Sivin Kit’s Garden

An elder Buddhist monk is escorted by a protester in Yangon. At least four people were killed and 100 injured as Myanmar’s security forces clamped down on anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks.
(AFP/Democrativ Voice of Burma)

I got a letter from my Bishop Rt. Rev. Philip Lok yesterday to call for our churches to pray for our neighboring country. The monks and nuns in have truly inspired and challenged me in their actions towards social change in their nation. Please allow me to share Bishop’s letter to you.

” Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is with great concern that we follow the recent developments in Myanmar, where hundreds of thousands are marching in the city streets to raise their voices for freedom and change. It is simply moving to see how religious people, especially the Buddhist monks and nuns, are at the forefront in this struggle for justice, after a long era of oppression under the military junta. But the recent violent crackdown on the helpless citizens is very distressing indeed.

As Myanmar faces uncertain times, I urge all LCMS congregations to offer our fervent prayers for the nation during our worship services this week. Let’s pray that this crisis in the history of the country will result in the dawn of new era of democracy, justice and peace. As Christians, we believe that God can transform any evil situation by the power of truth, justice and love.

In His Grace,

Bishop Philip Lok

主內弟兄姐妹，

平安。

緬甸最近有進千人在城市街頭示威以表達對自由及改變的心聲已引起各界的關注，大家都拭目以待在經過長時間軍事強權壓制下，宗教人士尤其是佛教界的和尚及尼姑如何在前線掙取公正。

在這段時間，緬甸籠罩著許多的不確定性，本人懇請全體信義會的堂會在本主日崇拜時特別為他們禱告，期盼這次的危機能帶來民主、公正及和平。身為基督徒的我們相信上帝能以真理、公正及愛的力量來轉化邪惡的境況。

主僕，

陸愛平會督”

These are times when we’re singing the blues … check out The Blues Name Generator

Sivin Kit, your blues name is…

`Crispy´ Junior Hopkins

The day … September 26, 2007 Wednesday .. a good day for my friends who are lawyers.

The call was for lawyers, but some of us who were not came to support or watch …

The waiting was longer than expected … little surprises included who turned up.

I didn’t expect that many to turn up … it was getting inspiring as the seconds ticked away.

Connections and conversations flowed.

The crowd was swelling (and sweating away!) This is a hot and humid Malaysia.

Spend quite a long time standing … we couldn’t go without those in the buses.

The cheers for them was moving!

Finally, we get to walk.

and we walked …

and kept on walking … it began to rain … but it was good …

after the rain … we were still walking I think it makes a difference when you are not walking alone.

I guess, it’s going to be a long walk …there are no short cuts.

Even if it’s long, it’s got to be for something worthwhile.

I’m a little busy now .. but this video clip does a good summary. I hope to put a more personal or even pastoral perspective later

I love the cartoons on The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus … Let me pick out three for starters:

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Ah … Leipzig. I have fond memories there.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节) …

We had a simple dinner at May Chin’s parents house.  I heard some people would be spending time with family. It’s nice  now when both Gareth and Elysia can carry their lanterns for a little walk around the neighbourhood.

If this is what’s emerging here and now, then I’m glad I’m part of it! At least, I’m working on it

Integrity versus convenience

My friend KJ John from OHMSI  says the word for him the next 50 years is “Integrity”.  Here’s a uncompromising quote to stir conversation:

“Integrity is a lot like being pregnant. Either you’re pregnant, or you aren’t. There’s no middle ground. It’s the same with integrity. Either you’re behaving with integrity, or you’re not.”

The Corner Post Principle

Nice list thrown in … lots of hard work here!

“Seven Secrets to Integrity

1. Know when to say no to projects, ideas, and even jobs that aren’t congruent with your core values.
2. Especially during your busiest hours, stay committed to a pre-defined list of priorities.
3. Over-promise and over-deliver. Many times integrity at work and at home manifests itself through your work ethic.
4. Gain clarity on all time and duty expectations. The clearer you understand what others need from you, the more specifically you can live up to those expectations.
5. Apologize when necessary. Integrity is not about being right or having the answer all the time. Many times it only takes saying “I’m sorry” when other people would just walk away.
6. Remember that you aren’t what you do once, you are what you do repeatedly. This is also an excellent metric when examining the other’s behavior.
7. Respect people’s time and show up early. It is amazing how a person’s core integrity is illuminated in even the smallest of gestures.”

 Why a great deal of writing about work/life balance is sadly off the point

One more from Slow Leadership which has many good posts!  And the million dollar question is …

“How much of your identity, your sense of self, and your self-esteem, is linked to your work?”

The Kevin Vanhoozer Interview

Ben Myers calls him, “America’s best conservative evangelical theologian, Kevin Vanhoozer.”

Solving or Creating?

So we become part of the solution to our problems by engaging in a creative process?

“There is a profound difference between problem solving and creating Problem solving is taking action to have something to go away – the problem. Creating is taking action to have some thing come into being  - the creation. Most of us have been raised n the tradition of problem solving and have little insight or experience in to the creative process.”

 inspirational v. institutional leadership

I need to get the Gandhi movie and watch it again …

“Inspirational leadership involves relationship between leaders and followers in which each influences the other to pursue common objectives, with the aim of transforming followers into leaders in the own right. It does this by appealing to values and calling without offering material incentives. It is based largely on moral power is therefore primarily internal.”

