Watch how we speak!

I didn't know Psalm also talk about how people speak!

I thought it was just in the Book of James and Proverbs

In Psalm 12, I learnt about how I should be careful in my speech -

(1) lies (verse 2a)
(2) flattering with deception (verse 2b)
(3) boastful (verse 3)
(4) self-centred words (verse 4)
(5) people groaned (verse 5a)
(6) malign (verse 5b)

Yet, the Word of the LORD is flawless :) (verse 6)

Today devotion brings back memory of a time when someone spoke carelessly and hurt another. ...

It was in a BSG meeting when we were studying 2Cor 6 about unequally yoke with unbelievers. The opening question was "What would you do if you have fallen in love with an unbeliever?" Being a BSG leader and preparing this study on my own, I feared the greatest fear that this question might stumbled someone would come true.

Sad to say, it did happened. I hated this question :(

On Sunday BSG, one sister-in-Christ who seldom spoke up felt it was time to speak since the question was directing at her. (She just got married to an unbeliever). She explained that she will try to bring her husband to church and led him to Christ.

Then a brother strongly stated his stand, without due consideration and compassion. that Christian should not be involved with unbeliever. He even spoke for God: "Do you think God would be pleased when we have relationship with non-Christian?"

I felt sad then, feeling how insensitive such a brotherly action was. Words spoken was hurtful. I felt sad for this sister because she was already in the relationship towards marriage before she became a Christian.

She had long left the church and went to another church.

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may hate instill,
A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way,
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless.

PTL

A night at the Beach

I took a quiet stroll down the Pasir Ris Beach late tonight.

Too bad, just too many youths partying and BBQ there. Make so much noise :(

This week, as with the past week, the focus is on the Psalms. It has been lingering on my mind for most of the time. I have been another good week. For once, I have stopped thinking about Bethany, and the things in Bethany. Good to be detached with Bethany.

I have come to understand what it means to walk with God. It is not about giving. It is not about doing. You can guess what it is about. Maybe, you can read the Psalms more often and you will know how I feel know.

I shall not write too much about what I learn from the Psalms. Sound too boastful. And act spiritual. No good, no good!

Still, it has become a habit to start devotion early in the morning on Psalm. It’s about God and me … not so much about what others think or care.

No mosquitoes at the beach tonight, surprise! I could sit there for hours. But it is not so windy tonight. It has been a hot week anyway.

Spend the time thinking, praying, thinking, praying, ….

I had a good time at the beach. Will do this more often, especially on a Friday night. Better than a Bethany prayer meeting.

PTL

Psalm 10 – Triumph over wickedness

Psalm Category: Acrostic Psalm

Today’s reading of Psalm speaks to me to evaluate my life about wickedness.

Some characteristics of wickedness:
(1) arrogance & schemer (v2)
(2) greedy & revile God (v3)
(3) No room for God (v4)
(4) Far from God’s law (v5)
(5) Self –centred thinking (v6)
(6) Speech – curses, lies, threats, evil (v7)
(7) No godly accountability (v8 & 13)

In spite of all the wickedness, the Psalmist sees, he calls on the LORD to defeat the wicked and delivers those who all under the clutches of the wicked.

There is this assurance that good triumph over evil.

As for me, it is a time to reflect over my life – in speech, thought and action.

Is God the center of my every doing?

Psalm 9 – The Lord, our righteous Judge!

Psalm Category: Acrostic Psalm

The main lesson I learn today from this devotion is that God is my righteous Judge.

The words – judging righteously (verse 4), judgment (v7), judge (v8 & 19); justice (v8 & 16) keeps appearing in this Psalm.

Justice will always be carried out to all who believe in the LORD. So, like the Psalmist, I can praise our LORD with all my heart (verse 1).

Memory Verse (verse 9):
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.


PTL

Psalm 8 – How majestic is our God!

Psalm Category: Praise Psalm

This morning devotion taught me a simple truth.

The measure of a person is not how rich or intelligent he is. It is how much he knows his Creator and Lord!

Psalm 8:3-5 reveals a wonderful truth about God and me!

(Memory Verses)

3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

This is a wonderful Psalm to be sung. (superscript say : For the director of music)

Can someone put some musical notes to it?

Then you will be the director of music.

Devotion: Psalm 7 – A Prayer in refuge

Psalm Category – Lament Psalm (individual)

Reading and reflecting on the Psalms chapter 3-7 has taught me that we are never completely free from troubles. It also encourages me to come to God in all situations of troubles.

Psalm 3: Pursued (by Absalom) – for Deliverance (External troubles)
Psalm 4: Stressed & Angry – for relief & peace (Internal troubles)
Psalm 5: Help needed
Psalm 6: Sickness – for healing (Internal troubles)
Psalm 7: Pursued (by Saul?) – for refuge (External troubles)

In Psalm 7, David seemed to be crying out to God as he was been in refuge and pursued by a Benjamite named Cush. We know that he was constantly pursued by King Saul, a Benjamite. So could this Psalm be written during these times of seeking refuge?

Have I been misunderstood?

David declared his innocence (verses 3-5). He called on God to administer justice (verse 6). How we long for justice when being blamed unfairly. “Teach me, LORD, not to blame others unfairly, also”

God is my shield (Verse 10) – Yah! Shield from viruses! Shield from computer viruses!! My notebook has been infected with virus over the weekend.

Memory Verse: -
My Shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart


Outline (Arthur G. Clarke)

I. APPEAL FOR DELIVERANCE (1-3) Prayer
1. Expression of Confidence (1a)
2. Entreaty for Rescue (1b)
3. Extremity of Need (2)

II. ASSERTION OF INNOCENCE (3-5) The Slandered, Protestation, Selah

III. ASSIZE OF JEHOVAH (6-13) The Judge
1. Application for Justice (6-8)
2. Anticipation of Succour (9-10)
3. Administration of Justice (11-13)

IV. ARREST OF WICKEDNESS (14-16) The Slanderer. Punishment
1. Plot devised (14)
2. Pit dug (15a)
3. Plotter discomfited (15b-16)

V. ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE (17) Praise


PTL

Devotion: Psalm 6 – Prayer for the Sick

Psalm Category: Lament Psalm (individual)

Read Passage: BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Psalm 6
When we are sick, we long to be healed.

If we have grave illness, we will wonder whether we will die? That was what happened when I was hospitalised and the doctor could not tell me what problem I was having? My whole body was full of big red dots!!

Was David sick? He prayed that the LORD would heal him (verse 2). His weariness was quite serious that he talked about death (verse 5). Yet, He called on God as LORD many times in this prayer.

A closer look at this passage using this outline can teaches us many things about this prayer:

Outline (by Arthur G. Clarke)

I. Ardent Appeal (1-5) “O LORD” 5 times
1. For the shewing of Mercy (1-3)
2. For the sparing of life (4-5)

II. Acute Anguish (6-7)
1. Weariness (6a)
2. Weeping (6b)
3. Wasting (7)

III. Assured Answer (8-10) “The LORD” 3 times
1. Persecutors Admonished (8)
2. Prayer Accepted (9)
3. Persecutors Ashamed (10)

This prayer, like all lament Psalm always ended with a very strong assurance and faith that God has accepted his prayer and enemies ashamed.

