7. Deadline for article submission and Acknowledgement

"And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him." Mark 1:13 

          During the first forty days of lent, we remember Jesus who celebrated victory over temptations, in the wilderness. This reminds us of the temptations we go through in our daily life. Each wilderness experience that comes our way presents us with temptations, difficulties and struggles. Our faith, our values, our trust in God and what we believe, all will be tested in the wilderness of our experiences. Mark says that in the wilderness there were wild beasts with him and the angels ministered to him. In fact, our wilderness includes moments of struggle with the beasts within us as well as that comes from outside. Identifying the beasts and driving them out is one way of overcoming temptations. 
          Temptation is a very real part of life and especially challenging in wilderness times - those times of spiritual dryness, loneliness, despair, fear, disappointment, low self esteem and bitterness. In those moments, we are more susceptible to the power of temptation. But each temptation presents us with a corresponding challenge. 
          In the wilderness, the temptation is to stray from the values we hold dear; the challenge is to hold fast to them and live by them. In the wilderness, the temptation is to take short cuts, to avoid struggle, to find the easy way through; the challenge is to move through the struggle and take the hard way. In the wilderness, the temptation is to give up; the challenge is to persevere. Meeting challenges of wilderness each time creates character in us as well as helps us prepare for meeting challenges the next time.
           If we meet God daily before the wilderness temptations come our way, then we are more prepared for the challenges of the wilderness

 To be announced later.

March 5, Sunday will be celebrated as the Diocesan Sunday. Rev. T. K. John from Oklahoma Mar Thoma Church will be visiting our church on that day. Diocesan Sunday collection is the most important source of income of our diocese. Our parish share this year is $2700 including the day's offertory. All our members are encouraged to contribute generously towards this cause.

Prophetic Scripture.(Old Testament)

Subject.

Fulfilled.(New Testament)

Mat. 2:16-18