HALO universe

I love exploring shared world-building universes. HALO is a series of award-winning video games on X-Box. In fact, it is one of the only two reasons why I bought an X-Box. The other being The Gears of War. Otherwise, I will stick to my PS4. Other than the games, which are being released way too slowly, there are numerous novels, comics, and fan-based Youtube events to keep us occupied.

I especially love novels that expand the events before and after the games itself. Just finished the latest, HALO renegade which leaves me hungering for more.

Here is a list of HALO books in their reading order

https://wottaread.com/halo-books-in-order/

Reading is Action

 

 

Guest post by Carol Perumal

READING is such an underrated activity these days that it pains me to see people not participating in it esp the younger generation. Reading is action. Even though it is done quietly and alone, reading is a profoundly social activity and a rigorously demanding one. There is nothing passive about reading: it requires attention, energy, and an act of will.

Reading makes things happen in the mind and imagination when stoked and flamed can yield greater ideas and solutions. Reading is an act of power and learning how to get the most out of its possibilities can also be an invigorating exercise. For all its association with quietness, solitude and the sedentary life, reading involves – at its deepest level – action and interaction.

To me, it increases my dopamine levels far more than any activity like playing games. I spend a major portion of my teaching time trying to motivate students to read ( and make it a lifelong habit) for it has hit me forcefully that without a reading skill one will fail to read the Word of God with understanding.

True, education is a rigorous training of the mind but we must not take the preciousness of reading so for granted that we fail to appreciate so little the kind of thinking that a complex Bible passage requires of us. I often say if you make interpretations from a complex Bible passage you can do so for all your other academic subjects. It is overwhelmingly clear to us the need to give our children a disciplined and rigorous training in how to think an author’s thoughts after him from a text esp a Biblical text.

An alphabet must be learned as well as vocabulary, grammar, syntax, the rudiments of logic and the way meaning is imparted through sustained connections of sentences and paragraphs. An understanding of any passage requires rigorous thought and mental effort.

We would have failed our younger generation if we hadn’t brought them up to appreciate reading and mentor them to stick to it even when exams are over. Of course, I am very aware of the many problems associated with difficulties in reading and word association that have hampered students from progress because a deficiency in mastering a language is almost akin to a block in academic growth. Hence I aim to apply concepts learned in educational Neuroscience as well as work with the specialists in this field to help those students. But the larger population of young people blessed with a brain that can read normally – what are you doing about inculcating a lifelong habit of reading?

 

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Writing as a Spiritual Discipline

Tags

spiritual discipline, spiritual formation, writing. books and reading

I always wonder why I write. Writing is not an easy task. It is not just putting words on to paper or inputting data into a word processor. Writing needs content. These content needs to have meaning. This means that it has to be ordered and structured. All this is hard work. After writing is the part I hate- editing, proofreading and rewriting. Ernest Hemingway, a prolific writes comments, “There is nothing at all to writing. All you do is to sit down at a typewriter and bleed”! So why do I write? Five reasons comes to mind and I am sure I will be able to add a few more when this piece is finished. Writing is a task that is never ‘finished’.

Firstly, I write because it is a way to clarify to myself what I am thinking. Thinking is another hard thing to do. In the process of writing down what I am thinking, I am actualizing my thoughts. I am making my thoughts real as I fashion it into words. I am ordering them. Choosing the right word, the appropriate syntax and the context, I am making my thoughts ‘real’. Without that, I have a lot of free floating thoughts that mostly end up nowhere.

Secondly, writing helps me to focus. There are many distractions in my life and I am very weak in resisting distractions. Writing helps me to anchor my thoughts and feelings onto one area. It helps me to focus, concentrate and think deeper. It opens different possibilities and realities. It helps me to ask the right questions and seek the correct answers. It helps me to examine my life and my motivations. It brings to light what in hidden in my subconscious.

Thirdly, writing helps me to be disciplined. To be able to write means I have to sit somewhere within reach of a keyboard. In assembling the alphabets into words, I am building a discipline of writing. To improve, I have to practice. I have set myself a target of writing 500 words every day. If I write 500 words a day, in one non-leap year I would have written 182,500 words which will turn out nicely to be a book! Hopefully, I will be a better writer because of that.

Fourthly, writing is a form of keeping records. A written piece is a snapshot of my life at a moment in time. It is a sum of my lived experiences and my life of the mind. It is also a record of that moment. That is why in Christian traditions, journaling is regarded as a form of spiritual discipline. Journaling as spiritual discipline focuses on a person’s experiences with God in his daily life. Augustine’s The Confessions may be the earliest autobiographical Christian journal. Notable Puritans such William Law’s A Devout and Holy Life and Letters of Samuel Rutherford are other examples of journaling which are edifying to its readers.

