Favoritism? Shown by or TO God?

Recently someone tagged me in a post on facebook:

If God does not show favoritism, then why God likes the Jews so much?

Hohoho....Tough question, I thought for a while...hmm....It seems like I heard this somewhere before. Oh ya! I asked myself this before, but dared not think too deeply because of some fears (fear that this kind of question would challenge my faith). Ok, fine, I thought. I have no answers....Then the internet comes in handy.

I found a web page that may not be the perfect answer but still....I think it answers the question. Here is what I found:

Does God show favoritism to the Jews ?

Appreciating an often-misunderstood idea.

The Jewish nation is often referred to as "the Chosen People."

Many people (including Jews) are uncomfortable with this idea. They perceive the concept of a "Chosen People" as racist and mindful of the Nazi concept of a supreme "Aryan" nation. It appears to contradict the accepted Western ideal of all people being equal before God.

Is the Jewish concept of choseness racist?
When the Torah refers to the Jewish people as "chosen," it is not in any way asserting that Jews are racially superior. Americans, Russians, Europeans, Asians and Ethiopians are all part of the Jewish people. It is impossible to define choseness as anything related to race, since Jews are racially diverse.

Yet while the term "Chosen People" (Am Nivchar) does not mean racially superior, choseness does imply a special uniqueness.

What is this uniqueness? Historically, it goes back to Abraham. Abraham lived in a world steeped in idolatry, which he concluded was contradicted by the reality of design in nature. So Abraham came to a belief in G-d, and took upon himself the mission of teaching others of the monotheistic ideal. Abraham was even willing to suffer persecution for his beliefs. After years of enormous effort, dedication and a willingness to accept the responsibility to be God's representative in this world, G-d chose Abraham and his descendents to be the teachers of this monotheistic message. 

 

In other words it is not so much that God chose the Jews; it is more accurate that the Jews (through Abraham) chose God.

Chosenness was not part of God's "original plan." Initially all of humanity was to serve the role of G-d's messengers, but after the fall of Adam, humanity lost that privilege, and it was open for grabs. Only Abraham chose to take the mantle. If others would have (and they were offered the choice), they too would have joined in this special covenant which was sealed upon the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

If a privilege is offered to everyone willing to pay the necessary price, nobody can protest that those willing to make the extra effort are being shown favoritism. For example: It is reasonable that an employee who agrees to work overtime, attend training seminars, and manage special projects, should be entitled to a performance bonus -- particularly if each employee was given the same opportunity.

The essence of being chosen means responsibility. It is a responsibility to change the world -- not by converting everyone to Judaism, but by living as a model community upheld by ethics, morals and beliefs of one God. In that way, we can influence the rest of mankind, a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).

Judaism is Universal
Further, Judaism is not exclusionary. A human being need not to be Jewish to reach a high spiritual level. Enoch "walked with God," and Noah had quite a high level of relationship, though neither were Jewish. Our tradition is that all of the 70 nations must function together and play an integral part in that "being" called humanity.

So here's what I realised............... that God does not show partiality. He gives each one of us a choice. To choose or reject Him. The Jews (starting from Abraham) chose God, and the results are manifolds and manifolds of blessings. In the same way, if we choose to reject God, the results are disastrous (Sodom and Gomorrah). Just as the wages of sins is death, one of the basic truth of life is  thatevery action has a result. God lets us choose our way, and bear our own consequences. 

That's why, the Jews blessings don't just come in one day and they became "Chosen". No. It requires sacrifices and choices on their part.....

"I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws."                                                                                            Genesis 26:4

Can we do the same? 

 

Personality test

We all come in different SHAPES and SIZES.

We all have STRENGTHS and weaknesses.
    What's right for one person may not be right for another.
           There are things that are important to me, that you don't care about at all!




And sometimes your behavior doesn't make any sense to me.

But I want for us to understand each other, and communicate well,              
because we live together in the same world.          

I know I can't expect you to want the same things that I want.
We are not the same person, so we will not always see things the same way.

