tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12956238345563526912024-03-13T10:06:38.769-07:00Mar Thoma LaityLal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-26690987799620652762009-05-20T05:23:00.000-07:002009-05-20T05:28:08.133-07:00Dr. Sanduk Ruit, Kathmandu, Nepal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/ShP2b9FMwFI/AAAAAAAAaaI/Fr5eX-WXSLE/s1600-h/7bbc75cf0a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 313px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/ShP2b9FMwFI/AAAAAAAAaaI/Fr5eX-WXSLE/s400/7bbc75cf0a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337880943477440594" /></a><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:22.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; ">http://www.cureblindness.org/who/dr-sanduk-ruit/</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:22.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;">Dr. Sanduk Ruit’s soul mission has been, and continues to be, to bring eyesight back to anyone who needs it, regardless of his or her ability to pay — and to do so with pre- and post-operative care that rivals the highest quality health care throughout the world. Dr. Ruit developed a sutureless form of cataract surgery, a technique that allows safe, high-volume, low-budget operations. A masterful surgeon, he can perform dozens of flawless cataract operations at eye camps over a 12-hour day. Working tirelessly at the operating table he says “the surgical chair is the most comfortable place on Earth that I have.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;line-height:22.0pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.cureblindness.org/who/dr-sanduk-ruit/#c78"><b><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#BB5100;">Dr. Sanduk Ruit’s Background: In Depth</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:22.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;">Ruit was the first Nepali doctor to perform cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants [link] and the first to pioneer a method for delivering high quality microsurgical procedures in remote eye camps. Ruit was continually innovating. His ingenuity allowed for a sutureless form of surgery that was safe, high quality, high-volume and inexpensive. In the face of heavy skepticism from other doctors in the field, Dr. Ruit tirelessly worked to prove that high quality care could be successfully delivered in places considered squalid by western standards. As a tribute to his remarkable achievements, Dr. Ruit has received some of the highest awards in the field of international health possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;line-height:22.0pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.cureblindness.org/who/awards/#c98"><b><span style=" text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#BB5100;">Honors awarded to Dr. Ruit</span></b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:22.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;">Dr. Ruit helped found the Tilganga Eye Centre in 1994. Tilganga treats 2,500 patients a week and surgery fees are waived for the neediest. Because many of the poor and blind cannot make it to Kathmandu, Dr. Ruit reaches out to them by trekking into remote parts of Nepal and throughout the Himalayas. Dr. Ruit and colleagues from Tilganga have worked as far afield as North Korea, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ethiopia and Ghana (among many other countries).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 19.0pt;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi- font-family:Arial;font-size:16.0pt;color:#21435D;">Dr. Ruit's Background<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:14.0pt;">Sanduk Ruit was born in Olangchungola, Nepal, a remote village in Eastern Nepal. So remote the nearest school was a week’s walk away. And there were no health posts. Ruit’s sister died of tuberculosis when he was 17. This experience led him to become a doctor. Ruit excelled in his studies and completed a three-year ophthalmology residency at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, India. He then returned to Nepal. In 1980, while working on a Nepal Blindness Survey, he met Fred Hollows who became his mentor. Fred helped make his life goal clear: the restoration of eyesight to people who were unnecessarily blind. In 1986, Sanduk Ruit studied with Hollows for 14 months at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital in Australia. Hollows and Ruit held the conviction that all people with treatable blindness have the right to restored eyesight; and further, that people in developing countries deserve access to the same quality of care and technology as people in the developed world. They also shared an ambitious vision: the elimination of avoidable blindness in the Himalayan region — driven by local people. In Australia, Sanduk Ruit learned the latest cataract micro-surgery technique using implanted intraocular lenses. He was ready to take his knowledge to the poorest of the poor. Today he continues to trek through the most remote regions of Nepal <a href="http://www.cureblindness.org/what/direct-services/#c59"><span style="color:#BB5100;">conducting eye camps</span></a> and restoring sight to thousands of the blind.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-21396266666262069152009-05-16T17:50:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:54:43.904-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/Sg9gSDnyBEI/AAAAAAAAaZM/E0qUZ8Nt22s/s1600-h/Rev.+Dr.+Martin+Alphonse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 97px; height: 128px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/Sg9gSDnyBEI/AAAAAAAAaZM/E0qUZ8Nt22s/s400/Rev.+Dr.+Martin+Alphonse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336589946783401026" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Church – A Called Out Community<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-size:16px;"></span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-size:16px;">- Rev. Dr. Martin Alphonse</span></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><o:p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 32px; ">Introduction:</span></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Albert<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>Einstein was once traveling by train, and the conductor came in to check <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the tickets of the passengers. The conductor was glad to recognize the great scientist on board, welcomed him warmly and asked to see his ticket. Einstein reached out to his coat pocket, but the ticket was not there. He searched all the other side-pockets, his brief case, and all the possible places where he could have stored the ticket. But it was found nowhere. The conductor waited patiently for a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>few minutes, and then seeing Einstein was getting terribly embarrassed by the incident, gently told him:” Sir, don’t worry about it. We all know who you are.” Saying so, he proceeded on to check the tickets of the other passengers on board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>About ten minutes later, as the conductor walked by Einstein, he saw something that moved his heart. Einstein, that great scientist of the 20<sup>th</sup> century was on his knees on the floor, and gymnastically manipulating his fragile body, he was still searching for the lost ticket under the seats around him. Concerned by the strain Einstein might be going through, the conductor reiterated, even more emphatically this time saying: “ Sir, please don’t worry about the lost ticket. We all know who you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>are.” At that point, Einstein lifted his head and responded: “I know who I am. But I don’t know where I am going.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A sudden panic attack triggered by a misplaced train ticket momentarily paralyzed the memory power of a great scientist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He knew ho he was. It was just that for a moment he forgot where he was going. He knew his personal identity, but just forgot his destiny. There are millions of so called Christians around the world, who neither seems to know the nature of identity, nor do they understand their destiny. In this article I would like to briefly explore the nature of the identity of the church as a “Called out Community”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are several passages of the Holy Scripture which discuss this vital topic of the nature or characteristics of the church as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Ekklesia</i>, a called out community. One of them is 1 Peter in which the Apostle articulates various characteristics and functions of our call as a community. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;">A Study of 1 Peter<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b>There are four key and direct references in 1 Peter to the church’s nature and function as a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>called out community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I believe the pivotal verse is 1 Peter 2:9 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who <u>called you out</u> of darkness in to his wonderful light.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are three parts to this one verse which point out to: a) the nature of our identity; b) the nature of our call;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and c) the functions of our call. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">The Nature of Our Identity<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The first part says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have a fourfold identity namely: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>i) We are a “<u>chosen</u>” people. This means that our membership in the church is neither casual, not accidental. We have been “called out” by God’s deliberate will from the world to be members of His body. When did God chose us? Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:4 that God ‘chose us in him (Christ) before the creation of the world.” Chosen before even the creation of the world! That means we were in the mind of God for thousands of years prior to our actual admission into the membership of the church. That is a marvelous fact!.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ii) We are a royal “<u>priesthood</u>”. A most important function of the priest in the biblical times was to be an intercessor in the holy presence of God on behalf of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today it means God has called us to intercede on behalf of both fellow Christians and the billions of non-Christians. This is a serious responsibility! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>iii) We are a holy “<u>nation</u>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This means we are a nation within a nation, not as a geo-political entity but as a moral and spiritual constituency within the Kingdom of God on earth. The adjective “holy” denotes uniqueness, namely we are a distinct, exclusive community separated from the rest of the communities of the world. This is an incredible honor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>iv) We are a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i>people “belonging” to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The word belonging suggest ownership. Of course, God is the rightful owners of all that He has created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While all the rest of the people of the world<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>irrespective of their race,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>culture, ethnicity<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and nationality belong<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to God by “creation”, the church belongs to God both by “creation” and “redemption”. A beautiful Eucharistic (Holy Communion) Song of the Roman Catholic Church<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>puts the dual ownership of God on the church as follows:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:150%">“ O God whose love eternal, in wondrous ways is shown,</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:150%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Creation and redemption, have made us twice Thine own.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:150%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And now to us Thou comest, in form of bread and wine,</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To make us one with Thee, as branches of one vine.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">This is a breathtaking phenomenon!</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">The Nature of Our Call.</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b>The second part says God has “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">called you <u>out of darkness</u> in to his <u>wonderful light</u>.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What kind of darkness is this out of which we as a church has been called out into God’s marvelous light? I live in Portland, Oregon where it rains quite a lot throughout the year. We don’t get to see the sunlight for a long while during fall and winter. Consequently, we long for sunny and bright days. We cannot wait until spring when the sun brightens the sky and we feel as if we have entered into a new world altogether. In fact, as I type this article, we have a bright sunny day today, and a lot of people are outdoors enjoying this brilliant and long awaited gift of God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, for a well informed Christian, for a true disciple of Jesus Christ, everyday is a sunny day. Of course, we don’t say it in a physical sense, but from a spiritual perspective. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In 2 Corinthians 4:4 we read: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The god of this age has blinded the minds of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today’s world is full of brilliant people. We live at a time of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“knowledge explosion” as powerfully evidenced by the booming industry of information technology which has revolutionized every aspect of human life both individually and corporately; both locally and globally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Although the people of the whole world today are ubiquitously <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>surrounded by and deeply immersed in an environment of scientific<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>brilliance, the Bible says that the minds of billions of people around the globe are still completely blacked out or blinded or darkened by the god of this age! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their darkened minds cannot see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, we by God’s great mercy have been called out of this dangerous spiritual darkness of the world, not only to see or “discern” the gospel, but also to “declare” it to others.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now the third part of the verse points to the purpose why God has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>called us out. It says: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">that you may <u>declare</u> the praises of him who <u>called you out</u> of darkness in to his wonderful light.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our call is both a relational and a functional call. Including in this verse, Apostle Peter in his epistle emphatically<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>reminds the members of the church the several functions God has called them to perform. Basically, he discusses four functions of our call in this epistle. This does not mean, these are the exlusive functions of our call. There are more. But for our purpose here, let me briefly enumerate these four to you. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The Functions of Our Call.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">1) Called for Perfection.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">1 Peter 1:15-16 “ But just as he <u>who called us</u> is holy, so be holy in all you do. For it is written, “Be holy, because I am holy</i>.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height:200%;font-size:14.0pt;"> </span></b>Holiness has been an unpopular world among millions of Christians in the modern world. Tragically it has become even more unpopular in the post-Christian ethos in which we live today. It has become a subject of ridicule in the media, and unacceptable in many political circles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>People blatantly deny the moral standards God has set for humanity in His Word, and want to redefine the concept of holiness according to their own taste and comfort zones in which they live. Speaking of moral and spiritual values, being “politically correct” is more important for most people to day than to becoming theologically sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is from this anti-theistic, absolutely secular, and raising-your fist-against-God culture, that God has “called us out” to be holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The call to holiness came to the people of Israel in the Old testament itself. In fact Peter seems to reiterate that same call God have His people repeatedly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2 and 20:7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In his Sermon on the Mountain, Jesus also commanded his disciples in Matthew 5:48 “ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.</i>” The question and challenges are, is it truly possible for anyone to be absolutely holy as God Himself is? Of course, considered from a solely human perspective, it may seem impossible for anyone to become as holy as our heavenly father is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But we must ask ourselves, “Will God ever command us to do something which He knows is absolutely impossible to do?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course not. Then think about it! Yes, by our own strength, this is an impossible journey to undertake and an unrealistic destiny to reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But by the aid of Holy Spirit, nothing becomes impossible. Holiness and perfection are not a matter of human efforts. They are gifts of God bestowed upon all willing hearts. Are you willing to receive this gift from God?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;">2) </span>Called for Proclamation.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i>Again<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> </i>getting back to 1 Peter 2: 9 we read: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“that you may <u>declare </u>the praises of him <u>who called you</u> out of darkness in to his wonderful light.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jesus told his disciples in Acts 1:8 “ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">you will be my witnesses</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is the same concept and call peter repeats here. To be a witness of Jesus includes our acts of declaring or proclaiming the gospel of Christ that has called us out of moral darkness to his marvelous light. In a broad, but true sense, this means the act of evangelism. Proclamation of the gospel does not mean only the formal and professional way in which evangelists present it in a mass crusade. Proclamation also includes sharing the gospel with one another in a friendly relational manner. Dr. D. T. Niles, a prominent leader of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka defined it: “Eevangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where bread can be found.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dr. E. Stanley Jones used to say that in his evangelism he would not simply “speak to Hindus and Muslims, but just tell them how Christ meets their needs. He has met my needs; he will meet their needs too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are called to proclaim to others how he called us out of our own regions of darkness, whatever that might have been, into his marvelous light. This is also called giving your own testimony to others! Are you a testifying Christian? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 200%;font-size:14.0pt;">3) </span>Called for Persecution.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></b>In<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>1 Peter 2:18-21<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>Peter discusses how we have been “called out for persecution”. Called out for persecution?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That is a scary thought. Isn’t it? Of course, persecution takes place in various forms and with varied degrees of intensity. The early church was persecuted in alarming proportions, and millions of Christians including women and youth courageously laid down their life for the sake of the gospel. They lived by the maxim, “A cause that is not<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>worth not dying for is not worth living for.” The phenomenon of Christian<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>persecution in many parts of the world has perpetuated its gruesome acts through many generations spilling over even into the 21rst century. Even now we keep hearing atrocities committed against Christians in several parts of the world including in some northern states of India. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But not all Christians undergo persecution in the same form or intensity. Peter here talks about a form of social persecution, namely suffering for doing good in our work place. It is not a persecution which results in martyrdom. He talks about Christian slaves being ill-treated by their masters and are made to suffer pain for some wrong they never committed. He sums it up in verses 20-21 by saying: “… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. <u>To this you were called</u>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Note the emphases on several aspects of our call to persecution:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a) We are called to suffer for doing good; b) We are called to endure it; c) Such suffering is commendable before God; d) Christ suffered unjustly and left an example for us; e) We are called to follow his food steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This may be happening right now to some of you in your work place, in your relationships, and unfortunately even in your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Remember Jesus Christ. Seek his help. He will sustain you, surround you with his power and love, and deliver you.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">4) Called for Pardoning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I Peter 3:8-12 discuss our call to forgive one another. v9: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this <u>you were called </u>so that you may inherit a blessing.</i>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God commands us to forgive one another. Jesus made it a key requirement of our discipleship in the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>prayer he taught us in Matthew 6:9-13. v13 “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Have you noticed what Jesus reinforced in vv14-15? After teaching the short prayer he repeated one more time just that one aspect of the prayer in vv14-15 saying: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">For, if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men for their sins, your father will not forgive your sins</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why did Jesus repeat it? Because, I believe, this is real serious! For, our forgiveness by God is reciprocal. God forgives us “as” we forgive others. That means:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If we forgive others more, He will forgive us more. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>If we forgive others less, He will forgive us less.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>If we forgive others of everything, He will forgive us of everything.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in; line-height:150%">If we forgive others of nothing, He will forgive us of nothing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:200%"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Voluntary forgiveness is central to Christian spirituality. Often people say “I am willing to forgive if the person who offended me first apologizes to me.” But that is not what Jesus taught us. Dying on the cross, he voluntarily forgave all of his offenders, when he prayed “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is no evidence whatsoever, that any one of his offenders ever apologized to him. Yet he forgave them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have been called out to be his disciples. As was the Master, so must his disciple be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As did the Master, so must the disciple do. Otherwise, we cannot be his disciples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-23956951918221448962009-05-16T17:27:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:56:06.430-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/Sg9ghp_DOYI/AAAAAAAAaZU/aDVUo21UEoY/s1600-h/Rev.+Dr.+Martin+Alphonse.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 97px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/Sg9ghp_DOYI/AAAAAAAAaZU/aDVUo21UEoY/s400/Rev.+Dr.+Martin+Alphonse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336590214779582850" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:20.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Revisiting the Great Commission</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <h1 style="text-align: center;"><o:p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Rev. Dr. Martin Alphonse</span></o:p></h1> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; "><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The church universal had been under heavy attack in the twentieth century by two combined forces. They have even more intensified their assault on Christianity in the twenty first century. On the one hand, there is the intellectual attack on the Christian faith by forces of post-modernity such as secularism and religious pluralism which repudiate the Church’s claims of the uniqueness and universality of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, there is the direct, organized, physical assault on Christian workers, particularly on missionaries and church related property, by fanatic anti-Christian religious extremists. Despite the escalation of the twin attacks on Christianity world wide,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the opportunity for</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight: boldfont-size:11.0pt;">fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation is still unlimited.</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>New frontiers have been reached with the gospel and the horizon of missionary activity keeps expanding everyday. Hundreds of new churches are being planted among un-reached people groups every month. Mission and Evangelism have become vital topics of discussion in churches and Christian homes, and as specialized subjects of study and research in theological institutions. A number of international conferences and consultations have been held in several nations of the world in order to mobilize a global task force for expediting the cause of World Evangelization with an unprecedented intensity. New mission efforts have been exploding at a global level resulting in the emergence of thousands of indigenous and self-financing mission agencies even in a number of economically disenfranchised nations of the world. Tables have turned and tides have changed in terms of the locus and the potential of the sending bodies. The West is no longer the sole sending agency, and the so called Third World nations are no longer the receiving ends exclusively. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In this context, it is a matter of enormous joy and celebration to note that the Diocese of North America and Europe of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church has established a mission field in Mexico. The enthusiastic participation of the Mar Thoma youth in the Mexico Mission is of significant encouragement and challenge to the whole Mar Thoma Church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What does motivate the church to move on with a mission so enthusiastically? Of course, traditionally the Great Commission has been singled out as the most significant motif for mission. The Lord has so commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20. Hence we must obey Him. However, for argument’s sake one might like to ask: “What if the Lord Jesus did not give the command to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘<i>go and make disciples of all nations’</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Does the absence of a command exempt or excuse the church from getting involved in mission? Absolutely not! Even if for some mysterious reasons the Lord Jesus did not command the church, we still have to be involved in mission to reach the world for Him. As Dr. E. Stanley Jones, that legendry missionary to India, and a distinguished evangelist who preached for more than 45 years in the celebrated Maramon Convention once passionately challenged the church saying:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“As far the ‘Great Commission’ … it is not based on a command, but upon the very nature of the gospel, upon him. Last command or no last command, we must share him, for the very necessities of human life demand us to give a Savior such as Jesus. Out of the deep necessities comes the imperious voice, “Go into the world and preach the gospel.” If we hold our peace, the stones- the hard, bare facts of life - will cry out.<sup>1<o:p></o:p></sup></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-size:15px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As Dr. Jones has pointed out, the Great Commission is not centered on a command. Ii is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>centered on the very person, character<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and ministry of the Lord Jesus. I also see the Great Commission<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>is not just as a command, but as a summary statement of all that the Lord Jesus had been doing in those three and half years of his public ministry even as He was teaching and training His disciples along the same lines.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">The Nature of the Great Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <h2 style="line-height:normal"><span style="text-decoration: none;text-underline:nonefont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">“</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">16</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">17</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">18 </span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">19</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, </span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">20</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">2 </span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">NIV.</span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height:150%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 22px; font-size:15px;">Let us briefly examine the nature of this command or commission.</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height:150%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">1. It is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Categorical<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Commission.</span></b><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The word categorical means “unconditional, or non-negotiable”. It is binding on all concerned. We can see two striking features of non-negotiability embedded in the Great Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a) <i>The cosmic authority with which the Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><i><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></i><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;">The Lord Jesus said, as quoted in verse 18: “<i><u>All authority</u> in heaven and on earth is given to me. <u>Therefore go</u> …</i>” This statement is a conclusive revelation and a compelling affirmation of the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ that demands an immediate obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a profound sense of obligation to the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus which motivated the early church to move on aggressively with the task of evangelization amidst great opposition and persecution. The members of the early church became simply unstoppable in their zeal for evangelistic witness. They kept on moving all the way to martyrdom which thousands of them embraced very willingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height:150%"><span style=" line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Therefore, the commission to ‘Go’ is categorical, unconditional, and non-negotiable. The church is never exempted from carrying it out in full measure under any circumstance whatsoever. The sovereign Lord has commanded, and we must obey Him at any cost, anywhere and in every generation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>b) <i>The nature of the audience to whom the sovereign Lord Jesus had given the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>command.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Great Commission was given originally to a mixed band of ‘believers and skeptics’. In verse 16 we notice that the eleven disciples had promptly gathered on the mountain of Galilee where the Lord appeared to them. However their response to His appearance was not unanimous. Verse 17 says, “</span><i><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted</span></i><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">.” It was a mixed band of worshippers and doubters, believers and skeptics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead of admonishing a few skeptics who were among the apostles, the Lord Jesus straight away commanded the entire group of mixed responders to “<i>Go and make disciples of all nations</i>”. That is to say, He “entrusted” the commission to both believers as well as skeptics because He “trusted” that they would eventually understand, change and obey Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is the paradox of mission the Church Universal is suffering from even today. Churches all over the world are filled with both believers and skeptics especially when it comes to interpreting and obeying the Great Commission. Despite the paradoxical mixture of believers and skeptics in the church, the Lord Jesus has once and for all “entrusted” the Great Commission to both believers and skeptics because He still “trusts” that the Christian skeptics of today would also eventually understand, change and obey Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is a Continuing Commission</span></b><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight: boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Verse 19 and 20 read: “</span><i><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">Therefore <u>go</u> and <u>make disciples</u> of all nations, <u>baptizing</u> <u>them</u> in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and <u>teaching them</u> to obey everything I have commanded you.</span></i><span style=" line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">” (NIV)<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The grammar of Greek language in which all the books of New Testament were written employs two types of imperatives. One is <i>aorist imperative</i> denoting a one time command. Another is <i>present imperative</i> which denotes a repetitive or continuing command. Apostle Matthew has employed the <i>present imperative </i>to describe the command of the Lord Jesus: “Go”. Given in the present imperative the word ‘go’ means that the apostles, and subsequently the church, must keep on going. The Lord Jesus said: “make disciples”, meaning that we must <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">keep on making</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">disciples</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“baptizing”, meaning that we must <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">keep on baptizing</i>, (by that of course not at all meaning baptizing the same people over and over again), but continuing on with the activity of baptizing new peoples as they are being saved. He said: “teaching them”, meaning that we must <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">keep on teaching</i> the people generation after generation until His triumphal return to the earth again. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Comprehensive Commission. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><i><sup><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></sup></i><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">Verse 20 says: “<i>and teaching them <u>to obey everything</u> I have commanded you.</i>” <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;">Evangelical Christians, by and large, have been placing a strong emphasis on two aspects of the Great Commission as central to it, namely, the ‘going’ aspect and the ‘disciple-making’ aspect. But as we see in this verse, the Lord Jesus has made the Great Commission much more comprehensive in nature which obligates equality of emphasis on all of its aspects. So to say, the task of evangelizing an individual or a people group or a community is not completed until the initial receptors of the gospel are able to intellectually comprehend the demands of the gospel in its entirety, and are clearly taught<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to obey ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">everything</i>’ the Lord had commanded the apostles themselves to do. Being able to evangelize a people group and subsequently planting a church among them successfully does not bring the act of evangelization to its completion. It still continues on with the inevitable need for teaching the converts to obey <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">everything</i> the Lord has commanded. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Covenantal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In verse 20 we again read: “</span><i><sup><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"> … </span></sup></i><i><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">And surely <u>I am with you always</u>, to the very end of the age</span></i><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When the Lord Jesus gave the apostles the command He knew the fulfilling of the task was not going to be an easy one. In fact, throughout His training of the disciples in the preceding three and half years He had repeatedly predicted the toughness of the task that was awaiting them. Anticipating all the struggles, hardships, oppositions, persecution and martyrdom they would be facing, and of course subsequently millions of Christians through the generation also would be facing, He made a covenant with them saying: <i>“ I am with you to the very end of the age</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By His promise to be with them the Lord did not at all mean that they would be spared of all suffering for the sake of the gospel, but that He would be by their side at all those terrible and fatal moments sustaining, encouraging and enabling them to complete their mission. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>True to His covenant, the Lord Jesus has always been with His suffering and persecuted church to this very day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Persecution against the church is on the increase in an<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>alarming scale in several nations of the world today. For instance, who would have ever imagined that in India, globally reputed to be the nation of Mahatma Gandhi the Apostle of Ahimsa, religiously fanatic elements would gruesomely burn to death a dedicated missionary to the lepers as Graham Staines and two of his innocent children. Even as I am writing this article, I continue to receive news from India reporting the ongoing persecution against Christian workers in several parts of India.. Although persecutions against the church continue to escalate world wide, the Lord who made a covenant with the church is always with us. And He will continue to be with us to the very end of the age.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A Consummate Commission. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style=" line-height:150%;font-weight:normalfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Finally in verse 20 we read: “</span><i><sup><span style="line-height:150%;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight: boldfont-size:11.0pt;"> … </span></sup></i><i><span style="line-height:150%; font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;">And surely I am with you always, <u>to the very end of the age</u></span></i><span style="line-height: 150%;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;">.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are living in an age in which there is so much of renewed interest among Christians in the topic of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">parousia </i>or the Second Coming of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To cite just one example, the book series called “Left Behind” jointly authored by Tim Lahaye, have consistently hit New York’ best seller list. There is a renewed curiosity in churches to study the Book of Revelation in order to check if we are almost at the end of the age. The rapidly changing political scenario in the Middle East are being watched closely by biblical scholars to find out how end-time prophecies concerning Israel are being literally fulfilled in our generation, thus heralding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ any time now!<o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mere curiosity aside, one of the definite signs of the return of Jesus Christ is the responsibility assigned to the church by the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lord to complete the process of World Evangelization as He himself predicted it in Matthew 24 in which the Lord explained<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>to his disciples various signs of the end times. He concluded it by saying candidly: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the while world as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.”</i>’ (Matthew 24:14) NIV. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style=" line-height:150%;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are indeed living in a most exciting generation as far as completion of the process of World Evangelization is concerned. Unprecedented in the church’s history of mission evangelical Christians around the world have intensified their combined efforts to expedite that process in our generation. A great motivation for this combined effort comes from the promise of the Lord Jesus to be with us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">to the very end of the age</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The process of World Evangelization as embedded in the Great Commission is indeed moving steadily forward to its consummation. <o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="line-height: 150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How did the Lord Jesus send His disciples when He said,”Go”. How were they to go into a hostile world? What model of going were they to follow? Of course, the Lord himself was their model. Earlier on, on the very day He had resurrected the Lord appeared to His disciples and said: “… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">As the Father has sent me, I am sending you</i>.” (John 20:21) (NIV).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And how did the Father send Him? As a prelude to uttering those powerful words the Lord had first made a dramatic presentation of His wounded body in John 20:20 “… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">he showed them his hands and side</i>, …” (NIV).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We could possibly draw two conclusions from this dramatization, namely: a) He presented a proof of His crucifixion and resurrection; and b) By showing them the scars on his body He meant that the cross was the way for them to do mission just His Father had meant it for Him. The mission of the church is inseparably linked with the cross of Christ. The Lord has made it crystal clear that there can be no Christian discipleship without our willingness to take up our cross and follow Him( Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 14:27;). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To the Lord Jesus, the cross simply meant an absolute surrender to His father’s will. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So it is with us today. We have to be on the move with mission in absolute obedience to what the Lord has commissioned us to do. Come what may, we will meet the consequences squarely in the great confidence that He who said He will be with us till the very end of the age will certainly be with us just He said. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">End Notes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoHeader" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%;tab-stops:.5in"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;">1. E. Stanley Jones, <i>The Christ of the Indian Road</i> (London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style="line-height:150%;font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>1925), p6. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">2. All scripture quotations used in this article are taken from the New International <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Version and used here with general permission by Zondervan, Grand Rapids,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Michigan, USA. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;">Editor’s Note: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;">Rev. Dr. Martin Alphonse is a native of India, an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church. Beginning his ministry in India He has served the Lord globally including as a missionary to Singapore, and as a pastor in several churches in USA. He currently teaches mission and evangelism at Multnomah Bible College at Portland, Oregon, USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since 1978 Dr. Alphonse has been a frequent speaker in several of Mar Thoma Church conventions, family conferences, youth conferences both in India and North America including his preaching every alternate year at the Maramon Convention, Kerala since 1998. He is looking forward to speaking at Maramon again in February 2009. <strong><span style="font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldcolor:black;">Phone: (Home) 503-653-8838,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Office) 503-255-0332 or at e-mail</span><span style="color:black;">: <a href="mailto:malphonse@yahoo.com" title="mailto:malphonse@yahoo.com">malphonse@yahoo.com</a></span></strong></span><br /></p> <p class="content" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" ;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h3 style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span style=" line-height:150%;font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:boldfont-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-28732704967307149282009-05-16T17:18:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:20:42.617-07:00<div style="text-align: right;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://A596FD71-BE61-4C3B-A5C8-53612682DA02/image.tiff" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES">Directorate of Social and Business Communication. <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Matamoros, Tampalipas, Mexico</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES">To the people of The Mezquital Islands who lost their homes in Hurricane Emily. <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May 11, 2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="ES">Erick Silva and the Indian Bishops hand over <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b><span lang="ES">Bulletin 210H<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="ES">some of the houses in the "Mar Thoma Colony”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-ansi-language:ES-MXfont-family:Arial;font-size:12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span><span lang="ES">The mayor of Matamoros, Erick Silva, and a group of Bishops from India gave 90 houses to the families of the Mesquital that were devastated by Hurricane Emily. With this, one act was demonstrated that both communities understood that the service provided to these poverty-stricken individuals was a reflection of a job with high feelings of humanity.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p>The houses that were constructed by this Christian Community forms part of a colony named “ Mar Thoma Colony”, that is located on the 18.5 kilometer by the highway that runs to Port Mesquital, today known as Puerto Matamoros.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For this function the mayor of Matamoros, was accompanied by his wife Maria Castaneda de Silva and the local deputy Alfonso Sanchez Garza.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Upon his arrival to the “Mar Thoma” Colony, Silva Santos was greeted by the Indian Community. Individuals came all the way from India to participate in the festivities and observe the exchange of the keys, while others came from all over the United States of America. They were dressed in their traditional Indian clothes and accessories.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The President of the Municipality of Matamoros was accompanied by his wife Marisa Castaneda, and by the Global Bishop of the Orthodox religion “Philipose Mar Chyrsostom” whom in his 90 years of age has provided services for people in need all over the world.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Also present for the festivities were Bishop Joseph Mar Thoma and Euyakim Mar Coorilos. The construction of each house costs approximately $5000.00.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After the exchange of the keys to the families who lost their homes that had been in the path of Hurricane Emily, the President of the Municipal government gave his gratitude to the religious mission that brought help to this much needed community.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This event speaks about two sister cultures like Mexico and India “two communities that understand the providing help for those in need is the most important”.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Silva Santos added, “today all the governments of the world should be humble governments with a social sense; for those governments that worry for those who have less, that is why we give thanks to you and your religious community on behalf of me and my wife.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The President of the Municipal invited all the Indian people to get to know Matamoros because it is a city rich in history, generosity, and tradition. It is full of nice and cordial people who will always appreciate the support they have offered to the people of the Mesquital.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The “Mar Thoma Colony” also has a sewing school, a technical school, and other salons that will increase the quality of education to the families of the Mesquital.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 150%; "><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height:150%; font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-mso-ansi-language:ES-MXfont-family:Arial;font-size:12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-74175357640452017882009-05-16T17:15:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:18:23.859-07:00<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://1F74A51B-88FD-4E62-88AE-7186235DC44E/image.tiff" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Directorate of Social and Business Communication. <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Matamoros, Tampalipas, Mexico<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES">To the people of The Mezquital Islands who lost their homes in Hurricane Emily. <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>May 11, 2008</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="ES">Erick Silva and the Indian Bishops hand over <span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></b><span lang="ES">Bulletin 210H<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span lang="ES">some of the houses in the "Mar Thoma Colony”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> <span lang="ES-MX" style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:ES-MX"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></span><span lang="ES">The mayor of Matamoros, Erick Silva, and a group of Bishops from India gave 90 houses to the families of the Mesquital that were devastated by Hurricane Emily. With this, one act was demonstrated that both communities understood that the service provided to these poverty-stricken individuals was a reflection of a job with high feelings of humanity.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The houses that were constructed by this Christian Community forms part of a colony named “ Mar Thoma Colony”, that is located on the 18.5 kilometer by the highway that runs to Port Mesquital, today known as Puerto Matamoros.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>For this function the mayor of Matamoros, was accompanied by his wife Maria Castaneda de Silva and the local deputy Alfonso Sanchez Garza.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Upon his arrival to the “Mar Thoma” Colony, Silva Santos was greeted by the Indian Community. Individuals came all the way from India to participate in the festivities and observe the exchange of the keys, while others came from all over the United States of America. They were dressed in their traditional Indian clothes and accessories.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The President of the Municipality of Matamoros was accompanied by his wife Marisa Castaneda, and by the Global Bishop of the Orthodox religion “Philipose Mar Chyrsostom” whom in his 90 years of age has provided services for people in need all over the world.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Also present for the festivities were Bishop Joseph Mar Thoma and Euyakim Mar Coorilos. The construction of each house costs approximately $5000.00.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>After the exchange of the keys to the families who lost their homes that had been in the path of Hurricane Emily, the President of the Municipal government gave his gratitude to the religious mission that brought help to this much needed community.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>This event speaks about two sister cultures like Mexico and India “two communities that understand the providing help for those in need is the most important”.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Silva Santos added, “today all the governments of the world should be humble governments with a social sense; for those governments that worry for those who have less, that is why we give thanks to you and your religious community on behalf of me and my wife.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The President of the Municipal invited all the Indian people to get to know Matamoros because it is a city rich in history, generosity, and tradition. It is full of nice and cordial people who will always appreciate the support they have offered to the people of the Mesquital.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="ES"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The “Mar Thoma Colony” also has a sewing school, a technical school, and other salons that will increase the quality of education to the families of the Mesquital.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%"><span lang="ES-MX" style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%; font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:ES-MX"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-32242393109455381432009-05-16T17:09:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:10:35.142-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <p class="articletext" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">BIBLICAL APPROACH TO HOMOSEXUALITY</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="articletext" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Atty. Lal Varghese, MTC of Dallas, Farmers Branch, Dallas</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="articletext" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black">Pope John Paul II celebrated his 25th anniversary as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, which is Christianity's largest denomination. The process began to declare Mother Theresa as a Saint by the Pope. It has been a quarter century of enormous changes, and few have been more significant, for the church and mainstream Protestant denominations, than the withering of the Christian faith all over the world from its basic beliefs about marriage and procreation. The preamble of a new, unfinished constitution for the new European Union omits any mention of Christianity or even God among the cultural forces that shaped Europe, although the Pope and other Christian leaders raised vehement objections. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="articletext" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black">Europeans are moving well ahead of Americans, and more aggressively challenging traditional Christian teachings by providing civil recognition for same-sex couples. Despite stern opposition from the Vatican, the French, Belgian, Dutch and German governments have granted same-sex couples legal entitlements and protections, and Britain is considering it, too. We are seeing such trends in United States also, where legal actions are being fought against separation of Church and State, to omit the use of the word God in the pledge of allegiance, and removal of the carved monument of the ten commandments from the rotunda of Alabama Supreme Court, and such other biblical monuments to be removed from public places, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>are forced to find safe and secure places in churches, and monasteries. Legislations were passed by different states to recognize homosexual marriages and families, and most states accept the civil union between the same sex people with all privileges of married couples. Finally Episcopal Church has appointed a homosexual as its Bishop, which has created much protest and even possible split in the American Anglican Episcopal Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="articletext" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black">The continued tension between contemporary attitudes and traditional church teachings has forced the leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion to debate the acceptability of openly gay bishops in their church. Representatives from congregations in the developing world have threatened to break the church in two if their Anglican Church authorities move to that permissive direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The arguments in favor and against homosexuality have caused a lot of confusion in the minds of our young generation as to the true biblical approach to this subject, and about our stand towards this issue. So let us examine what the Bible says about homosexuality and traditional concept about marriage and procreation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">God had a purpose in creating human being as revealed in Genesis 1:27-28 “<span style="color:black">So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that move upon the earth”. After the great flood, God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, which also shows God’s real intention that man should unite with woman and multiply in order to replenish the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The LORD said to Abram, Get out of thy country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, unto a land that I will show you: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So God intended Abraham and his kindred to multiply so that a great nation is born, to be blessed by God. God wanted man and women unite together to become families of the earth to blessed by Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>If <span class="postbody1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">one thinks sensibly, it is easy to see that God created male AND female for a reason. The rationale behind God’s creation should be to populate the earth, and to rule the earth, and over every living things in earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black">Abraham dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, where are the men who came in to your house this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. So by lying with those men who came to Lot’s house the people of Sodom sinned against God. The LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. So it is clear that God does not like the wickedness of the man, and thereby destroying the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;color:black"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Leviticus 18:22, 20:13 (Leviticus Laws), I Corinthians 6:9, Romans 1:26-27, and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in old testament - and none address loving, consenting homosexual acts as we know them today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But those passages should be taken in its original meaning and spirit to deal with the issue of homosexuality in church – whether to have homosexual priests and bishops to lead and serve God’s chosen people, and to teach and guide them from sinful human nature. Leviticus 18:22 states the principle: "You [masculine] shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination". Leviticus 20:13 adds the penalty: "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them." Even though in I Corinthians 6: 9 Paul does not refer to homosexuality directly. The original Greek word often quoted as sexual immorality, Paul used was "porneia" which means "a harlot for hire". In Corinth in the temples of Venus, the principal deity of Corinth, where Christians went to worship, a thousand public prostitutes were kept at public expense to glorify and act as surrogates for the fertility Gods. Paul in unequivocal terms contempt the practice of sexual immorality during his time.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><a name="detail_study"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><o:p> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; "><span style="mso-bookmark:detail_study"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Romans 1:26-27 mentions homosexual acts performed by people who are clearly described as heterosexual. The men in the NT patriarchal culture exerted dominance not only over women, but over younger males as well. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Such an act was regarded as an "abomination" for several reasons during that time, and is still relevant now. <span class="postbody1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">There are many verses in the old testament regarding this sin, but one that is very timely is that which is found in the first chapter of Romans: "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.</span></span></span></span></o:p></span></a></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Whatever the rationale for those who supports homosexuals, the texts leave no room for much maneuvering for such people. Bible says persons committing homosexual acts are to be executed, and this is the unambiguous command of Scripture. The meaning is clear: anyone who wishes to base his or her beliefs on the witness of the Old Testament must be completely consistent and demand the death penalty for everyone who performs homosexual acts. It is unlikely that any American court will ever again condemn a homosexual to death, even though Scripture clearly commands it. Old Testament texts have to be weighed against the New Testament texts. Consequently, Paul's unambiguous condemnation of homosexual behavior in Rom. 1:26-27 must be the centerpiece of any discussion on this subject. For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black">In Romans 1: 26 - 32 it says: for this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black"><o:p> So also in Romans 12: 12 - 14 it says: the night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. In 1 Corinthians 6: 9 – 10 it says: Know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 7: 2 says: Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black"><o:p> Again Genesis 5: 19 - 21 says: the works of the flesh are manifest, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. In Ephesians 5: 3 says but fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; and verse 5 – 8 it reads as for this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. You should not be therefore partakers with them. For you were sometimes in darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord: walk as children of light.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black"><o:p> Colossians 3: 5 – 6 says mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 also says for this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication. 1 Peter 1: 14 – 16 reminds us “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he who has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be you holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 2: 11 -12 say “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 4: 2 – 3 asks that we no longer should live the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; ">A homosexual Episcopalian group estimates over 100 gay men and lesbians have been ordained as priests and deacons in the US Episcopal Church. Canon Gene Robinson, a homosexual in a committed relationship, was elected bishop of New Hampshire in 2003 by the American Episcopal Church, who is a member of World Council of Churches (WCC) in which Mar Thoma Church is also a member. <span class="postbody1"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt">We the Mar Thoma Christians, who claim to be descendants of St. Thomas, and who claims the eastern tradition, culture, and values should wake up and strongly protest about the trends in the Episcopal Churches and other churches in United States. Probably God might have sent us here in this land to stand against these unbiblical teachings and interpretations so that U. S may not be another Sodom. So let us teach ourselves and others that the true biblical approach is to live as God wanted us to live in His text, and not to follow the modern trends of this culture. May the God guide the universal Church in the right directions so that His name may be glorified.</span></span></span><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-57318828288291984972009-05-16T17:07:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:09:07.319-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <p align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Need to organize Christian Diaspora Community and to establish Diaspora Centers in Kerala for our Generations</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Atty. Lal Varghese, Dallas</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The term “Diaspora” is a Greek word which means “dispersion” or “scattering” or “sowing”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The root words of Diaspora is in the Latin – dia<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>= through, and speirein = to scatter or sow. The Hebrew equivalent word for Diaspora is Galut which means “exile”. In Malayalam it is commonly known as “Pravasikal”. Thus Diaspora means dispersed or scattered seeds to propagate new generation. Jews are a Diaspora community scattered all over the world who longed to return to Israel. We have a large number of Christians from Kerala and all over India as a Diaspora community scattered all around the world without the privilege to attend local parishes, since there is none in most of the places. Christian Diaspora communities are present today in the United States of America, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Middle East, and more recently in South America including Mexico. We became a Diaspora for reasons other than Jewish Diaspora . But still we need to understand and recognize the Diaspora community due to their plight from homeland, intention to resettle in homeland, intent to cultivate in the future generation its rich religious and cultural heritage, future of the Diaspora generations, and our vision and mission about the homeland from where we have been dispersed<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The election and calling of the Christians must be traced from the calling of Abraham to understand its historical purpose and the relevance of the Diaspora Community. Hence we are told that the election was given over to the Christians with the Great Mission. "Go into all over the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). We the Christians have the great tradition of being elected by Jesus for ministering the Gospel through his most rational disciple St. Thomas. But now we have scattered into all over the world. Our call and election as a Diaspora Community is clear and unequivocal; to proclaim the living Jesus Christ in the community where we live, and to pass on the rich tradition and heritage of our culture to our future generations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">What we need to do as Christians is to help this Diaspora Community to do the duties entrusted to them by God? We need to recognize and equip the Diaspora Community and the extended Diaspora Community who have no access to parishes to do their roles according to God’s plans wherever they are living. Our Christian heritage, strong family ties, our moral codes of behavior as individuals, families and community, our ethical standards in marriage and interpersonal relations, emphasis on monogamy and chastity, sexual purity and avoidance of sexual perversions and our emphasis on living on the word of God are unique and is the solution to the decaying society all over the world. No other culture in the world can give these values to the cultures we are living. It is because of this uniqueness; we are placed as a Diaspora Community at this historical moment. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Syrian Christians are no longer a local community within the bounds of Kerala. It has spread its wings across the world, since they moved across the different continents seeking better opportunities for whom God has specific plans. There are two kinds of Diaspora Christians, those who have access to local Indian parishes, and extended Diaspora Christians, those who do not have access to local Indian parishes. Both of these Diaspora Christians should not be ignored anymore by the various Church authorities. They have given valuable contributions to the respective churches they belong in the past, and still providing valuable contributions to such churches. We need to organize the Diaspora Community worldwide without any strings attached to any churches. It should be an independent organization consisting of members of different Christian denominations. Diaspora Christians <strong><span style="font-weight: normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">should be able to communicate and extend help each other and organizations like FOCUS may take up this challenge and organize Diaspora Christians all around the world under one umbrella. They should be provided with everything which they are missing from a parish including pastoral care, and lay people’s caring and sharing.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; ">When we think of what had happened to Jews in Germany during holocaust or Asians in Uganda or Mar Thoma Christians in Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion, we immediately understand the importance and the urgent need for a Diaspora Centers in our mother land. Now we may feel secure in our countries of adoption but a political tragedy in 50 or 100 years may change the landscape and it is important consider and provide for this eventuality. Joseph saw the famine before it occurred; therefore, he was able to save a whole generation and a nation. Since the leaders of the Church are ignoring the please to recognize Diaspora Community we should think about this very seriously, and should see that it has been implemented as token of appreciation for the future Diaspora generation living outside Kerala. Most of the other religious faiths have recognized its Diaspora Community, and is catering to their needs by providing Diaspora Centers, and other related services through such centers. Recently the government of India has recognized the need to organize Indian Diaspora Community all around the world and has taken steps for implementing to establish Diaspora Centers in India.</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Majority of the Christians may not think now seriously about the importance of recognizing Christian Diaspora Community living all over the world, and the importance of having Diaspora Centers in our homeland, to cater to their needs. It is not a building, it is an idea, and it is a mutual pledge that in times of adversity that we may have a home away from home. We have a father waiting to receive us back at home in case we may be forced to return for no fault of ours. It may not happen in our life time, it may not happen in our children's life time. But it may happen because of our skin color say in 50-500 years from now. But we should not put it away from our psyche this knowledge and this possibility. This is what Diaspora centre is all about, it is a concept for providing everything to build that concept and extent that possibility form 50 years to 500 years. This concept will also help the second generation Diaspora Christians to know about their roots, its faith and the rich traditions of their parents.<br /></div></span> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <o:p></o:p></span><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; "><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">It is high time that we should awaken and organize the Diaspora Community all over the world under one umbrella and in the future to build Diaspora Centers in our home land. Our young people can use this Center as a source for building their knowledge about the faith and practices of our traditions, culture and origin. The dream to organize Diaspora community will materialize only if the independent organizations like FOCUS without any affiliation to any church can come forward and gather all Diaspora Christians under one umbrella. Let us pray that the good Lord may provide such opportunities to our future generations in the future through FOCUS for a community which has been neglected for the last more than half a century by the church authorities.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-30383102753426620242009-05-16T17:03:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:06:28.291-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-left: 1in; "><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Church Needs True Repentance and Rededication</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: center;margin-left: 1in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> Lal Varghese, Attorney at Law, Dallas</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;text-indent: 0.5in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;font-size:13px;">As described in second chapter of Acts the New Testament Church was born in a dramatic display of spiritual power, which sealed its divine origin and produced a dynamic witnessing community of believers. The community of believers multiplied as the power of God was evidenced by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The disciples of Jesus Christ were filled with zeal. The sermons of the apostles proclaimed Christ and His resurrection. The living Jesus Christ and the power of the His resurrection ignited the earlier Christian Church in its quest of spreading the word of God.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">Nearly 2000 years later the question being asked is this: do Christians still band together as a community of believers bonded by love, lead by the Holy Spirit and united in their endeavors as they did in the first century? In Ephesians 2: 19-22 Paul wrote: “ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Paul gives us a clear historical foundation for the Church. He traces the Christian heritage, the roots to which every believer is connected, to the New Testament community of believers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> In 1 John 4: 7-9 it says: “We are enabled to love one another through Jesus Christ.” In Galatians 5: 22-23 it says: Christians are different because Christ lives in them. We the Marthomites claim the heritage of St. Thomas and eastern traditions, its culture and values to claim a unique and separate identity for itself from other churches. Our efforts, so far, in trying to pass this on to our younger generation have been unsuccessful. For Christians being the children of God, it is not the identity through its origin, nationality or race which makes them unique, but it must be always be the love of God that should transgress through us to others.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> The Church is people, a living entity, not a corporate body. The church is not building or a structure. The Church is also not a multinational institutional conglomerate. This does not mean that the people of God should not be organized or that no formal structure should exist. But, the Church should never forget that it is composed of people, special people, the people of God. Unfortunately, in this materialistic society, people of God have often been over looked, forgotten and even neglected and abused by the corporate institution of the Church. There are now man-made categories and hierarchies of people in the Church, the religious proletariats and bourgeoisies.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> Jesus’ disciples used the Greek word “ekklesia” to refer to the Church. The original meaning of this word means an assembly. But it refers to the people of God whether they are assembled or not. Some define Church as people ‘called out of the world.’ The fact that Christians are ‘called out’ is biblically correct, but the word ‘ekklesia’ may be better translated as “called together.” So the members of the New Testament Church themselves are called together, chosen people, the people of God. They were the people of God at all times, and not just when they were assembled together for worship services. We pretend that we are God’s chosen people only when we are inside the sanctuary and not outside.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> What is the challenge for the Christians today? We must share the love that dwells within us by Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ’s commission to the Church in Mathew 28: 19-20 clearly identifies the Christian responsibility to proclaim the Gospel: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This challenge to adhere to New Testament teachings and the responsibility to make disciples applies to all of us as a Church. Jesus promises to be with us and live his life in us, strengthening and empowering us: verse 20 says “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the ages.”</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> It happened on the road to Jerusalem when Jesus’s disciples wouldn’t let the blind men come to Christ. It happens today when a Church spends more time discussing the style of its sanctuaries than it does for the needs of the hungry; it happens when the brightest minds of the Church occupy themselves in prosaic controversies rather than biblical truths; it happens when a Church is known more for its stance on an issue than its reliance upon God. In our worship services many times our words falter. Many times our music suffers. Many times our worship is less than what we want it to be. When we ride on the steeds of chariots by building architectural monuments spending millions of dollars for our sanctuary, remember God uses tinny seeds to reap great harvests. It is on the back of donkeys Jesus rides – not steeds of Chariots – just simple donkeys to convey His message of love and glory.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> In Mathew 21:13 it says: “My temple will be called a house for prayer. But you are changing in into a ‘hideout for robbers.’ “It is sad but true fact of the faith: Church is used for profit, position and prestige by the so called believers: people are exploited and God is infuriated. Church is getting in the way of people who want to see him. Church exploits people in the name of God. Religious hucksters poke the fire of divine wrath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They build more fences than they build faith. Max Lucado writes: “The religious hucksters have stained the reputation of Church. They have muddied the altars and shattered the stained glasses. They stripmine faith to get a dollar and rape the pew to get a payment. Our master unveiled their scams and so must we.”</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> Compare our churches to the Laodicean church. They were wealthy and self sufficient as we are now. There are parishes built spending millions of dollars, and spending more than $25,000 - $30,000 to maintain the same per month. Yes, we are wealthy and self sufficient, but we have hollow, fruitless faith. The message of the fig tree given by Jesus on His way to Jerusalem is not for all of us to have the same fruit. The message is to have some fruit. We have faith in religion, faith in the Church, but not in God. What angered Jesus during his last week was not apostles’ confusion, not for the people’s demands, not for being questioned by the Pilate or when whipped by soldiers. But what made him angry was two faced faith: religion used for profit and religion used for prestige, and he could not tolerate these attitude.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> Jesus lives in the midst of the forgotten and marginalized people. He has taken up residence in the ignored. He made a dwelling amidst the sick. But the Church now lives with the affluent and the wealthy and taken residence with haves, and made mansion among the richest. Pilate thought he could avoid making a choice. He washed his hands of Jesus. He climbed on the fence and sat down. But it is not about making a choice. Pilate made a choice. Rather than asking for God’s grace, he asked for disgrace. Rather than inviting Jesus to stay, he sent Him away. Rather than hearing Jesus’ voice, he heard the voice of people. When we spend million of dollars to build sanctuaries, our church is doing the same, not asking for grace, making wrong choices, listening to wrong voices, and turning away the forgotten. Jesus denounced hollow religion through his final walk through the temple of Jerusalem. We need to invite Jesus to walk through our sanctuaries, our general body and committee meetings, our bake sales, raffles, and our feasts.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> We too make choices at the foot of Cross. We compete for recognition, big Church buildings, well furnished parish halls, wedding receptions, and even funerals. We scramble for status by inscribing our names on the doors, walls, pews, and floors of our sanctuaries. How many Sundays have been wasted at the pulpits for spreading personal grudge and agenda? How many parishes have witnessed physical fights between believers caused due to selfish motives? How many pews and alters have been wet with the tears of believers who experienced bitterness of their own brethren?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We find pleasure in hurting others by our words. We disagree violently and split on simple things, and then split again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are so close to the cross but far from the Jesus.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p> Legend is that Pilate’s wife became a believer, and Pilate’s eternal home is a lake where he daily surfaces, still plunging his hands into the water seeking forgiveness. He is trying to wash away his guilt… not for the evil he did, but for the kindness he didn’t do. When people are forestalled to access to Jesus by those pretending to be close to him, the result is empty, hollow and ugly Church. So we need to turn to God, seek forgiveness not for the evil what we are doing or spreading, but for the kindness we are not sharing with others. So let us nurture love, have concern for others, do well to our brothers and sisters, share and care those who need out help, which is essential characteristic of the Church. So let us repent, re-dedicate ourselves as a Church so that our parishes bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control as stated in Galatians 5:22-23. The Church should repent for not being the "salt and light" it should have been, for allowing the forces of darkness to rule us, by our own default. The Church should ask for God’s grace to replace our faith in Jesus Christ through sharing the love of God by re-dedicating ourselves so that we can be the light for others, rather than cursing the darkness. We should be grateful to our Metropolitan and the Synod for declaring 2004 as a special year of repentance and rededication for our church.</o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-81787323516066034682009-05-16T17:01:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:02:53.616-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <h1 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Building Bridges Instead of Fences in Our Faith Journey</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; "></span></span></h1><h1 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Lal Varghese, Council Member, MTC Dallas, Farmers Branch</span></span></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">As <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Messenger</i> celebrates twenty-five years of our faith journey, let us examine ourselves and ask whether we are building bridges or making fences around us. God wanted company for Himself, so He created man and He walked with them. But man, instead of walking with God, built a fence around him and kept God away by sinning. But God, in order to save man from his sins, left His heavenly glory and became a man so that he could identify with man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In this way, Christ became a bridge between man and God. But again man did not listen to His words and rejected Him by crucifying Christ. Man built fences around him, separated God from his life and continues to do the same. But Christ still continues His effort to be a bridge maker between man and God and promised that He will come again to gather all believers so that we may have an eternal life in heaven with God.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">There were two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms for about 40 years, who fell into conflict. One morning there was a knock on the older brother’s door. He opened to find a carpenter. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek in between my farm and my neighbor’s. That's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee, and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better,” said the older brother. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">“I want you to build me a large fence so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore," said the older brother. “Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you," replied the carpenter. The older brother had to go to town. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, and nailing. When the older brother returned at sunset, the carpenter had just finished his job.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">There was no fence at all. It was a bridge, stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work with handrails and all, and his younger brother was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They met in the middle, took each other's hand and hugged each other. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few more days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Are we like these brothers quarreling and creating obstacles for each other? Are we building fences or bridges in our parish and family life? If we are, then we need the carpenter, the one who came down to build the bridge between heaven and earth. Do we see our neighbors as our own brothers or as enemies sitting behind the fence built around us? Jesus taught to love your neighbor as yourself. If we cannot love our neighbor, then we are building fences around us. As Marthomites, we need to examine the past twenty-five years of our existence in this country and see whether we have built the fences or bridges. Our faith journey should be able to carry others to the cross, the place from where we can look up, to our sides and see others as our brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">We need Christians in the making to live for others, sharing and caring. We should be bridge makers and not fence makers. Max Lucado in his book ‘God Came Near’ says: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“Christianity in its purest form is nothing more than seeing Jesus. Christian service, in its purest form, is nothing more than imitating Him who we see. To see His majesty and to imitate Him, that is the sum of Christianity.” </i>Are we imitating Christ in our faith journey? Or are we creating more and more obstacles for others to follow Christ? If our religion and our faith life are not for building bridges with people around us, we are not following Christ in the true sense. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Genesis 1:27–28 says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">made a beautiful garden for them to live. Instead of creating a fence and letting them live alone, He set certain rules for them and asked them to obey those rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He walked with them thereby creating a bridge between Him and man. But man disobeyed God</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"> and hid from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God grieved since He made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">God led the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt, and provided with everything they needed in their forty years of journey through desert. In Exodus 13: 21 it is written “</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”</span> <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Instead of letting them to live own their own He asked them to follow his commandments and to worship him. But instead of obeying God, they deviated from His commandments and disobeyed him. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">The Bible is full of examples of people who have built relationships with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Enoch walked with God and then he was no more because God took him away.</span> <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">In Genesis 6:8–9 it says, “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>God never built any fences around Enoch or Noah but used them as bridges for the generations to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">God kept Abraham and was with him to keep his faith. He made him the father of nations and asked his generations to worship Him. In Genesis 28:15, “God said to Abraham “</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">Job was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. God had put </span>a <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">hedge around him and his household and everything he had. Even though God allowed Satan to put Job’s faith to the test, Job never rejected God because he always kept a strong faith in God. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">God was with Daniel when he decided </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">not to defile himself with the royal food and wine. He never built a fence around Daniel but He kept a constant relationship with him by giving knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. When King Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and ordered that they be tied up and thrown into the blazing furnace, God was with them. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">In 1 Samuel 3:19-21 we read, “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.” Samuel obeyed the Lord and kept His words in his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This helped him to be a bridge between the people and the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">The Lord was with Joseph, he prospered, and he lived in the house of Potiphar. When Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph into bed with her, he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. When his master put Joseph in prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">As we look at other Biblical figures like David and Joseph, they never built any fences around them but always kept their relationship with God, obeyed him and listened to him. God sent His only Son to save mankind from their sins. God used Jesus to bridge the gap between Him and mankind. God offered Himself to us so that we may become children of God. He did not build a fence around those who came to him, but asked them to love their neighbor so that they can also become children of God. The eternal became temporal to be a bridge between us and Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The disciples did not build a fence around them, but they went out everywhere to spread the Good News. Every Marthomite is a missionary and we are not to build our own fences around us, our parishes, our families and ourselves. We need to reach out to the community around us, to those who need us. As Christians, we need to follow Christ and show others that Christ lives within us. The cross reminds us of two things – look upward and look around us. Christ should live within us so that the love of Christ may flow from us to those around us. Those who see us should see Christ through our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Max Lucado says,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> “Instead of looking upward at him, we look inward at ourselves and outward at each other. The result – cabin fever, quarreling families, restless leaders, fence building, staked off territory, no trespassing and beware of dog signs are hung on hearts and home.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In our faith journey we need to look up to the cross, the place from where boundless love has flown so that others may also feel welcome in our faith journey. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Verdana">As we celebrate twenty-five years of existence in this Diocese, let us rededicate ourselves as bridge makers so that people may see the love of God within us. Instead of isolating ourselves as a community in this country, let us make bridges within our own community, in our parishes, and families and with other communities so that we can spread the Good News. Let us look upward at him, instead of looking inward, fighting each other, and fence building around us. Let us invite the carpenter who came down from heaven to build bridges between us and those around us. Let us throw away the no trespassing signs, beware of dog signs hung on our hearts and home. The fire on the altar of faith must be kept burning; it must not go out by building fences around us. The Lord is holy and he has us apart from the nations to be His own as bridge makers. He broke the bars of our yoke and enabled us to walk with heads held high so that we need not hide behind fences. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-44985152599015989832009-05-16T16:58:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:01:03.861-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:20.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">‘Colonia Mar Thoma’</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Lal Varghese, MTC Dallas, Farmers Branch</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: justify;">Mar Thoma Church has grown as a global Church and Marthomites became a Diaspora Community, consequently there arose the need to establish mission fields in the places where we reside so that we can be the light to those who live in darkness around us. The word ‘Diaspora’ means ‘dispersion’ or ‘scattering’ of a particular group of people. Mar Thoma Diaspora includes both the original migrants and those born to them.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[1]</span></span></a> With this in mind under the leadership Coorilos Thirumeni the Diocese of North America & Europe decided to begin two mission fields one among the Native Americans residing in United States and the Mexican mission field in Mexico outside the Diocese so that we can be the true witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ at places where we are planted by God. The real intention behind establishing these mission fields is that our youths especially those who are born and being raised in this Diocese may have access to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>mission fields near to them in order to fulfill the vision of Abraham Mar Thoma that ‘every Mar Thomite is a missionary’.<a style="mso-footnote-id: ftn" href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[2]</span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Native Americans live a secluded life keeping their rich heritage in different States of United States. The Spanish speaking islanders who are fishermen live in the islands in the east coast of Mexico near to United States border without any basic amenities including water, electricity, education or health care.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The first congregation in North America was formed in 1972 in New York and later became the first parish in 1976 along with several other parishes in places like Toronto, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Later a Zonal Council was formed and it became the first Zonal Assembly and finally the Diocese of North America and Europe came in to existence in 1988.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[3]</span></span></a> Late Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan, late Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan, and present Valia Metropolitan Rt. Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom laid the foundation stone for this Diocese while serving in this Diocese as Episcopas. The first resident Bishop assigned to this Diocese was Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus, Suffragan Metropolitan, who built the structure of the Diocese from its foundation both in its temporal and ecclesiastical facets. Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa who took charge as Episcopa of the Diocese since 2001 led the Diocese to fulfill the vision of the Church by focusing on Mission among the Native Americans and Mexico Mission. The Diocese has presently 6298 families<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[4]</span></span></a>, 54 parishes, 23 congregations and 52 clergy serving in this Diocese including retired clergy.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[5]</span></span></a> Currently there are 130 Assembly members and 17 Council members serving the Diocese.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[6]</span></span></a> Presently Rev. Biju S. Cherian is serving as the Diocesan Secretary since May 2008. The official publication of the Diocese is ‘The Mar Thoma Messenger’ and has completed 25 years of publication in 2007.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">The Diocese has undertaken the mission among the Native Americans and the Mexico Mission since 2001 under the able leadership of Coorilos Thirumeni. The first mission team visited Mexico in 2001 and provided them with the basic necessities like food, clothing, healthcare etc. Since then it was an ongoing regular process to these two mission fields by conducting vacation Bible schools, and providing the people with the basic medical care, food, clothing etc. The Diocesan Youth Fellowship is actively involved in the Mexican Mission project and based on their detailed assessment of the needs of the islanders plans are being made to cater the same in a timely manner. The Diocese has adopted two islands consisting of about 90 families and with about 150 children. They live below the poverty line and their only means of living is the income from fishing except the months of November to March which are winter months, during those months they are unable to go for fishing and they live in utter poverty during these months. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">In Coorilos Thirumeni’s own words ‘We should love those who cannot return the same in the way we share our love.’ ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful’.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[7]</span></span></a></i> Being merciful to others by providing them with the means to live in this world is the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The mission of the Church is the mission of Jesus Christ revealed through the teachings of Holy Bible. Today the mission of the God is carried out by the Church all over the world where we are planted by the God. We as a Church must take up the challenge to be instrument of God’s mission. The earlier missionaries to India were William Carey from England (1761-1834) and Stanley Jones from United States (1884-1973).<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn8" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[8]</span></span></a> Abraham Mar Thoma (1880-1947) took the leadership in sending missionaries to various parts of India to preach the gospel. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan (1913-2000) who served as the Missionary Bishop of the Church with a prophetic vision and concern for the poor still lingers in our memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Late Dr. Yuhannon Mar Thoma Metropolitan, late Dr. Mathews Mar Athanasius, and late Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius took the leadership of the mission activities of the Church.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn9" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[9]</span></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">According to late Alexander Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan Thirumeni every Diaspora Community should become a local community and quoted the Episcopal Encyclical of 1952 ”…….. for a fuller and vaster realization of the truths and principles for which the Church stands, the Church must be willing to lose itself.”<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn10" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[10]</span></span></a> We need to empty ourselves for the betterment of others. The mission is the manifestation of God’s redemptive love revealed in the reconciling work of God in Christ. The word ‘mission’ originated from the Latin word ‘mittere’ which means to send. Just as Christ was sent to the world, Jesus has sent His disciples to the world so that they may know Him. Mission is something that belongs to the very nature of God, and it is God’s mission by being in the world and affirming the human. Mission is no more sharing the good news of God alone, but sharing our resources with others who lack such resources and helping them to build their lives and community. Mission is more in being and doing than preaching and at the same witnessing Christ in our lives.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn11" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[11]</span></span></a> The three fold task of the Church – Koinonia (fellowship), Diakonia (ministry), and Kyrugma (proclamation) makes the mission of the Church holistic in each context. The preaching of the Word of God is expected to create a community of communities rooted in the love of God as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. <a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn12" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[12]</span></span></a><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The challenge of the time is to reach out to the world by helping the poor people to have their own means to sustain their lives in this world. Especially in a society where more individualistic thoughts govern each individual, we need to reach out to the community around us and those who live closer to us with the resources provided by God to help them. The missionary outreach programs of the Church are both personal and social involving evangelism and social development. The concern of the Church should extend to the welfare of all individuals and their salvation to be realized in their social life, employment, physical growth, cultural and their economic development.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn13" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[13]</span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The mission of the Church is not only to present the Gospel as the power of God to save individuals, but also to change the social structures by providing them the basic needs.<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn14" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[14]</span></span></a> That is the challenge taken by the Diocese of North America through its Mission Board by having two mission fields established one among the Native Americans and the Mexico Mission. Both these mission activities are coordinated by the able leadership of Coorilos Thirumeni under the Mission Board of the Diocese. Rev. Vinoy Daniel, Vicar of MTC Dallas, Farmers Branch presently serves as the Vice President of the Diocesan Mission Board. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">The Diocesan Youth Fellowship has undertaken the challenge to build mission center where the children of the islanders can stay and attend the schools and have the basic education which they lack now. Presently they live with their parents in the remote islands in small huts made up of wood, tin or plastic. With this mind the Diocese has purchased two parcels of land in the main land, one approximately about 7 acres where we built the 90 houses as part of the celebrations of the Navathy of our Valia Metropolitan and another parcel of land of about 2 acres to build the hostels for the children. In this connection we must remember that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">‘Bhoo - Bhavana Dhanam Movement,’</i> started in 1968, by late Dr. Yuhannon Mar Thoma Metropolitan, to provide land for the landless and homes for the homeless, so far more than 4000 houses have been provided until now.<a style="mso-footnote-id: ftn" href="#_ftn15" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[15]</span></span></a> The Diocesan Youth Fellowship raised about $49,500.00 (about 20 lakhs Indian Rupees) for buying the land for building the facility. One of the members of the Diocese contributed about $20,000.00 (about 8 lakhs Indian Rupees) to buy the land where the 90 houses are built. Each house costs about $3,100.00 (about 1 ¼ lakhs Indian Rupees) and built with concrete floor, concrete bricks, with columns made of concrete and iron and shingle roof and stated to be hurricane resistant. The place where we built the houses is named in Spanish as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">‘Colonia Mar Thoma’</i> (‘Mar Thoma Colony’) and the same was formally inaugurated by our Valia Metropolitan Rt. Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom on May 10, 2008. The keys of the 90 houses were handed over by our beloved Metropolitan Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma at a function held in Mexico also on May 10, 2008 and attended by a large number of members from various parishes and clergy from the Diocese. The mission of the Church began at ‘Kadavil Malika’ in Kerala has now reached to Mexico by establishment of the mission field ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Colonia Mar Thoma’</i>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in">The mission of the Church is mission of God which makes the life of the Church meaningful. Mission must be interpreted as the initiative of God, ratified in the incarnation of His only begotten son and activated through Holy Spirit. Ministry is the praxis of mission which is the expression of God’s plan – love towards the wounded humanity. The goal of mission is nothing less than the unity and reconciliation of all creation in Christ. The aim of mission as Karl Barth puts it “is not personal salvation, but the consummation of all creation in Christ.” The nature of God’s mission is a sharing one. In sending and sparing His only son, we see the extreme form of sharing of God’s love. Church becomes meaningful only when it identifies with the anguish, groaning and aspirations of the people. The ministry of the Church will be fulfilled when the Church participates in the act of self emptying. According to Dr. M. M. Thomas “The Church should come to the forefront in breaking the human made barriers which make the ministry cumbersome. Church is a reconciling community which brings the renewal of humanity. The ministry of the Church thus transcends geographical and cultural barriers.” Christian ministry is plural and diversified in nature. As Christ is the Lord of the universe there is no area which goes outside the lordship of Christ. The Church, as the body of Christ, has to become ‘the Church of the poor’, not the ‘Church for the poor.’<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn16" name="_ftnref" title="">[16]</a> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>The leadership and vision of Coorilos Thirumeni and the whole hearted support of the members of the Diocese especially the youths made it possible to establish the two mission fields in the continued faith journey of the Church in its mission activities. Being the members of the Church we should be able to share and care for the needs of the community in and around we live. That is what exactly we are doing for our generations to come, to be the witness of our Lord Jesus Christ and to continue in the faith journey of the Church in the community they live. The Church should transcend the national and cultural barriers and it should be universal and open to all.<a style="mso-footnote-id: ftn" href="#_ftn17" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[17]</span></span></a> According to Valia Metropolitan Chrysostom Thirumeni ‘We often use the term ‘identity’ to establish that we are different from other people, identity, on the other hand, should contribute to the well being of the community. Identity is to ensure that you are not lost; it ensures that you are recognized in the community. If you are alienated from the community, you lose your identity.’<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn18" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[18]</span></span></a> Abraham Mar Thoma’s burning passion for evangelism, his zeal for spreading the Gospel throughout India once said ‘It is far better to burn out than rust out.’<a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftn19" name="_ftnref" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character:footnote">[19]</span></span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We hope and pray that the mission among the Native Americans and Mexico Mission will strengthen our generation’s spiritually to be the witness our Lord Jesus Christ and may enable them to continue in the faith journey of the Mar Thoma Church. Let us take the challenge of emptying ourselves to bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters who live around us so that we see the glory of God through our mission by spreading the light to those who live in darkness. </p> <div style="mso-element:footnote-list"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" style="text-align: justify;"> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[1]</span></span></a> Koshy Mathew Karinjapally, ed., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Roots and Wings: Frequently Asked Questions About the Mar Thoma Church</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Bangalore: WordMakers Publishing Pvt. Ltd., 2005), 102. </p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[2]</span></span></a> Ibid., 42</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[3]</span></span></a> Prof. P. M. Thomas, ed., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Mar Thoma Sabha Directory(Thiruvalla: </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Publication Board of the Mar Thoma Church, 1999), 467</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[4]</span></span></a> Rev. Biju S. Cherian, ed., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Annual Report of the Diocese of North America & Europe</i> (New York: Diocese of North America and Europe, 2007, 50</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[5]</span></span></a> Ibid., 11</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[6]</span></span></a> Ibid., 2</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[7]</span></span></a> Luke 6: 32-35 New International Version (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 589 </p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[8]</span></span></a> Dr. T. M. Thomas, ed., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Mar Thoma Church – Our Foundation and</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Vision</i> (Thiruvalla: Christava Sahitya Samithy, 2001), 61.</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn9" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[9]</span></span></a> Ibid.,149.</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn10" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[10]</span></span></a> Karinjapally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Roots and Wings</i>, 105</p> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn11" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[11]</span></span></a> Rev. Dr. M. V. Abraham, ed., <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>‘Missionary Extraordinary’ - Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Memorial Volume (Thiruvalla: Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, 2001), 95<br /></p></div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn12" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[12]</span></span></a> Prof. C. P. Mathew<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and Dr. M. M. Thomas, ed.,</p> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;">‘The Indian Churches of St. Thomas’ – (Delhi: ISPCK, 1967), 192</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn13" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[13]</span></span></a> Karinjapally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Roots and Wings</i>, 65</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn14" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[14]</span></span></a> Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan, ed.,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Mar Thoma Church – Heritage and Mission, 129</i></p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn15" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[15]</span></span></a> Karinjapally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Roots and Wings</i>, 69</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn16" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[16]</span></span></a> Rev. T. A. Varghese, ed., ‘Gleanings-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Mar Thoma Church: Its Faith, practice and mission’ (Madras: The Madras-Calcutta Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church, 1994), 82</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn17" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[17]</span></span></a> The Faith and Practices of Mar Thoma Church by Rev. Dr. K. V. Mathew</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn18" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[18]</span></span></a> Karinjapally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Roots and Wings</i>, 107</p> </div> <div style="mso-element:footnote" id="ftn"> <p class="MsoFootnoteText" style="text-align: justify;"><a style="mso-footnote-id:ftn" href="#_ftnref" name="_ftn19" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote">[19]</span></span></a> Karinjapally, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Roots and Wings</i>, 125</p> </div> </div> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-45548519391616920582009-05-16T16:56:00.000-07:002009-05-16T16:57:50.848-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <h2 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:16.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Inclusive Faith Community</span><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <h2 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Trebuchet MS""><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Atty. Lal Varghese, Diocesan Council Member, MTC Dallas, Farmers Branch</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Inclusive faith means the salvation to all mankind proclaimed in the scriptures by the prophets, Jesus and the Apostles. Inclusive faith community’s mission should be nothing other than Jesus Christ’s mission on the earth. John 12:47 says: “He came not to judge the world but to save the world,” and not just a part of it. Throughout church history, there were always been those who had great faith to take the declarations of Christ’s teachings seriously and literally. Now, this great faith has been ridiculed as ridiculous and questions the authenticity of the scriptures. Most Christians today do not take seriously the scriptures which plainly state that when Jesus is finished with His work on earth, He will “reconcile all things unto Himself…whether in heaven or earth.” (Col. 1:20). Christ is in deed and in fact, the Savior of both the whole world and the “especially” ones, that is, the church. (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">In 1 Timothy chapter 2, Paul exhorted to “pray for all men.” Most of the “little faith” churches believe that Jesus will only save a handful of those whom He died for. But Jesus fulfilled God’s will and desire: “God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4) Paul warned that most of the church would fall away from this glorious truth. He warned there would be those inside the church who would draw disciples after themselves. (Acts 20:30) Today there are over 30,000 denominations dividing the body of Christ and fighting each other. We ignore Paul’s warnings not to divide, yet we do it anyway, proving that most Christians “honor Christ with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.” (Isaiah. 29:13; Matt. 15:8)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The early believers of Christ and the church leaders taught universal salvation. St. Basil the Great, in the fourth century wrote, “The Christians say that there is to be an end of punishment to those who are punished.” St. Jerome wrote in the same century, “I know that most persons understand by the story of Nineveh and its king, the ultimate forgiveness of the devil and all rational creatures.” St. Augustine, while teaching eternal torment wrote, “There are very many who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The history shows that the majority of the early church believed that all would eventually be saved. The Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge by Schaff-Herzog says, “In the first five or six centuries of Christianity there were six theological schools, of which four (Alexandria, Antioch, Caesarea, and Edessa, or Nisibis) accepted universalism; one (Ephesus) accepted conditional mortality; one (Carthage or Rome) taught endless punishment of the wicked.” A most crucial and important point in church history was when Emperor Constantine militarized and politicalized the church. The teaching of Hell became a more powerful weapon of control than a loving God who loved all mankind. At that point the teaching of universal salvation began to be stamped out through severe persecution. That resulted in what the church created due to its deviation from the biblical truth which is known as the “The Dark Ages.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Before the Dark Ages, the church was vibrant with the teaching of God’s love for all mankind. The second major church council composed of hundreds of bishops from the entire church met in Constantinople in 381 AD and elected Gregory of Nazianzus, an avowed Universalist, as president proving clearly that the great majority of the church leadership in the fourth century believed in universal salvation. But today universal salvation is considered a heresy in most denominations. The early church better versed in the original languages of the Scriptures and stayed closer to the apostles’ teachings and thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Well-known theologians and great men and women have embraced the “larger hope” for the whole universe through the spread of gospel. Abraham Lincoln believed and practiced it. Perhaps Lincoln’s belief in the salvation of all mankind was his driving force to end slavery in US. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence believed it. Famous theologians like Karl Barth, B.F. Westcott, and William Barclay embraced the doctrine of inclusiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Those who embrace this scriptural doctrine today are conservatives, serious followers of the scriptures and are usually more versed in church history and the original languages of the Bible than the average Christians. They believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and they are very scripture-centered. Those who believe in the “Doctrine of Inclusion” show greater faith in God’s love, mercy, and power to save from sins, and the eternal life. Another trait of these believers in the glorious gospel is that they believed that denominationalism spoils the witness and concept of one Lord and Savior and church as one body in earth. Even within parishes people fight each other for positions, and for self glorification. We need to understand that the teaching and preaching of Lord Jesus Christ never was intended for any selfish motives or self glorification or to attain any position in this world. Jesus incarnated in to this world so that we may be redeemed from our sins so that we can have eternal life in heaven. This is for the whole world and for any selected group of believers of any particular denominations. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span class="cttext"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS";mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; color:black">Nearly 50 years ago, during his first major crusade, Billy Graham faced different yet similarly daunting impediments to his ministry. Graham warded off withering attacks from Reinhold Niebuhr, fundamentalists, and segregationists. The remarkable response to Graham's preaching effectively marginalized the extreme ends of the theological spectrum and helped carve out a prosperous middle ground for the burgeoning civil rights and evangelical movements. Graham preached Gospel for the universe and not to any particular denomination or church, and he preached the same way for more than 50 years now so that whole world may be saved at the end. Do we preach or practice like the early church did? </span></span><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS""><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-91024903615714783072009-05-16T16:55:00.001-07:002009-05-16T16:56:39.932-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <h3 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Challenges to Christian Faith in a World of Pluralism</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3> <h3 align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Atty. Lal Varghese, MTC Farmers Branch, Dallas</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">What is Christian faith? <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Hebrews 11:1 says: “</span>Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. It is basically God’s interference within us by His assurance and our response in the form of faith and conviction to God. The fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith is that salvation is possible only through the Jesus Christ<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">. </b>When confronted with open denials of the incarnation, uniqueness, finality, resurrection, and superiority of the Jesus Christ, many Christians remain silent. Unlike Paul, they are ashamed of the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">One of the most important phenomena at the dawn of the New Millennium is the revival of the major world religions. Prof. Heim remarked that religions such as Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus are not willing to relinquish its firm belief in the validity and uniqueness of their particular religious tradition. But at the same time various Christian pluralistic theologies are calling for unequivocal affirmation of the equal validity of all world religion’s faiths. Many Christians are no longer willing or able to defend the uniqueness of Christianity. They forget that in Christianity there is a God who is searching for man, and in all other religions it is the man who is searching for the God. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:10.0pt;">Christianity teaches that except on their own initiative it is impossible for any person to have a relationship with God and that the result of a lack of such a relationship is damnation. To avoid such a fact, Christianity teaches that Jesus was God, made flesh in a literal manner and that by accepting various beliefs about Jesus, God, and repenting, a person could have a meaningful relationship with God and avoid damnation, and earn eternal life in Heaven. Christians hold that the consequence of self-separation from the triune God, who is the ultimate source of all life is eternal death.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Religious pluralism on the other hand is the belief that one can overcome religious differences between different religions, and denominational conflicts within the same religion. For most religious traditions, religious pluralism is essentially based on a non-literal view of one’s religious traditions, hence allowing for respect to be engendered between different traditions on core principles rather than marginal issues. It is perhaps summarized as an attitude which rejects focus on immaterial differences, and instead gives respect to those beliefs held in common. If anyone fully accepts the concept of religious pluralism, it amounts to compromising one’s own faith in Jesus Christ.</o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">The twentieth century has brought forth unparalleled challenges to the historic Christian faith. During this century, Christianity's relevance and ultimate validity have been questioned as never before. This assault on the central truth of Christianity has come from two distinct fronts: atheistic secularism and the religious pluralism. While secularism constitutes a significant threat, the issue of religious pluralism poses an even greater challenge. America in particular is a nation of diverse ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. Our nation is founded upon the principle of toleration, particularly in the area of religion. We are guaranteed the right of free exercise of religion. Equal toleration of religion has been taken to mean that each religion is equally valid (i.e., all religions lead to God). This is a fatal <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">non sequitur</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">People who argue that all religions are equally valid, which is metaphysical truth either know little about the various religions or have given up reasoning in a logical fashion. A study of the world religions reveals the fundamental and irreconcilable differences exist between religions. Some religions affirm <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">monotheism</span> (one God); others affirm <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">polytheism</span> (many Gods); still others affirm <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">pantheism</span> (all is God). According to the most basic laws of logic (e.g., the law of non-contradiction), these different views about God cannot be ultimately true <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">at the same time</span> and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">in the same respect</span>. Logically, the three world views could all be wrong, but they could not all be correct. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">Most people who believe that "all religions lead to God" are unaware of the insurmountable intellectual difficulties with this view. Therefore, the claim that one religion is exclusively true is often met with the charge that one is dogmatic, narrow-minded, or just plain arrogant. While people can act arrogantly and often do, to claim that one religion is exclusively true is not provincial or narrow-minded. As noted earlier, the only logical conclusion, in view of the multiple contradictions among the world's religions, is that one religious world view is true and the rest is false, or that <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">all</span> the religions are false. Additionally, if a person believes that one religion is exclusively true because of special revelation, then his reason for holding to it is that he believes it is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">God's</span> way, not his own. For Christians, it is the way of Jesus that saves, not our way. We merely repeat the claim made by Jesus Himself: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Accepting and proclaiming God's way is therefore not arrogance, it is genuine humility, and affirming our faith. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">The challenge and danger of pluralism is found in its subtle and tolerant claims. Secular humanism boldly claims that Christianity is untrue and misleading. Pluralism, on the other hand, states that while Christianity is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">true</span>, it is not the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">truth</span>. Pluralism's claim is not that Christianity is a false religion, but that it is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">a</span> religion. This subtle teaching may be the church's greatest apologetic challenge to keep our faith in a pluralistic world. Another definition of religious pluralism involves accepting the beliefs taught by religions other than one’s own as valid. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">All religions have some thing in common. Does this mean all religions are alike? Are all of them true? How can Christians claim superiority for their religion? Is Christianity the only true and right faith? Certainly the followers of Christ make the most astounding claims for Christianity. Though these assertions may not always be fully recognized by every member of the church, they are the essence of the faith. Christians do not say they have discovered or invented the genius of religion. Rather, they humbly confess that their unique claims are a gracious disclosure of God through the Holy Spirit to human beings. Their convictions were merely what they had received and experienced as true and real. Christians take no credit for themselves for the uniqueness of their religion. Notwithstanding, they accept and advocate the truth that <span style="color:black;">Christianity is absolute in authority, contending for the control over the mind, consciences, actions, and relationships of mankind in all spheres of life.</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"> </span><span style="font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">Christianity is complete as a revelation of the person, work, and purpose of God, allowing no possibility for Him to be found in or through other religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Christianity is perfect, bringing wholeness to human hope, desire, potential, and need. Christianity is universal in scope and rule, taking the place of all other religions, making Jesus Christ the sole savior and sovereign Lord. </span><span style=" font-family:Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">It seems apparent, nevertheless, that the Bible leaves no alternative: Christians should be as closed as truth requires yet, at the same time, as faithful as the Scripture wants them to be. To believe, then, that all religions are alike, emanating from the same source and leading to the same destiny, is a serious mistake. It is neither historically nor biblically accurate. The revelation of God in the incarnate Christ, an eternal redemption through the vicarious suffering of Jesus, and the empty tomb are distinctly Christian. No matter how much of value, whether ethical precepts, social cohesion, or elements of truth, may be found or ascribed to non-Christian religions there is a significant otherness to the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As such, Jesus Christ is the ultimate source, hope, purpose, meaning, and destiny of everything and everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-family: Verdana;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">Jesus is Lord of all history. He is present in the development of every clan, caste, tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Nothing happens beyond or outside of his sphere of influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since He is the Lord of all history, He is present everywhere. Everyone can find Him regardless of their religious affiliation, provided they have faith in Him as Savior and Lord. If a religious experience is related to "men of faith," it will only produce what human beings can do. If religious experience is connected with pagan gods, it can only result in what lifeless idols can give. If a religious experience flows from the Lord, it will result in what the sovereign God of the universe provides. Therefore, the Bible is insistent on affirming that having faith is in Jesus Christ alone, John 3: 16; Romans 1: 16. In other words, the object of faith becomes the decisive factor. In this the Christian rests with confidence. In this world of pluralism we should go forth to proclaim Him in faith as the Good News, the only Lord and Savior of all mankind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;">For those of us who love the Lord and believe in the supreme and final authority of His sacred Word, we must repudiate the harmful influence of all pluralistic theologies. We need to deepen our study of the Bible and the classical works of Christian leaders of the last 2000 years. Above all, we must strengthen our efforts to defend and spread the Christian faith by every means throughout the entire world which is possible only through spreading the Good News, the Gospel.<span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-63249600895519679712009-05-16T16:54:00.001-07:002009-05-16T16:54:39.543-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <p align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:15.0pt;background:white"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Social Justice is God’s Justice</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:15.0pt;background:white"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Lal Varghese, MTC Farmers Branch, Dallas</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">The social justice of Jesus was better than what Carl Marx or any other social system offered when Jesus called those who suffer, come to me I will provide comfort you. When we are gripped by God’s love and by His calling our life is becomes different. We grow close to one another and become organs of a mystical body, ruled by a spirit of unity—one heart and one soul. The necessity for force and coercion, for law and moral striving, is removed because the true spirit, which the law expressed imperfectly, comes to rule our lives. Jesus brought the new righteousness ‘goodness of heart’ which embraces all human existence. It is the justice of the future and it no longer needs to take into account the restraints and injuries that are part of our present legal relationships</span>. <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">This new justice is unconquerable because it is God’s goodness. It can be neither weakened nor changed, for it manifests a life energy that wants to unfold in every area of life. This justice is goodness, because God is good. His goodness is love. His justice reveals all the powers of love. Any attempt to reach this goodness on the basis of legal rules or regulations will end in failure.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:15.0pt;background: white"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jesus brings a totally different righteousness because he brings God himself, who encompasses everything and tolerates nothing being isolated. He brings God’s radiating light and flooding warmth; the living God, who wants nothing but life; the God of riches, whose being consists in giving. Those who lose themselves in God have the new justice. Where God himself lives and works, this justice of the warmly pulsing heart replaces the stony tablets of the law. <span class="articleleadins1"><span style="font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">There is so much</span></span> pain on the earth around us. If we are filled with God's love, we will experience this pain ourselves; we will feel the need of children, the elderly, the mentally challenged and disturbed, the unwanted, and the starving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We cannot ignore those around us for whom social justice is denied by the world of today. On one side wealth is accumulating, and the surplus of everything and on the other side people is living in poor conditions without even the means to afford one meal a day.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:15.0pt;background: white"><span class="articleleadins1"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-weight: normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">When we see</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana"> the world's churches as they are today, where money has so much power and there is so little compassion for the poor, we should feel challenged to reach out more. We know that the first believers in the church at Rome fed their own poor and the poor of the whole city. They lived in the love of Jesus, and that is what we are missing now. The world around us demands that we need to return to this first love. In Matthew 25 Jesus speaks of those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, and in prison, and the need to provide to them, and speaks about the reward to such people. So we must be concerned about the hungry, thirsty, naked and those being isolated themselves from the society for several reasons. We need to share our resources and talents with these brothers and sisters. <span class="articleleadins1"><span style="font-weight:normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">To be complacent</span></span> in the face of injustice is a terrible sin. Many people are making sacrifices for righteousness, and some have even sacrificed their lives. But the fight for social justice itself will not bring the kingdom of God, and we must not lose sight of this, in spite of our respect for those who sacrifice everything for it. Something much greater must come into being, something we ourselves cannot make: the powerful atmosphere of the spirit of Jesus, which must penetrate into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:15.0pt;background: white"><span class="articleleadins1"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-weight: normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">As injustice</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana"> continues to increase, let us hold on to our hope in the kingdom of God and seek to live according to it, so that we can show the world a new righteousness that embraces the principle of show love even to the enemy. This is the answer to the great need of our time in the world at large especially on the political and racial scene we see around us. We need to thrive for the best from us and need to deliver the best for others. We are all responsible for the social injustice, the human degradation, the wrongs people inflict on each other, both public and private. Each one of us bears guilt toward all humankind because we are deaf and blind to their degradation and humiliation. Remember the calling of Jesus in Mathew ______ that those who suffer come to me I will provide to you. That is the calling we need to make to our brothers and sisters who are suffering around us, so that we can continue that social justice Jesus Christ began during His worldly ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:15.0pt;background: white"><span class="articleleadins1"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-weight: normal;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Simple, apostolic mission</span></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana"> to do justice to others does not require large sanctuaries or halls and long pulpit preaching. It is much simpler than that just open your heart to do justice to others who are being ignored by the world around them. It means finding the living thread from one person to another, from house to house, from one town to the next. It means discovering the footsteps of Jesus Christ to see which way He went, so that we can go to the very place where He has been. Jesus didn’t make the Pharisees or other people in authority in position as His disciples, but He went and gathered those who were in the lowest strata of the society to be with Him and to do His justice in the world. He entrusted the twelve disciples to continue to spread the Good News, the Gospel so that social justice will be served to those marginalized people. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in;line-height:15.0pt;background: white"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana">So the main purpose of any mission is to make all the world aware of who God is and what His will is, of His power to bring about perfect love through Jesus Christ, and that this love can be put into practice here and now in a community life. And that today, unity can be lived out in complete social justice, and brotherliness. Our mission should include the whole world, and that includes those in high places as well as the masses of underprivileged, know that something that had almost been forgotten or neglected by our churches is after all a reality and still possible through the love of Jesus Christ. Let us also take this as a challenge in our individual life that we should feed at least a few those who cannot afford to feed themselves so that when we stand before Lord in the final day, He will reward us with eternal life since we fed the hungry, the thirsty, and clothed the naked. So let us do our part to do justice to others so that it can be God’s justice to those underprivileged.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-496522564428836232009-05-16T16:52:00.000-07:002009-05-16T16:53:19.247-07:00<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Maramon Convention </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">By Lal Varghese, Attorney at Law, Dallas</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The Maramon Convention is the one of the most pre-eminent assembly of Christians convened every year for the proclamation of the Word of God expounded by eminent international and local erudite Christian orators. The Maramon Convention, organized by the Mar Thoma Church Evangelistic Association, an organization of the Mar Thoma Church is reported as one of the largest Christian conventions held anywhere in the world since 1896, next to Keswick Convention held in England since 1875. Preaching, Singing, Bible Study, Intercessory Prayers, Special Sessions for Women and Children etc. are the predominant features of this Asia's biggest spiritual gathering which imparts a wonderful experience for all believers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">The Maramon Convention is being conducted every year since 1896 on the vast sand bed on a wide stretch shore of river Pampa, usually in the month of February when the river bed is dry. Maramon and Kozhencherry are 16 kilometers east of Thiruvalla in Central Travancore, in Pathanamthitta District, and had been recognized as places of ancient Christianity influenced culture. About a week before the convention, the vicinity of the venue becomes a scene of great activity for the preparation of the Pandal wide enough to accommodate about 80,000-100,000 people constructed out of bamboo poles and thatched roof by coconut leaves. Large number of people streamed across temporary bridges and sandbag walkways come to the Pandal for hearing the Word of God from all over Kerala, and other parts of India, even from abroad. It is phenomenal scenery that around 100,000 people gathered in hot and humid weather in hot dry sand of the Pamba River to hear of Lord and to sing for Him. All the people well attentively participate in the singing and listen to the religious reading and discourse sitting under this temporary shelter of thatched coconut palm leaves. Convention is normally scheduled for a week, when the sand bed becomes dry to accommodate the sea of humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family: Arial;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Maramon convention songs have attracted and inspired so many people since its beginning. All of the Marthoma parishes use the Maramon Convention songs during their worship services, parish conventions, and for prayer meetings as a source for glorifying God. World famous preacher Dr. Stanly Johns was speaker of the Maramon convention for around 50 years. Other World famous Missionaries like Dr. Kagawa of Japan, Sadhu Sunder Singh, Stephen Neil, Archbishop of Canterbury etc. had preached in this convention. The centenary of the Maramon Convention was celebrated in 1995. The centenary celebration of the Mar Thoma Sunday School Samajam was held in 2005 at the venue of the Maramon convention, and the gathering was known as “Childrens’ Maramon”. The Maramon Convention also displays co-operation and union between different denominations of Churches in Kerala. It fosters an ecumenical outlook, and meaning. It is also a source of spiritual inspiration and enlightenment for thousands of believers. The people in and around Maramon extend solidarity and hospitality to the people coming from far off places. For the last more than 100 years Maramon Convention has become a meeting place of culture and tradition and it became a stature of Indian Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-4210145934724783542009-05-11T08:35:00.000-07:002009-05-11T08:37:07.516-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGF3H7VfI/AAAAAAAAaHU/_ijkQX3k3VQ/s1600-h/DSC00457.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334590825130841586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGF3H7VfI/AAAAAAAAaHU/_ijkQX3k3VQ/s400/DSC00457.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGF47zvpI/AAAAAAAAaHM/ro9MCGr0Op4/s1600-h/DSC00431.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334590825616883346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGF47zvpI/AAAAAAAAaHM/ro9MCGr0Op4/s400/DSC00431.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGF9fTt7I/AAAAAAAAaHE/NHv3DbeXqg0/s1600-h/DSC00422.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334590826839521202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGF9fTt7I/AAAAAAAAaHE/NHv3DbeXqg0/s400/DSC00422.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGFn1accI/AAAAAAAAaG8/FyD2pR8zE9Q/s1600-h/DSC00399.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334590821026656706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGFn1accI/AAAAAAAAaG8/FyD2pR8zE9Q/s400/DSC00399.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGFu7nVDI/AAAAAAAAaG0/sUSzl5JpRNc/s1600-h/DSC00392.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334590822931715122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghGFu7nVDI/AAAAAAAAaG0/sUSzl5JpRNc/s400/DSC00392.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-24309154869728719572009-05-11T08:19:00.000-07:002009-05-11T08:34:51.945-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDVXxeeI/AAAAAAAAaGs/9fQOTS2ecz4/s1600-h/DSC00453.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589682199132642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDVXxeeI/AAAAAAAAaGs/9fQOTS2ecz4/s400/DSC00453.jpg" border="0" /></a> Photos of the reception given to Valiya Metropolitan and Joseph Mar Thoma at New York in June 2008 by the Diocese of North America and Europe.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDcnprMI/AAAAAAAAaGk/AzKa6oVZXko/s1600-h/DSC00443.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589684144778434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDcnprMI/AAAAAAAAaGk/AzKa6oVZXko/s400/DSC00443.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDNgQEgI/AAAAAAAAaGc/BbkWz0RIM_M/s1600-h/DSC00605.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589680087208450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDNgQEgI/AAAAAAAAaGc/BbkWz0RIM_M/s400/DSC00605.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDBgU5QI/AAAAAAAAaGU/0P1fsK8kE2c/s1600-h/DSC00625.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589676866299138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFDBgU5QI/AAAAAAAAaGU/0P1fsK8kE2c/s400/DSC00625.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFC_mYWhI/AAAAAAAAaGM/1NgUHkzE8po/s1600-h/DSC00632.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589676354820626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghFC_mYWhI/AAAAAAAAaGM/1NgUHkzE8po/s400/DSC00632.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjh5nGzI/AAAAAAAAaGE/LfnflTy9Z5g/s1600-h/DSC00637.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589135806470962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjh5nGzI/AAAAAAAAaGE/LfnflTy9Z5g/s400/DSC00637.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjlK5zCI/AAAAAAAAaF8/fAESbpSR6x4/s1600-h/DSC00615.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589136684305442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjlK5zCI/AAAAAAAAaF8/fAESbpSR6x4/s400/DSC00615.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjccggJI/AAAAAAAAaF0/GpvG2l_k-Xo/s1600-h/DSC00614.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589134342226066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjccggJI/AAAAAAAAaF0/GpvG2l_k-Xo/s400/DSC00614.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjdZI9QI/AAAAAAAAaFs/KNccZ9vUUN8/s1600-h/DSC00619.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589134596535554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjdZI9QI/AAAAAAAAaFs/KNccZ9vUUN8/s400/DSC00619.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjKkq3zI/AAAAAAAAaFk/2dw64DtJYgU/s1600-h/DSC00647.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334589129544621874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghEjKkq3zI/AAAAAAAAaFk/2dw64DtJYgU/s400/DSC00647.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1i4fshI/AAAAAAAAaFc/3t-to1AMz-o/s1600-h/DSC00600.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334588345796243986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1i4fshI/AAAAAAAAaFc/3t-to1AMz-o/s400/DSC00600.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1qiIDHI/AAAAAAAAaFU/nramIQkgouk/s1600-h/DSC00540.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334588347849903218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1qiIDHI/AAAAAAAAaFU/nramIQkgouk/s400/DSC00540.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1XZsz7I/AAAAAAAAaFM/ge6jyNv9Ba4/s1600-h/DSC00512.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334588342714290098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1XZsz7I/AAAAAAAAaFM/ge6jyNv9Ba4/s400/DSC00512.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1WowVYI/AAAAAAAAaFE/zIzQsTC7bQI/s1600-h/DSC00448.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334588342509000066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1WowVYI/AAAAAAAAaFE/zIzQsTC7bQI/s400/DSC00448.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1XAfIDI/AAAAAAAAaE8/crBdFfCpRh4/s1600-h/DSC00432.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334588342608535602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghD1XAfIDI/AAAAAAAAaE8/crBdFfCpRh4/s400/DSC00432.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDQFXhmDI/AAAAAAAAaE0/elssX6YXfUA/s1600-h/DSC00616.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334587702218168370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDQFXhmDI/AAAAAAAAaE0/elssX6YXfUA/s400/DSC00616.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDP31QO3I/AAAAAAAAaEs/tcIp3wUgbRA/s1600-h/DSC00619.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334587698584763250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDP31QO3I/AAAAAAAAaEs/tcIp3wUgbRA/s400/DSC00619.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDP3ESSaI/AAAAAAAAaEk/UT47aUI-yVc/s1600-h/DSC00455.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334587698379377058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDP3ESSaI/AAAAAAAAaEk/UT47aUI-yVc/s400/DSC00455.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDP1oqbYI/AAAAAAAAaEc/SCxfNnw0WRo/s1600-h/DSC00445.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334587697995083138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDP1oqbYI/AAAAAAAAaEc/SCxfNnw0WRo/s400/DSC00445.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDPikstOI/AAAAAAAAaEU/zfuiuen30gg/s1600-h/DSC00419.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334587692878181602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SghDPikstOI/AAAAAAAAaEU/zfuiuen30gg/s400/DSC00419.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-1656760245092239022008-11-06T13:55:00.000-08:002008-11-06T14:04:40.250-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNp7_d-0SI/AAAAAAAAPcw/ZCOKGZDPw7s/s1600-h/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Chittanjoor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668868696625442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNp7_d-0SI/AAAAAAAAPcw/ZCOKGZDPw7s/s400/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Chittanjoor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNp7rJpbCI/AAAAAAAAPco/07AJCIJ-6Vc/s1600-h/St.+Thomas+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Kunnamkulam+(Puthen+Palli).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668863242628130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNp7rJpbCI/AAAAAAAAPco/07AJCIJ-6Vc/s400/St.+Thomas+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Kunnamkulam+(Puthen+Palli).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNp7tIOowI/AAAAAAAAPcg/5nOpM1789Ss/s1600-h/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Chittanjoor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668863773549314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNp7tIOowI/AAAAAAAAPcg/5nOpM1789Ss/s400/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Chittanjoor.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkUNHylI/AAAAAAAAPcY/zs-oEnm3EGQ/s1600-h/St.+Mary%3Bs+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Ayyamparambu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668461946194514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkUNHylI/AAAAAAAAPcY/zs-oEnm3EGQ/s400/St.+Mary%3Bs+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Ayyamparambu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkGVY4kI/AAAAAAAAPcQ/By6MbaphcUU/s1600-h/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Pazhanji.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668458222772802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkGVY4kI/AAAAAAAAPcQ/By6MbaphcUU/s400/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Pazhanji.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkLqaaDI/AAAAAAAAPcI/MdAHW6J1nnQ/s1600-h/St.+Gregorios+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Marathencode.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668459653130290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkLqaaDI/AAAAAAAAPcI/MdAHW6J1nnQ/s400/St.+Gregorios+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Marathencode.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkNNfFwI/AAAAAAAAPcA/1XHz1BfHsLM/s1600-h/St.+Gregorios+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Kakkad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668460068673282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpkNNfFwI/AAAAAAAAPcA/1XHz1BfHsLM/s400/St.+Gregorios+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Kakkad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpj67Y9QI/AAAAAAAAPb4/Jhtb7FwHpU8/s1600-h/St.+George+Orthox+Syrian+Church,+Aduputty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265668455160935682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNpj67Y9QI/AAAAAAAAPb4/Jhtb7FwHpU8/s400/St.+George+Orthox+Syrian+Church,+Aduputty.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNownByCqI/AAAAAAAAPbY/zykbNV9JBEw/s1600-h/St.+Mathyas+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Kunnamkulam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265667573645707938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNownByCqI/AAAAAAAAPbY/zykbNV9JBEw/s400/St.+Mathyas+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Kunnamkulam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowkwAlpI/AAAAAAAAPbQ/pLKQZrn7skc/s1600-h/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Cathedral,+Arthat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265667573034292882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowkwAlpI/AAAAAAAAPbQ/pLKQZrn7skc/s400/St.+Mary%27s+Orthodox+Syrian+Cathedral,+Arthat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowRZvN6I/AAAAAAAAPbI/-ishwWHfRBU/s1600-h/St.+Lazarus+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Chiralayam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265667567840606114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowRZvN6I/AAAAAAAAPbI/-ishwWHfRBU/s400/St.+Lazarus+Orthodox+Syrian+Church,+Chiralayam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowW6PHZI/AAAAAAAAPbA/aHj2g0JA8nU/s1600-h/St.+Lazarus+Old+Church,+Kunnamkulam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265667569319091602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowW6PHZI/AAAAAAAAPbA/aHj2g0JA8nU/s400/St.+Lazarus+Old+Church,+Kunnamkulam.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowC4TCeI/AAAAAAAAPa4/5bfxJjOR6A8/s1600-h/St.+George+Orthodix+Syrian+Church,+Kottapadi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265667563942250978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNowC4TCeI/AAAAAAAAPa4/5bfxJjOR6A8/s400/St.+George+Orthodix+Syrian+Church,+Kottapadi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-72490971746707870682008-11-06T13:26:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:55:00.085-08:00T<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjVR1nejI/AAAAAAAAPZY/or9574N85kc/s1600-h/Tsunami+rehabiliation+efforts.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661606542932530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjVR1nejI/AAAAAAAAPZY/or9574N85kc/s400/Tsunami+rehabiliation+efforts.bmp" border="0" /></a>heodosius Thirumeni distributing utensils for Tsunami victims.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjVPB0t8I/AAAAAAAAPZQ/rIaBZD7weQI/s1600-h/with+Tsunami+disaster+victims.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661605788825538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjVPB0t8I/AAAAAAAAPZQ/rIaBZD7weQI/s400/with+Tsunami+disaster+victims.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thoeodosius Thirumeni visiting Tsunami victims<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjUs7IK4I/AAAAAAAAPZI/6l2wu2RZgP4/s1600-h/Tsunami+Rehabilitation.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661596633934722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjUs7IK4I/AAAAAAAAPZI/6l2wu2RZgP4/s400/Tsunami+Rehabilitation.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tsunami victims rehabilitation program.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjUYKiUvI/AAAAAAAAPZA/5NR2_3VGAKE/s1600-h/At+Andhra+Pradesh+mission+field.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661591061418738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjUYKiUvI/AAAAAAAAPZA/5NR2_3VGAKE/s400/At+Andhra+Pradesh+mission+field.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thirumeni being garlanded by the people in India at the Mission field.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjUalk9uI/AAAAAAAAPY4/AI7w-3q8U44/s1600-h/With+children+at+Estates.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661591711708898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNjUalk9uI/AAAAAAAAPY4/AI7w-3q8U44/s400/With+children+at+Estates.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Theodosius Thirumeni talking to children at the mission field.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi8aSqfGI/AAAAAAAAPYw/RWey9QVUR4w/s1600-h/Attending+annual+clergy+conference.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661179315518562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi8aSqfGI/AAAAAAAAPYw/RWey9QVUR4w/s400/Attending+annual+clergy+conference.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Attending clergy conference in 2008<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi7pPCLNI/AAAAAAAAPYg/FAgNAng5gl0/s1600-h/With+ecumenical+leaders.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661166146956498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi7pPCLNI/AAAAAAAAPYg/FAgNAng5gl0/s400/With+ecumenical+leaders.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Theodosius Thirumeni with Joseph Mar Thoma<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi7Gcj_ZI/AAAAAAAAPYY/vT2zAtgDaxA/s1600-h/Publishing+of+Sabha+Douthyam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661156808457618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi7Gcj_ZI/AAAAAAAAPYY/vT2zAtgDaxA/s400/Publishing+of+Sabha+Douthyam.jpg" border="0" /></a> Releasing a book<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi63g6-gI/AAAAAAAAPYQ/q84y43WlhKc/s1600-h/at+vegitable+garden.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265661152800209410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNi63g6-gI/AAAAAAAAPYQ/q84y43WlhKc/s400/at+vegitable+garden.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thirumeni in his vegetable garden<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNiddBm5DI/AAAAAAAAPYI/sndbmbzgP50/s1600-h/Green+Carden.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265660647473341490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNiddBm5DI/AAAAAAAAPYI/sndbmbzgP50/s400/Green+Carden.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Taking care of the plants in the garden<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNic_mDz-I/AAAAAAAAPYA/7eHppASsz5Y/s1600-h/With+Cyril+Mar+Baselious.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265660639573168098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNic_mDz-I/AAAAAAAAPYA/7eHppASsz5Y/s400/With+Cyril+Mar+Baselious.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Theodosius Thirumeni at Lambeth Conference with other dignitaries.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNicpOTxPI/AAAAAAAAPX4/BoyN3i4WoaE/s1600-h/With+Sheriff+of+Nortingham.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265660633567970546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNicpOTxPI/AAAAAAAAPX4/BoyN3i4WoaE/s400/With+Sheriff+of+Nortingham.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Theodosius with the Sheriff at Lambeth Conference<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNicFetYJI/AAAAAAAAPXw/jwqlZFJTDWo/s1600-h/Council+House+visit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265660623973081234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNicFetYJI/AAAAAAAAPXw/jwqlZFJTDWo/s400/Council+House+visit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lambeth Conference<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNibytSlNI/AAAAAAAAPXo/EX5PbSjpj2k/s1600-h/With+Cyril+Mar+Baselious.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265660618933966034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNibytSlNI/AAAAAAAAPXo/EX5PbSjpj2k/s400/With+Cyril+Mar+Baselious.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lambeth Conference<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhtWc39kI/AAAAAAAAPXc/8lsKuxA1mn0/s1600-h/Arch+Bishop+of+Canterbury+Rowan+Williams.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265659821074937410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhtWc39kI/AAAAAAAAPXc/8lsKuxA1mn0/s400/Arch+Bishop+of+Canterbury+Rowan+Williams.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Lambeth Conference<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhs9-8vxI/AAAAAAAAPXU/hhWlhRJg7W4/s1600-h/Farm+House+visit+at+Southwell.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265659814506970898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhs9-8vxI/AAAAAAAAPXU/hhWlhRJg7W4/s400/Farm+House+visit+at+Southwell.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lambeth Conference 2008<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhs4LSvZI/AAAAAAAAPXM/jzxV9tlb1sU/s1600-h/Lambeth+Conference+group+photo+of+Bishops.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265659812948131218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 334px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhs4LSvZI/AAAAAAAAPXM/jzxV9tlb1sU/s400/Lambeth+Conference+group+photo+of+Bishops.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All Bishops who attended Lambeth Conference in 2008<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhsgdktaI/AAAAAAAAPXE/r1XT9Xrp0BQ/s1600-h/Serving+Communion+Elements+at+opening+service+at+Lambeth+Conference+in+2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265659806582355362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhsgdktaI/AAAAAAAAPXE/r1XT9Xrp0BQ/s400/Serving+Communion+Elements+at+opening+service+at+Lambeth+Conference+in+2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lambeth Conference<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhsKIjUxI/AAAAAAAAPW8/uKfNMuy2BCw/s1600-h/Taking+care+of+vegetable+garden.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265659800588604178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNhsKIjUxI/AAAAAAAAPW8/uKfNMuy2BCw/s400/Taking+care+of+vegetable+garden.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thirumeni at vegetable garden<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-6374419347142099762008-11-06T13:13:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:26:09.181-08:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNe0RXN6UI/AAAAAAAAPWI/SEyFTbxNT08/s1600-h/The+parish+hall+at+the+housing+colony+in+our+mission+filed+in+Mexico.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265656641433233730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNe0RXN6UI/AAAAAAAAPWI/SEyFTbxNT08/s400/The+parish+hall+at+the+housing+colony+in+our+mission+filed+in+Mexico.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Chapel built at the Mexico Mission field with the Mar Thoma Emblem 'Lighted to Lighten'.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNe0IqXH_I/AAAAAAAAPWA/4Xs59t0Ylck/s1600-h/The+Most.+Rev.+Dr.+Joseph+praying+before+laying+the+foundation+stone+ceremony+of+the+Mission+Center+in+Mexico.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265656639097610226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNe0IqXH_I/AAAAAAAAPWA/4Xs59t0Ylck/s400/The+Most.+Rev.+Dr.+Joseph+praying+before+laying+the+foundation+stone+ceremony+of+the+Mission+Center+in+Mexico.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Chrysostom Thirumeni with Joseph Mar Thoma and Cooriose Thirumeni before the foundation stone laying ceremony in Mexico of the new Mission Center in the city of Matamoros.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNe0PftIUI/AAAAAAAAPV4/A51oS0_quo4/s1600-h/The+islanders+singing+the+Malayalam+song+%27Ithratholam+Yahova+Sahayichu%27+during+the+inauguration+progarm..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265656640931963202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNe0PftIUI/AAAAAAAAPV4/A51oS0_quo4/s400/The+islanders+singing+the+Malayalam+song+%27Ithratholam+Yahova+Sahayichu%27+during+the+inauguration+progarm..jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The islanders singing Malayalam song during the key handing over ceremony on May 10, 2008.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNezz5IdEI/AAAAAAAAPVw/GvhTkEj8xzA/s1600-h/Members+of+the+Tinity+MTC,+Houston+who+attended+the+program+with+Thirumenis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265656633522418754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNezz5IdEI/AAAAAAAAPVw/GvhTkEj8xzA/s400/Members+of+the+Tinity+MTC,+Houston+who+attended+the+program+with+Thirumenis.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Members of the Houston Trintiy Immanuel MTC with Chrysostom Mar Thoma, Joseph Mar Thoma and Coorilos Thiruemeni before the keay handing over ceremony in Mexico on May 10, 2008<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNezvlj7GI/AAAAAAAAPVo/uq1Twqk8HU8/s1600-h/Jospeh+Mar+Thoma+Metropolitan+with+the+Mayor+of+City+of+Matamoros+Mr.+Ingenero+Erick+Silva+Santos+and+his+wife+Mrs.+Mariza+Castaneda+De+Silva+during+the+inauguration+program.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265656632366591074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNezvlj7GI/AAAAAAAAPVo/uq1Twqk8HU8/s400/Jospeh+Mar+Thoma+Metropolitan+with+the+Mayor+of+City+of+Matamoros+Mr.+Ingenero+Erick+Silva+Santos+and+his+wife+Mrs.+Mariza+Castaneda+De+Silva+during+the+inauguration+program.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joseph Mar Thoam with Mayor of the City of Matamoros and his wife.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-83476642637531604442008-11-06T13:05:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:13:14.760-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcvLGDKxI/AAAAAAAAPUw/4O9eKfawuyE/s1600-h/Members+from+different+parishes+who+attended+the+foudnation+stone+laying+ceremony+with+Valiya+Metropolitan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265654354828012306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcvLGDKxI/AAAAAAAAPUw/4O9eKfawuyE/s400/Members+from+different+parishes+who+attended+the+foudnation+stone+laying+ceremony+with+Valiya+Metropolitan.jpg" border="0" /></a> Chrysostom Thirumeni with Joseph Mar Thoma and Coorilos Thirumeni in the Mexico mission field.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcvApBj8I/AAAAAAAAPUo/r9hw4l_AJJo/s1600-h/The+Most.+Rev.+Dr.+Joseph+praying+before+laying+the+foundation+stone+ceremony+of+the+Mission+Center+in+Mexico.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265654352021917634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcvApBj8I/AAAAAAAAPUo/r9hw4l_AJJo/s400/The+Most.+Rev.+Dr.+Joseph+praying+before+laying+the+foundation+stone+ceremony+of+the+Mission+Center+in+Mexico.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Chrysostom Thirumeni leading the prayer before the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Mission Cneter in Mexico on May 10, 2008.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcu7mONwI/AAAAAAAAPUg/TTvYGR06EXo/s1600-h/A+view+of+the+members+from+different+parishes+who+attended+the+foundation+stone+laying+cremony+of+the+Mexico+Mission+Center.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265654350667986690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcu7mONwI/AAAAAAAAPUg/TTvYGR06EXo/s400/A+view+of+the+members+from+different+parishes+who+attended+the+foundation+stone+laying+cremony+of+the+Mexico+Mission+Center.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Joseph Mar Thoma and Coorilos Thirumeni with the believers from different parishes during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Mission Center in Mexico.<br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcuktzA8I/AAAAAAAAPUY/doSNkZMkvwc/s1600-h/A+view+of+the+land+within+the+city+of+Matamoros+limits+we+bought+to+build+the+hostels+for+boys+and+girls+of+the+islanders+and+the+mission+center.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265654344525743042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcuktzA8I/AAAAAAAAPUY/doSNkZMkvwc/s400/A+view+of+the+land+within+the+city+of+Matamoros+limits+we+bought+to+build+the+hostels+for+boys+and+girls+of+the+islanders+and+the+mission+center.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The land purchased by the Diocese to build the Mexico Mission Center within the city limits of Matamoros in Mexico.<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcugJSPAI/AAAAAAAAPUQ/I61v_Kf6nSo/s1600-h/A+view+of+the+houses+we+built+for+the+islanders+at+the+land+we+purchased+outside+the+Matamoros+city+limits.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265654343298857986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNcugJSPAI/AAAAAAAAPUQ/I61v_Kf6nSo/s400/A+view+of+the+houses+we+built+for+the+islanders+at+the+land+we+purchased+outside+the+Matamoros+city+limits.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The houses and the chapel already built in the Mexico Mission field.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-6853803131338478972008-11-06T12:53:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:00:22.246-08:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ76PUvQI/AAAAAAAAPTQ/E18WUnv9Bg4/s1600-h/The+children+of+the+islanders+by+the+side+of+the+Mission+Field+Sign+%27Colonia+Mar+Thoma%27.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265651275106925826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ76PUvQI/AAAAAAAAPTQ/E18WUnv9Bg4/s400/The+children+of+the+islanders+by+the+side+of+the+Mission+Field+Sign+%27Colonia+Mar+Thoma%27.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Children of the islanders with the Colonia Mar Thoma Board at the mission field in Mexico.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ7MfSedI/AAAAAAAAPTA/sG9N8G7KD_Y/s1600-h/The+colonia+Mar+Thoma+Mission+field+board+designed+by+the+mission+team+from+USA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265651262825855442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ7MfSedI/AAAAAAAAPTA/sG9N8G7KD_Y/s400/The+colonia+Mar+Thoma+Mission+field+board+designed+by+the+mission+team+from+USA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The Board created by the children of the islanders in the Mission field in Mexico with the help of our youths from the Diocese.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ63ogMGI/AAAAAAAAPS4/AAoUmiI6FsI/s1600-h/The+cross+planted+at+the+entrance+of+the+Mission+Field+by+the+youths+of+the+Mission+team+who+visited+Mexico+Mission+field.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265651257227358306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ63ogMGI/AAAAAAAAPS4/AAoUmiI6FsI/s400/The+cross+planted+at+the+entrance+of+the+Mission+Field+by+the+youths+of+the+Mission+team+who+visited+Mexico+Mission+field.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br />The Cross planted at the entrance of the 'Colonia Mar Thoma' mission field in Mexico by our youths.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ68w11-I/AAAAAAAAPSw/oJ9HsuFG5ZI/s1600-h/The+youths+mission+team+from+USA+visited+the+Mexico+Mission+Field+during+Christmas+2007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265651258604509154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNZ68w11-I/AAAAAAAAPSw/oJ9HsuFG5ZI/s400/The+youths+mission+team+from+USA+visited+the+Mexico+Mission+Field+during+Christmas+2007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Our youths fellowhsip members while visiting the mission field in Mexico.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-91331373816869834772008-11-06T12:41:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:04:21.814-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXSI48cgI/AAAAAAAAPRM/KijVxKL6iu0/s1600-h/s_as_part_of_the_Navathy_Celeberations_of_Valiya_Medited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648358461829634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXSI48cgI/AAAAAAAAPRM/KijVxKL6iu0/s400/s_as_part_of_the_Navathy_Celeberations_of_Valiya_Medited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXR544k4I/AAAAAAAAPRA/vUeJe3_A1sU/s1600-h/landerssingingMalayalamSong%27IthratholamYahovahSahayichu%27.jpg">‘COLONIA MAR THOMA’ - KEYS HANDING OVER AND FOUNDATION STONE LAYING CEREMONY HELD ON MAY 10, 2008<br /><br />By God’s grace, the key handover ceremony of the houses built in the Mexico Mission field was held on May 10, 2008 in the presence of the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan, the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos, Mr. Ingenero Erick Silva Santos, the Mayor of Matamoros, Sra. Mariza Castaneda De Silva, wife of the Mayor and President of Sistema DIF Matamoros, Mr. Jorge Camorlinga Cuerra, President of the Comite Campesino of the City of Matamoros. The houses were built and handed over as part of the Navathy celebrations of Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan under the leadership of the Mission Board of the Diocese of North America & Europe of the Mar Thoma Church. Rev. Vinoy Daniel, Vicar of Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch is the Vice President and Mr. Jason M. Thomas, Diocesan Council Member, is the Convener of the Mission Board. A local working committee under the leadership of Rev. T. S. Philip, Vicar of Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston along with the Diocesan Treasurer, Mr. T. A. Mathew, coordinated all the programs on May 10, 2008, including lunch for all those who attended. The place where the houses are built is named ‘Colonia Mar Thoma’ as part of the Mexico Mission project.<br /><br />As per the decision of the Diocesan Assembly, 3 hectors (7.5 acres) of land in mainland Mexico was purchased to build houses for the islanders who have lost their houses due to hurricane in order to resettle them in the main land. The land where the houses are built is about 20 miles from Matamoras City near the costal area, which is on the border in Mexico close to the U.S. city of Brownsville, Texas. One hector (2.5 acres) of land was also purchased for a mission center and to construct hostels for the children of the islanders near the highway, about 11 miles from Matamoras City. The Diocesan Youth Fellowship raised about $46,500.00 to buy the land for the mission center. This land will be developed as a mission center, with a residence for the mission coordinator, with place for the youth of the Diocese to stay and work among the islanders and their children and also with facilities for technical training for the adults. One member of our Diocese contributed about $19,500.00 to buy the land to build the houses for the islanders. Both parcels of land were purchased in the name of a civil organization named ‘Chrysostom Mar Thoma Mexican Association’ registered with the Mexican government. The Diocesan Episcopa is the President of this civil organization and all the Diocesan Council members are the Board of the Directors of the organization.<br /><br />The Diocesan Youth Fellowship has sponsored the project of building the hostels for boys and girls of the islanders. This is planned as a facility where our youths can undertake mission trips through out the year especially during summer and other holidays throughout the year. The construction of the hostels is expected to begin once all 90 houses are built in ‘Colonia Mar Thoma’ and the islanders are resettled in the mainland. Presently children do not have access to good educational facilities. There are about 200 children of different ages without any basic facilities like drinking water, shelter, or medical help. The goal is to provide these islanders, who are mainly fishermen, with a house of their own, basic education to the children, and other necessities like drinking water, electricity, and medical help. The construction of the houses began in October 2007 and is almost complete. The size of each house is 24’ x 12’ with concrete floor and is built with concrete bricks; the four corners of the houses are pillars of iron and concrete. Likewise, the roof is of concrete slab instead of shingles. These houses are meant to be resistant to ordinary hurricanes that may occur in that part of the world. The cost for one house is approximately $3,100. Funds are being raised from various parishes in our diocese. Several parishes, organizations and individuals have already responded to the request and the Diocesan Council expresses its sincere thanks to all who have already contributed to this noble cause.<br /><br />About 200 people from including youth and clergy from different parishes in the Diocese attended the function held on May 10, 2008. The program began with song by the members of the Trinity Mar Thoma Church and Immanuel Mar Thoma Church of Houston followed by prayer by Rev. Vinoy Daniel, Vice President of the Diocesan Mission Board. Rev. T. S. Philip, Convener of the local working committee in Houston welcomed everyone including the bishops, dignitaries, islanders to the function. In his presidential address, Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos, Diocesan Episcopa expressed sincere thanks to all those who wholeheartedly supported this new mission project of the Church. Thirumeni said it was the will of God to begin this mission field, which was revealed in a dream to Thirumeni. This dream became a reality by handing over the keys of houses to the islanders on this great historic day of the Diocese and the Church.<br /><br />The islanders sang two Malayalam songs, ‘Ethratholam Yehova Sahayichu’ and ‘Karuthannavan Njanallayo’, which was a touching occasion for those who attended the event and tears came to the eyes of many believers who listened to the islanders singing in Malayalam. Mr. Ingenero Erick Silva Santos, Mayor of the City of Matamoros, Sra. Mariza Castaneda De Silva, wife of the Mayor and President of the Sistema DIF Matamoros, Mr. Jorge Camorlinga Cuerra, President Comite Campesino, Rev. Biju Samuel Cherian, Diocesan Secretary and Mr. Ashley George, Diocesan Assembly Member representing the Diocesan Youth Fellowship, gave felicitation speeches. The felicitations were followed by a song and skit by children of the islanders, followed by a song from the members of the Dallas parishes.<br /><br />The Valiya Metropolitan, in his speech said that in his 90 years of life, this is the most memorable day witnessing the key handover to the islanders by the Diocese of North America as part of his Navathy celebrations. The Valia Metropolitan expressed his thanks to Coorilos Thirumeni for his leadership and vision for establishing the mission field of the Mar Thoma Church outside of Asia.<br /><br />The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma, in his message expressed gratitude to God almighty for enabling him to be part of this great historic event and expressed thanks to the members of the Diocese for undertaking this new mission project. The Mar Thoma Metropolitan along with Mr. Ingenero Erick Silva Santos, Mayor of the City of Matamoros and Sra. Mariza Castaneda De Silva, President of the Sisema DIF Matamoros handed over the keys to the houses. The representative from the islanders expressed sincere thanks to the members of the Mar Thoma Church for helping them with a place to live with their family. Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos handed over gifts to Mr. P. T. Abraham and Mr. George V. Kurien appreciation of all the leadership and help rendered by them in fulfilling God’s plan and making ‘Colonia Mar Thoma a reality. Mr. T. A. Mathew, the Diocesan Treasurer, expressed thanks to everyone who supported this mission project and also those who attended the function from different parishes of the Diocese. Lunch was served to everyone in attendance at the ceremony.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648354435044226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXR544k4I/AAAAAAAAPRA/vUeJe3_A1sU/s400/landerssingingMalayalamSong%27IthratholamYahovahSahayichu%27.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>Islanders singing Malayalam song during the key handing over ceremony in Mexico.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXR8fPX6I/AAAAAAAAPQ0/busdoPa84S4/s1600-h/JosephMarThomablessingthefoundationstone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648355132792738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXR8fPX6I/AAAAAAAAPQ0/busdoPa84S4/s400/JosephMarThomablessingthefoundationstone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Joseph Mar Thoma blessing the foundation stone of the new Mission Cneter in the presence of Chrysostom Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan and Coorilos Thirumeni.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXRYLsy_I/AAAAAAAAPQo/LZa53mwGHJU/s1600-h/DiocesanEpiscopaandMr.AshleyGeorge,YouthFellowshipEdited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648345387158514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXRYLsy_I/AAAAAAAAPQo/LZa53mwGHJU/s400/DiocesanEpiscopaandMr.AshleyGeorge,YouthFellowshipEdited.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A symbolic key is being handed over to Chrysostom Mar Thoma by Coorilos Thriuemni during the Mexico mission field inauguration on May 10, 2008.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXRDkNJZI/AAAAAAAAPQc/j_CLaj8YKt0/s1600-h/CoorilosThirumenispeakingduringthekeyshandoverceremony.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265648339852797330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 328px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U8JkO3RMGiM/SRNXRDkNJZI/AAAAAAAAPQc/j_CLaj8YKt0/s400/CoorilosThirumenispeakingduringthekeyshandoverceremony.jpg" border="0" /></a> Coorilos Thirumeni delivering speach during the key hand over ceremony in Mexico.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-85215082765278405492007-11-12T07:26:00.000-08:002007-11-12T07:27:45.405-08:00My Favorite Kerala Scenes - Please click on the Photo to view the Album<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/attylal/MyFavoriteScenes"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/attylal/MyFavoriteScenes" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-38385841310154705632007-11-10T06:41:00.000-08:002007-11-10T06:43:14.840-08:00Katrina Devastation at New Orleans, Lousiana, U. S. A<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/attylal/KatrinaDevastationInNewOrleans"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/attylal/KatrinaDevastationInNewOrleans" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1295623834556352691.post-53543839975833428102007-11-10T06:39:00.000-08:002007-11-10T06:40:45.457-08:00Zacharais Thirumeni and Paulose Thirumeni at Brazil WCC 2006<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/attylal/WCCConvetionAtBrazil02"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/attylal/WCCConvetionAtBrazil02" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Lal Varghese, Attorney at Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117771316206360765noreply@blogger.com0