How to Read A Book

It’s been quite a while since I’ve written reviews on anything at all. I figured that since I’m reading on a rather consistent basis now, I’d start writing some book summaries, so as to keep my mind sharp and to keep the posts coming.

Our journey then, starts with something with a hint of irony. It’s a book to teach you how to read a book. Upon reading it though, rather than being ironical, it becomes very practical because the author urges you to practice with the book itself – from reading the content page to reading the bibliography. Written in simple plain English, the book aims to provide a guideline so that the reader can get their most out of any book, be it for information or for understanding.

As a philosopher and an educator, Adler is brilliant in organizing the levels of reading and communicating the important essences in reading a book intelligently. Adler stimulates reader into asking important questions when reading a book, and how these questions are tweaked when the reader is faced with any genre of book.

Besides understanding how to read a book, the author also encourages reader to be demanding in coming to terms with the author, summarizing to perceive the unity and diversity of the book, owning the books by making small notes and understanding how the book impact our lives. Most of all, it is imperative for a reader to know that one must be active and there is a price to pay in order to understand any book, more so for good books.

If you truly want to get the most out of any book, but you find yourself staring at it, finishing it without truly understanding what it means and what you should do, this is the book for you. It is not a magic pill, but it is a good start.

Lin-sanity

To be honest, when I first saw the video of Lin against Nets with his 25 points, my reaction was – lucky kid. I was quite surprise there was no big hoo-ha over an Asian dude in NBA prior to his Nets win, and was just thinking that it probably was just a fluke streak.

Turns out it was not a fluke streak.

This guy’s the real deal. For four days in a row, I watched the NBA highlights – not because I intentionally visit the NBA site, but because my Facebook was flooded with either Jeremy Lin or Whitney Houston. When the 38 point victory over Lakers came, it struck home. This Chinese dude can play basketball – and he can play it well. A bit ironical as I believe that the icon for basketball pop culture was Slam Dunk, but the guy to actually realize it is Jeremy Lin, not Jeremy Nagasato or something.

Well you can argue that maybe it’s precisely because he’s an Asian, that’s why he’s garnering all the attention he has right now. Just to ground ourselves in reality, the last time someone obtain stats like Jeremy, that ‘someone’ was LeBron James. I’m pretty sure everybody knows who LeBron James is, and I’m pretty sure that everyone knows who Jeremy Lin is right now – they are on the same skill page.

What struck me more was that he’s a devout Christian, not just an average churchgoer, but someone who puts God ahead of his life. In an age like this, ingenious sportsmen and devout Christians stand almost on complete antithetical grounds – just look at the football players. In a way, the temptation is humungous – fame, money, women, fans… it’s like the world at your fingertips. If one is not grounded firmly in truth and faith, one will be drift wood in the tide.

That’s also why I said a prayer for Lin that night I read his story, and I hope to remember this brother in Christ in my prayers all the time. God is the God of basketball. It is in His sweet pleasure that He endows Lin with such skills, and such humility that all glory might be for Him.

Soli Deo Gloria.

God’s Fireworks

I was on the way back from Sydney when I passed this humongous cumulonimbus somewhere in the Indonesian islands.

The scenes of peaceful cirrus far below the wings are much more familiar, but this brings about the thought of God’s grandeur and that the heavens, truly, declare the wonder of our God.

Messiah No. 1-4

Recently I've discovered a very nice series of Messiah uploaded on youtube and would like to share here on my blog. It's in the 1980s, but the quality is nothing short of pristine. Some note worth mentioning is the King's college choir, consisting of boy sopranos, countertenors, tenors and basses, essentially all men - very sweet and light combination indeed.

This is but the first scene of the very first part of Messiah, and it tells of the fulfilment of the prophecies in the old testament, particularly the prophet Isaiah at this instant:

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned:
for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway
for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low:
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough places plain:

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together:
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

Isaiah 40: 1-5

The first scene consists of the Overture, the very gentle recitative vv1-3, the aria v4 and finally the chorale singing through v5.

