Friday, October 25, 2013

A House is NOT a Home - Thomas Schaller


Recently, in Baltimore, a car load of us passed by a few blocks of newly built houses. They were architecturally "homey" with beautiful bright colors - red, yellow, and pastel blues, with small yards and nooks and crannies of various shapes and configurations. Big, ugly apartment buildings built in the 1950s were torn down to make room for these lovely 21st century houses.

Looking at those beautiful homes provoked questions. Are there families that live in them? Are the families connected? Are they talking? Are they caring? Do they have a sense of value in regards to a home? Is there a dad? Do they resolve conflicts? Do they leave their emotions at the door? Does dad have a vision for his family? Does mom support dad in the vision? Is God in the home? Do the children have family memories to cherish? A house, four walls and a roof, cannot produce a home. What does it take?

This month we are teaching a series on "The Home Front." Consider the challenge:

* 85 percent of the babies born in Pittsburgh do not have a father present
* The teenage suicide rate has tripled since 1968 across our country
* 1.5 million babies a year are aborted in the U.S.
* Wife beating and sexual abuse of girls under 16 years of age is at an all-time high.
* How many of us know a divorcee? The divorce rate hovers at 50%

The proverb that states "wisdom has built her house but the foolish pluck it down with her hands" is very relevant (Proverbs 14:1). We must make every effort to help one another in this great enterprise of raising a family. People need our help. We have been blessed by God's grace in living a full life through the wisdom that comes from above. Our lives are not perfect, but we have found a divine resource. We have found the Word of God speaking. We have found the gifts of Christ in the Body of Christ. We have found the power to deny ourselves for the good of the family. We have found good friendships - where iron sharpens iron. People all around us need help and encouragement and godly advice. It is a great gift to us that we have more than houses, we have homes. 

Thursday, October 3, 2013

HE knows...

Have you watched this documentary on Mumbai trains ?
Made by BBC, it shows you the crazy crazy rush on the city's trains. I call it the inhumane rail travel in Mumbai !

I was on my way to work and waited for my train at my usual platform # 4. Since my train was scheduled for much later... I just stood around and watched. I watched the routine fight people go through get into an already crowded compartment even as people are fighting to get out. In these trains, people get elbowed, crushed, pushed and shoved. Its like a real fight.

As I watched on, my eyes got hold of a little guy so timid and so tiny. He wore a rickshaw driver's uniform. So I knew he just handed over his rickshaw to the owner and was now on his way back home. Surely after a 12 hour shift. He looked tired and hungry.

Everytime he tried to enter the train, he was pushed out by the people getting off and the people getting in were too busy trying to get in before him. He kept missing the train. He looked like a little rat scampering around the place. Unable to defend himself he kept missing the trains. I began to feel really bad for him. He was helpless and weak. For one moment I became furious because people were too busy to help or even notice. No one cared for him. No one helped him to get in. Since the trains here have separate compartments for ladies and gents, I knew I myself couldn't do anything for him !

I was now beginning to see my life through this man's example. I knew that I am not very different from this poor, timid, weak and helpless man. I get pushed around, I get thrown to the ground, I get beaten to dust, I get hurt. A bump here, a scratch there, a heartache, a brain freeze. So I began praying. Then as I was praying, the LORD's comfort comforted me for this stranger. I knew that very that if I could hurt by just watching this man whom I don't even know and whom I met for the very first time, how much more does GOD my FATHER care fr him and for me! HE who collects my tears in a bottle. HE knows my hurt. My sighs and my longings are not hidden from HIM. HE knows my pain and HE heals me. HE knows the secret most longings of my heart and HE satisfies my desires with good things.

CHRISTian be comforted in this - HE knows your anxieties. HE knows the deep things of your life. HE knows the times you felt rejected and HE already had a plan to take you to a place of favor. HE knew that heart break and HE knew just what could fix it. HE is Sovereign over me and you and over the whole universe ! HE is Ominiscient - All knowing !

In the multitude of my anxious thoughts knowing that 'HE knows' comforts me. It cheers and delights my soul !