RELATIONSHIP

(Counting the Cost of Relationship & the price we have to pay for relationship)
Rom 4:13; Rom 5:11; Phil 2:5ff.

Four months back, i.e., April, 2019; my brother in-law got married. We were expected to witness this special occasion for it was going to be a momentous occasion for the entire family. But the problem that we did not want to share with others from our side was ‘we did not have sufficient money to manage ourselves’. Managing family trip is too expensive, especially for people who came from the southern part of Mizoram. Because we need to spend more money after reaching Aizawl, more than the amount we have already spent for flight ticket only to reach Aizawl, capital city of Mizoram.

But by having known all our problems, our relatives from different part of Mizoram, have sent financial help to us; then in short; all together, the total amount of financial help spent by our relatives, during our stay, became more than a lakh of rupees.

Our presence was highly felt needed by the bridegroom. But the expense only for our family, before and after marriage was so high; because, after the marriage was over, we moved from village to town, town to village from time to time to visit our relatives. So they have to provide every possible way in order that, we also could manage ourselves.

During this time, one question that has come to my mind was – what was the reason, why they did so? What was the motivating factor, to let them do all these things? The answer is – only because of a relationship that tied us together, which has been established between us.

This illustration is being shared with you only to help you recollect your own experiences that you have come across which are more noticeable and perhaps would become grater experiences then us.

According to Financeonline.com, the top 3 most expensive weddings in history are;
1.    Prince Charles & Dina -  $110 million
2.    Vanisha Mittal & Amit Bhatia – $66 million
3.    Prince William & Kate Middleton – $34 million
I have recollected these three stories only to remind us how much money is being spent to make a relationship bond between individual people.

In addition, besides what have been mentioned; we also can recollect Taj Mahal, one of the greatest and magnificent piece of architecture constructed by Sah Jehan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taylor’s Diamond, given by her husband Richard Burton for her 40th birthday which is estimated to have cost around $1,050,000; The $85 million worth Yacht, given by Anil Ambani to his beloved wife Tina; the Gift of the 19th floor of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, given by Rajkundra to his wife Shilpa Shetty, and The Statue of Liberty, 305 foot-tall, designed by F.A Bartholdi which is regarded as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy, it was a gift of friendship given to the US in 1884 from France.

You also might have known the dog name Hachiko and his master Japanese professor. At the end of every working day, Hachiko would greet his master at Shibuya station and the pair would walk home together. One day in 1925, the man suffered a brain haemorrhage and died. Hachiko (dog) didn't understand what had happened and waited for his master to return. For nine years, every day, without fail, the dog waited his master at that train station.

Lastly, Jack, who is only 23 years old suffered a heart-attack due to a viral infection and was told by doctors that a heart transplant was the only way possible to save his life. In the meantime, Bill’s daughter ‘Abbey’ died of traumatic brain injury at the age of 20. She was a registered donor from the age of 17. Following her death, Bill, her father cycled more than 1,400 miles to spread the awareness of organ donation. It was during one of his rides that he met 23-year-old Jack, the man who received an Abbey’s heart. So, as he hears the heartbeat of her daughter, Bill emotionally has set tears before people who were there around him.

There’s nothing new for us, because all these stories recollected are the well-known incidents happened to these people. However, all the stories mentioned, as I belief, will reflect how much cost is the relationship in one way or the other. And it will also help us recollect the greatest gift of God through Jesus Christ for the renewal and to heal our broken relationship between God and human.

In Rom 5:12, Paul says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all, because all have sinned.”
Because of sin committed by one man, human conditions before God have often been portrayed in various ways;
-    He drove out the man from the garden of Eden (Gen 3:24)
-    They have become hostile to God
-    They have become unrighteous and worthless (Rom 3:10&12)
-    They have become fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)
-    They have become enemies of God (Rom 5:10)
-    Death exercise dominion over all men (Rom 5:17) they are spiritually death, as a result, they no longer can do anything with the living God and are being cut off from the living God.

This is what we called it, in one phrase ‘a broken relationship', which has anything to do with God, which is becoming powerless, incapable, helpless, weak, ineffective, and feeble in his/her own nature. This is, indeed, our previous condition before God.

But God, who is rich in mercy, and out of his great love, has taken up all responsibilities, and then initiated the greatest gift to a sinner in order that this broken relationship could be healed.
So, he gave his very own son, as a sacrificial offering to forgive our sin and to wipe away all our transgressions.
How much is the cost?  How much cost did, God has given to heal our broken relationship?
(According to Phi 2:5-8):
-    Though he is the son of God, He emptied himself
-    He took the form of a slave
-    He transforms himself in human likeness
-    And became obedient to the point of death

We may take it as ‘granted, simple and worthless', but behind the cost, there are immeasurable hidden efforts given by God to heal our relationship which  is so painful, so deep, so affluent, etc. No one can imagine, it is beyond human imagination, beyond human comprehension.

Because of the price given by God, we became healed, we are accepted, we are no longer enemies of God, we have life, and we are given the citizens of the kingdom of God. In spite of all our weaknesses and all our limitations, God, who is above all, could accepted us by healing our broken relationship in order that a worthless would be counted as worthiness, a hostile would also embrace God without blemish.

