Rustling Leaves

I forgot to mention here in this blogosphere space of mine... It's almost two years now (wow). It shows you how savvy a marketer and self-promoter I am (not) for my own publication.  I published a book 'Rustling Leaves: Psalms for the Season of the Soul". It's a collection of personal poems written in Hebrew style of writing (poorly in English) accompanied by some thought-provoking questions with space where you can put your prayers, thoughts, and journal if you want to. 

Here are some promotional video links for you to enjoy: 

Check it out at the Rustlingleaves.us website.  I was able to create some digital music and, with the help of my friend and outstanding designer, to bring some doodles and visions to life with some amazing artwork that you will find and enjoy in the book as well as on artwork frame and merch you can buy at Charis Clarion's Shopify Store  at https://charisclarion.myshopify.com/

The whole book is also an app that you can download.  Check out the Instagram reel here for a preview, or head over to the Android or iOS app store to download the Rustling Leaves app. 

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Many more books coming from the Charis Clarion stable this year. Watch out, and hopefully, I will not be too lousy, lazy, or lapse in posting here and will do my part of promoting :) 

Rest and Resilience

I just finished one of my favorite author's books, 'Resilient.' Oh! What a book, another classic, John Eldredge. It is a little late, but it is a fast read, a profound and deeply needed message in a world gone mad and accelerating in madness since COVID. I would like to write a few takeaways from the book for my soul, but it would take more than one post. Hence, I am choosing to pen down some beautiful thoughts from John's language (all quotes in italics)  and interspersing my own thoughts and then turn my heart's attention to the treasures of Psalm 23 that I recite every day in my meditation, a deeper life-giving source of the Shepherd of my soul.

                "Our longing for life to be good again will be the battleground for our heart. How you             shepherded this precious longing, and if you shepherd it all, will determine your fate in this life and the life to come." 

 A skill in Chapter One, John recommends building is positioning our hearts to receive the River of Life.

            "The story of God should get more of your 'attention time' than any other media. 

Keeping our heart's attention on God and His perspective keeps us from anxiety and being drawn into the drama and madness of our age that leads to desolation. 

            "When you grow up in a world where everything is done with a few clicks on your phone, it doesn't exactly develop resilience." 

            "Resilience is also bestowed, something imparted by God into our frail humanity. That's truly good news".

Deepening our love for Abba Father, Jesus, and our Holy Spirit positions us to prevail and receive supernatural graces. 

        "If you've ever experienced the comfort of God or the love of God, that was heaven coming to you here on earth."

 The battle is for our hearts. The battle is always for our hearts. Our Father knows we need deep reserves, and our communion and loving Him build these deep reserves. It is from deep within our hearts that will flow living waters, and the source of those waters is the One who has taken the throne of our hearts. 

John talks of Eden Glory our hearts yearn for it, our hearts yearn for life to be good again. Perhaps our hearts also yearn for the New Jerusalem where God, His light, and His presence are always there. 

    "Resilience is bestowed upon us by being adored and by experiencing our deep hunger satisfied with overwhelming abundance. 

We receive our early nourishment from our mothers, the assurance of security and abundance. John uses the word mother-desolation. We all have had father and mother wounds, but God knows this of our imperfect parents and their failing and promised that He is the source of being the perfect Father and Mother for us. He promises us in Psalm 27 - though your father and mother forsake you, I will not forsake you (paraphrase mine). Isaiah 49:15  - "Can a mother forget the baby at the breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!". God loves us more tenderly, irrevocably, and deeply than the best of Fathers and mothers. 

The skill John advocates we develop is receiving attachment and the assurance of abundance. 

    "The battle taking place over the human heart can be described as Satan using every form of seduction and threat to take our hearts captive and our loving Jesus doing everything he can to form a single-heartedness in us."

Sanctification is an ongoing process, and daily communion with Jesus reveals our need to bring Him to the unconverted places of our hearts. 

    "No matter how promising an idea sounds, if God's not in it, you don't want to be in it either."

    "As we seek to convert our unconverted places and take hold of the strength that prevails, we need to bodyguard our faith and our Eden's hearts back to Jesus."

    "Every time your Eden longings rise up in you, give them to Jesus. There is no other safe place"

I think Chapter 8 is the heart of John's message in Resilient. Digging Deep within us. 

    "Like a tree sends its roots down deep into the subterranean world, we must learn to tap into the presence of God where He resides within us, deep in our inmost being"

In my personal writing journal yesterday I wrote about eight pages brewing, meditating on this.  In our busy schedules, to-do's, ambitious agendas, and nano-split second distraction instant gratification culture, we never seem to rise from our shallow surface-level encounters with God, or if we descend a little deeper, we get lost in the midlands of the chokes, fears, and concerns of our lives. Descending deep into our souls to be alone with God is not only a spiritual discipline that is much needed, but it begins with loving Him and receiving His love deeply. Knowing, truly knowing our need and our place to be the Beloved. 

    "I am readjusting my life around recovery and resilience - this is my orientation now." 

----------------

Today, in my morning reading, Psalm 23 struck for me again the deep love of my Shepherd.  Psalm 23:2 in the passion translation (a relatively new translation - I like its freshness) - "He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brooks of bliss." - I love how the translation uses this language and expression as a good shepherd knows where to pasture and take his flock. These green meadows would be a resting place free from fears. The Greek verb "to love" is 'agapao', a merging of two words and concepts. 'Ago' means "to lead like a shepherd," and 'pao' is a verb that means "to rest." Love is our Shepherd, leading us to proper rest in His heart. The Hebrew word 'menu' means "the waters of a resting place" (Isaiah 11:10) 

I love not only the imagery, but I am also on to something here. Rest in Him creates resilience, in fact, reserves and lots of reserves of resilience. It may feel like we have to dig deep, but the good news is He is already here, the Good Shepherd who has lifted us up and is carrying us back to lay in the abundance of green pastures. Eden is indeed here and now when we realize this truth and keep loving Him. 

