Thursday, December 08, 2011
Another great hymn to listen to!
From the Squalor of a Borrowed Stable (Immanuel) Lyrics
Stuart Townend
From the squalor of a borrowed stable,
By the spirit and a virgin's faith;
To the anguish and the shame of scandal
Came the Saviour of the human race!
But the skies were filled, with the praise of heav'n,
Shepherds listen as the angels tell
Of the Gift of God, come down to man
At the dawning of Immanuel
King of heaven now the Friend of sinners,
Humble servant in the Father's hands,
Filled with power and the Holy Spirit,
Filled with mercy for the broken man
Yes he walked my road, and He felt my pain,
Joys and sorrows that I know so well;
Yet His righteous steps, give me hope again -
I will follow my Immanuel!
Through the kisses of a friend's betrayal,
He was lifted on a cruel cross;
He was punished for a world's transgressions,
He was suffering to save the lost
He fights for breath, He fights for me
Loosing sinners from the claims of hell;
And with a shout, our souls are free -
Death defeated by Immanuel!
Now He's standing in the place of honour,
Crowned with glory on the highest throne,
Interceding for His own beloved
Till His Father calls us to bring them home!
Then the skies will part, as the trumpet sounds
Hope of heaven or the fear of hell;
But the Bride will run, to her Lover's arms,
Giving glory to Immanuel!
woke up @09:18
Friday, December 02, 2011
Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Hey Guys,
It's December! With december means, christmas time is here! I love the month of December! I think everyone just thinks that we have to be joyful no matter what, so we are all less irritable (thanks to the winter season :P) and more fun! I grew up in a place where it would snow. My family members would put in a tub and push me around, like a sledge!
My dad has his annual star which he hangs on our balcony, mom does the decorations! (I used to help her, but then law school happened, so she decorates without me now)! talking of decorations, christmas, I realize has become very commercialized! every one seems to be capitalizing on decorations, trees, cakes etc! But even in this, try to see the reason for the season in it all: 3 of them as examples:
Star: Mathew ch 2 records for us that the star pointed the magi to Christ and brought them immense joy. Likewise,
1. we should be like stars, shining and pointing people to Christ.
2. Hope that this christmas, we are also filled with joy like the magi.
Angels: Luke records, that angels brought great news to the shepherds and sang praise:
1. This christmas season, hope that we share the good news with Everyone.
2. be reminded of grace, (from what pastor ashok shared at TOT... Fallen angels: no hope, but there is hope for man: amazing grace!), praise God!
Candy Cane:
1. Was used to decorate it as it reminded early european christians of the shepherd's rod. Invert it and it becomes J. J=Jesus. Jesus is our Shepherd. He watches over us.
2. Same family as hyssop: used in OT for purification and sacrifice, hopefully, will remind us of Christ's purity and his sacrifice!
you may or may not agree with me, and may think that i'm over-spiritualizing things, but my point is this: even in the midst of all the christmassy things, don't forget that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!
Gnite y'all! and have a happy season!
woke up @10:54
Friday, November 25, 2011
The Servant King
One of the many songs that makes me think.
Words and Music by Graham Kendrick
From heav’n You came, helpless Babe,
Entered our world, Your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve,
And give Your life that we might live.
Ch:
This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow Him,
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King.
There in the garden of tears,
My heavy load He chose to bear;
His heart with sorrow was torn,
‘Yet not my will but Yours,’ He said.
Come see His hands and His feet,
The scars that speak of sacrifice;
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered.
So let us learn how to serve,
And in our lives enthrone Him;
Each other’s needs to prefer,
For it is Christ we’re serving.
woke up @22:18
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
That The World May Know
This tuesday at our youth group Bible Study, we started watching video series by Ray Vander Laan, (taking a break from the book of John, which we were studying for the past few months) and the video for this tuesday was titled "In the Shadow of Herod". I thought that it was a very powerful video and it served as a great reminder to me about how I ought to live my life.
