Tere Lahoo Se Mujhe Dho Le Tu Prabhu (Worshipping God)
With Rev. Jose Varghese and Team at PCG, ITARSI
Wednesday, 16 December 2020
Saturday, 13 October 2018
An Inspiring Story of Mr. Om Prakash: Gov. Servant > Christ’s Servant
Now a pastor in Pataudi, Mr. Om Prakash 70 yrs old, was born in a small village named Mandpura, Haryana. His story of conversion and call to mission is quite intriguing and inspiring. I recently had a privilege of getting to know this great life. Hope it serves you for the good.
He had been happily working for a quite a long time with NHPC in gov. service with a salary of 60,000+ a month back in 90s (Around 850 $ USD). Which was pretty high government pay of the time. Interestingly enough, one day he observed a man who was his co-worker, hailed from south India routinely reading Bible on the same table he used for playing cards. Mr. Om Prakash was addicted to playing cards. So one fine day with the amazement Mr. Om stumbled upon this man from south India with a question; "What do you read in this book all day? What’s there so fascinating?" And being missional enough, the man replied with the perfect use of the opportunity of sharing the gospel with Mr. Om.
Having heard the gospel, Mr. Om not only resisted it at the outset but began question his own aged faith too. One night sitting in his room, heavily surrounded by the idols of possible all the famous gods and goddesses he looking up on the roof began questioning, “who is the real God amidst this plethora, show up” if it is Jesus, then, show up, talk to me or is there anyone else? Having pleaded for hours now, in the middle of the night, he heard a voice. At first, he thought he is hallucinating and ignored. But on the repetition of the same, his ears got straight and he heard it cautiously. It was a verse of the Bible being sounded for the second time which he never read.
Ezekiel 36:25 KJV
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
On the very morning, he packed every bit of idols and put it on a sack and dumped away from his reach, becoming committed follower to Christ.
After days of conversation, the man from south India managed to get Mr. Om to the water tank for baptism. Hilariously enough, after almost having reached close to the water tank Mr. Om ran away, saying, “I won’t get baptism”. There was a kind of demonic influence that attacked him for a while and struggle before he eventually water-baptized. At the same time, Mr. Om’s wife contracted fever which never went down in temperature. After suffering for a long time she was healed by God through a prayer of a pastor only to become a follower of Jesus like her husband. They both faced a lot of opposition from their whole family for accepting Christ. Consequently, the whole village conducted an assembly and excommunicated Mr. Om from the village. But they endured all and came out shining more brighter than before. After having saved as a family this couple began strongly feeling a call for the mission. But it was not easy to manage ministry alongside gov. service. Irresistibly, having dodged this strong and persistent call for more than a couple of times they plan to sit in fasting and waiting for the Lord’s final say. And Mr. Om fasted for 7 days and wife fasted for three days without informing husband. But God revealed Mr. Om that your wife is fasting for the same too. And towards the end of the fasting session with a specific call to mission through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, Mr. Om was led to quit his job. That attracted scores of criticism, both, from family and friends. Because the kind of job he was enjoying would be denounced only by a lunatic or someone crazy for Christ. And since then, Lord Jesus has never ceased to wonder this family with amount miracles every then and now. There are numerous people who have made their way towards Christ through the ministry it Mr. Om and his beloved wife. Not only outsiders but their own sons were blessed through their ministry. Mr. Om sons were not less than some hooligans and notoriously infamous goons of their area, having solid political and social influence. Ironically, now they are ministers of the gospel, holding a strong testimony in their vicinity and also mightily used in the various states of India. Since Mr. Om quitted his service the Lord has always met their need from the door of heaven; though not plenty but always sufficient.
Beside ministry, he also decided to pursue his theological education. Amazingly, at the age 60 he painstakingly finished his M.Div. from Delhi Bible College, affiliated to Cohan University, USA with the daily classes of five to six hours for three years and received his ordination from the Church of God. It's is indeed a great encouragement for Bible students.
This story is truly inspiring in a world where people could always be seen prioritizing money, job, and fame over Christ, ministry, and faith.
The aforementioned picture features Mr. Om with his wife and younger son with his wife and two sons. His pastor Arvind is running two churches in Delhi and travels around India for the cause of the gospel.
Wednesday, 28 March 2018
ISIS Unearthed the King of the Bible
As a new believer I, sometimes, used to wonder that why the Bible is put on as number one on the list of The Great Books of the World by various sources and why it is the most reproduced, read and researched book of the world. It didn’t take me any longer to know that Bible is not just a book that can transform the lives by its message but it can outright defeat any/every critic who challenges its legitimacy and reliability.
