10 Ways to Cultivate a Reading Culture (by ChatGPT) #LeadersAreReaders October 2023

When I was in Taiwan for IFES staff training, I observed two (2) interesting things. First, the local staff have lots of books on their office shelves; and secondly, there are about three to four bookstores around my staying area. In East Asia, Taiwan has a strong reading culture, with a high literacy rate. Reading is valued in both educational and leisure contexts. So I asked ChatGPT about how to cultivate a reading culture. It replies: "To cultivate a reading culture, consider these steps:

1. Lead by Example: Demonstrate your love for reading. When others see you enjoying books, it can inspire them to do the same.

2. Create Reading Spaces: Designate comfortable spaces for reading at home or in communal areas. A cozy reading nook or a well-lit corner can make a difference.

3. Book Clubs: Join or start a book club. Discussing books with others fosters a sense of community and can make reading a shared experience.

4. Book Recommendations: Share your favorite books and ask for recommendations. Word of mouth is a powerful way to discover new and interesting reads.

5. Set Reading Goals: Encourage setting realistic reading goals. Whether it's a certain number of books per month or exploring different genres, goals add a sense of achievement.

6. Library Access: Make sure there's easy access to a variety of books. Local libraries or book swaps within the community can enhance the availability of reading material.

7. Reading Challenges: Participate in reading challenges. Many online platforms offer challenges that can motivate individuals to diversify their reading habits.

8. Family Reading Time: Establish a routine for family reading time. This can create a positive association with reading from a young age.

9. Celebrate Reading Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate reading achievements. This could be finishing a challenging book or reaching a personal reading milestone.

10. Incorporate Reading into Daily Life: Integrate reading into daily activities. Whether it's reading newspapers, magazines, or even e-books, make it a part of your routine."

I hope by doing no.1 "Lead by Example," through this channel, I can help to spark your passion to read books more frequently - or to start all over again the habit that once was yours. Remember, the key is to make reading enjoyable and accessible, fostering a positive environment that encourages a love for books.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #ReadingCulture #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Membaca Buku Ialah seperti Gim untuk Akal #LeadersAreReaders September 2023

Salah seorang ahli pemikir di Malaysia yang saya kagum ialah tuan Haji Zainal Rashid bin Ahmad atau lebih dikenali lagi sebagai ZRA. Dia merupakan bekas wartawan TV yang terkenal suatu masa dahulu, masih lagi menulis buku-buku sastera Melayu tetapi sekarang lebih aktif di media sosial mengupas isu-isu semasa dengan kaedah 'penceritaan maklumat' yang menarik dan mudah difahami. Bagi saya, ZRA ialah seorang intelektual yang rendah hati walaupun dia kadang-kadang dilihat sebagai seorang yang konfrontatif kerana dia lantang menyuarakan pendapat dan pandangan yang lebih holistik berdasarkan fakta. ZRA memang kaya dengan ilmu dan pengetahuan. ML Studios menggelar dia sebagai "ensiklopedia bergerak." Saya setuju!

Satu lagi hal yang menarik minat saya dengan ZRA ialah kemahiran dia berkomunikasi. Ini penting kerana memiliki ilmu sahaja tidak cukup. Ilmu jika tidak pandai untuk menyampaikannya adalah sia-sia. Menjadi seorang intelektual yang bosan tidak berfaedah untuk masyarakat. Memang tidak boleh dinafikan, selain daripada memiliki banyak pengalaman, ZRA juga banyak membaca buku. Dia pernah berkata, "Membaca buku ialah seperti gim untuk akal." Oleh kerana dia seorang pembaca buku yang efektif (malah turut menjual buku), dia memiliki cara pemikiran yang segar, mempunyai perbendaharaan kata yang luas, gaya bahasa yang menarik, boleh berdiskusi dalam pelbagai topik, dan pandai mengolah maklumat yang rumit menjadi mudah supaya sampai kepada para pendengar. Cuba dengar tuan Haji ZRA bercakap. Kamu akan menyedari bahawa ini ialah kata-kata daripada seorang yang beradab, berilmu dan berakal. Contohi orang sepert ini - dan baca buku!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #ZRA #MembacaBuku #Berkomunikasi #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Roaring Lion: Spiritism In Borneo Challenged by the Power of Christ (1968) by Robert Peterson, Book Review

