Walling's Blog

Do Your Best

2012-06-16T21:53:00.000+05:30

Do Your Best!

When the days are dark and dreary,

And the heart is sad and weary,

Look to Him, keep sweet and cheery.

Do your best!

Be the duties great or small,

Though you falter, often fall,

He will hear when e’er you call.

Do your best!

Give a loving word of cheer,

Bear your burden, never fear,

He will strengthen. He is near.

Do your best!

Look to Him in all you do,

For some work He’s planned for you,

And be faithful, loyal, and true.

Do your best!

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Letter to Dad

2012-06-16T21:38:00.001+05:30

Today being Father's Day I would like to dedicate this to all the wonderful Father's all around the world! God bless all the Fathers.

Happy Father's Day!

There are so many things I'd like

To tell you face to face;

I either lack the words or fail

To find the time or place.

But in this special letter, Dad,

You'll find, at least in part,

The feelings that the passing years

Have left within my heart.

The memories of childhood days

And all that you have done

To make our home a happy place

And growing up such fun.

I still recall the walks we took,

The games we often played;

Those confidential chats we had

While resting in the shade.

This letter comes to thank you, Dad,

For needed words of praise;

The counsel and the guidance, too,

That shaped my grown-up days.

No words of mine can tell you, Dad

The things I really feel;

But you must know my love for you

Is lasting, warm, and real.

You made my world a better place

And through the coming years,

I'll keep these memories of you

As cherished souvenirs!

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Father's Day Exclusive!

2012-06-16T21:31:00.000+05:30

“The best inheritance a father can leave his children is a good example.”

A young woman relates that when she was a little girl, her father, an artist, would often be very busy at his easel, mixing oils and painting on his big canvases while she sat nearby on the floor, working just as hard as he was with her own set of crayons and a coloring book.

Many a time, he would set his brushes aside, reach down, and lift her up unto his lap. Then he’d curl her little hand around one of his brushes, enfolding it with his own larger and stronger hand. Ever so gently, he would guide her hand and the brush, dipping it into the palette and mixing the burnt umbers and raw sienna, and then stroke the wet, shiny paint onto the canvas before them both.

The little girl watched in amazement as, together, they made something beautiful.

Little did this father know that he was giving his daughter skills that would bring great fulfillment to her life. Today, JoniTada- a quadriplegic since a diving accident during her teen years- is still painting, but this time with a paintbrush in her mouth. Much of what she earns is channeled into ministry to help others. Her compassion, too is a reflection of that shown by a loving, tender father.

Consider This!

2012-06-15T16:54:00.002+05:30

Henri Frederic Ameil once penned, “It is not what he has, nor even what he does, which directly expresses the worth of a man, but what he is.”

Do you often think about the importance of what you do, rather than focusing on who you are? Your truest worth is found in who you are- in relationship to God- in relationship to others- and even in relationship to yourself.

Shakespeare once wrote: “to thine own self be true.”

That speaks volumes about living your life without reproach against your own conscience. The things you do are a direct result of who you are.

With that in mind, it may be time to find out who you are!

Top Ten Tips To Develop A Healthy Conscience

2012-06-15T16:21:00.001+05:30

I do not want to be selfish by keeping these wonderful tips just for myself. I came across this bunch of awesome tips in one of the books I read. Just thought it would be nice if I shared it with you all...to keep our conscience healthy of course!

Well, here are the Top Ten Tips to Develop a Healthy Conscience:

Pay attention to those inner nudging.
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction as soon as you do something wrong.
In your daily prayers, begin by asking forgiveness.
Ask God to shine a light into your heart.
If you feel you have wronged or hurt someone, go to them and make things right.
Find a prayer partner to share your requests, doubts, and victories.
When you have a problem, consult God's Word first.
Encourage yourself through daily devotionals and quiet time.
Make a sign that says, "Do the right thing" to put on your refrigerator.
Ask a trusted friend to steer you in the right direction if they notice an unhealthy turn in your personality or actions.

THINK HEALTHY STAY HEALTHY!

Passing the Driving Exam

2012-06-08T14:12:00.001+05:30

“Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

A man was taking his first driving lesson out in the country. Within an hour, he had learned to start the car, put it in reverse, go forward, and steer reasonably well. He concluded that driving was easy, so his instructor suggested that he practice on a nearby busy highway. After a few minutes in the roaring traffic, the man pulled off on a side road and stopped. Mopping his brow, he said, “If it weren’t for those other people, it would be simple.”

He quickly learned that with the privilege of driving a car goes an important responsibility. You have to look out for other drivers as well as yourself.

The same case happens with me as well. Learning to drive the car was easy. It did not take long. However to drive sensibly, well, that is one thing that I am still learning every day.

Most of us (must) have observed that man’s innate selfishness often surfaces when he gets behind the wheel of a car. He is quick to blow the horn, cut off another car (of course by a whisker!), and blame the other drivers. There are several factors. Some do it to show that they can drive quite fast. Some start late for work and rush at the ‘peak’ hours. While some try to race, against the clock and quite few of them to save time and fuel. The list is inexhaustible.

