Sunday, May 04, 2014

JUST A REMINDER - 'TODAY' STILL EXISTS!!! ✍️

   

An interesting quote I came across stated, "It's good to have a 'destination or a goal' to journey towards; but it's 'the journey' that really matters."

If we take a few moments to ponder on this saying, we realize how true it really is. In today's world, most of us are so focussed, on the 'goals' we want to achieve in life, that we forget to 'enjoy the ride towards that goal'. In our zeal to reach a target, we're constantly speeding through the moments in our life; and in the process, we don't take the time to stop and smell the roses along the way. We overlook the little blessings all around us. 

While we're busy feeling a sense of regret, about all the things we could have done yesterday; and as we're constantly pre-occupied, with the fear of what could go wrong tomorrow, most of us completely forget about 'TODAY'.🤷🏻‍♀️

Mumbai is often referred to, as 'the city that never sleeps'. The streets outside many railway stations, are alive and busy with activity, well past midnight, almost everyday. 

Most of us, have lived in this city, from the day we were born. As a result, we've become a lot like the city. We're constantly on the move, and always thinking about what we can do next. 

In the process of living life in the fast lane, we are slowly losing touch with the little things in life, like going onto our terrace and watching a glorious sunset, or simply looking up at the sky on a star-lit night, and counting the stars, taking a walk bare-feet, on the soft grass in a garden, or just watching the birds fly past in the sky, and wondering where they're really going.🤔

A little child gets excited at the smallest things. He would probably jump up and down with joy, when he sees an aeroplane; and his eyes literally pop out, at the sight of an ice-cream shop. 

Little children can be our greatest teachers, when it comes to learning, how to really enjoy every moment and to savour every experience. They have no regret about the past, and have no fears about the future. They just live in the 'Now'.😊🌈

As we grow up, we gradually outgrow this sense of 'Wonderment'. Our focus shifts to supposedly more important things, like success, career, achieving something, etc. No doubt, all these things are necessary and important in life, as well. However, I just think that we must definitely not forget the 'little things in life', while we're busy achieving the 'big goals'.

We live in a materialistic world, where gadgets and gizmos rule our lives. The virtual world, often makes us forget the people in the same room. 

Let's press the 'pause' button in our lives. 
Let's learn to appreciate every moment. 
Let's thank God for giving us 'TODAY', which can be much more exciting, than every tomorrow, if we only take the time to enjoy every moment in every day, to the full.✨️✍️

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

IT IS NO SECRET, WHAT GOD CAN DO ✨️🎶


Lights!  Sound!  Music!  🎶

It's always wonderful, to listen to a  band of musicians performing 'Live', isn't it? Live music has a completely different, almost magical effect on the listener, simply because the sounds you hear, are being played or sung 'Live' on stage, and therefore seem completely real.

Ever since I was a 10 year old child, I've always been part of a group that sings  in church, Sunday after Sunday. I've been singing in Church choirs, for as long as I can remember. My tryst with music, began with songs and hymns, sung in praise of God, as far back as when I was in Class 3 or 4. 

While I've always listened to and enjoyed various secular forms of music, I have always been more closely associated with Liturgical Music, and have enjoyed singing in choral harmony, for Church services, Christmas Carol fests, etc.

As I stepped into college, an associated genre of music also caught my attention. I began to be fascinated by the melodies of Don Moen and others like him. 'Christian Gospel Music' began to form part of the genres of music, that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to. 

The soulful renditions, of lyrics that touched the heart, filled me with joy, every time I heard or sang one of those songs. Time passed by; and I continued to enjoy all forms of music, along with Gospel music.

A few years ago, I discovered that a good old friend of mine, Macklin Lacerda, had put together a Gospel Band called 'OPEN SECRET', right here in the city of Mumbai. Macklin is the lead singer of the group and having known him for many years now, I always had a strong desire to listen to him and his band perform.

However, for a very long time, it just didn't happen. The band had been around for about 5 years; but somehow, I hadn't really got an opportunity to listen to them.

Finally, one day last year, when OPEN SECRET made a memorable appearance at Blue Frog, Lower Parel, I finally got my chance to hear them perform, as I made it there, with a few of my friends from my choir. 

How amazing it was, to hear 'Gospel Music' being played, at a venue that you don't generally associate with Gospel Music at all! To see youngsters, actually enjoying the music was a real treat. What an achievement that was! 

In November'2013, God fulfilled a desire I had in my heart for a very long time. OPEN SECRET played in my Parish as well. A concert to mark the closing of the 'Year of Faith'.🙏

It was such an awesome feeling to hear them play, in my own backyard, so to say. It was exciting and thrilling, to see my own parishioners, revel in the rhythm and sway to the beats, which extolled the wonders that God has done. It was wonderful to hear them, make a joyful noise unto the Lord through Music.🎶

A few months have gone by since then. Just about a week ago, I had another opportunity, to see God at work through OPEN SECRET. I went for one of the fourteen 'The Journey Home' Lenten Concerts, at St. Peter's Church, Bandra. 

A concert conceptualised and based on the 14 Stations of the Cross; it was a wonderful experience journeying with the Lord, through the various stages of  His journey - an agonizing path, that His Heavenly Father had chosen for Him, and which he willingly accepted. 

As each song was played, we made our own inward journey as well, together with our Lord and Master, Jesus. We pondered on and examined, our own lives. We placed all our burdens at the Lord's feet. We tried to see where we needed to make a change in life. 

Most of all, we were given an assurance, that 'Every little thing's gonna be alright', simply because God was accompanying us, on every step of our journey. What an absolutely perfect message to take home from the concert!😊

OPEN SECRET - A small group of young people, who are trying to spread God's message of Love, through the medium of music.❤️

What is fascinating is that these very talented musicians, expect no remuneration whatsoever, in return for their tireless hard work, and the long hours put in, to plan, prepare and practice for the shows, which is a rarity in today's materialistic world. Their complete dedication, is exceedingly praiseworthy; and I'm certain that 'their reward will most definitely be great in heaven'.✨️

It is no secret what God can do; and in this case, God is using OPEN SECRET, to further His Mission of Love in the world. Every life that is touched at their concerts is a living testimony to the fact, that God works in wonderful and miraculous ways. May God Bless the Band and their ever-growing band of Secret Service volunteers, always.😊

OPEN SECRET 🎶

Macklin Lacerda (Lead Vocals / Guitars)
Aggi Agnelo Fernandes (Keyboards)
Calvin Vaz / Govind Gawli (Bass)
Jeremiah D'Silva (Guitars)
Roland Fernandes (Guitars / Bass)
Royston Mathias (Drums)
Rhea Serrao (Vocals)

Thursday, March 06, 2014

BE STRONG AND TAKE COURAGE ✨️❤️


 

Death is a milestone along life's path that every single one of us comes across, sooner or later. 

For those who go ahead, I'm sure life is beautiful in heaven. 

For those of us who are left behind, to face life
without the one we love so dearly, life can be hard and challenging.😔

I heard this song at a funeral, some time ago; and ever since then, every time I am sad or I feel low, at the loss of a loved one, this song
fills me with grace and strength.

One of the most beautiful songs, I have
heard. It made a strong impact on me, the first time I heard it; and it continues to have the same effect on me, every single time I hear it.
Just listening to the song, fills me with strength and courage, that only comes from knowing that God is always there for us, no matter what.

Thank you Don Moen for sharing this beautiful song with the world.✨️❤️

(A beautiful Choral version, sung together by many different choirs.)