MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Epic Shower

Wow. This is the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. If this doesn't make you laugh I don't know what will.

Christmas: Different Place, Same Meaning

I will never forget the great excitement I had for Christmas as a young boy. From the count down of our family's Christmas calendar from December 1st to 25th, to making a Christmas list, to singing Christmas carols, seeing all of the beautiful red poinsettias, and praying for the season's first snow. And that's just the beginning part of December. As Christmas eve would finally come, my sister and I would always build a fort and have the hardest time falling asleep knowing that Mom and Dad were putting presents under the Christmas tree. I could smell dad making the chocolate chip cookies for Santa and could hear mom playing that beautiful Celine Dion Christmas CD (which I have memorized by now and recently gave her Josh Groban's new Noel album so that I could hear something different!). Our spirits were so alive and the joy of the season put smiles on all our faces.

Christmas morning finally comes after a anxious, yet still peaceful night's sleep. The song "O Night Divine" really matches up with every Christmas Eve I've experienced with my family. God truly sends his spirit upon our family as we try to not forget that true meaning of Christmas where God sent his Son Jesus to save all of mankind on that Holy Night in Bethlehem. Each year we would wake up and see the presents under the Christmas tree. We wouldn't be aloud to come into the living room until mom and dad told us we could. I admit as a child I was always so excited about knowing what was in that big present that mom and dad always saved for opening last. The stockings were always a surprise even though I never was as excited to open them. With the camera recording from the tripod in the corner of the room, I was always the goofy one of the family. I thought I was so funny and tried to make everyone laugh by saying random things. Unfortunately, this childhood habit still has not left me today.

What does Christmas mean to me now? Well, I'm sitting here listening to Josh Groban and Celine Dion. My hands are freezing as I try and type this because I don't have any heat in this room. Tears are wanting to come down my face when I think about all of the wonderful memories of Christmas in my old Kentucky home. All right, I can't hold it in any longer. I'm crying because my family means that much to me. You never really know how much something means to you until you don't have it. Christmas means so much to me. Our busy lives really get distracted from the big picture which God paints so beautifully for us each day. Let this be our prayer when we lose our way: Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace, to a place where we'll be saved. This place where we are saved is found at the baby manger in hay where the baby Jesus was born. Give us faith so we can be saved by this heavenly child named Jesus.

Christ is alive in me and for that I celebrate this Christmas. Though it's quite a strain on my heart to celebrate without my loving family and to see their beautiful smiles, I don't want my sorrows to overshadow the truth of Christmas: our Savior was born. For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that if I would believe in him I would not perish, but have everlasting life. Because of this baby Jesus coming to this world, I am saved. How can I keep myself from celebrating his birth this Christmas season? Why should I dwell on the bad? I am so blessed to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. His love has no bounds, and for that I too shall not be bounded by any selfish desires that may be keeping me from celebrating joyfully this Christmas.

May this Christmas be the merriest for each and every one of you. Being on the other side of the world in one of the most stressful cities on our planet, I can assure you it is easy to choose to not be merry. May you not let yourself miss out on the best time of year and brush off any hindrances. Because unto us a child is born, the best present of eternal life has your name on it from God the Father. Will you be excited and open it up? Do you have the faith to believe that the hope of the world is inside? If you've already opened up God's gift, may you open up your heart and share the hope you've found this Christmas.

The Great John Wall

I knew I was going to regret missing out on this season of UK basketball. I've managed to keep up with every ounce of news online, however - including live streaming of the games thanks to justin.tv/funchester. You know only a true blue fan would stay up until 4 in the morning watching the Cats play Indiana on a Saturday night. I'm proud to represent this unbelievable program on the other side of the world and it's been fun watching us be so successful.

John Calipari is a good coach. Sure, he has shown to be a better recruiter than coach as of late. But give the man some credit because he sure does know how to get the one and dones on the right track! Demarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, Eric Bledsoe, and John Wall have all shown their great will to win. Yet, at the same time, they have shown their inexperience as well. That being said, Coach Cal has done a marvelous job of making sure these highly talented players learn how to execute and make every play count. 10-0 is not easy to do, especially with all the hype and pressure coming from our fanbase. Nevertheless, Patrick Patterson and Ramon Harris have stepped up and lead this team with their impeccable execution each game.

I mention Ramon Harris and Patrick Patterson because they are the ones crashing the boards, calling the plays, and just making sure that these younger players' heads are in the game. Ramon may not be averaging a double-double as Patrick, but he sure is being vocal and being a mature basketball player for us.

Having said all those great things about our two seniors (let's just call Patrick a senior because he's graduating this year), lets not dilute the amazing show put on by our highly ranked recruits. This truly is arguably one of the best recruiting classes in the history of the sport. Eric Bledsoe could easily be starting elsewhere and has been humble enough to give up his role as point guard to the superiorly gifted John Wall. With 23 pts verse Indiana, he has shown that he has the abiliity to adjust and excell as a shooting guard as well - even while still recovering from an ankle injury. Although he has made quite a few freshman mistakes, he has a high basketball IQ and it will be wonderful seeing him develop each game and be a great starting point guard for us next season (assuming he doesn't go pro). On a side note, does anyone else think Eric resembles with Tony Delk? Speaking of Tony Delk, my all-time favorite Wildcat, why didn't he get a spot on our coaching staff? Oh well, former NBA star point guard Rod Strickland has shown to be a great teacher for our future NBA star point guard John Wall.

