A Connection With Christ

Our ministries go out of strength due to lack of proper connection with the true power source.

A man from a remote village had gone to the city. He was wonder struck by seeing the modern technologies and the city way of life. He saw the whole city was illuminated with bright lights, drinking water was supplied to houses and fans gave cool air in the hot summer. He wanted to enjoy the same, back in his village. Therefore, he bought some electric lights, fans and water taps. When he reached his village he fixed the light and fan waiting for the light and cool air. He fixed the water tap in a wall and waited for water. But nothing happened because the electric bulb and fan were not connected to electricity and the water tap was not connected to a source of water.

Today, we too are attracted to Christ and want to be partner in His mission work. Therefore we build massive buildings and spend lot of money to help the poor and the needy. But if we are not connected to Christ and live a Christ centered life, we cannot be effective and faithful in the mission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the scripture tell us to go beyond, and be rooted in Christ and have an intimate experience of God, only then we would be able to withstand the trials and persecution that come on the way.

This message is beautifully brought out in the life of St. Paul. Prophet Amos tangibly experiences the living Word of God and that experience leads him to raise his voice against the unjust structures of the society and exploiting religious leaders of the time. He cries out: “Let justice role down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.” Yes, he is fully aware that challenging the then existing system would bring danger to his life. But he listens to the Word of God and relies on the power of God.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus sending the 12 Apostles for His mission. But before He sends them out for the mission, He keeps them with Him, because He wants them to have a personal relationship with Himself. He desires that they live in His presence to learn, to draw strength, courage and spiritual energy from Him. He wants them to see Him praying, healing and teaching so that their faith in Him may be deeply rooted and they may eventually begin to absorb and assimilate His very character and behavior.

We too are called to be with Him, to experience Him deeply and follow Him very closely. Only then we become the true ambassadors of Jesus and full representatives to carry out His message to the whole world. Like the prophet Amos, St. Paul, the 12 apostles and there are many, we too are sent on a mission to fight against the evil, sinful, unjust and ungodly ways of the world. We are sent to alleviate pain, suffering, sorrow and misery from the lives of people around us.

In Japan there was a beautiful statue of Jesus Christ placed in the middle of a village. During the World War II, bomb fell in the village and the statue was broken into pieces. The parish priest collected the broken pieces and joined them together. Unfortunately the hand of Jesus was not found. So, the parish priest wrote bellow the statue that, “who would be my hand to help out my people?” By seeing this all the people came together and extended their hands to rebuild the lives of the people over there.

Today we are like Christ’s hands to raise those who are fallen. We are like His feet to go in search of the lost sheep. We are like His ears to listen to the cries of the sufferings and the lonely. We are His tongue to comfort and encourage those who are sad, disappointed, sick, lonely and depressed.

- – - written by John Singarayar SVD

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Ten Inch on Water

A boy was sitting in a park bench with one hand resting on an open Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his praise to God. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great! he yelled without worrying whether anyone heard him or not.

Shortly after, along came a man who had recently completed some studies at a local University. Feeling himself very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his Joy.

Hey, asked the boy in return with a bright laugh, Don’t you have any idea what God is able to do? I just read that God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle.

The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy and began to try to open his eyes to the realities of the miracles of the Bible. That can all be very easily explained. Modern scholarship has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10 inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across.

The boy was stumped. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible lying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor
naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight turned to leave.

Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise louder than before. The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.

Wow! Exclaimed the boy happily, God is greater than I thought!

Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in 10 inches of water!

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When You Thought I Wasnt Looking

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I heard you say a prayer,
and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to,
and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick,
and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it,
and I learned we have  to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw how you handled your responsibilities,
even when you didn’t feel good,
and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt,
but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I saw that you cared,
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good
and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking
I looked at you and wanted to say,
‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.’

———————– ———————– ———————–

A message every adult should read because children
Are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

I am sending this to all of the people I know
Who do so much for others,
But think that no one ever sees.
Little eyes see a lot.

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child.

How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by sending this article to someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak Kindly.

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Doa Untuk Korban di Jepang

marilah kita berdoa untuk korban gempa dan gelombang tsunami di Jepang.

pada 11 maret, Jepang dihantam gempa 8,9M dan memicu tsunami disana.

Marilah kita berdoa bagi para korban dan jiwa-jiwa yang pulang ke ruma Bapa di surga.

Little Hope from GOD

Doa untuk Korban di Jepang

Allah yang berbelas kasih dan penuh kasih,

pemberi Hidup dan Cinta,

dengarkanlah doa kami

dan biarkan jeritan kami sampai kepadaMu.

Kami menangis bersama umatMu di Jepang

Kami mendengar tangisan anak-anak yang kehilangan orangtua mereka dan orangtua yang kehilangan anak-anak mereka

Kami merasakan keputus-asaan dari mereka yang masih mencari orang-orang yang mereka kasihi

kami berduka atas keheningan yang tercipta dari desa yang hilang

kami melihat kehancuran

kami tak mampu menanggung semua ini sendirian

Hati kami terdiam, pikiran kami buntu

Buatlah tangan kami tidak berhenti, suara kami tak bisu

Allah pemilik jagad raya

Bukalah hati kami untuk merasakan cintaMu

Kuatkan kami untuk mau terus memberi

Ikatkanlah kami dengan tali kasih persaudaraan, perempuan pun laki-laki

Tenangkan dan sembuhkan yang sakit, yang menderita dan yang hilang

Kuatkan para sukarelawan yang menolong dan para medis

ketuklah hati para pemimpin dunia, pemerintahan dan orang-orang yang punya kekuasaan untuk menolong

Bukalah jalan damai dan kersajama melalui tragedi ini

Dalam namaMu yang berbelas kasih dan menyembuhkan dan penuh cinta, kami berdoa

Amin

Let us pray for the victims of Japan earthquake and tsunami waves. An 8.9 earthquake struck Japan on March 11th, triggering tsunami tidal waves on the northeast part of Japan. Let us pray for all those victims and also for the souls who departed us.

Prayer for Earthquake And Tsunami Victims:-

Most merciful and compassionate God,
Giver of Life and Love,
hear our prayers
and let our cries come unto you.
We weep with your people in Japan
We hear the cries of orphaned children and laments of bereaved parents
We feel the desperation of those searching for loved ones
We behold the silence of vanished villages.
We see the devastation.
We are overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
Our hearts are hushed, our minds are numb.
Let not our hands be stopped, our voices dumb.
God of the universe,
Open our hearts to feel your compassion
Galvanize in us the act of continued giving
Bond us to our sisters and brothers in need
Comfort and heal the injured, the bereaved, the lost
Strengthen the aid workers and medical personnel
Bolster the resolve of governments and those with power to help
Open through this tragedy pathways to partnerships and peace
In Your Name of mercy and healing and compassion we pray,
Amen.

Sumber/source:
www.Turnbacktogod.com

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Sunday: The Visiting Day

He was looking forward to this moment all day long, after 6 days of labor and it finally arrived – Visiting Day!

The man with the keys arrived to swing open the large, heavy doors. The cold gray hall springs to life in the warm glow of light. He could hardly control His emotions.

The families began to arrive. He peers from the corner of the room longing for the 1st glimpse of His loved one. He lives for the weekends. He lives for these visits.

As the cars arrive, He watches intently. Then, finally, they arrive, for whom He would do anything. They embrace, eat a light lunch and reminisce how things used to be.

At one point, they break into singing, with interruptions of laughter and applause. But all too soon it is over. A tear comes to His eyes as they depart.

Then the man with the keys closes the heavy doors. He hears the key turn in the lock marking the end of a special day. There He stands, alone again.

He knows that most of His visitors will not contact Him again till next week. As the last car pulls away from the parking lot, Jesus retreats into loneliness as He waits until next Sunday – Visiting Day.

Reflection:

Is the time that we spend with Jesus an everyday thing, or do we just visit Him on Sunday?

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The Visitor

One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, “I always park there. You took my place!”

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, ”That’s my seat! You took my place!” The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, “That’s where I always sit. You took my place!” The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, “What happened to you?”

The visitor replied, “I took your place.”

—————- —————- —————-

Jesus died for us. He took our place and died for our sins on the calvary.

Live this new life that He gave us, expressing our gratitude to Jesus for taking our place.

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Instructions For Life by Dalai Lama

1. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
2. Memorize your favorite poem.
3. Don’t believe all you hear.
4. Don’t spend all you have.
5. Don’t sleep all you want.
6. When you say, “I love you”, mean it.
7. When you say, “I’m sorry”, look the person in the eye.
8. Be engaged at least 6 months before you get married.
9. Believe in love at first sight.
10. Never laugh at anyone’s dreams.

11. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.
12. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
13. Don’t judge people by their relatives.
14. Talk slowly, but think quickly.
15. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “why do you want to know?”
16. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
17. Call your parents.
18. Say, “God bless you” when you hear someone sneeze.
19. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
20. Remember the 3 r’s: respect for self; respect for others; responsibility for all your actions.

21. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
22. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
23. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
24. Marry a person you love to talk to. As you grow older, his or her conversational skills will be as important as any other.
25. Spend some time alone.
26. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
27. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
28. Read more books and watch less tv.
29. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll get to enjoy it a second time.
30. Trust in God but lock your car.

31. A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil, harmonious home.
32. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with a current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
33. Read between the lines.
34. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
35. Be gentle with the earth.
36. PRAY. There’s immeasurable power in it.
37. Never interrupt when you are being flattered. Say, “thank you”.
38. Mind your own business.
39. Don’t trust a person who doesn’t close his or her eyes when you kiss them.
40. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

41. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth’s greatest satisfaction.
42. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
43. Learn the rules, then break some.
44. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
45. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
46. Remember that your character is your destiny.
47. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

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You Never Know Who Is Watching Your Actions

You Never Know Who Is Watching Your Actions

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