Let children be free

By ELAINE DONG


RESEARCH shows kids are not supposed to watch too much TV, and too much screen time (computers, video games, Wii, PlayStation) is bad for brain growth. And now you’re not supposed to fill their after-school hours with tuition or school work? What on earth are you supposed to do with your kids?

It’s simple, just let them be.

Children need freedom in the form of free time to exercise autonomy and develop independence, according to Dr Goh Chee Leong, child psychologist and Dean of the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences in HELP University College, Kuala Lumpur.

There are two key points that need to be driven home: children learn by doing and they have an innate intellectual curiosity from the age of one onwards. Their brains are designed to pick up information when they explore, touch and ask. So this desperate need by parents to “feed” information and knowledge to their child through tuition classes, right brain training, souped up flash card systems, computer classes and more, is not only unnecessary, it’s counter-productive.


Well-rounded: Children need free time to explore their interests and the world around them.

Over-scheduling your child may leave a permanently negative impact on his view of learning, equating it with stress, tiredness and a parent’s unreasonable expectations. Instead of helping him with school, as is the good intention of all parents, it turns him off.

“A child already spends between five to seven hours in school. The rest of his education needs to take place in other contexts – art and craft, reading, playing,” says Dr Goh.

A general rule of thumb is that 50% of the time a child can be guided through structured activity by the parent, and this includes breakfast, a trip to the park, music (singing or dance), reading and arts and crafts for younger kids (ages two to five), and school and tuition for older kids. The other 50% should be playtime, which includes little to no screen time.

For school-going kids (ages seven and above), Dr Goh recommends not more than two hours of school work per day after school. If you are sending your children for extra classes and tuition, keep to this time limit. The rest of the time, let them play, literally.

As a parent, you can still guide your child during this playtime. The younger child may need a little prompting; all you need to do is give him an option of two or three things to do. Would you like to play with your blocks today or colour?

Older kids may need little or no urging, although if they have been brought up on a staple diet of TV and video games, you may have a hard time weaning them off these in the beginning. Be clear that the free time is for them to explore their interests.

If your child is musically inclined, sign him up for music classes. If your child likes to work with his hands and is interested in gadgets, buy him something he can assemble, like a model car kit. If your child has no idea what he likes, now is the time to discover it with him and nurture that interest. It boils down to parents protecting children’s time, and not letting school and society dictate how a child’s life should be structured.

Parents are the boss, not the school or the Government. If you find schoolwork is taking up too much of a child’s time, and the school is unrelenting when it comes to extra tuition and extra homework, perhaps it’s time to rethink. Pull your child out and switch schools if you need to.

“In the (university) alumni, we see people transform from students to successful individuals,” says Dr Goh. “Usually the successful ones have parents who are more holistic and pursue a life of balance for their children. They’re not all about straight As and they treat school as only one pillar of their children’s life.

“They have allowed their kids freedom, freedom to mix with other kids and to pursue interests outside of school. These kids have developed social skills that allow them to carry on intelligent conversation during entrance interviews to Ivy League colleges. They ace their job interviews. They are adept at navigating the real world.”

Now before you go out and sign your child up for all kinds of recreational classes, you should also know you are not dictating to the child what his or her interest should be. It is the parent’s job to open up the child’s eyes to options available. It’s about breaking from the school curiculum and opening the child’s mind to the world.

Your child is the priority. You need to ensure your child has a holistic development.

“This doesn’t mean indulging in his every whim and fancy, but gently and firmly guiding him through his free time. Use your instincts. If your child hates piano and needs to be nagged before every lesson, perhaps it’s time to rethink the lessons.

“However, if your child is being a little difficult sometimes, then understand he will have good and bad days, just like adults. Teach him persistance through the bad days to arrive at the good ones,” says Dr Goh.

Opposition raised Sarawak autonomy issue: NO!

Taken from: The Borneo Post

Posted on November 4, 2010, Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the opposition had deliberately raised the autonomy issue to arouse the people’s sentiments in order to win votes in the next general election.

He said the issue never came up before this as the government had kept to the agreement made with Sabah and Sarawak and carried out its responsibilities for the benefit of the people in the two states.

