Like Father, like father
Author: Sandy Samuel Jerome
We have been working on this book project for a couple of months and by God’s grace everything panned out in a way that was beyond what we could think or imagine. Like Father, like father is not only a tribute to my earthly father, Pastor V. M. Samuel but also a record of the legacy that he left behind. Growing up, I have seen my father show me a little bit of God every single day of his life. He not only introduced me to my Heavenly Father but also taught me to walk in His ways. The book starts off with a quick peek into his early life—how he was before he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. An aspiring politician, little did he know that he would live a life serving God and His people.
The following chapters go on to detail how he transitioned from a life of merely living out religion to forming a relationship with God. From his early days as a missionary to being a pioneer and visionary of Christian missions in South India, especially the state of Karnataka, his life has been a spiritual adventure. Throughout the book, one thing stands out—his “father-like” and “Father-like” nature.
All his life, he worked relentlessly in building God’s kingdom—a faithful servant, a humble missionary, and a Christ-like father, not just to his blood and flesh, but to the many he called his own. And this went on until the very end—the time in the hospital room.
It has been nothing short of an adventure, writing and getting it published. But God has been faithful to us through it all. I urge you to read it and be blessed.
The first 1000 copies will be out soon and we have started taking pre-orders. If you want an early copy, mail us at contact@elakoinonia.com. The book will be available at your local Christian bookstore and online platforms like Amazon, Kindle and Flipkart soon. Updates will be put up on our webpage as well as on Facebook.
Thank you for the storm – by The CarrFamily
Every month we share a song that has touched us and we have seen it impact many others. This month we look at a song by The Carr Family called ‘Thank you for the Storm’. It has just been such a blessing to me in order to help me shift my perspective and the lyrics are just so beautiful. If you are in a storm or passing through it or towards the beginning, I want to encourage you to hold on and stay strong. These storms shift your perspective. This song’s lyrics have helped me heal from the storms of my life and it gave me clarity on what God wants me to learn through it all.
Right from the first few lines, I have been nothing less than inspired:
It’s a blessing when I see
The dark clouds parting
When the rain is gone and
The sun is breaking through
I anticipate when life
Will just be normal
Just to close my weary eyes
And rest in you
My heart can rest so easy
When there’s blue skys
When the wind is gone
And rain is not in sight
How I long to
Hang my sword
Above the mantle
Away from harm
And distant from
The fight
But I wouldn’t know
Your peace
Without the hard times
Or be thankful
For relief
Without the pain
I wouldn’t love the light
If it were not for the darkness
Or appreciate the sun
Without the rain
How could I
Understand forgiveness
Without failure
Or feel the
Warmth of love
Without the bitter cold
How could I hold
Your healing hands
Without affliction
And be blessed to see
Your mercies all unfold
Sure it’s a blessing
To be safe, secure, and warm
But lord I want to
Thank you for the storm
If I didn’t go through seasons of trauma and struggle in my life, I wouldn’t know God’s peace. I wouldn’t be thankful for the relief. And I, never ever in my wildest dreams, thought I would come to a place where I could say ‘Thank You, Lord,’for the storm and I know that I am here right now. But by the help of the Holy Spirit, He has enabled me to have a godly perspective about storms. Although, I am not waiting for the next storm, I am so thankful that through the storms is when God does such a work in our lives. I echo these words of gratefulness. I love to be safe, secure and warm, but Lord, I thank you for this past storm, because it has built me and made me stronger. It has shown me more of Who You are. Isn’t that what we’re meant to do as Christians? to know who our God is?