Lord Vishnu                                                                    

Faith has a meaning, which cannot be described, in words…but only by feeling it…the world can never exist without faith…it is this unbounded and perpetual power, which gives a meaning to our life… Faith is something, which acts like the rope that saves the life of a mountaineer when his life is in danger…

 

It was the year 2004 when this incident happened….

 

 During my summer vacations, we planned to visit some nearby places such as Madurai, Rameshwaram, Chennai and Thirupati (The most famous temple of India)…After visiting the first three places, we were very excited to go to the temple…But the time we reached there was during the elections. And so, due to this, all the tickets were sold out. There were no tickets available for the next 3 days. My dad tried every other way but failed. We could also not wait hat longer because my dad had to go back for his work. We were so very disappointed.

That night, my mom cried very loudly…she became deeply emotional… The more loudly she cried, the more it rained…

 

The next day…

 My mom bought herself an Idol of Lord Vishnu…

She kept it in our house temple in the seventh day after returning from there… She cried most of the times for more than ten days…

 One day…

 On the first week of June, early in the morning at 5.30, my mom and dad both saw the dream of Lord Vishnu…My dad saw in his dream an Idol of Lord Vishnu inside a temple…. And what my mom saw was unbelievable!

It was Lord Vishnu himself! He had a dark cloud like skin color… He came to my mom and said” Sumu…Look at myself…. from now on till everyday…bathe the idol that you bought with yourself with cow milk….”

 As soon as she woke up, she told my father about he dream… and she was so glad and surprised to hear that my father too had dreamt of Lord Vishnu! It was such a miracle!

After that happened…. My mother shed so much tears of devotion… She finally got to see him….

Later she came to know from a book that Lord Vishnu likes cow milk very much and also that his skin is dark cloud like color… I was really a miracle!

Since that day, She has never forgotten to offer our lord’s Idol milk…and never will she ever forget to do so throughout her life…

 

In the next year of my summer vacations, we finally got the tickets to go to the temple…

 

We were so happy…

 

For one year my mom had been waiting for this…

 

She was often checking the tickets kept in the purse…

 

Then we finally reached…

 

But as soon as we entered the temple after two hours of waiting in the line, the bodyguards of the temple were giving us very little time to stand there in front of the Lord’s idol and pray… One of the guards almost pushed me and my mom out of there… my mom could not bear it… so she burst out of tears…”Lord Vishnu!!!…”She cried… everyone looked at her… seeing her the bodyguards gave us much time to pray… but my mom could see nothing except the Sudarshan Chakra as her eyes were filled with tears…

I can never forget that…

 

My mom didn’t want me to publish this as she didn’t want to show off… but she agreed after I tried to convince her.

 

 

 

It is said that the strength of a real man can single handedly kill a lion.

And I add to that:

this man just needs a woman to keep him as strong and as healthy as he is.

It is not easy to be a woman especially these days. If there is a multi-tasks person in this planet. It is the woman. The woman takes the role of a mother---a very challenging yet fulfilling role she has to take up. She take the role of a career woman too; and often times do better than men. She takes the role of a housewife even after work, which many men can hardly do. She takes the role of a wife---despite the intuition that betrayal is roaming around like a roaring lion waiting for its chance to break the bones of marriage. A woman keeps the family intact and whole. Values usually springs from the heart of the woman to her children. What strength it is for a woman to live and sometimes survive the pride that a man has only to offer and exhibit. A man whose wealth is ruled by pride and egoism shall in the end live with the rats of depression and loss. While a man whose wealth is ruled by his love for his wife shall in the end survive all the turmoils in life and live an abundant life. Abundant living stems from where the love of a wife has been nurtured by the husband. The real abundant living is the product of the strength of a woman to keep the family together, to cherish the love that has started, and to keep the faith alive in the midst of turmoil and sadness. There is no other strength greater than the love of a woman to her husband and children. To sacrifice her time and energy for the sake of love and marriage. To survive the pain despite the knowledge of being betrayed, to live life to the fullest to model for her children.

I am blessed to have my son in Iligan during his birthday. I never thought I could be with him since I am assigned at far from home. My blessing is primarily the blessing of having a great family. Father's can only tell how much they love their children; ye they cannot explain how much they love their children since the love that they have for their children comes from an infinite source. My son is very talkative; most words only he can comprehend. He just turns three years old this August 7. I am so blessed to have him in my life; having a son is a blessing. What a joy for a father to see his on enjoying life.

