Samuel Lee's Food for thought

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

NASA discovery

Got the article from one of those forwarded emails sent by a primary school friend:

For all you scientists out there and for all the students who have had a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible here's something that illustrates God's awesome creation and shows He is still in control.

Did you know that NASA's space programmers are busy proving that was has been called 'myth' in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, and a consultant in the space programmes, relates the following incident:

One of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking out the positions of the sun, moon and planets out in space where they would be 100, and 1000 years from now. We have to know this as we do not want a satellite to collide with any of these in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole project will not bog down. Computer measurements and data were run back and forth over the centuries when suddenly it came to a halt,displaying a red signal, which meant that either there was something wrong with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and the technicians asked what was wrong.

The scientists had discovered that somewhere in space in elapsed time a day was missing. Nobody seemed able to come up with a solution to the problem. Finally one of the team, a Christian, said: "You know, when I was still in Sunday School, they spoke about the sun standing still......."

While his colleagues didn't believe him, they did not have an answer either, so they said: "Show us." He got a Bible and opened it at the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense'. There they read about the Lord saying to Joshua: "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not be a man of them stands before thee." (Joshua 10:8).

Joshua was concerned because the enemy had surrounded him, and if darkness fell, they would overpower him. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right ­ "And the sun stood still and the moon stayed,until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Ja'­sher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and hastened not to go down about a whole day." (Joshua 10:13).

The astronauts and scientists said: "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it, but it was not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ­ not a whole day. They read the Bible again and there it was: "about (approximately) a day." These little words in the Bible were important, but they were still in trouble, because another 40 minutes were still unaccounted for, and this could mean trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits.

As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible which said the sun went backwards. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but once again they opened the Book and read these words in 2 Kings.

Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet, Isaiah, who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for some sign as proof. Isaiah said: "Shall the sun go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?" And Hezekiah answered: "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backwards ten degrees." And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." (2 Kings 20:9 ­11).

Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and twenty minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in 2 Kings accounted for the missing day in the universe!

Isn't this amazing? Our God is rubbing their noses in His Truth! Forward this to as many people who would think this is equally astounding.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Back to school

Weekends are so short when you have to work on Saturdays.
Actually last night was still pondering whether to come school on monday...coz was still suffering from a bit of cold and running nose... might have to see a doctor...

But this morning, felt much better...really...no cough...no fever ... Thank God!

While chatting with a few teachers, realized that a lot of us felt sick these weekend. Haha...really work has been piling up.

Anyway, today had a long 2 hours staff meeting... tired...but glad after that, managed to eat dinner with Pastor Bihua before she goes back to KL...

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Sick Sick Sick ... my 300th post

Yesterday, finally managed to finish DSA 2007 in my school... yeah... had a look at these year's primary 6 batch...some were cute, some were clever, but some were ...errr...

Anyway went straight home after that... cannot take it anymore... really fell sick... had to miss may ann's birthday party..sighz... but anyway... need to rest ...

Drank and slept and rested... today felt better...but still head spinning... hope to recover by today... else tomorrow sure down...

zzzzzzz .....

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Burnt Off

Many times ... it's good to practice what I preach...

I've been asking my colleagues and students to rest well at times... not to stress so much...but yet I'm myself am suffering from fatigue...ahhh....no time to rest....

thank God for time off this evening..slept for almost 2 hrs to recharge...felt better....

anyway..must take care of body... work can never finish....

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Attack of the Ducks

The whole school seems wild as students flocked like ducks to ask everyone donate for ducks...quack quack...yikes!


Okay..anyway the ducks are for a good cause! Charity..yeah! glad the students are so enthusiastic.... hope they do that for the spirit of charity, not competition :)

For interested people, view http://www.duckrace.com.sg/

Saturday, July 21, 2007

Overnight Prayer and A touching Wedding

For the past 2 days, it has been a really reviving 2 days. Sad that photos cannot be uploaded. Something wrong with the settings, perhaps. Hope the problem rectifies soon.

Friday morning. Haha...My school's jogging at East Coast. Not bad, helped with the administraion, so never jogged. But a good event. I've always loved school events not held in school, coz it's really a good break in the monotony. The PE dept really did well in organizing such an event.

During the racial harmony games, the mentors and their mentor groups were having fun. So the non mentors gathered together to play frisbee. Wow. Happy too. Since when did i last played such games? hmmm...can't remember. probably back in my university days, perhaps. Thank God for holding up the weather until prize giving ceremony. At least we finished the important events.

Noon, went to PArkway Parade Jack's place for lunch with seven other colleagues. Haha. Jack's place, the place i would reccommend anyone to go for lunch during weekdays if your school ends early or during holidays. You can have a decent set lunch meal with only $10 at a restaurant!

After that, went with a colleague to meet an ex-colleague. Had some tea with them.

After that, I had initially promised to fetch a friend to my practicum school to meet the prinicpal. However I mistook the timing. And in the end, was guilty of causing my friend to be late! A very stressed time for me, especially rushing on the road. Really apologized to my friend. But thank God, everything went fine. Met with the principal, a lady who's really passionate about education. Caught up with some news too, and glad that my former students (who are in Sec 4 now) are doing pretty fine in their O-level preparations.

After visiting the school, I went back home for rest.

Friday evening, after going for my church's usual prayer meeting, went to another church for overnight prayer (10pm - 6am), which was led by a nigerian evangelist, Ime Akpan. The focus was on prayer... connecting with God.

A refreshing and inspiring night of prayer. We wanted to see the people around us blessed. We wanted to see healing to the sick, joy to the depressed, close downs being opened, and fruitfulness in all the things that we do.

At dawn break, went home to sleep. Thank God for bringing uncle soo to provide us with breakfast on saturday mornings. This morning, he bought laksa. However, I could only eat it at 12 nn after i woke up.

Read the newspaper. No news = good news. Then went to a friend's church wedding. A most unusual church wedding. I had never witnessed a more touching wedding then this. Really blessed by them, Congrats to Xinxin and Lisa! It was during this wedding that I got to know their life story too. Actually their story was featured as frontpage news in some chinese newspaper (xinmin ribao or something) some two days ago.

It all began 15 years back. Xinxin was then a 27 year old man, who was hooked on drugs. One day, due to depression and the influence of drugs, he fell off from 15 storeys high! He landed on a car, which was heavily damaged as a result.

It was a miracle that he did not die. However, it was 2 months later when he first woke up in the hospital. The first statement he cried to the doctor was, "Why didn't you let me die!"

The doctor was a Christian, who slowly introduced Jesus to Xinxin."Jesus loves you. Even to those who are hopeless, He gives hope."

Slowly, for the next 10 months, Xinxin recovered. However, his lower body became permantly paralzed, and he was wheelbound for life. However, after 10 months, Xinxin lamented, "I have no home to go. Where can I proceed from here?"

Another doctor introduced to him BreakThrough Missions, a Christian halfway house to help ex drug addicts to recover as well as to train them to go help out in society. In this house, Xinxin had stayed for 15 years, and in this 15 years, not only Xinxin has recovered from depression, he has learnt the guitar, bass, computer skills, join a choir group, as well as go to Singapore Bible College and graduated with a degree. Xinxin also has pick up skills to help himself and others, such as riding a bike, and he has learnt to pen a few songs. He has travelled to various countries and even to prisons to bring hope to those who seem hopelsss.

Through his service to God and others, Xinxin got to know a lady, Lisa. Lisa used to be a rebellous girl during her teenage days, and disappointed her family a lot. However, ever since getting to know God, her attitude changed. Not only that, Lisa got to know Xinxin when he ministers unto her. Later they fell in love. Lisa does not mind that Xinxin is wheelbound, but wanted to spend her whole life with him.

This day is the wedding ceremony for the couple. Not only that, it was a testimony to God's mercy and love to his people. The wedding, though the longest church wedding I have attended so far, was one filled with thanksgiving and gratitude. Xinxin and Lisa openly asked for forgiveness from their relatives, who got to know them before they turned good. Many ex drug addicts, who recovered with the help of Xinxin, came to dedicate their songs items to the couple. God's grace is indeed good and wonderful. A joyous occasion for all.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails"

Friday, July 20, 2007

20072007

No time to update much today. but then wanna post something on this fabulous date...

20072007

Haha...

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Math Talk with Prof Lee Peng Yee

Afternoon, had meetings with 4 consecutive groups of students in a span of one hour. Super tiring. meeting with PSL, 2 IP groups, and 1 axis group. Then rushed off with some colleagues to orchard for a math talk by Prof Lee Peng Yee.

Prof Lee Peng Yee? Yes! it's Prof Lee, the guru of math education in Singapore, the authority, the expert, the grand master. So glad to even hear him speak, though I know that nowadays, he seldom gives public talks due to his old age.

Prof Lee has been the chief editor for math text books for more than 2 decades... with years of wealth of experience around him. He has shared a lot of insight of change of syllabus of mathematics in secondary school level, and how we could go about teaching other students. Really the things he said are very meaningful.

"How do you know how to teach well? You have to observe daily examples and relate them in your teaching. How do you find such examples? You find them in your daily life, whenever you walk to a place. However, all these requires HABIT."

"To teach well is easy. To teach and students understand is not difficult. But to teach so well that your students will want learn themselves later on is difficult."

wow. insightful.

Later on had dinner with 2 colleagues at far east, followed by tea session.

Haha. now, more inspired to teach!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Alicia's wedding

Congrats to Joe and Alicia (my cousin) ... in their marriage.

Yesterday morning... went to my aunt's house... finally i was inside the house for the gate-crashing ceremony (someway or another, I was always on the other side of the gate in all the weddings i had attended (if i witnessed the gate-crashing ceremony)... haha...my siblings and i got to seat at the circus seat to see all the hype. not bad... the guys are sporting...the groom finally got to the bride. Then they went to the traditional tea ceremony.

After that, to represent the elders of the family, my uncle gave words of encouragement to the couple:

1) "Marriage" is not a word: It is a sentence.
2) A man is not completed until he has a wife. After that, he is finished.
3) "In-laws are the biggest problem in a marriage. In fact, this is 99% true."
4) A happy marriage is a matter of giving and taking. The husband gives, and the wife takes.
5) Marriage is the process where the husband puts a ring onto the wife's finger. After that the wife puts two rings around the husband's eye bags.
6) All men were born equal. That was before they got married.

Haha..of course those aboce statements were meant as jokes. But indeed, the couple indeed looked blissful.

In the afternoon, met Mingyu and Luz in Bugis for lunch. Congrats to Luz for her impeding marriage too. Went to the concourse to reccee some stuffs too.

Evening, went to orchard for the banquet. Met up with Daniel and Huifen. Saw that Huifen changed her hairstyle after her marriage...haha...okay lar... banquet lasted till 11+. Went home and slept like a pig after that.

Wanted to put some photos. Somehow blogger did not allow me. hmm..computer hiccup, or that i had posted too much photos? haha

This morning. Went to visit aunt at hospital. Then proceed to church. Wow...church youths organizing durian outing soon, in one of the saturdays this month or next month. Sad to say, most of the saturdays would be busy for me. sad. haha. Evening, went to Adrian and Yiwei's place for housewarming. Hmm...busy weekend. Now have to rush work liao. Stacks of marking waiting for me.

Friday, July 13, 2007

This Week reflections

At last...some time to reflect what I have done this week...

Monday: Work + some workshop to attend in school. Went for buffet lunch as well as buffet dinner.

Tuesday: Workshop + Work. Buffet lunch again!

Wednesday: Work, and remedials. Wanted to help out in some fun project the PSLs have to go, but thanks to a last minute important meeting, had to skip that project...sighz...that was life.

Thursday: Work and remedials. But glad to have lunch with a former colleague, Mr HJM, who said that my blog was childish (grrr... pot calling the kettle black... but all the best in his future studies!) 2 Hour meeting (really last minute, as usual) to attend. Haha. can't take the monotony of life. Luckily got some enthusiastic colleague who organized some badminton games for staff...hmm...long time never play..so played...real fun, but super tired..played from 6pm to 8pm, then went for dinner...reached home at 10pm.

