ravinonline

Thank you for the friendships!

2010-05-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

The trees pose shades on the silent waters

to whom that waits, giving refreshment and grace

in the scorching heat, the sweat, the weary

in an incandescent summer day

under such freshly shade of trees,

cool and breeze, covered with dark mellow ,

takes away that incant hate,

the thrust, the break of rest,

and gives a glimpse of soothing bliss . . .

It is true, which often said,

"Friendship is a sheltering tree"

Yes, that is true,

Surely, I agree

like . . .

you to me!

Maxico Missing Children: The Horrid story of Human Trafficking

2010-01-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

See the horrid report Human trafficking. A Mexican girl who was held captive by human traffickers and later managed to escape tells Channel 4 News how she witnessed babies and children being "sold to order" to American citizens.

I hope my friends would pray for the victims and actively engage in irradiation this horrid practice.

"Just follow on?" by Ravin Caldera

2009-12-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

Where are you?

Now, you mean?

I don't know!

I looked at the winding roads

on a dividing pike

as far as I could see

No end at sight

Then, took the least interested

I felt, it felt, rather,

I am something - I am nothing

I am everything - for a moment!

Just follow on - as far as it takes

Where does it go?

No one knows, I suppose . . .

Just follow on - to the end . . .

as far as I could see,

as far as I could go

as far as it goes

But, is there an end?

No, I suppose not!

whining, whining, whining . . .

Why whines all along?

Just follow on -just follow on . . .

No end at sight!

are we lost?

I don't know!

Just follow on . . .

This is my very first poem in English. I hope the readers will enjoy and made a comment about it. Thanks!

An Arundel Tomb by Philip Larkin

2009-12-08T02:47:00.000-08:00

Side by side, their faces blurred,

The earl and countess lie in stone,

Their proper habits vaguely shown

As jointed armour, stiffened pleat,

And that faint hint of the absurd—

The little dogs under their feet.

Such plainness of the pre-baroque

Hardly involves the eye, until

It meets his left-hand gauntlet, still

Clasped empty in the other; and

One sees, with a sharp tender shock,

His hand withdrawn, holding her hand.

They would not think to lie so long.

Such faithfulness in effigy

Was just a detail friends would see:

A sculptor’s sweet commissioned grace

Thrown off in helping to prolong

The Latin names around the base.

They would not guess how early in

Their supine stationary voyage

The air would change to soundless damage,

Turn the old tenantry away;

How soon succeeding eyes begin

To look, not read. Rigidly they

Persisted, linked, through lengths and breadths

Of time. Snow fell, undated. Light

Each summer thronged the glass. A bright

Litter of birdcalls strewed the same

Bone-riddled ground. And up the paths

The endless altered people came,

Washing at their identity.

Now, helpless in the hollow of

An unarmorial age, a trough

Of smoke in slow suspended skeins

Above their scrap of history,

Only an attitude remains:

Time has transfigured them into

Untruth. The stone fidelity

They hardly meant has come to be

Their final blazon, and to prove

Our almost-instinct almost true:

What will survive of us is love.

Philip Larkin, “An Arundel Tomb” from Collected Poems.

A Very BIG Thank You for Praying Concerning Sri Lanka

2009-11-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

“When the arrow of a saint’s prayer is put into the bow of Christ’s intercession it pierces the throne of grace.”[1]

Today my Pastor Neil Tomba tweeted this wonderful quote on prayer. I would like to thank every one who prayed for the Church of Sri Lanka past week. God has graciously intervene blessed this persecuted church.

As I reported last week, police have asked the Pastor not to hold services on Sunday, following the attack. However, the believers have turned up numbering thousand and they were not allowed into the church, therefore, they pray and worship God beside the road. Monday police went to court and lodged an injunction to close down the church saying that the church is a public nuisance. Tuesday court called the case and allowed the police to provide witness. The Attorneys representing the church counter argued, however, it seems that the church is facing eminent close down. If the court gives it verdict in favor of the police, most probably the extremist would use the same line of tactic to get rid of the other churches. The case is taken up again on Wednesday—the police produced evidences, however, court decided that the application of the close-down is not meet the proper legal grounds and dropped the injection altogether and asked the church to do proper sound proofing to reduced the noise levels. Then surprisingly, the magistrate asked police to produce the accused people who have involved in the attack. At this moment, local police was taken out of guard; they would have thought to put the blame on the church and settled the issue. The police said that they have not taken any one to custody, and the magistrate was displeased. Then court ordered the police to produce all who are involved in the mob attack at the next session and also ordered the television and other mass-medias to surrender their video tapes to identified the perpetrators.

We are glad that God has intervene and caused to drop the chargers lodged by the police, whereby, the extreme elements could not use such in future to close down churches. Moreover, court has also upheld the right of the Christians. Thanks again for your prayers and hope continuously remember Sri Lanka in your prayers.

Who are the attackers:

This is an short old report (past war time error) on the Jathika Helaurumaya Party (JUH), who are behind may of anti-conversion protests and threating churches, evangelists and believers in Sri Lanka. They are using the communal feelings to broaden their political base. They came to main stream political process, promising Sri Lankans that they would implement Anti-conversion bill in 2004. Please do pray for them out of love.

[1]Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1997), 183.

Remembering the Fallen!

2009-11-11T15:27:00.001-08:00

We are glad and grateful of our Veterans who have fought and fallen to secure the freedom and peace for the future generations!

Mob Stormed a Church in Koswatta (Sri Lanka)

2009-11-05T23:47:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday (06/09/2009) a mob, including Buddhist monks posing to have a peaceful demonstration, raided a Church in Koswatta (Colombo) and destroy the much of the church. This started as a demonstration over death of two women, who were participating at that gospel rally at the Viharamahadevi Park and later revealed that these two have died on natural causes. Many have attended for these gospel rallies, where some people were known to be healed. The recent reports indicate this church has been a catalyst in many Buddhist conversions. Several national newspapers are carrying a reports that aggravate the extreme factions for attacts on churches and urging the Sri Lankan Government to enact the Anti Conversion Bill immediately.

Today (07/09/2009) a parliamentarian and a former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hon H.M.G.B. Kotakadeniya publically threatened the church leadership with death, arson and closing the church down. Please pray that the members of that church may have strength to stand and witness for Christ. Many Christian leaders are shaken by this incident—Ask God to bless the ministry of Christian workers spreading the Gospel in Sri Lanka amid opposition. See the attack on the church:

Ask God to bless the ministry of Christian workers spreading the Gospel in Sri Lanka amid opposition.

The Church website:Jesus Never Fails Good News Centre

New Developments:

Reported by my friend Rev. Yohan Heenatigala on November 08, 2009.

He sated:

I spoke with Pastor Joseph's wife today. Following is for the information of those interested in the matter.

1. The 2 persons who died did not die at the meeting as reported by some media.
2. The Church in Koswatte was attacked by a mob led by Buddhist priests - petrol bottles (liquid Gasoline Bombs) thrown in to the church did not ignite.
3. The police requested Pastor Joseph not to hold the church service on Sunday (today), he complied.
4. Thousands of believers turned up, knelt by the side of the road and prayed.
5. Pastor Joseph will be meeting with a Christian lawyer to do things within the law.

Please continue to pray as the Spirit leads. Your prayers are very important in this crucial time of confusion and unpredictability.

Updated on November 9, 2009

Today I received news that several other churches are also stoned, threaten and destructed by organized Buddhist mobs, while the Sunday worship-services. They shout and disturbed the services and vowed to close them down. The congregations were courageous and continued to worship the Lord in-midst of the disturbance. However, some Pastors are expecting organized mob violence throughout the week and especially on upcoming Sunday.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JUH), extreme Buddhist nationalistic political party, who were behind the Koswatta attack are trying to make disturbance and push the president to pass the Anti-Conversion Bill. This Bill has been lodge and lobby by this political party and they came to power by promising to implement it. The bill has been just stuck in the parliament because of the fundamental right violations by some clauses. Next year, the ruling party is preparing for a presidential election. It seems, these fanatics are pushing the president to act on legislation before his nominations for the upcoming election.

Your prayers are appreciated!!!

Picture shows part of the leadership of JUH: Ellawela Medhananda Thero, Athuraliye Ratana Thero and few others who participated in the Koswatta Church attack. They claim that they are having a peaceful demonstration, and were law abiding, peaceful citizens, who are using non-violence (ahimsa) methods to gain the right of the Buddhists. Ironic isn't it?

Clear the stage!

2009-11-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

This is a very good song! enjoy!!!

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

If that's the measure that it takes to crush the idols.

Chuck the pews and all the decorations too

Until the congregations few then have revival.

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends

until you're broken for your sins you can't be social.

Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store

and know that great is your reward and just be hopeful

Cause you can sing all you want to.

Yes you can sing all you want to

you can sing all you want to

And don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song.

Take a break from all the plans that you made

And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper.

Beg Him please to open up his mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister.

Shine the light on every corner of your life

Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.

Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard

Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.

Cause you can sing all you want to.

Yes you can sing all you want to

you can sing all you want to

And don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song.

Anything I put before my God is an idol.

Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.

Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol.

Anything that I give all my love is an idol.

We must not worship something that's not even worth it.

Clear the stage and make some space for the one who deserves it.

Cause I can sing all I want to.

Yes I can sing all I want to

I can sing all I want to

And still get it wrong, worship is more than a song.

And you can sing all you want to.

Yes you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to

But don't get me wrong, worship is more than a song.

How to Dance in the Rain

2009-10-31T10:29:00.000-07:00

I received this email from a friend, it is a beautiful example of love:

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said,

'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arms, and thought,

'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. This is one of those.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,

but how to dance in the rain.' I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did!

Youth and Age (1823-1832)

2009-10-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

This Poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) is reflection of my 36^th birthday I celebrate last Sunday (October 25, 2009) with my close friends here in Dallas, Texas, US. Thank you very much for the valuable friendships like sheltering trees:

Verse, a Breeze 'mid blossoms straying,

Where HOPE clung feeding, like a bee—

Both were mine! Life went a-maying

With NATURE, HOPE, and POESY,

When I was young!

When I was young?—Ah, woful WHEN!

Ah! for the Change 'twixt Now and Then!

This breathing House not built with hands,

This body that does me grievous wrong,

O'er æry Cliffs and glittering Sands,

How lightly then it flashed along:—

Like those trim skiffs, unknown of yore,

On winding lakes and rivers wide,

That ask no aid of Sail or Oar,

That fear no spite of Wind or Tide!

Nought cared this Body for wind or weather

When YOUTH and I lived in't together.

FLOWERS are lovely; LOVE is flower-like;

FRIENDSHIP is a sheltering tree;

O ! the Joys, that came down shower-like,

Of FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, and LIBERTY,

Ere I was old!

Ere I was old? Ah woful ERE,

Which tells me, YOUTH'S no longer here!

O YOUTH ! for years so many and sweet,

'Tis known, that Thou and I were one,

I'll think it but a fond conceit—

It cannot be that Thou art gone!

Thy Vesper-bell hath not yet toll'd:—

And thou wert aye a Masker bold!

What strange Disguise hast now put on,

To make believe, that thou art gone?

I see these Locks in silvery slips,

This drooping Gait, this altered Size:

But SPRINGTIDE blossoms on thy Lips,

And Tears take sunshine from thine eyes!

Life is but Thought: so think I will

That YOUTH and I are House-mates still.

Dew-drops are the gems of morning,

But the tears of mournful eve!

Where no hope is, life's a warning

That only serves to make us grieve,

When we are old:

That only serves to make us grieve

With oft and tedious taking-leave,

Like some poor nigh-related guest,

That may not rudely be dismist;

Yet hath outstay'd his welcome while,

And tells the jest without the smile.

[Note: lines 1-38 were published as Youth and Age 1828, 1829, and lines 39-49 as An Old Man's Sigh in 1832].

A witness story to DTS’ Theme Song

2009-10-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

In Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) we regularly sing the hymn “All Hail the power of Jesus’ Name” written by Edward Perronet in 1779. This is a story of Rev. E.P. Scott's use of it in mountains of India--

Transcript of the video:

Soon after Rev. E.P. Scott was a missionary to India, One day he passed a man of unusual appearance. A man from a wild mountain tribe, unreached by the gospel. Mr. Scott prayed over the matter. . .Against the pleadings of his friends. . .H e decided to visit the tribe. As he neared their village. . . He was ambushed by a war party. They seize him. Spears pointed at his heart. With no hope of escape. . . Scott carmly open his violin case . . .Breathed a prayer. . . and began to sing “all Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” At every kindred, every tribe. . . He opened his eyes. . .The warriors stood in tears. . .Spears lowed. . .Mr. Scott was allowed into the village. He speared two years with them, many believed in Christ.

Faith Lost?: Christians fall through the cracks!