Finally, writing is my act of worship if I am able to share my limited experience of him and his revelations of himself through his word and works. Writing allows me to share what he has taught me. It allows me to be transparent and be authentic. Of course, there is the temptation to extol myself and my achievements. That will be the antithesis of my writings. I write to share Christ and to share in the fellowship of the witnesses that surrounds me. My writing is my statement of my witness of him.

Writing is a spiritual discipline if spiritual discipline is a holy habit to draw us closer to God. As Eric Lindell commented on his running as portrayed in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire said, “I believe God made me for a purpose and he made me fast and as I run I feel his pleasure.” I write to know myself and to experience God. And hopefully, as you read my writings, you will get to know him too.

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Travelling with Books

Tags

Books, Reading

For the last three weeks I have been travelling around Istanbul in Turkey and key  significant archaeological sites in Greece with just one paperback book. No, my reading during travels have not slowed down. I have most of the books I want to read in digital format in my iPhone and iPad. I used to measure the length of my journey by the number of paperbacks I will read. Destination London one way is a two paperback journey (12 hours) while San Francisco is a three paperback one (18 hours). This means I usually lug around 10-15 kg of books in my luggage during my travels. If I have to choose between books or clothes in my luggage, books usually wins.

Nowadays I travel with only one paperback to read during take off and landing and at other times when digital appliances are forbidden. Otherwise, I read using my iPhone 6 plus (which has a larger screen) or my iPad. And I can carry more books. My devices has about 1,000 books on them. However these ebooks have no weight. My luggage is lighter and when it wears out, I will buy smaller ones.

I am also able to highlight, make notes and comments on my ebooks. This is extremely important for me. Another advantage is that I have Microsoft Word on my iPad which allows me to write while travelling. In the past I have to bring a laptop computer along.

Technology has changed reading and books during travels. At home I still prefer to read hard-copies-books which I can touch, smell and feel. I am still a devout hardcopy bibliophile. However, I cannot deny the advantage of ebooks for portability and convenience.

The paperback I brought along was Valerio Massimo Manfredi’s Odysseus: The Oath. Valerio is an Italian historian and archaeologist. I always liked his books. While travelling in Asia Minor and Greece, I find it refreshing to read this retelling of the Homer’s Iliad main protagonist Odysseus. I have enjoyed reading it. This book ends with the fall of Troy. I look forward to reading it sequel, Odysseus: The Return. Of course, I will read a hard or softcopy book, not an ebook one at home.

 

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Hey, this just not my phone, this is also my library!

We are very aware that mobile hand phones especially smart phones have become as essential part of life in the last two decades. Nowadays we cannot imagine life before these small portable mobile devices. Pay phone booths, expensive operator assisted calls and land line are slowly becoming a thing of the past. The world has become even more interconnected as never before. With the ever expanding cellular infrastructure development, cellular mobile phones are becoming common in some underdeveloped countries even before the land based telephones. According to the United Nations more than 6 billion of the 7 billion people on earth today has access to a mobile phone!

This is an exciting time for the Church. Most mobile phones not only receive voice phone calls but also books and videos. This means that The Church has a unique opportunity today to make the bible available to almost 85% of the people on earth by means of free downloads of e-bible or audio bible! This is a fantastic opportunity. Not only e-bibles but also books on Christianity, Christian living and theology.

The revolution that resulted from the Guttenberg Press caused not only a revolution in learning and knowledge, but indirectly the Protestant Reformation. The bible became more easily available and was translated into a more readable form in the local languages from Latin or Greek. The limitations to that revolution was printing costs, distribution and point of sales/bookshops. The present e-book revolution bypass the limitations of the printing press (surprisingly this has not really translated to cheaper books). The electronic version is easily distributed and downloaded at the cost of a website and mobile apps.

The e-book revolution has placed the power of publishing and distribution into the hands of the authors and readers. Publishers are gatekeepers of printed books and while it is acknowledged that as corporate companies, they need to make a profit, they however also limit books published to that of a few superstar authors. Authors should make their works free or at a minimal charge on the Internet. This is especially true of sermon transcript, books on Christianity and Christian living. In fact, superstar authors and pastors should be the first to do so. Many do not need these incomes from their books. The call is also to Christian theological publishers. For reasons best known to themselves, most of our theological writings in books and journals are locked up behind walls that demand we pay a high monetary price to have access to these books and articles. Open the doors and allow the knowledge and wisdom to be available to all. Commentaries, theological thesis and writings are valuable resources that should be available to all. Everyone, including the poorest Christian living in the slums should have access to a well-stocked Christian library through his or her phone.

