hi all.
its kinda sad that the 1st time i'm posting here is to uh, apologise for my recent month-long absence... and also to say that my month-long absence is going to be extended for um, another 4 or so months. yep, i have been in m'sia/sick/will be in m'sia and will be going to canada on exchange soonish. =P back in this part of the world sometime mid-may 2009.
heehee cya all =P and God bless!!!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
prayers answered
i'm quite amazed.
because for the first time in my (yeah, short) life, being prayer co-ic of a camp was real. i learnt about priorities, God and fellowship. and God answered prayer, so i want to thank you for praying and interceding.
i was glad when i saw friendships blossoming, or growing deeper, through laughter and serious sharing and even tears.
and Ben-- he was right to call back the committee for a time of devotion before the final session of worship, even though it meant delaying dinner and delaying the last worship team's practice time. i was initially alarmed at the idea, and worried when i saw the frazzled looks on various faces; i wondered, are we being too demanding, unaware of the reality of hungry youths and lagging schedules and food going cold? so i gei kianged; i tried to cut it down so that it was just them sharing with a partner and praying. Which might have worked on its own, but what Ben did was, i believe, better; as i fled from the room and scuttled up and down stairs to check the situation, he exhorted the tired leaders and worshiped and prayed with them. In the end i didn't accomplish very much beyond familiarising myself with the stairways of bkt timah SA; but when the leaders left that room, even the ones who had first looked disgruntled said quietly, "Thank you", and i was glad that they had spent that time in devotion. Yes a schedule is a schedule, but how can a worship team lead others to worship, if they themselves have not entered that rest and gladness?
it seemed to me the classic Mary-Martha story--- i know i have a decidedly Marthaian tendency; in fact through much of this camp i'd been doing things before man, not often slowing down to be still before God. even as i went through the prayer basket and tried to write things in the encouragement booklets, my heart was restless, focused on doing things, rather than waiting on Jesus to touch hearts, draw out true conversations and stir up hearts to pray. Still i trust that He heard our prayers and interceded for us even while we did not know what to pray. The time i spent hiding in that corner might have been better used joining or watching the youths play and talking, really trying to connect with them. (connection these few days has been hard, possibly because of the voice, possibly because i have been hurrying and trying to do things rather than wait on God)
--> by the way, Ben did that; he went with the youths all the way and went through the camp with them.
--> so yeah Ben here's a big thank you for your patience and courage in speaking out when you were troubled by how ppl weren't focusing on God, and for reminding everyone to stop and enter God's rest again.
--> and for never losing your temper, even when i attempted to upturn your planned devotion, and when i was irritable while setting up encouragement system (i don't understand how you can stand there with rhinorrhoea and no tissue paper and still be so cheerful)
--> even though we often disagree on things in Bible Study and discussions, i pray God will continue to guide us into all truth, and that His love and grace will be made even clearer thus. IN YOUR LIFE BRO even though you sometimes feel like you're always gonna slip up.
As a result, for me the last night session was wonderful. Because it was so clear, like God's Spirit was breathing His truth into the words of the songs and the leader's words, making us understand the truth and the reality of Christ.
an adult stepped forward and prayed, and cried out in honesty to God, and was not ashamed to be without neat endings in his prayer, only affirming this: that God loves us, beyond our deserving.
After the worship session and altar call (during which many youths rededicated their lives to Christ), people started coming up and sharing testimonies. I was sorry to have to step out early.
during the camp also, i had the opportunity to sit in on group discussions. Then i realised that-- you know last time, when older youths would come in and speak and answer questions about God, and you wondered, how come they know so much? now i know God has been at work in our lives all these months for a reason. By faith, not of works that anyone might boast. i want to press on and walk steady in Christ, take time to rest in His presence and praise Him every day, for all my life, so that i would live after His pattern, and hear His voice, and do His will. Even when it's hard to decide between schedule and abandoned Spirit-led worship, between practicality and devotion.
so you see, i'm grateful for the learning. when i came back home, and reality/family issues came growling back, my thought was not, bleh, here we go; it was, pray, pray and commit this circumstance to the will of God. i want to keep doing that.
crucified with Christ means i am not my own; i was bought at a price. All of us were.
because for the first time in my (yeah, short) life, being prayer co-ic of a camp was real. i learnt about priorities, God and fellowship. and God answered prayer, so i want to thank you for praying and interceding.
