Little James' Big Faith

I noticed James (not the real name) waiting to meet me. He was of a very frail small frame, shy and seldom spoke in public or in a group. He is an overseas student who is very much part of the little congregation that I pastor in university town in India.
When the last person was gone, James came forward and muttered: ‘Pastor, can I have a word with you, outside?’ So, I followed him to the balcony of the church. Leaning on the rails of the balcony, I stared at him to hear another big problem my little sheep is facing. It can be about a sickness that he suffers silently, a relationship problem—he might have spotted his girl friend in the company of another person, or a problem at his far away home—mom is sick or father might have lost job.
But James’ problem appeared small to me. He hasn’t paid house-rent for the last two months. Parents haven’t sent the money, but they have promised they will sent it soon! But the landlord has issued the ultimatum of 48 hours. If he is not able to pay it within two days he will have to leave the house, leaving his precious possessions behind until he pay it in full.
My mind made some quick calculations as I found out how much he owe his landlord. I suggested that I will lend him the money right now so that he can avoid the evacuation. He can pay me when the parents send the money. So, I encouraged him, patted on his shoulder as I began to walk away to the other person waiting for the pastor. But James stopped me. He said, ‘Pastor! I don’t want to borrow.’ ‘I only need your prayer. Could you pray for me right now that the money will come tomorrow.’
‘Of course!’ I said. We bowed our heads and prayed—James bowed his head in faith but I rather in shame and embarassment.
Just before the the deadline set by his landlord was over I called James to find out if he received the money. My rescue plan was still in place, ready for any eventuality.  James’ ‘hello’ had a rim of joy as he picked up my call. ‘Yes pastor!’ he said in a very jubilant tone. ‘Mom transferred the money online and I paid the rent,’ he continued. ‘Praise God,’ I said in a rather subdued voice. I, an experienced, senior pastor felt guilty and shrank in size before a young man who was full of faith. I depended on my mind and my capacity to help the poor and needy. But this young man, a new believer had faith full to the rim. He knew that something that I also knew but often ignored—God hears prayers.

A friend like no other

A friend like no other

A Chat With God

A Chat With God: Prayer can sometimes be a tough thing for people. This video takes a look at some of the struggles and thoughts a person might have with prayer, through the lens of a 'chat' conversation with God.

The Ancient Art of Hiding

Hiding is the second oldest sin in the history of the world ̧a sin that is the consequence of the first one ̧disobedience.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit that they were not allowed to eat. Before eating that they were naked but were not ashamed of their nakedness (Gen 2:25). When they disobeyed God by eating the fruit that God forbade them to eat they realised their nakedness and were ashamed of it. The Bible says,
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. (Gen 2:7̆ ESV).
Shame was a consequence of the sin of disobedience. We go into hiding as Adam and Eve did because we are ashamed of our disobedience. In this case of Adam and Eve they tried to hide their nakedness from each other. They never had to do that before they committed sin. Before sinning they were naked but were not ashamed; but after sin they did not become naked but were ashamed of their nakedness. They never had to hide their private parts from each other since they were not ashamed of it. Sin brought shame into the life of humans so ̧they started hiding from each other.
This act of making something to cover their nakedness with fig-leaves is symbolic of human attempt to hide our shame from each other. This act of hiding from each other is a game that the descendants of Adam and Eve (including you and me) have perfected over the years. This explains why spouses hide many aspects of their lives from each other. Many marriages wreck because spouses play this game until the inevitable happens. Parents hide their lives from their children by hiding behind an ideal past that they never had. Children hide their lives from parents too by pretending to be what they are not yet. Many pastors have hidden their shameful lives from their congregation and when they had to come out of their hiding ̧ their marriages are broken, children are shattered, and congregation fall apart.
Sin produces shame ̧shame sends us to hiding, and hiding makes us continue in sin. This chain has to be broken.
Humans not only hide from each other but from God too. That is the second act in the drama of hiding. The write of Genesis tells us that
And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (Gen 3:8 ESV).
What they hid from each other is their shame but from God they tried to hide themselves. Why do people deny God? I have often found that most people who deny God have no philosophical justifications except their own sense of guilt. Their way of dealing with sin is to deny that God doesn't exist or doesn't matter. This is vividly protrayed in Psalm 14/53.
The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. (Ṗsa 14:1 ESV).
'Saying in his heart' is an attempt to convince oneself. The two sentences of the above verse are connected as a bridge that has two-way traffic. The denial of God is the result of their corruption, at the same time it is the denial that leads to corruption as well.
God is merciful and kind ̧but he can deal with our shame only if we can come out of our hiding into the open. When we come out to the open then he deals with our sins. In the case of Adam and Eve, he points out that the human attempt to hide from each other is inadequate. However ̧there is a divine solution which involves a sacrifice. The writer of Genesis only knew that the solution to the human problem is a sacrifice of an animal. Many Christian interpreters see here an indication of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
God demands us to admit what has gone wrong in our lives. This is what God did when he called out to Adam ̧'Where are you?' God knew where he was and what he has done but by this God was demanding an admission from Adam. God want Adam to acknowledge what he has done and thus come out of his moral hiding.

