Saturday, September 12, 2009

3 wishes...

Interesting short story I read through The Star.

A King's 3 wishes
After conquering many kingdoms, the great Greek king Alexander was returning home when he fell seriously ill. Nothing his generals did could cure him.


With death staring him in the face, Alex realised how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no value to him as he lay waiting to breathe his last. All he wanted then was to go home, see his mother's face and bid her a fond farewell. But knowing that he would not have time to reach his distant homeland, he summoned his generals and told them:


" I will depart from this world soon. I have 3 wishes which you must carry out without fail."


With tears flowing down their cheeks, all his men could do was nod.


"My first desire is that my physicians alone must carry my coffin."


After a long pause, the king continued, " when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard should be strewn with the gold, silver and precious stones which I have in my treasury."


Quite exhausted by then, he said softly: "Finally, after I'm gone, let both my hands dangle out of my coffin."


The people who had gathered around the king wondered about his strange requests. But no one dared to ask about the rational behind them. Alex's favourite general then kissed his hands and pressed them to his heart. "I assure your highness that your wishes will be fulfilled. But why?"


At this the ailing monarch took a deep breathe and said: " I would like the world to know the 3 lessons I have just learnt."


"I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realise that no doctor can cure every ailment. Doctors cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted."


"Strewing gold, silver and other riches along the path to the graveyard will serve to remind everyone that I might have spent my life accumulating riches, but I cannot even take a piece of gold with me when I die. So let people realise that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth."


"As for the final wish to leave my hands dangling out of the coffin, I want people to know that I came empty-handed into this world and I will leave the same way."


With these words, the king closed his eyes as death conquered him.


(Taken from The Star, dated 6th September 2009)


...Food for thought...
On his deathbed, the king raelised those crucial lessons about life. What about you? Are you still not convince that all things in this world is meaningless? Did not the Bible told us that through Solomon? (Ecclesiastes) King Solomon was wealthy, filled with wisdom, have tonnes of servants, definitely tried many things of the world, have beautiful wives and kids etc. He was practically an"idol" for all isn't it? Don't you wish to be in Solomon's shoe, to enjoy all those hings? But look at what Solomon said in the conclusion of Ecclesiastes...


Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.


Thus, chose wisely on what you are investing in this life... Remember, fear God and keep His commandments.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

John Calvin

(taken from: http://www.etsu.edu/cas/history/resources/Private/Faculty/Fac_To1877ChapterDocFiles/ChapterImages/Ch3CALVIN.jpg)

Friday Youth Fellowship was interesting as we broke out from the norm and did a biography section instead. An influencial French reformist was picked and the story began....


I am not going to present you his biography here as it will be too long for me to do so. (For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Calvin). But I would like to highlight something that triggered me to put on my thinking cap regarding this guy.


John was a simple and normal guy. However, many took notice of him not because of his looks, his family background etc but of his single-mindedness towards God. The things that he preached was nothing but the truth and only the truth he cling on to until the day he died.


I believe he really struggled in some part of his life as God placed him in a situation whereby John knew that it was God's will towards him but he didn't want to obey it. Nevertheless, who can win the almighty God? If that is His will, thus, He will ensure that His selected one will carry out His will according to His plan. So it was, John at last did what was required out of him willingly with God's strength. How many of us out there are willing to give their heart to God and obey even though what is in God's mind is different than ours? Well, I have to say that it's truly a big slap on myself as many times I chose to go on my own path and my own ways instead of His. How about you? Are you too rebelling against Him?


Secondly, John's life was truly very discipline. How many of us are truly having a discipline life? Yes, many might said what is the use of discipline life but think with me for a moment, if you are not discipline in your life, how much time have you wasted throughout all these years on earth? If you are discipline, you won't face the situation of "doing last minute work", you won't face the situation of "panic because work is undone" etc. Talking is easier than action, thus, am I doing what is necessary to cultivate discipline life? Ahhh... Sadly, the word "discipline" is still far away from me, I have to catch up and truly commit my weaknesses to Him for a changed life!


Last but not least, after all these years, John Calvin's is still 'among us'... Why? Why nobody remember you great great great grandparents but people remember who John Calvin was? Why? Because John Calvin devoted and invested his whole life into God's word and as it is written in the bible, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." (Isaiah 40:8). Are you investing your life on the right thing? Or are you investing your life on worldly things (i.e. family, money, job etc)?


All in all, the whole section was a soul seeking section, well at least it is for me. It is a challenge put forth to me to check on my life. Am I living as howHe wants me to live? Am I glorifying His name as how I ought to? Am I being the light and salt of the world? May I too have the eyes that focus upon heavenly things, ears to listen to His words and a submissive heart to Christ.