tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227262982011-11-03T05:39:40.362+08:00<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><b><p align="justify">This is the story of my sojourn on earth. It is my hope that through the sharing of my struggles, temptations, frustrations & triumphs in living my faith, you would gain insights into your own sojourn.</b>David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.comBlogger421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-31113360747717436452011-09-04T17:51:00.001+08:002011-09-04T17:53:09.642+08:00

I was shocked when a friend was recently diagnosed with cancer. He was younger than me and had been in the pink of health. Fortunately, the cancer was discovered early and surgery was sufficient to save his life... Sin is like disease. Minor sins (venial sins) like laziness and jealously are similar to the common flu and cough which can be easily cured. Major sins (mortal sins) like murder and

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-14849045008375710312011-07-18T18:03:00.001+08:002011-07-23T16:46:14.592+08:00

The past few months had been one long roller-coaster ride for me in my workplace and I was not sure how I could survive... Many challenging problems still await me till the end of the year but God sent me an angel to tell me that He is with me and with Him, nothing is impossible. This angel is Nick Vujicic (pronounced 'vooy-cheech') - a man soaring on wings above challenges way way beyond mine:

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-9281742513363182762011-06-19T15:27:00.002+08:002011-06-19T15:32:11.355+08:00

I was touched by the recent RCIA lesson on 16 June 2011 where Fr Anthony Hutjes shared a simple yet powerful story (I might have gotten some details wrong): During the period of the second World War, an Amercian soldier got up a bus in Sweden and sat beside a Swede. He boasted about democracy in the United States where anyone could walk into the White House to look for the President. The Swede

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-53725042448503988212011-05-29T11:04:00.001+08:002011-06-05T16:18:51.518+08:00

You probably never thought about sainthood as your vocation because of common wrong perceptions of saints: •    Must be a priest or a nun •    Must lead boring contemplative lives •    Must do lots of menial tasks without complaints •    Must suffer much through sickness, injustice or attacks by evil spirits •    Must be super holy and never sin The above is a long way from the Truth - longer

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-44213410319739832312011-04-01T07:47:00.000+08:002011-04-01T07:47:28.433+08:00

If you think about WoW all day long, you're a gamer. If you can't stop thinking about work even after work, you're a workaholic. If you're constantly thinking about how to make more money in lesser time, you're an entrepreneur. If you contemplate about God and His Kingdom every moment, you're a saint...  &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-5356670994151166282011-01-23T09:44:00.000+08:002011-01-23T09:44:59.034+08:00

On Christmas Eve, I was down with a terrible sore throat and went to see a doctor in the morning. I had been working long hours and really needed a good afternoon nap but somehow I just couldn't sleep a wink! So I prayed. Minutes passed. An hour passed. And I was still awake! So I decided to get up and do something instead of wasting time! Then I saw my wife working very hard to clean the whole

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-86218587553551590652010-10-30T18:00:00.001+08:002011-04-01T07:50:25.004+08:00

In modern affluent societies like Singapore, it is so easy to take things for granted and be insensitive to underprivileged people around us. Here is a good wake-up call for all of us that on the last day, we will need to give an account of how we have used our wealth, talents and blessings for the Kingdom of God and His people: "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-12053520895450384712010-03-09T00:59:00.003+08:002010-04-11T13:59:51.813+08:00

I have just watched the movie "Therese" with my wife. Though it was too short to fully portray the extraordinary life of St Therese of Lisieux, it deeply touched me and reminded me of my sinfulness and how much I have taken God for granted amidst the distractions of modern society. St Therese's "Little Way" is a wondrous inspiration to me; we need not do great things to become a saint, only

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-40744994179825255772009-02-14T23:31:00.003+08:002009-02-15T00:02:45.478+08:00

With the financial crisis, it is evident now that there is no foolproof investment... in the material world.Fortunately, in the spiritual world, all investments are foolproof because they are not based on fallible human systems but an infallible divine system.Invest time in prayer, almsgiving, penance, fasting, and especially in the Mass, where much spiritual graces are poured out not only for

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-90094269183061835682008-11-19T08:12:00.005+08:002008-11-30T09:23:52.793+08:00

Many find the seemingly obvious contradictions of Christianity baffling - one glaring example is the dichotomy between "Free Will" and "The Love Commandment".According to the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, God created man with a free will. Yet Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to love God and their neighbors with all their heart!Can one be ordered to love? Wouldn't this

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-28885186264608495962008-08-25T15:37:00.003+08:002008-08-25T22:00:56.879+08:00

