tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62176642507024822272012-02-16T00:37:50.420-08:00Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.comBlogger601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-20323370994209885172011-02-13T23:48:00.000-08:002011-02-13T23:48:42.800-08:00

I had a hard time falling asleep last night. It was nearly 3:00 in the morning. Anyone could have just fallen right into a deep sleep at this hour. This was what I assumed too initially, but somehow I stayed awake for the whole night. The last time I checked on the clock by my bedside was 4:45am. What flashed across my mind for the last couple sleepless hours were simply my reflections on what I

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-51715443425922402882010-10-23T00:07:00.000-07:002010-10-23T00:07:10.646-07:00

About a month ago I read about Blockbuster filed for chapter 11 (bankruptcy), and today the Crystal Cathedral suffered the same fate. The former a home entertainment giant and the latter a mega church, though two different industries, the cause of their downfall is the same, failing to respond to cultural change (not market demand). This should alert those who are involving in church planting or

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-10458648441893139962010-10-07T12:09:00.000-07:002010-10-23T00:04:07.149-07:00

A missionary in our class shared yesterday how the Indians contextualize the Lord's Supper. As coconut is commonly used in nearly all Hindus religious occasions, so the converted Hindus use coconut as sacrament element in the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Instead of breaking bread, they break the coconut. They drink the coconut water and eat its flesh in remembrance of the Lord's suffering for the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-62914620078040035432010-07-07T10:36:00.000-07:002010-07-07T10:36:23.855-07:00

Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (New Living Translation)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-6458146055996359532010-07-06T22:25:00.000-07:002010-07-07T23:30:14.420-07:00

After selecting the right college or university, the next thing was selecting the right major. Some students might not have any problem in deciding what major or degree to pursue, others however took some time to pick a major. This happened to our elder daughter Hannah two years ago. Initially she decided to be a CPA but changed her mind later after few dental visits. She said she finally found

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-45191177665293067302010-07-03T12:58:00.000-07:002010-07-06T18:34:57.619-07:00

Unlike my daughters, I did not have the opportunity or privilege to tour a few universities before deciding which university would provide me with the best experience for the next four years of education and enlightenment. In America, most people believe that choosing the right college is the first and most important step toward a good university education. So whenever possible, most concerned

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-26273401743524446802010-06-20T01:00:00.000-07:002010-06-20T01:08:49.077-07:00

Going to college did not come easy for me. I worked for few years to save some money before I made that venture. Actually the amount of money I had with me then was not sufficient for college. I took the risk by faith trusting that my “new found” God would help me to get through it. I was a young believer then. I had the faith to move mountains but I didn’t know how to ascertain God’s will. I

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-4793858916748606002010-06-18T08:53:00.000-07:002010-07-06T02:16:01.078-07:00

For nearly nearly half a year, I had posted just one entry on my blog! “I must be too busy for the last six months,” I thought to myself. Was I? Well, as I reflected on my past journey for the first half of the year 2010, I don’t think that was entirely true. Yes, I was very busied with my Hebrew in the winter quarter when I had an intensive class together with a NT theology, and a long side

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-48116687273763425162010-04-01T22:18:00.000-07:002010-06-16T12:28:50.532-07:00

I can’t remember what causes me to think in the past that Jesus was very willing to die for us. Is it because of my understanding of him as our savior and thus he is destined to die for our sin? How selfish was my thought then and how shallow my understanding of God’s salvation. Last week, when I was reading the passage where Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, I noticed that the narrative in the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-42640349925481897082009-12-25T14:43:00.000-08:002009-12-25T14:43:46.201-08:00

Wishing you all have a wonderful time in the season. Merry Christmas and may the peace of God be with you all and forevermore!! Enjoy the Hawaiian Christmas song!

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-33425925808553632682009-12-01T07:41:00.000-08:002009-12-03T09:38:19.164-08:00

I gave a talk at my daughter's school Christian club last Friday before the Thanksgiving holidays. Although this wasn't my first time speaking before a crowd, it was my first experience to speak before a group of American teenagers in High School. I was pretty nervous about this engagement. The first reason was I didn't know any of the students in the Christian club except Ariel. I am the kind

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-87621915147499827272009-11-20T11:38:00.000-08:002009-11-20T12:13:30.038-08:00

Few photos I took with my cell phone during my second retreat at a Catholic convent situated mid way on a hill in one of Los Angeles’ up-scale residential neighborhoods.  I spent a long hour at this chapel (below) in my first visit.       Every time when I passed by the pool to look for a quiet corner for solitude, I was tempted to dive into the water for a swim instead

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-87715526366769090992009-11-18T16:32:00.000-08:002009-11-20T10:53:04.326-08:00