The word the Lord gave me for this year was "Rest," but for the last few years, it has been "abundance." In reality, my heart yearns and wants to believe it so, but perhaps, and maybe just maybe, He has been doing just that, and it is time my soul awakens from the slumber and truly rests so the resilience that is in Him continues to bubble up as those streams of living waters that not just fulfill so I can survive but thrive in the midst of whatever season it is. 

Shalom and Blessings, 

Dr. Sam Kurien

Smoking Firepot and Flaming Torch

During my quiet time, I reflected on God’s incredible promises to Abraham and His covenant with him. It struck me how truly amazing our God is. In Genesis 15, we find a profound account where God symbolically reveals the sacrifice He would one day make. Through this encounter, God reassured Abraham and gave him a glimpse of His unchanging faithfulness and grace.

Let us pick the story from the scriptures here: 

  4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring[d] be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” 8 But Abram said,
“Sovereign Lord, how can I know I will gain possession of it?” 9 The Lord told him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” 10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two, and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward, they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation, your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” 17 When the sun had set, and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants, I give this land, from the Wadi[e] of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—

(NIV Genesis 14:4-18)

In ancient times, covenants were sealed in a manner foreign to us today. The symbolism of the split animals sounds gross to us, but it was in those times when a convent was made between two people, and blood was a signature binding the two parties entering into that covenant.  The cut animals were put on the left and the right, and both parties agreeing and entering into the covenant are supposed to walk through them and in the blood that was spilled, signifying that may it be to me like these animals if this covenant was broken to be torn apart if I failed to keep the covenant. 

But here’s what’s extraordinary. God, knowing humanity’s sinful nature and inevitable failures, took the covenant upon Himself. Abraham saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch—representations of God’s presence—pass between the pieces. Abraham did not walk through. God alone committed to fulfilling the covenant, unconditionally binding Himself to His promises.

This moment was not just a ritual; it was a profound act of grace. The smoke symbolized God’s mystery and divine power, while the fire represented His purity, holiness, and consuming presence. These symbols echo other moments in Scripture, such as the pillar of cloud and fire that guided the Israelites (Exodus 13:21-22). They show God’s faithful guidance and His purifying work in His people.

The significance of this covenant cannot be overstated:

• The sacrifice: The split animals and spilled blood underscored the seriousness of the covenant, pointing to the cost of sin and redemption (Leviticus 17:11).
• God’s commitment: Only the firepot and torch passed through, symbolizing that God alone would bear the burden of fulfilling the covenant.
• A foreshadowing of Christ: God’s promise to take the penalty for any broken covenant looked ahead to Jesus, who bore the ultimate cost to secure our redemption (Galatians 3:16).

God’s message to Abraham—and to us—is clear: Even when you fail, I will remain faithful. The flaming torch cutting through the darkness reflects God’s promise to illuminate our paths and provide hope in uncertainty. It is a beautiful assurance of His unfailing love.

May we find comfort in the faithfulness of the God who fulfills His promises and goes before us in love and grace.

Shalom and blessings,

Dr. Sam Kurien

Revelation - Desires

Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." A Christ-centered life, or being a Christ follower, has an inherent promise that God fills your heart with desires. We are not devoid of them once we become Christ's followers, nor are we to abandon them altogether. Most religions persuade you to abandon desires, empty yourself, or get rid of them.

Recently, the Lord was impressing on my heart a few things that I have been meditating on trying to articulate here. In the book of Proverbs, there is a verse that says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, and desire realized is the Tree of Life." It is apparent here that the Lord uses our desires for the ultimate goal in our transformation to become like Him but rooting us back into the Tree of Life. The verse is intriguing and makes me think there is a deep correlation between hope, faith, and love. When one's hope diminishes, the heart is likely to be on the pathway to spiritual sickness (or journeys to the dark places of the soul), and the enemy waits for that to lead us into despair, discouragement, and depression. The illness is followed by a deep sense of betrayal, loneliness, and a breeding ground for Satan's motivations.

So, our hearts must be filled with hope. How do we practically do this? As revealed by King David, the Psalms have secrets built in, and the kind Lord has revealed them to us, so we use these weapons to fill our hearts with hope. One of those pathways of shepherding our soul lies through thanksgiving and praise. When we intentionally steep our hearts in places of gratitude to the Lord, we position and posture ourselves to enter His courts. One of the psalms rightfully sings, "Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and praise." Praise is another weapon in worship where we take our focus from ourselves and look upon His radiant face. Praise ushers in His presence into our situations. Praise was designed for our benefit, not His. It's telling our souls that no matter what, I am elevating myself into seeking His face and presence and not going to give my attention or devotion to inferior things vying for my attention. When this happens, our hearts slowly start filling with hope. And then hope dares to believe and raise the banner of faith to see the unseen. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) quotes: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Now, we need to know that desires compete with our delight and desire of the Lord. The revelation that the Lord recently impressed on me was when I came before Him in brokenness and a contrite heart, positioning my heart to desire Him more than all my other competing desires. At that time, He could trust me with those things that enlarge the capacity of my soul and those things that He wants to indeed bless me with. Sometimes, when we are not ready for those blessings without having the capacity to handle them, we can be crushed by them. It does not mean the Lord does not fulfill those desires. Sometimes he does, but most of the time, it follows with tests if we are making them our idols or making Him the center and chief desire of our lives.

May we all live with this foremost desire of making Him our first love and trusting Him with all our desires; indeed, He will fulfill the desires of our hearts. Jesus modeled His life for us this way, seeking the Father and his will alone, and whatever He asked of the Father, it was released in His ministry and work on earth. Our lives are no different; we are to live like He did. Simply desiring the Father and His will, and everything we need is supplied, but more importantly, we are rooted in Him, the source of everlasting life.

Shalom and Blessings,

Sam

Revelations 3-5 Treasure nuggets from the Gospel of Matthew

In continuing my series of revelations posts, here are some more from the first few chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. One observation I do have to make and confess is, though I have read these gospels so many times, every time I read them, I can’t help falling in love with the Lord Jesus more and more. I want to say, as we look upon His Glorious face, it seems like nothing else matters. Like Mary, we can be in awe, wonder, love, and be at His feet and keep asking for more.

Revelation#3: From the Gospel of Matthew: John the Baptist is railing on the Pharisees when they come to see him baptizing common poor people. He calls them a brood of vipers, but interestingly in Hebrew and Aramaic, the word used is ‘akidneh,’ which means a scorpion. A scorpion, after mating, and the female scorpion dies after giving birth, so literally every scorpion born is an orphan. The wordplay is interesting indeed as John uses that word in the Aramaic local tongue of that time as he compares the Pharisees to vipers. To literally convey that, though they were descendants of Abraham, they were not following his ways but born and left as spiritual orphans. But if they only returned to their true Father, God, they would no longer be orphans.

Revelation#4: The Sermon on the Mount is the unveiling of Christ’s new constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven and the invasion of it on earth as well. It begins by giving His followers a far superior way of living than the Ten Commandments dictated by Him to Moses. What I love about Yeshua is that He gives us more than laws; He gives us promises and also the power to fulfill all that He asks of us. Our part: yielding, following, and abiding! Blessings & Shalom.

Revelation #5: The Greek word Ekklesia is used or known commonly among Christians (and the church in general) as ecclesiastically or related to liturgy or a legislative body or assembly of the church. However, I find it fascinating that in ancient Greek culture, it’s also a word used primarily to mean “assemble an army.” The Church of Christ is indeed an army of kings and priests, marching and rejoicing in the ever-advancing Kingdom of God! The good news is Yeshua is in the front 🙂 as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Adonai Tzav’ot (The Lord of hosts and commander of Angelic armies)! Shabbat thoughts for Holy Sabbath, blessings, and Shalom!

Revelation from my quiet times - Reading through the Bible

2024 has rolled in and, like many who make New Year's resolutions, I return here after a few years of hiatus to again pen down some new revelations from the Lord. I am not promising myself anything, as old-fashioned writing in my journals using penmanship has caught me pursuing tangible paper, fancy writing instruments, and the messiness of ink. However, I do miss the conveniences of technology in putting my thoughts here from time to time.

At the start of the year, I made some FB blurb posts on a few revelations from the book of Matthew. As a start, I'm going to post or collate a couple of them here and hopefully, it will bless someone.
From my quiet time today: Revelation#1

The Gospel of Matthew in chapter 1 shows the genealogy of Christ, establishing His royal line as the son of David, and Luke’s Gospel shows the genealogy of Christ, establishing Him as the Son of man. Matthew’s genealogy starts with Abraham and Luke’s starts with Adam. The curse was on Jeconiah’s seed that no one of his line would sit on David’s throne, but God’s mercy and plan still establish the throne of David through Mary, who came from David’s line through Nathan. Interestingly, 14 generations are mentioned from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the Babylonian captivity, and 14 from captivity to Christ the Anointed One! To blow your mind more: 14 is the number for Passover, and 14 is the number for Spiritual Perfection. 14 is mentioned three times in Matthew’s genealogy. 14 times 3 is 42, and brilliantly, 42 is the number of generations to Christ and 42 is the number of months Yeshua ministered in His earthly ministry. Coincidence, I think not 🙂

Revelation#2: From Matthew’s Gospel, we are told the Magi visited to worship Jesus after following a shining star that appeared in the heavens, and they followed it to Bethlehem. Their arrival created quite an uproar in Jerusalem. It is quite possible this entourage of the Magi was over a hundred people, and it's very unlikely there were only three people as represented in our cute nativity scenes and sets. It would be rare just three visitors would have created such an uproar in Herod’s court or among the people for a newborn King. They brought treasure chests of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The word 'branch' of the Lord is translated from the Hebrew word 'netzer', the root word for Nazareth. The teaching “the branch of the Lord” is a concept throughout the Bible from the Tree of Life, seven branches of the lampstand, to Jesus the Vine, and calling us His branches, and furthermore, branches that are transplanted and grafted into Israel etc. However, the word netzer also means keeper, watchman, keeper of secrets, and guardian, and the Aramaic meaning is “the victorious one” or when translated as Jesus being called the Victorious branch of Nazareth. Be Blessed & Shalom!

Keys to position yourself better

In a new year's blog post, Bethel Church pastor Kris Vallatoon described five keys to influencing your destiny and changing the world. I like them and record here these five points and put in my own insights and understanding on this. These ideas are attributed to Kris, and I am just reflecting on them.

