The resounding victory of Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential election and his becoming the 13th president will not usher in great changes for the country but represents a moral victory for the Congress party against which a sort of witch hunting had gone on headed by an irresponsible opposition and subtly supported by a section of the print and visual media. A section of big business too was playing its game for its own ends.Now you will hear a plethora of words lauding the seasoned politician, his sagacious bearing through varied experiences , his negotiating skills and so on. But petrol and vegetables will continue to sell at high prices; the lot of the common man will be unaffected by his elevation to the throne. After all, the president is only a figurehead. It amounts to just a reward for a person’s staying power in politics.

Will his elevation make a difference to this country? Individuals seem to matter so little in this complex nkm For that matter did Gandhiji’s crusade eliminate caste discrimination from this land? Did Ambedkar’s relentless fight usher in utopia for the Dalits? Or Vivekananda’s tirade against superstition and vain rituals change the religious scene in this nation? Salvation is no nearer now than it was in their times!Great utilityPolitical pundits, however, opine that the Congress veteran’s presence in the Rashtrapati Bhavan will be of great utility when the next general elections due in 2014 throws up a hung Parliament… He might then help usher in some order out of the confusion of mutually repellant forces. The assumption is that in the context of the ruling Congress-led alliance getting weakened by continued campaign against

it and the BJP hopelessly divided the situation would call for an able negotiator and king maker. And it is the belief of many that Pranab will fit the bill with his long experience and wide contacts across a spectrum of political ideologies and ideologues. That apart, It is still some solace to see that the disinformation campaign relentlessly carried out by the anti-corruption team led by Anna Hazare and aided by communal and vested interests did not do as much damage as expected. People have seen

through the game played by these men in sheep’s clothes.It is not that we do not have a corruption problem in this nation. All political players have been tainted and none can stand up and claim a right to lead an anti-corruption campaign. All they must do is to confess their respective roles in bringing the nation to this pass and lead the nation in a climate of repentance and reformation.The worst and ancient form of corruption in this land is that of caste using which millions of the

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The new president and

possibilities By MPK Kutty

New Delhi: The Executive Council of Del-hi University had nominated Mr. Arnold James as a member of the governing body of Bhagini Nivedita College, DU, Kair, Najafgarh, New Delhi, 10043The governing body of Bhagini Nivedita College convened on the 7th June 2012, elected Mr. Arnold James as the Chairman of the governing body of the college.The Women’s College bordering with Har-yana has tremendous opportunity to play a major role in the higher education of the girls in the villages of Delhi and Haryana. Therefore, it is a challenging position for Mr. James to lead this institution for great-er achievements.Mr. Arnold James is a well know citizen who has served the Delhi Government for two full terms ( six years ) as the Mem-ber of the Minority Commission, under

the leadership of the Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit.Currently he is a member of the All India Congress Committee, Board of Director - New Delhi YMCA, Vice President – Vin-tage Car Club and Treasurer North West India Council for Churches.

Arnold James nominated as Chairman for the Bhag-

ini Nivedita CollegePresident Pranab Mukher-jee says the Catholic Church has contributed im-mensely to advancement of Indian villages.The newly elected presi-dent said this when a dele-gation of the Catholic Bish-ops’ Conference of India (CBCI), led by its President Cardinal Oswald Gracias, called on him on Monday.Mukherjee expressed his deep regard for the Church’s service in the field of education and health.“Christianity from its very beginning had strong roots in India,” said the presi-dent.

Cardinal Gracias told the president that the Church is really concerned about the harmony and peace among various religions in the country.He assured the Mukherjee that the Catholic commu-nity will continue to work for peace, prosperity and

harmony of the country as it has done in the past.Besides the cardinal, CBCI secretary general Archbish-op Albert D’Souza of Agra and CBCI Deputy Secre-tary General Fr. Joseph Ch-innayyan were also present on the occasion.Source:UCAN

President hails Catholic Church’s

contributions

God’s Ways are Different!

Page 6

Greed, gambling and cricket

Page 8

Come, have a drinkPage 10

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 2

New Delhi: The New Delhi YMCA Programmes Department organ-ised an Independence day celebra-tion and blood donation camp on 13th August. The 65 years of In-dia’s Independence was celebrated by Flag Hoisting Ceremony at its premises on Jai Singh Road. Mr. Bertram Devadas Officiating Gen-eral Secretary New Delhi YMCA unfurled the National Flag in the presence of members, staff and

students of New Delhi YMCA.Mr. Ramakant Goswami, Min-

ister of Labour, Industries and Environment, NCT of Delhi was the chief guest for the celebration. Mr. Safdar H. Khan Chairman, Mr. A.C. Michael, Mr. Pushpender Singh, Members Delhi Minorities Commission, Mr. Arnold James. Chairman Programmes Commit-tee and former member Minorities Commission were also present in

the celebration.The celebration concluded with

the inauguration of 6th Blood Do-nation Camp by

Delhi Minorities Commission Member Pushpender Singh. The students of the Human Potential and Development Programme gen-erously donated Blood and around 45 units of blood was donated to the Red Cross Society of India.

YMCA conducts Independence Day

celebration and blood donation camp

John Malhotra (Christian To-day)

Sahibganj District in Jharkhand is progressing in maternal and child health care, thanks to EFI-COR’s community development programme there since 1992.

Last week, EFICOR (Evangeli-cal Fellowship of India Commis-sion on Relief) released a report on the ‘Parivartan’ Child Survival Project that was launched in the year 2007.

Sahibganj District has a large tribal population living in remote inaccessible villages which suf-fers from diseases such as malar-ia, TB etc.

EFICOR’s ‘Parivartan’ project worked towards reducing mor-tality among mothers, newborns and children under the age of five

through building and sustaining community capacity in the past five years (2007-12). This was done in partnership with Christian Reformed World Relief Commit-tee (CRWRC, USA) and USAID.

At the release of the report at the India International Centre in Delhi, Dr M K Aggarwal, As-sistant Commissioner (Immuni-sation) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, hailed EFICOR’s contribution and urged more civil societies to support the govern-ment in building health services and schemes.

The Parivartan project worked in synergy with the government at state and local levels enhancing the reach and effectiveness of the interventions.

The results of a survey at the

end of the project in April 2012 showed positive improvements in the health of mothers and children. The literacy levels of the mothers at the final survey were 26.7% (as against 17% baseline).

The levels of indicators of child-hood nutrition including breast-feeding were also higher than at baseline indicating improvement in nutrition.

All key indicators with respect to health of mothers and children under 24 months in the project area are higher than at baseline. This suggests improvement of ac-cess to quality health services and care seeking behavior of the com-munity.

In terms of capacity building, the Parivarthan project trained 141 Auxilliary Nurse Midwives

(ANMs), 1548 Anganwadi work-ers (AWWs), 970 Sahiyas and 653 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). The project also initiated monthly convergence meetings at each of the 141 Health Sub Cen-tres.

Anganwadi Workers at the An-ganwadi Centres (AWCs) were trained on growth monitoring and nutrition counselling. Training of AWWs improved their ability to identify malnourished children, plot growth monitoring charts and counsel parents with malnour-ished children.

Accredited Social Health Activ-ists were trained on Time Coun-selling on antenatal care and

post-natal care, mobilise com-munities for immunization, and provide treatment and/or referral

for malaria, diarrhoea and Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI).

