..:: tantaibits ::.. Glory Glory Man UTd!

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 10/26/2009 12:47:00 AM

Rainbows

Saw this rainbow appearing above AJC last night on the way to dinner..
Of course we do know the scientific explaination of rainbows:

Rainbows can be observed whenever there are water drops in the air and sunlight shining from behind a person at a low altitude angle (on the ground). The most spectacular rainbow displays happen when half of the sky is still dark with draining clouds and the observer is at a spot with clear sky in the direction of the Sun. The result is a luminous rainbow that contrasts with the darkened background.The rainbow effect is also commonly seen near waterfalls or fountains. The effect can also be artificially created by dispersing water droplets into the air during a sunny day

The light is first refracted as it enters the surface of the raindrop, reflected off the back of the drop, and again refracted as it leaves the drop. The overall effect is that the incoming light is reflected back over a wide range of angles, with the most intense light at an angle of 40°–42°. The angle is independent of the size of the drop, but does depend on its refractive index. Seawater has a higher refractive index than rain water, so the radius of a 'rainbow' in sea spray is smaller than a true rainbow. This is visible to the naked eye by a misalignment of these bows.^[2]

The amount by which light is refracted depends upon its wavelength, and hence its colour. Blue light (shorter wavelength) is refracted at a greater angle than red light, but due to the reflection of light rays from the back of the droplet, the blue light emerges from the droplet at a smaller angle to the original incident white light ray than the red light. You may then think it is strange that the pattern of colours in a rainbow has red on the outside of the arc and blue on the inside. However, when we examine this issue more closely, we realise that if the red light from one droplet is seen by an observer, then the blue light from that droplet will not be seen because it must be on a different path from the red light: a path which is not incident with the observers eyes. The blue light seen in this rainbow will therefore come from a different droplet, which must be be below that whose red light can be observed.

Contrary to popular belief, the light at the back of the raindrop does not undergo total internal reflection and some light does emerge from the back. However, light coming out the back of the raindrop does not create a rainbow between the observer and the sun because spectra emitted from the back of the raindrop do not have a maximum of intensity, as the other visible rainbows do, and thus the colours blend together rather than forming a rainbow.

But do we know what the Bible has to say about Rainbows?

When God appeared unto Noah after the flood, and placed a rainbow in the sky; he did much more than show him a phenomenon. In the seven colours of the rainbow, beginning with red and ending with purple, God was displaying a natural miracle that demonstrated the complete redemption and salvation of man.

First let us look at colour in the natural world. In the world of art, we have three primaries; red, yellow and blue. These cannot be formulated by mixing. They come from the earth; but with these three colours, and the addition of black and white, any shade of the spectrum can be obtained.

In this fact alone lies a thought provoking, scriptural principle!

White is the colour that is comprised of all the colours of the spectrum. Refraction of white light produces the rainbow colours which consist of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (purple), violet. Other colours consist of the infrared and Ultraviolet spectrum Infrared and Ultraviolet represent that which is unseen.

The rainbow represents the promises of God and was a sign of the covenant that God would never again flood the earth with water: "I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." Gen 9:13,15

The rainbow signifies the glory, majesty and honour of the Lord Jesus Christ "One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald." (Rev 4:2-3)

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 2/26/2009 03:41:00 PM

Reflections of 2008 - Part 2 (Transitions)

In 2008 alone, I made several transitions in my area of "market". From a NSF to a teacher to a student.

On looking back at my time as a NSF, i do regret that I did not live counter-culturally and displaying Christ-likeness in my camp. I conformed to the ways of the rest of the NSFs and did not show how should a Christian be - in words, actions and thoughts. However, i'm glad that i grew and matured spiritually as I attended cell regularly during my NS time. Also, i was privileged to be involved in many events held by the church - Christmas musicals, Easter musicals, Lantern Festivals. I thank God for showing grace and mercy on me. I pray that I will act justly, love mercy and walk humby.

After I ORD-ed, I applied to be a relief teacher at several schools. Only anderson sec replied my email saying that they would call me if they needed me. Then one morning, i was woken up by a call frm anderson sec. It was amazing because i do not usually turn on my hp when i go to sleep. it's amazing how God works! i also worked as a tuition teacher all these while all the way till my exams.. thank God for seeing me through!

Transiting to uni-life was tough.. Bidding itself was already tough enough and I didnt know at what pace i should go! but first sem flew past very quickly, i made new friends and we all suffered along together! Thank God for them! I'm now looking forward to the next sem, though it seems it's gonna be tougher. But at least I do not face uncertainties and my assurances are in Christ! Amen to that!

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 1/05/2009 10:48:00 PM

Reflections of 2008 - Part 1 (Empowerment)

The year of empowerment. Empowered it was indeed. Last year saw me taking up several leadership roles in church.

First - leadership in RAYs

Leading a cell group, organizing a youth camp were some of the major things i had to do as a RAYs leader. not just major, but for the first time i'm doing it.. so naturally i wasnt used to it.. but the fact that Thea was about to leave for Belgium meant that i had to take over the whole cell. Thank God the church camp gave me an opportunity to lead part of the cell - the boys in the discussion of the topics covered during church camp. So i pray that God continue to give me guidance as I lead the cell for half a year more before Thea comes back.

Also, I was in charge of the deco for the Gig event in July. it was quite a huge task as the team had to transform LOR room into a cool place. Nonetheless, God's hand was in this and we totally transformed LOR room beyond recognition. one of which was His timing.. As JK, Nat and I had no idea how to transport 5 tables and 30 cushions on top of other stuff back to church, Peggy popped up and offered us a lift back to church! and when we reached church, we bumped into Lester who had already locked up the place. so in the end we still managed to store the items there..

Another event was the youth camp. Sarah and I had been tasked to organise the youth camp early in the year. Our first venue of Pulau Ubin was cancelled due to pipe problems very late and thank God Sarah managed to find this alternative venue in Choice Retreat House. Throughout the planning, God gave me peace and I was rested in Him. There didnt seem to be any striving and somehow everything just fell into place. Though it was a short three day camp, it was an impacting one. God's presence was with us and everyone there was soaked in it. Thank God for that!

Second - Worship Leader

I started the year of 2008 as a understudy worship leader in agapeland. the first few times i led worship, I was nervous. But that was not what God had in store for me. What he wants is for me to lead the children in a time of worship, not to stand there to be nervous.. So as I progressed, leading the children's worship became a whole new experience i enjoyed. There were times where i teared and it blesses me so much to see children lifting their hands to worship Him. So as the streamlining took effect this year, I sought God before that to discern if I should continue as a support singer in main service or as a worship leader in Agapeland. He showed me the verse Luke 18:16 which says, But Jesus called the children to him and said, " let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." So i saw leading worship as a place where i could intercess and lead the children to meet with God.. So i pray that as i continue to lead worship in agapeland, I will be sensitive to the spirit as I do so..

Then came July, where the RAYDIO band leads the main service worship on Youth Sunday. So i was called to lead worship with Thea. Again it was something I had never done before and the dependency on Him was so much! It was a totally new experience to lead worship at main service, which is very different from leading worship at agapeland. Of course, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Next, I started leading worship for RAYs cell as well! Again, it was different as the "congregation" i'm leading are my friends! nonetheless, it's all about worshipping Him! I thank God for giving me the capacity to sing and I will serve him with it!

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 1/04/2009 06:05:00 PM

Murphy's Law

Murphy's law is an adage in Western culture that broadly states, "if anything can go wrong, it will." It is also cited as: "If there's more than one possible outcome of a job or task, and one of those outcomes will result in disaster or an undesirable consequence, then somebody will do it that way"; "Anything that can go wrong, will," the similar "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong"; or, "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way". In a less dramatic fashion, the law can be expressed as "Anything that has a probability of happening greater than 0 can and will happen. No exceptions." The saying is sometimes referred to as Sod's law or Finagle's law.

A poem in an American newspaper in Norwalk, Ohio in 1841 reflecting this law.

I never had a slice of bread,
Particularly large and wide,
That did not fall upon the floor,
And always on the buttered side

How true is this law? I guess it depends on how much you believe in it.

I think it is true to a certain extent.

Yes, things can go wrong. We are not perfect people.

But do we succumb to this rule and allow things to go wrong?

Or do we make changes to ensure that it does not go wrong?

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 9/23/2008 10:15:00 PM

Modern Slavery?

Just a few days back on the news it is said that Fifa president Sepp Blatter believes that Cristiano Ronaldo should not be held against his will at Manchester United.

Some background on the topic: Ronaldo has been linked with a record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid following publicised courting from the Primera Division giants.
Real's open pursuit of the two-time PFA Players' Player of the Year saw United report the club to Fifa; however football's world governing body decided against taking any formal action.

This is when Blatter expressed his belief that a want-away player should be allowed to leave his club if he so desires, while he also hit out at what he describes as 'modern slavery' in football. Some excerpts: "If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club.
"I'm always in favour of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave.
"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere."

Not only that, Ronaldo has agreed with him, telling Portuguese broadcaster TVI: "You know what I said, what I want and what I would like. I agree completely with the president of Fifa."

On checking with Wikipedia, Slavery (also called thralldom) is a social-economic system under which certain persons — known as slaves — are deprived of personal freedom and compelled to work. Slaves are held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase, or birth, and are deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to receive compensation (such as wages) in return for their labor. As such, slavery is one form of unfree labor.

So in this case, is Ronaldo deprived of his wages? No, surely! He's paid a measly sum of 120,000 pounds a week. And he is still being paid during his injury layoff! Talk about such welfare this slave has. And doesn't he need to honour his contract? He signed a four year contract recently and now wants to leave the club? Sorry man, you put your signature to that piece of paper. Yes, it may be just a piece of paper but it is the content and the signature that counts. It speaks a lot of the character of the person.

Which person? Oh you mean the one that the club stood by after he was involved in the sending off of Rooney in the 2006 World Cup? The one that the club developed into a world class player from someone who's relatively unknown? Maybe not, we do not know who's that anymore. Manchester United should just get the best transfer fee out of him and develop even more young players.

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 7/16/2008 01:23:00 PM

Youth Sunday

Today was Youth Sunday, where the RAYs Ministry run the service, well most of it at least. So we had RAYDIO to lead worship and an ushering team, doing hospitality and collecting tithes and offerings. Well, this year was something different for me - this time I was leading worship instead of support singing. But it's good I guess, every should be different, if not it would be mundane, wouldnt it?

I thank God for being with me throughout, for leading worship is something I am not used to doing and something I feel that I have to be out of my comfort zone. And even so when it was my first time leading worship for the adult service! But God was good, I had the peace in me and did not feel nervous at all! Instead, I enjoyed myself and His presence filled the worship hall! All glory to God!

Then after 2nd service, we went to LOR room to surprise JJ with a birthday cake! It was also his birthday on that day! What a day of celebrations!

Rehearsal before 1st service

Sam, Me, Weijie, Min Sheng

tAn+@iBi made the teamtalk at 7/06/2008 11:52:00 PM