Author: Immanuel Joseph

2.11.14

– The rule of GOD is established by praise!

What does that mean??

It is in the revelation of divine majesty-beauty (glory) & our spontaneous responsive adoration that GOD ‘reigns over us’…

The ultimate celebrity-worship!

It is in the universal acknowledgment of the Holy that human concord is achieved.

Leadership is all about sustaining the focus of people on this hallowing.

Theology is nothing but the ‘claiming of this undivided One’ & the ‘owning of this mystery’ by the seared, & therefore glowing, intellect!

– “Endless is Thy victory!”

– The Trinity at the top, the world/church at the bottom, and the Cross at the center.

– Appreciative enquiry must go hand-in-hand with constructive criticism.

– Winning BY quitting!

– How can I keep discouragement from becoming despair?

– How can hope be sustained when my own body is rotting away?!

The problem of outward prosperity & inward decay – how can I prevent physical/material wealth from causing moral/spiritual corruption?

– Cut-off the life-sucker!

– Eternal reality » eschatological perspective » indestructible hope » invincible power

– Is the Cross the victory of GOD over evil or the historical manifestation of his cosmic dance with death?!

– Just as the Apostles did the work of interpreting & proclaiming the Gospel (the salvific message of the crucified Christ) for their age, so each generation should do the same for their own day. But this innovation must build upon the foundation laid by the early fathers.

– The eyes of the heart – desire!

Set them on:

The things above

The things unseen

The inward things

The things to come

– If the Eucharist stands for the flesh & blood of Jesus, why is it vegetarian (bread & wine)??

– The Final Vindication still awaits……

– The Peaceable Kingdom:

1. Pacifism the norm & just war the exception.

2. Vegetarianism the norm & meat-eating the exception.

3. Minimalism the norm & consumerism the exception.

4. Equality the norm & hierarchy the exception.

5. Proactive contemplation the norm & reactive activism the exception

– Movies:

“The Face Reader”

Compare with “The Counselor”

3.11.14

– What is the difference between trinitarianism (Christianity) & monotheism (Judaism), if any?

– Source-book > text-books > note-books

– “Live to express, not to impress.”

– Psychological horror, erotic drama, political thriller

– Jesus mania – but Christianity ain’t just another personality cult!

– “Too Close” by Alex Clare

4.11.14

– Movie:

“Gone Girl”

This is what I call psychological horror!

Any similarities to your marriage??

Fuck public opinion – easy to say, but……

5.11.14

– Don’t eat more than 1 egg per day.

Eat the morning banana on fasting day also.

– Immanuel – maybe the vertical dimension is more inward than upward!

– The world is a silent symphony of pain!

– What does the butterfly have in common with the pupa?

Everything, & nothing!

– The best thing that money can buy is knowledge, but wisdom is a different matter altogether!

– Distinguish:

Rejection

&

Ridicule

– My life – personal, family & ministry – 70 + 15 + 15%?

My goal is not a specific (external/future) achievement, but a general quality of life (internal/present)!

– No specific theme for the retreat, unlike the seminar.

Retreat – bring out what is inside. More like an intimate conversation.

Seminar – put in from outside. More like an expert lecture.

DON’T mix the two!

Digestion & absorption is the time in between…

– Ministry circle (at any point of time in my career) ~ 10

– Discipleship is worship.

Fellowship is ministry.

Mission is evangelism.

– My fat friend can float on water, but I, though slim, cannot!

– Integrate:

Science (knowledge, skills, expertise)

&

Art (wisdom, character, mysticism)

– Breaking the link between human productivity & self-worth.

WOW… That is salvation!

– What use is money, family & health if you are living in structures (political, economic & cultural) that are utterly dehumanizing?

– If you play by their rules, then you can have the security & stability of money, family & social respectability. If not……….

look at Jesus nailed to the Roman Cross & Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree…

– The more free (& happy) I become, the more afraid (& angry) they become!

Why??

– “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

&

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Faith (in God) surviving death (of GOD)!

What is GOD without faith?

The Cross (crucified Christ).

And what is faith without GOD?

