I wanted to see how everything is going..
Hi dear friends, This post is all about you! I am just checking in with you – How are you? How is your life?
I look to comments and see how you are doing?
Do you need prayer?
Do you have a pet at home?
How is life with kids?
How is your new married life?How is your single life?
If you are in lockdown, how you are coping?
Ask any question.
I can’t wait to see your comments, say Hi, say something, I hear you… love to chat with you….
Your Friend Dariush
We continued Jonah’s story.
God said to Jonah: ” Go to Nineveh.”
Jonah went, ” The opposite direction.”
Have you ever felt you are going in the opposite direction in your life? Well, I felt, and I have been there.
It was the mushroom season in our small local town near the Caspian sea. The small village was near a vast Jungle. As a regular season, we went to pick the wild mushrooms. There were indeed delicious and nice-looking ones. Some were eye-catching ones. I was near to my family as I do not know where to go and which direction to take – If you had ever been to a vast unknown jungle, you know being close to those know the way how vital would be. Four of us- on the way to pick some mushrooms- and only one of us know the way. Suddenly my brother and I lost the two others. We were thinking of going the right way – but we were in the opposite direction of our homes. But thank God, after about 2-3 hours, the other locals found us lost and showed us the right way.
We are running away in the opposite directions! Whether we do it intentionally or unwillingly. We do it because we are living in a sinful world, and our natural response is whatever is not comfortable – ” I’ll ignore it” – or ” I know the way”. That was what we thought; when we had lost in the jungle, we felt we are going the right way – but oh, it was the opposite.
Jonah intentionally was going the opposite way. God said to him, go to Nineveh, the great city. But, It seemed Jonah was not ready to go there. Sometimes, God calls us; He passionately wants us to do that or do what he wants us to do, or go what he wants us to go. It may be because of circumstances and other excuses – we ignore to obey. The good news is here, still, God loves us, but we will learn to follow in a complicated way, and we go through a journey to learn those lessons like Jonah.
The ship he was going on to Spain – got in dire trouble, the storm/wind was hitting the boat hard, and nearly all the sailors lost their life because of a person named ” Jonah.” So, They kicked him out of the ship. But Jonah’s life never ended there- God needed to Jonah be in a quiet location where he can meet Him even inside of a giant whale.
I’m here to say to you, my friend, if the season you are in left you out, God will catch you up. He wants to have a quiet moment with you – that, there you will realise what it means to follow Him, What it means to obey Him – even you may not understand it.
Your opposite direction is not the end of the story, but it is a sign of lesson and love.
You might be going to Joppa like Jonah. But, it will be a time to go where God told you to go in the first place. He designs your destination. The journey might look scary – but He promised to be with you. Does God want you to go with him? Does he want you to be in a quiet moment? That is where Jonah found Who God is? Inside the belly of a whale. Where is our place?
In the next post, we found out How Jonah prayed and How things changed in favour of Jonah.
Written by
Dariush Youkhaneh
In the Bible, the Book of Ruth is one of those books that you can not miss its’ story. This fascinating book is like an elimination game. The country of Moab is the start of the story. Three men, three women, are kicking off the beginning of the book. There was a brutal famine in the land of Judah, which is part of today’s Israel country. A couple moved to the hill country of Moab and stayed there.
I don’t know about you, But personally, How hard it would be. I know moving to another territory, or even a country, is a life-changing decision. The husband’s name was Elimelech, and His wife name was Naomi. They just got married and happily moved from a city named Bethlehem to Moab. Life was good for them, and everything was smiling at them- and they decided to have two children’s name Mahlon means ” sickness”, and Kilion means ” destruction.” And, suddenly, Elimelech died. It seems, before born of children, their father died, as we can see from the meaning of their children names.
Naomi was devastated; her beloved husband left her alone in a foreign country- but only for the love of her two sons- She stayed alive to feed them to be with them and to love them. So, She did what she supposed to do as a mum and wife. Her sons grew up and found a job in the Moab. They got married, both of them, to Orpah and Ruth. And, Suddenly, their husbands died. The loving sons of Naomi left them again; her husband’s wound still was there, and then two other huge damages added to her suffering.
The dream of living happily in a new country was just a dream. Naomi wanted to see her grandchildren; Life was brutal to her and her family. The “sickness” and ” destruction” came and gone.
” While Naomi was in the country of Moab, she heard that the Lord had helped his people.” Ruth 1 : 6
She did not give up; she stayed strong in the eyes of the Lord. However, life did not show her a good sign of love and laughter. If you are in the country of Moab, Do not worry- the story will not end there. Can you hear the Lord helping his people? Can you?