Isaiah 40 is recognised as the turning point in the book of Isaiah - that the Lord no longer calls down judgement to the people of Israel, but calls them back to Him. Isaiah's tone changes from confrontation to assurance, with the Lord promising a Messiah that will one day come and display His glory to all the people. Verse 3 is later cited in the gospels of Matthew and Luke on John the Baptist as the one preparing the way, and pointing thus towards Jesus Christ the Messiah.

I have not included the lyrics of the last part of the video as it is part of Scene 2 (No.5).

Summer Breeze

For the fist time in my life, Australian summer became a subjective truth. It wasn't as bad as I've anticipated it to be (yet), since we've always heard of forest fires and soaring 40 deg temps over down under.

Weather has been terrific since I arrived - breezy, warm and dry. As I arrived in the morning, hunger pangs struck at around 9am local time, and we went for breakfast. I had some very well made Eggs Benedict, and the rest of the day was spent lying on the couch reading or sleeping.

My sis and bro in law has shifted since the last time I came, and their humble abode is really lovely. I spent some time catching up with Casper and with my mum. But of course, the biggest change this time I'm here at Sydney is my status. I've been promoted to an 'uncle', in the very literal sense. It was my first encounter with Matthew, my nephew, and he is such a darling.

This brings me thus to the very real topic of parenting. I don't have much knowledge about it since I've not gone through it myself,
but it's always good to be prepared. Seeing my family reacting to the addition of Matthew set me thinking - it's not an easy job having kids. From the difficulty of one kid, it's hard to imagine our grandparents used to have them in the dozens. There might be some economies of scale, but having just three kids screaming for your attention is no small joke. The reason I mention "three" is because there is a possibility that I might end up with three kids in future.

Now before anyone goes about concluding that I'm lamenting my future situation - I'm not. It's difficult to handle kids, but it's also a blessing from the Lord:

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of warrior are the children of one's youth." Psalm 127: 3-4

I'm more than convinced that having children will inevitably reduce your time and freedom (and money of course); but I'm equally convinced that having godly children is a blessing not just to ourselves, but to those around us as well. It's through divine providence that children are born into the family, and there is no other way than to entrust their lives into the hand of Him who formed us.

Maybe I'm being idealistic. Maybe it's because I have not had terrible experience on parenting. Maybe it's this and that. But if we don't start believing in the Lord and conquering the battle, it will always be an obstacle.

Reflections

Truth is sometimes painful, and sometimes really discouraging. After a meaningful conversation last night about writings and expression of my thoughts, it pains me to reflect on my own inadequacy.

I’m not good at expressing myself.

The reason why this blog needs restarting countless times proves this very point. There were times when full post drafts were just deleted because I felt that it would not be adequate in expressing what I really thought of a subject. There were times when posts were conjured up in my mind, only to find themselves hidden there and never to appear again.

It’s the same with this very post. The reason then, why I am posting this up here is because I made a resolution to put into proper words to express what I feel or think about certain things.

Upon reflection, it dawns to me that part of the reason why I do not like to express my own thoughts too often over public arena is because of my sinful pride. Paradoxical as it may seem, the very idea of remaining silent sometimes propels myself into the position of a judge, criticizing what others are lacking in their writing (albeit silently) but defending my own position, giving the excuse that I did not expound on the subject. Or in other words, I always try to 一鸣惊人。Sometimes trying too hard by writing some aphoristic quotes and leaving the readers confounded in mystery, when I myself do not really know what I wanted to convey in the first place.

Of course, I do not mean that everyone (more so myself) should express what they feel or think with the motive of impressing others what they know or how much they know. That’s the opposite of what my situation is anyways, and both arises from pride.

As I write this post, I am reminded of a verse:

“For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1John 2:16

Pride can be so subtle sometimes, it exists merely in the mind. Silent comparisons between my own talents with others who are lacking became the foundation of my self-esteem. But the most venomous nature of such comparisons is that it is silent. Outward expression of prideful comparisons normally end up with boastful statements; but quietly comparing and seeking comfort in the idea that I’m some ways “better” than the other party renders myself no less than a hypocrite.

It is this pride that causes me to delete many posts so as not to appear foolish when expressing myself. It is this pride that I’m struggling with everyday.

