12.31.2009

happy new year!

few more hours left for 2009 to come to close...its been quite a year, quite a decade for me.i'm thankful for many blessings...for many more blessings instored... i can't let this decade come to end before taking time to let you know....all my sweet friends,

that....

I thank you all for being who you are to me....each day of this decade has been special...though the road i've trod was bumpy at times...i've learned to be a good bouncer...:-) You helped me to!...You have been the reason to celebrate despite life's ugly reed of circumstances.

so, i pray for you that the year 2010 holds for you fountains of love, rivers of joy, mountains of peace...may God's favour surround y'all like a shield,may He establish the works of your hands,may He give you wings and the courage to spread them and soar high...may He cause y'all to meet new friends to love and be loved...may y'all grow closer and deeper in love with JESUS the TRUEST and BEST OF BEST FRIENDS!! May this year be the YEAR. Blessings to y'all....





Ruthy...:-)

12.27.2009

christmas is gone.....

so soon!
it came much awaited, and now gone so very soon...:-(
i hope everone had a swell.
i did!
mine was a very simple but meaningful one...my tight budget didn't quite allow me much of gifting this year...didn't do much of pictures taking as well...so no pictures to share...but i'm thankful to my family and friends who remembered me...sent me gifts and blessings...i thank God for all of you...and i'm already looking forward to the next Christmas hehehe...

but for the now, shall we settle with Bienvenue 2010!

12.15.2009

i have the best friends in the world...

surprise surprise......
for me Monday normally isn't a very exciting day at work.... yesterday, like all other Mondays, i didn't expect anything else but weekend hangover ( what i mean isn't really a 'hangover') rather Monday blues plus loads of work piled up at my desk... but it didn't turn out that way! my good friends..., lovely people God has blessed my life with... who colour my life and make life beautiful even when i'm far away from home... who work in the same team with me,  decided to surprise me with this beautiful shirt in the picture  and.....
these really beautiful gold hearts jewel...the shirt fits me perfectly and i so love love love the  studs too... i'm going to wear them today to work.... hehehe...aren't my friends the best? of course they are!... they are one of the many blessings in my life i am grateful for... i am truly indebted to them for their love and support...so to all of you sweet friends- if any of you happen to bump into this blog, thank you once again.... you give me the reason to celebrate each day.... i love you guys.

12.13.2009

the culture...

i couldn't resist sharing these pictures i got from my friends.
i miss wearing my traditional dress... being so far away from hometown i don't get to wear them... and that makes me sad. i miss being in the choir... i know by this time of year  youths gather together every night  to practice songs, skits and plays for the Christmas program. oh i miss it miss it miss it so terribly.

12.12.2009

christmas tree

i so love this Christmas tree!!
and this one too!!

12.09.2009

Isaiah 43

the past two weeks have been  difficult for me...i did blog about the pain i was going through and my struggle to stay focus and be thankful for everything.... God has been so faithful and coming through to me in most amazing ways... the following promises from Isaiah have been my anchor...
**But now, this is what the LORD says— 
       he who created you, O Jacob, 
       he who formed you, O Israel: 
       "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; 
       I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, 
       I will be with you; 
       and when you pass through the rivers, 
       they will not sweep over you. 
       When you walk through the fire, 
       you will not be burned; 
       the flames will not set you ablaze.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, 
       and because I love you, 
       I will give men in exchange for you, 
       and people in exchange for your life.
 Do not be afraid, for I am with you.**
Praise God!!
now i must hurry up with my Christmas project... i hope to finish them this weekend...  sweet blogging friends, may all have a super blessed and joyous Christmas!!

11.30.2009

where is God when it hurts?

i celebrated my birthday yesterday...had quality time and am thankful for that. my dear Ashish made sure that i got my favourite pineapple cake from sweet chariot..... it was yum!!

but right now my heart aches... i am consumed with hurt, doubts and confusion.... and i can never define ... what else do we feel when people you love lied and cheated... you feel taken advantage... you feel used... i know i shouldn't be feeling this way when i know God cares... yet all i want to do is lock myself up in a room and cry... and cry and cry and cry... like that would take away the pain within... i know God is in control and He is teaching me something through this...but where is God when it hurts?... He seems so distant... so far away... feel like i'm left alone in the dark... to figure a way out...

what if life was controlled by switches?... like u can turn off the hurt switch... and turn on switches of joy,love, peace!! but such a thing never existed... do they?? i'd say this phase is one the most difficult part of my life... i am trusting on God... waiting for answer...for His clear guidance... most importantly His peace and strength to go through this period. and at this moment... i am trying to praise Him for who He is... and this song comes to mind,
When i saw the cleansing fountain,
Open wide for all my sins
I obeyed the spirit wooing
When He said "Wilt thou be clean?"

I will praise Him,I will Praise
Praise the lamb for sinners slain
Give Him glory all people
For His blood can wash away each stain

Blessed be the name of Jesus
I'm so glad He took me in
He's forgiven my transgression
He has cleansed my heart from sin

Glory glory to the Father
Glory glory to the Son
Glory to the Holy Spirit
Glory to the triune God

11.26.2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all my sweet friends from the U.S,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Count your many blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!

With Love,
Ruthy

11.24.2009

this brings smile on my face!

I couldn't help but pull out my camera to take a picture of this beautiful beautiful geranium blooming in the garden. I'd rather have my room filled with flowers than any golds or diamonds. How can i help shiver with delight at such a sight as this? This seem intended for a solace to my restless soul. Hush my soul... look around... God is speaking to you through His creation!
If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in its full bloom, then perhaps your soul has never been in bloom. ~ Audra Foveo

What delight must we bring to God's heart... if we all bloom radiantly... wherever He places us... in His garden of life. Come rain... come shine... like this flower blooms at its appointed time... must we bloom and fulfill God's plan and purposes in life... awakened to comfort those grieving.

