Badguer: images from Beirut's changing Armenian quarter (video)
Armenian Evangelical Worship Service back in the Mountainous El-Matn Region
The tiny chapel of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj (the village that comes after Bois de Bologne) was full to capacity on Sunday, 19th of July 2009. People had come from El-Mrouj itself and the surrounding villages to re-start the worship services, which used to be held during the pre-civil disturbances of 1975. Some members of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, Beirut, who live in El-Mrouj during summertime, saw the need of these worship services and a plan for the summer of 2009 was organized by their home church.
The worshippers, around 60 people, enjoyed the warm and joyful atmosphere, as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made after the service, around a modest reception.
The preacher, Rev. Hovhannes Svajian, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, had chosen an appropriate topic: the importance of worship. Hymns were accompanied on piano by Mrs. Houry Ghazarian (of Damascus, Syria), while the worship was led by Miss. Ani Baboghlanian of the Emmanuel Church.
So, the services are held on Sunday mornings, at 10:30a.m. and will continue till the end of September 2009, when those in the mountains for the summertime return to Beirut and their winter life.
A heartfelt word of thanks go to the Board of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj, who were more than ready to share their chapel and facilities with the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora.
V.
The worshippers, around 60 people, enjoyed the warm and joyful atmosphere, as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made after the service, around a modest reception.
The preacher, Rev. Hovhannes Svajian, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, had chosen an appropriate topic: the importance of worship. Hymns were accompanied on piano by Mrs. Houry Ghazarian (of Damascus, Syria), while the worship was led by Miss. Ani Baboghlanian of the Emmanuel Church.
So, the services are held on Sunday mornings, at 10:30a.m. and will continue till the end of September 2009, when those in the mountains for the summertime return to Beirut and their winter life.
A heartfelt word of thanks go to the Board of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj, who were more than ready to share their chapel and facilities with the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora.
V.
Interview with Rev. Krikor Youmoushakian About the Armenian Evangelical Church and the Armenian Community in Australia
- How is the condition of the Armenian Community in Australia in general and the Armenian Evangelical Church in specific?
- What is the history of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Sydney and its relationship with UAECNE despite the distance?
- What is the condition of the Armenian community, the Armenian youth and families?
- How do you evaluate the work of the various Armenian organizations?
- What are the difficulties that the Armenian community faces today?
- What is your opinion about our Chanitz blog?
You will listen to the answers to these question that Hagop raised with Rev. Krikor Youmoushakian. The interview is in Armenian.
CHANAGHPOUYR Team
AMAA interns serve, connect to their roots in Armenia
Paramus, N.J. - Nothing is more fulfilling than to witness young Armenian men and women travel to Armenia and work together.
Twenty-two such men and women from different areas of the United States did so this year through the AMAA Summer Internship Program. They volunteered their time and talent and went to Armenia to serve and renew their connection to their roots.
The program was organized by the AMAA Internship Committee, chaired by Vahram Aynilian, representing the AMAA Board. Months ahead of the scheduled trip the committeeworked hard to put in place a relevant program to benefit both the interns and the homeland. Announcement was made to the public through the churches and the AMAA News. Twenty-two youth ages 18 and above applied from Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
On June 28, the interns traveled to New Jersey and were treated for dinner by the Aynilians at their home in Alpine. The following day they spent a day at the AMAA Headquarters. They were introduced to the work carried on from AMAA Headquarters and were given an overview of the plan in Armenia: spend a few days in Yerevan for a crash course on Armenia's history, spiritual life in Armenia, and AMAA and its activities in Armenia and around the world. Then travel to Ijevan, a city in the north, to serve.
The group left for Armenia on June 30. They arrived in Yerevan and were housed at the newly renovated headquarters on Baghramian Street. Accommodations in Armenia were very modest, as some had to use their sleeping bags. The interns did not mind and were even more excited about the work.
They had paid for their own travel. AMAA was responsible for the accommodations.
