Democracy

I don't think western democracy is perfect by any stretch. We hv seen all its failings, even more so now. But if you pit a US democratic system vs the communist rule of CCP. I would choose the lesser of two evils.

Western style democracy is a product of western civilization with deep seated Judeo-Christian ethics /values as its moral foundation . Its the belief that man is valuable because he is created in the image of God. Therefore in the eyes of God, every life has value and is precious, and we are taught to value life as God sees it (how much more a human life). 
By same token, every man is equal before God, and therefore he has an equal say (one vote) in the election of his ruler in a democracy .

Contrast that w a communist-capitalistic system, no matter how impressive its economic miracle, at the heart of it is a godless ideology. And 'man' is only valuable as long as he has utility (use). Otherwise the system will see you as unnecessary baggage. In other words, you are quite expendable. In a communistic  societies, the state becomes god, "cares" for you, makes decisions for you.. they become your god. If you become a problem to them ( ie. a dissident), there is no reason to think they will not 'disappear' you ( favorite term used by Chinese).

Already in this world life is cheap, but under the ccp, it  even cheaper.
In the recent altercation w India along the Galwan (Ladakh) valley, Indian military suffered 20 dead soldiers. India went on to  give their dead a full  military honour and proper burial send off. It made the national news. The country mourned and honored its dead soldiers. 

China didn't even acknowledge they had dead soldiers on their side. They didn't bother. (like disposable pawns in a chess game)  It was almost as if it was a non event. 

Any keen observer will see orphanages in China are filled with children who born with handicaps, deformities parents dump to the State. It's NOT a burden the natural parents want to carry. I don't blame these people; they are but a by-product of decades of a godless communistic mindset/ philosophy. 

Ironically, you will see many of these orphans are adopted by Western (American) couples, some of them childless wanting to adopt , others already with their own families, but wanting to adopt and bless these unfortunate children with a better life. They are able see every life as a gift from God. 
(I know a few 'adopting families personally) 

Below is a story of the tragic death of a young toddler (WANG YUE) which was so astounding it even shocked the national consciousness of the Chinese, and raised questions how this could have happened. 

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlu9ov 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Wang_Yue

Sure, there are many things wrong in America, but there are also many things right. ( it is a result of free society) People choose to do good or to do wrong.  In a an open free society, you 'll see the extremes of good and bad.  But, if the  moral foundations of its judeo-christian values breaks down, the society becomes undone. 

Sadly, this also seems to be true. (as seen in the agenda of the Liberal left) 

I'm not putting down the Chinese people  they are, but captive to the  humanistic teaching which, at it core denies a creator God.( and is inherently evil).  When there is no consciousness of the Creator, ALL things are on the table. Communism in its short history has killed more people (without batting an eye) than we care to estimate

This callous treatment of the Chinese people by the CCP are well documented, but totally scrubbed from Chinese history books ie. Tianamen Square Massacre , the abuses of the civil war 1927- 1949, the Great Leap forward (1958)  the Cultural Revolution 1966-1976 , and the recent  Hong Kong debacle. 

Ironically, the civil war which spawned the CCP, killed an estimated 30-40m Chinese ( a conservative estimate). 

Please think about that for a moment. 

Many of your forefathers, relatives may have been killed by this same party you now show such support and admiration. 

*mass killings by communist regimes 

https://rickkelo.liberty.me/socialism-mass-murder/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_killings_under_communist_regimes 

Today's CCP may take on a more sophisticated form, pioneering scientific fields of research, space ventures, Artificial Intelligence, advance systems etc. 

But the underlying ideology remains the same. 

Only the packaging is different. 

CCP will not stop its expansionist ambitions. Their tentacles-like influence spreading far and wide. A state govt that has no conscience,  will utilise all its resources to crush opposition, often using barbaric methods of  

silencing overseas dissidents by persecuting their relatives and loved ones who  remain in China. 

