Sunday, January 31, 2010

What actually happened to (our) Spirit

1 Thessalonians 4:13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

It is no secret that many of the early Christians thought that Christ would return in his full glory before their earthly death. Things became more and more troubling when some of these Christians start dropping like flies in the face of persecution. What is going to happen to them? Will they be disadvantaged when Christ come again? What about me? Maybe if I try a little harder?

This latest comic from xkcd is a little sad for me. I think this is what many of the faithful Thessalonian Christians felt.



More information on the Spirit's work on Planet Mars.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Review: Simplexity

I just finished another book by Jeffery Kluger called Simplexity. Basically it is a pop science book that talks about Simplexity: an emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between complexity and simplicity. How do we know if something is simple or complex? We are often misguided in many ways into thinking that something is more complex than it really is, or simple for what it seems. This is the basic task of Sante Fe Institute in their study of complexity theory. (One of the often mentioned names is Nobel winner physicist Murray Gell-Mann). Using many areas from sports to education to arts to economics, the author shows how often we are misguided by scale or payoffs or flexibility etc. This is yet another modern scientific research made readable book like Tipping Point or Freakonomics.

My verdict? Interesting but not impressive. I do enjoy learning about the analysis on what goes into a scientific research on the complexity of subject matters. And I think I can derive for myself the answers to the "So what?" But I cannot feel the excitement as I felt when I read some other pop science book. I think it has got to do with the writing. Perhaps it has failed to satisfy this particular reader (me) in the balance between being simple and profound.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Christianity and Wu Wei

Wu Wei 无为 is one of the fundamental concepts of Taoism. The literal meaning of Wu Wei is "without action" and is often included in the paradox wei wu wei: "action without action" or "effortless doing".

From Wikipedia: "Taoist philosophy recognizes that the Universe already works harmoniously according to its own ways; as a person exerts their will against or upon the world they disrupt the harmony that already exists. This is not to say that a person should not exert agency and will. Rather, it is how one acts in relation to the natural processes already extant. The how, the Tao of intention and motivation, that is key.
Wu Wei has also been translated as "creative quietude," or the art of letting-be. This does not mean a dulling of the mind; rather, it is an activity undertaken to perceive the Tao within all things and to conform oneself to its ‘way.‘"

But in reflecting about Christianity, I think there is a fundamental difference. As a Christian, we emphasize on action. We do not seek to maintain status quo or to abide with the natural flow of things. We seek to transform the situation and find a breakthrough in what we perceive as a corrupted state of matters. However, it is not 为所欲为 (Action for selfish desires) but rather it is 见义勇为 (Action for God's justice).

Monday, January 25, 2010

A long 2 seconds

Walking into the toilet, I noticed that one of the 2 cubicles was taken. So I went into the other one.

"Hello", came a voice from the other cubicle. After a quick pause, then another "Hello?". Awkward silence.

Things I immediately thought to myself.
1. Denial - Why is he calling out to me? Maybe it is not a genuine "Hello". He must have known that he is the only one in the toilet and he wants to know if there is anyone else out there. Maybe it is just a checking "Hello".

2. Anger - Why Me?!? Didn't this guy read Dave Barry on toilet etiquette? It is rude to talk in the toilet! This is why a church toilet is an oxymoron because an impersonal space is now in a personal environment.

3. Bargaining - Maybe I'll just give a cough in response. He doesn't know I'm a pastor and he won't think of it as an unfriendly slight. Maybe if I can finish my business before he exits. Maybe ... ...

4. Depression - What's the use? Why should I bother? A conversation in the toilet is doomed to failure. I am hopeless with anything.

5. Acceptance - I guess I'll just say Hello and see how it works out.

And then the guy starts talking a bunch of Hokkein. And I realize he is speaking on the phone. Seriously. Who calls others on the phone while in the toilet? What would the friend think when he hears a flush in the middle on the conversation?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Church is like a Farm

From Eugene Peterson in "Eat this Book" (A book I'll review soon)

"I can't remember a farmer who was ever in a hurry. Farmers characteristically work hard, but there is too much work to do to be in a hurry. On a farm everything is connected both in place and in time. Nothing is done that isn't connected to something else; if you are in a hurry, break the rhythms of the land and the seasons and the weather, things fall apart - you get in the way of something set in motion last week or month. A farm is not neat - there is too much going on that is out of your control. Farms help us learn patience and attentiveness:'I am trying to teach my mind/ to bear the long, slow growth/ of the fields, and to sing/ of its passing while it waits.'"

