Monday 31 October 2011

Reformation Day and Halloween

Reformation  Day  is  observed  on   the  last Sunday  of October.
In  India  its   not  well known  but most  Protestant Christians observe Reformation Day in honor of Martin Luther and other Christians who removed false doctrine and destructive practices from the Christian church.

Because the Roman Catholic Church was desperate to raise money to complete St. Peter's in Rome during the Middle Ages, many clergy used fear as a tool to obtain money from poor and unsophisticated people. They told the people that they had to pay money to the church so that their sins and the sins of their families might be forgiven. The people bought pieces of paper called pardons and indulgences from the church so that they could believe that they would go to heaven when they died.

Luther was deeply disturbed by these and other abuses in the church. At the same time he was aware of his own sins and imperfections, and he tried very hard to make himself into a person that he thought God would like. The harder he tried, the worse he felt. He thought he was growing farther and farther away from God, and that it was becoming impossible for God to like him at all.

In despair, he began a deep study of the Bible, especially the letters in the New Testament that were written by Paul, most of all the letter to the Romans, and he began to understand what Paul had told the early Christians over a thousand years before.

In his preaching and writing, Luther began to emphasize two main points: justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers.

Justification by faith means that Christians can never earn God's love or forgiveness. All that Christians must do is to accept God as God, and God will love and forgive and cherish them.

The priesthood of all believers means that every Christian has his or her own personal relationship with God, reading the Bible and worshiping in his or her own language, and praying directly to God without anyone's going in between.

So Protestant Christians give thanks to God on this day for the opportunity to lead lives of faith, instead of lives of fear.

Reformation Day is observed on the last Sunday of October, during the Season of Pentecost. The symbol of Luther and Lutherans is the Luther Rose.
(taken   from  a  web  source)
___________________

I  read an  interesting  article  on  Halloween on   the  Resurgence  webswite entitled
WHAT  CHRISTIANS SHOULD  KNOW  ABOUT  HALLOWEEN

You  can  click  on  the  link

Sunday 30 October 2011

Sunday Blessings-The Merton Prayer


Bird  on  the  papaya  tree

We  have pruned  our  rose  bushes
and   fertilized  them.
================

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"
© Abbey of Gethsemani

Thursday 27 October 2011

Diwali is Dark for Owls In India


The  festival  of  Diwali  known  as  the  Festival  of  lights  is   a  time  of  celebrations, giving  gifts, shopping,  decorating  and   special  food and  sweets. but  it  is  a dark  time  for  owls  and   other  animals. On  Diwali   night  Tantrik  pooja is  performed  in  which these  birds  and animals  are  sacrificed  and  there  are  reports  of  human  sacrifice   too. Diwali  is   being  celebrated  this   week.
Why  Owls  of India  do  not Like Diwali?

For Hindus, this time of the year is the most awaited and most auspicious period in the annual calendar. While many get ready to be part of the celebrations with two major festivals of Dussehra and Diwali coming one after the other, there are also a few who wish to seek the blessings of the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi through whatever ways and means. Even today, therefore the goddesses’ traditional mount, the owl, is sacrificed by blinded individuals to ensure prosperity in their lives but forever doom the life of a harmless bird.

In the period between Dussehra and Diwali therefore business is booming for people like Babu Baheliya. It is this specific time of the year when many come to this bird catcher seeking priced owls. But while the bird catcher rejoices, it is another matter for the captured owls that are sacrificed to appease the Goddess Lakshmi and to ward off bad luck on the night of Diwali.

People like Babu Baheliya sitting in his dingy alleyways of Meerut can easily pocket up to Rs. 50,000 selling 2 or 3 owls to individuals blinded with superstition. The trade flourishes during the festival of Sharad Poornima (the full moon night right after Dussehra) and continues to peak near Diwali. It is these two days when Lakshmi is worshipped most arduously in many homes and therefore the rise in demand for the sacrificial owls.

