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.

PASTOR’S BLOG
 
When I mentioned at home that my trip would be through Singapore, my son-in-law immediately said:  “Ma-ma (uncle), you are not supposed to chew gum in Singapore, and if found you will be fined heavily.”  I chew gum, especially when I get off the plane and have to face the immigration officer to answer questions.  But this time, the officer just had to put up with my airplane breath.  And to my surprise, I never saw a single person chew gum in Singapore nor did I chew any till I stepped back onto this soil.  But it got me to think as to what a great policy that would be if enforced in our House of Worship.  When you get to church this Sabbath and every Sabbath, just put your hand under the pew and try if you can to pull out the chewing gum that your lovely Christian brothers and sisters have deposited.  How could we stop such a dirty practice of our dear loved ones in the House of God?  It reminds me of a story.  The janitor of a girls’ high school bathroom was having great difficulty removing the lipstick marks on the mirror.  Girls would put on their lipstick and kiss the mirror.  Just to take out the extra or just for the feeling of kissing, I am not sure for I don’t use lipstick.  The school Principal constantly kept announcing and requesting the girls not to do so but it only fell on deaf ears.  One day, he took the girls to the rest room along with the janitor and asked the janitor to show these girls not only how difficult it was to clean the mirrors but as to how the janitor did this job.  The janitor put his brush into the toilet to wet it and then scrubbed the mirror and kept repeating the process.  The girls felt like throwing up and thus ended the lipstick kisses on the mirror.  How shall we show respect and reverence in the House of God?  One way could be by stopping this habit of sticking chewing gum under the pews.  Why not, when you come to church, put the chewed gum under your car seat and come into the House of God?  Just a thought, not a sermon!  
 
Shalom, Shalom!
 

Franklin David

 

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.”

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.”