Bible Society of India marks 200 years

Kolkata: A Gospel musical evening followed by praise and worship marked the finale to the bi-centenary celebrations of the Bible Society of India (Calcutta Auxiliary) on Aug 20 in Kolkata.

Nearly 1,200 people took part in the Gospel musical evening by the 15-member Dancers’ Guild troupe performing “HE the Light of the World” at Rabindra Sadan.

Parbati Gupta coordinated the half-hour song and dance event weaved around Tagore songs inspired by the life of Jesus, a fitting tribute to the Nobel laureate on his 150thbirth anniversary.

An hour-long praise and worship led by Bollywood singer Vijay Benedict followed.

“I have been associated with Bible Society of India for over 30 years now,” said Benedict, a playback singer.

He rendered his hit songs – “Yesu tu hai mahan” (Jesus you are great) and “Yesu naam” (Jesus name).

Benedict, who has sung for over 35 Bollywood films, produced one of India’s first Gospel songs video.

President of the United Bible Society, Robert Cunville, first woman president of BSI Navamani Peter, General Secretary Mani Chacko, first vice-president PNS Chandra Bose and president of BSI (Calcutta) and Church of North India Bishop Ashoke Biswas of Calcutta were felicitated on the occasion.

The master of ceremony for the evening was Ruthlin Saha.

Secretary of BSI’s Calcutta Auxiliary, Sajal Kumar Sarkar, said the “Bible Society of India is the second largest publishing house in Asia after the government of India.”

Established in Calcutta in 1811 AD, the Bible Society of India translates and distributes Bibles in over 400 native Indian languages.

A special postage stamp was released in February to mark 200 years of BSI.

It has its headquarters at Bangalore with 15 Auxiliaries and corresponding office in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar island.

– cm paul

Passbook

Mary married John this day.
At the end of the wedding party, Mary’s mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook.
With Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother: ‘Mary, take this passbook.
Keep it as a record of your marriage life.
When there’s something happy and memorable happened in your new life, put some money in.
Write down what it’s about next to the line.
The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in.
I’ve done the first one for you today.
Do the others with John.
When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you’ve had.’

Mary shared this with John when getting home.
They both thought it was a great idea and were
anxious to know when the second deposit can be made.

This was what they did after certain time:
– 7 Feb: Rs.100, first birthday celebration for John after marriage
– 1 Mar: Rs.300, salary raise for Mary
– 20 Mar: Rs.200, vacation trip to Bali
– 15 Apr: Rs.2000, Mary got pregnant
– 1 Jun: Rs.1000, John got promoted
…. and so on…

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing for trivial things.
They didn’t talk much.
They regretted that they had married the most nasty people in the world … no more love…

Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Mary talked to her Mother:
‘Mom, we can’t stand it anymore. We agree to divorce.
I can’t imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!’

Mother: ‘Sure, girl, that’s no big deal.
Just do whatever you want if you really can’t stand it.
But before that, do one thing first.
Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day?
Take out all money and spend it first.
You shouldn’t keep any record of such a poor marriage.’

Mary thought it was true.
So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account.
While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record.
She looked, and looked, and looked.
Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up her mind.
Her eyes were then filled with tears.
She left and went home.

When she was home, she handed the passbook to John,
asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, John gave the passbook back to Mary.
She found a new deposit of Rs.5000.
And a line next to the record:
‘This is the day I notice how much I’ve loved you thru all these years.
How much happiness you’ve brought me.’
They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe.

Do you know how much money they had saved when they retired? I did not ask.
I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone thru all the good years in their life.

>>>>>>>>………..>>>>>>>>>

“When you fall, in any way, Don’t see the place where you fell,
Instead see the place from where you slipped.
Life is about correcting mistakes.”

