Friday, September 19, 2014

I fail to understand...



Hi...
This may be a long one, please read though, it is a overflow of my heart.
As a child I spent a lot of time with my grand parents because I lived with them. I still remember my Grandma take me for prayer meetings during week days(I was 4-5 years old)
As a child I remember my mom used to visit a home that housed some 'very old ladies'(senior citizens) with ladies from the church with eatables, warm-clothes, sarees etc.
In those days 'senior citizen homes' were a rare commodity. In fact mom said, she has never seen such homes in her younger days.
But now such homes are all over and all homes are full and over packed. It is a flourishing business for some.
Most of these homes run by Christians. 
What has caused this increase and why are old people treated as 'unwanted', 'castaways', 'forgotten ones'?
This has always been my question to my Lord.
We do read in Genesis 2:24,"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
Many take the "Leave an cleave" to heart and literally some children dump their parents in senior citizen's home, some wash their hands off them, some just have no time for them any more, some don't respect the elderly.
Is that what God wants us to do? He cares for the old.

Isaiah 46:4, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."


I came across the Jewish wedding pattern and it surprised me what I read and then Jesus Himself takes His bride to His Father's house! 
So, "Leave the Father's house", I am sure it was not meant literally. 
After their children get married parents are to step back, let go and let children take responsibilities, give them their space, not interfere in their decision, their life and choices but still always be there if children need their help or advice.

Children have to make a choice if they want to stay on with their their parents or move out. Even if they don't live with them they are to care for them.

Jesus presented a beautiful picture of heaven when He said, "In my Father's house are many rooms, I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2-3). Jesus as a bridegroom, is preparing new rooms(mansions) for his followers in the insula of heaven.
By using the familiar images of an insula, Jesus helped his followers to understand the kingdom of God—a household of faith where God's family lives in close community.
Quote>
Korazin - The City
*********************
Studying the ruins of Korazin and other Galilean towns, scholars have pieced together a picture of family life in the first century.
Korazin stood in the northwestern corner of the Galilee region, about three miles from the 
sea. The nearby cities of Capernaum and Bethsaida joined Korazin as part of the "orthodox triangle," an area inhabited primarily by devout Jews.
Jesus spent a great deal of time in the triangle area, living in Capernaum and teaching in the towns and villages nearby. Just north of Korazin lay the Mount of Beatitudes, the hillside where Jesus may have presented the Sermon on the Mount.

Archaeologists have uncovered various ruins at Korazin. The remains of a synagogue, several buildings, and an oil pressing installation can be seen today. They have also discovered a Moses, seat—the special seat for Torah readers—in the Korazin synagogue.
Studying the ruins of Korazin and other Galilean towns, scholars have pieced together a picture of family life in the first century. As he taught, Jesus drew on many family practices that were common in his day.
The Insula
Jesus used the image of an insula - clusters of buildings where extended families lived together - to describe the kingdom of God.
In Jesus' time, families usually lived in clusters of buildings called Insulas.
These clusters were built around a central courtyard. Grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts all lived and interacted together in the insula.
As sons married, they added to the insula. After asking a girl to marry him, the son would return to his village and build new rooms onto his father's home. The son, anxious to be married, waited for the day when his father declared that the building was complete. Then he could finally marry his bride and bring her to their new home.
Jesus presented a beautiful picture of heaven when he said, "In my Father's house are many rooms, I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2-3). This word-picture presented Jesus as a bridegroom, preparing new rooms for his followers in the insula of heaven.
When Jesus described his second coming, he again used the picture of a young bridegroom, waiting for his father's approval to return for his bride: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father" (Matt. 24:36).
By using the familiar images of an insula, Jesus helped his followers to understand the kingdom of God—a household of faith where God's family lives in close community.
 <Unquote

