From the Editor's Desk

For some people a job or realizing dignity of labour is no more than a nasty interruption of their social life; they cannot wait for Friday night. Paradoxically, the bible approves of work. God himself is a worker. In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth and He takes pleasure in what He has made. No wonder Jesus spent a good proportion of his life working as a carpenter. Working then, is part of what it means to be made in God’s image; God works and He gives us the privilege of working. Through our work we can glorify God.
The earliest picture of the relationship between God and humanity is Adam and Eve in a garden – an image of God’s life-giving power (‘I give you….every seed bearing plant’) coupled with human responsibility (‘till the ground…...subdue the earth’). Stewardship is the key idea – recipient of responsibility. The bible has a high regard for skilled craftsmen, the sort of people who use their talents to make music or build and beautify the temple. ‘There is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work’, says the writer of Ecclesiastes. ‘Work’, writes the apostle Paul, ‘ so that you may have something to share with those in need’.
Indeed, to man’s psyche, work is not always fulfilling and deeply satisfying because of contamination by human sin. This is expressed vividly in the Adam and Eve story as God’s curse on the ground. What should be joyful labour becomes painful drudgery and toil. It can be perverted into a way of enslaving people, satisfying greed, or hunger for power. In the end something that was meant to fulfill our humanity can degenerate into trudging round a soul-destroying treadmill. In a profound insight, the creation story pictures’ God resting from His labours on the seventh day. Verily! Here lies the significance of the Sabbath. Life is meant to have a rhythm of work and rest, of creation and re-creation. Far from preventing people enjoying themselves, the Sabbath was to ensure that not only man but also animals and the soil were to be given a holiday. It is right that we should serve God in our work but we should also enjoy Him in our worship. God did not make people to wander in a wilderness of restlessness. It is good to work hard, but it also good to discover a still point for our lives by taking out to rest in God. Only then do we live out the truth to which the rhythm of work and Sabbath points.

Dear friends!
We have reached this far by the grace of Almighty God. It’s like only yesterday since the first month of 2003 was ushered in. Days passes by so rapidly that I often ponder if I am fulfilling the purpose of life that is demanded of me by my heavenly Father. We live one day at a time to fulfill God’s plan for our life, and we have no regret but joy and relief as we live daily according to the expectation of God.
What you are holding in your hand now is a result of many labours put together, and a reflection of our ministry. We want Trail to be a life-changing medium that made an impact upon all its readers. It’s my prayer that you discover the best for your life as you join the family of Trail.
As per the yearly plan of the Youth Dept. a seminar on ‘Conflict Resolution’ was conducted for the youth below twenty-two years. Forty-six enthusiastic juvenile turned up, and learnt the art of resolving conflicts successfully. Special thanks to Ako Whiso (Resource person) for making his time available to impart to our youth on how to manage life’s conflict creatively and live peaceably with oneself and others. We also have an exciting camp coming up during the Autumn Season for the senior youth who are twenty-three years and above. If you belong to this group do look forward to having a great time. Also, heartiest congratulations to all those who made it through their examinations. We rejoice with you over your success and render glory to God. May God grant you His wisdom and guide you as you pursue your higher studies. Gen. 5:24 says “Enoch walked with God”. Walking with God should be our life- style as a people of God. As Christians our highest object should be to walk with God side by side, and not behind or ahead of Him, for we can hear Him better if we walk with Him closely. Walk as close as you can with God, for then, you can hear His heart beat concerning every matter of your life.
God bless you!!