>>>>>>>>………..>>>>>>>>>

fwd courtesy: vathan shettigar

Victimization Continues in Orissa – Christians targeted

10 August 2011, Raikia, Orissa (Prashanti): At about 6 am in the village of Banjamaha (about 7 kilometres afrom Raikia), being season of cultivation most people of the village were away in fields. Mr Abedana Pradhan, son of Dussasana Pradhan, armed with a khanta (sword) came to the house of Mithu Digal. He shouted at Rebika digal, wife of Mithu digal “Where is your husband? I will cut (kill) him.” Rebika got frightened and kept quiet. Abedan, left the place after looking around fiercely and finding that Mithu was not around. After about an hour, Abedana came back to the house of Mithu in rage holding the sword again shouting that he would kill Mithu and break down the house of Mithu. He tresspassed into house of Mithu, ransacked and broke down all articles in the house. After this he went away.
 
In the evening again at about 4 pm when Mithu returned home from work in the forest, both of them together met the ward member, Mr Sanatana Bindhani and apprised him of the morning’s incident.  The ward member called the acused and asked him to sit for a village panchayat (meeting of elders) to discuss the matter and settle the dispute. But he refused.So the next day  Rebika filed complaint at Raikia police station. The police station has not converted the complaint into an FIR.Abedana is a Hindu and Mithu is Christian by faith. According to pastor Sunil Parichha – “Banjamaha is the village where pastor Saula Pradhan was killed by two Hindu friends on 10th January 2011. The police did not register a case of murder against the killers and did not arrest accused persons. It is clear that Hindu fanatics are still getting support by the authorities to intimidate and harm Christians, with police taking no action.

– bro. kj markose

Islam has always been part of America: Obama

12 August 2011: The approaching 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks centered the White House Iftar party speech of President Barack Obama on Thursday but he put Muslim Americans in the nucleus of the centre. He began with asserting the fact that Islam has always been part of America and ended applauding the commendable role of American Muslims who rushed to help the victims of 9/11.

“Like so many faiths, Islam has always been part of our American family, and Muslim Americans have long contributed to the strength and character of our country, in all walks of life. This has been especially true over the past 10 years,” Obama opened his speech on this note.

He wished Muslim Americans and all Muslims across the globe the holy month of Ramadan.

“To the millions of Muslim Americans across the United States and more — the more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time of reflection and a time of devotion. It’s an occasion to join with family and friends in celebration of a faith known for its diversity and a commitment to justice and the dignity of all human beings. So to you and your families, Ramadan Kareem.”

Then he proceeded to 9/11 and appreciated the Muslim Americans who sacrificed their life, who rendered their services and who did all what they could to help the victims.

“In one month, we will mark the 10th anniversary of those awful attacks that brought so much pain to our hearts. It will be a time to honor all those that we’ve lost, the families who carry on their legacy, the heroes who rushed to help that day and all who have served to keep us safe during a difficult decade. And tonight, it’s worth remembering that these Americans were of many faiths and backgrounds, including proud and patriotic Muslim Americans. Muslim Americans were innocent passengers on those planes, including a young married couple looking forward to the birth of their first child. They were workers in the Twin Towers — Americans by birth and Americans by choice, immigrants who crossed the oceans to give their children a better life. They were cooks and waiters, but also analysts and executives.

There, in the towers where they worked, they came together for daily prayers and meals at Iftar. They were looking to the future — getting married, sending their kids to college, enjoying a well-deserved retirement. And they were taken from us much too soon. And today, they live on in the love of their families and a nation that will never forget. And tonight, we’re deeply humbled to be joined by some of these 9/11 families, and I would ask them to stand and be recognized, please.”

“Muslim Americans were first responders — the former police cadet who raced to the scene to help and then was lost when the towers collapsed around him; the EMTs who evacuated so many to safety; the nurse who tended to so many victims; the naval officer at the Pentagon who rushed into the flames and pulled the injured to safety. On this 10th anniversary, we honor these men and women for what they are — American heroes.

Nor let us forget that every day for these past 10 years Muslim Americans have helped to protect our communities as police and firefighters, including some who join us tonight. Across our federal government, they keep our homeland secure, they guide our intelligence and counterterrorism efforts and they uphold the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans. So make no mistake, Muslim Americans help to keep us safe.”

President Obama put emphasis on the unity in diversity and nationhood. He affirmed there must not be “them” or “us” in the United States.

