Nick Vujicic at FCBC this Sunday, 9 Nov 08

Nick Vujicic will be back to share his personal victory and testimony at FCBC this coming Sunday! Geraldine has been talking about his testimony to our kids and they are enthused about meeting him this Sunday (well, I guess they will skip Sunday School this week with our blessings!).

For those who doesn't know Nick, Nick is born limbless. Instead of blaming God and others, he chooses to overcome life's obstacles with the power of God's love.

Go share this date with your friends who will definitely see lives differently after listening to Nick's powerful personal testimony!

Euthanasia or mercy killing

I am following the debate on euthanasia in Singapore with keen interest. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has recently touched on this sensitive topic and it could mean that the Singapore government may consider amending the Advance Medical Directive or living will. (This is an age-old debate: I remember writing an essay on Euthanasia during my JC1 General Paper class almost 20 years ago!)

It is very heartening to know that just last week, the Catholic Church in Singapore had openly condemned euthanasia, citing the violation of medical ethics from such practices (see Straits Times article). The National Council of Churches later issued a public statement through TODAY (see article). It cautions against "euthanasia mentality", where euthanasia may be perceived as a solution to pain and suffering.

God is in control of every one of our lives and we are called to be stewards of our own lives and others under our charge. Call it "peace dying" or "personal freedom of choice", but it clearly runs contrary to what God has intended us to live out our fruitful and meaningful lives. I pray that the day will not come when Singapore goes down the slippery road of euthanasia.

Discover Ur

Just this morning while I was flipping through an old edition of TIME magazine before rushing off to church service, I was fascinated by the article "The Royal Game of Ur" (William Green, TIME, June 30-July 7, 2008, pp. 74-75).

It was discovered that the Royal Game of Ur dated about 4,600 years ago and was perhaps the oldest board gaming equipment ever found. The author alleged that the Royal Game of Ur would have matched in its popularity and glamour, the likes of PlayStation of modern civilisation. Its origin traces back to ancient Mesopotamia, an ancient city of Sumeria called Ur.

Ur? Doesn't it sound familiar to some of us? Of course! The city of Ur, as mentioned in the bible, was the birthplace of Abraham (Gen 11:31)! The bible says that Abraham came from "Ur of the Chaldeans", whom some biblical scholars refer to as northern Mesopotamia and not the famous Ur (southern Mesopotamia). Nevertheless, it would be interesting to know that just may be, Abraham and his generations would have an occasional Royal Game of Ur.