Religious Violence—Laying down Lives not Taking Lives

Television and newspapers has been very disturbing these days. To add to our woe we have multiple choices of media that update us on the disturbing news happenign all over the world. The slaughter of Egyptian Christians by ISIS in Libya and many reenacted videos telling the real stories of individuals and communities who are masacred by the Islamic fundamentalists belong to this list. The story of a village pastor who was abducted and killed by some Hindu groups in India recently came as a shock. Violence in the name of religion is on the rise.
I realized that many times I don’t pause to ask what is involved until I saw a reenacted video of what a family in Syria went through. If I didn’t have that video narrating what that family went through their story would have been merely a newspaper headline for me. The video portrayed the struggles that the family went through when they realized that the militants were approaching and they will be their targets soon! They realized that the militants will demand that they accept Islam and they will be tempted to deny Jesus to save their lives. They realized that God demands their lives as a sacrifice for the sake of Christ. Finally, the day came and right in front of the wife and the two kids the husband was shot dead.
The video made me realize one thing—there is more than a mere headline to what is going on in the lives of my brothers and sisters who are at the line of fire for Christ. Their story is more than a few pictures that flashes across my TV screen. It also told me that I need to explore the depth of their struggles in order to pray for them.
This also takes my thoughts in another direction. Why should anyone be killed in the name of religion? Why should those who have a different faith than my own be killed?
Jesus’ instructions to his disciples as he sent them out to preach has to be pondered on. Jesus said:

 As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. (Matt 10:12-14 ESV).

Jesus did not anticipate that all those who hear the Gospel is going to accept it. A lot of people are likely to reject what his disciples preach. However, the disciples are not supposed to force it on them. Preach the gospel in a convincing and acceptable way but if it is rejected move on shaking the dust on your feet. Shaking dust on ones feet was a way of saying that I am not responsible for the consequences but you are. That is all.
At times the response will not be just denial of the message but the messenger may face persecution. Not just a feeling of rejection but physical harassment to the point of death. Jesus advised them not to worry about their defense before courts of law when they are arrested and charged. Sometimes they were charged with treason, sometimes for blaspemy, sometimes they were accused of disturbing peace and order and the list may go on. Jesus assured them that they didn’t have to worry about their defense, they will have the help of the Holy Spirit right on time. Jesus said:

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matt 10:16-20 ESV).

Jesus knew that if they were anxious about their defenses they will be tempted to invent lies, find false evidences to get off the noose and in the process of doing these lose God’s favour in their lives. He assured divine help in such times.
Preaching the gospel may lead to physical harassment and even death. Way of Christ is not an easy road to prosperity and success but it is costly. However, God challenges us to embrace it fully. To follow the Master to the cross. Jesus encouraged his disciples not to be worried about death at the hands of their enemies.

 I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! (Luke 12:4-5 ESV).

The Book of Hebrews challenged its readers to lay down their lives.

 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:4 ESV).

There could be point in the life of the followers of Christ, which is ‘shedding’ one’s own blood. There is no place in the Bible for shedding other’s blood to protect or to propogate our faith. Bible teaches us to lay down our lives for the sake of our faith but not to take the life of others. That is where the uniqueness of the way of Christ is. It gives life and never takes life.

Smart Spirituality

This is the age of Smart Phones. Smart phones can do almost everything that a personal computer can do and is increasingly replacing them. Studies show that the sale of laptops have gone down and that of smart phones have gone up considerably.

Smart phones are now used for internet browsing, sending and receiving emails, banking, ticket bookings, games, social networking, and all that you can imagine are possible with your hand-held phone. It is even replacing the TV and radio sets. Apps on smart phones can help us keep our body slim and mind sharp. The smart phones are only going to get smarter as days go by.

Integrating technology and spirituality is very important. This is not new. The sages who recorded the scriptures moved from clay tablets to stone tablets to leather scrolls to papyri. Then came Gutenberg with the movable types. Thus the bibles until then found only in the churches and monasteries reached every home. Then as book production became easier and cheaper most Christians have at least one bible in their own languages. Then it was the days of Bible software on computers. Some of them had features that no user had any use of! Some experts say that no user knows or has any use of 80% of the features a software offers.

