What an Inauguration !!

I happened to turn on the TV at 4+ pm this afternoon.  The new Pope's Inauguration was being televised.  It was amazing !  A million people was at St. Peter's Square !  Pope Francis is the 266th successor of St Peter the Apostle, whom Jesus Christ said "Peter, you are the Rock, and upon this Rock I will build my Church."

So many priests, cardinals, bishops, nuns, etc, etc, were there.  In my mind, I asked whether all these faces, people who spent their lives believing that Christ is the Son of God  -- "Are you sure or not?  Are you believing the truth or believing a 2000 year old lie??"

As for me, I believe in Christ.  I also believe that the church of Rome, passed down from St Peter, is the mother church.

See His Glory? Then acknowledge Him.

In my previous entry, I mentioned that I was reading this "JUST BE GOOD" Buddhist book.

Page 36. Question: "In Buddhism, why isn't there a belief in a supreme god that created the universe?"

Answer: "Buddhists tend to be fairly realistic in such matters and do not believe in creation myths such as the universe emerging from a cosmic egg, or created by an old man with a long white beard.  If anything we believe that the universe has always existed.  If it is said that an omnipotent being or 'intelligent designer' did create the universe, then it begs the obvious question of who then created or 'designed' that being?  And if that being has always existed, then isn't it more believeable that the universe has always been in existence instead?"

Personally, I am sad that some people could not acknowledge that the creator God exists.  Ever since I was a small child, when I look at the night sky, I would know in my heart that God exists.  Much later, when I was older and know how to read the Bible, Psalm 19:1 expresses what had always been in my heart  --  The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Look carefully.  And you can see God in His handiwork.  When you do, acknowledge God and God will lead you to Christ.

He did that to me, for me.

Just be Good...

I saw and picked up this booklet along a walkway.  I read it and learnt a few things.  It is interesting.

Page 9 says..."The Buddha never said anything like 'worship me and you shall be rewarded'. He also never threatened to punish anyone should they not believe in Him or follow His Teachings.

He stressed that everyone should seek, understand and experience the Truth for themselves, and not to have blind faith in anyone or anything.

THUS CHRISTIANS, HINDUS, MUSLIMS, JEWS, BUDDHISTS, TAOISTS, AND EVEN ATHEISTS, ARE ALL ABLE TO ENJOY AFTERLIFE.  BUT OF COURSE PROVIDED, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN 'GOOD' PEOPLE."

Page 36 says...Question: "In Buddhism, why isn't there a belief in a supreme god that created the universe?" Answer: "Buddhists tend to be fairly realistic in such matters and do not believe in creation myths such as the universe emerging from a cosmic egg, or created by an old man with a long white beard.  If anything we believe that the universe has always existing..."

Note: As for me, I believe in the Triune God.  And when I pray or talk with Him, He comforts me and touches my heart.  God is real to me. Alleluia !

Wish you Happiness... CNY...

It's Chinese New Year, 4th day. Xin Nian Kuai Le.

My past year had been both unkind and kind. My sister had died of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, that was unkind. She suffered 5 long months, that was unkind. But she did not suffer 5 long years, that was kind.

Last Friday, 2 days before the New Year, the mother of another friend died suddenly. That was unkind. She died without having to suffer, and she was over 90 years old. I think that was kind.

For years, I prayed that God will grant me 'enough'. Enough, so that I will remember living in God's grace, and not living in abundance through my own effort, forgetting God in the process. God answered that prayer. I had 'enough', just enough and not more. That was kind. (Judges 7:1-4)

So here I am, relentlessly adding new year after new year to my age. I wish all peace and happiness. Amen.

Everyone must go...

My wife has a colleague X. The husband of colleague X had been told by doctors that he has 1 week to 7 weeks more to live. It's due to multiple types of cancer in his body. Well, its sad. There is nothing anyone can do at this final hour. God has mercy. Let the end be sweet and easy. Amen. Status on 5 Mar 2013: On Saturday 2 March 2013, he died. He breathed his last peacefully. Lord have mercy !