ISIS, in making tunnel for the black market to sell booty, unexpectedly discovered Site of Assyrian Palace located under Jonah Tomb. The inscription found therein describes the rule of Assyrian King, Esarhaddon who reigned between 681-669 BC (2 King 19:37, Isaiah. 37:38, Ezra 4:2). Actually Esarhaddon was the son of Sennacherib who was killed by own sons after failing to capture Jerusalem in 681 B.C.
One inscription is translated :
“The palace of Esarhaddon, strong king, king of the world, king of Assyria, governor of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the kings of lower Egypt, upper Egypt and Kush [an ancient kingdom located south of Egypt in Nubia].”
For authenticity the discoveries were recently published by Cambridge University Press.
It’s interesting to find out the fact that the Bible has very well passed the test of time and it's historicity. And it’s good to be reminded that aforementioned discovery is just one of the hundreds that has proved the veracity of the Bible time and time again. While many other religious texts struggle to provide any credibility to figures mentioned therein and have miserably failed the test of time and history Bible stands as one gigantic work of the Holy Spirit that comes out ever more reliable and unstained when put on trial by human agency.
Dear readers this must encourage us to value our Holy Bible not just as another sacred scriptures of any outdated religion incorporating mythical/mystical stories of the past but as a proven, powerful and practical manual for life that continues to transform numerous lives on daily basis.
Another thing to notice, here, is the work of God that how marvelous are His works that He uses the enemies of the Christianity to prove the fact of the same. And the ISIS made all possible attempts to destroy Christians has died today but not before proving the fact of the Bible.
God Bless !!!www.nikhilrajgupta.wordpress.com
Image Source: https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/08/middleeast/mosul-isis-assyrian-antiquities-discovered/index.html
Notes:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/iraq/article/recently-discovered-neoassyrian-royal-inscriptions-from-the-review-palace-and-nergal-gate-of-nineveh-1/C39961A5169B023A5402BB767AB51FDD
https://aleteia.org/2018/02/22/archaeologists-find-biblical-evidence-under-jonahs-tomb/2/
https://aleteia.org/2017/03/13/palace-of-biblical-king-discovered-under-shrine-destroyed-by-isis/
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Itching-ear Preaching
2 Timothy 4:3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
I remember an incident happened years ago when I was invited to speak in a church and pastor asked me “kindly speak something only positive and inspirational because a preacher who spoke on sin and judgment previously was never invited again”. Funny isn’t it?
Very few of us actually wanna move from blessing and grace to hear messages on sin and judgement. Not every preacher can be as eloquent as Charles Spurgeon, but I’d rather have a boring preacher who preaches the Bible than an interesting one who simply entertains. Jim Jones was an interesting preacher, but in 1979, he led 900 people to Guyana and they committed mass suicide following him.
So if you feel you aren’t getting fed by your pastor’s sermons, let me ask you a question: Is he preaching the Bible? If so, are you bringing a fork/spoon for feasting?
Yeah it’s true and I agree that preacher should always feed green grass (solid word) to his believers but it’s equally important that believers should behave as sheeps and flocks not as junk eaters. There are many believers who have developed hunger for junk food like our new generation foodies. Which includes excessive jokes, stories, humour and emotionalism not sheer, unadulterated, solid Word of God. There are folks in the church who come to entertain themselves by the oratory skills of the speaker. They are not as hungry for God’s voice and conviction of the Holy Spirit as for the pagan myth mixed comedy performance with outright audacity. And that in result has caused the emergence of preachers who are great entertainers with immense popularity. They are more concerned towards pleasing the audience than God, they make sure that their sermons have enough jokes so that people don’t find difference between stand comedian and a preacher, they make sure that everyone after the service must feel spirited than spirit-filled, they make sure to tell people that God is loving them than God is angry with them, they get obsessively busy preaching blessings and grace than coming judgement and sin, they give little/no admonishment so that they are not left uninvited for next turn. Today many churches have found preachers of their will and kind.
Bringing our forks/spoons to the church simple means coming with a heart to hear and accept God’s word alone. Many a people come to church 
as they go to theatre 
expecting leisure and amusement. A broken heart is near to God.
as they go to theatre expecting leisure and amusement. A broken heart is near to God.
Let me tell you that if you have a pastor who doesn’t know how to make people laugh or cry and drive you to the brooks of emotionalism but only preaches plain word with simplicity “you are blessed indeed”.
Now correcting this widely spread unbiblical practice is the task of both hands; preachers and hearers.