At each turn of technological development spirituality benefited positively. Reformation would not have happened the way it happened if there was no printing press and communication. Revival preachers have taken advantage of the newspapers, radio, TV and Internet. This marriage between technology and spirituality is certainly from God. But we need to remind ourselves that the Devil is also keen on using it.

Now the emerging trend being that of smart phones how smart can Christian spirituality get? I have some suggestions from own experience. You may have more and I will appreciate if you could share it with all of us.

I use a Bible software on my Android Tab which has practically replaced my print bible. Print Bibles are huge and heavy. Highlighting verses see through to the reverse of the page. There is a limit to what you can note on the margins. Moreover, what would you do with a Bible that you used for so long and love so much with all your notes in it. You feel it is too sacred and precious to throw in to the trash bin like other used books or old newspaper.

I use Olive Tree Bible Software on my Tab. I can have multiple versions, highlight, make study notes and reflections, look up commentaries and dictionaries side by side. Nothing will be lost since everything is synced between my Tab and the cloud service the software company offers. I have routed my Tab many times but nothing is so far lost. Even I lose my Tab or have to buy a new one all my data will be secure.

My smart tablet has helped me not only study and meditate the Word but is also helps me in my research and writing. I carry a huge library on my Tab. Mine is a very basic machine with only 16 GB of memory and screen size of 10.1. I have the entire collection of Early Church Fathers besides many other huge collections on it. If I stack the printed volumes of Early Church Fathers one on the other it will touch the ceiling of my room!

Then I have Kindle on my Tab as well as Play books and other eBook readers. I used to carry one or two books on my travels. Then on the way or at the destination I had after thoughts on the selection that I made when packing. That is no more a problem now, I have the entire library with me accessible from anywhere.

On my quite strolls around the campus I feel God prompting me to think. I have thoughts that come to me in my quite contemplations. Then if I can’t find a piece of paper and pen and jot them down immediately they will be lost for ever. However, my smart phone with Evernote has never disappointed me. I can jot it down on Evernote (like the seed though of this write-up) even if I am in a desert with no internet connection. Then when I get home or the data connection is restored it has already synced with my other devices—laptop or the Tab. Sometimes, I use it for noting down prayer points, sermon ideas, announcements in the church for the next Sunday.

Evernote Hello which integrates with Evernote has been helpful in my pastoral work a lot. This helps me keep a record of my meetings with people, notes on the meetings etc. Before the next meeting I can go through the notes and have a follow up.

I find Remember Me a very useful tool. This is an app that helps you memorize the scripture. Olive Tree has bible reading plans and I follow one. Then when I come across a verse that I would like to cherish I can highlight it or make a note on it. However, Remember Me allows me to keep this verse along with other verses to memorize it. It will play the verses added to it audibly so that I can just hear my favourite verses read to me. I remember one of my family members when she was old and eye sight being poor making us the younger ones read the Bible to her. Now, I can have that privilege while I am comparatively younger and with no grandchildren around.

My smart phones help me keep my prayer journal, spiritual journal wherever, I go.

As a pastor I find it extremely useful to stay in touch with my congregation throughout the week. Most of my congregation members are on WhatsApp. So we have a group for the church. We send prayer requests, birthday wishes, songs and videos over WhatsApp. It helps the church stay connected throughout the week.

So I developed a App for my church. We use the App more than the church website now—www.coreindia.org. This android app called COREPUNE has the schedules, blogs, directions, and a whole lot.

I remember an ad in the early ninetees that the Indian High Commission put out. It said, ‘We missed the industrial revolution, but we are not going to miss the IT revolution.’ That resolve came true. The first Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ was an IT company called Infosys! I think a similar slogan is now in the air. ‘This is the era of Smart Phone revolution, the Church should not miss it.’

Lies--The Vocal Killers

“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue” (Psalm 120:2).

Lying is a reality in our society. Parents lie to their children and children to their parents. The reason for denying something to their children may not always lack of money though that is what the parents try to convince them. Spouses do lie. Coming home late from office is not always some urgent work that landed on the table as ‘I was about to leave the office.’ Politicians have perfected this art so much so that the expression ‘honest politician’ is obsolete and is a contradiction of terms in most of the cases. Exaggerated resume, tall claims of achievements, grades, qualifications the list goes on.

How often do people lie? A study on American students a few years ago found out that on an average, they lied almost 3 times in a 10 minute conversation with strangers. Another study in Britain found out that British men lie six times a day and women three times.

Saints of the Old Testament especially those who composed the Psalms took lies very seriously. The word translated as ‘lie’ in this Psalm occurs in 21 Psalms and many times more in the rest of the Old Testament. Its synonyms comes many more times.

Isaiah was concerned with speech that is not truthful but deceptive and misleading. He cried out, ‘for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips’ (Isa 6:5). He had to fight political lies and deceptions all throughout his ministry.