” So Naomi decided to leave the hill country of Moab and go back home. Her daughters-in-law also chose to go with her ” Ruth 1 : 6b
I am saying there is a time to leave the country of Moab. Your suffering won’t stay forever. Your wounds will heal someday, do not stay – have a move; God will look after the rest. The home is not too far! Stay strong. You are going back home- where you belong. The end story is better.
” They left the place where they had been living and started walking back to the land of Judah.” Ruth 1: 7
God is with you; even you are Naomi today.
Written by Dariush Youkhaneh
Friend, Did this post bless you? Your warm comment encourages my heart. I am so glad you are here.
As a human, we need essential life items like water, food, shelter, and cloth. Sometimes the human’ needs go to the top of a roof. With a quick search, we see 1.6 billion homeless people scattered across the globe. They are wandering around with a permanent place called home, all because of their various circumstances. In this world of shaky, we need assurance, security, and protection.
Apart from our physical protection, we need spiritual protection too. God can provide both – As king David says :
” God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready to help up in the times of trouble.” ( Psalms 46:1 )
Are these ” times of trouble” means only spiritual needs? Or does it mean both physical and spiritual? For answering this question, of course, you need to see in what situation and circumstances King David was. We can apply this verse to our daily prayer and ask God to assist us with physical and spiritual needs.
If your trouble is in finance, ask God as He is always ready; If your concern is in health, ask Him to heal you as He is always there to help. If your problem is in a spiritual matter, ask Him to strengthen your faith.
So, our today’s troubles are an opportunity of being better in all aspects of our life. A strong person in the Lord face the trouble; walk up through it bravely. Our source of strength is not from the earthly source; instead, we look up for help.
Contemplate God’s strength on your life.
” God will command His angels to protect you wherever you go.” ( Psalms 91: 11)
In other words; In times of trouble, God will send his angels to protect you wherever you go. Your protection is guaranteed, and an angel is serving day and night to protect you from the enemy’s schema. You are protected.
Questions to ponder: In which area of your ” times of trouble” you need His protection? Do you believe God is your protection and source of strength?
Written by Dariush Youkhaneh
Friend, Your comment on this post will warm my heart. Would you care to share? If this post blessed you, let me know.
Should this be a time of glory and praise or just a time of frustration and nothing ?
As God do not fit in our time and place. But He is pretty well known as time-keeper who knows what’s the best time for us to be helped and rescued. We are living auch an unprecedented time , no one knows what tomorrows will bring ? But God knows , He knew the time of my born , the time of struggling of my passing my subject in school and such an embarrassing situation happened in workplace , or what that marriage brought such this and that result.
Although, the Time has never been our friend ! It will never be . The Time is flying without telling us ” Hey , I am running very fast” , you all agree with me in this. Jesus had such a short time to do the Fathers will. He knew the precious time , is important to keep !
How me and you , are aware of our times ? To be honest , I know my time is flying ! What can I do? Praise and keep praising.
Single like me ? Praise and keep praising. Married ? praise and keep praising.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
I believe in this. God’s plan is on time. In His favour and wisdom. I do not know the right timing , He knows. Let God look after our Times.
Much Love
Dariush Youkhaneh
Ruth Graham got a letter from her dad which is so much related to our today’s situation. Ruth brought this into her book called “ A legacy of faith, things I learned from my father, Billy Graham.”
” There are two little words that i have used time after time when i have faced problems, dilemmas, and even the devil. They are: ” Fear not.”
Someone has said that they are ” the divine hush for God’s children.”
All of us face problems in our lives when we need the divine hush. To Abram God said: ” Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”(Genesis 15: 1 ); and to Joshua:” Fear not, neither be thou dismayed” ( Joshua 8 : 1); and to Gideon: ” Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die”(Judges 6:23). How often we think we would rather be dead than to have to go through with our problems and difficulties, yet God promises, ” Fear not, thou shalt not die.”
Then again: ” Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them”(2 kings 6:16). Now the devil is going to try to get you down a thousand times. he is going to work every angle. He is an old and experienced hand at discouragement, despondency, and especially in trying to sidetrack young people. But remember: “They that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Remember Psalm 23 : 4 ” I will fear no evil for Thou art with me.”
Or remember Psalm 27:1 ” the Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall i fear?”
Or again the Psalmist said:” The Lord is at my side, I will not fear what man can do unto me.”…
Remember…Even while you are sleeping, He is at work on your problem.”
A legacy of faith, things I learned from my father, Billy Graham, by Ruth Graham. Page 52-54
Much Love
Dariush Youkhaneh
After a few glorious rain and flood in Sydney. Monday 10 Feb the rain suddenly stopped. It feels we have been all into Noha’s ship and a dove has been sent for a dry land, we suddenly saw the sign of it and we all happily😀 landed now.
