Christus --> Lumen + Caritas + Logos

Your Epitaph TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman Sunday, July 03 2011 "He will bless those who fear the Lord- small and great alike." Psalm 115:13 What will be written on your epitaph? How do you want people to remember you? What type of legacy will your life leave behind? I interviewed a very successful and powerful man one time for a magazine when this question came up. The man ran an international business that is a household name to all. He was a professed Christian, but he had difficulty answering my question. "I always knew someone would ask that question some day. I am not sure I am any more prepared to answer it now either," was the man's answer. He grappled for a few nice words, but it was clear he had not seriously considered his life much beyond his business success. It is said of George Washington Carver that he got up early in the morning each day to walk alone and pray. He asked God how he was to spend his day and what He wa...

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 17, 2011 ( Zenit.org ).- Here is the address Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Benedict XVI's secretary of state, delivered Thursday upon opening the Executive Summit on Ethics at the Vatican. The summit, which was organized by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, ends Saturday * * * I am pleased to greet the participants in this important Summit that has brought together so many world leaders in the areas of business, the economy and finance. I do not intend to enter into the technical or practical aspects of your deliberations in these days, but rather to offer a few reflections on the anthropological, spiritual and ethical foundations of your activity in the light of the Church's social teaching – and particularly the understanding of business and management set forth in the Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate. It is most fitting that you have chosen to make that document central to your reflections at this conference, which is look...

"Significant Common Ground" Found With Pentecostals 6th Round of Conversations Considers Gifts of Holy Spirit VATICAN CITY, JUNE 17, 2011 ( Zenit.org ).- The Vatican's ecumenism council initiated a sixth phase in conversation with Pentecostal groups, saying a final report should be ready by 2015. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity reported on a seven-day round of conversations that concluded Thursday. The Catholic-Pentecostal teams are considering Charisms in the Church: Their Spiritual Significance, Discernment, and Pastoral Implications. Dialogue between the Vatican and these Pentecostal groups began in 1972. The goal is not "structural unity," the Vatican statement clarified, but "to promote mutual respect and understanding in matters of faith and practice." Bishop Michael Burbidge of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Reverend Cecil Robeck, professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Assemblies of God in Pasadena, Calif...

Bird hit aircraft during take off and the Eagle's wing safety net…Trust in the Lord – the only mantra why I am alive to type this… What do I blame for today's (04 April 2011) eventful take off …the events that unfolded before the flight and look at it in a superstitious manner or should I thank God for the smart and wise pilot who brought the aircraft (Airbus 319 AI 507 TVM – MAA) to grounding halt by applying emergency breaks as he was speeding on the run way to take off. Will you call this a miracle or not. I would. It was just a small bird hit, which could have gone unnoticeable. However, he stopped for a quick check and then engineers declared the aircraft not fit for flight and grounded it. What a sound judgment on the pilot's part. The thoughts that ran in my mind and the reflection are what making me intriguing and make my heart adore the Eagle who bore the aircraft to safety – The Almighty Himself. The flight disaster that which was averted today would h...

Most often in a Christian life we struggle with the very idea of living a victorious life purchased by the blood of Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. You and me are not called to either live a defeated, sinful, fearful, struggling or dead life (paradox ! – you can breathe and still be dead – I have been one and have seen many around too). But the Christian calling is into an abundant life (John 10:10)…life in its FULLNESS – All encompassing richness. Did not the scripture say we have Peace, Joy and Righteousness in the Holy Spirit of God. Oh …! How many times we have heard this and read this. The problem is not that it gets repeated but it is to do with our comprehension, understanding and applying the same to our context. If only one can do it, that soul is the one that will cherish the most of the life on earth and in heaven. How do we then live this abundant life? There are No shortcuts. Lord Jesus knowing our frailty, being the perfect Holy Priest and our Bro...

I never knew that meditating on something as simple as Psalm 23 can just change you 180 degree and I am glad I did it. Oh what a joy it is to know that my Lord God is my Shepherd and I shall not want. What do I need other than this assurance in life …the blessed assurance my Savior gives. I am just so thrilled and excited in life that the joy of the Lord keeps abounding in measures unknown. How could someone miss this or ever think of not having this in life. I pity that soul which does not know have a glimpse what is in my heart. The righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost that none give and none can take. I would not dare to loose this or ever miss it anymore. I am not talking about a feeling or knowledge or thinking or …but just being with Him who leads you in green pastures and quiet waters. Just the comfort he gives you what matters as His goodness and mercy shall follow me (us) always. I know this is just a scribble but I had no other way than to express it. Oh my ...

PART A My dear blog, I am puzzled as i write this. The only hope i write this is to give a meaning, a form to so many thoughts that are running in my neurons. Especially lately the consequences - reap what you sow. So often we work in the fear or by reasoning the aftermath of our acts and I have been one too - by trying to reconcile the facts and realities of life in light of the logical 'cause and effect' (i just spared a formal fish bone diagram). But the truth is, I am not the only one who has been puzzled with this. As i did a quick word search i landed upon so much of intellectual debate by the great thinkers and philosophers of the world and after reading their work i could just come to one conclusion - the one thing that i need to know is what I guess is the key and which counts the most or the only one thing that matters. Does the act count? Does the human person who does count? Does the result count? ( 'End justifies the means') Does the virtu...

She has been a gentle breeze; a tender leaf; a soothing note; a joy to have None has been more and will be more adorable apart from her Author She came from no where; never ever imagined her to be what she is I do not want anything from her than she being herself She is the last of His love - unconditional, all encompassing, and gentle She never barged in but she has left indelible impact that none can restore Oh no, i would love to have her till my home coming - to ashes I have done nothing that i merit her - the only one who did something was her mom who bore the pain For once i know there is a free meal that will last forever Can i say i am so blessed that i am reaping a joy which i did not pay for She is just a joy unleashed, a pleasure that you soak in Truly the only lasting sign of her Authors grace which shows that He still cares She is her father's everlasting joy and priceless find that he just could not but pen this one This is none but my little princess Riann - the fath...

Life is made of so many choices; - choices that you desire to change & you can change - choices that you desire to change & you cannot change - choices that you cherish - choices that you regret - choices that were turing points - choices that were a sacrific - choices that hurt - choices that meant more than life - choices that you did not want to make - choices that you dream off - choices that you look for and on and on and on… I wish I had a time machine, to go back and make those changes; or do a documentary and ponder over the alternate reactions and realities that could have evolved. Not sure of how one can rationalise the emotions, questions, hurts, regrets, sacrifices. And I don’t want to make a lame excuse or not be responsible for those choices by just saying “Oh! It was God’s will”. I am not sure what others think, but I for one believe I made those choices and...

"...My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. And my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips. When I remember you upon my bed, I meditate upon you in the night watches. Because you have been my help therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice!" " (Psalms 63:5-7) Why are you down cast my soul…Don't you know that the God thy refuge is the only one in whom you can hope and trust and find your satisfaction. These are constant theme that King David (The Psalmist) use to say to himself as though he is addressing a 3 rd person. He recalls and rehearses all the goodness that he has enjoyed in God than brood over the times of difficulty. In fact when he recalls difficulty of the past, he ends it by recalling the goodness, mercy and deliverance that he enjoyed from God through those times. What a lesson to learn and act on today than in the past. So many times we end up looking at the past and cry than look at   the goodness and blessings we...

In my younger days, I remember, my mom going through the grind of baking a cake - the entire family will be involved in one way or the other – shopping, grinding, mixing, tasting etc. The cake in itself was not the centrality but the essence of it was the family being together in 'baking' the outcome 'The Christmas cake'. Today, the Christmas has become mostly instant cakes out of the shelves, shopping, merry making etc. However, the very essence and centrality of 'Christmas' – Christ Jesus whose birthday it is suppose to be is missing in action. He is not included in anything. It has become more the marketing success of few MNC's and retail chains to attract and push their goods on people. The success of Christmas has become more on the outcome of travel plans during the holidays and 'TO' – turn over of the retail outlets. We have become more influenced by the crowd mentality and made this great feast of the 'groom' to a pagan feast ...

It was in the morning when I could hear the simple voice in my mind while I was doing the normal morning chores which left me baffled in wondering how simple it is to lead and live a ‘Christian life’. It just got summarized in three simple but power packed words. ■ Love ■ Listen ■ Obey A probable degree that any Christian should have is not LLB – where you know the bible (law) but LLO, which stands for love, listen and obey (truly the bride of the groom). We have too many LLB’s and too less LLO’s hence the crisis in today’s church across the globe. Western church is too familiar with law and too technical with all the latest research and studies but less equipped in loving and obeying. Eastern Church is too busy in deeds and less focused in listening to still simple voice of its bridegroom. I was not sure where I stand in this - west or east. And I am still pondering. Isn’t it simple three words LLO…Love, Listen & Obey. Why complicate with a...

Aide: Benedict XVI Doesn't Justify Condom Use Notes Pope's Ability to See Small Steps of Impoverished Humanity VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- A Vatican spokesman is clarifying that Benedict XVI is not justifying condom use, though the Pope said it could in some cases be a first step toward moral behavior. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this in a statement today regarding the words of Benedict XVI as recorded in a book, " Light of the World " (Ignatius Press), scheduled for release on Tuesday. On Saturday, L'Osservatore Romano published some quotes from this book, which drew public interest and media misunderstandings. At the end of the tenth chapter of the book, the writer, German journalist Peter Seewald, asked the Pontiff two questions on the fight against AIDS and the use of condoms. Seewald referenced the Holy Father's comments on this topic while aboard the papal plane on the way to C...

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman   "Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers'" (Matt 21:12-13). Sometimes a corporate culture dictates the way business is conducted because it was established years before. We simply inherit whatever the accepted practice is. Some of these practices violate a biblical principle. For instance, some businesses withhold payment on invoices for sixty, ninety or one hundred twenty days as a form of cash management, which places a heavy burden on suppliers. Some government custom's employees require a bribe in order to get your product into their country. One nation thinks nothing about their practice of software piracy because it has simply become a part of their c...

The great sin -- Gossip. The great crippler -- Fear. The greatest mistake -- Giving up. The most satisfying experience -- Doing your duty first. The best action -- Keep the mind clear and judgment good. The greatest blessing -- Good health. The biggest fool - The man who lies to himself. The great gamble -- Substituting hope for facts. The most certain thing in life -- Change. The greatest joy -- Being needed. The cleverest man -- The one who does what he thinks is right. The most potent force -- Positive thinking. The greatest opportunity -- The next one. The greatest thought -- God. The greatest victory -- Victory over self. The best play -- Successful work. The greatest handicap -- Egotism. The most expensive indulgence -- Hate. The most dangerous man -- The liar The most ridiculous trait -- False pride. The greatest loss -- Loss of self confidence. The greatest need -- Common sense.  

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds" (2 Cor 10:3-5). Jerry had grown up with a father who was a successful workaholic. Although he lacked for nothing materially, he never sensed much warmth or compassion from his parents. Then, when Jerry was still in his early teens, his father died very suddenly. His large family was left with little support, and insecurity and fear became the dominating factors in the young man's life. Vowing to himself that he would never lack financial need again, Jerry worked hard at his business. A stronghold of idolatry brought reliance on the wealth he had accumulated rather than a prayerful dependency on God. Arguments over money dominated his marriage. Distrust and greed permeated his home and business relationships. No one could "stand in his face" and tell him what to do. Finally, as his ma...

Not Even by Society's Standards By Carl Anderson NEW HAVEN, Connecticut , APRIL 12, 2010 ( Zenit.org ).- In early April, the German Magazine Der Spiegel weighed into the recent attacks on the Church with the following headline: "The Failed Papacy of Benedict XVI." Failed papacy? Not by a long shot. Even by this world's standards, the papacy of Pope Benedict has been remarkable. He has led the Church forward with a focus on engaging the culture around us with love. His two encyclicals on charity, his encyclical on hope, and his letter on the Eucharist -- Christ at the center of our faith -- have taken us back to the most basic and profound message of Christianity -- faith, hope and charity. Benedict's Christianity is the Christianity of the Beatitudes. The reason some see a "failed papacy" is that they want to see just that. Too many in Europe want to see this papacy fail -- any papacy fail -- because the Church stands counter to their secula...

1. When Snake is alive, Snake eats Ants. When Snake is dead, Ants eat Snake.Time can turn at any time. Don't neglect anyone in your life........ ... 2. Never make the same mistake twice,There are so many new ones,Try a different one each day. 3. A good way to change someone's attitude is to change our own. Because, the same sun melts butter, also hardens clay! Life is as we think, so think beautifully. 4. Life is just like a sea, we are moving without end.Nothing stays with us, what remain is just the memories of some people who touched us as Waves. 5. Whenever you want to know how rich you are? Never count your currency, just try to Drop a Tear and count how many hands reach out to WIPE that- that is true richness. 6. Heart tells the eyes see less, because you see and I suffer lot. Eyes replied, feel less because you feel and I cry a lot. 7. Never change your originality for the sake of others, because no one can play your role better t...