The last part is part of a poem "From the Crest" by Wendell Berry.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Words of Wisdom - A collection

Thinking about the Rules of Life made me think about my personal words of wisdom collected over the years. I started this blog to record my reflections of life. They come from my interaction with books, films, conversations and life events. Sometimes you thought something is really clever, but if you don't write it down somewhere, it gets forgotten really fast. The internet is a wonderful and convenient place to keep all these thoughts. Unfortunately, as I collate this collection of mine, I see that I've forgotten half of them. Some, I have not even practiced them well. This exercise is a good reminder to me. And I've added the latest WoW right at the very bottom.

WoW 1: Worship is done by the people.
WoW 2: Get the mission right and live with the pain.
WoW 3: I can do nothing but only through God.
WoW 4: Never lower the bar on your teachings
WoW 5: Keeping things in Perspective
WoW 6: A community defined by an event
WoW 7: The transient beauty of time
WoW 8: The importance of an Objective
WoW 9: To get a right relationship with God, get a right relationship with the Church.
WoW10: Things only start to change when you own the problem.
WoW11: Basic principle of life is to See through it and to See it through.
WoW12: The most profound truths are the most simply expressed.
WoW13: When it comes to describing religious lay people, all religions are the same.
WoW14: God is better than any alternative.
WoW15: There is a wealth of knowledge in all fields.
WoW16: Strength of message comes when you can combine vision and the heart.
WoW17: A people of power takes effort.
WoW18: Positive nagging is to be loved and feared.
WoW19: We must accept an existence of solitude.
WoW20: The resilience of nature is the expression of hope.
WoW21: Stand on the shoulders of giants to see further.
WoW22: Indirect communication hits harder.
WoW23: Fame has little to do with Content. It is Publicity.
WoW24: The inner world is bigger than the outer world.
WoW25: It's not how much you eat, but what you eat that matters.
WoW26: Sometimes you cannot see enrichment, you can only feel it.
WoW27: It is not the intensity or the competition that matters, true sportsmanship lies in finishing the race.
WoW28: Sermon is about Passion.
WoW29: It only takes a few seconds to make a day better, and a day to make a year better. Do it!
WoW30: Learn the very truth from the beginning, the unlearning later in life in not worth otherwise.
WoW31: Death is a life transforming concept.
WoW32: Sometimes human interaction is just self-fulfilling prophecy.
WoW33: Sometimes, the message is more compelling by being more descriptive than prescriptive. Let the facts speak for itself.
WoW34: A Worship team is like a sports team.
WoW35: Use teamwork to make up for your shortfall in gifts.
WoW36: There is no single person. The king must be the king for the kingdom.
WoW37: The key to understanding Acts is "theology interpreting history".
WoW38: Keep the question hanging there. The point will be driven through in the end.
WoW39: Take time to be polite. It beats the time spent repairing relationships.
WoW40: It is important to have good thoughts. It is more important to actually practice them.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Rules of Life - Finale

This is the 8th post, but I'm finally done with this book. I am currently reading Simplexity.

World Rules

93 Be aware of the damage you are doing
This one is about being green and also your carbon footprint. I am trying a little on this, but I think it is only for my own conscience. The amount of damage I know others are doing is unimaginable compared to the good I can do.
94 Be for the glory, not the degradation
Yes, I certainly hope so for myself. This rule is like choosing the angel and not the beast.
95 Be part of the solution, not the problem
More of the same.
96 Check what history would say about you
This one is interesting for me. I would probably be insignificant, but perhaps I leave a good comment in the history of Jubilee. That's all I ask for in life.
97 Keep your eyes open at all times
I just cannot remember this one.
98 Not everything can be green
This is to curb the green fanatics. This is just common sense, but it is often lost on many people in their religious favor. Just look at PETA now.
99 Put something back
Yes. Since we are taking stuff from mother nature, planet earth, do something positive as well.
100 Find a new Rule every day – or occasionally at least
Self-explanatory.

