Author andrewong2024

Who Will Be the Next US President?

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Uncanny resemblance between the two? Ha ha...

Uncanny resemblance between the two? Ha ha

It will be exactly two weeks from now that the US and the world will know who will be the next US President to lead for the next four years.

The latest polls from Gallup, the Washington Post, Ipsos and Ramussen put Senator Obama on 52 per cent, 53 per cent, 48 per cent and 50 per cent to Senator McCain’s 42 per cent, 43 per cent, 39 per cent and 36 per cent nationally.

Will it be the Democrat, Mr Barack Obama or the Republican, Mr John McCain?

If you are clueless who they are and what they stand for, you can visit this site for an overview comparison of their plans and policies.

But on a personal note. Whoever it might be, it beats having Mr Bush around. Thanks to his leadership, whoever becomes the next President will inherit a big mess to clean up.

Christians Overtaking S. Korea, Buddhists Worry

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Worried South Korean Buddhists are protesting against what they perceive as Christianity’s increasing dominance over the nation’s politics, especially in the light of the current man in office.

THE CHRISTIAN POST
By Edmond Chan

Christianity’s rapid expansion in South Korea is due to the faith having brought modernisation with the introduction of Western medicine, education, and even democracy.

While Buddhism on the other hand with its focus on meditation, prayer, and seclusion in temples, “failed to play an important social role” according to a Religious Freedom expert, and is viewed more as a cultural heritage than religion.

South Korea has the highest proportion of Protestant Christians in Asia, at 29.3 percent of the 48,850,000 people. Buddhists account for 22.8 percent of the population.

Eleven of the twelve largest Christian congregations in the world are located in Seoul alone, including the largest congregation, Yoido Full Gospel Church, which boasts 800,000 members.

Protestant churches also stage all-night prayer marathons, and are known for their evangelical zeal, with the second highest number of missionaries dispatched all over the world, next to the U.S.

Read the full article here>>>

Right and Decent Thing to Do For Your Citizens

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This is an excerpt of a comment taken from the ST discussion board:

If a war were to start today, the govt will immediately mobilise our NSmen in the country’s defence, I have no doubt about that.

NSmen will be reminded of their pledge to protect the nation and no doubt the PM and his cabinet will go whole hog on national TV to remind NSmen that they would be defending not only the country but their loved ones and remind them of the consequences should the enemy were to overrun this place.

But when there is a crisis such as the present when thousands of Singaporeans watch helplessly as their life savings are going to literally disappeared into thin air THE SILENCE OF THE PM AND HIS CABINET IS VERY VERY DEAFENING AND TELLING INDEED!

What has happened to all those theories about social, economic, military and psychological defence under the oft-repeated TOTAL DEFENCE concept promulgated by the govt? Are they all merely theories? Intended merely as propaganda to keep Singaporeans in line only?

Read the full comment here>>>

Opportunities in Times of Uncertainty

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It is unavoidable that organisations, families and ordinary folks will be taking steps in responding to the winds of change in the economic and market forces.

Manufacturers will be looking into cost-cutting measures to sustain their operations in view of low demands. Our government will be looking at ways to facilitate a vibrant economy and to manage unemployment. Families and people alike will be grimly tighting their belts to brace for the uncertainties that lie ahead.

With the media feeding us with day-to-day news that are reactive and short-sighted, there’s no doubt our future looks bleak.

Catching wind of the Holy Spirit

Apart from reading the news to follow the wind of the economy to determine our steps, I believe it is imperative for us (especially Christians) to keep in step with the wind of the Holy Spirit.

“Therefore I am now going to allure her (Israel); I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her”

Hosea 2:14

Even in these times, the Holy Spirit might be leading us out of our comfort zone to new areas to conquer. There might be some priorities that need re-aligning or wrong fundamentals that need to be corrected.

Staying in the realm of faith, this recession can pose opportunities for stock-taking in our life.

Arising opportunities  

A change in industry for our careers might be where the Holy Spirit is re-directing us. Or signaling for us re-train or upgrade our knowledge and competency in our professions.

For businesses, the slowdown will provide more time to take a step back to evaluate and streamline core processes to improve capabilities.

For folks like myself, the situation will “force” us to acquire more interest in being financial savvy in the management of personal finances.      

No matter how gloomy and uncertain the road ahead may look, we must not lose heart and keep the faith. And not just hold on to our jobs, but hold on to God.

Just as the sun continues to shine brightly behind every dark cloud, we can also be sure that there is hope and an opportunity for the better in every gloomy and uncertain times.

The Different Names of God

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Knowing the different Names of God will help us to understand and relate with Him better. When we relate right with God, we also live our lives right.

Jehovah: Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be” and commonly also known as Yahweh (YHWH). This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Ex. 3:12-14).

Jehovah-Elohim               The Eternal Creator  (Isa. 17:6)
Jehovah-Jireh                 The Lord our Provider (Gen. 22:14)
Jehovah-Nissi                 The Lord our Banner (Ex. 17:15)
Jehovah-Ropheka           The Lord our Healer (Ex. 15:22-26)
Jehovah-Shalom             The Lord our Peace (Jud. 6:24)
Jehovah-Tsidkenu           The Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem  The Lord our Sanctifier (Ex. 31:13)
Jehovah-Sabaoth             The Lord of Hosts (1 Sam.17:45)
Jehovah-Shammah           The Lord is Present (Ezek. 48:35)
Jehovah-Rohi                   The Lord our Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
Jehovah-Hoseenu            The Lord our Maker (Psalm 95:6)
El-Shaddai                   The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People (Gen 17:1-2)

Responding to The Economic Crisis

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I believe many are gripped by fear and anxiety from the shockwaves of a worldwide crumbling of our global economy.

Presently, it is very obvious that many (in general) follow the tides and winds of the economy.

Hence, are blown into an emotional turmoil with the fluctuation of the economy.

Staying focus on God

Unlike the economy, God never changes. He is the same today, tomorrow and forever. No one controls Him as He is above the economy.

The story of Joseph is a good example of which we can learn from in responding to this situation.

“The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did.”

Genesis 39:2-3

Despite being stripped from his majestic robe and the luxurious life he had as the favourite son of a wealthy man, he experienced an incredible amount of success and prospered.  

From a slave in Egypt, he eventually became the second most powerful person as prime minister in Egypt.

Connecting with God

The key factor of Joseph’s success was God; God was with Him and he remained connected with God in spite of his dire situation. He continued to walk in obedience to God’s ways.

Like Joseph, even if we might lose our jobs or have no increment or bonuses in this recession, we can still experience success. The key is in cultivating a strong sense of God’s presence in our lives just as Joseph. One way is by reading and applying His word daily.

True success should always be sustainable and unshake-able because it is found in a Person, not in things we possess. 

When we are focused and connected to God, we will have access to an abundance of everything we need in our God who is the Creator God- Elohim.

Trusting in our Sovereign Lord

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“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.”

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)