tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82171904573127017762024-02-19T22:10:46.309+05:30inkhornTangled thoughts and random musings have been cluttering up my mind for a while now...so here is where I pick each one out, dust it down and stay a little while...thinking...inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-18119772188492228772018-11-11T18:28:00.003+05:302018-11-11T18:29:37.506+05:30Goodbye...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After all these years, its time to say goodbye. Inkhorn is moving to a new space - <a href="https://inkhorn.home.blog/">https://inkhorn.home.blog/</a><br />
<br />
Look me up there!<br />
<br />
Happy reading.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/bZCau3QGPss?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Rob Potter</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/goodbye?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-70348610670940949612018-11-07T13:40:00.001+05:302018-11-07T13:44:26.265+05:30Coming Soon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-68418060121419852492018-09-08T11:45:00.001+05:302018-09-08T11:45:43.465+05:30An Arranged Love Marriage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">**This post first appeared on <a href="https://www.indiaanya.com/" target="_blank">Indiaanya</a>**</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever been asked this question, “Did you have a love marriage or an arranged marriage?” When I was asked this the first time, it stumped me for a bit because I couldn't classify my marriage under either!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I was twenty-four my parents and I moved to Chennai. This was the first time I had lived in the land of my origins. Having spoken only English and Hindi all my life, hearing Tamil all around me was a bit of a shocker. To add to all the confusion, since I was at the “ideal marriageable age” my parents started getting questioned by relatives and friends, “So when are you getting your daughter married?” or “Twenty-four? That's old. You should do something soon otherwise she won't find anyone,” or “What criteria are you looking for? Nadar?” That was when I realised that being from a particular community and caste meant a lot, even to Christians. The most provoking question, though, had to be, “How much gold are you planning on giving?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For my parents and I, the thought of caste and dowry had never even crossed our minds while thinking of marriage. So when these questions were posed to them, my parents would just politely, but firmly say, “We are not giving any dowry and the guy can belong to any community.” My only criteria was that he should have a real faith in Jesus Christ and that I should know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was God's will for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Slowly word got around regarding our views on marriage and the proposals began to slow down. Not that I had ever been inundated with them to begin with, but it was demoralising. A year went by and I found myself growing colder and harder inside. I wondered if I had missed hearing God's voice. I worried that I was being too picky. I grew cynical of others who were finding their mates. And I grew angry with God. I couldn't understand why He was taking so long to bring along the right guy. Each time I would pray, the only word I received was – wait. Not at all what I wanted to hear!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The few proposals that did come felt weird. I remember one where the guy read my blog and said I was too spiritual. Another family asked my parents if they were willing to help “set up” my house after marriage. That wasn’t as crude as asking how many kilos of gold, but effectively the same. Some commented on my choice to wear jeans and said I would have to dress more traditionally after marriage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was shocked, horrified and humiliated in turns.</span><br />
<span style="color: #993300;"><strong><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></em></strong></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My dad finally stepped in and said to me one day, “There is this nice boy in Coimbatore.” I snorted derisively, “What good ever came out of Coimbatore?” (God has a sense of humour, believe me!) I was tired and angry and had no patience left. Yet my dad persisted. This was the first time he had recommended a guy to me. Until then, all the proposals had been brought by relatives or friends. So the next time he brought up the subject of the guy in Coimbatore, I listened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My dad reminded me that we had met in Coonoor a few years back. I'd completely forgotten and all I could remember of MD was a tall guy with long hair doing coolie duty! (He was putting our suitcases in the taxi.) His parents and mine were good friends, but I'd never met him apart from that one occasion. It all seemed a bit far-fetched so I just ignored my dad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, a few weeks later I met various people who were completely unrelated to each other and who had no idea of all this back-story. They urged me to attend a youth camp and talk to a person (MD) who was helping organise it. The first time I heard it, I thought it was just coincidence and brushed it aside. I was too old to be attending youth camps anyway, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But by the fourth time I was told the same thing by a different person, I couldn't ignore a message that was being blasted a little too loudly and clearly. Reluctantly I knelt and laid it before God, “Lord, my motives here are clear. If I go to this camp, it’s only to meet this guy.” So I went to the camp and met MD, who seemed very nice and down-to-earth. But that was it. Nothing happened. I kicked myself mentally. After all, what had I expected – that he'd drop everything and propose to me on one knee?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While I was mentally berating myself, I attended a session done by Arun Andrews, a pastor from Bangalore, where he shared about his own marriage and how God had asked him to pray for the lady he would later marry. Not court her, but pray for her. That thought stayed with me and when I went home after the camp, I felt led to pray for MD. Not talk to him and get to know him, but just pray for him. I did not know whether he was God's will for me, but I should still pray. Not pray that I should marry him, but pray for him – his life and his choices and finding God's will for his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have the feeling I'm coming across as this far-out, overly spiritual person who's slightly ga-ga! But believe me, as skeptical as you might be right now reading this, I was even more so. This was completely foreign territory for me in my faith. I had never put myself in such a vulnerable position before. I was open to ridicule on all fronts and all for a guy who only knew my name! I was assailed by so many doubts I almost gave up before I even began.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decided to ask a few of my closest friends and family to look at the situation objectively and tell me the truth even if it hurt my feelings. At the back of my mind I was sure at least one of them, if not all, would shoot down the idea of putting my life on hold and praying for some random guy. To my everlasting surprise, all of them said I ought to go ahead and pray, though we didn't know what the answer would be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I prayed for three months, during which time I never made an attempt to contact MD. For all intents and purposes we were still strangers. I felt foolish, but I still prayed. Every time I came close to giving up, God would give me a clear command to stick to my job. Those months of waiting in prayer taught me more about trust, faith and hope than I had ever learnt before. They were no longer just words, but my only lifeline in a dark, uncharted sea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then one day, out of the blue, MD called. I was so shocked when he introduced himself that I nearly dropped the phone! Once I stopped stammering, we started talking and didn't stop for two hours. When I finally put the phone down, I couldn't wipe the silly grin off my face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Later, when I went to God, He gave me a blessing and a seal of approval. He showed me beyond a shadow of a doubt that MD was His will for me. We were married a few months later in Coonoor, because that was where it all began, in a manner of speaking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waiting wasn’t easy. Letting go of all control and trusting God, while the future was unclear, tested my faith and all that I said I believed. Yet it taught me that God has a plan and His ways are always the best. I also have a sneaky feeling that He loves playing matchmaker! Now when someone asks me if I had a love marriage or an arranged marriage, I say, “It was a love marriage arranged by my Heavenly Father.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/_SAOvN4a9DQ?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Jose Aragones</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/marriage-christian-bible?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a><br />