Christ was sincere...

My friends and I use Facebook.

I appreciate my Facebook friends when they are sincere.  A lot of Facebook users write and comment only on things 'others will agree on'.  So they comment on the weather, post photos of the food they ate, post photos of places they visited.  These users avoid expressing any views that others may disagree.  They say only the nice things, and silent on their deeper thoughts which others may find disagreeable or may have differing views.

Not with Jesus.  He was sincere. He did not hesitate to say things that others did not want to hear him say aloud.  Luke 12: 49 to 59, "I have come to cast fire upon the earth...Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division....I say to you, you shall not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent."

Jesus told the people the truth, though the truth is not nicey sweety stuff.  He did not sell himself by saying only "nice words".  He was not a hypocrite !!

Personally, I prefer friends who express themselves freely, and not hiding their differing views, not filtering away the disagreeable stuff on Facebook.  That's what friends should be  - , sincerity, honest, and not pretentious.

So what if they think they are always right?  I think I am always right too.  We still can be friends.

Perhaps there are no Atheists..

 

Photo From http://blog.roving-light.com/2013/01/beautiful-light-in-bagan.html

Atheist is someone who thinks there's no God.  Agnostic is someone who is not sure whether God exists.

At certain times of our lives, we may think God does not exist.  But then at other times, we are not so sure, and so we declare being agnostic.  It is common for some people to swing between being an atheist and an agnostic.

However, when one is 50 or 60 years old, one would have gone through much of life's experience - periods of joy, periods of disappointment, periods of trials and tribulations.  Yet, one may not have been touched by God.  One may still waver and swing back and forth between being an atheist and an agnostic.

But in my opinion, I honestly believe a person could not be an atheist beyond middle age.  He is likely to be 'not sure', an agnostic;  rather than 'definitely no God'.

I came to this conclusion because I believe a human would have experienced the wonders of nature by then.  I believe the wonders of nature carries a still small voice which prompts the divine presence.  That voice may be very soft, fade and intermittent.  And a human may be unsure whether he heard it - he is not sure, so he is an agnostic. He cannot say its definitely not there!

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;  and their expanses is declaring the work of God's hand." Psalms 19:1  

Thanks for the Peace

Jesus came to give us Peace.  He is the Prince of Peace.

By accepting Christ, we enjoy peace with God, and peace within our soul.

But, mind you, NOT ALL KINDS of peace.  In fact, many Christians are continuously troubled by other things!  Believing in Christ does not give us peace in many other instances.

Luke 12:51-52 says "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on 5 members in one household will be divided, 3 against 2, and 2 against 3...father against son, and son against father...."

Believing in Christ could divide the family, divide the community and divide the nation.  Christianity, together with other religions, fragmented the world and spark wars.

But, I say again, by accepting Christ, we, the created, finally enjoy peace with God our creator, and hence peace within our soul.

God, thank  you for this peace that surpasses all understanding.  Sincerely.

The Curse of Long Life ...

Today is Saturday 19 Jan 2013.

In the newspaper Today The New York Times International Weekly, page 8,  the headline is "A SHAME IN SOUTH KOREA: SUICIDES OF SENIORS RISE AT AN ALARMING RATE".

I have came across a few deaths in recent years.  I know that the suicide rate of seniors in Singapore is relatively high as well.

Why are older people committing suicide ?  Basically its due to no family support, no money, and the realisation that one is becoming a burden to the family members when one grows old and infirm.

I see a lot of old retirees exercising in the parks in the morning.  If they are trying to keep fit to live long lives, then they need to consider and to prepare for the 'curse of long life'.

Not being able to die once material resources are depleted is the curse of long life.  When one has no children to provide the care require is the 'curse of long life'.

For old folks, there is an average of 5 years of disability before death.  Our aim should be to reduce this period of disability, say from 5 years to 1 year.  Aiming for long life itself is not correct because it carries a curse.

It's OK to live not-too-long.  And drop death without lengthy period of disability. Lets hope for that.

