What does it mean to be Christian?

When we say that Jesus Christ is Lord what does that one sentence mean? Come on what Lord are you talking about? All my life I've only read about Lord in the history books and used as some title in history books for some royalty. But this man on the cross who died and rose again as Lord? Why do I even believe this? Am I now living in a protracted state of suspension of belief?

I think not, as sure as God is sovereign and I a justified and sanctified sinner, he is faithful to call those whom he will and have mercy on who he choses and yet harden whomever he wills. This sweet good news of his BIGness and man's smallness is a great fragrance to my soul, though I still doubt I understand it's entirety, I am assured of that he is the planner of everything and when Jesus Christ comes again he will know all his saints. Romans 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. Oh if only I could grasp Romans 9 more.

Sigh with that said I'm looking forward to this year's Thinking Theologically Conference 2010 , definately a must go for all who know their calling under Christ or are unsure of what that means biblically. It's rare that we get these ROCK SOLID & MIND NURTURING conferences in Malaysia at such an affordable price that it's almost a crime not to promote it better! Here's my effort to feeble late attempt to promote it anyways (No I'm not getting paid to do it btw)

It's where I found out that I was an arminian/ pelagian and introduced to that sweet TULIP. Not that I grasp it completely but thanks be to God he shall teach, reproof, correct and train us all who are chosen in Christ.

Anyway here's the list of electives WOHOO!

http://www.gospelgrowth.com.my/biblical-literacy/ttc

Topics and Electives

A. Historical positions on the doctrine

1. The Inerrancy vs Infallibility Debate
2. Roman Catholicism and Scripture from the Reformation on
3. Sola Scriptura - what the Reformation was founded on
4. Scripture and Canon - The History of the Councils and scripture in the Reformation argument
5. Barth and the Word of God

B. Contemporary culture and thought affecting the doctrine

1. Culture and Scriptural interpretation - A case study on homosexuality (and women's ordination)
2. A question of authority - Liberals and the attack on Scripture
3. Charismatics and Scripture from the Radical Reformers on
4. The use of the Bible for/in politics - from Wilberforce to South Africa to Malaysia
5. Postmodernism and the Word of God

C. Christian living and practical theological thinking

1. The Bible and English Translations
2. Exegetical Fallacies workshop
3. Muslims and Scripture
4. Doctrine of Scripture in the Great Creeds and the role of this doctrine in the proper functioning of a church
5. Scripture and Evangelism - the use of Scripture in preaching and evangelism – do’s and don’ts'
6. The authority of Scripture in Song
7. Scripture and preaching and church

Hope you could join us brethren.

An Itchy Problem

On a recent camping trip I encountered an itchy problem. Not the Marilyn Monroe and Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek kind though it still involves hotels, beds and scratching. The star of this problem is the Bedbug. It's a very common problem worldwide and perhaps more so now with increased human density and speed of travel. We were briefly able to control it by using DDT but since the halt of it's use their numbers are shooting up especially in places of lodgings like hotels, chalets and the like. Hence I deduced I might have picked them up over the CNY holidays and carried them to the camping site using the same luggage bag 1 week after.

A distinct and interesting sign of being bitten (yes they feed on your blood) is 3 or more bite marks in a linear/ curve/ circular pattern. Their bite marks would appear together in those arrangements because they repeatedly bite to find a suitable vessel or were disturbed in between "meals". What sparked this research of mine was that I had bite marks which were roughly arranged in a square or diamond (4 cornered) kinda way in on my legs and arms. It was annoyingly interesting hence a google search for bite mark patterns lead to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbug

Go to the link if you're interested on the finer facts of treatment and management. I'm just thankful for insecticides and the lesson on hygienic post-travelling habits (more cleaning and washing :/).



Cheers and don't start being a hypochondriac.

Why Drugs Don't Help Diabetes Patients' Hearts

Why Drugs Don't Help Diabetes Patients' Hearts; A recent article from Times magazine could help shift the clinical practices of physicians in the near future. Read the second half of the article about the type of patients who were involved in this study (mostly with preexisting bad illnesses or conditions) before prejudging that the drugs are totally useless or throwing your pills away. Looks like it's another point for prevention (lifestyle mod) is better than cure.

As online bad guys get bolder, gird yourself with savvy surfing tips

As online bad guys get bolder, gird yourself with savvy surfing tips I share this article because I've been keenly aware that people on my network in Fb and hotmail like clicking and sharing things without checking out their background or suspecting that a random plea for charity might just be a scam.
It's easy to be responsible folks just copy paste the titles or subject and google it like. Example: Facebook Gold Account scam or the next please just forward this mail and share all you friend's e-mail account add for free scam.

Tables

I think I've recently been struck with a liking for tables and their organising ability. I recently completed one for my studies and revision on pharmacological agents in Cardiovascular System and like the result of it. Hope you other fellows think so too. The link for 10 downloads is http://rapidshare.com/files/366383036/CVS_Pharmaco_table.pdf.html