In the case of answering the "offended" subject, say "Tell me if I'm right or not, then I'll tell you how I knew".
When one knows how good one did, one can detect jealousy; When one knows how bad one did, one can detect flattery.
So the reactions of jealousy and flattery are really not quite subjective judgments.
However, how one reacts upon such judgments, is another story.
My main computer broke down last night. When I came home at around 9:15pm, shaked the mouse, monitor lit up, showing a frozen screen with time at 8:30pm. I have no clue what happened, judging from a popup from system tray, looks like lightscribe was updating, but perhaps it was just notifying new updates, can't remember.
Major reinstalling today. Faulty (scratches) Vista DVD disc caused my time. Having a recently bought external slim dvd burner helped me create a new Vista DVD, somewhat different "version" than the last one (No repair option during disc boot). But this new one looks a lot better (no need to install any on board drivers manually, no monitor flickering problem, no audio problem-Just needed to set max level and boost in the microphone properties for better sound recording).
Steps:
Restart frozen computer, boot into a screen saying "windows could not update the computer's boot configuration"..."status: 0xc0000001".
Had to fix the mbr. I could still use the faulty Vista disc to start the startup repair and thus go to command prompt. Used bootrec.exe /FixMbr, bootrec.exe /FixBoot to cleanup the corrupted MBR. (There are two other commands that follow based on my research: Bootrec.exe and /ScanOsBootrec.exe /RebuildBcd, but I don't think they did anything useful).
Switched to the new Vista (32bit, the previous one was 64bit I think) disc for installation. Installing without deleting previous system, old documents saved automatically in windows.old.
Desktop icon size changed smaller via right click on desktop->view->classic icons.
Used bcdedit in command prompt to delete some unwanted Vista system I attempted on another partition (optional)
Installed all major softwares, office, antivir, canon MF printer, webcam, etc.
Couldn't remove old windows.old.xxx folders, message "You need permission to perform this action" while attempting delete. So set ownership to current user, replacing subcontainer, same thing in advanced permission on all inheritable ones.
!!! Changing the system locale language to Chinese however, made the restart display a failure message and cannot boot into windows. Solution: Choose to Boot from Last Known Configuration Mode. (Or use the Vista DVD version that has repair feature when that fails)
Dec 02 2010
=========
The post-installation was very satisfactory until I had to install Asian languages with their MUI packs. I tried SP1 version of the MUI language packs, I even tried Vlite to modify a integrated version of the DVD disc, all failed. I gather that this new version I've gotten has been modified so much that it can't be helped anymore.
I was preparing for windows 7 already. However, I am still very aquainted with Vista, so I got myself another version of Vista Ultimate unmodified, thanks to TPB. This could be the same one as my previous disc.
Dec 03 2010 12:45 AM
=================
My computer is finally back. All files restored, save a few programs such as CS suite, bullzip, lightscribe, etc.
Nvidia graphic driver updated to deal with Stellarium's smoothness.
Conclusion:
I supposed the cause of this whole mess was something messed up the boot sector MBR.
Many old pastors and even older Chinese immigrant Christians in the States seem to stop growing. I would thought at first that they were just being old, weak and tired. But as Itook time to observe, I realized they are behaving this way because they believe that 1. They have reached their goal of life by settling in America, 2. They have reached an age when the federal government must compensate their living like the rest of the Americans. So, why should they strive any more? It's time to enjoy the blessing they deserve as senior Americans, the dream that was the whole point of them coming here. God is good.
I think, to God, they are like babies whom God is teaching to climb the stairs, but stopped half way saying they are tired already, they cannot continue anymore. They laid their chubby bottoms on the steps saying this is the top and expect God to tell them, "you've done enough, good job!".
That is why I see preachers like Pastor Stephen Tong as, 可愛. Not as in "cute", but lovable. Because he is still climbing the steps, trying to reach the pinnacle, while some of the babies glared at him with wonder, some with jealousy, some speechless and some looking around as if they really don't know what's going on. Granted, I'm sure there are some who are a little motivated to move up a step or two with all their might.
I am but half of them. But surely, they are not the oldest sages of mankind.
Finally somehow savvy enough to present a How To on cheap high speed photography. Although it is sound activated and also, not video, it is still a good start. And that Arduino platform is really something with great potential.
By using a usual DSLR and some parts from RadioShacks. Technically, it is very clever.
Luke 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
...thy friends, thy brethren...
More personal
...thy kinsmen, thy rich neighbours...
More social
However, the pattern of order for kinship is reversed:
Friend->Brethren
Kinsmen->Neighbours
Either this is of no consequence or that on a personal level, one is much closer to those of non-kinship: A natural paradox, that eventually leads to the social norm.
(Recorded into Desktop e-sword study notes)
Meditating Luke 14:7-14, another thought crossed my mind. Memories warned me of the lonely road a leader, a teacher from God is to walk. For he must know the way of God very clearly. Should he slide, he'll either take the extreme path not of God or be upheld by God to maintain his uprightness.
To reach such position is almost certainly a point of no return. All would not want the embarrassment of immaturely taking the highest room. And I have seen how they handle their embarrassment.
Though I teach the youth at church, I know God has not called me so. Therefore, I best watch myself, and see myself not as the teacher (As Stephen Tong, Paul Washer, John MacArthur, etc.) called by God, regardless of the praises of everyone else including the pastor. So that the day will come, when my Lord will say unto me, Friend, go up higher, and I will be the vessel of God in His glorious victory. That I may witness the praises of the righteous and the grinding of teeth of the ungodly.
As for Luke 14:25-35,
I have seen a great many fallen pastors, how they have not counted the cost nor consulted how they would fare in a battlefield. Though they keep striving to maintain the office they once held, relying on love of others and remnant of their social connection, on tolerance and human-centric relationships, but wherewith shall they be seasoned? May the mercy of God be upon those who are still standing. This I pray for all incumbent pastors and preachers, even Rev. Stephen Tong, David Tong, Rev. Stephen Chan, Rev. Laura Lin and Alex Tseng. May God be merciful to me, as I meditate in His Law, day and night.
1646...The Dutch West India Company grants the village
of Brooklyn a municipal form of government. The area is named for
Breuklen, or "broken land," a village in Holland with similar hilly
terrain.
Source: NY1
At the Jamaica New Life Christian Bookstore, one I frequent, I noticed two art works: one by Lyle Trimmer illustrating the first part of Psalm 1, where a scribe is studying by a tree by the river. The other is a mat art depicting Jesus sitting overlooking Jerusalem from what I assume to be Mount of Olives.
The larger these pictures the better. Perhaps I'll order someday. They are inspirational to my own work.
Jesus Overlooking Jerusalem
Artist Unknown: I searched all over. I'd have given credit to the original artist, had any of those sites I've found are more responsible.
First saw this at the Jamaica New Life Christian Bookstore, on a mat canvas. I should inquire the name of the artist on my next visit.
Though apparently a dispensationalist or more accurately, a premillenialist, John MacArthur has been one of my favorite scholar/preacher. Since I saw several of his interviews with Larry King on CNN.
I have recently learned of the website gty.org (grace to you), that is the official archive website of his sermons.
Since then, I have listened to his expository sermons via podcast on my iphone.
Sermon titled Calming the Storm Mark 4:35-41(Code 41-21), was very revealing. I supposed another of my long sought quest has been answered, sort of. At least I'm pointed to some direction, regarding the Sea of Galilee. Pastor John gave a detail account of the weather in that area. His testimony of visiting the site convinced me further of his facts.
I have also noted a memorable comment: It's a dark day, you know, when the sailors call on the carpenter to get them out of the storm.
