on the 10 minute video furor on sunny island singapore

well, it's been the rage and rave all over Singapore recently. Just makes you realize it doesn't take that much to make the headlines these days. Here's my 2-cents worth:

1) I really feel sorry for the girl, when she mentioned "We didn't want to be porn stars, what? What's the big deal, everyone's doing it these days what", or something to that effect.

First, I will be very concerned if she and her boyfriend had made the video with the intentions of becoming porn stars. Just goes to show how far moral values had fallen laxed in our country.

Secondly, her latter part of the statement really goes to show how juvenile and "not thinking" our youngsters have become*. Logically, if everyone is doing it, that means we can search for hot raunchy videos on all our younger siblings'/ cousins'/ friends'/ youths' mobile phones. I, for one, am confident neither of my siblings keep any of those on their mobile phones. Therefore, not "everyone" is "doing it", and her premise fails, quod erat demonstrandum.

So where does she get the notion that "everyone" is doing it? Probably from hearsay from her friends, magazines and literature, radio, TV, internet. I'm sure if she checks the mobile phones of her friends, she probably finds 2 or 3 out of 10 has those raunchy videos, rather than 10 out of 10...^ I'll say she is a minority rather than a majority.

So what if there are lots of people doing it? Do we have to jump onto the bandwagon, and start following the crowd, just to be part of the herd, and to blend in with the masses? If all of a sudden I hear a lot of people are eating shit, I definitely would not eat shit, just to be "in", know what I'm saying? I mean, do the right thing, even if the whole world is telling you to follow them in the wrong way...

2) Is it immoral to take hot raunchy sex videos of yourself? I'm sure many people would say it's ok if it's for "personal consumption". I am just curious what will will these people say, if I decided to pursue the question further by asking "To what end?" i.e.Why is there a need for keeping such videos? Here are a few possible reasons I can think of, and the smart-alecky rebutts I'll give in italics:

• "For keepsake of the wonderful time we had together."

Eh, won't it be better if you can do it again, rather than just remembering about it?

• "So that I can show my children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; family heirloom if you will"

Right, this certainly adds a new perspective to our little island's historical archives. Come on, do you think your offspring will need to be shown this kinda videos??

• "So that I can boast to my friend of the wonderful conquests I made."

Really? Would your friends really give a care? If your "friends" are the type to cheer you on in this kind of escapades, then I think they aren't really your friends at all.

• "So that I can rat on and black-mail the bitch/bastard, if she/he decided to run out of the relationship"

man, that's real sad for you, my friend. You are entering into the sex (which is an intimate act of love) with the intention of revenge. That's like totally misses the point - kinda like entering into marriage with pre-nuptial agreement...

ok, I've run out of reasons. Anyway, this kind of sexual deviation behavior is not new. I don't think for us Christians, we should say "don't do this out of protection of self-interests". Rather, we should remind people of God's holiness, and the need to stay pure and holy through God.

We also shouldn't be saying things like "oh, because if we don't stay pure and holy, God will condemn us and send us to hell!" Please, God loves you and I so much, that He sent His only Begotten Son to die for yours and my sins on a cross to be redeemed back to Himself. So lets not be-little the power of His love and resurrection of Jesus, who's still interceding on our behalf this day.

While it's true that sin will separate us from God, we need to remind ourselves God is never too far away to save us from our transgressions. In essence, choose to love the Lord above all else, rather than fear Him of the punishments he will mete out.

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* I know it's a pretty sweeping statement, what we chinese say "use one bamboo pole to overturn the whole sampan". Please don't take for offense - I'm sure for every juvenile and "not thinking" youngster, there is a juvenile and "not thinking" adult. :p

^ of course, there's alwasy the scenario whereby ALL 10 of her friends have those vidoe. Tis wat we called "not having a large enough sampling size"...

P.S. Part of the blog was truncated just now, not sure whether it's because I wrote too long. I hope this can get through...

on prayer-walking the land

Just came back from a walk about 2 hours ago. Though of staying at the library at Civic center to chill, but all the libraries are closed from 10am till 2pm for some annual meeting. I didn't know about this till I reached the library just now at 10.30-ish. With much time to kill, and not wanting to head home to "worship the Internet", I decided to walk to the new church site for a little prayer walk of my own.

My church* is organizing a Walk-a-jog at the new church site 2 saturdays from now. This is to dedicate the ground-breaking session as well as raise funds for the new church building. I won't be there though, cos' I'm to help out at a friend's wedding.** So I thought since I can't be there on the 11th March, might as well I do my own prayer walk around the land.

And it has been a good walk to. Frankly, the piece of land isn't very big. I took less than 15 mins to cover the area. Well, I decided to just walk from the land towards Yishun, just to do a more extensive prayer walk. And God is good, He made it not too sunny, yet not too shady. So I didn't get too thirsty or burnt out by the time I reached Sembawang's Sun Plaza. Along the way, He said some things to me about life in general, so I was not alone in my hike.

However, it was time for lunch then, so I decided to drop by at Mos Burger for lunch. Yea, usually guys don't really stop at Mos Burger for lunch, cos the meal portions are all girl-sized  But I had a craving for the nice milk tea. Not to mention the the MosBurger, with the nice mix of onions, mayonnaise and Japanese beef curry sauce. man, my saliva glands are working again, just thinking about it.... mmmmm...

Anyway, decided not to hike to Yishun after that, cos' the sunshine was (and still am, as I'm typing this) really starting to be turned up. So took the lon way home by taking a bus (instead of the MRT). Oh, glorious day indeed.

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*Well, not exactly my church per se, since I am not a member of that local church. But it sure beat typing out "the church where I'm a regular worshiper at...." you get my drift.

** I won't use expressions such as "Sadly, I won't be there..." or "Unfortunately, I cannot make it..." Hey, doesn't really matter if I'm not there. I know God will be there.  And God will also be where I am, helping my lucky friend^ getting his bride in the morning, cos' God's everywhere

^ well, maybe not so lucky, cos' he got me as part of his 'brother party" to go get the bride. I decided to be part of the new generation "brothers" who will help the "sisters" "tekan", "han tum" and "ma boh" the groom! niak niak niak...

the curious incident of the dog in the night-time

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Literature & Fiction
Author:	Mark Haddon

An international bestseller, this book won the Whitbread Award in June 2003. I was introduced to this book by a friend's friend, who's into maths puzzles. Before you jumped to the conclusion that this is a maths puzzle book of Sudoku-nature, let me tell you it is nothing of that nature.

It's a simple story of a 15-year old autistic kid trying to find out who murdered his neighbour's dog. It's a touching and though-provoking story-telling by Haddon, who used his experiences of working with autistic children into the narration. Do read it if you have the time!


For more info, go to below webpage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Incident_of_the_Dog_in_the_Night-time

on what I learnt on Day of prayer

went for Day of Prayer in church last saturday. Basically prayer meeting to call the congregation to come and pray together before the Lord. Prayed on a variety of prayer items.

One thing Pastor Ed taught us (or more like, reminded us) is that we will sometimes get distracted by thoughts during our prayers. It's as if a fly flies into our heads and keep buzzing, even when you are trying to keep on the train of thought that you are trying to pray for. Rather than focused on keeping the buzz out, Pastor says get a paper and pen, write down the distracting thought, put it aside (so that you can get back to it later) and continue what you are praying for in the first place. Not something new la, just a gem of life I seldom apply in my life.

So these are some of the stuff that distracted me in my prayers:

• Sense of urgency

Sometimes when we pray, we don’t pray with a sense of urgency. We flitter flutter all over the place with vague prayers. Of course, this is not saying we should be anxious in our prayers, masquerading anxiety as a sense of urgency.

 

• Altar to Your name

When we pray about specific items, we are actually building up our faith in the Lord. It’s as if we are building an altar of faith to God’s name.

 

• Pray for people by name

Something the Lord impress upon me; again, the “don’t pray vaguely” principle. Learn to ask for specifics.

 

• Empowered by the Holy Spirit

We need to ask from power from on high, rather than relying on our own strength alone.

 

• Encouragers!

It’s easier to tear down than to build up; it’s easier to critisise than to encourage. Must learn to build up the Church in faith and love.

 

• Kingdom prayers!

Don’t just dwell upon prayers for personal stuff. Learn to look beyond my own life and pray for Kingdom of God.

 

• Lim kopi – do resume tonight

Supposed to drink  coffee (“kopi-O, siu dai, gau” – for the uninitiated, that’s “thick black coffee, with less sugar” in kopitiam-talk) Didn’t do that on Saturday night; thus didn’t send out resumes.

 

• Life song

My life is a song to the Lord - may I learn to sing my life song unto the Lord, a beautiful one at that.

 

• Give glory to God

God is great, and deserves all glory. When we fail to give him glory, we are honoring ourselves above Him. A big no-no…

 

• Spirit of unity

Church of Jesus divided by too many petty issues – need to pray for unity

 

• Day of Pentecost

Reminded through another brother’s prayers, of the outpouring on the Day of Pentecost. Such marvelous glory, on the Goodness of God!

 

• We are already blest!

Through the Gospel of Christ, and Christ in our lives. Don’t hide it.

 

• Ask for peanuts, get peanuts; ask for continents, get continents!

God has promised He will make all things come to pass in His will. If we ask for little things in His will, it is certainly not impossible for Him to deliver. The crunch comes when we ask for the big things in His will… do I have that faith?

