These are my 2008 resolutions. It's a good thing that I now have this blog to keep track of everything.
1. On my music, I think it only worked for about 3 months. It was not too bad as I tried to learn some riffs. I will try to complete this by this year.
2. The praise and worship band improved a lot by my own standards. I have drilled in some key concepts. Now what I need is more effort for one more year.
3. I think I had most success on the reading habit thing. I finished quite a few books. This will continue for the new year.
4. This blog is also getting better. This project is basically just a discipline to get me to write everyday. I think that really helped in helping me collate a bunch of online resources that will help me one day.
5. The GAME 2007 is totally dead. I have given up all hope of finishing that. That's a pity but truly inevitable. 60 coding systems is just too much for anyone.
For next year 2010,
1. Continue the 1,2,3,4 of 2009. They will just become permanent disciplines of my life. I do need to train up a proper successor for 2 though.
2. Now that I have largely given up BGG-RSP I need a new reading habit at work. I will start reading my office books. That will knock off a lot of my ignorance on matters important.
3. Plan a monthly Family Day. This should be an achievable target. Set aside one day per month for something extra. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
4. One new discipline for work, one for family, I need one for myself. How about finishing the sermon one week in advance? One can always dream big!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wedding Sermon V
The House of Wisdom
Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls
from the highest point of the city.
4 "Let all who are simple come in here!"
she says to those who lack judgment.
5 "Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of understanding.
It is a joy and an honor today to speak at the wedding ceremony of L and M. I have known them since my days as a youth and I am happy to see them step forth onto a new phase in life. L and I go way back. He was my very first bass student back in the days when I was figuring out bass for myself. And because he had me as his teacher, I knew even then back in those days that he was obviously not very good in selecting guidance. Yet, we find him today, a mature and respectable young man with a promising future. How can this be? Since I am speaking on Proverbs today, I believe there is a saying that goes: behind every successful man… … I’m sorry, my memory is failing me these days. But thankfully, we now have the ever reliable internet to inform us on matters big and small.
These are my online findings. Apparently, there are various ways to end the saying. There is a thought-provoking one: Behind every successful man, there are a lot of unsuccessful years. That coincides with Proverbs 14:23 “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk only leads to poverty.” That’s one way to end the saying. There is also a sad one. Behind every successful man is a woman – who keeps asking him when he will come home for dinner. This reflects the cost of success in a global city life. I found a funny one that says: Behind every successful man stands a woman and the IRS, or in the Singapore context, the IRAS. One takes the credit, the other takes the cash. But the one that tops them all is the quote from ex-American Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. He says, “Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law.”
The saying I’m actually looking for is of course, behind every successful man is a woman. M is a wonderful influence in the lives of those around her, and I think L is a living testimony of that truth. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson from the movie As Good As it Gets, she has a quality that makes you want to be a better person. So I asked myself, what can we expect from the union of these two wonderful people? They have battled through the years of discipleship in Jubilee and the test of a lengthy period of dating. I think that there is much that they can offer as spiritual leaders to the youths under their charge and also as forerunners being one of the earliest among their peers to be married. And therefore L and M, this is why I have chosen today’s passage on Wisdom as a vision for what your marriage should exemplify.
I understand that you have not bought your own place to stay. But where HDB has failed you, I can alleviate the situation for you. I will now give you some pointers on how to build a house. First, make sure you have your seven pillars for the house. These seven pillars represent completeness and stability. Getting these seven pillars will not be easy. Though you have come a long way, you have to continue your commitment so that what you build has strength and character. There will be some lousy contractors out there that are undisciplined and without knowledge (9:13). They will tell you to take the easy way out by using lousy materials. They use tiles known as "assume too much" and bricks that are called "take things for granted". They will corrode the house that you are building. The last time I tried this tile called "assume too much", my bedroom got drenched with spousal unhappiness mildew and I had to sleep on the couch for a week. Many in the world also give bad advice, “Stolen water is sweet; food eat in secret is delicious!” (9:17) Tiger Woods used some of this advice and last I heard his house is splitting into two. The reality is often “Garbage in-Garbage out”. If you do not take time and effort to put good stuff into your house, time will show that your house will be unsafe to live in.