I've personally witnessed the tragedies of a broken family, brought about by an unfaithful spouse. There is little on earth that is more unbearable than being betrayed by the one who was supposed to love you more than anyone else... And not forgetting the poor little ones who would grow up emotionally scarred by such unimaginable treason...I could only pray for the family and lend a listening ear

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-5425495829649531002008-06-14T19:00:00.006+08:002011-04-24T10:10:08.075+08:00

One of the key events of Christianity that was widely debated for centuries was the Crucifixion because of contradictions in the Bible as well as lack of evidence in historical texts. Fortunately, with modern science and astronomy, the debate is now finally concluded! Earlier this year just before Good Friday, I attended a most illuminating talk by Professor Colin J. Humphreys of Cambridge

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-88153443402036646352008-05-31T13:11:00.003+08:002008-05-31T14:27:19.641+08:00

I strongly believe that my mission in life is to change the world through my writings because I have been blessed with both the talent and penchant for the written art.Hence, I spend much time working on my blogs and articles, and many times I would get frustrated when "mundane" family obligations (eg. doing household chores, taking care of my boy, chauffeuring, etc.) take me away from my "noble"

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-89973949063510558522008-05-03T18:06:00.010+08:002010-04-11T14:02:50.150+08:00

I've recently tried to help a couple improve their unhappy marriage. I shared my experience and knowledge in basic therapeutic concepts such as the Emotional Bank Account and the Five Love Languages. The couple understood the concepts but both had the same knockout question: why must I take the initiative? It was an understandable question since both of them were fed up with each other. As

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-40946755893057875572008-04-07T00:38:00.005+08:002008-04-09T16:11:38.667+08:00

Nobody likes to talk about Hell and eternal damnation nowadays, not even from the pulpit - it's considered unpopular, unreal and outdated. But I am going to write about it now... because whether we like it or not, whether we understand it or not, we can't change the reality of Hell. I have done a thorough analysis of the arguments for and against Hell as well as review visions of Hell by mystics

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-74066599705382655352008-03-22T01:51:00.006+08:002008-03-24T01:06:34.429+08:00

I was recently marooned on the island of Doubt - the waves of Death, Suffering, Despair, Betrayal, Stress, Fatigue devastated my ship of Life even though it was fortified with Faith... And then, unsuspectingly, Theology (Reason illumined by Faith) came along and rescued me... for good.Read about my story of enlightenment in the midst of trials and tribulations during the past 3 months here. I've

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-32121925250220334052008-01-18T02:17:00.000+08:002008-01-18T03:40:16.759+08:00

I'm sure most of us enjoyed the new year celebrations and somehow felt refreshed with a sense of profound hope - it would be difficult to remain indifferent in such an atmosphere of contagious joy and optimism.We somehow perceive the new year as the beginning of a new chapter where we can finally banish the failures and regrets of the past year, and look forward to a clean start with an intense

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-19004593690912201422007-12-09T22:47:00.001+08:002010-04-11T14:04:31.575+08:00

I must confess that I find it easier to buy my dream $600 smartphone than spend the same amount on charity or advancing God's Kingdom. It is always a tough struggle for me in deciding how best to spend money... As I reflected on the meaning of Christmas, I discovered a generosity that is baffling and extreme: the gift of the baby Jesus. God spared nothing to bring us back to Him - what about our

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-55820399439912127372007-10-18T06:16:00.000+08:002008-01-18T02:14:00.645+08:00

I recently experienced the powerful grip of Anger in a trivial yet insightful incident - which I would share now in 3 parts which seems to be an interesting way of characterising the stages of Anger:Part 1: The TriggerOn that fateful day at 5:42pm, I ran as fast as I could from my office to the bus-stop to catch the shuttle bus scheduled to arrive at 5:45pm. I had to skip the restroom despite

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-973182418408371952007-09-04T22:18:00.000+08:002008-01-18T02:08:00.982+08:00

An old friend once asked me a simple yet intriguing question, "Is being unhappy considered discontentment or a lack of gratitude?"The question seemed a bit awkward at first glance but in retrospect, I realised that the awkwardness matched the subject at hand perfectly: the uncanny elusiveness of human happiness.In an instant, I texted her this answer with incredibly little thought: "A pen is

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-55404032686023312842007-07-18T23:07:00.000+08:002008-05-03T17:26:45.447+08:00

