simply writing in human perspective, in human language. It is not in God's perspective.
Our Time is from God. So what if we die at 100 year old, or 10 days old? It's only relevant while we are human and finite. It's not relevant when we are no longer human.
But God is infinite.
Our life spans 60 to 100 years. Do we have to plan meticulously to maximise all the time available?
I understand that some insects have a lifespan of less than 10 days. Do they rush through the 10 days to accomplish all they want in their 'short' lifetime?
Will Time Travel be a reality?
Is it true that a thousand years on Earth is but a day in Heaven?
The great Albert Einstein told us that 'Time is relative'. And that is true.
After God created the Heaven and the Earth, the Earth rotates around the Sun, giving us a measure of year, month, day, hour, minute and second.
However God is not subject to the dimension of Time! God created the stars and the planets and hence the concept of Time. But God is not part of what He created. God is above what He has created. God is above Time. God is 'outside' the Time dimension.
God said His name is "I AM WHO I AM". It is in the present tense. There is no past tense or future tense.
To God, there is no past and future. All events happen in the present tense. So the existence of Adam and Eve, of David and Solomon, of Jesus, and of your own self is not over a period of time.
When the Bible provides a perspective of Time and historical events, the writers were simply writing in human perspective, in human language. It is not in God's perspective.
Our Time is from God. So what if we die at 100 year old, or 10 days old? It's only relevant while we are human and finite. It's not relevant when we are no longer human.
But God is infinite.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Don't listen to Good News only
In recent years, more and more people are going for Lasik Treatment to correct their shortsightedness or other eye problems.
There are tons of advertisements and happy stories on Lasik Treatment. The cost is also getting lower, doctors are confident that the risk of complications is getting lower and, the impression is, more and more, and everybody is putting his trust on Lasik.
But Sunday Times, 7 Dec 08, is kind enough to provide the other side of the story -- samples of Bad News.
The article on page 34 "Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming" is a good reminder that the risk is not that low.
An accompanying article by Catherine Lee on the same page:
"Is Lasik surgery really safe?
I once intended to go for such a procedure but changed my mind after talking to some friends and colleagues.
One colleague had a friend who went for Lasik surgery 10 years ago.
Everything was fine until about two to three years ago, when she developed problems -first in one eye, then the other. She could not regain her sight totally even after some operations, and ended up blind in one eye and partially blind in the other..."
Please note that when someone wants to earn your money by selling a product or service to you, his job is to tell you one side of the story only, the side that sells, not the side that don't sell.
Go and find out the other side of the story too.
There are tons of advertisements and happy stories on Lasik Treatment. The cost is also getting lower, doctors are confident that the risk of complications is getting lower and, the impression is, more and more, and everybody is putting his trust on Lasik.
But Sunday Times, 7 Dec 08, is kind enough to provide the other side of the story -- samples of Bad News.
The article on page 34 "Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming" is a good reminder that the risk is not that low.
An accompanying article by Catherine Lee on the same page:
"Is Lasik surgery really safe?
I once intended to go for such a procedure but changed my mind after talking to some friends and colleagues.
One colleague had a friend who went for Lasik surgery 10 years ago.
Everything was fine until about two to three years ago, when she developed problems -first in one eye, then the other. She could not regain her sight totally even after some operations, and ended up blind in one eye and partially blind in the other..."
Please note that when someone wants to earn your money by selling a product or service to you, his job is to tell you one side of the story only, the side that sells, not the side that don't sell.
Go and find out the other side of the story too.
Higher Risk does not mean Higher Return
I watched the program "Cents and Sensibilities" over TV ChannelNewsAsia yesterday, Wednesday 10 Dec 08. It's about investing your money.
It reminded me:
Higher Return must come with Higher Risk.
BUT, BUT, BUT:
Higher Risk does not mean Higher Return!!!
I hope my readers will remember what I have highlighted.
It reminded me:
Higher Return must come with Higher Risk.
BUT, BUT, BUT:
Higher Risk does not mean Higher Return!!!
I hope my readers will remember what I have highlighted.
I asked a question, an interesting answer
I emailed to Dr KK Tan, a highly respected expert in meditation;.
Question:
Dear Dr. Tan
May I ask you :
1 whether rocks have souls?
2 whether trees have souls?
3 If yes, than if a tree is cut down and made into 10 chairs, will the tree-soul be 'split up' into 10 chair-souls?
4 Does insects like ants, mosquitoes and wasps have souls?
5 If yes, than since there are trillions of insects, there would be trillions and trillions of souls in the world ?
6 What DOES NOT have a soul then?
Thank you for your time and teaching.
Answer:
Dear Pat,
Almost everything that is natural occurring has a soul. Minerals includung rocks have souls. All
vegetation including all plants have souls. Then come animals and lastly humans. However if a human is killed, his soul leaves him. Similarly this appies to animals and trees. If you chopped a tree down, you kill it. Thence the piesces of wood do not contain any soul. Trillions of insects also possess souls. All natural occurring
things have souls, but when a man is killed or a tree is felled or an animal is killed, all these three will be deprived of souls. I assume when a large rock is pulverised into tiny pieces, it would have lost its soul as well. That means almost everything on earth does possess a soul until it is destroyed or killed.