When Jesus said, "In My Father's House" He meant it! That was the pattern in a Jewish wedding. 
I think we can see what we lost of the Father’s heart today in most marriages today.
Quote> When the bridegroom completed adding a room onto his father’s house, he would return to his bride’s house (usually at night) to retrieve her. Then the groom would take his bride back to their new home, “that where I am there you may be also.” 
What a beautiful picture that for a year the "husband to be" had to go away expediently so he could come back and get her and then bring her "to the place' where He made for the TWO OF THEM TO LIVE TOGETHER in their own house but ONE CONNECTED WITH THE BRIDEGROOMS FATHERS HOUSE 

Beloveds they were two different homes yet in the same house. The bridegroom made a new room, a new home for them to dwell together in the Father’s house. The new couple would be added to the purpose and plan of the Father for the Son had to learn the trade of the Father to carry on the family business. The bride and grooms room was separate but in total submission to the plan of the Father that was passed down from generation to generation. 
I think we can see what we lost of the Father’s heart today in most marriages. This is why their is such an attack of the enemy because he hates marriages. He tries  to end them, not have people do them anymore, or pervert them by same sex marriages. Why? Because it is a picture of our life IN CHRIST and our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus IN THE FATHER AND HIS HOUSE!  

The one function and purpose as a new family of the bride and groom was to become their own family but still connected to the Father's house and a vital part of that family to bring forth the family purpose and plans. <Unquote

When parents live in a small house and children get married and move out it is understandable but let not the modern life style, 'neuclear family' system influence and overtake 'Biblical values' and standards.

Timothy inherited good values from his grand mom.
The elderly need our touch, care, love! As kids parents and grandparents give their best for us, let us not cast them away when they are old like we throw away the curry leaves and spices that added flavor to the curry!
What would Jesus Christ our Lord do is what we need to do!
Even when on the cross, He remembered His mother and did not want to leave her alone. He trusted John to take good care of her!
John 19: 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[b] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Time to restore dignity and honor!
Someone asks, “If your Mother/Dad is too old and bedridden needs 24-hour supervision and the only choices you have is for Mom/Dad to live with you or in a nursing home or senior citizen home, what would you do?"
If you can afford to pay money to a senior citizen's home to keep your aged parent in there, won't they be happier to stay close to you (if you have a spare room to spare) and a nurse take care if you can't?
"If you have a child who is totally bed-ridden, physically challenged, unable to eat or drink on his/her own, would you keep him or her in a nursing home for ever or abandon him/her in an orphanage? Wouldn't you wish they stayed under your care? Even if you had a maid to assist you, you will not want to abandon your child."
Our parents spend sleepless nights, sacrifice their time and energy to give us the best and when they are old we so easily cast them out, get rid of them.
Parents when old become forgetful, confused and are slow in doing things. They do not remember many things, don't take their medication on time, are not able to prepare nutritious meals. Does that really matter to us? Do we really care?



What would Jesus Christ our Lord do in such a situation or any situation is what matters.
 I would rather follow the Rabbi, our Good Shepherd. He valued relationships. He came to turn the heart of fathers to children and children to fathers(Malachi 4:5-6).
Be blessed,
Julia






Friday, July 11, 2014

Waiting for a life-partner?


Psalm 37: 34, "Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it."
Waiting for a life partner?
Has the wait been long?
"The vision is for an appointed time, though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come."
Habakkuk 2:3
God is a God of order; everything He does is by appointment. 
If God promised you something HE WILL DO IT! There may be a delay but never a denial. But if you get impatient to wait for God's timing and His Word to come to pass and make the mistake of picking up someone that looks pleasing to your eyes, you will looses out on God's BEST for you and realize one day that 'all that glitters is not gold'. 
It's ALWAYS better to wait for God's timing and be in the center of His Will!
"...Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand...." 
( Proverbs 19: 21 )

