Thursday 3 April 2008

To the Grinding Stone

This morning our knife sharpening

man came around.He can sharpen your steel blades, tools and garden implements.He carries his pedal operated grindstone on his back.
I gave him twenty rupees for four knives. Steep, but with the rising inflation it was OK. Inflation here is on an all time high.Economically backward people and middle class folk like us are badly hit.(Click to enlarge the photos). My Mom was very anxious that I share these photos on my blog.
____________________
Prem 's mother Mrs Jeyapaul will not be able to recover that is an established fact. her carbon levels keep going up an d down.This morning they were up to sixty. Prayers are needed.
---------------------------------------
The people involved in the monthly all-city prayer meeting have been causing confusion regarding our church. A lot of rumours have been going around. So our board members had to take matters in hand and address certain people in firm terms.Not a pleasant job but necessary. The glory of God and the reputation of our church was at stake so we had to do the needful.The group leader is out of town and when he returns we will have a talk with him to get matters cleared up. Please pray that the Lord may give us wisdom and discernment.
________________________
Thinking of sharp instruments and sharp situations in life brought two scriptures to mind . Hebrews ;four /twelve The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword,it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
New American Standard Bible (©1995)He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver.Isa.49;2
The Word of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord are sharp they need no grinding stone.

12 Fertilize my soul:

Jeanette said...

Wonderful pictures, Amrita! Thank your Mom for encouraging you to share them with us. I have such great respect for all the work that goes into providing this type of service.

The devotional thought is wonderful, too, and very encouraging to me. Thank you for sharing it today. I need to always remember that my dullness has no effect on the sharpness of his Word, and that it will never come back to Him empty, no matter how inept I may feel.

monsoon dreams said...

these snaps remind me of my childhood.i love the sparks that fly when he sharpens the knife.sad to hear abt prem's mother.
God be with you.

Sita said...

Hi Amrita,
I was reminded recently that I need my vision sharpened constantly with His drops of truth and love to dispel the murkiness, the dullness that so quickly moves in with each unsurrendered moment.

Like my friend, Valerie, your pictures add so much depth to your posts. Thank you. Will pray as requested.
~Love, Thoughts and Prayers~
Sita

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
send your my Mom greeting and say that the pictures brought forth golden memories.
My father like his father before him set his pride in maintaining all tools indoors as well as outdoors properly. He used machines as well as hand files to sharpen anything from tiny embroidery scissors to our lawn mover. His task for Christmas Eve would always be too sharpen the meat knives before the great dinner.
Even though my Dad was the chief cashier in a big multi national firm (The Union Carbide, ill famed for it's scandalous behavior in India), he would always set his pride in doing the male chores in a household himself.
Now it has become so easy to buy and throw away. We are huge consumers and polluters each and everyone.
It's easer to buy a new knife or a pair of scissors than to grease and sharpen them.

There will always erase problems and fight over power or positions in Christian congregations. Even Paul and John had serious troubles with the first Christians. They are still good role models in how to deal with devastating conflicts.
God bless you and give you and your coworkers the necessary wisdom and strength to remove the evil from your midst.
From Yours Felisol

the mother of this lot said...

You forgot about 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God' (Eph. 6:17)

Keeping you and yours in my prayers Amrita. And there's an award over here for you from The Fixer.

Ash said...

Our prayers are with you....Amrita.

I've been given the Excellent Blog award and I'm very happy and honored to pass it on to you!

Shari said...

It's just amazing that he carries the grindstone on his back. People in the U.S. avoid lifting heavy objects. I like how you related the Bible verses to this story.

Amrita said...

Thank you dear friends for your comments.

And a big thank you for the awards Ash and Jackie.You are such sweethearts.

Felisol your dad must have been a real handyman.Good to see your Mother so active.

Yes Monsoon Dreams it was grerat fun to watch these trades people at work. Then those ladies come around who polish your masala -spice stone, I don 't know what its called in English.

Shari you be amazed at the heavy things people carry here.I have a man carry a fridge on his back in the hills, up a rocky mountian path.

Thank you Sita. THE Word of God and fellowship of the saints keeps us sharp.

Oh yes Jackie, Eph 6; is a fitting verse here.

Susan Skitt said...

Wow about the grinding stone coming to your house. How very interesting. And I like the Bible verses you shared. Have a nice weekend!

monsoon dreams said...

carry fridge?that must be real heavy.poor guy!

Gudl said...

Very good!!The fitting scriptures I mean.

Becky Wolfe said...

A travelling knife sharpener - what a great concept to make a small living. sorry to hear that inflation is smothering the country economically. It seems to be hitting a few countries pretty bad lately (I'm thinking Zimbabwe in particular) Praying for your churh and the rumors to be sorted out. Our church has faced quite a few rumors in the past year. They are hard to squash in a small town that is full of half-truths. thankfully Jesus sees the hearts of all involved!