Just my view.

It's a trick question....

Many people like to ask a trick question -- "Where is Jesus Christ now ??"

In Acts 1:9-11, it says "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight...Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into Heaven."

So the answer to the trick question is  - Jesus is now in Heaven.  He 'flew' there as seen by hundreds of amazed onlookers!

In Acts 9:4-5, it says "he (Saul/Paul) fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And Saul said "Who art Thou, Lord?'  And He said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."

So the answer to the trick question is - Jesus is here on Earth.  He spoke to Saul!

Combining the 2 answers, Jesus is physically in Heaven;  but spiritually, He is everywhere.  He is God.  He is All-presence.

So God the Father is here and everywhere.  Jesus is here and everywhere.  The Holy Spirit is also here and everywhere.

Spiritually, the Triune God is everywhere and even in our hearts.  But someday, Jesus will come again PHYSICALLY "just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven,"

Interesting!
Alleluia!

Is this correct??

Many people brand Benny Hinn as a false teacher. But in his books, he did explain very profound things which others could not grasp easily.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (KJV)

Holy Ghost first, the comes power.

What is Holy Ghost? It is the Presence, the person, the fruit.

What is Power? Anointing is the Power of God. It is spiritual gifts.

What is fruit? They are qualities or characteristics, attributes of God.

Fruit: When God is with you, His fruit will come with Him. When God's presence leaves you, His fruit will leave too.
Power: Not so with power. The power of God comes upon you as a gift. It stays with you. It's possible that when God's presence leaves, the power will not leave. It's a gift, it stays, at least for a while. ("The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Rom 11:29)

The presence of God, the Holy Spirit, leads to the anointing of the Spirit, which is the power of God. The anointing cannot be seen, but the power (which is the manifestations)can be seen. Benny called it (the power, the manifestation) "tangible anointing".

A bit 'chim' or difficult to understand, right?

Think about these words: Fruit, Power, Presence, Anointing.

I Found An Explanation...

I was puzzled and amazed by Apostle Paul. He was Saul, not a follower of Jesus. Then he was blinded on the road. When he was healed of his blindness, he immediately loved and preached God. He was transformed -- behold, a totally new person.

For years I was wondering where Apostle Paul learned about Christ. He did not follow Christ, nor was taught by Christ, before Christ's death. He did not sit down and be tutored by the other 11 Apostles. He did not attend a crash course for a Degree or a Doctorate in Divinity!

Benny Hinn's, in his book "The Anointing" explained that Paul's knowledge on Jesus Christ was INSTANT or instantaneous. The Holy Spirit came to Paul. He received the ANOINTING, which is the power of God. He was filled with the knowledge to preach and lived as an Apostle INSTANTLY. No need to attend any Theology courses. No need to be taught by humans.

I have to say, Benny Hinn's explanation is possible.

Christmas - Blessed Be God

It was a good Christmas Day yesterday. I do not like all the commercial gifts and non-christian christmas carols. I just like a quiet time to remind myself of God's goodness.

Just a wonderful, simple song like this will make my day...
 

Blessed Be God.

God was not there !

The 12.12.12 news headlines screamed "Gunman killed 26 in US suburban Connecticut School " - 20 young children and 6 teachers.

As a christian, I need to reflect on this in relation to my belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present God who is loving and kind.
My conclusion is that, if God was there at the time of incident, God would have stopped the killing.

God is kind and loving and will not allow innocent lives to be taken away this way. My conclusion is that, during the few minutes of killing, God was not there. Although He is all-present, somehow, I cannot explain why, He was not there during that few minutes.

My conclusion is the only way my finite mind can justify both the existence of God, and the existence of disasters like this, concurrently at the same time.

Now He is there in Connecticut to comfort those who pray.
Alleluia ! Photo From Roving-light.com

Ineffable - that's the word

Not many people know the word 'Ineffable'.

