Some weeks back at cell gathering, we played this interesting game.
The game master is the banker. For the purposes of the setting and the number of people available (insignificant to the theory), we were split into 5 groups, and each group is given an envelope with the names of the group members written on it. The groups are then separated such that any form of communication between them is not possible nor allowed. The groups are to then, at their own independent discretion, place an amount of money into the envelope and hand it to the banker as payment.
The banker will reimburse exactly $10 (regardless of how much groups gave) to each group, if and only if, the total amount of money collected from the groups exceed $37.75. Any less, the money from the groups will be forfeited and no $10 reimbursed.
As such, if you were one of the groups, how much money, and why, would you put into the envelope for maximum gain from the banker?
Think up an answer and a reason before looking into at the comments (if any) and posting yours.
The thing of interest is that I’m 4% away to an INTJ, or vice-versa. As such, I should fall in these two personality classifications, INTJ and INTP, depending on my mindset, which can be slightly tweaked, depending on the context which I’m tasked in. Interesting things these ‘classifiers’.
I wonder how observant everyone around here is. I have a question and I’m curious to see what answers I’ll get. Here goes, “what is the most interesting sight at 9 am in the school canteen?”.
I love this picture. It reminds me very much of school, the system itself.
Sometime back, I attended this investors gathering of friends from Hong Kong and we all came to an interesting agreement about the society here. Given that they have been professionals working in the investment field in both HK and Singapore, I’m inclined to see that their views be largely accurate in the assessment of the society here.
The comment I heard was that Singaporean society is structured in a way where people who excel are placed in negative light. Or more succinctly, Singaporean society negatively treats people who are successful. That’s with quite some evidence in the form of news articles.
Instead of congratulating the person who managed to earn a million dollars for speculating in the property market, the news papers paint a negative light to what he did, i.e. broke up families, caused the property market bubble, made people poor, etc. Instead of proclaiming someone a stock whiz, the papers would probably criticise him for not having a proper job and as if his forms of money making are totally illegal.
One thing they (professionals) all suggested – Never announce nor let slip your successes and/or your generosity. The Singaporean society responds negatively to things different from the norm, rather loudly. It’s quite sad and pitiful.
Then, there’s this other joke which I found quite interesting. Freedom of Assembly is more powerful than Democracy. Without the freedom to assemble, true democracy cannot be achieved. Although there is yet to be universal suffrage in HK, a simple demonstration of 500,000 people is enough to cause a few secretaries (ministers) to resign, for “personal reasons”. Even the Chief Executive (PM) had to step down eventually. An important point to note is that despite the large numbers, the demonstration was peaceful. Riots rarely ever occur these days but the police here in Singapore would like you to think otherwise. A peaceful gathering of 7 people arranging toy figures at a park required the presence of 3 riot police truck squads.
On the other hand, Singapore has pseudo-democracy (as not everyone gets to vote, i.e. GRCs and walk-overs) but not the freedom of assembly. It’s almost impossible to get any minister fired for “honest mistakes”, making accountability to the general public a joke. On the bright side, thanks to such civil obedience, GST and almost any other utility costs can rise without any politician fearing for their jobs. 10% GST anyone? We’re only 3% away.
Had the Transport Minister said “inevitable” (referring to the rise in public transportation fares) in the HK context, I’m guessing he’ll be stepping down, real soon, or at least, making public apologies faster than he can say, “oops”.
How amusing, 10 years down the road, especially when Singapore suddenly has the highest foreign worker import rate, per capita, with Singapore Citizen being displaced by the Singaporean Resident in statistics, I wonder how this place will look.
Today is the day where pastor shares the ‘annual report’ of the church’s ‘operations’, and 2008 directions that God wants the church to go. As usual, the report has always been amazing and the scale of operations have vastly expanded to an extent that is hard to imagine its ever possible years ago. That aside, the vision for next year is even more amazing. It’s pretty amazing how God likes to challenge our faith and minds with dreams and visions that are way beyond us, and yet when we look back, visions years ago indeed did come to pass. Next year’s going to be a really exciting year, nevermind my slavery commitments.
Then, he talked about Matthew chapters 9, 10, and 11, which I found extremely amusing.
Many times before the arrival of big obstacles, such as major examinations or trials and tribulations, I’ll take a pause and look back at my life, to marvel and analyse how far I have come. And today, right before the final examinations, I took a pause and revisited my two years in this course. What I cannot fail to notice is God’s faithfulness throughout all these years.
At first, I had it all planed out to go to a JC and leave the school for good but little did I know, right before I was to submit my PAE (JC selection) application, I was told to complete my pre-university education here, with an IBDP. The challenges were tough, I hadn’t studied Literature in secondary 3 and 4 precisely because I hated it; I wasn’t prepared for anything IB either, no pre-IB experience in PoD nor ISO, not to mention portfolios, IOC, and IOPs. A one way street. In short, I was knowingly walking into an unknown and risky challenge. Trusting in God’s plans, off I went. Difficult as it can ever seem, but since it’s God’s will, it’ll be God’s bill (and His solutions).