“Owls are associated with various myths, folklore and superstitions concerning black magic and witchcraft, prophecy, birth, death, and many other natural and unnatural phenomena. Given the mysteries usually associated with them, it may also come as a surprise that owls are heavily targeted for illegal trade,” says Ravi Singh, secretary general at WWF-India.


Pricey Owls

Owls were included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. But according to wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, out of 32 species of owls in the country, 15 have been found in the illegal domestic bird trade.

Exotic Pet & Sacrificial – The popularity of Harry Potter has prompted many to buy owls as pets but most of the birds sold in the illegal pet market are sacrificed during traditional rituals. Mostly, people behind the sacrifice are so called shamans or tantriks, the black magic experts.

“Such tantriks claim to be able to cure a variety of maladies and ill-fortune, ranging from desire for a male child, prolonged sickness, infertility, the need for vashikaran (being able to control someone). The demands are either from tribal areas or from towns and cities where demand is created by practising tantriks. Owls are sold at a premium,” says Abrar Ahmed, an expert on the bird trade.

Body Parts – Owl parts are in great demand too in many tribal areas where bones, beaks and talons of owls are sold. The busy by-lanes around the Ajmer Dargah Sharif, the Delhi Jama Masjid, and Chowringhee and Kalighat in Kolkata abound in vendors doing a brisk business selling amulets and other charms made from owl parts.

According to Paul D. Frost, author of Owls Mythology and Folklore, “In India, ‘food’ made from owls was believed to have many medicinal properties, curing seizures in children and rheumatism. Eating owl eyes was believed to enable a person to see in the dark, while owl meat was believed to be an aphrodisiac.”

Bird Traps – Another use of the captured owls is as birds such as minlas, sibias, thrushes, magpies and yuhinas, all birds that fetch a good price in the pet market. Collared owlets are most frequently used for trapping silver-eared mesias and red-billed leiothrixes, while jungle owlets are used to trap thrushes and magpies.

But the owl is in no way treated with care when it helps the catcher lure other birds. According to the investigative report by Livemint, they sew its eyelids shut, and then train the bird to sit on a bamboo pole to which it is tethered by a cotton thread. The trappers then conceal themselves and mimic the distress calls of various birds, all the while shaking the pole to make the captive owl flutter. Small birds begin mobbing the owl and are caught using glue on a bamboo stick.

Rising Demand

The demand for owls is not limited to a state or two in the country. In fact, be it Delhi or Mumbai, Kolkata or Bangalore all over the country markets are thriving with owl business.

The highest demand is for the horned owls. Catchers often disguise spotted owls to look like them or the rock eagle owl. They are dyed with tea and lamp-black mixed with mustard oil and feathers are stuck with latex to the head, besides red colouring agents being injected into the eyes of the bird. Shikras and sparrowhawks are often beheaded and their body parts passed off as those of owls.

Ahmed says that the way owls and other animals are treated in India is as much a social problem as a legal one.

“To find solutions at the grass roots level, rehabilitate communities which are engaged in the trapping of birds, bust myths on owls, crack down on taxidermists, and develop rescue centres for owls” is what can solve the problem he says.

An Appeal
What readers can do this Diwali is keep your eyes open for such barbaric activities in your community and neighborhood and report the matter immediately to local animal rescue centres or even the police. When you celebrate Diwali to usher in light in your life, let the light not cease then in another creature’s life.

Source INDIA  ENDANGERED

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Taking A sabbath From My Weariness






Some   more   pictures  of  our
shopping   with   Megan   and  Ash
in   the  gift   shop.
I  like  to  think  of   bright  happy   days
while   going  through  grey   times.
I  have  committed   my  concerns
into  God 's hands. Its  His  battle  not   mine.
He  knows  what  is  best
and  He   will  accomplish  His
purposes.
<<<=


 Isaiah 42:3
New American Standard Bible

3 “A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.

God  knows  I   am  a  bruised  reed  and   dimly   burning   wick.  He   will  have   mercy  on  me and  bring  forth  His  justice.

I  want  to  take   a  Sabbath   break

A man with some authentic worries
And many vain and silly ones
I am well-schooled in sleeplessness;
I know it from the inside out.
I breathe, and I know what's at stake.

But still sometimes I'm sane and sound,
however heart or head may ache;
I go to sleep when I lie down,
With no determined care to breathe
I breathe and live and sleep and take.

A sabbath from my weariness,
I rest in unwaking trust
Like clouds and ponds and stones and trees.
The long arising Day will break
If I should die before I wake.

(A  Timbered  Choir -  Wendell  Berry)

Sunday 23 October 2011

Sunday Blessings-Prayers of Charles Spurgeon

In   the  first  week  of  October  we   had  2  days  of  special meetings.
This  is  our  small  group

(me  on   the  extreme left)
I   have  been  through  hard  trials since  the 
beginning   of  this  month.
Fear, anxiety and  despair
knocked  at  the   door  of  my heart.
I  have  shut   them  out 
and  regained  spiritual  strength.
People  who  are  working
for  the  kingdom  of God
are  often  under  such  attacks.
Pray  that   God  may  keep 
me  strong  obedient  to  His  call.
I  may   not  give  in  to  any
kind  of   fear.

I  echo  these  prayers of  Spurgeon.

From Every Sin

"He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

LORD, save me from my sins. By the name of Jesus I am encouraged thus to pray. Save me from my past sins, that the habit of them may not hold me captive. Save me from my constitutional sins, that I may not be the slave of my own weaknesses. Save me from the sins which are continually under my eye that I may not lose my horror of them. Save me from secret sins; sins unperceived by me from my want of light. Save me from sudden and surprising sins: let me not be carried off my feet by a rush of temptation. Save me, LORD, from every sin. Let not any iniquity have dominion over me. hou alone canst do this. I cannot snap my own chains or slay my own enemies. Thou knowest temptation, for Thou wast tempted. Thou knowest sin, for Thou didst bear the weight of it. Thou knowest how to succor me in my hour of conflict; Thou canst save me from sinning and save me when I have sinned. It is promised in Thy very name that Thou wilt do this, and I pray Thee let me this day verify the prophecy. Let me not give way to temper, or pride, or despondency, or any form of evil; but do Thou save me unto holiness of life, that the name of Jesus may be glorified in me abundantly.

We do not pray because we doubt but because we believe. To pray unbelievingly is unbecoming in the LORD's children.

No, LORD, we cannot doubt Thee: we are persuaded that every word of Thine is a sure foundation for the boldest expectation. We come to Thee and say, "Do as Thou hast said." Bless Thy servant's house. Heal our sick; save our hesitating ones; restore those who wander; confirm those who live in Thy fear. LORD, give us food and raiment according to Thy Word. Prosper our undertakings; especially succeed our endeavors to make known Thy gospel in our neighborhood. Make our servants Thy servants, our children Thy children. Let the blessing flow on to future generations, and as long as any of our race remains on earth may they remain true to Thee. O LORD God, "let the house of thy servant be blessed."

Thursday 20 October 2011

Tools


This   devotional  from  Joni  Eackson  Tada is  very   relevant  for   me  today.
You   will  also by   blessed  .
The Shiny, Sharp Tool


But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered,
'You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it
for the Lord, the God of Israel...' Then the peoples around them set out to discourage
the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors
to work against them and frustrate their plans... --Ezra 4:3-5


Dorothy Williams was a British missionary who served in West Africa during the 1930's
She was a nurse from Wales and spent her time on the mission field training African
nurses. This amazed her mission board back home - Dorothy was very frail; they didn't
expect her to last but a year or two working in Africa! But with God's help, she
refused to be discouraged by her limitations. This inspired the young African nurses
under her charge who were often disheartened by their own poverty and lack of resources.


