20230715- About the Stones in 1 Pet 2

 

About 2 Sundays back in Church, we were

Asked to reflect on the thing that distracted us from God, and I must confessed - yes… my reading of the Bible had recently dwindled to a drop! No excuse for K or C-dramas! 😂 

It was a pretty somber reminder. So I decided to restart my engine. 

Few days ago into 1 Peter. Indeed

Being a Christian for more than 1/2 of 1/2 century now, chapter 1 Peter 2 brought some fresh insights. I have never really thought about these 3 stones! Was thinking and decided to put into a little Vlog for myself. 

And I pray that none of us would be that 4th stone- of unbelief. 

Good to put God in the center of our lives. He is the Living Stone. 

He is also the foundation - the chief cornerstone. 

He is also the Final stone - the capstone. 

Nothing to lose, right? Better to be in the light than in darkness. Better to receive mercy than not. Cos we man are never perfect. Only Jesus Christ is. He was the sacrificial lamb who bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. 

He is the alpha and the omega. He is the beginning cornerstone and ending capstone , the author and perfecter of our faith. 

Love this song that has this word Cornerstone in it.

20230713- A Bulbul Uplifting!

 When one is feeling blue, one should look at Bulbul!

These cute little white vested little song birds

Sing their songs and and make one lifted upwards!

Thank you Lord Jesus!

 

20230706- Sultan Ismail Stadium - bird nest stadium

 Finally went in to have a look on 6/7/23!

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Big place !

20230706- TRUTH! 3 John : Conflict of Interest?

The Black and White Truth of a Colonial House!
 

Today as I read 3 John , a letter written to Gaius (Paul’s travelling companion whom he baptised in Corinth) around AD85-95 , the one word that stands out was TRUTH. 

Gaius was praised. His name means Happy. 

But Diorephes was shunned. He was the baddie. 

A contrast of 2 people. 

How many times did Paul encourage us to “walk in the truth” Many!!

Reflection

The recent Ridoutgate saga where we now learn -

Conflict of interest comes in 3 forms!

1. Direct. 2. Potential. 3 Apparent/ Perceived. 

Such an interesting study!

Perhaps Black and White Bungalows do have different shades that render them into apparent grey to different people seeing them in different angles or perspective!

Just like a recent YouTube which showed a square that could be seen as circular in the mirror or as it was rotated    Power of illusion   The truth is that the square is still physically a square !

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John’s letters  : Truth!

Got this from the gotquestions site:  thot it was good 

In defining truth, it is first helpful to note what truth is not:-

   • Truth is not simply whatever works. This is the philosophy of pragmatism—an ends-vs.-means-type approach. In reality, lies can appear to “work,” but they are still lies and not the truth. 
   • Truth is not simply what is coherent or understandable. A group of people can get together and form a conspiracy based on a set of falsehoods where they all agree to tell the same false story, but it does not make their presentation true. 
   • Truth is not what makes people feel good. Unfortunately, bad news can be true. 
   • Truth is not what the majority says is true. Fifty-one percent of a group can reach a wrong conclusion. 
   • Truth is not what is comprehensive. A lengthy, detailed presentation can still result in a false conclusion. 
   • Truth is not defined by what is intended. Good intentions can still be wrong. 
   • Truth is not how we know; truth is what we know. 
   • Truth is not simply what is believed. A lie believed is still a lie. 
   • Truth is not what is publicly proved. A truth can be privately known (for example, the location of buried treasure).

The Greek word for “truth” is aletheia, which literally means to “un-hide” or “hiding nothing.” It conveys the thought that truth is always there, always open and available for all to see, with nothing being hidden or obscured. The Hebrew word for “truth” is emeth, which means “firmness,” “constancy” and “duration.” Such a definition implies an everlasting substance and something that can be relied upon.

From a philosophical perspective , there are 3 ways of defining truth 

1. Truth is that which corresponds to reality

2. Truth is that which matches its object

3. Truth is simply telling it like it is. 

First, truth corresponds to reality or “what is.” It is real. Truth is also correspondent in nature. In other words, it matches its object and is known by its referent. For example, a teacher facing a class may say, “Now the only exit to this room is on the right.” For the class that may be facing the teacher, the exit door may be on their left, but it’s absolutely true that the door, for the professor, is on the right. 

