John recorded the conversation between Jesus and Martha when Lazarus, the brother of Martha, died. Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. He who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe me?”
A sister-in-Christ passed away last night during an operation for a medical condition. She has gone home to the Lord. Followers of Jesus who remain here have a hope that we will all be re-united in the presence of God. We will see one another in eternity. This gives me comfort, for I have never seen or known my earthly father. All I have here is a verse from John on his tombstone. I have a hope that I will meet my father in heaven, just as I will meet that sister-in-Christ who died last night.
My brothers and sisters, can we even imagine it? Everyone whom we’ve known as fellow disciples of Christ, we will see every one of them.
Peace.
Friday, February 06, 2015
Monday, February 02, 2015
The history of Singapore
While we get caught up with this SG50 project, we run the risk of forgetting the pre-1965 history of Singapore. The more cynical among us would even suggest that SG50 is another attempt by the powers-that-be to whitewash "non-approved" history, much like my own six-year experience with the media in Shanghai, China, where depictions of pre-civil war, pre-1945, and pre-communist history were non-existent.
It cannot be that this Singapore island was a sleepy village, even before 1819 when the British East India Company conveniently "found" it and we were, henceforth, no longer lost. Given that everyone's harping on the strategic location of this island, we should expect that, as long as naval technology exists, Singapore would be a prized location for anyone wishing to dominate the region.
A cursory glance through online archives indicates that there had been many dominant players in the history of Singapore for at least the past six centuries. How did various powers like colonial Britain, Imperial Japan, the Johore Sultanate, the Dutch East India Company, colonial Portugal, the Malacca Sultanate, and Yuan and Ming China view Singapore? Even our very own ancient name of Temasek points to an interesting time when the Srivijaya was dictating the affairs of 10th to 12th century Southeast Asia.
SG50? I think SG500 would be barely adequate for framing the history of Singapore. It is a shame for current and future generations of Singaporeans to remember this island as nothing more than a post-1965 economic miracle.
It cannot be that this Singapore island was a sleepy village, even before 1819 when the British East India Company conveniently "found" it and we were, henceforth, no longer lost. Given that everyone's harping on the strategic location of this island, we should expect that, as long as naval technology exists, Singapore would be a prized location for anyone wishing to dominate the region.
A cursory glance through online archives indicates that there had been many dominant players in the history of Singapore for at least the past six centuries. How did various powers like colonial Britain, Imperial Japan, the Johore Sultanate, the Dutch East India Company, colonial Portugal, the Malacca Sultanate, and Yuan and Ming China view Singapore? Even our very own ancient name of Temasek points to an interesting time when the Srivijaya was dictating the affairs of 10th to 12th century Southeast Asia.
SG50? I think SG500 would be barely adequate for framing the history of Singapore. It is a shame for current and future generations of Singaporeans to remember this island as nothing more than a post-1965 economic miracle.
Sunday, February 01, 2015
Concerning governance
Governments all over the world do two things. 1. Make it a crime for its people not to give it money; and 2. make promises to its people once in a few years. Only one of these is compulsory, the other is strictly optional, especially if it doesn't mind being labelled a dictatorship.
There is also the "Rule of A" regarding any legislation a government enacts. In a dictatorship, there is the single Rule of A, which, in English, is that a minority is "Above" the law. Governments that want to avoid being labelled as dictatorships generally have two Rules of A - 1. No one is "Above" the law, and, 2. while no one is above the law, laws are not "Applied" on certain individuals, usually those above a certain socio-economic status.
Here ends the lesson. You're welcome.
There is also the "Rule of A" regarding any legislation a government enacts. In a dictatorship, there is the single Rule of A, which, in English, is that a minority is "Above" the law. Governments that want to avoid being labelled as dictatorships generally have two Rules of A - 1. No one is "Above" the law, and, 2. while no one is above the law, laws are not "Applied" on certain individuals, usually those above a certain socio-economic status.
Here ends the lesson. You're welcome.
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