Peace

Dear brothers and sisters, As you begin your day today, I want to talk to you about 'Robin Williams', if you do a little google about him, you will get to see a lot of messages and obituaries from his friends, fans, all of which would speak about how great an inspiration he was, what a great human being he was, his charity work etc., you won't be able to find one negative thing about him. Even when you try and recollect his face, you only would see an ever smiling face. A man who made us happy.

A couple of days ago, I came across this article from an air hostess, sharing her experiences with him over the years, she goes on to tell, how good a person he was in spite of his 'celebrity' status. And how he always made her feel special, during the flight. Last night, I stumbled upon yet another article, where an event organizer or someone of that sort, talks about his encounter with him. All these celebrities, when they sign up for an act / movie / show, they give the organizers, I guess they call it a 'Rider' list,  which would basically contain everything, every little bit of things the artist would need during the production, it kind of would tell what kind of 'person' he / she is going by the requirements sort to speak. Now Mr.Williams' list, I guess would always (have) say that the studio / organizers would have to hire a certain number of 'homeless' people to work in that particular project. That was also one of his ways of touching lives in addition to other philanthropy works of his..

Now,  we are looking at a man who had everything, and he did everything he could for people around him, yet he could not find his peace, he died a lonely death, they say 'suicide' it was.

We too are 'Robin Williams' in some way, we try and inspire people when we can, we try to keep everyone around us happy, we do charity in our own small ways, we try and make a difference in this world with our little deeds.

We need to understand that all of this would only give us 'SATISFACTION'.. The real 'PEACE' can come only through Christ

(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

May we examine our hearts this morning, beyond all our 'satisfactions' May we find HIM. May we find 'Peace'.

What good it is to gain the whole world, but loose ones soul? (Matt 16:26)

Good Morning and God Bless!!

Citizenship

I want to talk about two seperate instances of yesterday. and how God connected those for his purpose.

The First One..

I was checking for updates from my friends on one of the social networking site. and I noticed on one of my friends profile that he's posted some pictures of him with his Australian Citizenship Certificate. It was so good to see the happiness on his face. The pride of accomplishing something, He had earned it and I was thinking of all that he would have gone through over the past 5 or so odd years to earn it. He went there to do his postgraduation, then found himself a Job and now He's earned a Citizenship.
I was wondering how that experience was going to be, A citizen of another country, a new passport, a new beginning in life. he's an Australian now. Seeing his face, I thought It was going to be one of the most memorable moment in his life. A very happy and a Pleasent one.

Then I got busy with my work and that was it.

The Second One..

Later during the day, During one of the training sessions for the new recruits (I handle the training & Quality Dept for my Company), I came accross this word 'Death'. The trainees looked low in the spirit afer hours of continuous exercises and assesments. I thought this would be good one to talk about to get their attention. I asked them, if they ever think about Death. and each one gave his / her opinion and one of them said, " We should not think about Death, We are Citizens of Heaven". He meant Christians. Although I understood what he meant. I did not want to talk more about it, because people from other beliefs were present as well and I felt it wasn't politically correct to talk about religion at work.

Then we all got busy with the training and that was it.

After work, as I was driving back home, I was reflecting on the things that happened that day. I thought about my friend and his newly earned citizenship, then I thought about my sister-in-law and my co-brother who would earn their Australian Citizenship in another few years. Then I started thinking about the people who seek assylum in foreign countries, Beacause of war and famine in theirs. people who are so desperate for a new beginning for themselves, for their families. I was wondering how much happy would they be, when they are accepted in a new land. Although they have to start their life all over. it's a new hope, It's really a new beginning.

Out of these two kinds of people, I was wondering, who would experienced more happiness. and I wondered if I will ever experience it to understand. By now I had reached home. Haven't switched off the ignition yet, God started in a very mild tone, You have experienced much better than what others can experience, He said "You're a citizen Of Heaven". "I'm your Passport". I was speechless. What other things in the whole wide world can give me happiness and peace and hope than God himself.
For a few days, I had so may questions and confusions about a lot of things. but I was hoping that God was going to get me through. and there he was, as he always have been. How beautifully connected the dots for me.

"I'm a Citizen Of Heaven"