The Cross (the last confession of Jesus)!

– Is it possible to experience union with GOD, personal salvation, spiritual bliss or eternal life WITHOUT losing everything you have?

Degree/job/role…

Can the human spirit survive absolute loss?

What does it mean to be “dead to sin” & “alive to GOD” in this context?

– Identity > Vocation!

– How does a superior respect an inferior?

– If everything is not enough, then nothing must be.

– Only a sociopath can be an authentic individual!

And only a psychopath can be a great person!

6.11.14

– Love, justice & happiness are expressions of the desire for eternity implanted in mortal beings.

– How ironic & vain, that we often consider the truly important things to be nuisances that detract us from ‘more productive’ stuff!

– All old people are poor!

– Non sequitur

– Redoubt

– Buzzards

– Proboscidian

– The circle of obligatory help (in case of poverty, sickness, ageing, etc.) is the joint family – my immediate family (parents & siblings) & my wife’s immediate family.

– Dromedary

7.11.14

– When we seek to help a really needy person, that is when all our selfishness, laziness & indifference is exposed!

It is very easy to talk about ‘love’, but only few realize its cost & are willing to pay it through self-discipline, sacrifice, team-work, planning, etc.

– “Practice mindful meditation” – Buddhist

“Wherefore, let us kneel in silence, & humbly acknowledge GOD’s presence with us now.” – Christian

– I command you ~ I empower you!

– “Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.”

“He wasn’t heroic, he was just maladjusted enough to know something was wrong…”

27.10.14

“It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.”

“ There are those who travel and those who are going somewhere. They are different and yet they are the same. The successful has this over his rivals: he knows where he is going. ”

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33 NET)

“Learning is the process leading to a relatively permanent change in behavior; it is marked by an increase in knowledge, skills, or understanding.”

Unctuous
Toady
Obsequious
– is that what GOD wants from us?!

Waft

Conjee ~ jook

Fortify ~ cheer

Execrate ~ abominate

Expunge ~ excise

Crepitate ~ crackle

1.11.14

Minimalism
Intentional living
Risk-taking

Life:
Pray (includes worship, contemplation, supplication)
Work (includes livelihood, chores, vocation-mission)
Play (includes exercise, entertainment, outings)
Learn (reading, studying, journaling, browsing, reflection, review & planning)
Relate (family, friends, fellowship, caring-serving)
Rest (sleep, breaks, vacation, leisure)

27.10.14
– Orange is the New Black:
Piper Kerman, the book, Jenji Kohan, Taylor Schilling, Piper Chapman, TV series
Christian life:
Jesus Christ, the Bible, the Church, me, theology & spirituality
– The meaning of life
Vs.
The meaningful life

28.10.14
– Organizer – 2 levels:
1. Daily schedule (routine rhythm)
2. Other things-to-do (plans).
Make 2 groups in the 2nd level – time-bound priorities & the long-term goals. Classify it under topical categories.
E.g. To learn, to buy, to visit, to achieve, etc.
– What is your field of expertise?
What is your dream?
How do you make your money?
– Free
Open
Flexible
– Man – finite, fallible, frail
– My PC is the most dumb person I know!

29.10.14
– “Super video… Thank you! Typical New Age stuff. Very valuable…”
“If this psycho-spiritual teaching is combined with the Christian theology of vocation, then it would be complete & explosive!” – x
“Thanks for the video. But I did not find it very enlightening. One cannot live in the present alone. We need to accept our past, overcome our regrets and keep moving on. We also need to have hope for our future and trust that somehow tomorrow will be better than today. Worries of the past and anxieties of the future can be transcended only by loving God and trusting Him and not just by dwelling in the present alone. His teachings are more useful for time management and being more efficient. I am beginning to realize the more peaceful we are, the better our work and output. Doing what we love definitely helps. Passion and satisfaction in our work is more important. We have nothing to prove to anybody or this world. Just be yourself, follow your insticts, be motivated, fight against the odds stacked up against you and watch magic unfold (by God and our perseverance)” – y
“Excellent. The Magic is called ‘Amazing Grace’. Our Spiritual eyes should be opened to watch the unfolding of Grace. Hats off to you. The Righteous shall lives by Faith. We have to be in the Present but you cant get rid of dwelling in your past (it is who you are and it is in the sub-conscious mind always) neither you cant avoid future because it is very near not distant (like how to meet the boss after 30mts). So theoretically ok but practically feasible?” – z
“Let us not judge the guy or his faith based only on a very brief clipping!”
“I think y is misunderstanding ‘mindfulness’. Of course we must come to terms with past regrets and have a clear direction for the future. But all this has to be done in our ‘quiet times’. When we are working, we must be fully focused only on the moment & the task in hand! Focused attention is like LASER – very very powerful. Our problem is the inability to do only one thing at a time – only reflection during solitude & only execution during work.”
“That is why I believe that when it comes to theory (theology/philosophy), Christianity is unparalleled! But when it comes to the ‘art of living’, Eastern religions & secular psychology become indispensable…” – x
– I think the name Salome Divya is the best for her, rather than Salome Divya Vijaykumar (father), or Salome Divya Joseph (husband).
All persons (especially adults) are primarily individuals, & only then family members
– “Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In Living echoes of Thy Tone, As Thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children lost and lone.”
“Ref: II Tim. 2:2.” – x
“My voice is a unique response to the Word, not just the echo of another!” – y
– “Mmm… (refer the pic. Take Care) Take care of the task at hand when working, & take care of the overall plan when reflecting.”
– “Prayer Request from Dan and Marilyn Wilson. Missionaries who are in the areas that are being attacked by ISIS are asking to be showered in prayer. ISIS has taken over the town they are in today. He said ISIS is systematically going house to house to all the Christians and asking the children to denounce Jesus. He said so far not one child has. And so far all have consequently been killed. But not the parents. The UN has withdrawn and the missionaries are on their own. They are determined to stick it out for the sake of the families – even if it means their own deaths. They are very afraid, have no idea how to even begin ministering to these families who have had seen their children martyred. Yet he says he knows God has called them for some reason to be His voice and hands at this place at this time. Even so, they are begging for prayers for courage to live out their vocation in such dire circumstances. And like the children, accept martyrdom if they are called to do so. These brave parents instilled such a fervent faith in their children that they chose martyrdom. Please surround them in their loss with your prayers for hope and perseverance.
One missionary was able to talk to her brother briefly by phone. She didn’t say it, but I believe she believes it will be their last conversation. Pray for her too. She said he just kept asking her to help him know what to do and do it. She told him to tell the families we ARE praying for them and they are not alone or forgotten — no matter what. Please keep them all in your prayers.
This came this morning…
Just a few minutes ago I received the following text message on my phone from Sean Malone who leads Crisis Relief International (CRI). We then spoke briefly on the phone and I assured him that we would share this urgent prayer need with all of our contacts.
“We lost the city of Queragosh (Qaraqosh). It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night. The UN evacuated its staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!” Please pray sincerely for the deliverance of the people of Northern Iraq from the terrible advancement of ISIS and its extreme Islamic goals for mass conversion or death for Christians across this region. May I plead with you not to ignore this email. Do not forward it before you have prayed through it. Then send it to as many people as possible. Send it to friends and Christians you may know. Send it to your prayer group. Send it to your pastor and phone him to pray on Sunday during the service – making a special time of prayer for this. We need to stand in the gap for our fellow Christians.
