Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Photo Biography Update (12-31-14)


Some notable photos taken during the period of June 24 - December 31, 2014...

Blowing the trick candles along with my co-birthday celebrants during our church youth group's VIP Day for June. 
During the opening program of Joy Campus Ministry (JCM)...
CLICK HERE for some videos of the performances I was in...
I was asked to give advice to students on how to study well (hilarious, I know)
After many years, I got to hang out again with my alma mater's grass.  Waiting for my band's turn to play during BU week.
After hours of waiting, it was finally our turn. 
Basil, Carlo, Me, and Joneil.  During birthday boy Carlo's party.
Running by the pool side.  Taken a day after I learned that I passed the LET.
During our church's annual rice-giving caroling.
On the way to our very first caroling place...
Winson, Joneil, Basil, and me are keeping Carlo company as he finished his dinner.   
Joy YP reunion.  December 29, 2014.  At Pastor Lee's residence.
We are the Men in Black.  With Dave and Zion at Kuya Ronnie and Ate Glad's wedding.  The motif is black.
With my sister, Wanda.
Like a boss by the piano.
With my father.  This was before we went to the venue.
Family picture 2014.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Putting the "CHRIST" and "MAS" Back in Christmas (and Other Thoughts on Christmas)


Putting the “CHRIST” and “MAS” back in Christmas.

“The celebration of Jesus’ birth!” That’s the general answer if you ask people what Christmas is about.  But, for most of them, in their hearts, “Jesus’ birthday” is just like another aspect of Christmas instead of the ultimate reason.  “Jesus’ birthday” is just right up there with the gifts and parties and the decorations and the holiday that defines what Christmas is for them.      

The word “Christmas” originates from “Christ” and “mass”, which basically means “worship.”  But there seems to be not enough of “Christ” and “worship” in modern observance of Christmas.  I am not saying that the features of the modern Christmas celebration – gifts, trees, lights, decorations, foods, reunions, parties, vacation, merrymaking, etc. – are diminishing the essence of Christmas.  But people tend to focus on them rather than to let these things point them to Christ and worship him.    

Christmas is a season worth rejoicing over because of Christ’s birth.  The actuality of this event in human history is such a big deal for it means that God dwelt among us.  Immanuel.  God with us.  Jesus is God incarnating as Man, to be the Representative and Savior of mankind; so that He can suffer and die in our place, ensuing our freedom from sin and our deliverance from eternal damnation.  

And, thus, as response, every feature of our Christmas – food, gifts, decorations, songs, festivities, etc. – should not be the source of our excitement and happiness this season, but let them merely help us to direct the focus of our ultimate joy in Jesus and let him be glorified by all aspects of our Christmas celebration.     

December 25 used to be a pagan date of celebration, but early Christians chose to sanctify the date and use it to commemorate Jesus’ birth instead.  Now, in a world that seems to forget why it’s rejoicing in the first place, let us, Christians, once again sanctify the modern practices of the holiday and point the rest of the world to the glory of Jesus Christ.  

Joy to the world!   The Lord is come!   

We celebrate Jesus’ birthday.  But, ironically, we get the gifts.

Most importantly, we are the ones who received the “Greatest Gift.”

Christmas is ultimately about God giving his own son (John 3:16); Jesus giving his life for a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). 

Thus, the “Greatest Gift” is the Birthday Celebrant himself, Jesus Christ.  And through Christ, we became recipients of grace, joy, hope, peace, salvation, eternal life, and the fellowship of God!  Such awesome Gift! 

That’s why Christmas is said to be the “Season of Giving.”  For God has given us so much.  Hence, we who have experienced the lavish extravagance of God’s giving can afford to give generously. 

Christmas Banes

People who haven’t grasped the blessing of Christmas don’t have the “Spirit of Giving.”  Rather, they have the “Spirit of Expecting of Receiving Something” or, worse, the “Spirit of Begging.”  There’s also the “Spirit of Christmas Cynicism” but I like to think that the moral of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has already taken most of it away from people.  Still, I will still touch upon the matter later on.  For now, let me talk of these major banes in Christmas: the “Spirit of Expecting of Receiving Something” and the “Spirit of Begging.”

A person with the “Spirit of Expecting of Receiving Something”, well, expects that he or she has to receive something for Christmas.   He or she believes that people around him or her are obliged to give him or her gifts.  Instead of thinking of what he or she can give to others, what this person is looking forward to are the stuff that he or she will get.  This is the kind of person that prepares an inadequate, thoughtless gift to join the “exchange gifts” with the intent of getting a superior thing in return.  And this is the kind of person who grumbles when the gift he or she receives during “exchange gifts” is inferior to the gift he or she prepared.    

The “Spirit of Begging” is just an extension of the “Spirit of Expecting of Receiving Something.”  But this now involves begging.  I have nothing against poor people.  But begging, for me, is only a shade lighter away from crime.  And, like crime, begging for money is reserved for two kinds of people: a.) the desperate; and b.) the callously shameless or conscienceless.  I don’t approve of chronic begging but I have some sympathy for those in the first category and none for the second (I might expound on the matter in some future essay).  But, either way, I hate it when people use the greeting “Merry Christmas” as a means of begging.  Seriously, if you greet someone “Merry Christmas”, your intention is to give or, at least, bless the ones you are greeting.  For me, using the word “Christmas” as a means for begging is blasphemy. 

