Hello. Ok I added all your prayer requests and stuff to the side. Thing is I just can't figure out how to un-slant the template. =\ Don't know what happened.
Anyway, I was thinking of closing down this blog 'cos we don't really have time to update much nowadays. I also don't have time to do everything for you guys all the time =\ I mean, we are all busy now - I just recently committed myself to a whole lot of things in church and foresee that I won't be able to fulfill the responsiblities of keeping this blog unless one of you guys volunteer to take over. Think about it yar.
Tida promised to email us with her contact details like her address in dorm and her new handphone number. So I can visit her whenever I go to the US! :)
About my uni, it's been quite hectic lately. Very rushed, especially when nearing towards assignment deadlines. Still recovering from all the late nights this past week. Glad most of it's over - now left with minor ones like Internet postings in discussion groups.
Well, thank God for His protection and grace in sustaining us every day! :) And as for prayer requests, pray for my grandparents (my mum's dad and my dad's mum... it's not meant to look funny but oh well. heh.) and their health and that they may grow old gracefully and learn to accept some things in life.
K this is my update... Really wanna see you tomorrow Rita! Wanna come not?
Friday, August 27, 2004
Thursday, August 05, 2004
stand fast in the faith
[ 1 Corinthians 16:13 ]
Lately, apart from yawn-inducing books on Global Sociology and Westernisation of world culture (extremely helpful if you have insomnia), I've been reading Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life. My brother gave it to me, probably because he thought I was leading such a meaningless life (just kidding... or maybe not).
Back to the book - while I do agree with many of his (Rick's) ideas, there are a couple of issues I have with this book, or rather, with his logic.
One of them is the reason why he uses many different versions of the bible in quoting the scriptures. He says it is because we may get so used to reading the same old version, (familiarity breeds contempt?) that we might just skim over it, or lose sight of its meaning. Using a different version provides a fresh outlook on it, and gives new insight and meaning.
I do not agree.
As you know, to be saved, you need to be first convicted of your sins, then to repent, seek forgiveness, and finally, to accept Christ as your Saviour.
Paul said in his letter to Timothy ( 1 Timothy 1:15 ) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
This is the man who persecuted hundreds of Christians. What caused Paul to make such a confession?
Matthew 16:13-17
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others,Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
This proves that it is up to God to reveal the truth to us. Note 16:15 in which Jesus plainly asks, "Whom say ye that I am?" He is not interested in what you think other people say about Him.
Likewise, quoting scripture from different versions of the bible only serves to provide one with Man's differing interpretations of God's word. No matter which version you use to provoke "fresh insight", if God chooses to harden your heart, you are just doomed. You could read every single version of the bible cover to cover, and still be condemned in His eyes.
Another point I have to make is that one shouldn't "steal God's thunder". By this I mean, that if God chose to use this book to convince someone to repent and come to Him, this person would most likely be thanking Rick Warren's use of the many versions to provoke "fresh insight" and not attribute it to the working of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Varying versions of the bible from which you quote isn't going to provoke "fresh insight" into the Word of God. Shouldn't it make more sense to ask the Author himself?
Matthew 7:7-8
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Before we read the bible, we should always ask God to let His Spirit guide us to discover His purpose for us in reading that particular verse/passage.
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
My youngest brother cooked spaghetti in his Home Economics class and he saved it to bring back for us to sample - altogether now! Awwww. Okay but that's not really the point of this entry, just something unrelated but I find it so sweet... Don't you think so?
Tida wrote me an email the other day, asking if I'm still going to Bangkok on National Day (also Albert's birthday right? Haha). I don't know - should I? I've lots of work to do (which I have been procrastinating doing as usual hahaha). Sigh. I shall have to reply her soon.
Rita it was soooo great seeing you again on Wednesday. :) :) :) We should meet up more! Even when SMU opens. I miss your company. :) And come to YF with me! *grin*
Albert, do you want to have dinner with Bevin next week? The date is tentatively set for Friday the 13th (hm!). Rita isn't confirmed going. Can you both get back to me soon? And yeah it was nice to meet up with you and Rita too. :) It's really okay if you write very long entries... Because that's better than *cough* not writing at all! *cough cough*
We have indeed come a long way :)
I have always felt a little guilty or ashamed, rather, of my behaviour in the past two years (I don't need to spell it out, yah - you know what I am referring to) and thank God that you had the faith to correct me when you believed I was wrong. I don't believe I've thanked you before so I'll do it now - thank you! Thank you Rita and Albert for correcting me for Jesus' sake. :) And I thank God most of all for you both.
Okay now the mushy part is over... About your family problems, Bert, it's not unique to your family alone lah. Every family has its quirks and dysfunctions. And yeah, I think sometimes living with people everyday of your life kind of makes you irritated with them easily. Sometimes even more than with normal people (ie unrelated people). Guess you just have to pray for God's help and constantly remind yourself to respect your parents/grandparents.
Sometimes I also think that if we didn't have such flaws there'd be no need for God to help us 'cos then we'd be perfect. Like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I used to feel really irritated (I still do sometimes) when my parents "arrow" me to do stuff like wash the toilets, or even small things like get a drink for them. Needless to say when they voiced their expectations that I had to do well for uni and "complained" (well to me it sounded like they were complaining) about the high costs, my instinct was to rebel. I thought something like, I'll just fail so that I can get back at you for lecturing me!
But obviously that's wrong. So I'm trying to change. It's not easy I still quarrel with them sometimes but the point is that you try...
Well before Albert thinks I am trying to compete with him for longest entry I shall end here. By the way, nobody answered 1800-I-AM-HANDSOME so does that mean...? Hahaha.
