Ramblings: On Politics, Culture, and Religion

I must admit, the first page I turn to whenever I read a broad sheet (yeah, I still read the morning paper) is the editorial cartoon. I appreciate how these artists capture the important or big events of the day in simple caricature –indeed; a picture speaks a thousand words. More often, I care more what they want to mean in those drawings than what the editorial is. Why? Because they unabashedly convey truth in those few strokes.

Philip Yancey, one of my favorite evangelical journalists, in his book entitled: Finding God in Unexpected Places, opined that cartoons reveal a lot about the general drift of culture. I agree. He shared some of his collection and remarked:

• The New Yorker Magazine pictures a waiter in an expensive restaurant explaining the menu to a patron: “The ones with asterisks are those recommended by the religious right.”


• A nationally syndicated political cartoonist drew a church building with a “Christian Coalition” sign on the front. From inside comes the voice, “Reverend Falwell, Reverend Robertson, there’s a gentleman waiting outside to see you. He says he’s not a republican.” Their reply: “Tell him to get lost!” Outside the church stands Jesus.


• Yet another political cartoon depicted a classic American church building with the sign out front, “First Church of Anti Clinton”

The culture wars have been heating up on both sides. Even as Christians feel like an embattled minority with their values under constant attack, the surrounding secular culture sees Christians as a growing threat.

This issue is as old as the church but still is an ongoing debate. Politics, civil actions, environmental concerns, and other issues have always divided us. Much more, religiosity somehow always managed to pull a cape of hypocrisy in the guise of dignified righteousness. When we address morality and corruptions in the government, we could not even raise a finger to do something about it except preach against it.

Obviously, we shield ourselves on the pretext of separating church and state. I see this inconsistent. In matters of managing the affairs of the state, yes, let religion be separated. However, in matters involving morality, culture, values and other concerns, religion should be on the forefront. We cannot allow morality to be dictated by those who govern us. Although, it is incumbent of them to exemplify it.

I cannot help but go back to the ideals of Martin Luther King. Again, for without his staunch stand against apartheid, which led to his martyrdom, we will not be enjoying freedom and equality today.

Election is fast approaching, for whom do we raise our banners? Where do we stand for? Good governance over questionable morality or bad governance over above reproach morality?

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Managing the URGENT now!

What seems so necessary today may not even be desirable tomorrow. ~Anonymous

I have always lived an ordered life. Meaning, I do things as scheduled. Routines are my company, day-in and day-out.

To some, it may look like a very boring life -it’s not.

Routines and schedules keep me focused, and enable me to live a balanced life. While that seems rigorous, I still enjoy spontaneity. However, most of the time I prefer things to be planned ahead and done on time.

I must admit, occasionally, I am caught in the web of urgent matters and I drift away from my day’s marching orders. Unplanned events are inevitable. Unexpected calls and visitors, reading unsolicited emails, attending emergency meetings, and troubleshooting are some of those things, which tend to throw me off-balance. Some are important, and some are simply nuances caused by people who want others to conform to their selfish agendas or tag along their unorganized way of doing things. What is worse? These things are more often uncontrollable, yet they demand my immediate attention.

So, how do I cope?

Frankly, I do not have straight rule.

I act contingently. Attend to what is more important, and return to my schedule the soonest. If I tarry, I will end up accomplishing nothing at the end of the day. Goals are essential here. Keeping them is very crucial, and I think it is one of the best ways of sipping through the urgent of the day and attend only to those, which will help meet those goals. My daily activities are tied up with my short and long-term goals. They serve as an anchor that prevents me from drifting away and bowing to the tyranny of the urgent.

How about you, how do you deal with yours?

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Teaching your Kids to Love Mathematics

What was the first cognitive skill you taught your kids? Most likely, it’s counting, ayt?
However, how many of us have realized later how our kids hate mathematics, algebra or anything that has to do with math problems? You need not blame yourself. Because difficulties in learning mathematics or number concepts are often less understood than any other cognitive skills such as writing, reading, and verbal reasoning.

