Salvation For You

Master, Master, I will do what you want me to do.... Jesus is my Master

I don't know where to start, how to start. There are so many things, so many things to be done, and all coming at the same time, always like that.

Today, I was awoken with dreams again. This time, the dream was about shoes and sink again. Dreams is communication with my spiritual world. It is how funny things are in this world. I cannot believe it myself, but it really happened, and don't want to believe also cannot.

The Singapore Song just echoed in my mind: We the citizen of Singapore, Pledge ourselves as ONE UNITED PEOPLE, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.... WE ARE SINGAPORE.... Singapore, My Singapore, My Home.


Founder of Modern Singapore: Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles; The origin of Life, the creator of life and the one who gave us life is God, and his only son, Jesus.

I tell you, this is a very funny story, a story about madness, joy, grieve, sweetness, anger and love, and so on. I had always wanted to join the government service. I wanted to be a nurse, my first choice, but the salary is very low....At that time, paper qualification is so important, now still the same. While waiting for results, I gave tuition, worked temporary jobs as accounting clerk and general clerk, and I also worked as relief teacher. After my graduation from the university, I still gave tuition, but soon I found my full-time permanent job at the hospital, the place where I learned most about people...


9/11 Tribute - "Pass It On"


I experienced the Power of God's Love. I experienced the beauty of God's Love, his creation, his HOLINESS and it was indeed awesome, beyond words can describe. I am no good at words, I am no good at anything, but I was granted the special gift which my Father had given me. I do not know if I will do it well, but I will try my best. What I do affect other people, and what other people do also affect me. It is all a chain reaction, and we just have to be co-operative and do our parts well.


Pass it on Version 2


Alleluia, Alleluia.....This is my destiny, to proclaim the mystery of faith, the preach the Gospel and to protect my country. This is my enlistment, my National Service. I am going to tell you what I know, all that I know about God and Jesus, and my religion, the only truth, the only true religion, the HOLY Catholic Church....

In God We Trust

My Favourite Roulette Casino Game: The thunder strikes and the house went blackout just as I was about to upload this photograph

I wrote these posts: Wheel of Casino, Pray For Peace, and Master Mind

Eye Witness
I am Yahweh witness. Last night, Channel U was showing a show about the mystery of Noah Ark, and also the cloning of the extinct animal, Tasmania Tiger. As I was watching, I 'recalled' so much 'familiar' and 'similar' images and experiences as what the people (the explorer) had said.

Instrument of God
This morning, I woke up, reading about the life of St Anthony. Only after reading, then I know that Saint Anthony died on 13th Friday 1231. Someone saw him 'carrying baby Jesus' while peeping through his room one evening.... I also dreamed of baby falling and I went to the rescue that night....

Spiritual Paradise
There was a lot of dreams which I had not recorded, and it was 'relevant' to what I see later on in the church....


Buying the ticket at Information counter for the World's Largest Giant Observation Wheel on 12th June 2008: It is this 'mat' that we stood, while purchasing the tickets for Singapore Flyer, taking the Ferris Wheel Ride. This is all not coincidence really, but I am an instrument of God. My heart and his beat as one... On that fateful day, our heart met face to face.... I remembered the moment, rainy day....

Because of this casino game called Roulette, I won US$300 at Las Vegas, and it was this money that God revealed his 'divine revelation' one day on this note that I had won:

Won three pieces of US$100, during the year 2000, if I am not wrong, I exchanged these notes to Singapore dollar. The money changer would not accept this piece of notes because there were ink on it...


This is the back of the US$100 note. I had 'lost' it for some time already, but was 'found' again..... and really so happy


Seen For the First Time on the day I Found this note again: IN GOD WE TRUST

NO COINCIDENCE
St Anthony is a well-known saint called Angel of Peace and famous for lost article (I first know about this through Ricsson), and I experienced it too.... That same night Jesus came to me, the church paper (St Anthony's Voice) dropped on the floor first, followed by my spectacles and Ricsson's Spectacles. This is what I heard, what I see in the morning, while all others were still sleeping...

Be A Catholic

Just went to St Anthony's Church website to see their photographs again. My computer has lots of problems since Monday. Reformat already and all the photographs I saved previously was gone. So now I had to go back there to save some photographs.



As I was looking through the photographs, I was taken back by this photo. It was what I dreamed of, the colour of the wall exactly the same in my dream -- the day was Wednesday. I was dreaming, and then when I awoke, it was raining so heavily. It was about 6am. Both Richard and I woke up to close the windows. It was a special day because it was Chinese calendar 1st May, the day I asked for a mass for the souls (my mother, my godmother and I contributed the money for this mass). It was the death anniversary, don't know how many years already, for my 4th aunt, maternal aunt, my mother's sister. She died of cancer.

I had forgotten the dream, but it involves walls, and the most striking things I remembered was the colour of the walls and people around. Really no idea what the dream was about now and even on that day when I was awoken by the rain. I can only know it was a coloured wall, 'orangish yellow' wall, and it was this one shown above.

When I was young, sometimes I see certain things, I have the feeling that I had 'seen before'. I can still remember the moment now. It was the sight of a plug and wire, at the position of my old Boon Lay house kitchen which I had the experience like that. That was my first time having this kind of experience.

Dreaming of Confirmation and catechism matters as well. Before all these, I had always had dreams. Now that I think back, it was all real, not 'coincidence'. It was the 'spirit' telling me something.

So I looked at Sacraments, Confirmation and it was written as below (taken from St Anthony website): The roots of confirmation are found in Acts of the Apostles 8:14 - 17, "Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." See also the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 14 where Christ speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.

In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, Confirmation, known also as Chrismation, is one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ for the conferral of sanctifying grace and the strengthening of the union between individual souls and God.

From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

* it roots us more deeply in the divine filiations which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!" (Romans 8:15); This is true, I experienced it, it was touching, real touched.

* it unites us more firmly to Christ; This I also felt. My first time was seeing the cross, with the body of christ on it. That was what I know, and I prayed to Jesus...

* it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;

* it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; Well, learning, and what interest me are the altar boys, the colours of the 'vestments', the 'rituals' and all the signs and symbols, 'interesting', all so 'foreign' to me. I do not want to just 'accept' something without any meaning to it.

* it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word And action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross. Yes, I am proud to be a Roman Catholic, knowing it is the truth and the real powerful God, one real and true God in this world, the creator of this world. It is so pathetic how the truth is twisted and how Catholics all 'cancelled' their names and divert away from Catholicism or even become 'unbelievers', so scary....



And as mentioned, I really, really feel so grateful, so feel honoured to receive and be a witness of Christ, and even to SEE and HEAR it for myself. Indeed it was amazing, unbelievable, ONLY I was 'aware' of it. These are special gifts given to me by the Holy Spirit, the gifts of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.



Sacraments of Initiation
Meaning of Sacraments
The Seven Sacraments
Becoming A Catholic RCIA

Principles of Confucianism

Confucius' Tomb

Confucius became a city magistrate when he was 50 years old. During his one year in office, the city of Lu prospered. Reforms were introduced and crime was almost eradicated. He regarded the people with virtue and taught them the value of rites. The elderly was respected and the people treated one another with the appropriate proprieties. Officials in the neighbouring cities used his policies as a model for their own systems.

Confucianism contains a set of moral, social, religious and political principles that has asserted a large influence on the history and development of Chinese society and culture. Its teachings talk about the importance of education and the following qualities: li (correct behaviour), ren (benevolence, humanity), yi (honesty), zhi (knowledge, in the sense of moral wisdom) and xin (faithfulness, integrity).

Living with a moral code was imporant as well. A person should cultivate good moral values before he could concern himself with the morals of others. Confucius believed that if everyone did this, society would likewise be moral. Even teh emperor was not exempt from this rule. As long as everyone accepted and acted within their role in society, the society would function well.

Confucian principles and ideals have had a huge influence on life in China for more than 2000 years. They promoted a moral code that included ethics, humanity, order and harmony. A set of good governemtn and favourable interpersonal relationships was needed for society to function well.

The hierarchical nature of relationships was important, and all parties privy to the relationship had to do their part, based on the obligations of their role. There were five relationships available: father-son, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, friend-friend, and ruler-subject.

Harmony within the family was dependent on all members observing the requirements of their specific roles. Filial peity is very strong in Confucian teaching and is a two-way process. Just as the father takes care of his son, the son likewise, has to worship his father after his death. As long as everyone is mindful of their role and adheres to it, there would be harmony.

Life was not limited to the living. One also had to consider the needs of the deceased and present them with offerings. This responsibility was undertaken by the children of the deceased, in return for the parent's actions in caring for them when they were young.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Confucianism was deliberately suppressed, as it was seen as an obstacle to China's modernisation. It was revived after the Cultural Revolution. Outside China, Confucianism had its most lasting influence in Korea where it was the state ideology for hundreds of years.

Information about Confucianism

Born in 551 BCE in Qufu in the state of Lu (part of Shandong in China), Confucius received a good education and enjoyed holding make-believe temple rituals and arranging various sacrificial receptacles for play.

Confucius stressed the importance of observing rites and customs, be it funeral rites and food offerings to guidelines on treating one's houseguest, attire and even the consumption of meals. Maintaining the required standard of such rites was essential in becoming a 'noble person', thus fulfilling one's role and obligation in life.

Confucian teachings comprise the following:

• The Analects - comprises sayings of Confucius collected by his disciples and followers after his death. It contains the teachings, deeds, comments and sentiments of Confucius. Topics are wide-ranging, covering politics, management, education, art and morality.
  
• The Great Learning - contains higher principles of moral science that should be applied in the conduct of government, in order to obtain a peaceful and happy world
• The Doctrine of The Mean - written by Confucius' grandson, it deals with principles that are concerned with the nature of mean and proper conduct
• The Sayings of Mencius - Mencius was a Confucianist who compiled questions raised by some of Confucius' disciples, contains advice to rulers of feudal states and deals iwth issues of psychology, political theory and economics.
  

Devotees would follow Confucius' example of observing rites and customs, treasuring education, practising ancestral worship and presenting offerings to him. Children used to pay their respects to him before starting their school education.

Confucianism became the only doctrine advocated during the reign of Emperor Wudi of Han. It evolved into an orthodox thought which dominated Chinese society for some 2000 years. The study of Confucian classics was also elevated as a requirement leading to the official world. Excelling in this academic pursuit might lead to a governmental post for the scholar, thereby gaining respect and prestige for the young man and his family.

Its religious influence declined during the Tang Dynasty, although the teachings and principles remained essential to the people. During the Song Dynasty, Confucianism recouped its strong following, leading to governmental reforms, including one that involved the examination system when selecting governmental officials.

Around this time, Confucianism became one of China's main ideology, along with Buddhism and Taoism. Together, the three were known as the "Three Ways", strongly influencing Chinese society, and merging with one another in the course of their development.

To honour Confucius' enormous contribution to Chinese society, his birthday 28th September was named Teacher's Day, and commemorates not only Confucius but teachers in general for their hard work. On this day, memorial ceremonies start at 6am at various Confucius temples.

Confucianism

Founders of China's three belief systems: Confucius(Confucianism), Shakyamuni Buddha(Buddhism) and Lao Zi(Taoism) -- The Vinegar Tasters painting is the most popular painting related to Taoism. It was made even more famous when the book "Tao of Pooh" mentioned this piece of art.

Confucius(551-479 BC) was a teacher and political reformer who lived in China at a time when the power of the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1027-256BC) was in decline. Confucius's surname was Kong and his personal name Qiu. In later life, he came to be known as Kong Fuzi (Master Kong). This was latinized in the sixteenth century by Jesuit missionaries as Confucius. Though Confucius thought of himself as a transmitter rather than an innovator, he was nonetheless the originator of many of the basic ideas that have sustained Chinese civilization for well over 2000 years.

Confucianism is a philosophy that promotes the fundamental moral principals for conduct, like benevolence, filial piety, brotherly love, moral cultivation and tradition. Some people do not consider Confucianism a religion. Actually, Confucius did not seek to create a new religion. He had merely expressed his beliefs on living a quality and useful life based on a set of values. However, this does not dispute the fact that Confucianism became at various times the state ideology of China. Today, there are more than two million Confucianists in the world.

Confucius deplored what he regarded as a decline in moral standards in the states of the Zhou domains. His study of ancient books led him to believe that this decline had come about through a failure by the rulers of his time to maintain the standards of a supposed golden age of antiquity. In a bid to halt this decline, he developed a system of moral philosophy for the guidance of his contemporaries.

Very little is known about Confucius' life. Confucius enjoyed holding make-believe temple rituals and arranging various sacrificial receptacles for play. At the age of 15, he devoted himself to learning and gained a reputation for being fair and polite. In 497BC, he was appointed Minister of Justice in Lu, where he hoped to put his ideas into practice, but he soon fell out of favour and spent the next 13 years travelling from state to state attempting to find a ruler willing to accept his advice. In this endeavour he was unsuccessful and he finally returned to Lu, where he spent his remaining days teaching.

After a period of grieving for his mother when she passed away in 527 BCE, Confucius embarked on his teaching career, travelling extensively. Living in a period of turmoil and decadence, he sought to restore order, believing that this could be achieved by converting people to the principles and values of the sages of antiquity.

After he died in 479BCE, temples were built in every city in China in his honour. Confucius had tremendous influence on China. His teachings formed the basis of China's education system. Emperors of various dynasties have given him posthumous titles and organized activities to worship him.