Victorious Woman

New Living Translation Giveaway

2011-12-10T13:34:00.001-08:00

A new year and a new Bible now thats a good beginning.

If you need to have a new way to look at the words you read from the Word of God you could try New Living Translation Bible. There is a giveaway happening right now on Facebook.

Check out the giveaway here!

God Bless

Easy Returns

2011-05-18T20:50:00.001-07:00

I have been doing some wonderful Bible Studies by some amazing women of God. Oh how I wish I could be like them.

In the last few months I had the opportunity to learn from two of Beth Moore's studies
-Inheritance
-Revelations

Recently I have been studying the book of Jonah, from Priscilla Shirer. She is so simple in her speech and yet so emphatic in her delivery of the message from the Word of God, it is awesome! Through this study, which I initially miss-classified as "may not be applicable to me but good to know study" , I discovered, I am oh so similar to Jonah that its not even funny! Yet I have learned some very very precious lessons from this book as taught by Priscilla Shirer, that I know I will NEVER forget this study, EVER.

One beautiful lesson I gleaned from the study of Jonah is as follows:
When we are wandering away from God, or have wandered far away from Him and kinda presume that it would be impossible for God to save me at all. Or that, I am way to undignified/immoral/filthy /far gone from God to be saved. I cannot return to God now, its too late. You know even at that place where you are, at that seemingly infinite mental distance from God, He is able to find and reconcile you to Him. God is so awesome and amazing that when He has sought you and found you, like the parable of the lost sheep, He will not make you walk back home. ^"5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders ⁶ and goes home." Luke 15:5-6
How beautiful it is that you are carried on God's shoulders as He finds you. When Jonah had run away, in the opposite direction of his calling and realized he should have rather obeyed, God had made his return easy too, by providing the giant fish.

Dear friend, no matter how impossibly out of reach you may think you are from God, He is seeking you out, wherever you are. He loves you so much that when He has found you, He will carry you on His shoulders and bring you home. Stop running and let Loving Jesus find you wherever you are, in whatever situation you are, no matter what reason you have for your distance from him. Be it disobedience or just plain having lost direction and wandered away, Jesus is seeking you out. Its easier to return to Him, than staying lost.

Coming Back To It

2011-04-07T05:54:00.000-07:00

Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow!

It is wonderful when God reminds us gently that, even though we asked and forgot, He still remembered our request. I had made a prayer request for my husband 2 years ago and now things are stirring in our lives. Good things of course. While talking to my mom on a closure of this new work stuff in our lives, the Holy Spirit began reminding me of a request I had made nearly 2 years back and had not re-asked that request ever. That prayer is answered.

How wonderful and awesome it is to know that we have a Living God, who has not forgotten us and our prayers, even when we have made the request to Him, but only once! He has taken my request seriously and worked on it, on my behalf. This gives me a reason to believe and treasure the unchanging fact that Jesus Loves Me, He hears my prayers and He answers them in His time. This gives me the hope and unwavering assurance, that the prayers I pray now for the salvation of my loved ones is also in queue to be answered soon!

Thank you dear Lord Jesus!

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews

2010-06-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Life is such, that one needs some heart mending from time to time, thats what led me to choose this book.

A true story set in history, during the World War. A story of forgiveness. How can one forgive when one meets face to face with the one who hurt you? Its a story of a war-widowed American woman and an almost dead German soldier washed ashore. Their paths cross and their lies the story of the Heart Mender. The woman must choose whether she would save the life of this enemy soldier or let him die.

We all get hurt and sometimes our hearts carry the pain throughout our lives even if we don't want it to. This story is about the deeper hurts, those that are not easy to wipe away or that don't heal easy. If thats something you're dealing with, you might want to read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

An Army of Ordinary People by Felicity Dale

2010-06-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Its great to read amazing Bible stories from the Bible. The parting of the Red Sea, God coming down and transforming ordinary people's lives. Miracles in the desert. Reading of healing in the New Testament and everything God wanted us to know about Him and His immense love toward His creation.

What makes this book a special read is that it brings Biblical stories to reality. Where God is applied to real life. Nothing is distant, far or ancient about the stories in "An Army of Ordinary People" by Felicity Dale, they're all contemporary. You could be a simple grocery store owner and then God comes into your life and your life begins to impact lives of people around you, just when you make contact with the living life of Jesus Christ Himself. We can picture that and soon you'll find yourself saying, "I can do that" or "This could be me!" This book can make you aware of God given potential in the life of a believer, who's just willing to follow God's directions no matter how mundane it sounds. Felicity carries us into a journey into the lives of these very ordinary people we meet day-to-day and perhaps would never imagine they could amount to anything, but they are being enabled by God as His agents to reach out to people right in their neighbourhood, some not even leaving the very compound and areas where they live. God is using them right where they are. Now I know, I can totally be a stay-at-home mom and still God can use me to impact people around me, right where I am.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book, in exchange for my unbiased review. I am not being paid for this review.

Why Am I Afraid?

2010-05-04T23:02:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know, God is listening to my prayers. It can get scary when you put your heart out there in prayer and then when you've done saying "Let thy will be done!" you wish you could have held onto that 'free will' of yours a little while longer.

So why am I afraid? I am afraid because my prayer has been answered, the prayer which I did faithfully and diligently and sincerely prayed and it did make me free from being afraid of anything at all because I prayed knowing full well that my Living Lord Jesus is in control of my life. He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans for a hope and a future. Then why did I feel afraid. The prayer I am talking about is the one I prayed while writing my previous post.

The prayer was something like this...""Oh change me Lord Oh change me, forevermore, to shine for You, send me where I ought to be, not where I like to be. Bring people in my life, the ones I try to avoid for the sake of my comfort levels, the ones You want me to be with. Help me with Your guidance to do EXACTLY as You would have me do."
Amen."

In keeping with His faithfulness God sent toward me people that I must be with, the kind of people with whom I would have loved to kill time when I was unsaved by His unchanging grace. People who were like me, in my past. I was afraid- would they drag me down to where I came from? Those dirty jokes I laughed at, those discussions, those stuffs I was washed away from? I was afraid. I was so afraid that I desperately wanted to get attached to some Bible Study group which would meet 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day so I would not have time to spend with 'these people' God had brought into my life. I tried my best to make a way to attend the women's fellowship which meets at church every Wednesday, it was un-go-able. I thought I should go for a Saturday Bible Study that happens at my friend's home, well that happens once a month, un-go-able. What could I do with so many free days and evenings in my hands, I contemplated. Sure enough God says, I must invite them over for lunch or dinner! Yea I still haven't found courage in my heart to do so. I did invite my church friends to come but somehow they all rain-checked on me.

Hopefully I will courageously invite 'these people' the coming weekend and I know for sure they will come. In any case who am I to stand against the force of Love Himself, He who died for them too. Was I any better when someone opened their home and shared Jesus' love for me? Lets get uncomfortable, and bring comfort through Jesus into the lives of people who really need Him.

Are you willing to open doors to someone you wouldn't rather invite?

EDIT UPDATE: They are coming!! Here's the beginning of an adventure with God!

If I Could Ask God Anything Awesome Bible Answers for Curious Kids! By Kathryn Slattery

2010-04-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

A review of "If I Could Ask God Anything - Awesome Bible Answers for Curious Kids!" By Kathryn Slattery
"If I Could Ask God Anything", is a book attempting to tackle the many questions a child learning about Jesus might ask. Believe you me, the book has a LOT of questions covered. There are simple ones like "What did Jesus wear?" and tougher ones, almost theological like "What is trinity?"

I liked the book, for the way in which Kathryn has tried to answer the questions as per its seriousness. Some questions I would have found a bit difficult in communicating with kids is explained with an example a child might have seen or experienced. I am talking of kids who are at least 5years and older.However, an adult could also use the book as a help book to answer the questions in an effective manner, when they're at a loss of words perhaps.

What I missed in the book, though non-essential I think, are pictures, as is prevalent in children's books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Not a Casual Thing

2010-03-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

^"24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." ²⁵In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." ²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

I believe the Lord has been tugging at my heart to determine, how seriously I take my connection with Him. The books that have crossed my path these recent days have been turning the mirror onto me, to check who I see in the mirror. Bits of the old me, my hands, my head, my heart are still visible in the image in the mirror. I am not yet made transparent with Jesus, so that people around me will see Jesus in me. I am so translucent and in some places so opaque, you can see ugly bits of me in me, no wonder there is no real impact from my life on others. Just a camouflage of Christianity, nothing real that can cause people to want the change in me.

The above verse asks of me to remember Jesus' body that was bruised and battered for me and precious blood that was shed for me. What have I done with that? Nothing, at least nothing of much significance. What do I remember, with the remembrance of Him on the cross? At communion do I see the pretty soft white wafer and the sweet tasting grape juice? Is my Jesus still at the cross, helpless, dying or is the Jesus in me, changing lives of people around, in Words and in deeds.

"Oh change me Lord Oh change me, forevermore, to shine for You, send me where I ought to be, not where I like to be. Bring people in my life, the ones I try to avoid for the sake of my comfort levels, the ones You want me to be with. Help me with Your guidance to do EXACTLY as You would have me do."
Amen.

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go By Lucille O'Neal

2010-03-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go By Lucille O'Neal, is an autobiography by Shaquille O'Neal's mother.

As is typical with autobiographies of famous personalities, I expected a rags to riches kind of a story and how 'events' changed their life. However with this book, Lucille shares her most inmost feelings, the errors she made and how she dealt with them in order to make sure her life would face upward and not down. I liked the easy to read presentation of the book and the conversational style of the writing. It almost felt like she was talking to me, in my head as I read. She makes the reader feel her emotions, the good, the bad, the ugly. It truly portrays her mental journey from mental welfare to mental health.That makes this book different from other autobiographies I have read which would be devoid of feelings.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos

2010-03-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos is an amazing book.

I almost did not order this book, but then I read the first chapter online and I wanted to read some more, wondering why would somebody chase Jesus and why would Jesus run?

Matt stars himself in this story where he confronts his imaginary Jesus, a Jesus he made up to suite his own needs and someone he could follow at his own comfort level. The journey reveals many more kinds of imaginary Jesuses, most of which are quite relevant with the kind of Christian lifestyle we are accustomed to in our times, absolutely unawares of the real Jesus from the Bible. I was shocked to find a few of my own imaginary ones in there. Matt's experience through this ordeal ends brilliantly with his meeting with the real Jesus.

I loved the pace at which the story goes, absolute page turner for me. Also, I am an avid C. S Lewis fan, hence I totally loved the concept behind the book. The book answered my curiosity, my questions and doubts regarding my own spiritual journey in an indirect but profound manner. I give it 2 thumbs up, if I had more you could add them too.

View the video release

Tyndale House Publishers has provided you with a complimentary copy of this book, in exchange for my unbiased review. I am not being paid for this review.

