2008 February « ..be transformed by the renewing of your mind

Eyes gonna pop out

February 27, 2008 at 5:21 pm | In Thoughts | Leave a Comment

I think my eyes are gonna pop out soon.

I’m not the type of person who can stare at the computer screen for hours (while doing work) and yet not feel any slightest headache or disturbance.

Give me some greenery please.

Feel better.

With the many things to do, it’s good to have a task list before you start doing anything. And if you start surfing around the internet for 5 mins, ask yourself if you should be doing that now. Best is to offline on MSN. For me, cutting off (quitting) Facebook and Friendster is a big help.

And… I finally have a quality time with God today. It is a luxury to have that these days. And it always refreshes me and gives me more energy and vibrancy to do my work.

Isaiah 55

Invitation to the Thirsty

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
       come to the waters;
       and you who have no money,
       come, buy and eat!
       Come, buy wine and milk
       without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
       and your labor on what does not satisfy?
       Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
       and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;
       hear me, that your soul may live.
       I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
       my faithful love promised to David.

4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
       and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
       because of the LORD your God,
       the Holy One of Israel,
       for he has endowed you with splendor.”

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
       and the evil man his thoughts.
       Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
       and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy
       and be led forth in peace;
       the mountains and hills
       will burst into song before you,
       and all the trees of the field
       will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
       and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
       This will be for the LORD’s renown,
       for an everlasting sign,
       which will not be destroyed.”

——————————————————————————————

I’m currently at Isaiah 38 for my bible reading plan. Had completed the New testament, now trying to read a few chapters of the old testament a day if not i’ll take ages to read finish the Old testament.

Should I continue reading the new testament daily? hmm. maybe. I’m currently reading out loud the verses each time to improve my English oral skills, which has declined ever since I broke off my two front teeth and replaced by crowned ones which aren’t big enough. ( haha, always an excuse, isn’t it)

Had an interesting day at work today on course. Appreciated the fine engineering of some buttons and the amazing effects.

An important thought

February 20, 2008 at 3:44 am | In Important issues, Thoughts | 2 Comments

Haha.

The other day, I was walking along somewhere, when I suddenly have this thought..

A thing can either be used for good or bad. In terms of extremes, not in between.

A pair of hands can be used for good purposes, it can also be used to kill a person.

A brain can be used to think pure, good, lovely thoughts and also by meditating on God’s word. But it also can become a devil’s workshop, to think up unholy, corrupted thoughts.

A body can be used to glorify God, as a dignified form of living. It can also become a mutilated, insulted body.

A mouth can be used to praise God, give encouraging words and good counsel. It can also be a weapon that hurts others by gossips, or even spurning vulgarities.

How have you been using what you have?

Have you been using them more for good or for bad?

I decided to use mine for good.

It is very important to remember this always.

From 1 Corinthians 6:12-19

12“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”^[b] 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Cool Chinese pictograph

February 20, 2008 at 3:31 am | In Articles that can explode your mind. | Leave a Comment

Creation:

dust + (breath of) life + (from God’s) mouth + motion = Creation
Without reading the verse from Genesis 2:7, it’s difficult to understand how Can Ji could come up with this character. Genesis 2:7 – The Lord formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being.

Forbidden:
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tree (of knowledge) + tree (of life) + command (from God) = Forbidden
Again, the components of the word become meaningful after reading the following verses. Genesis 2:16,17 – And the Lord commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will certainly die”. Genesis 3:24- After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden Cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Ship:

boat + eight + mouth (family member) = Ship
The origin of this word becomes more meaningful after reading the following verse. Genesis 7:7 – And Noah and his sons [Ham, Shem, and Japheth] and his wife and his sons’ wives with him, went into the ark, to escape the waters of the flood. The word ‘mouth’ is often used to describe number of family members. For example, the phrase ‘One family of four mouths’ means a family with four members. Four couples in Noah’s family have a total of eight members.

Righteousness:

Lamb + (above) me = Righteousness
In the Old Testament people sacrifice lambs for their sins. In the New Testament, Jesus died for our sins on the cross to give us salvation, for God is just and loving. The only way to salvation is to accept Jesus who paid for our sins.

