Surely Goodness and Mercy

My  physical  challenges seem  to  amplify  suddenly ,making  life  almost  unbearable . Drawn  into  the  whirlpool  of  able  bodied  people is  fearsome. I take  refuge   in  God  's  Word and  tightly  holding  on  to  His  promises brings  relief  and  comfort. Yesterday  the thorn in  my  flesh  pierced  very  hard and  I took  shelter under

Job  5;18
 For he wounds, but he also binds up;
he injures, but his hands also heal.

Psalm 94;17

If the Lord had not been my help
My soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence.


"God treats you the way one mother treated her young son, Timmy. She didn’t like the idea of his walking to school alone. But he was too grown-up to be seen with his mother. She did her best to stay calm, quoting the 23rd Psalm to him every morning:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

One day she asked a neighbour who walked with her daughter to follow Timmy to school, but to stay at a distance. After several days Timmy’s little friend said, “Do you know that woman who follows us to school? “Sure,” Timmy answered. “That’s Shirley Goodnest and her daughter, Marcy.” My mom reads about them every day in the 23rd Psalm She says they will follow me all the days of my life. So, I guess I better get used to them!
You will too. God never sends you out alone!"

Taken from Fearless
 By  Max  Lucado

Are You Like Me?

Dear Blogger

Dear Blogger , I  like  my  old  blogger  inface,  the  new  one  is  confusing  ,  I  don' t  want  to  upgrade  to   the  new  one.
I  am  sure  many  other  bloggers  would  agree  with  me.

Stepping Out

Courage is the strength or choice to begin a change. Determination is the persistence to continue that change.
Author Unknown

It  takes  inestimable and  determination  for  a  physically  disadvantaged   person  to  face the  competition  and  pace  of  the  able  bodied  world.  Most  of  which  either  ignores  or  undermines  his or   her  needs and limitations.
People  like me  who have unseen  disabilities  have  even a  tougher  time. We  don 't   receive  the  support  we  deserve just  because  our  impairments  are  not  visible,  we  can  only  bear  them  silently with  as much dignity  as  we  can   muster trying  to  keep  in  step  with  the  fast  moving  world. I  tell  you  it   is  frightening and  it  doesn 't  do  your  self  esteem  a  lot  of  good.
I  am not  bitter -  everyone  has  their  own burden to  bear even  the  strongest  athlete may  have  an Achilles heel. I  just  appeal   them  to make   some   room  for  us. In  my  country  a  lot   is  lacking  in  this  area.
As  for  me,  I  am  confident that  if  God  has  permitted  a thorn in  my  flesh  He  will  give  me  the  grace to  bear it and  will  hold  me  up  till  the  end. My  limitations  make  me  unique  too.  What  a   thought!
I have  a  desire  to  start  a  support  group  for   differently  abled  people. We  can  have   it  as  our  church  ministry.
A  support  group  is  not  a  place  to  have  a  pity  party but  a  place  where  someone  can  tell  you,  they  care,  they  understand,  that 's all. Its  a  place of healing  ,regeneration  and  renewal.
Pray  that  we  may  start  such groups  in  our  church. The  church  is  a  sanctuary for  the  hurting.
Psalm 146
6He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Renovation   work  going on inside  our  church  building.

The  back  hall  or  vestry  is   being  divided  into  chambers  for   office and Pastor 's  residence with  wash  rooms  attached.

The  back  door.

It  is  difficult  to  work  in the  115 * F (46*C) heat. We  have  security  men  to guard  the  campus and  supervise  work too. Guard  Panday  was  not  born  a Christian  but  he  believes in Jesus  and   Guard  Samuel on  the  right,  is  a  Catholic. I  don 't  know  the  third  man.

The  outdoor  stage  is  also  being  improved.We  have  our  open air  Gospel  meetings  here. We  get  new  people  each  Sunday. Old  family  friends   are  attending, some  of  them  I  knew  just  by  name,  they  come up  and introduce  themselves  to  me. Praise  God. Our  next door  Hindu  neighbours  came  last  week,  an  elderly  couple. They said  they  used  to  play  in this  church  yard. God  is  good.
Several nurses  and their  families  are   coming  to  our  morning  services.  One  nurse said  her  husband  came  to  church  for  the  very  first  time   with  her, Praise God.
 Nurse  Anamika' s husband , Anand  is  a  very talented  musician.  They are  new  converts and  he  is  learning hymns  and  worship  songs  from  me.He  helps  me  lead hymns  on Sunday mornings.
Each  Sunday after service  the  brothers make  baati chokka,  mashed  veggies with   oven  baked  bread. And  everyone  who wants  to stay back  can join  in the fellowship.
I  must  confess  eating  the  same  food for Sunday lunch  is a  bit  boring, but  I  don 't refuse  the  hospitality and  have a token for  the  sake of  fellowship.
Please  pray   for  us and  support  our ministry.