This relation is the striking point that enables a person to serve God. We might have highly educational qualifications, we also may acquire countless of knowledge and wisdom, but depending on the relationship we built with God, we will be judged by others. People will make their own judgement on us base on the relationship we have with God.

Being a human, and as we come across so many circumstances in or daily lives, we sometimes faced difficult situations, complain, failure, discontent, backlash, backsliding, and many more. Therefore, one of the best ways out possible from these kinds of problems is to recheck our relationship between God and us.

This is also to be considered as the best warehouse that signal our network through which we may get immediate relief, help and every supply for our lives, let us take heed of it. If our relationship with God becomes strong and healthy; our God who is full of grace, who cares, and who always keeps his eyes towards his people will always be ready to provide all our needs.

Therefore, to suggest the best ways for re-examination for our relationship with God; of course, one can suggest a number of good points, but these are believed to be more significant than another for our spiritual well-being;
-    Check your loyalty to God.
-    Consecrate/dedicate yourself only for God
-    Always put God at the center.

A relationship that is built between husband and wife is one of the best illustrations from where we can get appropriate reflections.

Some of us may suggest ‘Sex between man and woman', as one of the best significant factors that build a strong relationship between husband and wife, between man and woman. But, it is not. Of course, sex has an enormous contribution to building up the relationship between individuals. But after old age, sex has nothing to do with a husband and wife.

Then, what makes the husband and wife to have a strong bound/relationship till they both die? And in a contrary direction; we also can ask this question, what makes the husband and wife separate from one another? Immediately, our minds may strike with these few answers; Extra marital relationship, Sex outside marriage, unhealthy affairs with others, etc. And above all, other components behind these three answers are – unfaithfulness, carelessness, betrayal, disloyalty.

These are the same factors that often break the relationship, and that create unhealthy relationship between God and human.

Therefore, friends; let us recheck our loyalty to God, let us dedicate ourselves only to God and his causes, and always put God at the central. These are the price to give that we all can do.
Our relationship with God is in fact, like a mechanism through which we can get strength, help, and all our supplies for our spiritual life.

Lastly, let us be reminded with these few sentences…
Relationship; Heals, waits, gives the right answer, achieves great things, sets tears for happiness, breaks all kinds of barriers, enables or motivates people to do something…

If we expect something good from God, let us recheck/re-examine our relationship with God.

WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT? - (JESUS’ FOOD)

For our meditation, I have chosen a very simple theme base on John 4 :27-34.

Based on the same chapter, I have delivered a message on the topic GOOD FOOD among my own community, in the year 2014. So, the theme for this morning meditation is going to be an English version and some parts of the same topic that was being delivered.

Before i make a focus on the theme, i would like to share with you one of my experiences that i have come across in the past...

When I was young, I was very much particular in choosing food items, what to eat and what not to eat. I did not want to eat meat, smelly items and even something which does not look good or delicious.

When I did BD in the year 1996 -2001, once I had a good and unforgettable experience during the time when we went for practical tour. We were given a chance to visit one local church, located far away from our college; members of that particular church were so good to us. They have offered us different kinds of preferential treatments and the hospitality they have provided was so impressive.
Therefore, on the last day, when it was dark at night. They have provided a special meal to us. Then when we sat to take food, a lady of my classmate and who sat beside me had pick-up 3 pieces of intestines which had been placed before us. Then the same moment when she began to eat, she immediately withdrew her hand from her mouth. Then she put all pieces of meat on my plate without saying anything except a bit of a smile.

Then when I pick up one of the pieces to eat, I simply slip in on my mouth thinking that it must be a delicious one. But when I gave a single chew, I did not want to chew again because of the smell that I felt from the piece of meat. Suddenly at that moment, a simple thought had come up in my mind, so I asked myself saying that – I’m I not a man, why should I split out from my mouth, I must finish everything whatever placed before me. So, without taking any more breath, and without giving a single chew anymore, I swallow it. Then, again, I pick up one of the two remaining, I put on my mouth, then without giving a single chew and skipping a breath in between, I swallowed it again. Then, the remaining one piece was still there on my plate, then I pick up quietly and swallow it as I did before.

It is not good at all, to share this kind of experience which is not good for our digestion and at the same time that a dietician can never accept it, for it can bring further effect on our stomach which at the same time may invite risk or health hazard.

But from my side, it was good to do so, because the reason why we have paid a visit that particular place was only for the sake of God, for the sake of the good news in order that I may become one of the instruments of the kingdom of God in one way or the other. I should not dishonor the service that had been rendered by rejecting the food items which were placed before me.
I guess, this sharing of my experience will also help you to recollect something that you also have gone through from your past life.

What would Jesus eat? Or The food of Jesus.
The food that Jesus ate most often have been recorded by the NT writers;

1.    Much of the diet in ancient Palestine consisted of fruit and vegetables. In Matthew 21:18-19, we see Jesus approach a fig tree for a quick snack.
And when eating with friends like Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, Jesus probably would have enjoyed a vegetable stew made of vegetables.

2.    Bread was the staple of the ancient diet. In John 6:9, when Jesus was to miraculously feed 5,000 people, he multiplied five barley loaves and two small fish.
And In instituting the Lord's Supper, he also used bread, a food obtainable by everyone.

