MEMORIES OF DR C.T.ABRAHAM ON THIRD MEMORIAL DAY:THE BLESSED LIFE REFLECTIONS OF DR ABRAHAM

The earthly life of Dr C.T. Abraham came to a close paving the way for his heavenly life on 8th October 2009.At this juncture of his third memorial day,I would like to introspect my acquaintance with him.I first met him in person in his residence in the year 1984 when I came to Priority Highlands Campus of Brahmavar in Karnataka,India for having my theological education in India Theological Seminary and secular education in Crossland College.I still remember,I entered the campus he established along with him in his car to complete the admission formalities.

During my studentship,I noted in him something that was making him different from other Christian leaders,that was his humility and simplicity.He had ample reasons to be proud in the sense of the world.But he acknowledged and appreciated the supreme authority of his Maker to remain humble and simple,the abode of divinity.Soon after my graduation,I started to work with him in his office.I did understand that he faced lot of hardship and pain to build up the campus.His love for the Lord motivated him to build up the campus for His glory.But many a time,I used to suspect whether the worldly pressures would overtake his spiritual essence,in the gist and bustle of the world.In spite of the human limitations,he was able to keep up his love for the Lord.

He established Priority One India to give Priority One,not to the world but to the Creator of the world.In the church,I used to interpret for his messages.Towards the later years,I could feel in my heart,more than his head knowledge,more of faith in Christ vibrating in his heart.He had his last verbal preaching from the pulpit of the church on 9th January 2005.He started by saying"Be of good cheer,do not fear.When Lord calls,we need to respond.Be of good cheer,Jesus is calling you."He was speaking fromMark 10:46-52 concerning three important characters in that passage,1)Bartimaeus 2)Crowd 3)Jesus Christ.He said,"It is your honesty that is going to be rewarded.The one thing that can stop Jesus-the cry of a genuine needy person. Bartimaeus is casting away his self and garment,to come to Jesus.Many times our possessions stand in the way of God.Sometimes Lord does in the way we cannot understand."He asked the question,"Whether we know our real need?"He said,"My basic need is faith.The faith of Bartimaeus in Christ,made him well."He again asked the question,"Are you blind?Physically you have eyes to see.But there is darkness in life.The eyesight is spiritual link with the Lord.Nothing or no one could stop Bartimaeus from trusting in the Lord,getting the reward from Him.Do you cry out to the Lord?Total faith in Lord Jesus Christ can give you that faith,that is purely between you and your God.You can never trust the crowd,most undependable people.Don't depend upon the crowd,they come for themselves not for you.Trust in the Lord not the crowd.The crowd can tell a lot of things but do nothing for you."He concluded by putting the question,"Are you ready with your need,commitment?"

Yes,beloved ones in the Lord,Dr Abraham had gone to be with the Lord.While our immortal souls keep on loving,understanding and experiencing this Lord,let our mortal bodies carry on the vision and mission of Dr Abraham.That is the best tribute we can give him.The heavens will be rejoicing with us in our heart when we are pleasing to the Lord and a blessing to His humanity.Let me sum up by narrating the very words of Jesus Christ from John 11:25-26."I am the resurrection and the life.He who believes in Me,though he may die,he shall live.And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."

WRITTEN BY : DR GEE VERGHESE GEORGE,D.Litt.

Email : drgee@rediffmail.com

MEMORIES OF DR C.T.ABRAHAM ON SECOND MEMORIAL DAY:THE ALMIGHTY IN ACTION THROUGH DR ABRAHAM

Dr C.T.Abraham is a living faith colossus-An ordinary person in the wonderful grace of Almighty to do extraordinary things.Persons like Dr Abraham having the charisma of compassion are rare in this world.That is the saddest plight of our humanity.But I thank the Lord for He has called Dr Abraham personally to be His torch-bearer and has given him the individual insight to be a channel of blessings to many with a difference.His areas of ministry cover a wide spectrum,so as to take care of total development of human beings,spiritual and material.

The noble spirit of Dr Abraham inspired my life to a great extent.The Crossland College and the India Theological Seminary started in the year 1984 and I was fortunate to join these institutions to be graduated in the year 1987.I was involved in the work study program,a novel concept at that time,quite interesting.Soon after my graduation,Dr Abraham appointed me as a member of his staff.He also took keen interest in getting me married providing the needed help. In official duties,I served as his personal assistant.I offer my heartfelt gratitude for everything he means to me.