My best friend Jessica and I have decided to give John Wall the nickname, "The Great Wall" 长城（chang2cheng2). Jessica gave him this nickname because she is actually a student in Beijing and so it seemed rather appropriate. Jessica, better known as Li(3) Meng(2) Chi(2) 李梦驰，has become quite the Kentucky Basketball fan. Being from Guangzhou in southern China, she has always enjoyed watching the China Basketball Association (CBA). She laughed and told me how everyone thinks it's boring to watch CBA because they aren't nearly as athletic as NBA players. But she doesn't watch CBA to be entertained with dunks, she really understands the object of the game and enjoys seeing it played fundamentally. Chinese basketball hires western coaches to help Chinese athletes learn the fundamentals of the game and so they have a much different playing style because of the cultural background difference.

Anyways, I have really enjoyed watching the games online with Jessica. She teaches me how to basketball terminology in Chinese, and I do the same for her in English. As a lover of the game of basketball, she never really knew someone like myself could be so prideful for a certain team. My love for UK basketball is obviously contagious because she has asked for a Wildcat mascot stuffed animal for Christmas. I'm excited and hope this contagious fanhood will ripple effect into her peers back in Beijing! I find it suiting for Chinese to become UK fans because John Calipari has recently traveled to China and John Wall's nickname is ironically suitable for the nickname "The Great Wall".

Let me revert back to our great roster and boast about John Wall a bit. This 6-4, 195lbs. "diaper dandy" is only just a month or so older than myself. If only I could be as talented as he! It has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid to play basketball for Kentucky, but seeing this phenomenal athlete perform boggles me. And I'm not alone - even dukey Jay Bilas agrees that this Cat deserves to be the #1 pick in the NBA draft. Averaging 18.1 ppg and 7.1 apg, he has been the ultimate definition of point guard for our team. Sure, the first couple games he was a little hesitant in calling plays and making some turnovers. But that didn't keep him from making the highlight reel with a game-winning shot to save us from losing to Miami of Ohio! He is something special and as a UK fan I am honored to say that he put on our jersey even if for one season.

Which makes me wonder...with our new coaches, new offense, new transfers, new freshman, and new atmosphere it would seem that Kentucky can only get better than what level they have already scaled up to these first 10 games. Each game has brought our young team more experience, and with their unbelievable talent more confidence. Could you see the confidence shown by all verse Indiana? You would have to be silly to not take notice of Patrick Patterson shooting the long range jumper like he was Reggie Miller. And then to have the trust in his big men Cousins and Orton down low says even more about the confidence our players have in their ability to take over. With this confidence, I will be hoping and praying that we can hone in on the prize of that 8th national title. We all know it's possible. Calipari knows it can be done (as long as they don't fluke like Memphis did verse Kansas). Patrick Patterson stayed another year because he wanted to be in the NCAA tournament, so he's hungrier than ever. And John Wall wants to prove that he should be up there with Carmelo Anthony as a freshman able to lead a college team all the way and then head to the NBA in style.

Most of all, UK fans believe it can happen. The Gillespie era is a thing of the past, it's a new era - Calipari's era. He has instilled quite a bit of hope in the Commonwealth and reignited our pursuit for that title (and 2,000 wins - we beat the Tar Heels!). Rupp would certainly be proud - and no matter what happens, I will always be proud to bleed blue.

Remarks of President Barack Obama: Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize

Remarks of President Barack Obama: Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Distinguished Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, citizens of America, and citizens of the world:

I receive this honor with deep gratitude and great humility. It is an award that speaks to our highest aspirations — that for all the cruelty and hardship of our world, we are not mere prisoners of fate. Our actions matter, and can bend history in the direction of justice.(See photos of eight months of Obama's diplomacy.)

And yet I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the considerable controversy that your generous decision has generated. In part, this is because I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage. Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize — Schweitzer and King; Marshall and Mandela — my accomplishments are slight. And then there are the men and women around the world who have been jailed and beaten in the pursuit of justice; those who toil in humanitarian organizations to relieve suffering; the unrecognized millions whose quiet acts of courage and compassion inspire even the most hardened of cynics. I cannot argue with those who find these men and women — some known, some obscure to all but those they help — to be far more deserving of this honor than I. He doesn't hide issues and really knows how to approach these issues very well. One of the best diplomats in my opinion.

But perhaps the most profound issue surrounding my receipt of this prize is the fact that I am the Commander-in-Chief of a nation in the midst of two wars. One of these wars is winding down. The other is a conflict that America did not seek; one in which we are joined by forty-three other countries — including Norway — in an effort to defend ourselves and all nations from further attacks.(See pictures from Obama's West Point speech.)

Still, we are at war, and I am responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill. Some will be killed. And so I come here with an acute sense of the cost of armed conflict — filled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and our effort to replace one with the other.

These questions are not new. War, in one form or another, appeared with the first man. At the dawn of history, its morality was not questioned; it was simply a fact, like drought or disease — the manner in which tribes and then civilizations sought power and settled their differences.(See video: "Obama's War.")