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” (14:1) You can decide for yourselves which seven pillars you want for your house. A pillar of family ties, a pillar of brothers and sisters in Christ, a pillar of spiritual understanding, a pillar of mutual service and so on. The bottom-line is that a house with seven pillars indicates that you want it to be a magnificent and solid construction. And I hope this is the proud display that you will show to those whom you can influence. It is a house that can weather storms and quakes. It is a house that is a labor of love. It is a house that others can take refuge in.
Though we can see that such a house would be a comforting and secure place to live in, the purpose of building this house is not only for your private enjoyment. As members who have benefited much from this community, I hope that you also have the generosity to share this place with others eager to learn. But you can tell that it takes time to prepare. The house of Wisdom is a busy one when it invites others into its place. It needs to cook the food, to set the table and send out the messengers. (9:2-3) It is preparing a sumptuous feast. To do likewise will take sacrifice on your part. You have to bear the fruits of a healthy relationship, like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). These are good things people can partake in. But without this diligent preparation, you will only have dubious things to offer. Those who eat at the house of Folly die of malnutrition or food poisoning.
The writers of Proverbs are wise because they know from the observation of life that the Lord has placed his laws into the world. There are right things to do and right decisions to make that will lead to a rewarding life. Scoffers and mockers who despise the will of God suffer at their own peril. L and M, let your marriage be a positive sign to others. Through the way you conduct your marital relationship, you show that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (9:10)
In the world today, there are many voices out there each claiming to be the voice of truth. As a pastor, I have reasons to be concerned about the future of our youth. It brings great joy to me to see L and M, beloved youth cell leaders, now joining the ranks of those giving a good testimony to Christian marriage. Let this be a marriage that treasures faithfulness, romance and above all a deep relationship with God. I will pray for you that the rich blessings of our Heavenly Father be upon you and indeed this house that you build be a bountiful blessing to those who follow.
Proverbs 9
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn out its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls
from the highest point of the city.
4 "Let all who are simple come in here!"
she says to those who lack judgment.
5 "Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of understanding.
It is a joy and an honor today to speak at the wedding ceremony of L and M. I have known them since my days as a youth and I am happy to see them step forth onto a new phase in life. L and I go way back. He was my very first bass student back in the days when I was figuring out bass for myself. And because he had me as his teacher, I knew even then back in those days that he was obviously not very good in selecting guidance. Yet, we find him today, a mature and respectable young man with a promising future. How can this be? Since I am speaking on Proverbs today, I believe there is a saying that goes: behind every successful man… … I’m sorry, my memory is failing me these days. But thankfully, we now have the ever reliable internet to inform us on matters big and small.
These are my online findings. Apparently, there are various ways to end the saying. There is a thought-provoking one: Behind every successful man, there are a lot of unsuccessful years. That coincides with Proverbs 14:23 “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk only leads to poverty.” That’s one way to end the saying. There is also a sad one. Behind every successful man is a woman – who keeps asking him when he will come home for dinner. This reflects the cost of success in a global city life. I found a funny one that says: Behind every successful man stands a woman and the IRS, or in the Singapore context, the IRAS. One takes the credit, the other takes the cash. But the one that tops them all is the quote from ex-American Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. He says, “Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law.”
The saying I’m actually looking for is of course, behind every successful man is a woman. M is a wonderful influence in the lives of those around her, and I think L is a living testimony of that truth. To paraphrase Jack Nicholson from the movie As Good As it Gets, she has a quality that makes you want to be a better person. So I asked myself, what can we expect from the union of these two wonderful people? They have battled through the years of discipleship in Jubilee and the test of a lengthy period of dating. I think that there is much that they can offer as spiritual leaders to the youths under their charge and also as forerunners being one of the earliest among their peers to be married. And therefore L and M, this is why I have chosen today’s passage on Wisdom as a vision for what your marriage should exemplify.
