BEING B-U-S-Y (The Devil’s Convention)

BEING B-U-S-Y (The Devil’s Convention)

Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said “We can’t keep the Christians from going to church. We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can’t even keep them from conservative values.

But we can do something else. We can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.

So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time so they can’t gain that experience in Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”

“How shall we do this?” shouted his angels.

“Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent unnumbered schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.

“Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, then borrow, borrow, borrow. Convince the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6 or 7 days a week, 10 to 12 hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work.”

“Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that small still voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive, to keep the TV, VCR, DVDs, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical, contradictory music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”

“Fill their coffee-tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk-mail, sweepstakes, mail-order catalogues and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.”

“Even in their recreation let them be excessive. Have them return from the recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week. Don’t let them go out to nature to reflect on God’s wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead.”

“And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions.”

“Let them be involved in soul-winning, but crowd their lives with so many causes that they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”

It was quite a convention in the end. The evil angels went to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and rush here and there.

Has the devil been successful in his scheme?

You be the judge.

How about this definition of BUSY: Being Under Satan’s Yoke

Satan’s goal is to take our minds away from Christ and steer us towards the cares of the world. God wants us to enjoy life, but He must be first. If we are too busy for God, then we are too busy!

Has the devil been successful at his scheme? You be the judge.

PRAYER FOR THE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

O Jesus meek and humberl of heart, here me, Deliver me..

from the desire of being loved,
from the desire of being extolled,
from the desire of being honoured,
from the desire of being praised,
from the desire of being preferred to others,
from the desire of being consulted,
from the desire of being approved,
from the fear of being humiliated,
from the fear of being despised,
from the fear of being suffering rebuke,
fromt he fear of being forgotten,
from the fear of being wronged,
from the fear of being susptected.

And, also grant me the grace to desire

that others might be loved more than I,
that others may be esteemed more than I,
that in the opinion of the world others may incraese and i may decrease,
that others may be chosen and i set aside,
that others may be praised and i unnoticed,
that others may be preferred to me in everything,
that others may become holier than I, provided that i become as holy as I should be.

AMEN.

HISTORY OF THE BIBLE

How did we get the Bible?

The Bible is a book of revelation, revealing the great plan of God for humankind. It is a book of communication from God to man. God inspired many people over a period of time, from different places, revealed His purpose and plan for humankind. Thus the Bible in its written form is a sum total of oral traditions of faith communities spanning a period of about 1500 years. The “authors” were inspired by God to write with the result that in spite of diversity of writers there is oneness and a systematic unfolding of God’s plan of salvation for humankind.

The Bible is divided into two sections, one is called the Old Testament, and the other is called the New Testament. The Old Testament is written in Hebrew language and the New Testament in Greek language. A few sections of the Old Testament and a few words in the New Testament are written in Aramaic language.

Writing Materials :

In ancient times, various materials served as writing surfaces. Texts cut in stones were often found popular. Later on, wood and metals were also used as writing surfaces. Over a period of time clay, bone, wood, leather, various metals, potsherds, and parchment were used as writing surface.

Both the Old Testament and New Testament were written on parchment (made from specially treated animal skins) or papyrus (marsh reeds hammered together), which were rolled up for storage. The writing on the scroll was done using reed pens and ink made from carbon, gum and oil.

CodexDuring the second century A.D. the scroll began to be replaced by “codex”, the ancestor of our book with pages. The codex was made of pages folded and fastened together. Sometimes codex had covers like modern books. Codex became popular because it was easy to be carried and also it was easier to find a particular passage as compared to the scroll.

Translations:

The first translation of the Scriptures was the translation of the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek in Alexandria during 3rd century B.C. In the 2nd century A.D. the Bible was translated into Latin and was called Latin Vulgate. In the 5th century A.D. the Bible was translation into Anglo Saxon language. In the 14th century A.D., it was translated into English. The printing process was not yet invented at that time so copies were made by handwriting.

