Once we had no delight in God, and Christ was just a vague historical figure. What we enjoyed was food and friendships and productivity and investments and vacations and hobbies and games and reading and shopping and sex and sports and art and TV and travel . . . but not God. He was an idea--even a good one--and a topic for discussion; but he was not a treasure of delight.
Then something miraculous happened. It was like the opening of the eyes of the blind during the golden dawn. First the stunned silence before the unspeakable beauty of holiness. Then a shock and terror that we had actually loved the darkness. Then the settling stillness of joy that this is the soul's end. The quest is over. We would give anything if we might be granted to live in the presence of this glory forever and ever.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Distressed?? How does your's compares to Jesus's?
As Dustin pointed out, Jesus can relate to our pain and distress very well:
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t018.html
Before the crucifixion, as Jesus Christ prayed in the Garden of Gesthemane, the disciple and physician Luke noted that:
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
—Luke 22:44 (NKJV)
This was written by the physician Luke, a well-educated man and a careful observer by profession. Luke is also the only gospel writer to mention the bloody sweat, possibly because of his interest as a physician in this rare physiological phenomenon, which spoke elequently of the intense spiritual agony Jesus was suffering… (Dr. Henry M. Morris, The Defenders Bible, arginal notes for Luke 22:44)
Although this medical condition is relatively rare, according to Dr. Frederick Zugibe (Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, New York) it is well-known, and there have been many cases of it. The clinical term is “hematohidrosis.” “Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form.” Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes “the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands.” As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface - coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat.
What was the source of Jesus great stress and anguish? Clearly he was in intense spiritual agony. Being the Son of God, he would have in detail everything that was about to happen to him. He knew that he was physically facing one of the most horrible forms of capital punishment there has ever been. His body was human, and he would feel everything at least as intensely as we would. Was this the source of his severe stress? It is doubtful....(read rest in the website)
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t018.html
Before the crucifixion, as Jesus Christ prayed in the Garden of Gesthemane, the disciple and physician Luke noted that:
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
—Luke 22:44 (NKJV)
This was written by the physician Luke, a well-educated man and a careful observer by profession. Luke is also the only gospel writer to mention the bloody sweat, possibly because of his interest as a physician in this rare physiological phenomenon, which spoke elequently of the intense spiritual agony Jesus was suffering… (Dr. Henry M. Morris, The Defenders Bible, arginal notes for Luke 22:44)
Although this medical condition is relatively rare, according to Dr. Frederick Zugibe (Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, New York) it is well-known, and there have been many cases of it. The clinical term is “hematohidrosis.” “Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form.” Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes “the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands.” As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface - coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat.
What was the source of Jesus great stress and anguish? Clearly he was in intense spiritual agony. Being the Son of God, he would have in detail everything that was about to happen to him. He knew that he was physically facing one of the most horrible forms of capital punishment there has ever been. His body was human, and he would feel everything at least as intensely as we would. Was this the source of his severe stress? It is doubtful....(read rest in the website)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
"Chasing the Dragon" and "Smith Wigglesworth: The Secret of His Power"
I just found this quite an inspirational book:
"Smith Wigglesworth: The Secret of His Power"
I am reviewing it, right now.
It is challenging my current spiritual state, to a great extent, as I read it.
I think it goes very well, hand in hand, with "Chasing the dragon". Jackie Pullinger seems to be the Smith W. of today! Wow.
And i read somewhere that Leonard Ravenhill said that Jackie is the closest woman walking with God alive today.
"Smith Wigglesworth: The Secret of His Power"
I am reviewing it, right now.
It is challenging my current spiritual state, to a great extent, as I read it.
I think it goes very well, hand in hand, with "Chasing the dragon". Jackie Pullinger seems to be the Smith W. of today! Wow.
And i read somewhere that Leonard Ravenhill said that Jackie is the closest woman walking with God alive today.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Can ancestory of Jews be traced using modern genetics?