May God grant us the strength we need to bloom and shine for His glory... May His countenance fall on us... may we radiate His joy... may our life be a fragrance among the lost.

11.22.2009

in everything give thanks...

at church today, my pastor started the sermon with a story. there was a widow... very poor and survived on her own... in a tiny little hut. She would not miss Sunday worship services for anything... there was nothing in her life that others would want... but her eyes were ever sparkling with joy and excitement... for every thing she would lift her hands up and shout 'praise the Lord'...

once a pastor from another church was visiting... leaders and the pastor of the church didn't want to be embarrassed... so they called this lady... told her not to shout during sermon... and promised her a woolen blanket in return... she agreed.

...it so happened that when the visiting pastor was preaching... this dear lady was so touched... could not withhold the joy she felt within... the gratitude that was bubbling within... so she stood up... lifted her hands towards the heaven... and shouted at the top of her voice... 'i don't care whether i get the blanket or not i will praise the Lord'...

very often  we are consumed by the circumstances of life... that clouds our spiritual eyes from the view of the greater good that God has instored for us... from the bigger picture. the degree of our thankfulness and gratitude is so influenced by the world around us... the broken relationship... the wants and lacks of our life... they make it so hard to give thanks and praise God... but did we know that God wants us to give thanks in all things... in good times or in bad times... its in concentrating, keeping our focus on the awesomeness of God, praising Him for who He is, that takes us beyond life's wind of adversities. what He has for us is far surpassing what we think we need, what we think  is good for us.

i love the fact that our God is ridiculously generous... the Bible says so!!  He doesn't look at us and say 'you deserve only this much'... He says 'its all here for you... endless treasure'... He says... 'ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it shall be opened unto you'... 'delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart'... 'ask of me and i will give you the ends of the earth for your inheritance'... see He is super generous!! He has abundance of JOY,LOVE,PEACE... spiritual or physical needs... name it... He has them all... the point is, most of us need to 'reset' our heads and our hearts as to the generosity of God. and remember what He says He has for us... and trust Him and praise Him...

this lady in the story sure did set her focus not in her situations but where she was headed with God... there is no lack... no toil... no hurt... no fear... no confusion... no poverty... no broken hearts there...  there is abundance of all that she needed as promised in the Bible. so when we don't find enough reason to thank God for... we need to turn our eyes away from the world... turn our eyes upon Jesus... we need to retreat to the 'heart of God'... spend time worshiping Him... thanking Him for who He is... just retreat into His unconditional love for us. and lift our hands up high and say 'praise the Lord'....
 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

have a great great week ahead sweet friends... God has great things for us this week!

11.15.2009

over the weekend

the week has gone by so fast... its hard to believe its already the 15th of November... only  a few weeks away from Christmas...!! this weekend is no different than the others... just watched more movies than i usually do...
 i love to start my day with a hot cup of  black tea... especially on a wet,cold and cloudy day... and when one is prone to catching cold, black tea with ginger is therapeutic...:-)
so i took my brother Chamgai along for shopping... @ my favourite hang out. it was very pleasant so we decided to walk back home after we've done our shopping.... as you can see the clouds have dispersed the crowd much earlier than the usual days... from the road...
hmm, this makes me sad... i wonder why its so hard for people to understand... poor cows have to feed on such spoils, unlike the cows back at home town, in the countryside... where they have plenty of greens to satisfy them. i tell you there's a lot of differences in the taste of the meat as well. meat from the country cows is much richer and tastier... besides,scenes like this can easily turn one into a pure vegetarian... and i might as well stop eating beef myself... at least till i get back home... haha...
well, its sad to say but this is how our lane looks like at the moment... left end of the lane is where i live... wonder how the bikers mustered their strength to get in there... lol... i'm seriously hoping they complete the construction soon... oh, save our shoes...!!
oh yeah, we picked up a bottle of Pepsi on the way back. i strongly disagree with whats written on the bottle "Rs 20 mein plenty" meaning you get plenty for just 20 bucks...:-)
 and i got dried tiny fishes as well,  to try my hands on a kind of dish mom prepares... its best known as 'kangsoi' in manipuri... its in fact one of the most famous dishes in Manipur... simple to make,very healthy and nutritious. it only involves boiling the vegetables thoroughly like we prepare soup... tip the dry fish into it, in addition to two/ three small green chillies,anions, garlic and a little bit of ginger... and add a pinch of salt to it. trust me this is very simple... the process takes just 10-15 minutes and voila... your meals is served....
this is what the evening sky has to present! oh how i hate gravity... i wish i could spread my wings and fly over the blue horizon.... beyond the grey clouds and soar high... and meet my Lord... i seriously wish i could do that... but such a thing isn't possible.. is it?? not until He declares 'its time'.
and... i almost forgot... i lost my flash drive  two weeks back and have been handicapped... so a sweet sweet friend of mine bought this one and presented me this evening.... isn't he thoughtful...? thank you so very much  Ashish... you're the best and i love you!!

i hope your weekend was great too!! may all have a very blessed week ahead... be blessed and happy...
God loves you all sweet friends...!!

11.13.2009

too blessed to cry

this morning i was getting into the car to go to work... i saw a woman... passing by...she was walking alone, and crying...

i got into the car... scrolled up the window shield to shut out the dust and the noises... i watched her go...
and i wondered...

why was she crying... what was it that made her cry... where was she headed... i saw the heaviness... the hurt and the helplessness in her...

did she know that there is a God who knows her pain... who is calling her "Come to me,(my daughter) you are weary and burdened, I will give you rest.- Matthew 11:28. did she know that she can lay all her burdens at HIS feet... and stop crying... did she know that in HIM there's solution to all her problems, calming of all her fears... provision of all her needs- physical,mental,spiritual... and start singing with assurance... that come what may... God is always near... He will never leave her nor forsake her...?? Did she know??

made me to think... how my days have been blessed... since the day i met HIM... since the day i made a covenant with HIM... difficulties, challenges i faced... but none could overcome me... for i am more than CONQUERER through HIM who is my strength, my strong tower, my very present help in times of need... i've been too blessed to cry,too blessed to surrender to life's circumstances.

oh Jesus, thank you for YOU in my life... may this crying woman find in YOU the solace she needs....