i was glad when i saw friendships blossoming, or growing deeper, through laughter and serious sharing and even tears.
and Ben-- he was right to call back the committee for a time of devotion before the final session of worship, even though it meant delaying dinner and delaying the last worship team's practice time. i was initially alarmed at the idea, and worried when i saw the frazzled looks on various faces; i wondered, are we being too demanding, unaware of the reality of hungry youths and lagging schedules and food going cold? so i gei kianged; i tried to cut it down so that it was just them sharing with a partner and praying. Which might have worked on its own, but what Ben did was, i believe, better; as i fled from the room and scuttled up and down stairs to check the situation, he exhorted the tired leaders and worshiped and prayed with them. In the end i didn't accomplish very much beyond familiarising myself with the stairways of bkt timah SA; but when the leaders left that room, even the ones who had first looked disgruntled said quietly, "Thank you", and i was glad that they had spent that time in devotion. Yes a schedule is a schedule, but how can a worship team lead others to worship, if they themselves have not entered that rest and gladness?
it seemed to me the classic Mary-Martha story--- i know i have a decidedly Marthaian tendency; in fact through much of this camp i'd been doing things before man, not often slowing down to be still before God. even as i went through the prayer basket and tried to write things in the encouragement booklets, my heart was restless, focused on doing things, rather than waiting on Jesus to touch hearts, draw out true conversations and stir up hearts to pray. Still i trust that He heard our prayers and interceded for us even while we did not know what to pray. The time i spent hiding in that corner might have been better used joining or watching the youths play and talking, really trying to connect with them. (connection these few days has been hard, possibly because of the voice, possibly because i have been hurrying and trying to do things rather than wait on God)
--> by the way, Ben did that; he went with the youths all the way and went through the camp with them.
--> so yeah Ben here's a big thank you for your patience and courage in speaking out when you were troubled by how ppl weren't focusing on God, and for reminding everyone to stop and enter God's rest again.
--> and for never losing your temper, even when i attempted to upturn your planned devotion, and when i was irritable while setting up encouragement system (i don't understand how you can stand there with rhinorrhoea and no tissue paper and still be so cheerful)
--> even though we often disagree on things in Bible Study and discussions, i pray God will continue to guide us into all truth, and that His love and grace will be made even clearer thus. IN YOUR LIFE BRO even though you sometimes feel like you're always gonna slip up.
As a result, for me the last night session was wonderful. Because it was so clear, like God's Spirit was breathing His truth into the words of the songs and the leader's words, making us understand the truth and the reality of Christ.
an adult stepped forward and prayed, and cried out in honesty to God, and was not ashamed to be without neat endings in his prayer, only affirming this: that God loves us, beyond our deserving.
After the worship session and altar call (during which many youths rededicated their lives to Christ), people started coming up and sharing testimonies. I was sorry to have to step out early.
during the camp also, i had the opportunity to sit in on group discussions. Then i realised that-- you know last time, when older youths would come in and speak and answer questions about God, and you wondered, how come they know so much? now i know God has been at work in our lives all these months for a reason. By faith, not of works that anyone might boast. i want to press on and walk steady in Christ, take time to rest in His presence and praise Him every day, for all my life, so that i would live after His pattern, and hear His voice, and do His will. Even when it's hard to decide between schedule and abandoned Spirit-led worship, between practicality and devotion.
so you see, i'm grateful for the learning. when i came back home, and reality/family issues came growling back, my thought was not, bleh, here we go; it was, pray, pray and commit this circumstance to the will of God. i want to keep doing that.
crucified with Christ means i am not my own; i was bought at a price. All of us were.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
prayer requests
YF Camp, menomore, starts tomorrow at 8.30am and ends Sunday after second service at 10.30. about 60 (66 -2 pastors -whoever you consider to be too old to be a youth) campers from p6-poly age will be joining. It's at Salvation Army.
Ben and I are to pray and participate.
Do join us by praying for--
youths who are not Christian (there are at least 2 from nonC b/g)-- that they will understand Christ's love and gift of salvation, and accept Him as Lord. This includes youths who have been attending YF or service but still have not trusted Christ or understood the gospel clearly. Especially youths who have grown up in a Christian environment but think of church as a social thing.
youths who are Christian-- that God will use this camp to build strong ties of fellowship and understanding and love, and that they will each draw near to God, and encourage each other sincerely. Pray that they won't be distracted by dumdum things like infatuations and will instead focus on Christ.
the camp comm, headed by Ivan. Pray that we will be examplary in following Christ and our words and conduct will honour Christ. Pray that we will show love to each other esp when ppl are tired and under stress. Pray that the worship team would have a clear vision of God as King, the Holy One, and the One through Whom and for Whom all things exist.
good health/safety for all campers+ppl involved (and that i won't infect anyone with my cough!), esp as they do this rather hazardous thing in amazing race where you have to make something edible for a bystander O.o
I don't know what Ben's needs are (more shame on me), but i really feel very weak as tmr approaches. I prob won't be staying in camp but hope to join my group during the daytime. i'm coughing (expectorating!) quite violently, and so feel kinda weak; am feeling quite unsettled and restless because things at home aren't really resolved yet; and a separate event on friday is my first time being a tour guide at Christmas Village so i'm not sure what to expect. I find myself pre-empting what ppl will say and worrying about how to convince them (or even myself!) But as a trainer said during the preparation, we should recall the joy of Christmas and genuinely celebrate the fact of God's love for us. And Christ Himself said not to worry about what to say, but trust in His Spirit to guide us.
Everything belongs to God. The stars and the stones and the cattle of a thousand hills. If we kept quiet the stones would praise their Maker. I believe He's able to provide.
the thing that is stopping me from praying with confidence now is the thought that i haven't been very faithful in praying for the camp up til now. Or in watching over the camp comm spiritually. but may God forgive us, and still work in hearts and minds to turn them to Christ.
Ben and I are to pray and participate.
Do join us by praying for--
youths who are not Christian (there are at least 2 from nonC b/g)-- that they will understand Christ's love and gift of salvation, and accept Him as Lord. This includes youths who have been attending YF or service but still have not trusted Christ or understood the gospel clearly. Especially youths who have grown up in a Christian environment but think of church as a social thing.
youths who are Christian-- that God will use this camp to build strong ties of fellowship and understanding and love, and that they will each draw near to God, and encourage each other sincerely. Pray that they won't be distracted by dumdum things like infatuations and will instead focus on Christ.
the camp comm, headed by Ivan. Pray that we will be examplary in following Christ and our words and conduct will honour Christ. Pray that we will show love to each other esp when ppl are tired and under stress. Pray that the worship team would have a clear vision of God as King, the Holy One, and the One through Whom and for Whom all things exist.
good health/safety for all campers+ppl involved (and that i won't infect anyone with my cough!), esp as they do this rather hazardous thing in amazing race where you have to make something edible for a bystander O.o
I don't know what Ben's needs are (more shame on me), but i really feel very weak as tmr approaches. I prob won't be staying in camp but hope to join my group during the daytime. i'm coughing (expectorating!) quite violently, and so feel kinda weak; am feeling quite unsettled and restless because things at home aren't really resolved yet; and a separate event on friday is my first time being a tour guide at Christmas Village so i'm not sure what to expect. I find myself pre-empting what ppl will say and worrying about how to convince them (or even myself!) But as a trainer said during the preparation, we should recall the joy of Christmas and genuinely celebrate the fact of God's love for us. And Christ Himself said not to worry about what to say, but trust in His Spirit to guide us.
Everything belongs to God. The stars and the stones and the cattle of a thousand hills. If we kept quiet the stones would praise their Maker. I believe He's able to provide.
the thing that is stopping me from praying with confidence now is the thought that i haven't been very faithful in praying for the camp up til now. Or in watching over the camp comm spiritually. but may God forgive us, and still work in hearts and minds to turn them to Christ.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
more links
to the excellent ones LX provided i have only a few (most of them are on the right hand link bar)
http://www.rzim.org
Ravi Zacharias's site, which has some good responses to issues like the Virginia Tech incident. Good for apologetics.
http://www.rzim.org/radio/archives.aspx?p=JT&o=0&i=100 radio archive! good for listening to while jogging or smth :P (since i haven't been jogging, i haven't been listening. but still.)
http://freerice.com/
This website by World Food Programme, which is supp to donate 20 grains of sponsored rice every time you get a word/phrase right. has topics on English Vocab/Grammar, art appreciation and other languages :)
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Issues
Grace To You, John MacArthur's site. He has a very firm conviction of the importance of Biblical Truth vs postmodernism. Good to hear what he has to say in light of the many theories/writers/voices around today.
