In one of my earlier blogs, I mentioned how I used to spend many hours working on my car. This passion remained with me for many years until I realised how hard it was to keep my hands clean, and I found that I had less leisure time on my hands, so working on the car was no longer a high priority activity.
But before I got to that stage, I would spend a lot of time at the parts shop. My 2nd car was a 1979 VW Rabbit. In the US, that was the name given to the Golf at that time. I was the proud 3rd owner of this beautiful car. An elder woman had imported it from California when she retired to Jamaica, and I bought it from the guy who bought it from her. That guy had made some modifications to it, changing the manifold to equi-length pipes, changing the exhaust to an inch and seven-eights, and changing the shocks and springs. She flew like a bird with an irresistible growl, and cornered like a greyhound. That's the Rabbit, not the woman.
Anyway, my favourite parts store was in Cross Roads. An elderly man and his daughter ran it, and they employed a young man a few years younger than me. Don't remember his name, which is interesting, but I'll call him Peter. Peter was polite, knew his parts, diligent and good humoured. One Friday, I went into the store to buy some parts. Not sure why I remember it being a Friday, but I do. The daughter was very glum, so I asked her what was up. Shockingly, she told me that Peter was dead.
What?
She related the story. He went on a trip with his church to St Elizabeth, to a popular beach location. A large coach had taken the contingent, and they had a great day out, eating fried fish and enjoying the sea and beach. As early evening approached, the group was preparing to leave when another young man, Peter's best feiend, went out in the sea to wash off the sand so he could put on his shoes. Somehow he got caught by a strong under current and got pulled out to sea and under the water.
Peter rushed out to help his friend. It was not long before both Peter and his best friend were in trouble. They struggled and fought, but as one seemed to be save, the other would get into trouble. This seesaw struggle went on for some time until they were both getting tired.
Peter shouted, "Save yourself while you still can. Leave me!"
"No!" His friend cried.
"Leave me! There is no point in both of us dying. Go!"
Peter's friend left him. It took 5 days for them to find Peter's body.
I was in shook after hearing the story. A few days later when I had some time to reflect, I was in an even greater state of shock. Peter sacrificed his life for his friend! I asked myself - could I do that? After many minutes of soul searching I realised that I probably could not.
Why?
I was afraid. I didn't know what awaited me if I gave up my life for my friend, and I did not have the courage to find out.
So what did Peter have that I did not?
Then it dawned on me. Peter must have been a Christian!
Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. (John 15:13 NIV)
I then began to search, to find out what kind of love was this that gave Peter this courage.
'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'
Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40 NIV)
Peace and Love
Jamaican Serenity
Friday, 25 May 2012
Study the word? What?
I still have a vivid memory of one of the first speeches a senior teacher gave my class when we entered 6th form. We were proud young men, having reached the head of our high school. Man a yard!
"Gentlemen, for 5 years you learnt how to regurgitate what you were told. Now you have to learn how to think and not be parrots. Contrary to popular opinion, thinking does not come naturally. Thinking implies questioning, understanding, and formulating opinions and ideas with what you are told."
My first thought was, "Regurgi-what?"
I soon learnt that swatting, which was just memorising the material, was no longer enough to do well in exams. In fact, it was a revelation when I realised that if I understood the material, it was easier to remember than memorising it. The next hurdle to cross was figuring out when I really understood something. I stumbled upon this when a friend asked me to help him with a maths problem, and I soon realised that I could not explain how to arrive at the solution because I didn't really understand how I came to the solution.
Eureka!
If I can explain it, then I understand it. If I can't explain it, then I don't understand it. I had discovered the holy grail! I finally figured what studying really was. The rest of my scholastic career was based on this simple principle, and it has served me very well in my working career also.
Many years later, I was in a discussion with a family acquaintance who believed that God existed, but he shocked me by saying that he did not believe that Christianity was the only way to God. That other religions had just as much validity, and could also be legitimate paths to God. For a moment I was speechless. Flabbergasted! I didn't know what to say. I knew I had to say something, but what? I was very uncomfortable with his assertion, but I had no response. It was many days, if not weeks later that I found the answer, but I was very disappointed in myself that I didn't remember the passage or the principle at the time when I needed it. I never saw that friend again. He died a few years ago, and I do not know if he ever heard the truth.
What is the truth?
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
It still bothers me that I couldn't remember the passage during that conversation, and I am irritated when I can't remember where I had read a passage, and I want to refer to it in a time of need. You see, I have always been an avid reader of the bible. I'll admit that I struggled at first understanding the King James version, but then an aunt gave me a NIV student's bible and it was truly a God send. Since then I have spent many wonderful hours reading.