Recently

February 14, 2008 at 4:21 am | In Personal | 2 Comments

Had a great bible study lesson yesterday with the girls and Uncle Chris leading the study and Jesus and sowing.

I’m now actually going to go for my driving test soon on this “fateful” valentine’s day.

Had a good talk with Uncle Christ yesterday, and he gave me a lot of solid practical advice, which I think is really good.

Recently I have so many things to do. So little time.

And I’m actually proceeding to the next stage in my life, but all I want to do now is to be sure of what I’m stepping on is a firm path.

“Don’t be confused, God has not given us a spirit of confusion, but of a sound mind.”

A sound mind to think clearly and make decisions carefully.

Most critical question is whether it is God’s will or not.

Draw me close to You, never let me go….

Interesting video and conductor.

February 5, 2008 at 4:34 pm | In Funny moments in history | Leave a Comment

Interesting conductor, reminds me of my Dad. LOL!!!

Think about Jesus.

February 5, 2008 at 3:58 pm | In Bible study | Leave a Comment

* I was thinking just now at home… Why was it that when faced with temptations, our mind are so caught up with it, that one finds the temptation luring? Why aren’t we wired to naturally “avoid” temptations or sins? I realized that, usually, when our minds are fixed on the temptations themselves, we have forgotten about the beauty of God, of His Holiness, of His wonderful works and His praiseworthiness. We have forgotten about God’s life– shown through Jesus Christ His Son, while He was tempted in the desert about fasting for 40 days, yet was without any sin. God’s love is shown through Christ, by sending Him as an atonement for our sins. Have we forgotten, to stop and think about Christ? Have we forgotten, what He has taught us? To be light of the world and salt of the earth. Have we cast our eyes away from the beauty of the purity and holiness that is in Him? Have we forgotten His Glory? Let’s not forget, our Lord and Saviour in our daily lives. In this modern society, where temptations are everywhere around us, let us always stop and think for a moment— transfix our thoughts on our wonderful Lord. May we resist the devil, and it will flee away from us. Let’s sing a hymn or a praise song to God whenever tempted, and may we say a little prayer each time our minds go astray from Him. For it is Him who loves us truly, and has the best in store for us. He could satisfy every fibre of our soul and being. He is God.*

I got this below from www.biblestudypage.com/light

Very helpful and refreshing to read it.

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
(John 8:12; 9:5)

Introduction:

One of the most famous illustrations that the word of God uses to show the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness, between good and evil, between truth and error, is the difference between light and darkness. The Gospel of John especially uses this picture. In it, Christ’s life is called “the light of men” (1:4), and His light is said to have shined “in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (vs. 5). The Lord Jesus Christ is called “the Light,” (vs. 7,8,9) who “lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (vs. 9). He didn’t come just to enlighten the elect.” In (Jn. 8:12 and 9:5), Jesus calls Himself “The light of the world.”

Whenever the Bible uses Any illustration, and particularly an illustration such as this one that is used so often, we’d better expect it to say a lot more than can be gleaned from just the casual glance.

There are several things that we can learn about the Lord Jesus Christ through studying something about the thing that He called Himself – light.

I. THE POWER OF LIGHT

A. Light is a powerful provider

Light is energy-pure energy. The greatest natural source of light is the sun. Jesus Christ is called “the Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2), and just as the sun’s light is the physical source of our energy, Jesus Christ is the true source of our spiritual energy.

Whatever we cat ultimately comes from the energy of the sun’s light. Green plants, through photosynthesis, convert light energy into stored energy. When we eat the plant, we are consuming energy that was once light.

We cannot escape the power and energy of light, just as the power of Jesus Christ is the thing which keeps all things together (Col. 1:17; Rom. 11:36) and the power that gives us the ability to be what we spiritually can be (Eph. 3:16, 6:10; Phil. 4:19; Col. 1:11).

B. Light is powerful in its speed

Light travels at approximately 186,282 miles per second. Nothing in our experience can move faster. It is the universal, absolute standard of speed. Einstein, in fact, postulated that everything-even time itself – is relative to only one existing constant: the speed of light.

