I WANT TO BE POOH

It occurred to Pooh 🐻 and Piglet 🐷 that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats 🎩 and coats 🧥 and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood🌲 to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.
"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh. 
"Hello Pooh. 🐻 Hello Piglet 🐷" said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice 
"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."
Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. 
Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now."
Pooh looked and Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.
Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"
"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are." 💜💚
"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better. 🥰
Because Pooh and Piglet were There.
No more; no less.
A.A.Milne
E.H.Shepard

*This is not my own story, I read it online and posted it here since I loved it

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SPREAD LOVE

Thoughts:

Our family encountered a person couple of months ago. I always felt very sad looking at him because he looked very pavam-types (you know what I'm tying to say, the south-Indian slang :P). He seemed a bit weird at times. So we were wondering what made him the way he is. Recently, while speaking to mom he shared his life story. It-seems he was a school drop out and he could not read because of dyslexia. No one gave him a job and he had to go through so much of hardship all his life. I was moved with compassion. Something within me told him I should help this person is any small possible way. All of us are going through some inner struggle. If everyone knew everyone's story, we would never judge anyone. Today, I released there isn't anyone you couldn't learn to love once you've heard their story.

Verse:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

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WHY I BLOG

When I was 9, I cried in a bathroom because my relatives told that I was dark and my sister was fair. So I was insecure about my skin color.

At 12, I hid under the cot since I had a big nose. So I wouldn't like to meet the guests at who came home.

At 14, I cringed when we had to take class photos during school picnic because I was short and thought I was ugly. So I hid my picture.

At 20, I cried when that boy broke my heart because he met a prettier girl. So I felt nobody would ever like me and I would never get married.

At 22, I when everyone had their ministry, I was depressed that I couldn't preach or sing like my dad or sister did.

At 24, I realized that I had spent the first two decades of my life believing the lie that I needed to be perfect. Clean, crisp and poised. So I did all I could to hide my messes. My insecurities. My doubt. My discouragement.

But the truth is that I always felt out of place. I felt too messy and awkward and ugly.

And that's half the reason why my blog has messy and unusual stories. But the truth is that it's a sanctuary for me, where I can pour out my heart before God. A place where I can drop the filters and be the sad little girl that hid in a bathroom. Except there's no hiding under the cot, no comparison, no judgment, no holding back. It's me, my heart poured out in every color, scratch, and squiggle. Because I had found comfort and confidence in one place alone - at Jesus' feet. And today, it's still the only place I'm free to drop the filters, to feel imperfect and ugly without wanting to hide, and free to be messy with a God who adores every ounce of me. And my out-pour on the page is out of my own experiences. It is to encourage you that there is hope in Christ alone.

God has turned my mess into a message. It's true for you, too. So if you're feeling fat, short or ugly or heartbroken or discouraged or messed up: that's okay. There is HOPE!

Your greatest testimony is that you went through fire but you don't smell like smoke!

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SUN STAND STILL

It’s a beautiful sunny morning. I just got to work and to my surprise the house-keeping lady got me a big piece of water melon. It was so refreshing. Isn’t it a nice morning surprise?  Well, summer is finally here! Yaay!

I was inspired this morning to keep believing in big miracles, those things that are totally impossible in our own strength. I was reading from the book of Joshua chapter 9 and 10. This has been one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I'm always astonished of how Joshua could stop the sun. Can you believe someone could actually say “O SUN, STAND STILL”? And it happened! The sun actually stood still and delayed going down about a full day! WOW! Also I heard that it's proved historically that the sun stood still during the time of Joshua. I'm actually tempted to stop the sun :P nah, just kidding!

How bold was Joshua? All though the Gibeonites and Joshua had made a mistake God was still with them and they won the battle. God is the same today. Our dreams and visions need to be big and bold. If our need is too big for us to handle, it’s just the right size for God. We serve a big God. We need “sun stand still” miracles. We need faith to move on and trust God without wavering. Even when we have made mistakes God is gracious and helps us win the battles.

Nature is waking up to spring and summer. I’m encouraged by summer and by the story about Joshua, and I hope you will be encouraged, too. God has a “sun stand still” miracle for you and me, whatever we need, but we have to ask for it!

Say hello to summer!!!