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inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-90244765555199448592018-09-07T12:03:00.000+05:302018-09-07T12:10:20.008+05:30Getting Back Into the Groove...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAUiVq6OA7XuAt2qgk0IqQWSCdrvuP5nfB4pvLGdabF6wHUolNWxNXUgKIoqDXRxJnL0Wa-fcwPrOftJjzfMxAlIcR5rleLfNsCE12zHh91-vPmsSoG-6xuw5ah4j4oql2A8uwru_6yM/s1600/debby-hudson-705707-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAUiVq6OA7XuAt2qgk0IqQWSCdrvuP5nfB4pvLGdabF6wHUolNWxNXUgKIoqDXRxJnL0Wa-fcwPrOftJjzfMxAlIcR5rleLfNsCE12zHh91-vPmsSoG-6xuw5ah4j4oql2A8uwru_6yM/s320/debby-hudson-705707-unsplash.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a>Its been a fairly longish break since my last post and though I've been doing some writing...it hasn't been put up here. But, having the urge to do more writing that before, I'm back, so to speak. And this platform shall be my sounding board.<br />
<br />
Here's to more musings...and more thinking...and more writing...</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-50068786715521412772015-01-09T23:45:00.002+05:302015-01-09T23:45:32.415+05:30On Taking Heart...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What
a year 2015 is turning out to be! The CP is turning one, MD is facing
slander and office politics on a personal level and on the home front
– yikes! What a gargantuan mess!</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm
not even asking “why” any more. Just – Lord, what good is this
going to bring? I mean, apart from the CP turning one, which is
grand!</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
future looks like there's only more hurt and heartache in store. I
know He has a plan. I honestly don't see it, but I'm believing it. I
know in this world we will have troubles.
</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
right now I'm praying for strength in the face of pain, love in the
face of injustice and hope in the face of bleakness. I'm taking heart
for He has overcome the world.*</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-GB" style="line-height: 100%;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*John
16:33</span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-47767835727038200032014-02-17T11:55:00.000+05:302014-02-19T14:29:12.171+05:30High Five, Dear Heart!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We’ve made it to five, love!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you believe it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Through squabbles<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And making up;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Laughter and tears;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crazy splurging on Amazon (!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And finally learning<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How much food to cook<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a guy (!!);<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s been an<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Awesome five, darling!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though this year<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I haven’t got you a gift;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A tiny, sometimes squalling,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wee human keeps me a bit tied up, you see!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a little something,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To keep you going, just the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Five little word gifts,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Just for you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Love
bears all things*</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cause you’ve learnt to bear <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Living with me<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Letting me into every box!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And we’ll bear<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being away from each other too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s not forever,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Love
believes all things*</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve seen you become<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My protector <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And provider,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My strength<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And my support;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A man I respect,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trust,</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dearly love<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And admire – my husband!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe you’ll be <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The awesomest dad<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For our little CP too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Love
hopes all things*</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope our love <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Will keep growing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the years roll by,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Strengthened by the One<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who brought us together!<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Love
endures all things*</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May our love<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Endure<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The passing years,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Time apart,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Careers,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Children (!),<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Widening girths (!!) and<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Greying hair!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to love you, then,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even more<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Than I do now!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Love
never fails*</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And this is the assurance<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He brought us together,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Promising us<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A love beyond compare;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I know,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That what we share,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Will never<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fade away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">High five, sweetheart!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Anniversary!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 162pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">-
</span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">R. D. P<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*I Corinthians 13: 7 & 8</span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-86749871508754407062013-06-20T12:05:00.000+05:302013-06-20T13:54:15.147+05:30Where Are You Lord?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How can I
pray<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">while my
heart cries,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You killed<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my son”?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What can I
say?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How look
for comfort<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">from the
One<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who willed<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it done?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Omnipotent,
He could<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">have
stopped it<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">if He
would;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my son...