I am embarrassed to say that it has only just occurred to me that the problem is not related to my poor memory, but me not applying a principle I had learnt many years ago. I need to study, not just read. Understand, apply and explain it to someone. God's word is alive in you when you read it and apply it. Study it, understand it and bring it alive by explaining it to someone.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Peace and Love
"Gentlemen, for 5 years you learnt how to regurgitate what you were told. Now you have to learn how to think and not be parrots. Contrary to popular opinion, thinking does not come naturally. Thinking implies questioning, understanding, and formulating opinions and ideas with what you are told."
My first thought was, "Regurgi-what?"
I soon learnt that swatting, which was just memorising the material, was no longer enough to do well in exams. In fact, it was a revelation when I realised that if I understood the material, it was easier to remember than memorising it. The next hurdle to cross was figuring out when I really understood something. I stumbled upon this when a friend asked me to help him with a maths problem, and I soon realised that I could not explain how to arrive at the solution because I didn't really understand how I came to the solution.
Eureka!
If I can explain it, then I understand it. If I can't explain it, then I don't understand it. I had discovered the holy grail! I finally figured what studying really was. The rest of my scholastic career was based on this simple principle, and it has served me very well in my working career also.
Many years later, I was in a discussion with a family acquaintance who believed that God existed, but he shocked me by saying that he did not believe that Christianity was the only way to God. That other religions had just as much validity, and could also be legitimate paths to God. For a moment I was speechless. Flabbergasted! I didn't know what to say. I knew I had to say something, but what? I was very uncomfortable with his assertion, but I had no response. It was many days, if not weeks later that I found the answer, but I was very disappointed in myself that I didn't remember the passage or the principle at the time when I needed it. I never saw that friend again. He died a few years ago, and I do not know if he ever heard the truth.
What is the truth?
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
It still bothers me that I couldn't remember the passage during that conversation, and I am irritated when I can't remember where I had read a passage, and I want to refer to it in a time of need. You see, I have always been an avid reader of the bible. I'll admit that I struggled at first understanding the King James version, but then an aunt gave me a NIV student's bible and it was truly a God send. Since then I have spent many wonderful hours reading.
I am embarrassed to say that it has only just occurred to me that the problem is not related to my poor memory, but me not applying a principle I had learnt many years ago. I need to study, not just read. Understand, apply and explain it to someone. God's word is alive in you when you read it and apply it. Study it, understand it and bring it alive by explaining it to someone.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes from my mouth. It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Peace and Love
Friday, 11 May 2012
Who needs an iPad anyway?
I was in a meeting with some thought leaders a week or two ago, and the discussion was centred on what customers really wanted. A very reasonable suggestion was made -
"Why don't we do a market survey, asking our customers what they want?"
Sounded reasonable to me. If we ask people what they want and we give it to them, then they must surely be satisfied and buy a lot of it. The response was thought provoking.
"Do you know that one of the most successful businesses in our era never does market surveys. I mean, who needs an iPad anyway?"
One cannot deny that Apple is very successful. I went on their website a few days ago to take look at the iPad and there is still a restriction of two per order, two months after its release. That means that Apple can't make them fast enough to meet the demand. Amazing!
Don't get me wrong. I am a Mac convert. Six or seven years ago my Windows laptop blue screened on me in the middle of a crucial visit to a client in Switzerland, and I was stranded with no laptop for the rest of the week until I could get my flight home. My client was not impressed! That weekend I rebuilt my laptop with Linux, and I was happy. For two years I used Linux, but after a while I found I was spending too much time writing scripts to maintain my laptop, and then at a conference I stumbled into dozens of geeks who were all using MacBooks. At every opportunity I interviewed a geek, and I was convinced. A few weeks later I had my MacBook.
I'll be honest, the first week was a nightmare. I had to sit myself down and convince myself that this was worth the effort. After three weeks I was hooked, never to return to Windows. I've overheard people, Windows users of course, scoff at the enthusiasm with which Mac users speak about their gear.
Now, you tell me! How has Microsoft been able to convince the world that it is acceptable to use an operating system that requires fixing every month. Think about it. What else do you use in your daily life, or any other part of our life, that every month you have to go and get it fixed?
When I reminisce about my first car, I recall having to service it every 3,000 miles. Religiously, I would go and buy my spare parts, and would spend a Saturday morning changing the plugs, points and oil. I developed a real relationship with the guys in the parts shop. Now, many years later, I own a late 2009 high-end sedan. After driving it for almost 2 years I realised it had not been serviced. I called the dealer to ask them why they had not called me to book the servicing of the car. I mean, what type of company is this, treating their valuable customers like this?
The gentleman asked me, "Is the car giving any trouble?"
"No."
