GOD (Yahweh) our Refuge

When a person is looking for comfort and solace, Christians (Including me) easily flip the pages of our bible to the following words, ‘The eternal God is your refuge’, and ‘God is our refuge and strength.’ One of the greatest song writers of the bible times, King David, the Psalmist said: ‘God is my refuge and my fortress’. I hope the psalmist meant what he said, because they are profound words from a man of such stature.

David was the King of Israel, and can you image what this King lacked to make such a statement. To my understanding, a King in himself is a refuge and a fortress to the people of his kingdom. However, David says, God is my refuge! I am astounded.
With this as an Introduction, I would like to share an experience which is true and which has challenged and made me think. Names are changed for confidentiality purpose.

Salem and his family - loving wife and a teenage son are from Iran. They are from a nation which is governed by strong Islamic law. The Islamic law is very stringent in Iran, and there is no margin for error, especially when it comes to religious Issues. Salem is from a middle class family, where he and his family share a rich family heritage. Their family members are pious believers of the Islamic faith.

Salem decided to pursue his graduate studies and he comes to Delhi, the capital of India. After his arrival, it took sometime for the family to settle down. Salem enrolls himself for a commerce program in the Delhi University, his son Husain enrolls for tenth grade in a nearby local school. Salem’s wife Nafisa is coping with the new environment and managing the house. Back home in Iran, the family members where happy about the progress of Salem and his family. There was constant support from home.

When everything was going on well, an incident took place that changed the entire course of the three. Through a local minister, Salem heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and response to the gospel without looking at the consequences. In due course of time Salem’s faith grew stronger day by day. He fell in love with Jesus. Salem shared this overflowing joy to Nafisa and Husain; they also put their trust in Jesus Christ. The Salems started their faith journey by praying and reading the Word of God, and they cherished every moment, life in Jesus.

One day Salem realized his roots, and looked back. He shared this experience and joy to his family member back home in Iran. But there was a negative response. The situation in Iran is, if a person converts to other faith from Islam, he is liable for capital punishment. Being a Islamic law driven state, the government supports the same. Salem was sure that, the moment we land in Iran, we would be sentenced to death.

I (Emmi) was wondering, if Salem had taken a wrong decision by accepting Christ, without looking at the consequences! I wonder in what mindset did, Salem accept Christ? Did Salem realize the future consequences that he and his family would face? Well, after my discussion with The Salems, I was wrong! They were sure in their decision and never was there a second thought. (I am challenged. Can you and I be bold enough to take a stand like The Salems?)

Salem has finished his course, and Husain is also finishing his schooling. But what next for The Salems? They cannot go back home as death awaits them in Iran. He cannot be in India, as he is not permitted to be a resident of India. Where will they go? What is the future of the trio, for accepting Christ? The Salems have requested the Government of India for ‘Refugee Status’ in India.

Look at plight of the Salems for making one crucial decision in their life. Which is the most important of all? I’m imagining what should be running in Salem’s mind: is this the reward I and my family get for accepting Jesus Christ? Me, having everything in life back home; I am living under the mercy of someone. What a plight!
I have noticed that The Salems have never given up in following Jesus, in spite of what they are going through. The trio boldly testifies that Our God (Yahweh) is our Refuge. Many a times we (including me) sing, read, and profess, ‘GOD is our Refuge’, just because the situation demands it. Are there similar situations such as what the Salems are going through? Do we still profess ‘GOD is our Refuge?’

GOD IS MY REFUGE AND STRENGTH!

Everyone has got a story to tell

Everyone has got a story to tell
Everyone is so special to themselves.
How can you judge someone by their appearance
Without talking or knowing them?,
How can you come to a conclusion?
Everyone is so dear to themselves.

They don’t go through what you go through,
Neither do you go through what they go through.
Just listen to them, talk to them,
Spend time with them
Cos everybody has got a story to share/tell.

I really admire people, who have strong ambitions in life,
Though money is pulling them down,
But still fighting and pressing on.

How does this work? God, are you looking at each and everyone?
I so amazed and standing in awe - I ponder:
Is God really taking care of each and everyone of us?

Is there still Love in this world?
Even poor families,
when they lose their loved ones they cry.
Poor people also cherish relationships.
They also do have feelings

GOD (YHWH) vs. Money

When I think about this statement, GOD vs. Money it shred my body. Money, a strong competitor for GOD! How dare? I remember in one of my leadership classes, the resource person quoted, “When Jesus said, ’Repent‘ what does it imply; repent from what?” Many said, “Repent from sin”. But He said, “Repent from your love for money”. I really did not agree and understand the deep and profound thought that was laid before. Later did I realize what he quoted was so profound.
I am known for procrastination, the latest is in writing this article. I drafted this article more than a month ago. But, as I am having a special trait of postponing things, here at last I pen this down. Whenever I think of the word ‘Procrastination’, I am always reminded of my college mate, Guru. He once mentioned, “Never Procrastinate”, which always rings in my mind.
Before writing this article, I went out to my balcony and saw a pigeon’s nest. The pigeons do not have a storing unit. On the other side, Crows are peaking on the food offered by my neighbours. Jesus said, “Do not worry” and gives a wonderful analogy about birds, flowers and King Solomon in Matthew 6: 25 – 34. To conclude He says “Seek he first the kingdom……..all these things will be given to you as well”.
I was wondering, how Jesus could make such a statement. I (we) live in a fast paced life with so many commitments like family, relationship, career, money, studies, job, marriage, success, fame, failure, desires and what not! Did Jesus knowing all this, did he say, “Do not worry”? After my little experience in Delhi I can boldly say, “YES”. In spite after seeing and experiencing all this, Jesus said “Do not worry”. Strange ah! I am awestruck after my Delhi experience.

I would like to draw a relationship with the verse “the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few”. In Delhi I had wonderful bible studies. There was a lot of sharing and discussion. In the end a major concern and prayer point would be - please pray for Delhi, as there are more than 1 million college students and we only have 1 full time staff, with 2 associate staff. There is an inappropriate ratio between staff and the number of students.
The person who prays would refer to the verse ‘laborers are few... harvest is plenty’. I would challenge each and everyone, why not be available for GOD - Evangelistic Ministry for at least two years? If everyone takes turns, then there would be enough staff for His mission. I know it would cost you a lot. Are you worried about your spouse, children, their education, food, clothing, shelter and are you worried that the pleasures that you are enjoying so far would all crumble down? So, don’t you trust GOD? Yes, don’t you trust GOD? We all say that HIS word is the truth, and what He said will come to pass. Then why not give a try and trust him? According to what I have experienced, the GOD who called me is faithful till date. I did not lack anything. In fact, I have enough to bless others.

Who are the poor? I don’t want to give a definition and label them. People on the street are one such group. I am always amazed about their survival, though they don’t have as much as those people who live in houses and apartments have or earn. Then how do they survive? Well let me answer, Matthew Chapter 6 does work here. God provides. Because they don’t have anything, they will gladly accept whatever comes their way. In Delhi the poor can easily survive over here, everyday, people distribute food to everyone irrespective of class, creed or caste. We (Those who have) are so fussy about water, we, generally prefer mineral or purified water, but, the poor are not bothered. Water from any source is water for them. They sleep wherever they find place; if they are chased away they is always another place. I really wonder why Jesus always referred and mentioned about the poor? Did He like them more than the rich? Was He more concerned about the poor than the rich?

My friends’ claim that because I am supported by my family, I am thinking about GOD, mission and ministry. Imagine, if you were to support your family, would you not be thinking of how to make more money for the family. They say, “Emmanuel I can think about GOD because He will help me financially. Emmanuel, how would you respond if you were in my state?” I was shocked, because reality is hard and raw. I am not sure, what my response would be. May be I would think of GOD as a monetary source. Money, a strong strong competitor to GOD - I can’t comprehend.

Being an Orphan

In this write up, I would like to focus on two issues; being an orphan and social work. Priya is an inmate of a Girls Home for the past eight years. To give a brief background about her and her family, her mother passed away and her dad married another woman. The pressure from her step mother forced Priya to be out of her home. Let me make it clear from the beginning that I do not like the terms “Orphanage” and “Orphans”. The former, I would refer to as “Children’s home” or “Institutional Care” and the latter - no one is an orphan in this world; they can be referred to as “Single child parent” or something else. Not sure! But, never call them orphans.
I would like to tell you a true incident which disturbed me in the recent past. The people involved in this were very close to my heart. As mentioned earlier, Priya was an inmate of a Girls Home along with other inmates (should be thirty in number). As usual, when they finish their final exams, they are all set to go and be with their relatives or guardians to enjoy the summer vacation, During this time the Home is given a break and so are the staffs. Either the inmate’s relatives or guardians would take them. In no time the home is empty.
This summer, Priya’s father was not able to come to take her home. This caused great tension to the director. The question popped up the director’s mind. “Since the entire home is deserted, where will Priya stay till her father comes?” Staffs have also left for vacation. The director requested local staff and a well wisher to accommodate Priya for a short period, but no one was interested or willing. They clearly communicated that it’s not possible. My question was why not priya be accommodated in the director’s house, if it was only for a few days. No one was willing to accommodated Priya. Just imagine if Priya hears all the comments about her. If I were her (though I cannot and never wanted to be a girl!), I would not burden them, but run away to help myself. Few comments made about Priya were - she was not clean, no place to accommodate her, she stinks, etc. In fact the cause for the delay of her father’s arrival was that he is forced not to keep Priya in his house. Where will Priya go? It is the worst feeling to know that there is no one to care for you. Though they say outwardly that they care for you and that they love you! “I love you, but not at my cost”.
At this juncture, I would ask, now where has social work gone? Or where did the philosophy of love for neighbors disappear? What happened to the so called social work for the society? Is loving another person based on the comfort of a person? True love costs one’s own life and comforts. Social work should not be a good business deal with all comforts. But I feel it’s spreading like wild fire.
In another incident, I was discussing with a staff of a Christian Social work Organization. He was clear in what he was doing. He said, “Emmanuel I am not here to do true social work. The reason I am sticking on to this job for a long time is because I am paid well and my family is safe and secure. It is for the money that I am working and not for true social transformation.” I really admire and respect the person who made such a bold statement. Unlike others who say, “We are into social transformation, dedicating our lives”. But that is not the truth. I love this quote

-“You can give without loving a person,
But, you cannot love, without giving a person”

The term ‘giving’, we got it all wrong. ‘Giving’ not only means giving your money, it can be your valuable time (I would respect a person, who spends his/her valuable time with me), or if you’ve got a car, just helping others with transport, or anything which would be a blessing to others.

LOVE... JUST LOVE!!!

To Think = Power

I thank God for the time I was in Delhi. People around me made me to think. At last in Delhi, I have given my long dormant brain some serious work. This journey of thinking will not stop till I’ve breathed my last breath!
I have been watching a lot of documentary films and reading a lot of books of famous thinkers and philosophers. One thing that really strikes me is that a majority of them are from European Countries. Interestingly many quote from European thinkers. I really wonder why? Are they born with something unique? Is their culture and society accustomed for people to think, not just think but to think and reason it out till the end? If that is the case, I would love my children to be there. (Hmm.. children- that’s a different story). Well, I have started my journey to think. Someone referred to me as a thinker. I was overwhelmed by that comment. I am also scared where my thinking would lead me. People have become mentally ill, have had nervous breakdowns, committed suicides, referred to life as becoming meaningless, detachment from family life and all kinds of psychiatric disorders have been the end result of major thinkers. Well, I would not be surprised to see myself in those lines in future. My latest reading from the book “The Call by O S Guinness” has given me a deep insight to think beyond and still not fall into the above. Let me quote this for you “…. We cannot find God without God. We cannot reach God without God. We cannot satisfy God without God- which is another way of saying that our seeking will always fall short unless God’s Grace initiates the search and unless God’s call draws us to him and completes the search”*.
I always wonder what people are thinking (not about me, but what is running on their mind). Once I did a poll, but no one seemed interested. Well, that does not stop me from thinking or pursuing what I want to do. I wonder about the great thinkers. Just because they had a good family, with three meals on their table, they had an option to think and bring about a change in the society. Had they been from a poor family, yes they would be thinking but not in lines with society and philosophy but “how do I provide food for my family”. Sorry to be very harsh on the rich, but this seems convincing. So, are the well to do the only class to think? It’s a chain process. If s/he is from a well to do family, the thinking enables him/her to pursue higher studies and would make use of all his experience to see a desired change. After reading my article, if I am wrong, please write to me so that I can broaden my understanding. Because, I would not have thought in the lines that you are thinking. After doing my Divinity studies, I would wish to do a solid course on Psychology because it deals with the mind. In the late years of great thinkers, they are sent to psychologist or psychiatrics for help. One, I would not like to end up there, second, if that is the situation I would like to diagnose myself.
I have a problem with Psychology; I did basics of psychology in my Masters. People say all the results/findings of Psychological analysis are just a probability and nothing is certain. The findings are just a high percentage of possibility, when relating this to human - man/women. I would say man (including women) is a unique being. None can predict him/her. Then how does this scientific study help man resolve his issues in life. Well I am not sure. But still, I would like to give a try and study. As for now I would think think think and get back to you.

* The Call, Guinness. O S, Pg 13 &14

Mystery of Music

I thank God for music. What is music? Any sound which is pleasant to the ear. King David was a great musician. I heard that Satan can do a seven part solo harmony, which is something unique! I thank God for the good music sense that he has given me. Of late I have been trying to analyze music in various spheres. When my ears hear the sweet sound of music, my body gets ready to sway to the music.
Well, here is my analysis. Initially being a drummer, I tried to concentrate on the rhythm section to find out everything about the rhythm. They are so many things to notice in a rhythm section. (*A note - I forgot the right term - to concentrate on a particular instrument or track when a song is played, is it psychedelic, psychoanalysis hmm.. not sure, will get back.)
Talking about rhythm section you have hi-hats or the highs, kick drum pattern, the tone of the snare (which I’m very particular about. It has to be the right snare tone) the type of rolls/breaks- called fill in, the off beats, riding on the cymbals and stuff. This is just for the rhythm section. They are loads of things to analyze. There is the bass pattern, pads, guitar patterns, keyboard section and above all lyrics to make you think! So, how does one analyze? Well, I do it my way. First I analyze the lyrics to understand the song and situation, if I like the song. Then it’s goes to my player for a clear analysis for not less than eight weeks or more.
Of late I have been excited about string instruments, especially the bass guitar. Oh boy! I love the bass patterns, the groovy stuff. I learnt that a good bass groovy will lock with the kick drum pattern and vice versa, the runs during the intervals are very interesting.
Now let’s talk about a few artists. Harris Jayaraj is a music director from South India. His work is very much appreciated. His secret - make simple music that is pleasing to the ear. His music is more to feel than to hear or listen. Unlike others whose music is very crowded, Harris ensures that his music has smooth pads played over a funky groove, which is his trademark. Illayaraja is known as the maestro of music. I wondered during my early days why he is called the Indian Mozart. Later on, after hearing his compositions, I concluded “Indeed, he is a true genius and a maestro.” With the little technology in the yesteryears he has orchestrated classic master pieces. Just imagine if he were of this era, no one could beat him.
When listening to music, I prefer listening to studio recordings, than live recordings. If it is a studio song, I can analyze every bit of the composition. Many a times I take my ears for granted. If I did not have….hmmm… not sure about my response. I am not sure about how you listen to music. Is it just hearing some sweet noise or giving your brain some work!

Observation by a friend of mine: "Noise is anything unpleasant to the ear. I’m wondering how you can say “sweet noise”... Do you like to comment!

Knowledge is Power

I penned this down, when I was in a group interacting with an elite couple who where into social reformation or transformation through print media and stuff (whatever you want to call it - those big words). So, this thought quickly came to my mind – Knowledge = power? Whoopa! I found this only after coming to Delhi. If you’ve got knowledge about a particular subject, then you’ve mastered it. So, people will listen to you because you’ve got knowledge!
How does one gain knowledge? Knowledge in what sense? Is it formal or informal? Institutional education or life experiences i.e., the understanding of things in life as you experience life, is this also knowledge? Can knowledge be gained only in institutions? Is it not found in the market place? I have found people and children in the market place to be more knowledgeable than school/college going students.
The Rich, relatively, have a higher degree of knowledge. I guess it’s because they have money to go to good posh schools where they have better facilities and are given more exposure to things in life. Now, what about the poor? How does a poor person gain this knowledge? Who tells him that unless he goes to school, he will not get education? It is a vicious cycle, which I have come across many times. Parents are poor and not educated, so, they also do not force their kids to go to school. They are not bothered or worried if their kids are not in school in the morning. They are just worried about how to get the next meal for the family. There not to be blamed because they are not aware of the seriousness about education or acquiring knowledge.
I totally respect the elite couple who took the time to come and share. I was wondering, “Just because they have wide and deep knowledge on something, the entire group was glued to them. Otherwise, who would listen to them? If I bring a poor couple or an individual who has not had an education, but has knowledge about a particular subject, would you listen carefully?
So, I was wondering - if one makes people think, can we see a difference or a change in the society?