One day a young nurse was carrying a tray of surgical instruments, and Dorothy noticed
a sad look in her student's eyes. "Oh, Mum, I am feeling much afraid today," to
which Dorothy replied, "Dearie, look at these shiny instruments on your tray." The
British missionary picked up the pointiest one, then added, "The devil has a tray
of instruments, too, and the shiniest and sharpest is his tool of discouragement
- it's sharp because he uses it so often." The student nurse smiled, blushed, and
then went on her way with fresh resolve.

Ezra 4:4 describes the devil's strategy against God's people. It is "to discourage
the people... and make them afraid... to work against them and frustrate their plans."
Do not be fearful, for the Bible repeats 112 times, "Do not be afraid." And Dorothy
would add, "Don't be discouraged." You have your own shiny, sharp tool: the Word
of God (Hebrews 4:12). Keep it sharp and use it often against your adversary!

God of all encouragement, thank you that I never have a reason to be afraid!

Tuesday 18 October 2011

From Poland

My  friend  ZIM from  Poland   sent  me  this  award.
Thank you  Zim.
You  can  visit  here  through this  link  HERE.

Zim  writes  in  Polish but   you  can  use  a  translator.She  leaves  very   good  comments   on  my  posts. Her  blog  posts   are  very  thought  provoking and  deal  with  topics  from  religion,  current  affairs, missions ,  history and  humour.

I   want  to  share  a  story  from  Poland I  found   very  inspirational.

The  Polish  patriot and  general Koscuisko was outstandingly  kind  to   the  poor.One day  an  urgent  message  had  to  be  sent.As  there  were  no  other  horses, the   messenger  was  ordered  to  ride   the  general 's  horse. When  the  messenger  returned he  told   his  general that   the  next  time  he  went  on  an  errand he  would  take  a  different  horse, because  Koscuisko 's   steed  insisted at  stopping   at   every  poor  home and by  every  beggar  along   the  way. The  horse  had  got   accustomed to  stopping  for  every  needy   home and  every  needy  person.

Isn 't  that  amazing!

Sunday 16 October 2011

Sunday Blessings -Remembering Friends

I  received  a  Facebook  message  from  our  family   friend Grisalda on   the  birthday  of  her daughter  Prashansa (Praise).
It  so  touched  my  heart and  brought  back  fond  memories that  I  want  to  share  it  here.
This  family  is  so  precious  to  us. The  2  girls   who   went  to  school   across   the  street  came  by  many  times to  wait  in  our  home for   their  transport  to  arrive. They  enjoyed  watching Cartoon  Network  and  Sonia 's  lunch.

They  live  in  Delhi  now. Most  of  the friends  mentioned   here  are  are   living  in  far  off  places  but  we are  in  touch  with  some   of  them. I  thank  God  for   Facebook.


Dr  and  Mrs  Dickson   flanked  by  their  daughters.

Friends and family,
Thank you for your investment in our lives and family.Dickson and I have become parents of young adults with Prashansa [ Poppu - Dimpu - Pottamma], our second one turning 18 today.

I cherish those days [ my last lap of pregnancy] when 49B, our home reverberated with AICEU's song 'Bajan karengei...aur Prashansa karengei' to the strumming of my guitar.When Rajani Philip told the meaning of ' Prashansa' we decided the name for our child knowing in Faith that IT'S A GIRL.

I fondly reminisce Sudhakar annan's[ Dr. D.S.Emmanuel] question in his usual light hearted way ' Are you ready to be admitted ' on my last day of check up .I was admitted that very night a fortnight before the due as an answer to the prayers of folks like John Jo.

I feel grateful to thambi Ganesh , who took care of Prarthana that day

I remember the agony of Marjorie akka when Dickson was joking as he signed on papers of Nazreth Hospital and also whenever the IV fluid's speed was increased

I do giggle whenever I remember the way Dr.Muldoon barged in the Pre - labour room to encourage me despite the screaming of the other ladies.