I came across some interesting articles:
http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/cohanim-dna-connection/
http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/cohanim-dna-connection/
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Rick and Kay Warren's Painful, Gradual Love Story
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/novemberweb-only/145-21.0.html
[Some highlights]
A word from God. Then another. Then misery. How the Warrens finally fell in love.
....All of that left little time for dating, which didn't seem to bother him in the least. He and some like-minded friends jocularly proclaimed themselves "Bachelors to the Rapture" and boasted that they would be pleased to remain single until the Second Coming...."Rick just figures, 'Why spend money on a girl you're not going to marry?'" he explained. "He believes that when the right one comes along, God will point her out and that will be that."...One weekend he accepted an invitation to speak at the First Baptist Church. Kay played piano for the service. Rick would recall what happened: "I looked over at her right before I got up to speak, and God said just as clearly as I'm talking to you, 'You're going to marry that girl.' Now, I immediately doubted it for two or three reasons—first, I didn't love her; second, God had never before or ever since talked to me that clearly in my life, ever; and, number three, she was madly in love with my best friend." He decided to keep the revelation to himself.....Soon after they returned to school in the fall, Kay's boyfriend broke up with her....Rick asked her out and she accepted....Eight days later they went out again,... as they finished praying, Rick looked up at her and blurted out, "Will you marry me?"....
[Read the full story in the web-link]
[Some highlights]
A word from God. Then another. Then misery. How the Warrens finally fell in love.
....All of that left little time for dating, which didn't seem to bother him in the least. He and some like-minded friends jocularly proclaimed themselves "Bachelors to the Rapture" and boasted that they would be pleased to remain single until the Second Coming...."Rick just figures, 'Why spend money on a girl you're not going to marry?'" he explained. "He believes that when the right one comes along, God will point her out and that will be that."...One weekend he accepted an invitation to speak at the First Baptist Church. Kay played piano for the service. Rick would recall what happened: "I looked over at her right before I got up to speak, and God said just as clearly as I'm talking to you, 'You're going to marry that girl.' Now, I immediately doubted it for two or three reasons—first, I didn't love her; second, God had never before or ever since talked to me that clearly in my life, ever; and, number three, she was madly in love with my best friend." He decided to keep the revelation to himself.....Soon after they returned to school in the fall, Kay's boyfriend broke up with her....Rick asked her out and she accepted....Eight days later they went out again,... as they finished praying, Rick looked up at her and blurted out, "Will you marry me?"....
[Read the full story in the web-link]
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Traditional medicine
http://research.chance.berkeley.edu/page.cfm?id=11&aid=35
I am trying to find out how did Samoan traditional healers discovered
the natural medicine for treating hepatitis which also has the promise to be an anti-AIDS drug!
I am trying to find out how did Samoan traditional healers discovered
the natural medicine for treating hepatitis which also has the promise to be an anti-AIDS drug!
Laminin vs Jesus :D (blessed are those who study biology ;)
So what is LAMININ? Laminins are major proteins in the basal lamina also called the basement membrane, which is a protein network FOUNDATION for most cells and organs.
It reminds of Jesus in many ways! Apart from its resemblance to cross, it does exactly what Jesus does, as described in Colossians 1:17 (He is before all things, and in him all things hold together). Laminin literally holds your skin, muscles, organs, and everything else in your body together, it is literally the glue of your body. Like Jesus holds together the individuals in the body of Christ.
It keeps us functioning normally and protects us from degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy or progeria.
Laminin is also made up of three parts--three in one, just like our triune God (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.)
Laminin--called the "basement membrane" without which we would literally fall apart
http://www.instructables.com/community/Lamanin/
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=61216516
Hence blessed are those who study biology ;)
On May, 2010, Lowe rightly commented on this: who said we are not made to love and give :)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Skill of His Loving Hands
I found this inspiring devotional by Bakht Singh:
"Skill of His Loving Hand"
http://www.scribd.com/doc/5563670/Skill-of-His-Loving-Hands
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakht_Singh
Bro. Bakht Singh is often referred as 'Elijah of 21st Century' in Christendom. And The Lord received him for his ministry on three conditions:
1. Do not join any organizations—serve all equally.
2. Do not make your own plan. Let Me guide you and lead you every step of the way.
3. Do not make your needs known to any human being. Ask Me only and I shall provide for your needs.
"Skill of His Loving Hand"
http://www.scribd.com/doc/5563670/Skill-of-His-Loving-Hands
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakht_Singh
Bro. Bakht Singh is often referred as 'Elijah of 21st Century' in Christendom. And The Lord received him for his ministry on three conditions:
1. Do not join any organizations—serve all equally.
2. Do not make your own plan. Let Me guide you and lead you every step of the way.
3. Do not make your needs known to any human being. Ask Me only and I shall provide for your needs.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Sermon Jams
Found cool sermon Jams:
http://www.1031sermonjams.com/
I also found some free mp3s of these on web, but they might be illegal!
http://www.1031sermonjams.com/
I also found some free mp3s of these on web, but they might be illegal!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Abondoned baby (copied from http://francischansblog.blogspot.com/)
FRANCIS: "why is my life more valuable than this baby's? Someone asked me recently why I don't save money for emergencies, or retirement. My answer was how can I justify saving for myself "just in case" something happens to me when something IS happening to so many already. 29,000 kids will die today of preventable causes. If I'm to love my neighbor AS myself, why spend so much time worrying about me?"
Two GREAT sermons I just heart
Francis Chan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3875379187214966791
Misty Edwards
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1881104351786712058
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3875379187214966791
Misty Edwards
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1881104351786712058
Friday, April 10, 2009
Pray for transformation of heart...pussy cat analogy
Courtesy Houston FM104.7 (http://khcb.org) Pussy cat went all the way to England and ended up in queen's place. She was asked: "Pussy cat, pussy cat did you see the queen?". Pussy cat replied: "Queen? i dont know..but i saw the wonderful mouse under the throne!!". Moral: Notice the desires of the heart for the pussy cat: so different, from say humans! If one prays, God can indeed transform the heart to a very different holy one!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday Sermon III: Jesus prays for His people's JOY and Satan tries to steal it like he always does as he did in the garden
John 17:11-19: Jesus prayed for His people:
-But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my JOY made complete in themselves.
---(COMMENT: watch out SATAN IS ALWAYS TRYING TO STEAL OUR JOY and you will say "enough is enough..no more Jesus/Bible/Church". Satan tries to decieve us today the same way he did in the garde of Eden. Remember greater is He that is in us that what is in the world!!)
-But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my JOY made complete in themselves.
---(COMMENT: watch out SATAN IS ALWAYS TRYING TO STEAL OUR JOY and you will say "enough is enough..no more Jesus/Bible/Church". Satan tries to decieve us today the same way he did in the garde of Eden. Remember greater is He that is in us that what is in the world!!)
Sunday Sermon II: Jesus prays for His people's protection & sanctification
John 17:11-19: Jesus prayed for His people:
-Holy Father, PROTECT THEM in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one
-While I was with them, I protected them in your name that* you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost,* so that the scripture might be fulfilled
-I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
-Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
-Holy Father, PROTECT THEM in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one
-While I was with them, I protected them in your name that* you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost,* so that the scripture might be fulfilled
-I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.
-Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Sunday Sermon I: HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE?
Todays service was great!! It started with: John 15:1-17:"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit...". Jesus said the Father is the Gardner, in charge of tending to the branches and making sure there is good and healthy growth.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
recession; bad market; no jobs
But Jesus says there are more jobs and less workers: "Harvest is plenty; but the workers are few".
Saturday, March 14, 2009
an old email
i am cleaning my inbox these days, as my stanford account is going to expire. i found this email from Pete:
Pete Sommer wrote:
> Hi Mitul,
> you remain in my thoughts and prayers. I have not yet called the Chackos.