Ruthy...:-)

11.05.2009

a prayer

Jesus, Comforter of all the sorrowing,
help me to bring
Thy comfort into every heart and life
to which Thou are longing to express
that comfort through me.
Use me, Lord.
The years may be many or few.
Place me where I can best
serve Thee,
and influence most for Thee

11.04.2009

fulness of joy...

Just wanted to quickly share what what i learned during my quite time this morning....

In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more, Psalms 16:11

I know for sure that God is always near... He is always beside you and me. But do we always experience this fulness of joy?

We can't seek to realize this fulness of joy as a result of our effort. This joy isn't like the joy we find in the presence of human's friend, not like the joy that comes as a result of  an effort to have that human friend with you.

It comes as a result of calling on 'Jesus'.
Well, the calling of His name doesn't really summon Him. Because He is always beside you and me.But this calling removes the scales from our eyes and we begin to see Him clearly and so near.

It is then, we begin to feel the pressure of His loving arms around us... this calling brings an answering pressure... and a thrill of joy... a real and a joyful sense of nearness.

May He cause you today,to experience this JOY and PLEASURE of His Presence!

10.25.2009

the wonder of it all

There's the wonder at sunset at evening
The wondrous sunrise i see
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me

The wonder of it all
The wonder of it all
Just to think that God loves me
Oh the wonder of it all
The wonder of it all
Just to think that God loves me

There’s the wonder of spring time and harvest
The sky, the stars, the sun
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that’s only begun

The wonder of it all
The wonder of it all
Just to think that God loves me
Oh the wonder of it all
The wonder of it all
Just to think that God loves me

the song never fails to touch my heart... thrills my heart each time i sing.... i love love love to sing OUT LOUD and declare that God loves me!!... the best thing i could think of doing at the moment.... once again i'm swept  away by Father's love, His glory... His faithfulness.

if one good thing i've learned from this difficult week, it was to learn to trust on His love and faithfulness... to remind my anxious heart that help will come from Zion, that He is never too late...:-)

oh Lord, i'm in awe of You! Thank you for this amazing week.

10.24.2009

....it shall soon pass

its a cool and lovely night... to just spend time at the feet of my Lord and hear Him speak to my soul.... and right now i am seriously feeling a need to be humble... really humble....!
i am reading this verse 'delight yourself in the Lord and HE shall give you the desires of your heart'... praying and waiting on Him to teach me, speak to me, to direct me...
i decided not to... rush about things, or anxious... i am learning to be patient and wait until i am clear of His lead... so i won't repeat the mistakes  i made in so many aspects of my life. i know it does take courage to sit and wait... when i know i am at my wits end. but it shall soon pass, this grey clouds. He has promised and He is faithful to keep that He has promised.
i know He is faithful and will not let His loved ones be put to shame. i know that my God knows what He was doing in putting me into this... bringing me here... now, in this situation. i am convinced He has my very best interests at heart. i have hope and faith in HIM.... He is a good God.... full of love for His children.
and so i wait....in reverence,

10.23.2009

hallelujah anyhow

hallelujah anyhow
never ever let your troubles pull you down
when life troubles come your way
lift your hands up high and say
hallelujah anyhow....
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!- Philippians 4:4

10.21.2009

soar like an eagle....

i will fly like an eagle, with wings into the sky
the lord my Jehovah
is my power, and my guide
the wind beneath my wings!!
when enemies strike,when tides hit hard,
when darkness envelope the earth,
when i'm stranded along the road,
i will not take cover, i will soar!
way up into the sky beyond the clouds
and meet my master!
his voice calls out to me
and leads me to the place
where he is, where i belong
a place where no sins exist
a place where love rules
forever!

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

oh i so needed this promise today!! thank you God for such a lovely day...

10.19.2009

the weekend- 2

they had to drag me out of this shop.......:-)
hmmm.... i got a gift for diwali........

10.18.2009

the weekend

 i didn't quite anticipate a grand weekend this time... i knew with all the diwali fire crackers and the lights everywhere, it'd be difficult to pass this busy lane of madiwala.... however i was suppose to go on a lunch date with ashish on saturday.... for some reason we canceled that. so saturday was spent  washing, cleaning and phoning.... friends and family.... it was good.

sunday....., my cousin and his friends from mumbai decided to come over for a few days.... went and picked them up in the morning.... lunched at home.... eggs and tomatoes gravy... Y-U-M!!!... so used to sleeping in the afternoons.... i couldn't resist my bed calling out to me.... so, i laid my achy achy head to rest... on my soft soft pillow... i tell you two hours sleep was just what i needed..... i felt a lot better... and got ready to go  on a shopping spree.

we explored forum mall... tibetan shopping plaza in brigade road. bought stuff that we needed. and, i know exactly what i'm going to buy next month...haha...:-) anyways, awesome dinner awaits us.... rice, chicken, and home made pickle!!!

and hey guys, i'd like to hear about your weekends as well.

have a blessed blessed.... christ centered week ahead...!!

10.09.2009

sick:((

i've been battling with cough and cold the whole of this week...
still feel awful sick.
i'm not ready for the weekend....

