UCSD Outreach

Is Agnosticism an Option?

Last week, we saw why atheism cannot claim to be based on Reason alone as if it had nothing to do with faith. Atheism, as an ism, is a belief system, too. As we cannot “prove” the existence of God, we cannot “prove” the non-existence of God. We don’t arrive at atheism or theism by way of Reason; both are the fundamental premises, on which we build our worldviews with our Reason.

Is Atheism Reasonable?

There are three kinds of people when it comes to religious ideas: theists, atheists, and agnostics. Which one are you? Today, let us consider whether being an atheist is reasonable.

UCSD — a Goal or an Objective?

Congratulations to all the first-year and transfer students on making it to UCSD! Great job! And I hope all of you returning had a wonderful summer.

Who Will Remember You?

I hope you’ve made good friends here at UCSD. Even though there are people all around, most of them your age, a college campus can be a lonely place. It is difficult to make it through college, and life in general, without friends. I’m sure you’re enjoying, building up, and working on the friendships you have developed in college.

Are You Weary?

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

What Motivates You?

What motivates you? What makes you wake up in the morning to face all the tasks and challenges that await you throughout the day?

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. I hope you can take some time to express your gratitude to your mom in some tangible ways. This is not to say that her love is perfect, or the way she shows her love is always right, or she always knows the correct thing to do. By now, you may see many flaws in your mom’s love. I’m sure your mom, too, is painfully aware of the many mistakes she has made in raising you. But I hope you see that love can be genuine without being perfect.

Predestination?

What is predestination?

Did Jesus Claim to be God?

“So they picked up stones to throw at [Jesus]...” (John 8:59). The crowd gathered around Him wanted to stone Him to death. Why?

Christianity Without Jesus' Resurrection?

Last Sunday was Easter. For Christians, it’s a day to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection, which occurred around 30 AD. What is the big deal? There are many instances of people brought back to life, aren’t there? There are three unique things about Jesus’ resurrection.

Liberty or Safety

We just had our primary election. It seems that this election cycle will be another tumultuous one. Many agree that so much is at stake in this (presidential) election. Some fear that our democracy itself is at stake. Others are upset about the present direction of our country.

Science or Scientism

Science is one thing. Scientism is another.

Is Guilty Feeling a Disease?

Last week’s question was, “Should We Feel Guilty?” One lady saw the question and gave a decisive “No!” I was taken aback by her response and asked, “If you did something terrible to someone else, shouldn’t you feel guilty?” Her reply was, “No. You should take responsibility. But feeling guilty is a disease!”

Should We Feel Guilty?

Guilt. That terrible, oppressive word. Nobody likes it. It’s also a uniquely human experience. Do piranhas feel bad about attacking some poor animals in the river, tearing off their flesh down to the bones? Will lions form the CA (Carnivores Anonymous) and turn into vegetarians in big numbers anytime soon? But some humans choose to be vegans and vegetarians for moral reasons.

Just a Job or a Calling?

How do you know which career is for you? There are many things to consider: your aptitude, your passion, the expected level of compensation, etc. There seem to be two approaches to thinking about our jobs.

What Desire Drives You?

Are you healthy? How do you know? There are many measures to gauge our health. One is the presence of robust desires. When sick in bed, we have no desire for anything, not even for food, except for getting well. I have heard from others that, when a person reaches the last stage of his life, his desire to do things decreases, including his appetite. Soon, he turns into a shell of his former self, closer to the grave than to life.

Best Use of Time?

“Time is golden.” In fact, it is our most precious asset as it is inseparably bound to our life. We can lose money and still live. We can move on after failed relationships. We can even go without food or drink for a time. But when our time is up, so is our life: to lose time is to lose life.

What Are You Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is one week away. Is there anything you are thankful for? Are you a grateful person? Do others see you as such? Gratitude is the key to happiness, they say. Some have enough to be the envy of everyone around them, yet so miserable because they are fixated on what they don’t have. I hope you are not such a person. If you are a grateful person, you don’t need much to be happy, do you? It’s not that you are unaware of what you lack. But you do not take for granted what you already have. So, you can be content despite your many needs.

Veterans and You

As Captain Miller dies, he says to James Ryan, “James, earn this! Earn it!” This is a scene from the film, “Saving Private Ryan.” The story takes place at the end of WWII following the Normandy Invasion. It’s about Captain Miller and his seven men on a special mission—to locate and rescue Private Ryan who is missing in action. His three brothers were all killed in battle in the span of a few days. The U.S. Department of War wants him found and brought back home.

What is Your Word Worth?

Few things anger us more than people not keeping their word when we need them to come through. When that happens, a deep crack sets in in our relationship with them. The next time they make a promise, we have a hard time trusting them no matter how sincere they are. We have seen it before and we see what happened.

What is a Good Friend?

Who is your best friend? Why do you consider him/her your best friend? Do you have other friends you can call “good friends”? What makes them “good friends” instead of “just friends”?

Chance or Fate?

Whether UCSD was your first choice or just a backup plan, you are here. Do you think you are here by random chance or by fate?

Side Effects of Approval?

Who doesn’t want approval? At times, we feel uncertain about ourselves and our abilities. In such moments, we feel so alone, and the world feels so dark and cold. We find ourselves on the brink of giving up. Then, comes along someone, who gives us unexpected, heartfelt words of approbation. Those precious words have the power to break through the dark clouds of self-doubt and lift us out of the mire of discouragement. You must have seen those contestants on shows like AGT, who cannot contain their overwhelming joy as the audience gives their approval with an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Who Will Remember You?

I hope you’ve made good friends here at UCSD. Even though there are people all around, most of them your age, a college campus can be a lonely place. It is difficult to make it through college, and life in general, without friends. I’m sure you’re enjoying, building up, and working on the friendships you have developed in college.

Are You at Peace with Yourself?

Alienation. We all feel it one way or the other. That horrible feeling, that sad reality, is the result of the Fall. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, all kinds of alienation came into being.

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am” (Matthew 16:15)? What is your answer? Be careful how you answer it: your eternal destiny depends on it.

Why Does God Want You?

God wants you. That’s why Jesus told His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). We are here to extend God's invitation to you.

Why We Need the Bible

That’s a bold claim. Maybe even preposterous. You have been doing just fine without the Bible, without bothering to open it even once to read it. You don’t see why you need it and for what. But here is a question for you: are you living as you ought to live?

Resurrection — Really?

“This coming Sunday is called Easter Sunday. The name "Easter" has a complicated origin, going back to some ancient, pagan spring festivals. But for Christians, it is a day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred around 30 AD.

Morality — of God or Man?

“Two things fill the mind with every new and increasing wonder and awe...: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me” (Kant). Each is awesome in itself: scientists will tell you about the former and philosophers, the latter. But the two existing together in the same universe is even more amazing. In nature, everything behaves according to its physical properties--except man, who has in him this mysterious sense of how he ought to act, not just what he wants to do.

How Do You Deal With Failures?

We all fail. It’s not a question of if but when and how big. I’m sure you’ve had your share of failures. How do you deal with them?

Best Use of Time?

"Time is golden,” they say. It’s the most precious asset we have. In fact, it’s more than just an asset because our lives are bound to it. When we lose money, we can still live. When our relationships break down, we can still go on. We can even go on without food and drink for a time. But when our time is up, our life is over, too.

Greatest Love of All?

Valentine’s Day is next week. For some, it’s a day to celebrate love found. For others, it’s to renew their love. Still, for others, it’s a day of wondering when they will find someone special. Love is on everyone’s mind.

"What about 'the Problem of Pleasure'?"

Pleasure and pain are the most basic motivators of all that we do. Avoiding pain and seeking pleasure is instinctive for us like the sunflower being drawn to the sun and the moth to the fire.

When Will You Be Happy?

Are you happy? If you are, congratulations! But may I ask what’s making you happy? How long do you think your happiness will last? And if you are not happy, why not? What will make you happy? When do you think you’ll finally be happy?