I understand that you have not bought your own place to stay. But where HDB has failed you, I can alleviate the situation for you. I will now give you some pointers on how to build a house. First, make sure you have your seven pillars for the house. These seven pillars represent completeness and stability. Getting these seven pillars will not be easy. Though you have come a long way, you have to continue your commitment so that what you build has strength and character. There will be some lousy contractors out there that are undisciplined and without knowledge (9:13). They will tell you to take the easy way out by using lousy materials. They use tiles known as "assume too much" and bricks that are called "take things for granted". They will corrode the house that you are building. The last time I tried this tile called "assume too much", my bedroom got drenched with spousal unhappiness mildew and I had to sleep on the couch for a week. Many in the world also give bad advice, “Stolen water is sweet; food eat in secret is delicious!” (9:17) Tiger Woods used some of this advice and last I heard his house is splitting into two. The reality is often “Garbage in-Garbage out”. If you do not take time and effort to put good stuff into your house, time will show that your house will be unsafe to live in.
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” (14:1) You can decide for yourselves which seven pillars you want for your house. A pillar of family ties, a pillar of brothers and sisters in Christ, a pillar of spiritual understanding, a pillar of mutual service and so on. The bottom-line is that a house with seven pillars indicates that you want it to be a magnificent and solid construction. And I hope this is the proud display that you will show to those whom you can influence. It is a house that can weather storms and quakes. It is a house that is a labor of love. It is a house that others can take refuge in.
Though we can see that such a house would be a comforting and secure place to live in, the purpose of building this house is not only for your private enjoyment. As members who have benefited much from this community, I hope that you also have the generosity to share this place with others eager to learn. But you can tell that it takes time to prepare. The house of Wisdom is a busy one when it invites others into its place. It needs to cook the food, to set the table and send out the messengers. (9:2-3) It is preparing a sumptuous feast. To do likewise will take sacrifice on your part. You have to bear the fruits of a healthy relationship, like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22). These are good things people can partake in. But without this diligent preparation, you will only have dubious things to offer. Those who eat at the house of Folly die of malnutrition or food poisoning.
The writers of Proverbs are wise because they know from the observation of life that the Lord has placed his laws into the world. There are right things to do and right decisions to make that will lead to a rewarding life. Scoffers and mockers who despise the will of God suffer at their own peril. L and M, let your marriage be a positive sign to others. Through the way you conduct your marital relationship, you show that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (9:10)
In the world today, there are many voices out there each claiming to be the voice of truth. As a pastor, I have reasons to be concerned about the future of our youth. It brings great joy to me to see L and M, beloved youth cell leaders, now joining the ranks of those giving a good testimony to Christian marriage. Let this be a marriage that treasures faithfulness, romance and above all a deep relationship with God. I will pray for you that the rich blessings of our Heavenly Father be upon you and indeed this house that you build be a bountiful blessing to those who follow.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Review: The Year of Living Biblically
I bought this book, The Year of Living Biblically, by A.J. Jacobs out of fun. The premise of a person's quest to live out the bible literally for a year is just too hard to miss. I enjoy humor, and I think the book would be good for learning what is wrong with religious fundamentalism.
It turns out that I got way more than what I have bargained for. This book is probably one of the best book on religion I've ever read, and I've read quite a bit. The reason for this high praise is because this book is right up my alley on what religious reflection is about. It is about a honest and sincere attempt to understand. I love the short stories on the many different adventures with the different laws and the author's conclusion about them. They are written with wit and wisdom. I also love the fact that he is Jewish and agnostic and the difficult journey he took to reconcile himself with his ancestors' faith.
This is a book for everyone.
It turns out that I got way more than what I have bargained for. This book is probably one of the best book on religion I've ever read, and I've read quite a bit. The reason for this high praise is because this book is right up my alley on what religious reflection is about. It is about a honest and sincere attempt to understand. I love the short stories on the many different adventures with the different laws and the author's conclusion about them. They are written with wit and wisdom. I also love the fact that he is Jewish and agnostic and the difficult journey he took to reconcile himself with his ancestors' faith.
This is a book for everyone.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Carlin and the Ten Commandments
This is what I use to start my youth teachings on the Ten Commandments. The reason I do this is to let my students see what could be a reasonable way to critique them using humor and atheism. I then discuss what I think to be fair comments (it was a marketing decision), what are some common misconceptions (it is 10 "words", not 10 "commandments") and why we still hold high respect for them today (Jesus' summary of the Law).
