Happy Resurrection Day

Happy Resurrection Day

 

Easter is more than a holiday; more than a symbolic celebration in honor of spring; more than bunnies and colored eggs and chocolate.  Easter is a message; a strong, clear, loud message from an All-Powerful and Loving God to a hopeless, lost, and dying generation of man.  Easter is actually about the greatest miracle that has ever occurred in the history of mankind, a documented, historical, miraculous fact. JESUS WAS DEAD… AND NOW, HE LIVES!  Easter is actually all about the power of the love of God; Easter is all about the power of RESURRECTION; HIS RESURRECTION POWER... TOWARD'S YOU.

 

Easter is all about that RESURRECTION POWER OF GOD, STILL AVAILALE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TODAY!  The same power that raised Jesus up and out from the 'deadest' kind of death is even more available to us now, simply for the asking! So never go just by what you think you know, what seems certain according to what you see with your natural eyes, or hear with your natural ears!  Never give up what is precious to you as dead and buried.  Make sure you get the full truth of the picture from the Word of God.  May Lord bless you on this auspicious day of Easter, and May it be a new beginning of greater prosperity, success and happiness. Wish you a Happy Resurrection Day!

Aashcharya Karudu - [Rojantha]

The Most Beautiful Flower

The Most Beautiful Flower

 

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read. Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree, Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn-not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose And declared with overacted surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

 

The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, He held it midair without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the very best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see.

A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree, How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see. The problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, And appreciate every second that's mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose. And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

Story of Marble Statue and Marble Tile

Story of Marble Statue and Marble Tile

 

There was this museum laid with beautiful marble tiles, with a huge marble statue displayed in the middle of the lobby. Many people came from all over the world just to admire this beautiful marble statue. One night, the marble tiles started talking to the marble statue.

 

Marble tile: "Marble statue, it's just not fair, it's just not fair! Why does everybody from all over the world come all the way here just to step on me while admiring you? Not fair!"

 

Marble statue: "My dear friend, marble tile. Do you still remember that we were actually from the same cave?"

 

Marble tile: "Yeah! That's why I feel it is even more unfair. We were born from the same cave and yet we receive different treatment now. Not fair!" he cried again.

 

Marble statue: "Then, do you still remember the day when the designer tried to work on you, but you resisted the tools?"

 

Marble tile: "Yes, of course I remember. I hate that guy! How could he use those tools on me, it hurt so badly?"

 

Marble statue: "That's right! He couldn't work on you at all as you resisted being worked on."

 

Marble tile: "So???"

 

Marble statue: "When he decided to give up on you and start working on me instead, I knew at once that I would be something different after his efforts. I did not resist his tools; instead I bore all the painful tools he used on me."

 

Marble tile: "Mmmmmm......."

 

Marble statue: "My friend, there is a price to everything in life. Since you decided to give up half way, you can't blame anybody who steps on you now." Isaiah 64:8; And yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand.

The Music of a Little Blind Girl (Must Read)

The Music of a Little Blind Girl

 

Her parents loved her dearly; she was such a bright baby. They were sure that they would be very proud of her, she was such a darling. She wiggled her little toes and tiny fingers and said, "Goo, goo," like all good babies do. But as she began to grow older and to walk about, her eyes grew weak and tired until at last they could not see at all. Fanny Jane Crosby, for that was her name, In spite of being blind so young, Fanny Jane could never stand having people pity her. God helped her make up her mind that she would be a happy girl. When she was only eight years old she wrote, "To weep and sigh because I am blind I cannot, and I won't. Oh, what a happy soul am I Although I cannot see!" Fanny Jane decided that if she could not see with her eyes, she could perhaps see things through her mind. She trained her keen mind to commit to memory many beautiful words in the Bible. Then she learned to write poetry, even as a child.

 

She grew into a lovely young girl, and when she became a woman, everyone loved Fanny Jane Crosby, the famous blind writer of beautiful hymns. Perhaps you have sung her hymns in our Sunday church school, and I am sure your parents have often sung many of her sweet songs. She wrote hundreds, even thousands, of poems that have been set to lovely music. one of her best known hymns called, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!" You will remember the chorus: "This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long."

 

Yes, Fanny Jane Crosby was a happy, happy soul, because she loved God, even though she was blind. she wrote over 8,000 hymns. To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work. She saw many reasons to be thankful and to be always singing praise to God. One of her songs beautifully vibrates with her praise to God. Let us sing it this morning.