K.K.Tan
Conclusion:
Haha. It's up to you whether or not to believe in the answer. But I just find it amusing.
Thanks to Dr KK Tan.
Question:
Dear Dr. Tan
May I ask you :
1 whether rocks have souls?
2 whether trees have souls?
3 If yes, than if a tree is cut down and made into 10 chairs, will the tree-soul be 'split up' into 10 chair-souls?
4 Does insects like ants, mosquitoes and wasps have souls?
5 If yes, than since there are trillions of insects, there would be trillions and trillions of souls in the world ?
6 What DOES NOT have a soul then?
Thank you for your time and teaching.
Answer:
Dear Pat,
Almost everything that is natural occurring has a soul. Minerals includung rocks have souls. All
vegetation including all plants have souls. Then come animals and lastly humans. However if a human is killed, his soul leaves him. Similarly this appies to animals and trees. If you chopped a tree down, you kill it. Thence the piesces of wood do not contain any soul. Trillions of insects also possess souls. All natural occurring
things have souls, but when a man is killed or a tree is felled or an animal is killed, all these three will be deprived of souls. I assume when a large rock is pulverised into tiny pieces, it would have lost its soul as well. That means almost everything on earth does possess a soul until it is destroyed or killed.
K.K.Tan
Conclusion:
Haha. It's up to you whether or not to believe in the answer. But I just find it amusing.
Thanks to Dr KK Tan.
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Signing the Advance Medical Directive?
I am considering whether or not I should sign the AMD.
2 weeks ago, I visited an aunty who was on wheelchair. Her husband passed away about 7 months ago.
That afternoon, my aunty told me that her late husband's sister had passed away 5 months ago too. Besides, another of her late husband's brother had passed away 2 months ago. Another brother was now in hospital, feeding through a tube and breathing through a hole through the neck. In all, 3 members in that family died within 7 months and another going going soon.
Hospitals are now quite good in prolonging life. A seriously ill person can be forced fed and forced to continue breathing. Life expectancy is getting longer, medical cost is getting higher, and quality of life during the disability period, is getting worse.
All of us want a 'rectangular life'. If we were to die, we hope die quickly, in dignity, not prolonged and die off so slowly that someone has to care for us for years and years. Having a helper to change your diapers, wipe your ass, bathe you and at most trying moments lose their temper on you is most un-dignifying.
I believe that the best way to die is through a massive heart attack. Life is gone within 3 minutes, without prolong suffering. It would be good if heart attach or pneumonia is the top killer disease and not cancer.
Well, how will the AMD help? Does it mean that I am refusing artificial respiratory aids after I sign up AMD? Does it help me to die quickly when there is 'no hope'? Who would decide that there is 'no hope', and give permission to disconnect the life-supporting apparatus?
I will like to know more. Do you know more?
2 weeks ago, I visited an aunty who was on wheelchair. Her husband passed away about 7 months ago.
That afternoon, my aunty told me that her late husband's sister had passed away 5 months ago too. Besides, another of her late husband's brother had passed away 2 months ago. Another brother was now in hospital, feeding through a tube and breathing through a hole through the neck. In all, 3 members in that family died within 7 months and another going going soon.
Hospitals are now quite good in prolonging life. A seriously ill person can be forced fed and forced to continue breathing. Life expectancy is getting longer, medical cost is getting higher, and quality of life during the disability period, is getting worse.
All of us want a 'rectangular life'. If we were to die, we hope die quickly, in dignity, not prolonged and die off so slowly that someone has to care for us for years and years. Having a helper to change your diapers, wipe your ass, bathe you and at most trying moments lose their temper on you is most un-dignifying.
I believe that the best way to die is through a massive heart attack. Life is gone within 3 minutes, without prolong suffering. It would be good if heart attach or pneumonia is the top killer disease and not cancer.
Well, how will the AMD help? Does it mean that I am refusing artificial respiratory aids after I sign up AMD? Does it help me to die quickly when there is 'no hope'? Who would decide that there is 'no hope', and give permission to disconnect the life-supporting apparatus?
I will like to know more. Do you know more?
A Lesson In Giving
Goh Sin Tub died 5 to 10 years ago. Before he died, he wrote this inspiring article for us:
SOME PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE RICH, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THEY HAVE
In the early '80s, Brother Kevin Byrne, then principal of Singapore's St Joseph's Institution, and I started raising money from alumni and the other supporters for the school's new campus on Malcolm Road (near Toa Payoh). Our campaign was based on an optimistic premise that we could convince our supporters to give the school the biggest charity donation of their lives -- at least $1000, a generous sum in those days. Our target was to recruit 3000 such supporters, which would raise $3 million.
As the ambitious scheme gathered momentum, we had our low moments -- but we had our high ones too.
I remember when the first replies arrived. Brother Kevin and I were working on our newsletter, which would serve as a reminder of our appeal. We stopped to read the mail.