"TRAIL" interviews Mr. Huzo Meru, the Principal of Shalom Bible Seminary, Kohima, a theological seminary under Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC)
Trail :As the head of theological institution, how to you feel and what are the challenges that you face?
Huzo Meru: It’s a great privilege and at the same time a grave responsibility to be spearheading a brand new seminary. The challenges being face are many because it’s a faith project with Zero account. Everyday is a challenge to live by faith.
Trail: About Shalom Bible Seminary, when did it start? Can you tell us something about your association with it, how it has grown over the years and your vision for the coming years.
H.Meru: The SBS officially became operational on October 8, 1996 subsequent to the decision taken by the ABCC in November 1995. From the very beginning and conception of the seminary I have being very vocal and a staunch supporter. Perhaps for this reason, I was given the responsibility as the first chairman of the governing body to plan, prepare and facilitate the birth of SBS. In 1997 I was away to Philippines for further studies. This exposure was timely as it greatly enhanced my insights. I returned much enriched with renewed vision and commitment. By God’s grace, the Seminary has completed seven years during which thirty-five students have graduated and forty-five currently enrolled. A new campus site at Sechu has been acquired and donated by the Baptist College. By faith, the construction of the main Shalom Complex, a one-crore project started in 2000 AD, and it is nearing completion, hopefully by 2003. All these are God’s miracles before our eyes. We are excited to relocate to the new campus by early 2004.
Trail: As an educator what are your experiences working for the young people?
H.Meru: It has been a privilege and pleasure to be working among the young people for almost three decades now. It is an exciting experience that keeps one young at heart. Young people are both dynamic and dynamite. This potential energy depends on how it is harnessed by their mentors. Young people look for role models but sad to say that there are more hypocrites than leaders with moral integrity. At any rate, what touches me immensely is to see so many young people turning to Christ as they are fed up with the status quo.
Trail: What ails our society? And what can the young people do to pull out our society from this lethargy?
H.Meru: I would identity the ails of our society in terms of easy money, easy life, and laziness. I call it ‘Zee Syndrome’. I consider this a deadly disease worst than AIDS or SARS, because of its eternal consequences. To purge our society from this syndrome, there is no other way but to pursue a life of integrity, diligence and commitment to God.
Trail: Coming to your personal life, tell us something about your family, and how divide your time with them and your work?
H.Meru: I thank God that I have a wonderful wife and three lovely children (two boys and one girl). They are very supportive to the ministry I am involved in, and I give them full credit for what has been achieved thus far. Leading a new and challenging project, I definitely have less time for my family, yet one very strong binding force is our Family Altar, which we dearly value. This is the prime time where we freely interact about any issue under the sun. The communication line is consciously kept wide open among us. This keeps us together as a vibrant family, and enables us to retrospect ourselves and focus our priorities in life.
Trail: Your message for MHBC youth.
H.Meru: My challenge to the MHBC youth is: · Dare to be different · Seek not things for your own glory · Live for a cause bigger than yourself · Keep your focus on eternal things · Strive to finish well and strong Lastly, remember that it’s worth investing your life for the Master’s “Well done!” What counts most in the final analysis is what matters most in life.

