Tearing down walls

The people of Jericho had built this impregnable wall around them yet were shivering with fright as they watched the Israelites advance on the sands crossing Jordan. The Israelites must have been filled with confidence as they advanced through the sands of Jordan. They believed in a God that made all things possible to those who believed in Him. If God could part the Jordan River, He will tear that wall down. They had heard reports of the disheartened enemy. It was really a watershed moment for the children of Israel. Joshua’s devotion to God does not stop there, after crossing Jordan all the men of Israel who had not been circumcised, were circumcised. This ceremony must have left the soldiers completely paralyzed for a few days.

Was this not a defiant act toward the enemies to come before them and to willfully make themselves weak? A painful reminder of who was in control. A suffering that they persevered through, yet which filled them with hope that God was going to win this war for them. This was the fulfillment of a promise to Abraham 600 years ago, that one day they would possess the land of Canaan. They renewed this covenant by circumcision. A ceremony that sanctified them in the eyes of God.

As I was surfing the web the other day, I came across an innovative prayer strategy that the Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Wisconsin employed. One of their staff members challenged them to form a group that walked around their campus to bring down the spiritual walls that prevented the students from coming to Christ. It was well received and their procession attracted much attention. They were able to draw some more students to their fold. I wonder what will happen to if people of God did silent processions of prayer around strongholds of evil and corruption?

As we look into our own lives and those in our community of faith, are there walls we are building about us, willingly or unwillingly? If we do build walls, do we find ourselves walling certain people out of our lives? Do we build walls that will be broken down only after our goals are achieved? Do these walls really manage to block people out of our lives? Can we hope for a day when the entire world will be without walls?

Today I find more and more people who have built walls that keep the love of God out of their lives. They make sure that they live lives that shut God completely out. I turn the television on with fear and trembling, that something will be shown that my son shouldn't hear or see. In the news often the people who get attention is the criminal. A sexual molester or serial killer is glorified by the media as they recount his string of crimes. The madness that we are living in is invited willingly or unwillingly into the heart of our homes. We live in fear that one of these madmen is going to confront us. A runaway prisoner, runaway bride, runaway car….why are we running away from God?

God longs for us to tear down all the walls that separate man from Him. When Christ died on the cross he tore down the wall of sin that separated man from God.He opened the gates of grace for us to approach the throne of mercy. It is time to tear down the walls that separate us from Christ and let him into every area of our lives. It is time that families came together on their knees in prayer for the community and for their own families. Build walls that will keep evil out and open gates of grace that will let broken hearts and lives in to be loved and cared for.

Today we as Christians should circumcise our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 2:29). John Wesley elaborated on this when he preached at St. Mary's, Oxford,
before the University, on January 1, 1733. Circumcision of heart implies humility, faith, hope, and charity. Humility, a right judgment of ourselves, cleanses our minds from those high conceits of our own perfection, from that undue opinion of our own abilities and attainments, which are the genuine fruit of a corrupted nature. This entirely cuts off that vain thought, "I am rich, and wise, and have need of nothing;" and convinces us that we are by nature wretched, and poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked. That "circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;" -- that the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, of one who is in a state of acceptance with God, is not either outward circumcision, or baptism, or any other outward form, but a right state of soul, a mind and spirit renewed after the image of Him that created it.

Let us pray with St Paul for out of the glorious riches Christ Jesus may strengthen our spirits with power through his Holy Spirit in our inner being. May Christ dwell in our hearts through faith. By the grace of God may we be filled with love, peace, humility, and hope. May we grasp how wide, long, high and deep is the love of Christ for us and all generations forever and ever(Ephesians3:14-21).

Memorial Rock

Growing up on a campus which is nestled in a kind of a valley surrounded by hills, we have a large number of rocks strewn all over the campus. Some of these are boulders. They have probably been there for centuries. Rock solid and strong, they have been there through storms and floods, through generations. At my elementary school there is a small natural rock formation in our small play area. Out of the boulders has grown a large tree. A symbol of perseverance and courage on rocky soil. We used to call it the base. When we played catch, if we could some how make it to base, we could still stay alive until we caught our breath and were ready to run to be chased by the one who was “it.”

Memories always come back, when I walk past that rock, I think of all my friends I used play with. Such a wonderful group of guys. I met my best friend there; we continue to be very close even today. There were times even many years after we grew up, I used to like to sit on the Base and just rest for a while. I thank God for my happy childhood. It’s been more than 10 years since I saw that rock. My sister’s daughters went to that school, they played on the rock. Recently I sent an email to my sister and she says the rock is still there.

When Joshua crossed the Jordan with the children of Israel, he told one member of each tribe to take a stone from the middle of the river Jordan and make a rock formation where they camp after crossing the Jordan. He also had them place 12 stones in the middle of the river where the priests who carried the ark stood as a memorial. It was going to be memorials of them crossing the Jordan which stopped flowing for them. Even though it was a season when normally the Jordan is overflowing, by divine intervention the waters ceased to flow to let the children of Israel through. A memorial on the sands of time that could be remembered even after much water has flowed over it. It was the divine intervention of their God of Grace that the waters of Jordan stopped flowing.

There are times we have also experienced the hand of God show us the path out of an impossible situation; we have to remember and be thankful. Do you find yourself too busy with things of this world that you have no time for God? This was a moment when the children of Israel were acknowledging God when there was the fear of an impending battle on the outside and the fears of inner doubts and conflicts that manifest themselves in forces from within. It was Joshua’s way of showing the people that it was God, who could stop the flooding waters of Jordan that was going to win the victory. Their hearts needed to be filled with the same spirit that brought them strength and courage that was in Joshua and Caleb.

Shepherd

Moses when he prayed for a leader, he asked God for a shepherd for the sheep and military commander who will lead the battle. God told him to appoint Joshua. God assured Moses that Joshua had the Holy Spirit in Him (Numbers 27: 15-18). Joshua had distinguished himself as a humble servant of God, serving Moses with strength and honor in battle against Amalek and in faith when he reported that Canaan could be overcome against the report of the cowardly spies. Joshua had proved beyond a doubt that he believed in a God of grace who inspires us by the working of his Spirit in our hearts and minds to express ourselves through works of faith. 

Why was the role of a Shepherd critical for the children of Israel?

Canaan was a hostile nation whose culture and values were totally alien to the Israelites. If they entered, their faith would be embroiled in differences and would have found themselves in a similar predicament as they did with the Egyptians with conflicting religious values. When two different religions merge, the natural course of action is to find those values that the two have in common. This leads to the dilution of the faith of both religions. Christ said if the salt looses its saltiness, it is only good to be discarded. Thus they needed the watchful eyes of a strong spiritual leader who could guide them through the transition. God promised Joshua the land flowing with milk and honey was going to be theirs. He promised them of his presence, that he would never fail or abandon them. God encouraged them to be strong and courageous. God told them to follow the path set for them through obedience to the laws given through Moses, and to read the scriptures day and night. He assured them that they would succeed (Joshua 1:6-9). Here God was revealing to Joshua the strength and power that came from reading, listening and obeying the word of God.

Psalm 23 is the model Psalm for the role of a Good Shepherd. 

This is probably one of the psalms many Christians today know by heart. It has a ring of the voice of our Lord Jesus to it. We can almost sense Him softly whispering these words to our heart, except when we get a hard knock with the rod and staff. This is one of the psalms of David. It is a psalm of abundant living in green pastures. We can sense the watchful eyes of the good shepherd upon us as he leads us through the paths of righteousness. The Good Shepherd anoints our heads with His Holy Spirit and our cup salvation is overflowing. The Good Shepherd assures us of His presence in the shadow of death.

Christ said that He was the good shepherd who lay down his life for his sheep. 

He was the good shepherd who was the role model for all those who wanted to be shepherds for his flock. The role of a shepherd (John 10:9-15) is critical, as it is the shepherd that protects the sheep from thieves who kill and destroy. St. Paul warns us to watch out for savage wolves who will come to distort the truth and entice people away from the flock (Acts 20:17-38). They are ones that cause divisions in the church. It is this gift of discernment that must be always active in the role of a shepherd. Without this discernment it is very difficult to shepherd the flock.

Do you hear the voice of Jesus asking you if you love Him? Do you hear the voice of the Jesus asking you nourish the needs of someone you know? Have you ever denied or felt ashamed to acknowledge your faith in a loving saviour? Jesus after his resurrection met Peter by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:15-19). He asked Peter three times, “do you love me?” Each time Peter said he did. Jesus told Peter feed (tend) his lambs. It was as if Jesus was going through Peter’s repentance for having denied him three times. This spiritual exercise had a major impact on Peter. Peter who retraced his steps to fishing returned to the ministry of fishing for men and feeding his sheep.

Let us affirm our faith with these simple words, 

"Lord I love you, empower me with the Holy Spirit to strive to be a good shepherd."

Passing the Torch

My son’s choir in church sang the song, “The Lord is my strength and my song….Sing with Moses and the people”. How many of these songs of strength continue to inspire the young and old even today? “Alleluia, Alleluia. Oh give thanks to the Lord, and praise his name forever”. He has been promised a special yellow bead at the end of the year, which he will string to his choir chain he wears around his neck if he learns this song by heart.

Moses was inspired by the Holy Spirit as he faithfully wrote the holy scriptures of the Israelites in the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch gave the Israelite’s faith definition, form and structure. In the wilderness we witnessed the birth of a nation, the start of a community of faith. The children of Israel were a people that loved and worshipped God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41). What has been the contribution of the children of Israel to the world because of their holy scriptures? It was through Moses that the Ten Commandments came into existence. The Pentateuch and Ten Commandments lay the foundation stones for the Old Testament. The Israelites had been suppressed by the Egyptians and had wandered through the wilderness for 40 years. They were ready to occupy the Land of Canaan.

Moses had been a dominating figure in the lives of Israelites and now the time had come to pass on the leadership to someone who was younger. Joshua himself must have been well into his eighties. God told Moses to lay his hands on Joshua, and to present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community and publicly to commission Joshua with the responsibility of leading the people. He told him to transfer all his authority to him so that all the people will obey Joshua. Here was Moses setting a trend for the smooth transition of effective leaders. Moses was a leader who was humble enough to set another in his place, to be led henceforth under his directions.

What does being an assistant to one of the biggest leaders and major contributor baring St. Paul in the history of the Bible for 40 years mean? How does one slip into the shoes of such a dominating figure as Moses? It is only human to compare. These are problems many new leaders face. The book of Joshua is similar to the Acts of the Apostles. Here Moses laid down the laws. Now Joshua moves on to uphold the law and keep the message alive in the future community of Israelites in Canaan.

Faithful Footprints

You cannot see faith, but you can see the footprints of the faithful. We must leave behind "faithful footprints" for others to follow. Dr. Dennis Anderson

The children of Israel really struggled with their faith. The times they found they were rewarded were when they faithfully followed the divine will of God. Looking at the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and later Moses and Joshua a common thread that links them to God is their belief in God and their trust in his divine intervention when they were in need. Joshua had spent many years under the shadow of Moses. Joshua had been extremely faithful and close aid of Moses through out the 40 years in the wilderness. He had come to know and understand the ways of God through the leadership of Moses. Moses had been able to effectively groom Joshua to succeed him.

St. Paul says that everything was written for us so that through the experiences that our spiritual fathers went through , it may encourage us to have perseverance, that leads to endurance, that leads to Hope (Romans 15:4).

Joshua had been faithful to God all his life. He was one of the two living eye witnesses of the plagues in Egypt. When 12 scouts had initially been sent to see Jericho, only Joshua and Caleb returned to say that they could conquer the land. As Joshua stood over the flowing banks of the river Jordan and saw the city of Jericho, he must have wondered what now Lord?? There were no bridges, boats, airplanes or hovercrafts to take them across. But Joshua knew that if he remained faithful to God, that He would show a way. Lois the mother of a good friend of mine laid these encouraging words in my heart,Where there is no way, God has promised to show a way.

Early Spiritual Fathers

The book Joshua is all about how the Israelites forcefully occupied the land of Canaan. It is full of stories of one bloody battle after another. Didn’t Christ teach us to love our enemies? How do we as Christians try to reconcile these battles with our every day lives? But then again, without the rich history of the faith of the Israelites, they would never have seen the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Messiah being recorded so well. Christ said, “ When I was with you, I told you that what was written by Moses, the prophets and in the psalms must all come true (Luke 24:44).” By saying this didn’t Christ ratify Moses as an authentic teacher of our faith? The text of the Old testament was what Christ based a lot of His teachings on. The only difference being the emphasis shifted from strict adherence to religious laws, to a God of grace who loved them, and wanted them to love Him and one another as well.

Ansalem, who became the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093, was one of the great thinkers of his time. His motto, credo ut intelligam ("I believe so that I may understand"), reflected his intention to explain faith in God by reason. As one ventures into the book of Joshua we continue in our mode of Fides quarens intellectum - Faith seeking understanding. The times of the Old Testament were times when there were many gods with many different powers. Moses was trying to make the children of Israel understand their faith in Yahweh the one true God. Israel was a theocracy and had their own system of justice. The Israelites as a people even under the able leadership of Moses were so easily swayed by the gods of Egypt even in the wilderness. Forty years in the desert had successfully weaned them from Egyptian gods. As Joshua and the children of Israel approached the promised land, the people of Jericho had a religion contrary to their own. Joshua must have had his own fears about the impact their religious views would have on the community. By their laws they saw no other alternative than to eliminate them completely to preserve their faith.

As a child I remember singing “Joshua fought the battle of Jericho” action songs and diving for the floor when the walls came tumbling down. It was an awesome song that we enjoyed singing, as we recounted his proclamation of faith that the battle is in his hands. Don’t we enjoy reading, singing and sharing these stories with our children? I wonder if the Israelites had their children sing songs and psalms of praise of their spiritual fathers of faith? I wonder how many times these stories were told generation after generation keeping our faith alive? If these stories had not been recorded what would our faith be built on? As we study the old testament, we have to come with hearts and minds that are open to receive the message that we get from the lives of those who preserved our faith.

If our early spiritual fathers were Joshua and Moses, their faith is a reflection of how they understood God and were inspired to follow Him. As Christians we try to focus on their faith in the living God. What is it that kept their faith alive? How did they do all these miracles, unless there was divine intervention? Do you see the grace of God in action, as He fulfills his promise made to Abraham many years ago? Moses before he died told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous! God will neither leave you nor forsake you (Deut 31:7-8).” Don’t these words still ring true to us ? Didn’t Jesus also use a similar words to assure us before his ascension? Jesus said, “ I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age (Mathew 28:20).”

Talents

Jesus said to them, 

“Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket,

 or under a bed, and not on a stand?”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4:21‬ ‭

Jesus told the parable of the man who, before embarking on a long trip, gave five bags of gold to one servant, two bags of gold to a second, and one bag of gold to a third (Mathew 25:14-30). The servants with 5 bags and 2 bags doubled their money, while the one with one bag hid the money safely and did not make use of it. When he returned, their master rewarded the servants who had doubled their money, and rejected as a worthless servant the one who had hidden his money. So it is with the spiritual gifts that God gives us – if we make use of them and double them we will be rewarded. Did God expect the servant with one bag to make the same effort as the other servants? Do we have any talents that have made us grow stronger in our understanding about God? How do we use our spiritual gifts to help others, increase their understanding about God? 

 Is there a difference between talents and spiritual gifts? Bach was a brilliant musician who channeled his God given talent of music into a spiritual gift of inspiring people to love, understand and obey God’s word. Whenever Bach composed a piece of music, he wrote the letters S.D.G. at the bottom of the music. Those letters stand for the words Soli Deo Gloria which means "To God alone be the glory". Bach was convinced that his music was a gift from God and that he had a responsibility to use his gift to bring glory to God. Do you use your talents and spiritual gifts to bring glory to yourself or to God? Do you regularly make use of your spiritual gifts and talents so that you improve them over time? Do you have any talents that you find are drawing you away from God? One of the sayings of Jesus was that the purpose of a lamp is to be seen and not to be hidden (Mark 4:21).

Speaking in tongues

Speaking in tongues is a step of faith to speak in a language most often that is not understandable to others. It is for the edification of the individual spirit and not the mind (1 Corinthians 14:2). Though it does not bring about understanding to the mind, it brings strength and comfort to our spirit. Paul goes on to say that when we pray in tongues our spirit prays but our minds are unfruitful (1 Corinthians 14:14-15). So he says when we pray or sing in the Spirit we also should consciously make an effort to pray or sing with understanding. Some of Pauls spiritually edifying and meaningful prayers for wisdom and understanding are in the Epistles he wrote to the churches (Eph 1:17-18;Philipp 1:9-11; Col 1:9).

Speaking in tongues has been a gift that brings unity and enthuisiasm among many christian groups today. However St. Paul says that if someone can interpret what you speak in tongues about then it brings about edification of the body, mind and spirit. This is when through interpretation of the tongue it becomes a gift similar to prophecy (1Corinthians 12:10). What spiritual gift is it that people have that can inspire us and draw us to them? What is it that can cause us to be lead by them to reach heights we have never ventured out to climb? Is it the soundness of their faith, the peace that exudes from them, the sense of joy, the life of challenge? 

 In the gospel of Mark when Jesus commissioned his disciples to go into all the world and preach the good news, he said that one of the signs that will accompany those who believe is that they will speak in new tongues (Mark 16:17). When Jesus spoke of speaking in tongues, did He mean the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues or a natural gift of speaking a new language to spread the gospel? 

 Depending on which stage of our life we are in, we have certain natural gifts and abilities. Through the empowering of the Holy Spirit we will be able to use it effectively for the growth and development of the Body of Christ. Today three major gifts of the Holy Spirit are emphasized among end of days evangelicals and Pentecostals are: Speaking in tongues, Prophecy, and Healing. So we come to Christ in prayer and ask for wisdom and understanding to use all our gifts and talents to work within us and through us to strengthen and encourage those we come in contact with.

Prophesying

A prophecy is a revelation that comes directly from God. It lies as a burden on the prophet’s soul until s/he, by the power of the Holy Spirit, forth tells or foretells the message to the people to whom it was meant to be delivered. Joseph was a prophet who has had a significant impact on the ancient world through prophecy. It was through his ability to interpret dreams that he could envision the future strategy for Egypt, and all the surrounding nations, tribes, and kingdoms. A good prophet has a vision of what can and should be done, and communicates this to others. John the Baptist was a prophet who was a voice forth telling in the wilderness crying out to the people to repent. This is also a form of prophecy where the individual cries out to the people to change their ways. John had the ability to speak from his heart and mind the will of God. It is telling forth from his personal experience where he had a spiritual experience of faith that cannot be explained rationally. Do we have a role as prophets today to cry out against injustice, to ask people / leaders to change their ways?

Healing

Healing of the body, mind and spirit is holistic healing. James, the brother of Jesus and a leader of the Jerusalem church writes (James 5:14-15) that the elders of the church must pray over those who are sick and suffering, and anoint them with oil in the name of Jesus Christ. By healing physical ailments with oil, the patient is put on the road to speedy recovery. The prayers, offered in faith, enable the mind and spirit to adapt to the physical healing. This is an important aspect of the spiritual growth of people in Christ. When Christ was asked by the disciples why they could not cure a boy possessed by a demon, He replied that it was because of their lack of faith in God (Mathew 17: 14-23). He said that if we had faith of the size of a mustard seed, we could move mountains!! Faith in God plays a vital role in the healing ministry. Not only must the healer believe, but the one who needs healing must trust in the healer’s ability to heal.

The Paradox of Leadership

Being a Follower and a Leader

In the intricate tapestry of leadership, there exists a paradox a delicate balance between being a follower and a leader. This paradox is beautifully encapsulated in Jeremiah 10:23, which reminds us that as leaders, we are ultimately followers of God's guidance and direction. It is He who leads us individually and as a group, shaping our paths and guiding our decisions.

A good leader, therefore, is one who embraces this paradox with humility and grace. They understand that true leadership is rooted in servanthood a willingness to follow the footsteps of the ultimate Servant-Leader, Jesus Christ. In leading others, they strive to bring their followers into a direct personal relationship with Christ, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of wisdom, strength, and guidance.

Central to the role of a good leader is a steadfast focus on the vision and mission of Christ for this world. They align their leadership with His purposes, seeking to advance His kingdom and bring glory to His name. Their leadership is characterized by integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving others.

Moreover, a good leader understands the importance of grooming others to take on leadership responsibilities. They invest in the development and empowerment of their followers, equipping them to fulfill their God-given potential. Like Paul did with Timothy, they mentor and disciple emerging leaders, imparting not only knowledge and skills but also a genuine concern for the well-being of others (Philippians 2:20-22).

In the realm of spiritual leadership, a good leader is one who works wholeheartedly for the common good of the body of Christ. They cultivate authentic connections with people, engaging with them spiritually, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. It is through this genuine connection that they inspire trust and confidence, leading others to willingly serve and follow.

Ultimately, the mark of a good leader is not found in titles or accolades, but in their ability to embody the paradox of leadership to be both a humble follower and a visionary leader. They lead by example, walking in the footsteps of the greatest Servant-Leader who ever lived, and inspiring others to do the same. As we embrace this paradox and strive to lead with humility, integrity, and compassion, may we reflect the heart of Christ and advance His kingdom in all that we do.

Teaching

A spiritual guide or teacher should be able to read and interpret the scriptures for people so that we understand how God wants us to live our lives. St. Paul says that all scripture has been written by people who were inspired by God, and so can be used to guide us on the right path (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Through study, the scriptures equip us for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness.

There is a phrase in Latin Optimus magister bonus liber that means ‘The best teacher is a good book’. A good teacher is able to not only tell other people what to do but have the respect of other people as well, or gain that respect over time. This is accomplished by being well-versed in the scriptures and living the life s/he teaches about. A good teacher is able to reach into the mind of his / her weakest student and impress upon them what the word of God has to say. Eventually the teacher is the one who learns the most in the process, and the more the teacher knows the better they will be able to help the students. However a good teacher realizes that it is not actually possible to teach somebody – a student has to have the desire to learn. It is the Holy Spirit and not the self that kindles the burning desire to learn and to understand.

Charisma – II

The song I Surrender All was written by Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1896 when he was struggling with the direction his life should take. He wondered whether to study the Arts or to go into full-time evangelism. It was at this crucial point in his life that he surrendered his life to God to serve as an evangelist. The Holy Spirit inspired him to write this song, which has become an anthem for many evangelists when they call for those souls who have surrendered their lives to Christ all over the world.

There are some people who emerge as spiritual leaders with special gifts that God uses as instruments to speak directly to us of the word of God. These spiritual gifts take a lot of personal effort to build and develop. It is through a continuous process of refinement in our spiritual lives and our commitment to Christ that these gifts are developed.

• Teaching
• Leading
• Healing
• Prophesying
• Speaking in tongues

Charisma

In today’s world the word charisma is used in many different contexts. There are many who view it as personal appeal or magnetism. Is charisma about style, power or money? Are people viewed as being charismatic because of the car they drive, the clothes they wear, or the circle of friends they move in? Beauty seen only externally could have repercussions on our own sense of self-worth. We may be led to have a false image of ourselves or to believe we have certain limitations which make it impossible to live spiritually. 

 St. Paul does not view charisma as being the self confidence that exudes from us because we are a trendsetter or the best in our field. The charisma St. Paul refers to is the spiritual gifts God gives us, which He uses for the building of the church (Romans 12: 1-10). These gifts will be evident in a person’s life, work and virtues. It is through these gifts that we as fellow believers come to know and experience at some point a spiritual dimension of Christ. The song We are one in the spirit, We are one in the Lord comes to mind as I think of the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit helps us develop. The chorus says They will know we are Christians by our love. It is by the love for our Lord Jesus Christ that we are all bound together as one. Our God-given spiritual gifts enable us to care for one another and unite us in the one Body. How do we bring out the latent gifts and talents God has given us for the growth of those around us and ourselves? St. Paul identifies the gifts that all of us can easily work on building up within us as:    

Loving - Jesus highlighted His ministry with the commandment for his disciples to love God and their neighbors. Charles Wesley wrote the hymn “Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?” It is when we realize the full extent of what Christ did for us that we will be able to effectively express our love for God and our neighbors. In 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 St. Paul says that all our gifts maybe done away with but the greatest gift we have, love, will stay with us forever. 

Forgiving - It is critical for Christians to forgive those who have hurt them in some way. It is very difficult to build a relationship within the Body of Christ if we carry these burdens of resentment and grief with us. They always come back to haunt us. We need to show mercy just as God has shown mercy to us. St. Paul is calling us to cheerfully show mercy and forgive. 

Encouraging - A Christian should encourage fellow believers to follow in the way that God has set before them. Encouragement is the ability to get the children of God moving despite their setbacks to do the will of God. Barnabas was one who had this exceptional gift and was credited with having mentored and encouraged St. Paul in the initial stages of his new life in Christ. 

Giving – I am reminded of the drummer boy who had nothing to offer the baby Jesus but his heart and drumbeat, and the most famous parable of Christ where the widow’s mite was considered as being generous. St. Paul says that we should give with simplicity and not make a big show of what we have done. When we keep account of how much we are giving we become more focused on that, leading to pride in our giving. It is not important how much we give in the world’s eyes. What is important is how much we sacrifice in God’s eyes. 

Serving – This is a gift where we serve those who are in need because we feel the Holy Spirit within us prompting us to reach out to them. When James and John asked Jesus if they could sit on the thrones next to Jesus, the disciples were clearly distressed with that request. Jesus clearly indicated that leadership must start with servanthood on earth. Jesus said that He gave his life on earth to serve and not to be served (Mathew 20:20-28). The gift to serve is exemplified in the lives of Mother Teresa who cared for the dying, and President Carter who builds for the homeless. They dedicated their lives to serve specific groups of people who are in need. 

 It is when people see these gifts manifested in us that they will see the need to become fellow believers. They will clearly see that we live lives not for own glory but to bring glory to Christ Jesus by following the way he has set before us. As we grow spiritually do we find ourselves being blessed with multiple gifts? Do we see new ways that enable us to build the body and help to groom others who have similar gifts? It is through the process of developing our spiritual gifts that we become more conscious of the needs of those around us. When we realize the need for each other, and that we belong to one another, that we come to experience the unity in the Body of Christ.

Transformation

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that either man models himself on the god of his own invention, or the true and living God moulds the human form into His image. There must be a complete transformation, a metamorphosis (Romans 12: 22, Corinthians 3:18). Dietrich Bonhoeffer is trying to make us realize that it is not we who effect this transformation, but the Holy Spirit living in us who brings it about . It is up to us to immerse (baptize) ourselves in the Holy Spirit in an environment that enables this transformation to come upon us. Transformation must not just be in our external selves. The Holy Spirit needs to do His work from within as well.

Our hearts and minds are often clouded with doubts, fears, and errors in judgment on the meaning of godly living. Our hearts and minds cannot ever be fully purged of these beliefs and feelings. St. Paul talks about the need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that our actions, beliefs and feelings will be in line with the will of God.

As the worship chorus goes, Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me. It is an ongoing and continuous process of first being baptized and then being filled with and immersed in the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist (Mathew 3:11) claimed that he baptized with water when his followers turned from their sins, but that Christ would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. So it is today. Our pastors can baptize us with water, but it is Christ who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. Christ knows the needs of the community so if we are led by Him, He will identify our spiritual gifts, develop them and make use of them.

Martin Luther says that the scriptures presented Christ in two aspects, first as a gift and second as an example (sacramentum et exemplum). We should realize that there is more to following Christ than just trying to imitate his example. It is to accept Him as God, Lord and the Savior of our souls and that of the whole world. It is to accept Him as the Son of God, who existed even before the world began. It is to realize that it is only by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that any transformation takes place in our lives. It was divine will of God the Father to send Christ to be with us, giving up all the glory He had above. God showed us the extent of his love, and He wanted this love to fill all our hearts and minds. He sent Christ with the message of love. We realize with thanksgiving that Christ’s ministry on earth was a gift, an act of love. Christ’s role as Messiah is not diminished in any way if a person follows in his footsteps and is subject to greater suffering than Christ on earth. We as Christians should realize that whatever we may do on earth, our roles are not the same as that of the role of Christ.

St. Paul exhorted us to be humble, (healthy ego - Romans 12:3). There is bound to be a conflict between what we believe we are and what we truly are. We should not become too proud of our gifts or achievements but should be fully aware of what we are capable of doing. St. Paul describes us as different parts of a healthy human body that need to work together as one body under the direction of Christ as the head. We are all different with different spiritual gifts but we need each other and should learn to depend on each others’ strengths. Our gifts should be used to build up and foster the growth of love and faith within the Body of Christ. Our hopes should be fixed on that day when Christ will return, our bodies will be completely transformed, and there will be peace.

A Tribute

"You have to begin to lose your memory, if only in bits and pieces, to realize that memory is what makes our lives. Our memory is our coherence, our reason, our feeling, even our action. Without it, we are nothing”. Luis Buñuel (1900-1983)

I remember Vallia Appacha (Grandfather) in his last days who though he had lost his memory on whether he had one motta (egg) or more, could succinctly remember his younger days. His family and achievements were very dear to his heart. An engineer by profession, he planned towns, built dams, raised buildings, and many other civil structures. Being the eldest of many brothers and sisters he was largely responsible for their upbringing. He later raised his own family of 7 children. Every time he spoke of them he came alive with those memories. The tharavadu (family house) he built in Ernakulam has always been a home away from home for us. On the plaque outside our family prayer room are the words in latin Ora et labora - Pray and work. Carved in wood. Our Vallia Appacha (Grandfather) helped build our church in Ernakulam, and also had a passion for building low income houses for the poor and needy.

I have nostalgic memories of all the fun I had during our long summer holidays. Climbing the guava tree, mango tree, playing dark hide and seek, going to Lotus club, chatting with the office staff, playing in the children’s park, and so many activities which kept us very busy. Vallieappacha (Grandfather) and Vallieamchie (Grandmother), Alexappacha (Alex Uncle) and family, Achaappacha (Acha Uncle) and family, and so many others were there to take care of all of us. We are really blessed that we can continue in these traditions to meet and to have the support of our large family.

As we grow older and open our diary of memories, Appacha (Father – Dr. Benjamin Pulimood) figures as our major support and strength. It feels like he coauthored many of the chapters of our book of life. Appacha (Father) continues the family tradition of work and prayer as a motto for life. A life centered on God is a life that is a prayer. To get five different lives to come together morning and evening to say prayers was quite a task. Yet Appacha (Father) persevered and today we continue to pray together as a family and stay together through thick and thin.

Appacha (Father) was blessed to grow up as the youngest son of a business man. He trained to be a physician from Trivandrum Medical College. He was well known for his outstanding leadership in sports as he represented the state for football, hockey, and tennis. As a son of a prominent member of the church, he was regular at church. At a Billy Graham evangelistic campaign, he gave his life to Christ. From then he decided that he was going to serve God in the best way he can. He met my mother at CMC Hospital, Vellore, while doing his senior residency. His family and friends all encouraged him saying that she was a good Christian girl with a strong commitment to serve Christ. They got married by the end of the year. After getting his membership from Edinburgh UK, he returned to CMC Vellore (http://www.cmch-vellore.edu/main.asp) and served there for 30 years.

As children we were expected to go to church, and Sunday school, and rest on Sundays – although I enjoyed skipping Sunday school and swinging on the Banyan trees with the monkeys and sometimes my buddies. Sunday was never complete for us until we heard the CMC (Christian Medical College, Vellore) choir sing the final blessing after the evening service.

A charismatic leader of the Church, Appacha (Father) represented the church to World Council of Churches, and attended and chaired many church related organizations and meetings all over the country and world. Being in CMC we had the privilege of meeting with many Christian world leaders and were influenced by their thoughts and their work.

“Christ is all to me”, is how the old hymn goes, written by one of Appacha’s (Father’s) patient and spiritual guide, D.T. Niles. So it is for Appacha (Father). I remember on countless occasions asking him “why don’t you make some more money and have a comfortable life”. But he patiently explained his calling to serve. As the Bible says once you put your hand on the plough you should never turn back. I could see that there was nothing that would change his mind. He worked extremely hard and was greatly blessed spiritually and helped many spiritually. God continues to greatly bless all of us by providing for all our needs.

Appacha (Father) is a passionate Christian Servant. His sacrifice and dedication to his mission to serve God with his heart, mind and soul through CMC is something to be greatly admired. This passion to serve continues to burn in him, as not a day passes when he doesn’t think of, advise a patient, speak to a staff, or chat with a friend associated with CMC. His love for us and for CMC is almost the same. He made us realize that when we learnt to let go and let God do his work in us, we would have a deep and rewarding relationship with God.

D. T. Niles says, “The only way to build love between two people or two groups of people is to be so related to each other as to stand in need of each other. The Christian community must serve. It must also be in a position where it needs to be served” (This Jesus ... whereof we are witnesses, p. 25). Appacha (Father) has great compassion for the larger community especially the poor and needy. He makes us stop and examine our hearts and minds to determine whether we are living our lives only for ourselves and our families, or whether we are looking at the needs of the community and those around us. Do we see those who are hurting and are we there to comfort them?

As a teacher he was well appreciated and loved by his students. He wanted students to live responsible lives and above all to be committed to God and their work. He cared for them and prayed with them and us for their needs. He inspired one of his gifted students to depict a painting of an Indian Jesus caring for a sick patient. This painting hangs in the main hallway of CMC. He was able to capture the vision of Ida Scudder and pass it on to students for the need for committed Christian healthcare professionals in the backward village communities of India. Meeting Ajit Singh at Orissa, whose wife Pushpa delivered Nikhil my son, exposed me to this dimension of Appacha (Father). Here was Ajith, serving in what is probably one of the most backward areas in India, saying that Appacha (Father) had been major influence in his life

Appacha (Father) was at the forefront in Academics. Being in CMC he had carved a stature for himself in the national and international medical community. He was Principal and later Director of the medical college for many years. He was Secretary and President of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology; attended and chaired medical conferences abroad and in India; and presented and published papers. He is well recognized in his field and many come to listen to him teach and lecture.

As a holistic healer he is well sought after. His devotion to his work with the touch of the Spirit of Christ in him makes him an exceptional physician. As children we were exposed to pain and suffering at a very early age. Our conversation on the dining table was often serious discussions about some patient’s health or treatment. His skills as a physician are greatly admired. The standards that Appacha (Father) has set and preserved help to groom some of the best healers in the world

Love is his greatest strength. Appacha (Father) and Amachie (Mother) gave us a lot of hugs and kisses. They taught us the importance of caring for one another’s needs. We grew up on a campus where we were sheltered from the evils of society. The greatest gift parents give their children is unconditional love. Their unconditional love for us as children has been the key to all our successes and support in all our failures.


Simplicity is his hallmark. He lives a very disciplined and holy life. In his early years wearing white khadi pant and shirt was his way of expressing patriotism to the struggle for freedom. After a point it seemed like his way of expressing simple living. He lives a life centered on God and not on money. Comforts and luxuries were last on the list of the Pulimoods in Vellore. We were happy with what we had. The joy of being a family together, simple lifestyles and simple food. We learnt to appreciate the nature around us, climb trees, climb hills, ride bikes through the villages (Edanchath and Otterri), and swimming in Kassam. We played a large variety of games and built a wide network of friends many of whom have become like family. He taught us to be thankful for God’s blessing of having a very stable family

Mercy, Tolerance and Patience for all types of behavior – There are some who don’t appreciate his approach, but this doesn’t deter him from being kind to them. He always helps everybody, even though they may give him a hard time. He is unaffected by the behavior of people who are rude and out of control. Over time he always manages to calm them down. To have a son like me must be his biggest test in tolerance and patience. I must have brought home any animal I could catch on our campus, some of them were pretty weird as pets. I had squirrels, mongoose, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, different varieties of pigeons, a kite (hawk family), parrots, sparrows, chicken, ducks, fish, butterflies and beetles. He patiently took care of them when I got bored. But his support has been a source of great comfort and strength.

Humility is another great hallmark. He reaches out to all in need. Always with a caring smile, open heart and mind full of concern for them. On countless occasions we accompanied him to Palamathi hills to minister to the poor people in the villages. We visited RHUSA many times where we could see many of his colleagues and students hard at work serving the neighboring village communities. His desire to establish Ida Scudder Ward in CMC is an expression of his passion for the poor and needy which instills in us a desire to serve them in whatever way we can.

Openness, Integrity and Candor. Our house is always open to all our relatives and friends. This is a blessing because we got to know so many of them and spend many long holidays sharing their homes as well. At work also he tried hard to make himself accessible. He always left our house open to students to come and discuss their needs and problems. Our house was always open for SCM to host their meetings on Sunday and Class prayers for medical students on week days. The first thing he did when he became Director of CMC was to put in a little glass window on the door. Anyone who wanted to see him could flash their face, and if he was free, he would quickly take time and step out and sort the problem out. He has never been threatened by smarter physicians than him. He encourages both his colleagues and students to excel and makes them work toward providing world class treatment in an Indian setting.

Too often we underestimate the power of a smile, a touch, a kind word, a listening ear, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. (Leo Buscaglia)

Joy is another great strength. I remember walking the hallways of CMC with him, there were so many people who knew him and stopped to talk with him. He always had a contagious smile and something good to say. Even when things were rough, we would never know, because he was always very enthusiastic and bubbling with a lot of energy.

What can be more rewarding than to live a life of faith where you are doing what God has called you to do, passionately serving those who are in need, and sincerely teaching the young to care for the sick and suffering ? What can be more important than to live a life faithfully devoted to ones calling, offering ones life, gifts, talents and resources to God as a sacrifice? God will use them in our everyday life to help strengthen His children and bring glory to His name. What can be more challenging than to not be anxious about the future, but living in hope that a loving God will provide for all needs.

I am thankful that the same Spirit of Christ that works in him continues to work in the hearts of his children and grandchildren. I would like to wish him a very happy 70th birthday and many more joyous blessed occasions like this one. I end this tribute with another hymn by D. T. Niles whom we used to often visit as kids when he was sick in CMC Hospital Vellore. "Saranam, Saranam, Saranam."

Spiritual Directions

St. Paul is calling us to offer our bodies as a holy and living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). What does that mean? Does that say we give ourselves up to a Holy Life? How would you define a Holy Life? Do we stop doing all that we are doing and live a saintly life? Does that mean we must relinquish everything? How different will this life be from our ordinary lives? What is good Christian etiquette?

Today my son was half hour late coming home from school. The reason he gave was they had a new bus driver, who had a wrong set of directions. He did not turn into the road to our apartment community where we lived. As the group of 20 kids passed their customary turn, they started to wail that they missed their stop. Eventually the driver realized his error and brought them home.

The ordinary way for most Christians maybe compared to a much longer journey to our Heavenly Home. Where should we make our turns? When should we make our stops? Finding our way back when we get lost. We are usually never traveling alone. We have family, friends and others coming along as well. People and places may change but the directions have been clearly spelled out to us. But if they are read wrongly, if the directions are forgotten, we board the wrong bus, or get a poor guide we may head in the wrong direction.

Fostering the growth of spiritual gifts and setting of good Christian standards will help us in our journey. St. Paul in Romans 12 helps us identify some of the spiritual gifts that come to us through the working of the Holy Spirit and gives us some practical insights on instructions for our journey through life on earth. St. Paul is encouraging us to offer our lives, gifts, talents and resources to God as our sacrifice. God will use them in our everyday life to help strengthen His children and bring glory to His name.

Hardness of Heart

St. Paul says, Egypt’s material prosperity or the children of Israel’s poverty is not a direct reflection of what God thinks of them as his children (Romans 9:14-18). Why did God allow the unrighteousness of Pharaoh to flourish? Why did God bless Jacob and curse Esau? Is grace of Jesus Christ retroactive for someone like Esau? St. Paul says that it is not for us to ask why to God. It is Gods discretion as to whether He should show mercy or compassion. It is impossible for us to understand God (Romans 11:33-36). Can we even compare all the wisdom of all the most intelligent people in the world against the wisdom of God? Can the pot ask the potter why he was created to be used for menial work and not as a decorative piece? We should never judge a person by their outward appearance. It is the state of a person’s heart that really matters. Can we really say for sure what the condition of a person's heart? Only God knows and understands. St. Paul says that God looks for radical change in a person’s heart that is transformed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 2:29).

God allowed Egypt as a Nation to Flourish. A great natural disaster of monstrous proportions that could have wiped out the whole nation of Egypt was averted by the wisdom and prophesies of Joseph. The Children of Israel were initially treated well by Pharaoh. Later the Pharaohs forgot all about the protection that was given them by Gods servant Joseph. Pharaohs’ wealth, greed and power made their hearts hard to those that were subject to their laws. They viewed Israel as a threat. Slowly they started to persecute them by subjecting them to merciless slavery and other inhuman acts. The evil they commenced, gradually accumulated over the years.

Then it was a question of when God was going to act. He filled the children of Israel with hope that He would send them a savior. But they didn’t know who and when. He continued to make Egypt a powerful nation. He continued to bless them with more than they really needed. When the time came for the redemption of the children of Israel, the sons of Pharaoh had become extremely proud. Pharaoh had forgotten about the power of the Living God. Do we find ourselves forgetting all that God has done in the past for us? When Moses came to the Pharaoh did he see him as a shepherd with some kind of magical powers? Pharaoh couldn’t believe that Moses would take him down with the help of the living God.

Every time Moses came up with a miracle God would allow Pharaohs heart to be hardened. Pharaoh came to see it as a personal vendetta with Moses’ God. He decided in his heart that he was not going to let the people of Israel go. Was this a case of the super power of Egypt attempting to go up against the divine power of God?

Are there things in your life that you can’t let go? Are there people or places that mean more to you than the living God? Have you hardened your heart to certain areas or issues in your life that you have accepted as impossible to overcome? Do you remember King David when he was confronted by the prophet Nathan of his sin, he admitted his sin with repentance? We must with King David beseech the Lord that the Holy Spirit will create in us a pure heart, and renew a right spirit in us. That God will not cast us away from His presence. We must pray that the Holy Spirit will show us the log in our own eyes before we search for the speck in our neighbors eyes. Do you remember Miriam who thought highly of herself and criticized her brother Moses, but was struck with leprosy?

Can we hear the words of Jesus beckoning us to come to Him when we are weak and heavy laden, and He will give us rest? We must come with the expectation to reform, renew and redirect our hearts to the Living God. We must plead for compassion and mercy for our hardness of heart that comes about knowingly or unknowingly, and for the need to restore our hearts by the help of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to show mercy and compassion just as our Heavenly Father has shown it to us. Finally we must realize that it not by any action of ours that we are saved, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. So let us confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Abba’s House

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to Fear,

But you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,

“Abba, Father.””

Romans 8:15

When we are led by the Holy Spirit we accept the proposal of the living God to be his children. We see the dawn of a new relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Are we content to know that we are loved so much by God that he has adopted us as his own children? Do we really believe that God would go to any extent to establish a close bond with us? It is the Holy Spirit that helps us establish and preserve this relationship, with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. 

 We see a horizontal relationship structure being described by St. Paul. St. Paul says we are all children of God (Romans 8:14-17). We are all brothers and sisters with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Father and son, mother and daughter, all come into this new spiritual dimension in their relationships. Can you imagine the joy that one will experience when we are reunited with our loved ones who went ahead? If we are all equal then this will be a harbinger to peace, love and unity. Nevertheless, these relationships are very difficult to perceive with our human intellects. 

 Our relationship with God is not based on fear and trembling as we approach the Holy of Holies or damnation and hell fire when we fail to live a righteous life. We no longer live in fear of endangering our relationship with the living God. It heralds a new relationship where God accepts us as His own adopted children where we can call him Abba, Father. Abba is a term of endearment where one refers to informally in a face to face encounter with ones own Dad or Daddy. It reflects a very intimate relationship.  

It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to establish this relationship with our Father. He encourages us to bring all our needs to our heavenly Father. He gives us the passion, understanding and articulateness to approach God. The Holy Spirit Himself gives us the blessed assurance that we are children of God. If we are children of God, we become joint heirs with Christ, so we may suffer with him and be glorified with him. 

Isn’t this another great promise to be a joint heir with Christ? A joint heir is one who enjoys all the riches of the Kingdom that belongs to the King. We have become heirs to what God gives to all who have the Spirit of Christ living in them. As Christ was the only begotten son of God, we also have become children of the living God. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Part of the responsibility that this relationship brings, is the commitment to share in his suffering. There are many in the world that has rejected Christ and his glory. It becomes incumbent on us at times to share in His suffering. In a Christian Nation it is not so evident. Still it hits us in subtle ways. Many employers shy away from those who are open about there faith. In a world that is driven by the dollar, Christians are difficult people to convince as they are driven to be more compassionate and morally right. To exploit opportunities at the cost of their high moral ethic, makes Christians less effective and viewed as soft in the hard world of business. 

Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39). Isn’t this another great promise that brings us to our knees to thank God for his goodness? Can we measure the depth of the power of God’s love toward us? God loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son to be delivered into the hands of those who denied him justice and crucified him on the cross to die. Through this mysterious encounter, death has been defeated, and evil no longer has dominion over the children of God. Christ has forged a relationship with God our Father for all who believe to eternity. So neither death, life, angels, demons, the past, the present or the future will separate us from the love of our heavenly Father that has been so lavishly given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior through the eternal fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Spirit Filled Life

Christ has promised us that, just as the Holy Spirit raised Him from the dead, if the Holy Spirit lives in us, He will raise us also from the dead. The promise of the resurrection is the greatest possible reminder of a God who will share his glory with us. Do you believe in the resurrection? Have you ever wondered how and when we will resurrect? St. Paul reveals to us the Holy Spirit will be responsible for our resurrection (Romans 8:11-13). We were created to love God and to love our fellowmen. He says our spirits need to form a bond of love with the Holy Spirit who will lead us according to God's purpose and plan for our lives.

As believers we no longer live according to our own spirits desires. It is these desires that draw us away from fellowship with God and His children. We must be ever vigilant of our desires that so easily make us trip and fall. Some times our desires very subtly draw us away from our walk. In our own frustration we do things we shouldn’t. We hope for things we shouldn’t really hope for. We find ourselves living in fear of some event happening. We continue to remain angry about something that was said or done to us many years ago. We moan over some broken relationship. We find ourselves doing things just for fun and then regretting them later. We find ourselves going in the wrong direction, unable to break the momentum of the wrong path we are spinning into.

How do we break away from hurtling away from God's ways? We need to have a certain amount of discipline in our lives. Does that mean we plan our lives to take a path that will lead us to get the best only for ourselves? That is a dangerous road to take. When our lives are self-centered, there are bound to be disappointments. There are going to be things that will make us trip and fall. Certain tragic events happen that make us rethink our lives' direction. The goals of our peers may not necessarily be our own and we are bound to clash. When we don’t realize our goals, in our frustration we do things that are more unthinkable. Our needs may not be the same as those of our families. This only leads to clashes in families. We have to stop relying just on our needs, our emotions, our peers, and our selfish goals. Instead we should base our thoughts and actions on the commands and words of Jesus through the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said I am in the Father and the Father is in me. We need to invite the Spirit of Christ into us that we may do his bidding. It is the Holy Spirit that enables our spirits to combat all those thoughts and feelings that make us spin away in the wrong direction. The Holy Spirit begins to refocus our thoughts and feelings and actions based on God's principles. Our spirits are no longer led away by every whim and fancy that the world has to offer. Our spirits no longer are pressured into conforming to the standards set by the world.

St Paul says that God causes all things to work for the good of those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Is it not a great assurance to be called by God, to feel his chords of love draw us into his plan and purpose for us? Our spirits have no idea what they should do for the Lord. He slowly reveals it to us. He gives us gifts that we can use to build up his Kingdom. When we are led by our own spirits we are not in line with God's plan for us. But when we are led by the Spirit of Christ we start pursuing the purpose for which we were created. If we do as the Holy Spirit leads us, we will begin to see God working for the good of us all. Our spirits feel secure in the hand of God that is leading us through our lives towards living in peace with God and our neighbors.

Trials and Tribulations

Life sometimes is full of joy, and sometimes it is a struggle. As the old metaphor goes is your cup half full or half empty. How do we perceive the situation we are in ? Do you see an opportunity that can be accomplished or do you see a tragedy that is bound to happen? Beethoven the great music composer continued to write some of the best music even after he had lost hearing from both his ears. Paul went through many trials and tribulations, nevertheless even from prison he had the confidence to say, “I can do all things through the spirit of Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

We are bound to face trials in our life. But our trials work patience in us, which gives us staying power through our tribulations. Our patience is strengthened when we actively hold fast to the promises of God. Over time we build the experience to endure our trials. It is hope of sharing in God’s glory that pulls us through our trials. Christ at the last supper told his disciples to trust in the Father and in Him, and he was going to prepare a place for us in his fathers house (John 14:1 & 2). It is hope that fills our hearts with the peace of God.

Do you find yourself saying, “I love Jesus, its God’s laws I can’t stand?” Obedience to his laws is how we can live a Christ centered life. When we move away from God’s laws we find ourselves moving away from Peace with God. St. Paul says to the Romans that he longs to be encouraged by their faith and in turn he is eager to encourage them in their faith (Romans 1:12). Often it is by example and words of encouragement of our fellow believers that we abide by the laws of God. It is through these bonds of fellowship that he says we may enjoy “spiritual blessing.”

“O Lord, help me to understand that You ain't going to let nothing come my way that You and me together can't handle.”

Anonymous

Peace through Grace

St. Paul says that we have peace with God, because by grace we can come to our Father in heaven (Romans 5:1-2).

What is grace? Grace is the ultimate expression of God’s mercy toward us, given as a free gift through Christ to all who come to him for forgiveness of sins. When Jesus sees that our lives are empty, and in need, He gives liberally. By the grace of God, Jesus gives us faith when we have no faith, hope when we have no hope, above all gives us in abundance the love of our heavenly Father.

To all those who find it hard to make it up the ladder of the beatitudes we are given the gift of Grace. Sometimes we think we are growing spiritually we have reached the last rung of the ladder, and some situation blows us off and we fall flat back where we started, or we find we have slipped down a rung or two. Let us not deceive ourselves we are human and we are frail. We have our moments, we have our lapses. St. Paul talks about our human nature that is always in conflict with our spiritual nature. But it is the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that comes to us in these moments and touches our lives.

There are times when we need to be ministered to. We need the Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit is like a medicine that soothes us. Christ realized that he could not physically be with everyone, but he said that once he ascended to heaven he would send a helper, the Holy Spirit whose presence will be with us always (John 14:16). As the African American Spiritual goes, there is a balm in Gilead that heals a sin sick soul. The hymn goes on to say there are times when we feel discouraged and think life is vain, but it is the working of the Holy Spirit that revives us by the grace of Jesus Christ, that fills us with God’s peace. God will keep us in perfect peace whose mind is centered on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)

St. Augustine says, “God gives where He finds empty hands.”

Everlasting Peace - Shalom

The peace that Christ offers surpasses all comprehension. (Philippians 4:7) When we come to Christ with all our fears and anxieties, we are comforted by the knowledge that he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7). The peace that Christ offers us is one that gives us the strength to face the worst of life’s tragedies and the greatest of successes with the same level of composure. It is a level of spiritual acceptance of Gods complete control of one’s life. The peace that Christ promises is forever. The peace we offer as peacemakers is the assurance that God is in control despite whatever tragedy we may face in life. 

 The hymn, " When Peace Like a River Attendeth My Way," was written by Spafford who faced two titanic tragedies in his life. In the devastating Chicago fire in the late 1800’s where more than 300 people perished and 100,000 people were left homeless, Spafford, a very rich business man, lost his entire fortune. 2 years later, even before this loss could sink in, a second tragedy struck. Spafford's wife and daughters were crossing the Atlantic to join Moody, the famed evangelist, for an Evangelistic campaign, when their ship collided with another ship. Four of his daughters died in the disaster. Fortunately his wife survived. As Spafford travelled to join his mourning wife, his ship sailed past the point where his daughters drowned. His heart was moved by the Holy Spirit to compose one of the classic Christian hymns on peace with God. This hymn has brought solace to many Christians who face tragedies in life. Over time the words get ingrained in our hearts and minds and build a fortress of protection from despair and doubt. 

This everlasting peace fills our hearts with blessed hope for a time when Christ shall return and our faith will become reality. Does this mean that Spafford was never discouraged or disheartened? Surely he must have felt every nerve in his body tearing him apart with grief as he came to terms with the death of his daughters and the loss of his livelihood. What enabled him to cross this bridge? What made him accept the Lord’s prayer, “Thy will be done” and say “It is well with my soul”? It is faith in Christ that spurred Spafford on to help the poor people who suffered in the fire in Chicago. He realized that material things do not bring true peace. It is living a life devoted to one's calling and purpose that brings peace between God and humanity. It is by forging relationships with people in need and with God that one can sense this everlasting peace. When we bring the knowledge of Christ to God's children we are overwhelmed with a peace that surpases all understanding. Later Spafford sensed a calling to move to Jerusalem with his wife and two daughters, born after the shipwreck tragedy. He founded the Jerusalem Colony whose mission is to serve the poor and needy. 

 Are we inspired by the faith of those who face tragedies in their life? Or do we avoid them? Do we find it hard to believe that a loving God will allow tragedies to happen in the lives of his children? Did people stay away from Spafford because of his misfortunes? Did Spafford leave Chicago because he felt he was not wanted? Or did he do so out of the realization that there were people in Jerusalem who were not being adequately looked after? Did Christ send him as a messenger of peace to Jerusalem? The Spafford family suffered tremendously but remained faithful to God. They were at peace with God and hence could be peacemakers for God in Chicago and Jerusalem.

Peacemaker - Mediator

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Jesus on the cross is a powerful image of one trying to make peace with God and man. 

Mathew 5:9 

In a world that mocked, beat and crucified Jesus, He looked up to heaven and pleaded with God the Father to forgive his oppressors. (Luke 23:34). “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”:. Wasn’t this an appeal of a son to a father? Wasn’t this an appeal from a child to a parent? A peacemaker and a child of God. The sacrifice of Christ’s death on the cross, has made an irrevocable agreement with the Father and Son where all of mankind can make peace with God, being justified by faith (Romans 5:1). 

 As we survey the brutality of the act of Christ hanging from the cross, we realize the frailty of the human mind. We can kill with our hands and save a life with the same hands. We can love some humans and hate some others. We can love someone today and hate them equally tomorrow. Do you think God forgave Judas and the mob who crucified Christ? Do you think God forgave those who were standing around and mocking him? 

 Can we think of a more suitable mediator who loves God our Father and all of God’s children? Could God find a greater mediator than His only begotten son? Is there anyone who can come to Christ, and say that He doesn’t know what it means to suffer? Is there anyone who can come to Jesus and say He doesn’t know what it means to be poor and needy? 

 Formerly the high priest entered the holy of holies with the blood of a sacrificial lamb as atonement for the sins of the children of Israel. With the coming of Christ his sacrifice is viewed as the once and for all final sacrifice by God. Previously an earthly priest used to stand as mediator between God and his people for their sins, but now we have an everlasting high priest who is constantly pleading on our behalf with the father. (Hebrews 9:24-28) The role of Christ is seen as that of a mediator and high priest, who brings about peace between God and Man. (1 Timothy 2:5)

Pure in Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

Matthew 5: 8

Jesus one day put a child in his lap, and said, “Unless you become like a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.” A child’s heart is the embodiment of innocence. A child's heart needs to be loved and to love in turn. The child finds it easy to trust, obey, and love. A child’s heart is rarely weighed down with sorrow, hatred, anger, or jealousy. Do you still remember the innocent thoughts and feelings you had as a child? Have your thoughts matured for the better?

Purity of Heart is at the top rungs of the ladder where imitation of Christ comes naturally to us. Our hearts, minds and bodies are almost completely controlled by the Holy Spirit. When we show mercy, we sense the mercy of God purify our hearts. As the old hymn goes, “Are you washed in the soul cleansing blood of the lamb.” The disciples on the road to Emmaus sensed a burning in their heart when they were talking with Jesus. Do you sense a burning in your heart where the strongholds of Satan are being burnt down? 

Christ said “I am the light of the world”. Do you sense a bright light of illumination that comes and shows specific areas that need to be dealt with, to brighten our hearts? When our hearts are pure we sense the presence of the Holy Spirit living and moving within our hearts and minds. We can sense the springs of living water flowing out of our hearts making them pure from within. 

When Saul and his band of fanatics were persecuting and stoning to death many Christians, his group narrowed in on Stephen. In Stephen’s last sermon before he died he said, “I can see Jesus standing at the right hand of God”. He was basking under the glory of the love and mercy of Christ. Was Christ standing to receive Stephen into the Kingdom? Stephen when he was being stoned, said, “Lord receive my spirit. Do not hold this sin against them.” An echo of what was heard from the cross. It was the Spirit of Christ in him that made him forgive his persecutors and purity in heart that enabled him to see Christ. 

Do we see the image of God in people around us, irrespective of what race they belong to? Do we see Christ in them regardless of whether they are rich or poor? Do we see God working through people and situations leading us through the path he has set for us? We need lenses of love, which allow us to see only the good in people and filter out the bad, just like a good pair of sunglasses filters the harmful ultraviolet rays. When our lives are centered on Christ all that is impure and harmful will have no place in our hearts.