my son...<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">numb with
grief,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">my soul is
one vast “why?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">his life
was all too brief;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">he was so
young<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to die.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where were
You,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where were
You?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gently He
replied,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Just where
I was<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">dearly,
dearly loved,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">when Mine<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">was
crucified.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 287.35pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level8 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">-<span style="line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ruth
Bell Graham</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-1458711586229278932013-06-19T10:27:00.000+05:302013-06-19T10:28:54.745+05:30When Loved Ones Are Walking Through The Valley...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A friend of mine recently
experienced a heart-breaking tragedy. As numb with shock as I was, I can barely
begin to imagine her pain. In that instant I wished I could wrap my arms tight
around her and weep. Yet, unable to be at her side, I just wept, my heart
breaking for all that she was going through. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course the “whys” came. And no
answer that made any semblance of sense. All I could do was pray. But what to
pray for at such a time? Wishing it had never happened? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don’t have any answers for the
“whys”. They still rattle around in my head. But in all the confusion, pain and
grief, as the world spins around crazily, there is One Constant. So though
there is anger and bewilderment, I can only hold on to Him until the world
rights itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The future
is a blank without a view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That which
I wanted most, You have denied;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I cannot
understand (and I have tried);<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s
nothing I can do but wait on You.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Ruth Bell Graham</span></span></i></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-86457619541482604412013-05-14T17:23:00.000+05:302013-05-15T11:07:10.160+05:30Regarding Those Awkward Moments...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why am so I obsessed with this urge
to jealously guard my boundaries? What crazy bee in my bonnet has so twisted my
thought process that I can’t even see through my tangled skein of motives and desires
leave alone unravel it! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever had that awkward
moment when you step forth self-righteously to forcefully declare your “just
and fair” views only to realise, after some pithy back and forth, that the shoe
is on the other foot, so to speak! I swung back and let one fly, straight off
the shoulder, only to have it boomerang and smack me in the face! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So having figured out (belatedly)
that I am in the wrong, how do I feel? One word – awful! Apart from feeling
like a worm, it’s humiliating to realise that I am a self-righteous prig!
There’s a streak of sanctimoniousness that’s so deeply ingrained, I’ve mistaken
it for righteousness! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">UGH! Again...awful!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stumbled across this line of verse yesterday
and thought it was ironically apt –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">“Happy are
they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"> *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* From <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i> by William Shakespeare</span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-13018773239771908102013-03-27T08:31:00.000+05:302013-03-27T08:31:37.838+05:30On Holding My Father’s Hand...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I had an interesting
conversation with God. First, He showed me an image of a father holding a
child’s hand, and from that picture, He taught me several truths. I asked God
what the picture meant, so He told me to put myself in the child’s shoes and then
think about what I would feel were I holding my own father’s hand. So I thought
about it and the first thing that popped in my mind was that I would have
absolute trust in my dad. I mean, I wouldn’t ask him where we were going or why
we were going on a particular road, but would be simply happy to let my dad
take me out wherever he wanted. (This is me as a child, so bear with me!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtse7AujWbKJY58BTWAGi7ebZHtkd2EIC6ZCjb-GjqhFDUPJSdqMmQXQSpIU7AXPkYXll7EFdElHkBoWXtWcVZGKS2emnyMjTwKVYBZVPuXPknErVrQcsT_EZeZf_KFsJSqXc1znGLFXM/s1600/DSCF6751+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtse7AujWbKJY58BTWAGi7ebZHtkd2EIC6ZCjb-GjqhFDUPJSdqMmQXQSpIU7AXPkYXll7EFdElHkBoWXtWcVZGKS2emnyMjTwKVYBZVPuXPknErVrQcsT_EZeZf_KFsJSqXc1znGLFXM/s320/DSCF6751+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then there would be contentment and
a sense of happiness, because my dad was with me and we were together. Also
security, because I wouldn’t be worried about anything; my dad would take care
of me. I don’t think this ever needs to be explained or taught to a child; they
seem to be born with implicit trust!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then God said to me, “You’ve been
seeing this image from the child’s point of view. What about the father?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is when He showed me how much <i>He</i> longs for companionship and the
opportunity to just be with me! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then He took it a step further and
explained that He was my Father, so He would take care of every little detail.