As a sensible person, and out mostly as Christians, however, we should express our faith even in our driving habits. If we look out for “the interests of others” as Paul said, we will be courteous, patient, thoughtful, and law-abiding drivers.

In life, as in driving, we cannot live as if we are the only ones on the road. We need to learn to get along with people- whatever we are doing. God’s grace must constantly be manifested in all our relationships. Regardless of the failures and mistakes of others who cross our path, we must always look out for their needs as well as our own.

Today, let us show consideration and kindness to our “fellow-travellers”, whether on the highway or along the road of life.

“Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.”

Fault with Faultfinders

2012-06-08T10:05:00.001+05:30

The wife of a hard-to-please husband was determined to try her best to satisfy him for just one day. Darling, she asked, what would you like for breakfast this morning? He growled, ‘Coffee and toast, grits and sausage, and two eggs- one scrambled, and one fried.’ She soon had the food on the table and waited for a word of praise. After a quick glance, he exclaimed, ‘Well, if you didn’t scramble the wrong egg!’

Some people seem to be happy only when they are making others’ miserable! Because they thrive on faultfinding, they stir up strife wherever they go. What is wrong with them anyway? Answer is clear. They are disgusted with their own unproductive lives and dissatisfied with their limited achievements, so they try to boost themselves by stepping on others.

By criticizing others, or everyone else, they relieve their inner anger and disappointments.

Let us ask ourselves, what is wrong with us. Maybe we are being too selfish, and separated from God’s fellowship, and His life changing power. Perhaps, a desire to be rich or prominent has robbed us of the joy of being content.

Alternatively, feelings of inferiority may be triggering our negative response to others.

Spend some moments looking at yourself. Ask God to show you the real problem.

Moreover, remember, the fault with faultfinders is the fault they will not face in themselves.

“Don’t look for faults-look for remedies!”

Weakest But The Strongest Of All!

2012-06-03T17:58:00.000+05:30

"If perceived through our human understanding, and putting all our mental proficiency and expertise, we may all somehow argue that the assertion given by me that the weakest of all can possibly be the strongest of all is impracticable and unfeasible. Yes, authentically that might be arguable, by bringing any evidence to prove that it is not simply stating some factual substantiation of every day life. We all know it! Well, someone might say, that a person may be physically weak but mentally he is stronger than the person who outdoes him physically and vice versa. "

Pirates Ahoy!

2012-06-03T17:52:00.000+05:30

Here is a foul foursome of the most disgustingly behaved pirate rogues ever to sail the high seas!

Edward Low:

One of the cruellest pirates ever. He is said to have once cut off and cooked a man’s lips!

Henry Morgan:

Accidentally blew up his own ship during a party, killing 350 men escaping himself.

Blackbeard:

Went into battle with burning fuses tied in his hair, to make him look devilish. He drank rum mixed with gunpowder.

William Kidd:

After he was caught his corpse was left hanging in a cage to rot for 43 years. He knew it was going to happen because they measured him for his chains while he was still alive.

Situational Christian!

2012-05-03T19:06:00.002+05:30

"For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us." 1 John 2:9 NIV

Dear Friends!

The hour is already here. People have already denied the truth once they held close to their hearts. They have left the Christians community in the sense that they became apostates, denying the most fundamental aspect of the Christian faith - namely that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

In this age of Science™, where nothing seems impossible for men to achieve, people have started to put their faith in such things. It is not only the spiritually weak; but also even the ones who once appeared to be spiritually strong have fallen for such a thing. You name it religious pastors, evangelists, church workers, and worship leaders etc. They were once ''committed'' and I am using this word very carefully. However, after years of their journey with the Lord, in times of distress and hardships, they look up and say "Who is God™?" and say "there is no such a thing as God™".

I just want to ask ourselves whether circumstances and situations determine our faith in God. Before anything of these happened, we were very strong and committed believers. We preach about God from the Word of God. We stood in front of people saying all the good and marvelous things about God. Yeah! Those were the good times. And our spirits were lifted up as though we were soaring on eagle's wings. I bet we all sang about it! I guess in our conscience, we were literally singing Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69"...those were the best days of my life...! We thought we gave our everything to God...our life, our time, our strength, our service...remember us singing "I give all my service to you!" Don't you think those were the highly-spirited times? Emotionally carried away to the very word 'Jesus', shouting numberless Amen and Hallelujahs! We didn't realized that those moments weren't for everlasting.... All these things gradually starts to unfold as we sit in the epicenter of our problems, and as we battle between them, we slowly begin to question God's existence.

When some serious situations crop up, our beliefs, and faith in God are shattered. This happens if our faith is not well grounded in God. We start to think that we are all on our own, and God is nowhere near us. The problems overshadow us and keep us away from knowing that He is with us even at that time. It's just that we are not allowing Him to take over. We begin to doubt in God and His Grace.

Once a person is a genuine Christian, they will inevitably continue to remain so.

This is not simply saying "Once saved, Always saved", though that can be logically inferred. This is saying, "Once saved, it is inevitable that such a person will remain in the faith identifying with the Christian community". (Moreover, as such, once saved, always saved, and seeing, as the saved never depart from the faith).

