Something I'd like to share

As I was reading the life of Leo Tolstoy, it occurred to me that a lot of people stop believing in Jesus when they lose interest or faith in the people preaching to them or their role-models. Many youth shy from leadership of a prayer group/intercessory team due to fear of failure to be perfect (Matt:5:48 - "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.)

To his critics, Tolstoy replied, "Don't judge God's holy ideals by my inability to meet them." He said, "Don't judge Christ by those of us who imperfectly bear his name." At times, on-lookers hold on to what they have seen/heard of a priest/preacher, little realizing that they grope on successfully to Satan's bait of destruction - when a rumor grows into gossip and gossip becomes the virtual identity of someone who might painstakingly cling to his Christian mission.

To such blamers Tolstoy says, "Attack me, I do this myself, but attack me rather than the path I follow and which I point out to anyone who asks me here I think it lies. If I know the way home and am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right was because I am staggering from side to side! If it is not the right way then show me another way; but if I stager ad lose the way, you must help me, you must keep me on the true path, just as I am ready to support you. Do not mislead me, do not be glad that I have got lost, do not shout out joyfully: 'Look at him! He said he was going home but there he is crawling into a bog!' No, do not gloat, but give me your help and support."

Tolstoy's relentless pursuit of authentic faith is diluted by the life he led, yet his struggles provide an X-ray vision to the human heart.

By Venora

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Why we shout in Anger?

A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.' 'But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?' Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint.

Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.' Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

MORAL: When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

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Message by Fr. Ivan - I believe in YOUTH

Dear young budding Friends

The Late John Paul II greeted the youth during a youth convention in Ireland, in 1979 in the following words,"I believe in youth. you are the hope, the reserve. When i look at you, I see the world of tommorrow, you will be the living force of your country. Looking at your faces, we see the future! In the light of your eyes, the year two thousand shines. It is an impressive and exalting sight".

Youth is the spring time of life. you have been blessed with tremendous potential, numerous talents and gifts to make a posotive difference in this beautiful world. You are at the threshold of making decisive choices for your life. Your choices will depend a great deal on your value system, your attitude towards life and relationships and your social commitment. You have to bear the burden of expectations from all sides and face up the challlenge of cutthroat competition and technlogical development.

What is the purpose of your life as youth? Is it fun and frolic alone? Surely not. you are called fro greater things in life. You have your duties and responsibilities to fulfill towards your family, the Church and the society. YOU(th) a bundle of life, love, energy, creativity, adventure, and generosity are created to fly high. So do not satisfied with just crawling along. Rise up. Strengthen your wings with a sense of God, commitment, responsibility and social involvement and you will transform yourself and the world.

So dear young people my humble wish for you is "be good and do good" May God bless you all.

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Don't Give Up

Don't give up..... One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said."In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I wouldnot quit." He said."Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots". "I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you." "Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high" "How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return."As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Never, Never, Never Give up. For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

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