If you are reading this, and you feel 'entitled' to have a contrary opinion (and you not afraid to express it ) then you are the beneficiary of a democratic system that values an individual's right ie. right to 'life, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness'. (I know that sounds awfully American) 
Life under dictatorial regimes are brutal for those who disagree and dare  to voice their  dissent. 

It is said, all it takes for evil to advance is for good men to do nothing.

Much as we disagree with the US, they are they only ones able and willing (under Trump) to stand against the CCP..

I believe the world and its citizens has an obligation to check China with eyes wide open. 

A graffiti inside Hong Kong's Polytechnic University
where students were barricaded for two weeks by the police sends out a dire warning to the world.

Before I end, here are some notable quotes below :-

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Thank for reading. 

The zen of shoe polishing

There is the old maxim if you want to know what a man is like, just look at his shoes. (probably not a red Indian maxim). I must have created some 'impressions' with my tired looking pair of Rockports (which I tout the lightest most comfortable shoes ever! ), and since I heard the company has recently wound up (sob), i decided to make this pair to last as long as possible.

So I bought some brown shoe polish.

It's not as if I've never polished shoes before. There was a time in my life, I had to polish my shoes almost everyday. During my 15 month stint at the Philippines Airlines flight academy in Manila, I found myself enrolled into a uninformed para military flight school runned by ex-military aviators. ( Thanks a lot SIA! )  Yes, they were a tough outfit and we endured some questionable treatment by our senior upper classmen (ragging) not to mention those endless morning marching drills etc . Our military standard shoes had to be polished to the point we could see a mirror reflection of our teeth (and our bald shaven heads), I kid not.

So today, while working on my old Rockports, i had some time to reflect.. while refreshing a skill honed thru many nights massaging my shoe till my face 'appeared'.

The process is uncomplicated ..

First, apply the wax generously. Then with a lil water on the cotton cloth, rub gently in circles. Repeat and repeat and repeat er, yes and repeat... till the shine finally appear.

The wax acts like a filler to the leather. Thru repeated applications and friction (from the cloth), it works its way into the leather. After some while, heat from constant polishing causes the leather absorb and then create the shine.

While looking to check if my 'teeth' would appear (it didn't), but I did see the remarkable parallels to the Christian life.

When one receives His grace, we believe in the One who has saved us. At first, outwardly there may not be any perceived change but when our lives become infused with the "Zoe life" of our Savior, we begin to reflect 'who' we really are inside. 

Sometimes, the nix(es), micro tears, or the jaded condition of the leather shows up a journey that's just been off the beaten path  ; but all it needs is some extra 'attention' to bring out the shine, and eventually it does.

It always does.

As i look on proudly to the old Rockports which has served me so well, revived by some expert treatment, I'm just glad the One who walks with me doesn't discard the unlovely. He looks beyond the dirt, grime, and ugliness suffered. And He patiently waits knowing its just a matter of time. And I have utmost faith in Him, the One who ransomed me, will bring about the shine and all that is lovely in our lives. 

The real 'red indian' maxim says "don't not judge a man till you've walked a mile in his shoes" (mocassins). 

Well, Jesus has more than walked a mile in our shoes. 

And I trust completely His judgement. 

May 13th, 1969

Today marks a day when pandemonium broke out in k .

Mco Day#47

So this morning I had a dilemma in my hands (literally!). The magpies were unusually excited flying all about in front of the house. I had suspected there was probably a nest somewhere nearby. When I went out, my immediate neighbour to the right discovered the nest in his TNB meter box and decided to remove it (for whatever the reason!!). In it was a baby magpie (possibly 2-3 weeks old), one small (blue coloured streaks) unhatched egg and one shiny screw. He had put them all in a ubiquitous round plastic container, and asked if I would like keep it (since we seem to be kind to stray animals.. he pushed his suggestion  ), otherwise he was going to leave it at the guardhouse.  Becos our language differences and possibly I wasn't quite fully awake, I took it from them.

Foolishly I thought I could feed/care for it. But now, as I held that shivering bird, I realise there was no way that bird was going to eat (or drink) anything from my hand; I did try my best.

