IT’S GRACE, NOT NINE LIVES
Researchers conduct studies to understand the likelihood of an outcome as a result of something happening or present. Risk assessment methodologies also rate risks based on the likelihood of a negative situation occurring after mitigating steps are put in place.
SPIRITUAL CARDIO CHECKUP
IMAGINE you are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you, causing you to spill coffee that can potentially stain all surfaces it touches. Why did you spill the coffee?
BE A RIVER, NOT A LAKE
Many restaurants offer diners the choice of still or sparkling water. Whether bottled or straight from the tap, we know that reservoirs are the source of drinking water everywhere and we are well-informed about the benefits of drinking water for good health and proper functioning of our bodily systems.
THROW AWAY THE JAW BONE
Sticking to what works involves much less risks than switching to a different way of doing things. Does this sound familiar? Something that once worked to get us out of a sticky situation now becomes the normative way for us to get out of any new situation that makes us uncomfortable. In the process, we miss out on the adventure, learning and growth that comes from experiencing life with greater spontaneity.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT!?
There is a new word in town and it is ‘infodemic’. We are inundated with fake news, misinformation and disinformation not because of artificial intelligence but because of the insatiable human appetite for deception and half-truths. We even create cakes made to look like normal everyday objects to get a kick out of tricking people’s perception of what’s real and what’s not real.
CAN GOD TRUST YOU WITH ADVERSITY?
People who embrace utilitarian thinking tend to avoid any action that causes harm and displeasure as their highest moral code. They protect themselves from everything unpleasant and seem almost obsessed with eliminating setbacks in their lives.
GOD IS NOT YOUR TALISMAN
When threatened or faced with uncertainties, humans intuitively and subconsciously lean on something or someone for security in very subtle ways. Parents often offer their children security blankets to provide them a sense of comfort in times of stress, emotional distress, and anxiety.
CAN WE FORGET GOD?
We all need healthy relationships where there is honest conversations and vulnerability, and consistent mutual effort put into uplifting each other in prayer, showing respect, integrity, and gratefulness. The rewards permeate every aspect of our lives. The same can be said about our relationship with God.
BREAKTHROUGH AT MIDNIGHT
THERE IS A SILENT COUNTDOWN happening in our lives every night. These are the moments before midnight that usually slip out quietly to make way for a new day to arrive. It is a change of order that we are more aware of, especially on the eve of a birthday and New Year’s Day. We want to capture those moments with significant others as we cross over to a new chapter; although chronologically speaking, it is just another hour.
THE PERFECT & IMPERFECT FATHER
Around Father’s Day, the media, and even the church, commonly spread a fetishism about fathers, upholding them as superheroes. In over-glorifying all fathers, all who are irresponsible, absent or who behave badly are forgotten and replaced by images of the perfect father who should be rewarded with gifts and special promotions.
WHO IS GOD?
This week, our guest speaker, Pastor Joyce Lim from Praxeis Church, asked the group, ‘Who is God?’. It is a simple enough question. Older believers might launch an impressive spiel with Bible citations about God with little effort.
BEING SATISFIED IN A DISSATISFIED WORLD
HOW SATISFIED ARE YOU WITH YOUR LIFE? These days, a lot has been written about the rising trends in job dissatisfaction and quiet quitting, marital unhappiness and silver divorce, the shrinking supply of affordable housing in cities, the loneliness and depression in the digital age, and the list goes on.
WAITING IS NOT WASTING
Singapore is well-known for its queuing culture. In fact, some even say that queuing is a national pastime for Singaporeans, and the longer the waiting lines, the better are the deals ahead!
THE UNSEEN HAND
THINK OF THE PEOPLE who have made a profound and positive difference in your life. How did their presence change the way you experienced a difficult situation? In all likelihood, these were not people in your usual Christian circles.
HONOUR BEGETS HONOUR
Three biblical characters left us indelible stories about honour. First, there was Joseph. From palace to prison to public office, Joseph honoured all whom he served. When he could finally give his brothers what they deserved for putting him through decades of misery, he decided instead to honour them before Pharoah (Genesis 45:8-11, 16-18).
JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION
Suppose you are asked to rate your journey with God so far, how many stars would you give it? You might give it a 5-star rating if you are enjoying a stable income, frequent travels, dining at upscale restaurants, and pursuing any hobby and interest you want without any constraints.
CONNECT. DISCONNECT.
Smart phone applications have become so crucial that we feel handicapped when they are not within reach. These applications enable us to book personal transport before we step out of the house, navigate our drive as we get into the car, have simultaneous conversations with different people, and juggle a million things on the fly without actually speaking or interacting with any person.
LIVING STONES, NOT ROLLING STONES
SINCE HISTORIC TIMES, stones have been used for palaces, homes, places of worship and defensive walls against enemy attacks. As stone engineering advances, stones became the hallmark of architectural prowess from the Roman Empire (civilization before Christ) to the Renaissance (start of the modern world).
HEART & POSTURE OF WORSHIP
Modern technology makes it possible to produce high quality worship in churches. Skilled music arrangement and worship hermeneutic are tools that help worship leaders better engage congregants and elicit their response. Good publicity can increase participation in collective worship. But no matter how deeply satisfying and pleasing to our senses these experiences are, true worship goes beyond the worship atmosphere, music and rituals.
