Beauty of Creation

I am an outdoor person and I love nature.I am always amazed with the beauty of creation. Everything that we see around us in nature points to His Majesty and His awesome creative ability. God alone is able to create something out of nothing. I believe all creation was designed to inspire and lead us to love God

One of the sweetest experiences of my childhood days is the experience of growing near a seaside. Growing up in the state Pahang, we are blessed with some of the finest beaches in Malaysia. With the strong waves from the South China Sea, Teluk Chempedak, is an awesome place to relax and also to reflex the goodness of God's creation. The best moment when we watch the sun rising over the ocean, and the view of the golden reflection on the oceans surface is breath taking. 

This visual imagery brings to mind two Bible passages.  The first is a declaration by the great apostle Paul, affirming the observation of God’s creative ingenuity in everything we see. Paul said "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 (Rom. 1:20)".

The second is a statement by Job, further confirming God’s wondrous creativity and constant miraculous intervention in His Creation. "He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.  He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be numbered (Job 9:9,10)."

Take a few moments now to notice and appreciate God’s creation around you. Then notice the goodness He’s created in you, too, and thank Him for this blessing!

Be Blessed.

Gearing up for "Rough Sea"

The most anticipated Chinese New Year(CNY) holidays is almost coming to an end. Many are returning to work. In times like this, we thank God that there is still work available for us and our companies do not have to intorduce long shutdowns. The sad news of unemployement and company closure are becoming more intensified recently. Some of the American and European based companies have already taken drastic measures since December 2008 and now we are seeing the Japanese companies are starting to introduce their cost reduction measures.  The latest is from Panasonic where they are closing down the Batu Berendam plant in Malacca.

The general atmosphere of CNY holiday already given some clear indication of the current state of economy. We observe the hawkers and restaurant owners started their business on 2nd day of CNY.  Normally this traders will close for at least 3 to 5 days. The normal excitement of CNY is totally missing this year. Less firecrackers, less lion dance drum beat and reduction of the noise from "mahjong" tables are making CNY holiday like another weekend. 

It is call for all of us to be prudent in our spendings. We need to start spending on essentials (our basic needs) and not in our wants.  The world says "cash is king" in times like this.  I believe God is our Jehovah Jireh. He will live up to His name by providing to our needs and He will live up to His name Immanuel. He will be with us and carry us throught this challenging moments.  

Young people, times like this  is where you can make a difference. You can start helping your parents by reducing your own expenses. I know many of your parents would not tell you the full details of the struggle and challenges that they are facing in their working place. Many have to take a pay cut inorder to keep their job. Review back your spending. Items like prepaid reload, petrol/travel expenses and your purchases can be reduced or eliminated.  Reduce your outings with friends. Maybe meet up with at your respective home instead at the kopitiam or mamak stalls. It is time that you take responsibility and help your parents.

Let's gear up for the "rough sea" ahead of us in this challenging moments. But cheer up because Jesus is cruising along with us. When He is in the boat, we have the assurance that He will calm the seas.

Be Blessed.

Until The Last Spike Is Driven

Stephen Ambrose's book, Nothing Like It in the World, tells the story of the building of the Transcontinental Railroad in America. He describes the moment when construction was to begin and certain people decided that there ought to be a great ceremony. A host of dignitaries were invited together at the place where the first rail was to be laid. One of those invited was Collis Huntington, perhaps the railroad's most important West Coast backer in California. But he declined, saying, "Anybody can drive the first spike, but there are months of labor and unrest between the first and the last spike." When construction of the railroad was finally completed in May, 1869, the last spike, a golden one at that, was pounded into place and a telegram sent to President Ulysses S. Grant: "Sir, we have the honor to report that the last rail is laid, the last spike is driven, the Pacific Railroad is finished." Now Collis Huntington had something to celebrate!

Paul felt that way too: "Forgetting what is behind...I press on toward the goal to win the prize" (Php 3:13-14 NIV). Almost fifty years ago Thomas Merton wrote, "If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair. But ask me what I think I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for - Christ!" That's a question we each need to ask ourselves - daily!

Be Blessed.

Note: The article is taken from The Word for Today", by Rhema Broadcasting Group in association with The Vine - www.thevine.co.nz

Happy Chinese New Year -- Gong Xi Fa Chai

ViveAlive wishes all our Chinese readers Gong Xi Fa Chai and extend our best wishes to you and your family. May your New Year celebration be filled with love, joy and happiness. May the favor and blessing of the Almighty God be upon you always especially during this time of great challenges. For us who are Christian, may this seasonal celebration brings a deeper meaning of "Xin Nian", "新年", a new year, as it represents a new year of new opportunities, hope and joy to serve and glorify God.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) and give thanks to God. Let us rejoice and offer praise and thanks to God for this blessed season as there are much goodies and cookies to eat during this occasion.