Just as my earthly father would, He would ensure I was ok, that my rights were
not infringed, that I was protected and safe. I didn’t need to worry about self-preservation.
That was His department! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And knowing my hand is safely held
by Him, gives me the freedom to serve others with love, humility and complete
abandon! That is His desire after all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, with this picture to sustain me,
I’m going to walk down this road, carefree and happy, busy in the tasks He has
kept for me, leaving my fears and worries behind. It’s the knowledge of who I
am in Him – the daughter of the Most High God! Truly, what <i>can</i> man do to me!</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-50709765260696003782013-03-04T10:28:00.000+05:302013-03-04T10:30:20.422+05:30For The Four Years Behind Us...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We have a
bunch of stories –<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">four years
worth –<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">some old,
some new, some not <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">even that
good!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But they
all bear testament<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">to a life
of wedded bliss!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There’s the
time we took <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">a stroll on
the beach;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and while I
gazed romantically<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">at the
moon,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you eyed a
roasted corn cob<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">lovingly!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always
chuckle<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">at our
vastly differing<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">priorities!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then there
was the time<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you
rummaged through <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">old
bookshops along with me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m not
sure, what<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">pleased me
more –<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the horde<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">we
collected that day, or<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">having you
beside me<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the whole
way!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember
our first fight?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Both on our
high horses<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">refusing to
give in – three days!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What pride,
then!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, we
barely manage to argue<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for an
hour,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">if that
long!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s too
much a waste of time,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the silent
treatment!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can never
forget<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the time I
was wretchedly ill;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">you left
everything to nurse me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and you did
it with such<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">panache!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love you
for that, my hero!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve come to
recognise<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">love – not
in the<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">grand
gestures (tho’ they do help too!),<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but rather
in the <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">everyday
smallnesses,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">heart-warming<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you,
my love<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">for giving
me – you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> </i>- R. D. P.</span></span></div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-91471070458059167242013-02-26T13:21:00.000+05:302013-02-26T13:25:00.948+05:30On Wilderness Wisdom #2 ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">For a brief
explanation of what this is about, look </span><a href="http://tohilltopsclear.blogspot.in/2012/11/on-wilderness-wisdom-1.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Implicit Obedience Doesn’t Involve Reconnoitring!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first three
chapters of Deuteronomy are an excellent example of oral tradition. Just before
the next generation was to enter the Promised Land, Moses sat down and recited
their history over the past forty odd years. The purpose was two-fold – to ensure
that the youngsters knew their past, as well as being a reminder of the pit-falls
they should avoid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And one of the
pit-falls is in the passage below –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And I (Moses) said to you... 'Look,
the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your
fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And every one of you came near to me and said,
‘Let us send men before us, and let them search out the land for us, and bring
back word to us of the way by which we should go up...’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The plan pleased me well; so I took twelve of your
men, one man from each tribe.”
*<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the
incident that sparked the 40 year wilderness wandering. The generation that had
come out of bondage and slavery, witnessed amazing wonders and been brought to
the edge of the Promised Land, stood dithering before taking the plunge. God
told them to go in faith; they decided to gather some information first! In
human terms, it was the sensible course of action. Yet, it cost them
everything!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, it’s
all very well to say that the Israelites did not obey implicitly, but when I am
doing the very same thing, do the rules no longer apply? This would be me,
choosing to be wilfully blind!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s simple –
delayed obedience is as good as disobedience!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which is why,
when He tells me to do something, I better hop to it! Even something as mundane
as waking up and brushing my teeth before praying! I justified not doing it and
the end result was that I fell asleep half-way through!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Deuteronomy 1:20 – 23</span></i></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-30679482824226070942013-02-23T12:37:00.000+05:302013-02-23T12:37:25.945+05:30On Loving...Truly, Madly, Deeply...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another soul-searing truth I’ve
learnt about myself is that I’ve never <i>really</i>
loved my Father! I mean, yes, I do love Him (or thought I did), because He died
for me and saved me and all that, but, truly, deep down, if I was being brutally
honest, I’m not sure how real my love for Him is. I’ve never sought Jesus just
for the pleasure of His company! I’ve always come to Him for...something; needs
to be met, unfulfilled desires or even guidance for the next step. But just to
come and sit at His feet and bask in His presence? Rarely, if ever. I can
probably count those times on one hand! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The heart-breaking truth is that He
loves me in spite of my grasping, opportunistic tendencies. He is willing to
take me...even like this!</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-18794186161531928622013-02-18T21:18:00.001+05:302013-02-18T21:41:15.637+05:30In Memoriam...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here I am, at another Blogathon.
