Stillness..

" Speak, Lord, in the stillness,

While I wait on thee;

Hushed my heart to listen

In expectancy.

Speak O blessed Master,

In this quiet hour;

Let me see Thy face Lord,

Feel Thy touch of power".

Our lives nowadays are in such a fast track that we forget to even, take a deep breath. The, continuous mental exhaustion, is much much more than physical exhaustion our, grandmothers used to have it during those days. While, we all need this stillness, its rather, very difficult to attain if you have not reached a mark of contentment.

Recently, we are all experiencing a different climate. Hot and dry summers are over, with rains and chilly evenings. One day early in the morning, when my mind was revolving with  a thousand varied questions like a roller-coast, I felt as if someone has laid a heavy stone on my head.  Whenever, such situation of worries creep in, I just visualize a peaceful river. Which I enjoy visiting often. The calm river, which is there in the backyard of my hometown to have an apt solitude at the time of needed stillness. But ; here being in a city with big buildings around and the noise of traffic and other activities, it is very hard to find a solitude. Oh! how I wished if someone would have wrapped around a blanket to have a comfort in this chilly morning. I was sitting near the window and having a cup of coffee when my eyes fell on a egret, standing in the puddle which was formed in front of our house. The egret was standing on one leg with complete stillness that surprised me. Not only for few seconds but for 30-40 minutes. This scene of complete silence and stillness  gave me the insight of the verse I read this morning in Ps 46: 10 He says," Be still, and know that I am God;  The creator of this universe tells us to rest, to be silent, to relax, let all the burdens and everything go away, have a little peace.

Sometimes, it's good to take deep breathe, and attain the quietness and stillness in life. It's good to do meditation, by relaxing your body and nerves, by exhaling out all your worries and tension of this world. Just think yourself to be alone sharing your heart with the creator. Be still, relax, stand at ease, let off everything. Actually, it requires quite a lot of practice. When one attains this stillness, he or she experiences an inner joy, which is far beyond, to express in words. In order to attain it, first and foremost find a solitude place where, the noises and the hustle and bustle of life is totally absent.

God, loves us to spend time in stillness as he loves to talk with you and hear from you. In the bible we can see in many places Jesus spent some of his valuable time in solitude to pray and talk with the father. Even in Matt 6: 6  He says to us, to close the door and pray, all this shows that; He wants us to be silent, calm, and have a quiet atmosphere. Let off, all your burdens, draw  near to God and enjoy His nearness and His presence. Famous Quotes: " Stillness is the activity of letting go, relaxing, letting down your guard, relinquishing control, and sitting with all the shortcomings and undone things in your life." -Arabah Joy.

If this article has been a blessing to you and enlightened you, and you would like to help someone, please do share with them by using “share” button. I love to hear your comments too. God bless you all.

Thanks

Ann.

Use your gift.

Take thy first walk with God!

Let Him go forth with thee;

By stream, or sea, or mountain path,

Seek still His company.

                        By Horatius Bonar.

How are you going to use your gift or talent for God? Will you grow it, or Will you bury it?

None of us are left without a gift. God has given each one potential powers for creativity. It is the duty of the individual to work assiduously and discover these powers. Every man or woman has a duty to build one's gift to it fullness by exercising them in contributing to the needs of others.

Once, there were two girls studying in a same class. The teacher gifted, gifts to both of them. One girl, opened her gift and was very excited to see, a beautiful pen. The other girl opened her gift but had a long face after opening, as she was not happy with the beautiful pencil she got.

 The girl who got pen was very happy as her pen was very beautiful. It had a black body and a golden cap. The writing and drawing was fantastic with it. Whereas,  the girl who got the pencil was unhappy and considered her gift to be very cheap and common. Her, pencil was very light and did not had any attraction. It also had an eraser at the end. Now, the teacher asked both of them to make a drawing with their gifts. The girl with the pen made her drawing perfect, with bold strokes and completed the drawing by perfect shading as she was very happy with her gift so, tried to enjoy her work with completion and perfection.

Now, the other girl was not much happy about her gift so she made the drawing but not with her whole heart thereby creating many mistakes in her drawing, for which she had to use an eraser often. Because of the repeated erasing, marks were left on the drawing sheet. In whole, her drawing did not reach to perfection and completion. By this story, we come into a conclusion that, God is the one who gives gift. We are all gifted, and it is you who has to discover your gifts. It's you who have to identify, cultivate, nurture and develop the gift to glorify God with what you have. Never think your gift, is small or not better than the other person. Your gift is unique,  her gift is unique so, make  it perfect, and make the best use of it, to return it to God.

Whatever your talent may be, or whatever you are good in like writing, drawing, music, singing, cooking, praying; it should be used for God and should be done heartily. He didn’t gift you with talents just for your own benefit but to be useful for His kingdom.

In Romans 12: 6 - Paul says, We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each one of us.

Famous Quote:- We all have gift, but we have to discover the gift, uncover the gift, nurture and develop the gift and use for the glory of God and for the liberation and struggle of our people.- Louis Farrakhan

I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Blow out your soap bubble

"Measure thy life by loss and not by gain,

Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth.

For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice'

And he who suffers most has most to give."

How do we respond to a tough situation or a trouble, which comes in our life? Do, we have a positive attitude and consider it as a flitting life, which; is just like the soap bubbles lasting for just a moment and then vanishes away. It is here today and gone tomorrow with the wind.

Some days, we just feel a lot blue, we feel a little down, when certain things doesn't work, some ups and downs in life; all the life's unpredictability which comes in our life. From the time of our birth, to our death or rather say from the cradle to the coffin man, from an infant to the old age; one has to undergo sorrow and problems which are all knitted into his body designed by the creator, but one most important thing is that all these problems are just for a moment and tlhis will not stay forever. Take life one day at a time as it comes.

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves".- Gautama Buddha.

Last week, just to pacify my 8year old nephew, I decided to buy a soap bubble toy for the good marks which he scored in his term exams. He was very fond to play with it as; every time when he sees children playing he comes and describes it to me. For him to enjoy a little I, gifted him the new toy, his joy had no bounds as soon as I gifted he started to make big bubbles and float it in the air but, within a short span of time the bubble would hit an object and burst. Doing, all these activities he had a hundred questions in his mind, as to Why it  happens, How is it formed, Why it floats in air, Why does it have a spectrum of colours? and so on. While, I was answering few of his question, he asked me as to. Why does it burst when stretched to a maximum? I told him, that each object has certain  limit or a weak part which prevents further stretching, if we go beyond the limit it will burst. As the soap film stretches the surface concentration of soap decreases, the soap selectively strengthens the weak part of bubble and tend to prevent from further stretching. He then asked me an interesting question as to Why is the bubble temporary and burst soon? Wonderful !! that brought a new insight in my mind. True, these afflictions are momentary. While, I was pondering on the way the mechanism and closely observing these flitting soap bubbles, my eyes fell on a verse which clearly stated that "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Cor 4:17. I understood clearly one thing like these soap bubbles our life's trouble, pain, distress all are for a short moment. Blow out your bubble, let it fly away and enjoy those bubble seeing to the spectrum of colours they produce.

Few days, back  I was having hard days and all things seemed to go wrong, I put my hope on God who is my author and finisher of this journey. I know it's by mercy of my God alone that I am being strengthened and renewed day by day with new boost in my life. The light afflictions which comes on our way is only temporary and not eternal. A little discomfort, a little pain, a little misery should not be a stumbling block to reach our goal. All these comes and goes, leave it.

The afflictions and sufferings of our Lord Jesus for each one of us is nothing when we compare it with us. It will outweigh all of them. Just, be strong in God, He is faithful to hold us each day with new hope, energy, happiness and a life with new goals.

I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Generosity

You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.- Amy Carmichael

Generosity stems from our belief that we have enough to share. A great sage in Babylon said, "The reward of charity depends entirely upon the extent of kindness in it." Even the nature teaches us that we should be generous in giving,  we can see the rivers, the sea they store so much water but they do not use for themselves they give it to us. The trees produce sweet fruits but never do they taste their fruit. Earth is so vast with abundant riches stored in it, precious stones, minerals and ores all for our use. Never does the earth demands or wants to get, but is always ready to give.

2 Cor 9: 6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously". When, a person gives willingly and happily, never expecting anything in return is called generosity. If, you have an attitude of treating, or considering another person to be greater, than you, or have a heart to help, to give, to donate, to make others happy and content ; you are remarked as a generous person. Generosity is a character which is inherited genetically. I, recall the incidence with my parents about their generosity, they used to be so generous with the church members, friends or people in our community or group and  especially to the poor and those in need by giving money or by hearing  their heartache. Sometimes when our parents used to lend money to those in need we used to tell, "Mummy & Papa they are just cheating you, they might be having more than us". They used to tell us, "it is because we have, so we give". As Charles Spurgeon also says," Giving is true having." Some people think that by giving they will become empty, or will lose their wealth but that is not true even God taught us to be generous and give joyfully.

A beautiful story about a very prominent leader Mahatma Gandhi. He used to go from city to city and village to village, collecting funds for Charkha Sangh. Once, in Orissa, after addressing to  the people a poor woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey, clothes were tattered. She wanted to see Gandhiji, even  though the volunteers tried to stop her she kept on insisting, going up to Gandhiji, she touched his feet and brought out a copper coin from the folds of her sari and placed it in Gandhiji's feet. Gandhiji picked up the coin and put it away carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked, Gandhi for the coin but Gandhi refused " I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for Charkha Sangh," Jamanalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a copper coin."This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands". Gandhi said." If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possesed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees." This story is somewhat similar to the story  in the bible of a widow's offering in Mark 12: 41-43.

'The greatest example of generosity can be seen in the life of Jesus, who laid down His life for the mankind. We should try to live a generous life and follow his steps.

 I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement and improved outlook towards generosity. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Big sea and a small boat.

These are my spiritual blogs, for everyone who face life's trials and difficulties, some ups and down in life. Many a times in life, we find ourselves in overwhelming situations which makes the boat to sail with difficulty, especially when the sea is rough, and the wind is boisterous. Different type of storms for different people like; health, wealth, finances, security and other things. When we are in this world we will have problems, sickness, troubles, difficulties, & much much more.

I, had to face such a difficult situation 4 year ago, when I had to resign from my job due, to my medical ailment. Seeing, all the turmoil's of life, I recollected a scenery of my childhood days, which was hung in our house, " O God, thy sea is so big and my boat is so small". Anxiety led me to ask God, how, am I going to reach the shore, and be at rest with you? God answered me, as written in 1 Cor 2:9 " What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived,-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-"  

God, had indeed prepared a way for me, before this foundation of the world, He has written my plans my future my each steps. God the Father gave his son for us, so that we can live the life in its full by following Jesus, who is the author. more. Whatever, may be the circumstances, it is just momentary. All for a second. The hand of God, is always on his loved ones, He will take you out of the situation.  Always have the hope that there will be a rainbow after the rain, there is  a morning after each night, light after every darkness. We see the frogs croaking, when  dark clouds appear, then the frog is sure that there is going to rain. It eagerly, waits for rain with a hope to get wet in rain... Spiritual hunger seems to come naturally for anyone who face topsy turvy roads not a smooth one. I was truly hungry for God, when I faced such overwhelming situations in life. As, I had no place to ventilate my feelings I, decided to give all into His feet. Keep on living that good life with hope, patience, enduring hardships....As in Romans 12:12 in bible it says to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Every spare minute of my day was filled with thoughts to pursue God and feeding on Him like a caterpillar, which goes on feeding the leaves so that one day it becomes a beautiful full grown butterfly. I started to be in His presence and develop a closer relationship with Him. Do not be confirmed to this world but, be transformed. This body is a living sacrifice to God holy acceptable to God with heart of mercy. Now I can sing happily, my God is so big so strong, and so mighty there is nothing that He cannot do.....

