The Best Toys Ever

Wired magazine ran an article on the five best toys ever.  Wired is one of the most innovative, bleeding-edge publications you’ll read about all things technological.  Which is why at first the list surprised me, but then I realized their angle and couldn’t help but appreciate their wisdom. 

Here’s the list:
1.         Stick.
2.         Box
3.         String
4.         Cardboard Tube
5.         Dirt

Anybody want to argue with them?  I doubt it.

It’s an important reminder that the best things in life – and often in ministry, leadership, business and family – are the simple things.

The dilemma is how our culture seems to refuse to give simplicity a place.
But think about when it insists on intruding and the wake it leaves behind.

For example, a snowstorm brings your town to a standstill.  You went out and stocked up on bread and milk and a few other things you didn’t really need, and settled in.  The power goes out, so you light the candles and gather by the fireplace for warmth.  Board games that had been gathering dust for years are pulled out.  You play them and have more fun than you can remember.  You then go outside and actually play, throw a snowball, make a snow-angel, build a snowman.
It’s golden.

You talk, years later, about that magic night.  You’d give almost anything to go back and relive it, and wish there was a way to recreate it in the here and now.

In a complex, “always on” world, perhaps what we need to remember is that we need to intentionally unplug every now and then.

Even if just to remember that the best toys in the world – like the best times – are the most simple.
And in truth, the most available.

That is my holiday wish for you.  May you enjoy the simplicity and holiness that resides in the stillness between Christmas and the new year. 

And maybe some fun with a leftover box or two.

James Emery White

Sources
“The 5 Best Toys of All Time,” Jonathan Liu, Wired, January 31, 2011. Read online.

Editor’s Note
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Many Ways To Divide And Hate

A suicide bomber has blown up a car outside the interior ministry in Baghdad, killing seven people and wounding more than 30.

Today, another 7 people died of suicide bombing in Iraq. During the past weeks, more than 70 Iraqis had been killed through this type of senseless attacks. It is understandable when recently, the extremist Muslims killed Christians in Nigeria. But why are Muslims killing Muslims? The reason is because they are from different denominations - Shi'ite and Sunni. Let's say if all the believers of one faction are eliminated, would the people in the remaining denomination find differences in their belief? Most probably because it is not the differences in what they believe but it is the evil in the hearts of men.

As the Prophet Jeremiah said years ago, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9).

How does Christendom fare in this aspect? Sadly, atrocities happen among the Christians too. Church history is filled with blood sheds and tragedies. You will remember centuries of conflicts between the Catholic and Protestants in many countries. Then we read about certain Protestant denominations persecuting other Protestant denominations. Even translating the bible can be a reason for execution. Believers are tortured horrendously and even burned on the stakes by fellow believers in the name of God. It is definitely not God's doing but the results of deceitful and wicked hearts.

Indeed, we can find many ways to enter into conflict because we are all different. The short people against the tall people; dark against fair, Chinese against Indians, Indians against Malays, fat against slim, Southern dialects against Northern dialects, Hokkien against Cantonese and even the bigger heads against the smaller heads etc.

Instead of celebrating our difference and uniqueness, we choose to see all these as barriers and reasons for hatred. Did God make everybody the same? We must remember that we were once unbelievers and how God, through His love, grace, mercy and full acceptance, brought us salvation. We were never rejected just because we were unbelievers. The enlightened people of God shared their love with us. We then become people who do not only experienced God's love but also shine forth His love to mankind. Therefore, showing the way of love begins with us, the Disciples of Christ. 

We begin by first overcoming our prejudices and learn to accept and embrace others who may have different ideologies and religions. After all, we have been called by our Master to evangelize the world. And we cannot fulfill the Great Commission if we treat those whom God loves with our hatreds or prejudices. The message of God's love is only effective when the messengers of His love show it by their actions and lifestyles. Until and unless, we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, we will forever be stuck in the level of our deceit and wickedness.

"Father, forgive us because we know not what we do!"

