Forgiveness

I was going through my podcast list on Boundless the other day and came across one that spoke on Forgiveness. This is one topic I think about regularly because we live in a sin cursed world. So forgiveness on a daily basis is quite essential in our lives. It is also a reminder for me to know how much I am forgiven in Christ and that should motivate me to extend that same grace towards others.

One of things that stood out for me in this one is where they discussed how many a times in a situation of conflict, the focus is on the person who has been sinned against. For eg. their heart attitude(has the person truly forgiven the offender, or hope they are not bitter against God etc.) But let’s not make light of the offence or remove the focus from the person who has committed the sin. Many a times the offender is not made fully aware that his or her actions have been detrimental. I have seen this happen way too many times and I am glad that they brought out those points in this episode.

If you have some time, do give it a listen. It is quite a good discussion and is in the round table section of the podcast which is the first 20 mins. Hope you are blessed by it.

Photo Credit:The Boundless Show

We can still Thank God it’s Friday:)

It is the end of another week and I am actually looking forward to the weekend. Even though the week and the weekend may seem a lot similar now, I don’t want to lose the excitement of looking forward to it.

It is obvious that with all the extra time on hand all of us are doing a lot more creative things which we may have put aside because of our ” busy” schedules.  I started drawing again and even though I am quite raw, I realized how much I used to love it! I will also start knitting soon (depending on when the transport ban is lifted and amazon can deliver my knitting needles and yarn).

Something that I have also enjoyed doing these past couple of days is keeping my blog updated. I try to keep it balanced by putting stuff that can cater to a varied  audience. I know I do write a lot about my Christian faith, but that’s who I am at the core, so you will see a flavor of it in probably all my posts.

However, it does not mean I am boring and don’t do fun stuff. I do keep up with what is going on in the world;) Talking about keeping up, I love late night talks shows and one that I follow regularly is the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.  Because of  the lock down he has been doing mini versions of his talk show from home and I love how he has gotten his entire family involved:) 

I thought I would end the week and the post with one of his recent episodes on The Tonight Show : At Home Edition (Niall Horan)  Enjoy and have a blessed weekend!

 

Memories

I was looking through my photos on my phone today and found these fun pics from 2018. I am really missing my colleagues from work 😭

Traditionally dressed-almost😏

We were happy to have a chill day at work:)

The only time of the year I wear a saree😝

Lockdown Mode

Everyone I talk to now a days are telling me how hard it is to stay at home during due to the corona outbreak. It’s been over a week since I stepped out of the house. I do miss going to work and meeting people and sadly everything virtual has become the new normal.

First of the many days I spent on my bed in 2019

Even as I was evaluating my own situation and trying not to give in to complaining and grumbling, I remembered my condition last year in March 2019. This was the week I had come back home from my knee surgery. My room was going to be my world for a long time.

The reason I don’t find it very difficult to stay indoors now is because I had already done it under much severe circumstances. Today I can walk around, exercise, cook and even go down in my apartment if I want to. Last year even if I wanted to do these things I could not as I could barely stand the first 15 days and I was in constant physical pain with sleepless nights.

My house arrest lasted for 2 months with only doctors visits being an approved outing. I think most of us are in a better state today. So while our government officials are trying to help reduce the spread of the virus, let’s make it easier by staying at home and thinking of those that are vulnerable to the flu, so that we can curb the spread of the virus.

Be of Good Cheer

Taken from daily devotional of Charles H Spurgeon (Revised and updated by Tim Chester)

“ Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.” Nahum 1:12

There is a limit to affliction. God sends it and removes it. Do you sigh and say, “When will it end?” Remember that our suffering will surely and finally end when this poor earthly life is over. Let us quietly wait and patiently endure the will of the Lord until it comes.

Meanwhile, our Father in heaven takes away the rod of discipline when his design in using it is fully served. When he has whipped away our folly, there will be no more blows. Or, if the affliction is sent to test us that our graces may glorify God, it will end when the Lord has made us bear witness to his praise. We would not wish the affliction to depart until God has gotten out of us all the honour which we can possibly yield to him.

There may be today a great calm. Who knows how soon those raging ways will give way to a sea of glass ( Rev 15:2), and the seabirds sit on the gentle waves? After a period of threshing, the flail is hung up and the wheat rests in the barn. Before long we may be just as happy as now we are sorrowful. It is not hard for the Lord to turn night into day. He that sends the clouds can easily clear the skies. So let us be of good cheer. Better days are ahead. Let us sing “Hallelujah” in anticipation.

Trusting the Sovereign God

We all know about the sovereignty of God. But how much do we trust His sovereign ways? I have been doing a sermon series in Job by Austin Duncan from the Crossroads Ministry at Grace Community Church. Chapters 22-24 hit really hard and it was also a period in my life where I was struggling to trust in His Sovereignty.

Below are some of the main points and the link to the sermon if you wish to hear it.

Overview:

The Bible never attempts to prove that God Is. The Bible just confirms it.

Every bit of theology is practical.

What we believe of God will be displayed in our life.

Theology means the study of God

Understand who God is and what He is doing.

Theology is for doxology and devotion.

Three theological lessons we can learn from these passages:

1. Resist the temptation to explain everything

There will be times in your life that you won’t be able to explain everything. Be content to be lacking in understanding the situation, especially in sufferings. It matters to God if you are hurting and he cares for you (Ephesians 3:18-19)

2. Trust God in Hope

Job 23:8-10; Proverbs 20:24; 3:5. Job does not know what God is doing but He trusts in the theology of the fact that God knows what He is doing. The biggest temptation while we are suffering is trying to figure out things on our own. We can’t understand all of it but we have the capacity to trust Him!

3. We must embrace God’s sovereignty

We as human beings have a high view of ourselves. God does not need to ask our permission when He puts us in a trial. God is absolutely Sovereign. If we were given reigns to control our situation, we would be utterly miserable!

I hope the summary has helped you understand few of the important things we need to keep in mind when we are going through sufferings.It is good to prepare our minds during normal days, so that our mind is better equipped during a trial.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Ancient of Days

Things right now seem to be pretty chaotic everywhere, be it the corona virus outbreak, the plummeting stock markets or the general panic. Even though it may seem that everything is out of control, in reality it is not. According to God, everything is going as planned. There are no surprises for Him.

I have been listening to City Alight and one of the songs that seemed appropriate is the one below. Hope you are encouraged and reassured.

(video link in the title)
Ancient of Days
Though the nations rage, kingdoms rise and fall
There is still one King reigning over all
So I will not fear for this truth remains:
That my God is, the Ancient of Days

None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days

Though the dread of night overwhelms my soul
He is here with me, I am not alone
O His love is sure, and He knows my name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days

None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days

Though I may not see what the future brings
I will watch and wait for the Saviour King
Then my joy complete standing face to face
In the presence of the Ancient of Days

None above Him, none before Him
All of time in His hands
For His throne it shall remain and ever stand
All the power, all the glory
I will trust in His name
For my God is, the Ancient of Days
For my God is, the Ancient of Days

Proverbs 28:13

Photo: Together For the Gospel

Coffee on a cold morning

Was going through some photos on my phone and found this one.. it was a cold cold morning in Paris and this coffee came at just the right time. Thankful for all the good memories from my travel 🙂

Have A Blessed Sunday

Photo: Challies