Friday, January 15, 2016

J. I. Packer, 89, On Losing Sight But Seeing Christ

Here's an interview with J.I.Parker, 89 years old, who has gone blind due to macular degeneration. I'm truly touched by the thoughts and lessons he glean for us.
J. I. Packer, 89, On Losing Sight But Seeing Christ
“Over Christmas macular degeneration struck so that I can no longer read or write.” 
Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that causes the loss of vision. For many who have appreciated and benefited from James Innell Packer’s writing ministry—the author of more than 300 books, journal articles, book reviews, dictionary entries, and forewords—this will come as especially saddening news. 
Packer, 89, will no longer be able to write as he has before or travel or do any regular preaching. While for now he still retains peripheral vision, it’s doubtful he will ever regain the ability to read. (Justin Taylor explains this as well.)
“God knows what he’s doing,” Packer recently told me in a phone interview. Rather than being paralyzed by fear or self-pity, Packer is confident that “this comes as a clear indication from headquarters. And I take it from him.”
Whether his response stems more from the British stiff upper lip or decades’ worth of sanctification, Packer is living out a truth he has long believed and proclaimed: God is sovereign and good in all things. “He knows what he’s up to,” Packer notes. “And I’ve had enough experiences of his goodness in all sorts of ways not to have any doubt about the present circumstances.” He adds, “Some good, something for his glory, is going to come out of it.”
The rest of my conversation with Packer is transcribed below.

