Read To Understand Other People's Beliefs #LeadersAreReaders August 2023

When I was talking to an Anglican church lay leader about the Roman Catholic understanding of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, he thought I was a Catholic. When I said no, he was surprised because it seemed to him that I was defending the Catholics' position, but in actuality, I was just explaining to him what they believe and how they interpret the Scripture and traditions on this matter.

Another time, I was having a casual-turned-serious conversation with a colleague about Calvinism and the five solas. He sounded very convicted, so I challenged him with some questions, thoughts, and Bible quotes. A few months after that, I heard him say to another colleague of mine that I was a Calvinist. I'm not. Perhaps he heard me say, "If I agree with this and that point, does it mean that I'm a (number) point Calvinist?" To the non-Calvinist, I talk like a Calvinist. To the Calvinists, I defended the Arminian. I'm neither (who says there are only two choices? Who says I have to choose?). Likewise, I argue like an atheist when I talk to a Jehovah's Witness and other cults, for example, when they approach me or my students.

Why do I do this? I do this to those who are confident with their positions (friends) and to those who think they have figured it all out (acquaintances and strangers), not to the weak believers in faith. First, for fun and intellectual joy (some may find it intimidating. Well, I'm sort of). Secondly, to challenge other people's assumptions. Thirdly, examine mine. Fourthly, to apply what I've read. And finally, with the previous one, to understand why they believe what they believe. Sometimes you're wrong or in error, and sometimes you make enemies and/or make them think, but you will always learn new things. One of the ways to equip yourself for this kind of conversation is to read widely in the narrow areas of your interests. Read books that you're curious about, books that you don't agree with, and books that enrich your mind and foster empathy.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #ReadWidely #NarrowInterests #NonConformist #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

Try Reading Nonfiction Books #LeadersAreReaders June-July 2023

Obviously, based on my monthly reading lists, I love to read nonfiction books. The reasons are many. For one, I always have the urge to learn something new. That urge is definitely sparked by my reading choices. Second, I like to challenge myself. Not all books are well written, and that goes for nonfiction too. However, I believe that a well-written piece of nonfiction can read like a novel (Robert Greene's books are excellent examples of what I'm talking about here). I love learning about human nature, psychology, philosophy, theology, a bit of history, and fascinating ideas — cliche, I know.

Third, it’s a never-ending rabbit hole of topics. For example, I might read a book about miracles, signs, and wonders. Then pick a Bible commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, then a book on Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, then a book on church history and early fathers, then... you see where I’m going with this. Every book provides a gateway into the next. Reading nonfiction has introduced me to all walks of life, great ideas and discoveries in the world’s history, people who make a difference in the world, stories of faith and inspiration, and new perspectives on seeing things around me.

Some people might argue that you can learn all these things from fiction, and you can; I’m not arguing with that. I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t be afraid to try something new. Challenge yourself to read one nonfiction book and go into it with your eyes wide open. You might be surprised at how satisfying it can be.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #NonfictionBooks #TryNewThings #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

Increase Your Personal Intellectual Capital #LeadersAreReaders October 2022

When I was working in management, I use to read monthly articles by the late Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005) in the business magazine. My workplace was near the bookstore. At the age of 90, he was more active than most 25-year-olds. As a consultant and an author known as 'the father of management thinking,' he was continually working on new books, most of which became bestsellers. Yet, midst his massive accomplishment, he still found time to read three to five hours a day on a wide range of subjects - a habit he first cultivated as a young man. Like Charles H. Spurgeon, one of my heroes of faith, you just have to admire them but don't need to emulate them.

"Every few years I pick another major topic and read in it daily for three years," Drucker once said candidly. "It's not enough to make me an expert, but it's long enough to understand what the field is all about. I've done this for 60 years." When I enter the full-time ministry, I somewhat learned this strategy from Drucker (and Spurgeon): read widely, from many different fields NOT just Christian books. Drucker is the epitome of the 'knowledge worker,' a term he coined to describe the most valuable resource in the new economy - intellectual capital. "Your knowledge and your experience are your new wealth. They belong to you, not your company. Leave an organization and you take that wealth with you."

