The Constitution

After FREEDOM, the Constitution came and defined our:

1. FORM - The word "Constitution" itself speaks of form and identity. The Constitution declared the nature, form, and identity of the nation. It answered questions like "What is this nation?" "What is its form?" "Who is its citizen?" "Who are the officials?"
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From the Wikipedia
In India, Republic Day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950.

The date of 26 January was chosen to honour the declaration of independence of 1930 at Lahore. The new Constitution of India, as drafted and approved by the Constituent Assembly of India, was mandated to take effect on January 26, 1950, to commemorate the 1930 declaration. On that day in 1950, India became a republic....

India achieved independence from British rule on 15 August 1947 following the Indian independence movement noted for largely peaceful nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by the Indian National Congress. The independence came through the Indian Independence Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo 6 c. 30), an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into the two new independent Dominions of the British Commonwealth (later Commonwealth of Nations): India and Pakistan.[2] India obtained its independence on 15 August 1947 as a constitutional monarchy with George VI as head of state and the Earl Mountbatten as governor-general. The country, though, did not yet have a permanent constitution; instead its laws were based on the modified colonial Government of India Act 1935. On 28 August 1947, the Drafting Committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution, with Dr.B. R. Ambedkar as chairman. While India's Independence Day celebrates its freedom from British Rule, the Republic Day celebrates the coming into force of its constitution.

A draft constitution was prepared by the committee and submitted to the Assembly on 4 November 1947. The Assembly met, in sessions open to public, for 166 days, spread over a period of 2 years, 11 months and 18 days before adopting the Constitution. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one each in Hindi and English) on 24 January 1950. Two days later, it came into effect throughout the nation.
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2. FUNCTION. The Constitution established the various functions of the State: of the governing officials as well as the citizens. As responsible citizens, we are called to abide by the rules of the Constitution of our nation.

Without the Constitution we were without a distinct form and function.

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BIBLICAL REFLECTIONS
Old Testament
The Israelites got FREEDOM from Egyptian slavery in Exodus 12; but it was only in Exodus 19 that they saw who they were as a Covenant People (Form) and what they were supposed to do (Function) - the Covenant Laws.

New TestamentThe Church also began with FREEDOM; but, Freedom is not an excuse for Lawlessness. We see a FORM emerge through the Book of Acts and the Epistles. The various FUNCTIONS of the members of the Body were pointed out. Commandments and observances were given.

The Republic Day reminds us of the importance of Constitution, first, within our own selves. Law-abiding begins within us. Law-abiding is the sign of a healthy soul; in which every element within our self is in its proper place and fulfills its proper role. If the Law is written in the book of our hearts, then Justice and Liberty will be innate to us.

Welcome Speech - Commencement Exercise (Graduation) 2012

HONORABLE PRESIDENT, Matron, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Board of FPCGI, Board of PCG Itarsi, Dear Pastors, Guests, Colleagues, Delegates and all Friends.

I count it a privilege once again this year to stand and welcome you to another Commencement Service of Central India Theological Seminary. The goal of education is the acquisition and discovery of truth. Jesus declared to Pilate His mission as being a witness to the truth. Of course, Pilate was not in a position to accept such a position as worthwhile; for brute force and wisdom are two different worlds. History is witness to the fact that brute force has often tried to silence the voice of wisdom; while the purpose of wisdom has always been to introduce order into a world full of chaos. The word is supposed to calm the storms. Man lost that power when he fell from truth and disobeyed God’s word. But, the Word of God Himself incarnated as man and men marveled that even the winds and the storms obeyed His word. They obeyed, not just because He is God, but because the Wisdom and Truth of God has its finality in Him in bodily form.

Truth is a difficult word in the modern context of things. The world is a dark habitation of skepticism, doubt, suspicion, mistrust, and fear. We aren’t even often able to trust each other within the very Body of Christ. Falsehood is a deeply rooted problem. But, God has not willed it so. Jesus said that we must have salt among ourselves. We are called the children of light and called to walk in the light. We are called to stand out and hold out God’s word among a crooked and perverse generation. God expects us to drop our masks and behold Him with an open face, in the liberty of the Spirit. He wants us to look into the Law of Liberty and be transformed thereby.