To the rest of us, wish you a good holiday. Drive safely and don't forget to remind your rear passengers to wear their seat belt while you are traveling.

Be Blessed.

Level of Intelligence

My latest posting yesterday have created some interesting discussion. One of it is from my dearest Melissa Cheah who seeks to make a comparison in terms of gender intelligence. I decided to do some search in the internet with regards to this topic. The basic test to measure on intelligence is based on IQ Test.Here is some data I manage to get from Wikipedia.

A 1995 study performed by the American Psychological Association in response to the book The Bell Curve (which investigated intelligence differences between different social classes) shows no difference in average IQ between sexes.

A 1999 controversial study by Richard Lynn in which he analyzed data from a number of published tests (such as the standardized g-loaded Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised) found that the mean IQ of men exceeded that of women by approximately 3-4 IQ points. Lynn's meta-analysis, conducted in 2004, examining sex differences on the Standard and Advanced Progressive Matrices (comprising various g-loaded tests of non-verbal reasoning) also found that men exceeded women by an average of 5.0 IQ points.

Males aged 17 - 18 years were found to have an average of 3.63 IQ points in excess of their female equivalents in a 2005 study from the University of Western Ontario. These differences in G (factor) were found through the whole distribution of scores, at all socioeconomic levels and noted in several ethnic groups.

Other recent studies have concluded IQ performances of men and women differ little. Analyzing data from 2,404 individuals "California Verbal Learning Test " concluded that "When mediating variables were controlled, gender differences tended to disappear on tests for which there was a male advantage and to magnify on tests for which there was a female advantage." In his book, Developmental Influences on Adult Intelligence: The Seattle Longitudinal Study, K. Warner Schaie concludes that there are few gender differences in spacial competencies.

I like the statement from Donald Trump's blog site(http://www.trumpuniversity.com/blog/post/2008/02/are-men-smarter-than-women.cfm) that states "An analysis of 30 different studies shows that men and women are fairly equal in terms of overall IQ, but women tend to underplay their own intelligence while men overestimate theirs."

In my personal opinion, I believe men and women are equal in terms of ability to develop intelligence. It is one's choice and willingness to acquire wisdom and knowledge that will determine the level of intelligence.

Be Blessed.

P/S Melissa Cheah is one of our vibrant worship leader at Youth Impact at TOP. Check out her blog site at http://www.chattylass.blogspot.com

Man Vs Woman

The debate on Man Vs Woman has been centuries old topic of discussion. Infact we tend to debate and challenge all areas of humanities with regards to this topic. My posting today has nothing to do on this debate especially on who is the greatest or so, but just to admire some of the graphics and appreciate it. I discovered some of the graphics when I was reading the blog site of Anna Teoh (http://mashpotatomato.blogspot.com)

Some of the graphics does speaks the characteristics of the different genders by topics.

On the topic of complexity (understanding each other) :

On the topic of shopping (I am sure many would agree to this):

On the topic of decision making(as simple as what to drink):

On the topic of weight management (this is classic):

Oh well, in my personal opinion, Men and Women are interdependant and God is above both and all of creation. Neither sex can survive without the other. All of humanity depends on Man and Woman partnering together as God designed.

Be Blessed.

Living Your Fullest Life

My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. - John 10:10 TLB

Living your fullest life requires three things:

(1) A good mentor. Paul writes: "Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine" (Philp 3:17 NLT). Good mentors lead by example; they know that in order to be followed they must first be respected. They carefully tailor their instructions by understanding your strengths and weaknesses - knowing whether you are right-brained creative/intuitive or left-brained analytical. They know whether you learn visually or verbally. They know when you need a pat on the back or a kick in the seat of the pants. If you have such a mentor you're blessed. If you don't, ask God for one.

(2) Your best effort. Andrew Carnegie said, "There's no use whatsoever trying to help people who don't help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he is willing to climb himself."

(3) A little extra. This is the "extra mile" principle Jesus taught (See Matt 5:41). It involves:

(a) A little extra effort. Art Williams said, "You beat 50% of the people by working hard; you beat the other 40% by being a person of honesty...and the last 10% is a dog fight." If you want to win that fight, make up your mind to always do a little extra.

(b) Extra time. "Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come" (Hab 2:3 NIV). Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor who created the memorial to the American Presidents at Mount Rushmore, was asked if he considered his work to be perfect. He supposedly replied, "Not today. The nose of President Washington is an inch too long. It's better that way though. It will erode and be exactly right in 10,000 years."

Be Blessed

Note: The article is taken from The Word for Today", by Rhema Broadcasting Group in association with The Vine - www.thevine.co.nz