Blindspots

I thank God for people who tell me my blindspots so I can learn to be a better person. And I want to be a better person so that people can see Jesus in me and He can use me to magnify His name.

Thanks thanks thanks. :)
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Jesus is the lover of my soul :D

He loves me, and I am so thankful!

Jesus, Lover of my soul - Hillsong

http://www.imeem.com/people/gp0RR9/music/mGFyOLyF/hillsong-jesus-lover-of-my-soul/

Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Jesus, I will never let you go
You’ve taken me from the miry clay
You've set my feet upon the Rock, and now i know

I love you, I need you,
Though my world may fall, I’ll never let you go
My Saviour, my closest friend,
I will worship you until the very end
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writing our own life stories

i was rereading judges 9 again, and was reminded that the analogies and things that had happened so long ago would not happen in the same way today. Someone should write a modern bible based on what God is teaching us everyday.. nobody kills another to usurp positions anymore (they only kill to hide the fact that they have mistresses or they killed someone else). They do that by other methods we so often hear and see in our everyday life at work and even in church; scheming people backstabbing each other, people who tell tales to the boss, putting others down to lift themselves up, criticisms that are not edifying and certainly not helpful, so many things.. fake humility, all these things are not talked about in stories and in details in the bible though the bible does write that God searches the hearts of man, so I fear that christians will think, i am not like so and so, who killed, who committed adultery, who worships other gods in another religon, and the list goes on.. in today's world, some will think: I am not like so and so, I don't have such characteristics, I only look to God and do the right things, and gradually fall into the trap of self-righteousness.

sigh.. sometimes I think the world is sad to live in especially when the people we love and trust and whom we think are like-minded and one in spirit fails us.. but love covers over a multitude of sins.. I am also aware that I have failed people in my everyday life. I repent and desire to want to be a better person each day. I take heart that our lives on earth are temporary, and we got a far beautiful place in heaven one day. Meanwhile, carpe diem! :)
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yay!

I have $75 credit on my new Stan Chart Prudential Platinum Card!
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and so.. I continued my bible reading of Judges..

and the commentary of Judges 9. Very interesting especially when I spent the whole afternoon talking, praying and reading..

Reading this sort of affirms that it should be very clear in my mind the attitude of service and leadership should be that of humility, not so much to feel important, or not so you feel powerful. I am assured and thankful God spoke through Judges.

Appropriate message @ an appropriate time! I love hearing from God! :)

The Man Who Would Be King

When Gideon died, one of his sons, Abimelech, attempted to usurp the title King of Israel — an office and position reserved for God (Judges 9). Abimelech’s short reign was marked by treachery and bloodshed. It was a foretaste of what would happen to the Israelites if they rejected God as their king.

Abimelech was a son of Gideon (Judges 8:31), but he did not share his father’s love for God. In sharp contrast to the judges who acknowledged God as the only true king over Israel, Abimelech aggressively sought the throne of Israel for his own ends.

Viewing his 70 brothers as potential rivals, Abimelech murdered all but one of them. He was supported in this wickedness by his mother’s family and the leaders of Shechem. Only Jotham, the youngest, escaped. Abimelech then had himself crowned king (Judges 9:5-6).

When news of this reached Jotham, he climbed up to a rock ledge on the south side of the nearby Mt. Gerizim, and cried out God’s warning to the people of Shechem below (verse 7). From this natural pulpit, Jotham related a fable about trees vying for supremacy: "One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves" (see verses 8-15).

The olive tree, the fig tree and the vine rejected the offer of kingship. They were content to grow where God had planted them and to produce the kind of fruit God desired. The implication here is that these righteous trees refused to tear their roots from the soil and soar above the other trees in a presumptuous act of self-promotion.

"Gideon...represented one of the good trees invited to become king [Judges 8:22], though exact identifications are not needed. Noble, capable leaders like Gideon believed that the theocracy, not a monarchy, was the best form of government" (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 439-440).

The thornbush represented Abimelech, who craved power and prestige (Judges 9:15). Its invitation to "take refuge in my shade" refers to the traditional role of the king, who offered special protection to those traveling on his behalf. They were said to be "in his shade" (Hosea 14:7; see also Isaiah 30:2 and Daniel 4:12). In reality, as the original audience knew very well, a thornbush cannot give shade. "Jotham’s point was this: a productive person would be too busy doing good to want to bother with power politics. A worthless person, on the other hand, would be glad to accept the honor — but he would destroy the people he ruled. Abimelech, like a thornbush, could offer Israel no real protection or security" (Life Application Bible, NIV, commentary on Judges 9:7-15).