Truth also matches its object. It may be absolutely true that a certain person may need so many milligrams of a certain medication, but another person may need more or less of the same medication to produce the desired effect. This is not relative truth, but just an example of how truth must match its object. It would be wrong (and potentially dangerous) for a patient to request that their doctor give them an inappropriate amount of a particular medication, or to say that any medicine for their specific ailment will do. 

In short, truth is simply telling it like it is; it is the way things really are, and any other viewpoint is wrong. A foundational principle of philosophy is being able to discern between truth and error, or as Thomas Aquinas observed, "It is the task of the philosopher to make distinctions."

( above from got questions .com)

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How about substituting “Truth “ above with “Conflict of Interest”?

Therein lies the issue of B&W saga. 

Therein lies in what Paul is trying to encourage. 

That we walk in the Truth. 

The opposite of truth is lie. 

Man can cheat man. But he can never cheat God. 

Better be a Gaias than to be a Diotrephes!

3 John13

“Dear xxx. Do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God “

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Alas! Conflict of interest!

Whichever form it takes…Direct…potential…perceived …Lol 

Still a conflict of interest!

Abide by the code of conduct! Else it makes a mockery of that moral code book! lol 

20230702- The Rideoutgate Reflections [1 John ] : Idolising over a B&W bungalow?

Photo taken at the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibiton. June23

 The contrast in 1 John letter summary :

 Light vs Darkness, The new vs old commandment, Loving the Father vs loving the world, Christ vs anti-christ, Truth vs Lies, Children of God vs children of evil,  Eternal Life vs Eternal death, Love vs Hatred ,  True Teaching vs False Teaching, Love vs Fear, and Having Life vs Not having Life.

Just yesterday in church, a commitment call to ask the Lord to take away the thing which distracts us.  It was a sombre moment of silence in the auditorium for me as I pondered over that 'Idol".

A confession here.

My bible reading had been quite pathetic. Yes, the attraction of dramas on the little tablet had caused me some time away from the reading which I used to do.  No excuse for the bad eyesight.

So today, I started my back to reading of the Word.

I enjoyed the recent VG exhibition.  The above photo was captured in contrast of a human being on the bench. ( My sister!) against the backdrop of the burning flames against the silhouette of the late artist VG.

It was a CONTRAST! Hoo Hoo!

 The contrast in 1 John letter summary :

 Light vs Darkness, The new vs old commandment, Loving the Father vs loving the world, Christ vs anti-christ, Truth vs Lies, Children of God vs children of evil,  Eternal Life vs Eternal death, Love vs Hatred ,  True Teaching vs False Teaching, Love vs Fear, and 

Having Life vs Not having Life.

Today was also the Parliamentary hearing on the Ridoutgate saga.

The defense of not committing any wrong doing by the relevant investigating units. Came in fast and furious.

My reading of 1 John this evening.  Yes what a revelation of contrast. 

Rideout gate : a Test of the Letter and the spirit.  Truth and lies. 

The case of the Black and White Bungalows seemed to have become shades grey.  There can be different shades of black and white anyway. 

Reflection

In my recent blog in "Chasing Vines" last month, a quote from the author Beth " When I get to the end of my life, I want to know that it meant something"

I love B&W colonial houses.  Cannot afford to live in one.

But simply love to gaze at them. Stately looking.

But I am reminded that we will have another mansion prepared for us in the heavenly kingdom as promised.

This was what John meant by his first paragraph concerning " the Word of Life" - that eternal life.  Not the temporal one.

Not against anyone renting or owning such a bungalow here in Red Dot.

But hearing and reading this proceedings made me a little sad.

So much investigation into such a case in defense.  

1 John3:10 " Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God"

1 John3:20 " For God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything"

1 John 1:8-9 " If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins"

Rideoutgate : only God knows.

The burning bush vs the burning hell below contrast!

A Rideoutgate reminder !

1 John 2:15-17" Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world, the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does, comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and the desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever"

Conclusion of Contrast?

Better not chase after a $26.5k per mth rental of an earthly B&W bungalow! Muahaha!