10.06.2009

me... the past

someone very dear to me sent me email today... asked me to help grow deeper and stronger spiritually. i didn't know how to respond to that.... cause i am not a counsellor... but i know there are people out there who battle with the cage i was locked in for most part of my life. i do long to see them free... and for the past couple years that's what i can say i am. i am free from depression... from my old insecurities and heart-aches. i am not claiming that i am perfect.... far from it!! i guess... the best i can do to help is to tell my story. it may have to be in pieces... because i can't possibly cram everything in at once... but i believe... it would help...if not many... may be a few.

one beautiful Monday morning, i was born to a joint family of 16. my birth was attended to by a village midwife since my village didn't have a hospital...my parents are godly and dad was (still is)much involved in church activities... so i grew up heading to church every sunday... participated in every family worship. i remember the excitement when i got hold of my first bible... gifted by my uncle. church and reading bible are fun when you're a kid!... lots of stories.. about noah and the arc... moses and the ten commandments...jesus and his disciples...the miracles...the parables... i remember dad teaching me what salvation was all about. i remember the 7th of april 1998... i asked jesus into my heart...seemed to me the best thing to do...

now, years of going back into the past... dealing with it, have revealed that for the most part i am happier not remembering many things that happened to me when i was a little girl.... some of my first memories of life were intense and extreme shame. i lived with many cousins... among bullies. everyday i'd be threatened that i'd be thrown into a river...if i told the truth about/report what they did. i heard enough and more... how ugly i looked... how dark i was...how i came into the family by accident... that my parents and none of my relatives love me... that they were only pretending if they showed a bit of affection towards me. so i was taught to lie... to steal... to pretend...and more... all of which i hated. when you were so little... so fragile and tender... many things you have seen and heard... many things you've done thinking they were the right thing to do. things you never dared open up to anyone.... when you think of them there's nothing to feel but shame and hatred towards self.. towards people around. no one ever told  me those were wrong... but i felt intense hatred and shame...i felt like i needed to hide all the time. i lived in fear of rejection.

i was a smart kid at school...i've always passed every test with good marks... family loved me... i was a talkative and entertaining child... very social... but for some reason... when that thing 'past experiences' come over... that dark cloud... i hide away in self hatred and in pain.

whatever kids go through these days...ARE NEVER INTENDED TO BE... whatever they are afraid to share with their parents or loved ones. these things that kept me in hiding....determined the way i acted for many years. cause in revealing, i was afraid i would be unloved... disgusted...unsafe. i acted to protect myself. i always wanted to be the best...the centre of attraction...i always wanted to be praised... not just because i enjoyed it but mostly because i hated my self so much, i thought if all people around me told me i was amazing i would believe it myself.

but trust me it's never enough....

from my experience with working with kids for several years... i know there are many... neglected by busy parents...loved ones... who feel they don't get enough attention... with, endless scenarios of things happened when they were little..when they were learning about life. hurts, wounds and bullies have messed up their life, their thought process and scar their behaviours.

thats why i would  say...your heart is the most important thing that you possess. what your heart believes is what will determine how you live, how you move around with people, how you see yourself. many of us have had things that have happened to us that seem beyond repair... but i'm here to say... there is no pain too great, no cut too deep that, Father's perfect love and truth cannot heal.

i've been through this journey of finding this healing.... and in the arms of God who created me... i've found out who He says i am... who i REALLY am!!... this feeling is FREEDOM!!

so remember, you are worth more than you could ever imagine.you are loved so desperately to the point of dying for... on the cross. Read Isaiah 43:1-10, Isaiah 49:15, Jeremiah 29:11.....

you are precious... no matter what happend.. there is someone who knows it all... and loves you just the way you are!!

God loves you and bless you!!!

10.01.2009

secret of prosperity...

its October!!... how time flies!!... january till september, God has been so real, so merciful, so gentle, so close and so faithful... He who has led us thus far will lead us on, safe.

its only 2+ months away from Christmas....yay!!! i've already started to listen to, and sing christmas songs... those that we sing back @home..... and,

i was reading God Calling this morning during my quiet time and came across this beautiful promise of the Lord...
"Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth" - Isaiah 45:22.... and that means,

- look to no other source for Salvation. only unto Him. see no other supply.look unto Him, and we shall be saved.regard Him as our only supply.that is the secret of prosperity for us, and we in our turn shall save many from poverty and distress.

whatever danger threatens look unto Him.... whatever we desire or need, or desire or need for others, look unto Him. claim all from His storehouse.claim,claim,claim.

remember that He fed the children of Isreal with heaven-sent manna. He made a way through the red sea for them.He led them through the wilderness of privation, difficulty, discipline. He led then into a land flowing with milk and honey. so lets trust and be led.

rejoice. today may be our wilderness day. but surely and safely, we are being led to our canaan of plenty.

... may God preserve us,and proper us as we look to HIM ALONE!!

9.29.2009

i believe

i believe.... by Lenny Leblanc...

one of my all-time favourite praise and worship songs. i never tire listening to this one... and each time i listen, it never fails to touch me.

should you guys want to listen to it , just click here... i'm sure y'all will love it too.

Blessings!!

9.27.2009

first thing in the morning...

nothing, absolutely nothing happens by accident. everything is pre planned and God allows
them to happen... in His own time... in His own marvellous way. everything that happens has
a purpose.... has a reason.
 
somehow... i don't know when, i don't know how. this perception has taken its deep root in
my heart. i may not enjoy everything that happens... but i'm thrilled to know that God, my
God is in control!!
 
i woke up with a pain in my stomach at four, this morning... made myself a cup of green tea. sat down to
listen to David Wilkerson- its time to get right with God... led to read Hosea 11:7-8. God
grieves that we, His people have turned away from Him... yet He says "how can give up on
you?"... "My heart is changed from within me; all My compassion is aroused."... wow, this
love of God!
 
hiding true identity in Christ, silly lies, procrastination, form of godliness denying the
power... the list goes on... they all hurt God's heart. Even so He does not give up, His
compassion is aroused by the cry of a frail, sinful heart.

true!! nothing is accidental!!!... the "pain" was a wake up call this morning... cause the Holy Spirit had to speak to me!! And i absolutely loved it... the message, the voice so divine, the presence so pure...

oh to hear the divine voice of Father... to experience the profound presence of the Holy
Spirit...to be reminded of His closeness... His plans for me... His unconditional
love...first thing in the morning... i don't mind waking up every day with stomach pain.