Over time, as codes of law sought to control violence within groups, so did philosophers, clerics, and statesmen seek to regulate the destructive power of war. The concept of a "just war" emerged, suggesting that war is justified only when it meets certain preconditions: if it is waged as a last resort or in self-defense; if the forced used is proportional, and if, whenever possible, civilians are spared from violence. Have you ever read the verses right after John 3:16? Jesus says to Nicodemus thereafter in John 3:19-21, "This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light cause their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." There is no war just as there is no denying darkness. Chinese Philosophers argue on the human natures original state. Master Xun is the only Confucianist to admit that we are born sinners. It's true, we are all battling against evil - will we go on fighting for justice? God is light and therefore is the only just character to come in and justify this dark world. May our country fight in the name of God, our Supreme Judge, by loving our enemies in hopes of bringing them God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. I love the Mohists idea of war. They were non-aggressive and were the enemy of the Confucianists. They practiced 兼爱, which is agape love. They would use self-defense fighting techniques and would allow the enemy to kill them instead of killing them. All for the promotion of their belief in universal love. Now, why can't we be the same way about the Gospel? Let us put on the armor of God and yield the sword of truth found in God's Word as we shine the light of the world and bring sight to the blind.

For most of history, this concept of just war was rarely observed. The capacity of human beings to think up new ways to kill one another proved inexhaustible, as did our capacity to exempt from mercy those who look different or pray to a different God. Wars between armies gave way to wars between nations — total wars in which the distinction between combatant and civilian became blurred. In the span of thirty years, such carnage would twice engulf this continent. And while it is hard to conceive of a cause more just than the defeat of the Third Reich and the Axis powers, World War II was a conflict in which the total number of civilians who died exceeded the number of soldiers who perished. "Doing Good to all" Apostle Paul says in Galatians 6:7-10, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

In the wake of such destruction, and with the advent of the nuclear age, it became clear to victor and vanquished alike that the world needed institutions to prevent another World War. And so, a quarter century after the United States Senate rejected the League of Nations — an idea for which Woodrow Wilson received this Prize — America led the world in constructing an architecture to keep the peace: a Marshall Plan and a United Nations, mechanisms to govern the waging of war, treaties to protect human rights, prevent genocide, and restrict the most dangerous weapons.

In many ways, these efforts succeeded. Yes, terrible wars have been fought, and atrocities committed. But there has been no Third World War. The Cold War ended with jubilant crowds dismantling a wall. Commerce has stitched much of the world together. Billions have been lifted from poverty. The ideals of liberty, self-determination, equality and the rule of law have haltingly advanced. We are the heirs of the fortitude and foresight of generations past, and it is a legacy for which my own country is rightfully proud.

A decade into a new century, this old architecture is buckling under the weight of new threats. The world may no longer shudder at the prospect of war between two nuclear superpowers, but proliferation may increase the risk of catastrophe. Terrorism has long been a tactic, but modern technology allows a few small men with outsized rage to murder innocents on a horrific scale.

Moreover, wars between nations have increasingly given way to wars within nations. The resurgence of ethnic or sectarian conflicts; the growth of secessionist movements, insurgencies, and failed states; have increasingly trapped civilians in unending chaos. In today's wars, many more civilians are killed than soldiers; the seeds of future conflict are sewn, economies are wrecked, civil societies torn asunder, refugees amassed, and children scarred.(See pictures of people around the world watching Obama's Inauguration.)

I do not bring with me today a definitive solution to the problems of war. What I do know is that meeting these challenges will require the same vision, hard work, and persistence of those men and women who acted so boldly decades ago. And it will require us to think in new ways about the notions of just war and the imperatives of a just peace.

We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations — acting individually or in concert — will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.(See an interactive guide to the first 100 days of Obama's presidency.)

I make this statement mindful of what Martin Luther King said in this same ceremony years ago — "Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones." As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King's life's work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there is nothing weak —nothing passive — nothing naÏve — in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King. NOT PEACE BUT DIVISION. In Luke 12:49-51 Jesus says, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." This is controversial, but if you keep reading, Jesus goes on to say in verse 56, "Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?" Though this may come across surprisingly harsh, it's a reminder of the fact that earth is not heaven. Though we may promote peace, it will not be met. We must promote heaven - then with our personal relationship to God the Father of heaven and earth through his saving grace found in Jesus, we can achieve eternal peace.

But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism — it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

I raise this point because in many countries there is a deep ambivalence about military action today, no matter the cause. At times, this is joined by a reflexive suspicion of America, the world's sole military superpower.

Yet the world must remember that it was not simply international institutions — not just treaties and declarations — that brought stability to a post-World War II world. Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms. The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform has promoted peace and prosperity from Germany to Korea, and enabled democracy to take hold in places like the Balkans. We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest — because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other peoples' children and grandchildren can live in freedom and prosperity.(See pictures of Barack Obama's nation of hope.)

So yes, the instruments of war do have a role to play in preserving the peace. And yet this truth must coexist with another — that no matter how justified, war promises human tragedy. The soldier's courage and sacrifice is full of glory, expressing devotion to country, to cause and to comrades in arms. But war itself is never glorious, and we must never trumpet it as such.

So part of our challenge is reconciling these two seemingly irreconcilable truths — that war is sometimes necessary, and war is at some level an expression of human feelings. Concretely, we must direct our effort to the task that President Kennedy called for long ago. "Let us focus," he said, "on a more practical, more attainable peace, based not on a sudden revolution in human nature but on a gradual evolution in human institutions."

