Death... it is closer than it seems. Each day we live, we are one day older, and one step closer to death.
Death can come upon us at anytime. One of my client recently just died in his sleep. No signs beforehand. He was only in his 50s.
Death brings about an emotions in people, as death involves the severance of ties and relationships. Singing at a funeral in front of crying people makes me so emotional, the impact of which lasted for days.
Death... it is closer than it seems. After all, death is only one breath away or one heartbeat away.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Cash Values 2
I've been told that my views in the previous posts are too optimistic. I was told that living a life costs money, and it is wrong for me to assume that all is fine, when we are supposed to have money for our daily needs, as well as putting money aside for emergencies, for our kids, for our family, and so on.
This is all true. But how much can we calculate? How much can we save up for? Sometimes we go too far with our pursuit of money that we end up neglecting other aspects of our lives. Money cannot bring back lost relationships and neglected friendships. Money cannot buy back those special moments in our child's life that we missed simply because we are at work.
If everyone is to be concerned about how much we earn or whether we have enough for the future, there will be a number of jobs which no one will be doing.
I am not saying that we should not be prudent with our money. All I am saying is that we should be satisfied with what we have, and do not use money as a justification for our actions.
Look at it this way - if the average Australian household's annual income is only $50,000 per year, no-one earning more than that should be using the argument that they need to make more money to save for emergencies. If the average Australian can survive on that salary, so can we.
This is all true. But how much can we calculate? How much can we save up for? Sometimes we go too far with our pursuit of money that we end up neglecting other aspects of our lives. Money cannot bring back lost relationships and neglected friendships. Money cannot buy back those special moments in our child's life that we missed simply because we are at work.
If everyone is to be concerned about how much we earn or whether we have enough for the future, there will be a number of jobs which no one will be doing.
I am not saying that we should not be prudent with our money. All I am saying is that we should be satisfied with what we have, and do not use money as a justification for our actions.
Look at it this way - if the average Australian household's annual income is only $50,000 per year, no-one earning more than that should be using the argument that they need to make more money to save for emergencies. If the average Australian can survive on that salary, so can we.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Cash Values
Been thinking about finances and money lately, especially with my pending decision about work and stuff.
How much money does one need? When we think about it, its doesn't amount to much.
But we have been lured into a force sense of security by the need to have everything new and latest. Possessions have become our security in life. We comfort ourselves by the material things we gather. We compare ourselves with others by the wealth we have.
Our occupations have become a status symbol, a role which gives us value in life. We look up to people with certain occupations. We give respect to people who are wealthy.
But even with all that wealth, are we happy? What is more important in life? A mansion in which you live alone, or a small flat where there is a constant gathering of people who care for you in your life?
On our death bed, do we look back and feel proud at the portfolio of assets we have accumulated? Or do we feel regret for the lack of care we have shown to our loved ones as we spent all our time on our job and the lost opportunities in building our relations with people?
I know a person who is dying from a terminal illness at the moment, and she is now in her last days. The only material thing that is giving her comfort in these last days is a self-held fan costing $2.00, which cools her constantly. Her main source of comfort is her faith in God and the people who visits her every day.
And in a sense, we all have more than we need. How much of our wealth do we give away generously? To most of us, none.
Have a look at the Global Rich List as well as Miniature Earth. It will put things into perspective.
How much money does one need? When we think about it, its doesn't amount to much.
But we have been lured into a force sense of security by the need to have everything new and latest. Possessions have become our security in life. We comfort ourselves by the material things we gather. We compare ourselves with others by the wealth we have.
Our occupations have become a status symbol, a role which gives us value in life. We look up to people with certain occupations. We give respect to people who are wealthy.
But even with all that wealth, are we happy? What is more important in life? A mansion in which you live alone, or a small flat where there is a constant gathering of people who care for you in your life?
On our death bed, do we look back and feel proud at the portfolio of assets we have accumulated? Or do we feel regret for the lack of care we have shown to our loved ones as we spent all our time on our job and the lost opportunities in building our relations with people?
I know a person who is dying from a terminal illness at the moment, and she is now in her last days. The only material thing that is giving her comfort in these last days is a self-held fan costing $2.00, which cools her constantly. Her main source of comfort is her faith in God and the people who visits her every day.
And in a sense, we all have more than we need. How much of our wealth do we give away generously? To most of us, none.
Have a look at the Global Rich List as well as Miniature Earth. It will put things into perspective.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Hillsong Conference 2007
The growth of Hillsong over the years have been phenomenal. Unfortunately, due to bad press and non support from some evangelical groups, mainstream conservative Christians still have doubts about them. People expect that sermons at Hillsong are filled with the message of prosperity gospel and that people there frequently speak aloud in tongues. They expect songs from Hillsong to have questionable lyrics.
But can we be so judgmental? Some conservative Chinese churches teach some sort of prosperity gospel. I have heard sermons about how tithing is still relevant in Chinese sermons (even though it is widely accepted that this concept is under the Old Covenant which has been abolished under the New Covenant). I have heard sermons in evangelical churches where passages are taken out of context. Sure, Hillsong may take passages out of context in relation to giving and receiving, but that is a danger we see in all churches, not just Hillsong.
Music is the soul and heart of Hillsong. On the night I was there at this year's conference, Hillsong United sang some of their famous numbers. The highlight was Chris Tomlin, whose voice was mesmerising. Again, How Great is our God brought tears in my eyes. His rendition of The Wonderful Cross and Amazing Grace comforted the souls around the stadium.
Overall the experience to me was positive. It was wonderful to see people committing themselves to God. The greatness of God was highlighted in the sermon, and reminded once again how insignificant we are compared to the great God. If we are willing to cast away our prejudice, maybe we can see that God works through different means and media. This is something conservative evangelical Christians need to understand.
But can we be so judgmental? Some conservative Chinese churches teach some sort of prosperity gospel. I have heard sermons about how tithing is still relevant in Chinese sermons (even though it is widely accepted that this concept is under the Old Covenant which has been abolished under the New Covenant). I have heard sermons in evangelical churches where passages are taken out of context. Sure, Hillsong may take passages out of context in relation to giving and receiving, but that is a danger we see in all churches, not just Hillsong.
Music is the soul and heart of Hillsong. On the night I was there at this year's conference, Hillsong United sang some of their famous numbers. The highlight was Chris Tomlin, whose voice was mesmerising. Again, How Great is our God brought tears in my eyes. His rendition of The Wonderful Cross and Amazing Grace comforted the souls around the stadium.
Overall the experience to me was positive. It was wonderful to see people committing themselves to God. The greatness of God was highlighted in the sermon, and reminded once again how insignificant we are compared to the great God. If we are willing to cast away our prejudice, maybe we can see that God works through different means and media. This is something conservative evangelical Christians need to understand.
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