I find my wilfullness/stupidity amazing sometimes: like sheep, knowing fully well that the area is dangerous, yet still walking toward it with BOTH eyes open.
%!$%#!$#@%#@...
I can't find any other words to describe this, or this wretched body that I have still.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Short-sighted
Time and again, and every year when we visit my dad's niche, I'm reminded of how fearful I am, and how it'd be like, regarding my mum's passing away when it comes.
It's the same throughout the board, we forget really quickly about what's important, until we see the effects of sin resulting in death, just like the tsunami incident, in which many people died in an instant and there was a massive media coverage and all, but within months it almost seems like it never happened, unless you're there still seeing the aftereffects with your own eyes.
Probably this is also another reason why we need to constantly remind one another (as we gather) of the first-choice world that we await, lest we forget about it and all...
It's the same throughout the board, we forget really quickly about what's important, until we see the effects of sin resulting in death, just like the tsunami incident, in which many people died in an instant and there was a massive media coverage and all, but within months it almost seems like it never happened, unless you're there still seeing the aftereffects with your own eyes.
Probably this is also another reason why we need to constantly remind one another (as we gather) of the first-choice world that we await, lest we forget about it and all...
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The 'non-academic' gospel
Does anyone know of any models for bible study that would be helpful for those who aren't really educated?
The only ones (for bible study) I know of so far are these two:
-The 'real' bible study, where every verse and passage is carefully expounded to understand the passage's implications then, which we then see how it can apply to us. But for those who aren't able to think like this, be it for the first few times trying this or at all even, this would prove to be too 'academic' for them, and put them off when the method used is the problem, not the message.
-And also the one where the person leading the study asks questions, leading the people to understand what the bible has to say in the times then and now.
The second one seems like it at a glance, but the questions that I've seen before are more 'academic' than anything, which aren't helpful for the type of people I had in mind.
Not trying to say that these are the wrong ways to go about it, but for the people who may not be able to understand, forcing the methods we're used to on them will not be very edifying, nor godly(unless they're willing to try and learn, of course)
And yes, it's in view of my 'missions field' that I'm trying to find out. A bit the late I guess, since it has been of a concern for a while(that the gospel seems like only for the educated).. =X
Then again, is this the right question to ask in considering this? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
The only ones (for bible study) I know of so far are these two:
-The 'real' bible study, where every verse and passage is carefully expounded to understand the passage's implications then, which we then see how it can apply to us. But for those who aren't able to think like this, be it for the first few times trying this or at all even, this would prove to be too 'academic' for them, and put them off when the method used is the problem, not the message.
-And also the one where the person leading the study asks questions, leading the people to understand what the bible has to say in the times then and now.
The second one seems like it at a glance, but the questions that I've seen before are more 'academic' than anything, which aren't helpful for the type of people I had in mind.
Not trying to say that these are the wrong ways to go about it, but for the people who may not be able to understand, forcing the methods we're used to on them will not be very edifying, nor godly(unless they're willing to try and learn, of course)
And yes, it's in view of my 'missions field' that I'm trying to find out. A bit the late I guess, since it has been of a concern for a while(that the gospel seems like only for the educated).. =X
Then again, is this the right question to ask in considering this? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
I think I am stupid
But wait, isn't that an oxymoron? A stupid person that thinks?
^%#$%#@%@!%%@!$
(Sian, or going mad, or both lol)
^%#$%#@%@!%%@!$
(Sian, or going mad, or both lol)
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Gospel and Family
I've decided to go into "missions", right from the "comfort of my home"!
Where's this 'mission field'? It is...at home (duh).
Hearing the message by Edmund Fong from last Sunday on the biblical overview of family was really heart-wrenching, not because he was especially eloquent, or that his message was delivered in a way that really got me all excited and stuff, but that the way I treat others at home, is really contradictory to how we treat others in the family of God.
Saved by God by sending His Son to the cross, so that we may have a restored relationship both with God and one another. With such a status whilst here on earth, we learn to live in a godly manner toward both God and His people (ie. one another). But when we (ok, I'm generalising here on purpose) go back to our homes, the way we treat the families we were born into, be it whether christian or not, is still the same, even though we have a different view of family now.
Ignoring my family members as if they weren't there...wilfully disobeying my mum (at times still)...not caring for them at all...seems like a far cry from how I treat the new family I was brought into.
Yes, even as I try to learn to submit to my mum(as long as it doesn't contradict with what the people of God would do), both as a testimony to her, and also to foster better relationships with her, so that along the way I would be able to encourage her also, the thought of encouraging my own brother has never crossed my mind, until the day a sister brought that up, and now I'm also reminded about how we view family as citizens of the world to come...
The last thing I'd ever say about my family right now (and if I said that, you'll know that I'm lying) is that it is a happy, loving family of people (saved by God). But even as we still will sin along the way whilst in this world, I have absolutely no reason not to change how I live at home...as a christian.
Because by God's grace, we have a right relationship restored with Him by what Christ has done on the cross, hence we are able to have a right relationship with others here on earth. All this by the workings of God in us.
I guess my 'mission trip' will start soon, I don't know how long it will take, but I guess I can safely say that until Christ comes again, this 'mission trip' will not end by then. So do pray with me! ;)
Where's this 'mission field'? It is...at home (duh).
Hearing the message by Edmund Fong from last Sunday on the biblical overview of family was really heart-wrenching, not because he was especially eloquent, or that his message was delivered in a way that really got me all excited and stuff, but that the way I treat others at home, is really contradictory to how we treat others in the family of God.
Saved by God by sending His Son to the cross, so that we may have a restored relationship both with God and one another. With such a status whilst here on earth, we learn to live in a godly manner toward both God and His people (ie. one another). But when we (ok, I'm generalising here on purpose) go back to our homes, the way we treat the families we were born into, be it whether christian or not, is still the same, even though we have a different view of family now.
Ignoring my family members as if they weren't there...wilfully disobeying my mum (at times still)...not caring for them at all...seems like a far cry from how I treat the new family I was brought into.
Yes, even as I try to learn to submit to my mum(as long as it doesn't contradict with what the people of God would do), both as a testimony to her, and also to foster better relationships with her, so that along the way I would be able to encourage her also, the thought of encouraging my own brother has never crossed my mind, until the day a sister brought that up, and now I'm also reminded about how we view family as citizens of the world to come...
The last thing I'd ever say about my family right now (and if I said that, you'll know that I'm lying) is that it is a happy, loving family of people (saved by God). But even as we still will sin along the way whilst in this world, I have absolutely no reason not to change how I live at home...as a christian.
Because by God's grace, we have a right relationship restored with Him by what Christ has done on the cross, hence we are able to have a right relationship with others here on earth. All this by the workings of God in us.
I guess my 'mission trip' will start soon, I don't know how long it will take, but I guess I can safely say that until Christ comes again, this 'mission trip' will not end by then. So do pray with me! ;)
Friday, June 17, 2005
They're back!
The whole group of BASIC have come back, from the camp in M'sia. And along with them come a whole list of accounts of what had happened, and also what they've learnt whilst experiencing a taste of what heaven would be like. ;)
Am certainly looking forward to catching up again, the 5 days seemed like eons lol.
Chatting with HQ initially, found out that MWR was also one of the topics (apparently a topic that has attention at almost EVERY camp/conference), and also a bit more about what had been said. Something perked up my ears though, regarding the limit of authority of a man over a woman who's not married to him, something which I've long forgotten to ask/find out more about.
Tomorrow we're going to service! =)
(ok, back to work..)
Am certainly looking forward to catching up again, the 5 days seemed like eons lol.
Chatting with HQ initially, found out that MWR was also one of the topics (apparently a topic that has attention at almost EVERY camp/conference), and also a bit more about what had been said. Something perked up my ears though, regarding the limit of authority of a man over a woman who's not married to him, something which I've long forgotten to ask/find out more about.
Tomorrow we're going to service! =)
(ok, back to work..)
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
8th June 2005: Eating too much (again)
On the day after our exams, when we totally gorged ourselves with 3 hours of non-stop buffet and ice-cream...