Thank you for all your prayers !!!!
-Dr. Becky Peters
Concordia University ” – x
“I think if threatened with death, Christians must denounce their faith before their persecutors, in order to save themselves! Then they should join the fight (legal, political, social, spiritual, etc.) for religious freedom, & try to defeat all extremist forces, together with all civilized peoples…”
“How can the Crucified GOD be ‘in control’ (refer the pic. In Control)??”
“Please refer to my blog posts on ISIS. You can also find links to some good Christian news websites!” – y
“He did not remain crucified know????? He died and rose and is alive forevermore!! Definitely He is in control.!!!” – z
“You “have to believe”, because you WANT to believe, SO THAT you can face anxiety without going mad! But Theology is NOT just projected psychology…..”
“Of course! But what makes you think that GOD is CONTROLLING human history?? Yes He reigns, but HOW??” – y
“O… cant understand your complex theology. All i have is simple faith and i believe God’s Word the Bible and this is enough to keep me from going mad, and is what has kept me going thus far. You may LOL , but this is me and my thinking, so dont want to get complicated!! Gen 1:1” – z
“Our Lord went through the cross so that we will never be forsaken. That is the assurance. Even when Christians are dying by persecution, they are not forsaken. It is a transition to the Most Glorious place where our Lord is there. No sorrows, tears and Joy for ever. The Glorious Hope which keeps us moving and gives us Faith that His Presence is assured. His Hands are around us even in the death cruel.” – x
“Yes, Amen!!” – z
“Thanks for the lively discussion. He was forsaken so that we will never be forsaken. Not Forsaken does not mean absence of sorrows but His Awesome Presence in the midst of them.” – x
“True!” – z
“Ah yes… Not everyone is into Theology (and need not be) ! But the GOD who is portrayed by the Christ, the Bible & the Church is anything but simple! So let us always be aware of the mystery inherent in faith, & strive to be realistic. The desire for clarity, confidence & certainty can make us distort truth to fit our desires & expectations…”
“Complexity is just a fact of life, & not the result of artificial complication!” – y
– You have learnt something well only when:
1. You have understood it fully and able to summarize it, and systematically/critically reflect on it.
2. You have made actionable personal applications.
3. You are able to teach it to others – in word & deed.
Read » study » learn!
– Does downloading important books count as work/study?
– Maybe what I aspire to is a different (paradoxical) kind of greatness……!
Is it possible to be both great/successful/ outstanding & normal/healthy/good?
– Is cannibalism ethical if it involves eating only humans who are already dead?
– Sentience & animal rights
– Speciesism
– Is the human fetus sentient? Are mentally retarded people sentient?
– Should I always go with the moral consensus? But what about the maxim, “The crowd is untruth”?
– “In trust we trust.”
– I hate indecision! 😦
– Is man just another wild animal like the tiger? Even tigers don’t eat their own species…
– Is GOD (as seen in Nature) brutal?!
– Should we just focus on alleviating human suffering first, & only then think of animal welfare?
– “Rescuing snakes”
– If I consume a product, should I also be in (ethical) agreement with the way it is produced?
– Should one try to make this world a better place, or just focus on improving the quality of one’s own life?
Is it possible to do both well?
– Human being » Being human!
– When alone, be present. (overcome preoccupation with past & future)
When with others, be open. (overcome preoccupation with self)
When in the world, be willing. (overcome preoccupation with mine)
– “Are we living virtually in a real world or Are we living in reality in a virtual (imaginary, illusory) world?”
– Is the internet real??
– Purgation » contemplation » union
Do I have the stamina to at least reach the 2nd level?
– Not all illusion is deception!
– Pop science & the tyranny of the experts
– Distinguish:
Acronym
&
Mnemonic
– Is Christianity Western or Eastern?
Neither!

30.10.14
– Do anxiety & worry mean the same?
– Self-development
Life-enhancement
Continuous improvement
Personal enrichment
Soul journey
Spiritual growth
World impact
Social upliftment
Great legacy
Human evolution
Lasting contribution
Positive influence
– Serious fun – what is this human existence than a life-&-death word game?!
– Is natural violence morally acceptable or ethically neutral?
– The activist develops the world by working on it.
The prophet liberates the world by preaching to it.
The contemplative transforms the world by deifying oneself!
– blinkist.com
– Resolutions:
1. Stop criticizing her.
2. Stop eating meat, except at special occasions of celebration.

1.11.14
– What is the essence of human nature?
1. Conscience/morality
2. Socializing/relationship
3. Spiritual/religious instinct
4. Reflection/imagination
5. Decision-making/intentional living.
Without any one of these, a creature cannot be called a complete person.
– Books: “Eating Animals”