Today I submitted the manuscript for my book: "God is Plural: Sermons for an Emerging Church." It has been a long and instructive process but worth every minute of it. For years, people have asked me as to when I was going to publish my book. Because, the assumption is that once you have a doctorate, you have to publish a book. I resisted that temptation for a long time. I said to myself that, unless I had something worthwhile to say,I am not going to contribute to the desctruction of one more tree. I was not going to write a book just for the sake of it.
Finally, the time came and the inner voice seemed right and I am publishing this book.It contains my life philosophy, my ideas about God, Jesus, religion, discipleship etc. I believe that there is a lot of misunderstanding about these topics. I wanted to add my two cents with the hope that it might help some one in their spiritual journey. It is an invitation of consciously unlearn what has been unconsiciously learned. When it comes to religion, most of our learning is "unconscious" and that explains the many problems in society we have today.
I invite everyone to wake up, pay attention and be a conscious participant in this adventure called LIFE!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
OBAMA THE PEACEMAKER
I was so delighted to hear the news of President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize I had to call my wife immediately to share the news. Anyone who wants peace and loves peace has to be happy about it. For those who want a world in conflict this is bad news. Why did the Nobel Committee award him the prize? He has been president only for nine months. He was not even nominated for the prize. Yet why was he selected for this honor?I see two reasons. First,the world at large yearns for peace. The Nobel Committee is hitching its wagon behind Obama hoping that he would work tirelessly to make this world free of nuclear weapons.
But more importantly, I believe that the award is more personal, given to a man who embodies peace. He talks about international co-operation and dialogue as means to solve problems than unilateralism and war. He deserves the award just for dreaming of a world where no country has nuclear weapons.
One question that has been repeatedly asked here and abroad is: "What has he done to deserve this award? It is not an award for "doing" but for "being". Mahatma Gandhi,one of the greatest peacemakers of all times said: "There is no way to peace, peace is the way." Before "working for peace" a person has to "be peace". I think Obama was given the award for his peaceful "demeanor" towards the world more than any one particular thing he has done. It is my hope and prayer this award will give him more courage to pursue peace everywhere, always and all ways.
But more importantly, I believe that the award is more personal, given to a man who embodies peace. He talks about international co-operation and dialogue as means to solve problems than unilateralism and war. He deserves the award just for dreaming of a world where no country has nuclear weapons.
One question that has been repeatedly asked here and abroad is: "What has he done to deserve this award? It is not an award for "doing" but for "being". Mahatma Gandhi,one of the greatest peacemakers of all times said: "There is no way to peace, peace is the way." Before "working for peace" a person has to "be peace". I think Obama was given the award for his peaceful "demeanor" towards the world more than any one particular thing he has done. It is my hope and prayer this award will give him more courage to pursue peace everywhere, always and all ways.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Gandhi's 140th Birthday: BE the change
Today is Mahatma Gandhi's 140th birthday. In honor of him I did a devotional for my team at work. First, I asked the group if anyone could come up with five facts on Gandhi, and none could, except for one to ask: "Was Indira Gandhi the daughter of Mahatma Gandhi?"! I told them that although Gandhi was Hindu, he followed the teachings of Jesus. Once his biographer asked Gandhi why he did not become a Christian, Gandhi said: "because of the Christians." Winston Churchill said this of Gandhi: "There is only one Christian in India and he happens to be a Hindu."
One of the group members said that she has great respect for the Hindu religion and she went to a Hindu temple four times to just see and learn more. The response to that statement from another group member was very condescending. "But they worship fake Gods." I was curious and so I asked her who told her that, and the lady said: "God" pointing her finger upwards. "When did God tell you that Hindus worship fake gods? and she said:"It is in the Bible." Such dangerous ignorance is actually commonplace. Many people have no curiosity about other religions and cultures. They believe the ignorance conveyed to them from so many evangelical pulpits. It is sad that people have to be judgmental about what they have no idea about.
I honor Gandhi today by taking seriously the teachings of Jesus and trying to "be the change" that I want to see in the world.
One of the group members said that she has great respect for the Hindu religion and she went to a Hindu temple four times to just see and learn more. The response to that statement from another group member was very condescending. "But they worship fake Gods." I was curious and so I asked her who told her that, and the lady said: "God" pointing her finger upwards. "When did God tell you that Hindus worship fake gods? and she said:"It is in the Bible." Such dangerous ignorance is actually commonplace. Many people have no curiosity about other religions and cultures. They believe the ignorance conveyed to them from so many evangelical pulpits. It is sad that people have to be judgmental about what they have no idea about.
I honor Gandhi today by taking seriously the teachings of Jesus and trying to "be the change" that I want to see in the world.
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