1. DO ORDINARY THINGS IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY

When I rise above from a comparative and a competitive spirit and merely do my mundane or daily tasks extraordinarily. It will help me prepare for further alignment with my purpose. This builds the foundation, gratitude, intention, and new anointing. Last year the simple act of making the bed consistently for 350 (of the 365 days) was an achievement. A navy general, in fact, wrote a book on this premise and idea.

2. STEWARD YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

When we steward our current responsibilities well and work at the tasks at hand as if we work for His Glory and work with Him. He meets us in the challenges and stewardship of our responsibilities. The Lord often uses our work to shape us, he often uses our relationships at work to give and align our account of responsibilities for collaboration and become more abundant in our interconnectedness of purpose and unity.

3. VIEW EVERY JOB AS TRAINING FOR YOUR DESTINY

Kris refers to King David and his shepherdship responsibilities as on the job training to be the future King. His care for his sheep, his courage to go after the lion and the bear, his waiting on the Lord as a poet/musician was all part of the formation of his character in life's training ground to be future King. I have a lot to learn and improve in this area, especially with my heart's attitude. When I end up doing other people's work instead of whining, I can always view it as on the job training for gaining collective experience that various positions do. Knowing the organization inside out is a by-product that others can benefit from with the wisdom and knowledge I gain.

4. BEHAVE LIKE YOU’RE PASSIONATE, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

Maintaining one's passion and focus or vice versa is another key, especially when life seasons of dryness and attacks of the enemy, circumstances tailspins us into depression or discouragement. Last year I was proud to have been consistent with the Gratitude Journal and ended up with around 1701 thankful things. Going back and rereading them reminded me of the stability and keeping passion alive have been excellent outputs of the exercise. When you are down and out thankfulness, letting go, forgiveness, random acts of kindness are drivers that fuel passion.

5. SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM

Kris cites that once we are after the mandate that Jesus spoke, "Seek first the kingdom of God." Everything we do as new covenant believes becomes part of the kingdom. From praying to playing, it's all a part of serving the King. I am not sure about everything. It might be quite a generalized statement, but I do want to agree in the spirit that He needs to be the first in every area of your life. This is the biggest lesson from last year. The First things of our soul and relationship with Jesus align everything else correctly.

Three thoughts or Three revelations

I am enjoying three thoughts that I have been meditating on or I should say revelations from the Father that help me think a little better. I tweeted one of these.

First thought: "Don't ask God for strength. Ask Him for His Joy" The scripture says "The Joy of the Lord is our strength". As we become blessed with His Joy, His strength strengthens us in all areas. How do you get His Joy? The scriptures resound: "In His presence is the fullness of Joy".  We should chase after His presence, long for His presence, we hunger to dwell in His presence. Being conscious of Him always is a path of intimacy.  He promised: "Behold I am with you always".

Second Thought: In resting and being unhurried - time expands and sometimes multiplies. The key is resting in Him. Nobody in the world had or will ever have a bigger agenda than Jesus had...a.k.a "saving the world past, present and future"  at the same time leading a motley crew of twelve that will change the world. Yet he created sacred space for Himself with the Father. Needs, chaos, sin, and even his endless compassion to those who He healed didn't hurry him. He operated from the centered rest creating order in the world of confusion and chaos. Resting in Him is another revelation. Those who enter into His rest, He establishes their steps, their work, and even their time. Resting in co-dependency with Him helps you do your work with Him.

Third Thought: I have read in some Christian books:  "Work as if everything depends on you and pray as if everything depends on God". I like it and it is well intended.  As I think about it based on my thoughts of rest I feel for me the revelation extends to rewriting that quote to say:  "Work as if everything depends on you and Him and pray as if everything depends on God".  I love it, it's working with Him and worshipping and praying to him reveals His work and establishes the work of my hands. This works better for me.

Shalom & Blessings,

Time & Being

I am re-reading "The Happiness Equation" by Niel Pascha. I like the space scribbles he uses to explain concepts in a simple way. Inspired by his 56 hr bucket analogy I have been examining closely about my own time buckets. I plan to reflect on that in my other blog but reading this book along with Daniel Pink's 'When' and Charles Duhigg 'The power of habit", things seem to have converged for me

in my understanding and management of time.  As I sit here early morning hammering on my laptop keyboard, I am transcribing here a poem I wrote on time a few weeks ago on my date with my daughter Hannah. My mind struggled as I spent time that Saturday contemplating all the things I had to get done and comparing it against the time I was spending with my daughter. Reflection and introspection resulted in this poem I penned that Saturday afternoon.

Our investments so measured in greedy returns,

Be it of money,  resources or relationships, 

Or Time spent or lost spun like the rings of Saturn,

Displaying time & again our poor skill in life's gamesmanship.

Lessons I learn are riches beyond measure,

Deep reflections are now collections of timeless treasure,

More valuable than war chests, spoils & stock returns,

It is time to live life with intentional pleasures. 

Time is one constant given to all - be it for the rich or the poor,

Be it east, west north or south it flows unhinged & unshackled,

If we endure, focus less on the hunt & drive to ever procure, 

It is in just 'being'; time's timeless secrets unravel

Where time slows & multiplies - 

For a life to be once more called, 

well-traveled, better lived and fully qualified - 

For heaven's reward in being fully present & fully enthralled!

- Time & Being!

Hupernikao

Darkness & shadows loom large,

In a fallen world slipped off the barge,

I thank the good Lord for His steadfast love,

That pulled my soul from the pit of despair. 