 

• Army of Christ

We are not only God’s sheep to be fed and care of, we are also soldiers of Christ. Must learn to discipline ourselves, and build ourselves up to fight

 

• One Life, One Purpose, One God

Can’t go through life again, we are not into re-incarnation. Better be clear of my own focus to be upon God.

 

• Thousands calling upon the Name of God

Magnificent picture of the host of saints calling upon the Lord of Lords, crying “Holy Holy Holy”….

well, certainly not all the distractions are about mundane stuff. Think I'll keep up with this practice. Argh, still haven't send out any resumes! Think I gonna get it soon from my friends...

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Let The Flame Burn Brighter
Graham Kendrick

Key: F

Verse 1:
                F
We'll walk the land, with hearts on fire
                   F/A     Bb
And every step will be a prayer
         Gm7              Dm7
Hope is rising, new day dawning
          Gm7     C         F
Sound of singing fills the air


Verse 2:
              F
Two thousand years and still the flame
                   F/A        Bb
Is burning bright across the land
            Gm7                Dm7
Hearts are waiting, longing, aching,
      Gm7      C     F
For awakening once again


Chorus:
                      F
Let the flame burn brighter
F
In the heart of the darkness,
                   Bb      C
Turning night to glorious day.
                   Gm
Let the song grow louder
                    Dm
As our love grows stronger,
C       Bb     Dm7     C
Let it shine, let it shine
F       C      Dm7        C
(Let it shine, let it shine) (last time)


Verse 3:
                F
We'll walk for truth, speak out for love.
                   F/A        Bb
In Jesus' name we shall be strong.
             Gm7                 Dm
To lift the fallen, to save the children,
             Gm7    C         F
To fill the nation with your song.

©1989 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
(from http://www.pwarchive.com/song.aspx?SongID=2323&v=1 )

Global Day of Prayer

http://www.globaldayofprayer.com/
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
Habakkuk 2:14

The Da Vinci Code project

http://www.davincicode.org.sg/index.php?Welcome
A little something put together by some of the churches in Singapore, regarding the bestseller controversy the Da Vinci Code>
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Note of welcome on the homepage:
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is a conspiracy-theory thriller. In the author’s own succinct synopsis, the book is essentially about “a renowned Harvard symbologist who is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time…and he becomes a hunted man.”

It is exceptionally well written as far as secular novels go. Many accolades have come in the wake of this international best seller. The NEW YORK TIMES hails it as a “blockbuster perfection. An exhilaratingly brainy thriller.” The DENVER POST claims that “thriller writing doesn't get any better than this”. The WASHINGTON POST states that the thriller is “Exceedingly clever”. The CHICAGO TRIBUNE characterizes it a “thundering, tantalizing, extremely smart fun ride” and adds that “Brown doesn't slow down his tremendously powerful narrative engine despite transmitting several doctorates' worth of fascinating history and learned speculation…” Library Journal lauds this bestseller as “a compelling blend of history and page-turning suspense…”

The book is a fascinating read and while I unashamedly look forward to the movie, I do not think, as in Lord of the Rings, that the movie would be as good as the book itself. And if you are wondering how an Asian Christian pastor can say such a liberal thing about the Da Vinci Code, I offer four simple responses – (1) the book is intended by the author to be a novel; (2) I am not endorsing its speculations; (3) I am a contrarian at heart – in the mold of the enigmatic Koheleth who wrote Ecclesiastes and (4) I am not finished yet!

Hear me out. Having given my honest regard for the novel, I must register my deepest concern. I am not so much concerned for Dan Brown as I am for his readers. Many readers cannot discern that it is written as a novel. In a postmodern age prone to speculative reductionism and historical revisionism, what is intended as a fictitious novel is readily deemed as history by many.

When asked “How much of this novel is true?” Dan Brown himself replied in his official website: “The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction” (emphasis his!). When asked, “Is this book anti-christian?” the author reiterates, “No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel”; meaning, a work of fiction (emphasis mine).

Yet the collateral damage is great. It is a good novel with a wrong speculation. The Da Vinci Code characterizes the New Testament Gospels as mere “fabrications” and casts doubts on the deity of Christ. This is the most deadly kind of poison. Fiction is accepted as fact; and fact – such as the deity of Christ – is dismissed as fiction.

So, here’s the pertinent question: “In a world that discusses fiction as fact and fact as fiction, what is fact and what is fiction?” Now that’s the greatest Code to break! As such, I am so delighted that a highly competent team of writers have made a concerted effort to help you break this Code. They have caused their expertise to bear upon such important inquires such as “Are the New Testament documents historically reliable?”, “Is Jesus God?” and “What credentials substantiate His claim to deity?”

Read on. This book will help you in your journey to decide what is fiction and more importantly, what is the Truth that is stranger (and far more compelling) than fiction!

Put on your thinking cap - and have a great journey ahead…..


Breaking into the Code of Life,

Rev Edmund Chan
Senior Pastor
Covenant Evangelical Free Church