9.20.2009

its the little things....

Nothing is too little to be used by God,Nothing is too little to be God's voice..,
Nothing in the day is too small to be a part of God's scheme!
God is a God of minor details, He is not absent from the littlest things we come across in our days...!! Are we hearing Him? .... And listening to Him??....He's right there! Everywhere and in everything!!

9.18.2009

funny joke....

A typical student flips a coin and thinks:

If i get Heads
-I'll go to sleep

If i get Tails
-I'll watch a movie

If the coin Stands
-I'll study

{{ The Times of India }}

9.17.2009

smile anyway...:-)

because i'm doing evening shift these days, i sleep till afternoon 3.30....day sleep already isn't as satisfying as night sleep.... and today my neighbours were boisterous. slept for hardly three hours... woke up to the noisy turbulent from the adjacent balcony... and i got mad.
sales rep who took my laptop order just wouldn't reply to emails... and i got mad. cause i needed the order number... to track the order online.
was dressing up for work... and to my dismay, i found my heels broken...and i got mad. i had bought a silver chain from fab india a couple days ago.... planned to wear it today, with my favourite dolphin pendant... guess what, the colours don't match. seriously! both silver... pure silver... but not the same colour...!! so, i got mad.
in the car, on my way to the office, the driver turned the radio on too loud, and in to some... god knows what kind of a channel... that irritated my ears to the core... so i got mad. very predictable traffic... just as i psyched, was jammed almost every fifty meters. oh what a day... i got really mad.
at work, i look at him (one of my colleagues).... and just a distant sight of him was enough to make me mad!...i tried avoiding him in all possible ways i can... unfortunately i bumped into him during dinner break... sat on the same table. and i really got mad when he picked a piece of chicken from my plate.... and ate it!!
strange isn't it?... everything seemed to get on my nerves... and i was literally slipping and sinking deep... suffocated by strings of crazy and unpleasant circumstances. i was getting mad at these circumstances... thought i didn't deserve them... until finally it occurred to me, that, getting mad did absolutely nothing but ruin my day.
this anger zone of mine wasn't doing anything to change the circumstances... so... i said i don't care what happened, what got me mad... i'm gonna smile anyway. and i chose not to let these crazy stuff ruin my day. i knew, though i couldn't change the things that happened... i can decide whether or not i'm gonna smile... whether or not i'm gonna let my day be ruined. and i decided i won't let the situations win... that they won't defeat my day... that they won't get me down again.
then i predicted it's gonna be a beautiful day... and simply turn the corners of my mouth and SMILE... heaviness lifted, anger banished... head lifted above the clouds... i felt great!
what i wanted to say... is, most of the times.... it only takes just a self reminder that, because one bad thing happened it doesn't mean your day is ruined, to bring back a smile on your face.... to make your day a beautiful one!!
let anything happens... we can choose to smile anyway.....:-)
God bless you all!! Have a beautiful day.... i'm gonna go get my dose of day sleep now...

9.12.2009

for a change...

change is good. i love changes. so i decided to change my blog layout!!!....:))

its a lovely Saturday morning... i'm just done with my morning's prayer. i was led to Matt 6:33 - seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you... and.... Matt 6:22 - if thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light... now, i do not understand the later... by the end of the day, i hope to be enlightened.

Anyways,

i'm going to wash... re-arrange my house... plant a flower... visit Gideon and have lunch at his place. oh yeah, he promised to prepare meat and bamboo shoots.... and eromba... slurp slurp slurp... I'm going to have a great weekend!

you all too... have a great weekend!!!

9.10.2009

who defines beauty?

this thing has been in my mind for quite some time... just wanted to share.

the bible tells us that we are created in the likeness of God whose nature is beauty. if His nature is beauty and we are created in His likeness, then we... you and I are beautiful. there's no way we can't be!

and that means... my face is just as its supposed to be, and yours too... my eyes and yours.. my smile and yours... the way we walk... the way we move around. we are perfectly created to be just as we are. for His very own hands have knit us together in our mothers womb.

how could we, then, be so narrow-minded to think only certain looks are beauty? how long would we carry this grudge against ourselves for not looking as beautiful as someone else we think is...? how long would we be oblivious to the fact that we are special...? each one of us... we are fearfully and wonderfully made... fashioned and created after the most beautiful ONE! who defines our beauty? who decides whether or not we feel beautiful?

we are loved.. we are special to the point of a violent love dying for us... on the cross. we are thought of... cared for... longed for... always. there is someone who loves us just the way we are... someone who is always reaching out... always running towards us... calling out to us... waiting, longing, hoping, that we would take a moment to look his way. his heart aches and desires for us to have a relationship with him. his arms ache to hold us. his deepest desire is that we see ourselves the way he sees us... for us to know him.

if there is no one, in the world, to tell you how beautiful... how special... how loved... you are. there is always one who is. always loving, always caring, always longing for you... forever.
so look at yourself in the mirror and... tell yourself you're beautiful... you're special... you're loved... by Father who created us.

his arms are open... always open. for you and me.

Blessings!!!

9.08.2009

clouds and clouds and clouds!!

i couldn't just wait any longer to tell you....,

that, Sunday morning we went to Lamb's rock... it was bright when we came. within a few minutes clouds enveloped the hills... oh 'twas an amazing sight!!



as i watch the clouds... famous quotes came to mind...

"Celebrate your success and stand strong when adversity hits, for when the storm clouds come in, the eagles soar while the small birds take cover"

“May the friendships you make be those which endure and all of your grey clouds be small ones for sure. And trusting in Him to Whom we all pray, may a song fill your heart every step of the way.”

