Inspired by the art of Mother Mary praying at the foot of the cross.

1. Woke up late as usual
2. Went back Ngee Ann school to print church documents. (Its cheaper, compared to outside rate of 1 SGD/paper :P)
3. Traveled to West Coast for lunch, had Fish Meat Been Hoon (NICE!)
4. Traveled to Clementi's Macs to buy Cecilia's lunch, upon request from 'cupcakes' :D
5. Headed off to Dover MRT to meet up with emaline, noel, and 'cupcakes'. We took a feeder bus service to NUH.
6. Visited Cecilia at her ward, also met Patricia at there too.
7. Also went to the garden within the ward's premises, and had a nice chat as a group. Julia also came down to see Cecilia. Pray God she will have  a speedy recovery.
8. After that, we took 197 to Outram Park MRT.
9. Thanks to PIE traffic! We arrived late at Hougang at 8pm, suppose to arrive at 7:40pm instead.
10. We bought macs takeaway for dinner, and we walked to CSC while we eat, afraid that we might be to late for Amplify Friday session.
11. Arrive Amplify Session Hall at 8:20pm, OUCH! (I had a coke in hand, as I sit in between Dominic(Google-Man!) & Danny :)
12. Session was informative and great! (Next time I can counter christian attacking Mother Mary :D)
13. The Praise & Worship session before & after the Session was assume!
14. Fellowship after Session was fun, most remembered was making fun of Jonathan Ong & Clayton Lau, together they are called MUD-CLAY! hehe :P
15. Traveled back home with 'Cupcakes' & Claudia, highlight was Claudia alighted at Clarke Quay (where she was suppose to alight at Chinatown where she stays) after I prompted her to(unintentional).
16. Later she run back into the train before the doors closed, and started yelling and whacking me for nuts, hehe :D I can't be blamed, who asked her so silly to alight without checking the destination stop first :D
17. Claudia later alighted at Chinatown, while Me & 'Cupcakes' switch over to Outram Park.
18. I alighted at Jurong East stop, while 'Cupcakes' alighted later at terminal stop in Boon Lay.
19. THE END! :D

Seems like she made a stop in Springfield. M.A.

****Hey CordieB's comment just made me update this, almost included it to begin with but didn't, Mother Mary Come to Me....................

Think of Afghanistan under the Taliban and you have a clear picture of Sharia.  Women's Rights are non-existent.  The domination and subjugation of women is the norm.  You don't need to worry about envy, every woman wears the same black clothing form head to foot.  No need to worry about makeup, all the people outdoors will see is your eyes.

If you are a homosexual and are reading this say goodbye to all your friends.  You will no longer exist because under Sharia, you must be put to death.  If you are a moderate Muslim, bad news for you.  Under Sharia you are worthy of death.  Try to publish a liberal or reformed version of  Quran in Iran and you will no longer be alive.

Robbers and thieves beware.  Under Sharia your hand will be chopped off.  Atheists beware.  Under Sharia you either pay a heavy tax to your Islamic masters, or you convert to Islam.  Attack Islam like you do Christianity,  and it will be the last time you attack anything.

Any person who does not submit to Islam has to pay a heavy tax or convert to Islam.  You will have no other choice.

Contrast all the above with the verses of Love spoken in the New Testament [Brit Chadasha] in Hebrew.  1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered , it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects,  always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  NIV

If you know you are not right with God, repent [t'shuvah in Hebrew].   Repent  means to turn from doing things your way and turning to God's ways.  Trust in Jesus [Yeshua], not yourself.  Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit [Ruach HaKodesh]   Attend a Church that believes that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  Get baptized.  Read your Bible daily and follow the teachings of Jesus [Yeshua]  Walk in His Love to all you come in contact with.

                        "Top ten reasons why sharia is bad for all societies"
http://www.americanthinker.com/2005/08/top_ten_reasons_why_sharia_is.html

 You feel desperate.

Everything seems to work against you. Life seems not worth living. Loneliness engulfs you. Love escapes you and each new day is another struggle to stay afloat, to stay motivated and to continue.

Fear not.

This prayer, said before you sleep every night, will summon the positive powers of goodness and love and self worth, making your life complete in every way.

Open your heart to this message of Love, Peace and Understanding and you will be astonished at how your life changes safe in the Light of Mary.    

MOTHER MARY’S PRAYER FOR THE ANGUISHED

Mother Mary bright and kind
Take these troubles from my mind
Take my Love for you to keep
And help me through the night to sleep
Let your Son pour down His Love
And let my heart know he’s above
And that God is always on my side
I fear no man and need not hide
For Mother Mary is my power
And holds me in my darkest hour.

