| My spiritual journey. At least the “publishable!” I have been reading from the gospel of Luke lately. The following passages have been popping up in my mind the last few days. I don’t know why? Is He preparing me for something? They are all difficult passages. Suffering is the overwhelming theme. December 24th God says, Luke 6:20-26 20 Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. Kumar responds: we live in a poorer part of the city. A majority in our suburb seem to be non-Caucasian. We moved here out of deliberate choice, the presence of non-Caucasians being one reason for this. Our adjoining suburb, Dandenong was described to me as a “well-fare suburb” by a textile businessman who was shutting down his business. Yet all around us is relative wealth and comfort compared to the Asia we grew up in. Where is my security and comfort to come from? From God and doing His will. Are these wrong? Are security and comforts wrong? Not necessarily. December 30th God says, Luke 9:22-27 22 And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." 23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Lord how have I been denying myself? My goals for your goals. Are my goals really your goals for my life? 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Am I trying to protect myself for the future or trusting you to protect me? 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. For God to be ashamed of me is the worst thing under the sun. Will He be proud of me or ashamed of me? 27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." Luke 9:57-10:1 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 59 He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." My mother is 85 and needs help walking. She uses a walker and can easily fall. She loves the Lord and has been one of our most faithful prayer and financial supporters. One of my disappointments after coming here has been to see her sink physically. She also has dementia. When we arrived in Australia about four months back it was really sad. We prayed and she is much better now and can carry on an almost normal conversation. Praise God. No, she will not ask me to bury her first before leaving Melbourne again. By God’s grace, I have five other siblings and their spouses to take care of her. 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." 62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." |
Friday, December 29, 2006
Kumar’s Devotional Thoughts
Christmas With the Abrahams
Our family began celebrating Christmas a few days before the 25th as Dileeni baked many cakes and we gave them to six of our neighbors for the first-time. We met one Vietnamese, one Cambodian, and three Aussie families and a ninety-three year old, who is “not interested in religion.” We believe the visits opened the way for deeper relationships. A few invited us to come back. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.
On the 24th Sunday we joined Niro in her church, in CROSSWAY Cranbourne as she directed the church’s Christmas drama. They had a marvelous way to incorporate the drama and message into the full length of the worship service. There were many visitors present. I heard from the pastor that there were three first time commitments.
That evening, I proclaimed the gospel at the Dingley Anglican Church. It was a refreshing experience to join the angel(s) bringing, glad tidings, “"Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will
you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger!" Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven," they sang, "and peace on earth for all those pleasing him." (Lk. 2:10-14)
It rained that evening (and no one complained, as Victoria, our state, has had a severe drought this year). The bleating sheep
were brought inside by the shepherds. It was exciting for me to proclaim the gospel to about one hundred and fifty people. I asked people to quietly pray in their hearts. I am still learning how to work with the Australian culture.
After being in the Philippines for twenty-one years, I am being careful not to second guess another culture. So not imposing my view of, “Evidence (in the gospel always) demands a verdict.” If I had my way, I would have given an invitation.
On the 25th we had my mother, brother and sisters, their children and some
of their friends in our home: a total of thirty-one. My brother Mohan was not feeling well and couldn’t join. Devi, Dharshi and Niro worked really hard to transform our home into a beautiful place. They have matured in more ways than one, in this case as ladies with good interior decorating skills.
The morning of the 25th was the coldest in Victoria since 1935! 14.5 Centigrade or 58 Fahrenheit. It is Summer here and it snowed in the mountains! We had heavy hail fall in our garden. The Age headline read, “No, you’re not dreaming…it’s a white Christmas.” Yes, when the hail fell, we all danced singing, “I am dreaming of a White Christmas.”
Dileeni worked very hard on the cooking with all of us assisting her (a little) trying to relieve her painful shoulders. The girls also came up with some delicious and colorful dips. My main task was to help with getting the outdoors ready.
Along with the eating and trying to listen to each other in the midst of the cacophony of loud Sri Lankan voices we sang a couple of carols and had a prayer. Probably one of the high notes was having two Hindus and a Buddhist amongst the friends. Basically, the Lord heard our prayer to keep our home open in no uncertain terms. This was our second Christmas with extended family and we thank God for giving us this opportunity.