 

Broken Coffee Mug

Broken Coffee Mug

 

One of my favorite coffee mug was broken this week. Not sure how it happened. Just found it sitting there on the counter with the handle broken off. A friend had given it to me because it has one of my favorite Bible verses on it. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God" (Philippians 3:14). As I stood there looking with disappointment at my handle-less cup I realized that now the mug actually illustrates the verse. Before it was a very nice coffee cup with a really meaningful verse on it, Now it may represent what Paul had in mind when he penned the words. "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brothers, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14). Coffee mugs are made with a purpose. Mugs are made for drinking coffee, for drinking hot chocolate, for holding pens, for collecting change. They are not made to simply sit on a shelf and gather dust. When you use a mug there is the possibility that it will get damaged or broken. Like the coffee mug we were created with a purpose. We were created for life. We were not created to sit and watch life go by. We were created to embrace life. Paul said we were created to do "good works" (Ephesians 2:10). The abundant life does not happen without risks. Doing good works is not without dangers. Life is for living. When you live life, there are risks. When you live you may get hurt. When you live you may experience disappointments. When you live you may get damaged. When you live you may get broken. When that happened to Paul, he chose to press on. He did not allow his life to end with a broken handle. He kept pushing forward. He continued to move forward toward the prize God had called him to.

The Composer and the Performers

The Composer and the Performers

 

Let's say you have a friend who's a classical music fan - and he really likes the music of this composer named Beethoven. Now, you don't know much about this Beethoven guy, but you accept your friend's invitation to go to a concert where Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is going to be presented. The performers are the local junior high band. Now your friend has told you repeatedly that Beethoven was a genius and his music spectacular. But, after hearing the squeaking and squawking of 13-year-olds giving that symphony a go, you walk out saying, "Man, forget this Beethoven guy and his music!"

 

Of course the problem with that concert was not Beethoven - it was how that band performed what he wrote. Jesus has that same problem with those who try to "perform His music" - that is, try to live what He taught. Now, the Composer is still a genius - but don't judge Him by those who play His music imperfectly. It may be that you've been burned by religion ... hurt or disillusioned by religious people. Or even by religious leaders. But in spite of these flawed performances, Jesus is still the genius who has brought peace and meaning to millions of lives over the years.

 

If you've never experienced the love and the peace of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the hole in your heart could be filled by Him this very day. If you'll give yourself to this Man who gave Himself for you. Just tell Him - "Jesus, I'm Yours. I'm putting all my trust in You, and You alone, to forgive my sins, to get me to heaven, and to take down the wall between me and God." In a world where trust has been broken so many times, Jesus is the one safe place for your searching heart. He died for you. He will never do you wrong.

The Unspeakabl​e Gift

The Unspeakable Gift Long ago, there ruled in Persia a wise and good king. He loved his people. He wanted to know how they lived. He wanted to know about their hardships. Often he dressed in the clothes of a working man or a beggar, and went to the homes of the poor. No one whom he visited thought that he was their ruler. One time he visited a very poor man who lived in a cellar. He ate the coarse food the poor man ate. He spoke cheerful, kind words to him. Then he left. Later he visited the poor man again and disclosed his identity by saying, "I am your king!" The king thought the man would surely ask for some gift or favor, but he didn't. Instead he said, "You left your palace and your glory to visit me in this dark, dreary place. You ate the course food I ate. You brought gladness to my heart! To others you have given your rich gifts. To me you have given yourself!" The King of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, gave himself to you and me. The Bible calls Him, "The unspeakable gift!" Ah, but with this gift, there is everything. Look into the manger now. Do you see God's mighty work? Do you see the wonder: very God and very man, Immanuel, Redeemer, Lord, and Savior. Do you say, My Savior, my Lord, my God? Then rejoice. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And shout. Shout with all the saints: Thanks, thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

Praise The Lord.

On the moving wheels of life, I'm soon about to enter into a Wedding lock... 

As Rama Devi and myself  join our lives in Marriage.

We require your presence on 27th December'11, St.Paul CSI Church, Vijayawada  (AP, India) at

10am to bless us on our Big Day!...

Please consider this as a formal invitation

Thanks & Regards 

PeterK. Sudeep

In Your Presence Is Fullness of Joy

In Your Presence Is Fullness of Joy

 

Presents to buy, Presents to wrap, Groceries to buy, Parties to attend, People to see, Wishes to fill, So much to do, so little time! We might have begun the Christmas season with the intent of finding joy this year, yet lost our good intentions somewhere between our children's case of the "gimmies" and the crowded parking lots at the mall. Where is the joy we sing about in all those Christmas carols? Where is the Christmas spirit we are supposed to have?

 

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:1. As our verse tells us today, it's not in any of those things that fill our days this time of year. It's not in the candy-streaked faces of our little children. It's not in the guilt we feel that we can't possibly see all the family we want to. It's not even in those moments of giving or serving our families. We can't manufacture joy, or create eternal pleasures, though we try so hard to. Oh, we might get glimpses of joy--but we won't experience the fullness of joy unless we immerse ourselves in God's presence.

 

Next, spend a few minutes praying, marking the beginning of a conversation that will go on throughout the day. Then go and begin your day, taking God's presence with you. When stress mounts, ask Him for peace. When chaos reigns, ask Him for clarity. When anger boils, ask Him for gentleness.