“To you I give my life; not just the parts I want to

Anne's Journal, Remembrance & A New Life...

A.  We are pleased to officially announce the addition of a new columnist to the IPF ranks, namely Anne.  Hailing from Colorado, Anne will be bringing her unique brand of writing to IPF as "a woman, a daughter, a sister, a mother and a writer."   From musings, to poems, to inspirational advice, you can expect it all.  Enjoy.

Please feel free to send Anne comments/suggestions through the e-mail form which has been setup in her column.  You can also drop her a line on the Message Boards, as she will be a moderator.

B.  Funeral Pictures:  6 pictures from the Funeral have been added.

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C.   Remembrance:  Pastor Don Spiers:  A new section has been added.

We will be adding testimonials to this section from the Message Board.  If you would like your testimonial posted, either post it on the MB, or drop us an e-mail.

D.   Congratulations to Shibu and Nisha (Ohio): On the birth of their first child, Nathan.

Swift Boaters vs Kerry: Who picked this fight?

This Swift Boat - John Kerry feud is getting hotter by the day.  Certainly it was noble and brave of Kerry to serve in Vietnam.  The mainstream media seems to have sided with Kerry in this feud, for now.  Perhaps that's justifiable since there are multiple versions being thrown out of what really happened during his war-time service.  Kerry should be given the benefit of the doubt, but the Swift Boaters should not automatically be disregarded.  They served bravely too, and their story deserves to be heard.  Free speech, right?  

This whole thing is picking up steam, and Kerry's been forced to fight back.  The Swift Boaters book is set to debut at the #1 spot on the NY Times Book Sales List.  People are paying attention.  This election's getting ugly right before our eyes.

Below is a good take on all of this from today's Boston Globe.      

By Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe Columnist  |  August 26, 2004

IT WAS John Kerry, not the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who picked this fight.

He was the one who made his long-ago stint in Vietnam the centerpiece of his campaign for president. He's the one whose running mate urges voters to take Kerry's measure by spending "three minutes with the men who served with him 30 years ago." He's the one whose campaign ads dwell on his combat heroics. He's the one who has repeatedly played the Vietnam card against critics and opponents. And he's the one who challenged anyone "who wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam to bring it on."

So the Swifties brought it on. Their scorching attack on his wartime record is so effective precisely because they, like Kerry, were there. They too went to Vietnam when so many other young men didn't. They too fought and bled for their country. If his wartime experience lends him a certain moral authority, it does no less for them.

That doesn't mean their version of the facts is closer to the truth than his. There are conflicting eyewitness recollections, and, as The Washington Post says, "both accounts contain significant flaws and factual errors." Kerry certainly wouldn't be the first soldier to have embellished his war stories; the Swift Boat vets wouldn't be the first whose passions have altered their memories.

Of course, if Kerry really wants to silence the debate about his medals, he can authorize the government to release all his military records.

But that won't silence the Swifties. Because their real beef with him is not about what he did in Vietnam. It's about what he did when he came home.

On April 22, 1971, Kerry went before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to indict the American war effort in Vietnam for horrendous war crimes. These were "not isolated incidents," he testified, "but crimes committed on a day-to-day basis with the full awareness of officers at all levels of command."

He offered no evidence. Instead he trumpeted the charges of the "Winter Soldier Investigation," an antiwar gathering a few months earlier at which men claiming to be Vietnam veterans -- many were later exposed as frauds -- described the atrocities they had allegedly committed.

"They told stories," Kerry said, "that at times they had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in a fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and generally ravaged the countryside of South Vietnam, in addition to the normal ravage of war, and the normal and very particular ravaging which is done by the applied bombing power of this country."

That is what thousands of Vietnam veterans, not to mention countless other vets, have never forgiven or forgotten. Bob Dole, whose right arm was crippled in World War II, suggested on Sunday that Kerry apologize to the 2.5 million veterans he defamed. His words -- which drew immense media coverage at the time -- helped poison public attitudes about Vietnam veterans and the cause they had fought in. Even worse, they gave encouragement to the enemy.

"The Viet Cong didn't think they had to win the war on the battlefield," says Paul Galanti, who appears in the second -- and far more devastating -- Swift Boat Veterans ad, "because thanks to these protesters they were going to win it on the streets of San Francisco and Washington."

