Churning
Sometimes it seems that I am quite inadequate in many things. Then I remember the promise, ““My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I am glad.
Through the paths of life
Life is not quite easy when people are trying to malign your name and make things difficult for you. But what makes me strong is the fact that I have my lord to lead me through the different paths of life. If not for him, I would be directionless. In times of turmoil, it is easy to get lost looking at the different problems and their impacts but the knowledge that my saviour and my comforter is there with me gives me renewed strength day after day. If not for faith, where would I be, is a thought that often crosses my mind. Glad.
When something is forgotten . . .
This morning when I opened my mail-box, a comment was waiting to be approved. I had forgotten this page I created way back in 2009. I would just like to say that inspite of me not frequenting this space, I am being led by my heavenly father in ways that I cannot fathom. His grace and mercies has upheld me all through.
Glad to be alive and be led.
Sometimes . . .
It all seems hazy. A million emotions just wriggle themselves out of the mind. Sometimes I feel as if they just take control and I am just an instrument in their hands. I know they are the result of my inner ruminations but then why aren’t they pleasant. They niggle me and force me to submit to them. Its at these times, I tear myself off their clutches and force myself to the higher power — my God and saviour. Its him alone who knows the intricacies and knots. He would have gone through these things albeit in a different context. I give up rather empty myself unto his hands. But then the emotions still attempt to seize the reins by force. What do I do? Stay calm and start praising him. Tell the emotions — “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Well, that helps for sure. I am glad that I am not an atheist. I can always rely on an external force to lead, guide and protect me. Now anyone can argue about the existence of a god and say that its all a manifestation of the mind. But then, I know it for sure that he exists. Maybe I cannot prove it but what proof more than me. I could have been shattered by the things that happened with me but I could take it as I rest secure. I can fall back on him and say “The one who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Consequences of our sins
For a long time, I assumed that when one sins and confesses them, (s)he is forgiven and the sin forgotten. This definitely holds true but then one has to bear the consequences of the sins. This revelation hit me hard as I sat listening to the sermon one Sunday. Thoughts of god being gracioous and kind seemed so very distant and vague. I wondered about what would happen to me. A sinner of the highest degree. But wait! Hold on! If I commit something wrong, its but natural that consequences have to follow. This is the law. What goes up, comes down. This is the law of gravity and similarly one reaps what one sows.
Now, irrespective of being believers or non-believers, there are certain things that are uniform throughout. What goes out from you has a way of returning back to you. I can’t be more sure of this when I think back on many things that I have done. David and Moses were not spared too. But now comes the nice part. Our gracious god forgives and forgets and alongside that also gives us the assurance that he is with us through all that we undergo. He helps us as always through the holy spirit. He admonishes and leads us. But we, sometimes, due to our pride and haughty spirit ignore his admonishing.
The good news is that eventhough we were sinners, we have been saved and freed from the bondage of sin. As for the consequences, we have to go through them as we have sowed them. But then when god is with us, we can go through the consequences too. His hand will sustain us through all. Thats the amazing grace!
Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow of death . . .
Sometimes one feels listless and forlorn. The reason for that maybe a myriad of things that have happened or memories that seem niggling the mind or the unseen future which seems very unsure. I have seen many things that have left me unsettled and shredded. At those times, I always think ‘Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.” The promise always assures me that no matter what, I am being led by someone who has carved me in the palm of his hands. His promise never to leave me or forsake me stands in stark contrast to the belief I have put in man who has always failed me. The one who stood as an epitome of strength and courage, though has not deserted me physically has left. In spite of the many pleas and tears, the man never fails to fail me. But then, I have moved away from looking at man and hoping for his favour. I have my god, who sustains, strengthens and revives me from the rock bottom. No matter how deep I fall, deeper is his counsel and grace. His faithfulness, though can seem abstract to many, has never let me down. I choose to trust and place my faith on a god who seems much real than reality that has always betrayed me. Sometimes I wish I could reach out the feel him in flesh and blood. But that is a desperation out of the desire to embrace the tangible but then I know that he is there, watching and planning for me.
The experience of walking with him is something I am experiencing as never before as the ones who shoud be standing by me have left. Selfish as it seems, it is for the greater good which I alone know. I am happy to be led by him who never sleeps nor slumbers.
Seven ways to praise the Lord
Sometimes when I’m feeling down
And the devil comes around
I start to make a joyful sound
That he cannot ignore
It’s a heavenly idea
Guaranteed to make him flee-yah
Perfect panacea
Seven ways to praise the Lord
Chorus:
TODAH – sacrifice of praise
YADAH – let your hands be raised
BAROUCH
HALLEL – let your soul rejoice
ZAMAR – play for Him a song
TEHILLAH – you can sing along
SHABACH – shout for joy!
ThaT’s seven ways to praise the Lord
II.
Congregation gone to sleep
Sermon must have been too deep
Pitiful sight, but at least
They’re all in one accord
Sunday services are very
Much like cemetery
Someone ought to tell them
Seven ways to praise the Lord
(Chorus)
III.
Calypso Chorus itemizes
What the scriptures emphisizes
Seven holy exercises
ThAt magnify the Lord
So practice each one faithfully
And very soon you’re sure to see
That you have found a hundred
Brand-new ways to praise the Lord!
Coda: That’s seven ways to praise the Lord
The promise that is Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is something that was very common at home while I was growing up. I remember being punished without food for not memorising the psalm. Little did I know that this psalm was going to lead me in ways unknown then. Memorise, I did but then it was another Sunday School/parent gimmick that I gave myself to. To be honest, I did not much enjoy the activity.
So much so for the childhood experience of Psalm 23. As an adult, this psalm’s context slowly unfolded before me. But then being a skeptic, a cynic and a doubting person, I did not internalise the psalm.
Days went by, I faced things that I’d never imagine will happen to me. We all do this during times of trouble — we never can fathom ‘us’ in that place. The promise of Psalm 23 hit back. Even though the memory of this psalm from my childhood kept recurring, I fully did not relate to this psalm.
When one utters ‘The Lord is my Shepherd,’ a sense of being carefully shielded comes into view. A shepherd takes the utmost care of his sheep, never allowing them to wander way or be sighted by wild animals. Such a care is being taken of by our heavenly father. I just cannot imagine this kind of a fortress. Its an awesome assurance that sustains and continues to sustain me in times of trouble. No matter what I know that there is someone who is always watching, comforting, overseeing.
David experienced that Shepherd and now I am.
About the title
Well, another blog to my name. I am the owner of some more space in this mad world of the web. The title ‘beingled’ is Being Led. I have traversed through paths that were not very friendly or supportive. But paths have their own way of leading and this is precisely what prompted me to choose the title. Its wonderful to know that I have a faith and a god in whom I can afford to fall back upon. I am being led though the path seems threatening and rough.
I am being taught to cultivate in degress the various qualities that are found wanting in my being. People, places, incidents and many other aspects have enabled me to tread softly in the paths that lead to ‘the’ destination.
I am being led in ways, thoughts and deeds unknown.
I am looking forward to being led!!
being led 