A super-natural peace

This entire post is taken from :

the journey's project.com Click HERE for more.

Supernatural Peace

The Parable Collection

An antidote for when your world is crumbling.

Supernatural Peace

The events of our lives seldom work out the way we plan. The trouble that “comes in threes” can also come in fours, fives and sixes.

We learn to cope with the day-to-day troubles, but what happens when we find ourselves in a raging storm and feel we are sinking; when our child dies, our wife leaves or our job gets terminated and we have no savings to fall back on? How do we “self-service” our needs at times like these?

Jesus promised His disciples, “Peace, not as the world gives you, but My peace I give to you.” Jesus offers us a supernatural calm, a genuine peace, in the very wildest circumstances of our lives. A peace the world cannot give and one we cannot provide for ourselves.

The next time you find yourself in stormy seas, turn to Him for this supernatural gift.

John 14:27

Material Courtesy:

Dinu Sam David, Ebenezer Mar Thoma Church, Jalahalli, Bangalore

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Verse for the Week 9 (v w 9)

For they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said,"Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

Mark 6: 50

Image courtesy:

2. Courage: jackslate84

1. Faith, hope, courage: xospislovexo

Tech it or leave it - 2 : More on open source

Tech it or leave it - 2

More Open Source

Derick Mathew

Little Maryanne ran across the living room shouting “Mommy, Where did I come from?”. Meanwhile a few hundred kilometers away at a college in the next city, a student tries to clear his doubt as in to how the universe came about to be, just as the a bio lecturer of the same college a professor is busy preparing the rough draft for his talk “Fish to Ape to Man : The history of man”. History always has something to tell us so we often learn to look back. The story seems to be similar for Open source which grew from the foundation set by a philosophy called “Free software”.

Richard Matthew Stallman or, as he was preferred to be addressed, “RMS” could be termed as one of the leading pioneers of Free Software. Though many events helped mold his ideology, it is believed that he truly saw the need to allow people to be given the freedom to “modify the software they use”, when he wasn’t allowed to change the source code of a Xerox laser printer to make the same printer easier to use. The waves of change that took the basis of the philosophy of Open Source to new heights are said to have been started when RMS quit MIT in January 1984 to set up the Free Source Foundation by starting the GNU project. His beliefs were simple create, learn and share. He laid the core rules, for the Free Software philosophy, which later came to be known as the four freedoms.

The freedoms were:

1. Freedom to run (No, not in a marathon) and study a programs source code.
2. Freedom to modify the source code.
3. Freedom to make copies and distribute them to others.
4. Freedom to publish, or distribute, the modified version.

These rules are commonly linked to the concept of copy-left (No, its not copyright for left-handed people). Copy-left gives every person who receives a copy of a work permission to reproduce, modify or distribute the work quite the opposite the concept of copyright.

Just as Free software gave fruit to Open source. Open source helped guide a budding philosophy which over the course of time came to be known as “Crowd-Sourcing” (Although it wasn’t the only idea that grew out of Open Source). Crowd-sourcing is a philosophy which includes armies of people from various backgrounds coming together as a community to work on a project, usually for the good of the community and not for monetary gain. An excellent example of crowd-sourcing is “Wikipedia”. Wikipedia has grown from strength to strength with its backing of over 10 million users.

For people who want to try out some cool Open Source Stuff :

Animators try out “www.pencil-animation.org/”

People who wanna build cars (What do I call you guys ????? ) Try out “www.cmmn.org”

And one o my favorite groups the music lovers do check out “www.jamendo.com”

don’t expect all your artist there, but they do have some pretty good stuff out there, if you just want to hear something new (don’t look over your shoulder looking for cyber cops, Its LEGAL to download these songs).

Till the next post then. J

King on the board (www.joyfultoons.com) - Mike Waters

Tech it or Leave it: Open Source

[Welcome to Tech it or Leave it, your no nonsense, neatly explained tech post which makes rocket science sound as simple as David and Goliath]

Open Source
Derick Mathew

Open Source this and Open Source that, we hear about Open Source every other day. This concept that once sounded so distant has swept over us and the world on a whole. We use open source products almost every day with or without our knowledge. Although most people most readily link Open source to the usage of operating systems such as Linux, the most commonly used Open Source product is still (Surprise Surprise!!!) the Internet, the very thing that helped boost the use of the open source philosophy.

In the simplest of terms Open Source is nothing but an approach under which the original work of a person can be put forward to the public such that the users can use, modify and distribute the software (in either modified or unmodified form). Open Source is quite common in many fields though it is heard of prominently within software circles. Any software that is declared as Open Source is also known as Open Source Software (OSS). It is seen as a offshoot of the free software marketing campaign though many people see Open Source as a method of developing code whereas Free Software is seen as a social movement.

Open source software is usually considered to be software that is freely available with its source code (a collection of instructions that programmers type out to create their programs which help make the softwares that we use), but there are other factors that make software truly open source. A particular software license is said to be considered to be open source if it follows the rules, called the Open Source Definition, set by the “Open Source Initiative”, an organization that promotes OSS. The rules are listed below and seem quite simple

1. The software should be freely redistributable, without royalty or fee (*Gasp*)
2. The source code must be distributed,(and NO it cannot be made impossible to read on purpose)
3. The software should be modifiable
4. The license must not stop people, groups or a particular field from using the product
5. The license cannot restrict other software

Only a few of the rules are listed here. For the full list of rules in detail you can visit “http://opensource.org/docs/definition.php”

An important point to be noted is that “Not all that is free is open source and not all that is open source is free”.

Open source if used in the right manner can help make reliable, high quality software at a fast pace rather inexpensively and the same software can be expanded and made more flexible. But as Uncle Ben (from “Spiderman” the movie) once said “With great power comes great responsibility”. The softwares made with open source can be used by hackers (the evil kind), that is they can deliberately put in weaknesses and loopholes in the software they deliver.

But all in all Open source has a lot to offer. We shall get to see more of that in the next post. J




Derick is a die hard computer freak and usually a nice guy, with a very special variety of humour, the frequency of which increases when he comes to the youth league meetings. He belongs to Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Primrose Road Bangalore.He also makes pretty power point slides for praise and worship sessions.



Picture courtesy:
1. open source: the_student [IMG]http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l93/the_student/open_source_button.png[/IMG]

Updates!

Hello everyone!

Thanks for sticking around and contributing to your blog in various ways. We're close on the heals of 1000 page views, that too in just three months! Praise the Lord for that.

This could be a space where you hang out when you're tired being online. Or even the first page to step in when you go online. Whichever way, it's your place and you bless people through the inspiring material you send here. Remember to share the link with as many friends as possible. You never know who is in need!

From This weekend on, we'll be having 2 regular columns, to add to the fun we're having here.

1. We have Derick from Bangalore simplifying various facets of technology for us, in his trademark writing style! He will be writing a column every week named 'Tech it or leave it.' Those of us who know Derick know that he has a rather special sense of humour and everyone will have an opportunity to become tech-literate with his endearing writing style. Comments and feedback are welcome!



2. We got permission from Joyful Toons, a very popular Christian Cartoon Strip run by Mike Waters to display his cartoons on our blog. The best part is that they are based on Bible Verses and are witty. You can look forward to them every week.
www.joyfultoons.com


Looking forward to your writings for the blog. Remember it all comes back you to and others!
May the Lord take all the glory!

~Mod~
(Moderator)

When I Said…

When I Said………….

When I said to the Lord "I am so short of where you want me to be."
He gently answered "That's okay. That's all the farther you and I can walk together."

When I said to the Lord "I don't know who I am."
He gently answered "That's okay. I know who you are."

When I said to the Lord "I am so tired of fighting."
He gently answered "That's okay. Satan is down for the count."

When I said to the Lord "My actions aren't reflecting my heart."
He gently answered "That's okay. Mine did."

When I said to the Lord "My mind is corrupted."
He gently answered "That's okay. Use mine for awhile."

When I said to the Lord "I don't know how to love."
He gently answered "That's okay. I will give you free lessons"

material coutesy: Subin John Mathew, St. Andrews Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Secunderabad.

Verse for the week 9 ( v w 9) : Psalm 31:24

Psalms 31:24

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Jesus Does Not Need My Boat

By Jim Thornber

http://jimthornber.com

Matthew 14:25 says, “During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.” This seems like a straightforward Scripture, but the part that challenges me is this: Jesus does not need my boat.

Our “boat” is anything we possess that enables us to do our job, fulfill our calling and arrive at out God-chosen destination. It could be our experiences, titles, education, salary, family connections or possessions. But Jesus, after making the disciples get into the boat and encounter a storm, walked across the water to be with them. Jesus did not need their boat.

Too often we (which means, of course, primarily me!) assume that God has brought us to this certain place, endowed us with these certain gifts, allowed us to experience those particular things because He is going to use them for this particular purpose. But we deceive ourselves when we think we have the plans of God all figured out. Jesus does not need our boat.

There was a time, of course, when Jesus chose to use our boat. In Luke 5:1-3, Jesus used Peter’s boat in order to teach the crowds that had gathered around Him. Afterward, Jesus instructed Peter to go back out and fish, even though they had fished all night and caught nothing. Their catch after obeying the Lord was so large it almost sank Peter’s boat (Luke 5:7).

Later in our walk with Jesus, He shows us He has other means of accomplishing the purposes of God for our life. He wants us to grow beyond the safety and security of our “known” talents and abilities. Jesus wants us to learn that just about the time we think we’ve got the methods and motives of God figured out, He purposely sends us into a storm so that He can scare the wits out of us by appearing in a form we least expect.

Sometimes the storm is a financial scare so He can appear in the form of our Provider. We thought we were providing everything for our family, but God reminds us that everything we have comes from Him (1 Chron. 29:14).

Other times we think it is our education or vocational connections that will land us that career we’ve always wanted, but then a call comes from someone we don’t know and we enter into a career we never imagined.

After four years of Bible College and two years of completing a Masters in Ministry, I’m finding that everything I thought I knew about being a pastor has brought me headlong into a storm that seems to be taking me further and further from the shore of church “ministry.” For some reason, I find that my life’s testimony is more effective on a construction site than in a church classroom, and unsaved men are changing their behavior because I walk into a room. However, I know it is not me they are responding to, but the Jesus within me.

Only now am I starting to realize that Jesus doesn’t need my boat-my education, teaching techniques, study habits, etc.-to lead me in His direction. And to tell you the truth, the vision I am now getting of God is scary, amazing, and unknowable all at the same time. I sometimes feel like I’m in the middle of a lake, pulling against the oars and drifting further and further from my goal. However, I know that one day I will arrive on the shore of His choosing, at the time of His appointing, to do the work of His anointing. We may not arrive there in my boat, but we will arrive there just the same.

Link Sent by: Binu George

Verse for the week 8 ( v w 8)

Revelations 3:8

I know everything you have done. And I have placed before you an open door that no one can close. You were not very strong, but you obeyed my message and did not deny that you are my followers.

What you sow is what you reap

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground. The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled....

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader.

Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet.. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways...

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."


If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.

If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.

But, if you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world.

Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you..

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart..

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!


Material Courtesy: Bincy Wilson, New York