Galanti has good reason to remember Kerry's testimony. He first learned of it in the notorious "Hanoi Hilton," where he spent nearly seven years as a POW.

Kerry has never taken back his terrible slur against his fellow soldiers -- men he now calls his "band of brothers." The most he has been willing to say is that his words "were a little bit over the top" and that he could perhaps "have phrased things more artfully." He certainly doesn't regret the propaganda coup he handed the Viet Cong: "I'm proud that I stood up," Kerry told NBC in April. "I don't want anybody to think twice about it."

And therein lies the fundamental hypocrisy of the Kerry candidacy.

He came to prominence as a radical opponent of the war in Vietnam, yet now he runs for president on the strength of his service in that war. He portrayed the men who fought there as unspeakable savages, yet now he surrounds himself with Vietnam vets at every turn. He lent respectability to those who demanded that America cut and run, that it abandon a beleaguered ally, that it drop "the mystical war against communism." Yet now he insists that he would be a tough and vigilant commander-in-chief, one who would never disrespect allies, one in whose hands the security of the United States would be safe.

Even after 33 years, Kerry's 1971 testimony, and his refusal to either repudiate or corroborate it, remains unsettling -- and relevant. For the Swift Boat vets, this fight may be personal. But all of us have a stake in its outcome.

'Ask Lakshmi Aunty' & YES SUMMER 2004 Pics

And you thought love marriages and brave women only happened/lived in the U.S. ;-) Sorry to break your bubble, we have an example of both with our crazy, bonkers, off the rocker columnist who gives us our weekly dosage of the Indian culture, the one and only Lakshmi Aunty. Be sure to check out her update.

Also, we've got some pics from YES SUMMER 2004.  Special thanks to Sheena Thomas & Co.

For the Sake of the Call: A Life of Service

I wonder what I can say that no one else already knows about Pastor Don -perhaps it will be construed as repetition? Even so, I cannot not say something addressing his life and how much it has impacted others' lives, even my own. For those who are not aware who Pastor Don is by now, He was one of the most influential pastors from the church I currently attend, The New Testament Ministries.

One of the most amazing things is that contrary to what one might expect, his influence was not due to his trying to be in a position of power, but it was due to, as many many have mentioned, his humility. His sacrifice and humility become more real to me when I put myself in his shoes -what would I do at this moment if I had to give up a valuable education, a fiancée I loved dearly, the option of having prestige and success in this world, all for the sake of the call?

Even though towards the end of his life he had different people help him as his body became more frail, in the earlier days of his ministry when he founded the church, he was the one to set up the meeting hall, pick up the brethren, lead the song service, preach, close in prayer, take everyone back home, and then clean up the sanctuary. Even though the fact that he did all this is amazing, what is even more so is the reason he did this. His motivation lay in the fact that he had been so loved by his Savior and wanted to do anything to please Him and live for His service, in the conviction that one day he would see Him face to face.

After hearing so many things about Pastor Don, a person who may have never met him may be left with the impression that he was so holy that he was not even real, but he had  a very definite human side. Those who dealt closely with him came to see his wittiness and sense of humor that he displayed in unexpected situations. On one occasion  he told my brother, Armando, that he would be transferred to a specific location rather than another, and to please pray because the harvest was ready but the laborers were few. As he was saying this, he was looking Armando up and down and noticed that Armando's shoes were untied. He then said, "We need workers, especially workers who know how to tie their shoes." When Armando told me that, that just brought a smile to my face because I tended to overlook the fact that Pastor Don was a person, not just a pastor.

And so, I could go on and on of the different things Pastor Don did, but I shall not. I'm sure many have different stories they could say about him. What really concerns us now is how we can honor that life he lived. I'm sure he would agree with Benjamin's inspiring piece about following that legacy. I don't know about you, but I completely agree with Benjamin -I'm feeling the heat. Will I take that torch? Will you?

Until Next Time.

Remembrance: Pastor Don Spiers & CARPOOLING

A.  I have received word from a reliable source asking anyone planning on attending the funeral to PLEASE CARPOOL if at all possible, as parking is limited at Calvary Temple.  Also, the procession to the internment site is expected to be extremely, extremely long, so please be prepared.

In addition, there are 2 tolls on the way to the internment site off of Garden State Parkway, so please be advised.