Sheeba  feels so  hot, she  likes  to  relax  in from  of   the  swamp  cooler.

I  found  this  sketch on  the  internet  and  this  dog  so  resembles  Sheeba,   I  had  to   share  it  here.

This takes the cake

Some  fun stuff  i  want  to  share  from  http://www.amuzingplanet.com/
These  are  realistic  cakes  made   by Debbie Goard  of  the San  Fransisco Bay  area.

They  are  just  too  good  to eat  aren 't  they?
I  like  the  burger  and  fries. Which  one   would  you  like  to  order for  your  birthday?

Sunday Blessings - Mother

I  wish  I  had  a time machine

which could  bring  these

moments back  to  life  again.

Rock Of Ages

People  are  quick  to  despise  and  condemn  a broken person,  but  not  God.
Psalm 51;17  says
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

In fact God  accepts  my  broken  spirit  as  a  sacrifice . He  welcomes  me  in  my crushed  broken  state. Isn 't  that  awesome - a  real  self  esteem   booster.

This  old  hymn is  echoing  in  my  hear  this  afternoon as I  present  my  broken  spirit  as  a sacrifice  to  God.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.


2. Not the labours of my hands
can fulfil thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.


3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.


4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

The  above  photos   are  from rock  formations   found  in  Spain
El Torcal de Antequera is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range located south of the city of Antequera, in Spain. It is known for its unusual limestone formations and magnificent geology formed over millions of years. El Torcal de Antequera Nature Reserve has one of the most impressive landscapes in Europe. It’s not very far from human habitation either. The reserve can be reached via the village of Villanueva de la Concepción, just 10 kilometres from the town of Antequera, and 20 kilometres north of Málaga.

Lord of the Sheep

Once  there  were  many  sheep in my

garden

Now  only  one  is  left.

I  miss  the  times  when  this  house  was  full

of people. There  were 3  to 4  generations

living together sharing  our  joys  and  sorrows,

struggles  and  triumphs,

making  concessions for  one  another,

overlooking  faults  and  failures,

lifting  one another up

and  most  of  all trying to

show  Christ  to  the  world.

Now  I  live alone  here 

but 

 the Good Shepherd  comforts me

in  times  of  confusion

and  restlessness.

When  I  need  counsel and  an

encouraging  good  word ,

which  is  ever  so often,

He sends that too.

When  I  am  wounded  and  bleeding

He  applies  the  balm  of  Gilead

on  the  hurt.

The  challenges  of  my  life

are  great, but  God

will  not  let  me  down.

John 10

So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.





11 “ I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father
(THE BIBLE)

The  photos  show  the  movie  set  of  The  Lord  of  the Rings  which  has  been turned  into  a  sheep  farm.

Weird Christians I Have Met

In Weird Christians I Have Met, international best-selling author Phil Baker takes a lighthearted approach in his plea for balance in the Christian life. His refreshing look at Christian character is the result of both observation and experience and includes such fascinating characters as End-Time Ed, Judgmental Jill, and Pentecostal Pamela. We are all on a journey and can easily wander off the road, spinning our tires a little on the gravelly shoulder. Let Phil help you get back on track and on the road to true Christlike character.

Editorial Reviews


Review

"These pages offer the voice of Philip Baker; a person of modern sensibility with revealing insights into our idiosyncractic ways. Lucid, Luminous and Logical." --J.John - International Evangelist and Best-Selling Author, UK --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Weird Christians.In Weird Christians I Have Met, international best-selling author Phil Baker takes a lighthearted approach in his plea for balance in the Christian life. His refreshing look at Christian character is the result of both observation and experience and includes such fascinating characters as End-Time Ed, Judgmental Jill, and Pentecostal Pamela. And Phil isn't just pointing fingers. "I could have called this book Weird Christians I Have Been," he says, "because several of them seem strangely familiar to me."We are all on a journey and can easily wander off the road, spinning our tires a little on the gravelly shoulder. Let Phil help you get back on track and on the road to true Christlike character.
(http://www.amazon.com/)

Just  finished  reading  this  book. It  is  funny  insightful  and   challenging. We  who  belong  to  the  world  wide  community  of  believers rub  shoulders  with a variety of Christians. This  book calls  us  to  shun the  extreme, the  bizarre and  the  prejudice that  are  impediments  to  the  church being  an  influential force.
 
In  future  blog posts I  will  present  short  sketches  of  the   'weird  Christians" we  all  have   met  and  most  probably are  one  too.  Or  a  mixture  of  one  or  two. Order  your  copy  from  Amazon.com.  You  will  love  it.

