I'm 25!
As I look back, there are so many things to give thanks for...and so many other regrets...But I guess that's the draw of the 2nd law of thermodynamics - The only way is to move on, and move on I shall!
Once again, I've started my birthday giving an hour back to God, guess that's the least I can do considering what He's done for me. I kinda like these hourly sessions that I've set aside for him every birthday, just sitting and talking to Him. Throughout the past few sessions, I've asked for many things and He has delivered on every single occasion... My job, my results, my friends and family and my direction in life...
This year, I've specifically asked for a few things:
1) That He gives me a clear direction in the path He wants for me.
2) To put me in a school where I can be effective in changing the life of at least ONE student.
3) My relationship with Janice to be fulfilling and lasting.
4) For Janice to be able to move on in life as well.
5) To preserve my body as I ride a motorbike.
To these, He gave me a few words (better write them down lest I forget)...
There have been a few recurring themes recently - the providence of God and the call to sacrifice.
Of course, it's only natural that I'm called to the message of providence. After all, who likes to sacrifice stuff? Matthew 6 talks about His providence over all nature, so how much more for a human? Malachi 1,2,3 speaks of the need for a sacrifice that is pleasing to Him. More surprisingly, Genesis 22 comments on both: Abraham's sacrifice of his son and God's providence of a suitable substitute.
God's providence and the need for sacrifice goes hand in hand.
Which was a little odd and contrary to what I believed in - that God only wants the best for you and it shouldn't be commensurate with what you give Him...after all, this is a religion that has its basis grounded in 'faith' and 'grace'.
The reconciliation is simple though, since the 'need' for sacrifice stems from us and not from God, and this 'need' is based upon our reciprocation of our love for him. So like any parent who will give the best for their child whether the child is disobedient or not, God still wants the best for us and He knows that the best situation is one where there is mutual love for each other. The need for sacrifice flows out of this as an 'observable' and acts as a substantiation. Let's face it, wouldn't you sacrifice things you cherish for the one you love? It works the same way.
So how will this year pan out for me? I have no idea...but as I stand on the cusp of being a real adult straddling halfway between 20 and 30, I can look back at my life and appreciate that everything that I've gone through -- the hardships, pain and pleasures of it all -- have made me whom I am today and I'm thankful for that.
Will I be able to say the same next time? I do not know but I guess that whenever I am able to reach that conclusion in the future, it means that I'm in a position of stability and maturity. So thank you God, family, friends and circumstances for allowing me to be the person I am today!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Why I want a motorbike?
As it is, I've received numerous admonitions from friends and parents alike telling me not to buy a bike and that riding is dangerous. I am in no doubt that it is. The fears of riding are well-founded and meticulously documented; after all, who are we to argue with statistics? So while purchasing a bike may seem counter-intuitive and foolhardy, perhaps even childish and rebellious, I would like to give reasons for my persistence in wanting to own a bike.
I'll start with the 'logical/economical' reasons:
1) It is cheap...much cheaper as compared to owning a car.
2) Petrol & mileage @ 40km/l...need I say more?
3) Free parking at most places and cheap parking at others.
4) Traffic jams - a thing of the past.
5) No more ferrying of friends whom reside outta the way.
Now that I've gotten these out of the way, let me explain the real reasons:
The act of owning a bike is not simply one that stems out of economy --- it is much, much more than that. There were many times in my life where I've felt controlled and compelled to accomplish the wishes and dreams of others, and even in cases where I've had the autonomy to choose (e.g. studies, career, etc.), these were merely allowed or supported because they did not contradict or go against what the higher powers deemed okay. Therefore, owning a bike was not a necessity and never will be --- it is a lifestyle choice.
A choice that signifies freedom and quenches the thirst for self-autonomy. Something that goes again common logic...where even though the world seems to stand against you, you've persevered and told them that no, these decisions are now yours to make whether they like it or not. It fulfills a deep-seated longing of being free, of being able to come and go as and when you like. It fulfills a deep-seated longing of being free, of being able to determine your future's trajectory without the need or help from external forces. It affirms you as a mature human-being, of your innate right to the freedom of choice and also, functions as a gauge to the level of trust that people have in you.
So while the concerns and the dangers are real and one must be absolutely certain and aware about this, it is my hope that others will come to the realization that taking ownership of an artifact is not merely taking ownership of an artifact....it encompasses many other issues as well.
p.s.: Another reason is this: Since I would definitely rent/ride a bike if I went overseas (which I do quite often) and have been doing so without a license prior to this, wouldn't it make sense that I practice this art while I can before allowing myself to be engaged in the perils of one without the necessary training? This to me...is counter-intuitive.
I'll start with the 'logical/economical' reasons:
1) It is cheap...much cheaper as compared to owning a car.
2) Petrol & mileage @ 40km/l...need I say more?
3) Free parking at most places and cheap parking at others.
4) Traffic jams - a thing of the past.
5) No more ferrying of friends whom reside outta the way.
Now that I've gotten these out of the way, let me explain the real reasons:
The act of owning a bike is not simply one that stems out of economy --- it is much, much more than that. There were many times in my life where I've felt controlled and compelled to accomplish the wishes and dreams of others, and even in cases where I've had the autonomy to choose (e.g. studies, career, etc.), these were merely allowed or supported because they did not contradict or go against what the higher powers deemed okay. Therefore, owning a bike was not a necessity and never will be --- it is a lifestyle choice.
A choice that signifies freedom and quenches the thirst for self-autonomy. Something that goes again common logic...where even though the world seems to stand against you, you've persevered and told them that no, these decisions are now yours to make whether they like it or not. It fulfills a deep-seated longing of being free, of being able to come and go as and when you like. It fulfills a deep-seated longing of being free, of being able to determine your future's trajectory without the need or help from external forces. It affirms you as a mature human-being, of your innate right to the freedom of choice and also, functions as a gauge to the level of trust that people have in you.
So while the concerns and the dangers are real and one must be absolutely certain and aware about this, it is my hope that others will come to the realization that taking ownership of an artifact is not merely taking ownership of an artifact....it encompasses many other issues as well.
p.s.: Another reason is this: Since I would definitely rent/ride a bike if I went overseas (which I do quite often) and have been doing so without a license prior to this, wouldn't it make sense that I practice this art while I can before allowing myself to be engaged in the perils of one without the necessary training? This to me...is counter-intuitive.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Why?
'Why' --- the most important word in the English language.
It serves to push humanity to greater heights.
It drives us to explore the universe around us in greater, ever so much finer detail.
It pushes us to grope around for the philosophical meaning behind every other thing.
It functions as a voice of reason and a substantiation of all we know.
It is infinitely regressive and ultimately unanswerable.
It gives us the motivation to act upon our thoughts.
It is contained in the one verse of scripture where Jesus is so painfully prised from God.
"Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani
And so it seems...so many times...God forsaking us..
I know it is not logical to think that it's true and yet, it is not logical to not understand the reason. How does Man evaluate this? Sadly, by attributing it to our lack of God's wisdom and therefore, knowing His plan for us.
Convenient yet irrefutable.
As of now, I do not have the answer, just the question...
Why?
It serves to push humanity to greater heights.
It drives us to explore the universe around us in greater, ever so much finer detail.
It pushes us to grope around for the philosophical meaning behind every other thing.
It functions as a voice of reason and a substantiation of all we know.
It is infinitely regressive and ultimately unanswerable.
It gives us the motivation to act upon our thoughts.
It is contained in the one verse of scripture where Jesus is so painfully prised from God.
"Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani
And so it seems...so many times...God forsaking us..
I know it is not logical to think that it's true and yet, it is not logical to not understand the reason. How does Man evaluate this? Sadly, by attributing it to our lack of God's wisdom and therefore, knowing His plan for us.
Convenient yet irrefutable.
As of now, I do not have the answer, just the question...
Why?
The Struggles of a Teacher
The struggles of a teacher are not easy ones,
it is fraught with difficulties and dilemmas.
Should one's teaching be simple? Should it be fun?
Or should it simply be correcting grammars?
There are invisible lines to keep, boundaries to be drawn,
information to withhold and heartaches to be worn.
The teacher must pursue, with all their might,
the elusive dream within their sight.
The dream that students will someday reach,
a personal self-awareness of sorts.
Alas! This goal teachers cannot teach,
but only hope our fledglings carve their lots.
For how can we teach that fleeting wisp called maturity,
where in the realm of subjects is an oddity,
Something that is neither concrete nor testable,
but empowers decisions we make to be infallible.
The double-lives that teachers live reminds me of a caped crusader,
whose unmasked life reflects a tangled mess of strings.
Still he puts on a brave front and soldiers,
on forth to save though his inner wounds singes.
Another struggle stems from higher echelons,
from the superiors in their thrones.
Coming up with ideas they think best,
new ways upon new ways to enlarge the nest.
We are then compromised,
in both our ideals and plans.
How are we to synthesize,
the two opposing ends?
The struggles of a teacher are many and plenty,
it really isn't just about the money.
While teachers first come for the higher purpose,
many eventually leave the water to surface.
So how do we stay motivated?
The answer is really really easy.
We must constantly remind ourselves,
we do not merely shape lessons ---
We shape destinies.
it is fraught with difficulties and dilemmas.
Should one's teaching be simple? Should it be fun?
Or should it simply be correcting grammars?
There are invisible lines to keep, boundaries to be drawn,
information to withhold and heartaches to be worn.
The teacher must pursue, with all their might,
the elusive dream within their sight.
The dream that students will someday reach,
a personal self-awareness of sorts.
Alas! This goal teachers cannot teach,
but only hope our fledglings carve their lots.
For how can we teach that fleeting wisp called maturity,
where in the realm of subjects is an oddity,
Something that is neither concrete nor testable,
but empowers decisions we make to be infallible.
The double-lives that teachers live reminds me of a caped crusader,
whose unmasked life reflects a tangled mess of strings.
Still he puts on a brave front and soldiers,
on forth to save though his inner wounds singes.
Another struggle stems from higher echelons,
from the superiors in their thrones.
Coming up with ideas they think best,
new ways upon new ways to enlarge the nest.
We are then compromised,
in both our ideals and plans.
How are we to synthesize,
the two opposing ends?
The struggles of a teacher are many and plenty,
it really isn't just about the money.
While teachers first come for the higher purpose,
many eventually leave the water to surface.
So how do we stay motivated?
The answer is really really easy.
We must constantly remind ourselves,
we do not merely shape lessons ---
We shape destinies.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
The language of the bible.....is beautiful.
The language of the bible.....is beautiful.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Consistency of Christianity
If Christianity were a man-made religion, and the bible a man-made book, the guy writing it sure made a hell of a lot of precautions to make it consistent (better than HIMYM writers...). Perhaps this is what veers me towards it - that the theology and consistency of the bible has remained for the most part...faultless.
Of course, the same cannot be said for the practitioners of the religion but I guess that when assessing any religion, it makes only logical sense to look at the religion solely on its principle basis and not at the people practicing it. After all, we are only humans and therefore subject to the occasional mistake.
Anyway, back to the subject of consistency...
I have been struggling with the concept of a religion that is based by grace and faith as opposed to one that is based on works. I guess that stems from the way I (or singaporeans in general) was brought up... since everything that we do is subject to praise or criticism and the outcomes are measured in terms of rewards... So far, I had been living my life with this particular concept in mind. I wouldn't do things that I would feel guilty about because God might mete out certain 'punishments' or I would feel dejected over the lack of recognition although I'd been really active in church and whatnots.
Then it struck me....
You see, the bible (or to be specific, Paul) explicitly states that we were saved by grace and not by works... Now, the consistency lies in the fact that God, like a loving father, would want the BEST for his child (aka me). So I was thinking " That's true! If I were a dad, I'd probably want to give my child the best life that I can give him...even if he'd misbehaved. It actually also wouldn't matter if my child did a lot of stuff for me, since it'd probably wouldn't change how much I treasure him." It made logical sense to me. So, here we have on one side, us being saved by grace and on the other, God wanting to give us the best in life...being totally independent from the amount of work that we do in an effort to "please" him.
The implication of this is that we are no longer bound by the misconception of the need to "please" God....doesn't this take away a lot of the pressure that stems from the uncertainty of not knowing whether you did enough to please God? It is also consistent to the common knowledge that we were created equals in God's sight and therefore, are loved as much as the next man since the lack of work does not devalue your worth in God's eyes.
This allegorical perception of God as a "father" is thus once again justified and consistent to what I had just described.
It is firstly not easy to make any book consistent in terms of facts and figures but to make a book consistent in its teachings and values and figurative allusions? Now THAT'S TOUGH.... and for me, it only goes to underline the authenticity of the bible.
Of course, the same cannot be said for the practitioners of the religion but I guess that when assessing any religion, it makes only logical sense to look at the religion solely on its principle basis and not at the people practicing it. After all, we are only humans and therefore subject to the occasional mistake.