Christianity is personal but not private. Christianity must begin in the heart, but it must not end there. One might say that Christianity begins in accepting a gift, and then proceeding to distribute that gift.
There are different types of Christians:
1. White-Washed Christians: According to John 3:3, these ‘Christians’ do not have the spiritual experience of being born again. No doubt they are regular churchgoers, and are active members in all church-related activities like the choir, youth fellowship, elders’ fellowship, women’s fellowships, etc. They volunteer to be appointed to be elders. In fact anyone born to Christian parents are called Christians. This is a common and natural membership by virtue of being born into a Christian family. But this is not enough. One is to receive the Redeemer into one’s heart, feel sorry for one’s past deeds, repent, cry, and be washed in the precious blood that was shed for everyone on the Cross. Only then can one be a new person, and become a living testimony to II Cor. 5:17 which says, “the old things have passed away. All things have become new”.
2. Brain-Washed Christians: Today, there are many groups trying to attract people with their own peculiar teachings. For instance, there is a group that denies the very doctrine of Trinity and teaches that there is only Jesus. Some insist that only a baptism by their own pastor and being a part of their own fellowship are the only guarantee of eternity. These people are so brain-washed that they will not bow their heads or close their eyes when another pastor leads in prayer. They will do these only when their own pastor leads.
3. Blood-Washed Christians: The people who belong to this group are the true believers, honest Christians, true followers, and disciples. These are people who have had a real regenerative experience. They have received pardon for their inherited sins. They have been washed ‘with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish and without spot’ (I Pet. 1:19). They are saved not through the law of Moses, that is not by mechanically following church rituals, but by the grace and truth that comes through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Christians are commanded to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself’. (Matt. 22: 37&39). True Christians are a people who are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, they embody love, respect all Christians irrespective of denomination, and show love without consideration for caste or colour.
Christianity certainly begins as a personal experience. It is a call to a personal grasp and appropriation. Here Christianity differs much from what is studied under the term ‘religion’. A person may be religious and have religious experience, and not be a Christian. Religion is one of humanity’s oldest and most conservative non-biological inheritances. Therefore it carries along the tag of power and tradition. Religion can be even instinctive sometimes. But Christianity derives its power not from tradition. Rather its power is manifested in the new and full life its followers experience. Christianity is not an old habit but a new way of living. All the good gifts of life are costly. We cannot receive tangible things like money or food in the same way we receive, say, a poem. In order to make such a gift our own, we need to open our heart. So is receiving God when He is revealing Himself to us. And when we talk of the ‘fellowship of His sufferings’ (Phil.3:10), ‘the mark of the Lord Jesus’ (Gal 6: 17) in our bodies or being ‘crucified with Christ’ (Gal 2:20) we are describing the costliness of God’s gift of grace to us. Christianity is not only a personal experience it is also the experience of a personal relationship with God. Many people want to experience this but they don’t have enough faith to try it. It is a gift that Christ would give only when we first endeavour to seek it. So we see that Christianity is highly personal. But it is too good to be confined in you. Some of us have given the world the impression that Christianity is private with our self-centered devotions. On the other hand, some people rush into publicity campaigns and are prepared to support all such works, but lack the personal experience of the wares they are advertising. They are like people who give away samples of soap but obviously had not used the soap. By its very nature Christianity must be given to others for it is Good News and we cannot withhold Good News. Christianity cannot remain private for another very important reason. It is difficult for a person to be personally righteous in an unrighteous nation. It is true that we are in the world, but not of the spirit of the world. But if we are not striving to change the world and its interests we are of the spirit of the world. A person may be a good citizen in a bad city. He may carry the dream of the New Jerusalem in his heart while his feet tread the pavements of Babylon. But there are some songs that he cannot sing in a strange land, and his harp will hang on the willows while he grieves for sin and wrong. Certainly if he is content to remain in Babylon, he will forget the song. (Ps. 137: 1-6). When Christ joins with the person, his activities and his experiences, we shall find in it the sustaining and guiding motive. Then we shall see the Holy City, the righteous nation. The earth, in her highways and byways, shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.
(Miss Khrienuo K is pursuing her BD at ETC, Jorhat)