This one is turning out to be more of a discipline than I’d bargained for -
learning to be still in the midst of chaos and putting pen to paper. As
difficult as it seems today, I believe it needs to be done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks FD for understanding, and
those kind thoughts of comfort. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My grandfather, went home to Jesus
last week. He was 99 years old. There are so many thoughts flying through my
mind right now as I try to straighten out and put down my feelings. Even though
I knew this day would come, it still doesn’t lessen the pain and shock or
prepare you in any way. I still feel sad. I still wish he were here. I still
miss him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are so many things I remember
about him. <i>Thatha</i>, as we lovingly
called him, was a force to be reckoned with. A brilliant sportsman, he had a
whole trunk full of trophies and medals, garnered over years of competing and
winning. But I admire him more for never boasting of his laurels. He had more
to boast about than anyone I know, but, to the man, they were just metal vases!
The fact that they were packed away in a trunk, gathering dust and cobwebs in a
corner of the storeroom, bears testament to his values.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was always generous to a fault;
lending and never expecting anything in return. He never held on to anything he
owned. He personified a “cheerful giver”, gifting large chunks of his ancestral
property to random relatives! And he was always happier and more content than
anybody else I met. He believed that he had been blest with more than enough, so
was always looking for an opportunity to help others. Material things just
didn’t seem to have any hold on him. He was deeply content with his simple
life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">Thatha</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"> had an unshakeable
belief in right and wrong. And he was never one to mince words. He had a temper
too, but I always knew that he was all bark and no bite. As old-fashioned as
this may sound, he was a man of integrity; an honourable man, a man others
respected and loyally served, for decades! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes, old-fashioned terms are
all that can attempt to successfully describe genuine honesty, humility and
courage. Courage, you ask? We heard an old story after his funeral. A family
friend recalled how he’d helped her nearly forty years ago. There were flash
floods in Madras and the young pregnant woman was unable to carry her other
child and escape in time. <i>Thatha, </i>arriving
in the nick of time, grabbed a hand rickshaw, put her and her child into it and
pulled them through knee deep swirling flood waters to high ground. <i>Thatha</i> never told us this story when he
was alive. I think he probably never thought he did anything out of the
ordinary; just another day doing something that needed to be done! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To me, he was a fascinating man. He
lived such an amazing life, being posted across India with the MES, yet he took
such pleasure in small things – like ensuring his grandchildren had coconut
water to drink every holiday! He loved to celebrate; any day was a good day to
have biryani! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XDmMAPbCISEjogPoEc3qOVFIH0sEBhfNrWr0Jp9PdO22aStKJIkp6OR9RtEd7y_3VBcf2ydzFD6oDtmHR5ZpnZ8bq_5y5BstTr25EGN-n83QOVv0C5EpXRuREbyGQj0lnNy-ctQ6L_s/s1600/DSCN0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XDmMAPbCISEjogPoEc3qOVFIH0sEBhfNrWr0Jp9PdO22aStKJIkp6OR9RtEd7y_3VBcf2ydzFD6oDtmHR5ZpnZ8bq_5y5BstTr25EGN-n83QOVv0C5EpXRuREbyGQj0lnNy-ctQ6L_s/s320/DSCN0186.JPG" width="167" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He never seemed afraid of anything.
Living in the wilds of the Tamil Nadu countryside, he was content to be armed
with a hockey stick and a bright torch! He’d joyfully venture through thick
undergrowth; snakes just made way for him! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He had a wonderful sense of humour
and had the gift of being able to laugh at himself! I remember so many
wonderful instances when he’d make a joke and his laugh was the loudest! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To him, I was his TV repair
mechanic! As incongruous as that image is, he steadfastly believed that I knew
all the ins and outs of getting his TV to work. Amazingly, I always did manage
to get it to work too! Ha! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I think he was my biggest fan
‘cause he loved everything I wrote, indiscriminately and whole-heartedly, bless
him!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the greatest lesson I will take
through life, is his unswerving, childlike faith in God. Come rain or shine, he
always attended church, dressed to the nines every Sunday morning. His faith
wasn’t complicated – he believed in God, his faith remained steadfast in his
Maker and he lived an unselfish life, enjoying each day and everything he had,
by sharing it with those around him. He walked the talk, every day for 99
years!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thatha</span></span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> will always be the
coolest man I know, and I’m the better for having him for a grandfather!</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-10734716724301176442013-02-05T13:47:00.000+05:302013-02-05T13:48:44.183+05:30On Believing...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">When all is said and done, it boils
down to Belief. It’s at the very core of our faith. Belief in what, you ask? It’s
more than in the existence of God. Rather, His character, His attributes and
their dependability in any given situation. Trusting that He is still in
control; trusting that He knows and understands and loves. That He is working
out His plan for me, however much the situation may seem to the contrary.