In Yerevan, the interns had four lectures with speakers from Yerevan, Vanadzor, and the U.S.: Professor Kegham Hagopian, Armenia's history; Rev. Samuel Kirakosyan, Pastor of the Church in Vanadzor, spiritual life in Armenia; Rev. Rene Leonian, AMAA representative, on AMAA mission programs in Armenia; and Jeanmarie Papelian, Esq., AMAA vice president, AMAA general ministries and her experience with the AMAA as a young professional.
There was no time to waste. In the afternoons, the interns had an opportunity to visit major historical sites including Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Garni, Geghart, and Lake Sevan. Most touching was the visit to the Armenian Genocide memorial monument in Tzitzernakaberd, where the interns remembered the darkest side of human history – a million and a half of their ancestors deported and brutally massacred.
On Saturday, July 4, the interns visited Sheen-Shoghig Camp in Hankavan and had fun time with the 200 children at camp. They ate together, played together, took pictures, and forged a connection with their little brothers and sisters.
Saturday evening the group traveled to Ijevan, the destined area of service. The interns put their talents to work with one group involved in a church building renovation project and the others leading a vacation Bible school.
The Evangelical Church in Ijevan was organized in 1996. Worship was held in a small house. The pastor is Rev. Albert Paidian, who is an ordained minister and who also serves as the director of the Armenian Evangelical Christian Education Ministries in Armenia and Karabakh.
Five years ago, the AMAA purchased a movie theater to be used as the house of worship for the Evangelical Church in Ijevan. The building was old and needed much renovation. With a contribution from the Lucile Paul family of Fresno, Calif., the entrance and the lobby was renovated three years ago. The hall inside, however, needed much improvement.
The interns removed the huge movie screen, patched and painted the walls, and expanded the stage. On the second floor a large activity room was renovated. The walls were patched and painted and new lighting fixtures were installed. In seven days, working together for long hours, they were able to fulfill their task. The movie theater is now a church with a huge cross that the interns built and hung over the pulpit. [This makes a nice contrast with the Moscow Cinema in Yerevan, built over the razed remains of a church in Soviet times. –Ed.]
A group of interns traveled about half an hour each day to help lead a day camp for children in the village of Azadamoud. Azadamoud, near Ijevan, is only five kms from the border with Azerbaijan, and is an area that experienced direct bombing from the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war. Seventy children participated in the day camp program, with a full day of activities including Bible stories, singing, arts and crafts, sports, and other games. They were also provided lunch.
During their stay in Armenia, the interns participated in two Sunday worship services and two youth activities in Yerevan and Ijevan. AMAA field director Dikran Youmshakian, who was in charge of this program, preached on two Sundays. The interns participated with their songs and testimonies.
Along with the field director, the group had three other capable leaders – Raffi Kaldjian from Los Angeles, Vicken Keshishian from Philadelphia, and David Shahbazian from Kingston, N.Y. Raffi was in charge of supervising the interns; Vicken and David were in charge of the construction. The group worked together harmoniously, serving and interacting with the people in Ijevan.
The interns returned to Yerevan on July 12. They spent two more days in Yerevan before they returned to the United States. The departure was sad, but the excitement and the benefits of working together stayed with them. They served and learned much from their experience. They connected with Armenia and their heritage, they appreciated the hospitality of our people in Armenia, and most of all, shared the love of God. They now will share this unique experience with their friends and relatives, creating more enthusiasm about this program.
Paramus, N.J. - Nothing is more fulfilling than to witness young Armenian men and women travel to Armenia and work together.
Twenty-two such men and women from different areas of the United States did so this year through the AMAA Summer Internship Program. They volunteered their time and talent and went to Armenia to serve and renew their connection to their roots.