On the 24th Sunday we joined Niro in her church, in CROSSWAY Cranbourne as she directed the church’s Christmas drama. They had a marvelous way to incorporate the drama and message into the full length of the worship service. There were many visitors present. I heard from the pastor that there were three first time commitments.
That evening, I proclaimed the gospel at the Dingley Anglican Church. It was a refreshing experience to join the angel(s) bringing, glad tidings, “"Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will
you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket lying in a manger!" Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven," they sang, "and peace on earth for all those pleasing him." (Lk. 2:10-14)It rained that evening (and no one complained, as Victoria, our state, has had a severe drought this year). The bleating sheep
were brought inside by the shepherds. It was exciting for me to proclaim the gospel to about one hundred and fifty people. I asked people to quietly pray in their hearts. I am still learning how to work with the Australian culture.After being in the Philippines for twenty-one years, I am being careful not to second guess another culture. So not imposing my view of, “Evidence (in the gospel always) demands a verdict.” If I had my way, I would have given an invitation.
On the 25th we had my mother, brother and sisters, their children and some
of their friends in our home: a total of thirty-one. My brother Mohan was not feeling well and couldn’t join. Devi, Dharshi and Niro worked really hard to transform our home into a beautiful place. They have matured in more ways than one, in this case as ladies with good interior decorating skills.
The morning of the 25th was the coldest in Victoria since 1935! 14.5 Centigrade or 58 Fahrenheit. It is Summer here and it snowed in the mountains! We had heavy hail fall in our garden. The Age headline read, “No, you’re not dreaming…it’s a white Christmas.” Yes, when the hail fell, we all danced singing, “I am dreaming of a White Christmas.”
Dileeni worked very hard on the cooking with all of us assisting her (a little) trying to relieve her painful shoulders. The girls also came up with some delicious and colorful dips. My main task was to help with getting the outdoors ready.
Along with the eating and trying to listen to each other in the midst of the cacophony of loud Sri Lankan voices we sang a couple of carols and had a prayer. Probably one of the high notes was having two Hindus and a Buddhist amongst the friends. Basically, the Lord heard our prayer to keep our home open in no uncertain terms. This was our second Christmas with extended family and we thank God for giving us this opportunity.
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Parable of the Weeds
I love gardening. My father, Ratnam probably was the reason why I got started when I was around twelve or thirteen years of age in Kotte, Sri Lanka. Those days, I used to plant vegetables, sell them to my Mother Kate and then eat it!
The Bible talks so much about (gardening and) gardens. "Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (Gen. 2:8-9; 15-16). "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen. 3:8). I deduce from Gen. 3:8 that God and Adam walked and fellowshipped often in the garden.
To me nature and gardens have been great places of fellowship. I love the song,
"I come to the garden alone -
while the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear,
falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
The Bible talks so much about (gardening and) gardens. "Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it" (Gen. 2:8-9; 15-16). "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Gen. 3:8). I deduce from Gen. 3:8 that God and Adam walked and fellowshipped often in the garden.
To me nature and gardens have been great places of fellowship. I love the song,
"I come to the garden alone -
while the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear,
falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
and the Joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known."
And then Cat Stevens sings in his own inimitable style,
"Morning has broken, like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird Praise for the singing,
praise for the morning Praise for the springing fresh from the world."
In the Philippines, we had a tiny bit of land. When I had time, I had a few moments of relaxation and gardening. Now once more I have a garden given by God''s grace to rebuild and and design by using the creative instincts God shares with us.
I love grass and well-kept green lawns but a part of Adams curse, "It will produce thorns and
thistles" (add "weeds" Gen 3:18), definitely spilled over to our garden at 45 Nance St. One cursory glance will make you believe that the lawn is nice and green, but a closer look will tell you that it is the weeds that gives it that bright green look. The parable of the weeds (Mt. 13:36) are associated with sin. They may look nice on the surface. In fact they have bright beautiful yellow flowers, and dainty pink flowers to further prove the point. Probably, many years back there were a handful of these weeds and more of the grass. These flowers are loaded with seeds and when they dry they scatter their seed and multiply. 
Pretty eh? You can give it to your girl friend, fiancee, wife, Mother (of course) any body you love. But these are flowers that are the cause of the seeds that lead to more weeds. So I am on the war path against them. They will not be seen around our garden much longer.
Sin is very similar. They can even be attractive and beautiful. So beautiful and a part of our lives, that I may wonder, "what's wrong with that?" At the beginning, it is only a small thought, a tiny teenage habit. Soon and with time, it brings us into bondage. Some of these weeds have about six inch long roots to them. I have to dig deep to uproot them. When the weed is removed the effects of the weeds show in the bare spot that remains. The weeds kill all the grass in its surroundings. Literally it is a battle for domination. Grass versus the weeds. As a gardener I want the grass to win. Therefore, even though it takes time, I am determined to get the
weeds out of this place by removing each weed by its root. Never mind the pock marks they leave on the lawn. Hopefully, one day, the beautiful grass will grow back over those patches.
The weeds are just a pretense. You can mow it down and it will create an impression that the garden is green. Just like sin can be made to look normal and nice, but it eats into our souls daily. I am not sure when I will get done getting rid of these weeds. But I will come back in a month or two, a second, third and fourth time to see that its done and it is a weedless garden.
That's how our Christian life is. Punishing sin, denying its strength, until its bondage and power is subdued. When you have dug out hundreds of weeds over and over again, you begin to realize what a painful process confession, repentance, and putting the flesh to death can all be.
This is one aspect of what my garden is teaching me (the other being the fellowship with the Father). I hope you too will have the privilege of gardening, minus the pain of weeding!
and the Joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known."
And then Cat Stevens sings in his own inimitable style,
"Morning has broken, like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird Praise for the singing,
praise for the morning Praise for the springing fresh from the world."
In the Philippines, we had a tiny bit of land. When I had time, I had a few moments of relaxation and gardening. Now once more I have a garden given by God''s grace to rebuild and and design by using the creative instincts God shares with us.
I love grass and well-kept green lawns but a part of Adams curse, "It will produce thorns and
thistles" (add "weeds" Gen 3:18), definitely spilled over to our garden at 45 Nance St. One cursory glance will make you believe that the lawn is nice and green, but a closer look will tell you that it is the weeds that gives it that bright green look. The parable of the weeds (Mt. 13:36) are associated with sin. They may look nice on the surface. In fact they have bright beautiful yellow flowers, and dainty pink flowers to further prove the point. Probably, many years back there were a handful of these weeds and more of the grass. These flowers are loaded with seeds and when they dry they scatter their seed and multiply. Pretty eh? You can give it to your girl friend, fiancee, wife, Mother (of course) any body you love. But these are flowers that are the cause of the seeds that lead to more weeds. So I am on the war path against them. They will not be seen around our garden much longer.
Sin is very similar. They can even be attractive and beautiful. So beautiful and a part of our lives, that I may wonder, "what's wrong with that?" At the beginning, it is only a small thought, a tiny teenage habit. Soon and with time, it brings us into bondage. Some of these weeds have about six inch long roots to them. I have to dig deep to uproot them. When the weed is removed the effects of the weeds show in the bare spot that remains. The weeds kill all the grass in its surroundings. Literally it is a battle for domination. Grass versus the weeds. As a gardener I want the grass to win. Therefore, even though it takes time, I am determined to get the
weeds out of this place by removing each weed by its root. Never mind the pock marks they leave on the lawn. Hopefully, one day, the beautiful grass will grow back over those patches.The weeds are just a pretense. You can mow it down and it will create an impression that the garden is green. Just like sin can be made to look normal and nice, but it eats into our souls daily. I am not sure when I will get done getting rid of these weeds. But I will come back in a month or two, a second, third and fourth time to see that its done and it is a weedless garden.
That's how our Christian life is. Punishing sin, denying its strength, until its bondage and power is subdued. When you have dug out hundreds of weeds over and over again, you begin to realize what a painful process confession, repentance, and putting the flesh to death can all be.
This is one aspect of what my garden is teaching me (the other being the fellowship with the Father). I hope you too will have the privilege of gardening, minus the pain of weeding!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)