One of the first envelopes gave promise of good things. The backflap presented the sender's particulars in embossed letters, including a personal logo in color. I recognised the name: a successful and academically accomplished graduate of the school. The address was in the affluent District 10. Though still young, the sender was already a high-income earner, and we thought he was good for at least $10,000, most likely more.
I let Brother Kevin have the pleasure of opening the letter to receive the big donation. He was silent as he scrutinized the contents.
The man did not donate even one cent. "Still," the saintly Brother Kevin said, "at least he took the trouble to write to us - explain his situation and wish us well."
The man wrote that right now things were tight. He had just invested over $500,000 in a condo. He concluded sadly, "So it looks as if for the next few years, until I have paid off my mortgage, I won't be able to give anything to charity. Nevertheless, I shall pray for you. May God bless you."
"And we expected a bonanza from him," I said, expressing my disappointment.
One of the next letters we opened rewards us. But that initial donation to our cause filled me with both awe and misgivings.
"A thousand-dollar cheque!" said Brother Kevin, so delighted he did not at first notice who sent it. I did. It was from Joe Gomes - someone I knew well.
I did not recall including his name on our 'hit' list; someone else on our committee must have added it. Yes, Joe had always been well-disposed toward our school, but in my mind I had him classified as someone who help out in funfairs and charity shows rather than hefty direct donations - he was definitely not in the four-figure league that was our target.
Joe was not your average well-off alumnus (or your average academically successful Josephian, for that matter). Indeed, at the time he sent us his donation, he was working as caretaker of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, for which the church provided him a modest allowance and an equally modest behind-the-church accomodation. You could say he was as poor as the proverbial church mouse.
I expressed my concern to Brother Kevin. "Why, when Joe needed a heart-bypass a few years back, we passed the hat around to help him pay his bills. I'll have to speak with the man. We may have to discreetly hand him back his donation." Brother Kevin agreed.
The next morning, which happened to be Sunday, I caught Joe alone after the last church service.
"Joe, we want to thank you for your generous donation, but..." I began.
"Have to help, what! My duty, you know. You're all doing good work, helping to build our new school, helping so many students in future. How can I just stand by, not do my bit - as far as I can?"
I cleared my throat and lowered my voice. "Please don't be angry, but I have to ask you, Joe. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. Can you really afford to donate such a big sum?"
Joe did not reply at once. His eyes searched mine. Was he insulted by what I said? My question suddenly seemed so offending! I hope he did not think I was looking down on him. I looked back at him anxiously.
I was relieved to see a twinkle in his eyes - and to hear his light-hearted reply:
"Don't worry Mr Goh. I'm not kosong (empty), you know. I still have a few hundred dollars left in my savings account!"
Brother Kevin's eyes also glistened when I told him what happened.
Joe's reply became a spring of encouragement to all of us involved in the fund-raising. Now we knew for sure: our cause had strong support. With people like Joe on our side, we are invincible. In time the school was built.
We had learned much from our close encounters with the rich and poor. Brother Kevin summed it up for us: "Being rich isn't about having money, is it? Some of us will always be poor, some always rich - no matter how much or how little we have."
SOME PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE RICH, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THEY HAVE
In the early '80s, Brother Kevin Byrne, then principal of Singapore's St Joseph's Institution, and I started raising money from alumni and the other supporters for the school's new campus on Malcolm Road (near Toa Payoh). Our campaign was based on an optimistic premise that we could convince our supporters to give the school the biggest charity donation of their lives -- at least $1000, a generous sum in those days. Our target was to recruit 3000 such supporters, which would raise $3 million.
As the ambitious scheme gathered momentum, we had our low moments -- but we had our high ones too.
I remember when the first replies arrived. Brother Kevin and I were working on our newsletter, which would serve as a reminder of our appeal. We stopped to read the mail.
One of the first envelopes gave promise of good things. The backflap presented the sender's particulars in embossed letters, including a personal logo in color. I recognised the name: a successful and academically accomplished graduate of the school. The address was in the affluent District 10. Though still young, the sender was already a high-income earner, and we thought he was good for at least $10,000, most likely more.
I let Brother Kevin have the pleasure of opening the letter to receive the big donation. He was silent as he scrutinized the contents.
The man did not donate even one cent. "Still," the saintly Brother Kevin said, "at least he took the trouble to write to us - explain his situation and wish us well."
The man wrote that right now things were tight. He had just invested over $500,000 in a condo. He concluded sadly, "So it looks as if for the next few years, until I have paid off my mortgage, I won't be able to give anything to charity. Nevertheless, I shall pray for you. May God bless you."
"And we expected a bonanza from him," I said, expressing my disappointment.
One of the next letters we opened rewards us. But that initial donation to our cause filled me with both awe and misgivings.
"A thousand-dollar cheque!" said Brother Kevin, so delighted he did not at first notice who sent it. I did. It was from Joe Gomes - someone I knew well.
I did not recall including his name on our 'hit' list; someone else on our committee must have added it. Yes, Joe had always been well-disposed toward our school, but in my mind I had him classified as someone who help out in funfairs and charity shows rather than hefty direct donations - he was definitely not in the four-figure league that was our target.
