A man who keeps possessions for himself (selfish) may ultimately have everything that is tangible; but a man who shares or gives away his possessions liberally though he may not have everything, he will have many more things that are intangible.
Some of the intangibles are good health, joy, peace and above everything a truly vibrant life. Never underestimate these just because they are intangible. These are the gears of life with God at the control.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Things Tiny...
How many things can you think of that are tiny but yet powerful? I planted some vegetable seeds in my in-home green-house planter, and in a couple of days I saw the sprouts. That scene was truly amazing, because of the mere transformation of the seed into a seedling. I was wondering about the true power of the seed for it has the needed "code" for life stored in such a small space in all completeness. Truly tiny, yet so powerful.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Where are you
Not here, not there
Hanging in the air.
Sometimes here, sometimes there
Still hanging in the air.
When you are here or when you are there
You are somewhere,
But when you are neither here nor there
You are nowhere.
Where are you!
Hanging in the air.
Sometimes here, sometimes there
Still hanging in the air.
When you are here or when you are there
You are somewhere,
But when you are neither here nor there
You are nowhere.
Where are you!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Denominated Christians!
Christians are spread all over the world! Most of the times Christians like to reveal their doctrinal denomination (for example, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Marthoma and so on) to identify themselves either to be a part of a group or its culture. Nothing wrong in wearing your cultural identity as a part of your Faith. But something is seriously wrong if acceptance in a church or social group is even partly based on such a criteria. I describe it as suicidal for Christians as a group. I have experienced it all the time although I try to steer clear of such branding. Its either they candidly sideline you or subtly treat you differently. The question that came to my mind was if this behavior was a cause or effect. I am of the opinion that its both a cause and effect eating into each other and becoming to be a monster of sorts.
Christians are obliged to treat fellow believers as Christian brothers and sisters in Faith. We can all appreciate our faith better and be true Samaritans in action than be called Christians by mere name if we practice this scarce attribute.
Christians are obliged to treat fellow believers as Christian brothers and sisters in Faith. We can all appreciate our faith better and be true Samaritans in action than be called Christians by mere name if we practice this scarce attribute.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thoughts about Spring
Before we can even realize Spring would be here, precisely in another 9 or so days. What goals have you set for yourself in the short term and in the long term. Have you planned to do anything new or special?
Times are hard in the world and especially in the US where 2.5 million people lost their jobs in 2008 and an estimated 9% are unemployed as of date. Not to mention other miseries that many people are facing due to war, hunger and genocides. I heard as much as $50 trillion was lost in wealth due to the present economic recession. This is equal to a year's worth of the world GDP. Can we find happiness in these cicumstances?
Spring is a great time to take a deep look within and reach outward. In a recent article that I read from a well known radio host John Tesh's website (www.tesh.com) he says many people have experienced inner happiness when they extended outward by donating their time or wealth or energy. Perhaps this should be the basis for a Spring take-home message from the year long hard lesson and still continuing.
Times are hard in the world and especially in the US where 2.5 million people lost their jobs in 2008 and an estimated 9% are unemployed as of date. Not to mention other miseries that many people are facing due to war, hunger and genocides. I heard as much as $50 trillion was lost in wealth due to the present economic recession. This is equal to a year's worth of the world GDP. Can we find happiness in these cicumstances?
Spring is a great time to take a deep look within and reach outward. In a recent article that I read from a well known radio host John Tesh's website (www.tesh.com) he says many people have experienced inner happiness when they extended outward by donating their time or wealth or energy. Perhaps this should be the basis for a Spring take-home message from the year long hard lesson and still continuing.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A Saturday ride - Music and Chess
This blog is a bit of a deviation from the mainstream content. It is a story about a conversation between a dad and his son.
One warm Saturday morning in March during one of their usual drive to the gym the father was recounting about a music concert by Andre Rieu and his violin performance the previous evening they watched together on TV. The dad said that violin was indeed a very powerful musical instrument and it is the queen of all instruments. The son who was a student of piano felt that was a let-off for the instrument he was learning. Dad realizing the disappointment in his son's face said ....but piano is like the king, though.
Son promptly replied with a chess analogy and said, yeah you are right dad. Just like the queen which can move multi-directionally on a chessboard you can take the violin (queen of instruments) easily wherever you go. But piano, like the king on the chess board can be moved to one place at a time because it is a heavy instrument. So, yes dad, violin is a queen and piano is a king!
Dad never realized that muscial instruments could be analogous to chess in any way until he heard his son's new found analogy on that warm Saturday morning and thanked God for kids and their special Saturday rides.
One warm Saturday morning in March during one of their usual drive to the gym the father was recounting about a music concert by Andre Rieu and his violin performance the previous evening they watched together on TV. The dad said that violin was indeed a very powerful musical instrument and it is the queen of all instruments. The son who was a student of piano felt that was a let-off for the instrument he was learning. Dad realizing the disappointment in his son's face said ....but piano is like the king, though.
Son promptly replied with a chess analogy and said, yeah you are right dad. Just like the queen which can move multi-directionally on a chessboard you can take the violin (queen of instruments) easily wherever you go. But piano, like the king on the chess board can be moved to one place at a time because it is a heavy instrument. So, yes dad, violin is a queen and piano is a king!
Dad never realized that muscial instruments could be analogous to chess in any way until he heard his son's new found analogy on that warm Saturday morning and thanked God for kids and their special Saturday rides.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Bart Ehrman
I had the privilege of meeting and talking to one of the prominent New Testament scholars of our times, Dr.Bart D. Ehrman, last Friday 27th February. He has published several books and his newest book is 'Jesus, Interrupted' was released on 3rd March 2009. He was on National Public Radio yesterday interviewed by Terri Gross on Fresh Air where he said that from being a born again evangelical to his present disposition as an agnostic he has more been able to keep his moral compass clear now than ever. He alludes to a reason for his clarity. He believes this is the one life we have and so we should do things that would bring us happiness and enjoy it (responsibly!) . And in the process help others to realize that they don't waste theirs. Well he simply does not believe this life is a primer to the next or this is a test-run for the after-life.
I asked him what his destination in life would be if he chose this direction of scholarly pursuit. He said to me : "If I had known I would have been there already".
His other New York Times best selling books are 'Misquoting Jesus' and 'God's Problem'.
I asked him what his destination in life would be if he chose this direction of scholarly pursuit. He said to me : "If I had known I would have been there already".
His other New York Times best selling books are 'Misquoting Jesus' and 'God's Problem'.
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