B.  Before I get into my update, let me make some announcements.  The location of the Testimonial Service has been changed.  For directions to that as well as the Funeral Service, Click Here.

C.   Our Newest Columnist on Pastor Don:  In a preview of the official release of her  column (next Monday), Anne, IPF's newest columnist, has written a piece about Pastor Don.  You can find it in The IndaPhatFarm Post.

D.   Pastor Don:  There are literally thousands of stories about this great servant of God.  From starting multiple churches in Argentina (and multiple other places) to literally giving the shirt off his back when someone commented that it was nice, to on and on and on.....It would literally take all day, every day for several months to list all of it, but let me mention some things.

Whether you liked Pastor Don or not, you had to respect him.  He gave up a promising career in Architecture, he gave up his fiance, his family, all because he felt that his true mission in life was a much higher calling, to serve the Lord.  He devoted himself completely to the work of God, giving 100%.  I mean how many people would give up what he had going for him, to take on such a difficult task??? 

His Humility.  He accomplished so much with his life, more than a lot of us combined will ever do, and yet, when did anyone hear him boast? 

Always a gifted speaker, Pastor Don could have made a big, big name for himself in another church, and probably become pretty wealthy.  But that was not the essence of the man.  He wanted to serve God.  He went all over the world, helping to set up churches, and minister with people in contested areas such as Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.  When I think of a missionary, a Man of God, and a leader, I will always think of Pastor Don.

He may be gone from this world, but his real life is just beginning.

I will have more on his life/ministry a little later.

E.  Congrats to Simu & Rebecca:  I was able to see Anna Susan Thomas this past weekend and let me tell you, she can look forward to plenty of this.

   Posted on Friday, August 20, 2004                                                                  by Ben H

Carry The Torch

The recent passing of our beloved pastor Don I’m sure has all of us mourning, though we sensed it coming. I’m sure for many of us, it has us doing some serious thinking. Pastor Don was a model not only of holiness but of love especially. The love for the church pored out of him. One could se it in his eyes. But another thing he represents is an entire generation that slowly but surely is passing on. 

I have been reading in the book of Judges of how Israel lived during the time of Joshua and after. They had conquered most of Canaan but Joshua trusted them to drive out the remaining enemies in their respective lands. Judges 2:21and 22 says:

²¹I from now on will also not drive out from before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died,

²²That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk in it, as their fathers kept it, or not.

We are that next generation that God is talking about.

Being a big Olympics fan, I have enjoyed routing for my country over the last few days. We all know about the ceremony where the outstanding athlete is selected to  light the Olympic torch. Well, now is our time. You and I are the next generation of believers and we are next up at bat. How will we perform? Will we drop the standard or raise it higher. For years people like Pastor Don have been on the frontlines of the battle, interceding for us, the young people. Well, I don’t know about you but I’m beginning to feel the heat of the battle as we get closer and closer to the front lines. It’s time to see the big picture. We can’t be kids anymore.  

                                       Ride on, soldier.

Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.        

New Life in La Familia

So I'm heading to New Jersey this weekend.

To see my very first niece, Anna Susan.  And the first-born for my sister Rebecca and her husband Simu.  The premier grandchild for both sides of the baby's family.  Born in the wee hours on August 15th, India's Independence day.  Here's a pic of her, taken on her birthday.  

And as if one newborn in the family wasn't enough, this morning we got a 7am phone call saying that my first cousin Shibu and his wife Nisha had safely delivered their first-born, a son named Nathan Shibu (earlier this morning).  God is GOOD!  I can already imagine those two babies, a couple years from now, tearing up the joint wherever they are.  Double Trouble!

   Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004                                             by Lakshmi M

'Dear All'

A.  Let me explain.  Welcome to Washington DC circa 2004, and guess what?  There is something in the air.  The whole city can feel it.

We're Back Baby!

What is this guy talking about you ask?  The Washington Redskins of course.  DUH.  Myself, and a couple other die hard Skins fans made it out to Redskins Training Camp in Ashburn, VA, a few weeks ago. 

It was hot and humid, but it didn't matter.  There were thousands of people there, who like us, wanted to see the man himself, Joe Gibbs in action, and that we did.  Check out some pics from that day.

Keep in mind that this man is 63 years old now.  But he was running all over the place, from playing a defensive back, to taking players to the side and talking to them.  It was great to be out there and watch the Skins actually getting coached by someone who knows what he's doing.

