The Church at Powai

Christmas day 1864, at the height of the American Civil war, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these lines: “I heard the Bells on Christmas Day their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat of peace on earth, good will to men.”   Amidst canon ball fire, the wounding of his own son and the recent death of his wife, it seemed absurd for church bells to peal out “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.”  And Longfellow wrestled with this contradiction when he wrote: “And in despair I bowed my head: ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said, ‘For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.’”  And how many men and women would have joined in the cynicism of that moment, during those four bloody years of the civil war—questioning the existence of God; His role in peace and equality, right and wrong, war and peace.   And, of more relevance, if His birth could make any difference to the violent paths that humanity had chosen.

Today doesn’t seem any different., does it? “Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm…” seems like a cruel anomaly.   Bomb blasts, suicide bombers, road rage and other violent acts have begun to dominate the news channels; Senseless killings of “honour” and “revenge” are grabbing newspaper headlines.  A fragile peace seems to permeate the silence, only waiting for the next moment of madness to unleash its mayhem, and silent nights have become the exception rather than the norm in our violent society.

But from this cauldron of hate and violence, Jesus beckons, inviting us into His world.  A world of love and friendship; a world of goodwill towards brothers and sisters; hospitality towards strangers and a serenity in the midst of compelling storms.   And Wadsworth finds that silver lining when he says: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.”

Can we find that elusive peace this year?  Do you have that peace that doesn’t add up, doesn’t make sense, but is there?  That kind of peace is internal, it can only be born in the hearts of men and women.  Peace brokered by governments and well-intentioned middle persons can at best be temporal and fleeting.  Lasting peace comes with the birth of the “Peace-child” in the hearts of men and women.  His presence within us brings about a change of heart, Godly values and unselfish desires.  For that to happen, the Babe must leave the cradle, and be born in our hearts to day. 

So this Christmas, don’t revere the Babe from afar.  Reverence Him as God from within and He will give us courage to overcome our fears and provide hope to prevail over helplessness, so that we may walk confidently through this season and into the year 2012 knowing that “He is with us, His rod and staff will comfort us—God with us—Immanuel!

Have a hope filled, Christ-centered Christmas and an awesome, Spirit-led 2012!

Agape,

Pastor

It’s thanksgiving time again this year, and how fast this year is going!  But we can’t let it go without stopping our busyness, our preoccupations, our forgetfulness or anything else for a brief while and say “Lord, how you’ve blessed me through this year, and I just want to say ‘thank you!’”

William Arthur Ward, one of the most quoted writers of inspirational maxims once wrote: “God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
 Well, this Sunday let’s devote more than a few seconds to say that much to Him in a variety of ways; let’s approach this Sunday with joy, singing: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever!”

The mountain rises majestically outside my office window.  Lush, green, watered by an over-indulgent monsoon.   I’m struck by its beauty, its undulating slopes, its green vegetation and the blue skies above—picturesque, just right for a postcard.  HE spoke and the world came into existence.  Just a few words—“Let there be…” and things were!

Turn with me to the gospel according to Matthew chapter 5, reading from verse 1.

“And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him and opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy, blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

"Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life?"  Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good—only God. You know the commandments, don't you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honour your father and mother." He said, "I've kept them all for as long as I can remember." When Jesus heard that, he said, "Then there's only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me." This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go. Luke 18:18-23 (MSG)