The program was organized by the AMAA Internship Committee, chaired by Vahram Aynilian, representing the AMAA Board. Months ahead of the scheduled trip the committeeworked hard to put in place a relevant program to benefit both the interns and the homeland. Announcement was made to the public through the churches and the AMAA News. Twenty-two youth ages 18 and above applied from Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
On June 28, the interns traveled to New Jersey and were treated for dinner by the Aynilians at their home in Alpine. The following day they spent a day at the AMAA Headquarters. They were introduced to the work carried on from AMAA Headquarters and were given an overview of the plan in Armenia: spend a few days in Yerevan for a crash course on Armenia's history, spiritual life in Armenia, and AMAA and its activities in Armenia and around the world. Then travel to Ijevan, a city in the north, to serve.
The group left for Armenia on June 30. They arrived in Yerevan and were housed at the newly renovated headquarters on Baghramian Street. Accommodations in Armenia were very modest, as some had to use their sleeping bags. The interns did not mind and were even more excited about the work.
They had paid for their own travel. AMAA was responsible for the accommodations.
In Yerevan, the interns had four lectures with speakers from Yerevan, Vanadzor, and the U.S.: Professor Kegham Hagopian, Armenia's history; Rev. Samuel Kirakosyan, Pastor of the Church in Vanadzor, spiritual life in Armenia; Rev. Rene Leonian, AMAA representative, on AMAA mission programs in Armenia; and Jeanmarie Papelian, Esq., AMAA vice president, AMAA general ministries and her experience with the AMAA as a young professional.
There was no time to waste. In the afternoons, the interns had an opportunity to visit major historical sites including Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Garni, Geghart, and Lake Sevan. Most touching was the visit to the Armenian Genocide memorial monument in Tzitzernakaberd, where the interns remembered the darkest side of human history – a million and a half of their ancestors deported and brutally massacred.
On Saturday, July 4, the interns visited Sheen-Shoghig Camp in Hankavan and had fun time with the 200 children at camp. They ate together, played together, took pictures, and forged a connection with their little brothers and sisters.
Saturday evening the group traveled to Ijevan, the destined area of service. The interns put their talents to work with one group involved in a church building renovation project and the others leading a vacation Bible school.
The Evangelical Church in Ijevan was organized in 1996. Worship was held in a small house. The pastor is Rev. Albert Paidian, who is an ordained minister and who also serves as the director of the Armenian Evangelical Christian Education Ministries in Armenia and Karabakh.
Five years ago, the AMAA purchased a movie theater to be used as the house of worship for the Evangelical Church in Ijevan. The building was old and needed much renovation. With a contribution from the Lucile Paul family of Fresno, Calif., the entrance and the lobby was renovated three years ago. The hall inside, however, needed much improvement.
The interns removed the huge movie screen, patched and painted the walls, and expanded the stage. On the second floor a large activity room was renovated. The walls were patched and painted and new lighting fixtures were installed. In seven days, working together for long hours, they were able to fulfill their task. The movie theater is now a church with a huge cross that the interns built and hung over the pulpit. [This makes a nice contrast with the Moscow Cinema in Yerevan, built over the razed remains of a church in Soviet times. –Ed.]
A group of interns traveled about half an hour each day to help lead a day camp for children in the village of Azadamoud. Azadamoud, near Ijevan, is only five kms from the border with Azerbaijan, and is an area that experienced direct bombing from the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war. Seventy children participated in the day camp program, with a full day of activities including Bible stories, singing, arts and crafts, sports, and other games. They were also provided lunch.
During their stay in Armenia, the interns participated in two Sunday worship services and two youth activities in Yerevan and Ijevan. AMAA field director Dikran Youmshakian, who was in charge of this program, preached on two Sundays. The interns participated with their songs and testimonies.
Along with the field director, the group had three other capable leaders – Raffi Kaldjian from Los Angeles, Vicken Keshishian from Philadelphia, and David Shahbazian from Kingston, N.Y. Raffi was in charge of supervising the interns; Vicken and David were in charge of the construction. The group worked together harmoniously, serving and interacting with the people in Ijevan.