Printed Bible:

When John Gutenberg made the printing machine in Europe, the first book to roll out of this printing press was the Latin Bible. The first English New Testament was printed in 1525 A.D. The most popular translation of the Bible in English is called the King James Version, which was published in the year 1611 A.D. This Bible is used in many universities around the world for teaching English language. Later on, many other translations in English like RSV, NIV, GNB, and many other versions were published. The translation of the Bible in other languages of the world also continued. As on today the Bible has been translated and printed in 364 languages of the world.

Christian following in India is as old as Christianity itself. A very strong tradition attests that one of the disciples of Christ, Saint Thomas preached Christianity to the Southwest of our country in the first century A.D. However the Bible movement took off in a big way only about two centuries ago with the pioneering and prolific translations work in several languages undertaken by the Serampore trio of missionaries led by William Carey. This tradition was concurrently upheld and is carried on to the present by the movement of the Bible Society of India which took its birth in Calcutta in 1811 A.D.The motto of the Society is to translate the word of God in languages, which people can understand, and produce the scriptures (normally in book form) at a price people could afford to buy. The Bible Society works together with many organizations in India to translate the Bible into various languages of India. The Bible is now available in 49 Indian languages.

Contents of the Bible:

Old Testament contains
Narratives beginning from the creation of the worldMan’s separation from GodManifestations of God’s grace and love.God’s dealing with people, the Ten CommandmentsThe history of the Jewish peoplePoetry and wisdom literatureProphetic writings


New Testament contains
Gospels narrating the birth, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Activities of the disciples of Jesus ChristWritings of the disciples of Jesus ChristProphetic writing

COURTESY: BIBLE SOCIETY OF INDIA

33% Indians likely to get H1N1: Azad

33% Indians likely to get H1N1: Azad

Admitting that the no government measure could prevent the spread of the H1N1 influenza in India, Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Sunday that around one-third of the Indian population was likely to get infected with the virus over the next two years, in accordance with WHO predictions. But most people would suffer only mild symptoms of the disease, he added.
``It's a global pandemic. If countries across the world - around 168 till now - are suffering from a H1N1 outbreak, so will India. We are, however, lucky that it didn't start from here,'' Azad told TOI in an interview.
However, Azad had one clear message - there is no need to panic as India is still much better off than most countries across the globe who have been hit harder by the pandemic.
Azad said India, which till Sunday recorded 864 positive cases of H1N1 with four deaths, was still in the early days of the outbreak. ``We will see many more positive cases of H1N1 infection and maybe more deaths, exactly similar to what is happening across the globe. The virus is highly contagious. People should self report and not wait for government to track them down,'' he added.
According to him, it hasn't even reached the pandemic stage in India. Azad, praising India's phenomenal job in keeping the virus quiet for so long, said industrialized countries such as UK, US, Canada, Australia and Argentina were reporting positive cases in lakhs every week.
``In England, there were 30,000 cases of H1N1 last week and 1.10 lakh cases the week before. Around 36 people have died there so far. In Argentina, they have registered a total of 7.62 lakh cases of flu of which 93% are H1N1 infections. They have had 337 deaths,'' the minister said.
"The US, which has stopped recording positive cases, has at present 6,506 people hospitalized with H1N1 infection and 436 deaths. In Australia, there are around 30,000 confirmed H1N1 cases with 85 deaths. So you can understand the intensity of the virus spread. In comparison, till yesterday India had 782 positive H1N1 cases of which 511 have been treated and discharged and 271 are under treatment. We have recorded four deaths till now,'' he added.
According to the health minister, two of India's innovative interventions - entry screening at airports and ports and mass scale contact tracing - have proved a saver. ``Or else, by now we would have had crores of H1N1 infected people,'' Azad said.
He said India's interventions had been applauded globally. ``We have till now screened over 45 lakh passengers in 22 international airports. Every third H1N1 positive case in India was identified through airport screening. And then we tracked down every single person the infected patient may have come in contact with, looking for H1N1 symptoms in them. Till now, over 8,000 contacts of infected patients have been traced and given prophylactic treatment besides those who were found to be H1N1 positive,'' he said.
On what discussions took place when he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the latest deaths, Azad said, ``It was a simple review meeting. The PM wanted to know what the ministry was doing. He made no suggestions.'' On what India was doing as part of its control and containment operations, he said, ``We are starting an exclusive H1N1 influenza website on Monday which will tell people about do's and don'ts, where to go for clinical assessment and testing, statewise situation of the pandemic, phone numbers and names of labs and hospitals one should approach and total number of cases and deaths being reported due to H1N1. However it will not have a flu tracker as of now which will tell you whether you should report to authorities on typing down your symptoms,'' Azad said.
Meanwhile, Azad wasn't happy about schools across India shutting down because their students tested positive. In Delhi, the privately run Sanskriti School closed down for a week after three students tested positive for swine flu, including one who recently visited Britain.
``Till now, it is clear that the virus is city centric. Not a single case has come up from the villages. Shutting a school wouldn't mean you can stop students from attending parties and meeting friends in the evening where they can get the infection. Schools must stay open,'' Azad told TOI.
WHO had earlier said that by the end of the pandemic, anywhere between 15-45% of a population will have been infected by the new pandemic virus. If one takes the mid-point figure, 30%, it'll mean 2 billion people getting the infection, WHO said.
India on Sunday recorded 82 new cases of H1N1 - Delhi 13, Pune 34, Mumbai 12, Chennai 7, Goa 4, Vadodara 3, Calicut 2, Hyderabad 2, Gurgaon 2, Trivandrum 1, Sirsa (Haryana) 1 and Trissur 1. In Delhi out of the 13 cases, 12 are contact cases. All the 34 cases in Pune are indigenous cases, mostly school and social contacts with no travel history.
In Mumbai, out of 12 cases, 11 cases are indigenous ones. Chennai too reported seven cases, all indigenous.
According to the ministry, there are six cases who are still admitted in Sassoon Hospital, Pune, out of which the condition of three are critical.

Courtesy: The times of India 10/08/09

'Royal Order of Sahametrei' to Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing

The Royal Government of Cambodia has awarded its prestigious "Royal Order of Sahametrei" to Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, Asia Pacific Bureau Chief of AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

The 'Royal Order of Sahametrei' is a medal of honour conferred primarily on foreigners who have rendered distinguished services to the King and to the Nation by Royal Decree of His Majesty, the King of Cambodia.

This award recognizes Dr. Thangsing's exemplary contribution and dedication towards humanitarian services rendered by him and the organization for the people living with HIV/AIDS and general public in Cambodia. The selfless and passionate mission has saved many lives and restores dignity and hope for many people infected and affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cambodia.

The "Royal Order of Sahametrei" was conferred after a citation by His Excellency Professor Mam Bun Heng, The Honorable Minister of Health, on behalf of the Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Cambodia on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009. The Honorable Minister announced, "This is a big honor and my proud privilege to hand over the 'Sahametrei' to you, to honor and recognize your selfless dedication and contribution to better the lives of our people."
Accepting the award Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing said, "I am deeply honored and humbled for being awarded the prestigious 'Royal Order of Sahametrei.' My heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the Royal Government of Cambodia - The Ministry of Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STI (NCHADS) AIDS Healthcare Foundation and to the highly committed wonderful AHF Cambodia Cares team for this tremendous, tremendous honor. This award is a tribute just not for me but to all those who willingly endeavor and risk their lives, energy, strength, wisdom and have the courage to fight for the underserved and unserved and for those who cannot do it themselves."

Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, MBBS, FCAMS, son of Paokhosoi Thangsing, graduated from North Eastern Regional Medical College and was a Postgraduate Fellow of the Christian Academy of Medical Sciences trained in Applied Psychology, HIV/AIDS. He has to date dedicatedly worked for over twenty years as a physician, HIV specialist, an activist in the fight for HIV/AIDS. He is the Asia Pacific Bureau Chief of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, United States of America. AHF Asia Pacific bureau operates in Cambodia, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal.
Michael Weinstein, President - AIDS Healthcare Foundation in his congratulatory message said, "What a great honor. We are all brimming with pride. We don't do this work for the glory, but recognition such as this only confirms the importance of what we do. Lal, on behalf of the entire AHF family, please accept my hearty congratulations. May this medal spur you to new heights of achievement - for when you achieve - so many people benefit. I know that this will be the first of many honors that you will receive for your contributions to humanity."
Dr. Chhim Sarath, AHF Cambodia Cares - Country Program Manager said with pride, "This recognition not only honors the leadership of Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing but the entire family of AHF and this is truly an encouraging, inspiring and great motivator. I am very happy and proud for this is a wonderful day for us all in Cambodia. We are highly inspired and we shall do better and be a stronger team."

In 2005, AHF signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health, National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STI Control (NCHADS) and Ministry of Defence, Preah Ket Mealea Hospital of the Royal Government of Cambodia to collaborate and provide a comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support program in Cambodia. Currently, AHF Cambodia Cares operates at 11 sites.

The programs focused on technical and financial assistance ensuring the provision of high quality ART treatment and management services and strengthening of continuum of care services, networks and partnership with collaborators and all relevant stakeholders. The sites are Preah Ket Mealea, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Stung Treng, Koh Thom, Romeas Heik, Pea Reang, Kirivong, Ang Roka, Sampov Meas and Oddar Meanchey. Today, this landmark collaborative program provides life saving services including antiretroviral treatment to over 6,000 patients. (ANI/Business Wire India)

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US’ largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to over 95,000 patients 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia Pacific. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org.

AHF Cambodia Cares ART centers provide testing, psycho-social support services and anti-retroviral treatment including both pediatric and second-line treatment. The facilities provide comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment and holistic services, and serve as one-stop shops for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). Currently AHF Cambodia Cares serves the Cambodian people through 11 centers and caters over 6,000 people with HIV/AIDS working with NCHADS and other local and international stakeholders.

In the Asia/Pacific region, AIDS Healthcare Foundation currently provides free anti-retroviral treatment services to people in need through its clinics in Cambodia, India, Thailand, Viet Nam, China and Nepal.

Targeted by angry mob, police watching, Christians flee after their houses burnt

(Orissa), August 27: For 21-year-old Pushpalata Digal, a first-year Sociology Master’s student at Phulbani Government College, for her sisters, for her brother and her father John Nayek, a retired Orissa police havildar, life since Monday has been a trauma. Their wait today is for a relief camp. For, they have visited home after home in their neighbourhood asking for shelter only to be refused because they are Christians. Their house in the Amlapada area, right next to the District Collectorate, was ransacked and its belongings torched on the morning of August 25 by a procession mourning the death of Swami Lakshamananda Saraswati. The procession was escorted by police who, eyewitnesses said, looked the other way. Several houses belonging to Christians were ransacked all along the procession route. The victims range from retired police officers to a retired Additional District Magistrate.

A number of orphanages in the town faced a similar fate. In more remote villages, the situation is worse — Christian families, including women and children, are leaving their villages and fleeing to adjacent hills and forests. “The only clothes my two sisters and I have are what we are wearing,” says Pushpalata, in tears. “There’s nothing else left in or of our house. It was around 8 am on Monday when a procession of Swamiji’s followers was passing by. Suddenly, around 100 men, armed with iron rods and lathis, attacked or house and tried to break in. My brother Moses, my sister Taruni and I stood with our backs to the door but we failed to stop them barge in. We somehow escapes through our back door.” The charred heap in front of the house includes burnt clothes, rupee notes, furniture, TV set and a scooter. “The policemen stood right there along the mob and watched the entire scene,” said Pushpalata. “Today, we are going door to door in the neighbourhood begging for shelter only to be refused because we are Christians.” “I served the Orissa police force loyally for years,” said her father. “And now this is what I get in return. I saw policemen in uniform and arms standing near my house and watching people set it on fire. Till now, no police official or government men has come to us and ask about our plight,” said John.

Next door to the Nayeks is a Christian orphanage where 15 children are huddled together in the back room, the only one spared by the mob. “After the Nayek’s house they came to ours. I just ran away with the children. Now we have no food, no gas and are living under fear. These children are my responsibility. I only have some rice left to last a couple of days more. With the curfew on and out of fear, I cannot even go out,” said Haseena Mishra, the widow who runs the orphanage.
The day was a nightmare for 11-year-old Hemant Kumar Nayek in the orphanage. “There were so many people shouting outside. Our Ma’am told us to pray and we held each other’s hands. When they came in, we ran away,” said Hemant. “I do not know. Ma’am said they were bad people,” said Hemant, when asked who were the outsiders. The family of 80-year-old Prafulla Nayek, former ADM of Kandamal, shared the same fate. His house was attacked and ransacked. “I called the police for help but no one responded. The mob were able to ransack the front portion of the house. What can I say?” said Prafulla Nayek. Even now, there is no sign of police or security at the homes of the victims. More serious is the situation in rural areas, including Baliguda, Chakapada, Barakhamba, K Nuagan, where rows of houses belong to the minority community have been burnt or ransacked.

Hundreds have fled their homes, most of them to the nearby hills. At Kanjamendi Colony at K Nuangan, there are only a few Christian families staying, with around 10 houses ransacked. After a 7-km trek up the Damberi Parvat, The Indian Express caught up with a group of villagers who have taken shelter in the forest. Men, women and children perched atop a hill with whatever is left of their belongings. “Over 300 people fled our village and have taken shelter in the forest since last Monday. After the mob attacked our village we took all we can and came here. Here we have almost nothing to eat, there is a constant downpour, our children are sick. But we are alive, thanks to God,” said Kanu Chandra Nayek, a bag on his back. His wife Sukumari and children Manas (10) and Sanjita (18) were with him. According to them, a mob attacked and ransacked their houses in the colony of the morning of August 25. “We called the police when we were attacked. Nobody has come until now,” said Hilton Nayek, an advocate in Baliguda court. He said he could neither go back to his home nor visit the court. Asked about their plight, Kishan Kumar, Collector of Kandamal, said: “We will arrange for relief camps shortly. This includes in areas like Firingia, G Udaygiri, Tikabali and K Nuagan.”

When asked about complaints of police inaction, DIG R P Kuche said: “We are doing our best to control the violence and protect the innocent. The process takes some time. I will look into the matter of police personnel present during any vandalism. Our priority is to restore law and order.” Said Saytabrata Sahu, Divisional Revenue Commissioner of Kandamal: “We are trying to provide relief to everyone affected. We have formed peace committees. This is all I can say.”

-Ravik Bhattacharya

The Indian Express.

RELIEF BY 2010 (Car to run of fuel from waste)

Vehicles will soon run on fuel made from household waste as a chemical company in Britain has found a way to make bioethanol from rubbish. INEOS, world’s third largest chemical company, said it had patented a method of producing fuel from municipal solid waste, agricultural waste and organic commercial waste and it planned to sell the bioethanol fuel in industrial quantities by 2010. The bioethanol that INEOS produces will have to be combined with a fossil fuel as very few cars in Britain run solely on bioethanol. Peter Williams, the chief executive of INEOS Bio, told the Times: “This should mean that, unlike with other biofuels, we won’t have to make the choice between food and fuel.” Williams said the company planned to produce commercial amounts of bioethanol fuel for cars from waste within two years. INEOS claims that it can produce about 400 litres of ethanol from one tonne of dry waste. The new process works by heating the waste to produce gases, then feeding the gases to bacteria, which produce ethanol that can be purified into a fuel. The development of fuel from waste could be a relief for motorists who have watched pump prices soar. According to the report, INEOS is talking to authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe about selling the fuel when it is made on an industrial scale. The company began research into the biochemical process about 20 years ago in Arkansas. A pilot plant was built and researchers have been working with a variety of waste materials since 2003. PTI