Thursday, December 17, 2009
My Top 10 Comedians
This post is along the same idea as Rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Top being the funniest:
1. George Carlin
2. Lewis Black
3. Bill Cosby
4. Jerry Seinfeld
5. Ray Romano
6. Jeff Foxworthy
7. Chris Rock
8. Richard Pryor
9. Bill Hicks
10. Bob Newhart
Some of their materials are on Youtube, especially Carlin's, and I highly recommend them.
Comedians I've tried but don't like:
1. Margaret Cho
2. Larry the Cable Guy
3. Carrot Top
Those that I've failed to mention, either I've not heard them or I find them just OK.
Top being the funniest:
1. George Carlin
2. Lewis Black
3. Bill Cosby
4. Jerry Seinfeld
5. Ray Romano
6. Jeff Foxworthy
7. Chris Rock
8. Richard Pryor
9. Bill Hicks
10. Bob Newhart
Some of their materials are on Youtube, especially Carlin's, and I highly recommend them.
Comedians I've tried but don't like:
1. Margaret Cho
2. Larry the Cable Guy
3. Carrot Top
Those that I've failed to mention, either I've not heard them or I find them just OK.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It's back to the Wild Wild West
Next year's camp committee will be made up of 7 guys. So I suggested one of my favorite movies as the camp theme. Turns out nobody else has ever seen this great film. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
6 Ways to the Meaning of Life
This year's youth camp is based on wisdom literature, and hence we will talk about the meaning of life. For the 6 sharing groups, we have each given them a quote representing a point of view about life.
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world. - Vance Havner
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. - Victor Hugo
Only a life lived for others is worth living. - Albert Einstein
Which best describes your view?
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world. - Vance Havner
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. - Victor Hugo
Only a life lived for others is worth living. - Albert Einstein
Which best describes your view?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I've told you again and again!
My church elder shared this with the congregation last Sunday. I think many of the elderly really liked it. Personally, I doubt it has the same effect with the youths. As for my own thoughts, I would differentiate between innocent repetition or intentional repetition. If it is innocent (like a child or senile), impatience is naturally and rightly considered the insensitive response. But sadly, it often is not. The repetition comes because the elderly think they know better, and this clip IMHO belongs to the same shade.
Still, give your parents a hug!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Review: Letters to Sam
I read the subtitle and knew instantly that this is a must-buy for me. "A grandfather's lessons on love, loss and the gifts of life." I have always been a fan of life lessons written in a mellowed way. Something like Tuesdays with Morrie.
It turns out that this book Letters to Sam is even better than its premise. The grandfather Daniel Gottlieb is a psychologist with a disability, and the target of his letters (life lessons) is his grandson who is autistic. So this book has the depth of someone well-trained in psychology. It is also a life that has been through a lot. And the target audience is someone whom truly needs empathy. The combination of all these factors resulted in a very moving book that teaches with great insights about life.
I lent this book to a friend who had a stroke. And he found it really helpful to him. This I believe is his favorite lesson:
"Sam, I want you to know that being different is not a problem. It is just being different. But feeling different is a problem. When you feel different, the feeling can actually change the way you see the world
... ... ...
Your different-ness and my different-ness are just facts. Sometimes what we do with our minds turns those facts into pain, and sometimes we can just treat them as facts, acknowledging them but not feeling them. But the more you feel your different-ness, the more lonely you will feel."
It turns out that this book Letters to Sam is even better than its premise. The grandfather Daniel Gottlieb is a psychologist with a disability, and the target of his letters (life lessons) is his grandson who is autistic. So this book has the depth of someone well-trained in psychology. It is also a life that has been through a lot. And the target audience is someone whom truly needs empathy. The combination of all these factors resulted in a very moving book that teaches with great insights about life.
I lent this book to a friend who had a stroke. And he found it really helpful to him. This I believe is his favorite lesson:
"Sam, I want you to know that being different is not a problem. It is just being different. But feeling different is a problem. When you feel different, the feeling can actually change the way you see the world
... ... ...
Your different-ness and my different-ness are just facts. Sometimes what we do with our minds turns those facts into pain, and sometimes we can just treat them as facts, acknowledging them but not feeling them. But the more you feel your different-ness, the more lonely you will feel."