Amen

May God’s Love fill us all
May God’s Love fill us all
May God’s Love fill us all

Say this prayer three times before you sleep or indeed at any time of day and add your personal wish at the end of the prayer.

Prepare for your life to change for the better.

May God, Mother Mary and The Lord Bless You!

When the prayer begins to work for you, please make a donation to the cause of saving the underprivileged children of the world from disease, lack of water and parental abuse.

Then your Life will truly change.

Donations to www.paypal.com  account: vodavox@gmail.com 

Another great message came through during a client session - this one a channeled message from Mother Mary.  For those of you who are ready for a break and need a little added boost to assist you in stepping into the place where you are ok with taking care of yourself this is a great one.  Please enjoy!  Mother Mary on Self Nurturing 

Thank you to my client who shall remain anonymous for permission to use this material on my blog to assist others.  You are a generous and giving soul.

If you require an extra boost of energy to move through blocks to your own ability to find balance and nuture yourself - perhaps a healing session or reading will assist you to find what you are seeking.  Please feel free to visit either my MAIN SITE Services Page  or my READINGS SITE for more information or to book a session.  I'm now officially listed as an Angel Intuitive and as an Alternative Healer on ABOUT.Com!

Take good care of yourself!! Peace and much joy,  Amethyst

PS:  If you resonate with this painting of Mother Mary and would like to bring her home with you she is available for sale - check out my Art Gallery or if you prefer to purchase a archival quality reproduction you can find her on my Fine Art America site where you can choose a variety of sizes, papers and she can be framed if you like!

(I would only add to the piece, to clarify it, that at no time did Mary lose her free will.  She was probably sorely tempted!)

NEW DELHI, September 16 (Compass Direct News) – A policeman was killed today, the body of another victim of Hindu extremist violence was discovered and more houses and churches burned in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district even as anti-Christian violence spread to at least five more states across India over the weekend.

Christians and churches were targeted in Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand as fallout from violence in Orissa that began following the assassination of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) leader, Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples in Kandhamal district on August 23.

A mob of around 500 rioters today killed a policeman and burned down a police station in Orissa’s Kandhamal district, where Hindu extremists launched a spate of attacks three weeks ago blaming local Christians of killing Saraswati and his disciples. Maoists have claimed responsibility for the murders of the Hindu leaders.

“A large number of attackers armed with country-made guns and crude weapons gunned down a constable and set ablaze the police station at Gochapada early this morning,” Director General of Police Gopal Nanda told The Indian Express. Gochapada is 36 kilometers (22 miles) from Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal.

Police sources told the daily that the mob was demanding release of a man held by security personnel, but local residents felt the attack came in retaliation for police firing into a crowd in Kurtamgarh in Tumudibandh area, killing at least one person, on Saturday (Sept. 13).

Murder in Orissa

While the body of another person was found and at least 14 houses were burned on Sunday night (Sept. 14), a church and several houses were set ablaze on the previous day.

The Statesman newspaper reported that at least nine houses of Makabali village and five in Sanakbali village were torched in the Gunjibadi area. Authorities found the body of Purander Naik, who had fled to a relief camp where mainly Christians had taken refuge, in his village of Nilungia.

“The decomposed body of Naik was found by police near the Ratingia dam yesterday,” the newspaper reported yesterday. “Naik was at the G. Udayagiri relief camp for over 10 days but had left for his village to see the condition of his house and poultry. His family was at the relief camp. Apparently he was killed during his visit to the village.”

The Press Trust of India reported that while nine houses were torched in Toposi village, another house was burned in Dibadi village under the Raikia police station in Kandhamal.

The Rev. Ashis Parida of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) reported that more than 2,000 Hindu extremists set fire to a church belonging to the Church of North India (CNI) denomination and several houses of Christians in Kurtamgarh village on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 13). Kurtamgarh is about seven kilometers (four miles) from the ashram (religious center) of Hindu leader Saraswati.

Compass received reports that a Hindu extremist mob on Friday (Sept. 12) burned one church and a mission hostel in Mangapanga, Tumulibandh; three churches in Mundabali, Badipankha; and one church in Baringia in Phulbani. An estimated 40 houses were also destroyed on the same day by the intolerant Hindus.

The next afternoon a large Hindu extremist mob descended on Kurtamgarh, burning several houses and the CNI Church. Sources said the extremists were targeting the village headman of the area, a Christian whose house they destroyed.

