Navratri: An uplifting experience!

Navratri marks an important event in the hindu culture from a religious as well as a social point of view. During this auspicious festival, men and women from all walks of life leave behind their busy schedules and exchange Navratri greetings. These greetings aren’t only limited to verbal good will and care. Prayers at temples, chanting of special mantras during worship, exchange of distinctive food and other joint celebrations makes the entire experience more than skin deep. Using navratri greetings as an excuse, forgotten loved ones resurface at this time and rekindle old friendships and relationships. Religious practices such as animal worship, aarti and every day visits to the Goddess temples bring the practitioners close to their inner self and soul.

The Reasons you Should Send Diwali Messages

Since Diwali is a very special day for everyone in India or Indians outside India, this is a time that one should remember those people that they may have met in life and still remember them. Aside from the firework and celebrations, Diwali is also a time when people spend time with families, friends and colleagues to pray and to celebrate the blessings that Lakshmi has accorded them. If you cannot be with the people that matter in your life, consider sending them encouraging and sentimental Diwali messages either through sms, email, ecards, actual greeting cards, gifts and calling to find out how they are doing. Simple Diwali messages go a long way to make the celebrations a success for people who are important to you.

Why People Send Diwali Messages

One of the most celebrated festivals in India is the diwali festival – a festival that s celebrated across different religions and is characterized by lighting candles, singing songs, performances and spending time with friends and family. This is a time when people send diwali messages to those that are important to them such as friends, family members, classmates, work colleagues or even old and new acquaintances. There are many channels in which people today send diwali messages the first being through calling or wishing them the best in person if they are close to you. People also choose send sms messages, emails, wishes via social sites, e-cards and actual diwali messages cards to those people that mean something to them.

Navrati: A Sacred Celebration

Navratri is an age hold Hindu festival that is dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti devi. Although it takes place four times annually, the main Navratri, also known as Sharad Navratri, is celebrated in the month of Ashvina. The festival extends over a period of nine nights and each day has its due relevance in Hinduism. During these nine nights, the nine forms of Shakti devi are worshipped. These nine forms are Durga, Bhadrakali, Amba, Annapoorna devi, Sarvamangala, Bhairavi, Chandika, Lalita, Bhavani and Mookambika. It holds immense religious and historical value for hindus all over the world. Navratri is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the globe. Some people engage in fasting, temple visits and worship while others engage in fun and frolic.

For Such A Time As This Organic Church

For Such A Time As This? Organic Church

I grew up in church and a Christian family. I got saved early but did my own thing from the teens through my 20′s. The prodigal son came to himself but I was not that wise. Instead God reached out to call me back to Himself in 03.

The following year while my life was going through a major crisis He sent support into my home. I am a single mother who was attending church faithfully. My mother and I are both intercessory prayer warriors. She speaks in tongues I do not. I remember many an hours long prayer meeting, in our home with her & her friends in my youth.

I was hoping to find such deep spiritual connections for my enjoyment, enrichment and support along the journey but none seemed forth right until one afternoon.

A neighbor friend brought over her mother and sister at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We met together every week for the next few months until the crisis which involved my home and employment came to a head. I moved across town back in with my parents making the neighborhood meetings impossible.

When the women came to my house they had a habit of meeting for family prayer weekly. This day I had been invited to join them but child care prevented me from leaving my apartment. My house became the new meeting place. After a few gathers together we felt impressed to share scriptures from our daily devotionals. Eventually the Holy Spirit led us into a time of praise and worship with songs and music during our meetings. We shared our lives and stories. We invited family and friends who came alternately.

This weekly infusion of human contact would have been nice no matter what but “where two or three are gathered” and God still speaks to His people. The things we shared that were weighing on our hearts and minds God would give someone revelation and prophecy about. Salvation’s and a birth were prophesied and came to pass in the months and years following our events.

I maintained my church membership where I also experienced sensing and hearing from God in connection with that ministry. I knew I was sent there and it was where I belonged for a season. The meetings at home were just so much more intimate I could hardly understand why.

When the Holy Spirit took what had started out as a family prayer meeting between two grown daughters and their mother, added me and taught us to add elements of a service I began to call it a house church.

It happened in my home but I never felt like I was in charge. Each week I just cleared my calendar, tidied up the meeting area in my little apartment and prepared refreshments. The rest was up to God and He took charge.

Now many years later I am finally in my own place again. (Never mind that bounced rent check, this too shall pass.) I stumbled upon some local MeetUp groups that are actually Organic churches as far as I can tell. I am still new to the global movements the term might represent. I joined a group and I am enjoying it.

At the same time I am thinking more, more, more.

Who is the Family of Christ?

Have you ever wondered about the family of Jesus and who really belonged to it? This Bible scripture in Mark 3:31-35 explains who his family really is so read this for your daily Bible lesson along with the Christian commentary if you would like to know more about Christ family.

I am so thankful I belong to this wonderful family and God has showed me how important family is. Are you a part of the family of Christ? Would you like to be? Share this scripture with friends and family who don’t know Christ but seem to be searching for that something special in their lives.