http://www.stephentong.org/sermon.htm
some sermon transcripts from Stephen Tong, an Indonesian evangelist (the eyebrows guy!) you can see some clips here, i think http://tw.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E5%94%90%E5%B4%87%E8%8D%A3&search_type=&aq=f
as an example, here's him talking at a Q&A session at NUS about subjective truth, whether animals have souls, and other things :P
http://www.luminarium.org/
large compilation of english poetry + literature. Look under "Religious Writers" or "Metaphysical Poets"(at least two of them were pastors). english is old but after a bit it gets more understandable.
for instance, John Donne's most famous lines are prob here, in this sermon. "No man is an island..." (mentioned in last sunday's sermon!) He also wrote this stirring sonnet about death. In another sonnet:
"'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
But, that God should be made like man, much more."
And George Herbert i have made much of, but here's one poem: The Agonie.
hope you enjoy it :)
http://www.rzim.org
Ravi Zacharias's site, which has some good responses to issues like the Virginia Tech incident. Good for apologetics.
http://www.rzim.org/radio/archives.aspx?p=JT&o=0&i=100 radio archive! good for listening to while jogging or smth :P (since i haven't been jogging, i haven't been listening. but still.)
http://freerice.com/
This website by World Food Programme, which is supp to donate 20 grains of sponsored rice every time you get a word/phrase right. has topics on English Vocab/Grammar, art appreciation and other languages :)
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Issues
Grace To You, John MacArthur's site. He has a very firm conviction of the importance of Biblical Truth vs postmodernism. Good to hear what he has to say in light of the many theories/writers/voices around today.
http://www.stephentong.org/sermon.htm
some sermon transcripts from Stephen Tong, an Indonesian evangelist (the eyebrows guy!) you can see some clips here, i think http://tw.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E5%94%90%E5%B4%87%E8%8D%A3&search_type=&aq=f
as an example, here's him talking at a Q&A session at NUS about subjective truth, whether animals have souls, and other things :P
http://www.luminarium.org/
large compilation of english poetry + literature. Look under "Religious Writers" or "Metaphysical Poets"(at least two of them were pastors). english is old but after a bit it gets more understandable.
for instance, John Donne's most famous lines are prob here, in this sermon. "No man is an island..." (mentioned in last sunday's sermon!) He also wrote this stirring sonnet about death. In another sonnet:
"'Twas much, that man was made like God before,
But, that God should be made like man, much more."
And George Herbert i have made much of, but here's one poem: The Agonie.
hope you enjoy it :)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The net
Hey cell, I'm guessing many of us might spend much time on the computer...
Let's share some worthy sites, that are edifying - whether spiritual or not.
In the internet and also in this day and age, temptations abound... let's help and build each other up here - if u have any websites in mind to fill time, to be alert to world happenings, to learn & apply knowledge of God... do share!
I'll start the ball rolling :D
http://www.youtube.com/user/LaneCh
This youtube channel has good stuff. I particularly like http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=348B16F84EA1D84F CrossTV/Mark Kielar Videos
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Gateway-to-Joy.html
Elisabeth Elliot is a god-fearing lady whom I respect and yearn to imitate. Yet reminded of Isa 2:22
http://biblebb.com/
I especially like reading http://biblebb.com/macqa.htm John MacArthur's questions & answers
In times of need for info/insight/God's opinion and will on a certain topic, this might help http://biblebb.com/tnivarea.htm bible verses on selected topics of the bible
reminder to keep things in context
http://www.etword.org/bs_notes/Topical/marriage/marriage.htm
To learn about marriage.. how to communicate, show love, how to treat children etc.
It has a good bible study and stuff on communication. Check out slide 4 under "Communication"
http://www.sermonaudio.com/main.asp
Download and listen sermons here. For a start, you might want to click on "Top sermons" on the left bar.
http://jasnette.blogspot.com/
A singapore/m'sia-based food blog, with recipes etc
http://www.instructables.com/
I've learnt a lot of random stuff on this site, teaching people how to do stuff from cooking and travelling to making neat projects
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
http://medlineplus.gov/
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/default.asp?pg_id=776
A good source of health info
http://www.popcap.com/
For free online games - warning: don't spend too many meaningless hours on these
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.light/
English standard version of bible
Has a nice daily devotion page: http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.light/
http://www.boundless.org/
site with info relevant for young adults regarding Christian living
http://www.asiaone.com/A1Home/A1Home.html?a=1
Get updated with the world immediately around us
http://art.gnome.org
Nice background pictures. nice to marvel at beautiful things.