The words "let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon" (Judges 9:15) refer to the wrath of Abimelech, which would come upon the leaders of Shechem. This is exactly what happened: Abimelech eventually destroyed Shechem (verse 45) and burned its leaders in the city tower (verses 46-49). God’s prophecy against Abimelech (verse 20) also came true: This renegade Israelite was finally killed at Thebez (verses 50-54). His brief flirtation with kingship had cost him his life.

Throughout Israel’s history, Abimelech was remembered as the man who was killed by a woman (2 Samuel 11:21). The man who would be king became an object of scorn and derision.
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Lord, make me the Proverbs 31 woman!

10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies. (rare, precious)

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value. (trustworthy)

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. (kind)

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands. (works joyfully)

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar. (goes extra mile to get choicest goods)

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls. (disciplined)

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (enterprising, prudent with money)

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. (energetic)

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night. (good steward)

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers. (dilligent)

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. (compassionate, generous)

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (provident)

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple. (Elegent)

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (influential)

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes. (industrious)

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. (poised)

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (wise)

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness. (manages her home)

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her: (praiseworthy)

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all." (distinguished)

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (God-fearing)

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (honoured)
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random thought

when someone you love and who loves you tells you that she likes that you are a teacher moulding young minds, and that it's a noble calling, it makes it a little difficult to consider leaving at the end of this year.

But I was thinking of a one year break only anyway...............................

teehee
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me say...

I am not pro-homosexual lifestyle. I am pro-loving gay relationships.

I am not into sleeping around
I am not into gay activism though I salute people who fight for our cause.
I am not into bad and bo chap attitudes
I am not into drama
I am not into polygamy
I am not into open relationships
I am not into clubbing every other week
I am not into smoking
I am not into drinking till I am high
I am not into using vulgarities

I am not for all of that. I don't believe in all that. In any case, only a small percentage of gay people do that, I think.

I am into loving relationships, relationships that last, relationships that help each other grow towards being better persons, relationships that help to grow to love God more, serve God more, relationships that build up and edify each other so we can be better testimonies for God.


More later.
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sunday sermon. heh.

I was first introduced to Peter Gomes by H, who gave me a book of his sermons. Very insightful and nothing about homosexuality, just KooBits of wisdom preached from the bible. Once again, this article he wrote (posted on H's FB)made me go wow. A great portion of what he wrote are familiar from the 6 passages regarding homosexuality that FCC has in that booklet. But there are more. Go read it!

Homophobic? Re-Read Your Bible
Peter J. Gomes
Professor of Christian Morals, Harvard University;
Minister, American Baptist Church


0pposition to gays’ civil rights has become one of the most visible symbols of American civic conflict this year (1992), and religion has become the weapon of choice. The army of the discontented, eager for clear villains and simple solutions and ready for a crusade in which political self-interest and social anxiety can be cloaked in morality, has found hatred of homosexuality to be the last respectable prejudice of the century.


Ballot initiatives in Oregon and Maine would deny homosexuals the protection of civil rights laws. The Pentagon has steadfastly refused to allow gays into the armed forces. Vice President Dan Quayle is crusading for “traditional family values.” And Pat Buchanan, who is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention this evening, regards homosexuality as a litmus test of moral purity.


Nothing has illuminated this crusade more effectively than a work of fiction, “The Drowning of Stephen Jones,” by Bette Greene. Preparing for her novel, Ms. Greene interviewed more than 400 young men incarcerated for gay-bashing, and scrutinized their case studies. In an interview published in The Boston Globe this spring, she said she found that the gay-bashers generally saw nothing wrong in what they did, and, more often than not, said their religious leaders and traditions sanctioned their behavior. One convicted teen-age gay-basher told her that the pastor of his church had said, “Homosexuals represent the devil. Satan,” and that the Rev. Jerry Falwell had echoed that charge.


Christians opposed to political and social equality for homosexuals nearly always appeal to the moral injunctions of the Bible, claiming that Scripture, is very clear on the matter and citing verses that support their opinion. They accuse others of perverting end distorting texts contrary to their “clear” meaning. They do not, however, necessarily see quite as clear a meaning to biblical passages on economic conduct, the burdens of wealth and the sin of greed.