I watched helplessly as my father cringed, coughed and teared while the nurse tried with great difficulty to insert an NGT (Naso-Gastric Tube) through his nostril, down his throat and into his stomach. Because the NGT kept moving in the wrong direction (out of his mouth rather than down his throat), it had to be inserted and retracted repeatedly for more than an hour, causing much pain and

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-15711991025174684662007-06-09T12:28:00.000+08:002008-01-18T02:12:34.452+08:00

If you ask anyone what is life's greatest pleasure, it's likely you'll get one of the following answers (in one form or another): Love, Sex, Food, Wine, Work.Well, the problem with the above list is that it's neither practical nor lasting, eg. love is far too abstract, you can't have sex 24/7, you gotta watch your waistline with food, wine needs appropriate times and environment, all work and no

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-52819904911642974942007-05-17T06:52:00.001+08:002008-05-31T10:51:21.542+08:00

I once read an article in the newspaper about how a young man taught himself how to make money from the internet. He had a day job but surfed the internet everyday from 11pm to 3am to figure out how to make money - he did this for 5 years and was eventually able to make real BIG money.I was both inspired and ashamed; inspired by his tenacious drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and boundless energy -

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-18959529895209615252007-01-20T02:14:00.001+08:002008-05-31T10:53:01.261+08:00

Lust is one capital sin that I've been struggling with for a long time... until I chanced upon True Knights, a lay apostolate dedicated to helping men break free from the slavery of lust.Its website details 7 steps to freedom and purity, and tells the inspiring conversion story of its founder from promiscuous playboy to devoted Catholic.I also recommend installing a internet filter too to protect

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-63550038577502057472006-12-01T22:59:00.004+08:002008-05-31T09:07:58.776+08:00

I know what you're thinking: "It's easier said than done!" Indeed, all of us are somehow born with invisible contact lenses that magnify the shortcomings of others while diminishing their strengths.Here's one story that might help - the standard version (Judge Not) can be easily found via Google but here's my version - local style!Judge Not (Singapore Version) I was shocked, confused,

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1162574555492576062006-11-04T00:05:00.003+08:002010-04-11T14:07:55.674+08:00

Imagine for a moment that you are at the peak of your life with a great career, a loving family, an inspiring church ministry, excellent health, and you are well-loved and well-respected by many - in short, rousing success in both secular & religious life! Would you take life easy and happily bask in your successes... King David was at a similar peak of his life when he fell into a terrible sin

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1157833436815166102006-09-10T02:27:00.001+08:002008-05-31T10:56:26.516+08:00

When I just started my very first job 2 years ago, I started dreaming of early retirement... with noble holy intentions actually - I had BIG elaborate plans to serve God when I retire...There is really so much I can do for Him if I don't have to work to survive - can He refuse my prayer of wanting to retire early to serve Him?I waited. I listened. Day after day, month after month, God didn't

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1156202814914512522006-08-22T06:14:00.002+08:002010-04-11T14:10:13.519+08:00

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18) Pride is considered the deadliest among the seven capital sins - not only because it greatly offends God but also because it is extremely difficult to detect; we know we are guilty of Lust when we ogle at the opposite sex; we know we are guilty of Anger when our blood is boiling with hatred; we know we are guilty of

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1154654714554274682006-08-04T06:37:00.002+08:002008-05-04T01:32:32.516+08:00

The stem cell controversy surrounds two 2 key questions:1. Is the use of embryonic stem cells better than its ethical alternatives (eg. adult stem cells, umblicial cord blood stem cells)?2. When does an embryo become "human"?To me, the first question is not important because the key issue here is not on the effectiveness of methods but morality (click here for a pragmatic view); is it justifiable

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1153153618334094242006-07-17T23:58:00.001+08:002008-05-31T11:04:53.189+08:00

I am currently getting ready for the basic traffic theory exam and I am amazed that there are so many traffic signs and rules that I have to remember! I never realise that driving is so "restrictive"! Why can't we have more freedom and just drive by our common sense?What a stupid question since the answer is so obvious right? Without these rules, there would be chaos and we wouldn't get to our

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1151817117073346422006-07-02T12:52:00.001+08:002008-05-31T11:18:10.604+08:00

With the advent of the Internet and advanced mass communication means, it is increasingly difficult to evangelise because people have access to information on a wide spectrum of religions, including atheistic theories and arguments.Hence, the 21st century evangelist must be as well-informed and knowledgeable about not only the Bible but also philosophical arguments.One such argument is Pascal's

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1149440174966559642006-06-05T00:23:00.002+08:002009-03-07T17:00:27.426+08:00

