MFL
- September 23, 2007 -
It’s been a few years since I last played in this tournament. And the last time Team6 played, we were a joke. Never practiced, no jerseys, no plays…pure street. We would show up and just cause a ruckus. Sadly, we never scored a point either.
But this year, we decided to take it more seriously. We practiced, bought jerseys, ran plays…but a similar outcome. Although we didn’t advance, it was a good time playing with the guys, and just seeing some old faces again. We’re slowly gaining “respect” as a competitive team, so I guess we’re making progress.
One thing I realized, though, is it’s very difficult to photograph events when you are taking part in it. For that matter, I have have no pics from the Bonzai v. Team6 game, the Team6 v. Prairie Fire matchup, or the OPD v. Just2Tough rivalry. Oh, and I missed the finals as well, because of tiredness (obviously if it were a paid job, I’d stay the whole time). But here are some pics from the first round of the playoffs…
[oh...and I heard the Bonzai Bandits defeated OPD in the finals...so congrats to them for their continued dominance in the tournament]
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natemathai | 
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Out of the Gray
- September 19, 2007 -
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a ‘non-photography’ post, but I just had to share something that became more clearly organized for me lately. It goes with the concepts between right and wrong, moral and immoral, and how we make decisions in those areas we consider “gray”.
I’ve always held fast to the mindset of intent over act (in most cases). For many things, it’s not simply an act that is sinful or wrong, but rather the reason or result of the act. And many people have a hard time differentiating the two.
A simple example that I bring up a lot is that of drinking. It is not a sin to drink alcohol. BUT, the issue is in getting drunk. The issue is drinking alcohol where you lose sense of your character, where it causes you to damage your body, or can hurt relationships. I don’t see there being a problem with someone having a drink, but to hear of all the issues that arise- it’s just not worth it.
In addition, because it’s such a hot topic and many people can view ‘drinking’ as a sin, there is no way I’d drink in front of these people. Whether I believe its OK or not, that’s moot point. for someone to see me do it will cause them to stumble in their walk, possibly even questioning my relationship with Christ based on their standards of living. And that mindset would leave them jaded to me whenever I speak.
In recent days this concept/idea kept popping up, and just yesterday I was listening to a sermon that broke down all the verses and themes I base my decisions on so clearly and concisely. I think the following 4 questions are so important for everyone to ask when dealing with these situations:
[1] Does it build me up spiritually? {1Corinthians10:23}
Why would we want to do things that don’t? If our sole purpose is to live for Christ, and we wouldn’t want to do anything outside of giving Him all glory and worship, then why would we consider things that are contrary?
[2] Does it bring me under it’s power? {1Corinthians6:12}
The only power I want to be brought under is that of God’s. Freedom is not being able to do whatever you want to. You are not “free” by smoking and drinking, if you can’t go a day without it. You are now addicted and under it’s bonds. Recognize what true freedom is.
[3] Do I have an uneasy conscious about it? {Romans14:23}
Obviously, if you don’t feel right about doing it, something isn’t right. If you aren’t completely content and feel justified before God in your own mind, then your acts are purely out of rebellion. You are telling yourself it’s not right (whether you know the reason why), and then continue to act.
[4] Can it cause someone else to be stumbled in faith? {Romans14:15}
As brothers and sisters, our desire should be to build others up, strengthen the community, and push others to love and chase God more. If your acts slows down someone else’s spiritual walk, is it really worth it? We need to learn to die to our own desires so that others can grow stronger in their faith.
If we apply those questions to everything we do, we’d truly be living a life of joy and a life of freedom. It’s not the easiest thing. It’s not easy to say, “Self, I’m going to delay present gratification for future glory”. And I haven’t experienced it yet, but I know that the ‘future glory’ is going to be far greater. Strive for perfection…live purposefully.
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University of Illinois
- September 17, 2007 -
Such familiarity, yet so different. It’s crazy to think how much things stay the same, but also drastically change.
It’s been around 6 months since my last visit to the great University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. First and foremost I got to see my girlfriend who is in her second year of law school out there (obviously smarter than I am). In addition, I have 3 children who go to school there (not biologically kids, but something like that). And like 500 other people through the Indian Christian Fellowship and Covenant Fellowship Church who I needed to say hi to. It’s always great to see these people, but 4 days is not enough time to cover everyone/everything. I need to take a 2 week break to get through everything.