When you wait on Him, though you don't see anything happening, you can rest assured God's at work!
Do not be upset when your plans fail, if you are God's child, He has something better in store for you because He looks at things with eternity in mind!
Sometimes God makes radical changes not to harm you but to stop you from being harmed! He sometimes disconnects you from a relationship because He knows it is not good for you!
Delay surely is not denial from God but that He is preparing something BIGGER and BETTER.
So do wait patiently for that special package from your Abba Father.
Waiting may be difficult ...
But...
~~Wait without doubt,
~~Wait without murmuring,
~~Wait with gladness,
~~Wait with rejoicing,
~~Wait with thankfulness,
~~Wait with great expectation,
~~Wait with absolute trust.
Wait knowing for sure God is writing a beautiful love story...
May His plans be fulfilled in your life,
May you find a mate who is 'after God's heart'!
Be Blessed,
Julia

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Habits




Hi..
Good Morning..
It is said..

"Watch your thoughts for they become words.

Watch your words for they become actions.

Watch your actions for they become habits.

Watch your habits for they become your character.


And watch your character for it becomes your destiny."

It may not be easy to form  good habits and make positive changes in life.

+Getting up early, 
+having a disciplined quiet time with God, 
+reading God's Word and meditating on it
+spending quality time with family,
+start exercising, walking
+eating right, 
+staying fit, 
+losing weight 
+improving posture
+brushing teeth in the morning, at bed time, after-food(taught in school as kids but forget as we grow up)
+honoring elders and parents(it is God's commandment)
+obedience (it is better than sacrifice)
+speaking the truth at all times for all thing..(knowing to tell a lie is SIN)
+Reading (forgotten habit)
+speaking and walking with grace and honor
+desiring for the fruit of the Spirit to be made whole in us.. 
+Being organised and keeping things in order..

+stop eating junk food, watching junk stuff and listening to junk music,
+ quit smoking and alcohol,
+stop drinking aerated drinks,
May be difficult to begin but not impossible..
Small changes like making a choice to speak to God first as we begin our day, and speaking to Him the last...and taking to Him at all times about all thing, eating healthy, staying fit, obeying God's Word, will make a big difference in our life!
We don't need an expert or designers help change a room from a mess to a masterpiece!  A bit of cleaning, dusting, wiping, folding things, putting things in order, arranging will do wonders!

 + May we be motivated to stay fit (spiritually an physically)

 + May we create goals, stay calm and press on...to our goal...




1 Timothy 4:7, ".....and exercise yourself toward godliness."
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
1 Thessalonians 5: 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

May the Lord help us make positive changes that helps our spirit soul, body. It is said, "It takes 21 days to make or break a habit."
Let us take action and get started now. Let us create a 21 day challenge to create good habits and break bad one, pray and seek God's help to keep to it, and get going...
Remember, it is said "Winners never quit and quitters never win."
Have a blessed day...
Julia 

“The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” 

― Samuel Johnson 

Sunday, May 11, 2014

A Godly Mother's Greatest Reward...


Hi...
 You know what is a Godly mother's greatest reward?
(Read the quote below)
This would definitely be my greatest Reward!
And I will say that to my mom...!
This is from the 'Signs of the times' Nov 3rd 1881
Quote: 
Mother's greatest Reward
************************
  When at the Judgement seat the books shall be opened; when the "well done" of The Great Judge is pronounced, and the crown of immortal glory is placed upon the brow of the victor, many will raise their crowns in the sight of the assembled universe and pointing to their mother say, " She made me all I am through the grace of God. Her instructions, her prayers have lead me to my eternal Salvation."
This would be that mother's greatest reward.
~Unquote
Be blessed,
Happy Mother's day to all you precious moms here today and everyday!
Julia 



Moms and dads are special not just on one day...:)

