Miracles still happen

A few weeks before Christmas, I stepped outside to fix some decorative lights. At little later, my neighbour stepped outside, and said hello. I had asked her how she was doing as her husband had passed away about six months earlier, and we hadn't seen her all that while. She said she was getting along.

I asked what her plans were for the future, whether she was planning to sell and maybe move to a smaller more manageable place, and she looked at me and very confidently said, 

"Oh, no, I plan to live here for a long time!"

A few weeks later one of her sons called me to say that she had suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm around Christmas day.

We were shocked, and I was reminded of many things, which prompts me to share this:

I will never forget what she said, and it reminded me again that I am not fully in control of my life. 

This also reminded me that it is better for me to be a part of GOD's plan, than for me to ask GOD to be a part of my plans.

It also reminded me of the greatest commandment which summarizes all the laws and the prophets: 

To love GOD with all my heart, soul and mind, and to love my neighbour as myself. But who is my neighbour? Everyone - especially those who are different from me, and those who may not like me.

Having survived death a few years ago, I am always grateful for many things, and many people, but most of all, I am grateful to my creator to be alive, for all the relationships we have with each other, including you if you are reading this.

We all come in different shapes, sizes, colours, and backgrounds, and our greatest need as humans, is similar, it is, to love, and be loved.

Looking back at the past fifty seven years, I’ve learnt that the most important thing in life, is not how much money we make, what our titles are, who we know, or how big our homes or cars may be, but it is our relationships – business relationships, our relationships at the workplace, family relationships, relationships with strangers, and how we treat each other in society. Our greatest need as humans, is to love, and be loved.

 

 

Here’s a true story that some of you already know.

One weekend many years ago, we were getting ready to have dinner one evening when our doctor called us, and said "I just saw your CT scan reports. You have a brain aneurysm, and you need to go to emergency right now, and get admitted in hospital". So, we skipped dinner, and quickly walked down to the hospital.

It was only a few nights earlier that I had one of the worst headaches I'd ever had. The usual painkillers did absolutely nothing to ease the pain, which prompted me to see our doctor, and proceed with a CT scan and CT angiogram.

 

Now at the hospital, it wasn't long before I was told how serious my condition was. Also, the option to have surgery sounded very dangerous. I could die on the operating table, or end up paralyzed. But I was prompted to tell the surgeon to go ahead and do it.

Less than a few hours later I was on a stretcher, in a long, cold, quiet and empty corridor, waiting to be wheeled into the operating theatre. My wife was standing next to me. Then the surgeon arrived dressed in his light blue surgical outfit, and one last time explained, and asked if I had understood how critical the procedure was along with the unknown consequences.

I looked him in the eye, and said "Yes. Doctor... I just want you to know, that at this very moment, there are over a hundred people around the world praying for you!" He looked at me and smiled, and said, "I need that."

Moments later, after exchanging a few words with the anaesthetist, I blanked out... That must be what it feels like to be dead.

But I woke up many hours later, and realized that I was alive!!!

 

As they wheeled me to the intensive care, I barely had the energy to say "I am fine," to my wife who was anxiously and prayerfully waiting along with her friends.

The operation went very well, and not only was I released from hospital quickly, but I was back to work three days later (even though my boss asked me to take two weeks off to recover).

Not once during those critical moments did any negative thoughts such as that of dying, come across our minds.

That my friend, is what Peace is all about. And only GOD can give us that kind of Peace!

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"
-- Philippians 4:7

For giving me a second life, I am truly grateful to the one who made me, and knows me, as well as the doctors, surgeons, friends, and family.

From my own experience I now know what this verse means:

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well." -- Psalm 139:14

I have experienced many miracles, and still continue to, but this one felt like going to the other side, and coming back. And I cannot help but share with you my friend, how GOD uses whoever HE chooses, whenever HE likes, wherever HE wants, through good times and bad, to glorify HIS name.

Remember, miracles still happen!

Listening to music from the Middle East and painting "Jesus talks to the Woman at the Well"

Been wanting to paint this theme for many, many years.

Finally got some time, a deep sense of peace & gratitude from recent events,

And imagined the scene after studying John 4:4-26 

Got brand new paint brushes and even a palette!

This is one of my favourite stories because it shows how Jesus crossed the barriers of race,

social position, and the sins of a sinner to interact with them!

My notes for the painting: 

• Jesus was walking from Judea to Galilee, HE chose the route through Samaria because it was shorter although Jews did not usually travel through Samaria
• The intermarriage between Jews and foreigners had resulted in a mixed race called Samaritans
• Jews considered Samaritans impure and they wanted to have nothing to do with them
  
• The time was noon
  
• The place was the village of Sychar. Sychar is located in Balata village on the outskirts of the Palestinian city of Nablus in the West Bank
  
• Jesus was tired from the long walk and he sat down beside a well. Known as Jacob's well
  
• The woman drawing water at the well was of the hated mixed race, known to be living in sin
• No respectable Jewish man would even speak to a woman in this circumstance
• Jesus asks her for a drink of water
  

Read  John 4:4-26 for the rest

 

 

Listening to Shalom Aleichem which in Hebrew is a greeting meaning

"Peace be upon You"

In Arabic, Salam alaykum means exactly the same thing!

