Tag: footprints

Posted in Christian, poetry, Reflections

His Gift

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'”(Luke 24:6-7)

As the early rays streaked across the skies, giving dawn it’s beauty; the magnificence resonated with the gift of His Love. As written in the scriptures, the resurrection of Christ brings to light the second chance given by God to man.

From being a living hope to forgiveness for the mistakes committed by man, Easter signifies God’s mercy, love and forgiveness for His people. Realizing that, one should not let this blessing of second chances go to waste. And if one chance is lost, sincere regret would let one regain hope and an opportunity to receive as well as live His Gift again.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

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The Gift of Easter
by Bill Marshall

Upon a hill between two thieves
they hung Christ on a tree.
They mocked Him and they tortured Him,
for everyone to see.

They nailed a sign above His head,
this is the “King of Jews.”
Then one thief said, “If this is true,
save both of us and you.”

And as the people watched Him there,
the rulers sneered at Him.
This sacrificial Lamb of God,
he took our place for sin.

“Forgive them Father” was His prayer,
“because they do not know.”
You sent me here to do this task,
give sin a final blow.

Christ paid a debt He did not owe,
for a debt we could not pay.
He gave his life upon that cross,
so we may live someday.

To see Him on His heavenly throne,
to see Him in His glory.
To give Him honor, to give Him praise,
to sing “The old, old story.”

Oh think of that great love Christ had,
to give His life for me.
To shed His blood, to pay the price,
in all humility.

To take my sin upon Himself
and pay that debt for me.
By this great deed and by His word,
I know I am set free.

Set free from sin, set from guilt,
set free from Satan’s power.
Set free to overcome these things,
the trials of this hour.

Then joy throughout the universe,
the joy of that third day.
Christ conquered death, He rose again.
That stone was rolled away.

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

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Posted in Christian, poetry, Reflections

His Grace for Us

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

With the darkness of the night being chased away by the growing light, unlike the same morning of the year previous; we weren’t heading for the church. Instead the morning saw us gather as a family, with scripture readings of the Resurrection and explanations for children were done. Towards the later morning hours, we had gathered for the streaming of the service from our mother church. Though none of us had gathered with the church community, the meaning of Good Friday and it’s essence were shared within the family.

“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

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Every year, the remembrance of Good Friday highlights the fact that by repentance our mistakes can be corrected. Being human, to err is an innate part of our nature. While some errors maybe deliberate, others maybe incidental or accidental, or done out of misunderstandings or from different perspectives. Either way, mistakes are made. Some have irrevocable consequences, while others’ mayn’t be so. To acknowledge our mistakes, is the first step and is quite difficult to do so. The second is to correct the wrong, while it may be possible in some cases, other cases it mayn’t be so.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

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Whether the rectification mayn’t be possible or not, for the wrong-doer to acknowledge the fault is the first step. Repentance always starts from the heart. As taught to us through this day, God loved His People. His Grace has given the chance for one to seek true and honest forgiveness for the sin. That repentance alone, gives us another chance to turn towards the right path. It would be real easy to condemn and be condemned. Yet to repent, seek and give forgiveness is the one of the steps of being His Child. For such is His Love, that for His Children He is always there, bringing His Strength, His Hope and His Grace for times both the good and the bad, the difficult and the easy as well as the uncertain or the troubled days. For through Him, we shall overcome and live in His Peace.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16)

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Still Falls the Rain

Still falls the Rain—
Dark as the world of man, black as our loss—
Blind as the nineteen hundred and forty nails
Upon the Cross.

Still falls the Rain
With a sound like the pulse of the heart that is changed to the hammer-beat
In the Potter’s Field, and the sound of the impious feet

On the Tomb:
Still falls the Rain
In the Field of Blood where the small hopes breed and the human brain
Nurtures its greed, that worm with the brow of Cain.

Still falls the Rain
At the feet of the Starved Man hung upon the Cross.
Christ that each day, each night, nails there, have mercy on us—
On Dives and on Lazarus:
Under the Rain the sore and the gold are as one.

Still falls the Rain—

Still falls the Blood from the Starved Man’s wounded Side:
He bears in His Heart all wounds,—those of the light that died,
The last faint spark
In the self-murdered heart, the wounds of the sad uncomprehending dark,
The wounds of the baited bear—
The blind and weeping bear whom the keepers beat
On his helpless flesh… the tears of the hunted hare.

