Should Christian pray when they eat?

This question always puts a scratch on my youth’s head whenever they eat.
Why do we need to pray when we eat?
Why do we pray when we eat together but fail to do so when we eat alone or with our family?
How should we pray? Should we always pray before eating?
Do Christians the world over pray before they eat?
Should we limit our prayer to what we are about to eat?
What if the meal was prepared by a really bad cook?
Are there any settings in which prayer would be inappropriate?
Does it depend on whether or not we are hosting the meal as a Christian event?
What if we’re in the company of non-believers?
Do we take into consideration the ratio of Christians to non-Christians gathered at the table? What if I’m the only Christian at the table?
Is it a cultural thing? Do we pray before a Chinese wedding dinner?

These may seem like silly questions, but you know you've asked them all at one point in your life.I can't think of any books dedicated to this subject and I haven't heard any sermons about it.

Some of you are probably thinking, “Of course we should pray when we eat! This is not even a topic to debate!” and others may simple say, “Whatever”. Well, ask yourself why you don’t pray when you go out for ice cream. Does it depend on the quantity of food you are about to consume? Or is it only required at designated mealtimes?

Some of you may not think it’s a big deal at all. If that's the case, then what example are you setting for your children if you sometimes feel like praying before you eat and sometimes you don’t?

This issue may not be as important as the debate over the doctrines of grace, salvation, and baptism of the Spirit or the importance of sound biblical preaching in our churches. But I am curious to know your thoughts on the matter. So, what do you think?

As Christian, we are not performing rituals for ritual’s sake. There is a spiritual significance for water baptism, Holy Communion and other ordinances of the church.

While there are numerous passages in scripture that instructs us to “give thanks”, there is not a single command telling us that this must occur before meals. The closest we have to a command are the examples of Christ saying a blessing or giving thanks when he fed the 5,000 (Matther 14:19), when he fed the 4,000 (Matthew 15:36), and when he broke bread with the disciples in the upper room (Matthew 26:27).

Shout to the Lord on American Idol

I went to YouTube to watch the American Idol special "Idol Gives Back" that raises money for a number of worthy causes around the world. I think it's great that the show uses its huge platform to help people in need. Their work in Africa and in many parts of the U.S. is very inspiring.
I found out this morning that they closed the show with the eight remaining contestants singing the song "Shout to the Lord." Is that surreal or what? The interesting thing is that they changed the lyrics from "My Jesus, my Savior" to "My Shepherd, my Savior." The funny thing is that a few weeks ago when they were doing Dolly Parton songs I think several singers did songs that used the name of Jesus in them. But then when they do a worship song they leave Jesus out. Hmmm...
I'm not the kind of person that gets worked up about things like this. I'm just curious. I'd love to know what the decision-making process for the producers looks like. Are there Christians involved who are trying to get songs like this on the show? Or to take a more cynical view, do they just realize that a huge portion of their base (and a lot of the people who will be quick to contribute) are evangelical Christians so they throw us a bone once in awhile? But then if that's the case, who made the decision to cut "Jesus" out of the lyrics? Are there factions at Idol who don't like bringing in Christian themes so they had to make this compromise? Ahhh, the intrigue of it all.
One more question: are they even allowed to change lyrics like that? Could Darlene Zschech who wrote the song sue them for gazillions? Or at least demand that they do a whole show where the contestants have to sing only Hillsong tunes?


"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."Philippians 1:17-19

When is the best time to sin?

“What’s the best day to sin?” was a question I asked my youth group.
The answers were incredibly honest, here’s some of the feedback…

Teenager 1 : “Saturday is best because you get to repent on Sunday, yeah! That’s the day I’d pick”

Teenager 2: “No, Monday is better because you have all week to repent.”

Teenager 3: “Nah, I would have to say in the middle, like on a Wednesday, cause you’d feel a bit too guilty doing it the day after church, and Saturday, well that’s just wrong isn’t it.”

All interesting arguments I thought. Obviously, the correct answer is that there isn’t a best day to commit sin. Every day is the worst day to sin, especially today!

Let's Keep on Sinning!

Ho Kean Seng asked the following:
1) Jesus died for ALL of our sin
2) God will forgive our sin when we ask for forgiveness
3) We are going to heaven anyway
So, why not just continue to sin while we still can when we are on earth?

What say you?

Don't read if you're immature.. .seriously.

Why do we sleep in church,
But stay awake through a 2 hour movie?

Why can wake up 2:00am to watch football
But can't wake up on Sunday early enough for church?

Why is it so hard to talk about God,
but so easy to talk about sex?

Why are we so bored when we look at a
Christian magazine,
but find it easy to read Magazine?

Why is it so easy to ignore a Godly emails,
Yet we repost the nasty ones?

Why are churches getting smaller,
But bars and clubs are growing?

Think about it, are you going to
repost this?

Are you going to ignore it, cause you
think you'll get laughed at?

I'm so happy and honoured

My article submitted to TheStar blog was allowed to be published. Furthermore, there's a comment so far in favour of my view. It's being read by Malaysian all over. Aint that cool?

Click <here> to view my article in TheStar Citizen's Blog

Is Sufiah still a dignified human being?

Although I would concur with the many that reacted to the government’s move in providing aide to this young adult, we should not pass harsh judgment based solely on our self-righteous feeling or on other’s behalf.

I believe she’s the pride of many when she’s identified as a brilliant young Malaysian mathematician who has a bright future. However, it is indeed a pride that turned sour and her high profile has laid the nation’s pride at stake.

Although many agree that she should get her share of rebuke, condemnation and mocking for her shame as opposed to her praise when she’s identified as a brilliant mathematician, we all need to bear in mind these few facts:

1. We should learn from this incident that a brilliant mathematician does not mean that Sufiah is a brilliant girl who can mange her own life values and life choices. After all, she is a 23 years old young adult who is going through adolescence.


2. We should also learn that although broken family can produce a brilliant academic person, it doesn’t mean that he or she will be morally right in her life values. I believe that this is one of the major flaws in Malaysian’s education system. Perhaps religious education can contribute significantly in this area.


3. We need to learn that it is vital that parents strive and thrive to provide for the children instead of opting to leave their children into o broken family.

Whether is she a Malaysian or not, she is still a human being. Although she smeared her dignity, she is still a girl in need of love and care in the aftermath of her mistake. She is also in need of people who hate the wrong she committed but love her enough as a human being. Perhaps we should not be so self-righteous in condemning her. We all can learn from the man who said, “let the man who have no sin cast the first stone” Rebuke is needed as correction, but love is needed all the more to lead her back into the right path. Is there anyone willing for the latter?

*For those who are in the dark of this big news, please click <here>