Well, I don't think I'm a strict Rules player after reading the book. I do live by good principles I think. This is a book I would certainly recommend because it has many good things that I think are important, but written in a non-preachy manner. Sometimes in life, you just need affirmation like this that you are moving in the right direction.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Worship Study Group

Jubilee Church has begun a new initiative called the worship study group. This initiative began because of a conundrum. We are aware of the excellent resources available online at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website. However, the tons of articles, podcasts, videos and links are just too immense for any person to swallow. Therefore, I gathered a group of like-minded leaders of the worship ministry in Jubilee to do a monthly study of the resources there. Before a gathering, I will assign 4-5 readings (links to the website) to members of the group. They will have to prepare a 10-15 min presentation at the gathering. Then, we will have a short discussion and we will decide how best to practically implement the ideas from the readings. It is a very pragmatic form of learning and we hope to finish the project in 5 years. The reason of this deadline is because Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has divided their resources into 10 core convictions. It is my desire to pace ourselves properly through this prodigious workload and finish a core conviction every half year.

This is the report on our first meeting posted at the church website. It is a summary of what we have read and our implementation plans.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

FFoB 16: Apostle Paul's Haircut

Acts 18:18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.

From the IVP Bible Background Commentary (the first place I go to for such trivia): Jewish people shaved their heads after competing a Nazirite vow, and Paul's faith in Jesus had not diminished his own Jewishness in the least (21:23-24). That Palestinian teachers demanded that Nazirites fulfill the vows in Jerusalem shows that Paul had taken the less Jerusalem-centered approach of Diaspora (non-Palestinian) Jews who had not the time or money to travel to Jerusalem frequently.

Darrell L. Bock in the ECNT however thinks that it "may be a mere vow of thanksgiving for the preservation as God promised in verse 10 (Witherington 1998:557; Bruce 1988a:355 opts for a private vow)
Acts 18:10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."
He concludes "Since, however, 1 Cor 9:20 explains that Paul was a Jew to the Jews, such a vow, if Jewish practice, was not out of character for him in certain circumstances. In addition, the Mishnah, as already noted, allows for the hair to be cut before the sacrifice is made. It seems more likely that Paul acts out of his Jewish heritage rather than following Greek practice. So probably a private vow is more likely than a Nazirite vow. At any rate, whether a Jewish or Greek practice, the act is not at all unlikely.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Rules of Life VII

Only 2 blocks of rules left. Phew!

Social Rules

80 We’re all closer than you think
Again, stressing on commonalities.
81 It doesn’t hurt to forgive
Yes. Let go of your burdens. One of the best sermons of Pastor Wilson: Letting Go (of your emotional baggage)
82 It doesn’t hurt to be helpful
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
83 Take pride in what we do collectively
This is about thinking "we" instead of always being "this is bad" and "that is not perfect". It is a collective effort. This is way it is better to be a UPer. Be proud of what we have all gone through.
84 What’s in it for them?
This is a handy advice to look for for what motivates people. The reason is to always seek out win-win situations. Excellent rule of life!
85 Hang out with positive people
Yes! Be a UPer, stay with the UPers.
86 Be generous with your time and information
If only more people practice this. Most people prefer secrets, to my constant frustration.
87 Get involved
The more involved you are, the more you are a part of things. Instead of becoming a constant critic because you are on the outside.
88 Keep the moral high ground
Do the right thing.
89 Have a plan for your career
Not for me. I don't want a career.
90 Learn to see your community as part of a bigger picture
Yes. There is no Us vs. Them. It's sad really, to see all the divisions and narrow-mindedness in Christian communities.
91 Look at the long-term ramifications of what you do for a living
This is about ripples. I don't know why all that I've done have not paid off. There are just too much Downers and critics out there neutralizing my ripples. ARUGHH!
92 Be good at your job
Yes. My sincere hope. At least I know I'm trying my darnest.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Rules of Life VI