(A column dealing with controversial issue)
In this issue Trail requested Kevisekho Kruse, an engineer by profession and a man of integrity, to write on faultline. In a generation where the matter of head rules over the heart, here is Er. Kevisekho’s response and view on the topic : Matter or Heart . -Ed
MATTER OF HEART
-Kevisekho Kruse
In Christian faith, the heart of the matter is really a matter of the Heart. The scripture says- “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4: 23). Again, it says – “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things". "Heart" is the fountain of all actions. If the heart is right, all else out of it will be automatically right and all issues with God stand settled. The most pertinent question is therefore -Is your heart rightly related to God? Matter of the heart is matter of: life or death, acceptance by God or rejection by God, rise or fall, peace or war and honor or disgrace. The primary question is not what activities you are engaged with for the glory of God. It is rather: Have you ever surrendered your heart to God and got it committed to him for life? Christian marriages are meant for life where the husband and the wife commit themselves to each other so strongly that they become one. If their commitment is a genuine one, no temptation of any kind can shake their relationship no matter what the circumstances. Similarly, every man and woman needs to enter into a new and growing relationship with God. David of old found such intimacy with God that he said -" Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee "( Ps 73 :25 ) .Do we have such a passion for our Lord? If we truly have, then nothing, not even death, can frighten us from taking a stand for Him. The Hebrew youths of old did it. They dared to face the king and said -" ...we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up " ( Daniel 3 : 18). If only there were more of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego , much of the Satan dominated world would have been won back to God today. Our commitment to God is the basis for any acceptable service to God. There are so many zealous Christians wanting to serve God today, but many are with a heart like that of Peter in the High priest's palace, prepared to go with our Lord only as long as the going is easy. Whether it is in Missionary field, Government Office, or any other place, as soon as the opportunity comes to prove one's faith many shy away like Peter.
The three Hebrew youths, as we see in the book of Daniel, took their stand firmly which
resulted in a major breakthrough. By their standing courageously for the truth, an opportunity was opened up to reveal the sovereignty of Israel's God over the heathen nation that had taken the people of God captive, the heathen king was made to acknowledge the superiority of Israel's God, and the three courageous men promoted. One lesson here is : The three seemingly ordinary Hebrew youths were ready to fight the moral and spiritual battle that came along their way, even if it meant costly. They seized the opportunity and by their bold actions, they not only survived and prospered, but also shook the powerful king and the whole empire. If we are to be true to our God, we shall have many tough moral battles to fight, some of which may even be a question of our life. That is the only way our Lord will be glorified through us .The problem is, though there are many so called Christians today, only a few are willing to take a stand for the truth. Satan has no botheration as long as all of the Church congregations take this compromising attitude. We have so many Christian denominations today and all of them have different systems of worship, but one thing is common with all of them, and that is, majority of their members are not ready to fight any real moral and spiritual battle. I have seen in many Churches that, whenever someone announces to the congregation about a vision that has been seen in which a coffin is being brought into the Church, there used to be an unusually moved congregation charged with high emotion and sense of urgency, and there will be loud shouting and wailing in prayer so that God would put away the evil thing at any cost. Is this scare a sign of believed in God or unbelief? I do not think this is a sign of having strong faith. I believe, in Christian life, the more we grow into spiritual maturity the more we would learn to be calm in our spirit and the less easily affected by strange voices and threats to our physical life. How often our Lord Jesus rebuked his disciples because they were spiritually so weak and overly concerned about the safety of their physical life. Look at what they said -"Master, Master, we perish!' ( Luke 8 : 24 ), "Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee " ( Mat. 16 : 22) .In each of these situations, the disciples failed to see things from God's perspective. What did Jesus say -" Where is your faith?" ( Luke 8 : 25 ) , " Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me : for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men "( Mat. 16: 23 ). True faith means acceptance of God's will for us no matter what the circumstances. As maturing Christians we ought to have a stable mind that is not easily frightened by any voices being aware that God is in control of our affairs. It is so easy for us Christians to remain satisfied with a faith like that of the Scribes and the Pharisees. The Scribes and the Pharisees were the spiritual elites during the time of Jesus. They had all appearances of a righteous life even as they regularly spent hours in temple, prayed, fasted, tithed, and fulfilled all rituals required of them. But Jesus frequently accused them of being empty calling "Hypocrites" (Mat. 15 : 7 -9) .What was that thing which made them to be accused so when they have been seemingly very good and decent people? The truth is they had not accepted that they were sinners needing God's mercy and salvation. They had not the 'regenerated heart' or in other words the circumcised heart (Rom.2:29). All of their actions were motivated by 'Self' rather than dependence on God and His power. In reality, they never knew God or loved Him truly. This is where they have fallen short. Hence, Jesus made terrible comments on them saying that, for all the troubles they took and for all the length they went, their worship was not acceptable to God -they worshipped in vain !
God sees through right into our heart, our real self. Jesus' warning to the disciples against following the ways of the Pharisees and the Scribes is warning to us not to become victims of self deception today. The quality of our life alone with God, that private life without any pretension or mask is what God is counting for. It was a mighty error committed by the Scribes and the Pharisees to have been satisfied with the external show of devotion and loyalty to God while their hearts were really not right with Him. Like any other pagans, they were minding only about the respect, the cheap praise and recognition from men, and the building and keeping of their own little empires. But in the process, they had missed out the chance to live that brand new life in Christ with "joy unspeakable and full of glory" ( I Pet. 1 : 8) .They had only tried to live their religious life with their own efforts and not come to the knowledge that there is a Christian life that could be a continuous experience of miracles everyday with the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. They had really not lived that life of dependence on God counting on His unwavering promise never to leave us nor forsake us ( Heb. 13 : 5 ), and that great joy, peace and happiness will also come our way as we obey and walk daily with our Lord.
May God grant us a real heart for Him and enable us to walk worthy of Him always for His eternal praise and glory.