The culprit in most cases is our failure as parents or guardians to rouse the interest of our kids towards a fun learning of numbers and their associated concepts. Math word problems, for example, if viewed to be a fun way of looking at common problems would be easier to learn and solve. Alright, I am not a pedagogue expert here. Nevertheless, what I am trying to share here is that, mathematics when a young kids mind is aroused can actually be fun and not rigorous, as they would perceive it.

Kids, more often, need to like and love certain things in order for them to do them well and for fun. I must confess, the difficulty lies in making them like and love these things. I would suggest that you begin by showing them those numerical exercises or lessons, for example solving algebra word problems, are exciting, thrilling, and exhilarating. They are not to be views as tasks difficult to perform but games fun to play.

In my case with my 3-year old son, I always take anything that may present itself as a learning opportunity rather than making him sit with me and do his numbers. More often, math answers are easily recalled this way. For example, when I am preparing his breakfast, I would lead him to count the items in the table. Notice the word ‘lead.’ I don’t teach him per se, but lead him to learn the basic concept of counting.

Alright, that’s my piece. What’s yours?

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Faith and Existence -Finding a Balance

Whenever someone asks me about my faith or religion, I would readily say that I belong to the mainstream protestant. Then readily admit that I am nominal

It is not that I am flaunting about it, I simply want to unmask myself immediately whenever religion crops up. On matters of the faith, I always try to strip myself of any hint of pretenses or guise of religiosity.

I have observed that people tend to quarrel and squabble about religious doctrines or teachings, but not on the ultimate question of faith, existence, and the after-life. And more often hate each other, rather than respect each belief.

On the one hand, we exist and co-exist, whether you like it or not. The question really is, finding and knowing the purpose of our existence.

Faith on the other hand, though more often ignored, is something that we have inherently. Anyone has it. The problem here is the same with the problem of existence. For most of us, we simply do not know what to believe in and whom to believe. That is, finding the object of our faith. Moreover, when we finally found faith’s mooring, we don’t know how to act in faith.

I can relate so much with the sentiment of Philip Yancey when he said:

“I don't worry much about nuances of particular doctrines, but every so often catch myself wondering about the whole grand scheme of faith.”

Honestly, I tend to vacillate in both categories and predicament. When my faith wavers, I tend to forget the object of my faith and the purpose of my existence. Thus, I try to pinch myself by touching base once in a while with my faith’s community.

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Why I buy 2 pairs of shoes every other year?

I don’t collect shoes. But I know some do. Beginning from my mom, my sister, my ex-wife and a couple of my ex-girlfriends. Okay, don’t take me wrong if I have obviously mentioned the women who were (some once) dear to me.

I am the type who typically buys shoes every other year. Yeah, you read it right; I buy shoes every other year. I have a pair of running shoes and a pair of sneakers that I actually bought more than 5 years ago. And I am not likely to buy new pairs of those in the next couple of years. They are still in good condition, and still serve my purpose well.

On the other hand, I buy 2 pairs of ‘business’ shoes every other year. I usually go for comfort, durability, and the least, on style. Although you enjoy a more comfortable pair of shoes after a month of wearing them everyday, or sometimes longer. Like Mr. Obama, I still prefer wearing a pair with worn-out soles because they are comfortable.

Price has never been an issue for me, because I save money for this once every 2 years buying affair. You may ask, why 2 pairs? Oh, because I try to wear them alternately. And I call them my 'business' shoes or working shoes, because these are the pairs that I wear everyday going about my business. I would even refer to them as my business partners. Yeah, I do.

An old mentor of mine during my days as a salesman (by the way, I still do some selling these days, otherwise, I will run out of clients) told me that you can easily qualify a client who has the capability and authority to buy by looking at what shoes they are wearing. I took him seriously, and proved him to be right at 7 over 10 batting averages. Meaning, I was able to accurately qualify 7 decision makers or bonafide buyers out 10 potential clients who walked in our sales showroom or whom I called on their offices. Hence, since then, I have always invested on the best shoes I can afford so that I project a credible, and sometimes commanding, impression.

That’s my shoes story? What’s yours?

By the way, you might want to check-out this online shoes buying guide. Many thanks.

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