Yesu Garden

Grief

2012-01-29T20:29:00.000+05:30

In a state of grief and shock I want to inform all my friends that my beloved Mama went to be with the Lord today at 3.30 pm in hospital with her 3 daughters Anajli, Amrita and Namrita, son in law Prem and grandson Rayguel beside her, praying for her.

Please pray for us. I am in utter shock

Tho He slay me...

2012-01-13T18:47:00.002+05:30

Winter Flowers

My dear friends thank you for sending us good wishes and assurances of prayer.

That has kept our spirits, faith

and physical reserves up in these past few days.

Apart from knee exercises Mama has to take complete bed rest. Its hard to just lie flat on your

back and turn a few times.

She gets irritated, lonely and bored,

sometimes angry too.Sister Namrita is

nursing her day and night and me

helping. My elder sister and BIL are on their way to India.

That is a great comfort.

On YouTube I show mom her

favourite soaps - to cheer her up.

We have family prayers and I read scriptures aloud to her and play Christian music.

Our lives are centred around our mother.

Namrita's 11 year old Rayguel plays ball, or with

Sheeba. He watches cartoons and plays games .

Hard to keep him occupied, but he doesn' t complain. He is a good boy.

Its very cold here that is making life

difficult. But we thank God for

the warm clothes we have

and a little space heater

for Mom.

Besides dealing with our mother 's

illness we have facing some very

deep troubles and trials.

I cannot share anything here.

The devil is trying to crush us and tear us apart.

Its like the Anti Christ of the book

of Revelation.

I went through a period of shock

and emotional upheaval.

But prayer, reading the scriptures and help from strong believers has kept us strong

and stable.

All this we are hiding from Mom, as it will

be detrimental to her recovery.

we are like on an emotional roller

coaster - up and down.

But always feeling the presence of God.

We remain strong in this evil day.

And with Job I will say,

"Tho He slay me

yet will I trust Him".

(Job 13;14)

We need your prayers

and support.

Pray for our safety.

P.S.

I am slowly visiting blog friends.

My physical energy is low.

Doctor 's Report

2012-01-07T16:00:00.000+05:30

Dear friends, thank you for your   good wishes and prayers. God has   been our refuge and   strength through this sudden crisis.

Mama had a fall in the wee   hours of Dec 28th and was hospitalized   the next day. It was all so bewildering that I just broke down this time. The flood just overwhelmed me But the    Lord reached   out and pulled me out. So many prayers were   answered one by one that my   faith and trust was strengthed.

My sister Sonia and family had arrived a day   earlier - their presence was a great help. ( They left 2 days back when   my   younger sister   reached Alld.). My younger sister Namrita arrived on Jam 4th with her younger (11 yr old ) son. She is relieving me of hospital duties (12 am to 7 pm)My elder sister and   BIL (Prem & Anju) will   be here   sometime after Jam 16th. This is a   great comfort, I could not   have taken care of mother all by myself , physically challenged as I am.

A metal rod was inserted into her femur   bone which was fractured from   the neck. It has   been screwed in place. Her body has adjusted to the prosthesis   also called the   intramedullary rod. Pain is much less. She is allowed to sit up and exercise her leg. But she cannot put any weight   or   pressure on   her leg for 6 weeks from the date of   the surgery.
She will be confined to bed for another 5 weeks. Then an   x-ray will be taken and the doctor will advise us   further about her movement.

He is positive that she   will be able to walk. Tomorrow she is coming home. We will be taking care of   all her needs on the bed.Mama likes to do things her way so lying flat on her back makes her impatient and irritated at times. The age factor  is playing. It is a difficult task for us all.

Several needs -physical, emotional, spiritual and financial have   mushroomed   around us. I have to realign my life to all this. 2011 was a year of trials which grew more fiery since   October and now a new chapter has   been added. Plus there are   administrative difficulties I am facing some challenges in my church ministry which have to be dealt with.

I request   prayer for all this. I feel exhaused and drained out at times.

On New Year 's   Day brother David Phillips came to pray with Mama and me in   the hospital. He very prophetically   read Psalm 27 for us. verse 12 stuck in my heart
"Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies;

and also verses 13 and 14

"I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of   the Lord in the land of   the   living.
Wait on the Lord be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart;wait I say,on the Lord."

I have   chosen   Ps 27:12 as the verse and prayer for 2012.

Mother 's progress

2012-01-03T14:55:00.000+05:30

Just a quick sentence before I rush back to the hospital. Mom was made to sit up in bed without support and exercise her leg. She can do that at regular intervals. Praise the Lord.

God is good.

Mother 's surgery

2012-01-01T14:49:00.000+05:30

Dear friends, my mother 's surgery went well and she is making good progress. Keep praying for us.

Prayer request

2011-12-30T14:10:00.000+05:30

My mother had a fall on Dec 28th and broke her left thigh bone. She will have a surgery tomorrow Dec 31st. Need prayers desperately

Sunday Blessings -A Mini Christmas Story

2011-12-25T20:02:00.000+05:30

Inspired by my friend John Cowart who made a video called Christmas in a Tin Box , I made this video which could be called Christmas in a Cardboard Box with the help of a creche sent to me by my Texan friend Holly.

Jesus was born among the poor, the hungry, the disadvantaged and the unloved. He came to an ordinary family among ordinary people. He came as a Saviour- on a rescue mission to redeem and to liberate.
Prayer
God,which makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ; grant that as we gratefully receive for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold Him when He shall come to be our judge, who liveth and reigneth forever.
( Collect from the 1549 Prayer Book)

Christmas Tree Gift Service

2011-12-22T21:22:00.001+05:30

In India we have a yuletide tradition in many churches called the Christmas Tree Gift Service or the White Gift Service.
Its an evening of Christmas carols and a homily by the Pastor followed by the distribution of simple little gifts to the children and adults.
There can be a gift exchange also. In the white gift service presents are wrapped in white paper and laid around the Christmas tree and you can come up and pick a little package .In large and rich congregations more expensive gifts are given for which money is collected beforehand.
One church I know did not have a gift service for themselves. Instead of that they used the contributions to prepare a nice meal for the inmates of an old people 's home. The elderly folk shared the joy of Christ 's coming with this group. What a neat idea.
Last Saturday the Believer 's Church held their Christmas Tree in our church. There were about 150 people or more. Only the little children got gifts. This church is not rich. Here are some photos I took.

Singing carols

Sunday school children

Lost in worship - O come let us adore him.

The Pastor 's wife (seated) distributing gifts to the children. They got a lollipop and a pencil each.

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others ' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
- W C Jones

The 12 Dogs of Christmas

2011-12-20T17:31:00.000+05:30

Enjoy his cute video. Its in book form too.

12 Dogs Of Christmas

On the ______ day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Poodle in a doghouse
2 St. Bernards
3 Cocker Spaniels
4 Basset Hounds
5 Golden Retrievers
6 Boxers Boxing
7 Huskies Howling
8 Sheepdogs snoring
9 Chihuahuas chomping

10 Dalmatians dancing
11 Labs a singing
12 A CAT!

Our Princess Gaga aka Sheeba has her birthday on Dec 25th. The pet shop couldn 't specify a date so we chose Christmas Day. She was a gift from my sister Anjali and BIL Prem 10 years ago. She will be 70 years according to dog years.
Happy Birthday Princess Gaga

Sunday Blessings -Christmas for the poor

2011-12-18T22:07:00.000+05:30

                  Worshippers at the Grace Festival

Oscar Romero who fought for the rights of the poor in South America and who was killed in the midst   of his prophetic ministry recognised that   we don 't only need to stand   with the poor...but to recognise our own poverty of spirit.

No on can celebrate Christmas without being spiritually poor.
The self sufficient  , the proud, those   who, because they have everything look down on others.
Those who have even no need of God - for them there will be no Christmas.
Only the poor, the hungry, those who need someone to come on their behalf will have that someone.
That someone is God, Emmanuel, God with us.
Without poverty of spirit there can be no abundance of God.

Lord forgive me that I am so self sufficient
                                              so easily satisfied
                                              so full of self
Create in me an empathy with the poor that I may be truly understand
Create in me a poverty of spirit which reaches out to you for more...

(Rob Frost)

I Hate Christmas

2011-12-16T22:11:00.001+05:30

Oh no its not me but Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street who is saying this.

Its funny , but poor Oscar is partly right.If I was celebrating Christ' s birth in a treadmill meaningless way I would   hate it   too.
Christmas kept as a frenzied holiday can be pretty stressful. Just a rigmarole of tradition and activity. A lonely time for singles,the bereaved and those separated from their family for various reasons.

Childhood is   the best time to enjoy Christmas. You are not responsible for anything - just enjoy the fun which older people have arranged for you.

I remember our family activity around Christmas time.The baking of     traditional Christmas fruit cakes. My grandma with with the help of maids and aunts prepared special goodies and I was always eager to sample them hot off the stove. The tantalising aroma of   sweet and savoury eatables   made them hard to resist. I teased my grandma by playfully pinching handfuls of delights from loaded brass   platters. She was ready for my naughtiness and pretended to scold me.

The provender and cakes were stored in large trunks waiting for   guests to arrive. Family and friends would visit us ( and still do ) during   Christmas week and after and were served Christmas specialities   with tea and cake. Sometimes people call before they visit otherwise one can drop in anytime.

On December 25th we attended morning church , and had   lunch at home  . There were lots of   visitors to share food with. After that we set off to visit relatives   and friends returning late in the evening.

Gift exchange was not prevalent among adults in those days ( as it is now) but   children got toys and   money. I always wished for   books. We gave   away food packages , money and clothes to   the less fortunate and our helpers, and still do   each year.

Sending cards and telegram greetings was in vogue, but in these modern times it has been replaced by emails, telephone calls and text messages.

We got our Christmas clothes ready. It was not necessary to buy new   clothes each year.

Decorating the house   was fun with everybody giving instructions to each other. I, being the family clown teased and tackled my sisters who chided me  with indignation.

When our old artificial Christmas tree shed all its leaves , Sonia used a tall potted fern to string up the ornaments. And I enjoyed poking fun of her "Desert Christmas tree". Poor Sonia still remembers that levity.

There were lots of   Christmas   music and pageants to attend and participate in. (Tomorrow we are having a Christmas program in our   church organised by the Believer 's Church.) And weddings too. People like to get married in the cool season as the weather is pleasant. Oh yes there were picnics, outings and fairs too.

Just take out Christ from Christmas and what do you have left just a holiday- something   for the body but nothing for the heart.

I want to have a vision of the glorified Christ this Christmas.

St Teresa of Avila was born   in 1515.She was a great Christian mystic and many people today   are blessed and encouraged by her writings. Once she tried to describe her vision of the glorified Christ.

"It is not a radiance which dazzles, but a soft whiteness and an infused radiance which, without wearing the eyes causes them the greatest delight nor are they wearied of the brightness which they see in seeing this Divine beauty...It   is a light which never gives place to light, and being always light is disturbed by   nothing."

I wish you the brightness of   a vision of the glorified Christ this Christmas.

Joy To The World

2011-12-15T20:55:00.000+05:30

You will want to watch this video again and again and show to your children

Peace is joy resting
Joy is peace dancing
- F F Bruce

Hungry For Money

2011-12-14T22:20:00.000+05:30

Where is that crackling rustling sound coming from we wondered.