Towards this end, we strive in our Seminary to guide and lead our learners to the discovery of truth. We have also extended our borders to embrace learners beyond the four walls of seminary, and we have done that by means of our distance education department and theological publications.... A clear understanding of God’s truth liberates God to move in greater proportions in our life. We can only walk in the light. And, so we are grateful to you all this morning for joining us in this cause of the Kingdom. We thank you for being a part and parcel of this vision of excellency in Christian education. And, we appreciate that you have come here to share in the joy of our fruits. This graduation marks the completion of a term in education for the graduating class. But, certainly they know it that the learning goes on.

Most Welcome and May God Bless You ALL!

16 November 2012, Central India.

Truth and Transformational Christian Education

Excerpt from Welcome Speech, Graduation Exercise, 2012

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The goal of education is the acquisition and discovery of truth. Jesus declared to Pilate His mission as being a witness to the truth. Of course, Pilate was not in a position to accept such a position as worthwhile; for brute force and wisdom are two different worlds. History is witness to the fact that brute force has often tried to silence the voice of wisdom; while the purpose of wisdom has always been to introduce order into a world full of chaos. The word is supposed to calm the storms. Man lost that power when he fell from truth and disobeyed God’s word. But, the Word of God Himself incarnated as man and men marveled that even the winds and the storms obeyed His word. They obeyed, not just because He is God, but because the Wisdom and Truth of God has its finality in Him in bodily form.

Truth is a difficult word in the modern context of things. The world is a dark habitation of skepticism, doubt, suspicion, mistrust, and fear. We aren’t even often able to trust each other within the very Body of Christ. Falsehood is a deeply rooted problem. But, God has not willed it so. Jesus said that we must have salt among ourselves. We are called the children of light and called to walk in the light. We are called to stand out and hold out God’s word among a crooked and perverse generation. God expects us to drop our masks and behold Him with an open face, in the liberty of the Spirit. He wants us to look into the Law of Liberty and be transformed thereby.

....

August 15 Speech - School

Honorable Director, Respected Chief Guest, Principal, Teachers, and Dear Friends:

It gives me great honor to speak on the occasion of the 66th Independence Day Celebration of India.

As we know, our country went through various phases of foreign domination, finally falling subject to the British Crown, before we saw the Sun of Freedom rise over our nation. But we were never slaves to anyone. In our minds we were always a free spirit. Mahatma Gandhi said, "The moment the slave resolves that he will no longer be a slave, his fetters fall. Freedom and slavery are mental states."

Freedom begins within, first, then comes in action externally. The Austrian psychologist Viktor Frankl said, "Forces beyond control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation." This sense and life of freedom, subject only to the Law of God, to the Law of Justice, Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity, is the spring and fountain of Independence.

Today, we are faced with an even greater enemy that is far fiercer than all the foreign rulers of past history put together. This enemy, the monstrous beast bent on destroying us from inside, is the demon of CORRUPTION. We at School must fight it for we are the future of this nation. We are the ones who will become the officials, leaders, and politicians of the coming India. Let us resolve to keep that demon out of our cities, our villages, our families, and our lives. Let us pledge to keep our nation clean, pure, and free!

JAI HIND!