“Just Like Heaven” the title track from the Anaheim Vineyard’s latest release Vineyard’s founding church brings you a range of songs focusing on the sovereignty of God and the hope of our future with Him. Uniting young writers, musicians and worshipers, this album celebrates God’s holy presence with poetic, scripture-based lyrics and contemporary praise that ranges from quiet acoustic prayers to bold electric anthem. This album is presented by Worship leader and songwriter Larry Hampton.
More Than Anything Larry Hampton
Remember (Isaiah 44:21-22) Cindy Reithmeier
Just Like Heaven (The Dulcet Song) Larry Hampton
Lord Come Now Larry Hampton /Suzannne Shanklin
More Than A Friend Jeremy Riddle
Precious Jesus Jeremy Riddle
Glory To Jesus Cindy Rethmeier
Come Down Dan Whiteman
Carry Me Away
Resting Tony Sanchez / Larry Hampton
In You (Acts 17:28) Cindy Reithmer
Psalm 86 Dan Whiteman
Source : vineyardmusic

The world over recognize and give gratitude to the father’s on this very auspicious day that falls on the 3rd Sunday of June every year. Mrs. Jahu Bruce Dodd from Spobane, Washington mainly initiated father’s day. Mrs. Jahu while attending ‘Mothers’ Day’ service came to realize the sacrifices made by her father. She came from a poor family of six children with no mother. So it was her father who bears all the burden of moulding and bringing them up. Mrs. Jahu wrote to the President of a Ministerial Association requesting them to adopt a particular day as ‘Father’s Day’. This was approved and 3rd Sunday of June came to be rightly termed as ‘Father’s Day’.
The Mayor of Spobane, Washington first recognized Father’s Day. When news reached the Governor of Spobane, he adopted it for the whole state. Slowly nations started to recognize it and began to celebrate every 3rd Sunday as ‘Fathers’ Day’.
(Courtesy : Trail Vol 1 Issue 2 , April – June 2000, contributed by Miss Pudezono Tase)

Trail wishes Happy Birthday to the following members:
July
1. Kulto Tase, Nongozono
3. Khriebu
10. Onophre
11. Mekweno
12. Avino Tase, Niky Rino
13. Viguo, Albert
17. Eyohole
19. Khrienuo K
21. Kevisetso, Atsino, Vikehiezo Tase
24. Zashekhono Tetso
26. Rokovono Sale, Novotsono Natso
29. Kezhaletuo Khro

August
1. Razouvikhol, Vizhono
3. Zhoviü T
6. Akobou Üsou
7. Avitsi
12. Dziesengulie
13.Neileseü Tetso, Keduoneizo
14. Pelesielie
18. Neikeseno, Donni, Seketouno
19. Martha Natso
22. Alavo
24. Kevi Yalie
28. Avino Zhotso

September
2. Vivolhouno, Viseno (Shiku), Visakholie
3. Rülizha-o, Khriebu Nakhro
6. Tosovi Tase
9. Neilakhoto, Lhouleno
10. Arüno Nakhro
11. Menuo Sorhie
12. Neivikhono
13. Asabo Khatso
15. Kekhüneino Khazo
17. Neikosa Tase, Achono Zao
20. Medokrono, Melino & Meyieno
21. Vithozo Khazo, Rokono Tase, Vichovol
25. Athozo Tase
27. Khriezo Tetso, Ase Kulnu, Keduokiezo
29. Viseno(Kezholel), Mecievino Sophie

(At last!) Thank you, EDITORS. I can't imagine what I'll be doing without you.
- Well wisher

Hey Yo!!! EPB,
Whatsa coming up. Is everybody's voice cracking (P & W) these days or is it that your limbs and joints have become very stiff/Rheumatism/Arthritis, that 'u' can't choreograph (J/K). With expectancy,
Hoping -'2'-'C'-'U'- on stage -2 Smiles-
EPB Concert team!!
We are all proud of you for the great work. Keep praising Him and may God bless u all.
- Apeno
Avino Tase, Zayie, Ato & Vikhor,
Good to see u all. Welcome back to Apeno, Athozo & Vinu’s world. - Yahoo!! Apeno
Halo well wisher!!
Indeed !! we owe you a lot!! A suggestion from the editors - you better buy some additional Tech. Equip. like scanner, CD writer etc. if you want to see us more.
Faithfully – the editor (in chief) and co-workers.
Wishing a very happy birthday (advance) to Rokothono (19th June), Onophre (10th July ) & Rokovono (26th July). Waiting for treats????
- Lara
Dear Novotsono,
Congratulations. Your achievement is noteworthy. God’s best in successes that are yet to come.
Sincerely - Lily Nagi
Hey Apholie!
Well come back. By the way your 6 foot Kurta suits you very much. Keep on wearing it wherever you go.
- Azo & Khrieketoulie
Obed! Its time u come out of ur colony and explore Kohima town.
- Azo & Khrieketoulie
Vikhor!! Zavi-o ho... From Avino & Apeno


Congratulation:
The youth Dept. of MHBC congratulates all the successful candidates of HSLC/HSSLC exams. Wishing you all success in your future endeavour.