There was something going on   under   the sofa (couch). Our Sheeba was occupied mysteriously.
The next morning while cleaning the floor we found a half   eaten 10 rupee note under the sofa.
No   prizes for guessing  the guilty party

You know what her favourite pop song is?
Money Money Money
Must be funny
In a rich man 's world.
by   Abba.

When she was a puppy she chewed up Aunt Sybil 's 50 rupee note in collaboration with her mate Jimmy. Aunt Sybil was so good humoured she gently rebuked them with a smile.

Old habits die hard Sheeba.

Another of her favourite pass time is to chew beads or sequins off clothes. She has done it   with a scarf of mine which   had a beaded border.

A few weeks ago I left some washed clothes on the sofa which included a shirt with beads on it. I don 't   have to   tell you what I found the next morning.

Well, every dog has its bead or day.
_______________
Yesterday and today were good. Accomplished some   important jobs.
I haven 't put up any Christmas decorations because of the additional dusting it would involve. In India people decorate close to Dec 25th.

May we all decorate our homes with love and righteousness as   the day of our Lord 's birth approaches.

The Defeat of Darkness

2011-12-12T19:23:00.002+05:30

On Dec 10th we witnessed a lunar eclipse in our part of the earth. It was a beautiful sight to behold.The moon gradually disappearing behind a cloak of darkness and then emarging bright and luminous once more. It all took more than an hour . Scientists , researchers , students and interested people gazed at it with specialised equipment and the naked eye. The news channels did their best to show it to us at its various stages.
Below are my attempts at taking some mug shots or potshots at the moon.

(Lunar eclipse Dec 10, 2011)

It was a rare sight . The moon being enveloped by darkness and then slipping out from the shadow in all its   silver luminence.

Christmas is the season to celebrate the defeat of darkness.

This is   a prophecy made about the birth of Christ by the   Prophet Isaiah hundreds of years   before   his birth.
Isaiah 9 (BIBLE -OLD TESTAMENT)
2 The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
3 You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4 For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Joni Eareckson Tada   says,
"God permits all sorts of awful things to happen... things he doesn't approve of.
God allows others to do what he would never do. At the same time, he hates evil.
Please don't think that God sits back and nods appreciatively at the peddling of
drugs to ninth graders. He's not the one who fired the ovens of Auschwitz and other
Nazi death camps. He does not smile when doctors slip up leaving children with crippling
defects, or high school linebackers crush the neck of the opposing team's quarterback.

He hates these things

God is truly grieved over evil. He is grieved at how we've ruined the world and
abused each other. This grief is partly why he gave the Ten Commandments: don't
murder, he says -
I hate unjust killing.
Don't commit adultery -
I despise seeing
families ripped apart.
Don't steal - society will crumble if you do.
God cannot
tolerate wrong...
This is why he sent Jesus to be born into our dark world. From the day of his birth,
the forces of darkness began plotting against the Babe in the manger. Why?
Because
the adversary and his wicked hoards knew that this was the Child who would ultimately
crush Satan and bring an end to wickedness in this world. God is so grieved over
evil, that he sent his only Son to die in order that righteousness and peace, truth
and love would prevail... in order that we might escape the clutches of hell and
be welcomed into heaven. God permits what he hates to accomplish that which he
loves.

Celebrate the defeat of darkness by singing this verse today from the Christmas
carol, "Joy to the World": No more let sin or sorrow reign, nor thorns infest the
ground; He comes to make His blessings known far as the curse is found!

God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Saviorwe were gone astray,
O tidings of comfort and joy!"

===============

This   is Mary' s soliloquy addressed to her new born son. Max Lucado has written it   beautifully
Tiny Mouth, Tiny Feet

God. O infant-God. Heaven’s fairest child. Conceived by the union of divine grace with our disgrace. Sleep well.
Sleep well. Bask in the coolness of this night bright with diamonds. Sleep well, for the heat of anger simmers nearby. Enjoy the silence of the crib, for the noise of confusion rumbles in your future. Savor the sweet safety of my arms, for a day is soon coming when I cannot protect you.

Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works more precious:
to touch a leper’s open wound,
to wipe a widow’s weary tear
to claw the ground of Gethsemane.

Your hands, so tiny, so tender, so white—clutched tonight in an infant’s fist. They aren’t destined to hold a scepter nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.

Sleep deeply, tiny eyes. Sleep while you can. For soon the blurriness will clear and you will see the mess we have made of your world.

O eyes that will see hell’s darkest pit and witness her ugly prince … sleep, please sleep; sleep while you can.

Lay still, tiny mouth. Lay still mouth from which eternity will speak.
Tiny tongue that will soon summon the dead,
that will define grace,
that will silence our foolishness.

Rosebud lips—upon which ride a starborn kiss of forgiveness to those who believe you, and of death to those who deny you—lay still.

And tiny feet cupped in the palm of my hand, rest. For many difficult steps lie ahead for you.

Rest, tiny feet. Rest today so that tomorrow you might walk with power. Rest. For millions will follow in your steps.

And little heart … holy heart … pumping the blood of life through the universe: How many times will we break you?
You’ll be torn by the thorns of our accusations.
You’ll be ravaged by the cancer of our sin.
You’ll be crushed under the weight of your own sorrow.
And you’ll be pierced by the spear of our rejection.

Yet in that piercing, in that ultimate ripping of muscle and membrane, in that final rush of blood and water, you will find rest. Your hands will be freed, your eyes will see justice, your lips will smile, and your feet will carry you home.
And there you’ll rest again—this time in the embrace of your Father.

Sunday Blessings - The Lonely Christian

2011-12-10T18:03:00.000+05:30

Lately I 've been going through some trials and this quote sent by a friend blessed me. When Jesus stepped onto the earth as Emmanuel, God with us, He also choose loneliness.

The Loneliness of the Christian

“The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone. The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way.

“The man who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens. He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

“It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else.”

AW Tozer

My blog friend John Cowart is an author of repute he inspired me to start blogging . He made a great Christmas video called CHRISTMAS IN A TIN BOX
Please visit his blog and watch him tell the Christmas story in his own way.

Bond With The Best

2011-12-08T21:36:00.002+05:30

Bond with the best was the theme for the EU Christmas Outreach held on Dec 6th. And that motto was fulfilled most certainly. More than 100 people comprising of university students and families with Young children came to hear the Christmas message.

The university chapel is very far from my house but God provided transport (motorbike rides) so I could participate and enjoy fellowshipping with friends I "meet" on Facebook.

Worship leaders

Brother David gave the message   from John 5:24
   “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life. (words of Jesus)

He gave his own testimony , how God saved him from a life of   crime and   empty living. And what it means to be saved.

There   was special music and a video presentation.

The students were cooking a meal of vegetable rice, a curry of potatoes and fresh green peas and yogurt salad (raita). Believers contributed money for that and a professor donated cake for dessert.

There was some delay on that front so the seniors presented special songs and kept everyone lively and happy.

The ride back on the

motorcycle was chilly

but my heart was warm seeing

God at work

among young people.

Let me end with what I read

in my morning devotions.

==============

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! ...As it is written:

'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one
who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there
is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues
practice deceit. There is no fear of God before their eyes.'... no one will be declared
righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious
of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known...
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

--Romans 3:9-12, 17-18, 20-22

Someone once asked an evangelist "Is it hard to get people saved?" He thought for
a moment then replied, "No, but it sure is hard to get them lost!" He's right. It's
hard to get people to see how utterly lost they are. Yet before the Good News can
sound good, a person must hear the bad news -- that "all have sinned and come short
of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

No one is righteous before God -- not even the person who tries to consistently
do the right thing. It's impossible to always live the right way, to always keep
the law. The purpose of the law is to show a person how far he misses the mark.
But bad news never sounded so good... for then, we see the need for a Savior

Christmas is upon us and our hearts are happy as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus,
God's Good News! But let's not forget the bad news - that a heart without Christ
is full of deceit. Oh, how we need Jesus; and to live rightly is to live dail
in his grace. It really is all about him!

Father, it's hard to understand how lost I really am without Jesus Christ. Help
me to live completely and totally on the grace of Jesus today!

(Joni Eareckson Tada)

A Tender Plant

2011-12-05T19:57:00.001+05:30

The Bible describes Jesus as a tender plant growing on hard , rocky , unproductive ground. Garden keepers know how difficult it is to work on a unfertile land . Unfriendly weather also affects plant growth. Hardly anything grows well during our hot, dry, blistering Indian summers. Only vegetation adapted to heat remains green and productive. The opposite is true for cold, snow bound places.

Jesus, God' s tender plant was meant to live in this harsh and hostile world.
"He came to his own and his own received him not" Gospel of John 1;11

Let me share with you some scenes from our winter garden and a page from from my devotions.

A Tender Plant

by Henry and Richard Blackaby ( Experiencing God Day by Day

For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. Isaiah 53:2

The coming of Jesus was like a tender plant in the midst of a parched ground. Parched ground offers little hope for survival; it is dry and too hardened to allow most plants to penetrate its crust. Yet Jesus was prophesied as a tender plant that would break through the hostile soil and overcome the dry and lifeless environment in order to bring life.

When Jesus was born, His people were hardened to God’s Word. There is no written record of God’s having spoken to His people for four hundred years. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had studied and memorized the Scriptures, but the words were lifeless to them. So hostile had they become to the truth that when God’s Son came to them, they killed Him. Nevertheless, despite the enmity of the people, Jesus brought life to all who believed in Him.

Jesus is capable of bringing life to any person, society, or culture no matter how hardened or hostile they have become to the gospel. Even the most calloused sinner will discover that Jesus knows how to penetrate the heart and bring life where there was only bitterness. The work of Jesus in a person’s life may seem fragile at first, but like the mustard seed, it will eventually grow into something strong.

As you pray for someone you care about, don’t be discouraged if this person has not responded to Jesus. Just as a tender plant finds a way to grow in a hard and unreceptive environment, so the love of Jesus has the ability to emerge in a life that seems completely unresponsive.

Tomorrow evening (Dec 6) we are having a Christmas Outreach programme for University students. It will be held at a College Chapel. More than 100 students are expected. I will be going too.
Please pray for a mighty work of God among the youth from all over India.

Sunday Blessings - Jesus You Have Come to Save Us

2011-12-03T21:04:00.000+05:30

May the words and music of this holy song lift our hearts close to heaven in worship and praise thanking God for sending Jesus to save us from the incurable disease of sin.
Jesus said,"I have come that they may have life,and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10;10
(BIBLE)

If You Want To be Great In God 's Kingdom

2011-11-30T18:52:00.000+05:30

Learn to be the servant of all

Students of the short term Bible school cooking for out of city guests who came to attend the revival meetings (Nov 11-13).
On the first night there were 200 extra people to feed so the food ran out. But these young people stayed up till 2 AM preparing more and more food and no one went to bed hungry.

If any man serve me, let him follow me and where I am there shall my servant be, if any man serve me, him will my Father honor -Jesus in John 12:26 (BIBLE)

Mark 10:43

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant - Jesus

Sunday Blessings -Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

2011-11-27T21:52:00.000+05:30

Hymn for the first Sunday of Advent

Sunday events
1. Worship service
2. Overseeing   some maintenance work on   the   campus - workmen were only available today.
3. Attending a funeral in   the afternoon.
4. Vising old    aunts who live in the neighbourhood.
5. Telephone conversations with sisters in Lucknow
and Meghalaya.
6. A pleasant surprise visit from   very   dear friends
Majorie , Sudhakar and Thomas.

