The Weiling Wall in Old Jerusalem City, which I had the privilege of visiting in 2007, is full of pieces of papers containing prayers of worshippers of God, irrespective of their religion but mainly from the Jews. These private prayers are collected periodically and are buried in the Mount of Olives.
One such paper did not make it to Mount of Olive. It was stolen from the Western Wall in July 2008 and was published by a local Israelist newspaper, which contains the following prayer:
"Lord - Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.
The writer of this piece of paper is Barack Obama, now the 44th President of the United States of America.
There was no official protest from Obama or his political team at the time of its publication, as he was the Democratic nominee for the Presidency. Was this intended as a public prayer for public office?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Made For Bigger Things
When I was climbing up the corporate ladder, particularly beginning the late 1980s culmulating in the early 2000s, I had this infamous phrase which was known to all my colleagues and bosses... "I am made for bigger things".
Indeed, that spurred me on and I was lucky to have encoutered the opportunities to expand my roles until attaining the pinnacle of my career, as the expat MD of a MNC based in Thailand.
"Made for bigger things" meant the accomplishments of bigger roles, which came with the commensurate bigger power, rewards and recognition. Along the way, and over the years, I must have impacted some positive influence on many young people's career development and enhancement.
Post retirement, I have come across two more quality phrases...."Made for Significance" by Dr Randolph Walters and "Made for Goodness" by Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1984 from South Africa.
Dr Randolph defines "Success without significance is empty self-centredness." Significance suggests value and it connects ourselves with the sense of our humanity.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu says, "Goodness changes the way we see the world, the way we see others, and, most importantly, the way we see ourselves. It affects how we treat people. It affects the quality of life for each and all of us. This quality is the sum total of our daily interactions. Each kindness enhances the quality of life. Each cruelty diminishes it."
As long as you are still granted the time to walk this planet, there are still opportunities to make a difference, to be made of significance and of goodness.
In layman terms, money and success can buy you luxuries but cannot buy you Class!
Indeed, that spurred me on and I was lucky to have encoutered the opportunities to expand my roles until attaining the pinnacle of my career, as the expat MD of a MNC based in Thailand.
"Made for bigger things" meant the accomplishments of bigger roles, which came with the commensurate bigger power, rewards and recognition. Along the way, and over the years, I must have impacted some positive influence on many young people's career development and enhancement.
Post retirement, I have come across two more quality phrases...."Made for Significance" by Dr Randolph Walters and "Made for Goodness" by Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1984 from South Africa.
Dr Randolph defines "Success without significance is empty self-centredness." Significance suggests value and it connects ourselves with the sense of our humanity.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu says, "Goodness changes the way we see the world, the way we see others, and, most importantly, the way we see ourselves. It affects how we treat people. It affects the quality of life for each and all of us. This quality is the sum total of our daily interactions. Each kindness enhances the quality of life. Each cruelty diminishes it."
As long as you are still granted the time to walk this planet, there are still opportunities to make a difference, to be made of significance and of goodness.
In layman terms, money and success can buy you luxuries but cannot buy you Class!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Revelation 1: 13-16 基督的荣耀
A succint summary of the Glory of Christianity based on Chapter 1 of this last book in the Bible, as presented by this pastor from Singapore, who is in his 80s and partially blind:
基督的荣耀
麦希真 牧师 @ 27/5/10 Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church
启示录 1：13-16
好像人子 (Like a son of man) = 神子
身穿长衣 (dressed in a robe) = 真贵
胸束全带 (a golden sash round his waist) = 荣耀
头发雪白 (head and hair were white as wool, as white as snow) = 圣洁
眼目如火 (eyes were like blazing fire) = 智慧
双脚如铜 (feet were like bronze) = 审判有公正
声音如水 (voice was like sound of rushing waters) = 命令能力
手拿七星 (in his right hand he held seven stars) = 管理教会
口出利剑 (out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword) = 最高判断
面如烈日 (his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance) = 公义永恒
基督的荣耀
麦希真 牧师 @ 27/5/10 Auckland Baptist Tabernacle Church
启示录 1：13-16
好像人子 (Like a son of man) = 神子
身穿长衣 (dressed in a robe) = 真贵
胸束全带 (a golden sash round his waist) = 荣耀
头发雪白 (head and hair were white as wool, as white as snow) = 圣洁
眼目如火 (eyes were like blazing fire) = 智慧
双脚如铜 (feet were like bronze) = 审判有公正
声音如水 (voice was like sound of rushing waters) = 命令能力
手拿七星 (in his right hand he held seven stars) = 管理教会
口出利剑 (out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword) = 最高判断
面如烈日 (his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance) = 公义永恒
59 going on 60
All the tigers and tigresses of my Class of '68 have or would be celebrating our 60th birthday in 2010.
