The reflecting theologian

Do you really understand why you exist? Surely this is a fundamental question that everyone wants answered. Without meaningful goals, life is senseless and empty. Lack of purpose leads to unhappiness and even mental disorders. People need a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in life. However, many people are mistaken about the true meaning and purpose of life. Some pursue riches and material possessions, believing that material things will make life happy but they ended up always wanting more and never satisfied. Some pursue pleasure and make fun their goal in life, thinking that 'you can only go around once, so reach for gusto you can.' Many modern entertainers have achieved this 'high life' to the ultimate but are they happy? Some pursue education and want to accumulate knowledge and world wisdom, thereby spending their time in nothing else than to hear or tell new things. So, what is the meaning of life? How can we find purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction in ...

I originally wanted to post up my article on meaning and purpose this time round, with another article on Da Vinci Code. But looking at my blog count, I decided to hold and perhaps say something different this time round. I'll leave what I had intended for this post for the next one, that one being the 200th blog post of my blogging career. Meanwhile, while I'm organising my thoughts for this post, let me show my readers one pic : Here and behold the new NUS A3, the one CG which I can't wait to see in action full force. The two handsome guys in front are me (left) and Edwin (right). The ever pretty ladies are (from the left) Shuyi, QP, Jessie, Lishan, Yi Shyan and Ashleigh. Missing in this pic is Christine who was away for some important business at the time this picture was taken, Ziwei who was sick at that time and Kaiqin who is currently away for SEP. As I said earlier, an old CG with a new face altogether, it's a CG with some much potential on hand and so much rela...

Just returned from the FFF Uni District Camp which was held at Fairypoint Aloha Changi. It can be said to be a refreshing retreat for me, and I believe for all the other brothers and sisters as well. This camp also allowed me to think of issues that I ought to have known but not perceived and understood. Therefore, I must say, it's quite spiritually reviving and allows me to committ again to God's hand and allow Him to become the centre of my life once more. 3 'new' sisters joined the cg. They are not 'new' as in this is the first time we meet them or they just received Christ or what, but they are new as in they just joined our cg from NUS T cg. In an instance, NUSA3 suddenly increased in strength but something troubled me quite a lot. The demo of the cg currently stands at 9 sisters (1 SEP) and 2 brothers, including me. It sort of tells us straight in the face that we are not growing as much as we ought to... But then looking at the bright side, I can really e...

This is a story told of the one-time heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, flying to one of his engagements. During the flight, the aircraft ran into foul weather, and mild to moderate turbulence began to toss it about. All nervous fliers well know that when a pilot signals 'moderate turbulence', he is implying, 'if you have any religious belief, it is time to start expressing them.' The passengers were accordingly instructed to fasten their seatbelts immediately. Everyone complied but Ali. Noticing this, the flight attendant approached him and requested that he observe the captain's order, only to hear Ali audaciously respond, 'Superman don't need no seatbelt.' The flight attendant did not miss a beat and replied, 'Superman dun need no airplance either.'

I have always heard of people telling other people to follow their heart when they are confused. When people are confused about their relationship, they are told to follow their heart. When people are confused about what to do, they are told to follow their heart. When people are confused about what to say, they are told to follow their heart. When people are confused about what is happening, they are told to follow their heart. They are told being too rational and rationalising things are not the way. They are told thoughts should go through the heart not the brain. They are told to look at the world through their heart, not their brain. Yeah right. This is an era which people think following their heart is the only way, which people say,'I can do it', which people no longer need an anchor in their life, which people just follow their heart's desire. But really, I really have to question, is following the heart a really good thing? One scenario - A 14 year old girl has a 1...

I dreamed I had an interview with God. "So you would like to interview me?" God asked. "If you have the time" I said. God smiled. "My time is eternity." "What questions do you have in mind for me?" "What surprises you most about humankind?" God answered... "That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again." "That they lose their health to make money... and then lose their money to restore their health." "That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future." "That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived." God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while. And then I asked... "As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?" "To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselv...