What might this evolution look like? What might these practical steps be?

To begin with, I believe that all nations — strong and weak alike — must adhere to standards that govern the use of force. I — like any head of state — reserve the right to act unilaterally if necessary to defend my nation. Nevertheless, I am convinced that adhering to standards strengthens those who do, and isolates — and weakens — those who don't.(See pictures of Barack Obama's nation of hope.)

The world rallied around America after the 9/11 attacks, and continues to support our efforts in Afghanistan, because of the horror of those senseless attacks and the recognized principle of self-defense. Likewise, the world recognized the need to confront Saddam Hussein when he invaded Kuwait — a consensus that sent a clear message to all about the cost of aggression.

Furthermore, America cannot insist that others follow the rules of the road if we refuse to follow them ourselves. For when we don't, our action can appear arbitrary, and undercut the legitimacy of future intervention — no matter how justified.(See pictures of Barack Obama on Flickr.)

This becomes particularly important when the purpose of military action extends beyond self defense or the defense of one nation against an aggressor. More and more, we all confront difficult questions about how to prevent the slaughter of civilians by their own government, or to stop a civil war whose violence and suffering can engulf an entire region.

I believe that force can be justified on humanitarian grounds, as it was in the Balkans, or in other places that have been scarred by war. Inaction tears at our conscience and can lead to more costly intervention later. That is why all responsible nations must embrace the role that militaries with a clear mandate can play to keep the peace.

America's commitment to global security will never waiver. But in a world in which threats are more diffuse, and missions more complex, America cannot act alone. This is true in Afghanistan. This is true in failed states like Somalia, where terrorism and piracy is joined by famine and human suffering. And sadly, it will continue to be true in unstable regions for years to come.(See video: "Obama's War.")

The leaders and soldiers of NATO countries — and other friends and allies — demonstrate this truth through the capacity and courage they have shown in Afghanistan. But in many countries, there is a disconnect between the efforts of those who serve and the ambivalence of the broader public. I understand why war is not popular. But I also know this: the belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice. That is why NATO continues to be indispensable. That is why we must strengthen UN and regional peacekeeping, and not leave the task to a few countries. That is why we honor those who return home from peacekeeping and training abroad to Oslo and Rome; to Ottawa and Sydney; to Dhaka and Kigali — we honor them not as makers of war, but as wagers of peace.

Let me make one final point about the use of force. Even as we make difficult decisions about going to war, we must also think clearly about how we fight it. The Nobel Committee recognized this truth in awarding its first prize for peace to Henry Dunant — the founder of the Red Cross, and a driving force behind the Geneva Conventions.

Where force is necessary, we have a moral and strategic interest in binding ourselves to certain rules of conduct. And even as we confront a vicious adversary that abides by no rules, I believe that the United States of America must remain a standard bearer in the conduct of war. That is what makes us different from those whom we fight. That is a source of our strength. That is why I prohibited torture. That is why I ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed. And that is why I have reaffirmed America's commitment to abide by the Geneva Conventions. We lose ourselves when we compromise the very ideals that we fight to defend. And we honor those ideals by upholding them not just when it is easy, but when it is hard.

I have spoken to the questions that must weigh on our minds and our hearts as we choose to wage war. But let me turn now to our effort to avoid such tragic choices, and speak of three ways that we can build a just and lasting peace.

First, in dealing with those nations that break rules and laws, I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to change behavior — for if we want a lasting peace, then the words of the international community must mean something. Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure — and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one.(See pictures of Barack Obama's nation of hope.)

One urgent example is the effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, and to seek a world without them. In the middle of the last century, nations agreed to be bound by a treaty whose bargain is clear: all will have access to peaceful nuclear power; those without nuclear weapons will forsake them; and those with nuclear weapons will work toward disarmament. I am committed to upholding this treaty. It is a centerpiece of my foreign policy. And I am working with President Medvedev to reduce America and Russia's nuclear stockpiles.

But it is also incumbent upon all of us to insist that nations like Iran and North Korea do not game the system. Those who claim to respect international law cannot avert their eyes when those laws are flouted. Those who care for their own security cannot ignore the danger of an arms race in the Middle East or East Asia. Those who seek peace cannot stand idly by as nations arm themselves for nuclear war.(See pictures from Obama's West Point speech.)

The same principle applies to those who violate international law by brutalizing their own people. When there is genocide in Darfur; systematic rape in Congo; or repression in Burma — there must be consequences. And the closer we stand together, the less likely we will be faced with the choice between armed intervention and complicity in oppression.

This brings me to a second point — the nature of the peace that we seek. For peace is not merely the absence of visible conflict. Only a just peace based upon the inherent rights and dignity of every individual can truly be lasting. Obama, is the peace you are talking about everlasting? Can the United States really dictate/orchestrate everlasting world peace? I see why we have to restrain ourselves in keeping God out of the picture, but how can we promote peace without bringing up the Author of Peace? Our founding fathers were not the authors of peace, but rather the transmitters. Confucius proclaims this as well in his Analects. He says that he is not the Creator of 仁 human cultivation and 义 righteousness, but rather transmitting in accordance to ancient traditions and rituals for promoting greater learnings. However, Confucius is unaware of the Creator. He knows 命 or fate, but his spectacular philosophies haven't come to grips with God's purpose for mankind - to share His love to all. I feel that Master Mozi, his first opponent, better understood this truth of a greater love that has authority over us. God wants us all to realize that he first loved us enough to create us, let us choose (and make the mistakes), and then epically send as a Savior through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. It's a beautiful story that all should come to grips with.

