Flashes

Posted on January 30, 2010 by timlyg

Today, while administering a TOEFL test, I saw some very supermodel looking lady walked in. Thinking that she seems familiar (seems to look like Uma Thurman), like a movie star, so I googled her name: Daria Strokous. (Today 03/06/2015, another model: Mirte Maas showed up) And to my half surprise, she was listed on many fashion pages and even wikipedia.

Flashes of exciting suggestions came into my mind: Should I take a photo with her? (I always carry a camera with me) What's she doing here in New York? Should I talk to her later? Should I tell the other staffs? Should I...etc.?

Another set of flashes interrupted, intermingling with the former. I recalled an incident Dr. Tong testified when he was taking photos with actors in Hong Kong and people told him how lucky he was to have pictures taken with famous celebrities, he responded differently (Can't remember what reaction it was but I remember enough to know that it wasn't something usually expected nor was it too drastic).

I have often viewed the fashion world as vainity. Sometimes, I do see a sense of beauty the designers trying to imitate from God. I then concluded that if a christian's profession is in fashion, he/she must have quite some temperance. Now I even recall (if I have not mistaken) that the Redeemer's Church has a fellowship group just for those in fashion industry.

Well, at least this one has a good manner, saying thank you everytime. I supposed I would just let it be. People are here to take TOEFL test, not to be bothered-whether they like it or not. It is now almost 2 hours into the test of 4 hours as I write this entry as she's testing in another room proctored by another. Good thing I didn't know who she was when I was taking routine photo of hers just as she was any TOEFL candidates while checking her in to her testing station or I might have been tempted to say: pose like this, face this way, look there, etc.

On the other hand, I'd better do some self check. I shouldn't have this paparazzi/vain fan emotions in me. I should rather be excited at seeing people like my family, pastors and elders, even paintings of Paul, Peter, etc. Just as the lesson from last night's fellowship taught, I should be more mindful of the righteous ones as Abraham did when he welcomed our Lord during the visit of the three.

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Similarities

Posted on January 29, 2010 by timlyg

The Egyptians enslaved the Israelites and killed their youngs.

The Germans slaugthered the Jews.

The Americans and the English levied laws against immigrants instead of their "sponsors".

 

The excuse: For the better of their nations.

The common ground here: jealousy.

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Wisdom in Mentioning Pak Tong

Posted on January 29, 2010 by timlyg

Perhaps it is wise to sometimes be watchful before mentioning Stephen Tong before some stranger believers, especially the charismatics, if one is to teach some doctrine. Because these have carried their jealousy against Rev. Tong for so long that at the sound of that name, they just cannot absorb any form of lessons from the mouth that speaks it anymore.

Nevertheless, the firm rebuke from true doctrine must not be compromised, but in all truthfulness, ceasing from anger and forsaking wrath. And in the end, if need be, the most uneasy truth must still be told.

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Today's Pharisees

Posted on January 28, 2010 by timlyg

There are two types:

1. Those who think they know or have what is love. (Today's westerners & evangelicals)

2. Those who think they are more spiritual than others. (Pentecostals/charismatics)

This conclusion I arrive after several conversation with my aunt.

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Why do people want to be pastors in America?

Posted on January 28, 2010 by timlyg

Apart from God's calling, why do most in the United States want to be pastors or some sort of ministers?

To gain respect. And the bonus is, to be labelled as "humble" at the same time.

This conclusion I arrive after encountering yet again someone at work who loves to interrupt other people's appointment time for his own selfish fulfilment.

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How does one receive Christ

Posted on January 28, 2010 by timlyg

One receives Christ not by acceptance but by repentance.

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Lottery Winner Died at Celebration

Posted on January 27, 2010 by timlyg

That's some way to celebrate.

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Origin of "Alamak"

Posted on January 26, 2010 by timlyg

Thinking that Alamak might be AllahMak or "mother of god", I did a little googling and arrived at this interesting and informative site. Though it is still unclear, it would seem that most would conclude that the origin of Alamak has to do with mother and god.

From this, I've learned that Sanskrit, the lingua franca between Hinduism and Buddhism, is said to be the original influence of the Malay language, or what was known to be the Old Malay. how it is said to be started from the Riau Islands.

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Tuhan and Allah

Posted on January 26, 2010 by timlyg

Just received an email with a good point over the Malaysian dispute on using the word "Allah" in Christian materials.

" Some self-appointed defenders of Islam including the chief of "1 Malaysia" have insisted that Catholics should use "Tuhan" instead of "Allah" to address the Catholic or Christian God. But in the national anthem, "Tuhan" (not "Allah") bless the country (...Tuhan kurniakan...). How now ?!!!. If Malay-Muslims are that easily confused as portrayed by some politicians, they must be thinking that Malaysia is blessed by the Catholic/Christian God, and the Muslim God "Allah" is perpetually on leave. Perhaps, this confusion may cause the government to change the national anthem by replacing "Tuhan" with "Allah". But then again, non-muslims will not be allowed to sing the national anthem. Then it would be non-muslims' turn to be confused. If this issue goes to the courts, even the judges will get kepala pening. So much for "1 Malaysia"!!!. "

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Trust Issue

Posted on January 26, 2010 by timlyg

Reading Psalm 41 verse 9, which is a prophecy for John 13:18, I carefully examined how this is not a common remark, for our Lord knew the identity of the traitor from the beginning (John 6:64).

If one is to think too common of this, one may easily assumed that Jesus never trusted Judas. Which erroneously, is contradicting to the passage of David: "...familiar friend, in whom I trusted..."

So it is remarkable, a lesson about trusting people. For on one hand we must be wise not to be fooled, on the other hand, we must not be skeptical of people without cause, not even in slight misunderstanding for it would all the same amount to sin.

There's a key here, which recalling a lesson from Dr. Tong: Better to know all outcomes of people's intent, then decide according to the will of God. For in such, will the clarity of the will of God be shown.

The upholders of "non-bias"ism would hinder their own passion to do God's will, for they wish not be hurtful nor be hurt. However, trusting no one as a conclusion is not the only solution. And to work God's will without trust in others is life deprived of beauty. Vanity is in the dictionary of them who seek after a replacement for true beauty.

Neither did Jesus hope, as some believe, that Judas repent. For nothing God desireth ends up unaccomplished.

So, how incredible this trust our Lord had on Judas.

When we trust someone, we put all our emotions and conscience on the table, we forget even our relationship with our Father. As the young prophet did with the old prophet in 1 Kings 13. As I had with Rev. David Chen. And to correct this, we often become too defensive. Our Lord is not so.

Much is to be learned from this.

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