This year I have a number of opportunities to retreat, twice in August and twice in October. The two retreats I had in August were accompanied by family. One was a church camp and the other one was seminary’s community coordinators get together camp. The two retreats in October however were to do it alone with other seminarians of a spiritual formation class. My experience in these two latter

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-89776257561334361542009-11-16T15:42:00.000-08:002009-11-16T15:42:34.104-08:00

May Christ the prince of peace dwell in you and empower you: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ all around me, please consecrate me. Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, Christ in my walking, Christ in the ocean, Christ on the Mountain, Christ in the air

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-6494859042805265682009-11-14T10:03:00.000-08:002009-11-14T22:26:38.054-08:00

I found this song--If We're the Body by Casting Crowns--speaks to me a lot about our prejudice against people whom we do not know when I was preparing the study on James 2;1-13 for this coming Sunday School lesson. I seriously agreed we all ought to think about why...... It's crowded in worship today As she slips in Trying to fade into the faces The girls' teasing laughter is carrying

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-29736501545148390762009-11-13T13:42:00.000-08:002009-11-14T01:03:14.251-08:00

About the doctrine of predestination, I’m still more inclining towards Arminianism. When I read about the debate between Jacobus Arminius and his colleague, Francis Gomarus, a firm believer in predestination in the strictest sense, I tend to find it hard to believe that God makes salvation available only to those He chose beforehand. It’s hard to face the fact that Jesus’ atonement is limited to

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-23447840566758266582009-11-07T01:07:00.000-08:002009-11-10T09:52:24.651-08:00

I know many people like Revelation, including my professor who has the class to do an exegesis of several passages of the text. Personally, I don't really like the Book of Revelation very much. I find that it is kind of hard for me to relate the meaning of the text with our everyday living. Though every book in the Bible is canonical and authoritative and should be given the same weight and

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-40248464102441796822009-10-26T10:30:00.000-07:002009-10-26T10:43:56.071-07:00

I thought I've done with Greek after three quarters of labor. I didn't know that I need to go even deeper into it in my current exegetical class. I don't say I 'hate' Greek, it's just that when you have other classes to attend and many others things to do at the same time, Greek doesn't come as a pleasant thing to study. Under such circumstances, I always feel that I have not given enough

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-29524956637424806022009-10-08T17:43:00.000-07:002009-10-16T19:31:33.568-07:00

In my own reading of the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7) many times before it's never occurred to me that this particular passage could be viewed as a picture of eschaton (about end-time.) I, like most people, generally assume Jesus’ discourse on the Mount is a radical call to his followers for entering the kingdom of God. It’s a sermon on radical discipleship. Its message was beyond the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-59130654537920290232009-09-29T11:47:00.000-07:002009-09-29T11:47:24.365-07:00

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (New Living Translation)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-65984066258939832612009-09-27T08:05:00.000-07:002009-09-28T08:07:56.427-07:00

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-70552689033892723372009-09-26T08:05:00.000-07:002009-09-26T08:05:00.500-07:00

According to the view of process theology, God is not an entity but a process. In such case, who is the one directing the process? If God is some kind of a “force”’ which influences directly or indirectly in forming the universe, where is this force first originated then? If every agent in the creation has its own free will as advocated by process thinkers, without the existence of a sovereign

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-68575843897822613492009-09-25T09:12:00.000-07:002009-09-25T23:23:04.329-07:00

Process theology makes some good attempts in explaining the changing world with a new understanding of how ones can view God and His creation from a different perspective. Advocates of process theology found many contradictions within the traditional theism. According to their view, they see God less as an entity but more as a process. This process changes over time and is carried out by the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-88453643356139016172009-09-22T08:34:00.000-07:002009-09-22T08:34:00.285-07:00

What a beautiful place! I said a silent prayer and truly thanked God from my heart for a lovely outing here in one of summer afternoons .  

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-6219450541946918622009-09-21T10:26:00.000-07:002009-09-21T11:49:59.550-07:00

“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.I will carry you along and save you." (New Living Translation)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-79417858870657865062009-09-19T16:27:00.000-07:002009-09-20T00:59:31.895-07:00

About God's presence in my previous post what I meant was a spiritual presence. It is not like God is leaving us. God is the God of Immanuel. When we can't feel the presence of God, what happen is we're falling away from God. Paul said (Rom 8:38, 39) nothing can separate us from the love or presence of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is sin; our disobedience to God causes us to separate

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-72779424661962256082009-09-18T08:30:00.000-07:002009-09-18T08:30:00.080-07:00

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-74246823213497524092009-09-17T20:15:00.000-07:002009-09-18T09:15:49.011-07:00

