Halloween Howls

Be Prepared!

Trials don’t come knocking at your door. They just knock you down. There’s always the element of surprise. Before you know, you are already surrounded by this new pressing circumstance. But a great source of comfort in these times is that it’s never a surprise for God (Job 42:2). He alone is the designer of the trial He sends.

He is the wise loving Father who knows exactly how much we can bear under difficulty (1 Cor 13:10). He may never explain His ways but we can rest assured with His promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). His presence will be with us at all times. (Isaiah 43:2)

Our hope and trust comes from His word. (Romans 15:4)

It is only through these trying times our hearts are drawn to the things of eternity. We begin to see the futility of running after perishable things. Our desires are transformed by the gentle Spirit who resides within us.

No wonder, James said, “Count it pure joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Let steadfastness have its full effect so that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.”

Trials reveal our real treasure. Jesus very rightly said, ‘When your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ Like someone said, we are either going through trials or just come out of a trial or preparing for one!

So, be prepared!

5 Reasons Why I Love to Exercise!

1. Discipline: It trains my mind and body to be disciplined and exercise self control.
2. Fitness: I can do a particular task with ease and use less energy to accomplish it.
3. Time: I am able to use my time effectively and reap rich benefits.
4. Denial: I have learned to give up something that I love to gain something better.
5. Reward: I have enjoyed the rich rewards that exercise brings every single day.

Why Should I Worry?

We live in a world where it is somehow considered cool to be worried or stressed about things. How are you doing? We ask and the common reply we hear is ‘I am doing ok. I am worried about the weather or I am worried about my job."

What does it mean to worry? The dictionary meaning says that this is to ‘allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. I like this explanation. "Allow my mind to dwell on troubles." Hmm. As a Christian, I am called NOT to worry. The bible is very clear on this issue. Jesus commands us not to worry. So, every time, I worry, I sin.

He says in Matthew 6: 25-27:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

We are people who worry over earthly matters. Food, drink, clothing! We are folks made in the image of God and yet, we live as if our life is all about what we eat and what we should wear.

What is sad is that we live in a generation where we are not concerned about what happens once we die. What about eternity? Can we assume that we can live as we want and forget that we will have to give an account to the Eternal Judge?

Am I concerned how will I appear before the judgment seat of Christ?Am I concerned about the things that I take for granted and constantly complain? Am I really concerned about the kind of life I live that often betrays my faith?

Every time, I am tempted to worry over things that are truly trivial and passing, I pray that I think of things that matter for eternity, things that please my Father in heaven.

Like Paul who says in the book of Philippians 4:8:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

As it says in Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Help me O Lord not to be like the world!

Source of real joy

Psalm 16 is one of my fav. psalms that I come back to time and again when I need gentle reminders of where my true joy and pleasures lie—in the presence of God!

Psalm 16
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
    I have no good apart from You.”

 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
    in whom is all my delight.

 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
    their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
    or take their names on my lips.

 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
    you hold my lot.
 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
    in the night also my heart instructs me.

 I have set the Lord always before me;
    because H

e is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
    my flesh also dwells secure.

 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
    or let your holy one see corruption.

 You make known to me the path of life;
    in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

NH7 Weekender—A Musical Experience

My sister and I attended the NH7 Weekender last year and it was an experience for keeps. It was more than we bargained for. The ambiance, the colors, the crowd, the stage setup, and of course, the artists added all the needed excitement.

We had booked the tickets online and decided to attend one day of the fest since we weren’t sure what to expect. We checked out the website and listened to some of the artists and band who would be performing on that day. We were pleasantly surprised to see that they were many upcoming Indian bands who dabbled in rock, punk rock, indie music. The list was endless.

As the D-day drew closer, our excitement began to rise! How would it be? What would be the feeling when we hear so many bands play live? For that we just had to wait…patiently!

The D-day arrived and lo behold, we woke up feeling a bit tired. The weather was humid and the sky was a bit overcast. I kept peeking out of the window to check the sky and said a small prayer of thanks every time I saw the sun.

We arrived minutes before the event began as we did not want to miss a single thing. The event was not open to public as yet. Waiting in the heat seemed to drag for eternity! Finally, we were let in and escorted to a corner for a thorough checkup. The entire venue was beefed up with security. I was pretty impressed. Even as I entered the place I couldn't help getting excited. It was so beautiful and I didn't know where to begin or where to go!

We attended a couple of stages and enjoyed just listening to live music out in the open. I bumped into some of my office colleagues, said a quick hi, and continued visiting one stage to another. Overall, it was a great experience and it was there when we decided that the coming year we would attend for 3 days.

Back to the present, my sister and I are attending NH7 for 3 days and guess what, we have a big gang!

I can’t wait for next week!

Things that make me smile!

There are so many things that immediately bring a smile on my face. Thought of listing them down:

Watching kids ride the bicycle

Every time I enter the cinema theatre

Listening to Christmas songs

When Friday draws near

When winter is near

When I hear from my friends

Reading the newspaper comics

Sunday lunch

Sharing chocolates with my sister

When my sister says ‘Good morning’

When I cook something for my family

Every time I eat potatoes..yeah!

Pic of the day!

Waiting Upon God

Waiting upon God is good for my soul. And to remember that when I do wait upon Him, He will renew my strength and I shall mount up with wings like eagles! My soul is refreshed in my God! His word gives me hope.

"Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?

 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might He increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:27-31

Jesus I My Cross-Indelible Grace

I love this song  as it reminds of the fact that following Christ means denying everything, even my own life.