"God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars."

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility."

.... and i knew God was talking to me!! i had a blessed time there, up on the hill. more picture updates later.....:-))

9.04.2009

its friday...yay!!!

at last friday is here! weekend is almost here too! whats so special about it you may ask... and i shall tell you why...its friday...yay!!!

a few of my friends and i have decided to go on a week-end trip to Ooty. we're leaving today...

because,

all works and no play makes jack a dull boy!

we've all been working hard... very hard for the past few weeks... its time we give ourselves a break. in view of the present economic climate it seems almost inappropriate to talk about week-end trips or vacations. but we just need to leave home and go to a place where nothing reminds us of the mundane routine activities... to ward off stress or de-stress our tired system... and let our eyes feast on a new surroundings. our mental and physical health needs pampering too.

yes we are backpacking and taking off for a few days... leaving our regular, boring activities behind... to simply enjoy the benefits of being together... to enjoy the rewards of our hard work... to splurge and pamper ourselves...

will bring back many pictures of places we visit... until then,
may all have a blessed week-end ahead!!

8.30.2009

budgeting for a better life

yesterday afternoon i slept for a few hours and woke up to find a text message...asked me to call.a good friend of mine like an elder brother to me.when i did, he asked me if i could lend him 5k.trust me i was crushed when i had to say i didn't have.and i know what it feels like for him!i have faced, many times when i asked someone for help cause i really, so badly needed it...for a very good cause...and was told they couldn't.what could i say? i have had to go to someone else or just had to wait and see what in the world would happen...

disappointed. i thought...wait, why didn't i have 5k? where did i spend my entire salary that i have barely enough to make ends meet... to see us through the end of this month?? i grabbed a pen and a pencil...made a list of items i bought during the month...calculated the amount i spent on each.there i go...i've spent almost 40% of my sal on things i can do without.oh uh i seriously need to make decision here.decision i mean, careful...well thought out...which i'm aware is going to be a bit stressful.this decision making process needs to get going faster...

what is it that is really in my heart to do with my money? - its not just what i can buy...its about enabling my future, its about being able to enable my family's dreams...its about being able to fund the dreams of people who are in need all over the world. i'm not going to despise the days of small beginnings.i'm going to embrace in my heart what God would like me to do with my money.

...my journey of budgeting for a better life begins.i live in groundfloor...a two bed-room house with a monthly rent of rs.6,250/- water and light bill exclusive...it so happens...in the same building where i live...in the third floor, there's a vacant one-bedroom house with a very spacious spacious hall.even if i squeeze everything in i would still be able to live comfortably. its going to cost me rs.4,800/- for the rent...now thats quite a save just from the house rent...besides it has a better view...so i decided to move there.i talked to the landlord.he graciously agreed to keep it ready in a days time.

so, i'm moving up there today...all excited...september is going to be a better month...so will the months ahead be...

i not going to be able to blog...come on chat...check emails...not until the technician fixes the internet connection and reset my receivers...no TV as well. but thats alright...it will only be a day or two before all could be resumed.

better days ahead...better months...better years...better life...better world.rolling in!!!

got to go hit the road...onto action...onto praticality...onto reality...

Will update...later:))

a letter from God

This letter is many Bible Promises from God to you. Read the Bible as if was written to you because it was. {You could get this personalised @ http://www.seekgod.org/}

To My precious child:

Because I knew even before I created the earth that you would accept My love for you, and that you would seek to know Me thus…

In the beginning I created the heavens and the earth. Then at the right time and in the right place I created you. I created your inner most being, I created every part of you, I knit you together in your mother's womb. You were carefully and wonderfully made; my works are wonderful, and you My precious child are my work. My eyes saw your unformed body. All the days planned for you were written in my book before one of them came to be. How precious are my thoughts for you, How great is the number of them! If you were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Listen to me, My precious child; I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. I will carry you in my arms, holding you close to my heart. For I know the plans that I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

My precious child there are some times of suffering in your life. But the temporary suffering of this life does not compare to the glory that shall be revealed in you. Know this that I am with you and I will help you. Your help comes from me, I am the God who created the heavens and the earth, and the one who created you. I will never leave you, I will never reject you. When your parents fail you I will pick you up, hold you close, and adopt you. Nothing can ever separate you from my love for you. When you are in trouble and distress my love is with you. When you are persecuted my love is with you. When you are hungry and cold and naked my love is with you, I am always with you. When you are in danger and threatened with death my love is with you, I will be with you forever.

My precious child know that nothing can separate you from my love, no matter how high you go, no matter how deep you sink, nothing in life and not even death can separate you from Me, and My love for you. No demon or any other power in hell can separate you from my love. My love for you is revealed through Christ Jesus your Lord. In all things and every situation you will have victory, you will conquer, because the victory of Christ Jesus is your victory.

But now, My precious child, I the LORD, who created you and formed you, says: Do not be afraid, for I have purchased you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, they will not over flow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. I command you to be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be dismayed, for I, the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.

My precious child, know that everything will work together for your good, because you love me. You have been called according to my purpose. For I knew you before you were born and I predestined you to be conformed to the likeness of my Son, Jesus Christ. This is your destiny, and this is your purpose, that you become one with my Son Jesus, and thus one with me. I created you in my image so that you and I can express love to each other. The most intimate relationship you can have is with me because you and I are becoming one. You and your brothers and sisters that believe in me are becoming one with Jesus, and thus one with me. You in me, and me in you, together, unified by my love for you. You were designed for this purpose, nothing else will ever satisfy your deepest needs, your deepest desires, only I can. Because you seek to know me I satisfy your heart with love, joy, and peace that only I can give you.

