Time to pray

Shahbaz Bhatti, left, the head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, shows a threat received by Michael Javed, right, a Christian.

Please pray for the Pakistani Christians - the photo accompanying this article - with a Christian leader who had received a death threat really filled me with anguish.

The story reminded me that what Peter, Paul and the early Christians experienced is not foreign to today's world. Many people have died because they professed to believe in Jesus. And indeed, around the world, there are many people who are suffering and being persecuted for their religious beliefs. No matter whether you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, or anything else, people have the right to believe what they do, without fear and oppression from the government or fellow citizens for following their conscience.

Did anyone read Locke's Letter on Toleration?

Please also pray for those struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide. I have a few friends who have in the past, and are now, struggling. This article on CNN finds that Asian-American women are at higher risk than any other ethnic group of their cohort in the US. This article features a researcher who thinks it might have something to do with the push to achieve and the pressure young Asian women face to succeed.

I see these stories and they break my heart.

Please pray for healing, joy and peace to flood the hearts of those who are lonely, depressed or persecuted...

Whoever feels down, distraught, outcast, you have a friend! in Jesus.

What do Mother's Day, Martha Stewart and my nephew have in common...?

As the previous photos hint, I spent Mother's Day weekend with my nephew, sister and brother-in-law in the Big Apple. It was mahvelous...the photos from previous posts were taken during their time here. But what I didn't share is the random, but interesting things we did together...

Yes, yes, this is the 6th time (at least), that I have either mentioned or shown photos of my nephew. I'm becoming one of those obsessively doting aunties that every little child dreads by the time they are 5. He doesn't seem to mind the attention yet, but then again, this little kiddo is the most sweet-tempered, gentle and happy child I've ever encountered.

I love this kid. And he's not even mine, but people out there, seriously, there is a chemical bond or some kind of 'thing' that little babies emit through their smile, their touch and smell...once you are hooked, that's it. You know the child will be a part of you forever. aah...! He has been such a source of joy to our family.

Ok, enough already. Here is a little summary of our excursion in the Big Apple with photos to boot (above).

Central Park Zoo, where we saw the seals being fed and polar bears, the cutest animals, ever. I could watch them for hours...

Apple Store, where we took our family photo using their nifty Photobooth software (see blog 5.12)...emailing it to our mom just in time for Mother's Day.

Visits to a couple of little restaurants.

and finally, the Martha Stewart show, where my sister managed to get tickets weeks prior and decided to take me along. Quite an interesting phenomenon Martha is, I must say...

now it's back to the books.

Innocence Project

See this moving story of a man convicted of murder, jailed for 19 years, almost granted the death penalty, now set free after DNA evidence proved his innocence. The picture of his face, soaked in tears says it all. For full article, see link here.

As he left the courthouse, Mr. Halsey said, “I thank my Lord and savior Jesus for keeping me.”

Amazing story.

Thanks to Innocence Project whose lawyers played a pivotal role in setting the record straight.

Zephaniah

Today's biblegateway verse of the day:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Nephew update

Happy Mother's Day

My prayer

Dear Lord,

I thank you for clearing away the cobwebs and taking away the dross, for leading me out of darkness into your light, for showing me that the reality that was, is nothing compared to the reality that is to come. I thank you for answering my prayers in amazing and providential ways. You have provided more than enough for me, in every way. I trust you with my whole heart.

I want, so much, for you to be the center of my life, Lord. I want so much, for my heart to cleave to yours. I know that through all the trials and difficulties you have placed in my path, all have been set there to humble me and allow me to be refined as by fire; to see how weak and desperate I am without you. To see how fallen and sinful I am without your amazing grace.

Thank you for the cross. Thank you for dying for me and giving your life for me. Help me never to turn my back to you. Please do not take your Holy Spirit away from me. Show me your way and guide me to life everlasting.

This I pray, in Jesus name.

Amen.

Difficult words to chew on

2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God...

Joy

...in the form of my nephew. My sister just sent this photo and I want to be able to easily access his smile wherever I am...he is so lovable; and I love him, indeed, very much.