Circumstances, disasters, plagues that lay waste,

Arrows aimed to throw hearts hope to displace,

His wings and pinions covered my face,

Keeping me from falling, as angels held me in His Grace.

Beyond this place of hell's disgrace, 

Charges & condemnations didn't stick from satan's swinging mace,

Who or what can separate me from the love of Christ!

His strong arms pulling me into my Father's embrace.

It matters not how bloody the fight,

In battles & wars when tens of thousands fall in fearful fright,

He has in all things made me more than a Conqueror, 

He is the Captain & Commander of my Destiny,

The King of my Soul & the King of Kings of my All!!

Background to my composition Hupernikao!

I love William Ernest Henley's poem 'Invictus' and his indomitable spirit to not give up. We are all not born with such will power but blessedly so, as believers, we have been bought at a costly price with the precious blood of Christ. Unlike Henley, I know and thank the God I serve there are no gods for me to thank for but one - the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The one who became man incarnate to pay my debt, and purchase me out of throes of death. His grace and will power gives me hope and makes me a 'hupernikao' (what a strange Greek word but we will come to that later). I know I am not my own and my partnership with Him is what makes Him the master of my fate and the captain of my soul.

I composed 'Hupernikao' for this reason in Greek it means 'overwhelmingly conquer' or to plainly say:  'you are a super-conqueror'. Paul the wise scribe of the new testament specifically wrote using that word in Romans 8 knowing the context of his pagan audience. Our modern-day sportswear and sporting company 'Nike' takes the name from the Roman goddess of victory. I love Nike clothes and the swoosh on my hat is a conversation starter for me these days to reveal my identity as expressed in Romans 8.

On a side note from the Wikipedia entry here about our mythical lady Nike:

Nike was variously described as the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and the sister of Kratos (Strength), Bia (Force), and Zelus (Zeal).^[4]

"And Styx the daughter of Ocean was joined to Pallas and bore Zelus (Emulation) and trim-ankled Nike (Victory) in the house. Also she brought forth Cratos (Strength) and Bia (Force), wonderful children."

In other sources, Nike was described as the daughter of Ares, the god of war.

"Ares . . . O defender of Olympos, father of warlike Nike (Victory)."

Paul uses the term "Hupernikao"  in Romans 8: 37 to explain our overwhelming status against tough situations.

“³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake, we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are hupernikao [more than conquerors] through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Rom 8:31-39 NIV] 

I have been long winded about this but wanted to give my context for my composition but didn't know this post would get that long so I am going to stop this post here. In the next the poem..."Hupernikao" from the super conqueror in training.

Shalom and Blessings,

Sam

ink blurs & blots

My leather journals - I am proud of them, lots of toils, tears and coffee stains mar them. The reader might have guessed the geographical locale of coffee smelling (or stinking) houses where most of my 'ink blurs & blots"  happen while reflecting and writing.

I use good fountain pens and noodlers ink (courtesy of my friend David who introduced me to them cheap but quality -  a trait he carries well).  Inspired by the tear-stained and ink blurred pages of my journal which I pride as beautiful battle scars of prayers, knowledge, wisdom, and life here is my poem: 

Drops of tears that blur and blots,

the ink on my journal, hair raising-ly raised, 

Words of pain, prayers, and praise

Of a contrite heart, that pleases

in the  midst of the bloodstained clots,

Stained and blurred,

Still looking beautiful

Like a worn out old map, pointing to a lost treasure,

Or like the old leather bag well traveled far and wide,

With its scratches, holes & batterings, 

A reflection of my heart in the sculptor's hand,

ink blurs and blots form the tear-stained art

slowly shaped by the

the Master's craft for his own pleasure and delight.

Testing, Dying & Storm Chasing

Writing poems again and beginning to strings thoughts, words, and ideas from the deep. However, the exercise is mainly to record here and have quick access for me as it's unwieldy for me to carry tons of journals everywhere I travel; even if that travel is in the safe cocoon of your car or a plane. Next month I am looking forward to my travel to 4 countries and only 3 days downtime but it will be good. Good because I will get tonnes of reading and reflective time. Looking forward to it till then...

My test lies before me,

The tests I have failed time and again,

But, His testimonies are for me,

Delighting, securing and faithfully containing  -

His saving salvation and touching grace, 

Now my wounded heart heed into His loving embrace, 

His light shining and now lifting my face 

From age-old guilts and shame, 

Redeeming, 

Restoring, 

Justifying & Sanctifying 

A story and journey unfolding the chrysalis, 

The Dying seed budding to be born again, 

In its core lies the mighty tree, 

Rising to be the phoenix of all oaks tomorrow, 

Renewing, 

Reviving, and 

Readying, 

For the new storms & testings that lie yonder. 

With new skill sets being built in spirit-filled wonder 

Strengthening, 

Overcoming 

Rooting & a warrior forged for storm chasing

Biblical Humor!

This may be a lame attempt at humor but I found these fun and couldn't resist sharing. I don't know where I got it from to cite the source but this one was in my drafts for a long time. Well, not trying to fill my month's blog quota here but these are funny...enjoy!

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.

Q. What are German pastors called?
A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the richest male financier in the Bible? 
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.


Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a
Little prophet.


Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph
was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles
were all in one Accord.


Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.


Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.


Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David, He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.


Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.


PS. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make coffee?Yup, it's in the Bible. It says... 'He-brews'

deadness holding and Life beholding!

