One of my favorite childhood memories is going with my father to the Bazaar on Sunday afternoons. It was always alive—vendors selling seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, dry fruits, household goods, meat products, clothing, and countless other essentials. It was exciting to walk through the colorful stalls, browsing and exploring. We often had to park …
Every December, billions of dollars change hands as people buy gifts for friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. In the United States alone, Christmas spending now exceeds $1 trillion annually, with Christmas gift-giving in gift cards, decorations, gadgets, clothing, and luxury items accounting for a significant portion of that figure. Some argue the tradition of gift-giving …
In Pakistan’s church liturgy, the Punjabi Zabūr (“Psalms in Punjabi”) are central. Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through the tireless efforts of Rev. Dr. Imam-ud-Din Shahbaz (1845–1921). A Punjabi convert to Christianity who translated all 150 psalms into Punjabi poetic verse. He, then, collaborated with a music committee to set them …
In Matthew 21, we see Jewish leaders come and challenge Jesus’ authority. He responds by telling the Parable of the Tenants to challenge them to examine their role in God’s plan (vv. 33-46). He uses imagery that they would instantly recognize as echoes of Isaiah 5:1–7, which calls Israel the vineyard of the Lord (v.7). …
Today, we often confuse kindness with being nice (in Latin, nice means ignorant) or being highly tolerant toward all sorts of things. Before we engage in casual or formal conversation, we should be kind with our words. Sadly, this behavior has led us to be fake and cowardly. The way our culture defines kindness differs …
As we journey through this spring season, noticing the newness and growth brought by God in our surroundings, I reflect on the Spirit’s fruit—faithfulness from Galatians 5:22-23. Paul’s use of the term “fruit” here illustrates what naturally flows from our lives when the Spirit is at work. Like a tree produces an apple packed with …
As I am adjusting to Minnesota’s biting cold, I am reflecting deeply on God’s grace in the quietest times of our lives. Some days, when I peek outside my window, I could barely see anyone braving the chilly cold. But if I could hear something, it was the occasional hum of the cars or the …
Christmas is a time of praise, laughter, togetherness, lightning, songs, and celebration. I can hardly imagine December without Christmas or a life devoid of Christmas. It is one of the most celebrated holidays in the world, and its joy is contagious. People across cultures and religions are attracted to its twinkling lights, Santa Claus, gifts, …
As we enter this celebratory season from November to January—marking Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, it is an ideal time to reflect on our lives and ask, “Am I content or am I restless?” While winter brings many celebrations, it also brings gloom and cold, leading to shorter days and feelings of isolation. Some people enjoy …
In my Old Testament class, I studied the story of Athaliah in 2 Kings 8:16-11:6 and 2 Chronicles 21:4-23:15, and I was astounded by her profound brutality and wickedness. She was raised in an environment saturated with violence and idolatry. She was the granddaughter of Omri, who seized the throne violently, and the daughter of the …