"As Christians, we believe that the first thing we need to affirm is that God is ineffable. God escapes our thought. That means, while we can know God, we can't imagine God, can't conceptualize God, and can't speak with any accuracy about God. God is infinite being and that, by definition, is beyond the categories of our thought and imagination."

 (words by Father Ronald Rolheiser)
Photo From Roving-light.com

Veneration of Mary - Why?

I am a protestant. The following answer has helped me. Maybe it can help you to understand too...

Question: How do you suggest we Catholics explain our veneration of Mary to Protestants who ask us about her and her role in the Scriptures?
Answer: Sacred Scripture is clear on Mary's significance and her honored place in God's plan of Salvation. The Incarnation could not have occurred without Mary's obedient "Let it be with me according to your word"(Lk 1:38b). But as important as Mary is, she always points away from herself and to her Son, "Do whatever he tells you"(Jn 2:5b). This makes her precious to us, because she leads us to her Son. We also know that, as the Mother of our Lord, Mary has an honored place in God's kingdom. Like all saints whom the Church believes to be in heaven, she is a tremendous intercessor for us. As our Lord was dying on the cross, he gave his Mother to "the disciple who he loved," as our Mother (John 19:26). After all, if you need a favor from someone, who better to have pleading your case than your mother? This is another reason we have profound respect for Mary. As a Redemptorist, I could not close without mentioning one of Mary's most revered titles, Our Mother of Perpetual Help. We do not pray to Mary, we pray through our Mother Mary, and like any good and loving mother, she is always there to help us.

(From Dear Padre, 30 Dec 2007 Issue)

God has Plan A, Plan B, Plan C ...(I think)

Jesus said to those around Him: 'Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away...' Matt 24:34.

I think the Apostles believed this literally. Paul and the other apoostles kept telling the early christians to watch out for Christ imminent return. Read Rev 1:3, Phil 1:10, etc, and you can feel the sense of urgency.

But 2000 years had come and gone, yet Christ has not returned. A bit puzzling right? People (including myself) started to ask whether Jesus made a mistake with the timing. The generation that was with Jesus Christ had all passed away, but 'these things' were not fulfilled yet.

I think God has Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc. If this is the situation, then adopt Plan A; if a different situation, then adopt Plan B, if yet another situation, then adopt Plan C !!! God can do contingency planning, right? After all, He is God!!

When Jesus spoke to the people in Matt 24:34, His plan was to return before that generation expired. But along the way, situation changed, so God adopted Plan B...He will come again much later.

Haha !! Photo From Roving-light.com

The Lucky and The Gifted

PSY's Gangnam Style success is phenomenal. People started to ask whether Singapore could ever produce a PSY.

It sets me thinking - when do you say someone is lucky? When do you say someone is gifted or talented?

I think the test is whether that someone can produce 'consistent results' or not.

If Mr. Sim Mong Hoo produced a soundcard that sold like hotcakes, and launched Creative Technology into a successful tech company, he may be just lucky. If he can repeat that success with another product, another 3 products, then he is talented.

If Warren Buffet makes a lot of money, ONCE, by choosing the right investments, he is just lucky. If he consistently do it over many years and many times, he is gifted and a true guru.

If PSY can come up with another video that is 'liked' by 1 billion people worldwide, he is talented. Now, he is just lucky.

In the world, there are lots and lots of lucky people who find fame and success ONCE. After all, there are 7 billion people on Earth. 0.001% lucky people means 700,000 lucky people.

Scattered Thoughts: Where Where?

Search the Internet, and you will find many people asking "Where is God in Hurricane Sandy (USA), or Typhoon Bopha (Philippines).
Sure. Hundreds of church congregations knelt and prayed to God for deliverance from natural disasters. -- Yet the Hurricanes and Typhoons still came... There is no direct answer to this Question. We know God is there to comfort the aggrieved when the disasters were over. But we do not know why God allowed the natural disasters to take place, anyway.

God is with us,though sometimes He appears to be not with us. In His time, His will be done...

