Masala Bread Fry & Tomato Sauce.

Home made  sauce : Take 5 cups of sliced tomatoes, 1 piece cinnamon, 2 cloves,4 garlic, 5 pepper grains,some water & put in a pressure cooker. Heat,wait for 3 whistles.Remove cinnamon,cloves, pepper & garlic.Mix tomato well & add half cup sugar,1/4 spoon Kashmiri chilli powder & salt.Heat,stir well  for 15 minutes to make sauce.

Masala Bread Fry.Mix half cup gram flour,one spoon maida,half spoon chilly powder,one spoon garam masala & a pinch salt,make a paste & keep aside for 15 minutes.Slice bread into pieces,dip in this paste & fry.Serve with sauce.

Fort Kochi Beach.

Fort Kochi Beach lies on the southwestern tip of Kochi in Kerala, where the Arabian Sea meets a coastline steeped in colonial history.

 Its most iconic feature is the row of Chinese fishing nets, cantilevered contraptions believed to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan centuries ago, still operated by hand today. 

Unlike a typical swimming beach, it's more a place to wander- browsing nearby art galleries, sampling fresh seafood from stalls along the shore, and watching the sunset silhouette the fishing nets. 

The surrounding neighborhood, with its Portuguese, Dutch, and British-era buildings, churches, and narrow lanes, makes Fort Kochi feel like an open-air museum as much as a beach destination.

The Promise of the LORD.

"From the time I brought my people out of Egypt until now, I did not choose any city in the land of Israel as the place to build a temple where I would be worshipped, and I did not choose any one to lead my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place where I will be worshipped, and you, David, to rule my people."

2 CHRONICLES 6 : 5-6

These verses highlight God's sovereign choice:

God chose Jerusalem as the place where His name would dwell.

God chose David to lead Israel.

God reminds Israel that the Temple was not merely a human idea - it was connected with His purpose and covenant.

Solomon recognized that David had a special role in God's plan, even though Solomon himself was the one who built the Temple.

There is also an important theological point: God says, “I chose Jerusalem” and “I have chosen David.” 

This emphasizes that God's purposes often unfold through different generations -

David prepared the way, and Solomon carried out the work.

 You may also be a chosen one. God may have a plan for you.God's purposes are different. Wait for the Almighty's call. It may be a blessing.

King David to Solomon.

"Be confident and determined. Start the work and don't let  anything stop you.The LORD God, whom I serve, will be with you.He will not abandon you, but he will stay with you until you finish the work to be done on his Temple."

1 CHRONICLES  28 :20.

King David was encouraging his son Solomon as Solomon prepared to build the Temple of the Lord.

 David told him not to be afraid or discouraged, because God would be with him, help him, and remain faithful until the work was completed.

The verse gives a powerful principle for our lives:

Be strong - don't allow difficulties to weaken your faith.

Be courageous - step forward even when the task seems difficult.

Do the work - faith should be accompanied by action.

Do not be afraid or discouraged - obstacles do not mean that God has abandoned you.

God is with you - His presence is the greatest source of strength.

He will not fail or forsake you -God remains faithful through the whole journey, not merely at the beginning.

When God gives you a work to do, He does not merely ask you to begin it; He promises His presence and faithfulness as you continue toward its completion.

The Power of the LORD.

"The power of the LORD came on  Elisha, and he said, "This is what The LORD says: "Dig ditches all over this dry stream bed. Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water,and you,your cattle,and your pack-animals will have plenty to drink."

2 KINGS  3: 16-17

This happened when the armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were facing a serious shortage of water. 

They had gone into the wilderness and had no water for themselves or their animals.

Through the prophet Elisha, God gave an unexpected promise: water would come even though there would be no visible sign of rain or wind.

There is a wonderful lesson here:

God can provide where there seems to be no provision.

His work does not always require visible evidence beforehand.

What looks like a dry valley can become a place of abundance.

Faith means trusting God's word even before we see the answer.

Verse 18 adds something important: “This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD.” What seemed impossible to the people was not difficult for God.

For our lives: 

Sometimes we look at a situation and see only a dry valley. God may already be preparing the provision, even when there is no wind, no rain, and no visible indication of change. 

We can continue to trust Him and faithfully do what He asks.

Give Me The Wisdom I Need.

"Because you have asked for the wisdom to rule justly,instead of long life for yourself or riches or the death of your enemies,I will do what you have asked.I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again.

All your life you will have wealth and honour,more than that of any other king.

And if you obey me and keep my laws and commands,I will give you a long life."

Solomon woke up and realized that God had spoken to him in the dream.

1 KINGS 3 : 11 - 1

God’s Answer to Solomon.

These verses describe God's response to Solomon's prayer. 

Solomon had not asked for long life, riches, or victory over his enemies. Instead, he asked for wisdom and an understanding heart to govern God's people rightly.

God was pleased with his request and said, in essence:

Because you asked for wisdom, rather than selfish things, God would give him extraordinary wisdom and discernment.

He would also give Solomon what he had not asked for—riches and honour.

If Solomon walked faithfully with God, God promised to lengthen his days.

This passage shows the principle of putting God's purposes before personal desires.

Solomon asked for something that would help him serve others well, and God blessed him beyond what he requested.

It reminds us:

When our greatest desire is to honour God and faithfully fulfil the responsibility He has given us, we can trust Him with the things we need.

There is also a condition in verse 14: God's blessings were connected with Solomon's continued faithfulness and obedience. 

Wisdom itself was not enough; Solomon needed to walk in God's ways.

Prayer.

“Lord, give me an understanding heart, so that I may make wise decisions, serve others faithfully, and walk in Your ways. Help me to value what pleases You above worldly success.”

View from Malayattoor Hills.

Malayattoor Hills

Malayattoor Hills, located in Ernakulam district of Kerala, is a beautiful destination known for its lush green landscapes, peaceful surroundings, and spiritual significance. 

The hills are especially famous for the historic Malayattoor Church, situated on the hilltop and traditionally associated with St. Thomas the Apostle. 

Visitors climb the hill to reach the church while enjoying scenic views of the surrounding forests, valleys, and the Periyar River. 

The combination of natural beauty, devotion, and tranquillity makes Malayattoor Hills a special place to visit in Kerala.

The view from the hilltop takes in dense green forest sloping down toward the winding Periyar, with the surrounding countryside of small settlements and plantations spreading out below. 

The hill is part of the Western Ghats foothills, so the air stays cool and misty, especially in the early morning and during monsoon season, when clouds often drift below the summit itself. 

It's a popular pilgrimage and picnic destination, particularly around the annual feast in March, when large numbers of visitors climb the hill for the panorama as much as for the church.

   

From the summit, near St. Thomas Church, the land drops away into a sweeping carpet of forest and plantation greenery, with the Periyar River tracing a silver curve through the landscape below. 

On a clear day you can pick out scattered villages, patches of rubber and spice plantations, and the layered hills of the Western Ghats fading into the horizon. 

Mist often clings to the lower slopes in the early morning, giving the whole scene a soft, floating quality that burns off by mid-morning.

Best time to go.

Early morning: cooler temperatures, softer light, and mist in the valleys.

Monsoon season (June - September): lush, intensely green, though trails can be slippery.

March: the annual feast at St. Thomas Church draws large crowds - atmospheric, but expect company at the viewpoint.

Practical tips.

Wear proper walking shoes; parts of the ascent are steep and uneven.

Carry water, especially outside monsoon months.

Go early to beat both the heat and the crowds.

Combine the visit with a stop at the church itself, which has its own historical draw tied to the St. Thomas legend.