How did John know that "they did not really belong to us?” It is because they left the Christian community. Thus if a person departs from the faith, such is indicative that they had never really been of the faith to begin with.

Then, here is the reassuring word to the faithful among us. 1 John 2:20, 21, says, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”

Everyone born of God has been anointed with the Holy Spirit. In fact, "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" as it is written in Rom 8:9. That is why John can make such a general statement. John elaborates upon this in 1 John 2 verse 27 “But the anointing which you have received at a point in time from Him dwells continuously in you, and you don't characteristically need that anyone be teaching you; but as the same anointing characteristically teaches you concerning all things.”

One work of the Holy Spirit is guidance into the truth. Jesus said, "When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth" in John 16:13.

Therefore, I urge all of us that wherever we are, let us remain faithful to Him in whatever circumstances or situations we may be. Let us remember that, once we move out from Christ's flock, we will be considered as goats, dwelling among His flock in a sheepskin!

Thus, when those born of God hear the truth, the Spirit confirms it in our conscience. We embrace truth as a sheep listens to the voice of its shepherd, as Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice." John 10:27. Let us be strong willed and not let evil enter into our mind. Let us continue to have steadfast fellowship with the Lord. Moreover, He will keep us safe.

God be with us all!

Peace Through Appreciation!

2012-04-28T19:33:00.000+05:30

We take too much in life for granted don't we! Express appreciation to God for His blessings; to your wife or husband for what he or she means to you; to you children for who they are; to your friends; to the people with whom you work. Never miss an opportunity to make an expression of appreciation for something. Really what life is all about is our relationships...people loving and helping each other...we get and we give...we are thankful. Then we find it easier to accept life, and as we accept life, we find peace.
Here are some words which inspire me:

Celebrate the temporary...

Don't wait till tomorrow

Live today.

Celebrate the simple things...

Enjoy the butterfly

Embrace the snow

Run with the ocean

Delight in the trees

Or a single lonely flower

Go barefoot

In the wet grass.

Don't wait

Until all the problems

Are solved

Or all the bills

Are paid.

You will wait forever

Eternity will come and go

And you

Will still be waiting.

Live in the now

With all its problems

With its agonies

With its joy

And its pain.

Celebrate your pain...

Your despair

Your anger

It means you're alive

Look closer

Breathe deeper

Stand taller

Stop grieving the past.

There is joy and beauty Today

It is temporary

Here now and gone

So celebrate it

While you can

Celebrate the temporary.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Satanic IF's!

2012-04-27T17:39:00.000+05:30

Here I would like to share some of the Satanic IF's in the Bible which challenged Christ's Divinity.

At the Temptation

IF You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread, Matthew 4:3.
IF You are the Son of God throw Yourself down, Matthew 4:6.

At the Cross

IF You are the Son of God, come down from the Cross and save Yourself:

The cry of the crowd, Matthew 27:40, "and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

The cry of the soldiers, Luke 23:37, "and saying, "If You are the Son of the King of the Jews, save Yourself."

The cry of the criminal, Luke 23:39, "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

Who Is In Control?

2012-04-25T16:58:00.002+05:30

Q1. Whom have you made to control your life?

 Q2. What is Controlling you? 

Q3. Where is your Obligation?

Is the trouble in your life controlling you?

Is problems- physical, mental, emotional or spiritual making your life shrink?

Is relationship- between friends, families, lovers, desire or wealth controlling your life?

I. We are living in an age of anxiety.

Wystan Hugh Auden (a British author) wrote a poem two years after WWII entitled- 'The Age of Anxiety'. His poem half a century work, still has relevance in our time.

1. Having sleepless nights thinking about our future.

2. Experiencing distress and worrying about this and anxious about that.

BUT if you are a Christian, you needn't allow worry to plague you. Instead turn over your worries and anxieties to your Father in Heaven. I Peter 5:7- "Cast all your burdens unto Him. For He cares for you."

Envision ourselves, lifting our worries/burdens like a large stone and handling it to Jesus. When Jesus take hold of it, suddenly the rock shrinks to a pebble. Indeed it is true in its real sense.

Illus: A missionary teaching a recently converted Hindu woman how to pray the Lord's Prayer. The woman prayed- "Our Father, which art in heaven." Then she said, "Stop! Do you mean that God is our Father?" The missionary replied, "Yes." She said, "That is enough! If God is our Father, then there is nothing to worry about!".

Remember as a child- trusting our parents and guardians for them to take care of our concerns? In spite of our fear, with the thought that they are there, and every fear dissipates.

II. We need Transformation.

Transform and Reform are two different forms, though they are related to change and so people often use them interchangeably.

Reform means to become or make better by removing evils. Reform is slightly liberal in nature. We make reformations in our existing society and life. We are already tired and fed up of the same type of habitual tasks and happenings around us, that we want some changes to come to break that consistent habits by resorting to reformation. So, that's what it is...Reform.

