A DAILY PLEDGE

Today there will be struggles, problems, crises, setbacks, disappointments, hard work, tough situations, tougher people, and various opportunities for losing my temper, being harsh, getting frustrated....BUT...I will remember to be thankful to my God who is with me and loves me. I have to be his ambassador by being confident, cool and composed. I will be patient, calm and understanding. I infact choose to forgive in advance all who may knowingly or unknowingly hurt me. I refuse today to be agitated, disturbed or harsh. I will be sober and kind, just and merciful. I will do all the good that I can and to all I can. I will use every opportunity to further the Kingdom of God (love, joy, righteousness and peace) in the lives of those whom I will meet. I will love at any cost and maintain peaceful relationships. My attitude will be of gratitude. I will listen more and speak less. I will not be rash in my judgement or partial in my dealings. I will be honest, happy and hopeful. I am free to be God’s beloved child and I will glorify my Maker through my words, deeds and thoughts. I will help others also to be all that they should be – God’s Beloved Child. Amen.

BEATITUDES FOR TODAY....

1) Blessed are you when you are rejected by men, for the Lord accepts you.
2) Blessed are you when you lack goods and wealth of this world, for the Lord will provide for you.
3) Blessed are you when what rightly belongs to you is taken away, for the Lord will recompense double to you.
4) Blessed are you when you do not set your hopes in the people and things of this world, for the Lord will recompense you.
5) Blessed are you when you are betrayed, for the Lord will show his faithfulness to you.
6) Blessed are you when refuse to be negative, slanderous or cruel with your words, because the Lord will give you his own words to speak.
7) Blessed are you when you are poor and weak in any area of your life, for the Lord will be your helper and strength.
8) Blessed are you when God is your ultimate and sole priority and pleasure, for the Lord himself will take pleasure and delight in you.
9) Blessed are you when you are crucified for the sake of love, for then you are like the Lord who died for you.
10) Blessed are you when you choose God above all because in front of all men and even angels, God will choose you.
11) Blessed are you when people revile and criticise you for doing good, because the Lord himself will reward you.
12) Blessed are you when you love unconditionally without any boundaries, for the Lord’s own loving heart will love you.
13) Blessed are you when you are unafraid to take risk for the kingdom of God, for the Lord himself will protect and guard you.
14) Blessed are you when you can smile in your pain and hopelessness, for the Lord’s divine will will be perfected in you.
15) Blessed are you when you love charity and kindness, for the Lord will make you a channel of blessing for others.
16) Blessed are you when you can hold your peace and refuse to be angry, for the Lord’s own calm and serenity will surround you.
17) Blessed are you when the attraction of this world does not seduce you, for the Lord will let you experience heavenly joys in this world and eternal life forever.
18) Blessed are you when you have the courage to defend the helpless and speak for the voiceless, for the Lord will use you to be his ambassador in this broken world.
19) Blessed are you when the house of God is your home, for the Lord’s presence will forever pervade you.
20) Blessed are you if you have been found by God, for now the Lord will raise you and make you new.
21) Blessed are you when you humble yourselves, for the Lord will exalt you.
22) Blessed are you when the cares and worries of the world do not bog you down, for the Lord’s peace will raise you.
23) Blessed are you when you have nothing, for then the Lord can give you everything especially his own self to you.
24) Blessed are you when you care for this world, for the Lord gives you abundantly of his own kingdom.

LOVE NOTES

It is no secret that I enjoy my kids (two teenage nephews). They are my joy and delight. However it is no cake-walk to be with them always. Sometimes they make me happy with their hugs and kisses and at other times I find myself shouting and screaming at their naughty games and little mischiefs. Most of the time we are at peace- playing games, watching TV or surfing through FB. At other times, we cannot see eye to eye! It’s really funny actually to see us interact as even our serious discussions can sometimes turn into heated debates and arguments. However, the underlying current is deep affection and love. It is often unsaid and unexpressed but always understood – like a hidden pact or treaty! I am amused because often when I am busy or caught up, I find myself remembering their lovely faces amidst my hectic work schedules and outings and smiling at the very thought of them. I love it when they wait for me, dote on me, smother me with their bear-hugs. I feel such a deep love and attachment to them that I enjoy every little thing that I do with them – sitting on the sofa with them, or watching them study or play, or listening to their (sometimes fancy, made-up) daily updates and reflections – it is also so refreshing, joyful, lively and lovely! I think I could never trade it for anything in this world. And as I pray and reflect on our relationship, I feel overwhelmed by such emotions of a deep, strong love that I have never known. I feel that this has to be from God for it is beautiful. The Bible says those who can love, know God. I am sure God is there present powerfully in our relationship. Moreover, somehow I feel God is loving my kids through me and also me through them. This is how God works for us, through us and in us. Moreover, God also loves us this way – crazily, attentively, personally, minutely and oh so, ecstatically! I wish we could all love God and love each other. This world would be heaven!

DIFFERENT THOUGHTS

These days I often like to imagine what would be the thoughts of God!! Preposterous as it may seem it is a refreshingly amazing exercise for my soul. Most of the time I end up being pleasantly surprised too because I realize that somehow thinking HIS thoughts sets me free from many foolish trappings and wrestlings of this world. For instance, when I feel hurt or offended and want to get back in revenge, these God-thoughts help me to see that God would not do that! I am led to divine forgiveness. Sometimes when all looks confusing and crazy around me, and I feel trapped, these God-thoughts help me to see the goodness and beauty that is hidden in the mess that frustrates me. I am led to a divine peace. At other times, when I am weary and bogged down by interior struggles and wish to give up, these God-thoughts help me to see his marvellous plan even amidst the sufferings that besiege me. I am led to a divine joy. Yes, I feel and realize for sure that his thoughts are far more higher and grander than mine could ever be and even if I manage to think a tweeny-weeny bit like him, I will be transformed radically! His thoughts are healing and restoring, renewing and refreshing, joyful and peace-giving, blessing and loving. When we think like him, we truly live as we should be living...simply...freed from vanities...even happily even amidst pain and calamities...and we can enjoy the journey of our life...joyfully facing the storm of life’s many harsh realities... Amen.

LOVE

We all believe that God is a life-giver. But as we grow in our knowledge and expereince of God, we will realise that he is a lover. He is smitten. He is helplessly involved. He is waiting. He is longing... for us - you and me. Jesus also said that when he spoke to Nicodemus that God so loved the world....(John 3:16) I know it feels strange because we would rather have a tough fatherly, dominating and business-like image of God. Our relationship with him also should be also matter-of-fact, give and take. This is the idea we grow up with. He is up there!! High and lofty, mighty and oh so unreachable!!! But actually this is not even an inch of the image of God that Jesus reveals in the Bible. Here we meet a God who laughs with children, cries for his friends and eats with the outcasts. We see (in Jesus) a God who cares, heals, consoles and provides. Strange and yet appealing to people like me who have grown up with the 'fear' of God! Actually God is love and he loves us unconditionally. I am happy with this knowledge because it sets me free to be myself - broken, confused and sometimes a downright mess! I know he will not give up on me and will pursue me till the end. I want to give in and love back. And yes, I sense his happiness because my heart just missed a beat!!

RISE

A few days back one of my dearest friend walked out unscathed and uninjured from his wrecked car. His car had been smashed and completely toppled over by a reckless cabby. As he looks back, he still cannot but help say that it was all a miracle. He feels that the debris of his car gives proof of the fact that only the supernatural grace of God could have saved him. He was fine (though shocked) and infact handled all the after-work of towing away the car, settling insurance, dealing with the police (and also his concerned family!) in such a controlled and calm way. In a lighter vein he says he was downright efficient! He also recalls that strangers flocked in to help him and to straighten up the car. He says that they were like angels! Yes, today as we both reflect we know in our hearts that this whole incident has a message. No doubt once again we are in awe of God and his plans for our lives. He has certainly got a purpose in granting us time and again the miracle of NEW LIFE! He has placed us again and again in front of our eyes the fact that life is beautiful and cannot be wasted. We may have had wreckages and accidents (pains, betrayals, failures, let-downs, criticsms and hardships) but we can rise again. We can walk out of the wreckage. We can be downright efficient. We can be sure that all will be taken care of. We can rest assured we are not alone in it. God sends angels on the way to help and guide us. Let us be encouraged and rise up and walk once again in the name of Jesus. Let us once again live, love and long for the Kingdom of God. Amen

MEANING

God has not given us life to live just for ourselves. He has given us life so that we may do the works that he does. Yes, we are here to do signs and wonders, miracles and healings in his name. Once we know him, we can be sure that he wants us to share his life and his work. We can raise the dead, calm the storms and give sight to the blind. To the hopeless, we can give hope. To the lost, we can show the way. To the lonely, we can give love. To the sick, we can reach out with healing grace. We can share our bread. We can clothe the naked, free the prisoners and lift the fallen. We can be kind to the sinner, patient with the confused and compassionate to the suffering. The list is endless. God needs us to be his hands and feet. His eyes and ears. And above all to be be his heart of love. Let us go forward and rejoice for her has called us to give life to this dying world. WE will give meaning to the lives of millions if we just say - Yes, Lord! Open yourself to the great plan of God and see how happy you would be. Amen

EXPRESSIONS OF GOD

God expresses himself through us. We are all expressions of his divine life and light. All of us in our own different and unique ways reflect his love and goodness, his joy and beauty. It is an amazing reality which we must accept. All of us have the capacity to fully reflect the qualities of God in all that we are, do and say!!! We can be fully alive and happy when we realise this awesome fact about ourselves and listen to the indwelling promptings of the Spirit of God within us. We honour God by believing in these inspirations. We bring happiness to all around us by being God-like. Thus for example when we create things of beauty - art, architecture, music, clothes, poetry,homes, even clothes or foods, we are being our true God- given selves and therefore fulfilling our God-given purpose to be like him. In the core of our beings dwells real greatness and life. No matter how small we feel about ourselves, we are carry inside us the power of the Most High God. If we just be what he desires us to be (he desires according to his own special gifts to us) then we would be truly free, happy and alive. And most amazing of all is that you would be a blessing to those around you. Life would be beautiful and this world would be saved from more brokenness and pain. At the moment maybe you don't feel, see or care but be sure the Spirit of your Father God will not let you settle to be mean or mediocre...Amen

TOGETHER

These days I am surprised at the strange new and scaring intensity of pain and sufferings in this world.... and more than that at the growing gross insensitivity of people towards it. It seems we have grown into apathetic beings – cold, ruthless and selfish. This is indeed the dark and evil side of our human nature. However, there is hope if people who still feel the pain of others stand together and stand for justice, love and peace, for charity and goodness, kindness and generosity. I know there are thousands and thousands who long for a better world. I wish we could all meet and walk together or we could just work hard to re-do and renew the little corner of the earth where God has placed us.... Amen

SUFFERING

Suffering brings us closer to God and those who are ready to learn from it become better people. The most important thing to remember is that God is with you through it all and he makes a way for us to overcome it. Also he comforts us more than anyone else can. We need to turn to him during such times and wait with hope. Another point, he will soon make us HEALERS and COMFORTERS if we give ear to his voice that calls us out of storm to hold on and not to lose faith, love and hope! Amen.

REST

Inspirations come only in stillness and silence. I am not so good at both of them yet sometimes some situations of my life do force me to take a step back and look at myself and my life in silent reflection. Actually everywhere there is so much noise that it is hard to be quiet. And yes, there are noises in our head that keep on banging at us and reminding us about so many urgent matters. Yet, I feel a life of contemplation is needed by all of us. A special time when we can rest in the presence of God and let him pervade our being. This would refresh us and renew us. Also certainly his all-powerful love can silence the noises of pain and give us peace and well-being in our body, mind and soul. We need to have a few minutes asides, away from the world and even from ourselves ...to find who we really are. Amen.

COME BACK!!!

I am back to my blog after months!!!! Actually one has to be really inspired to first of all write and second (and most important) of all to share this with others what the Spirit is telling you deep inside your own spirit. The past few months have been both hectic and traumatic- with lots of good work being done and lots of painful moments. But the biggest assurance all through was the love of Jesus Christ and my family and friends. Somehow even through my struggles the Lord gave me the grace to hold on to LIFE and LOVE....Yes, even though I am not completely out of it all yet I feel very compelled to go on....I know when we are at nothing, God is upto something and he will surely give me a TESTIMONY after this TEST and a MESSAGE from this MESS!!! Amen.

COMEBACK

I am back

COMEBACK