In Tears for Joshua

2010-03-15T15:44:00.001-07:00

We just learned that one of our dear church member's lost their baby in a few hours after he was born. His name was Joshua.

I am absolutely I cannot understand or fathom or even begin to gauge the height nor depth of such a HUGE loss. A baby. Yet I am writing this in tears and prayers for the grieving family, that our Lord Jesus would comfort them in every possible way.

Do remember them in your prayers.

Strange Happenings

2010-03-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 12:11
"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."

Ever had a time, when God dealt a bit sternly with you when you thought you were just about getting to perfection? I went through that painful time of correction when my heart was turned inside out. Its like a grand looking Gucci bag turned inside out and its insides were filthy from spilled dried food. Bits of used tissue paper. Old, empty lipsticks. Old old receipts and many more unwanted stuff, just stuck to the bag. Obviously the bag needs a beating and probably a wash if it could stand it.

I am so grateful that God did not just get satisfied with a great outward look, but dealt with stuff inside, deep inside my heart, issues I had never known existed. It is difficult when you find out, there are 'issues' within your heart you never knew.

The best thing through this painful process was that my Lord Jesus was with me in it, every step of the way. Encouraging me with His precious Word and showing me my progress. Now that I am stepping on the other side, one step at a time, I can feel the difference. Definitely the process has brought me peace and righteousness, a very much needed fresh clean feeling.

The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan

2010-03-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

This is my first time reviewing a children's book. I have worked with kids(kindergarten) and at Sunday School and found that "The Flowering Cross" by Beth Ryan makes for a good read for kids.It also includes instructions on how to make your own flowering cross.

Beth tells the story of a little girl and how her simple faith and love, together with support from her Christ centered family, wins the heart of an old lonely neighbor. While the story continues you will come across verses for discussion called "Faith Imprint", where an adult(reading the book to a child) can share/discuss the Bible verse pertaining to the situation in the story. The illustrations are beautifully done too.

I liked the book for the fact that it not only tells a story, to entertain a child, but also encourages a child to understand that their simple faith can also be a powerful tool in winning hearts for Jesus and especially in bridging gaps that sometimes adults are unable to cross. I loved the idea of "Faith Imprints" mentioned on most pages of the book, as it guides the reader through suitable questions toward a practical living out of the Word of God.

This book would be great for children aged 5 and older, in helping them connect faith in Jesus Christ and their real life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Kaleidoscope" by Patsy Clairmont

2010-02-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

"Kaleidoscope" as the name suggests, is a random yet beautiful collection of short insights on some prominent verses from the book of Proverbs, by Patsy Clairmont. This she brings to life, with examples from her everyday life experiences and her inescapable humor.

The book has a study guide kind of approach. Each chapter in the book is based on a verse from Proverbs which is beautifully explained through various examples from Patsy's experiences. She even makes it easy to understand some of life's tough situations in the light of Proverbs. At the end of the chapters there are questions which helps one connect, even more deeply with what has been laid out in the chapter. The chapters end with a few more quotations from the Bible, gathered from various other books of the Bible, for strength to uphold the lesson learned.

I loved the book for its short chapters, immediate impact/connection to life examples and appropriate choice of verses which helped me strengthen my thoughts on the topic. I found that I did not have to read the book in an orderly manner to reap the lessons from it. You could pick any chapter you'd like and still reap a bountiful and wonderful message from it. Patsy's language and examples are easy to connect with as they spell out stuff we've either experienced or are sure to have seen in someone else's life. The one thing I missed from the book was a richer experience from the study of the verses.

I must also add, if you’re looking for a serious one-on-one with studying the Word of God, this would not be it, however it would serve as a great book for a light personal study or for a group study.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

You Smell Like Jesus!

2009-04-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

John :12:1-7 " 3Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
...... 7"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial."

The episode of precious anointing. This chapter has been speaking a lot to me in these days. I wanted to write this during this Easter season, as it relates to it, more than any other time. Mary pours out the most expensive thing she had in her possession at the feet of her Lord Jesus. Poured on Jesus feet, the choicest perfume and wiped His feet with her hair. One might think of her as a big loser, but you know what. If you notice this chapter carefully, you will see the impact of this woman's dedication and submission to her Lord Jesus.

Impact on her home-"And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." When the woman anointed Jesus feet with her most precious gift, the anointing perfumed her whole house. Her house was filled with the repercussions of the anointing. So will our homes be filled with the precious anointing as we pour out our precious before our Lord Jesus.
Impact on herself -" wiped his feet with her hair. " As she poured that precious perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped it with her hair, take note that perfume, that anointing touched her head too as she surrendered(bent down and wiped Jesus' feet). That anointing was on her head too. No one else's head in that house would smell of that perfume, but hers alone, because she was the one who had made that offering and bowed down.

Conclusion: Dear brother and sister in my Lord Jesus Christ, what precious gift do we have to offer our Lord Jesus Christ, this Easter. Our livelihood, our means of sustenance and our dignity as the hair represents a woman's dignity(1 Cor 11) bring it to our Lord Jesus and pour it out before the Lord and you WILL notice, the anointing fill up your home. And YOU yourself will bear the fragrance of the anointing wherever you go. I cannot help but rejoice in the fact that, that day wherever she would have gone, whomever she would have met, people who came around her would exclaim" Hey lady, you smell just like Jesus." Pour out your life your most precious possession before the Lord and guess what, that investment actually comes back not only on your life, but in your house. Be blessed this season as you reflect on the precious sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross and bring your alabaster jars to our Lord Jesus. He is more than WORTH all of it.

The Silent Shade

2009-03-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

Psalms 1:3 "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

I was reminded of this verse as I studied and waited on the Lord and I was amazed at the wonderful encouragement and lesson God has shown me through this verse.

When you read this verse you will find there is a season for the tree to give fruit and it will show ONLY when it is the season. Therefore, there is also a season where the tree is just being there, standing by the streams of water, just standing, looking like its doing nothing, no fruits or anything. Just waiting there. What happens when its this no-fruit season? Its the time the tree just keeps standing by the water and being fed and keeps growing.

But you know what, that tree is not just being there, it is BEING there as a shade for someone who's tired, hot, weary, exhausted. The shade is available when there is the sun. The tree provides the shade for those who come near it, does not prick with thorn or thistle to send them away saying "Come back when I have fruits". Even though it has no fruit to show for itself, it just provides the shade, the only thing the tree has for now. At this time of the season, Psalm 1:3 says its leaf is green, it is happy. No fruit has shown up yet, but the tree is not frowning, being sad, or having any withered leaves. It is happy, green, flourishing and diligently continuing to do its work AND prospering in everything it is doing.

When you feel like there is nothing in your life to put on display, nothing in your life to prove that dream that the Lord has designed you for and shown you, nothing in your life to show that you're on your way to fulfil God's dream for you(which hasn't manifest yet), remember this no-fruit season of the tree. Hang on there faithful one, keep standing by the streams of living water, keep being fed. Whether you know it or not, someone might be in your shade because they find rest there. Don't send them away, because You think You have nothing to give. Believe you me, if you are still standing by the streams of Living Water, you will always have something to give. So be green, be insect free on your leaves, don't wither but provide the best shade silently, for when your fruit comes, when your dream becomes evident, everyone will come, eat and be even more blessed through you.

Leap of Faith - Stay Strong

2009-02-16T12:06:00.002-08:00

Recently I haven't been able to sleep past 4:30AM and I know the reason why. Someone has been praying for me after I posted a prayer request to wake me up early. Whoever it is my blogger friends, I wanted to tell you that it is working (but 430 is wayyyy too early, please make it 6am) and I have had wonderful Bible studies.
So I would like to be a blessing to you by sharing them with you.

At 5:30am I read this from Isaiah 66:9 "9 Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?" says the Lord. "Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?" says your God." I said "No Lord, You'd never do that. What has been conceived will be born." and I continued reading, but for some reason I was led to the book of Jeremiah 1 where my eyes fell on verse 12 "The Lord said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled." And suddenly there was this amazing, beautiful, indescribable joy that filled my heart as I was enlightened on what the Holy Spirit was trying to show me.

I prayed "Lord, I trust you. You are the keeper of Your Word and I trust you. I cannot see the full picture of my life, but I trust you."

Later in the morning as I watched one of my favorite televangelist on TBN she said something about the Impala that I had never known. The Impala is an amazing animal, it can jump as high as 10ft and as broad as 36ft. So you'd think the zoo keepers would have some problem in containing them at their zoo. They'd need some really huge stuff to keep these brilliant creatures. But you know what, the impalas can be contained within a wall just 3ft high. You know why! Impalas will never jump to the other side of a mere 3ft wall, just because they cannot see where they are going to land.

Faith calls for us to trust that God has taken care of our landing even if we don't see it. No wonder its called a leap of faith.

For some more encouragement you'll see that every time God has made a promise with His children, there has been a waiting period involved and the children of God who steadfastly held onto God's Word, trusting that He who has promised is able to bring it into completion, have seen victory, tremendous victory. Look at the lives of all those people in Hebrews 11 and you'll just get empowered reading and reminding yourself of their situations, their trust even through trying times and their victory.

What God has promised He is able to perform. You know why, because He Himself is watching His Word that it may be fulfilled. Personally overseeing, personally monitoring, personally working. Which means, He's constantly looking into every matter that affects our life in any manner and working His promise in our lives. In this waiting period we are growing in strength and character and learning to TRUST unabatedly on God. The One Who is ABLE to do over and exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine.

Lots of Love
Godzheart

Growing Up Naughty

2009-02-04T11:57:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest pic of my dolls (sigh) they're growing up so fast...

My kids love music, they start dancing almost immediately for anything that has some rhythm and a tune, except when their father's singing. Those cute lil behinds just move with the groove. Sometimes they attempt singing too, especially if there are many lala sounding words in the song, like the fa la la la song.

When we sit together for woship on sundays, I've noticed Sammy lifting her hand when the songs begin to play, while Chiyu is busy looking at people and smiling away to glory. So you can see the formation of a worship leader and an usher almost working its way out.

They then head out to their nursery, where wonderful volunteers take care of them while we enjoy the service.

Love

Godzheart

Personal Time

2009-01-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

The one and only thing that I used to feel sad about having twins was, not being able to give them individual attention. Well, my kids have found a way out for me for that. Sometimes one will go to sleep a little later or the other will wake up a little early so I will have time with each one of them alone. Then when they're awake they, love to play with each other and me together.

My together time with both of them is fun, but my personal time with each one of them is even more fun. They each play different fun things with me, laugh differently and I like both their ways of having fun. They fill me with joy.

Sammy is the adventurer. She loves, exploring and reach for things out of reach, behind closed doors or drawers. She doesn't find much fun in playing with them though. Once retrieved she goes onto the next adventure to find another something, difficult to get. She loves hugs and tickles and action.