> Remember that when Jesus was abandoned, mocked, denounced, spit upon,
> beaten, and crucified, he was thinking of you. His head turned to look
> at you in love. He thought it was all worth it, in order to save you.
> If this is so, you can never be forgotten by God. His presence is with
> you.
>
> Let me know if you want to meet again.
>
> Pete
Pete Sommer wrote:
> Hi Mitul,
> you remain in my thoughts and prayers. I have not yet called the Chackos.
> Remember that when Jesus was abandoned, mocked, denounced, spit upon,
> beaten, and crucified, he was thinking of you. His head turned to look
> at you in love. He thought it was all worth it, in order to save you.
> If this is so, you can never be forgotten by God. His presence is with
> you.
>
> Let me know if you want to meet again.
>
> Pete
Life is not about worrying about what you dont have but rejoicing about what you have
..lets see how Biblical is that...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
“Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics.” — Martin Luther King Jr, 1955
I have been a big fan of Gandhi. He once said:"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and when I see not one ray of light on the horizon, I turn to the Bhagavad Gita, and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. My life has been full of tragedies and if they have not left any visible and indelible effect on me, I owe it to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Now thats a different question why Gita and not Bible. The point here is "overwhelming sorrows", "tragedies" is part of everyone's life. Note how people find peace by reading scriptures. Something what Jesus said: "THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE".
Some of his quotes:
"Be the change you want to see in this world"
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test:
Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to Swaraj for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melting away. "
"I do not want a kingdom,salvation,or heaven, what i want is to remove the trouble of the oppressed the poor, and the needy" (I cannot confirm if Gandhi actually said that. This is from http://www.manavsadhna.org/)
Now thats a different question why Gita and not Bible. The point here is "overwhelming sorrows", "tragedies" is part of everyone's life. Note how people find peace by reading scriptures. Something what Jesus said: "THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE".
Some of his quotes:
"Be the change you want to see in this world"
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test:
Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to Swaraj for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melting away. "
"I do not want a kingdom,salvation,or heaven, what i want is to remove the trouble of the oppressed the poor, and the needy" (I cannot confirm if Gandhi actually said that. This is from http://www.manavsadhna.org/)
Without faith it is impossble to please God
Yesterday was a bit stressful, someone smashed my car door. But as a result i did get more time to spend with God :-) because as i was driving around my car to get it fixed, the Christian radio was on! I was getting worried about loosing work time but then i realized God is everywhere (& sitting right next to you) and there is no waste of time if it is spent in Him! But i was still stressful and i coudnt work when i reached my office and decided to go back home from office and at home there is no Internet :D. Additional worries about my overdue paper also started to attack me. At the end, I didnt have any other option but to read scriptures the entire evening with the hope to find peace and i must say it did work :D So yes yesterday was a good day because a lot of time was spent in understanding how He works in our lives :-)
In the morning while reading scriptures and listening to Christian radio, the Words i had was: "Without faith it is impossible to please God .... They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress: He brought them out of darkness and deepest gloom and broke away their chains (Psalm 104)"
Also i realized when something chaotic happens, you start thanking Him for the all the past days when He was protecting from all kinds of chaos. So once in a while chaos is good for me :D so that i realize more how He has been actively protecting me in the past...
As i am thinking more about "It is impossible to please God without faith", i realize why He keeps Himself unseen in ways that we often doubt in our minds about His existence: so that we have more opportunity to exercise greater faith and hence be more blessed. As Jesus said to His disciple: "Is it because you have seen me that you have believed? How blessed are those who have never seen me and yet have believed!"
In the morning while reading scriptures and listening to Christian radio, the Words i had was: "Without faith it is impossible to please God .... They cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress: He brought them out of darkness and deepest gloom and broke away their chains (Psalm 104)"
Also i realized when something chaotic happens, you start thanking Him for the all the past days when He was protecting from all kinds of chaos. So once in a while chaos is good for me :D so that i realize more how He has been actively protecting me in the past...
