Roots

*My apologies if this post seems a bit disarrayed*


I know it's been rather some time since I have done an actual post. Even though I've had a few things I wanted to post on here at that point I myself did not fully process what God was doing, and even to this moment he is working it out for me. But please believe that I will updating soon. HOWEVER, I did want to post something that crossed my mind as I was driving to school today.


In my mind I imagined a government official shaking my hand, and asking me "Ms. Kuruvilla, why do you think our government is doing as bad as it is right now?". To which I responded "Well sir, it is because we have turned away the very thing this country was established on. The foundation of this country was based on religious freedom, but in present day we are not even allowed to bring Christ to school with us at the fear of "offending" someone. God is the root on which this country was established up on, and just like a tree can't flourish after it's been pulled out of it's roots, how can a country flourish once it's been ripped away from it's roots the very thing it was established on"


Then before I called it an evening I decided to read Deuteronomy chapter 29. In actuality the whole book deals with the inner conversation I had today, but then one verse really made me stop, and that was verse 25


And the answer will be: "It is because this people abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the covenant he made with them when he brought them out of Egypt." (NIV) 

Count My Blessings

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep
Counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep
Counting my blessings


Irving Berlin

Christian Dieting

Side Note: I wrote this back in March of last year. I just happen to run across while going through my archive in my inbox. 

This is not a note telling you how to lose weight so if that’s what you are after….umm maybe another time after I learn how to deny myself a sugar rush.

At one point or the other we have all had tried to enforce some sort of diet into our lives. For me it’s nearly impossible because Lord knows there’s a fat kid inside this tiny body. It seems like most of my friends are on a fitness craze this year, and to them I say kudos. Like last night for example…I ate ice cream while my friend was on his way to teach kick boxing (does it count that I ran three miles just a couple of hours earlier? hahaa). When it comes to denying myself things truth be told the only time I can do it is when I am fasting. There’s a purpose behind it, and not just a one day fad (like my dieting experiments), but my friends on the other hand have been faithful with their diet, and turning down sugar while I stuff my face with Dolce De Leche (DROOL). So here I am sitting….thinking….sipping on my coffee and it hits me like 18 wheeler going 90 mph. Why is it that when it comes to looking good we can say no to certain things without thinking twice, but when it comes to our soul we are not as quick to say no? We try to justify our wrong doings by saying “Oh this little thing won’t hurt”…if that’s the case why didn’t you have those oh so scrumdidlicious donuts this morning. It’s just a small little thing after all….why are we so aware of what we let into our body, but not so cognitive about what is being fed into our soul? In the words of Dr. Robinson…questions, comments, observations? 

As I was driving yesterday (and as always my mind was wandering in many directions) a story popped up in my mind, and I was completely moved by it. It's a story of complete faith and it takes place in the Bible at (what most may consider) a bleak moment. It is the story of the two men who were crucified next to Christ. I kind of started mentally breaking it down, and I was moved by one man's faith in his last moments. As Christ was crucified, the thief (labeled: sinner) to his right hurled insults at him saying things like "Aren't you Christ?? Why don't you save yourself and us??". He sounded like everyone else who wanted to see Christ crucified. He was thinking about himself, and didn't want to face the consequences of his action, and the ultimate reason he was there hanging next to Christ. Meanwhile the other thief (Also labeled: sinner) rebuked the first thief and said "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence". "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong" He then continue to say "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom". And Jesus replies "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" Luke Chapter 23

I couldn't pick a title for this blog because that small conversation consist of so many different topics it was hard to pick just one. We are all off sin, we all pretty much make the same mistake (both thieves), BUT it is still up to you how you want to end things. This story is a story of faith, redemption, repentance, and choice. They both committed the same crime (at least they are labeled as thieves in the Bible) yet one knew when he got punishment it was justly given to him, and he was repentant> Most importantly he didn't ask selfishly to be saved from his punishment, but rather just to be remembered when Christ comes into his kingdom. The other thief on the other hand was hurting, in pain, but he still couldn't stop being selfish. 