I have "composed" a song to commemorate this turning point of our existence (adapted from the musical classic, The Sound of Music)..... sing along..
You are 59 going on 60
Baby it is time to think
Better beware
Be healthy and careful
Baby you are on the brink
Totally unprepared are you
To face the world of the aged
Tired and spent and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken?
You need someone
Greater and wiser
Guiding you what to do
My Lord is living and eternal
He will take care of you...
I have "composed" a song to commemorate this turning point of our existence (adapted from the musical classic, The Sound of Music)..... sing along..
You are 59 going on 60
Baby it is time to think
Better beware
Be healthy and careful
Baby you are on the brink
Totally unprepared are you
To face the world of the aged
Tired and spent and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken?
You need someone
Greater and wiser
Guiding you what to do
My Lord is living and eternal
He will take care of you...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Flush toilet and Modernity
Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS in his book "The New Asian Hemisphere" said, "And if I were asked to name the date when my life entered the modern world, I would date it to the arrival of the flush toilet, when I was about 10 years old (in late 1950s)"
Many people of my age group from Bolehland and The Little Red Dot, can really relate to this, from personal experience. People in the West probably will not except for some Blacks in USA. The people in Asian like India and China are still experiencing this "metal bin or rubber bin" night soil system - sometimes only replaced on a weekly basis!!
My children born in the late 1970s in Bolehland and my grandchildren born in the early 2000s in Kiwiland would never understand nor appreciate this transition from pre modern to modern day living.
Like Professor Kishore, after the arrival of the flush toilet, the other modern day conveniences were added to our home, like TV, refrigerator, gas cooker (transition from the wood fire/charcoal stove)..... For me, all these were as recent as the late 60s!!
Today the modern world has leaped to another level of technological advancement in terms of electronics and integrated circuits which bring along computers, mobile phones, ipods and other luxury "want" items.
Although the mobile phones are generally affordable and available to many poor in Asia today (there is a need for more effective communication and information), many of these in the developing countries are still without the basic flush toilet, which very much depends on the respective government emphasis on public infrastructures.
Lest some of my generation forget, this entry serves to remind us not to take things for granted. And be thankful and grateful always.
Many people of my age group from Bolehland and The Little Red Dot, can really relate to this, from personal experience. People in the West probably will not except for some Blacks in USA. The people in Asian like India and China are still experiencing this "metal bin or rubber bin" night soil system - sometimes only replaced on a weekly basis!!
My children born in the late 1970s in Bolehland and my grandchildren born in the early 2000s in Kiwiland would never understand nor appreciate this transition from pre modern to modern day living.
Like Professor Kishore, after the arrival of the flush toilet, the other modern day conveniences were added to our home, like TV, refrigerator, gas cooker (transition from the wood fire/charcoal stove)..... For me, all these were as recent as the late 60s!!
Today the modern world has leaped to another level of technological advancement in terms of electronics and integrated circuits which bring along computers, mobile phones, ipods and other luxury "want" items.
Although the mobile phones are generally affordable and available to many poor in Asia today (there is a need for more effective communication and information), many of these in the developing countries are still without the basic flush toilet, which very much depends on the respective government emphasis on public infrastructures.
