First reverse parking in a long long time.
Woot!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
I JUST KNOW
The one difference about being a Christian in Australia is that the response ' I just know' isn't quite enough here.
When I was home in Malaysia, quite often my explanation for believing that Christ died for my sins is simply, "I just know".
I did not quote Scripture. I knew vaguely that the Bible was historical but I couldn't quite tell you how it withstood the scrutiny of historians. I'd never read the book of Revelations in it's entirety. In fact, I had very minimal bible knowledge apart from the firm conviction that I, belonged to Christ.
Then, I came to Australia.
Predestination, propitiation, evidential apologetics, ontological Trinity.
Excited by the amount of careful study people placed into the Bible, I threw myself into it. People actually studied whole BOOKS of the Bible instead of singular verses taken out of context.
In fact the first book we heard preached about was every preacher's nightmare : the book of Revelations.
Almost 4 years down the road, I think I know the Bible a bit more than when I first came.
I've read Revelations and Romans in its entirety.
I believe in predestination.
But somehow, sadly, I find it hard to say " I just know" anymore.
It scares me that I agree so easily that we need to fear God but somehow cannot nod my head in agreement when someone says God loves us.
This week at church , we learnt that we need to fear God because God is wrathful and powerful.
But the Bible, also speaks about His great love for us.
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1John 3:1-3
3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:3-5
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
I guess, 'I just know' isn't really a complete response.
We know because the Holy Spirit convicts us.
The Holy Spirit convicts us because of the Father's great love for us.
And how blessed are we when we can say, I just know.
When I was home in Malaysia, quite often my explanation for believing that Christ died for my sins is simply, "I just know".
I did not quote Scripture. I knew vaguely that the Bible was historical but I couldn't quite tell you how it withstood the scrutiny of historians. I'd never read the book of Revelations in it's entirety. In fact, I had very minimal bible knowledge apart from the firm conviction that I, belonged to Christ.
Then, I came to Australia.
Predestination, propitiation, evidential apologetics, ontological Trinity.
Excited by the amount of careful study people placed into the Bible, I threw myself into it. People actually studied whole BOOKS of the Bible instead of singular verses taken out of context.
In fact the first book we heard preached about was every preacher's nightmare : the book of Revelations.
Almost 4 years down the road, I think I know the Bible a bit more than when I first came.
I've read Revelations and Romans in its entirety.
I believe in predestination.
But somehow, sadly, I find it hard to say " I just know" anymore.
It scares me that I agree so easily that we need to fear God but somehow cannot nod my head in agreement when someone says God loves us.
This week at church , we learnt that we need to fear God because God is wrathful and powerful.
But the Bible, also speaks about His great love for us.
1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1John 3:1-3
3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:3-5
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." Romans 8:34-36
I guess, 'I just know' isn't really a complete response.
We know because the Holy Spirit convicts us.
The Holy Spirit convicts us because of the Father's great love for us.
And how blessed are we when we can say, I just know.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
OPS TRAIN PEREMPUAN?
Inspired to blog about relationships after having a couple of conversations with friends.
The dynamics of modern relationships is really confusing because gender roles are no longer clear. The burden of providing financially no longer falls on the male's shoulder and vice versa, females no longer do all the housework on their own.
With this switch, comes more power for women ( the rise of feminism!). We literally get to wear half of the pants in the relationship (because we pay for it right?).
And we, girls become more demanding, we want more of everything and we want the things we want. We expect that men do more than they are actually capable off.
With the increasing dominance of females in our current culture, men are made even less capable of doing what they ought to do.
This has thus resulted in the existence of immature, selfish, useless males ( more accurately termed as man-boys).
So, ala Tinki Talks Ops Train Jantan, this one is for the girls rather than the guys.
Girls, it is not wrong for you to expect love from your guys. Rather guys should always ( I repeat always) strive to protect your girls both emotionally and physically.
Rule number 1. DON'T COMPARE. This is the root of all misunderstandings. Comparing your guy with another guy is the worst thing you can do for a male's self esteem. Expecting your boyfriend to become someone else is the worst mistake you can make. They can change, become better but they cannot be that person you are comparing them to.
TREAT GUYS LIKE GUYS. Not just your boyfriend. Any guy. Don't take over leadership roles. Don't insist on moving heavy furniture. Don't insist on driving all the time. Let guys be guys. Yeah, feminists, kill me.