As i am thinking more about "It is impossible to please God without faith", i realize why He keeps Himself unseen in ways that we often doubt in our minds about His existence: so that we have more opportunity to exercise greater faith and hence be more blessed. As Jesus said to His disciple: "Is it because you have seen me that you have believed? How blessed are those who have never seen me and yet have believed!"
Monday, March 9, 2009
He is working in my life
There is no doubt He is working in my life these days, as I see He is constantly reminding me of apostle Paul's: "I have learned to be content with whatever I have, in any and all circumstances". Yes this is what i need in my life asap, something which i think i had lacked a lot in the past. Today I saw a girl walking down the corridor with a smile (which reflected as if true contentment) in her face, with her gaze pointing downwards. When i saw her, i instantly felt she is acting as if her world was just perfect. It was as if He was telling me this is the kind of smile one has to carry to reflect inner contentment! PTL indeed!
My weekend / Jesus's prescription for success
My weekend was quite eventful. We moved to a new apartment, so a lot time was spent in cleaning and moving (good physical exercise ;). I was really amazed by the range of emotions i went through: pretty much everything: from His peace to full-of-anxiety. But i was very glad by the end of the weekend and i felt i was pretty much in His grasp throughout the weekend (i slept pretty much exhausted and woke up clearly renewed by Him). The highlight of the weekend was the Bible class taught by a rice university professor. That was such a blessing. I have been praying to get in touch with a Christian professor (as i might become one) who could give me some tips about balancing between research and other things in life. The professor's message was Jesus's prescription for success: "Mark 9:35: If anyone wants to be first he must be last of all and servant of all". He pulled out stories from his life & experiences to support it .... Then followed another blessing, the worship session in the church: it was such an amazing song (i am trying to find the song online): i felt it was just for me: He cares about me so much :-)...Then we went to the house of the professor for lunch which was again such a blessing. It was a gathering of young rice student believers who gave me a lot of tips about following Jesus. I got a lot of insights into what it means into having "life in abundance" as promised by Jesus. And if Holy Spirit remains in us forever once received. And if we can have joy through Him all the time, no matter what the circumstances are, as Apostle Paul stressed..
I also learnt how important it is to take breaks in between crazy day and medidate/pray/call on Him to regain His peace. I realize again & again that i relate so much to "Blessed are the poor in spirit"...i have called upon Him during my anxious moments by far more than in my peaceful moments...The professor gave me the final tip: make sure i always start the day with Him, then i will see how He guides me rest of the day...
Also i note something profound from Zac poonen's online sermon during the last week: "If a person has spirtual gifts, it dosnt necessarily mean the person is also spiritual": hmm something to remember...
I also learnt how important it is to take breaks in between crazy day and medidate/pray/call on Him to regain His peace. I realize again & again that i relate so much to "Blessed are the poor in spirit"...i have called upon Him during my anxious moments by far more than in my peaceful moments...The professor gave me the final tip: make sure i always start the day with Him, then i will see how He guides me rest of the day...
Also i note something profound from Zac poonen's online sermon during the last week: "If a person has spirtual gifts, it dosnt necessarily mean the person is also spiritual": hmm something to remember...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
What am i doing in Houston
What i am doing in Houston?
I was supposed to finish my postdoc project at Stanford by Nov 15. But i coudnt, as the project was more complex than we first thought. So it is still going on. I came over to Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, as it has all the expertise in the project. Incidently Stanford didnt have any signifcant expertise (very funny) in my project. Today, 03/07/09, i think it should take may be 1-1/2 months more to finish it up and submit the paper.
Ok, so what next?
Well at this point it seems i am headed to become a professor (in some university, thank God there r so many in the world) or a scientist in some lab. The question is when do i apply for one such job. Well right now i think i would try to acquire couple of more years of postdoc training before i apply for a permanent position. I want to make sure that after i start with a long-term career of a professor/scientist i have enough expertise to understand & do science at a very broad level. Ok, so in a nutshell after i finish my current postdoc, i will do a second postdoc and then after that apply to become a full-time professor/scientist, after couple of years, unless God has some other plans for me =P Keep me in your prayers, that i am led by Him =P
So How is Houston?
