bible verses – Page 3 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Random Thoughts, Reflections

In Disguise

Posted on March 27, 2020February 7, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Suffering from osteoarthritis, an elderly lady made her way out of the train and found herself in front of a flight of stairs with no directions leading to an elevator in sight. As she got prepared for the tedious journey up the stairs, a station attendant arrived and lend a hand. Imagine her surprise when she reached above and saw a wheelchair waiting for her. As we saw from the platform across, she was assisted till the main station entrance.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” (Mathew 25:40)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

While getting stuck in traffic, imagine the fiasco created when a car stalls with a flat tire. While fist-waving with blaring of horns were started by some, two others stepped out of their cars and assisted the driver in changing the flat. Whether it was done to ease their comfort of travel or simply helping a fellow traveller, that extended support of actions gave the day a better feel.

Arriving at the departure gate and waiting at the airport in the check-in luggage queue, when an elderly couple had arrived with their crying grandchild in tow, the support extended by the airport officials as well as fellow passengers in quietly allowing them to move ahead soon, gave an added touch to the meaning of “hospitality, humaneness and kindness”.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Whether these helpers were doing their job or lending a helping hand, they were the cloaked angels of many. Being hospitable doesn’t mean simply a warm welcome when there are visitors but by radiating warmth and a welcome feel in our day-to-day activities. It is when one chooses to help those who we don’t know, is when the real feeling of warmth seeps in for all.

Essentially we are on similar lines or pages, though it may be on different curves, tangents or views. Each of us have our own baggage of personal, professional, social, physical, emotional and mental issues. Though the baggage may be light for some, heavy for others; it s always there. Being nice or doing good, doesn’t require all of us to hang on a banner and light up the lights. Rather it involves, simple acts of kindness and hospitality. Angels don’t simply come as radiant or winged beings, but also as weary travellers, hungry or hassled and tired. In those moments, when we become angels for some or be served by angels, we become closer to Christ and experience the true warmth of His Peace, His Love and His Grace.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Family and Society, Life, Reflections, Stories Around the World

Not to Condemn

Posted on March 15, 2020February 18, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

At the turn of the spring, the yard resembles the after-effects of a wind-storm. As rakes get into action and leaves get piled up, a pit is dug for the dead leaves side-by-side before the dusk turns to night. The fear of the dead leaves starting an unprecedented fire always lies in the mind. The bush-fires of Australian and the Californian wildfires are some of the most damaging wildfires as recorded by time. While most of the times, the initiator is nature; the Northern Californian Carr Fire (2018) wasn’t so. These sparks rose from a trailer whose tire had burst en-course scraping the metal against the pavement. This wildfire had burnt nearly 230,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes and lives as well as rendering many moribund. One can only imagine the shame, grief and remorse the couple who had driven the trailer felt.

“… for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:20)

As the survivors came to know about the details of wildfire, there were those who had condemned them and highlighted on the ramifications of being negligent and careless. Yet there were those survivors who on hearing that the couple were overcome with grief and shame, had extended their support to them with grace and kindness. They also had formed social media pages to show the same. As one survivor had written that blaming anyone doesn’t bring back the lost homes; accidents happen and no matter how much a burden one carries, we will all get through this together. (Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/15/us/carr-fire-community-sends-notes-trnd/index.html)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

To condemn another is relatively easy, but one has to learn to accept that condemnation doesn’t bring the loss back; neither does it reverse the hands of time. The act of condemnation, whether it be towards ourselves or others, is something that can damage the inner soul. Being human, one is prone to make innumerable mistakes. The latter of which some are accidental or made of ignorance, while the others are deliberate. Whatever the nature may be, correcting the mistake and taking care not to entertain a repeat is of more value. Condemning one doesn’t change anything. For some it may make one feel better, but to what extent. While for others, learning from mistakes or pointing out mistakes and their cause doesn’t give the right to condemn anyone or equate to the same.