Anyway, back to the subject of consistency...
I have been struggling with the concept of a religion that is based by grace and faith as opposed to one that is based on works. I guess that stems from the way I (or singaporeans in general) was brought up... since everything that we do is subject to praise or criticism and the outcomes are measured in terms of rewards... So far, I had been living my life with this particular concept in mind. I wouldn't do things that I would feel guilty about because God might mete out certain 'punishments' or I would feel dejected over the lack of recognition although I'd been really active in church and whatnots.
Then it struck me....
You see, the bible (or to be specific, Paul) explicitly states that we were saved by grace and not by works... Now, the consistency lies in the fact that God, like a loving father, would want the BEST for his child (aka me). So I was thinking " That's true! If I were a dad, I'd probably want to give my child the best life that I can give him...even if he'd misbehaved. It actually also wouldn't matter if my child did a lot of stuff for me, since it'd probably wouldn't change how much I treasure him." It made logical sense to me. So, here we have on one side, us being saved by grace and on the other, God wanting to give us the best in life...being totally independent from the amount of work that we do in an effort to "please" him.
The implication of this is that we are no longer bound by the misconception of the need to "please" God....doesn't this take away a lot of the pressure that stems from the uncertainty of not knowing whether you did enough to please God? It is also consistent to the common knowledge that we were created equals in God's sight and therefore, are loved as much as the next man since the lack of work does not devalue your worth in God's eyes.
This allegorical perception of God as a "father" is thus once again justified and consistent to what I had just described.
It is firstly not easy to make any book consistent in terms of facts and figures but to make a book consistent in its teachings and values and figurative allusions? Now THAT'S TOUGH.... and for me, it only goes to underline the authenticity of the bible.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The redundancy of help and parallel universe observations
"If not for God/you/it, I never would have made it through this period of my life."
How often have you heard this sentence?
The answer? Too often.
Unless we are able to observe parallel universes in which you DIDN'T have the said person in your life, we will never know for sure what the outcome will be, right?
Think about it, what is the probability that you will go through a situation, dire enough, such that it causes you to attempt suicide/go into depression/etc.?
The fact that you are ok and alright now means it hasn't happened to you yet...and you will never actually know the alternative outcome.
So what's my point?
God probably didn't function science to provide answers for his existence (i.e. We cannot conclusively prove that He exists, since that will take away the element of faith).
If you accept that premise, and since the observation of a parallel universe would prove once and for all the existence of a God (you will then know whether He really existed by comparing different situations and monitoring the outcome), therefore, I can safely say that we will never ever gain the technological capacity to observe or communicate with a parallel universe as a human species.
So there! That's my point.
I'm willing to bet my life to anyone who manages to do so.
ps: BTW, seriously, do we actually need to rely on anyone or anything to get us through the hardships of life? Just wondering...
How often have you heard this sentence?
The answer? Too often.
Unless we are able to observe parallel universes in which you DIDN'T have the said person in your life, we will never know for sure what the outcome will be, right?
Think about it, what is the probability that you will go through a situation, dire enough, such that it causes you to attempt suicide/go into depression/etc.?
The fact that you are ok and alright now means it hasn't happened to you yet...and you will never actually know the alternative outcome.
So what's my point?
God probably didn't function science to provide answers for his existence (i.e. We cannot conclusively prove that He exists, since that will take away the element of faith).
If you accept that premise, and since the observation of a parallel universe would prove once and for all the existence of a God (you will then know whether He really existed by comparing different situations and monitoring the outcome), therefore, I can safely say that we will never ever gain the technological capacity to observe or communicate with a parallel universe as a human species.
So there! That's my point.
I'm willing to bet my life to anyone who manages to do so.
ps: BTW, seriously, do we actually need to rely on anyone or anything to get us through the hardships of life? Just wondering...
Friday, February 18, 2011
Poetry Practice.
If you remain silent and still,
Your ears prick as a whistle sounds,
Glancing around to catch a glimpse,
What do you know?
It is you --- giving life a miss.
The shrill of life as it whizzes by,
The hopes and dreams as they wither and die.
After all, it is ever-after,
Never nearer...not much further.
Oh! Of all to have and hold,
Impressionable lives to love and mold,
You've shut your eyes and turned your ears,
In a desperate bid to rein your fears.
But life is more;
Much more, than sitting and waiting.