Roaring Lion: Spiritism In Borneo Challenged by the Power of Christ (1968) by Robert Peterson

 
This is an exciting book by Robert Peterson, a missionary in Borneo (particularly in Kalimantan) who has seen the Lord at work in the lives of many Chinese and some Malays who settle there. During this time (and still is), there were many customs and practices common to the animistic tribes of the islands. Spiritism and demon worship occupied a major place in their daily lives. All this while, Satan, that adversary who prowled around like a “roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8), boldly manifested his unchallenged dominion over them. But that won’t be long, because when Christ’s faithful servants like Robert Peterson went there and preached the gospel of peace, darkness became light and our true King, “the Lion of Judah” (Revelations 5:5), reigned mightily. George M. Steed writes, “We believe it is not just coincidental that when the Lord’s servants commenced openly to challenge the power of darkness and, in the name of our victorious Lord, command the demons to come out of the possessed ones, the gates of hell began to yield and captives were set free.”

Of course, we must not believe there are demons under every bush, but we must not deny the existence and influence of demons in our world today either. The supernatural is natural in the spiritual realm. If you believe in God, then recognizing the reality of Satan and demons shouldn’t be a problem. But the sad fact is that so many Christians have little knowledge of spiritual warfare, or even if they do, they tend to ignore it. Based on my experiences and, more importantly, from the Scripture, we must remember that: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). As the author puts it, we must know a little better the ‘depths of Satan', and by knowing, we are able to ‘fight the good fight of faith.’

What I like about this book is that Peterson began the story by describing his failures in dealing with demon activities. After many encounters, risks, and mistakes, he started to examine the Scripture about the issue and progressively learned how to deal with it effectively through the power of the Holy Spirit and the living Word of God. The stories he told were very interesting because they reminded me of my own experiences during church mission trips to the interior parts of Sarawak many years ago. Read this book and know that God already gives us the weapons (for example, read Ephesians 6:13–20). The chief among them is that Christ is with and in us. “Many truths in the Word of God are a source of strength in our warfare against Satan, but the realization of the indwelling Christ and a day-by-day acknowledgement, acceptance, and utilization of this truth will set us on the victory road and keep us there,” writes Peterson. “Christ has never been and can never be defeated by Satan.” Amen.

#LeadersAreReaders #RoaringLion #TheLionOfJudah #Satan #JesusChrist #IndwellingChrist #RobertPeterson #BorneoForChrist #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Pursuing Humility? Meditations of a Proud Heart (2021) by Joel Cornuz, Book Review

 Pursuing Humility? Meditations of a Proud Heart (2021) by Joel Cornuz

I read this book on a flight from Taiwan to Kuala Lumpur. As soon as I and my colleague landed home, I told them very proudly, “Yes, I’ve finished reading a book on humility!” What an irony! Letting people know that I’ve read books on humility (such as this one and Andrew Murray’s) is probably a sign of my pride. Maybe yes, maybe not. But it is more challenging if I write a book on humility. Joel Cornuz thought so in his introduction: “If you pretend to teach about humility, you already demonstrate pride. Go and present yourself as an expert on the subject, and you disqualify yourself from talking about it. ‘I am the best, especially at humility.' The statement may be funny, but it reflects the reality of the problem.” As the author revealed in the book about his own pride, I saw mine all too obvious too.

Thus, I find this book—a series of the author’s meditations on humility from the Scripture—very helpful in pointing out my personal sin of pride and being independent from God, either intentionally or unintentionally. It was scary, but I needed the realizations that I gained from this book. The Holy Spirit speaks through the meditations of His Word. I need humility, or more accurately, I need God for humility, or, essentially, I need God. Joel concludes, “Humility is first recognizing the reality of who I am (a proud person in need of forgiveness) and who God is (the one who offers me the forgiveness I so desperately need); humility is then accepting my dependence on that God (without Him, I can do nothing); and finally, it is placing my life at his disposal for the service of those around me (and for His glory).”

It is the humble recognition that God (YHWH) is God and placing our dependence on Him that freed us from the weight of pride so that we could be more like Christ, the ultimate embodiment and example of humility. Remember the word that says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34) #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #Humility #Pride #LikeChrist #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

*Thanks to FES Singapore for the gift!