Joe was not your average well-off alumnus (or your average academically successful Josephian, for that matter). Indeed, at the time he sent us his donation, he was working as caretaker of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, for which the church provided him a modest allowance and an equally modest behind-the-church accomodation. You could say he was as poor as the proverbial church mouse.
I expressed my concern to Brother Kevin. "Why, when Joe needed a heart-bypass a few years back, we passed the hat around to help him pay his bills. I'll have to speak with the man. We may have to discreetly hand him back his donation." Brother Kevin agreed.
The next morning, which happened to be Sunday, I caught Joe alone after the last church service.
"Joe, we want to thank you for your generous donation, but..." I began.
"Have to help, what! My duty, you know. You're all doing good work, helping to build our new school, helping so many students in future. How can I just stand by, not do my bit - as far as I can?"
I cleared my throat and lowered my voice. "Please don't be angry, but I have to ask you, Joe. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. Can you really afford to donate such a big sum?"
Joe did not reply at once. His eyes searched mine. Was he insulted by what I said? My question suddenly seemed so offending! I hope he did not think I was looking down on him. I looked back at him anxiously.
I was relieved to see a twinkle in his eyes - and to hear his light-hearted reply:
"Don't worry Mr Goh. I'm not kosong (empty), you know. I still have a few hundred dollars left in my savings account!"
Brother Kevin's eyes also glistened when I told him what happened.
Joe's reply became a spring of encouragement to all of us involved in the fund-raising. Now we knew for sure: our cause had strong support. With people like Joe on our side, we are invincible. In time the school was built.
We had learned much from our close encounters with the rich and poor. Brother Kevin summed it up for us: "Being rich isn't about having money, is it? Some of us will always be poor, some always rich - no matter how much or how little we have."
Monday, 17 November 2008
Physicist Stephen Hawking
In an interview with Reuters last year, Hawking, author of the best selling "A Brief History of Time", said:
1 "I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science,"
2. "The laws may have been decreed by God,"
3. "But God does not interviene to break the laws."
This is also what I believe, except that, in time past, God did intervened now and then to break the laws. But not anymore, in this Dispensation of Grace.
The drying of the Red Sea for Moses/Jews to cross on their way out of Egypt, and stopping the Earth's rotation for a day, were 2 examples given in the Bible.
God is capable of breaking the laws of science. He may do that again in His own time and own judgement. Yes, there can be MIRACLES.
1 "I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science,"
2. "The laws may have been decreed by God,"
3. "But God does not interviene to break the laws."
This is also what I believe, except that, in time past, God did intervened now and then to break the laws. But not anymore, in this Dispensation of Grace.
The drying of the Red Sea for Moses/Jews to cross on their way out of Egypt, and stopping the Earth's rotation for a day, were 2 examples given in the Bible.
God is capable of breaking the laws of science. He may do that again in His own time and own judgement. Yes, there can be MIRACLES.
Monday, 6 October 2008
The Most Difficult Religious Question
HOW CAN THERE BE AN ALL-LOVING AND ALL-POWERFUL GOD IF THERE IS SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?
There is a article on this in the Catholic News, 12 October 2008.
Since the day I believe in the existence of God, I have been asking this question. I have not found a satisfactory answer. But after several years, I have stopped asking this question.
During the Old Testament times, God responded to the pleas of His people to deliver them from disasters. For example, God, through Esther, delivered the Jews from Haman's plot to exterminate them (Esther 3). Another example, God answered the prayers of Moses when Joshua was fighting the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13).
With the birth and then the resurrection of Christ, the 'Age/Dispensation of Grace" had commenced. Before this new era, I noticed that God would deliver his chosen people (Jews) from disasters when they prayed for help. Now, in the Dispensation of Grace, God does not seem to respond to prayers to avert natural disasters and suffering anymore. Not that I know of. After the Auschwitz Holocaust during the second World War, someone asked how is it still possible for Jews to believe in God! But they do.
When Hurricane was expected to devastate the land in 2 days time, and Christians knelt down to pray, the hurricane still came and caused loss of lives and properties. When earthquake victims prayed for no more aftershocks, the aftershocks still continued to cause casualties and damages.
Many writers had given their views on God's seeming inaction in the face of suffering and evil. A few perspectives were also given in the Catholic News article.
But for sure, there is an All-loving and All-powerful God. He was here among His people. He even sent His Son to died on the cross for our sins. It was a mystery to my finite human mind why He allowed sufferings to persist. You can pray to Him for help, but He will not always help you the way you would expect. However, if you pray to Him for comfort and inner peace - these, the Holy Spirit will always grant you.
Praise the Lord. He is real.
There is a article on this in the Catholic News, 12 October 2008.
Since the day I believe in the existence of God, I have been asking this question. I have not found a satisfactory answer. But after several years, I have stopped asking this question.
During the Old Testament times, God responded to the pleas of His people to deliver them from disasters. For example, God, through Esther, delivered the Jews from Haman's plot to exterminate them (Esther 3). Another example, God answered the prayers of Moses when Joshua was fighting the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13).
