2024-03-02

Using Generative AI like ChatGPT for Answers - Why did God not answer?

 I wish to encourage people to make good use of Generative AI like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, etc to assist us in finding answers to our questions, even about God. During the interactions, we may have other ideas and we can also post them to ChatGPT and learn more.

Here is an interaction with ChatGPT on the question:

"why didn't god answer our prayer?"

ChatGPT

As an AI language model, I don't have personal beliefs or access to specific religious teachings or doctrines. However, I can offer some general perspectives on why prayers might not be answered according to various religious traditions:

  1. Different Beliefs: Different religious traditions have various explanations for unanswered prayers. Some may believe that God has a plan that is beyond human understanding, and what seems like an unanswered prayer may actually be part of that plan.
  2. Timing: Some believe that prayers are answered in God's time, which may not always align with human expectations. What may seem like an unanswered prayer at one moment could eventually be answered in the future.
  3. Free Will: Some religious teachings suggest that humans have free will, and God may choose not to interfere with those choices, even if it means not directly answering a prayer.
  4. Testing and Growth: Some religious perspectives suggest that challenges and unanswered prayers can be opportunities for spiritual growth and development, allowing individuals to strengthen their faith and character.
  5. Unknowable Reasons: Ultimately, there may be reasons why prayers are not answered that are beyond human comprehension. Religious faith often involves trusting in a higher power's wisdom and goodness, even in the face of unanswered prayers.

It's important to note that perspectives on prayer and its outcomes vary widely among different religious traditions and individual believers. If you're struggling with unanswered prayers, it may be helpful to seek guidance and support from religious leaders or members of your faith community.

You

I see it as our perspective differs from God's perspective and we don't like God's answers for us.

ChatGPT

Your perspective highlights an important aspect of faith and prayer – the difference between human understanding and the divine perspective. It's common for people to desire certain outcomes or answers to their prayers based on their limited understanding and perspective, which may not always align with what is ultimately best for them according to higher wisdom.

In many religious traditions, there's an acknowledgment that humans may not always understand why certain things happen or why prayers are not answered in the way they expect. Trusting in the wisdom and goodness of a higher power, even when it's difficult to understand or accept, is often a central tenet of faith.

Sometimes, what seems like an unanswered prayer or an undesired outcome may ultimately lead to growth, learning, or unforeseen blessings. It can be challenging to accept this at the moment, especially when faced with disappointment or difficulty, but maintaining faith and trust in a higher power can provide comfort and strength during such times.

Exploring these feelings and perspectives with others in your religious community or seeking guidance from spiritual leaders can often provide support and insight into grappling with unanswered prayers and finding peace within your faith.

You

God answered in 3 ways - one is no but trust me, one is wait, one is another way

ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Yes, your interpretation reflects a common understanding in many religious traditions. It's often expressed as "yes," "no," or "wait." Here's a breakdown of these responses:

  1. Yes: Sometimes prayers are answered affirmatively, and individuals receive what they've asked for. This can be seen as a direct response from a higher power to their prayers.
  2. No, but Trust Me: In this case, the prayer may not be answered in the way the individual hoped for or expected, but it's believed that there's a greater plan at work. Trusting in the wisdom and goodness of a higher power, even when things don't go as desired, is a central aspect of faith.
  3. Wait: Some prayers may not be answered immediately, but individuals are encouraged to be patient and have faith that the answer will come in due time. This could involve waiting for the right circumstances or for personal growth and readiness.

In essence, these responses highlight the idea that prayers are not always answered in the way we anticipate, but trusting in a higher power's wisdom and timing can provide comfort and guidance in navigating life's challenges and uncertainties.

You

Can we see the disappointments we face as stepping stones to better places, provided we innovate. All innovation starts with realizing there is a problem or pain and then working hard to resolve it. Can we then ask God for the wisdom to innovate and make a lemon into lemonade?

ChatGPT

Absolutely, seeing disappointments as opportunities for growth and innovation is a positive and proactive mindset. In many religious and philosophical traditions, adversity is viewed as a potential catalyst for personal development and positive change. Here's how your perspective aligns with certain belief systems:

  1. Problem-Solving Mentality: Recognizing challenges or disappointments as opportunities for innovation is akin to acknowledging that every obstacle presents a chance to learn and improve. This aligns with the idea that setbacks can lead to breakthroughs when approached with creativity and determination.
  2. Requesting Divine Guidance: Asking for wisdom or guidance from a higher power is a common practice across many faiths. Seeking divine assistance in navigating challenges and finding innovative solutions can provide believers with a sense of support and direction.
  3. Turning Lemons into Lemonade: This metaphor encapsulates the idea of transforming adversity into something positive or advantageous. By seeking to innovate and find solutions to problems, individuals can effectively turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and success.

Ultimately, combining faith with a proactive and problem-solving mindset can empower individuals to overcome obstacles, innovate, and achieve their goals. Asking for divine guidance in this process can provide strength, insight, and inspiration along the way.

 We conclude our learning with a Mind map as shown below:





2024-01-06

The CEO Textbook & The Ideal Wife - Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 is a king remembering his mother's advice on how to be a good king. Today, it could named as "The CEO Textbook". It advised the king to abstain from 2 things and to do 2 things well. It then lists down the attributes of a good wife. It shows the king how and who to choose as a wife and also how to treat his wife. 

4 Advice for the King:

 1 Keep Away from Sexual Lust #abstain #1

2 Keep Away from Alcohol #abstain #2

3 Establish Justice #Do #1 Fight for the Cause of the Afflicted

4 Find a Good Wife #Do #2 - Get a good wife

The mind map:


Lim Liat (c) 6 Jan 2024

2024-01-04

Wisdom for Living Well - Proverbs 30(3)

Wisdom is more than knowledge. It is also more than being good and morally right. Those are minimum wisdom standards, but true wisdom needs more.  Wisdom is knowing the right thing to do anytime, anywhere, and for the right people. It is about making the right decisions to avoid disasters, to survive, and to have a good future.

Tim Keller in True Wisdom said it is insights. It involves 3 things:

    1 knowing how things really work

    2 knowing how things really are

    3 what I should do about it.

It is to become competent with regard to the realities of life - making up of physical realities,         relationships, and God's spiritual laws. It is to do the right things even when rules don't apply

Proverbs 30 gives us some key points as shown in the mind map:


What is wisdom?

Following up on the previous post on Proverbs 30. I spent some time finding out more about what wisdom is.

In short, wisdom is facing up realities of life and making the right decisions to obtain success and avoid disasters -趋吉避凶。

The 1st is facing & appreciation of the realities - Outside-in approach.
The 2nd is the development, analysis, and evaluation of alternatives to make the right one.

Here is the mind map on wisdom.

Lim Liat(c) 4 Jan 24

2024-01-03

Awaken to our Limitations - Proverbs 30(2)

 Awake to our limitations and weaknesses, but how do we know?

Proverbs 30 part 2 gives us a list for us to consider and can compare against the seven deadly sins.


Lim Liat (c) 3 Jan 2024

2024-01-02

The first thing to do in the New Year 2024...

Awake to know our limitations, to know God who is your answer to all your problems, and to be contented. It will pave the way for a good and joyful 2024.

This is the teaching of Proverbs 30 part 1.


Lim Liat (c) 2 Jan 2024

2024-01-01

Let Your Goal for 2024 be Personal Development - Proverbs 29

Personal Character Development:  

The two key attributes are:  Emotion Management & Humility

Emotion Management - Especially Anger Management

  • Pro 29:11  Fools are quick to express their anger, but wise people are patient and control themselves. 

  • Pro 12:16  A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
    Maturity is the ability to control ourselves, especially our emotions, of which anger is most common.  
    ZengSQ: Getting angry is to allow others mistakes to punish oneself. 
    Pro 29:22  An angry person causes arguments, and someone who is quick-tempered is guilty of many sins. 

    Art of War : [12.10] The ruler may not move his army out of anger; the general may not do battle out of wrath. 11] If it is advantageous, move; if it is not advantageous, stop. 12] Those angry will be happy again, and those wrathful will be cheerful again, but a destroyed nation cannot exist again, the dead cannot be brought back to life.
     
  • Uncontrolled anger will bring destruction and hurt. Anger is no sin.

    It is the wrongful expression of anger that causes sin.

Humility Development
  • Pro 29:23  Your pride can bring you down. Humility will bring you honor. 

  • Pro 18:12  Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

    Luk 14:11  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

Character development 

It is not done at the annual New Year resolution but is done daily. It is an accumulation of daily practices. 

We find Daniel 6:10-12 He prayed 3 times daily. Before the day was over, he reflected and corrected. 

A similar practice is done by the sages of Ancient China. Analects 1v4 曾子在回答孔子提问时说:“吾日三省吾身——为人谋而不忠乎?与朋友交而不信乎?传不习乎?”Zengzi said,'Every day I examine myself on three counts. In what I have undertaken on another's behalf, have I failed to do my best? In my dealings with my friends have I failed to be trustworthy in what I say? Have I passed on to others anything that I have not tried out myself?'
  • Emotion Management is best done through mindfulness practice.

  • Humility is...

    • Proverbs 22:4 (NIV): "Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life."
      Humility is recognizing our standing with reference to others. Acknowledging God and some others above ourselves. Giving respect and obedience to them.

      James 4:10 (NIV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
      Humility is respecting and following the Lord's teaching, which leads to promotion and respect by others!

      Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV): "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
      This verse is more specific --- humility is valuing others and prioritizing the well-being of others over selfish desires.

  • 15谦 Humility - Ability with Gentleness

    From the Book of Change 易经  - Ancient Chinese Wisdom

    • 15谦 内高外低,有而不炫,谦虚行事,
    • Humility is made up of “have”, “don’t talk” and “use”. We must develop our ability and build up our resources so that we can have them. Then we must, while not boasting about it, use it to do good things. It is not passive but quiet aggressive actions without drawing attention to self.
    • 1. develop humility
    • 2. let your action do the talking
    • 3. accomplished and yet don’t claim credit but give credit
    • 4. do more good things and encourage others to do too
    • 5. do corrective actions to remove bad things
    • 6. expand humility to others that they may have it too

      #pass-on #succession

The mind map for Personal Development is:



Lao Zi explained to us the power of humility in 

Mind Value: 8 Keys for Sustainable Success by Lao Zi in Dao De Jing 22

Lim Liat (c) 1 Jan 2024

2023-12-31

How to do good Parenting? Proverbs 29

 We move from good government, good management, to good parenting.

How to be a good parent?

Let Proverbs 29 tell us - correction.

I will augment it with the teachings of Chinese wisdom and Modern Western Psychology, and other related passages of the Bible.


ChatGPT on "Praising Efforts and not the Result for Raising Children" gives the following:

Yes, praising a child's efforts rather than solely focusing on the end result is a well-supported approach in child development. This concept is often associated with the idea of fostering a growth mindset, a term popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck.

Here are some key points to consider:

Encourages Effort and Persistence: When you praise a child's effort, it emphasizes the importance of hard work and perseverance. This can lead to a greater willingness to take on challenges and view mistakes as opportunities to learn.


Builds Resilience: By praising effort, you're helping children develop resilience in the face of setbacks. They learn that it's okay to make mistakes and that the process of learning is just as valuable as the end result.


Fosters Intrinsic Motivation: When children are praised for their effort, they are more likely to develop intrinsic motivation – a genuine interest and enjoyment in the task itself – rather than relying on external validation.


Promotes a Growth Mindset: Children with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Praising effort aligns with this mindset and encourages a love for learning.


Avoids Fixed Mindset: Praising only the end result may inadvertently communicate that success is solely tied to innate abilities, fostering a fixed mindset. This mindset can lead to a fear of failure and a reluctance to take on challenges.

When offering praise, it's also important to be specific about what effort or behavior you're acknowledging. Instead of general praise like "You're so smart," you might say, "I can see you worked really hard on that puzzle. Your persistence paid off!"

Remember that every child is unique, and it's crucial to adapt your parenting approach based on their individual needs and temperament.


Lim Liat (c) 31 Dec 2023

How to be a Good Manager? Proverbs 29

 From good government, we move to good management.

Proverbs 29 gives us two principles ...

It is too brief. So I quote from Ancient Chinese commanders and Niccolò Machiavelli to explain further.

#1 Pro 29:19 Servants will not learn a lesson if you only talk to them. They might understand you, but they will not obey.
# Two Keys to motivate them: Love & Awe. Awe is achieved with high standards and punishments. Love is achieved by caring, protection, and giving security.
尉缭子《攻权第五》 26、…夫不爱说其心者,不我用也;不严畏其心者,不我举也。爱在下顺,威在上立,爱故不二,威故不犯。故善将者,爱与威而已。
If love cannot touch the hearts of men that they are willing, they cannot be used by me.
If awe, through the use of strict discipline, cannot cause them to fear and respect from the heart, they will not support me.
Love causes the men to follow/obey me. Awe causes the leaders to stand up to be respected.
Because of love, the men will not be double-minded. Because of awe, the men will not violate orders.
Hence the skillful generals must have love and awe and that is all there is to leadership.
Niccolò Machiavelli said that: Ruling with fear is better than ruling with love. It is better for people to fear you rather than respect you. With fear, people must do it or else. With love or respect, obedience is optional and hence less effective.
#2 Pro 29:21 Give your servants everything they want, and they will learn to be wasteful.
Too much money will lead to anyhow spending. This is supported by the venture capitalist case studies. e.g. renting porch offices, overspending on marketing before products are ready, growth at all costs, etc.