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LIL TEA SHOP

The alarm rang..It was still dark outside; a cold winter morning! I had been in bed for the past two days. I had barely recovered from my sickness. I had to go force myself to go to work. I had no leaves left. I had no choice since I was handling a high priority project. There was no turning back. I took some time to prepare food for my husband. I sent him off to work by 6 a.m. I was too tired. My body was still sick. I could hardly breathe. I had to catch the bus at 6:30 a.m. I rushed and got dressed. I had no time to have breakfast or sip a cup of coffee. I was still drowsy from the last nights medication. I left home to catch the bus. I was in such a hurry. It was getting late. I couldn't walk fast. My throat was too dry. I wanted water. I then remembered the verse "As the deer panth for the waters so my soul longs after you". I was like a deer. My feet was failing. There were no shops open. I was desperately in need of something to drink. There used to be a lil tea shop on the way. But normally it is closed in the morning. I somehow dragged myself for few steps. To my surprised the lil tea shop which normally used to be closed was open. The shop keeper was selling tea. I was super happy. The cup of tea literally saved my life. After I had tea I recovered. I felt it was God who made that shop keeper to keep his shop opened only for me. God is so good. He even takes care of lil things like "Grace needs a cup of tea". :P

The next day I saw the shop closed, I took a picture of it. Every time I see this lil shop, it reminds me of this incident.

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TIME

GOD - WHEN is MY TIME?

WHY is it that everyone else is getting married?

WHY can't I find a stable relationship?

WHY is everyone else having babies?

WHY aren't things working out for me?

WHY am I not happy?

Ever had those thoughts? I  have! I have had frustrating moments in the past. All I can say is that the more I pondered on it the more it took away my joy.

I love Ecclesiastes 3:8- It says that THERE is a time for EVERYTHING under the sun. So  there's a TIME for – “YOUR TIME” .You cannot make that "TIME" come any faster by complaining, murmuring, being mad at God, your mom, dad, boss or whoever you're placing the blame on for not having what you think you need.

I had given up on finding a husband. I really had. I had reached my saturation point. No more relationships, no more heartbreaks, no more tears. My “TIME” on earth was running very fast. I was getting old and frustrated. I told my parents I am not going to get married. I told God that I give up. At that point of hopelessness, God intervened. Solomon came into my life. I first saw him at a concert; it was a singing competition happening at my work place. There was loud cheering from the crowd. There he was on the stage rapping Eminem’s “Mocking bird” and “When you’re gone”. I was right at the back, cheering along with my friends. At the end of the competition the judges announced, the runners up of the competition goes to “Solomon Xavier”, there he walked and picked up the trophy. Later after few months I saw him performing at another concert. I must admit that I thought he was awesome :)

Solomon performing at a concert

Few weeks later a common friend of ours introduced us to each other. At work, Solomon was this famous singer and I was this girl who played guitar for Christmas carols. So we kind of clicked off well from the beginning. We spoke about school, college, family, friends, music, food, and of course about relationship. Something about each other attracted us to become much more than friends. He took care of me the way my dad did. He was quick to forgive. He came to church with me. We laughed; we sang; we talked; we both knew we liked each other. One evening, we were at a Coffee Café when he asked me if I could marry him. I gladly said, yes. The rush of happiness exploded within me. But yea, it was impossible for us to get together because of so many facts and differences. I asked God if he was the one, if he wasn't I told God to take him away from my life. We fasted, prayed and together were seeking for God’s will and for our parent’s approval. It was a long “TIME” of waiting. I could see God molding us and teaching us lot of patience. It was during that “TIME” when I actually understood of the verse, “Love is patient”. The season of silence from God was the toughest phase. What kept me hanging on was Solomon’s faith and perseverance in marrying me. He encouraged me through all my valley experience when he was going through a season of storm himself. But I lost hope again. I almost gave up. I told God to cancel this wedding if it was not His will. At that point of hopelessness, God intervened. When it was finally “GOD’S TIME” everything just fell in place. Our wedding was fixed by our parents in a miraculous way. We cried with happiness. It was “OUR TIME”. We couldn’t believe what God had done for us.

Ethnic day at work

I learnt that when I give up my on my own strength and rely on God’s strength, He steps in and works wonders. He makes all things beautiful in “HIS TIME”. So get ready for “YOUR TIME”!

And they lived happily ever after...

Post wedding shoot

At the Twin Towers, KL

My sunshine

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CAN BONES LIVE?

May be this morning you are feeling as dry as the bones, saying "My hope is gone; there is nothing left for me on this earth". But God Almighty says, "I will breathe my life into you and you will live. Your best days are ahead of you." God is not done with you yet!

Be encouraged by reading Ezekiel 37: 1 - 14 of how the bones came alive. (Sounds kinda creepy) :P

1-2 God grabbed me. God’s Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them—a lot of bones! There were bones all over the plain—dry bones, bleached by the sun.
3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Master God, only you know that.”
4 He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones: ‘Dry bones, listen to the Message of God!’”
5-6 God, the Master, told the dry bones, “Watch this: I’m bringing the breath of life to you and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive and you’ll realize that I am God!”
7-8 I prophesied just as I’d been commanded. As I prophesied, there was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came together, bone to bone. I kept watching. Sinews formed, then muscles on the bones, then skin stretched over them. But they had no breath in them.
9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, ‘God, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!’”
10 So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army.
11 Then God said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen to what they’re saying: ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s nothing left of us.’
12-14 “Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, ‘God, the Master, says: I’ll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I’ll take you straight to the land of Israel. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you’ll realize that I am God. I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I am God. I’ve said it and I’ll do it. God’s Decree.’”

