Close Calls

A few years ago I heard a sermon preached by Ps John Kenny titled 'Do It Again'.

Do you remember how as kids we loved the thrill of being picked up and swirled around. That crazy mixed feeling of excitement and fear always left me wanting more. And when I was placed back down all dizzy and still trying to get my balance, I'd look up to my dad and say 'Do it again!' 

Ps John Kenny was relating this to a Christian going through trials. As a believer when I am in a trial I have a barrage of emotions swirling me. Fear, uncertainty, faith, moments of doubts. The waiting and wanting and watching. Alternating between expectancy and anxiety, faith rest and complacency. Praying with all my strength and then having no strength to pray. And then at the end of all this comes the sweet deliverance. And when we are delivered we look up and say 'Do it again!'

Of all the very impossible mountains, giants and red seas the Lord gave me victory over, my sweetest victories have been breakthroughs that were very close calls. When every odd was against me. I'd even hear a voice whisper in the middle of the night 'It won't happen this time... God won't come through... Not this time'. Just when I gave up...thinking 'The battle has been lost. Let me give up and let it be', that God came through. In the most astoundingly unbelievable ways. 

So thrilling was the ride and do you know what my response to that was?

'Do it again Lord, do it again!!'

I am sure our Father knows what we need for life and excitement. He knew us as the child who said 'Do it again!' and when we grow up He knows we still enjoy the adventure of being in a close call. And while He plans the perfect deliverance, mostly always timed to happen at the last minute, He leaves us wanting the thrill and more of Him. 

What the devil was using to destroy me, the Lord used to bless me and more so, He made it so exciting that I'd enjoy the work of His deliverance and He is glorified! (Genesis 50:20)

Such A Waste Of Time...

So often things happen in life...the kind of things that don't translate into success. Like the two jobs I was interviewing for the last couple of weeks. Everything seemed to be going so well. And then, at the tail end of it, neither came through. 

With failure comes introspection... thoughts such as "What did I do wrong?" or "What did I say wrong?" or "What could I have done differently" and such... with failure also comes comparison and that begets negativity and that births resentment. Naturally!

But Spiritually speaking, God knows. Nothing that happens is outside His will and His timing.

I cannot comprehend what this loss means. What seemed like a miraculous answer to prayer didn't end positively. And this wasn't the first time. I cannot understand why GOD would put me through this interview when it was never meant to be. When I have been praying and waiting on Him for a breakthrough for so long now. And there are many events in my life and in the life of any Christian that seem to end like this ...this never makes sense to my logical mind. And this is when I have to allow faith to takeover sight, and feelings and logic and reason and I have to make a stubborn choice to trust the Lord with all that is within me, to know in a very real and experiential way that He alone is in complete control over every single detail. In things that pan out and in things that don't, He is still making a way.

God is always surprising me. In the past I just could not handle a disappointment well because I did not know my God well enough. But as God showed me His faithfulness from one test to another trial, I began to discover how wonderfully He works. Even in the most hopeless of situations He has something for me, so often He does something for me...something always so marvelous and so praiseworthy. This encourages me to pray and to stand on His promises and to keep on going on.

I don't know how, or what, or when...but I know He knows exactly how I feel right this moment and what He did in the past He will do again...

We Are the King's Ambassadors

  A certain fellow took a trip on an airplane and was seated next to a chemist. “I know a little
bit about chemistry,” the fellow told the chemist, and he proceeded to rattle off a couple of formulas. After some discussion, the chemist was obviously impressed with his knowledge.  “Say, you do know a little bit about chemistry,” the chemist said. “What do you do?”  “I am an ambassador,” the fellow said. “I represent the King.”

“I have never met an ambassador before. So you were sent here from another country?”
 

“Yes, I was.”
 

“So, you are only here temporarily?”
 

The traveler said, “Yes, that’s right.”
 

“What king do you serve?” the chemist asked.
 

“I represent King Jesus,” was the man’s answer.

“He sent me, and He is seeking for you. He wanted to bring you a message, to show you kindness and mercy, and to pour out His love to you.”

The chemist prayed to receive Christ and was saved.

 


                                                                   Excerpt from Called to the King’s Table by Dr Carl Stevens



 

 

It Can Be Done

Hattie Wyatt was seven years old. She went to a little church just outside of Philadelphia. It was all broken down in a very dirty looking building. But the preacher was good.

She came home early one day, and her mother said, "Why are you home? Why aren’t you in Sunday School?" She said, "Because the place is small and it’s full and there’s no room for me."

So Hattie got on her knees, and she said, "Mom, I’m going to sign a contract with God today that He will bring in a great, big, beautiful church because the way that preacher preaches, he’s going to need it."

Within just a month, Hattie came down with consumption and died, and the small assembly gathered at her funeral. Her mother showed them the contents of her little pocketbook: fifty seven pennies and a prayer that read, "God can do it."

The pastor began to get overwhelmed, and this man, Dr. Russell Conwell, wrote Acres of Diamonds. Motivated by Hattie’s life to write that book, he made six million dollars. Then from Temple Baptist Church they built Temple University and Temple Hospital.

You see, a seven-year-old girl believed that she had authority with heaven. She was just seven, and God took her home. She left fifty seven pennies and a prayer, "God can do it."

Agape

Has you experienced a huge need for things you've always taken for granted?

One of the top things in my "took for granted" list is fellowship in my church back home. The deep things of God addressing the deep needs of my soul kind of conversations. I have a handful of friends I enjoy fellowshipping with here in Vancouver. Yet, nothing comes close to those raps, after service meals, surprise birthday parties, family camps, coffees with friends, etc.., etc...

I have been attending a bible study since September. The group is a nice mix of age groups including 5 university students. As for me, I get along better with people my age or older. I have trouble mixing with people younger than me because I cant seem to enjoy a nice meaningful conversation with young adults.

The leader of my group is young and the apprenticing couple is also very young. Coming from a background of solid Bible teaching, its hard to deal with messages and conversations that don't draw out the deep things. So, I sit there questioning and judging and wondering about what people are saying. Many times, in the course of the study, God's showing me how He has no trouble meeting people where they are at in their walk with Him. We are all at different points in our journey after all. 

One evening, before leaving for the study, I sat down to pray. As I was asking God to prepare my heart for the study I felt God impressing on my heart to stay quiet, to not say anything at the study. He was asking me to just be quiet and that was going to minister grace to the group. I knew what God was asking me to do and planned to do it His way.

At the study, people began sharing what they thought God was showing them. These university kids were sharing things that did not make sense to me and right then a great need to speak was surging within me. In my head I knew this was good stuff and the group would greatly benefit from. So at the next opportunity, I shared my thoughts. The moment I finished saying everything I wanted to say, I felt God's rebuke. His Spirit was showing me that I may have very good content but I wasn't sharing from a place of agape love. My behavior was not Spirit led or Spirit controlled. But I thought I shared a very fantastic thought... I was not comfortable and in response to the Lord's beckoning, I entered a time of prayer. God showed me I wasn't Spirit led or Spirit controlled. I wasn't acting very different from Nadab and Abihu who acted out of God's will and timing.

I catch myself acting like them all the time. When Christianity becomes a process and the love of Christ is not constraining me, I'm just a clashing gong...a noisy person.

I prayed "Lord, how I want a heart that's rooted in Jesus, radiating His love, mercy and grace at all times and with everyone...not age specific grace, not race specific or denominationally different but greater grace....because that's what I receive from You every moment."

Would you like a cup of tea as well?

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth'. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
                                                                                                                        Matthew 5: 38-42 (NASB)


I want to write this down lest I forget... it had been one of the hardest seasons... career-wise. With no leads and no prospects even after a year long search, I lived downcast and with each day I was getting more discouraged.

My job search began a year earlier. I had resigned and expected to find work within the notice period (ambitious!) Since I had not found anything by my last day, my boss so kindly offered me an extension till I found a job. It all seemed so temporary and I happily worked expecting to find something soon. I did not have a job title - my replacement got my title. I did not have a desk or a clear job description either. As a result I slowly began doing odds and ends for every department. Since I didn't have anyone to report to, I became everyone's personal assistant. As you can imagine, this was getting very frustrating.

Very often, I was tempted to feel like a doormat. But God was teaching me a new lesson...

One of the heads began treating me like a handyman asking me to do a lot of silly things like run to the store for a set of batteries or cable hooks. He was getting on my nerves and I was biting my lips... trying hard not get reactionary.

One evening, I was at my desk discussing a project with one of the directors. This person came up to me and asked me to get his visitor a glass of water. I just stared at him for a few seconds thinking of the best thing I could come up with. Instead I said "Okay". Inside of me, I was just so furious. How dare he ask me to bring him water... if only he looked at my resume! The director talking to me couldn't suppress his shock either and was upset at this man's attitude. I was very quick to tell my colleague about how this has been happening all the time. To which he said, "Let me handle this". So he went to the kitchen and came out with the 2 glasses of water and took it to the boardroom. the guy's instant response was "Why did you have to bring us water!"

This was a brilliant thing to do from the world's perspective. But God was not cheering me on. Instead, His Spirit was convicting me and teaching me obedience in the things I was suffering.

I often hear people say a Christian does not have to be a doormat. It's never been clearer... what the world calls a 'doormat ', we call,  'Christlikeness'. I was happy to be a smartass but unwilling to be Christ-like. Jesus showed me not just in words but by example as well. He taught me what a laid down life looks like. Yet, I keep taking my life into my own hands. I sat in bed late that night, my Bible opened to Jeremiah 17:7-9 and I was reflecting on the day and the season in general. Matthew 5:38-42 came to my mind. It was like a message being preached to me in my head. I now knew the right thing to say the next time this happens, I am going to say,"Would you like a cup of tea as well?"

Eureka, 2007

"When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; 23 for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever."

                                                                                                                                         Joshua 4:21-24

I have decided to write down all the incredible things God has been doing for me even before I acknowledged Him as my Lord. I decided to do this because I recognize this season as a good season to write about His great faithfulness....

EUREKA, 2007

I worked for a technology giant and was doing very well for myself. I got to work on some of the best projects in the company pertaining to my team and all this was working in my favor. But still I wasn't interested in career progression. What I was really interested in is getting married and having babies and having a nice stable career. While the rest of my team was working towards the most coveted promotion, I was aspiring to be a perfect wife and a great mom!

It was around this time that I began reading the Bible (on and off) and was very slowly opening up to all the initiations from God. My friend Pradeep was talking to me about Jesus and how much He loves me. Pradeep began sharing his faith with me two years ago but I never thought of doing anything about it for a very long time. And then, after a series of events, I began to explore the possibility of a God who loves me.

The story I am writing about is quite an incredible display of God's power:

For the first time, I got invited to an important brainstorming session to ideate about making a certain business process cost efficient. Everyone who got invited to these meetings were the thinking class of the company. My team was a highly competitive team and were doubly enthusiastic about bringing new ideas to the drawing board. It was very easy for someone as uncompetitive as me to feel out of place in this room filled with career minded individuals. The first thing I noticed was this girl who once told me she read over 3000 books! Also in this room were a couple of my colleagues who won several awards. My best friend and my boss's blue-eyed boy was in the room too. And as I say this, I'd like to state for the record that Michael being boss's blue-eyed boy was not an unjust favoritism. I had no problem with that because I knew he earned it by being the focused, bright and personable guy he was.

As the meeting began you could sense the tension to the very bone. Everybody was shooting their best suggestions, everybody was at their creative best. And I, I did not have a single smart thing to say. This was a belittling moment for me and wished I'd just melt there... just vanish. And then I called out to the God I was just getting to know. And I said "Jesus, if you brought me into this meeting give me something to say. I feel pretty dumb sitting here with nothing to contribute." I don't remember what triggered the next thought that ran through my head. And I blurted it out aloud. I didn't even allow myself to think it through before saying it. There was silence. My boss said "That's great" and he drew the flowchart on the whiteboard. He liked it, the guy from the strategy planning team liked it and the meeting concluded. The meeting concluded with my idea! It was going to be made into a project to test it's cost effectiveness. I was stumped. My best friend Michael was stumped. People congratulated me as they walked out of the room. Michael remembered this was something we did in the previous company we both worked for. And I remember him exclaiming "that was so neat Plaks. Why didn't I think of it? How did you think about it?" I was still numb and shocked, and I said "I don't know Michael, but I just prayed to Jesus. I asked Him to give me something to say."

Now that slip-of-the-tongue idea went on to become a big project. It got me the promotion I was not working towards, a huge bonus and a major award. It also made me quite famous. I was receiving congratulatory emails from all over. The CEO, himself,  sent me an email telling me how much he appreciated my contribution!!

I want to remember this story when nothing seems to be going my way. I want to be reminded of all the things God is and has done for me and is doing for me and that He will work all things together for me again and again and again and forever....

 

GOD Alone!

I am on the brink of wishing my family good bye and its hard. It's so hard to see them leave not knowing when I get to see them next, given our culture to be very very close to family. On the other hand, I have always wrestled with another kind of weakness, i.e. keeping away from the phone to hear a tangible audible voice that comforts and counsels when trials get the best of me. Falling seventy times seven, confessing Proverbs 24:16 and trying harder the next time I'm hit. Feeling successful each time I overcame a trial without a phone call and completely discouraged when I failed. This morning I asked the LORD to give me something for today.... like fresh manna this devotional is so timely :-)

Hope this blesses you...

 

"On mine arm shall they trust."
Isaiah 51:5

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father's arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time. Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress.

 

 

"Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him."

The last few months felt very dark and cold. Not just because of the winter, but the lack of fellowship that has always kept me so warm and ablaze. I was missing the prayer times and the raps that was my daily diet back home. My best friends in India who are GOD's faithful servants and all our conversations that revolved around testimonies and mission fields and biographies. It was around this time of discouragement that Judy, my new friend from church invited me to a Missions Fest. I thought to myself 'Missions Fest...I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world"

We went over to Canada Place on Saturday morning and I felt like Elijah. And the LORD who didn't rebuke Elijah for feeling alone, but encouraged him with this verse - "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him."

I stood in the midst of GOD's faithful and was overjoyed to know I'm not alone. Judy and I attended a praise session, we heard a message and then watched a documentary on Mozambique and for the first time I heard about the beautiful work of redemption there.

 

 While we sit in the comfort of our beautiful warm homes wondering why is there suffering in Mozambique or Somalia or Cambodia, real Christians decide to be like JESUS and go and do the work the LORD did in our lives. And not just half way around the world, but ever so often our mission is across our streets and within our hoods. And that was just the theme of the Missions Fest.

 

We walked around the exhibition area and looked at the various missionary organizations. Everyone together under one roof - so thrilling!

 

 I took a moment to worship the LORD in the midst of HIS faithful.... to think we all will be in Heaven together!

 

 

 

 

It's an honor to know that I am not alone in my discouragement and that GOD never leaves me to figure it out. HE knows the point of my discouragement and HE arranges everything to meet me just there...

 

A Loving Father...

When I was in grade 1, I was completely fascinated by a boy in my class. He was a brilliant boy who was good at everything. He topped not just the class but the entire grade. He always won the singing competition, the elocution competition, the general knowledge quiz and every competition in school. Every time the teacher asked a question, he knew the answer.  Every single time. And that really impressed me. I was so awestruck by him that I just couldn't stop talking about him.

My daddy usually picked me up from school on his cycle. I sat on a little seat on the cycle bar telling daddy all about my day in school while daddy pedaled me home. And all my stories used to be about this boy. I'd say "Daddy, it took Mahesh only 1 minute to solve the maths sum on the blackboard and the teacher made us all clap for him" and "Daddy, Mahesh won the trophy for the general knowledge quiz" and "Mahesh got selected to represent the school in the inter-school elocution competition". One time my daddy said "You really like that boy, don't you?" And my cheeks turned beetroot red.

That was the first time I realized what it meant to like a boy in a fuzzy way. I didn't know I liked him. But all along daddy knew. And while I was praising him to the skies, he was thinking to himself, "My baby girl has her first crush!" Throughout my school life, at the start of each new academic year,  daddy asked if Mahesh was in my class. He knew that would make me happy. He also knew I secretly hoped that we would be in the same class.

An earthly father limited in so many ways, knows his child's needs. Finite in his understanding and he understands his child's secret longings. Without explaining our feelings our parents understand what's going on.

But we have a Father in Heaven who surpasses the best earthly dad. This Father gave us salvation. I didn't ask for it. If He left it to me I would never ask. I would ask for a car, a house and a spouse, it would never cross our mind to ask GOD to save my soul. Now that I am saved by His grace I know that its no profit if I gained the whole world but lost my soul. I thank GOD for not answering those many prayers that would cause me momentary joy but a lifetime of heartache. I always miss asking what's best for me.

I constantly have to remind myself that just as He gave me salvation without me asking for it, He will take care of the other details too. He is not too busy to miss the details of my life or the desires of my heart. He knows the count of the hair on my head and not one of them turns grey without His consent. This comforts me - He knows what I need and He allows what happens to me!

The Road to Spiritual Authority & Leadership

Spiritual Authority and Leadership is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears.

It is attained by confession of sin, and much heartsearching and humbling before GOD;
By self-surrender, a courageous sacrifice of every idol, a bold uncomplaining embrace of the cross, and by an eternal, unfaltering looking unto Jesus crucified.

It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us loss for Christ.

This is a great price, but it must be paid by the leader who would not be merely a nominal but a real spiritual leader of men, a leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth, and in hell.


                                                                                            Author: Samuel Brengle, Salvation Army

The Nathans In My Life

Last Sunday Pastor James preached a sweet message on King David and Nathan, the prophet of GOD. While King David was Israel's greatest king, a man after GOD's own heart, a man who loved the LORD and sought HIM, the man who wrote most of the Psalms, still he was just as prone to fall into sin as you and me are. And he fell. And sin has a way of blinding us and David was blinded. Then David's counselor and friend Nathan approached him and confronted him. David was quick to repent and get right with GOD. But that needed a friend like Nathan. At the end of the message, Pastor James challenged us to go make a friend like Nathan and that got me thinking.

I was blessed to think about all the Nathans the LORD gave me during one of the most difficult trials of my own life. And even though they spoke the truth, it was hard for me to receive their words. They were not rude or self-righteous in their delivery but GOD's truth has a way of penetrating our very souls not very different from a physical surgery to slice away a tumor. I am likening that to a part of our soul that is growing or feeding an unnecessary feeling or attitude. The purpose of this post is to share the counsel that still continues to bless me...

Suzan Silva taught me the Genesis 22 principle. She taught me to leave the things I hold dear on the altar and to look away. To freely give to GOD what HE gives me. That GOD has the power to resurrect or provide.

Susan Scheel helped me get over the introspection and recognize the enemy's strategy in my life. She always had a way of helping me see the goodness of GOD rather than my weaknesses.

Deepa Haksar who taught me that nothing and no one is more important than JESUS is. And when I was utterly cast down, she pointed me to JESUS. She told me that disappointments that prolong only go to say that I don't trust that GOD is in control in that area of my life.

Mamta Jadhav said 'praise GOD!' even when there seems to be nothing to praise HIM for. Praise HIM for the salvation HE gave us. Just keep praising HIM for who HE is.

Luella Soans told me that GOD gives us tough lessons because HE knows we will take those lessons and learn from it. She showed me through her own life and choices that being teachable is most important during a trial.

Sandra Coutinho sat with me and unlike Job's friends she didn't say a word. For 5 hours I spoke and she listened. Then in the wise Sandra way she said, 'Don't let go of your faith in JESUS, because if you let go now, what will you hold on to?'

Cleo Fernandes, my dear brother and friend kept encouraging to look at HIM who at the end will stand on the circle of the earth. That I'm on my way to Heaven is the greatest joy, and that I will see JESUS face to face. He never let me get sentimental and he never once lost his cool.

Nisha Ewing always told me to take my disappointments to GOD and that applied for every situation of my life. And her husband Ben Ewing who wouldn't risk saying anything unwise but continued to pray. Their family held me close those cold and disappointing evenings and just prayed.

My mother who went through days and nights while I wept. She was resilient on my behalf. She too may have not understood what was happening. It isn't easy being my mum, and when I look back I know she will get a special crown for being the Godly mother only she can be to me.

And JESUS who has been the friend who stuck closer than a brother and poured HIS strength into my life. HE gave me these Nathans and prepared them to minister grace and comfort to me even before the foundation of the earth. As I type out this blog it amazes me to think that HE did this especially for me. Before what we call time began HE knew the exact moment this trial would strike me and HE made a provision for me through my friends' lives and counsel. What a great GOD I get to call my GOD!

Seeking YOUR Face

My Adullam

Is there anyone who hasn't been caved in? 

We have all had our share of prisons, pits, deserts, Red Seas and giants. A few weeks ago, I remembered a sermon preached by Ps Atul Haksar on 1 Samuel 22, David's ministry in the cave of Adullam. This remembrance was so sweet to my soul that I spent the entire Saturday reflecting on it.  

‎We could call the cave of Adullam 'The Church of Adullam' or 'Adullam Fellowship‎' or 'The Ministry of Adullam' because there we see a man of GOD, in the middle of the greatest crisis of his life, facing a life and death situation and yet, somehow, attracting those who were distressed, in debt or discontented. 

What was David doing differently? How could a man with his very life ‎on the line, minister to 400 distressed, in debt and discontented men? 

When I'm distressed I cry my eyes out. If I were in debt ‎I would have had sleepless nights, been sick with anxiety and over think my tomorrows. And when I am discontent I must but talk about it! Imagine having 400 'mes' in a cave! 

The Bible says these 400 men gathered around David and he became their leader. Now that's something. This where I pause, look at a life lived for GOD‎ and get inspired to be a David in my own calling. 

I don't think the 400 distressed, in debt and discontented men entered the cave together. May be the fame of David's ministry grew. Just may be, David's ministry began with one distressed guy. And that guy may have invited his friend. And we don't know how long it took for David's church to grow to 400 members. But David was surely doing something that was causing his ministry to grow within this demographic. 

If I were in David's place, I would wonder about what was going on. I'd ask the LORD "what's going on LORD, I thought you anointed me to be the King. What am I preaching and counseling for? What...do you want me to be a preacher now??" But David was on the move, heeding the voice of GOD and yielding to GOD in obedience. 

I live in a beautiful basement suite in North Vancouver. I live alone. Life is not all that I would want it to be, as yet. And it's so easy to feel caved in. At many times I am attacked by projections that may have paralyzed my capacity to serve GOD by ministering grace and comfort to the distressed, in debt and discontented people placed close to my life. But a child of GOD can't afford sentimentality or frustrated emotional capacities. 

Like David, I want my home, my hiding place to be an Adullam, a place where a weary person is refreshed and leaves a mighty warrior. To use my house and my resources and my very life to be about my FATHER's business...

Freedom On The Narrow Road

I want to share this testimony I read in the book 'A Chance To Die', a biography on Amy Carmichael's Life. She was an Irish missionary who came to India in the late 1800s. Carmichael's most notable work was with girls and young women, some of whom were saved from customs that amounted to forced prostitution.  In 1905 she founded the Dohnavur Fellowship. Young girls were dedicated to the gods by their families, and then usually forced into prostitution to earn money for the priests i.e Devadasi. Carmichael's fellowship transformed Dohnavur into a sanctuary for over one thousand children who would otherwise have faced a bleak future.

So Amy Carmichael rescued this girl from the tradition of 'Devadasi' when she was only a baby. And Amy who was fondly called Amma in Dohnavur nurtured this child. Gave her a loving environment to grow up in. She taught the girl  modesty and simplicity. And when the girl grew a little older(i forget the name), she took her and showed her the Devadasis from a distance. And this rescued girl looked at the Devdasis in awe...in admiration. She was captivated by how lovely they looked - adorned with beautiful sarees and jewelry and make-up and fresh flowers in their braids. 

This "attractive" sight caused her to detest Amy. She thought Amy had robbed her of a great life bringing her to a place like Dohnavur. She grew up resenting Amy in her heart. Till she was of age, then she knew. Then she understood what she was saved from...She turned forever grateful!

Why I love this testimony!!!

I too grew up with wrong values...placing a very high value on dangerous pleasures. Just getting a kick from a crass lifestyle thinking it was so cool. Attracted to the every things that shine and glitter! 

But JESUS came and HE delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before HIM all my days (Psalm 116:8-9) HE showed me the way I should take - the narrow road with narrow mindedness. This gave me the abundant life. You can have this life you know...And the world will look and detest you for taking this route just like the rescued child detested Amy... but the life HE gives as we walk close to HIM on this very narrow road for two will be a light for the rest. 

Many will take this route too because they will clearly see what it did in you and for you and through you!

Hello My Name Is !

By Matthew West

Hello, my name is regret

I’m pretty sure we have met

Every single day of your life

I’m the whisper inside

That won’t let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat

I know you recognize me

Just when you think you can win

I’ll drag you right back down again

‘Til you’ve lost all belief

Oh, these are the voices. Oh, these are the lies

And I have believed them for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, I have been set free

"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing

Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I am no longer defined

By all the wreckage behind

The one who makes all things new

Has proven it’s true

Just take a look at my life

Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I've been saved, I've been changed, I have been set free

"Amazing Grace" is the song I sing

Hello, my name is child of the one true King !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The way we choose with GOD....

When we cannot see our way
Let us trust and still obey
HE who bids us forward go
Cannot fail the way to show

 Though the sea be deep and wide...
Though a passage seem denied
Fearless let us still proceed
Since the LORD vouchsafes to lead

                        
                                    - Anonymous

Jobs, Careers and GOD

I had this post in mind for a very very long time now... because a few people who are so close to my heart, have eeither been looking for jobs, or have been searching for a job that truly satisfies. Whatever be the situation you find yourself in, I pray this post will bless you.

For most of it, my life has been a struggle, like everybody elses. At one time, I so wanted to be a teacher. I worked very hard towards it. I tried so much to get into a very presigious teacher's training institutes in my city. But my application was rejected on the grounds of ill-health even though I wasn't ill. So I got discouraged and gave up that dream.

Then I wanted to be a chef. But dad who is a veteran in the Hotel Industry, wouldn't let me pursue that. I gave in after a long hard fight with him.

There came a time when I considered social service as a choice for career. Soon that didn't go anywhere. In my heart I always knew I wanted a job that would make a lasting difference. But didnt quite know what it was, or how to move ahead that road.

The year I graduated in Pychology and History, mum enrolled me into a course of Human Resource Management. I didn't understand half the things they spoke about. I was least interested. Yet I went through the whole course. Somehow I did well...

So from here began my quest for a job that would truly satisfy me. Something that gives life purpose and meaning. For the next 10 years I worked, outperformed at every level in my corporate career, but didn't experience the joy of a job that satisfies one's soul.

Why am I telling you all this ??

Because I know of someone who helped me and is ever willing to help you!

2 years ago I heard the testimony of an aspiring basket ball player. He trained hard and did all he could to make it on a team. But on the opening night, because of a fowl (or something like that), he injured his ankle. Doctors said he could never play professional basket ball again.
He said he wept... On his knees he asked GOD to work HIS divine will out for his life. Even as he prayed that, he was afraid that GOD's will could be to send him on a missionfield in China. And he thought he could have been martyred there or persecuted by the Chinese for sharing the Gospel. So he prayed, JESUS give me a job I'd enjoy as much as basket ball !
And yes, GOD answered that prayer... today Bill Alexon is the Chaplain for the Boson Celtics NBA Team... He enjoys every micro-second of his job and he gives GOD all the glory !

I prayed that prayer, when I first welcomed JESUS into my life. And HE answered my prayer too !!!

Do you know what I do today for a living?
I work for an NGO supporting street boys in the city of Mumbai. I have been able to use the things I learned in Management college, and the skills I acquired through those 10 boring years to make a lasting difference. I teach Sunday School and love it to crumbs. I return from work tired and satisfied, fulfilled and excited !!!

If you are where I was 4 years ago, would you try JESUS? Would you give HIM your life, and I promise you, HE will give it back more meaningful... Ask HIM today to give you a job, a career that will use your talents. The kind that you'd enjoy as much as basket ball :-)

Romans 8:28 For we know that GOD works all things together for the good of those who love HIM and for those wo are called according to HIS purposes.

1Corinthians 2:9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has percieved what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM.

Many Prayers,
Plakilla
 

The father who loved his son......

Consider this story I recently heard…

The day is over and you are driving home. The radio tells about a faraway village in which three persons have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu of unknown origin. It’s kind of interesting.

On Sunday, coming home from church, you hear another news release. Only now it’s not three villagers in some remote part of India, but thirty thousand persons in a city near that remote village. Tonight all the major news channels carry the story.

By Monday morning mysterious death is the lead story. For it is not just India; it’s Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran. And before you know it, you’re hearing this story everywhere. Medical authorities are calling it the mystery flu. Panic strikes. The Surgeon General is advising that once the mystery flu is contracted, it lies dormant for about a week. Four days of unbelievable pain and suffering follow; then death—certain death!

Britain closes its borders but it is too late. South Hampton. Liverpool. London. All contaminated. 

It’s Tuesday morning when the President of the United States makes the following announcement: “Because of a national security risk, all flights to and from Europe and Asia have been cancelled.

”Wednesday night. You are at a church prayer meeting. Somebody runs in from the parking lot shouting, “Turn on a radio! Turn on a radio!” The church listens to a little transistor radio held to the pulpit microphone: “Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from the mystery flu.”It has come to America! Within hours it seems, this thing sweeps across the country.

Medical personnel–the best we have–are working around the clock. No progress reported. No antidote found. Efforts seem futile. Oregon. California. Arizona. Texas. Florida. South Carolina. Massachusetts. It’s just sweeping in from the borders.

And then, all of a sudden, the news comes out. The code has been broken! The antibody has been isolated. A cure is imminent. An antidote can be made. But blood is needed: pure, uninfected blood of a very rare type. And so, sure enough, all through the Midwest, through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, everyone is being asked “to go to your hospital and have you blood analyzed. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly to the hospitals.

”When you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, a long line of friends and neighbors are waiting to be screened. Nurses are running about in the waiting room and patient rooms taking blood, labeling it, and handing it to couriers who whisk it down the hall to the laboratory. You patiently wait with your family to get into the hospital. Then more nurses come on duty and start working frantically among those in the parking lot.

Finishing with your family at last, the attending nurse says quietly, “Wait here in the parking lot until we’ve finished the test.” She then hands the labeled vials to a courier and moves to the next family. You stand with your neighbors, staring into space, scared, wondering if this is the end of the world.

Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He’s yelling a name waiving a clipboard. What? He yells again. Your son tugs on your jacket and says, “Daddy, he’s calling me.” Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy.“Wait a minute! Hold it!”The young man says, “It’s okay. We want to make sure he doesn’t have the disease. He has got the right blood type.”He leads your son away.

Five tense minutes later, out comes the doctor and nurses, crying and hugging one another. Some are even laughing. An older doctor walks up to you and says, “Thank you , sir. Your son’s blood type is perfect. It’s clean and it’s pure. From it we can make the vaccine.”As the word begins to spread all over that parking lot, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying.

But then the grey-haired doctor invites you and your wife into his office where your son is lying on a gurney.“We didn’t realize that the donor would be a minor,” the doctor explained. “We need–we need you to sign a consent form.”You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken is left blank. “H-h-h-how many pints?”And that is when the old doctor’s smile fades and he says, “We had no idea it would be a small child. We weren’t prepared. We need it all.”“But-but–”“You don’t understand. We are talking about the world here. Please sign. We-we need it all! We need it all!”“But can’t you give him a transfusion?”“if we had clean blood of his type, we would. Now please sign.”In numb silence you do. The doctor takes the clipboard. “I’m sorry, we-we’ve got to get started. People all over the world are dying.”                                                                                                                                    ~Author unknown

If this were your son, could you leave him and turn away as he is crying and asking, “Mom? Dad? Where are you going? Why are you leaving me?

”How would you feel if the next week, when a memorial service is held for your son, some people just sleep right through it, and some didn’t even come because they decided to take the boat out to the lake, and others came and smiled and only pretended to care?

Would you want to jump up and shout, “My son died!! Do you even care?” Would you just want to shake them and tell them how ungrateful they are? Because of the sacrifice and the blood of your son the whole world has been saved! Is it too much to ask that you take an hour or two each week to remember why you still have life?

I wonder if this is how God feels.I believe that in order to really grasp the concept of what He did for us you have to make it personal. 

Put yourself in His place. Imagine this being your child in this story and then imagine if Jesus was your son. Think about all those people who didn’t deserve to be saved, yet, they were.  When we can think of this great sacrifice in this way does it make you sad? Does it make you want to be a better Christian?

When I heard this story read, I immediately wanted to be better. It helped me understand what God did when He gave His Son to die a cruel death for me.Christians are commanded to remember the Lord’s death on the first day of each week (Act 20:7). I will certainly be mindful of this story as I partake of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday morning.

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TwitterFacebook6GoogleNOVEMBER 23, 2013BY MEGANCHRIST, CHURCH OF CHRIST, DEATH, RELIGION, SACRIFICE

Working Out

Have you noticed the high value people place on working out, striving and conforming ?

People will not only strive to strive but they will also put a trip on people who wont ! We love being strict with ourselves and others...

Yesterday I overheard a conversation between two people speaking about their strict gym routine and diet plans. And how a break in routine discourages them from continuing their activity. Once they take a break they find it very hard to get back...

The more they spoke, the more I saw the law at work and how it binds people. Often times we break the law and find it hard to get back. We love lying there in our failures. When time goes by we feel like we've served our 'self-inflicted' sentence and grant ourselves release. Like as if that was required of us in the 1st place.

But JESUS is not like that. HE is gracious and expects us to be gracious. HE says a righteous man will fall down seven times and yet he rises up and goes on. But the wicked fall down and lie there (Proverbs 24:16). The Biblical definition of a righteous man is someone who is right with GOD and not someone who is always right.

Do you want to be the righteous man of Proverbs 24:16 ?
Begin by inviting JESUS into your life. Say JESUS I accept that I am unable to keep doing the right thing. I keep failing. I sin. YOU sent YOUR SON JESUS to pay the full price for my sins. HE took my sin to the Cross. HE died, was buried and on the 3rd day HE rose again. HE is alive. Because of JESUS I will go to heaven and enjoy everlasting life !

If you prayed this prayer, you are born again. You are made righteous.