Nine biblical citations are customarily invoked as relating to homosexuality. Four (Deuteronomy 23:17, 1 Kings 14:24, I Kings 22:46 and II Kings 23:7) simply forbid prostitution by men and women.


Two others (Leviticus 18:19-23 and Leviticus 20:10-16) are part of what biblical scholars call the Holiness Code. The code explicitly bans homosexual acts. But it also prohibits eating raw meat, planting two different kinds of seed in the same field and wearing garments with two different kinds of yarn. Tattoos, adultery and sexual intercourse during a woman’s menstrual period are similarly outlawed.


There is no mention of homosexuality in the four Gospels of the New Testament. The moral teachings of Jesus are not concerned with the subject.


Three references from St. Paul are frequently cited (Romans 1:26-2:1, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and I Timothy 1:10). But St. Paul was concerned with homosexuality only because in Greco-Roman culture it represented a secular sensuality that was contrary to his Jewish- Christian spiritual idealism. He was against lust and sensuality in anyone, including heterosexuals. To say that homosexuality is bad because homosexuals are tempted to do morally doubtful things is to say that heterosexuality is bad because heterosexuals are likewise tempted. For St. Paul, anyone who puts his or her interest ahead of God’s is condemned, a verdict that falls equally upon everyone.


And lest we forget Sodom and Gomorrah, recall that the story is not about sexual perversion and homosexual practice. It is about inhospitality, according to Luke 10:10-13, and failure to care for the poor, according to Ezekiel 16:19·50: “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” To suggest that Sodom and Gomorrah is about homosexual sex is an analysts of about as much worth as suggesting that the story of Jonah and the whale is a treatise on fishing.


Part of the problem is a question of interpretation. Fundamentalists and literalists, the storm troopers of the religious right, are terrified that Scripture, wrongly interpreted, may separate them from their values. That fear stems from their own recognition that their “values” are not derived from Scripture, as they publicly claim.


Indeed, it is through the lens of their own prejudices and personal values that they “read” Scripture and cloak their own views in its authority. We all interpret Scripture: Make no mistake. And no one truly is a literalist, despite the pious temptation. The questions are, By what principle of interpretation do we proceed, and by what means do we reconcile “what it meant then” to what it means now?”


These matters are far too important to be left to scholars and seminarians alone. Our ability to judge ourselves and others rests on our ability to interpret scripture intelligently. The right use of the Bible, an exercise as old as the church itself, means that we confront our prejudices rather than merely confirm them.


For Christians, the principle by which Scripture is read is nothing less than an appreciation of the work and will of God as revealed in that of Jesus. To recover a liberating and inclusive Christ is to be freed from the semantic bondage that makes us curators of a dead culture rather than creatures of a new creation.


Religious fundamentalism is dangerous because it cannot accept ambiguity and diversity and is therefore inherently intolerant. Such intolerance, in the name of virtue, is ruthless and uses political power to destroy what it cannot convert.


It is dangerous, especially in America, because it is anti-democratic and is suspicious of “the other,” in whatever form that “other” might appear. To maintain itself, fundamentalism must always define “the other” as deviant.


But the chief reason that fundamentalism is dangerous is that, at the hands of the Rev. Pat Robertson. the Rev. Jerry Falwell and hundreds of lesser-known but equally worrisome clerics, preachers and pundits, it uses Scripture and the Christian practice to encourage ordinarily good people to act upon their fears rather than their virtues.


Fortunately, those who speak for the religious right do not speak for all American Christians, and the Bible is not theirs alone to interpret. The same Bible that the advocates of slavery used to protect their wicked self-interests is the Bible that inspired slaves to revolt and their liberators to action.


The same Bible that the predecessors of Mr. Falwell and Mr. Robertson used to keep white churches white is the source of the inspiration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the social reformation of the 1960’s.


The same Bible that anti-feminists use to keep women silent in the churches is the Bible that preaches liberation to captives and says that in Christ there is neither male nor female, slave nor free.


And the same Bible that on the basis of an archaic social code of ancient Israel and a tortured reading of Paul is used to condemn all homosexuals and homosexual behavior includes metaphors of redemption, renewal, inclusion and love - principles that invite homosexuals to accept their freedom and responsibility in Christ and demands that their fellow Christians accept them as well.