Especially, when I want to hit something and yell, “Why?”(Not very ladylike I
must admit! Banging pots and pans in the kitchen help relieve the frustration a
teeny bit though!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s so easy to question God and
wonder if, maybe, He made a mistake, or if I misread the signs! Yet that is
where belief kicks in. It’s so damnably hard! But it’s a conscious choice to believe
that He knows, He cares and that He is in control. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Belief cannot be taken lightly. It
is the crux; what will finally be reckoned – did I or didn’t I, believe? Was my
unbelief, an insidious part of my life? As galling as it is for me to
acknowledge, I see that it has been! I let myself think there was some ghastly
mistake. That I deserved better; that <i>I</i>
was better! What unspeakable folly!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But now that I’m faced with the
truth, I cannot ignore it. Humbly, I ask for forgiveness and grace. And He
lovingly pours it over me. So I kneel and pray, “Lord, Your will, Your way...always.”</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-44282452992161089322012-12-07T10:53:00.002+05:302012-12-07T10:53:34.936+05:30On Blissful Realisations...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Faced by rock,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">impregnable,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">cold,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I claw and clamour,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">wondering -</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'Where do I </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">even begin looking</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">for hope?'</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the door,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">are despair and anguish;</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So I clutch </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">at straws -</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">'He has promised after all,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">can it get worse?'</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Finally, in desperation,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I clench </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the Word,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">staring blankly, </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">eyes</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">clouded, </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">by misery.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Until!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A phrase,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">stands up and</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">shouts -</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“...God is the strength of my
heart...”*</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- my <i>heart</i>; </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">not </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">body, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">mind, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">or </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">spirit. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Though He is </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">all that too!)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Just the salve,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">my sore self</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">needed,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to ease the hurt</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and pain.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Rest finally enfolds me</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and peace enters -</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He is “...the strength </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">of my heart</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">my portion forever.”*</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh bliss!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
- R. D. P</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div align="CENTER" lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-GB" style="margin-right: 0.85cm; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* Based on Psalm 73:26</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span></div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-73175623664093811542012-11-30T22:41:00.000+05:302012-11-30T22:41:30.366+05:30On Wilderness Wisdom #1...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I’ve
been reading Exodus through to Deuteronomy over the past few months, and have stumbled
across various perceptive nuggets of insight from the wilderness wanderings of
the (in)famous motley family troupe. These gems were learned the hard way most
of the time, if at all! More like “Truth Bombs” as MD would say! It’s a
collection that I call “Wilderness Wisdom”...<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tried And
True? God Doesn't Think So!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most times I live on the basis of
tried and true methods. If something has worked for me in the past, I’d rather
follow that pattern again, than risk a newfangled one. But God, being the
Creative One, doesn't think so! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Numbers 20:8-12, God commands
Moses to “speak” to a rock for it to yield its water. This was the second
instance of water being brought forth from a rock. Earlier, Moses had been
instructed to “strike” the rock, and water had gushed forth. Piece of cake, wouldn't you say? This time should have been easy. He had done it before after
all; he could follow the same method again. Tried and true! It ought to have
worked. And in a way it did, in that the people’s thirst was quenched. Unfortunately,
it didn't in the way that truly mattered! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This second time, I think several
factors compounded themselves to force Moses to make the worst mistake of his
life. He was irritated with his grumbling relatives and their incessant
complaining. His elder sister had just passed away and he was still grieving.
But the most important factor was that he did not “believe” that talking to a
rock was going to achieve anything! God pulls him up short for that, in spite
of the water that was produced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">“...you did
not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel...”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God was concerned about Moses’
underlying unbelief rather than the miracle of water gushing from a rock. In my
life too, God sees my intentions and motives rather than the outward
spirituality...I wonder, would He be disappointed?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God calls us to believe and obey –
even when it means stepping outside the tried and true into unknown territory.
Comfort zones and experience aren't what God has called us to live by. Choosing
them is as good as saying I don’t believe God!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Numbers 20:12</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-63569689756462424312012-10-26T21:45:00.000+05:302012-10-26T22:04:48.234+05:30On Learning To Wait...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">It seems like I’ve come back full
circle to a crucial lesson in my walk with God; a lesson that I thought I’d
learned. Surprisingly, I’m finding myriad facets to the single issue; like a kaleidoscope,
every time I come back to it, I see a new pattern! Which brings us to my pet
peeve – waiting! I’ve said it before – I’m not very good at it! (Which is
probably why He takes His time teaching me so many aspects of it! And here I
was, misguidedly thinking I’d got the hang of it!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So frankly, waiting gets my goat!