Chiyu on the other hand is resourceful. She is not interested in going and getting something. If there's a boundary set for something she prefers not to try anything outside it. She will not try climbing the sofa even (as she thinks she cannot do it).She is very resourceful, finding new ways to play with things that are already available to her. She loves tickles and lots of talking. Occasionally she will take what Sammy has found but doesn't want, to make a fun game for herself and then Sammy sees the game and wants it back.

The one thing that stood out to me was though they are so different and have fun different ways, I like the time they spend with me alone. Its without the hassles, the crying, the hunger, just plain hanging out together, tickling toes, lots of hugging. Lying on my lap(though they don't fit ). Babblings. I wondered is that why God loves to have a Personal Time with each and every one of His children, because we each bring Him joy and gladness of a different kind, the kind that only we can bring coz of our personalities. How we interact with Him, not crying for food or other needs, just plain hanging out and talking and having a good time.

Give God a good time with you. Go to Him, not for a need but just for hanging out with Him. Just the two of you and you yourself will like it too, as much as God loves to hang out with you, because He loves you. You'll see.

In the Light and in the Dark

2009-01-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

My girls are like my tails. They want to be where I am, what room, what place, what task, they want to be there with me. The only time they hide out of sight is when they're doing something I have already told them not to do.

Recently, in order to prevent them from playing in a room (filled with not so kid-friendly furniture), I would switch off the light and start to leave, my babes would follow right after me, seeing me leave. Sometimes if I need something from the room, I will return to the room and try getting whatever it is, without switching on the light. I thought they wouldn't follow me in, since the room is dark. Na-aan. They did come in, they knew I was there, they didnt care if they'd fall over something or that they didn't know the room as well as I did. Just that I was there in the dark room with them, was enough for them to follow me in and explore.

This got me to thinking of my own spiritual walk. There have been times in my life when I have been so glad to walk with Him, coz I just knew what would happen and I could so clearly see the way it was going to take. But there were times when I didn't understand why He'd usher me onto paths unknown, where I couldn't see a thing in the distance. I could not possibly understand what good it would do to humanity nor me. I was afraid to walk in the dark with the Lord, afraid of the valley of the shadow of death, even though He was with me. Afraid, just because I didn't know the valley so well. My little darlings have taught me to trust in my Saviour with and without pre-knowledge of the task set before me, knowing just that "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow as dark as death, I must fear no evil, for He is with me".

I seek your prayers, as I endeavour

to wake up early in the morning(my biggest weakness, sleeping till late coz of getting up so many times in the night and not being able to get back to sleep, coz my feet would be cold after all the night time care for my babes)
to love everyone whether they are like me or not
to walk with my Lord Jesus, even if I don't know the dark valleys we walk through

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your constant nudges to get me to walk closer with You Lord. I need You every single moment of my life. Help me to do the tasks that You have planned for me to do since the beginning of time, even before I was born. Help me that I may be made ready for Your coming and that I may not come alone to meet You, but with ALLLLLL my family and my in-laws who don't know You, but will know as I walk in obedience with You. Help me to persevere in faith for in the end I will see Your victory.

In Jesus Name I pray.

Amen.

Happy Christmas & Glorious New Year 2009

2008-12-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a very wonderful Christmas and a glorious New Year 2009

Love Always

Godzhearts, My twins and hubby

Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me

2008-11-25T20:29:00.001-08:00

Everything I needed You have provided

Through untrodden paths, you have carefully guided.

Thank You Lord for Your blessings on me.

Change

2008-11-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

Change- A small word, but holds big meaning.

I am afraid of change when it comes when I'm not ready and more than glad when it comes when I am aching for it.

Change brings with it, something you are not familiar with or everything you are not familiar with. Now the latter could be very scary. Unknown situations make us that way- scared of the unknown outcomes.

You know what, we may not know all that a change brings, but we know One who never changes and thank God for that. He Never Changes, this makes life comfortable and easy, knowing no matter what else changes on the outside, there is my God above it all, Who knows the end from the beginning.

Lets accept the changes, for we know who allows it for His good and perfect purpose.

The Reason Behind Blogging

2008-10-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

I started blogging in January 2006 with my first blog "Lessons from Life", where I wrote my studies from the Word of God. Then one day I decided to share something from my own life and started this blog "Victorious Woman".

Today I was going through posts from my first blog in 2006 and I saw how God has worked in my life in the last 2 years, changing me from the inside out to the kind of woman He wants me to be.

I write this post so I will remember/renew my aim to blog. If I wrote a journal or Bible study in a book, I know it would be lost somewhere and no one would be blessed. I had decided to write my journey with God on a media such as this because

I wanted to share and be a blessing.
To get God's Word out
Most importantly, to get back at the devil: for as long as he has, even his tiny finger on my life and people connected to me, I will keep sharing the Word of God and damaging his kingdom.

Dear Lord, I thank You so much for having worked in my life so beautifully. For changing my seasons and making them lovely. Thank you, for being MY GOD and MY SAVIOUR. Thank you for having blessed me with such wonderful wonderful precious surprises every time I thought this is, we've maxed out. You increased my boundaries. You increased me. You empowered me more than before. Thank you Lord for everything You have done an are doing. Thanks for making me part of Your team and letting me share in victory. Amen.

Come Lord Jesus, lets do some damage to our enemy.

Gone Fishing!

2008-10-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today as I was surfing through the internet, looking for Christian Web designs, I stumbled upon a website where they had made something called a 'button' for 'Gone Fishing'.

If someone was taking a day off from blogging they could post that button instead of writing a post. However that is not the idea, that came to my mind.

I got to thinking of what our Lord Jesus had said about fishing. "Matthew 4:19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." I wondered why would the Lord compare winning souls for His kingdom to fishing? When I pondered more on the topic, I found it absolutely revolutionary why God would compare them so.

Patience-Fishing is one sport that requires a lot of patience, unless you have fishes voluntarily coming over to the bait.We've got to let the bait/net in the water and wait, for what may seem like forever.
Not forceful-Once we've let the net down, we don't go pushing the fish around or coaxing it to get into the net. We wait. Sometimes without moving a muscle so the fish casually swims in.Fishes are pretty slippery creatures
Live bait-I don't think its easy to catch a fish with dead bait.We've got to have the best chances to catch them and the only way we can do that is with a live bait. Living Word of God. If the Word of God in our lives is under the thorn and thicket, we'll never get it out. It'll never attract anyone.
Meet the fish where its at-Right, so we've got to go where the fish is. Surely we'd be hard pressed to find live fish on land!!!
Try try again-Peter didn't catch fish on one side and Jesus didn't want him to give up. He asked him to try another side. Sometimes we may not be able to catch fish, we've just got to throw the net/line in again. For some smart fishies you might have to throw the net many a times, till you can haul them all in.

So this is what the Lord put in my heart today. Hope you were blessed.

Go Fish!

Pretty

2008-10-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hello world!!

I have a new look now..and am amazed that this design came to my mind...just like the stories for faithwriters do...

I thank God for blessing me with inspirations, ideas, intellect, innovation and skills to be able to accomplish this and "google" and a sea of talented people putting stuff online for free...I think im going to hang on to this look for a loooong time....

Also, I am grateful to my friend geordee for his incredible talent in making anything perfect to the 't'...where I could have settled for anything.

PS:When I've mastered this skill for designing pretty blogs for the Lord...I will surely put some up for sharing too....(lets see how that'll work out with the current business I am in).

Language

2008-10-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

My babies are learning to speak their first words. Sometimes they just cry and then I've got to figure out what their saying or feeling. Are they sad, hurt, hungry or sleepy? Boy am I desperately waiting for the time when they can come talk to me in words we both can understand. Have meaningful mom-daughter talks....(sigh)...the way I enjoy talking to my mom for hours.

They're learning and its such a great joy to hear them speak "mama", "dadada", "tata","bayee"(for bye)....and then they just cry for most everything else....(phew)..
This got me to thinking...our Father in heaven (who also loves to compare Himself to a mom) has a language too. The language of His Spirit. Oh it would be so glorious the amount of chatting we can do when we speak the same language and one understands the other exactly the way the other thinks/feels. I am waiting for my babies to speak our language so we can communicate and have lots of fun. I cannot understand their babble fully, would love to but I dont speak babble. The way it can work is they learn my language. So I can teach them many new things, play with them even more and enjoy our company. See how they react when they listen to me, understand what Im saying and feel what Im feeling...
Wouldnt that be the glorious day

I believe our Heavenly Daddy (also mom) waits to talk to us...so we can understand Him, His love for us, His plans for us. If only we'd learn to speak the language of His Spirit.

God Bless..

It was Happy Birthday time!!!

2008-09-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

Busy busy busy...is all I can say about me. Just busy being a mom, I didn't know it would take up so much of my time(phew).

Guess what my lil itty bitty twins are not itty bitty any more..they turned 1 year old on 12th Sep...and then Ive been running around them ever since.

Here's how we look now....

Happy Birthday Daddy-O!

2008-09-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

THE most awesomest person ever in my life is my dad who celebrated his 62nd birthday today.

He's sooooooooooooo funny, so witty, so wonderful, so loving, so caring, so strong(my daddy strongest), so energetic, so lively, awesome awesome awesome. I have not met another person like him. If he knows your language he'll make you laugh....I get a lot of good traits from him...(I love making people laugh too-not as good as he's though...he's my daddy-o after all).

The most wonderful and most most precious thing I've see in my dad is his faith and passion for the lost. He feels queasy if he's not doing something for the Lord. ANything, cooking, singing, reading, visiting sick people, praying....playing anything.

When my mom and dad were in US at the time my little ones came, oh my I was sooooooooo blessed. I sometimes wish if I were a son I would never leave home, like daughters have to when they get married, but that I would stay near him forever.

"I love you daddy, you're the bestest dad in the whole world, one could ever have. May you live long and be a blessing to many more."