I cherish how Shirley and aunt Hazel  My  Mama)
 (  we  sent  her  fish  curry which  South  Indians  like  to  eat  after  child  birth ) sat with me before labour, how Jiiu Karpagam and a few more from HED took turn to hospital - sit me after labour, how Jesudas and Den took care of food for all, how Sam and Neil managed to purchase a feeding bottle n other accessories.[ Neil had bought a sipper instead of a feeding bottle], How Beaula'ka and David annan took care of me and Dickson, How Shalom met with an accident escorting Prarthana to Ethel.

I cherish Mrs.Muldoon's  (they  were  missionaries  from  Australia) care for me and Prash during Siwait, R.Stanley annan and Lillian akka blessing Prashansa in person on her 3rd day of life , how Dennison played a strict disciplinarian thambi in making me take up house hold chore from day 3rd of labour
I delight to reminisce how the little nurses Talitha Emmanuel and Stephanie Muldoon tirelessly and proudly took care of Prashansa almost every day though they were just 13.I praise God for the luxury of all the EU , EGF and Ag.Institute family members' care with love.

I remember how Linda Muldoon bravely cycled around with Prashansa seated behind her, how Regino and Den took the girls for walking.

I do cherish Jennifer running with Prashansa on her FIRST birthday in Siwait [during the camp] for the FIRST Birthday blessing by PC Verghese. I also cherish how Pastor amma Mrs.Ghosh christened Prashansa ' Baby Gunda' on her very first birthday as she persevered till she pushed Asha Paulson down that day.

I remember your concern and goodness to my parents and Benny who visited us

I cherish how Neil and Alfred waited near Wesley school's gate the first day of her school, I remember how Salins, Alfy, Johnphi and others used to sit and read Bible verses when she preached or listened to her Goldy Lock's story time with tendance [ Attendance/Roll call] when she was 2/3 and I also cherish how this Baby Gunda turned to be a child gangster with her trail of campus kids like Rahul, Vishu, Nehem, Arpit, Kittu, Golu, Rebecca... can't write all the names , the list is A4 size
I wonder how many of you remember her happy expression " Oh, my gundess!" , Yes she imitated her Neilee , followed her Alfie and was slightly scared of her Dendandan and was fond of her Salins annan and of course her kuttudu [ Jino Chacko], she then was walking around with Jini , Esther Ghosh, Kanak, Florence and Ann because of their kindness to make her up and their Birthday specials on her birthdays.She also had her sibling rivalry with Eugene, and to a large extent with Augustine while she was happy with her Duke annan,Jeba[ Marvin] annan and Joe [ Celestian]

I do cherish Anugrah's discernment and goodness in bringing her to the stage with Prince of Egypt, Sammy and Francis' care of her and I am thankful to Shiju boy for teaching driving to her with his own Scotty , I also remember John D's fun time with Prash.

There is much more to write.How can I pen down the Chapel Sunday school, her BOLD JUMP OFF from first floor, her unthinkable bravery, her confident demands from her Pandian Uncle and Pandian Aunty?

Yes kinsfolk in Christ, YOU MEAN A LOT TO US.

Pardon me for not thanking each one by name,I will try to get in touch with each one of you.

Great is His faithfulness.

Prarthana is a Dorm Parent in Woodstock and Prashansa is doing Grade XII in Woodstock. Dickson and I request your continuous intercession for us that we , the 4 Dicksons remain faithful to the Lord almighty .
We express our love with gratitude to each of the AICEU , EGF, Non Formal and other Ag.Institute kinsfolk

Lovingly
Grisalda & Dickson

" Delight in the Lord, He will fulfill the desires of your heart" Psalms 37:4

Friday 14 October 2011

Riding the Storm


This is a comfort to me

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Rock Badgers


The rock-badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their house in the cliff", Proverbs 30: 26.
I think you're like that!