With the birth and then the resurrection of Christ, the 'Age/Dispensation of Grace" had commenced. Before this new era, I noticed that God would deliver his chosen people (Jews) from disasters when they prayed for help. Now, in the Dispensation of Grace, God does not seem to respond to prayers to avert natural disasters and suffering anymore. Not that I know of. After the Auschwitz Holocaust during the second World War, someone asked how is it still possible for Jews to believe in God! But they do.
When Hurricane was expected to devastate the land in 2 days time, and Christians knelt down to pray, the hurricane still came and caused loss of lives and properties. When earthquake victims prayed for no more aftershocks, the aftershocks still continued to cause casualties and damages.
Many writers had given their views on God's seeming inaction in the face of suffering and evil. A few perspectives were also given in the Catholic News article.
But for sure, there is an All-loving and All-powerful God. He was here among His people. He even sent His Son to died on the cross for our sins. It was a mystery to my finite human mind why He allowed sufferings to persist. You can pray to Him for help, but He will not always help you the way you would expect. However, if you pray to Him for comfort and inner peace - these, the Holy Spirit will always grant you.
Praise the Lord. He is real.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Alzheimer's Disease - When a Person's Soul Hibernates
The Straits Times carried a report on Alz Disease Last Saturday, 27 Sep 08.
My mother suffers from Alz for over 10 years. This disease degenerates the mind, the soul and finally the physical body progressively. In fact, the mind and the soul is dead long before the physical death.
At the start of the illness, forgetfulness and absentmindedness set in. The mind fails, along with the nervous system fail gradually. The patient regresses to the mental state and the faculty of a 3 years old, then a 2 years old, then a 6 months old child. Finally, the patient does not know how to open her mouth to suck or swallow food, the stomach and intestines do not know how to digest food. And then, the body succumbs to malnutrition or failure to breathe...
Unlike other illnesses, the patient has to be cared for 24 hrs by 7 days a week. It takes one to two full-time caregivers to manage one patient at the ending stages.
Looking at the situation my mother is in, I could see the different entities of the human being -- the physical body, the mind, the soul and the spirit. My mother is a non-christian, so she may not have the spirit. With the mind 90% destroyed, she is only capable of basic involuntary functions like breathing, digestion, slow walking, and secretion of waste matters.
Since she is without a lucid mind, I would not detect her soul. There is no expression of joy or sadness, no thoughts of goodness or evil, no thoughts of love or hatred, no thoughts of earthly or spiritual things, no thoughts of right or wrong...
Without a mind capable of thoughts, I believe an alz person's soul is de-activated. One day, when the soul is liberated from this earthly body, it would recall or be aware of the eternity of life again.
Alz is a terrible disease. Honestly, it's a mystery why we are plagued by it.
My mother suffers from Alz for over 10 years. This disease degenerates the mind, the soul and finally the physical body progressively. In fact, the mind and the soul is dead long before the physical death.
At the start of the illness, forgetfulness and absentmindedness set in. The mind fails, along with the nervous system fail gradually. The patient regresses to the mental state and the faculty of a 3 years old, then a 2 years old, then a 6 months old child. Finally, the patient does not know how to open her mouth to suck or swallow food, the stomach and intestines do not know how to digest food. And then, the body succumbs to malnutrition or failure to breathe...
Unlike other illnesses, the patient has to be cared for 24 hrs by 7 days a week. It takes one to two full-time caregivers to manage one patient at the ending stages.
Looking at the situation my mother is in, I could see the different entities of the human being -- the physical body, the mind, the soul and the spirit. My mother is a non-christian, so she may not have the spirit. With the mind 90% destroyed, she is only capable of basic involuntary functions like breathing, digestion, slow walking, and secretion of waste matters.
Since she is without a lucid mind, I would not detect her soul. There is no expression of joy or sadness, no thoughts of goodness or evil, no thoughts of love or hatred, no thoughts of earthly or spiritual things, no thoughts of right or wrong...
Without a mind capable of thoughts, I believe an alz person's soul is de-activated. One day, when the soul is liberated from this earthly body, it would recall or be aware of the eternity of life again.
Alz is a terrible disease. Honestly, it's a mystery why we are plagued by it.
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Different levels of understanding
When we read the Bible, we can experience different levels of understanding.
We can understand it at the 'textual' level. We can understand at a deeper level after considering the setting and circumstances at the time the verses and stories were written. We can also understand at the intense level, guided by the Spirit.
Today, Numbers 21:4-9 were read in Church:
"The Israelites left Mount Hor...to go around the territory of Edom. But on the way the people lost their patience and spoke against God and Moses. They complained 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We can't stand any more of this miserable food!' Then the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people and many Israelites were bitten and died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Now pray to the LORD to take these snakes away.' So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed. So Moses made a bronze snake and put on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten would look at the bronze snake and be healed."
Well, reading the 'text', we understand a simple story and glean a simple lesson. Naturally the people got tired of eating the stale food that they brought out of Egypt months ago. And so they complained. The LORD found them ungrateful and so punished them with poisonous snakes. They realised that they had been whiny and ungrateful and so they regretted their actions and asked Moses for a solution. God is merciful and provided a solution to those who were willing and humble enough to accept God's cure.