     I have my own Thoughts and my own Ideas,                                                     
    that may or may not fit into your vision of who I should be.
By learning more about my own Personality, and about other Personality Types,
             I can come to a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses.    

I can improve my interpersonal relationships, realign my expectations towards others, 
and gain a better self-knowledge that will help me define and achieve goals.   

I recently took a personality test, and I'm a ENFJ. If you don't know what that means, here are some things that may help.

EI: 7 out of 17
Extrovert(E) |-------------------------------------------------| Introvert(I)
                                          |
                                        41%
SN: 12 out of 17
Sensation(S) |-------------------------------------------------| iNtuition(N)
                                                             |
                                                           70%
TF: 12 out of 17
Thinking(T)  |-------------------------------------------------| Feeling(F)
                                                             |
                                                            70%
JP: 8 out of 17
Judging(J)   |-------------------------------------------------| Perceiving(P)
                                              |
                                            47%

So generally I'm a extrovert, Intuition, feeling and perceiving person. It's okay if you don't know what it means, it's ok.

This may give you a clearer picture.... 

Taken from http://www.personalitypage.com,

The Giver

As an ENFJ, you're primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition.

ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They live in the world of people possibilities. More so than any other type, they have excellent people skills. They understand and care about people, and have a special talent for bringing out the best in others. ENFJ's main interest in life is giving love, support, and a good time to other people. They are focused on understanding, supporting, and encouraging others. They make things happen for people, and get their best personal satisfaction from this.

Because ENFJ's people skills are so extraordinary, they have the ability to make people do exactly what they want them to do. They get under people's skins and get the reactions that they are seeking. ENFJ's motives are usually unselfish, but ENFJs who have developed less than ideally have been known to use their power over people to manipulate them.
ENFJ's are so externally focused that it's especially important for them to spend time alone. 

ENFJ's tend to be more reserved about exposing themselves than other extraverted types. Although they may have strongly-felt beliefs, they're likely to refrain from expressing them if doing so would interfere with bringing out the best in others. Because their strongest interest lies in being a catalyst of change in other people, they're likely to interact with others on their own level, in a chameleon-like manner, rather than as individuals.



People love ENFJs. They are fun to be with, and truly understand and love people. They are typically very straight-forward and honest. Usually ENFJs exude a lot of self-confidence, and have a great amount of ability to do many different things. They are generally bright, full of potential, energetic and fast-paced. They are usually good at anything which captures their interest.


ENFJs have a special gift with people, and are basically happy people when they can use that gift to help others. They get their best satisfaction from serving others. Their genuine interest in Humankind and their exceptional intuitive awareness of people makes them able to draw out even the most reserved individuals. 

ENFJs have a strong need for close, intimate relationships, and will put forth a lot of effort in creating and maintaining these relationships. They're very loyal and trustworthy once involved in a relationship. 

In general, ENFJs are charming, warm, gracious, creative and diverse individuals with richly developed insights into what makes other people tick. This special ability to see growth potential in others combined with a genuine drive to help people makes the ENFJ a truly valued individual. As giving and caring as the ENFJ is, they need to remember to value their own needs as well as the needs of others. 

 Well, that's me,

and I'm glad I'm me. Everyone has strength and weaknesses, so don't ever look down on yourself, because you are so very special. So to take the test, click here. 

I hope you'll understand yourself a little better, and appreciate yourself because of who you are....

Logging off,

Yeoh

Long Time No See, blogspot.

Yep, it's Chinese New Year again and it's been a while since I last updated my blog =D
Anyway, if you look two post before, you'll see my writings about last year's CNY (Yeah, it's thaaaat long) Well, if you want to know why I haven't posted for so long, maybe this will answer you...

Yep, you've got it right. Now, I'm not trying to blame this social network thingy for anything, yet it is really the reason why I have no time for blogging. So now, I will compare some pros and cons of fb n blogss.