Transform means to change the appearance or structure of something or somebody absolutely-completely. Yes! I am still quite not really satisfied by the description. But, hope it rings some meaning into your ears. Anyway, that's the closest I can get. Transformation is a radical change. Quite different from reform [we will get into the little details further down].

We hear people talking about being transformed into a different person, by judging by their character, personality and other psychological traits. But let me make myself very clear here: Only Christ Can Transform Our Lives.

We see people approaching personality gurus to bring about changes and transformation

in their lives and they are content by saying those 'stuffs' works! Let me tell you, for some, those might last only for some moments...but they cannot have it forever. Because they have approached the wrong guy! And if at all some people claim to have proof of how those 'stuffs' works, those are just the varieties of reforms not transform.

I think I might have well made some points clear about the relation and difference between the two. Now, I would like to ponder for a while on what transformation is all about.

Let me direct us to a Biblical reference in John 9:25 "One thing I know; that though I was blind, now I see." This is the catch word of transformation.

Illus: A non-believer once taunted a Christian who was converted drunkard. He speared, "Surely, you don't believe those Bible miracles, such as Christ turning water into wine." To this the ex-drunkard replied, "If you think that's a miracle, come to my home and I'll show you how Christ changed beer into carpets, chairs, and even a piano!"

Christ has come to dwell in the heart of that converted drunkard and had transformed his inward life as well as his outward circumstances. As the Bible says in Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new."

Q. Have you tried allowing Jesus to transform your life? Don't you think He can possibly transform it no matter in what state it is now?

Jesus is in the business of changing lives. He has done it throughout the centuries and continues to do it even this day! Are you ready to accept Him?

And all of those who have been changed and transformed by Him can echo what the blind man said when Christ gave him eye-sight for the first time in his life, "One thing I know; that though I was blind, now I see!"

"I once was lost, but now I am found" [Amazing Grace]

" Was condemned, but now I am accepted." This shall be our song from today!

III. We need assurance of Salvation: I John 5:13 "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

Here is the big and tough question, Do you know for sure that when you die, you'll go to heaven? Well, that can be easily answered with out-most confidence if we have given our lives to Christ, and we can know for sure that we'll have eternal life because the Bible has clearly promises us that. God's Word is true, and It has greatly comforted those of us who have crossed death's door, the great and wise as well as the poor and humble.

When Sir Michael Faraday, the brilliant scientist who discovered magnetism, was at his deathbed, someone asked him, "Sir Michael, what speculations do you have about life after death?" And he replied in astonishment, "Speculations! Why, I have no speculations! I'm resting on certainties!"

"But I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able

To keep that which I've committed

Unto Him against that day." [I Know Whom I Have Believed]

That sure he was of his salvation! and you and I...how far have we come or are you yet to start? It's never too late to accept Him, but for those who haven't it's already late!

Illus: An elderly Scottish lady lay at death's door, her pastor asked her, " Sadie, suppose that after all God has done for you, when you die, He should still allow you to perish; what then?" She said, "Well that's upto Him. He will do what He will. But if He does allow me to perish, then He will lose more than I. For though I lose my soul, He will lose His honor. He has promised me in His Word, "He that trusteth in Me shall never perish."[John 11:25]

Do you have a burden causing you to worry today? Hand it over to God, your Father who cares for you, just like the Hindu woman. Allow Him to give you the peace that comes from trusting Him with everything that concerns you.

Have you been changed by receiving Christ's lovingly offered gift of eternal life? If not, what are you waiting for? I urge you today to give your life to Him and watch Him change you for the good from the inside out. Let Him Control Your Life!

2012-04-24T16:06:00.000+05:30

"Give It But Never Till the End"

2012-03-17T18:15:00.002+05:30

When people get a feeling that you are someone who can be counted, it becomes quite difficult to satisfy their expectations all the time. Say like all the moment you cannot always be the same kind of person you were a little while ago, just for the sake of that person unless you are a machine! I have faced similar situation. You cannot be like the person who the child expects a candy every time he meets you. But one thing that stops you from withholding the candy is, you don't want the child to be upset or make a fuss about your intention and start to cry! Such experiences happens frequently like, next day the person expects the same treatment given the other day or perhaps a little better, so much so that, the giver sometimes feels empty handed or is left with no more option! It becomes a burden to meet the other person the next time. So what we do is, we try to avoid that person in any case or make an excuse so as to let some moment of time get between them, meanwhile the 'giver' thinks of the other possible options to compensate.
So what I do know is, from the very first moment of meeting someone new, I try to be as an ordinary gentleman from the next street trying to figure out my way, without giving any hint to the other person that deep within I am an ever ready-to-help person...the rest I let time decide what will be the best moment to make my move. Sometimes it's good to take time to decide, to speak, to react, and so on... Because it helps us to make a complete stop to the momentum of making an unnecessary step, and take a step backward and see how it feels to look from behind.
What I learnt is, there is no harm in giving out help to others, but in the process...or in continuity of that practice, never let the other person step beyond the line where it would be difficult for you to take his feet off! You are going to either live with that or break it! Making others too dependent on us is harmful to them as well as ourselves. It is sometimes like petting a bird. Feeding it, and trimming it's feathers so that it will not fly away but return to us back when it is thirsty and hungry! We take away it's freedom to think and believe in what it is capable of doing, when it is away from us. In the same way we control their actions, emotions, potentials and their spirit to move on.
Let us understand that by helping others we are doing something important for their lives as well as it gives emotional and moral satisfaction to us. But remember, that is the first impact. Also remember the consequence of the matter as it continues. It is good to give, better to give all; but it is best to understand the matter of the fact, than by just giving.

