A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001. His name was Robert Matthews.
These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. both very upset, we drove home.
I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.
My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something.'
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild. Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.
My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews..... I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this.. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'
His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.
Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.
Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the impact it may have on someone... God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures Forever. Psalm 136:1
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
An Interesting Proof
Just found this out somewhere in my lecture notes. Of course, I'm going to modify it!
Do you believe that you have just inhaled an air molecule which Jesus exhaled in his last breath saying "It is finished" after more than 2000 years ago?
Our intuition tells us the probability of this is really small. After all, the numbers of molecules exhaled by Jesus was a tiny fraction of all the molecules available in the atmosphere. However, get ready for a suprising answer!
Let's build a model to see clearly.
Assuming:
1. There are n air molecules available in the atmosphere.
2. Jesus exhaled p air molecules.
3. The air molecules were distribute uniformly over the years.
4. We have just inhaled q air molecules.
Let's consider a single (randomly chosen molecule) in the atmosphere.
The probability that this is in fact a molecule that exhaled by Jesus is p/n.
Conversely, the probability that this is not a molecule exhaled by Jesus is 1 - p/n.
So, if we inhale 2 molecules, the probability that none of them was exhaled by Jesus is (1 - p/n)^2.
And, if we inhale q molecules, again, the probability that none of them was exhaled by Jesus is (1 - p/n)^q.
And, the probability that we did inhale a molecule which exhaled in his dying breath is given as:
P = 1 - (1 - p/n)^q
Alright! We now have a model and are ready for calculations.
Let's estimate the values of our variables.
The atmosphere has a lot of air molecules, n (approx.) = 10^44
The capacity of a normal human lung, p & q (approx.) = 2.2 x 10^22
Let's substitute in the values above into the equation!
P = 1 - (1 - 2.2 x 10^22/10^44)^2.2 x 10^22 (approximately) = 0.99
Wow! The result is so amazing right?!
The chance that we have just inhaled a molecule which Jesus exhaled in his dying breath is more than 99%!
Do you believe that you have just inhaled an air molecule which Jesus exhaled in his last breath saying "It is finished" after more than 2000 years ago?
Our intuition tells us the probability of this is really small. After all, the numbers of molecules exhaled by Jesus was a tiny fraction of all the molecules available in the atmosphere. However, get ready for a suprising answer!
Let's build a model to see clearly.
Assuming:
1. There are n air molecules available in the atmosphere.
2. Jesus exhaled p air molecules.
3. The air molecules were distribute uniformly over the years.
4. We have just inhaled q air molecules.
Let's consider a single (randomly chosen molecule) in the atmosphere.
The probability that this is in fact a molecule that exhaled by Jesus is p/n.
Conversely, the probability that this is not a molecule exhaled by Jesus is 1 - p/n.
So, if we inhale 2 molecules, the probability that none of them was exhaled by Jesus is (1 - p/n)^2.
And, if we inhale q molecules, again, the probability that none of them was exhaled by Jesus is (1 - p/n)^q.
And, the probability that we did inhale a molecule which exhaled in his dying breath is given as:
P = 1 - (1 - p/n)^q
Alright! We now have a model and are ready for calculations.
Let's estimate the values of our variables.
The atmosphere has a lot of air molecules, n (approx.) = 10^44
The capacity of a normal human lung, p & q (approx.) = 2.2 x 10^22
Let's substitute in the values above into the equation!
P = 1 - (1 - 2.2 x 10^22/10^44)^2.2 x 10^22 (approximately) = 0.99
Wow! The result is so amazing right?!
The chance that we have just inhaled a molecule which Jesus exhaled in his dying breath is more than 99%!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
This story is just in time - Three Bullets
There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild animals for dinner.
As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away.
Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.
As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away.
Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.
As he went further, he saw a large wild turkey up in a tree, but he had only one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused." However, at the same time, he saw a deer which would provide more meat than the turkey. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.
Still, the voice again said to him, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."
So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree, and shot the wild turkey. The bullet went into the turkey, deflected off a bone and hit the deer, killing it. When the gun fired, it knocked the man off balance, he stepped on the rattlesnake' s head which killed it and fell backwards into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a deer and a turkey with which to feed his family. The snake was dead simply because the man listened to God.
Moral of the story:- Keep God first and everything else will follow.
Pray first before you do anything. Aim high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let people or things discourage you concerning your past. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look only to God.
Still, the voice again said to him, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."
So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree, and shot the wild turkey. The bullet went into the turkey, deflected off a bone and hit the deer, killing it. When the gun fired, it knocked the man off balance, he stepped on the rattlesnake' s head which killed it and fell backwards into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a deer and a turkey with which to feed his family. The snake was dead simply because the man listened to God.
Moral of the story:- Keep God first and everything else will follow.
Pray first before you do anything. Aim high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let people or things discourage you concerning your past. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look only to God.
GOD MUST BE NUMERO UNO IN OUR LIVES!!!!!
Drastic change
Have you ever had a good thing and a bad thing happened together on the same day?
Today (9th Jun 2009) is the day where I submit my final report which I have been working on for the whole semester. Well, it supposed to be a great news for me, as finally I can get settle down and start doing revision for the final exam which will be coming in two weeks time. But today, also is the day my beloved grandmother gone back to be with the Lord. At first, I was calling my mom wanting to tell her that the flights nowadays are really cheap! But in turn, she told me that "Your grandmother has passed away this morning in the hospital." Well, although I have prepared for this when I was informed that last time she was admitted to Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. But I didn't know that the day has came so fast. What can I do? I can't go back to Malaysia as my exam is so near, but just to call home and comfort them.
As I reflect back the days that I have spent with my grandmother, she was the one that taught me Thai language, that celebrate my birthdays with me, we went jogging together in the mornings and picked up snails together because i love snails, and she is the one I turn to when I was sad and moody. But now, she has left me FOREVER... My tears started to roll down my eyes now... These scenes are going to be in my memories forever... It will no longer be real in my life. I imagined that she was lying on the bed of the Intensive Care Unit, crying and mourning of the pains that she was suffering, well, now might be the time that she be relieved from the pains and sufferings that she has been dealing with for the past month.
Well, this day has changed so drastically. The minute before, I was still happy and enjoying my time going online and chatting with friends, the next minute I am drown into the emo mood. This change has been so drastic, and I still cannot make up my mind of what to do yet.
This reminded me of a verse that in Matthew 24:44 "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." This drastic change has reminded me to get ready always, as God will come back at the hour that you do not expect Him, like what happened to my grandmother earlier on.
I just hope that this post will make us all realised that we should honour our parents always as the day will come when we do not realise it, then it will be too late to show our care to them.
Just hope that my family can get over this feeling as soon as possible, as we know that she is with our Father in Heaven now.
Rest in peace, grandma!
Today (9th Jun 2009) is the day where I submit my final report which I have been working on for the whole semester. Well, it supposed to be a great news for me, as finally I can get settle down and start doing revision for the final exam which will be coming in two weeks time. But today, also is the day my beloved grandmother gone back to be with the Lord. At first, I was calling my mom wanting to tell her that the flights nowadays are really cheap! But in turn, she told me that "Your grandmother has passed away this morning in the hospital." Well, although I have prepared for this when I was informed that last time she was admitted to Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. But I didn't know that the day has came so fast. What can I do? I can't go back to Malaysia as my exam is so near, but just to call home and comfort them.
As I reflect back the days that I have spent with my grandmother, she was the one that taught me Thai language, that celebrate my birthdays with me, we went jogging together in the mornings and picked up snails together because i love snails, and she is the one I turn to when I was sad and moody. But now, she has left me FOREVER... My tears started to roll down my eyes now... These scenes are going to be in my memories forever... It will no longer be real in my life. I imagined that she was lying on the bed of the Intensive Care Unit, crying and mourning of the pains that she was suffering, well, now might be the time that she be relieved from the pains and sufferings that she has been dealing with for the past month.
Well, this day has changed so drastically. The minute before, I was still happy and enjoying my time going online and chatting with friends, the next minute I am drown into the emo mood. This change has been so drastic, and I still cannot make up my mind of what to do yet.
This reminded me of a verse that in Matthew 24:44 "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." This drastic change has reminded me to get ready always, as God will come back at the hour that you do not expect Him, like what happened to my grandmother earlier on.
I just hope that this post will make us all realised that we should honour our parents always as the day will come when we do not realise it, then it will be too late to show our care to them.
Just hope that my family can get over this feeling as soon as possible, as we know that she is with our Father in Heaven now.
Rest in peace, grandma!
Monday, May 25, 2009
A chat with a Jehovah Witness
I was at a bus stop today waiting for bus with one of my friend. Suddenly, there is this lady giving us a brochure of Christianity. Afterwhich, she started to share about God and the Bible. As I read through the brochure, I found out that she is a Jehovah Witness.
Yea, she did pointed out a few points that I really agree with. That is the truthfulness of the Bible. She said that the Bible that we believe in is true because of the internal harmony in the Bible. Since the 66 books in the Bible was written by about 40 authors, there is no conflict in the statements made because it is written because the Creator has inspired the writers to write. In addition, there are a few proofs that was written long time ago that is proven by science today. She gave the example that the earth is round which is written in Job and Isaiah.
She, as a Jehovah Witness has find every chance to share her thought about Christianity, but why that we rarely see Christians share the gospel to their friends? Fellow brothers and sisters, do not be hesistate to share the gospel to people around you. I do feel ashamed today, and I want to learn the courage from her to share the word to my friends. Do not be ashamed of the gospel, as it is stated in Matthew 10:32-33 that "If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don't belong to me. "
Yea, she did pointed out a few points that I really agree with. That is the truthfulness of the Bible. She said that the Bible that we believe in is true because of the internal harmony in the Bible. Since the 66 books in the Bible was written by about 40 authors, there is no conflict in the statements made because it is written because the Creator has inspired the writers to write. In addition, there are a few proofs that was written long time ago that is proven by science today. She gave the example that the earth is round which is written in Job and Isaiah.
She, as a Jehovah Witness has find every chance to share her thought about Christianity, but why that we rarely see Christians share the gospel to their friends? Fellow brothers and sisters, do not be hesistate to share the gospel to people around you. I do feel ashamed today, and I want to learn the courage from her to share the word to my friends. Do not be ashamed of the gospel, as it is stated in Matthew 10:32-33 that "If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don't belong to me. "
Saturday, May 23, 2009
At the point of death.
Have you ever have a family member that is really sick and at the point of death? My grandmother has been admited to hospital and had a total kidney failure. She could hardly breathe and now she has to undergo dialysis to clear up the toxic in her body.
Well, I did question God. Why did He allows these things to happen? Well, I think the reason behind is fairly simple. God wants His glory to be shown through all these hardships that He put in our lives. He wants to train us to be strong and courages at these points of time, to depend on Him for His plans and purpose in our lives.
Psalms 23 says:
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord shall be my dwelling place.
God has been really gracious to me. He has placed people around me to encourage and support me whenever I face troubles. God has also shown His power and glory through the salvation of my dad (when my grandmother was admited to hospital last year).
We should thank God for these that He allows to happen and really look upon Him for strength to pull you through as He has promised that He will be with us and lead us. God will not place something greater for us to bear. These troubles or trials are there to sharpen you to be a useful tool for the Lord. Let us continue to seek His will in our lives.
Monday, May 18, 2009
What is Love?
Have you ever thought of what is love?
People will say: "Love is blind. Love is something that cannot be explained with words."
But what did the Bible says about love?
1 Corinthians 13
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
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 record 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Love is something that you poured out to people around you and expect nothing in return. People might claim: "I love you these much, and you must love me these much too!"
But what did God do in the aspect of love? He loves us and He even sacrificed His own and beloved Son to die on behalf of us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness and so that we can be with Him in eternity. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Does it mean that Christians are holy saints that do not commit sins anymore? Absolutely not! Christians are also normal human beings. We do fall into the trap of sin at times, but by the grace of God, we are being forgiven again and again if we repent before Him.
I can assure you that there is no love under heaven that is greater than the love from our God for us. God is the source of love. He created us so that we can have fellowship with Him.
Will you at this day tell God that you love Him too?
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