Baked Spinach with Corn

(Google  image)

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 cup Spinach (cooked, cooled and blended)
1-1/2 cup  boiled  corn
1 cup Cheese (grated)
3 tbsp Butter
3 tbsp Maida (White flour)
3 cups Milk
1 tsp cracked Black Pepper ( to taste)
Salt to taste


METHOD

Melt the butter. Add the white flour and stir constantly. Cook till the raw smell of the flour goes away. Be careful to see that the flour does not turn brown.

When the flour is done, add it to the milk and whisk it so as to do away with the lumps.
Add pepper powder. Stir the white sauce until it becomes thick.

Put spinach, boiled corn and cheese to the white sauce. Mix it well. Season it with salt. Simmer for 5-7 mins.

Place in an oven-proof dish. Top with some more grated cheese.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees until the cheese melts and is slightly brown in colour.

Tastes yummy. Enjoy it with toasted garlic bread!!
I  had  this  at  a  restaurant   and  it  was  delicious, I am  going  to  make  this   at home. You  can  add  boiled  grated  potatoes  to  it   if  you  like.

It  very  hot  and  humid  these  days 110*F / 40 plus  C.

Yesterday  I  spent  time  at  a  friend 's  house   who  has  air conditioning, it  was  so  good. As  an  added   blessing  they  sent  their  car  both  ways. On  the   way  back  I  went   with  my  friend (  a  pastor 's  wife) to  pray  with  a  family whose  Dad  is   critically  ill  in  a hospital.We  are  praying  for  his  healing, he  does not   know the  Lord.

I  had  some  anxious  moments  in  the  begining  of  the  week,  but   the Lord   took  care  of it.

We  learn patience  and persevererance   through  trials and  wisdom  and   self  control too  ,  such  riches.

One  night  I  pulled  out  an  old   chorus  book  from  the  80s  and  sang  lots  of  scripture  based  songs from  there. It was  so  comforting.

God  gave  me  songs  in  the  night and  lightness  to  my  soul.

P.S.

Just  2  hours hours  after I  posted  this blog I  received  news from  a  Pastor  that  the  man  named  Anand , for   whom  we  were  praying  has  accepted  Jesus  as  His   Saviour  on  his  hospital. What  great  rejoicing   both  in  heaven  and on  earth!

My Motto

I  am   living  in  an  imperfect  world  and  I  am  daily  reminded  of  my  failures ,  mistakes and  shortcomings. Life  is  harsh  and  sometimes  one  is  left  grasping  at   straws  so  to speak.
But  as  a  child  of  God   I  am  confident  that  He  will   complete what   He  started  in  me.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1;6 (BIBLE)


 So  I  will  look at  ' Failure   As The  Back Door To Success"

The  words  of  Peter  Marshall are a   good life motto.
"It is better to fail  in  a cause that  will  ultimately succeed  than to  succeed  in  a cause that  will ultimately  fail '.

Better to love  God  and die  unknown than to love  the  world  and be  a hero; better  to  be  content with poverty than to die a slave to  wealth; better to  have  taken some risks and lost then to have  done  nothing and  succeeded  at it; better  to  have  lost  some  battles than to have retreated  from  the  war; better to have  failed when serving God  than to have  succeeded  when serving  the  devil. What  a  tragedy to climb the  ladder  of  success only to discover  that  the  ladder  was  leaning against the  wrong wall !

God  specialises  in  the impossible. When we  positively accept  his  grace our  failures can be  turned  into  success.Only a big God  can do  such  big  miracles.

-Erwin W. Lutzer
(Failure The  Back Door  To Success)

A Joyful Noise

For  the   earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge of  the  glory  of   the  Lord as  the  waters  cover  the  sea
Habakkuk 2:14 (BIBLE)

The  evening of  Sunday  April 22 nd  saw a  fulfilment of  this  verse.We  had a Christian   music  concert by singer Vijay  Benedict  on  our  church   campus.
Vijay  was  a  pop and  film  playback singer . Several years  ago while seeking  answers  to  the   disturbing  questions of  life he  aacepted  Christ as  his  personal  Saviour. Since then  he  dedicated  his  music and  talents to the Lord and  travels  all  over  india  and  the  world singing  and  preaching  the  Gospel.
The  entertainment  world  has  tried  to lure  him  back  with  promises  of  money,fame  and  glamour, but  for  Vijay , its  no  turning  back.
We  were  fortunate  to  have  him  sing for  the  public  of  Allahabad. There  were  2500 people  present at  this open air  event on  this  warmish  evening. Many  heard  the  message  of Christ  for  the  first  time.
Let  the  photos  tell  the  story.

Preparations

Worship  team sending  out  rays  of  joyful music.

There   were  several TV  cameras  to film. This  month  a  new  Hindi Christian  TV  Channel  is  being  launched   and  they  will  feature  this  concert

Vijay Benedict

Rev. Dr. R.B. Lal delivered  the message

A  huge crowd  came  up front  for  prayer

Here  are  2  videos to let

you  catch  the  spirit.