Is losing the ability to write, read, and preach especially hard?
No, in the days when it was physically possible for me to do these things I was concerned, even anxious, to get ahead with doing them. Now that it’s no longer possible I acknowledge the sovereignty of God. “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away” (Job 1:21). Now that I’m nearly 90 years old he’s taken away. And I won’t get any stronger, physically, as I go on in this world. And I don’t know how much longer I’ll be going on anyway.
Has this been a hard trial emotionally?
Emotionally, it doesn’t make an impact on me because after all I’m nearly 90, and I would have had to stop those things soon anyway because my strength would not have continued. God has been very good to us, and none of us has been struck as so many people of our age by any form of dementia. We’re both blessedly free of that. You recognize this is a mercy and be thankful.
Ecclesiates is a book of the Bible you have especially treasured and have gleaned much wisdom from over the years. You’ve said Ecclesiastes cured you of youthful cynicism. On this side of life what has the old sage taught you? Does the final chapter of Ecclesiastes—chapter 12—hold any more special resonance at this stage of life than, say, 40 years ago?
The author of Ecclesiastes has taught me that it is folly to suppose that you can plan life and master it, and you will get hurt if you try. You must acknowledge the sovereignty of God and leave the wisdom to him. 
It tells me now what it told me 40 years ago, namely, that we wear out, physically we come apart. You get old, and getting old means the loss of faculties and powers you had when you were younger. And that is the way God prepares us to leave this world for a better world to which he’s taking us. The message of Ecclesiastes 12 is “Get right with God as early in life as you can; ‘remember the creator in your days of youth’ (Eccl. 12:1). Don’t leave it until some time in the future when you’re not likely to be able to handle it well at all.”
What role does calling play in these latter days of life for you?
All that I can say is that as one’s powers of mind and body diminish so one’s understanding to what one can do—should do—in fulfillment of one’s calling has to be adjusted in terms of I can’t do that anymore. And Christian realism kicks in at that point. God doesn’t call us to do what is no longer within our power to do.
Is heaven and eternity much on your mind?
In positive terms, the essence of eternity as I conceive it—as it lies before me as my destination—is quite simply the joy of being with the Lord.
Here in this world he gives us things to do, and we affirm our identity as his children by tackling the tasks that he gives us. There, the relationship we have with him is closer (closer in terms of realization than ever it’s been in this world). So that’s where I envisage the emphasis being in eternity and as one who is in God’s hands all along the line I wait to see how it will actually work out.
The person who meditated for half an hour every day, without fail it seems, was Richard Baxter, the 17th-century Puritan who lived in pain with various painful physical conditions that in his day could not be cured. But with pain he lived in peace because of the strength of his hope, the hope of glory.
Is there any specific thought of our eternal future in God’s presence that especially grips you now?
I have to say no rather than yes. Any part of God’s revelation may come alive for me in a new way as a pointer to and integral element in my hope. There’s no limiting what of his revelation may have that impact at any particular time. When you walk with God there are moments when he gives you special delight, an especially deep sense of peace and pleasure in being his child—well, those things have happened to me and they happen, I think, to all other real Christians. There’s nothing special about that.
Is there any physical sight that would be hardest to forego if you were to entirely lose your vision?
Again, the answer for me would be no. I think I could learn to live without any of the sights I’ve ever seen.
It’ll be no surprise to many that you have spent decades meditating on and memorizing God’s Word. What does your pursuit of these spiritual disciplines translate into in this stage of life?
I find it more possible to concentrate on God himself and his plans, purposes, and performance than I used to do. I suppose that all these things have rooted themselves more deeply in my mind and heart. And I trust there’s less superficiality than there used to be.
I have nothing striking to report; steady advance, I believe, into the realization of the reality of all that the Bible talks about—all the realities, I mean, of the experience of communion with God.
I’m not a spectacular person as far as I understand it. And I don’t think my experience of the Lord’s grace has been spectacular. I’ll say it’s been steady and I thank God for that.
How do you evaluate the Young, Restless, Reformed, and what word of encouragement and exhortation would you offer this fledgling movement?
Remember that what God plans, what the whole economy of grace is shaped for, is the perfection of a church that will be the bride of Christ and, in a grand sense, the image of Christ. And God is not in the business of individualism. There is a distinction that not all evangelicals pick up between individualism and individuality. Being a Christian ripens and extends your individuality, but individualism is a form of sin and, it seems to me, still a temptation for the Young, Restless, Reformed folk. And the vital movements of Reformed Christianity—with their rediscovery of the doctrines of grace and the life of grace—all of that needs as yet to have the individualism squeezed out of it, and as it matures that’s what’s going to happen. The folk involved in these movements need to be very clear all the time that God’s purpose is a church that celebrates his glory. If for the moment we are giving our time non-churchly or trans-denominational movements, well, that should be seen as step, a venture, towards churchliness rather than towards individualism. Individualism, no. Churchliness, yes.
Overall, would you say you’re encouraged?
Yes, I don’t see how any Christian under any circumstances can’t be encouraged who focuses on God. I don’t see how any Christian can be discouraged, because God is in charge—God knows what he’s doing, all things work together for good for those are called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28), and our hope is in Christ. Those things don’t change, and those are the things to focus on.
Going back to the centrality of the church, I suppose the Puritans are instrumental in bringing back our attention to the church.
The Puritans were churchly to their finger tips. They were intensely individuals. They made as much of Christian individuality as any community of believer have ever done, I think. But they were churchly. It was all for the building up the church as the body of Christ and as the goal of all of God’s purposes of grace.  I still think we need to learn—learn it for the first time, perhaps.
The great thing, which the Puritans saw as central, is communion with God, which they understood as communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They weren’t marked by the imbalance that you so often see even among Puritans supporters in these days—I mean people focusing on Christ to the exclusion of the Spirit, or on the Spirit to the exclusion of Christ. The Puritans, I think, were wonderfully balanced. Their published work expresses it and is very maturing. There is the same relation to the goal of godliness as proper coaching and physical training is to producing a player for role that he is called to play.
What would be your final words to the church?
I think I can boil it down to four words: “Glorify Christ every way.”

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Christian Book Summaries

Here is a site I enjoy.

Christian Book Summaries - Enhancing the ministry and impact of thinking Christians by providing thorough and readable summaries of noteworthy books from Christian publishers.

