“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
— C.S. Lewis

there are always other implicated thoughts that come along with what others want to lead you to think, so be aware and beware.

talent and genius vs ...

for the Great amount of responsibility that comes with His power as God, let us not doubt His ability to use them wisely. there is reason why Heaven does not show itself to the common man, why some miracles do not come about when we ask for it.

in a time where every man is for himself, where friendships are formed through mutual gains, does the ideal of "to save the weak from sufferings" still apply?

to define by way of life and not logic

“If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” Emily Dickinson

Similar to the definition of Creativity in the Creativity Thinking class under Prof Kirpal Singh, we cannot exactly define creativity, but we know it as surely as when we see it.

Strength of the Catholic (I)

Talking to competitive players from last year's WCG, and knowing Shao Wei as quite a competitive player especially in fighting games, I was reminded that it is best to have a calm spirit instead of sensual excitement or fear, especially when tackling with competition, challenges and work in general. A spiritual happiness and excitement for doing the right thing at the right time, but a consciously calm and thinking resolve, ready to make the next move.

In connection to the person who first acted as such:

One of the most amazing things we learn from studying the life of Jesus Christ is that He was never in a hurry. He was never worried sick; never got burned out; never run down; never so frightened that he panicked. While He did get tired and hungry like everyone else, those are just physical needs. A meal and some sleep would take care of that. You do not ever find Jesus being dominated by the demands and pressures of getting the Gospel out as efficiently as possible; or running for His life when someone was trying to kill Him. Jesus always stayed calm and composed. He completed His mission with purpose and resolve, at His own pace.

c/r: http://www.agapeindia.com/miracle_04.htm

Movie: Blindsight

“Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?”

“It was not because of his sins or his parent’s sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.

"Its not your fault"

[2:30 onwards]: Is this what God had in mind in wanting to pass down his message of forgiveness?

A Poetry: Jesus of the Scars

If we never sought, we seek Thee now;

Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,

We must have Thee, O Jesus of the scars.

*

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;

In all the universe we have no place.

Our wounds are hurting us; where is Thy balm?

Lord Jesus, by Thy scars we claim Thy grace.

*

If when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,

Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;

We know today what wounds are, have no fear,

Show us Thy scars, we know the countersign.

*

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;

They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;

But to our wounds God’s wounds alone can speak,

And not a god has wounds but Thou alone.

(Edward Shillito)

Fusion of ideas

From a certain blog:

'was just reading Max Lucado's "In the eye of the Storm", and I think I just read my favourite chapter of the book so far.
This chapter is titled 'Laws of the Lighthouse', and the author makes a list of what he calls 'lights' to steer us through life and I found them really meaningful. Shall share some here!

When no one is watching, live as if someone is (1)

Succeed at home first"

For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. (3)- Acts 1:3

"Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars" (2)
- Jesus of the Scars by Edward Shillito

(1) + (2): As God's eyes sees all, there is truth in living out our lives as if someone is watching us. Not intently ready to judge us, but with a loving and caring intention.

(3): Thus, have no doubt that He is alive, as He has shown Himself to his disciples.

God seeks not our ability but our availability.

- Archbishop Gregory Yong

The Two Wolves

An old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil.

It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good.

It is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope, Serenity, Humility, Kindness,
Benevolence, Empathy, Generosity, Truth, Compassion and Faith.

The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied,

"The one you feed."

to understand before criticize.

- Lenz

If good men passed by my door without stopping in to have a talk, I would feel regretful for not having make known myself and my desires to meet such men.

False Compassion & Responsibility of the Catholic

False compassion and human respect are, in my opinion, a large part of the reason for much of the corruption in the world and the Church.

Apathy, lukewarm faith, attachment to sin, and obstinacy in sin are not helped in any way by false compassion.

Sin is like a cancer. Imagine an oncologist having a compassionate attitude toward the cancer killing his patients! Although those patients might suffer less in the beginning because they wouldn't be forced to endure chemotherapy, more likely than not, the patients treated by such a physician would die much sooner, whereas if such patients were treated, many would very likely beat their cancer and live.

Sin is like poison. It's not compassionate to sit back and let someone drink poison.

The key is speaking the truth in love. Tone is very important when dealing with creatures as fragile, fickle, and prone to pride as human beings, who due to concupiscence, as a result of Original sin, are inclined to take the path of least resistance and follow their lower passions rather than right reason.

Although it is true that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it's very important to make sure that in sharing the truth, we do not become an obstacle to its acceptance. Who wants to sign up with a group filled with members that appear bitter, angry and unpleasant? Who would join a group that sought to enlist members by insulting and condemning people?

Quoting St. Thomas Aquinas:

Fear is chiefly required as being the foundation, so to speak, of the perfection of the other gifts, for "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 110:10; Sirach 1:16), and not as though it were more excellent than the others. Because, in the order of generation, man departs from evil on account of fear (Proverbs 16:16), before doing good works, and which result from the other gifts.

In order to judge aright, the speculative reason is perfected by "wisdom"; the practical reason by "knowledge." The appetitive power, in matters touching a man's relations to another, is perfected by "piety"; in matters touching himself, it is perfected by "fortitude" against the fear of dangers; and against inordinate lust for pleasures, by "fear," according to Proverbs 15:27: "By the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil," and Psalm 118:120: "Pierce Thou my flesh with Thy fear: for I am afraid of Thy judgments." Hence it is clear that these gifts extend to all those things to which the virtues, both intellectual and moral, extend.

Catholics must learn their faith so as to be prepared with the questions and challenges to their Faith they will hear from those who do not believe and from those who cling to sinful lifestyles. Catholics must share their faith with others in a way that doesn't compromise the truth in any way, but still invites and attracts.

Christ did not compromise, but He remains attractive to sincere people, whether or not they have come to believe in Him.

Many non-believers will readily admit that Jesus is appealing – they claim that it's His followers that trouble them. This may be true, or it may be a excuse. Our job is to make sure we're part of the solution, and not part of the problem.

Many people will still, sadly, reject the truth, even when it is presented charitably, accurately, and truthfully. People rejected Christ during His public life, and they will reject His followers now, but we can't comfort ourselves with the false security that every rejection of the Christian method is due only to the sinfulness of those with whom we share the Holy Gospel.

Christians must walk a fine line. They must speak the truth, without compromise, but in love, with a desire to lead souls to Christ, and a prudent understanding about what may needlessly drive people away.