Posted on Jun 11, 2022 in BLOG, Uncategorized |
Today, June 8, is celebrated as National Best Friends Day in the United States. On this day, you can express your love for your biggest support system, your best friend. When you hear the words “best friend” who comes to your mind? Is it an old classmate, a family member, a colleague, or a neighbor?
His name was Tyler. It was my first day of kindergarten although it was already a month into the school year. I was in a new school in a new country without any friends. Before the teacher asked all of us to line up for recess, she asked for a volunteer to be my friend at recess. Tyler’s hand shot up and he stood next to me in line and introduced me to our other classmates. Over the rest of the week, Tyler took it upon himself to be my friend during all the recesses, lunch breaks, and classes. Over the years I’ve lost touch with him, but he remains my favorite best friend because he just wanted to be my friend.
After I began working in Bangalore, I picked up another group of friends who continue to be my core support after fourteen years. When I moved away from Bangalore, we thought that would be the last that we would see each other, but even across the distance, we keep in touch; celebrating each other’s successes and sharing in each other’s struggles. A few months ago, when I was sick with a high fever, and all the other things that goes with that, this group of friends took turns staying on a group call with me for over sixteen hours. Sometimes they talked to me, sometimes they talked to each other, but they wanted me to know that they were there with me even if I couldn’t see them or touch them.
So, as you celebrate National Best Friends Day let your best friend(s) know how much they mean to you. Pick up the phone, call them, send a text, or send them an email.
In John 15:15,16 Jesus says “I no longer call you servants…Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you.” The best of our earthly friendship are mere reflections of the friendship that Jesus offers us. He has also promised that He will be with us ‘even to the ends of the earth.’ Take advantage of that friendship. He loves you and me without limits and has shared that love to us making it possible for us to live our lives in love and friendship.
Gerald Christo
Pastor, Young Adults
“For I am convinced that…’nothing’…can separate from the love of God.” Romans 8:38, 39
Posted on Jan 18, 2019 in BLOG, Uncategorized |
Our President, last year on this day, made this statement: “Our forefathers, seeking refuge from religious persecution, believed in the eternal truth that freedom is not a gift from the government, but a sacred right from the Almighty God. On the coattails of the American Revolution, on January 16, 1786, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.” Every year on this day, the sitting President makes a proclamation. I have not been able to read today’s as yet but in last year’s statement, the President said: “Our Constitution and laws guarantee Americans the right not just to believe as they see fit, but to freely exercise their religion.” One need not go too far from our church and we can find a Sikh Gurudwaras, Muslim mosques, Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries. My reading reveals that the Byron Union School District in California has instituted a mandatory three-week course on Islam as part of the seventh-grade history class. Students in the class not only receive handouts on Islam and the life of Mohammed, they must also:
1. Chant praise to “Allah, Lord of Creation.” 2. Pray “in the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.” 3. Stage their own Jihad! 4. Dress up as Muslims and choose new Muslim names. If one of us goes into a public school to talk about the Beatitudes and pray in the name of Jesus, we will be taken to task. We struck down religious instruction in our schools in 1948. We said the recitation of prayer in public schools is unconstitutional in 1962, took down the Ten Commandments from public schools in 1980 and in 1992, a pastor was forbidden to offer a Christian prayer in a public school graduation. So, while I am deeply grateful for the religious freedom I enjoy, I am also deeply confused to note that we are not even allowed a Christian prayer in public in a nation that was built on the Holy Bible.
Shalom, Shalom!
Franklin G. David
“See the invisible, hear the inaudible, believe the incredible, and think the unthinkable.”
Posted on Apr 7, 2017 in BLOG, Uncategorized |
Many years ago, when our church was in its infancy stage, we raised funds to build churches in India even though we did not have a church building of our own. One day when I went to give the money that our church members had contributed to Dr. D. R. Watts who was then the president of Southern Asia Division, he told me “Franklin, why don’t you bring some of your members for a mission project in the Southern Asia Division.” I told him that I don’t believe in doing so because there were good preachers there who could preach in their own language and be much more effective than any one of us coming. I only believe in raising funds here and sending it there to the Southern Asia Division.” He looked me straight in the eyes and made this statement that I have never forgotten. He said, “Franklin, you people who live in America need us more than we need you. Bring your members for one mission trip and you will find how rewarding it is for all those who come.” That thought has stayed in my mind and now I have gone on several such mission trips to India and been blessed. This last time, my wife came along with me and she says that she was truly blessed and wants to come along the next time. I invite all those who are interested to come next year and experience the transformation that can take place in your spiritual life.
And on the domestic front, our youth and collegiates have been going on mission trips almost every summer. After they return, they share how richly blessed they were from the experience. This evening between 5-8 p.m., our youth are raising funds for their mission trip at Chick-Fil-A, 12289 Tech Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Chick-Fil-A will be donating 20% of all those orders between 5-8 p.m. today, April 5, 2017. Please mention “SASDAC Youth Mission Trip Fundraiser” when you order. Thank you for supporting our young people.
