Book Review - "Sabbath Time" (Tilden Edwards)

TITLE: SABBATH TIME
AUTHOR: Tilden Edwards
PUBLISHER: Nashville: Upper Room Books, 1992.


This book essentially argues for a recovery of a rhythm of Sabbath awareness, to enhance both contemplation (rest) and action (through ministry). It is an intentional living out of  labor and love, of rest and work; and of achieving and escaping. Written in 5 parts, Edwards guides the reader through the historical contexts of Sabbath keeping (Part I); contemporary struggles with understanding of the Sabbath (Part II); Practical aspects of Sabbath Keeping (Part III); extending Sabbath keeping beyond the weekly observances into a life-style rhythm (Part IV); and concluding with a short exhortation toward linking living and loving (Part V).

Edwards prefaces the book by lamenting:

"The Christian sabbath, as a practice of receptive time that both balances and permeates our active time, has not had comprehensive, serious attention in mainstream Christian thought and practice for a long time. It has suffered from an image of legalism, repression, and quietism, together with a general neglect of its history and potential as a foundational spiritual discipline of the Christian life." (8)

Touching Audition on American Idol 2011

This piece on Chris Medina's audition is touching.




I think he sings well. Most significantly, it is the story of the love of him and his fiancee Julianna that wins hearts. It takes a man to love so openly and self-sacrificially. Unfortunately, the fairy tale beginning ended abruptly as Chris didn't make the final 24. This video is also touching, albeit for quite different reasons.

c

Re-Post: "Consequences of an Online World"

This article is reposted from my other weekly blog, SabbathWalk.

conrade

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TITLE: Consequences of an Online World
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 23 Feb 2011

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

MAIN POINT: In a 24x7, always on technological environment, there is a temptation of making technology the new god of the modern age. Slow down. Stop. Look up. Do not turn technology into the modern ‘golden calf.’

Power outages can cause major disruptions in any city. Network outages can hamper work and affect both internal and external communications. Several years ago, when I was a software engineer with a large American firm, there occurred a systems outage. Computers cannot connect to the network. The clocks failed to synchronize. Emptying office cubicles, office staff packed the cafeteria and surrounding coffee shops. The day continued on, and none of my colleagues were complaining. That was 20 years ago.

On April 19th, 2007, the major Canadian telecommunications provider, Blackberry suffered a major systems outage. Eight million Blackberry clients were forced offline. As the systems came down, tempers flared up. The scene was ugly. In October 2010, the popular social networking website also experienced an outage, forcing millions of users to stop updating their own lives online. Unlike 20 years ago, any kind of technology outage is increasingly unbearable. In an ‘always-on’ culture, online companies’ future and reputation are at the mercy of the reliability of the systems network.

In an Always-On culture, people get jitters just to know that their iPhones or Blackberries are not working. They become frantic when Facebook or Twitter sites are down. I know some who can only pace back and forth aimlessly when their electronic gadgets fail to work. Tools used to be a supplement, an option for man to work with. With technology, tools are no longer just an option. The roles have been reversed. The one who created the machine, can no longer live without it. Technology has reversed the paradigm. It is no longer machines that need man to make it function, but man that needs machines in order to function. The maker cannot live without his toys.

In an insightful look at online environments and mobile lifestyles, and how they influence people, Naomi Baron lists three consequences of ‘being always on.’ They are personal; ethical; cognitive; and social.

Book Review: "If God, Why Evil?" (Norman Geisler)

TITLE: If God, Why Evil? (a new way to think about the question)
AUTHOR: Norman L Geisler
PUBLISHER: Minnesota: Bethany House Publishers, 2010.

This is a very clearly presented book set out to defend the theistic perspective of God, evil and the nature of suffering. It uses simple language that can be readily understood by the layperson. It will be helpful especially those without much training in philosophy or theology. Using step by step 'handrails' to guide the reader through the arguments and counter-arguments, one can easily navigate through the flow of arguments. In ten chapters, Geisler deals with the different views of evil, the nature, origin, persistence, purpose, miracles, and many of the common difficult challenges facing people who are genuinely concerned about evil and suffering in this world. Each chapter contains brief examples for quick appreciation.

The last three appendices comprise of materials that cover animal deaths, proving the existence of God, and a book critique of The Shack. They do not seem to fit into the overall flow of the book. Yet, they are somewhat relevant to the topic of suffering. They are helpful chapters, but I feel are not necessary toward the overall thesis of the book. What surprises me is the way Geisler squeezed into the appendices a sharp critique of Paul Young's The Shack.

My Comments
What is amazing about this book is that it treats the topic sensitively and clearly, without sacrificing the breadth of coverage. My main critique is that Geisler fails to include more of the alternative arguments from the standpoint of the questioner. For example, in arguing the Best Possible World theory, what about the arguments against this? At times, I feel like Geisler is over-enthusiastic to present his side of the story, that he understates the 'other point of view.' I believe Geisler is right on many fronts. Yet, I get the feeling that this book will appeal more to the converted, rather than one that will convince the unbeliever. Having said that, I believe God is perfectly capable of defending Himself. I prefer to see this book as a readable  introductory resource for new students in the field of theodicy.

