EXCELLENCE - WINSTON CHURCHILL

;Excellence is...Caring more than others think is wise; Risking more than others think is safe; Dreaming more than others think is practical. Expecting more than others think is possible' (Winston Churchill).

My simple quick reflective questions: Do I really have the desire to be excellent? Am I willing to do (to pay) the extra miles (cost) on the road to excellence?

MOTHER'S THERESA ON HUMILITY

GHANDI'S 7 DANGERS TO HUMAN VIRTUE

THREE REFLECTIONS ON 111111

'This morning, I was reminded that if I start with loving other(s) or thing(s), I will never be able to love God wholeheartedly - but if I first love God with all my heart, I will be enabled to love other(s) or thing(s) in the right perspective - My reflection on Luke 14.25-27' 

'If there is no other issue, can broken pieces establish a solid unity? They may or they may not - If there is no other issue, can solid pieces establish a solid unity? They may or they may not. The truth is: unity should never be a goal to pursue, but a means in which we reach glorious goals in the future. To dream a unity as a goal is deceiving' 

'A desire to be united should not start with a discussion on what a unity is, but with a sincere attitude of humility'

WORDS TO REFLECT - OCTOBER 2011

'I am convinced even more that our freedom to react is greater than our freedom to act' (Prasadja, October 2, 2011)

'Biblical happiness is passive happiness: YOU ARE BLESSED!' (Prasadja, October 2, 2011)

'Drinking coffee on a regular basis can keep a smile on your face' (Metro, October 4th, 2011)

This certainly is an unusual rare unrivaled commencement address offered by Apple's co-founder, the late Steve Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) at Stanford University. Jobs offers extraordinary wisdom from his ordinary words and stories. Enjoy the speech: Stay hungry! - Stay foolish! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc (October 5, 2011)

'Revenge satisfies no one' (Prasadja, October 10, 2011)

'Although grace is sufficient, pain is real' (my paraphrase of a statement made in our prayer meeting) (October 12, 2011)

'Two prominent reasons why men should appreciate, respect and love their wives: 1) They have taken a big risk to entrust their lives to individuals completely different from them and previously unknown to them; and 2) They have been so dedicated in raising up and loving the kids in the family' (Prasadja, October 12, 2011)

I am reading this challenging book and am eager to learn from understanding its message (October 13, 2011)

'Berbagai doa makan yang sering saya dengar: 1) Bersyukur atas makanan yang telah tersedia; 2) Berkati orang-orang miskin yang tidak dapat makan; 3) Berkati dengan limpah mereka yang telah menyediakan makanan ini; 4) Kuduskan dan berkati makanan ini - maksudnya kira-kira bebaskan dari segala racun dan bahaya; 5) Kiranya makanan ini dapat menguatkan tubuh kami - kira-kira maksudnya supaya tidak saja kenyang, tapi juga sehat; 6) Tolonglah kami untuk dapat menikmati makanan ini; 7) Biarlah makanan yang sedikit ini boleh mengenyangkan semua yang hadir - ingat 2 ikan dan 5 roti; 8) Doa yang panjang sampai akhirnya ketika 'amin' diucapkan, ternyata lupa berdoa untuk acara makannya' (Prasadja, October 15, 2011)

'Listening skill is likely much more important than speaking skill' (Prasadja, October 19, 2011)

‘I am not what I wear; I am not what I say, I am not what I do, I am not what I accomplished – but I am my legacy’ (Prasadja, October 21, 2011)

'After two months of school, more frequent have I heard Keiko said: 'I do not understand what you are saying, Dad!' - Early sign of cultural and linguistic gap between daughter and daddy' (Prasadja, October 21, 2011)

'Lately Elliott has been improving significantly in his vocabulary. One of them is 'psssstttt' - every time he heard daddy is singing' (Prasadja, October 21, 2011)

KEY TO SUCCESS: METHODOLOGY, IDEOLOGY & MOTIVATION + GOAL (Prasadja, October 23, 2011)

A very good friend of mine told me a precious wisdom: 'If you begin with humility, you will never go wrong' (Prasadja, October 24, 2011)

'My major enemies as someone who lives in early third millennium AD: narrow mindedness, one sided judgment, and self righteous mentality' (Prasadja, October 31, 2011)

WORDS TO REFLECT - SEPTEMBER 2011

'The task of a communication is not to tell the truth to your partner of conversation, but to make that truth available as answer to his or her deepest inquiries' (Prasadja, September 5, 2011)

This is the day she has really been longing for months: returning to school again - only by God's grace (Keiko on the 1^st day of school – September 6, 2011)

James D. G. Dunn wrote: 'Hi everyone. You will be saddened to hear that Kingsley Barrett, my predecessor, died last night (6.30 pm, 26.08.11) – aged 94. He was the greatest UK commentator on NT texts since J. B. Lightfoot, and much loved by a wide range of Methodist chapels to which he ministered for about 60 years. He will be much missed, but his commentaries will live on for many years, providing information and insight to future generations of students of the NT' (September 7, 2011)