As I held it in my palm, I was literally praying that it would somehow survive!

We reconstructed its nest best we could in that round plastic box and proceeded to put it out in the palm tree ( up at the safest spot I could find, yes with a ladder and all). I was hoping the parents would see it and perhaps continue to care for it.

Aware that the cat was always around I kept a eye on it from afar. But what I didn't expect was a black crow showing up, hung onto the palm branch and peering into direction of the nest. I went ballistic and shoooed it away. (In my mind I had visions of it flying off with a baby-meal in its mouth).

Linda then suggested we put the nest in a hanging potted plant and leave it under our porch.

Did you see the screw? Apparently magpies like shiny objects in their nest. 

But after observing a long while, we became convinced the parent magpies are not able to detect its whereabouts under our porch, so i placed the entire pot on the gate pillar (temporarily) hoping to attract the parents attention. (Perhaps if they noticed its whereabouts in the pot it would come feed it under my porch).

But again, the menacing crow comes around (I wished I had a bb gun then).

So I had no choice, but to bring the pot back under my porch again. The fledgling 'baby magpie (pie-let??) couldnt make even a slightest sound, so what are the chances it will be found?

Linda shoots up a prayer and we waited..

This is what it looked like, the parent is perched up on the opp roof peak, possibly sizing up if it was safe to come check the pot hanging so close under the house. 

Then it happens, watch the video.

The moment it catches sight of its baby.

We were elated. But this is only the first day. Its future still unknown, but at least for today this lil fella has a decent chance.  

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they. Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 

Matthew 6:26-27







Epilogue

On the second night I had to bring in the pot into the house as I found lil fella on the ground ; it must have attempted to fly but was unsuccessful (twice! ). Don't know how long he was there but I didn't want the neighbourhood cat to chance on it. 
Before dawn I put the pot back outside hoping the parent wouldn't notice, but it was already watching from nearby. (i imagine  got pretty upset at the 'missing pot' ) 
Soon after I came in, it swung past once, before it landed to check on the lil fella. I went to fix my morning  coffee. After a while I noticed there was an uncanny silence (of activity). I didn't think it could have flown, but I did go out to check. True enough the lil fella was no longer there  After checking the ground a bit I realised  it must have flown off (with the mother!). That lil extra self belief only a mother could imparted.
Overall, I'm rather pleased with myself. Happy and sad.

I guess must be that empty nest feelin.. 

Mco Day#40

Every day since the mco began, I've been very thankful each morning to be awaken by the melodic sounds of birds chirping outside (keeps me sane!). I can't describe the pleasure i get when i hear these nature sounds esp in midst of a season increasingly void of any activity and purpose. There is a palm tree right in front of my house (must be the ONLY palm tree left in the whole of the IOI estate); its fruit must be a big attraction and delicacy to these local song birds.

But it wasn't always like this.

(Mathias doing life w his mate.      Turn up the volume. Enjoy)


Prior to the MCO, crows aka ravens would visit (sit) on my gate giving out their awful caw-cawing sounds. I would try shoosh them away but they would always come back; I get bad vibes from these sorry scavenger birds and their bad reputations.

But ever since the MCO started, void of all human activity, birds would visit the palm tree and although i would hear crows occasionally i didn't see them. After a while, I acutely  wondered what ever happened to them stupid crows? Did they just go away??

Black Asian Starling

Oh dear, guess who has also come.. 

Olive-back Sunbird

But today i saw it again. There it was, the big ugly Crow perched on my front gate. Aissh! 

But guess what(?!! ), the Magpie suddenly appears, furious and  aggressive, just chased the crow away. Omg. 

What did i just see?? 

Brown Shrike - has a dark beak

Sometimes they come under the shade

Did i imagine it? Could a sweet voiced (and small) magpie chase off a mean black scavenger crow??

Then it happened again!

The crow landed on my gate but only for a few seconds, MATHIAS the magpie (ya i gv it a name! ) bravely dive bomb the crow and chased it away. The crow, thrice the size of the magpie just turned and fled (what a wimp!)