“An America that doesn’t simply tolerate people of different backgrounds and beliefs, but an America where we are enriched by our diversity. An America where we treat one another with respect and with dignity, remembering that here in the United States there is no “them” or “us;” it’s just us. An America where our fundamental freedoms and inalienable rights are not simply preserved, but continually renewed and refreshed — among them the right of every person to worship as they choose. An America that stands up for dignity and the rights of people around the world, whether a young person demanding his or her freedom in the Middle East or North Africa, or a hungry child in the Horn of Africa, where we are working to save lives.

Put simply, we must be the America that goes forward as one family, like generations before us, pulling together in times of trial, staying true to our core values and emerging even stronger. This is who we are and this is who we must always be.”

– tcn news

Long wait on death row for Aasia Bibi as appeal stalls

01 August 2011, Pakistan: Aasia Bibi, a Christian mother who is on death row in Pakistan falsely accused of blasphemy, may be left languishing in jail for years awaiting an appeal of her case.

She has already been behind bars for over two years since she was accused of making derogatory remarks about Muhammad in June 2009. Aasia was sentenced to death last November in a highly controversial case that threw an international spotlight on Pakistan’s “blasphemy laws”, which are frequently used against Christians and other non-Muslims.

An appeal was lodged before the Lahore High Court, and Aasia was expected to be executed in November if it failed. But now lawyers associated with the case have indicated that the hearing is unlikely to be held any time soon for a host of reasons.

There is a five-year backlog of cases; the Lahore High Court is only now hearing review petitions filed in 2006-2007. Although the chief justice has the authority to bring forward a priority hearing, a lawyer in Lahore, who filed Aasia’s review petition, said this did not appear to be happening in her case.

ISLAMIST PRESSURE

This has arguably been the most controversial case in the country’s recent legal history, and there is likely to be considerable pressure on the court when the appeal is heard. Aasia’s plight prompted calls for amendments to the blasphemy laws, and the Pakistan Government initially made noises about a review. But it was forced to retreat by an aggressive Islamist backlash. There were widespread public protests, and two high-profile politicians, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and Government Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who defended Aasia and called for reform, were shot dead by militants.

The court may therefore want to hold off hearing the case until the furore over it has died down.

Then there is the question of who would be willing to defend Aasia in court given that her other advocates have been murdered. The lawyer who filed the review petition is unsure whether or not he would be able to pursue the case. He said that the assassinations of Governor Taseer and Mr Bhatti frightened all those who initially supported Aasia; they fear that even speaking in her favour would put their own lives at risk.

Under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, “defiling the name of Muhammad” carries a mandatory death sentence, though no-one has yet been executed for the offence; most of those convicted of blasphemy have their sentences overturned or reduced on appeal, when it eventually comes to court. But, since 1990, at least ten Pakistanis accused of blasphemy have been killed by zealous Muslims while their cases were being considered.

– barnabas team

Bangalore Archbishop & Mangalore bishop calls on Karnataka CM to withdraw cases

11 August 2011, Karnataka: The CSF joining Karnataka’s top clergy has in a memorandum to the chief minister of Karnataka called for immediate withdrawal of cases, which is a long pending demand of the community in the state.

Bishop Aloysius D’Souza of Mangalore met the newly installed Chief Minister of Karnataka D.V. Sadananda Gowda and urged him to withdraw cases against Christian youth in the Church attack cases in 2008.

“This will be a big relief and come as the best goodwill gesture from the chief minister, ” the Bishop, who met the chief minister on Aug 10, said.

He also presented a memorandum listing the demands from the Catholics and Christians of the coastal region.

The chief minister promised to attend to the demand in the next 15 days or so and said that he had received the same demand from the Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore, who had called on him on Monday.

“I have already promised the Archbishop that the government will take steps for withdrawal of the cases against the Christian youth in accordance with the promise given by the former Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa,” he said.

Bishop D’Souza also requested Gowda to attend the 125th anniversary celebration of the formation of Mangalore Diocese.