And on that note,
BE A WOMEN. Men and women are equal but different. Point made. We are not men. We are softer, more sensitive, better versions of men. We want security and someone to protect us. But we try and become the protector of ourselves simply because we don't trust the men in our life.
EXCITEMENT IS NOT EVERYTHING. It isn't. Right now, flirting with a random guy might seem so much more desirable compared to being with a nice, boring guy. But in the long run IT ISN'T. Guys that bring excitement are usually trouble (I might be stereotyping). Unless you're up to it ( i.e. not looking for marriage), steer clear from these guys. (again generalising). And with time, even boring guys can change.
NO MAN IS PERFECT. Prince Charming suddenly looks like a frog? Girls, we want this ideal man, but there is not such thing as a perfect man. Because we are all flawed, selfish human beings, used to looking out for ourselves. If you set the bar too high, you're might just realise that the bar is out of reach, even for you.
See, this rant is not about letting guys of the hooks. They do need to love us, be romantic, shower us with gift and affections, change their bad habits etc etc.
But so do we. We need to stop being so self absorbed and self centred.
Our generation of women, with so much freedom and opportunities, needs to stop thinking that the world revolves around us. We need to stop putting men down and taking over their roles. Instead, we need to start thinking about how we can complement one another and play our own respective roles.
And so I end this random rambling post with a picture of me and my attractive colleagues. CHECK OUT MY TOP HAT.
The dynamics of modern relationships is really confusing because gender roles are no longer clear. The burden of providing financially no longer falls on the male's shoulder and vice versa, females no longer do all the housework on their own.
With this switch, comes more power for women ( the rise of feminism!). We literally get to wear half of the pants in the relationship (because we pay for it right?).
And we, girls become more demanding, we want more of everything and we want the things we want. We expect that men do more than they are actually capable off.
With the increasing dominance of females in our current culture, men are made even less capable of doing what they ought to do.
This has thus resulted in the existence of immature, selfish, useless males ( more accurately termed as man-boys).
So, ala Tinki Talks Ops Train Jantan, this one is for the girls rather than the guys.
Girls, it is not wrong for you to expect love from your guys. Rather guys should always ( I repeat always) strive to protect your girls both emotionally and physically.
Rule number 1. DON'T COMPARE. This is the root of all misunderstandings. Comparing your guy with another guy is the worst thing you can do for a male's self esteem. Expecting your boyfriend to become someone else is the worst mistake you can make. They can change, become better but they cannot be that person you are comparing them to.
TREAT GUYS LIKE GUYS. Not just your boyfriend. Any guy. Don't take over leadership roles. Don't insist on moving heavy furniture. Don't insist on driving all the time. Let guys be guys. Yeah, feminists, kill me.
And on that note,
BE A WOMEN. Men and women are equal but different. Point made. We are not men. We are softer, more sensitive,
EXCITEMENT IS NOT EVERYTHING. It isn't. Right now, flirting with a random guy might seem so much more desirable compared to being with a nice, boring guy. But in the long run IT ISN'T. Guys that bring excitement are usually trouble (I might be stereotyping). Unless you're up to it ( i.e. not looking for marriage), steer clear from these guys. (again generalising). And with time, even boring guys can change.
NO MAN IS PERFECT. Prince Charming suddenly looks like a frog? Girls, we want this ideal man, but there is not such thing as a perfect man. Because we are all flawed, selfish human beings, used to looking out for ourselves. If you set the bar too high, you're might just realise that the bar is out of reach, even for you.
See, this rant is not about letting guys of the hooks. They do need to love us, be romantic, shower us with gift and affections, change their bad habits etc etc.
But so do we. We need to stop being so self absorbed and self centred.
Our generation of women, with so much freedom and opportunities, needs to stop thinking that the world revolves around us. We need to stop putting men down and taking over their roles. Instead, we need to start thinking about how we can complement one another and play our own respective roles.
And so I end this random rambling post with a picture of me and my attractive colleagues. CHECK OUT MY TOP HAT.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
WORLD CUP IS GOING TO BE OVER SOON
Head full of Klose, Podolski, Mueller, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Mertesacker, Neuer.
Almost posted this as a status update but decided to spare people from endless soccer updates.
Almost posted this as a status update but decided to spare people from endless soccer updates.
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