Especially, when I have His promises to show me what lies ahead! The intermediate
“waiting” period, I find interminably boring! I itch to get things started;
just a gentle nudge to get the ball rolling. Not overtly “making things happen”,
but rather, a word here, an action there, just to push events along to the
inevitable conclusion – His will, not mine! I’d seriously never seen any harm
in it! Again, misguided!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the recent mini crisis that
landed on my lap, I employed my misguided tactics and the result of my meddling
was anything but peace and joy. (That usually had happened before, but this was
the first time I actually noticed the effects of my intervention!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally, He stepped in and gave me a
clear command –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It is good that one should
hope and wait <u>quietly</u> for the salvation of the Lord.” * <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can’t get clearer
than that! And just in case I missed it the first time, He repeated it a few
verses down!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">“...<span style="background: white;">sit alone and <u>keep silent</u></span>...” ** </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And just for laughs, He added
–<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“...put...(your)
mouth in the dust - there may yet be hope.” *** <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Which was when I
actually realised – my Father doesn’t need any help from me to ensure His will
comes to pass!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In that moment of
crisis, I wanted so badly to jump in and give my two cents, but His words kept
ringing in my head, so I forcibly clamped my mouth shut and began to praise Him
instead! (Not from any overly righteous motives I confess, but rather to get my
mind off certain pithy, stinging remarks I felt like making!) The situation was
so bleak, I didn’t really expect any drastic transformation (especially without
my ‘wisdomic’ observations!). Imagine my surprise when the opposite occurred! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I backed off, God
came in, and truly He wrought a miracle before my very eyes! The anger and
strife dissipated, the unreasonable demands were withdrawn with an apology (!)
and peace was restored! I can guarantee nothing I could have ever said would
have brought this transformation. It was all Him!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that was when I
understood that waiting is not an endless delay or an interval when you kill
time and life is in “pause” mode, but rather seeing God in action! Waiting was
me putting my weapons down and saying, “Lord, you do it Your way. I’ll watch.” Waiting
was not just longing for a promise to be fulfilled, but rather the knowledge
that He was EVERYTHING I needed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the words Jeremiah
penned began to make sense –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The
Lord is my portion,”
says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” **** <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, therefore, I can wait - with joy in my heart and praise on my lips!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*
Lamentations 3:26<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;">** Lamentations 3:28 (a)</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***
Lamentations 3:29<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">****
Lamentations 3:24</span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-16184630233567080132012-08-31T18:07:00.001+05:302012-08-31T22:34:10.403+05:30On Ivory Tower Reflections...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s amazing how wilfully blind I
have been!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a while now I’ve been praying
and asking God for a deeper knowledge and understanding of Him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had a brief glimpse one day – a
glorious moment in the midst of all the chaos – a moment in time when I was
given a foretaste of eternity...drenched in His love, I was overwhelmed by the
utter beauty, breathless at His awesome glory, broken by the depth of His
love...This was Love – pure and holy...poured out on me...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But that was one afternoon. <i>Life would be so amazing if I had
experiences like that every day. </i>Yet, even as the thought crossed my mind,
I knew it wasn’t meant to happen. That glimpse that I was privileged to enjoy
was an experience I will always treasure, but it was just that – an experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course that didn’t stop me asking
Him for more! The reply was painfully realistic –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span lang="EN-GB">“... your father ... judged (defended) the cause of the poor
and needy... Was not this
knowing Me?” says the Lord.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"> * <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of allowing me
to remain in an ecstatic, euphoric bubble, He was bringing me down to ground
reality. And He showed me that this is what it meant to really <i>know</i> Him – to love as He loves those
whom I would rather ignore. Loving them, not just putting a salve on my
conscience by giving some money to charity, but loving them as I experienced it
that day – being drenched in His love, heady with joy, overwhelmed at being
loved so deeply!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had to ask myself some
uncomfortable questions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have I ever given myself
for another with such abandon? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have I ever spared a
thought for the people walking down the street?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have I ever <i>truly </i>loved
anyone beside myself?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So once again the
rose-tinted glasses were wrenched off...and with such a vengeance! When He
commanded, <i>“<span class="oblique"><span style="background: white;">Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all
your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,</span></span><span style="background: white;"> and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="oblique"><span style="text-align: start;">your neighbour as yourself” </span></span></i><span class="oblique"><span style="background: white;">** I had always (very
conveniently) placed emphasis on (and remembered) the first part. It was fairly
do-able, after all. This was between Him and me. It was comfortable and
relational, because I knew He loved me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="oblique"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The loving my neighbour bit, I’d wilfully chosen to ignore! I justified
my selfishness with such props – “I give so much to charity” or “I’m generally
a nice person...I’m helpful (when I can) and thoughtful (sometimes)” or the
most infamous one “If someone came to me and asked for help, I will definitely
do it!” I’d coldly placed the onus on some vague “neighbour” out there, who
would come to me when he/she was in need! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="oblique"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a revelation to realise how I’d lived with blinkers for so long!
