Missing you!

Dear Ragil,

We had to carry some heavy stuff to the neighbor's house today

Dad couldn't do it ,nor could Mom but I managed to carry it to the car.
Hardly had we driven a few metres down the street when the car broke down.
Dad took over the wheel while Mom and I had to push the car back into the garage.

Beneath all  the huffing and puffing there was  a wish untold

My hands and feet still hurt and my heart even more

When I wished with all my heart that you were here to carry it for me.

You were always there when we needed you and gladly shared our burden

As mom often said ,I miss those strong 'Hands of Iron'
And that innocent heart of yours.

When Dad commented on my driving skills today,

"I imparted it from Ragil",I said,beaming with pride 

And wished you were here to see me drive!

The refrigerator,filled with delicious candies and cake
And all that you loved kindly beckons,

Unaware that there is none to gobble them all up.

I know I've screamed at you countless times for your untidy room

But now I miss cleaning that mess and putting your things away!
An eerie silence awaits me when I come home each day 

And Oh!how I miss your laughter and the music!

I miss the times we'd  spent singing together 

And I don't remember the last time I sang from deep within.

Your guitar lies broken and untouched in a corner 

And when asked about it by guests who visit often,

I proudly reply,'That's MY brother's!'
I know I've never told you this
But You've made us proud indeed!

It's been exactly a year,4 months and 7 days since you left us

And everyone thinks we've moved on.But how can we?

You were a part of us,of every fiber of our being

And we truly miss you..every moment of every single day!

I often see Mom weeping and Dad quietly shedding a tear 
While my silent cry is  locked up within. 

But deep down,I know you're up there watching and listening.

You are not forgotten loved one,nor will you ever be,

As we await the glorious reunion when we will meet thee!

Forever with Love,

Lynn

Elections and Me!

India is the largest democracy in the world-a government of the people, by the people and for the people....or so they say.Today is the day of our Tamilnadu local body elections and in a few minutes,I'll be off to the polling booth.The last month has witnessed politicians toiling from dawn till dusk rallying,organising party meetings,and basically spending crores of money.Contesting candidates for elections have paid frequent visits to EVERY house in the area I live or simply put, went door to door canvassing.Although certain methods of campaigning are agreeable and justifiable,there were other methods adopted that were completely illegal.

Every election has seen money flow in the way of bribe and this election is no different. Unjustifiable and illegal expenditure in the form of money paid to the poorer sections of the electorate for voting in favour of a particular candidate has assumed alarming proportions.Cash amounts varying from 300-1500 rupees were distributed to woo voters.Funny thing was that there were many people getting money from all the parties!I wonder where all the money came from.Apart from cash, freebies were also given which included towels,shawls,biriyani packets and even alchohol!There were some who adopted weird methods of canvassing.One candidate went literally crying from house to house and begging for votes and a few came in asking to be prayed for,hoping atleast Divine intervention would get them through!...or was it to show off their  religiosity  and thus their honesty?(Ha ha..nice try guys!).The most annoying of all was the loud speaker announcements in autos (obviously every occupant in the auto was paid!).Not one guy who came along came with promises of proper sanitation,waste disposal,street lighting or even proper roads.

It is indeed very difficult to decide who to vote for and I don't think my vote is going to make a huge difference.Is there something I could do to help the country as an individual? Yes.I honestly believe that corruption can be eliminated if we as individuals vow not to accept or give bribes regardless of the consequences rather than blaming it all on the politicians.I cannot change the world but I can sure make a difference in my immediate society and my own sphere of influence.

There is yet another thing I can do.1 Timothy 2 says,"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness".Shouting fom the rooftops ain't gonna change politicians but a sincere prayer for them can!

Happy voting everyone!

A few good men!

The other day I was commenting on how gentlemanly the gesture was when my dad served mom coffee at the restaurant.'Gentlemanly' is an adjective that can describe very rare men these days.These kind of men usually go unnoticed in a crowd but become the most admired once noticed.Coincidentally that week,I was reading  the book of Ruth, a story that revolves around a young widow named Ruth,when a man in the book grabbed  my attention -Yup...you're right-it was Boaz.Boaz was the son of Salmon and Rahab,the prostitute(She WAS a prostitute until she decided to be a part of God's people and identify with them)and one of the finest examples of a godly gentleman. Here are a few qualities of Boaz that made me his instant admirer-

Boaz-the boss

Boaz,being a wealthy landlord,in the second chapter of Ruth,enters the grainfield he owned and greets the harvestors with the words,“The LORD be with you!” and they answer,“The LORD bless you!”.I can see their smiling faces in response.Can you imagine that exchange of greeting taking place on shop floors or in offices today?Treating co-workers,subordinates even cleaning people with respect and courtesy is the trademark quality of a gentleman and a trait so vividly displayed in Boaz.

Boaz also took notice of a young woman at the fields and after inquiring about her,orders the men not to trouble her but offer her all the help they can.Note the conversation of Boaz with Ruth during mealtime as he wishes for her recompense from the Lord.The warmth of Boaz's reception is heightened by his sharing of food with her and even serving her.He was a man who truly respected a woman!

Boaz was a man of integrity too.As Ruth continues to glean in Boaz’s field, Naomi(Ruth's mother-in-law) plans to appeal to Boaz as the kinsman-redeemer(and thus marry her).When the appeal is made,Boaz tells Ruth that there is  a closer relative who can redeem her.He could've taken advantage of the situation or agreed to marry her immediately after the request was made.But he chose to abide by God's law and do the right thing. You see,he thought with his head,not with his heart.True character acts rightly,whether in secret or in the sight of men.I can imagine Ruth's fluttering heart and her butterfly-infested stomach as she awaited the decision of the closer relative the next day!Thankfully,the other man refused and Ruth was free to marry Boaz! A Divine plan at work,I would say.

Noteworthy throughout this story is the character of Boaz. A hospitable man, with a concern for duty and reputation. A kind man, with a strong sense of propriety.More importantly,a man who put God above his girl!And this was the man who turned out to be the great great grandfather of JC!

God needs these kind of men to build his kingdom-men of character,men of honor, good men who can be summed up in the lyrics of this song by the Gaither Vocal band:

A few Good men
What this dying world could use is a willing Man of God
Who dares to go against the grain and works without applause;
A man who'll raise the shield of Faith, protecting what is pure;
Whose love is tough and gentle; a man whose word is sure.
God doesn't need an Orator who knows what just to say;
He doesn't need authorities to reason Him away;
He doesn't need an army to guarantee a win;
He just needs a Few Good Men.

Men full of Compassion, who Laugh and Love and Cry-
Men who'll face Eternity and aren't afraid to die-
Men who'll fight for Freedom and Honor once again-
He just needs a Few Good Men.

He calls the broken derelict whose life has been renewed;
He calls the one who has the strength to stand up for the Truth.
Enlistment lines are open and He wants you to come in-
He just needs a Few Good Men.

Celebrating 20 years of God's faithfulness!

Last Sunday, we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of our Sunday school. Unlike other Sunday schools, this one is not part of any church; rather, a kids church by itself that was established twenty years ago with the sole purpose of reaching kids in the neighborhood with the gospel of JC.

It was in November, 1991 when a young school teacher decided to teach the Bible to the kids who attended her tuition classes. A few students turned up on Sunday afternoons and soon some of their friends tagged along. The class was held in the verandah of her house and sometimes under shady trees. A few years later, after she left, the Sunday school was shifted to a house in a street called ‘Brindavan Nagar’ and hence named ‘Brindavan Sunday School’, BSS ,in short.

I started attending BSS when I was 6 or 7 years old. The minute the clock struck three on Sunday afternoons, my brother and I, along with a few other friends ,with our bibles in hand, would start off and usually would be the first ones to reach. Sunday school was something that we always looked forward to in the week.It was more than just the songs,stories and skits that attracted us …We enjoyed  a time of fellowship, practicing for inter-Sunday school competitions, and of course the best time of the year-Christmas!It was a place where we made friends for a lifetime.

Fifteen years later, as I look back on those days, I can only stand in awe of all that the Lord has done in me and in the lives of others who had attended.Yes,this Sunday school has had  a humble beginning but it was this little sunday school that God had used to touch, heal and shape lives.God’s been faithful all these years and the ministry has come a long way. Now, I teach in the same Sunday school and Oh! What a privilege it is! Thank God for BSS!

"The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly." Isaiah 60:22

Below are a few pics of the exhibition the kids put up for the celebration of the 20 years  and it indeed was a joy to see them bring out their creativity and use their talents for God!

PS: Many of the children who attend are from the BPL group but a bunch of enthusiastic, cheerful kids and I just love being around them!

 Rangoli done by my friend who is a SS teacher and shares lovely sunday school memories with me:)

Juniors-Efforts appreciated!

Class Primary



Senior class

For more pics and videos,visit our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Brindavan-Sunday-School/109658222432157