longtimeago

Of late, north korea has been popping up in news very often. When ever they show a picture or a video about north korea, it is a military troop pic. The country has invested and poured in so much in its military wing. On the other hand I understand that country has real economic and social problem. I heard that there are food problems in the country on one side and the country is pouring in money for military.I understand that North Korea has invested loads in its nuclear programme. Unfortunately the nuclear technology is not used for power generation or anything. The country has developed nuclear missiles. With those nuclear weapons, at present North Korea have given open threats to the United States of America that it will conduct a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the United States of America. I really wonder why North Korea is so much against the United States of America. I find no reason for the same. America by no-means has threatened North Korea in any form, still I dont know why North Korea is creating such international tensions. Of course now, Iran will join North Korea. Also for a very long period, North Korea is mad on South Korea. Is it because that North Korea does not have Samsung in its nation ? May be, not sure though. However, if things ease up and settle without any calamity, it is worth it.

A powerful earthquake which measured 8.3 magnitude hit Iran near its border with Pakistan. In recent past, an earthquake had struck Iran near its nuclear plant. The latest one which measured 8.3 magnitude is the largest one in Iran in the past 40 years.

After reading all the above proactive comments, I figured out something. If some one can figure out a MyCent Hack and make a post, then that post will have the maximum views, likes .. aww this is not facebook right .. and so on. For sure OpaQue might fix it and reward the one who made the post :-) So who is gonna make that interesting post ?

When the word Middle east is uttered, there is a possibility for the recipient of that word to get terrorized. But actually that is not the fact of today's middle east. Of late few countries in the middle east like Dubai, Qatar etc. have made significant progress in various fields which is not limited to Technology, real estate etc. These oil rich countries have started to invest in various sectors. Now, if you see - Some of the world's best hotels are located in Dubai. Let it be any Cine conference of event, people opt for Dubai to conduct the same. Coming to the other part of the reality. Israel - Palastine. Yes all you hear is BooM ! in your mind. Israel is the ONLY TRUE DEMOCRATIC country in the whole of Middle east. Israel is a Tiny Nation, but surronded by enemies. Israel's neighbours are Egypt, Syria, Palastine Authority, Jordan. Israel has long standing peace treaty with Egypt and Jordan. Recently the new Egyptian President Morsi said that he would reconsider the peace treaty with Israel. However till date that treaty is being upheld. Jordan upholds the peace treaty with Israel. However the other two border, the one near the Golan heights, that is syria and the Gaza/Palastinian Authority border is always crucial and it fills the mind with tension. There is always tension in the Israel Palastine border. There are rockets fired into Israel continuously from the Gaza strip. For a matter of fact, Gaza was under the control of the State of Israel few years back. But as a part of the peace treaty, Israel transferred control to the Palastinian autority. Till date (even today) as i type this post - A rocket was fired at Israel from Gaza which caused heavy damage to a house in Sderot. Recently israel conducted an operation - "Operation pillar of defense" where it uprooted terrorist from Gaza. However the international community misunderstands this as Israel's agression instead of believing that Israel has the right to defend itself. So this is the state at which the Middle east - in particular Israel-Palastine is.

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Today (20 March 2013) Obama made his first visit to the State of Israel. This is his first visit to Israel as a President. He was received by His Excellency. The Prime Minister of Israel - Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and by the President of Israel - Shimon Peres. Condition in the middle east is worsening day-by-day. Thousands killed in Syria, Iran's nuclear threat etc - Obama will be addressing these issues during his stay. He will be also visiting the Palastinian Authority during his stay.In a region of high-instability Israel is the only TRUE DEMOCRATIC Nation. Egypt tried implementing Democracy - but till date several internal cum political issues are face in the nation.Israel - Truly God's own country.