His Vision:Dr Abraham possesses God given genius for planning and development. I was personally attracted by Dr Abraham's vision to face life with a spiritual outlook.Life offers many challenges.How we face those challenges determines our success or failure!Dr Abraham had the foresight to see that more than man's material needs,his deepest needs are spiritual.He organised everything in such a way that he could apply these principles in the new socio-economic context around him.Thus the Lord made made Dr Abraham's life,a miracle through pragmatic vision and organisational skills in improving the quality of the lives of the people.

His Mission:Dr Abraham always felt to do something noble and worthwhile for the upliftment of the people in contact with.He thought of one estate which is inexhaustible and cannot be stolen,which one could bequeath to their children and make them happy throughout their life,that is value education.As an educationist of high moral calibre,he ventured into the rare adventure of combining both spiritual and secular education.

His Accomplishment:Dr Abraham loves people anyway!That is his greatest accomplishment.Eventhough people are unreasonable,illogical and self-centered,he loved them working for their well-being.He sensed people really need help and helped them anyway.He gave his best to the world in spite of its negative signals.What is the motivating factor behind all these?It is nothing but his love for the Lord reflected in love for his fellow-beings.

Dr Abraham used this gift of life to cultivate friendships in doing good to one another.Thus his life acquires a purpose leading to an achievement.His noble works continue to speak for him in the years to come.Our life is a journey.We do not know when it concludes.But like Dr Abraham,if our life moves like a burning candle shedding its light for others,at the same time approaching its end,then our life radiates meaning-not only to us but also to the coming generations!!!

WRITTEN BY: DR GEE VERGHESE GEORGE,D.Litt.

LOIS IN CHRIST & CHRIST IN LOIS

The life that we live really shows whether we are a true Christian . Though many people are professing to be Christians and believers ,their life and behaviours are not validating the same. The great dramatist ,Shakespeare once said ,”The world is a stage and all the people are actors”. Yes ,the world trains us to act according to situations. Those people coming under the influence of the world are knowingly or unknowingly acting in their different areas of life. Christendom is also not an exception. But true Christians and believers are not supposed to act. Jesus Christ , the author and finisher of our Christian faith is teaching us not to act but to reflect Him. True spirituality is arising out of intimacy with God in purifying our hearts to be true to Him!

It is very difficult to find out real Christians .People have different excuses to be so. It seems majority of the so called believers are also under the grip of the world to be a slave to its influences thus dominated by the world. They are using God for worldly power, status and popularity. What we are and what we have belong to the Lord. He is the originator and fashioner of all things . A true Christian will feel and experience that he or she is nothing in himself or herself but something in his or her Maker and He is everything for him or her.

We came to great woman of faith , Lois, grandmother of Timothy in 2 Tim.1:5 . God by His grace enabled me to find such a precious godly woman of faith in January 2006 Decision magazine issue through her article" Am I a Christian?" This introspective question struck my heart longing to be in contact with that person. God opened the way through Decision magazine people to be in contact and fellowship. She is none other than Mrs.Lois Akehurst from other side of the earth for an Indian like me. The love of Jesus in her boosted up my growth in Christ to serve Him as a family. What a wonder working God in her extending in all possible support in lifting up our spirit ,soul and body for the glory of God! She walks by faith and revealing that faith through her deeds . She exemplifies a life of grace and faith, a life of love in action, a life of humility and simplicity. No human formal words can articulate the charisma of her godly personality. I rejoice in the Lord and thank Him for what He means to her and us!

May I bring some of her excerpts of her article"Am I a Christian?" She said,It was 1957 and I was on my way to Madison Square Garden in New York city. I couldn’t wait to get there. I was 18 years old, and this was quite an opportunity . Was I a Christian? I thought I was. But for the first time I began thinking, ”What do I believe? Am I a Christian?,Is there more to being a Christian?”I was very uncomfortable about the whole being.I know in my heart that I had never made that personal decision, even though I’d gone to church,sung in choir and done good things.I knew I needed to make a decision,and I knew what my decision was going to be.I wanted to know Jesus Christ.Accepting Christ made a difference.There was a new dimension in my life;it was the Holy Spirit in me.I remember driving in my car and praying,”I love you,Jesus.”The Bible became an open book to me.Before,I knew that the Bible was what God said,but after I accepted Christ,I thought,”Wow!This is for me.”