Recently I have been reading John C.Maxwell's book on Developing the leader within us and just finished three chapters about influence, priority and integrity. Makes me really think about the one person in this earth which we should all imitate. His name is Jesus Christ, the only perfect man in this world, who can make both man and woman go gaga over. He is not only the perfect man, but one perfect leader which if every leader imitates, the world will be a better place. He perhaps has the influence- people respect for who He is. He knows His priority- to redeem mankind from sin. He has the integrity to be consistent and do what He says. Certainly one man I want to emulate as I enter this matric season. Certainly one man I want to trust upon as the matric seaon draws near. Currently, there is this release of a 'fantastic' movie called the Da Vinci Code, acted by Tom Hanks. As all know, the DVC makes dubious claims about Christianity. Although it tried to portrait the RC in b...

After a long break, it's time to update my blog once more. A lot of things have happened for the past few days... most of them in my mind actually. Physically, most of the time, I was playing games at home and attending CG, sub-d, and services. I managed to buy a few books to read but sooner or later, I would have to buy some more to satisfy my thirst for knowledge. Honestly speaking, I'm really feeling excited about the coming months. NYF... maybe so if I get selected but what's really exciting will be the upcoming matric season. Whoaz... how exciting can it be to know more new people. How exciting can it be to be a senior once more? I just recently finished this book called 'Twelve Ordinary Men' by John MacArthur. This book basically talks about the twelve apostles whom Jesus had personally taught so that they could be the early church founders and leaders and the vassals of God to preach the gospels to the world. Essentially, the gist of the whole book is this: G...

The election is finally over. PAP won 82 seats and the opposition retained their 2 seats, Chiam See Tong at Potong Pasir and Low Thia Khiang at Hougang. It had been an exciting election for me, superimposed by a very exciting exam in the middle of it. My side at Bukit Panjang SMC won 77.18% of votes, therefore becoming the highest scoring ward in the whole of Singapore. Sembawang GRC became the highest winning GRC with 76% vote. Well, as usual, I would have something to say for this election, my own take on the results and issues. Firstly, let's talk about Bukit Panjang SMC, which is the place I live in and the branch which I'm working, now represented by my boss, Dr. Teo Ho Pin. We won 77.18%, which is the highest score for this election. It will be a great stress for us to maintain this result in the coming election, if the WP or the SDA comes over to contest. But the result also showed one thing. Bearing in mind that this ward is one of the most quiet contested area, with Li...

Come and make my heart your home, come and be everything I am and Lord i know, search me through and through, till my heart becomes a home for you A home for u.... oh... A home for u... oh... let everything i do... open up a door for u to come through, and then my heart will be a place where u wanna be - Hillsong United Well... I was just feeling a bit spiritual now and decided to listen to this song. It's just so amazing that shortly after I heard this song, we sang it in service. I sort of understand why it was so. And this song sort of makes a lot of meaning to me right now. In a few minutes time, it will be tuesday and 9 hours from my last paper. Nervous? Well, I have entrusted God with the outcome. Come to think of it, God will make sure that what I got is accordance to His big plan for me, so I can sort of rest assured. Quite surprising though, I'm always so amazed on how He came into my life even before I formally receive Him into my life last exam. Indeed, it must be Hi...

Here's a stupid joke which I suddenly thought of when I was at the bus after my house visits to school today: There was this very pious guy who faithfully believed in God for his life. Then one day, he was on a yacht and the yacht knocked onto an iceberg and began to sink. He dun have a lifeboat or a life jacket on the yacht and he dun know how to swim. But deep down inside him, he believed that God will come and save him. A few minutes later, a guy, rowing a boat, approached him and offered to save him. He said, 'no need, God will save me.' And the guy left. Then a few minutes later, another guy came with speedboat and offered to save him. Again, the pious guy refused the offer with the same reason. A few more minutes later, someone drove a helicopter down to save him, but again he refused the offer. Then he drowned and died. So, this guy went up to heaven and met God. He was very angry and questioned Him, 'I have placed so much faith on You. Why didn't You come an...