Lest some of my generation forget, this entry serves to remind us not to take things for granted. And be thankful and grateful always.
It is not about you
Sharing a true story which happened in 2005. I have just read from this book by Jeffery L Sheler "Prophet of Purpose - The life of Rick Warren".
"The Purpose Driven Life" is written by Rick Warren, the evangelist pastor who delivered the invocation prayer at President Obama's inauguration on 20 Jan 2009. This book, first published in 2002, must have sold millions of copies to make Rick Warren a multi-millionaire many times over (He gave back 90% to the community!).
One unexpected global publicity of this book came from an incident in Atlanta in 2005. A fugitive Brian Nichols had kept a widow, Ashley Smith, in captivity, after killing 4 people after a courthouse escape. During the 7 hours held as a hostage, Smith asked Nichols if she could read something to him. She happened to pick up this book "The Purpose Driven Life" and started to read the chapter that she had planned to read for the day... chapter 32 "Using What God Gave You".
Smith read the opening section and was about to turn the page when Nichols interrupted her, asking her to read it over again... She reads, "God deserves your best. He shaped you for a purpose, and he expects you to make the most of what you have been given. He doesn't want you to worry about or covert abilities you don't have. Instead he wants you to focus on talents he has given to you to use...."
They talked about purpose and Nichols asked Smith, "What do you think mine is?" To which Smith suggested that "maybe it's to minister to people in prison," and urged him to turn himself in so that no one else would be hurt. "Maybe that's what God wants you to do, and he brought you here to my apartment so that you could know that."
The next morning, Smith was let go. Nichols surrendered to the police and he is now serving life sentences for his crimes.
"The Purpose Driven Life" is based on 2 famous teachings of Christ viz. the Great Commandment (Matthew22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28;19-20).
On the success of this book, Rick Warren humbly said, "There's nothing new in 'The Purpose Driven Life' that hasn't already been stated in classic Christian faith over the past two thousand years. I happened to interpret it in a simple way for the 21st century."
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God." - Danish Proverb
"The Purpose Driven Life" is written by Rick Warren, the evangelist pastor who delivered the invocation prayer at President Obama's inauguration on 20 Jan 2009. This book, first published in 2002, must have sold millions of copies to make Rick Warren a multi-millionaire many times over (He gave back 90% to the community!).
One unexpected global publicity of this book came from an incident in Atlanta in 2005. A fugitive Brian Nichols had kept a widow, Ashley Smith, in captivity, after killing 4 people after a courthouse escape. During the 7 hours held as a hostage, Smith asked Nichols if she could read something to him. She happened to pick up this book "The Purpose Driven Life" and started to read the chapter that she had planned to read for the day... chapter 32 "Using What God Gave You".
Smith read the opening section and was about to turn the page when Nichols interrupted her, asking her to read it over again... She reads, "God deserves your best. He shaped you for a purpose, and he expects you to make the most of what you have been given. He doesn't want you to worry about or covert abilities you don't have. Instead he wants you to focus on talents he has given to you to use...."
They talked about purpose and Nichols asked Smith, "What do you think mine is?" To which Smith suggested that "maybe it's to minister to people in prison," and urged him to turn himself in so that no one else would be hurt. "Maybe that's what God wants you to do, and he brought you here to my apartment so that you could know that."
The next morning, Smith was let go. Nichols surrendered to the police and he is now serving life sentences for his crimes.
"The Purpose Driven Life" is based on 2 famous teachings of Christ viz. the Great Commandment (Matthew22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28;19-20).
On the success of this book, Rick Warren humbly said, "There's nothing new in 'The Purpose Driven Life' that hasn't already been stated in classic Christian faith over the past two thousand years. I happened to interpret it in a simple way for the 21st century."
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God." - Danish Proverb
The Bible in China
This good book which was banned during the Mao's era and the Cultural Revolution period, is the most popular book being sought after in China today . Yes, The Bible.