It was this insight that drove drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights after the Second World War. In the wake of devastation, they recognized that if human rights are not protected, peace is a hollow promise.

And yet all too often, these words are ignored. In some countries, the failure to uphold human rights is excused by the false suggestion that these are Western principles, foreign to local cultures or stages of a nation's development. And within America, there has long been a tension between those who describe themselves as realists or idealists — a tension that suggests a stark choice between the narrow pursuit of interests or an endless campaign to impose our values.

I reject this choice. I believe that peace is unstable where citizens are denied the right to speak freely or worship as they please; choose their own leaders or assemble without fear. Pent up grievances fester, and the suppression of tribal and religious identity can lead to violence. We also know that the opposite is true. Only when Europe became free did it finally find peace. America has never fought a war against a democracy, and our closest friends are governments that protect the rights of their citizens. No matter how callously defined, neither America's interests — nor the world's — are served by the denial of human aspirations.

So even as we respect the unique culture and traditions of different countries, America will always be a voice for those aspirations that are universal. We will bear witness to the quiet dignity of reformers like Aung Sang Suu Kyi; to the bravery of Zimbabweans who cast their ballots in the face of beatings; to the hundreds of thousands who have marched silently through the streets of Iran. It is telling that the leaders of these governments fear the aspirations of their own people more than the power of any other nation. And it is the responsibility of all free people and free nations to make clear to these movements that hope and history are on their side.

Let me also say this: the promotion of human rights cannot be about exhortation alone. At times, it must be coupled with painstaking diplomacy. I know that engagement with repressive regimes lacks the satisfying purity of indignation. But I also know that sanctions without outreach — and condemnation without discussion — can carry forward a crippling status quo. No repressive regime can move down a new path unless it has the choice of an open door.

In light of the Cultural Revolution's horrors, Nixon's meeting with Mao appeared inexcusable — and yet it surely helped set China on a path where millions of its citizens have been lifted from poverty, and connected to open societies. Pope John Paul's engagement with Poland created space not just for the Catholic Church, but for labor leaders like Lech Walesa. Ronald Reagan's efforts on arms control and embrace of perestroika not only improved relations with the Soviet Union, but empowered dissidents throughout Eastern Europe. There is no simple formula here. But we must try as best we can to balance isolation and engagement; pressure and incentives, so that human rights and dignity are advanced over time.(See pictures "Fun with Photoshop: Obama's Other Awards.")

Third, a just peace includes not only civil and political rights — it must encompass economic security and opportunity. For true peace is not just freedom from fear, but freedom from want.

It is undoubtedly true that development rarely takes root without security; it is also true that security does not exist where human beings do not have access to enough food, or clean water, or the medicine they need to survive. It does not exist where children cannot aspire to a decent education or a job that supports a family. The absence of hope can rot a society from within.(See pictures from Obama's first state dinner.) Hmm...10% unemployed. Whatever decisions are going to be made better be allowing businesses to not feel reluctant to invest and hire people so that people will be getting jobs. Layoffs aren't a big enough part of that percentage to make us think that Obama's administration hasn't made any wrong moves with the repairing of our nation's economy. This distribution of wealth idea hasn't brought much peace. And I don't think China is going to comply with G2's proposals on leading the world in it's hopes of becoming more green when they are so focused on continuing their development process which includes huge urbanizations. A rather impossible feet to be wasting money on right now in my opinion.

And that is why helping farmers feed their own people — or nations educate their children and care for the sick — is not mere charity. It is also why the world must come together to confront climate change. There is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades. For this reason, it is not merely scientists and activists who call for swift and forceful action — it is military leaders in my country and others who understand that our common security hangs in the balance.

Agreements among nations. Strong institutions. Support for human rights. Investments in development. All of these are vital ingredients in bringing about the evolution that President Kennedy spoke about. And yet, I do not believe that we will have the will, or the staying power, to complete this work without something more — and that is the continued expansion of our moral imagination; an insistence that there is something irreducible that we all share.

As the world grows smaller, you might think it would be easier for human beings to recognize how similar we are; to understand that we all basically want the same things; that we all hope for the chance to live out our lives with some measure of happiness and fulfillment for ourselves and our families. Nice! Clever comparison in finding a correlation between our now "flat world" and finding "common ground" on morality.

And yet, given the dizzying pace of globalization, and the cultural leveling of modernity, it should come as no surprise that people fear the loss of what they cherish about their particular identities — their race, their tribe, and perhaps most powerfully their religion. In some places, this fear has led to conflict. At times, it even feels like we are moving backwards. We see it in Middle East, as the conflict between Arabs and Jews seems to harden. We see it in nations that are torn asunder by tribal lines.

