Equal in His eyes

The Muslim controversy happening right now can and will change history and the culture of America for a long time.

Though "Islamo-phobia" has been around for 10ish years, this is the most public and visual event where it is evident. 

Mosques have been burned and destroyed, rallies and protests against the construction of the mosque and even the people and religion itself is wrong. It's hatred. And when done in Christ's name, it is sin. 

Do we still believe every Muslim is a terrorist? An extremist?

This community center that may be built at Ground Zero should strengthen the people in that area and remind them that ISLAM is not the problem. 

It's poverty, lack of education and propaganda. 

Not allowing a mosque or religious center to be built will not stop terrorism. I believe it only adds fire to the flame. 

Where is our tolerance? Where is our love? 

We burn this bridge and it will be a long time before we can build one again. 

Outstretched.

Our church youth group outstretched our hands last Saturday to people who needed it.
At Solomon's Porch in South Dallas, we helped this center distribute clothes, food, love and God to the ones who longed for Him. To people who knew an emptiness that couldn't be filled by a meal.

This experience was so necessary. A lifecheck, really. Many of the people we encountered were humble,  sincere, hopeful, honest, and hard working. Their hearts were open toward Christ. The last picture reminded me of how we're all the same. I am no better than any one I met that day. No better or greater treasure is stored for me than for them.

We all deserve the same chance and Christ is the only one that gives it to us.
My hope is that I won't forget the people I met and they never think that they are forgotten.

(Manish John's photos are displayed above.)

The Wait

My extended family has now transitioned from weddings and finding their significant others to now having babies. I don’t mind either. The weddings reunite families that don’t see each other except…well, at weddings. A couple little ones have been born already, but I’m a bit anxious for the one that will live a little closer.

In a couple of weeks (or days), I’ll have a precious cousin in Texas to dote on (and to send Baylor gear). Instead of visiting friends out of town, I plan on going to Houston and Oklahoma on the weekends and giving these two ladies all the attention I can possibly give. I’m so anxious—can you imagine the parents?!

I started thinking about all the other things I’m anxious for: the beginning of school, the end of school, graduation, my first (real) job…big, scary and wonderful things.

I think of Philippians 4:6.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Just hoping the peace that is above all will come on the above situations.

And for the baby, I’ll try to be as patient. The mother is the prime example of that one. 

Le Poisson is dead.

Le Poisson was the greatest fish alive. I would know. I've had a pet aquarium since I was seven. Many fish have crossed my path. Some have stayed close to my heart. Like Platy.

She was a smart one. Followed my finger, knew when food was close and always kept to herself. I wonder if the red and black was a subconscious choice. 

Oh and Rainbow. The biggest freshwater fish I had. He had dominion over the whole tank back in the day. 

After I left for college though, my tank was no longer mine. My parents bought a bigger aquarium and made it the icon of the living room. And I no longer have much choice about the fish that live in it. So my bffer (pronounce it like you see it) bought Le Poisson sophomore year.

His life was like any other betta. The occasional taunting and "Hey, let's see how he'll react to THIS!" Then, there was the infamous rescue. One spring night, La Poisson should have died, would have died, if he was any ordinary fish. Aperson who had poor judgment of his own weight jumped on the table La Poisson sat on and it came a'tumbling down. I wasn't there to see it, but we ALL heard it.

"LA POISSSSOOONNN!!!!"

Somehow, he made it. And lived for more than a year after that. And though I wasn't near him when he said good bye, I know he was thankful for his life and the many women who looked after him. 

Well, so long La Poisson. Thanks for the memories. I know I never cleaned your tank, but you know I always loved you.

RIP.

Patriotic.

A month later I'm posting about my July 4th experience in the capital.
Oh well.

Friends could tell you that I anticipated this day. I even wore a red polka dotted dress to celebrate it. Honestly, there was this feeling in my heart that didn't go away. The whole country was celebrating its accomplishments, its hopes, and most of all, its blessings!

How blessed we are:
--to not have bombs dropped on us every day.
--to worship in a mostly free society.
--to say what's on your mind and not get killed for it.
--to live in a place where people can pursue their dreams and have a chance. A better chance than they would elsewhere.

I'm a patriotic Indian American which could come across weird. You just don't run into us everyday. But if anyone would know what the American dream was about, it may be my family. Only 30 something years ago, my aunts and uncles...and my dad came to America for a better life, NOT FOR THEM. No, they left everything they knew, to give me, my brother and my cousins a chance. And I am so ever grateful for that sacrifice.

So that's what I was thinking about when I watched the parade that serene morning. Or when I stood on the Capitol lawn and watched the most spectacular fireworks light up the sky that night.
My heart was full.