Feet pain

My feet bottom have been found to be painful recently.I consulted several doctors for the cause.They all the same suggested I should use protective pads.I went therefore to Dr. Kong,shoe expert shop to buy it and got a pair of special made shoes. All are quite expensive.

The examination result is that my feet are between healthy feet and even feet (扁平足),a term called wide even feet 寬扁足.

Well,it's my turn in mid years to have one more burden of my health---to take care of my feet.

Servanthood leadership implementation process:

Included in this implementation process:

•Foundation:
Setting the standard by training the team on the specifics of Servant Leadership and the required leadership skills and behaviors.

•Feedback:
Identification of "gaps" is accomplished utilizing a Leadership Skills Inventory (LSI) tool developed by J.D. Hunter Associates.This unique 360°feedback tool clearly identifies the "gaps" between where the manager needs to be as the leader versus their actual level of performance as the leader.

•Friction:
Establishing specific and measurable goals and measuring behavioral changes.A Continuous Improvement Panel(CIP)is created to provide managers with support and provides the appropriate"friction" to ensure individual behavior change until those changes become habit (second nature).

Included in the process is on-going leadership training on topics such as:

o Leadership Skills
o Community (Team) Building
o Active Listening
o Assertiveness Training
o Character Development
o Constructive Discipline
o Performance Planning & Review --- By Jim Hunter---

Authentic Leaders

How do we recognize authentic leaders? Usually, they demonstrate these five traits:

1. Pursuing their purpose with passion
2. Practicing solid values
3. Leading with their hearts as well as their heads
4. Establishing connected relationships
5. Demonstrating self-discipline ---By Bill George---

Changes and flexibility

I have to submit to time changes in appointments when needs arise suddenly.These few days have to change my schedule to meet with people.

It's sometimes difficult when I shall involve in broadcast ministry coming year having to prepare for talks need time and creativity.

Anyway that's the way life progresses and things getting done,but sometimes without our best wish.

A Glorious Christian life

Approaching end of 2007,as I shared this morning among colleagues,I picked up three persons in Philippians. (Phil2:19-30)

Paul-- The Founder of the Philippian church ----a model of humility
Timothy--The one who treated Paul as father---- a model of harmony
Epaphroditus-- The one sent to serve for Paul'use ---a model of usefulness

Paul is humble in two aspects :
Not getting own merits when he said willingly to be pured out like a drink offering
Having a simple and glad life among the disciples.

Timothy is a life of harmony in three aspects:
Single-mindedness in serving Paul
Not selfish and care for others
Freely giving his life to serve other's interests

Epaphroditus is a life of usefulness
Functioning among the co-working team
Faithfulness in being sent and attain his mission
Being sacrificial and not saving his own life in service

May our life be always glorifying God in being humble,harmonious and useful!

Washroom Renovation

Pipelines somewhere within our washroom possibly leak and it affects lower floor tenants.We were asked to see into it and so most probably we need to have big renovation work very soon after initial inspection.

Since Lunar New Year is approaching and most construction workers are in a hurry mood to finish works,most probably the work would be done after the Chinese New Year holidays.We have to prepare quite a sum of money for the renovation and need to seek for a temporary stay at least for two weeks. Hopefully it won't affect Yannie's examination during the work period.

Over ten years since our last big renovation work done and it's almost time to do something after the tenant complaints.

Life always presents us problems to deal with.Small as this one and big as sudden death of our familiar or loved ones.

Soren Kierkegaard said that life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. By sufficient grace may I learn to live with problems in a joyful heart !

Reader's digest

It is not religion that is the root of all evil, it is certainty.
萬惡之源不在宗教，而在自以為是。

Two quotations for the day

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.
--- Elmer G. Letterman ---

Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. --- Samuel Johnson ---

Farewell Lunch

My role as HKHD will come to an end this month and past Wednesday had a farewell lunch together with board members and office staff.

It's moving that Rev. Chan,over 70s,had mild stroke himself months before,came to the lunch together. A simple meal means fellowship with God's blessings and love.

I shall completely focus my time on training starting from 2008.

I shared on John 1:14 in the morning Prayer time with all who came together.Truth and Grace came through Jesus Christ while Moses brought us only law.

It's His truth and grace that mean a lot during this Christmas Season.

Gifts & Celebrations

Towards Christmas this week we went through a few office celebration and meals.

