Where is the blessing of my neighbour!?

When people carry your name on their lips, are they cursing you or blessing you?

I know of more than a hundred people who must be unhappy with me and cursing me at my back (a few on my face too), and it is a sad thing to know that people are talking about you, and that is for no good reason... They're not blessing your name but cursing it. Without entering into the 'people talk, let them talk' mode, I think everyone need to introspect why is it that people are cursing and not blessing your name?

Think of it and one may actually realize that the intentions / trigger behind the actions which resulted in that gossip full of despise and cursing may have been avoided or dealt with in a better way. In plain words, perhaps, one deserved that cursing...

Huh! One should beware of own actions... lest you pile heap of curses from everyone around on your name, all your life...

Next time you're up to something that's gonna impact others, ask this question: Are people gonna bless my name or curse my name?

Do you really have the blessing of your neighbor?

Have mercy on Orissa...

Lord, mercy! Mercy for the suffering, the killers, the schemers, the rulers, the onlookers and all that are a part of it... Have mercy on Orissa!

The past 3 weeks, we've been hearing of the stories of people suffering in Orissa. Many tribal, and backward class people are suffering down there, because they are known as Christians, and they are sharing their faith and increasing. I have not been to Orissa in person to witness any suffering, but here's what I've gathered from a Social worker, who went to survey the place:

"Some hundreds or thousands are spending their cold wintry nights in forests out of fear of life. They're scantily clothed, their little belongings are no more. They're eating whatever comes their way, like the animals of the wild."

We all know of the gruesome murder of Graham Staines and his children way back in 1999. Even that incident came after such clashes took shape. Take a macro-picture of the series of events that have raked this up since December 24, 2007 and one will start to question why one Swami Laxmananand Saraswati, a VHP Leader bereft of any peaceful work must intervene with his group of body guards in the Christmas festive arrangements, and the ensuing arguments which have resulted in a small clash, which is now known as an attack on the Swami's life.

To read this Swami's version, go to The Sunday Indian Magazine link (You may have to register for free): http://www.thesundayindian.com/13012008/storyd.asp?sid=3667&pageno=3

What happened next is that some hundreds of people got killed (official figures are some 50) and 54 Churches destroyed (this may be outdated, and the official figure is something). That's not the end. Many more are targeted still in many other places. The fear still haunts people in Orissa. The tension is not over yet.

Is a Swami's life worth some 100 (hundreds of) other people's lives? What saint can propagate or impel the killing of people and destruction of Holy places (read Churches)? What human can allow innocent people's houses to be torn down? Are these are our leaders? Do we protect such lives which can breathe only Devastation?

In the narrators own words, "It was all a well-schemed idea to attack and destroy churches." Even the authorities seem party to it when they say that nothing in there is seriously wrong, and the local police is not allowing outsiders to get into the affected places. Well, they may be doing that to stop political unrest; damn the political leaders, but, what of the people dying?

Ask a question to any VHP Leader "What are you trying to do?"and pat comes the reply, "Protecting one’s religion should be a person's fundamental right. To attack someone’s faith is violence. Anybody indulging in violence should be punished." ( Vishwa Hindu Parishad General Secretary Dr Pravin Togadia's remarks to The Sunday Indian Magazine). How about applying that to all Indian' non-Christian organizations abroad across the world, Mister?

Christian missionaries have long been known for their steadfast Spirit of service and devotion to serve the poor and needy. The closest and greatest example being Mother Teresa, who poured out her life for India. If someone is touched by the love she has shown and accepts the faith she professes, should the person be harmed, or should Mother Teresa be killed? Or should her Ashram be burnt down because she is converting?

Here are some answers to people who think Conversion is what Christians are up to and make that a reason for hooliganism and destruction--
First: No one can convert another person. All a Christian does is to share the love s/he has received in Christ, and if that love touches the person's life, s/he chooses to convert. That process of transformation is Spiritual, not physical. Nothing else matters. Period.