Some Redskins Notes:

Clinton Portis:  Even though he hasn't done much in preseason, I expect CP to get close to 2000 yards this season.  NFC East, beware.

LaVar Arrington:  The man can hit.  At training camp, I saw atleast 2 plays where LA stuffed Ladell Betts/Rock Cartwright.

Joe Bugel:  Man, it was great seeing "Coach Buges" yelling at the O-Line.  Finally someone is going to show them how to protect the QB.

Jeff Bostic:  The former Hog/Redskins center was also there scouting around and sporting one of his Super Bowl rings.

Ramsey & Brunell:  These 2 better step up their game.  Ramsey can't blame Steve Spurrier anymore.

Best Line:  Speaking of the QB's, Thomas Boswell from the Washington Post had a great line:

"Washington should relax. It probably doesn't matter whether Brunnell, with his fat contract, or Ramsey with his plump one, or even Hasselbeck, with his NFL minimum wage, ends up in the precious job. If the coach's previous 12-year tenure proved one thing, it's that Gibbs could field a winning team with Danny DeVito at quarterback."

"In Joe's offense," said Brunell, grinning, "Danny might be able to move the ball."

Note:  From here till the end of this historic football season, I'll be including a Redskins piece in all of my updates.  Look for them.

B.  The End Has Come:  While we're on sports.  I have 2 highlights for you.

1.  The reign of the United States in Olympic basketball is coming to an end.

2.  There is no end in sight for this man though.  I've never been a fan of golf, but I have to admire Vijay Singh's ability to consistently play well, and win major championships.

For anyone out there that doesn't think it's a big deal, just ask Tiger Woods.

C.  Cheeseburgers:  Shout out to Benj for his Cheeseburger update.  Several of the viewers of the site went out and bought a big fat juicy burger after reading that update.  I count myself among those people. 

IPF.  Making a Difference in the Community.

D.   New Column Set to Premiere Next Monday:  Don't miss out.

A.  All, we are working on the boards now.  Stand By.

Cheeseburgers

What a topic to write about, eh?  (yes, I was in numerous Canada ctiies recently (Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo, Windsor) and I only heard the word "eh" used once, as opposed to hearing it a gazillion times the last time I was there, probably 10 years ago.  Slowly but surely, is Canada getting absorbed into the American mainstream? Even one of their national icons, Tim Horton's doughnut & coffeeshops, was bought out by Wendy's, an Ohio-based company).  

But I can't help writing about one of my favorite foods this chilly August morning (48 degrees where I live).  It's summer time, grill-time, CHEESEBURGER-time.  Is there anything more savory than one that's hot-off-the-grill, nestled into a warm roll, toppped with whatever pleases your palate... ?

Where to get one:  If you're passing through my neighborhood, stop by, and I'll cook you one.  I've already written about the best chain of restaurants to get a cheeseburger at:  Red Robin.  Hands Down.  If you haven't had their Bleu Ribbon cheeseburger yet, then you just haven't lived!  :-)  Here's their website:   BLEU RIBBON BURGER:  A juicy burger basted with a tangy steak sauce & topped with crumbled Bleu cheese. Served with onion straws, lettuce, tomatoes & zesty chipotle mayo on an onion bun.

   Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004                                                           by Liza B

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. - 1 John 3:14 (NIV)

Brenda reminded me yesterday of the fact that the Ten Commandments are broken up into two categories- our relationship with God and our relationship with man because Jesus said in the New Testament that all the laws boil down to loving God above anything one/thing and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

How do we love each other?  Deeply

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Devotedly

Be devoted one to another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9 (NIV)                                                                                         

With good manners

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 1Peter 3: 8 (KJV)

   Posted on Monday, August 9, 2004                                                      by Lakshmi M

'Hark Soldiers!'

Weekend Update - Part 2

Just got back from church. It was a nice service. There was a song that really moved me during the worship. It’s an old familiar hymn.

Jesus What a Friend for Sinners, Jesus Lover of my soul.                               Friends may fail me, foes assail me.  He my Savior, makes me whole            Hallejuah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend                                   Saving, helping, keeping, loving He is with me to the end

A nice Sunday Afternoon is before me, and when I say nice -- I really mean nice. The temperature is a pleasant 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind from the West at 13 mph. 46% humidity and a UV index of 8.  It’s like the first day of autumn in the middle of August.

Here’s a picture of my backyard on this beautiful summer day

Ok I’m kidding.  My backyard really looks like this:

Ok I’m kidding again. My point is -- It’s a beautiful day and I’m going outside to enjoy it and you should too. See Ya’ll next time.

Weekend Update - Part I

Tomorrow will be the one-year of Anniversary of IPF v2004. A year ago -- our founder and President, Chung Lao, took a growing personal website and turned it into an Online Empire. Ok Maybe not that big, but it certainly has come a long way. Overall, IPF is nearly 4 years old; but it’s been on hyper drive since August of 2003.

For your amusement and mine, check out where it all started.  http://www.indaphatfarm.com/pages/oldnews/128to202.html

Moving on. The Weekend is here and its time to relax, or is it?  This morning I was abruptly awakened at 10:44 am by a phone-call. It was Vinod. He told me to stop sleeping away my life and get up. I pondered his remark for a bit, before realizing that this is the ONE day of the week where I can sleep past 8 am. Not only that, it's also the few years of my life where I can do so.  Unlike him, I don’t have a wife and an infant son. So I said, “Screw it”, —I’m going back to sleep.

Sleep is important- but too much of it is bad for you. I know. I used to be a sleep hound. They say the average American is sleep deprived, and while that may be true, I think a large part of sleep deprivation for most people, is self-inflicted. I can go on and on about sleep, but Ill save it for another update.   Check out this site for more info on sleep.

I’ll be updating again tomorrow, for Part II of the Weekend Update. Perhaps I’ll continue my expose on Sleep. Perhaps I Wont. Anyway that's all for right now. I got to go take a short nap. See you Tomorrow

Friday, August 6, 2004 - Benj

The Lord Reigns 

I've recently been listening to Michael W. Smith's "Worship" CD.  In one of the tracks, someone reads the following passage from Psalm 97: 

¹ The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.

² Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
³ Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
⁴ His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the LORD ,
before the Lord of all the earth.
⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.

What great language about God's glory and power... mountains melting like wax, the earth trembling, the people seeing His glory.  His glory that is all around us, each and every day.  We all have days where we are tempted to be a little down or discouraged... on days like that, it's good to be reminded of God's greatness, His glory, and of all that He's done for us. 

Thursday, August 5, 2004 - Crystal       

Hey all…First off I want to say it’s great to be back up here and I hope everyone is having a great summer. The last time I updated was back in January.  A lot has changed  since that time with IPF, but the webmasters have done an excellent job with maintaining this site. 

For now, check out 178 pictures from the Mission Trip to Mexico that I went to:

I got back from one of the best cities on Tuesday – Houston.  We arrived there on the 26^th of July for our trip to Mexico. There was never a dull moment as I was with my DC girls most of the time – Damaris, Julie, Libby, Leti & Michel.  Whether it was my Indian accent, joking around, or just Michel R. asking the funniest questions, it was an awesome trip.

The drive to Mexico wasn’t bad, although we left much later than was planned (NTC time J).  However, there was some discrimination against skinny people  as we were all put into one van that was packed with items :-p.  When we reached Mexico I was surprised to find that we’d be staying in an air-conditioned motel.  We were taken care of quite well while we were there, but the guys weren’t so lucky as they had no A/C.  They had their revenge later on as I’ll tell you.  The first night there was a meeting to start things off as Pastor Idaway spoke to us.  The next day (July 28) we learned a couple phrases in Spanish and ways to witness to people and help them accept Christ. We then went door-to-door inviting kids to come to the Vacation Bible School. In the evening we had our first open air meeting in a place called The Plaza.  We sang in Spanish and English, and many people were able to hear the word of God.