Look, if you are going to beg, just straight-up say that you are begging – “Do you have spare change?”, or “Alms! Alms!”, or anything that simply say that you are begging for money – and leave “Christmas” out of it.  Now, if you received something from the one you are begging from, then you can appropriately bless him or her with “Merry Christmas!” then.     

When beggars greet me with “Merry Christmas” as a means of begging, I simply smile and greet them a hearty “Merry Christmas!” back.  I have no right dictating how you can show your Christmas generosity.  But I suggest that you do likewise whenever beggars greet you with “Merry Christmas” in order to get money from you.  Don’t give money to those who beg by barefacedly exploiting Christmas.  Don’t encourage such blasphemous practice. 

Rather than give to this kind of beggars – who you aren’t sure anyway if they are indeed in poverty or are just lazy or belongs in a syndicate – give to people that you actually know – friends, relatives, acquaintances, churchmates, etc. – are in need.  Surely, you probably personally know people that could use some Christmas cheer.  These are the ones you should lavishly portray your Christmas generosity.   

Again, I can’t dictate you how you should practice your Christmas generosity.  But, at all times, let your Christmas generosity lead those people you chose to favor towards Christ.  Let your generosity direct them to the immeasurable generosity of Christ, that they may see that He is the Greatest Treasure Ever.   

In fact, that’s the best thing to give to those people you meet that have the “Spirit of Begging.”  Rather than give them money, take the time to tell them about Jesus.  These people actually need Jesus in their lives more than money (which is apparent from having the “Spirit of Begging” in their lives).  Do your best to let them see that Jesus is a Treasure that is infinitely greater than any material thing they can obtain from begging.  

I know of a Christian man that does it right.  When beggars come to his doorstep to ask for “Christmas”, instead of immediately giving them something, he would invite them in his house so he can tell them about Jesus.   Realizing that they probably won’t get any money from this man, these beggars would refuse and go away.  This is just sad.  The man was actually offering them something more valuable – Christ himself – than any “Christmas” they are expecting.         

On Caroling

And due to this distorted outlooks of Christmas – “Spirit of Expecting of Receiving Something” and “Spirit of Begging” – carols which are meant to fill the air with Christmas cheer instead fill the air with noise.    

Most children carolers are motivated by the money or treats that they can receive from caroling. The greediness is apparent from the lack of effort they put in their caroling.   They don’t even bother practicing their song-set nor bother to master the lyrics of the songs.  They sing gibberish; are out of tune and out of beat; and gets mad and sings a mocking song whenever they don’t receive anything from those they are caroling, i.e. the ones they expect to get money from.  

Caroling, like all other features of Christmas, is about giving.  The primary purpose of going house to house and singing Christmas carols is to spread Christmas cheer and declare Christ’s glory in the season, NOT to get money from the people you are caroling to.

Every December, caroling is an activity in our church.  We go to impoverished communities and visit our poor members and their neighbors.  We sing carols and then give them rice.  This is caroling done right –giving!  It’s a wonderful tradition that I’m proud I’m part of. 
      
As a Sunday School teacher and an elementary teacher, I have the opportunity to tell my students the proper attitude of caroling.  I tell them that they should have a heart of giving whenever they go caroling.  As children, they are limited financially, thus, caroling is the best opportunity they have to give to people.  They should sing Christmas songs with all their heart; let people enjoy their singing.  Don’t expect or ask money from the houses they are caroling.  If they are given something, then be thankful.  And even if people don’t give them anything, don’t grumble but still be cheerful and thankful.     

There’s this beautiful Christmas short that a local network ran years ago.  A group of children went caroling, and they stopped on a house belonging to an old man spending Christmas Eve alone.  Hearing the children singing, the old man started feeling his pockets for some coins, but there were none.  He went outside and apologized to the children that he doesn’t have anything to give, and then went back inside.  The children looked at each other for a second.  Then, they started singing again.  They shouted that it’s okay, that they will sing for free.  It made the old man smile.  The children finished their song, and, lastly, greeted the old man a hearty Merry Christmas.  Beautiful!  That for me defined how children should proceed with caroling.         
 
Again, I have no right to tell you how you should practice your Christmas generosity.   Give them money or treats (it’s preferable if you give them treats rather than money) or none, it’s up to you.  But, again, like with beggars, let your generosity lead them to Jesus.  Tell them about Jesus and how valuable he is than any material things they can obtain.  Invite them to Sunday School.  Give them Gospel tracts for children.  Actually give them Something more substantial than money or treats.       
   
It is understandable to an extent because these children who go caroling to get money know nothing better.  Unfortunately, many of these children grow up without actually realizing that Christmas is about giving.  They grow up thinking the rest of the world is obliged to give them something during this time of the year, hence, exploiting Christmas to get money.  That’s why children, as young as they are, need to know Jesus during Christmas.    