Learning how to learn and increase your intellectual capital with practical skills. Be valuable. One of the best ways (meaning, not the only way) to do this is by READING BOOKS and/or through good literature. It takes curiosity and also discipline. In the Information and Digital Age, like the late Peter Drucker, the discipline of reading will be well rewarded. Wherever you go, you take that wealth with you.

#ServeToLead #PeterFDrucker #LifeTimeLearner #ReadersAreReaders #IntellectualCapital #KnowledgeIsWealth #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read other articles on reading and book reviews, CLICK HERE
All things media: https://linktr.ee/LEGASI.tv 

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The 5 Essential People Skills, (2004) by Dale Carnegie, Sort-of-Book Review

The 5 Essential People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, 

and Resolve Conflicts (2004) by Dale Carnegie

I've read How to Win Friends and Influence People and The Leader In You (to read my review, CLICK HERE) and so this is a refreshing and reminding course for me. Naturally, I'm not a people person. It's not that I don't love people, but people can be troublesome. In the past, I have no problem using people and influence them for my benefit but intentionally want to help and develop people? That one requires continuous learning, practicing, and humility. This book - and others like John C. Maxwell’s Winning with People - have helped me a lot  As I enter the workplace and serve in the ministry, people skill is even more important. Dale asserts, "No matter what your line of work, even if it's in one of the technical professions, your degree of success depends on your ability to interact effectively with other people."

The five (5) Essential People Skills are:

#1 Rapport Building
#2 Curiosity
#3 Communication
#4 Ambition
#5 Conflict Resolution

I want to summarize each skill but after some thought, it is better if you learn it for yourself. I suggest you don’t need to read the book, just listen to the audiobook. You can get so much value from just listening. Go to YouTube for the audiobook (for personal use only), CLICK HERE.

#ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #PeopleSkills #DaleCarnegie

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/            
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/         
YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

 

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW Particle Fever (2013) produced by‎ David Kaplan‎ & ‎Mark Levinson

Particle Fever (2013) produced by‎ David Kaplan‎ & ‎Mark Levinson

About: Imagine being able to watch as Edison turned on the first light bulb, or as Franklin received his first jolt of electricity. For the first time, a film gives audiences a front-row seat to a significant and inspiring scientific breakthrough as it happens. Particle Fever follows six brilliant scientists during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider, marking the start-up of the biggest and most expensive experiment in the history of the planet, pushing the edge of human innovation.

As they seek to unravel the mysteries of the universe, 10,000 scientists from over 100 countries joined forces in pursuit of a single goal: to recreate conditions that existed just moments after the Big Bang and find the Higgs boson, potentially explaining the origin of all matter.

But our heroes confront an even bigger challenge: have we reached our limit in understanding why we exist? If you love this question and the journey of science, I recommend this highly educated and entertaining documentary!

BUY CHEAP BOOKS: https://my.carousell.com/richard_angelus/

FB Page: https://web.facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/

Follow IG: https://instagram.com/richard_angelus

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW The Story of Science: Power, Proof and Passion (2010) presented by Michael Mosley

The Story of Science: Power, Proof and Passion (2010)
by BBC presented by Michael Mosley

When I was in secondary school, I was always fascinated with science. I remember during recess time I went to the library, took books about the planets with pictures and devoured my reading. Reading wasn't my hobby back then but my interest in science superseded it. I don't remember I want to be a scientist back then but I do want to be the most knowledgeable man in the universe! (Both didn't happen, btw). I love The Story of Science documentary because it tries (yes, tried) to answer these six (6) fundamental questions of the humankind:

#1 What Is Out There?

#2 What is the World Made of?

#3 How Did We Get Here?

#4 Can We Have Unlimited Power?

#5 What Is the Secret of Life?

#6 Who Are We?

For about three thousand years, we – as humankind – have struggled to answer the great questions like the above. I do because I'm fascinated (using this word again) by these questions especially How Did We Get Here? and What Is the Secret of Life? Michael Mosley, an award-winning journalist, is very good at narrating this insightful and entertaining series. He is funny and serious at the same time. From the Cosmos to the Earth to the Mind to the Body to the world of Ideas. This series "reveals how the political upheavals of history combine with iconic inventions and discoveries, along with the ideas of great thinkers (such as Galileo, Newton, Einstein and Darwin), to create the advances that have transformed our lives." The more I try to understand the world around and within me – the what, the where, the how and the why – the more I'm in awe with the beauty and the wisdom of God, the Creator. I believe in God but I also appreciate the effort, the contribution and the power of science to explain these questions. I love science!