My day started with   this glorious meditation from Experiencing God Day by Day by Richard   and Henry Blackaby.

God Is with You

Daily Devotional for Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Thus says the LORD of hosts: "In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" Zechariah 8:23

God’s desire is to fill His people with His Spirit so that others recognize His powerful presence in them. The presence of the Lord in a believer’s life ought to be obvious. When the Spirit of almighty God fills a believer, the believer cannot go on living as before. Others will see God.
God told His people through the prophet Zechariah that His presence ought to make a difference in their lives. If God’s people walked closely with Him, people from every language and every part of the world would hear that they were a people who knew God. People would come from every nation on earth to find the true God among His people. If the people saw a child of God, they would long to be with him or her because in so doing they would be with God. God gave the vivid picture of ten people clinging to one believer, hoping to find God.

Christ’s presence ought to be so evident in your life that the people around you are drawn to you. They should want their children to be with your children because your children are being raised with a godly influence. Employers ought to want you in their workplace; people should seek you for their leader because they know you as someone of integrity before God. Your life and your home ought to be a magnet for people as they sense God’s presence with you and your family. The more you allow Christ to make His presence evident in your life, the more people will draw near you and find Him

We Want To SEE Jesus

2011-11-26T09:34:00.000+05:30

Photos from the evening meetings

held at our church

Nov. 11-13th 2011

I read this story sometime back and wanted to share it   with my readers . Who could tell it   better than than Joni Eareckson Tada.

He was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak
in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you. --II Corinthians
13:4(BIBLE)

Back in 1967, missionary Doug Nichols fell ill while serving in India, and had to
spend several months in a dingy tuberculosis sanitarium. While there, he tried to
give Gospel tracts to the patients and doctors, but no one would accept them. Understandably,
Doug became discouraged. He was sick, weak, lonely, and disappointed no one would
listen to him

One night around 2:00 a.m., Doug woke up coughing. Across the aisle, he noticed
an old man trying to get out of bed and get to the bathroom. Too weak to stand,
the man fell back into bed crying and exhausted. Although sick himself and as weak
as he had ever been, Doug got out of bed, and with a smile, placed one arm under
the patient's neck and the other under his legs. With all his strength he lifted
the man and carried him down the hall to the filthy, smelly washroom. Then the missionary
carried him back to his bed. The old man smiled and said the Indian word for "thanks."

What happened the next morning was amazing. One of the other patients woke Doug
up with a steaming cup of tea, making motions that he wanted a Gospel tract. Then
other patients asked for the booklets. Even nurses and a doctor asked for one. Over
the next few days, several patients and staff gave their lives to Christ. The whole
situation changed because of Doug's sacrificial act in the middle of the night.

The power of the Good News is released in your life when you allow your weaknesses
to showcase the awesome might and love of our Savior. Plan on doing that today.

Father, I confess that I pass by opportunities to help others in the name of Jesus
because I just don't want to get involved, or don't want to get my hands dirty.
Move me, by your Spirit, to reach beyond my own strength.
________________

People don 't want to merely hear about Jesus, or the gospel being preached to them, they want to see Jesus in our lives - His message translated into our   daily lives.

An evangelist once visited a remote hamlet in South India to share the Gospel there. A crowd gathered around him and he started telling   them about the love, compassion   and miracles of Jesus. Towards the end he asked his audience , Do you know this man Jesus Christ? Have you heard of Him?"

A man jumped up in   the middle of   the group.
"But sir we know this man you are talking about. He visits us   frequently." he said.

Upon investigating further the evangelist found out that a   preacher came each week to share the   love   of Christ in that village. The simple   rustic folk had seen Christ in him.

Thankful Pets

2011-11-24T17:39:00.001+05:30

A cute video of dogs saying grace. It will make you smile.

Sister Valsa John Murdered in Jharkhand

2011-11-21T18:23:00.000+05:30

Sister Valsa John went to Jharkhand to work with tribal people Police in India's Jharkhand state are looking at the possible involvement of Maoist rebels in the murder of a nun who campaigned for tribal rights.

Sister Valsa John was killed after about 50 people broke into her home last week. Police say that Maoist pamphlets were left at the crime scene.
They said that rebels were finding it hard to infiltrate the area where the nun had considerable influence.

More than a dozen villagers have been detained in connection with the murder.
Initially, the police said they believed the Maoist pamphlets were left at the crime scene to mislead investigators.
But after interrogating the detained villagers, police say they believe that rebels were behind the murder.

"She was a major block in their [Maoists'] way," senior police officer Arun Oraon told the BBC Hndi's Salman Ravi.
"Therefore, the Maoists fanned all the resentment against her. They provoked the villagers to resort to such an extreme step," he said.

Sister John's brother, however, says she recently spoke of threats from a "mining mafia". There has been no word from mining officials.
Some reports said that Sister John had also angered a group of tribal people by going to the police to file a complaint after a local woman was allegedly raped. The tribesmen wanted the issue to be settled out of court.
Mr Oraon said the police were investigating all these angles.

Sister Valsa, originally from Kerala, was working with the Missionaries of Charity and had gone to Jharkhand to work with tribespeople.

Our correspondent says she later took up the cause of tribal people displaced by mining around Pakur, about 400km (250 miles) north-east of the state capital Ranchi.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

(news source BBC News Service)

Sunday Blessings- Mud Atound the Gold

2011-11-20T21:26:00.001+05:30

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer
grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth
than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and
may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. --I Peter 1:6-7 (BIBLE)

"Soon after a wartime marriage, Margie Hamilton's husband was killed. Then a little
later her baby was born with a cruel deformity. After about 40 operations, poverty
followed. Reacting to all her misfortunes she said, "Its all
mud around the gold.'"

Like Margie I have plenty of mud around the gold. And sometimes its hard to see the gold. But what Margie said helps me to focus on the gold.

And the Bible says we have this treasure in earthen vessels so the the glory may belong to God and not ourselves.

Are you rejoicing with me?

(adapted from Joni Ereckson Tada)

Weekend Update

2011-11-19T20:48:00.000+05:30

The mentally ill young man I talked about yesterday walked past our gate this morning but he did not cause   any disturbance   for us.
I found out that he belongs to a very wealthy family. They are builders and Realtors and own a trendy restaurant   close by. His parents died in a car crash several years ago and the evil   relatives declared the brother and sister mentally unfit and grabbed hold of all their wealth and property. Maybe they poisoned them to make them lose their mental   balance. What a sad story. I really feel so bad   for this man.
He is well dressed & clean and looks healthy. at least   they are taking care of his physical needs. Once I heard him talking to   himself in good   English , he 's gone to school too.
+++++++++++++
In the afternoon the vet 's assistant came to   have a look at Sheeba (doggie). He   gave her a shot. Now I have to clean her ear with Tea Tree Oil and administer ear drop and give her 2 pills morning and evening. She   already looks better. I am relived for that.
++++++++++++++
I made spinach and mushroom quiche tonight

I make the pie shell with whole wheat flour instead of refined flour - its healthier that way.

Some Troubles

2011-11-18T16:37:00.001+05:30

Today a violent mentally   ill young man was seen wandering in our vicinity. He caused disturbance on our campus. I was able to turn him away in the morning by speaking to him   gently and calmly, but on   the agternoon he really scared   our helper Jagarnath.
By his apearance he seems to belong to a good family. I have seen him in the   marketplace too screaming at people and just talking loudly to himself. Yesterday he beat   up a man on the street. If he shows up again and we are threatened by him, I   shall call   the police. Please pray for our protection   and for this man too. He needs medication   and care.

Mental illness is a social stigma in India. Mental patients are ignored, ostracized or abused. For their   treatment people turn to quacks and faith healers in temples and shrines rather than qualified doctors.

Read this short report by Akashdeep Singh of Christian Medical College and Hospital , Ludhiana, Punjab,

Neglect of the Mentally ill in India

Akashdeep Singh

Christian Medical College and Hospital

The prevalence of major mental and behavioural disorders at any given point of time in India is estimated to be 65/1000 population translating to 70 million.1,2

The mentally ill are almost never taken seriously and are treated with little or no dignity. And worst of all, they are locked up, locked away.
The country's ability to treat, care for and rehabilitate the mentally ill leaves much to be desired - the ratio of trained psychiatrists to mentally ill patients is dramatically low at 1: 100,000. In the 37 government-run mental health institutions across the country the cot to patient ratio stands at an average of 1:14. 75% of mentally ill patients live in the villages, where even access to basic health-care is difficult. 53% of the state-run psychiatric hospitals have no programmes whatasoever for the rehabilitation of their inmates

The spending in terms of the country’s mental health budget does not exceed 1% of the total health expenditure. Though the National Mental Health Programme was implemented to provide services to rural as well as urban population but even today 80% of the rural population do not get these services Other barriers to the effective treatment of mental illness include lack of recognition of the seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the public at large – all discriminate between physical and mental problems.

Mental patients are being systematically and continuously ignored and denied the social rights they deserve

Read a related story - India 's Mentally Ill Turn to Faith Not Medicine

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sheeba (doggie) has a ear infection. I have been cleaning it and treating it   with  ear   drops and cream. Early this morning  I found it was bloody . She was suffering. I have called the pet   shop boy   to come and see her and bring   the necessary medicines.

All the Poor and Powerless

2011-11-17T19:18:00.002+05:30

Listen to this moving song by the band Sons and Daughters.It is based on Psalm 22;22,29.
Hope and   forgiveness for   all who are poor and powerless, lost, lonely, hurting and feeling unworthy. We are are made holy - washed clean by the blood of Christ. Many times I feel this way and He reaches out to   me.
This   song will touch your spirit and emotions

"Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship, and punctuate it with Hallelujahs...All the power-mongers are before him - worshipping! All the poor and powerless, too - worshipping! Along with those who never got it together - worshipping!" -Psalm 22:22, 29 (The Message)

lyrics(verse)

All the poor and powerless
And all the lost and lonely
All the thieves will come confess
And know that you are holy
Will know that you are holy

(chorus)

All will sing out, Hallelujah
We will cry out, Hallelujah

(verse)

All the hearts who are content
And all who feel unworthy
All who hurt will nothing left
Will know that you are holy

(chorus)

Shout it, go on and scream it from the mountains
Go on and tell it to the masses
That He is God

(reprise)

We will sing out, Hallelujah
We will cry out, Hallelujah
We will sing out, Hallelujah
God

words and music by Leslie Jordan & David Leonard

© Leslie Jordan / Leslie Jordan 2010 / BMI

© David Leonard / 2010 Hyatt Street Publishing / SESAC
+++++++++++++++++++

The Lord is   good. My appointment on Tuesday went well and I achieved success.The Lord   is mindful of   His people and He knows how to meet their   needs. God fulfiled Psalm 22;22,29 in my life. I feel   poor, powerless, lost, lonely and hurting - and  I receive His kindness and grace.

5 things about Monday

2011-11-14T21:39:00.002+05:30

1.November 14th is celebrated in India as Children 's Day. I took these photos last week.