The harm of the Santa Claus myth

I have nothing against Santa Claus as a fictional character (I know he’s based on an actual historical person, but the pop culture representation of old St. Nick is, of course, fantasy).  In fact, like other fictional heroes, whose qualities we admire about them are projected in our admiration of the supremely admirable God, Santa Claus the fictional character can do likewise.  My problem is how people would fool children by declaring that this mythological Santa Claus is actually real, and would give them gifts during Christmas if they behave.  These children will grow up and eventually realize the truth that Santa Claus is fictional, but the “Spirit of Expecting of Receiving Something” and materialism is already implanted in them by years of expecting gifts from Santa.  Hence, the Santa Claus mythology is what charms them and not the reality of Jesus Christ, the real reason of the season – Someone that is infinitely more exciting than Santa Claus.  As John Piper brilliantly analyzed:   
"It is mindboggling to me that any Christian would even contemplate such a trade, that we would divert attention away from the incarnation of the God of the universe into this world to save us and our children. . . . Not only is Santa Claus not true — and Jesus is very truth himself — but compared to Jesus, Santa is simply pitiful, and our kids should be helped to see this.
"Santa Claus offers only earthly things, nothing lasting, nothing eternal. Jesus offers eternal joy with the world thrown in — the fire engine is thrown in (1 Corinthians 3:21–23).
"Santa Claus offers his ephemeral goodies only on the condition of good works: 'He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows when you have been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake.' That is a pure works religion. And Jesus offers himself all the gifts freely, by grace, for faith.
"Santa Claus is make-believe. Jesus is more real than the roof on your house.
"Santa Claus only shows up once a year. Jesus promises, 'I will be with you always' (Matthew 28:20). You say to your kid every night: 'He is standing by your bed. He is with you when you get up in the morning. He is with you when you go to school today. If mommy and daddy die, he will be right there with you.' Santa doesn’t hold a candle to this flame, Jesus.
"Santa Claus cannot solve our worst problem. Jesus did solve our worst problem, our sin and our alienation from God. Santa Claus can put some icing on the cake of the good life, but he cannot take a shattered life and rebuild it with hope forever. And our kids need to know that about Christmas.
"Santa Claus is not relevant in many cultures of the world. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords over all the peoples of the world.
"Santa Claus will be forgotten some day and Jesus 'is the same yesterday and today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).
"So there is no contest here. I cannot see why a parent, if they know and love Jesus, if they have found Jesus to be the greatest treasure in the world, why they would bring Jesus out of the celebration and Santa into the celebration at all — I mean, he is just irrelevant. He has nothing to do with it. He is zero.
"So my counsel is to give all your efforts to making your children as happy as they can possibly be with every kind of surprise that is rooted in the true meaning of Christmas. Let your decorations point to Jesus. Let your food point to Jesus. Let your games point to Jesus. Let your singing point to Jesus. Out-rejoice the world, out-give the world, out-decorate the world, and let it all point to Jesus.
"If being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for your Christmas, you don’t know him well."

The sooner children know that Santa Claus isn’t real and his philosophy can’t satisfy, then the sooner they can go on a more exciting path towards Jesus Christ. 

Why bother with Christmas

One of the songs we sing during our church caroling is “Christmas Without Christ”, which goes like this:
"Why bother with the tree?
Why bother with the lights?
If you ignore the meaning of that first silent night.
Why bother with an angel?
Why bother with the gifts?
If you ignore the message Jesus Christ came to give.
Christmas without Christ
There's no Savior, there's no joy
Christmas without Christ
There's no reason to rejoice
Christmas without Christ
Oh, it makes me wanna cry
Why bother having Christmas without Christ?"

It’s easy to be cynical on how the Christmas season has become.  With the trees, the gifts, the decors, the parties, and all that stuff, it feels like that Christmas has become a time for commercialism, compulsory spending, and obligatory merrymaking.  Thus, Christmas begins to feel onerous and empty.  And it is… if Christ is not made the center of it all.  Just as what Charlie Brown and the gang learned in the classic Christmas cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas (which I have watched countless times already during the Christmas season), Christmas is stressful and burdensome if we forget what it’s really about: Jesus Christ. 

Because if Christ is the center of our Christmas celebrations, all these things we bother about – exchanging presents, singing carols, putting up trees and lights and decorations, preparing festivities and food – have significance, for all of these are merely directing us to the hope and rapturous joy that is solely found in the Birthday Celebrant. Hence, we can derive a genuine and meaningful – and even yearlong – celebration, because there is much to rejoice about in Jesus Christ. 

Happy birthday, Jesus.  Merry Christmas, everyone.   

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Top 10 Fictional Cats


Those who know me are familiar of my fondness of cats.  They are cute, cuddly, adorable, lazy, indifferent, self-absorbed, cowardly, quick-tempered, gullible, agile, tenacious, sharp, and sly – and I find the sum of all these qualities very winning. 

I lament the fact that there are more interesting and notable dog characters than cat characters.  Nonetheless, there are still a couple of stand-outs among fictional cats.  Here are my picks for the best from the lot.  