A local source said that “while the mob was attacking the Christian homes and churches, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) forces took notice of it and fired in the air to disperse the crowd. To their surprise the mob retaliated with gunfire aimed at the CRPF, which wounded two soldiers of the CRPF, one of whom was reported to be quite serious and had to be taken to Behrampur for his medical treatment.”

The CRPF forces retaliated with gunfire of their own, killing one person and injuring about 12. Early reports suggested that two people had died in the CRPF firing, but only one body was said to be recovered by the CRPF after the incident.

Krishan Kumar, district collector of Kandhamal, told media that on that day, “At least 400-500 people, some of them carrying firearms, attacked a man’s home and set it on fire at Kurtamgarh village.”

While the state government says 24 people, mainly Christian, have died in the Orissa violence, the All India Christian Council (AICC) maintained that 45 Christians were confirmed dead and five more were still missing.

According to the AICC, 14 districts of Orissa witnessed violence with Kandhamal as the epicenter. It reported at least 50,000 people from 300 villages have been affected by the violence, with hundreds still hiding in forests, and 4,000 houses and 115 churches burned or destroyed.

Death in Relief Camps

At least 20,000 people are in the 14 relief camps set up by the state government in Kandhamal. Two elderly persons and two children are known to have died in three of the relief camps.

The Statesman reported that while two ailing men, 75-year-old Sua Naik from Budrungia village and 66-year-old Kasipatra Naik from Tatamaha village, died at the Raikia relief camp, two children, one from the Phulbani camp and the other from G. Udayagiri camp, died during the week.

One of the children was reportedly a 10-year-old girl who had been hiding in the forest since the violence began who died from disease attained by being constantly on the run. The name of the girl was not known, but she was said to be from Kotgarh.

The Statesman also reported that the chief secretary of Orissa state, Ajit Tripathy, held a review meeting yesterday to discuss health and sanitation measures at the relief camps.

Orissa is ruled by a coalition of a regional party, Biju Janata Dal, and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Attacks in Karnataka

Attacks were reported also from the southern state of Karnataka, where Hindu extremists ratcheted up hostilities after the state education ministry served show-cause notices to over 2,000 Christian schools in the state for staying shut on Aug. 29 to protest the violence against Christians in Orissa.

On Sunday (Sept. 14), Hindu extremists attacked several churches in Karnataka’s district of Dakshina Kannada, in Udupi and Chikmagalur, on the pretext that Christians were engaging in “forcible” conversions of Hindus to Christianity.

In Dakshina Kannada district, suspected extremists from the Bajrang Dal, VHP’s youth wing, attacked the Adoration Monastery near the Milagres Church on Falnir Road in Mangalore region.

“The 10-member group barged into the prayer hall and damaged the tabernacle, where the holy Eucharist is kept,” reported the Times of India. “They damaged windowpanes, furniture as well as the crucifix. Police said the same group attempted to vandalize another prayer hall in Kankanady, but were driven back.”

The daily added that Christians later gathered in large numbers in front of the Milagres Hall to protest the attacks, which resulted in a day-long stand off between the protestors, who reportedly hurled stones at the police, with officers using batons in return. Several vehicles were damaged in the tussle.

In Udupi district, three churches of the New Life Fellowship were attacked by suspected Bajrang Dal extremists while Sunday prayers were in progress, reported the daily. At least 15 Hindu extremists entered its prayer hall, attacking worshippers and ransacking the hall during the worship service. A music system and projector were damaged.

In Shiroor area, Hindu extremists attacked another prayer hall of the New Life Fellowship, burning a vehicle and striking some members of the congregation, including the pastor.

The daily reported another attack on a church in Mudur, near Kollur, resulted in damaged materials. It added that police prevented yet another such attack in prayer halls of the New Life Fellowship in Kaup and Karkala areas.

In Chikmagalur district, extremists attacked three churches and the house of a new convert. “In one incident, 15 activists came in a vehicle and barged into Harvest India church in Makkikoppa near Jayapura in Koppa Taluka [Block] in the morning and assaulted a parishioner and the Protestant pastor,” the daily reported. “They broke the window panes and the plastic chairs.”

On Sunday night (Sept. 14), a mob attacked a prayer hall in the Padavu Pre-University College on the Mangalore-Udupi Road.

Yesterday morning, Hindu extremists attacked a shop in Kalladka village and the St. Ann’s Friary Grotto near Canara College, about 25 kilometers (almost 16 miles) from Mangalore, in two separate incidents. A Christian prayer hall in Chickballapur district, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Bangalore, also was attacked.

Some Christians reportedly retaliated by targeting policemen in different parts of Dakshina Kannada district. At least four policemen were injured, with one reportedly stabbed yesterday.

According to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), police arrested about 100 people, almost all Christians, for staging allegedly violent protests.

Hindu extremists also attacked churches in Belthangady, Moodabidri, Koloor, Kodaikal, Hemanagatta, Kadur and Puttur, Kundapur and Balehanoor. All together 18 churches and prayer halls in and around Mangalore and in Udipi and Chikmaglur districts were attacked on Sunday (Sept. 14).

Police reportedly had arrested seven Bajrang Dal members by Sunday night. Schools and shops remained shut in Mangalore yesterday in protest, and vehicles were kept off the roads. Christians continued to protest, and in some places police had to fire tear gas shells to maintain order. A curfew was imposed in Mangalore as well.

But that did not stop Hindu extremists from throwing stones at a church in Mangalore yesterday morning, in spite of an order the previous day banning assembly of more than five people for three days. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa stoked fires by stating, “There is no room for forcible conversion in democracy. No one should indulge in it.”

Asked what action he was going to take against the Bajrang Dal during a press conference yesterday evening, the chief minister said only, “Whoever was involved in this act will be arrested very soon.”

But he was quick to blame church groups, saying “No one has the right to insult any other religion. As we know some community called ‘New Life’ is converting people, we have asked the bishop to support us in this regard. But as per the bishop, New Life is not under his control and the bishop is not the in charge of this community.”

There was little to suggest the involvement of New Life Fellowship churches in forced conversion. NDTV 24X7, a national television news channel reported that “so far there seems to be little evidence that New Life is carrying out forcible conversions.”

A team from the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) will reportedly make an on-the-spot assessment of attacks on churches and prayer halls in different parts of Karnataka and submit its report to the federal government. Members will visit churches damaged in attacks in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts, as well as Mangalore.

Bajrang Dal representatives unabashedly admitted to the violence that was carried out on Sunday (Sept. 14), telling NDTV 24X7 that they are targeting evangelical groups in and around Mangalore.

Violence in Other States

In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, Bajrang Dal extremists on Sunday (Sept. 14) attacked two pastors in Kanpur district, accusing them of beating their supporters, reported IANS.

Govindnagar police station inspector N.K. Singh told IANS that the pastor of the New India Church of God, Jitendra Singh, approached officers late Sunday night and submitted a written complaint against Ram Babu Bajpai, a local leader of the Bajrang Dal.

Pastor Singh said Bajpai, along with a large number of his supporters, attacked him in the church compound in the presence of his wife, Helena Singh, and fellow pastor Anil Gilbert.

Both sides filed complaints

According to the complaint by the Hindu extremists, “The Bajrang Dal has alleged that the church was involved in converting Hindus to Christianity by offering them money, and the pastors attacked them when its activists opposed the practice,” IANS added.

In the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh, at 1:30 p.m. today five unidentified people carrying air guns shot a guard of the Caramel Convent in Banduha village (under the Ghatia police station) in Ujjain district, Madhya Pradesh state. Father Anand Muttungal of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Madhya Pradesh state reported that Amar Singh’s injuries were not fatal.

Fr. Muttungal said that the culprits asked Singh to call the nuns, and when he told them they were away the assailants beat and shot him.

Hindu extremists in Madhya Pradesh also burned the 80-year-old Masihi Mandir church of the CNI denomination in Chhawni (Cantonment) area of Indore city at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 13), reported EFI.

“The fire was spotted by a few onlookers, who managed to extinguish it quickly,” EFI reported. “The doors, windows and other wooden material were burned.”

In the southern state of Kerala, on Sunday night (Sept. 14) Hindu extremists attacked the Jaya Mata Convent School, a Christian kindergarten that doubled as a church in Kottakkani area in Kasargode district under the Catholic diocese of Teleicherry, reported the Times of India.

The Hindu extremists launched the attack to protest conversions

“On Monday morning, we saw the glass panes of a box containing the figure of Mother Mary, as well as window panes of the school, smashed,” Vicar Antony Punnoor told the daily. “It seemed someone had hurled stones.”

The Kerala state interior minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, told the daily that the incident would be investigated.

“Cops would also examine if the attack had any link with such incidents in Karnataka,” he reportedly said. “No one will be allowed to create communal riots in the state.”

In the western state of Jharkhand, Hindu villagers attacked Christians of a Believers’ Church and pressured them to “reconvert” to Hinduism in Talatad village (under Patratu police station) in Hazaribagh district on Sunday (Sept. 14), reported the Christian Legal Association.