BUY CHEAP BOOKS: https://my.carousell.com/richard_angelus/

FB Page: https://web.facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/

Follow IG: https://instagram.com/richard_angelus

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Angelus' Quote: Be A Lifelong Learner

To know is to arrive; to ask questions is to embark on a quest. People whose lives are characterized by a question mark (?) rather than a period (!), who look for learning opportunities everywhere they go. I say again, "To be a lifelong learner is both fun and functional, and all we need to travel along that path is a humble heart and a curious mind." Every person we meet, a situation we are in, books we read, etc. can teach us something; each experience holds within it an important lesson; in every moment is a message waiting to be discovered. When we embrace the spirit of inquiry and curiosity, we embrace life. How wonderful it is that this life is an inexhaustible source of wonders. How exciting to learn that the excitement of learning can last a lifetime. Even young Jesus “listening to [the Jewish teachers] and asking questions” and they in return “were amazed at his intelligent answers” (Luke 2:46-47).

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Play the Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be (2017) by Mark Batterson, Book Review

Play the Man: Becoming the Man God Created You to Be (2017)
by Mark Batterson

Before I read it, when I first saw the title of this book, it reminds me of many Bible verses such as 2 Samuel 10:12 where Joab told Abishai, “Be of good courage and let us play the men for our people…”; 1 Kings 2:2 when David encouraged Solomon to “be strong and act like a man…”; and 1 Corinthians 16:13 as Paul reminded the Christian men at Corinth to “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men…” It also reminds me of the Church fathers such as Polycarp when he was about to be executed a voice from heaven said to him, “Be strong, Polycarp. Play the man.” When Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer were also persecuted for their faith, Cranmer said to Ridley for the last time, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man.” Play the man, act like a man, being a man. I’m so pumped up by the title of this book that I bought it without first browsing it through. To buy the book (and desire to read it), I thought, is already a manly act!

Play the man. Somewhere along the way, our culture – even our churches – has lost its definition of manhood, leaving generations of men and men-to-be confused about their roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the reason God made us men. “The white noise of cultural confusion coupled with the deafening silence of the church has left us insecure and unsure of our manhood,” observes Mark Batterson. “So we settle for something far less than what God originally intended.” It’s in this much-needed message that Batterson declares his mantra for manhood, one that we all men must aspire to act: Play the man! “When you play the man,” he writes, “you are lighting a candle for the next generation – a candle that shall never be put out.” Oh, where are men of God today?

Batterson from the beginning mention that Jesus Christ is the archetype of manhood (or manliness), “He is the Lamb of God and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is a gentle Jesus, meek and mild. But meek isn’t weak, and Jesus definitely had a wild side! He was tough as nails, seven-inch nails that pierced His hands and feet. But He was also man enough to cry.” He continues, “Jesus is an enigma, the Enigma, and that is because He was fully God, fully man. Yes, He is the omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent Son of God. But for 33 years, Jesus played the man… Like us, He had to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. And He had to discover His destiny, His identity, and His masculinity. Of course, after discovering it, He defined it.” Once that is established, Batterson then lists down Seven (7) Virtues of Manhood where he creatively unveiled it one by one through Biblical, personal and historical perspectives and stories. What I like about Mark is that he writes with such scholarly-passionate, humorously-serious, practically-doable, and theologically-clear. Right after I finished reading this book, I prayed:

Lord, by Your grace, I want to play the man!