The political piety of the fundamentalist religious right must not be exercised at the expense of our precious freedoms. And in this summer of our discontent, one of the most precious freedoms for which we must all fight is freedom from this last prejudice.
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the AWARE saga

Already as it is, non-christians think that christianity is narrow-minded, it certainly won't help with the aware saga coming out more and more as a takeover by a christian group.

I believe the right stance to approach this matter is just, not to retaliate. The old news of God disapproving homosexuality has turned quite a number of gay non-christians away from God. Even christians who had been fervent for the things of God but unable to deny who they are born to be have chosen to stray away from the God who created them. To have christians like COOS (Chruch of our Saviour) aggressively taking control of Aware puts people off even more . I can just put myself in their shoes and feel the way they feel.

For myself, when I read the news about the AWARE saga and hear what Thio has to say; her misconceptions about gay people, her generalisation of gay people and lack of credibility in the way she puts her thoughts across, all cause me to be irritated.I have to remind myself not to let bitterness take root.

News that goes around saying that the 120 new members who had called for an EOGM to vote out the new exco are likely to be lesbians or homosexuality advocates would not help put gay people or gay christians in a good light either. Truth is, the agression in which the new exco takes over AWARE doesn't reflect on their inability to provide the proper welfare for women. I feel people should just wait to see what they are up to so their intentions will be in the light. Would that be too late? I don't think so, honestly.
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classic pedi for $6?

and so I went for this $6 pedicure @ Craig Road called Wax in the City. Service is quite good. Professional, and not pushy. I know they are not pushy when I don't have to sound stern in rejecting them. Heh. I asked for a nail colour close to my skin, she brought out this purplish nail polish. I was very hesitant about it, but under the dim romantic light, I decided to trust her taste and go along with it. The moment I walked out into broad daylight wearing my white flip flops, I cringed. My.. nails... are ... so... pinkish purplish! So not me! I shall wear it for a few days before I take the colour off. Bleah. No regrets though. I got the rest of the classic pedicure for only $6 though I spent 2 dollars for parking, 2 dollars to get into the ERP zone and more than a few coins on the 40 mintes drive from home to Craig Road.

End of my cheap pedi story. :)
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3rd straight friend I came out to in 1 month

one of my ex cg member whom I have always wanted to come out to asked the right questions and I talked to her a bit. More conversations to come. Gonna be challenging.
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I was touched today.

As I was worshipping to this song today, God reminded me very strongly that everyone is made unique, that we are all different, called to different purposes. Not one person is similar to another. More than that, God created every single one, even the strange ones, the outcasts, the social misfits, the socially unaware, the ones with low EQs... and I felt very strongly in my heart, once again, to love and accept, to love and love and love, because we are all made by God. Every single one of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL18YpuFpHM

Oceans Will Part - Hillsongs

If my heart has grown cold
There Your love will unfold
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
When I’m blind to my way
There Your Spirit will pray
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand

Oceans will part nations come
At the whisper of Your call
Hope will rise glory shine
In my life Your will be done

Present suffering may pass
Lord Your mercy will last
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
And my heart will find praise
I’ll delight in Your way
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand
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sat morning QT

before God used Gideon to rise up against the Midianites, God asked Gideon to remove the altar that his father has built and then build an altar unto the Lord. Sometimes, in removing the old altars, we may experience opposition, but God is faithful, He will carry us through.

HAving made peace with God, God used Gideon to be a saving light for Israel.

I guess the lesson I am reminded about here is that consecration unto the Lord precedes service unto the Lord. Make the heart right with God before God can use us to the fullest potential.
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bleah

U want to drive politely and keep that safety distance but some cars just keep cutting in front of u. It will be perfectly okay if I was having my holidays and taking a relaxing drive, but it's irritating lor, when I am in a hurry.

had a great game of badminton. But a better chat with M. Cool!

I wanna go Melbourne. I was telling the rest, if a sum of money drop on my lap, i wanna fly to Melbourne over the weekend with my cousin. Bleah. Waste of money hor.

Sometimes the amount of work is overwhelming. But one step @ a time, with a smile. :)

I thought of an alternative plan for next year which makes me happier. I don't have to feel guilty leaving my kids and my P but I can get out of the 630a.m. to 4p.m. routine. Yay
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Wise Stewardship of your life begins by understanding your SHAPE

As one of God's custom-designed creation,your potential for significance and excellence is revealed by the SHAPE God has given you.

The SHAPE concept is developed by Rick Warren, who writes," Whenever God gives us an assignment, he always equips us with what we need to accomplish it. This custom combination of abilities is known as your SHAPE.

