When the psalmist - David aka Beloved - wrote that He leads you to quiet waters, it means the Lord leads you to life. It means that when He leads you to do something, it feels good to do it.
This was exactly what happened last night when wife and I discoverd that we've lost/misplaced some important documents. We couldn't remember when we last saw it or took it out from its rightful place. It was past midnight at that time. But for some reason, I had an urge to sweep the floor.
So after 30mins of frantic searching to no avail, I took out the broom and started sweeping the floor. Lo and behold, the documents were somehow found under the couch. I was shocked and thankful.
He works wonderfully.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
... forgiveness of sins....
Writting out what I learn over the weekend. I'm still mulling over it. It seems unreal. How great is our God? How great is He, really? How wide, how deep is His love? It baffles my mind.
So here it is, a quick search (using www.searchgodsword.com) on "forgiveness of sins" in the NT yields the following results:
Yup, you read it right. Even the penalty is remitted. Even the penalty of sin is taken away.
I'm awed and baffled.
So here it is, a quick search (using www.searchgodsword.com) on "forgiveness of sins" in the NT yields the following results:
- Ac 5:31
- Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
- Ac 13:38
- Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
- Ac 26:18
- to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
- Eph 1:7
- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
- Col 1:14
- in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
- release from bondage or imprisonment
- forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed),
- remission of the penalty
Yup, you read it right. Even the penalty is remitted. Even the penalty of sin is taken away.
I'm awed and baffled.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
How to change your being. Pt 2
The sum of our beliefs makes very much who we are. So to change us we have to change our beliefs.
Doesn't this sounds like it's from some secular motivation course you've paid thousands of dollars for? (and now reading for free) hehehe :)
Indeed, to change our being, we have to change our believes but how do we do that?
Firstly, I belief, as a christian, that the best changer of believes is God. While I do feel that there are many examples in the bible depicting such processes... some that comes to mind immediately are convertions in acts, apostles paul...etc but I'm not sure how to teach that in a practical way. A powerful encounter with the love of God always change us.
I have seen radical transformation of behaviour in an instant done by God before. Even for myself, I have experienced many such transformation - which are permanent. Therefore I believe that God can change our beliefs in an instant. And if you want to change something about your beliefs, I ask you first and foremost to pray for that change. Sometimes those changes will come immediate to you by His grace.
However, what I learn in the past few months takes a bit more effort on our part.
You see, our beliefs are like our underlying programming. Unlike computers, we can't just hit the 'delete' button and have them erased. These believes have been reinforced again and again by our habits. As a famous philosopher once said, (i think it's plato), we are what we repeatedly do. That is why change is so hard. We can try and be patient for 1 week but when the 'will' wears thin, the pressures high we revert back to our old habits.
The most important thing to change is to question why the initial programming is there in the first place. Why are you afraid of dogs? Were you bitten by one when you were a kid? The FIRST encounter - where the basic programs are written - are crucial. It's no wonder psychologist always ask us to think back to our childhood.
If you know why you are programmed that way - why you belief what you belief - then the next question is to ask yourself what do you want to be? Where do you want to go?
A recent example for me was that I discovered that I tend to want be above average but when it comes to excellence, I self -sabotage myself. I cannot bring myself to aim for an 'A'. I feel bad about excelling. Everytime when I'm closed to be being 'good', I see myself going down in flames.... Actually this issue has been going for quite awhile and it's reflected when i'm playing on stage or playing game or even trading.
For the longest time, I just couldn't figure it out why this programming was there. I obviously love to be 'dominating' and yet everytime I rise to the top, I have many self-sabotaging habits that will ensure my own going down. Only last week, I remember 2 incidents that may started this belief in me.
The first was me getting scholded for my math score in primary school. I got 99 out of 100 but my best friend got 99.5 . My mom often compared me to him and she scolded me for not being as good. I felt terrible. I felt horrible. I remembered I cried and cried and cried. its 99!!!!!!
The second thing I remember was a child, whenever I was good at something, I would be put on the spot to 'prove it' - which I hated. And sometimes because I was good at something, I was made fun of. Oddly, I cannot remember any examples of this but just a flurry mix of emotions. I can remember once mom asking me play the organ for strangers in my play time and when I didn't do as good critise me. All I remember was, I was being made fun off, compared with and belittled.
There was just no incentive in being good - because it was never good enough. Besides, being good gives me added risk of being made fun off, poked at, laugh at... and a constant pressure to stay on top (so that mom won't scold me further for deproving).
I think it was then I decided early in my age that I shall become always above average. It was safe there. I'm better than most without the pain of being the best :) It was a humbling discovery. I was so afraid of rejection that I stopped myself from being the best that I can be! Imagine that.
So once I know about this, I took captive of all this and submit it to the Lord. I told Him that I want change, help me.