Christian Book Summaries are provided free of charge—as a means of encouraging and serving those who enjoy encapsulations of leading Christian titles. As an added service, they notify subscribers by e-mail whenever a new downloadable summary is posted to this web site.To subscribe to the Summary, go to Notification Service.

When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box

Monopoly is a wonderful game. I used to play it a lot with my children and friends.

Life is like a game of Monopoly. You strategize, take risks, and wheel and deal to improve your
position. But when the game is over, all the pieces go back in the box. When the game of life is over,
your body is placed in the grave.

Only eternal investments will follow you into eternity. To get the most out of life, you must arrange
your priorities around what matters most. A life that focuses on temporary prizes will result in disappointment when the game is over.

Life’s greatest fulfillment comes when you love God, love others, and nurture your own soul.

Here is a story by John Ortberg of what Monopoly can teach us about life:

My grandmother taught me a lot about life on the Monopoly board. She was a brutal player. It didn’t matter that I was ten years old. She played to win. But she taught me how to play the game.

Through her influence, I learned the absolute importance of arranging my whole life in light of eternity.

Maybe your grandmother was a pushover and allowed you to win every time. But not mine.

The competitive spirit of my grandmother came out on the Monopoly board. She was a gentle and kind person, but not when it came to Monopoly. I tried to hang on to my money for as long as I could. I didn’t like taking risks.

 My grandmother, on the other hand, knew that to win, you had to take risks. She bought up property as quickly as possible and mortgaged her property in order to buy more. Before long she controlled the board.

As master of the board, she squeezed at my resources and it was only a matter of time before my last dollar was gone, my race car was put back in the box, and the game was over. Another loss. She always told me not to worry because one day I would learn to play the game.

 One summer a friend and I played Monopoly every day, and I became a much better player. I finally began to understand what my grandmother had taught me about the game.

The next fall I experienced the greatest moment of my life. It happened on Marvin Gardens. My grandmother paid me her last dollar. I had beaten her for the first time. I completely controlled the board.

 But then she taught me one more very important lesson. When the game is over, all the pieces go back in the box. 

As much as I wanted to savor the thrill of the moment, the game was over. Is that not an accurate picture of the game of life? Life on earth is not going to last forever. This is true whether you are a person of faith or not. You may act like the game is going to last forever. But it doesn’t.



Monday, January 11, 2016

The Parenting Teenagers Course

My wife and I facilitated the Parenting Teenagers Course with 5 set of parents yesterday.


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

48 Exercises Perfect for 2016 New Year Resolution

Hello ...
The beginning of a new year provides a natural time for reflection and goal setting. One of your 2016 resolutions might be to live a healthier lifestyle and have a regular exercise routine. If that’s the case, here is the perfect way to get you moving. 
A recently created engaging animation  7dailymoves, a personal trainer app, which demonstrates 48 different exercises may be what you need.

The GIF features activities that you can complete with or without gym equipment, and they all work different parts of your body. Some concentrate on your abs while others strengthen your arms and legs. A kettle bell and free weights are required for several of these exercises, but a few have you laying on the floor. The same adorable figure, clad in a funky headband and striped socks, leads the charge for a healthier you.
As 2016 rolls on, keep this GIF handy for fitness inspiration. If you’re looking for more detailed direction, follow this gym guide on the 7dailymoves app.
Try it out. I have been using it to do some of the body weight exercises. Really good and keeps you going.
Let me know if you like it.
Happy exercising ... and keep healthy!
And if you zoom in a little closer...

As we begin 2016 .... and 3 tips to overcome back to work blues

Hello ..

This is the first week of 2016...
and you are probably feeling a little depressed in going to work - whether on the farm, in the office, on the road, or at home... yes, the holidays are over and it is time to get back to work.

Back to Work ...
I don't know if it has ever hit you:
Work is sacred...
Work is God's provision...
Work is a way of making the world better...
         for yourself and others to prosper, and
         for you to understand that God wants to involve you.

So, do recognise that there is a higher purpose to work - it benefits not just us but others as well.

I hope you will have been refreshed during the holidays and with an enthusiasm to go back work. Like many of you, I went back to work this week.

Make a List of Key Projects for 2016

One of the main tasks I did this week was to list out all the key projects I need to do for the year. I'll then make appointments to talk to the relevant people on the implementation plans and follow up actions for this task.

Then it is important to put in timelines to track progress and completion. This may sound rather routine and mundane but this is essential and will help set the work programme for the year.

I am excited about the new projects I am working on this year. It may start slow but I will make sure I see it through. No doubt there will be obstacles, challenges and mistakes. But such is the reality of life and we learn along the way.

3 Tips on Overcoming the Back to Work Blues

1) Start with a clean uncluttered table.
Nothing is quite as depressing as coming back to work on Monday only to find yourself sitting behind a messy desk, with piles of untouched work stacked miles high. To help beat those back-to-work blues, be sure to get organized.

2) Start a project.
Get started on a project. Involve people who are enthusiastic and you will get the encouragement and motivation to continue and see it to the end.

3) Plan your next vacation
Many of us experience a high on vacation. Whether it’s from all the adventure or the relaxation, vacations often bring sensations that our daily jobs do not. The best way to overcome those feelings of loss when you're trying to beat the back to work blues is to get right back to planning another vacation. Even if you’re just considering a short weekend getaway, you need something to look forward to.

In fact, I've started planning for a vacation to Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe in March 2016. See it in my travel blog.

Happy working ....


10 Things I Learnt from the Nicest Man in Britain


Hello Friend ..

I came across this inspiring article about the "Nicest Man in Britain".

Luke Cameron (left) started his daily good deed challenge last January in memory of family friend Maura (right), who passed away in October 2013
Luke Cameron (left) started his daily good deed challenge last January in memory of family friend Maura (right), who passed away in October 2013
He is Luke Cameron, 27. He ..
  • Challenged himself to do a good deed every day of 2014
  • Beat thousands of candidates to be given the 'Nicest Job in Britain'
  • The philanthropist spent 2015 helping 45 different charities over 52 weeks

Over the last 12 months, he has driven some 30,000 miles - and spent countless hours volunteering - to help each worthy cause with fundraising schemes.

The British Heart Foundation, the YMCA and the Donkey Sanctuary are just three of the charities he has helped. He has also been able to help give valuable time to lesser-known causes.

When Luke Cameron decided to do a good deed every day for a year in 2014, he could never have anticipated how much it would change his life.

The 26-year-old from Cheltenham made the decision after a close family friend died from cancer in 2013.

He started writing a Good Deed blog and logged every kind gesture he made on the site, which has now amassed thousands of followers.

He said:
'In a world of taking selfies with your "besties" and Instagramming pictures of your new handbag and Rolex watch, we forget to think about anyone else but ourselves. 
'Our generation has forgotten to care about others, because we are too self-obsessed to even care what others are going through.'
SOME OF LUKE'S GOOD DEEDS:

Good Deed 345:
One of my colleagues is on crutches after snapping his Achilles Heel. So today I grabbed his lunch for him and took it to his desk so he didn't have to hobble around getting it.

Good Deed 341:
I baked a load of mini lemon drizzle cakes today and sent them around to friends and family.

Good deed 258:
A small but helpful deed today. Carried down my elderly neighbour's trash. Bin day tomorrow.

Good Deed 256:
I was with a colleague today, explaining about doing good deeds. She was a little skeptical about the whole thing, so while she was away from her desk, I left the money for her lunch.
Maybe I can change her opinion of random kindness.

Good Deed 244:
Today I helped somebody in need. I stopped my car on the way home as there were a couple with a map. I gave them directions to the centre of town. They were very grateful

Good deed 242:
While walking the dog, I noticed a load of litter over the field at 7am - clearly the morning after the night before.
It was a few glass bottles and shredded cans. So I carefully picked them up and disposed of them.

Good Deed 221:
I got up at 5.30am to help a friend move house today. I hired a van yesterday and drove around two hours to Exeter to load up and remove everything from a 3 bedroom house.