It is enough to understand the Bible at the textual level. God's Word in the Bible is meant for people with 'normal intelligence' to read and understand. It's unnecessary to dig deeper and deeper just to understand the hidden meanings. No need to ask 'Why punish using poisonous snake and not aedes mosquitoes? Why cure using a bronze snake, and not a wooden snake? Why not cure by praying 3 times a day instead! Why not...'
There is no need to analyse God's Word on and on till the cows come home. God will speak to us and teach us even if we interpret the Bible at the superficial textual level.
But when there are contradictions and we do not understand those contradictions, it's all right to delve deeper and seek understanding. This is one of the purpose of this blog.
So read the Bible on your own. It's better than listening to any well-researched and well-delivered sermons.
We can understand it at the 'textual' level. We can understand at a deeper level after considering the setting and circumstances at the time the verses and stories were written. We can also understand at the intense level, guided by the Spirit.
Today, Numbers 21:4-9 were read in Church:
"The Israelites left Mount Hor...to go around the territory of Edom. But on the way the people lost their patience and spoke against God and Moses. They complained 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We can't stand any more of this miserable food!' Then the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people and many Israelites were bitten and died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Now pray to the LORD to take these snakes away.' So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed. So Moses made a bronze snake and put on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten would look at the bronze snake and be healed."
Well, reading the 'text', we understand a simple story and glean a simple lesson. Naturally the people got tired of eating the stale food that they brought out of Egypt months ago. And so they complained. The LORD found them ungrateful and so punished them with poisonous snakes. They realised that they had been whiny and ungrateful and so they regretted their actions and asked Moses for a solution. God is merciful and provided a solution to those who were willing and humble enough to accept God's cure.
It is enough to understand the Bible at the textual level. God's Word in the Bible is meant for people with 'normal intelligence' to read and understand. It's unnecessary to dig deeper and deeper just to understand the hidden meanings. No need to ask 'Why punish using poisonous snake and not aedes mosquitoes? Why cure using a bronze snake, and not a wooden snake? Why not cure by praying 3 times a day instead! Why not...'
There is no need to analyse God's Word on and on till the cows come home. God will speak to us and teach us even if we interpret the Bible at the superficial textual level.
But when there are contradictions and we do not understand those contradictions, it's all right to delve deeper and seek understanding. This is one of the purpose of this blog.
So read the Bible on your own. It's better than listening to any well-researched and well-delivered sermons.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Positive Thinking, Superstition or Faith?
There was this story about contrasting attitude:
At the changing room just before a game of golf, the American player was boasting: "Today I am going to hit the furthest I ever did man! I am going to hit a hole-in-one too. You can bet on it..." The Singapore player modestly said to his friends: "Let me do my best today. If I could go round the 18-holes without any problem, I will consider it a good day..."
Some people call the American's attitude as Positive Thinking. Modern management promotes Positive Thinking - "Think big, Think high, Think you can, Be Gung-ho."
Chinese has its own form of Positive Thinking - sometimes label as superstition. Some Chinese like the number 8, and like to be numbered 8 in everything. By oft repeating '8' or 'fatt' he aim to be rich all the time, or in time to come. Chinese like to think and repeat "Fu Lu Shou". By wishing each other FU and LU and SHOU during birthdays and Chinese Neww Year, they hope these will materialise in their lives.
The meta-physical dimensions works mysteriously. Some people do benefit from positive thinking, from superstition or whatever you call it. Others are neutral to these. Yet others even experience the opposite effects.
Now, what about prayers to the God and other spiritualities? Most of us have stopped believing the idea that "God answers all our prayers - but the answers could be yes, no, wait and maybe."
The reality is that 'sometimes God does not answer prayers'. (Like the time when my godly friend prayed for journey-mercy, and yet suffered a road accident.) We don't know why. But our believe in God is not based on how our prayers are answered, but on faith in Jesus Christ, and these faith must grow over time as we experience God.
Do not give up. Keep up your faith. And you will experience God more and more.
At the changing room just before a game of golf, the American player was boasting: "Today I am going to hit the furthest I ever did man! I am going to hit a hole-in-one too. You can bet on it..." The Singapore player modestly said to his friends: "Let me do my best today. If I could go round the 18-holes without any problem, I will consider it a good day..."
Some people call the American's attitude as Positive Thinking. Modern management promotes Positive Thinking - "Think big, Think high, Think you can, Be Gung-ho."
Chinese has its own form of Positive Thinking - sometimes label as superstition. Some Chinese like the number 8, and like to be numbered 8 in everything. By oft repeating '8' or 'fatt' he aim to be rich all the time, or in time to come. Chinese like to think and repeat "Fu Lu Shou". By wishing each other FU and LU and SHOU during birthdays and Chinese Neww Year, they hope these will materialise in their lives.
The meta-physical dimensions works mysteriously. Some people do benefit from positive thinking, from superstition or whatever you call it. Others are neutral to these. Yet others even experience the opposite effects.
Now, what about prayers to the God and other spiritualities? Most of us have stopped believing the idea that "God answers all our prayers - but the answers could be yes, no, wait and maybe."