I also thought about what I want to be: a man that is confident in himself - at the best of himself. I shouldn't feel ridiculed if I'm doing the best I can. I shouldn't feel shy either because I am good. I shouldn't feel bad either by comparing. I am what I am - and I do the best that I can.
"I can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens me" "I am like a tree plated on rivers of water that shall bear fruit in its season, its leaves shall not wither and what I do shall prosper" "I am the beloved son of God, of whom He is well pleased with" " I'm the righteousness of the Most High God" I repeat, again and again and again the promises of God.
And each time, when I feel the old programming coming in. I stood firm in the promises of God. I remember his goodness to me - the things he has done and is doing and lastly, I THANK him for changing me.
I do it again and again and again. In other words, I am reprogramming my beliefs. The bible calls it 'transforming ourselves to the image of christ by beholding His image' (somewhere in 1cor) . I keep that new image of me, which is an image of Christ, in my head and I keep focus on it.
This is how I became a better trader as well. I looked into my own beliefs that was stopping me - the underlying programming of why I took my stops out early, why I took my profits out early, why I was chasing, why I hesistate...etc It was a very tough time dealing with myself. And when I found out my erroneous beliefs on the market and on my trading system, I took captive of that and designed a trading regime to help me reprogram that. I do that again and again and again
I wrote out what I feel were correct beliefs on stickies in front of my pc and read them everyday. Where I was- an ugly point A was a long walk to point B where I wanted to be. I beheld point B in my head - the way I would trade, the emotions and kept that image.
Lastly, I thank God for changing me because, in some ways, I knew He was helping me a lot. A little daily nudge goes a long way. And as I work towads point B, I repeated those verses as well - my favourite "whatever I do shall prosper".
Last 6 months has been a great journey and it is the FIRST time in my life Ive experience this change. This wonderful change in me. I AM indeed a new creation!
So in summary, to chnage your beliefs you:-
Doesn't this sounds like it's from some secular motivation course you've paid thousands of dollars for? (and now reading for free) hehehe :)
Indeed, to change our being, we have to change our believes but how do we do that?
Firstly, I belief, as a christian, that the best changer of believes is God. While I do feel that there are many examples in the bible depicting such processes... some that comes to mind immediately are convertions in acts, apostles paul...etc but I'm not sure how to teach that in a practical way. A powerful encounter with the love of God always change us.
I have seen radical transformation of behaviour in an instant done by God before. Even for myself, I have experienced many such transformation - which are permanent. Therefore I believe that God can change our beliefs in an instant. And if you want to change something about your beliefs, I ask you first and foremost to pray for that change. Sometimes those changes will come immediate to you by His grace.
However, what I learn in the past few months takes a bit more effort on our part.
You see, our beliefs are like our underlying programming. Unlike computers, we can't just hit the 'delete' button and have them erased. These believes have been reinforced again and again by our habits. As a famous philosopher once said, (i think it's plato), we are what we repeatedly do. That is why change is so hard. We can try and be patient for 1 week but when the 'will' wears thin, the pressures high we revert back to our old habits.
The most important thing to change is to question why the initial programming is there in the first place. Why are you afraid of dogs? Were you bitten by one when you were a kid? The FIRST encounter - where the basic programs are written - are crucial. It's no wonder psychologist always ask us to think back to our childhood.
If you know why you are programmed that way - why you belief what you belief - then the next question is to ask yourself what do you want to be? Where do you want to go?
A recent example for me was that I discovered that I tend to want be above average but when it comes to excellence, I self -sabotage myself. I cannot bring myself to aim for an 'A'. I feel bad about excelling. Everytime when I'm closed to be being 'good', I see myself going down in flames.... Actually this issue has been going for quite awhile and it's reflected when i'm playing on stage or playing game or even trading.
For the longest time, I just couldn't figure it out why this programming was there. I obviously love to be 'dominating' and yet everytime I rise to the top, I have many self-sabotaging habits that will ensure my own going down. Only last week, I remember 2 incidents that may started this belief in me.
The first was me getting scholded for my math score in primary school. I got 99 out of 100 but my best friend got 99.5 . My mom often compared me to him and she scolded me for not being as good. I felt terrible. I felt horrible. I remembered I cried and cried and cried. its 99!!!!!!
The second thing I remember was a child, whenever I was good at something, I would be put on the spot to 'prove it' - which I hated. And sometimes because I was good at something, I was made fun of. Oddly, I cannot remember any examples of this but just a flurry mix of emotions. I can remember once mom asking me play the organ for strangers in my play time and when I didn't do as good critise me. All I remember was, I was being made fun off, compared with and belittled.
There was just no incentive in being good - because it was never good enough. Besides, being good gives me added risk of being made fun off, poked at, laugh at... and a constant pressure to stay on top (so that mom won't scold me further for deproving).