My paltry efforts at “loving” couldn’t even be held up beside the One who is
Love!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="oblique"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Father then taught me a little more. He allowed me to experience,
again for a moment, His indescribable love and this time, along with it, came a
sense of deep sorrow. He turned my focus away from myself to all of humanity –
the maid in my house, the beggar on the road, the teacher at school, the
watchman at the gate, the shopkeeper in the store around the corner – every single
one of them He has loved and continues to love so deeply. And He feels such unutterable
pain and grief when none of them even recognise Him. I thought about all the
times when I’d turned to Him and He had come running to meet me – and here I
was keeping this knowledge to myself! How selfish, blind and callous!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="oblique"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After some soul-searching, I was brought to realise that the only way
these folks would be able to understand the Father’s love was if they
experienced it first-hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="oblique"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white;">So I am in the process of breaking down my ivory tower, climbing out and
getting in there – living alongside these God-given neighbours. Not just
sporadically dumping gifts on them, but rather becoming their friend, living,
walking, understanding and accompanying them as we all tread this road...loving
them with complete abandon as I have been loved!</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">* Jeremiah 22:15, 16<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">** Luke 10:27</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-90063401655331488612012-03-15T20:10:00.000+05:302012-03-15T20:12:14.509+05:30Regarding A Gift...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Psalmist said something very profound –<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You have put gladness in my heart, more than
in the season that their grain and wine increased.”* <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perspective from the other side. There is joy (of course)
when things are good; when folks are fine and life is cruising, all sunshine
and roses. But to have joy, in the midst of pain, is to either be delusional or
been bestowed a divine gift. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I choose the later. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*Psalms 4:7</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-52632544051005230042012-03-06T13:20:00.000+05:302012-03-06T13:20:13.463+05:30On Railing...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Frankly, I am not enjoying this process! Fear has not been
conquered and worry has not been vanquished. My immediate reaction was to
unworthily fling back my Father’s love in His face and weep uncontrollably. <span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I find that this lack of control over my life has left me
demoralized. I am an easy prey to the most stupid thoughts. And perhaps, not
knowing in my lifetime, is too hard a price. I want to rail against the
unfairness of it all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But Lord, as I stand, smack in the middle of another storm,
the saving grace is that You are <i>with</i>
me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the moment, that is enough.</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-74064728136546264112012-02-20T21:20:00.000+05:302012-02-20T21:20:54.079+05:30On Fitting...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Father, I realise now that every experience I go through is
Your plan and perfect will for me. You are working on me. Knocking a chip off,
here; smoothing a rough edge there. I am your unique design, being moulded for
a specific purpose. Well, two actually! One, here on earth – to fulfil what You
have already prepared for me to do from before time - <span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;">“</span></i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> *<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, two, to
eventually be “fitted together” – laid between other stones, to build Your
home. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lord, when I
see my life in terms of eternity, I know I am just a tiny thread in the
beautiful tapestry that You are weaving; and I am humbled. I now see that You
are preparing me to fit perfectly!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">“...Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">in whom the
whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in
whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God...” **<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* Ephesians 2:10<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202020;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">** Ephesians 2: 20 - 22</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-17405930015549515772012-02-17T15:45:00.001+05:302012-02-17T15:45:32.390+05:30Once Upon A Time...In Coonoor...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three years
ago, today,<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">around eleven-thirty,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you pledged
your love to me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">before God
and family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three years
ago, today,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">around
half-past three,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you and I,
waved everyone goodbye,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then played
a game of TT! *<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three years
ago, today,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">around seven
in the evening,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we had some
soup and some chicken wings,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and watched
some TV. **<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three years,
today, my love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can’t
believe how they’ve flown,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the joy
of being with you,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">has only
grown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three years
behind us<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, ahead, all
of eternity;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and all I
can think about, is God answering <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">all my
prayers, and giving you to me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 162pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB">-
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">R. D. P.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* True story!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">** Again, true story!</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-14473302724653195052012-02-16T19:10:00.000+05:302012-02-16T19:10:29.115+05:30A Prayer...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Father, I realise that I am so inadequate. So unworthy of all
that You have promised. And I know it is not about me. It is Your grace. You
who are to be glorified. All I can say is <i>Thank
You, Lord...<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please, may I desire You and You alone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I am thy
shield,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and thy<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">exceeding great
reward.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Could heart
wish more<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">than this,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">O Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB">-
</span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ruth Bell Graham</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8217190457312701776.post-66325943943755001232012-02-14T20:53:00.000+05:302012-02-14T20:53:43.087+05:30A Conversation...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taken from Amy Carmichael’s <i>His Thoughts Said...His Father Said...</i><span style="font-size: small;"> –<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“His thoughts said, “The way is rough.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <i>His Father said, “But every step bringeth
thee nearer to thy Home.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His thoughts said, “The fight is fierce.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <i>His Father said, “He who is near to his
Captain is sure to be a target for the archers.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His thoughts said, “The night is long.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <i>His Father said, “But joy cometh in the
morning.” *<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">* Psalm 30:5</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>inkhornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07785597817116267807noreply@blogger.com0