There was an interesting article in the Straits Times last Saturday on 31 Jan 2009. In the Science Talk section, a question was posed: Where does life come from? Classical physics has no answer to this question: time to make quantum leap.
Let me read a part of what the article has to say.
“LIFE presents a great mystery to a scientist. Where does it come from? How did it appear in the first place? Does it exist elsewhere in the universe? The questions just keep on coming.
Living beings are extremely well adapted to their surroundings. Even the simplest of organisms, such as bacteria, know how to survive by finding appropriate food, digesting it and turning it into energy, which they then use to move into a more desirable environment and reproduce. Try designing a machine to do this.
Our most sophisticated computers look ridiculously simple when compared to even the lowliest of
bacteria, let alone the infinite complexity of a human being. There is no way that your laptop, not even a Pentium 100, can plug itself into an electrical outlet, let alone find a suitable mate and go into a safe drawer to make a baby laptop.
That is why scientists are baffled: How is any living thing so much better designed and robust than any humanly engineered machine?
It is therefore not surprising that the Austrian Nobel laureate Erwin Schrodinger speculated more than half a century ago that living beings may not be explained by the laws of physics.
Ordinary laws of physics, such as the belief that everything that exists has energy, occupies space and evolves in time, may describe non-living matter successfully. When it comes to life forms however, this might not suffice.”
The article went on to talk about other means of trying to understand the creation of life and how methods of physics and biology were unable to answer the question of where does life come from. The writer continued by saying that perhaps the answer to the question of life form will be through the study of quantum physics and quantum mechanics. I have never been an A student. So talk to me about physics and biology, and I will look at you with a blur look.
Towards the end of his article, the writer wrote, “One of the biggest mysteries we face is to explain how life arose in the first place. If it really happened by chance, then the odds for this are stupendously low, because even the simplest life form has billions and billions of atoms which all had to be combined in the right way for this to happen.”
If you ask me, do we have an answer to where does life come from? And how is any living thing so much better designed and robust than any humanly engineered machine? I believe the Bible shares some answers with us.
In the very first sentence in the first book of the Bible, it says:
Gen 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”
The chapter goes on to tell us that God created all the vegetation, trees, birds and fishes and all the animals. The God who created and designed all these also made you and me. And at the end of the chapter, it says, “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” God loved all that he made.
In attempts to discover how life came about, Science and technology might not be able to understand fully the intricate details of God’s amazing creation. What science and technology cannot explain, the Bible tells us that God with his wisdom and love created the world and everything in it. We may live day to day in a world so big that we are just but like a small atom but do take time to appreciate God’s creation each day and marvel at the infinite and loving God we have.
I shall leave you with one of my favourite songs to begin the day with. It’s an old song but I hope it brightens your day and makes you think about how wonderful God’s creation is.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
There is a Hope
Revelations 21:1-4
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
There is a hope that burns within my heart,
That gives me strength for every passing day;
A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,
Yet drives all doubt away:
I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven;
And Christ in me, the hope of heaven!
My highest calling and my deepest joy,
To make His will my home.
There is a hope that lifts my weary head,
A consolation strong against despair,
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,
I find the Saviour there!
Through present sufferings, future’s fear,
He whispers ‘courage’ in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms,
And they will lead me home.
There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die,
And every longing satisfied.
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home.
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
There is a hope that burns within my heart,
That gives me strength for every passing day;
A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,
Yet drives all doubt away:
I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven;
And Christ in me, the hope of heaven!
My highest calling and my deepest joy,
To make His will my home.
There is a hope that lifts my weary head,
A consolation strong against despair,
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,
I find the Saviour there!
Through present sufferings, future’s fear,
He whispers ‘courage’ in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms,
And they will lead me home.
There is a hope that stands the test of time,
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face!
When sufferings cease and sorrows die,
And every longing satisfied.
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,
For I am truly home.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Laughter is the best medicine :)
I shared this during this morning's devotion. Instead of the usual devotional stuff, I wanted to encourage the students who are taking their exams and make them smile and laugh. If you are stressed, take time to laugh! :)
Feeling hungry, a man walked into a restaurant and ordered a pizza. The waitress brought it to him and asked, “Sir, would you like it cut into six or 12 pieces?”