Family and Friends Rules

67 If you are going to be a friend, be a good friend
I must say that I'm really a lousy friend. I know this because I am too passive in committing extra time or effort. I do have the minimum attributes of friendship. But I think it takes a lot more to be a "good friend". This is yet another target that I've to think about. I'm not sure if I can commit more to this.
68 Never be too busy for loved ones
This is yet another tough one. City life just zap all the time you can give. I have to cut off TV time.
69 Let your kids mess up for themselves – they don’t need any help from you
I must say that the parenting rules in this book are really well written. Richard Templar has a book just for Rules of Parenting. But I think one book from him is enough. Some things just have to be learn the hard way. And kids who receive knocks in life are better equipped when the going gets tough.
70 Have a little respect and forgiveness for your parents
This one is thankfully easy for me. My parents are not the best, but they are really good in my opinion.
71 Give your kids a break
The Bible talks about not frustrating your kids. I guess this is what it means. If you are too controlling, they become frightening zombies. I know because I've come across a few of these.
72 Never lend money unless you are prepared to write it off
Good advice. Hope it never comes to me. But seriously, when it comes to the close ones, money is no object.
73 There are no bad children
I do use the word "naughty" too often. I must learn to separate the behavior from the innate qualities of the child.
74 Be up around people you love
Yes! This is absolutely true. I hate downers. Be UP! This will radically transform your worldview.
75 Give your kids responsibilities
Yes. I will bear this one in mind as my kids grow up.
76 Your children need to fall out with you to leave home
This is a strange one for me. I guess it has to do with the West where the kids stay on their own from college onwards. It is considered a shame if you are living with your parents. I totally disagree with this Western mindset.
77 Your kid will have friends you don’t like
This is not yet happening to me. I guess I should be ready for this.
78 Your role as a child
79 Your role as a parent
These 2 are just the usual advice all lumped together.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Rules of Life V

Partnership Rules

51 Accept the differences, embrace what you have in common
Richard Templar says that we as humans have more in common than in differences. That's certainly true, but it is so easy to forget that. As humans, we tend to focus on the differences, and that's another thing we humans have in common.
52 Allow your partner the space to be themselves
I think I do have this allowance to be myself. My wife wants to be a Tai Tai. Sorry dear.
53 Be nice
Yes. It's not so hard, is it?
54 You want to do what?
This Rule is about being willing to let your partner try crazy things. Neither my wife nor I are that type though.
55 Be the first to say sorry
It's always me so far.
56 Go that extra step in trying to please them
This is sorely lacking for me. Extra step takes effort. Got to put in more attention to this.
57 Always have someone – or something – that is pleased to see you
Children.
58 Know when to listen and when to act
I don't mind listening. But I prefer my wife to turn that into action (do something about it). My wife actually acts (by giving her opinion) more than she listens, but I prefer that.
59 Have a passion for your life together
We are improving on this, I think. I feel this one grew over time for me.
60 Make sure your love making is making love
Hmmmmmm.
61 Keep talking
Yes. No silent treatment please.
62 Respect privacy
No problems in this as well.
63 Check you both have the same shared goals
I've checked this. Our goals are still mutually updated. We will retire at 50+ and go into freelance/volunteer work together.
64 Treat your partner better than your best friend
Yes. I guess I'm well-trained by my wife on this.
65 Contentment is a high aim
This one is funny. Richard Templar says that most people just want to be happy, without realising that being happy is one of the impossible goals of life. Contentment is good and hard enough.
66 You don’t both have to have the same rules
I see.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Rules of Life IV

I've finished the Rules of Life for the Self. These are my reflections for the rest of them.