DayakBaru Thought:

Najib or the government can continue to deny or acknowledged that the many people in sarawak are already beginning to wonder whether forming Malaysia has given Sarawak expected benefits. In this blog, many young Dayak feels that Sarawak has not only being short change by the Federal Government but in fact we are being ” colonized” by Federal. Under the agreement, for example the civil service should have high Sarawak / Sabah man power content. This is not true today.

Tun Razak and taib brings Ningkan down

It is Tun Razak, Najib’s father that help to bring down Ningkan and thereby end Dayak hold as Chief minister of Sarawak. The Federal Government continue to work to ensure that the post of Chief minister remained in UMNO proxy hand. Even after knowing Taib’s corrupt practices, Najbi do nothing to correct the situation. Maybe the English saying of “birds of the same feather flocks together”. The Corruption index of the country is on an upward trend after two years!

Federal Government took Sarawak money and give peanuts to Sarawak for its development

What is more frustrating, the Federal Government pay only lip service to Sarawak development. Federal Government took the bulk of Sarawak oil and gas money, from then on Sarawak have to beg for money to develop Sarawak. Budget are given based on population, how can that be for sarawak? The Federal Government should practice rules of fair play, if Sarawak produce the money, given more to Sarawak. Now, we do not even have major road to link all the towns in Sarawak eg Kanowit to Kapit, Bintulu to Belaga, Miri to Marudi and many more other instances. How can the federal Government allow that?

Sarawak Dayak are not given individual land title

The people of Sarawak are not issued titles to their NCR land. A citizen, and a native of the soil at that is made to live without the security of owning a land title even after forming a new nation. How can that be acceptable. Federal Government has a say in such matters as the state government is their proxy. Of course blame cannot be put on the Federal Government shoulders only but the Federal Government must not be like an ostrich when they see sarawak is being victimized by its State Government.

Tun Razak help to remove Ningkan, through Rahman Yakub and Taib accusing Ningkan of selling sarawak to the Chinese through giving away timber license. The same could happen today, that Najib could also remove Taib because Taib is truly corrupted.

Najib can also stop appointing Taib as Chief Minister

The Chief minister of sarawak is appointed by the Chairman of Barisan Nasional. Why did Najib fear taib? Sarawak deliver the power to Najib and UMNO and therefor if Taib is corrupt to Najib’s crooked mind a small wrong by taib is acceptable compared to his big contribution to UMNO and Najib. How can that be so?

It is not the Opposition, it is the Sarawakian that wanted Sarawak to pull out of Malaysia

If the federal Government continue to ignore Sarawak it is therefore not surprising that many Sarawakian even question whether the act of forming Malaysia is legal after Singapore withdrawal. Not withstanding historical event, Sarawak feel that it may be better for Sarawak to cede from Malaysia and become an independent country by itself. Sarawakian sacrifice is taken up for granted by the Federal Government and adding salt to injury the Federal government continue to push for Malay agenda and sidelining the Dayak as bumiputera in the share of the economic cakes of this country.

Dayak fights the Rajah and now Dayak must fight the new colonial government in Putra jaya and its PBB proxy in Sarawak

We Sarawak need a Change WE Must and for the Dayak we are the people who fights the Rajah and it is time we pick our political war and fight our new colonial master, that is UMNO and its proxy in Sarawak.

“This issue (autonomy) is being raised solely for personal interest,” the prime minister said in his written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Lim had asked the prime minister to state the extent of autonomy enjoyed by Sabah and Sarawak and whether the federal government planned to give greater autonomy to the two states.

Is it true that Federal Government never interfere with Sarawak political process?

Najib said the federal government had never interfered in the democratic process of Sabah and Sarawak and gave full power to the people there to determine their own future through the election process.

Economic development is Sarawak is limited to the extraction of natural resources – it is not sustainable

Besides that, he said, the federal government had carried out its responsibility of protecting the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, like protecting Sabah’s sovereignty from the Philippines’ territorial claim on the state and intervening to resolve the border issues with Brunei and Indonesia. From the development aspect, Najib said the federal government had never sidelined Sabah and Sarawak, but would instead continue to assist the two states in economic development.

SCORE – what SCORE? Sarawakian never being part of it till today.

Najib said the federal government had introduced the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) programmes to propel the two states’ economy and human capital development.

“If all quarters could give their cooperation, these development corridors could steer Sabah and Sarawak to a greater future,” he said. — Bernama

Sabah 20 points / Sarawak 18 points agreement to form Malaysia

Written by Dr. John Brian Anthony

For further information in regards to the related article, kindly refer to Wikipedia.

Dayakbaru:

The 20 point agreement / 18 point agreement is between made between TWO countries ( Malaya and Sabah / Malaya and Sarawak).

Such being the case, no changes can be made on the agreement without the consent of the other. In the case, they seemed to be effort by the Federal Government to put aside this agreement or even ignore this agreement as it gets their way of integrating Sabah and sarawak according to West malaysia UMNO point of views and political agenda.

Sabah and sarawak must NEVER give up on this agreement as it provides us with more autonomy. The founding fathers has the foresight to see the greed of West Malaysian and sadly for Sabah since UMNO has come in and rule Sabah it has lost most of its autonomy. sarawak should continue to fight to uphold the 18 points agreement. While working with PKR those leaders from sarawak MUST insist that Pakatan Rakyat respect and enforce the 18 point agreement when they do come into power.
Monitor and review the implementation of the agreement

The government of Sarawak may like to consider setting a monitoring and reviewing committee to consolidate the implementation status and audit the programme that has been set to comply with the agreement. That will help Sarawak Malaysian to understand how much has been done in respect to the 18 point agreement.

Probably it would be good initiative to trace this document back in the UK to find more detail on the intent, spirit, process and even minutes of discussion leading to the signing of these agreement.

A memorandum for House of Lord in UK

Where is the Cobbold commission report now – probably in UK too. Malaya would never want to show it because the result is 33% want Malaysia, 33% do not want Malaysia and 33% undecided. How they concluded that Sabah and Sarawak should join Malaysia based on the statistics only “Allah” know. The British has some explaining to do to both Sarawak and sabah. Maybe a memorandum should be sent to the House of Lord to ask for explanation on the matter.

What is the agreement all about?

The 20-point agreement, or the 20-point memorandum, is an agreement made between the state of Sabah (then North Borneo) with what would be the federal government of Malaysia prior to the formation of Malaysia in September 16, 1963. A similar agreement was made between the state of Sarawak and the federal government but with certain differences in their 18-point agreement


The agreement

Point 1: Religion

While there was no objection to Islam being the national religion of Malaysia there should be no State religion in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah), and the provisions relating to Islam in the present Constitution of Malaya should not apply to Borneo


Point 2: Language

* a. Malay should be the national language of the Federation

* b. English should continue to be used for a period of 10 years after Malaysia Day

* c. English should be an official language of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) for all purposes, State or Federal, without limitation of time.


Point 3: Constitution

Whilst accepting that the present Constitution of the Federation of Malaya should form the basis of the Constitution of Malaysia, the Constitution of Malaysia should be a completely new document drafted and agreed in the light of a free association of states and should not be a series of amendments to a Constitution drafted and agreed by different states in totally different circumstances. A new Constitution for Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) was of course essential.


Point 4: Head of Federation

The Head of State in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should not be eligible for election as Head of the Federation


Point 5: Name of Federation

“Malaysia” but not “Melayu Raya”


Point 6: Immigration

Control over immigration into any part of Malaysia from outside should rest with the Central Government but entry into Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should also require the approval of the State Government. The Federal Government should not be able to veto the entry of persons into Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) for State Government purposes except on strictly security grounds. Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should have unfettered control over the movements of persons other than those in Federal Government employ from other parts of Malaysia Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah).


Point 7: Right of Secession

There should be no right to secede from the Federation


Point 8: Borneanisation

Borneanisation of the public service should proceed as quickly as possible.


Point 9: British Officers

Every effort should be made to encourage British Officers to remain in the public service until their places can be taken by suitably qualified people from Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah)


Point 10: Citizenship

The recommendation in paragraph 148(k) of the Report of the Cobbold Commission should govern the citizenship rights in the Federation of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) subject to the following amendments:


* a) sub-paragraph (i) should not contain the proviso as to five years residence

* b) in order to tie up with our law, sub-paragraph (ii)(a) should read “7 out of 10 years” instead of “8 out of 10 years”

* c) sub-paragraph (iii) should not contain any restriction tied to the citizenship of parents – a person born in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) after Malaysia must be federal citizen.


Point 11: Tariffs and Finance

Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should retain control of its own finance, development and tariff, and should have the right to work up its own taxation and to raise loans on its own credit.


Point 12: Special position of indigenous races

In principle, the indigenous races of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should enjoy special rights analogous to those enjoyed by Malays in Malaya, but the present Malays’ formula in this regard is not necessarily applicable in Borneo(Sarawak & Sabah)


Point 13: State Government

* a) the Prime Minister should be elected by unofficial members of Legislative Council

* b) There should be a proper Ministerial system in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah)


Point 14: Transitional period

This should be seven years and during such period legislative power must be left with the State of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) by the Constitution and not be merely delegated to the State Government by the Federal Government


Point 15: Education

The existing educational system of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should be maintained and for this reason it should be under state control


Point 16: Constitutional safeguards

No amendment modification or withdrawal of any special safeguard granted to Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should be made by the Central Government without the positive concurrence of the Government of the State of North Borneo


The power of amending the Constitution of the State of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) should belong exclusively to the people in the state. (Note: The United Party, The Democratic Party and the Pasok Momogun Party considered that a three-fourth majority would be required in order to effect any amendment to the Federal and State Constitutions whereas the UNKO and USNO considered a two-thirds majority would be sufficient)


Point 17: Representation in Federal Parliament

This should take account not only of the population of Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah) but also of its seize and potentialities and in any case should not be less than that of Singapore


Point 18: Name of Head of State

Yang di-Pertua Negara


Point 19: Name of State

Sarawak or Sabah


Point 20: Land, Forests, Local Government, etc.

The provisions in the Constitution of the Federation in respect of the powers of the National Land Council should not apply in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah). Likewise, the National Council for Local Government should not apply in Borneo (Sarawak & Sabah).


*Merger

In 1961, when the Malayan government began discussing a possible merger with neighbouring Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, problems of ethnic power relations arose again. The “Malaysia” proposal sans Sabah and Sarawak went back more than a decade; earlier negotiations had proved fruitless. The Singaporeans themselves were not anxious to be ruled by what they considered a Malay government. By 1961, however, Singapore had grown receptive to the idea of joining Malaysia, largely because of the prevailing idea at the time that industrial Singapore could not survive without access to Malayan markets.

Singapore Chinese population is a threat to Malaya

The Malayan government was not keen on having the Chinese Singaporean population push the Malays into a minority position in the new Malaysia. Many Malays felt that upsetting the Malay-dominated nature of the armed forces and police might place them in a dangerous situation. It was also argued that the inferior economic position of the Malays would be emphasised by the entry of even more rich Chinese, setting the stage for major discontent.

Malaya get Sabah and Sarawak to form Malaysia to make use of their native population numbers

The Malayans decided to resolve this by merging with Sabah and Sarawak; both British colonies had large native populations whom the government considered “Malay”. Under Article 160 of the Constitution, most of them were not Malay; the natives were mainly animists or Christians instead of Muslims as required. To resolve this issue, the government expanded its informal definition of “Malay” to include these people.

*The natives of Sarawak and Sabah are to be considered ‘Malays’ by the malayan union to solve their problems.. the ibans, the kenyahs, the bidayus, and etcs… My question is – is this true today or we from Sabah and Sarawak being con / cheated by UMNO Malaya?

Change WE Must

anui anui

This is ean danny our 2 months old baby, he is so cool, happy and so cute. He likes to take bath, sleep and enjoy staring at his fingers and suck them. yarg ker ..arghhh...That's a lovely hobby huh Ean. You better stop doing this Ean.





here is the latest update from danniel

parent thots

CHILDWISE
By RUTH LIEW


IN the third year, most children start to insist that they do things for themselves. Their limbs are stronger and they are able to control their movements better. They like meeting new people and doing new things. They may have a wider vocabulary and speak better.

They no longer seek attention from familiar adults. They are confident that the adults will be there when they need them. Children this age like to explore on their own without waiting for adults to guide them.

At this stage of their development, they need to take part in more activities that are related to their increasing need for independence. Parents and caregivers must plan activities that children can do themselves without adult assistance.

Outdoor activities such as digging with a spade and watering the plants are fun and easy to do. Simple construction play with wooden or plastic blocks can occupy a three-year-old’s attention.


They have a short attention span but they can take part in simple discussions, planning, sharing, taking turns and playing by the rules. They will wait for their turn and take their share of the toys during play.

They can now play with small groups of children. In a group of three or four children, three-year-olds can take turns to go under the bridge as they sing to the tune of, London Bridge Is Falling Down.

Puzzle play is a favourite among three-year-olds. Many start off with simple five- to six-piece puzzles, working towards more complex ones. It is interesting to note that children this age like to fit the pieces together though they may not complete the whole picture.

Some may give up working on the puzzle before completing it. When this happpens, you can help your child to complete it before keeping it in the box. Or you can tell your child that he can complete the puzzle on another occasion when he feels like working on it.

Parents and caregivers must learn how to encourage three-year-olds so that they can respond positively. Children at this age like to be noticed for what they can do. When they cannot manage a certain task, they get frustrated easily. Encourage them by saying, “I know you can do it.”

When children are upset over what they cannot do, show them that you understand their feelings. Let them know gently that if they should need help, you will be ready to assist them.

This encourages them to be independent.

Mistakes are common with this age group. It is important that parents and caregivers know how to manage the situation and help children to know that they can learn from their mistakes.

Talk with them, rather than tell them what to do. You can show them how you handle things with care and attention. When you show them how to do something, be sure to make it appealing to the child.

Children this age imitate adults in what they do. They like doing things around the house like wiping, cleaning, mopping and vacuuming. Whenever there is a task to be done around the house, offer your young child a manageable activity. Being able to help will boost the child’s self-esteem.

Three-year-olds like working with their hands. Playing with dough or clay appeals to them. Usually they will make or draw things first before deciding what it is they are doing. This is part of their development. It is not until they enter the fourth year that they start to talk about what they are about to do before doing it.

As with all activities, adults must show children how to put things back where they belong or carry things from end to another. When your child wants to do something, she will know where to get it and put it back when she is done.

Children may still be a little unsteady with their hands but they now know how to be careful.

Whenever possible, set up a place where your three-year-old can play or do her work. There should be low shelves, and low tables and chairs for your child.

Making music with household objects such as ladles, biscuit tins, pots and pans can provide endless fun for children. They may make up their own songs to sing along to the music they create. To build their interest, parents and caregivers should participate in this merry-making.

Allow three-year-olds ample time to learn and discover, to help maximise their potential. Children often repeat what they like to do. If you observe that your child is always doing the same thing, don’t stop him. Let him graduate to the next activity on his own.

notes
Developing skills: Drawing and colouring appeal to three-year-olds as they like to work with their hands.

A study of Galatians 4

Inheritors, Not Slaves

In chapter 3 of the letter to the Galatians, Paul explained that Christians receive the Holy Spirit by faith, not through the Law of Moses. The Law was never intended as a path for salvation, and it no longer has authority over the people of God. We are under the authority of Christ, not under the Law (3:23-25; see the study on Galatians 3).

Paul points out that God gave the promise of salvation to Abraham centuries before the Law of Moses was given (3:16-17). Salvation does not depend on the Law in any way, for salvation is based on the promise given to Abraham. Since Christ is the descendant of Abraham, and we belong to Christ, then we are also descendants of Abraham and inheritors of the promise of salvation (3:29).

When it comes to inheriting Abraham's promise, there is neither Jew nor Greek—all ethnic groups may inherit. In Christ, even slaves can receive an inheritance from Abraham. In salvation, there is likewise no difference between male and female—all have equal rights to inherit the promise (3:28).

Children now come of age
In chapter 4, Paul takes the concept of inheritance into another analogy, to show again that the Law was only a temporary authority and that Christians are not obligated to it.

"What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world" (4:1-3).

If a father died early, he might leave his entire estate to a young child. The child, although the legal owner, would not have authority to run the estate. A temporary trustee would run the estate, would have authority over all the slaves of that estate, and would also have authority over the legal owner, as long as the heir was under age.

Paul then makes the analogy that "we" (apparently including himself and the Jewish people) were under that kind of temporary authority. Just as he earlier said that "we were held prisoners by the law" (3:23), he now says that the Jewish people were like underage children—inheritors who were under authority, just as slaves are.