One of the greatest spiritual illnesses of our time is the leprosy of sin - more and more people are beginning to lose the sense of sin. This is mainly because sin has found cover in an insidious modern thinking: if it feels good, doesn't do anyone any obvious harm and many people are doing it, then it must be ok to do it.This eventually led to sexual promiscuity, abortions, divorces, materialism

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1147575592264337242006-05-14T07:41:00.001+08:002008-05-31T11:32:48.270+08:00

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20) I used to take little notice of the above great commission given by Jesus before His Ascension because I thought it was meant more for priests and missionaries...Moreover, the task seemed

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1146613140328201732006-05-03T07:09:00.001+08:002008-05-31T12:30:25.680+08:00

It is important to continually examine the ultimate objective of all our actions (including those we consider trivial) because it affects our motivation, peace and joy. For example, I am currently playing Diablo II, a role-playing computer game. My ultimate objective was show my nephew and niece the love of God by bonding with them through playing the game with them online. Now suppose that after

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1145208324709195642006-04-17T00:29:00.002+08:002010-04-11T14:12:11.046+08:00

Two years after I've watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ", I am still very dumbfounded and touched by the passionate love that God has for us. Before the movie, it was difficult to imagine how much Jesus went through for us - somehow, I felt that since Jesus is God, He can't really be hurt or suffer like a human. The movie led me to the book on which it was based on - "The Dolorous

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1143650976904389902006-03-30T00:20:00.002+08:002010-04-11T14:13:33.781+08:00

After being a Catholic for more than 30 years, I recently and shockingly realised that I have never truly repented and made a good confession… According to St John Vianney (Passion Sunday sermon, Sermons of the Cure of Ars), in order to obtain forgiveness, one must have 4 qualities which show true repentance – I have come up with a simple acronym for these qualities, “HOPE”: Heartfelt anguish:

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1142735272801095752006-03-19T09:42:00.001+08:002008-05-03T17:35:11.781+08:00

None of us like suffering, including myself. The very thought of suffering scares me because I have an extremely low threshold of pain!But whether I like it or not, suffering is inevitable in life - the fact that I am a Christian doesn't exclude me from suffering (Matthew 16:24); Christianity doesn't eradicate suffering but imbues it with meaning, making it a beautiful experience (Romans 5:3, 1

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1142204391491688442006-03-13T06:11:00.001+08:002008-05-31T12:33:47.867+08:00

I am very tired lately, both emotionally and physically...My father suffered a stroke more than a month ago and he's still in the hospital. Despite undergoing physiotherapy and acupuncture, there isn't much improvement in his condition and recently, he had to stop rehabilitation because of pneumonia. It is really emotionally draining for the family, especially my mother.My office work is also

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1140944300079288792006-02-26T14:56:00.001+08:002008-05-31T12:41:39.356+08:00

One of the biggest struggles of my faith journey was to grapple with the concept of prayer. Here's how I would summarise the paradox of prayer:1. We need to pray for our needs and most importantly, for our salvation. (Matthew 7:7) (Colossians 4:2) (Romans 12:12)2. But God already knows what we need. (Matthew 6:8-9)3. Moreover, prayer only works when we pray for what God thinks we need and not

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1140715346298058102006-02-24T00:21:00.001+08:002008-05-31T13:09:58.678+08:00

I used to disbelieve and even scorn church people who sympathetically claimed that they have no money in their pockets (yes, not even a single cent!) when I approached them for donations - yet they drove off in BMWs, Jaguars and Ferraris!This was my attitude until one fine Sunday when I was approached by little children asking for donations and I had to sadly reject them because I ran out of cash

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1140455367768273472006-02-21T00:49:00.001+08:002008-05-31T13:10:53.967+08:00

Whenever I try to trace the reasons for a bad day, I am almost always led to one prime cause: the neglect of prayer, especially the morning prayer.For me, morning prayer means just a 5-to-10-minute prayer of thanksgiving, praise, offering, and petition, ending with a short silence. I used to pray longer when I have the luxury of time... nevertheless, there is no doubt about the importance and

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22726298.post-1140451933982936492006-02-20T23:41:00.000+08:002006-11-12T07:28:10.640+08:00

I am a sojourner. I do not know when, where or how my sojourn will end. So, meanwhile, I reckon I better make the best preparation possible while Time is still on my side... I welcome you, my fellow sojourner, to journey with me as I live out my Catholic faith in the midst of raging enemies in the form of materialism, secularism, and sexual liberalisation.

David Woonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14470932939686721633noreply@blogger.com0