" Poisoned Apples "

Write an article for a movie review magazine, giving your critical opinion on a movie you saw when you were younger and have re watched recently.

Poisoned apples, missing glass slipper and princes in disguise; these fairytale themes were the outline of my five year old life. Being a little girl, I enjoyed living in a dream world with my “princess friends”. My inspiration poured out of movies such as Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and so on.

Two months ago, I visited a video library back in my hometown after several years of living in the city. A wave of memories washed over me as I passed the “Children’s section”. Eager to reminisce in the joys of my past, I picked up one of my all time favorite movies “Snow White”.

Watching the movie again, I expected it to be laughs and fun, but in turn I was left speechless, unable to digest the Grimm fairytale before my eyes. As a child watching the animation of “Snow White”, my main focus was the little dwarves and the (rather premature) romance between Snow White and her prince. Having an innocent, uneducated mind of ignorance, that’s the most you would expect from a child.

However, 10 years later after phases of interest in symbolism, my eyes were open to a completely different story behind the story... Now you may accuse me of reading too much into a fairytale, but I do believe that “Snow White” was much more than a children’s story; in fact I believe Snow White was an allegory.

Let’s begin with some background information; Walt Disney was a Christian man who believed in the use of symbolism. He would occasionally put symbols into his animation to either encourage a belief or raise awareness of a situation. He couldn’t possibly have gotten into trouble for this for his silent messages were always hidden behind the happy faces of his cartoons. You may be wondering what I’m going on about, but think about it; could the rescue of Geppetto from the whale be a reference to Jonah in the Bible, or purely coincidence? In the movie Lion King, was Scar’s promise to the hyenas (and their Gestapo-like march in the song “Be Prepared”) a connection to the rule of Hitler in Germany, or was it just an evil plot conjured by another villain?

Going back to Snow White; much of the symbolism in this movie is based on Christianity, even paralleling some stories from the Bible. Let’s begin with the three colors she is associated with- White, Red and Black. These are the three colors of the life cycle. I have chosen to relate Snow White to Jesus’ life. White being the colour of birth and his pure nature, Red being the color of his life and passion, Black used to refer to his death and the cruelty against him.

The next significant thing I noticed in the movie was the names and number of dwarves. There are 7 dwarves, possibly representing the seven days of the week, or the time in which God made the earth (including his final day of rest). These dwarves in the original fairytale had no names; the names were added for the Disney version. These names show the seven moods of man, such as grumpy, dopey, happy etc.

Snow White encourages work and wash with her constant smile as she sings her way through her chores. On one occasion, she convinces all the dwarves that they must wash properly in order to be clean and healthy. After this “washing” the dwarves seem to have changed, seeing life in a brighter light and enjoying every moment together. This is a clear message of baptism, a life-changing experience involving cleansing through water.

Altering the plot of the Grimm brothers’ tale, the evil stepmother only visited Snow White once, offering her a poisoned apple. If we remember back to the Old Testament, the downfall of Eve was a bite from the apple of a forbidden tree. This can be seen very clearly as Snow White falls into a deep trance after eating a bite of the poisoned apple. There is an obvious link between the story and the Christian religion.

Towards the end of the movie, death and resurrection is displayed in its mild form. Snow white falls into a deep sleep leaving her dwarves mourning her loss. After a period of waiting, the prince comes along and wakes her. Thinking back to the time of Jesus, he too rose again after a period of waiting (3 days to be exact, this number is related to the primary colors of the tale).

This movie has left me amazed with the fact that children’s movies may not always be what they seem. Watching it again, I was no longer following the plot, but I understood the humor, grasped more of the dialogue and searched for a deeper meaning that Walt Disney may have been trying to send.

Again, you may accuse me of reading too much into a fairytale, but I do believe that “Snow White” was much more than a children’s story; in fact I believe Snow White was an allegory.




Amy Abraham


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Amy Abraham is a 11th grader who studies at the Hebron School, Ooty, India.

                 

Christmas Fear factor?

 

"If you know the movie is scary, why watch it?" we questioned our teens who had nightmares afterward. "You don't understand! It's fun!" they said. 

Many adults have long given up the notion of being frightened as a way of entertainment. We have vowed never to get on any rides in the amusement park that will raise our blood pressure or churn our stomachs. 

Unfortunately, many of us have also mellowed spiritually. We prefer not to be emotional or passionate about any thing. Even Christmas has become just another holiday tradition — mildly fun, but hardly exciting. 

For the shepherds, that very first Christmas was an action-packed thriller, filled with all sorts of fear factors. 

Would they still live after witnessing the angels and the glory of God? Humans were not normally allowed into the presence of God's glory! 

How would the Messiah's family receive them? After all, they were only lowly shepherds!

What would others think of them and their story of angels? 

Their story hardly seemed believable.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!" (Luke 2:8-10)

Has the Christmas story become dull?

 

Admittedly, for many of us the Christmas story has become predictably dull. Yes, we know the where and how of Jesus' birth, we know the plot but long have forgotten the purpose of the Nativity, and many even contend that we cannot know the date of the Lord's birth with certainty so why even bother with celebrating it on a certain day? For us, there are no more fear factors — only tradition, routine, and detached discussion. 

What would make this Christmas a little bit more thrilling like that holy night the shepherds first met God's Messiah and their Savior? 

What would open our hearts to the Lord's glory like the shepherds experienced the heavenly host in all of their heavenly glory? 

What risk are we willing to take at Christmas to share in the joy of Jesus' birth like the shepherds? 

Maybe we've forgotten that it's fun ... and thrilling ... and glorious ... joyous ... and holy! 

News Flash: There's just 25 days to Christmas!! He was born so that Man no more may Die. Start rejoicing. 

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A Day of Thanksgiving!

Before I start with todays article, heres a story that will help set the pace.

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As the holiday season approaches I get excited! The thrill of families coming together, enjoying great food, cooler weather, long held traditions, and, of course, great food, is the recipe for my perfect time of year. There are so many traditions and rituals taking place during the holidays it can be difficult to tell one year from the next. The same family members eat the same meals, discussing the same issues, around the same table. 

Only when something changes or a new tradition is born does the year stick out clear in my memory. A year I will never forget was not long ago when a new tradition was started. On Thanksgiving Day as I gathered around the dinner table, it was suggested that we each share the things we are thankful for. I had seen other families practice similar traditions, but this was the first time I was asked to share my list of blessings aloud.

As I went to work compiling my list of things to be thankful for, I started to feel a little embarrassed. How is it that all the Thanksgiving Day’s of my past had come and I had forgotten to actually give thanks? Then I realized just how long of a list I was going to have! A scripture came to mind …

Call out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Be glad as you serve the Lord. Come before Him with songs of joy. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His field. Go into His gates giving thanks and into His holy place with praise. Give thanks to Him. Honor His name. For the Lord is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. And He is faithful to all people and to all their children-to-come (Psalm 100).

What better time to remember our blessings than on a holiday that was meant for giving thanks.

I’ll never forget the feelings of thankfulness I felt on that day. A great tradition had been born.

It can be difficult at times for us to see God’s blessings; the holidays are not always full of good memories. People are forced to deal with tragedies and struggles even on holidays. In difficult times it’s important to remember that “the Lord is God ... We are His people and the sheep of his field.” We can be assured of God’s love for us and find comfort in his blessing. 

In hard times or times of blessing, we are never without thankfulness. We all need an occasional reminder to stop and thank God for his goodness. What better time to remember our blessings than on a holiday that was meant for giving thanks.

- Author Unknown

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From the beginning, this American holiday was not about food and football, as much as it was about reserving a day to celebrate the spirit of thankfulness. It was, and still is, a national reminder to be grateful, and, yes, a calling to reconnect with grace.

Although defined by many as an emotion, I believe thankfulness is a choice — a life choice. Followers of Jesus choose gratitude because they have experienced an undeserved and unexpected outpouring of grace.

As you go through today,  Take a walk and thank God for his grace.
Think about the gifts God has given you in spite of, and in the midst of, your pain and grief, your frustrations and failures, and your mess-ups and bad choices. Your impossible times are more than enough reason for the Thanksgiving season.
Thank HIM for growth and change and understanding that has come through watching others show grace and faith in the middle of adversity.
Thank God for the good you have experienced, especially the good you didn't earn or deserve.
Look for the fingerprints of God in the strangest places and share the spirit of thanksgiving with at least one other person.
Do something that encourages others to be grateful. It's infectious.
Write an unexpected "Thank You" note, or send an email. Unwrap the gift of grace and find the power to choose thanksgiving.

Give thanks, with a greatful heart
Give thanks, to the Holy one..
Give thanks, cos he has Given
Jesus Christ his son..

~GIVE THANKS!~




Olivia Pereira
HSI Media
olivia.hsimt@gmail.com

Small things..Big Value.

This article probably is best described as a sudden realization that came to my own mind. Over the past weeks, the blog featured articles along the lines of making a difference in the world as we know it- there was the article on thinking differently, of God using us no matter our background, of us being the difference and so on. Somewhere down the line I think, I may have missed the "smaller" picture. You will understand what I mean by the end of today’s article, and I hope that you to find as much of a joy in the smaller things there is to Life, as in the big things.

Big things in your time O Lord. And not in mine!

- Olivia

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Is it possible that we have misunderstood, or ignored, the value of small? Jesus saw something in smallness that we may overlook.

Consider these statements:

"'When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'" (Matthew 25:39-40).

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" (Matthew 25:44-46).

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all — he is the greatest" (Luke 9:47-49).

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:19-20).

Jesus saw the value of small. We must learn to pay attention to the small stuff.

We tend to focus on big. Big cars. Big houses. Big churches. Big budgets. Big signs. Big events. Big bank accounts. Big projects. Big attendance. Big numbers. Big buildings.

From the outside looking in, would it appear that we believe that big equals better?

Jesus did not seem to be implying that big is necessarily bad. He also encouraged us to have enough faith to do big things. He emphasized having a faith that will move mountains, faith to walk on water, and that the disciple's faith would enable them to do even greater things than they had seen Him do.

However, we must not forget that those big things begin with something small: faith the size of a mustard seed, taking one step outside of the boat, serving one another, and washing feet. Jesus pointed to children as our example of what "the kingdom is like." He spoke of being the least in the kingdom. He reminds of the importance of simply offering someone a cup of water.

Perhaps we should consider our plans and re-evaluate our approach to life and to ministry. We would do well not to allow ourselves to be so enamoured by the big that we miss the value of the small. It may very well be that the greatest impact you will have this week in the life of another human being will come from doing something small. One conversation. A word of gratitude. A kind comment. A one-on-one conversation. A moment of listening. A small group study. Two or three gathered to pray. A single thoughtful act. A good application of the Scripture. A phone call. A text message. An email. A gentle touch. A note of encouragement. A small gift. An hour of your time.

Just this week, pay attention to small. Let God turn it into something big ... but only if He wants it to be big.

Living in a world of Faithlessness..

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing -Psalm 145:13-16

A man and a woman stand in the front of a church building and promise to love one another “until death separates us.” Troubles come. The joy fades. Temptation gets the best of them. One of them gives in. “I could not help it. It just happened.” They file for divorce. What happened to faithfulness?

The job offer comes with the promise of a hefty salary, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to advance. The economy slides into a slump, a recession, and things change. First come the rumors of about layoffs. Then, come the layoffs. The perks are gone. The retirement is gone. The security is gone. The future is dark. What happened to faithfulness?

The church felt like home. It seemed to be a good fit. People were coming. Numbers were increasing. People were being encouraged. Plans were being made. Life was good. Then, something changed. Plans were changed. Promises were broken. Hearts were broken. Relationships were broken. What happened to faithfulness?

Look to the Lord!

 

There was a day when a man’s word was his bond. A handshake was good enough. A promise was kept. Vows were sacred. How elected figures talked in public was how they lived in private. When politicians made promises they tried to keep them. Something changed. What happened to the faithfulness?

Does faithfulness still exist?

Has faithfulness disappeared?

Perhaps we are looking for faithfulness in the wrong place? As Psalm 145:13-16 indicates, it is the Lord who is faithful. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion endures. He is faithful. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. He satisfies the desires of every living thing.

If the political speeches leave you empty, if personal integrity seems to be missing, and if you are weary of the endless contracts and paper work required to provide proof that the person with whom you are doing business will keep a promise causes you to ask what happened to faithfulness, then look to the Lord.

Look to the Lord, He is faithful. Look to the Lord, He will keep His word. Look to the Lord, His Kingdom will last and His dominion will endure. You can trust Him. You can depend on Him. You can rest in Him. You can rely on Him. He will not betray you, forget you, or reject you. He is faithful.

The Lord is faithful.





Olivia Pereira
HSI Media
olivia.hsimt@gmail.com

Walking Wounded..

God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but for scars. -- Elbert Hubbard

Proverbs 4:23  says, “Guard your heart with all wisdom, for it is the wellspring of life”

The Word of God is full of deep and wonderful truth. Many of us have been advised to “guard our hearts” in friendships. It is indeed wise to guard both our emotions and our expectations. We must be wise, and not needlessly expose ourselves to hurt or disappointment.

Even those of us who have had wonderful families, perhaps Christian families, will know that no person is perfect. We are always going to get let down or hurt at some point. Those of us who have come from more troubled backgrounds will probably have learnt that really you cannot live with your security based on people. Parents and other friends should be an encouragement to us; loving us and being a positive input into our lives. But when this is not the case, we can be devastated. How ever fortunate or not we are with the people we have around is, our security must be in God. He is the one who made us and who loves us like no one else could. Although it is very normal to look for encouragement and approval from those around us, we must not allow disappointment to devastate us if our hopes are not realised.

In this life, we need human companions as well as God for a companion (Genesis 2:18). If there is no one around you at the moment who is providing this friendship, at least in some way, then actively try to find it. Life can become a constant test of survival, where you have no real choice apart from just to accept suffering and to stick it out.

God - The Rock, is secure
It can take time to know healing from our hurts and disappointments, and with this to trust God and truly place him as our security. Disappointment is a nasty enemy. We may hope for just simple, basic things in life. Maybe good friends, or a partner to share our live with. But our track record registers disappointment. However, we need not loose hope when we know God. We may not get all we want or hope for, and this is hard to accept when other people seem happy and are enjoying themselves.

With God, all good things are possible. If it is confidence you need, he can bring it, and if it is a miracle you need, he can answer your prayer. Don’t give up or loose hope, and do gain encouragement and help form where ever you can. If there is some sort of a spiritual curse over your life, which stifles you living in freedom and enjoying good things, then he can break it by his power (Colossians 2:13-15)

Grasping to hope
You may be in the depths of pain and disappointment. It may be of some hope to think that Jesus has always been through worse than us. Perhaps it is as if you are finding it hard to breath, such is the fear and depression that chokes you. Jesus must have experienced this and more as he suffered for us on the cross. We at least get to catch our breath, though we suffer.

When we feel very low or isolated, even very basic recognition from other Christians can lift us and bring us hope. It allows us a wonderful glimpse of God and of how life can be for us on earth. Sometimes we feel that we are hanging on for dear life. A friend once used an image to encourage himself. It was of seeing himself in deep waters, drowning. That’s how he felt at the time. He saw a helicopter - which represented Jesus, hovering over the water, and someone reached down to rescue him from the seas. This brings to mind Psalm 18:16:
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me, he drew me out of deep waters”.

Selfless Trust in God
Healing really can take time. However, we find moments of relief and hope, and quickly learn to take every bit of encouragement that we can get. There is so much hope and encouragement in the Word of God. Don’t ever loose hope when you know God, as he can restore and heal, and he will never leave you. If you do miss out in life, and do not get all that you hope for on earth, he will make things up to you in Heaven. Provision and healing will be made complete. God is perfect, and he will richly reward us if we are faithful, he will not deprive us of good things.

We are all on our way home to Heaven, and on the journey we can know the healing and power of Jesus in our lives. We can know comfort, peace and provision, as well as the privilege of serving others and sharing God with those who do not know him. Hold on, and hold fast to God’s hand. He will never let go. 

You may walk wounded today, but know that the greatest Healer is at work.In His time, He makes ALL things beautiful!!




Olivia Pereira
HSI Media
olivia.hsimt@gmail.com

The Surrendered Life- A Poem

It is the surrendered life
that lives with greatest care
as on the edge of a knife
there is no caution to spare.

For His stewards are we all
in this world of His creation
and we will rise or will fall
on the seas of our expectation.

If this one thing we know
that to us nothing belongs
nor with us will it go
it becomes one of those songs,

That when you sing them out
they float up into the air
for all those who are about
to hear them as you share.

Then the surrendered life is free
when we’ve made this concession
that nothing belongs to me
all things are God’s possession.

When there is nothing to lose
what a wonderous thing it is
and we relinquish as we choose
to surrender what is His!

- Teresa Marie 

Flat on Our Backs.. In Prayer!

2Corinthians 12:9 says - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me  

Sometimes we need God to thrust us into total helplessness to hear what he values most. One man experienced this lesson lying on his back for six weeks.

In  Isaiah 57:15 the Lord says, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

This scripture applies well to Ben Patterson's painful health ordeal.

It was the spring of 1980 when it happened. Ben was an active, motivated minister, constantly putting himself to work at the tasks of building up the church. Then he suffered excruciating lower back pain: two herniated discs! The prescription was total bed rest. Yet because his bed was too soft, he was confined to lying on the floor for six weeks instead. .

It was extremely humiliating, boring, and frustrating. He couldn't preach. He couldn't lead meetings. He couldn't visit people — or do any of the things he wanted to. All he could do was pray. Each day he got out the church directory and prayed for every member of his church as he lay there flat on his back. But after a while, the time spent on his back became sweet.

When he recovered, he said to God, "Lord, this has been great, this praying. It's too bad I don't have time to do this when I go back to work." Then he sensed the Lord saying to him, "Ben, you have the same 24 hours each day when you're weak as when you're strong. The difference is that when you're strong, you think you're in charge."

I hope Ben's story will remind us all that when we stay on our knees, we stop being "lords" and let Jesus be Lord of his church. And when he is Lord, there is power and there is fruit.

John 3:16

 

 

In the city of Chicago, one cold, dark night, a blizzard was setting in. A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner; the people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers.

He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and its awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay." 

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in." So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. 

He looked up and said, "John 3:16 ." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16 ....I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm. 

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food." The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16... Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full. 

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.

The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.
The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible. She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face.

"Do you understand John 3:16 ?" she asked gently. He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it." She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16. .. .. I don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.

-      Authur Unknown

Wow.

You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His only Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die.

I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

The bible verse says John 3:16 : "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

The child and the policemen can be related to the people we meet in our lives daily. Whilst the policeman knew God and knew his love, the child did not know either. Did the policeman turn away when the boy asked for help? He could have- it surly wasn’t his duty to help a stranger find a place to stay in. But was it his duty to help spread the love of Christ to that little boy who dint know where true warmth and comfort rests? YES. It was. Today, it is our responsibility too, and in a world where everyone is so busy, ensuring we shoulder this responsibility is just as important as our lives are to us.

What are we doing today to help bring back a lost soul? Are we even concerned about getting back souls to Christ so that they don’t perish, but can have a share in eternal life with Christ too? You don’t need to only evangelize to be able to get a soul back to Christ. If we haven’t already, let’s start by doing the small things- For instance, not letting your anger get the better of you, forgiving those who have hurt you, bringing your friends along to HSI (or any other catholic outreach) meetings you attend or even taking them along when you go to Church.

Eternal Life… I’m definitely ensuring that many people get a share of that as I go along! I hope you will too.

P.S- Todays a good day to start bringing back souls to Christ, get your friends along!- We have Swapna Abraham (world-renowned known Worship singer) with us for the second time at our meeting in Jebel Ali. I hear it’s going to be AWSOME!

Olivia Pereira

HSI Media

Olivia.hsimt@gmail.com

 

No sickness is to BIG for our GOD!

Freeda's testimony- Healed from Breast Cancer.

As you all know, this week has been dedicated to show support for the Global Breast Cancer Campaigns happening all around the world. In keeping with the same, we give to you Freeda's testimony, of how she was healed from breast cancer.

Freeda has been a member of the HSI for a good number of months now, and testified to what God had done in her life at one of our HSI meetings in Jebel Ali.

Our God is a God of big things! and this shows us how, even an illness such as cancer- which is known to be almost incurable, cannot stop our God from working in our lives if, we only have what it takes- FAITH.

Praise God! for all the wonderful things He is doing in your life right now, and for all the many problems that you are confronted with daily.

In Faith, no war is lost :)

Olivia Pereira

HSI Media

Olivia.hsimt@gmail.com

 

In case you are having any streaming issues, please see below:
Direct link to Freeda's testimony:         http://www.youtube.com/user/hsiglobal#p/a/u/4/C3FcyN-Am_8
Direct link tothe HSI Youtube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/hsiglobal#g/a

 

Learning to love those you loathe!

  

You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.”-Lewis B. Smedes

I’m sure all of us have people in our lives that we hate, dislike and/or love to avoid whenever possible. The reasons for this could be many- though the most popular one is the fact that they would have hurt us somewhere along the way. To hurt someone however, is a 2 way road. The human tendency is to hurt those who hurt us- this may not be hurting them with words or  physically hurting them, but even ignoring the person who hurt you or  backstabbing and gossiping about them can very much be termed as hurting . How did Jesus deal with the people who hurt him?

Jesus’ walk to Calvary. Take a moment to picture it. Surrounded by multitudes of people who were all ready to hurt Jesus, He saw it through to the end. The hurt he faced was not just limited to words. He faced physical brutality as well- He was spat on, slapped, stripped of his clothes, teased, lashed a countless number of times.. And he held his ground, walked the path and did not even protest. If this wasn’t Jesus loving those who hated him, what other explanation is there?

Jesus loved us- the sinners that we all are, enough to give up his life for us. Jesus loved the people that nailed him to the cross enough for Him to ask His Heavenly Father, to “forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Refer to Luke 23:34).

If Jesus could love so endlessly, why can we not strive to love those who we try so hard to hate? It all boils down to forgiveness. To forgive another, is a very difficult task. When we are unforgiving, we store up a lot of hatred and revenge in our hearts and this leads to unhappiness, depression, anxiety attacks, loneliness and unkindness towards others. Once we forgive, we find that this weight is lifted from our lives. We are able to love again- we are free!

Looking at the Word of God, in Matthew 18:21, Jesus says we should forgive "seventy times seven". Again in Matthew 18:23-34, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as one which is open to those who forgive, and says that all those who do not forgive are handed over to the torturers. It is important to note that even when Jesus was teaching the apostles how to pray, He taught them to pray that they be forgiven as they forgive (Refer to Matthew 6:12). In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, "If you forgive the faults of others, your Heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you."

Let us bring to mind all those people who have hurt us in any way, and those we may have hurt as well. Take time to forgive them. Learning to love those you loathe starts and ends with forgiveness.

Olivia Pereira

HSI Media

Olivia.hsimt@gmail.com

Mother

Infancy:

                      The times I wailed and howled without reason -You were there.

         The times I fell in spite of your strong hand - You were there.

         The times I was stubborn and had my way - You were there.

         The feed you filled me with despite your struggles - You were there.

Teenage:

          During my years of growing up - You showed me the way.

          Through my fears of new developments - You showed me the way.

          Through making decisions of love and hate - You showed me the way.

          Through my years of molding into an adult - You showed me the way.

Adulthood:

          To strengthen my career - You encouraged me.

          To select a friend to cherish - You encouraged me.

          In my frustration and discouragement - You encouraged me.

          Through my fears of settling down - You encouraged me.

O Mother Most Pure and Holy,

          Chaste and Immaculate art thou addressed,

O Mother Divine and full of Grace,

          Thou ne’er ceased thy love and care,

Shelter me within thy mantle of love & tenderness,

          Never to falter, never to snare.

Thou who came in the form of my mother on earth,

I give my all unto thee,

To mold and redo that which is left undone,

To be a parent like unto thee,

To impart values and strengths to generations on end,

To love and hold ever so close -

O Mother of mine - Most Pure and Holy- Never to part, I pray,

Ever from thee. 

          - By Maria Noronha