Author andrewong2024

Uniquely Being Human

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To love and to be lovedHave you ever wondered why it seems that we, human beings are the only creatures on the face of this planet that is constantly looking for LOVE?

Or why we it seems that we are uniquely able to LOVE and not other creatures?

For certain, we can never expect animals to exhibit compassion, kindness or mercy. These virtues can only be expected and seen in us, human beings.

Why is this so?

Uniquely created by God

According to some readings, our primary motivation as human beings to love is to expand the self and to increase our abilities and our effectiveness. And one of the ways we accomplish this is through our relationships with other people.

But this does not explain how we attain this potential and the ability to love.

Opposing to Darwin’s theory that human beings evolved from apes, I am more convinced that our unique existence is crafted by none other than GOD.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Genesis 1:26-28

And I think there’s a good reason why his (Darwin’s) theory since 1838 has still remain as a theory till today.

Created in God’s image

Besides being Scriptural, this also seems like a more logical reason to why we, as human being have this innate desire to love and to be loved. Cos God is LOVE, and so that is precisely why we who are made in His image have that ability to reflect His love.

Secondly, Scripture explains that we are made above all other living creatures, which explains our superiority in intelligence and the ability to innovate; rising above the merely live-to-survive mode and being able to contribute to the betterment of life on earth.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Therefore, looking hard at human beings actually points us to the existence of a God and a special relationship that we share with Him.

So wouldn’t you agree that we, human beings are exceptionally unique with a divine heritage and calling?

Physical versus Spiritual Attraction

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Here’s a dissertation which I think is worth a read to provoke our mindset or attitude in determining the main factor which appeals most to us when we look for in a partner.

What is stronger sexual/physical attraction or spiritual attraction?

If you watch commercials on TV, go to the movies, read magazines or have any contact with the current culture, one would say that sexual attraction is king.

One would easily come to believe that sexual/physical attraction must be the main attraction point between people. Even those who agree that physical attraction is not the core of a relationship will often say that physical attraction must first be present to attract people together and then the spiritual attraction and bonding happens.

As I look at the major romantic relationships that I have had in my life, while I was physically/sexually attractive to each person, I would have to say, that the people whom I were attracted were more attractive because of who they were and not because of how they looked. (….cont’d)

Read the rest of it here>>>

Some Relationship Jokes

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True Valentine's Day 

Here are some funny jokes on romance and marriage to get us into the lighter mood of Valentine’s Day:

  • Marriage is when a man and woman become as one; the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.
  • A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.
  • Every man wants a wife who is beautiful, understanding, economical, and a good cook. But the law allows only one wife.
  • Married life is very frustrating. In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbors listen.
  • When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing: either the car is new or the wife.
  • First Guy (proudly): “My wife’s an angel!” Second Guy: “You’re lucky, mine’s still alive.”
  • A little boy asked his father, “Daddy, how much does it cost to get married?”
    And the father replied, “I don’t know, son, I’m still paying for it.”
  • Love is blind but marriage is an eye-opener.

I will trust in You

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“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, 
     a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name will trust in you, 
     for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:9-10 (NIV)

Trusting God with Our Lives

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In His Hands

Funny isn’t it, how we listen to our doctors’ prescription for us to whatever remedy/operation that is fitting for our sickness?

Funny isn’t it, how we can hand over our hard-earned money to our financial advisor to invest in stocks and bonds in a volatile market?

Funny isn’t it, how we believe our Prime Minister on his upbeat message on our economy in spite of the clear signs of a gloomy recession heading our way?

I guess most of us trust these people as it is their profession. They are expected to know how to solve these problems.

However, sad but true, they too can make mistakes that would implicate our lives.

Trusting ourselves

In our lives, who do we trust to lead and guide us in navigating the storms of life or to get us out of a difficult situation or to rectify a wrong?

Do we have someone whom we can turn to when we need to solve some of these issues in our lives?

I think that is a very important question that each one of us have to come to terms one way or another. And the right answer would determine how we end our life journey: well-wasted or well-lived.

I am sure that most of us would trust ourselves above anything or anyone else; in our ability, experiences or on our resources such as wealth, material possesions or people.

But then again, ain’t we grossly limited and falliable?

Trusting God

Similarly as how we trust so easily these people, we can also trust God if not more, in leading our lives.

Not only it is His “profession” to lead us as our Shepherd, but it is also His responsibility as our Father . Therefore it is both on a “professional” level and a personal level that He relates with us.

Therefore we can expect and trust God to fulfill His role to perfection if we allow Him to cos HE IS perfect and He is GOD after all. And He doesn’t make mistakes.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

My prayer:

God teach me more to trust You fully. Help me surrender my everything to you; with my heart, ambitions, possessions and life subjected to Your will and purpose.

Amen.

The Starfish Story: You Can Make a Difference

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The following is one of my favourite stories (author unknown) that never fails to inspire me in sustaining my belief in what I do as a Christ-follower, regardless of how insignificant it may seem to the eyes of others.

While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.

He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”