The interns returned to Yerevan on July 12. They spent two more days in Yerevan before they returned to the United States. The departure was sad, but the excitement and the benefits of working together stayed with them. They served and learned much from their experience. They connected with Armenia and their heritage, they appreciated the hospitality of our people in Armenia, and most of all, shared the love of God. They now will share this unique experience with their friends and relatives, creating more enthusiasm about this program.
Source: The Armenian Reporter
Twenty-two such men and women from different areas of the United States did so this year through the AMAA Summer Internship Program. They volunteered their time and talent and went to Armenia to serve and renew their connection to their roots.
The program was organized by the AMAA Internship Committee, chaired by Vahram Aynilian, representing the AMAA Board. Months ahead of the scheduled trip the committeeworked hard to put in place a relevant program to benefit both the interns and the homeland. Announcement was made to the public through the churches and the AMAA News. Twenty-two youth ages 18 and above applied from Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
On June 28, the interns traveled to New Jersey and were treated for dinner by the Aynilians at their home in Alpine. The following day they spent a day at the AMAA Headquarters. They were introduced to the work carried on from AMAA Headquarters and were given an overview of the plan in Armenia: spend a few days in Yerevan for a crash course on Armenia's history, spiritual life in Armenia, and AMAA and its activities in Armenia and around the world. Then travel to Ijevan, a city in the north, to serve.
The group left for Armenia on June 30. They arrived in Yerevan and were housed at the newly renovated headquarters on Baghramian Street. Accommodations in Armenia were very modest, as some had to use their sleeping bags. The interns did not mind and were even more excited about the work.
They had paid for their own travel. AMAA was responsible for the accommodations.
In Yerevan, the interns had four lectures with speakers from Yerevan, Vanadzor, and the U.S.: Professor Kegham Hagopian, Armenia's history; Rev. Samuel Kirakosyan, Pastor of the Church in Vanadzor, spiritual life in Armenia; Rev. Rene Leonian, AMAA representative, on AMAA mission programs in Armenia; and Jeanmarie Papelian, Esq., AMAA vice president, AMAA general ministries and her experience with the AMAA as a young professional.
There was no time to waste. In the afternoons, the interns had an opportunity to visit major historical sites including Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Garni, Geghart, and Lake Sevan. Most touching was the visit to the Armenian Genocide memorial monument in Tzitzernakaberd, where the interns remembered the darkest side of human history – a million and a half of their ancestors deported and brutally massacred.
On Saturday, July 4, the interns visited Sheen-Shoghig Camp in Hankavan and had fun time with the 200 children at camp. They ate together, played together, took pictures, and forged a connection with their little brothers and sisters.
Saturday evening the group traveled to Ijevan, the destined area of service. The interns put their talents to work with one group involved in a church building renovation project and the others leading a vacation Bible school.
The Evangelical Church in Ijevan was organized in 1996. Worship was held in a small house. The pastor is Rev. Albert Paidian, who is an ordained minister and who also serves as the director of the Armenian Evangelical Christian Education Ministries in Armenia and Karabakh.
Five years ago, the AMAA purchased a movie theater to be used as the house of worship for the Evangelical Church in Ijevan. The building was old and needed much renovation. With a contribution from the Lucile Paul family of Fresno, Calif., the entrance and the lobby was renovated three years ago. The hall inside, however, needed much improvement.
The interns removed the huge movie screen, patched and painted the walls, and expanded the stage. On the second floor a large activity room was renovated. The walls were patched and painted and new lighting fixtures were installed. In seven days, working together for long hours, they were able to fulfill their task. The movie theater is now a church with a huge cross that the interns built and hung over the pulpit. [This makes a nice contrast with the Moscow Cinema in Yerevan, built over the razed remains of a church in Soviet times. –Ed.]
A group of interns traveled about half an hour each day to help lead a day camp for children in the village of Azadamoud. Azadamoud, near Ijevan, is only five kms from the border with Azerbaijan, and is an area that experienced direct bombing from the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war. Seventy children participated in the day camp program, with a full day of activities including Bible stories, singing, arts and crafts, sports, and other games. They were also provided lunch.
During their stay in Armenia, the interns participated in two Sunday worship services and two youth activities in Yerevan and Ijevan. AMAA field director Dikran Youmshakian, who was in charge of this program, preached on two Sundays. The interns participated with their songs and testimonies.
Along with the field director, the group had three other capable leaders – Raffi Kaldjian from Los Angeles, Vicken Keshishian from Philadelphia, and David Shahbazian from Kingston, N.Y. Raffi was in charge of supervising the interns; Vicken and David were in charge of the construction. The group worked together harmoniously, serving and interacting with the people in Ijevan.
The interns returned to Yerevan on July 12. They spent two more days in Yerevan before they returned to the United States. The departure was sad, but the excitement and the benefits of working together stayed with them. They served and learned much from their experience. They connected with Armenia and their heritage, they appreciated the hospitality of our people in Armenia, and most of all, shared the love of God. They now will share this unique experience with their friends and relatives, creating more enthusiasm about this program.
Paramus, N.J. - Nothing is more fulfilling than to witness young Armenian men and women travel to Armenia and work together.
Twenty-two such men and women from different areas of the United States did so this year through the AMAA Summer Internship Program. They volunteered their time and talent and went to Armenia to serve and renew their connection to their roots.
The program was organized by the AMAA Internship Committee, chaired by Vahram Aynilian, representing the AMAA Board. Months ahead of the scheduled trip the committeeworked hard to put in place a relevant program to benefit both the interns and the homeland. Announcement was made to the public through the churches and the AMAA News. Twenty-two youth ages 18 and above applied from Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
On June 28, the interns traveled to New Jersey and were treated for dinner by the Aynilians at their home in Alpine. The following day they spent a day at the AMAA Headquarters. They were introduced to the work carried on from AMAA Headquarters and were given an overview of the plan in Armenia: spend a few days in Yerevan for a crash course on Armenia's history, spiritual life in Armenia, and AMAA and its activities in Armenia and around the world. Then travel to Ijevan, a city in the north, to serve.
The group left for Armenia on June 30. They arrived in Yerevan and were housed at the newly renovated headquarters on Baghramian Street. Accommodations in Armenia were very modest, as some had to use their sleeping bags. The interns did not mind and were even more excited about the work.
They had paid for their own travel. AMAA was responsible for the accommodations.
In Yerevan, the interns had four lectures with speakers from Yerevan, Vanadzor, and the U.S.: Professor Kegham Hagopian, Armenia's history; Rev. Samuel Kirakosyan, Pastor of the Church in Vanadzor, spiritual life in Armenia; Rev. Rene Leonian, AMAA representative, on AMAA mission programs in Armenia; and Jeanmarie Papelian, Esq., AMAA vice president, AMAA general ministries and her experience with the AMAA as a young professional.
There was no time to waste. In the afternoons, the interns had an opportunity to visit major historical sites including Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Garni, Geghart, and Lake Sevan. Most touching was the visit to the Armenian Genocide memorial monument in Tzitzernakaberd, where the interns remembered the darkest side of human history – a million and a half of their ancestors deported and brutally massacred.
On Saturday, July 4, the interns visited Sheen-Shoghig Camp in Hankavan and had fun time with the 200 children at camp. They ate together, played together, took pictures, and forged a connection with their little brothers and sisters.
Saturday evening the group traveled to Ijevan, the destined area of service. The interns put their talents to work with one group involved in a church building renovation project and the others leading a vacation Bible school.
The Evangelical Church in Ijevan was organized in 1996. Worship was held in a small house. The pastor is Rev. Albert Paidian, who is an ordained minister and who also serves as the director of the Armenian Evangelical Christian Education Ministries in Armenia and Karabakh.