Reflection sometimes brings us face to face with the Truth that we do not want to bear with. It is the Truth that we all want to suppress with our very sinful nature. It is only in Jesus that I can find my ultimate answer and comfort. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Struggling by myself is pointless, but struggling with the hope of eventual sanctification and eternal life is more meaningful than anything one can find in his life.

It is with this attitude that I’m “restarting” my blog again – to express myself and my thoughts as honest as I can, making mistakes but admitting them whenever possible and submitting myself to the Truth. 

The Lack of Writing

Many things have come and go during the period that I’ve remained silent on this blog.

Have decided to blog today because of my prayer answered. As mentioned in my last post, my taste in music has gradually changed over the years. Most of the time now, my iPhone is streaming out strings and chorales instead of drums and guitars. I guess the advantage is that you can play Messiah 13534623242 times and not get bored of it, but if you played contemporary songs, your ears will be numb on the 5th time repeating.

So I made a prayer sometime end of last year, hoping that at least once in my life, I get to sing arguably, the most important Christian song ever composed – The Messiah. Not to sing because it’s great, but to sing to our High King of heaven because He is worthy of such grandeur in music.

And so I return home today from Choir, having known from the announcement that we will be singing Messiah this year. It’s great joy indeed, that you know you are given the opportunity to serve. For though we are unworthy, He has chosen us before all Creation, to serve Him and give Him glory until the end of time into eternity.

Decisions have been made in 2012 to go down the path of no return. But that will be another story in another post on another day.

Acquired taste

There really is such a thing called acquired taste. I find it especially true in music. Growing up playing classical guitar, it wasn’t the best kind of music I like.

You have stuff like Jay Chou, David Tao, all your backstreet boys and 911s, classical sounds really off sometimes. Like there’s no climax, or the climax is too unrecognizable. Its quite a curse cause our ears are so accustomed to lazy voices, it actually sounds nice.

It’s not after many years when I’m sitting here typing this blog post, and listening to Messiah playing on my iTunes that I realize the beauty of baroque. Perhaps you have to sing it to appreciate the beauty, or perhaps it just comes with age.

I’m not saying this cause I have somehow become a maestro in music, coz I’m frankly still ‘a sweat outside the door’. But classical really do sound like another class of its own now.

I still enjoy my periodic stint of Jay and David, but it’s a whole new world out there with Bach, Haydn and my fav Handel.

Tired

I’ve never really thought that working is such a chore. You clock in, do your best in a 9 hour stint, and clock out. There’s no need to drag over it, and you know that you have full freedom after you clock out from work. No need to worry for it like an exam.

Wrong. Quite wrong frankly. Working is really quite irritating after all. You realized that the amount of time you have is reduced by 80%, and if you’re doing something you don’t really like, it’s like shooting in your face 3,000 times a day.

The cycle starts like this: you wake up, you think of what you’re going to face at work, and you wish that you can take MC so you don’t have to go to office. But then, you know that the consequence is severe, because there’s gonna be a tonne of backlog. So you drag your sorry self down and wish for the end of the day.

Cycle x300 working days. Definitely worse than studying. At least I only have to worry about exam when I study.

Just have to rant it out coz I really had a bad day and nobody wants to talk to me. Fine and dandy.

Finally some updates

After some time, I’ve decided to update some pictures and what’s been happening on my blog.

It’s been a hectic month, and I wouldn’t say that I like it entirely, but it certainly let me experienced God in many different and wonderful ways.

But I’m here today to talk about something important. It’s been 4 years now, and something special happened 2 Sunday nights ago.

We’ve both grown a bit old since then, but may God continue to guide us in our path to glorify Him everyday.

To cut the long story short, I’ve proposed, and she said yes. It was a wonderful evening, and I personally want to thank 2 little cupids who made it possible despite the crazy wind that day.

2 joker cupids who made it all possible. J2’s face is really classic.

Happy Day

It’s just a happy day and I’d like to post this pic.