But the child is not like a slave forever. Eventually a time comes when authority is given to the heir. "When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons" (4:4-5).

Jesus was born under the jurisdiction of the Law, and he redeemed or rescued the Jewish people from the restrictions of the Mosaic Law. Now, Jews may receive the full inheritance rights, which means that they are no longer under the law.

Gentiles no longer slaves
Gentiles, who were not under the Law of Moses, also become inheritors through Christ, so at this point Paul begins to use the word you again: "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, `Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir" (4:6-7).

Since God had given the Holy Spirit to these gentile Christians, that was proof that they were his children, with the right to inherit the promise. They were no longer slaves under a restrictive authority. But what kind of slavery had Jesus redeemed them from? Paul explains: "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods" (4:9). They had been enslaved by pagan religions.

"But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" (4:9). The Gentile Christians, having been rescued from slavery, were thinking of returning to bondage. They wouldn't have put it in those words, of course, but Paul is pointing out that this is what it amounts to.

Apparently they were being tempted with a different sort of slavery than what they came out of. They were being told that they had to be circumcised and that they had to obey the Law of Moses (4:21; 5:2-4). They had come out of pagan principles but were in danger of going back into another set of rules—another nonfaith approach to religion.

(Paul uses the uncommon Greek word stoicheia here for principles of the Galatian heresy, the same word he used in 4:3 for the slavery "we" had under the old covenant "basic principles." The context of the letter makes it clear that the slavery the Galatians were falling back into was an obligation to old covenant customs.)

Paul then mentions one way they were falling back into servitude: "You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!" (4:10). In a heresy that involved circumcision and the Law of Moses, it is not difficult to figure out what sort of days, months, seasons and years were being advocated. The old covenant said a lot about special times.

But if Paul was talking about the Sabbath and festivals, why didn't he say so? It is because the Galatians were coming out of one religion and into another. Paul used words that applied to both religions to point out the similarities involved. Pagan religions had their special days, months, seasons and years; so did the old covenant. They have a different set of days, but it is a similar idea. The Galatians had come out religious bondage, and were going back into a religious bondage.

So Paul asks: How could you do such a thing? Can't you see how foolish this is? Don't you know that this can enslave you all over again? Paul does not say exactly how they were observing these special days. He did not say they should observe them in a better way or a different way. He just said that the way they were observing them was a form of bondage, of feeling obligated to something that was not obligatory.

Paul pleads with them
"I fear for you," Paul wrote in verse 11, "that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you." In order to win them to Christ, he had become like a gentile (4:12; 2:14; 1 Cor. 9:21). Now he urges them to become like he is.

With heavy sighing and tears, no doubt, Paul remembered how eagerly the Galatians had first believed the gospel he preached. They had joyfully received the gospel with great respect for Paul. That is why Paul is so astonished that they had so quickly believed a different message (4:12-16). He points out that the false teachers had selfish motives (4:17), but he is willing to suffer to help them become more like Christ (4:19).

Son of a slave, or son of promise?
Paul then moves to an illustration of slavery and promise, taken from the Torah itself: "Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?" (4:21). Paul speaks now to people who want to be under the authority of the Torah. This was the heresy he was fighting against.

"For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise" (4:22-23). Paul reminds the readers here of Hagar and Sarah, and the fact that Abraham's blessing was given to Isaac, the child God gave Sarah in a miraculous way. The blessing was given on the basis of grace, not of normal human ability.

He then draws a dramatic analogy from this: "These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants" (4:24). The Old Testament does not make this analogy—Paul is creating it for his own purposes. Some might not like the analogy, because it makes Paul's point painfully clear: "One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children" (4:24-25).

Hagar is associated with the old covenant, the covenant made at Mount Sinai and in Paul's day centered in Jerusalem. This covenant produces slave children, and all who are under the old covenant are in slavery. Paul was flabbergasted as to why the Galatians were being tempted to fall into this slavery (4:9), an old covenant slavery that included the observance of special days and months and seasons and years (4:10).

But Christians are not under the old covenant. "The Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.... Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise" (4:26, 28). Christians are children of Abraham's promise, and are free—which means, in this context, free of old covenant restrictions.