Readings the Psalms by David has taught me to understand the relationship of David and God.

PTL

Devotion: Psalm 5 – A Morning Prayer for Help

Psalm Category – Lament Psalm (individual)

Read the passage: 5 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David

This is my fifth morning devotion.

I was wondering whether I should write all these in this blog every morning talking about my devotion. It sounded so boring, who would read? Nevertheless, I turned to Psalm 5 and verse 3 caught my attention.

Morning by morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
morning by morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation. (verse 3)

Yeah, even the Psalmist is having his devotion morning by morning, talking to the LORD, and waiting in expectation! :)

So, I am not alone. This verse has encouraged me to continue, morning by morning. So today, I am going to spend a bit more time to do some analyze of the whole Psalm.

This was the pattern I saw:

My Chiastic Outline for PSALM 5

A. v1-3 Appeal for God’s help

B. ............v4-6 Abhorrence towards evil

X. ..........................v7-8 Adoration & Request

B’. ..........v9-10 Attributes of evil

A’. v11-12 Affirmation of God’s blessing

In this chiastic outline, the central message is adoration (WORSHIP). This is what I discovered last Sunday during the worship service. After the worship service, I am convinced that I should spend more time in devotion.

Thank you, LORD for showing me that even in prayer and petition, I need to come in reverence (and bow down verse5).

WORSHIP comes before all else.

PTL

Devotion: Psalm 4 – An Evening Prayer for the Angry

Psalm Category – Lament Psalm (individual)

Read: BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Psalms 4

Need a course for anger management? --> Meditate on Psalm 4

David was angry over his men who turned his glory into shame (v2). Instead of following God’s ways, they followed false gods and even questioned what’s so good about following God. (v5). If you have been reading the story of David in 1 & 2 Samuel, there were many occasions when his general Joab and close associates did things against David’s order.

David has been angry all day and still angry just as he is going to bed (v4). So, instead of focusing on his anger and has trouble sleeping, he prays this prayer asking God to answer him and relief him of this distress (v1). Finally, he is able to sleep in peace (v8)

How to manage anger?

(1) Pause, and search my heart (memorise verse 4).
It is not easy to do so. Hence, it is best to keep this verse in my heart when I have a cool head.

Memorise – Psalm 4:4
In your anger, do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.

Apostle Paul might have quoted this verse in Eph 4:26

(2) Trust in the Lord (verse 5)
We are angry because things turn against us and our desire. But we need to know that our LORD is the one who is in ultimate control and to trust in HIM. One good verse to keep in heart is Proverb 3:5,6

Verse 6 = Number 6:25 “The LORD to make His face to shine upon us”.


If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.-- Chinese Proverb

Devotion: Psalm 3 – Cry for Deliverance

Psalm Category - Lament Psalm (individual)

Read Passage here: Psalm 3:3

Even a king can be caught in a situation when he has to call upon God for deliverance. How much more a simple folk like me!

Interestingly, after the introductory chapters of Psalm 1 and 2, one would expect Praise and Worship psalms to follow suit. Yet the Psalmist places a lament Psalm ahead of all else. It is very comforting to know that even a king, one who is powerful, one that kills giants and has a mighty army and warriors can feel helpless and has to depend on God. [This psalm is written during King David runaway from his son’s revolt (2Sam 15-17)].

Have you ever had a time when you need help for deliverance?

I remember the time when I was a undergraduate student. It was a quiet night, as I was cycling in the compound of Nanyang Avenue. Out of nowhere, a dog bit my left foot without any barking or warning. I didn’t think it was serious enough then. But it landed me in hospital for 5 days.

It was near examination time and missing lectures can be daunting and worrisome. Even after I was discharged, I still could not walk and concentrate on doing anything. Thankfully, I learnt to pray and like king David, “I cried out loud, and He answered me from His holy hill” (verse 4).

After my examination results were released, I was surprised that I got perfect As and even one distinction. The best part of it all was that one of my unbeliever classmates asked me how I was so calmed going through it all. He experienced a similar situation like mine during his first year in NUS and nearly failed most of his subjects.

That is the difference between one who believes and call on the LORD and one who doesn’t.

Memorise – Psalm 3:4
To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

Devotion: Psalm 2 – Rebel or Refuge in HIM?

Read BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Psalm 2;

No one likes to go to war! Why involve in a revolt, quarrel or a fight?

I rather take refuge than rebel, especially against God the Almighty.

In Psalm 2, nations and kings rise up to war against the Anointed one. Hence, this Psalm must have been written by someone who knows of God’s promise to David in 2Sam 7:12-13:

When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

2Sam 7:14 – “I will be his father, and he will be my son” is the same as Psalm 2:7 confirm my guess. The Psalmist seems to look into the future when there will be a time nations and kings rise up to fight against the Anointed one. Sound very much like the Book of Revelation!

Psalm 1 and 2 complement each others:
1. Blessing
Psalm 1 started with - Blessed is the man …
Psalm 2 ended with – Blessed are all …

2. Word of God
Psalm 1 draw people to the inspired Word of God
Psalm 2 draw people to the incarnated Word of God (Rev 19:13)

3. Obey & Worship
Psalm 1 call people to meditate and obey
Psalm 2 call people to serve with fear (i.e. worship in reverence) & rejoice

Hence, Psalm 1 & 2 is like an opening chapter to the Book of Psalm. It prepares all who want to come to God to learn the Psalm – OBEY & WORSHIP goes hand in hand.

Memorise – Psalm 2:11
Serve the LORD with fear,
And rejoice with trembling

Psalm Category – Royal Psalm / Messianic Psalm

An outline (by Arthur G. Clarke):

PSALM 2: THE MESSIANIC MONARCHY

I. REVOLT OF THE NATIONS (1-3)

II. REACTION OF THE LORD (4-6)

III. RESPONSE OF THE KING (7-9)

IV RECOMMENDATION TO THE NATIONS (10-12)

Devotion: Psalm 1 – Righteous or Wicked Character?

From today onward till the end of the year, I have decided to have my devotion and meditation on the Psalms, Proverbs, …

Some thoughts on Psalm 1:

It started like a kind of a beatitude, “Blessed …

Many of us (including me) may not see ourselves as these 2 extremes – we are neither “righteous” nor wicked, (verse 6) even though we are Christians, believers in Christ.

To be righteous is to delight in the Law of the Lord – meditating, obeying, and walking in the way of the Lord, completely right with God, no fault found!! :)

To be wicked (i.e. lawlessness) is to have no Law and subject to no authority whatsoever. Most of us would not be classified under this, since we still obey the laws of this land.

From this passage, I learn how to differentiate a righteous person from a mere Christian. Verses 1-3 spell it out.