3.    After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles and asked them for something to eat, to prove that he was alive bodily and not just a vision. They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he ate it. (Luke 24:42-43).

4.    Apart from broiled fish, Jesus might have taken meat. Part of the Passover meal was a roasted lamb. Lambs were sacrificed at the temple, then the carcass was brought home for the family or group to eat.

However, besides these four items, we have little knowledge about the food of Jesus. It is apparent that; though it is vital for human survival, physical food is not the main focus that the bible intended to tell us.

But, despite of the limited sources written in the N.T, we may recollect John 4 from where we can clearly know the food of Jesus. V 32 says, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “surely no one has brought him something to eat?” Then Jesus told them clearly, saying, “My food is to do the will of God and to complete his work.”

According to John 4, the food of Jesus mentioned here was more delightful, and was more pleasing to Jesus than physical food. When the disciple urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat something”. He had no any intention to eat rather he refused, saying, “I have food to eat that you do not know about” Then if we go little further to the following verses, it is clear that, Jesus gave more preference on doing the will of God and on finishing of the work of the Lord.

Though Jesus has given more preference to the food that he was looking for, the question left behind is - Was this food really good or delicious? Or was this food would always delightful to him?
The answer is – No. It is, in fact, the food that Jesus was looking for sometimes has no taste at all, sometimes it has no sweetness or delightfulness.

When he was in Gethsemane (Mt 26:38ff), he said to his disciples, “I am deeply grieved, even to death, remain here and stay awake with me’ and going a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want, but what you want” Then he offered a prayer for the second time, saying (Mk 14:36), “Abba, Father, for you; all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want”
As his grief was so deep, so painful; as a result, his sweat becomes like a great drop of blood falling down on the ground (LK 22:44).

The food that he willingly had been looking for has no attractiveness at all. But he has to take, because this was the food that God has provided for his begotten son. Of course, he would surely know that it was not easy to take this kind of food, it was not neither attractive nor delightful even for Jesus. It was not a tasty food at all, we can say this, because he once was looking for an avoidance of the food that he had been searching for.

Therefore, let me put in short – to do the will of God and to accomplish the work of God, which is in short ‘Jesus’ food’ is often not a desirable one, a delightful one or a good one always for eating and for digestion.

The reflection that has come up from this short discourse, then becomes a good example for our spiritual life; then how shall we make significant reflections from the food of Jesus?
 
-    Sometimes, there will be a time when a sick person needs to take both a bitter and sweet medicine for his/her recovery.

-    There will be a time when we need to take vitamin which has no taste. And of course, there will be a time when we need to take even ‘a smelly one’ to keep us growing and healthy, to get more strength.  

If we pick up or chose only a medicine or food which is looking good, which is desirable, delicious and more attractive for eating, then one can never grow healthy, he/she can never obtain physical strength which is required and at the same time very important for human survival.

Only delicious one does not contain vitamin, nutrient, but sometime we rather find a healthy substance from something what we do not like it to eat. We also can find the best substances, even from something which has no flavor.

If we chose only a desirable one or a good looking one to satisfy our desires, then the result is going to be very bad. It will affect our immunity, then as a result we may suffer from various diseases due to lack of malnutrition.

In the same way, now we can say that spiritual growth is found not only from delicious food, not only from a lovely one, not only from something which is very attractive and even from good looking one to eat; rather spiritual growth, development, joy and happiness, our secret strength is sometime more to be found from loneliness, from being lost, suffering, tiresome, troublesome, being scolded, being rejected/neglected, being disliked, dissatisfaction, poor maintenance, deficiency or lacking of something, hot climate/ room /environment and from many more, etc.

As we prepare and move forward to train ourselves for the ministry of God, whatever circumstances that have come in our life are to be considered as a food.

The foods that have been or that are to be provided for us sometime will be looking good, delicious, and attractive for eating, but we should also prepare to receive something that we once dislike, that has no deliciousness in it.

If Jesus happens to choose only a comfortable one for himself, if he chooses only something that he likes depending on his desire, he will not be crowned, he will never get success and victory on the cross, and he will never sit at the right hand of God with the glory of his father. 

Friends, needless to say is – you will find something that you like most and at the same time that you dislike most from this community, these are going to be the foods that have been and to be provided for you; for your physical, moral and spiritual nourishment or upliftment and to help you grow in a right direction.

Take it, eat it and swallow it to let you do the will of God and to let you complete the work of God in order that God’s name may be glorified in and through you.