“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” (Psalm 34:22)

Everyone is redeemable through His Grace. Each of us have our own cache of mistakes, errors or carelessness. As we learn from them and regrets get accumulated, one has to realize that His Saving Grace will get us through all this. As the Scriptures say throughout, God is greater than our hearts. As Christ calls us towards repentance, He helps us to unmask the shame, grief and remorse engulfing us. Through His Divine Grace and redemption, our hearts can be at ease in once again. Though there may be many things, happenings and events that one wishes one could turn back or undo; God draws us out of them. He offers His Grace, His Love, His Understanding and His Peace to help us calm our restless heart, thoughts and soul again.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Life, poetry, Random Thoughts

Through the Darkness

Posted on February 23, 2020November 22, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

During one of the inter-state Church fellowship meets, the joy of meeting up with childhood acquaintances was beautiful. Catching up on the news, both in the personal and professional front was done during the lunch hours. On the journey back home, it was natural to reflect back on the conversations. While many of us had plans during our growing years, of becoming teachers, pilots, actors,designers and so on, the lives led today mayn’t have been even thought of or imagined in the mind. There may have been plenty of “downs” and “ups”, deviations or detours as well as turning points. Yet the final outcome will always rest as per His Plans.

“Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

As the conversations ran through, the discovery that things may haven’t gone as per what the inner mind had held, the final outcome had blessings and gifts of it’s own. The Lord’s Plan can never be calculated or fathomed on the surface. The true purpose may reveal itself only over the years. Yet what is true, is that, what ever one may do, if it is in true Faith and Belief, then things will always go as per the right tune in the long run. For His Ways are many and mysterious, but He will never Forsake or leave us alone, as long as the Faith stays strong and His Word remains true in the heart. For those very things give plenty of courage and light through the darkness.

” The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.” (Psalm 33:11)

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Light Shining out of Darkness

1
God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

2
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sov’reign will.

3
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

4
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

5
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev’ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

6
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

– William Cowper

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings

Cracked but Reinforced…

Posted on February 16, 2020February 1, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While putting a fresh coat of paint on the fence, my mother had redone her flowerpots. Due to the ever-present heat, some of them had tiny cracks, while others had deep ones. Yet after sanding in, filling in the cracks and with a fresh coat of paint, the new look had given a new lease of colours to the garden.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 )

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

At times, we too behave like clay pots. Life, with all it’s experiences and lessons creates those inevitable cracks. While some are tiny and don’t weather us; others tends to break one apart. Not just to the external forces, but he internal pressure as well starts off those cracks. When rescued in time, these cracks heal better and give each of us a fresh spurt. Yet when the cracks go deep, leaning towards His Help for the final fresh coat of paint after being sanded and filled helps one to get back and brings colour to the garden.

Being of earth, we all have our cracks. Learning to heal them at the right time, helps us to stay on strong. Being human, the inner frailty, weakness and powerlessness is inevitable. Yet through His Grace and His Mercy, each of us receive the strength and courage to face life renewed. To receive His Help, one has to be receptive, abide in His Word and above all, have immense Faith that thins will all work out as long as His Hope stays strong. For no pot can ever be lost if the potter decides not to. Just as the potter shapes each pot from clay, so does he strengthen them when they weaken and remold them better to face the challenges of life as they come by.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Reflections

Perfect by His Time

Posted on February 9, 2020January 11, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While trying out a new cake recipe for the weekend, it involved getting the ingredients and their measures as well as mixing the batter to the right consistency. Finally the batter in the cake pan, the oven was set to preheat and then the baking was on. Reflecting back on the success of the experiment, it was getting the proportion of the mix and the timing right, which mattered the most. If either went imbalanced, the outcome wouldn’t be the expected.

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:11)

Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Our regular days are a lot similar. We gather the ingredients, proportion them, mix and get the final outcome. The latter may at times be as expected or a little better or maybe worse. Cumulatively looking at all the incidents, the timing may be perfect when least expected or things go beyond salvage even in the best possible surroundings. Who sets the time ? All of us have our own set of skills. Yet using them at the right time, place and the will to do so matters quite a bit.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalms 32:8)

Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Getting things right or going on the right track mayn’t always be a smooth ride. Along with own self-discovery, discernment of gifts, limitations as well as the determination to forge ahead, is the attitude to rectifying mistakes and re-proportioning the ingredients along the journey. It is never easy to accept own mistakes, acknowledge losses and learn from them. Instead it is easy to transfer the blame and guilt to circumstances, luck and fate. While they may have a role to play or not, knowing if one could have done something better than the present try is what makes the huge difference in perfecting the dream. While all things mayn’t be possible at one shot, with plenty of faith, Hope and His Grace the heart gets the courage to go on, the spirit strengthens itself when weak and one receives a glimmer of light in the direction of the present turn. And that is the beauty of life.

“What man is he that feareth the LORD, him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.” (Psalms 25:12)

Source:Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Random Thoughts

Order to the Chaos

Posted on February 2, 2020January 31, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Bedlam. That is how one tends to describe most mornings at home, especially on Mondays. From the chaos of bringing order to things after the weekend trip to the family homestead, the arranging of lunches, office paperwork and getting uniforms ironed; it takes immense effort to keep own calm and settle the situation. Over the office break hour, the silent introspection begins. As far as my recall goes, morning chaos was never a part of my school years. Maybe it was because of the less tasks to be done. Or it could be attributed to the order brought by practice of time management as a fine art ( courtesy of my mother). So what happens on certain mornings these days? Time mismatched or poor division of responsibilities.

With the invention of electric clock, time has been transferred from the wall clocks to the digital manner of “smart watches, smart phones, and laptops.” As the seconds tick by, everyone seems to be in a hurry. At certain points of the day, week or month; each of us run short of time. At times, no matter how many gimmicks one tries; time is always on the run with us, mere mortals in it’s chase.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Putting in the opinion of experts; time has to be managed essentially on the lines of priority, task delegation and bringing an order or establishing a routine. Despite all this, the entire run seems tiresome and weekdays are most dreaded. As the pace increases, somewhere along the way we have lost the zest and interest that each new day brings.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

One of the secrets to managing time doesn’t lie in going fast or slow. Instead being in the moment, keeping the cool and sorting out is what keeps the day rolling out just fine. As the start to most mornings, spending some quiet time with Him will give us a spark to face the day. As one moves fast within the race with time, knowing why as well as learning from the situation around us help one to keep the pace.

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

The time allotted to each of us doesn’t live by clock-watching alone but by leaning to appreciate His Grace, His Kindness and His Love in each of our lives. As long as the Spirit is strong, the hassles brought by each hour can be faced with a steady mind. Spending time with Him, helps us to get in step with each other and ourselves as well.

“A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” (Psalm 90:4).

While one may or mayn’t expect the same chaos most mornings, learning to keep the peace within helps us to manage the waking hours. While bringing about an order may result in a flurry of actions and words, keeping own cool and calm helps one to go ahead in time than be in the constant rush zone. And when the days start with His Word, the peace settles in soon and order is brought into the mayhem.

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes

Braid Those Strands

Posted on January 29, 2020November 13, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While shopping for a house welcoming gift, my husband and I, we had finally decided on a houseplant as a gift for close friends. That is when we had chanced upon the potted version of the “money tree plant”. Pachira acquatica ( a.k.a the Malabar chestnut, French peanut, Provision tree), a tropical wetland tree is native to Central and South America where it grows as a tropical wetland tree. Surprisingly, this is sold as a houseplant with it’s trunks braided. What the reason maybe ( the seller didn’t know why), the braided trunk supports the big leaves quite well, giving the plant a wholly aesthetic and balanced look.

“Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is thread, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.” Simone Signoret

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://wikipedia.com

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

These “braided trunks” are what one needs when going through a tough spot. The courage to bear the weight through tough times doesn’t happen when the weight is born on one lone spindly stalk. Instead when a cumulative support is given, the entire matter is sorted through and one learns to rise and stand tall and strong. Relationships are never bound by chains. If ever done so, those very chains rust over time, breaking away to fine powders and falling apart with the links scattered.

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

When these chains are held together not just by strength but by fine braids of feelings, emotions and positive associations; tendrils of love, kindness and warmth grow along and support each one through the thick and thin. Relationships grow stronger with stability, closeness and strength in God. Marriage, friendships as well as family ties require nurturing. Not just with love and kindness, merging these bonds with His Word and His Teachings abounds one with an endless source of love, grace and hope. On looking back, these are what brings a smile to the tired mind, body and soul. To experience life to the fullest, it entails one learning to hold these tiny threads above the chains. This difference is what holds the memories alive, making each day enriched and memorable over the years.