I always resented that crow sitting on my gate, but i couldn't do anything about it.  Imagine that! A small magpie would chase off a big crow. If i didn't see it, I would not have believed.

It's the heart for the fight that brings victory. Size may look intimidating, but courage wins the day.

Local Mynah

Peaceful Dove

As a believer who is loved by Christ our Savior, i take to heart we have every reason to be bold and to be hopeful for every season life brings. The challenges may seem overwhelming, but we have a big God backing us.

We can be bold.

We have to be bold.

And in today's life classroom, lil mathias showed the way.

The Bummer lamb

I don't know who wrote this, but I'm putting ìt here!! 

Every once in a while, an ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. There are many reasons she may do this. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.
These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken.
These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does?
He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keep it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the bummer can hear his heartbeat. Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock.
But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first?
That is right, the bummer sheep. He knows his voice intimately.

It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it.

It's not that it is loved more, it just believes it because it has experienced that love one on one.

So many of us are bummer lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the Good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heartbeat.

We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.
The Lord is MY shepherd...

I’m a bummer lamb. 🌈🙏🌳

The Lord is MY Shepherd

https://www.foxnews.com/science/two-year-old-boy-befriends-five-week-old-lamb-abandoned-at-birth?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-foxnews&utm_content=later-7359568&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram

Blood Pressure

Some of you may know I've been on a quest to keep my bp within limits to avoid taking bp medications. I've always believed that our body has been created by God to function perfectly. And we should remain healthy for most, if not all our lives (aging, of course will have its own set of issues). Any 'abnormal' blood testing results is really our body telling us (a sign) that something is wrong. The problem with much of today's modern medical practice (allopathy), much of it is really not designed to help you fight disease but rather to 'manage' it. So instead of emphasising the need to lose couple of kgs, change diet, exercise etc etc, you will most likely be given a pill to address the body's dysfunction and bring the numbers in line. Instead of listening to the body (and finding out) what its trying to tell us, we are prescribed medication to address a particular problematic area (diabetes. high bp, etc) and its likely we'll continued taking that meds for life. Then the process repeats itself for another issue which may crop up, and after a while, we need to careful theses drugs don't clash with each other.  Of course these drugs are not without it's own set of side effects., but all too often the demands of our hectic lives makes it near impossible to make  any necessary changes ; it becomes easier to just pop a pill.

So in my case, after exercising, losing some weight, and being careful of what i ingest, my bp numbers still remained borderline high  (stage 1, an average bp 140/90 with some +/- 5points spikes up /down ).

After more than a year, I was seriously considering throwing in the towel and take medication instead to intervene (that's the word doctors use, intervention! ) to bring it to the target of 120/80.

Then one day, i came across a doctor on u tube (cardiologist actually! ) whose philosophy really made sense and was telling me things which i already subscribed to.

He said that the majority of us (based on the modern diet) are really lacking in the mineral magnesium. And that magnesium is a key to relax the arteries (a natural vasodilator) thereby bringing the bp numbers down. It has no side effects, so no danger of overdosing (not a prescription) and it can be found abundantly in certain greens.

It was first time I'm hearing that a dietary lack could be can contribute to higher bp.

What there to lose right!?

So after finishing one bottle of magnesium (around 1 month), I'm very happy to say that my bp numbers have finally improved. (in fact just after two weeks!)

To supplement the daily magnesium intake, I've also added garlic pills which also seem to lower the numbers further.

I've come to the place where I'm quite happy at where the numbers are right now, and i thank God for bringing this life - changing info (for me it's a long light out of tunnel);  it also validates my core beliefs. Our bodies are created to function prefectly, any disease is really a 'dis - ease' which can /should be investigated and corrected so we may live out our lives, (as much as possible) and with as little as possible, the medications that seem to rule the day.

The readings can fluctuate up or down sometimes as much as twenty points, but i finally think I'm having the upper hand now.

Thks for reading!