Most dangerously, we see it in the way that religion is used to justify the murder of innocents by those who have distorted and defiled the great religion of Islam, and who attacked my country from Afghanistan. These extremists are not the first to kill in the name of God; the cruelties of the Crusades are amply recorded. But they remind us that no Holy War can ever be a just war. For if you truly believe that you are carrying out divine will, then there is no need for restraint — no need to spare the pregnant mother, or the medic, or even a person of one's own faith. Such a warped view of religion is not just incompatible with the concept of peace, but the purpose of faith — for the one rule that lies at the heart of every major religion is that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Jesus' Sorrow for Jerusalem: Jesus says to the Pharisees in Luke 13:34-35, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate." If only people, even those proclaiming in the name of God, would all look into the mirror and submit to God and quit arguing. Jesus says in Luke 17:22, "The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the Kingdom of God is within you." God doesn't put us in groups - he looks at each one of us individually and therefore it is not a religion but a relationship. When you make it a religion you get caught up in dispute and miss out on the good stuff.

Adhering to this law of love has always been the core struggle of human nature. We are fallible. We make mistakes, and fall victim to the temptations of pride, and power, and sometimes evil. Even those of us with the best intentions will at times fail to right the wrongs before us.

But we do not have to think that human nature is perfect for us to still believe that the human condition can be perfected. We do not have to live in an idealized world to still reach for those ideals that will make it a better place. The non-violence practiced by men like Gandhi and King may not have been practical or possible in every circumstance, but the love that they preached — their faith in human progress — must always be the North Star that guides us on our journey.

For if we lose that faith — if we dismiss it as silly or naÏve; if we divorce it from the decisions that we make on issues of war and peace — then we lose what is best about humanity. We lose our sense of possibility. We lose our moral compass.(See video: "Obama's War.")

Like generations have before us, we must reject that future. As Dr. King said at this occasion so many years ago, "I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal 'oughtness' that forever confronts him."

So let us reach for the world that ought to be — that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls. Somewhere today, in the here and now, a soldier sees he's outgunned but stands firm to keep the peace. Somewhere today, in this world, a young protestor awaits the brutality of her government, but has the courage to march on. Somewhere today, a mother facing punishing poverty still takes the time to teach her child, who believes that a cruel world still has a place for his dreams.(See pictures of people around the world watching Obama's Inauguration.)

Let us live by their example. We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of depravation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do that — for that is the story of human progress; that is the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on Earth.

The Amity Foundation 爱德基金会

Wow! Why have I not come across this amazing organization sooner? After being heavily inspired by Britt E. Towery's book "The Churches of China", I frantically searched for a way to contact him online and tell him of my desire to "take root" in the Chinese Church through my spiritual gifts and calling to serve in hopes of "bearing fruit" for the advancement of the Gospel 福音 in God's beautiful country of China 神国。After coming across his blog (which you should follow here on blogger!!http://britt-towery.blogspot.com/), I noticed that he had made contributions to The Amity Foundation on the right panel of his web page. Then I remembered about reading an inspiring passage in his book on how Chinese Christians are making a huge difference on the image of Christianity in China through their passionate service towards improving society - which has earned the favor of even the Chinese Government --seeing as their goal is to "benefit society”through socialism 社会主义. Which reminds me of another fact. The character for society 社, includes the spirits. Hmm...why would the government profess Atheism and still include ghosts in society? I know this is an ancient Chinese character and I know that they profess Atheism so that they can be "common", but I am convinced that the Chinese Government is beginning to see the work of the Holy Spirit 生灵 through the lives of it's citizens who are becoming Christians and doing the Great Commission through acts of kindness and good deeds -- which is a symptom of Christ's contagious agape love. Furthermore, agape love is rooted in the Chinese history, although disregarded and almost forgotten completely, Master Mo 墨子 as I am learning in my Chinese Philosophy class, revealed the power of something that can be compared to that of Christ's "no greater love" or heavenly love. This love can be translated into Chinese, in accordance to the Mohists, as "all-embracing love" 兼爱。Unfortunately, Confucianists (not Confucius himself - he actually wasn't against agape love) have strayed the Chinese from accepting this teaching and thus likely explains their distaste for relational evangelism of Christians and it's missionaries.

Anyways, I can't wait to get in connection with this amazing organization and tell them of my call to service as an ambassador for Jesus Christ. It ends up from my research on their website, http://www.amityfoundation.org/wordpress/, that I am not the first student from Hong Kong Baptist University to come to their office and share a desire to get involved in the AMAZING work that the Lord is doing through The Amity Foundation. Check out their website, and if you don't have time -- at least check out this recently posted article on Jiangsu Christian Charity Foundation:

“The son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

The Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund was established as a joint initiative of the Amity Foundation and the Jiangsu Christian Council in March 2009 with the aim of developing social services offered by the Christian community in Jiangsu Province.

Background

Encouraging Government Policy

As civil society in China keeps developing, the values of social organizations have found greater recognition from the side of society and government. The Protestant church of China with its millions of members is increasingly recognised as a promoter of the development of Chinese civil society. The Chinese government has declared that a policy of encouraging “the Christian church to play a positive role in society” is part of the “construction of aHarmonious Society“. The National Human Rights Declaration issued by China’s State Council in 2009 defines “the positive function of religion” as “promoting social harmony and socioeconomic development” and states that the religious community should be encouraged “to develop public welfare and charity, and to explore ways and methods of social service.”**Praise God! This is, as you've seen my previous blog post, THE HOPE FOR CHINA. God will not stop his mission of bringing himself glory through the advancement of his good news of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The United Front and the Religious Affairs Bureau of Jiangsu Province have devised that the church should serve the people and promote social development through social service according to the development situation of the church in the province. The establishment of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund has received powerful support from the United Front and the Religious Affairs Bureau of Jiangsu Province.