仙丹世界

人仿佛永远都追求捷径。世界也似乎配合了人无止境的欲望 - 药效越快的就是好配方；借款手续越快的就是好银行。安静不再是美德，是无知；等待不再是忍耐，是浪费时间。

苦难更是傻瓜才会碰到的倒霉大蛋。若有仙丹两粒，一吃可以平步青云，鱼跃龙门不必受苦的话就不用三思立即往肚里吞吧！反正人不为己天诛地灭了。

但苦难却是那么的反合。顺利人生的上帝，是风闻的上帝；透过苦难视窗的上帝，是亲眼看见的上帝。每一次的挫折是重新得力机会；每一次的苦难是经历神的机会。希望自己可以学习面对苦难，不是怨天尤人而是祷告求祂按着祂丰盛的荣耀，藉着祂的灵，叫我们心里的力量刚强起来。

图中的两粒丸子吾人确实吃了。仙是变不成，太极也没有学会，只不过抵抗力增加些些。更重要的还是默想祷告多些吧！

主日学校

主耶稣说，凡要承受神国的，若不像小孩子，断不能进去。

这周开始，又轮换我教主日学了。当然‘主日学’这一词会在许多基督徒的脑海中引发出‘小孩子’这另一词。但吾人教会的主日学却是不分年龄的领域，为的是要激发大家活到老学到老的精神。

每次要备课时就只觉得‘经’到用时方恨少。好像略略记得如此如此经节，天翻地覆都找不到，真是亏欠多端。这次备课后告诉自己要开始明记经文，要不然等到苍发时就麻烦了。

明天就要开课咯，希望少年班能更上一层楼！

Weariness of the Soul

我的心哪，你为何忧闷？
为何在我里面烦躁？
应当仰望神，因我还要称赞祂
祂是我脸上的荣光，是我的神。

过去的过去，未来的未来

自从初中三毕业以后，就来到了狮城。以后就再也没有修学母语了。除了在教会讲讲两三句，回家乡亲父老了解那几句也就够了。

总记得小时候语言是很难拿捏的科目，就偏偏在大马的小孩都要拿三科语文。渐渐长大，才发现文学书法的美；但要以笔墨把人生事迹形容得动人，似乎要花一大把时间恶补一般。

今天心血来潮，首次以母语写博客。以往不如今天，一方面是因为要逃避母语退步的事实，另一方面是因为键盘要打华语比登天还麻烦。但，首次以母语写感想最主要的原因是上个周末去到了十年前去过的地方，不禁让吾人想起以前与如今天渊之别的生活。

记得约十年前，曾经来过哥打丁宜短宣。还只算是‘宣教旅游’吧，因为只待了四天左右。四天的记忆，经过十年的岁月似乎有些朦胧；就记得住在一间蛮大的教会，后边就是一大片的油棕园。上个周末就恰好回到同一间教会，而且卧在十年前同一间房，只是这次是去献唱不是短宣。真是十年如一日啊。

也许是老了，只会不停唠叨以往的回忆。讲这句话肯定招来破口大骂，毕竟岁数连三字起头都还不到嘛。身体老不老不是一回事；心志老不老就大件事咯。只希望自己能把往事当前车之鉴，吸取经验使心不死 - 所谓哀莫大于心死就是此意吧。

看到以前的教会建了新堂，继续扩展也就提醒自己真的要忘记背后努力面前，向着标杆直跑的金句。毕竟只有老人是活在记忆里的，孩童是活在梦想里的。基督徒呢？乃是要活在神的旨意里。

虽然哥打丁宜没什么看头，但至少对榴莲粉丝还算接了个交代 - 对吾人就真的成为虐待。

The Joy of Growing Up

You see, only kids look forward to growing up. Sometimes I feel that as an adult, we’re too focused on our past.

No doubt, time passed at a rate that we never would have imagined. But whenever we stop looking forward, it’s when we have grown old – whether you are 80 or 18.

It’s a pity because I didn’t grow up with the people in the photo. Some of them were as young as the toddler when they knew each other, and today they are carrying other toddlers.

But of course, I say this not with a pinch of regret, because I do enjoy my childhood tremendously. And because I shift around so much, I can remember clearly things that happened when I was 3.

Looking forward, we can only pray that these kids will continue to be in the Lord, and to grow to be like Him everyday.