Shalom, Shalom!
Pastor Franklin David
“See the invisible, hear the inaudible, believe the incredible, and think the unthinkable.”
Posted on Mar 3, 2017 in BLOG |
Enroute to Pune, we stopped to visit the impressive school building coming up under the leadership of Dr. Justus Devadas. It was
interesting to worship with a Tamil congregation in Pune as well. After nearly 40 years, I had the opportunity to preach in Tamil with a young Tamil girl who studied at our Lasalgaon School, translating into Marathi for the one and only Marathi member in the congregation. I am reminded once again of Jesus’ parable never to neglect even one. So as we approach the evangelistic meetings that will be starting
March 10, may we invite at least one person for the evangelistic series. Before leaving on this trip, I requested each one of you to pray for one person. Now may we do our part of answering our own prayer by inviting that one person we have been praying for the last few weeks and surely the good Lord will speak in their hearts and bring them to the foot of the cross. Even if you have forgotten to pray, why not reach out to someone who has stopped attending church or for that matter anyone and bring them into the fold. This may be our last and greatest opportunity to win another to the cross. May I earnestly request each one of you to keep the speakers and the meetings in your prayers. For when we work, we work. But when we pray, God works in and through us to bring about a miracle for His glory.
Shalom, Shalom!
Pastor Franklin David
“See the invisible, hear the inaudible, believe the incredible, and
think the unthinkable.”
Posted on Feb 10, 2017 in BLOG |
Towards the end of last year and the beginning of this year, we have been bombarded by the media with so much happening in our country. Rallies, rumors, rash words, and results. Parades, policies, political appointments, and power. Immunity, immigration, immaturity, and importance. Masses, mudslinging, marches and madness. I found this bit of news very heartwarming and thought I will share it with those who care to read my blog.
In the recent catastrophic forest fires of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, a man who worked there found a page from the Bible that was almost burned and the part that was readable said, “O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hat burned all the trees of the field.” What was more astonishing is that they found a house that was completely burned down with only a statue standing covered with ashes. It was a statue of Jesus, the only thing left in that house.
Turmoil, terror, transitions and tragedies are bound to happen. May God help us to hang on to our faith, believing in the promises of his Word with the sure and certain hope in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who stands with us at all times.
Shalom, Shalom!
Pastor Franklin David
Posted on Jan 27, 2017 in BLOG |
Martin Luther, the great reformer once said: “I pray you leave my name alone. Do not call yourselves Lutherans, but Christians.” John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church once said, “I wish the name Methodist might never be mentioned again but lost in eternal oblivion.” Charles Spurgeon, the great Baptist preacher once said: “I say of the Baptist name, let it perish, but let Christ’s own name last forever. I look forward with pleasure to the day when there will not be a Baptist living.” As Christians, we are all aware that all praise, honor and glory is due to God alone. So the question: “Is it okay to clap after a special song is sung or a piece of music rendered in worship? Or for that matter when a sermon is preached? What do you think? Respond with your thought or theology if you can. The common saying is, “The man who sings his own praises always gets the wrong pitch.” And the word of God says: “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
On this special day, I take the opportunity to wish all of you: “A Happy Indian Republic Day,” and remember with gratitude the great sacrifices of the freedom fighters.
Shalom, Shalom!
Pastor Franklin David
Posted on Jan 20, 2017 in BLOG, Uncategorized |
Thanks to the ones who cared to respond with encouraging words asking me to continue my blog as they do even forward it to some of their colleagues and friends. That is not just being kind to me but that is what we call as loving-kindness. I am reminded of a Sabbath School teacher who asked her children if anyone could tell the meaning of loving-kindness. A little fellow immediately jumped up and said, “Well, if I am hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread that would be kindness. But if they put a little jam on it, that would be loving-kindness.” Won’t it be nice if we all can add a little jam to all who God brings on our pathway and be lovingly kind to them, first
to our spouse, then our children and then the rest. About our God, the Psalmist says: “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” Since we are crowned with lovingkindness, Why not spread it around a little bit daily?
Now coming to my quiz from last week. Some of you came very close to the answer but not the correct one I was looking for. Most of you named the first school that was started in India. That evidently happened to be in Tamil Nadu. But I had asked for the first school for girls. As per my records, it was started in response to the letter written with eagle feathers by the missionary to his sister. The sister’s name was Isabella Thoburn. She started the school with six children in a bazaar area in Lucknow. Later on it became a boarding high school. It was the first Christian college for women in Asia, known as the Lucknow Women’s College. When she died of cholera in 1900 it became the Isabella Thoburn College. I wonder if anyone reading my blog has seen this college. I would love to hear from them. Sacrifices of such great missionaries should never be forgotten.
Shalom, Shalom!
Pastor Franklin David
“See the invisible, hear the inaudible, believe the incredible, and
think the unthinkable.”
Posted on Jan 6, 2017 in BLOG, Uncategorized |
Yesterday at our staff devotion, we stumbled upon the life style of a great preacher, which I don’t think was an accident but rather that God has a mysterious way of talking to us at the right moment. John Wesley, on an average, preached three sermons a day for fifty four years. He did it by traveling on horseback for more than 5000 miles a year. He also found time to write and edit. His published works include a four-volume commentary of the entire Bible, a five-volume work on natural philosophy, a four-volume work on church history and an English dictionary. He also wrote histories of England and Rome,
grammars on Hebrew, Latin, Greek, French and English. He completed three works on medicine, six volumes of church music, seven volumes of sermons and edited fifty volumes of “The Christian Library.” Wow! Those are just a few of his great accomplishments. He woke up at 4 a.m. and went to bed at 10 p.m. and would often say, “I have more hours of private retirement than any man in England.” How do we plan to manage our days? Something to think about as we face the
beginning of a New Year. We have all been given identical suitcases, all the same size, but some people pack more into them than others. Apostle Paul admonishes us “to make the most use of our time.” May God help us heed His counsel and make 2017 a productive year for His glory.
Shalom, Shalom!
Posted on Dec 22, 2016 in BLOG |
It sure was a hectic trip! Bengaluru, Kochi, Kolkata, Aizawl, New Delhi, Jalandhar, and Hapur in about a week’s time. Tiring but it was a blessing. The highlight of the trip was reuniting with my high school buddy after nearly half a century. A few weeks ago in one of my sermons, I mentioned that Jesus is our friend and friends don’t let friends down. I told about my high school friend and my many failed attempts to find him. One of my dear members listening to the sermon noted the name, knew his brother, contacted him and surprised me by giving me my old friend’s contact information. Many years ago,
I remember mentioning in my sermon that I was not able to find the old Jim Reeves songs which I wanted to give as a gift for my wife as she loves them. That evening, one of my dear members dropped two Jim Reeves CDs in my mail box. My daughter looking at it said: “Dad, why don’t you tell in your sermon that you need a convertible Mercedez
Benz and one of your members will get it for you immediately?” So here I go with my Christmas list: “All I want for Christmas is my Lord.”
Preaching they say is the art of talking in someone else’s sleep. But I am thrilled when some listen and respond. My friend was a good student. After finishing high school, he was applying for college admission. However, his father told him that he had six younger siblings to support and he needed to go to work and found him a job in ITI factory. He shared with me how bitterly he wept at the thought of not being able to continue his studies and starting work to support his family. As we reminisced about old times he told me of an incident in 9th grade when he scored the highest in Bible class
— one hundred percent and the teacher shouted at the rest of the class, “All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. This Hindu boy gets the highest marks in Bible class and what are you Adventists doing?” And then he shared with me as to how even though he had just a high school education God had destined him to study in a Christian
school. He shared with me that he practices yoga, two hours every morning and two hours every evening. And during these hours he meditates on the Bible passages he memorized in high school. He is still a Hindu but he testified that the Bible is true, and that the words are life indeed. He started repeating text after text and sharing with me as to how they have helped him in his journey called life. In some ways it put me to shame, for I must confess that I don’t spend that much time meditating on God’s word. I long to spend such time alone with God, meditating on His word and the Word that
became flesh, whose birth we celebrate this season. Have a very blessed Christmas!
Shalom! Shalom! Franklin David
Posted on Dec 15, 2016 in BLOG, Uncategorized |
After a flying visit to Ottapalam where we were given an awesome welcome, we rushed over to Aizawl via Kolkata. While in transit, I could fulfill a long time bucket list desire. I had the privilege of
visiting the humble abode of a great personality I have admired over the years, Mother Theresa.
Mizoram is beautiful by day and awesome by night. It’s amazing how houses are built on stilts both in the valleys and mountain slopes utilizing every inch of space. The function we attended in Aizawl,
the capital city, was graced by her highness, Mrs. Riliani, the first lady of Mizoram, wife of the Chief Minister. At the ribbon cutting of the neonatal ICU at the SDA Hospital, we were told that if babies
die, it’s because there is not one hospital in all of Mizoram that has a neonatal ventilator. What a blessing it would be if babies can be saved if they had a neonatal ventilator. I was able to present
the amount raised in our church for this purpose and the Columbia Union President announced that he will double our contribution and make sure they have one soon. Incidentally, the Columbia Union also
presented an ambulance to this small little hospital on Adventist Hill. It is called Adventist Hill because most of the people who live there are Adventists. They have an 800-member church on this hill with no pastor but taken care by 11 elders. Wow! I wish we could model them in the USA.
Shalom, Shalom!
Pastor Franklin David
“See the invisible, hear the inaudible, believe the incredible, and
think the unthinkable.”
TO KNOW HIM AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN
