"I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
Mark 10:15, NLT
How can you "receive the Kingdom of God like a child"? Adults considering the Christian faith for the first time will have life experiences that take them way past the ability to be as innocent as children. Jesus does not ask us to put aside our experiences, but he does require a change of attitude: adult self-sufficiency must recognize its need for the sovereign God; adult moral defensiveness must humble itself before the holy God; and adult skeptical toughness must soften before the loving God. Children do not feel supremely powerful, perfectly righteous, or totally autonomous. These are adult fantasies.
Coming to Jesus means to accept his goodness on your behalf, confess your need, and commit your life to his tender guidance.
© 2009, Tyndale House Publishers
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Is not believing the existence of God rational?
In economics, we assume that every individuals are rational. Rational individuals will make choices which maximize their objective functions, subject to constraints.
In finance theory, we partly believe that every individuals are also behaving rationally and they will minimize risk, for any given level of return. Minimizing risk is rational.
Now, how is it related to believing the existence of God? Why is 'not believing the existence of God' probably not a rational thing to do?
Let see the following arguments,
1. If God does not exist, then there is no difference between believing His existence and not believing His existence. Everyone (believers and non-believers) will be doing fine in the end.
2. If God exists and He has rules or commands for you to follow, then it makes difference on whether you are believing on His existence.
If you are not believing on His existence and therefore certainly you are not going to listen to Him, then it is likely that your might break His rules and it is likely that you might reap something you do not like in the end, such as punishments.
If you are believing on His existence and you are listening to Him, then your life or life-after-death is likely to go well and you will be blessed by all the good things from Him, due to your obedience to Him.
Furthermore, His rules or commands are teaching you good. His rules do not teach you to do something harmful to your life. Right? So, it is a double benefit.
The conclusions are :
A. If you do not believe on His existence, you will be fine only in condition 1
B. If you believe on His existence, you will be fine in both, condition 1 and 2.
On (A), your 'investment risk' is only half-hedged. But on (B), your 'investment risk' is fully hedged. If you are rational, then you will choose to take full-hedge, instead on half-hedged your 'investment'.
Life is also a kind of 'investment'. Make sure you manage the 'risk' well, so that you could reap the benefit on the maturity date.
If I were you, I will choose to believe on His existence, and listen to Him. I am a rational person. Are you rational?
Disclaimer : It is just a thought, which might be worthwhile to consider.
In finance theory, we partly believe that every individuals are also behaving rationally and they will minimize risk, for any given level of return. Minimizing risk is rational.
Now, how is it related to believing the existence of God? Why is 'not believing the existence of God' probably not a rational thing to do?
Let see the following arguments,
1. If God does not exist, then there is no difference between believing His existence and not believing His existence. Everyone (believers and non-believers) will be doing fine in the end.
2. If God exists and He has rules or commands for you to follow, then it makes difference on whether you are believing on His existence.
If you are not believing on His existence and therefore certainly you are not going to listen to Him, then it is likely that your might break His rules and it is likely that you might reap something you do not like in the end, such as punishments.
If you are believing on His existence and you are listening to Him, then your life or life-after-death is likely to go well and you will be blessed by all the good things from Him, due to your obedience to Him.
Furthermore, His rules or commands are teaching you good. His rules do not teach you to do something harmful to your life. Right? So, it is a double benefit.
The conclusions are :
A. If you do not believe on His existence, you will be fine only in condition 1
B. If you believe on His existence, you will be fine in both, condition 1 and 2.
On (A), your 'investment risk' is only half-hedged. But on (B), your 'investment risk' is fully hedged. If you are rational, then you will choose to take full-hedge, instead on half-hedged your 'investment'.
Life is also a kind of 'investment'. Make sure you manage the 'risk' well, so that you could reap the benefit on the maturity date.
If I were you, I will choose to believe on His existence, and listen to Him. I am a rational person. Are you rational?
Disclaimer : It is just a thought, which might be worthwhile to consider.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Listen and Understand
"Then he said, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." (Mark 4:9, NLT)
Some people in the crowd were looking for evidence to use against Jesus; others truly wanted to learn and grow. Jesus' words were for the honest seekers.
We hear with our ears, but there is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding from Jesus' words.
© 2009, Tyndale House Publishers
Some people in the crowd were looking for evidence to use against Jesus; others truly wanted to learn and grow. Jesus' words were for the honest seekers.
We hear with our ears, but there is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding from Jesus' words.
© 2009, Tyndale House Publishers
Monday, June 22, 2009
Open Invitation
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:16
Versailles was made the capital of France by King Louis XIV in 1682 and remained the capital (except for a short time) until 1789 when it was moved back to Paris. The beautiful palace of Versailles included an opulent 241-foot-long Hall of Mirrors. When a visitor approached the king, he had to curtsy every five steps as he walked the entire distance to meet the king sitting on his dazzling silver throne!
Foreign emissaries to France submitted to that humiliating ritual to court the French monarch’s favor toward their country. By contrast, our God, the King of kings, invites His people to come to His throne freely. We can come to Him anytime—no advance appointments and no bowing required!
How grateful we should be that our heavenly Father is so much more inviting! “Through [Christ] we . . . have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18). Because of this, the writer of Hebrews urges us to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
Have you responded to God’s open invitation? Come in awe and gratitude, for the God of this universe is willing to hear your petitions anytime. —C. P. Hia
You need to talk with God today,
Your heart’s bowed down with care;
Just speak the words you have to say—
He’ll always hear your prayer. —Hess
Access to God’s throne is always open.
Copyright 2009, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USASaturday, June 20, 2009
Number of hungry worldwide tops 1bn
By Javier Blas, Commodities Correspondent
Published: June 19 2009 13:52 | Last updated: June 19 2009 13:52
The number of chronically hungry people has passed 1bn for the first time – about one in six people – as the economic crisis compounds the impact of still high food prices, the United Nations said on Friday.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation said that its latest estimates put the number of hungry people at 1.02bn, up from a revised 915m in 2008. The estimate confirms data advanced by the Financial Times earlier this year.
The new UN assessment signals that the food and economic crisis of the last two years have reversed the past quarter-century’s slow but constant decline in the proportion of undernourished people as a percentage of the world’s population.
Before the food crisis started in mid-2007, there were fewer than 850m chronically hungry people in the world, a level that has been roughly constant since the early 1980s owing to the global fight against poverty and countries such as China, India or Brazil lifting their economic growth over the last two decades.
The most recent increase in hunger is not the consequence of poor global harvests but is caused by the world economic crisis that has resulted in lower incomes and increased unemployment, the UN said in a statement.
The Group of Eight leading nations acknowledged earlier this year that efforts to tackle hunger were lagging. G8 agriculture ministers, meeting in northern Italy in late April, said that the world was “very far from reaching” the UN’s goal of halving by 2015 the world’s proportion of malnourished people.
“A dangerous mix of the global economic slowdown combined with stubbornly high food prices in many countries has pushed some 100m more people than last year into chronic hunger and poverty,” said Jacques Diouf, FAO director-general.
“The silent hunger crisis, affecting one-sixth of all of humanity, poses a serious risk for world peace and security,” Mr Diouf added in a statement. “Today, increasing hunger is a global phenomenon. All world regions have been affected.”
The warning comes after the FAO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said earlier this week that agricultural commodities prices would rise 10-30 per cent over the next 10 years compared with their average of 1997-2006, less than previously feared because of lower economic growth and oil prices.
Agriculture, long neglected in policy discussions, is now being examined more closely after the 2007-08 food crisis, which saw record prices for staples such as wheat and rice spark food riots from Haiti and Bangladesh to Egypt and Senegal. Wholesale agriculture commodities prices have declined since then, but retail food prices remain close to record highs in many developing countries.
The UN’s World Food Programme is cutting food aid rations and shutting down some operations as donor countries that face a fiscal crunch at home slash contributions to its funding. The agency, the world’s leading hunger fighter, had less than $1.5bn in mid-June, out of a required budget of $6.4bn. With almost half the year gone, officials in donor countries said, it was unlikely that the WFP would receive the money it says it needs to prevent hunger in many poor countries.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009
Published: June 19 2009 13:52 | Last updated: June 19 2009 13:52
The number of chronically hungry people has passed 1bn for the first time – about one in six people – as the economic crisis compounds the impact of still high food prices, the United Nations said on Friday.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation said that its latest estimates put the number of hungry people at 1.02bn, up from a revised 915m in 2008. The estimate confirms data advanced by the Financial Times earlier this year.
The new UN assessment signals that the food and economic crisis of the last two years have reversed the past quarter-century’s slow but constant decline in the proportion of undernourished people as a percentage of the world’s population.
Before the food crisis started in mid-2007, there were fewer than 850m chronically hungry people in the world, a level that has been roughly constant since the early 1980s owing to the global fight against poverty and countries such as China, India or Brazil lifting their economic growth over the last two decades.
The most recent increase in hunger is not the consequence of poor global harvests but is caused by the world economic crisis that has resulted in lower incomes and increased unemployment, the UN said in a statement.
The Group of Eight leading nations acknowledged earlier this year that efforts to tackle hunger were lagging. G8 agriculture ministers, meeting in northern Italy in late April, said that the world was “very far from reaching” the UN’s goal of halving by 2015 the world’s proportion of malnourished people.
“A dangerous mix of the global economic slowdown combined with stubbornly high food prices in many countries has pushed some 100m more people than last year into chronic hunger and poverty,” said Jacques Diouf, FAO director-general.
“The silent hunger crisis, affecting one-sixth of all of humanity, poses a serious risk for world peace and security,” Mr Diouf added in a statement. “Today, increasing hunger is a global phenomenon. All world regions have been affected.”
The warning comes after the FAO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said earlier this week that agricultural commodities prices would rise 10-30 per cent over the next 10 years compared with their average of 1997-2006, less than previously feared because of lower economic growth and oil prices.
Agriculture, long neglected in policy discussions, is now being examined more closely after the 2007-08 food crisis, which saw record prices for staples such as wheat and rice spark food riots from Haiti and Bangladesh to Egypt and Senegal. Wholesale agriculture commodities prices have declined since then, but retail food prices remain close to record highs in many developing countries.
The UN’s World Food Programme is cutting food aid rations and shutting down some operations as donor countries that face a fiscal crunch at home slash contributions to its funding. The agency, the world’s leading hunger fighter, had less than $1.5bn in mid-June, out of a required budget of $6.4bn. With almost half the year gone, officials in donor countries said, it was unlikely that the WFP would receive the money it says it needs to prevent hunger in many poor countries.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Are you being childlike or childish?
"About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."
Matthew 18:1-4, NLT
Jesus used a child to help his self-centered disciples get the point. We are not to be childish (like the disciples, arguing over petty issues), but rather childlike, with humble and sincere hearts.
Are you being childlike or childish?
© 2009, Tyndale House Publishers
Matthew 18:1-4, NLT
Jesus used a child to help his self-centered disciples get the point. We are not to be childish (like the disciples, arguing over petty issues), but rather childlike, with humble and sincere hearts.
Are you being childlike or childish?
© 2009, Tyndale House Publishers
The Tempted Brothers
How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? —Genesis 39:9
Two brothers—both far from home —faced similar temptations. One, working away from the family, fell to the schemes of a younger woman. His sin led to embarrassment and family turmoil. The other, separated from loved ones because of family turmoil, resisted the advances of an older woman. His faithfulness led to rescue and renewal for the family.
Who are these brothers? Judah, who fell to the desperate scheme of his neglected daughter-in-law Tamar (Gen. 38). And Joseph, who ran from the arms of Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39). One chapter, an ugly story of irresponsibility and deception; the other, a beautiful chapter of faithfulness.
The stories of Judah and Joseph, presented back-to-back in the midst of “the history of Jacob” (37:2), show us that temptation itself is not the problem. Everybody faces temptation, even Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11). But how do we face temptation? Do we demonstrate that faith in God can shield us from giving in to sin?
Joseph gave us one way of escape: Recognize sin as an affront to God and run from it. Jesus gave another: Answer temptation with truth from God’s Word.
Facing temptation? See it as an opportunity to make God and His Word real in your life. Then run! —Dave Branon
For Further Study
To gain insight into how to say no to temptation, check out Resisting The Lure: Recognizing The Dangers Of Sexual Temptation at www.discoveryseries.org/q0707
We fall into temptation when we don’t stand against it.
Copyright 2009, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA.
Two brothers—both far from home —faced similar temptations. One, working away from the family, fell to the schemes of a younger woman. His sin led to embarrassment and family turmoil. The other, separated from loved ones because of family turmoil, resisted the advances of an older woman. His faithfulness led to rescue and renewal for the family.
Who are these brothers? Judah, who fell to the desperate scheme of his neglected daughter-in-law Tamar (Gen. 38). And Joseph, who ran from the arms of Potiphar’s wife (Gen. 39). One chapter, an ugly story of irresponsibility and deception; the other, a beautiful chapter of faithfulness.
The stories of Judah and Joseph, presented back-to-back in the midst of “the history of Jacob” (37:2), show us that temptation itself is not the problem. Everybody faces temptation, even Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11). But how do we face temptation? Do we demonstrate that faith in God can shield us from giving in to sin?
Joseph gave us one way of escape: Recognize sin as an affront to God and run from it. Jesus gave another: Answer temptation with truth from God’s Word.
Facing temptation? See it as an opportunity to make God and His Word real in your life. Then run! —Dave Branon
For Further Study
To gain insight into how to say no to temptation, check out Resisting The Lure: Recognizing The Dangers Of Sexual Temptation at www.discoveryseries.org/q0707
We fall into temptation when we don’t stand against it.
Copyright 2009, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Getting “In The Way”
Jesus said . . . , “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” —John 14:6
The ancient Romans were known for their roads, which crisscrossed their empire with wide, heavily traveled highways. It’s what Jesus’ audience would have pictured when He claimed, “I am the way” in John 14:6.
While this verse indicates that He is the way to heaven, there’s really more to His statement. Cutting through the underbrush of the dense jungle of our world, Jesus is our trail-guide who makes a new way for us to live. While many follow the way of the world by loving their friends and hating their enemies, Jesus carves out a new way: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you” (Matt. 5:44). It’s easy to judge and criticize others, but Jesus the Way-maker says to take the plank out of our own eye first (7:3-4). And He cuts a path for us to live with generosity instead of greed (Luke 12:13-34).
When Jesus said “I am the way,” He was calling us to leave the old ways that lead to destruction and to follow Him in His new way for us to live. In fact, the word follow (Mark 8:34) literally means, “to be found in the way” with Him. You and I can make the choice to travel the familiar and ultimately destructive ways, or we can follow Him and be found in the way with the One who is the way! —Joe Stowell
As people of the Lord we’re called
To follow in His way;
And though the world won’t understand,
They’ll see Him on display. —Sper
We don’t need to see the way if we’re following the One who is the Way.
Copyright 2009, RBC Ministries
The ancient Romans were known for their roads, which crisscrossed their empire with wide, heavily traveled highways. It’s what Jesus’ audience would have pictured when He claimed, “I am the way” in John 14:6.
While this verse indicates that He is the way to heaven, there’s really more to His statement. Cutting through the underbrush of the dense jungle of our world, Jesus is our trail-guide who makes a new way for us to live. While many follow the way of the world by loving their friends and hating their enemies, Jesus carves out a new way: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you” (Matt. 5:44). It’s easy to judge and criticize others, but Jesus the Way-maker says to take the plank out of our own eye first (7:3-4). And He cuts a path for us to live with generosity instead of greed (Luke 12:13-34).
When Jesus said “I am the way,” He was calling us to leave the old ways that lead to destruction and to follow Him in His new way for us to live. In fact, the word follow (Mark 8:34) literally means, “to be found in the way” with Him. You and I can make the choice to travel the familiar and ultimately destructive ways, or we can follow Him and be found in the way with the One who is the way! —Joe Stowell
As people of the Lord we’re called
To follow in His way;
And though the world won’t understand,
They’ll see Him on display. —Sper
We don’t need to see the way if we’re following the One who is the Way.
Copyright 2009, RBC Ministries
Two kinds of people
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike." Matthew 11:25, NLT
Jesus mentioned two kinds of people in his prayer: the "wise and clever"--arrogant in their own knowledge--and the "childlike"--humbly open to receive the truth of God's Word.
Are you wise in your own eyes, or do you seek the truth in childlike faith, realizing that only God holds all the answers.
Taken from Life Application : Daily Devotion (NLT)2009 - Tyndale House Publishers
Jesus mentioned two kinds of people in his prayer: the "wise and clever"--arrogant in their own knowledge--and the "childlike"--humbly open to receive the truth of God's Word.
Are you wise in your own eyes, or do you seek the truth in childlike faith, realizing that only God holds all the answers.
Taken from Life Application : Daily Devotion (NLT)2009 - Tyndale House Publishers
Sunday, June 7, 2009
God Wants to Give You a Satisfying Life (by Rick Warren)
"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of" (John 10:10 MSG).
Some people fear worshiping God because they wrongly think that means they have to become judgmental and legalistic. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life (see John 10:10 NLT).
It is Satan who wants to "steal and kill and destroy" your freedom and your joy (John 10:10 MSG).
Often well-meaning and misguided people can cause us to avoid God because of their fanaticism. Here are the types of religious fanatics I've observed over the years:
Freddy the Pharisee: Rigid, narrow-minded, and legalistic, he has a rule for everything. His favorite word is "don't." And it's only natural for some people to fear they may become just like that if they become a Christian. But Jesus called people like Freddy the Pharisee "blind guides," saying, "You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24 NLT).
Susie Self-Righteous: Holier-than-thou attitude and judgmental of others, her favorite phrase is "Thank God, I'm not like you!" Am I going to become like that if I become a Christian? If I get to know God? Yet, Jesus told the story of two men praying; one self-righteous and one humbled by his failures: "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 18:14 NLT).
Billy Bible-Thumper: He's an obnoxious and overzealous crusader. His favorite phrase is "Turn or burn!" Yet, God's plan for bringing us home to Him is full of love, grace, and sacrifice: "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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him" (John 3:16-17 NIV).
Pauline Praise-eluia: She can't speak without religious clichés. Everything is a miracle or the Devil did it. She's put her brain on the shelf. But God doesn't want you to stop thinking when you become a Christian; in fact, He wants to give you the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV).
These are stereotypes, but they represent people who have abandoned their relationship with God to instead embrace a religion. Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life [not religion] and have it to the fullest!" (John 10:10).
© 2009. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc
Some people fear worshiping God because they wrongly think that means they have to become judgmental and legalistic. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life (see John 10:10 NLT).
It is Satan who wants to "steal and kill and destroy" your freedom and your joy (John 10:10 MSG).
Often well-meaning and misguided people can cause us to avoid God because of their fanaticism. Here are the types of religious fanatics I've observed over the years:
Freddy the Pharisee: Rigid, narrow-minded, and legalistic, he has a rule for everything. His favorite word is "don't." And it's only natural for some people to fear they may become just like that if they become a Christian. But Jesus called people like Freddy the Pharisee "blind guides," saying, "You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24 NLT).
Susie Self-Righteous: Holier-than-thou attitude and judgmental of others, her favorite phrase is "Thank God, I'm not like you!" Am I going to become like that if I become a Christian? If I get to know God? Yet, Jesus told the story of two men praying; one self-righteous and one humbled by his failures: "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 18:14 NLT).
Billy Bible-Thumper: He's an obnoxious and overzealous crusader. His favorite phrase is "Turn or burn!" Yet, God's plan for bringing us home to Him is full of love, grace, and sacrifice: "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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him" (John 3:16-17 NIV).
Pauline Praise-eluia: She can't speak without religious clichés. Everything is a miracle or the Devil did it. She's put her brain on the shelf. But God doesn't want you to stop thinking when you become a Christian; in fact, He wants to give you the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV).
These are stereotypes, but they represent people who have abandoned their relationship with God to instead embrace a religion. Jesus says, "I have come that you might have life [not religion] and have it to the fullest!" (John 10:10).
© 2009. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Remember who you are...
Three days ago, I re-watched one of my childhood favorite animations, The Lion King. I felt like I was back to my childhood time. What a good feeling. Anyway, I am not going to talk about that.
Here, I would like to share with you about a message shown in the movie. To give you a better picture, here is the plot of the scene.
In the story, it was told that reigning King of The Pride Lands, King Mufasa, has a son, which is named after as 'Simba'. And the movie was opened with the blessing of this little cub, by Rafiki (A wise old Mandrill). Simba was destined to be the next King of The Pride Lands. As always, the story goes with a conflict. In the story, there is an antagonist character, named Scar (a younger brother of Mufasa who is envious of the throne, and planned a schemes to dethrone Mufasa). Along the story, as Simba grew, Scar tried many things (through mental manipulation, and wicked plans) to either to kill Simba or to kill Mufasa. All initial plots to kill Simba failed. In short, finally Scar succesfully trapped Musafa, by putting Simba on danger, and forced him to go and save Simba. And Mufasa died on that scene, after Scar purposely not to help Mufasa when Mufasa was about to fell into the stampede of the wildebeests.
Scar knows that he is the one who made Mufasa died. But Scar did not tell the truth to Simba. He intimidated Simba by telling that Simba is the one who caused the death of Mufasa. And Simba believed it. Simba, a young inexperienced little cub, was overwhelmed by the feeling of guilt after that event. And He chosed to flee and run away from The Pride Lands. Then, the story goes, Simba was getting older. And over time, the guilty feeling was always with him. He was never been able to get rid of it.
Until one day, he saw Rafiki (The Wise Old Mandrill). Rafiki has been following him for a while. And finally Simba noticed it. To give you a clearer picture, here is the dialogue between Rafiki and Simba at that scene.
Rafiki: (chanting to himself) Asante sana, squashed banana, we we nugu mi mi apana!
Simba: Would you cut that out? Rafiki: Can't cut it out. If I did, it would grow right back! (chuckles and starts to follow Simba)
Simba: Creepy little monkey...Will you stop following me?! Who are you, anyway?
Rafiki: I think the question is: whooooo...are you?
Simba: [surprised, he sighs sadly] I thought I knew, but now I'm not so sure.
Rafiki: Well, I know who you are! Shh, it's a secret... (leans towards Simba) ... Asante sana, squashed banana, we we nugu mi mi apana!
Simba: Enough, already! What's that supposed to mean, anyway?!?!
Rafiki: It means you're a baboon...and I'm not! (chuckles)
Simba: (starts to walk away) I think you're a bit confused--
Rafiki: (zips in front of him) Wrong! I'm not the one who's confused - you don't even know who you are!
Simba: (sarcastically) Oh, and I suppose you know?
Rafiki: Sure do. You're Mufasa's boy! [Simba stops, amazed, and turns back to Rafiki.]
Rafiki: Bye! (darts away)
Simba: Hey, wait!
[After a brief chase, Simba finds Rafiki sitting in meditation on a rock.]
Simba: You knew my father?
Rafiki: Correction: I know your father.
Simba: [sadly] I hate to tell you this...but he died, a long time ago--
Rafiki: Nope! Wrong again! Ha ha! He's alive! And I'll show him to you! You just follow old Rafiki, he knows the way! Come on!
[Rafiki brings Simba to a river and point his finger to the water]Mufasa's Ghost: Simba, you have forgotten me.
Simba: No, how could I?
Mufasa's Ghost: You have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life. Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.
Mufasa's Ghost: Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true King.
Ok, I will stop the story here. When I watch this scene, when Mufasa's Ghost said... 'Remember who you are'... , it really tickles my inner self deep inside.
This is exactly what happens to the world. We have forgotten who we are. We have forgotten that We are God's creation, created on His own image. We are no longer looking for God. We are no longer thinking about Him. We are living carelessly by using our own standards. We have forgotten that we, all have fallen short of glory, and deserved to die. Yet God sent His only Son to save us, so that We can have eternal life.
I believe this is what God will say to all of us... : '... Remember who you are...'
'... Remember who you are...'
Let's repent and turn ourselves to God. As what John The Baptist shouted on the wilderness, "humble yourself, confess your sins and repent, receive baptism, and open the “way” for the Messiah to take hold of your lives.”
Maybe, it is the time for us to stop, and to think, and to reflect on our life. And say to our inner self, ... 'Remember who you are, [your name]'...
God loves you. And He will always love you.
Let's remember who we are, and return back to the Father.
Let's leave our old life, as the new has come and will spring, for everyone who is in Christ Jesus.
Let's live a life which is pleasing and is acceptable to Him.
Here, I would like to share with you about a message shown in the movie. To give you a better picture, here is the plot of the scene.
In the story, it was told that reigning King of The Pride Lands, King Mufasa, has a son, which is named after as 'Simba'. And the movie was opened with the blessing of this little cub, by Rafiki (A wise old Mandrill). Simba was destined to be the next King of The Pride Lands. As always, the story goes with a conflict. In the story, there is an antagonist character, named Scar (a younger brother of Mufasa who is envious of the throne, and planned a schemes to dethrone Mufasa). Along the story, as Simba grew, Scar tried many things (through mental manipulation, and wicked plans) to either to kill Simba or to kill Mufasa. All initial plots to kill Simba failed. In short, finally Scar succesfully trapped Musafa, by putting Simba on danger, and forced him to go and save Simba. And Mufasa died on that scene, after Scar purposely not to help Mufasa when Mufasa was about to fell into the stampede of the wildebeests.
Scar knows that he is the one who made Mufasa died. But Scar did not tell the truth to Simba. He intimidated Simba by telling that Simba is the one who caused the death of Mufasa. And Simba believed it. Simba, a young inexperienced little cub, was overwhelmed by the feeling of guilt after that event. And He chosed to flee and run away from The Pride Lands. Then, the story goes, Simba was getting older. And over time, the guilty feeling was always with him. He was never been able to get rid of it.
Until one day, he saw Rafiki (The Wise Old Mandrill). Rafiki has been following him for a while. And finally Simba noticed it. To give you a clearer picture, here is the dialogue between Rafiki and Simba at that scene.
Rafiki: (chanting to himself) Asante sana, squashed banana, we we nugu mi mi apana!
Simba: Would you cut that out? Rafiki: Can't cut it out. If I did, it would grow right back! (chuckles and starts to follow Simba)
Simba: Creepy little monkey...Will you stop following me?! Who are you, anyway?
Rafiki: I think the question is: whooooo...are you?
Simba: [surprised, he sighs sadly] I thought I knew, but now I'm not so sure.
Rafiki: Well, I know who you are! Shh, it's a secret... (leans towards Simba) ... Asante sana, squashed banana, we we nugu mi mi apana!
Simba: Enough, already! What's that supposed to mean, anyway?!?!
Rafiki: It means you're a baboon...and I'm not! (chuckles)
Simba: (starts to walk away) I think you're a bit confused--
Rafiki: (zips in front of him) Wrong! I'm not the one who's confused - you don't even know who you are!
Simba: (sarcastically) Oh, and I suppose you know?
Rafiki: Sure do. You're Mufasa's boy! [Simba stops, amazed, and turns back to Rafiki.]
Rafiki: Bye! (darts away)
Simba: Hey, wait!
[After a brief chase, Simba finds Rafiki sitting in meditation on a rock.]
Simba: You knew my father?
Rafiki: Correction: I know your father.
Simba: [sadly] I hate to tell you this...but he died, a long time ago--
Rafiki: Nope! Wrong again! Ha ha! He's alive! And I'll show him to you! You just follow old Rafiki, he knows the way! Come on!
[Rafiki brings Simba to a river and point his finger to the water]Mufasa's Ghost: Simba, you have forgotten me.
Simba: No, how could I?
Mufasa's Ghost: You have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life. Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.
Mufasa's Ghost: Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true King.
Ok, I will stop the story here. When I watch this scene, when Mufasa's Ghost said... 'Remember who you are'... , it really tickles my inner self deep inside.
This is exactly what happens to the world. We have forgotten who we are. We have forgotten that We are God's creation, created on His own image. We are no longer looking for God. We are no longer thinking about Him. We are living carelessly by using our own standards. We have forgotten that we, all have fallen short of glory, and deserved to die. Yet God sent His only Son to save us, so that We can have eternal life.
I believe this is what God will say to all of us... : '... Remember who you are...'
'... Remember who you are...'
Let's repent and turn ourselves to God. As what John The Baptist shouted on the wilderness, "humble yourself, confess your sins and repent, receive baptism, and open the “way” for the Messiah to take hold of your lives.”
Maybe, it is the time for us to stop, and to think, and to reflect on our life. And say to our inner self, ... 'Remember who you are, [your name]'...
God loves you. And He will always love you.
Let's remember who we are, and return back to the Father.
Let's leave our old life, as the new has come and will spring, for everyone who is in Christ Jesus.
Let's live a life which is pleasing and is acceptable to Him.
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