For we walk by faith, not by sight

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a log the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.

He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises.

Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.

It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the log next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

If you liked this story, pass it on.

If not, you took off your blindfold before dawn.

Moral of the story:

Just because you can't see God,

Doesn't mean He is not there.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Beginner’s Kadazandusun Dictionary: Summarized with Questions.

(Note: Protect and Preserve your 'Kadazan' and 'Dusun' identities. Read the articles published HEREand HERE and participate in the survey Poll located at the top right-hand column of this page.)

A) Introduction.

1) The just concluded discussion in e-forum format on the Beginner’s Kadazan Dictionary after it was opened for discussion since 29^th January, 2010 published in this blog has drawn more than 60 comments with mixed reactions. All of them have been received and posted. None was rejected.

2) To all intents and purposes, I posted the article with the objective of seeking the opinions of those concerned with regard to the Beginner’s Kadazandusun Dictionary in which, in page 14 where ‘Bangsa’ or races have been classified, the ‘Kadazan’ and ‘Dusun’ indigenous races have been omitted and, in their places, ‘Kadazadusun’ is printed instead.

3) But invariably the comments developed into e-debate or e-forum format during the course of commentaries and discussions. This augers well to discuss the term ‘Kadazandusun’ as well to deliberate the intended meaning of the said term, be it to unify the two ethnic groups of Kadazan and Dusun, or otherwise.

4) As what one commentator said on February 9, 2010 1:46 PM ) the generic name of ‘Kadazandusun’ was first introduced at the 5th KCA Delegate Conference in 1989.

5) Another Commentator said “KCA leaders had on 05/11/1989 introduced the term "Kadazandusun" at the annual congress of delegates. It has since come to be known as KDCA.” – Anonymous: February 2, 2010 10:51 PM

6) Hence, there are two subject matters to be addressed and deliberated here:

a) To include the Kadazan and Dusun ethnic races to replace the term ‘Kadazandusun’ in the Beginners Kadazandusun Dictionary;

b) To accept the term either ‘Kadazandusun’ or ‘KadazanDusun’ (capital K and D) as an ethnic race for the Kadazan and Dusun peoples to combine or merge the two under the new acceptable term.

B) Summary.

1) There is a clear indication from the comments posted by participants in the just concluded e-forum and that there is a definite urgent need to rectify the anomaly as highlighted in the blog.

2) In the course of the debate, the term ‘Kadazandusun’ was invariably brought up and expounded as to its intended meaning when it was first coined. Despite the fact that Tan Sri Herman Luping has already clarified in his book titled, “THE KADAZANDUSUNS” that the said term is only used as a tag line to refer the Kadazan and Dusun peoples as a group, but yet there are still some people who choose to believe and support the said term as an indigenous race.

3) Some of the commentators who participated in the e-forum have clearly indicated that there is nothing more despicable than to be an accomplice to the initiators and/or propagators of the said term. Those commentators who firmly believe and uphold their ethnic races as Kadazan and Dusun, take exemptions from this group.

4) The e-forum has attracted more than 60 commentators and who advocate ‘for or against’ the term ‘Kadazandusun’ by giving their ‘No Holds Barred’ or ‘without fear or favour’ comments. Perhaps they are emboldened to make their comments in such a manner under the protection of anonymity. Some, however, have identified themselves by signing off their names genuinely, or at least stamped their initials at the end of their comments.

5) I am not alluding here that those comments posted by ‘Anonymous’ are considered not genuine – far from it. In fact I appreciate all the participants for their sincere and invaluable comments, be they anonymous or known people. Those who prefered to remain anonymous might have reasons to protect their anonymity, but surely they have no intention whatoever to slander or run down anyone, much less with malice or enmity towards one another.

6) As a moderator, I can only make a concluding remark that they have every legitimate intention to express their opinionated statements to help solve our long overdue ‘identity crisis’ since the introduction of the term ‘Kadazandusun’.