This 200 pages book is divided into 2 parts and 10 chapters:

Part 1 Play the Man: The Seven Virtues

1 Tough as Nails: Virtue #1 Tough Love

2 A Gentleman and a Scholar: Virtue #2 Childlike Wander

3 Unbroken: Virtue #3 Will Power

4 The Three-Headed Dragon: Virtue #4 Raw Passion

5 Sockdolager: Virtue #5 True Grit

6 Born for the Storm: Virtue #6 Clear Vision

7 Call of Duty: Virtue #7 Moral Courage

Part 2 Make the Man: The Rite of Passage

8 No Man’s Land

9 The Discipleship Covenant

10 The Rite of Passage

I wish every man to read this book or at least this kind of book on manhood – books that are written by men for men. But that in itself is very challenging. Why? Because most men didn’t like to read books… Maybe the first virtue should be #1 Teachable or Learner.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Other books on Manhood that I’ve review and recommend:

#1 Finishing Strong: Going the Distance for Your Family (1995) by Steve Farrar (http://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2018/07/finishing-strong-going-distance-for.html)

#2 Tender Warrior: God's Intention For a Man (1993) by Stu Weber (http://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2018/07/tender-warrior-gods-intention-for-man.html)

#3 Tough and Tender: What Every Woman Wants In a Man (1981) by Joyce Landorf (https://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2018/06/tough-and-tender-what-every-woman-wants.html)

#4 Healing the Masculine Soul: How God Restores Men to Real Manhood (1988, 2003) by Gordon Dalbey (https://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2018/04/healing-masculine-soul-how-god-restores.html)

#5 Book Review: Wild at Heart, Discovering the Secret of A Man's Soul (2001) by John Eldredge (https://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-wild-at-heart-discovering.html)

#6 The Hidden Value of a Man: The Incredible Impact of a Man on His Family (1992) by Gary Smalley and John Trent (https://richardangelus.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-hidden-value-of-man-1992-by.html) 

An Apologetics Discussion about Food with a Kid

“[So] Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd” (Matthew 15:35-36, NLT)

I love children. But I can’t stand their many questions because I always want to answer them (and sometime if I can’t answer them, I’ll go search for it!). This is both a blessing and troublesome moments. I love children more when I only observe them from afar. Three days ago, however, I met my friend’s little boy. During lunch time at KFC, eight-year-old David asked me why I thanked God before eating our foods. So I asked him,

“Where did this chicken fried come from?”

“From the kitchen,” David confidently replied.

“Yes. How they get it here?”

“They send it here.”

“From where?”

“Err…” David puzzled. “From the KCF factory,” his dad interrupted.

“What factory is that?” I asked further.

“KCF factory” “Yes, but…” “Oh, Chicken factory!” said David.

“That’s right,” I affirmed him, “Chicken farm to be exact. Now, who’s taking care of the farm?”
“The farmers”

“And where did the farmer get the chickens?”

“From chicken’s egg”
“Who made the chicken’s egg?”

David wisely answered, “Adult chicken!”

“Okay,” I said. Pause. I was beginning to get irritated with this never ending chicken-egg rotation answer. Then I rephrased my bottom-line question: “David, tell me, who made chicken and chicken’s egg?”

He thought for awhile and then speaks up, “God!”

“And that,” I began to smile, “is why we should thank God for the meals.”

I read about a missionary named Nathan Snow said this while trying to adjust to the curious food on his Asian mission field, “Where [God] leads me, I will follow. What He feeds me, I will swallow.”What contentment and thankfulness is in this sentence! Be thankful for the food that is on your table. Remember the One who provides us our “daily bread”. God is the source of everything we have – give thanks and praise Him always!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

"Finding the Real Jesus": FREE BOOK for Curious Christians and Skeptical Seekers

“The first to speak in court sound right, until the cross-examination begins” (Proverbs 18:17, NLT)

“Finding the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel is so persuasive that by the time I finished reading it I felt like I want to climb up the top of KLCC building; stand and shout: Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!” (Richard Angelus, Blogger)

For centuries, the Christian church has taught that Jesus is the divine Son of God, crucified for sinners and raised from the dead.

In recent years, however, that picture of Jesus has come under widely publicized attack from many sources. The new portraits of Jesus seem persuasive. You can’t help but wonder…

Did Christianity merely copy its belief from earlier mythology?

Did the church suppress alternate gospels?

Is Jesus a purveyor of secret wisdom or redeemer of the world?

Was Jesus unsuccessful in fulfilling the ancient prophesies?