The Way Bridge

2008-08-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I had this piece ready but they(Faithwriters) got 200 entries before I could put this up on their website. So here's a little piece of my writing for you
==============

“Are you sure you’re ready?, ” asked Billy my chief. He had mentored me for this mission and today I was ready to go on my own.
“I’m sure,” I said confidently as I picked up the knapsack assigned to me.
“Do you remember the mission codes?”
“Yes, Sir. I should not turn to the right nor to the left. I should not pay attention to the enemy‘s distractions. I should never take off my armor and if in doubt I shouldn’t hesitate to call on the Lord of the bridge.” I chanted.
“Well then, may the Lord guide you and keep you.”
Here I stood, staring at this long narrow wooden bridge spanning the deepest canyon known to mankind. The only way to the other side, “The Way Bridge”. My only sorrow was for my family I was leaving behind. I had urged them several times to join the army and come with me, but they weren’t convinced. They didn’t want to be convinced. The pleasures of civilian life were much too fascinating for them, no matter how reckless and frivolous it was.
I wondered why they’d put a door to enter the bridge, as I stepped in. On the other side of it was transformation; of mind, soul and body. Wow, my new armor. I saw many others walking on the bridge towards the light at the end. Each one walked at a different pace, some singing, some quietly, some chanting prayers.
“Hey, christian!” someone called .
I looked about me to find a white bearded old man beckon me. Me, I gestured.
“Yes you.”
“Sir, I’m not Christian, my name is Andrew.” I corrected him as I walked toward him.
“Of course you’re Andrew and you are a christian. Now that you’ve decided to follow Jesus.” He gestured to continue walking the bridge, as he walked with me.
“You’re a newborn christian. There are different types of Christians - the newborn, the young, the old, the martyr and not to mention the backsliding and the fallen too”, he said.
“You mean there are people who’ve fallen out of the bridge! ”,I gulped.
“There have been many cases, especially when they get carried away by the enemy’s distractions and they’re no longer looking where they’re going. You see, the bridge is very narrow and you’ve got to watch your step”
I then scanned the bridge carefully, an old but strong wooden structure, held together with nails, some of which had blood stains. It must be from the workers who built it, I concluded to myself.
“Nope, just one Worker.”
“Whoa!, you can read my thoughts?”, I was terrified and moved a few paces back.
“Oh, don’t be afraid. I am here to help you, till you get to the other side. Didn’t somebody brief you about me?”
“Well, I do remember Billy mentioning a Comforter, Counselor, Teacher, a Guide who would help me in this mission but you did scare me with that mind-reading of yours”
“Yes, that’s me, H. S Power.” he laughed as he extended his hand in greeting and I took it. Bam!! Electricity like excitement went through my body and I felt empowered. The rest of the way we walked together and I learnt a lot of lessons on prayer, worship, understanding my Bible and more.
A few years passed by and I grew quite accustomed to Mr. Power and didn’t quite appreciate him being around all the time. Then it happened- I heard sounds; sounds of merriment, music and fun. Oh, I hadn’t had fun for a long time. I looked over the bridge and before I could guess who threw the party, I was overboard whizzing through the air. I heard growling and ravenous laughter while burning arms tried to snatch me from the fall.
“Help me Jesus!!!” my voice echoed through the endless canyon and “plop” I landed on soft ground.
Soon I was being taken back through the air, upward, as my heart lifted prayers of apology and found myself back on the bridge. Mr. Power was waiting for me. I felt so ashamed for my rudeness in spite of his gentleness.
He took my hand . I was renewed. Hereon I was not going to leave Mr. Power’s side and we walked on. As I looked up, I caught a glimpse of the “everlasting arms” that saved me from the fall. My heart worshipped gratefully as I continued my journey on The Way Bridge.

More Or Less

2008-08-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

“Oh I’m just brilliant”, so I thought
My spiritual state I counted naught
Everyone loved my company
I had less of You and more of me

My mouth spoke nonsense people loved
My soul accepted anything the world shoved
Everyone loved my stupidity
I had less of You and more of me

My hands committed sins abhorred
My feet went places satan adored
Satan loved my sincerity
I had less of You and more of me

My eyes showed haughty countenance
I walked with sheer arrogance
I am the best, who else could be
I had less of You and more of me

There came a God-Man into my night
He touched my heart and showed me the light
Quite instantly my eyes could see
I needed more of Him and less of me

My mouth slowly harnessed its stream
My soul shut doors to things unclean
Everyone loved my serenity
I had more of You and less of me

Slowly my passions turned heavenward
Every time I obeyed His precious Word
My heart grew warm with that Holy being
I know it was You and not of me

Oh I pray this experience never ends
Help me Oh Lord to keep Your trend
I want to shine bright for Your glory
Till there’s more of You and none of me

-----This was my entry at Faithwriters.com------

Itsy Bitsy Spider made my day

2008-08-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

We recently bought a nursery rhymes DVD for our twins. They love the DVD a lot. My little ones love the song and cartoons in the rhyme "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and they get soooo excited, they jump on their knees, they smile BIIIIG at the spider(who winks back at them) and then say "oooo ooooo" excitedly when they see the sun make an "oooo" face and drying up all the rain so that Itsy Bitsy Spider can climb the spout again. Its so fun to watch their expressions when the song plays.

I wondered why they love it, then I thought maybe God's sending me a clue. The rain may come in like a downpour through the spout and wash the spider out, but the sun comes out and dries up all the rain. No matter how heavy the downpour of negative situations you are facing, the Son will shine and dry up all the rain, so that Itsy Bitsy you and me can climb back up again..yeay!!!

God Bless y'all

Niagara

2008-07-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

You know why I haven't been posting? Well, my in-laws are in town, so we are taking them places around Minnesota. The last 3 months we've made plenty trips for a year I guess. To wisconsin dells, to South Dakota Mt Rushmore and now we're off to see the mighty Niagara...

We'll be back by sunday, but then we might go some place. I'll be back to posting after my in-laws have left USA by the end of this month...then you won't be able to escape from a shower of posts from me....hehehe :)

Love u all
Do keep us in your prayers everyday especially for the salvation of my in-laws..

Exchange Policy

2008-07-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

I don't know how He does it, how He knows..He is awesome...my Lord.

Well, I have now thought/pondered/decided to give up blogging/writing umpteen times, yet everytime I think this will be the last post and then I shall delete all and carry on with whatever else I am doing in life....He does not let me keep the pen down. Recently one of my friends shared a post from my blog with our friends, well that encouraged me to not stop writing, somebody somewhere is getting blessed. So here I go again. I share with you some of His precious words that keep egging me on.

Psalm 113
"7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;"

We all go through trial every now and then in some format or the other, some with finances, some with sickness, some with difficult people, some spiritually, some with addictions. I am in one too. Last week I shared my testimony with my mom-in-law, I don't know how she took it, but I saw tears in her eyes.[we both(she and me) pretend to be stoic about lots of stuff especially our faith, but we are such emotional people]I wondered can God still use a person like me, so dirty, so filthy???

When you read the above verse from Psalms, you will see that the poor or the needy is taken out from the ash heap, meaning, that person was in the midst of fire and was not burned up. After the fire there remains ashes and the fact that God takes them out of those ashes is so that the person does not remain with the burnt remains anymore, that they should not be seen with those ashes any more.

You know I have a lot of faults, uncountable, and while I am in this fire, all the unwanted in me is getting burnt, reducing to ashes. Another property of this kind of purification is that, the impurity leaves the element being purified in fire, and turns into such a substance that cannot re-stick itself to the element, as long as the element is taken out of the remains. Thats what God does with His people, He purifies them in such a manner that when we are through the fire, the ashes are left behind and we are taken out unscathed ourselves, but the impurities in us reduce to ashes. Then guess what we are not left with missing impurities but God adds to us His purities and gives us beauty for ashes for as much ash that has come off of us.

Lets take up this exchange policy with this unwaivering faith, for we know who our craftsman is and He makes no mistakes and nothing happening in our life is a surprise to Him. My Lord Jesus.

Another Year of Adventure

2008-06-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Another year to my life,
another birthday I see,
My dearest loving Lord
for you have sustained me

Many victories I've won,
Many battles I face
In these perilous times,
At this temporary base.

Every time I almost gave up
You encouraged me on
Through Your precious words
I am still going strong

Every time I was lonely,
You comforted me
Your Precious Holy Spirit
Is the best gift I've received

I know there are times
When I walk astray
Even in those times
You never send me away

I thank you dear Lord
For your amazing grace
Because of You Lord
I still run this race

I am oh so grateful
For your abundant mercy
For the sins I've committed
You have pardoned me, eternally

Now I see my future
So wonderful and bright
For Your plans for me are awesome
Your yoke easy and light

Thank You dear Lord
For keeping me alive
I work and wait for you
When on that glorious day, You'll arrive

Then we'll all be together
How beautiful it will be
All the rest of my birthdays
I will celebrate with thee

busy busy

2008-06-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

oh i've been busy...here we are 9months now and we've been keeping mommy on her toes all day.....she will be getting back to blogging soon and with a new blog too....love u all (Sammy and Shiyu)

Betrayer, Loved!!!

2008-03-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." Matthew 26

Judas, a disciple of Jesus, one who followed Jesus, was a participant in His ministry, such a man betrayed Jesus for a few pieces of silver. It is so disheartening as I read this account today. How can one sell such a wonderful friend like Jesus???

I analysed my life today and I find a lot of traces of Judas in me too. For a few moments of pleasure, for a few pieces of money, for a few fleshly enjoyment, many a times I have sold my friend Jesus. I have sold my precious time with my Friend Jesus for a few extra episodes of some wasteful program or to do something I could have done without. Precious "NOW" time, the moment when eternity meets reality...the "NOW" time. What if I had spent a little more time in prayer or reading His Word, I would have drawn more closer to the One Who loved me sooo, that He died for me.

It is so easy to love someone who loves you, but can we love someone who is unloveable, one who has betrayed you? One whom you trusted, called a friend, spent night and day with them, shared your ministry with them and then were rejected by them? Jesus' ministry, His mission was and still is His most valuable thing, He shared His power and everything with His disciples only to find- being betrayed by one of them, being denied by one of them, being disregarded as unimportant when He asked them to stand with Him in prayer and they slept. How could He yet love so much that He gave up His life for us?

This is the kind of Friend I have in Jesus. This is my God I serve. This is His level of commitment toward me. Even when I was unborn, He died for me and made my life so beautiful and because of His love I can carry on. Because of His death I have abundant life. Because of His stripes and wounds I live healthy. I know He considered me very precious, even worth being paid for in His blood.

Jesus considers YOU important too, He has died for YOU that you would have a wonderful life, hope and a future. The punishment YOU had to bear He has taken away if only YOU would believe Him and know Him and His love for YOU. I promise YOU, like me in Jesus YOU will find a friend like no other.

Dear Lord Jesus, I don't have words to thank you immensely for being my God and my Saviour. For being there for me even when I betrayed You. For forgiving me every time I sinned and picking me up every time I fell short. For giving me a hope and a future in You. Thank you for loving me like no one else ever has. Help me to be unselfish, driven with Your kind of passion for your people, especially the ones who don't know You, that they may experience Your love through me. Amen

See Me Work

2008-01-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

My little ones are now 4months old. They do need me a lot, right now they are asleep (phew!!!) so I got a little time to chat with you'll.

In the last few weeks I noticed something very interesting, which has changed my spiritual outlook. Every time my babies woke up from their sleep, hungry, they kept their eyes shut and cried their lungs out. Even when I spoke to them they didn't listen. They know its their mom's voice, but they are so busy crying and oh so loud they can't hear anything outside them. What I have started doing is, teaching them to open their eyes and cry, so they can see me and know that I am preparing food for them. I did this a number of times and every time they cried with their eyes closed without listening to my voice, I kept telling them to open their eyes and see what I am doing and then cry. It took them a while but they've learnt that now they don't need to freak out when they're hungry any more. They wake up look around and if they don't see me then they make sounds(not crying sounds). When they see their milk bottles they know their call has been answered. They have learnt to trust me, they now know when mom says she's going to get food, she will get food. Today my little baby woke up from her midday nap and did not find me, she made a little sound, I knew she was hungry and went to her with the milk she was quite happy.

I wondered sometimes I just keep crying to my Father in heaven without even paying attention to what He is saying or doing. My kids learnt to trust me in 4 steps

When they first cried they learnt to open their eyes to see if I had heard them
To stop crying and listen if I was saying something to them
Initially I would show them that I was preparing their feeding bottle, so they could see me work for them
Now they don't see me work in the same room, but they trust that their mom will meet their needs.

Conclusion:Shouldn't it be the same with believers who have spent some time with the Lord, to cry out, then to wait and listen for Him. Then to observe their lives and see the changes that are beginning to take place as our Lord makes everything work together for the good of those who love Him. Then to trust in the Lord our Heavenly Loving Father who is continuously at work on our behalf whether we can see Him or not. For a time we may not see Him but He is at work and will be back to meet us with His answers for us, for we are constantly on His mind, just as I now have my kids on the back of my mind every second of my day, no matter what I am doing.

The Year That Was 2007

2007-12-31T17:41:00.000-08:00

Every 31st night in India we have a midnight service at our local church. The church in my hometown has a particularly special event during the midnight service, I love that program. Our church being a small one with few people attending the midnight service, everyone (well whoever wants to) gets a chance to give their testimony of how the Lord guided/blessed them the past year. I am not going to be at my church in India this year so I can't do that. So I decided to put up my testimony for this year 2007 right here on my blog. I write this testimony with this prayer in my heart that whoever reads it, if they know the Lord they will get stronger in faith and whoever doesn't know my Lord will atleast make an attempt to know Him. My Lord Jesus.

The Year that was 2007

Special Delivery-I love being pampered, being the only daughter in my family, my dad's elder brother has 3 sons and my dad has me and 2 more sons. So I was always cared for more, loved more and I guess in the process I like to be treated real special. My God does that with me too. He answered one prayer I had prayed some 15years back when I first met Him."God give me a unique life" and He sure did. He blessed me this year with twin babies, an awesome blessing, I can never fully express my gratefulness for this precious gift bundle from God, never ever.
Special people-I have been praying for my husband to find genuine Christian people in his life that he may get to see real Jesus followers not the ones who worship only with their mouths and their hearts far away from Him....and God did. I found in our local AG church a wonderful family who don't talk Christian, they live Christian life. I love them.
Special first touch- I wanted my babies to be first introduced to my parents, a couple filled with the Holy Spirit, who love Jesus whole heartedly and God did just that. My parents have been with me since the birth of my twins (Sept) until the 6th of Jan 08. I am absolutely grateful to God my Living Father for that.Totally grateful Dad!!!

Above all-Dear Daddy in Heaven, I am totally grateful to You Dear Dad for being in my life. My life has surely become special and different, absolutely unique, absolutely blessed. You have made my life such a beautiful adventure. I love you more each passing day. Thank you Lord for everything and every blessing You have given me. May my life be a demonstration of Your love before people who don't know You. Shine through me Dear Lord and share Your love for Your people every one of them on this earth(Ps24). Lots of Love, Your daughter Godzheart. Amen

I Love December

2007-12-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

I love December for I get to celebrate the Birthdays of the two most important people in my life. My Lord Jesus and my hubby. So I am planning to make him Black Forest cake and just hope it turns out well. Now you don't go telling him his surprise ok...

In the meanwhile, my twin dolls are doing well, they're growing well, they have learnt to recognise me and they now smile at us. Above all, the most precious thing is they look like me and my hubby. I feel such joy when we sit and watch them and say "This one's nose is like you, that ones lips are like mine."

Wow my lil ones look like me, my image. I feel a little nervous when they cry and scream if I'm a bit late in getting them their food but times when they are happy I feel strangely proud and sooo immensely loved when they stare into my eyes and smile. This feeling has encouraged me to get even closer to God my Father, in Whose image I am made. Wouldn't He be feeling so proud when He sees His image in me and wouldn't He feel loved when I look into His eyes and smile, just smile, not crying or screaming and asking for food or other needs, just smiling and being a child admiring her Dad.

My lil ones have been made in my image and came through me and they belong to me, given to me by my Heavenly Father. The Word of God reads in Matthew 22:20-22 "20and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21"Caesar's," they replied.Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." We've been made in the image of our Heavenly Father and so we belong to Him, this Christmas as we celebrate the best gift we ever received from our Heavenly Father, His Son and a new life in exchange for our sin and suffering and death, let us remember to give to God what belongs to Him....even ourselves.

Love

Amazing Human Technology

2007-12-02T22:12:00.000-08:00

I have been amazed throughout my pregnancy and the birth and even more amazed as I learn more about the human body and its intricacies. My heart can't stop saying "wow Lord You knit them up so easily, a human body inside a human body its amazing"....

When I learnt more about feeding the babies I learnt that mother's milk has the capability to give the baby all weapons for the baby to be able to fight anything that may harm the baby. If the baby has a cold, mother's milk produces cold fighting stuff and so on and so forth until the baby is able to eat solid food and get nourishment for itself. That is wow to me.

I now am more able, to appreciate the Word of God like a mother's milk, which speaks to us specific to our situation even it be a verse you've read over and over again. The same verse speaks(delivers nutirients) nourishment to our spiritual body pertaining to our current needs.

May the Living Word of our Living Heavenly Father be nourishment for your needs, all you need to do is drink from it and grow healthy in our spirit.

God Bless

Can't be luke warm

2007-10-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

Life is suddenly so different when there is a new addition to the family and I have been doubly blessed. I had just one thing to fervently and passionately pray about earlier, but now with my little cuties I have 2 more things added to my prayer list to pray about.

When I was a little girl I used to often spend my time at my mom's parent's home. In those days they had this coal fired little stove like thing. Every time the fire was about to fade away as the coal burnt off, my grandma would add more to the existing flaming coals left in the stove and the hot flame continued to glow little longer. I feel my life turning out to be that way...and strangely I am glad to be inside the flame(well sort of).

There are many things/people/places/lifestyle I would have loved to 'covet' and I even could have, but then I am so grateful to God for the one I have now, the ones I have been blessed with around me...they may not be what I would have wanted for myself...but they sure are what I needed, I am glad God added them to my life else I am sure I would have been a luke warm christian continuing in the daily assortment of busy churchy stuff with no personal ember glowing, but now with all these new coals I cannot afford to be luke warm....I just cannot, they are too precious to be put at stake. So as God has added these more new coals(not burning ones) I've got to heat up lil extra to get them to glow too.

There are times when you've been glowing for the Lord for a long time and you might be at the end of your passion. Its the time when things seem lull, dull and a monotonous routine, even if it be the church activities. We might be having a lot of fun, laughs and enjoyment in the company, but then we can get cosy and just glow the regular amount of glow we're used to. But when God wants us to glow a little more brighter, He adds a few more new coals into our lives so that we may glow a little more than warm....we glow HOT in order that we may pass on the flame to the new coal. He doesn't add a whole heap of new coals suddenly that the fire itself dies down, but just the right amount that will make the flame go on a little longer and a little longer...

Also if the coal itself is not red/yellow hot there is no way it can transfer the flame (notice its not the warmth transfer its a heat/flame transfer) to another coal, not a warm coal, but ONLY the red hot glowing coal can transfer the flame.

2 Timothy 1:6"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands"

May my Living and Loving Saviour Lord Jesus bless you even as you fan into flame your passion for the new coals being added to your life. They're there to make you shine brighter, not to put you off.

Love

Before they call I will answer..

2007-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Prayer Bearers on my behalf,

Thank you so much for upholding me and the babies in your prayers. The fear I had before going for the operation was totally undone and I went in with power and the Presence of our Lord Jesus. The operation went well, the babies did really well for being so tiny and everything and they passed all the tests by the power of my Living God.

The babies are just so cute and I think so well programmed(knitted) by my Loving Father...they wake up together, eat together, sleep at the same time...and eat exactly every 3 hours, so I am ready for them before they call out for me. Wow this just reminds me of the verse in the Bible "Isaiah 65:24 "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isn't it that way with our Loving Father in heaven too. Stooping down to listen to our cries to Him and ever ready and present help for us.

Now I need to rest as my BP has been persistently high soon after the operation and doc has asked me to lie down as much as possible.

Love you all dear Neva, dear granny_b , dear ch green and dear sistacala.

Stork is delivering tomorrow

2007-09-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in my Lord Jesus,

My surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow 12th Sep at 10:30CST. Do pray for me and the babies to be well.

Love
Godzheart

The God Who wants to come to YOU

2007-08-13T16:44:00.001-07:00

A lot has happened since my last post...I'm on bed rest and God's busy taking care of us, me and my babies in the womb.

Yesterday I lay me down to sleep reading from Mark 1:40-45

A Man With Leprosy

"40A man with leprosy[a] came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
43Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44"See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." 45Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere."

This passage made me think, why would Jesus not have the man tell everyone about what had happened. Aren't we told to go tell the world about Jesus our Lord. Well I realised there are times, we've got to be silent.
Notice when the man went and told all the people of what Jesus had done for him, Jesus could no longer enter the town.

I realised our loving Lord Jesus, loves to come over and meet with us, He loves to come to where we are. He is the One who wants to knock on our heart's door, He wants to come over and meet with us. He is the One who wants to come to us. All the while in the Word of God if you read you will find that God made the move towards man, to come to man.

Here's what I mean,
With Moses- God drew his attention and was watching Moses all the while Exodus 3:4 "When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am."
God called Abraham, Samuel, Noah and everyone else when they weren't even doing anything special to get God's attention. God was just waiting to meet with them. He makes the first move ALL the time.

We didn't/cannot initiate love toward God 1 John 4:19"We love because He first loved us."

Theonly thing God is interested in is whether we are able to trust Him for His Word or not. Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Does God expect us to look for Him, yes He does. But then if you read Hebrews 11:6 carefully you'll find, He doesnt wait to reward the one who can find Him but for those who are making the attempt to seek Him even.

What a wonderful Saviour, Loving Friend our Lord is, reaching out to us constantly, whether we're looking out for Him or not.

Feed your spirit not your vision

2007-07-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

From the time I saw my babies at the doctor's office, it was a beautiful vision of a future reality. A wonderful reality not at the moment but that which is to come. While I went by my daily living, the vision I had seen has continued to grow inside of me. This thought revved up my heart yesterday as I was praying.