Still falls the Rain—
Then— O Ile leape up to my God: who pulles me doune—
See, see where Christ’s blood streames in the firmament:
It flows from the Brow we nailed upon the tree

Deep to the dying, to the thirsting heart
That holds the fires of the world,—dark-smirched with pain
As Caesar’s laurel crown.

Then sounds the voice of One who like the heart of man
Was once a child who among beasts has lain—
“Still do I love, still shed my innocent light, my Blood, for thee.”

– Edith Sitwell (The Raids,1940, Night and Dawn)

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Posted in Christian, Musique, Personal Musings

Voice of Hope

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’” (John 12:13)

While listening to the Scriptures being read out during the morning lauds, the verses always give a fresh burst of hope, promise and strength. Derived from the Hebrew “hoshi’a na,” (translated in Greek as “(h)osanna”) implied “to save” was viewed as a plea for help. It was an act of surrender for His Help when the potential impact of something that is about to happen or has happened is realized. When things go out of hand, we turn to His Saving Grace and His Mercy for help. Using “hosanna” as a cry of help, means that one deeply realizes that we need His Help and His Mercy for we are stretched beyond our limit.

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Psalms 118:26)

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Reading through the New Testament, the Scriptures say of the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem uses Hosanna as a proclamation of own faith. With faith comes hope of new beginning. When palm branches were placed in His Path, it marked the beginning of not just the tradition of Palm Sunday but the beginning of a new Salvation and the proclamation of the same. From deep fear, uncertainty and concern, we have shifted to complete hope, trust, confidence and acceptance of His Word and His Faith. Hosanna here means, adoration and praise as well as a cry of thanksgiving for the gift of His Salvation.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” (John 5:24)

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As the past few weeks or even months have shown us, each of us have been pleading for His Help, His Grace and His Comfort during this widespread pandemic. Along with our plea, is the gratitude for how far we have got through these difficult weeks. From being bestowed with blessings in many different forms, hopes being raised intermittent or close saves to being free of illness; these gifts no matter how small or little may seem to be, are signs of His Grace.

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:10)

Singing Hosanna from our homes and hearts should not just be cry for His Help, but also our cry of thanksgiving for His Help received and His Saving Grace. Though some of us may be still going through the lock-down phase, others bearing the effects of the illness, or of losses sustained; let us all bear in mind that His Strength would help us through.

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While things have been bad, we have and will survive, especially to sing His Praise. For our Faith and His Salvation will help us through these days of now, and that of the future as well.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” (John 5:24)

Hosanna

I see the King of Glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes, yeah
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna, Hosanna….

Excerpt from the song Hosanna by Hillsong Worship
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Brooke Ligertwood
Hosanna lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

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Posted in Christian, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Reflections, Stories Around the World, Work

One Pair to Many

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

During the initial phases of my career, there were many roadblocks, of which one stays prominent in the mind. This instance was when a project had to submitted within three days, instead of the stipulated one week timeline. With the project being allotted to three colleagues, time was too short to complete the work in a satisfactory manner within three days. During the coffee break, the rest of us were informed. What happened then was those three pairs of hands were joined by another four pairs, the latter having near about met their own deadlines. Suddenly the three day deadline was not an impossible feat to achieve.

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” John Holmes

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Many instances one feels that things mayn’t be accomplished. Yet looking back, at the end of the day, one discovers that it was possible after all. The “hows” of the happening may be because of additional pair of hands, tackling the situation in small bite-sized portions or simply Divine Grace. Most of the times, it is the latter that often helps one face the impossible days.

As the story of the “Stone Soup” goes, each of us needs to just bring what one has at hand to make the final soup. When what one has at hand is submitted to Him, it would be multiplied in a manner beyond expectation as long as one places complete faith and trust in Him. The scriptures teach us of the feeding of five thousand people, all from a sparse fare of five loaves and two fishes. When these items were surrendered to Christ, He had increased it and thousands of hungry mouths.

““Bring them here to me,” [Jesus] said.” (Matthew 14:18)

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Such is the outcome when one surrenders their efforts, talents and services to Him; it will be accepted and increased beyond own expectations or imagination, making the impossible possible. All these are possible, only when one is willing to bring what is in their hands to Him and enlist His Help, His Grace and His Mercy. With all this, the feat of achieving the impossible, but possible through Him, gives a feeling of warmth and lightness, filling one with peace and happiness from within.

