Skariah John Achen's Blog

SO CAN YOU !

2007-07-18T03:26:00Z

A boat with a furled sail at rest reminds us of the great journeys captured and yet to be captured.A boat is designed in such a way that it can go through the waters.A car reminds us of the journey through roads and highways.So each and every minute creation of man has a purpose. A boat is designed for the journey in the waters and a car is designed for the journey on the roads. So without any second thought we can surely say that humanbeings too have some purpose in this world to fulfill.

This great purpose we can see in the life of Jesus.He was fully human and faced all the challenges and temptations like any other humanbeing during those time.So he is a doctor who knows the tear and wear of humanbeings.He proved us that we can lead a life by not being the slaves of satan through Jesus intimate relationship with His Father.His aim was to establish the kingdom of God in our midst. As his disciples our purpose of life is also the same.

Jesus started his ministry by saying " Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near " ( Mathew 4:17 ). So according to Jesus Kingdom of God is not something related to earthly kingdoms, but its related to our humanminds. It is a growing experience in human life. It is an experience where God is in complete control in human life. So Jesus said, " My kingdom is not of this world " ( John 18:36 ).

Luke Ch.6: 27 - 36 Jesus is giving a golden principle for the kingdom of God. Love your fellowbeings as God loved them i.e. Christs disciples are not to react but to act according to the Kingdom principles of love, forgiveness and generosity. In other words, just as one's life - style is not determined by the enemy, neither is it determined by the friend. Rather than a person hating in response to hatred and loving in response to love, Christian behavior and relationships are prompted by the God we worship who does not react but acts in love and grace toward all. This is what it means to be children of God ( vs. 35 ).

Let us look into our own life and see whether our deeds are actions or reactios ? We always blame the other person that because of his /her actions we reacted that way. Let me share one incident that happened in India almost 4yrs. back. An Australian Missionary named Graham Staines served in one of the remote villages in Orissa. He and his family worked among the lepors. But one day the family had to face a tragedy in their life. Graham Staines and his two sons were burned alive by some miscreants while they were sleeping in their own van at night. Now his wife and daughter are lonely. If we were in their place what would have been our reactions ? We might return back to our own country. But what was the action of Mrs.Gladys Staines ? She openly said: I have forgiven the people who burned alive my husband and children and we have decided to stay in Orissa and continue to work among the lepors.

We can ask God to help us to produce real actions and not mere reactions.

Let me conclude with a prayer of an African Christian -

Oh God, enlarge my heart that it may be big enough to receive the greatness of your love.

Stretch my heart that it may take into it all those who with me around the world believe in Jesus Christ.

Stretch it that it may take into all those who do not know him, but who are my responsibility because I know him.

And stretch it that it may take in all those who are not lovely in my eyes, and whose hands I do not want to touch;

through Jesus Christ, my savior, Amen.

Share this post: email it! | digg it!

" FEEL THE DIFFERENCE "

2007-06-14T02:10:00Z

Attaining credits is an inevitable part of American life. From the begining itself one is struggling to attain good credits.Whether it is in the field of education, work, purchase of house, indulging into business etc., inshort in every aspect of life we need good credits for better living. So we can say the life in America is a marathon to gain good credits.

But God's attitude is different.His rating is not according to the worldly credits.Here in Mark Ch. 1:9-11 we see Jesus as a common man. Jesus appears simply as one of the anonymous crowd coming to John the Baptist. Mark only points Jesus as one from Nazereth in Galilee ( Mark 1:9 ), a place which is unattested in any ancient source.Throughout the Gospel Mark emphasizes Jesus humble Nazereth roots ( Mark 1:24, 10:47, 14:67, 16:6 ). Apart from that in Mark's Gospel Jesus is not the one who credentialed through miraculous origins or a solid geneology which Matthew and Luke cannot resist.