God gives us a vision of the future that He has planned for us...and then what. Some of us just dive into the vision then and there, groping for something which has not yet been realised. Hoping to drag that vision into the 'right now' time...when it is actually meant for a much later time. Everyone whom God called in the Bible was given a vision or a dream of what would be in their future and what they were to receive or do. Noah, the crazy guy who built a boat on the land. Abram the mad fellow who had his name changed to Abraham(father of many nations) when his wife was barren and they were well advanced in age to have a baby. Joseph, the guy who was thrown into adversity the moment he got his dream from the Lord.

This pregnancy is showing/teaching me spiritual stuff I would have easily overlooked. When I came to know I was going to have my babies, they were still inside of me and it surely didn't mean they were going to be in my arms the next day either. It will be quite a long wait from then on- 40weeks. In the meanwhile as I wait for the big day, a lot of things about me changed. I started on some vitamins, I improved my food habits, I reduced on junk food, I started doing everything to make myself healthy. So I began working on my physical and mental health. Eating well and being joyful. Seeing and absorbing good things. I started working on things that would benefit my well being, I didn't start working on the babies, I didn't personally give them food, I am working on myself, while the miracles continue to grow on the inside of me. When the time comes I will see the miracle before my eyes

So it is with our Living God. When God gives us a vision, there is a time through which God will take us in order that we may grow and be made ready for the vision to be made real in the future. Notice it is not us who bring the vision into reality, like it is not me making the babies in my womb, it is God. Our duty is to prepare ourselves for the day in which the vision will be made real.

When God gives us a vision or a dream, he doesn't mean for us to make good that vision that is His work . God wants us to get ready and be prepared for the vision. God shows us the vision in order that we may be motivated and have faith that what God has promised He is able to perform (Hebrews 11), like for Abraham, God showed him the stars of the sky, the countless grains of sand and even changed his name in order that Abraham start changing his thinking about his own life and be ready when the promise, the vision, his own offspring from his own wife, be born.

Has God given you a vision? Then start working on yourself, building up yourself with the best spiritual food you can have and grow stronger that you be fully ready and prepared when the vision comes into being.

40

2007-07-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well, this is amazing to me and encouraged me, hope it encourages you too. The speciality and singnificance of the number 40.

I realised whoa how important is this number 40 its everywhere and means the same every time, especially when applied to human beings when I came to know. Exactly as the Bible says, every time 40 is mentioned.

The great flood during Noah's time Genesis 7:12 - There was going to be a time of testing for Noah and his family, they were to be shut into that boat for 40days and nights.
Moses remained in the mountain for the Ten Commandments -Exodus 34:28- Again a time of being separated from the world, up in the mountain without food or drink a time of separation
Israelites in the desert-Deuteronomy 8:2- Time of separation from the common amenities, testing, building up of faith on their Living God
Jesus in the desert before His ministry began-Matthew 4:2-Again a time of testing, preparation, separation from the world and connection with God the Father

We now see a sort of pattern come up out of the Bible. 40, appears out of the above examples as a number of testing, separation and preparation, usually before a great endeavour begins or is delivered into the world.

The most beautiful thing about those 40days or years of testing, trials, preparation and separation is this....they all point towards redemption, renewal, spiritual growth and a strengthened connection with our Living God.Though the person going through the period of 40days or years seems like a common person, a regular Joe, when they are presented to the world at the end of successfully completing their gestation, they demonstrate the real , almost tangible power of God.

For Noah the beginning of a new life for the whole world and a promise from Living God. For Moses he comes down with a radiant face, so he had to cover it, for he had spoken with God(Exodus 34:27-29) . For Israelites a group of people of whom all nations were scared because of their Living God who brought them out of Egypt and through the wilderness with no bruises, no lack, and no worn out sandals or clothesDeuteronomy 29:5. For our Lord Jesus, a minisry with such impact that it still resounds 2000yrs and more since He walked this earth.

Live, Move and Have our being...

2007-07-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

"28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' " Acts 17:28

I couldn't have understood the full meaning of this scripture, but now through being pregnant I got this new revelation in my mind.

A few months ago, nobody would have known I was pregnant, I didn't look pregnant. I didn't feel pregnant, but during the recent days when my babies move, I can feel them. It is an amazing feeling. Knowing that knowing that knowing that there is a part of you, a living being inside of you. It is amazing and beautiful and I cannot describe it in words.
In such a time I remembered this verse from Acts 17:28. In our Lord we live and move and have our being.
My babies are living inside of me, they are moving inside of me and they have their being inside of me.
The living and moving part of it are easily comprehensible, but the most interesting part of the verse is in knowing have our being.

What does it mean to "have our being in Him(Jesus our Lord)"?
Here's how I understand it now. For my babies there is no other place to grow healthy and safe and beautifully than inside of me. No incubator and nothing man-made could ever give that kind of special fortress for them. In Ecclesiastes 11:5 the Bible says "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." The process is so wonderful, imagine a whole complex system like the brain, the lungs, the heart and all being wonderfully created inside of me. A whole human being, being made inside of another human being. Wow!!
Yet for my babies to be absolutely healthy and face the world they've got to be inside of me and remain in me for the entire time they're being fearfully and wonderfully made.

So also for us children of God, offspring of God, there is no safer and better place to grow beautifully than inside our God. That is the place we will have our being. Thats the place we can be made complete. Thats the place we can grow in strength to face anything that comes against us in our spiritual life.

Let us remain in our Lord Jesus, for every nourishment we can get, that we may truly live and move and have our being in Him.

Happy Birthday to me!!

2007-06-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday and I have a millions things to thank my Living and Loving God for...

For the most amazing grandparents both mom's side and dad's side I could have ever been blessed with. I say this because we can always choose our friends, but not our family and God blessed me with a fantastic family full of believers who taught me to know the One Who has loved me eternally.

For my loving and wonderful and absolutely great parents, who usured me into walking the right way even until now, guiding and directing me through their prayers and love. For being my backbone every time I needed someone to lean on.

For my handsome and brilliant brothers who love me so much, though they don't say so, they're actions speak volumes of their love and respect for me.

For my hubby dearest, exactly the kind I needed to grow spiritually, actually speaking I wouldn't have started this blog if it hadn't been for him being in my life.

For all my believer friends, fellow bloggers who encouraged me right at the moment I needed to continue this blog and knowingly or unknowingly blessing me through their words.

Above all else I am absolutely and humbly grateful to my Living God who has made my life a wonderful adventure from the first day I met Him, until now. There has never been a dull moment and never been a time when He left. Never a time when He judged me when people were ready to point out my faults like that woman whom they wanted to stone, but my Lord stood by me, no judging me but always showing me a way out and accepting me the way I am...something many believers find very difficult to do with other believers new or old, accepting them. He never showed any partiality or favoured someone else more than me, and I am absolutely humbled to say that He gave me chances in my life span even till now to see His wonderful bruised hand work on my behalf through situations when people had left me but my God never left me.

My rock and my salvation and my deliverer is He. My source of victory and sustenance. He chose me even before I was born and wanted to be my Father in Heaven, One whom I could have never been able to live without.

Psalm 22:10 "From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God."

Walking Through Red Sea

2007-06-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Today as I was listening to a message by Pastor Lloyd Pulley of Calvary Chapel NJ, he spoke about Faith and a study from Hebrew 11, when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea.

I got to thinking of the situation the Israelites went through. Between the promise and its fulfilment, there was a walk between walls of water. Walls of water !!!
Imagine God telling the Israelites, being chased by the Egyptians behind them and confronted with the Red Sea before them, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:13).

Now thats a crazy thought, to be still when the enemy is fast approaching your heel!! Yet the Lord parted the Red Sea and the water stood on both sides like walls. Wow you say. I dwelled at this point for a little longer this time, attempting to cross through this valley made by wind and flanked by water, not a solid fortified wall of any sort we know of, but water. Now we know water, except in its frozen state in a very cold place, it cannot be much of a fence of any kind. Yet the Israelites had to trust God, Moses had to trust God and lead the people through this path on the sea bed trusting that the waterwall wont collapse.

Sometimes in our life, God promises us about our situation and we know we can trust God, yet there is a time when you'll have to trust God through that situation. It is very rare (atleast I haven't read an account so far) that someone had to bypass a tough situation they were facing just because God promised. No matter what the situation be that you are facing, there will rarely be a shortcut bypassing the time of faith, where you have to solely trust in God and nothing else.

The Israelites could not trust in that wall of water to hold, nor on the strong easterly wind that had blown the water away, but ONLY on the One who had parted the sea - on God. It wasn't just over in a blink of an eye, but they had to walk through that valley between walls of water, step by step, until they crossed over to the other side. Can you imagine, how fearful they might have been, yet they had to go through it in order to see a full victory over their oppressors.

So also for us, no matter what sea of problems you are facing, or what the enemy has been chasing you with right at your heel, remember, first of all, when God promised he would take them out of Egypt-He did. God is able to uphold the very waters of the sea of problems that loom over you seeming to drown you, but God is with you, even through your walk in that valley like the pillar of cloud went with the Israelites and on the other side of this valley there is victory.

I am reminded of what David said in Psalm 23. "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me"

Mercy Said No

2007-06-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

I love the power in the song...

I was just a child, when I felt the Savior leading
I was drawn to what I could not understand
And for the cause of Christ, I have spent my days believing
That what He'd have me be, is who I am

As I've come to see the weaker side of me
I realize His grace is what I'll need
When sin demanded justice for my soul

(Chorus)
Mercy said no
I'm not gonna let you go
I'm not gonna let you slip away
You don't have to be afraid
Mercy said no
sin will never take control
Life and death stood face to face
Darkness tried to steal my heart away
Thank You Jesus, Mercy said no
For God so loved the world, that He sent His son to save us
From the cross He built a bridge to set us free
Oh, but deep within our hearts, there is still a war that rages
And makes a sacrifice so hard to see
As midnight fell on the crucifixion day
The light of hope seemed oh so far away
As evil tried to stop redemption's flow
(Repeat Chorus)

(Bridge)
And now when heaven looks at me
It's through the blood of Jesus
Reminding me of one day long ago
(Repeat Chorus)

-CeCe Winans

I'm tagged

2007-05-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

I was surprised to get tagged on this blog. I didn't think there were many who read this .

I am so glad Cindy tagged me.

Here are the rules:

Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.
Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

So here's 8 random info about me.

