The Bend in the Road

Sometimes we come to life's crossroads

And we view what we think is the end.

But God has a much wider vision

And he knows that it's only a bend-

The road will go on and get smoother

And after we've stopped for a rest,

The path that lies hidden beyond us

Is often the path that is best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,

Let go and let God share your load

And have faith in a brighter tomorrow-

You've just come to a bend in the road.

Author: Helen Steiner Rice

From Caterpillar to Butterfly !

"'How does one become a butterfly?' she asked pensively. 'You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.'" --Trina Paulus. Yes ! this is very much true When you apply Christian perspective to this quote. When we dedicate our life to follow Jesus. And, If we want to fly higher in life...We should be willing to give up being a caterpillar. We need to be willing to give up our old self, our old bad habbits which hinder or stop us to fly. Only with Christ we can fly higher in life. Christ demands us to leave our Old self and only then Christ can transform us into 'New Creation'. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Lets all take courage to leave behind being Caterpillar inorder to become a colorful 'Butterfly'. Being caterpillar has no security. All birds like to eat Caterpillars and Worms. When we continue our life with old self or in old nature..there is no security in our Life. We will be easily become prey to Satan who is looking for chance to destroy our life. That's why we need to give up our old life, our old sinful life and ask Christ to transform us into 'New creation'. In Christ alone we have security. When we make a committment to follow Christ. We will fly in our academic pursuits and career. We will fly not only like butterfly but, like an Eagle. So, lets put our Hope or Trust in the Lord. In Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

God bless us all as we make a new committment to follow Christ. We need to 'give up' or 'leave' our sinful lives and Let's rededicate our lives to Christ who gives us courage and strength to fly higher like Eagles and do great things to God. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Amen!

The Man Who Dares

A Poem which really inspired me

Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God,
First fill your own house with the fragrance of love..

Go not to the temple to light the dandles before the altar of God,
First remove the darkness of sin from your heart...

Go not to the temple to bow down your head in prayer,
First learn to bow in humility before your fellow men...

Go not to the temple to pray on bended knees,
First bend down to lift someone who is downtrodden...

Go not to the temple to ask for forgivness for your sins,
First forgive from your heart those who have sinned against you.

- Rabindranath Tagore

Corruption ( a man-made evil )

Author: Joshua Dinakar
Country:India

The corruption of the best is the worst. [Lat., Corruptio optimi pessima.]
- Latin proverb

Corruption has crept in every system crossing cultural and geographical boundaries. It is literally under every stone you turn. It is also in every alley you turn into, every nook and cranny you might care to peep into. Corruption happens as much in broad daylight as it does behind closed doors. It is as much a part of my life as it is of yours. Corruption includes taking or giving bribe, lack of transparency in system. This world has become worst by corrupt humans. Who- by very their nature are destroying the ethical and moral values present in society or individuals.

For a person who is taking bribe – it's an opportunity, and for the person who is giving the bribe – it's his/her need. A person who demands bribe wants to encash the opportunity. The idea of getting benefited or profited by helping the person who is in need is itself evil. It's like playing with the conscience of a weaker party. A person in power shows his willingness to help if you grease his palm. Is that a help at all? The corrupt officer is not helping the weak by Love or courtesy but, helping for some money. How strange it is to be sold for some amount of money our humanity and love!! People are forgetting that love to help others can be done unselfishly.

When I believe both the giver and taker of the bribe to be equally guilty of corruption. By giving bribe we are guiltier than the person who is taking it. If we straight forwardly fight for justice and don't bribe... He learns a lesson of not asking bribe.

"If there is corruption in society, each one of us is responsible. It is wrong to blame the system. Why do we separate ourselves from the system? Don't we vote the corrupt to power? Don't we endlessly suffer from all deprivations and refuse to raise our voice? And then when it becomes too much, we crib."

When a question is asked to an officer who is responsible for this corruption? He answered "I don't think the common man is responsible. I don't blame the man who shells out money so that he doesn't have to spend half his day in a queue at the municipal office. Is it not more pertinent to ask how these serpentine queues are created? Are we short of staff in an overpopulated country with a large section educated but unemployed? This theory that people feed the monster of corruption is eyewash."

Another person who stuck by his ideals even when the going got tough was Khairnar[1]. Of his lifelong crusade against corruption, he says: "It is possible to be honest in a world rampant with corruption. Possible, but very, very difficult. Colleagues deprived of their share of ill-earned booty, make life difficult in the office. The honest officer also earns the ire of superiors who are themselves under tremendous pressure from political bosses. Memos may be sent. Inquiry committees bent on vindication may be ordered against the erring official and transfers may be affected. The officer may also find himself framed in a legal trap. Life becomes difficult. Thus hated, isolated, and beaten, an honest man feels lonely and confused. What makes it a hard battle and an unfair one is the honest man's inability to pay his legal bills. His scrupulous honesty pits him against powerful vested interests. He has to fight on his own."

He sums up his life in one sentence: "Today one does not have to be a revolutionary to create a storm. Being honest is enough." But I say honesty and fear of God can stop the spread of this evil called corruption.

What makes these people virtually corruptible? What gives them the conviction that we lack the strength to swim against the tide? The answer is "WE" who encourage the greed of money. "We" are making people virtually corrupted by bribing and not fighting against corruption. And "We" make an impression that we lack the strength to swim against tide and go along with many and silently encourage corruption. The solution to end this problem also lies "Within US" (When we react and to fight against corruption)

If we don't fight against this evil of corruption we'll be the greatest promoter of this evil. Don't be silent….Take a stand at personal level…Voice out….Fight against corruption...If you don't who will?




[1] MR. G. R. KHAIRNAR, a senior official in a mismanaged Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Khairnar is undoubtedly an honest man. http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jun/14nandy.htm

Article on "Poverty"

Article: Poverty
Author: Joshua Dinakar
Country: India


“Money is root of all evils”. If you agree with this proverb then you also have to agree with George Bernard Shaw who said that “Lack of money is root of all the evils.” Poverty is the main contributor of all sorts of evils like crime, prostitution, hunger, etc. But where does poverty come from? Who is responsible for poverty? Is there an invisible poverty factory?

Answering these questions would be very difficult and complex. Some were born in poverty, many live with it and die with it….Some like the rich don't know what is poverty and middle class are equidistant to poverty line but they keep on struggling to maintain balance between rich and poor. Some think it is their fate to born Poor. Some think poverty is a curse on them. There many factors which lead to poverty. Blaming government for failure of implementing plans would be one of the factors. People are always blaming their circumstances or others (government) for their poverty. Let’s leave the job of debating Economists and concentrate on what we can do to eradicate poverty. Not as country or government…But, as individual how can we eradicate poverty?

If you think that the world has the wealth and means to end poverty. It is surprising to know that the three richest men in the world are wealthier than the 48 poorest countries combined. Suppose if these three richest men would distribute their wealth to poor countries things would be different.
My question is that why do we always have to think that rich people has to help the poor? Why can’t we? Instead of pointing others or shrugging our shoulders we need to change. There should be change in our attitude and our thinking. The only person you can really correct and change is yourself and not others.

Just think once, how many times we might have ignored poor when have enough money in our pocket to help them? My question is why we don’t feel that it’s our responsibility to help and uplift the poor. But, instead we think it is others duty / job. We need to have heart for poor and help them personally. We can be held responsible for creating yet another criminal if we wait for the government or others to help the poor, rather we need to go in forefront and help the poor.

Poverty cannot be eradicated if we close our fists with an unwillin heart to help. Rather we need to open our hearts to receive the poor and help them handfully. It doesn’t matter how much money you have to help the poor. But, what matters is your heart and willingness to help, though you may have a little more than them. Your help may not be counted as great philanthropist but it can bring some change in lives of poor. "Don't wait. The time will never be just right." There is nothing like right time or people to help, what matters the most is your sensitivity towards the poor. In poverty many people die physically and spiritually. And if you are insensitive to the poor there is even greater disease than leprosy in you. So, be first to help the poor and don’t wait for anybody. You can eradicate poverty not fully but to an extent. And if everybody join their hands helping poor individually there will be no poverty and no crimes / evils. I can mark that day as “great day” on News papers when there would be nothing listed on crimes, thefts, rapes, murders, kidnaps, wars. We can look forward to that day when there is end to poverty.
If poverty is root of all evils then let’s put an end to poverty which is source of all evils. With an end to poverty we can experience heaven on earth and divine peace.

"Joshua Dinakar"

Hai there !

I am Joshua Dinakar........You can call me Josh or Jashi in short......