Build Up Your Friends...Don't Tear Them Down!

2012-02-23T13:16:00.002+05:30

A trumpeter was once captured by the enemy. He pleaded with his captors: "Please spare me! I have no gun. I am not guilty of any crime. I have not killed a single one of your soldiers. I only carry this poor brass trumpet and play it when I'am told to to." "That is the very reason for putting you to death," his captors said. For, while you do not fight yourself, your trumpet stirs up all the others to battle. It causes many others to kill."

So it is with our criticism of others. We may not hate, mistrust, or avoid the person we criticize, but our criticism can cause others to manifest these feelings and behavior.

There once was a woman to whom gossip and criticism were so utterly distasteful that whenever a visitor brought up something negative about a person, she would say, "Come, let's go and ask if this is true." The tale-bearer was always so taken aback that he or she would beg to be excused. But the determined woman would insist in escorting the reluctant soul to the subject of the tale to verify its truth or to hear the other point of view. After a while, no one repeated a tale or voiced a criticism in her presence!

What Rock Did For Me: A Personal Testimony of David W. Cloud

2012-02-13T15:16:00.001+05:30

I have not been directly influenced by 'Rock' but here is what I have read about a man who has undergone a series of ups and downs while trying to battle against the influence of 'rock'. He is David W. Cloud. Well, it's his testimony, but I was blessed. Therefore, I couldn't wait to key in these and share it with you all. To be very specific, this write-up was written quite a very long time back in the 1980's...to be precise, 1987...the year I was born! I guess this is older than me, (I saw this while I was up on the attic browsing through and cleaning my dad's old and dusty books). I hope you all will be inspired to remain firm and stand up to face the very challenge before us as Christians...

"Before conversion, I was a typical rebellious youth of the 1970's. In Vietnam, I had become involved with drugs. Upon discharge from the Army I carried my love for drugs home with me. The first day I was home an old friend appeared, asked if I “got high”, and rejoiced that I had learned to “turn on”. (My friend had also gotten involved with drugs while serving in the Army in Vietnam.) Away I went with my friend to be introduced into the massive US drug culture. Soon, I learned that the marijuana obtained in the States was very weak. In the ever increasing search for the better high, I curiously moved on to the more powerful chemicals available in pill form. I used mescaline, LSD, opium, cocaine, psilocybin, and lots of different amphetamines, barbiturates, and hallucinogens. Drug abuse was a confirmed part of my life until conversion.

What does this have to do with rock and roll? Much! During the entire drug experience I ate, slept, and breathed rock and roll. While in Vietnam, I purchased a large amount of expensive stereo equipments and taped hundreds of rock albums. Most barrack, bars, and clubs there were equipped with LOUD rock and roll night and day. The G.I.’s tried to fight and work to the rhythm of rock! And it as and is the same back in the States. Upon discharge, we equipped our hippy apartments with amplifiers and large speakers to satisfy us morning, noon, and night with OUR MUSIC…rock and roll. If we stayed at home for a “quiet” evening alone, we played rock and roll. If we drove in a car, we played rock and roll. If we went to a bar, played on the beach, strolled through a park, or worked at a job…if it was all possible…we played rock and roll. LOUD!

Did rock cause me to use drugs? Or did the drugs cause me to like rock? Probably both. I loved rock long before I ever thought about using drugs, but drugs sure made the rock come alive! Why? One reason is that rock is created by drug abusers. Many rock recordings are written and produced by folk controlled by chemicals. Many rock songs and entire albums deal with drug abuse themes, glorifying the drug experience and calling for free abuse.

“Rock musicians use drugs frequently and openly, and their compositions are riddled with references to drugs, from the Beatles ‘I Get High With a Little Help From My Friends’ to the Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ … Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane told Cavalier in June of 1968, ‘We all use drugs and we condone the judicious use of drugs by every one. Kids are going to blow their minds somehow, and this is a better way to do it than racking up their car against the wall. Let them groove, do their own thing.’ Frank Zappa of the Mothers of Invention told Life that society’s major hang-ups could be cured by a drug and sexual openness.” (David A. Noebel, The Marxist Minstrels, page 72).

The rock world is the drug world; the drug world is the rock world. Only a very naïve or carnally blind Christian, it seems, would fail to observe this. Rock helped break down inhibitions and inspire me to drug abuse (and rebellion and morality). Drug abuse helped inspire me to rock. Where it would all end only the Lord knew.