“Six pieces, please”, he replied, “I don’t think I can eat 12 pieces”
A teacher asked the class to write an essay of 150 words. A student submitted the following:
“My father took me and my family for a drive last Sunday. On the way, a car ran into us from behind. My father was mad. He stepped out of the car and got into an argument with the other driver. They said many things to each other which cannot be written down. If I had, they would make up the rest of the 150 words.”
These quotes are taken from test papers and essays submitted in high school and college on science and health.
- When you breathe, you inspire. When you do not breathe, you expire.
- H2O is hot water and CO2 is cold water.
- When you smell an odourless gas, it is probably carbon monoxide.
- Dew is formed on leaves when the sun shines down on them and makes them perspire.
Alright you may be wondering where am I heading this morning with all these humour that I have shared. I have this magnet in my office which says, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everybody else up”. I understand that all of you are perhaps feeling the stress of exams and I thought it will be good to bring some smiles and some cheer to all of you in the midst of all your exams.
I am sure many of you have heard of the famous phrase “Laughter is the best medicine”. Indeed, it is a good remedy to detress. When we are stressed up, it affects us physically, emotionally and mentally, wearing our immune systems down, and causing us to fall sick easily sometimes. How does one treat something like stress?
Mark Twain, the famous author who wrote the books, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn once said, "The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that's laughter. The moment laughter happens, all our hardness of heart yield, all our irritations and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
I find what he said to be very true. When we laugh … laugh as in at an appropriate time and not randomly without reason, it can help drain the stress away. What happens when we laugh? Laughter is like an exercise; that is why we sometimes laugh till our stomach aches. Laughing can lower our blood pressure, increase our blood flow to the heart, and brain and boost the immune system. It gives the diaphragm, abdominal, and facial muscles a complete workout. Some people, depending on how they laugh, may even use their arms, legs, and back muscles when laughing. Laughter also releases endorphins, a kind of chemical into the brain to help us think and react better.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. (Repeat Twice)
When one is cheerful, one tends to be more energetic, focused and positive in the things one does. When one is down and stressed, one becomes negative, feels tired and loses concentration easily.
Exams and studies can be stressful so take time to relax or exercise and have a good laugh with friends whenever you get a break. I enjoy my Tuesday evenings as I get to laugh myself silly with some of the jokes on the local comedies on TV like Calefare, First Class and of course The Noose, not The News but The Noose. Oh no, now you know what kind of programs I watch …
So take time to laugh, encourage and cheer one another up, to relax even in the midst of your exams. Or like me, stay home on Tuesday evenings and catch the jokes on Calefare, First Class and The Noose on Channel 5! Having a good laugh might just help you destress so that you study better.
Prayer:
Let us pray. Dear Lord, thank you for reminding us how important it is to have a cheerful heart, to be able to laugh at things and ourselves. I pray for my friends here that you will grant them wisdom and strength as they sit for their exams. I pray that they will also learn to take time out to destress so that they can relax and enjoy the things in life. Their hearts might be anxious towards their exams so grant them peace in their hearts and minds. In your Name I pray, Amen.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Check this out!
http://cec.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=118
Hi everyone,
Just want to share this with all of you. Do check this webpage out! It is by Churches Education Commission in NZ. I like the resources here esp the video on child development video. Perhaps you wish to read some of the articles or resources that they provide as well.
Enjoy and be blessed!
Carol
http://cec.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=118
Hi everyone,
Just want to share this with all of you. Do check this webpage out! It is by Churches Education Commission in NZ. I like the resources here esp the video on child development video. Perhaps you wish to read some of the articles or resources that they provide as well.
Enjoy and be blessed!
Carol
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Living in a Crisis Stricken World – what do you hold on to in life?
School Devotion for 23/9/2008
Over the last two weeks, we have seen crisis after crisis happening in the world we live in. First, we read about how large banks in America were closing down. Stock markets were crashing. Then came the news that AIG, one of America’s biggest banks might also close down. I was joking with Roy, who is a Man U fan how Man U might now need to find another sponsor since AIG might be closing down. In Singapore, we read how many insurance policy holders of AIA panicked and began selling their shares and terminating their policies to avoid losing all their hard earned money put in investments.
Then there was the big news in China where industrial chemicals were found in baby milk products leading to many babies falling sick and some even died to the poisoning. In Singapore, many milk products were quickly taken off the shelf to prevent something similar happening to us. Those who were responsible for this inhumane thing were probably selfish people desiring to make quick money in the cheapest way without sparing a thought for the many innocent lives and babies.
