A Feedback to the Sunday Indian Weekly Editoria

A Feedback to the Sunday Indian Weekly Editorial--"Does Israel Have Any Options Left, Other Than Retaliation?"
By P.V. Ariel
In the above titled editorial in the Sunday Indian weekly dated Jan 19-25, Prof. Arindam wrote: "For the last few days, since the beginning of the Israeli military operations in Gaza, media - both print and television - has been riddled with scores of pictures of Palestinian kids, grievously injured in the air attacks by Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF. And every time I have seen those pictures, I have felt revulsion towards the blitzkrieg that has been launched by Israel to take the fangs out of Hamas. Yet, ironically, when I tried to think a little deeper about it, I was left wondering why the global media has not put forward the pictures of even Israeli kids who have got killed, injured or hit with impunity in the past due to a barrage of rockets and missiles, and even suicide attacks, that Hamas has made a habit of targeting on Israel..." Read full editorial at this link: www.arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com

Apropos the above quoted editorial I send the following Feedback and they published it under the title "LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR" on Volume 3 Issue 17 2 Feb-8 Feb 2009th edition.

Sir, your editorial "Is Israel have any options left, other than retaliation?" (TSI,, Jan 19-25) brought out the great truth of disparity and isolation faced by this nation from all the sections of the world. Whether it is media or the authorities, from the beginning of her existence, Israel has been set apart from the nations, locked up into a unique and awesome destiny. The hireling prophet, Balaam, called Israel 'a people who dwell alone, not reckoning itself among the nations.' (Book of Numbers chapter 23: verse 9). That uniqueness is no less apparent today, as Israel fights for survival in the midst of an increasingly hostile world. Why does this tiny nation of over a five million people, occupying less than 1% of the earth's surface, regularly call for the media attention? Why are they a major stumbling block in the international affairs? Why is this nation a fiercely contested piece of real estate in the world? Jerusalem may not qualify as the biggest or the best city in the world. But, it possesses a splendor and glory that is unparallel among world's other cities. The God chose this city to be the capital of His kingdom. There is a wonderful promise of prosperity to those who share God's love for Jerusalem; the Bible says "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you... (Psalm 122:6).-Philip Verghese, Secunderabad.

Read more responses on this subject at the following links: www.thesundayindian.com or www.arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com

Source: The Sunday Indian Weekly, New Delhi-17
Courtesy: www.thesundayindian.com
Volume 3 Issue 17, dated: 2 Feb-8 Feb 2009
www.arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com
http://pvariel.blogspot.com

A Feedback to the Editorial at The Sunday Indian Weekly

A Feedback to The Sunday Indian Weekly Editorial—“Does Israel have any options left, other than retaliation?”


In the above titled editorial in the Sunday Indian weekly dated Jan 19-25, Prof. Arindam wrote: “For the last few days, since the beginning of the Israeli military operations in Gaza, media – both print and television – has been riddled with scores of pictures of Palestinian kids, grievously injured in the air attacks by Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF. And every time I have seen those pictures, I have felt revulsion towards the blitzkrieg that has been launched by Israel to take the fangs out of Hamas. Yet, ironically, when I tried to think a little deeper about it, I was left wondering why the global media has not put forward the pictures of even Israeli kids who have got killed, injured or hit with impunity in the past due to a barrage of rockets and missiles, and even suicide attacks, that Hamas has made a habit of targeting on Israel…” Read full editorial at this link: www.arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com

Apropos the above quoted editorial I send the following Feedback and they published it under the title “LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR” on Volume 3 Issue 17 2 Feb-8 Feb 2009th edition.

Sir, your editorial “Is Israel have any options left, other than retaliation?” (TSI,, Jan 19-25) brought out the great truth of disparity and isolation faced by this nation from all the sections of the world. Whether it is media or the authorities, from the beginning of her existence, Israel has been set apart from the nations, locked up into a unique and awesome destiny. The hireling prophet, Balaam, called Israel ‘a people who dwell alone, not reckoning itself among the nations.’ (Book of Numbers chapter 23: verse 9). That uniqueness is no less apparent today, as Israel fights for survival in the midst of an increasingly hostile world. Why does this tiny nation of over a five million people, occupying less than 1% of the earth’s surface, regularly call for the media attention? Why are they a major stumbling block in the international affairs? Why is this nation a fiercely contested piece of real estate in the world? Jerusalem may not qualify as the biggest or the best city in the world. But, it possesses a splendor and glory that is unparallel among world's other cities. The God chose this city to be the capital of His kingdom. There is a wonderful promise of prosperity to those who share God’s love for Jerusalem; the Bible says “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you… (Psalm 122:6).—Philip Verghese, Secunderabad.

Read more responses on this subject at the following links: www.thesundayindian.com or www.arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com

Source: The Sunday Indian Weekly, New Delhi-17
Courtesy: www.thesundayindian.com
Volume 3 Issue 17, dated: 2 Feb-8 Feb 2009
www.arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com
www.pvariel.blogspot.com

THE DEGREE (A Mini Story)

A Young and energetic man of medium height and well built, with a posh briefcase walked towards the prominent hospital in the city. He procured a medical degree from a reputed institution with excellence. He was on his way to appear for an interview for a medical officer’s post. He has taken proper care to dress himself up appropriately to meet the requirements of the formal occasion. His measured steps and purposeful movements indicate self-confidence, resourcefulness, and full of contempt with a pleasant smile on his lips.

He approached the receptionist and she directed him to a hall inside.

The actual venue of interview where he is fully at ease in meeting mixing and making friends in a few minutes time.

By his words, he feels important and wanted by his special individual attention, with whom he was engaged in lively discussion until a peon called upon his name.

As a formal measure, he knocks at the door and entered in to the cabin of selectors, and wished them all in a peculiar style.

Then the senior most well qualified doctor examined his certificates and amazed at the high percentage of marks he scored. He asked some questions related to his qualified arena.

But, to his utter surprise he could not answer a single question. However, he raised a simple question like, “If a patient suffers from acute stomach pain what will be the possible reason and what treatment or remedy you prescribe?”

Again, the candidate kept stone deaf.

The examiner asked some more simple questions in relation to medical science for which he ran his thoughts up and down.

Noting this, the doctor felt something fishy and asked about the high percentage of marks obtained in his certificates.

When this was asked, the young man got up from his seat, opened his brief case, took a few bundles of five hundred rupee notes and a dagger, and threw them on the table.

When asked what is this?

He said, “It’s the money and dagger the sole power for my success so far and when getting such a professional degree was made simple and likewise I will procure this job too.”

Hearing those terrified words the members of the interview board looked at each other in shock.


(A Minikkadha (Mini Story) originally written in Malayalam. Translated from the original Malayalam by the author.)

Shall the Meek Inherit the Earth

By P.V. Ariel, published Mar 14, 2008
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Apropos the write-up "Shall the meek inherit the earth" (The Sunday Indian News Weekly New Delhi) made a revealing read. I refute the statements made by R L Francis; He said "60 years ago, we converted from Hinduism to Christianity with the expectation of cast discriminate free existence society. But it was not quite the salvation that was promised."

I was wondering who promised him salvation. Jesus Christ or the Church? If a person changes his religion to another with some expectation and material benefits, no doubt his change is not genuine at all. Jesus Christ never promised his followers a bed of roses; instead it is full of hardships and sufferings. Such situation will show the real color of a genuine Christian. Christ himself suffered a lot, all the while he was on earth. Epistle of Peter writes: "For you have called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. ( I Peter 2:21-22).

Only a real convert can take this cross. Vatican's dealings with its churches all over the world may be an administrative set up for its smooth functioning. Nobody can question that, as it's their internal matter and if anybody has a problem, they can willingly leave the system. No one can deny the Pope and his community's yeomen service to the society. However at the same time, Pope's or Vatican's interference with other religions is not tolerable. These days he (Pope) pokes his nose unnecessarily to the affairs of other religions by making controversial statements. This is not a good practice to such a reputed religious leader like him.

Church Must Stick to Religious Affairs

Church Can't Keep Quiet on Serious Matters

By P.V. Ariel, published Mar 15, 2008
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Apropos of the editorial "Times view/Counter view", I fully disagree with your view, of course as you said, ''Church must stick to religious affairs'' at the same time how can they just close their eyes on the increasing number of road accidents in their country?

It is their bounden duty to warn the countrymen or for that matter their members -a major number of citizens in Vatican are Catholics-about the alarming growth of road accidents. A country like Vatican, the religious head has every right to raise their voice in such situation. Your counter view very clearly brought out the seriousness of this issue.