Honorable Mentions: Cheshire Cat (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), Cat-Bus (My Neighbor Totoro), Bill the Cat (Bloom County), Meowth (Pokemon)

10.) HEATHCLIFF

I read Garfield and any affection I have to the strip is out of my affection for newspaper comic strips in general.  I find Heathcliff as the better fictional ginger cat over Garfield.  Heathcliff doesn’t talk (though in the animated series, he does, and wisecracks, which is great also) but he still possesses an extent of anthropomorphic characteristics (e.g. fighting with his fists; understanding human culture, concepts, and language; maintaining a girlfriend; standing on his hind legs; serving as an informant for dog catchers, etc.) that allowed more absurdity in the gags of his comic strips.  His episodic adventures are usually about outsmarting his adversaries; bullying dogs and other cats; stealing from and annoying the tuna fisherman, the fish market owner, and the milkman; making lady cats swoon; and just being a plain nuisance to almost everyone. 

9.) LYING CAT

This is the most recent one that I’ve encountered in this list since it’s only this year that I’ve come to read and be a fan of the exceptionally terrific Saga comic book series.

Lying Cat is the pet cat of The Will, a bounty hunter that was sent after the main protagonists (an eloping inter-species couple that belong to opposite sides of the war).  What is remarkable and interesting about this cat is how it shouts out “Lying!” whenever someone speaks a lie within its earshot.       

8.) FELIX THE CAT

I know that Felix the Cat is more known as an animated character; ever since his creation during the silent film era, Felix has appeared in a couple of animated shorts, animated series, and animated movies.  But my fondness for the character happened because of the funny “Felix the Cat” comics digest from Harvey Comics Entertainment; I immensely enjoyed reading “Felix the Cat” comics during my early childhood.  The simple but stylish cartoon design of the character is also worth noting.

7.) PUSS IN BOOTS (Shrek)

The Shrek franchise has succeeded in reinventing some fairy tale characters to hilarious effect.  One of those characters is Puss in Boots, wherein he was depicted as a swashbuckling cat with a Mexican accent (with Antonio Banderas’ distinctive voicing enhancing this character’s charm).  Debuting in Shrek 2, Puss was first introduced as an assassin tasked to kill Shrek, but he quickly became his ally instead.  Donkey was initially threatened from being replaced by Puss as Shrek’s sidekick, but the three of them eventually became close friends.

Puss is a capable swordsman, but he isn’t unaware of the adorable qualities that a cat possesses by default – he even uses his adorableness (e.g. winning people with his trademark cute, large “puppy eyes”) to his advantage in a fight or to get his way. 
     
6.) CHESTER

Chester is a character from the excellent Bunnicula series of children books.  He is the only cat among the four pets of the Monroe household, and was the only one convinced that Bunnicula is a vampire and a threat.  His name is taken from G.K. Chesterton (he was a birthday gift for Mr. Monroe, a literature professor), and grew to love reading books.  Because of reading many books, Chester is smarter or at least more knowledgeable than the pet dogs.  However, his intelligence is also probably the reason why he’s obnoxious, extremely imaginative, stubbornly narrow-minded, and incapable of admitting wrong (typical flaws of most smart people).  Nonetheless, his flaws and obsession on Bunnicula make him a very appealing and enjoyable character.        

5.) TOP CAT

The titular character of the immensely entertaining Top Cat animated series is a charismatic, street-smart, and ingenious alley cat.  Top Cat – or T.C. for short to his friends – usually spend his days leading his gang of alley cats in earning a quick buck through outlandish schemes or cons.  As expected, T.C. often finds himself in a bind from the outcome of his enterprises.  However, he is also often able to talk himself out of trouble with the help of his smooth-talking and quick-wittedness.  Though not as competent as the Fonz, T.C.’s personality is very much Fonzie-like, i.e. he easily wins over both co-characters and audience alike.   

4.) SWAT KATS

Let me cheat a bit.  The sixth spot belongs to both Chance "T-Bone" Furlong and Jake "Razor" Clawson – the SWAT Kats – since they equally provide to what makes the SWAT Kats awesome.  This duo is former paramilitary law enforcers that were exiled to the city’s military salvage yard.  Despite being removed from service, the two still desired to fight crime and protect the city, hence, they decided to become vigilantes – the super-hero duo, SWAT Kats.  They modified the salvage yard to serve as their base of operations, and using parts they can find in it, they created a state-of-the-art fighter jet, the “Turbokat”, as well as gadgetries, weapons, and other vehicles to use in their crusade.   

3.) DORAEMON

The delightful Doraemon anime series features the daily struggles (e.g. being bullied, getting poor grades, etc.) of fifth-grader Nobita, in which the titular character Doraemon would provide aid for.  Doraemon is a robot cat sent from the future to improve the fortune of the hapless Nobita.  He does this by providing Nobita with strange but effective gadgetries that are intended to help address his present predicaments.  However, half of the time, especially when Nobita becomes abusive, greedy, and too self-seeking of the advantage provided, the whole thing backfires on him.  Still, throughout the way, the loyal Doraemon consistently provides counsel and caution.          

2.) SALEM SABERHAGEN

Technically, Salem is – was – a human warlock.  However, he was turned into a cat as punishment for his attempts to take over the world.  As a cat, Salem is a delightful companion to Sabrina Spellman, especially in Sabrina the Teenage Witch and in Sabrina: the Animated Series wherein he was portrayed as a wisecracking, loud-mouthed black cat – extremely funny and charismatic.  

I don’t care much for early versions of Salem in the comics since he’s originally orange and doesn’t talk.  Thankfully, due to the sitcom’s popularity, the comics opted to retcon Salem so that the comic book portrayal would closely reflect the much improved, more hilarious version of the character set by the sitcom. 
 
1.) PUSS IN BOOTS

Shrek’s reinvention was great and fun, but the original fairy tale depiction is still the best.   The “Puss in Boots” story charmed me greatly from the first time I read it.  And the story’s titular cat who ensured the fortune of his master through clever manipulations and quick-thinking made an empathic impression on me that he has been my most favorite fictional cat ever since.

As ending, I’ll leave you with the narrative of the fairy tale to enjoy the awesomeness of the original Puss in Boots.  Here goes...


*  *  *        

Once upon a time there was a miller, who was so poor that at his death he had nothing to leave to his three children but his mill, his ass, and his cat. The eldest son took the mill, and the second the ass, so there was nothing left for poor Jack but to take Puss.

Jack could not help thinking that he had been treated shabbily. "My brothers will be able to earn an honest livelihood," he sighed, "but as for me, though Puss may feed himself by catching mice, I shall certainly die of hunger."  The cat, who had overheard his young master, jumped upon his shoulder, and, rubbing himself gently against his cheek, began to speak. "Dear master," said he, "do not grieve. I am not as useless as you think-me, and will undertake to make your fortune for you, if only you will buy me a pair of boots, and give me that old bag."

Now, Jack had very little money to spare, but, knowing Puss to be a faithful old friend, he made up his mind to trust him, and so spent all he possessed upon a smart pair of boots made of buff-colored leather. They fitted perfectly, so Puss put them on, took the old bag which his master gave him, and trotted off to a neighboring warren in which he knew there was a great number of rabbits.  Having put some bran and fresh parsley into the bag, he laid it upon the ground, hid himself, and waited. Presently two foolish little rabbits, sniffing the food, ran straight into the bag,' when the clever cat drew the strings and caught them.

Then, slinging the bag over his shoulder, he hastened off to the palace, where he asked to speak to the King. Having been shown into the royal presence, he bowed and said:
"Sire, my Lord the Marquis of Carabas has commanded me to present these rabbits to your Majesty, with his respects."

The monarch having desired his thanks to be given to the Marquis (who, as you will guess, was really our poor Jack), then ordered his head cook to dress the rabbits for dinner, and he and his daughter partook of them with great enjoyment.  Day by day Puss brought home stores of good food, so that he and his master lived in plenty, and besides that, he did not fail to keep the King and his courtiers well supplied with game.

Sometimes he would lay a brace of partridges at the royal feet, sometimes a fine large hare, but whatever it was, it always came with the same message: "From my Lord the Marquis of Carabas"; so that everyone at Court was talking of this strange nobleman, whom no one had ever seen, but who sent such generous presents to his Majesty.

At length Puss decided that it was time for his master to be introduced at Court.  So one day he persuaded him to go and bathe in a river near, having heard that the King would soon pass that way. Jack stood shivering up to his neck in water, wondering what was to happen next, when suddenly the King's carriage appeared in sight. At once Puss began to call out as loudly as he could:
"Help, help! My Lord the Marquis of Carabas is drowning!"

The King put his head out of the carriage window and, recognizing the cat, ordered his attendants to go to the assistance of the Marquis. While Jack was being taken out of the water, Puss ran to the King and told him that some robbers had run off with his master's clothes whilst he was bathing, the truth of the matter being that the cunning cat had hidden them under a stone.

On hearing this story the King instantly dispatched one of his grooms to fetch a handsome suit of purple and gold from the royal wardrobe, and arrayed in this, Jack, who was a fine, handsome fellow, looked so well that no one for a moment supposed but that he was some noble foreign lord.

The King and his daughter were so pleased with his appearance that they invited him into their carriage. At first Jack hesitated, for he felt a little shy about sitting next to a Princess, but she smiled at him so sweetly, and was so kind and gentle, that he soon forgot his fears and fell in love with her there and then.  As soon as Puss had seen his master seated in the royal carriage, he whispered directions to the coachman, and then ran on ahead as fast as he could trot, until he came to a field of corn, where the reapers were busy.

"Reapers," said he fiercely, "the King will shortly pass this way. If he should ask you to whom this field belongs, remember that you say, 'To the Marquis of Carabas.' If you dare to disobey me, I will have you all chopped up as fine as mincemeat." The reapers were so afraid the cat would keep his word that they promised to obey. Puss then ran on and told all the other laborers whom he met to give the same answer, threatening them with terrible punishments if they disobeyed.  Now, the King was in a very good humor, for the day was fine, and he found the Marquis a very pleasant companion, so he told the coachman to drive slowly, in order that he might admire the beautiful country. "What a fine field of wheat!" he said presently. "To whom does it belong?" Then the men answered as they had been told: "To our Lord the Marquis of Carabas." Next they met a herd of cattle, and again to the King's question, "To whom do they belong?" they were told, "To the Marquis of Carabas." And it was the same with everything they passed.