“Public Private Partnership has been vital during project imple-mentation. EFICOR worked along with government and NGOs using strategies of community mobilisa-tion, behavior change communi-cation and quality improvement, delivering health education and services to children and their car-egivers,” said Kennedy Dhanaba-lan, Executive Director, EFICOR.

Kennedy said the results of the final Knowledge, Practice and Coverage (KPC) survey undertak-en in April 2012 indicated remark-able improvement in all indicators with regards to the health of 3.51 lakh mothers and children in the district.

EFICOR’s contribution to maternal and child health care in Jharkhand

New Delhi: Christians in India observed “black day” to protest denial of equal rights to their dalit brethren.“Justice delayed is justice denied, we can no longer wait,” said Arch-bishop Vincent M. Concessao of Delhi, who led some 200 people in front of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church.The protesters carried black flags as they demanded statutory ben-efits to dalit Christians and Mus-lims.The protest took place ten day af-ter Christians and Mulims rallied in New Delhi on the issue.Alwan Masih, general secretary of the Protestant Church of North India, said all are equal under the

Indian Constitution and “if the nation is to develop, all commu-nities will have to progress.”He said that he is hopeful that justice would be done for dalit Christians.For more than six decades, Chris-tian and Muslim groups have demanded statutory benefits for their dalit brethren.A Sanskrit word, dalit literally means “trampled upon.”The Indian Constitution allows quotas in educational institutions and government jobs for dalit members of castes once consid-ered “untouchable,” to help them advance socially and economi-cally.However, Christians and Mus-

lims are excluded from these benefits on the ground that their religions reject casteism.Sister Ann Moyalan, coordinator of the Justice Peace Commis-sion in Delhi archdiocese said, “We still have a long way to go as many Christians are ignorant about the protest and have to be made aware.”The day was observed across In-dia with people protesting in front of the central government offices and post offices.The protest was jointly organ-ised by the National Council of Churches in India, Catholic Bishops Conference of India and National Council of Dalit Christians.

Dalit Christians observe Black Day

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 3

If you are passionate to see the Kingdom grow through church ministry, then this is for you …

SITUATIONS VACANTA holistically growing Pentecostal church in South West Delhi with a Sunday attendance of more than 200 people is looking out for ministers with a visionary drive to fill the following vacancies:

1. Senior Pastor: A Spirit-filled experienced pastor-preacher who can lead from the front and take the church to the next level of growth. Being a good decision maker with the ability to lead a fairly big ministry team is a must and so is fluency in Hindi and English. Identification with the needs of the North Indian populace and awareness of the chal-lenges here are necessary. Minimum educational qualification needed is the equivalent of B.Th. and any PG degree. Should be a family man above 35 years of age. A person with a heart for ministry will not be let down by the remu-neration. The Senior Pastor reports to the church’s Governing Board led by the Chief Functionary.

2. Youth Pastor cum Worship Leader (1 position): A person who is expected to infuse enthusiasm into the young generation and be an exemplary role model to the youngsters. Somebody between 25 to 30 years of age with a heart for Spirit-led worship. Must have completed the equivalent of B.Th. and be proficient in musical instrument(s). Be-ing able to communicate skillfully to today’s youth is the quality we are looking for. Must be proficient in Hindi and English. Will report to the Senior Pastor. Remuneration is negotiable.

Interested candidates may prayerfully apply, mentioning the vacancy applied for and the expected financial support, to malik.john986@gmail.com before 15th September 2012 with the following details:

1. A sufficiently detailed resume (including references) 2. Personal testimony (in 500 words)3. Ministry Vision (in 300 words) 4. Full length photograph 5. Copies of credentials

Receipt of your application will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be informed and invited for personal interview.

New Delhi: It has been their passion of several servants of God in the city of Delhi to intercede for the nation. The capital city of India has expe-rienced such movements in the previous years which resulted in pouring out of great blessing from heaven over India.

National Intercessors Get Together (NIGT), one of those movements, is set to hold its 8th Na-tional Annual Intercessory Prayer Gathering at the premises of Advanced Leadership Training Center (ALTC) in New Delhi from 23rd to 25th

October 2012. The prayer sessions will start daily at 9.30 am and conclude at 8.30 pm.

World renowned intercessors are expected to participate and minister in this event. The organ-isers look forward for minimum two intercessors from every state of India to participate in this event.

“We urge the church to encourage the inter-cessors in their congregations to take part in this great event”, Rev. Dr. Josh Kallimel, the organiser of the event said.

Bhopal: A proposal to govern Church prop-erties through a statutory body has divided Christian groups in a central Indian state.

“The properties of Christians are being grossly misused and illegally sold out,” alleged Anand Bernard, a member of the Minority Commission of Madhya Pradesh state who proposed the idea.

He told ucanews.com today that he took the step after noticing an increasing ten-dency among Christians to sell Church properties.

“Unless an effective mechanism is put in place to check such misuse, the day is not far off when Christians in the state will have no property,” he warned.

Bernard wants the government to consti-

tute body patterned on the Wakf Board that manages properties of Muslims.

However, his proposal has not many tak-ers, especially among Catholics.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who heads the Catholic Church in the state, insisted Catholics do not require such body to govern their properties.

“Our properties are well managed and documented under the laws in the state,” the prelate told ucanews.com.

However, he said he shared Bernard’s concern for protecting the Church proper-ties and asked the lay leader to come up with concrete proposals. “Without such a document we cannot reach any conclu-sion,” the prelate told ucanews.com.

Earlier, the Catholic bishops in the state had gone to the Supreme Court to oppose such a body. They withdrew the case later after state government told the court that it has no plan of a body to control the Chris-tian properties.

Bernard’s fresh proposal has confused Christians, said Jerry Paul, general secre-tary of the Isai Mahasang (grand assembly of Christians), a body of lay people from all Christian denominations in the state.

According to him, Bernard’s proposal is “a real threat to Catholics who would lose their control over their properties” if the new body is set up.

Fr. Anand Muttungal, former spokesper-son of the Catholic Church in the state who

fought the court case, rejected the proposal as “unacceptable to Catholics.”

Implementing the proposal would ruin the community since the statutory body would indirectly get administrative powers over Christian institutions and charitable organizations.

Bernard said clashes over properties among members of Protestant groups have adversely affected children and brought disrespect to Christians.

He said he was consulting legal expert and others to draft a bill.

Asked about Catholic opposition, Ber-nard said he has got positive signals from the community leadership.

