Author: foojer

on language and national stereotypes

Like culture (and according to Matthew 15 various other output), language is often an interesting reflection on the people who speak it. Some observations:

The Japanese have a reputation for being introverted and closed, at least to non-Japanese. Having learned Japanese I think this characteristic is reflected in the frankly un-intuitive way the language is structured and taught, a labyrinth of rules, archaisms and barriers – no matter how beautiful it sounds. The Japanese practically invented a separate character system to differentiate between outside and inside. Japanese history is similarly written in a very user-unfriendly way. As an aside, Japanese gameshows and humour are often quite sadistic. Continue reading “on language and national stereotypes” →

0

some thoughts on christ

Having read M Mikalatos’ excellent Imaginary Jesus I realise that it is true, the Christian must make sure he is following the real Jesus.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of the Father of Jesus Christ. Jesus the Word, Jesus of the Bible.

A warrior king, but whose most breathtaking act of valour was to willingly and obediently die on the cross. His obedience was what made him great.

Antithesis to the ‘macho Jesus’ ideal. Continue reading “some thoughts on christ” →

0

on shyness

I am what you’d describe as a shy guy, scared of talking to pretty girls.

Sounds innocuous, even charming. But here’s what’s wrong with that:

Shyness means I don’t want to talk to a pretty girl for fear of looking bad in front of her – I think I speak for nine out of ten guys who suffer from shyness (and in fact the Cantonese/Mandarin words for ‘shy’ are rendered 怕羞 and 害羞 respectively, both of which approximately mean ‘afraid of shame’) – but is this not simply pride and self-importance? Continue reading “on shyness” →

0

on the failure of inter-war collective security

If the aftermath of WW1 were the re-arrangement of the European power balance with Germany purposely spared, then we still live with a very tangible consequence of WW1. The existence of Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic and Hungary among others is a result more or less of the post-war measures taken to dismantle the Habsburg Empire; the preservation of Germany was just as much a conscious decision by the Allied victors. Could you imagine how different our political landscape (not to mention 20th century world history) would be had the Allies decided to liquidate the German Reich in 1918? Continue reading “on the failure of inter-war collective security” →

0

on sonship

A gut reaction to be humble and service is not necessarily good. In my experience always insisting on being the first to serve inflames the ego. On the contrary allowing yourself to be served (receiving without giving anything in return) takes humility – provided you see the service as meeting your weakness/need and not something to be exploited! Witness Peter’s cry of ‘you shall never wash my feet, Lord’, and Christ’s reply. (John 13:6-8)

A son is served out of his father’s riches. Learn to enjoy these as the fruits of sonship. Continue reading “on sonship” →

0

on idolatry

It’s easy for me to scoff at those heathens with their little pinwheels, flocking to worship at Che Kung’s temple. Does such idolatry actually remain in this age? Yes it is easy to scoff, I am a man of Christ and a son of the King.

Yet I regularly offer my body in worship to Eros and Pornographia. My mind is often given to the god Ego, yes I am quite the devotee to him. My eyes worship the goddesses Masthos and Skeles on a daily basis. Continue reading “on idolatry” →

0

substitutionary atonement and other things

Yesterday, church community did not feel so good. Felt a bit dead, clique-y. Granted, church is more than hanging out, but when that’s missing, something’s wrong. But then that church community is usually up and down. Work with what you have.

————-

The way people view you is no reflection of your real worth;

Granted, but if everyone is agreed you’re an asshole, something’s wrong.

Being brave is to do what you don’t want to do because it has to be done;

Granted , but that doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble. Continue reading “substitutionary atonement and other things” →

0

a psalm

Blessed be the LORD

Who makes good what is bad

And new what is old.

Who makes wisemen out of fools

And fools out of wisemen

That both may laugh at what good has been wrought.

The LORD who promises justice

Who kindles hope because of what has been

And what will surely be.

The desert He waters with thirsty men

And shows freely whom asks to see

this Love that weakens the knees of mighty men

and compels the adoration of princes.

0

crossing the river

The Lord calls us to go the whole way with Him, to walk with Him. Enoch walked with God, and in fact walked so close to Him, went so far with Him that the Bible implies he didn’t have to go through death, God simply took him away (Gen 5:24).

But then there’s a lot of instances however of people called by God to walk with Him, but who only went halfway through. Terah was probably one such person; he set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to make his way to Canaan, the destination that Abraham would eventually reach, but he only made it as far as Haran. The Bible seems to imply that God had in fact called Terah to make the journey his son would eventually make, but the father of the patriarch did not walk with God all the way. He settled for Haran and stayed there, unable to attain the inheritance and surrounded by pagans till his death. (Gen 11:31) Continue reading “crossing the river” →

1

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