text:
On Saturday, February 10, 2012, Mrs. Lovina Amangala Iburene, Pastor and founder of the Truth Ministry and co-founder of Christ World Charity Ministry, Lagos, and her husband, Enoch Iburene took virtual space on the Saturday Vanguard Newspaper to attack the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star and its Founder and Sustainer, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu on all scores.
They summed up their hateful commentary by blaspheming the Divine Kingdom and the Founder, describing them as notorious and evil. They saw nothing good in the same Spiritual Kingdom that gave them deliverance.
Their interview was a rehash of the false accusations adopted by enemies of truth, religious bigots and fanatics, as well as workers of darkness who have over the years battled to pull down the Divine Kingdom through blackmail and propaganda; an ungodly step that has rather attracted more members to the Fold, contrary to their objective.
Ordinarily, one may not have responded to the vituperations of Mr. and Mrs. Iburene, but for the fact that a lie often repeated might well soon sound believable even to the originator of the baseless tale.
So, let us take on the issues. Mr. and Mrs. Iburene claimed to have spent 14 years as members of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, yet they do not know the World headquarters of the Fold. There is no street like Ambrose Street in Calabar, as they claimed. Where then did they meet the Founder and Leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star and when were the frivolous promises of miracles made to them?
Mrs. Iburene claimed to have joined the Kingdom as a teenager, and the question is, who introduced her to the Fold and why? Common sense would simply tell one that she may be naturally mischievous. She probably thought that Brotherhood of the Cross and Star were a cult where one can go and acquire some elemental powers to perform magic and now open a church to make money from unsuspecting citizens.
She also claims to have been doing something with the Army, where she was to be flown abroad for training, but she left unceremoniously. If she was in the Nigerian Army and left unceremoniously, was she on AWOL? (Absent without excuse); which should make her a deserter. Is she not wanted by the Army?
Again, she claimed to have been duped. How was she duped? What kind of business did she venture into that she was duped? These are obvious indications of one who desperately wants a short-cut to acquire wealth. And finally, she has opened a Church. Her husband is also in the same church business. We pity unsuspecting Nigerians. This is confession time! They must confess!
Mrs. Iburene claimed that two people came to try the power of Leader Obu and ran out mad. She neither mentioned the names of the people, the circumstances and dates/season of the incident. It is on record that all the people who tried to test the power in Brotherhood eventually accepted the Gospel and got baptized. Prominent among them were Professor Assassu Inyang Ibom; a professor of esoteric mysteries, brother Chukwudi Okakpu, among others. The Father is merciful and the claim is therefore absurd.
She claimed that the King of kings and Lord of lords, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu was a carnal Person who had long shown interest in the Father's Throne. The truth is that He is the First begotten Son of the Father and needed not show interest in the Throne, as He is the Heir and rightful owner of the Throne. Even before the creation of the world, it was written of Him. He is taking the glory which the Father promised Him before the foundation of the world. (Hebrews: 3:6). Even in typical physical and conventional setting, going by the African tradition, is the first son not the heir to his father's throne?
The allegation of carnality is an absolute ruse. They could not provide any evidence to substantiate such claims. First, if Iburene were to be true pastors, they would have known that no man is worthy to judge, as Judgement is for God alone to execute. (Mattew 7:1). Who then gave them power to pass Judgement on Leader Obu? Again, if they have ever opened the Holy Bible, they would have seen that even in the days of our Lord Jesus Christ, He lived the life of a normal human being until at the rightful age of 30, before he started his mission fully. Where then lies their pastoral knowledge and wisdom?
They also claimed that Leader Obu went blind, and now dead. May God forgive them. The Holy Father, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu is alive, hale and hearty.
Lovina claimed that "it was the daughter that was very close to her Father and deep in spiritual affairs….At some point, the Kingdom divided into two, in line with the Son and daughter……."
This simply leaves no one in doubt on where Lovina and her husband are coming from. They are only acting an already written script. Lovina and Enoch Iburene are being used by some faceless malcontents for cheap publicity. At the appropriate time, the whistle shall be blown.
For those interested in knowing the truth, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is one in the entire Universe. There is no division in the Fold. It is a Divine Spiritual School of Practical Christianity, established by God Himself. It has one Universal Leader, Master, Teacher and Sustainer, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu. His First Begotten Son, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu is the Chairman, Head of Administration and Sole signatory of the Kingdom.
Its teachings are centered on love, and love conquers all things. Agents of darkness are fighting with every available arsenal to pull it down. Unfortunately for them, it is a Kingdom that has come to dwell forever, as darkness can never overcome light.
The substance is that: following the Divine Coronation and installation of His First Begotten Son, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu as Chairman, BCS Executive Council and Head of Administration by the Father, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, a few dubious individuals decided to challenge the decision of the leadership of the Kingdom. They looted its treasury and seized some of her Property.
The matter eventually was taken to the Federal High Court in Calabar for adjudication, where they lost out. They also appealed against the ruling of the lower Court and still lost at the appellate Court.
Lovina's husband, Enoch Iburene also claimed to be the pastor of Truth Ministry and lovers of Christ; yet he does not know the difference between truth and lies. He claims that unknown people have been going after their lives since they left Brotherhood. He said Brotherhood members wanted to kidnap them…How could people be after them for over ten years, as they claimed, yet they did not report the matter to security agencies; not even the Police. Do they think that Nigerians do not have common sense?
He claimed that the leadership of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star wanted to take legal steps against them, but dropped the idea because some members of the Fold offered to testify in her favour. This is another criminal lie. They would have tendered an evidence to substantiate their claims. Brotherhood of the Cross and Star does not drag people to Court. The Fold only responds to legal suits, as a responsible entity; though, some members have resolved to take personal legal steps to check the recklessness of people like Iburene, their sponsors and cohorts.
Iburene said members of the Fold neither kill nor eat fish and meat. They are right. True members of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star are pure Vegetarians. Vegetarianism is a spiritual Doctrine that has one hundred percent Biblical backing. (Genesis 1:29 Mark 1:6, Romans 14:21, I Corinthians 8: 13). Even in the health sector, it is no news that Medicine even advices man to feed on fruits and vegetables for healthier living.
Another show of their ignorance about the Scriptures is when they speak of the attack on some Brotherhood members in Ilesha, Osun State several years back. This is an obvious proof of the fact that they do not know God. Even in the Holy Bible, we read about Martyrs. Did the Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ not pass through persecutions? However, all those that dwell by the sword shall perish by the sword. Galatians 6:7 could guide us.
They described Brotherhood as evil. They claimed they benefited nothing from the Fold, yet, they were healed in Brotherhood; they met and had their marriage blessed in Brotherhood, according to them. What an irony!
According to Iburene, "There was a demarcation between the Supreme Father and the congregation, He does not mix with the people, He only comes out to minister."
This is indeed outlandish. The Holy Father is seen and felt lavishly every day, both physically and spiritually. He manifests Himself in uncountable places simultaneously. He is everywhere every time. That is why members and those that know Him refer to Him as Omnipresent. He is the most humble Being on earth. He attends to all equally, without segregation. Those who have had personal experiences with Him can attest that the claim is an absolute lie. He receives both groups and individuals in the Vestry. For instance, in 2011 alone, the Muslim Community in Cross River State visited Him physically. The State and Zonal chapters of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited Him. The Prince of Zulu Kingdom and 22-time President of South Africa, Prince Buttellezi, and several others visited Him physically and had audience with Him. The visits were covered by the Nigerian media. Both members and non Brotherhood members with different issues also meet with
Him on daily basis. Is Iburene in this world at all?
In 2003, Lovina granted an interview to 'Newswatch Magazine', saying that she was seeing lizards, snakes and other strange things; suggesting that she was hallucinating. Undoubtedly, she is still in her illusion. She may avail herself of the wonderful services of a Psychiatric Hospital or come to the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star for spiritual healing.
But, the final show of Mr. and Mrs. Iburene's ignorance is when they speak about the 144,000 Virgins. They said that the role of the Virgins is to fan the Leader while asleep.
For avoidance of doubt, the role of the 144,000 Virgins in Brotherhood of the Cross is in clear conformity with the provisions of the Holy Bible, as recorded in Revelation 14:1-5.
The Virgins are "those who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, neither are they defiled and from their mouth are found no guile…"
If one may ask, is it that Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, whose membership includes all the movers and shakers of this world is so poor that it cannot afford the comfort of an air Conditioner or at least a fan for the Leader, if required?
While we await counsel on how to extract necessary remedy from the Nigerian newspaper, we are inclined to register our disgust with the shameful attitude and "pull them- down- syndrome'' of some news media. That is one of the reasons why a lot of people do not respect the Nigerian media and its practitioners. It is unfortunate that the Vanguard Newspaper allowed itself to be ridiculed with such a false, unconfirmed, malicious and blasphemous report from Ishola Balogun. No efforts were made to contact the leadership of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star for comments; at least, for the sake of balance and accuracy.
No doubt, this latest sponsored attack on the Leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is recklessness taken too far.
The question is, why are we so interested in disparaging innocent people and Organisations without any reasonable proof of wrong doing?
We implore the Nigerian Mass Media practitioners to embrace the ethics of the noble profession of Journalism and operate within the precincts of accuracy, objectivity, patriotism and national development.
Despite Iburene and other such distractions, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star shall continue to grow from strength to strength.
As for Mr. and Mrs. Iburene, one can only hope that they would be bold enough to show their true interest, rather than masquerading as patriots and crusaders of Christ.
Walter Duru
Media Consultant


text:
Guddan Tumse Na Ho Paega Spoiler: Guddan to get into new trouble
Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega gossip alert:
In the upcoming episodes of GTNHP serial, Choti Guddan will make a mess while cooking food and Pushpa will be about to reach the Kitchen.
So far in Guddan's story, Guddan gets shocked to learn that Sarawati has changed her identity to 'Saru Maa'. Further, Saraswati asks Pushpa to give Guddan a chance to get her restaurant back.
Now as per the future news of Guddan Tumse Na Ho Paega serial, Guddan will successfully cook all the dishes but will make a mess while cooking.
Furthermore, Pushpa will tell Sarawati that hygiene is ensured while cooking in their house and both of them will approach the kitchen to check the food as per the latest twist of GTNHP.
Let's see if Choti Guddan manages to clean the mess up before Pushpa and Sarawati arrive or not in the spoiler updates of Guddan serial.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Toggle navigation
Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead
Toggle navigation
Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead
1. Advent of Lord Krsna
2. Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krsna in the Womb
3. Birth of Lord Krsna
4. Kamsa Begins His Persecutions
5. Meeting of Nanda and Vasudeva
6. Putana Killed
7. Salvation of Trnavarta
8. Vision of the Universal Form
9. Mother Yasoda Binding Lord Krsna
10. Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva
11. Killing the Demons Vatsasura and Bakasura
12. The Killing of the Aghasura Demon
13. The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahma
14. Prayers Offered by Lord Brahma to Lord Krsna
15. Killing of Dhenukasura
16. Subduing Kaliya
17. Extinguishing the Forest Fire
18. Killing the Demon Pralambasura
19. Devouring the Forest Fire
20. Description of Autumn
21. The Gopis Attracted by the Flute
22. Stealing the Garments of the Unmarried Gopi Girls
23. Delivering the Wives of the Brahmanas Who Performed Sacrifices
24. Worshiping Govardhana Hill
25. Devastating Rainfall in Vrndavana
26. Wonderful Krsna
27. Prayers by Indra, the King of Heaven
28. Releasing Nanda Maharaja from the Clutches of Varuna
29. The Rasa Dance: Introduction
30. Krsna's Hiding from the Gopis
31. Songs by the Gopis
32. Description of the Rasa Dance
33. Vidyadhara Liberated and the Demon Sankhasura Killed
34. The Gopis' Feelings of Separation
35. Kamsa Sends Akrura for Krsna
36. Killing the Kesi Demon and Vyomasura
37. Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana
38. Akrura's Return Journey and His Visiting of Visnuloka Within the Yamuna River
39. Prayers by Akrura
40. Krsna Enters Mathura
41. The Breaking of the Bow in the Sacrificial Arena
42. The Killing of the Elephant Kuvalayapida
43. The Killing of Kamsa
44. Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher
45. Uddhava Visits Vrndavana
46. Delivery of the Message of Krsna to the Gopis
47. Krsna Pleases His Devotees
48. Ill-motivated Dhrtarastra
49. Krsna Erects the Dvaraka Fort
50. Deliverance of Mucukunda
51. Krsna, the Ranchor
52. Krsna Kidnaps Rukmini
53. Krsna Defeats All the Princes and Takes Rukmini Home to Dvaraka
54. Pradyumna Born to Krsna and Rukmini
55. The Story of the Syamantaka Jewel
56. The Killing of Satrajit and Satadhanva
57. Five Queens Married by Krsna
58. Deliverance of the Demon Bhaumasura
59. Talks Between Krsna and Rukmini
60. The Genealogical Table of the Family of Krsna
61. The Meeting of Usa and Aniruddha
62. Lord Krsna Fights with Banasura
63. The Story of King Nrga
64. Lord Balarama Visits Vrndavana
65. The Deliverance of Paundraka and the King of Kasi
66. The Deliverance of Dvivida Gorilla
67. The Marriage of Samba
68. The Great Sage Narada Visits the Different Homes of Lord Krsna
69. Lord Krsna's Daily Activities
70. Lord Krsna in Indraprastha City
71. The Liberation of King Jarasandha
72. Lord Krsna Returns to the City of Hastinapura
73. The Deliverance of Sisupala
74. Why Duryodhana Felt Insulted at the End of the Rajasuya Sacrifice
75. The Battle Between Salva and the Yadu Dynasty
77. The Killing of Dantavakra, Viduratha and Romaharsana
78. The Liberation of Balvala, and Lord Balarama's Touring the Sacred Places
79. Meeting of Lord Krsna with Sudama Brahmana
80. The Brahmana Sudama Benedicted by Lord Krsna
81. Lord Krsna and Balarama Meet the Inhabitants of Vrndavana
82. Draupadi Meets the Queens of Krsna
83. Sacrificial Ceremonies Performed by Vasudeva
84. Spiritual Instruction for Vasudeva and Return of the Six Dead Sons of Devaki by Lord Krsna
85. The Kidnapping of Subhadra and Lord Krsna's Visiting Srutadeva and Bahulasva
86. Prayers by the Personified Vedas
87. The Deliverance of Lord Siva
88. The Superexcellent Power of Krsna
89. Summary Description of Lord Krsna's Pastimes
1. Advent of Lord Krsna
2. Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krsna in the Womb
3. Birth of Lord Krsna
4. Kamsa Begins His Persecutions
5. Meeting of Nanda and Vasudeva
6. Putana Killed
7. Salvation of Trnavarta
8. Vision of the Universal Form
9. Mother Yasoda Binding Lord Krsna
10. Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva
11. Killing the Demons Vatsasura and Bakasura
12. The Killing of the Aghasura Demon
13. The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by Brahma
14. Prayers Offered by Lord Brahma to Lord Krsna
15. Killing of Dhenukasura
16. Subduing Kaliya
17. Extinguishing the Forest Fire
18. Killing the Demon Pralambasura
19. Devouring the Forest Fire
20. Description of Autumn
21. The Gopis Attracted by the Flute
22. Stealing the Garments of the Unmarried Gopi Girls
23. Delivering the Wives of the Brahmanas Who Performed Sacrifices
24. Worshiping Govardhana Hill
25. Devastating Rainfall in Vrndavana
26. Wonderful Krsna
27. Prayers by Indra, the King of Heaven
28. Releasing Nanda Maharaja from the Clutches of Varuna
29. The Rasa Dance: Introduction
30. Krsna's Hiding from the Gopis
31. Songs by the Gopis
32. Description of the Rasa Dance
33. Vidyadhara Liberated and the Demon Sankhasura Killed
34. The Gopis' Feelings of Separation
35. Kamsa Sends Akrura for Krsna
36. Killing the Kesi Demon and Vyomasura
37. Akrura's Arrival in Vrndavana
38. Akrura's Return Journey and His Visiting of Visnuloka Within the Yamuna River
39. Prayers by Akrura
40. Krsna Enters Mathura
41. The Breaking of the Bow in the Sacrificial Arena
42. The Killing of the Elephant Kuvalayapida
43. The Killing of Kamsa
44. Krsna Recovers the Son of His Teacher
45. Uddhava Visits Vrndavana
46. Delivery of the Message of Krsna to the Gopis
47. Krsna Pleases His Devotees
48. Ill-motivated Dhrtarastra
49. Krsna Erects the Dvaraka Fort
50. Deliverance of Mucukunda
51. Krsna, the Ranchor
52. Krsna Kidnaps Rukmini
53. Krsna Defeats All the Princes and Takes Rukmini Home to Dvaraka
54. Pradyumna Born to Krsna and Rukmini
55. The Story of the Syamantaka Jewel
56. The Killing of Satrajit and Satadhanva
57. Five Queens Married by Krsna
58. Deliverance of the Demon Bhaumasura
59. Talks Between Krsna and Rukmini
60. The Genealogical Table of the Family of Krsna
61. The Meeting of Usa and Aniruddha
62. Lord Krsna Fights with Banasura
63. The Story of King Nrga
64. Lord Balarama Visits Vrndavana
65. The Deliverance of Paundraka and the King of Kasi
66. The Deliverance of Dvivida Gorilla
67. The Marriage of Samba
68. The Great Sage Narada Visits the Different Homes of Lord Krsna
69. Lord Krsna's Daily Activities
70. Lord Krsna in Indraprastha City
71. The Liberation of King Jarasandha
72. Lord Krsna Returns to the City of Hastinapura
73. The Deliverance of Sisupala
74. Why Duryodhana Felt Insulted at the End of the Rajasuya Sacrifice
75. The Battle Between Salva and the Yadu Dynasty
77. The Killing of Dantavakra, Viduratha and Romaharsana
78. The Liberation of Balvala, and Lord Balarama's Touring the Sacred Places
79. Meeting of Lord Krsna with Sudama Brahmana
80. The Brahmana Sudama Benedicted by Lord Krsna
81. Lord Krsna and Balarama Meet the Inhabitants of Vrndavana
82. Draupadi Meets the Queens of Krsna
83. Sacrificial Ceremonies Performed by Vasudeva
84. Spiritual Instruction for Vasudeva and Return of the Six Dead Sons of Devaki by Lord Krsna
85. The Kidnapping of Subhadra and Lord Krsna's Visiting Srutadeva and Bahulasva
86. Prayers by the Personified Vedas
87. The Deliverance of Lord Siva
88. The Superexcellent Power of Krsna
89. Summary Description of Lord Krsna's Pastimes
His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Art Gallery
Visit KRISHNA.ORG
46. Delivery of the Message of Krsna to the Gopis
46 / Delivery of the Message of Kåñëa to the Gopés
When the
saw Uddhava, they observed that his features almost exactly resembled the features of Kåñëa, and they could understand that he was a great devotee of Kåñëa's. His hands were very long, and his eyes were just like the petals of the lotus flower. He was dressed in yellow colored garments and wore a garland of lotus flowers. His face was very beautiful. Having achieved the liberation of
and having the same bodily features as the Lord, Uddhava looked almost like Kåñëa. In Kåñëa's absence, the
had been coming dutifully to visit mother Yaçodä's house early in the morning. They knew that Nanda Mahäräja and mother Yaçodä were always griefstricken, and they had made it their first duty to come and pay their respects to the most exalted elderly personalities of Våndävana. Seeing the friends of Kåñëa, Nanda and Yaçodä would remember Kåñëa Himself and be satisfied, and the
also would be pleased by seeing Nanda and Yaçodä.
When the
saw that Uddhava was representing Kåñëa even in his bodily features, they thought that he must be a soul completely surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They began to contemplate, "Who is this boy who looks just like Kåñëa? He has the same eyes like lotus petals, the same raised nose and beautiful face, and he is smiling in the same way. In all respects he is resembling Kåñëa, Çyämasundara, the beautiful dark boy. He is even dressed exactly like Kåñëa. Where has this boy come from? Who is the fortunate girl who has him for her husband?" Thus they all talked among themselves. They were very anxious to know about him, and because they were simply unsophisticated village girls, they surrounded Uddhava.
When the
understood that Uddhava had a message from Kåñëa, they became very happy and called him to a secluded place to sit down. They wanted to talk with him very freely and did not want to be embarrassed before unknown persons. They began to welcome him with polite words, in great submissiveness. "We know that you are a most confidential associate of Kåñëa and that He has therefore sent you to Våndävana to give solace to His father and mother. We can understand that family affection is very strong. Even great sages who have taken to the renounced order of life cannot give up family members. Kåñëa has therefore sent you to His father and mother; otherwise He has no further business in Våndävana. He is now in town. What does He have to know about Våndävana Village or the cows' pasturing grounds? These things are not at all useful for Kåñëa because He is now a man in the city.
"Surely He has nothing to do with persons who do not happen to be His family members. Why should one bother about those who are outside the family, especially and specifically those who are attached as the wives of others. Kåñëa is interested in them as long as there is a need of gratification, like the bumblebees who have interest in the flowers as long as they want to take the honey out of them. It is very natural and psychological that a prostitute does not care for her paramour as soon as he loses his money. Similarly, when the citizens find that a government is incapable of giving them full protection, they leave the country. A student, after finishing his education, gives up his relationship with the teacher and the school. A rich man, after taking his reward from his worshiper, gives him up. When the fruit season is over, the birds are no longer interested in the tree. Just after eating in the house of a lord, the guest gives up his relationship with the host. After a forest fire, when there is a scarcity of green grass, the deer and other animals give up the forest. And so a man, after enjoying his girl friend, gives up his connection with her." In this way, all the
began to indirectly accuse Kåñëa by citing so many similes.
Uddhava understood that the
of Våndävana were all simply absorbed in the thought of Kåñëa and His childhood activities. While talking about Kåñëa with Uddhava, they forgot all about their household business. They even forgot about themselves as their interest in Kåñëa increased more and more.
One of the
namely Çrématé Rädhäräëé, was so much absorbed in thoughts of Kåñëa by dint of Her personal touch with Him that She actually began to talk with a bumblebee which was flying there and trying to touch Her lotus feet. While another
was talking with Kåñëa's messenger Uddhava, Çrématé Rädhäräëé took that bumblebee to be a messenger from Kåñëa and began to talk with it as follows. "Bumblebee, you are accustomed to drinking honey from the flowers, and therefore you have preferred to be a messenger of Kåñëa, who is of the same nature as you. I have seen on your moustaches the red powder of
which was smeared on the flower garland of Kåñëa while He was pressing the breast of some other girl who is My competitor. You are feeling very proud by touching that flower, and your moustaches have become reddish. You have come here carrying a message for Me. You are anxious to touch My feet. But My dear bumblebee, let me warn you--don't touch Me! I don't want any messages from your unreliable master. You are the unreliable servant of an unreliable master." It may be that Çrématé Rädhäräëé purposely addressed that bumblebee sarcastically in order to criticize the messenger Uddhava. Indirectly, Çrématé Rädhäräëé saw Uddhava as not only resembling Kåñëa's bodily features but as being equal to Kåñëa. In this way She indicated that Uddhava was as unreliable as Kåñëa Himself. Çrématé Rädhäräëé wanted to give specific reasons why She was dissatisfied with Kåñëa and His messengers.
She addressed the bumblebee, "Your master Kåñëa is exactly of your quality. You sit down on a flower, and after taking a little honey you immediately fly away and sit in another flower and taste. You're just like your master Kåñëa. He gave us the chance of tasting the touch of His lips and then left altogether. I know also that the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, who is always in the midst of the lotus flower, is constantly engaged in Kåñëa's service. But I do not know why she has become so captivated by Kåñëa. She is attached to Him, although she knows His actual character. As far as we are concerned, we are more intelligent than that goddess of fortune. We are not going to be cheated anymore by Kåñëa or His messengers."
According to expert opinion, Lakñmé, the goddess of fortune is a subordinate expansion of Çrématé Rädhäräëé. As Kåñëa has numerous expansions of Viñëu-
so His pleasure potency, Rädhäräëé, also has innumerable expansions of goddesses of fortune. Therefore the goddess of fortune, Lakñméjé, is always anxious to be elevated to the position of the
Çrématé Rädhäräëé continued: "You foolish bumblebee, you are trying to satisfy Me and get a reward by singing the glories of Kåñëa, but it is a useless attempt. We are bereft of all our possessions. We are away from our homes and families. We know very well about Kåñëa. We know even more than you. So whatever you make up about Him will be old stories to us. Kåñëa is now in the city and is better known as the friend of Arjuna. He now has many new girl friends, and they are no doubt very happy in association with Him. Because the lusty burning sensation of their breasts has been satisfied by Kåñëa, they are now happy. If you go there and glorify Kåñëa, they may be pleased to reward you. You are just trying to pacify Me by your behavior as a flatterer, and therefore you have put your head under My feet. But I know the trick which you are trying to play. I know that you are a messenger coming from a great trickster, Kåñëa. Therefore please leave Me.
"I can understand that you are very expert in reuniting two opposing parties, but at the same time you must know that I cannot place My reliance upon you, nor upon your master Kåñëa. We left our families, husbands, children and relatives only for Kåñëa, and yet He did not feel any obligation in exchange. He has left us for lost. Do you think we can place our faith in Him again? We know that Kåñëa cannot be long without the association of young women. That is His nature. He is finding difficulty in Mathurä because He is no longer in the village among innocent cowherd girls. He is in the aristocratic society and must be feeling difficulty in making friendships with the young girls. Perhaps you have come here to canvass again or to take us there. But why should Kåñëa expect us to return there? He is greatly qualified to entice all other girls, not only in Våndävana or Mathurä, but all over the universe. His wonderfully enchanting smile is so attractive and the movement of His eyebrows so beautiful that He can call for any woman from the heavenly, middle or plutonic planets. Mahä-Lakñmé, the greatest of all goddesses of fortune, also hankers to render Him some service. In comparison to all these women of the universe, what are we? We are very insignificant.
"Kåñëa advertises Himself as very magnanimous, and He is praised by great saints. His qualifications could be perfectly utilized if He would only show us mercy because we are downtrodden and neglected by Him. You poor messenger, you are only a less intelligent servant. You do not know much about Kåñëa, how ungrateful and hardhearted He has been, not only in this life, but in His previous lives also. We have all heard this from our grandmother, Paurëamäsé. She has informed us that Kåñëa was born in a
family previous to this birth and was known as Rämacandra. In that birth, instead of killing Väli, an enemy of His friend, in the manner of a
He killed him just like a hunter. A hunter takes a secure hiding place and then kills an animal without facing it. So Lord Rämacandra, as a
should have fought with Väli face to face, but instigated by His friend, He killed him from behind a tree. Thus He deviated from the religious principles of a
Also, He was so attracted by the beauty of Sétä that He converted Çürpaëakhä, the sister of Rävaëa, into an ugly woman by cutting off her nose and ears. Çürpaëakhä proposed an intimate relationship with Him, and as a
He should have satisfied her. But He was so selfish that He could not forget Sétädevé and converted Çürpaëakhä into an ugly woman. Before that birth as a
He took His birth as a
boy known as Vämanadeva and asked charity from Bali Mahäräja. Bali Mahäräja was so magnanimous that he gave Him whatever he had, yet Kåñëa as Vämanadeva ungratefully arrested him just like a crow and pushed him down to the Pätäla kingdom. We know all about Kåñëa and how ungrateful He is. But here is the difficulty: in spite of His being so cruel and hardhearted, it is very difficult for us to give up talking about Him. Not only are we unable to give up this talk, but great sages and saintly persons are also engaged in talking about Him. We
of Våndävana do not want to make any more friendships with this blackish boy, but we do not know how we shall be able to give up remembering and talking about His activities."
Since Kåñëa is absolute, His so-called unkind activities are as relishable as His kind activities. Saintly persons and great devotees like the
cannot give up Kåñëa in any circumstances. Lord Caitanya therefore prayed, "Kåñëa, You are free and independent in all respects. You can either embrace Me or crush Me under Your feet--whatever You like. You may make Me brokenhearted by not letting Me see You throughout my whole life, but You are my only object of love."
"In My opinion," Çrématé Rädhäräëé continued, "one should not hear about Kåñëa, because as soon as a drop of the nectar of His transcendental activities is poured into the ear, one immediately rises above the platform of duality, attraction and rejection. Being completely freed from the attraction of material attachment, one gives up the attachment for this material world, family, home, wife, children and everything which is materially dear to every person. Being dispossessed of all material acquisition, one makes his relatives and himself unhappy. Then he wanders in search of Kåñëa, either as a human being or in other species of life, even as a bird. It is very difficult to actually understand Kåñëa, His name, His quality, His form, His pastimes, His paraphernalia and His entourage."
Çrématé Rädhäräëé continued to speak to the black messenger of Kåñëa. "Please do not talk any more about Kåñëa. It is better to talk about something else. We are already doomed, like the black-spotted she-deer in the forest who are enchanted by the sweet musical vibration of the hunter. In the same way, we have been enchanted by the sweet words of Kåñëa, and again and again we are thinking of the rays of the nails of His toes. We are becoming more and more lustful for His association; therefore, I request you not to talk of Kåñëa anymore."
This talk of Rädhäräëé with the bumblebee messenger and Her accusing Kåñëa, and, at the same time, Her inability to give up talking about Him, are symptoms of the topmost transcendental ecstasy, called
The ecstatic
manifestation is possible only in the persons of Rädhäräëé and Her associates. Great
like Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé and Viçvanätha Cakravarté �–häkur have analyzed these
speeches of Çrématé Rädhäräëé, and they have described the different sentiments such as
bewilderment, and
talking in different ways. In Rädhäräëé is found the science of
or the brightest jewel or love of God. While Rädhäräëé was talking with the bee and the bee was flying hither and thither, it all of a sudden disappeared from Her sight. She was in full mourning due to separation from Kåñëa and was feeling ecstasy by talking with the bee. But as soon as the bee disappeared, She became almost mad, thinking that the messenger-bee might have returned to Kåñëa to inform Him all about Her talking against Him. "Kåñëa must have been very sorry to hear it," She thought. In this way She was very much overwhelmed with another type of ecstasy.
In the meantime, the bee, flying hither and thither, appeared before Her again. She thought, "Kåñëa is still kind to Me. In spite of the messenger carrying disruptive messages, He is so kind that He has again sent the bee to take Me to Him." Çrématé Rädhäräëé was very careful this time not to say anything against Kåñëa. "My dear friend, I welcome you," She said. "Kåñëa is so kind that He has again sent you. Kåñëa is so kind and affectionate to Me that He has sent you back, fortunately, in spite of your carrying My message against Him. My dear friend, you can ask from Me whatever you want. I shall give you anything because you are so kind upon Me. You have come to take Me to Kåñëa because He is not able to come here. He is surrounded by new girl friends in Mathurä. But you are a tiny creature. How can you take Me there? How will you be able to help Me in meeting Kåñëa while He is taking rest there along with the goddess of fortune and embracing her to His chest? Never mind. Let us forget all these things about My going there or sending you. Please let Me know how Kåñëa is faring in Mathurä. Tell Me if He still remembers His foster father, Nanda Mahäräja, His affectionate mother, Yaçodä, His cowherd friends and His poor friends like us, the
I am sure that He must sometimes sing about us. We served Him just like maidservants, without any payment. Is there any possibility that Kåñëa will again come back and place His arms around us? His limbs are always fragrant with the
scent. Please put all these inquiries to Kåñëa."
Uddhava was standing near, and he heard Rädhäräëé talking in this way, as if She had become almost mad after Kåñëa. He was exceedingly surprised at how the
were accustomed to think of Kåñëa constantly in that topmost ecstasy of
love. He had brought a message in writing from Kåñëa, and now he wanted to present it before the
just to pacify them. He said, "My dear
your mission of human life is now successful. You are all wonderful devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore you are eligible to be worshiped by all kinds of people. You are worshipable throughout the three worlds because your minds are wonderfully absorbed in the thought of Väsudeva, Kåñëa. He is the goal of all kinds of pious activities and ritualistic performances, such as giving in charity, rigidly following the austerity of vows, undergoing severe penances and igniting the fire of sacrifice. He is the purpose behind the chanting of different
the reading of the
controlling the senses and concentrating the mind in meditation. These are some of the many different processes for self-realization and attainment of perfection of life. But actually they are only meant for realizing Kåñëa and dovetailing oneself in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." This is the last instruction of
also; although there are descriptions of different kinds of processes of self-realization, at the end Kåñëa recommended one should give up everything and simply surrender unto Him. All other processes are meant for teaching one how to surrender ultimately unto the lotus feet of Kåñëa. The
also says that this surrendering process is completed by a sincere person executing the processes of self-realization in wisdom and austerity after many births."
Since the perfection of such austerity was completely manifested in the life of the
Uddhava was fully satisfied upon seeing their transcendental position. He continued to say: "My dear
the mentality which you have developed in relationship with Kåñëa is very, very difficult to attain, even for great sages and saintly persons. You have attained the highest perfectional stage of life. It is a great boon for you that you have fixed your mind upon Kåñëa and have decided to have Kåñëa only, giving up your family, home, relatives, husbands and children for the sake of the Supreme Personality. Because your mind is now fully absorbed in Kåñëa, the Supreme Soul, universal love has automatically developed in you. I think myself very fortunate that I have been favored, by your grace, to see you in this situation."
When Uddhava said that he had a message from Kåñëa, the
were more interested in hearing the message than in hearing about their exalted position. They did not very much like being praised for their high position. They showed their anxiety to hear the message which Uddhava had brought from Kåñëa. Uddhava said, "My dear
I am especially deputed to carry this message to you, who are such great and gentle devotees. Kåñëa has specifically sent me to you because I am His most confidential servitor."
The written message which Uddhava brought from Kåñëa was not delivered to the
by Uddhava, but he personally read it before them. The message was very gravely written, so that not only the
but all empiric philosophers might understand how pure love of God is intrinsically integrated with all the different energies of the Supreme Lord. From Vedic information it is understood that the Supreme Lord has multi-energies,
paräsya çaktir vividhaiva çrüyate.
Also, the
were such intimate personal friends of Kåñëa that while He was writing the message for them, He was much moved and could not write distinctly. Uddhava, as the student of Båhaspati, had very sharp intelligence, so instead of handing over the written message, he thought it wise to read it personally and explain it to them.
Uddhava continued: "These are the words from the Personality of Godhead. 'My dear
My dear friends, please know that separation between ourselves is impossible at any time, at any place or under any circumstances, because I am all-pervading.'"
This all-pervasiveness of Kåñëa is explained in the
both in the Ninth and Seventh chapters. Kåñëa is all-pervasive in His impersonal feature; everything is resting in Him, but He is not personally present everywhere. In the Seventh Chapter also, it is stated that the five gross elements, earth, water, fire, air and sky, and the three subtle elements, mind, intelligence, and ego, are all His inferior energies. But there is another, superior energy, which is called the living entity. The living entities are also directly part and parcel of Kåñëa. Therefore Kåñëa is the source of both the material and spiritual energies. He is always intermingled with everything as cause and effect. Not only the
but all living entities are always inseparably connected with Kåñëa in all circumstances. The
however, are perfectly and thoroughly in cooperation in their relationship with Kåñëa, whereas the living entities under the spell of
are forgetful of Kåñëa. They think themselves as separate identities having no connection with Kåñëa.
Love of Kåñëa, or Kåñëa consciousness, is therefore the perfectional stage of real knowledge in understanding things as they are. Our minds can never be vacant. The mind is constantly occupied with some kind of thought, and the subject matter of such thought cannot be outside the eight elements of Kåñëa's energy. One who knows this philosophical aspect of all thoughts is actually a wise man, and he surrenders unto Kåñëa. The
are the typical example of this perfectional stage of knowledge. They are not simple mental speculators. Their minds are always in Kåñëa. The mind is nothing but the energy of Kåñëa. Actually, any person who can think, feel, act and will cannot be separated from Kåñëa. But the stage in which he can understand his eternal relationship is called Kåñëa consciousness. The diseased condition in which he cannot understand his eternal relationship with Kåñëa is the contaminated stage, or
Since the
are on the platform of pure transcendental knowledge, their minds are always filled with Kåñëa consciousness. For example, as there is no separation between fire and air, so there is no separation between Kåñëa and the living entities. When the living entities forget Kåñëa, they are not in their normal condition. As for the
because they are always thinking of Kåñëa they are on the absolute stage of perfection in knowledge. The so-called empiric philosophers sometimes think that the path of
is meant for the less intelligent, but unless the so-called man of knowledge comes to the platform of
his knowledge is certainly impure and imperfect. Actually, the stage of perfecting one's eteranl relationship with Kåñëa is love in separation. But that is also illusory because there is no separation. The
were never seperated from Kåñëa. Even from the philosophical point of view, there was no separation.
The cosmic manifestation is also not separate from Kåñëa. "Nothing is separate from Me; the whole cosmic manifestation is resting on Me and is not separate from Me. Before the creation, I was existing." This is confirmed in the Vedic literature: before creation, there was only Näräyaëa. There were no Brahmä and no Çiva as assistants. The whole cosmic manifestation is manipulated by the three modes of material nature. Brahmä is the incarnation of the quality of passion. It is said that Brahmä created this universe, but Brahmä is the secondary creator; the original creator is Näräyaëa. This is also confirmed by Çaìkaräcärya:
näräyaëaù paro 'vyaktät.
"Näräyaëa is transcendental, beyond this cosmic creation."
Kåñëa creates, maintains, and annihilates the whole cosmic manifestation by expanding Himself in different incarnations. Everything is Kåñëa, and everything is depending on Kåñëa, but He is not perceived in the material energy. Material energy is called
or illusion. In the spiritual energy, however, Kåñëa is perceived at every step, in all circumstances. This perfectional stage of understanding is present in the
As Kåñëa is always aloof from the cosmic manifestation, although it is completely dependent on Him, so a living entity is also completely aloof from his material conditional life. The material body has developed on the basis of spiritual existence. In the
the whole cosmic manifestation is accepted as the mother of the living entities, and Kåñëa is the father. As the father impregnates the mother by injecting the living entity within the womb, so all the living entities are injected by Kåñëa in the womb of the material nature. They come out in different bodies according to their different fruitive activities. In all circumstances, the living entity is aloof from this material conditioned life.
If we simply study our own bodies, we can understand how a living entity is always aloof from this bodily encagement. Every action of the body is taking place by the interaction of the three modes of material nature. We can see at every moment many changes taking place in bodies, but the spirit soul is aloof from all changes. One can neither create nor annihilate nor interfere with the actions of material nature. The living entity is therefore entrapped by the material body and is conditioned in three stages, namely while awake, asleep and unconscious. The mind is acting through all the three conditions of life; the living entity in his sleeping or dreaming condition sees something as real, and in his awake condition he sees the same thing as unreal. It is concluded, therefore, that under certain circumstances he accepts something as real, and under other circumstances he accepts the very same thing as unreal. These matters are the subject matter of study for the empiric philosopher or the
In order to come to the right conclusion,
undergo severe austerities and penances. They practice control of the senses and renunciation.
All these different ways of determining the ultimate goal of life are compared to rivers. Kåñëa is the ocean. As the rivers flow down toward the ocean, all attempts for knowledge flow toward Kåñëa. After many, many births of endeavor, when one actually comes to Kåñëa, he attains the perfectional stage. Kåñëa says in the
"All are pursuing the path of realizing Me, but those who have adopted courses without any
find their endeavor very troublesome."
Kleço 'dhikataras teñäm:
Kåñëa cannot be understood unless one comes to the point of
Three paths are enunciated in the
Gétä: karma-yoga, jïäna-yoga
Those who are too addicted to fruitive activities are advised to perform actions which will bring them to
Those who are addicted to the frustration of empiric philosophy are also advised to realize
is different from ordinary
is different from
Ultimately, as stated by the Lord in the
Bhagavad-gétä, bhaktya mäà abhijänäti:
only through execution of devotional service can one understand Kåñëa. The perfectional stage of devotional service was achieved by the
because they did not care to know anything but Kåñëa. It is confirmed in the
Vedas, yasmin eva vijïäte sarvam eva vijïätam bhavanti.
This means that simply by knowing Kåñëa all other knowledge is automatically acquired.
Kåñëa continued: "Transcendental knowledge of the Absolute is no longer necessary for you. You were accustomed to love Me from the very beginning of your lives." Knowledge of the Absolute Truth is specifically required for persons who want liberation from material existence. But one who has attained love for Kåñëa is already on the platform of liberation. As stated in the
anyone engaged in unalloyed devotional service is to be considered situated on the transcendental platform of liberation. The
were not actually feeling any pangs of material existence, but they were feeling the separation of Kåñëa. Kåñëa therefore said, "My dear
in order to increase your superexcellent love for Me, I have purposely separated Myself from you. I have done this so that you may be in constant meditation on Me."
are in the perfectional stage of meditation. The
are generally more fond of meditation than the execution of devotional service to the Lord, but they do not know that the perfectional stage of devotion is the attainment of the perfection of the
system. This constant meditation on Kåñëa by the
is confirmed in the
to be the topmost
Kåñëa knew very well the psychology of women. When a woman's beloved is away, she thinks of him meditatively, and He is present before her. Kåñëa wanted to teach through the behavior of the
One who is constantly in trance like the
surely attains the lotus feet of Kåñëa.
Lord Caitanya taught people in general the method of
which is the method of rendering service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the feeling of separation. The six Gosvämés also taught worship of Kåñëa in the feeling of the
in separation. The prayers of Çréniväsa Äcärya about the Gosvämés explain these matters very clearly. Çréniväsa Äcärya said that the Gosvämés were always absorbed in the ocean of transcendental feelings in the mood of the
When they lived in Våndävana they were searching for Kåñëa, crying, "Where is Kåñëa? Where are the
Where are You, Çrématé Rädhäräëé?" They never said, "We have now seen Rädhä and Kåñëa, and therefore our mission is fulfilled." Their mission remained always unfulfilled; they never met Rädhä and Kåñëa. At the time of the
dance, those
who could not join the
with Kåñëa gave up their bodies simply by thinking of Him. Absorption in Kåñëa consciousness by feeling separation is thus the quickest method for attainment of the lotus feet of Kåñëa. By the personal statement of Kåñëa, the
were convinced about the strength of feelings of separation. They were actually experiencing the supernatural method of Kåñëa worship and were much relieved and happy to understand it.
They began to speak as follows: "We have heard that King Kaàsa, who was always a source of trouble for the Yadu dynasty, has now been killed. This is good news for us. We hope, therefore, that the members of the Yadu dynasty are very happy in the association of Kåñëa, who can fulfill all the desires of His devotees. My dear Uddhava, kindly let us know whether Kåñëa sometimes thinks of us while in the midst of highly enlightened society girls in Mathurä. We know that the women and girls in Mathurä are not village women. They are enlightened and beautiful. Their bashful smiling glances and other feminine features must be very pleasing to Kåñëa. We know very well that Kåñëa is always fond of the behavior of beautiful women. It seems, therefore, that He has been entrapped by the women of Mathurä. My dear Uddhava, will you kindly let us know if Kåñëa sometimes remembers us while He is in the midst of other women?"
inquired: "Does He remember that night in the midst of
flowers and moonlight, when Våndävana became exceedingly beautiful? Kåñëa was dancing with us, and the atmosphere was surcharged with the sound of foot bells. We exchanged pleasing conversation then. Does He remember that particular night? We remember that night, and we feel separation. Separation from Kåñëa makes us agitated, as if there were fire in our bodies. He proposed to come back to Våndävana to extinguish the fire, just as a cloud appears in the sky to extinguish the forest fire by its downpour."
said, "Kåñëa has killed His enemy, and He has victoriously achieved the kingdom of Kaàsa. Maybe He is married with a king's daughter by this time and living very happily among His kinsmen and friends. Therefore, why should He come to this village of Våndävana?"
said, "Kåñëa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the husband of the goddess of fortune, and He is self-sufficient. He has no business either with us, the girls in the Våndävana forest, or with the city girls in Mathurä. He is the great Supersoul; He has nothing to do with any of us, either here or there."
said, "It is an unreasonable hope for us to expect Kåñëa to come back to Våndävana. We should try instead to be happy in disappointment. Even Piìgalä, the great prostitute, said that disappointment is the greatest pleasure. We all know these things, but it is very difficult for us to give up the expectation of Kåñëa's coming back again. Who can forget a solitary conversation with Kåñëa, on whose breast the goddess of fortune always remains, in spite of Kåñëa's not desiring her? My dear Uddhava, Våndävana is the land of rivers, forests and cows. Here the vibration of the flute is heard, and Kåñëa, along with His elder brother, Çré Balaräma, enjoyed the atmosphere in our company. Thus the environment of Våndävana is constantly reminding us of Kåñëa and Balaräma. The impression of His footprints is on the land of Våndävana, which is the residential place of the goddess of fortune, but such signs cannot help us to get Kåñëa."
further expressed that Våndävana was still full of all opulence and good fortune; there was no scarcity or want in Våndävana as far as material necessities were concerned, but in spite of such opulence they could not forget Kåñëa and Balaräma.
"We are constantly remembering various attractive features of beautiful Kåñëa, His walking, His smiling and His joking words. We have all become lost by the dealings of Kåñëa, and it is impossible for us to forget Him. We are always praying for Him, exclaiming, 'Dear Lord, dear husband of the goddess of fortune, dear Lord of Våndävana and deliverer of the distressed devotees! We are now fallen and merged into an ocean of distress. Please, therefore, come back again to Våndävana and deliver us from this pitiable condition.'"
Uddhava minutely studied the transcendental abnormal condition of the
in their separation from Kåñëa, and he thought it wise to repeat all the pastimes of Çré Kåñëa over and over again. Materialistic persons are always in a burning condition on account of the blazing fire of material miseries. The
also were burning in a transcendental blazing fire due to separation from Kåñëa. The blazing fire which was exasperating the
however, is different from the fire of the material world. The
constantly want the association of Kåñëa, whereas the materialistic person wants the advantage of material comforts.
It is stated by Viçvanätha Cakravarté �–häkur that Kåñëa saved the cowherd boys from the blazing forest fire within a second, while their eyes were closed. Similarly, Uddhava advised the
that they could be saved from the fire of separation by closing their eyes and meditating on the activities of Kåñëa from the very beginning of their association with Him. From the outside, the
could visualize all the pastimes of Kåñëa by hearing the descriptions of Uddhava, and from inside they could remember those pastimes. From the instruction of Uddhava, the
could understand that Kåñëa was not separate from them. As they were constantly thinking of Kåñëa, Kåñëa was also thinking of them constantly while at Mathurä.
Uddhava's messages and instructions saved the
from immediate death, and the
acknowledged the benediction from Uddhava. Uddhava practically acted as the preceptor spiritual master of the
and they in return they worshiped him as they would worship Kåñëa. It is recommended in authoritative scriptures that the spiritual master should be worshiped on the level of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, because of his being His very confidential servitor, and it is accepted by great authorities that the spiritual master is the external manifestation of Kåñëa. The
were relieved from their transcendental burning condition by realizing that Kåñëa was with them. Internally, they remembered His association within their hearts, and externally Uddhava helped them to appreciate Kåñëa by conclusive instructions.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is described in the scriptures as
which indicates that He is beyond the perception of all material senses. Although He is beyond the perception of material senses, He is present in everyone's heart. At the same time, He is present everywhere by His all-pervasive feature of Brahman. All three transcendental features of the Absolute Truth (
the Personality of Godhead,
the localized Supersoul, and the all-pervasive
) can be realized simply by studying the condition of the
in their meeting with Uddhava, as described by the
It is said by Çréniväsa Äcärya that the six Gosvämés were always merged in thoughts of the activities of the
Caitanya Mahäprabhu has also recommended the
method of worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as superexcellent. Çréla Çukadeva Gosvämé has also recommended that anyone who hears from the right source about the dealings of the
with Kåñëa and who follows the instructions will be elevated to the topmost position of devotional service and will be able to give up the lust of material enjoyment.
All the
were solaced by the instruction of Uddhava, and they requested him to stay in Våndävana for a few days more. Uddhava agreed to their proposal and stayed with them not only for a few days, but for a few months. He always kept them engaged in thinking of the transcendental message of Kåñëa and His pastimes, and the
were feeling as if they were experiencing direct association with Kåñëa. While Uddhava remained in Våndävana, the inhabitants enjoyed his association. As they discussed the activities of Kåñëa, the days passed just like moments. Våndävana's natural atmosphere, with the presence of the River Yamunä, its nice orchards of trees decorated with various fruits, Govardhana Hill, caves, blooming flowers--all combined to inspire Uddhava to narrate Kåñëa's pastimes. The inhabitants enjoyed Uddhava's association in the same way as they enjoyed the association of Kåñëa.
Uddhava was attracted by the attitude of the
because they were completely attached to Kåñëa, and Uddhava was inspired by the
anxiety for Kåñëa. He began to offer them his respectful obeisances and composed songs in praise of their transcendental qualities as follows: "Among all the living entities who have accepted the human form of life, the
are superexcellently successful in their mission. Their thought is thoroughly absorbed in the lotus feet of Kåñëa. Great sages and saintly persons are also trying to be absorbed in meditation upon the lotus feet of Kåñëa, who is Mukunda Himself, the giver of liberation, but the
having lovingly accepted the Lord, are automatically accustomed to this habit. They do not depend on any yogic practice. The conclusion is that one who has attained the
condition of life does not have to take birth as Lord Brahmä or be born in a
family or be initiated as a
Çré Uddhava confirmed the statement of
spoken by Lord Kåñëa; one who takes shelter of Him for the right purpose, be he a
or lower, will attain the highest goal of life. The
have set the standard of devotion for the whole world. By following in the footsteps of the
by constantly thinking of Kåñëa, one can attain the highest perfectional stage of spiritual life. The
were not born of any highly cultured family; they were born of cowherd men, and yet they developed the highest love of Kåñëa. For self-realization or God realization there is no need to take birth in a high family. The only thing needed is ecstatic development of love of God. In achieving perfection in Kåñëa consciousness, no other qualification is required than to be constantly engaged in the loving service of Kåñëa. Kåñëa is the supreme nectar, the reservoir of all pleasure. The effect of taking up Kåñëa consciousness is just like that of drinking nectar; with or without one's knowledge, it will act. The active principle of Kåñëa consciousness will manifest itself everywhere; it does not matter how and where one has taken his birth. Kåñëa will bestow His benediction upon anyone who takes to Kåñëa consciousness, without any doubt. The supreme benediction attained by the
in spite of their being born in the family of cowherd men was never attained even by the goddess of fortune herself, and certainly not by the denizens of heaven, though their bodily forms are like lotuses. The
are so fortunate that during
Kåñëa personally embraced them with His arms. Kåñëa kissed them face to face. Certainly it is not possible for any women in the three worlds to achieve this except the
Uddhava appreciated the exalted position of the
and wished to fall down and take the dust of their feet on his head. Yet he did not dare to ask the
to offer the dust from their feet; perhaps they would not be agreeable. He therefore desired to have his head smeared with the dust of the
feet without their knowledge. He desired to become only an insignificant clump of grass or herbs in the land of Våndävana.
were so much attracted to Kåñëa that when they heard the vibration of His flute, they instantly left their families, children, honor and feminine bashfulness and ran towards the place where Kåñëa was standing. They did not consider whether they were passing over the road or through the jungles. Imperceptibly, the dust of their feet was bestowed on small grasses and herbs of Våndävana. Not daring to place the dust of the
feet on his own head, Uddhava aspired to have a future birth in the position of a clump of grass and herbs. He would then be able to have the dust of the
Uddhava appreciated the extraordinary fortune of the
who relieved themselves of all kinds of material contamination by placing on their high, beautiful breasts the lotus feet of Kåñëa, which are not only worshiped by the goddess of fortune, but by such exalted demigods as Brahmä and Lord Çiva, and which are meditated on by great
within their hearts. Thus Uddhava desired to be able to constantly pray to be honored by the dust of the
lotus feet. The
chanting of the transcendental pastimes of Lord Kåñëa has become celebrated all over the three worlds.
After living in Våndävana for some days, Uddhava desired to go back to Kåñëa, and he begged permission to leave from Nanda Mahäräja and Yaçodä. He had a farewell meeting with the
and taking permission of them also, he mounted his chariot to start for Mathurä.
When Uddhava was about to leave, all the inhabitants of Våndävana, headed by Mahäräja Nanda and Yaçodä, came to bid him good-bye and presented him with various kinds of valuable goods secured in Våndävana. They expressed their feelings with tears in their eyes due to intense attachment for Kåñëa. All of them desired benediction from Uddhava. They desired always to remember the glorious activities of Kåñëa and wanted their minds to be always fixed upon His lotus feet, their words always engaged in glorifying Kåñëa, and their bodies always engaged in bowing down and constantly remembering Him. This prayer of the inhabitants of Våndävana is the superexcellent type of self-realization. The method is very simple: to fix the mind always on the lotus feet of Kåñëa, to talk always of Kåñëa without passing on to any other subject matter, and to engage the body in Kåñëa's service constantly. Specifically in this human form of life, one should engage his life, his resources, words and intelligence for the service of the Lord. Such kinds of activities only can elevate a human being to the highest level of perfection. This is the verdict of all authorities.
The inhabitants of Våndävana said: "By the will of the supreme authority and according to the results of our own work, we may take our birth anywhere. It doesn't matter where we are born, but our only prayer is that we may simply be engaged in Kåñëa consciousness." A pure devotee of Lord Kåñëa never desires to be promoted to the heavenly planets, or even to Vaikuëöha or Goloka Våndävana, because he has no desire for his own personal satisfaction. A pure devotee regards both heaven and hell to be on an equal level. Without Kåñëa, heaven is hell; and with Kåñëa, hell is heaven. When Uddhava had sufficiently honored the worship of the pure devotees of Våndävana, he returned to Mathurä and to his master, Kåñëa. After offering respects by bowing down before Lord Kåñëa and Balaräma, he began to describe the wonderful devotional life of the inhabitants of Våndävana. He presented all of the gifts given by the inhabitants of Våndävana to Vasudeva, the father of Kåñëa, and Ugrasena, the grandfather of Kåñëa.
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Forty-sixth Chapter of
"Delivery of the Message of Kåñëa to the
Join the Bhagavad-Gita Connect Newsletter
We Respect Your Privacy !
Purchase the Book
(1970 Edition, 2 Volumes, 400 pages each. Hard Cover, 70 color plates, 6"x9")
2 Volume Set(s) of Krsna Book


text:
Use Laravel.io with OnPay
Laravel.io & OnPay
Are you interested in a Laravel.io and OnPay integration? Let us know!
About Laravel.io
Laravel.io is a forum and community portal for developers who use the Laravel PHP framework
About OnPay
Simplify small business payroll, taxes, HR and benefits. OnPay's top-rated online payroll services bring it all together.


text:
The power of our communities lies in the ideals of our common humanity. To continue to live in separate villages whose cohesiveness is ephemeral at best, or in gated communities of homogeneity, will only enhance everyone's poverty.
Christ's teachings lay out for us a covenant of community based on our essential common identity as beloved children of God. In Christ there is no preference for any particular nation-state over another, as the definition of "neighbor" in the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates. So we must learn to answer the question "What, and to whom, are the obligations of the Christian citizen?"
When one accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, one swears allegiance to a non-political, non-economic and non-divisive essence. To claim God's particular blessing on any one nation based on its material or political success is not consistent with Christ's call to be in the world but not of it nor with his descriptions of the nature of the kingdom of God.
To me, this means that we have the task of transforming our systems and culture in ways that build the capacity for all of humanity to explore the fullness of their identity as children of God, with unique gifts and claims on their lives.
Falling victim to either the religious left or the religious right causes us to miss the centrality of the call of Christ to a covenant of community in which loving our neighbor as ourselves means being sure that no one class of people usurps economic, social, political or environmental resources at the expense of the dignity and interests of others, whether known or unknown.
The church as the body of Christ is the instrument that can absorb our differences and make us whole, if our faith allows us to see our interdependencies, not only as people to people, but as people to God's creation, the earth. Viewed in this way, the body of Christ has the potential to bind all, heal all, and require of us the courage to stand against oppression in all its sizes, forms, and agenda.
As challenging a concept as it may be to our established assumptions and comfort zones, we need to learn to seek surprising glimpses of the essence of Christ's way, truth and light in unexpected people and places and to expand our identification of where and what the kingdom is. It's the cry of the children of poverty worldwide that helps us to realize that God's call on us is to make sure that the village can be raised around the needs of those children "all God's children.
To do this, we may need to follow Christ's example of inverting our conceptions of importance, status and power. In the Beatitudes, Christ presents radical inversions of our assumptions about how God's blessings may be present in our lives and the lives of those around us. If we follow this revelatory way of thinking, we view the role of our elected officials, for example, quite differently.
At one of our Community Learning Centers recently, our U.S. senator's staff requested that the senator give a press conference announcing new housing legislation at the center, with our residents invited as well as the media. Rather than leap at this opportunity to use the senator to highlight what we are doing "for the poor," we agreed on the condition that the senator give half an hour of his time, without media present, to be interviewed by some of our children as a part of an international podcast community that they were developing in the computer lab. He graciously agreed, and we had an opportunity for our children to learn that their elected officials are approachable human beings like themselves, with challenges, frustrations and their own history.
One separation between the community of poverty and the institutions that should serve them was eroded, if not broken down. By not viewing our senator as too important to ask for this opportunity, or our children as not significant enough to deserve it, we strengthened the bonds within the body of Christ and the kingdom as a whole.
The gift of grace requires of us that we not attempt to grasp it and hoard it for an exclusive association called a church, a denomination, or even one faith. Christ asked us to extend the gift of his example and his life, given for our redemption, to all of God's precious family.
Carmen Porco is president and CEO of Public Housing, American Baptist Housing Ministries in Wisconsin. Reprinted with permission from The Christian Citizen, published by National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA.


text:
Yesterday we spoke about an Ivy League university, Princeton. Today it's one more from the group which is Columbia that offers free online courses also aimed with the purpose of contributing towards social development.
Apply for free online courses on Columbia University
Columbia University has several interesting free online courses on offer. These are offered as a series on various subjects:
In this set of courses, they offer Animation and CGI Motion, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Robotics. In a separate program, they offer Business Analytics where they cover Python, Marketing Analytics, and more.
Another segment that may be of interest to many of you would be Data Analytics where they cover data science, machine learning, and statistical thinking.
There are many other areas you may want to look at, including Women Have Always Worked, Corporate Finance, Data Science for Executives, and much more.
You shall find comprehensive information here. All opportunities of Youth Time Magazine you can find it here.
Photo: Shutterstock / Edited by: Martina Advaney
Read also:
Support us!
All your donations will be used to pay the magazine's journalists and to support the ongoing costs of maintaining the site.
Share this post
Interested in co-operating with us?
We are open to co-operation from writers and businesses alike. You can reach us on our email at email@example.comfirstname.lastname@example.com and we will get back to you as quick as we can.


text:
How Citizenship Made Our Family's American Dream Happen
During Welcoming Week, I am reflecting on the story of my immigrant father and the act of citizenship that made our family's American dream happen.
My father, Hyoju, was born on a rice farm in South Korea. At age 29, he won a college scholarship in the United States. So, with one suitcase and his life savings of $100, he landed at Sea-Tac in 1965 and was met by the Freeman family, who were friends of his English teacher in Seoul. I called the Freemans my "Seattle Grandma and Grandpa," because they informally adopted our family and helped us settle here.
The Freemans showed my dad the Space Needle, cooked him his first American food and then put him on a bus to Washington State University. But, my dad thought he was going to grad school in Washington, D.C. He had no idea there were two Washingtons—or that America was so big.
It was indeed big, but so were his aspirations. He would go on to get his Ph.D. in math and become a professor at WSU, guiding countless students along the way. I was born in Pullman and went to University of Washington.
One of the most important landmarks in my father's classic American journey occurred on May 1, 1981, when he became naturalized. My dad was proud on that day, when our family—dressed in our Sunday finery—attended his citizenship ceremony. This momentous decision not only greatly benefited him, but also made life better for our family. It also underscores the value of helping millions of legal residents like him do the same thing: become citizens.
There are nearly 9 million lawful permanent residents in America eligible for naturalization. They come here with the same dreams that my father had. But the naturalization process is daunting. It's also expensive: $680 per person, proposed to increase to $725 this year, a cost that adds up if a family seeks citizenship. And finally, many eligible immigrants simply don't know where to find help.
We're trying to change that. A group of foundations, including the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, and Carnegie and Grove foundations, have teamed up to create the New Americans Campaign, a national network of legal service providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, foundations and community leaders who help "green card" holders around the country attain citizenship. The goals of the Campaign are simple: It's making citizenship as easy as 1-2-3. The New Americans Campaign does that by promoting the benefits of citizenship and eliminating the barriers for naturalization, through fee waivers and free legal advice as well as weekend workshops.
In the past five years, the New Americans Campaign has completed 230,000 naturalization applications across 18 cities, with a new site in Seattle.
Securing citizenship for lawful permanent residents enjoys bipartisan support, because it represents the American dream. Those who take this important step tend to have higher incomes and own their own homes, not to mention the right to vote. My father has voted in every election since he became a citizen 35 years ago.
New citizens are not the only ones who gain advantages from increased naturalizations. We all benefit when our neighbors, and their children, are grounded in American values; citizenship does that. It's a rite of passage that unites us, that makes us all part of the rich American fabric.
That was the case for my father—who now goes by the name Joe. He is 79 now, but he remembers taking his oath like it was yesterday. That was his citizenship day, and I hope that for the millions like him, they get a chance to experience their own day, too.
For more information about the New Americans Campaign, go to: http://newamericanscampaign.org.


text:
2020-09-15 17:34:05
"Mass Voter Disenfranchisement": GOP Ramps Up Assault on Voting Rights Across U.S. Ahead of Election. Colonization Made California a Tinderbox: Why Indigenous Land Stewardship Would Help Combat Climate Fires. Pandemic Profiteering: Amazon Caught Price Gouging as Jeff Bezos's Wealth Soared to $200 Billion.
Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González.
Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world's most pressing issues.
On DN!, you'll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.
Missed an episode? Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.
#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change.
#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.
Sign up for Our Newsletter
Get updates about the policies and topics that matter the most to you. Progressive news directly to your email.


text:
"From 1999 to 2000 Enron's reported revenue went from $40.1 billion to $100.7 billion, a 151% increase."
"In our largest business we experience an enormous increase of 59% in physical energy deliveries."
"At a minimum, we see out market opportunities company-wide tripling over the next five years."
"Over the past five years wholesale Income has grown at a compounded average annual rate of 48 percent."
"The company's total return to shareholders was 89 percent in 2000, compared with a negative 9 percent returned by the S&P 500."
"Broadband's prospective global growth is huge - it should increase from just $17 billion today to $1.4 trillion within five years."
"In Volatile Markets, EVERYTHING CHANGES BUT US."
"Enron's ability to deliver is one constant in an increasingly complex and competitive world."
"In 2000 income before interest rose 72% to $2.3 billion."
"Earnings from commodity sales and services increased 160% in 2000 as compared to 1999."
"Net cash provided by operating activities increased $3.5 billion in 2000, primarily reflecting a receipt of cash associated with the assumption of a contractual obligation."
"Strong growth in both the United States and Europe will account for a projected sales increase of approximately 100% in 2001."
Signed by: Kenneth L. Lay & Jeffery K. Skilling
In 2001 Enron filed for bankruptcy after a series of legal proceedings regarding their accounting practices. Their stock price went from $79.88 at the beginning of the year to $0.60 at the end of the year.
Jeffrey Skilling (Enron's CEO) was sentenced to 24 years in prison and Kenneth Lay (Enron's Chairman) was scheduled to be sentenced in late 2006 but died on a vacation months before his sentencing.
Read more from Olympus Insights:


text:
I haven't felt like doing much of anything lately… not sure what's wrong with me. But last night we turned down all party invitations, and went to bed at 7:30. And now, today is New Years Day… we are super bored, broke, without food in the house, and nothing is open in town. And even if store WERE open, we're too busy paying off our debt and worshiping Dave Ramsey to enjoy our lives in the slightest. And so we sit, and play Wii bowling for hours, because it's the only game we have. And my feet are perpetually cold. AND I'm totally breaking out, like you wouldn't believe. I feel ugly. And without purpose.
In other news, yesterday was not ONLY the last day of the year, but it was also the last day of my job at the nursing home. It was a very bittersweet day of saying goodbye to my sweet adorable residents, and laughing in the faces of the horrible bitchy nurses that I've been forced to tolerate for close to 6 months. Since I gave my two week notice, I've gone back and forth, wondering if it's the right decision to leave. But in the end, I realize that my dislike for my coworkers has been making me very unhappy and unpleasant to be around. And, quite frankly, I'm getting tired of being tired at 6pm every evening because I have to wake up at 3:30am to be in Grinnell at 5:30. I know these are all unacceptable reasons to abandon my loving elderly friends… I almost feel like a parent, leaving my children. What will Francis do without me? I shall visit her.
On Monday, I start a new job working as a receptionist at McFarland Clinic in Marshalltown. No more early mornings or being forced to work weekends and holidays. And I can carpool with my loving husband. AND I'll still be working in the healthcare industry, which will hopefully still give me the sense that I'm 'helping' people. Maybe. We'll see. I'm kinda excited about it, and dreading it at the same time. Starting a new job is always intimidating… being the new girl, that doesn't know anything about anything, isn't in the 'inner circle' of friends around the workplace, etc. But I'm sure I'll pull through.


text:
SGA president-elect declines nomination, runner-up selected as new SGA president
The SGA president-elect announced he is stepping down two weeks after he was nominated to the position.
Junior Ben Bieri, who was elected to be next year's SGA president March 28, said he will decline the presidential nomination at tonight's SGA meeting.
"It's something that has been weighing on me since the election, and frankly it's something that I had been considering for a long time," Bieri said. "It's at the point where the responsible thing to do as a leader is to let someone else take the position."
Senators were notified of Bieri's decision today, April 14, in an email from senior Nick Bouffard, chair of the SGA Elections Committee.
"Today around 11:45 a.m. I received indication from Ben Bieri that he would decline the Presidential Nomination," the email stated. "He made it official over email at 4:00 p.m. today."
Sophomore Lana Al-Namee, who came in second place after Bieri, will take Bieri's place as next year's president, according to Bouffard's email.
According to the SGA constitution, if a winning candidate declines their position, the position goes to the runner up.
Al-Namee originally ran on a ticket with Junior Peter Lally as her vice president. On March 28, while Bieri was elected president, Lally was elected vice president.
Bieri's platform called for the creation of this Union of Students, which would replace SGA to better advocate for students against the administration, according to his platform.
The Union of Students senators ran on a platform that called for a "democratic coalition of students, dedicated to making UVM an open and safe environment for everyone," according to their Instagram account.
All 20 students that ran on the slate won, forming a majority in the senate.
"I'm really happy that regardless of who is furthering the conversation, that conversation is being held," Bieri said. "There are people in student leadership that really want change and I think what's important now is that those people step up and really work together and come together."
Bieri said he would be happy if there is a way he can still contribute to the cause he helped give a voice to.
After winning the election for president March 28, Bieri was immediately under fire for formerly posted tweets of his that began to circulate on social media.
In the days and weeks following Bieri's win, students expressed their unhappiness with the election results, he said.
A petition was created against Bieri, more than one student contacted the UVM Bias Team, and others condemned Bieri's tweets on social media or, according to Bieri, by contacting him directly, Bieri said.
Emma Pinezich is a senior Political Science and French double major from New York. She started working for the Cynic as an illustrator in her first year...


text:
Move the bod or just sit back and charge up your mood at the free Chicago Jazz Festiva, downtown Thursday, Sept 1 through Sunday, Sept 4.
The annual event is produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) with programming by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
Today, Sept 1 go to Preston Bradley Hall in the Chicago Cultural Center on Michigan Ave. between Randolph and Washington Streets then tonight, listen to jazz in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
During the day Sept 2, 3 and 4, head to the Harris Theater rooftop (enter on Randoph St.) or go over to the Von Freeman Pavilion (North Promenade). Then late afternoon and early evening meander over to the Pritzker Pavilion.
The Festival presents a variety of jazz styles by local, national and international talent. For performance and location schedule visit City of Chicago :: Chicago Jazz Festival
Note: outside alcohol not allowed but vendors will have driniks at the venues.
Go to an art fair in a suburb you may not have visited before or very often.
Fair on the Square, presented by the Deer Path Art League Sunday and Monday, Sept. 4-5, attracts local and nationally known artists.
Considered among the Chicago area's oldest art fairs, it is held downtown Lake Forest on the west side of the METRA tracks.
The art fair is also a chance to see the suburb's historic downtown which is listed among the country's earliest outdoor shopping malls. Look up at the Square's architecture to see some hidden niches and nooks.
For more information visit Deer Path Art League Fair on the Square.
Have a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend
Jodie Jacobs


text:
Where would we be without our cars? We depend on them to take us to work, school and on those famous road trips. They may be rusty and falling apart or brilliant, shiny and new, but regardless of their looks we love them. I bet we can all remember our very first one. It may not have been the safest or the prettiest, but is shouted independance and we couldn't wait to indulge in the freedom it brought us.
Cars have come a long way from the first model inventors made in the 1770's. These vehicles were loud, smelly and most people didn't trust them or even think it was a good idea. Coming from an era where most people had horses, the car would have been quite the change.
The first cars were powered by steam. This was done by having a fuel burning to heat water in a boiler. Once the water boiled it would make steam which expanded and pushed the pistons in the car. The pistons would then move the crankshaft which propelled the car. Even though it took 15 to 20 minutes for the car to heat up enough to make steam, these inventions were considered breakthrough technology. Even though some of these cars worked and some didn't, inventors kept trying and by the 1890's the steam-powered car was perfected and people began to use them on a daily basis.
Bonus Music Video – from the Book's Supplemental Pages:
Amazon Free Book Promotion Program. As part of their Kindle Book Promotion programs Amazon allows the publishers of Kindle books to have free promotions periodically directly through Amazon's store. This promotion is facilitated by Amazon and neither Amazon, the book author, nor the book publisher get sales revenue from these promotions. The Publisher and Author hope to generate reviews and discussions about books via this promotion system. See Amazon.com Direct Publishing and Free Book Promotions on Amazon.com for more details. We have access to the promotions from Twilight Publishing (http://twilightpublishing.com) and the Authors at the Children's book site: https://areadingplace.com A Reading Place and offer these dates with their permission. To get your book, you simply go to the Amazon sales page for the kindle book on the designated day, and make the purchase at $0.00 during the promotional hours (on the designated days). Promotions by A Reading Place, typically last between 1-3 days and they continuously vary. Usually there are between 1-7 books per week available in their program so watch back for more as we hope to publish all their book promotions here. There are 102 Children's Non-fiction Kindle books in the program, Collect them all. You may share posts with this information and share the dates (with Grandparents and Friends for example). Amazon and Kindle are trademarks of Amazon.com or its affiliates.


text:
This paper on biblical eldership was originally submitted for the ECC Pastoral Residency, an eighteen-month training program for men discerning a call to gospel ministry. It has been slightly modified for purposes of this blog.
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5-9)
The New Testament gives much instruction concerning not only the characteristics of genuine Christians, but of godly, Christian pastors. The underlying assumption with these texts is that the people of God are not to be leader-less, wandering about as they please, living out their faith only inwardly. Rather, they are to be led and taught by individuals who are both called by God and confirmed by the local church. Scripture tells us that the elder (i.e., pastor) is a man who is to be diligent toward his own holiness and one who, as an overseer of God's sheep, is deeply concerned and involved with the local flock. However, the character traits of biblical eldership outlined by the Apostles do not always align with the leadership traits prioritized in both the world and much of evangelicalism.
The Priority of Personal Holiness
The first thing Paul addresses in his portrait of biblical eldership is not what the elder's duties are or how he performs them, but rather the elder's own personal holiness. This theme of holiness and being "above reproach" can be traced through all the Bible's pastoral passages (1 Tim 3:2-4). This does not mean an elder must be "untouchable" or unwilling to be corrected, but that he should be blameless, like the true Shepherd. Of course, he will never be sinless, but he should "display an exemplary degree of Christlikeness, free from conspicuous sin" (Jeramie Rinne, Church Elders, 21). Not only must he not be "arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain" but he must not even associate with these traits. As the KJV translates 1 Thessalonians 5:22, he is to "abstain from all appearance of evil." He—like all Christians, though even more so—is to be "holy as [God is] holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Family Matters for Biblical Eldership
Along with pursuing personal holiness, an elder must be diligently involved in the life of his family. This continues a natural logic that is easily understandable: if a man cannot control himself and desires the wrong things, how might he be an example and promote the things that are rightly desirable? If he cannot love his wife and children, how could he love his flock? And if he cannot discipline, teach, and lead his children, how can he do the same for the people of God?
When it comes to what the world values in leadership , a man must not be as concerned with himself or his family as he is with what he can accomplish. It doesn't matter if his family is in shambles, if his children hate him, and his eyes linger away from his wife. It doesn't matter whether he respects his parents or whether he can control himself when anger and lust cloud his mind. If a leader can produce results, such is the evidence of his "strong" leadership. The elder appointed by God, however, is to keep himself in check, for what he does in his home and what he thinks to himself will determine how well he ministers to the blood-bought people of God.
Protecting the Flock
The third trait of the pastor is to protect the flock with his words, all of which are align with Scripture. This is seen in the ministerial task of giving instruction in sound doctrine and rebuking those straying from that sound doctrine (Titus 1:9-11). It was for this task that Paul left Titus in Crete (1:5) and Timothy in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). They were to "charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:4), to "teach what accords with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1), to "rebuke [false teachers] sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13), and so on. We can feel Paul's hatred for this sinful teaching that makes weak the faith of the Christian, which will "capture weak woman, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions" (2 Timothy 3:6). This false teaching is to be rooted out vigorously and replaced with the flowering truth of the Gospel.
Unfortunately, the task of protecting the flock by correcting false doctrine is not high on the priority list of many pastors in modern-day evangelicalism. Pastors are pleasant and amiable, speaking well and rarely offending anyone. They narrow the focus of the Gospel to make much of God's forgiveness, grace, and love towards us, while hardly explaining God's justice, the seriousness of sin, and our need forgiveness. All too often they teach that God's greatest desire for us is not our holiness, but our happiness, never bothering to expound on the necessity of progressive sanctification for true and lasting happiness. Or worse yet, pastors, for the sake of gaining a following (cf. 2 Tim 4:3), may commit themselves to openly dreadful heresies, which might draw a crowd, but will inevitably draw people away from the Gospel.
While not completely comprehensive, the portrait of biblical eldership painted in Scripture is absolutely sufficient. Instructions on budgeting decisions and fixing boilers aren't included, but what is included is enough to keep us busy. According to the Spirit-inspired apostle Paul, the elder must be a reliable man of good conduct who seeks after holiness. He must show genuine concern for both his family and flock, striving to make sure they both understand and obey the true riches of the Gospel. He must be humble, skillful in wielding the sword of Spirit (2 Timothy 2:15), and confident in confronting "unsound" doctrines contrary to the Word.
Of course, Scripture is clear that these traits are not to be unique to the pastor. We must all pursue the holiness of Christ, the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, and the growth of our brothers and sisters. But the elder especially must be able to point to his own life (much like Paul did), urging others to imitate him as he imitates Christ. As those aspiring to the office of elder, may we take our charge from Scripture and not from the models proposed by the sinful systems of this world.
Abram Newcomer serves as a member and pastoral resident of Elmira Christian Center. He graduated with a degree in Physics from Grove City College and currently works as a Development Engineer at Corning Inc. Abram and his wife Lydia are enjoying marriage, their activities most often including playing cards and reading Tolkien. He enjoys reading the classics, studying poetry, and listening to a rather strange spectrum of music, from the fugues of Bach to the "what-in-the-world"ness of Jacob Collier. He is commonly comforted by the masculine pastime of tea and chocolate, followed, of course, by going to bed at a reasonable hour. Don't call after 9pm.


text:
My Cart
Your cart is currently empty
Quick Overview
Secured and trusted checkout with
Electric Bain Marie
230V 1200W 340x540x(h)250
Gastronorm 1/1. Thermostat adjustable up to 85°C.
Stainless steel water container with smooth edges which make it easier to keep the container clean.
With on/off switch, indicator light.
Supplied without GN containers.
Suitable for gastronorm pans up to 150 mm deep.


text:
I'm recording vocal audio tracks, but I don't reach some pitches (like a C2) so i tried singing the parts one octave higher and using the transposition feature in the inspector (Shortcut: "i") setting it to -12. But it seems to be changing the duration of the audio file, but not the region, so when the region ends, the sound is cut abruptly.
Is there a way to fix this? Or any workaround?
If this is useful: I'm using Logic Pro X version 10.4.8


text:
Coming Soon!!! Individual Showings Begin After The Sunday November 27th Open House From 10:30am To 12:30pm. Gorgeously Updated 3 Bedroom 1.5 Bath Stucco And Vinyl Siding Duplex With 4 Finished Levels, Extensive Paver Hardscaping, Vinyl Privacy Fenced Rear Yard, Detached Garage And Updated Architectural Shingle Roof In Dundalk. Main Level Showcases Family Room With Luxury Vinyl Plank Floor, Storm Door Entry, Ceiling Fan And Arched Interior Doorways, Fabulous Updated Kitchen With Luxury Vinyl Plank Floor, Center Island, Breakfast Bar, Granite Countertop, Updated Stainless Steel Appliances, 5 Burner Gas Stove / Oven, Dishwasher, Built-In Microwave, Side By Side Refrigerator With Water And Ice Dispenser, Double Sink With Disposal, 42" Cabinets, Recessed Lights, And Pantry, Updated Powder Room With Luxury Vinyl Plank Floor, And Combination Living Room / Dining Room With Luxury Vinyl Plank Floor, Wood Burning Fireplace, Recessed Lights And Table Space.. All With 2 Storm Door Access To The Expansive 2 Tier Rear Paver Patio, Play Area And Rear Vinyl Privacy Fenced Yard. The Second Level Features 2 Ample Bedrooms With Updated Carpet, Updated Full Hall Bath With Ceramic Tile Floor And Tub Shower With Ceramic Tile Surround And Access To The 3rd Upper Level Offering Large Primary Bedroom Area With Updated Carpet And Vaulted Ceiling. Lower Level Provides Recreation Room With Luxury Vinyl Plank Floor, Laundry Room With Washer, Dryer, Utility Sink And Workshop, Storage Room With Built-In Shelving, Walk-Up Access To Rear Yard As Well As Updated Gas High Efficiency Hot Water Heater And Forced Air. A MUST SEE!!! 24 HOUR NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN FOR SHOWINGS. Be One Of The First To View This Property In Person At The Sunday November 27th Open House From 10:30am To 12:30pm!!!
Click the link below for a video walkthrough:
Click the link below for the full listing:
The Tony Migliaccio Team
of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Top 1% of Realtors in the Nation
Serving Maryland | Delaware | Pennsylvania
Open House
15 Admiral Blvd
Dundalk, MD 21222
United States


text:
You have no items in your cart
UpCircle Organic Face Serum with Coffee Oil 30ml is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Hydrating Face Serum for all skin types with jojoba, sea buckthorn and rosehip oils.
Use morning and night to help boost collagen and keep skin firm. Rich in Vitamin C, antioxidant-rich coffee and rosehip oils fade dark spots and scars whilst brightening the complexion.
Also excellent as a hair or beard oil - jojoba oil softens hair whilst rosehip keeps the skin beneath healthy and reduces irritation.
Apply after moisturiser - as this serum is 100% oil based, it works through occlusion, locking in the hydration provided by the moisturiser by forming a protective seal over your skin.
Sugar & Scoop recommends you reuse the packaging in store for beauty refills, like jojoba oil which is a natural moisturiser or make up remover.
Sign up for our mailing list for exclusive discounts, updates on new products and sustainable living tips.