And just recently, a geographical expert said that Singapore might not be spared from future Tsunamis for long. And when it happens, we will be devastated. In reality, Singapore being a very small country, we might even be wiped off the face of this earth if it really happens to us.
As students, perhaps we might think that these things may not affect us so much since we are in school most of the time. In truth, we are very much part of the world as it moves on. True, we may not feel the full impact of the banks that crashed, we may not have seen any of our babies in Singapore falling sick. We may not have experienced a real tsunami in our lives yet.
However, in the midst of all that is going around us – calamities, economic instability, sicknesses, one thing that is certain is that life is pretty much uncertain. We do not really know what may happen tomorrow. Our families might break up, we might face a financial situation at home that is beyond us, we might lose a loved one. All these are the tsunamis in life itself. Is there anything we can hold on to when life issues affect us?
The Bible which is the word of God assures us that in spite of all these uncertainties and instabilities in life, there is one thing which we all can be certain of
In Luke 21:33, Jesus says 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
Psalm 46 says, God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Have you ever ask yourself who makes the sun rise to smile down at us? Who makes it go down in the horizon that we might smile and admire the beauty of the moon as it rises? Who makes the rain come down?
Everything else may fade away one day but God and his promises will never fade away and this is the one hope we have.
Let us pray.
Lord, thank you for this wonderful morning you have blessed us with. We pray for all those affected by situations beyond their control that you will watch over them and bring peace to their lives. We pray for the babies affected by the contamination that you will bring healing to them and bring comfort to their parents. We thank you for your reminder to us this morning that everything else might disappear but you and your promises will always be here for us. I pray for all of my friends who may have struggles in their lives, that you will be with them in every way. May you also continue to guide all of us here in our studies and grant us wisdom in everything we do.
In Your name I pray, Amen.
Over the last two weeks, we have seen crisis after crisis happening in the world we live in. First, we read about how large banks in America were closing down. Stock markets were crashing. Then came the news that AIG, one of America’s biggest banks might also close down. I was joking with Roy, who is a Man U fan how Man U might now need to find another sponsor since AIG might be closing down. In Singapore, we read how many insurance policy holders of AIA panicked and began selling their shares and terminating their policies to avoid losing all their hard earned money put in investments.
Then there was the big news in China where industrial chemicals were found in baby milk products leading to many babies falling sick and some even died to the poisoning. In Singapore, many milk products were quickly taken off the shelf to prevent something similar happening to us. Those who were responsible for this inhumane thing were probably selfish people desiring to make quick money in the cheapest way without sparing a thought for the many innocent lives and babies.
And just recently, a geographical expert said that Singapore might not be spared from future Tsunamis for long. And when it happens, we will be devastated. In reality, Singapore being a very small country, we might even be wiped off the face of this earth if it really happens to us.
As students, perhaps we might think that these things may not affect us so much since we are in school most of the time. In truth, we are very much part of the world as it moves on. True, we may not feel the full impact of the banks that crashed, we may not have seen any of our babies in Singapore falling sick. We may not have experienced a real tsunami in our lives yet.
However, in the midst of all that is going around us – calamities, economic instability, sicknesses, one thing that is certain is that life is pretty much uncertain. We do not really know what may happen tomorrow. Our families might break up, we might face a financial situation at home that is beyond us, we might lose a loved one. All these are the tsunamis in life itself. Is there anything we can hold on to when life issues affect us?
The Bible which is the word of God assures us that in spite of all these uncertainties and instabilities in life, there is one thing which we all can be certain of
In Luke 21:33, Jesus says 33 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
Psalm 46 says, God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Have you ever ask yourself who makes the sun rise to smile down at us? Who makes it go down in the horizon that we might smile and admire the beauty of the moon as it rises? Who makes the rain come down?
Everything else may fade away one day but God and his promises will never fade away and this is the one hope we have.
Let us pray.
Lord, thank you for this wonderful morning you have blessed us with. We pray for all those affected by situations beyond their control that you will watch over them and bring peace to their lives. We pray for the babies affected by the contamination that you will bring healing to them and bring comfort to their parents. We thank you for your reminder to us this morning that everything else might disappear but you and your promises will always be here for us. I pray for all of my friends who may have struggles in their lives, that you will be with them in every way. May you also continue to guide all of us here in our studies and grant us wisdom in everything we do.
In Your name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Appreciating your teachers
Hi fellow Chaplains,
The following is what I shared with the sec school students of KCPSS a few weeks back. Hope it brings you encouragement as well.
KCPSS Devotion on 28 August 2008
I wonder how many of you will remember your teachers after you have long graduated from Kuo Chuan. Will you remember them for who they are and for the things they have taught you? Will you remember them for having being in a part of your life? Do you appreciate them for being a part of your life in history with you?
I was always getting into trouble with teachers and I still find it funny sometimes that I am back in a secondary school again. It’s like reliving my secondary school days except this time round I don’t get into trouble with the teachers and principals?
I was thinking of what to share with all of you this morning and I thought since Teachers Day is round the corner, I might as well share something about that. And as I was preparing, the name of my secondary school Maths teacher came into my mind. And I decided to write to her yesterday and she surprised me when she wrote back. And I will like to share with you our conversation over email.
“Dear Mdm Matthews,
Stanley here saying hello. Stanley, one of your ex students who used to give you a lot of headaches and pain? I am sure you will remember me! Haha! How are you? Hope you are doing fine? I recalled the last time we met was when you were with your family in the church along Yio Chu Kang Road when I visited it. How time flies!
I thought I write to let you know that I have graduated from my Christian studies since May last year and am now serving in my home church Living Praise Presbyterian Church in Bishan. It’s in the midst of both Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary and Secondary Schools and we are involved in the chaplaincy work of the schools. I am presently involved with the worship ministry and young adults ministry of my church and the student work in both schools.
As I was preparing my weekly devotion to share with the secondary students, I realized that teachers day was round the corner. I decided to share how they can appreciate their teachers and your name came up and memories of my time in YCKSS came flooding back.
I recalled you bringing me to one corner and speaking to me personally about my behaviour after I said something rude to Ms Rita the English teacher then. You reminded me that I should set a good example for others because I am a Christian. Of course, probably what you said to me then fell on deaf ears.
But, God has been merciful to me and I am thankful that I am able to be where I am today only by his grace, mercy and love.
Now that I am with secondary school students, it makes me think about those times when I was like them. I share with them how I failed my sec 3 exams because of soccer and because I was playful and how that was a humbling experience for me. I can see ‘myself’ in some of their lives now too and I hope that I can find ways to encourage them to have a purpose in their life and not waste their life.
I thought I send you an email to update you of how I am doing and more importantly to THANK YOU for the wise words you always tell me, and your constant patience with me and my nonsense.
Oh! I am happily married now …. Coincidentally to a teacher as well and I understand all the frustrations and heartaches of being a teacher. Now I know how you felt then.
If there is any comfort for you, I came across this quote from the internet and I thought it makes a lot of sense for teachers who give their hearts and lives to their students.
It says:
“In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.” ~Jacques Barzun
It’s been what … 23 years since I left YCKSS? I guess there is some truth in the statement then?
I thank the Lord for putting you in my path in life and as an anonymous author once quoted:
“I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.”
Thank you Mdm Mathews.”
My teacher Mdm Mathews replied and this is what she said:
Dear Stanley,
Very nice to hear from you. It is wonderful to know that you are working in your Church with young adults and students. It is wonderful to know that you are happily married. Do you have any children?
Thank you for sharing about your work. I thank the Lord that I was able to help you during your school days.
I have been in YCKSS since 1984. It was wonderful teaching you all. You all were my first batch of 'O' level students. I am proud of you all. It is more difficult teaching these students now than when you were in school. Many of your teachers are no longer here. They have retired or left the school.
Thank you for writing to me. This has made me feel appreciated. - Mdm Mathews
1 Thessalonians 5:12 (New Life Version)
12We ask you, to respect those who work among you. The Lord has placed them over you and they are your teachers. 13You must think much of them and love them because of their work.
Paul wrote a letter to his friends reminding them not to forget those teachers who have taught them about God and about life. He was also reminding them to show appreciation to these teachers.
Let us take time to be appreciative of our teachers. Besides teaching us academic subjects, they too teach us precious lessons in life. Let us be thankful for them. Their advice and nagging may not make much sense to us now, but we will realize they do actually make sense when we grow older and wiser.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us teachers in our lives. Thank you for their patience, strength and perseverance shown to all of us. May we learn to always appreciate them for the things that they have taught us and may we learn to never forget them. Grant to them wisdom, patience and strength always as they influence the future lives of the generations to come. Amen.
