SLOW THINKING, FEBRUARY 1-28, 2026
"While being with others, especially in matters of fellowship and sharing of stories and resources, is always good for the heart; but being alone in worship and appreciation of how good and great is our God, manifested in prayer and silent meditation, is the one our mind and soul truly needs."
"If we believe we have been saved, we better stay
low-key about it. But show that the gospel of the Lord has borne fruit in our
lives, as we live in humility and love, in grace and understanding. Rather than
proselytize, may we instead eximplify His command to love God above all, and to
love our neighbor--irrespective of their kind and demeanor--in substance rather
than form. For the world is merciless and smart: it remembers our past and
slaps us flat on the face for our hypocrisy. But it is also not forgetful for
every little thing we do to help others better their lives. And as always, even
for those we did which we thought went unnoticed, life will never fail to
return a hundredfold."
"Being renewed in mind, soul and spirit, is recognizing
that the hate and prejudice that has ruled the world for the entirety of human
existence should no longer have a place and preeminence in the human heart. It
is recognizing that the humility and understanding of our Savior should be our
lifestyle, as He preached against sinful rhetoric, superiority and prejudice,
yet welcomed the ostracized and discriminated, the swindled and abused, with
open arms and open hearts. Yes, we can share faith and hope. But to demand that
others live the lifestyle that we have is hypocrisy. We can point out the
errors in somebody's way, particularly those that harm their minds and bodies,
but to demand that they subscribe and align their thinking with our personal
opinion and interpretation, is mockery of freedom, thought, and love, and the
very gospel our Savior preached."
"Less proselytizing, less criticizing, but more words
of discernment and wisdom, more acts of compassion, understanding and grace,
are what we need."
"I remember in a reading play activity way back in high
school, where I have to act out the narrator's part in the story, while another
group mate reads the narrative part, when the class bullies made fun of me and
called me a wallflower due to my lone speaking line, clearly showing ignorance
of the nuances of the literary and artistic form. (Hopefully now, they are
illustrious, multi-awarded and celebrated artists in their own right, and are
not experiencing any kind of body pain.) But instead of subscribing to their
belief that wallflowers are underappreciated, invisible, and worthless
accessories, I believe it was one of those times that solidified my faith that
art on walls--even a cheap painting, memorable verses, or any kind of
decal--show intelligence and wisdom in anyone's living space; to the point that
I silently but firmly deplore empty walls, as soulless and impersonal and cold,
showing a life devoid of introspection and understanding. Yes, I say, hurray to
wallflowers, for they breathe soul into any space. While those who bully others
and ridicule them for being wallflowers, will never ever have a clue how
wallflowers render beauty and life to a dreary and monotonous existence."
"Some people are proud because of what they have, what
they own, or what they have attained. And often use it to step down or look
down upon others, sometimes bullying or ridiculing those they believe are lower
than them, even depriving them of worthy chances and opportunities. Worse,
their belief in their own superiority often elicits a kind of evil and
heartless rage when anything or anybody gets in their way. But life will always
have a way of smacking us full in the face of nature's power, and of the way
the things we do to others--whether good or bad--come back to us a hundredfold.
May we all be circumspect, stay grounded, and do the best we can to make this
life better for us and everyone."
"Humility demands thinking of your impact on others,
before saying or doing anything. It is the highest virtue, for it starts from
recognizing that though our life is finite, a good God still cares for us and
gives us countless opportunities to make it better, and make other people's
lives better too. And if in school we learn that the only stakeholder interest
not worth promoting is self-interest, may we too, always be mindful to promote
what's good for all, what brings hope, peace, order, wisdom and love."
"May we, who claim to know and worship God, never
forget how good He is, how boundless is His love, and how vast and great are
His provisions on mercy and grace."
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