Poems written from the depth have a life of their own. In its own strange therapeutic way words though bellowed in storms of despair carry away the dead leaves to a distant place, so space and time are created for newness and the new to form. This one I wrote last year though very personal, it's in
vulnerabilities and tenderness new growth find their roots.

There stands a tree in my yard,
Whose dead leaves still hold on,
They won't fall easy But fall they must,
The winter has been long,
The deadness in my heart holding on,
Why won't these leaves fall?
Dead as they are...yet receiving nutrients!
The stem won't grow weak;
But fall they must!For new life to begin,
New leaves to come in,      
drying,       
dying,      
 wilting,      
Waiting,     
Awakening,     
Rooting,     
Rising,     
Blooming
Hoping for my new life to begin!!
    
 --- deadness holding & Life beholding

Reflecting on Last Year through some Poems

What is stronger
than the human heart
which shatters over and over
and still lives
              - rupi kaur

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2018 is almost closing,
another hard year about to wrap
my heart musters for another one
awaiting all its storms,
shipwrecks,
heartaches,
brokenness, and pains yet to be re-visited;
How do I brace myself?
Do I have strength or boldness?
Do I have what it takes to faith and hope?
Do I have the courage to resurrect and love once again?
                    - new year Q's

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am not here neither there,
Away from home to make a new one here;
The new one hasn't been home either,
Identity lost, don't belong here or there.

Lost my way in the wanderings & journeys,
More lost in the ruts and routines, and
Lost my heart somewhere along,
Its worse than losing oneself, I know
Yet somewhere it lives,
echoing the long haunting call,
The heart must respond to this yonder call &
Find once again its way back home.
                      - lost & found
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the new year closes, a new one awaits to birth forth,
A day or two a new year will roll in,
With the old one rolling over,
With its events,
disasters,
joys,
miracles & mundanes to unfold.
Each unfurling & unraveling,
creating unique juxtapositions of choices,
hopes,
dreams,
wishes & desires
failures & fears,
expectations and hopelessness;

I stand my heart holding these tensions.
Directing them to faith to replace fear,
Desiring for my heart to hope to replace death,
Dealing to love once again
to live fully refreshed, and reset in freedom
                             - rolling over tensions

IF - Book Cliff Notes

I don't do book reviews but I want to talk about one of the books I read recently.  But first on a side note:  I recently tweeted (it's funny saying it as a verb) about my relationship with books. For some, I have found I am not even ready to read them as I haven't had the maturity to waltz with the words for  complicated knowledge to distill hence they wait on my shelf; whereas for some, I find myself already having the wisdom deposited in my soul and it seems knowledge and information are just catching up to my mind. Some books are fun past-time reading (never visit them again), some come alongside for lifelong journey's and some are truly transformative. Mark Batterson's "If" - Trading Your If Only Regrets for God's What If Possibilities has come along on cue and in a timely manner into my life.  Fortunately for me, Mark obviously prayed through it and the Holy Spirit sneakily wanted me to read it from the array of books that sit on my reading shelf ...so I know there are no coincidences. God is in the business of resurrecting hope and getting you back in believing in "What If" possibilities.

Here is a summary of things I have pondered upon from the book. A good start is to quote Emily Dickinson's poem "I Dwell in Possibility" which encapsulates the idea of naming the places (especially where we minister, steward and work) as "possibilities". God had divinely ordered our lives, our steps to dwell in the What if's. It is the What If' moments make inventions happen, ideas have to be born, battles that have been won, and the course of histories changed. What if possibilities are distinctly different from "If only" Mark goes through the entire chapter of Romans 8 to prove the point that: If God is for us who can be against us.  

He starts with the power of 'If'.  The story of Howard Schultz's decision to buy Starbucks started with the decision of quitting his $75K safe salaried job to investing of $3.8 million of in coffee shops which would become a company that has a market capitalization of $27.8 million, topping revenues of $4.7 billion a year and jobs for about 137,000 employees. The power of If is moving to from "if only" to "what if". There is no highest leverage point apart from God. He is your greatest supporter Key ideas from chapter 1 and 2 again "What If you rejected everything about God that wasn't God and accepted Him for who He is - God is for you"

Every path to the promised land must pass through Gilgal. The journey of the Israelites in the exodus took a turning point at Gilgal when God said: " I have rolled away the shame of your slavery in Egypt". Key points in chapter 3 for me were: If you want to break the sin habit, you' better establish a praying habit. If you want to leave the past in the past, it helps if you bury it, burn it, flush it, or delete it. Reminded of the words of the Father "forget and forgive yourself" because when it comes to your sins God has a clean slate memory and so should you...it takes faith to believe the new you.  The glass is full of the righteousness of Christ overflowing in you - You are a new creation in Christ. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 

Condemnation is feeling guilty over confessed sin, Conviction is a feeling guilty over unconfessed sin. Conviction is healthy and holy. 