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
On Death
人固有一死，死有重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛，用之所趋异也。太上不辱先，其次不辱身，其次不辱理色，其次不辱辞令，其次诎体受辱，其次易服受辱，其次关木索被棰楚受辱，其次鬄毛发婴金铁受辱，其次毁肌肤断支体受辱，最下腐刑，极矣。
人总有一死，有的人(死得)比泰山还重，有的人(死得)比鸿毛还要轻，这是由于应用死节的地方不同的缘故。最上一等是不辱没先人，其次是不辱没自己，其次是颜面上不受辱，其次是辞令上不受辱，其次是被囚系受辱，其次是换上囚服受辱，其次是戴上刑具、挨打受辱，其次是剃掉头发、以铁索束颈受辱，其次是毁伤肌肤、断残肢体受辱，最下一等是遭腐刑，到极点了!
西汉元封元年，汉武帝第一次封禅泰山，司马迁的父亲作为史官，本应来泰山参加封禅，但是他却因故留在洛阳。他对参加封禅视为他政治生命中的一件大事。不能东行参加封禅大典，令他异常遗憾和失望，终于忧锁成疾，卧床不起。
这时，恰好司马迁外游归来与父亲相见，于是他握着司马迁的手流着泪说：“我们的祖先是周朝的官吏，远祖还有大功于夏，是百官之长，后世逐渐衰弱，难道天将灭绝于我吗？你如果能继任太史官职，那就能继承祖业了。现在汉朝的天子继承了数千年来封禅泰山的大统，封禅于泰山，而我却不能随行，这是命中注定的呀！我死之后，你一定会继任太史官职的，做了太史不要忘了我所渴望的著书立说的意愿。”
司马迁从父亲的言谈话语之中看出参加封禅泰山的大典对光宗耀祖是何等重要。司马迁没有辜负父亲的愿望，即使在受了宫刑之后，仍矢志不移，决心忍辱完成父亲未竞之业。他在给好友任安的《报任安书》中，表达了他受刑之后的痛苦心情，并提到写作《史记》的意图和完成的决心。就在这篇著名的书信之中，司马迁把泰山融入千古名句：“人固有一死，或重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛，用之所趋异也。”
封禅释义
人总有一死，有的人(死得)比泰山还重，有的人(死得)比鸿毛还要轻，这是由于应用死节的地方不同的缘故。最上一等是不辱没先人，其次是不辱没自己，其次是颜面上不受辱，其次是辞令上不受辱，其次是被囚系受辱，其次是换上囚服受辱，其次是戴上刑具、挨打受辱，其次是剃掉头发、以铁索束颈受辱，其次是毁伤肌肤、断残肢体受辱，最下一等是遭腐刑，到极点了!
西汉元封元年，汉武帝第一次封禅泰山，司马迁的父亲作为史官，本应来泰山参加封禅，但是他却因故留在洛阳。他对参加封禅视为他政治生命中的一件大事。不能东行参加封禅大典，令他异常遗憾和失望，终于忧锁成疾，卧床不起。
这时，恰好司马迁外游归来与父亲相见，于是他握着司马迁的手流着泪说：“我们的祖先是周朝的官吏，远祖还有大功于夏，是百官之长，后世逐渐衰弱，难道天将灭绝于我吗？你如果能继任太史官职，那就能继承祖业了。现在汉朝的天子继承了数千年来封禅泰山的大统，封禅于泰山，而我却不能随行，这是命中注定的呀！我死之后，你一定会继任太史官职的，做了太史不要忘了我所渴望的著书立说的意愿。”
司马迁从父亲的言谈话语之中看出参加封禅泰山的大典对光宗耀祖是何等重要。司马迁没有辜负父亲的愿望，即使在受了宫刑之后，仍矢志不移，决心忍辱完成父亲未竞之业。他在给好友任安的《报任安书》中，表达了他受刑之后的痛苦心情，并提到写作《史记》的意图和完成的决心。就在这篇著名的书信之中，司马迁把泰山融入千古名句：“人固有一死，或重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛，用之所趋异也。”
封禅释义
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
FFoB 15: The dangers of female wrestling
One of the most perplexing law in the bible is this one in Deuteronomy 25:11-12.