Yet it is precisely upon this figure the divine favour falls.When Jesus rose from the waters of Jordan He saw a vision, the heaven openend and heard the voice of election ( Mark 1:10 ). Jesus was identified as beloved Son ( Mark 1:11 ). So Jesus was assured by the Holy Spirit for His mission in this world. So we can consider the occasion of the baptism of Jesus by John was the meeting point of His humanness and godliness ( please don't misunderstand John's baptism with our baptism ). Jesus humble human origin and identification with the human through baptism reveals His humanness.But the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus and the divine words from heaven reveal His godliness.

So from this passage we can surely find that whatever may be our credits God is ready to accept us and ready to empower us for His mission in this world.

For carrying out His mission in this world we have to identify with our fellowbeings around us and have to be filled with the Holy Spirit.It is a good news for us that God is ready to give us the Holy Spirit inspite of our credits.But from Jesus own life we can see that carrying out the mission is not easy. After baptism the Holy Spirit guided him to the desert where he was tempted by satan ( Mark 1:12 ).After transfiguration He went to the valley among the people who were struggling with the challenges of life (Mark 9:17-18 ).After Gethsemane ( fellowship with his Father, Mark 14:32-42 ) Jesus proceeded towards the Cross. It is clear that there are trials and tribulations in this world when we try to do the will of God. As Jesus received guidence and strength from the Holy Spirit in the same way the Holy Spirit will enable us to do the will of God ( Mission ) in this world.

In this world we can't achieve anything without good credits. But our heavenly Father is waiting for our fellowship and participation to fulfill the Mission without considering our credits.

Do we have time for God who loves us not according to our credits in this world ?

There is no need for our credit card information. Do you like to be subscribed for GOD ?

Share this post: email it! | digg it!

UTTERLY...BUTTERLY...DELICIOUS...!

2007-05-15T03:22:00Z

America is a nation of unending highways, millions of automobiles and people on the move. An intrinsic part of this ballad of the road is the ubiquitous McDonald's, Subways and so forth. A small patch of light in a sea of darkness, a moment of respite for the weary traveler. Food is an intrinsic part of our day to day life.There is no function or entertainment without food.The situation was not so different in the time of Jesus.

But here in this passage JOHN 6: 41 - 51 Jesus was targeted by the Jews because of his proclamation about food. He said " I am the bread that came down from heaven " ( vs.41).Here Jesus corrects them by showing the contrast between earthly food - Manna ( It was the food of Israelites through their journey in wilderness which was given by God ) and heavenly bread ( Himself ).

Eventhough the Israelites ate Manna they died.There is no life for manna in itself. It helped to sustain life for sometime.But what our Lord said, " I am the living bread that came down from heaven " ( vs. 51 ).Inorder for us to receive eternal life God Himself came down to earth.

The food that we eat comes in the category of Manna.It helps us to sustain life on earth for some time.But only the living bread can give eternal life. For receiving this eternal life we have to be in the continuing relationship with our Lord.When we receive and eat this heavenly bread ( Jesus ) in faith, we are being in the experience of eternal life. When we sincerly partake in the Holy Communion, we are also receiving the bread of life into our life.It is not a momentary experience, but it is an ongoing process.Our Lord gave his life as heavenly bread for us.He was broken for our eternal life.When we receive him we have a responsibility, ie. to be bread for others.To give ourselves to be broken for the life of others.Then heaven will be manifested through our lives.This is the fortaste of the kingdom in this world.

So let us pray to the Lord - O Lord help us to receive and experience you as our heavenly food. Enable us to be partakers in the experience of eternal life and strengthen us to help others to discover you as the living and lifegiving bread. Amen.

Share this post: email it! | digg it!

" The Quest "

2007-04-14T08:14:00Z

Our neighbour Mr.Cardinas Ray 87, rarely goes to Church.Basically he is a Catholic.He says ' I don't want to go to Church because Christians simply believe. I can't do that. I want proof. There is no proof in Christian belief, so I am not interested in going to Church.'

Mr.Ray is a representative of modern Thomas.A man seeking some proof for believing. In John Chapter 20: 20-29 we can see the real seach of Thomas for the living Jesus. Here Thomas wanted to see for himself.He was not willing to take anyone else's word that Jesus was alive.