(1) My associations - who I hang out with and who my friends are. (v1)
(2) My thought life – meditation, reading, surfing webs, etc (v2)
(3) My actions – works that bear fruits to the delight of others and self. (v3)

Memorise – Psalm 1

Psalm Category – Wisdom Psalm / Teaching (or Didactic) Psalm

Found an outline (by Arthur G. Clarke):

PSALM 1 - CONTASTED CHARACTERS

I. THE GODLY APPROVED (1-3)
1. Consistent Conduct (1-2)
2. Consequent Character (3abc). Fig. TREE
3. Confident Conclusion (3d). Enduring Prosperity

II. THE GODLESS ABANDONED (4-5)
1. Consistent Conduct (4a). “Not so” (antithesis 1-2)
2. Consequent Character (4b). Fig. CHAFF
3. Confident Conclusion (5). Eventual Perdition.

III. THE GOAL ATTESTED (6)
Two ways – two ends. cf. Matt 7:13-27

A Worship Service drawing people to God

Spiritually uplifting! Emotionally encouraging!!

It doesn’t need to be Charismatic to achieve that.

Appropriate words and songs (that fits the sermon theme) of the worship team makes all the differences. Their body languages and expressions speak more than words.

Good choices of Psalm in worship (and sharing of personal thoughts) bring on the spiritual dimension:

Psalm 100:2,3
Psalm 23


Thank you, worship leader, for quoting Psalm 30:5b as you sense the Spirit leading at the appropriate time of the service.

weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5b)


It is an expository message that identifies with the congregation going through this economic crisis. Thank you, Pastor Dr., well expounded and illustrated. We can identify with you as you share your struggles as well.

An empathizing altar call for prayer to those discouraged round up the worship service.


I will definitely worship here again :)


PTL (Praise the Lord)

My Favourite Hideout!!

End of the month! I decided to take a break and do some personal things …

Went to Singapore Bible College library and do some reading. But the library closed at 4pm. So I was prepared to go to one place I had not been for years… (took some pictures with my handphone)

Look familiar?

MacRitchie Reservoir used to be my favourite running place. Manage to run round the normal 4.8km route twice.

Nice scenery.


It good to be back!! :)

10 things I hate most

10. People’s habitual slack in punctuality

9. Talk to an insurance agent

8. Keep pestering and asking me to do things I don’t want to

7. Being in a committee where I am not elected but by walkover

6. Caught in a Traffic Jam

5. Bad working attitudes of some people in a group’s project

4. Being wrongly accused of things I didn’t do

3. I misplaced and lost my things

2. When I plan and organize something for others and they don’t bother to come

1. … (Guess What) ??









1. Depend on others for help and end up owing them a favour!

Do Dinosaurs exist on this earth?

After reading the Book of Job, I believe dinosaurs and dragons (a species of dinosaur) do exist in this earth many many years ago.

Job Chapter 1-2 Introduction; Interesting to read

Job Chapter 3-31 Debate; Heavy and difficult to follow

Job Chapter 32-37 Elihu’s speech; A lot of interesting points on God’s attributes

Job Chapter 38-41 God’s rebuttal; Very interesting passages (MUST READ)

Job Chapter 42 Closing; Happy Ending


So in chapter 40 & 41 – God talks about 2 animals called Behemoth and Leviathan. I suspect these animals are what modern day’s people call them dinosaurs.

Behemoth has the following attributes according to Job 40:15-24
· It “eats grass like an ox.”
· It “moves his tail like a cedar.”
· Its “bones are like beams of bronze,His ribs like bars of iron.”
· “He is the first of the ways of God.”
· “He lies under the lotus trees,In a covert of reeds and marsh.”

So Behemoth is an herbivorous dinosaur

I suspect Leviathan is more like a sea reptile (or dinosaur) since Job 41:1 talk about catching it with a fish hook. I check some other references and Isa 27:1 also talk about this creature as a sea creature. Also Psalm 104:25,26 mentions it as a sea creature. Job 41 gives some very interesting description about this Leviathan. In verses 19-21, it can blow fires from its mouth, like a dragon we see in cartoons or Shrek, the movie.

OK, now I am convinced that dinosaurs do exist, but is not called dinosaur in ancient days.

Dinosaurs were called Behemoth and Leviathan.

Time for soul searching

Reading the Book of Job stirs up in me much soul-searching, heart struggling thoughts.

Like the 3 friends of Job who can only see the outward doings of Job and accuse him of sin, so too people will always jump to wrong conclusions about others.

The debate in this Book from chapters 3-31 is difficult to follow. Perhaps one needs to know Hebrew to have a better understanding?

Violence! Wickedness! Injustice! Calamities! We see them all!!

When others encounters sufferings and mishaps, we conclude: “They sin so they suffer”. But when we face these suffering, we ask: “Where is God?”

For Job, we went into a deep soul searching and recounts his days before disasters struck him (chapter 29), how he was a blessing to all people. Things changed after his sufferings and people treated him repulsively (Chapter 30).

2 wonderful passages to read in this Book:
Job soul searching moment (Chapter 31) and the search for wisdom (Chapter 28)


And He said to humankind, ‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding’ (Job 28:28, NRSV)

What is work?

After all that have happened in work this week, I ask: “What is work?”

Having pondered over this, I believe God is the one who started work. We read in Genesis 2:15 that God gave Adam a job – till the Garden. So, doing something that is productive to sustain life is good.

What if you don’t like what you are doing? What if you are stressed by people at work?

Change job!!

Or say: “God ask me to go to another job” (act spiritual)

…… (thinking) ….

As my thought starts to be more crystallized…

Change my attitude :)

Yah, did I write about attitude before, about attitude makes the difference? Never mind. Today, I began to feel better and having a more positive attitude. Forget about those emails and insinuating remarks.

A few weeks ago, I read this book – “Take this Job & Love it” by Stanley C. Baldwin
It talks about dealing with people and boss at work, giving our best in our job and also discuss about full-time job as compare to secular job. We too can glorify and honor God in our secular job, not just the Pastors, church workers and full-time ministry leaders.

Stanley Baldwin in his book reminds me of this:

“When we obey God in our work, we witness to the entire spiritual universe – to angels, to demon, and to man – that, like Jesus, we embrace the will of the Father.

The way to obey God in my work is to see my job as working for the glory of the Almighty.

Let’s honor God even in our secular jobs!!

God, why must You choose the Jews?

It’s tough working with Jews, especially in business dealings.

We Christians, tend to think highly of the Jews. This is likely because we have read more about Moses, David, Joseph and Daniel and so have a very good impression of the Jews. In reality, they are the slyest people, in business sense.

I have encountered many Jews in my cause of work, since 1987. When you meet one Jews, you meet all Jews, they are the same. These many days are always harping by Jews, through emails. One even writes that I lack integrity. They always try to push down prices, and make a lot of ungracious remarks. Forget about being nice to them. It just gives them more ammunitions to shoot you down. Talk tough. That is how you negotiate with the Jews. So you understand why war and negotiation in the Palestine is long suffering.