RAWNGBAWLNA HNAIN A KEN TEL

Hmanni College  Bookroom (library a ni lo) ka hawng chu, lehkhabu fel taka ka rem sa kha, zirlai hoin an en velnaah, a ngai anga rem leh ta mai lo chuan,  an zinga thenkhat chuan an lo rem thelh nuai mai a. Hei hi an tih dan, hrilh bik lem lova ka enliam fo thin a ni. Rem tha leh tura ka din lai takin he ngaihtuahna hi ka rilruah a lo awm thut a, 'Lehkhabu inrem tha sa zirlai hoin an chin pawr, kei an zirtirtu zawk mahin ka lo rem that fo nachhan tur bik a awm lo. Tunhmaa he mawhphurhna lo chelh thin Professor emaw Asst. Professor thenkhat ten an tih that peih loh avanga Bookroom ti pawha koh tlak awm mang lo kha a ni a. An tih ang leka tithei ka ni bik lovem ni? Hlawkna ka hmuh chu sawi loh, sum awm loh vanga hawn mumal theih loh kha restor a nih leh theih nan keima rem hriatnain sum ka dap a. India khawpui hrang hrang atanga lehkhabu chah khawmin ngaihtuahna ka seng a (mite ber pawh hian hetiang ngaihtuahna hi kan lo nei ve a). Campus chhung ngeia awlsam taka zirlaiten an mamawh an hmuh ve theih nan tiin ka bei bawk a. Chutianga ka tih tawh hnuin, felfai thlarha ka rem leh hnu chu, an nin careless takin an duh ang angin an hnutchhiah a. Duh duha an chin phar hnu  hi keiin engah nge ka lo rem that fo bik ang ni?' ka ti a. Teaching kan pek bak, zirlaite hmakhaw ngaih vanga selfless taka ka tih thina ka ngaih chu chowkidar leh helper tih awmah ngaiin,...ka tha a na viau mai a. 

Mahse, he tiang ngaihtuahna ka neih rual deuh bawk hian ka hnathawh chhan leh ka rawngbawl chhan bulpui ber ka ngaihtuah a. Langsar lo tur zawk ka ngaihtiahnaah a lansarh zawk vang maia 'tha nat thlak ti ka ni' tih ka hre nghal a. Tichuan, a bul atanga a tawp thlenga rem tha leh vek tur chuan ka che chhuak leh ta a ni.

Pathian rawngbawlna hnain a ken tel hi 'thut hmun atanga chin fel vek theih loh'  leh, 'te lua, lian lua' awm lo a ni a. Mawhphurhna leh hnathawh duh zawng/chak zawng, a lian leh te, a ropui leh nep, a zahawm leh sitawm, phurawm leh phurawm loh, etc lo thliar ve fo pawh hi Pathian tana in commit (committed person) tawh tan chuan, a rem vek loh chin a lo awm thin a lo ni.

Hmanah, 'Pathian rawngbawl hna hian serh leh sang khawih, thusawi, mi duhsakna dawn ringawt a keng tel bik lova, a chang chuan postman leh newspaper semtu anga lehkha sema veng kil ber ber tlawh chhuah a ngaih chang a awm. Tin, thutna hahdam thlak leh chhuat laia thutsawp a ngaih hun, a tha tha leh mi duh mang loh chhe deuh chan hun, lirtheia chuan leh kea kal, etc a keng tel vek' tiin ka lo tlangaupui ve dap dap tawh a. Mahse, sukna ngai bawka let leh a ngaih hunte pawh a lo awm a nih awm hi...

HAPCHAR KUT MESSAGE

(1 Kor 5:6 – 8)



Note: A short CHAPCHAR KUT 2019 PROGRAME was organized by Serampore College Mizo Christian Fellowship (SCMF) on 01.03.2019 (Fri) @ 8:00AM, in CLRC auditorium. It was being observed and celebrated by the entire community of Serampore College. However, here, in this programme, we, both Ms. Lalngaihsaki Hnialum (Ngaihtei) and me, were being favored  and offered a great honor to act as KUT NU & KUT PA which as i believed, would never come to me again during my life time. Therefore, as i was assigned to deliver CHAPCHAR KUT MESSAGE, this  message has come into existence as follows...
___________________________________________________________

To all of you,… ‘chapchar kut chibai’.

I take this privilege to express my sincere gratitude; first of all to Almighty God for this wonderful moment. & secondly, to all of you and & to all my mizo friends, particularly to our leaders of Mizo community, for this kind of honor being given to me and to Ms. Angaihi as ‘Kut Nu and Kut Pa’ which as i believed, will never come to me again during my lifetime. Therefore I feel honor and feel very privilege to take and to have this kind of opportunity as a ‘Kut Pa’.

‘Kut Nu and Kut Pa’, in its literal sense, mean ‘Feast lady and Feat gentleman’, or ‘guest of honor’ given to a particular individual in a particular festival where a Mizo community observed and celebrated community festivals. Therefore, as a ‘Kut Pa’, I wish you ‘all the best’, and at the same time wish you all ‘to have a blessed time’ as we observe and celebrate this chapkar kut today.

For chapchar kut message, a humble contemplation i would like to bring out and share with you is a very short reflection on ‘an exhortation given by Paul to the church of Corinthians’ mentioned in 1 Cor 5:8.

If we recollect some records of the OT, God has given 7 feasts to the people of Israel to be observed and to be celebrated. Therefore as they (people of God) have taken very seriously, observation of different feasts among the people of God have become an important event within the community of God’s people.

During the time of Jesus and during the period of the early church, we also could see number of records of different occasions/events where people of God have gathered together to observe their feasts in a specific times and places.