Friday: Morning... came to school for admin..then went to MOE Excel Fest in SCGS for course. Really interesting... took a bus that was really empty! Reached there at 10.20am. Attended some fun course...to learn and apply some $54 million edge-cutting technology in teaching and learning, but the computer network somehow could not take it...so lagged and lagged....so much for technology. Anyway, went to tour around the school for exhibits. Saw Channel U making some interviews. And got to know some JCs actually offering the study of gambling and probability as an elective.... hmmm.

After lunch, went to NYGH for another course...this time, along with 3 other colleagues and 40 students. It was an interesting course titled "Why do time pass?" and was about entropy with time arrow. Interesting talk, but many students don't understand. Haha..maybe too theoretical and abstract. There were 4 other schools attending the workshop. To my students who went there this afternoon, and who happened to be reading this blog entry right now, "YOU WERE SIMPLY GREAT!!!!!"

I've seen quality questions asked by students of my school during the Q&A sessions. Questions that show that they are thinking and analysing what they have learnt. I've seen our students leading in small group discussions among other reputable schools. Indeed. This is what we call world class thinking and education. Keep up the good work!

Reached home after long day and Friday @ church... body still aching over badminton....

Sunday, July 08, 2007

new 7 wonders of the world

From www.new7wonders.com

After millions of votes around the world:

The New7Wonders organization is happy to announce the following 7 candidates have been elected to represent global heritage throughout history.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Christ Redeemer, Brazil
The Great Wall, China
Machu Picchu, Peru
Petra, Jordan
The Roman Colloseum, Italy
The Taj Mahal, India

Strangely speaking, I thought the Pyramids of Giza should be in, cos it was one of the original 7 wonders (in fact the only surving one). The Eiffel Tower and Colosseum might be good candidates as well. The Stonehenge, which no one knew why they existed, might truly be considered a wonder...

Saturday, July 07, 2007

07 07 07
07 07 07
07 07 07

haha.... just a blog to commemorate a nice date.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Transformers are back

Youth day yesterday. Went to all over Singapore. Walked from Singtel building to Centrepoint to Takashimaya. Went and borrow some books. Following there, travelled to Causeway point. Wow! Super packed. Wanted to watch transformers. But at 3 pm, even the 7pm shows are selling fast. Undaunted, went to Lot 1. Thank God. Managed to find good seats after queuing for half hour!



Transformers. Even my colleagues today say that it is really good. For me, Transformers the movie is widely anticipated, but i'm rather disappointed with the show. (Not that it is not very good, but i expect much more)

(1) Firstly, like all transformers fan would say, "What cube?"
(2) Other than the fact that the autobots and decepticons come from Cybertron, rest of the story line changes dramatically!
(3) I prefer the old bumblebee. A volkswagon looks cuter than a chevolet!
(4) The robots fighting gongfu looks funny to me.
(5) The car is so small, but once transformed, the robot looks so big! (where is the conservation of mass?)
(6) The small decepticons, while fighting against the humans, seem so much like the scenes from Jurrasic Park! haaha....Spielberg at work again!!!!
(7) soundtrack not as good. (Transformers - The Movie - 1986 Cartoon, has better sound track -
dare. Another soundtrack - Touch!)




Last battle scene of the 1986 cartoon. Most classic transformers cartoon!


Famous Quote "One shall stand one shall fall"

Monday, July 02, 2007

Happy Church Anniversary

Yesterday was my church anniversary. The theme was somehow "River of Life that flows out of us" . We had 3 pastors speaking.


Pastor Bernard from Canada speaking



Pastor Andreas from Indonesia


Pastor Adam from Singapore
After the anniversary celebrations and buffet dinner, had to go for Grandpa's birthday dinner (problem of too many celebrations in a day)


Happy Birthday Grandpa


Grandchildren celebrating

Silly Sarah said that my blog is so longwinded... haha...but nevertheless, glad my cousins are all doing fine.