3 Candles

?Guest Editorial

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE Mrs. Sapna Nanda

T

he hand that rocks the cradle, rules the World.

This statement made by a certain philosopher is true when we consider the immense responsibilities vested on a Woman. A woman's role as a wife, mother, sister, daughter is very important. Every human comes across a woman's influence at some point of life.

Therefore what imprint she leaves behind is very crucial.

Man, may have been bestowed with the power of authority to rule and subdue, where as woman has been given a special task too. The attitude problem of labeling women as 'weaker sex' will be changed if we look from God's perspective.

Yes, woman has been given the power to influence. She has the inborn qualities to influence people around her. The virtue of selfgiving, trustworthiness, dependability humility, walking upright, care and concern for others are some qualities that adds to the inner beauty of woman which in turns brings inner healing to

Founders Founders Chiradeep ChiradeepPatra Patra& &Asmita AsmitaPatra Patra Editor Editor Chiradeep ChiradeepPatra Patra Publisher Publisher The TheCandles Candles

others.

On the other hand greed, slanders, shortsightedness, groundless fears and depression are some big boulders that can weight us down. A woman who has risen above herself is always a woman of substance. Therefore it is all the more important to handle this power with care and wisdom. Wrong or negative influence can kill and destroy, but positive influence can built up character, families, Church and nation at large.

Queen Jezebel, the gentile wives of Solomon were a wrong and disastrous influence on their respective husbands, which paves way for their downfall. Where as, Ruth was possibly influenced by her mother-in-law Naomi, because of which she could make that bold declaration of faith in following the true, living God. It is up to us as women to discover our gift of influence and how we use it, either negatively or positively for the glory of God.

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&General Article

EVERLASTING PROMISES

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Ms. Anindita Dey

hat day he had proposed me. It was so simple and sweet. The world around me had suddenly brightened. I knew that he had always loved me. His words only had to seal it. Yes, it was sealed that day. It was sealed with promises unspoken, yet conveyed through those eyes. I believed that this person would be always there for me. But today I am all alone. The promising eyes had betrayed me.

The seal has been broken. Everything around me has darkened.

This is somebody's experience whom I know. How many of us are going through something like this? How many of us are the victims to such betrayals? Millions of youth today are now plunged into such emotional breakdowns. They are asking what has gone wrong? Why me? Are promises really made to be broken?

Dear friends, promises made, cannot be broken, because they are meant to be everlasting. You may wonder, then why did this person, who loved me, broke his promises? Because it was a promise made out of lust and out of love that is not sacrificial. Can't believe it?

The Bible tells us a story. There was a certain man named Amnon, a king's son. He fell in love with a woman named Tamar. It is written, that he loved her so much that he fell ill (Gen. 13:2). Didn't the special person in your life, was so much in love with you? Amnon was so much in love. But do you know what happened? He tricked her one-day and made her sleep with him, against her wishes. And then the Bible says he hated her more than he loved her before (Gen. 13:15). Amnon left her all alone and sad. He was so much in love, but in the end he left her alone.

Dear friends! Lust has worn the mask of false promises of love and devil uses this weapon of false promises, which destroys relationships, kills emotions and ruins lives. Wait upon the Lord your creator. He holds your future. He promises to lead you through every situation. Lets consider His promises: His Promises of Love: (i) “…He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…” (Deut. 7:9). (ii) “Give thanks to the God… His love endures forever” (Ps. 136:1-26). (iii) A reality, a fact “…not the we loved God, but He loved us…”(1John 4:10).

There are seven things the LORD Hates & Detests #Haughty eyes, #A lying tongue, #Hands that kill the innocent, #A heart that plots evil, #Feet that race to do wrong, #A false witness who pours out lies, #A person who sows discord among brothers.

(Cut off all these from your Life)

THE UNIQUE SACRIFICE Mr. Chiradeep Patra

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eople sacrifice to please their gods and goddesses. However, Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to save this world. But the question is, why Jesus had to sacrifice Himself to save the whole mankind? Was it necessary? Lets just consider the attributes of God. The Bible says, “God is Holy”(Lev. 11:44-45 & Jos. 24:19) and God's holiness says there is no relationship between holy and unholy. Secondly, it says “God is Righteous”(Ps. 11:7 & 145:17) and God's righteousness says there is no relationship between righteous and unrighteous. Thirdly, the Bible also says that “God is Just”(Ps. 9:16) and God's justice says there is no relationship between just and unjust.

Alas! Man has sinned against God and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom.3: 23) and he became unholy, unrighteous and unjust. All the above-mentioned attributes of God declare that man cannot come to the presence of God and has to be punished. And the punishment is “DEATH”(Rom.6: 23).

Hold on! There is still another attribute of God left. And that is, “God is LOVE”. And God's love says “I have created this man in my own image (Gen.1: 27), how can I punish him. I will save him from this eternal death. I will make him righteous, just and holy. I will give him eternal life”(John 3:16). And he can come to the presence of God. Therefore, Jesus became flesh (John 1:14) to take our punishment on Himself, to save us, to be a Emmanuel for us (Matt.1: 23) and to have fellowship with us forever and ever. On that cross, God executed all His attributes together not even abandoning one.

That is the uniqueness of our God's plan because He is UNIQUE, Jesus is UNIQUE and His sacrifice is UNIQUE.

LEGEND OF THE BAMBOO It is the tallest, strongest, tree in the bamboo forest. It was fully ten inches in diameter and was as nearly perfect as any that had ever grown in the forest. One day a man marked this bamboo tree. It would be singled out for special attention. However the next day another man cut it down close to the ground. It hurt its pride and wounded the feelings of the bamboo giant when It was laid low and its leaves were stripped off.

“O, well! May be I’m to become the main beam in the temple of the gods or in the palace of the emperor” it thought. It was difficult to un derstand why they came and bored the pith out of its long trunk. It hurts! It was more puzzled and greatly humbled when they hauled it and other bamboos to a big ditch, placed them end to-end, and covered them with dirt! How disappointing! Its giant size a nd beauty could no longer be Seen and admired. But it finally understood, for it was filled with cold water, pure clear water! It was to serve as a CHANNEL to bear the life -giving water from the mountain reservoir to the millions of thirsty people in the great city.

Am I willing to become a CHANNEL through which the Lord can work to help other?

Source: “Windows on the Word” by William A Smith

4Doctor’s Prescription

FRUITS IN DIET Dr. P. Sameera

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resh & dry fruits are the natural staple food of man. They contain substantial quantities of essential nutrients in rational proportion. They are excellent sources of minerals, vitamins & enzymes. Fruits are easily digested and produce a cleansing effect on the blood and the digestive tract. Fruits can successfully treat ailments caused by the intake of unnatural foods. Fresh and dry fruits are thus not only a good food but also good medicines.

Natural Benefits of Fruits: ü Fruits hydrate a person to great extent. ü Fruits act as diuretic and contribute to a salt free diet. ü Fruits alkalize the body fluids and keep the body free from toxic wastes. ü It helps recovery in sickness by giving quick energy and minerals. ü The fibers of fruits give laxative effect, hence prevent and cure constipation on a regular use. ü Vitamins, minerals, enzymes and trace elements of fruits are extremely beneficial in normalizing all body processes. Hence help in healing and cell regeneration. ü Fruits can delay aging.

Curative effects of fruits: Ø Regular use of the fruits will sharpen memory, prevents nervous exhaustion, mental tension, hysteria and insomnia. Ø Fruits help in blood building and nerve strengthening. Also good in liver ailments indigestion, rheumatism etc… Ø Fruits can be a positive remedy for the weakness of the brain. Ø It is also beneficial in fevers, catarrh, nasal and bronchial ailments.

A generous intake of fruits in the diet will enable a person to lead healthy life Fruits prevent all diseases and help a person to be smart, energetic and active all through life.

TIPS: vTake only one fruit at a time. v It is always better to take fruits with milk than with meals. v Diabetic & obese persons must avoid all sweet fruits.

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