The Observer Effect

The observer effect is a theory in physics which states that when we actually try to observe a particle, like an electron, its behaviour changes because of the act of observation. It states that presence of the observer changes the observed.

While this theory has been indefinite in regards to evidences, this paints a hue of truth in our lives. We change our behaviour and actions depending on who we think sees and surrounds us.  Sometimes, who we are when alone is very different from who we are when surrounded with people. But we should always remember that the actions that we make should not be based on people looking at us. The reality is, our actions are judged, not by the external appearance, but from the motive which dictated them. If our motive is so to please men, and the action that we have done is only prompted by a selfish heart wanting to receive applause, it is not acceptable to God. Paul says, For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal 1:10

Who is your observer?

However, if God is the observer that we want to please and it is the consciousness of His presence that prompts us to do our actions faithfully, then the observer effect becomes a positive thing. The actions that we make become pure for it comes from a heart filled with a love for a Saviour and a wanting to give Him the glory alone.

 

 

 

Beholding To Reflect

The next time you wonder why you have already copied the mannerisms of your spouse or sibling; know that it is because of mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are type of brain cells that respond equally when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action. This is the reason why when we see someone sniff a food and smiles in delight, our own stomach also jumps at the thought of the meal -because watching an action and performing that action can activate the same parts of the brain and could elicit the same feelings as though the observer were itself acting.

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…”It then makes sense why God created us with mirror neurons. He wants us to behold Him because by doing it, we reflect, like a mirror, His character and we become more and more like Him. As we spend time day by day reading the Bible, praying, and studying the life of Jesus, we copy His patience, kindness, mercy and compassion, His will to say no to sin, His life. Of course, it is also true that if we constantly behold the immoralities and crime that the media offers, eventually, we become what we behold.

May you be blessed as you choose to behold God today.

 

Strangely Dim

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; ..” Heb 12:2

   It was two weeks before the schedule of my board exam and my heart was filled with much apprehensions. I graduated 3 years ago from my degree in chemical engineering and after many years, I finally decided to take the board exam. At that point, licensure examination seemed so high a mountain for me to climb. I had difficulty in remembering the lessons I had in college, felt burdened with the fact that I am not really good in solving math problems, plus, I felt pressured with the thought that my parents had been working so hard for my expenses.  All these things about myself caused me to fear.  But God reminded me of these words,

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

 Look full on His wonderful face

And the things on earth will go strangely dim

 In the light of His glory and grace”

 

   I was reminded to look upon Jesus. All the time, I was looking at myself-  my weaknesses, my failures,  that I have forgotten  my compassionate Saviour who can help me in all my troubles. I stressed myself for nothing by focusing on who I am instead of who He is. I have forgotten that my audacity to ask for deliverance comes not from what I have done, but from what He did for me.

Friend, are you weary and troubled today? Does your future look dark and perplexing? Do you tremble when you realize how weak you are to face the challenges of daily life? Why not cease to look on self and circumstances and focus your eyes upon Jesus? Try it and you will see every other thing go dim in the light of His glory and grace.

The Mosquito Story

I was talking to a friend when a mosquito landed on top of her eyebrows. Realizing she was not aware of the insect’s agenda, I swung my arm and slapped her head to kill it. Her face grew red and with eyebrows crossed, she looked at me with eyes asking, “Why did you do it?” I showed her my hands with the culprit’s blood and without any word she understood.

Funny, maybe, but come to think of it: have you ever asked the Lord, why? Why did you allow it? Why is it that I am struggling to overcome bad habits because of an unhappy childhood and irresponsible parents? Why is it that every morning I have to face a person that has been giving me heartaches? Why is it that even though I work a lot, still finances are not enough?

You may not have asked the same questions, but whenever slapped by difficulties, it has ever been a tendency to look on the Lord with eyes asking why. However, it is good to remember that wounds are never spelled forever, and that wounds can also mean hoping for healing.

The Bible says, “For he [God] maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.” Job 5:18. Sin has ever been an intruder. Like a mosquito sucking blood from its victim, sin also sucks the life out of us. And in order separate us from sin, God allows trials, tests, temptations, and even heartaches to wound us because His omniscience and perfect wisdom knows that it is only when we feel the pain of our wounds that we desire for healing, and when we desire, He can begin His work in making us whole.

 

Stand Still

We live in a busy generation.  It may even be that at this very moment, while your eyes are gazing at this very page, you are also thinking at the next thing you need to do- the bunch of paperwork, the deadlines, the laundry, your kids.  Most of us feel  there is so much to do, and yet there is so little time ,that even a little nap looks like an offense and a good sleep, a big crime.

However, the reality is that even in a perfect world, it was God’s design that a person would need to rest and the night the best time to sleep.  “He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. … And he lay down in that place to sleep” (Genesis 28:11 NKJV).

Jesus also invites us to rest.  ” Come ye yourselves apart…and  rest a while” (Mark 6:31, KJV).  He who Created us cared to put compounds in our body called adenosine  to make us feel the need of rest. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter in our body important to sleep regulation. When we are awake and doing activities, the level of adenosine in our brain rises every hour.  As adenosine levels build-up, they inhibit the neurons in the brain, and produce tiredness till our body signals a shift toward sleep.

Standing Still!

Here are some things you may want to try this coming week:

1. Sleep enough number of hours

It has always been wrong to think that the less you sleep, the more work you can accomplish. Sleeping with the right number of hours has always proved to be effective to boost work performance.

2.Take a quick trip to nature and meditate

It wouldn’t hurt us to spend a few minutes of our busy week to drive by a park, or the seaside and enjoy the wonderful things the Creator has made. While gazing at the lushes of green on the trees or smelling the soothing sea breeze, meditate on God’s goodness and love and  count the blessings God has given you throughout the week.

3. Set aside a day of the week for family, for rest and for worship

Some people take the whole week to work.  For some, homework never ended in college.  But God’s ideal for us is to take a rest. It sure would be a help to take one day in our week to devote to family time- like  reading the Bible together, praying together, and worshipping God together. It would sure be a wonderful time to create that special bond with your family.

4. Pray

God invites us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, KJV). Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed with prayer will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace able to rejuvenate the strength for daily activities.

Sweetly Waiting

The status quo is on – waiting is out of the picture. People are always in a rush of getting what they want and end up getting disappointed afterwards – a bitter experience.

I was walking along a busy street and a mother with a screaming child caught my attention. They were in front of a toy store and the child kept on pointing a toy that he wants and the mom was trying her best to appease the child but ended up buying the toy to keep the little one quiet. I then wonder if the child would really end up getting fully satisfied with his toy after a several “playtime” with it.

In the same manner, we act like the child who wants the toy right away. We follow our impulses, labeling them as “present needs” – a new pair of shoes, new dress or a car and end up regretting. If we just waited, God can actually give us much more than these. Even desiring for good things at times when in an improper timing can lead to bad result like eating a banana in between a meal.

God is actually calling us to wait on Him; to wait on His perfect timing every time we consider things or decisions. David has a beautiful reminder on waiting in Psalms 27:14 and , “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord”. Wait on Him in everything and He won’t disappoint you, He makes all things beautiful in His time for indeed it is sweeter when we wait.-Phoebe Galleposo

 

 

If You Can

A desperate father.  A terribly ill son.  An utterly hopeless situation.  One day, a name was heard and up, hope sprung.

Bringing his possessed child, the father was joyful to see the Healer. “Bring him unto me”, Jesus said. Without a word, he brought his boy. But as the Saviour’s eyes fell upon his son, the evil spirit cast his son to the ground in convulsions of agony, the air rent with unearthly shrieks.

The father eagerly watched the scene with bated breath, in agony of hope and fear. Jesus asked, “How long is it ago since this came unto him?” As he told the story of his long years of suffering, it seemed as if he could not endure anymore, doubt filled his heart, and he exclaimed, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us”.

How many of us have echoed that prayer! We believe that Jesus is the answer but when moved to remember our long years of struggle, how often have we said,” Lord, if you can do anything to help me overcome this bad habit, if you can do anything to heal my sickness, if you can do anything to help me with my problems, if you can do anything to get me out of this!”

What we forget is that there is no lack of power on the part of Christ. The answer depends upon our faith. We place the “can” in the wrong “if”. Jesus answers, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”.  It is faith that connects us with heaven and brings us strength to cope up with the powers of darkness. So, if you believe that God can and will do for that which you ask Him today, it is possible.

Have faith!

*story based on Mark 9:14-32

(inspired by a sermon by Sebastien Braxton)

As An Eagle

When baby eagles reach a certain size, the time has come that they must learn to fly. The mother eagle comes without the usual food she carries on their beak and instead of landing on the edge of the nest, she hovers over it. Then, she demonstrates to her young how to use their wings. Suddenly, to their surprise, she then pushes them out of the nest for them to fall down and learn to spread their wings and fly. At times, she destroys her nest to let the young out of their comfort zones so that they could learn to soar  great heights. However, when she sees them unable to fly and in danger of crashing down, she flies down fast, spreads her wings and carries them in her back. She then repeats the process all over again till her children learn to fly.

Soaring eagle

The bible says, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him...” Deut 32:11-12 God uses the way of an eagle to demonstrate His love. He has made us to soar at great heights, that is, to overcome sin. To do this, He allows tribulations and trials to come upon us that we may develop patience and a Christ-like character. He allows us to experience difficulties that He may purify us from dross. But He also sees when we are about to crash and like an eagle; He spreads His wings and carries us on His back. There may be times when feel uncomfortable like the little eagle and ask why, but, we should ever keep in mind that every nest-tearing experience is an opportunity to soar. And, all that matters is our trust in the Lord.

(inspiration from a sermon by Sebastien Braxton)

More Than Words

It was one fine morning and we were all seated at our table for breakfast.  After the mangoes were served, I delightfully stretched my hand for a taste of a slice of its pale yellow meat. Just when my senses perceived the flavour of the fruit, my seatmate exclaimed the very words my brain was forming, “These mangoes are very deceitful! They looked very sour on the outside but when you taste them, they are actually very sweet!”

Sadly, the situation is reversed in our time, even in our lives.  The world at large has been so concerned about looking good on the outside but left that which is inside sour. Many profess to love the Lord but live the contrary.  Many speak of Jesus and yet are impatient, unkind, boastful and critical. The bible describes such as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” 2Tim 3:5

Thankfully, through God’s transforming grace, there is hope. If we give God our lives today, we can actually walk the talk. He has promised, “A new heart also will I give you… and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezek 36:26 God can give us a new heart and He promises to put His spirit within us that we may be able to speak more than words through our consistent life.

Lord, we claim your promise that you can give us a new heart today so that we may be able to live on what we profess to be. Help us to be patient, loving and kind to everyone we meet that our witness may be as true as our words. In Jesus’s name, Amen.