I became depressed, defeated, lonely, and empty while using drugs. I lost most personal ambition to better myself intellectually, or mentally, or any way, really. I would go to bed depressed and wake up depressed. Even in a friendly crowd I felt separated, alone. And so restless! I would keep a job on the average about six weeks, then I had to GO. Place to place, job to job, philosophy to philosophy I travelled. No peace was mine, or satisfaction, or, toward the end, hope of change. I wanted out but couldn’t find the Door.

Then the Lord Jesus sent a man. This stranger loved me and patiently led me to the true Christ and to the true Book, the Bible. I gladly received the truth, and I became anchored safely in Jesus Christ never to roam again. Praise His Holy Name!

And what happened to the drugs? They were never again considered. But what happened to the rock? That hung on for awhile. Upon conversion I began to study the Bible for hours daily. Every day I would pick my Bible, find a private place away from distraction, and read and meditate upon the blessed Word of God. I had been deceived and in bondage to Satan for many years, and I was determined, now that I had received the truth, never to be deceived again. I yearned to be grounded thoroughly in the Scriptures, so I studied eagerly. But still I listened to rock.

There seem to be something wrong. I was cleansing and renewing my mind zealously with the truth, but there seemed to be a great hindrance to my learning and to my spiritual progress. I still could not retain the things I was learning from the Bible, and I continued to be restless and anxious. Often I prayed about this and asked for peace. “Lord, where is the peace you promise in your Word for those who come to Christ? Why don’t I have the peace and joy some of the Christians I have met have? Please, Lord, give me this peace.” At times I thought I was doomed never to enjoy experiential peace in this life. But still I studied and sought the Lord.

One day as I was driving in my car with the radio tuned to a rock station (as usual), I suddenly realized what was wrong. I actually was pouring garbage into my mind as fast as I was pouring in truth. ROCK AND ROLL WAS CONTAMINATING TH TRUTH AND HINDERING THE HEALING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. No wonder I was still restless! No wonder I still had such problem concentrating upon and retaining the truth! THE BEAT WAS DESTROYING THE BENEFIT OF THE BOOK.

So I turned off the radio that day and rejoiced in what God had shown me.

That was not the end of the battle, though. Many times I would be tempted to turn that knob and be immersed for a few moments in the beat. It was so exciting. And sometimes I did just that. Yet I always knew that the result was injurious to my spiritual and emotional life. The rock would revive my old restlessness, depression, loneliness, and fears. Quickly I learned that ROCK IS POISON AS DEADLY AS DRUGS AND TO BE SHUNNED WITH JUST AS MUCH VIGOR. It weakens the will power and opens on to demonic influence.

I can honestly testify that giving up rock and roll was one of my most difficult battle since conversion. Leaving drugs behind was no problem. Cutting my long hair was little problem. But putting away rock was hard. As a matter of fact, giving up rock was as giving up cigarettes. And, as with smoking, the battle against rock music had to be fought and refought months, even years, after conversion. Why was this if rock is harmless and unintoxicating as some folk claim?

I cannot testify that after giving up rock I overnight lost all restlessness, depression, and inability to concentrate or to retain. Yet, I did begin to make much more rapid progress toward these goals. I knew in my heart that the Lord was pleased. And the Scriptures widely confirmed this feeling. Today, depression is infrequent and mild. The driving restlessness is gone, replaced by the ruling peace of God. My mind is sharper than it has ever been, and my memory excellent, especially in spiritual things. Life now is filled with miracles, ministry, and growth.

Would this still be true had I never turned off the beat? Most assuredly not! Had I continued immersed in the rebellious, carnal beat of rock, absorbing the loose, immoral message, the Lord could not have blessed my life as He has done. My mind would never have so rapidly been healed by the soothing touch of the spirit of God. My life could never have fully been refreshed by the pure, cleansing Word of God. I would have been torn continually between two worlds, anxious, worried, fearful, uncertain, and defeated. Quite possibly I would have been drawn again into the very world from whence I sought freedom. Victory is not for disobedient fence-straddlers.

Yes, there are a few people who have been truly saved, yet who still continue to love rock music. It hung on in my life for awhile after conversion. But these will never enjoy God’s richest blessings nor fulfill His perfect will until their feet are washed from worldly defilement. Did my giving up rock in itself secure the above benefits? Of course not. But it was an absolutely essential step in the right direction."
God Be Praised!

Do It When Deemed Best

2012-02-13T13:25:00.000+05:30

Why do humans mostly acknowledge and regard the contributions or the worth of another person only when he/she is gone? We criticise and accuse the person throughout their lifetime for the things they have created, for the works they have done and contributed and the achievements they have made for the betterment of the world community. But now that they are gone, we surely have the guts to say he/she was a good human being, and honor them with post humus glories.

What? It could have been better, had they been praised and honoured while they were well and alive. After all those years of criticisms, we come up with a noble idea to speak praises over their parted soul.

Is this the reason why we call ourselves human? Being humane to deceased souls; when all their years of hard work and tireless dedication has been marked-up with criticisms and allegations?

I have heard of people who have been honoured and decorated after their demise; when they cannot hear the sounds of praises made about them by the same people who were their competitors and accusers, of which some of them are known publicly, while some only by their close associates.