"Jesus talks to the Woman at the Well"

18"x24" oil painting on canvas

 

 

Even the birds need drinking water in mid winter

 

 

And a sparrow just joined in
 

The Birth of Jesus - oil painting on wood

This is my first attempt at painting on wood

Loved the surface and the way the paint blended into the wood ...

Find out how Jesus was born 

Christmas, The Birth of Jesus

 

11"x 14" oil painting on wood

☺

Did GOD want us to live our lives in fear?

I shared Matthew 14:27 with friends over the weekend. It's on the subject of fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

In red are Jesus’s words to HIS disciples.

What comes to my mind these days is the subject of fear, and being afraid.

They say we are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds, all the rest is learned or conditioned fear. Scientists describe fear as an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone.

Today, many of us are living in unprecedented times, where fear has suddenly taken a solid grip on society, and our thoughts, words and actions are determined by our fears.

Just a few months ago no one would ever have imagined that a tiny virus would shake the entire world, the rich and the poor alike, and get people rethinking everything they thought they knew.

People actually fear for their lives!

Did GOD want us to live our lives in fear?

Truth is, HE commands us to fear and also forbids us to fear.

1. Fear that is Commanded
2. Fear that is Forbidden

Here are a few verses of both types of fear:

What does it mean to fear the LORD?

To Honour and Respect, to live in Awe of HIS power.

Job 28:28 - The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding

Proverbs 1:7-9 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline

     

      Luke 12:4-5

     ‘I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do

      no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: fear him who, after your body

      has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him”.

Fear of Man versus fear of GOD

Proverbs 29:25 - Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe

Fear GOD

Isaiah 8:13

The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, HE is the one you are to fear,
HE is the one you are to dread.

   

      Why we must not fear death

      Luke 9:23-27

      Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves  

      and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life

      will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for

      someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever

      is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he

      comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

      How fear prevents us from speaking for Jesus

      John 12:42-43

      Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of  

      the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be

      put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God

           

      Letting Jesus deal with our fears, and HIS assurance (highlighted)

      Matthew 28:19-20

      “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the

      Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything

      I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

      Fear can be overcome by Faith (Jesus walks on Water)

      Matthew 14:22-32 

     

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: 

‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’

‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water. ’Come,’ he said. 

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 

‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’

      Peter began to sink the moment he took his eyes off Jesus and started focusing on the   

      waves around him.

      I’ve learnt that in times like these, I need to take my mind off all the human   

      distractions, fear, and negativity that our sinking world has to offer via news and

      social media and focus instead on Jesus!

      Friends, we are all in the same boat, and I wish you all Peace in these troubled times.

      With love and prayers,

      John

   

Painting HIS backyard

So much to be grateful for, at Thanksgiving.

No matter who we are, or what we have,

There are always people going thru worse stuff than us.

Thinking of them ...

Poured a glass of red wine,

Stepped outside,

And started painting HIS backyard

The leaves are turning yellow, orange, red ...

And every colour in between,

And they are beginning to fall.

As they come to the end of their brief lives ...

Started this painting in September ...

And just finished it now

HIS backyard

24"x 36" oil painting on canvas

Life

"This life was given to me as a gift from God, and I have no right to take it" 

- John Koshy 

10 Sept 2018

Prayer is a two-way communication with GOD

There is nothing more amazing than that feeling, when an unseen GOD responds to prayer! 

It’s happened before, and it happened again. 

This time that response came to me in the form of a couple of phone calls, 

and emails from people I know.

Prayer is a two-way communication with GOD, and when I don’t hear from HIM, 
it means the communication lines are broken at my end. 
It’s like me giving you my phone number, 
but me doing nothing to fix my phone when it is broken.

GOD’s line of communication is always open, and HE is always listening, 

and waiting to say something. 

But I won’t hear him even if my lines are okay, if I am listening to something else (distractions).

Here’s how to pray, and how not to pray.

Do it the way Jesus said, 
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners 
and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. 
I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 
But when you pray, go away by yourself, 
shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. 
Then your father who sees everything, will reward you”

True prayer can only happen if:

1) I know GOD, not know of GOD (these are two different things)

2) If I worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth. 

Because GOD is a Spirit. 

HE’s not someone like you and me. And I need to be completely honest and truthful.

To summarize, 
if I want to pray (communicate) with GOD, 
I can only do that if I know GOD, 
if I keep the communication lines open, 
and if I listen.

Best wishes to you on your journey with GOD!!