The mobile phones also make easily accessible videos and audio messages. Through Youtube, Godtube and other such services, everyone will be able to access Christian documentaries, attend lectures, participate in conferences, and even attend Church services. The technology for streaming video is always improving as is the technology for uploading and downloading.

The dawn of a new era is here. It is now possible to share the bible and Christian teachings to at least 85% of the whole population, even those who are living at the ends of the earth. This is a tremendous opportunity. It is hoped that the Church will awaken to this opportunity.

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Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy)

Who is a Soul Friend?

Soul Friend

1. A person possessed by the Spirit
2. A person characterised by holiness of life and closeness to God
3. A person of experience-in prayer and life
4. A person of learning – particularly in the scriptures and the patristic writings
5. A person of discernment who can read the signs of the times and the writing on the wall of the soul 
6. A person who gives way to the Holy Spirit

Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy)

Tales on the Shelf

One of an author’s joy is to see his or her book on a bookstore shelf.

 SKS Books Warehouse is the largest Christian bookshop in Singapore. They carry a very comprehensive stock of popular and academic Christian books. They are very supportive of local authors. See here

They even have a section on spiritual formation which is amazing!

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Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy)

John’s Review of Tales from the Monastery

A review of my book by John (11 years old)

A Funny Book I Read

Title: Tales From Monastery; Spiritual Formation The Asian Way
Author: Alex Tang

This book is a collection of humourous stories about a group of disciples living in a monastery. The stories help us to understand God and the teachings in the Bible better.

I like ‘Ah Lek Sweeps the Floor’, ‘Durian Theology’, ‘Ah Lek Inherits Heaven and Earth’, ‘The Ban’ and ‘Walking on Water’. Rebecca and I like the same stories. They are very funny.

‘The Ban’ is very amusing because the Council  of the Abba had banned breathing and the use of soap for bathing. I like ‘Ah Lek Inherits Heaven and Earth’ because Abba Ah Beng told Ah Lek that he will never inherit God’s riches because heirs inherit what belongs to their fathers when their fathers die but God, however, lives forever.

I enjoy ‘Ah Lek Sweeps the Floor’ because when Ah Lek died, Jesus gave him a bigger broom to sweep New Jerusalem.

I learn that in certain parts of the Bible, they are not to be taken literally.

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Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy)

Book on Professor Danaraj

There is a new book “T J Danaraj Doctor and Teacher Extraordinaire” by Professor Dr. HO Wong, on Professor TJ Danaraj, the Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya. Those of you who have had the privilege of being taught by this giant in Malaysian medicine would have no doubt this was an extraordinary individual, an exemplary and dedicated teacher and phenomenal clinician.

The Academy of Medicine has copies of the book and it is available for order from the Academy of Medicine. The cost of the hard cover is RM100 and soft cover RM50. The payment is to be made in favour of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia. For more information contact the AMM.

The book will also be launched at the Academic Scientific Meeting by Tun Dr Mahathir, a student of TJ Danaraj himself, on May 5-6 2012 at Saujana Hotel Subang.

In the book you will read about a Giant who terrorized his medical students because he wanted them to be the BEST; read how he whacked, scolded, pushed his students to excellence.
Girls burst into tears, boys ran up and down to the library, the duster flew, the pointer poked and the tendon hammer whacked; yet all these same students now write glowing tributes to a man whom they grew to love and respect.

Read about how he grew up in colonial times to be a doctor, fighting discrimination and difficult times, how he transformed a piece of empty land on a hill at the University of Malaya into a Temple of Medical Knowledge and service, and where he was the High Priest of Medical Education till he was 80 years old. Only failing health stopped him from teaching his beloved students.

Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy)

It’s here!

After years of living with Abba Ah Beng and his disciples (the little monks) in my head, the compilation of their adventures and misadventures is in print. Special thanks to my family who read through each story and laughed at the appropriate sections. To Lim Hai Seng whose illustrations brings life to the tales and who designed the cover. Also to the team at Armour Publishing for their editing, designs and printing (and tolerating a very kiasu author). And a special thanks to a certain eagle-eyed proof reader who spotted all the typos.

May this book be an instrument for the expansion of his kingdom.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Random musings and reflections on life, God and all that stuff (movies, comics, science fiction, spiritual formation, Christian education, biomedical ethics, post modern parenting, books, theology and philosophy)