The Marquis listened with the greatest astonishment, and thought what a very wonderful cat his dear Puss was; and the King was delighted to find that his new friend was as wealthy as he was charming.

Meanwhile Puss, who was well in advance of the Royal party, had arrived at a stately castle, which belonged to a cruel Ogre, the richest ever known, for all the lands the King had admired so much belonged to him. Puss knocked at the door and asked to see the Ogre, who received him quite civilly, for he had never seen a cat in boots before, and the sight amused him.

So he and Puss were soon chatting away together.

The Ogre, who was very conceited, began to boast of what clever tricks he could play, and Puss sat and listened, with a smile on his face.  "I once heard, great Ogre," he said at last, "that you possessed the power of changing yourself into any kind of animal you chose--a lion or an elephant, for instance."

"Well, so I can," replied the Ogre.

"Dear me! How much I should like to see you do it now," said Puss sweetly.

The Ogre was only too pleased to find a chance of showing how very clever he was, so he promised to transform himself into any animal Puss might mention.

"Oh! I will leave the choice to you," said the cat politely. Immediately there appeared where the Ogre had been seated, an enormous lion, roaring, and lashing with its tail, and looking as though it meant to gobble the cat up in a trice.  Puss was really very much frightened, and, jumping out of the window, managed to scramble on to the roof, though he could scarcely hold on to the tiles on account of his high-heeled boots.

There he sat, refusing to come down, until the Ogre changed himself into his natural form, and laughingly called to him that he would not hurt him.  Then Puss ventured back into the room, and began to compliment the Ogre on his cleverness.

"Of course, it was all very wonderful," he said, "but it would be more wonderful still if you, who are so great and fierce, could transform yourself into some timid little creature, such as a mouse. That, I suppose, would be quite impossible?"

"Not at all," said the vain Ogre; "one is quite as easy to me as the other, as I will show you." And in a moment a little brown mouse was frisking about all over the floor, whilst the Ogre had vanished.

"Now or never," said Puss, and with a spring he seized the mouse and gobbled it up as fast as he could.

At the same moment all the gentlemen and ladies whom the wicked Ogre had held in his castle under a spell, became disenchanted. They were so grateful to their deliverer that they would have done anything to please him, and readily agreed to enter into the service of the Marquis of Carabas when Puss asked them to do so.

So now the cat had a splendid castle, which he knew to be full of heaped-up treasures, at his command, and ordering a magnificent feast to be prepared, he took up his station at the castle gates to welcome his master and the royal party.  As soon as the castle appeared in sight, the King enquired whose it was, "For," said he, "I have never seen a finer."

Then Puss, bowing low, threw open the castle gates, and cried:
"May it please your Majesty to alight and enter the home of the most noble the Marquis of Carabas."

Full of surprise, the King turned to the Marquis. "Is this splendid castle indeed yours?" he asked. "Not even our own palace is more beautiful, and doubtless it is as splendid within as without."

Puss then helped his Majesty to alight, and conducted him into the castle, where a group of noble gentlemen and fair ladies were waiting to receive them. Jack, or the Marquis as he was now called, gave his hand to the young Princess, and led her to the banquet.

Long and merrily they feasted, and when at length the guests rose to depart, the King embraced the Marquis, and called him his dear son; and the Princess blushed so charmingly and looked so shy and sweet, that Jack ventured to lay his heart and fortune at her feet.

And so the miller's son married the King's daughter, and there were great rejoicings throughout the land.

On the evening of the wedding-day a great ball was given, to which princes and noblemen from far and near were invited. Puss opened the ball, wearing for the occasion a pair of boots made of the finest leather, with gold tassels and scarlet heels. I only wish you could have seen him.

When the old King died, the Princess and her husband reigned in his stead, and their most honored and faithful friend at Court was Puss himself, for his master never forgot to whom he owed all his good fortune: He lived upon the daintiest meat and most delicious cream, and was petted and made much of all the days of his life, and never again ran after mice and rats, except for exercise and amusement.

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Sony Should Adapt 'Spider-Verse' to Revitalize Their 'Spider-Man' Franchise


Click to enlarge for this art’s full magnificence
The future of Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man franchise is shaky and unclear after the unsatisfying performance of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in both earnings and critical reception (for the record, personally, I still liked it despite its flaws.  But it was likely because of my extreme loyalty to Spider-Man).  It’s so “shaky and unclear” that rumors of Sony’s next step for their Spidey franchise range from insanely stupid ones like an “Aunt May” movie to insanely delightful ones like teaming up with Marvel Studios to bring Spidey to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  At this point, Sony is still unsure of where to go after ASM2.   

Well, if anybody from Sony can read this, I have this free, crazy suggestion for them to dramatically rejuvenate the franchise as early as possible: let them adapt the “Spider-Verse” storyline!