One of the highlights for me was learning the traditions of Bet Sefer where the Rabbi's put honey on the slate after they have written Psalm 119 before the Jewish children start memorizing scripture. Its a reminder to them that God's word is sweet as honey to the soul and the spirit; and as the words of God are physically imprinted in the cortex of their brain when they memorize the way they think changes. I have resolved to memorize even more scriptures this year because of this and the promises I have inherited over my life I got to bring them to mind. They are like a muscle memory which enables us to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

I learned again fasting is a spiritual discipline that positions us for breakthroughs. Fasting is not just fasting from food (though its a big portion for people who like food) it's symbolic and relational to hunger and there are many things we can fast from. We want to dwell in the intersection points of God's compassionate kindness interceding with our hunger/resolve of seeking breakthroughs. In these places, you enter into the what if possibilities.  Mark quotes "Whatever it is you need more of, you need more of the Holy Spirit". I tweeted something profound today my original quote "A vessel cannot be filled unless a continued emptying happens from time to time. So are things with the Spirit - holy emptying, holy regular in-fillings, and holy overflowings into others". Spiritual maturity takes us to places of serving and outflowing of blessings to others. Your what if's are waiting for becoming surplus blessings for others. The key idea from chapter 6 for me was "It is the Holy Spirit who dispels if only, it's the Holy Spirit who spells our what if". Make decisions against yourself that take you from self-gratifying places, to even discomfort in the pursuit of your goals. The reward is totally assured and sealed for the purposes the Father has for you. God does not reward laziness, even intellectual laziness.

The Hebrew word for new is 'Hadas' - it also means "never before experienced".  Mercy is not getting what you do deserve, Grace is getting what you don't deserve.  God wants to not only just forgive your sins He wants to leverage your past regrets for His eternal purposes.

Mark cites the work of Marcel Losada the organizational psychologist who studies the power of positivity. He developed the positive feedback loop which simply put is celebrate what you want to see more. This is known as the Losada ratio  - it is the positive feedback to negative feedback in the system. You need about 2.9 positive feedbacks for every negative feedback. So pick a promise, any promise and drop an anchor. The anchoring effect is key to our lives. The Greek word 'Phronema' means to fix one's mind on something. Our testimonies, stones of remembrance,  our small and big wins are anchors we need to drop, revisit, decree, and declare.  Keeping a gratitude journal is a practical way I personally think about my blessings and how I center and shelter my heart from anxieties to rest. It is a sure way of moving from FEAR which stands for "false expectations appearing real" to a place of centered REST.

Thomas Carlyle quotes " Our main business not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand" Key idea from chapter 17 "What if you started living in day-tight compartments?".

 Some key points from chapter 18 I liked were: "Destiny is not a mystery; its a decision. And how we make those decisions determines our what if possibilities" Failing to plan is planning to fail but even the best-laid plans of mice and men need a contingency plan. The Bible is a way where we can reality-test our assumptions against the truth. It's how we attain distance before deciding by getting a God's-eye view. And nothing widens our options like the promises of God. Knowledge, by itself, leads to one-dimensional assumptions, but true-wisdom (one that is rooted in the Tree of Life) leads to multi-dimensional understanding. (I added multi-dimensional and the tree of life  - Mark cites it as two dimensional). The key idea "What If you started praying like it depends on God and working like it depends on you? Keep an open mind to avoid narrow framing. 

Arthur Mckinsey's poetic description of problem-solving:

If you think a problem as being a like a medieval walled city, then a lot of people will attack it head-on, like a battering ram. They will storm the gates and try to smash through the defenses with sheer intellectual power and brilliance. I just camp outside the city. I wait. And I think. Until one day - maybe after I've hurned to a completely different problem - the drawbridge comes downand the defenders say, "We surrender." The answer to the problem comes all at once. 

When you tag-team with the Holy Spirit you are never out of your league. Sometimes it is divine revelation and sometimes it is a divine appointment. The Holy Spirit is both inspiring and conspiring. God has a tendency to use our seeds of faith to accomplish things we didn't even set out to do.  If history turns on a dime, the dime is that of bold predictions.  Mark cites my favorite story about JFK's speech on May 25, 1961 "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth". JFK's what If became a reality on July 20, 1969, when Niel Armstrong took one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Key idea: What If starts with bold predictions and supernatural courage to pursue them (the latter part my addition). Pray a bold prayer! Dream a God-sized dream. After all, if you are big enough for your dream, your dream isn't big enough for God. Resurrection is a down payment on every promise!!

One dimension of spiritual growth is being reconditioned by the grace of God. Mark writes "reactions are conditioned reflexes and they must be reconditioned by the grace of God". I love this idea and plan to be conscious of God's grace, favor and Him being in the corner of my life to shape my identity, actions, and my reflexes. A relationship with God involves surprise as well as progressive revelation.  Destiny is not an accomplishment its a reflection.

Count the Blessings, flip the blessings and repeat!

I loved the book there are many more thoughts that I could capture here but time is running and I must stop for now and revisit these truths prehaps again,  add more of the author's God inspired words along with my own Holy Spirit insights, He is teaching,  I am processing, until then.

Shalom & Blessings,

Dr. Sam Kurien

Its Good or Bad ...hard to say!

Wow! Another year has rolled over and its time to once again to attempt to update my blog after long hiatus from here because what we call "life" happens. The last few weeks of December I take time to contemplate as is my practice to write in my personal journal what I call for lack of a technical term "a 4 quadrant analysis". I will share it here, and it may help someone if you want to use this tool....if not that's okay too :)

 The 4 quadrants for me is a solid list that I have kept throughout the year from which I pick the highlights from each list and summarize the big ones for the whole year. This kind of introspection helps me not only be self-aware but gives me some unique insights and foresight into things and sometimes into myself.