No wonder, Hitler hated the Jews.

No wonder, Stalin hated the Jews. (Do you know that Stalin planned to exterminated the Jews in Russia but failed)

No wonder, Haman hated the Jews. (Read the Book of Esther to know more about this guy)

No wonder, William Shakespeare, portrayed the sly moneylender in his novel and play, The Merchant of Venice as a Jew, called Shylock.


Yet, of all the people in the world, they are the chosen people of God!!

How mysterious is our God.

Or is it because the Jews feel that being chosen by God made them superior over other people in the world?

Thoughts on 1 Sam 21 &22 – David building up his military forces

Different people read Bible Stories differently. That was my thought on last Sunday Sermon.

You can read the passage here: BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: 1 sam 21-22

The whole passage is about David building up his forces and military strength and not about surviving difficult times. In building up his forces, he also made two mistakes.

David, being a captain in Saul’s army knows what it takes to build up military strength. You need:
(1) Food and weapons
(2) Allies
(3) Troops
(4) Counselors & advisors (in army term is called General Staffs – S2, S3, )

Introduction
After fleeing from Saul alone, we see that in 1 Samuel 21, David had a few young men with him when he came to the Priest Ahimelech. So there is actually a time lapse between 1Sam 20 and 1Sam 21 for him to gather a small group of people

(1) Food & Weapons (1 Sam 21:1-9)
Why did David go to the Priest at Nob?

David purpose of running to the Priest was to get help for food and weapons, and maybe to inquire from God his direction (1Sam 22;15). The Bible texts tell us that David asked Ahimelech for food and was offered consecrated bread (but only a few). He also asked for weapons and was given the sword of Goliath.

It was likely that David went to the Priest because he had left the sword of Goliath there. After killing Goliath, he kept the sword (1Sam 17:58). So at some point in time, he must have gone to the priest and put the sword there.

After getting the food and weapon, David fled to Gath that same day.

Mistake #1: There was a spy at Nob watching him. He didn’t arrest the spy and later David admitted his mistakes (1 Sam 22:22). He, however, learnt from this mistake, that in any military campaign, do not leave any remnant to leak out your secret (1Sam 27:11,12)

(2) Allies (1 Sam 10:15)
Why, of all places did David go to Gath, the hometown of Goliath whom he killed when he was a youth? What was David thinking about?

Perhaps he thinks that the Philistine are the enemies of Saul and since David is now also an enemies of Saul, King Achish may accept him as his ally. That prove to be a mistake when the Philistine soldiers remember that David has killed ten thousands (1Sam 21:11).

Mistake #2: Seek out wrong ally. To save his life, he had to pretend to be mad. It is not about allaying the fear or insecurity of King Achish. However, this mistake build him up and later, he come back to be an ally with King Achish. (1Sam 27)

(3) Troops (1 Sam 22:1-5)
David now gathered about 400 people to be with him, a very sizeable troop for battle. Remember that Gideon only needed 300 people to fight the Midianite, (Judges 7:8) and Abraham had only 318 warriors to fight the 4 kings (Gen 14:14).

David went to Moab and left his parents safely there. It is likely that Jesse being a grandson of Ruth, a Moabite woman still has relatives in Moab. By putting his parents in safe hands, David is now ready for offensive…

...but not quite, he still need …

(4) Counselor and Advisor (1 Sam 22:6-23)
In ancient time, prophet and priest usually act as counselors and advisors to the king. That is why in our chess set, the bishops are positioned next to the king and queen.

David got his counselor and advisor through Prophet Gad (1Sam 22:5) and Priest Abiathar (1Sam 22:23)


With his military strength fully equipped, 1Sam 23 shows us that David is now ready to be on the offensive.


2 things I learn from these passages:

(1) Learn from my mistakes and that will make me stronger, like King David.

(2) In life and as a church, we need to build up our resources:
1. Skills (= weapon),
2. Friends / fellowship (= ally),
3. Co-workers / ministry partners (= troops),
4. Mentors (= counselors & advisors)

This is what I find different from the Sunday Sermon.

That Illusive Medal

Hard work may not land you to an award or medal.

That is what ex-coach Liu Guodong experiencsd even though he helped Singapore to a silver Olympic medal for the women’s Table Tennis team.

It seems like somebody in the Singapore Table Tennis Association does not like him and fails to nominate him. Even though he has the support of the Project 0812 chairman, Ng Ser Miang and Singapore’s chief de mission at Beijin, Dr Tan Eng Liang.

It bring back memory, when I too missed out on that illusive medal…

It was 3rd July 1987. I was working in Chartered Electronics Industries then. We had a 5km Cross Country Race at the Chinese Garden.

The pace of the race was very slow. About less than 1km before the finishing line, there were only 5 of us at the front. I decided to pull off the crowd and speeded all the way, running alone. Unfortunately there was a cross-junction and both the road marshals and I did not know each other. (we did not know each others, since we were working in different buildings). Runners were also not given any number tags.

So I missed the turn and ended into a car park instead. I waited for more than a minute and then decided to back track to the cross-junction. The road marshals saw me again and realized their mistake in not directing me to the right route as I was running alone then. Because of that fatal error, I was 8th in position out of about a hundred runners and there was no award. Only the first 5 runners received medal.

The two pretty marshals apologized profusely.

A few days later, they gave me this plaque.

At the back was written:

X-COUNTRY

Jasmine Lim
Mary Tan
3/7/87

To some, life is like a race. But it is all right to miss out that illusive medal. There is always a final medal waiting for us.

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
(1 Cor 9:24-27)

Appreciating Other

People use to say: “It’s the thought that count”.

I use to think so. But now, I think it should be: “It’s the thought and action that count.”

Yah, it is easier to think of good ideas and thoughts to help someone or show appreciation but to really carry it out is difficult for me. I may have a lot of good ideas but very little action.

Sigh :(

That’s what happened last Mother’s day. I was thinking of thanking someone whom one of our fellowship groups uses to meet in her house. We use her place, drink her wonderful ice lemon tea, eat her superb pizza and hang around till the late night (occasionally) and she sometime cook for us. I guess we often mess up the whole place each time we left her house and the amount of cleaning up she had to do.

Then mother’s day came and I thought it might be a good opportunity to thank her. But the thought of getting a gift is a very difficult task. I never know how to choose a right gift for the right situation. So I approached one of the ladies in the group. She gave a very good suggestion but had no time to source for the gift.

And so Mother’s day came and gone. And that thought is still, …just a thought.

No good, no good!! :(

Closing Thoughts on the Book of Nehemiah – Making Tough Decisions

How do church leaders make tough decisions?

Nehemiah realized that he needed to make some tough decisions after reading the Law of Moses. He made 3 tough decisions which others did not dare to do for fear of offending people.

