Ponnamma

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PONNAMMA NINAN : JOURNEY OF FAITH SEVIKA SANGHAM OF MARTHOMA CHURCH SFBA, SVC AND THE NINANS Mary Katherine, Anna, Alastair, Anil, Charlotte I wanted to conclude this portion of the service by telling you a bit about my Mother’s Savior. A message she told any who asked. When we look around, we can’t fail to note that this world is in dire need of a Savior. A world that was originally made perfect, but since God desired us to freely love Him, He had to let us freely rebel against Him. And we did. As a result of that rebellion we are a messed up species. Our lives reflect the fallen nature of this world. We live in bodies that are frail and corrupt, that fail and get sick, that suffer and die. And while we strive to do good works to relieve the suffering, we realize that we cannot overcome the suffering in this world because at the root of the problems is that we have rebelled against the Giver of life and against the guidelines He gave us for our own safety. But despite our rebellion God loves us and worked to redeem His creation, His love. And He sent His incarnation, His only avatar Jesus Christ, to bring us back to a relationship with Him. Though God’s laws were given to protect us from pain and death, this relationship is not a ritual, it’s not a set of rules. Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He said: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 45
PONNAMMA NINAN : JOURNEY OF FAITH SEVIKA SANGHAM OF MARTHOMA CHURCH SFBA, SVC AND THE NINANS Jesus walked into the temple, took the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and read the prophecy by Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He sat down. But then a few minutes later He got up and said: Today this scripture, this prophecy is fulfilled in your hearing. Faith is not wishing and truth is not ice cream. The word for faith there is not blind faith but trust. You should only trust in that which you have verified. Those who know me know that I spend my life ensuring that these things I have told you are verified using facts logic, reason and history and if that intrigues you, please contact me. On those note cards for mom’s memory book, please write on the front and make sure you leave your name, but on the back you can write a note to one of us if you want to find out more. Dealing with the loss of a newborn granchild I want to conclude with a story. Many of us have lost a parent or a loved one. Often when that happens we regale ourselves with regrets. If only I’d spent more time with them, if only I’d told them more often how much I loved them. If only we’d had something like this for Mom before she died. In some cases the regret maybe for actions taken. If only I’d paid more attention driving and not hurt those people in that accident, if only… if only. Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick, deathly sick. He was dying. Word came that he was dying and when Jesus got there Lazarus had been dead 4 days already. His tomb was sealed. Martha, the sister of Lazarus came out as Jesus approached their town and said the words of regret. Lord if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. If only I’d not made that mistake, if only I’d spent more time with her, if only… if only. Regret and sadness. Regret and remorse for opportunities lost, for memories gone to dust, for significance that will die with the person that you loved. And Jesus turns to Martha and says this: He says “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Do you believe this? And Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. There need be no regrets for what you did or didn’t say to loved ones - if you will be raised in Christ. Because your destiny is not the grave, it’s not eternal separation from God, as my mother so fully understood, it’s communion with your loved ones in the eternal presence of a loving God. Remember death is not the end game. I think I can prove that to you. My friends, I beg of you, if do not already have faith in Christ, ask me so that you may, as my mother said, "Believe, have faith, pray and breathe." Neil Mammen Ninan I missed you grandma 46
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