Increasing Social Needs

In Christianity, social service is interpreted in terms of witnessing God on Earth. The church has a long tradition of providing social services. As the Chinese church has developed, more and more churches have become involved in social service. The church in Jiangsu has a strong foundation in this area, for example a home for the elderly and church-run clinics. There are currently over 4000 churches and meeting points for more than 1.6 million believers in Jiangsu, so there is a large potential for the development of social services in Jiangsu churches.***I want to get involved in the development! There truly is so much potential, and it's exciting to see the development of the Chinese Church alongside their "rapidly developing" economy. Socio-economics is beckoning for the work of Chinese Christians to balance out China for sustainable development needs it's people to find hope in a better China- what more hope than salvation through Jesus Christ and the radical changes he can do in a lost and dieing world? There is a reason why we proclaim Jesus as "Our Sustainer".

Social development has caused several new social problems in China, such as demographic problems (an ageing society) and problems of the community service systems. These have grown into important issues which need adequate solutions. The churches can use their own resources when taking part in social services and working towards a solution of these problems.

The Fruits of Theological Reconstruction

The process of “theological reconstruction” was adopted as an official church policy in 1998. The main problem that it seeks to address is the localization of Protestant Christianity in the historical and cultural context of China. According to “theological reconstruction”, China’s culture and history have instilled in its people a particular appreciation for the power of action. Chinese Christians being Chinese, they believe in a close connection between strong beliefs and honest practices. Christians making their faith visible through their behaviour is essential so Chinese people can better understand Christianity. The promotion of social service thus becomes an important part of theological reconstruction. Along with the deepening of “theological reconstruction”, more and more churches have become involved in social service in order to glorify God and provide benefits to the people. This is one of the fruits of “theological reconstruction” and will remarkably improve the mutual understanding and integration of the Chinese Protestant church and society.***Can you hear them calling out for help America? Let's support them!

The Relationship Between Amity and the Chinese Protestant Church

Amity was initiated in 1985 by Chinese Christians, so it was born with a strong connection to the Protestant church. In the 25 years of its history, Amity has gathered rich experiences in social service in various fields, including community development, medical care, rural education, and social welfare, but especially in the promotion of church involvement in social service. For over 20 years, Amity has supported churches in 13 provinces with social service related to health programs, education, agricultural development and drinking water projects, which have delivered many social benefits. To promote church involvement in social service has always been part of Amity’s mission, and Amity has been, and will keep on, trying to support such endeavors.***Praise God for the work they are doing - and pray for the continually improving connections build with the church and The Amity Foundation.

Mission

The mission of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund is to promote the development of the church’s social service; to enhance the positive role of the Protestant church in the socioeconomic development of the country; and to achieve the harmonious development of the church in society.

Service Areas

The service of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund covers the following areas:

1. Helping Protestant churches in Jiangsu to provide and manage social services in compliance with Amity’s mission.

2. Supporting Protestant churches in Jiangsu with cooperative social services in compliance with Amity’s mission.

3. Supporting other work as devised by the management committee of the Fund and according to the mission of the Fund.

Challenges and Difficulties

The Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund has been established recently and is facing a lot of challenges and problems in the process of development

The Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund is young and lacks project funding. Since the establishment of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund, it has raised only CNY 50,000 from churches. Amity is going to contribute about CNY 1 million for capacity building. However, this is just a drop in the bucket compared with the huge demand for social service in Jiangsu churches. More churches are waiting for investments to develop their social service programs.

Social service in Jiangsu churches has just started and needs further promotion

Social service in Jiangsu churches has not flourished for various reasons. In many churches social service has only just started, while what exists is not of high quality. The capacity of social service workers needs improvement as well. Promoting projects in both quantity and quality is one of the most important issues in front of the Fund. All these need our commitment and devotion in the future so as to ensure the effective operation of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund.

Fundraising

In order to promote the project development and raise funds for social service in more churches, we have worked out a fundraising plan. In the coming months we will start public fundraising through multiple channels, both domestic and foreign:

1) printing brochures to distribute in churches and provide easy channels for donating, such as donation boxes

2) The CCC/TSMP of Jiangsu Province will draw up a plan for church donations, or choose one day for Fund contributions, or launch irregular donation collection activities.

3) The management office, supported by staff from Amity and the CCC/TSMP of Jiangsu Province, will present the Fund and ongoing projects in churches in the province.

4) Regarding church needs in the province and issues of high social concern, the workers will prepare proposals for fundraising from overseas donor organizations. **Churches in America seeking ways to give internationally should consider**

Putting emphasis on support for capacity building

In the present phase, the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund, with the support of Amity, puts emphasis on helping churches with capacity building for their workers involved in social service. According to the different needs of social service in different churches, there will be more training focusing on particular professions to improve the capacity of church workers in social service, to improve the quality of church-run projects, and to improve the work of social service. There will be capacity building activities about social service in two or three more city churches in the coming year.***They need disciples who are well-trained in theology and Chinese to better lead these projects.