No.
Life...is for loving and living.
The beauty of life is in the beauty,
of being able to live it fully,
be it pain or happy or sad or empty.
Life with its ups and downs,
With its many twists and turns,
Is a life fully-lived and fully-yearned,
If and only if,
It has been fully churned.
Your ears prick as a whistle sounds,
Glancing around to catch a glimpse,
What do you know?
It is you --- giving life a miss.
The shrill of life as it whizzes by,
The hopes and dreams as they wither and die.
After all, it is ever-after,
Never nearer...not much further.
Oh! Of all to have and hold,
Impressionable lives to love and mold,
You've shut your eyes and turned your ears,
In a desperate bid to rein your fears.
But life is more;
Much more, than sitting and waiting.
No.
Life...is for loving and living.
The beauty of life is in the beauty,
of being able to live it fully,
be it pain or happy or sad or empty.
Life with its ups and downs,
With its many twists and turns,
Is a life fully-lived and fully-yearned,
If and only if,
It has been fully churned.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Issues...
I've been thinking rather fervently lately: If I could single out an event to convince myself that a god exists, what would that be?
Surprisingly, the answer is ... nothing. No, I'm not going to state "oh, I can't pinpoint just one single event, God reveals Himself to me in many ways..."
That's ridiculous. (I used to differ...)
In fact, I'm going so far as to retract the statement I made in my previous post on God's gift of choice --- I'm having doubts over the matter, but that is another issue.
The point is...I can't recall any event where I could say with utmost confidence that it proved (at least to me) that God exists. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I DON'T believe in the existence of a god, or God.
That isn't true.
What I actually mean is that my faith is shaken from time to time by this question....and let's face it: Faith without a basis is pointless.
When you jump off a plane, your faith in the parachute is sustained by the fact that you have seen it work before. When you assign a task to a team member, your faith in him is because of something he had done before. Faith needs to be accompanied...no....SUSTAINED....by a basis.
After some soul-searching, I've arrived at the conclusion that all Christians, perhaps maybe all subscribers to religion, need to possess that one incident that convicts them of the religion's 'realness'. I fail to have mine.
Why is this so important?
In any circumstance, especially dire situations, we need to cling on to that hope that our god is able to bring us out of it... That the god we believe in has something in store for us after this life... That what we see and do for our faith is recognized and acknowledged and will not be in vain.
EVERYTHING boils down to the conviction that the god you believe in exists, otherwise, it is all naught.
It is the basis...and I'm still trying to find mine.
Sure, there have been situations where it might have seemed that God was there...but there is always the danger of attributing everything that happens to God. In particular, it removes and contradicts one of the most fundamental principles of Christianity --- Choice.
As it is, most of the situations that I've attributed to God can be easily explained away with other (plausible) reasons like: Coincidences, Luck, etc... Hardly a good argument for the intervention of a supreme being.
So I've made a pact (a silly one) with God....
Surprisingly, the answer is ... nothing. No, I'm not going to state "oh, I can't pinpoint just one single event, God reveals Himself to me in many ways..."
That's ridiculous. (I used to differ...)
In fact, I'm going so far as to retract the statement I made in my previous post on God's gift of choice --- I'm having doubts over the matter, but that is another issue.
The point is...I can't recall any event where I could say with utmost confidence that it proved (at least to me) that God exists. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I DON'T believe in the existence of a god, or God.
That isn't true.
What I actually mean is that my faith is shaken from time to time by this question....and let's face it: Faith without a basis is pointless.
When you jump off a plane, your faith in the parachute is sustained by the fact that you have seen it work before. When you assign a task to a team member, your faith in him is because of something he had done before. Faith needs to be accompanied...no....SUSTAINED....by a basis.
After some soul-searching, I've arrived at the conclusion that all Christians, perhaps maybe all subscribers to religion, need to possess that one incident that convicts them of the religion's 'realness'. I fail to have mine.
Why is this so important?
In any circumstance, especially dire situations, we need to cling on to that hope that our god is able to bring us out of it... That the god we believe in has something in store for us after this life... That what we see and do for our faith is recognized and acknowledged and will not be in vain.
EVERYTHING boils down to the conviction that the god you believe in exists, otherwise, it is all naught.
It is the basis...and I'm still trying to find mine.
Sure, there have been situations where it might have seemed that God was there...but there is always the danger of attributing everything that happens to God. In particular, it removes and contradicts one of the most fundamental principles of Christianity --- Choice.
As it is, most of the situations that I've attributed to God can be easily explained away with other (plausible) reasons like: Coincidences, Luck, etc... Hardly a good argument for the intervention of a supreme being.
So I've made a pact (a silly one) with God....
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Godlike powers.....
"To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wildflower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour."
- An excerpt from "Auguries of Innocence" by William Blake.
Although the generally perceived meaning of this poem speaks of the concept of microcosm - in which vast truths can be garnered from simple things...Every time I read it, it gives me this god-like feeling...to have so much power....
Anyway, I'm presently squishing the ants in my room and I kinda feel bad for the little critters. I've already told them... nicely... not to come but they continue to persist in their own unrelenting fashion...I mean, what else can I do? Therefore, I squish.
By the way, have you ever tried to perceive life from an ant's point of view? We live in a 3-dimensional world and are all familiar with the 3 different axes...
However, ants differ by the fact that they are constrained (by the laws of physics, more specifically --- Van Der Waals forces) to live in a purely 2D world!
(It is at this juncture that I define ants as your normal house ants and not those flying kinds...)
Imagine --- when you squish their friends, all they see is a HUGE rod coming down from the heavens and the next moment, their friends are dead. What makes it even worse is that there is seemingly NOWHERE to hide or run to...
They can run for a long distance, think they're safe but whaddya know? The giant rod sees all and knows all...and eliminates them too....
In a nutshell, WE ARE GOD to them. We can give them food, provide shelter and most importantly, mete punishment out. We are all-seeing and all-knowing. We can be benevolent or pure evil.
If you have read the book "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions" by Edwin Abbott (I highly recommend it), you'd probably have a better perspective of this idea. Perhaps God is similar to the being of higher dimensions....perhaps He exists in 4D...
That would easily explain why He is able to be omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient....but not His nature of love.
Like what I shared about the ants, it really isn't easy to have so much power and not wield it indiscriminately....Sure, I know the ants are just doing their job...but they're irritating so I kill them all the same.
How much discipline and self-control must someone have to not only NOT kill the people who have hurt him so badly....but also to take the time to actually BOTHER about their small, insignificant lives...?
Guess only He knows...
For a short look into flatland, have a look at this 5min video, it's pretty informative...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWyTxCsIXE4
And a heaven in a wildflower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour."
- An excerpt from "Auguries of Innocence" by William Blake.
Although the generally perceived meaning of this poem speaks of the concept of microcosm - in which vast truths can be garnered from simple things...Every time I read it, it gives me this god-like feeling...to have so much power....
Anyway, I'm presently squishing the ants in my room and I kinda feel bad for the little critters. I've already told them... nicely... not to come but they continue to persist in their own unrelenting fashion...I mean, what else can I do? Therefore, I squish.
By the way, have you ever tried to perceive life from an ant's point of view? We live in a 3-dimensional world and are all familiar with the 3 different axes...
However, ants differ by the fact that they are constrained (by the laws of physics, more specifically --- Van Der Waals forces) to live in a purely 2D world!
(It is at this juncture that I define ants as your normal house ants and not those flying kinds...)
Imagine --- when you squish their friends, all they see is a HUGE rod coming down from the heavens and the next moment, their friends are dead. What makes it even worse is that there is seemingly NOWHERE to hide or run to...
They can run for a long distance, think they're safe but whaddya know? The giant rod sees all and knows all...and eliminates them too....
In a nutshell, WE ARE GOD to them. We can give them food, provide shelter and most importantly, mete punishment out. We are all-seeing and all-knowing. We can be benevolent or pure evil.
If you have read the book "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions" by Edwin Abbott (I highly recommend it), you'd probably have a better perspective of this idea. Perhaps God is similar to the being of higher dimensions....perhaps He exists in 4D...
That would easily explain why He is able to be omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient....but not His nature of love.
Like what I shared about the ants, it really isn't easy to have so much power and not wield it indiscriminately....Sure, I know the ants are just doing their job...but they're irritating so I kill them all the same.
How much discipline and self-control must someone have to not only NOT kill the people who have hurt him so badly....but also to take the time to actually BOTHER about their small, insignificant lives...?
Guess only He knows...
For a short look into flatland, have a look at this 5min video, it's pretty informative...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWyTxCsIXE4
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Seek and Ye Shall Find...
Ah, the perils of coding (In my case --- Matlab)....
Every coder worth his salt would have gone through the inundating task of sifting through lines and lines of seemingly identical codes to find that one. particular. irritating. line of code causing the anomaly in his programme.
Talk about a huge waste of time!
I recently spent 4 hours searching through my Matlab codes because my results didn't seem to tally...only to find after checking and re-checking everything that the mistake stemmed from a error in the formula provided by the original theorist whose work I'm using.
(And you'd expect published papers to be more accurate...)
Anyway, the process kinda wore me out a bit... My stomach is growling, my eyes are weary and my shoulders are aching from the weird keyboard position. Yet, this entire process reminds me of the parable of the lost coin and how the said woman rummaged through her entire house in search of that one missing coin. Also, just like me, she couldn't contain her enormous joy and commensurately large mouth and went around telling everyone about it.
For most people, this parable speaks of our importance to Him and how He wants to find us at all costs. However, the recent incident that I just shared revealed to me something else... that once we are found, it is a cause for rejoicing of the greatest extent and everyone in heaven ain't gonna shut their mouth about it. Guess it's the same when one repents and goes back to Him.
It such a pleasure to know that I am so treasured.
"In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!" - Luke 15:7
Every coder worth his salt would have gone through the inundating task of sifting through lines and lines of seemingly identical codes to find that one. particular. irritating. line of code causing the anomaly in his programme.
Talk about a huge waste of time!
I recently spent 4 hours searching through my Matlab codes because my results didn't seem to tally...only to find after checking and re-checking everything that the mistake stemmed from a error in the formula provided by the original theorist whose work I'm using.
(And you'd expect published papers to be more accurate...)
Anyway, the process kinda wore me out a bit... My stomach is growling, my eyes are weary and my shoulders are aching from the weird keyboard position. Yet, this entire process reminds me of the parable of the lost coin and how the said woman rummaged through her entire house in search of that one missing coin. Also, just like me, she couldn't contain her enormous joy and commensurately large mouth and went around telling everyone about it.
For most people, this parable speaks of our importance to Him and how He wants to find us at all costs. However, the recent incident that I just shared revealed to me something else... that once we are found, it is a cause for rejoicing of the greatest extent and everyone in heaven ain't gonna shut their mouth about it. Guess it's the same when one repents and goes back to Him.
It such a pleasure to know that I am so treasured.
"In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!" - Luke 15:7
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Choice...or Lack Thereof.
Are we really free to make the choice between heaven or hell?
Some might argue that although the freedom of choice is technically there, the offered options coerces one to actually make the more logical choice (I'm assuming heaven here, shouldn't be that far off), thus depriving any sane person the actual luxury to 'choose'.
Perhaps, some might add, it might make more sense if the outcomes of both choices had equal incentives.
I would think this conundrum also stems from the fact that it is widely recognized --- pardon what's about to come --- that it is much easier and enjoyable to indulge in the various sins that would lead to the pathway of the netherworld then it is to climb up the arduous route towards heaven. C'mon, being a goody-two-shoes? It's boring...
To quote two classic songs that frames up this picture of heaven and hell nicely...It really is a 'Highway to Hell' and a 'Stairway to Heaven'. (Told you to pardon me...)
Anyway, to digress a little, we have in Physics what we term as 'a priori' postulates. To use the very succinct explanation of Dictionary.com, it means "known to be true independently of or in advance of experience of the subject matter; requiring no evidence for its validation or support".
Alright, what is the relevance of it to the entire discussion? We'll find out in a bit...
Some might argue that although the freedom of choice is technically there, the offered options coerces one to actually make the more logical choice (I'm assuming heaven here, shouldn't be that far off), thus depriving any sane person the actual luxury to 'choose'.
Perhaps, some might add, it might make more sense if the outcomes of both choices had equal incentives.
I would think this conundrum also stems from the fact that it is widely recognized --- pardon what's about to come --- that it is much easier and enjoyable to indulge in the various sins that would lead to the pathway of the netherworld then it is to climb up the arduous route towards heaven. C'mon, being a goody-two-shoes? It's boring...
To quote two classic songs that frames up this picture of heaven and hell nicely...It really is a 'Highway to Hell' and a 'Stairway to Heaven'. (Told you to pardon me...)
Anyway, to digress a little, we have in Physics what we term as 'a priori' postulates. To use the very succinct explanation of Dictionary.com, it means "known to be true independently of or in advance of experience of the subject matter; requiring no evidence for its validation or support".
Alright, what is the relevance of it to the entire discussion? We'll find out in a bit...
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Slaying the Minotaur.
The oft mentioned labyrinth always brings to mind (at least to mine) the picture of the slayed Minotaur. The beast, killed by Theseus, was probably a job harder than finding his way out of the wicked maze.
Yet, whenever people talk about the labyrinth, the ingenuity of Ariadne and her idea of the usage of string for navigation within the walls are always the most important aspects of the entire myth.
Stop and think for a awhile now...
You're Theseus and after a long, mind-numbingly boring walk, you find yourself face to face with a demigod --- the beast Minotaur. After thrashing it out, getting your ass severely demarcated with his nasty horns and contemplating the horrors of a rabies shot, you finally conquer the hulking bovine.
You then follow the thread back out and head back home. Of course, you forget to change sails and cause your dad to die, but that isn't the point.
The point is --- you want people to recognize the courage and immensely intense fight you had. Alas! People only remember you...following the thread back out.
The crux of my inane rambling is, that many-a-time, the tough parts of life are in the execution of decisions but we are so caught up in the journey and the planning of the route that will take us to those decisions that they become the priority and mission itself.
It is then the same with my walk with God. Like Martha, I'm so caught up and entwined with how to go about being a good christian that I forget that it isn't WHAT I DO that makes me a christian but WHO sustains me that is.
The christian journey is not solely and mainly on how many good deeds I've done. No, it is about the relationship that I have with He that is truly what counts.
Yet, whenever people talk about the labyrinth, the ingenuity of Ariadne and her idea of the usage of string for navigation within the walls are always the most important aspects of the entire myth.
Stop and think for a awhile now...
You're Theseus and after a long, mind-numbingly boring walk, you find yourself face to face with a demigod --- the beast Minotaur. After thrashing it out, getting your ass severely demarcated with his nasty horns and contemplating the horrors of a rabies shot, you finally conquer the hulking bovine.
You then follow the thread back out and head back home. Of course, you forget to change sails and cause your dad to die, but that isn't the point.
The point is --- you want people to recognize the courage and immensely intense fight you had. Alas! People only remember you...following the thread back out.
The crux of my inane rambling is, that many-a-time, the tough parts of life are in the execution of decisions but we are so caught up in the journey and the planning of the route that will take us to those decisions that they become the priority and mission itself.
It is then the same with my walk with God. Like Martha, I'm so caught up and entwined with how to go about being a good christian that I forget that it isn't WHAT I DO that makes me a christian but WHO sustains me that is.
The christian journey is not solely and mainly on how many good deeds I've done. No, it is about the relationship that I have with He that is truly what counts.
Rest
Isn't it apt that death equates to 'resting in peace'?
It is of little wonder that the writer of Philippians 4:7 remarks "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
What a word to use --- transcends! How important being at peace must be if it is required to safeguard and protect both the emotional and logical aspect of our lives...
Yet, in this world of constant change, turmoil, unrest and uncertainty, this lofty idea of peace seems so far out of reach. Can I honestly say that I've had ever experienced a moment of utter peace before? Presently, probably not since I'm never outside the interminable barrage of the hassles of church, school work, relationship issues and the like.
However, this flight after the unattainable serves a higher purpose, that is --- a goal to perhaps one day, achieve this ineffable calm.
So it is my resolve to give a little more of my precious time this year to sit in the stillness of His presence, hoping to get a little closer in the relentless pursuit of this thing called 'peace'.
It is of little wonder that the writer of Philippians 4:7 remarks "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
What a word to use --- transcends! How important being at peace must be if it is required to safeguard and protect both the emotional and logical aspect of our lives...
Yet, in this world of constant change, turmoil, unrest and uncertainty, this lofty idea of peace seems so far out of reach. Can I honestly say that I've had ever experienced a moment of utter peace before? Presently, probably not since I'm never outside the interminable barrage of the hassles of church, school work, relationship issues and the like.
However, this flight after the unattainable serves a higher purpose, that is --- a goal to perhaps one day, achieve this ineffable calm.
So it is my resolve to give a little more of my precious time this year to sit in the stillness of His presence, hoping to get a little closer in the relentless pursuit of this thing called 'peace'.
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