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. 

In His Time

In a matter of two months, I will be completing 3 years at my job. Sometimes, I look back and wonder, ‘How did I come so far?”

This job is important to me coz it reminds me of God’s faithfulness in answering prayers and how greatly He does so. I got this job after 16 months of waiting. But those 16 months weren't easy as I had 2 dental surgeries that weakened me physically. When I did recover, I had a fall in the gym class causing my ankle to be severely sprained. I needed an elbow crutch to walk. It was a humbling experience.

I must confess that it was one of the lowest points in my life—jobless and in much physical pain. But it was here that I learned to completely trust God’s plan for my life. I had to recall God’s faithfulness and meditate on His goodness in this lean period.

Month after month passed by and no decent job was in sight. But finally, in God’s appointed time, He blessed me with a wonderful job. It was not what I expected but it was way better than I dreamed of.

In a nut shell, I love my job! Wow! I would not have planned this for myself. His plans for me are way better than mine. I am so glad that I waited upon God even though at times it felt like forever!

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Pic of the day

 Say cheese
Cheetahs jumped on the vehicle of tourists in Masai Mara national park, Kenya.
(Photo and caption by Yanai Bonneh/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

3rd Place: Winner of National Geographic 2013 Traveler Photo Contest

Life is full of surprises!

I said to my sister last night, 'You know what, life is full of surprises.' Just before penning down this post, I read about a famous photographer, David Sacks who passed away due to cancer.

I was surprised to read that account as I was a fan of his art. He is with the Lord Jesus Christ. My heart grieves for the family left behind.

Death is so inevitable. I cannot stop it nor can I avoid its imminent coming. Ecclesiastes 8:8a comes to mind, 'No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death.'

Thank you Jesus for coming down to earth and saving me from the fear of death and for the promise of life eternal with You. " Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." Hebrews 2:14-15

Life is full of surprises!

You can check out David Sacks' work here. 

Tea Breaks

My favorite time of the day at work is the tea break. Not the one where you have tea near the water cooler with your colleagues and chat. This is when you are in the middle of work and you sip hot tea all the while staring at your computer screen!

I don't know about you but the sheer joy of drinking tea in your favorite office cup and moving the mouse at the same time seems fun.

So, what about you? What's your favorite time at work?

Thankful Thursday

Isn't this true?

Pic of the day

Winner of National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest 2012
Photo credit: Lucia Griggi