Oh man it is working out so nicely to me. God is so helpful! I have got 24/7 access to my lab at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM): something i didnt even have at Stanford after Nov 15. BCM is located in Texas Medical Center (awesome place).
Next door is Luke center: it has a chapel: which always has a pastor during the work hours: meaning during the weekdays: u can just go over to get prayers and share with him your burdens!! so cool! Next door is rice university: which is also amazing. At times, i drop by Christian fellowships of Campus Crusade & chi-alpha: they have AMAZING worship sessions.
There is an amazing park (golf course, houston zoo) outside BCM: i take breaks and sit in the park: and yes believe me i get, as if, glimpses of heaven: i forget all my needs: i feel like spending all my time there. Its a perfect place to pray, meditate, spend time with Him and melt away all worries! The reason all worries melt away is because you feel so good immersed in the nature that you dont feel like wanting anything else (well i have only tried that place couple of times, lets see if i get the same feeling in future also ;-). I didnt plan for all these, they just happened as if all planned out by Him (my friends & i did pray for relief from need worries)!!
I was supposed to finish my postdoc project at Stanford by Nov 15. But i coudnt, as the project was more complex than we first thought. So it is still going on. I came over to Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, as it has all the expertise in the project. Incidently Stanford didnt have any signifcant expertise (very funny) in my project. Today, 03/07/09, i think it should take may be 1-1/2 months more to finish it up and submit the paper.
Ok, so what next?
Well at this point it seems i am headed to become a professor (in some university, thank God there r so many in the world) or a scientist in some lab. The question is when do i apply for one such job. Well right now i think i would try to acquire couple of more years of postdoc training before i apply for a permanent position. I want to make sure that after i start with a long-term career of a professor/scientist i have enough expertise to understand & do science at a very broad level. Ok, so in a nutshell after i finish my current postdoc, i will do a second postdoc and then after that apply to become a full-time professor/scientist, after couple of years, unless God has some other plans for me =P Keep me in your prayers, that i am led by Him =P
So How is Houston?
Oh man it is working out so nicely to me. God is so helpful! I have got 24/7 access to my lab at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM): something i didnt even have at Stanford after Nov 15. BCM is located in Texas Medical Center (awesome place).
Next door is Luke center: it has a chapel: which always has a pastor during the work hours: meaning during the weekdays: u can just go over to get prayers and share with him your burdens!! so cool! Next door is rice university: which is also amazing. At times, i drop by Christian fellowships of Campus Crusade & chi-alpha: they have AMAZING worship sessions.
There is an amazing park (golf course, houston zoo) outside BCM: i take breaks and sit in the park: and yes believe me i get, as if, glimpses of heaven: i forget all my needs: i feel like spending all my time there. Its a perfect place to pray, meditate, spend time with Him and melt away all worries! The reason all worries melt away is because you feel so good immersed in the nature that you dont feel like wanting anything else (well i have only tried that place couple of times, lets see if i get the same feeling in future also ;-). I didnt plan for all these, they just happened as if all planned out by Him (my friends & i did pray for relief from need worries)!!
Houston Christian radio
As i drive back and forth form lab to home, my time is really really blessed with the Christian radio FM 105.7 (only in houston, but everywhere: http://www.khcb.org/)
Zac Poonen's sermons
I found Zac Poonen's verse-by-verse Bible sermons:
http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/verse_by_verse.php
It is amazing! Zac Poonen rocks! He has a very good reputation as a true preacher and if often invited to Abundant Life Christian Fellowship.
http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/verse_by_verse.php
It is amazing! Zac Poonen rocks! He has a very good reputation as a true preacher and if often invited to Abundant Life Christian Fellowship.
my prayer partner
Few months back God blessed me with a prayer partner: Leslie (guy with girls name ;). Since he is retired, he has enabled me to call anytime to share and get prayers. I am so blessed: Leslie is about 50 yrs old and is a veteran believer. He helps me with stories from his entire life (& also life of his mom) about how the Chirstian faith is so true, faithful, & life saving!