Source: UCAN

National Intercessors Get Together at New Delhi

Body to govern Church property divides Christians

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is-sued the State Department’s annual report on international religious freedom concluding that the “world is sliding backwards” in key regions of the globe. She also singled out many of the Asian countries includ-ing China, North Korea and Saudi Arabia as some of the world’s most

intolerant countries when it comes to the expression and freedom of religion.The eight counties identified as “countries of particular concern” include China, Burma, Iran, Eritrea, North Korea and Saudi Arabia. Chi-na in particular, had harsh words for the findings

‘Cult’ and ‘extremist religious organizations’

are illegal: China

Turn on page 11

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 4

Ad

vt.

downtrodden had been exploited, denied the fruits of their labour and kept chained to outmoded customs and practices. If Anna and his team have a sense of history, they must begin where Gandhiji failed –his dream of creating a land of equality. Then they will be able to see clearly as to who is corrupt and who is not. Presently Anna is planning to enter politics—if we are to go by his latest utterances—and churn out of the political ocean a few honest politicians to rule this country.TragedyIt is the tragedy of this nation that criminals cry hoarse over deteriorating law and order, the corrupt talk of lack of honesty and transparency in administration, the filthy rich advocate abolition of poverty, and the ignorant take charge of the nation’s education. Just like what the great media prophet stated: “ I am conscious of having been ruled by buffoons, taught by idiots, preached at by hypocrites, and preyed upon by charlatans in the guise of advertisers and other professional persuaders as well as by verbose demagogues of many opinions all false.” It is not that the Opposition charges of corruption against the government are

without substance. But their irresponsible conduct both inside parliament and outside had a more pernicious impact –that of slowing down the progressive measures being undertaken by the government to promote economic growth. While accusing the government of ‘paralysis’, the opposition, at every point, thwarted the government’s well meant efforts at reforms.If corruption in the government is an issue, so too is the irresponsible conduct of the opposition which had caused more injury to the economy by its campaign. It had the effect of dissuading would be foreign investors from investing here. Its cacophony had only demoralized the populace. Its ranks are also swelled by corrupt and opportunistic elements. getting readyGujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s image making efforts and the BJP’s willingness to promote and project a man, accused of a communal outlook, to be the future prime minister reflect the hopes of the opposition to unseat the present coalition. While the present alliance in power at least swears by the Constitution and secularism, the alternative is to be ruled by communal

fascists or the tyrannical communists. Purno Sangma, the rival who contested against Pranab, did not really represent the minorities or the tribals. His opportunistic political plays in the past had betrayed lack of basic Christian ethics. There are others like him within minority communities who could have risen to great heights but stumbled somewhere on the way by their own greed for power, abandoning the principle of righteousness..Mayawati is the latest example. She could have been a messaiah for the Dalits and the backwards but fell by the wayside by imitating the ways of the Indian politician. Now back to the main issue. With Mr Mukherjee booted upstairs, the Congress could try getting government to function again. The 76-year-old’s three-year spell as finance minister was ignominious—disastrous according to his critics. High inflation, a collapsing rupee, dwindling exports, surging deficits and a fiscal mess. His moves for tax reforms dismayed investors, foreign and local. Good intentions like opening foreign investment in the retailing industry did not work out. Pensions and subsidies continue to eat up resources.

BlameBut he can’t be blamed for all these. An irresponsible opposition and an inefficient bureaucracy and a corrupt middle class that is self-centred should also bear the blame.However with Mr Mukherjee’s ascent, a reshuffle has become imminent. Mr Manmohan Singh, as a stand-in finance minister, has made welcome noises about getting the economy’s “animal spirit” moving again. May be he will hand over charge to P Chidambaram, the 66-year-old home minister, who has experience in this area of finance. Mr Mukherjee’s ability will be tested in crisis situations. Will he do what is right or will he play to the gallery as happened when the Babri Masjid was demolished, when riots took place in 2002 in Gujarat or Sikhs were massacred in Delhi? Will he uphold the Constitution or find ways of circumventing the same? Anyway things can’t get any worse. If India can’t become a super power it will be no tragedy, But if it can ensure justice and righteousness for its one billion people that will be quite an achievement.

The new president and possibilities

News From page 1

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on is-sued notice to the Centre and all the state governments on a PIL seeking its direction to them for tracing 55,000 missing children in the country.

Agreeing to hear the public inter-est litigation (PIL), a bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam sought response from the Centre and States on the is-sue of the missing children.

The order of the apex court came on a petition filed by an advocate, Sarwa Mitra.

“The State police machinery has failed to trace the missing children resulting in total extinction of life of these children. Further there is muti-lation or amputation of arms, legs or pulling out of eyes or destruction of any other organ of the body of these children which lead them to spend

miserable lives and compel them to engage in begging, flesh trade etc,” Mitra said in his petition.

The petitioner also submitted that, “The State police has failed to inves-tigate the cases of kidnapping and had failed to trace the missing children which is a total denial of right to life and liberty of these innocent children.

“Almost all the states have failed to solve the kidnapping of 55,000 chil-dren by organised gangs,” Mitra said in his petition, adding that “These un-fortunate children are also forced into bootlegging, smuggling, prostitution etc.”

The petition also said, “There is selling and buying of children for ille-gal acts, sexual exploitation and child trafficking.

Source: Firstpost India

About 55,000 kids missing:

SC notice to Centre

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31,

EDITORIAL

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY A word with you

5

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“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge

of Him in every place.” 2 Cor. 2:14

The circumstances of every human being affect the momentum of his/her vic-torious life. Many a times, people struggle to get out of their problems and thus lose their momentum for growth. Instead of striving ahead towards the victory they spent all their energy and time to solve their problems. Had anyone been able to be victorious by their own wisdom and hard work almost everyone in this world would be leading a victorious life. For instance, an unforeseen incident or the waywardness of one member is more than enough to spoil the peace and joy of any family. One person sin or addiction is enough to ruin the fortunes of oth-ers in the family. It is wise to remember how wretched we are!

We can always take refuge in God in all our troubles. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world” John 16:33. Jesus was triumphant for our sake and He imparts to us the Spirit of triumph. His incarnation in this world was designed to provide us an abundant life, complete with salvation and victory over sin, Satan, and this world.

Those who cling to God and His purposes will be strengthened with His power that turns failures to success and defeat to victory. Joseph, the son of Ja-cob, could have gone into depression if he were to dwell on the wicked acts of his brothers; he could have ruined his life. On the contrary, he was determined to trust in God. He longed to see the fulfilment of the larger hidden purpose of God in his life. While he was a bond servant in Potiphar’s house, his master noticed that the LORD was with Joseph and that the land was prospering under Joseph’s watch. The imprudence of his brothers could have pushed him to a dead end whereas a kingdom was prospering through his successful life. The reason behind it was “the Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man” (Gen. 39:2).

Joseph’s life could have been ruined another time--when he was falsely accused of debauchery and thrown into a prison. Instead of blaming others and forsaking God’s purposes he continued to trust in God and to be noble. In pris-on, the chief jailer did not even have to supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper (Gen. 39:23). His firm desire to cling to God and keep alive the vision made him a successful man even in that dungeon. The promotion from dungeon to the of-fice of Egypt’s Prime Minister was the fulfillment of God’s purpose that was ac-complished as a result of Joseph’s faithfulness.

Our God is a victorious God and He gives victory in every sphere of our life. Let not the undesirable circumstances take over and draw us away from God. Those who will walk uprightly, in righteousness with God will see the hand of God that translates defeat into victory. Circumstances are prone to change but God never changes. Victory is something we experience while walking with God. Let the world see that the Lord Jesus is with us and that through us the land is prospering.

India celebrated the 65th anniversary of her independence from British Raj a few days ago. Even as most Indians wished each other “Happy Independence Day” and participated in numerous flag-hoist-ing ceremonies, millions of Indians spent the 15th of August in fear and under traumatic circumstances. The recent blood-letting in As-sam was so horrendous that 400,000 are still in relief camps in eastern Assam. To make matters worse, thousands of Indians from the North Eastern states who live and work in Bangalore and Hyderabad have fled to their respective home states fearing a backlash from the Assam massacre.

Whatever is happening to the dream or experiment called India? Sixty five years ago when the subcontinent was relinqueshed by it’s British masters, those who led the struggle for independence wished to create a new country out of nearly 600 princely states and territories that were directly under the British rule. This new India was differ-ent from anything that existed before. Even though we are made to believe that the country called INDIA existed for millennia, there was indeed no political entity such as the one that was created on the first Republic Day in 1950.