However, my point of interest from this short reflection is – it is likely that, people who have gathered together to observe and celebrate their feast, probably have gathered together with their old leaven, i.e. an old leaven/cloth which is no longer suitable at all for a new community of God’s people; a leaven/cloth of wickedness, a leaven/cloth of envy, a leaven/cloth of slander, a cloth of hatred, a cloth of prejudice, etc.

As Paul says, ‘since Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us’; he further said, “let us therefore keep our fast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Therefore, though it is unsuitable to make comparison between the Passover feat and the fast of chapchar kut, for both have their own meanings and purposes. But in spite of all its differences/variances, one important point for our meditation, what I would like to mention from this chosen text is –
As every festival have their points of significance, for e.g.;

-    To relief us from monotony of life
-    To create an environment of cultural harmony.
-    To promote social interaction and friendliness.
-    To teach us to forget our enmity and embrace one another in a bond of love.
-    And to give us some inspiration to remember the important things and moments in life.
-    And to help us realize the salvific action done and demonstrated by God through Jesus Christ.

**Let us, therefore consider the life that can lead our whole life honestly and uprightly. Let us celebrate God’s giving life to every individual with a sense of purity and sanctity. Let us keep ourselves free from the feeling/attitude of discrimination, hatred, communalism, narrowness and nasty politics.

Whether the lives we enjoy coincide with the fast we suppose to celebrate and observe; our entire life, every moment we spend must go or in line with God’s standard. Therefore by doing so, we all will produce a more meaningful life, a life that can please God, a life that will bear more fruits.
Let the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, love and support, unity and cooperation, a spirit of peace and harmony be our top priorities to make us observe every single moments and days of our life.

KA LUNG PHU TINRENG NEN LAM CHHIARA MIN VEN SAKTU

(TESTIMONY)

Dt. 22nd, Feb, 2019 (Fri) zan kan mu chu, zing lam dar 1:00AM velah kan mu tan thei tawk a. Muthilh tak tak erawh dar 2:00AM (23/2/2019) a ni hial ang.

Zing lamah chuan mang ka lo nei a. Ka mangah chuan thlarau(? )pahnih; a puma(body) tisaina a tuam reng reng loh pakhat leh a pakhat zawk mi pangngai anga awm hi; tukverh atanga dakin, huana an kal thla hi ka lo hmu a. Ka hmu tih an hriat chuan, min tihzam ngei tumin an lo let a. Chu chu ISUA HMING lam chungin keiin lo hmachhawn ka tum bawk a. Ring taka ISUA hming lam ka tum chu, a takah ka lo au chhuak a; chu chu ka nupuiin min sawi harh ta a ni.

LUNG, PHU FEL LO:

Tun hma kum hnih thum liam ta atang khan, ka muthilh hlan hian ka lungphu hi a chiang lo fo thin a. Chutianga ka awm chuan mang dukdak lo hi ka nei fo thin. Lungphu chiang zan lo chungchang hi hman deuhah ka sawi chhuak tawh a. Thla khat emaw thla hnih chhung hian ka taksa pum nghing lawih khawpin vawi khat a phu lawih thin. Eng hunah nge a thlen dawn hriat a ni lova. Mut lai, zan lamah ‘phut lawih’  hi a thleng chawk thin. Doctor-ah inentirin ka kal phah zauh zauh tawh a. amaherawh chu, doctor rawn laiin a phu duh si lova, a tihngaihna tak pawh a vang viau a ni.

Tun tuma ka thil tawn hi, he tiang anga lungphu fel zan lo ka neih nen hian a inrual a nih ka ring a. A chhan chu ka nupuiin min kaihthawh rual hian, min hrilh danin, ‘ka phu leh lawih’ a ni awm e.

KA LUNG PHU TINRENG MIN CHHIAR SAKA MIN VEN SAKTU LALPA

Ka nupuiin min sawi harh chiah chu John Newtona hla ‘KHAWNGAIHNA MAK MAWI LEH DUHAWM’  ami a thu then  then, ‘Hlauhna hmuna ka awm min hrilh, ka hlauh min heh sak ta” tih te, “Khawngaihna mak mawi leh duhawm, sual riangvai chhandamna” tihte hi rilruah a lo lang a. Ka thinlungah chuan chiang takin “Ka lungphu avang hian vawi tam tak mu hlum mai theiin ka lo awm tawh a…”. MT 10:30 kha lo lang nghalin, “…mahse, Pathian thu chuan ‘In samzaite lam pawh hi chhiar vek a ni asin’ a ti a, kei erawh chu, ka samzai chauh ni lovin, Lalpa hian ka lungphu, a phu tin reng nen lam hian min chhiar sakin, min ven sak reng thin a lo ni” tih hriattirin ka awm ta a. He thil ka han hre chiah chu, ka lawm lutuk hi dan rual lovin ka mittui a sur zung zung a; Ka bula mu ka nupui hriat lohvin ka hru ka hru ta mai a ni.

Ka mang chipchiar (a chung ami khi a chipchiar a ni hran lo) ka nupui ka hrilh hnu chuan, “Ngawi teh, Lalpa chungah hian ka lawm em mai a, tawngtaiin lawmthu kan sawi hial teh ang” tiin zing dar 5:00 AM velah chuan ka tho a. Lalpa min ngaihsak zia ka chhui letin, mittui hruk sen rual loh nen, a hmaa lawmthu sawi leh mai loh chu ka tan tih tur dang chuang a awmin ka hre lo a ni....

Ka inhriat dan chuan. ‘Keimahah hian, a khawi lai mah hi Lalpa Pathian chu sawi loh; ka nupui fanaute tih loh, ka mihringpuite tan hian 'han ngaihsaka han ngaihhlut tur' hi a awm ve lo reng reng a. Ka pian phung leh chawr chhuahna (family background) bakah, thiamna leh zirna lamah pawh chhuan tlak nei lo, tu tan maha ngaihsan tlak loh, hriatna tlachham leh mihring mihrinna chungchangah pawh hlutna sawi tur nei lo' ka ni. 

Mahse, chuting mi chu ni mah i la, leilung leh a chhunga thil awm zawng zawngte siam a, a chhunga thuneihna zawng zawng neitu; lalte lal, pathiante Pathian, mihring tana hriat phak rual loh khawpa ropui leh thiltihtheihnaa thuam chuan ‘kei, engmah ni lo’ hi min ngaihsak tlat a. Ka samzai tin chu sawi loh, ka lungphu, a phu tin nen lam hian min chhiar sak a, min ven sak tlat a ni’ tih ka ngaihtuah a. Ka lawm lutuk chu; theih ni se, ka theihna aia sang zawka Lalpa hnena lawmthu sawi kha ka duh a; ka mihring theihna piah lama a hming fak theih kha ka chak takzet a ni. Mahse, chu chu ka tan tih ngawt theih a ni si lo. Tichuan, ka theih tawk awm chhun ‘Lalpa ka va lawm em’ tiin Lalpa ka be ta mawlh mawlh a. Darkar chanve chhung zet chu lawm avang chuan Lalpa hmaah ka tap ta hliam hliam mai a ni ta ber e. 

'A lama rilru ka put reng theih nan’ a hmanraw mak tak hmangin Lalpa hian min kan thar thin a. Hei hi ka nun hian A NGAIHLU TAKZET a. Sernung reng reng awm lova khawlohna a ngaihdam sak, a hma hruai a, a tul hun apianga a dinsak thin 'kei chhuan tur dang nei lo' tan hian, Lalpa hi a thain, a hlu em em a ni.

Lalpa chu fakin awm zel rawh se. AMEN!

***(Zing lam dar 7:30 vela ka mu tha leh chu dar 11:00 AM ah ka nupuiin min kaitho chauh a. Kolkata huam chhunga College paliin ‘Join Faculty Seminar’ kan neih thin, kan College-in a dawn tur, dar 9:30 AM a tan tur chu ka lo mut bo hlauh thung a. Ka chhungte hnenah lo sawi lawk ni i la, tel hmanin min kaitho tur…tih ngaihna a awm tawh si lo…).

CHALLENGE FACED BY CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHP TODAY

(Num 21: 4-9; LK14: 25-27; Heb 12:1-4)

During Jesus' earthly ministry, and during the days of the early church, the term that was used most frequently to designate the Jesus' followers was "disciple". The term ‘disciple’ derives from the Greek word Mathetes, which appears 262 times in the NT. Therefore, discipleship becomes the central theological theme of the Gospels and Acts in particular.

As it is held by some commentators that, the roots of biblical discipleship go deep into the fertile soil of God's calling. That calling is expressed in the pattern of Divine initiative and human response that constitutes the heart of the biblical concept of covenant, manifested in the recurrent promise.

Therefore, God has called his people to represent him on the earth, to be with him in every circumstance of life, to be transformed in personal character to be like him. And that calling is at the heart of biblical discipleship, both in the Old and New Testaments.

However, as we recollect biblical understanding of disciple/discipleship, let us move little further to the concept of the term, so that this recollection will be a great help and instrumental for our self-retrospection;
The concept and understanding of the term ‘disciple’ can be given in diverse ways, for eg;

1.    Billy Graham - A disciple is simply someone who believes in Jesus and seeks to follow him in his/her daily life. Originally, of course, a disciple was someone who literally knew Jesus in the flesh and followed him — but after he was taken up into heaven, anyone who was committed to Jesus was called a disciple.

From here, we may highlight ‘points of interest’ that Billy Graham has made; according to him, disciple means;-
-    Someone who believes in Jesus

-    Who follow him in his/her daily life

-    Who literally knew Jesus in the flesh and followed him

-    Anyone who was committed to Jesus.

2.    Apart from these explanations; we also can draw a clear picture of disciple or the concept of discipleship by making reflection from the life and works of the 12 disciples and from the relationship being established between Jesus and his 12 disciples;

i)    When the disciples had received a call from their master, Jesus; they were willing to leave everything including their comfort zone.

ii)    Disciples were always at the feet of Jesus. They were very much close to Him. It was in fact; the Jesus movement was incomplete without the presence of even a single member of disciples.

iii)    They always keen to offer themselves to listen, to obey and to serve their master.

iv)    Although two or three ‘betrayal episodes’ are found from the inner circle, one of the profound remarks we can see from them is – disciples were very much interest in the life and teachings of Jesus.

v)    They are not perfect, but in spite of all their weaknesses, their lives were totally controlled by Jesus and his words. It seems, they did not have any other force except self-centredness that ruled over them.

I believed, these few points are quite enough to remind us the true essence of Jesus’ disciple/discipleship. It is also appropriate to make use of self-re-examination. It is, in fact, these understandings of the concept of disciple/discipleship mentioned are to be considered as the qualities and natures that are to be found in every individual Christian life or the quality one must possess or hold on.

But despite of the fact that, the story left behind by many Christian today, which is not interesting at all, because of diverse challenges face by todays’ Christian is – this concept and true nature of disciple/discipleship is gradually fading away from individual Christian life who are expected to exemplify and to demonstrate through their life.

Therefore, as suggested by many, it is essentially necessary to identify the challenges pose by various forces in today's’ world; in order that the consciousness, realization, and awareness of these challenges may help and tell us to find a solution, how to deal with and how to give an appropriate response to these challenges;

1.    Imprisonment of the will under the ‘self’
One of the great menaces which is often overlooked by many Christians today, that at the same time, can captivate the individual person, as a result; is ‘imprisonment of individuals’ will’ under the self, which is a little bit different from self-imprisonment.

The ‘self’ however, is the place where we get qualities like – knowledge, love, intimacy, and all other good qualities. It is also a place where the feeling of transgression, hatred, envy, slander and all other bad qualities come into existence. Since it has been diluted and polluted by the power of sin, the self in human becomes the source of evil doings. Therefore, it requires precaution before it spring up and totally control the spiritual realm of the individual. I believe, this is one of the reasons why Jesus said in Mark 8:34 - Whosoever would come after me must deny him/herself.

Although, it is considered as one of the most important qualities that makes a person – a person; it is also one of the sources that brings obstacle, and many more complications on individual human life. For me, it is one of the greatest enemies of individual spirituality which is found within us, and again that often brings inhibition for our spiritual well-being.

Since, the ‘self is the core canter of the mechanism where all individual decisions are made, if the ‘self’ in human is not given proper consideration, it will soon become the best adversary for such a particular person, because it soon be imprisoned individual person including his/her free will under its subjugation. Then, as a consequence, the individual will have so many drawbacks or backsliding behaviours in his/her life.

Then, a person who undergoes draw back situation can never win another soul. As long as a person is under the slave of a polluted self, he/she can never help a person who is in spiritual thirst/problem.
Therefore, in order to win more souls and to get conquest in our spiritual warfare, as we confront the power of darkness; one must win the self and must free from the power of the self; he/she must get rid of this kind of deceiving force of the self.

2.    Time management
Time management is another challenge of discipleship today for it adversely affects our way of life including spiritual life of every individual.

Due to drastic changes and development that have come up today, especially in the field of information communication, new media have come up along with various sophisticated technologies.  As all know, this development has a far reaching impact on almost every individual life. The most common complaint against technology and its related stuffs is that they are time-sinks that affect productivity and quality of life. It affected our lifestyle, our behaviour, our value system, outlook/attitude, etc. and simultaneously it also has affected and influenced our time management as well.

In addition, as media have captured almost all our valuable and leisure times, we are now in controlled by the power of media. Since the power and effect of media is so strong, our entire ways of life, including our time management have become under the pursuant of media influence.

Statista.com estimated that there are 250 million active social media users in India alone in 2018. And the average time spent by the users is 2-3 hour/day. But for us, the number is probably more than that. Perhaps, it may cross 3 for some, and sometimes 4 -5 hours in a day for some. However the same source says, “Low self-control is a major key in the overuse of technology and the reason why excessive engagement is made by many people”.

We are not against the usefulness of technology or any other media. I rather hold the opinion that, it is helpful for our academic purpose and for other related official works. But since time management is very important for our success in the ministry of God as well as for individual spiritual upbringing; and moreover, since poor time management can in turn affect not only individual spiritual life, but also the academic performance of every individual; a person who is going to be involved in ‘the God’s Oikos management’ must take a deep concern on it.

Lastly, for those who undergo this kind of problem; a person who are struggling with the forces of ‘the self within’ and the problem of time management for the improvement of individual spiritual growth; I would like to make only two simple suggestions that are to be considered as ‘a way out’ for every individual who is unable to remain still due to the thirst for their spiritual upbringing.

1.    As found in the letter to the Hebrews: ‘Looking unto Jesus’ is one of the best answers and the way out of our spiritual struggle. By simply looking at Him, we can get victory over our spiritual warfare.

Though Jesus has all the answers to our problems, we sometimes do not realize his sovereignty, his love and mercy; who cares for us and who has all the answers for our tussles. By simply looking at Him, we are being promised; spiritual restoration, renewal, and revitalization as found from Num 21:3ff which says, in v 8 & 9 -   The LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. This is only a figurative of Christ’s salvific act on the cross, for those who want to look unto Him and get healed.

2.    LK 14:27 says, whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. This particular verse has various meanings for e.g.;

-    The true followers of Christ must at once build and fight, and therefore be ready and prepared to endure all types of miseries.

-    ‘Own cross’ may signify whatever is trying and disagreeable to flesh and blood.

-    Jesus carried his cross to be crucified the sinful flesh; therefore this will indicate that cross is meant not only for pain or suffering but for dying. Likewise, our own cross is to let crucify and to let it die, desire of individual self-i.e. the self within or the self which is found within us.

However, in contrast to this understanding; those who are under the slave of the ‘self’ do not carry at all their own cross. Therefore willingness to bear or to carry one’s own cross is the easiest way to defeat the self. Even if the world philosophy holds the maxim which says – ‘life for the self’; in contrary, the word of God says – ‘die to self and live for Christ’

This is how we shall have a fullness of life in Christ; a life that is constantly ready to overcome the power and different forces of the darkness.

MIHRING RILRU PUTHMANG - ATTITUDE

*** Fb-ah hian thuziak tawite, vai tawng nena inpawlh nuai, English alphabet leh number a hmante avanga 'a sawi tum chu he lam hi a nih ngei dawn hi' tia ngaihbel theih tur hi ka hmu a. A posttu ka hai chhuak thei ta lo hi pawi ka ti hle.

Chumi behchhan chuan, mizo tawng leh keima irawm chhuakin; thil dang ka ziah mek chawl meuhin, a hnuai ami ang hian, ka ziak ve ta thung a ni. Fb-ah post tawh a ni a. Ka blog-ah hian kan dahtha ve leh reng reng ang e.
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Pathian tih lovah (hei hi a pawimawh), i nun kawng hruai tur leh, i damchhung nuna hlawhtlinna emaw, hmasawnna pe tur che hian, eng thil nge i rilruin ngaimawh bera aneih tur leh i nuna buk rit ber tur ni ang le?

Mi thenkhat chuan, an nun atan thawhrimna (Hardwork) hi No. 1 ah an dah a. Thenkhat thung chuan, hriatna (Knowledge) hi ngaih pawimawh berah an nei bawk. Thenkhat ve thung chuan, vanneihna (Luck) avanga hring nun hlawhtlinna hi mi ten hlawhchhuak thei mai thin niin an hmu a. Thenkhat erawh chuan, sum '(Money) avang alawm' an tih laiin, mi thenkhat hruaitu tha (leadership) no 1 a dah an awm ve tlat bawk.

Heng hian, eng chen nge i nun atan pawimawhna a neih tih, a hnuai ami ang hian i lo chhut chhuak dawn teh ang.

Hawrawp A - Z hian, a indawt dan hian, heng a hnuaia numberte hi tluk zelah ngai ta i la...
A to Z: A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, J=10, K=11, L=12, M=13, N=14, O=15, P=16, Q=17, R=18, S=19, T=20, U=21, V=22, W=23, X=24, Y=25, Z=26

Tichuan, a hnuai ami ang hian a chhut theih ta a.

1. HARD WORK:
H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K=
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11=98%

2. KNOWLEDGE:
K+N+O+W+L+E+D+G+E=11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96%

3. LUCK:
L+U+C+K=
12+21+3+11=47%

4. MONEY? = 72%

5. LEADERSHIP? = 97%

A chung ami ang hian, hengte hi i nun atan an pawimawh takzet a ni. *THAWHRIMNA* hian 98% a score laiin, *HRIATNA* chuan 96%. *VANNEIHNA* hian 47% chauh i nunah nghawng a nei a. 'Mihring tan innghahna tlak a tling lo' a tih theih ang a. *SUM/PAWISA* erawh chuan 72% zetin mihring nun atan pawimawhna a nei a. Chutiang bawkin hruaitu tha hian 97% a hauh avangin, a pawimawh takzet a tihtheih ang.

Tichuan, heng a chunga kan tarlan ho hian mihring nun tana hmuh pawimawh an luah reng laiin,100% kai an awm loh avangin, kawng lehlamah '100% a ngaimawh tham emaw innghahna tlak erawh an ni lo vek' kan titheih ang .

Chutiang a nih chuan, 100% kai zo leh 100% a mihring tana innghahna leh ngaihmawh tur mihring tan a awm thei em? tih hi zawhna pawimawh tawpkhawk a lo ni ta.

He mi chhanna atan hian, mi thiamte chuan mihring *RILRU PURHMANG* hi chhanna dik ber leh, a aia chhanna tha zawk awm thei lo hiala an ruat a ni a. Rilru puthmang chu ATTITUDE tiin a sawi theih ang a. Enge a nih chiah i lo chhut chhuak ve dawn teh ang.

A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E=
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5=100%

Tichuan kan rilru puthmang hi mihring nun kawng hruaitu atan leh, hlawhtlinna hial pawh min tlen turin; 'mihringte tana pawimawh ber a lo ni' kan ti thei ta a ni.

Kan rilru puthmang hian hringnun hlawhtlinna leh hmasawnna atan kan nunah hmun a va lo luah pawimawh tehlul em.

* I rilru puthmang azira hlawhtlinna kawng zawh thei leh hlawhchham thin i ni

* I rilru puthmang azira dinhmuh tha/sang leh duhawm zawk chang thei i nih laiin, i rilru puthmang azira dinhmun sitawm leh hnuaihnung zawk chang thin mai i ni