Today, the word ‘miracle’ is commonly used in many different ways. Newspaper headlines, for example, called it a miracle when a baby born inside the toilet of a running train survived the fall on the tracks and was found alive. Movies have been made with the title Miracle. Our cricket team has had several miraculous & unexpected victories.

Incidents, which evoke a sense of wonder in us, are normally termed miracles. There are then another sort of miracles, performed by religious gurus. Ours is a country enraptured with religious beings, where stories of miracles seem almost ordinary. Miracles, that many gurus and spiritual masters perform. Bringing out ash, golden eggs, walking on fire, staying without food and water, bringing things out from no where.
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The other day I was cleaning up the aquarium at home. The fishes gloriously gold in their color and splendid in their movements continue to awe me and capture my attention every day. They continue to throw light on the stark reality of life - Only some basic things are essential for life. We need not be desperate and chase everything in life to find that we have finally lost life itself.

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“Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3. Yet the influence of Christ’s 3-year ministry infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all antiquity.”

Jesus painted no pictures; yet, some of the finest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardda Vinci received their inspiration from Him.”

“Jesus wrote no poetry; but Dante, Milton, and scores of the world’s greatest poets were inspired by Him.”

“Jesus composed no music; still Haydn, Handel, Beethoven, Bach, and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in the hymns, symphonies, and oratories they composed in His praise. Every sphere of human greatness has been enriched by this humble Carpenter of Nazareth.
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Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects, one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle’s death. Legend has it that in 1589 Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. He then went to the top and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right.

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Yesterday, she didnt pick me up. Cos I was not yet. I thanked God, my creator, He doesnt choose us so. Take a look around, isnt everyone still waiting to be complete, even miles to become perfect. But thank God, who loves us, sends the dew and the sun inspite of our lack.

I was afraid not only to be picked out forever, but also to face the one before whom she will place me. Am I ready yet ?
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For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

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Some of the saddest words we can ever hear on earth are: “We don’t have room for you.”

Jesus knew how those words slam your heart. For while He was still in Mary’s womb the innkeeper said, “We don’t have room for you.” …
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Music, they say, can bind you or liberate you. Which (if true) lays so much onus on the one who delivers such a music. What’s more, it gets tempting if the music world beckons you with the so-called “commercial success”.

For Dayanidhi Rao as well, the choice was tough. Several times, did this world beckon (read: lure) him too. “There were times when I wanted to quit, and accept offers to join big bands that offered me lots of fame and money. Then there were internal hurts, and criticism too that I had to battle. But the still small voice within kept telling me….hang in there!” says Rao, who is better known as Daya.

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In the Bible, one of the earliest and the most manifest presence of God experienced by mankind was when God appeared to Moses in a ‘Burning Bush’ on Mt. Sinai. And what better way to be known as a dedicated group of musicians and singers that stand and minister before the Lord in worship than ‘The Burning Bush’.

As one of the many ministerial wings of the Bangalore-based Face2Face Foundation, The Burning Bush, led by Ray Williams, seeks to lead the Body of Christ into the ‘throne’ room of worship. They follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the direction of worship. Their style is modern worship music; diverse electric and acoustic sounds with emphasis on prophetic worship. The skilled musicians and worshipers bring together a creative mix of contemporary and original praise and worship songs.

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A life without God, how would it be, like? Boundless freedom, no coercion to act in a particular way, fly where you want to, think as you want to, do as you desire to. Joy unlimited, Pleasure unrestrained. Tired of religions incessant demands, numerous false and illogical religious concoctions being thrust down our throats. We cry freedom, we want to throw it all out, to walk without anything, to walk on just pure air. The body soul and spirit seems to enjoy the fresh breath of a world without God. (more…)

“Pyaar toh andha hai woh dekh nahi sakta, pyaar toh behra hai woh sun nahi sakta, pyaar toh goonga hai woh kuch bol nahi paata, pyaar toh paagal hai kuch samajh nahi sakta.  Jab do premi mil jaaye, toh duniya bhaadh mein jaaye, aur unke prem ki koi samajh nahi. Us prem se kahin zyada hai mera Jeevandaata Jisne mere liye Apni jaan bhi di…(Love is blind it cannot see, love is deaf it cannot hear, love is mute it cannot speak, love is crazy it doesn’t understand. When two lovers come together the world is lost, and their love is past understanding. Much greater than this love is my Saviour Who even gave His very life for me…)”

The above lyrics in the recent past have made inroads among many a youth (Christian and otherwise). To come to think of it, it is still continuing to break newer barriers.  And why not!  They come from a 24-year-young musician – Sheldon Bangera - who has been raised up in the “amusing” city of Mumbai where life is beautifully contrasted with ironies. (more…)

It is nice to know that you have started the new academic year at college and things are beginning to settle down especially with the new friends, teachers and the new hostel facilities. And we are pleased to know that the new laptop that we bought you is coming handy as you can keep working on it beyond the usual college library hours.