Road accidents stand in third place which is very preventable. Vatican's initiative is very laudable and will definitely help the traffic police; I can't understand the idea behind your bias view. What is wrong in taking an initiative to save the fellow men from such a calamity? Whoever come forward to save their fellow citizen should get a pat at the back, instead here you condemned them out rightly, very sad indeed.

A report says two-thirds of most of the road fatalities were caused by drivers who were angry. In such situation if the warning comes from a religious head it will have a far reaching effect than from a law forcing agency. As your counter view said not only Church all NGOs should follow Vatican's steps in this matter even in our country not in a Catholic way. It will tremendously reduce many fatal deaths on the road. Let us not look such action with a biased or ill- conceived mind. (For your info. I am not a Roman catholic but a believer follower in Christ Jesus).
pvariel@gmail.com

My Early Experience with My Writings

(A Little Writer is Born)


My Early Experience with my writing carrier. Some pleasant memories of my childhood days and my most valuable moments with my mentor, world renowned evangelist and writer and hymn writer M C Cherian Sir of Madurai. Please read on..

Some of the Web Writers contents at Associatedcontent.com put my memory back to my school days, Yes, it happened when I was in my 6th or 7th grade.

I was an avid reader and whatever comes to hand, I read. Newspapers, weeklies, magazines and books were my favorites. In our village (Valanjavttom, near Thiruvalla) there was a library Called Gandhiji Smaaraka (memorial) Library, I was a regular visitor and borrower of books from this library. I read many of the books novels short stories and poems of many major writers of the Malayalam language.

Malayalam newspaper's Kathukal (letters) column attracted me a lot and I started sending letters to this column. Immediately after sending letters to the newspapers I eagerly wait for the next day's paper to see my letters, but nothing published, again I send nothing published. This continued for days without any result. Days and months passed I could not find any result. I was really frustrated at that but my passion for newspapers and writings did not stop me there, instead with more care I prepared letters and send. One fine morning as usual when I picked up the daily I found my letter printed with my name. I was overjoyed by seeing my name in print that too in one of the major and famous publication called Malayala Manorama. (The largest circulated Malayalam daily in Kerala and also the leading and largest circulated vernacular daily in India).

Though after a good number of rejections, the printed letter made me so happy and it made me to write more. Again I jotted down many things in my note books under the headings short stories, mini stories, poems and prose etc.

About that time I heard about a Christian magazine called "Suviseshakan" (Evangelist) published by a well known evangelist from Madurai (Tamil Nadu State). I thought of sending some of my writings to that magazine and I picked up some of the jottings from my note book and copied it in a paper and send it to the Editor. A week later I received a letter from the editor saying, 'the story which you send is good and will include it in one of the coming issues, but the song is not up to the mark but don't give up, write more ok!! Reading the editor's letter I could not control myself, with joy I jumped up and down. My first story is going to see the light of the day, that too in M E Cherian Sir's Magazine. (A word about M E Cherian, lovingly known or called as M E C or Cherian Sir. (Before becoming an evangelist he was a high school teacher, so most of the known people called him Sir.). Later he become a well known Christian preacher, teacher, song writer and a poet in the Malayalam language. A good number of his Christian melodies are sung by the Malayalee (Keralaites) Christians in their congregations in worships as well as at other occasions all over the world. He published many books on spiritual subjects).

This small but great incident in my life encouraged me much. This made me to write more. Again I send another article, story and a song to Cherian Sir. With in a short span I received his reply saying, 'Your article and story I will publish it in one of the coming issues after a few corrections. It seems you are more talented in writing articles, think on that line and do write more. May God bless." This note of MEC, I read again and again. There was no limit for my happiness.

A few months later I came to know about MEC's arrival to Kumbanad (A Christian convention centre in Kerala) for the annual Brethren Assemblies convention as a preacher. This yearly convention takes place on December last week and goes on to January first week. Every year my parents used to attend these annual conventions. I was so eager to meet Cherian Sir and I expressed this desire to my Dad and he agreed at once. The day came, with my parents I went for the meetings at the centre. We met MEC and my Dad introduced me to Cherian Sir. He recognized the little writer and with much joy he greeted me. I expressed my heartfelt thanks to MEC for his encouragement.

