joyancejames

Author: joyanceshalomjames

  • The Delicate Ecosystem

    The Delicate Ecosystem

    Dear friends, allow me the pleasure to take you through this narrative, I’m sure there is a gem or two of life lessons for everyone.

    When we moved to Kolencherry, Kerala 2 months ago, little did I know that we’d have some unwarranted, omnipresent guests in our home – house lizards. When I grew up in Ahmedabad and later lived in Ludhiana, Punjab, lizards were few and not an eye sore.
    Now we’ve a couple or more in every bedroom and bathroom, every other day we come across baby lizards, which are like little cretins not differentiating between the walls and the floor.

    Shalom told me lizards are part of every malayali household, the invited guests to stay, the silent listeners to every conversation and the mute spectators to every dometic drama! But these unwelcome reptilian fiends got the better of me so I decided to find a solution. We got this organic gecko repellent from Amazon (not the rainforest), it said it doesn’t kill them but only makes them uncomfortable (hopefully in the same measure they do to us).
    Following the severe infestation protocol, I sprayed (read attacked) all their usual hideouts for two consecutive days. Surprisingly, it worked well and they disappeard. In a few days time, I noticed a rise in the bug (read insect) population in one of the bathrooms. It was then that I relalized that I wrecked a delicate ecosystem and these crawly fiends were actually crawly friends!

    So many times in our lives, our insistence to have things our way, at our pace lands us in murky waters. From our vantage point we can never see the greater picture or the grand design so in our best interest it would be wisest to wait on Him who ‘makes all things beautiful in His time’!

    Some day we will look back and realise that the unpleasant things we use to whine about were essential for our greater good.

    King Solomon has an advice for our insatiable urgency and impatience,
    “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all…”
    Proverbs 3:5-7 The Message

    https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.3.5-12.MSG

    Word to the wise from Backstreet Boys!! More than 2 decade old, still makes sense!

    Just like the ecosystem is self sustaining and doesn’t need our external help, sometimes the best thing is to be still and wait.

    God bless!

  • No, Mary did not know!

    Picture & Ceramic Credits – Jemy Philip @ https://www.instagram.com/withjoy_jemy?igsh=ZDE5ZHgxc21sY3hs

    Am I late for Christmas? The title sounds, like the curt – unexpected answer to the famous poetic song by Mark Lowry, ‘Mary did you know’. Indeed, Mary did not know, although the song puts these across as rhetorical questions that Mary may never answer. Just as it was with Mary, we may never know the full extent of the power and purpose as God fulfills His promises in our lives.

    He chose an unsuspecting, peasant Jewish girl to carry the One who carries us in His arm, to calm the baby who would calm the storms and calm our fears too. He chose her to play with the One who calls each star by name, to answer the calls and cries of the One who answers our prayers. How could she know what the future held for her, isn’t such knowledge too wonderful for human minds!

    Michael W Smith wrote in his famous song,
    “Nobody knew His secret ambition
    Nobody knew His claim to fame
    He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
    He tore the holy veil away
    Questioning those in powerful position
    Running to those who called His name
    But nobody knew His secret ambition
    Was to give His life away”
    Nobody knew, neither Mary nor His brothers, nor the disciples. None of them could even begin to fathom when He would expound from the scriptures the things that would come to pass. They just had to trust Him completely.

    Mary did not know what her future held, as she held the One who holds our future. Mary chose to keep things in her heart, things which were beyond comprehension. Let this be a call for us to keep things in our hearts, to trust where He leads, there He will provide. We may never have all the answers in this life, we were never meant to, the sheep only needs to follow, trust & obey.

    The 150-year-old hymn exhorts us thus,
    “Day by day, and with each passing moment,
    Strength I find to meet my trials here;
    Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
    I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
    He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
    Gives unto each day what He deems best,
    Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
    Mingling toil with peace and rest.”

    God bless you!

  • Stapes & Femur

    Although I’m a bone doctor, children’s bone doctor to be precise, I’m not qualified to treat all the 206 bones in the human body. Here I want to highlight the beauty and intricacy of the human body, hence the psalmist wrote, “I’m fearfully and wonderfully made”.