The former Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mohammad Saeed al-Sahaf, is called the ‘Joker’ in the deck of 55. And not without reason as those of you who have seen his press briefings would know. I saw two amazing things in his press briefings: the ease with which lies and hyperboles would flow from his lips, and, the many references made about God. What actually makes a person bury his head in the sand and stubbornly insist that trouble is at bay? Raw practical courage? To me it is sheer stupidity and foolhardiness. It is said fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
As far as I know all religions speak of love and compassion. But no single thing has killed more men than religion. It is ironic. The Iraqi flag, after Saddam came to power, had been inscribed with “God is great” in (of course) Saddam’s own handwriting. His Information minister at least before the camera was confident that God would come to their rescue. But deep inside in his heart, away from the public, he must have been a very lonely man. He must have been a very desperate man too. And while he insisted that God was ‘churning the bellies of the invaders’ at the ‘gates of Baghdad’ American Marines were smoking out the Republican Guards in the very heart of Baghdad. If the idea was to fool the Arab public then it did for a while. But like any lies it was exposed very soon. On the other hand did he really believe that God indeed would interfere in the dramatic way, a la Greek mythological war, that he envisaged? Well in that case his god never came.
This makes me wonder if his god was actually self-created for personal convenience. When Saddam was gassing thousands of his own countrymen to death, carrying on political pogrom, killing his own sons-in –law, and cutting off the tongue of his generals who were opposed to him, the ‘great God’ never intervened. But when they were at the receiving end God was supposed to save them. It surely is an unfair God in Saddam’s country!
I think most of our troubles begin when we see God from our own personal selfish perspective and try to redefine Him. Then He becomes a human creation, and what is created by man is bound to fail sometime or the other. It is not fully dependable. After all a sinner can create only a sinful god. The trouble is many still do not believe that man is a fallen creature. Man to them is a sublime and holy creature not defiled by the Original Sin. So whatever he creates should see him through all his predicaments. But all the grand experiments of humanity like Marxism, the Welfare State, Communism, Fascism, Utopianism, the Great American Dream, the Enlightenment, have failed. Christians are not surprised. We know that without God nothing worthwhile is possible. Eccl. 8: 16-17 tells us that the human reason is adequate for only certain tasks.
Abraham’s impatience made him his own god for a while, and so he had to have a son by a surrogate mother. To him God was ‘late’. However this experiment proved to be disastrous. Even today the descendants of Ishmael (the Palestinians) and Isaac (Israelis) are at war with each other. I wonder if you, my young friends, have made such mistakes of creating your own god and then blaming God when he ‘failed’. Well I have so many times. But I cannot undo the past no matter how much I want to. I can only make my mistakes worthwhile by learning from them. These mistakes are not worth repeating.
Vinoth Ramachandran says that when we create our own god and worship it we are dehumanizing ourselves because we are worshiping our inferior. It is very easy to make our friends, or partner, or family, or work, or money, or possession, or pleasure, or power our god. They are important no doubt, but when any of these usurp God from the centre of our life, that’s the beginning of the end for us. Neither can any of these co-habit with God. ‘It’s my life’ and ‘I want to do it my way’ is the philosophy of many today. It sounds good, even manly, but this highway is strewn with pitfalls from which it is impossible to extricate ourselves without help. If we are that smart God surely would not have seen the need to send His son to die for us.

It’s easy to feel as though we live in a world where wrong seems right and right seems wrong. Know what I mean? I think you do, for instance, I’ll bet practically everyone in your class cheats. It’s almost the norms right? And sometimes they had good grades for it, and so for you to take a stand against that would seem, well, almost abnormal. You‘d be going against the flow. So many student cheat; in a way it’s become expected. But it’s the one who chooses not to cheat who stands out. How can this be? It’s because cheating is wrong. It’s taking something that doesn’t belong to us. In fact the Ten Commandments echoes this: “You shall not steal”, I think it’s clear that we shouldn’t take something that doesn’t belongs to us, wouldn’t you? Yet somehow over the years, we‘ve broken the rules. And somehow, what’s wrong doesn’t seem so wrong anymore.
You’re not alone.
If you’re committed to taking a stand against sin (including cheating), you’re probably feeling outnumbered. And even though it may feel like you’re standing alone, you’re not. Compromise, sin and breaking the rules have been around and messing up this world for a long time. We some times feel as though our judicial system has gone bonkers, good people aren’t treated fairly, and not a single person knows what truth is-or even cares about finding it.
Digging Deeper
When we hear so many different voices screaming so many different things. How can we really know what’s right and what’s wrong? If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, you’re basing your lifestyle and your thoughts around his Holy Word. The catch? Just this: is He really Lord? Did you know ‘Lord’ is mentioned 7,540 times in the bible? Hmmm!!. God must think it’s pretty important, huh? Lord means one who has control. He is the one who has absolute authority. It’s God’s will that we live under the Lordship of his son, Jesus Christ. Bottom line: it means He is the Boss! He is the supreme controller of the universe. Remember that violent storm on the Sea of Galilee? (You can find the whole story in the book of John 14:22-32), the disciples grown men were scared to death! Peter screamed, “Lord! If it’s you, ask me to come to you”. Even in fear, he referred to Jesus as Lord. Jesus Christ wants to be much more than number one in your life. Being number one isn’t good enough. He wants to be your life. You see, he knows that whatever or whoever we placed at number one position in our life can eventually get shoved to the number two spot. Or number three or four. We always talk about Jesus living in our hearts. But guess what! He doesn’t want to settle for just your heart. He wants to live in your mind too. He wants to permeate in your thoughts. He doesn’t seek to control you like a puppet: he doesn’t work that way. But he wants to possess your thinking in such a way that the things that break His heart will also break your heart. And the atrocities that bring tears to Christ’s eyes will make you cry. And the injustices that cause him to stand in the righteous anger will cause you to stand in righteous anger. The call
We’re often tempted to say, “Yeah, okay, you can be lord. But stay out of what I buy. Don’t get involved in how I use my free time.” Jesus Christ begs you to move away from casual Christianity. The world is filled with too many weak-kneed, wishy-washy Christians. He has much higher calling on your life, and he asks for a much deeper commitment from you. He wants your all! He wants to be your Lord. We’re often tempted to say ‘yeah, okay. You can be my lord, but stay out of what I buy. Don’t get involved in what I do of my free time.” But when we’re sick or up against the wall, we call him. We want to choose when he’s Lord. But this full commitment we’re talking about won’t work that way. You see, Jesus didn’t come just to save us. He also came to master us, to break us and reshape us in order to bring glory to Himself. And if you choose, the decision will affect every aspect of your life: how you dress, the jokes you tell, and the stuff you watch and what you listened to. Oh, you still make mistake – that’s what grace is all about.
What about it?
So, I am wondering, who will take their dreams, their relationship, their talents, their future, their attitudes, their all and say ‘Lord I am yours’. You have permission to break me and reshape me in all you dream for me to be. I even give you the stuff that will happen in future. I don’t want to settle for casual Christianity. I don’t want a surface – level relationship with you, I want all of you and I want you to have all of me. Take me Father, fill me, saturate me, permeate me with your spirit, your power. Energize me. Guide me. Take me where you want me to go. Tell me what you want me to do. I am here to bring glory to you.
If you pray that prayer of lordship, Well, things will change. Not only your lifestyle, but your thinking too. Even how you see truth. Sources:Briomag

A group of guys took a trip to Italy and decided to attend church in a small town. Even though none of them understood Italian, they managed to stand, kneel and sit when the rest of the congregation did, so it won't be obvious they were tourist. At one point, the priest spoke and the man sitting next to them stood up, so they got up too. The entire congregation broke into hearty laughter. After the service they approached the priest, who spoke English and asked him what had been so funny. The priest said he had announced a birth in the parish and asked the father to stand up.
Little Sally : "Mum, does God go to the bathroom?"
Mom: "No dear, why do you ask?"
Little Sally: "Well, this morning I heard Dad knock on the bathroom door and say, "Oh, God, are you still in there?"

Seyie T : "I've just finished painting your portrait. There, don't you think it looks like you?"
Seyie W : "Er.. well.. it probably looks better from a distance"
Seyie T : "I told you it was like you"