Parents News

Yesterday Siahey arrived at Miao. He said mom was getting better. She could walk around with supports on both sides. And she could sit down slowly. But dad has malaria. He is very weak now. We need to continually pray for him.

Mango

This young tree bears plenty of mango (OM Centre, Bangalore, 17 April 2012).

Two Tamarind Trees

There are two tamarind (imli) trees in front of our rent house in Bangalore. I see the owner pluck lots of fruits every year. But this year I observe that each tree grows differently. One develops leaves ahead of the other. When one is full of leaves, the other just started budding.

Tamarind trees (April 13, 2012)

This prompted some thought

• When I give useful advice, some people receive immediately. Some don’t at all.
• Some pick concepts easily, some rarely get it during classroom.
• Some are quick to anger from the time I know.
• My friends with whom I drank/smoke still continue to this day. Some have quit and have become key church leaders.

I wonder why? But a Scripture came to my mind, “… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

Perhaps, there is more possibility of changing for believers, because God is at work. I gained confidence once again, that God helps me grow in the pace I can make.

The trees at later time. These trees are located at these coordinates.

Two tamarind trees (May 01, 2012).

April 15, 2013: Just beginning to bud leaves (Right), the other tree still has some tamarind on it.

Insight when tempted

Yesterday a friend shared devotion from Luke 22:39-46 Jesus Prays on Mount Olives. 

Key thought: What’s the connection between prayer and temptation?

Jesus did not ask his disciples to pray that they will not face temptation but they will not fall into temptation. In prayer, God gives us the strength and wisdom to overcome temptation that will lead to sins.

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus prayed for Peter so that his faith will not fail.

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus modeled his disciples to pray “Lead us not into temptation”. That slightly complicated my understanding of the connection.

However, one thought came through very strongly. When I know some temptation is on my way, I’ll pray. In God’s mystery, he provides a way out (1 Cor 10:13). 

Old Ways of Learning Bible

Very often I see people take notes of sermons in church. I consider them as old fashion. I believed its sufficient to learn the Word of God just by listening.

I changed that philosophy about three weeks ago. Because its been seven years since I attended to a church in Bangalore. There are excellent Bible teachers and they preach good messages every Sunday. Sometime sermons are on the Book of Romans.

Now I regret I have not taken any notes from those years. If I had taken notes of last seven years, I would have lots of messages. That would have been an easy reference for preaching!

So now I began taking notes. I have separate notebook for Sunday.

Ducks and Rooster

Two days ago we were on our way home when we saw a strange fight. Three small ducks were fighting against a Rooster. The ducks were small, but they adopted interesting strategies:

• Sometimes they attacked all at once, though much slower speed.
• Other times, one at a time.
• They receive big blows, but did not give up.

I watch for a while, and they were still continuing. Then I left reflecting these words:

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Standing together… We need friends, advisors in life.

Hymns and Songs

I enjoyed a lot during the last Christmas celebration at Shidi. There were beautiful songs composed by young people. Those stood among the young composers were Aphu T-M-PHU and Commando. Its exciting these young gifted boys are using their gifts.

Each have organized its members, all young teens. They rehearsed about 20 songs. Singing in church began even before the Christmas. At Christmas venue they sang whole night. Incredible commitment!

My heart goes, “If those songs were used in churches”. Perhaps we might witness powerful singing in the congregation. We sing hymns which were composed about 200-300 years ago (not to offend hymn lovers!) and in another culture. So we don’t hear very energetic singing in church, but serious faces.

Would God question us for not using the songs our young people are composing? We may need to answer him?

If… If we use the young people’s songs, would:

·         Sale of songbooks exceed hymn books?

·         Congregational singing become more livelier?

·         Revival take place?

·         That increase church attendance?

Today I read a beautiful verse for the first time: Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth (Psalms 96:1). God wants us to sing new songs to him.

Liahey