Amity Printing Company (APC) in Nanjing, the only state-approved Christian publisher in China, has upgraded its facilities since May 2008 with the capacity to print 12 million copies/year (in Mandarin and 8 other minor languages) or 2900 Bibles per hour! Started printing since 1987 with about 600,000 copies per year, APC celebrated its 50th millionneth copy end of 2007. APC is now one of the largest Bible printing presses in the world.
The Chinese Government official estimate of the Christian population in China is in the region of 50 million; an unofficial church survey says 80 millions and according to one Communist Party internal document, the number can be as big as 140 million currently. The number is growing fast each day as the Government circle has unofficially relaxed this aspect of freedom to worship.
If The Bible is a book for all people, it is reasonable to find China at least mentioned in it. Indeed, it was mentioned in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah (written around 700 BC), on the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel: "Surely these shall come from afar; Look, those from the north and the west; And these from the land of Sinim" (Isaiah 49:12).
For a better explanation, I attach an extract from a book "God and the Ancient Chinese" by Samuel Wang & Ethel R Nelson:
One of the most powerful, yet often neglected, Bible prophecies that might bring conviction to the Chinese, as well as the world, is the prophecy of China written by Isaiah (720 - 680 B.C.).
The Land of Sinim
The ancient Dead Sea Scrolls, found in 1947, include the book of Isaiah, and once again confirm that today’s Bible is accurate and reliable. This verse in Isaiah is thought to refer to China:
Surely these shall come from afar; Look, those from the north and the west; And these from the land of Sinim. (Isaiah 49: 12).
You may wonder what the word “Sinim” means. Where is this land of Sinim, mentioned by Isaiah before his service was terminated in 680 B.C.? According to Strong’s Concordance, “Sinim is a distant Oriental region." Young’s Concordance reports, “Sinim is a people in the far east; the Chinese?”
However, the meaning is still not quite clear. Let us now check an English dictionary for help: “‘Sino’ indicates Chinese; for example, Sinophile. [French, from Late Latin ‘Sinae;’ the Chinese, from Greek ‘Sinai;’ from Arabic ‘Sin;’ China, from Chinese (Mandarin) ‘Ch’in’ [Qin], dynastic name of the country.]”
Now it is clear that the Hebrew word “Sinim” means China, as can be seen, for example, in the word “sinology”—a study of things Chinese. As we mentioned earlier, all Chinese roots meet in the Qin dynasty. However, the Hebrew alphabet does not have the equivalent of “ch” in English and “Q” in Chinese. Thus “Qin” has been phonetically translated as “Sinim.”
Amity Printing Company (APC) in Nanjing, the only state-approved Christian publisher in China, has upgraded its facilities since May 2008 with the capacity to print 12 million copies/year (in Mandarin and 8 other minor languages) or 2900 Bibles per hour! Started printing since 1987 with about 600,000 copies per year, APC celebrated its 50th millionneth copy end of 2007. APC is now one of the largest Bible printing presses in the world.
The Chinese Government official estimate of the Christian population in China is in the region of 50 million; an unofficial church survey says 80 millions and according to one Communist Party internal document, the number can be as big as 140 million currently. The number is growing fast each day as the Government circle has unofficially relaxed this aspect of freedom to worship.
If The Bible is a book for all people, it is reasonable to find China at least mentioned in it. Indeed, it was mentioned in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah (written around 700 BC), on the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel: "Surely these shall come from afar; Look, those from the north and the west; And these from the land of Sinim" (Isaiah 49:12).
For a better explanation, I attach an extract from a book "God and the Ancient Chinese" by Samuel Wang & Ethel R Nelson:
One of the most powerful, yet often neglected, Bible prophecies that might bring conviction to the Chinese, as well as the world, is the prophecy of China written by Isaiah (720 - 680 B.C.).