(1) Remove corruption - misuse of privileges
Kick out Tobiah, the Ammonite who is staying in the court of God. Tobiah is related to the priest of the temple of God. The priest basically misuses his priestly privileges by allowing a foreigner to stay in the temple court. By doing a right thing, Nehemiah sets himself against the priest. (A priest is a very high official appointment).

(2) Obey God’s law - Institute the Sabbath
Keeping the Sabbath is a very important law for the Jews. To obey this, he stopped traders from selling during Sabbath. Surely, many people will be offended. Also, lifestyles have to be adjusted.

(3) Discipline sin - Remove Inter-religious marriages
Separated marriages of different religions and sent the spouses and children homes. Oh! The pain of family separation is unbearable.

Theses 3 decisions and actions surely created a lot of enemies for Nehemiah. After each action, Nehemiah prayed. “Remember me, O my God …”

Do our church people dare to make difficult but right decisions also, especially if it involve the church session – pastors, elders, etc. When pastors abuse privileges or misuse church funds, what should we do? When church members faced disciplinary actions, should we just stay quiet?

The church is supposed to be a friendly place, so the amicable approach is better. Nobody wants to stir up trouble. So we stay quiet.

Some of the tough decisions I can think of for you to grapple with:

(1) Church funds – overspending for church upgrading and excessive renovations

(2) Disciplinary actions – when a church member sins, how should the church committee deal with it, even though some members already know about it?

Do you stand up and act, like Nehemiah??


My next Bible Reading – the Book of Esther…

Mother's Day Thoughts

Born in the time where we children saw more of our mother than father, needless to say that mother is the greatest person to me then (and even now).

We, seven boys without any sisters were always up to mischief and problems. I remember two of my brothers been knock down by cars (at different time though) along the busy Beach Road where my childhood life was. Blood did happen on numerous occasions, like being hit by rascals and group fighting. We often chased after kites and in those busy city places, accidents did happen frequently. Those were the days.

Boys will always be boys!! (You know what I mean; mischief is part of growing up for boys)

Yet, mother is always there.

I remember that year 1969, when you brought all three of us (my two younger brothers and me) to school and back home everyday. The toil and struggle through the whole year taking buses during peak hour was a daily struggle. I remember the bus conductor asking you, “when would we grow up?” Yes, in those days, even the bus conductor remembered all their regular passengers. Those were the good old days.


Growing up and living in a half-room HDB flat with 9 of us clamping together like sardine was a real challenge. The neighborhood wasn’t that “healthy” then. I remember that one of our neighbour was a drug abuser. Gangs were also common. But somehow, we were not influenced by it.

The worry, the nagging, the scolding, sometime caning (from mother). It was through all these that kept us all away from bad company, drug and gang. Those were the days, when mother care was the greatest!

Thank you, mother!!

Attitude makes the difference

I have been thinking about the working attitude about some of the engineers in my work place.

I have Filipino, Indian, Chinese, Malaysians, and Singaporeans Engineers working in the company.

The Southern Indians are hardworking. They talk less but work hard. The Northern Indians are direct opposite. I have worked with quite a number of Indian engineers and this is my personal perception. There is this Indian engineer who came to work almost every Saturday, even though there is no over time claim for executive. He even volunteered to help me in some projects even though he does not report to me or work in my department! Which of us would want to do more work? How nice if all our Bethany PCES members have such attitude toward church work.

I have also a Filipino engineer attached to me (from another department) for one project. The Filipinos behavior is quite similar to the Malays. (You know what I mean). They are more laid back - take it easy kind of mentality. This Filipino working on one project keep re-scheduling date line, pushing from last year September, to December, to this year February, to April and is still not complete till today. Although there are some delays in the material, it is actually poor scheduling and work attitude. He comes to work at about 9:30 to 9:45am (officially it is 8:30am) and work till after 8:30pm (officially the work day end at 6:00pm). But what he does after office hour, nobody knows. He claims for taxi fare as this is allowed according to the company regulation for executive who work late. I have not tell him off about his work timing because the big bosses are also coming in late for work, setting “the example” for “people” to follow.

Also, this guy is a Christian.

And this Filipino engineer doesn’t go the extra mile by coming to work on weekend.

Anyway, he is just attached to me for this project onlyy and now I have asked him to go back to his previous department.

As for me, my work attitude is according to Col 3:23,24:

23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving

Notice that the verse says - whatever you do,

What is your attitude towards work?

Facebook – a great way to connect

I found my very old friends in facebook!!

I have not got into facebook for a long long time.

Just out of curiosity, I tried to search for some old friends. At my age, it may be hard to see them in facebook, I guess. I tried to search for some foreign friends, those that were with me in University College London (UCL) many years ago. After many attempt, I found my Hong Kong friend, Joseph Kwok. Unfortunately, this is a very common name in Hong Kong and so there are too many Joseph Kwok without faces or “not real” faces. I tried to narrow down the search to UCL. Fortunately, only one Joseph Kwok from UCL appeared. Yep! Joseph has just become my new friend in facebook. What’s more, from his facebook, he seems to join facebook only recently. Just the right timing??!!


I also found my long time buddy when we were students staying Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI), the former name of NTU. We were room-mate in campus and he was perhaps the closest of friends I had then. Somehow, he has not replied my email or facebook message yet. Oversea trips?

I also found that facebook can actually let you “see” what every friend of mine is doing through the HOME tab. This is new to me. And it’s fun now to get into facebook and connect with everybody. We can even comments on one another posting. This is a great way to encourage one another. For that, I want to thanks Lily Wee and Stanley Soh. Yah! Keep the comments coming everybody!!!

Let’s be connected. Cheer! :)


Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thess 5:11, NIV)

How to increase membership in an organization?

It takes a tussle of leadership to boost membership from about 300 to 3000 within a short span of one month. That was what's good AWARE has achieved.

Does that spark any ideas for us as a Church how to draw people to Christ?

Still thinking ...

Feeling Siong Nowadays …:)

It has been one hectic April. There’s a lot of work in the office that need my attention. Every night is one drain dead tired.

There are many small orders from customers, some difficult projects that I need to compete worldwide, one assistant engineer resigned leaving his job half done, ...

Almost all Saturday (Saturday is an off day), I am working. But then, I just realized that …

“When the siongness gets heavier, the Grace of God gets stronger.”

Somehow in the midst of the many things God is still there with me.

First I manage to survive and complete all these small orders single handed and on time. Then, there is this Indian engineer who volunteered to help me and did a very good job in finishing some of the difficult projects. (Still one more to go, the most challenging one). Also, I still find time to write and blog. And also find time to read, which I didn’t do for a long time.

In gratitude, I invite this Indian Engineer and another in the team out for lunch on 30th April. Eat Sushi!! (Always learn to be thankful, see previous post)

Truly, the peace of God transcends all understanding … (Phi 4:7)

I have an idea. This will be my first verse: Mark Lim TL chapter 1 verse 1:

“When the siongness gets heavier, the Grace of God gets stronger.” (ML 1:1)

How about that?