Don' t worry that children never
listen to you;worry that they
are always watching you

Robert Felglun was right wasn 't he.

His granny asked me to take this little fellow 's picture. But he seems to be asking,"Who gave you permission to take my photo?"

2. Yesterday I   posted   about   the white   pigeon who came to stay   with us . With great sadness in my heart I   have to tell you   that he died this afternoon.
He didn 't look good in the morning. And just   couldn 't hold on any longer.
God sent him to us for a short time as a sign of hope and joy. I feel so sad   about my little bird, but I can only   find peace in this.

3. Today I had an important appointment. But the person I was supposed to meet was called away. So that could not   happen. Tomorrow his secretary will   tell me if I can see him. Please pray something positive and God ordained may ensue from   this.

4.Today a pastor visited us in the   morning and Mama 's friend dropped by in   the afternoon, all surprise visits. But we had a good time sharing   stories and news. Mom 's friend (Miss Jha) lives in another state, she is breaking journey here on her way home.

5.In India people are more important than time or appointments. Anyway after a very late   lunch  I went   to the market to buy medicines and groceries and   got back quite tired.

Each day   has its ups and downs but the Lord 's hand holds us steady.

How was your day?

Sunday Blessings - My White Peugeot

2011-11-13T22:39:00.000+05:30

On the wings of a snow white dove
God sends His pure sweet love
A gift from above
On the wings of a dove.

Today we discovered a white pigeon in our garden/ Our church helper told us he 's been here since a week and roosts on top of his mosquito net. We adopted him and I named him Peugeot.

Mama holding him

Looking for a nesting place. Peugeot is very comfortable among humans.

Tried to create a natural habitat for him

He disappeared and we found him pecking at Sheeba 's food . He splashed about in her water bowl and spilled water.

Having dinner

Sheeba is very gentle. But she wants to know what 's the fuss about.

Please pray for me tomorrow Nov. 14th may bring a new beginning for my life. I need grace and confidence from the Lord.

11.11.11

2011-11-11T21:55:00.000+05:30

This is a unique date and many people went overboard with it. But for us it was a day to rejoice in the Lord.
It was the first day of the Grace Festival

The tent being erected

Mattresses laid out on the church veranda for people travelling in from distant places.

By mid-morning a large group of people from rural areas had arrived.

Resting and chatting.

The Lord blessed the evening meeting.

Reaching Forward

2011-11-10T19:20:00.000+05:30

Press On

(taken from Experiencing God Day by Day - Richard and Henry Blackaby)

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. Philippians 3:13

The world will tell you that the dominating influence in your life is your past. If you came from a difficult home life, that will determine the direction of your life.
If your culture was treated unfairly, that will dictate the condition of your life today.
If you were hurt or abused or if your youth was spent in rebellion, the remainder of your life will be spent struggling with your past.

The world is preoccupied with the past because it faces an uncertain future. Christians, on the other hand, live in freedom because Christ has overcome our past. The “old things” have been done away with and “new things” have come (2 Cor. 5:17).

God has so totally forgiven the Christian’s sin that He chooses not to remember it (Isa. 43:25).

Christians do not forget the past;
but we are not controlled or motivated by it.
The Christian looks to the future with hope.

The people of the world focus on what they are overcoming.

Christians focus on what they are becoming.
Christians know that the Holy Spirit is conforming them into the image of Christ.
Christians know that ultimately they will stand before Christ to give an account of their actions and will spend an eternity in the presence of God. Christians know that eventually every injustice will be addressed and every hurt comforted.
They know that Satan, and death itself, will finally be brought to an end.
The Christian’s future is so full and rich and exciting that it supersedes whatever happened in the past.

If you are preoccupied with your past, ask God to open your eyes to the incredible future that awaits you and begin, like Paul, to press on to what is ahead.

When a blind man carries a lame man,both go forward

2011-11-07T20:42:00.001+05:30

Watch this Swedish proverb translated in real life

Sunday Blessings - Walking With The Desert Fathers

2011-11-06T19:23:00.000+05:30

Anthony of Egypt: First of the Desert Monks

Verse:

Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Quote: "The mind of the soul is strong when the pleasures of the body are weak." (Anthony's motto)

"If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have and give the money to the poor." These are the words that stopped the rich kid dead in his tracks. His parents had died, and now all their wealth belongs to him. The much-heralded city of Alexandria offers infinite opportunities for luxurious living. His whole life is ahead of him. He can travel in comfort and see the wonders of the world if he so desires. But he hears the call of God in that very pointed gospel passage. His only travel will be to the desert. His journey of the soul begins by giving his wealth to the poor and leaving his childhood home. His goal is to become a true lover of God - to give himself entirely to

Christ, ever vigilant in resisting the devil. His motto: "The mind of the soul is strong when the pleasures of the body are weak." He nourishes himself on bread and water, fasting altogether every other day and denying himself sleep, preferring to pray through the night.

Anthony (251 - 356), whose life story is told by Athanasius, lives among the tombs, where he is assaulted by wild animals and demons. This is God's way of training him to fight and win spiritual battles like an athlete prevailing in the arena. After a time he leaves the tombs, seeking an even more secluded area, where he remains for twenty years, becoming a celebrity - a superstar among desert saints. Disciples seek him out, and their encounters with him inspire generations of ascetics.

In one instance when a would-be follower tells him that he has given all his wealth away but for a small amount for necessities, the response is vintage Anthony: "If you want to be a monk, go into the village, buy some meat, cover your naked body with it and come here like that." When the man returns, his body is bloody and torn by wild dogs and vultures. The moral of the story: "Those who renounce the world but want to keep something for themselves are torn in this way by the demons who make war on them."

Anthony's activities intersect with the lives of other well-known figures of the era. During the brutal persecution under Emperor Diocletian in 303, he travels to Rome to minister to the suffering. He is also enmeshed in the theological controversies of the day. Athanasius persuades him to come to Alexandria from his desert hideaway to speak out against Arius, whose views are catching fire. Though he is no theologian, Anthony epitomizes sainthood. His life of self-denial is the support Athanasius most desires. Saint Augustine will later be put to shame by reading Athanasius's story of Anthony.

After his trip to Alexandria, Anthony returns to the desert with two companions who care for him in his final years. Despite all the privations he endures he lives to age one hundred and five, according to Athanasius, having secured the promise that his body will be buried in an unmarked grave. His concerns are not for dogs or vultures. He does not want his bones and remnants of clothing fought over and revered as relics. For him spirituality is self-denial and sacrifice, not saint-worship.

If you enjoyed the above article, please take a minute to read about the book that it was adapted from:

http://click.lists.biblegateway.com/?qs=afb08da19b36db8eae156598f21ba42154b68c8465c14b45740ca9af87e0a73b

Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church
by Ruth A. Tucker

The story of Christianity centers on people whose lives have been transformed by the resurrected Lord. Tucker puts this front and center in a lively overview peppered with sidebars; historical "what if?" questions; sections on everyday life; drawings and illustrations; bibliographies for further reading.

( Indian countryside from a train

photo by Megan and Ashish)

The Muslim festival of Eid known as

Bakrid in India is being celebrated.

Thousand of goats will be sacrificed

in remembrance of the sacrifice of Abraham.

God asked him to sacrifice his son Issac, the Muslims replace him with Hazrat Ishmael.

God provided a ram which Abraham sacrificed

after his faith and obedience was tested.

Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God

who was sacrificed for the forgiveness

of our sins.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle,not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; ¹² and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9

(New Testament Bible)

Rememnbering Dadi , My Grandma

2011-11-04T21:23:00.001+05:30

      My Dadi   who passed away 25 years   ago   cherished   me   the most. I was very timid and   had low self esteem while growing up.
She was always there to calm my fears and treat me special. She even   made special   food for   me if I didn 't like   the food others were   eating.
She had a great sense   of   humor and was a prolific letter writer. She made me address her letters. She wrote one  letter a day at least. Her handwriting was so neat. She took care to   dress neatly too.I have preserved some of her old saris and   wedding veil.

I remember   her boarding   school stories. The tricks she   and her   friends used   to play on   their classmates and how she   got married to Dada. Both were very young and it was a conservative arranged marriage.

My Dada was a   Methodist minister and she was his faithful godly wife.She enjoyed   life and was   cheerful and   happy till the end.

The blossom cannot tell what becomes of its fragrance as it drifts   away,just as no person can tell   what becomes of their influence as they continue through life.

India on the Human Development Index

2011-11-03T15:39:00.001+05:30

Hindustan Times , Nov.3, 2011
Despite its high economic growth, India has been ranked lower than its neighbours, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, on multi-dimensional poverty index (MPI) and gender inequality index (GII) by the United Nations Development Programme.

The global Human Development Report released on Wednesday, however, ranks India 134 among 187 countries, higher than Pakistan but lower than Sri Lanka in the human development index (HDI).

Norway is top and Congo bottom of the index that measures healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.

Who says Yes to this?

2011-11-02T20:57:00.000+05:30

Maharajah Express , Luxury on Tracks

2011-11-01T20:39:00.003+05:30

Operating since January 2010, Maharajas’ Express is the newest luxury train of Indian Railways and easily one of the most expensive one in Asia. For 8 days this pan Indian train takes guests on a ride across the best and the most prominent destinations of the country - Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho temples, wildlife environs of Ranthambore, Fatehpur Sikri and the holy bathing Ghats of Varanasi. The cheapest rate per person per day is a whopping US$ 800 for a Deluxe cabin. The next two slabs are US$ 900 and US$ 1,400. And the Presidential Suite comes for US$ 2,500.

This train is a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd. The tour is being promoted as 'Luxury travel like no other' and not without reason. The Maharajas' Express will have 88 passengers (a normal III AC coach packs in 72) living in suites fit for a prince. All food and drinks are complimentary.

The train comprises 24 carriages which include accommodation, dining, bar, lounge, generator and store cars. Each guest carriage has been designed to recreate the opulence of Maharaja Style living. Elegantly decorated, the interiors of the cabin exude the finesse of exquisite workmanship. Sylvan parquets, intricate carvings and palette of soft hues characterize the interiors of the train. All cabins have individual temperature control, LCD television sets, DVD players, direct dial telephones, internet, even live television and electronic safe-deposit box.

Carriages are fitted with panoramic windows to offer the vista of rolling landscape as train travels through some of the most fascinating landscapes and countryside of India. The train also has an observation lounge called the Rajah Club with a private bar. Besides these cars the train also has two elegantly appointed dining cars that offer an array of sumptuous cuisine to the guests. The Bar of the train serves an eclectic mix of wines from across the world in a serene and relaxing ambience. A high-end boutique in the train houses some perfect and intimate memorabilia to cherish this royal sojourn for a life time.
(source AMUSING PLANET . COM)
Wouldn 't you like to travel on this dream train?

Reformation Day and Halloween

2011-10-31T20:21:00.000+05:30

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 Blessings-The Merton Prayer

2011-10-30T15:34:00.000+05:30

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

Diwali is Dark for Owls In India

2011-10-27T16:55:00.000+05:30

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

Taking A sabbath From My Weariness

2011-10-26T21:03:00.001+05:30

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 Blessings-Prayers of Charles Spurgeon

2011-10-23T21:04:00.001+05:30

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."

Tools

2011-10-20T21:25:00.001+05:30

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!