God can make your bones(dry life) ALIVE(fruitful)!

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DENMARK AND DANES

This is the write up about my thoughts about Denmark and the Danes which was sent to the channels team:

The long awaited dream to visit Denmark came true when I got the opportunity to work along with my Danish colleagues in Aarhus. Pleasant summer was very welcoming and I was delighted to see lush greenery everywhere. Since my apartment was right at the heart of the city it was an added advantage to explore around the city after work. If I could refresh my memories from Denmark I can see myself on the “walking street” picking up several Danish products. I couldn't help but admire the fashion and style sense of the Danes on my frequent shopping spree. I would say that Danish street fashion really rocks! Also the order in following rules of Danes really impressed me, be it in traffic or queues at the shopping malls or punching clip card on the bus. Working at Braband was a new experience with lots to learn and explore. It was indeed very knowledgeable with respect to technological learning from my wonderful Danish colleagues. I was amazed how productive and diligent each of them were with related with short working hours. I would definitely take back with me the responsibility and honesty each Danes has in their genes. Visiting Denmark would indeed be a refreshing chapter in the story of my life :)

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FUSE OF FAITH

I saw three men standing in a straight line

Jesus walked past them, He looked so divine;

He stood by the first man and gave him a hug

The man began to glow and to Jesus he snug

Jesus moved ahead and touched the second man

He also began to glow with the same span

Jesus moved ahead and looked at the third one

Like the other two men he also glew and shone

I saw the three men glow and shine so bright

And wondered what Jesus did was even right

I went to Jesus and said "Lord, this isn't fair;

You hugged one, touched another to make them glare

The third one looked like You didn’t even care."

He smiled and told me the reason He would share

The faith of the first man was so very weak

My hug he needed because I knew he was a bleak

The faith of the second one was not very dark

My gentle touch he needed to glow as a spark

The faith of the third one was so very great

Just a look of mine would make him radiate

I marveled at the answer of my Lord, it was so fine

He said, I know exactly the need of each child of mine

As I opened my eyes and looked out at the sunbeam

Soon I realized that God had spoken to me in my dream

Faith is like a fuse, without which there is no power

Trust God with all your heart, He’s the abundant life giver

- Real life dream by EVG. RAMBABU

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If Jesus came to your house

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two. …
If He came unexpectedly. I wonder what you’d do.
Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room to such an honored guest.
And all the food you’d serve to Him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you’re glad to have Him there. …
But. … when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door.
With arms outstretched in welcome to our heav’nly visitor?
Or would you maybe change your clothes before you let Him in,
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn’t heard,
And wish you hadn’t uttered that last, loud and hasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder. … If the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the book you read?
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you’d planned to go,
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends,
Or would you hope they’d stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on,
Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do,
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

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LOGOS HOPE

While sorting through my photos and trying to organize my thoughts, I am reminded of numerous events and several divine connections that remain as fond memories on-board the ship, Logos Hope. Everything from the initial decisions and preparations to the return and wind down has brought with it a flood of emotions and excitement about what God is doing now and what He will do next.

Well, “they” say that a picture is worth 1,000 words… I have over 1,000 pictures which should translate to a million words… minimum! Those of you who have had to endure my picture uploads on facebook know that I have a difficult time “not uploading pictures”. I’ll try to condense my current thoughts into a word picture hoping it will translate for you an accurate analogy of what I experienced onboard.

It was energizing and exciting to  live with 400 crew members from over 45 different nationalities onboard. The common goal of the entire ship's company was to bring knowledge, help and hope to the people of the world. I had the opportunity to hear their stories and it was so encouraging to see God's providence and direction in bringing them to the ship. Many of them onboard have attended the Alpha Course in their respective churches and some were also saved by attending the Alpha Course.

One of the highlights of my trip would definitely be the 15 days of being on land teams during dry-dock in Srilanka. Some of us onboard had this opportunity of serving in a village called Kalladi. The community in the village have been victims of Tsunami and War. The recent flood has not made life easier either. It was moving to see that these people have just one meal a day and have just one mat in their four walled government provided-houses. But one thing that surprised me was that in spite of having nothing at all, they were so content. The joy I saw in their eyes was just amazing. I could see that they trusted God so much and they had their hopes fixed in Christ. That was really encouraging for me because living in big cities we are never content with what God has given us, and we always want more. They were so open to receive us and we could bring the message of hope and demonstrate God's love to people inspite of their circumstance, culture or background.

What makes the ship so unique is the community onboard that reflects God’s love so clearly. Receiving and giving love is what I experienced on the Logos Hope. The opportunity to go and show Christ's love is right where you are. Don’t go looking for it anywhere else. Look for it right where you are. Seize it! Take a step of faith to move forward. Trust God to show you someone today who needs the love of God. God bless you.

Logos Hope in 60 seconds:

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THIS IS UR DAY OF MIRACLES

Here is a small miracle that happened on 11^th Dec 2010. The day which I awaited the most was 11^th Dec 2010. It was a day when our church was celebrating the most awaited Christmas program which I was partially coordinating the entire stuff.

We planned to have it on the open ground in front of the church. The stage was all set up the previous evening. The sound system, the colourful disco lights and everything was ready when it started pouring heavily. It was the highest rainfall that had ever hit Bangalore this year. Oh my gosh! Me and my sister were so disappointed. The guys had to bring the stage down, move the sound equipments, the lights and what not. It was at 2 am in the night, the rain was still pouring.

Myself and my sister were so anxious about the next day and wondering if it was gonna be the same. We quickly went and checked the weather forecast on the internet. And to our disappointment it said Saturday the 11^th of Dec 2010 would have “Thundershowers” (which means very heavy rains). The only prayer I had was, “God in the Bible, Joshua stopped the sun and if you are the same God I want you to stop the rain tomorrow”. I think I nearly prayed that the entire day same prayer over 50 times.

God is a God of miracles. And next day there was not a single drop of rain! God is a God who can change the weather forecast on the internet. He is the same God. Come before him boldly and asking Him for your miracle. Today is your day of your miracle.

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WHEN UPON LIFE'S BILLOWS

This blog writting is by hannah, my dearst friend who is a guest editor of my blog. I reeely loved this one, my eyes were filled with tears and there was a smile on my face when I read this. Thank you so much. Love you, Hannah.

Grace and I went to same college, which was far away from our homes. We stayed in same hostel faced same problems. Right from homesickness to culture shock. We met people who lived lives that were 10 yrs ancient. Life went on we have joy and tears. One thing that we dint realize until late was that when upon life's billows tossed us, we still had something to laugh about, we had something to smile about.

Grace's dad who treated me like a family member was suddenly diagnosed with cancer in the urinary bladder. All of us were upset. We could not believe that a man who lived a much-disciplined life-style could be affected with any health issues. Thankfully, the good Lord opened all the ways and best doctors treated uncle and operated the lump. While uncle was still in bed, many people visited him. Aunty was a very sweet person very nervous and anxious just like any other wife and mother would be. The environment in the hospital was quiet and people came with lot of empathy and there was a lot of seriousness in the air. Aunty was so nervous and told one friend "yes, they removed this lump from his uterus (exists only in women)." Uncle who was in bed could not laugh as it was his urinary bladder that was operated indeed and it would hurt if he added pressure on it by laughing. When uncle was fine enough to talk, he said in a funny tone, "some people have created rumors that I have a uterus."

When grace was conversing about this funny event that occurred in the hospital, I realized that when upon life's billows you are tempest tossed God still sheds a ray of hope and gives you a reason to laugh and smile.

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STORY OF A PENCIL :)

I heard my mom say a story of a Pencil, which I reely loved and it goes like this...

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."
"Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."
"Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
"And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must not give up.

Allow this story on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and loose hope. Become everything God created you to become!

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FAITH OF A LIL GIRL

I read a story of a little child whose father and mother had died, and who was taken into another family. The first night she asked whether she could pray as she used to do. They said: "Oh yes! So she knelt down and prayed as her mother had taught her; and when that was ended, she added a little prayer of her own: "O God, make these people as kind to me as father and mother were." Then she paused and looked up, as if expecting the answer, and then added: "Of course you will." How sweetly simple was that little one's faith! She expected God to answer and "do" and "of course" she got her request, and that is the spirit in which God invites us to approach Him. Is there something that you have been praying for? Can we just step up to that level of faith and trust God?

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BROKEN PIECES INTO BEAUTIFUL PATTERN

I heard something this morning. And I tot it was super cool. So here's wat I heard. Well...Have you ever played with a Kaleidoscope? ... Well, if ya thinking that you have heard that word somewhere, just to brush up your memory, a kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors containing loose, colored objects such as broken glass-bangle pieces, beads and pebbles. The viewer looks in one end and light enters the other end, reflecting off the mirrors. As the tube is rotated, the tumbling of the colored objects presents the viewer with varying colors and beautiful patterns.

Any broken object in the tube shows up as a beautiful design pattern. In the same way, we are like the broken pieces in the kaleidoscope. Some of us are broken and hurt right now. But God takes the broken pieces and puts it together, changes the pattern and we begin to look beautiful just like the design pattern in the kaleidoscope. As light, who is God enters in our life, that’s when we become beautiful and reflect His glory. Isn’t that awesome? :)

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