But since you are now working on this new laptop it has also begun to show up in the number of updates that I get from your facebook account. Ever since you went to college we were so much concerned for you because you have never been away from us for such a long time. But never realised that Facebook helps us to feel so much closer to you and we can also cherish the good things happening in your life. (more…)

In a world of music, especially rock music, marred with hopelessness, depression and drug abuse, Yeshua Band’s music is themed around youth revival, and concentrates on conveying to the youth that it is impossible to live in this world without God and that putting God first is not “un-cool”.

Probably this is why the band chose to deliver the message of love of God through one of the most contemporary media – rock music. And their decision to play gospel rock has brought them accolades from both the Christian and secular circles. Needless to say, Yeshua came in second in Radio City’s hunt for India’s best Hindi band in early 2008. (more…)

One of the biggest challenges any music band can face is… sticking to its name. Yet, Hyderabad-based Sounds of the Nations (SOTN) took up the challenge.

So what began as a brainchild of its founder Dan McCollam’s vision to raise worshipers and leaders across the globe in 2003 has now become one of the leading Christian rock bands of the country. So much so that by now, SOTN has toured and performed extensively in and out of home, and shared stage with various celebrated artists such as Delirious?, Hillsong’s Peter Wilson and Reuben Morgan, Derek Joseph from Isaiah 6, Planet Shakers, and Tim Hughes, among others. (more…)

The  Kite is a culturally significant symbol of rising up. In the whole of India, Gujarat is the place where kite flying is done with most fanfare. Kite is very dear to a Gujarat resident. We thought it apt to include that as a part of the logo. The colors represent the vibrancy of the event and diversity of population that it is relevant for.

The text font is modern and coveys a sense of urgency. The red in the text “rise” denotes urgency and the blue in “up” denotes heights. The tilt in the text reinforces the urgency in the call to ‘Rise Up’.

With all these elements working together to convey the message, “Rise Up”, the logo on the whole though flat and silent, is still a loud and clear proclamation of its intent.

The rectangle defines the shape for recall and the golden yellow sets a backdrop of a sunrise! The rounded edges make it more casual and youth-ish. (more…)

Respected President,

The whole world was suspicious about the news of Osama’s death till we officially heard it from your mouth. And why not, this man who has been eluding you for the last decade was best described as a ‘cave man’ and therefore we least expected him ‘in a compound’ at the doorstep of the Pakistani military academy. Mysterious as it might be, the operation that your brave men carried out has put an end to this criminal mastermind who had terrorised millions across the world for far too long. (more…)

Born on January 17, 1986, in a small town called Pathnamthitta, Kerala, Shyju Mathew developed an intense hunger to know God at a very early age. Encouraged by his mother Mrs. Kunjumol Achankunju’s prayers and support of his mentors, the young boy began to spend much time in prayer (at least an hour everyday). (more…)

He suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and 60% lung damage. He is an inventor who has come up with his own versions of guitars (world’s first bongo guitar and a 54 string guitar).Led by rejection, bad health and rejection, he attempted suicide at the age of 16.

On November 25, 2010 (at age of 35 years), he became the fastest person to have traveled every country in the world.

That’s Dr. Benny Prasad from Bangalore. Born on August 6, 1975, Benny Prasad had - what could be called - a non-promising start. Suffering from Asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, 60% lung damage and an immune system regularly failing him, his life during childhood was always threatened. Add to that, in spite of a highly regarded scientist at the National Aerospace Laboratories as his father, Benny Prasad went on to master a fiery and quick temper, forgery and “expertise in the art of lying”. As if that wasn’t much of a disappointment for his family, he tried to attempt suicide at the age of 16 out of depression. (more…)

Dear Professor,

Despite being a student of science I have some great reservations about what you said during your lecture yesterday. If I can recollect correctly you said that you are a naturalist by heart, one who believes that we can only know what can be scientifically tested. And you base your belief on the fact that since we have made much progress in science over the last 300 years compared to the fields of Arts, Theology or Humanities, it is therefore vastly superior to other ways of knowing.

But the very statement that we can know only that which is scientifically testable is in itself a self refuting statement. No physics, chemistry or biology laboratory in the world can do any kind of experimentation to prove this statement is true. I would like to quote the famous physicist Stephen Hawking from his latest book ‘The Grand Design’. He writes, “Philosophy is dead. It has not kept up with modern developments in science, particularly in physics. As a result scientists have become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our quest for knowledge.” This statement is clearly not a scientific statement rather it is philosophical statement about science. And therefore it is a logical incoherence, as what he claims to be redundant is what he is using to prove his point. (more…)