29 Get used to stepping outside your comfort zone
This one is about stretching yourself. If you don't do that, you will be weak when changes come. Tough for me, but really part of my current job. SO I guess I am already in this rule whether I like it or not. Plus I do have the crazy habit of always giving impossible challenges to myself.
30 Learn to ask questions
Don't assume. The best relationship advice one can always give. And probably the one that is often unheeded.
31 Have dignity
Look dignified. This one is not a big deal for me. But I guess it is one of those things where you only feel the loss when you lose it.
32 It’s OK to feel big emotions
This is one of those rules where Richard Templar tells you that it's OK. Thanks!
33 Keep the faith
Amen for me. I won't be in this business of transformation if I don;t have faith.
34 You’ll never understand everything
This one is a timely advice for me. I keep feeling I have to know everything, and I guess Templar should tell me it's OK too for this one.
35 Know where true happiness comes from
This one is very insightful. He says that feelings is what you brought along in different situations. It is not inherent in the situations. Those feelings were caused by you and hence happiness comes from yourself.
36 Know when to let go – when to walk away
Yet another tough and sound advice. This one comes with life experiences. You cannot develop such wisdom and good judgment with some hard knocks in life.
37 Look after yourself
Health. Aurghh. Alright.
38 Maintain good manners in all things
Yes. No reason why we cannot be civil and polite.
39 Prune your stuff frequently
Get rid of your mess. This is one thing I've always fail to abide. I enjoy the luxury of this at home because my wife clears the old stuff for me. But my office is an epic fail.
40 Remember to touch base
Know the place where is your strength where you can restart if you need to. I need to start thinking about this as I venture forward.
41 Draw the lines around yourself
This Rule is really well written. My favorite paragraph:
"The more secure you become with your boundaries, the less power other people will have to affect you. The more clearly defined your boundaries, the more you realize that other people's stuff is more to do with them and less to do with you - you stop taking things so personally." - Richard Templar
42 Shop for quality, not price
This is sound advice I wish I learned earlier. I am a sucker for bargain, but settling for second best always comes back to bite you in the ass.
43 It’s OK to worry, or to know how not to
Richard Templar says that if you want to worry about something, then do something about that thing. If it does not lead to concrete action, quit worrying.
In the Sermon on the Mount, I've finally figured out Jesus' message. Jesus is saying that life should never be reduced into concerns about food and clothing. These are the concerns of pagans. Life should be a dedication to the kingdom of God. I think this is the true message of that passage.
44 Stay young
He means think young. Well, we'll see.
45 Throwing money at a problem doesn’t always work
But of course. Unfortunately, the Singapore government thinks otherwise. The emphasis of course in on the word always. Money does work quite often.
46 Think for yourself
Make your own judgment. Be your own person. That's me alright.
47 You are not in charge
I am not a control freak. :)
48 Have something in your life that takes you out of yourself
Something that lifts you out of all your concerns. For me, it is my wife. When the going gets tough, I think about her and I feel fine.
49 Only the good feel guilty
This is Templar telling you that it is OK to feel guilty. Just do something about it. Concrete stuff.
50 If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all
This is definitely not an issue for me. I always look at the good side of things and people. If only more people learn this one.

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Rules of Life III

I tried to finish 15 rules this time to catch up with my schedule (of 10 per day), but I am so exhausted, I could only do 13.

16 Change what you can change, let go of the rest
This is a rule that is seriously unappreciated by many. I commented to my wife upon reading this that I now understand why I am happy and some of my friends are not. I abide by many of these rules, while many of them always live in the past or find faults in life. I am able to tell what is within my control and therefore I am much happier.
17 Aim to be the very best at everything you do – not second best
This is definitely not me. I am an Aristotle not a Plato. But Templar is talking about setting the best realistic target. Still, how can anyone know what is the limit for "best"?
18 Don’t be afraid to dream
Yes. I am not afraid.
19 Don’t dwell on the past
Tough on this one. Like I said earlier, I am trying my best. This one is a Rule for me and I am always mindful of it. It is just very difficult to control one's thoughts.
20 Don’t live in the future
Yes. I have only one problem with this. I really enjoy thinking about retirement. :)
21 Get on with life – it’s whooshing past
Yes, yes, yes! On my way!
22 Dress like today is important
Oh man, this is like the total opposite of me. I like being overlooked and underestimated. Well, no harm giving it a good try though.
23 Have a belief system
Ka-Ching!
24 Have a little space for yourself each day
This one is the biggest surprise for me. I have never heard of this. You are supposed to have 10-30 min to yourself per day, DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Just enjoy your existence. Very interesting. I may just try it.
25 Have a plan
Yes. Very me.
26 Have a sense of humour
Yes. I could only wish that more people take this seriously, and stop taking themselves so seriously. Be serious about not taking yourself too seriously. Kind of ironic?
27 Choose how you make your bed
Yes. I have chosen, and I like it. :)
28 Life can be a bit like advertising
"Someone once said that half of the money he spent on advertising was wasted but he didn't know which half. His point was of course that if you can't tell which half, then you have to keep on doing the whole lot, fully aware that not all of it will produce rewards. Life is a bit like that." - Richard Templar
This is a really good way to look at life. I think it will help me also let go of my regrets. I am definitely going to apply this one.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Being Congruent in Life