– ucan

Muslim extremists haunt a new Christian in India

10 August 2011, West Bengal: An Indian woman just months into her Christian walk was recently attacked for the second time in four months.

Although Hindu radicals are behind many attacks against Christians in India, “In this case, we’re talking about radical Muslims who were offended that a Muslim woman left Islam to follow Jesus Christ,” explains Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs.

Compass Direct reports that Selina Bibi converted from Islam in eastern India’s West Bengal state, where, Nettleton says many of India’s 172 million Muslims reside. The woman had been stripped and beaten four months ago when 50 Muslim extremists found out she’d become a Christian.

“She was attacked, embarrassed, and beaten up right after she came to Christ,” explains Nettleton. “Now it’s happened again, and they’ve said, ‘Hey, if you keep following Jesus, we’re going to burn your house down. If you keep having Bible studies here, we’re going to burn your house down.’ So this is sort of another chapter in the life of faith for an Indian Christian.”

During the March attack, extremists surrounded Bibi at Believers Church where she was being baptized. Compass Direct says another radical group came to the service upon discovering Bibi’s conversion and verbally abused the Christians there.

Days later, two women and an extremist group brought Bibi to one of their homes and stripped her, apparently looking for marks they believe Christians are branded with when they convert. When they could not find any such mark, they began to beat her.

Bibi has been severely ostracized over the last four months, no longer able to buy goods from the store, sell vegetables, or draw water from the village well. The most-recent attack and threat came after she decided to host a weekly Bible study at her home despite the persecution.

Compass reports that a complaint has been filed, and police will prosecute if any further attacks or disturbances take place.

Many believers face persecution in India, but things have been particularly harsh for Bibi. “This is a lady who’s only been a believer less than a year and already has faced significant persecution twice in her young life of faith,” Nettleton points out.

Pray for Bibi’s safety and for her faith in Christ to remain unshaken. Pray also for believers across India to continue preaching the Good News despite the hardships they’re forced to face daily.

Although this particular attack does not seem to be connected to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in which persecution often increases, pray for believers in Muslim communities around the world who may be up against increased persecution through August.

– mnn

Church to encourage local lingo and traditions

12 August 2011, India: Church leaders in northern India have decided to promote traditions and culture through Hindi and other local languages in the region. The decision was taken at a two-day meeting of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops held August 8-9. The prelates underscored the need for the Church to ensure their language of communication was Hindi, the national language, in the region.

They felt this would help in better interaction with the people, especially the poor and those living in remote villages. The meeting was attended by 27 bishops and 20 priests who took stock of the issues confronting the Church in the Hindi-speaking north. Outgoing convener of the Assembly, Bishop Isidor Fernandez of Allahabad said there is an urgent need to promote Hindi to address the common issues of the Hindi-speaking belt.

“Unless the Church joined the people through their language, culture and tradition, it would not be able to make much difference in their lives,” he added. Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who replaced him as convenor, said “the Church needs to bridge the communication gap between people and its officials”. The Church will insist on its officials and workers learning Hindi, he said.

He said the Church leaders agreed to promote not only Hindi but also local dialects and improve the Church’s communication through literary works. Father Anand Muttungal, spokesman of the Catholic Church in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, said they had agreed to start a Hindi tabloid to promote the language. The fortnightly publication will be launched before next January, he added. Conference of Diocesan Priests of India national president, Father Francis Scaria welcomed the decisions and said this will help the Church to become one with the local masses.

– ucan

Repent, O Scottish painter

Corny but a bit funny!

There was a Scottish  painter named Smokey Macgregor who was very
interested  in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down
his  paint to make it go a wee bit further.

As it happened, he   got away with this for some time, but eventually
the  Baptist Church decided to do a big restoration job on the
outside of one of their biggest buildings.

Smokey put  in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job.

So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks,
and buying the  paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down
with  water…

Well,  Smokey was up on the scaffolding,  painting away, the job
nearly completed, when suddenly there  was a horrendous clap of
thunder, the sky opened, and the rain  poured down washing the thinned
paint from all over the church  and knocking Smokey clear off the
scaffold to land on the lawn  among the gravestones, surrounded by
telltale puddles of the  thinned and useless paint.