(Pictures and editing 'courtesy' of stitchx)
Saturday, June 11, 2005
WSC CURL Session 2
Went for the Pre-CURL (a special project that I'm involved in the media sub-comm) session today, after waking up late (again).
Saw people conversing in sign language for the first time in person, looks quite interesting...
Put up most of the (more)viewable pictures liao, you can view them here.
I'm NOT loving it
The past 5 days, I contributed greatly (personally) to the pockets of Mr. Ronald MacDonald.
-1 meal equivalent at Macs
-Free unlimited internet access
-Cool envionment: $5.50 per day
====================
-Memorising the rubbish on the Macs "tv" that repeats itself every 10 minutes, eveyday, at every branch: priceless
-1 meal equivalent at Macs
-Free unlimited internet access
-Cool envionment: $5.50 per day
====================
-Memorising the rubbish on the Macs "tv" that repeats itself every 10 minutes, eveyday, at every branch: priceless
Friday, June 10, 2005
False Prophets
For The Love Of God, June 9th.
Deuteronomy 13-14
THREE QUESTIONS:
(1) How can you spot a false prophet? The Bible offers several complementary criteria. For instance, in Deuteronomy 18:22 we are told that if an ostensible prophet predicts something and that thing does not take place, the prophet is false. Of course, that criterion does not help very much if what the prophet has predicted is far into the future. Moreover, here in Deuteronomy 13 we are warned that the inverse does not prove the prophet is trustworthy. If what the ostensible prophet predicts takes place, or if he manages to perform some sort of miraculous sign or wonder, another criterion must be brought to bear. Is this prophet’s message enticing people to worship some god other than the Lord who brought the people out of Egypt?
What this criterion presupposes is a thorough grasp of antecedent revelation. You have to know what God has revealed about himself before you can determine whether or not the prophet is leading you to a false god. For the false god may still be given the biblical names of God (as in, say, Mormonism, or the christology of Jehovah’s Witnesses). John’s first epistle offers this same criterion: if what an ostensible prophet (1 John 4:1 - 6) teaches cannot be squared with what the believers have heard “from the beginning” (1 John 2:7; 2 John 9), it is not of God (so also Paul in Gal. 1:8 - 9).
(2) Why are false prophets dangerous? Apart from the obvious reason, viz. that they teach false doctrine that leads people astray from the living God and therefore ultimately attracts his judgment, there are two reasons. First, their very description — “false prophet” — discloses the core problem. They profess to speak the word of God, and this can be seductive. If they came along and said, “Let us sin disgustingly,” most would not be attracted. The seduction of false prophecy is its ostensible spirituality and truthfulness. Second, although false prophets may enter a community from outside (e.g., Acts 20:29 — and if it is the “right” outside, this makes them very attractive), they may arise from within the community (e.g., Acts 20:30), as here — for example, a family member (13:6). I know of more than one Christian institution that went bad doctrinally because of nepotism.
(3) What should be done about them? Three things. First, recognize that these testing events do not escape the bounds of God’s sovereignty. Allegiance is all the more called for (13:3 - 4). Second, learn the truth, learn it well, or you will always lack discernment. Third, purge the community of false prophets (a process that takes a different form under the new covenant: e.g., 2 Cor. 10 — 13; 1 John 4:1 - 6), or they will gradually win credence and do enormous damage.
Copyright 2005 D.A. Carson
Deuteronomy 13-14
THREE QUESTIONS:
(1) How can you spot a false prophet? The Bible offers several complementary criteria. For instance, in Deuteronomy 18:22 we are told that if an ostensible prophet predicts something and that thing does not take place, the prophet is false. Of course, that criterion does not help very much if what the prophet has predicted is far into the future. Moreover, here in Deuteronomy 13 we are warned that the inverse does not prove the prophet is trustworthy. If what the ostensible prophet predicts takes place, or if he manages to perform some sort of miraculous sign or wonder, another criterion must be brought to bear. Is this prophet’s message enticing people to worship some god other than the Lord who brought the people out of Egypt?