7) More so when it is classified as an ethnic race in the ‘Beginner’s Kadazandusun Dictionary’ while the ‘Kadazan’ and ‘Dusun’ ethnic races have been completely omitted from the list of ‘Bangsa, Race or Tinaru’.

C) Commentaries

1) For the purpose of easier moderation and for the readers to read, I have divided the commentaries (truncated) into two groups. Group (A) – Pro-Kadazandusun and Group (B) – Against-Kadazandusun.

2) I have reproduced comments received from the proponents, propagators, initiators, etc, of the term ‘Kadazandusun’ which I consider pertinent and important. They need to be addressed and commented sensibly so that we can all come up to a compromised opinion(s) with regard to this contentious term.

3) As I said earlier, I have also selected those pertinent and genuine comments from those who are against the term ‘Kadazandusun’. Those comments that have not been selected are equally pertinent and important.

D) Conclusion

1) The participants from both Kadazan and Dusun indigenous group have expressed their disapproval of the word ‘Kadazandusun’ as a term to replace the two ethnic races of ‘Kadazan’ and ‘Dusun’. Their overwhelming responses to retain and preserve their respective identities speak volumes which should be respected by all concerned.

2) In addition to retaining their respective identities, they have also stated that the term ‘Kadazandusun’ should be declassified in the Beginner’s Kadazandusun Dictionary and to be replaced with ‘Kadazan’ and ‘Dusun’ as among the indigenous ethnic races in page 14.

3) Proponents of ‘Kadazandusun’ or ‘KadazanDusun’ have equally defended these two terminologies in an effort to unifying the two ethnic peoples of ‘Kadazan’ and ‘Dusun’.

4) Based on the opinions and arguments generated from the two groups, one can now form their opinions and recommendations.

5) All Kadazan and Dusun communities, especially those who have participated in the e-forum are, once again, invited to make their final recommendation(s) whether:

a) To include the Kadazan and Dusun ethnic races to replace the term ‘Kadazandusun’ in the Beginners Kadazandusun Dictionary; OR

b) To accept the term either ‘Kadazandusun’ or ‘KadazanDusun’ (capital K and D) as ethnic race for the Kadazan and Dusun peoples to combine or merge the two under the new acceptable term;

c) Any other recommendation.

6) It is most appreciated if you can please submit your recommendations by signing your name at the bottom together with, but necessarily, your e-mail address.

7) For those who wish to remain anonymous they may submit their recommendations to my email address at sjdisimon@gmail.com. Their identities and email addresses will be treated with the strictest confidence, unless with their expressed consent.

8) I reserve the right to publish those comments and/or recommendations with slanderous, malicious, frivolous, defamatory, and/or libelous remarks.

CLICK HERE TO READ THOSE TRUNCATED AND MODERATED COMMENTS FROM GROUP ‘A’ AND ‘B’.

Lent 2010

Lent starts next Wednesday, February 17th. That's why between now and then Catholics should read Pope Benedict's Message for Lent 2010.

Ash Wednesday

At the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed during Mass, after the homily. The blessed ashes are then "imposed" on the faithful as a sign of conversion, penance, fasting and human mortality.

The ashes are blessed at least during the first Mass of the day, but they may also be imposed during all the Masses of the day, after the homily, and even outside the time of Mass to meet the needs of the faithful.

Priests or deacons normally impart this sacramental, but instituted acolytes, other extraordinary ministers or designated lay people may be delegated to impart ashes, if the bishop judges that this is necessary. The ashes are made from the palms used at the previous Passion Sunday ceremonies.

Read More HERE on what to do during Lent.

Valentine's Day Is Good for Your Health

Excerpt from Faith and Family Live! and Featured Articles

Posted by Danielle Bean in Health on Friday, February 12, 2010 12:00 PM

Here’s a bit of good news, just in time for the holiday this weekend:

Chocolate Lowers Risk of Stroke

A new review of recent research on chocolate and stroke risk found at least two large studies are suggestive of the health benefits of chocolate in lowering the risk of stroke. The results will be presented in April at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Toronto. The first study found 44,489 people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were 22% less likely to have a stroke than people who didn’t eat chocolate.