Know God, and Make Him Known

Actually, how much of God do we need to know? To receive the Gift of Salvation, we just need to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He is the Way for us to go to the Father. Hence, do not have to know much, a little knowledge is suffice. If we want to receive lots and lots of Heavenly Rewards, we need to know God a bit more. We need to know what to do while on Earth so as to 'accumulate' treasures in Heaven. But then, all heavenly treasures and trophies will be laid down on Christ's feet finally - we do not need them finally. So why do we need to be diligent in knowing God? Know a little is enough right? Well sometimes its just Vanity. We just want to know. It makes us feel good !!! By the way, our finite brain will never able to understand the infinite God, fully.

Do it all Day, Everyday !

The newspaper headline says that "Psy, his job is to 'Gangnam Style' all day and everyday". Thanks, no thanks, to his phenomenal success to achieve 900 million views on Internet. Now the best job can be boring, if you do it all day and everyday. We love Cat Mountain King durians. But eat it everyday? (even if it does not make you ill?) Even the most difficult job would become easy if you do it over and over again for 10,000 times. Even the most interesting job would become boring if you do it over and over again 10,000 times. There are 3 exceptions: Firstly, some politicians love their jobs so much that they willingly hold on the job for 30, 40, 50 years ! They cannot let go Power ! Power is Addictive! Secondly, some people do the same job for 30, 40, 50 years ! They cannot let go Passion. Passion is Addictive, including passion to earn more money! Thirdly, some people hate their job but slave on for 30, 40, 50 years! They have Lost the ability to live on their own.

Scattered Thoughts: Not for longer Life, But for Shorter Length of Disability

My mother has Dementia due to Alzheimers for about 10 years. Her prolong illness has affected the well-being and the quality of life of family members negatively. Man's average lifespan is 79 and woman's is 83. The length of disbility prior to life-end is 6.5 years for man and 7.5 years for woman. I see many people doing all kinds of health-enhancement activities, like food supplements, morning exercises, Qigong, etc, to live longer. Really, to live longer should not be the key objective. Reducing the length of disability, perhaps from 6.5 years to 1 year, should be the key objective. There is no use having a longer lifespan, when the length of disability remains the same. In fact disability is even more painful when the lifespan is longer. Increasing lifespan, without reducing the length of disability, is the curse of longevity. Sadly, modern medicine aims to prolong life, at the same time prolonging the length of disability !

Scattered Thoughts: Not About Wisdom

Christianity is not a religion about wisdom. Wisdom is about being human, how to live in this world of humanity. Christianity is about God. About God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If we want to learn more about wisdom and humanity, then other religions offer much more. But if we want a personal relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, then come to Jesus Christ. Jesus can touch your life when you accept His grace and reciprocate with faith.

Scattered Thoughts: Vanity of Vanities! All is vanity!

I wholeheartedly agree with the Preacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes. He said All is vanity! It's school holiday! People booked plane tickets to visit touristsy places. Visit Taipei's night market. Visit Paris. Go Hokkaido... Quench the desire to go somewhere, experience something different ... Finally, finally, its just vanity. Several New Musicale/s came to town. There was the J Lo's concert. The SM Town concert. Go, go.. Queue up for the ticket. $200 per ticket? never mind, its worth it...Quench that desire to see my favourite idols...Finally, finally, its just vanity. Yes, life is mostly vanities. Besides food, lodging, clothes, human relations, all else is vanity. The Futility of Desires.

Scattered Thoughts: Christ's Return

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. We are reminded of Christ coming to Earth, quietly as a child in a manger. He will come again, this time gloriously, loudly, decending from heaven, on his second coming. It has been 2000 years since His first coming. On average, one generation is 20 to 25 years. There are 100 generations since Christ's birth. An every generation looked forward to His second coming. 100 generations waited and did not experience it. I believe in Christ's second triumphant coming. I am ready for it. However, I am not hopeful that it will take place in my lifetime. It matters. It does not matter. The timing is not important anymore.