The next day (July 29) we all went shopping at this indoor market-type place.  It was so much like India, and I could never decide what to buy for everyone.  We continued with the Vacation Bible School when we got back to the church. I was in the group that helped out the kids ages 0-5 (yes, 0-5 hahah) and we helped them make sheep ears to go with their memory verse that spoke of a Shepard and his sheep. Many of the kids accepted Christ by the end of the school.  The final open air meeting was memorable as many people came to accept Christ.  Each of us had to testify, and for some reason I wasn’t as nervous as I usually am.  I probably had the only one-liner testimony that night :-D.  It was amazing to see how well the people listened to us as we invited them to come to the meeting nearby us.  It was the first time I ever went out witnessing to people, but I had trouble with my Spanish.  I almost said things in Malayalam, which shows you my ammachiness :-p. At some points a certain someone, whom I will name as my twin, took some random pictures which should be destroyed.  You know who you are! :-D

The revenge I spoke of earlier was that us girls were stopped at the US-Mexican Border for almost 3 hours as some were questioned and so much time was wasted. The guys were stopped for a pretty short amount of time, and were then let go. I was getting pretty mad that we had to wait for so long, and I remember thinking about suing the officers for discrimination against us Indians :-O.  But we were soon on our way and had a fun trip back to Houston.  Overall I had an awesome time in Mexico, even though the heat was unbearable at times. Our time in Houston was also REALLY great.  We didn’t want to leave But it was great meeting many of you, who may actually be reading this update right now :)

·       Thanks to those who helped me take pictures with my camera – Ashley, Vidal, Yvonne, Julie, Damaris

   Posted on Wednesday, August 4, 2004                                                         by Ben H

Knowing God for Ourselves

I've been reading about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. God has been showing me how the whole ordeal, from the time they left Egypt to the day they set foot in Canaan, was really a foreshadow of our Knowing God for Ourselves Christian walk. There is so much to be learned from story of the children of Israel.

Did you ever notice that the first time God gave the Ten Commandments, he tried to give it to all the children of Israel in person? He told Moses to have the people purify themselves for three days and have them ready at the bottom of the mountain where he would appear in a cloud and give them His laws.

"And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." [Exodus 19:6]

This was God's heart. He wanted them to deal personally with Him, to have direct connection. He wanted them to know Him for themselves so that he could write His laws and his ways on their heart. The last thing God wanted was to give some kind of strict legal code. But that was exactly what he was forced to do.
God came as he promised on the third day in all his terrible glory. The mountain shook with His awesome presence. But the people drew back in fear:
 
Then they said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.'" [Exodus 20:19]

Moses even told them not to fear, that God wanted them to show them his glory so that they would fear Him and "sin not," but it was no use.
God yielded to their wishes and gave them the Law of Moses. For the rest of their journey, God could only remain in the Holy of Holies where the priest came once a year. Nothing broke God's heart more than the fact that he wanted to draw close to His people and they turned away.

 I can't help but think that even today, when we can freely come into the Holy of Holies, that many of God's people do the same thing. We turn away from Him when he tries to reveal Himself and say to His servants, "You speak to us, because we are afraid."
God is a gentleman. He won't force us to love Him or get to know Him. He finally yields to our wishes even when he knows they aren't good for us. Oh sure, we still come to church, but we stay in the outer court. We don't realize that God is calling, pleading for a deeper relationship, more intimacy. Not only that but because we are depending on men rather than God for guidance, we are easily led astray and easily stumbled by the mistakes that men will make.

Moses had the right idea. He begged God to reveal Himself to him. The Bible says that God spoke to Moses as friend speaks to a friend. But we are afraid that God might ask us something we don't want to hear. It's the greatest tragedy because God has so much to do in us and through us and we don't scratch the surface.

"Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." [Hebrews 4:16]
 
Fall in love with Jesus. Man will only disappoint you. Jesus will blow you away with his love.
 

Man, oh man, oh man.  Today is one of those days when you just want to stay in bed and curl up under the covers and never come out.  It’s one of those days when everything is unsure and all you can do is hope and pray that God knows what he’s doing.  For starters, my place of work is under an Al-Quaeda threat, second I work with people who think Jesus has a bloodline (The Da Vinci Code…a whole other topic we’ll save for next time), third, my future is one big haze, and last but not least, my mom made me take off my shirt today so she could iron it…she said how can you walk out like that!  (It had like one wrinkle in it, please).  The tears just started rolling once I got on the train.  I closed my eyes so they would stop.  But they didn’t.  I opened God’s Word, it read:  

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving.  People who don’t know God and the very way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.  Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.  You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  Don’t be afraid of missing out.  You’re my dearest friends!  The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.”