Making a systematic plan for existing social service projects in churches

Many churches have started social service projects; some have proposed their plans to the Fund. We are going to make project development plans according to the situation in the target places, in order to assist the projects in reaching sustainable outcomes.

Building a team of volunteers

The Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund is set to promote and improve social service in churches of Jiangsu Province. This is why it needs the wide participation of local churches and congress. We plan to build a team of volunteers to motivate voluntary resources in churches, in order to promote the development of projects with joint associations. We are going to recruit volunteers in churches. One or two volunteers from each church will work to give information about the Fund to the congregation. The volunteers will be the liaison to the management office, and the office will provide necessary material and support. There will be an assembly at the end of each year with all the volunteers to summarize the work, strengthen the network, and improve the development of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund through networking.

The establishment of the Jiangsu Christian Charity Fund is a fruit of the intention to enhance the cooperation and connection between Jiangsu churches and Amity, to promote social service in the Jiangsu Protestant community, to practice belief through the witness of Christ, and to encourage Christian churches to contribute to the development of civil society. We believe God loves people. Through the work on our hands, we are able to show God’s love on Earth.

We serve to express our love to God. This is the only way. For those who need our help, we have to pour out our love, because through them, we can express God’s love. (Mother Teresa)

My Library

So I'm starting to become quite the book worm these days. Now that my first semester is coming to an end...I can hardly wait to dive into something other than a textbook!


Apologia Pro Vita Sua
Cardinal John Henry Newman - Religion - 2007 - 292 pages
First published in the mid 19th century, this is a replica of the 1908 edition, and features the author's thoughts on his religions opinions throughout his life as well as sermons andother addresses and correspondence with other clergy and religious opinions throughout his life as well as sermons and other addresses and correspondence with other clergy and religious philosophers. British theologian JOHN HENRY CARDINAL NEWMAN (1801-1890)-a leading figure in both the Church of England and, after his conversion, the Roman Catholic Church-was known as "The Father of the Second Vatican Council." His Parochial and Plain Sermons (1834-42) is considered the best collection of sermons in the English language. He is also the author of A Grammar of Assent (1870)

Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China‎
Peter Hessler - Travel - 2007 - 528 pages
In Oracle Bones, Peter Hessler explores the human side of China's transformation, viewing modern-day China and its growing links to the Western world through the lives of a handful ofordinary people.

Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul‎
J. P. Moreland - Religion - 1997 - 256 pages
Unfortunately, many of us leave our minds behind when it comes to our faith. In Love Your God with All Your Mind, J.P. Moreland presents a logical case for the role of the mind inspiritual transformation.

The Complete Bible Answer Book‎
Hank Hanegraaff - Religion - 2009 - 560 pages - No preview available
And he's done something about it-he's spelled out the answers. "The Complete Bible Answer Book" is a simple guide covering over 170 of the top questions that the BibleAnswer Man has dealt with in his ministry.
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Making Religion, Making the State: The Politics of Religion in Modern China‎
Yoshiko Ashiwa, David L. Wank - Religion - 2009 - 294 pages
With chapters written by experts on Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Daoism, Islam, and more, this volume will appeal across the social sciences and humanities to those interested inpolitics, religion, and modernity in China.
Note: Modernity treats religion as a matter of "individual belief" in the context of secularism.

China: a global studies handbook‎
Robert André LaFleur - History - 2003 - 298 pages
Complete ready reference covering Chinese history, economics, politics, culture, and prevalent social problems ... a "must-have" addition to any global studies collection.

Missions, nationalism, and the end of empire‎
Brian Stanley, Alaine M. Low - Religion - 2003 - 313 pages
This work not only sheds light on the relation of religion and politics but also uncovers the sometimes paradoxical implications of the church's call to bring the gospel to all theworld.Contributors: Daniel H. BaysPhilip BoobbyerJudith M. ...
Note: pg. 160: Chen Chonggui's "Anti-Communist" speech in 1957.

Religion under socialism in China‎
Zhufeng Luo - Political Science - 1991 - 254 pages
Note: Ch. 3 pg. 54: Changes towards Religion after Founding of PRC
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Chinese Characteristics‎
Arthur H. Smith - History - 2001 - 342 pages
Written by a highly observant British missionary after living fifteen years in the country, and first published in 1890 in China, this book presents the social life and personal charactertraits of the typical Chinese.
Note: Classic - Must Read!

Although all of these are on my reading list, I am already very pleased to have found this unknown book written by a former missionary and lecturer at this university - Yes, Hong Kong Baptist University. Britt E. Towery, Jr., author of "The Churches in China: Taking Root Downward, Bearing Fruit Upward", is officially my new role model. He wrote this book in 1986 while living in Hong Kong after serving as a Southern Baptist Missionary in China for 25 years. Funny thing is, I wasn't even looking for this book - rather I just happened to come across this tiny book while looking through the "Religion" section of the library out of boredom. God has spoken to me tremendously through his writings about the churches in China and I have gained much from this less than 200 page book. Although this is not 1986, it still has much good to say about my approach to evangelism in Mainland China.

Hong Kong City Church

This past Sunday, I went with my friend Jonathan from Arizona to this church located on the 75F of the Central Plaza skyscraper along the harbor coast of Hong Kong. It was the most unbelievable worship experience. All around you is windows and you can see all of the the city's structures with a downward angle. Like nothing I could ever have imagined.

Here are some pictures of my amazing experience: