There are but two essential requirements: first: Has any one
cheated death and proved it? Second: Is it available to me?
Here is the complete record:
Confucius' tomb - occupied;
Buddha's tomb - occupied;
Mohammed's tomb - occupied;
Jesus' tomb - empty.
-- G. B. Hardy
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Choice: Builder or Wrecker
It is a beautiful sunny Sunday in the Toronto Area. Not a spot of cloud in sight and it's 6 degrees celsius as I compose this installment. It's one of those days that makes you recall a passage in Psalms - This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Earlier today, I had a chance to share in a small church in the East end of Metro on the topic "Building Up One Another." I based my discourse on a few passages of Scriptures, notably, Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Peter 1:5-11. Essentially these passages underscore the following:
The way Paul sees it -
God sets up ministry offices in the church;
The ministries are for the equipping of believers;
The goal is the building up of the Body of Christ;
Believers are to grow in all aspects of Christ who is the head of the church;
Believers are individual parts and are to work properly in order to cause the growth of the Body in love.
Along similar lines Peter reminds believing readers -
Add to their faith, virtue (moral excellence);
To virtue, knowledge;
To knowledge, self-control;
To self-control, perseverance;
To perseverance, godliness;
To godliness, brotherly kindness;
To brotherly kindness, love.
Just think what kind of impact believers would have on each other if they heed these advice. Peter is convinced of the necessity of these attributes that he repeatedly stated to always remind his readers of these qualities.
Earlier today, I had a chance to share in a small church in the East end of Metro on the topic "Building Up One Another." I based my discourse on a few passages of Scriptures, notably, Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Peter 1:5-11. Essentially these passages underscore the following:
The way Paul sees it -
God sets up ministry offices in the church;
The ministries are for the equipping of believers;
The goal is the building up of the Body of Christ;
Believers are to grow in all aspects of Christ who is the head of the church;
Believers are individual parts and are to work properly in order to cause the growth of the Body in love.
Along similar lines Peter reminds believing readers -
Add to their faith, virtue (moral excellence);
To virtue, knowledge;
To knowledge, self-control;
To self-control, perseverance;
To perseverance, godliness;
To godliness, brotherly kindness;
To brotherly kindness, love.
Just think what kind of impact believers would have on each other if they heed these advice. Peter is convinced of the necessity of these attributes that he repeatedly stated to always remind his readers of these qualities.
Friday, March 20, 2009
FAITH - A leap in the dark?
The notion that faith is a leap in the dark just doesn’t set right with me. Unfortunately, that’s how many see it. They say Christianity like all other religions, is a religion of faith, and as such, adherents jettison their rationality in favor of superstition and untenable system of beliefs. Nothing could be be farther from the truth.
Here’s my take on it: If I believe in something, there must be a rational basis for it. I am not just trying to convince myself that something or someone exists or is real without an intelligent reason for such assertion. That’s why I am a Christian. Christianity as a system of beliefs or world view provides me sufficient logical and rational reason to believe in a personal God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)
Here’s my take on it: If I believe in something, there must be a rational basis for it. I am not just trying to convince myself that something or someone exists or is real without an intelligent reason for such assertion. That’s why I am a Christian. Christianity as a system of beliefs or world view provides me sufficient logical and rational reason to believe in a personal God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Response to Carah #2
Dear Carah,
While I don’t deny that part of culture inculcation is to believe in the Unseen and Supernatural, we have to go back further and ask the question where the idea came from in the first place. Did someone just imagine it? It’s rather hard to entertain such idea when as I mentioned earlier anthropologists report similar finding regardless of geographical tribal location – the commonality of belief in the Invisible or Force/Spirit.
As a Christian, my reference is the Scriptures. The idea of a Supreme Being is “written” not just around us but within us. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God. And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Romans 1:19,20 says, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
So, as you can deduce, even a pagan has at least two sources on which to base this awareness – creation and conscience. Man has an intellectual and spiritual capacity to “read” the attributes, power and nature of this Supreme Being. There is enough information for him to go by if he sincerely desires to know this Being more deeply.
That’s the reason why we can infer that Paul in his letter to the Roman believers concludes that anyone has no excuse to say he or she doesn’t know anything about God. He or she may suppress or deny this awareness, of course, but the fact remains that he or she is spiritually aware. It is then incorrect to say that the “supernatural” is imagined and concocted by those who knew nothing better. It is indeed innate and exists within us.
Cheers,
Osteinz
P.S. My name is pronounced Os-tie-nz.
While I don’t deny that part of culture inculcation is to believe in the Unseen and Supernatural, we have to go back further and ask the question where the idea came from in the first place. Did someone just imagine it? It’s rather hard to entertain such idea when as I mentioned earlier anthropologists report similar finding regardless of geographical tribal location – the commonality of belief in the Invisible or Force/Spirit.
As a Christian, my reference is the Scriptures. The idea of a Supreme Being is “written” not just around us but within us. Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God. And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Romans 1:19,20 says, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
So, as you can deduce, even a pagan has at least two sources on which to base this awareness – creation and conscience. Man has an intellectual and spiritual capacity to “read” the attributes, power and nature of this Supreme Being. There is enough information for him to go by if he sincerely desires to know this Being more deeply.
That’s the reason why we can infer that Paul in his letter to the Roman believers concludes that anyone has no excuse to say he or she doesn’t know anything about God. He or she may suppress or deny this awareness, of course, but the fact remains that he or she is spiritually aware. It is then incorrect to say that the “supernatural” is imagined and concocted by those who knew nothing better. It is indeed innate and exists within us.
Cheers,
Osteinz
P.S. My name is pronounced Os-tie-nz.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Letter from Carah #2
Dear Osteinz,
Thank you for your response to my letter. I must say I appreciate you finding time to write.
I find it interesting that you said, “Belief in God or Supreme Being is not taught but innate. In fact, one has to be “educated” to deny this awareness.” I always thought it was the other way around – when we gain awareness about the world around us, we are conditioned to believe and accept the mores of our society including superstition. So we grow up believing that there are spirits or forces greater than us mortals and that if we don’t do their bidding (worship and sacrifices?), they’ll do us harm.
Shouldn’t I be thankful then that I am being “educated” to be free from this superstition? As my professor confidently prophesied, “By the time you finish this course, you will have been liberated from the bondage you are in if you believe in anything supernatural.” Is it not correct to say that the “supernatural” is imagined and pure concoction by those who knew nothing better? As we advance in our knowledge, shouldn’t we strip ourselves of explanations of our world which are fictitious, irrational and unscientific?
Awaiting your response.
Carah Nee Won
P.S. How do you pronounce your name?
Thank you for your response to my letter. I must say I appreciate you finding time to write.
I find it interesting that you said, “Belief in God or Supreme Being is not taught but innate. In fact, one has to be “educated” to deny this awareness.” I always thought it was the other way around – when we gain awareness about the world around us, we are conditioned to believe and accept the mores of our society including superstition. So we grow up believing that there are spirits or forces greater than us mortals and that if we don’t do their bidding (worship and sacrifices?), they’ll do us harm.
Shouldn’t I be thankful then that I am being “educated” to be free from this superstition? As my professor confidently prophesied, “By the time you finish this course, you will have been liberated from the bondage you are in if you believe in anything supernatural.” Is it not correct to say that the “supernatural” is imagined and pure concoction by those who knew nothing better? As we advance in our knowledge, shouldn’t we strip ourselves of explanations of our world which are fictitious, irrational and unscientific?
Awaiting your response.
Carah Nee Won
P.S. How do you pronounce your name?
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Divine Economics
Every time I hear and read about the current state of affairs, I am reminded of the words of Jesus as recorded by Matthew. Here’s an excerpt:
Matt. 6:25 – 34 (NIV)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
To Christians, these are comforting words. As we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, our heavenly Father will provide our needs. He knows what they are and we can fully trust in Him.
Matt. 6:25 – 34 (NIV)
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
To Christians, these are comforting words. As we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, our heavenly Father will provide our needs. He knows what they are and we can fully trust in Him.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Speaking of Sin
It's hard to believe that we're now on the first day of the last month of the first quarter of 2009! Oh, okay I'll just simply say March 1, 2009.
Anyway.....
Nowadays, it's called by different names, let alone being denied that it even exists - mistakes, lapses, political incorrectness, shortcomings, cultural divergence, negligence, flaws, etc. - when there is a three-letter word for it, SIN. Let's call spade a spade.
Viewed as a moral act, it is putting one's interest more than doing what is right. It is a violation of the law of love, which is choosing the highest good of God and His Universe. It is saying "I'll get what I want regardless of who gets hurt along the way."
A question is asked, "Is it natural to commit sin? After all, we're just human."
No, it's not, if you look at it from God's vantage point. His word is clear on this: He hates sin. He never planned it.
Think of the horror, the havoc that sin wreaks on our world. Think of suffering, poverty, hunger, crime, despair and death that directly result from it. Natural? Heavens no!
Now think of how much it cost God. Sin cost Him His Son! Think about that.
No, sin is not natural even looking at it from man's point of view. We incarcerate criminals, rehabilitate addicts and punish the guilty ones. Why do this if sin is natural? It does not make sense now, does it?
---------
"When you attack the roots of sin, fix your thought more on the God you desire than on the sin you abhor." ----Walter Hilton
Anyway.....
Nowadays, it's called by different names, let alone being denied that it even exists - mistakes, lapses, political incorrectness, shortcomings, cultural divergence, negligence, flaws, etc. - when there is a three-letter word for it, SIN. Let's call spade a spade.
Viewed as a moral act, it is putting one's interest more than doing what is right. It is a violation of the law of love, which is choosing the highest good of God and His Universe. It is saying "I'll get what I want regardless of who gets hurt along the way."
A question is asked, "Is it natural to commit sin? After all, we're just human."
No, it's not, if you look at it from God's vantage point. His word is clear on this: He hates sin. He never planned it.
Think of the horror, the havoc that sin wreaks on our world. Think of suffering, poverty, hunger, crime, despair and death that directly result from it. Natural? Heavens no!
Now think of how much it cost God. Sin cost Him His Son! Think about that.
No, sin is not natural even looking at it from man's point of view. We incarcerate criminals, rehabilitate addicts and punish the guilty ones. Why do this if sin is natural? It does not make sense now, does it?
---------
"When you attack the roots of sin, fix your thought more on the God you desire than on the sin you abhor." ----Walter Hilton
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