It is Hanuka, it is Christmas Eve - and I can't recollect what else it is but, to all my readers, I wish the very best! Even though it is the worst that this time of year has seen since 1873, we are reminded that when it seems darkest is when we are closest to the possibility of light. As you know, I do not speak of economic light (though Obama's actions, I hope, bring us at least temporary relief immediately following the Inauguration). I speak of spiritual light, psychological light, light in our relationships... and in all the areas…

During this year, I failed a couple of times. Those failures shaped me. I learned from my mistakes and understand God better. If that's the case, those shortcomings are worthwhile. I simply have to go for it again. I may change or try a new route but those experiences are valuable. Failures never makes anyone a "lesser" believer. Failures are bound to happen because they are a part of life. Pretty straightforward, huh? You'd think so, but there are shallow people who tend to overspiritualize and view the world in a romanctized perspective. Some people without understanding tend to measure…

In last few months, I had several conversations with Indian Pastors/Christian leaders from various denominations in different cities (none of them know each other, I think) and interesting they all raised a common concern - ”The Next Generation is dropping out of church - what can we do? A generation who had grown right within these walls, who went to our sunday schools and youth fellowship and even got married here, now is not interested in the church anymore?” Having authored a book on this generation, they feel I should dole out some quick fixes. Of course, I have raised…

JESUS’ LETTER OF TEARS ON Christmas DAY. I know that you are all getting ready to celebrate my birthday.  On this occasion, everywhere in the world, a saying “Christmas” Christmas” is rent the air.  People are busily engaged in the activities like purchasing new dress, distribution of greeting cards, playing Christmas dramas or play-lets, singing Christmas songs , dances and such other amusements.Two thousand years ago, when I was born of woman (Mathew 1.16) , wise men  and shepherds came from very distant places to see me.  On seeing me, they rejoiced with exceeding joy(Mathew 2-10,11).  They bowed down before…

Dear Children, It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the…

BHUBANESHWAR: Orissa Chief Minster Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced that his government will not permit Hindu outfits have a shutdown on Christmas day. The Hindutva groups had declared a shutdown strike on Christmas day demanding the arrests of those involved in the killings of Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati, whose murder had set off the large scale violence against the Christians in the state. While replying to a state assembly discussion on the communal violence in the district of Kandhama Patnaik said that he will not allow Hindu groups to have a bandh or shutdown on Dec. 25. Police had Maoists were…

HINDU fundamentalist organizations in Orissa confirmed they will hold a bandh on Christmas Day triggering fears of further anti-Christian violence. On Dec. 17, 2008, ultra-nationalist Hindutva groups said they will observe a state-wide shut-down for 12 hours on Christmas Day, reported The Hindu newspaper. The protest is due to the ‘failure’ of authorities to arrest the killers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati who was killed on Aug. 23, 2008. Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik opposes the bandh, and the newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs in New Delhi, P. Chidambaram, publicly assured Christians they'll be safe. However, AICC leaders remain…

7MR is devoting this week in a special way to seeking God in prayer.  Here’s what that will look like for us. monday  :: thanksgiving Give God thanks for His blessings in your life; for the Gospel and His grace; for this season with 7MR, for members on the Launch Team, and for all that the Spirit brings to remembrance.Psalm 103 tuesday  :: philadelphiaIntercede for this city that God has placed you in. Ask God to give you a love for this city. Crime, poverty, poor education, broken families, are among the many problems that plague our city. Ask for…

Everyone wants to enjoy life. Many people place the source of their joy in what they own, in their reputation, in their status, or in other worldly things. Yet, all of those things are unstable and can easily evaporate, taking joy with them. In the end, we will depart this world just as we entered it--with nothing (Ecclesiastes 5:15). So, although all of these sensual pleasures may provide short-term happiness, they clearly fail to provide genuine, lasting joy (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). On the other hand, true joy is offered in Christ. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to…

Witness the Pound going from USD 1.63 to 1.52 and back to 1.59 in 24 hours on 24th October this year. The above (interesting) factoid is provided on his excellent Blog by John Wisbey, Chairman and CEO of Lombard Risk Management plc, the second largest global provider of regulatory compliance software and award-winning provider of risk management solutions to over 300 financial businesses and large corporations. The company's clients include over 20 of the world's top 50 banks, as well as many industry leading investment firms, asset managers, hedge funds, fund administrators, and global corporations. There is one principal point…

James Fallows, who writes for The Atlantic magazine, reports that China has imposed, as it appears, a nationwide ban on the New York Times's website, though he says that he "cannot be absolutely certain that this is a purposeful, country-wide blackout. Conceivably there is some other technological or accidental explanation. I consider this extremely unlikely....But logically, we cannot exclude the possibility that it's all an accident". In an earlier issue, he argued that "China's official PR machinery often succeeds mainly in making the country seem far more closed-off, impenetrable, defensive, and difficult to deal with than it actually is most…

I was listening to a message from Pastor Larry Stockstill today. I always come to this point of desperation where I'm ready to give up and God comes along and says "Hey!" Well, just now was one of those times. Did you know that 500,000 villages in India alone have never heard the Gospel? Has God called me? YES! Check it out: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 And,…

Without GOD, our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday & Shatterday. If you are not ashamed of GOD, pass it onMr Bilson

Christians are generally speaking, categorized into two groups as follows: (1) "Roman Catholics" and "Protestants" - depending on birth. (2) "Episcopal" (conformist) and "Free church" (non-conformist) - depending on church-pattern. (3) "Born again Christians" and "Nominal Christians" - depending on an "experience";(4) "Evangelicals" and "Liberals" - depending on doctrine.(5) "Charismatics" and "Non-charismatics" - depending on "speaking in tongues". (6) "Full-time Christian workers" and "Secular workers" - depending on profession. There could be other such categorizations too. But none of these categorizations deal with the root of the problem that our Lord came to solve. Many know that "Christ died for…

The world is waiting for Christians to be something different. They are waiting for us to bring the goodness of God to them. They might not know it yet, but they crave our love and compassion. They crave our selflessness and our will to influence change. What are we willing to lose, for the salvation of a soul? What are willing to sacrifice, so the world would be brought close to Jesus? For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits…

Pretense is pointlessexpectations never dieregrets aren't forgivingand life only happens onceso what the **** am i doing? Benita Joy

To waste time, attempting to impress shallow people who otherwise don't care... or live up to superficial expectations and standards, which were anyway made for the shallow people to impress other shallow people. Yes, sometimes life requires you to play along or BS... Other times silence or short-one word replies are the best answer. I certainly don't owe everyone an explanation. Some people need to mind their own damn business. Ultimately, happiness and decisons are up to me. God operates beyond a "box" Calling isn't only limited to full-time church ministry Over the years, I thought I was being molded…