In September 2006 Decision magazine,she wrote about her beloved husband Bill’s death and the sustaining power of God ‘s love.She said,”I cannot exalt the Lord enough for how He prepared me".On Monday before Bill was transitioned into the heavenlies,I awoke with the words inside of me.`Walk by faith.Walk by faith ` .And she said,`Lord?What do you mean by that?’ She wrote in her journal:Birth in me that walk of faith You are talking about.”

On 1st March 2006,Wednesday,her husband had gone to be with the Lord.She continued in that article`A Foundation Well Laid’ saying”And now I’m learning that the Lord of hosts is my husband,and He’s there to protect me,to guide me,to show me the way.”

Her faith journey in her Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ started in 1957 when she met Christ at Billy Graham Crusade in Madison Square Gardens.Now,at the age of 72 she radiates the love and light of the Lord in the lives of the people she comes in contact with.The aim of her life is to help others to find Jesus as the way,the truth and the life through her international ministry.Her life preaches:Know Christ personally to make Him known socially.Like her, let us aspire to inspire before we expire in loving all,serving all,respecting all.Let us allow the grace of God in keeping us transforming to reveal Jesus Christ of the Bible through our life and life style in our spirit,awareness,attitudes,thoughts,emotions,words,behaviours,actions and reactions .

In conclusion,let me put her blessed words of prayer and praise to the Lord!

After completion of the Book of Psalms, Pastor Bill asked our Bible Study at Harford Senior to write their own personal psalm. I would like to share my Psalm 151

I will boast of your love, O God! Your peace is not of this world. I will praise you in the morning, noon, and night, O Lord of my life. When you knit me in my mother's womb you gave me blue eyes to see, ears to hear, a voice to tell the wondrous love you have for me, and feet to trod this land in Your Name. Your plan for my life is to bless others by your Holy Spirit. You have been with me all the days of my life, even when I didn't know it. Now in my senior years, I approach you still as your child in the wonder and beauty of your Majesty. My salvation is what you died for. Thank you! By your Grace, I am saved to honor you. Perfect are your ways, Keeper of my soul. Your Word is the light on my path. My tongue I have surrendered to your will to speak truth in love to the lost and wanderer. I am renewed in your Presence, healed by your stripes, energized by your Spirit. Hope is in me! Your Word sustains me on my journey. You live and I too shall live protected by your strong arm. And when you call me, I will come home to live and reign with you in eternity. Such love is marvelous, Lover of my soul! Amen! Alleluia!

It is our hearty wish and prayer that may her life ever bloom by the power of the Holy Spirit to shine for Saviour and Lord Jesus! May the Lord Almighty add much abundant life to her years for His glory!! Let her spiritual bend of mind face and overcome all the pros and cons of this earthly life, thus her unique life becoming a sweet aroma for the glory of Lord ever and ever!!!

WRITTEN BY:

DR GEE VERGHESE GEORGE,D.Litt.

A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH DR ABRAHAM

In the state of Karnataka at Brahmavar in 1981, a beautiful educational complex was established by Dr C.T. Abraham,the Founder of Priority One India. Educated in India and the United States,he had been extensively lauded for his contribution to education. I got the chance to interact with him during the year 1992,which was published in an International Youth magazine called' Young Media'.As on 8^th October 2010,one year has passed he being called to Heavenly Home. The memoirs of him ofcourse will refresh and sharpen us to carry forward his legacy further for the betterment of humanity!

Excerpts:

Sir,what is Priority One India?

Priority One India is a non-profitable charitable minority trust which aims at the total development of people of India.It aims at organising spiritual centres,educational institutions,health clinics,poor homes and so on.

What prompted you to start such an organisation?

I believe that spiritual development is a must.The motivating force behind starting college with work study programme was my personal experience.I lost my father at 9 and I had to struggle.However,I got the opportunity for higher education in India and abroad.I want to give the same opportunity to underprivileged children.

Being an educationist,what is your opinion about the present system of education in India?

Where do you find a good system of education?Nowhere in the world.What is needed is a desire to make the best out of the available system.It is the people rather than the system.If our teachers and leaders set the right example for our youth,the whole story would be different.

