[Paradoxical Commandments of Leadership]
from Becoming a Person of Influence by John C. Maxwell & Jim Dornan


People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered -- love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motive -- do good anyway.

If you're successful, you'll win false friends and true enemies -- succceed anyway.

The good you do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow -- do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable -- be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest man with the smallest mind -- think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only hot dogs -- fight for the few underdogs anyway.

What you spend Years building may be destroyed overnight -- build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them -- help them anyway.

Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth -- give the world the best that you have anyway.

If better is possible, then good is not enough.



Post script: I particularly agree with the 6th verse.

[The verdict and the judge]


I got the answer.
But before I declare it, allow me to explain that the question was based on one of the maxims in the law society -- "It is better to let 10 criminals go instead of killing 1 innocent."

The ideal behind is basically whether to overkill or underkill. The belief of underkill gives the criminal the chance to act once again while the belief of overkill will ensure a pure society in which all are innocent. In the case of overkill, the death of the innocents in that case will merely serve to be part of a price which has to be paid to obtain such a society. However for the belief of underkill, the main crux is to protect those who are truly innocent. Both system serve to deal justice to the guilty and innocent alike.

The law society believes in underkill. Therefore all are innocent till proven guilty. This is also the reason in which the system of pre-crime had to go once Tom Cruise found a possible flaw in the system in which freewill still exist in the movie minority report.
Our church believes in underkill as well. The principle of giving the benefit of the doubt is a reflection of that stand. You are right until proven wrong.
Yet our critical and judgmental Zach believes in overkill. He thinks that the way to ensure puritan society and non-dilution lies in this.

Let's look at what The Bible says. What would God do? Does he overkill or underkill?
(However understand this case study is done under the assumption that a slightly different scale used. This is because theoretically, we should all be dead since we all sinned and this would not be considered overkill cause we are indeed truly guilty. Yet because of God's great love and patience, He only unleashes His wrath against those who REALLY pissed Him off badly. Even then, let's see which stand does He takes.)

Definition of overkill: Killing both the innocent together with the guilty
Definition of underkill: Letting both the innocent and guilty go free.


(Deuteronomy 27:25)
Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.
-One out of the many commands and decrees of God

(Gen 18:32)
Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."
-God's stand on whether or not to destroy Sodom


God does not endorse overkill. Take note that it is not about the number issue in which the ratio of 10 people can redeem 1 city but the principle behind it. In fact, there weren't even 10 people, there was only 1 family yet God saved them so this is obviously not the main point.

So basically, in this particular mental sparring, I have lost. I don't like to lose. I hate to lose. My pride hates to lose. However The Bible has the final say.
If I can't win The Bible, I can't win at all!
That is because it is the ultimate truth. It must be correct. Totally right. God exalts His own word to be 100% true. For those that learn GP, that is an absolute statement. And to disprove it, you not need to prove that the whole book is filled with lies. All you need is one lie in it. Just like for us to confute the statement that "All birds are black", we need not catch all birds to prove it. We just need to catch one white bird and the statement would naturally be invalid.

Consider this today God's challenge to you. Prove The Bible wrong and this will be the equivalent of proving the God of Christianity to be the ultimate lie. However, this works vice-versa too. If He's not proven wrong, then you will have to live as though He and His words are totally correct. There is no sitting space on the fence.

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of
infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately
important.
-C.S Lewis

[Someone help me with this]

Would you rather let go of ten criminals then kill one innocent altogether?

[Give me a reason]

This post is rather self-defeating. I would explain why later on. Come embark with me in this journey through my thoughts.
Something I read in John Ortberg's "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat"


The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life. Theologian Karl Barth said that comfort is one of the great siren calls of our age....

But too much comfort is dangerous. Literally. Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley did an experiment sometime ago that involved introducing an amoeba into a perfectly stress-free environment. Ideal temperature, optimal concentration of moisture, constant food supply -- the amoeba had an environment to which it had to make no adjustment whatsoever. So you would guess that was one happy little amoeba. Whatever it is that gives amoebas ulcers and high blood pressure was gone.
Yet, oddly enough, it died.
Apparently there is something about all living creatures, even amoebas, that demands challenge. We require change, adaptation, and challenge the way we require food and air. Comfort alone will kill us.


This leads to my current dilemma. I realized that as humans, we all seek comfort. We place it as one of the ultimate goals in life. We strive towards comfort. We study so hard so we can get to good job that pays well, and then we save enough to start retiring and enjoying life. We seldom hear people say "I want to study hard so that in future I get a 12 to 12 job so I can slog my hearts out. That is what I long for." For many of us, our perception of enjoying life is to own this gigantic mansion and slack of for the rest of our life there. (Is it just me or is this the current trend?)

In fact, this current approach to life is even reflected in our inventions. Remote control, television, motorized bicycles, etc... all these echo the sound of "comfort!" into our eardrums. They say necessity is the mother of invention. Hence we can infer that comfort is a necessity?
I beg to differ.

Once again, I embark onto my structured thinking of comforted being a want versus a need. I normally list out the two aspects with their supporting reasons and allow them to wage war in my mind to decide which is the superior stand to take.
To my horror, I realized that I cannot find a reasonable argument in favor of needing comfort! I spent the past 3 days and 2 nights thinking about it. Trust me, I'm as keen as anyone of you to justify my need for comfort. Yet I cannot seem to find a logical reason to excuse my preferred choice of behavior! I'm going to be tongue tied in front of God for judgment day.