Pastor Cyril Tamgaria and 18 others were worshiping in the house of Badhi Oraon when Hindu extremists surrounded the house. They beat them, took them forcibly to a temple in a nearby jungle and asked them to “return” to their old faith. Local Christians reported the incident to police, however, and officers freed the Christians.

The Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Church in India, said in a statement that the Christian community in India has been conducting itself in a peaceful manner throughout the ordeals, and “even under extreme provocation it has exercised restraint.”

“It is not to be construed as weakness,” he said, “but a preferred option based on sound principles of civilized living.”

Joseph added that the community continued to render its services to all sectors of society without discrimination.

“Nevertheless, baseless allegations of fraudulent conversion have long been hurled at it by certain vested interests whose chief agenda seems to be social polarization on the lines of religious beliefs,” he said. “We, as responsible citizens of India, will not succumb to their divisive tactics, but continue to work, in the spirit of Christ our master, for the unity, integrity and progress of the nation.”

Women’s Group Pans Official Assessment of Orissa

Dismissing claims by government officials, the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) reported that their findings from a visit to Orissa’s Kandhamal district last week did match statements made by the central and state governments before the Supreme Court.

Annie Raja, general secretary of the NFIW, told media that the team she led to the riot-torn district Sept. 9-12 concluded that a judicial inquiry was inadequate to uncover abuses.

The NFIW demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the killing of Laxmanananda Saraswati and subsequent riots in Kandhamal district. The organization’s report notes that the situation in the district was tense and a sense of security was absent among the Christian minority community.

Calling conditions in the relief camps “pathetic,” with about 20,000 people living with inadequate medical facilities, Raja reportedly said that camps with more than 700 children and around 30 pregnant women did not have a pediatrician or a gynecologist.

The NFIW demanded that civil society organizations and women’s organizations be allowed to participate in relief and rehabilitation operations.

Orissa officials have asked the central government to allow the state to retain central and paramilitary forces until the end of October in light of approaching festivals.

Home Secretary T.K. Mishra has described the situation in Kandhamal as “satisfactory” and requested the recall of the Border Security Force, as “they did not fit into the situation” in Orissa. He added, however, that the state needed Central Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force personnel to deal with any rioting. He also acknowledged that sporadic violence was taking place in some villages of the Kandhamal district.

Report from Compass Direct News

Wait! I am a jew. 

Whatevs. This shot presented itself to me in Montauk and I could not pass it up. It reminds me of those stories where people claim to see religious artifacts shed a tear and others flock from miles around to bear witness.

Ok, so I have a vivid imagination.

 :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  : 

Please do not steal these photos. It is simply bad karma and you could develop a nasty rash all over your body – is it really worth the risk? ]]> http://rshalomw.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/a-picture-that-teaches-an-important-lesson/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:39:19 +0000 rshalomw http://rshalomw.pt-br.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/a-picture-that-teaches-an-important-lesson/ Most have heard of the old adage that "a picture is worth a thousand words".  The picture you will see was taken of the nation of Korea at night. South Korea studded with lights and North Korea in the dark.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/dprk-dark.htm

Jesus [Yeshua in Hebrew] used natural things to point out spiritual truths.  The darkness you see in North Korea is a spiritual picture of the darkness of Atheistic Communism.  This also applied to East Germany and the  Soviet Union during the Cold  War.

Followers of Jesus [Yeshua] are sons of light  1Thessalonians 5:5  You are all sons of the light and sons of the day.  We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.(NIV) and  followers of Atheistic Communism are sons of darkness.  

America was founded as a  Judeo-Christian Nation.  It became the most prosperous Nation in the World because it was founded on Biblical principles. Sinful people all over the world have been transformed through Jesus [Yeshua].  1Corinthians 6:9-11  Do you not know that wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God[HASHEM in Hebrew].  Do not be deceived.  Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male  prostitutes nor homosexual offenders  nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed , you were sanctified, you were justified  in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ[Yeshua HaMashiach in Hebrew] and by the Spirit[Ruach in Hebrew] of our God[Hashem]

I do not hate anyone. Love compels me to warn people of the path they have chosen without Jesus [Yeshua].  I do not want to see anyone end up in hell.

                                                  Shalom in Jesus [Yeshua]

I got home from work at around 1PM and felt very sleepy. I told myself that I will hear mass in the afternoon to celebrate this day's feast. I slept 'til 5PM. Mass in our church will start at 6PM. Well, my guardian angel, Mary and Jesus woke me up so I can attend the mass.

I prepared myself and went to hear mass. It was raining when I left the house. The mass has not started yet. I was 10 minutes earlier. Luckily I wasn't late. I have still time to contemplate and reflect. I know that Mama Mary loves me inspite of everything.

The rain poured so hard during the mass that I thought the procession afterwards will not push through. Yet, being a Marian devotee, our Parish Priest Msgr. Pagulayan, advised that we will still have the procession for the celebration of Mary's Assumption to heaven.

After the mass, I met my cousion April, who is celebrating her birthday on the same day.  I asked her if we will join the procession, she said she doesn't have an umbrella and the one I brought along is only good for one person.

Nevertheless, we joined the procession. We're dripping from head to foot! But the sacrifice we did is priceless!

I remember my ninang Lina once told me that if I pray the Hail Mary for 1000 times on this day, whatever favor I would ask from the Holy Mother will be granted. She told me about it about 17 years ago. You bet I have not completed a thousand Hail Mary yet!

This is the statue of Mary that we have in our church for Assumption.

The lights are on and the man puts on the umbrella, the procession is about to start.

The Bible Takes An Eastern Influence
Matt Wade in New Delhi
August 9, 2008

THE words of the Bhagavadgita, the songs of a Hindu mystic and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi have all found a place in a controversial Bible published in India.

An illustration in the new version depicts the Holy Family as poor Indian villagers - Mary wears a simple sari and has a bindi on her forehead alongside Joseph in a turban and loincloth. There is also a full-page portrait of Mother Teresa, the nun who served the destitute on the streets of Kolkata, above the words "pure and blameless religion lies in coming to help orphans and widows".

Promoters of the project, called the New Community Bible, claim it will help Indian readers understand the Bible by drawing on "the rich culture and religious heritage of our motherland".

A team of 30 Indian biblical scholars worked for more than 15 years on the new edition, which has been approved by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and is published by the Society of St Paul.

"I am sure this Bible, made in India and for Indians, will bring the word of God closer to millions of our people, not only Christians," said Oswald Gracias, the Catholic Archbishop of Bombay.

A simple English translation of the whole Bible is accompanied by extensive commentary notes to assist readers interpret the verses.

This commentary draws on the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu holy book, as well as Indian epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata to help explain the Bible to an Indian audience.

Jesus' words about storing "treasure in heaven" in the gospel of Matthew are compared to the Bhagavad Gita's teaching that "work alone is your proper business never the fruits it may produce".

The commentary refers to the songs of Mirabai, a popular 16th-century Hindu mystic. Her hymns of devotion to Krishna, a Hindu deity, are used to illustrate Mary Magdalene's attitude to the resurrected Jesus.

The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, Asia's first Nobel laureate, are also referred to in the commentary.

The New Community Bible has 24 line drawings by Christopher Coelho, which use common Indian cultural scenes to illustrate biblical texts. One depicts a Hindu temple, a Muslim mosque and a Christian church with shoes and sandals left outside the door - a tradition in many places of worship in India. Another shows a poor Indian family living in a shanty hut below towering skyscrapers.

The general editor of the New Community Bible, Reverend Dr Augustine Kanachikuzhy, admitted that references to Indian scriptures had generated complaints.

"This was expected," he said. "It will take some time for the [new Bible] to gain acceptance."

Dr Kanachikuzhy denied the new edition watered down the Bible's message.

The manager of the St Paul's bookshop in New Delhi, Father Stephen, said the New Community Bible had only been available for about a month but the first edition of 15,000 copies had almost sold out. A new print run is being prepared.

"People in India are really appreciating it, especially the pictures," he said.

The 2200-page hardcover costs 250 rupees ($6.60).

According to local tradition Christianity was brought to South India by the Apostle Thomas - "doubting" Thomas - in AD52.

Christianity is the third largest religion in India after Hinduism and Islam. India's last census in 2001 found there were 24 million Christians, about 2.5 per cent of the population, although some estimates put the proportion above 5 per cent.

It is alleged many poor communities do not admit to being Christian because they fear losing benefits reserved for low-caste Hindus.

Reference

Christianity cannot tolerate and respect other cultures and religions. They have destroyed nearly 90% of the cultures around the world. Christianity failed in India and in Muslim countries miserably but that has not stopped the Vatican and missionaries from perusing its hidden agenda of conversion. Timesonline in an article titled ‘Vatican hopes Indian Bible will translate into surge of converts’ discuss this yet another attempt by Christianity to harvest souls in India.

‘The calculation is that India is the last great missionary front on Earth,’ John L. Allen Jr, a Vatican expert based in Rome.

The tactic to conquer the last great missionary front is to use the secular culture of Hindus to attack them. It might sound strange but Vatican never has the guts to apply such cheap tactics against Islam. And everyone knows Why? Christianity encourages religious fundamentalism in other religions through such dirty tactics. They give enough ammunition to the fundamentalists and often quietening the voice of moderates in Islam, Hinduism and other religions.

Extracts from the article in Timesonline:

The New Community Bible is part of an attempt by the Vatican to attract more converts in India as congregations decline in Europe and North America.

“I am sure this Bible, made in India and for Indians, will bring the word of God closer to millions of our people, not only Christians,” Oswald Gracias, the Archbishop of Bombay, said at a ceremony on the Bible's release.

The notes even quote Hindu scriptures, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics, to help to explain Christianity to prospective converts. “We wanted to show the parallels between the themes in the Bible and in Indian religions,” Father Tony Charanghat, a spokesman for the Archbishop, said. “We've put the sacred text in a local context.”

Some of the new tactics employed in the Hindu Bible:

• Virgin Mary: Barefoot and wearing a sari, with a bindi on her forehead and a naked baby on her shoulder.
• Joseph: Clad in a loincloth and turban.
• When Jesus tells disciples to turn the other cheek, the notes compare this to Gandhi's creed of non-violence.

What is baffling is Christianity’s utter contempt for other cultures and religions. When discussing the topic of conversion Roman Catholic priests and other missionaries hide behind the veil of education and saving the poor. They have miserably failed in saving the poor and providing secular and quality education all around the world.

Instead of creating free individuals, Christianity creates more poor and people who are always dependent. Only free individuals can create a free society and which will lead to economic freedom. Sadly, Christianity cannot tolerate free thinking individuals.

Instead of creating more trouble around the world by cheap conversion tactics, Christianity and its bosses should bring the word of God (Bible) closer to political leaders in Western Countries. Ask them to stop attacking other nations. Ask them to stop selling weapons around the world. It is time for Christianity to educate its political leaders in Bible – You must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself. In simple terms stop creating wars and other problems in Africa, Asia and in Muslim and Communist countries around the world.

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa said:

Different people call God by different names: some as Allah, some as God, and others as Krishna, Shiva, and Brahman. It is like the water in a lake. Some drink it at one place and call it 'jal', others at another place and call it 'pani', and still others at a third place and call it 'water'. The Hindus call it 'jal', the Christians 'water', and the Moslems 'pani'. But it is one and the same thing.

Hindus have never poked fun off or criticized Christ. For many Hindus, he is just another path to self realization. But Christianity and its priestly class cannot tolerate and respect the beliefs of Hindus. And their lies the great difference between Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Christianity. (Reference)

"There just cannot be a dialogue or genuine peace between Christians and Hindus unless we stop proselytization," says the Reverend Karen MacQueen, popularly known as Mother Karen.

"This does not mean that someone who has witnessed Christian work, say at a charity institution, wants to find out more about Jesus and the church (should be discouraged). But denigrating another religion and insisting that there is only way to salvation is not a good thing at all," she said.

Mother Karen, who first visited India in 1977 to work with Mother Teresa in Kolkata, and got drawn into studying Hinduism, has promoted Hindu-Christian dialogue in Los Angeles for many years.

She was one of the key movers behind the Indian Rite Mass held on January 19 at St John's Cathedral in Los Angeles. The cathedral is run by Episcopalians, an influential branch of the American church.

A vegetarian since her first visit to India, she says one of the reasons the church issued an apology to Hindus for the attack some Christians have made on Hindu beliefs and way of life, is the continuing controversy about conversions in India.

"We continue to be appalled by the action of many fundamentalist Christian preachers and aids organisation that sought to exploit the tremendous tsunami tragedy in many Asian cities and towns," she said from her office near Los Angeles. "The missionaries were telling the people that unless they became Christians, they would not get the relief aid."

She decided that the Mass would be celebrated in Indian style, using aarti and kirtans. "The Indian style Mass is being celebrated in many Christian ashrams in India," she said.

There are over 50 such ashrams in India where Christianity is presented as an Eastern faith. You will see Christ looking like an Indian sadhu, and Mother Mary picturised wearing a sari.

Mother Karen has sojourned at several of those ashrams, particularly at Shantivanam Ashram, a Camaldolese Benedictine community made famous by its former prior, Bede 'Dayananda' Griffiths.