Eliminate slavery
Paul then saw another useful application of the analogy: "The son born in the ordinary way [Ishmael] persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit [Isaac]. It is the same now" (4:29). That is, the Jewish children of the old covenant were persecuting the children of the new covenant.

Paul then makes his point, again from the Scriptures that the people respected: "But what does the Scripture say? `Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son' " (4:30; Gen. 21:10). The application is clear: Get rid of those who teach the old covenant. Do not listen to them, for they will not inherit the promises of Abraham (5:2).

Paul is struggling for the spiritual survival of the Galatian Christians. He is not going to mince his words or beat around the bush. Rather, he makes it clear: The old covenant is slavery and you must get rid of it. Christian life is not found in the old covenant. "Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman" (4:31). We are children of the new covenant, not the old. We cannot have both—we must choose the new.

Written by Michael Morrison;

No Other Gospel

Galatians 1
6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
10Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

where to start?

time flies....still do not know where to start ...the 2010 new year resolutions seem to blindfold me til now...:). God grant me your wisdom to go forth and kick them all. hahaha..whatcha gonna do if he comes for you? a million dollar question... sigh...



to be continued...

The heavens INDEED declare the Glory of God!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made. John 1:1-3

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

God demonstrated His love by sending His promised Son, the Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ, and allowing Him to be crucified. God paid for our sins Himself. The Lord is good, just and merciful beyond our understanding.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16

Seek God now. Humbly ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Jesus Christ paid the full price for sin on a Roman cross almost 2000 years ago. Seek His free gift of forgiveness and unending love.

Jesus Christ said: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7,8

Reject Jesus Christ and pay for your sin yourself, forever alone, forever without God...

"The great day of the Lord is near. It is near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on that day will be bitter...I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath. In the fire of His jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for He will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth...Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger." Zephaniah 1:14-18 2:3

Most think heaven awaits them. The One who rose from the grave after 3 days said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6 God the Son came as a sinless man. Philipians 2:5-8 He gave up His human life to save ours. He said that His death was the only acceptable payment for sin. He is our ONLY way to God. He died to give our spirit eternal life. Without Him, we are spiritually dead. Ephesians 2:1-2

He declared: "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3 Are you truly "born again"? John 3:3 Does the Spirit of Christ now dwell within you? John 14:20 & Romans 8:9 Have you been adopted into God's family forever through faith in our Redeemer and Lord, Jesus Christ? Galatians 4:5 It is critical you make certain! Earnestly ask God to change your hard heart.


God can be found through His true and complete Word, the Bible. Seek Him now, before it is too late. Seek Him through His Word to you, the Bible.

i am not confuse about this

God of The Jews And Christians?

Is 'Allah' the same god of the Jews and Christians?

Yes. The word in Hebrew came from "El" and in Arabic from "Elh". The word for "god" (note the small 'g' in English) is "Elah". Compare this to "Eloi" and "Eli" in the New Testament.

The word "Allah" is the perfect word to describe the God of Jews and Christians as it does not permit gender nor plural. Therefore, when the word is used as in "Eloihim" or "Allahumma" (these would appear at first to be plural and/or female genders) it becomes clear it is the royal usage such as a king would use in referring to his royal station while make a decree of some type. The king would state, "We decree the following..." and he is actually talking about his royal position rather than plural status.

There is no word in English for the "God" of Israel, the "God" of Jesus. This explains why the spelling remains the same whether speaking of a false "god" or pagan idol and the "God" of Abraham or Moses or Jesus (peace be upon them). Note the use of the capital "g" (G). This is the only way English can present a difference between the two. In the Semitic languages it is easy to distinguish the difference between a "god" and "The God" due to the structure of the word itself.

Evidence for this is quite simple. Visit any motel or hotel and remove the Bible located in the drawer next to the bed (placed they courtesy of the Gideon Society). Note inside the first few pages a reference to the translations of the Bible they have made into 27 languages. The second example they give is to the Arabic language of the passage in the New Testament from the Gospel of John 3:16. The verse begins in English; "For God so loved the world.." and in the Arabic translation the word used for "God" is "Allah."

The Arabic Bible beginning with the Book of Genesis uses the word "Allah" to represent "The God" of Creation; Adam and Eve; Noah; Abraham; Ishmael and Isaac and Israel. Page one of Genesis has the word "Allah" 17 times.