'The size of your heart is expressed and measured by your patience, gentleness and humility in your relationship and interaction towards one another' (Prasadja, September 7, 2011)

'Life is happier, lighter and even more meaningful if you can apply these fundamental principles: (1) act motivated by sincerity and love; (2) always strive for excellence; (3) do not be afraid of making mistakes - mistakes are not your deadly monsters' (Prasadja, September 8, 2011)

Ten years ago .......... (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/photos/9-11-the-25-most-powerful-photos-1315611364-slideshow/25-most-powerful-photos-photo-1315610966.html) (September 11, 2011)

'As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple - As soon as we finished our prayer, .....' (2 Chronicles 7.1; ESV modified) (September 12, 2011)

'Our life is often like a ball: we do not go up before we touch the ground' (Prasadja, September 16, 2011)

What do you think is the reason behind this courageous statement of Jonah “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault” (1.12)? If you were Jonah and were in his situation, would you do the same? (Prasadja, September 16, 2011)

Exploring National Parks and Cities in the US and Canada Chicago-Badlands-Mt. Rushmore-Yellowstone-Grand Teton-Glacier-Waterton Lakes-Calgary-Banff-Lake Louise-Vancouver-Victoria-Seattle-Portland-Canon Beach-Red Wood-San Francisco-Yosemite-Las Vegas-Zion-Bryce-Chicago (3 Weeks, 8,500 Miles, September 1996, Alone - 15th year anniversary) (September 19, 2011)

'Most failures begin with ears that are unwilling to listen' (Prasadja, September 19, 2011)

'Carnation is a shy flower. She is humble, gentle and wise. She is not attracting, but is calm. She is neither expressive nor emotional, but is always reflective and peaceful. Her fragrant is not worshiped, but her simplicity shines' (My eulogy on a flower I have closely known for more than 30 years now - Prasadja, September 20, 2011)

'I am too poor to buy humility' (Prasadja, September 21, 2011)

'Two aspects of humility listed in Philippians 1.1: (1) Acknowledging others' significances, and (2) Avoiding self-congratulation upon self-significances' (Prasadja, September 24, 2011)

'Being a respected person does not mean an isolation' (Prasadja, September 25, 2011)

Self-talk, 'I am good' is enough - 'I am the best' is too much and misleading sometimes; 'I am correct' is enough - 'I am the most righteous' is too much and arrogant sometimes (Prasadja, September, 26, 2011)

‘A pillow really add to the quality of your sleep: I confess’ (Prasadja, September 28, 2011)

STOP PRESS: 'TO LEARN & TO RISK' is launched at http://prasadja-ery.blogspot.com/ (September 29, 2011)

WORDS TO REFLECT - AUGUST 2011

Reading two (2) classic books. One is a biography of a man of faith and miracles: George Muller (author: Basil Miller). The other is a full academic treatment on the historical Jesus by James M. Robinson (A New Quest of the Historical Jesus and Other Essays) (August 1, 2011)

One of the most important and strongest messages to the evangelicals who desire to live fruitfully in this 21st Century Post Christendom Era (from one of the most respected and influential Christian leaders: John Stott) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU2jqP08bzo (August 1, 2011)

  

'Strong men or women cannot be hurt - only they can be broken' (Prasadja, August 4,  2011)

I traveled from Vancouver, BC to Portland, OR via Interstate 5: Last Tuesday with my family and fifteen years ago alone (Prasadja, August 13, 2011)

'Failure to discern the time is according to Jesus fatal' (a lesson from Luke 12.54-56) (Prasadja, August 14, 2011)

'On one of his sermons, Rev. Dr. Myles Munroe argued rightly that in the 21st Century, the church needs (1) wisdom; (2) an integrated perspective; (3) skill; (4) a relevant mission; and (5) diplomacy. These five elements will ensure the church to engage with and to bring about impact to the society effectively ' (Prasadja, August 14, 2011)

'Jesus said: 'I came to send fire on the earth' (Lk 12.49) Biblical fire may be a symbol of judgment, purification, passion for ministry, the Holy Spirit, and the presence of God. In all possibilities, fire is positive for believers in Christ' (Prasadja, August 14, 2011)

'The unfortunate people are those who live in the wrong season' (Prasadja, August 19, 2011)

'Forgiveness is possible, but with a boundary: Don't hurt me!' (Tatum O'Neal). What do you think? (August 23, 2011)

The late afternoon sunshine came through our window, and the curtain formation created stripes on our love seat (August 27, 2011)

'The chance to see a crisis is golden opportunity to develop passion and responsibilities for success' (Prasadja, August 28, 2011)

'Love is the greatest family tradition' (Barney on Family Tradition) (August 30, 2011)