God and Logic

I once read a book from 李天命. He mentions that Logic is the most strictly analysis process. Based on Logic, he derives many argument to question Bible and God. One classic paradox he likes to use: Can God make a rock so big, that even he can't lift it?

I spend some times to study the best explanation to counter this argument. There are a few good one but all seem to argue within the scope of Logic analysis.

Then my question: Is God beyond Logic!?

I think Yes. Human can only understand Logic within our brain limit. Plus, does Logic really can explain everything!? I don't think Logic can explain the creation of Universe. From nothing to something. Logic and any Science can't explain that. In another word, human can't explain anything beyond the point of creation, not even mention the Creator.

Genesis Trivia

- In Genesis 30, Jacob negotiated a new contract with Laban. They agreed that all non-white sheep were wages to Jacob. Being a deceiver, Laban sent away all non-white sheep on the same day. Jacob reacted by putting striped almond branches in front of the sheep and the sheep would give birth to striped sheep. (This is similar to parents-to-be put up cute baby posters in their room in hope for cute baby) Genetically, this would not work. However, it was God's blessing on Jacob to make it happen.

- Jacob had 12 sons. Levi's descendents did not receive any inheritance but Joseph's received twice as much (through his two sons). Historically, the eldest son received twice as much inheritance as the other sons.

Book introduction

I am reading a book called 游子吟. I like it very much. I feel the author has similar style of mine. Lots of questions and has strong interest on natural science. He is much more knowledgeable though. This book describes his thinking process from a non-believer to a Christian. Reading this book is like talking to a friend who answering many of my Q&A stuff. This is the table of content:

第一章 神存在的真实性
第二章 《圣经》是神默示的
第三章 谁是真神
第四章 耶稣基督复活的证据
第五章 现代科学与基督教信仰
第六章 创造论与进化论
第七章 进入永生

I first jump around on the chapters I am interested the most, which are 1, 3, 6. The author often introduces new yet interesting question. For example, Darwin's theory was introduced about 150 years ago. Back then the society in Europe was still heavily favor on Christianity. But why this theory could gain such popularity so quickly? The author then answers this own questions.

This book is claimed to be quite popular. Sold 600,000 copies with three edition. Anyway, paper back is just $8. And a web site has the full content:

http://www.afcinc.org/afcsite/big_5code/literature/mc_lit/Song/prod-ct.htm

Why I buy Chinese Stocks (3)

My brothers ordered many dishes. It included all kind of animal I had never heard of. I enjoyed the food though. At the end we had a lot of left over. I want to box up some. Then my mother told me people usually didn't take left over when they ate there. Too troublesome I guessed. Well, seriously I didn't want to waste food so I insisted. But, I would regret I did that.

So we continued driving back home. Once we entered Zhuhai downtown I saw a lot of beautiful lighting on the streets. It was pretty late already, yet there were still many people hanging out. It really was a city full of energy. I felt proud of my home country. When we reached the custom, we need to leave the car and walked over for custom check. This joyful trip was about to end. I was holding a bag of leftover and then I closed the car's door.

Suddenly, someone pull very hard on the bag of my food. My first thought: robbers! But when I turn back, I saw no one. Then I looked down. I saw a little girl, around 7~8 years old, was pulling my bag. Besided her there was a shy little boy, seemed to be her little brother. This girl spoke to me in Mandarin: Give me, give me. I didn't eat for two days already. To be exact, these was what she said:

叔叔, 給我, 給我, 我二天沒有吃東西.

This girl was a beggar I believed. Did she really eat nothing for two days!? I doubted. But watching a little kid begging for food, I felt bitter. My first reaction was to give her the food. But a defensive thinking came to my mind. If I gave her the food now, what would happen? Would other beggars rush to me for more? I couldn't handle that... So I hold on this bag for some moment, while she kept pulling for the food. At the same time I yelled to my mom if I could give this girl the food. My mother was surprise to see this situation but she immediately said yes. So I released the bag. The girl said thank you to my mother (not me) then started to run. I wanted to give the girl some money, but I hesitated for other consideration. Then she disappeared inside the crowd.