In our modern living many Christians mostly pay lot of attentions to God’s divine protection, provision, and His promises. Few actually care about whether God’s presence is with us. This phenomenon can be easily detected in our prayer. We ask about anything except His presence.If you look at Old Testament, you’ll notice that the Israelites concern a whole lot when they heard about the distressing

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-39766430676428423292009-06-21T21:17:00.001-07:002009-06-21T21:18:10.629-07:00

Throughout Antipas’ correspondence with Luke, we do not know when exactly Antipas is converted. One thing the readers do know for sure is Antipas’ faithfulness in following through the gospel. This is evidenced by his frequent engagement or correspondence with Luke and his increased enthusiasm in Christian virtues. Besides, Antipas’ compassion for Simon ben Joseph, his love for the little girl

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-53224963562855001342009-06-19T22:54:00.000-07:002009-06-21T02:10:55.390-07:00

If you love the novel “The Shadow of Galilean” by Gerd Theissen, you’d probably enjoy reading “The Lost Letters of Pergamum” by Bruce Longenecker as I did. The genre of the latter however is very much different from the former. What is common between them is both authors are New Testament scholars, both their story is fictional intermingled with historical facts and the setting of their

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-42401635171809261102009-05-06T21:32:00.000-07:002009-05-06T21:44:30.139-07:00

For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you. (Amplified Bible)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-91196786511705510352009-05-05T22:16:00.000-07:002009-05-06T08:42:21.476-07:00

Well, regardless of what the authors have attempted to accomplish in this book, I will still abide with the “penal substitution” theology. This is what the Bible speaks to me when I read from the Old Testament to the New Testament, so I am not prepared to change my perspective. Although one can derive other significant meanings from the cross, Jesus’ crucifixion impacted my life the most, and it

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-32547195429063214852009-04-27T08:31:00.000-07:002009-04-27T08:31:01.586-07:00

Money Autobiography? Ever heard of it? This is one of the topics discussed in one of my classes. I’ve been trained and worked in the financial field for many years, but I must admit this is the first time I come across money autobiography in my Learning Community class at Fuller.I was responsible for a company I worked at to do financial planning and cash flow projection up to three years, but

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-56497900702086509322009-04-26T08:00:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:18:38.204-07:00

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-55464530723532198452009-04-25T13:31:00.000-07:002009-04-28T08:21:59.223-07:00

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.Happy

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-32698683510164964632009-04-22T14:56:00.000-07:002009-04-23T14:57:27.286-07:00

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-66182386804251514142009-04-15T13:44:00.000-07:002009-04-28T08:25:06.162-07:00

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "4

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-34325745830563948232009-04-14T08:55:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:18:38.204-07:00

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it. Amen. (NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-80362401184953159222009-04-08T18:34:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:19:36.800-07:00

I truly rejoiced when our professor began his lecture today with this beautiful hymn.

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-21045765636570743632009-04-06T11:56:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:15:00.354-07:00

Andreas’ second mission from Pilate is to check on Jesus’ activities in the region to ascertain his initiated religious movement - the coming of God’s kingdom - would become a “security risk’ or post any imminent danger to the existing tension experienced in Jerusalem. Andreas (as expected being a fictional character) never actually has a chance to meet with Jesus except the one last view he has

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-56136132003815923182009-04-05T11:33:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:15:00.354-07:00

I am not a novel enthusiast. In my entire life, I read no more than ten novels. But this one, The Shadow of the Galilean, attracted me first because of the title. It is a novel that constructs its plot based on a familiar biblical account. I was curious to find out how the author, a German theologian, uses his imagination and biblical knowledge to makeup his story. The second reason I read the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-70431907632997132792009-03-10T14:35:00.000-07:002009-03-10T14:35:00.641-07:00

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ. (The Living Bible)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-58771971914321158042009-03-09T23:07:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:17:44.908-07:00

As I usually do - to come to the Lord's presence to ask Him, "Lord, what do you have for me tonight?" He leads me to John 1:9"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world."It is not a statement. It is a promise and this promise was fulfilled by Christ Jesus who came into the world two thousand years ago. I think this is a good topic for sermon.If I were to preach a

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-65658445477487078352009-02-22T14:35:00.000-08:002009-04-26T08:18:38.204-07:00

24 “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’ (NKJ)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-57036341184482862082009-02-08T23:45:00.000-08:002009-04-26T08:18:38.204-07:00

20May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-41301613985613962512009-02-07T14:30:00.000-08:002009-04-26T08:16:39.705-07:00

Thomas asked Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going and how can we know the way?”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 6:5-7)You have heard of Jesus and the ONLY way for you to come to the Father is through Jesus

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-31573403913614387372009-02-06T14:41:00.000-08:002009-02-07T14:44:44.633-08:00

