MyMultiply

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Independent Superb manipulation of disjointed sub-plots by director Stephen Gaghan (Traffic) who gels all of these into a cohesive story that speaks very much of the geo-political intrigues surrounding the global dependence on oil, with poignant references to actual events. It also brings to light the social repercussions that such dependence presents to those so connected to such a world economy.

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Independent Again, another independent film (a collaboration between Lions Gate Films and United Artists). Inspired by the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, who was caught in the ethnic cleansing massacres in Rwanda in 1994. Superb performance by American actor Don Cheadle, who played the lead character.

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Independent Yet another provocative independent film (again by Lions Gate Films) that challenges the establishment. This time it is one inspired by a true story surrounding the tragic loss of a SCUBA diving couple due to administrative incompetence on the part of the responsible authorities. The film had effectively caused an 'opening of a can of worms' in the SCUBA tourism industry, much to the benefit of awarding greater legitimacy to consumers their rights in pressing for greater accountability of the lives of the customers in the hands of SCUBA tourism operators. Certainly an eyeful even for non-divers, like myself.

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Independent Another independent film (a Lions Gate Films production) that endears in my heart, simply because there are many elements of the story that I personally identify with. Personal reasons aside, the essence of the plot certainly evokes a profound socio-emotive complex that surrounds the issues of ethnic, racial harmony at the deepest states of human relationships. It also accurately depicts a facet of family tensions rooted in deep-seated rejection, resentment and denial resulting from 'sins of the fathers', also known as generational sins, as well as the tragedy of the fallout effects. This is a gritty film, encroaching the lines of mainstream society's perspective of desirable human relations, one that does not shy away from confronting the established societal norms.

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Independent This is in some form a masterpiece of a (an independent, I should imagine) film by Argentinian director Alejandro González Iñárritu. The beauty in it lies in its disjointed presentations of sub-plots and a reverse chronological order of the original script, requiring an intelligible reconstruction of the pieces of the full story on the part of the viewer. Somehow the premise of the title of the film (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21_Grams ) does not lend sufficient weight to the importance of the possible intended depiction of the frailty of life and the resultant response of attitude that is persuaded to the viewer. Brilliant acting by Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro nonetheless.

It's coming to eight years since my beloved mother's passing.  Dad has been feeling bitter ever since he 'lost' Mom, to the point that it had affected my brother and me and our lifestyles and attitudes towards our social environments. This is the first time I am actually penning thoughts about this matter.  There is no way that I can go into the details, other than expressing with much mutedness the longsuffering of being under such circumstance, which can only be experienced through a length of daily communion with my family at home.  Of course, truly, God knows. Sometimes it feels as if this is viewed as an adapted, male-oriented version of the biblical story of Ruth (and Naomi), in this case of the mutual relationship between a widower and his remaining son in his immediate household.  Also makes one wonder, especially with the cultural acceptance in our society regarding the softening of hearts towards widows and the barren; why, in contrast,...

This is an article of a scientific paper, recording the findings of a group of Croatian dental experts.  Took an interest in examining the subject after being overtaken by pain in my upper left molar over these few days. http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak_download&id_clanak_jezik=1898 Will be rescheduling my dental appointment at the soonest possible date.  Might have to replace mouth-guard.

Thought I'd share more about this related topic "The Roles of the Women in the SAF" featured in a paragraph in the article "The Roar of the Lion City", which I covered in one of my earlier posts ( Link ) The relation being, as highlighted in the Lion City article, the similarities in the career environments for women in both the SAF and Israel Defence Forces (IDF).  I remember coming across an interesting site created by a female Israeli soldier some years back, depicting her first-hand experiences with fellow women soldiers in the IDF.  Here's the link below: http://www.serialno3817131.com/

The essence behind this issue is: not to render the cleverness of Man, in giving in to gender sensitivities, when dealing with Scripture, for the sake of preserving the authenticity of Scripture itself.  This is supremely important.  No one is to add to the Word and no one is to take away from the Word. See the link below: http://www.cbmw.org/resources/articles/genderneutral.php

I have noticed with interest and concern several fellow Multiply users' recent posts, complimenting and giving rave reviews about the book "Wild At Heart" by John Eldredge. My first encounter with that title was actually through reading a critique about it, and its author, in a book which I have covered in my Reviews section - "Fool's Gold" by John MacArthur.  Though I have not read Eldredge's book myself, from what I have gleaned from MacArthur's "Fool's Gold", which advocates the importance of exercising biblical discernment in all the dealings of a believer, I am convinced of the critical problems that Eldredge's writings pose to the body of Christ, especially to those impressionable members who are weak in the Word, and who may accept any form of pleasurable, comfortable doctrine espoused by their church leaders. Hence, I have taken the liberty to investigate the matter further.  And discovered to my delight that God had graciou...

http://www.cbmw.org/resources/reviews/eldredge_wah_review.php This is an unequivocal review of John Eldredge's book "Wild at Heart" by Randy Stinson, Executive Director of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, which published his article in its website.

Yet another MTV to go with the famous 'Sunscreen Song', this time depicting more down-to-earth aspects of human life

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Computers & Electronics Product Type: Other Manufacturer:   Sennheiser Got this new set of phones to replace my previous Sennheisers (HD-320) which lasted me some ten years ! Having had the new set for close to four months now, it has strengthened my trust in Sennheiser product quality and performance. Powerful bass reproduction and efficient ambient noise isolation. With the nifty DJ-style flip-cup, I can keep the phones on while answering a phone call. This phones really revolutionizes music enjoyment on the go. Definitely worth considering for the those dealing with live sound reinforcement as well, like I do. ;] The cable length is exceptionally long, which may be cumbersome for some. Not a real hassle for me though, as long it's of good build quality, which it actually is.