In earlier mentioned verse Paul warned Timothy to be careful about preachers who preach according to itching ear (interest/desire of the people).
As believers we must question ourselves that does it take something more than the plain word of God to satisfy our souls? Have we distorted or perverted our sense of hunger so much that unadulterated plain Word doesn’t sound ample? Is junk food the only thing we come church for?
And on the flip side as preachers we must question ourselves that are we standing there to glean well done commendation from audience or looking at God’s broken heart for final say? Are we men-pleasers of God-pleasers?
Saturday, 9 September 2017
HOPE: AN ANCHOR FOR LIFE
Romans 15:13 is a wonderful prayer that Paul wants every believer to experience: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
So far I haven’t come
across anyone saying, “I’m not concerned about having joy and peace and I don’t
want to abound in hope.” In fact, we all want and need these qualities, and yet
among us very few can reasonably claim to be filled with joy, peace and hope.
Here I would like to limit this article only to the vitality and need of hope leaving joy and peace for a separate thought.
While many see faith
and hope as synonyms but it is not. Faith is something that is built upon what
one has seen or heard (faith comes by hearing) in the past but hope is an expectation
of future realities. Without faith, there is no hope, and without hope there is
no true faith.
A Poem on Hope
Amidst unceasing prayer hope unveiling answer
Amidst vagrancy, hope eternal nest
Amidst earthly glory, hope unending wonder
Amidst earthly misery, hope heavenly rest
Amidst poverty, hope unfading asset
Amidst earthly achievements, hope upcoming Best
Amidst widened arms of darkness, hope divine breast
Amidst fiery darts, hope Lord’s final behest
Amidst failing endeavours, hope Christ abreast
Amidst fellow charlatans, hope eternal test
Only then our “hope” in Return of Christ has any value for its quest
You can notice hope is
used in verb form in every place. So hope not only for the return for Christ in the future but also for every facet of your life now, here, on the earth. Hope for everything else, basically, emerges from the hope in Christ's Return. And due
to the absence of this hope many seems to live a lukewarm dispirited Christians
life (nominals). This hope gives us purpose to strive for the purity and
assurance of future life. A Christian can still
profess him/herself and be called Christian while having no hope for anything
similar to non-believers. Our eternal life will not start in the future but has already began with new birth in Christ.
Every mankind has hope
of some sort. However, hope in human agency is the product of human mind but the
hope in divine is product of divine enablement (through Holy Spirit). That’s
why people who lack Holy Spirit also lack this hope. While they may have the
ultimate hope of Christ’s coming (everyone has that) but may lose hoping for
everything else, significantly, things pertinent for present life.
“…so that you will
abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Such hope doesn’t come from nowhere
but is given by the power of the Holy Spirit. So yielding to Holy Spirit is the key for receiving/growing in the hope.
THUS HOPE IS AN ANCHOR FOR OUR LIFE IN CHRIST AS WE LIVE ON THIS EARTH WITH HUMAN WEAKNESSES.
◄ 1 John 3:3 ►And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.◄ Romans 8:24 ►For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?
Outcomes of Hope
(1) It gives us joy and
peace.
Romans 15:13 Now may
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may
abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:2 through whom
also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we
stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
(2) It gives us
protection.
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the
eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His
lovingkindness.
(3) It gives us
strength, courage, boldness.
Psalm 31:24 Be strong,
and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.
(4) It gives us
endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep,
that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.
(5) It gives us
confidence in ministry.
1 Timothy 4:10 For it
is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living
God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
Image Source: http://circleofdocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/hope-hero.jpg
Tuesday, 5 September 2017
Happy Teachers Day
In India Teacher’s Day
is celebrated on 5th of September as an acknowledgment to the impact made by
the teachers towards the community. Since 1962 the day commemorates the
birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan, a great teacher and a staunch
believer of education, known for his influence towards the education system of
India.
According to Dr
Radhakhrishnan, “teachers should be the best minds in the country”. The
birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan came to be celebrated as Teachers Day
when some of his students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday
‘5th September’. Dr. Radhakrishnan said, “instead of celebrating my birthday distinctly,
it would be my proud pleasure if September 5 is observed as Teachers’ day”.
Since then 5th September is observed as Teachers Day all over India.
Teachers convey
knowledge and persuade the students in the right direction, educate them and
create accountable citizens and good human beings. They are the cornerstone of
our future. Celebrating Teachers Day is recognized by UNESCO and equally
popular is several countries across the globe.