PS: Siong = tough and difficult situation (for the uninitiated)

Book Reflection – Life of the Beloved

I don’t quite fully comprehend the significance of the Lord Supper. Some call it the Holy Communion or Eucharist.

Until I read this book …

I have just read this book –Life of the beloved by Henri Nouwen.

It is a very short book, about 119 pages but with a very insightful way of explaining how a person should live in this world.

Henri use four words to describe how life with the Holy Spirit is like – Taken, Blessed, Broken and Given. We may be familiar with this verse every time we partake the Lord’s Supper: (Lk 22:19)

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Taken
Life with God began when He take us to be His beloved. The movement of the Spirit of Love began when we are taken into His Kingdom. It is important for a Christian to be constantly aware that He is child of God. Our identity is in Christ, not what we do, not how successful we are; not how many medals we won, not how many scholarships we attained. …

Blessed
To be in His Kingdom is being blessed. We then in turn now bless others. Start by exercising gratitude in life. Always give thanks and say “thank you” as an expression of that blessing.

Broken
Although we are in Christ, we are still in this world but not of this world. Suffering and pain are part of this world. That is what broken means. Christ also lived in this world, suffered and experienced the broken life. Be in touch with the common and suffering people, empathize and be with them.

Given
Having experienced the brokenness within and without, we are then the salt and light of the world. We give the love of Christ. We give the light and hope to the hopeless.


Each time you take the Lord Supper, remember these 4 words – Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given.

Mrs, Ms or Madam??

It puzzles me how a married lady calls herself as Mrs, Ms or Mdm.

I was born in the era where we address our female school teachers as Mrs, Madam or Miss, never Ms. There is no ambiguity of their status. Why and when the sudden of this Ms thingy?

In ancient time, a married woman is the property of her husband and hence even her maiden name (surname) has to change to that of her husband. Whatever vow she had previously made can be nullified by her husband

This puzzle all starts when I observe how my wife sometimes uses her maiden name (Ms Tan) or her married name (Mrs Lim) in letters or conversation. Being a choleric and assertive woman, she would use her maiden name in normal situation. However, on strategically situations, like talking to parents of children in her Sunday school classes, she will likely use her married name.

This prompts me with a theory of Mrs or Ms for a married woman. When a married woman calls herself Mrs So and So, she is not only talking about her marital status, she is actually saying that I am submissive to my husband (when in this world, I can still choose to use my own name, yet I use my husband name). Secondly, she is pro-family rather than individualistic (Just like the card game – Happy Family, the wife is Mrs., not Ms). Also, she is not an evasive person to keep you in suspend whether she is married, single or …

I usually have a higher regard and respect for married lady who call herself Mrs rather than Ms. Maybe; it was the school teacher’s instinct where we call them Mrs. Or maybe; it was their transparency. Most likely, it is because I believe in Eph 5:22-33; about husbands to love their wives and wives to be subject to their husbands.

Why the sudden of this thought?

The recent spate of leadership tussle (women versus women) just triggers this puzzle again when I look at the names of the women in contention.

(1) Mrs Constance Singam – she is much older than me and probably in the older era of “Mrs and Mdm, no Ms” period.

(2) Mrs Claire Nazar – president of AWARE for a few weeks before she resigned. Her face shows that she is a Chinese but choose to use her husband name.

(3) Ms Josie Lau – president of AWARE.

If you are given these 3 names and their faces, without further information, what impression would your derive?

OK, so wives, “want to help me piece up this puzzle?”

What about man? Not fair leh!!

Well, for man, see whether he has his wedding ring. But that is any puzzle of mine, probably another Share-A-Thought.

AWARE leadership coup – Learn from Martin Luther & Christ

We Christians have been indirectly dragged into AWARE’s leadership coup. All because a group of Christian women who is against AWARE’s view on homosexuality and lesbianism.


Yes, the practice of homosexuality is biblically wrong. You can easily check this up in the Bible. I don’t support homosexuality but homosexuals are still people we have to accept and befriend them. It’s like “hate the sin but love the sinners”.

But, to stage a "coup" and taking over leadership in such a planned manner is like tricking Eve into eating the fruit of Knowledge of good and evil. This was what happened. Accordingly, the planner knows that AWARE’s annual general meeting usually has a poor turn-out (about 29 in one AGM according to her words) This is in ST report on April 25 page A22.


Jesus Christ was also against the ways of the Pharisees and the religious leaders during His time. On many occasions He spoke against them: “Woe to you! Scribes and Pharisees …”. But never once did He plan to take over the offices of the temple and Synagogue. Not only did He receive death threat, He died for it.

Yes, when Aware plan for such leadership takeover, likewise death threat is no surprising.

When we see something wrong, speak up! Talk about it! Write about it! Talk about the issues but don’t stage a division. God unites, Satan divides. Do things in the light, not in the dark.

The church during the 16th century also faced a lot of corruption. Martin Luther, who was a Catholic Monk and professor at Wittenburg in Germany spoke against it. His famous 95 Theses landed him in “hot soup”- imprisonment, assassination and expulsion from the church. Being branded as Protestant, that was how we Christians came to be.

Doing something Relaxingl!!

Some people like food. Some people like music… I like jogging

Manage to catch the sunset this evening!!

Today, I decided to leave office slightly after 6pm, the official closing time for work. Keziah and I went for a jog to the Pasir Ris Beach.

There's seldom an opportunity to jog during weekday as work and other demands take up most of my time.

There is this saying: (not sure who said it, or I make up myself)

“Life is a journey. Enjoy the roses along the way”

Your “roses” may be food, or music.

Mine is jogging.

My Writings … my weariness

Finally, I decide to pause from my writing.

Since the end of last year, I started to pen down my thoughts and understanding on Bible Stories (or more accurately, it should be Bible Narratives). This is something I have always been fascinated about – how God chooses to reveal Himself to us through stories.

Then I started to write about Understanding Narratives. To write, I need to read and I need to study. I read many books. I study many Bible passages and Bible stories. In the cause of writing, I also sense the presence of God. Many a time, I woke up with “prompting” on certain issues I need to address in my writing. Till now, I have covered about 34 pages. Not much.

But I am tired. I want to read other books. Not academic or theological books but books that are more in tune to the soul. Books from Henri Nouwen, John Maxwell, Joyce Huggett, maybe C.S. Lewis.

So, I finally stop writing, leave a few Bible passages not completely analyzed.

Writing keep me discipline and make wise use of my time. Yah! I still have to work, family, children studies, personal jogging, etc. But writing has also occupied another space in my life. I am a bit exhausted.

As I closed my mind to pause, I remember the Wise guy who says this:

Be warned, my son, …. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. (Ecc 12:12)


HOW TRUE!!

AWARE makes me more aware

It reminds me of my duty as a member.

Yes, as a member of the Kingdom of God.

Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) has been on the news everyday for the past week. A new Ex-Co has been voted in and the old members are crying foul. The newspaper report was quite bias and stated that the new group came in and usurps leadership. It seemed that many old members did not turn up (only 30 to 40 came), while most of the new members came (more than a 100 of them) and outnumbered them. Now, the older members are calling for an EOGM.