What changes do you perceive in our system of education?

The values of which we were once so proud are no more important to our leaders.No system can be effective thus. I would strongly stand for a system that would provide freedom in education.Independent universities and schools with their own curricula and media of instruction must be permitted.

How do India and the West differ educationally?

In India,we practice spoon feeding.Even in postgraduate classes,the professor dictates notes.There is little independent study and research.Our children are very capable but we kill their capabilities and creativity in our classrooms.In the school we run,we have seen how well our children can do without dictated notes and spoon-feeding.

What is the condition of our youth today?

Youth normally reflect societal trends and in that way the condition of our youth is no different than in any other period.The concepts that society believes in like revolt and vandalism are naturally reflected in the youth.

Is our youth getting proper consideration and recognition from the elder generation?

We have youth wings in all the political parties and various organisations and our leaders speak at length about the potency of youth. All these are just attempts to calm the youth.Our youth do not receive the kind of attention they ought to be receiving because,we the adults,do not have the moral strength to give them the right consideration and direction.

Why is there such widespread youth unrest?

Today we are teaching people their privileges without making them aware of their responsibilities.Political parties fuel the fire for their own selfish ends.we must educate our people and let them know their worth,their duties and responsibilities.Enlightened individuals must take the courage to lead.

Sir,what is the uniqueness of your institutions?

We started them with specific goals,not to duplicate something already existing,but to try something new and good.The courses of study we provide in our college are different.Also,we try to maintain a family atmosphere in the campus.

What message do you have for young people?

You have a position in this world and due to this,you have a responsibility.Try your best to carry out that responsibility.We may criticise you and try to correct you. But be sure that we love you!

BY : DR GEE VERGHESE GEORGE,D.Litt.

Email: geeinjesus@gmail.com

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN LIFE?

We are given this only one earthly life. Since we are born into this world,we need to live our life at best. Our life is short but it is our responsibility to make it sweet. People of this world are living inspired by different things,either good or bad. Yes, our life is a mixture of both good and evil. No human is absolutely good or absolutely bad. As long as we live in this material world ,our material body has to live in these opposing forces. If we are doing right or wrong there are visible as well as invisible forces to oppose the same. How are we as persons and individuals responding to these forces determine the quality of our life. In other words , it is we who make or mar our lives. If our greatest focus of attention is directed towards material things and man made things,knowingly or unknowingly we are increasing in our fallen nature. If our greatest focus of attention is directed towards the maker of man and material things,we are increasing in that divine nature.

When the fallen nature is keep on increasing in us, though we may gain outwardly, we will loose inwardly. When the divine nature is keeping on increasing in us,though we may loose outwardly, we will gain inwardly. Christian life is the best life to become spiritually richer inwardly whether we are materially rich or poor outwardly.

Firstly,Christian life is a life of freedom in Christ.2Cor.3:17. We are called by Christ to be His believer is to make our life free in Him. The world cannot make us free, our self cannot make us free , but Christ living in our heart is freeing our spirit , that reflection will come in our mind and body. Christian life is not a life of showiness, but Christian life is a life of reflection. As Christians,as true believers, we need to live on reflecting Christ,not feeling superior,inferior,equal but feeling so special or unique in Him thus keep on discovering our godly image.

Secondly,Christian life is a life to know Christ personally more to make Him known socially.2Tim.2:1,2.Christian life is a life of our heart. Christ, living in our heart is enabling us to have that Christian life in and through us. Being born in a Christian family,filling our mind with biblical stuff won't make us a Christian but our spirit allowing the Spirit of Christ to live in our heart to rule our life is making us a true Christian .We can be a PhD in Bible but at the same time can remain not spiritual. Spirituality is a matter of our heart more than our mind. So our biblical knowledge should not stop with our mind level. It should reach our heart level for the Spirit of God to work on it. Remember ,education is a matter of our mind but spirituality is a matter of our heart. Yes,we should keep on allowing the Spirit of God to do that filtration process in our heart personally, in making us spiritual. Living a Christian life is not others work,it is not our work but it is the work of Christ in us. Gospel workers are just pointers to Christ. They cannot make us live the Christian life. They are messengers carrying the message of Christ. It is for us to receive the same into our minds and allow the same into our heart for the work of the Holy Spirit to live a Christian life producing the fruit of the Spirit. It is the personal responsibility of each believer to have more and more experiential knowledge of Christ to be a blessing to all.