In the video, Ray Vander Laan talked of two very influential people. The first: King Herod, and the Second: Jesus Christ. We discussed what we learnt from the video and below is just a summary of what really touched me.
1. While one left behind earthly glory and riches untold, the other touched the lives of people. What are you leaving behind?
2. Jesus was not influenced by the influence of Herod: who was a mighty and powerful king. It is comforting to know that no matter how it looks like out there, Jesus Christ is bigger. He is the King. Would you dare to live your life as if God is greater than anything you have faced in your life?
woke up @08:30
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Hymns:
This is one of my favorite hymns by Stuart Townend
just read the words and think about it:
" How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom,
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection!
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom"
woke up @04:15
Everyone has problems, not everyone has faith!- That is the tagline of the movie To Save a Life! It is a good watch... The movie really really struck me.. especially the tagline.
A lot of times, I realize my approach has always been, "Mister God, I have a BIG problem" but yea.. after the movie, I realized that i should change it to "Mr. problem, I have a BIG GOD!"
Eh, no in the movie, it took some time for things to get solved.. the thing is.. it's not that God will raise his magic wand and my life will be problem free..
This is what I trust, know and take comfort in:
The reality:
God will hear my problem. He always does. His timing is perfect so he may take time or not take time to help me out.. but help me out He will! It gives me great strength that he will help me solve my problem, he will help me react better and think rationally. I know this seems like it's all in theory but not in practice..
It's been a tough month for me... different things going on at the same time, but my time with God, that one or two hours that I spend with him everyday makes all the difference! When I read my Bible in the morning, it is my guide, it helps me to remember who I am, and during the day when the going gets tough, I recall what I read and try to act accordingly. Also I belong to a community- the community of God and his people. In the movie, when the leading actor faced trouble, he had friends and advisors from the church. I have them too.. we are not perfect.. we are all flawed, but we serve flawless God.
My community will help me, by praying for me, encouraging me, admonishing me, teaching me and everyway they know how.
So yea life is not easy.. i'll have my share of troubles, heart ache and sorrow.. but I trust in my God to give me the grace to accept it and to carry me through it.. I have a faith which is not futile... My faith defines me. My faith helps me get through my problems. Everyone has problems, but not everyone has faith.
woke up @04:13
Aaaaaaaaaand I'm back!
I know I have been writing as often as I should but then who decides how often I should write right? Well I think a whole year of silence is quite a while!
Haven't really done anything ground breaking recently, just have a lot of thoughts in my head.. This new year 2011, It's just March and so much i've learnt already! I'll post them for you guys to read very soon..
now remember my soon may not be the same as your soon :P
joking...
All i'm writing to say is that i'm back and i will work harder at posting more thoughts!
That's all folks :)
woke up @03:43
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
When life knocks you down onto your knees, remember you are in the perfect position to pray'
When life knocks you down onto your knees, remember you are in the perfect position to pray': If Yahweh has allowed it to happen then He will help me through it.
This past semester has been a difficult semester. We wondered if we'd get through it. It has been a test of faith, and friendship. I think that if we had a time machine and wanted to go back to memorable moments, this past semester is one we would not visit. If we did, only to set things right. I don't know where we stand as friends, whether we will still be as close as we were before or we will drift apart. Things just happened one after the other, i was really unsure about a lot of things, whether i was right or wrong.. I was at the verge of a breakdown, one particular incident really shook me up. Our exam schedules were changed and we were informed just in time meaning 9 days before the new date, our syllabus was long, few of my friends and i started falling apart. It was tough. There were days when I did not think I'd make it through. I was so scared that I would fall sick and land up in the hospital again and it would definitely not be a good start to my 20th year. When I was going through all this trouble, I kept asking God why all of this was happening until the real truth hit me... and it is this: God is allowing me to go through this, if he is allowing me to go through it, he will help me endure it. I realized then that I hadn't been praying about it to God. I started, and He got me through it. I still have a long way to go, many more things to face and endure, but I know that He will not me to go through more than i can bear.
woke up @23:00
Thursday, July 23, 2009
"Just one Life, it will soon be past, only what has been done for Christ will Last."
woke up @07:02
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
random thoughts
Hmmmm... well I'm back at college now.. with a sprained wrist... headaches etc.. its been just falling ill over the few days.. well doesn't really matter.. i remember last time this year.. we were freshers at college.. so much has changed since then...
nothing remains constant.. you change.. well not completely.. but parts of you... who you thought were your close friends are now distant friends... and people who you never thought you'd become close to have become your friends... you find your long lost best friend after a looooong time and become close with his girlfriend... you grow wiser... old friends who you weren't in touch with for quite a long time.. you find out are always there.. silently... the camaraderie not lost...
still as strong as ever... some people are born and some bid adieu to us... they come quietly into our lives... and leave quietly... leaving a huge void behind... some are born.. bringing great bundles of joy without them. you make mistakes you thought you'd never make... your weakness grows into your strength... there are many changes... from the no. of projects to be submitted to being who you are.. discovering more of yourself.. who you are and who you can trust. Be by my side master. you're the only constant. i have been created in your image. help me to honour you.
woke up @06:42
Monday, April 20, 2009
To Mentos, with love
This is for Mentos , Arafat Rashid: My best friend since childhood... your friend till elephants grow suitcases instead of trunks. Lots of love, Orbit- Zothanpuii Varte (And the poem is in Green.. coz green somehow just reminds me of you. and you were in Condors :D )
To mentos, With Love :)
I was in grade five then
Christmas a few weeks away.
The next day would be our last day at dorms,
Before we went home for our vacations.
If you looked out of the window,
A white Christmas seemed to be far away.
Children outside were playing tag
Or just sitting out in the cold.
Inside it was warm,
Near the fireplace were my roommates
Singing Christmas carols at the top of their voices.
Near the window were the presents,
Carefully wrapped by the “angels” for their “mortals.”
At the centre was my best friend
Playing carom board with the guys.
He looked at me and passed a big smile.
A smile I’ll never forget.
A smile I haven’t forgotten.
Arafat wasn’t very healthy,
So his parents thought that he might do well in England.
He was leaving Woodstock.
He was leaving me.
Then, it hit me real hard
That it was our last Christmas together.
He would never be there to irritate me,
He’d never be there to hang out with me.
He was going away, to a far off place,
To think of it, broke my heart.
Would he still be my best friend?
Would he still be my partner in mischief?
Would he remember me at all?
I was hypnotized with these questions
Ringing loudly in my mind.
Maybe he read it on my face
And that’s when he came and tickled me.
Putting my questions away,
For the last time, we laughed like there was no tomorrow.
No wonder they say, “Partings are heartbreaks no one can heal”
Because even though it’s been several years since that Christmas,
It still hurts that he left.
woke up @09:42
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
My nakalchi bandar
I'm so glad that I am an aunt! My neice, Nunfeli was home with us for a few days. She left today. I miss her so much!
After a tired day at work, coming home to a smiling two year old, who's happy to see you just makes your tiredness disappear! Last night, both us were dancing, to Desi Girl. The song goes like this "Who's the hottest girl in the world,? my desi girl, my desi girl" I changed it to "Who's the cutest girl in the world? My nunfeli, my nunfeli" and we just danced for like some 10 minutes! and then, she got really hyper when we turned on the ac, she went and blew her face against the ac, and then came rushing, and we started boxing! she just makes me laugh. As little as she is... she's very clever. You cannot fool her. She heard her mom call me papuii, for a few hours after that I was no longer Ani (meaning paternal aunt) but papuii! We went to the park, and bathed in the sandpit, she swung on the swing, slid on the slide, and both us hung on the hanging merry go round. We watched the "sound of music" endless number of times, ate ice-cream and chips, clicked pictures, played with water and did a lot of other things! I love being an aunt. The joy when she calls me Ani, kisses me on my cheek, hugs me, says "goongite", "thenku", "pliz", throws me flying kisses, and seeing her face just light up when I buy her a "sweet" (candy)cannot just be described in words, its felt. I love my neice, Nunfeli and miss her alot.
woke up @09:10
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The year gone by
My first year at law school has come to an end. When I look back from here, there are a lot of memories, happy and sad. After we learnt that I had gotten through CLAT, and would join NUJS, I was very mad, and hurt. I did not want to leave Delhi, my home- where my family and friends were, my comfort zone. I remember my best friends, Ayu, Megha and Chowgi, coming home and spending my last day with me. They helped me pack, then we went out for late evening lunch cum snacks. When we reached Calcutta I hated my college. I wanted to take the first flight back home and never ever return to NUJS again. I was really mad that my dream of studying law was taking form. I wanted someone who would be more grateful to come and study in my place. But with time, I learnt to accept and adjust. I just can’t believe that my first year has gone by! So much has happened- I played in a football team, helped organize the Amazing Race, and 17 other events at our college fest, sang “A whole new world”, cut 3 cakes on my birthday! (two chocolate and one blueberry cheesecake :D ) Fell ill for nearly a month, got a very cooperative and friendly roommate and neighbour, played holi for the first time, danced at the college fest, went for concerts, and a lot of other things, but above all, formed deep friendship with a lot of college people who are now my friends, who mean a lot to me- without who’s friendship, my first year would have been really boring. I will not name anyone for fear that I may miss out names. Moreover, you all know who you are, so thank you guys!! Our Destiny is to finish five years at law school and with friends like you, the journey will definitely be adventurous and definitely not lonesome! My family, church (SDC) ,CT, and friends from church and from school and outside, without who’s endless prayers, support, love and phone calls, it would have been difficult to travel the road.
In all this, I have learnt a greater lesson, a lesson greater than adjustment and friendship, and that is to depend on God for everything. Earlier, I was in my comfort zone, everything was easy. Going to church, that came easily, volunteering at Sunday School, youth group, all of it was easy. I knew people and people knew me. In many ways, it was very easy to be close to God, and making decisions, under the supervision of my parents was also very easy. But when I was left on my own, what I took for granted, became very clear. Going to church, volunteering, quiet times and sticking close to God. At first, it seemed that God resided only in Delhi, but now, today, I have learnt to trust him and depend on him. I like to think that I was placed in Calcutta, not only to study law, but also deepen my bond with God. To really learn to know what it is to depend on him for not only the big issues but also for issues which I earlier thought I did on my own strength and also to grow in my faith and tell people of this glorious God who has done wonders and sacrificed his own son, because He loved us so much and hated sin, and the only punishment for sin being death, he sent his son to die on the cross, to take our sin on his shoulder, and die in our place, so we may be saved and have eternal life. Not only did Jesus die, he was also resurrected! All I can say is we have hope! Paul writes, that with Christ’s resurrection, we have hope that we too will be resurrected one day! God’s love is so amazing that it still surpasses my understanding even today.
woke up @23:08
Monday, July 21, 2008
Femme Fatale
woke up @03:21
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Yesterdays....
Yesterdays
It has been sometime since I last wrote... I just didn't know what to write about, well I wanted to write about a lot of things, but I just never wrote it, well anyway that changed just a few minutes ago when I was looking at some pictures when suddenly it occured to me that I'm hardly gonna see those people again.. and the time we spent together will never come back. It has hit me real hard. I miss them so much! Megha, Meghna Joshi, Meghna Singh, Cimsee, Ayu, Pallav, Honey Akshit, Ganeshan, Jhandi, Anjali, Nisha, Sween, Prerna,Bhuvnesh, Taran, Vrinda.. to name a few. It just hasn't occured to me that I've left School forever and I'm not gonna see them every morning now. Its gonna be weird. I miss them a lot. I don't know what to write beyond this. There are so many memories. So much to laugh at, to cry about.Endless fights, arguments, gobbling the other one's tiffin, "climbing trees", completing sentences, freaking out before an exam...it's all a part of my yesterday now. I have a rich yesterday... I'm blessed by God to have such amazing friends!
woke up @08:54