Luke 12:29-32 [The Message]

Ok, so on a lighter note, Martha Stewart seems to be doing alright.  “The day after her sentencing, Martha Stewart already seemed to be sowing the seeds for her return.  She spent the afternoon surveying her estate in Bedford, N.Y., paying particular attention to the vegetable gardens she had planted and a groove of magnolias that were just taking root.  Throughout the tour, her cell phone rang incessantly, with friends calling to offer her their support.  The night of the sentencing she told Barbara Walters that “many aspects” of her trial were “not fair”.  Earlier in the day, on the steps of the Manhattan Federal Courthouse, she claimed that all along she had been “more concerned about the well-being of others,” specifically her employees who lost their jobs when her company tanked in the wake of the scandal, than she had been about herself.  And she made a point of flashing her trademark resolve.  “I’ll be back,” she said outside the court.  “I will be back.”  --People Magazine 

Keep it here on IPF for the latest coverage on the Martha Stewart Trail.  (Sike).

Later people.

“A thought went up in my today, that I have had before, but did not finish,-- some way back, I could not fix the year, nor where it went, nor why it came the second time to me, nor definitely what it was, have I the art to say…”

Emily Dickinson

Interesting Word of the Day:  eructation  [ih-ruhk-TAY-shuhn]  noun: The act of belching; a belch.

Ignatius belched, the gassy eructations echoing between the walls of the alley.

    --John Kennedy Toole, [1]A Confederacy of Dunces

The  explosion,  at  this  distance,  sounds  like a faint, feeble eructation.

    --Peter Conrad, "Bangs to whimpers," [2]The Observer   

Eructation comes from Latin eructatio, from eructare, from e-, "out" + ructare, "to belch."

A.  Christopher M, from Toronto, has been interviewed for The Tonight Show. 

Make sure you check it out.

B.   'Ask Lakshmi Aunty' Updated:  All, please keep in mind that Lakshmi is updating her new section EVERY MONDAY.  Click the graphic below to view.

C.   Tourney 2005:  While 2004 was a big improvement over 2002, there is always room to make things better.  For 2005, we are looking to implement a shot clock rule throughout the entire tournament.  Also, we will do our best to have the entire tournament officiated by official refs.

If you have any additional concerns, please post them on the BSC Message Board.

Thank you. 

I would like to congratulate the Philly Ballaz for winning the tournament this year.  Additionally, I would like to congratulate old man Rocky on his upcoming wedding in September.  I concur with Binu’s feelings on how the Stunnaz played in this year’s tournament and I plan on ripping into each team member on a case by case basis. But enough about the Stunnaz.

Here are the top 5 reasons why the Ballaz won the 04 BSC 

5. The team has a good mix of veteran leadership, with heads on the shoulders in players like Rocky and Sony.

4. They have the best 2 guard (shooting) in the tournament in Binu Chacko.  He lit people on fire.

3. They have one of the best young players in Ricky aka Gameover.

2. They are a defensively sound unit with strong role players.

And the Number 1 reason why they won:

1. They have more tournament experience than any team in the BSC.  And I will go as far as saying the Ballaz will win it again next year barring any drastic changes in team infrastructure.

Here are some random observations, things I’ve realized and have learned:

A) Aba (DC’s Finest) a good player, is a big time trash talker, even though he’ll deny this.

B) Ricky aka Gameover ran his mouth at one of the hired refs in the Finals.

C) Paul Moses did not read the BSC tournament rules, as I observed him substituting a player without calling time out or on a dead ball.

D) DC’s Finest will be a team to beat in the future, only if the tournament is DC of course.

E) The Jenkins brothers must drink Red Bull for water because they have too much energy.

F) The Stunnaz need to incorporate a cardio workout with their workout regimens.

G) Brooklyn, fun team to watch, but I can do without their warm up routine.

H) Three of the players from the Newark squad shoot with one hand.

I) Silby (YO) is an offensive threat, probably the only one on YO before John and Bejoy.

J) Chris George is Staple’s ideal customer, the boy can organize.

I enjoyed this year’s tournament and I can’t wait for next year.  During next year’s half time, myself and Rocky will be making our retirements known.  Stand by for routine updates for the tournament.  4 more years, Bush in 04.

A.  Submitting Content:  Missing your Birthday in the B-Day section?  Want to submit an article, event or comment?  Well we just made it easy for you.  Just fill out the form below, and click submit.  Its as simple as that.