Little 'sins'

These magnificent banyan trees growing out of these buildings, unchallenged, reminds me of the verse in the Bible: Song of Solomon 2:15 - "...Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom...". 

So often it is these 'little sins' that are left unchecked in our life, that cause our downfall. These trees were once very small - now they have put out their roots and have threatened the very structure they live on. The tree grows out of the 3rd floor, and is so big that birds nest in it.  And the worst part is that no one notices while they put out their roots into the superstructure - deep, until one day, it becomes un-manageable, unfortunately, too late!

 

I challenge myself and you dear reader to examine whether there are any small 'foxes' that are nibbling away at our roots causing us to wither away, and not be what God intends us to grow up into.

Get going!

I have been inactive on this page for quite some time now. Possible, due a geographical transplant! Bhutan to Mumbai!! However, with a firm resolution to  post at least one picture a week, here it comes. 

On the way from my work place, to the new data centre which we are constructing, a journey by an auto-rickshaw costing around 80 rupees, is this old van. It is complete with its number plate, its tires, upholstery, and even its engine! But it goes no where. 

 
Aren't we folks sometimes like this? We have all that we need, yet are static. Lets get a mechanic over, and get some life into us. P.S. (God is often the best mechanic - after all, it is HE who has made us!!

Today was mum's 85th Birthday. Mum and Dad did not have a comfortable life, but despite all the odds against them, they managed to raise the two of us and while Dad went on to be with the Lord in 1989, Mum has lived on to see her grandchildren.

They had little, yet lived a joyful life in Calcutta, far far away from home. I remember the coal-steam engine train rides back to home every Christmas - used to take 5 days between Calcutta and Trivandrum, with no modern travel comforts, coal dust in the eyes, etc.. But they enjoyed life, contributed to the church and to society. She is 85 now and in the sunset of her life. We her children and grandchildren have much more and more comforts than they could ever hope to have - yet we  still have not been able to imbibe the principles they followed. They have left us examples of joyful sacrifice and i can only hope that we will follow their footsteps. Happy birthday Mum!

Mothballing our principles?

Christmas and New Year, like the seasons of the year, have come and gone. Just like the umbrellas during the rains and the woolens in winter are mothballed till the next year, the lights and the glitter have been packed up into storage. Today I took down our 6-year old star – a miracle that it has survived so far considering that it is exposed to the elements day and night - and mothballed it too.

Just wondering what makes Christmas and New Year so special? A celebration initially confined to the Christian community, it has now transcended boundaries. What about the principles, the foundation, and beliefs about Christmas? We talk so much about them during the season, preach it aloud from every pulpit, and sing about it caroling door to door.

Are these packed up and mothballed too? Or do they remain with us right through the year, guiding our thoughts and actions?

Till 25^th Dec 2014, Adieus!

The beckoning

Much time has passed since I posted my last blog - Bhutan now re-beckons! and the temptation to travel is strong. Would have been there by now if I had not had my accident and  was grounded. This time, not with Thimphu TechPark, but with New Edge Technologies and with Bhutan Data Centre Services, the company that runs the IDC inside the park. A new challenge stares at me now. My passport expires in July 2014. If I do not enter Bhutan my 31 Dec, I will not be able to travel! And the trains on Wed, Thurs and Fri  are on Regret-waitlist...

Powerful Cleaners.

As i will be going back to Bhutan tomorrow and focusing on Data Centre Sales activity, I bought 4 white Van Huesen shirts. Used to wear white shirts - Arrow -  5 days a week while I was with Siemens, but had to give up because  it turned brown before noon - thanks to Bangalore's high  pollution levels. However the most important purchase of the day was Robin Cuffs and Collars.

 As every wife knows, that's the only cleaning agent that can get the grime off the collar. Which reminds me of the ole song - "What can wash away me sin? Nothing but the Blood of Jesus, What can make me white again, Nothing but the blood of Jesus..." The Bible says: The Blood of Jesus purifies us from ALL sin..."! THAT's the only cleansing agent we require.

Good to be back in Bangalore

After a gap of three months, I am back in Bangalore from Bhutan, and will return to Thimphu this coming Friday. I want to restart blogging - was buried under work these 3 months, and turned off due to poor internet connectivity!
The first thing that struck me was the hundreds of "up to 50%SALE" hoardings all around. Prices will go back to normal from March onwards. Picked up a good pair of Skechers Rs 4,000 running shoe at 50% discount and a good Rs. 7,400 Puma running shoe at 70% discount at Shoppers' Stop.

Kept me thinking - the prices will go back to their high levels from 1st March. However, the love of God is forever free! Jesus paid the price once and for all. No discount sales in God's time frame. His love and salvation is now free, for ever free, to set us free!