I get more active as the day ends rather than when it began.
I don't have great moves but I love dancing to any happy music.
I hate insects and bugs, I still remember the day as a kid when I stepped on a cockroach barefoot, I was grossed out for a month. Well it still haunts me. :)
I love software games, like Diner Dash, Pipeline, Text Twist, Chuzzle, Word Slinger. I am capable of whiling away most of my day just playing games.
I am crazy about kids cartoon channels. I don't usually watch informational stuff on TV, cartoons do a good job of entertaining me and they make me happy.
I am a friendly person, but after moving to USA the last 2 years, my blogger friends are all whom I actually interact with. I would love to have American friends if anyone would wanna be friends with me or just talk. Email is good too. (godzhart@yahoo.com)
I am a "talker", big time. I can talk for hours and of stuff I don't know where they come from in my head. I think I do make quite a pleasant acquaintance-well people who've talked to me say so. :)
I love shouting slogans and cheering and stuff, so if you need a hand at some game or sports event for shouting stuff, I am available. Not political slogans though, just friendly game /sports kind of shouting.

Thats about me.

I'de love to tag the following people, if they wouldn't mind, no obligations really

My Loving Dad

2007-04-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

My dad's name is Vijay (meaning-victory). He's also got a second name Barnabas(meaning-son of consolation or joy), and his life demonstrates both.

He is a wonderful man, funny, always joyful and always bringing cheer wherever he goes. I never remember one time of my dad causing anyone any pain or grief. Always ready to help. When he was young, he was so naughty, people thought he would never become anything in life. People and relatives thought he wouldn't make it well in life.

Daddy just had one Friend and simple faith in Him-Jesus, he never gave up, he worked hard, starting as a worker with the railways, moving on to repair and now to managing a whole section of trains running, working with the Indian Railways. Mom and dad both worked hard to make ends meet and give us three(me and 2 younger brothers) the best of education and food and clothing.

When everyone was interested in what we would become (as in work) in life, dad was concerned what we would become spiritually in life. He persisted in ushuring us to church and learning more of His Loving Lord Jesus. I still remember him, often telling me "Whether you learn anything else in life, whatever turn your life takes, never ever turn from Jesus, He is the ONLY true friend you can have".

In years we three were to come to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and be baptised in water . We three were the first among other cousins in this.

God didn't stop at that, He blessed my dad's children much beyond my dad could have ever imagined. I did my engineering and worked with IBM, my younger brother Abraham finishing his course in Bachelor of Science works with Microsoft Support in Chennai and my youngest brother David, finished his Master in Business Administration at IIM Lucknow(a reknowned top Business Management School in India) and now works with Infosys.What more could a dad ask for his children. He asked His Daddy in heaven for spiritual blessings for us and God in heaven in His generosity and riches of His glory gave my dad such bountiful blessings.

When everyone had given up on my dad, and he was a joke to them, God raised up for him children who were blessed because of my dad's faithfulness to our Living God. No one else in our family has been blessed with so much honour as my dad. Now the uncles and aunties who used to make fun of dad and thought nothing of him, say of him " God has blessed Vijay a lot, all his children are strong in the Lord and blessed with education and work". They see the hand of our Living Lord Jesus working in my dad's life.

I am totally proud of my dad here on earth and eternally grateful to my Daddy in Heaven for blessing me with such a wonderful dad.

Praise be to my Living Lord.

Behold, my Lord is doing a new thing

2007-04-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

I have been a lot lot slow in writing recently, as I wasn't keeping too well. Its not a 'sad' illness, its a good one.

Some new ones will be joining us in a few more months. I am having my first babies. Yes God is giving me twins. My very own Minnesota Twins.

I am overwhelmed at the joy God has given to me and my husband and we pray for their good health and keep them under the blood of my Lord Jesus.

These days I am much better and will get back to posting more.

Love
Godzheart(KB)

Sing Unto The Lord-Anil Kant and Daughter

2007-03-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favourite singers. His name is Anil Kant.Enjoy this song he sings for the Lord with his daughter.

Also, here's the link to Anil Kant's testimony

Mommy Dearest

2007-03-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

I just feel like writing about my family, I'll start with my mom. I met her first you know :)
My mom's name is Esther. She is an amazing woman and exactly like Esther from the Bible, I'd say. In your very first meeting with her, you'd immediately notice her magnetic personality, extremely friendly nature and an open heart to welcome one and all. Nothing godly though.

When we were young, dad taught us to pray and the one thing he always told us was "Whether you learn anything else in life or not, you must know Jesus". In India in our home we call Jesus "Yeshu baba" meaning:" Jesus our daddy". Dad taught us all that, being very diligent in going to church and never missing a single sunday. Boy did we get a lecture from dad if we didn't go one Sunday for an illogical reason, like "Our friends are not coming" or something like that. I don't remember mom insisting on such, though she did, on those sundays when dad had to go to another city for work.

I remember, once when we were going to Calcutta by a local train from our station. It was a 5 hours journey and there were many people on the train. The train had put us all in the rhythm of its movement and I had dozed off. After a while I woke up with the sound of my mom talking to someone in whatever broken Bengali (language) she knew. She was talking to another lady about Jesus!!! I was shocked, I thought that lady's husband would scold my mother if she went on like that, but he didn't, they both listened attentively. In the end the lady said she would pray to Jesus for some situation she was going through. She infact asked my mom if she had something she could read. Mom didn't have any, but she gave her some idea of how to pray. My mother then sat silently as if nothing happened and that woman looked hopeful as if something had happened. That was amazing.

Another time, me and my mom were going to our local market in Jamshedpur by an auto. You can share the ride with someone else too. A man got into the auto. He was a non-Christian man and didn't from any angle look like he'd ever want to hear about Jesus. We had bought some calendars for the New Year and these calendars have Bible verses for each and every day. They are made at Hebron, in Hyderabad.

"What are those papers you're carrying, are they calendars?", he asked.

"Yes they are christian calendars, we got from church", mom replied.

"They look very nice, how can I get one?", he asked further.

Mom replied," You can't get them in shops", "it has verses from the Bible and it encourages and blesses, if you read it every day with prayer", she added.

To my shock, the man said," I'd like one of those calendars".

Mom gave one to him and when he asked what he should do with it, she explained how to pray and that man was so grateful. She of course didn't take any money from him.

The rest of the way, everyone was quiet and I was amazed and adored my mom for her brave manner of sharing God's Word with a Hindu man. Its not easy to share like this, they rarely ask and if they do, and if we answer anything about Jesus, be sure some one is going to get hurt and it would mostly be the believer.

I am so blessed to have a wonderful mom like her. Hope I'd be able to be like her to my children.

Fishing Without a Pole

2007-02-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I tend to worry, I sit and write poems to my Lord Jesus
Here's a poem I wrote as I wait to see God's work in my married family.

Fishing Without A Pole
"Not now, not now",I cried out loud,
in frustration at His persistence, to take me out.
To get Him off my already messed up life,
I could have said "Get lost",
but He was so loving and gentle, I had to be polite.
I said "Ok, later - but not tonight,"
"tomorrow I’m free, if that’s alright"
He said "I’ll be here to pick you up at 6 sharp,"
"please don’t make other plans, to break my heart"
I heard, but didn’t listen to what He said,
well I had more important things, to occupy my head.
Evening came and He came too,
I didn’t have time for Him again, I knew.
I’ve run out of excuses, I’ve used them all
I’ve been so rude, but His love for me hasn’t changed at all.
Couldn’t He see I had so much to do,
or is He uninterested in what I’m going through.
How can He not see, my troubles, my cares,
the jobs, the mouths to feed, bills to pay
and all the problems that stare.
I decided, I must end it all,
His constant invitations were distracting
from my usual world and all.
I didn’t want to be pulled out from my world of sorrow,
but when I opened the door, His same gentle smile,
made me forget my worries for tomorrow.
He said "I’d like to take you fishing by the lake tonight."
I thought this Guy is crazy, how could fishing improve my life,
but I restrained my sarcasm, and with uninterested ears,
stood there and listened, his attempt for me, so sincere
This time he convinced me for a walk by the lake
Some food and meeting new people,
how much time could that take.
So I said "Yes" and off we went, to the lakeside nearby
I was amazed at the number of distressed people I saw
- Did I, daily, pass them by?

A woman sat by her door,
with eyes, scanning the streets
I asked Him, "What is she looking for?"
He said, "For her husband, who had taken all her savings
and left her incomplete"
I reached out and touched the woman
and she burst into tears
I was thankful to God, my husband works
and shares all my pains and fears.
A strange thing happened in me suddenly,
and I began to share
The Word of God welled from my heart,
of all His tender loving care
As I finished, I could see,
hope rising in her eyes,
she looked at me and thanked me
for the kind words and loving advice
We met a boy of thirteen ,gaping at the sky,
His eyes looked up, but I could see
there was emptiness in his sight
My heart cried out to see this boy,
sitting lonely and uncared
I went up close and found a single tear,
rolling down his face, so fair
I asked my Host, "What’s up with him,
why is he by himself"
He said "His father doesn’t care,
whether his son lives at home or anywhere else"
I told the boy of a "Father in heaven,
who really cared for him"
He blinked his eyes, "Thank you" he said,
nobody ever had shared any love with him.
My Host then turned to me and said,
"You look radiant my dear"
"I see no worries, no stress, no pain,
not even for tomorrow any fear"

I realised what had been going on,
the Word of God in my heart was stirred ,
God’s net of love was ready to catch,
the hearts that were disturbed
I had grown strength in my inner being,
by shining out God’s Love.
I didn’t worry about myself anymore,
I knew I was on a mission from above.
He said" You’re a fisherman and
that’s what I came to show"
"by sharing the Word of God to hopeless hearts,
your strength in God you’ll know"
"I called to make you fishers of men ,
not fishers of worldly cares"
My eyes then saw, my Host Jesus,
I knew, the net of God’s love is what the world craves.
That night we saved many more a lives,
from the seas of despair
Before they could continue being lost,
the net of God’s love was spread

I am a fisherman of God, oh a new
and strange joy I had found
As I carried that night God’s fishing net,
my life turned whole and sound
I go fishing now, without a care,
without a hook and without a pole
For God’s Word inside of me when shared,
has more power in it, to nourish that withered soul

Looking Back at God's Faithfulness

2007-02-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

I am dedicating this post to share from my life, incidents in which God worked wonderfully and changed the situations a whole 180 degree turn.

I am the eldest of 3 children, me and 2 younger brothers Abraham and David. There was a time, when after I went to college, that my family was in spiritual trouble. My brother Abraham had become very violent, disobedient and had bad friends. My heart ached, my parents were sorrowful, my younger brother David was disturbed. The house was in unrest. In the meanwhile, at my college, me and my friend Mary were like David and Jonathan, she loves me dearly and we were 2 prayer partners ready to take on the world and so we did.

I had gone home for our summer break in 1998 and saw the condition at home. At that time, God had brought a book to my hand, named "The Bondage Breaker" through my friend and senior in college Geordee. I am not fond of scary stories and this was I don't know why I got that book book. I read it anyway and found myself interested in the way it deals with spiritual warfare. That was an eye opener for me. So when I saw the situation at home, I was ready to try what Neil had said in his book.

I remember that evening, a blind uncle who often visited our home had come to meet us, he works for Bible Society of India. Though uncle could not see through his physical eyes, God had given him the ability to see spiritually, our struggles. He told us, the reason for what had been going on with my brother. And boy I was mad at the devil, so I met my brother, Abraham, I asked him if he could say "Jesus is Lord", he replied, "I don't believe in your God". I knew that was it...so me and my parents got together and prayed a violent prayer...I had never prayed that effortlessly and violently before.

The next day I left for college, then at college, Mary and I continued to pray for thim from June until October 1999. In october, my brother called me(he had never done that ever before) and said, "Please pray for me, I want to read the Bible, but I can't" I said ok and right there in that common room of my hostel, with girls chatting around, some walking around, I prayed through the phone. He said thank you and kept the phone. God had prepared a way for our family to see a miracle, that year.

Before the year ended, my brother Abraham was a free young man, he had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour and on 31st of Dec that same year, took water baptism to declare the same. I got to see him that year 1999, when I went home for Christmas and New Year. He was a changed person, his eyes shone with joy and he couldn't stop talking of our Lord Jesus.
He recently got a job and received good favour from his managers. I am so proud of him and so grateful to God.

Sounds like a fairy tale isn't it, but it happened in my life.
(I wish I could put pictures, but they're all those old reel format and back in India)

1 Chronicles 16:12 "Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,"

Warmth

2007-02-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

A cold winter day, I look outside the window. Everything looks calm and sunny, but I know the weather desktop thingy is not lying when it says it is -7F outside. There is no snowing, the sun is bright, the trees look green(well almost), my heart wants to be outside and watch the people, the lake, the birds, the shoppers..but the desktop weather icon tells me its cold out there. There are a few people out there, running the trail, in boots, their bodies tucked away securely in the warmth of their thick lined jackets, hats and gloves.
Well I wanted to see for myself if the desktop weather was really really giving the right temperature- is it really cold outside? Well I stepped out onto my patio, without the jacket, without my warm mittens, without slippers of any sort to cover my feet, I am powerful I am braving the chills.
Soon my power gives up on me, the warmth of the heater that kept me warm inside my cosy apartment left me almost instantly. My fingers and feet stop feeling anything, its not cold anymore, I'm standing on something hard, yeah just hardness of the patio wood. The feelings of coldness are leaving me slowly, starting from my feet, the ground on which I stand, I know I stand, but with no feeling of cold anymore, the feet, they're going numb, the blood I guess will stop flowing in that direction a few more minutes from now. I don't turn to go inside, well the door is still open, my room heater still keeps my living room warm, but I don't go inside-why?
I search my heart for answers, there is nothing great outside here, its only cold, I can't even focus on the things I wanted to see, then why?..I'm adventurous and bold....I reason further, still standing on my numb feet, oh it won't be warm inside after all, who's there for me if I go in, who will make my life interesting if I go in? Maybe the one's that showed me their warmth, will warm me up again...but maybe if I venture out for some more time I will like it, let me stay a little while longer...my feet don't respond to the fact that my brain sent them signals to wiggle. They're wiggling alright, but I don't feel anything anymore...soon it will be too late to return...but the door's still open...I turn and go in.

Sin is like that isn't it? When eve was roaming around in the garden, she came across the tree of which God said "Don't eat it." and satan comes by luring her,the master of all sin and lies, he says "Did God really say you shouldn't eat it?". There is the seed of doubt planted against the very Person who 'birthed' her and called her His own. Seems so glamorous, sugar coated on the outside looking, but inside , it holds sweet poison. It slowly kills the feelings, the very feet you stand on, loses its ground, until you feel nothing, you're numbed to sin and wrong doesn't seem wrong anymore, the feelings, that make you human are gone.Sin cares for no one, sin doesn't come to show you the pretty sunshine, but take you out from the warmth of your feelings, the feelings that help you guage right from wrong. It skews your ability to see black and white, shows you the greys and soon, there will be nothing but black, the feelings gone, conscience dead. The body will follow the way of demise soon, sin hurriedly tries to gain the most control, to speed up this...

However the door to warmth and life still remains open and it's hardly away from you."11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. ...14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. "Deuteronomy 30:11-15

It is never too late to turn to God, never. What you've been looking for, is right behind the door, named Jesus. Enter in and feel the warmth of His love.

How great Thou Art, O' Lord

2007-01-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning, it was flurrying a bit. The snow flakes fell one by one, some in little groups, very slowly and softly on my porch. I watched them for a while and then I wanted to see a little more closely.

I stepped out to see that little flake sitting on my porch, and the others which sat with their friends, huddled together as if, trying to avoid the cold (14F).

I took my camera and took a picture of them lying on my porch and I witnessed the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my whole life. Those tiny tiny, even less than a millimeter in diameter, were so amazingly beautiful and intricately designed, I just was in awe of my God, who had made them so beautiful. I had been wondering, how the people had come up with such a wonderfully geometric and beautiful shape for a snow flake, because I used to think they were like round cotton balls, but I was so awestruck when I found out ,they weren't round and boring, but so amazingly beautiful, really really.

I am not much of a designer, I can look at something and draw it-copy a drawing, but I cannot think of something unique and beautiful on my own, I can copy something as close to it as possible, but I cannot create a unique design off my own mind. After seeing the snow flake, I realised, "Hey, I can ask the Chief Designer, from whom everyone else takes inspiration (whether they know it or not), to help me out in designing pretty faces for my blogs. "
We've been placed in God's art gallery and it never ends to bring joy and peace to us...Nature, flowers, people , animals, insects, birds...mountains, valleys...and sunsets...they never repeat themselves, every one of them unique and beautiful.

You and me, unique and beautiful, all His handiwork.
Oh, then sings my soul, "How Great Thou Art O Lord"

I am Different and maybe weird, but I am still Loved

2007-01-24T07:30:00.000-08:00

I don't want to write about "me", but I sure would like to write about the One Who made me, the way I am.
When I went to college, I was surprised at the new world I was going to live in. I had a culture shock, because I come from a town called Jamshedpur in the North East part of India, a sort of mordernised town, and having its own character. So when I moved to Kerala for my college, I wondered how could people possibly live like this!!!...I'll tell you what I saw.
Women weren't that bold, they were supposed to behave shy and quietly. The quieter the better. Oh boy, now that was a culture shock to me, because my parents had always treated me as good as a boy. There was nothing I was not allowed to do, just because I was a girl. My mom always calls me "beta"(pronouced as "bay-taa") meaning my son in Hindi. No wonder I was into sports, into singing and into anything I wanted to do. I had no sisters to play with, my cousins were all boys, and I have 2 younger brothers, so I played cricket, football, and all those rough games. Thanks to my loving mom, she fought to get her college degree and she is still working with Tata Motors, she wanted me to be free to do whatever I wanted to do and become all that I could become.

At college we had a prayer group where I used to go with other christian friends, but I was an extremely extremely outgoing person. I had soooooo many friends, and I was and still am very very talkative. The only difference now being, I don't have many friends around here to talk to...

Anyways, all the girls in the prayer group would sit very gently, and "shyly" and quietly and with their heads down, except to look at the speaker. Well I was the only one looking all over the room, at all the people in the room..and the speaker, of course...I was "different".

I was definitely and distinctly different, and stuck out like a sore thumb. I had short hair, everyone else had atleast 2mtrs of hair. Well I had more like a mushroom cut...so I even "looked" different. In all of this, sometimes I used to get discouraged, because I was different and I didn't want to be. Some thought I was a snob (people think that, if you've got short hair like a foreigner). I wasn't a snob, thats how I was. I tried hard to blend in, and managed to some extent, learnt their local language and few things like being a little more quieter. Till this day I feel left out even when I'm with them, I don't know why.

But you know what the most beautiful thing I realised was, I really was always excited because God was constantly at work in my life and I loved His Presence every moment. I found God was also talkative, just like me. He loves to talk to me and hear me talk to Him. So in the midst of it all, I found my Friend, Who liked me just the way I am, and though I have faltered many a times, I have always found Him standing by my side, like a mother, protecting me when I'm alone, encouraging me when I'm down, loving me when I feel unloved, helping me when I'm helpless, caring for me when no ones there..and above all, talking to me when I need the right Word for my situation. Oh He is so wonderful to me, I wonder what I would have done without Him, my Lord and Love, Jesus. Well,I still don't know how to blend in, but now, I don't want to blend in anymore.

My Testimony

2007-01-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was born and brought up in a wonderful Christian family, by a very godfearing couple. We weren't very rich, but my parents did their best to give me and my 2 younger brothers the best that our little town could give. We got the best schooling and encouragement to do whatever we wanted to do.
My grandparents used to visit us often, they used to rise up early in the morning about 3 am and pray for all of us. It made me wonder, why would someone with common sense, ever want to lose precious sleep and pray??? Of all things. I sometimes even heard my name being said in their prayers. Well I thought that was being stupid with time. I was 10yrs old then
In the summer of 1994 we (the 3 of us, me and my 2 brothers Abraham and David) were sent for VBS (Vacation Bible School) at a church a little away from home. I learnt some real strange stuff, I learnt that our Lord Jesus was not an ordinary God, that He wanted a personal relationship with me??? This was a strange thing to me, though I was brought up in a Christian home, and my parents being believers and all, I thought being saved and all that jazz was for the old folks. My life changed with one statement, from Matthew 10:32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." I knew I had to do something and I did, I acknowledged Jesus as my Saviour before that circle of children seated around the fire, on camp fire night(the last night of the VBS camp) and it felt good, light and happy. I was in 10th standard in school then.
When we went back to school after the summer had ended, I didn't know how different life was going to turn out for me. I had been an above average student, a good girl, a good daughter, good at sports and everything else, nothing special had ever happened to me. However God had planned to make me stand out, I was no longer ordinary and part of the crowd anymore. The school board chose me to be the Vice Captain of the "Yellow House" and during my graduation from school I received the "Outstanding Sportsperson" of the year award too. I was thrilled the way things were going. Well God didn't stop at that. 2 yrs from then, something great was going to hit my family.
I went to a Hindu based school nearby for my 11th and 12th standard, in Maths and Science. I was in for a bigger surprise when they chose me to be the "Sports Secretary" there. I wasn't ordinary..yippee I wasn't. I was a leader there too. By the time 12th standard ended, everyone in the class, started preparing for entrance exams to get into various engineering and medical colleges. I did too. I prayed hard and I prepared and I got through, not by my might, but by the wisdom and knowledge of the Spirit of God. I got through India's 2nd best chain of Engineering Institutions.
God showed me that day, nothing was impossible for Him and I knew it in my heart, God and me made a great team and I wouldn't trade that partnership for anything.
(more later...)