"Was the inboard computer telling me that the car needs servicing?"
"No."
"Did I check the service manual to see if the car needed servicing?"
"Ah hmm ... Let me call you back."
The car has done almost 30,000 miles, and it has been serviced a grand total of once. One service in almost 3 years! Compare that to my once every three months servicing of my first car. I have never met the people in the parts shop, in fact, I don't even know where the parts shop is!
So how is it that we accept once a month servicing from Microsoft?
Anyway, I digress. What was I saying again? Oh yes ... Well, I bought an iPad3 a few weeks ago. Sorry, my mistake. The "New iPad". Hey, at least I forced myself to wait for the 3rd edition before buying one.
Why?
I like gadgets as much as the next guy, but that wasn't reason enough. It's a useful tool, although ...
So it is not perfect. But it has transformed how and where I interact with my computing device, making that interaction more pervasive and convenient where it was not so before. By inference, I then have the opportunity to be more productive. It has also transformed my relationship with my personal technology. Providing a bridge between my iPhone and my MacBook, by being more available than my MacBook, and as easy to interact with as my iPhone.
By the way, I have figured out how to use the iCloud to transfer stuff between the iPhone and iPad effectively. The net effect has therefore been positive.
So who needs an iPad?
I guess I do, and I didn't even know it until I got it.
Peace and Love.
"Why don't we do a market survey, asking our customers what they want?"
Sounded reasonable to me. If we ask people what they want and we give it to them, then they must surely be satisfied and buy a lot of it. The response was thought provoking.
"Do you know that one of the most successful businesses in our era never does market surveys. I mean, who needs an iPad anyway?"
One cannot deny that Apple is very successful. I went on their website a few days ago to take look at the iPad and there is still a restriction of two per order, two months after its release. That means that Apple can't make them fast enough to meet the demand. Amazing!
Don't get me wrong. I am a Mac convert. Six or seven years ago my Windows laptop blue screened on me in the middle of a crucial visit to a client in Switzerland, and I was stranded with no laptop for the rest of the week until I could get my flight home. My client was not impressed! That weekend I rebuilt my laptop with Linux, and I was happy. For two years I used Linux, but after a while I found I was spending too much time writing scripts to maintain my laptop, and then at a conference I stumbled into dozens of geeks who were all using MacBooks. At every opportunity I interviewed a geek, and I was convinced. A few weeks later I had my MacBook.
I'll be honest, the first week was a nightmare. I had to sit myself down and convince myself that this was worth the effort. After three weeks I was hooked, never to return to Windows. I've overheard people, Windows users of course, scoff at the enthusiasm with which Mac users speak about their gear.
Now, you tell me! How has Microsoft been able to convince the world that it is acceptable to use an operating system that requires fixing every month. Think about it. What else do you use in your daily life, or any other part of our life, that every month you have to go and get it fixed?
When I reminisce about my first car, I recall having to service it every 3,000 miles. Religiously, I would go and buy my spare parts, and would spend a Saturday morning changing the plugs, points and oil. I developed a real relationship with the guys in the parts shop. Now, many years later, I own a late 2009 high-end sedan. After driving it for almost 2 years I realised it had not been serviced. I called the dealer to ask them why they had not called me to book the servicing of the car. I mean, what type of company is this, treating their valuable customers like this?
The gentleman asked me, "Is the car giving any trouble?"
"No."
"Was the inboard computer telling me that the car needs servicing?"
"No."
"Did I check the service manual to see if the car needed servicing?"
"Ah hmm ... Let me call you back."
The car has done almost 30,000 miles, and it has been serviced a grand total of once. One service in almost 3 years! Compare that to my once every three months servicing of my first car. I have never met the people in the parts shop, in fact, I don't even know where the parts shop is!
So how is it that we accept once a month servicing from Microsoft?
Anyway, I digress. What was I saying again? Oh yes ... Well, I bought an iPad3 a few weeks ago. Sorry, my mistake. The "New iPad". Hey, at least I forced myself to wait for the 3rd edition before buying one.
Why?
I like gadgets as much as the next guy, but that wasn't reason enough. It's a useful tool, although ...
- It is much heavier than the Kindle, and therefore not as convenient for reading books.
- It can't play videos on some web pages.
- Typing on the screen takes some getting used to. I bought a keyboard, but found that it defeated the purpose of having a small compact device. So I haven't used the keyboard in anger yet.
- Transferring stuff from the iPad to my MacBook Pro is not a cake walk, and I still haven't fully worked out how to use iCloud effectively for that yet. When I get some time.
So it is not perfect. But it has transformed how and where I interact with my computing device, making that interaction more pervasive and convenient where it was not so before. By inference, I then have the opportunity to be more productive. It has also transformed my relationship with my personal technology. Providing a bridge between my iPhone and my MacBook, by being more available than my MacBook, and as easy to interact with as my iPhone.
By the way, I have figured out how to use the iCloud to transfer stuff between the iPhone and iPad effectively. The net effect has therefore been positive.
So who needs an iPad?
I guess I do, and I didn't even know it until I got it.
Peace and Love.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Dead man walking
If only I could heal the sick and raise the dead! Then surely, surely, people would see the truth and worship God!
Really?
John 11 describes the raising of Lazarus, after being dead for 4 days. A great story, but so what? Doesn't happen today. Can't happen today.
Really?
On March 17, 2012, Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton midfielder, collapsed on the football pitch at White Hart Lane, during the FA Cup match between Tottenham Hotspurs and Bolton. In the UK, we followed this story with fascination on the news wires and social networks, where there were numerous appeals for prayer for Fabrice. Days later, we heard the news that he was astonishingly dead for 78 minutes! Doctors acknowledge that it is a miracle that he survived.
Medical science tells us that it takes only 5-6 minutes of oxygen deprivation for there to be brain damage. Doctors acknowledge that it is a miracle that Fabrice has no side effects.
For more, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2133303/Fabrice-Muamba--interview-How-I-came-dead.html
There is little doubt in the minds of Fabrice and his family that God saved his life. That God raised him from the dead. What has been the public response? Over the last week or so, tribute has been paid to Fabrice and the medical staff, during recent football games at the Reebok Stadium (Bolton's home ground) and Wembley Stadium. The fans have stood and applauded. How many of those fans have given tribute to God? More importantly, how many of those fans have sought Jesus as their saviour after Fabrice has been raised from the dead? How many of the thousands of people who followed this story in the news have even considered the relevance of God in their lives after observing an event that has been simply called "a miracle"?
How can miracles not inspire people to search for the face of God?
Revelations 16 describes the 7 bowls of wrath that will be poured out on the earth in the last days. What is striking for me is that people will curse God, instead of repenting and accepting him as their Saviour.
I always wondered - how can this be? Surely, in the face of God's hand being clearly shown, people would repent instead of rebel? We have evidence this week that miracles by themselves will not soften people's hearts and open their eyes.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
Jesus did not mention miracles, but told us to go out and share, baptise and teach. I guess Jesus knew something we still find hard to understand. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus and Lazarus, instead of believe in Jesus.
Miracles have their place, and praise God for that, but dead men walking do not substitute for the work we are commissioned to do. Go and make disciples.
Peace and Love.
Really?
John 11 describes the raising of Lazarus, after being dead for 4 days. A great story, but so what? Doesn't happen today. Can't happen today.
Really?
On March 17, 2012, Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton midfielder, collapsed on the football pitch at White Hart Lane, during the FA Cup match between Tottenham Hotspurs and Bolton. In the UK, we followed this story with fascination on the news wires and social networks, where there were numerous appeals for prayer for Fabrice. Days later, we heard the news that he was astonishingly dead for 78 minutes! Doctors acknowledge that it is a miracle that he survived.
Medical science tells us that it takes only 5-6 minutes of oxygen deprivation for there to be brain damage. Doctors acknowledge that it is a miracle that Fabrice has no side effects.
For more, see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2133303/Fabrice-Muamba--interview-How-I-came-dead.html
There is little doubt in the minds of Fabrice and his family that God saved his life. That God raised him from the dead. What has been the public response? Over the last week or so, tribute has been paid to Fabrice and the medical staff, during recent football games at the Reebok Stadium (Bolton's home ground) and Wembley Stadium. The fans have stood and applauded. How many of those fans have given tribute to God? More importantly, how many of those fans have sought Jesus as their saviour after Fabrice has been raised from the dead? How many of the thousands of people who followed this story in the news have even considered the relevance of God in their lives after observing an event that has been simply called "a miracle"?
How can miracles not inspire people to search for the face of God?
Revelations 16 describes the 7 bowls of wrath that will be poured out on the earth in the last days. What is striking for me is that people will curse God, instead of repenting and accepting him as their Saviour.
I always wondered - how can this be? Surely, in the face of God's hand being clearly shown, people would repent instead of rebel? We have evidence this week that miracles by themselves will not soften people's hearts and open their eyes.
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV)
Jesus did not mention miracles, but told us to go out and share, baptise and teach. I guess Jesus knew something we still find hard to understand. When Lazarus was raised from the dead, the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus and Lazarus, instead of believe in Jesus.
Miracles have their place, and praise God for that, but dead men walking do not substitute for the work we are commissioned to do. Go and make disciples.
Peace and Love.
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