I think it was then I decided early in my age that I shall become always above average. It was safe there. I'm better than most without the pain of being the best :) It was a humbling discovery. I was so afraid of rejection that I stopped myself from being the best that I can be! Imagine that.
So once I know about this, I took captive of all this and submit it to the Lord. I told Him that I want change, help me.
I also thought about what I want to be: a man that is confident in himself - at the best of himself. I shouldn't feel ridiculed if I'm doing the best I can. I shouldn't feel shy either because I am good. I shouldn't feel bad either by comparing. I am what I am - and I do the best that I can.
"I can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens me" "I am like a tree plated on rivers of water that shall bear fruit in its season, its leaves shall not wither and what I do shall prosper" "I am the beloved son of God, of whom He is well pleased with" " I'm the righteousness of the Most High God" I repeat, again and again and again the promises of God.
And each time, when I feel the old programming coming in. I stood firm in the promises of God. I remember his goodness to me - the things he has done and is doing and lastly, I THANK him for changing me.
I do it again and again and again. In other words, I am reprogramming my beliefs. The bible calls it 'transforming ourselves to the image of christ by beholding His image' (somewhere in 1cor) . I keep that new image of me, which is an image of Christ, in my head and I keep focus on it.
This is how I became a better trader as well. I looked into my own beliefs that was stopping me - the underlying programming of why I took my stops out early, why I took my profits out early, why I was chasing, why I hesistate...etc It was a very tough time dealing with myself. And when I found out my erroneous beliefs on the market and on my trading system, I took captive of that and designed a trading regime to help me reprogram that. I do that again and again and again
I wrote out what I feel were correct beliefs on stickies in front of my pc and read them everyday. Where I was- an ugly point A was a long walk to point B where I wanted to be. I beheld point B in my head - the way I would trade, the emotions and kept that image.
Lastly, I thank God for changing me because, in some ways, I knew He was helping me a lot. A little daily nudge goes a long way. And as I work towads point B, I repeated those verses as well - my favourite "whatever I do shall prosper".
Last 6 months has been a great journey and it is the FIRST time in my life Ive experience this change. This wonderful change in me. I AM indeed a new creation!
So in summary, to chnage your beliefs you:-
- find out your underlying beliefs
- find out why they are there
- find out where do you want to go from point A to B?
- Submit the situation to God
- Behold point B in your head
- Meditate on verses day and night to help you. (Meditate in hebrew means utter under your breath)
- Thank Him for changing us!
- Repeat and rejoice!!
Monday, May 04, 2009
How to change your being. Pt1
Recently, a few friends ask me how do I change my 'being'. I used to be impatient in waiting for my trades and now I seemed to be a lot more 'patient'. So how did I do it? Not easy I replied :)
I'll try to explain it here in the next few posts:
What is being?
The key came to me while i was reading the book 'trading in the zone', later on everything 'clicked' when I thought about who Jesus was. You see, Jesus never had to try to have more patient, or have more faith, or have more wisdom, or have more discipline. He just was. When people ask him, who are you? His general answer was: "I am" Take this for an example:
John 8:58"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
Did he do anything to be? No, He just is. He is wisdom, patient, love, faith... etc personified. He declares, ".. I am the bread of life", "I am the way the truth and the life". Truth is truth. You cannot be more truthful than the truth. Same with patient, you either are or you're not.
We either am, or am not.
My wife gave a good analogy the other day. Lets say you're the diplomat of a country, what do you have to do? Nothing! You're appointed as one, and then you represent your country.
The same question can be applied to our identity. What do you have to do to BE a man? Does peeing standing up makes you a man? Does shaving makes you a man? Does marrying a woman makes a man? Or does muscles and grease and dirt makes you more of a man?
Doing all the things above don't really make you a man. But being a man probably leads you to do all the above, easily, without much effort. (I'm not sure what being woman means, so most of the time my wife is a mystery to me, which is exciting, sometimes).
Similiarly, waiting for the right signals would not make you patient, but by being patient, you'll naturally wait for the right signals to come to you. The characteristic about "being" or "belief" is such that it underwrites all your actions.
Many people believe that exercise is very important to their life but not many actually exercise on a regular basis. Many people believe that the end of the recession is near but they will not buy citibank shares at $1. A guy says he love this girl but keeps on cheating on her. What does all this mean? They don't really belief what they say!
Our action ALWAYS speaks of our belief- it seldom contradicts, if at all. That's why the bible says where your heart is, there your treasure is also. See a man who spends money and time on spiritual things, you find a real spiritual man. See a man who eat solar, drink solar, sleep solar, you find a man who really believe in renewable energy. See Jesus, the man who heal the sick, teach the people, feed the hungry, die for us on the cross, you find that He is LOVE.
These people's action are driven by who they are. They simple ARE.
The problem comes when you are not sure of who you are. Your beliefs are in contradiction. What happens then? Answer: we hesistate, we feel loss, we don't know what to do. Many simply just 'go with the crowd'. They play 'follow the leader' in their life. Pastor says.... The great ang mo says... But because their beliefs are not aligned to their action, most of the them end up NATO members . No action. Talk only. And if they do take action, they usually end feeling messed up.
Let me explain. Say you're in a Long position of a stock. You feel that it's turning on you and based on your system you should quit. But deep inside, you believe that you are right on the Long. So you end up holding the Long. Worse, you move your Stop Loss to accomodate more downward movements. In the end, your Stop Loss is still hit and you tell yourself - I knew it! I should have followed the system!
Think about this: if I REALLY knew, wouldn't I closed it immediately to minimise my loss? The truth is, my contradicting belief messed up my brains! Liping concludes without reading the book 'trading it zone' - In the end, it just shows that we don't believe in our trading system!
That is why the bible also says in James 6 ".... but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. "
Even in things of God, we are to be sure. And God wants you to know who you really are. Be brave for we are complete in him and know that whatever we ask of Him, will be given, so that our joy may be complete.
In summary, our being is the sum of our beliefs.
I'll try to explain it here in the next few posts:
- In the 1st post I shall explain what 'being' is.
- In the 2nd post I shall explain how to change your 'being'.
What is being?
The key came to me while i was reading the book 'trading in the zone', later on everything 'clicked' when I thought about who Jesus was. You see, Jesus never had to try to have more patient, or have more faith, or have more wisdom, or have more discipline. He just was. When people ask him, who are you? His general answer was: "I am" Take this for an example:
John 8:58"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
Did he do anything to be? No, He just is. He is wisdom, patient, love, faith... etc personified. He declares, ".. I am the bread of life", "I am the way the truth and the life". Truth is truth. You cannot be more truthful than the truth. Same with patient, you either are or you're not.
We either am, or am not.
My wife gave a good analogy the other day. Lets say you're the diplomat of a country, what do you have to do? Nothing! You're appointed as one, and then you represent your country.
The same question can be applied to our identity. What do you have to do to BE a man? Does peeing standing up makes you a man? Does shaving makes you a man? Does marrying a woman makes a man? Or does muscles and grease and dirt makes you more of a man?
Doing all the things above don't really make you a man. But being a man probably leads you to do all the above, easily, without much effort. (I'm not sure what being woman means, so most of the time my wife is a mystery to me, which is exciting, sometimes).
Similiarly, waiting for the right signals would not make you patient, but by being patient, you'll naturally wait for the right signals to come to you. The characteristic about "being" or "belief" is such that it underwrites all your actions.
Many people believe that exercise is very important to their life but not many actually exercise on a regular basis. Many people believe that the end of the recession is near but they will not buy citibank shares at $1. A guy says he love this girl but keeps on cheating on her. What does all this mean? They don't really belief what they say!
Our action ALWAYS speaks of our belief- it seldom contradicts, if at all. That's why the bible says where your heart is, there your treasure is also. See a man who spends money and time on spiritual things, you find a real spiritual man. See a man who eat solar, drink solar, sleep solar, you find a man who really believe in renewable energy. See Jesus, the man who heal the sick, teach the people, feed the hungry, die for us on the cross, you find that He is LOVE.
These people's action are driven by who they are. They simple ARE.
The problem comes when you are not sure of who you are. Your beliefs are in contradiction. What happens then? Answer: we hesistate, we feel loss, we don't know what to do. Many simply just 'go with the crowd'. They play 'follow the leader' in their life. Pastor says.... The great ang mo says... But because their beliefs are not aligned to their action, most of the them end up NATO members . No action. Talk only. And if they do take action, they usually end feeling messed up.
Let me explain. Say you're in a Long position of a stock. You feel that it's turning on you and based on your system you should quit. But deep inside, you believe that you are right on the Long. So you end up holding the Long. Worse, you move your Stop Loss to accomodate more downward movements. In the end, your Stop Loss is still hit and you tell yourself - I knew it! I should have followed the system!
Think about this: if I REALLY knew, wouldn't I closed it immediately to minimise my loss? The truth is, my contradicting belief messed up my brains! Liping concludes without reading the book 'trading it zone' - In the end, it just shows that we don't believe in our trading system!
That is why the bible also says in James 6 ".... but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. "
Even in things of God, we are to be sure. And God wants you to know who you really are. Be brave for we are complete in him and know that whatever we ask of Him, will be given, so that our joy may be complete.
In summary, our being is the sum of our beliefs.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dreaming big
We have a big God. Thats why it's okay to dream big, pray for big things.
I should start praying for:
I should start praying for:
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Seek ye first...
Matthew 6:31–33
31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
As a child of God, know that it is your Father’s pleasure to meet all your needs. Jesus Himself tells us, “For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” But God does not want you to seek after things. He wants you to seek first His kingdom. And when you do that, all the things that you need will be added to you!
So your first priority every day is to seek His kingdom. The word “first” in verse 33 is the Greek word proton, which means “first in order or importance, holding the highest place in all our affections”. My friend, God wants us to seek first His kingdom, and all things will fall gloriously in place.
We are not to seek after things the way Gentiles do. The word “seek” in “the Gentiles seek” (verse 32) is the Greek word epizeteo. It means “to seek with all their might with much sweat or with much stress”. However, the way God wants us to “seek” in “seek first the kingdom of God” is the Greek word zeteo, which means “to hunger, to desire to worship”. It is simply a hungering, a desiring for the kingdom of God, without any labor or toil.
But what is the kingdom of God? Romans 14:17 tells us that it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And the kingdom of God dwells within you because the Holy Spirit indwells you. So the kingdom of God is His righteousness, peace and joy in you.
Beloved, if you want to have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit flowing inside you, then seek every day to be conscious of your righteousness in Christ, not your own righteousness, but His righteousness given to you as a gift. Pursue Jesus first. Spend time with Him and listen to His Word. And when you do these things, you are seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things that you need will be added to you!
- daily devotions from Pastor Joseph Prince
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Should I write a book?
There are many many nights that I've stayed wide awake on my bed thinking about writing a book. Should I take that as a sign that I should write one? hahaha
Anyway, I am thinking about writing a book about the 'myths of christianity'. I want to gather some commonly err view of christiand and put them into this book and explain them.
Like a long time ago, my mom thinks that jesus is from america, or christianity is from the west. Other 'myth' like you have to pray long, hard and strong for God to hear you. To myth like, you can't have tattoo as a christians.
So friends, what do you think? If I write such a book, would you buy it? Please vote on the right.
Anyway, I am thinking about writing a book about the 'myths of christianity'. I want to gather some commonly err view of christiand and put them into this book and explain them.
Like a long time ago, my mom thinks that jesus is from america, or christianity is from the west. Other 'myth' like you have to pray long, hard and strong for God to hear you. To myth like, you can't have tattoo as a christians.
So friends, what do you think? If I write such a book, would you buy it? Please vote on the right.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
Cycling
Last friday night, after wifey made homemade pizza which was super yummy... I decided for both of us that we need to work our calories away. We decided on the following route. Which was 'nothing'. Come on, 25km of flat road only what, how tough can it be... right? ONLY 25km
It's tougher than it looks! 25km! one way it's like going to puchong and back ok?!!!!
But we DID manaage to complete it. Slowly. Our butt ache like mad. Halfway through my left quads started to cramp and had to walk.. at first 30mins interval then 15mins....
We finally reach home at 4:40am (from 11:20am). And I sang...
"we are the champion my friend"..... "we'll keep on cycling to the end.. bam bam bam"... "coz we are the champions... we are the champions....."
****
epilogue:
Once we reached home, we didn't talk much. Quickly took our shower, cooked maggi, ate and slept. 'Telepathy" happens at the most tired hours.
****
It's tougher than it looks! 25km! one way it's like going to puchong and back ok?!!!!
But we DID manaage to complete it. Slowly. Our butt ache like mad. Halfway through my left quads started to cramp and had to walk.. at first 30mins interval then 15mins....
We finally reach home at 4:40am (from 11:20am). And I sang...
"we are the champion my friend"..... "we'll keep on cycling to the end.. bam bam bam"... "coz we are the champions... we are the champions....."
****
epilogue:
Once we reached home, we didn't talk much. Quickly took our shower, cooked maggi, ate and slept. 'Telepathy" happens at the most tired hours.
****
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Lord's prayer
A friend asked me awhile ago to explain the Lord's prayer. He asked that if Jesus has forgiven us all our sins, why did Jesus taught us the 'Lord's Prayer'?
I suppose the question points directly where Jesus ask to pray, "...And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us... "
I'll attempt to answer that question. To begin, I want to point you to a previous post I wrote on how to read the bible.
Now the Lord's Prayers are taught in these 2 occasions: Matt 6 and Luke 11. In both the context, Jesus taught the prayers as a way of praying rather than what we should pray specifically. The story of Matt 6 begain in Matt 5 where He was teaching his disciples. These disciples are most, if not all, jews.
Now, to the jews, everything that He taught in matt 5 is going to sound crazy. Jesus just 'shattered' all the core beliefs of a jew:
************
blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn...etc
For I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!"
So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
**********
Basically Jesus was telling them to do the opposite of what they are used to. By now these guys are in shocked! "What is it? Unless we mourn (ie someone dies) then we're blessed? IF you slap me I have to let you slap more?... How can ?!!!"
Yup Jesus says, in fact if your righteousness don't exceed that of the pharises - the religious professionals - you're dead (ie you will not have eternal life). All these are pretty scary stuff for the listeners - it's meant to shock. Because Jesus was trying to bring an end to themselves. The LAW is all about that.
So when He goes to Matt 6, He says: Mat 6:5 "And whenever you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their full reward! Mat 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Mat 6:7 "When you are praying, don't say meaningless words like the gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their wordiness. Mat 6:8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Mat 6:9 "Therefore, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven..... "
So you see, the Lord's prayer is taught as a way of praying and it's the 'anti-culture' of that time, to pray in private, to pray with little words. (Intereting note here is that Jesus say to pray with little words, why is it that sometimes in church when we were asked to 'pray strong' we utter with long strings of vocab? )
Now, in a bigger context of things, Jesus taught that while he is still alive. Obviously. That means that the New Covenant is still not in play yet. At that time, you must ask for forgiveness, burn your offerings...etc before your sins are forgiven. And he taught to forgive others who sins against us, which I think it's another 'anti-culture' thingy because they believe, even up to today, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
So you see how matt 5,6 and 7 all string together.
At the end:
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.
The effect on the teaching was astonishment. Are you astonished? You should be.
That's why the Lord's prayer is taught as it is. Later on when Jesus died, the New Covenant which rendered the old one obsolete. The New Covenant includes the forgiveness of sins with Jesus' blood. Luke offers a similiar scenario and I hope your exergesis will yield many happy hours on that one :)
I suppose the question points directly where Jesus ask to pray, "...And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us... "
I'll attempt to answer that question. To begin, I want to point you to a previous post I wrote on how to read the bible.
Now the Lord's Prayers are taught in these 2 occasions: Matt 6 and Luke 11. In both the context, Jesus taught the prayers as a way of praying rather than what we should pray specifically. The story of Matt 6 begain in Matt 5 where He was teaching his disciples. These disciples are most, if not all, jews.
Now, to the jews, everything that He taught in matt 5 is going to sound crazy. Jesus just 'shattered' all the core beliefs of a jew:
************
blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn...etc
For I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!"
So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.
**********
Basically Jesus was telling them to do the opposite of what they are used to. By now these guys are in shocked! "What is it? Unless we mourn (ie someone dies) then we're blessed? IF you slap me I have to let you slap more?... How can ?!!!"
Yup Jesus says, in fact if your righteousness don't exceed that of the pharises - the religious professionals - you're dead (ie you will not have eternal life). All these are pretty scary stuff for the listeners - it's meant to shock. Because Jesus was trying to bring an end to themselves. The LAW is all about that.
So when He goes to Matt 6, He says: Mat 6:5 "And whenever you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their full reward! Mat 6:6 But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Mat 6:7 "When you are praying, don't say meaningless words like the gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their wordiness. Mat 6:8 Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Mat 6:9 "Therefore, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven..... "
So you see, the Lord's prayer is taught as a way of praying and it's the 'anti-culture' of that time, to pray in private, to pray with little words. (Intereting note here is that Jesus say to pray with little words, why is it that sometimes in church when we were asked to 'pray strong' we utter with long strings of vocab? )
Now, in a bigger context of things, Jesus taught that while he is still alive. Obviously. That means that the New Covenant is still not in play yet. At that time, you must ask for forgiveness, burn your offerings...etc before your sins are forgiven. And he taught to forgive others who sins against us, which I think it's another 'anti-culture' thingy because they believe, even up to today, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
So you see how matt 5,6 and 7 all string together.
At the end:
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.
The effect on the teaching was astonishment. Are you astonished? You should be.
That's why the Lord's prayer is taught as it is. Later on when Jesus died, the New Covenant which rendered the old one obsolete. The New Covenant includes the forgiveness of sins with Jesus' blood. Luke offers a similiar scenario and I hope your exergesis will yield many happy hours on that one :)
Something's not right..
As I'm waiting for the movers to come with my stuff, I went on facebook to find out about the latest gossips on my friends. You know, 3 of my best buddies from high school are gay now. I just found out that 2 of my closest girlfriends frmo that time are lesbian too.
A friend who's now a school teacher is telling me that in every class, there's about 3-5 kids from single parents.
The world is more 'sexual' and yet there's more sexual problems. MTV has shown a lot of skin and but the world has a lot less love.
We've got more communication but a gotten a lot more isolated.
A friend who's now a school teacher is telling me that in every class, there's about 3-5 kids from single parents.
The world is more 'sexual' and yet there's more sexual problems. MTV has shown a lot of skin and but the world has a lot less love.
We've got more communication but a gotten a lot more isolated.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Unemployment Claims - USA
Whoever said that it's a good time to invest in stocks now may be a bit early or overly aggressive. Whoever thinks that the worst has past us is clearly dreaming. The unemployment numbers have to come down before we can say that this round of 'economic crisis' is over.By the way, these are NEW unemployment claims.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Bug Attack!
Recently I've found these crawlies in my apartment.
First spotted by my wife who thought it was a piece of toilet paper moving on its own! But on closer inspection, it's a bug. It has a 'covering' that looks like diamond shaped paper/leaf.
I'm seeing them on the walls crawling very very slowly. Hanging of the corner of the wall and ceiling.
If you know how to get rid of them, please let me know!
p/s: that black dot on the pic is from my pen.
****update****
That is a case bearing moth larvae. yes it's a moth!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
More China 'gloom and doom' news.
China and South Korea have announced sharp falls in economic growth, in a further sign of the financial crisis sweeping through east Asia.
China said its GDP fell to 6.8% in the final three months of 2008, from 9% in the previous quarter.
********************
Yes, yes... We all know the propaganda already. China has human right issues, China trained their athletes too hard, China has bad air pollution, China has unfair trade practices, China is going down the drain with this economic slump.
But 6.8% GDP growth?... That's like Germany on a good year.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Acceptance.
(Kinda a response to chris's post)
hey dude, what a nice post :)
I just came back from the wedding that you were just in. During the time of catching up, wife told me that someone said something about me that it's downright insulting...
When she first told me what was said, I was shocked. I mean it doesn't feel good to be demeaned, insulted directly or indirectly. I got over it fairly quickly (because God is a very skilled healer). And now that I thought about it, what she said revealed more about her than me...
Like you said man, "...Not everyone knows us through and through and we end up getting unnecessarily hurt by these people." In the end, we get hurt by ppl whom we want acceptance from... or our need for acceptance.
Acceptance is a funny thing. By itself it's not a bad thing nor a good thing. It's when we need that accpetance from a 'wrong' person. And when that person say things hurtful, we feel pain.
Anyone can say anything about us really. Someone wise once said, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. But for me, I'm concerned only with the one who has the final say- Jesus. He says I'm blessed.
It's interesting to note too that as smart, likeable, warm, loving...etc Jesus is, He isn't liked by everyone. In fact, most people hate him. During His days on earth, He was called names, ridiculed, stones were thrown (at least Bush got only shoes!) and in the end murdered and betrayed.
So if the best man on earth can be hated to such levels, what more me, a mere mortal? Furthermore, I'm far far from perfection.
Someone told me recently that at any one time, chances are, 1/3 of the ppl like us, 1/3 hate us, and 1/3 are undecided. Our job is to convince the 1/3 of undecision to come to our side. Math wise, it looks simple and logical. Still our hearts want to be love by everyone. Perhaps my pride is way too big to acknowledge that 66.6% of the world out there can't be bothered about what I'm saying or hate what I'm saying. Being rejected by 66.6% or 4 billion people isn't a good feeling. Imagine 4 billion rotten tomatoes coming at me!
But that is reality. Especially for us who are gifted (even less ppl understand us!) . Who can understand Galileo when he said that the world is round? (He should have just gone to China, they already knew) Who can understand Picasso when he drew those 'ugly' pictures? Who can understand Warren Buffet when he buys when everyone is selling? Who can understand Paul when he talked about the Gospel of Grace?
These men 'see' in their mind's eye.... who can understand Jesus when He said, " Believing is seeing but seeing is not believing". These men are seldom liked when they are alive. They could see where we could not and because of that they are rejected. Are they right? For sure. Are they liked? Not really.
And we are all gifted in our own ways. I can't see what you see, but I can allow you to express that which you see. And if I can do just that, you will feel and know that the love I show you is genuine - then you and I will both feel accepted. My life will also be made richer by your gifts to me. What a wonderful world that will be.
hey dude, what a nice post :)
I just came back from the wedding that you were just in. During the time of catching up, wife told me that someone said something about me that it's downright insulting...
When she first told me what was said, I was shocked. I mean it doesn't feel good to be demeaned, insulted directly or indirectly. I got over it fairly quickly (because God is a very skilled healer). And now that I thought about it, what she said revealed more about her than me...
Like you said man, "...Not everyone knows us through and through and we end up getting unnecessarily hurt by these people." In the end, we get hurt by ppl whom we want acceptance from... or our need for acceptance.
Acceptance is a funny thing. By itself it's not a bad thing nor a good thing. It's when we need that accpetance from a 'wrong' person. And when that person say things hurtful, we feel pain.
Anyone can say anything about us really. Someone wise once said, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. But for me, I'm concerned only with the one who has the final say- Jesus. He says I'm blessed.
It's interesting to note too that as smart, likeable, warm, loving...etc Jesus is, He isn't liked by everyone. In fact, most people hate him. During His days on earth, He was called names, ridiculed, stones were thrown (at least Bush got only shoes!) and in the end murdered and betrayed.
So if the best man on earth can be hated to such levels, what more me, a mere mortal? Furthermore, I'm far far from perfection.
Someone told me recently that at any one time, chances are, 1/3 of the ppl like us, 1/3 hate us, and 1/3 are undecided. Our job is to convince the 1/3 of undecision to come to our side. Math wise, it looks simple and logical. Still our hearts want to be love by everyone. Perhaps my pride is way too big to acknowledge that 66.6% of the world out there can't be bothered about what I'm saying or hate what I'm saying. Being rejected by 66.6% or 4 billion people isn't a good feeling. Imagine 4 billion rotten tomatoes coming at me!
But that is reality. Especially for us who are gifted (even less ppl understand us!) . Who can understand Galileo when he said that the world is round? (He should have just gone to China, they already knew) Who can understand Picasso when he drew those 'ugly' pictures? Who can understand Warren Buffet when he buys when everyone is selling? Who can understand Paul when he talked about the Gospel of Grace?
These men 'see' in their mind's eye.... who can understand Jesus when He said, " Believing is seeing but seeing is not believing". These men are seldom liked when they are alive. They could see where we could not and because of that they are rejected. Are they right? For sure. Are they liked? Not really.
And we are all gifted in our own ways. I can't see what you see, but I can allow you to express that which you see. And if I can do just that, you will feel and know that the love I show you is genuine - then you and I will both feel accepted. My life will also be made richer by your gifts to me. What a wonderful world that will be.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sale up to 80%... while 'stocks' last!
Late last year we told friends and families that a next round of crash is going to happen. Some have no clues what we're talking about, some think we're talking air. One said,' Har?! Still got some more to go ah?"
To which I replied with the song..."it's only just begun".
It's round two now at the Dows and.. Apple is out of Jobs :) Banks are still desperate for cash. Not only that, I hear that hedge funds need to liquidate their positions to pay back withdrawals request from last year. It would mean a big sell off of everything in the market which leads to plumetting prices.
We haven't even heard about credit loans, car loans yet.
It's not a beautiful picture really. However for the wise, therein lies great opportunity. Loans are getting cheaper. Good assets are getting more 'affordable'...
And inline with the Golden globe fever... I want to thank USA for this opportunity that they have given us. To be more specific, the Feds who has royally screwed the people of USA, the SEC and of course not forgetting the secretary of treasury.
Your determination to have more debt and to print more money has made all these things possible. Your undeterred support to your banker friends in these great times, giving them free loans to buy up other banks... *smiles* you know who you are... has also given all of us hope that indeed money is 'free'.
I hear you car szar, you're the fastest learner of us all, well done. The threat on massive unemployment did worked! :)
Last but not least, Mr President George W Bush. All this cannot happen without your clueless, aimless and visionless leadership qualities.
Your ability to dodge 2 shoe throws has inspire us all that indeed you can spew out any and every bullshit and dodge all repercussions.
******
You guys should have just elected Ron Paul instead.
To which I replied with the song..."it's only just begun".
It's round two now at the Dows and.. Apple is out of Jobs :) Banks are still desperate for cash. Not only that, I hear that hedge funds need to liquidate their positions to pay back withdrawals request from last year. It would mean a big sell off of everything in the market which leads to plumetting prices.
We haven't even heard about credit loans, car loans yet.
It's not a beautiful picture really. However for the wise, therein lies great opportunity. Loans are getting cheaper. Good assets are getting more 'affordable'...
And inline with the Golden globe fever... I want to thank USA for this opportunity that they have given us. To be more specific, the Feds who has royally screwed the people of USA, the SEC and of course not forgetting the secretary of treasury.
Your determination to have more debt and to print more money has made all these things possible. Your undeterred support to your banker friends in these great times, giving them free loans to buy up other banks... *smiles* you know who you are... has also given all of us hope that indeed money is 'free'.
I hear you car szar, you're the fastest learner of us all, well done. The threat on massive unemployment did worked! :)
Last but not least, Mr President George W Bush. All this cannot happen without your clueless, aimless and visionless leadership qualities.
Your ability to dodge 2 shoe throws has inspire us all that indeed you can spew out any and every bullshit and dodge all repercussions.
******
You guys should have just elected Ron Paul instead.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Hero of the week - NINJA
The hero of the week - NINJA - No Income, No job or assets.
Mr. NINJA Loan, NINJA credit cards, NINJA Putra... the NINJA family is taking the headlines everywhere I turn!
Mr. NINJA Loan, NINJA credit cards, NINJA Putra... the NINJA family is taking the headlines everywhere I turn!
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