Looking back, I’ve survived these two years, although not at the head of the pack, but thankfully and certainly not at the tail end of the pack. I can’t never fully document the blessings that I’ve got and certainly, it has been thus far been the happiest segment of my life. As I continue to lean on God, I can clearly see the grace of God and His hand at work, sustaining me at the darkest moments, where I almost burned out, and giving me strength and joy when I found school work a royal drag. The people I’ve met thus far are remarkable, unique, and truly valuable, something that I cannot help but treasure.
I’m glad. Since I’ve come so far, alive, I have faith that I know I will end up victorious at the end of this segment, bringing me to the university that I needed to be.
I have never walked on water
Felt the waves beneath my feet but
At your Word Lord, I’ll receive Your
Faith to walk on oceans deep
And I remember how You found me:
In that very same place
All my failing surely would’ve drowned me
But You made a way
You are my freedom
Jesus you’re the reason
I’m kneeling again at Your throne
Where would I be without You
Here in my life, here in my life?
You have said that all the heavens
Sing for joy at one who finds
The way to freedom, truth of Jesus
Bought from death into His life
And I remember how You saw me:
Through the eyes of Your grace
And though the cost was Your beloved for me
Still you made a way!
So now, as the days go by, the examinations draw near, here’s the time for the final shot. Like my friend used to say, “Give it the best you’ve ever got, ’cause there’s no other chance to try again”. This is it, keep the faith, and finish the race.
Yesterday, I got allowed to try out this cool and revolutionary piece of software, Skitch. The following is a demonstration on what it can do in under 2 minutes, with integrated uploading and posting, epitome of the ease of use.
As for the interesting picture I’d posted yesterday, I’m extremely glad that someone in the comments managed to understand how the picture works. Here it is again for a recap.
What I didn’t post is the preamble that comes with this image and I shall post it now.
“If you see the woman turning in clockwise, it means that the side works more is the right of the brain. If, however, you see it to turn in counter-clockwise direction, the left side of brain is used more”.
To see the image turning in the counter-clockwise direction, formulate mentally mathematical questions. To see the image turning in the clockwise direction, think about works of art or simply music. Sometimes you get to see the direction change when you increase the activity of the right or left side of brain, or vice-versa.
Translated from Portuguese, so pardon the grammar.
I’m happy. I thank God for such results that were good, given the amount and quality of preparations I placed into these examinations. Even more so, I’m extremely glad for my grade 7 (out of 8 people in the level) in Business and Management which I thought was a goner given the marking conditions the paper was set in.
Still, the road is up ahead; now is the time, for us, to shine. Shine with the face, of Christ divine – It’s lyrics from a great song, Now Is The Time, by Delirious?.
Whenever people start attacking the relevance of church to culture of the world, I always ask the simple question, “what is Christianity for, yourself or others?”.
Like it or not, the correct answer (according to the Bible), is others. The church exists to serve the needs of the non-believers, to put it simply. That is the premise for all ‘relevance’ the church needs to be, i.e. as relevant as it can be, so as to serve the needs of non-believers. The needs of the believers then follows.
Firstly, what needs? Find a hurt and heal it, find a need and meet it, that kind of needs. The best example of what to do can be found in the gospels where Jesus went around to the prostitutes and the unclean people to heal them, get to know them, and to simply love them (more than just showing love). He never complained or stayed away from them because they were ‘worldly’, or that they are too poor or sinful. Equally so for us, we need to go out into the place of commerce, culture, the marketplace to continue this modern-day ministry of love. How would the ministry even work if it’s totally irrelevant to the current culture of the marketplace?
Then, how relevant and to what extent? Daniel shows us a very good example in the Book of Daniel. Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), Azariah (Abednego), accepted King Nebuchadnezzar’s orders to learn the cultures, language, sciences, literature of Babylon (Dan 1:20), short of consuming the King’s food (Dan 1:4-8). The children of Judah even accepted Babylonian names of gods of that society upon them (Dan 1:7), but importantly, they stopped short of Babylonian food. Food in this case refers to the values of the society which they refuse to subscribe or ascribe to (Dan 1:15). Still, they were educated Daniel even became ruler over whole province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men (including magicians and astrologers) of Babylon (Dan 2:48).
That, in today’s terms could mean the CEO of the MTV business, having control of culture and media establishments of the marketplace, rich, famous and powerful, but yet subscribing to a strong and sound Christ-like value system. Ironically, if this were to happen in today’s times, any believer or church worker holding that position would surely face intense criticism from both believers and non-believers alike. I would love to hear how they criticise the children of Judah.
As briefly as I possibly can, I hopefully managed to explain why church needs to be relevant to the marketplace it is in.
It’s pretty sad and annoying when people go around talking down to others saying that they are definitely wrong and whatever, especially with people who are gay and what not. Love, not judge; love, not hate; love, not condemn. Leave the condemnation to God, the final arbitrator.
In other interesting read, check out the animated graphic and wonder, (from top down) is the lady turning clockwise, or counter clockwise?
