Seems like there're many a lesson to be learnt in the last week, from how we relate to one another to help others to be godly in their (future, or present) marriages, to remembering what God's verdict of the human race is again from Romans.
And as a result, there'll be changes in how I'm going to interact with others, and probably also my planning of my ministry to the ones around me also, remembering what is the most important thing that we all need to hear.
Time is short, or rather, our lives are uncertain, for God can choose to take it in the next second, as can be seen from the deaths that we can never predict about. Let's remember what's the real important thing, and not be short sighted as we live out our lives here in this world.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Home
The home that we await just seems better and better, especially when you remember that this wretched old body will be replaced with a perfect one when He returns.
But we 1) don't know when that day will come, 2) can't make it come any earlier, 3) can't delay it by even a single second, so....... let's continue to be vigilant, and carry on with the task at hand, persevering till the end by God's grace.
But we 1) don't know when that day will come, 2) can't make it come any earlier, 3) can't delay it by even a single second, so....... let's continue to be vigilant, and carry on with the task at hand, persevering till the end by God's grace.
I'm still alive
Have not been updating much these days, partially because I've not much to say here for a while.
On the other hand, the things that I probably can say, but maybe at a later time.
On the other hand, the things that I probably can say, but maybe at a later time.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Who, and what do we pray for?
In the light of the horror of the London bombings, and all the terror that these proprietors had attempted to inflict on the world, what God has to say to that is certainly shocking...
Taken from here: (click on the words "mp3" to download the sound clips respectively)
1. Bible Reading - Ecclesiastes 3:1ff - mp3 (0.5 mb) - Prime Minister John Howard
2. Bible Reading - 1 Timothy 2:1ff - mp3 (0.5 mb) - U.S. Consulate General Sydney
3. "Prayer For London" - 10/07/2005 - mp3 (6.5 mb) - Phillip Jensen
Taken from here: (click on the words "mp3" to download the sound clips respectively)
Prayer For London
On Sunday, 10th of July, a special service to pray for London was held. Dean Jensen spoke on Ecclesiastes.1. Bible Reading - Ecclesiastes 3:1ff - mp3 (0.5 mb) - Prime Minister John Howard
2. Bible Reading - 1 Timothy 2:1ff - mp3 (0.5 mb) - U.S. Consulate General Sydney
3. "Prayer For London" - 10/07/2005 - mp3 (6.5 mb) - Phillip Jensen
Sunday, July 24, 2005
The end of the busy period
Somehow, the pattern has been the same over the past few years: in the holidays, I end up being more busy than during the semester.
But thank God, this holidays wasn't wasted: learning (or should I say experiencing from the job) about how sinful man can be, being reminded of how sinful I AM before Christ did what was needed to me, learning about my basis of reassurance of my salvation, catching up with a few brothers and sisters in Christ, getting to know (for a start) more people in hall, learning a bit more about how this world's fatherhood comes from God being the Father, and how that should translate into family life, and much more.
The holidays have ended! And the many new beginnings start in these few weeks along with the new semester. Although I may be a little unsettled by some of these, but the god we call Father is still in control, and I'm very sure that he still is in control, giving us only what He deems as best for us: that we mature in Christ, till the day we're presented perfected in Him. And that what we should do, is to carry on in this faith that God has brought us into. What else is more important?
I thank God for the shadow of heaven that we can see right now, for the faith and the growth that He's granted to the people around, the body of His church, even though we still live in the reality of sin. And I simply can't imagine what the real thing would be like come judgement day, to be in the new heaven which had been prepared, really...
But thank God, this holidays wasn't wasted: learning (or should I say experiencing from the job) about how sinful man can be, being reminded of how sinful I AM before Christ did what was needed to me, learning about my basis of reassurance of my salvation, catching up with a few brothers and sisters in Christ, getting to know (for a start) more people in hall, learning a bit more about how this world's fatherhood comes from God being the Father, and how that should translate into family life, and much more.
The holidays have ended! And the many new beginnings start in these few weeks along with the new semester. Although I may be a little unsettled by some of these, but the god we call Father is still in control, and I'm very sure that he still is in control, giving us only what He deems as best for us: that we mature in Christ, till the day we're presented perfected in Him. And that what we should do, is to carry on in this faith that God has brought us into. What else is more important?
I thank God for the shadow of heaven that we can see right now, for the faith and the growth that He's granted to the people around, the body of His church, even though we still live in the reality of sin. And I simply can't imagine what the real thing would be like come judgement day, to be in the new heaven which had been prepared, really...
Friday, July 22, 2005
Prayer does not help heart patients, study finds - Wikinews
Prayer does not help heart patients, study finds - Wikinews
God-In-A-Box, anyone? As if we can force God to do things as we wish...I wouldn't want that to be possible either, it'll prob be like giving a 8 year old a shotgun to do as he pleases.
God-In-A-Box, anyone? As if we can force God to do things as we wish...I wouldn't want that to be possible either, it'll prob be like giving a 8 year old a shotgun to do as he pleases.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
The past happenings up till now
Have been to the PTBC over the weekend, learning about what God's word has to say about predestination and our own assurance of our salvations, and also about people's different questions with regard to this topic in general. Also had a brief intro into fatherood (please don't laugh anymore!) in the light of God being the source of the idea of fatherhood. Had a good time of learning there, but would need to take a bit more time to think and process the things said there...
Now am in my hall, for the hall OC this week (am in the programmers' sub-comm), which ends this saturday afternoon.
Do pray for me too, have been down with a cough/flam since before the bible conference, and up till now I've not fully recovered, getting headaches now and then from it. Although thank God, the discomfort has eased down a little somewhat since over the weekend.
Looking forward to school's reopening, and the new beginnings (in more ways than one) that this period of time comes along with.
Now am in my hall, for the hall OC this week (am in the programmers' sub-comm), which ends this saturday afternoon.
Do pray for me too, have been down with a cough/flam since before the bible conference, and up till now I've not fully recovered, getting headaches now and then from it. Although thank God, the discomfort has eased down a little somewhat since over the weekend.
Looking forward to school's reopening, and the new beginnings (in more ways than one) that this period of time comes along with.
Friday, July 15, 2005
PT!
Tomorrow is PT! Am certainly looking forward to it~~~ =)))))
I probably won't be blogging much in the coming week, have a hall camp on in the duration of the entire week next week.
I probably won't be blogging much in the coming week, have a hall camp on in the duration of the entire week next week.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Meow
Once upon a time, there was this cat. It was a blur cat, belonging to an owner who saves stray cats from their predicaments.
One day, as it was walking along the road it usually walked, it noticed that the sewage cover it passed by often was cracked, and it was in danger of falling into the hole if the cover ever gave way.
Although the cat knew that it was probably not good to walk that path anymore, it closed one eye to that and carried on walking the same route everyday. And true to the danger, the cover gave way and the cat fell into the hole.
Falling inside, it became both dirty and smelly, and as a result gave the other cats in the family a bad time.
Although soon after, the cat was cleaned, it truly regrets having done such a thing, and hopes for fogiveness from the other cats as it resolves not to do the things that aren't good for them.
One day, as it was walking along the road it usually walked, it noticed that the sewage cover it passed by often was cracked, and it was in danger of falling into the hole if the cover ever gave way.
Although the cat knew that it was probably not good to walk that path anymore, it closed one eye to that and carried on walking the same route everyday. And true to the danger, the cover gave way and the cat fell into the hole.
Falling inside, it became both dirty and smelly, and as a result gave the other cats in the family a bad time.
Although soon after, the cat was cleaned, it truly regrets having done such a thing, and hopes for fogiveness from the other cats as it resolves not to do the things that aren't good for them.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Teaching children
Went to the workshop on writing and presenting talks to children by Sandy Galea in ARPC this evening, after going for the convo in the afternoon.
What on earth was I there for? Well, on one hand I'm not totally ruling out the possibility of helping out in a children-related ministry, and also that I was curious with regards to my questions. The lamest reason I could probably give was that I'll have nothing much to do anyway (so to speak) since the project is ALMOST over.
Some of the points given there were very similar to what we'd keep in mind whilst choosing teachers of the word, like having mature christians who know how to study and apply the bible to teach, rather than (a common mistake, not one that is all across the board) having either teens or new christians teach children.
Overall, she gave some pointers on what to remember when preparing and delivering talks to children, along with some examples of what they mean. The talks initially cracked me up, a whole group of (young and not so young) adults participating as children in a "talk", but it was really fun(ny) and surprisingly engaging.
So far, the things that are considered are pretty much the same as for all other settings (which wouldn't come as a surprise): the mindsets of the target audience, how they think as opposed to how we think, getting their attention, how to handle the possible combinations of people there. The rest was up to the different methods that can be used to deliver, and the pros and cons.
Will be going for the second one tml (How to teach God's truth creatively). Too bad there were people who could be going too but didn't go.... ;)
On second thought, the title of this post now seems a bit off...
What on earth was I there for? Well, on one hand I'm not totally ruling out the possibility of helping out in a children-related ministry, and also that I was curious with regards to my questions. The lamest reason I could probably give was that I'll have nothing much to do anyway (so to speak) since the project is ALMOST over.
Some of the points given there were very similar to what we'd keep in mind whilst choosing teachers of the word, like having mature christians who know how to study and apply the bible to teach, rather than (a common mistake, not one that is all across the board) having either teens or new christians teach children.
Overall, she gave some pointers on what to remember when preparing and delivering talks to children, along with some examples of what they mean. The talks initially cracked me up, a whole group of (young and not so young) adults participating as children in a "talk", but it was really fun(ny) and surprisingly engaging.
So far, the things that are considered are pretty much the same as for all other settings (which wouldn't come as a surprise): the mindsets of the target audience, how they think as opposed to how we think, getting their attention, how to handle the possible combinations of people there. The rest was up to the different methods that can be used to deliver, and the pros and cons.
Will be going for the second one tml (How to teach God's truth creatively). Too bad there were people who could be going too but didn't go.... ;)
On second thought, the title of this post now seems a bit off...
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Anxious
The day draws near...where the anniversary of the day when I was born into this world comes again.
Will be having a lunch gathering at my place, and due to the limited size of my house, could only invite so many from the different circles (if you'd say so) of people that I know. So, sorry to those who weren't invited, not that I forgot about you or anything!
Also, this is the very first time I'm having such a thing, with someone (most probably) giving a message there too. And as the day draws near, I find myself worrying about things like how the people there will react to one another, and like how will they react to the message, etc.
But! The Creator God is still in control, and we having been saved by His effort, have no reasons left to worry. So, just pray regarding the things tml, and letting God be God, I guess I'll do my part as much as I can. =)
Will be having a lunch gathering at my place, and due to the limited size of my house, could only invite so many from the different circles (if you'd say so) of people that I know. So, sorry to those who weren't invited, not that I forgot about you or anything!
Also, this is the very first time I'm having such a thing, with someone (most probably) giving a message there too. And as the day draws near, I find myself worrying about things like how the people there will react to one another, and like how will they react to the message, etc.
But! The Creator God is still in control, and we having been saved by His effort, have no reasons left to worry. So, just pray regarding the things tml, and letting God be God, I guess I'll do my part as much as I can. =)
Phi 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Phi 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Phi 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Doing the "right thing"
Taken from here. (without permission, oops)
=======================
Book signings.
Why do authors do book signings?
Literary agents recommend it as a good way to market one's books and build up one's fan base. Seasoned book signers, it is said, would know how to work the crowd to create social interaction between themselves and their audience and also between the people waiting in line to get their books signed. Who knows? They might get together and start another fan club. The publicity posters, the announcements in the bookshop, the popping camera flashes, the snaking queue and the media reviews enhance the author's profile, visibility and brand, generate interest and might induce curious onlookers to pick up a book or two, thereby increasing sales (and royalties). Gaiman says that he isn't in it to make money.
Some want to be recognised and acknowledged by the author as his fans. They want to connect with him and own a bit of him (even if it is his swiggle). Some are curious about what the author looks like, how he gets his ideas and why he expressed them in this particular way. The more mercenary go to book signings to increase the value of their books after the author's death.
It's interesting that although many of the people that Project Timothy bring in are good and even popular authors in their own right, none of them have ever done a book signing. Suggest to an evangelical that he get his copy of Graeme Goldsworthy or Vaughan Roberts signed, and he'd stare at you with horror and (after checking your temperature) offer to do Two Ways to Live with you again.
I sometimes give books and CDs as utilitarian presents. Don't scribble well wishes in them so people can re-gift or sell the stuff if they want to, but many girlies get offended: "it's not personal like that" some say, "we have nothing to remember you by". And if I become a famous preacher or writer, others say, they would be able to pull out the gift, show it to their grandchildren and say they knew me from way before. Of course if I ended up a mass murderer or infamous hacker or virus programmer [this almost happened recently when i accidentally left my executable virus experiments lying around at home], they'd shake their head and warn the kiddies not to follow in my murky footsteps.
If one of us does manage to string together some words or produce a CD that people would actually be willing to pay hard-earned money for, and someone asked us to autograph their book or CD, what should we do?
Should we scoff at their "immaturity", rebuke them for putting us mere humans on a pedestal and subsequently turn this shocking behaviour into a sermon illustration?
I guess firstly, we shouldn't judge their motives before talking to them.
Secondly, while talking to them, Phillip Jensen's account of a wedding-ring blessing incident is instructional in thinking about the confluence of the love for God, love for right theology and love for people:
PJ was telling a young pastor that a visiting couple had approached him before a service and asked him to bless their wedding ring.
"Surely you didn't agree!" gulped the young pastor at this superstitious travesty.
"Surely I did", murmured PJ. He met the couple after the service, sat them down at the back of the church hall and asked about their marriage. They talked and laughed about and gave thanks for the joys and prayed about the problems. He told them the gospel and of God's great and wonderful design for marriage.
Did he ever bless the wedding ring? Like PJ's middle name, that awaits further revelation.
But the point is this: if the gospel is true and God's words recorded in Scripture are true, then truth isn't just confined to formal meetings like bible studies or services or to strict legalities where we require every one to jump through our Pharisaic hoops. The truth about God, about right theology and about love for others goes out to meet people where they are. And when it meets them, it cares for them gently and genuinely.
=======================
Book signings.
Why do authors do book signings?
Literary agents recommend it as a good way to market one's books and build up one's fan base. Seasoned book signers, it is said, would know how to work the crowd to create social interaction between themselves and their audience and also between the people waiting in line to get their books signed. Who knows? They might get together and start another fan club. The publicity posters, the announcements in the bookshop, the popping camera flashes, the snaking queue and the media reviews enhance the author's profile, visibility and brand, generate interest and might induce curious onlookers to pick up a book or two, thereby increasing sales (and royalties). Gaiman says that he isn't in it to make money.
I do them because it's good to go and meet people, and because, while exhausting, they're also more or less fun, and because it makes a change from sitting in a room and making things up. And it makes numbers into people, which I like.Why do people go to book signings then?
Some want to be recognised and acknowledged by the author as his fans. They want to connect with him and own a bit of him (even if it is his swiggle). Some are curious about what the author looks like, how he gets his ideas and why he expressed them in this particular way. The more mercenary go to book signings to increase the value of their books after the author's death.
It's interesting that although many of the people that Project Timothy bring in are good and even popular authors in their own right, none of them have ever done a book signing. Suggest to an evangelical that he get his copy of Graeme Goldsworthy or Vaughan Roberts signed, and he'd stare at you with horror and (after checking your temperature) offer to do Two Ways to Live with you again.
I sometimes give books and CDs as utilitarian presents. Don't scribble well wishes in them so people can re-gift or sell the stuff if they want to, but many girlies get offended: "it's not personal like that" some say, "we have nothing to remember you by". And if I become a famous preacher or writer, others say, they would be able to pull out the gift, show it to their grandchildren and say they knew me from way before. Of course if I ended up a mass murderer or infamous hacker or virus programmer [this almost happened recently when i accidentally left my executable virus experiments lying around at home], they'd shake their head and warn the kiddies not to follow in my murky footsteps.
If one of us does manage to string together some words or produce a CD that people would actually be willing to pay hard-earned money for, and someone asked us to autograph their book or CD, what should we do?
Should we scoff at their "immaturity", rebuke them for putting us mere humans on a pedestal and subsequently turn this shocking behaviour into a sermon illustration?
I guess firstly, we shouldn't judge their motives before talking to them.
Secondly, while talking to them, Phillip Jensen's account of a wedding-ring blessing incident is instructional in thinking about the confluence of the love for God, love for right theology and love for people:
PJ was telling a young pastor that a visiting couple had approached him before a service and asked him to bless their wedding ring.
"Surely you didn't agree!" gulped the young pastor at this superstitious travesty.
"Surely I did", murmured PJ. He met the couple after the service, sat them down at the back of the church hall and asked about their marriage. They talked and laughed about and gave thanks for the joys and prayed about the problems. He told them the gospel and of God's great and wonderful design for marriage.
Did he ever bless the wedding ring? Like PJ's middle name, that awaits further revelation.
But the point is this: if the gospel is true and God's words recorded in Scripture are true, then truth isn't just confined to formal meetings like bible studies or services or to strict legalities where we require every one to jump through our Pharisaic hoops. The truth about God, about right theology and about love for others goes out to meet people where they are. And when it meets them, it cares for them gently and genuinely.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
One shot, one kill
Went to get my ippt today, and thank God that I didn't fail, or drop dead, or anything else for that matter lol.
Counting the fact that I've never really exercsed since I ORDed (which was in Aug 2003), I aimed for an incentive, which is in between a pass and a silver award.
My plans somehow went crazy in the first station, when the PTI (physical training instructor) deducted 5 situps from my score. Apparently he's been screaming like mad at the us, and I didn't realise that they were directed at me, until he was right beside me and started deducting the score. Well, I don't blame him, for my technique could really have been wrong. But he certainly could've made it known who on earth was he screaming at. And I probably should have told him (albeit nicely), lest more suffer from his inexperience.
Well, at least I don't have to go for remedial training! lol.
Counting the fact that I've never really exercsed since I ORDed (which was in Aug 2003), I aimed for an incentive, which is in between a pass and a silver award.
My plans somehow went crazy in the first station, when the PTI (physical training instructor) deducted 5 situps from my score. Apparently he's been screaming like mad at the us, and I didn't realise that they were directed at me, until he was right beside me and started deducting the score. Well, I don't blame him, for my technique could really have been wrong. But he certainly could've made it known who on earth was he screaming at. And I probably should have told him (albeit nicely), lest more suffer from his inexperience.
Well, at least I don't have to go for remedial training! lol.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Stubborn
How stubbornly stupid can I get...when handling things with my emotions involved??
But...I'm still stubborn...
Can I be (like) a robot for just a while?
But...I'm still stubborn...
Can I be (like) a robot for just a while?
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Things people on crutches can do
Joined Benson and Victor to go for dinner this evening, after going to school to move stuff.
Have never heard of it before in my life, and I dare say that we three (Victor, myself plus ACH) are the only ones in a long time (if ever) to be driven around by a person who needs crutches to walk around. (!!!)
Power right?
Have never heard of it before in my life, and I dare say that we three (Victor, myself plus ACH) are the only ones in a long time (if ever) to be driven around by a person who needs crutches to walk around. (!!!)
Power right?
Friday, July 01, 2005
Grrraaaarrrgghhhh
Troubleshooting SQL queries that work sometimes can be a pain in some part of your body.
At least those that refuse to work all the time are more traceable.
X-(
At least those that refuse to work all the time are more traceable.
X-(
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