2009-10-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

This week I met a Christian, who has never experience kindness from the church or Christians around her. She was marveled by our generosity and kindness. There is something very wrong in the contemporary evangelical Christianity. This resonates in the story of Van Gogh. The famous painter Vincent Van Gogh, sought to be a clergymen. He loved to read the bible, teach in Sunday school (when he was living in London), and listen to various sermons—his letters to brother and sister are filled with bible quotations. His failure to gain admissions to Amsterdam University for the theological training as clergy men, resulted in going to an evangelical college. He graduated and commissioned to the Belgian mission field, where he became cynical of the evangelical faith. In his later years, he distant himself from the religion—failure to find employment, or sell his paintings and mental disorders drove him to take his own life, in a corn field, where he was drawing. This is an excerpt taken from the lovely book called Evangelical Disenchantment by Dr. David Hempton:

No doubt piqued by a sense of rejection, and schooled in the evils of hypocrisy by his readings in Shakespeare, Dickens, and Harrier Beecher Stowe, Vincent developed a passionate cynicism for those in authority, especially those in religious authority in the same way that he lost respect for commercial art dealers in Paris and London, and self-serving theological educators in Amsterdam, he grew disenchanted with the evangelical leaders hip he encountered in Belgium. "I must tell you," he wrote Theo, "that with evangelists it is the same as with artists. There is an old academic school, often detestable, tyrannical, the accumulation of horrors, men who wear a cuirass, a steel armor, of prejudices and conventions; when these people arc in charge of alEiirs, they dispose of positions, and by a system of red tape they try to keep their protégés in their places and to exclude the other man." Comparing the spirituality of evangelical worthies to that of shakespeare's drunken Falstatf (very Dickensian), van Gogh concluded that they were incapable of normal human emotions or of anything approaching clear-sightedness. A similar distrust of religious professionals shows up a year later, when, after yet another bout of unrequited love, this time with his cousin Kee Vos,he wrote that the object of his love was in a mental prison imposed by the "Jesuitism of clergymen," which no longer had a hold on him because he knew some of "the dessojis de canes": "For me that God of the clergymen is as dead as a doornail. But am I an atheist for all that? The clergymen considering so—so be it—but I love, and how could I feel love if I did not live and others did not live. Now call it God, or human nature or whatever you like, but there is something which I cannot define in a system though it is very much alive and very real, and see that as God, or just as good as God." Van Gogh's criticism of the religious professionals he had once sought to emulate was accompanied by a more inclusive and less mutually competitive view of religion, art, literature, and spirituality than was the case in his evangelical phase. "I think that everything which is really good and beautiful—of inner moral, spiritual and sublime beauty in men and their works—comes from God, and all which is bad and wrong in men and their works is not of God, and God does not approve of it." In this way van Gogh was able to move beyond what was at times an antithetical view of religion and art to one that sought unity in all "the many things one must believe and love." Thus he could find something of Rembrandt in Shakespeare and something of the Gospel in Rembrandt and so on. Nevertheless, resolutions of old warring members did not come easily to van Gogh, and not all was resolved. He recognized that he had spent five years of his life "more or less without employment, wandering here and there," and that he was still without a suitable vocation, financial resources, familial respect, or his own family. He described himself as a caged bird imprisoned by adverse circumstances, a damaged reputation, and insufficient redeeming love. Even if his cage had not sprung open, something substantial changed in him in the years 1879—80. After parting company with the Belgian evangelicals, never again are his letters dominated by endless scriptural quotations, pious instructions, and a desire to find some form of sacrificial Christian service. Van Gogh, the evangelical Protestant, was buried somewhere in the coal mines of the Borinage. The person who emerged from the Belgian "black country" was just as much a tortured soul as the person who entered it,
but never again was the torture prescribed for him by some form of intense biblical Christianity. Van Gogh came to believe that love was the more excellent way and that art, for better or worse, was his passion. In 1880 he wrote, "the best way to know God is to love many things. Love a friend, a wife, something—whatever you like—and you will soon be on the way to know more about Him."

Source: David Hempton, Evangelical Disenchantment: Nine Portraits of Faith and Doubt. (New Haven:Yale University Press, 2008), 128-29.

ජනතාවට වැදගත් වන ප්‍රශ්නය කුමක්‌ද?

2009-10-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

[This article is in Sinhalese unicode typescript]
සටහන:දිවයින පුවත්පතේ කර්තෘ විසින් ඉතා වැදගත් කතුවැකියක් ලියා තිබිණ. එය කෙතරම් වටිනා සටහනක් වී ද, මා විසින් එය මෙහි පළ කරන්නට කැමැත්තෙමි. එයින් දැනට ලංකාව ජනතාව විසින් කල්පනාවට ගත යුතු කරුණු කිහිපයක් දක්වයි. දැන් ලංකාවට අවශ්‍යවනුයේ තවත් ඡන්දයක් නො ව, සංවර්ධනයයි; ජනතාවට ජීවත් විය හැකි ජීවන බරකි. එහෙත් දේශපාලකයන් විසින් එවැනි ඡන්දයක් ජනතා දුක් නොසලකා, ඔවුන්ගේ වාසිය තකා ගෙනෙන්නට සූදානම් වන්නේ ‍නම් පවතින ආණ්ඩුව පරදවා (හෝ සුළුතර ආසන ප්‍රමාණයක් දී) පාඩමක් ඉගැන් විය යුතු ය. එවි‍ට ඡන්ද සෙල්ලම අත්හැර, ඔව්හූ වැඩට බසින්නා හ. බලයේ සිටින්නන්ට දැක්මක් ඇති කරලීම ඡන්ද දායකයා ගේ ශුද්ධ අයිතියකි. එසේ කටයුතු කිරීමට ලාංකියන්ට ප්‍රඥාව ලැබේ වා!

ජනරාල් සරත් ෆොන්සේකා දේශපාලනයට එනු ඇතැයි අයෙක්‌ කියති. තමා එසේ කරන බවක්‌ කිසිවකුට කියා නැතැයි එවිට ජනරාල් කියයි. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ස්‌ථාවරත්වය බිඳ දැමීමට හේතු විය හැකි ඕනෑම කුමන්ත්‍රණයකදී ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට උපකාර කරන බව ඉන්දියාව කියයි. මේ සියලු කරුණු අතර මීළඟට පවත්වන්නේ ජනාධිපතිවරණයද නැතහොත් මහ මැතිවරණයද යන්න විසඳාගත නොහැකිව ආණ්‌ඩුව ලතැවෙයි. ඒ අතර උදේට කෑවොත් දවල්ට කන්නේ කොහොමද, දවල්ට කෑවොත් රෑට කන්නේ කොහොමද යනාදී වශයෙන් කල්පනා කරමින් මහජනයා ලතැවෙයි.

මේ රටේ ජනයාගේ ආදායමින් හරි අඩක්‌ම වැයවන්නේ ආහාර සඳහා බව හෙළිවී ඇතැයි ඉරිදා (18 දා) "දිවයිනේ" මුල් පිටුවේ පළ වී තිබේ. මේ ප්‍රතිඵලය නියෑඳියක්‌ වශයෙන් තෝරාගත් පිරිසකගේ වියහියදම්වල සාමාන්‍යයකි. සැබෑ තත්ත්වය නම් මාසයේ මුළු වැටුපම ආහාර පිණිස වැය කර එයත්a මදි බැවින් තවත් ණය වන පවුල් දහස්‌ ගණනක්‌ මේ රටේ සිටින බව ය. උදාහරණයක්‌ වශයෙන් මසකට රුපියල් 12000 ක වැටුපක්‌ ලබන ගෘහමූලිකයකු සිටින පස්‌දෙනකුගෙන් යුතු පවුලක්‌ ගනිමු. රුපියල් 12000 දින 30 න් බෙදූ විට දිනක ආදායම රුපියල් 400 කි. පස්‌දෙනකුගෙන් යුතු පවුලකට දිනකට ආහාර වේල් 15 ක්‌ අවශ්‍ය ය. උදේ ආහාර වේල් 5 ට රුපියල් 100 ක්‌ද දිවා ආහාර වේල් 5 ට රුපියල් 200 ක්‌ ද රාත්‍රි ආහාර වේල් 5 ට රුපියල් 150 ක්‌ ද වැය කළ විට දවසේ වියදම රුපියල් 450 කි. එතැනම මේ පවුල දිනකට රුපියල් 50 බැගින් මසකට රුපියල් 1500 ක්‌ ණය වෙයි. මේ මිනිසුන්ට බස්‌වල ගමන් කිරීමටද ඇඳුම් පැළඳුම් සඳහා ද, ලයිට්‌ බිල් ගෙවීමට ද මුදල් ඉතිරි නොවේ. එ බැවින් තර්කයක්‌ වශයෙන් ගතහොත් මේ පවුල කරුවලේ නිරුවතින් ගෙතුලට වී කල් ගෙවිය යුතු ය. ගෙහිsමියා පමණක්‌ යන්තමින් විලි වසාගෙන වැඩට යා යුතු ය. එහෙත් රුපියල් 12000 ක ආදායමක්‌ කළමනාකරණය කිරීම සඳහා වෙනත් ක්‍රම ඇති බැවින් මේ මිනිස්‌සු ද අනෙක්‌ මිනිසුන් මෙන් ලයිට්‌ බිල්/ ගෙවල් කුලී/ වතුර බිල් ගෙවමින් තුන් වේලෙන් දෙවේලක්‌ හෝ ආහාර ගෙන දිවි ගැටගසා ගනිති.

ප්‍රශ්නය මේ මිනිසුන් කෙසේ හෝ ජීවත් වන බව කල්පනාවට ගෙන හිත හදා ගැනීම නොවේ. කෙසේ ජීවත්වේද යන්න සිතා බැලීම ය. දිනෙන් දින ඉහළ නගින උද්ධමනය හමුවේ බඩු මිල පහළ දැමිය නොහැක. ඒ ප්‍රශ්නයට විසඳුම ජනයාගේ ආදායම ඉහළ දැමීම ය. තිස්‌ අවුරුදු යුද්ධයක්‌ පැවැති රටේ යුද්ධය දිනූ ඇසිල්ලෙහි ජනයාගේ ආදායම ඉහළ දැමිය නොහැක. යුද්ධය නැවැතී ඇති නිසා යුද්ධයට වැය කළ සල්ලිත් ඉතිරි නොවේදැයි සමහරු ප්‍රශ්න කරති. එහෙත් අප යුද කළේ ද ණයට ය. ඒ නිසා තවත් අවුරුදු කිහිපයක්‌ම යුද ණය ගෙවීමට තිබේ. එසේ නම් කළ යුත්තේ කුමක්‌ද? මේ වළෙන් ගොඩ එන්නේ කෙසේද?

මුලින්ම බොරු වියදම් නැවැත්විය යුතුය. ජනාධිපතිතුමා ඇතුළු රටේ පැවැත්මට තීරණාත්මක ලෙස බලපාන දේශපාලනඥයන්ගේ සහ නිලධාරීන්ගේ හැර අන් සියලු දේශපාලනඥයන්ගේ විය හියදම් අඩු කළ යුතු ය. දැනට සිටින කරකබල් වැනි දේශපාලනඥයෝ පවා තමන් වෙනුවෙන් ආණ්‌ඩුවේ මුදල් විශාල ලෙස වියදම් කර ගනිති. ඇතැම් සුළු දේශපාලනඥයකු වුව පාරේ යන විට ඉදිරියෙන් වාහන තුන හතරක්‌ ද පස්‌සෙන් වාහන තුන හතරක්‌ ද ගමන් කරති. ඔවුන් එකතුවන තැන්වල පරිභෝජනය සහ පරිභෝජන වියදම නිතැතින්ම නගී. කළ යුත්තේ මේ වැය කපා හැර එම ඉතිරිය රටේ ජාතික ධනයට පොම්ප කිරීම ය. එසේ නැතුව ජෙනරාල්
ෆොන්සේකා දේශපාලනයට එනවාද නැද්ද යන්න ගැන ලතවීම නොවේ.

Rewriting the Human Evolution Story

2009-10-06T21:16:00.000-07:00

It is ironic that the evolution story has to be rewritten with the discovery of the Ardi, which stands for Ardipithecus ramidus predating iconic bones of Lucy form least a million years. 4.4 million years old, partial fossil-skeleton hints the scientists that humans and apes are evolved from more human like ancestor or forebear, than they earlier theorized. Therefore, the human and ape evolution is reversal not progressive. That is to say humans are not evolved from apes but apes have evolved from human like hominoids. The wall street Journal article states:
"Although the differences between humans, apes and chimps today are legion, we all shared a common ancestor six million years or so ago. These fossils suggest that the common ancestor – still undiscovered – resembled a chimp much less than researchers have always believed.

In fact, so many traits in modern chimps and apes are missing from these early hominids that researchers now question the notion that chimps and apes are a repository of primitive traits once shared by our ancestors. "We all thought the ancestral animal would look more like a chimp," said Yale University anthropologist Andrew Hill.

Instead, the new finds show that what seems most ancient about modern chimps and apes -- such as canine fangs, long limbs with hooked fingers for swinging through trees, and hands designed for knuckle-walking -- may actually be more recent developments, the researchers said. In that sense, the human hand today actually may be the more primitive appendage, they said.

Unlike modern apes and chimps, these hominids had supple wrists, strong thumbs, flexible fingers and power-grip palms shaped to grasp objects like sticks and stones firmly. They were primed for tool use, even though it would be another two million years or so before our ancestors began to fashion the first stone blades, choppers and axes"

It amazing isn't it, how Science can fool people for decades!!!

Watch the WSJ presentation of the founding, you'll be astonished:

Story of the Spaffords!

2009-09-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

Horatio Spafford was a 43 year old lawyer. He lived in a north side suburb of Chicago with his wife, Anna and his five children.

In 1871 his only son died.

A few months later, the Great Chicago fire of 1871 consume Spafford's real estate investment. He lost his entire life savings.

Two years later, Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation to Europe. However, Spafford was delayed by last minute business. He sent his wife and four daughters on the S.S. Ville Du Havre as scheduled, promising to follow in a few days.

On November 22, 1873 the ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel, and it sank in twelve minutes, 226 people were killed.

When the survivors of the shipwreck landed in Europe, Anna Spafford cabled her husband, "saved alone. What shall I do?"

Spafford immediately left Chicago to bring his wife home.