My  brother  in Christ David  C  Brown
sent  this  comment on  my  earlier  post.
Thank  you  David  for  sending  me  this  verse,
and  thought.
This  is  absolutely  true.
I  am  feeble  and  weak
and  live  on  a  craggy  cliff.
Christ  is  the   ROCK
on  which I  have  built
my  house.

Question
What  does courage  mean  to  you?

No Comments

I  am  unable to  comment  on  blogs
which have  comment boxes
like  so (above) and  if  they
don' t  have  an  anonymous
option.  Blogger is  not
accepting  my  identity
in  this  type  of   format.
Pop up  comment  boxes 
and  others  are OK.
Do  others  also  have   a  similar  problem?

Sunday 9 October 2011

Sunday Blessings -A Day for Children

A  day  retreat  for  children

Sonia 's  son Abner with  Milka  from  church




Chandi  from  my  church

Teaching  and  building up
our  future generation
is   our  objective.
Watering  these  young  plants  so  that 
they  may  flourish
and  have   deep  roots.

Saturday 8 October 2011

It  is   the  true  nature  of   mankind to  learn   from   mistakes not from   example. FRED  HOYLE

 Very  true  in  my  life.

Today  was  a  very  anxiety  filled  day.
But  I  grew  in courage.
Learnt  about  the  deceitfulness  of  the  human   heart.
Betrayal
Trust
Forgiveness
Confronting   difficult issues.

At   times  I  felt  like   a  paper  boat being  swooshed  down  a  storm   drain.
But  Jesus  was  in   the   boat.

I  am  still  confused but  confident -  I  don 't  know  how   the   two  reconcile.
Weak yet  strong
Ignorant  but  informed.
Cautious but  calm.

Thank  you for  your  prayers.
I  took  the   bull  by  the  horns  and  gave  it  a  shaking.

My  strength  is   not  my  own,  it  came from  the  Lord.


The  ground  is   very   slippery
for   my  feet.
Voices  muffled for  my   ears.
Colors  misty  for  my  eyes.
I  need  prayers.
I  will  read  from  my  favourite  book  of  the  Bible tonight.
The  Book  of  Proverbs.

Friday 7 October 2011

Pray for me

Please  pray  for     me. I  am  facing  a  discouraging   and  threatening   situation.

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
18 Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high place.
 
Habbakuk  3; 17-19 (Old  Testament)

Thursday 6 October 2011

Dusshera Mela

The  annual  Dusshera  Mela (Fair)   took  place in    my  vicinity earlier  this   week. Sonia,  Abner  and  I   went   for  a  fun  evening.
Here   are   some  scenes   from  there.











Thank   you   for  your  prayers.
God  has  sent  help.
Sonia   and  her  family  left   this  morning  and   we  are  missing them.
Aunt  Maya  has  also  moved
into  her   new  apartment.
Tomorrow  (Oct 7th)  I  have
an  important  meeting.
Kindly  pray  that  things
may  be  settled amicably.
The  first  day  of  the  seminar
went   well  today.
The  topic  was how   to  share
God 's  love  with   the  poor.
 

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Sunday Morning


I  told  you  that  that  the  Lord  is  blessing   and expanding my  church  ministry.The  prince  of  darkness  does  not  like  it. People  who  claim to  be  part  of  God 's  family took  fiery  shots   at  me ,   publicly  humiliating  me in  front  of  a  large  crowd  of  first  time  visitors  to   our  church.
I  was  absolutely devastated,  but  God  gave  me  the  strength and  courage  to  resist  the  onslaught. I  am  dealing  with   with  very  clever  and  crafty  people -  wolves  in  sheep  clothing.
Jesus  was  mocked   and  humiliated  by  those  who  wanted  Him  dead -  He  understands.  He  is  my  High  Priest.
As   a  beautiful  gift  God  brought   my  sister Sonia,  hubby  Avi and  son Abner from  Lucknow for  a  surprise  holiday  with  us on  Sunday  afternoon. They  are  here to  comfort  ,  cheer  and  minister  to  us   for  4  days.
When  my   Mama  told my  BIL that  they  are  angels  sent  to  us,  he  said Oh  no  don 't  call us    angels.