I do personality analysis for some of my church members using TJTA and the PFP (which is a combination of DISC and MBTI). One of the advantage of TJTA is that it is cheaper since we process the information ourselves and hence we also do cross-analysis (you analyse yourself and your partner also analyse you). For some people, this can lead to a very interesting result. The person can be scored high on a temperament but be scored low by his partner or vice versa. Why is this so? It is usually either of 2 reasons:
a. There is a problem in communication. The person may think he is like this, but the image received by others is that he is really like that. Like all problems in communication, it could be a problem with the communicator or the receiver or both.
b. The person chooses to behave very differently for different situations or towards different groups of people.

Though reason b is somewhat understandable, I don't think that it is what is best for a person's mental health. It is tough to play two roles in life, and it is even scarier is one of the role is only an act but not really owned. I'll advice, "Choose what you like to be and truly be yourself."

This poem quoted by Eugene Peterson from Gerard Manley Hopkins is truly very beautiful and true. An online analysis.

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies dráw fláme;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves - goes itself; myself it speak and spells,
Crying Whát I do is me: for that I came.

Í say móre: the just man justices;
Kéeps grace: thát keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is -
Chríst - for Christ play in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Rules of Life II

Man, I'm failing my resolutions even less than a week into the new year. The constant pounding of my office walls for toilet renovations is making work impossible. And I failed to finish even 10 of the rules.

11 Be the last to raise your voice
- This one is easy for me. I am never the shouty type. However, it did triggered a frightening experience for me. The West Coast Plaza had a kiddy train ride during the pre-Christmas season. The stupid thing about this was that it closed at 8pm, where most families barely finished their shopping or dinner. And this was not really clear to anyone, no signs, nothing. I myself learned it the hard way missing the ride by 10 min, well, my kids missed it to be exact. So one night, one family missed the ride by a few minutes. Apparently, they purposely spent more than $120 in order to enjoy the benefits which include the train ride. That was quite a common mentality, because I had just done the same 2 nights before. Guess what, the mother went on a howling rage on the service staff at the service counter. 3 receptionists and later 2 train operators stood there trying to calm down the lady while she shouted at the top of her voice at them at the stupidity of the system and the disappointment that her boy had to face. I am deeply fearful of crazy women, and so I quickly brought my family home.
- My thoughts are: What's the point? It is not like those low level staff can do anything about it. It is the management's decision which probably goes somewhere to some rotting brain at the higher levels of Far East. I don't understand it either. The empty shop spaces, the lousy 1 hour free parking system at only specific times, and the badly managed Christmas cheer. Why can't they just learn from Capitaland?
12 Be your own adviser
- This one talks about listening to your intuitions and conscience. It's like Blink. I am not sure about the wisdom of this one.
13 No fear, no surprise, no hesitation, no doubt
This one is important. I need to cultivate this more. I admire courage in a person.
14 I wish I’d done that – and I will
No regrets, just do it. This one is hard for me. Somehow, I always have regrets. It goes back to Rule 3: Accept what is done is done. The only consolation is that I am deeply mindful of this matter. I just always wish I had not done some stuff, or that I had done some things better.
15 Count to ten – or recite ‘Baa baa black sheep’
- Extremely good discipline. This one controls impulsiveness. I will try this out more often. I think I can do it.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Review: Rules of Life I

I'm currently reading Richard Templar's Rules of Life. I usually only give my thoughts at the end of the book, but this one has 100 rules and I'm afraid I might lose my thoughts at the end of everything. I am deliberately pacing myself, so I will only cover 10 rules a day to allow more them for reflection.