Lessons I Learnt about Doing Good:

1) Be kind. It starts from the heart.

2) Be willing to get my hands dirty.

3) Be humble. People may ridicule me.

4) Be adventurous. It means doing things I've never done before.

5) Be bold. Sometimes I have to do it alone.

6) Be-lieve that even little acts of kindness mean a lot to others in need.

7) Be alert and observant. My eyes will be opened to see the need in others.

8) Be other centred. Look out for the interest and needs of others and not just my own.

9) Be steadfast. It is so easy to give up.

10) Be loving. Again it comes from the heart.

Do good .... all the time!



Tuesday, January 5, 2016

5 Ways to Read More Books

Hello ..

One of my favourite pastimes is to read. I enjoy reading. It is the window to the world. I learn about cultures, people, history, places, art, beauty etc etc which I may never be able to reach just by travelling.

For me reading also contributes to the improvement of my mental capacity. Reading a good book is s like nourishing the brain with fresh water. It enhances memory, creativity, concentration, and focus -- all essential skills for success.



But how does one get into the habit of reading consistently and pro-actively and reading more. Here are 5 ways I find helpful.

1. Desire to Read
The desire to read is the biggest thing that will get you to actually do it, and that desire is dependent upon there being a book that you want to inhale. Keep a list of great books your friends or family recommend - either on paper, or online - so that you always have a good book on hand that you'd like to borrow or buy.

2. Set Aside Time
The best way to read more is to make the time to do so. If you can't set aside 30 minutes a day like my (retired) wife can, try setting aside 10 minutes during your commute. Something is always better than nothing.

3. Have a Goal
Read 20 pages a day. Or start small - 10 pages a day. With that you can accomplish 300 pages a month which is about a book. And guess what, by year end, you would have read 10 books. The key is consistency and take small steps. Think about the benefits - imagine how much wiser and learned you will be after reading 10 books.

4. Read Anywhere
The easiest time to read is the time we have some spare time - like waiting in a queue, commuting by public transport to work, or before you nod off. Although you may not be able to get a ton of reading in, every time you spent reading adds up eventually.

5. Read What Interests You
If you like novels, read novels. If you like non-fiction, read non-fiction. Enjoy you reading - that's the most important. If you read several pages of a book and you do not find it interesting, dump it. Start with another book. Look for a title that interests you.



Happy reading and enjoy the richness!

Strength Training using Body Weight

Hello. Happy New Year!

How are you feeling as you start the new year? Feeling fit and strong? Or feeling a bit lethargic after all the celebrations and eating.

For me in 2016, one important area of my physical development is aim to maintain my fitness and strength. I will continue with my strength training (using my body weight ) to ensure that my muscles stay active and functional. I will abide by the simple principle - Use it or Lose it.

Truly as we grow older, whether you are a man or a woman, we begin to lose about 1 percent of your bone and muscle strength every year. "One of the best ways to stop, prevent, and even reverse bone and muscle loss is to add strength training to your workouts," advises Troy Tuttle, MS, an exercise physiologist at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston."

Strength training has benefits that go well beyond the appearance of nicely toned muscles. Your balance and coordination will improve, as will your posture.

More importantly, if you have poor flexibility and balance, strength training can reduce your risk of falling by as much as 40 percent, a crucial benefit, especially as you get older.

I'll stick to body weight exercises because it can be done almost anywhere and anytime. It s also low cost - just a pair of good shoes and comfortable clothing.

My favourite exercises are:

1) Pull-ups
2) Push-ups
3) Squats
4) Jumping Jacks
5) Lunges
6) Jog in place (see video below)



I like this article about jogging in place - The One Exercise That Just Might Change Your Running Forever. Try the 100-Up jogging in place recommended by Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.

The 100-Up is essentially exaggerated running form, and performing 100 repetitions can help build muscle memory during a similar state of fatigue that a runner might experience at the end of a tough workout or a grueling race.

