Flowers bring beauty and serenity to our lives. On every occasion we present flowers to our friends and family, to bring cheer to the day. Think about how a flower, becomes a flower and presents its beauty to the world and there is so much we can learn from it. Think about the dandelion. Dandelions are both fast growing and incredibly hardy. It can spread both by seeds and by new shoots from roots or root segments. The seeds are easily blown around by wind and will quickly spread into adjoining downwind areas. It needs no special treatment yet produces 13 benefits for humans.  But what is more important is this:  a flower blooms where it grows. The dandelion does not say I will grow here but bloom there. It does not put conditions to its blooming. It simply shares its beauty and its scent, wherever it is, and goes wherever the wind takes it. It does not put-up conditions for sharing its goodness. But we people do, don't we? "I wish I...

                                                  Read Matthew 18 21-35 This is a very important parable and teaching. Probably the essence of Christianity revolves around this principle of forgiveness. Not only in thought but indeed and action. I doubt there may be a single person in this world who does not bear some ill will towards someone else. So today we quote from Ms. Francis Taylor on this very important topic. "I'm sure you are familiar with the parable of the unjust servant. The servant in this story owes the king a lot of money but when he begs the king for mercy and promises to pay it all back if he will just give him a little more time, the king forgives the debt. Then the servant sees another servant who owes him some money – nowhere near the amount he owed the king! – and he demands that the servant pay him back immediately. When the serva...

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Romans 8: 5-6 There are 613 commandments in the Old Testament. For list refer here  Going through them, we will realize it is impossible not to break them. They cover each and every minute aspect, in a day to day scenario, and situations which we commonly ignore, like telling someone we are not available when we are. It is when such a realisation comes that we understand how we are saved by grace. But being saved by grace does not mean we continue to live as we like! Commenting on the quoted verse, David Jacob writes in his devotional -  "I have certainly been guilty at times of seeking the pleasures of the flesh. I believe that we all have, whether it be romantic love, material possessions, or even another juicy cheeseburger. It is...

They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. — Joshua 5:12 (Based on the KJV Bible Study) Israel’s weary wanderings were all over, and the promised rest was attained. No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses: they came to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old corn of the land. Perhaps this year, this may be thy case or mine. Joyful is the prospect, and if faith be in active exercise, it will yield unalloyed delight.  Let us banish every fearful thought, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in the prospect that this year we shall begin to be “forever with the Lord.”

We have all heard this story of the widow's mite. Have you thought about where you fit into the story? I would guess, somewhere in the middle.  I understand poverty; the feeling that you don't know how you will pay the bills or buy food for your children. I am keenly aware of wondering how I will put oil in my tank so that we would have heat and spent many nights where the temperature was below fifty in the house. At that time, my donation to the Lord was time and talent. I gave time to my church and taught classes to children and adults. When we don't have money, it doesn't mean that we don't have anything to offer to God. We can offer time and talent to a church, or to the community. As long as we are giving whatever we can offer in service to the people, we are offering our gifts to God.  For the rich, money is an easy way out. It is easier for them to throw money into a cause than to donate their time. Money is also important. In small churches, I have seen peop...

"We haven't thought about Joseph's role in salvation yet. Joseph must have been very confused when he found out that Mary was pregnant, but because he loved her, he didn't want her to be disgraced and possible stoned to death. He believed the angel, married Mary, and became the foster father of Jesus.  No one knew that he wasn't actually Jesus' father...... What makes a child a son or daughter? I believe that it is love. Joseph loved Jesus and raised him to be a faithful Jewish boy, brought him to the synagogue so that he would know the Scriptures and taught him the skills of being a carpenter. He gives us an example of what it means to be a parent regardless of the circumstances". (Ms Francis Taylor) We don't really think about it but what if Joseph had not accepted the angels statement? After all he did have free will. How many of us would have done that? I can't think of anyone.  He loved Jesus, protected Him, trained him in skills and acted as ...

 

  For many people, advent can also be a time of sadness as they may lost a lived one this year or in the years preceding. Christmas time can be full of sadness as well as it brings back memories of who we lost. It is also a time when we can turn those sad memories into pleasant ones. We can rediscover joy in small moments and family traditions in holiday celebrations—perhaps use your grandmother’s favorite pie plate or your mother’s treasured sugar cookie recipe. Let those memories bring us joy and gratitude for the time spent together. But above all, we can find great joy by being the hope that pierces through someone else’s darkness. Maybe some elders joy of visiting; maybe filling in a void being felt by someone; maybe simply sharing Christmas food stuff with someone who does not have; gifting a child something he or she wanted but could not get for some reason or the other. it above all, sharing your time and love with someone, in the family and outside. It's simply a matter of...

For many people, advent can also be a time of sadness as they may lost a lived one this year or in the years preceding. Christmas time can be full of sadness as well as it brings back memories of who we lost. It is also a time when we can turn those sad memories into pleasant ones. We can rediscover joy in small moments and family traditions in holiday celebrations—perhaps use your grandmother’s favorite pie plate or your mother’s treasured sugar cookie recipe. Let those memories bring us joy and gratitude for the time spent together. But above all, we can find great joy by being the hope that pierces through someone else’s darkness. Maybe some elders joy of visiting; maybe filling in a void being felt by someone; maybe simply sharing Christmas food stuff with someone who does not have; gifting a child something he or she wanted but could not get for some reason or the other. it above all, sharing your time and love with someone, in the family and outside. It's simply a matter of s...