The experiment called India was sustained initially by the united purpose of all inhabitants of this region to oust the British. After the British left, there were no more mountains or challenges (as big as the struggles for Independence) to be overcome! The division of India along the lines of languages (and resultant cultures) was the first blow to national integrity. Political gimmicks and slogans such as “Unity among Diversity” and National Integration Programmes served just to underline the fact the India afterall is not a single nation. If we are a nation, why do we need “national integration?” Who would attempt to fix something that wasn’t broken?

Over the past decades, several forces were at work to undermine the experiment called India. People of various states and regions rose up to demand separation from India. The merits of their demands vary. Some struggles for autonomy or separation (which we conveniently label “secessionist”) have died down. Some were forced into silence but they continued to simmer and smoulder. One such volcano erupt-ed in Assam.

Neither political gimmick nor the might of the armed forces can totally wipe out the will of a determined lot. When we think we have solved one “problem,” several others crop up from all around. Succes-sive governments have tried various approaches - from appeasement and concessions to military high-handedness to contain forces of dis-integration. But time and again, our politicians at the Centre and at State levels have displayed more interest in clinging on to power and privilege than to think of creative ways to solve issues, let alone think out of the box for lasting solutions.

Is this country called INDIA losing steam at 65? Our vision for the future has dimmed. Our skeleton of infrastructure fails us. The back-bone of political will in the leadership to take the country ahead in the path of economic progress. What’s our future? Where are we headed to? May God save India.

Victorious with God

India at 65: Tired and ageing?

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 6

Come and join with us in a vibrant and Spirit-filled worship service. Enjoy the mighty presence of God and His power

Full Life Assemblies of God Church11747, 3rd Floor, Sat Nagar, Karol Bagh, New Delhi-110005,

Landmark : Sindhi Ghodiwala Gali

Sunday Worship time : First Service : 6.00 am to 8.00 am (Hindi) * Second Service : 8.15 am to 10:15 am (Hindi)

Third Service : 10.30 am to 12.30 pm (Tamil) * Evening Service : 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm (English)Contact Person : Pastor Solomon Kings

Mobile : 999-930-5139, 971-168-9837, 981-127-3880 Website : www.delhiag.in

There are always people who try to push others be-low in order to get ahead. Most often these people try their level best to find fault and will be waiting to grab at one’s throat. They are crafty and create trap after trap in order to trick their target. They often are ruthless and can go to any extent to achieve whatever they want. If they succeed, they move quickly and tell everyone what had happened and try their best to enter into the good books of the superiors. When the going gets tough; they try to sabotage, slander and undermine the efforts of others so that they can succeed. Sometimes they even make convenient alli-ances to give credibility and strength to their efforts. Almost all of you might have experienced or heard of many such incidences. They are very common in every place especially where the competitions are more. I remember how students try to demoralize others by mentally torturing them on the eve of ex-ams. Some even steal or hide books, notes etc. I have seen more dirty situations in research labs where one tries to sabotage another’s experiments. I remember instances where chemicals go missing; labels are torn apart, mixed up chemicals, killing experimental animals, damaged equipments, screwed up comput-ers etc. In corporate offices, we see all sorts of cun-ning tricks to pull another down. When we are in the receiving end often we wonder, why would God allow such things to happen in my life? Doesn’t God look at these things? Where is the justice of God? In the book of Daniel in the Bible, we see exactly the same thing happening to Daniel. Daniel distinguished himself as an able administrator, and the king was very much pleased with him. The king knew that Daniel was different from all the other administrators and the Spirit of God was with him. Daniel was exceptionally good and so the King de-cided to promote him as the chief administrator for the whole kingdom. All his colleagues became jeal-ous and began to plot against him. They tried their best to find faults in his administrative abilities. They could not find any fault and could not accuse him. All of them joined forces and met to find a way to pull Daniel down from his position. They said “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” I was thinking it would have been extraor-

dinarily difficult for Daniel. Daniel and his friends were taken as captives to Babylon. He was under tre-mendous pressure to live like Babylonians and mix with their culture. Daniel and his friends vowed not to give themselves to impurity but to stay firm and separated from the ways of the Babylonians. Every-one around including the king knew whom Daniel worshipped. The king and his fellow administrators knew that the reason for Daniel’s success was his God. That is why they decided to stop and interfere with his worship and cut him off from his source of all goodness. They tricked the king and forced him to put Daniel in lion’s den. Daniel himself never ac-

cused God or stopped worshipping him! Think about this…If we were watching this whole episode unfolding in front of our eyes, many of us would have thought why is this happening to Daniel, who is doing his responsibilities well and is a great follower of the God of Israel. Does not God see? I think God allowed Daniel to pass through all these tests so that no one can question Daniel’s abil-ity and to demonstrate that God was with Him. It was also a demonstration of God’s power to show Daniel and all the other’s what He was capable of! The lion’s could do no harm to Daniel and the King realized the truth, and threw all the accusers into the den. And ultimately, Daniel was given the position he deserved! I think, because Daniel went through all these, he would have been more revered by the king and all the people around him. All his accusers were gone and God enabled Daniel to firmly establish himself. Ultimately, God’s name was glorified and the King had a taste of Daniel’s God and he pro-claimed it loud and clear! “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and rev-erence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures for ever; his kingdom will not be de-stroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heav-ens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” When people try to pull us down, let’s not be discouraged! Let’s remember Daniel and spend time in prayer as Daniel did. Our God is capable of rescu-ing all of us from the mouth of lions! Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [Or through the darkest valley] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Think about this psalm of Da-vid! God allows difficult things so that we might grow in Him. He lets us pass through the mouth of lions so that everyone might know His power. He al-lows these tests so that we may grow up to a higher level. God’s ways are always different and let’s get

God’s Ways are Different! Dr. C.S. Blesson

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 7

Dear child, I know that you lead a good Christian life. You must be watching your parents and elders in whatever they do. If you have godly parents you are lucky, because you can learn from them good Christian values in life. But the most important thing is to know the Lord per-sonally. Then He will be your Lord and Saviour. And you can follow Him in life. You are very precious that Jesus gave His life on the cross so that you can have eter-nal life. There is one story which shows the love of the Creator. Once a boy wanted to make a beauti-ful boat. He had a tremendous job to do. He collected some logs and came to his house. The boy took his tool box, and sat to work. He removed the bark. Cut and sewn the logs into suitable pieces. He used his wood-saw, chisel and hammer to give different shapes to the pieces. Slowly and steadily he joined the pieces. He polished the rough edges. The gaps and joints were closed with tar. While making the boat the boy got some cuts and bruises in his hands. But he thoroughly enjoyed making it. Fi-nally he painted it very colourfully. The boy waited patiently till the paint got dried. The boat looked very attractive. He was eager to play with the boat on the village stream. When the boat was ready, the boy took it to the stream. He was very happy. He carefully placed the boat on the water. The boat floated on the water, and slowly drifted downstream. The boy followed it slowly, thrilled that his boat was mov-ing smoothly. Suddenly it happened. A power-ful mountain torrent rushed down the stream. It carried mud, tree branches and small boulders. With fear the boy saw his boat swinging wildly. He could not reach out to catch the boat. Soon the muddy current toppled the boat, and it

was carried downstream swiftly. He ran down the stream. But the boat was no-where to be seen. “Where is my lovely boat?” he cried. He continued to search for his boat further down the stream. But it was nowhere to be seen. Finally he realized that he had lost his boat.Tired and exhausted, he returned to his house. He was very sad. He looked at his hands which bore the marks of cuts and bruises. Now he felt that his hands were also hurting.The boy was very fond of playing with boat in the stream. Now that he lost his boat, he didn’t know what to do. The next day he decided to search for his boat once again in the place where the stream merges into a wide but shallow pond. The whole day he searched for the boat at the banks of the pond. He searched among the weeds and plants. He found so many other things like san-dals, broken toys, pottery and wooden things, but his boat was not there. He lost all hopes, and returned home. While coming back to his house, he

walked through the local market. He was casually glancing here and there, thinking about his lost boat. Sudden-ly he saw his boat in a toy shop! “Hey, that’s my boat!” He shouted. He went to the shop and told the shopkeeper, “That is my boat. Sir, please give me my boat.” “I bought it from a fisherman at a price, so I can’t give you the boat free,” said the shopkeeper. The boy in-sisted and showed his hands, “See I cut and bruised my hands to make the boat so beautiful.” The shopkeeper calmed him down, “You pay me the price, and I will give you the boat.” The boy promised him that he would give the money soon, and ran to his house. He begged his father to give the money for his boat. His father gave him the mon-ey. He ran back to the shop and paid the price. Finally the boat was his again. He held it close to his heart. He whispered to the boat, “You were mine, but I had lost you. And now you are doubly mine! I made you with my hands, and now I have bought you with a price!” Dear child, this is the way Jesus loves you. He created you. But as long as you are away from Him, you are like the lost boat. All mankind drifted away from God by disobeying Him and doing wrong things. They became slaves to the devil. Then Jesus came to the world to buy mankind back from the devil. He paid a heavy price by His most painful death on the cross. By that death, He has bought you also for Himself! But, only when you pray to Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour, He will come to your heart. He will guide your life, and be with you. It is great to live with your loving heavenly Father. Let us pray: “Lord Jesus, thank you for buying me back from the devil. Be my Lord and Saviour. Amen!” May the Lord bless you!

You are preciousBina Didi

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 8

By MPK Kutty

“The world says: “You have needs -- satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don’t hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more.” This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.” So wrote Dostoyevsky.

That is familiar language to those of us in the rat race in the twenty first century. Equally so to those engaged in the glamorous ways of cricket , a game or an entertain-ment that feeds on the desires of our youth. It is the opium of the modern youth who hate to spoils his hands with labour.

Match fixing , betting, speeding, glamour, high payments, socialis-ing with heroes and heroines, par-tying and merry making—all these are thrown into the game of crick-et. Like iron pieces are drawn to a magnet all kinds of evils seem to gravitate towards this form of en-tertainment.

One doesn’t know how Abhay Diwan, a BBA drop out began his tryst with cricket. But this 27-year old property dealer might have found out that cricket accorded to him a certain respectability that his profession could not. Or may be , he found in cricket, a tick-et to youthful pleasure and fun. Fun it was to bet on the fortunes of batsmen, bowlers and captains. In the thrill of the IPL season, he didn’t perhaps realise that his bet-ting losses mounted close to Rs 70 lakhs. Though he was in quite af-fluent circumstances having mar-ried a 25-year-old BBA drop- out, the huge debt rattled him.

He had also drawn to himself by then, friends who are fun lov-ing. Birds of the same feather flock together. They went into a huddle thinking of ways of getting out of the muddle. One friend Runeet knew a 25-year-old friend of his, a B Com student , whose father was a rich businessman owning a uten-sils shop. He had recently disposed of a property for a huge amount.

Runeet felt that if only this student could be kidnapped, they could de-mand a ransom of at least Rs 2 crores.

Abhay had planned the nitty- gritty of the operation , acquired a pistol and cartridges from a friend, a syringe and sedative from a chemist after learning the options available, and even arranged with a friend in Faridabad to accom-modate the prospective, precious victim.

Accordingly the B Com stu-dent, son of the rich businessman was lured into the white Swift car owned by Abhay. As Abhay began to drive , the victim got suspicious and began shouting and raising an alarm. Abhay got panicky and shot

the victim in the stomach to silence him. He and his friend then tied the victims hands and legs. They also injected the the lethal sedative si-lencing the victim for ever. This unexpected turn of events spoiled their plan to make the ransom calls. Now their burden was to dis-pose of the victim’s body. Abhay’s wife arrived in her Accent car to be available to help her distraught husband. They decided to seek the help of the Faridabad friend to dis-posed of the body.

A teenager, still awake at that un-earthly hour, watched the arrival of the suspicious group in the iso-lated spot. He saw them arriving in the Swift car, unloading the body and trying to burn it by pouring petrol and hurriedly leaving the place. He informed the police . The game was up.

While the 25-year-old victim lost his life, the young couple ,

also in their twenties, ruined their own lives. A modern illustration of what greed could lead to.

Love of pleasure or the love of gain has a way with today’s youth. What begins as a simple pleasure soon turns into an addiction. In this, gambling is similar to alcohol-ism. The addict needs an increas-ingly higher dose of excitement as he progresses in his pursuit of his particular pleasure.

As the Bible says, ‘each one is tempted when one is drawn away by his own desires and enticed .Then when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin ; and sin when it is full grown , brings forth death.’ (James 1:14,15)

To explain it further: a proposal

of pleasure or profit being made, agreeable to lust, or the principle of corrupt nature, sinful man is pleased with it; and instead of re-sisting and rejecting the motion made, he admits of it, and receives it, and cherishes it in his mind; he dallies and plays with it; he dwells upon it in his thoughts, and hides it under his tongue, and in his heart, as a sweet morsel, and forsakes it not, but contrives ways and means how to bring it about; and this is lust’s conceiving.

There is enormous power in a lustful thought. The Christian must deal with sin at the point of temp-tation, not at the point where we choose to sin. Once we choose to open ourselves to sin, the overt ac-tion of sin is almost inevitable. We most effectively deal with sin at the point of temptation.

None of us can avoid temptation. It is not a sin to be tempted but it

is a sin to yield to temptation. Evil ideas will birth in our minds until we go to meet the Saviour.

Our modern age with its advanced technology presents a continuous feast of temptation to the eyes. The Internet, movies and television for example. Lust comes charging into our minds through these vehicles. It comes unexpectedly and quickly. That is why we must guard against temptation by first preparing our minds with the Word of God.

Twenty first century material-ism has built up its own new vo-cabulary. Jon Foreman , singer and author puts it aptly: “Greed, envy, sloth, pride and gluttony: these are not vices anymore. No, these are marketing tools. Lust is our way of life. Envy is just a nudge towards another sale. Even in our relation-ships we consume each other, each of us looking for what we can get out of the other. Our appetites are often satisfied at the expense of those around us. In a dog-eat-dog world we lose part of our human-ity.” Another writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, in his “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” set forth the irrevo-cable nature of every act we per-form. Mr. Jekyll discovered a drug that would transform him into a man devoid of any conscience and therefore able to enjoy any vice or sin. Jekyll named this monster Mr. Hyde. Any time Jekyll wanted to become this monster, he would simply take the drug. Then when he wanted to return to being Jekyll, he took the drug again. But after a time, the desire to be Mr. Hyde overruled the desire to be Mr. Jekyll, and he could not recover himself.

Similarly, our sin progresses, gains power over us, and then one day there is no turning back. Just read the headlines or listen to the newscasts and hear of the conse-quences of sin. As a nation, we have progressed deeper and deeper into the monster Mr. Hyde. So-cially, economically, and morally we are more filled with every kind, greed, and depravity than ever be-fore.

Greed, gambling and cricket.

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 9

PTA-ML/2012/01 Match for born-again believer girl, oct 1979, 5”4”good looking, M.Com, B. Lib, Working in pvt. School Teacher. Contact: 07837180500, 01726536671PTA-ML/2012/02 Keralie Parents invite proposals for their daughter, born again & baptised, brought in in North India, divorsed after a few month not because of her fault, 28 years, 5’5” height, MBA (fi-nance & Marketing) Currently pursu-ing B.Ss. Nursing in Dallas, Texas She is beautiful, wheatish in colour, wearing ornaments, Groom must be born again and qualified.Contact:E-mail-babu.880@yahoo.com, MOb-09825047780PTA-ML/2012/03 Delhi settled South Indian Malayalee Pen-tecostal parents invited proposals for their Son (30/5.7”, born again) presently working as Delhi Air Port Cargo Division Executive, from the parents of Malayalee Pentecostal girl, born again, God fearing, educated, preferably working in Delhi or willing to relocate Delhi. Contact: 9818788150PTA-ML/2012/04 Marriage proposals invited for Malayali Pastor’s daughter ,settled in Hapur near Delhi,B.Sc.Nurse doing job in Gha-ziabad,5 ft ,fair looking,25 years from the parents of employed boys born again,Holy Spirit filled,brought up in North India.e-mail:laurance2008@gmail.com,mobile:07500276231PTA-ML/2012/05 Pentecostal Parents invte proposals for their son 32 yrs, 5’.5”, BSC, PGDCA, Delhi Settled looking for Keralite Girl (Pentecost) from any location. Job profileWorking as Sr Executive in Pvt Ltd comapnyContact: 9910827468, E-mail:anumvk@gmail.com

PTA-ML/2012/06 Wanted groom born again baptized, Spirit filled pentecostal girl born and brought up in Delhi. Age 26, tgt (Eng-lish) Teacher. M.A. (English) B.ed. Contact:8447726264

PTA-ML/2012/07

Pentecostal Parents invite propos-als for their son 26 yrs. 6 months, 5’.9”, B.A.(Hons.) English B.D, from Manakala, Adoor looking for Keralite Girl (Pentecost) from any location. Job profile Working as Consultant for Govt. Office and also working God’s Ministry Contact: 8800157002, E-mail: elsammarajan@yahoo.com

PTA-ML/2012/08 Marriage proposals invited from educated boys in Christian ministry (preferably in church planting) for a Delhiite girl of mission minded fam-ily. 23 years /Spirit filled / 5’1” / fair / B.Com + DTP + Tally / ministry trained. Working as an administra-

tive assistant in a Christian organisa-tion. Keralites born and brought in north India is also preferred. Contact : 9211330669. E-mail : shibu27km@rediffmail.comPTA-ML/2012/09 Protestant Christian pa-rents invite pro-posals for their daughter, 30 yrs, 5’5”, fair, pursuing BA studies. Also work-ing in pharma company as an Office Administrator in Delhi drawing Rs. 15000/- p.m. Staying in government acco-mmodation in west Delhi. Only Delhiites preferred. Contact : Mr.Ivan Ismail (father) 91-9350875556

PTA-ML/2012/10 Marriage proposals invited from ministry minded Malayali girls in north India for a pastor in Delhi. 26 years / 5’7’ / fair / M.Div. (SABC0 / parents in ministry. Please contact :9211330669. E-mail : shibu27km@rediffmail.comPTA-ML/2012/11 Marriage proposals invited for Suit-able match for North Indian Protestant Christian girl, 28 yrs. B.A. ; B.Ed work-ing as Teacher in a school at Delhi. Con-vent educated, Fair, 5ft 2 inches. Looking for a well settled, God fearing Christian boy E-mail – glad_george001@yahoo.co.in Tel – 0120-3994055 / 08057905002 / 09311447557

PTA-ML/2012/12 Marriage Proposals invited for a north Indian Methodist Girt, Fair good look-ing 30 years, 5’5” Nursery Trained Teacher, Working, Settelled in Delhi prefered north Indian boys. Con-tact:9899000788 E-mail: m.mayadas@gmail.com

PTA-ML/2012/13 Marriage proposals invited for Guja-rati speaking Christian boy, B.Com, MBA (Finance), CFA (group C), 5’5”, 29 years, Worked as an Accountant in Tanzania. Interested parents from similar background may please con-tact : 7600143364.PTA-ML/2012/14 Marriage proposals invited for Malayali Pastor’s daughter ,settled in Hapur near Delhi,B.Sc.Nurse doing job in Gha-ziabad,5 ft ,fair looking,25 years from the parents of employed boys born again,Holy Spirit filled,brought up in North India.E - m a i l : l a u r a n c e 2 0 0 8 @ g m a i l .com,mobile:07500276231

PTA-ML/2012/15Born Again South Indian Delhi settled invites proposal for the missionary boy (33/174, Handsome, M.A.; M.Sc.; B.D.; M.Th; PhD*), from the parents of South Indian educated girl, desiring to work in

themission along with profession. Send the details to E-Mail:administrator@elcsociety.org Mobile: 09717435775

PTA-ML/2012/16Haryanvi Pentecostal parents invite proposals fo their son, 24 yrs, 5’8’’ pas-toring a fast growing church in Panipat Haryana. Girl to be committed for the ministy. Contact:09467519320

PTA-ML/2012/17Father Seeking alliance for 33 years old punjabi Arora born again Chris-tian Girl Msc. BEd working as a govt. teacher in Punjab.contacts: 9417812822,9988550684PTA-ML/2012/18Christian Pentecost working girl, BA, 24 years, 152cm, working invites propos-als from Christian pentecost/protestant working boys of UP parents settled in Delhi. Please contact: 9210489214 E-mail: arti6560@gmail.com

PTA-ML/2012/19Marriage proposals invited for suitable match for North Indian Protestant girl 46,years,High school armed force,not working, Height 5”0” (152 cm) very fair Looking for a well settled,God fearing Christian man. Email Id: pinkyrikhey@gmail.com mobile no. 09910449180

PTA-ML/2012/20 Marriage proposals invited for a north Indian Delhi settled Pentecos-tal girl from Christian background 26 years,5.5,good looking B.A, B.Th.work-ing in mission school as a teacher. Look-ing for a spritual & working life partner.Contact: E-mail: ashishparkers@rediff-mail.com or call : 08130946000

PTA-ML/2012/21 Keralite parents invite Proposals for their daughter. Born and brought up in New Delhi, Born again. DOB 11/07/1984 (28 yrs), Ornaments wearing. Height 5.1 MBA, working in Multi National Com-pany, Preferred professionally quali-fied match from North India. Contact no.07508680342 / 09990282335

PTA-ML/2012/22Christian Pentecost working girl, BA, 24 years, 152cm, working invites propos-als from Christian pentecost/protestant working boys of UP parents settled in Delhi. Please contact: 9210489214 E-mail: arti6560@gmail.com

PTA-ML/2012/23Father Seeking alliance for 33 years old punjabi Arora born again Chris-tian Girl Msc. BEd working as a govt. teacher in Punjab. contacts: 9417812811,9988550684

PTA-ML/2012/24North Indian Protestant Christian Parents from Faridabad invite pro-posals fro their Son, 28 years 5’5”

Complexion-Wheatish, Doctor (BDS), working as Deputy Medical Suprint-endant in Mission Hospital, Jhansi. Contact:09873885469, 09999502537, E-mail:achiever.amit@yahoo.co.in

PTA-ML/2012/25Malayalee Pentecostal parents invite proposals for their daughter, 31 years, 165 cm, GNM/Staff Nurse at Batra Hos-pital, New Delhi. Contact Mother: 07500276231PTA-ML/2012/26Marriage proposa seeking alliance for postor’s daughter kerala born, settled in U.P, B.Sc, nurse. 5 ft, 24 years fair, good-looking from malayali parents of boys brought up in north india, born again, Holy Spiritfilled, employed. Contact:0750027631, E-mail:laurance2008@gmail.com

PTA-ML/2012/27Proposals invited for Born Again chris-tian girl 26 years, BA 1st year working as DBS (Domestic Breeding Checker) in health dept. M.C.D Comlextion wheat-ish 5”2” looking for a well settled, God fearing, loving and caring Christian Boy Delhiites, preferred. Please contact: 08860053152PTA-ML/2012/28Keralie Parents invite proposals for their daughter, born again & baptised, brought in in North India, divorsed after a few month not because of her fault, 28 years, 5’5” height, MBA (finance & Market-ing) Currently pursuing B.Ss. Nursing in Dallas, Texas She is beautiful, wheatish in colour, wearing ornaments, Groom must be born again and qualified.Contact:E-mail-babu.880@yahoo.com, MOb-09825047780 PTA-ML/2012/29Proposal inited for our daughter M.Com, B.Ed, 28 years, 5’3” good-looking for a North Indian, Pentecostal boy in job or ministry minded, preferably from NCR.Contact:9810489892, E-mail:iqbalmasih@gmail.com

PTA-ML/2012/30Proposals invited for Agarwall (Gupta) Christian, born again boy from Hisar (Haryana), 31 years, completed three years Bible college training. Girl should be born again, God fearing and helps in the ministry related work. Caste no bar. Interested persons may kindly con-tact: E-mail: chetnaruby@gmail.com or ruby_chetna@rediffmail.com or at 09729372123.PTA-ML/2012/31Punjabi Handa family invites pro-posal for their doughter, 26 years, 5”1’Graduate, working in All India Radio, looking for a boy working and settled in Delhi or NCR. Preferred for PUnjabi Christian.Contact:9718789173E-mail: me.meenuhanda@gmail.com

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31, 10

Come, have a drink!“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” (Psalms 42:1). Da-vid was very good in expressing his emotions and feelings with his eloquence. When a deer be-comes thirsty roaming around the wilderness for pastures, it hast-ily runs straight until a stream is found, and drinks water to its full. The deer obviously knows what it requires to quench its thirst. It knows that it requires water, and water is available in a stream. The Psalmist also knows what his soul requires. It is the presence of God. David also knew when his soul becomes weak and weary, where to go and draw strength and comfort from. He knew that God is always there to quench his thirst. God is there to comfort him. God is there to forgive his sins. God is there to restore his joy of salvation. David knew that only he has to go to God with a broken heart, with an earnest longing, acknowledging his sins. It is a great advantage to know what one requires. Un-til recently, people were ready to acknowledge their need of God in life. But now with new philoso-phies and scientific theories and atheism bombarding the minds of all, they are not sure what they are lacking! Most of them know that they lack something in life. But what is it? Cut off from God and oblivious of their spiritual selves, they float around searching for purpose and meaning in life. The so called intellectuals and scien-tists taught them that they are just grown up worms resulting from evolution of billions of years. The universe has been reduced to an “effect without a cause.” Life is only a cosmic accident without any purpose. In effect, human life is stripped of its morality, dignity and destiny. “There is no God; there is no life after death; there is no spir-itual world; and surely there is no heaven and hell!” Thus proclaim atheists and ‘scientists’. Modern philosophers tried to prove that religion and God (gods) are crea-

tions of man, to ward off fear of the unknown. It is a crutch for the weak and fearful. It is true to an extent, as we see people scared of all deities, and in order to please them, they observe fasts, perform rituals and do all kinds of “good works”. The onslaught of modern philosophies and theories of evo-lutionary science are confronting the common man from all sides. Most of them don’t have the

strength to raise even a question on this propaganda. The present situation is disturbing. Young people are disturbed and per-turbed, and thirsty for something. For the atheists, since ‘there is no God’, they never doubt that per-haps the thirst is for God. They try to quench their thirst with all other things possible. Making a career is one way of quenching the thirst. Earning a lot of money and spend-ing it is another way to keep the thirst under check. Some become workaholics to hide their loneli-ness. The talented few turn to arts, music, dance, acting, sports and the world of glamour. Some try to find purpose in pleasure of all kinds: foods, fashion wears, wine and women, discos and par-ties. Others resort to all kinds of addictions: alcoholism, smoking, drugs, pornography, sex, etc. Yet the thirst persists! The loneliness, purposelessness, meaninglessness and the inner vacuum persist, and weigh down the people with the burden of life. In fact, all the above types of people are trying to fill their life’s vacuum with things in-stead of God. They are trying to

drink something which can never quench their thirst. G.K. Chester-ton said, “Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God.” How true it is, but they are unaware of it. In the modern society we can see the religiously inclined also. They believe that there is a God (are gods). But they are not sure how to approach Him (them). They somehow know that their sins are to be forgiven and

atoned for. They believe that with “good works” they can wipe away the debt of their sins. Their “good works” include many kinds of weird rituals, taking bath in ‘holy’ rivers, undertake travels to ‘holy shrines’, abstaining from cer-tain foods, piercing their bodies, walking on fire, sacrificing ani-mals and even humans, observ-ing fasts, giving alms to the poor, offerings to deities, etc. But even after observing all the rituals and doing all the “good works” they are not sure whether their sins are forgiven or not. They are not sure whether they have found God or not. They are not sure what is like meeting God or to be in commun-ion with Him. See what Isaiah has to say about their rituals, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (64:6) before God. Surely they are far from God. The soul still thirsts for God. In Jeremiah 2:13, God laments about Israel: “My people have committed two sins; They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” The la-ment is most appropriate for the

present day modern generation also. They are doing all sorts of things to quench their thirst, not knowing that it is the “spring of living water” that they should run to. They fail to believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross two thou-sand years ago as an atonement for their sins also. Only the blood of Christ can wash their robes clean and white as snow. Around two thousand years ago, on the last day of the Feast in Jerusalem, Jesus stood before thousands of people and, “said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” (John 7:37). Je-sus is the spring of living water. Only He can quench our thirst for God. The burden of sin can fall only at the foot of the cross. What a privilege for all mankind to have such an ‘easy’ way of salvation. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life, so free that it is so good to be true. But it is true! One need not observe any ritual, undertake any pilgrimage, do any ‘good work’ and no need to try to drink what-ever filth is available. One can come boldly at the cross of Jesus without any ex-cuse, ask for forgiveness of sins, and receive salvation. And drink from the living water, and be sat-isfied. One can have peace and joy which only Christ can give. One can become a child of God in an instant! What a miracle! And what a privilege! The cross of Christ is spiritually still standing on Calvary, for all the mankind to see. The atoning death of Christ offers mankind the only way to the presence of God, the only way to quench the thirst, the only way to fill the vacuum of life, the only way to remove the burden of sin, the only way to experience God’s love and the only way to salvation and eternal life. One need not possess any qualification for that and need not pay any price at all, and the offer is for all. Christ has justified us by His sacrifice, and He has already taken the punishment for our sins. He has paid the price in full. God’s love for mankind is so

great that He was ready to pay any price to grant man eternal life and fill him with love, joy, peace and living water to the full. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). What a promise! It is to “who-ever” believes. Christ is calling today, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come and drink.” God is waiting for “whoever believes in Christ” so that He can grant him eternal life. God is telling the modern generation, “Don’t forsake the spring of living water, and dig broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” The call is still open, and reverberates through the ages: “Whoever is thirsty, let him come and drink; whoever believes, let him come and receive forgive-ness; whoever wants life, let him come to the cross and receive eter-nal life.” The joy of losing one’s burden of sin is tremendous. The peace and rest one can experience in communion with God is inex-pressible. Quenching one’s thirst and having a life overflowing with the living water of the anointing of the Holy Spirit is the greatest life one can dream of on earth. This fulfilling of the dream of a life-time is available for all those who are just “will-ing” to come to the cross. If you are willing, just repent of your sins, believe that Christ the Son of God died on the cross as an atone-ment for your sins, and He was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. Invite Him to your life and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, and your spiritual thirst will be quenched as you be-come the child of God.

Bright Sam

PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY August 16-31,

Philip Keller explains that: “sheep are ex-tremely timed animals by nature, and cannot be made to ‘lie down’ unless a number of el-ements are present. Sheep need to be free from all outward fear, free from friction with the other sheep, free from torment by flies & parasites and free from the ‘pangs’ of hunger”.

Most of these ele-ments depend on the diligence of the shep-herd. One of the very first things a shepherd can do in order to calm and reassure his sheep is to make them aware

of his presence. “The Handbook of the Bible Times and Customs” states: “Nothing puts a flock of sheep more at ease than to see their shepherd walking in the field with them.”

What do you think? Isn’t it just the same in our life also as we walk with our Shepherd - Je-sus? I don’t know about you, but whenever I am beset by challenges of my life situations the thing that calms and reassures my spirit is the keen awareness that my Shepherd is nearby. There is nothing like the presence of Jesus to

dispel my tension, anxi-ety and panics of my life.

Perhaps at this very moment you are facing a tragedy or a crisis that threatens to send shock waves of fear or ten-sion or anxiety or panic through your whole be-ing. Take heart. Your shepherd is not far

away. He is very near to you. He never goes away from you in your time of troubles (Psalm 46:1). See, your Shep-herd is in your front, He is in the back, he is in the left, he is in the right, He is at the top, He is at the bottom. Yes, you are in the hand of God.

Jesus said, “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them (even death cannot) from me” (John.10:27, 28). He is your real Shepherd. He never tells lies; His words are 100% trustworthy. Trust Him wholeheart-edly, and you can live a calm and confident life with a peaceful heart.

(The author can be contacted at: Cell:0750 91 51805, E-mail: johnalice@gmail.com)

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The Shepherd is nearJ.P. Palathingal

“ He makes me lie down in green pastures;” (Ps.23:2 a)

and commented through their official Xin-hua News Agency.“The annual report, largely based on un-confirmed media reports and groundless allegations from outlawed groups and or-ganizations with ulterior motives, is noth-ing but a political tool used by the U.S. government to exert pressure on other countries, mostly deemed as its rivals,” it said.China said that religious freedoms were protected under the country’s constitution and claimed that only a handful of “cults” and “extremist religious organizations” were illegal.Furthermore, China said the report was

“full of prejudice, arrogance and igno-rance.”Undeterred, Clinton said a country’s verbal responses would not compensate for what is actually occurring within their borders.“We are going to judge by actions, not words,” Clinton said during her remarks at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C.The secretary of state also touched on the recent changes in Egypt and whether Islamist leaders who are now in power would implement their comments on re-specting the rights of all religious minori-ties in the Arab country.Early in her remarks, Clinton referenced

what is known as Article 18 of the Uni-versal Declaration of Human Rights. The language in the document applies not only to the United States or western countries where religious tolerance is more widely accepted, but to the international commu-nity too. The report reads in part:“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This right includes freedom to change his reli-gion or belief and freedom either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and obser-vance.”The report also touched on what is termed

a “global increase in anti-Semitism,” more legislation that would restrict the rights of minority religions and the use of new technologies – including social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter – as tools to communicate religious expression.As the most widely traveled secretary of state in America’s history, Clinton said she has witnessed the impact of religious freedom and how it can provide develop-ing nations a path to social and economic growth.“I have seen firsthand how religious free-dom is an element of personal freedom – and of social advancement,” said ClintonSource: Christian Post

News From page 3

‘Cult’ and ‘extremist religious organizations’...

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Bongaigaon: The Inter Church Peace Mission (ICPM) has pro-posed an action plan for peace and suggested relief and rehabilitation measures in the strife-torn districts of Assam.

The ICPM executive body sug-gested the plan in its report submit-ted to the district commissioner of the affected Chirang and Kokrajhar districts.

ICPM had in its Goodwill Mis-sion covered over 20 relief camps in the two districts on August 3 and 4.

The delegation comprised Lu-theran Bishops Nityanand Borgo-yary and Sulen Narzary, Catholic Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil of Bon-gaingaon and ICPM members Kiran Borgoyary, Benjlaigray Moshahary and Anando Moshahary.

They apprised the officials about the ground situation and stressed the need for confidence building measures for peace and amity in the affected areas.

Clashes between indigenous Bodo tribesmen and Muslim set-tlers from neighboring West Bengal and Bangladesh have killed some 65 people and rendered more than 400,000 homeless who are in 235 relief camps.

Kokrajhar District Commis-sioner Jayanta Narlekar requested the Christian leaders to take initia-tives for counselling the victims to overcome the shock and prepare the communities to live together.

The Chirang District Commis-sioner Puru Gupta suggested the ICPM to be an agent for Peace building.

“Please help us to form peace committees with leaders from vari-ous communities living in the Bodo-land and arrange for peace meetings and awareness,” said Gupta.

The ICPM has also appealed to various non-governmental organi-zations worldwide to extend help in overcoming the crisis.

Church leaders offer peace building

measures in AssamShimla: Thieves broke into historic Christ Church on The Ridge and have cleared out with the collections in the do-nation box.District police chief Chander Shekar said that a case had been registered and the mat-ter was being investigation. He said that it is hard to figure out what the donation amount could be.A police spokesman said that the matter was reported at about 11 a.m. after the Church priest noticed that the donation box had been broken open.Investigators noticed that a rear window had been broken open and an entry forced in from there.The theft appeared to have been made at night but it was noticed only after the priest opened and Church in the late morning hours.Christ Church, one of the old-est Church’s on North India, designed in neo-Gothic style, was consecrated in 1857 and remains one of the most endur-

ing legacies of the British rule.Designed by Colonel JT Boi-leau in 1844 to serve the An-glican British community that lived in Shimla then, the clock that no longer functions was donated by Colonel Dumble-ton in 1860.

Representing the five Chris-tian virtues, the church’s five stained glass windows sym-bolize Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude and Humility.Erected in 1899, the church’s pipe organ is the biggest in-strument of its kind in India.

Thieves break into historic Church in Shimla