The reality is that 'sometimes God does not answer prayers'. (Like the time when my godly friend prayed for journey-mercy, and yet suffered a road accident.) We don't know why. But our believe in God is not based on how our prayers are answered, but on faith in Jesus Christ, and these faith must grow over time as we experience God.
Do not give up. Keep up your faith. And you will experience God more and more.
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Interesting: Veneration of Dead Relatives
I wish to capture Mr Lionel De Souza's letter to the ST Forum printed on 15 Aug 2008:
I am Roman Catholic and write from this Christian perspective. I am sure that we are conversant with the Bible's fourth Commandment: "Honour your father and your mother."
The Liturgy Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore felt it necessary to consider Chinese customary rites, because of the many queries Catholic priests have received on this matter. It is well known in Singapore's Catholic community that many "old" Catholics, as well as new converts, whose family members are mostly non-Catholics, are still confused about what they can do or should not do on the occasion of Chinese funerals and on the commemoration of ancestors.
That is why the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore clarified that the veneration of ancestors refers to rituals performed to express honour or respect for the dead by the family members; and that in such rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.
In 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan met officially with a Vatican representative. They resolved the following regarding the practice of venerating one's ancestors:
a) Burning of joss papers for the dead is forbidden because of its superstitious nature.
b) Offering of fruit or other food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden;
c) In rememberance of the dead, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by family members is no longer forbidden;
d) It is allowed to bow or prostrate oneself in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin.
These instructions combine Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration and were issued by a conference of Chinese bishops in Taipei, 10 years later.
They are practised by Chinese Catholics in Singapore. Lionel De Souza
I am Roman Catholic and write from this Christian perspective. I am sure that we are conversant with the Bible's fourth Commandment: "Honour your father and your mother."
The Liturgy Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore felt it necessary to consider Chinese customary rites, because of the many queries Catholic priests have received on this matter. It is well known in Singapore's Catholic community that many "old" Catholics, as well as new converts, whose family members are mostly non-Catholics, are still confused about what they can do or should not do on the occasion of Chinese funerals and on the commemoration of ancestors.
That is why the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore clarified that the veneration of ancestors refers to rituals performed to express honour or respect for the dead by the family members; and that in such rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.
In 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan met officially with a Vatican representative. They resolved the following regarding the practice of venerating one's ancestors:
a) Burning of joss papers for the dead is forbidden because of its superstitious nature.
b) Offering of fruit or other food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden;
c) In rememberance of the dead, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by family members is no longer forbidden;
d) It is allowed to bow or prostrate oneself in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin.
These instructions combine Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration and were issued by a conference of Chinese bishops in Taipei, 10 years later.
They are practised by Chinese Catholics in Singapore. Lionel De Souza
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Heart Versus Mind
In my blog entry dated 5 Mar 08, I wrote about "slain in the spirit". I mentioned that these manifestations occur in churches of different denominations.
As christians and muslims are supposed to be worshipping the same God, I posed a question in an "Ask the Expert website" whether such manifestations occur in muslim communities as well. The "Expert Website" replied that muslims do not experience speaking in tongues or 'slain in the spirit'.
So why speaking in tongues, and 'slain in the spirit' take place in the different christian denominations? I believe it is a sign of God's acceptance, inspite of all the differences in teachings, precepts, practices and dogmas of the different christian denominations.
No denominations can claim that all their teachings and beliefs are accurate. And that the conflicting teachings of other denominations must be wrong.
There is only 1 condition to be a child of God and that is 'Whoever believes in Jesus Christ should not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16. So fulfilling this one condition, and then not committing the Unpardonable Sin (see blog entry below), should be enough for us to be accepted into God's kingdom.
Apart from these 2 requirements, we may be misled by deviant teachings, we may advertently or inadvertently believe in cultist heresies, or even committed abominable sins. But we are still saved by the redeeming blood of Christ! How generous is God's grace!
So, in our relationship with God, the knowledge in our brain is secondary. Knowing the differences between right and wrong teachings, and differentiating what are heresies or wrong concepts, are not that important.
What lies in our heart is of primary importance. Faith and love is a matter of the heart. We seek God with our hearts. God looks in our heart for sincerity. We feel God's grace in our hearts.
Use our hearts more.
As christians and muslims are supposed to be worshipping the same God, I posed a question in an "Ask the Expert website" whether such manifestations occur in muslim communities as well. The "Expert Website" replied that muslims do not experience speaking in tongues or 'slain in the spirit'.
So why speaking in tongues, and 'slain in the spirit' take place in the different christian denominations? I believe it is a sign of God's acceptance, inspite of all the differences in teachings, precepts, practices and dogmas of the different christian denominations.
No denominations can claim that all their teachings and beliefs are accurate. And that the conflicting teachings of other denominations must be wrong.
There is only 1 condition to be a child of God and that is 'Whoever believes in Jesus Christ should not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16. So fulfilling this one condition, and then not committing the Unpardonable Sin (see blog entry below), should be enough for us to be accepted into God's kingdom.
Apart from these 2 requirements, we may be misled by deviant teachings, we may advertently or inadvertently believe in cultist heresies, or even committed abominable sins. But we are still saved by the redeeming blood of Christ! How generous is God's grace!