From Poland

2011-10-18T09:25:00.000+05:30

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 Blessings -Remembering Friends

2011-10-16T18:43:00.001+05:30

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

Riding the Storm

2011-10-14T17:01:00.000+05:30

This is a comfort to me

Rock Badgers

2011-10-12T21:17:00.002+05:30

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

2011-10-12T18:33:00.001+05:30

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 Blessings -A Day for Children

2011-10-09T17:51:00.001+05:30

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.

2011-10-08T22:32:00.000+05:30

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.

Pray for me

2011-10-07T20:52:00.000+05:30

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)

Dusshera Mela

2011-10-06T21:00:00.001+05:30

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.

Sunday Morning

2011-10-04T12:53:00.000+05:30

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.

Sunday Blessings - 10/40 Window Sunday

2011-10-01T21:29:00.002+05:30

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

2011-10-01T09:52:00.000+05:30

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)

Someone To Say I Love You

2011-09-28T21:02:00.000+05:30

I love you is welcome even in pet language.
Watch this cute video. Sheeba likes it too.

Joy in the morning

2011-09-27T21:48:00.000+05:30

These are some photos from

February 2011.

Shopping in the old city market.

Our Canadian friend Megan

What women want.

Colorful fabric

Scarves

Megan bought some to take home

Fabric store

Sisters in shopping

Dear friends thank you so much for your prayers. By Monday afternoon my pain started to decrease. It was just a miraculous answer to prayer. I was in such pain that my   mind was torturing me with   all kinds of fearful thoughts. My caregiving and church responsibilities lay heavy on my heart and   i was wondering how on earth would  I be able to fulfil them.

The Lord had mercy and lay His hand of healing   on me.The Bible says He does not allow testing more than our endurance.

Today I did not have to take any medication, whereas yesterday  I was unable to take a single step without piercing pain.

Praise Jesus . It is His doing.

Sunday Blessings -The Fruit of Trials

2011-09-25T21:54:00.001+05:30

I was going to post something else

for today 's Sunday Blessings entry, but I

just read this story by Joni Eareckson Tada

which spoke to my present situation

and I have to share it with my readers.

I am in a lot of pain after my fall.

Its scary because I' ve not been in such

a lot of pain since a long time.

But this trial will bear fruit.

It will teach me to pray harder and

lean more heavily on the Lord.

Today was a busy day.

After church I helped another

church group set up for their service.

They will begin worshipping in our

sanctuary from next Sunday.

They were moving in a lot

of their stuff to be stored here.

I got so late that I did not have time time

to cook lunch .

I was going to, but Ma and Auntie

insisted that we have yesterday 's left-overs

as I was tired.

Last night we were invited to a nephew 's

birthday dinner.

That was very nice.

6 year old Yash with Grannies

He wanted an animal cake.

We had two and half days of non stop rain.

It has brought the temperature down,

but everything is damp and soggy.

Commuting is difficult.

I' ve got good news.

Aunt Maya has found a suitable flat and

she will be moving into it in a few days.

We are so happy, its an answer to

prayer. This house was promised to her

but there was some delay.

Please pray for my healing.

Fruit Comes Through Struggle

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be
my disciples." --John 15:

Last week Ken and I visited Tim, a friend from church, who grows several rare varieties
of grapes on the hillside behind his house. I was surprised that Tim had planted
his vines along a steep and rocky portion of the hill. "Why didn't you plant the
vines at the base of the hill?" I asked him. "The soil certainly looks a lot better-and
there's more sun."

Tim smiled. "There's a rule you need to remember when it comes to growing these
special varieties of grapes," he said. "When you feed them luxuriously with lots
of nutrients and fertilizer, the vine produces a profuse bush of leaves and cane.
But the fruit it grows is sparse and very poor. Oh make no mistake," he laughed.
"The plant loves lots of fertilizer. But it invests all those nutrients into growing
lush, dark, beautiful leaves. And when the vine has finished doing that, it has
very little energy left to produce fruit. It certainly looks like a beautiful vine.
But that's it. It just looks good."

How, then, do you get good grapes? As Tim explained it, you have to make sure the
grapevine struggles! You plant it in rocky, flinty soil, or you girdle the vine
by wrapping wires around the cordons, forcing the plant to struggle as it tries
to draw nutrients from its roots. This causes the distressed vine to divert most
all of its prized and hard-won nutrients into the fruit, instead of the leaves.
The result of these trials and tribulations is the sweetest fruit possible.

So... maybe the rocky soil and steep inclines in your life aren't so bad after all.
The trials and struggles, disappointments and setbacks you face, this "girdling"
that presses you in from all sides... is a bruising of blessing. And you won't
bear a crop without it.

Lord, when this life is all over and I stand before you, I want you to find sweet
fruit in my life... and not just leaves.

Blessings,
Joni and Friends

What Kind of Patient Am I?

2011-09-23T21:03:00.001+05:30

Photos   from a gift shop in   the old city.

I am recovering from my cold, but last   night i had a bad fall. I slipped on   some water   on the porch (in   the dark) and had   to struggle real hard to get up. My Sheeba tried to encourage me   by wagging   her tail. I did not disturb or alarm Mum and Aunt, they were a few feet away.

Anyway, my left elbow and knee are quite painful. Painkillers   are doing   for me.

Let me share this essay about patience which puts it in a new light.

Is Patience Dangerous?

Ed Welch

We can’t work on everything at once so we prioritize. Do you have any particular spiritual priorities right now? Are you focused on anything specific?

Is patience high on your list of priorities?
Is it in the top two or three?
If so—you are in danger. Yes, danger.

“Love is patient, love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). I believe that. Patience covers a good bit of love’s terrain. But consider how it might be dangerous when it becomes our primary agenda.

Patience can be self-righteous
Patience, at least the way we apply it, can mean this: “You are messed up. I’m not. But, being the generous type, I will wait until you finally get it and reach my level.” Too often, patience is actually no agenda at all. The real agenda is for the dolts around us who need to change.

Patience without humility is self-righteousness. It leaves underlying resentment and anger unattended.

Patience can be passive
If we know anything about ourselves, we know that we are not perfect. We expect to have a long agenda for growth and change. Patience, however, tends to just sit around and wait. It has a keener vision for other people’s sins than it does for one’s own sin and weaknesses. This makes it a hopeless goal because it lacks furvor for daily growth. Instead, it waits to be “tried” by people or events.

Patience can be silent
Along with the smug self-righteousness that can seep into patience, another problem is that patience offers no compelling reason to speak with the other person. Patience tends to be silent, and, especially in close relationships, the last thing you want to do is be silent when the other person is being sinful or even irritating. If we are bothered by something that has happened in a relationship, our kingdom instincts should be to speak about the matter in a way that is humble and edifying. From this perspective, I would be so sad if my wife or friends were “patient” with me.

Patience without a willingness to speak openly and in the best interests of the relationship is cowardice, even hatred.

Patience is best when paired with kindness
Yes, patience is a fruit of the Spirit, in which case it works best when it rests on a godly explanation:

The Lord is so patient with me—so patient. And other people have to be patient with me every day. Therefore, it is my honor to be able to extend that patience to others. Usually patience will speak to the other person, sometimes it won’t.

This version is less dangerous. But it could still use an addition. To be safe, we should remember Paul’s words (above) and add kindness. While patience is willing to cover minor offenses, kindness is busy strategizing ways to do good. Patience-kindness is less prone to sitting around and waiting for change in others, and it avoids the arrogance and cowardice that can lie hidden under motives that can be more deceptive than we realize.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF and holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a neuro-psychology specialty from the University of Utah as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over twenty-six years and has written many books and articles on biblical counseling.

Put food on our plates

2011-09-21T21:15:00.016+05:30

Indian estimates of poverty range from 270 million to 450 million people. The World Bank reckons 300 million Indians live on less than a Dollar a day.
(Source Hindustan Times)

Yet   the government played   a cruel joke on our starving   masses by saying that anyone who earns   32 Rupees (66 cents) a day is   not poor. That amount can only buy you a bowl of rice or a few   pieces   of flat bread (rotis) once   a day.

How can our rulers who have stashes of money in   their banks feel the rumblings of an empty stomach.

Reminds me of passages from the Old Testament (Bible) when Israel was in captivity. Both the remnants and captives were suffering.

Jesus had compassion on the hungry crowds who were following   him.

32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.”

(Gospel of Matthew)

Jesus performed a miracle right there - feeding the hungry crowd with a few pieces of bread and fish.

Dear Lord , Bless my few pieces of "fish and   bread", so I   can share it   with others in   need.

(Photos by my nephew Ashish and friend Megan)

Megan in front of a Government building in New Delhi before they flew back to Canada.

Need an Isolation Retreat

2011-09-20T20:14:00.000+05:30

I am not too good these days.

Got a cold and feel rather low.

In times like these I want to go into an

isolation retreat in a monastery.

In the begining of September I helped my friend Diana in a Bible School Project. Here is a short video clipping from our classes.

Sunday Blessings -The Way, The Truth and The Life

2011-09-18T18:27:00.000+05:30

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Jonathan Dodson »

In the prior four posts (Sunday Blessings), we examined, all to briefly, the claim of Christ and the claim of pluralism: the belief in Jesus as the only way to God and belief that the many paths lead to God. We’ve seen that religious pluralism is inaccurate, arrogant, and intolerant. Is Christianity any better? I’d like to suggest three ways that Christianity is better from the claim of Jesus himself. He said that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Let’s take each point.

Christianity Should Make Us Incredibly Humble

First, Jesus is the Way. What does this mean? Does it mean that Jesus is our trailblazer, clearing the other religious options aside so we can hike our way to heaven through spiritual or moral improvement. If I keep the Ten Commandments, if I serve the poor and love my neighbor, if I pray and read the Bible enough, then God will accept me. No. As the way, Jesus doesn’t create a path for us to hike. We can never make it, do enough spiritual, moral, or social good to impress God. Much less love him with all our soul, mind, and strength. We can’t make it up the path. We all fail to love and serve the infinitely admirable and lovable God. In fact, we love other things more, which is a crime of infinite proportions. It’s against a holy, righteous God. The sentence for our crime must be carried out.

When Jesus takes the arduous hike for us he goes down into the valley where the criminals die. He hikes down into our sin, our rebellion, our failures and he heaps them all on his back and climbs on a cross, where he is punished for our crime, a bloody gruesome death. The innocent punished for the guilty. If he doesn’t take our punishment, then we must endure it—forever separation from God. If you reject Jesus, then you will pay the infinite consequences. However, if you embrace Jesus in his sin-absorbing death you get forgiveness, and Jesus hikes not only through the valley but up the mountain to carry your forgiveness to God where he pleads our innocence (Heb 10). This is what it means for Jesus to be the way. He is the redemptive way. He takes our place. This understanding of Jesus as the way should make us incredibly humble not arrogant. We realize how undeserving we are and how much mercy we have been shown.

Christianity is Wonderfully Enlightening

Jesus is also the Truth. What does that mean? In John 1, we are told that God became flesh and was full of grace and truth in Jesus. The truth is that God is Jesus. This is enlightening. Christianity is the only religion where God comes down to man and becomes man. All other religions man has to work his way to God. The truth is Jesus, the truth is a person, and the truth dies in our place, for our crimes, and in turn gives us his life.

God makes his way down to man and dies for us. That’s grace. It isn’t a special prayer or a codeword we say at the pearly gates. In Christianity, the truth is essentially revealed in a Person, Jesus, full of grace and truth. In all other religions, God is impersonal, but in Christianity we meet God in Jesus which is wonderfully enlightening and moving.

Christianity Should Make Us Persuasively Tolerant

Finally, Jesus is the Life. As if it wasn’t enough to be our way, incredibly humbling, and the truth, truly enlightening, Jesus caps it off by offering us not just his death, but his life. What life? Later on in John, Jesus says he is the resurrection and the life, and that whoever believes in him, though he die yet he will live” (11:25). He goes down into the valley to take our death and rises up from the dead on the other side of valley where he prepares a new place for us to enjoy life with him forever. The hope of that life should break into the lives of Christians today, making us persuasively tolerant.

We tolerantly extend people the dignity of their own beliefs. We don’t minimize the differences between religions. We honor them. The life of Christ produces in us true humility. But it also produces in us true enlightenment. We’ve come to grasp grace that God works his way down to us, dies for our moral and religious failures, and offers us life. If this is true, we must lovingly, humbly try to persuade others to believe in Jesus, who alone offers the wonderful promise of the way to God, the truth of God, and life of God.

The Heart of the Gospel

In the end, it doesn’t matter how nice or moral a person is because there is not enough niceness or morality to pay for our rejection of God. Either we must be rejected or we turn to Jesus who was rejected for us. This is the heart of the gospel. Jesus lays down his very own life for those who reject him, for his enemies, for those who don’t believe in him, and he offers them forgiveness. Amazing! Why would we reject such a man?

Instead of being unenlightened, Jesus is truly enlightening as the God who is full of grace and truth. Instead of being arrogant, Jesus should make us incredibly humble, he created the way to God for us at the expense of his own death. Finally, instead of being intolerant, Jesus should make us persuasively tolerant, granting people the dignity of unbelief in Christ but pleading with them to believe in Christ for true life!

Doubt and Faith

In the end, you have to decide where to place your faith. Both religious pluralism and Chrisitianity require faith. Leslie Newbigin said: “Doubt is not autonomous.” What he meant is that you can’t doubt alone. We can’t doubt one thing without placing our faith in another. You doubt Jesus and trust pluralism, or you trust Jesus and doubt pluralism. You can't say “I believe Jesus is the only way” and say “I believe all religions lead to God.” So, will you place faith in Jesus who is the way, truth, and life? Or will you place your faith religious pluralism? I hope you’ll choose Jesus.

The Methods God Uses To Teach His Children

2011-09-14T21:38:00.000+05:30

1. By meeting our needs when we are helpless.He teaches us trust.
2. By making us wait for what we need or want. He teaches us patience.
3. By stretching us beyond the realm of the familier. He teaches us vision.
4. By taking us through the consequences of wrong choices.He teaches us values .
5. By allowing us to fail and make terrible mistakes. He teaches us wisdom.
6. By sustaining pain and affliction. He teaches us humility.
7. By involving us in the lives of difficult people. He teaches us unselfishness.

(taken from Chuck Swindoll' s   study guide)

I needed to be reminded of   these living   insights   this evening because I was feeling very tired , worn out and blue from my care giving duties.

Aunt Maya has been   with us for   2 months now.Looking after her is not a burden, but   dealing   with her medical   problems and other life issues causes   heaviness of heart. I wrote 2 or 3 paragraphs about it but deleted it   all.

I wish her children and grandchildren were   concerned and caring. That irks   me quite   a bit. It hurts   her too. Please pray for Aunt Maya' s healing , she has several   medical problems and   a nagging   cough too. She also needs suitable accommodation.

Last night I arranged a dinner party   for   the   three sisters, My Mom , her younger sister Maureen and their sister in law Aunt Maya. Just to cheer them up . We had a good time.

Maureen aunty, Mom and Maya aunty

Salads

Chicken and paneer curries, bread

Butterscotch ice cream for dessert

I was feeling very low this evening but the scriptures from Romans 12 lifted me up an d put me on the straight and narrow.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep
Romans 12
BIBLE
(New Testament)

Ravi Zacharias on many religions claiming to be the true path

2011-09-13T17:34:00.001+05:30

Please click on the You Tube link to listen to a series of Short Talks by Ravi Zacharias, Christian apologist, speaker and author .

Dr Ravi Zacharias says while examining various religions and world views we should keep

the following points in mind.

ORIGIN

MEANING

MORALITY

DESTINY

Sunday Blessings -Is Pluralism More Tolerant Than Christianity?

2011-09-11T19:21:00.000+05:30

Is Pluralism More Tolerant Than Christianity?

Jonathan Dodson »

In the prior (Sunday Blessings) posts, we have examined the claim that Jesus is the only way to God is both unenlightened and arrogant. As it turns out, it's actually the opposite. It is religious pluralism that is rather unenlightened and carries an air of arrogance. In this post we will examine the important idea of tolerance. Is religious pluralism more tolerant than Christianity?

Is Religious Pluralism Truly Tolerant?

Very often people hold to religious pluralism because they think it is more tolerant than Christianity. I’ll be the first to say that we need tolerance, but what does it mean to be tolerant? To be tolerant is to accommodate differences, which can be very noble. I believe that Christians should be some of the most accommodating kinds of people, giving everyone the dignity to believe whatever they want and not enforcing their beliefs on others through politics or preaching. We should winsomely tolerate different beliefs. Interestingly, religious pluralism doesn’t really allow for this kind of tolerance. Instead of accommodating spiritual differences, religious pluralism blunts them. Let me explain.

”The claim that all paths lead to the same God actually minimizes other religions by asserting a new religious claim. When someone says all paths lead to the same God, they blunt the distinctives between religions, throwing them all in one pot, saying: “See, they all get us to God so the differences don’t really matter.” This isn’t tolerance; it’s a power play. When asserting all religions lead to God, the distinctive and very different views of God and how to reach him in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam are brushed aside in one powerful swoop. The Eightfold Noble Path of Buddhism, the 5 Pillars of Islam, and the Gospel of Christ are not tolerated but told they must submit to a new religious claim–all ways lead to God–despite the fact that this isn’t what those religions teach.

The Religion of Pluralism

People spend years studying and practicing their religious distinctives. To say they don’t really matter is highly intolerant! The very notion of religious tolerance assumes there are differences to tolerate but pluralism is intolerant of those very differences! In this sense, religious pluralism is a religion of its own. It has its own religious absolute—all paths lead to the same God—and requires people of other faiths to embrace this absolute, without any religious backing at all. It is highly evangelistic! Religious pluralism is highly political and preachy. Yet, it does so under the guise of tolerance. It is a leap of faith to say there are many paths to God; it is not a self-evident fact. It isn’t even an educated leap, nor is it as humble and tolerant as it might appear.

Recall Stephen Prothero’s comment regarding religious pluralism:

“But this sentiment, however well-intentioned, is neither accurate nor ethically responsible. God is not one.” He goes on: “Faith in the unity of religions is just that—faith (perhaps even a kind of fundamentalism). And the leap that gets us there is an act of the hyperactive imagination.”

Enlightened, Humble, Tolerant?

As it turns out, the reasons for subscribing to religious pluralism—enlightenment, humility, and tolerance—actually backfire. They don’t carry through. Religious pluralism isn’t enlightened, it’s inaccurate; it isn’t humble, it’s fiercely dogmatic; and it isn’t really all that tolerant because it intolerantly blunts religious distinctives. In the end, religious pluralism is a religion, a leap of faith, based on contradiction and is highly untenable. Christianity, on the other hand, should respect and honor the various distinctives of other religions, comparing them, and honoring their differing principles–Karma (Hinduism), Enlightenment (Buddhism), Submission (Islam), and Grace (Christianity). In the next and final post, I will examine Jesus’ exclusive claim, and the charge that his teachings in Christianity are unenlightened, arrogant, and intolerant. In particular, we will examine the unique principle of grace.

India 's Black Wednesday- Delhi Terror

2011-09-11T09:07:00.002+05:30

Today America remembers and mourns for the tragedy which took place 10 years ago while India is reeling from shock and grief in the aftermath of another terror attack in the nation 's capital.

A high intensity blast outside the Delhi High Court on Wednesday (Sept 7th) morning claimed 13 lives and left 76 injured. This is the second terror attack near the High Court in four months. The earlier attack in May was a low intensity one with no casualties. Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI), an Islamist fundamental outfit operating mostly from neighbouring Bangladesh, has sent out e-mails to several news organisation claiming responsibility for the attack.

The bomb was placed in a suitcase near gate number five of the high court where more than 200 people had gathered to collect passes to enter the premises. Wednesday is a busy day at the court since Public Interest Litigations are filed on the day. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals — Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital.

The blast caused a four feet deep crater at the spot, indicating it was a powerful bomb. The police said there were traces of ammonium nitrate and pentaerythritol tetranitrate and it appeared to be a sophisticated bomb

Security personnel secure the site of the blast outside the Delhi High Court in New Delhi on Wednesday . Subhav Shukla/PTI

There was no CCTV camera at the sensitive location. The Delhi Police has released sketches of two suspects based on descriptions provided by eyewitnesses. The metal detectors at the gates were also not functioning.

The e-mail sent by HuJI, says the death sentence awarded to Afzal Guru, the 2001 Parliament attack convict, be revoked. It threatened to target major high courts and the Supreme Court of India if it was not done. The veracity of the mail is yet to be ascertained. The case has been handed over to National Investigating Agency (NIA), which will supervise the probe with a special 20-member team, according to government sources.

“We take the mail very seriously,” said NIA chief SC Sinha.

Speaking in Parliament, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government will not be intimidated by terrorist groups and it is “determined to track down the perpetrators of this horrific crime and bring them to justice”.

He regretted that the blast happened despite sharing of intelligence among several agencies. “Intelligence agencies constantly share intelligence inputs with Delhi Police. Intelligence pertaining to threats emanating from certain groups was shared with Delhi Police in July, 2011,” he said.

Reacting from Bangladesh where he is on a tour, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the as “a cowardly act of a terrorist nature”. He added, “We will deal with it… we will never succumb to the pressure of terrorism.”

“This is a long war in which all political parties, all the people of India have to stand united so that the scourge of terrorism is crushed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP and the Left parties have asked the government to explain whether there was any intelligence failure.
(Source Firstpost.com)

When I was a child the words terrorism and terrorist were mere shadows and not to be confronted with. Now they have become words ans images of almost daily usage

Anna Hazare- India' s New Messiah

2011-09-09T22:28:00.002+05:30

Protests, rallies,marches, demonstrations, strikes etc. are quite common in India, the world 's largest democracy. People express their angst and emotions through them. They demand justice, social action and government intervention. Most of this public activity is politically motivated. Every now and then we come face to face with them.

But the month of August saw the mother of all campaigns which united the whole of India and made the ruling coalition government sweat profusely.

Anna Hazare, the 74 year old crusader against corruption lit a fire which spread all across India

Middle class Indian society joined in to oppose corruption and scams which have  caught several politicians and VIPs in their net.
Mr Hazare went   on a fast which lasted   for 12 days and kept everyone on tenterhooks and glued to the TV.
I am quite   skeptical of the Lokpal Anti corruption bill which is   the bone   of contention between   the government and   social and civil activists.
It will take more than a law to eradicate or   at least lessen the corruption an d moral decay which   has seeped into our   society. A change of heart is required.

I took some photos at the local demonstration, marches and speeches in the city center.

(A BBC report)

Mr Hazare's campaign to strengthen an anti-corruption bill has received widespread support, with tens of thousands of people attending protests across the country.

The Indian government has been rocked by recent corruption scandals including an alleged telecoms bribery scam that may have cost the country $39bn (£23bn), suspected financial malpractice linked to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and accusation that homes for war widows were diverted to civil servants.

Critics of the government say the scandals point to a pervasive culture of corruption in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's administration.

A recent survey said corruption in Asia's third largest economy had cost billions of dollars and threatened to derail growth.

A model of Anna Hazare

The horrific face of corruption

Social activists taking a stand

The young and the old join in patriotic fever.

Campaign merchandise. I bought a cloth cap.

A local politician giving an interview.

I am calling Anna Hazare , India' s new Messiah because he was able to rally toegther his countrymen of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life together for a common cause. They found a role model in him, an idealist, a Gandhi like hero.

Sunday Blessings -What Do the Religions Teach About God

2011-09-05T17:20:00.000+05:30

What Do the Religions Teach About God?

Jonathan Dodson

In the previous post, we observed the tendency to answer this theological question through social experience. Many Christians conclude that there must be many ways to God (or act like this) because their social experiences introduce them to kind, respectable people who do not believe Jesus is the only way to God. In fact, many of our friends believe the opposite, namely there are many ways to God, a view called religious pluralism. In the next few posts, we will examine the claims of the religious pluralist.

3 Reasons

Over the past four years in Austin, Texas (a case study city for Harvard’s Pluralism Project), I have had the opportunity to meet, know, and talk with both Christian and non-Christian pluralists. As I have reflected on these conversations, it seems that there are at least three reasons people drift to religious pluralism. They believe there are many ways to God, not just one, because it seems more enlightened, humble, and tolerant. In the next three posts, let’s take each of these–enlightened, humble, tolerant–and examine these reasons more closely.

What Do the Religions Teach About God?

Is the belief that all religious paths lead to the same God more enlightened or educated? Well, all religions teach very different things about whom God is and how to reach him. In fact, there is a lot of disagreement between the religions regarding the nature of God. Buddhism, for example, doesn’t believe in God. Islam teaches an impersonal monotheism, Allah. The Koran states that God reveals his will, but not his person. Christianity teaches a personal trinitarianism, where God is three persons in relationship, Father-Son-Spirit that can be known and enjoyed. Hinduism is all over the map on this question, ranging from polytheism to atheism. The reason for this is because there is an absence of definitive revelation to clarify their “theology.” Instead Hinduism has multiple sources of revelation (Upanishads, Vedas, etc.). Contrary to Islam, Hinduism has no presuppositions about the nature of God. In short, religious views of God differ. If so, it would seen far from “enlightened” or educated to claim that all religions lead to the same God, when their views of God are, in fact, radically different. The claim of the religious pluralist contradicts the tenants of the religions themselves.

“Religions are distinct and make very different claims about God and how to reach him."

What Do They Teach About How We Reach God?

Religions not only teach different things about who God is but also how we “reach him.” Buddhism suggests the 8-fold Noble Path, Islam the 5 Pillars (Shahadah, Prayer, Fasting, Charity, Pilgrimage) and Christianity the gospel of Jesus. Therefore, to say that all religions lead to God is not only unenlightened it is inaccurate. This is the thesis of Stephen Prothero, Boston University professor, in his new book God Is Not One. He writes:
It is comforting to pretend that the great religions make up one big, happy family. But this sentiment, however well-intentioned, is neither accurate nor ethically responsible. God is not one.

Prothero goes on to point out that just as God is not one, so also all religions are not one. They are distinct and make very different claims about God and how to reach him. In light of what we have observed regarding what religions teach about the nature of God and how to reach him, religious pluralism must be reconsidered. Subscribing to religious pluralism because it is more enlightened or a more educated view of world religions is not only unenlightened but also inaccurate.

Shining India

2011-08-31T21:43:00.003+05:30

(photos I took of malls in Lucknow)

While India teeters under the burden of poverty, economic upheaval,mismanagement of natural resources and corruption in every strata of society But spaces in burgeoning cities and SEZ (special economic zones) give no indication of it. This is the India of the well heeled, upward mobile, successful and powerful.

In India power is associated with money and the right connections. And I have nothing against this minority group because I wish to join them.

I visited some of these palaces of progress for entertainment value (I do so here also) trying to to feel disdain for the highly priced merchandise, like a small Body Shop bar of soap which cost Rupees 145 (I can buy 5 soaps with that amount of money). I feign allergy to expensive skin care products...I won' t tell you what excuses I conjure up for other things.

In India the disparity between the rich and poor is fathomless.

I try not to be in awe of the well manicured green lawns on the other side of the fence but rather be content with the herbaceous thickets on my side.

God has given me a unique opportunity this week. Starting tomorrow I have volunteered to teach a women 's class with my friend , Diana. We will be training a group of ladies who come from rural areas. Having a few hours with them for 4 to 5 days depending on how much material we can cover each day.

Diana and I have gone through the teaching materials together. I got up at 4 am to start my preparation. I am really looking forward to it. We are helping at a newly formed Bible School.

Please pray for us .

Sunday Blessings- Aradhna- Adoration

2011-08-27T20:37:00.002+05:30

A couple of years ago I discovered the Indo-American band called Aradhna (worship in Hindi). It is a fusion of Classical Indian and Western music. The lyrics are in Hindi and some Sanskrit (our ancient language) . They have also songs in Nepali. Some members of this band grew up in India - so our language, culture and music was second nature to them.

The video I am posting here is based on the Beattitudes - the teaching of Jesus from Matthew 6. The music and video will bring you closer to India

Matthew 5
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Beatitudes

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Biography from http://www.aradhnamusic.com/

It is impossible to listen to Aradhna without a sense that something much deeper is brooding under the music. Spirituality is such an easy term to throw around when speaking about a thing you can’t explain but nonetheless feel. It’s a term that breeds ambiguity and at times, misunderstanding. Nonetheless it is a word that is necessary in describing the formation and subsequent work of Aradhna. After all, the name of the band is the spiritually charged Hindi term that means “adoration.” Popular music is often made to settle into the nooks and crannies of our daily humdrum, like an elixir against the pain of human existence. We drink it in and feel a bit better but we don’t expect it to change anything beyond our emotional state. Aradhna is a band with higher aspirations, making music that is centered around spiritual enlightenment and transformation while keeping ethnic integrity intact.

We live in an an age where cross-cultural musical projects are a dime a dozen, and all too often they result in a half-baked, watered-down muddle of eclectic instruments banging into each other. The sitar was introduced to rock and roll way before many of us were born. World music has been around long enough to go in and out of style many times over. Western attempts at eastern music is an arena where many more fail than succeed. It’s a road that is fraught with cultural and aesthetic baggage that ensnares all but a few who have managed to produce something worth listening to. Aradhna is among the few who have created a new and enduring sound out of diverse musical traditions of North India and North America.

Somehow, Aradhna has been able to glide past the subterfuge of globalization and establish itself as a band that is genuinely interested in creating cross-cultural dialogue through the arts. They are the real deal and they sing in a bunch of languages and people from all over the world are listening to their music.

Aradhna’s front man Chris Hale writes, “…my passion in life is to build bridges between cultures. A good bridge builder has a strong foundation on his own side and then builds a strong foundation on the other side, and then he crosses over.” Strong foundations are indeed one of the defining characteristics of Aradhna’s founding members. Chris Hale, an American, spent his childhood and adolescence in South Asia, where he gained fluency in Nepali and Hindi. It was in these formative years that Chris began to study the sitar and develop a love for bhajans, the classical devotional genre of India, and particularly of Hindus. In 1991 Chris formed the rock fusion band Olio and toured all across India for 6 years before releasing their first Hindi album Naam Leo Re (1997). Later that year, American guitarist and vocalist Pete Hicks returned to India, the land of his birth, to join the band in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Olio concluded its final tour in 1999 and soon after Hale and Hicks reunited in London. Soon the two friends began a new collaboration that would evolve into Aradhna.

As soon as Chris and Pete had enough material for an album, they decided to record in the U.S. where they met up with bassist Travis McAfee. The three of them had an instant rapport, as Travis spent part of his childhood traveling to Africa, India, and throughout Southeast Asia.

In the spring of 2000, Deep Jale′ was recorded, which they decided to release in the U.K. over the course of a three-month tour. Aradhna was born, and the ardent response to their album and performances encouraged them to continue arranging traditional bhajans and begin composing songs of their own for their next release Marga Darshan (2002). After performing extensively in India and North America, Aradhna’s touring expanded to the South Asian Diaspora in South Africa, Guyana and Suriname where East Indians have lived for over a century.

During this time Aradhna self-released three more notable records and gained new audiences as diverse as the music itself. From the beginning, Aradhna has chosen to remain independent from the support of the record industry in order to stay true to their artistic vision. As each new offering surpasses the last, their decision to maintain creative control has certainly made for better art and more innovative collaborations with the likes of Ric Hordinski, Naren Budhakar and Jim Feist, among others.

Now Aradhna is releasing their most ambitious and far-reaching project yet, their sixth album Namaste Saté, along with a companion DVD Sau Guna, a collection of music videos filmed in Varanasi, India. The intimate and immense sound of Namaste Saté not only builds upon the best of their preceding albums but deepens the possibilities of cultural and spiritual contextualization in the most winsome and genuine of ways. (Click here for a full write up on the album.) Until you experience their new album and DVD together, you cannot fully appreciate the degree to which Aradhna is achieving its goal to produce a prodigious body of work and build lasting bridges between disparate communities throughout the world. To support the release, the band will be touring extensively throughout the U.S.

I want this Poster on the Wall of My House

2011-08-24T21:20:00.000+05:30

In Nature 's Lap - Lucknow Zoo

2011-08-23T07:47:00.000+05:30

The Zoo is located in the heart of the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. It is being managed as a Trust, by the Zoo Advisory Committee with Forest Secretary to the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh as Chairman, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Uttar Pradesh as Vice Chairman and Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh as Administrator. An officer of the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests is posted as Director, for over all day-to-day management of the zoo.

The Central Zoo Authority, Govt. of India, categorizes the Lucknow Zoo as a large zoo. It has an area of 71.6 acres. It has two veterinarians who look after the health and general up keep of the zoo inmates. The diet is properly checked, sterilized and supplemented with vitamins from time to time. The animals are regularly checked for diseases and worms and preventive and control measures are adopted accordingly.

The Zoo has one head keeper, keepers and sweepers who work under the supervision of the two veterinarians. The Zoo receives annually around 12-13 lakes visitors of which around 40-50 percent are school children. The Zoo has 447 mammals, 348 birds, 57 reptiles and a total of 97 different species of wild animals. Some prime possessions are the Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Lion, Wolf, Hoolock Gibbon, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Rhinoceros, Black buck, Swamp Deer, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Asiatic Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Common Otters, Hill Mynahs, Giant Squirrels, Great Pied Hornbill, Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant etc. The Zoo is successfully breeding Swamp Deer, Black Buck, Hog Deer and Barking Deer, White Tiger, Indian Wolf and several Pheasants.

The Zoo has a newly constructed Nature Interpretation Center where "Touch Table Programmes" are held every Friday for school children. Here, children are given hands-on experience and information about the skins of various animals, eggs of birds/pheasants, tusk of elephants, plaster cast of Tiger pug marks, etc. and also shown one wild life movie. The nature Interpretation Center also houses trophies of various wild animals, a press gallery giving information about the present and past status of the zoo. The site available outside the Nature Interpretation Center is developed as Jurassic Park where different animals/birds, that are extinct or are on the verge of extinction, are displayed in the form of models.

To Provide additional entertainment to the visitors in the Zoo, especially the children, a Toy train was started since 1969. The rolling stock consisting of engine and two coaches is the gift of Railway Board. The train was inaugurated on the Children's Day Nov. 14, 1969 by the then Chief Minister, U. P. the length of the track is 1.5 km. and has crossings and signals. Rides start from Chandrapuri station and this toy train is attracting huge visitors and has proved to be an asset for the zoo over the years.

State Museum, LucknowThe UP state museum

in Lucknow, once was situated in the historic Choti Chattar Manzil and the Lai Baradari. It moved in 1963 to its new premises, a modern structure in the Prince of Wales Zoological Garden (Lucknow Zoo).

The initial collection centered around the arts of Avadh and objects related to the customs, habits and mythology of India. Gradually, it expanded to include excavated antiquities from Piparahawa, Kapilavastu, where the Buddha grew up. Today, this has evolved into a multipurpose museum with sculpture, bronzes, paintings, natural history and anthropological specimens, coins, textiles and decorative arts. From the vast number of displayed objects, some hundred are rare and of great value. These include an inscribed wine jar bearing the name of Aurangzeb Alamgir (17th century), a jade chamakali with the name Jahangir and the date 1036 AD, a 16th century painting of a scene from the Kalpasutra depicting an elephant rider and a Jain mum, a 16th century copy of the Harivansha in Persian with nine illustrations, rare silver and gold coins, a prehistoric anthropomorphic figure and a fossilised plant. However, what thrill visitors most are the Egyptian mummy and wooden sarcophagus (1000 BC).

Sunday Blessings - Is Jesus the Only Way?

2011-08-21T19:09:00.000+05:30

Is Jesus the Only Way?

Jonathan Dodson » God Worldviews Culture Apologetics

This is the perennial question of our generation: “Is Jesus the only way to God?” Some ask it with disdain: How could anyone assert that Jesus is the only way to God? Others ask it with genuine sense of doubt. Is Jesus the only way to God? Only in books do we find this question asked and addressed so explicitly. So while the question may mark our generation, we are loath to discuss the answer. Why is this question so besetting for our generation? Over the next few posts, I will address this question with honesty and sincerity.

Answering the Question Socially

If the answer is: “Yes, Jesus is the only way to God” a line is drawn where we would rather have things remain fuzzy. Why would we prefer this particular claim to fuzziness? In many cities there are an array of religious beliefs: Mysticism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity, just to name a few. The presence of so many different religions in cities leads many people (Christians included) to the conclusion that all religious paths lead to God. Why? When we meet people from various religions who are kind and sincere because of their religious beliefs, it seems arrogant to insist they are wrong. After all, their religion appears to have made them very enjoyable, respectable people. I, for one, have met many people I would consider more generous and sacrificial than some Christians I know.

“What if our generation became known for not only posing great questions but also grappling deeply and sincerely with their answers?
”
A Theological Decision Based on Social Experience

When people of other faiths rival Christian character, we face a tendency to affirm all religions as valid ways to God. We make a theological decision based on social experience. Rather than investigate the answer to one of the most important questions, we prefer to glaze the question with inch-deep reflections upon the character of people we meet. Understandable…but not wise.

What if our generation became known for not only posing great questions but also grappling deeply and sincerely with their answers? Many Christians claim that belief in Jesus is the only way to God. Others insist there are many ways to God. In the next post, I will explore more on why some people insist there are many paths to God.

The City of Princes (Nawabs)- Lucknow

2011-08-19T22:55:00.000+05:30

Lucknow ( Hindi: लखनऊ, Urdu: لکھنؤ, Lakhnau ) is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. Lucknow is also the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division.

Located in what was historically known as the Awadh region, Lucknow has always been a multicultural city. Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persian-loving Shia Nawabs of the city are well known amongst Indians and students of South Asian culture and history. Lucknow is popularly known as the The City of Nawabs. It is also known as the Golden City of the East, Shiraz-i-Hind and The Constantinople of India.

Today, Lucknow is a vibrant city that is witnessing an economic boom and is among the top ten fastest growing non-major-metropolitan cities of India. It is the second largest city in Uttar Pradesh state. The unique combination of its cultured grace and newly acquired pace is its most promising feature that augurs well for the future.

Located in what was originally known as the Awadh (Oudh) region, Lucknow has always been a multicultural city, and flourished as a cultural and artistic capital of North India in the 18th & 19th centuries. Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persian-loving Shia Nawabs of the city are well known amongst Indians and students of South Asian culture and history.Lucknow is popularly known as The City of Nawabs. It is also known as the Golden City of the East, Shiraz-i-Hind and The Constantinople of India.

Lucknow is placed among the fastest growing cities and now it is metropolitan city of India and is rapidly emerging as a manufacturing, commercial and retailing hub. This unique combination of rich cultural traditions and brisk economic growth provides Lucknow with an aura that refuses to fade away.

Lucknow has Asia's first human DNA bank. This is world's second bank having DNA identification system (DIS) and has been established in the Biotech park under the public private partnership with IQRA Biotech Services.

Modern Lucknow is a bustling metropolis. Historically, it was a centre of Urdu literature.

Nawab Asaf-Ud-Dowlah (1775-1797)[11]After 1350 AD the Lucknow and parts of Awadh region have been under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughal Empire, the Nawabs of Awadh, the East India Company and the British Raj. Lucknow has been one of the major centers of Indian rebellion of 1857, participated actively in India's Independence movement, and after Independence has emerged as an important city of North India.

Until 1719, subah of Awadh was a province of the Mughal Empire administered by a Governor appointed by the Emperor. Saadat Khan also called Burhan-ul-Mulk a Persian adventurer was appointed the Nazim of Awadh in 1722 and he established his court in Faizabad[12] near Lucknow.

Awadh was known as the granary of India and was important strategically for the control of the Doab, the fertile plain between the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers. It was a wealthy kingdom, able to maintain its independence against threats from the Marathas, the British and the Afghans. The third Nawab, Shuja-ud-Daula fell out with the British after aiding Mir Qasim, the fugitive Nawab of Bengal. He was comprehensively defeated in the Battle of Buxar by the East India Company, after which he was forced to pay heavy penalties and cede parts of his territory. The British appointed a resident in 1773, and over time gained control of more territory and authority in the state. They were disinclined to capture Awadh outright, because that would bring them face to face with the Marathas and the remnants of the Mughal Empire.

Many independent kingdoms, such as Awadh, were established when the Mughal empire disintegrated. Awadh’s capital, Lucknow rose to prominence when Asaf-ud-Daula, the fourth nawab, shifted his court here from Faizabad in 1775. The city was also North India’s cultural capital, and its nawabs, best remembered for their refined and extravagnt lifestyles, were patrons of the arts. Under them music and dance flourished, and many monuments were erected.[13] Of the monuments standing today, the Bara Imambara, the Chhota Imambara, and the Rumi Darwaza are notable examples. One of the more lasting contributions by the Nawabs is the syncretic composite culture that has come to be known as the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb.

Nawab Saadat Khan IIIn 1798, the fifth Nawab Wazir Ali Khan alienated both his people and the British, and was forced to abdicate. The British then helped Saadat Ali Khan to the throne. Saadat Ali Khan was a puppet king, who in the treaty of 1801 ceded half of Awadh to the British East India Company and also agreed to disband his troops in favor of a hugely expensive, British-run army. This treaty effectively made the state of Awadh a vassal to the British East India Company, though it notionally continued to be part of the Mughal Empire in name until 1819.

The treaty of 1801 formed an arrangement that was very beneficial to the Company. They were able to use Awadh's vast treasuries, repeatedly digging into them for loans at reduced rates. In addition, the revenues from running Awadh's armed forces brought them useful revenues while it acted as a buffer state. The Nawabs were ceremonial kings, busy with pomp and show but with little influence over matters of state. By the mid-nineteenth century, however, the British had grown impatient with the arrangement and wanted direct control of Awadh.

Wajid Ali Shah (1847 - 1856)[11]In 1856 the East India Company first moved its troops to the border, then annexed the state, which was placed under a chief commissioner - Sir Henry Lawrence. Wajid Ali Shah, the then Nawab, was imprisoned, and then exiled by the Company to Calcutta. In the subsequent Revolt of 1857 his 14-year old son Birjis Qadra son of Begum Hazrat Mahal was crowned ruler, and Sir Henry Lawrence killed in the hostilities. Following the rebellion's defeat, Begum Hazrat Mahal and other rebel leaders obtained asylum in Nepal
Those company troops who were recruited from the state, along with some of the nobility of the state, were major players in the events of 1857. The rebels took control of Awadh, and it took the British 18 months to reconquer the region, months which included the famous Siege of Lucknow. Oudh was placed back under a chief commissioner, and was governed as a British province. In 1877 the offices of lieutenant-governor of the North-Western Provinces and chief commissioner of Oudh were combined in the same person; and in 1902, when the new name of United Provinces of Agra and Oudh was introduced, the title of chief commissioner was dropped, though Oudh still retained some marks of its former independence.

The province of Awadh (anglicized to Oudh) was annexed by the East India Company in 1856 under the Doctrine of Lapse and placed under the control of a chief commissioner. In the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (also known as the First War of Indian Independence and the Indian Mutiny), the garrison based at the Residency in Lucknow was besieged by rebel forces. The famous Siege of Lucknow was relieved first by forces under the command of Sir Henry Havelock and Sir James Outram, followed by a stronger force under Sir Colin Campbell. Today, the ruins of the Residency, and the picturesque Shaheed Smarak offer reminiscences of Lucknow's role in the stirring events of 1857.

Because of its historical importance, commercial activity, and cultural activity, Lucknow has frequently been a center of political activity, prominent in the independence movement. The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was negotiated there, between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League to support pressuring the Raj for greater autonomy, a marked shift for the Muslim League.

The Khilafat Movement had an active base of support in Lucknow, creating a united platform against the British rule. In the Khilafat Movement Maulana Abdul Bari of Firangi Mahal, Lucknow actively participated and cooperated with Mahatama Gandhi and Maulana Mohammad Ali.

In 1901, after remaining the capital of Oudh since 1775, Lucknow, with a population of 264,049, was merged in the newly formed United Provinces of Agra and Oudh.[14] However, it became the provincial capital in 1920 when the seat of government was moved from Allahabad. Upon Indian independence in 1947, Lucknow became the capital of Uttar Pradesh, the erstwhile United Provinces

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I have drawn the above information from Wikipedia and other sources. Here are some photos I took while in the city

The state Legislative Assembly

called the Vidhan Sabha where

laws are made and government offices

are situated.

Some modern buildings

Posh shopping area called Hazratganj.

Statues of political icons