 Lim Liat (c) 29 Dec 2023

2023-12-29

How to Choose Your Government? Proverbs 29

 Good Government

Who to Choose?

  • Pro 29:2 When the rulers are good, the people are happy. When the rulers are evil, the people complain.

    Be a good ruler - People first. Think and work for the people you lead. Servant Leadership.

  • Pro 29:4  A nation will be strong when it has a fair and just king.

    A nation will be weak when it has a king who is selfish and demands gifts. 

    Fair & Just. Not selfish nor greedy (accepting bribes)

    • Pro 29:14  If a king judges the poor fairly, he will rule for a long time. 

      Defend the rights even of the poor. Do not be moved by the wealthy

    • Pro 29:26 Many people want the friendship of a ruler, but the LORD is the only one who judges people fairly.

      Rulers can be bribed and judge unfairly. Anti-corruption is important.

  • Pro 29:12  If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be evil. 

    Wisdom to discern truth and lies and the guts to follow the truth despite the pressure or temptations

  • Pro 29:16 If the wicked are ruling the nation, sin will be everywhere, but those who live right will win in the end.

    Follow righteousness and not wickedness for self glory and benefits.

    • Wicked
      • Pro 29:6 Evil people are defeated by their sin, but good people will sing and be happy.
      • Pro 29:7 Good people want to do what is right for the poor, but the wicked don't care.
      • Pro 29:10 If you always try to be honest, murderers will hate you, but those who do what is right will want you to be their friend.

        There will be opposition for doing the right or good things

      • Pro 29:27 Good people think the wicked are disgusting, and the wicked feel disgust for those who are honest.
      • Pro 29:13 In one way the poor and those who steal from them are the same —the LORD made them both.

        So, it is the person that should be responsible for their sin

      • Pro 29:24 You are your own worst enemy if you take part in a crime. You will not be able to tell the truth even when people threaten you.

        When you practice long enough, you will lose your sense of right & wrong

  • Pro 29:18 If a nation is not guided by God, the people will lose self-control, but the nation that obeys God's law will be happy.

    Follow God's teachings - don't legalize sins


Lim Liat (c) 29-12-23

2023-12-28

Have a Good Start - Making New Year Resolutions for 2024

Let's learn from Proverbs 29.

Here is the mind map giving the key points:



Wisdom for Living Well All + All -

Wisdom for Living Well

  • 1 Trust God
    • Pro 29:25 Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the LORD, you will be safe.

      Fear paralyzes planning and action. Must be calm first. It comes from knowing, trusting, and seeking the Lord.

  • 2 Accept Correction

    Growth Mindset

    • Pro 29:1 Some people refuse to bend when someone corrects them. Eventually they will break, and there will be no one to repair the damage.

      Listen and follow good advice. Don't be proud and fixed minded.

  • 3 Don't Flatter insincerely
    • Pro 29:5 If you give false praise to others in order to get what you want, you are only setting a trap for yourself.

      false flattery does not work

  • 4 Think before Speaking
    • Pro 29:20 There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.

      think before you speak.

        • "思危,思退,思变。“
          • Think about the danger. (Risk Analysis, Prevention, and Management)
          • Think about withdrawal rather than advancing. An implication will be to do the inverse thinking.
          • Think about change. The external situation may change causing us to change our minds too,
        • Some say to think
          • about the advantages, the disadvantages and a final review before taking action.
        • Should it be said at all? (What is encouraging, meaningful, rational, and beneficial?)
        • Should it be said at this time? (When will be a better time?)
        • Should it be said by me? (Who will be a better person than me to say it?)
        • Ancient Chinese Wisdom teaches us about 天时地利人和 which tells us about
          • The right timing 天时
          • The right place 地利
          • The right relationships and harmony with people 人和.
  • 5 Don't Politicize

    Let facts determine actions, not opinions

    • 5.1 Pro 29:8 Proud people who laugh at what is right, cause problems that divide whole cities, but people who are wise are able to calm those who are angry.

      Politicizing divides, truth brings freedom. John 8:31-21 The truth will set you free.

  • 6 Deal with Fools
    • 6.1 Pro 29:9 If someone who is wise tries to settle a problem with a fool, the fool will argue and say stupid things, and they will never agree.