Jesus Christ is the absolute standard by which all other things are measured (Acts 17:31). He never changes His character (Heb. 13:8). It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for anything that comes from His mouth to be annulled, changed, or altered (Matt. 5:18, 24:35) – and even time itself is subject to Jesus Christ, He was alive before there was time (John 1:1), and He will be alive when the new heavens and new earth are made (Rev. 21:6).

When Jesus wants something done, nothing can slow Him down; nothing can hinder Him from the execution of His plan (Matt. 28:18).

II. THE “PROBLEM” OF LIGHT

It is very difficult to explain or fully understand exactly what light is. This is because light has a dual nature.

For 300 years, there have been fierce arguments in the scientific community whether light was a particle or a wave. Presently, scientific dogma says that is both – even though scientists readily admit that this is “impossible.” They shrug their shoulders and call it a “wave” when it does what a wave is expected to do, and they call it a “particle” when it does what a particle is expected to do. According to all the present evidence, fight is not part particle and part wave (or a particle moving in a wave like pattern, as many falsely imagine), but it is all wave and all particle, all at the same time.

Jesus Christ is all God and all man. He is proclaimed to be God (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:16; Tit. 1:3; Heb. 1:8), and yet we know that He is all man (I Tim. 2:4). He tried (Jn. 4:6), He wept (Jn. 11:35), He thirsted (Jn. 19:28), and He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).

III. THE PURPOSE OF LIGHT

Light is that which makes manifest. Obviously, if it were not for light, nothing could be seen. Light shows things for what they really are. Light never lies. If there is a scratch in the paint, light will show it. If there is an imperfection in a diamond, light will manifest it.

A. Light manifests sin for what it is

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light” WHY? “because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19). One reason that the world doesn’t love Jesus Christ is because He, as the Light, shows people that their sin is hopeless, wicked, and unprofitable. The “angel of light,” the devil (2 Cor. 11:14) tries to glorify sin, but this is a counterfeit light. The true Light tells the truth about sin.

B. Light manifests God for Who He is

Jesus bore witness of the Father (Jn. 1:18; 148,9; 17:26) and Himself (Jn 8:18). He manifested God and God’s character to us.

C. Light, because it manifests, dissolves our unfounded fears.

There is nothing more terrifying than not knowing what is scaring you. Being in the dark is the worst. If you see something fearful, at least you know how to deal with it. But when you are in darkness, that is fear.

Jesus Christ scatters all of our illegitimate fears with His glorious light. He tells us that we do need to fear-we need to fear God (Luke 12:5), but if we have that mastered, we will fear very little else, and will live a joyful life (Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 1:4,25; 1 Pet. 5:7- 1 Jn. 4:18).

D. Light makes it possible to work

In the context of Jesus’ proclamation that He is the light of the world (Jn. 9:5) comes the statement, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is yet day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (vs. 4).

Without Light, it is virtually impossible to do any kind of profitable work. Without Christ, service to God is meaningless, and in vain (2 Cor. 13:5). Works without Jesus Christ is as much vanity and worthlessness as trying to paint a picture in absolute darkness. With the light, however, all labor is worthwhile. You can see what you are doing. You can work what God has asked you to work without frustration, knowing “that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

May we live our lives each day,

knowing that You have predetermined the number of days we have,

by it,

Let us live with wisdom,

strength,

and endurance,

for the glory that you have given us,

comes from you……

The origin of everything perfect and beautiful.

Let’s love the Lord deeper each day,

falling truly, madly, deeply

in love with Him.

He who loves us perfectly,

will give us strength.

Father’s love letter

February 4, 2008 at 7:53 pm | In Bible study | Leave a Comment

* Hee. From my Sis’ blog. Too good not to share!*

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love Your Dad,
Almighty God

Took this off Chuisan’s blog (:

This is NOT love

February 4, 2008 at 7:42 pm | In Personal | Leave a Comment

*This is a really scary music video from Lin jun jie– killer. I really hope that I won’t be loved this way. Very eerie and creepy. This kind of love is never love. It is just an obsession that has gone very sick. I pray that God will protect me from things like this. This is actually quite real in some relationships around me….. *

From 1 Corinthians 13:

1If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes: