Thursday, May 22, 2008

Non Xml Chracters and JAVA

To hell with the non xml characters. Pissing me off and wasting a lot of my time finally found the answer from who else but google. Strange is the importance of google in a techie's life to the point I have started to address it as a person.
       Crawled stuff from net in spite of all the standards of the world yields in data and encoding from planet Mars. Then a poor guy from this earth like me whose boundaries has been defined inches away from his skin has to battle it out with this unknown enemy in not so data friendly territory of JAVA. Throwing exception and kicking me off from the battle with knockout punches I finally found the chick in its armor. The solution was simple, chose your battle, if you don't know the enemy simply avoid it :)


public static String stripNonValidXMLCharacters(String in) throws Exception{
     StringBuffer out = new StringBuffer();
     char current;
     if (in == null || ("".equals(in))) return "";
     for (int i = 0; i < in.length(); i++) {
         current = in.charAt(i);
         if ((current == 0x9) ||
         (current == 0xA) ||
         (current == 0xD) ||
         ((current >= 0x20) && (current <= 0xD7FF)) ||
         ((current >= 0xE000) && (current <= 0xFFFD)) ||
         ((current >= 0x10000) && (current <= 0x10FFFF)))
         out.append(current);
     }
     return out.toString();
}

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Quote Colette

There are days when solitude, for someone my age, is a heady wine that intoxicates you with freedom, others when it is a bitter tonic, and still others when it is a poison that makes you beat your head against the wall.Colette

This is too powerful to add my pathetic viewpoints.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

3 Doors Down : Here Without You

Love this song. Was hearing it after a long time and all I could react was by saying "Man..Oh Man...Oh Man..". Wonderful lyrics. Amazing declaration of emotions and has a tune of rocking love. Amazing. In the end I could only say the two words which of late has become the most over used two words for expressing any thing i.e. Andar Bahar :)

YouTube Link
A hundred days had made me older
since the last time that I've saw your pretty face

A thousand lights had made me colder and I don't think I can look at this the same

But all the miles had separate
They disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby
but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me

The miles just keep rollin
as the people either way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
but I hope that it gets better as we go

I'm here without you baby
but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl it's only you and me

Everything I know,
and anywhere I go
it gets hard but it won't take away my love
And when the last one falls,
when it's all said and done
it get hard but it won't take away my love

I'm here without you baby
but your still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
but your still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl it's only you and me

Quote : Stephen Baker

Stephen Baker: If you don't give people a choice, people will spend more.


It was said in an article related to Apple which reported the high percentage of market share of Apple in above $1000 laptop and pc segment. Looking objectively it seems quite true in all the areas.

Quote : Bill Nye

The more you find out about the world, the more opportunities there are to laugh at it :Bill Nye


He he ..ha ha..Ho Ho...

Quote : John Updike

Any activity becomes creative if the doer cares about doing it right, or doing it better: John Updike

Hmmmmm....Wellll....Hmmmm...Welll...I guess so but what about the ones who don't care any more...Hmmm...Interesting anomaly...I guess

Monday, May 19, 2008

Quote : George Carlin

It's never just a game when you're winning : George Carlin

What about when you are always losing Mr. Carlin

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Chetan Bhagat: Three Mistake of My Life


Of late I have not been reading much but this weekend thanks to my neighbour I picked up this book by Chetan Bhagat. An easy masala read as one can expect from a Chetan Bhagat's novel. I am sure this book is not for the critics and neither for book lovers who brag about the type of novel they read. I guess it is more so a book for the masses summed up by Mr. Bhagat himself that this is the book for his fans. It was a simple book, cheap and thin. I probably needed to start of again with a book of this kind. In the end all I could say nothing succeed Ike success. If his book outsells critical prediction then that is what is going to matter. I guess it will with the kind of marketing and other positive variable factors which comes along with Chetan Bhagat. I would say no harm in picking up this book over a coffee and spending your free time with it. No harm will get done. Even if you find it beneath your intellectuality, don't worry, it will get over in no time. :)

18/5/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore: Speaker: Pastor Andrew: Theme: Empowered by the Spirit

The speaker for this day was Pastor Andrew. I like this guy. He speaks well and gives me enough fodder to write. The difference this day was that I had walked to church instead of biking. I was feeling good and the praise and worship was fantastic. The speaker also did not disappoint with his well directed sermon. One of those days when all things went right. So here is the sermon in first person. The passage for meditation was taken from Ephesians:5:15-21

We are called Christians (those who follow the Lord). In the new testament, we the people of God have an identity i.e. spiritual ones. Three observation can be made about the holy spirit from the new testament. Will try to portray/ show the spiritual reference which will help us in our spiritual journey.
1st Observation: Spiritual people need the holy spirit. One cannot please God on our own, on our own talent, on our own credentials. God send us the power which would help us to please Him.
John: 14:15-18: Jesus is talking about another helper. The one who comes along with you in your spiritual journey. What Jesus says is that I will give you another helper who will help you in your spiritual journey. Basically the observation is we cannot please God on our own.
2nd Observation: Spiritual people need to be in balance. It is quite possible that we may not be in balance. How can we go out of balance in life. We may be intellectuals seeking reason in everything to believe. Some of us may be very emotional. The biblical pattern suggest we need to be both intellectual and emotional. Word of God tells us to the put our foot in both camps. Jesus was emotional. He cried at various instances in his stay on earth. Jesus was intellectual. As we look in Luke:24:32 we can observe that in their heart they became emotional as Jesus open their mind. Spiritual people can be conservative (resisting any change) or they may be radical (advocating only change). John 10:35: Jesus was radical as well as conservative. He says He comes not to abolish the law but to keep it. But at the same time Jesus was radical defying time and trend to talk to the prostitute, eat with poor and many such activities against established norms and practices.
If we only concentrate on the holy spirit then we go out of balance. Now the question is how to keep the balance. Colossi ans:3:16 has the answer. The spirit of God and the word of God will keep us in balance. We are moving amidst two polarities. If we concentrate only on one thing then it is not the right approach. We need to understand that we need to take the middle path. Christians should always be in equilibrium. It can become public spectacle if we fall. We need to stay in balance. May the Lord give us the strength to be in balance.
3rd Observation: Spiritual people need to exhibit the fruits of the spirit. How do people realize that you are a Christian. Galatians:5:22,33: What is the fruit of the spirit. Fruit of the spirit is love ....This is what is the most important thing. If we don't see people around with love then their is something wrong with us. The church is an institution where losers can find solace. We are this thing together and we need to exhibit love for one another. As a church we want to change the world but it is not working. Is our doctrine, theology, stewardship wrong. No, it is because of the absence of love. Loving the one who is not changeable. Their won't be any revival in church, in family in the absence of love.

After this the pastor summarized the three observation and concluded with a prayer

11/5/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore: Speaker: Rev. Bill Layle: Theme: Life in Spirit

The speaker on this day was Rev. Bill Layle, a pastor from Kentwood Community Church, Michigan who had come to Bangalore for the Emerging Youth Leader Conference. There is one thing about guys whose mother tongue is English. The thing is that they will be fast in their speaking and I struggled throughout to keep pace with the sermon. Somehow, I think I have managed to note down a some part of it, and reproducing it here in first person. His sermon was peculiar in one other way that it comprised of sections containing questions and thereafter 5-10 minute answer to the question. A different and effective style at least for the people like us who were listening to him for the first time.The reading for this day was taken from Judges:6:11-16

Life in spirit. Alternative is to lead a life not in spirit. Life of Gideon is what is being concentrated upon. In old testament it is said that the spirit of the Lord will come upon some. Due to Christ we have the opportunity to lead such a life. This body is the temple of the spirit...
6:12: Israelites were living in a valley.....Israel was impoverished. It is an opportunity to call to the Lord. One can be impoverished in many ways - financial, spiritual etc. There are various important question this passage raises. We have all these questions which waiver in our mind. God chose Gideon to sit on the chair of making difference. Question: What is life all about? In the same way we need to move to the chair of difference. Some may think that you are not mighty warriors. People tend to label. Soon we also start believing in the words they say. We cant do that
Ques: Who is God? The God who the forefathers talked about. The God who is almighty and powerful.
Personal Anecdote: A business was I, making good money, but was missing something i.e. a relationship with God. One need not be in full time ministry to be with God. Part of growing as a Christian is to shrink the gap of misunderstanding and difficulty.
God replied to Gideon Am I not sending You.
Ques: Who am I? (6:15). Self Doubt. He belonged to the lowest of families. Do you ever feel that God is using other people but will and can't use me. But God relabels people. "I the mighty warrior". God did not say you can do it. But he says (6:16) I will be with you. God can use anyone as it doesn't have to be an individual who knows as God expresses though us. We don't have to walk this life all alone.
Ques:(6:25): Will you put me first? We have things we are working for. We put our career, finance, family first. But do we have the courage to put God above all. Can we put him first in our life and allow Him to flow freely through us....
What do we want. What is our life all about. Do we have the courage to make a difference as we are the mighty warriors for God. Can we say/ask that 'God I am ready to be used by you and for you'. Do believe in the words 'I am the mighty warrior'. God will use us if we surrender our life to Him

Saturday, May 17, 2008

4/5/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore: Speaker Pastor H. Mathew: Theme: Life in Spirit

The speaker for this day was Pastor H. Matthew. As any other day this day was no different. I felt asleep. For once I wish that I knew his native language. I have this feeling that he must be a much better speaker while speaking in his native language. If you ask me what is the basis of this belief. I would say nothing but my gut feeling. Another thing I noticed that there were plenty other people who were sleeping but at the same time some of them were awake and listening. So I guess his sermon is not so bad after all. May be the fault is in me only but what to do I try hard not to sleep during his sermon to no avail. Nevertheless here is his sermon in first person. The passage was taken from Romans 8:1-11

In the apostle creed we say we believe in the holy spirit. The third element of the trinity is more often than not neglected by us. We may feel it belongs to the pentecostal church but the fact is holy spirit continuosly work in each and every one. Noise, music gets associated with the holy spirit and we may percieve that we can receive it in such environments only. But we can be anointed in a number of different ways. To revive our life, to strengthen our life we require holy spirit. It is the primary activating, motivating factor in the church today. Holy spirit; when it was received on the day of Pentecost; the lives of the people present got changed. Even the disciples underwent transformation. When it came, it came like a gushing wind. ....

Here my pen stopped working and a part of the sermon got lost in the process of finding a new pen

Holy spirit is percieved as a person and all the things in church is inspired by it. It is involved in all the activities of the church. Four things holy spirit does in believers life (i) Convicts the sinful (ii) Regenerates those who repent and believe (iii) Sanctifies our life (iv) Guide us in all the truth.
Holy spirit convicts the world (sinfull people). Holy spirit ministers to us by convicting us of sinful nature. So that we will be able to come out of the sinfull nature and we may live a righteous life in Jesus Christ. Many time we do unrighteous things inspite of knowing it to be so. Holy spirit continuosly warns us and shows us the right path. The people who crucified Christ thought that they were doing the right thing. After the crucifixtion and anointment of the holy spirit they realized that the person on the cross died for their sins and He is the son of God.....

Gripped by sleep I started to lose my concentration frequently till I finally gave up. So the sermon reproduced after this will become more and more incoherent ultimately ending without any conclusion.

Holy Spirit rejuvinates those who believe. .....Power of revival comes via holy spirit. When regeneration happens ; person life, mind, thoughts will be under control of Christ jesus (Romons 8:1-2)......

After this I totally lost it and stopped noting down anything more.

27/4/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore : Speaker: Rev Paul...: Theme: Life beyond Grave

The speaker for this day was Rev. Paul... Pastor of Methodist Church at Mysore..This guy was different. I bet no matter how much you feel sleepy you are guaranteed to remain wide awake during his sermon. The reason is simple which is he is too loud. Listening to him from a single microphone with speakers metres away from you was equivalent to listening to loud music in a closed room. Hey I am not criticizing. He was just someone who was unknowingly able to solve the biggest problem of mine during sermons i.e. sleep. The reading for this day was taken from Psalm:34:1-10 and here goes his sermon in first person.

In the Psalm the first 10 verses are hymn and last 10 versus are sermon. In the first three verses David vows to praise and exalt God and invite others.
Two friend walking through the field saw a raging bull. They ran to a drench and the bull came after them. Then one of them shouted to the other that 'Mark please pray'. Mark replied that 'I cannot I have never said a public prayer in my life'. The friend being afraid and nervous requested Mark to try and pray anything. Mark being nervous himself said a prayer which he use to say on the dinning table. 'O Lord..For what we are about to receive we are truly thankful :)'
Can we be truly thankful of what we receive...
David did not say I may. He was determined to praise God at all times - in adversity, joy or sorrow. Can we say Thank You in the times of pain. Can we say Thank You in the times of sorrow. Can we say Thank You in adverse situations. How do we look at God. As an object of praise or worship. Shall praise be in our mouth always. We must glorify our Lord not only with all our soul but also with our lips. We praise with our lips by singing a hymn titled "Then sings my soul my Saviour lord to thee. How great thou art, How great thou art"
Job 1:20. Job got up and fell to the ground in worship. He got up in all his sorrow and pain and prayed that whatever Lord gave me has take it away. May the name of the Lord be praised. God expect us to praise Him even in times of trouble, in times of immense pain. Are we doing that. if we are unable to do that then we should pray to Him that Lord I need to be anointed. I need your help. Romans 8:28: All things work for good, for those who have been called. We are lucky of having been called.
Psalm 34:4: Have we experienced Life beyond grave. Have we experienced salvation, grace, deliverance.. None of us has experienced life beyond grave.
Two drunken soldier walked towards their captain room. One asked the other where are we going. Near the captain's room they saw the captain standing outside but they did not salute. Captain got angry and asked do you know who I am. One of them said to the other 'We don't where we are going but this man does not even know who He is.'
We cannot find comfort in this world but Bible talks about life beyond grave. We are aware that life ends with life. In this world we know that life ends with death. Death is a certainty but promise of a permanent place (heaven) has been made .
He will be faithful and liberate us from the troubles we encounter in this world. Death is real but we need not fear. Jesus conquered the power of death and we have the His power and the Holy spirit. Let us encourage ourselves in this knowledge. Life has been given by God and returned to God in death.
John 11:26: Whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Death is an end to an earthly relationship. Let us not fear something which is just a necessary prelude. John 14:14: If a man dies will he live again. Jesus says He is the resurrection. Are we ready to reign with God. Can we say this to Lord. When a man and a woman marries they promise to cherish each other always. Jesus promises and says that come to me heavy hearted I will give you rest. Do we believe that there is life beyond grave. God will wipe out our tears as He has been doing so. Psalm34:4: What is your fear this morning. Fear of failure, fear of anything....we all are living in fear. Are we in a situation where we don't know where to go...Seek God as David sought the Lord. Only Jesus can deliver us from the power of fear

Friday, May 16, 2008

Quote : Friedrich Nietzsche

Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'. Friedrich Nietzsche

Woof..Woof..Woofy quote indeed.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Quote : Che Guevara

Let me say, at the risk of seeming ridiculous, that the true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.: Che Guevara

Che: Ridiculous: Forget it. I think he was just trying to be modest. Ridiculous is what I may sound when I say that actually anyone doing something great and different is driven out of the feeling of true love :) (Have to add my ridiculous touch to the famous one :D )

Monday, May 12, 2008

Remy Zero : Somebody Save Me

Ever got that sinking feeling and a desire to be saved. Amazing song by Remy Zero which was first heard by me as a soundtrack of a serial name Smallville. Today this song revisits me in a different context altogether..

Distressed.. Dejected.. Questions without answers.. Way.. Path.. Right.. Wrong.. Lost.. Disillusioned.. Help... Save.. Somebody.. Gulp.. Gulp.. Somebody.. Somebody..

You Tube Link
I feel my wings have broken in your hands
I feel the words unspoken inside

When they pull you under
And I would give you anything you want
Well all I wanted
All my dreams have fallen down
Crawling around somebody save me
And two warm hands break right through me
Somebody SAVE me
I don't care how you do it
Just stay Stay
Come on, I've been waiting for you

I see the world has folded in your heart
I feel the waves crash down inside

And they pull me under
I would give you anything you want
Well all I wanted
And all my dreams have fallen down
Crawling around somebody save me
And two warm hands break right through me
Somebody save me
I don't care how you do it
Just stay Stay
Come on
I've been waiting for you

And all my dreams are on the ground

Crawling around somebody save me
And two warm hands break right through me
Somebody save me
I don't care how you do it
Just save me

I've made this whole world shine for
Just Stay Stay
Come on
I'm still waiting for you

Quote : Galileo

Oh Galileo !! Oh Galileo !! You rock the boat of my beliefs

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." - Galileo

Friday, May 09, 2008

Quote : Aristotle

All Paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind : Aristotle

I don't know whether to agree or disagree with this guy. What do you feel? :)

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Goo Goo Dolls: Acoustic

You Tube Link
Amazing lyrics. Look at it, read it and then what else can one do but to fall in love with it

They painted up your secrets
With the lies they told to you
And the least they ever gave you
Was the most you ever knew

And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming
No one's listening anyway

Your voice is small and fading
And you hide in here unknown
And your mother loves your father
'Cause she's got nowhere to go

And she wonders where these dreams go
'Cause the world got in her way
What's the point in ever trying
Nothing's changing anyway

They press their lips against you
And you love the lies they say
And I tried so hard to reach you
But you're falling anyway

And you know I see right through you
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screamin'
You're not listening anyway

Monday, May 05, 2008

The Bicycle Trip: Part 2

[The Journey]
So we started. Started on a journey which I was not very sure of. Started of from Jayanagar Bangalore to Nandi Hills. At 1:30 am in the morning I was able to see a Bangalore which is hard to imagine at any other time. Bangalore was quiet, peaceful and there were not many people/vehicle on the road who were in a hurry. As a friend of mine use to say one can really enjoy the night and concentrate more, as there are not many noises to distract us. Same was the experience which I was getting except the silence of the night was getting breached by the constant rhythm of our peddling. Initially it was easy. The effort which was required to pedal was more so driven by initial thrust of the excitement of adventurism.

[The Agony]
Sooner or later one had to face the truth. Sooner or later the euphoria had to die down and reality had to sink in. After about an hour of biking the desire to take a break and rest became too strong to avoid. The biggest source of discomfort was my ass to the point I was not able to sit without feeling pain. Then we (mostly because of me) committed a mistake which had its bearing on rest of our journey. We stopped to relax and it is sinful to stop as your body cools down and to resume with same vigour becomes a difficult task. With herculean efforts I picked myself up but the fate of the journey had been decided in the very first stop itself. The stops became more and more frequent topped by the ever increasing pain in the ass. Amidst all these we were still enjoying the ride of ours. There is a different way of looking at the ever increasing stops in number and length is that we were able to savour our journey more and more :)
[The Risk]
One of the factor which heightens risk on a bike trip is that one has to bike on a highway. A place where mostly heavy motor vehicles are the only one plying . Another factor which a person should always consider is the light factor. One should ensure one has some form of headlight and even more important are the tail light. And we did not have any. Another thing which had doubled our required efforts was that one of the bike (mine) was gear less. The roads are generally undulated. However good and smooth they may be on a bike one can feel even a degree of uphill. Unfortunately the way from Bangalore to Nandi Hills has plenty of such uphill stretches which I had never realized on motor-bike trips before. But all these factors were not bogging us down. But it always is good to play safe and have a gear bike for any trip one plans. This trip being a first experience of that kind taught us lot. We have now become wiser for next trip if any :)
[Devanahalli]
Ask any Bangalorean who flies, they dread the name of this place. A place far far away from the city. A destination which any not so super human would find difficult to reach given the ever crumbling infrastructure of Bangalore. A place where the new Bangalore airport is go to be. This was the place where I finally gave up. In many ways or other sitting there and waiting for the sun to come up for the journey back home was very symbolic. The promise, the enthusiasm, the novelty of doing something new and different like the new airport. The final give up symbolizing the short sightedness of the plan. Well !! was my mind occupied by these thought at that point of time.Actually not, rather I was feeling ecstatic that I have been able to make it so far. At least there was some distance covered by us which I could proudly talk about. The new airport after all is not so near. :)
[Return Journey]
With all our (rather mine) energy gone . We decided to get a ride back home. But the problem was the equipment (i.e. the two bikes) which we were carrying. Somehow we managed to get a tempo which took us 15 km nearer to home. Unfortunately after that, in spite of our best efforts we were unable to get any vehicle of any sort. So we decided ride back home. A decision which was very difficult but we had no choice. I would say the ride back was better in one way that our body remained warm because of the sun. The other side of the story is that we were like zombie aiming only to reach home somehow as our asses had gone too sore. With multiple breaks in between we managed somehow to reach home with my friend and myself splitting up for the last 6-7 km to ride back to our own homes. The whole of the return bike trip was overwhelmed by a single thought which was to get home boosting our self up by telling ourselves a km less mate with each passing km. :)
[Aftermath]
Back home there was not much to do but to sleep. But everything has a catch and this action of mine which I wanted, needed to do was more at the mercy of the electricity board. Nevertheless when the board showed grace I slept to the fullest. The new thing about this sleep was that it was dreamless and peaceful. I slept to, and with contentment. One more thing which gained significance after the trip was that I hogged like anything. The amount I ate and desired to eat could easily have fed 5-6 full grown human being. I gave myself the reason for my new found hunger as an increase in metabolic rate of mine. Hopefully I am right. I am too lazy to verify :). Looking I have only one thing to say it was a trip to remember and cherish and I hope in some more crazy moments of mine I would undertake many more such trips. :)

Sunday, May 04, 2008

The Bicycle TRIP: Part 1

[Introduction]
An idea, a thought got finally materialized. Since the day I have landed in Bangalore somebody or the other always use to suggest for a bicycle trip. For reasons which is pretty obvious along with my laziness, the trip never happened. If it is not so obvious then you should use the part of the brain muscle which drives imagination, then may be you will be able to have a feel it. But 20th of April, 2008 was something different. On the fateful day I finally undertook a trip with one of my friend. Why did I finally agree to this crazy notion is still unknown to me.
But there are few factors which influenced or clouded my decision making process. Firstly my biker friend recently bought a bike costing 13k and he was in high spirits regarding this trip. Just for the sake of comparison and to give you the feel, the cost of my bike is around 3k. Secondly I was desperate need for something crazy in my life. Wanted to fill myself with physical exhaustion and pain to suppress other emotions which is giving me a lot of sorrow of late. This second reason is probably why I ultimately agreed to the trip and today I have no regrets


[Build Up]
Our excitement and enthusiasm before the trip was comparable to that of child having receive a new toy. Initially my friend was insisting on the trip to mysore (about 150 km from Bangalore). Now he is a guy who is fit. He plays squash, frequent gym and was bicycling up and down 20 km to his office everyday. There was my friend and here was me - a smoking chimney with no physical activity of any form. I was scared and 150 km out of the blue seemed impossible to me. After a little convincing I managed to change the destination to Nandi Hills which is about 80 km from Bangalore, At least this target did not sound so unachievable. 19th April a day before the trip we had to prepare our self. The images of the t-shirts which you are seeing was the part of the preparation. We probably wanted to spread some message in this adventure of ours and more so because it sounded something different.
So we bought plain t-shirts and customized it completely with our random thoughts. How much or did any one manage to have a look at our t-shirts is a question belonging to some alien category which we (at least I) don't even want to bother about. Buying stuffs like water, glucose, torch, head gear and getting our bike in proper shape were the other few task which we undertook. In addition to all these I converted an old, tattered good old faithful jeans of mine to make a half pant out of it.
We got so engrossed in all these activities that we ate up most of our resting time before the trip. Our anticipation and excitement ensured that we stay wide awake for the the few hours which we had manage to get out from our preparation. Nevertheless our preparation was complete and we started off around 1:30 am from our place to experience something which was completely strange, new and good.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

20/4/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore: Speaker: Sumesh Jacob: Theme: Life beyond the Grave

Today the sermon was given by a guest named Sumesh Jacob. Sumesh is a youth chaplin in CMA (I guess) and was in MX which he left. He was a classmate of Pastor Andrew. It was an interesting sermon, he gave. To be honest somehow I have always liked sermon of guest speakers than of KMC pastor's. May be because of me listening to them so often that I have got used to their style. Anyways, moving on to the sermon...

The importance of resurrection in 21st century. The grave is significant because it is empty. What is their of the resurrection which happened centuries ago. In the ever changing world of today what is its meaning. What have we already become due to the empty grave. And now what should be done because of it. The rising of Christ on death is the foundation oh Church today. (Romans 6:3-11) helps us realize that we already been raised in Christ. This realization is so vital to understand what we have already become if we believe in death and resurrection. Our life is hidden in Christ with God. In this ever changing world we tend to forget. It may be invisible to world and yourself that our salvation is secure and safe as once and for all a perfect sacrifice has been made.
Great preachers have been spreading the word of God. After one of the conference was over a preacher was packing his bag. A young man came to him and said that he wants to accept Christ and he was unable to do so in conference as he was shy. The preacher replied 'Too late ..Too late'. This young man was shocked and felt desperate. Then the preacher continued that 'You are too late by 2000 years now in order to accept Christ we have to just believe'
We should keep our thought on thing above and look at life in God's perspective. We should interact with world. Those with are heavenly minded the most are of greatest earthly use. We should continue to strive for setting our heart and mind daily on God in this ever changing world. We should concentrate on the word in this materialistic world. In super market if we see something beautiful we tend to want to have the thing even though its not a necessity. Same way its difficult to concentrate on Gods word. Our vision is so focused on earthly things we tend to overlook and forget heavenly things. Our morals and ethics must change, our life must make a difference by letting in Christ. How can this be possible with various weaknesses and struggle. Lord understand this problem of ours and that is why we are not alone in this world. We need not be discouraged and distressed. The reward is the promise that we will be with Him when He appears. That is the hope, that is the future. We should recognize what we have become and remind ourselves to strive daily.


The short and sweet sermon was ended by a beautiful rendition of the song Things we leave behind . His sermon was exotic and was topped by his deep baritone and amazing singing. I enjoyed it to the last minute and wish some day you all will also be able to listen to him

Thursday, April 24, 2008

13/4/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore: Speaker: Pastor Andrew: Theme: Life Beyond Grave

I am little late in updating my post because of the time which I was unable to get. So sincere apologies to those who are following my Sunday Church experience. The passage for meditation was 1 Corinthians:15:50-58.
Pastor Andrew started with a little tale to humour and set the tone of his sermon. A man always use to sleep when a pastor preached. So one day a pastor thought of doing something different so that from the next time onwards at least this person would make an effort to keep awake. So when this man slept the pastor shot a question and said very softly that all those who wants to go to heaven stand up. The congregation except this man stoop up. Then he shouted all those who want to go to hell stand up. Then this man who was sleeping woke up in a hurry stood up. This man was puzzled and he then said to the pastor that I don't know what are we voting for but it seems that only me and you are in favour of it :)
Now the rest of the sermon went like this.

Some of the churches in Corinth (1 Corinthians 15:12) did not believe in resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:35) Some of the churches stopped believing in the resurrection of the dead. Churches in Corinth became materialistic and lost view of the future. (Mark 12:8) Jesus encountered those who did not believe in resurrection. They believed in life now and enjoying that life to the fullest. (Isaiah 38:18) They believed but not in the same way as it is to be believed. Today one of the major religion believes in the concept of reincarnation. Moksha is a higher state of and for the spirit. Marxist believe that the concept of life after death is what the rich propagate. The soul escapes the body which is evil (in some beliefs). Some said that the holy spirit is enough and they did not look at the future. (1 Corinth 15:50-58) Paul says we shall be transformed. Focus is on two type of people : one who is dead an the other who is alive in Christ. (1 Corinth 15:42) Paul says the phenomenon will happen when Jesus arrives. Those dead and those alive will undergo change. Spiritual body will undergo transformation. How is the spiritual body attainable (1 Corinth 15:45). Jesus is the life giving spirit. Flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom of God. The holy spirit in power will resurrect us in spiritual life and give us a spiritual body. Body will be under full control and will be under the dominion of the holy spirit. Paul is talking about it being a mystery. New testament reveals plenty of things. It has answers because of Jesus Christ. When will the transformation happen ? It will happen in a split of time. (Revelation 11:15) The seven angel will sound the trumpet. Some of us are not believers. All of us will be raised but not in the same way as one images Jesus, But all will not enter the kingdom of God. This morning the Lord is calling you that 'I will give you the spiritual life'. the incorruptible is a body which God gives to each one of us. The sting (sin) is taken out from the bee (death) because of grace of God. Death drives its power from sin. When Jesus rose it lost its power. We sing doxology which is the doxology of the early Church as a sign of victory over death. Some may have come to church today from conflicting situation but God says 'Come to me'. Paul talks about steadfast heart. We should always work for and towards the kingdom of God. Our heart should perceive with the knowledge that its labour in Lord is not in vain. this morning the resurrection phenomenon is inevitable. We need to get involve in the kingdom of God. I believe in resurrection by faith. Do You??? Faith sees the way, faith sees light, faith is what we need to exercise.


Nice sermon I would have to say :)

Sunday, April 13, 2008

6/4/2008: Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore: Theme: Life after Death

The speaker this day was Pastor H. Mathew and if you are following this particular label then you must have known by now that I am not a big fan of his sermon. Still here is what I got that day.
The passage for this day was 1 Corinthians:15:35-49. Here is what the pastor had to say for this passage and theme.
Life beyond Grave is a peculiar and strange for a topic. In times of trouble like death, sorrow, loss or many more we tend to ask why such a sorrow full thing is happening. An example of such times could gauged from the story of a professor who was having picnic with his family and during the process of enjoyment his son got washed away in the river flowing by and ultimately died. Such grave situation or experiences may cause us loose our faith and question the credibility of such events in our life. Another story which was then narrated by the pastor. A pastor went to a hospital and there was a sic lady who was full of questions. She asked that I may not be doing exactly what God might has been expecting of me and now on my deathbed I am seeking answer to the question whether God will accept me...He asked her to sit and discuss this and explain but the lady was in a hurry and was not able to give time to listen to what pastor had to say.... We know that is going to come to each and every one of us. Philosophers expounded by saying that death leads to extinction of our life. Others said death is disembodiment of our soul. The pure soul gets released from the evil body. Others believe in re-incarnation. In Christianity this understanding is somewhat different. There are different interpretation and beliefs of this topic within Christianity also. With death one goes to heaven. Other believe that confess and then you will go to heaven. The concept is well understood and discussed in the apostle creed. There are three things which this passage specifically talk about. Death leads to a life. Their is a continuity in death and after death and the linking chain is the seed. Secondly their is a continuity between present life and future life. The new life awarded will be completely different which is a hope of betterment we have. The death is not necessarily physical but could also be because of long suffering. Their is this promise of resurrection the body will then be incorruptible. New body will be glorious an it will be power full. Sown in weakness but raised in power. ... This is when my pen stopped working and could not write down anymore but the thing which I hate the most I had lost him long time before.

Monday, April 07, 2008

M _ _ _ _ _ _ O ???

Ugadi: Kannada New Year (I Hope I got the meaning right): 7th April 2008. Sitting...rather lazily lying on the bed. Wondering what to do. Suddenly something catches my attention. The one that catches my attention is so compelling that no human being would be able to ignore. And I think I still belong to the category termed as "homo sapiens" so my reaction was nothing different. But before I did what any of us would have done I overheard a song which one among them was singing. It was ....

We are special for we can fly..
We are special for we let no one pass by...
We are special cause we are the night bhai's..
We are special and our sixth letter is 'I'..

We love humans for they are good..
We love humans for they produce our food..
We love humans for not only they help us feed..
We love humans as they also help us breed..

Puddle of water is what we call as home..
After becoming adult we start to roam..
The food which we have is called blood..
Plenty of which is present in humans flood..

'M' is the first letter of our name..
'M' is the first letter of our fame..
Do not wonder as our fame is widely known..
Malaria is what I think, they call it in humans home..

We are envied by plenty on earth..
Casper, All OUT..Of which there is no dearth..
But today we do not worry much because of them..
As to fight the enemy we have genetically changed..

Stronger than before, Stronger than ever..
I move in stealth to satisfy my hunger..
I mock this human by buzzing around his ear...
And play a little as I have no fear..

After the fun I get down to business..
Choosing the perfect spot I drink to fullness..
In the state of drunkenness I then try to fly back...
I am the Mosquito I instill fear with my act...

Sometimes an exception may also occur..
If an overzealous brother drinks more than what human can suffer..
A swoooosh is all he will hear as his last..
As a hand or a newspaper will come down in hard..

A loss or two can always happen..
But we are the MOSQUITO we hit back with vengeance..
We overwhelm our enemies in great numbers..
We are the Mosquitoes we never grumble..


A bite of an insect is what brought me back to senses. Then went my hand in full force towards origin of pain only to result in a squashed mosquito as a revengeful gain.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Self Help : Guide to Make your life Miserable

This is not the post to be read by weak hearted...
Cause the truth may be too bitter which cannot be parted...

This could be story of you and me...
The question is whether you are as acceptable as me...

Even if you are random browser ...
Read on, for you may become a successful poser..

A sure shot way to achieve what the topic says..
A lifetime of achievement is what you may gain..

Live your life with utmost grace...
Choosing your step for everyone to phrase...

Work hard to be where you want to be..
Cause that's the only place you can imagine yourself to be..

Be short sighted in all your preparation...
And world will train you to have no other notion..

The first big success in you quest..
Would be to reach your chosen nest..

The moment you reach you will realize..
You have lived only a fourth of your life..

Wonder a lot what to do next...
But rather enjoy yourself as a pest..

Sooner or later the inevitable will happen...
The dream house on a quick sand will get broken...

Left alone to fend on your own..
Now think the world as your own..

Move on to place on the world map...
Thinking it as a city which must not be taking naps..

Work as if there is no tomorrow..
Cause the rulers would not let you have any other tomorrow..

Work or no work the motto should remain the same..
That is to try and keep yourself sane..

Sooner or later you will realize something major...
The work you do is nothing more than bonded labour..

Now comes the time to seek..
Every romantic notion in movies which you got a peek..

Oh if you are still puzzled and guessing..
The notion is of love you should be seeking..

Your friends will assume that partners should be easy to come by..
But you should only wonder why all good things pass you by..

After all these you come to the final act...
Try to change things with all your tact...
Sooner or later you will learn this fact...
That life has long before, put you on the mat...

Frustrated by life will bring the ultimate realization...
What could be worse than the current position..

Brooding, grumbling, crying will be the things to do..
Accompanied by litres and litres of alcohol with you..

As an ultimate act of faith in the concept..
You will then start blogging your own percepts..

Then only each day will ensure..
That misery is yours for sure..

Monday, March 31, 2008

Sunday, 30th March 2008, Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore

The Sunday after Easter was a little bit different in the sense of walked instead of biking to church. I reached early to hear the choir practicing songs for praise and worship and for a change I sat in the middle instead of the corners. The sermon was taken by Pastor Andrew and I was wide awake for most of its part, which was a different experience altogether.So here goes the sermon...

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
Corinth a place where church was established by Paul. Corinth a cosmopolitan city. Corinth a place where ship building was the major occupation. Corinth a place where many philosophy thrived. Corinth a place where people were fascinated by preachers and cult leaders. Corinth a place where people loved wisdom. Corinth a place of pluralistic community. Corinth a religious city, the light of Greece. Corinth a place where immorality thrived. Corinth a place where prostitution thrived. And here was a where a church was established. Bangalore is also cosmopolitan. Do parallel exist between our city and Corinth? How should we as a church be. Like flies getting attracted to dead meat are people flocking to this city like that.
1:21..What is wisdom of God, wisdom of man....Human wisdom is constantly craving for the quest for God. With human wisdom many Gods get created. If you recognize and portray how God should be then that can also be called as idolatry. Greeks looked for wisdom as God. Here Paul introduces Gods wisdom. We preach Christ was crucified. Crucifixion is humbling and shameful....and for Greeks Messiah getting crucified was foolish. Greeks were in lookout for personality who could speak but God's wisdom is not the same. God reveals himself as a God who suffers. The glory of God is experienced by his love and grace. God chooses a weak thing in life to show his love, grace and forgiveness. The cross is the power of God. It is the saving power and a power which overcomes the enemies. God's wisdom is that he operates in weakness which dismantles conventional beliefs. His ways are different. Ask God to show his wisdom. Here then will come the answer that he chose corinth when she was weak and sinful. The parallel is between the weak thing(cross) and weak people.So we should not boast as the glory is Gods'. Then ask give more evidence as I am not satisfied. 2:1 is an another example of God's wisdom. Nike ad says just do it, but here you can't do it all alone. When we recognize our weaknesses then God takes care of them. Our faith must be in the power of God not in our mere wisdom. Weakness could be anything. It could be loneliness, ill health, financial problem....God says that he will operate in our life with his wisdom we just have to submit.


Wow that day it was sounding more interesting than today when I tried to replicate it. Still I have to say the content is still good enough to be consumed by a believer.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

I can never be the same...

I know I was lonely...
Looking out for someone comely..

I agree that I was searching..
Hoping to find someone pleasing..

I sincerely never believed..
That I can ever get someone so sweet..

But then you were there..
An angel out of nowhere..

"An angel" said I..
How could she ever be mine..

But Your heart was kind..
And you did not mind..

The devil of my heart..
Was in the lookout for a shot..

You gave me the look..
Merrier than the silver brook..

My search was over..
My heart was pleased forever..

My heart was glad..
I thought I will never again feel sad..

But I over looked the fact..
That my feelings were like a selfish act..

The bond created...
Was too weak that it easily got berated..

You were strong..
Your beliefs even stronger..

You said it was over..
Cause your promises are more important than your lover..

I can never believe ...
Cause my thoughts are not so easy to release..

I am trying hard to make you stay...
But it seems I am no more in the frame...

I cling on to hope..
To reach the roof without any rope..

You saw me as a devil I am..
I cannot argue cause that's what I am...

I wish you could stay...
Wish it every time I pray..

You made a believer..
Your love made me the happiest creature..

But here I am today...
Lost among the multitudes of the day...

Before (I met you)!! I was searching..
Before (I met you)!! I was looking..
Before (I met you)!! I was hoping...

You changed me...
And now you say you will leave me..

Now I am only hoping..
Trying to seek happiness which is not coming..

I have lost my faith..
Which is giving me the biggest pain..

Without you I am no more the same..
Without you I am going insane..
The only truth although it may sound lame..
That I can never be the same..
That I can never be the same..
That I can never be the same..

Easter, 23rd March,2008, Koramangala Methodist Church, Bangalore

Easter was the day which went too holy for me. Attended dawn service at 5 a.m. in KMC then attended 9:30 am service at KMC with my cousin and then attended the musical service at 6 pm in KMC. Unfortunately in all of them I was rather sleepy because of waking up so early. So attending all three services as an option did not turn out to be so good. Anyhow here are the excerpts from the three services.

1) Dawn Service 5 am: Luke 24:1-8. The sermon was taken by Pastor H Mathew and the inevitable happened that is in between service I was toggling between sleep and consciousness. So here are some random points I manage to remember. We look for living among the dead. We go to places to seek among those who cannot provide. Resurrection has provided greater hope. Recognition is one the stepping stone of proclaiming Jesus. Unexpected things are always a possibility and the impossible with men is possible with God. The only thing more I remember is the following and I like it very much. He said the following in reference with something which you guessed it right I have forgotten. He said The trains of thoughts on a lonely track, the greener grasses and the trees passes by. Well from these random phrases/sentences you must have realized that I was really sleepy.

2) 9:30 service koramangala. As from the excerpts of the sermon of the dawn services you might have realized that I was sleepy. What chances did I had to be attentive and awake during this service. Yes my friends the probability of that happening was 0, in spite of a very good sermon by Rev. Theodore Williams. He said We believe on Him as a living Christ. For time the Lord revealed Himself as a living one ( after crucifixion). One of this revelation was to Peter ....Luke 23:14..We cannot keep on worshipping him only during the time of troubles and sorrows. ..Suddenly on a long 'life' road Jesus happen to meet paralyzing, blinding sadness... We should open our hearts and allow the scriptures to do the rest. The urge is strong and it stays with us....not just as a problem but as saviour..He will never refuse invitation...The guest will then become the host. He will become the master. He is not an aspirin tablet for quick relief. So we should open our heart and submit. That's it, these are the few things I was able to assimilate during the time I was awake and I hope that you may gain something out of these incoherent aggregation of the sermon.

So the day ended in the evening in the church listening to beautiful rendition of some wonderful and meaningful praise and worship.

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Excerpts from Chop Suey: System of Down

Simply love these few lines...

Father into your hand
I commend my spirit
Father into your hand
Why have you forsaken me
In your eyes
Forsaken me In your thoughts
Forsaken me In your heart
Forsaken me
ohh trust in my self righteous suicide
I cry When angels deserve to die
In my self righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die

How Dare I

How dare I feel the pain...
When loneliness ruled in all those rain...

Who gave me the rights to crib...
When I hoped only for some feeling in my rib...

The rights to sulk was never mine...
For the angels grace was much more than divine...

I ask..Is it right to think myself so lowly..
A voice replied..this realization can only be holy..

For the grace was not mine to obtain...
It was only my luck that could not refrain..

The absence which I may feel..
For it; was never and never will be a big deal...

I was living the happiness which was leased...
But How dare I even question its release...

I can only render a cry...
But then How dare I even cry...

How dare I...
How dare I...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Good Friday (21st March 2008, KMC : Koramangala Methodist Church) : Part 2

Carrying on from the previous post here are the elaboration of the last 4 verse by Jesus on the Cross.

4) "Eloi, Eloi,[a] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"Mathew 27:46. This has probably been one of personal favourite. There is something about these few words which has always been able to attract. First of all Eloi Eloi....sounds tacky and cool and above all these words sounds that of a desperate/defeated man and I guess some point of time in our life some of us might have such an experience of desperation. Nevertheless different people can have different views on the point and the speaker who was going to speak on them was a choir leader. I had great expectation from him and I bet he did justice to these words by his own interpretation. I have to ask for excuse if I am unable to reciprocate the same thing he said over here. Anyhow here is what he said: Imagine the scene the one who is the healer, the one who is the preacher the one who is loved by many...is hanging on the cross. The one who proclaims intimacy with his father is crying out. If this does not make an impact on our lives then probably we are too used to it. Probably then nothing would ruffle our feathers then. Sometimes in our life we feel meaninglessness, abandonment, unloved ....These feelings gets enhanced by the media , by the people around us, by the overall environment. Today we are living ripped apart from God. Before death this becomes the deepest identification. It is said that Mother Teresa also felt forsakeness from God. Christ forsakeness reaches deep into our own.Sinlessness forsake the sinful creature. Greatest deed is what Christ did on the cross. So has He reached deep into our hearts to be more specific have we allowed Him that special place

5) Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." John 19:28. Meditation on these words were taken by a lady who along with one other lady maintains decorum/discipline in church during the time of communion. Her was the most impressive content which I was struggling to keep pace with. I will anyhow try to remember as much I can. The meditation undertaken went something like this Were they the words uttered by a desperate man. definitely not....Only cries of the disciples penetrated the slumber..The only thing flying higher were the doves...Thirst refers to physical thirst...These were words of humanity in divinity...Why did He endure thirst was it amazing love...was it amazing grace...Its spiritual dimension is the fulfilling of the old testament prophecy. John 4:34 Jesus thirst to fulfill His fathers work. Greek word used for fulfill means to complete. He thirsted for reunion with His father. Imagine God and the two on his two side. His heart thirst to save you and me. Why did not everyone was able to see that He was the Messiah. Probably because they were not thirsty. The one who thirst is the giver of living water. Irony of an empty soul is that it is perpetually dissatisfied. It shifts from one thing to another. A dry soul would be the one which does not know what it is missing. Whereas the satisfied soul knows who is God and goes to that thirst quencher. Are we in constant relationship with God? Do we thirst for Him. John:7:14 If anyone is thirsty come to me and drink

6) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30. This was taken by another lady. Her content was also well formed but it seemed it was not coming naturally to her still her content did draw attention which I was unable to ignore. Still the things I remember I will pen down. He was caught, beaten and crucified. spiritually battered and physically broken on the cross. This was a cry of triumph on the cross. He had accomplished what he had come to do. The sense was of accomplishment can be guaged in five different ways (i) All prophesies were accomplished in just one man, Jesus. It was finished in Him. (ii) All forms of sacrifices were abolished because He sacrificing Himself on the cross. (iii) God justice were met. Full atonement had been made. The wages of sin was fulfilled forever and the ransom paid in full. (iv) The power of satan, sin and death were destroyed. (v) He ratified the eternal covenant i.e. God the Father, God the son and God the Holy spirit. Eternity passed and the son of God willingly submitted himself to the father to pave the path of cross. So question which should be asked by us the strength of the response we establish between us and God

7) Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46. This was taken by Reverend H. Mathews and I am sorry to say that I am not a big fan of his sermon at least in English. I lose his context and meaning more often than not. This is what I think he said. If we relive the same form of hardship as Jesus did on the cross what will be our reaction. These versus re-emphasize the trust of Jesus in his father. Elaborates the kind of faith we need to live in. (Jewish) mother often tell their children to pray these versus as prayer which shows the closeness of relationship. The presence of the father always accompanied Jesus. What is required by us is to delight in Lord and he will take care of all our needs. Sorry as i said I always drift a lot in his sermon.

This is it guys that was what I heard and probably understood on the 23rd of March KMC's Good Friday service.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Good Friday (21st March 2008, KMC : Koramangala Methodist Church) : Part 1

I have been thinking about this for a while and finally I am doing it i.e. to try and write out what the things I had heard and part of the thing which I may have assimilated. You may like it or you may not, I do not bother but I have decided that I will write about them anyhow. Anyways this post is the first of its kind in my blog and their will be many more in due course of time

Good Friday : Well I am not going to introduce its meaning and would not be preachy but instead write about what I had been preached. This post has seven section in accordance with the seven thing said by Christ on the cross and in accordance with the speakers speaking on these words in KMC.

1) "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing." : Luke23:34. This was discussed by a lady and I was unable to get a single thing she wanted to say. To me it was too incoherent

2) "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." : Luke 23:42. These words were reflected upon by a guy. Although he is unknown to me as everyone else in KMC but one thing is confirmed that he was impressive and was able to engage me for the whole time. He started of by talking about some one. It went something like this. --- He was/wasn't probably there when thousands were fed. He was/wasn't probably there when the dead was raised. He was/wasn't probably there when people were healed. He was/wasn't probably there when ....By this time this speaker left me wondering who is the so called "He" is he talking about till the time when the sermon came to this. He knew who Jesus was and he was a thief. He knew that he was hanging beside two people. He knew that one was good and the other deserve his fate. Amidst all the insult mooted out by different people to this good man, one reacted differently inspite of being a robber. A transaction happened between man and God and an audacious question was asked "Remember me ......" . Good....well till now he was able to keep me interested by his beautiful oratory skills but the better part was yet to come when the speaker revealed his actual intentions/meanings. He said We may come to church every week and pretend to be as much holy as possible but the fact remains that we are caught in the ways of the world. God does not forget. God did not forget Joseph thrown into the pit by his brothers. God did not forget Daniel in the den. God did not forget Samson. God did not forget .... and God did no forget this thief. He will remember us but the question is will we ask Him ??

3) "Jesus said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son." He said to the disciple, "Here is your mother."": John:19:26-27. This word from the cross was taken up by the pastor. KMC has two pastors actually one reverend and one pastor. Have no idea what these titles stand for. But the one who is pastor is young and this guy lead the meditation of these words. His sermon went something like this. The scene shifted from the soldier to the present. Jesus went about doing miracles and now He was on the cross. The lady standing is a true mother and like any other she loves her child inspite of the world condemning her child on the cross as a criminal. On the cross Jesus glorified His Father and honoured his mother. Children has responsibilities towards their parents. That is what Christ was taking heed of while still on the cross. The point is a new life is possible if a relationship is thriving. A disciple took hers as her mother and it was beginning of a new relationship as a symbol of circle of faith. To us the mean of that faith is the church. As the community grows we should always welcome one another and accept. So we should allow these new brotherhood to prosper so that when time comes we be able to bring comfort to others. One of the examples he used was of a German Pastor during the time of Hitler who was killed for explaining Jesus as a Man for others The pastor concluded by saying Like wise we have to do the welfare of others like Jesus did even going through all that he went through on the cross

Friday, March 07, 2008

दीवारों से मिलकर रोना अच्छा लगता है: Pankaj Udhas (Getting it in Hindi font was in itself a motivation to put it in my blog)

दीवारों से मिलकर रोना अच्छा लगता है,
हम भी पागल हो जायेगा ऐसा लगता है.

दुनियाभर कि यादें हमसे मिलने आती है,
शाम ढले इस सूने घर मी मेला लगता है.

कितने दिनों के प्यासे होंगे यारो सोचो तो,
शबनम का कतरा भी जिनको दरिया लगता है.

किसको “कैझर” पथ्थर मारूँ कौन पराया है,
शीश महल मी एक एक चेहरा अपना लगता है.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Bob Seger - We've got Tonight

Wow simply "amazing" is how I can describe it. Amazing emotion and amazing hope

Bob Seger - We've got Tonight

I know it's late,I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Longing for shelter from
all that we see
Why should we worry, no one will care
Look at the stars so far away
We've got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight
Why don't you stay?

Deep in my soul, I've been so lonely
All of my hopes, fading away
I've longed for love, like
everyone else does
I know I'll keep
searching, even after
today

So that there it is
We've got it all now
And here we are
What do you say?

We've got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight
Why don't you stay?

I know it's late, I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Both of us lonely

We've got tonight
Who needs tomorrow?
Let's make it last
Let's find a way
Turn out the light
Come take my hand now
We've got tonight
Why don't you stay?
Why don't you stay?

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The antique vase

This is a story mailed to by Eric and it is so amazing that it has to be in my blog

I have decided that henceforth I shall speak to you about my thinkings which have begun to take form after years of pondering.

There was a general in ancient China who retired after many years of military service. Not wishing to sit around doing nothing, he took up the hobby of collecting antiques.
One day, he sat in his study to admire his latest acquisition – a small antique vase. It was expensive but worth it. He turned it this way and that, examining the exquisite patterns that ancient craftsmen had worked into it.
Suddenly, a careless movement of his fingers caused the vase to slip from his hands. The general tried to catch it, but its slick surface was difficult to grasp. He dove forward to try again. It was a close call, but he finally managed to hold on to it, mere inches from the floor.
The general's heart was pounding rapidly. His breathing was frantic. He gripped the vase tightly and stood up slowly. After a while, he was able to regain some composure.
He was relieved to have avoided damage, but something was not right. Instead of elation, he felt only puzzlement. "In all my campaigns," he thought to himself, "charging against the enemy, leading men into battle, even facing much bigger armies than mine… I never felt as much fear as I did just now. Why?"
Throughout his military career, the general always recognized the possibility of losing his life, but it didn't frighten him at all. Somehow, on this particular day, the possibility of losing the vase frightened him a lot.
In an instant of clarity, he saw the problem. He had become too attached to the vase. That attachment was the cause of emotional turmoil. He looked at the vase again, seeing it in a completely different light. Then, with his mind perfectly at ease, he relaxed his hands. The vase dropped and shattered into pieces.
The self or wealth, which is greater?
Gain or loss, which is more painful?

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Quote

Now quotes doesn't have to be always by well renowned person. I don't know whether it has been said before but I heard it from one of my friend in a discussion. To be honest it was more of a discussion in which one person was saying everythin. The golden words were something like this (Don't remember the exact words)

How can love weaken someone

or was it

If you love someone you cannot be weak

or was it

If you love someone which is no more getting reciprocated you cannot be weak because of its absence

or should I say he was trying to say

Love == Strength and at the same time Love != Weakness rather can never be a source of weakness

These words have done the magic which I was looking out for the last few weeks and I am so much convinced by it. I hope that you all especially the broken hearted would be able to appreciate it.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Chapman Gary - Your Love Stays With Me

Oh Much I desire the given song to be true. I wish it could have been sung by me in the same spirit but I still can say "Your Love stays with me"

It's dark in here
Feel so alone
But there's a light
That somebody just turned on

It opens my eyes
It lets me see
And once again
It amazes me

How your love
Stays with me
When shadows fall
And everybody leaves
I'm not alone
I know I'll never be
Your love stays with me

When cold rains fall
Against my skin
Well it chills my body
But not the soul within
'Cause I got a fire
And it burns so bright
And it keeps me warm
Through the longest night

Oh, how your love
Stays with me
When the shadows fall
And everybody leaves
I'm not alone
I know I'll never be
Your love stays with me
Your love stays with me

Monday, February 04, 2008

Quote : Nelson Mandela

Champion in South Africa. See what he is trying to say.

I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.Nelson Mandela

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Quote : Oscar Wilde

I have not been getting much time to blog much but here is a quick and short post. I have the habit of keeping various quotation as my status in various messengers(mostly gtalk) I log in. Well why and what for will be there in the follow up posts but here is one by Oscar Wilde. Just reflect and ponder over and you might find it so true and ironic.

I am not young enough to know everything :Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

Well reflect and enjoy the power of these few words

CYA soon in my next short post

Monday, December 24, 2007

Third attempt on Kiddo (At least I can recognize her)


Click Here!

Second attempt on Kiddo (I still cannot recognize her)


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Warrior


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I think she is a well known anime character


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First attempt on Kiddo (Who the hell she resembles)


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Portrait of a Woman


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Mother and Child


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Father and Child


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Beauty and the Beast


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A mix of Characters

Calvin and Hobbes

Lion King (Don't curse me if I haven't done justice...After all I am a novice)

Some Kind of Ugly Creature (I Guess)

SuperHero Liking Continues (BatMan Vs I dont know Who)

If u Can't recognize this guy then FYI he is HULK

Fido Was probably the first of its kind on DoorDarshan

Another SuperHero

BatMan (The first of my new time-paas)

Friday, November 09, 2007

Homer And Jethro - I'm My Own Grandpa

Finally after hibernating for so long for some reason this particular song came to my mind. Go through it and you will yourself understand why I always find it amusing.

Many many years ago when I was twenty three,
I got married to a widow who was pretty as could be.

This widow had a grown-up daughter
Who had hair of red.
My father fell in love with her,
And soon the two were wed.

This made my dad my son-in-law
And changed my very life.
My daughter was my mother,
For she was my father's wife.

To complicate the matters worse,
Although it brought me joy,
I soon became the father
Of a bouncing baby boy.

My little baby then became
A brother-in-law to dad.
And so became my uncle,
Though it made me very sad.

For if he was my uncle,
Then that also made him brother
To the widow's grown-up daughter
Who, of course, was my step-mother.

Father's wife then had a son,
Who kept them on the run.
And he became my grandson,
For he was my daughter's son.

My wife is now my mother's mother
And it makes me blue.
Because, although she is my wife,
She's my grandmother too.

If my wife is my grandmother,
Then I am her grandchild.
And every time I think of it,
It simply drives me wild.

For now I have become
The strangest case you ever saw.
As the husband of my grandmother,
I am my own grandpa!