      Choose and Speak to your audience. Not everyone will want to listen to you. Matthew 7:6-7 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

2023-12-23

Proverbs 25 How to Make Effective Conversations

Proverbs 25 Effective Conversations Lim Liat (c) 28-6-17/23-12-23 All + All -

Proverbs 25

Effective Conversations

Lim Liat (c) 28-6-17/23-12-23

click on the '+' sign to expand '-' to collapse

  • + - Authorship - Solomon
    • + - Pro 25:1
      • These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
  • + - 1 Story of Science - Discover Hidden Truth

    1st Step of Conversation

    The facts and the people's thinking and feelings

    • + - Heart of Man is most Difficult to know
      • + - Pro 25:3
        • As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
      • + - God hides & Man Discovers
        • + - Pro 25:2
          • It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
    • + - Divide to Understand - Go Below the Surface
      • + - Pro 25:4
        • Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

          remove the cover-up and distortions to get the truth

    • + - Remove Evil Discovered
      • + - Pro 25:5
        • take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

          have the guts to remove the discovered evils

  • + - 2 Not to Show-off

    Give respect. Listen.

    • + - Pro 25:6
      • Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,
    • + - Pro 25:7
      • for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
    • Don't talk down on people. Don't praise yourself and be contradicted by others. Better for others to praise you.
  • + - 3 Litigation - Don't Be Hasty

    Talk to Person Involved

    Sun Zi: Talk 1st; War is the last resort

    • + - Pro 25:8
      • + - What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

        There is more than what you have seen.

        • + - It is risky business to accuse others publicly in court.
          • iChing #5 Litigation
          • + - Selwin, of London: “A man who deliberates about going to law should have,
            • 1. A good cause;
            • 2. A good purse;
            • 3. A good skillful attorney;
            • 4. Good evidence;
            • 5. Good able counsel;
            • 6. A good upright judge;
            • 7. A good intelligent jury; and with all these on his side, if he have not,
            • 8. Good luck, it is odds but he miscarries in his suit.” O the glorious uncertainty of the law!
    • + - Pro 25:9
      • + - [ISV]Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor, and don't betray another person's confidence.

        Always talk to the person involved to get the truth. Don't betray in order to win. The best is not go into litigation and be forced to.

        • The warning would seem to be against being betrayed by a litigious spirit into dishonourable conduct, and incurring the indelible shame of betraying confidence through eagerness to win your suit.
        • if you know anything scandalous and reproachful of your neighbour and his family, you are contending with, which does not concern the cause in hand, do not divulge it, as persons from a spirit of revenge are apt to do, when they are quarrelling or litigating a point with each other.
    • + - Pro 25:10
      • lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
  • + - 4 Fit the Occasion & Others Feelings

    Be Sensitive to others needs

    • + - Pro 25:11
      • A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
    • + - Pro 25:20
      • Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
  • + - 5 Earn the Rights to Speak

    Gain the trust - listen to show care

    • + - Gain a Listening Ears 1st that your advice may be accepted.
      • + - Pro 25:12
        • + - Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
          • Gain the trust first v13
    • + - Trustworthy Words
      • + - Pro 25:13
        • Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
  • + - 6 Content

    Factual, Terse, Encourage

    • + - Truthful Words
      • + - Truthful - No Boasting
        • + - Pro 25:14
          • Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
      • + - Lie not
        • + - Pro 25:18
          • A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
    • + - Few good words - Not Long message
      • + - Pro 25:16
        • If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
    • + - Good News

      Encourage, Comfort

      • + - Pro 25:25
        • Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
  • + - 7 Manner: Gentle & patient
    • + - Pro 25:15
      • With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
  • + - 8 Things to Avoid
    • + - Interfere Not
      • + - Pro 25:17
        • Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
    • + - Believe Not Treacherous Man
      • + - Pro 25:19
        • Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
    • + - Bad-mouthing Not
      • + - Pro 25:23
        • The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
    • + - Quarrels Not
      • + - Pro 25:24
        • It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
    • + - Compromise Not
      • + - Pro 25:26
        • Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
  • + - 9 Attitudes
    • + - Love - for Others
      • + - Pro 25:21
        • If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
      • + - Pro 25:22
        • for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
    • + - Humility - No Self-Glorification
      • + - Pro 25:27
        • It is not good to eat much honey,

          Don't overdo

        • nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

          no self-glorification

    • + - Self Control
      • + - Pro 25:28
        • + - A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
          • + - be gentle v15
            • + - be concise v16
              • be loving v21
          • + - be humble v27
            • not overdo v27