“Spider-Verse” is Dan Slott’s ongoing Spider-Man mega-event wherein different Spider-Men (and “spider” characters) from different universes band together to face the threat of Morlun and his kin, who are hunting and consuming people across the multiverse that belong to the “spider totem.”  I am currently enjoying it a lot so far, and I think that its premise could work well in making an epic Spidey movie.    

Sony should proceed with ASM3.  Keep the continuity of the first two Amazing Spider-Man movies, but abandon everything related to the “Sinister Six” or Oscorp.  Don’t mention anything about Oscorp or the Sinister Six anymore.  The movie will pick off Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man years after the last movie (the movie can start with a montage of short glimpses of his adventures during the gap between the movies).  Later, Morlun is introduced to the story.  Peter Parker has no idea where this new villain came from; let Morlun’s background be a mystery for a while.  The only thing that Peter knows is that Morlun wants to feed on his spider life force.  To get to Spider-Man, Morlun will threaten Peter’s love ones.  They fight.  Spider-Man experiences the toughest, deadliest fight of his career.  He wins; Morlun is seemingly vanquished.  After the denouement – in a post-credit scene – Spidey is swinging around New York, when, suddenly another Spider-Man swings and called out to him.  Astonished and startled, Garfield’s Spidey jumped to engage the second Spidey in battle.  After a brief skirmish, the newcomer Spidey was able to calm Garfield’s Spidey.  The second Spidey removes his mask, revealing the face of – dum-dum-dum – Tobey Maguire!  “The war is just starting,” Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man says.   Roll credits.  Two years later, The Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Verse happens.                   

Wouldn’t that be mindblowing?

Aside from getting the chance to see Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man together, here are other awesome implications of a Spider-Verse movie, where different Spider-Men from different universes will team up:
  • Andrew Garfield playing different Peter Parkers, a la Tatiana Maslany’s fantastic performance in Orphan Black.   There is no need for a lot of them (a big roster will probably me too crowded, too messy).  Three or four different Andrew Garfield-played Spider-Men is enough (as long as one of them is Spider-Man Noir). 
  • Miles Morales and Miguel O’Hara in the big screen!  For me, “Spider-Verse” is the best approach of bringing these two alternate Spider-Men into the big screen.  I don’t think that a stand-alone Ultimate Spider-Man or Spider-Man 2099 movie will work just as well.   
  • One of the players in “Spide-Verse” is “Spider-Gwen”, a Spider-Woman from an alternate universe where Gwen Stacy is the one bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker.  Emma Stone killed as Gwen Stacy, and her returning to play an alternate spider-powered version of the character is going to be exciting. 
  • A CGI Spider-Ham!!! 

If Sony really want to replicate what Marvel Studios has accomplished so far with the MCU, Spider-Verse is probably their best opportunity to do so.  They want an ensemble of superheroes like Marvel Studios’ Avengers?  Boom, a superhero team made up of different Spider-Men.  They want a shared universe?  Boom, they get a shared multiverse.  They want an answer to Rocket Raccoon?  Boom, Spider-Ham. 

$$$!      

Do it, Sony!

It’s ambitious, but if pulled off, “Spider-Verse” could turn out to be the most epic thing ever accomplished in the history of superhero movies.  

Monday, December 08, 2014

The Christian's Freedom of Making Moral Choices Without Fear


Let’s have a thought experiment…

Imagine that you are a government secret agent tasked on protecting the city from a terrorist attack.  You were able to capture the terrorist.  Unfortunately, he was able to hide, arm, and start the timer on the bomb before he was caught.  The nuclear bomb can explode at any second, and there’s no time to evacuate the city.  The only way to save the city, particularly the millions of lives in it, is to extract the information of the location of the bomb from the terrorist.  However, the terrorist is an extreme fanatic; he has no fear of dying and won’t be broken by torture.   On the other hand, you got your hands on the terrorist’s family – who have no idea what the husband/father/terrorist was into – and there is a good chance that he will give you the location of the bomb if you torture his wife and children instead.  Will you do it?  To save millions of lives, is torturing the innocent wife and children the right thing to do?

The thought-provoker above is called the “Ticking Time Bomb Scenario” – a thought experiment on the morality of torture (this has been constantly explored in the TV series 24).  It’s a complex moral dilemma that we definitely don’t want to encounter.

In our actual lives, we probably don’t have dilemmas that are as complicated as the “Ticking Time Bomb Scenario”, but we are nonetheless put in situations where making the right choice is difficult, for we don’t know what the right choice is.  Moral or ethical choices are not always about picking between the “black” and the “white.”  There are times that it is hard to determine which is “black” or “white”, or if there’s actually a “black” and a “white” at all. 

Of course, as Christians, we need to consciously pursue the right thing and what will glorify God the most.  The guidance of the Holy Spirit and the instructions of the Word of God help us in choosing.  But there will be times that we fail to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance and can’t comprehend what the Word’s instructions are.  We are human after all.  We fall.  We make fool of ourselves.  We make mistakes.  That is simply part of the Christian journey.  Until we get to Heaven and have glorified bodies, we still need to endure the difficulties of the battlefield of Christian life.  Which includes the complexity of moral struggles. 
   