The Land of Sinim
The ancient Dead Sea Scrolls, found in 1947, include the book of Isaiah, and once again confirm that today’s Bible is accurate and reliable. This verse in Isaiah is thought to refer to China:
Surely these shall come from afar; Look, those from the north and the west; And these from the land of Sinim. (Isaiah 49: 12).
You may wonder what the word “Sinim” means. Where is this land of Sinim, mentioned by Isaiah before his service was terminated in 680 B.C.? According to Strong’s Concordance, “Sinim is a distant Oriental region." Young’s Concordance reports, “Sinim is a people in the far east; the Chinese?”
However, the meaning is still not quite clear. Let us now check an English dictionary for help: “‘Sino’ indicates Chinese; for example, Sinophile. [French, from Late Latin ‘Sinae;’ the Chinese, from Greek ‘Sinai;’ from Arabic ‘Sin;’ China, from Chinese (Mandarin) ‘Ch’in’ [Qin], dynastic name of the country.]”
Now it is clear that the Hebrew word “Sinim” means China, as can be seen, for example, in the word “sinology”—a study of things Chinese. As we mentioned earlier, all Chinese roots meet in the Qin dynasty. However, the Hebrew alphabet does not have the equivalent of “ch” in English and “Q” in Chinese. Thus “Qin” has been phonetically translated as “Sinim.”
Thursday, July 15, 2010
New Zealand - the LAND to live and die
NZ Herald (15 July 2010) added another 'Selling point' to live and die in NZ, in addition to the two earlier accolades:
1. NZ ranked the 3rd BEST country to die (after UK and Australia) - reference: Lien Foundation Singapore
2. NZ ranked the No 1 PEACEFUL country in the world - reference: Institue for Peace and Economics UK
3. NZ ranked 8th HAPPIEST country in the world (after Denmark, Finland, Norway, Netherland, Costa Rica, Canada and Switzerland) - reference: OECD Paris
What else more can one be asking for???? Live and let die!!
Meanwhile, the petrol price is going up; ETS means energy prices going up and comes October 2010, GST going up to 15% ....
1. NZ ranked the 3rd BEST country to die (after UK and Australia) - reference: Lien Foundation Singapore
2. NZ ranked the No 1 PEACEFUL country in the world - reference: Institue for Peace and Economics UK
3. NZ ranked 8th HAPPIEST country in the world (after Denmark, Finland, Norway, Netherland, Costa Rica, Canada and Switzerland) - reference: OECD Paris
What else more can one be asking for???? Live and let die!!
Meanwhile, the petrol price is going up; ETS means energy prices going up and comes October 2010, GST going up to 15% ....
Waha Waha Soccer World Cup 2010
My summary of highlights of this year's World Cup soccer in South Africa:
1. Vuvuzela - the South African blow job.
2. Spain the worthy winner with excellent ball possession skills.
3. Paul, the damn right octopus.
4. Shakira's Waka Waka dance.
5. Auckland 2 am Winter live matches.
6. All Whites - the only team without a loss (or a win!) - from a very peaceful country.
7. FIFA - the recession-proof money making machine.
Do you know why each competiting team has 12 reserve players to the first-choice 11 ????
This is FIFA's insurance policy that the show must go on in case at any one time if a team were to receive 11 yellow cards or up to 11 red cards!!!
Netherlands in the Finals, went all out trying to prove that this insurance policy works!
1. Vuvuzela - the South African blow job.
2. Spain the worthy winner with excellent ball possession skills.
3. Paul, the damn right octopus.
4. Shakira's Waka Waka dance.
5. Auckland 2 am Winter live matches.
6. All Whites - the only team without a loss (or a win!) - from a very peaceful country.
7. FIFA - the recession-proof money making machine.
Do you know why each competiting team has 12 reserve players to the first-choice 11 ????
This is FIFA's insurance policy that the show must go on in case at any one time if a team were to receive 11 yellow cards or up to 11 red cards!!!
Netherlands in the Finals, went all out trying to prove that this insurance policy works!
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