Chariots of Fire-The 1981 Oscar winning movie portrays the life of a Scottish athlete Eric Liddell. He represented his country at 1984 Summer Olympics at Paris. His life throws light to the people that whoever stands for Christ are never put into shame. He was practicing hard for his best event -100meters for Olympics. People were sure that he will win a gold medal for his country. But the heat for the 100 meters was on a Sunday. His Parents who were missionaries working in China had taught him that Sunday was the day of Lord. He withdrew from the heats as it was on Sunday. People considered him as a fool. They reminded him about his hard work, his dreams. They hurled insults at him. They reminded him that losing a gold medal would be a loss for the country. As the schedule for the event was put months before his decision to withdraw was made known in advance. But an athlete withdrew from 400 meters an event in which Eric used to shine before. He agreed to compete for 400 meters. It was about four times the distance he had practiced. But he never considered it as foolishness to run a 400 meters race because he trusted in Almighty, rather than his abilities or experience. Yes, he made a new Olympic record of 47.6seconds in 400 meters. He testified that on the day of the event an American Team masseur slipped a paper on which was written- He became a missionary and followed the path of his parents. He went to China and worked there. He died there in 1945 in a war camp. His life and his faith speak for him even today. Our values and principles that we stand for might be challenged. People might call us as fools. They will not find any meaning for the sacrifice and laugh at us. But 1 Peter 1:7says God might sometimes ask you to do things that sound illogical to us. We might not understand the purpose of it. Sometimes we feel like questioning God. In our story above of Eric Liddell, when he heard about the schedule could have questioned Almighty. He could ask God-Lord I have been serving you faithfully till now. You know that winning this 100 meters race is my dream. You know how hard I have toiled for it day and night. Then still why did you keep the heats on Sunday? You could have worked in the minds of those who were fixing the schedule and kept it on other days. He could have complained and even moved ahead saying God understands my dreams or would have consoled himself saying it is just one Sunday,I will never again sacrifice another Sunday.He could have given the heats on Sundays. Instead he trusted God. He did not give his own explanation. He stood in what he believed. Moreover, he considered the reward in heaven, bigger than all the accomplishments of the world. God honored him on earth itself. If he had won gold medal for 100 meters people would have accredited that to his hard-work. But now Almighty alone is glorified. Dear sometimes we might not understand how God works. We might only see a part a picture. But God in His all wisdom sees the full picture. He knows what is good for you. He knows what job you should take up and in what position you should work. . If you are a child of God take heart my friend, All things indeed work for your good. If you take a second and think, will any earthly father do anything that will bring harm to his kid. In the same way our Heavenly father only brings Life. But we do not obey our Heavenly Father as we want stuffs from Him, but we love Him. When we think about the sacrifice, the price he has paid to save us by giving His life, until there was no more blood in His body, that water oozed out when He was pierced, no sacrifice made by us will be worthy enough. Can we surrender our life to His hands once again and pray as Jesus taught us-Let your will be do earth as it is Heaven.? God is not looking for people who are smart but those who have a heart to respond His heart calling to become people after Gods own Heart. If you feel that you dont know God or He is no one related to you take a second and think. What if there is a Heaven and hell and there is life after death? My friend it will be too late at that time. Whatever is your sin however bad your life is today, however guilty you feel about it, Gods love for you is bigger than all those sins and guilt. Remember no one can go to Heaven by good deeds or not just hurting anyone or helping poor. All these are good but not a way to Heaven. Only way to heaven is Jesus. Jesus says-I am the way, the truth and the life. No one goes to the father but through me. This is not a preaching but Life. Life on earth is just like a sleep. You will wake up in the morning and find that all this life was just like a dream. You have an eternal life. Just ask Jesus to come into your life. Just say to Him- Lord, you came to this world to save me from my sin. I acknowledge that. Come into my life. Take control of my life. Wash me with your blood. Pray to Him to reveal Him to you. God sometimes speaks directly sometimes through nature, sometimes in prayer, sometimes through Bible, sometimes through people. Again He is asking you today-Will you surrender your life to me? I will turn your mess into a message A message that will spread Love and Fragrance? As someone has said-There is no Repentance in grave. Do it now.

In this life of ours we meet people who have different personalities. Some are people-person. They stand for the people rather than the requirements, while some consider that work should be done in spite of opposition and restriction hurled by people. But I have come across certain people who are popular and at the same time will easily accomplish the tasks assigned to him. My friend is an example of it. There is a charm around him. People around him are happy. He is a Project Manager of a reputed Indian software company and the people with him seems to be happy and they consider themselves privileged to work under him. They take extra time when a work is assigned by him. I was taken aback by the aura and energy of his. I was curious and enquired him about the secret of this so-called success. He gave a smile and replied-?When you want people to do something for you, they must feel that they are doing it for themselves.? He explained to me some valuable lessons of life that I can never forget. Never criticize anyone.Criticizicm never is like a boomerang. It always comes back. A simple example given by him. An employee was caught red-handed in a case of bribery. He never felt guilty about it but tried to portray an innocent figure in court. A terrorist was being tried in the court , being responsible for a bomb-blast in a city causing the death of 106 people. He was given a death sentence and when he stepped out he said-?I am innocent?. Criticism never helps to build a healthy atmosphere. Make the people realize the mistake but in a positive manner.Another lesson he taught me was how to control my temper. Steel is of no use when it has no temper. But when temper takes control, it becomes an ultimate source of weakness. He reminded me of the great lesson taught by Jesus Christ, not to let the sun to down on anger. If you feel that you have hurt someone do not be reluctant to go and ask for forgiveness. You might feel that you are right. But still go and mend the relation. This will hurt your pride and ego. Never bother about it. Keep on doing it. Each day each hour keep doing this. Ultimately your flesh will get tamed. It thinks twice before you get angry. It knows that once you become angry, you have to go and ask for forgiveness. This will in due time will prevent you from loosing temper.Lessons about argument. There is no winner in an argument. You cannot convince people by argument. After a hot argument, you might feel that you have won ; but in reality you have not. No one is ever convinced by an argument. When an argument arises people shut their mind. He reminded me the words of a great speaker-?The best way to win an argument is to avoid it?. Smile always. It is a sunshine and always opens the locked doors. People find it easy to interact with people who have a pleasant, smiling face. An instance swept into my mind. I was in a hurry and ordered ten scoops of ice-cream from a shop. The shop was crowded and girl behind the counter screamed and asked-?Do u realize how long it will take to take out ten scoops of ice-cream.? I was tempted to yell back and ask-Are you not paid for this? But I maintained my calm and replied-?O! It is one of those hectic days!!?She smiled and replied ??Yes, it is?. At the end she gave two extra scoops and was waving to me. Yes, the golden words- put yourselves in other person?s shoe and think why specific action was initiated . In this life of rat-race people with such values will stand apart and be looked upon with respect and dignity.Appreciate the people around. Learn to notice the small tasks done by them. Take time to understand it. Motivate and appreciate them whole-heartedly. According to a survey people do some tasks either for appreciation or sex. When recognition plays such a crucial part in a person?s life why do we fail to realize its importance? As food is necessary for the body so is recognition necessary for the overall development of a person. We have a feeling that when a person is appreciated it leads to the development of pride. But we are always ready to point fingers at the person?s fault.Complacency always leads to stagnancy. When feelings of achievements overtake us it sows the seeds of pride in our life. This ultimately develops roots and becomes a gigantic tree that drains away the morals and values of life. The life ultimately becomes barren thus not able to produce fruit for any. When feeling of sacrifice and love is sown A tree capable of sharing joy and peace is established.