Echoes in Joy and in Ashes

And the campus got decked in merry colours and glowing lights; Yes! Christmas is here. One question that is generally included in most of the services this season is "What does Christmas mean to you?" I have had my own share of narrating what Christmas means to me and how that meaning has actually changed or grown over the years as I too grew older. For those of us who are now older, we might be a tad tired of the question but for the sake of those who are still getting to understand Christmas better each year, it is a question worth asking.   Incidentally, the other day my wife and I were having a small conversation on the same and one of the word that came up was "obedience." Yes, Christmas is termed as the season of peace, of hope, of love, of goodwill and among the many other themes, I think obedience is also one to think of. So where do we see obedience in the Christmas story? Think of Mary who in obedience submitted herself to the message of God, think of Jose...

The other day while teaching a class I made a comment that went something like this: "As long as we are faithful and keep working at what we are supposed to be doing in the now, God in the right time will open the right door." I was trying to balance the notion of faith, believing in God and His sovereignty, and the accompanying need for work, being responsible and doing our part. My hypothesis was, as we continue to faithfully work at what we are required to do in the moment, God will honour our faithful working by eventually leading us where He wants us to be . I was speaking these words in a specific context, a batch of the younger generation in the final year of their bachelor's degree in theological education and training. However, I think this can extend to any of us as we pursue to live a life that exhibits the fear and reverence of God in the profession that we may choose to pursue from the plethora of careers available.  So what does it mean to have f...

Yes, there is a play of word in the title (thanks to John the Apostle). But have you observed lately how everything is going digital? To set things straight, I am not an anti-digital person but more of a fence sitter when it comes to going digital. However, I am not a fence sitter who abstains from the benefits of the digital world, I do engage in it (maybe at times too actively). But I think I am not an inhabitant of this world, because thanks to slow development, my current world is still yet to embrace the full digital world though there are signs that things are going the digital way. It is becoming more convenient to use cards or a payment app to do payment in the big stores and also in the small roadside store. Sending money to someone has become more convenient and the chance of being hoodwinked has also become easier. I do not visit the bank anymore to update my passbook with the little amount in the account; everything is almost at the fingertips. Yes, we are movin...

Every year, around this time a batch of students graduate and the whole community goes through the process of bidding "good-byes" and "see yous". It is indeed a day of mixed emotions as achievements are celebrated and the reality of parting of ways (but hopefully not of friendships) sets in. Every year, I walk the down the line to congratulate the graduates and wish them knowing fully well that some I will never meet again, at least in this life, though bits of news may make through now and then. A few hours ago today, we went through this whole process and finished off the academic year. Some are now back home, safe and sound, others travelling still; some are going back home with much joy to loved ones, some are going back with a heavy heart having lost loved ones in the near past. However, whatever may be the case, this fact remains "the journey is done and God has seen us through" and this is worth honouring. As such, as an old timer I writ...

Good afternoon! I want to thank the SSC Committee for this honour to address this gathering and especially the freshers this afternoon. On behalf of the Principal, the faculty and the staff and the families, “Welcome to Shalom Bible Seminary!” For many of you, this is your first entry into theological education and training, for some of you it is the joy of joining a different seminary, and for the rest of you “well, here we are again!” Whatever category you fit into, I welcome you into this family. I can only imagine the excitement and the thrill you felt and experienced as you decided to join this seminary. The heartbeats in the hall as you wrote your entrance exam and then faced an interview, the days of suspense awaiting your fate; and finally the gospel from the Academic Dean’s office—“you have been elected.” This piece of news might have made it to the “breaking news” section of your social media status update. Even as others around you shared in your joy, most likely...

The last two years, 2020 and 2021, were swept away as the world was engulfed in a pandemic. While the last century saw the outbreak of two world wars, the pandemic in this century was a war of another kind. In the last century the heroes were those who went out to fight, in ours the directive for the larger majority was to stay at home as part of the fight. We have all gone through much as individuals, as families, as communities, and as nations. The virus has since mutated and continues to mutate and even as we begin a new year, we are left hanging under a cloud of uncertainty if things are really getting better. The years that have been, for all its ups and downs, will not be had again, but what about the year at hand, the year that will be? What if the year that will be becomes a repeat of the years that have been? Just a few days ago, a fresh set of directives were issued again in the light of fresh cases of transmissions. I daresay the year that will be, will also be q...

A couple of days ago, a friend asked me tips for becoming a better writer. Honestly, I was flattered by that request. I am not a trained writer in the sense that I have not undergone any formal training specialized in writing. I am not a professional writer, meaning writing is not my career. I am not a bold writer because despite the encouragements that came along the way, I have hesitated to actually put it up for a very long time (for a small read on how I began to write follow this link ). So when the request came, first I was flattered (in a good way) and second I was glad that my writing style was being appreciated. But, I still have much to learn and much to be careful with as I practice and continue writing. So what are some of the tips that I have learned for writing, basically in a non-academic setting such as the posts on this blog? Well, I owe these to teachers who have taught me and made comments in the margins on my assignment papers, works I have admired and s...