New Experiences

5.30 PM GMT  - Just came back after church! I have been thinking how my trip to UK has been such a blessing to me!
Today had a chance to meet & serve lot of disadvantaged people; this is my first such experience. Though almost everybody looked well to do on the outside, I was surprised to hear that some of them had some sort of mental illness, few of them were physically sick (one person said she has Fibromyalgia), some were very old, some homeless and so on.
Everyone of them I spoke to were very happy that the church had provided good dinner and they were very thankful, but one of them told me that it is a shame the church does it only on the 3rd Sundays :).

There were variety of interesting conversations with them. One asked me if I know Bollywood and then he told me that he has acted in a movie called "House Full". One person was kind enough to tell me how to make Green Tea! When I tried being smart and told him, "the tea bag he was holding could be from India", he replied,"It could be from Ceylon (Srilanka) as well :)" One beautiful lady shared her sad stories. She shared about her failing health, sleepless nights due to Fibromyalgia and she said she is part of the same church with whose partnership we were able to help the needy.

(to be contd)

FEAR NOT

People who know me well would testify that I have stage fear and usually will hesitate to speak in front of a crowd.  This year has been slightly different to me as I took up the opportunity to do a reading for the Christmas service(22nd December) in Brighton Vineyard Church.
As the usual fear gripped me, I began to tell myself that I will crush the devil this day. Even though I might not read the verses well enough I am going to do it today. I missed most of the message that day expect for the phrase "Fear not" as part of a worship song and yes I completed my reading though I stuttered in between.
I didn't have the feeling of embarrassment and I felt normal after the reading.
On the Christmas Eve, while I was attending the Service at St. Peter's Church, Brighton, I could only see the message "Do not be afraid" or that is what I could take in!
After the Service, while I was waiting for Jasmine to call me, as I was browsing some of the news channels I became interested in Pope's Christmas Message and out of all the messages embedded in his Message, the following struck me

"To us the Lord repeats, 'Do not be afraid.' ... And I, too, repeat, do not be afraid,'" Francis said.

As I have struggled all my life with fear of failure, fear of being ashamed/embarrassed in front of a crowd, I feel strongly inspired not to be afraid.

Bride...

Shaadi.com,BharatMatrimony.com - that is not the way to go...
Dad always says, there are plenty of girls in the site...
If it was only about picking the most beautiful girl, I can do so with ease :-), but it is not the beauty that I seek, it is the partner for my life that I seek :-)!! - wow, what am I trying to say here :P

I'm never motivated enough to look at those sites, my heart is looking for something else... let me try to capture what my heart is upto in the coming days...

Few of my favourite verses from the bible about marriage/family -
1. God sets the lonely in families
2. God saw that Adam was alone and he made Eve... - wow such a good God!!
3. Blessed is the man who trusts in God :-)

with these scriptures runnning in my mind all the time, I'm very sure that God knows the best for me and he will bring in the best person in my life.

With these things in my mind, when dad goes behind somebody beautiful in the site, I realise that there is big gap between mine & his choices!! I would rather stick to my choice than just give in to his wish - Dad, I'm sorry :p ...lol


(contd..)
further, I came across the book "Dating delilah", by Judah Smith! Thought of including few points which inspired me :-)

Decision

A few days back as I was travelling in the bus, I was thinking of the days when I had decided to sleep only for 6 hours - I had to do that as I wanted to do well in studies and eventually join a decent Engineering college. Routine was to go to college, come home, attend coaching center, come home, study until 12 AM, sleep, wake up at 6 AM, study, go to college and thus the cycle continued. I also remember making it a point to read the bible and praying no matter how busy I was with studies. All these happened a good 12 years back. I have changed over time. I no longer am so disciplined as I once used to be. The very thought of what I was by God's grace, inspires me to be disciplined.

Questions I love!

Kashtama irukka'pa? ...innum konja naerum thunguringala?
ennanga time enna?
neenga kuzhichittu varingaala?
yaeeen paaa?
innikku konjom seekirum povooma?
ennanga family prayer pannanun.
ennanga enna panringa?
enanga I have a doubt.
enanga namma swim pannuvoma?
yaeen paa kaalu kazhuvittu padunga, bed sheet azhukkaagum.
Idha Vaanguvoma?
Enanga left thirupanama illana righta?
Prayer pannirvoma?
Neenga prayer pannunga
Ennaga shopping pannuvoma?

Mr. President!!

The princes and the presidents looked for an opportunity against Daniel!!
Darius preferred Daniel over the presidents and princes!!

- Something to think about!!

Egos, pride shattered!! I'm looking forward to rising above these things! Well, If you say, God works in each of those who have given their hearts to him, I second it! I am being worked upon, I can feel the change. The road has been bitter, but I'm willing to shape up for good, to love unconditionally, to be a blessing, for His glory!