I found Leslie, when i visited Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in December to get prayers for rekindling my faith!
I found Leslie, when i visited Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in December to get prayers for rekindling my faith!
some prayer requests
You may pray for me that i will be truely in His grasp (v. imp, as i note that at times i can be very disobedient & try to take things into my own hands) and clearly see Him in my life. There can be moments in my life where i am like: does God really exist..those r the most terrible moments, as i feel very vulnerable then..these sometimes can happen when things don't go my way or i suspect taking bad decisions despite praying. But do praise the Lord that He is really taking care of me in Houston very well!! For example, it just happened that the funding for my project resumed miraculously for a brief amount of time! My roommate is so caring (he feeds me at times)! People in my lab are helping me a lot! And so far i have always been restored very-well from low-periods!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Ministries
[Last updated: mar 09]
I have been praying about what my ministries in His Kingdom. I got some words of wisdom, hopefully from Him. It seems for me my ministries start with places where i am put into. I guess the idea is what Jesus said to Peter: "Take care of my sheep"..
-Surprisingly, its only recently, i realized my main ministry is my lab!! Yes people around me are usually non-believers. So its really important how i conduct myself in my lab & treat my labmates, keeping in mind that His will is to bring in His Kingdom into our work-places through believers around!
Now it is becoming more and more clear of the need & importance to invest in becoming good friends with labmates and think&care about them and try to become part of their lives. People around can be very stressed out and do seek for friendly attention.
Also people in any research lab usually have the "publish or perish" pressure, which results in a lot of junk publications! Christians are expected to maintain integrity of character in work and follow 1Kings 9:4: "And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee,..."
-Then i realized my home is my 2nd main ministry: i have 2 room-mates: 1 muslim, 1 hindu. One is very stressed out these days with jobsearch. My other roommate is a devout muslim and such a nice guy, that i am learning a lot from him. I think God prompts me a lot to invest in deep friendships with them...
-And my mom, bother, sister, their family in India.
-While driving to work, there is an opportunity to drop by 8-9am, M-F Bible study with homeless in a church for homeless (http://www.lordofthestreets.org/). There is a lot of opportunities out there: like pray for them during & after the Bible study, etc.
-And yes recently i got words of wisdom about facebook ministries (while praying, yeah!). I am working on: "Pray for the World"
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=70687636352&ref=ts
the idea is to regularly pull out issues around the world and post it there, so that people in facebook can jointly pray about them...i am working on it :-)
Another one is a book review of "celebration of disciplines":
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=66244503768&ref=mf
The idea is to share "favorite quotes" from books that i read with others..
While reading "celebration of disciplines", i am becoming very excited about fasting. It does a really good job in presenting the discipline of fasting. At some point when Great Britain was in danger of being attacked by France, the whole country started praying, and the French invasion seemed to have averted. I think one can use facebook to that that!! -- it should be very easy to call people, through facebook, for joint worldwide fasting if some serious world issue comes up!
Facebook evangelism should work out very nicely for people who spend a lot of time on computers (like myself ;).
-As i interact with Christian here, i am realizing how important it is for Christians to go on regular mission trips. Outside US, there are so many places, which need Jesus so much. Hope He would also bless me with mission trips every year.