I wasn’t able to capture everything I wanted to because there are too many photogenic people who fear the camera (…something I seem to face on a regular basis). I was, however, able to spend a good amount of time with my girl, wander the quad for a short moment, attend a large group service again, get breakfast with the kids and other ICFers, join the next generation of Muscle Masala for a practice, and close off the trip with a Bears win. So actually, there more motion than rest, but well worth it.
See things the way I saw it (…or at least parts of it)…
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506 Reunion
- September 10, 2007 -
They say that the friends you meet in college will be the ones who are your friends for life. So far, so good.
We all entered the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 2002. 5 years later, we’ve separated to many different locations and futures, but each time it doesn’t feel like anything has changed in our relationship.
After a couple months, we decided to get back together before school got too crazy for a few, before another headed off to London, and after 3 just finished running the half-marathon. It was a great time to catch up with everyone, and we ended off the night a rousing game of Mafia. It’s like we were back in college on Thursday night, just chillin’ and playing cards into the night.
Well, the times were fun, and here are a few moments captured that night:
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Sijin’s 23rd Birthday
- September 9, 2007 -
23 years. It seems like just yesterday he convinced me to sneak out of 6th grade Sunday School and we joined the sophomore class (we were advancing well beyond our years). High school, and separation through college, and back again. And now 23 years. My goodness we are old. But praise God for the life he’s had- such a testimony of grace and conviction. God’s used him mightily even within the past year, and it’s only beginning. I’m looking forward to at least few more years of service with you. Press on…we might be old, be we can still ball with the best of ‘em.
And now a handful of pics from the celebration:
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natemathai | filed under: Modern Events, PersonalHarvest Fest | Cornerstone Fellowship
- September 5, 2007 -
On Labor Day, the Chicago Mar Thoma Church hosted the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival. I wasn’t really sure what to expect since I was at school last year when it was held, but I was truly amazed. The event went from around 2:00pm-10:30ish, and I only went for like the last hour (…and left early). But I was so surprised at how it was set up. Different “shops” set up in the parking lot selling Indian clothes and foods, rows and rows of people sitting in front of a man-made stage, watching various performances. Quite a sight to see. This is just a glimpse of what the church is capable of…such a picture of potential. I can only imagine the outreach that we can do in the community with events like this.
Then on Tuesday, I was able to find time to visit the UIC campus, and specifically the Cornerstone Fellowship. It has literally been about 7 years since I last went to UIC, when my sister was living there, so it took a lot out of me. It was really good seeing the ministry out there, and once again spurred my heart towards college ministry. God is working like crazy in this generation, and I’m so glad that these ministries are continuing to flourish, both at UIC and U of I. I can only imagine what God is going to do even over this next year. It blesses me to even be play a role (all be it from a distance) in campus and college ministries.
Here’s a glimpse of the past:
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nmathaiphotography.com
- September 5, 2007 -
When you find something you love to do, sometimes you just need to go after it. I’ve done that quite a bit of times, too. I loved acappella, so I started up (with the help of others) Second Chance Acappella. My passion for media and technology brought me to create (with 3 fellow brothers) Up All Night, Productions, which is still running strong. And my desire for my girlfriend pushed me to chase her and bring us to the state we are currently in.
I’ve always had a love for photography. There was something about capturing moments of emotions that words couldn’t express. Something about stirring feelings of joy and exciting 5 years after an event. There was a love for the ability to re-live an event through imagery, letting still pictures speak volumes.
Through college, my love for photography continued to grow, especially being surrounded by a slew of ‘photographers’ at CFC. This setting actually caused me to retire from photography – I was too disappointed in my limitations of a point & shoot that vowed not to shoot again until I got a dSLR. Through this time, however, I started learning; learning about framing, and lighting, and exposure, and focal lengths, and photoshop, and marketing…anything and everything that could quench my desire. And I slowly picked up the P&S again, and later fulfilled the dream of my dSLR.
It is with great excitement that I can say that I am officially jumping into photography, and unveiling nmathaiphotography. There’s always so much to learn and my passion continues to grow. My desire is to really build relationships, and provide a service that will bring more joy to my clients than anything else I could offer them. Pray for me as I step into this new arena…TGBATG.
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