“Stone Soup,” an old tale with many versions, tells of a starving man who comes to a village, but no one there can spare a crumb of food for him. He puts a stone and water in a pot over a fire. Intrigued, the villagers watch him as he begins to stir his “soup.” Eventually, one brings a couple of potatoes to add to the mix; another has a few carrots. One person adds an onion, another a handful of barley. A farmer donates some milk. Eventually, the “stone soup” becomes a tasty chowder. Though this tale illustrates the value of sharing, but it also reminds us to bring what we have, even when it seems to be insignificant. (Source:vk.com)

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Posted in Christian, Daily, Family and Society

Stay on Track

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Watching the sports field as the shades of dusk settled, there was a hub of activity. As the preparations for the annual sports day was underway, the drill team were having their final instructions, the pit lines were being drawn and the tracks were being freshly marked. Observing the fresh white marked being poured to mark the race tracks, they were finely poured with measured distances between the lines. Everyone knows what happens when the tracks get drawn in a shabby manner. Too little space for the runners, or worst of all, they run into each other’s track fields resulting in a whole of confusion and shoving.

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Like wise in life, we too have our own tracks that help us stay in line. These tracks guide us, correct us when things go wrong and map out a course for us to run along. Such is the guidance of His Spirit. Life on earth, is never predictable. So are the paths that we follow, roads that we take and the unexpected roadblocks that we encounter. To stay on the track, in the course of events would be difficult at times. By His Spirit, the tendency to wander, get lost or be disheartened is lessened.

“Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them, Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name, Who led them through the depths? Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble…” (Isaiah 63:11-14)

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As one encounters the tough moments of life, His Spirit guides us on to which path to take, options to choose and heed to. One may call it the inner conscience, moral compass or the sixth sense, but it is His Spirit that stays in the mind and guides us through these actions, words and behaviour. The Spirit is strengthened by His Word and His Grace. for those to all come into being, one would need to walk in His Faith. Faith is not borne fruit by prayers alone, but complete belief in His Word and in His Law. When all these things come into proper balance, the gift of His Spirit and His Guidance would guide us through all the different race tracks or dirt tracks that we may run into throughout our lifetime.

“The Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie.” (1 John 2:27)

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Posted in Christian, Daily, poetry, Reflections

Comfort of His Grace

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

On some mornings, the vivid recollections of the dreams of sleep hours stay behind. While some may hold the most bizarre sequences, images or forgotten faces and details; others may be of the nagging worry depicted in the subconscious mind. Regardless of the details, the unsettled moments of waking up can be calmed down by watching the early rays of light.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

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There is something about dawn, that helps one to face the uncertainty of the day. Yet to experience it, one has to spend some time with His Gifts as He helps us calm our souls and settle the restless thoughts lurking in the mind. Each of us needs those few moments to do nothing, but experience His Peace and His Grace, so as to know that through Him all things are indeed possible.

“You have to allow a certain amount of time in which you are doing nothing in order to have things occur to you, to let your mind think. When was the last time you spent a quiet moment just doing nothing – just sitting and looking at the sea, or watching the wind blowing the tree limbs, or waves rippling on a pond, a flickering candle or children playing in the park?” Nigel Finn

His Peace and His Marvellous Works are shown in the quiet of the world, be it the in the dawn or the setting rays or the light of the day. Unless one learns to appreciate the quiet, the tires soul, though weary of the travels, would be in still in a constant state of restlessness. Being in the latter phase isn’t a pleasant feel. On the other hand, embracing the quiet of the day, helps the soul stay happy as well as experience His Grace and infinite Mercy.

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Quiet

Quiet, quiet, feel the morning breeze,
Quiet, quiet, listen to the whispering trees.
Hear the mourning dove coo upon the wire,
Let the quiet, quiet your heart inspire.

I hear the bark of a faraway dog,
Smell the dew from a fallen log.
I let fleshly feelings fall limp from me
Now I ask my God His will to speak.

And in His love and quiet and peace,
He stills my soul.
By Sunlite Wanter, 2019

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Posted in Christian, Life, poetry, Random Thoughts

Through the Darkness

Posted on 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)

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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)

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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

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