I finished Heaven is for real by Todd Burpo and my review is available on Goodreads. Now i am on my third book , reading Confessions by Saint Augustine, oh it is a heavy readying , it seems I am not that fan of classic books.
” O Lord , Our God, under the covering of your wings we set our hope. Protect us and bear us up. It is you who will carry us; you will bear us up from our infancy until old age. When you are our firm support, then it is firm indeed. But when our support rests in our own strength, it is infirmity. Or good is life with you for ever, and because we turned away from that, we became twisted. Let us know return to you that we may not be overturned. Our good is life with you and suffers no deficiency; for you yourself are the good. We have no fear that there is no home to which we may return because we fell from it. During our absence our house suffers no ruin; it is your eternity. ” -Saint Augustine
When you read those lines you feel there is an honesty in the words , there is a sense of confession and turning to God. I enjoy reading book of confessions by Him , although it is a bit hard for me to be honest; but slowly i am getting into heart of Augustine. He is ruin because of his good friend passed away and because of that he moved to another city without telling his mother which was the closest person that time. Until now He is telling all the way he went and came back to God. I think , he did not have many friends. He was a clever man, looking for the right path of life, he found no eternity in maths and arts as he was in live with those things and so intelligent. If you are asking me , i think he was memorised bible verses line by line and he has eaten them all. He sticked and injected them all into his life story.
I remember my life, if God was not there for me, if he did not call me to do what i do now , I was a miserable worldly person with no defined purpose. When Jesus made himself real to me , I was not aware of that at all. I was daydreaming, But He; with his goodness grace rescued me and put on the rock. Before my first year school , I always wanted to see school’s door and this was my puzzled question from my mum: ” what does it look like?” ” I want to see school’s door” . When the time came in , when i arrived there; i said to myself :” this is the school’s door that everyone’s enter it?!! “. My curious mind did not know that ” this is it!” I guess i was naive whatever you wanna call it! But , Honestly; God was there. He went before me and prepared the whole school for my arrival. He was counting my tears on my cheeks , as He was looking into my eyes and saying ” Oh my little child, don’t cry “, I was speechless. He sent his angels to protect me , I was naive but He was artful. I wanted to know more , More about life and people around me. I was full excited about future and what the unknown holding for me. I wanted to climb the mountain to reach there as i was blown away with his stillness and as a child i was learning to be like Him.
I was looking for a better life. A better life ahead. In a small village next to caspian sea , I have not even discovered the town around me. I’ve been so happy where i was. enough joy within me but God had another plan and new direction for my life.
I’ll talk to you about this more..let’s take a cuppa tea and enjoy the reading moment.
Written By
Dariush Youkhaneh
As the new year ( 2020) fast approaching , I am preparing you to make some dreams , some resolutions , some passions to follow. I may still stuck in this year – unfinished dreams and wishes , unanswered prayers are the big question mark. But indeed i may did not get what i dreamed for but certainly i’ve got something else that i needed. I am trying draw a line between what i need and what i dream for.
The things what i dream for – i do not need them to have, but i declare they are good for the future fortune. My hands are short for the ahead event will happen but i can be protected by giving my time to God. Not any God, but whom created me and my dreams!
Oxford dictionary defines DREAM as:
It may 2020 wishes difficult to achieve but it is a dream. I need to form this state of mind which great things will happen. Of course i need the trust element and hope helmet to help me to overcome.
“When you leave off dreaming, the universe ceases to exist.”-Winston Churchill
Never underestimate the power of dreaming. What if God wants to bring to reality all my unknown dreams and wishes. How can i keep the dreams momentum on? I may find it difficult even to have one dream but one thing i know If God brought me this far He is going to finish it till end.
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps/dreams. ” I have my own dreams , my own plan but this is God who shape and form these dreams.
Three Promises of God for 2020 :
I am Truly Free in 2020 : So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 3: 36
God will fight for me in 2020 : The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14: 14
He gives me Power/Authority in 2020 : He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40 :29
Take this three promises and pray over your life and let see How he can do the things amazingly.
Written By
Dariush Youkhaneh
These days are very special for me. As I am praying for a company change from God. He did answer in the right time with his special way of answering. In our terms and conditions we may see the things good for us. But God has his own way , He has his own term which is perfectly , perfect for us. We make decision with the human fact and our logic won’t be enough compares to our heavenly God decision. We do make decision in the base of what is right or wrong. But God wrap it up with his grace and love, with a wisdom beyond our human mind.
