bobjots : redux

One of the more perplexing parables in the Gospels would be the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). Perplexing because it really gnaws on what we would assume to be positive values, ie. hard work, fair compensation, et al. One other story from the Gospels that struck me as odd in my [...]

Steven Koster wrote about attending his daughter’s college freshman orientation and gave some of his own thoughts about what, to me, reads like a manifesto for Christians to engage education and learning as a ministry and an extension of worship. Some of the more salient points mentioned are: God’s call on Christians to engage God’s [...]

This is happening in Fiji where the Methodist Church is cancelling its annual conference due to fear of more arrests of its officials. 9 officials of the Methodist Church was recently arrested and the Government in Fiji will only allow the conference to be held provided that: No comment on the current political crisis in [...]

Here are the latest updates from The Micah Mandate: Peter Young’s Updates Peter’s Pithy Pointers: No Orphans In The Family Of Believers On Sunday, 31 May 2009, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday – the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Pentecost’ is the Greek word for ‘50′ and Pentecost Sunday or Whit Sunday comes 50 days after [...]

Here’s a fun take on Biblical inerrancy by an Episcopalian/Anglican priest: And here’s a segment from the Colbert Report from a guy who might be the living proof of what the Rev above might be warning about: The Colbert Report Mon -- Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Bart Ehrman colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor [...]

A very blessed and meaningful Wesak to all my Buddhist friends and readers as you spend this day celebrating Lord Buddha’s birthday and reflect upon his message to humanity. A brief reflection on this day came to my attention from an unexpected source, the Prayer Book of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and [...]

Detained political analyst and social activist, Wong Chin Huat, was just released from police custody at 3.40 pm on police bail. He maintains that his arrest is an attempt at intimidation and a warning against those who had planned to gather in Ipoh yesterday to protest against the convening of the State Assembly from wearing [...]

Somebody just confronted me indirectly about my cynicism in regards to people jumping on to the socio-political activism bandwagon post March 8, 2008. I must admit to being somewhat less than enthusiastic about some of the newfound enthusiasm, perhaps due to how some of these folks have played out the game. Its when the fringe [...]

The Chief Minister of the State of Penang, YAB Encik Lim Guan Eng, issued this statement on Easter 2009 (the version I got on my e-mail): I would like to wish a joyous and blessed Easter Sunday to all Malaysians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters in Penang, who are celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus [...]

This Lenten season has been one with extremely challenging experiences -- one that has found myself wanting in many areas. On the other hand, quite a bit has been achieved, even matters that were never planned for. So in that sense, the promise that God is faithful and just is made real to me despite [...]

The dangerous trend of pursuing policies that continue to divide the Malaysian people has taken another morbid turn for the worst with the recent banning of an Indonesian/Malay language Christian song, “Allah Peduli” (God Cares) by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS). Being an authority that derives its power from the state Syariah laws, technically [...]

I wonder if Joseph and Mary had to go through armed checkpoints and separation walls when they entered Bethlehem? Today, the virtual pilgrimage explored the Church of the Nativity. An interesting thing about the Church of the Nativity is the entrance. It is built so low that only children can enter without stooping. To quote [...]

Some friends of mine who follow this blog have been a bit curious about what this whole fuss about Lent is all about. Some of them are actually Christians but they generally are from the non-liturgical traditions that I used to come from and are understandably in the dark about some of the more ritualised [...]