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

One In the Spirit (1973) by David C.K. Watson, Book Review

 One In the Spirit (1973) by David C.K. Watson

Before, I had two favorite Anglicans of the past: John C. Ryle (1816-1900) and James I. Packer (1926-2020). But now I want to add another person: David C. Watson (1933-1984). While Ryle and Packer are beloved friends of the Reformation and the Puritans, Watson however was known as a champion of charismatic evangelicalism. In this book, Watson addresses the need to be united in love - "one in the Spirit, one in the Lord." It is sad to see Christians in the past and present divided over the work of the Holy Spirit when undoubtedly He intends to make us united. We need to take heed of the urgent call to unite in Spirit and truth, but not take it to the extreme of syncretism. As the Scripture says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3).

The first step, as the author begins the book, is to know the person and the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. He is the key to everything in the New Testament Church. "The fifth book of the New Testament should really be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit," writes Watson. "If God had taken the Holy Spirit out of their midst in those days, about 95% of what they doing in their churches would ceased immediately. Everyone would know the difference." But today, sadly, if God would take the Spirit out of our midst, maybe we would not know the difference. Business as usual. And that's the danger! I recalled my observations when I read this book of how we have treated the Holy Spirit unintentionally - in our theology and conduct - as subordinated either to the Bible (by most Protestants) or the Church (by most Roman Catholics). Thus, Watson urges us to have "a fresh recognition of the Third Person of the Trinity, and deep longing for the same wind of the Spirit that energized believers both in the first century and in the revivals of the Church down the years." Amen.

This book is divided into five chapters that mostly derive from 1 Corinthians 12-14 and other passages: 1) The Person of the Holy Spirit; 2) The Holy Spirit in the Individual; 3) The Holy Spirit in the Church; 4) Walking by the Spirit; and 5) The Greatest Is Love. Obviously, David Watson was generally positive about the explosion of the charismatic movement during his time. He was aware of the danger of counterfeits and always pointed out to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1). In the same way, when I read this book, I tested his ideas and interpretations whether they were based on the Scripture or not. And asking, "What is God saying by His Spirit?" This is a good question - and prayer! - to ask when we read other books too, especially the one that He inspired or God-breathed Book (see 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21).

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #TheHolySpirit #DavidWatson #Unity #TheChurch #TheScripture #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The True Jesus: Uncovering the Divinity of Christ in the Gospels (2017) by David Limbaugh, Book Review

 The True Jesus: Uncovering the Divinity of Christ in the Gospels (2017) by David Limbaugh

This is a sequel to Limbaugh's previous book, Finding Jesus In the Old Testament (I've read it but I didn't write a review. Sad). I bought both books from the BookXcess bookstore.* As of writing, our Bible study group is studying the Gospel of Luke, and this week we are going to look at Luke 9:18-20 when Jesus asked His disciples two questions, "Who do the crowds say I am?" (v.18) and most importantly, "Who do you say I am?" (v.20). The first question is an opinion, a survey, or a general inquiry. But the last question is more personal, direct, and life-changing because the answer to the question is not neutral. Everyone must go through C.S. Lewis's famous trilemma: either Jesus is a 'lunatic, liar or Lord' or a 'mad, bad or God' man. No in-between.

Lewis wrote in his classic book Mere Christianity: "You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to... I have to accept the view that He was and is God." Lewis, the most reluctant convert (but intellectually honest), had made the verdict: Jesus is the Son of God. But, for you (yes, you!), who do you say Jesus is? This book can help you on your faith journey to answer this question for yourself. Here Limbaugh combines the four Gospel records (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) into a chronological account of the deeds, words, and life of Jesus Christ. You'll see His humanity and divinity perfectly blended in One Person jump off every page into our hearts.

This book is good for skeptics who want to know the big picture of the Gospel accounts in one volume (although, impatient skeptics might not like it because it's a long book, 353 pages in total). It is also helpful for students of the Word like me to recall and be reminded again about how cool, awesome, and epic our Lord Jesus is (although, this book or any book is pale in comparison to the Gospel accounts themselves). Limbaugh's comments, sound exegesis, and references to other respectable Bible scholars and authors are the best features of this book. "The ultimate goal is not to perfectly reconcile the four accounts," said Limbaugh in his interview with Sean McDowell, "but to inspire people to read the Gospels for themselves, where they will encounter for themselves the living Son of God." Amen.