What this criterion presupposes is a thorough grasp of antecedent revelation. You have to know what God has revealed about himself before you can determine whether or not the prophet is leading you to a false god. For the false god may still be given the biblical names of God (as in, say, Mormonism, or the christology of Jehovah’s Witnesses). John’s first epistle offers this same criterion: if what an ostensible prophet (1 John 4:1 - 6) teaches cannot be squared with what the believers have heard “from the beginning” (1 John 2:7; 2 John 9), it is not of God (so also Paul in Gal. 1:8 - 9).
(2) Why are false prophets dangerous? Apart from the obvious reason, viz. that they teach false doctrine that leads people astray from the living God and therefore ultimately attracts his judgment, there are two reasons. First, their very description — “false prophet” — discloses the core problem. They profess to speak the word of God, and this can be seductive. If they came along and said, “Let us sin disgustingly,” most would not be attracted. The seduction of false prophecy is its ostensible spirituality and truthfulness. Second, although false prophets may enter a community from outside (e.g., Acts 20:29 — and if it is the “right” outside, this makes them very attractive), they may arise from within the community (e.g., Acts 20:30), as here — for example, a family member (13:6). I know of more than one Christian institution that went bad doctrinally because of nepotism.
(3) What should be done about them? Three things. First, recognize that these testing events do not escape the bounds of God’s sovereignty. Allegiance is all the more called for (13:3 - 4). Second, learn the truth, learn it well, or you will always lack discernment. Third, purge the community of false prophets (a process that takes a different form under the new covenant: e.g., 2 Cor. 10 — 13; 1 John 4:1 - 6), or they will gradually win credence and do enormous damage.
Copyright 2005 D.A. Carson
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Seagate releases 2.5-inch perpendicular hard drive
Seagate releases 2.5-inch perpendicular hard drive
And the race for cramming more data in the same space continues...
And the race for cramming more data in the same space continues...
Happy Birthday Fergus!
Had my exam paper for my business finance module this afternoon: a 2 1/2 hr paper finished in 1 hour, heh heh heh.
Afterward had a 3 hour dinner with Zhan Rui, Guiying, Mary and her little lamb, and Fergus, as part of our (weird?) habit of having a massive meal together after our exams.
Opps, looks like I just revealed when his birthday is, which just started on this morning of June 9th.
Afterward had a 3 hour dinner with Zhan Rui, Guiying, Mary and her little lamb, and Fergus, as part of our (weird?) habit of having a massive meal together after our exams.
Opps, looks like I just revealed when his birthday is, which just started on this morning of June 9th.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Monday, June 06, 2005
1/3 of a day spent in junk (food restaurant)
Spent most of the day at macs today, working (for my php project) and studying (for my exams). Can't remember when's the last time I spent so much time in a shot in such a place, if I ever did.
And yes, I've been too busy to blog of late ;)
And yes, I've been too busy to blog of late ;)
Friday, June 03, 2005
Running wild
The mind runs wild at times, especially when thinking about how the owner of it will have 'less attention from the people that he loves'.
Something is not right here, but I don't know what, unless feeling terrible is a completely normal thing to be for no reason whatsoever.
I need to wake up urgently. =S
Something is not right here, but I don't know what, unless feeling terrible is a completely normal thing to be for no reason whatsoever.
I need to wake up urgently. =S
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Battered bodies, fried skin
Went to Pulau Ubin with Dong Wei, TYC, Guofeng and HQ on Monday. Ended up nearly throwing ourselves over many cliffs many times, as well as getting out legs, arms, shoulders and butts aching from the whole afternoon of cycling in the sun.
But all in all, it was a good time of just spending time with one another fellowshipping with one another even though more were expected to go.
Hope we'll be able to continue to get to know one another more and encourage one another, living our lives here in anticipation of the Day.
(Btw, pics will be going up soon, I hope =P )
But all in all, it was a good time of just spending time with one another fellowshipping with one another even though more were expected to go.
Hope we'll be able to continue to get to know one another more and encourage one another, living our lives here in anticipation of the Day.
(Btw, pics will be going up soon, I hope =P )
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