we are such a race to be laughed at. diamonds we pay thousands upon thousands for, the bigger the diamond the greater the price. we prize them for being durable, for being, well, shiny, and the skill of the cut.
but there are literally billions, thrillions, of diamonds out there, out in the sky. we've found one of them- lucy- but there can only be an unfanthomable number more.
furthermore, the little bits of sparkly rocks (whose opportunity cost is the resource to feed hundreds of the poor) that cost so much, are actually floating around in space in sizes that blow the mind. You would need a jeweller's loupe the size of the Sun to grade this diamond, says astronomer Travis Metcalfe.
A loupe the size of the Sun!
We've got cosmic diamonds out there, diamonds the size of entire countries, and then beyond that. why are we obsessed with the grit and gravel that exist on earth, then? why are we fixated with these, and other chemical elements and metals?
i'm so not going to get a diamond for my wedding ring. in fact, i don't think i'll ever wear diamonds at all.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
God's word looks different when carefully read.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Monday, August 17, 2009
so this is what it means
Emphasis mine.
---
From F.B. Meyer (1847 - 1929)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:35)
The only matter about which the Apostle felt any anxiety was whether anything could cut him off from the living, loving Lord. Taking the extreme conditions, he carefully examines them, knowing that they include all in between. First he interrogates the extremes of existence, death and life; the extremes of created intelligences, angels and principalities and powers; the extremes of time, things present and things to come; the extremes of space, height and depth; lastly, the extremes of the created universe, any other creature. Each of these extremes thus passed in review, and he has eagerly peered into its depths. He is like a man proving every link of the chain on which he is going to swing out over the abyss. Carefully and fervently he has tested all, and is satisfied that none of them can cut him off from the love of God.
We strangely misjudge the love of God. We think that our distresses and sufferings, our sins and failures, may make Him love us less, whereas they will draw Him nearer, and make His love exert itself more evidently and tenderly. Oh, blessed love that comes down to us from the heart of Jesus, the essence of the eternal love of God dwelling there and coming through Jesus to us - nothing can staunch, nothing exhaust, nothing intercept it!
It will not let us go. It leaps the gulf of space untenanted, it bridges time unexhausted. It does not depend on our reciprocation or response. It is not our love that holds God, but God's that hold us. Not our love to Him, but His to us. And since nothing can separate us from the love of God, He will go on loving us for ever, and pouring into us the entire fullness of His life and glory.
[Nothing]... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
---
From F.B. Meyer (1847 - 1929)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:35)
The only matter about which the Apostle felt any anxiety was whether anything could cut him off from the living, loving Lord. Taking the extreme conditions, he carefully examines them, knowing that they include all in between. First he interrogates the extremes of existence, death and life; the extremes of created intelligences, angels and principalities and powers; the extremes of time, things present and things to come; the extremes of space, height and depth; lastly, the extremes of the created universe, any other creature. Each of these extremes thus passed in review, and he has eagerly peered into its depths. He is like a man proving every link of the chain on which he is going to swing out over the abyss. Carefully and fervently he has tested all, and is satisfied that none of them can cut him off from the love of God.
We strangely misjudge the love of God. We think that our distresses and sufferings, our sins and failures, may make Him love us less, whereas they will draw Him nearer, and make His love exert itself more evidently and tenderly. Oh, blessed love that comes down to us from the heart of Jesus, the essence of the eternal love of God dwelling there and coming through Jesus to us - nothing can staunch, nothing exhaust, nothing intercept it!
It will not let us go. It leaps the gulf of space untenanted, it bridges time unexhausted. It does not depend on our reciprocation or response. It is not our love that holds God, but God's that hold us. Not our love to Him, but His to us. And since nothing can separate us from the love of God, He will go on loving us for ever, and pouring into us the entire fullness of His life and glory.
[Nothing]... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
At God's perfect timing
The passage that was given for today's devotions: 1st Peter 5:6-11
In KJV-
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In ESV-
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
______________________________
For reading purposes (Chambers):
August 11, 2009
This Experience Must Come
ODB RADIO: | Download
READ:
Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha . . . saw him no more —2 Kings 2:11-12
It is not wrong for you to depend on your "Elijah" for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, "I cannot continue without my ’Elijah.’ " Yet God says you must continue.
Alone at Your "Jordan" ( Kings 2:14 ).
The Jordan River represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your "Elijah." You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your "Jordan" alone.
Alone at Your "Jericho" ( 2 Kings 2:15 ).
Jericho represents the place where you have seen your "Elijah" do great things. Yet when you come alone to your "Jericho," you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your "Elijah," you will receive a sign, as Elisha did, that God is with you.
Alone at Your "Bethel" ( 2 Kings 2:23 ).
At your "Bethel" you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your "Elijah"— use his mantle and pray (see 2 Kings 2:13-14 ). Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.
>>>
Stand true to God. Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.
My utmost for His highest.
In KJV-
6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In ESV-
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
______________________________
For reading purposes (Chambers):
August 11, 2009
This Experience Must Come
ODB RADIO: | Download
READ:
Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha . . . saw him no more —2 Kings 2:11-12
It is not wrong for you to depend on your "Elijah" for as long as God gives him to you. But remember that the time will come when he must leave and will no longer be your guide and your leader, because God does not intend for him to stay. Even the thought of that causes you to say, "I cannot continue without my ’Elijah.’ " Yet God says you must continue.
Alone at Your "Jordan" ( Kings 2:14 ).
The Jordan River represents the type of separation where you have no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one else can take your responsibility from you. You now have to put to the test what you learned when you were with your "Elijah." You have been to the Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are facing it alone. There is no use in saying that you cannot go— the experience is here, and you must go. If you truly want to know whether or not God is the God your faith believes Him to be, then go through your "Jordan" alone.
Alone at Your "Jericho" ( 2 Kings 2:15 ).
Jericho represents the place where you have seen your "Elijah" do great things. Yet when you come alone to your "Jericho," you have a strong reluctance to take the initiative and trust in God, wanting, instead, for someone else to take it for you. But if you remain true to what you learned while with your "Elijah," you will receive a sign, as Elisha did, that God is with you.
Alone at Your "Bethel" ( 2 Kings 2:23 ).
At your "Bethel" you will find yourself at your wits’ end but at the beginning of God’s wisdom. When you come to your wits’ end and feel inclined to panic— don’t! Stand true to God and He will bring out His truth in a way that will make your life an expression of worship. Put into practice what you learned while with your "Elijah"— use his mantle and pray (see 2 Kings 2:13-14 ). Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.
>>>
Stand true to God. Make a determination to trust in God, and do not even look for Elijah anymore.
My utmost for His highest.
Friday, August 07, 2009
a conversation
pea: so, did any of the guys hit on you?
me: err, so and so didn't.
pea: so he did la. i thought so.
me: but there's nothing going on. anyway, why? is he a flirt?
pea: no la, it's just that you're a normal girl, and he's a normal guy... (trails off)
me: oh, so like you and a huh.
pea: no, different.
me: why?
pea: because.. guys like liking you.
oh pea, is that the final conclusion? that it's all one and the same situation anyway, and so there will be nothing really special about the guy i finally choose? that it might as well have been him, him or him, none of them loving me particularly beyond what the rest have already deemed fair.
ay. don't mind me. those were unreasonable questions. it's just a little raw still, what i confessed today.
me: err, so and so didn't.
pea: so he did la. i thought so.
me: but there's nothing going on. anyway, why? is he a flirt?
pea: no la, it's just that you're a normal girl, and he's a normal guy... (trails off)
me: oh, so like you and a huh.
pea: no, different.
me: why?
pea: because.. guys like liking you.
oh pea, is that the final conclusion? that it's all one and the same situation anyway, and so there will be nothing really special about the guy i finally choose? that it might as well have been him, him or him, none of them loving me particularly beyond what the rest have already deemed fair.
ay. don't mind me. those were unreasonable questions. it's just a little raw still, what i confessed today.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The Bewildering Call of God
"This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes."
That what is happening in my life now, is not my own purpose (which definitely isn't, because if i had my way things would be different) but God's. God sovereignly working out His own purpose. There are many threads now, thick ones, thin ones, soft threads, taut threads. Somehow, He's weaving them, and these will one day be beautiful. It will take a lifetime, but these will one day be beautiful. It's not my own purpose. Why is this so hard to accept? These days I am happier in my dreams than in the waking world.
"If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, "I wonder why God allowed this or that?" And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God."
Consider everything up there bolded. So there comes a point in time when I don't even struggle to find out His purposes. I surf along with trust. I don't push for my own agenda anymore; I don't even demand to know His. I trust, because I have seen His knowledge, wisdom and love, and the more I trust the more I see His divine hand in everything in life.
Okay. am sorry, but right now it's just painful. will try, though.
That what is happening in my life now, is not my own purpose (which definitely isn't, because if i had my way things would be different) but God's. God sovereignly working out His own purpose. There are many threads now, thick ones, thin ones, soft threads, taut threads. Somehow, He's weaving them, and these will one day be beautiful. It will take a lifetime, but these will one day be beautiful. It's not my own purpose. Why is this so hard to accept? These days I am happier in my dreams than in the waking world.
"If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, "I wonder why God allowed this or that?" And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God."
Consider everything up there bolded. So there comes a point in time when I don't even struggle to find out His purposes. I surf along with trust. I don't push for my own agenda anymore; I don't even demand to know His. I trust, because I have seen His knowledge, wisdom and love, and the more I trust the more I see His divine hand in everything in life.
Okay. am sorry, but right now it's just painful. will try, though.
Monday, August 03, 2009
i dunch kei-air you
1. What time did you get up this morning?
9.15 a.m, perhaps, but the better question to ask is did I sleep. Insonmia has been something I've been at since I've been back from Mongolia.
2. How do you like your steak?
I'm leaning towards rare.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Ice Age 3 :)
4. What is your favorite TV show?
narh
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
hmmmm. unsure. perhaps italy, where all them romantic guys are.
6. What did you have for breakfast?
narh
7. What’s your favorite cuisine?
singaporean
8. What foods do you dislike?
peas!
9. Where is your favorite place to eat?
narh
10. What is your favorite salad dressing?
olive oil with that sour vaguely bile-like liquid
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
a wee car that still looks real big to me. there's smth wrong with my sense of perception.
12. What are your favorite clothes?
dresses :) bought six yesterday! YAY.
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
argentina, maybe.
14. Is the cup half empty or half full?
the cup is scared/nervous.
15. Where would you want to retire?
open secret.
16. What is your favorite time of the day?
narh
17. Where were you born?
singapore
18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
hmm. netball/ulty, maybe. but soccer/rubgy during the world cups.
19. Are you a bird watcher? there's only one bird i'd want to watch, but we'd have to go to mongolia for that.
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? idk.
21. What did you want to be where you were little?
oh dear. i wanted to open a fish-shop with my best friend. we were five. (this is the third time in three days i'm recounting this ambition.)
22. What’s your best childhood memory?
loving daddy and mommy and being loved back. stability.
23. Do you always wear your seat belt?
quite possibly. backpacking in developing countries makes you take that strip of cloth seriously.
24. Do you have any pet peeves?
bad breath, i think. ohoh. upturned collars, def. anddddd. uncapped pens. or maybe these come under idiocyncracies.
25. Favorite type of pizza? narh
26. Favorite flower?
the pretty intricate ones.
27. Favorite ice cream?
toss up between durian and chocolate.
28. Have you done anything spontaneous lately?
depends on how lately. probably.
29. Do you like your job? don't have one.
30. Do you like broccoli?
i bear with it.
9.15 a.m, perhaps, but the better question to ask is did I sleep. Insonmia has been something I've been at since I've been back from Mongolia.
2. How do you like your steak?
I'm leaning towards rare.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Ice Age 3 :)
4. What is your favorite TV show?
narh
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
hmmmm. unsure. perhaps italy, where all them romantic guys are.
6. What did you have for breakfast?
narh
7. What’s your favorite cuisine?
singaporean
8. What foods do you dislike?
peas!
9. Where is your favorite place to eat?
narh
10. What is your favorite salad dressing?
olive oil with that sour vaguely bile-like liquid
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
a wee car that still looks real big to me. there's smth wrong with my sense of perception.
12. What are your favorite clothes?
dresses :) bought six yesterday! YAY.
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
argentina, maybe.
14. Is the cup half empty or half full?
the cup is scared/nervous.
15. Where would you want to retire?
open secret.
16. What is your favorite time of the day?
narh
17. Where were you born?
singapore
18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
hmm. netball/ulty, maybe. but soccer/rubgy during the world cups.
19. Are you a bird watcher? there's only one bird i'd want to watch, but we'd have to go to mongolia for that.
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? idk.
21. What did you want to be where you were little?
oh dear. i wanted to open a fish-shop with my best friend. we were five. (this is the third time in three days i'm recounting this ambition.)
22. What’s your best childhood memory?
loving daddy and mommy and being loved back. stability.
23. Do you always wear your seat belt?
quite possibly. backpacking in developing countries makes you take that strip of cloth seriously.
24. Do you have any pet peeves?
bad breath, i think. ohoh. upturned collars, def. anddddd. uncapped pens. or maybe these come under idiocyncracies.
25. Favorite type of pizza? narh
26. Favorite flower?
the pretty intricate ones.
27. Favorite ice cream?
toss up between durian and chocolate.
28. Have you done anything spontaneous lately?
depends on how lately. probably.
29. Do you like your job? don't have one.
30. Do you like broccoli?
i bear with it.
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