So what is exactly 'new' in this book's re-thinking of the question of evil? If there is anything particularly new, it will be the manner in which the author lays out the problem, identifies the flaws in the premises, and to modify the way the question needs to be re-stated. Nevertheless, this book is a valuable resource to introduce the dilemma of evil and suffering, to lay out the Christian position, and as God enables, to encourage those going through difficult periods of their lives. This book is an excellent choice for teaching an appreciation-level layman class on apologetics and suffering.

conrade

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"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Live out your dream - never too late

I generally dislike commercials. However, this is an exception. The producer of this commercial manages to integrate a meaningful message which can speak into the hearts of those in their final stages of life. I came across this commercial this week (courtesy of Grace@Work).




Two years ago, I reflected on the need to live out our dreams. In my article, "Dream and Discover," I suggested the need to focus more on relationships rather than work. This video commercial reminds me again, that our dreams are best lived out purposefully, when we are living for someone close to our heart.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the ones you did do. So throw away the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Dream. Discover." (Mark Twain)

For Christians, living passionately for Christ is the greatest privilege we can ever exercise.

conrade

The New NIV Bible (2011 edition)

The NIV 2011

To be launched on March 2011, this is the latest addition to the bludgeoning collection of New International Version (NIV) Bibles. It is meant to replaced the much maligned TNIV, which has been much criticized, chief of all being the changing of the original texts to be more 'gender-neutral.'  From what I know, the history of the NIV is roughly as follows:

• 1973 - New Testament released;  
• 1978 - The full NIV text containing both the OT and NT released;
• 1984 - second revision;
• 1996 - NIV readers version; (NIrV for early readers)
• 2002 - Today's New International Version (TNIV)
• 2010 - Latest version to be released in print (Mar 1, 2011)

As a service to my readers, here are a few ways you can read the NIV (c) 2010 version. 

1) ONLINE SOURCES (with Internet connection)

• BibleGateway - Choose "NIV, 2010" (online since Nov 1st, 2010)
• Biblica website - (link)
• Youversion website - (link)

2) OFFLINE RESOURCES (after download and install)

• Kindle - New International Version; (ebook)
• Free download of NIV ("youversion" up to Mar 1st, 2011; only for Apple iPad, iPods, iPhones and Androids)
  downloading is a little tricky. first you'll need to download a YOUVERSION Bible app from the Apple app store on your device. After downloading the app, search for the Bible version WITHIN the app. If you see a green icon, click that one in order to download.
  
• FREE New Testament NIV MP3 downloads (iTunes)
• FREE Old Testament NIV MP3 downloads (iTunes)
• For printed copies, you can buy it at all major bookstores from March 1st, 2011.

3) REFERENCES

• Who translated the NIV (c) 2010 edition? (link)
  Hey, there's a few professors from Regent-College. Woo Hoo!
  
  
• All Things NIV (link)
• News updates on the new NIV (link)

I make more comments once I get hold of a printed copy.

conrade

Book: "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" (Donald Miller)

TITLE: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
AUTHOR: Donald Miller
PUBLISHER: Thomas-Nelson, 2010.

The accolades and positive blurbs on the inside flaps of the book, look like movie trailers enticing any reader to read it. I am not disappointed. Packed with snippets of the author's supposedly 'boring' life, this book is a story of how the author re-writes his life by 'story-ing' it. The book begins with a bleak overview of the downturn in the author's personal life, and ends with a remarkable glimmer of hope. Using many story-writing tips and movie making insights (learned from his friends Ben and Steve), Miller finds himself encouraged, as he 'edits' his life.

I love the way he puts what he learned into practice. As a result, Miller manages to create a living story of his past. The pages are filled with honesty, themselves illuminated with sparkling thoughts about the most mundane things in life. Readers will be encouraged, even charged up to write their own stories. This book is not exactly a memoir. It looks more like Miller teaching himself that life is not a matter of positive or negative moments. It is about going through it with a hope that at the end, real meaning will be discovered, with God shining His torch to light the way. I find myself motivated to write my own story. More significantly, the underlying message is that we can live a meaningful life. We just need to learn to story our lives, with help from others, and God.

If there is any critique I have, it will be the classification of 'Spirituality' that tends to throw the prospective buyer off. It is more a memoir, quite close to what Anne Lamott's writings do.  This is more evident toward the end of Miller's book. The chapters while sequenced in a purposeful manner, contains lots of events, thoughts, and emotions that do not seem to fall appropriately under the stated category.  Thus it makes one suspect if the events, like square pegs have been squeezed into round holes. It does make me curious as to how 'real' the history is.

Overall, this book is certainly a good book for prospective writers to read. It should be one of the key primers for anyone desiring to tell stories, especially good stories.

conrade

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Here's a link to one of Don Miller video promotionals on the book (Mar 7th, 2011)

What story are you telling? from Rhetorik Creative on Vimeo.