Immediately he took a copy of the current issue of Suviseshakan (January) and handed over to me and said, "one of your articles is published in this issue" then he patted on my shoulder and encouraged me. The loving touch of that famous personality and those joyous moments I can't forget in my life. This was the beginning of my writing life. END

Source:

Women Leadership in Christian Churches - A Rejoinder, A Thought

(A Rejoinder to a Content at Associated.com)

By P.V. Ariel, published Mar 22, 2008

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E Pushpa Lalitha, India's first woman Bishop. Pic Credit NDTV

This refers to an interesting article appeared on the pages of AC under the caption, "What Role Can Women Play in Leading Worship? Under the sub head, 'Exploring What the Bible Says About Women in Leadership Roles' by Nicole L.

The writer by quoting the verses from Luke 8:1-3 ("Not long afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women he had healed and from whom he had cast out evil spirits. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.") Says, "Why would the author take the time to make sure that women were listed, by name, in this particular passage?"

This does not mean that Jesus expected a ministry from women what he expected from men. Of course, Jesus never put forward a second class level to women. Galatians 3:28 is very clear that, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. In first Peter again we read, "... being heirs together of the grace of life; (I Peter 3:7). No doubt He showed the same level of love and salvation to all. No disparity in it. Jesus did not bar them from singing, praying, witnessing prophesying and a lot of other spiritual activities. But notice that Jesus never select or send a women to the mission field. Instead this was entrusted to His disciples (Matthew 28:19,20). His disciples and all the other apostles too were men. If he expected this ministry from women, He would have definitely selected some women to this ministry.

Apostle Paul, while writing to the Corinthians, wrote:

 "Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the law also says. (I Cor. 14:34.). He continues in verse 35 "... it is improper ('shame' in KJV), ('disgraceful', marginal meaning in New American Standard Bible) for a woman to speak in Church. Later, while writing to Timothy, he said, "Let women quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow woman to teach or exercise authority over man, but to remain quiet (1Timothy 2: 11-12).

A women's position in the church is very obvious from these Bible passages. They are forbidden from teaching in congregations and commanding over men. Ordaining women as clergy or Bishop is purely not scriptural. God's Word cannot be changed according to the age or situations. It never changes or it cannot be changed according to our conveniences, instead, it apples the same for ever. So let the women submit to His Word and restrictions without aspiring for man's portion. They have many other areas of ministry in Christ's kingdom. Let them do that faithfully.

The purpose for which God made the woman was that she might be "an help meet for him." She is neither his master nor his slave. She is part of him, him complement, that which is added to him to make him complete-"An help meet for him" "she will do him good and not evil, all the days of her life." Proverb 31:12)

Woman's Area of Service.

This does not mean that, women are exempted from other Christian services. They are equally important for the smooth functioning of any Church or Assembly.

Here is a fourfold service for women:

1. Homemaking:

1 Timothy 5:14; Timothy 2:3-5 God has ordained the home as the center of family life. The wife is the homemaker. The older women are instructed to teach the younger women the duties and the art of homemaking-to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, to be chaste, to be keeper of home, to be good, and to be obedient to their own husbands. Surely this is a great and noble task.

2. Kindness, and good works: 

1 Timothy 5:10; Rom. 16:1-2' Acts 18:1-3. Besides her duty to her family a Christian woman has many opportunities or serving other relieving the afflicted, doing acts of kindness caring for the servants of the Lord, etc.

3. Private instruction: 

Acts 18:26 Although it was not permitted to Priscilla to teach in the assembly she was permitted to show hospitality to Apollos when he visited Ephesus, and with her husband Aquila to explain to him in their own home "the ways of God are more perfect."

4. Personal Testimony:

 Philippians 4:3. Paul speaks of those women "which labored with me in the Gospel." Though not permitted to preach in the church, women are permitted to tell in other ways what God has done for them, and thus often to win a soul for the Lord. Let men and women never neglect the opportunities that may arise to witness personally for Christ and for the extension of His Kingdom.

END NOTE:

In fact there are a good number of things a Christian woman can do in relation to the church, and its activities.  May God help our women flock to do their duties entrusted to them by the God Almighty.  Let them not seek beyond that. Let us not deviate from the Word of God in any matter even in the leadership issue.

A matter from the archives of Philipscom