I want to know if they are pushing for Pope John Paul II beatification or sainthood. I have already read three miracle articles about the Pope. Recently I read about this Miracle Picture of the Pope and the Blessed Mother. It is not a question whether the pope is holy or not. For me, he is one of the most holy personalities in our time; but I just don't want the idea of reading miracle articles of the pope (which is not true) just to push for what many would like to achieve---his sainthood. John Paul II was a holy man; and his holiness can energize the crowd surrounding him. Many of my friends can attest to this; but circulating this miracle picture of the pope and the blessed mother (if not true) is not fair. Hope we can be directed to a site in Vatican where we can read something about this Miracle Picture.

For this time of crisis and tragedy, we ask every subscriber and reader to give a minute of prayer for the victims and the families of the victims of the MV Princess of the Star. It is a time for grieving for many Filipinos. Though Philippines as a nation is in crisis, there is still hope when everyone joins hand in hand in prayer whatever religion or creed it may be.

For this time of crisis and tragedy, we ask every subscriber and reader to give a minute of prayer for the victims and the families of the victims of the MV Princess of the Star. It is a time for grieving for many Filipinos. Though Philippines as a nation is in crisis, there is still hope when everyone joins hand in hand in prayer whatever religion or creed it may be.

View blog authority Seek Righteousness; have peace of mind and know that you are blessed.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV

Spirituality is a way of responding the reality within and around you. It is not religiosity; it is as simple as giving alms to an old handicapped woman sitting on the sidewalk. Spirituality is as actual as helping an old maid cross the street. It is as real as sharing your time for someone who needs an ear to listen. All these is Seeking first for the kingdom of God despite our busy schedule. All these things mentioned and many more are examples of what spirituality is. Seek righteousness.

King David was a symbol of success: power, wealth, and fame. From him, we can learn his formula for success---be it in wealth, power, or fame.

Who was he? David was chosen by God to reign over His people because he was a man after God's own heart. Then he removed him (Saul) and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish." (Acts 13:22) He attained the height of prosperity and achievement from an ordinary shepherd boy to an extraordinary king, whose memoirs have been written down in the pages of history. He was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse. He killed Goliath, who was six and a half feet tall, when he was a boy. Goliath was a seasoned warrior. He was far better experienced than David in combat. In fact, David neither had the training nor the experienced in combat. But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth." (1 sam 17:33) He was perhaps not the strongest man (boy) in his time. There were many other soldiers stronger and more skillful in combat than him in the army of Saul. But the LORD said to Samuel: "Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) But he was a man (boy) of courage. He had courage founded by his faith in God. The words that David had spoken were overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him.) Then David spoke to Saul: "Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine." But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth." Then David told Saul: "Your servant used to tend his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, I would go after it and attack it and rescue the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the jaw, strike it, and kill it. Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God." David continued: "The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine." Saul answered David, "Go! the LORD will be with you." (1 Sam 17:31-37) He was also bold to proclaim God. He was neither reluctant nor reserved to proclaim that He and Israel has a God. That his God is God. He made a stand for God and got insulted everytime the name of the Lord had been insulted. He was not passive with his faith; he was bold to proclaim God as God. David answered him: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God. All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle is the LORD'S, and he shall deliver you into our hands." (1 Sam 17:45-47) But of course, like any other man, he also had his shortcomings and frailties. One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of (Joab's armor-bearer) Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her, at a time when she was just purified after her monthly period. She then returned to her house. But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, "I am with child." (2 Sam.11:2-5) The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. In it he directed: "Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead." (2 Sam 11:14-15) Yes, he had them. In fact, coveting his soldier's wife and having him strategically placed in the front line to be killed in battle are two serious offenses. Despite all these, he remained to be a man after God's own heart. With his honest desire and great effort, he strived to follow God's heart; with his humanity, he failed. But who are we to judge the mercy of God? And who are we then to know how God sees the heart of man? In fact, God made a covenant with David. This is perhaps how God rewarded David for loving Him with his whole heart in his lifetime. A reward that even David's descendants would benefit forever. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. But of course, God had also warned to discipline David's descendant to do what is right---though God's favor would always be upon them. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements; but I will not withdraw my favor from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul, whom I removed from my presence. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever. ( 2 Sam 7:12-16) He imitated all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, like the heart of his grandfather David. Yet for David's sake the LORD, his God, gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and permitting Jerusalem to endure; because David had pleased the LORD and did not disobey any of his commands as long as he lived, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kg.15:3-5) Well, as I look around me, listen to different personal stories of success, and observe some successful families whom I have known---I see many other King Davids. All of these families have something in common. It is loving God and seeking Him with all of their hearts every day of their life. This love for God, seeking after His heart, is manifested in their courage to accept every opportunity of blessing disguised as another Goliath. It is also manifested in their boldness to procliam God behind all their success: wealth, power, and fame. You too might have your share of being a King David in your own right. Share them with us; and have them posted here in the comment. View blog authority

King David was a symbol of success: power, wealth, and fame. From him, we can learn his formula for success---be it in wealth, power, or fame.

Who was he? David was chosen by God to reign over His people because he was a man after God's own heart. Then he removed him (Saul) and raised up David as their king; of him he testified, "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will carry out my every wish." (Acts 13:22) He attained the height of prosperity and achievement from an ordinary shepherd boy to an extraordinary king, whose memoirs have been written down in the pages of history. He was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse. He killed Goliath, who was six and a half feet tall, when he was a boy. Goliath was a seasoned warrior. He was far better experienced than David in combat. In fact, David neither had the training nor the experienced in combat. But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth." (1 sam 17:33) He was perhaps not the strongest man (boy) in his time. There were many other soldiers stronger and more skillful in combat than him in the army of Saul. But the LORD said to Samuel: "Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) But he was a man (boy) of courage. He had courage founded by his faith in God. The words that David had spoken were overheard and reported to Saul, who sent for him.) Then David spoke to Saul: "Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your service to go and fight this Philistine." But Saul answered David, "You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth." Then David told Saul: "Your servant used to tend his father's sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, I would go after it and attack it and rescue the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the jaw, strike it, and kill it. Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God." David continued: "The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine." Saul answered David, "Go! the LORD will be with you." (1 Sam 17:31-37) He was also bold to proclaim God. He was neither reluctant nor reserved to proclaim that He and Israel has a God. That his God is God. He made a stand for God and got insulted everytime the name of the Lord had been insulted. He was not passive with his faith; he was bold to proclaim God as God. David answered him: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel that you have insulted. Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will leave your corpse and the corpses of the Philistine army for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God. All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle is the LORD'S, and he shall deliver you into our hands." (1 Sam 17:45-47) But of course, like any other man, he also had his shortcomings and frailties. One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, "She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of (Joab's armor-bearer) Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her, at a time when she was just purified after her monthly period. She then returned to her house. But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, "I am with child." (2 Sam.11:2-5) The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. In it he directed: "Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead." (2 Sam 11:14-15) Yes, he had them. In fact, coveting his soldier's wife and having him strategically placed in the front line to be killed in battle are two serious offenses. Despite all these, he remained to be a man after God's own heart. With his honest desire and great effort, he strived to follow God's heart; with his humanity, he failed. But who are we to judge the mercy of God? And who are we then to know how God sees the heart of man? In fact, God made a covenant with David. This is perhaps how God rewarded David for loving Him with his whole heart in his lifetime. A reward that even David's descendants would benefit forever. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for my name. And I will make his royal throne firm forever. But of course, God had also warned to discipline David's descendant to do what is right---though God's favor would always be upon them. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements; but I will not withdraw my favor from him as I withdrew it from your predecessor Saul, whom I removed from my presence. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever. ( 2 Sam 7:12-16) He imitated all the sins his father had committed before him, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, like the heart of his grandfather David. Yet for David's sake the LORD, his God, gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, raising up his son after him and permitting Jerusalem to endure; because David had pleased the LORD and did not disobey any of his commands as long as he lived, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kg.15:3-5) Well, as I look around me, listen to different personal stories of success, and observe some successful families whom I have known---I see many other King Davids. All of these families have something in common. It is loving God and seeking Him with all of their hearts every day of their life. This love for God, seeking after His heart, is manifested in their courage to accept every opportunity of blessing disguised as another Goliath. It is also manifested in their boldness to procliam God behind all their success: wealth, power, and fame. You too might have your share of being a King David in your own right. Share them with us; and have them posted here in the comment. View blog authority