Well, then if that is not so humane, let us start off by doing the humane way eh? Let us remember that, it is always better to acknowledge and praise the other person when he/she has the entire faculty and capacity of knowing what you are doing, than just to be doing the same, over a cold and lifeless junk. Yes, it is already a junk! Though he may be the President, when he is dead, he is not anymore. The praises are just for those who attend such rituals to hear. Had the person been alive that time, he/she must have been the happiest person in the world!

Let us also realise that, it is much better to do something for a person when that person sees and feels it. What a humane way it would standout to be, if humans encourage one another when there is still air in our lungs, our hearts pumping, and our brains still working to be able to infuse all that wonderful feeling.

When you are in the capacity to do that wonderful act, why wait for the other person to drop dead, then only you start to think of doing all that rituals?

Let us remove bias, pride and prejudice from among us, and stop being hypocrites.

Let us be doers!

Important Tips To Be A Good Listener!

2012-01-30T19:00:00.001+05:30

I being a listener of all those sweet nothings myself...would like to share some of the tips about becoming a good listener, which I got from here and there with you all, in good hope that we all become good listeners of each other, and stop trying to step out of other's opinions and suggestions!

Encourage the speaker.

Ask questions. It shows interest.

Do not interrupt.

Do not change the topic.

Show understanding and respect.

Pay attention, concentrate.

Avoid distraction.

Show empathy.

Be open-minded. Do not let preconceived ideas and prejudice prevent you from listening.

Concentrate on the message and not the delivery.

Recognize the nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, eye contact, etc. They might be communicating a different message from the verbal.

Listen to feelings and not just words.

All the Best!

What Is More Precious?

2012-01-30T18:40:00.000+05:30

The story goes that sometime ago; a man punished his three-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you Daddy."

The man was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction. Nevertheless, his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, "Don't you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, "Oh, Daddy, it is not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They're all for you, Daddy."

The father was crushed. He put his arms round his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the little child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In the very real sense, each one of us, as human being have been given a golden container filled with in conditional love and kisses from our children, family members, friends and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold more precious than this.

Save The Baby!

2012-01-24T20:24:00.001+05:30

Next time before you think of going for an abortion, or you know some people thinking of going for it, you may spent some few minutes going through this....Each picture says it for itself...no need to add any more additional comments...

Feel free to download and share...

Picture Source: http://180baby.wordpress.com/

PROTECTION FROM ADVERTISEMENT

2012-01-14T08:13:00.000+05:30

Advertisement is a skilful way of blowing one’s own trumpet. To speak of one’s goods has been raised to the level of fine art. The most successful businessman is he who knows the secret of effective advertisement. The real worth of an article is of little importance; what matters is the way in which public attention is drawn towards it. Men do not part with their money easily, but the clever advertiser can draw it out of the pockets of the even most cautious and miserly customers.

Manifold are the means by which advertisements are relayed. The press is the most efficient and penetrating medium of advertisement as it can reach the largest readership. Among other media of advertisement may be mentioned the radio, the cinema, the television, show cards, electric flashlights, etc. Newer devices are being adopted every day for the purpose of advertisement.

There is a great need to advertise one’s goods. In an age of commercial competition, goods cannot be sold without proper advertisement. If properly done, advertisement can help the public in choosing and buying the best in the market. As we advance, we make new discoveries and inventions. We bring out devices for good and comfortable living and we should tell the public what they are. Advertisements play a very important part in this respect. They bring profit to the producers and offer a wide choice for the public. Without advertisement our trade and commerce would never flourish.

During the last fifty years or so advertisements have become aggressive, seductive and deceitful, so much so that they can literally induce an Eskimo to buy a refrigerator. The new methods, means and tricks of advertising enable the unscrupulous traders and manufacturers to prey upon the credulity of lay public, thereby effecting huge sales and pocketing heavy profits. In competitive advertising, the advertiser tries to impress upon the readers the superiority of his own products over those of his rival producers and thus casts a spell on the minds of the target group to buy his wares in preference to his rivals. Once the market for his products is established, he secures a steady clientele, a constant demand for his products and an assured income from its sales.

Today’s advertising methods have a marvellous effect on the sales of goods and services thus advertised. But advertisements for harmful products have their baneful effects on the buyers. Hence people have started feeling the need for protecting themselves from the evil effects of exploitative and misleading advertisements. Destructive advertising is designed to secure public patronage through false and misleading statements in an exaggerated manner.

The most fashionable method of present day advertising campaigns is to show the images of very young and very beautiful women in the ads. Perhaps it is no exaggeration to say that the display of the body of a woman has become an integral part of today’s advertising, even if the goods and services advertised are not even remotely concerned with women. The most important and attractive feature of the advertisement is the picture of a young and beautiful woman prominently displayed on the left. Perhaps the idea is that the reader will be irresistibly tempted to look at the picture and while doing that, will also incidentally read the message. For instance, in newspapers and magazines, have a look at the front page of any fast-selling ones, you will see semi-nude pictures of young and beautiful actresses in ‘inviting’ poses. Well, let me not be too gender specific, we can add handsome and well build male actors there, for that matter. For these newspapers and magazines, the time-honoured Indian morality and values are, no doubt, noble things, but the paper sells well only if it carries semi-nude colour photos of fetching girls and the newspapermen have also to earn their two square meals. The display of lingerie-clad beauties can bring these meals most easily. Therefore, a compromise on values becomes unavoidable.