Let's share some worthy sites, that are edifying - whether spiritual or not.
In the internet and also in this day and age, temptations abound... let's help and build each other up here - if u have any websites in mind to fill time, to be alert to world happenings, to learn & apply knowledge of God... do share!
I'll start the ball rolling :D
http://www.youtube.com/user/LaneCh
This youtube channel has good stuff. I particularly like http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=348B16F84EA1D84F CrossTV/Mark Kielar Videos
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Gateway-to-Joy.html
Elisabeth Elliot is a god-fearing lady whom I respect and yearn to imitate. Yet reminded of Isa 2:22
http://biblebb.com/
I especially like reading http://biblebb.com/macqa.htm John MacArthur's questions & answers
In times of need for info/insight/God's opinion and will on a certain topic, this might help http://biblebb.com/tnivarea.htm bible verses on selected topics of the bible
reminder to keep things in context
http://www.etword.org/bs_notes/Topical/marriage/marriage.htm
To learn about marriage.. how to communicate, show love, how to treat children etc.
It has a good bible study and stuff on communication. Check out slide 4 under "Communication"
http://www.sermonaudio.com/main.asp
Download and listen sermons here. For a start, you might want to click on "Top sermons" on the left bar.
http://jasnette.blogspot.com/
A singapore/m'sia-based food blog, with recipes etc
http://www.instructables.com/
I've learnt a lot of random stuff on this site, teaching people how to do stuff from cooking and travelling to making neat projects
http://www.mayoclinic.com/
http://medlineplus.gov/
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/default.asp?pg_id=776
A good source of health info
http://www.popcap.com/
For free online games - warning: don't spend too many meaningless hours on these
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.light/
English standard version of bible
Has a nice daily devotion page: http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.light/
http://www.boundless.org/
site with info relevant for young adults regarding Christian living
http://www.asiaone.com/A1Home/A1Home.html?a=1
Get updated with the world immediately around us
http://art.gnome.org
Nice background pictures. nice to marvel at beautiful things.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
He came to my desk with a quivering lip,
The lesson was done.
"Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?
I've spoiled this one."
I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted
And gave him a new one all unspotted.
And into his tired heart I cried,
"Do better now, my child."
I went to the throne with a trembling heart,
The day was done.
"Have you a new day for me, dear Master?
I've spoiled this one."
He took my day, all soiled and blotted
And gave me a new one all unspotted.
And into my tired heart He cried,
"Do better now, my child."
~Kathleen Wheeler
The lesson was done.
"Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?
I've spoiled this one."
I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted
And gave him a new one all unspotted.
And into his tired heart I cried,
"Do better now, my child."
I went to the throne with a trembling heart,
The day was done.
"Have you a new day for me, dear Master?
I've spoiled this one."
He took my day, all soiled and blotted
And gave me a new one all unspotted.
And into my tired heart He cried,
"Do better now, my child."
~Kathleen Wheeler
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Bell
THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Thursday, December 4, 2008
How deep the Father's love for us
Ephesians 3
...17 I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
God help us be rooted and established in love through our few days ahead, whether we're with our family at Msia, off at Korea, with our friends, doing things with family, alone at home, or at church retreat :)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
...17 I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
God help us be rooted and established in love through our few days ahead, whether we're with our family at Msia, off at Korea, with our friends, doing things with family, alone at home, or at church retreat :)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
The Rabbi and the Terrorists
It was obvious to observers around the world that one of the designated targets of the Pakistani Islamist terrorists was the Mumbai Chabad House, the one Jewish center in Mumbai. The 10 Islamic terrorists who came from Pakistan to India chose their targets with great care.
If one assumes that the terrorists' primary goals were to destabilize India, weaken growing Indian-Pakistani cooperation in fighting terrorism, and greatly increase Indian-Pakistani tension, hopefully to the point of military war between the two countries, every one of the targets made strategic sense. Slaughtering as many people as possible in India's major economic center, including as many foreign tourists as possible at Mumbai's finest hotels, also made sense.
But one target seemed to make little sense. In fact, until the attack was over people were uncertain whether the terrorists' attack on the Jewish center known as the Chabad House was part of the original plan or chosen spontaneously. Only when the lone terrorist who was captured told his interrogators that the Chabad House was planned a year earlier was it indisputable that killing the Rabbi, his wife, their children and any other Jews present was part of the plan.
The question is why?
Why would a terrorist group of Islamists from Pakistan whose primary goal is to have Pakistan gain control of the third of Kashmir that belongs to India and therefore aimed to destabilize India's major city devote so much of its efforts -- 20 percent of its force of 10 gunmen whose stated goal was to kill 5,000 -- to killing a rabbi and any Jews with him?
The question echoes one from World War II: Why did Hitler devote so much time, money, and manpower in order to murder every Jewish man, woman, and child in every country the Nazis occupied? Why did Hitler -- as documented by the late historian Lucy Dawidowicz in her aptly named book "The War against the Jews" -- weaken the Nazi war effort by diverting money, troops, and military vehicles from fighting the Allies to rounding up Jews and shipping them to death camps?
From the perspective of political scientists, historians, and contemporary journalists, the answer to these questions is not rational. But the non-rationality of an answer is not synonymous with its non-validity.
For the Islamists, as for the Nazis, the destruction of the Jews -- and since 1948, the Jewish state -- is central to their worldview.
If anyone has a better explanation for why Pakistani terrorists, preoccupied with destabilizing India, would expend so much effort at finding the one Jewish center in a country that is essentially devoid of Jews, I would like to hear it.
With all the Pakistani Islamists' hatred of Hindus, they did not attack one Hindu temple in India's major city.
With all their hatred of Christian infidels, the terrorists did not seek out one of the 700,000 Christians in Mumbai.
To reinforce my point, imagine a Basque separatist terrorist organization attacking Madrid. Would the terrorists take time out to murder all those in the Madrid Chabad House? The idea is ludicrous. But no one seems to find it odd that that Pakistani Muslim terrorists who hate India and want it to give up control of Indian Kashmir would send two of its 10 terrorists to kill perhaps the only rabbi in Mumbai. As Newsweek reported during the siege, "Given that Orthodox Jews were being held at gunpoint by mujahideen (sic), it seemed unlikely there would be survivors." Newsweek, like just about everyone else, simply assumes Islamists will murder Jews whenever and wherever possible.
They are right.
For years I have warned that great evils often begin with the murder of Jews, and therefore non-Jews who dismiss Jew-hatred (aka anti-Semitism, aka anti-Zionism), will learn too late that Jew- and Israel-haters only begin with Jews but never end with them. When Israeli Jews were almost the only targets of Muslim terrorists, the world dismissed it as a Jewish or Israeli problem. Then it became an American and European and Filipino and Thai and Indonesian and Hindu problem.
Two final points:
One is that it is exquisitely fitting that the same week the murders in Mumbai were taking place, the United Nations General Assembly passed six more anti-Israel resolutions. As it has for decades, the U.N. has again sanctioned hatred for a good and decent country as small on the map of the world as the Chabad House is on the map of Mumbai.
Two: Statements from Chabad in reaction to the torture-murders of a 28-year-old Chabad rabbi and his wife called on humanity to react to this evil "with random acts of kindness." Evil hates goodness. That's why the terrorists targeted a Chabad Rabbi and his wife.
(Via)
Like a trap
Luke 21:34-36
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
The system of this world is meant (and almost seems engineered) to weigh down our hearts with dissipation (distraction, school, studies, work, rat race, materialism), drunkenness (weekend parties, gluttony, debauchery, hedonism), and anxieties (bills, deadlines, stress, future).
And amidst all this, we're called to be
- careful
because the day will come
- unexpectedly
- like a trap
- all
(Study / work is not a distraction if we know why we are doing what we're doing, i.e. for the glory of God, responsibility, etc. I used to think studying is evil because it steals time from God but I have otherwise been convicted that it's not. Maybe share in another post.)
Catch you all on Sunday.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Paradox of Christianity
LORD, HIGH and HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive
that the valley is the place of vision.
LORD, in the daytime stars can be seen from the deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
- Valley of Vision
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