Pastor Albert Kang

27 Dec 2011

Newly Translated Ancient Document Says Dozens Came From the East to See Baby Jesus

Newly Translated Ancient Document Says Dozens Came From the East to See Baby Jesus

 

by Teresa Neumann-Commentary : Dec 23, 2011 : Kerry McQueeney - The Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076943/Happy-Christmas-Forget-3-Wise-Men-DOZENS-flocked-Jesus.html?printingPage=true

"The story says that Seth passed down a prophecy that at some point a star would appear that would signal the birth of God in human form. The Magi waited thousands of years, passing down the prophecy and then the star appeared where the Magi were… Later the Apostle Thomas turns up and baptizes the Magi and tells them to go into the world." -Brent Landau

(Norman, Oklahoma)—One can never be too cautious when it comes to giving theological credence to extra-Biblical accounts of the Gospel, even by purported Biblical "experts." From a purely historical perspective, however, it's fascinating to see how ancient non-Judaic documents treated the birth of Christ.

A current example is that of an 8th century ancient manuscript held in the Vatican for 250 years and claimed to be written by the Magi in Syriac, an ancient Syrian dialect. It has just been translated into English for the first time.

This newly interpreted script, according to Brent Landau, a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Oklahoma, indicates over a dozen "wisemen" came from as far away as China to see Jesus after His birth.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, the sect that authored the manuscript claimed to be descendants of Adam's third son, Seth, and called Shir, located in present-day China, their home.

Said Landau: "The story says that Seth passed down a prophecy that at some point a star would appear that would signal the birth of God in human form. The Magi waited thousands of years, passing down the prophecy and then the star appeared where the Magi were... Later the Apostle Thomas turns up and baptizes the Magi and tells them to go into the world."

No doubt, whoever these Magi were—like all non-Jews in the world at that time—they were walking in darkness, possibly steeped in the occult, and certainly ignorant of the full-extent of redemption. Which makes it all the more amazing that God would include them into the narrative of His Son's birth.

But then, God so loved the WORLD—not just Christians—that He gave His only begotten Son. Thank you, Jesus! 

http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art_pf.html?ID=9661 

Twelve Days of Christmas - Preacher's Version

In the spirit of the holidays (to be sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"):

On the first day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
A sermon on the birth of a King.

On the second day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the third day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Four applications, three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Five video clips, four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays, and a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Six sermon outlines, five video clips, four applications,
Three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines, five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Eight pot-luck suppers, seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips, four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays, and a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers,
Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines, five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Ten trustees griping, nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers, 

Seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines, five video clips,
Four applications, three illustrations, two Christmas plays,
And a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Eleven deacons deac-ing, ten trustees griping, nine Christmas neckties,
Eight pot-luck suppers, seven snappy endings, six sermon outlines,
Five video clips, four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays, and a sermon on the birth of a King.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my preacher gave to me
Twelve days vacation, eleven deacons deac-ing, ten trustees griping,
Nine Christmas neckties, eight pot-luck suppers, seven snappy endings,
Six sermon outlines, five video clips, four applications, three illustrations,
Two Christmas plays, and a sermon on the birth of a King.

Michael Duduit

The Story of the Humble Knife

By Albert Kang

 

Chef Chong is well-known in Singapore as one of the leading chefs in Cantonese cuisines. To help him maintain his impeccable reputation is a whole array of cooking equipments. His kitchen is filled with fascinating machinery that will make most homemakers drool. Chef Chong shares all these equipments with his eight helpers. The only tools that he does not share are his knives. He has a set of seven very sharp knives that nobody is allowed to touch, except him.

One day, one of the old knives, having been sharpened till it is a shadow of its former glory, broke. Chef Chong is sad that he has to replace it with a new knife. He calls his supplier who promptly sends him another knife of the same make and type.

Chef Chong is very pleased with his new knife. Its weight is just nice; it balances well in his skilled hands and by looking at the color, he knows that the steel is forged in the correct tensile strength. With great expectation, he places his new knife on the sharpening stone and begins to work on the blade. After one hour of hard work, he expects the blade to be sharp. To his disappointment, the blade remains blunt. In frustration, he put down the new knife and sighs, "What is wrong with you?"

The new knife replies, "Master, there is nothing wrong with me. I just want to be humble. You see, I am not like all your other knives that are proud and boastful. I am a humble knife!"

Recovering from his shock, Chef Chong cannot believe what he is hearing. In disgust, he says, "What is the use of being humble when you remain blunt?"