The Shantivanam ashram looks like a rishi's home transported from Vedic times to the banks of the Cauvery river, at a forested place near Trichy in South India, wrote Hinduism Today magazine.

'A pilgrim's first impressions are strong, and very Hindu: the elaborately colorful Hindu shrine; the bearded, saffron-robed swami seated cross-legged on a straw mat; devotees practicing yogic meditations, even chanting Hindu scriptures.'

The Christian priests who run such ashrams get criticised by conservative Christians and by Hindu groups who think they are trying new conversion ploys. But Mother Karen says the most important mission of Shantivanam is to foster better understanding with the Hindu community.

'The impressions at the Christian ashrams lead to another kind of reality. First, the eye detects that the courtyard shrine is for Saint Paul and that puja is actually a daily Mass, complete with incense, aarti lamps, flower offerings and prasadam,' Hinduism Today wrote.

'Finally, one meets the swami, learning he is Father Bede "Dayananda" Griffiths, a Christian sanyasi of impeccable British background...'

Some of the critics of such ashrams may remember a few Italian priests, who, in the 16th century in Go,a lived like sanyasis and were trying to convert high caste Hindus.

'These ashrams,' wrote Hinduism Today 'which are variously described as "experiments in cross-cultural communication," 'contemplative hermitages that revolve around both Christian and Hindu ideas,' or (less charitably) "institutions to brainwash and convert India's unwary masses."

Are these places to be endorsed by Hindus as worthy attempts to share each other's spirituality? Or are they a spiritual oxymoron, a contradiction of terms, because the Christians are interested in sharing -- dialogue is the term they use -- only as a means to conversion?'

Mother Karen would like to see such ashrams grow in number as long as they have a clear mission in holding genuine dialogue and involve Hindu spiritual leaders in the nearby community.

She believes that the recent Indian rite Mass was not a one-time event. "We want to see a Gandhi pilgrimage center in a temple where Christians could go and meditate," she says, "and even get involved in social action."

She also plans to meet with immigration officials and lawmakers at the national and state levels to make changes in the immigration law, so that it becomes easier for Hindu priests from India to serve at the American temples and ashrams. (Reference)

Also see:
- Orissa Clash and Christian Missionaries, by Nithin Sridhar
- Christian Aggression - Assault On India

DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST?

"And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?" Mark 8:27

I used to worship a Jesus, my personal savior, whom did not exist. Yes, my Jesus was a figment of my imagination, sin, my hope to continue in my sin and still gain salvation. My Jesus would forgive me simply because I asked him to, simply because I confessed my sins.

No where in the Gospel do we hear or read that JESUS will forgive the sins of those who confess their sins and ask HIM into their lives simply based upon their actions of asking and confessing.

NO, the scriptures teach us that we must, " From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 4:17

BUT more so we know JESUS prayed, 39"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." and prayed again, 42"He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." Matthew 26:39, 42

The JESUS who would be sent by the FATHER and given for the sins of the world, whom must die as the penalty for sin is the only JESUS who is worthy, who is able to save us from sin. Has your JESUS paid the penalty for your sin, has HE said "It is finished"?

"Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.  But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me." John 7:28-29

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: e pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 19-21

Credit: NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI), and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
NASA holds rights to this picture.

Psalm 19:1-4                  The heavens declare the glory of 
                                               God [HASHEM in Hebrew]
                                       the skies proclaim the works of his
                                                     hands. 
                                      Day after day they pour forth
                                                     speech;  
                                           night after night they display
                                                  knowledge.
                                      There is no speech or language
                                         where their voice is not heard.
                                         Their voice goes out into all the
                                                  earth.
                                        their words to the ends of the
                                              world.   (NIV)

John [Yochanan in Hebrew] 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word [Jesus, Yeshua in Hebrew] and the Word was with God [Hashem] , and the Word was God [Hashem].  He was with God [Hashem] in the beginning.  Through him all things were made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.  (NIV)

                                                 Shalom in Jesus [Yeshua]

Remember most gracious Virgin Mary.

That never was it known. 

That anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, Virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrrowful.

Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear, and answer me.

Amen.

In this tempestuous time, I really rely to my Blessed Mother, for she takes care of me personally in heaven, watches over me, and brings me closer to Jesus our Lord. 

Mother Mary, please pray for me.

I recently heard the best teaching on Heaven and hell.  Chip Ingram (Living On The Edge) gave this teaching.  You will hear it on the following link: http://lote.org/listen/listenDaily.php  "Why I Believe" 7/31/08

                                                     Shalom In Jesus