This kind of doubt can be creative.We do not have a dynamic faith because we do not have an experience of Living Jesus personally in our life.

One hundred and four years ago a man named Sunder Singh was born in the northern part of India.As he grew he searched for peace in his own religion.But he couldn't find.He hated Christ and his teachings.He even threw stones at preachers and encouraged others to do likewise.Still, however hard he tried, he couldn't find the peace he had been seeking for from his own religion.He reached a point in his life where committing suicide crossed his mind.Three days after he burned the Bible in front of his father, he woke up at 3 am. and said to himself,"Oh God, if you do exist, show me the right way, or I will kill myself."He was thinking of throwing himself in front of a train that usually passed at 5 am. every morning behind their house in the hope that he would find peacefulness in his future reincarnation.He repeated his prayer once again.All of a sudden he saw a brilliant light.At first he feared that the room was on fire.But nothing happened.He then thought that it might be an answer to his prayer.While watching the light, he suddenly saw Jesus' figure in the radiance.He then heard a voice in Hindi saying, " How much longer are you going to search for me ? I have come to save you.You prayed for the right path.Why have you not followed it ?" At that time, Sunder Singh realized that Jesus had not died and that He was alive.Sunder fell on his knees before Jesus and experienced an astonishing peacefulness which he had never felt before. The vision disappeared, but peace and joy lingered within him.

We need to be able to say with the Samaritans to whom the woman by the well witnessed about Christ, " It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world."

The burning doubt and quest of Thomas brought Jesus in front of him.Jesus considerd his sincere wish to experience Jesus personally. Are you a doubting Thomas ? We have a hope.Our Lord is a Lord who can convert doubt to assurance of faith.

Thomas was overcome.He knew how much Jesus loved him. His response was one of overwhelming loyalty and he cried out " My Lord and My God ".

" Search you will find."

r e

Share this post: email it! | digg it!

On That Sabbath...!

2007-03-17T17:26:00Z

An unexpected incident occured around two thousand years ago in a Jewish Church.The presence of Jesus altered the traditional worshipping experience of that Church.

This incident of the crippled woman is mentioned only in Luke's Gospel and this healing experience takes place on a Sabbath, in a Synagogue ( Luke 13:10-17 ).

This takes place in midst of a worshipping community.Since 18yrs. she was part of that worshipping community.But this community was least bothered about her inability.This Synagogue is an example of those community who does not respond to the needs of the needy.

Even in our worshipping community this is the case.There are many who are part of this worshipping community but goes unnoticed, who like this crippled woman are affected by some or the other dissabilities.Today in our society who is given respect ? Who is recognized ? Who is appreciated ? What is our criteria in respecting, recognizing and loving others ? Is it the person as an individual or is it his position, wealth and status.

Here Christ criticizes those who give more importance to the Laws but fails to recognize the needs of the fellowbeings.This criticism asks us to respect, love and care the people who are marginalised.

1.Jesus responds to the need of the needy : In midst of the worshipping community, inspite of large gathering Jesus saw this crippled woman.Inspite of her disability Jesus finds her as a woman who took special interest in worship.And Jesus notices this and calls her forward.For God each individual is important.

This incident points to God's response to all those who are in need.Here Jesus realises the need of this woman and without her request he gives her the healing.Jesus wanted her to know that she is a respectable woman and in God's sight she is very unique.A person without recognition in the community, Jesus brings her to the centre of the community.The society kept her away in the periphery, Jesus brought her to the mainstream of life and to the centre of community.Even in our midst there are people who needs our love, care and cocern.Are we able to recognize them, respect them and accept them as they are and bring them to the core of our fellowship.

2.Christ delivers from the bondage : Those who are bent, face down they are not able to see the glory of God.God has given us the previlege to look upto him.But because of man's sinfulness, man's guilt, they are not able to lift their head above and they are in the bent position.God brought forth the disorder into order i.e. God's creation.A person who is bent cannot look upward can only look to the ground.The sinful nature of man enables him to view only the earthly things.