Thirdly, Christian life is a life of service. Rom.12:1.Christians are redeemed by Christ to be in service to Him. We are to serve Christ by our whole being consisting of our spirit,soul and body. Service to God is the service to His humanity. This is our reasonable service because we owe our existence to Him !God has given us breath of life,ability to think and sensory perceptions. Our God is so great that He has given us the free will either to choose Him or even reject Him. If we are choosing Him, we will be able to really enjoy His creation for His glory. If we are rejecting Him,we are able to have only a superficial false enjoyment of His creation. Understand that God is our highest pleasure. Denying God will be our greatest sorrow as we won't get anything genuine out of this world but only ever changing duplicated and manipulated things .There is a general notion in the Christendom that only preachers of the word of God are doing the ministry in service to Christ. We are saved to be in service to Christ. We have to be in service to Christ both through spiritual and material means to glorify Him. We are to be in service to the Lord through our attitudes,thoughts,words and actions. Our life is to be inspired by the life of Christ to be a channel of blessing to many. When we are preaching the word of God through our mouth,we are preaching Christ verbally. But when we are preaching the word of God through our life,we are preaching Christ non-verbally. It is a great blessing when both our lips and heart are in service to the Lord. Remember,living in the will of God is the greatest service,we can render to our God to serve His people. We are in Lord's service not to please others,ourselves but to please Him only.

Fourthly,Christian life is a life of victory.1Cor.15:57.Jesus Christ is our victory. He is the only one who has overcome this fallen world. Flesh means fallen nature of man. One who is after the fallen world won't accept the fact that Jesus Christ is our victory .One who is walking in Spirit and after the Spirit of God can alone proclaim,Jesus Christ is our victory. When Jesus Christ is becoming our victory,we won't be a wandering generality but a meaningful specific in our life. Then the world cannot play its muddy play upon our lives,making us confused and depressed. We read in 1John5:4 for whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. We are saved by faith,we are to walk by faith and live by faith in Christ Jesus who alone is our real victory and success. We see scientists,doctors,also students of world famous educational institutions committing suicide for want of victory and success in their lives. They have academic excellence but lack spiritual excellence. They have acquired knowledge that is sense knowledge but they lack revelation knowledge that is spiritual knowledge going beyond their sense knowledge. God gives us revelation knowledge or divine wisdom depending upon our faith in Him while the world gives us sense knowledge or human wisdom depending upon our logical mind.

To live our Christian life,we need the grace of God,faith of God,wisdom of God. God's grace alone is the sufficiency of our Christian life. God's faith is the motivator of our Christian life. God's wisdom is the fulfillment of our Christian life. Our Christian life is a progressive process. In Christian life,we are not becoming perfect but moving towards the perfection of Jesus Christ. In Christian life , others cannot make us perfect , we ourselves cannot make us perfect but our Maker ,Saviour , Lord Christ Jesus is making us perfect. In our Christian life we are in unseen war between the Spirit of God and the spirit of world. When we allow the Spirit of God to lead us, we will experience easiness and rest in our innermost heart. When we allow the spirit of world to lead us, we will experience striving and straining in our innermost heart. The Spirit of God is a liberating spirit to give us victory over our self and the fallen world. The spirit of world is a binding spirit to make us defeated and depressed being a slave to our self and the fallen world. God expects that we should really enjoy our life, liberty of our life in Him. What we are and what we have either spiritual or material should glorify God,the Creator of everyone and material things. Our loving Lord expects fruit,more fruit from our life. Let us all grow both spiritually and materially as much as we can according to the measure of grace,faith and wisdom He has given to each one of us. It is the Spirit of God producing fruit of the Spirit in our spirit. For that we need to live in Christ and Christ living in us. Let us enjoy our Christian living being lifted up in our spirit,soul and body.

Email:geeinjesus@gmail.com

MOTTO:TRUTH,DHARMA,JUSTICE

AIM:HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FOR LIGHT-CONSCIOUS HUMANITY

PURPOSE:SEEKING,FINDING&LIVING IN THE ULTIMATE WORTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL