Aloha!!

I am just back from Aloha Sunday in our Church.

Today the service had a Hawaiian theme, and most of the congregation came to Church in their Hawaiian best!!

It was very colorful today, with some of the congregation with their Hawaiian garlands!!
We even had a Hawaiian dance, as seen in the picture below, and we sang Hawaiian songs as well.





And the sermon today by Gerald Chinen was powerful too. And guess what story it was about - The Prodigal Son. You know, I must have read and heard this parable zillion times, but you know how God is, he manages to speak to us in the same old parables, in a different way.

Gerald spoke about relationships and how the prodigal son saw hope in his father when he was in need, about to eat with the pigs.

Though this does not apply to me completely, it was pretty useful, especially with all that's going in my life regarding relationships, especially as written in my previous post.

You know, each day, I'm amazed at how God wonderfully guides me.
I can never say this enough - OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!


Watch out for a special post here on my blog on August 18th regarding the next step in my life!!
I'll keep you in suspense till then!!

God Bless!!
Have a great Sunday!!

For the good of those who love Him.....

The last one week has been a little difficult for me, related to my relationship with people - both at work, and with my family members.

Looking back at my life, there have been many instances where I wondered where God was. And many more instances where I could feel God's guiding presence.

I spoke with my friend Iniyan in India, and he said, "Alex, pray that God will open doors that no man shall close, and God will close doors that no man shall open".

Going back to my statement where I wondered where God was, I realize that he was merely shutting doors that no man can open, and was still guiding me to the doors that HE opened for me.

I am reading Romans as part of my daily Bible reading, and the following passage really meant a lot to me this week:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28-39

I know that God loves me, and I also know that I love God, and I believe that God will do what is best for me - both at work, and in my family. Amen!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

This is a long post. Be warned!!



America declared its independence on 4th July, 1776.


This is only the second time in my life that I'm experiencing July 4th in America.
The first time I was here in 2004, I spent the evening with my friend Char, where she barbecued hot dogs for me, and we then went to a hill behind her home to see the fireworks.

Here we are, four years ago................





Ok, now to the present time - On 4th of July 2008, I went to Orinda, California, to take part in the 4th of July Parade, which happens to be its 25th Anniversary in Orinda.

The Church that I go to - LOPC, takes part in this parade and hold placards with the various activities of the Church




Here I am, telling the whole world that I'm still single (lol!!), and posing with a goat!! What was I thinking?!

Well, the Zimmermans from our Church, brought their goats to the parade.
They even made a sign that read "Even goats are welcome at LOPC"!!





Not only did we have goats in the parade, but we had a llama too - though not part of our Church group!!





And it is customary here in the US to throw candy to the bystanders. It was fun to watch the kids run and try to get as many candy as they could. Many of them were prepared with small bags to collect all the candy.





There was a huge turn out of people for the parade. I had great fun waving at people.





After the parade, I got home, and my house mate Cary asked me if I wanted to go with his family to a BBQ in the city - San Francisco. I accepted the invitation, and Cary, Nitzia, Braeden and I went to the city.....

Here's the city and the bay in the background..........




Argelis & Gary's neighbor Russell (in the picture with me) hosted the BBQ out on the street corner. It was fun to sit in chairs on the pavement, chat, and wave at the many cab drivers who slowed down to see what was going on here!!





Here's Gary, Argelis, Cary, Nitzia & baby boy Braeden....





Here's all the food.... We had some wonderful salads which I enjoyed (which might come as a surprise to those who know me and my liking for vegetables LOL!!), great sausages and hamburgers. We had lots to drink, but you know me, just some iced tea and juice for me!!





After the BBQ, we went to Argelis and Gary's home, and had some great time just talking, eating (this was dinner. BBQ was for lunch), and some dancing. Gary and I were the spectators. Here you see the couple dancing. I probably should have clicked a picture of Argelis, who danced the longest... Hmmmmmm. Maybe next time!!



Here's Cary and Nitzia on the dance floor!!




For those of you who have attempted to capture the fireworks on camera, you would appreciate the below picture!! It is not easy to click at the exact moment when the sky is lit up. This was in the San Francisco Bay!!



After we watched the fireworks, we dropped Gary and Argelis at their home and reached our home at about 11.30pm. Then I watched a movie till about 1.15am, and then spoke to my mom for another one hour, and by the time I crashed for the night, it was 2.30am - the longest I've stayed up in the US!!

And not to mention, I woke up today (July 5th) at 1.30pm, and wondered if I should have breakfast or lunch. Cary, my housemate teased me and asked "Alex, are you deciding to have top ramen for breakfast or top ramen for lunch?".

Well, what else could a bachelor who doesn't know cooking do? But I actually had some tea, banana, and some Creamy Chicken Soup that I made myself!!!
Well, I just had to cut the pouch, mix the contents in water, and boil it and eat!!

Thank you folks for patiently reading this long post!!