Yahoo posted an article saying that Babies like good samaritans too! Proving that human babies are actually very competent socially and capable of figuring out who's nice and who's not nice without anyone teaching them! No wonder babies like me so much! ;)
I guess I'm still a big baby too... since I like heros still... ;)
In today's scripture reading..., Jesus did another 'heroic' act... which is to revive Lazarus. What we can learn from that story of course is that God's timing can often be unpredictable. What we thought would be too late... is actually right on time with God! And I think Pastor Jim once mentioned that even after God has done His work of salvation..., he still expects us to help build up each other... such as Jesus telling others to help the newly revived lazarus to get rid of the stinky strips of linen... in our case, it'd be helping each other to get rid of our stinky sinful habits!
You know, instead of just run away from the stench, we should try our best cleaning each other up! I have a surname called Broken Linen... hopeful one day I can completely get rid of that stinky linen so that I can truly live as Christ lived...
And further along the story, Mary annointed Jesus with perfume too!
So basically to love God and to love each other is to help make each other smell good! ;)
Do I stink? I'm sorry about that..., but please don't hate me because I stink! Of couse we should also take care of our spiritual personal hygiene by not being so annoyingly stinky! Regular cleansing is necessary...
Now do you find others stinky? Well, try helping that person smell better if you can... instead of running away! ;)
I guess this is probably why babies had to have good abilities finding 'good samaritans'. Cause they stink up a room regularly... only a good samaritan would want to help babies clean up their messes! :D
(John 11:1-12:36)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Hero!
Lately, wife and I are hooked on watch a new TV series named Heros on DVD. The story is rather complicated..., thank God for Netflix so that we can watch them all together without commercials... otherwise, I'm sure it'll be even more confusing.
Anyway, the premise of the story is interesting... the story teller combined "evolution" AND "gift of God" to explain the super abilities of those characters, but of course not very clearly which it is... Viewers don't really have an idea of exactly what is going on... I guess this way they don't upset any of their viewers regardless of their faith! And it actually mimmicks reality pretty good! ;)
And with these super abilities... of course the charaters tend to split into 2 groups... that is what they would do with their powers? It's a constant struggle of whether I use my powers to do good... to save the world... or do I use my powers for my own personal benefit? Realistically, we all struggle thru life with the similar kind of temptations. Struggling between being selfless and selfish.
But of course in order to be a true hero, one mustn't be selfish.
Of course the biggest super hero of all is our Lord Jesus Christ! Today's scripture reading is about him saving an adulterous woman. Not sure what he's writing or drawing on the sand, but suffice to say what he wrote probably drove the mob away...
Saving an adulterous woman may not seem that big of a deal, but surely to that woman, Jesus is her biggest hero!
(John 8:1-11)
Anyway, the premise of the story is interesting... the story teller combined "evolution" AND "gift of God" to explain the super abilities of those characters, but of course not very clearly which it is... Viewers don't really have an idea of exactly what is going on... I guess this way they don't upset any of their viewers regardless of their faith! And it actually mimmicks reality pretty good! ;)
And with these super abilities... of course the charaters tend to split into 2 groups... that is what they would do with their powers? It's a constant struggle of whether I use my powers to do good... to save the world... or do I use my powers for my own personal benefit? Realistically, we all struggle thru life with the similar kind of temptations. Struggling between being selfless and selfish.
But of course in order to be a true hero, one mustn't be selfish.
Of course the biggest super hero of all is our Lord Jesus Christ! Today's scripture reading is about him saving an adulterous woman. Not sure what he's writing or drawing on the sand, but suffice to say what he wrote probably drove the mob away...
Saving an adulterous woman may not seem that big of a deal, but surely to that woman, Jesus is her biggest hero!
(John 8:1-11)
Monday, December 10, 2007
A stuffy weekend...
We didn't do a lot of stuff, but we certainly ate a lot of stuff over the weekend. First it was for Darren's birthday on saturday, and then it was a get together with friends on sunday... we also cooked pancake for the very first time..., it didn't look very tasty, but it really didn't taste that bad! ;)
We also finally did a rough financial budget of our income and spending over the weekend..., well, it seems we're really spending too much... or I'm not making enough!!! Although my salary keeps on going up..., it's a shame it never felt like it's enough... sigh! Anyway, we've only been married for 4 months so far... for sure we need to plan better in the future...
And one interesting thing about the weekend was that I really felt like addressing the issue of 'suffering' with the love of my life over the weekend. This of course was mostly due to how she felt like Job was treated unfairly..., that he was so 'sui'... so I had to try my best to convince the wife that no matter how unlucky we get, God can always allow us to gain some benefit. Yes, sometimes we suffer because we screwed up. Sometimes it's because others screwed up. Sometimes, such as natural disasters or freak accidents, nobody really screwed up! Mishaps sometimes happens. It sucks, yes, but God let it happen for some kind of benefit. We have to trust in that!
What was interesting was that Pastor Jim on Sunday sort of carried on this discussion of ours... And pastor wanted us to be like Joseph, to give birth to Manasseh(forget the past) and Ephraim(twice fruitful/blessed)..., but I guess we can't really give birth like that... we need God's help to help us forget and to be blessed! So may God help us! Today's scripture reading was about the Samaritan woman at the well..., may Christ give us all this living water so that we can help others to forget and be blessed!
(John 4:1-42)
We also finally did a rough financial budget of our income and spending over the weekend..., well, it seems we're really spending too much... or I'm not making enough!!! Although my salary keeps on going up..., it's a shame it never felt like it's enough... sigh! Anyway, we've only been married for 4 months so far... for sure we need to plan better in the future...
And one interesting thing about the weekend was that I really felt like addressing the issue of 'suffering' with the love of my life over the weekend. This of course was mostly due to how she felt like Job was treated unfairly..., that he was so 'sui'... so I had to try my best to convince the wife that no matter how unlucky we get, God can always allow us to gain some benefit. Yes, sometimes we suffer because we screwed up. Sometimes it's because others screwed up. Sometimes, such as natural disasters or freak accidents, nobody really screwed up! Mishaps sometimes happens. It sucks, yes, but God let it happen for some kind of benefit. We have to trust in that!
What was interesting was that Pastor Jim on Sunday sort of carried on this discussion of ours... And pastor wanted us to be like Joseph, to give birth to Manasseh(forget the past) and Ephraim(twice fruitful/blessed)..., but I guess we can't really give birth like that... we need God's help to help us forget and to be blessed! So may God help us! Today's scripture reading was about the Samaritan woman at the well..., may Christ give us all this living water so that we can help others to forget and be blessed!
(John 4:1-42)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Interruptions...
Yesterday was our Christmas luncheon for the department. This year I didn't win any awards or prizes..., oh well, better luck next time! ;) Today, we also had a long meeting which lasted thru lunch hour... daily devotional ended up getting shoved off for later once again... perhaps I need to do my devotionals in the morning... this way nothing can interrupt it..., but then again, I'm so lazy at times... I'd tend to sleep in until the absolute last minute... Sigh.. spirit is willing, but flesh is weak. Strengthen me O God! So that I'm always spiritually connected to the True Vine!
Anyway, today and yesterday's scripture reading was about Nathanael and Nicodemus. I honestly don't recall much of that disciple of Christ, but I guess this is probably the case for most follower of Christ. Surely people like Mother Teresa who's that famous around the world is exception to the usual rule! Most faithful followers are probably relative unknowns... important thing is that we ought to continue to follow Christ no matter what and not worry too much about what others think. (John 1:43-2:11,John 21:1-13)
Regarding Nicodemus, I suppose he's more famous..., but although he's an expert in theology, he still couldn't understand the truth as it was revealed to him by Jesus. But his story confirms that if we ask, Jesus would gladly give. Knock and Christ will open the door...seek, though Nico didn't quite get it at first, but he did eventually found the Truth I think. (John 3:1-21, John 19:38-40)
I don't need to be famous, but hopeful after my one life on earth..., I'll be able to really get what God wants me to get..., instead of allowing interruptions to distract me...
Anyway, today and yesterday's scripture reading was about Nathanael and Nicodemus. I honestly don't recall much of that disciple of Christ, but I guess this is probably the case for most follower of Christ. Surely people like Mother Teresa who's that famous around the world is exception to the usual rule! Most faithful followers are probably relative unknowns... important thing is that we ought to continue to follow Christ no matter what and not worry too much about what others think. (John 1:43-2:11,John 21:1-13)
Regarding Nicodemus, I suppose he's more famous..., but although he's an expert in theology, he still couldn't understand the truth as it was revealed to him by Jesus. But his story confirms that if we ask, Jesus would gladly give. Knock and Christ will open the door...seek, though Nico didn't quite get it at first, but he did eventually found the Truth I think. (John 3:1-21, John 19:38-40)
I don't need to be famous, but hopeful after my one life on earth..., I'll be able to really get what God wants me to get..., instead of allowing interruptions to distract me...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
A lost world...