The following is what I shared with the sec school students of KCPSS a few weeks back. Hope it brings you encouragement as well.
KCPSS Devotion on 28 August 2008
I wonder how many of you will remember your teachers after you have long graduated from Kuo Chuan. Will you remember them for who they are and for the things they have taught you? Will you remember them for having being in a part of your life? Do you appreciate them for being a part of your life in history with you?
I was always getting into trouble with teachers and I still find it funny sometimes that I am back in a secondary school again. It’s like reliving my secondary school days except this time round I don’t get into trouble with the teachers and principals?
I was thinking of what to share with all of you this morning and I thought since Teachers Day is round the corner, I might as well share something about that. And as I was preparing, the name of my secondary school Maths teacher came into my mind. And I decided to write to her yesterday and she surprised me when she wrote back. And I will like to share with you our conversation over email.
“Dear Mdm Matthews,
Stanley here saying hello. Stanley, one of your ex students who used to give you a lot of headaches and pain? I am sure you will remember me! Haha! How are you? Hope you are doing fine? I recalled the last time we met was when you were with your family in the church along Yio Chu Kang Road when I visited it. How time flies!
I thought I write to let you know that I have graduated from my Christian studies since May last year and am now serving in my home church Living Praise Presbyterian Church in Bishan. It’s in the midst of both Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary and Secondary Schools and we are involved in the chaplaincy work of the schools. I am presently involved with the worship ministry and young adults ministry of my church and the student work in both schools.
As I was preparing my weekly devotion to share with the secondary students, I realized that teachers day was round the corner. I decided to share how they can appreciate their teachers and your name came up and memories of my time in YCKSS came flooding back.
I recalled you bringing me to one corner and speaking to me personally about my behaviour after I said something rude to Ms Rita the English teacher then. You reminded me that I should set a good example for others because I am a Christian. Of course, probably what you said to me then fell on deaf ears.
But, God has been merciful to me and I am thankful that I am able to be where I am today only by his grace, mercy and love.
Now that I am with secondary school students, it makes me think about those times when I was like them. I share with them how I failed my sec 3 exams because of soccer and because I was playful and how that was a humbling experience for me. I can see ‘myself’ in some of their lives now too and I hope that I can find ways to encourage them to have a purpose in their life and not waste their life.
I thought I send you an email to update you of how I am doing and more importantly to THANK YOU for the wise words you always tell me, and your constant patience with me and my nonsense.
Oh! I am happily married now …. Coincidentally to a teacher as well and I understand all the frustrations and heartaches of being a teacher. Now I know how you felt then.
If there is any comfort for you, I came across this quote from the internet and I thought it makes a lot of sense for teachers who give their hearts and lives to their students.
It says:
“In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.” ~Jacques Barzun
It’s been what … 23 years since I left YCKSS? I guess there is some truth in the statement then?
I thank the Lord for putting you in my path in life and as an anonymous author once quoted:
“I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.”
Thank you Mdm Mathews.”
My teacher Mdm Mathews replied and this is what she said:
Dear Stanley,
Very nice to hear from you. It is wonderful to know that you are working in your Church with young adults and students. It is wonderful to know that you are happily married. Do you have any children?
Thank you for sharing about your work. I thank the Lord that I was able to help you during your school days.
I have been in YCKSS since 1984. It was wonderful teaching you all. You all were my first batch of 'O' level students. I am proud of you all. It is more difficult teaching these students now than when you were in school. Many of your teachers are no longer here. They have retired or left the school.
Thank you for writing to me. This has made me feel appreciated. - Mdm Mathews
1 Thessalonians 5:12 (New Life Version)
12We ask you, to respect those who work among you. The Lord has placed them over you and they are your teachers. 13You must think much of them and love them because of their work.
Paul wrote a letter to his friends reminding them not to forget those teachers who have taught them about God and about life. He was also reminding them to show appreciation to these teachers.
Let us take time to be appreciative of our teachers. Besides teaching us academic subjects, they too teach us precious lessons in life. Let us be thankful for them. Their advice and nagging may not make much sense to us now, but we will realize they do actually make sense when we grow older and wiser.
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us teachers in our lives. Thank you for their patience, strength and perseverance shown to all of us. May we learn to always appreciate them for the things that they have taught us and may we learn to never forget them. Grant to them wisdom, patience and strength always as they influence the future lives of the generations to come. Amen.
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