-Understanding the science behind faith: I noticed that my faith is still very weak. Usually, i have seen, that when something dosnt happen my way, i get distressed and start questioning my faith. It happened again the other day, and i started reasoning if God is real, from a scientific point of view! This came to my mind:
"If there is someone like God who knows everything that is going to happen in future, then it means everything is predetermined. But Bible says that we do have free will & choices to make. Hence how can someone like God exists who knows the future!". Matt from campus crusade, rice u., told me not to loose faith because of it as this is the classical "Compatibilism" issue. He gave me some links to study:
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Free-Will/Compatibilism/
http://www.theopedia.com/Libertarian_free_will
http://www.geocities.com/freewilltheology/foreknowledge.html
http://www.amazon.com/reader/0830826521?_encoding=UTF8
ref_=sib_dp_pop_toc&page=9#rea
der
Since I am a scientist, i think its useful for me to study these kind of things, so that i could help people in my workplace better understand God from a scientific point of view.
I have been praying about what my ministries in His Kingdom. I got some words of wisdom, hopefully from Him. It seems for me my ministries start with places where i am put into. I guess the idea is what Jesus said to Peter: "Take care of my sheep"..
-Surprisingly, its only recently, i realized my main ministry is my lab!! Yes people around me are usually non-believers. So its really important how i conduct myself in my lab & treat my labmates, keeping in mind that His will is to bring in His Kingdom into our work-places through believers around!
Now it is becoming more and more clear of the need & importance to invest in becoming good friends with labmates and think&care about them and try to become part of their lives. People around can be very stressed out and do seek for friendly attention.
Also people in any research lab usually have the "publish or perish" pressure, which results in a lot of junk publications! Christians are expected to maintain integrity of character in work and follow 1Kings 9:4: "And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee,..."
-Then i realized my home is my 2nd main ministry: i have 2 room-mates: 1 muslim, 1 hindu. One is very stressed out these days with jobsearch. My other roommate is a devout muslim and such a nice guy, that i am learning a lot from him. I think God prompts me a lot to invest in deep friendships with them...
-And my mom, bother, sister, their family in India.
-While driving to work, there is an opportunity to drop by 8-9am, M-F Bible study with homeless in a church for homeless (http://www.lordofthestreets.org/). There is a lot of opportunities out there: like pray for them during & after the Bible study, etc.
-And yes recently i got words of wisdom about facebook ministries (while praying, yeah!). I am working on: "Pray for the World"
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=70687636352&ref=ts
the idea is to regularly pull out issues around the world and post it there, so that people in facebook can jointly pray about them...i am working on it :-)
Another one is a book review of "celebration of disciplines":
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=66244503768&ref=mf
The idea is to share "favorite quotes" from books that i read with others..
While reading "celebration of disciplines", i am becoming very excited about fasting. It does a really good job in presenting the discipline of fasting. At some point when Great Britain was in danger of being attacked by France, the whole country started praying, and the French invasion seemed to have averted. I think one can use facebook to that that!! -- it should be very easy to call people, through facebook, for joint worldwide fasting if some serious world issue comes up!
Facebook evangelism should work out very nicely for people who spend a lot of time on computers (like myself ;).
-As i interact with Christian here, i am realizing how important it is for Christians to go on regular mission trips. Outside US, there are so many places, which need Jesus so much. Hope He would also bless me with mission trips every year.
-Understanding the science behind faith: I noticed that my faith is still very weak. Usually, i have seen, that when something dosnt happen my way, i get distressed and start questioning my faith. It happened again the other day, and i started reasoning if God is real, from a scientific point of view! This came to my mind:
"If there is someone like God who knows everything that is going to happen in future, then it means everything is predetermined. But Bible says that we do have free will & choices to make. Hence how can someone like God exists who knows the future!". Matt from campus crusade, rice u., told me not to loose faith because of it as this is the classical "Compatibilism" issue. He gave me some links to study:
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Free-Will/Compatibilism/
http://www.theopedia.com/Libertarian_free_will
http://www.geocities.com/freewilltheology/foreknowledge.html
http://www.amazon.com/reader/0830826521?_encoding=UTF8
ref_=sib_dp_pop_toc&page=9#rea
der
Since I am a scientist, i think its useful for me to study these kind of things, so that i could help people in my workplace better understand God from a scientific point of view.
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