The word SHAPE points to 5 different characteristics:

1) Spiritual Gifts (A set of special abilities given to you to share His love and serve others).

2) Heart (the special passion that God has given you so that you can glorify others)

3) Abilities (the set of talents that God has given you when you are born, which He also wants you to use to make an impact for Him.

4) Personality (the special way God has wired you to navigate life and fulfilled your unique Kingdom Purpose)

5) Experience (Those parts of your past, both positive and painful, which God intends to use in great ways)
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I googled Intimacy...

Wiki's explanation is pretty impressive.

Intimate refers generally to the innermost nature or fundamental character of something. Intimacy refers to a familiar and very close connection with another as a result of entering deeply or closely into relationship through knowledge and experience of the other.

Genuine intimacy in human relationships requires dialogue, transparency, vulnerability and reciprocity. As a verb "intimate" means "to state or make known". The activity of intimating (making known) underpins the meanings of "intimate" when used as a noun and adjective. As a noun, an "intimate" is a person with whom we have a particularly close relationship. This was clarified by Dalton (1959) who discusses how anthropologists and ethnographic researchers access 'inside information' from within a particular cultural setting by establishing networks of intimates capable (and willing) to provide information unobtainable through formal channels.

As an adjective, "intimate" indicates detailed knowledge of a thing or person (e.g. "an intimate knowledge of engineering" and "an intimate relationship between two people".

In human relationships, the meaning and level of intimacy varies within and between relationships. In anthropological research, intimacy is considered the product of a successful seduction, a process of rapport building that enables parties to confidently disclose previously hidden thoughts and feelings. Intimate conversations become the basis for 'confidences' (secret knowledge) that bind people together.

Developing an intimate relationship typically takes a considerable amount of time (months and years, rather than days or weeks) and both anthropologists and zoologists have tracked the subliminal changes in body language as rapport develops between two or more people.

To sustain intimacy for any length of time requires well developed emotional and interpersonal awareness. Intimacy requires an ability to be both separate and together participants in an intimate relationship. This is called self-differentiation. It results in a connection in which there is an emotional range involving both robust conflict, and intense loyalty. Lacking the ability to differentiate one self from the other is a form of symbiosis, a state that is different from intimacy, even if feelings of closeness are similar.

From a centre of self knowledge and self differentiation intimate behaviour joins family, close friends as well as those with whom one is in love. It evolves through reciprocal self-disclosure and candour. Poor skills in developing of intimacy can lead to getting too close too quickly; struggling to find the boundary and to sustain connection; being poorly skilled as a friend, rejecting self-disclosure or even rejecting friendships and those who have them.

Scholars distinguish between different forms of intimacy, principally: emotional intimacy and physical intimacy. Emotional intimacy, particularly in sexual relationships, typically develops after physical bonds have been established. 'Falling in love', however, has both a biochemical dimension, driven through reactions in the body stimulated by sexual attraction (PEA, and a social dimension driven by 'talk' that follows from regular physical closeness and/or sexual union.

It is worth distinguishing intimate (communal) relationships from strategic (exchange) relationships. Physical intimacy occurs in the latter but it is governed by a higher order strategy, of which the other person may not be aware. For example getting close to someone in order to get something from them or give them something. That 'something' might not be offered so freely if it did not appear to be an intimate exchange and if the ultimate strategy had been visible at the outset. Mills and Clark (1982) found that strategic (exchange) relationships are fragile and easily break down when there is any level of disagreement. Emotionally intimate (communal) realtionships are much more robust and can survive considerable (and even ongoing) disagreements.

In new relationships, sexual intimacy may develop slowly and in a predictable way. Research by Desmond Morris, a behavioral psychologist, found that most new relationships followed 12 predictable steps on the path to sexual intimacy. Couples that rushed through the steps or skipped steps were most likely to break up. The 12 steps he identified (in order) are: Eye to Body, Eye to Eye, Voice to Voice, Hand to Hand, Arm to Shoulder, Arm to Waist, Mouth to Mouth, Hand to Head, Hand to Body, Mouth to Breast, Hand to Genitals, and finally, Sexual Intercourse.
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fromallheardrecently

wait a minute
watch that heart
take some time
have some fun

looks are deceiving
intensity exciting
intimacy binding
actions seducing

though tempting
fire burns
steer clear
flee, run, hide!
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My eventful day

I got two days MC. I think it's good in a way. The only not so good thing is that my kids miss me for an hour today and half an hour tomorrow for my English classes.