Today, a glimpse of the various headline news... we have poisoned toys, defective GE ovens that might cause fire, US mortgage problems, US teen pregnancy on the rise again, Episcopal church couldn't agree on gay issues, Nebraska Mall shooting... this world is just full of problems.
But luckily, there are still some good news... such as honey can help with coughing... and a man's wedding ring helped saved his life by deflecting a bullet during a robbery! So not all's bad I guess! ;)
Today I read about the parable of the lost son and Zacchaeus. Both repented from their past sins..., but perferrably, we don't have to wait until we're at the end of our rope to finally turn back like the lost son..., we should simply come to our senses whenever we meet Jesus like Zacchaeus did!
This world is going thru birthing pains, and eventually, our world will be born again to form a new world... a new heaven and new earth. May the ones that I love be found by God soon too.
(Luke 15, Luke 19:1-10)
But luckily, there are still some good news... such as honey can help with coughing... and a man's wedding ring helped saved his life by deflecting a bullet during a robbery! So not all's bad I guess! ;)
Today I read about the parable of the lost son and Zacchaeus. Both repented from their past sins..., but perferrably, we don't have to wait until we're at the end of our rope to finally turn back like the lost son..., we should simply come to our senses whenever we meet Jesus like Zacchaeus did!
This world is going thru birthing pains, and eventually, our world will be born again to form a new world... a new heaven and new earth. May the ones that I love be found by God soon too.
(Luke 15, Luke 19:1-10)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Parables...
Today I was reading about Martha and Mary... Martha is a busy body... has to constantly do things and get things done... whereas Mary prefers to simply focus on her Lord. Of course this parable is no excuse to be lazy... that we should all just do nothing, but pray and read the bible all day long... ;) But it is trying to let us know what is more important in life... and what we should focus on. (Luke 10:38-42)
That passage was kinda short... so I read on... to the parable about the rich fool... who's only interested in storing up stuffs on earth..., but little did he know what God is about to take his life tonite!!! Jesus simply didn't want us to worry too much about toromorrw... for it's simply useless. If we want to get rich... if we want to store things up... might as well get rich spiritually... and store up our treasures in heaven! (Luke 12:13-34)
It's interesting that God, Brother GD and Pastor Jim are all talking about similar things here... while at a time, I don't feel particularly wealthy! But I do have to admit that I don't feel that I've been depositing much towards heaven lately though... Help me change my ways Lord! Change me to become a bit more useable in Your Kingdom! :)
That passage was kinda short... so I read on... to the parable about the rich fool... who's only interested in storing up stuffs on earth..., but little did he know what God is about to take his life tonite!!! Jesus simply didn't want us to worry too much about toromorrw... for it's simply useless. If we want to get rich... if we want to store things up... might as well get rich spiritually... and store up our treasures in heaven! (Luke 12:13-34)
It's interesting that God, Brother GD and Pastor Jim are all talking about similar things here... while at a time, I don't feel particularly wealthy! But I do have to admit that I don't feel that I've been depositing much towards heaven lately though... Help me change my ways Lord! Change me to become a bit more useable in Your Kingdom! :)
Monday, December 3, 2007
Do not under estimate a Phillipino!!!
This 15 yr old girl named Charice Pempengco is simply amazing! For sure she'll be able to PK anyone off any competition at anytime! She makes all other singers look like a joke!!!! ;)
Last weekend pastor Jim happened to preached about "Phillipians" 4:19 (And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.) Of course most of God's promises are conditional... in this case, it's conditional upon our own generocity... conditional upon us not being lazy... and stupid! ;) Anyway, I really like Pastor Jim's analogy that we shouldn't have this pie mentality... as if we don't get a piece, it's going to run out! God's riches is like a flowing river... and flow is non-stop!!!
Pastor Jim also talked about praying for God to mess with our lives... ;) Prayers such as asking God to not just grant us whatever we wish..., but to seriously meet the true need of ours so that we won't even end up asking for other less meaningful things to meet our needs... Anyway, not sure how he said it, but yes, I'd like God to mess with me the same way. :)
Today's scripture reading was about the good samaritan..., now this guy is one generous guy! He went out of his way to help out a brother in need... May God uses me to meet the needs of the folks around me. O Lord, give me the heart to be able to carry it out..., give me the strength to be able to not be lazy... and give me the wisdom to not to be too dumb! Thanks! :)
(Luke 10:25-37)
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