    Femur which is the largest and longest bone in the human body can be up to 48 cms long and can take upto 30 times the body weight. This in itself is an unparalleled engineering marvel. The orthopedic surgeons (such as I) commonly operate on this big bone.

    Stapes, the smallest bone which is stirrup shaped is inside the middle ear cavity (inside the skull). It’s just 2-3 mm in size and the ENT surgeons require either microscope or a magnifying loupe to operate on this small beauty. The stapes serves to relay the sound vibrations from the outside to be transmitted to the brain which in turn deciphers the sounds.

    The dichotomy between the largest and the smallest bones in the body in terms of structure and function is fascinating. While one can bear many times the weight of the body the other can vibrate discreetly to relay the sound signals to the brain.

    The God who made both the femur and the stapes is as much concerned about the minute and mundane as He is about the big things in our lives. Even the tiny and the inconspicuous details in our lives are woven into the grand picture of our lives. From our vantage point we may never fully comprehend the unraveling of divine plan and proposes for our lives. The Creator knows His creation best. It takes decades of learning to unravel even a fraction of what the good Lord made from dust.

    Psalms 139:13-14 NLT
    [13] You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.13-14.NLT

    God bless you!


    References
    1. openoregon.pressbooks.pub/bodyphysics/chapter/stress-and-strain-on-the-body/#footnote-843-2


    2. Àwengen, D. F.; Nishihara, S.; Kurokawa, H.; Goode, R. L. (April 1995). “Measurements of the stapes superstructure”. The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology. 104 (4 Pt 1): 311–6.

    3.www.researchgate.net/publication/333521311/figure/fig1/AS:764798413332480@1559353559479/The-three-auditory-ossicles-From-left-to-right-the-stapes-malleus-and-incus.jpg

    https://anatomy.app/encyclopedia/femur
    Left – Right: Malleus, incus and stapes (smallest) [Dissected specimen courtesy Dr Shalom Philip MD]

  • Called to Praise

    Sir Winston Churchill said, ‘The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’ If I may add, ‘the Christian sees the opportunity to praise in every difficulty.’

    In Psalms we find a perpetual exhortation to bless the Lord, to praise His name. King David and the other Psalmists constantly praise His Holy Name irrespective of their circumstances.
    Psalm 103:1-2 AMPC
    [1]  BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
    [2]  Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits–

    https://bible.com/bible/8/psa.103.1-2.AMPC

    Apostle Paul reiterated “praise-posture” to the New Testament Church.
    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
    [16] Always be joyful.
    [17] Never stop praying.
    [18] Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.16-18.NLT

    Praise is the love language of a grateful heart!
    Praise/worship doesn’t diminish the sting of the trials or failures that besiege us but it allows us to focus on the only unchanging and unshakeable hope in our lives, the sovereignty of our Father. He’s the Father who never changes nor does His love and faithfulness end.

    From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same let the name of Adonai be praised.

    God bless!

  • Legacy > Inheritance

    The words “inheritance” and “legacy” are synonymous and are used interchangeably yet they are poles apart in terms of their impact.

    Good inheritance equates to a comfortable life for the next generation.
    Legacy relates to the impact the next generation will have on the world around them.
    Inheritance is usually material.
    Legacy transcends the tangible.

    Inheritance impacts the family and children.
    Legacy outlasts familial boundaries.
    Inheritance is proportional to the vocation and hard work.
    Legacy is impacted by the life lived not just the work done.
    Time spent away from the family contributes to the inheritance.
    Precious time with the family and children shapes the legacy.

    The race to work the fingers to the bone and hustle culture will probably translate to an eventual huge inheritance (economically) .
    Memories and moments around the dinner-table, bed-time stories and family time and activities influence the legacy left.

    The castle constructed and bequeathed is the inheritance but if it’s not equally matched with an impactful life and legacy then the castle is just another decoration on the landscape.
    May our children be always assured that their applause matters more to us than the accolades that adorn our walls.
    May our legacy outlasts generations.

    ‭Matthew 6:19-21 NLT‬
    [19]  “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. [21] Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

    God bless you!

  • Because He Lives

    ‭Matthew 28:5-6 NLT‬
    [5] Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

    [6] He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.28.5-6.NLT

    Because He lives

       Death has been defeated

       Fear has been conquered

       Sin has no final say 

       The plans & the hordes of hell have been       vanquished

       The grave is not our final destination

       Heaven is our hope

       We can face tomorrow

       We can face uncertain days

       We are forgiven, made whole and made  Holy

       The creation will be untied with the Creator

    Because the grave is empty

       Our hearts need not be

       Joy comes in the morning

       The hope of glory permeates even the most hopeless days

       The Light of life is our beacon in the  darkest night

       Every Lazarus has a hope

       Every tragedy has a testimony potential 

       Our failures are not final

       The plans of hell will never prevail

       The plans of heaven will be be accomplished.

    God bless you, Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

  • Constant

    Times change, people change, relationships change, workplaces change but Jesus doesn’t. In a culture which normalises change and diversity Jesus is the only constant.

    Jesus our constant

    Jesus the only true constant assured us, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.”
    Luke 21:33 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.21.33.NLT.

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
    Hebrews 13:8 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.13.8.NLT.

    Many times in our lives when we find ourselves surrounded by the unknown, change in our circumstances and comfort zone unnerves us or makes us uncomfortable but He who is the author of our story isn’t surprised a bit.

    He is constant through the trial and in the triumph, constant in the sunshine and in the rain.
    Because He is constant, we need not be afraid of the storms
    Because He is constant, we are not alone in the valley
    Because He is constant, we’ve a hope for tomorrow
    Because He is constant, we’ve grace for today
    Because He is constant, we will not be limited by our yesterdays.

    He is the unchanging one and what He says (Word of God) is unchanging, so what He says about us will never change irrespective of the changes around and about us. Our hope is hinged on an unshakeable and unchanging anchor.

    Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!
    Romans 15:13 TPT
    https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.15.13.TPT.

    God bless you.

  • The promise of joy & peace

    The shepherds were minding their own business in the cool of the night when the angel announced to them, “don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
    Luke 2:10 NLT
    The birth of the Messiah and the Savior will cause joy for all people.
    “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
    Luke 2:14 NLT

    The angels announced joy and peace to them and to us today.
    Joy that is not circumstantial because it’s source isn’t earthly, peace that is not dependent on external calmness or serenity rather it depends on the presence of Jesus.

    This Christmas season may we find our joy and peace as we put our faith in Jesus.
    Let me pray this verse over you,
    “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
    Romans 15:13 NLT

    https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.NLT

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmmANTxqKRQ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

    Wishing a blessed Christmas and a Happy New year 2023 Joy & Peace and Faith. Joyance, Shalom and Charis-Faith.

    Joy + Peace + Faith

  • Temporality vs eternity

    The same rose 4 days apart.

    The temporality of beauty and life hits hard as I study this picture.

    “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
    Matthew 6:28‭-‬30 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.28-30.NLT

    We are obsessed with things which catch our eyes, we fuss over things which are here today but gone tomorrow. God cares enough for you so that you can be carefree about tomorrow. May our worries be shaped into prayers to the One who holds our future.

    As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
    1 Peter 1:24‭-‬25 NLT

    Let us make choices that outlast our lifetimes. The Bible compares our lives with the grass so transient that it vanishes without a mark, but the thing that remains forever is the word of the Lord. I pray that our lives and the choices that we make will be worthy of an eternity with Jesus.

    “Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
    Only what’s done for Christ will last.” – C T Stuff

    God bless you.

  • Favoured, loved and never alone

    World mental health day 2022

    May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
    2 Corinthians 13:14 NLT
    https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.13.14.NLT

    1. Grace = unmerited favour/ getting what we don’t deserve.
    Justice – getting what we deserve
    Mercy – not getting what we deserve
    Grace – not only being spared of what we deserve but getting better than what we deserve.
    It is through the Grace of Jesus Christ that His sacrifice on the cross makes us eligible for the love of the Father.

    2. Love. Let it be a reminder that we are loved by the Father by the virtue of being a child and being adopted into His family and not because we are inherently worthy.

    3. Fellowship. We are never alone, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, advocate and helper as promised by Jesus to His disciples before He ascended.

    Wherever you might be today, facing a trial or a triumph, in a valley or a mountain top, alone or surrounded by family/friends, remember that you are favoured, loved and surrounded by the Trinity.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cjh6GWODOZJ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

    God bless you.