Rules for You

1 Keep it under your hat
- This one may be too hard for me. I guess the point is not to be bragging about it. But I'm the educator type.
2 You’ll get older but not necessarily wiser
- This one is very insightful. You don't make fewer mistakes in life as you get older. You learn how to get out of them with less damage.
3 Accept what is done is done
- Yes. I'm halfway there.
4 Accept yourself
- This one is practically my motto of life.
5 Know what counts and what doesn’t
- Yes, this one almost complete.
6 Dedicate your life to something
- This one too. I think I will die happy knowing that I've accomplish this.
7 Be flexible in your thinking
- I don't know about this. I feel I'm flexible, but it is better to let others judge about this.
8 Take an interest in the outside world
- This one is a recent development for me after I ventured into BGG-RSP. I think I'll say that I'm almost complete on this one too.
9 Be on the side of the angels, not the beasts
- I failed this rule the most. I cannot shake off my beastly side. I get angry too often. Looks like a personal development project for this year.
10 Only dead fish swim with the stream
- Yes. Almost complete.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Year End Reflection 2009

This was my Year End Reflection for 2008. I had intended to do this for 2009 soon after the new year resolutions, but it has been really busy. Well, better late than never.

1. Sermon Series. We did 3 series. Judges was very good. We did succeed in approaching the text from many angles of humanity, like power, burdens and revenge. The feedback was very good and I'm glad we were thorough and insightful about the entire thing. As for 1 John, I didn't think that it was as ground-breaking as Judges. But it was unexpectedly tough given the usual concepts of love, light and life. The shocker was just how radical and polemic John is. In the end, I think it was a really good challenge just to be able to deliver the forceful tone of John. The I AM sayings of John was a pleasant surprise. One would think that such topics would be too familiar. But I took pains to give them a fresh perspective and I think on my part it was highly rewarding. Overall, the sermons of 2009 were highly successful and I think my maturity on this discipline is up to the next level.

2. Ministry. The feedback on the Youth teachings were very good. I covered Exodus, Acts and Ephesians. I approached Acts in a different way this time. Instead of doing a chronological expansion of the kingdom style, I did a evolution of the gospel style (focusing on all the long sermons). As for Ephesians, I don't think I did a great job since it was just my first try on a tough book. But I did covered everything in Tom Wright's Everybody commentary to the youths, and that's at least passable. I also covered Exodus which I really liked. I used Eugene Peterson's Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places as a reflection on Exodus, and I think the honesty really paid off.
I think that the bilingual service band really improved in terms of cohesion this year. I worked a lot on concepts like how to complement one another and I think it is getting more ingrained into them each time. I will give it another year before I hand it over to my successors. I also trained up 2 guitarists and 1 bassists. I believe this is the biggest success I ever had in training up musicians. I had only half a year with them and they are now passable. I believe the fact that they are willing to practice played a big part in their own rapid improvement.
Choir is like 2 steps forward, 2 steps back. I feel that I'm progressing in some areas, but I also feel some unexpected resistance in some areas. I need more wisdom in this matter.

3. Special projects. Youth Camp was a great success. I think the theme (Meaning of life) really came through this time and D gave a very well contained message. I had wished for more interaction with philosophers like Russell, but that would be wishing for the stars.
Candlelight service is also a success by my standards. We had wished to create a complete trilogy and the testimonial theme was successfully implemented. My wife says that it was boring, but well, there are some things beyond my control.
Family Day was ok. I had to oblige to some over-enthusiasm. I hate to do a "I told you so", but I just have to let some things be learned the hard way.

4. Synod. I've tried. I'm tired.

5. Family. We are doing fine. It has been 7 years of marriage and we are going strong. Work is a pain on family commitments and personal mental health. We'll see if this year works out better. Zecky is growing very well in all areas but now also very mischievous. He is just too adorable to discipline, dammit. Becky is maturing very well too. The important developments like character building will really take a lot of time to nurture. I'll have to work in a schedule on that.

6. Personal. I'm happy and progressing just like last year end. I'm growing at least double or triple the pace of others because of work needs, but it is still very far from ideal. Tough.