It’s a joy, really, to grow up and to look back knowing that we’ve been through so much.

I bet Caleb will be furious when he sees this picture at my age.

Red Meepok!

Well, to be honest I was only a bit intrigued by this red fat wire when I watched “The Book of Eli”. That was because my old earpiece was doing a good job at keeping my ears satisfied until recently. Not that it’s totally no sound, but it’s really getting torn up by all the usage.

Hence, the hunt for a new piece. And hence, the red meepok wire you see in the above pic.

Eli (Denzel Washington) uses it to sleep when he was travelling alone.

So does his successor (Mila Kunis), after Eli died in the film.

Heck even Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) uses it.

But to buy it coz all these people uses it is just plain rubbish. Seriously, if that’s the reason, I would have gotten some cheapo look-alike selling at 40 bucks on the net.

The reason you buy the red meepok is because it sounds like strawberry and cream, which unfortunately I’m not able to demonstrate here.

And of course, you buy it coz you have a friend coming back from the States.

Red meepok in a clamshell.

A Little Trip

It’s a little trip back to a place call Sungai Besar. Of course, being my first trip back with my 60D, there’s plenty to shoot.

It’s not just about shooting. We were at a church camp at JB earlier part of the week, and papa mama actually drove the van down to JB, only to have it sent to the workshop.

So we were stranded in JB and even had to take a bus home. Unlike Singapore, living without a vehicle in Malaysia is like living in a prison cell. But alas, I have to do my passport and with a borrowed car, we still manage to travel around a bit to do some interesting stuff.

It’s a surprise trip actually, because I get to see some of the nicer views of Sungai Besar that I’ve never seen – huge hectares of paddy fields, and canals that stretches for miles.

Going home is always a refreshing thing – other than talking with my parents about almost everything under the sky, I get to look forward to the best steam pomfret on earth. So far I have not eaten any pomfret as good as the ones that is in Sungai Besar. Period.

The sky is too wonderful not to shoot.

The canal is a stretch that continues on forever as well.

This is the true endless road as compared to the previous post on the biking trail.

To make my passport, I had to travel another 30km (?) to a place named Anson, with their famous slanting tower.

Is it slanted? my cam is level enough

And of course I’m a fan of antique photos. click to enlarge.

I have to return to work tomorrow, and the sheer email that I’m gonna get is forming up some sort of ginormous inertia for me to wake up tomorrow. Life goes on I guess, and I’m going to greet tomorrow with a smile, for I know my Savior holds tomorrow.

It’s been a while

Come back quick!

Crossroad

First of all, I didn’t take the photo above. Life has been quite busy lately, and I haven’t been able to spend quality time with my 60D. Credit to deviantart though, for such a nice pic.

But I digress. Met up with a friend lately – haven’t seen him for almost 10 years. Just slightly after I left Kuching. It was quite memorable – finally I found a peer who can chat Hakka with me in Singapore. Haven’t spoken much Hakka since my grandma went home.

But most importantly, he has come to the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a long 10 years – many things happened, and I told him that I was very glad. He responded quite heartily enough “Ah well, the time just came..” Very true indeed.

Was very thankful – I remembered very vaguely praying for him in my heart when I left, but for the most part of the 10 years, we lost contact.

Which brings a song into my head – that every time we’re at the crossroad, we know that our Father in heaven already knew where we were going, and He had plans for us to prosper us and not to harm us.

It’s not common that I post songs on my blog, so if you’re reading this, you owe yourself a visit to the link below.

A Song at the Crossroad

Standing at the crossroads,
In our walk with Holy God.
Looking back at all the landmarks on the way.

Every time that trouble tried us,
We had one sure Word to guide us,
For in sorrow and in joy,
We have heard the Savior say:

“For I know the plans I have for you,
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
And to give you a future filled with hope.
Then you shall call upon me and I will hear you,”
Says the Lord.

Standing at the crossroads,
We can trust our Holy God,
Knowing what He has begun,
He will see through to the end.

Lessons learned in days behind us,
Serve forever to remind us,
We can safely trust the words
Of our Savior God and Friend.