After I went back Macao, I were very unhappy for many days. I was upset although there were many modern development in mainland, some children still need to beg for food on street. I was more upset about myself. Why couldn't I just give her the food without so many second thought. Imaging a picture of a big guy fighting food with a little girl ... shame!

Now when I pray before dinning, I truly felt the mercy God had put upon me. I thanks HIM for providing me food, without the need of begging. In big dinner such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, sometimes I recall the face of that little girl.

It has been five years already. This girl should be a teenager now. I hoped her life had improved. I understand no country can eliminate all poverty. But I felt sad to see kids begging for food in the middle of a modern city downtown. I offer my prayer for a better life of ordinary people in China. I also buy some Chinese stocks hoping to help the economic and creates more jobs there.

Why I buy Chinese Stocks (2)

My brother had a mainland driving license, so he drove for this trip. Once we crossed the border of Zhuhai (珠海), most of the time we stayed on the highways. In the old days, it took 7 hours to get to Foshen. This time, it took less than 3 hours. One minor complain, we stopped eight times meeting some good looking young ladies ... they were cashiers collecting road fee.

We spend a nice afternoon in Foshen. Surely it had great developments. Tall buildings and nice shopping malls everywhere. We met relatives and enjoyed the local food. In the evening we headed back to Macao. Around 8pm, when we were nearby Zhuhai, we felt hungry. My brother decided to bring us to eat.

His drove his car off the highway, going into some bumping countryside roads. He kept driving for 10 minutes. Now it was getting very dark outside. I guess we were driving inside a farm. I started to feel uneasy and ask where we were heading to? He said we would eat something nice. I doubted. Did he get lost?

Finally I saw some light ahead of us. In the middle of nowhere, there was a big house with decorative lightnings. My brother said that was the restaurant for our dinner. What kind of restaurant would locate in such a remote area? Then my brother said we would eat wild life animals (野味)!!

[to be continued ... last section tomorrow]

Sharing: Why I buy Chinese Stocks

There is a personal story I want to share for sometimes. Sometimes mean around five years. Whenever in special days like Thanksgiving and Christmas, when there are a lot of nice food on the table, I recall this experience. However, this was a very unpleasant incident. I didn't know how to start this sharing in the Fellowship.

This July, I will go back to Macao/China for visit. That experience flash back to my memory again, because it happened in China. I guess, blog space is the easiest place for me to share this story.

In the summer of 2001, I went to Macao for vacation. My family kept telling me there had been a lot of positive change in mainland. They will show me around all the great development in the country. In fact, I am looking forward to. On Saturday, me. my elder brother, my mother, and my nephew, were ready to visit my home town, where is Foshen (佛山). This supposed to be a fun one-day trip. What I didn't expect, I were about to encounter something that made me very unhappy for the rest of my vacation.

[to be continued .. two days later, haven't finish all the writing]

Be Strong in the Lord

Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage, your mighty defender is always the same. Mount up with wings as the eagle ascending, victory is sure when you call on His name.

* Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage for He is your guide. Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord, and rejoice, for the victory is yours.

So put on the armor the Lord has provided, and place your defense in His unfailing care. Trust Him for He will be with you in battle, lighting your path to avoid every snare.

* Repeat

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:10-11

Long answers

When I google some answer on Christian question, I often see those loooong article that make me marry-go-around without straight answer. Seriously I feel pretty frustrating on this kind of writing. Why can't they just straight to the point. If I answer my boss's question like that, I am sure I have been long gone.

My explanation: there is no definite answers for many spiritual questions. It really depends on how we interpret the Bible. So people just point out every scenarios. Then we, as readers, make our own judgement.

Aging Problem

Yes.  We have aging problem in our society.  And yes, we also have aging problem in church, especially for Chinese congregation.  It is not merely that we all get older.  It is our mentality and our spirit.  The younger generations are not as energetic or creative as the older generations.  We just don't want to get involved.  This is not a good sign, but what can we do?

your first name, my last name

For Christian couples, I realize the wife, almost all, change to use her husband's last name. I wonder if this is something that Bible suggest to do. Or simply a tradition for Christian, or perhaps just Hong Kong people. I find most couples from main land China don't do that.