So, in our relationship with God, the knowledge in our brain is secondary. Knowing the differences between right and wrong teachings, and differentiating what are heresies or wrong concepts, are not that important.
What lies in our heart is of primary importance. Faith and love is a matter of the heart. We seek God with our hearts. God looks in our heart for sincerity. We feel God's grace in our hearts.
Use our hearts more.
The Assumption of Mother Mary
Someone asked DEAR PADRE "What Does Mary's Assumption Means?" I read the answer by Dear Padre. But when I searched Wikipedia, it gave a more informative answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary
The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Coptic Orthodox Churches believe in the Assumption of Mary. In short, it means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united.
There are other interesting information related to this belief in Wikipedia. You can read about it.
There are volumes of answered prayers and petitions attributed to the intercessory prayers of Mother Mary. Just attend the Novena sessions at Novena Church, Thomson Road on Saturdays, or view the Novena Church website to be convinced.
It is up to you whether to believe in the Assumption of Mary. But I believe God answers the prayers and petitions of the faithful and the sincere-hearted , regardless of whether christians pray directly or through the intercession of Mother Mary or any of the Saints.
Isn't it comforting to know this?
The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Coptic Orthodox Churches believe in the Assumption of Mary. In short, it means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united.
There are other interesting information related to this belief in Wikipedia. You can read about it.
There are volumes of answered prayers and petitions attributed to the intercessory prayers of Mother Mary. Just attend the Novena sessions at Novena Church, Thomson Road on Saturdays, or view the Novena Church website to be convinced.
It is up to you whether to believe in the Assumption of Mary. But I believe God answers the prayers and petitions of the faithful and the sincere-hearted , regardless of whether christians pray directly or through the intercession of Mother Mary or any of the Saints.
Isn't it comforting to know this?
A Mystery: What Happen When A Christian Commits That One Unpardonable Sin?
I remember that my Bible study group asked this awkward question about the "Unpardonable Sin" many years ago.
Once a person accepts Christ and invites the Holy Spirit into his life, he becomes a child of God and the Holy Spirit would dwell in him. So what would happen if he turns against God sometime later and commits the One Unpardonable Sin - Mark 3:29 "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven... but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin..."
My Bible study group did not find a scriptural answer to this question. The logical conclusion was that God will 'call this christian home' (i.e. take this christian away) . After all, the Holy Spirit already dwells in him. God is unlikely to let such as sinful child remain on Earth any longer.
Without a better answer, I still hold onto this logical conclusion today.
Remember, we must never commit this Unpardonable Sin.
God bless you.
Once a person accepts Christ and invites the Holy Spirit into his life, he becomes a child of God and the Holy Spirit would dwell in him. So what would happen if he turns against God sometime later and commits the One Unpardonable Sin - Mark 3:29 "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven... but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin..."
My Bible study group did not find a scriptural answer to this question. The logical conclusion was that God will 'call this christian home' (i.e. take this christian away) . After all, the Holy Spirit already dwells in him. God is unlikely to let such as sinful child remain on Earth any longer.
Without a better answer, I still hold onto this logical conclusion today.
Remember, we must never commit this Unpardonable Sin.
God bless you.
Taking Risks. Living On The Edge.
We born to life. Life is a journey with an end. At the end we embark on another life, another journey again.
Today, 5 Aug 08, the newspapers announced that 11 mountaineers had perished in an avalanche just below the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Some climbers were still missing.
So far there were 284 ascents and 66 deaths on K2. These climbers know the dangers of climbing. But their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I perish, so be it."
This Friday 8 Aug 08, TOTO is offering a Special Draw with price money of $8 Million. 3 quarters of Singapore are queueing at TOTO booths to place bets of tens or hundreds of dollars, hoping to win a million bucks. Their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I lose, so be it."
Perhaps that is life. 1 Cor 13:13 says "But now abide faith, hope, love..." Humans need to exercise the element of hope. If there is no risk, no danger, no pain, no uncertainty, then hope is not needed.
I too have several hope. An urgent one is that my investments in the banking and SingTel shares will be profitable soon.
If you have nothing to hope for, then something is wrong with you. Better get out of your comfort zone and start living.
Today, 5 Aug 08, the newspapers announced that 11 mountaineers had perished in an avalanche just below the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Some climbers were still missing.
So far there were 284 ascents and 66 deaths on K2. These climbers know the dangers of climbing. But their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I perish, so be it."
This Friday 8 Aug 08, TOTO is offering a Special Draw with price money of $8 Million. 3 quarters of Singapore are queueing at TOTO booths to place bets of tens or hundreds of dollars, hoping to win a million bucks. Their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I lose, so be it."
Perhaps that is life. 1 Cor 13:13 says "But now abide faith, hope, love..." Humans need to exercise the element of hope. If there is no risk, no danger, no pain, no uncertainty, then hope is not needed.
I too have several hope. An urgent one is that my investments in the banking and SingTel shares will be profitable soon.
If you have nothing to hope for, then something is wrong with you. Better get out of your comfort zone and start living.
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