Like to share some thoughts about this topic that I had put up in my Links section: Link It is an issue that I personally struggle with.  It was actually rekindled indirectly through an SMS conversation I had with my brother today about Christians who desire to be non-combatants in the local armed services. My personal struggle stems from an upbringing of a passion for military matters and defence technology.  That deep-seated interest in the science and art of weapons design is probably the sole determining factor in facilitating my entry into the defence industry, and I am inclined to say that it has also enabled the establishment of my chosen career path. That said, I yet, also, am fully conscious of need and calling towards having a high view of God and His way in my life.  And with this mindset, in relation to my job description, the morality of what I do in my work had indeed haunted me very early on in the development of my career. To the end of it all, I a...

http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/863821murphy.html An article by Don Murphy. Don Murphy publishes a Japanese Christian newsletter which he distributes to various Hutterite communities in North America. He also publishes a newsletter for an itinerant Irish priest and has written several articles and pamphlets on pacifism and spirituality. A full-time computer software author. Don and his wife live in Renton, Washington.

This is an extracted article from Armed Forces & Society, Volume 33 Number 2, January 2007 pages 265-285 The Roar of the Lion City Ethnicity, Gender, and Culture in the Singapore Armed Forces Sean P. Walsh Author’s Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect any official position of the U.S. Department of Defense or the United States Army. Although the Singapore Armed Forces is one of the most technologically advanced militaries in Southeast Asia, it suffers from a number of institutional weaknesses. Singapore’s multiethnic but Chinese-dominated society and unique geographical and political characteristics result in challenges in both the recruitment and retention of high-quality personnel into the armed forces as well as in developing the proper role in the military for Singapore’s Malay minority (whom the government historically has seen as a security risk but who also have a strong cultural inclination toward military service). This artic...

http://afs.sagepub.com/ US-based online journal that recently got the headlines in the local news about an American soldier's critique of the quality of the leadership in the Singapore Armed Forces. MINDEF quickly responded by publishing a rebuttal in The Straits Times. But don't believe everything in any official media.

http://www.realtruth.org/articles/115-ttmol.html?gclid=CJmS6LnA74oCFQmZbgodYH7sqA What is Lent? Why is it so widely practiced by “Christians” of this world? Is it because the Bible commands it? Did Christ or any of His apostles observe Lent? What about the first century Church? What does the Bible teach about Lent?

Rating: ★★★★ Category: Other Got this from Runners World Singapore ( http://www.runnersworld.com.sg/asics/Flash/index.swf ) together with a bunch a friendly fellow runners. Imagine all five persons having the same shoe model. We were thinking this must be ASICS biggest selling set of heels !! By the way, there is a ladies' equivalent under this model range as well (and the lady with us did indeed get onto the same 'bandwagon' so to speak ;] ) Superb combination of comfort and support, yet with so much cushioning to add that extra 'sproing' in each step ! Nifty feature on the undersole for prevention of rolling over the inside of the foot on each landing. Get set to blaze some trails with these !!

This is related to what I had posted under my Links section before - Link This link here http://www.webtruth.org/articles/church-issues-30/the-purpose-driven-church-(a-critique)-59.html  is a testament in itself against those in the body of Christ who support the Church Growth movement that is championed by Rick Warren.  It should also serve as a warning, as well as an instruction for the ignorant believer who is prone to the deception of such a movement. I am making this plea as a result of having a certain priviledge of observing the goings-on through the posts of fellow members of Multiply here.  I humbly submit it to God for His Spirit to work through the reading and understanding of the contents of this post, for the conviction of the intended souls here, that their hearts may be broken, and that their minds may be opened and renewed in their thinking over such a matter. Blessings to all in Christ, and to those who come and speak in the name of t...

A 'do-able song' for worship music leaders and their bands for Easter.  May God bless them and their congregations, and that they return blessing in praise and worship to Him. Many thanks to my online friend Eddyson for sharing this.  Below is a link to her site's music page for the song. Link See also below where I've included a link for reference to the music key to apply for the song: http://deetee.wordpress.com/2006/08/16/song-at-the-cross-hillsong-mighty-to-save/

http://www.ondoctrine.com/10robero.htm An evaluation of Oral Roberts' ministry

http://www.thebereancall.org/Newsletter/html/1987/feb87.php An insight to the erroneous doctrine espoused by the Kingdom Now/Dominion Theology, which has subtly infiltrated the Church today

Brazilian version of Star Wars parody of the 'Sunscreen Song', sung in English

Rating: ★★★★★ Category: Movies Genre: Drama Heh, for some reason, been having these hyperactive surges on Saturday nights for the last two to three weeks or so, staying up late all night watching movies. Latest one I caught was on Channel 5 wee hours of this Sunday morn - The Big Kahuna, starring Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli. Was really taken in by the content topics in the dialogue between the characters played by the three actors, and actually found out that the movie was a filmed play. A totally refreshing (at least to me) take on movie style, departing far from the typical entertainment-focus of the movie industry. What captivated me most was the vivid parallels of the content topics with reference to working life and whatever's left of own personal time and space outside of work; how one strikes up conversations at business meetings with a nagging, but higher, personal, desire and goal to discuss matters of life and death and spiritual issues (with scope t...

Gotten this insight as shared by fellow Multiply user Myron Tay (thanks Myron !).  Link Worthy and practical ways to live by, in the lifelong journey of becoming a disciple of Christ.  I have learned (and am still learning of course) that this method has enabled me to internalise the truths of Scripture into my life and lifestyle.  May this be an encouragement to all believing readers.  Shalom !

http://www.russiaprofile.org/cdi/article.wbp?article-id=78193B25-2CD5-4CC1-B6D2-64333900EB7B Article from Russia Profile - an English-language information service offering expert analysis of Russian politics, economics, society and culture