Fortunately, we Christians are under God’s grace.  Though we aren’t free yet from undergoing these complex moral battles, we however have been given freedom to engage in these battles without fear of the results.   Our sins – past, present, and future – are forgiven.  Thus, we will no longer receive condemnation if we ever made the wrong choice. 

It doesn’t mean we should just impulsively make choices without seeking God’s will.  Or still make the wrong choice when we already know it’s the wrong one.  Again, we should consciously pursue the right thing and what will glorify God the most.  If we are convicted by the Spirit that a particular choice is a wrong one or would dishonor God, why still proceed to choose it?  The freedom of making moral choices, like all other aspects of God’s grace, should never be abused, but treasured and esteemed.

God understands our limitations.  We should just do our best in carrying on the purpose of our existence: bringing glory to God.  If we ever err in our choices and methods, let it be out of ignorance or unintended blunder, and NOT deliberately.  There might still be earthly consequence that may arise from these mistakes we made, but God’s mercy is likely to shield us from most of it, and, most importantly, there will be no eternal judgment that will be passed on us.

I still don’t know what I will precisely do if I get into complex moral dilemmas like the “Ticking Time Bomb Scenario.”  But by God’s grace, I know I can make a choice without fear. 

Thursday, December 04, 2014

A Reflection on Psalm 23



Psalm 23 is the only chapter in the Bible I know by heart.  It has been for many years.  Throughout my life, I got to memorize several chapters in the Bible, but I eventually forgot parts of it or its entirety completely.  Only Psalm 23 stuck.  Probably because it’s just six verses long.  But also because it has likely appealed to me a lot. 

Psalm 23 is a very notable passage in the Bible.  It used the metaphor of the LORD as a Shepherd, and it’s full of encouragement and comfort for His flock since it gives a comprehensive glimpse of the benefits that a sheep belonging to the Good Shepherd will enjoy.  

This reflection is my short analysis of the blessings depicted in Psalm 23.  I will be discussing them by verse.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

The LORD is our Good Shepherd (note: from this point on, when I use the third person pronouns like “we”, “us”, or “our”, I am referring to us Christians – the sheep belonging to the Good Shepherd).  The Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep (John 10:11).  The Good Shepherd who willingly sought us in the wilderness when we were lost (Luke 15:4-6).  It’s a great blessing and honor to have Him as our Shepherd! 

Belonging to Him, there is the guarantee that we will never lack of anything we need.  Emphasis on “anything we need.”  God will always give us the things He knows we actually need, not the things we want or think we need. 

So if we don’t have something, it’s because we don’t need it.  If God didn’t provide the thing we are asking for right now, then it’s because we don’t really need it yet.  Or at all.

Indeed, what we need to get the most out of our lives and accomplishing a task for the glory of God is always present or provided in the perfect time.              

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,         

The imagery from this verse inspires tranquility.

God gives us rest and peace.  And they are not dependent on the circumstances around us.  Regardless of the weather we are in – pleasant or turbulent – there is an inner calmness, for the Good Shepherd is always in control.  

he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

When God saved us, He also guaranteed that He will preserve us and sanctify us till we are ready to stand in front of Him.  By our own strength, we can never remain faithful.  It is God who enables us to be faithful.  There may be times that we falter and fall, but God will keep on sustaining and restoring us till the end.  

Through the power of His Word and Holy Spirit, His instructions and wisdom to discern what is righteous are revealed to us whenever we seek them sincerely.  But even if we fail, His forgiveness is readily given when we repent, replenishing the vigor in our souls in continuing our pressing on forward.  All of this is for His glory; so what He started in us, He will surely see it brought to completion (Philippians 1:6).    

This is basically the doctrine from the 5th-point of Five-Point Calvinism, “Perseverance of the Saints.” Such great source of reassurance.      

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

God promised that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.  He promised to be with us till the end of age (Matthew 28:20).  So no matter how terrifying, impossible, dire, or threatening a certain circumstance we are in, His presence gives us courage, cheer, and calm.  For if God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) 

In short, God got our backs. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Simply, we are overwhelmingly blessed! 

Unfortunately, there is a popular misconception that being overwhelmingly blessed always translates to material gain – good health, fixed relationships, promotion, excelling in academics, improved standard of living, ownership of more properties, etc.  God never really promised these things.  God never promised that we will have problem-free, wealthy, comfortable lives in this world.  Quite the opposite actually. 

However, what God did promise us are the honor and joy prepared for us in Heaven that are incomparably, incomprehensibly greater than any material gain from this world.   And even in the presence of whatever form of antagonism and menace, these great blessing and glory from God is made apparent. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Due to God’s grace, we have been gifted eternal life.  Hence, we will be able to enjoy His presence for all eternity in Heaven.  But even while we are still remaining in this world, undergoing our life journey towards Eternity, the glorious presence of God is already felt to an extent – His love and grace evidently working to push us forward until we get there.  The Good Shepherd will get His flock there.