Smokey was no fool.
He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty,
so he got down  on his knees and cried:

“Oh, God, Oh  God, forgive  me; what should I  do?”

And from the  thunder, a mighty voice spoke..
(you’re  going to  love this!)

.
.
.
.
.

 “Repaint!  Repaint!    And thin no more!”

Don’t blame me I just send them on …

– fwd courtesy: marylene crasto

Spiritual Bouquet Snowballs

Dear Friends in Christ,

Praise God for friends like you. I was moved to tears at the response. And so was my family, friends and more importantly – Team CSF – across India. This has been more than any award, reward or position, we could want. Apart from the wisdom and knowledge that the goal is – Eternity in heaven. Compared to this, EVERYTHING else pales into insignificance.

Here is our final (few) lot of prayer offerings on this issue. But be assured, we will pray for EVERY ONE by name, during our quiet moments with the LORD – to bless you & give you life in all His abundance… Until we meet personally – in His presence.

Your Servant in HIS service – Joe

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Dear Bro. Joseph,

I have been a grateful recipient and silent reader of numerous emails & updates that CSF sends across each day for a long time. Though at times I have whispered a silent prayer for the work that you and your many volunteers take on, I have never really contributed materially to your various causes (time, money or resources). I was born n brought up in Mumbai but now live in Dubai with my wife and one year old daughter since the last 3 years.

I would have probably continued to remain a silent reader if I had not received the below email. Dear Brother – I can promise you that not just myself but scores of other ‘silent readers’ who don’t know you personally but are aware of the work that you do, are with you in your moment of suffering and are praying for you…and our Lord said – Where two or three are gathered (even a gathering in spirit across many miles) in my name, there am I in their midst”. Yes, we are with you and so is our Lord. Take courage and do not lose heart.

 There’s something I would like to share with you (heard at a sermon years ago)…There is not a single human suffering (physical, emotional, spiritual) that Jesus did not go through during His persecution. So, even though sometimes we feel that He cannot understand what we are going through, this is not true. He perfectly understands us when we suffer and holds us close because He Himself has been there & done it! Think about it –

Physical Suffering: The pain of the lashes, the burden of the cross, the falls on the way to Calvary and the crucifixion; Mental/Emotional Suffering: His own friends abandoning him, the abuses & insults with people even spitting on his face, stripped in public (humiliation); Spiritual: The feeling that even God has forsaken him!

When I think of this “Jesus Forsaken” who underwent so much suffering, I am forced to smile at the little suffering that I experience! He said – If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too.

 I will not say I know what you feel like, cause obviously I have not worked my heart out for close to 3 decades for the community (in fact I am just 3 decades old…30 years!), only to be treated like the way you are being. However, I am hoping this little note (well it’s quite a long one already) will give you the courage to fight the mindless slander being hurled at you and continue with your good work. Yes, I underlined & bolded the word fight on purpose ‘cause that is what you must do. You are right in that we must forgive our brothers & sisters and not judge them. However, please…please continue with the legal proceedings and with presenting the facts through emails like the one below, so no one is misled to believe the accusations made against you. I am also happy for you to share this email (or parts of it) if you feel it is appropriate with your many readers, so more of us “silent readers” come out to encourage and support you.

Meanwhile, we continue to pray for you all (especially your family) and also the people who are working against you that our Almighty Father may help them to change their ways for He can write straight on crooked lines and with Him, all things are possible.

God bless you!

Adrian P

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Dear Mr. Joe,
 
Greetings in Jesus’ Loving Name!! We are praying for you in W & W along with our partners across the country. ” When you are in Trouble for His sake, His Blessings will be Double”.
 
” Jesus Christ is Guiding & Guarding God”. “Mountains will not Move, God will Move us to Move the Mountains” ” Learning from Him, Earn for Him” (Poverty, Prosperity, Good Health, Bad Health, Protection, & Threaten etc) ” When you Search Him, He will do all the Re-search for you”
 
” Discouragement will give you Difficulties & Encouragement will give you Energy”. ” If you want to reach the Tower, you should have the Power – Prayer. ” Marah is Bitter, Mannah is Better” – May our Lord gives His Mannh to lead a better Life & Missions.
 
May God bless you and make you a blessing for entire CSF & to the Christian Communty in India. We are praying for you. May God bless you richly along with the family.
 
With Prayers & Wishes
S R Kumar

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Dear Br. Joseph D
 
This mail I accidentally I picked up from the SPAM section…..And I was reading the contents….Yes, I too will pray for you and your ministry….Be strong and of good courage….May the Lord protect you and your family and the work you are doing.
 
In Christ.
 
Prince T
USA

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Dear Joseph Dias,

Greetings from Fr.Michael R from Manila, Philippines. With much interest and concern I read your letter and people’s response to your letter. Though I do not know much about problems you face but I sincerely express my full prayerful support to you. Jesus said ‘ I am the way, the Truth and the Life’. And Jesus’ way is life with full of challenges. Evil is so powerful that we need to become even more strong with the power of Christ. I sincerely pray for you for such grace of God.

Thank you for your news updates.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Michael R

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Dear Joseph Dias,

I’m overwhelmed to read all the expressions of gratitude to God and appreciation  to you by various categories of our people. Keep up the good work. I too assure you of my prayers that God may strengthen you.

I give thanks to God for you and your excellent ministry to all, through this media.

Sr. Ventura F

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Dear Sirs,

Thank you for your prayers and we continue to keep you in ours.  May God continue to Guide and Bless You in all that you do for us.

Thank you and warm regards,

Maryann M

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Dear Mr. Joe Dias,

You have the courage to stand out and to inform everyone of the atrocities that are being carried out in India. The going will be tough but only the tough get going. The Lord and the people are behind you and certainly appreciate your efforts. Keep it up and continue doing good to others.

Best Wishes to you and family,

John D

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Dear Joe,

I sincerely pray for God’s protection over you and your family.  I always wonder at and admire the good work you carry out in the vineyard of the Lord.

The daily messages coming from the CSF enlightens us about almost every happening in our Christian Community all over India. And I can play my part at least by praying for the community.  May God bless you and give you strength in your weak moments.

God Bless,

Rosie R

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Dear Br. Joe,

May the Father, Son & the Holy Spirit  – Bless, Guide, Guard and Protect you and your family always !!!

I always wonder how you manage all these issues. When so many people are praying for you  I’m sure you will always succeed in all your deeds. Keep up the good work you are doing. May the Almighty Lord always grant you good health,  courage, strength, wisdom… And lead you always in his path.

All the best to you, your family and the entire CSF team.
TAKE CARE, GOD BLESS YOU !!!!
Warm regards + sincere prayers,

Peris family

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Dear Joseph  and Family,

May I also join the hundreds of people who pray for you.   Difficulties  purify our  intentions and thus they will  become success steps to victory.  If the Lord is with you, who can be against you?  Besides the Lord, you have many more people with you.  Keep it up.
With love and prayers

Fr. George K

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Dear Joseph Dias,

Thank you for sharing your quest for unity in the face malice being thrown on you. Your victory is  in not getting distrurbed at such  uncharitable things. Move on wih the Mission.God is the Provider and the Protector.
Warm wishes,

Jetti

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I am with you in praising the Lord…. HE is with you now and always.

 E Sebastian, BS

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My prayers are with you and the family.

AD

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Dear Brother Joseph

Greetings from Syro Malabar Church Commission

Prayerful wishes for your highly dedicated service to the community

Yours in Lord Jesus

VCS

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Dear Mr. Dias,

In the world of today, you have brought  the Christian Community  closer and together through the internet.
With warm wishes,

B

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Dear Brother

I have been praying for you & CSF and there is no doubt that the Lord will answer our prayers. Remember: If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
When in trouble – Never say….God! I have a big problem.
Instead say – Hey Problem! I have a big God.

God Bless

Theresa D

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I am with you in your pain and sufferings and I assure you my prayers and spiritual support to you and your family.
We love you.

Sr. Marion

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Dear Joseph,

Please don’t worry for any thing be brave, TRUST in GOD. He will do wonders in your family. We are there to support you with prayer.
Warm Regards

Richard D

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Hi Dias,

My strong advice to you is to surrender this situation completely to our Lord Jesus Christ, who went through such an excruciating pain through to His divine way to Calvery.  I have already offered this situation to His powerful judgement and forgive those who do not know what they are doing! I have myself gone through such an experience recently and have seen what God can do to those who trust in His power. Read Isa 41.10 and Page 70 of ‘Let’s Pray’ booklet from Tabor and rest you will see soon.

Love – John

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All the best dear Joe, shall keep you, your family and your dear CSF in prayer.

Warm affection,

Fr. Brian, SDB

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Hi Dias,

I request you to surrender this problem totally and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read Isa 41.10 to 13 as many times as possible and you will draw enormous strength to withstand this painful period.
God Bless You

Sathurine

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Dear Joe Dias,

Thanks for your email on this sour info… sorry to note the contents & dirty intentions of the wicked. Read Eph:6:10-18 & Ps: 91 as a  part of your daily devotion ….Remember we are not fighting people but evil unseen powers of darkness…!

I thank U always for the several free CDs you have sent to my doorstep , which I have also passed on to others who are blessed by it. Its easy for me to say sympathetic words, but I know how U feel at the moment.

I WILL INTERCEDE FOR U. GOD WILL GRANT U VICTORY. JUST CLAIM IT & ITS YOURS …………….IN JESUS NAME …..!
GOD BLESS. IN JESUS

Suzie

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Dear Sir,

Very sorry to hear that such things happened to you. This seems to be a problem of a great multitude, since it has caused much pain to your family, friends, yourself and many of the readers.

Forgiveness is divine but ignorance can be harmful. I feel you should speak to the people who are behind this. May be they have a reason behind their motives. So, the issue must be taken up with them, understand their problems, and find a suitable solution. Any misunderstanding can be solved if it is brought up and dealt with directly.

This is what I feel but if you do not approve, feel free to ignore this message.

Anith

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God is gr8

Keep moving . Show must go on

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

Shashi D

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Dear Bro. Joe,

If God takes you to it, He will see you through it.  Take heart.  V R with you.

Celine

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Joseph Dias

I assure you of my prayers – which in Mother Teresa’s words, is more powerful than a bomb and yes leave room for the wrath of God. HE will lift you up

Anabelle D

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Don’t worry Brother Dias,

We all are there with you.
Regards,

Melwyn

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Dear Mr. Dias, 

Since I had not accessed email for the last three days I have been unaware of your sorrows.  So sorry for this.  With the Lord there is no time and every moment is now so here I am  to promise you the support of my prayer.  It is indeed noble of you to forgive your detractors.  The Lord is pleased with you for imitating him and following his teachings.  Please encourage your family members especially your wife and daughter.  What is false will not hurt them and the truth will surface someday soon.  With my community I hold you and yours in Prayer.
Sincerely,

Sr. Beatrice

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This is indeed depressing. Iam personally all for debate. I am against personal diatribe n roping in family.

Brian L

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Dear Joseph,

You and your family are in our prayers. Specially for your dedication and hard work. People who are hungry for power will go to any length to achieve it at any cost. It is very sad to see such slander. This gives outsiders an opportunity to take advantage of this situation and inflict more pain to our people, who are already faced with enough persecution. God will never abandon anyone who is doing his work. He will send his angels to guard you and your family – which you cannot even imagine or dream of.

In fact when you first started this work. My first concern and thought was the safety of you and your family. I lived in Mumbai and I know how life is in Mumbai. Yet you took the courage and initiative to do God’s work. God bless you.

Neville A

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Hai Mr. Joseph

May the peace of Jesus, the Prince of peace be with you and comfort you at this time of sadness. But have courage, no one can hide the truth, because Jesus is the Truth, Life and Way. My prayers are with you and go ahead as the Holy Spirit guides you.

Fr. Stalin R

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Dear Joseph,

Peace! Suffering is power; is strength. Trust in Jesus and pray for your enemies. You and your family are in my prayers.

Joseph K, SJ

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My Dear Joseph,

Thank you very much for making us aware of what is happening in and around us. You are doing wondeful work!

With love and prayer,

Fr Ramesh F

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Thank you very much. May GOD our LOVING Protector bless you, lead you, guide you and uphold you ALWAYS.
With Greetings

Sr. Flora D

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Dear Mr. Joseph,

My prayers are with you and your family and also for Christian unity.

Gerard D

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Dear Joseph,

I am saddened beyond words to hear all these insinuations against you and your family and against the noble ministry you are doing for God’s Kingdom. But I am not surprised a bit. When we work for His Kingdom, the evil powers are doubly active. “If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you”. (Jn 15:20).

Cheer up Joe. And keep up the good work.  No power on earth can destroy what you have built up because it is for the glory of God. We are with you. God is on our side. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 13:13). God belss.

Fr Joe, SSP
London

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Dear Bro. Joseph Dias,

All people working for others have at times problems. How about Gandhi? He too like you had hurdles. It is the current opposite to your kite
that takes it up to the soaring height.  God is with you. We are all.

In the service of the Lord,

Ambrose A

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Thank you for the letter. Indeed it is important that all are aware of the situations. The remedy is already in your letter, “suffer quietly & offer it to the Lord”.

My humble prayers and good wishes for you
Praise the Lord

T Jose

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Dear Brother Joe,

I keep praying for you and for your CSF family. Keep trusting in God, and forgiving our enemies and blessing him too. That way we give glory to God and we do receive blessings from almighty.
Keep courage,

Shouri

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Dear Bro. Joe,

Prayer is the best gift we can give to you during these moments,

Neeta L
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Dear Mr. Joe,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

I magnify the Lord with you for it is HE who upholds the just! God will surely bless the work of your hands. If God is for you who can be aganst you!  Continue the good work your are doing for God’s people. Praying for you and your family.

Sr. Philomena ccr, ourladyps@rediffmail.com

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Dear Br Joseph

I will say with all the force at my command that your integrity, commitment and dedication to our victim communities in India and the extended suffering members of civil society are unquestionable, absolute and irreproachable.   But this is well known to all of us and also to God. We who have fought with your support will never desert you.

We are not weak vacillating creatures who will retreat from our purpose due to unjust and wicked men, be they ever so strong the one within us is stronger. Redouble your resolve, and once more recommit to your purpose unflinchingly.  Do not as Schuller writes surrender leadership to criticism or circumstances. Do not back down.  Weak men wait for opportunities, strong men make them and you are one of the strongest men I know.

In my prayers always

God bless

Derrick

The longer I live, the more I am certain that the great difference between the great and the insignificant, is energy – invincible determination – a purpose once fixed, and then death or victory.

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, derrickdcosta@yahoo.com

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Dear Mr. Joe,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

I magnify the Lord with you for it is HE who upholds the just! God will surely bless the work of your hands. If God is for you who can be aganst you!  Continue the good work your are doing for God’s people. Praying for you and your family.

Sr. Philomena, CCR

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Dear Br Joseph

I will say with all the force at my command that your integrity, commitment and dedication to our victim communities in India and the extended suffering members of civil society are unquestionable, absolute and irreproachable.   But this is well known to all of us and also to God. We who have fought with your support will never desert you.

We are not weak vacillating creatures who will retreat from our purpose due to unjust and wicked men, be they ever so strong the one within us is stronger. Redouble your resolve, and once more recommit to your purpose unflinchingly.  Do not as Schuller writes surrender leadership to criticism or circumstances. Do not back down.  Weak men wait for opportunities, strong men make them; and you are one of the strongest men I know.

In my prayers always

God bless

Derrick

The longer I live, the more I am certain that the great difference between the great and the insignificant, is energy – invincible determination – a purpose once fixed, and then death or victory.

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton

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