This story still represents current day events. We are given choices, opportunities, and chance. How are we utilizing our opportunity at salvation? Are we using it for self gratification or are we using it to bring glory to God? Are our motives purely driven by selfishness? Are you constantly using the name of Jesus as a "Get out jail" card? My suggestion: I know we don't do it right every day or even every minute. We have flaws, and our flesh is constantly wanting it. it's way. However, when you are being corrected (crucified) don't go to God and ask "Why don't you get me out of this mess?" Instead, ask God to grace you...and like the man who asked to be remembered it's just a reminder that it's still not too late. I mean look at where he was.

Side Note:

Notice how Christ said "Paradise" and not "Heaven". That is because Christ had to die and rise again in order for us to go to Heaven. So prior to his resurrection everyone had a holy ghost party in paradise. His death for our sins, and resurrection is what opened up a way for us to enter Heaven (and everyone else prior to his resurrection). Thought I would throw that small piece of interesting fact in there. :-)

Be Blessed!!!!

The Wrapping

A young man was about to graduate high school, and he told his father exactly what it is that he wants as a graduation gift. He wanted a car more than anything else. He knew the type of car, the make, the model, and even the color. His father always listened to him as he talked about this car, and how that's ALL he wants for his graduation. The day of his graduation came about, and after the ceremony his father called him into his office. He told his son "I have a gift for you" the son was excited beyond words, because he just knew in his heart of hearts that it was going to his car since he asked for nothing else. His father slowly opened the drawer and got a box out. He eagerly opened the box, and his face soon fell into disappointment. Inside the box laid a beautiful Bible with his name engraved in gold letters.



 Soon disappointment turned into anger, and he threw the Bible down and said "You got me a Bible!!?? All I asked for was a car!! I have never asked you for anything else this great, and you got me a Bible!!!?". He stormed out the office,and soon left the house. Years went by, and he never saw nor spoke to his father. He grew up and did great things, and bought great things. One day he got the news that his father had passed away. He decided to go back to the house that he has not seen since his high school graduation. He walked around and started to feel remorse on how things ended and he wished his father could have seen the great things he has done. He walked into his fathers office,and memories of that last day started replaying in his head. He walked around and touched a few of his personal belongings, and from the corner of his eyes he saw it. The Bible that he threw to the floor years ago. It was sitting on his fathers desk still waiting to be opened. With tears in eyes the boy went over to the Bible and opened it up. From one of the pages a key with a tag attached to it fell to the ground. He picked up the key, and realized that key belonged to the very same car he had asked for years ago,and on the tag it said "Paid In Full". The boy sobbed uncontrollably when he realized how foolish he has been.

Question: How many of your blessings have you missed out on because it wasn't wrapped how you liked it or how you expected it to be wrapped?

The Toss Up....

My Houston mom makes one of the best salads I have ever had. She adds all kinds of simple ingredients to make it so good, and always finds the perfect dressing to go with any occasion. She'll have nuts, raisins, craisins, avocados, and this one particular spring mix she buys from Kroger. When making her salads she prefers to buy that mix over any other. The leafs are a mixture of red, green, and this slightly bitter leaf. Last night after getting home I decided to eat one of her salads, and lucky for me there was just enough left for one more serving. I piled it on, and added some more craisins,and warmed up my stew. As I started eating my salad I bit down on one of the bitter leafs I chewed for a bit more and I bit down on a craisin. Biting down on the craisin completely cancelled out the taste of the bitter leaf, and in a way enhanced that leafs taste. As I sat there finishing up my salad I thought "funny how life is a whole lot like this salad". There's always going to moments of bitter, but there's also a moment of joy or sweetness to cancel out that bitter moment in life. It's totally up to you which taste you want to focus on. Even if I didn't get a craisin in that particular bite I know somewhere in that bowl there was one,and it's not like that bitter leaf was going to kill me or anything. If anything that bitter leaf was building up my immune system just like bitter moments build up character. 

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!