Ben Witherington on Scripture

Back to the Bible …

“3. What do you make of terms such as “inerrant” and “infallible”?

The terms inerrant and infallible are modern ways of attempting to make clear that the Bible tells the truth about whatever it intends to teach us about. I much prefer the positive terms truthful and trustworthy. When you start defining something negatively (saying what it is not) then you often die the death of a thousand qualifications, not to mention you have to define what constitutes an error. I am happy to say that the Bible has three main subjects– history, theology, and ethics, and that it tells us the truth about all three.”

ENGAGING IN BILINGUAL THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Good questions …

“One of the ways to engage in the art of bilingual theological reflection and thereby better construct a local theology would be to have the local congregation consider four primary questions:

1. If God’s reign were to be fully realized in our neighborhood, what would be different?
2. What are the kinds of idols in our neighborhood that need to be unmasked?
3. What aspects of Christ’s rule do people in our neighborhood need to experience or see?
4. What narratives, practices, convictions and institutions might challenge these idols and more faithfully express the kingdom of God? 

Thoughtfully asking these questions would provide the local congregation with much understanding in how to construct a practical theology that is faithful to the good news of Christ in their location.”

 Interview with Brian McLaren 

Brian re-emerges here and there And it will be interesting to see the reactions to his new book … one little thought itching in me … Samir’s comment assumes a slightly global view of Christianity in terms of its size, but for us here in Malaysia (and in Asia) - is the question of our role as a minority religion and how different or similar that would be in articulating the “Christ-centred” viewpoint.  How does one speak when one is not in a position of power?

“Samir: That’s where you go next in your book. You talk about the Christian religion’s pivotal role in our world because it is the largest:

In addition, since the Christian religion is the biggest religion in the world (with about 2 billion adherents, or 33 percent of the world’s population), whatever constructive things Jesus might have to say about our top global problems could be important in determining our world’s future. This would be the case at the very least because solutions in sync with Jesus’ life and teachings might get more buy-in among his professed followers. Add to that the fact that Islam is the world’s second biggest religion (about 1.3 billion adherents, or 21 percent of the world’s population) and that Muslims revere Jesus as a great prophet, and you discover even more practical value in seeing Jesus’ teachings in relation to today’s global problems.

Brian: This is really one of the key themes of my life – this belief that the issue isn’t Christianity, but Jesus. Depending on your background and what you’re exposed to, the Christian religion can have more or less credibility and appeal. But Jesus has an almost universal appeal. So that’s where I want to work from – not a “Christianity-centered” viewpoint, but from a Christ-centered viewpoint. In the book, I try to take Jesus’ teachings and example and show what resources they can bring to people today in grappling with global crises – whatever the religion of the people is who are getting involved. I don’t want to make the Christian religion the issue, or Western Civilization the issue, or whatever … I want to help people see the resources that Jesus offers to everybody as we and future generations face unprecedented global crises.”

In Memory of Nurin Jazlin

BRUTALLY AND BEASTLY TORTURED & MURDERED

“What have we become?” … “How did we let this happen?” … “What shall we do now?” … Kyrie Eleison

Malaysian judiciary hits rock bottom

“The oligarchy of wealth and privilege” … Anil Netto stresses the point here on how the “content” of the video, “Gives a whole new meaning to the word “muhibbah” - while they divide-and-rule the rest of the country, secure in their own positions of wealth and power.”

I think there was song which goes … “you will not walk alone?” While there are many stereotype lawyers jokes similar to what we pastors get on and off.  One thing we have in common (at our best) is we have committed ourselves to a set of vows which go beyond personal interest and career development … it’s a matter of calling and vocation!

Deal with the Rot, Not the Tape

Good quick summary and more …

Rediscovering our vision

In the light of recent events … what do the following words mean? Perhaps, apart from all this talk about cultural and national identity, we also need to work harder on the social climate in this what we aspire for can genuinely materialize.

“What is your personal wish for the nation’s 50th year of independence?

That every Malaysian look upon himself or herself as Malaysian first without losing his ethnic or cultural identity and religious beliefs. I believe that Malaysia, if you look at it with an open heart, is big enough for every community and group. We should really move forward.”

Migrant workers vs expatriates - Our double standardsThanks friends who are helping me “see” what I’ve never noticed before.

Critical Thinking 101 for Anak Bangsa Malaysia

My mom studied until standard three … she’s got pretty good critical thinking skills - not very academic but wise.

“Critical thinking is also not about running in the streets screaming for this or that change; it is a process of intellectual embodiment and the democratisation of one’s personal understanding of the intellectual basis of change.”

MCCBCHST, will you defend our secular constitution?

Another letter to MCCBCHST

MCCBCHST replies to Anita

More letters to MCCBCHST

It takes some practice before one can say “MCCBCHST” without missing a letter … and now they’ve been getting quite a number of letters :-)  We need to get more to “tango”!