2 more days. I'm not sure what I'm feeling just yet.

Why God Won't Go Away by Alister McGrath

Atheism is not something new, but the New Atheism is something that has been on the rise in recent years. McGrath's book gives a clear background on the New Atheism movement. A very informative, thought-provoking read. The New Atheism, as I learnt from this book is not the typical disbelief in God that atheism holds. It goes far beyond disbelief to mockery of God and religion in general. It treats religion as if it were some disease that one needs to get rid of. A New Atheist views religion as the main problem in the world today. Simply put, all religion is evil. As scary and negative as it sounds, McGrath exposes the nature of the New Atheism and the cause they believe in.

But he doesn't stop there. In well-categorized sections, he explores the different themes related to the New Atheism and argues agaisnt the invalidity of their arguments. For those who have The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, this book also has a few counter-arguments against Dawkins' ideas that are convincing. You always need both sides of the story. However, he does not get personal and uses alot of other references to back up his views as well.

I was expecting a strong defence of Christianity in particular since McGrath is so well-versed in Christian theology as written in his book of the same title. But the main purpose of this book is to really expose people to the New Atheism. In that case, it has served its purpose well. Kudos to McGrath who once again, writes in such a compelling way. I have much respect for the way he structures his arguments. Although his views are mostly countering that of New Atheism, he does not publicly put anyone down. What a contrast to the New Atheism writers who have attached many leading advocates of religion. My favourite sections were the ones on reason and science being inadequate to answer all of life's questions. I also personally loved the ending of the book. One will only understand when one reads.

If you're interested in knowing about the New Atheism, this is the book to read. Even if you're not, the book still does good in reminding us that religion will simply not fade despite there being many who do not believe. For us believers, we can rest assure, that God will not go away.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are of my own.*

amazed

Results came out today. And once again, as I always have said, I am grateful to Him. I know it is solely because of His mercy and grace, not because of my ability nor effort.

I still cannot understand why but He beckons me to continue trusting and relying on Him because that is where I find strength.

I thought some of the papers were rather hard and I thought my response was ever worse. Needless to say, what I got exceeded my expectations.

I don't really bother actually but for the sake of my lecturers, the college, and my parents, I was just hoping I won't fare too badly, not daring to ask for more than what I deserve.

Lord You amaze me again and again.

A new journey is just beginning. All I know is that You're leading me. I will follow.

Thank you, Lord, thank You. Not because of what I've received but because of who You are. That You've been with me through it all and You will never let me go.

Take heart. There's so much more to life than the now.

We were made for so much more.

It Starts Again

Went to T.Intan in the afternoon. My uncle wanted to treat before I leave. Meals in T.Intan = seafood and its always great. Really grateful.

The EPL's season begun, finally. It was quite dull without any games going on for the past few months; it's much more exciting now. Yet I always have mixed feelings in regards to Liverpool particularly because I just want them to at least get into the top 4 but competition's getting tougher and tougher every season. Just wish the best for them. :)

Disappointing start yesterday, only managed a point. But a point's better than nothing and seeing how Sunderland came back in the second half with so much more energy and determination, I guess they deserved it.

Still, YNWA. Go REDS!

I wonder how I'll keep up with soccer in the States. If I even have the time. The timing's gonna be really weird though. A 3pm kick-off in the UK would mean I'd be watching it at 10am compared to 10pm here. But as weird as it may be, its much more feasible.

I'm thinking it could be just 'weird' because I'm not used to it.

Food for thought: Have you ever done something and when someone (usually from a different ethnicity) ask you why and the only answer you can give is 'because that's how we do it?'

There's much more to that and I'll talk about it some other time. I read a really interesting book on deep culture and thought it'd be interesting to share. :)

Till then!

feelings

Feelings - they can never be trusted.
I've gone through the cycle again and again
And it all ends up the same.
Gone as if it were never there.
In fact, as I look back at most
I can only ask myself why it started
Yet not understand.

I'm here once again
And it's been awhile at that -
That I've been free from any attachments
Free from the feelings
Sometimes there's pleasure tied to it
When you think of the person ever so frequently
You wonder what he's doing
And if he ever thinks of you
Yet at the end of the day
You only sigh to know
That everything is just in your head
It will never be a reality
The truth certainly hurts.

I want to remind myself of these worthless infatuations
Because when I enter this phase again,
The same illusion begins.
It will seem so important yet turn into
Nothing at the end of the day
How do I tell what's real from what's not?
How do I stop the feelings when it comes so fast?
The answer is not to stop
But not to let it rule
The heart will want to follow
But we are all left with a choice.
The best thing we all can do
Is to submit our feelings
No they won't go away
But He'll take care of it, He will.

When I'm at it again, I'll remember
How it'll all come to nothing once again.
Even if it were to grow into something more,
I'll let Him guide me.
And I'll see what I've never seen before.
Something so beautiful only He can conjure.

I have one desire now - to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it. (Elisabeth Elliot)

Nothing else matters. Not my plans, nor my hopes and dreams. I don't have them, or they're all being molded to His. At least, its what I hope will happen eventually as I grow closer and closer to Him.

Let Your will be done.

singapore

Just got back from Singapore this morning. Went there on Friday. I'm too lazy to go through the details so I'd just mention a few of the highlights of the trip;

- Festival of Praise 2011. Fri and Sat night. New Life Worship was amazing and worshipping God along with thousands of people was so uplifting. There were moments where I just stood there totally in awe and loss for words just imagining what it'd be like in heaven one day where everyone will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Such joy indeed. John Bevere, known for authoring great Christian titles was the speaker and he was a solid speaker. Thank God for using and speaking through him.

- Chilling, eating, walking around, going here and there. Need I say more?

- Just spending time with the brothers. :)

I'm grateful I was able to go on this trip. Thank You.

I decided to revamp my blog and what you see right now took me nearly 2 hours. I still want to add more stuff but this'll do for now. I've been using layouts made by other people but since Blogger has a new layout editing feature (for quite some time now), I thought I'd try it out. :)

I've exactly a month left and I'm not ready to leave at all.

Really don't know what else to say right now so till then.

God bless. :)