Second: The Church of Christ is not made of walls that anyone can go and destroy. It is made of people. As long as Christ lives in people's hearts, the Church is alive. And the foundation of Church is the Solid Rock - Jesus Christ.

Can someone stop that? Can VHP? Or any other organization by terrorizing people with their attacks? At least I don't think so. More the oppression, more the fight to break free!

Lastly... Orissa is in news lately for such attacks, but there are many such incidents happening across India which do not receive any attention from media nor the authorities. We don't want to go converting the criminals involved in these attacks by a rod. Rather, we just unite in praying for all that they may receive forgiveness, and that the sovereign Lord may have mercy on them!

May God give wisdom to those in authority and all the ministers to rule India in a just manner. May God provide for the Suffering and also bless the persecutors! May all come to know His Saving Grace! In Jesus' name... To all who read this -

"Jesus Loves You."
"JESUS SAVES."

NO EXIT!

Why is it so hard to exit? When someone’s gotta go, they just gotta go!

I am trying to exit from a Home loan ‘relation’ with GE Money. I remember 18 months ago, how the bank executives were literally running around me to get the account opened then, just like I am today. W-o-W! I thought to myself, nice way to keep people bugged, and expect them to give up.

LOL! But, when someone’s gotta go, they just gotta go! Isn’t it?

Then, I recall my exit from a relation. O yes, you’re smart… I don’t have to elaborate that much… we all know it’s hard to walk away from any person you’ve been so closely lived with… even friends, when you fight with them and the ego starts occupying the spaces… it’s difficult.

What of exit from a company… huh! I’ve been through that too not before a year ago. And believe me, it took me about three months with that changeover. Not an easy one. Though I am not sure if there was much wanted of me, the exit nonetheless was hard enough to give me sleepless nights. And then, even after about more than 3/4th year, the ghosts of it do not cease to haunt.

What of exit from life? Of course, I haven’t experienced that. But, a look at the large hospitals where emergency cases are rushed in, a look at the grieving families and dear ones does communicate one thing – “IT IS HARD TO EXIT”.

So, why is it hard to exit? Our hearts are set on the object which is departing. They become our objects of affection (not in literal sense, may not be intense either) which we cling on to. The bottomline being the collaborative investment in each other whether in terms of money, emotions, time or in any other form.

Towards the end, to ease the pain of exit, we just need to know one thing. Just as Job speaks in The Holy Bible— We have come into this world without anything, and without anything shall we go!

(Was written way back in November)

Let Go!

There are people who can walk away from you.


And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.
I don't want you to try to talk another person into
staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The Bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.

Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.

You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me.
And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.

Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to.......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .....

LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....

LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you ........

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ...

LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.......

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......

LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him......

LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......

LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......

LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed .......

LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to......

LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things.
GOD is doing a new thing for 2006!!!

LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then ...

LET IT GO!!!

This was an e-mail forward I received in 2006, pl report any objectionable content to manohr@gmail.com

Return, O man, to your Origin!

Can a plant survive without the light of the sun?
Can a man cut-off the branch he is sitting on without a fall?
Can a child in the womb survive if the umbilical cord is cut off?

What man can cause thunder of his own strength?
Can we make the seasons change their cycle?
Reset the course of a wind, or cause it to rain at will?
Can we keep the drought away or the land from going dry?
Can man stop the rising waters or the quaking earth?
Can we fathom what runs in the womb of the earth or in the highest heavens?
Nay, even with all the satellites soaring sleeplessly keeping watch in the space
Nor does our technology beneath the seas help us...
What is man made of, that he should boast of his abilities as though he can stop the nature from obeying the laws of God?



Return, O man, to your origins..
Return to the Lord God your creator,
He's waiting for you with his arms open wide,
Come Home, Come to the Creator of life...
Love him with all your heart and soul and mind!

(A part of this was inspired by the 2007 Watch-night service where Bro. Prakash Rao (RZIM) had preached)