When you share the good stuff with your sweetie, be sure to share some physical affection as well:

Hugs Warm the Heart, and May Protect It

This is the latest of many studies suggesting humans are “hard-wired” to thrive as social animals, says Tiffany Field of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School. Field’s research shows touch lowers output of cortisol, a stress hormone. When cortisol dips, there’s a surge of two “feel good” brain chemicals, serotonin and dopamine.

So, during this Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, as Jesus said, "do not be afraid" to eat as much chocolate as you can.- Linudus.

To my readers, Kong Hee Fatt Choy and Happy Valentine's Day. Linundus Kinabalu

Dominican sisters to appear on Oprah Winfrey Show

Dominican Sisters of Mary

Feb 8, 2010 / (CNA).- The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have made waves across the nation for their rapid growth and their devout orthodoxy. Now, they are once again in the national spotlight, being featured on the popular Oprah Winfrey Show.

“They phoned us and asked if they could do a program on us with Oprah. That's all we know!” Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz, OP, vocations director for the community, told CNA in an email.

The show featuring the sisters will air on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The same day happens to be the congregation’s 13th anniversary. The coincidence is “amazing, as they did not know this when they chose the date -- but God did!” exclaimed the vocations director.

When asked why they chose to accept the invitation and appear on the show, “Oprah is powerful -- we entrust this endeavor to Mother Mary for the greater glory of her Son! It's truly been a lot of fun as 'the world' does not begin to understand our life,” the Dominican said. “Hopefully, this will inspire more people to love God and serve Him in the manner He invites each of us -- and get the Gospel on the airwaves!!”

The Dominican Sisters of Mary were founded in 1997 by four Dominican sisters responding to John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization. In the 13 years of their existence, they have grown to almost 100 members. Their newly constructed motherhouse is already filled to capacity.

Currently, the average age of the sisters is 26 and the average age of their postulants is 21.

“Young people, inspired by John Paul the Great and Pope Benedict XVI, are generous and desirous of living sacrificial, authentic lives as God asks of them,” Sr. Joseph Andrew said.

“We agreed (to be on the show) because it will further understanding of Religious Life,” she added. “The Catholic Church is alive, well, and thriving as is authentic religious life,” she added.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew: On Malaysian Malaysia

Fortunately for Lee Kuan Yew he did not make the judgmental error of making Singapore stay within Melayusia. He withdrew Singapore out! And I do not believe an iota on what was said that Singapore was booted out of Melayusia as claimed by leaders in Tanah Melayu. Bollocks!

Sabah could have done better if it had done same. And it's too bloody late for Sabah to make the exit now since so many Bajaus, Kadazans, Dusuns, Muruts, Bruneis, Bisayas, Sinos have become Malays and unfortunately, they appear to be more Malays than the Melayus of the West.

I have not taken into consideration the Filipinos, the Bugis, the Timorese, the Pakistanis who each have been 'given' the most doubtful MyKad to give to us the impression that they are Sabahans, thus Malaysians. These groups of people tend to show that they are more Sabahans than the Sabahans!

Need I say more to show my disgust? Are you not?

Idrus al-Haj.

You might have already read Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s speech at the 4^th Anniversary Celebrations of Delta Community Centre on Sunday, 30^th May, 1995, but for those who haven’t had a chance yet, the following has been reproduced for your history lesson … and ponder on it. - LINUNDUS

REPORT OF MR. LEE KUAN YEW'S SPEECH AT THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF DELTA COMMUNITY CENTRE ON SUNDAY, 30TH MAY, 1965.

The Singapore Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, has declared that Singapore had never agreed to Malay rule when she joined Malaysia. What she had agreed to was Malaysian rule. He stressed that talks that the people of Singapore were not accustomed to Malay rule like the people of Kelantan and Trengganu were "all bunkum". He added, "Somebody is making a grave error of judgment if he thinks the people agreed to Malay rule in joining Malaysia."