And so, I woke up grouchy. Got to work and was in a frenzy after visiting my pigeon hole which saw the Fruttie Veggie Bites booklets already sorted out for every class and every teacher. So efficient and helpful are the office staff. With that, I rushed up to my table and immediately worked @ sending out an email to the school informing the teachers what to do with the booklets. Phew. Finished all that in 10 minutes and rushed to the hall for flag raising and pledge taking. While walking to the hall, I felt a sharp pain around my chest area. When I breathe in deeply, the pain travelled to the back of my body as well. It was very unusual chest pain indeed and I certainly have not experienced that before. Thinking it might be from the stress and hence the backflow of gastric juices to my heart, I ignored it and conducted my first hour of lesson. By the end of the lesson, i knew that I couldn't go on teaching anymore. It was not just heartburn. Asked for time off to see doc.

Doc asked questions, took blood pressure, temperature. Press here and there, pain a not, pain a not. The pain is inside, I told doc. She said to do an ECG but results show that heart rhythm was fine. She suggested doing a potassium test to see if the potassium level in my blood in low because it affects the heart too. And ouch. I hate the drawing of blood. Pain! Results will be out tomorrow, she said. She referred me to the Polyclinic to do an X ray to check for any chest lung problem. No problem. She said to wait and review in the next few days if the pain is still there. I feel more comfortable breathing properly now that I know it's not the heart.

My X ray showed me how I looked under my skin. I think I got sexy ribs. WAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
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tattoooooooooo

I like articles with a balanced point of view. This is good.

What About Tattoos?- Pastor Kong Hee
April 13, 2009

Tattoos have become a mark of the 21st century. According to the August 4, 2008, issue of U.S. News & World Report, more than one quarter of those under the age of 30 adorn their skin with at least one. No longer is tattoo something reserved only for gang members, convicts, delinquents or social outcasts. In fact, many of the preachers’ kids of the largest churches in Australia, America and Europe have them on their bodies. And these PKs are by no means rebellious or unspiritual. Most of them are doing excellent jobs leading youth, music and creative ministries. Some are even deliberately using their tattoos as a bridge to connect with the unchurched in outreach efforts. However, for most people, a tattoo is simply a means of stylistic expression. Many middle-aged women may not tattoo patterns and designs, but they go to their aestheticians to tattoo their eyebrows, eyeliners and lip colors.

So, is tattooing a sin? Are Christians allowed to have them?

Those who argue against it often quote Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” The word for “tattoo” in its original Hebrew is qa-aqa, which appears only this one time in the entire Scripture. Proper hermeneutic requires us to read any Bible passage with the actual context in mind. Practically all Bible commentaries agree that the context of Leviticus 19 is God prohibiting the Israelites from adopting the religious practices of the pagan nations surrounding them. Adam Clarke’s Commentary of the Old Testament says that the pagans were carrying “marks on the body in honor of the object of their worship … for superstitious purposes … in honor of different idols.” Nelson’s NKJV Study Bible says that the practice “had religious significance among Israel’s pagan neighbors.” But what if there is no religious, superstitious or idolatrous implication? Is a believer allowed to tattoo then?

Technically, if one takes the view that Leviticus 19 prohibits tattooing for all people in all circumstances, then for consistency’s sake, one must also abide by all the letters of the law here. That includes no shaving around the sides of the head, and the mandatory keeping of beards for all men (v27), which is a near impossibility for any serving in the military today. That also includes not wearing clothes made of different fabrics (v19). Should we then also continue with slavery and the keeping of mistresses, both accepted practices during the ancient days of Leviticus (v20)? Should we continue the Old Testament dietary restrictions like no eating of pork, shrimp, crab or shellfish? What about headscarves for women? Do we need to enforce that on all Christian women today? Most of us will agree that the answers to all the above are an emphatic no.

Next, is God Himself abhorrent to tattoos? God says in Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. Your walls are continually before Me.” The word “inscribe” in Hebrew means “to engrave.” The scholars of The Living Bible simply translate that as “I have tattooed your name upon my palm.” When John saw a vision of God’s chosen 144,000, they were “sealed” and “written” with the Father’s name on their foreheads (Rev. 7:3; 14:1). Those words in the original Greek mean to “mark,” “stamp” and “engrave.” The book of Revelation also talks about false worshipers receiving the mark of the beast, which were called stigmata among the Greeks. To this Paul refers when he says, “I bear in my body the marks (stigmata) of the Lord Jesus” (Gal. 6:17). Whether the prophet Isaiah and the apostles John and Paul are speaking metaphorically or otherwise, one thing is for sure, body markings are not always repugnant to God. As such, we must be careful not to paint them as evil or sinful in a broad, general stroke.

Theologians, like Tom Beaudoin, have done studies on youths who pierce or tattoo their bodies. They discovered that youths do that when they have had profound experiential encounters. Things that impact them deeply, like when they fall in love, get their hearts broken, graduate, start a new job, achieve something they are proud of, or lose a loved one through death. To the youths and young adults of the 21st century, tattooing (and body piercing) are often not something vain or rebellious, but more like a rite of passage. It is their way of expressing the spiritual in the physical, even at the expense of experiencing some bodily pain.

For most people, tattooing today is simply a means of personal and stylistic expression, much like clothing, makeup, hairstyle, body-toning and fashion accessorizing. There is nothing religious, superstitious and rebellious to the wearer; it is simply for aesthetic value.

Because tattooing is designed to last forever, and removal is painful and expensive, you should enter into it only after much consideration. Ask yourself the following:

Am I at a legally acceptable age to get a tattoo?
If I live with my parents, would they support my decision?
Would I still want this tattoo when I get older?
Am I really comfortable having it even if people may “unfairly judge” me?
If my tattoo is visible to others, is it appropriate for my line of work?
Ultimately, tattooing is a personal choice that, more often than not, reflects neither a rebellious nature nor a religious inclination. It is clearly written in the Bible that God looks beyond the surface and sees the heart of a person. We must be careful not to judge a believer with tattoos as loving God less than the one without..
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One liner

one lesbian couple I know are getting married! SO exciting! So sweet!
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randomssssss on a Sunday Night

I have learnt the fine art of moisturising my skin while being on the internet @ the same time. Save me 5 minutes lor.

Leading worship this Tuesday. Yipee.

Had my first guitar lesson. I was challenged. I like!

Being on Stewardship duty makes it difficult to worship and concentrate on what's happening. Ah well, got to give and take. Can't take all the time. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

S, N and M got baptised today. Quite touching to see people give their lives back to God. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I am feeling a bit high. Could be cuz of the tea I drank at 7p.m. COuld be cuz of the badminton game @ 9p.m. Could be cuz of the prata consumed @ 10p.m. Could be cuz I just showered. Could be cuz I managed to moisturise and be online @ the same time.

But definitely not because tomorrow is Monday! Bleah!
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lovely late Thursday evening

it's so comfortable @ Regent Hotel I felt like I was at home. Big comfortable armchairs, seated at the corner so I felt at ease having my legs up on the armchairs, having the wide screen TV in front showing football, drinking the bottle of my favourite Paulanar, with a group of friends I feel comfortable being myself with. I couldn't ask for more. My future place must have armchairsssssssssssssssssss.
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a mini revelation

There are 2 types of people in a relationship. People who think with their hearts and people who think with their minds. I am the one who thinks with my heart. I am the sort, who can miss my partner even when she is beside me. :)
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Good Friday, PUN intended! :D

I was lost but now I am found. In many ways :)

I thank God for sending Jesus to die for me, that I am able to live an abundant and purposeful life.

Most of all, I thank God how He had led me through this life along this journey of knowing Him then and knowing Him more now; from how I didn't do quite well in my A levels, to NIE, to meeting my 1st, to experiencing a great moment of my life with her, to knowing more about the how real God is through her, to finding Convenant through a casual walk near my work area then, to receiving Christ on my first visit there, to the growth process all these years being indoctrinated with solid preaching and real christian living; learning how to be both grounded in the word and empowered in the spirit, to this journey of discovering FCC and serving in a greater capacity now than how I originally started. God has been faithful through the past 11 years of knowing Him personally. I pray that everyone of my pre-believing friends would one day come to know about the saving grace of Jesus.

I am starting my first guitar lesson tomorrow. So exciting.

THank you Jesus, for everything!
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courtship is sweet

Ya know, I got this thing for words. I was reading the past entries of those who used to be in my life in a special way, and it gives me a warm feeling.

Courtship is sweet and it should last for as long as as long, regardless of how impractical it may be sometimes. :)

Life is short. There is no time to waste. Decide what you want and give your best to it.