I actually started fb later than my sis did. I created an account, yet without any intentions of using it. "Then u create for what ar?" That was the Question my sis kept bugging me with, which was usually followed by my response: "I just don't understand what's so interesting about facebook. You see your notifications and you post a line or two, hoping for some person to like it. Then what? Play games???"
"Haiya, you don't know how to use ma..."
I shrugged. Well, I thought. If you want to say something, why don't you post it in your blog? It's surely a whole lot better because it doesn't have a limit of words and you won't have to announce to the whole world what you are doing. Little did I know that this was the thrill of the fb system.

Finally after a few months, I hooked up on facebook. I figured out it had lots of applications, among the ones I enjoy: Chat, Comments and Likes, Games, God wants you to know, groups. Another good one was writing a status. Now, a status is just a blank space for you to fill in words. What you feel, what you think and what you want to say. Then. after clicking the button "share", all your friends will be able to view it.
Initially, I was naive enough (so as I call it)  to really post some heartfelt thoughts and statements I feel would help others. Then people started commenting and liking. Now, that was when the "problem" came. Suddenly, I picked up the desire for my status to be noticed. (Don't you dare say you don't have this feeling before) I know it's normal. But yet the desire, or rather the longing grew even to the point of a kind of obsession.  

I still remember logging in every hour or so ,even on late nights to view my notifications and to see if people like or commented on my status. Gradually, I myself came to the point of liking other people's post without looking, began commenting without considering,  and posting things without pausing to think (Same feeling?).
I sometimes say things on facebook which I don't really mean or have a heart for, but just said it anyway so that more notice my status, the higher the thrill. And before I knew it, I was wasting my time in front of  the comp waiting for notifications to pop out. Without realising, 

 It became more important than  it should have been.

Then, I paused one day and asked myself. Is that really what I seek after? More people to like and comment on my status? To be the center of attraction? What use is this social network then, if it only consumes my time and eats up my soul?






Then after thinking, I set my objectives right for using fb again. It was simply to relax and interact with others in a casual way. Not striving after comments and likes. Just....having fun.



Haha, then there came some time to do blogging. XP




My dad once asked me "Do you know why all experiments start with an aim or objective?"
I shooked my head.
He replied, "Everything always has to have a purpose, an aim. When we do something, we need to know our aim in doing those things, or else it would be futile.


Futile....no avail.....useless

I know some of you may think: aiya, this guy...fb oni ma. Why think so much? Haha. Well, if so, I've reached my objective.
Today, I posted this facebook thingy, and talking about me setting my aim of using facebook right, for a reason. I hope we will understand the importance of aim and purposes. Whether we are handling a project, having a hard time managing our life, or doing something good but feeling unappreciated, or some other things, sometimes it's just good to just ask,

What am I doing this for ?
 It's good sometimes, to just question our purposes of doing things, the reason we're still doing what we're doing, our purpose in life before moving on.......

 

Trip to Muka Head

On the 4^th June 2010, the MYF and Community Tution of the Wesley Methodist Church organized a trip to Muka Head, Penang. This trip was participated by 9 adults and 35 youths from the MYF and the Community Tuition. The objective of the trip was to have fellowship between the Community Tuition students as well as the MYFers.

The participants gathered in front of the Church Sanctuary at 7 a.m. in the morning. We boarded a bus KAE 5218 and started our journey at 7:15 a.m. A brief instruction was given by the organizer of the trip, Mr. Yeoh Ti Pheng followed by a prayer of blessing by Pastor Lee Peng Chiat. At 8 a.m., we stopped at Gurun to have our breakfast. We continued our journey and made several stops for toilet breaks as well as to purchase tidbits. On the bus, a light lunch was distributed and the video “The Bridge” was played followed by interesting point of views from both the youths and the adults.

At 10:45 a.m., we finally reached our destination. We were joined by Barnabas Yee and family there. We were given a short briefing and started our hike at 11:05 a.m. The hike was indeed a tortuous trail filled with small crevasses and dangling vines. We encountered a wide variety of flora and fauna and made several respite at beaches before reaching our destination. The whole group was exhausted by then. We rested at the Muka Head beach and carried out some activities such as collecting sea shells and having our lunch.