Mr. Lee said the Malaysian constitution spelt out a democratic rule by representatives of the people by adult franchise. This meant one man one vote, and Malaysia ruled by Malaysians. Mr. Lee said that any talk of Malay rule was foolish and reckless because that was the surest way to bring about a great deal of unhappiness in Malaysia.

In his speech, Mr. Lee also explained why it was better to decide now and not wait till five or ten years' time whether there is going to be a Malaysian Malaysia. He stressed that if Malays were daily exhorted to unite on the basis of race and not nation, in five years' time it would be very difficult to change the thinking on the ground. Mr. Lee noted that the UMNO Secretary-General, Dato Syed Ja'afar Albar, had said in Parliament that there was no harm in calling on the Chinese to unite. Mr. Lee described Dato Syed Ja'afar Albar as "a man who does not spend his time calculating the significance of what he is doing. "Dato Syed Ja'afar Albar knew that the Chinese would never unite under the MCA. But if the Chinese who comprised 42 per cent of the population in Malaysia unite under a virile party, there would be real trouble for the country.

Describing such talk as foolish, Mr. Lee said, "This is the sort of thing we fought against in Singapore from 1959 to 1963. You know that the Barisan Sosialis used to go round and work people up on the basis of race. There is no future that way".

Mr. Lee went on to say that the present internal and international situations favoured an immediate decision on whether there is going to be a Malaysian Malaysia.

He said, "Another reason why it is necessary to decide now, not later on, is because it is easier for us, if they do not want a Malaysian Malaysia, to make a alternative arrangements, some other way. The Agreement in the Constitution must lead to a Malaysian nation, a Malaysian Malaysia, and if they want to stop it, they must use unconstitutional methods to stop it. So I say, if they want to do that, do it now. It will be easier for us to make other alternative arrangements. If that is what they want, we have got other ideas of looking after ourselves."

Mr. Lee said he did not want to talk too much about the alternative constitutional arrangements. One of these arrangements could be the getting together of all those states which want a Malaysian Malaysia. He said he could think of three states which would get together on this basis. They are Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Other possible states are Malacca and Penang. He said even the Sultan of Johore would not want his state to join Indonesia as suggested by the UMNO organ, Merdeka. Mr. Lee said he read from the newspapers that the Secretary-General of UMNO came from Celebes, born and bred there, and came to Singapore before the war. Mr. Lee added: "Maybe he wants to rejoin the Celebes, but I am sure the Sultan of Johore does not want to join Celebes, because it means joining Java and Indonesia."

Another point which Mr. Lee made on the necessity to decide now whether there is going to be a Malaysian Malaysia is that 61 per cent of the people in the country could not become Malays. However they could become Malaysians, loyal to Malaysia and accept the concept of Malaysian Malaysia.

Mr. Lee stressed that Malaysia does not have the capacity and not enough guns to govern the country by force -- with 80,000 square miles in Sabah and Sarawak, one-and-a-half times the size of Malaya, and with 1,000 miles of ocean in between. Mr. Lee reaffirmed, "The best way of all is to stick to the Constitution for a Malaysian Malaysia, honour and accommodate each other, make adjustments, live happily in a multi-racial society where everybody in an equal Malaysian citizen, regardless of race, language and religion."

Earlier, Mr. Lee said he was very proud to see what a tremendous transformation the Delta constituency had gone through since the big fire in 1961. Mr. Lee said, "From the ashes of that fire, we are building a new community. And this is a forerunner of what is possible in the rest of Singapore, and indeed in the rest of Malaysia, if we are prepared to be forebearing with each other to build a Malaysian Malaysia -- a Malaysia in which all Malaysians, regardless of race, language and religion share equally in the opportunities of life."

PRESS SECTION,

MINISTRY OF CULTURE.

MAY 31, 1965.