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

Two Men

Whenever Simasa and I commute, we see two men. Almost everyday!

One man takes care of buffalo. He lets his buffalos graze on the open field while he sleeps. Every time we saw him, he sleeps with a water bottle as his pillow. When he is not sleeping, he just closes his eyes and lying flat on the ground.

Another man is different. He looks after his sheep and goats. He doesn’t even sit. I could see that he was standing by his sheep and goats all the time. He has a big stick in his hands and looks after them. He directs his animals to good places where there are good grass. By evening, he leads all home.

I hope both do their jobs well. They have different styles!

But when Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep” (John 10:11, GNB), I like to identify him to the style of the second person who has sheep and goats.

That reminds me that Jesus is close, not a distant God that I’ll need to shout aloud to get his attention. He is near me. All the time…

Sheep and Goats

SHEEP AND GOATS

I used to think that Sheep and Goats do not mix. The Bible portrayed Jesus as Shepherd of Sheep. He is never “Shepherd of Goats”.

But then there is a person next to our rented home in Bangalore, where he took care of both. They all graze together. They do not fight.

The only difference I observed is at the time of going home. The care-taker just calls a word and all follow after him.

But it’s not the sheep that responded first, but goats!  Goats are always first. Sheep follow slowly. Moreover, they run slow. Goats are first!

That reminds me Jesus’ word: “…the people of this world are much more shrewd in handling their affairs than the people who belong to the light. (Luke 16:8, GNB)

Challenge Your Habits, Assumptions and Attitudes

Do have someone who challenged your commonly held assumptions or attitudes?

Today a colleague of mine pointed out to me that my usual tendency is not to direct the result. Most of the time I tend to drift along with others as per their convenience. I did not realize that until he pointed me out. Then that became very clear to me. So from today I begin my ministry from a fresh perspective.

I could defend but I didn’t. That’s for good because I want to grow to be an effective person in God’s Kingdom business.

Another time, my brother told me, “Go ahead and talk. You have been thinking too long.” That is pretty straight forward. That’s another good observation for my development. I need to talk quickly and when needed.

With these two feedbacks on my life, I benefited much. Another two dimensions of my life is improving.

I learned one lesson: Respect those who challenge you. They  have mustered courage to confront you. They meant for good.

It is finished

Today I began my office hours setting the target. Except for a phone call and a reading passage, I achieved everything I need to for today. I feel like saying, "It is finished".

Pretty satisfied, I leave for home now, 5.30 pm.

Blessings,

Liahey