 *currently out of stock
**btw, there is only one Gospel (not "Gospels") but four accounts

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #TheTrueJesus #DavidLimbaugh #OneGospelFourAccounts #JesusChrist #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

How To Become A People Magnet: 62 Life-Changing Tips To Attract Everyone You Meet (2019) by Marc Reklau, Book Review

 How To Become A People Magnet: 62 Life-Changing Tips To Attract Everyone You Meet (2019) by Marc Reklau

Bad news: I've not become a people magnet after I finished reading it. Good news: This book reminds me to at least try to increase my magnet-ism or be a less annoying person (or don't make it worse! It is hard to be one if one of my heroes of faith is John the Baptist). Hey, these are "tips" not a book of spells, and reading alone will not make any difference in anyone's social lives if not practiced. It is application, not knowledge, that transforms people. For sure, salespeople need to read this book! But it is also good for anyone who wants to improve their social skills and relationships. The author writes, "The most successful people are usually the ones who best get along with people. (Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule). Science tells us that the number one predictor of success and lasting happiness is our social relationships. People with a strong social network even live longer!"

I've observed how tactless young people are today when they try to communicate with others. I've seen how insensitive people are when interacting with those who are younger than them. I've witnessed many awkward communications between students and coworkers. Some people say technologies and gadgets are the enemy, but it's not entirely true. I think it's our personal belief that says (at its core), "People are not important; I am!" Ryan Holiday's book title summed it up well: "Ego is the enemy.” Even if egoistic people seem interested in building relationships, their main goal is not to serve but to use others, not to build but to manipulate others. Thus, these tips can be used for both good and evil, but as the Scripture says, "There is nothing concealed that it will not be revealed, nor so hidden that it will not be made known."

This short book is divided into seven (7) parts. Some tips are very common sense ("Be friendly"), too positive ("Don't criticize"), and probably not suitable for certain types of people ("Praise and praise a lot!"). Most tips are good reminders ("Listen to people actively"), practical ("How to make a good impression"), and humbling ("Talk about your own mistakes first"). There are a few tips that I know I need to practice, but I just can't imagine myself doing them. My excuse is my personality, but in high probability, it's my ego. Lord, help me, a sinner. By the way, on a related topic, I want to recommend these books:

• Winning With People and 25 Ways to Win With People by John C. Maxwell

• How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

• The Rules of People by Richard Templar

• The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

 #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #HowToBecomeAPeopleMagnet #MarcReklau #PeopleSkills #Relationships #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life After the Loss of a Parent (2005) by Lynne B. Hughes, Book Review

 You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk about Life After the Loss of a Parent (2005) by Lynne B. Hughes

This book is raw. At an early age, Lynne lost both of her parents. In 1998, she established Comfort Zone Camp to provide a pleasant and safe environment for grieving teens. She and her campers extend empathy and practical help to teenagers and those who look after them with understanding and compassion. So this book is based on real stories, real people, and real experiences. Parental loss is sometimes referred to as "the loss that is forever," and young people who have experienced it often feel very different from others around them. I'm in the student ministry, so I meet lots of students who lost their parent(s) early in their childhood. When I read this book, I was very moved by their testimonies and also encouraged to know that they are not alone. You are not alone (This is not a Christian book. As a Christ-follower, I can say with confidence that you, by faith, are not alone because Christ is your friend, God is your Father, and the Holy Spirit is within you. Theologically and in reality, you are not alone).

The hardest thing about losing someone you love is that it will never go away. It's hard but you're not alone. "Some of the most reassuring words of all are from other kids like you who are LIVING with the loss of a parent," writes Lynne to one of the teens. Then, she shows some examples. This is a cliche but true: Life goes on, and you need to move on. 'Moving on' means traveling away from the loss, which also means traveling farther away from the experiences with your loved one and filling the space with new experiences and new people. It's not a betrayal or disloyalty. It's you choosing to be a SURVIVOR, not a victim. Like one of the teens, Melissa wrote: "At one point I wanted to give up too. I wanted to leave this world. Then I realized that I couldn't do that because then I would turn out to be just like my mom. You need to know you can get through it. Although it will be hard, you will have your entire life to live." And Abbey also wrote: "Initially it stinks, but you will be able to pick yourself back up and start living again. It is really hard at first, but eventually (at least in my case), you realize they would want you to have a happy life." Wow! Choose to survive!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #YouAreNotAlone #TheLossOfAParent #Survivor #Hope #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

 To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.