A Different Mumbai Story

The Times of India reports: Four hurt as mob disrupts baptism

MUMBAI: At least four persons were injured in an attack on the Christian community at Gangapur dam near Nashik on Monday.

The incident occurred when members of Navjivan Fellowship Church were conducting a baptism ceremony at the dam. A group of 10 to 12 unidentified men, armed with sticks and cricket stumps, disrupted the ceremony and roughed up those present at the event. “They did not even spare women and children as the rampage continued for over one hour. The attack was so meticulously planned that the group did not leave behind a single clue, which could help ascertain their identity,’’ said Winston Daniel, who was injured in the head during the assault.

An hour?

Did these Christians not defend themselves?

Wanted: Boost Mobile Reviews

Here’s this enticing bit of news from Clark Howard:

Boost Mobile offers new unlimited calling/texting/web plan

Most of the Big 4 carriers have plans that hover near $100/month. But on Thursday, Jan. 22, Boost Mobile will roll out a nationwide unlimited calling/texting/web plan with no contracts for just $50/month.

There are, however, some downsides. The cell phones available through Boost are antiquated, according to Clark. And they’re not subsidized, so be sure to look on eBay or Craigslist for a deal on a used one. In addition, Boost operates on the Nextel network, which doesn’t always offer the best call quality.

And here’s some additional plan info from the Boost Mobile site:

  • Unlimited talk
  • Unlimited text including multi-media messaging
  • Unlimited web
  • Unlimited walkie-talkie
  • Voicemail, long distance and nationwide network included
  • No hidden fees, no contracts and no credit checks
  • No roaming charges
  • Low rates for international calls and international walkie-talkie

I’m a Verizon user at the end of my (third?) two-year contract.

Do you have experience with Boost Mobile?

Orissa Ten Years Ago

Widow of Graham Staines: “Do not give up hope, pray for India”

10 years ago in Orissa, Hindu extremists burned alive the Christian Graham Staines and his two sons. His wife, back in India, connects the recent anti-Christian persecution to her husband. To the many recent widows of Kandhamal, she speaks of forgiveness and strength “in Christ.”

[…]

Staines says that she will always continue working to fulfil her husband’s dream to live in peace and harmony, and work together for the good of all. “I forgive the other, because I have first received forgiveness from Jesus Christ – I have encountered the presence of Jesus in my life and this is the spirit I share. When we forgive, there is no bitterness and we live our lives and continue the task entrusted to us – with His grace and peace. These Kandhamal widows have also been touched by Jesus. All Christians who have known the intervention of Jesus in their lives will have this gift to forgive and to be the witnesses of His peace and presence. Support them with your solidarity and prayers.

“To the people of the world I say, do not give up hope, pray for India.”

And all the congregation said….

Ho hum? 😯

Consecrating a Child to God

That’s the title of our Sunday School lesson this morning.

It’s about Samson before he was born or even conceived. So it’s really about his parents, and his mother in particular.

She was supposed to restrict her diet because of her yet-unconceived child’s separation to God. (Hers may have been her own body, but that didn’t trump the “tissue mass” soon to be within her!)

This lesson made my mind jump ahead to Samson in later life. He saw a girl not of his people that he wanted for his wife. He disregarded their appeals to select a wife from among their people. He told his folks to get her for him because she pleased him well.

He despised his Nazariteness. He despised his heritage. Did he also despise his parents?

And what were they supposed to do? (I used to look down on them for going along with his demands.)

And did one or both of them treat their parents that way so now they were reaping what they had sown?

Questions with no answers available to us.

Samson — a child from God and for God.

Samson — a vision trampled, a mission botched, a commission abandoned.

Samson — redeemed in the end?

I don’t know that either.

Tips: Back Seat Driving

How to be the good kind of back seat driver

Ever pressed that imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side? Do you often feel your blood pressure rising as you sit powerless at the mercy of an inferior driver? How come, when you point out an obvious error, drivers always repay you with annoyance?

Believe it or not, no matter how frustrated you feel, your driver feels equally frustrated, if not more. Here are some ways to become a better backseat driver.

[…]

There’s nothing wrong with vigilance as a passenger. In fact, keeping an eye on the road makes the road a safer place. “Back seat driver” is a generally negative label these days, but you can turn those negatives into positives by offering constructive advice at proper times, in a way that also conveys some appreciation.

The author makes some good points. Be sure to check out the full article.

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Above all, love God!

since November 9, 2005