Blogspot Location.
The Island of Cyprus lies in the Eastern Mediterranean having Turkey to its North, Syria, Lebanon and Israel to the East and Egypt to the far South. A strategic location in that part of the world, hence the coveted possession of many countries and Empires in its long history.
It bears resemblance to Israel in its topography and customs and it was called Kittim in the Old Testament. It was the first country to be evangelized by Paul and Barnabas, outside the Holy Land, on their first missionary journey. Tradition tells us that Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, was
the first Bishop of the Church on Cyprus.

 

St Kyriaki built on the ruins of an early Christian Basilika in Pafos

 

 

I wish God existed. This title appeared in an article in a local newspaper. The writer listed the evils that are in the world and gave an account of human weaknesses that lead to these evils. He then wondered why, if God existed, He didn't do something to put an end to all these evil people (excluding journalists of course), who perpetrate these acts and especially the leaders of this world, once and for all. The article closes with these words: 'I wish God existed'.
The problem with this kind of article, railing against God is:
1. It is not that people do not believe in the existence of God (which one?), but they do not usually
have the sincerity to say if this is the God they want, and if they are willing to accept Him in their lives.
2. They never ask God's opinion whether He exists, why He does not stop all this evil and if they are prepared to stop such evil in their own hearts.
There are many religions who present God as a benevolent Creator sitting somewhere on the edge of the universe, remote and without any interest in the affairs of men, who occasionally gets angry with sinful men and hits them hard. It is obvious that such a God does not bring satisfaction or peace in the hearts of men; neither does He bring any change in this present evil world. What kind of God do we really desire? One who will satisfy journalists, evil leaders and all others?
The Apostle Paul speaking to the idolatrous Athenians on the Areopagus says:
'For as much then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art and man's device' Acts 17:29. It is obvious from this verse that the God of Paul was not to the liking of the Athenians, nor is He to our own liking and desires today, seeing we are also set on following many idols in our own hearts. The Bible declares clearly that the Creator does not change, but He is the same yesreday, today and forever. Do we want Paul's God in our lives or do we prefer some other god who we can rail at when things do not go well for us? In the same chapter of Acts vs.30-31, Paul goes on to say, 'and the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by the man He has ordained, whereof He has given assurance to all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead.'
Dear reader, when you come face to face with Him, what sort of God will He be? The usual cariecature than men delight in or the One that is going to call you to account for your attitude towards the Cross of Christ and what decision you have made in your life regarding it. Will you let Him deal with you today?

What is Faith? I
'Faith' said a little boy, 'is trying your hardest to believe'. Well, that is not faith, that is anxiety trying to look like Faith. What then is Faith? It is not struggling, striving or trying, but simply resting, relaxing and trusting in the Saviour's Word.
In the Bible, Hebrews 11 has been described as the monument of Faith because it contains the names of those who died as heroes of Faith. But the list has not been finished for day by day God is adding new names to that list-those who recognize the tremendous power of simple faith. A definition of Faith that I like very much is this; Faith is right believing. The truth of this is brought out clearly in the story of Christ stilling the tempest (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let us pass over to the other side'. Let that phrase sink deep into your heart, for in a moment you will see how little attention the disciples paid to that statement. In the middle of the lake a storm arose that was so fierce, it threatened to sink the boat in which the disciples were riding. They grew afraid and cried our in alarm, 'Master, carest thou not we perish?' But how could they perish when a little earlier Jesus had said, 'Let us pass over to the other side'. If they had believed His Word they would not have been afraid. There was no storm that could sink the ship in which Christ was riding, but they believed their fears rather than the word of the Master. Faith is right believing-it stands on God's Word no matter what the circumstance.                          (Skepsis)

Christ or Religion

'And by the way he asked His disciples, saying to them, Whom do men say that I am?'
This question has perhaps come to your mind or even troubled you, some time or another.
Let us imagine that the Lord Jesus Christ met you by chance in the road and put this qestion to you,
what would your response be? Would you make the sign of the cross and then run away? Would
you tell Him that you attend church regularly or something similar? What is it that leaves us at ease
when we talk about religion, yet when the subject turns to the person of Christ the average person's
attitude changes to one of discomfort and embarrassment?
I have often wondered why the Lord Jesus put this question to His disciples. Did He want to assure Himself of what people thought of Him or did He want to embarrass His disciples and show them how ignorant they were? I feel that the reason behind this question is the same in our days. You see
His people and nation (the Jews) who were at ease with their religious observances and devotions,
proved that they were not really willing to have Him in their midst. The Cross showed that clearly.
Dear reader, what about you? Do you feel comfortable with your religion, your churchgoing and
quasi christian customs and beliefs, but are not willing to accept Him as Lord and Saviour of your life?
We are not usually troubled much about religion but we often come to a standstill whenever we have to face the Lordship of Christ. Why? If we choose to invite Him to become the Lord of our lives it
means that our ego has to go and our will take the back seat. You may think now that this is a hard
thing to achieve and almost impossible to do, yet it can be done. The God who asks to be the Lord of your life promises to manage your life in a much better and effective way than you can.
Why then can He not do it?
Remember, because at creation He gave man the free will to choose and decide, He cannot now intervene in your life and take that freedom away. The choice is yours. You have to invite Him into your life.

PETRA TOU ROMIOU-PAFOS

The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old.

I have been established from everlasting,

from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth,

when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled,

before the hills, I was brought forth.

While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, or the primal dust of the world.

When He prepared the Heavens, I was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep,

When He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep, when

He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command,

when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him as a master craftsman;

and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, rejoicing in His inhabited world. and

my delight was with the sons of men.    (Psalm 8)

Religious news from the Roman Empire

At Ephesus, in 350-51, the Emperor Julian came under the spellbinding influence of a Neoplatonic philosopher named Maximus whose magical activities were such that by burning
incense and reciting the proper charm he could make an image of Hecate smile and kindle the torch in her hand to a flame.


Epiphanius of Salamis was horrified to find in Palestine a curtain in a church porch with a
picture of Christ and some saints on it. He tore it down and lodged a vehement protest with the
Bishop of Jerusalem.


Eusebius of Caesaria received a letter from the Emperor's sister Constantia asking him for a
picture of Christ. He wrote to her a very stern reply.
Eusebius did not think the painters and shopkeepers in Palestine selling these mementos to
pilgrims were christians at all.

 

O Lord , our Lord, How excellent is Your Name in all the earth,

Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

When I consider Your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have ordained,

what is man that You are mindful of him

And the son of man that You visit him?

(Psalm 8)

 



 



 

The Yamuna at Dakpatthar-N.India

 

 

WHY THIS BLOG? TO CONVEY A CHRISTIAN MESSAGE.