Chris Gnanakan

Ministering to persecuted Christians in Orissa and teaching CPE at the Baptist hospital I was asked questions on the purpose of pain. Suffering is a human experience we are ‘called’ to endure (Phil.1:29), the one language we all recognize. Yet our view of and reaction to pain makes a difference. It depends on how we perceive what is happening to us during suffering. Following Christ on the path of true discipleship is marked by constant struggle, conflict and trials. In all this, we need to discover pain’s meaning, God’s design and greater purposes. Normally we seek relief, a quick fix, some way out at any cost. A criterion I’ve found helpful to understand and undertake God’s purposes in and for my pain is to ask: Is this a rod, a thorn, or a cross? (more…)

Three events this past week inspired me to study the topic ‘Fatherhood’. Most churches last Sunday commemorated ‘Father’s Day’.  It was also my dad’s 83rd Birthday and I thought of the kind things he did for me growing up. Moreover, Dorothy after 2 weeks returns home and in her absence I’ve been re-examine my role as a responsible ‘father’ to Alethea and Charis

If one’s name or title is meant to reveal one’s nature, the Bible in referring to God as ‘Father’ teaches much about his character and ways. The OT contains about 7 references to God as father, the NT over 70 and Jesus in Matthew 6 alone refers over 7 times to God as our ‘heavenly father’. In reality, different people associate the title ‘father’ to diverse images, which can evoke either good or negative responses. All human fathers quickly realize our own failures, shortcomings, limitations and inadequacies to live up to the social ideals of fatherhood. Yet the concept of God as father can inspire and challenge us all when it comes to mutual care-giving in the Christian family & ministry (more…)