This is why this post is rather self defeating. I blog about the fact that I have nothing to blog about. Perhaps you people out there may have a reason for comfort. Please let me know. But if none is found, may I ask you to seriously consider the implications of this post.





Exactly what are you intending to tell God?
Forget about validity. I don't even have an excuse to begin with!
Argh!

[Zach's (weird) take on God's love]

Well. I realized that I experience God's love daily. However unlike the norm, I do not experience it in the form of blessings that He showers on His loved ones. Not that I lack blessings or what, but it hit me most that I am blessed with many little (quite an understatement) escapes from the Almighty's wrath. If God's middle name was 'Zeus', my middle name would have been changed to 'charred'.

We all have our fair shares of mistakes and screwed up. Often when I failed, I think to myself "This is it. Lightning is going to descend from heaven any moment now. God may be merciful but this is surely the limit. That was one step too far, one sin too many." Yet it amazes me that I still live to see the sunrise the next day. Exactly just how patient is He?!


Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23)


God have every right to give us what we deserve, yet He writes them off at the expense of His own son. That is what truly amazes me.

~ The red porcelain heap~

an extract from l' hommage de a'zone

The heap was there for as long as I could remember. I couldn't recall too many things anyway. The pieces were of different shapes and sizes. I believe some people would describe them as shattered -- that presumed it was whole to begin with.

Some of the pieces were already missing. A few individuals picked a piece that they each liked. Not that I didn't want to fix it, but it's broken beyond repair. Besides, I have already forgotten what it looked like initially. The reddish pigments were already oxidizing into a sort of stone grayish hue.

A stranger came along one day wanting to buy that heap from me. Not that I can sense the slightest hint of value in it, but the heap of rumble has been there so long that I've grown accustomed to it. He was persistent though so I though why not? He's paying me anyway.

He didn't tell me he was a craftsman. I should have recognized those rough tough hands. Nevertheless, he got to work, repairing... or should I say attempting to repair it. I dare say I didn't put much faith in him to fix it. Not completely anyway. Thus it came as a surprise when he pop by to announce his triumph. He even brought it along to show me. It was then when I saw its original state and remembered.

It was a red heart... my red heart.

CK

something I read in a magazine.
I think its rich in meaning for a recourse batch -- In the world of Ex. RMJ, heavy load, upper limb, lower limb etc...


A military operation involves deception. Even if you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
-Sun Tzu




In no way do i endorse, promote, consent or approve anything that your minds may be thinking. haha.

Trade these ashes in for beauty,
and wear forgiveness like a crown.
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy,
I lay every burden down.
At the foot of the cross

[Words from a fellow dreamer]

I don't dream dreams,
I merely describe heaven.

I don't cast visions,
I only predict future.

I don't perform miracle,
I just reflect God's glory.

Everything is
possible.

Impossible just
takes longer.

Save yourself. Don't come here. Don't read me.

Warning
The post below contains information that carries responsibility. It is not to be taken lightly or casually. You aren't accountable to me. You are accountable to Him. If you aren't ready, proceed no further. Any reading beyond this point will be taken as a non-verbal agreement of the above mentioned terms.
You have been warned.

Finally.
All the thoughts that have been swirling in my head for the past 2 weeks & 3 teachings.
Here we go.

Shirley's combination of teachings on faithfulness, learning and stewardship came at a right time i suppose. I have been pondering about it for quite some time already. In the beginning of the year, I asked God for insights into His word. I was discontented with indirect spiritual input. I wanted fresh daily bread. I wanted God to speak to me directly. He did. Revelation after revelation, thought after thought. He gave me new perspectives, new insights. That is part of the reason why this blog was birthed. I wanted to be faithful with my thoughts. He gave me this sharp mind for a reason.

Perhaps to be honest, some parts of the postings may be also due to fear. The truth is, every knowledge comes with strains of responsibility. Just like how we may excuse new believers that do not know what sin is until they read the 10 commandments, I believe all these insights that were revealed to me through the Holy Spirit are drenched with consequences.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.
[Galatians 5:25] (The Message)

We need to act on our knowledge. Gathering knowledge for knowledge's sake is useless. In fact excessive knowledge may even be considered to be detrimental to growth as knowledge puffs up, yet love builds up. I fear knowledge, for with it comes heavy responsibilities.

As a matter of fact, the more truths you understand, the more 'sinful' you become. Not because the knowledge we gain is evil, but because the knowledge gained reveals how evil we are. It is like just a dirty mirror that is being polished; it does not add dirt onto its owner. It only reveals how dreadful our initial state is.

Here's the crux: every post made here contains knowledge, insights and responsibilities. With this knowledge made known, our lives CANNOT be lived the same as before!

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
[James 1:22-25] (NIV)

As I am merely human, my thought process is finite thus I may err in my thought process sometimes. For this, I believe we can adopt C.S Lewis's advice to his readers as well.

"Take it as one man's reverie, almost one man's myth. If anything in it is useful to you, use it; if anything is not, never give it a second thought."

BUT if you agree with my logic and theories, then some aspects of our lives will definitely have to change. Just like what Paul said, these posts come with inescapable implications!
Are we truly ready for what we are reading? As beautiful as the knowledge from God is to me, it is also a curse to me. To whom much is given, much is expected in return. I have much to account to God on judgment day. I have been given much knowledge, am I applying them or am I another one of those loud mouthed, hypocritical, law-knowledgeable Pharisee? I pray that I learn to edge closer to the former day by day.
My life is on display for all to see.
God help me.

"We have lost the excuse of ignorance once we have
gained the knowledge of God."