In the midst of his sorrow, while sailing near the place of his daughters' death, he wrote the words to the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul."

In spite of their tragedy, in 1881 the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem to meet the needs of the people. Through their service the Spaffords were able to share Christ with the local Muslims and Jewish communities….

See the Source video:

God’s Handwriting!

2009-09-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

"He writes in characters too grand
For our short sight to understand;
We catch but broken strokes, and try
To fathom all the mystery
Of withered hopes, of death, of life,
The endless war, the useless strife,—
But there, with larger, clearer sight,
We shall see this—His way was right."

-John Oxenham (1903)

Urgent Prayer for Christians of Pakistan

2009-08-31T23:18:00.000-07:00

I received this email to day from Voice of Martyrs, Please remember in prayer our fellow persecuted brothers and sisters of Pakistan:

Dear VOM Friends,

It was just a rumor. But among the radical Muslims in Pakistan's Gojra village, a rumor was enough of an excuse to kill.
When the rumor was broadcast from the loudspeakers on the minarets of local mosques, it became fact. As part of a wedding ceremony, the loudspeaker shouted, Christians tore pages from a Quran. Then they compounded the disrespect by walking on the shredded pages.

"Defend Islam!" The loudspeaker called. Muslims answered, rampaging through a Christian section of Gojra on Aug. 1. Eight Christians were killed, including women and children. More than 100 Christian homes were burned by a mob. The mob, which was estimated to be more than 20,000 people, also burned a church.

Five Hours Without Help
Emergency personnel did not reach Gojra for more than five hours. Christians were forced to use vegetable carts to move their dead and wounded to the hospital.
Responding to an international outcry, Pakistani government officials have now said no Quran was desecrated. The government promised to help rebuild the burned homes of Christian families.

Even before the government acted, contacts of The Voice of the Martyrs were in Gojra, offering comfort to the wounded and praying with the families of the dead. They continue to aid the village, including helping with some medical expenses, offering encouragement and pressing for a forceful government response.

Pray Blasphemy Laws Are Overturned
Christians in Pakistan hope these attacks can be a turning point. They are praying to God and pressing their government to overturn unjust blasphemy laws that are often a pretext to attack Christians.
They are also asking us to pray with them. Pray for Christians in Pakistan to be bold witnesses for Christ, despite threats. Pray for those wounded and left homeless by the brutal Gojra attacks. Pray for Muslims to come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.

Martin Quèrè

2009-08-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

My first visit to the National Seminary of Ampitiya, I met Martin Quèrè, a renowned scholar of Church History. He was greatly respected for his work in Catholic Church of Sri Lanka. As I waited anxiously, with feeble gait and gloomy face, this French priest approached us. He pleasantly greeted us with a smile. At the introduction the Dean said, "Reverend father has two PhDs!" At that moment, swiftly and in a melancholic weak voice, Quèrè replied, "All that is useless, now I can't remember much!" I was astonished. This great man strived his whole life to gain knowledge. Now he is unable to retrieve it clearly. After our brief meeting, he retired to his old room, where he resides for about fifty years. He walked morosely; his face was tainted with a deep sadness.

"Whence then comes wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?" Job 28:20

How to Find a True Gem!

2009-08-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

This story sent to me by one of my dear friend. I stated it as it is:

I MUST WARN you, reader; before you begin. These words are ancient jewels mined
from the quarry of my life. Read them only if you dare treasure them. For it would be better to
never know, than to know and not obey.
The hand which writes them is now old, wrinkled from the sun and labor. But the mind
which guides them is wise; wise from years
wise from failures
wise from heartache.
I am Asmara, merchant of fine stones.

I am a seller of stones. I travel from city to city. I buy jewels from the diggers in one land
and sell them to the buyers in another I have weathered nights on stormy waters. I have walked
days through desert heat. I have dined with kings. I have drunk with paupers. My hands have
held the finest rubies and stroked the deepest furs. But I would trade it all for the one jewel I
never knew.

It was not for lack of opportunity that I never held it. There was a chance in Madrid when
I was young. No, it was not for lack of opportunity. It was for lack of wisdom. The jewel was in
my hand, but I exchanged it for an imitation. And now I fear my days will end without my ever
knowing the beauty of the precious stone.
I have never known true love.
I have known embraces. I have seen beauty. But I have never known love.
If only I'd learned to recognize love as I have learned to recognize stones.
My father taught me about stones. He was a jewel cutter. He would seat me at a table
before a dozen emeralds. "One is true," he would tell me. "The others are false. Find the true
jewel."

I would ponder—studying one after the other. Finally I would choose. I was always
wrong."The secret, "he would say," is not on the surface of the stone; it is inside the stone. A
true jewel has a glow. Deep within the gem there is a flame. The surface can always be polished
to shine, but with time the sparkle fades. However, the stone that shines from within will never
fade."

With the years, my eyes learned to spot true stones. I am never fooled. The stones I
purchase are authentic. The gems I sell are true. I have learned to see the light within.
If only I'd learned the same about love.

But I've been foolish, dear reader, and I've been fooled.
I've spent my life in places I shouldn't have been, looking for someone with sparkling
eyes, beautiful hair, a dazzling smile, and fancy clothes. I've searched for a woman with outer
beauty, but no true value. And now I am left with emptiness.

Once I almost found her. Many years ago in Madrid, I met the daughter of a farmer. Her
ways were simple. Her love was pure. Her eyes were honest. But her looks were plain. She would
have loved me. She would have held me through every season. Within her was a glow of devotion
the like of which I've never seen since.

But I continued looking for someone whose beauty would outshine the rest.
How many times since have I longed for that farm girl's kind heart, her sweet smile, her
faithfulness? If only I'd known that true beauty is found inside, not outside. If only I'd known,
how many tears would I have saved?

I'd trade in a moment a thousand rare gems for the true heart of one who would have
loved me.

Dear reader, heed my warning. Look closely at the stones before you open your purse.
True love glows from within and grows stronger with the passage of time.
Heed my caution. Look for the purest gem. Look deep within the heart to find the greatest
beauty of all. And when you find that gem, hold onto her and never let her go.
For in her you have been granted a treasure worth far more than rubies.
Seek beauty and miss love.
But seek love and find both.

If, Just If…

2009-08-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

"One prominent Sri Lankan clergyman D.T. Niles said, 'evangelism is one hungry beggar telling another where he can find bread!'

Just imagine a village full of beggars, whom no one knows where to find bread; therefore hundreds are dying in hunger daily.

Several miles away, there is a place where people not only have their full but they just throw fresh bread as trash, because they have so plenty.

If a person knew the existence of these two places, What would his/her response be?

Now… Just think

If the remote hungry beggars' village is a real existing remote village in Venezuela, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Somalia, China, India, Vietnam or Sri Lanka;

If the plentiful place of food is your church, here in USA;

If the bread is the living word of God, the gospel message of Jesus Christ,

and the only person who knows the existence of this two place is YOU (now you know any way)—

what would you do?

Two Ladies were sharing lunch together when one said to the other: "I don't know many Christians,but somehow I can't help regarding them as hypocrites." Said the other, "But your sister-in-law, she lives in the same house with you; surely you must acknowledge that she is a devoted Christian." "That's just it," was the laughing reply. "She has a very lovely disposition, and she devotes her life to missions and Sunday schools, but she has never said a word to me about becoming a Christian. It's only make-believe with her about souls being in danger. You need not tell me! I know that she is fond of me, but if she believed all that, don't you think she would not have said something?"

[This is a part of the application in a sermon I prepared for World Missions Class].

Oh Wretched War, Where is Thy Glory!

2009-08-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I watch a movie titled 'Nanking' and my friend next door watched 'Schindler's List'. The Nanking is a documentary about the three years of Japanese occupations of China. I saw the horror of Japanese soldiers killing men, women, children, and babies, looting even the poor and senseless raping of women. It is a great unleashed of degeneracy. Why do people do such atrocities? The first month of occupation itself, they killed all the Chinese unarmed soldiers. A singel day Japanese killed 30,000 Chinese soldiers unarmed (POW) and some suspected as soldiers in civilian clothes. They tied their hands back, and shot them near a river with heavy machine guns, some Japanese men kill by just for bayonet practice. Some of the officers tested their swords by beheading hundreds—two officers competes each other to kill the first hundred by their official sword. The bayonets fixed on guns were stained with fresh blood all times. Every day soldiers come and take girls at their will, some of the girls return raped brutally and some may not.
End of the occupation they estimated 20,000 or more so women were raped and 250,000 people killed. I am glad that the war in Sri Lanka is over—no war is justifiable.

I bitterly, disgustingly hate war— I hate it!
No good come out of it; just only expose the crude depravity of a sinful man. I have seen much of the brutality by my own eyes, the ruthless massacres of youth in 1989-1990. Bodies floating on rivers, dead bodies with hand tied behind and decapitated, tortured or half burned cremations of killed in public places, smoking body parts, dried blood on the cloths of the killed. I have seen it all. I'v heard of walking, living bombs exploding themselves among the innocent civilians. Ruthless killings, hacking to death a whole village by LTTE carders—not to mentioned the killing and raping of our own military.

I remember once, I was travelling to the north via train for ministry; It was in 1993. A soldier going to his duties in the same train confess to me, seeing several times, killing 300-500 youths round up by the Sri Lankan army. They were asked to dig a long trench and kill them by hitting back to their heads—then buried half alive. Few years latter human-rights organizations found those mass-graves of hundreds killed, mostly innocent civilians. He told me terrifying stories of his friends kidnapping beautiful girls, and gang-raped, then killed on the morning. He on one night released a girl of 16, who so charming and looks like his sister, brought by his friends to rape. At the next day girl's father took him inside the shop and gave him handful of gold as gratitude. He said, he refused (ironically, soldiers carrying gold could be convicted for theft), and urged the father to send the girl away for safety; "I have never seen that girl again," he told me. I shared the gospel with him—He was a wrong man for war, too compassionate! But now, I don't know whether, he still lives or not! I hate war—even the war-movies…which remind me of the past war time of Sri Lanka and the viciousness of times I disparately wanted to forget.
Where's thy glory, oh wretched war; where is thy victorious battle cry, where is thy proud children of heroism—in sum, all thy bring is suffering, death, destruction and depravity.
NOTE: August 25, Channel 4 revealed a video footage of a extra-judicious killing by the Sri Lankan Army. I could not verify the story but it is very closely related to my story. This piece has sensitive graphics; be warned.

Is this evidence for Sri Lankan 'war crimes'?

John Piper, Bible Study, and FREE Stuff!

2009-08-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

Go to his page: Bible Study Magazine on Piper and get free copy of his new book Finally Alive in Logos bible study software.

Pastor Assaulted in North of Sri Lanka

2009-08-01T18:55:00.000-07:00

On July 23, a pastor of a church in Polonnaruwa district (Predominately Buddhist), North Central Province, Sri Lanka was brutally attacked by unknown assailants, according to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The pastor was driving home from a prayer meeting when a group of men on motorcycles called out to him. When he stopped his vehicle and rolled down his window, the assailants attacked him with knives. He was able to prevent them from slashing his neck but sustained severe arm injuries. His vehicle was also damaged. The pastor eventually fled the scene and sought help. Pray for healing for the injured pastor. Ask God to bless the ministry of Christian workers spreading the Gospel in Sri Lanka amid opposition.

from:

VOM-USA Prayer Update for July 31, 2009

Thank you for praying for persecuted Church in Sri Lanka!

Britain's War on Christianity: America's Future Fight?

2009-07-31T21:55:00.000-07:00

At her coronation, Queen Elizabeth, like British monarchs before her, promised to "maintain the laws of God and the true profession of the gospel." But today, Britain is at war with the gospel, and with itself.

British Christians who take their faith into the workplace risk being demoted or fired. The government continues to push an aggressive gay rights agenda, while threatening to criminalize Christian speech and practice.

Politician and head of the Christian party, George Hargreaves told CBN News he received a complaint for his billboard advertisement.

"Yesterday I got a letter from the advertising standards authority over complaints saying that my billboard that says Britain is a Christian country is offensive to atheists and other religions and it incites hatred against them. What nonsense," he said.

Hargreaves said Britain is constituted as a Christian country.

"Daily prayers are said in parliament whether atheists like it or not," he added. "The queen is head of the Church of England and therefore has to acknowledge God for her sovereignty over the nation. These things are written, not just into our culture and our heritage, but into our constitution."

At one time, Britain was the missionary base for the entire world, even sending missionaries to the new American colonies. But today, the cases of anti-Christian bigotry and discrimination have risen sharply.

In response, Christian legal centers like Christian Concern for Our Nation have mobilized.

Director Andrea Minichiello-Williams warns that if British Christians don't step up now, the nation is on a path to eventually criminalize the practice of Christianity in public.

"There's been a massive move by the secularist lobby to privatize religion," she said. "You can have faith so long as it doesn't affect you in the work place. So long as you don't bring it into the workplace. 'Just make it private. It can't be public. It can't affect what you do in the public square.'"

Christian Kwabena Peat was forced to attend homosexual sensitivity training at work, administered by a lesbian.

"One of things that she said was, she asked the question, 'What makes you think that to be heterosexual is natural?' At which point, I walked out," Peat said.

Then Peat wrote a letter to the sensitivity trainer, explaining the Bible's position on homosexuality, and that God loved her and Peat loved her. He was suspended.

"They said that by me telling them about the Word of God, it constituted harassment and intimidation," Peat said.

Peat was just recently reinstated. But cases like his are repeated over and over. Doctors, Nurses, adoptive parents, deemed unfit because of their Christian beliefs. Christians are told not to speak about God in the workplace or they could be punished for offending homosexuals or Muslims.