Thank you

Ann

Made...

Yesterday, we did shopping as; one of my friend was going to lead a hostel life. So, we bought some household things, to do self cooking, and to live an independent life. It was strange to see all the items were with a tag, which had the price of the item, and the description of the item, and; at the end as to where it was made. I, noticed some of them made in India, some made in China, some made in USA, some made in Thailand, and so on.....This, brought an insight. We humans are the only one who puts a label, or tag of made in, but God the Father who made this universe and everything in it did not write his name in anything. We, can see many duplicates, made from a single original product by a man but God made everything and everyone as a single piece, in the universe in a unique and special way No duplicates. He made you and me in His own image and in a very special way. As it is said in Psalms 139:14 " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful ".

 God has created each of us differently, but; when a potter makes pots, he makes many pots in the same way, only few he makes, in a different way. When a man makes something in factory, he makes all the items same, but, our God makes everything; unique and different. No, person has similar face, as you have, same genes and chromosomes as you have, You and me; are totally unique in all aspects. We, cannot find any deformity what God made whereas whatever a man makes has some or other deformity. He made the beautiful flowers, the stars, the birds, but; He did not say that 'He made'. He created this beautiful creation in a very unique way. Such, great is our God. As, we see in the scriptures in John 1:3" Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

God, has made everything beautiful in His time. He made all these things for mankind, to enjoy and give glory to Him. God has set a plan and way for us. His plans are bigger and higher then we think. I like to sing a beautiful song: "In His time, in his time, He made all things beautiful in his time".

Prayer : My God, my Saviour, I thank you that I am a unique and special creation of your hands. Thank you Lord for this life, for the abilities and talents you have given me. Help me to do your will as I want only to praise you and follow you.

I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Put away your mask

One day, I heard the children running and playing in our courtyard. Loud noises, shouts, wailing, cries, and all sorts of sounds; were been made by them. They were playing hide and seek. One child had to trace or to seek, whereas all the others were hiding. Some of the children put face mask, so that they couldn't' be identified fast. The person who is seeking should say the name of the hider correctly. They can pretend the originality by wearing a mask.

 At times, to remove a bad odour from the surrounding we mask it with a pleasant perfume or air freshener. There are times when people cover up or hide things. Sometimes, the society where we live tells us, to cover or hide the problem. Infact, this can create an uncomfortable situation in our life. Your thoughts and feelings will get affected.

It reminded me from the Bible; The incidence when, Adam and Eve hid themselves from Lord God. It was sin which made tem hide from God. When people sin they try to hide it and usually do not disclose it, when asked they start making excuses or say lies. Hiding means not to tell the true thing, or to wear a mask and keep secret. Wearing mask, is to deceive someone or sometimes wearing a mask is to please someone through wrong steps. In our lives, we all face some or other sorts of trials and temptation, either daily, weekly or monthly. In those situations we like to hide ourselves from these situations and wants to put a mask and run away from that problem.  Jesus has given us hope and he helps us when we face troubles. When a situation to cry comes in our life, we should cry and don't wear a mask of a tough person. Be original. When there is a happy occasion, smile and laugh, don't wear a long face that time. Be original. When you are afraid or scared ask for a help, you need others too; don't think what others might say. Be original. Be yourself. NO MASK.

You, should be transparent and honest like water, which doesn't have any colour to change, requires no space to boast and become big, nor have any shape; it will adjust where it is put into. Always down to earth. God uses such humble characters in us to reveal our true nature. God wants us to put off our old sinful nature, our mask of saying lies, deceiving others and to put on the armour of God.

Famous Quote: " Wearing a mask wears you out. Faking it is fatiguing. The most exhausting activity is pretending to be what you know you aren't." -Rick Warren