Did Jesus never die on the cross or rise from the dead?

Are stories of His resurrection fabricated?

Is the New Testament hopelessly riddled with errors?

Who was Jesus – really?

FREE BOOKS!

This month of September 2013, I would like to offer my readers (ONLY) 3 BOOKS entitled “Finding the Real Jesus: A Guide for Curious Christians and Skeptical Seekers”. In this book a former atheist, a journalist and a bestselling author Lee Strobel will helps his curious and skeptical readers separate truth from media hype, sound scholarship from bias, and fact from speculation. Digging below the surface, readers will find credible, informed answers to today’s most pressing questions about Jesus.  

You are welcome to get a copy of this book for yourself by simply do these 2 things:

1)    First, comment below “Rich, give me one copy (Your name). I hope that through this book I can… [Not less than 10 words]”

2)    Then, E-mail me at Motivates4life@hotmail.com or send message to my Facebook account your real name, phone no. and your postal address. Thank you.

Enjoy reading!

Happy Discovering and investigating!

May the book will lead you to responding!

That you may find the Real Jesus of the Bible – and start believing. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Become as a little Child Again

“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3, NLT)

Many leading psychologists and educationists have said that if you wish to become more spiritual and wise, you must ‘become as a little child again’. Regardless, either they read or believe the truth in the Bible, they are correct. Mind you, don’t confuse this with developing your childishness (child-ish-ness); rather develop your childlikeness (child-like-ness).

In God’s perspective, developing the childlikeness in you is more than a suggestion, it is a command, a must for every Christians to develop and thus, to be. Jesus said if you want to be in the Kingdom of Heaven; repent from your sins and have a simple faith in God like little children;

 “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven”

Childishness is not what Jesus called for – but childlikeness (On personal level, I think childish Christians are almost the same as immature Christians, but what make it difference is that the later ones is more hopeful than the former ones!) Based on verse given above, Jesus did not mean that we should be children again in term of age and behaviors, but be like children in term of their exemplary characteristics. What are the characteristics of a child? A wonder and awe at the mysteries and magic of the spiritual and natural world; an insatiable curiosity; a natural and spontaneous generosity; an open-mindedness; and a general enthusiasm for life.

Therefore, I urge you to develop your childlikeness. Be like a child in all of the characteristics above (and more) in the light of the faith you have in Jesus, by the Word of God and through the mind of Christ. Friends, become as a little child again!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

University Student, ask 'What?', 'Why?', 'Why Not?'

Edward De Bono, in his writing on Lateral Thinking, believes that our creative potential is crushed at an even earlier age. He refers to the Three Stages of Childhood –

The What?, The Why?, The Why Not?

We start by indentifying the objects we find in the world. “What is this, what is that?” And usually we get the answers. Then we question the meaning and purpose of things. “Why is this, why is that?” And we get some answers, some but not all of them satisfactory.

Then we question the rules. “Why not?”

And the answers we receive at this early age are, for most of us, wholly unacceptable. Some family favorites: “Because that’s not the way we do it”; “Because I say so”; “Go and ask your mother!” And so on. De Bono would assert that, at this early age, “We are strangling our primary resource for creative thinking – our curiosity. Without it, we’ll never ask questions and undercover the hidden potential of things. We’ll accept the status quo”.

As a university student, you shouldn’t stop with the why-questions but if possible – ask also the why-not-questions. Rules are good, but not all. Some are just simply nonsense. Thus, you need to break the barrier, the status quo and ask hard-deep-questions. Keep your curiosity alive. For examples, if you an arts student you don’t have to stick to one way of seeing thing, you must think of other perspectives and ask, ‘why not I see it this way?’ Or if you’re an engineering student you should think of many possibilities and keep on asking, ‘why the designs have to be this way, why not like this?’ Or if you’re a business student, you ought to think of many other alternatives on how to marketing your products and ask, ‘since we always marketed it this way, why not we try other way?’ You know what I mean.

Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Some men see things as they are and say ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” Be a university student who thinks differently, who continue to have curiosity, who love to uncover the hidden potential things or ideas and who never settled for status quo – no matter what. Friends, remember: Ask…

WHY NOT?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.