Right in Sydney is raining now! A beautiful rain all we’ve been waiting for. We had a really dry seasons from last year. I am thanking God for this beautiful , peaceful rain. Love this moment specially my favourite cup of tea feels more cosy! I care about you, you are my friend even I do not know you, my vision is to reach you to inspire you, encourage you is my most priority task. You think , I am careless about myself , not at all. If I won’t be in good shape how can I inspire individuals. Inspiring you , it will inspire me. every word I say here will definitely is for me too. I’d like to make here like one-one-one session. Like two lovely friends talk to each other- but I hope you won’t be tired of listening to me.
Where ever you are right now. I pray for you that Love of God overflows in your life. Feelings comes and goes. Our moods will change but God will never change and He is always with you. All of us our needy people. some people more , some people less. What makes us special from others is we are the son of the most high who lives forever. This makes us proud but it is our responsibility to introduce this eternal life to others. Our personal growth is our responsibility more important then that our spiritual growth will help us to know the heart of God. I once was away from it. But slowly slowly by spending more time in prayer and the Word , God changed me inside.
There are a lot of things out there can steal that moment of stillness. Do not allow that to interrupt your intimacy with Father. From business to family. What ever it is . The moments I pray for my future career company – interviews – preparation . God revealed more himself to me and a soft lovely music whispered in my heart ” My grace is sufficient for you ” . I realized , I have the most important [thing] in my life , I am content. God was not stopping my dreams, He was reminding me that ” You HAVE ME , Means you have everything ” , all other things are temporarily and He will provide with a blink of eyes everything I need and I asked for. Have you thought twice in the below word?
” in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. ” [ Proverbs 3 : 6]
It was the matter of submission and being humble. Trust whatever he chooses for me will be beneficial for my life. Even the ways looks like narrow and impossible. My task was an act of obedience not less then that! It is like saying ” God I am blind ” you take my hand and lead me to the right path. The only thing I can do those moments offering my heart of gratitude to Him. Acknowledging Him is not a shame. It is an open-heart decision. In health and sickness. In prosperity and poverty. In gladness and grieves. The question is here am I willing to submit my ways to Him? Jesus submit His ways to Father. He is an example for us. Let us look after ‘ the garden of our ways ‘ and let Him do the trimming and smart in appearance inside and outside.
Written by Dariush Youkhaneh
Author of the Heads Held High / Check my books section
When I have decided to write I was a little boy who even have not finished the school yet. I have let the word comes and flow out and beautifully articulated the scenario. I even did not know what did it mean those words , I said it like a poem.
Today , After a few more life lessons , Still I am learning to be an inspirational writer like Saint John. He inspired me with his Gospel. St John truly illustrated the word of God nicely , I believe God choose those have soft heart to transfer His message to us. John as a young disciple of Jesus is a pattern for me. I am learning to have soft heart like John whom Jesus trusted to Him and said to John look after Mary ( Mother of Jesus).
All the evangelists, Matthew , Mark , Luke and John are inspirational one.
John the author of many books in new testament were anywhere with Jesus. Him and his brother James were following Him. He is one of the beloved disciple of Christ.
Depart of His testimony which very valuable for the Church. His writing are so unique and exceptional. His words are very fluent.
He says :
“And these things we write unto you, that your joy may be full.”[John 1 : 4 ]
A great inspirational writer not writing for his/her heart but from his/her heart to gives someone joy. John says I am going to complete your joy. If you have never read John’s books , I recommend you to read.
God is Light , and in Him is no darkness at all.[ John 1 : 5 ]
God is Love, and those who remain in love remain in God and God remains in them. [ John 1 : 16 ]
John as an example for me , teach me and you how we can inspire others around us even when there is no hope . When they crucified John’s teacher ( Jesus) , He was there and witness. Imagine that , they have been killing the purest man , the master of his life. John knew Jesus was not deserve to be crucified but as later on he realized he is fulfilling the promise although it was hard and harsh to believe. The real light of life was dying in front of Him. He could not write much about crucifixion , as only about one n half chapter talked about that. Because his man focus was the main picture- the real eternal life with Jesus. Later on , He Jesus completed his knowledge toward himself. Before he was so young but as he waked with him in journey. He has a better understanding why Son of God died on the cross.
Above words are a few things about St John. He is the one who see and tasted the love of God. All his writing is about Love and Love.
I want us keep encouraging each other, even you see the harsh things around. Keep up the good words up with the truth inside of you. You are rewarded from heaven. Smile someone today , do not matter what they think who you are because your secret Father knows you. Say a good word to your husband , wife , friend , workmate , father , mother … tell them how God love them , how much they are important in your life. Buy a flower do something .
Good Challenge
What is it most inspire you? Who would be that person? Tell to one person a good word.
Writing By Dariush Youkhaneh