Five years ago, the AMAA purchased a movie theater to be used as the house of worship for the Evangelical Church in Ijevan. The building was old and needed much renovation. With a contribution from the Lucile Paul family of Fresno, Calif., the entrance and the lobby was renovated three years ago. The hall inside, however, needed much improvement.
The interns removed the huge movie screen, patched and painted the walls, and expanded the stage. On the second floor a large activity room was renovated. The walls were patched and painted and new lighting fixtures were installed. In seven days, working together for long hours, they were able to fulfill their task. The movie theater is now a church with a huge cross that the interns built and hung over the pulpit. [This makes a nice contrast with the Moscow Cinema in Yerevan, built over the razed remains of a church in Soviet times. –Ed.]
A group of interns traveled about half an hour each day to help lead a day camp for children in the village of Azadamoud. Azadamoud, near Ijevan, is only five kms from the border with Azerbaijan, and is an area that experienced direct bombing from the Azerbaijani side during the Karabakh war. Seventy children participated in the day camp program, with a full day of activities including Bible stories, singing, arts and crafts, sports, and other games. They were also provided lunch.
During their stay in Armenia, the interns participated in two Sunday worship services and two youth activities in Yerevan and Ijevan. AMAA field director Dikran Youmshakian, who was in charge of this program, preached on two Sundays. The interns participated with their songs and testimonies.
Along with the field director, the group had three other capable leaders – Raffi Kaldjian from Los Angeles, Vicken Keshishian from Philadelphia, and David Shahbazian from Kingston, N.Y. Raffi was in charge of supervising the interns; Vicken and David were in charge of the construction. The group worked together harmoniously, serving and interacting with the people in Ijevan.
The interns returned to Yerevan on July 12. They spent two more days in Yerevan before they returned to the United States. The departure was sad, but the excitement and the benefits of working together stayed with them. They served and learned much from their experience. They connected with Armenia and their heritage, they appreciated the hospitality of our people in Armenia, and most of all, shared the love of God. They now will share this unique experience with their friends and relatives, creating more enthusiasm about this program.
Source: The Armenian Reporter
Interns From USA Visit Emmanuel Chanitz Youth
On 1, July 2009, we had the privilege to have 3 guests from USA. The 3 guests were in Lebanon doing their internships in Bekaa region, another in Metn region, and one in Bourj Hammoud among the Armenians.
They shared about their lives and their experiences with God and encouraged the youth to stand firm in their path with God. They even joined the 2 groups for Bible Study, and also shared their views and experiences within the passage that we studied.
After the Bible Study, we went together and had a very nice cocktail and yummy fruits and juices.
They shared about their lives and their experiences with God and encouraged the youth to stand firm in their path with God. They even joined the 2 groups for Bible Study, and also shared their views and experiences within the passage that we studied.
After the Bible Study, we went together and had a very nice cocktail and yummy fruits and juices.
Are you a helper or a strainer?
In this video you can see clearly that the initial response is of ridiculing and labeling. Most of us, while watching, consciously or subconsciously, laughed at the crazy 1st guy. Comes in the 2nd guy, who actually starts dancing mockingly. But then this 3rd guy jumps in and he seems to be better off and is more into having fun and enjoying the idea of dancing in front of everyone. It is this 3rd guy, some social psychologists say, who turned the whole perspective around, from something which was ridiculous to a new trend, that excited many people, who wanted to be part of it, and jumped in.
Are you a helper or a strainer?
We need to admit that not many of us are like the 3rd guy. In the best cases, we're not better than the 2nd guy, being half-heartedly in.
Do you remember the meetings when you came up with a very nice idea, but found difficulty in getting initial support from the rest of your team members? Do you remember those times when you always got a negative response from that single same person, always negating and disagreeing with you, no matter how great an idea you have?
We do not have many "3rd guys" among us, and not many are found in the Bible. On the contrary, there were many naggers and difficult people. Job was troubled by his friends, Elijah ran away and hid himself, even Paul faced a lot of troubling people.