Well, these are a few simple exercises that I do and my aim is to do them on alternate days.

They are simple exercises and I hope you will also try them out and let me know if they are useful for you.

Always start with adequate stretching and warm up.

Happy exercising, good health and keep strong!

Book Read - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Besides travelling, I love to read. Here's one inspiration book I read in Dec 2015.



Here's a brief summary.

The Alchemist (Coelho)

The Alchemist tells the story of a young shepherd named Santiago who is able to find a treasure beyond his wildest dreams. Along the way, he learns to listen to his heart and, more importantly, realizes that his dreams, or his Personal Legend, are not just his but part of the Soul of the Universe.

Santiago is a humble shepherd whose desires are few–he wants to be free to roam with his sheep, to have some wine in his wineskin and a book in his bag. Fate intervenes, however, in the form of the recurring dream of a great treasure hidden thousands of miles away at the base of the Egyptian Pyramids. When Santiago meets Melchizedek, a strange wise man who claims he is a king from a far-off land, he decides to seek his treasure. The next day, Santiago sells his sheep and embarks to Africa to pursue his dream.

Upon arriving in Africa, though, it becomes apparent that things will not be as easy as he thought. The first day Santiago is in Tangiers, he is robbed and left completely alone, unable to speak a single word of Arabic. At first Santiago contemplates giving up and turning around. He remembers the words of the wise man, though, and decides to carry on–getting a job at a local crystal shop. After working at the crystal shop for a year, learning much about life and about his Personal Legend, Santiago earns enough money to buy a new flock of sheep and return home. At the last minute, though, Santiago decides to risk it all and join a caravan to Egypt.

Once in the caravan, Santiago meets an Englishman who has come all the way to Africa to seek a renowned alchemist. As they travel through the desert, the Englishman tells Santiago about the secrets of alchemy. Santiago finds the Englishman's ideas to be very similar to Melchizedek's. They both speak of a Soul of the World to which we are all connected and of the necessity of following our heart's true desires or our Personal Legend. Santiago, however, prefers to learn these secrets by observing the world, while the Englishman prefers to learn from complex books. While they travel, they begin to hear rumors of a coming tribal war.

When they finally arrive at the Al-Fayoum oasis–the home of the titular Alchemist–Santiago meets a beautiful girl named Fatima with whom he immediately falls in love. He discovers that love, like the Personal Legend, comes directly from the Soul of the World. While walking in the desert, Santiago has a vision of an upcoming battle. He rushes back to warn the elders at the oasis and, when his vision is confirmed, they offer him a position as a counselor. Santiago considers staying at the oasis with Fatima, but the Alchemist finds Santiago and tells him that he will lead Santiago to his treasure.

Once again on the move, the Alchemist teaches Santiago to listen to his heart. Hearts can be treacherous, but the best way to keep them from fooling you is to listen to them intently. Almost to the pyramids, Santiago and the Alchemist are taken prisoner by a warring tribe. The Alchemist tells the tribesmen that Santiago is a powerful magician who can turn himself into the wind. The tribesmen are impressed and will spare the lives of the men if Santiago can do it. The only problem is that Santiago has no idea what he is doing. After three days of meditating, Santiago uses his knowledge of the Soul of the World to ask the elements to help him. First he asks the desert, then he asks the wind, then he asks the sun and, finally, he asks the Soul of the World. Immediately, the wind whips up, and Santiago disappears and reappears on the other side of the camp.

The Alchemist takes his leave of Santiago, who continues on to the Pyramids. Once there, Santiago is attacked by robbers. Asked what he is doing there, Santiago replies that he had a dream of a treasure buried at the base of the Pyramids. One of the robbers laughs at him, and says that he has had the exact same dream, except that in his the treasure was buried in Spain. Santiago realizes that the treasure was back in Spain the entire time.

The story then jumps forward in time and finds Santiago digging a hole at the base of the tree where he had had his first dream. Sure enough, he finds a trunk full of gold–enough for him and Fatima to live happily for a long time.

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