It is universally agreed that the consumer is often a very incompetent judge of the quality goods. Taking undue advantage of this weakness of his, the cleverly laid out advertisements can induce him to purchase goods of doubtful value. But this creates brand monopolies, which stand in the way of free competition in respect of price and quality. Since the brand has established itself as the beauty soap of film stars and not any particular star, it is not dependent on the waxing and waning of a star’s fortune. Thus, the businessmen use whosoever is in the limelight at a particular time, be it Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, or Katrina Kaif. Having thus been hypnotised by these brand monopolies, the consumer refuses to accept any substitute even a better quality and is ready to pay a higher price for inferior quality goods (I do not intend to directly imply that these actors advertises for low products) and this syndrome creates unnecessary want of the customers, who may or may not be able to afford.

With competition becoming so intense in every field, one has to start focussing on a certain facet of the celebrity’s personality and relate it to the brand in question. Another illustration, Saif’s personality, for instance, goes well with the brand image of Clinic shampoo. Similarly, the winner of the Miss Beautiful Hair Contest is used to sell another brand of shampoo. Viswanathan Anand for Memory Plus is a good equation between a personality and a product. But on the other hand, by becoming “Seductive as eve” it creates a peculiar habit and fashion and compels a buyer to buy certain products at a price not justified by their quality. There are some advertisements, which even help in selling “Rivers of tonics and mountains of pills” good, bad and indifferent by invoking the people’s fear of death and diseases. We definitely need to protect ourselves against the invasion of such advertisements.

And there is another danger from the abuse of advertisements. More is spent on advertisements than in making of goods. This is done on the mere belief that the more money one spends on advertisement, the wider the market for his goods. This is, no doubt, true. But this is also likely to result in two evils. Either the goods will cost more than they are worth or the quality of goods will be third-rate. The reason is that advertising cost a good deal. The money invested in advertising will increase the cost and price of goods. Else, if prices are not raised to meet the cost of advertisements, the alternative is to use cheap and second-rate materials in the making of goods. In either case, excessive advertisement is harmful to the people. In an age of commercial competitions, when several people produce the same kind of goods, either of these evils is inevitable.

But these evils of advertisements do not mean that advertising is bad. The abuse of anything does not mean that it is useless. We must use advertisement for letting the public know what goods are available. The motive of advertisement should be public service, not private gain. If this motive is present, advertisements do good to all concerned-the producers and consumers alike. There will be no danger of lowering the standards of commercial morality so long as the producers and distributors choose service to the public as their aim. The danger comes when private gain is made at the cost of public good.

Towards a Better World:

2012-01-14T08:08:00.001+05:30

Half of the world does not have enough to eat. Each year, as a result, many millions die young. The bodies and minds of many more are permanently damaged by hunger.

The poorer nations often say to the richer nations, this suffering can be and must be stopped. When all of us, in the rich and poor nations, make up our minds to stop it, we can stop it.

The earth is ruled mainly by the people out of touch with the young world. How many of us would agree to that? Ofcourse, they know that men starve and die in millions. But they think it is more important to make guns and bombs, to send us to fight against one another, than think of providing seeds and water, schools and hospitals, so that we might feed and serve one another.

If you live in a poor country, demand enough food for your countrymen. Do not turn your backs on the people who provide food; instead, work with them for rural development.

If you are educated in special knowledge and skills, remember that science and technology that can send men into space, need only to be released into the poor countries to work even greater miracles.

If you are a parent, resolve to end the sufferings of children. Know, too, how to plan the size of your family, so that the progress of all is not endangered.

Let us make plain to the rulers that the division of the world into rich and poor must end. The many billions spent on armaments must be spent to develop the world. Let them know, too, that if political or financial systems prevent a just distribution of food and wealth, these systems must be replaced.

Above all we must show our willingness to work for world development. Mankind is one family in which each of us has the duty to help the others…our brothers and sisters.

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2012-01-12T14:50:00.001+05:30

Truly said:-)

A NEW YEAR'S WISH:

2011-12-31T18:13:00.000+05:30

Days come and go,
Months come and leave,
Each year come to its end,
But one thing that remains the same...
Ironically, it's us.
Our thoughts, our actions, our words and our living.
We make resolutions and vows to be broken.
So whats the use of them?
I've made a dozens of them...though I never completed them till the end!
Why should we, at the very first place, make the mistake of resolving with God and our loved ones, and break their hearts later. The things which we think that can be possibly made right, during the first few months of the year, those, which in fact had become habit(s) throughout your lifetime?
Not that I want to discourage you of making a good decision this New Year...
But as for me, I ask God that He would just take me one day at a time.
I don't care whether it's just one day, one month, one year or till I breath my last!
I'd be ever grateful and satisfied!
That's my wish this New Year!