The 4 quadrants are:

1. What have I been thankful for? 

2. What were the most painful moments and grieving moments? How well did I grieve? 

3. What are the new things I discovered and learned throughout the year?

4. What are the things I need to change, align, adjust for the coming year? 

Last night I heard a TEDster talk about the rare genetic condition of her daughter that took their life's turn in dealing with something that the culture and society would term as "bad." Life happens, and s#@t in life happens! She related an interesting parable of how when she left the iron grip of treating the life-changing event as neither good or bad she was able to come to a place of embracing the wonder and how new things and things that were different were to be learned or sometimes the status quo needed to be challenged. The ancient parable  that she related was a farmer who lost his horse and is transcribed here:

The farmer lost his horse and neighbors came over to say, "Oh, that's too bad." And the farmer said, "Good or bad, hard to say." Days later, the horse returns and brings with it seven wild horses. And neighbors come over to say, "Oh, that's so good!" And the farmer just shrugs and says, "Good or bad, hard to say." The next day, the farmer's son rides one of the wild horses, is thrown off and breaks his leg. And the neighbors say, "Oh, that's terrible luck." And the farmer says, "Good or bad, hard to say." Eventually, officers come knocking on people's doors, looking for men to draft for an army, and they see the farmer's son and his leg, and they pass him by. And neighbors say, "Ooh, that's great luck!" And the farmer says, "Good or bad, hard to say."

This reminds me of another list that I go through at the end of each year - the dreaded goal list that is divided into work goals, family goals, and personal goals. Going through that list is sometimes painful, but I have realized it is in incremental steps that we make progress. The learning takeaway is "I am hopefully moving forward." I look back at those lists and realize on the work front 12 goals achieved out of 16, family - 6 out of 10 and personal 2 out of 12. The progression reveals where I spent most of my time. I wonder if the ratios were 50% in each area would effectiveness and contentment in me increase? Good or bad ... it's hard to say!

Attitude

As I mentioned on my other blog of NYT bestseller book, I read "The Happiness Equation" by Niel Pasricha is an excellent quick read. In one of the 9 secrets, he talks about a quote from Charles Swindoll a famous Texas preacher who said the following about Attitude.

The Longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts, it's more important than the past, it more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a church....a home...a friendship. The remarkable thing is we have a choice each day regarding the attitude we will embrace for the day. We cannot change our past...we cannot alter the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to us and 90%  how I react to it. And so it is with you..we are in charge of our Attitudes.

The author brings to attention the second last statement in the quote "I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how I react to it." 

A research publication that came out of University of Califonia's psychology department authored by Sonja Lyumbomirsky tells us exactly how much of our happiness is based on life circumstances. Surprise...surprise they empirically calculated it at to be around 10%. It is  10% of what happens to us. 90% of our happiness is basically how we see or react to the world around us.  As Niel puts it "it is our pre-disposition, and our intentional responses and they affect mental happiness'.  The author also cites some cool quotes that I find inspiring and insightful.

Aristotle says "Happiness depends on our ourselves."

Viktor Frankl, the Nazi Holocaust survivor, famously said: "Everything can be taken from a man, but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any  given set of circumstances"

Winston Churchill "Attitude is a little thing that makes a really big difference"

Walt Whitman writes "Keep always your face towards the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." 

Today in my reading of Proverbs 17: 23 perfectly lined up to my thoughts "A Joyful heart is a good medicine" ... and indeed it is! It sums it all up for me in the adage: "My attitude will determine my altitude."  

So my prayer for today is:
"O Lord keep in me a tender heart and teachable spirit. Let you face shine on me, and the countenance of your favor keep my attitudes centered around love, focused on You! Let my going out and going in be in the majesty of who Christ is and who Christ is for me. Let your Holy Spirit govern, renew and illuminate my spirit, so my heart, mind, and body are tools for the demonstration of your power and your love". 


Blessings & Shalom,

Dr. Sam Kurien

Psalm 119 - Testimonies

Psalm 119 is testimony Psalm and one of my favorites! It has been a companion, a fountain source that has refreshed my soul from time to time. I am fascinated by the number of occasions the Psalmist mentions the word "testimony" or "testimonies" of the Lord. He purposefully centers his heart in remembering his personal history with God, His goodness and His mighty acts in his life. I think here
in this psalm lies a secret of a spirit filled life; the key in suspending our hearts in thankfulness and remembering the testimonies of the Lord. By tradition, in my personal journals, I have written some of my favorites verses from this treasure trove at least once a year.  If you by happenstance stumbled on this post, these verses recorded here hopefully become a blessing and things you will ponder upon in your own journey.

Psalm 119

18 Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 22 Take away from me scorn and judgment, for I have kept your testimonies. 24 Your testimonies are my delight they are my counselors  27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.  31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord let me not be put to shame. 32 I will run in the ways of your commands when you enlarge my heart! 36 Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to selfish gain.  37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things and give me life in your ways. 46 I will speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame. 59 When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies. 73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.  79 Let those who fear you turn to me that they may know your testimonies.  80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes that I may not be put to shame.  88 In your steadfast love give me a life that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.  95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy but I consider your testimonies 96 I have seen the limit of all perfection, but your commandments are exceedingly broad.  99 I have more understanding that all my teachers for your testimonies are my meditation.  103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.  105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.  111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 116 Uphold me according to your promise that I may live and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 123 My eyes long for your salvation and for your fulfillment of your righteous promise.  124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love and teach me your statutes.  125  I am your servant; give me understanding that I may know your testimonies.  129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.  130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me as is your way with those who love your name. 137 Righteous are you, O Lord and right are your rules.  138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness 140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.  144 Your testimonies are righteous forever give me understanding that I may live. 146 I call to you; save me that I may deserve your testimonies. 152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.  162 I rejoice in your word like the one who finds great spoil.  165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.  167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep your precepts and testimonies for all my ways are before you.

Blessings & Shalom,

Dr. Sam Kurien