Let's talk about a teacher who is greatest among all. His followers includes largest chunk of world population. He is Lord Jesus Christ. Many limit him in the office of teacher-ship but He is more than that; He is Lord.
Christ’s teaching was enlightening, reasonable, supported by Old Testament evidence, well-illustrated, recognized by divine power, unique, and exceptionally authoritative (Matthew 7:28).
Nicodemus, a ruler of
the Jews, accepted that Jesus of Nazareth was “a teacher” from God, as
documented by the “signs” which he did (John 3:2). A wealthy young leader
approached the Lord asking, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may
have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). Even Jesus’ rivals addressed him as
“Teacher” (Matthew 22:16, 24), though their use of the expression was not
always candid. Matthew tells us the crowds were so amazed at his teaching
because “he taught as one having authority, not as the teachers of the law”
(Matthew 7:29). The rabbis quoted each other, but Jesus spoke the true and
authoritative words of God. The noun (teacher) and verb (teach) combined are
used of Jesus some ninety times. The Jesus is addressed as “Teacher”
twenty-nine times in the Gospels.
Great men of India like
M.K. Gandhi, Ram Mohan Roy, Ramakrishna and many other placed Jesus among great
teachers. We know that He is the greatest teacher ever. We know that His
teachings are the greatest teachings that have ever been given to mankind.
Even the skeptical philosopher Ernest Renan (1823-92), who opposed Christian belief on almost all points, stated: “Jesus will ever be the creator of the pure spirit of religion; the Sermon on the Mount will never be surpassed”
Scottish theologian James Stuart said, “The teaching of Jesus has had a power and an effect with which the influence of no other teacher can even for a moment be compared.”
Jesus' words throb with
wisdom. For an instance, His concept about government and tax: "Render
therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that
are God's" (Matthew 22:21). The concept of God and worship: "Those
who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). The Sermon
on the Mount: "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who hate you" (Matthew 5:44). The greatest commandment: "Love
the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your
mind ... Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the
Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).
LUKE 6:40 AMP40 A student is not superior to his teacher; but everyone, after he has been completely trained, will be like his teacher.
Adam Clarke Commentary
on this verse;
Every one that is perfect - Or, thoroughly instructed, κατηρτισμενος : - from καταρτιζω, to adjust, adapt, knit together, restore, or put in joint. The noun is used by the Greek medical writers to signify the reducing a luxated or disjointed limb. It sometimes signifies to repair or mend, and in this sense it is applied to broken nets, Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19; but in this place, and in Hebrews 13:21; 2 Timothy 3:17, it means complete instruction and information. Every one who is thoroughly instructed in Divine things, who has his heart united to God, whose disordered tempers and passions are purified and restored to harmony and order; every one who has in him the mind that was in Christ, though he cannot be above, yet will be as, his teacher - holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.
This is a fact: men do develop
up into the likeness of what they appreciate. Great philosophers, men of
science, divines, soldiers, statesmen; these are taken as role models, and each
one has fashioned the lives of many others. It is not always a conscious
imitation. Mere relationship shapes us. A man can be known by his acquaintances.
If he is not like them he soon will be. They are his teachers in some degree,
and he will be like them. We should take care, then, whom we emulate.
Dr. Matthew K. Thomas gave a speech for all who want to become or are in the ministry of teaching. Below in the image is the message for all the teachers;
Yes !!! We are to become exhibition of His power, Extension of His life and Expression of His love.
It’s important to
understand that Jesus taught his disciples, unlike many modern teachers,
impartially. His unique teachings were with authority and kindness, reproof and
love, of life and death, ethics and spirituality, religion and society, law and
grace, to rich and beggar, to old and child, to man and woman, to priest and
gentile combined, And He said that we, his students, can be like Him if we get
properly trained (perfected). So as students we must understand that we are in
the process of learning; unending learning. And one day we shall be like Him.
In order to become a good and influential teacher or a student let's follow the nuggets mentioned in the image at the top.
UNIQUE TEACHINGS OF
JESUS CHRIST
|
The World Says
|
Jesus Christ Says
|
Bible Verse
|
|
If someone does something to
make you angry, it is okay to respond by telling him off.
|
Being angry and calling someone
names can land you in hell.
|
|
|
It is okay to look at a good
looking woman when you are married as long as you don't act upon your
desires.
|
Looking with lust at a woman
makes you guilty of adultery.
|
|
|
Divorce is okay if you are not
compatible with your spouse.
|
Divorce (except in the case of
adultery) makes you and your spouse guilty of adultery.
|
|
|
If circumstances beyond your
control prevent you from carrying out your vows, it is okay.
|
Do not make vows at all, but do
as you say.
|
|
|
You shouldn't let people take
advantage of you.
|
Do not resist evil, but return
good for evil.
|
|
|
It is okay to hate people who
are enemies to you.
|
You are to love all people
and pray for those who hate you.
|
|
|
It is okay to get your name on
a hospital wing or other worthy cause when you donate money.
|
Give in secret, so that nobody
knows what you have done.
|
|
|
Praying in public is a good way
to witness.
|
Pray in secret to God with
sincerity.
|
|
|
If people do evil things to
you, it is okay to get even.
|
Forgive all who
sin against you.
|
|
|
Eat, drink and be merry!
"He who dies with the most things wins."
|
Do not accumulate things just
because you have extra money. Use your resources for eternal purposes.
|
|
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Always try to get rich. Money
will make you happy.
|
A person cannot serve God and
money at the same time. Make choices that have eternal impact.
|
|
|
Shop 'till you drop. She who
has the most clothes wins.
|
Do not worry about your
clothing or your food, but trust in God for your needs.
|
|
|
If you are worried, take a
little pill and relax.
|
Don't worry about tomorrow.
There is enough to do today.
|
|
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Did you read about the latest
gossip about that movie star?
|
Do not judge others. Examine
your own behavior.
|
Sunday, 3 September 2017
GANESHA CHATURTHI AND ECO-CRISIS
As the day
of Ganesh visarjan nears my memory goes back to my teenage days. I remember
sleepless night, during the festival just before the morning Visarjan of
the idol, engulfed with the extreme fun and the moment of fellowshipping,
singing, dancing and worshipping. Back
then idols would amount from 50 rs to 50,000- 1 lac in Raipur city. I must say
that most of the youngsters involved in the activity are there not because of
any religiosity or piety towards any god or goddess but for entertaining
factors of festival (lasts for 9-10 days).
Ganesh Visarjan
is a widely celebrated Hindu festival in India in the honour of god Ganesha. Festival
wasn’t the part of traditional Hinduism but introduced to people by Mr.
Bhausaheb Laxman Javale in 1892 in Pune It is celebrated in Bhadrapada as per
Hindu calendar and anywhere between months of August to September as per
Gregorian calendar.
We can
witness Ganesha idols in most streets during Ganesh Chaturthi almost in every corner
of India. At the end of the festival, as part of the ritual, Ganesh idol will
be taken to march and submerged in water by the devotees.
Hindu
mythology presents many stories, which explain how Ganesha obtained his elephant
or gaja head. One popular belief is through the dirt and turmeric of Parvati Ganesh
was formed. Devotees sometimes interpret his elephant head as indicating
intelligence, discriminative power, fidelity, or other attributes thought to be
had by elephants. The large elephant ears are said to denote wisdom and the
ability to listen to people who seek help.
But wait…
Have you ever thought what happens after Ganesh Visarjan?
Well I’m not
focused here to talk about theological aspects of this festival but
environmental.
While
celebrating Ganesh Festival people generally ignore environmental impact of
pollution they cause in Air, Water, land, humanity.
In ancient
days, paints were made from natural colors that are found in vegetables, fruits
etc. But these days the paints are manufactured by industries with toxic chemical
process and this leads to extreme water pollution. It takes a lot of time to fashion
clay idols. One can make about four Plaster of Paris idols in a single day but at
least three days to make one clay idol. While a two-foot Plaster of Paris idol
will cost you about Rs 3,000, the same sized clay idol will cost you about Rs
5,000.
We see
advertisement of various products (to be used in festivals) in television
generating piety in our hearts. So you think they have any concern for god or
your piety??? They are their to make
money out of your spiritually and give no regard to your well being. That’s all
about media and seller. It is a clear demand generating activity benefiting the
artisans and churning the money in the system.
Air
Pollution
During this
festival, fireworks and crackers are castoff in plenty by the followers for showing
their cheerfulness. This leads to Air pollution, as harmful gases and toxic
substances like Barium, Cadmium, Sodium, Mercury, Nitrate and Nitrite are
released into air. Also, respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) level
goes high in this season as small particles are released into the atmosphere by
these firecrackers.
Noise
pollution
Loudspeakers, fire crackers and loud musical instruments, appear to be one of the biggest culprits of noise pollution during festivals in our country. Devotees
celebrate the prestigious festival with all possible means of loud music like
listening to bhajjans, kirtans and songs using massive speakers.
All the
above points add up and increase Noise pollution way beyond the permissible
level of 55 bB (day) and 45 dB (night) stated by the pollution control board.
Senior citizens and children are directly affected by these as in certain cases
the noise level can even reach 110 dB.
Water
Pollution
In recent
years, we have realised augmented consciousness about water pollution triggered
by visarjan i.e. immersion of Ganesh Idols in lakes, rivers and Sea which are
made out of Plaster of Paris (PoP) i.e. calcium sulphate hemi –hydrate. It
takes several months to totally dissolve Ganesh Idols made up of PoP into
water.
Also, colors
used in adornment of idols comprise harmful chemicals containing mercury, lead
which leaks into water as idol dissolves. It increases acid content, Total
Dissolved solids (TDS) and Heavy metals in water. It kills aquatic plants and
marine life, damaging ecosystem under water. Along with Idols several other
accessories are used in worship of Ganapati such as, flowers, fruits, coconuts,
incents, camphor, cloth, plastic, thermocol. Etc. It is collectively called as
Nirmalya.
Every year
government spends crores of rupees to clean and dig out tons of garbage from
natural water sources such as rivers, lakes etc.Google “religion” and “water pollution,” and you’ll see what I mean.
Death
during Visarjan
It may sound
strange to some but indeed there are noticeable number of demise during the visarjan.
Many don’t care them being to supera-spiritual. But if you read some specific news
feeds (because many other news agencies hide those incidents) following the day
of visarjan you can see how many people have died either by vehicle carried the
idol or drowning in the same water body where they drown the idols. A few could be traced through simple google search.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/electrocuted-three-died-while-taking-ganesha-idol-for-immersion-in-kolkata/story-mxMWM6ZqmNbwmAg9CwZNGI.html
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/ganesh-ganesh-chaturthi-mumbai-news/17609165
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tungabhadra-river-ganesh-immersion-ganpati-shivamogga-ganesha-visarjan/1/759360.html
http://odishasuntimes.com/2016/09/07/student-drowns-death-ganesh-idol-immersion-odisha/
Traffic
jam
Massive rise
in consumerism and idol procession during the festival causes traffic jam which
in turn escalates air and noise pollution.
These are
all ill effects of Ganapati festival and is essential for to know everyone, so
that it becomes easier to take initiatives to reduce bad effects of Ganesh
Chaturthi on environment.
Many measure
have been taken by government to bring awareness amongst people to minimize
impacts of festivals. Beside EPCO several NGO, Organizations are working hard
to make people realize harmful effects of Ganapati festival.
The
convenience of this material have made us habitual and we can’t resist them.
But the time has come to realise the bad effects of these material thus saving
our health and environment.
Thus two possible solutions are;
Option 1:
Banning out all the festivals which harms our ecosystem.
Option 2:
Celebrating them in eco-friendly ways.
While first
option may hurt many devotees (esp. the ones who don’t see the enormous harm
cause to nature), the second seems more feasible. I, through this article, don’t
blame the Hindu festivals in itself but I blame people trying to make easy
money and the people who don't care about the environment for short-term enjoyment
at the expense of long term harm to nature. And I appreciate a few people who are
eco-friendly in their approach to festivals.
Spreading the message of civic sense this Diwali might help to curb or at least limit the pollution levels. We must get our social act together before blaming it on local administrators and civic amenities.
Share this truth
with your dear ones because it’s important to know that we cannot make any god
happy if we destroy the gift of god; the nature.
Thursday, 17 August 2017
FORGIVEN TO FORGIVE
Recently I have been reading, “Why I forgive the Nazis who murdered my family: Eva Kor made it out of Auschwitz but her family was killed in the gas chambers. In a new documentary she explains why, despite protest from other Holocaust survivors, she has decided to forgive” and one of my friends asked me to write something about forgiveness while other friend was going through a hard time to forgive.
Forgiveness is central in Christian ethics and is a frequent topic in sermons and theological works. It is considered a duty of Christians to forgive unconditionally.
Despite the rejection by scholars like, Charles L. Griswold, Forgiveness: A Philosophical Exploration, traditional belief is being strongly endorsed by thinkers like Hannah Arendt that forgiveness is exclusively a Judeo-Christian as opposed to the pagan idea. In her book, The human condition, the German Jewish philosopher Hannah Arendt remarked that Jesus of Nazareth 'was the discoverer of the role of forgiveness in human affairs'. According to Arendt, we need forgiveness in human affairs for it is the remedy for the irreversibility of human action; it frees us from not being haunted and consequently paralysed by our past actions and it liberates us for future positive action.
She comments:
Without being forgiven, released from the consequences of what we have done, our capacity to act would, as it were, be confined to one single deed from which we can never recover; we would remain the victims of its consequences forever (Arendt 1998:237)
Christopher R. Allers, Marieke Smit (eds.) Forgiveness in Perspective, xiii
Forgiveness is a concept, a practice, and a claim made upon us that springs from the heritage of Abraham. While it may be true that sungnome in Plato and Aristotle may amount some type of proto-forgiveness or at least judicial pardon, it neither played significant role in their thought no did it as fecund as the forgiveness of the Judaeo-christian tradition.
Two types of forgiveness appear in the Bible: God's forgiveness of our sins, and our obligation to forgive others. This topic is so vital that our eternal destiny hangs on it. The Bible is one long story of how God reaches out to show His love and forgiveness to mankind. In Genesis 3:15 God gives His first promise of a Redeemer who would forgive the world of their sin. Bible encapsulates various stories demonstrating forgiveness.
Find out some time to read these:
- Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25, 27, 32, 33) Forgiveness Bible Story
- Joseph (Genesis 37-50) Forgiveness Among Brothers
- David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9) Another Great Bible Story About Forgiveness
- Prodigal Son (Luke 15) Forgiving Bible Story Between A Father and a Son
- Woman Taken in Adultery (John 8) A Bible Story Where Jesus Examples Forgiveness
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the importance of Christians forgiving. Jesus used the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) to say that we should forgive without parameters. The Story of the Prodigal Son is possibly the best known parable about forgiveness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus frequently delivered talks on forgiveness, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember…First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:23-24 "And when you stand praying…forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies…turn to him the other also." Luke 6:27-29 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36 "Do not judge…forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37. "Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22. "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'" Jesus forgave His murderers Luke 23: 34.
Considering Mark 11:25 above, and Matthew 6:14–15, that follows the Lord's Prayer, "For if you don’t forgive men…your Father will not forgive your sins…" Forgiveness is not an option to a Christian, rather one must Forgive to be a Christian.
What forgiveness is not?
Forgiveness as such is (as with many other such value concepts) difficult to define, and McCullough and Witvliet (2005:447) go about the problem by firstly distinguishing it from other concepts, in other words, what forgiveness is not:
• It is not pardoning, which is a legal notion.
• It is not condoning, which validates the wrong done.
• It is not excusing, which holds that extenuating circumstances led to certain act.
• It is not forgetting, which infers the slipping out of memory.
• It is not denial, which relentlessly does not identify the wrongfulness of an act.
• It is not reconciliation, which denotes to the refurbishment of a wrecked rapport.
Forgiveness and Physical Health
Un-forgiveness is categorized in medical books as a disease. According to Dr. Steven Standiford, chief of surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, refusing to forgive makes people sick and keeps them that way. With that in mind, forgiveness therapy is now being used to help treat diseases, such as cancer.
Robert Wuthnow, (2000-01-01). "How Religious Groups Promote Forgiving: A National Study", Survey data from 2000 revealed that 61% of contestants that were part of a small religious group informed that the group helped them be more forgiving. Individuals reported that their religion groups which encourage forgiveness was connected to self-reports of success in overcoming addictions, guilt, and perceiving encouragement when feeling dispirited.
According to a recent study in the Journal of Health Psychology, conducted by researchers from Luther College, the University of California, Davis and the University of California, Los Angeles, having the trait of forgiveness, unconventionally, foretells positive mental and physical health, In addition, researchers found that forgivingness seemed to protect against stress's negative effects on mental health.
A positive argument for the prospect for forgiveness in a broader political context is that its uttered and practised by Nelson Mandela, the former South African president, who in his own lifetime reached almost iconic eminence. The absence of bitterness and forgiving behaviour in his life after being released after 27 years in prison impressed especially whites in South Africa and backed much to the fact that they accepted and even flourished in the new political dispensation. When asked about his secret for forgiving, Mandela answered,
“If I had not forgiven I would still be in prison, and this life is too short to be bitter.”
Why People Can’t Forgive?
Once I said when demanded to forgive the one hurt me, "You don't know what he did to me! I just can't let it go, even though I know of forgiving!" I literally said this. But now I’m trying to change myself gradually. If this is your story as well, Dear, then you need to scan yourself closely as to why you would keep this lethal spiritual poison running through your veins. Here are five reasons why some people don’t:
- They don't value the relationship they are in.