I led one celebration last night and everyone had to share from written short question. All together there were 17 people and I had made ready 21 questions .

For my own answer to the question I got myself,I had to answer how many hours sleep I need per day. I told everyone that I just slept from 4-5 hours every night.

Another 82 old lady answered if she could join the coming 2008 Olympics Peking her sport would be jumping on a string which's her young days' favorite play.

Then we had gifts for the young kids and also ballot gift for the special.

Seasons' Greeting is good to be around with lovely people at home to have fun,meal time and talks.

It's the Lord's blessing upon us insignificant ones
with His significant love and His Emmanuel among us.

Elderly fellowship's celebration

I shared Philemon 18 this morning on the Enoch Fellowship's 18 th anniversary celebration. Philemon is found to be the 18 th book in the NT. I shared particularly on verse 18 of the book.

As Philemon was asked to accept Onesimus by Paul,we are also asked to forgive those who failed and hurt us in our lives.

The great meaning of Christmas is Emmanuel Christ with us Who takes initiative to make effective our reconciliation.Meaningful Christmas lies in it.

We are saved by the grace of our Lord who incarnated among us.

Taking action

I read a book by Helen Harkness om career chaos this morning.

She mentioned six stages to realize our goals:

clear vision
deliberation
choice and decision
focus
plan
direct the execution

Let's be the man of action.

Looking beyond

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and science. ----Einstein---

Incarnation is a kind of mystery.
Trinity is also a kind of mystery.
Virgin Birth is also a mystery.

But they are all the most beautiful things we can experience and point towards a higher than human level understanding

Thanks for the great Einstein who said that.

May the coming Christmas gives us joy and freedom and love and warmth.

A Free day at home

I get a free day at home after my last week's trip.

This week has more to do than regular days.I have to prepare for meeting messages and there's a baptism this coming Sunday.

Yet yesterday in office I took a book from a colleague's shelf,Eugene Peterson and Marva Dawn 's Unnecessary Pastor. It's written from messages on Ephesians by Marva Dawn while Eugene worked on Paul,Timothy and Titus' examples in leadership.

An enjoyable trip

We've been blessed to have an enjoyable trip to Shanghai past few days to visit some of the church leaders.

We attended the Open church in Shanghai on Sunday.It's near Christmas time and I felt especially the warmth of the mood around the Seasons.The message was on Mary's whole devotion to the Lord,her honoring the Lord in heart.

Then We went with a brother friend Daniel working in Shanghai to have a meal in Western Park Restaurant.He treated us and we had good fellowship time over the table.

Thanks the Lord for a relaxed Sunday when we have finished our visit schedule from Thursday to Saturday.

Two Quotes for the Day

Spontaneously supporting others is better than hiding under the protection of others.
躲在別人的蔭下，不如主動為別人撐傘。

Cherishing life makes it more precious and helps us count our blessings.
存心保養顧惜，是使生活過得更豐盛；也是一種「數算恩典」的態度。

Two kinds of evil

I read this morning along my bus journey a book on the Apocalypse by Emil Bock,his explanation of the chapter12-13. Three central figures of ancient mythology are the woman,the dragon and the Archangel Michael. Dragon is the personification of the devil.
I do not know anything of astrology or astronomy to understand more of the author's elaboration. One certain thing however I agree is that modern man's consciousness might be quite different from ancient times when men were more familiar with different god stories.

Evil,according to the author,is not opposed to goodness,but is opposed to another evil.Two phrases captured my attention :

Evil is soul without spirit.
Evil is spirit without soul.

Olden times fit more of the first phrase while modern man rather inclined to the second phrase. It certainly makes us think at the point.

Mission 7 T

Our discussions today amid future EAM issues
will be following the seven Ts

Mission Trends
Mission Transitions
Mission Transformation
Mission Training
Mission Trials
Mission Teamwork
Mission Tapestry

Concern for individuals

The work of heaven is never just a slogan or a theory
but real concern for individuals.

