Literally or Contextually?

Today I read some articles that pointed out that a lot of Christians have used bible verses too literally and that those verses often quoted are taken in the wrong context.   For example, Jeremiah 29:11 that says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  

Now, there is reason in the article's argument that the verse had to be read in the context of where the Israelites was at the point of time: in exile, in Babylon, in despair.   I can understand that.  However, it also argues that it should not be used for when we are having a bad day or when things don't go our way.  In a way that is also true but I believe that by saying we need to look at ONLY the situational context then we are limiting what is the WORD of GOD.  

Yes, God's Word should be read in context and should not be used in vain or for our own selfish gain but God's Word being GOD'S WORD should also be powerful enough for use to meditate on and used in more ways than one, right?  

So what if Jer 29:11 is used as a source of comfort, strength, peace and assurance?  Not only for the big things or "Godly things" but also to help us overcome the little struggles that we face in our daily lives.  I'd rather that God's Word be used to help and encourage Christians, especially those young in faith, to keep their eyes on Jesus, even if it means sometimes taking the verses literally.  

God works in all sorts of ways and in all sorts of manner... what is more important is that we keep clinging on God's Word and allow God's Spirit to work in and through us so that eventually we can truly get what God wants to say to us, in whatever context he wants us to understand it in.  Only then can the very Word of God be fully realized in our lives... don't you think so?

Club Bashing

I just don't understand why some people have to bash other person's club up for some reason or another.  It is understandable to not like another club because of rivalry but to go to the extend of publicly bashing another club when the opportunity arises is just not on.  It seems to me like their hatred for another club supersedes their love of their own club.   That is just strange to me.


Oh well. 

Awesome

I actually wanted to comment on this topic of awesomeness on Facebook but felt that it was not the right forum to address this issue.  So I turn to my good ol' trusty blog to give the world my 2 cents, partly because there is less traffic passing through my blog nowadays and partly, that's the purpose of a blog anyway: to voice my own personal opinion.  So here goes...

I noticed lately that a lot of people like to throw the word "AWESOME" around freely and on anything interesting that they see/heard/felt, e.g.

• This Tomyam noodles is awesome.
• You can come for my birthday? Awesome.
• Your guitar skills is really awesome.
• Wow, the new clothes from H&M looks awesome.

Well, NO. the noodles may be DELICIOUS, you may be HAPPY that someone is attending your birthday, your friend's guitar skills may be WICKED and the new clothes from H&M looks really COOL but those things are by definition NOT awesome.

Someone told me that awesomeness should be one of those few words that we should reserve for GOD because nothing and no one deserves it more that He does.  I wholeheartedly agree with him/her and since then I have not used the word awesome for anything except for God.  Look at the synonyms associated with the word awesome: breathtaking, awe-inspiring, magnificent, wonderful, amazing, stunning, staggering, imposing, stirring.  Does anything else deserve such accolades.  Even the things/beings he created: Grand Canyon, the Milky Way, my wife and my child... they may be beautiful and lovely to behold but when I use the word awesome with them, its more about me being in awe with who God is and what He has done.  I feel using it in any other context would just cheapen the word.

In fact, the Bible also says the word awesome belongs to God and God alone: “Dominion and awe belong to God; He establishes order in the heights of heaven." - Job 25:2.

So if you would, use the word sparingly... please, because only God is AWESOME.   

V for... ?

Wow... I just realized that this blog is almost 10 years old... its a sign of how technology has moved on that I hard blog anymore.

Oh btw, don't let the money-men fool you into spending loads on Valentine's day.  Valentine's day was a day to remember love's sacrifice.  So the best Valentine's day gift your can give is to give YOURSELF 100% to your loved ones every day of yours and their lives. 

So here's wishing you a great Valentine's day and more importantly a great beginning to a great weekend! ;)