One person who was a great 3rd guy was Barnabas. This guy always amazed me. But, be careful, he was not the only one. Do you remember the couple Achilles and Priscilla? They are one of the greatest couples mentioned in the New Testament. They were supportive of Paul when he was in his worst troubles and they even took in Appollos, instead of bashing him out and telling him that his "ways" were false; on the contrary, they built him up and taught him further in the right path.
It's that spirit, and being fully aware, doing it fully for the sake of building the "other" person. Yet, be careful, people will sense you're a fake if you're doing it out of obligation. It's the spirit that Barnabas had, the couple had, Mother Teresa had, the Pope John Paul II had.
Nurturing that spirit is the challenge.
Raffi Chilingirian
The Camps are Approaching!
SUMMER CAMPS ARE HERE!!!!!!
- Kids's Camp, 3-10 August in Anjar, Lebanon
- Junior Youth Camp, 10-16 August in Anjar, Lebanon
- Youth Camp, 24-31 August in Kessab, Syria
- Ladies' Camp, 31 Aug till 7 Sept Kessab, Syria
Hzor Hayasdan-Հզօր Հայաստան (Video)
Nothing Can Be Avoided in Hell, by Shushan Artinian
Battling against the Forces of Evil
Negative energy, karma and positive thinking – these are the 21st century’s buzz words used by famous psychology gurus all over the world.The constant advice that psychologists impart on us today is to possess good karma, impede negative energy, and propagate positive thinking. Words like evil or sin have all but vanished from the books and lectures of our academicians and scientists to the extent that people now mock and belittle anyone who speaks of the presence of evil. The world claims that there is no such thing called evil – only the proliferation and retraction of negative energy. No sane person would believe in evil spirits insisting that these are fairytales that the media sells through children’s books.
I understand that one cannot have tangible proof about the reality of evil because evil has no physical form. So how can we be sure that we are not alone on this planet? I personally believe in the presence of evil – it is real and it lurks among us. However, I cannot fully explain evil because it is part of the unseen spiritual realm, while we humans belong to the physical realm.
So what exactly is evil? Socrates describes evil as merely ignorance, while Plato illustrates it as the absence of good. During the Bible study at the Emmanuel church youth gathering, a friend described evil as anything that hinders the work of God; another described it to be the source of laziness; and yet another friend considered any disagreement among believers as stemming from evil.
Now the Bible mentions that one of the gifts of the spirit is the gift of discernment which means that those who possess it have the ability to identify evil in a person or in a gathering or place. However, everyone is prone to advocating – consciously or unconsciously – the diabolical schemas of the forces of darkness. I believe that evil breathes hatred, murder, disagreements, wickedness and malice among people. But it works behind the scene; it never plays up from front. It’s because of its subtle maneuvers that people underestimate its role among us.
Paul announces in Ephesians 6:12 that we do not fight against flesh and blood but against the evil spirits against which we have been embarking on a spiritual warfare. Hence, we as believers in Christ should always be aware that our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the higher powers of this world, against the forces of evil. Therefore, we should all be on guard to not let evil gain a foothold among us.
From a personal point of view, I have felt the works of evil within the church itself. Unfortunately, we never realize that the evil works heavily among the community of believers to tear it apart. There is countless number of believers who have retreated from the church community and cut themselves off because somewhere we weren’t aware that many times we were perpetuating and advocating the works of the dark forces. I only ask God that He may give us the wisdom to accept our wrongdoings and the humility and power to rekindle the long lost fellowship with our forgotten brothers and sisters in Christ.
As a conclusion, I want to say this: Whenever we face fierce disagreements, hatred or divisions in our households, among friends, colleagues or within the church, we must be aware that evil is working among us trying to create havoc through and among us. Our duty as believers in Christ is to stand still, hold our ground and resist the forces of darkness at all cost.
ManoChil
