kosarajuraj

                                                                President Shai Reshef. (Pic by James Duncan Davidson)                                          The University of People was formally announced in January 2009. The next day, the New York Times published an article about the university, followed by numerous other media outlets. From there, tens, then hundreds, then thousands of people joined the university as professors, advisors, volunteers, and of course as students. It was their effort that realized the university and gave me the privilege of leading this institution and a movement for accessible and affordable education." Shai saw the potential of technology and the internet to revolutionize high...

Four children were engaged in the timeless "My Dad" argument. Tim said, "My dad works for the largest computer company in the world, and he travels everywhere." Kip replied, "Well, my father owns a shipping business with hundreds of boats, and even airplanes. I get to ride on boats and planes whenever I want." Darryl chipped in, "My father works for the government, and he even gets to talk to the president sometimes. We have security men at our house all the time." Stanley stood quietly for a moment, because his father had died not long before. Finally, he said, "My dad is in Heaven, and gets to see God every day." The other boys tried to think of something to say that could top that, but nothing came to mind. Nothing can top the Lord our God! He is above all else. Nothing compares to Him. Therefore, nothing else in this world is more worthy of our worship and devotion. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be ...

One-word descriptions of my condition? Disillusioned. Stretched. Learning. Lonely. Determined. Sincere. Uncertain. Afraid. But how can we live that pure life when our sin nature continues to tempt us so strongly? Our struggle is even harder because of the sinful world that surrounds us and presses in on us every time we turn on the TV or the radio. Even going to work, school or sport presents struggles if the people we’re with are worldly. God will often call us to face difficulties because of our obedience to Him. But it’s in those times that we must remain steadfast in our faithfulness and, like Joseph, trust God to bring us through it. Face any hardship with faith and trust God! From time to time I have seen people pour out their heart to the Pastor because their sins had been discovered and they were in serious trouble. They wept bitterly because they had devastated their marriage or ruined their reputation.      But later someone would tell me t...

“I will . . . lie down in peace . . . for you alone . . . make me dwell in safety” – Psalm 4:8  Billy Graham says, by any measure drug and alcohol dependence has become one of our greatest social problems.  The issue isn't just illegal drugs; many depend on alcohol or over-the-counter or prescription drugs just to face each day or to get to sleep at night. We are not the masters of our fate.    We think we control our lives---but we don't.  In an instant life can radically change---a car accident, a heart attack, a pink slip, a child's raging fever.  Frustrated researchers conquer one deadly virus, only to discover one even more lethal. I am not a doctor, of course, and I fully realize some drugs have a legitimate place under careful medical supervision.  But in my experience far too many people turn first to drugs or alcohol instead of to God.  Rather than face their problems and deal with them (with God’s help), they use drugs ...

You are no stranger to trials. The lab report came back malignant. The school called, demanding that you pick up your child who has just been expelled. Your husband informed you that he no longer wants to be married to you. Your boss called you into his office to let you know that you are being fired. Financial disaster seems certain while dependable friends seem to vanish. Yes, storms will come, and bad things will happen – even to fully devoted followers of God. No one would call George Smith a coward. Smith was a daring jet test pilot in the 1950's when the sound barrier was first being broken. He could face anything - until he had to bail out of a jet going 805 miles per hour. Smith survived, but was hospitalized for weeks. Smith shared his fear of ever flying again with one of the nurses who had become a friend. The nurse smiled and said, “I have an antidote to fear. It is courage. To have courage is to know the worst, and to discover that, in God's economy, ...

Let’s create a culture of kindness where acts of generosity and compassion permeate our days. These small acts of kindness are the force that will change the world. How might you contribute to that change in your “world” today? While most people walk through life asking how they can be blessed, the question we ought to be asking is, “How can I be a blessing to others?” Here’s why: When we bless others, it means that we have so much blessing in our own lives that we can share with others; we can lend and not borrow. When we bless others, we receive a joy that ironically is even greater than when we are the recipients of blessings from others. Most significantly, when we bless others, we please God, and God blesses us even more in return. We should start every day asking how we might be a blessing today. Explaining what it means to be a social entrepreneur, Kosaraju said,“Being a social entrepreneur means leveraging business principles and sensibilities to create ...