And now the British government wants to pass a new equality bill that would force churches to hire practicing homosexuals or transsexuals.

Christian lawyer Paul Diamond has been very successful in defending discrimination cases against Christians in the courts.

"In the United Kingdom the homosexual agenda is militant," he said. "The power shift began in about 2000, and they've been arresting Christians, jailing Christians for hate crimes, shutting off grants, constant litigation with the government, constant aggression.

Diamond said there is no "live and let live."

"Your Christian values are wicked and evil, and that's what they want everybody to believe," he added.

A BBC program called Bone Kickers, showed a violent Christian beheading a Muslim. Britain's government TV has also put a Muslim in charge of all of its religious programming.

Islam continues to advance in the UK in large part because the government and media give it almost a protected status, while essentially persecuting its own state religion, Christianity.

Many believe the architect of Britain's new anti-Christian culture was former Prime Minister Tony Blair, a professed Christian who championed gay rights.

Both Minichiello-Williams and Diamond offered the same warning to American Christians: that any anti-life or hate crimes legislation that emerges under the Obama administration will erode America's Christian base.

"This is all coming to America," Minichiello-Williams said. "If you liberalize the laws as President Obama has done."

"Do you know who Obama reminds every British person of? Tony Blair," Diamond said. "Charming, persuasive, convincing, the appearance of moderation, and then he shoved all the Judeo-Christian values down while saying he was a Christian."

Diamond said the British know what is going to happen in America.

"We know what's going to happen to your 40 percent church attendance," he added. "It's not going to 40 percent. It's going to be 20 percent, when the Federal and state government start saying that if you criticize homosexuality, the hate crimes laws will apply to you Christians."

By some estimates it only took about 10 years for the state to almost completely undermine Britain's Christian heritage. Barring a sudden move of God, it is likely to take far longer to restore it.

Britain's War on Christianity: America's Future Fight? - World - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CB...

Shared via AddThis

Christopher Forbes on Josephus about Jesus

2009-07-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

Josephus and Jesus: a Christian forgery? from CPX on Vimeo.

Source: http://www.publicchristianity.com/Videos/josephus.html

Two Security Oficeres were Saked for Sharing the Gospel

2009-07-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

The national news paper "Divayina" reported today (July 3, 2009) two security officers were sacked (fired) by the University of Jayawardanapura campus police, stating that they have been unethically converting people (making people irreligious) on the campus. They further said these two were mother and son of the same family and they were secretively sharing their religious ideologies for months. This complaint was lodge by University Monk association (Jayawardanapura University Bikku Association). The president of the Association Bikku Mahamithawa Pannarathna said that there were complaints against these lady and they were paying close attention on her, so that they could collect sufficent evidences.

University of Jayawadanapura is famous for its rightwing communism and senseless ragging of its students.

News Report:

[This article is written in Sinhalese unicode typescript]

ජ"පුර සරසවියේ ආගම් ප්‍රචාරයක යෙදුණු ආරක්‌ෂකයන්

දෙදෙනකු සේවයෙන් නෙරපයි

සිරිමන්ත රත්නසේකර

ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර විශ්වවිද්‍යාලය තුළ සදාචාර වීරෝධී ලෙස අන්‍යාගමීකරණ කටයුතුවල නියෑළී සිටියේ යෑයි පැවසෙන එහි ආරක්‌ෂක කටයුතුවල නියෑළී සිටින පෞද්ගලික ආරක්‌ෂක අංශයක සේවය කළ සේවිකාවක හා සේවකයකු සේවයෙන් නෙරපා හැරීමට ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයීය අභ්‍යන්තර, ආරක්‌ෂක අංශය පියවර ගෙන ඇත.

මෙසේ විශ්වවිද්‍යාල සේවයෙන් පහ කර ඇත්තේ එහි පෞද්ගලික ආරක්‌ෂක අංශයේ සේවය කළ මවු පුතු දෙපළක්‌ බවත් ඔවුන් මාස ගණනාවක්‌ තිස්‌සේ විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයේ ඉතා රහසිගතව මෙම ක්‍රියාවෙහි නිරතවී ඇති බවට සාක්‍ෂි සහිත තොරතුරු ලැබී ඇති බවත් විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයීය ආරක්‌ෂක අංශ නිලධාරියෙක්‌ "දිවයින" ට පැවැසීය.

මෙම සිද්ධිය පිළිබඳව සාක්‌ෂි සහිත තොරතුරු ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයීය භික්‌ෂු සංගමය විසින් ආරක්‌ෂක අංශය වෙත ලබාදී ඇති බවත්, එම පැමිණිල්ල අනුව ඉදිරියේදී පරීක්‍ෂණයක්‌ පැවැත්වීමට කටයුතු යොදා ඇති බවත් එම ආරක්‌ෂක නිලධාරියා "දිවයින" ට පැවැසීය.

මේ පිළිබඳව ශ්‍රී ජයවර්ධනපුර විශ්වවිද්‍යාලයේ භික්‌ෂු සංගමයේ සභාපති මහමිතව පඤ්ඤාරතන ස්‌වාමීන් වහන්සේගෙන් "දිවයින" කළ විමසුමකදී උන්වහන්සේ පැවසුවේ මෙම තැනැත්තියගේ ක්‍රියාකාරිත්වය පිළිබඳ තොරතුරු මීට පෙර ලැබී තිබූ බවත් ඒ අනුව ඇය පිළිබඳව සෝදිසියෙන් සිට මෙම ඇගේ ක්‍රියාකාරිත්වයේ සියලු තොරතුරු සාක්‍ෂි සහිතව සපයා ගැනීමට හැකිවූ බවත්ය.

දිවයින, ජුලි 3, 2009.

How many Mss?

2009-06-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Every year or so I find that I have to update the figures of NT mss which I give in lectures. This time I've left it a bit more than a year and the last figures I have were collected in February 2008:

Papyri 124
Uncials 318
Minuscules 2882
Lectionaries 2346

"Present" by Luci Shaw (with thanks to Tony Capolo)

2009-05-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

At light-speed, God-speed,

time collapses into now so that

we may see Christ's wounds as

still bleeding, his torso,

that ready sponge, still

absorbing our vice. our toxic shame.

He is still being pierced

by every hateful nail

we hammer home. In this

Golgotha moment his body

chance for the dark tears

of the whole world-brims.

spilling over as his lifeblood

drains. His dying into the earth

begins the great reversal

as blood from a vein leaps

into the needle, so with his rising,

we surge into light.

Mark D. Baker, Proclaiming the Scandal of the Cross: Contemporary (Michigan: Baker Academic, 2006), 160-61.

Prayer Request from War Zone

2009-04-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

Senior Pastor of Zion Church, Jaffna sent us a email message saying their four workers have died in the resent conflict in Sri Lanka.

Names of the workers are—
Pastor. A.JACOB (Janson),
Bro.K.Karunakaran(David),
Bro.Thiruvarudselvam (Barnaba),
Bro.Uthayakumar

Following is his email:

Dear Friends,

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you that four of our Workers ( Whose Photos appear below ) were struck down due to heavy shelling, and have gone to be with the Lord. They each leave behind their wife & one child. We earnestly covet your Prayers for these four Widows and four Fatherless children.

Thank you.

Josiah Philip.
Pastor, Zion Church - Jaffna

May God bless their precious souls, who lay down their live in mission field for the sake of Christ Great commission at war zone of Vanni-Mulathiv!

Rev. 6:9; 20:4; 14:13

Talian Execute Christians in Karachi, Pakistan

2009-04-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

One of my friend doing ministry in Pakistan send me this email. I hope you would keep Christians in Pakistan in your prayers:

On the night of April 21, 2009, more than 100 masked terrorists invaded "Taseer Town" in Karachi, Pakistan, armed with automatic rifles. They attacked the residents of the Christian neighborhood who had protested the pro-talibanization messages, including "Embrace Islam or Die" and "Talibanization is our Goal", chalked on the wall of two churches. The Taliban militants went door to door looting, pillaging, and assaulting (physically and sexually) all the while shouting statements that translate into "you infidels have to convert to Islam or die" and "how dare you protest against the Taliban".

When confronted by resistance from two Christians the terrorists killed them execution style in front of the families of the victims.Radical Islamist thought is no longer confined to a few remote geographic locations in Pakistan. It has spread into its major cities. This most recent incident serves as proof that the disease that is "Islamic terror" has infected the nerve center and financial capital of the country, Karachi.

Heb 2:9

ප්‍රතිසංවර්තනය පිළිබඳ නිදසුනක්

2009-03-09T15:32:00.000-07:00

[This article is written in Sinhalese unicode typescript]

ප්‍රතිසංවර්තනය පිළිබඳ නිදර්ශනයක් දිවයින පුවත්තෙහි සඳහන්ව තිබිණ:

ඒ කෙසේ වෙතත් බෞද්ධයන් අතර නිමල බූදුදහම පතුරවමින්, අසරණ, දුප්පත් බෞද්ධයන්ගේ නැණ නූවන පහදන කලකිරී වෙනත් ආගමකට යොමූ වීමේ අඳුරින් ඔවූන් ගලවා ගන්නට තම මූළු ශ්‍රමයත්, කාලයත් වැය කරන උතුම් හිමිවරුද අතළොස්සක් අප අතර සිටින බවද සඳහන් කළ යූතුය. බෞද්ධයන් ක්‍රිස්තියානි ආගමට හැරවීමේ සාර\ථක ව්‍යාපරයක් දහම ඔස්සේම ව්‍යර\ථ කළ එක් අවස්තාවක් ගැන සඳහන් කරන්නට මම කැමැත්තෙමි.

මෑත කාලයේදී පවූල් පනහක් පමණ ජීවත් වූ ඇඹිලිපිටියේ සූරියවැව ප්‍රදේශයේ එක් ගමක ඒ සියලු බෞද්ධ පවූල් ක්‍රිස්තියානියට හැරවීමේ ක්‍රියාවලියක් ඇරුඹිණ. ඉතා ප්‍රබල රාජ්‍ය නොවන සංවිධානයක පූර\ණ අනූග්‍රහය සහිතව ගම්වැසියනට කෑම, බීම, වස්ත්‍රාභරණ, ගොඩනැගිලි ද්‍රව්‍ය ආදිය අල්ලස් වශයෙන් ලබා දී පවූල් පනහම ක්‍රිස්තියානි ලබ්ධිකයන් කිරීමට මෙම ව්‍යාපාරය සමත් විය.

සේනාධීර නම් වූ එක් විශ්‍රාමික පින්වත් ගුරු පියෙක් මෙ ගම විසූවේය. මේ ගමතුළ හා වට පිටාවේ පල්ලි තුනක් ගොඩ නැංඟවීමේ කටයූතුද ඇරුඹෙමින් තිබිණ. සේනාධීරයෝ මේ පිළිබඳව දැඩි කම්පාවෙන් පසූ වූහ. නිවසක් හා සෑහෙන ඉඩ කඩම් ප්‍රමාණයක හිමිකරුව සිටි මෙතුමා මිය පරලොව ගිය පසූ එතුමාගේ දරුවෝ පියාගේ ඉල්ලීම මත අපේ පින්වත් පූජ්‍ය කිරිබත්ගොඩ ඤාණානන්ද ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේට මහමෙවූනා අසපූවක් සඳහා නිවස සහ ඉඩම පූජා කළහ. උන්වහන්සේ එම නිවස භාරගෙන සූරියවැව මහවෙවූනා අසපූව ආරම්භ කළ සේක, එහි පාලනය පූජ්‍ය ගිංතොට විමල හිමියන්ට භාරවිය. මෙහිදී කළ යූතු වැදගත්ම කරුණ වූයේ බූදු දහම අතහැර ගියපවූල් පනහ නැවත බදු දහමෙහි පිහිටූවීමය. සේනාධීර මහතාගේ බලාපොරොත්තුව වූයේ ද එයමය.

පූජ්‍ය කිරිබත්ගොඩ ඤාණානන්ද ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේ විමල ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේට උපදෙස් දුන්හ. ඒ සෑමදාකම උදේ රුයින්ම එම ගමට පිඬූ සිඟා වඩින ලෙසටය. පළමූ දවසේ එම ගමට පිඬූ සිඟා වැඩි විමල හිමියන්ටත් අනෙක් හිමියන්ටත් කිසිම දානයක් ලැබූණේ නැත. දෙවන දවසේත් එසේමය. උත්සාහය අත හැරියේ නැත. තුන්වන දවසේත් වැඩියහ. කිසිවක් ලැබූණේ නැත. එසේ වූවද ඤාණානන්ද හිමියන්ගෙන් ලැබෙන උපදෙස් මත දිනපතාම පිඬූසිඟා වැඩීම ද සිදුවිය. දින කීපයකට පසූ එක දිනයක කුඩා ළමයෙක් පැමිණ දන් ටිකක් පිළිගැන්වූයේය. ඊළඟ දවසේ එක් නිවසක සිටි කාන්තාවක්ද පැමිණ දන් ටිකක් පිළිගැන්වූවාය. දන් පිළිගිගන්වන විට වැඳ නමස්කාර කරන්නැයි ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේ පැවසූහ.

"නැහැ. අපි ක්‍රිස්තියානි. හාමූදුරුවන්ට වඳින්නේ නැතැ"යි ඇය කීවාය.

"ඒකට කමක් නැහැ කොයි ආගමක වූණත් සිල්වත් භික්ෂූවකට වැඳීමෙන් පින් සිදුවෙනවා" උන්වහන්සේ පැවසූහ.

ඇය නමස්කාර කළාය. හැකි නම් මේ ළඟ ඇති අසපූවට පැමිණෙන ලෙසද ඉල්ලීමක් කළහ. එහෙත් කිසිවෙක් පැමිණියේ නැත. එසේ ටිකෙන් ටික දානයදීම ආරම්භවිය. දිනක් සවස කාන්තාවන් කිහිප දෙනෙක් ළමයින් සමඟ අසපූවට පැමිණියහ. ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේ කරුණාවෙන් ධර\ම කියාදීම ආරම්භ කළහ. උත්සාහය සාර\ථක විය. මාස හයක් ගත වන විට එම ගමේ සියලු දෙනාම නැවත බෞද්ධයන් බවට පත් වූහ.

ඔවූහූ අසපූව විශාල කළහ. බූදු මැදුරක් ඉදි කළෝය. එකවර පන්දහසකට වැඩි පිරිසකට ඉඩ සැලසෙන විශාල ධර\ම ශාලාවක් ද ඉදිවිය. ඊට දායක විමට මටද අවස්ථාව ලැබිණ. දැන් සෑම පෝයකටම පන්දහසකට වැඩි පිරිසක් සිල් සමාදන් වෙති

දිවයින (පෙබරවාරි 15. 2009)

Jesu, joy of man's desiring!

2009-03-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Several days back, I downloaded “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” sung by Celtic Woman. It was the first part of the 10th movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. This small masterpiece is rich with theology and musical perfection. Following is the English translation of the cantata:

Jesu, joy of man's desiring,

Holy Wisdom, Love most bright;

Drawn by Thee, our souls, aspiring,

Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashion'd,

With the fire of life impassion'd,

Striving still to truth unknown,

Soaring, dying, round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,

Hark, what peaceful music rings!

Where the flock, in Thee confiding,

Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;

Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.

Thou dost ever lead Thine own

In the love of joys unknown.

Source: Boyd, M., ed. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", The Oxford Composer Companions: J. S. Bach, Oxford University Press.

A Sad Sunday: Beloved Pastor has gun-down at the Church

2009-03-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

A unidentified Gunman walked down the aisle of the Illinois First Baptist Church of Maryville, during the Sunday service and shot the pastor and then stabbed himself. The church web site issued a communiqué:

“On Sunday, March 8, 2009, a little after our 8:15 service began, a man entered First Baptist Church and fired several gunshots at our Senior Pastor, Dr. Fred Winters. Pastor Winters was taken to the hospital but died of his wounds.”

Dr. Winters had been their Senior Pastor since 1987, the same year that he was married to his wife Cindy Lee. He received a BA from Southwest Baptist University (1986), an MA in Systematic Theology and Church History from Wheaton (1986), an MDiv from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1991), and a PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was the former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association and an adjunct professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

One News Now reported that “First Baptist had an average attendance of 32 people when Winters became senior pastor in 1987; it now has about 1,200 members, according to the church's Web site. Winters also was former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association and an adjunct professor for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, according to the site.”

He is survived by his wife, Cindy Lee and two children, Alysia Grace and Cassidy Hope.

International Heralded tribune notes the rising violence against the Christian ministers: “Last month, a man shot and killed himself in front of a cross inside televangelist Robert H. Schuller's Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. In November, a gunman killed his estranged wife in a New Jersey church vestibule as Sunday services let out.

In July, two people were killed and six wounded in a shooting rampage at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. An out-of-work truck driver who police say targeted the church for its liberal leanings pleaded guilty to the shootings and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.”

The First Baptist Church further stated,

“Please pray for Dr. Winter’s family, our two brave members who were injured when they stopped the assailant, for the assailant himself and his family, and for our church members as they deal with this tragic loss.

In this day, where uncertainty seems to abound creating an environment in which people are vulnerable in doing things they might not do otherwise, one thing is certain, we, as human beings need a foundation upon which we can live our lives. We at First Baptist Maryville, along with other Christian believers, share this conviction: that foundation is God’s Word. In the pages of the Book we call the Bible, we find the pathway for peace, hope, and a quality of living life despite what circumstances we find ourselves in.

To those who believe in the power of prayer, we covet your prayers right now”

Gregory of Nazianzus, poem on his friendship with Basil

2009-03-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

For God had given me yet one priceless gift

Uniting me with Wisdom's wisest son,

Himself alone above all life and word;

Who this could be you soon shall know full well;

Basil his name; our age's great support.

And pair were we not all unknown in Grace;

All things we shared in common, and one sould

Linked us together, through in body twain.

One thing there was which joined us most of all,

The love of God and of the highest good.

For, soon as courage came to us to speak

Each to the other of that we had at heart,

More closely were our spirits knit in love,

For fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind.

[Basil of Caesarea (c. 329-379); Gregory of Nazianzus (329-390); Gregory of Nyssa (335-395) considered as the Cappoadocian Fathers who were the proponants of Trinitarianism against the Arian controversy ].

Source: Nicene and Post-Nicene Father, Second Series, Vol. VII, 190.

Thank you for the shared life and friendship of my dearest friends!

Parting of a Godly Servent!: Tribute to Dr. Harold Hoehner (1935-2009)

2009-02-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

Today was a bright sunny day. The chapel was getting filled and the faculty chairs were unusually empty. The chapel service started by Dr. Sedwick from CE department. I was disappointed because of not sing a hymen in the beginning. My mind wonders away thinking about the faculty—what happened to them, usually these chairs are full. The first chair left to the podium is dedicated to Dr Honor. Dr Hoehner rarely misses chapel, I wondered. I love to watch him while, message been delivered by other Profs. This smart, strong, white-haired man rarely read his bible at the chapel—he just closes his eyes and followed the text, while others are reading diligently. Once in a while some of the Profs throw a curve ball using the New Testament texts. And those perplexed times he would turned to his bible, following the lecture scratching his head. Times like those, we used to laugh watching his reactions.

Then Dr. Sedwick said the president would bring an important announcement. Dr. Bailey took the podium and said, “today… Dr. Hoehner after his daily jog… went home…and collapsed.” I thought they have taken him to a hospital and he is going to ask us to remember him in our prayers. These kinds of notices are very common. But his voice became frail an sad, it starts to shiver—then I couldn’t believed what I was hearing. Dr. Bailey said, “They tried to resuscitate him, he went to be with Lord…” and then pointing to the chair and said, “that chair will never be the same again!!!”

Yes, Dr. Bairley is right—Dr. Harold Hoehner was a remarkable man to DTS. The New Testament department consider him as the same caliber with the Dr. Scoffield (founder) and Dr. Woolverd (Most influenced President). His contribution is bringing the critical thinking to that department. I have heard some Professors commenting on Dr. Hoehner saying, before his time DTS taught what to believe, but Dr. Hoehner brought the notion of training the students to search and find the truth by them selves. This was a risky thing to do, students may differ seeing what is lay behind the text. However he trusted God and brought the "thinking aspect" to the academia of the DTS New Testament department. He encouraged the PhD grads to go to different universities and get their PhD’s. That’s why most of New Testament Professors are trained in UK or else where. I was not qualified enough (unfortunately) to sat in his higher Greek exegetical courses. However, for me He will be remembered as a humble man, who is willing to even participate in the World Evangelism Conference feature film acting a laughable character, last proponent of majority text and Matthean priority in New Testament department.

DTS web site A Tribute to beloved Professor Dr. Harold W. Hoehner cites,

“As a department chair, he brought the highest ideals in academic standards to the DTS campus along with compassion and encouragement to his department faculty and their families. Along with others in the department, he crafted a thorough yet learner-friendly model of New Testament Greek exegesis that is widely used today.

As a teacher, he always pushed his students toward excellence, careful study of Scripture, and fair-minded interaction with the wider world of New Testament scholarship. His magnificent commentary on Ephesians—his magnum opus—will continue to instruct and inspire pastors and teachers for many years to come. Because one of his books is entitled Herod Antipas, he became affectionately known to a generation of students as “Herod Hoehner.” He was known for his unwavering love for the style manual by Kate Turabian. With King’s College of Cambridge, England, as his doctoral alma mater, some have said his only educational regret was that he did not attend Texas A&M (simply because he loved Aggie jokes so much)!

As a person, Harold was a man of integrity, frugality, hard work, strong opinions, and fairness to others coupled with a loyal, collegial spirit, humility, and humor. Though he was not a good actor by his own admission, he took opportunities to participate in Senior Chapel or Missions Conference videos because he knew students would get a laugh seeing him trying to act cool.”

You can read more about him and his impact on Harold W. Hoehner Tribute.

Dr. Hoehner will be sorely missed!

සිහිනෙන් ඇදුණු ලොතරැයියෙන් උද්දාම වී දෙදහසක් වැයකර මිතුරන් සමග විනෝදවෙලා!

2009-02-10T20:44:00.000-08:00

[This article is written in Sinhalese unicode typescript]

රුපියල් ලක්‍ෂ දහයක ලොතරැයියක් තමාට ඇදෙනු සිහිනෙන් දුටු පුද්ගලයකු පසුදින අවදි වී ඒ සතුටට තමන් අත තිබූ රුපියල් දෙදහසක මුදලින් මිතුරන් සමඟ විනෝදවීමේ පුවතක් මහනුවර ප්‍රදේශයේ ගම්මානයකින් වාර්තා විය.

සිද්ධිය සැකෙවින් මෙසේය.

මහනුවරට නුදුරු ගම්මානයක පදිංචි මොහු වෘත්තියෙන් කම්කරුවෙකි. ඒවගේම දිනපතා ලොතරැයි මිලදී ගැනීමටද දක්වන්නේ විශේෂ උනන්දුවකි. ලොතරැයි දිනුම් ගැන නිතරම පේන බලන මොහු අවසානයට බැලූ පේනයෙන් කියා තිබුණේ රුපියල් ලක්‍ෂ දහයක් ඇදෙන බවකි.

මේ ගැන හිත හිතාම සිටි මොහුට දිනක් නින්දේදී තමන් මිලදී ගත් ලොතරැයියට රුපියල් ලක්‍ෂ දහයක් ඇදී ඇති බවයි.

රැයක් එළිවෙනතුරුම ලොතරැයි ජය ගැන සිහින දුටු මොහු අවදි වීමෙන් පසුවද එය අමතක කළේ නැත. නින්දෙන් අවදිවුණු ඔහු සිතුවේ තමන්ට සත්‍ය වශයෙන්ම ලොතරැයියක් ඇදී ඇති බවයි.
උදෙන්ම ගමේ කඩ පොළට ගිය මොහු මිතුරන් කිහිප දෙනෙකුද එක් කරගෙන නගරයට ගොස් තමන් අත තිබූ දින ගණනක් තිස්සේ කුලී වැඩ කර හොයා ගත් රුපියල් දෙදහසක් වියදම් කර මිතුරන් සමග කාබී විනෝද වූයේ රුපියල් ලක්‍ෂ දහයක් නිසැක වශයෙන් ලැබෙන බැවිනි. මේ වන විටත් මිතුරාගේ මේ සත් ගුණවත් පරිත්‍යාගයට හේතුව නොදත් මිතුරන් ඔහුගෙන් හේතුව විමසන විට ඔහු අත තිබූ රුපියල් 2000 ක මුදලම අවසන් වී තිබිණ.

ලොතරැයි සිහිනයේ නිමග්නව සිටි මොහුට පියවි සිහිය ලැබෙන විට සියල්ල අවසන්වී සාක්කුවද හිස්වී තිබිණ.

2009-02-06T14:46:00.000-08:00

David C. Cook only had five dollars in his pocket after the 1871 Chicago fire, yet he spent it buying milk for homeless children. The desire for kids to know Christ consumed him, and in 1875 he founded a publishing company. We have been publishing Sunday school and vacation Bible school materials ever since.

Christians lobby against anti-conversion bill

2009-02-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

In February, the Sri Lankan parliament is due to debate a draft bill entitled "Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion." The debate on this bill comes as the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress launched a report in January that contained highly inflammatory and false accusations against the Christian community in an attempt to bolster support for the repressive legislation. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka is urging immediate attention in advocating against the proposed anti-conversion bill. Anti-conversion bills are often used to stop Christians from evangelizing. Pray this legislation is not passed into law in Sri Lanka. Ask God to encourage believers to remain faithful in their commitment to Christ despite attempts by the government to silence them. Thank God for the faithfulness of believers in Sri Lanka.

Source:

Weak is the will of man (1815)

2009-02-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

“Weak is the will of Man, his judgments blind;

Remembrance persecutes, and Hope betrays;

Heavy is woe;--and joy, for human-kind,

A mournful thing, so transit it the blaze!”

Thus might he paint our lot of mortal days

Who wants the glorious faculty assigned

To elevate the more-than-reasoning Mind,

And colour life’s dark cloud with orient rays.

Imagination lofty and refined:

’Tis hers to pluck the amaranthine flower

Of Faith, and round Suffer’s temple bind

Wreaths that endure affliction’s heaviest shower,

And do not shrink from sorrow’s keenest wind.

William Wordsworth, Selected Poems and Prefaces, ed. Jack Stillinger (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1965),428.

Pray For the Military Forces:THE FINAL INSPECTION

2009-01-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

A soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

Death of a Prominant Christian Journalist

2009-01-14T15:41:00.000-08:00

People often ask me why I take such risks and tell me it is a matter of time before I am bumped off. Of course I know that: it is inevitable. But if we do not speak out now, there will be no one left to speak for those who cannot, whether they be ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged or the
persecuted. An example that has inspired me throughout my career in journalism has been that of the German theologian, Martin Niem”ller. In his youth he was an anti-Semite and an admirer of Hitler. As Nazism took hold in Germany, however, he saw Nazism for what it was: it was not just
the Jews Hitler sought to extirpate, it was just about anyone with an alternate point of view.

Niem”ller spoke out, and for his trouble was incarcerated in the Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945, and very nearly executed. While incarcerated, Niem”ller wrote a poem that, from the first time I read it in my teenage years, stuck hauntingly in my mind:

  First they came for the Jews
  and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
  Then they came for the Communists

  and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
  Then they came for the trade unionists
  and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.
  Then they came for me
  and there was no one left to speak out for me.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: The Leader is there for you, be you Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, low-caste, homosexual, dissident or disabled. Its staff will fight on, unbowed and unafraid, with the courage to which you have become accustomed. Do not take that commitment for granted. Let there be no doubt that whatever sacrifices we journalists make, they are not made for our own glory or enrichment: they are made for you. Whether you deserve their sacrifice is another matter. As for me, God knows I tried.

Lasantha Wickramatunge was murdered by unidentified gunman on January 8, 2009. These words are taken from his last article.

Who Am I?

2008-12-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

Who am I? They often tell me

I stepped from my cell’s confinement

Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,

Like a squire from his country-house.

Who am I? They often tell me

I used to speak to my warders

Freely and friendly and clearly,

As though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me

I bore the days of misfortune

Equally, smilingly, proudly,

Like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?

Or am I only what I myself know of myself?

Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,

Struggling for breath, as though hands were

compressing my throat,

Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,

Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,

Tossing in expectation of great events,

Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,

Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,

Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?

Am I one person today and tomorrow another?

Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,

And before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?

Or is something within me still like a beaten army,

Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.

Whoever I am, Thou knowest, 0 God, I am Thine!

Dietrich Bonhöffer (1906-1945)

March 4,1946

Dietrich Bonhöffer, a young theologian of great promise, was martyred by the Nazis for his participation in a plot against the life of Adolf Hitler. His writings have greatly influenced recent theological thought. This article appeared in the Journal Christianity and Crisis, March 4, 1946.

Source: http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=385

They're Made Out Of Meat...

2008-12-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

"They're made out of meat."

"Meat?"

"Meat. They're made out of meat."

"Meat?"

"There's no doubt about it. We picked several from different parts of the planet, took them aboard our recon vessels, probed them all the way through. They're completely meat."

"That's impossible. What about the radio signals? The messages to the stars."

"They use the radio waves to talk, but the signals don't come from them. The signals come from machines."

"So who made the machines? That's who we want to contact."

"They made the machines. That's what I'm trying to tell you. Meat made the machines."

"That's ridiculous. How can meat make a machine? You're asking me to believe in sentient meat."

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you. These creatures are the only sentient race in the sector and they're made out of meat."

"Maybe they're like the Orfolei. You know, a carbon-based intelligence that goes through a meat stage."

"Nope. They're born meat and they die meat. We studied them for several of their life spans, which didn't take too long. Do you have any idea the life span of meat?"

"Spare me. Okay, maybe they're only part meat. You know, like the Weddilei. A meat head with an electron plasma brain inside."

"Nope. We thought of that, since they do have meat heads like the Weddilei. But I told you, we probed them. They're meat all the way through."

"No brain?"

"Oh, there is a brain all right. It's just that the brain is made out of meat!"

"So... what does the thinking?"

"You're not understanding, are you? The brain does the thinking. The meat."

"Thinking meat! You're asking me to believe in thinking meat!"

"Yes, thinking meat! Conscious meat! Loving meat. Dreaming meat. The meat is the whole deal! Are you getting the picture?"

"Omigod. You're serious then. They're made out of meat."

"Finally, Yes. They are indeed made out meat. And they've been trying to get in touch with us for almost a hundred of their years."

"So what does the meat have in mind?"

"First it wants to talk to us. Then I imagine it wants to explore the universe, contact other sentients, swap ideas and information. The usual."

"We're supposed to talk to meat?"

"That's the idea. That's the message they're sending out by radio. 'Hello. Anyone out there? Anyone home?' That sort of thing."

"They actually do talk, then. They use words, ideas, concepts?"

"Oh, yes. Except they do it with meat."

"I thought you just told me they used radio."

"They do, but what do you think is on the radio? Meat sounds. You know how when you slap or flap meat it makes a noise? They talk by flapping their meat at each other. They can even sing by squirting air through their meat."

"Omigod. Singing meat. This is altogether too much. So what do you advise?"

"Officially or unofficially?"

"Both."

"Officially, we are required to contact, welcome, and log in any and all sentient races or multi-beings in the quadrant, without prejudice, fear, or favor. Unofficially, I advise that we erase the records and forget the whole thing."

"I was hoping you would say that."

"It seems harsh, but there is a limit. Do we really want to make contact with meat?"

"I agree one hundred percent. What's there to say?" `Hello, meat. How's it going?' But will this work? How many planets are we dealing with here?"

"Just one. They can travel to other planets in special meat containers, but they can't live on them. And being meat, they only travel through C space. Which limits them to the speed of light and makes the possibility of their ever making contact pretty slim. Infinitesimal, in fact."

"So we just pretend there's no one home in the universe."

"That's it."

"Cruel. But you said it yourself, who wants to meet meat? And the ones who have been aboard our vessels, the ones you have probed? You're sure they won't remember?"

"They'll be considered crackpots if they do. We went into their heads and smoothed out their meat so that we're just a dream to them."

"A dream to meat! How strangely appropriate, that we should be meat's dream."

"And we can mark this sector unoccupied."

"Good. Agreed, officially and unofficially. Case closed. Any others? Anyone interesting on that side of the galaxy?"

"Yes, a rather shy but sweet hydrogen core cluster intelligence in a class nine star in G445 zone. Was in contact two galactic rotations ago, wants to be friendly again."

"They always come around."

"And why not? Imagine how unbearably, how unutterably cold the universe would be if one were all alone."

Taken from:

Terry Bisson, Bears Discover Fire and Other Stories. (New York: Tom Doherthy Association, 1993), 34-37.

Jesus of the Scars

2008-11-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

If we never sought, we seek Thee now;

Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;

We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,

We must have Thee, O Jesus of the scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;

In all the universe we have no place.

Our wounds are hurting us; where is Thy balm?

Lord Jesus, by Thy scars we claim Thy grace.

If when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,

Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;

We know today what wounds are, have no fear,

Show us Thy scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;

They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;

But to our wounds God’s wounds alone can speak,

And not a god has wounds but Thou alone.

-Edward Shillito

A Fund has Established to Support Gunesh's Family

2008-10-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

Colombo Theological Seminary has decided to established a fund to support Sebamalai Gunesh's family. If you are interested in helping them (even if it is in a small way [because of the exchange rate difference, your contribution multiplied by 100 times when they exchange back to Rupees]), following is the email I received from Combo Theological Seminary:

"Thank you to all those who responded with messages of comfort, reassurance and prayer to the news of the tragic death of Gunesh.

As there were several inquiries regarding the possibility of making a financial contribution towards assisting Gunesh’s family (through CTS), we will have a designated fund for this purpose and will accept contributions up to 30 November 2008. Any funds received by this date will be handed over to the family or invested in their name (depending on the amount received).

a) If you do make any direct remittances to the account below, please let me know via email, so that the remit can be tracked.

b) Please note that cheques should be drawn in favour of ‘Colombo Theological Seminary’ and directed to

The Principal

Colombo Theological Seminary

189 Dutugemunu Street

Kohuwela

Sri Lanka

*please include a note indicating that the contribution is for Gunesh’s family."

In midst of all this financial difficulties, I've started to save some money to remit for this fund. Hope that you will also do the same!

Hebrews 13:1-3

Abduction of another Pastor in Sri Lanka

2008-10-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

National Christian Evangelical Allence of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) reported another abuction of a Paster working in out side of Colombo (Gampaha District):

Pastor Ratnam Machchakali Punyamurthy (39 years) of Messiah Ministries who was engaged in ministry in Negombo has been abducted from his residence by an unidentified group on Monday 06thOctober 2008 approximately at 8.10 p.m. He is married and has a son who is 8 years old.

Plaese remember him and his faimly in your prayers.

Source: http://www.worldevangelicals.org/news/view.htm?id=2126

Acts 12:5-9

Horried Death of a dear friend and fellow worker!

2008-10-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

Today I received horrid and shocking news of cruel death of my friend and alumna of Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS). It is the death of Pastor Sebamalai Gunesh, father of 2. Gunesh was ministering at the Elohim Gospel Church. He had humble beginnings; coming from a relatively poor family he gave his life to work and ministry. He had the opportunity of studying God’s word in-depth at Colombo Seminary, if I’m not mistaken in 2004-2006. He completed his diploma and commenced reading for B.Th.

I have known him as a student and fellow worker in Christ’s harvest field. Gunesh was meek and gentle in spirit and greatly loved the word of God, to which he dedicated his whole life. He gladly worked hard and always willing to go the second mile. He happily embraced poverty and hardship for the sake of the gospel. I remember him, always greeting and conversing with friendly smile.

He was reported missing on Monday 6th October and his body was found on Wednesday 8thOctober 2008.

Gunesh was 33 years old at his death.

I with the CTS community jointly ask for your prayers for Gunesh’s family.

Revelation 14:13

Church Set on Fire in Puttam district of Sri Lanka

2008-10-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

The Voice of Martyrs says:

More than 60 people set fire to a church building used for Sunday school in Puttlam district, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reported. Members of the church who live in the vicinity arrived at the scene and attempted to stop the arson attack and were assaulted by the mob. The attackers threatened children who had also gathered, but their parents took them away to safety. The p astor informed the police about the attack, however, they were not able to bring the large mob under control for some time, but eventually succeeded in dispersing them. Meanwhile on Aug. 17, another church in Puttlam district was set on fire and completely destroyed during the night. A group of people who visited the pastor’s house earlier that evening and threatened him are suspected of having carried out the arson attack. A police complaint has been made and three people have been arrested. Pray for the members of these two churches. Ask God to protect them and provide resources to rebuild the church building. Pray their testimonies will glorify God and draw their persecutors into fellowship with Him.

Note by Ravin: Puttlum distric is predominately Muslim (Islamic) in religious affiliation and culture with pocket-villages of Sinhala Buddhists and Catholics. Very few churches have survied upto now. Many church palnts are colsed or forced to close down. If I am not mistaken, there are less than 12-15 fuctioning churches for the whole of Puttlum district (2796 sq Km). Few of us have tried extrimely hard to reach this district. Please pray for starting of new church-plants and for the on going persicution.

1 Peter 3:14-17

A Tribute: Good works of CTS Graduates!

2008-10-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

After a fire burned down 110 plank houses in Grandpass, Colombo, Pastor S.J.P. Jayaprakash of the Grandpass Gospel Tabernacle Church responded to an emergency call for food. Not only was food provided, but the church, community and authorities were mobilized to rebuild houses made of brick. This particular housing complex is home of a 350-family community of Sinhala and Tamil ethnicity where a very small Christian presence exists. Through this process, Jayaprakash found out the community only had two usable toilets with an open sewage drain running among the homes. Enlisting volunteers from the church and community, Jayaprakash completed the project, giving the community 12 toilets and a state-of-the-art septic tank. This community effort has generated much unity among the people and positive response to the church, opening up doors for the ministry among the community. Jayaprakash’s future plans for developing this community include education classes for the children in English, art and other subjects; forming a children’s club; setting up a medical clinic; and renovating the library.Jayaprakash is a graduate and former OC scholarship recipient from Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS), Sri Lanka. He received the CTS Community Award at the 2007 graduation. “My vision is to develop the community rather than to only build up the church,” Jayaprakash says “After all, Jesus himself responded to the needs of the 5,000 by feeding them - with no strings attached.”

James 3:13

Source: Overseas Council International enews letter

Church Set on Fire in Puttam district of Sri Lanka

2008-10-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 3:14-17

Orissa Attacks Expand Across India

2008-09-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

The violence against Christians in Orissa State has continued following the assassination of Swami Laxmanananda Sarawati on August 23. VOM sources report the death toll of Christians has reached 42. Meanwhile relief camps in Orissa have been targeted by extremists attempting to poison water supplies. Six Christians became ill in a relief camp in the town of Rakia after drinking poisoned water and there have been reports of similar attempts in other state camps. Several reports of Christians being threatened with violence if they refuse to convert to Hinduism have also been received. Meanwhile, VOM sources report attacks against Christians are expanding to other states. On September 7, in Madhya Pradesh state, the 86-year-old St. Bartholomew Church building was burned down in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Although the church watchman has accepted blame for the arson attack, local Christians argue that the police are protecting the Hindu extremist groups.

In Kolar district, Karnataka state, Hindu extremists stormed into another church building tore up Bibles, hymnals and curtains, and beat several church members present. The extremists seized the pastor and took him to a nearby temple where he was pressured into observing Hindu rituals. He was released only after he gave the attackers a written declaration stating that he would not return to the village or continue any church activities. Pray that Christians under attack will know God's care and provision. Pray for Christians to be strong in the face of pressure to deny Christ. Pray that the international community will voice deep concern for the Christians in India who are being persecuted for their faith.

Source: The Voice of the Martyrs

Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family

2008-09-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

September 6, 2008 several Buddhist Monks (Bikkus) stormed into a Government Hospital (Piliyandala) and asked the Doctors to stop the family planning project, which was for the low-income families.

There were 50-60 women were there to present for surgical sterilisation. The Bikku accused the project planners of taking measures to exterminate the Sinhala (Majority) race by using, so called, economic reasons as their excuse. This action aroused a heated controversy regarding the duty and role of the Buddhist monk in social context and the rights of women.

This remind me of a newly realized film called “Demographic Winter” which talks about the horrors of decreasing world population. It has been recorded that less than 40 years, the world population decreased by 40%. This is true in all societies around the world. The reasons are complex. The present sexual revolution (contraception, cohabitation, gay and lesbian unions), individualistic attitudes and lifestyles have pushed the society into fertility decline. Resents popular publications have shown the cost to raising a child is approximately between $ 250,000- $ 300,000, which I supposed demoralizing to the general population to have more than one child. This kind of population decrease is not new phenomenon; it has been seen in ancient Rome, which ultimately led to the decline of the great civilization.

P. D. James, Children of Men graphically portrait the modern day chilling experience of living in a dyeing civilization after 25 years of last child birth.

It seems these predictions are slowly but surely coming to true: “The spying still goes on but it is twenty-five years now since a human being was born and in our hearts few of believe that the cry of a newborn child will ever be heard again on our planet. Our interest in sex is waning. Romantic and idealized love has taken over form crude carnal satisfaction despite the efforts of the Warden of England, through the national porn shops, to stimulate our flagging appetites. But we have our sensual substitutes; they are available to all on the National Health Service” [1].

Demographic winter’s website stated:

“One of the most ominous events of modern history is quietly unfolding. Social scientists and economists agree - we are headed toward a demographic winter, which threatens to have catastrophic social and economic consequences. The effects will be severe and long lasting and are already becoming manifest in much of Europe.”

A groundbreaking film, Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family, reveals in chilling soberness how societies with diminished family influence are now grimly seen as being in social and economic jeopardy.

Demographic Winter draws upon experts from all around the world - demographers, economists, sociologists, psychologists, civic and religious leaders, parliamentarians and diplomats. Together, they reveal the dangers facing society and the world’s economies, dangers far more imminent than global warming and at least as severe. These experts will discuss how:

The “population bomb” not only did not have the predicted consequences, but almost all of the developed countries of the world are now experiencing fertility rates far below replacement levels.

Birthrates have fallen so low that even immigration cannot replace declining populations, and this migration is sapping strength from developing countries, the fertility rates for many of which are now falling at a faster pace than did those of the developed countries. The engines of commerce will be strained as the workers of today fail to replace themselves and are burdened by the responsibility to support an aging population. ever shrinking work force. The skyrocketing ratio of the old retirees to the young workers will render current-day social security systems completely unable to support the aging population.

The influence of social and economic problems on ever shrinking, increasingly disconnected generations will compound and accelerate the deterioration. Our children and our children’s children will bear the economic and social burden of regenerating the “human capital” that accounts for 80% of wealth in the economy, and they will be ill-equipped to do so.”

Word 650

[1] P. D. James, Children of Men. (New York: Warner Books, 2002), 8.

Remembering 9/11

2008-09-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

I try to forget about that horrible day,
but its impossible,their's no way,

how could people be so careless,
no one watched the horrible act fearless,

no one thought that this was gonna go down,
we had to worry about in our little town,

but we shed tears for the ones in the towers,
we couldn't stop crying for hours,

some kids come home to no families that day,
to kids like that what do you say,

this war will end one day,
i just wish it was today.

-By felicia handley [1]

Remember 9/11 Prayer

Almighty God, the past year will be indelibly inscribed in our memories.

We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of last September 11th.
But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people
who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.

We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.
We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.
You have turned our grief into determination.
We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.

Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—
a people endowed with abundant blessings.
Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand
with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.

Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.[2]

[1] http://www.9-11heroes.us/911-poems.php

[2] http://www.appleseeds.org/9-11_prayer.htm

Butt Prints on The Sand

2008-09-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Today Dr. Stephen Bramer talk about a poem call "Butt prints on the Sand". It is a beautiful portrait of disobedience in our part and it remind us to obey God's will at once:

Butt Prints In The Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know.
So I got tired, I got fed up,
and there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,
when one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
or leave their butt prints in the sand."

-Author unknown

Words 187

Sri Lankan Bikkus (Buddhist Monks) Challenged the Authority of Law

2008-09-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

The first week of September 2008 held a hearing of violating a court ruling on the prevention of noise pollution by using public Address system from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. These regulations were made by the Supreme Court, which considered the highest law in Sri Lanka. However, last week of August the accused Buddhist Monk (Bikku) was summoned by the court. He categorically dismissed the summons by not presenting, which lead to the contempt of court and the very day issued an order to arrest of the Bikku. On the day of hearing over forty Bikkus were present at the court vicinity. At the entrance of the Supreme court Judges including the Chef Justice, all others except the Bikkus stand and respected the court of law.

Immediately afterwards, the Chef Justice said to the open court that the Bikkus have disrespected the court of law and asked the Attorney (Lawyer) to kindly ask the Bikkus to go out and come again to take their seats. However, no Bikku seems to heed the advice of the Attorney, subsequently, the bail appeal for the accused was denied. Chef Justice did not acted harshly toward Bikkus perhaps he is a devoted Buddhist.

This action seems to be a high-hand contempt of the Supreme court and the authority of the common law. Most probably, these Bikkus acted out of ignorance or purposely to show their superiority. However, this action shows the prevailing arrogance of the Bikkus, perceiving themselves above all humans and even over the Court of law.

This challenge further shows the growing ideology in corporate consciousness of Bikkus considering themselves as untouchable higher elite status in the society. One Senior Monk said, Bikkus are liable to respect Lord Buddha, Dhamma (Doctrine), older monks only, not even in the presence of King they should stand.

Bikkus should know that there is a time and place for every thing. At a religious ceremony, higher official, Chief Justice or even President of the country would sit below the standing of a Bikku and listen and participate in the ceremony. However, when it comes to the place of authority of the law, such as the Court of law they should and must respected the authority vested by the law of the country.

I have been several times verbally harassed, ostracized and taken to police by such kind of Buddhist Monks, for the reason of sharing gospel and church work. It’s foreshadows a dangerous development of their self-perception, which could lead to more harassment and violence against Christians in Sri Lanka.

Words: 400

Do you make a difference?

2008-09-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

The September Campaign Trailer

Know Your Roots: Evangelicalism Lecture series

2008-09-04T14:21:00.000-07:00

In Zondervan blog called Koinonia posted marvelous lecture series of evangelicalism. It is mainly on the perspective of the rise of the American Evangelicalism.

The first lecture is about the historic great-reversal of evangelicalism and its rise from the rock bottom. Dr. Kenneth S. Kantzer (1917-2002) talks about the last educational institution, Princeton Seminary gave away to liberalism which is the beginning of Neo-darkages of American Christianity and the bright dawning of the age of evangelicalism.

He served as the president of the Evangelical Theological Society (1968), editor of Christianity Today (1977-1982) and president of Trinity College (now Trinity International University) (1982-1984), later helped the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to found its PH.D. Program.

In the second Lecture Dr. Carl F. H. Henry (1913-2003) investigate the theological scrutiny behind the historical theological development and how it impacted the evangelicalism. He talks about the secular humanism which had engulf the Christianity and the resurgence of evangelicalism in para-church organizations like prison fellowship, world vision etc. Dr. Carl Henry is the first editor of Christianity Today (1956-1968) and also took part in launching the National Association of Evangelicals in 1942. He was considered as the prominent evangelical by most of the mass Media.

Lastly two Q & A segments leads by D. A. Carson, which talks about the definition and characteristics of the evangelicalism. The fourth segment is about the future of evangelicalism.

Listen to the lectures:

Lecture I: Definitions and turning points by Dr. Kenneth S. Kantzer (28 minutes)

Lecture II: Modernism & Evangelicalism by Dr. Carl F. H. Henry (28 Minutes)

Lecture III: Q & A-Definitions of the pragmatical terms (28 minutes)

Lecture IV: Q & A-The Future (28 minutes)

Koinonia writer says, "One observation, for what it's worth, is that many of the questions posed in the videos are the very same people are asking 20 years later. What does this say about evangelicalism?." I listen to them all and found very informative.

What do we learn from Disappointments?

2008-08-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

Another disappointment. I long waited to hear from the Seminary (DTS) Library for an interview for my application. Still I did not hear from them. It is the way they quietly say you have not selected (now I know the method thanks to several similar experiences).

The only possible reason I could guess is that I could not commit to work for two years. I am hoping to end my DTS academic life in fall 2009.

I am a man of books; I love books and to work around them. Most of all, I wanted to get trained in DTS library, so that it would be benefitted to the majority country like Sri Lanka, in my work field of theological education. Now I am used to these kinds of disappointments. It always reminded me that I am just here for temporary time. My real ministry is back home.

This is my eighth moth out of employment (I've got several job opportunities off campus, unfortunately I can't consider them because of my visa status).

New students apartment costs a lot. Hence, I have very little left as pocket money for food and other needs. I really live in US as I were living in back Sri Lanka: 'hand to mouth lifestyle!' Ironic isn't it? I have survived eight moths by the grace of God; certainly, I can do another 17 months. Then, yes only then, I am free to fly back home. Oh... How I long for that day!

This week I learned that one of my church plants has suffered persecution and had to stop gathering as a community. The worker, who suffered was my best friend. He had to stop his ministry again due to the threats (Please remember him and his family in your prayers).

All these disappointments lead me back to the reflection of my question. My answer to the question, "What do we learn from our disappointments?" is "we learn to trust God more!" We learn to put trust daringly in Him and in Him only.

Just meditate on these words...

"I’ve got nothing left to hide -My armor’s on the ground

This battle’s left me dry - My strength has broken down

You pull me to Your side

I’m suddenly surrounded by Your hand

Perfectly astounded I can stand

Your power is what’s keeping me together

Your strength is all that’s keeping me alive

Your fortress is the only hope I have to survive"[1]

I wish summer ends quickly!

2008-08-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Several weeks back, while we were walking in the Mall, one of my friends said, "I wish summer ends quickly!" This remark led to a discussion, where I notice things that I have never noticed before: Most of the ladies in the Mall use to ware less clothes in summer. It was not their fault. Summer days are extremely hot.

Yes, he was right! Summer is a hard time for singles (I suppose even to the married). It is the time where we get easily tempted by sight.

I have recently come across two articles which shed insight to this subject. Steven Fockner said that the punishment for deluge in Genesis 6 is due to human guilt of mixing with each other, resulting lost of faith on the earth. [1] He sees 'sons of God' as human beings who were the remnant safe guard the faith. In the second article Kaminski states the sin was committed by sight as in the Eden story (Gen 3). [2] The echos Gen 3:6 could be heard in Gen 6:2. Note the incidental sequence made in the successive story.

"Waltke observes that 3:6 and 6:2 have shared vocabulary and suggested that the sin of the sons of God 'repeat the patten (Saw... good... took) of the original sin in 3:6"[3]

"The trigger action of the flood strong is 'the sons of God saw (wayyir'u) the daughters of men, kitob, 'how good', they were and they took wives from whomever the chose. Note here that this trigger event parallels nicely the one in the Adam and Eve story, 'the woman saw' (wattere') how good (kitob) the tree was for food... and she took from its fruit and she eat." [3]

John put it perfectly,

"I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world-- the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches-- comes not from the Father but from the world " (1 John 2:14-16 NRSV).

Summer arouse many feelings. Some of them are regrets and of loneliness. A deep longing for marriage may lead to harbour wrong thoughts. It may make us to envy others, that have what we don't or hold grudges and resentments toward God for the failure in His part to supply a suitable mate for us.

After reading this article, like me, you may also notice things that passed unnoticed. It may arouse the curiosity or may wake up the long sleeping adversary. However, this note is to caution us to hold our guards high and not entertain thoughts which rob the joy and sweet communion of our Lord.

My plea in this summer, is to be cautious!

[1] Steven Fockner, "Reopening the Discussion: Another Contextual Look at the Sons of God," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament vol. 32.4 (2008): 435-456.

[2] Carol M. Kaminski, "Beautiful Women of 'false Judgement?': Interpreting Genesis 6.2 in Context of the Primeval History," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, vol. 32.4 (2008): 457-473.

[3] B. Waltke, Genesis: A commentary. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 117.

[4] I.M. Kikawada, "A Quantitative Analysis of 'Adam and Eve', 'Cain and Abel', 'Noah' stories" in E.W. cord and E.G. Newing eds., Perspective on language and text (Winona Lake, IN: Eisebrauns, 1987), 198.

The Fall of a Literary Giant

2008-08-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Aleksander Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) was considered to be a man who never been afraid for critical truth under pressing might of the Communist super power. In his speech at the Noble prize for literature he quoted a Russian proverb and said, "One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world." He was marked as a man who fearlessly pursue truth and critiqued the political regimes of Soviet Union. He outlived the Soviet Union for more than 17 years, which imprisoned, ostracized and exiled him for many years. His death on August 3, 2008 marks the last of Soviet Union great literary giants.

His first publication called “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” (1962) brought the life of a prison camp inmate and it made his mark with the literary giants like Tolstoy, Dostoyevski and Chekov. He wrote critical novels of the totalitarian duress in “The First Circle” (1968) to which he got the Nobel Prize and “The Cancer Ward”(1968). He wrote historical novels like “The Gulag Archipelago” (1973-1978) describing the first hand experiences of horror and life of Soviet labor camp.

His literary tradition was considered as “Prophetic Russian literary tradition,” who saw his role to be an Old Testament prophet to expose and denounce the Kremlin and the West . The key feature in Solzhenitsyn’s literature is the Orthodox Christian frame of reference and traditional Christian values and beliefs.

He defined the role of the author or artist as that of truth-teller against lies in the prevailing culture. Note his words in the Noble lecture:

"One artist sees himself as the creator of an independent spiritual world; he hoists onto his shoulders the task of creating this world, of peopling it and of bearing the all-embracing responsibility for it; but he crumples beneath it, for a mortal genius is not capable of bearing such a burden. Just as man in general, having declared himself the centre of existence, has not succeeded in creating a balanced spiritual system. And if misfortune overtakes him, he casts the blame upon the age-long disharmony of the world, upon the complexity of today's ruptured soul, or upon the stupidity of the public.

Another artist, recognizing a higher power above, gladly works as a humble apprentice beneath God's heaven; then, however, his responsbility for everything that is written or drawn, for the souls which perceive his work, is more exacting than ever. But, in return, it is not he who has created this world, not he who directs it, there is no doubt as to its foundations; the artist has merely to be more keenly aware than others of the harmony of the world, of the beauty and ugliness of the human contribution to it, and to communicate this acutely to his fellow-men. And in misfortune, and even at the depths of existence - in destitution, in prison, in sickness - his sense of stable harmony never deserts him."[1]

He was a firm believer of authors or artists should not partake in falsehood and not to support and propagate false conduct:

". . . the simple step of a simple courageous man is not to partake in falsehood, not to support false actions! Let THAT enter the world, let it even reign in the world - but not with my help. But writers and artists can achieve more: they can CONQUER FALSEHOOD! In the struggle with falsehood art always did win and it always does win! " [2]

That was the his important contribution to the 20th century literature.

After 1964, his works were band and soon after the publishing of “Gulag” 1974, he was expelled from Soviet Union. Later he was allowed to return back to Russia. However soon after his return he did wham criticisms on the Mikhail Gorbachyov to Vladimir Putin regimes. Some argue that west has used Solzhenitsyn in the cold war times to embrace the Soviets by giving a Noble prize, just after his 7 years of literary success. Yet his contribution and effort towards the 20th century literary world is unfathomable.

The New York Times states his extreme measures to published “Gulag”:

“Publishers in Paris and New York had secretly received the manuscript on microfilm. But wanting the book to appear first in the Soviet Union, Mr. Solzhenitsyn asked them to put off publishing it. Then, in September 1973, he changed his mind. He had learned that the Soviet spy agency, the KBG, had unearthed a buried copy of the book after interrogating his typist, Elizaveta Voronyanskaya, and that she had hung herself soon afterward.

He went on the offensive. With his approval, the book was speedily published in Paris, in Russian, just after Christmas. The Soviet government counterattacked with a spate of articles, including one in Pravda, the state-run newspaper, headlined “The Path of a Traitor.” He and his family were followed, and he received death threats.

On Feb. 12, 1974, he was arrested. The next day, he was told that he was being deprived of his citizenship and deported.”

Dr. Alebert Mohler wrote,

“He was a man of massive courage and literary ability -- a central character of the twentieth century. He was a moralist to the core, affirming human dignity against Communist oppression and Stalin's murder of millions. Even so, he carried on an affair with the woman who became his second wife and the mother of his sons. He seemed ungrateful to America, but he also saw what many Americans, blinded by historical optimism, could not or would not see in the weakness of the West.

He returned to Russia a prophet, but also a man who seemed strangely out of his times. In his case, a great life of the twentieth century lingered awkwardly into the twenty-first. Nevertheless, his great courage and his literary achievement remain a tribute to the human spirit. Even more, Solzhenitsyn's moral vision serves as a reminder that Christianity alone provides an adequate grounding for human dignity.

When asked once about the force of his writings, Solzhenitsyn explained: 'The secret is that when you've been pitched head first into hell you just write about it.' The world was changed because he did just that.”

[1] http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1970/solzhenitsyn-lecture.html

[2] Ibid.

Life & Death: what should we make out of them

2008-08-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Harriette Cole's column Sense and Sensitive, had an interesting post appeared on the last Tuesday [1].

Lori, Harlem, NY writes:

Dear Harriette: A woman I admire from distance for many years suddly died. I got word of it but remain somewhat in shock. She really did have a good life, but there something about death that is so final. It is end. And it makes me think about the what-ifs. I know life isin't promised, but I don't have my stuff together, if you know what I mean. If somebody who seemed to have her life together just suddenly lost it, what hope is there for me?

Note the Harriette's response:

Dear Lori: Use this time as an opportunity to look at your life differently. No moment is promised other that the one you are in. Are you living to your potential? Are you cherishing the happy times learning from the challengers before you? Are you welcoming each moment Or are you worrying yourself sick?

You have the power to choose to welcome every day with greater clarity and forcus. Get your life in order. Organized your home, your finances, your friendships, and your relationships. Get clear so you can be ready for anything, including death.

What a shallow answer is this. Many think if you lived a life to its full potential, that would be a great success. This is the classical response of Ecclesiastics.

Few Months back I read a book from Bart Ehrman named God's Problem on the theme of suffering. He was a "born-agin" believer converted through Youth for Christ and then in his later years of theological studies became an agnostic. The book was unfortunately, a superficial handling of the subject. He has not covered all the biblical aspects of suffering including the fall of humanity. However, he also comes to the same conclusion to which Harriette Cole has arrived.

He conclude his book:

"We should love and be loved. We should cultivate our friendships, enjoy our intimate relationships, cherish our family lives. We should make money and spend money. The more the better. We should enjoy good food and drink. We should eat out and order unhealthy desserts, and we should cook steak on the grill and drink Bordeaux. We should walk around the block, work in the garden, watch basketball, and drink beer. We should travel and read books and go to museums and look at art and listen to music. We should drive nice cars and have nice homes. We should make love, have babies, and raise families. We should do what we can to love life-it's a gift and it will not be with us for long.

[tell this to majority world (third world) suffering people like who are living in Sri Lanka]*

But we should also work hard to make our world the most pleasing place it can be for others-whether this means visiting a friend in the hospital, giving more to local charity or international relief effort, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, voting for politicians more concerned with the suffering in the world than with their own political future, or expressing our opposition to the violent oppression of innocence people. What we have in the here and now is all that there is. We need to live life to its fullest and help other as well to enjoy the fruits of the land.

In the end, we may not have ultimate solutions to life's problems. We may not know the why's and wherefore's. But just because we don't have an answer to suffering does not mean that we can not have to respond to it. Our response should be to work hard to alleviate suffering wherever possible and to live life as well as we can"[3].

What about the words of Jesus:

"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38 NRSV).

[1] The Dallas Morning News, "Comics and Puzzles" Tuesday August 5, 2008.

[2] Picture: "The Cup of Death" (1885) By Elihu Vedder (American artist, 1836-1923)

[3] Bart D. Ehrman, God's Problem: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question-Why we suffer (New York: Harper One, 2008), 277-278.

*comment is mine

Church should live for others!

2008-08-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

Right Reverend Duleep de Chickera conclude his Lambarth sermon at the Eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral by quoting Archbishop William Temple, “‘The Church is the one institution that does not live for itself.’ My dear sisters and brothers, as we move from this wonderful retreat, through this beautiful eucharist into our conference, let us hold on these word. For here is the crux of Anglican identity, and here is the crux of Anglican spirituality. We do not live for ourselves, and all our energy, all our gifts are directed to abundant life for the other.”

It is so very true that church should and must live like the Christ to give life to others. Every Christian’s duty is not to indulge himself with selfishness and self-pity but to look beyond themselves to the decaying and dying world. Only we have the life and we are the people who dare to take radical steps to transform and heal the wounded, which have been overlooked and trampled by many.

Picture: Poverty and Wealth by William Powell Frith, RA. Signed and dated 1888 at lower left. Oil on canvas: 32 x 47 inches. Provenance: Christie's, 4th May, 1889, lot 139. Exhibited: The Royal Academy, 1888, no. 26.

The one less traveled by,

2008-08-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost (1874–1963), Mountain Interval, 1920.

Dr. James E. Allman in his summer chapel sermon titled "Ministry Burnout" talk about the road that less travelled. As human's we tend to take the road which frequently traveled. This the road leading to doing things by our own strength and as we see best. Dr. Allman said, “Difference of religion of Man and the religion of living God is who carry whose. Are you serving with a purpose of establishing work of God or Are serving because of God is carrying you?” This question penetrated into my inner most being and woke me from my deep slumber.

While I was in Sri Lanka, I have being working hard and long. Many times got disappointed because I seek to establish the Kingdom of God by my efforts. I have being discourage by opposition, lack of finances, bad things happened to good parishioners, and death of beloved faithful and young fellow workers. I was tired of God’s work. Some times I felt I could not speak a word of encouragement. I hate to preach and reluctant share the word of God. I was so tired. I was so near to burnout; that is because, I missed the crucial point: “Who carry whose?” Do I carry God, his work, and his kingdom in my shoulders or do I dare trust God to carry me in his arms?

He concluded his sermon, “I don’t serve because God needs me. I serve because God has enabled me. I don't serve in order to establish the kingdom of God; I serve because God has established the His kingdom . . . but in the pathless travel when God carrying you; You snuggle into his arms when things are really tuff. Sometimes you cannot tell where the arms are but by faith you claim the idea of childhood, to womb to gray hairs I will carry you!”

Text: Isaiah 46:1-9

Divided Anglican Church should turn to Cricket?

2008-07-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

The Times Online reported: "A liberal bishop from Sri Lanka suggested to his colleagues at the Lambeth Conference today that they should take the afternoon off to settle their theological differences over a game of cricket."[1]. The comment refers to the inaugural sermon gave by Right Rev Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo regarding the inclusion of all into the church life. It marks the official liberal direction Anglican Church would take in the coming years. He audaciously brought God into the debate by saying, "Certainly the crisis is complex. It is not a crisis that can be resolved instantly and the journey ahead is a long and arduous one, a journey that will demand our prayers, our faithfulness, our mutual trust in each other and our trust in God who makes reconciliation possible." This shows the lostness in focus on scripture and the inability to understand the will of God among the high-ranks of the Anglican church leadership.

Regarding Cricket he add: "Sri Lanka is a land of five world religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and cricket. Those of us who organized this conference planned an afternoon aside for cricket and a game called baseball for the uninitiated."

He further argue the Lambath Conference not to exclude the Episcopal Church of the US for the reason of consecration of gay New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson on 2003. His whole argument was based on the Anglican tradition of unity in diversity.

He add, "In Christ there's enough to go aroud. It is an inclusive communion where there is space equally for everyone and anyone, regardless of colour, gender, ability, sexual orientation. Unity in diversity is the cherished Anglican tradition which we must reinforce in all humilty for the sake of Christ and Christ's Gospel." It seems Bishop Duleep is suggesting to preserve "unity with in the church" in expense of orthodoxy and purity of doctrine and conduct.

He further added to this call of compromise: "We are united in spite of the fact we are different because in Christ we are all equal." It is amazing to see five hundred years ago the Roman Church was divided because of the mere orthodoxy. Many have lay-down their lives to bring the truth back to the practice of community of God. Are we to forget all these cherished history and rejoined to Roman Catholic Church for the sake of unity?

In April 16, 2008 I heard a radio interview with Gene Robinson, openly gay Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire introducing his book named In the eye of the storm .

He said, "Jesus said this amazing thing, night before died He said to his disciples there are many more things I wanted to share with you but you are not able to bare them right now. And I will send the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. And I would argue and only time would tell indeed, our full inclusion of gay and lesbian people is just simply another way that the Holy Spirit is leading us a fuller understanding of God's love for all of God's children...We not need to break the communion over this! We are not arguing about divinity of Christ, not arguing about the trinity, or the resurrection, those essential things draw us to gather. We are arguing about inessential, a that is the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life of the Church."

In his book he states the election process led by the so called Holy Spirit: "The atmoshere at St. Paul's Church, Concord, on that summer moring was electric. The Holy Spirit seemed so palpably present that people spoke of the hair standing up on their necks. While the first ballots were being counted, you could have heard a pin drop, as people sat silently or knelt humbly in prayer.

When the final result was read, announcing my election as the ninth Bishop of New Hamshire, a rush of wind swept through the congregation as people rose to their feet to applaud, cheer, laugh, cry and rejoice. People who were there still refer to it as one of the most moving and powerful experiences of God in their lifetimes"[2].

He further referred to the after winds of the storm: "During that consent process, surrilous charges of sexual misconduct and linkage to a pornographic website were brought forward in an effort to derail the church's consent to my election. While those charges were being investigated, as I was sequestered away in my hotel room with my partner and daughter, the priest who would later become my Canon to the Ordinary brought me a pice of calligraphy that read: "Sometimes God calms the storm. And sometimes God let the storm rage and calms his child"[3].

I can't understand the gravity of using pornographic websites over explicit God prohibited sexual relationship. If the church can appointed an open gay person as their bishop by openly defying the written word of God, what is the point of bring allegation on unwritten and unclear misconducts like pornography?

"You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!" (Matthew 23:24).

It is sad to note that all this bishops use the church to do their pity theological experiments of social accommodation, disregarding the bible, orthodoxy and the tradition.

Lastly he said in the interview, "I like to say that the Episcopal church is advance placement religion that is to say it is a religion that values our minds, and encourages us to use them, and values individual values and discernment. And the official stance of the Episcopal church which is I really believe, ask us to hold in tension two truths and make a decision some where between . . . We make a decision in fear and trembling, trusting and loving God and if we get it wrong you know that the great thing been forgiven, we are already forgiven the ways that we fall short!"

This is profanity!

[1] http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4368209.ece

[2] V. Gene Robinson, In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God (New York: Seabury Books, 2008), 1.

[3] ibid., 2.