Which make me wonder. Why didn’t you do your duty and turn up at the AGM and vote for your preferred Ex-Co? If you don’t come and vote, now that a new committee is formed, why cry foul and ask for an EOGM?

Previously, I was vaguely aware of what AWARE is, except that they represent women rights, and fight for women equality. Now, the new committee has made us more aware!!

Yah! Even went into their website. Kay poh a bit mah!

Many of us Christians too behave this way. We just want to be passive, and leave the work of the Heavenly Kingdom to the Pastors, Elders and church leaders. Then one fine day, when we find something in the church that is not done according to what we desire, we would probably then want to act.

But the Kingdom way does not allow for passiveness. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)”. It is a daily process of denying self and follows Christ.

Are you doing that – deny self, following Christ?

The behavior of AWARE old members makes me more aware of my duty as a member of the heavenly kingdom.

13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. (Ecc 12:13,14)

Planning Ahead

“Oh no! I forgot my Guides’ T-shirt!!”

We were already travelling along the Pan Island Expressway to school yesterday morning when my eldest daughter suddenly realized that she had left her clothing at home.

“Can we turn back?” She pleaded.

Doing so will get everybody late for school. Not a very good idea. Knowing that she needed it only in the afternoon, I told her I will go home and get it for her during lunch.

Human has a tendency to forget things, people, and also a whole lot of others. Most of the time, we too forget about God. In our “busy and hurry” society and work, we loose sense of the Almighty, only to come to Him when help is needed and prayer to be done. That is what I want to show her. I can help rescue her forgetfulness. But she too needs to learn to be alert, watchful and plan ahead. This is not the first time it happened. Previously, it was when we just drove off one street away then she remembered something she did not bring along. It’s going to get habitual, would it?

Would she remember this lesson?

As for me, I will help her to remember by asking before we drive off: “Have you forget anything?”

PLAN YOUR WORK, WORK YOUR PLAN

All things have a life span

Recently, a lot of things start going “dead” almost at the same time.

About a few weeks ago, the heater finally died on us. It tripped the whole house electricity when we switched it on. It has been serving us faithfully since day one, about 17 years ago. Finally, it decided to call it a day. We have yet to get it fix. So, no hot water for now until the plumber is free to get it done.

Then, the fan starts giving way. No, it is still not fully dead. Just making a lot of noise when we turned on the power. Something likes a motor boating sound. I guess, it will soon say bye-bye to us. Another faithful equipment, also serving us since day one.

There is another faithful household item that finally calls it a day – the mirror light. My wife last weekend told me about it. I have forgotten about it as I don’t use the lamp. I will try to find a time this week to change the bulb.

The not so faithful one is the printer cable. I have changed it so many times. Why, oh why, it looses connection so often!!! I have just bought a new cable.

What will “die” next?

Then, a verse came to my mind (Ecc 3):

A time to born and a time to die;
…
A time to weep and a time to laugh
…

Yep, one day, you and I will be dead.

The question is: “Have I been faithful in fulfilling God’s purpose while I am alive?”

Reflection: My “Year of Jubilee”

Officially, I am 50 years old today!

Little girl just like to be funny!!

50th year is also known as the year of Jubilee. Lev. 25:11

The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.

The year of Jubilee is the year to make redemption of property and slaves and also rest for the soil.

What does the year of Jubilee mean to me? Reading Leviticus Chapter 25, here are my impulse thoughts:

1. REJOICE
The words jubilee and jubilation mean rejoicing. Yah! It is important to have a joyful heart. This verse in Proverbs just came to mind:

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ( Prov 17:22)

2. REVITALISE
Thank God for life. He is the giver and sustainer of all lives. (Act 17:28). I have seen quite a number of people died without passing this age. It is time to say as Apostle Paul said: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” As in Lev 25:12 – “The year of Jubilee is to be Holy for you”, the way I live must reflect my walk with God. It is time to be recharge and revitalize for the LORD.

3. RELATIONSHIP
We all heard the Good Friday message, when Jesus asked his disciple “Do you love me?” This is the most important question. In the year of Jubilee, restoration and redemption of things, property and relationship were made. It is the time to make peace with people and rebuild relationship.

Happy Birthday!!!

Recalling My Baptism Experience

Today is a very Good Friday,
It’s also my “Spiritual” Birthday.
Born Again on 10 April One Nine Seven Seven
I am now all ready to go to heaven!!

My Baptism was on an Easter Sunday
At the East Coast beach, a lot of people play.
The beach then was very crowded,
Noise, song and sound of wave were very loud.

Before the baptism, I had to share a testimony,
With the crowd listening, I had to speak clearly.
I shared about how I met the LORD,
And what I learnt by reading HIS WORD.

My past then was a lone lost world,
I would follow others where they go.
To cheat in exam, did my friend taught;
But by God’s grace, I was not caught.

However, the guilt of wrongdoing remained;
Even though any further sin, I had refrained.
I tried to seek repentant by studying hard;
Though I excel in studies, my guilt never departed.

Then I read that Jesus Christ was crucified,
How He even forgave others before He died.
“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Drove me to pray and the forgiveness I pursue.

After testimony, I was baptized in the sea;
Rising from the water, I found a “new” me.
The sun was blazing hot that day,
But my faith soars and continues to stay.

Looking into the sea, I saw many ships;
Into His service, I’ll learn to feed His sheep.
If ever He will extend His call to me,
Will I then say: “Here am I, send me!”?


- Lim Teng Lye

(Baptism Certificate)

Reflecting Aloud: Palm Sunday Sermon

Imagine the following scenes:

Scene #1
A Christian youth is talking to his non-Christian friend about Jesus Christ:

Non-Christian Friend: Why must Jesus Christ die on the cross?

Christian: Oh! Let me give you a hypothetical analogy.

NC Friend: Like what?

Christian: It is like God and Satan are playing a game of chess.

NC Friend: God and Satan playing chess?

Christian: Yah! You know, sometime in a chess game, you need to make a strategic move and sacrifice the most precious and important piece in order to checkmate you opponent. So God sacrifice Jesus Christ to die on the cross and checkmate Satan!! Brilliant move!?

NC Friend: What the !!@%#????

Christian: Actually, I heard that in last Sunday Sermon in Church.

Scene #2
Two angels are in the church service and listening to the sermon on Palm Sunday.

Angel #1: These theologians think that God is playing chess with Satan.

Angel #2: If it is just a game of chess, God would rather lose the game than sacrifice His Son. It is the whole world’s sin and doom to hell that is at stake.

Angel #1: Yah! Don’t play play ok!

I am not poking fun at the analogy used in the sermon last Sunday. The analogy is used because of the word “triumphant” used in Zechariah 9:9. So triumphant is seen as “victorious” over someone. Who is that someone? Hence, the analogy is used to explain that God triumphant over Satan in a chess game. But, can someone triumph without another loosing? Like running in a marathon race? Everyone who complete the run "triumph". (Not sure, leh!)

The two imaginary scenes described above just flashes through my mind during the sermon as I think theologians use such analogy to explain Christ triumphant entry and death on the cross.

Actually the explanation is already given in the Bible. There is no need of such dilution of analogy to the most important event in God’s work. It is found in Leviticus 16:5-22. The Daily bread on today devotional text explains it all.

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/04/08/devotion.aspx

Differences between Sexes!

Seem to me the wives need to put in effort to keep the marriage healthy, while the husbands just “cruises” along.

That was the feeling after the “Strengthening Family Relationship” forum last Sunday.

Hope I am wrong.

Brother Chee Seng was one of our panelists. He shared mostly from the man’s point of view. Man needs “accessories”, even in a marriage. He cited an analogy of a man spending time to fix a sport rim on his car and fancy over car gadgets. So when a man does not find those “accessories” in his marriage, he looks elsewhere for them. When a relationship has problem, “wife talks, while man runs”.

That prompted the female panelist to remark: “It’s not fair! …”

Yes, I agree. It seems men are always at fault.

But why are men like that? As the moderator in this forum, I asked the 2 husbands present to comment. Aahh! Switch topic to father versus children.

I wish I was a participant so that I could speak up for the men. So, here, I will share why men are like that. Just look at what a man is thinking most of the time. LOOK AT THE MALE BRAIN

Ladies, I will give you a few minutes to digest that.

“When the man can’t find the “accessories”, he will look elsewhere”, that is what Brother Chee Seng said. So do you know what accessories Brother Chee Seng are talking about now? And do you know now why man has a problem in listening? Look at the male brain again.

Now, let’s look at the FEMALE BRAIN

See the differences?

OK. I must state here that these pictures are given to us by Rev Dr Rick Griffith, lecturer of Singapore Bible College (SBC) when we are studying the Role of Women in Old Testament Background. Dr. Danny Goh, Dean of Pastoral Counselling in SBC also showed us these pictures when I was studying in his class on Building Strong Family. The point here is that we, husband and wife need to know the differences and adjust ourselves to one another’s need.

Of course, not all men let their sex drives run wild like Edison Chen. But most would operate it at the threshold of legal and “trouble-free” limit. But sometime it goes off limit, like King David and King Solomon. Also, I believe God makes men this way so that the human races do not go extinct after a few generations. But it swings to the other extreme because of the evilness of heart, and so need be self-controlled (fruit of the Spirit). Certainly the wife can help the husband if they know the male brain.

It is appropriate at this juncture to quote the Apostle Paul’s

4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
(guess while it is found)

So, husbands, now that you have seen what the female brain is, don’t just cruise along in your marriage!!

PS: The pictures are meant as a joke. http://www.wolfescape.com/Humour/MedPicts/BrainMaleFemale.gif

On the Dean’s List

Being on the Dean’s list does look good on paper, but …

Employers look more than just academic results.

You may be the creme de la creme of your cohort but academic results is just that.

I was conducting interviews in my company the whole of yesterday afternoon, looking for an Engineering Assistant to replace one of my staff, who has tendered his resignation.

There is this polytechnic fresh graduate. He came with impressive engineering results and on the Dean’s list. Being a China national, he could hardly express himself even though he had studied in Singapore for 3 years. But the candidate before him was also another China National and could speak fluent English.

What a contrast!!

To test his engineering knowledge, I asked him to tell me what he has studied for Electronic Communication, a subject he got distinction. It is my favorite subject, which I also got distinction in polytechnic and university.

Me: Tell me anything about Electronic Communication.

Fresh Grad: (look blur)

Me: You got distinction for this subject. Can you remember any topics or anything about electronic communication?

Fresh Grad: (still silence)

Me: Do you know AM and FM?

Fresh Grad: Don’t know

Me: FM is about radio. 93.3MHz FM?

To my surprise, he couldn’t name me a single topic. His excuse was that the subject was taught in 2007/2008 semester and he has not made use of anything from this subject since then.

(Not sure he deserves to get DISTINCTION, man!!)

So I tried with a more recent subject which he got an A – Radio Frequency Engineering. Again, he couldn’t tell me anything or any topic that he had learned from RF Engineering. Not even the simplest equation: frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength. The constant is the speed of light.

I tried the same Radio Frequency question on another candidate, who got a lot of F in her grades. Surprise, surprise, she could even tell me that the speed of light is 3 X 10(exponential 8) m/s. Yes, all who have studied RF Engineering will know the speed of light and frequency versus wavelength equation. You don't need to be on the dean’s list to get that equation right.


So, what's so special to be on the Dean’s list?

Letters from NKF – old versus new

Mr. T. T. Durai taught me to be more "personal" in my writing,

And also the courage to write.

Yes, Mr. Durai, the man we love to hate.

(Just don’t quite like NKF leh!)

About 2 weeks ago I received a letter from the New NKF and was too busy to read it. I was in a better mood the last weekend to read what NKF have to say.

The way the new Chief Executive Officer of the New NKF wrote was very different from Mr Durai. It was a letter to thank and update us donors of what NKF has done, no different from any charitable organization. This set me thinking about Mr. Durai. Oh how I like to receive his old NKF letters.

Mr Durai’s letters addressed you personally. Reading his letters is like hearing him talking to you. There is this personal touch and emotional grieve for the suffering patients (sometime names are mentioned, and you know they are real people in real needs) when he wrote in his letters. Words like, “Mr. Lim, I am sure you …”; Mr. Lim this and Mr. Lim that … connects me to the cause of the NKF.

I became a donor through reading his letters way back in 1994 or 1995. (It was such a long time; I may have mistaken it by a year or two). Thereafter, I even volunteered to be an ambassador of NKF. The NKF ambassador approaches people and encourages them to donate to NKF.


Perhaps it was his style of writing that I feel for the patients in NKF. Also, there were frequent updates of newsletter and invitation from NKF.

I use to keep his letters until the NKF saga in 2005. Then I threw them all away. Still, I continue to support the NKF financially. Givers never quit. But I am disappointed about NKF management.

His writings may have influenced the way I write and blog. I try to make it personal, like talking to you. You know, my greatest phobia is composition. I never passed any composition in school. Blogging is the last thing I will ever do. After every post, I think I make a fool of myself.

(Still learning to write properly, leh!)

Mr. Durai, thank you.


PS: NKF = National Kidney Foundation (for those who are blur)

Chiastic Writing

My next post will be in Chiastic structure. Can you detect it?


A Mr. Durai taught me to write
B .....He gave me courage to write
C .......Don’t quite like NKF
D .........Received New NKF letter
E ...........Style of Old NKF letters
X .............I became an NKF donor & Ambassador
E' ...........Develop a feeling for NKF patients
D’ .........Keep Old NKF letters
C’ ........Disappointed with NKF
B’ .....I had phobia in composition
A’ Mr. Durai, thank you