天國的事工永遠不是一句口號或一套理論，
而是單獨的、個別的，面對面的關懷。

昔在、今在、永在的神──愛的巡禮

神看著是好的。 愛的欣賞 (創一31)
神呼喚…...你在那裡？ 愛的尋找 (創三9)

困苦……看見了；哀聲…...聽見了。 愛的感觸 (出三7)
這食物…...叫嗎哪；在曠野所給你們喫的食物。 愛的供應 (出十六31-32)
我是耶和華，你們要聖潔，因為我是聖潔的。 愛的準繩 (利十一45)
祂必愛你，賜福與你…… 愛的守約 (申七13)

你無論往那裡去，你的神必與你同在。 愛的同在 (書一9)
這日以前，這日以後……為以色列人爭戰。 愛的爭戰 (書十14)
離棄耶和華……不能站立得住…...興起士師拯救。 愛的救拔 (士二11-16)

誰用無知的言語，使我的旨意暗昧不明？ 愛的釋惑 (伯卅八2)
強辯的，豈可向全能者爭論麼？ (伯四十2)
你豈可廢棄我所擬定的？ (伯四十8)
豈可定我有罪，好顯自己為義麼？

耶和華我的力量阿！我愛你！ 愛的頌曲 (詩十八1)
神啊！我的心切慕你，如鹿切慕溪水。 (詩四十二1)
我想念神，就煩燥不安。我沉吟悲傷，心便發昏。 (詩七十七3)
來啊！我們要向耶和華歌唱！向拯救我們的磐石歡呼！ (詩九十五1)
萬國啊！你們都當讚美耶和華！ (詩一一七1)
萬民啊！你們都當頌讚祂！

喫素菜，彼此相愛；強如喫肥牛，彼此相恨。 愛的處世 (箴十五17)

耶利米 以永遠的愛愛你……以慈愛吸引你。 永遠的愛 (耶卅一3)
何西亞 醫治背道的病，甘心愛他們。 甘心的愛 (何十四4)
再去愛…… 挽回的愛 (何三1)
阿摩司 惟願公平如大水滾滾…… 公義的愛 (摩五24)
彌迦 已指示你何為善……行公義、好憐憫…… (彌六8)
西番雅 因你歡欣喜樂，默然愛你。 默然的愛 (番三17)

救主耶穌 就愛他們到底。 到底的愛 (約十三1)
使徒保羅 這兩隻手常供給我和同人的需用。 勞累的愛 (徒廿34)

Love's Survey

I was asked to write on church bulletin coming January Issue.

I focused on the Lord's love this morning after breakfast and so did a brief survey through the bible from Genesis onwards. Then I wrote down how we visualize the Lord's love as He created the world and saw that it's good. I saw the appreciation of His own Handiworks here and so I just dropped down the Lord's love with appreciation. Then going through up to Apostle Paul's laboring hand in Acts 20:34. I dropped down here as love with labour.

May we start the coming new year with the Lord's love once again !

Written or said

I just mentioned would be attending a meeting with OMF next week,without writing down the dates to Rev. Lo. He mistook my words and thought I was absent today for the meeting.

It makes me think that writing down dates for other's understanding is important.
A memo helps fix our too loaded messages in our head.I seldom like to jog down message,just pass it on and that's all.Henceforth,to help myself as well as others,I need to form the writing habit.

Perseverance

If you wish success in life,

Make Perseverance your bosom friend,
Experience your wise counselor,
Caution your elder brother and
Hope your guardian genius. --Joseph Addison--

Be Strengthened in 4 directions

I shared this morning on be strengthened with a word study on the subject.
NT uses two words for it. Endunamoo and Kratiaoo are two respective words for this.
8 times with the former and 4 times of the latter are used.

I compiled them to 4 aspects :

1. Awakening of the inner being (Eph 3:16)
2. Be strong in spiritual battle (Eph 6:10) / (Hebrew 11:34)
3. Be men of courage in conduct (I Corin 16:13)
4. Strong in the grace of God in discipling (II Tim 2:1-2)

And so Awakening,Battling,Consolidating and Discipling are the aspects in our being strong in the Lord.

Twenty minutes waiting

As Yannie's Sports Day this week lasts for two days,we still had to send her to the Kowloon Tsai Sports Ground this morning.

After sending her to the spot,we had to hurry back to office. But waiting for No.40 bus eventually took us 20 minutes. By the time we arrived,it's already 8:15a.m.,just 15 min. before starting the Wed morning assembly.

I used to be earlier in office arrival,though we have not been late,this 20 minutes is today 's special in waiting.

Meaning of PhD

"How to survive" has become my main issue every day after graduation with PhD. Now I fully understand why people call PhD as "permanent heart damage".

Steve sent me his words in the above email teaching me the meaning of PhD. Wow!

Well,I think whether PhD should be interpreted as "Permanent heart Damage" or "Perennial head Drill"depends on how you take it.

When our calibre is not up to an expected level but still have to go ahead then it surely would be in the former category.

But when we pursue & enjoy it merrily the research & studies will be in the latter,incessantly developing your interest and drilling your mindset.

Joyful Paul

I-Hua colleague shared with us the joyful Paul in Philippian 4:10-20 this morning.
Reasons for his joy are four-fold.

1. Be concerned by the Philippians (10)
2. Be satisfied before the Lord (11-16)
3. Willing to suffer for the Lord (12-14)
4. Have a grateful heart (17-20)

Our remembrance by others,
Our life satisfaction,
Our suffering for Christ's sake and
Our giving thanks in all circumstances all contribute to having a joyous life.

Rattan Chair toppled

During supper yesterday in a restaurant nearby before our prayer meet,the rattan chair I sat twice toppled over once I got up. My coat was initially put on the back of the chair. It seems the coat be heavy and the chair too light and so it turned out once I stood it fell to the ground.Two times made everyone at the scene knew what's the cause.

Too heavy at one end while the main body of the chair too light would naturally lead to such phenomenon. What does it teach us ?

Men have to be substantial enough to be firm and stable in lives. One should not be frivolous in aspiring to be high while not sticking to the ground.

Thank God for the incident to be my reminder.It's timely for the calendar quotes today for the related meditation:

---Service is humbly devoting your life for others
---Be wise like an adult,think like a child

Quotes on my birthday

My office desk has two quote calendars. On my birthday I take down what's said there:

Friends are ones who support you in the dark
朋友，是面前人生風浪時，為你遮風擋雨。
Life is perhaps made up of battles,during which have we ever set our eyes on the opponent,our Lord ?
生命或許是一場接一場的摔跤，當我們埋首戰鬥的時候，可曾抬頭注目對手竟是恩主 !

Almost coming up to half a hundred,may be in the mid-middles,I just pray for myself in the fiollowing way:
That the Lord can still send & use me in His own way. Strengthening others as well as building up oneself.

Modern Lk 15 : A Parable in the Key of ‘F’

I found an interesting piece from Bits & Pieces:

Feeling footloose and frisky, a foolish fellow forced his father to fork over his fourth of the family farthings and flew far to a foreign field where he fast frittered his fathers fortune feasting foolishly with faithless friends. Fleeced by his fellows and folly, and facing famine he found himself a feed flinger in a filthy farm. Flushed and fairly famished he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from farm fodder.

“My father’s flunkies fair far finer.” The frazzled fugitive forlornly fumbled. Frustrated and filled with forboding, he fled forthwith to his father. Falling to his father’s feet he forlornly fumbled, “Father, I have flunked and frugalessly forfeited family favor.” The fugitive’s, faultfinding brother frowned on fickle forgiveness, but the faithful father figure filled with fidelity, cried, “The fugitive is found. What forbids further festivities. Let the flags unfurl and the fanfares flare.” Father flagged a flunky who fetched a fatling from the flock and fixed a feast.

The moral of the story is: The father’s forgiveness formed a foundation for the fugitive’s future fortitude.

Yes & No

When you do say Yes, say it quickly. But always take a half hour to say No, so you can understand the other fellow’s side.
--Francis Cardinal Spellman --

Two views on exercise

Exercise ferments the humors, casts them into their proper channels, throws off redundancies, and helps nature in those secret distributions, without which the body cannot subsist in its vigor, nor the soul act with cheerfulness.
--Joseph Addison--

I believe that every human has a finite number of heart-beats. I don't intend to waste any of mine running around doing exercises.
--Buzz Aldrin--

Jogging

It's been a while since I last took jogging. I seldom do exercise these days. For health reason we are always recommended to take regular exercise.I am a HT person and so catering to own heath might be necessary. But I take reading more often than jogging. It's a kind of nature or not I'm not sure but if left to me I'll take reading rather than jogging. Since childhood years I am that kind of habit.

I went jogging this afternoon after going to market to prepare for dinner.Yannie doesn't like eating outside and so I need to buy some meat for our supper. Then I went jogging during her sleep time. Just jogging for 15 minutes and that's already enough for me. It's a test for my sleep too and I'll watch out tonight whether it helps after doing exercises.