A small group of participants was willing to take up the challenge to hike up another trail to reach the lighthouse at the peak of Muka Head. This time, hiking up this trail required a lot of fitness and perseverance from us. By the time we reached the lighthouse, only a handful of participants remained. We had a opportunity to have a panoramic view of the verdant valleys below. It was indeed a magnificent vista that we relished every moment of it. We hiked back the trail and the whole group was divided into groups of tens before travelling back to our starting point by motorboats.

We bathed and changed before departing from Muka Head at 4:40 p.m. We then arrived at Queensbay Mall to have our dinner. Divided in groups of tens, we were then given free time to walk in the mall until 8:30 p.m. We had an enjoyable time until it was time to leave for home. We boarded the bus once again and headed for Alor Star. We arrived at the Church Sanctuary at 11:30 p.m.

The trip was indeed a successful one. The objective of the trip was reached and the participants enjoyed themselves tremendously besides gaining extra knowledge. The MYF and Community Tuition look forward for more trips like these.

Happy happy CNY

You know, it doesn't always have to be a massive and grand celebration to make an occasion meaningful. Like this year, I'm sure many of you noticed the lack of atmosphere of the CNY celebration. But, I considered it as a time well spent, cauz it is the time spent with my families adn friends, which matters a lot to me.........

My grandma's house in Penang

Some random shots I took from the house

This flower planted by my grandma finally boomed after 25 years!!

My grandma

My friends and relatives preparing for the dinner

Our Reunion Steamboat

My bowl

My favorite Steam Chicken

Seems like a simple meal rit? It isn't no super delicious food or high-class cuisines. But the very thing that make me miss the meal to this day is the intimate fellowship that we had while eating the steamboat. The kind of love bond between the members of families that never could be expressed by words.

Now back in Alor Star ,I went to my Grandma's sister house............

Again the kind of happy reunion and best wishes from everyone that can only be experienced once a year.

All kinds of cookies

All kinds of food

While everyone was busy talking, joking and laughing,I silently slipped away into the porch and took some random shots.......

And I looked up into the blue sky.......

And I thought to myself : How many times do I forget the feeling of this kind of love bond in families? Life is short, like a flower quickly fading, a vapor in the wind. And I should try to cherish this special occasion, cherish this love in our families. Shouldn't you do the same?

Peace

If you think you are struggling with a lot of problems, all you need, I'm telling you, is peace. Peace can make you content, and that's all you need

Form 4

I'm Form 4 now, 16 years old. And live isn't as kind as it used to be to me. Dozens of works from schools, responsibilities, temptations, masks of hypocrisy ,and a growing hunger for fame. I hope it's just part and parcel of growing up. Form 4, sixteen, not numbers to kid with anymore. It's just a couple of years before I emerge from the cocoon of adolescence into adulthood. Life seems to be breaking out of me, and when it's time one day, I would spread my wings of the newly emerged butterfly and venture into the unknown.

This year, my mind seems to have a mind of itself, it's beginning to see the real world. And it isn't always easy to accept the things it sees. Yet through all complications, I still have a people who I can talk to and rely on. Parents and familes, they understand because they went through those things first. Some brothers and sisters in Christ, because they (are supposed to) have loving pure hearts that sincerely want to help others.

And yet, last but not least, everyday when I enter my room close the door behind me. He is just there, waiting patiently for me. To pour out everything to him. All frustrations, all responsibilities, and I just cry out everything to Him.

Everything.

And he listens, patiently and nodding his head. And after I finish, he says,"I have some words for you, would you mind?" He speaks with a gentle voice. And assuredly He says to me that He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me. That he went through teen life too, and nothing will be given beyond what I can bear. And I can always rely on Him, because all things work for good for those who love Him.

And lean on Him.

That's why until now, I'm pressed but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed. It's because my Heavenly Father will never leave me or forsake me. Never.