It's lovely to see them being pampered by cards, the flowers, special lunch/dinner with their son/daughter.
 My mom was so...excited when we wished her. Wish I was there close by to give her some special surprise!
How blessed we are!
 But thinking of the many moms and dads who have gone to the grave broken hearted, because of disrespect and lack of honor shown to them and without once having heard their child say a "I love you", "I thank you" or share a meal with them or see them do even small acts of kindness, to make them feel loved, appreciated, honored.
 How many times our moms tears, sighs, pain goes unnoticed though our tears and pains have broken their hearts. Sometimes their tender love, care and concern for us has been returned by a cold indifference.
 Godly parents are concerned about the sous of their children but there are children dispise their counsel and stubbornly follow their rebellious path and still parents don't stop praying.
 May we those who still have our mom/dads/ or both parents around, always love and honor them.
These are days when God is turning the hearts of parents to children and children to parents
(Malachi 4:6)
May God change hearts, bind, heal restore this beautiful relationship...!
Be Blessed,
Julia




Saturday, May 10, 2014

Homemaker

Wikipedia describes "A homemaker" as a person whose main job is to take care of his or her own family home and children. Traditionally, the job of homemaker is done by women and the job of provider is done by men, but both men and women can be providers and homemakers."

In the last few days I have been in converstaion with some 'Homemakers'. 
And I realised a few of them felt 'unworthy', 'unappreciated', 'used and abused' about what they do, because some tend to look down on a woman who chooses to work as a full-time homemaker. Some think only the "uneducated" and "jobless" will really choose to stay at home.
I hope people who look down on stay at home moms will understand that a "full time homemaker" is also doing an honorable job!  
I am not an accidental full time homemaker but loved to be one and chose to be one. It is not an easy job always but I wouldn't trade it for a second.
But I am also so...in awe of those who manage a career out and also is a homemaker!
God appreciates all we do as a woman, indoors or out.
"A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:31)
This I write just to write to those who are at home the whole day taking care of it.
Homemaking is sure an honorable profession.
Every homemaker may not have a full-time or part-time maid, some may not have even a washing machine, dishwasher or microwave to assist them and make work a bit easy but still it is a job of great worth!

Life of a homemaker may not be easy as a walk on a bed of roses. As  most of our lives is spent  pressing on, believing, holding on in faith, praying, paying bills, making beds, fixing breakfast and lunch, helping kids with home work, wiping their tears, crying with them etc. 

And many hours during the day we may be all alone and may feel no one really cares. 
So much of what  homemakers go unrecognized. The beds made every morning, toilets scrubbed, every meal made, other chores around home, errands run to the market, dust, sweep, clean etc may not necessarily get noticed. 
Seeing that our family members take their medications, vitamins, eat the right food, or stop them from eating stuff that is not good for them ensures their good health but they may fail to see our heart of concern.

 But today it is good to remind ourselves that God is with us, watching over us, so consider it all joy that we are never alone at home. Let us do all we do as unto Him and not unto man.
 Ephesians 6: 7 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free."
So let us do what we do with all our heart.
Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"



A stay at home mom has a lot of rewarding moments too! Homemaker who handles a lot of household responsibilities may not be paid for their service but it is a greatly rewarding job as it is a joy to see kids grow, being there to see them take their first step, lift them when they fall, their hug when you have a tear in your eyes and so many such priceless moments.
 And we get a lot of time to persue our hobbies (writing/stitching/knitting/painting/gardening or whatever it may be), get time to be alone with our Lord in between our chores and can do so much more.
So "Homemakers" are doing a great job too!
Be blessed...
A "Full time" homemaker,
Julia

Monday, April 7, 2014

Life is not about winning it all and making no mistakes...


Hi....
Life is not about winning it all and making no mistakes. 
We do win but also make mistakes, loose and fail at times.
Those who never make any mistakes have NEVER TRIED anything  NEW.
So when you make a mistake trying to learn something or do something new, don't worry and feel discouraged.
For you are just trying a new way for SUCCESS!
Remember...Failure is not the end of the road...
It's just a "STEPPING STONE for SUCCESS" as someone said.
And if Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior is with you, you'll make it some day....He sets the wrong right, turns failures into success, corrects us when we make a mistake and teaches us to do things His way!
So don't quit trying something new He will help you.
Try new avenues, job opportunities and let mistake not stop you from moving ahead.
Be blessed
YSIC
Julia

Monday, March 31, 2014

They have wishes too..