Works out to be S$318,000 p.a. for a 9350sq m place plus extended land of 13,814 sqm - contrast - Yes expensive for a mth rental of $26.5k for many commoners, but dirt cheap for such a big piece of land for the lessee! LOL

Another contrast?

Our basic cleaner pay is now about $1300pm. So now....just imagine 20 cleaners contributing to the economy at this mansion every mth! Muahaha

1john 5:21 " Dear xxx, keep yourselves from idols"

20230701- Best of Friends

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Reflections !

Have you watched “The Youth Memories” or 梦中的那片海 or Where dreams Begin ?

It is about Friendships. Very interesting drama which just ended the screen this mth.  But the sad part was that the director Fu Ning passed on in Jan23 before this drama as launched in Jun. He was only 55. 

Anyway this new song which I just happen to learn was kind of a good reflection for this week. Decided to scroll through the Bible which has so many verses on this topic. 

FRIENDS  - Like the famous western sitcom. And now the Youth Memories -

A shorter version.  

FRIENDS - 

Can be superficial or deep. 

Deep ones are few and last forever. 

Shallow ones come and go. 

FRIENDS - There are the Good , Bad and the Ugly. 

Choose Wisely! Muahaha!

Have a

Great weekend!

P/s. Go and watch “the youth memories” heartwarming!

 

20230626_Van Gogh Immersive Experience

26/7/23 - what an awesome experience at the Van Gogh exhibition at RWS Sentosa!

 

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The video:-

Reflections:-

A tragic life story of this creative artist, Van Gogh

His quotes:-

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars make me dream “

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day”

“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people

Approve or disapprove”

“I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

“Normality is a paved road; it’s comfortable to walk , but no flowers grow on it”

“If you hear a voice within you say”You cannot paint” , then by all means paint and that your voice will be silenced”

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”

“What colour is in a picture , enthusiasm is in life”

“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well”

“I cannot help thinking that the best way of knowing GOD is to love many things.  Love this friend, this person, this thing, whatever you like, and you will be on the right road to understanding Him better”

“Love always brings difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy”

“But you must love with a sublime, genuine profound sympathy, with devotion, with intelligence and you must try all the time to understand Him more, better and yet more.  That will lead to God, that will lead to an unshakeable faith”

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“I dream of painting , then I dream my dream”

What a dreamer VG was!

He was a star gazer for sure!

He was dead right about the colours of the night better than the day!

Recently I too have been star and planet gazing. Looking at the triangle conjunction of Venus and the moon and mars!

VG swirls perhaps came from his dream of the universe Milky Way and galaxy. So much of the resemblance of what we can now see

Thru the Hubble telescope. 

The colours of the night- cannot be made even with our human paint of colours.  

Such is our Creator God. 

There is such a mystery of the heavenly skies above. Where man has yet to capture. 

We with the plane can fly to about 10.000m above. 

There is also a big deep blue sea mystery where we man , cannot even submarine to beyond 4000m! The Titan which perished recently before it could reach the sunken Titanic is a great lesson for us man.

 

What is this lesson?

Man. We a just a tiny little being on this planet hanging in the Universe. A planet- it rotates constantly to give us day and nite. Its revolution gives us seasons of life. 

VG quotes pointed many a times to such a God. He too expressed Love in many of his quotes. 

Yes. God is love. And Love is God. 

Both intertwined. 

So I totally agree with what VG had written. 

“I cannot help thinking that the best way of knowing GOD is to love many things.  Love this friend, this person, this thing, whatever you like, and you will be on the right road to understanding Him better”

So hope you will also start to love many things in life. Pursue love. And love is always chasing after you. If only you would also pause and gaze into the starry starry night ,

Like what VG did. 

Do you have dreams?

Dream on. 

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Do you know that suicide is illegal in red dot? Just about last mth, Malaysia law makers are getting this overturned in their land. 

VG - Did he really commit this act with that revolver?

 

His letters to his brother Theo reflected his belief in God. Yet, did he really die in suicide? 

When the day I stand before the Big White Throne , would I be able to see

This great artist VG too?

Such is a mystery.  Only when the day comes I would know. The curious me.