My precious child if you should forget me, and enter into sin, and not turn back to Me on your own then I will punish you. Because your sin will separate you from feeling My presence, and My influence, and I want you to return to your first love, the One who loves you. I the Lord discipline those I love, and I punish everyone who I accept as my child. Just as a good Father disciplines His children to turn them away from a dangerous path, so I shall discipline you for your good, that you may share in My holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

My precious child, When you confess your sins, I am faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. In repentance and resting in Me is your salvation, in quietness and trusting Me is your strength. I will create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. I will not send you away from My presence, and I will not take My Holy Spirit from you. I will restore again the joy of your salvation, and make you willing to obey Me. Then you will teach My ways to sinners, and they will return to Me also. Humble yourself, therefore, under My mighty hand, that I may lift you up at the right time.

My precious child do not forget all my benefits, I forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, I rescue your life from the pit of destruction and crown you with love and compassion. I satisfy your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. I The LORD work righteousness and justice for all the oppressed; I The LORD am compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. I will not always accuse, nor will I harbor my anger forever; I do not treat you as your sins deserve or repay you according to your iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My love for you because you fear Me; as far as the east is from the west, so far have I removed your transgressions from you.

My precious child, call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Always pray to Me about your every concern, pray from your mouth and pray from your heart, I hear every thought that you think. Everything that you care about, I care about also because it concerns you. Cast all your cares and anxiety on Me because I love you. Trust in Me, the LORD YOUR GOD, with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding; In everything acknowledge Me, And I will direct your paths. Do not worry about anything, but in everything big or small, by prayer, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Me, the Most High God. And I will give you My peace in your heart, peace that is beyond all human understanding, and it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Always be joyful. Keep on praying always. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is My will for you because you belong to Me.

My precious child, Study My Book of law and truth, the Holy Bible, do not let My words depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. My words are Spirit and they are Life. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be given you. For the word of God is living and powerful. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The most important thing you will ever own is your Bible because it gives you knowledge of Me, The Most High God. It makes the poor rich, it gives hope to the hopeless, faith to the fearful, food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, love to the despised, comfort to the lonely, freedom to the prisoner, health to the sick, light in the darkness, and life to the dying.

My precious child I have set up circumstances and situations in your life to cause you to seek Me and find Me. I desire that you know Me. I am The Lord your God, full of compassion, and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But My precious child glory in this, That you understand and know Me, That I am the LORD, exercising compassion, lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight and take pleasure.

All things are created for My pleasure and My pleasure is to show forth loving compassion. I have compassion on the poor and needy, and I am a Father to the fatherless, I help them, and I defend them. Far below Me are the heavens and the earth, I stoop to look down, and I lift the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump and I set them among princes. My precious child I want you to do these things also, have compassion on the poor and needy and help them, this is what it means to know Me. For I am Love, and when you live in love, you live in Me, and I live in you. Loving compassion is good, and this is what I require from you, to do what is right, to love compassion, and to walk humbly with your God.

As a father has compassion on his children, so I your LORD have compassion on you because you fear Me; for I know how you were formed, I remember that you are dust. Forever and ever My love is with you because you fear Me, and My righteousness with your children's children; with those who keep My covenant and remember to obey My laws. My law is to love. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all of My laws are based. When you walk in love you are obeying all My laws. When you walk in Love you are walking in My Holy Spirit for I AM LOVE!

My precious child come and live in My shelter, in the protection of the Most High God, you will find rest in the presence of the Almighty. You will say, "This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him." My precious child I will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. I will shield you with My wings. I will shelter you with My feathers. My faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.

Because you My precious child make the LORD your refuge, because you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For I order My angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

My precious child, My servant, and My friend, whom I have chosen, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. All who come against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you declares the LORD, your Redeemer. You will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

My precious child, when you asked Me to forgive your sins and come into your heart I sent My Holy Spirit into you to comfort you, to give you power, and as proof to you that I have adopted you as My child. The Holy Spirit shall lead you into all truth because He shall testify of Jesus, and He will give you power to testify of Jesus. I will speak to you through My Holy Spirit that is in you, He will tell you what is right and wrong, what is love and hate. My Holy Spirit is a gentle whisper inside your heart telling you the path to walk in. If you walk in My Spirit you will walk in love, you will not sin. And you will see great and mighty things happen before you, they will not be accomplished by strength, nor by outside force, but by My Spirit says the LORD ALMIGHTY. Through My Holy Spirit I shall give you supernatural gifts that you may be blessed, and that you shall bless others through demonstrating My love for them. My Holy Spirit will be with you through out your whole life, and after I will receive you into My glory.

I your LORD say to you I will rescue you because you love me. I will protect you because you trust in my name. When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in trouble. I will rescue you and honor you. I will satisfy you with a long life and give you my salvation. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. It is your destiny.

Thus Says THE LORD Your GOD !

{{ This, in whole wide world is the BEST letter i've ever seen. This is for you and me!!}}

8.27.2009

I Seek Thee as Thou has Told

((A poem inspired by the Bible Verse; Jeremiah 29.13))

When i seek, I shall find.
I shall seek, not in vain.
I seek Thee as Thou has told.

I breathe a breath of desire
And find the presence of His spirit,
That replenishes and renews from deep within.

Weariness and exhaustion on my way,
Are they signs of lack of Spirit?
Nay, but the guiding of the Spirit!

Wonderful things wouldn't have happened
But for the physical and mind-weariness
Of the many faithful servants,
The resting apart, giving up of works made a necessity!

My way is a narrow one,
Yet it leads to Life Abundant.
I follow on,
For 'tis not too narrow that He cannot tread beside.

Never too lonely, With such companionship.
Oh so tender yet so strong,
A comrade who treads with me.

I seek Thee as Thou has told,
And found Thee as Thou has promised;
In seeking you shall find,
For none ever sought in vain.

8.25.2009

when there's a stirring in the heart...

In the quite and silence of the wee hours..... i lifted a sincere prayer. I thanked the Lord for the marvellous ways He's blessed my life with. And i meant it when i prayed.....Lord use me for Your glory... let me see people around me the way You do.... let my lips speak of Your truth... let my countenance bring Your light unto the lives of people i meet today... let my heart be filled with Your love and peace that comes from above.... let me be filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit... help me fulfill Your plans and purposes....

He has put in my heart a burden...one that I couldn't describe. A kind that brings me to my knees...in tears...in intercession. I kept asking the Lord what it was. He took time to answer... yes, He did...until the appointed hour...until the time i could switch my phone back on.

My phone battery was dying and the charger, all of a sudden stopped functioning. So, for a couple of days i switched my phone off...laid it to rest under my pillow. I don't remember when and how i told him about it...Ashish (his heart was stirred...:))...oh he's such a sweetheart) decided to buy a new charger for me. Urgency he felt... i realised later...that without even having his breakfast he went hunting for Motorola store. While he went i was urged to pray. So i did. I asked God that He took Ashish to the right store.

When i got the new charger, i put my phone to charge for some time... before i decided to switch it back on. About half an hour later...and i just switched on the phone when it started to ring....
I wasn't sure who was calling....It was someone very dear to me...crying and in deep sorrow.

I'm not a counsellor...I'm just a simple girl. My heart was stirred today and i prayed a prayer. God answered...He fulfilled what He intended... What I'm trying to say here is, God does not require qualifications. All He needs is a donkey to ride on.

So, when there's a stirring in the heart...lets be willing to humble. For His Majesty wants ride on a heart that's meek and humble....onto someones life who is in need of His love.

8.24.2009

Each Day.... A Gift Of God....

When i started this blog i wanted to make it a book. I knew some of my friends and family would read...but mostly this was for me! Yes...for me to have to look back on and remember special moments of my life i wouldn't want to forget. For i believe each day is like a gift box sent from God, in it He's put just what i needed to celebrate the day. He knows what is best.

There was something about a conversation i had (yesterday) with a beautiful lady i know.... We talked for good 2-3 hours...she shared her experiences, her fears and doubts...god i could sense she is lonely, empty and desperate for a breakthrough...My "fixer" instinct wish i could swoop in and rescue her from what she is going through...make everything all right. But such power is non existent. I promised her i'd pray for her....for that was the only thing i could say.

...I've been thinking and trying to focus on something positive...( In the process a scripture comes to mind: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 ) then, out of nowhere came a bubble of hope ...i began to picture each day as a gift box, its content hand picked and chosen by God according to our needs....

And i realised.....

If only we trust His choice... live one day at a time...and obey God implicitly there'd be rejoicing along this life's road...

But the tragedy is, we often forget that God has plans for us, for today. We plan too much for the future... We fail to place our confidence in Him...most of the times we place our confidence in our natural talents or skills. We pursue our own agendas...fail to trust our dreams to God...fail to trust that His dreams for us are far better than what we dream for ourselves... we begin to compare ourselves with others...compete with others...we begin to forget God wants to use us to accomplish His purpose each day.

When the pursuit of worldly comfort and/or fame takes us through mundane and difficult circumstances in life...disappointments in life cause us to become cynical and lose hope.

But ah, we don't have to carry these burdens alone...He will never leave us nor forsake us...We can ask God to use whatever happens to us to make our soul stronger and bring us closer to Him. We can ask Him to give us the strength we need to endure whatever sufferings come our way. We can trust Him to carry our burdens, just as He took our sins upon Himself. In Him, we can be assured that everything we endure on Earth will be worthwhile when we are rewarded in heaven.

In Him, we can escape this desert of sinful bondages and strongholds and find an oasis of His faithfulness and forgiveness. Let's all run to Him for He Has a practical plan for leaving the desert...forever.

8.08.2009

LOL!!!!

This guy next to me (in the pic) said "Michael Jackson should be re-cycled because he is plastic"..... I find that very funny. So, the hilarious laugh..........



7.24.2009

My Life in Samaritans, Elagiri Hills

"Inexplicable" seems to me the most fitting word that describes my life in samaritans, in many ways! I received equal share of love, hatred and prejudice...!! At times i felt loved, other times i felt lonely and cheated. Countless are the number of times i grudged as i slogged with loads of work which included editing newsletter, preparing school's report, planning french lessons, taking care of the girls etc. etc. Every day was a struggle in terms of work, and that means rise early and late bed time. But for the love and prayer support of Helen Moses and Barnabas i wouldn't have survived five years there. I did learn remarkable lessons in the process for which i'm thankful, i certainly am.Today, after two years i look back and find of all the many things that i miss, i miss the picturesque valley - the school campus, the SYSCO and the Sunday Worship Services, my French class room and especially the kids. I will miss them forever!! .........

I cherish the memory of the time spent with the girls of Pandita Ramabai Hostel.We had our moments of laughters and tears yet through it all the love of God bound us together as sisters. They were demanding... oh yes! They would nag me until i consent to show them movies (of their choice!) during weekends. They were loving and compassionate.... oh indeed they were! I recall the 29th of November 2005. At 00hrs i suddenly heard a knock on my door. Well i really wasn't sure what to expect...i assumed it'd be one of the girls came to complain of some illness or it'd be someone who had just had a nightmare and having trouble going back to sleep...But much to my surprise, as i opened my door the chorus "Happy Birthday to you" started. Believe me all of them were there without an exception! A table was laid right in front of the door with all gifts and cards and a cream cake in the middle, they all stood around. Oh my, they melted my heart, tears welled up my eyes as i gave each a hug and a kiss. All i could say was "Thank you so much,I love you"..... !! Phoebe stepped out and gave me a huge card they designed from a chart paper that holds evidences of their creativity. Each of them had written words of love and prayers. Now do i still have the card? Yes i do! I can't afford to lose it hehe... And hey, that wasn't the only surprise. But this blog entry is never gonna stop if i start to cram them all in here!