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

Happy birthday Ma!

(Yesterday was my Mom's 51st birthday and this post is dedicated to her.I wrote this exactly a year ago for her 50th birthday)

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been.  ~Robert Braul

I call her 'Amma ‘ and my brother called her ‘Me’(Short for mummy).In my 22 years of life’s journey with my Mom I can say SHE is no ordinary woman!Well,Its her 50th birthday today(Sep 23,2010)and I am so proud she is mine!!

Life has never been easy for her and I still wonder how she managed the house, ministry and the family simultaneously.A typical day for her  would begin like this-She would wake up at 4.00am and spend her quiet time with the Lord till 6 am..family prayer till 6.30(which means that we can never stay in bed after 6!)and then off she'd go to the kitchen(She is an excellent cook by the way!). By 7.15 breakfast and lunch would be ready on the table and after making sure that we've had our breakfast and have taken our lunch she'd rush to work at 8! As soon as she came home from work she would run to the slums in the area to take Sunday school for the kids there/conduct a prayer meeting. She would return home and make us dinner and our family time is the one thing that I’ve always enjoyed and that would sometimes extend after midnight! The nights she spent with us when we were younger  telling us amazing stories from the Bible is still so vivid in my memory.She definitely was and still is a great story teller! She works tirelessly from dawn till dusk ,making sure everyone is loved and cared for! Amazing woman!Ain’t she??

She’s not only my biological mother but also my spiritual mother (To my brother and dad too!). She loves the Lord with all her heart and lives out her faith. She forgives quickly ,never holds a grudge and I just love listening to her stories of faith even though I have heard it a million times before!I wonder how many are blessed with godly and loving parents.I sure am!The tears ,the prayers,the energy and the effort that she put into bringing us up did bear fruit . She raised her family differently and  the difference  that she raised us  with was Christ.All that was said in Ragil’s funeral(my only brother of 24 yrs who passed away unexpectedly in an accident) is evidence.She always wanted her kids to be firebrands for the Lord.She is my critic ,my greatest teacher ,a source of inspiration and  blessing not only to me but to everyone who has come her way!!

At 48,she responded to God’s call for full time ministry and God has blessed her ministry in leaps and bounds.I admire her oratory and writing skills-skills that have been used by God to touch the lives of many!It’s been 3 months since Ragi left us to be with the Lord and her faith has strengthened all of us through these difficult times. If Ragi was here he would definitely agree with all that I've said.I can go on and on but words just can't contain her. She is indeed an ideal mother that every daughter could be proud of and look up to.I only wish and pray that God may grant her many more birthdays and use her mightily for His glory.Happy happy birthday ma!Luv you!!

''Her children arise and call her blessed;  her husband also, he praises her:
 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised''. Proverbs 31:28,30