11 If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.
Of course this is only a real issue if this law is applied literally. Studies have revealed that most of the physical punishments of the OT laws can be mitigated using monetary compensation. You can check out a common and well detailed understanding I found online here and here.
But why the harshness? Loren Rosson argues that it is the issue of shame.
If you want to know other Fun Facts of the Bible...
11 If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.
Of course this is only a real issue if this law is applied literally. Studies have revealed that most of the physical punishments of the OT laws can be mitigated using monetary compensation. You can check out a common and well detailed understanding I found online here and here.
But why the harshness? Loren Rosson argues that it is the issue of shame.
If you want to know other Fun Facts of the Bible...
Monday, December 07, 2009
FFoB 14: Why we should not swear
I found another fun fact of the bible when I was reading some comments in Christendom. Apparently, in Genesis 24:2, 47:29, it was customary at that time to swear by placing the hand on the other person's genitals.
Genesis 24:2 "He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh." NIV
Genesis 47:29 "When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt," NIV
"Sometimes, as in this case, a gesture is added to the oath. The gesture usually is symbolic of the task to be performed by the oath taker. For instance, by placing his hand inside Abraham's thigh (in the vicinity of or on the genitals), the servant ties his oath of obedience to the acquisition of a wife for Isaac and thus the perpetuation of Abraham's line." - The IVP Bible Background Commentary: OT p.55
Genesis 24:2 "He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh." NIV
Genesis 47:29 "When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt," NIV
"Sometimes, as in this case, a gesture is added to the oath. The gesture usually is symbolic of the task to be performed by the oath taker. For instance, by placing his hand inside Abraham's thigh (in the vicinity of or on the genitals), the servant ties his oath of obedience to the acquisition of a wife for Isaac and thus the perpetuation of Abraham's line." - The IVP Bible Background Commentary: OT p.55
Friday, December 04, 2009
The Biblical Marva Dawn
I am slowly readings through Morning by Morning which is a devotional book based on the writings of Marva Dawn. While I'm been exposed to her books on worship, I did not realize until recently that she also has systematic reflections based on the bible. For your convenience, these are the biblical books she has covered:
Psalms - I'm Lonely and My Soul Waits
Romans 12 - Truly the Community
Isaiah 40 - To Walk and not Faint
Revelations - Joy in our Weakness
Psalms - I'm Lonely and My Soul Waits
Romans 12 - Truly the Community
Isaiah 40 - To Walk and not Faint
Revelations - Joy in our Weakness
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Review: Grave of the Fireflies
3 words: Big Manly Tears. You have been warned.
Last year, I found a very good deal at either TS or Poh Kim. Basically, it is 6 Studio Ghibli films for only $20. Inside there is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday and Grave of the Fireflies. The first 4 films are all wonderful, highly imaginative films that makes you wish you can fly. They also include the common themes of innocence, environment protection and courage. Only Yesterday is a sweet story about a lady trip down memory lane back to her hometown.
However, Grave of the Fireflies belong to another world all together. It is a slow haunting tale about WWII based on the experiences of 2 little Japanese children. I had previously talked about war films and Letters from Iwo Jima. This animation is along the same vein with nothing that feels in-your-face. It has no great powerful scenes like Pearl Harbor, but trust me, it knocks you out more powerfully with its message about what happens to the little people.
Rowland says it well: "In my mind it's really hard to declare anything a "victory" when you've accidentally killed a bunch of little kids in the process."
Last year, I found a very good deal at either TS or Poh Kim. Basically, it is 6 Studio Ghibli films for only $20. Inside there is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Only Yesterday and Grave of the Fireflies. The first 4 films are all wonderful, highly imaginative films that makes you wish you can fly. They also include the common themes of innocence, environment protection and courage. Only Yesterday is a sweet story about a lady trip down memory lane back to her hometown.
However, Grave of the Fireflies belong to another world all together. It is a slow haunting tale about WWII based on the experiences of 2 little Japanese children. I had previously talked about war films and Letters from Iwo Jima. This animation is along the same vein with nothing that feels in-your-face. It has no great powerful scenes like Pearl Harbor, but trust me, it knocks you out more powerfully with its message about what happens to the little people.
Rowland says it well: "In my mind it's really hard to declare anything a "victory" when you've accidentally killed a bunch of little kids in the process."
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