It's about Grace and Faith, not Wisdom

I have spent much time reading about religion. A lot had been written about Buddhism. It's a religion about life and living, about wisdom and meaning, about human response to things of this world. Christianity is about God reaching out to humans and about God's calling. About human's choice to accept God's grace and to exercise faith without and before full understanding. At the human level, it is not easy to be convince that Jesus is the Son of God, and through Him, is eternal life. It's Amazing...Only By The Grace Of God...

You light up my life...

Hi readers, I have not been blogging for some time. You can track me -- just 'friend' me on Facebook www.facebook.com/SchoolOfTshirtPrinting. This is one of my favourite song. Enjoy..

Sadness, make it short... then continue with life.

Lately I have been watching a number of fine documentary programmes on TV about nature and animals.

Last night's programme about the annual migration of animals was a very good show. Wilderbeest, sperm whales, monarch moths migrate thousands of miles, over treacherous territories every year.

The programme showed wilderbeest crossing thousands of miles, over meat-eating predators and hungry crocodiles-infested rivers in search for green pastures. Only three-quarters of the herd reached their destination. A quarter died along the journey, right before the eyes of the more fortunate survivors.

In one scene, a mother wilderbeest crossed the river with her calf. Crocodiles always hunt for the less defensive, more succulent calves. The mother reached the opposite shore with the calf 2 metres behind. A ferocious crocodile snatched the struggling and crying calf. The mother looked on helplessly. For several moments, she stepped forward intending to help, but stepped back knowing that she was no match for the crocodile. I could feel her anguish, pain and despair. The calf was torn apart right before her eyes. She walked away to continue her journey.

Obviously the mother had feelings. Obviously she was sad. But she continued her life's journey.

The lesson is, in life, there are always suffering, pain, death and disappointment. We will encounter these again and again. We will experience excruciating sadness and pain -- but like the mother wilderbeest, we need to carry on. Let sadness lasts for only a short duration -- then we must continue with renewed strength. Life goes on.

In the programme, I saw the hundreds and thousands of wilderbeest stood on the bank of the river before crossing, with full view of ferocious crocodiles waiting for them below. After moment of hesitation, the wilderbeest bravely tumbled forward, down the river like an avalanche -- knowing full well that many would be eaten alive.

But they still proceeded on despite the danger.

Our lives are also like that...do not be paralysed by grief... live on... God with us.

What did Paul say ???

Some people think Jesus had 12 Apostles. One, Judas, committed suicide, and so left eleven. Why did Paul called himself an Apostle then?

Paul claimed that he was also an Apostle as he met the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

Paul wrote almost half the 27 books in the New Testament.

Paul wrote with great erudition. He must be a learned person, a scholar, someone who had a flair for writing. I am very impressed by the way he expressed his thoughts.

In 1 Cor 1, he wrote: "The Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ's crucifixion. We did not preach or convince others through logical reasoning or our own experience. To those who are called by God, it is Christ's death on the cross that led them to believe, not sound reasoning or clever argument." (paraphrase is mine).

Believing in Jesus Christ starts with a calling from God. If you are not believing yet, you should ask God to start calling you. (Sounds like convoluted thinking right?)

In moments like this, I need You, Lord

I am not sure whether this is too personal to be captured in my blog. But I shall write anyway.
My eldest sister has just been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She is feeble, and the illness appears to be terminal with months remaining.

She is not prepared to died. In fact, she hopes to live for another several years. She is a non-christian. She does not have the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ. She has little hope.
It is a trying time for her children, and us her siblings. None of us are rich enough to manage the cost of advanced medical treatment.

In moments like this, I could only pray for her. Lord have Mercy. Grant her a miraculous recovery. Touch her heart. Grant her your grace.
In moments like these, we ask God "Why she was inflicted?". "Why my family, Lord?"
In moments like this, we want God to be more real, to be nearer, to answer "Yes" to our prayers. Not "No" or "Maybe". We want God to take charge and grant us the miracle that we pray for. Not to let nature take its course.
In moments like this, Lord, You are Sovereign, have Mercy...