Death?

How often do you think about death? Do you think it’s morbid to think about it, every day, especially at the beginning of the year? Most people fear death. Even though death is everywhere—tens of thousands of people die every day—we don’t know much about dying as we know about living, experientially speaking. We fear what we don’t know. So, most people avoid the topic of death as much and as long as possible.

What is Your Worth?

If you were kidnapped and the criminals demanded 100 million dollars for your ransom, how would you feel? Flattered? Maybe for a moment. But you would soon fall into despair. Who would pay that much for your life?

Tolerance ≠ Acceptance

In this age of ever-increasing globalization, tolerance is a must. Even the nations, which have been traditionally homogenous, are becoming more pluralistic.

Are There Ghosts?

Would you be afraid to go to an old, gothic cemetery at midnight, by yourself? Would you feel afraid to walk through the woods in the middle of the night, alone? Why? Is it because you believe in ghosts?

Are You Good or Just Nice?

Is there any difference between being good and being nice? Does it matter whether you are one or the other?

Is Theism Irrational?

What Gives You Rest?

When you feel tired, what do you do? Sometimes, just taking a nap or sleeping in a little does the trick. But there are fatigues for which physical relaxation is not enough—the ones that are due to psychological stresses. 

What Makes a Good Friend?

Friends are life’s wonderful gifts. You may already have many friends back home, but I hope you get to make many more friends while you are at UCSD! If we have no friends to turn to when we are in need, how bleak our life is!

Where's Your Finish Line?

Here you are, starting a new school year. For some of you, this is your very first year at UCSD! Congratulations on being accepted to this wonderful school! We at New Life Student Ministries wish you a memorable, productive, successful year and college life! But how? Maybe your plan is to simply live your life to the fullest—“Seize the day!” This is an inspiring message. How sad it is to live our lives, doing things only half-heartedly, wishing we were somewhere else doing anything but what we are doing now! 

Who Will Remember You?

Some of you are about to graduate. Congratulations! You're finishing up the most formative years of your life. It must be bittersweet, having to close this chapter of your life and start a new one. A big part of your life here, besides getting your degree, has been developing and deepening new friendships. What will happen to them once you leave this place? How many of your friends will keep in touch with you and for how long? Do you sometimes wonder who will remember you?

Urgent or Important

We may live in "the land of the free and the home of the brave," but there's a tyranny that few of us are free from--"the tyranny of the urgent" (Charles E. Hummel). Daily, urgent matters come at us from every direction--exams to study for, deadlines to meet, chores to be done, emergencies that pop up, etc.

What Defines You?

Many define themselves by their job--a lawyer, a doctor, an artist, etc. Some are defined by the awards they've won—a Nobel laureate, an Olympic medalist, etc. We're also defined by our relationships as so-and-so's child or sibling, etc. College students are often defined by their school, their major, or their GPA. We even define ourselves by our problems—"I'm too short"; "I'm shy"; "I'm a victim of this," etc

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is coming up in a few days. Once a year at least, we want to express our gratitude to our parents. It's easy to take their love for granted, especially that of our mothers because it is so profuse and readily available.

Inner Peace

When was the last time you enjoyed some inner peace? It's hard to maintain peace of mind when exams and papers keep creeping up on you, isn’t it? It's even more difficult when you don't do well in some of your courses because so much rides on your GPA. With the worst possible scenario replaying itself over and over in your mind, your heart sinks deeper and deeper into fear. Our rapidly-changing, fast-moving, increasingly-competitive society induces so much stress in us. We may smile on the outside, but we may be hiding a thousand tears.

What Do You Want?

Do you know what you really want? I am sure there are many things that you would like to buy and have and do and accomplish, many places you would like to visit and see, and many people you would like to meet and know. But are these things that you really want? What if they were but "superficial" manifestations of a deeper longing?

Resurrection? Really?

This coming Sunday is called Easter Sunday. The name "Easter" has a complicated origin, going back to some ancient, pagan spring festivals. But what it means for Christians is very simple and clear: it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred around 30 AD. 