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-79727427638242344652009-01-19T22:54:00.000-08:002009-04-26T08:16:39.705-07:00

Come tomorrow Jan 20 (at noon to be exact), America will be receiving good news from her 44th President Barack Obama in his inaugural address.The American people have been anxiously waiting in hope for their new president to deliver his promises made during the presidential campaign to turn the country’s economy around.The present economy of the nation is in turmoil. Many financial giants have

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-62296495200472049352009-01-18T23:08:00.000-08:002009-02-07T14:45:32.182-08:00

1I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. (Today's NIV)

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-58509294083514569482009-01-13T09:29:00.000-08:002009-04-26T08:17:44.908-07:00

Learning how to run a church efficiently and especially to be effective in church ministry is something every pastor and Christian leader looks forward to. I believe none of the church pastor or leader somewhere along in their ministry path has never been pondering over the question what a church must really do? Without doubt we must have spent numerous resources and timeless effort in doing

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-64844443041001009492008-12-19T11:33:00.000-08:002009-09-18T10:55:46.216-07:00

GPS navigation device is something you really like to have if you want to travel around in a new environment. When I first came to the US, without the GPS unit, I would need to study the map for directions each time before I set out to my destination. I have to be extra cautious as not to miss any street sign I had written on my self-drawn map. If I happen to turn into a wrong street or went

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-38836788954374356662008-11-09T19:26:00.000-08:002009-04-26T08:16:39.705-07:00

Lately there have been lots of debates on matters like should gays and lesbians be given the right to be married. Some says marriage has nothing to do with religion; it is an affair between two loving persons. Some says marriage is a state’s matter, and church should leave it to the state or the government. There shouldn’t be any law to bar them from marrying.As God’s people we know very well

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-85483165655905445722008-09-26T00:18:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:16:39.705-07:00

Have you ever wondered why many Christians today have failed to live a victorious life as Jesus had promised them?Jesus declared, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b)So, what has happened? Didn’t we believe in Him and had been baptized in His name? So how come we’re still living in such a lousy condition and life never seem to become any easier than before

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-55339671248280109772008-09-22T22:08:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:16:39.706-07:00

If you’ve accepted Christ’s salvation and have been attending church services regularly, yet baptism is what you’ve always avoided, perhaps you should ask: What is holding you back for Jesus?Don’t you love Him enough and desire to be baptized in His name, to let people know that, you are a disciple of Jesus Christ? If you’re not willing to take the first step in committing yourself to Him

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-67309334835602572702008-09-18T23:13:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:16:39.706-07:00

I am really not keen in getting into the argument of whether God cannot lie or who does not lie (Titus 1:2). Many people seem to have trouble with the fact that God cannot lie than to take delight in a God who never lies.Numerous suggestions have been offered by people to help God get out of this embarrassment. How can our omnipotent God, who is all powerful, not have the ability to do all things

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-79223393199952381942008-09-16T15:09:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:16:39.706-07:00

My brother once challenged me to tell Him about the God whom I was so eager to share with him without referring to the Bible. His reason was sincere and genuine. He told me courteously, “Until I know your God and believe in him, your effort in showing me the Bible about who he is would not convince me.”I have been thinking as well if it is possible to tell others who God is without using the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-40311652988912132552008-09-12T10:17:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:16:39.706-07:00

If I tell you it’s because the Lord your God says so, you definitely won’t be happy. In fact, you may have a lot of complaints and grievances. 1st Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)If He is so jealous of us worshiping other gods, why doesn’t he banish all other gods from the surface of the earth? Isn’t He, God? Yes, no doubt He is God, but He didn’t make the

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-2731711162932208402008-09-10T18:25:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:15:44.225-07:00

God wants us to open the 'door' to let Him come into our life to take good care of us, but most people find it vulnerable, uncomfortable, and even insecure to do so. Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)You heard clearly that God knocks at your door but you open a window

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-64607746539623923242008-09-09T11:04:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:15:44.225-07:00

Have you ever gotten so angry about something or with someone and wished God would take action immediately to punish the person? You have lots of questions: why God doesn't carry out His punishment instantly? Why must God wait and give people time?You probably think those people deserve their judgment. They are wicked and evil, they cheat and lie, they did many evil things in the dark, and they

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217664250702482227.post-18186262610979438672008-09-08T11:00:00.000-07:002009-04-26T08:15:44.225-07:00

“Isn't it unfair that we have to suffer the sin of others?” my children once asked me. Why does the Bible say that children are punishable for the sin of the fathers? (Exodus 20:5b).I have to agree it does seem unfair if you merely just look at the matter on its surface. But, if you know the principle of cause and effect, and how God's creation normally operates, it is not difficult to view this

Gilbert Simhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07188645257095298667noreply@blogger.com0