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

1st Prize Winning Speech by Anna Massey
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINAR
New Delhi 2011

THE LITERAL meaning of the term "empowerment" is to give authority or power to someone or to enable someone. Today the main concept of our youth meeting is "youth empowerment". By this we mean to give authority or power and enable the youth of the christian community. As it is written in 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity..." With this we must understand that by being a Christian we must set examples for others irrespective of our age. We must live our lives with love, faith and purity and set an example for others so that they might admire us. We must always obey and respect our father and mother as the Bible says in Exodus 20:12 "Honour your mother and father, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." and even in Proverbs 1:8,9 "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck..." Many quotes like this enable us to live a better life as a youth and even we can motivate others in our society to lead their lives in a more prosperous way. We must always keep in mind the Ten Commandments and lead our lives accordingly. As Christians we must empower ourselves:

by living a moral life
by making moral decisions
by considering JESUS as our moral guide

We must always love and trust our Lord and God Jesus Christ. There's one story called "CALL FROM THE ALMIGHTY". This story involves a pastor of a storefront church. The pastor's church is called the Almighty God Tabernacle. On a Saturday night long ago, this pastor was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00pm, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, but she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and didn't give it a second thought. The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the Church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said "It rang and rang but I didn't answer." The pastor then remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he intended to call his wife. The man said "That's OK. Let me tell you my story. You see I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night but before I did I prayed, "God if you're there and you don't want me to do this then give me a sign now." At that point my phone started to ring and I looked at the caller id and it said 'Almighty God'. I was too afraid to answer!!" Such miracles do happen and that too in real. By reading such stories individuals get empowered. Their faith in God grows and they live their lives in a much better way. At last I would like to recite a poem on IDEALS by Helen Steiner Rice which states that by following the ideals we shape our future and get empowered...

Remember that ideals
are like stars up in the sky
You can never really reach them
hanging from the heavens high...
But like the mighty mariner
who sailed the storm-tossed sea
and used the star to chart his course
with skill and certainty
You too can chart your course in life
with high ideals and love
For high ideals are like stars
that light the sky above...
You cannot ever reach them
but lift your heart up high
And your life will be as shining
as the stars up in the sky .....

© Anna Massey, 2011

Welcome Speech - Graduation Exercise

 

by Domenic Marbaniang
November 5, 2010

HONORABLE PRESIDENT,

Matron, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Guests, Colleagues, Delegates and all Friends.

We count it an immense privilege to have you all witness this holy convocation.

The globe has run another year’s course as we find ourselves under a canopy of white witnessing the commissioning of 35 young men and women. And while we anxiously wait for that with a longing, it feels, as our Respected Chancellor had said, it feels as if the remnant of oil is going to be poured out on these heads and the dream and purpose of the Seminary about to break into reality through what they are going to say and do from this time forth. The dream has been served, the dream must be lived, the dream that was birthed in the will of the Father, was anointed by the blood of His only Son, and baptized in the inundation of His Spirit of Grace.

But, let me snatch off a few minutes to refresh our minds with how this all began here at Itarsi. In 1962, the Late Dr. Kurien Thomas, affectionately remembered as appachan started Bharosa Bible College with simple trust. In his autobiography, God’s Trailblazer, he documented, and I quote:

“It was in 1962. The border war between India and China had just ended. I realized that the battle for the souls of India would continue until the last day. For this battle we needed young men, not foreigners, but young men of India to become soldiers in Christ’s Army – Men who were so filled with the power of God that they could stand in the Name of Jesus and defeat the spiritual powers… Young men, with a knowledge of God’s word, who would be able to lead this generation into the path of righteousness. So there was born in my heart a vision of a Bible School in Itarsi.

“I shared this vision with the local church and at once all the believers, having God’s witness in their own hearts, said “Amen”. And so in July 1962, we started. There was no Mission Board we could apply to for help. No bank account we could lean on. No fund from which we could meet the financial need. The only person we knew who would be interested to help us was Jesus Christ. We would have to walk from day-to-day trusting Him. The Bible School would have to run by Faith and so it was called “Bharosa Bible School”.

I wish I could read the whole story out, but let me just quote his testimony of the first seven students he had… “We had no special building to accommodate the students; so we housed them in the veranda of the church…protected from the weather by a thin wooden lattice. Through this lattice would come the heat in the summer, the cold in the winter and the rain in the monsoon. The mosquitoes entered at all seasons and seemed to thrive on the holy blood of the saints sleeping inside. The conditions were primitive, but I don’t recall many complaints from these young men who joined us in that first year. They had dedicated their lives to the service of the Master and were prepared to sacrifice their lives for Him, if need be.”

The principle, passion, and pursuit of this original vision still goes on. Bharosa Bible School later became Central India Bible College. Our President, Dr. Matthew Thomas received the baton from his father and extended the College into a Theological Seminary, as it is now known, incorporating into it the Anna Ladies Bible College (for women) and the Dr. Kurien Thomas Post-Graduate Study and Research Center (for higher theological training). Today we are affluent, affluent with books, buildings, and beds. Affluent with teachers, theologies, and greater possibilities. The M.Div. Hindi Distance Education Program was inaugurated this year with three students. This is another revolutionary move as we wish to take theological training beyond the campus. But, the original dream is intact. Scores of graduates have gone out into the great field of harvest. Many of them are present here under this tent. Many are not. This is certainly a holy convocation. But, 98% of the Indian peninsula is still barren. That is a small thing compared to the great mass of this globe still bereft of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The vision remains, the anointing moves on, broods over; and we still await the dawn when the Gospel will break through, into every dark corner of the world, with the words “Let there be light”. Until that happens, Central India Theological Seminary will relentlessly train laborers for the harvest.

I will leave the Course descriptions for those interested in the prospectus, you can check them there. Let me sum up by saying how grateful and blessed we are to have you all as part of this grand occasion. Thank you very much.

Welcome Speech: Graduation Ceremony 2009

Good morning everybody!

We have assembled here this morning for an august occasion; to witness and participate in a grand celebration of a few bright, strong, vigorous, and promising men and women who finished a course, a race, and a learning episode. To some of us, this is a magnificent spectacle; to a few, it is intensely personal; because the laborer who brings home his wages knows the value of what he got by his sweat; and the laborers here are many, the labors have been many, especially on the part of the learners, but also greatly on the part of the teachers, administrators, sponsors, and numerous others who gave this momentum its particular shape. So, isn’t this a significant academic juncture; especially when we see that this package of the conference has unfolded under its cover of prayers and passion with the deeply embedded motif of Encountering God? We’re having mind-opening revelations, heart-strengthening visitations, and spirit-enriching manifestations. From the early unveiling of our eyes to the morning through the time we invite our faculties to sleep in the night, we move and live and have our being in God. We are at a solemn and spiritual point; it’s the 45th Graduation Ceremony of Central India Theological Seminary; and I take this pleasure and privilege to welcome you all to witness the marvels of what God can do and has done with humble things within the Body of Christ. It is not just an academic celebration; it is a spiritual jubilation over the fact that another initial and preparatory training episode is over and that the Lord of the Harvest doesn’t fail to successfully recruit laborers for His harvest. Honorable Faculty, distinguished leaders, guests, students, and all friends, it gives me great pleasure to have you all at this commencement exercise this morning. May the Lord’s cup of blessing retain its overflowing flow over us this morning! God bless us all!

Independence Day Speech

Honorable Guests, Parents, dear students, and friends,

Today marks the 62nd year of our independence from foreign rule. The word "foreign rule" still haunts our memories; for we can't but accede that it was our own weakness that brought us under the domination of the utilitarian invaders, who came to this land just to make profit out of it. Still, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the Providence of God whereby He secured to us through these mercenary colonizers the modernization of the land. The Orientalists stirred the intellect of the nation see its own depth of grandeur, the Evangelicals awakened our conscience to humanist values and compassion, and we saw great movements birthed that justly and pacifically sought the emancipation of our great and noble nation. And, now as we celebrate another distinctive day of freedom, may this be our prayer that each passing day of this next year every little child of this nation will awake with a sense of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity: the values that defined our struggle for independence, and the dream that captured the passion of our freedom fighters. May we be ever more provoked to be the harbingers of righteousness, peace, and joy in this nation; so, that the words of the great poet who also wrote our anthem come to final reality:

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Jai Hind!