Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter and me!

Jesus

John the Baptist was imprisoned and later his head got cut off and offered on a plate to the power of one who held the reigns of power by his own step-daughter from a woman who was offended by John’s words of admonition.

Jesus, you knew. You were dear to John, known him since long and were related to him as were from your mother’s side. Yet you said nothing and did nothing to intervene. You went off to be to yourself as if it were only to be sorted out with God alone. In deepest struggles and grief, alone with God and you came away victorious.

The multitude followed you wherever you go and practically ate all what you said. They forgot food and also their hunger. Yet you also knew when they are physically tired and hungry and need to eat. You provided from your ‘community kitchen’ – out of love and sharing of what they have plus the grace and power of God, they have their hunger filled with lots to spare (perhaps to spare for other who are also hungry!). Then you withdrew and made time to be alone – alone with God. Alone perhaps to debrief with God and to spend quality time in close fellowship.

You managed the crowd while your disciples were sent on their way. What a lingering moment each of them would have, the second look they would have as you bade them to go home and go on with life once more. Many would have returned home blessed and with a new perspective and hope and life.

Then again you were alone with God. Then the storm and the rising tide came and the disciples’ sheep was tossed about and them driven to despair. Then you hastily speeded to come to the aid of your disciples – walking on the raging sea. Lord! Peter also wanted to water-walk and you simply said ‘Yes, come on’. Storm, despair, your quick appearance, riding the waves and walking on the troubled sea, showing us we too can walk over the trouble seas, and be witnesses of your power and hold over the raging seas. Your disciples worshipped you. We will worship you as we recognize at your divinity. That alone is worship. O to be like you! May I spend more time alone with you my God – after eventful events may I withdraw to reflect and absorb all you have to say in life’s circumstances – as if it were to evolve the write the conclusions with you in the tables of my heart.

Love you Jesus

“ALL IS NOT LOST YET”

Singing and praising was what Paul and Silas did in Philippi jail

No one could stop them even with chains or prison walls,

Their singing and praying did carry their hearts to God

I guess people couldn't stop listening to this strange happening,

Not one of crying but one of praying to One unseen

The Spirit came down as on Pentecost,

Breaking right through the prison walls

It also did break through walls of another kind

And made the prisoners more concerned with safety of another kind

That of the souls rather than that of the bodies

So they remained there even after they were unbound,

Desiring to know what's all about that’s happening there

The prison keeper whose fear was of losing his job

With which I believe he supported his loved ones

Might be a fear of losing face and dear life too

He was out there trying end it all in his own way

Only to be assured by Paul that ‘all was not lost yet’

Don’t give up hope; we are all still here

And we would not let you lose your dear life.

His last desperate cry was a plea to know

What must he do for his safety and for his family?

The prisoners heard the agonizing plea

It made them ask: ‘OK, what about my safety too’

And not just mine but of my family too

You may also feel today that all is lost

And there is no point in living more

You thought you only live to face disgrace and shame

There's still a hope and that the message

There is One who care for such as you through the darkest nights

Even when you think you’re at your wits’ end the journey’s end

There is a message from Paul and Silas from the deepest and darkest prison cell

That would exactly meet your very need

And all it says is "ALL IS NOT LOST YET".

Meditations on ACTS16B May 1^st 2005 Morning

life changes..

Life changes everyday

Today never hands us the same thing twice

But for everyone else life is a mixture of problems too

Our struggles are worthwhile because

It brings us closer to God

ML 25/04/05

Following Vision

David's vision

David's plan deferred

The vision passed on

Solomon caught the vision

Solomon's plan materialized

Detail plan -architecture -lengths, breadths, heights and all that

Details are boring but most essential

Details will work with systems in place

Systems are boring but are critical

Upon the systems you need hands-on experts

People who know how the end would look like

And also know how to proceed step by step towards the finale.

LK 25/5/05 Dwarka DDA VI/I/144