With the help of Jesus this woman could lift her eyes to the Lord and she praises God Almighty.Unless and untill we lift our eyes and hearts to the Lord we cannot praise / glorify God.If we want to experience the power, if we wnt to experience the blessings in our life, we need to lift our eyes above, we need to turn to God.

3.The experience of True Sabbath : The synagogue ruler was the representative of the diseased community than the woman who got the healing touch from Jesus. The concept of Jesus and the concept of the Synagogue ruler is different.

Why did Christ heal her on Sabbath itself ? The healing on sabbath - the completion and fulfilment of whole creation on the seventh day - it's a proof that the worshipping community should be complete in it's fulness.From verse 15 we find that Jesus is trying to point out and teach that a woman is more important than these animals.Since last 18yrs. she was in the bondage of satan, but now she experiences the healing touch and she is delivered from her infirmity.

On that Sabbath day the Creator stood before the creature.The imperfect became perfect. Through this Jesus exposed the hollow spirituality of the worshipping community.They were pretending to be blind to the needs of the needy.But according to Jesus worship would reach its fulness only when this bent woman could experince the true happiness. What about our worships ? Do they happen to be the eye openers to the needs of the people in the periphery ? Are we able to give true fellowship to the people who are lonely ?

Our Master did that. We are to follow Him. So each moment in our life be an oppurtunity for this true worship. Sure Jesus is with us. Rejoice in true worship.

Share this post: email it! | digg it!

Redemption and Transformation through Jesus Christ

2007-02-18T01:19:00Z

JOHN 2: 1-11.

From the 18th of February we are entering into the Great Lent Season.This is also known as " Fifty days lent".It is a time of confession,conversion and renewal.We are to live in the experience of the Kingdom of God. Each Sunday has a particular theme from the Gospels,which manifests the healing, transforming power of Christ during his earthly ministry.

This week the Church concentrates on the theme " Redemption and Transformation through Jesus Christ".

The Gospel as 'Good News" of God for the world is Jesus.He is God's intervention with his transforming power in life situation of all who are in need and suffering.This experience is possible only with total obedience and full committment.It is a challenge and demands a lot of resolve, as this passage would illustrate.

The Gospel of John is the book of signs.This incident is the first of seven signs around which chapters 2 - 12 of John's Gospel is built.These miracles are especially called signs because they are not simply acts of power,but to demonstrate the glory of God in Jesus (John 1:14).They are presented so that the reader might share in the confession that " these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah,the Son of God,and by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).

In John's Gospel there is no Christmas narrative.John the baptist and Mary the mother of Jesus introduces Jesus to the World.John the baptist introduces Jesus as the Lamb of God.Here in the context of a wedding in the village at Cana Mary introduces Jesus in a family setting as the one who intervenes in the ordinary life of people.Here Jesus turns water into wine.St.John described this incident as the first sign of Jesus and proclaims this as the inauguration of the experience of the Kingdom of God.

In the beginning Jesus was the invited guest of that wedding.But at the end he became the host who was gracious and generous.Form this incident I want to emphasize -

"The Transforming presence of Christ in our day to day life "

Here Jesus transformed the situation from anxiety and depression to happiness and hope.But for this transformation certain things were carried out.First of all Jesus was invited for that wedding.Second there was Mary the mother of Jesus to communicate the actual situation of that house and Thirdly there were some people to obey Jesus instructions.After these procedures the situation was transformed from shortage to abundance, from anxiety to hope.

So each one of us can experience the transformation of our life situations through Jesus Christ.The only thing that needs to be done is to invite Jesus in our lives, provide a space for him to act and obey his instructions.Then we can also experience the transforming presence of Christ in our lives.He is ready to Transform.But are we ready to involve Jesus in our day to day life? When roads get rough and life seems tough and hope seems dim, by his power, we can transform our situations.Then the world around will be blessed through us and they will praise the Lord and believe in His name.

Share this post: email it! | digg it!