- They are afraid to forgive because of the fear of called weak and powerless by others. This is the most common reason among those who have been hurt before.
- They won't forgive because arrogance keeps them away from finding place in God.
- They won't forgive because they don't recognize the harm it does to their spirit and body.
- They don’t forgive because power of sin stops them.
I have come across the situation where it becomes extremely difficult to forgive others especially when you are angry. Therefore, prime reason might be holding on to the anger that may be related with an occurrence or experience that causes us hurt, can lead to hate, and possibly a lingering want for revenge. This is vicious and causes an emotional drain on us even if we don’t apprehend it.
Dr. Michael Obsatz, in his book, Healing Our Anger: Seven Ways to Make Peace in a Hostile World indicates that there are eight types of anger (page 12). These include:
- • Chronic anger is an ongoing feeling of resentment toward others.
- • Volatile anger is explosive but comes and goes.
- • Judgmental anger comes across in hypercritical statements.
- • Passive anger is suppressed anger that is expressed indirectly.
- • Overwhelmed anger arises when people believe they cannot handle the complexity of their circumstances.
- • Retaliatory anger is specifically directed at another person or persons.
- • Self-inflicted anger is directed at ourselves.
- • Constructive anger is anger we put to positive uses.
With exception of this last type, most of these angers are destructive.
Forgiveness and Spiritual Health
Same as physical, un-forgiveness has fatal negative results for your spiritual health. Any believer in Christ who houses an unforgiving attitude is on unsafe ground. You may wonder how it can harm you. Bible tells us its fatal consequences.
- It calls the wrath of God and makes Him to hand you over to tormentors. Pro.11:21.
- It brings the fruit of evil deeds done to your offender upon you. Matt.18:30-34; Eccl.12:14.
- It averts you from being benefited from the cleansing power of Jesus. 1 Jn.1:7-9.
- It obstructs answers to prayer. Matt.6:15.
- It may restrict one to receive Christ's forgiveness.
These days a lot of people tend be much concerned about their physical health but very little care about spiritual health. Here is the warning for if you are that person. Spiritual ill-health will eventually result in temporary/eternal damnation.
Benefits of Forgiveness
Forgiving behavior can be extremely beneficial, only if one realizes. While it has many benefits, here, I would enlist a few:
- Keeps your heart healthy
Forgiveness is good for the heart, literally. One study proposes that people who hold on to grudges tend to have faster heart rates than those who are empathetic and able to forgive.
- Lowers stress levels
According to a study done by Hope College reseachers, one of the benefits of forgiveness is that it lesser the amount of cortisol. Researchers examined 71 partakers and their physical responses when they spoke about grudges as opposed to when they spoke about forgiveness and empathy. Those who displayed more forgiving outlooks had lower physiological stress responses.
- Lowers pain
Having a forgiving heart may lower both emotional and physical pain, according to a study done by Duke University Medical Center researchers. Out of 61 participants who suffered from chronic back pain, those who were more likely to forgive reported lower levels of pain. Thus there is a relationship that appears to exist between forgiveness and persistent pain.”
- Lowers blood pressure
Letting go of that anger you’ve been sheltering might lower your blood pressure. Studies show that forgiveness is linked to lower blood pressure.
- Restores a Healthy Relationship with Creator
Saints, we must understand this: the only person unforgiveness hurts is the unforgiver!!!
Forgiveness is an attribute of God that we are consistently taught in the Bible that we too can demonstrate to others. True forgiveness is easier said than done. It can be difficult, especially if someone really dismayed you in a way that opposed your values and morals. However, it’s quite essential to remember that holding that grudge is not going to fix anything. That hot coal you’re holding onto is just burning yourself and will eventually result in separation from Creator. Let's not forget we are forgiven to forgive.
In The Sunflower, Simon Wiesenthal writes of an incident that occurred during the time he was a concentration camp inmate. One day, he and his work detail were sent to clean medical waste at a converted army hospital for wounded German soldiers. As they worked, a nurse came up to Simon and asked, "Are you a Jew?" When he answered "Yes," she took him into the hospital building, to the bedside of Karl, a 21-year old dying Nazi soldier. This soldier tells the story of his part in killing millions of Jews is Nazi camps. And wanted forgiveness from a Jew before his spirit leaves his body. After narrating whole story, soldier begs for Simon’s forgiveness with tears so that he can die peacefully guiltless. However, Simon left the room without a word. When his group returned to the hospital the next day, the same nurse came to Simon and told him that Karl had died...more
Interesting stories of forgiveness:
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https://sandivand.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/forgiveness_wordle.jpg
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