Tidal Wave :: Why no one ran...

As I was watching some amateur coverage on the tidal waves that hit various parts of the affected areas, I noticed one thing: nobody really knew or saw the tidal waves coming till it was too late.
I don't know about you but the only tidal waves I had ever seen were those hollywood versions where the waves rise like a gigantic surfs (think hawaiian shores) that rise up 10 storeys and come crashing down on the ground. When I first saw the coverage I was surprised to see none of that. The tsuname tidal waves just raised the water level up high and caused the massive flooding. Because it came in a few waves and not just one big wave, people didn't really see the impending danger.

So why were there no giant surfs? My guess is this:
Giant surfs (if thats what you call it), are caused by stong winds above the surface of the water, causing the upper layers of water to move faster that that below and in front. The water has to go somewhere and so they 'climb' on top of the water in front. This, helped by the shallowing of depth as the water reaches the beach, causes the water to rise and 'climb over' and then come crashing down to the ground.
With tsunamis, however, wind is not the cause. Underwater earthquakes cause an immense displacement of water (like what happens when I jump into a swimming pool, :). This displacement comes from the volume of water itself so the whole water level rises and moves in all directions. SO you won't see giant surfs in a tsunami tidal wave. That's the scary part isn't it?
From what I gather from videos taken, most of them didn't feel in danger and most had a 'wow, that's a big wave...'. It wasn't till they realised the waves were getting bigger and were not slowing down did they realise that something was amiss.

There are signs however of an impending tidal wave, you can find these out at other websites or blogs. Just google it.

Sigh, death opens its mouth wide and swallows every living person. No in history has ever escaped death...except our Lord Jesus Christ, who died, but was resurrected and ascended to heaven! And because of this, those who believe in Jesus, death cannot keep them. They too will go to heaven to be with Jesus. Which would you choose? Death or life?

Transition 2004 :: 2005

2004 really flew past didn't it?
I'm looking back at the year and was reflecting on a couple of things :
1) Q : If there was one thing our Lord has taught me, what is it?
A : There is no shortcut to growing spiritually. We must learn to practice what we learn, as we learn it. Heb 5:14 "but solid food belongs to full-grown men, who, on account of habit, have their senses exercised for distinguishing both good and evil"

2) Q : How victorious have I been in my Christian life?
A : I have failed in many battles, while learning victory through Christ in some. I think I fail more than I win. :( But I must press on...

Things I want to improve on (with our Lord's help) next year :
1. My prayer life. I think I haven't been praying enough.
2. Realise and practice in my life what Paul says : "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say rejoice".

Tsunami's

I'm saddened by the tsunami's that hit asia, including my hometown, Penang,
Malaysia. Though I'm thankful that my family was safe, my heart does go out
to those who lost loved ones and I won't say that I sympathize, because I'd
be lying. I don't know, how it feels to lose a son, a daughter, a wife...
(though I do know how it feels to lose a father). I could say I could
imagine the grief you feel, but I'll never be able to fully share your
grief. But I can tell you this, there is One who does know how you feel.
There is One who sees every tear you shed, and that Person is the Lord
Jesus.

The bible tells us about how the Lord Jesus while He was on earth, performed
many miracles and healed many sick people that came to Him and He never
turned anyone away. The bible also tells us how He felt towards the people :
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no
shepherd." Matt 9:36 . "
The Lord Jesus understands and knows your sorrow. He is the only One who can
fully sympathize and comfort us. In fact, He has done all that is necessary
for you to be ready for death when it comes.

This tsunami is a very clear sign to all of us that death can come when we
least expect it. If you haven't been thinking about death and what happens
after that. May this be a reminder or, at least, provoke us to start
thinking about our end. When our mere 80 - 100 years of life come to an end,
eternity is before us. Eternity either in hell or in heaven. Do you know
where you're going?

As I said earlier, the Lord Jesus has done all that is necessary for us not
to fear death. How? By dying on the cross. He lived a perfect life while
here on earth (He was after all, God), and when He was crucified, God laid
all the sins of the world (that includes you and me - yes! Come on, don't
tell me you've never done even ONE sin in your life?) on Jesus. Thereafter,
anyone who believes in Jesus as their Saviour, their sins (Rom 6:23 : "For
the wages of sin is death") which would have brought the judgement of GOd on
them resulting in spending eternity in hell, will not be held against them,
because Jesus Christ has already paid the price. This is the SURE GUARANTEE
of a place in heaven when we die.

The Lord has definitely allowed this thing to happen. I can't explain why,
for God is all wise and all knowledgeable. We are mere beings. But while we
still have breath, there is hope of salvation. For if we die without the
Lord Jesus as our Saviour, death itself is the least of our problems.

ROm 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved."

I'm saddened by the tsunami's that hit asia, including my hometown, Penang, Malaysia. Though I'm thankful that my family was safe, my heart does go out to those who lost loved ones and I won't say that I sympathize, because I'd be lying. I don't know, how it feels to lose a son, a daughter, a wife... (though I do know how it feels to lose a father). I could say I could imagine the grief you feel, but I'll never be able to fully share your grief. But I can tell you this, there is One who does know how you feel. There is One who sees every tear you shed, and that Person is the Lord Jesus.
The bible tells us about how the Lord Jesus while He was on earth, performed many miracles and healed many sick people that came to Him and He never turned anyone away. The bible also tells us how He felt towards the people : "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." Matt 9:36 . "
The Lord Jesus understands and knows your sorrow. He is the only One who can fully sympathize and comfort us. More than that, He has done all that is necessary for you to be ready for death when it comes.
This tsunami is a very clear sign to all of us that death can come when we least expect it. If you haven't been thinking about death and what happens after that. May this be a reminder or, at least, provoke us to start thinking about our end. When our mere 80 - 100 years of life come to an end, eternity is before us. Eternity either in hell or in heaven. Do you know where you're going?
As I said earlier, the Lord Jesus has done all that is necessary for us not to fear death. How? By dying on the cross. He lived a perfect life while here on earth (He was after all, God), and when He was crucified, God laid all the sins of the world (that includes you and me - yes! Come on, don't tell me you've never done even ONE sin in your life?) on Jesus. Thereafter, anyone who believes in Jesus as their Saviour, their sins (Rom 6:23 : "For the wages of sin is death") which would have brought the judgement of GOd on them resulting in spending eternity in hell, will not be held against them, because Jesus Christ has already paid the price. This is the SURE GUARANTEE of a place in heaven when we die.
The Lord has definitely allowed this thing to happen. I can't explain why, for God is all wise and all knowledgeable. We are mere beings. But while we still have breath, there is hope of salvation. For if we die without the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, death itself is the least of our problems.
ROm 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

My first blog...

Ah, its always nice to get into something new.
I remember when IRC was the 'in-thing' around 10 years go (boy, it's been 10 years???) and I used spend hours and hours on the Net chatting to who knows who, who know where... (mum, sorry for the expensive phone bills. They didn't have broadband then... )
And then came along ICQ and their trademark 'uh-oh' sound and the ever so irritating typing sound when typing a message.
I think the Internet went a little dull after that. Nothing much happened. Till came along d blogs. I wanted to start blogging for abt a year now, but just only got down to doing it. There's always fear of the blog dying off. - That's where YOU come in. Help me keep this blog alive. Post and reply as you wish.