The humble knife replies, "You see, my Master, I do not want to part-take of your glory. If I were to be like all the other pompous knives, then all the glory that you deserve will be given to us, knives. Imagine, if you were to be able to cut or carve out all the meats with a blunt knife, then everybody will be praising you for your great skill."

Chef Chong protests, "My great skill is in sharpening good knives and then in using them in whatever ways I like!"

The humble knife quickly retorts, "But then I will get the glory. No, my Master! I shall remain blunt so that you can get all the glory!"

The chef is too upset to even speak. He continues to work on the blade for another hour. Putting his thumb to blade, he throws the knife down in anger, "You are unwilling to be sharpened".

The irritated knife replies, "No, I must be humble and remain blunt!"

In frustration, Chef Chong almost tears out the few strands of hair that he has on his balding head. The humble knife refuses to become sharp no matter what its master does. Finally, the only option for the miserable chef is to put this humble knife aside. He buys another knife, sharpens it and adds that into his collection. Now, he is happy because his reputation and business continue to grow because of his skills in using his seven sharp knives.

The humble knife thinks to itself, "One day, my Master will use me because I am the humblest of all his knives. There it sits on the shelf, day after day, month after month, year after year. Then one day, it looks at itself and finds its lovely blunt blade has lost its shine. A coat of rust soon covers it.

One Chinese New Year, during spring cleaning, one of the helpers unceremoniously tosses the humble but rusty knife into the garbage bin. As the lid covers the garbage bin, there is a deep darkness surrounding the humble knife. It is puzzled and still wondering, "Why didn't the chef use me?"

The humble knife has never served one day in the kitchen of the master chef. It dies unfulfilled.

This is the same with many people. They refuse to use their talents and gifts for God. How many potential singers and worship leaders die unfulfilled? How many potential pastors and preachers go to their graves without gracing the pulpits? How many very gifted people because of false humility are not being used by God in His kingdom? 

What are your talents and skills that God has given you? Are you maximizing them for the glory of God?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albert_Kang

Lasting Results from Evangelist Dr John Sung’s Ministry in Manila, Philippines.

“Three Churches in Manila – the Episcopal, the United Evangelical and the Christian Assembly Churches – united in extending an invitation to Dr Sung to conduct meetings from June 6th to 14th. he traveled to Manila after another great campaign in Peking in April.

Crowds gathered from all over Luzon and from other islands to attend the meetings. About 800 people filled every seat and blocked the aisles and stairways of the Chinese United Evangelical Church. Pastor Silas Wang of the United Church who took a prominent role in the meetings said: ” Dr. Sung had one line of teaching: sin, repentance, the new birth, holiness.” As usual, his denunciations of sin were fearless – the sins of professing Christians especially so. Sometimes he would single out an individual, a pastor or an office-bearer in the church, and say, “There is sin in your heart !”and he was always right. 

Sung used some of the old illustrations and some new ones. Once he appeared carrying a miniature coffin half full of stones. These represented sin committed and the death which sin would bring. For every fresh sin committed a stone would be added to the load until the bearer was almost bowed down under the weight. To emphasize the New Birth, he came on to the platform one day wearing an old gown with the names of different sins written all over it. Then, at the appropriate moment in the address, he discarded the old gown “at the Cross” and put on a new robe of righteousness produced from somewhere! 

The sermons lasted as usual two hours or more with the favorite choruses copiously interspersed. Evangelism was followed by instruction to newly converted and the other Christians, and towards the end there was healing meeting. Crowds went to the platform to be prayed for, yet Dr. Sung, days later, would met the individuals and recognizing them as among those who had sought healing, ask “How are you?” He has a prodigious memory.

There were lasting results from these meetings. The United Evangelical Church was greatly straightened and its evangelistic zeal kindled. The Evangelistic Band organization which was formed at that time was still active in 1953, eighteen years later having survived the years of war and grown out of all recognition. It was divided into ten sections, each with its own leader and its own responsibility for prison, hospital and radio evangelism, for personal visitation, cottage meetings, devotional gatherings and the like. 

A missionary, writing in 1954, reports: “So many of the true Christians in the Philippines are the direct result of John Sung’s ministry”

A Biography of John Sung By Leslie T. Lyall Page 181-182