P>S I am talking to myself as well in regard to work. Give it my best, give it my best, give it my best.

The reason for this post started with the reluctance to start my planning for my lesson observation on Thursday. Bleah.

Peeps, I need prayer please.. thanks.
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I want to worship like I should

I am listening to this great local composition from this guy from Covenant. His love songs to God brings me back to the place where I desire to see Him face to face once again.

Distractions of this world; work, relationships, even the things of God cannot be compared to the intimacy and sweetness, that tender tug at the heart when we behold Him face to face.

http://galvin.worshipsingapore.com/

Above All - Galvin Sng

Above all else
I want to love you like you do
Lord I will worship like I should
I will give my all to you

Above all else
I want to live my life each day
Pleasing in every single way
Jesus I will offer up my all to you

It's 0046! I should sleep!
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One life! Live it well!

I do not know how come time passes so quickly whenever I am online.

I just came out on the first guy I dated. He is still telling me that he loves me *rolls eyes* He is married lor.

I am still looking forward to my sabbatical that I am almost sure I am taking at the end of 2010.

I saw a security guard hailing a cab. She's prolly rushing somewhere.


I found a new job to temp after I resign and after I get my foot reflexology cert. And that is to sell ice cream outside Asian Civilisation Museum. I brought my kids there for a learning journey and more than half of them bought ice-cream from the uncle. The other half bought can drinks, which he sold for a dollar per can. Sheng Siong sells can drinks as low as 39 cents per can.. 250% profit!

my whole body is still aching from street soccer with 8 other gals yesterday. Very fun, but soccer is not my game la. :) THe weather was really bad, so bad it took 2 panadols to get rid of the headache. Had a busy but wonderful day. Soccer, Fantabulous Prawn noodles (J's treat), Polo Club(shower), Botanical Gardens(Jul's Surprise bday thing),Sis Mag, Dinner Dim Sum w the older crowd, Durian Geylang with the same older crowd, BB with the same older crowd, Wine Affaires with the same older crowd. Finally crashed @ 1a.m.

I can't cross my legs effortlessly because I think I strained some part of my leg.

Take-home from today's message. Jesus was transparent and authentic. He practises what he preaches and he preaches what he practises. He lives out his message, and so should we be like him, because we are empowered to do what he did before.

I like this song sung today:

Hosanna hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Lord we lift up your name
With our hearts full of praise
Be exalted oh Lord my God,
Hosanna in the highest
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2 things done out of my comfort zone

I came out to my secondary friend, one of the two whom I meet up with regularly. I am her first close friend that she knows of. She was pretty cool though I felt that the news had not totally sunken in. Let's see what questions she will ask me the next time we meet. She said she had no questions for me when I told her because she is not kaypoh that way, and that she respects my privacy.

I told my CGL and ACGL about taking some time off to determine my future course of action because I was serving in another fellowship group that I had been attending. THis was his response. Pretty promising.

Dear SL,


Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Am encouraged that you're involved with the group that you're ministering to and being involved in outreach there. I'm quite sure you are not meant to shuttle between two groups, so please feel free to take time off CG for the moment and rejoin us later on. It would be good to drop a note to CG cos' others have asked about you... :)


In Christ, A
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change change change change

the thought that came to mind while reading Judges 3 was.. why do people want to lead their own lives when God has brought them out of their misery before? Israel disobeyed God and led their own lives worshipping other gods and idols. God allowed their enemies to rule over them, they pleaded with God, God sent a deliverer. WHen the deliverer dies, they go back to their own ways, and the whole cycle repeats itself again.

Great is the mercy of God. Not to mention He's pretty patient too, reminding me once again that His main objective is to get us to the point where He will be able to mould and shape us until we will be changed totally into His likeness, the perfect being.

Reading Judges reminds me of how sometimes many, including myself, would choose to let ourselves be in situations that wouldn't quite reflect a life that has been transformed by God.

I always try not to let condemnation and guilt overwhelm me and comfort myself thinking; I am aware and that is good, and I am praying to be a better person each day, and I will be a better person with every passing day.

Die to self is such a 2009 theme. Isn't life purposeful and exciting? :)

GOd is good!! Back to marking................. Bleah.
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News Alert

Royal Sporting House @ Tanglin Mall is selling their Wilson N Code @ 25 % of their usual price, i.e from $245 to $70. Badminton players, go get 1! :)
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