"COEXIST"?

I'm sure you have all seen the "COEXIST" bumper sticker. It is quite a clever design. Each letter is designed to represent a religious symbol, including that of the Wicca. Its message is clear: it calls on all religious groups to stop fighting and get along with one another!

Where is God?

We are watching in disbelief and dismay what is going on in Ukraine. So many videos and photos show the devastation that is being wrought on that land and people. For what? We are impressed by the courage of the Ukraine people to continue fighting this David-and-Goliath war. But we cannot help but wonder whether more can be done as the international community tries to help Ukraine without escalating the conflict into a nuclear or world war. In the meantime, so many innocent civilians, who are someone’s moms and dads and sons and daughters, are getting killed amid so much destruction. 

Got Joy?

When was the last time you felt deep joy? I’m not asking when the last time you had a lot of fun was. Fun is just “light-hearted pleasure.” We have fun when we do pleasurable things—playing video games, hanging out with our buddies, etc. We are drawn to pleasure; we wish we could have fun all the time. But fun is like a piece of cheap gum, whose flavor is quickly gone. 

Who Are You?

It's a simple question. Answering that question, however, is anything but simple. It is easy to tell people certain facts about us—our name, our age, our school, our major, etc. But we are so much more than what these facts say about us, aren’t we? So, how would you answer the question? 

What Is Education For?

"Knowledge is power," said Sir Francis Bacon almost 400 years ago. If that was true then, it is true all the more now in this informational age. The famous economist, Peter F. Drucker, said, "Today knowledge has power. It controls access to opportunity and advancement." 

Greatest Love of All?

Valentine’s Day is four days away. Red and pink merchandises are everywhere: the day is right around the corner. For some, it’s a day to celebrate love found; for others, it’s to keep it going; still for others, it’s a day of longing for love. Love is on everyone’s mind. 

Your Life— a Comedy or a Tragedy?

Our life is a story. Our life has a beginning, middle, and end, just like a story. So then, just like a story, our life too can be categorized as a tragedy or a comedy. 

(Why) Are You Stressed?

Ours is a stressful society. Life is getting more and more competitive and fast-paced. We feel like we have to be on the go all the time. In fact, being busy has become a virtue in our society. When our calendar is not packed with things to do, we feel like a loser.

The Most Painful Disease?

What do you think is the most painful disease known to man? Some may say it’s gout. Others may say it’s kidney stones. Still, others may say, though it’s not a disease, the birth pang. Which one is it? One person was honest enough to acknowledge, “The most painful disease is my sickness.” Isn’t that so true? We care more about our headache than someone else’s cancer.

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Would you be afraid to go to an old, gothic cemetery at midnight, by yourself? Would you feel afraid to walk through the woods in the middle of the night, alone? Why? Do you believe in ghosts--the immortal souls of the dead that haunt people? Do you believe in the paranormal/supernatural?

Just a Job or a Calling?

How do you know which career is for you?

Do You Know Yourself?

“Know thyself!” In Greek and other ancient civilizations, self-knowledge was viewed as the paragon of wisdom. There are obvious practical benefits in knowing oneself. Knowing our aptitude will help us find a major/career that fits us well. Knowing our strengths and weaknesses will help us maximize our efficiency and recruit the right kind of help. This kind of self-knowledge should be easy to obtain, considering how many personality tests and assessment tools are available these days.

What is the Meaning of Life?

When it comes to the meaning of life, there are 3 approaches: 1) there is no meaning in life; 2) the meaning of life is what we make it out to be; 3) there is an objective meaning of life for everyone. Which one is yours? 

Do You Know Your End?

Throughout history, so many people have had to wrestle with the message of Christianity. You can dismiss the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a myth. But on what basis? Is it because science says no such thing is possible? Can science explain everything? Isn’t that faith because it cannot even explain everything about the material world? Is the grave your final destination? The Bible claims, No! You are immortal and you must give an account of all that you’ve done. Can you withstand God’s judgment? Jesus died and rose again for your forgiveness. Accept His work and trust Him for your salvation!