Category: Reuben Page 6 of 7

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On November 6, 2009

On November 2, 2009, the penultimate day of our vacation in Mexico, after kayaking in the afternoon, Reuben started building some sand castles on the beach and as we searched for the camera to take a picture of what he had built, we realized that it was not in the bag that we usually carried it in. I went to the room to look for it and when I did not see it there, I started to panic. Panic stricken I asked Reuben to pray and we both prayed as Sangeetha walked over to the restaurant where we had lunch to see if we had left it there. I eagerly waited for Sangeetha to return with the good news that she had found it but that was not the case.

This is when it dawned on me that what I really felt concerned about was not the camera itself but the photos that was in the chip within the camera. We had taken about 200+ photos since the beginning of our vacation, including some family pictures at Chichen Itza, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. The camera is just a shell and was replaceable but the memories that were captured in the chip within were not only irreplaceable but priceless as well.

Likewise the shell of our bodies (jars of clay) is not what we should be concerned about but what we contain within it in our hearts (chip) is what truly matters. And what truly matters is the treasure of Jesus Christ (who is priceless and irreplaceable) whom we should hold within our jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:5-7) in our hearts.

Eventually, we did find the camera which was in the room carefully stowed away by the housekeeping service personnel and now I believe that this experience was given to teach me a valuable lesson. i.e., what really matters is the treasure of Jesus Christ hidden in those who believe in His name and not our ephemeral bodies that will metamorphose one day into celestial ones.

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 (KJV)⁵For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Drowning God

By Mano Paul

On November 4, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

During our vacation at Mexico, we spent a majority of our time in the beautiful swimming pools of the Azul Sensatori Resort. With our three year old son, Reuben, I played several water games and one game in particular that he enjoyed was called the ‘Save’ game. In this game, I acted like I was drowning and he would jump into the pool and try to rescue me. When leaving the pool, I once mentioned to him, saying, ‘Reuben, thank you very much for saving dada, I would have drowned without you’, for which he responded, ‘No dada, you cannot drown, the height of the water in the pool was not high enough to drown you; you could stand in the pool!’. He is right. Even at the part of the pool where the water was the deepest, the waters did not come over my shoulders as the maximum depth was 4’2”. His response did make me think about how in essence God who is above all waters (troubles) is incapable of drowning. He in fact, holds the very oceans in the hollow of his hands! (Isaiah 40:12). But sadly, we belittle Him and think of our problems in life to surpass and drown God and His power.

Let us recognize the incapability of anyone or anything in this world or the one to come to drown God and may our response be as that of a child, ‘No God, you cannot drown, the height of my problem(s) in my life is not high enough to drown you, you can stand over my problem(s).’

Isaiah 40:10,12 (KJV)¹⁰Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, …¹² Who hath measured the waters (oceans) in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Kayaking

By Mano Paul

On November 3, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

For the very first time in our lives, Sangeetha and I took Reuben and we all went kayaking in the Caribbean sea along the shores of Puerto Morelos (South of Cancun, Mexico). It was a tiring yet enjoyable experience. Our guide kayak was for the most part kayaking alongside us but at times left us and went toward others in the party, leaving us in between the shore and the vast ocean.

Reuben sat with me in the front and Sangeetha sat behind. He enjoyed the zephyr on his face, and even when the water that buffeted against our kayak, at times came into the kayak, he was calm and cool and was having fun. I had my arms around him and he even helped me with steering using the oars.

What we learned quickly was that in order for us to steer the kayak forward, both Sangeetha and I had to steer the kayak in a synchronized fashion. We even came up with a strategy where Sangeetha from the back would call left, right, left or left, left, right or left, right, right as needed. As long as we both moved our oars together and uniformly, we were okay but every time I missed a beat or was slow, we found that the kayak, veered off course and at one time, we were kayaking straight into the ocean, until we managed to get our beat back together and steer ourselves to the shore.

What this experience really taught me was three things –

First, as long as the guide was alongside us, we were not worried. Similarly as long as we are aware and know of God’s presence alongside us, we have nothing to be worried about. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Second, when my arms were around Reuben, he had not a care in the world. Likewise, when God’s arms surround us, we need not have to be anxious about anything.
Thirdly, just as it was required for Sangeetha and me (and Reuben) to work together in a unified manner to advance the kayak forward, so also in order for us to advance the kingdom of God forward, we must work in unity with one another and more importantly with God. Jesus’ request to God the Father was the we may be one with Him and God, just as He and God the Father are one (John 17:21).

Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)
⁶ Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
John 17:21 (KJV)
²¹That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: …

Dispelling shadows

By Mano Paul

On October 30, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Recently, I noticed our darling son, Reuben, who is three month shy of turning four, try to stamp out his shadow and when I asked him what he was doing, he said, that he did not like his shadow and did not want it to follow him. I explained to him that there was nothing he could do about it, until it dawned on me that the only way that he could get rid of the shadow was to be the source of light himself. As long as light shines on him, his shadow will follow, but when light shines from him, his shadows that follow him will be dispelled.

In our walk with Christ, it is no different. In our very lives, we have many shadows that follow. The shadow of self (personal desires over God’s), the shadow of sin, and the shadow of death (sin’s wages) are lingering shadows that become evident when the light of the world, Jesus Christ, shines on us, giving us the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6). And when we accept Him, He comes into our life, and His radiance dispels self, sin and death. How? We become a new creation (dispelling self; 2 Corinthians 5:17); We are imputed righteousness (dispelling sin; Romans 3:22); We have eternal life (dispelling death; John 3:16).

When Jesus Christ shines on our lives, we can observe the shadows around us, but when Jesus shines from within us, all shadows are gone. The only way that we can get rid of the shadows is to hold within ourselves the very source of light, Jesus Christ. Christ in us, is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
²⁷To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Be Broken or Be Crushed by Jesus

By Mano Paul

On September 17, 2009

In Become a Child, Broken, Christian, Reuben, Videos

Luke 20: 17-18, records some profound and contrasting words by Jesus in which He proclaims that the stone (referring to Himself, the ROCK) which the builders (people) have rejected is become the cornerstone (foundation of God) and whosoever falls upon the stone (Jesus) shall be broken; but on whomsoever the stone (Jesus) shall fall, the stone will grind him to powder (will be crushed).

While the exposition to this text may seem at first as a little difficult to understand, the hidden treasure in these words of Jesus is quite simple. It is as plain as Jesus expressed it.

Whoever falls on (commits their life to) Jesus shall be broken (of their self, the bondage of sin and the seduction of the world). They ironically will be the ones who will be saved.
On the contrary, on whomsoever Jesus (the ROCK) shall fall (as a means of God’s righteous judgment), they will be totally ground to powder (face the full wrath of God’s judgment for not having fallen on (believed in) Jesus).

What does it mean to Fall on Jesus?
It means it is to acknowledge the Lordship of the Sovereign God, and believe that Jesus is the son of God, the savior of the world and confess, so that we are broken from our self, the bondage of sin and the seduction of this world, and totally TRUST in Him. But then again, I think it still falls short of the eloquence and simplicity in which our beloved and wonderful son, Reuben put it – You be the judge of that.

What does it mean to fall on Jesus?
To fall on Jesus means “there is nothing to be worried about, because he will catch you” – Reuben Abishai Paul (Age 3)

Luke 20:17-28 (KJV)¹⁷And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?¹⁸ Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

A call for warriors, not just workers

By Mano Paul

On September 11, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Independence Series, Reuben, Videos

It is the eight anniversary of the infamous and heinous attacks by kamikaze terrorist groups commonly referred to as the September 11 attacks or the 911 attacks. Although superficially it may seem as if the attacks were orchestrated against the American public, when America had to surrender its innocence of the nation’s invincibility, on deeper thought, it was an attack against all those whom the terrorists deemed as ‘infidels’; those who did not belong to their faith. It came with the slaughter of many innocents and eight years later, we remember the fallen.

But in our remembrance, let us NOT just remember those fallen on the day of the 911 attacks, but let us also remember those who are under the bondage on THE fallen (Satan and his angels).

In the wake of the 911 attacks, the then President of the United States, George W. Bush Jr., said the following words in his Radio address to the nation – “This will be a different kind of conflict against a different kind of enemy. This is a conflict without battlefields or beachheads, a conflict with opponents who believe they are invisible”. While President Bush eluded this reference to the physicality of the war at that time, it is nonetheless accurate of a war that began centuries ago, when God cursed the fallen one (Satan) in the garden of Eden who had tricked God’s priceless of creation to fall from their relationship with God (Genesis 3:15).

We are in a conflict (at WAR) in spiritual realms with an enemy that is invisible to the human natural eye. But this INVISIBLE enemy is NOT INVINCIBLE as God has equipped us with an armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and endowed us with weapons of warfare(2 Corinthians 10:4).

We are all called to work for God and sadly many of us stop at being just workers for God. We are not to be mere workers but warriors as well, engaged full time in spiritual battle, snatching those under the clutches of the fallen one so that they no longer are fallen. We are asked to beat our plowshares (workman’s items) into swords (warrior item) and our pruninghooks (fisherman’s item) into spears (warrior item) and let those who are weak proclaim that they are strong (Joel 3:10). Those who were commissioned to work and rebuild the Temple of God under the leadership of Nehemiah, held in one hand the materials for the building and in the other hand a weapon (Nehemiah 4:17). We are called not to be just workers but warriors as well.

Equipping ourselves with the armor of God, let us affirm to engage in spiritual battle this day, and when we win this day, the 11th of September will no longer be known as an American memorial day, but as the day all followers of Christ Jesus declared in one voice: “We will not go quietly into the night (darkness)! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on (abundantly)! We’re going to survive (death has no power over us)! Today we celebrate our Independence Day (by no longer staying fallen or under the bondage of the fallen one)!”

Points to ponder:
Are we engaged for spiritual warfare? Are we equipped with the Armor of God? Let not just work, but fight as well.

Joel 3:10 (KJV)¹⁰Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)
⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

For your viewing pleasure, our 3 year old son telling us the Armor of God. Note how he ends it with, “the word of God, the Bible” 🙂

Jesus is My Hero

By Mano Paul

On August 7, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben, Videos

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible talks about many heroes, from the renowned mighty giants in the earth (Genesis 6:4) to the heroic two witnesses yet to appear in the end times (Revelation 11), heroes and heroines who subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, waxed valiant in fight, brought down giants so much so that Nehemiah 3:16 refers to a House of Heroes (the mighty). Though the Bible talks about many heroes, it is really a record on ONE Hero, THE HERO, whose name is Jesus, by whom all these others turned out to be heroes.

I could go on writing as to why Jesus is The Hero, but I am afraid, it would fall short of its impact, when compared to what our darling and beloved three year old toddler son, Reuben Abishai Paul (RAP) has to say/rap. 🙂 You be the judge of that … Enjoy.

In the movie, Taking Chance, it is said of the main character that “He died a Hero, but more importantly He lived a Hero“. Of Jesus, it can be said “in death that He overcame and in Life that He freely gives to all who believe, He was, is and will be always a Hero“. When the battle is over and the dust settles, there is only Victor standing and that is Jesus Christ.

Jesus is simply The BEST. He is my Hero and the Hero of my son and wife, Sangeetha Johnson. The question that remains is, Is He your Hero as well?

Strong Foundation and Quality Materials

By Mano Paul

On June 30, 2009

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben, Videos

Ask any architect and they will tell you that in order for a super-structure to stand the tests of natural weather elements that onslaught the building, it is extremely important that the foundation on which the building stands is well laid, solid and strong. They will also tell you that in spite of the fact that there exists a strong foundation, buildings will succumb to the forces of the natural weather elements if the materials used to build them are not weatherproofed or up to quality standards.

In order for our lives to be able to withstand the tests of the world and its god, our lives must be laid on a solid and strong foundation as well. The good news is that there is a solid and strong foundation, in fact this is the only solid and strong foundation. The greater news is that this foundation is already laid, laid not by man, but by God and this foundation is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). With the foundation laid, the question then is, whether the materials that we use to build our lives on, are up to the quality standards of God?

Are our lives of quality, according to the Spirit of God bearing the fruit of the Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance) will stand the test of fire (the Holy Spirit) on the day when we need to give an account for all our actions, thoughts and deeds, because against such there is NO law. (Galatians 5:22-23).

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (KJV)
¹⁰According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
¹¹For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
¹²Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
¹³Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
¹⁴If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
¹⁵If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

On a lighter side note, check out the video below on how a 2 year old (our loved son – Reuben) learns about the Fruit of the Spirit. Enjoy

Collages, Collages, Collages

By Mano Paul

On October 12, 2007

In Reuben

Picassa2 r0x

2007 National Winner – America’s Most Beautiful Baby

By Mano Paul

On October 11, 2007

In Reuben

We thank our loving Lord and Savior Jesus for the beautiful baby he has blessed us with.Our 18 month son, Reuben Abishai Paul (Baby RAP) competed in the 2007 Most Beautiful Baby New Star Discovery competition on August 3rd-5th in Chicago and was crowned the overall NATIONAL winner for his age division (15-23).

He won a beautiful National winner banner, a crown, 5’ trophy, a toy race car and year of travelling, hosting regional events.

He was crowned the National winner in the following categories
1. Overall Winner for his age division (15-23 months – boys)
2. Most beautiful “Angelface” – National Winner
3. Personality Plus – 4th runner up
4. Playwear – 4th runner up

We, his parents (Sangeetha and I) had a wonderful weekend filled with many wonderful memories and we praise God for it. Again, none of this would have been possible if it was not for our God’s blessings on him and so “All” glory and praise be to our Lord Jesus.

We want to thank all the sponsors who made it possible for him to attend the Nationals competition and you can now be proud of being associated with the 2007 National winner – a new star and most beautiful baby. We sure are.
Sangeetha and Mano Paul

Category: Reuben Page 6 of 7

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