Even a simple greeting card from children/grand-children can 

bring great joy to parents/grand-parents!
Receive this following by e-mail..
This is worth reading...
Be Blessed,
Julia


A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his father, his 
First flight, brought emotions and made him realize that how much we all 
Take for granted when it comes to our parents.

My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to the
Airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never travelled by air 
Before, so I just took this opportunity to make him experience the same. 
In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on Lufthansa.

The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see 
That I had booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent on his 
Face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was
Preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from 
Using the trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for 
Window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen.

He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I, too, was overcome with joy 
Watching him experience all these things.

As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walked up to 
Me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very emotional and
It was not as if I had done something great but the fact that this meant 
A great deal to him.

When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me. 

But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life.

As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without 
Understanding the financial situation, we ask for football, dresses, 
Toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they have
Satisfied all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had
To make to accommodate many of our wishes?

Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us? 

Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we
Should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, 
We will  ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme 
Parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed
A lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to
Ensure that their dreams are realized and what they failed to see when
They were young, it is our responsibility to ensure  that they
Experience all those and their life is complete.

Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually 
Answered back without patience.. When my daughter asks me something, I 
Have been very polite in answering. Now I realize how they would have
Felt at those moments.

Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as we take
Care of our children, the same attention and same care need to be given
To our parents and elders.

Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for
Making him wait so long for this small dream.. I do realize how much he
Has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best
Possible attention to all their wishes. Just because they are old does
Not mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing
For their grandchildren also. They have wishes, too..

Take care of your parents. 

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Women are special..not just today but always....


Today (March 8th) is International women's day.
Women are not special just this day..but always...!!
 To all the wives, girl-friends, fiancee, moms, daughters, sisters, grand-moms, aunts (all are special in their own way and have their own worth)
God created all and said, it was good (Gen 1:31). 
God saw man was lonely and made woman.
A woman is special and God wants to use each of us women too for HIS glory.
Rise up women of God!
You truly are...
W~WONDERFUL
   O~OUTSTANDING
M~MARVELOUS
A~ADORABLE 
N~NICE

 Women..

"" You are too special for Him to forget, too important for Him to neglect, too precious for Him to ignore. That's why He set you before His eyes and crafted you on His palms that He might remember you forever, as long as He lives. So be not discouraged, Jesus is concerned about you always.""
 " MY REFLECTION " 
~Author Unknown~
I pray that I will see, 
the virtuous woman inside of me.
Gentle, faithful, bold and wise,
seeing myself through Father's eyes.
I am changing from glory to glory,
walking in love, not fear and worry.
Generous, kind and full of peace,
my image transformed, true beauty released.
I'm being molded into his likeness,
reflecting him and his brightness.
Happy in knowing God sees the real me,
rejoicing, content and totally free ! "
Proverbs 31 woman...
( Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31 NIV )
A wife of noble character who can find? 
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her 
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, 
all the days of her life.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; 
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, 
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household 
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; 
her husband also, and he praises her: 
"Many women do noble things, 
but you surpass them all." 
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, 
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
" THE WOMAN IN THE GLASS "
(A poem...Author unknown)
When you get what you want
as your struggle for self
And the world makes you queen for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that woman has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or husband
Who's judgement upon you must pass;
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
She's the person to please,
never mind all the rest,
For she's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous,
difficult test
If the woman in the glass if your friend.
You may fool the whole world down
the pathway of life,
And get pats on your back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the woman in the glass !
 A woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
So try our best to keep our Priorities right, giving God the 1st place.
We also realize that women often forget their worth. 
We are not perfect but sure women full Hope and walking towards perfection.
" Let us Love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."(1 John 3:18)