We  have God 's  people to  support and  advice  us. Please  pray  for  us,  sometimes  the  waters  we  are passing   through  gets  very  muddy. I   get depleted and   rattled. Need  spiritual  and  physical  strength.

Pray  for protection,  wisdom  and  guidance.

Saturday 1 October 2011

Sunday Blessings - 10/40 Window Sunday

The 10/40 Window is the rectangular area of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude. The 10/40 Window is often called "The Resistant Belt" and includes the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. The original 10/40 Window included only countries with at least 50% of their land mass within 10 and 40 degrees north latitude. The revised 10/40 Window includes several additional countries, such as Indonesia, that are close to 10 or 40 degrees north latitude and have high concentrations of unreached peoples. See the original and revised country lists to the right. An estimated 4.50 billion individuals residing in approximately 8,715 distinct people groups are in the revised 10/40 Window. The 10/40 Window is home to some of the largest unreached people groups in the world such as the Shaikh, Yadava, Turks, Moroccan Arabs, Pushtun, Jat and Burmese.

Read   more  about   the  10/40  Window  HERE


10/40 Window Sunday — October 2, 2011


A special opportunity to focus prayer on a region of the world that is home to:

•the majority of the world’s Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists
•the majority of the world’s least-reached people groups
•the poorest of the poor (more than eight of every 10 impoverished people)
•45 of the 50 nations where Christians are most persecuted

When? The first Sunday of every October. This year, 10/40 Window Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, October 2.

Where? In your home, with your small group, at church.... anywhere Christians gather to seek the Lord.

Why? Because the 10/40 Window is the “final frontier” of world missions. in order to finish the task given to the Church, we need to pray! “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that i have commanded you....” – The Bible, Matthew 28:19,20

How? Mark Sunday, October 2 on your calendar. Tell your friends, family, small group, pastor.... Plan to join with Window international network and countless Christians around the globe in interceding for the 10/40 Window. http://www.win1040.com/

 Visit us at http://www.win1040.com/ for nation profiles, prayer points, and to learn about how you can get involved in reaching the people of the 10/40 Window.

STOP RIGHT NOW – AND PRAY!

· Pray for Believers to hear the call to intercede for the final frontier of missions. (I Timothy 2:1-3)

· Petition the Lord for the souls of the Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists living in the 10/40 Window. (I Timothy 2:4)

· Ask the Lord to soften the soil of the hearts of the unreached and bring forth a rich crop – drawing every man, woman, and child into relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 13:23)

· Cry out for those whose eyes have been blinded by the enemy and are held captive by false religions. (Colossians 1:13)

· Pray for a tremendous harvest of souls in the resistance belt. (II Peter 3:8)

· Declare the coming of God’s Kingdom in the 10/40 Window. (Matthew 6:10)

Dear  friends I   live  in   the  10/40 window.
The  Lord  is  sending   a  revival  in  my  church.
New opportunities  to  serve  our community
are  opening   up.
Apart   from  our  congregation  two
church  groups  have  started to
worship  in  our  sanctuary.
This  coming  week  we  have  a
youth  retreat  - Oct. 5th
and
2  day  Leader 's  Seminar  -Oct  6&7th.
Please  pray  for  blessings,  wisdom, unity
grace  and  heavenly  provision
for    all these  events.
I  need  wisdom and  guidance  from  God.

Nourish Your Soul


Nourish  your   soul
with   good  works
make  it  wise   with   reading,
enlighten it  with  meditation,
make it  tender with love,
sweeten it with  humility,
humble it  with  penance,
enliven it  with
Psalms and Hymns,
comfort it  with
frequent reflections
on future glory.

-William Law
(17th Century)