Was Man or Woman Created First?

I heard an argument that the male nipples are evidence that a woman was created first.
The reason given is the uselessness of this physical feature for males.
A supporting reason is that without the introduction of the male hormone, all babies would be females.
Thus, some "scientists" argue that the woman was created first.

I feel that this is similar to the argument about the human appendix.
Some "scientists" feel that the human appendix is useless, and thus a good evidence of our evolutionary past.
However, I believe I read somewhere that there have been recent discoveries about the use of the human appendix.
Similarly, I propose that rather than to suggest that the male nipples are useless, maybe we have not discovered the use yet.

Allow me to propose another argument.

You can ask any construction worker to attempt to build a house.
He would ask you for the materials first.
If you give him metal, glass and concrete, he could build a modern house.
If you ask him to include wooden walls, he would tell you that it is impossible, as you did not provide wood in the first place.
On the other hand, if you had provided metal, glass, concrete and wood in the first place, and ask the worker not to build any wooden structure, he could easily obey your order.

Similarly, if man is made of materials A, B, C and D, and woman is made of materials A, B and C, it is easier to create Adam first, and then to remove material D from man to create Eve.

Some may argue that since God can create something out of nothing, could He not have created the woman before the man (by adding the male hormone later)?
While the answer is "yes", God could have similarly created the man first before the woman.
Since both ways are possibly done by a limitless God, which way is it?
Well, what did God Himself say?

If some people cannot trust the Bible, because of their personal agenda, what else could be a good source of evidence for them?
The Bible records that people have itching ears.
They desire to hear only what they want to hear.

Indeed, let those who have ears, hear and listen to what God says.

More importantly, I believe that being created first or second has no significance other than pride.
I do not believe that God meant to put one gender as superior to the other.
If God has indeed created woman first, some people would have questioned the other way round.
I believe that the fair God means to let them complement each other.

However, it is true that from the Bible, we learnt that Eve sinned first.
Thus, I believe that what really matters is that after we are created, how do we respond to our Creator?

Draw near to God today.

Genesis through Chinese Words

Are you familiar with the book of Genesis?
What about the Chinese language?
Are you aware that there are many Chinese words that tell the story of Genesis when you break them down?
That is, each Chinese word tells a small part of Genesis.
However, it is necessary to use the complex version of each word to show its constituent characters.

好 means it was "good" when a "woman" was provided for My "son".
This refers to the part where God created Eve from the rib bone of Adam.

Who makes a suitable mate?

I just ended a conversation with a brother.
He wondered whether we would lose out on our options if we were to choose our mate only from God's family of believers.

I told him to trust God to provide.
This does not mean we do nothing, and just pray.
It does mean we look to God to grant us wisdom about who is the better choice for us.

A good reference is Proverbs 31.
Besides describing the ideal wife, it gives hints on the ideal husband as well.

These are the qualities of a good wife:
1. She can be trusted.
2. She is thrifty.
3. She puts her husband above her own desires (and ambitions).
4. She is hardworking.
5. She can cook.
6. She can manage the household matters.
7. She plans for the future.
8. She is merciful to the needy.
9. She is a woman of faith.
10. She is wise and gentle.

As a result:
1. Her husband can put his heart to lead.
2. Her children are well brought up.
3. Her husband is devoted to her.

This implies that her husband has good leadership qualities and is well-positioned to lead the community.

What do all these mean for us?

It tells us to be patient, and not to choose someone because "it is the right time".
It tells us not to choose someone based on her looks.
It tells us not to choose someone based on his wealth.

Sadly, many of us fail to do so, and many are those who regret their choice.

Don't kid yourselves.
Are you really fine with your choice?
Why would you want to play in the mud, when God can give you toys?
Why settle for second best, when God can totally include you in His will?

Don't kid yourselves.
As long as the other person is not a believer, he or she can never be completed selfless in devoting for your family well-being.

Yes, it is also true that just because a person claims to be a believer, it does not mean that the person is well suited for you.
The person could also be selfish and a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Where does this leave us?
It leaves us fully in the hand of God.
Trust Him to provide.
Ask Him for wisdom.

Day Three of the Trip

What makes a trip worthwhile?
It is not the number of places you visit, or the number of things you buy, but the enjoyment along the way.

Day Two of the Trip

Remember to learn well from your experience, or risk repeating historical failures.

Day One of the Trip

God has taught me through the frustration I faced today that I am too prone to flaring up and showing others my bad attitude.

May God forgive me and teach me how to behave tomorrow.

My Reflection about the Transfiguration

When you read Matthew 17:1-13, you can see 2 things:

One is the transfiguration of Jesus.
The other is the presence of Moses and Elijah.

How could anyone recognise that they were Moses and Elijah?
My gut feeling is that Jesus introduced them to His disciples, because I personally cannot recognise one man of God from another.

Immediately, Peter suggested building earthly memorials to the 3 of them.
This is what human beings still like to do, to remember good ancestors with physical memorials.

Yet, God thundered from heaven to tell Peter, James and John to obey Jesus.
Clearly, God is not into earthly memorials.
Obedience is more important.

I wonder how many “believers” are building their empires on Earth.
They spend money on investments and grand buildings, as if these things mattered.
From remembering good ancestors, they have changed to getting other people to remember them, while enjoying the goods of the Earth.
They are already rewarded in this lifetime for the things they do for God.
I wonder how they would respond if God comes during their lifetime and destroys all their treasures in front of them on Judgement Day.


At the point of the transfiguration, John the Baptist (Elijah) had already been killed (Matthew 14:1-12).
It is commonly believed that Jesus was facing His approaching death too, and needed some encouragement.
Thus, God sent Moses and Elijah.

Why were these 2 prophets chosen?
Why did the list not include prophets like Samuel or even Elisha?

There are 2 learning points from this account:

1. Are you that good for God's use?
Looking at Exodus 3, you can tell that God started using Moses, only when he was old and useless.
He had already retired by that age.

Similarly, looking at 1 Kings 17, you could not see any background of Elijah that suggests influence, power and wealth of any sort.
He himself was affected by the drought.

What kind of people does God pick?
He picked only those whom cannot boast of their own abilities or possessions, so that all honour and glory go to God.
He picked only those whom clearly recognise their insignificance and reliance on the Lord.

What a contrast to those who seek to be recognised as great Church leaders today!
I strongly believe that there are no great Church leaders, only well-used Church leaders of a great God.

2. How enjoyable is God's will for us?
From Exodus 17, you can tell that Moses served a people who were ready to kill him at the least test of faith.

Similarly, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah declared that the people he was serving were trying to kill him.

How easy is it to be a “servant” of God in this age!
The admiration, the reverence and the financial rewards that come with the job is a strict contrast to what the true servants of God went through in the past.

“Believers” freely abuse Bible verses to claim blessings (usually financial) for themselves without regards to the righteousness required by God in the same passage.

Christianity has somewhat become a popular pastime, instead of a life-changing return to God.
Our God has been made into the popular god of wealth and fortune by people with itching ears.


Again, why did God choose Moses and Elijah?
I believe that having gone through real death threats, and understanding that God has a special timing and purpose in choosing them, they are best positioned to encourage Jesus about the plan God has.
In effect, it is to remind Jesus to trust God, no matter how bad the current situation may appear.

Rain does not continue forever.
The sun will shine through again.
Yet, the heat does not last forever too.

Without the rain of troubles, there is no way our spiritual selves can receive life.
Without the heat of persecution, there is no way our spiritual selves can become stronger.

What really matters is our response to the Lord amidst the troubles and the persecution.
How much do we really trust God?

Choose to give thanks now!

What really matters under the sun?

I had once thought that my career advancement is very important.
I had also thought that my reputation matters a lot too.

The hospitalisation of my child changed my view.
If we can put aside Godly pursuits, I feel that having my children (family) go through life happily is the most important thing ever.
In fact, it is so important that I am willing to put aside my career plans, or my "right" to fairness.

Lord, I surrender all.
Be the Lord over every aspect of our lives.

The Heart of a Father

Quite a number of maturing Christians want to know what they can do for our heavenly Father.
That is, how they may serve God.
I believe this may be the wrong question to ask, if we only know what our Father wants for us!
While I cannot speak on behalf of our Father, I can provide a brief idea of what I want for my children, as an earthly father.
Hopefully, this provides a clearer way to see what our Father wants for us (and wants us to do).

I am speaking from the position of someone who want children.
This view would be different from the view of someone whom:
1. has a child due to some irresponsible behaviour,
2. has a child as an unexpected and unwelcomed outcome, OR
3. has a child for the sake of having one.



I want my children to be:

a. healthy and well-formed
Even before he or she is born, I am concerned about various health and developmental issues.
My prayer that my children be born healthy means that they should be born complete, and without the slightest disability.

i. Exodus 15:26 (the Lord is my Healer)
Our Father made it clear that He had our well-being at heart too, but a lot of the things we do in disobedience may bring us diseases.

ii. Leviticus 11, 26 (clean and unclean food, reward and punishment)
This healthy concept includes eating healthily and living responsibly too.

iii. Psalms 139 (You created my inmost being)
After all, our Father who granted us life, knows what we need and has our best interest at heart.


b. happy and well-balanced
I pray that my children would live their lives with smiles always.
However, I do not want them to build their happiness on the sorrows of others or have any sense of perversion in their pursuit of happiness.

i. Genesis 1 – 3 (very good, not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil)
Like our Father, I would give the best to my children, but I would not allow them to do some things that harm them.

ii. Matthew 7 (gifts to our children)
Our Father is generous to us, just as we can be generous to our children.
All basic provision of food and clothing should be met.
All the rest is dependent on the ability of the earthly parents.


c. intelligent and wise
I pray that my children would know how to behave well in the situations that they find themselves in, giving people no excuses to criticise them about their behaviour or implied values.

i. Proverbs 1 (the fear of the Lord)
By anchoring our children in a proper attitude towards us, we can begin to teach them proper values and behaviour.

ii. Luke 2 (wisdom, grace, favour)
Hopefully, like Jesus, my children will develop well in all ways, thus finding favour with everyone in whatever they do.


d. upright and holy
Only after developing their reasoning and empathy (wisdom) will my children be able to actively choose to do the right things.
I would like their lives to bring them confidence and pleasure, and be good models for others to imitate.

i. Exodus 19 (holy nation)
Our Father called us to be of a specific nature, and I know that to be the best option for my children.

ii. Leviticus 19 (be holy)
I pray that I would be an excellent role-model for my children, so that they are not lost in the world of varied and fanciful me-first options.


e. grateful and love me
Of greatest pleasure to me, would be the day when my children would choose to love me, despite the difficulties they have in life and that they would be content, with food and clothing.

i. Deuteronomy 6 (love the Lord)
This, I believe, is the heartbeat of our Father.

ii. Matthew 23 (hen)
Jesus made it clear that our Father always seek to draw us nearer to Him.
Similarly, I want to spend much quality time with my children too.



It has never been about doing things for the Father.
It has always started and shall end with drawing near to Him.