It is not a problem in the Old Testament only but the New Testament also exposes the sin of lie. Jesus had warned his disciples that Devil is the source of all lies: ‘for he is a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44). As in all other cases in this aspect also Devil’s character is diagonally opposite to the character of God for whom ‘it is impossible to lie’ (Heb 6:18).

Followers of Christ who has put on the new nature and is growing into the likeness of Jesus Christ are exhorted not to lie. Especially to one another: ‘Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices’ (Col 3:9). John’s vision of those the saints who make it to heaven is very much in line with exhortation to Colossians. They are the ones in whose ‘mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless’ (Rev 14:5).

The early Church also had its share of liars. The story of Ananias and Saphira stands out among them. Though they lied to the elders of the church about the proceeds of the sale of their property, it is considered as a lie to the Holy Spirit.

But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?’ (Acts 5:3).

Lying is a spiritual problem. It comes out of fear and lack of trust in God. It reflects the character of the Devil (liar par excellence) than of God. Jesus said that the Devil is ‘a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44). It is not then surprising that those who belong to him lie. I have come to realize that it is easy to estimate spiritual status from how spontaneous is lying to that person.

Some by nature resort to lie and avoid being confronted by the truth of the Word of God or good counsel by their pastor or spiritual peers. They sow immense damage to themselves as they spiritually wilt away in the course of time but in the process mislead many and sometimes hurt the body of believers. That is why the one who lies and the victims of their lies need God’s protection.

Lying for some is a way of life. They lie not realising they are lying. Lying is built into their system for managing conflicts and maintaining self esteem. Many psychologists agree that people lie in order to avoid ‘social conflicts.’ For example when they are late for a party or dinner with a friend it is usual for people to resort to a lie—most of the cases it would be adverse traffic conditions, an unexpected visitor, or any other convenient lie. Friends lie to each other about their status, finances, relationships and so on, all with the intention to keep good relationships.

Psychologist Robert Feldman finds the main reason for lying is a threatened self esteem. Many people have a ‘real self’ and ‘ideal self.’ When the ideal self (or what they really want to be) is farther away from their ‘real self’ (or what they really are now) they bridge the gap through lies. People claim what they are not and what they did not achieve.

There may be a number or explanations why people lie but one things is clear: lies hurt. Lies hurt first the person who lies and then it hurts the people whom they are lying about. It also hurts who act on the lies that they believe. That is why the Psalmist prayed for deliverance from lies.

Lies hurt the person who lies. I know a man who opened the door of a running car and jumped out of it hurting himself. The driver had slowed down spotting a large truck that was about to enter his lane. However, according to the one who jumped out, the car was about to ram into a truck. The door on the passenger side opened on its own as the driver applied the brake suddenly and he was thrown out of the car. I checked with the driver. It was true there was a truck ahead of them and he had to slow down. But the door was intact and it will not open in any situation on its own. It has never happened with that car before or after.

This person has a problem of seeing things and hearing voices. That runs in the family. He sincerely thought that the car is about to ram into the truck. Out of panic he opened the door and jumped out. He acted on a lie that his sick mind told him. When he later recognized his mistake shame made him to blame the door and the driver. It hurt him physically and emotionally. It hurt also the driver emotionally who had to take the blame. We can forgive this man if we are willing to accept the fact that he did it trusting his mind which was a bit faulty at times. However, lies hurt.

We need protection from lies for many reasons. First of all, our lies backfire to our own harm. We may be caught and the self-esteem that we built up through lying and false pretensions collapse under the weight of it.

Secondly, lies distance us from ourselves. When we lie we have to tell more lies to keep the lies alive. Then as we build upon each previous lie we go far from the reality and end up living a false reality. We end up in a false self image: an ideal self than the real self. The real self which need care, nurture and growth is ignored as we live in ‘an ideal life.’ Lies distance people from us. Lies hurt the villains.

Lies also hurt the victims badly. Lies that people say about us hurt our reputation and our relationships. Lies can be harmful to an extent that some lies could turn to be mortal. When two scoundrel’s gave a false testimony about Naboth he not only lost his property but also his life (1 Kings 21:1-16).

Victims of lies are not only the people who are lied about but also those believe the lies about others. Those who are gullible distance themselves, hate or even attack the innocent victims of lies. Thus those who believe and act upon lies become victims of the lies they are told.

Lies are harmful but who can protect us from lies? I am not aware how many lies about me are out there doing their rounds. Even if know, I cannot go around and defend myself. Even if I defend people still may not believe me! I am least aware of the damage it has caused and it would cause. Lies are silent destroyers. Lies never build anything up. We are totally helpless as victims of lies.

It is this sense of helplessness that makes the Psalmist turn to God for deliverance as he cries out, “Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue” (Psalm 120:2).