A Shortage of Sense

 The Land Where Common Sense Is in Short Supply

Two teams. One battlefield. A magical beast called AI. What happens when one side keeps bloating scrolls and the other keeps butchering them? Read on—this is not fiction, it’s today’s work culture dressed as a fable.

In the Land of Reports, two teams worked very hard to cancel each other out.

The Writers sat in the field, armed with AI, pouring out pages and pages of words. They believed the thicker the file, the smarter they looked. If a project needed 10 pages, they happily wrote 100. After all, more words meant more wisdom, right?

Then the Editors, sitting at their desks, got the swollen files. Their job? Chop, slice, and squeeze the 100 pages back into 10. They proudly called it “precision work,” though most of it was just cleaning up the mess the Writers had created in the first place.

And so, the Writers wasted time making too much, and the Editors wasted time cutting too much. Everyone clapped for their “hard work,” even though both sides were undoing each other’s effort.

One day, a common man asked:

“If the Writers can tell the AI to keep it short, why don’t they? And if the Editors are only fixing the language, why not just fix it and leave it? Why are we wasting time at both ends?”

Of course, nobody answered. The Writers went back to over-writing, the Editors went back to over-cutting, and the circus went on—proving that in the Land of Reports, common sense was the only thing in short supply.

 

For those who are too comfortable with AI, the story is retold here….Below

     The Tale of the Great Content Tug-of-War

Once upon a time, in the bustling Kingdom of Content, two guilds ruled the land: the Writers of Infinite Words and the Editors of Infinite Cuts.

The Writers had recently discovered a magical beast called AI. With a single click, they could summon 10,000 words before finishing their morning chai. They didn’t worry about focus or clarity—why bother, when the beast was happy to keep talking forever? Reports, research papers, field notes—each document was long enough to qualify as an encyclopedia entry, complete with side stories, footnotes, and philosophical detours.

Then came the Editors, the noble warriors with their swords of Precision and shields of Conciseness. They would look at the bloated scrolls from the Writers, sigh dramatically, and begin hacking. “Unnecessary! Repetition! Rambling!” They shouted as words fell like autumn leaves. By the end, what once was 30 pages of "context" became three neat paragraphs and a pie chart.

This cycle continued day and night: Writers overfed the beast, Editors starved the scrolls. Writers wept: “Our brilliance is butchered!” Editors fumed: “Our lives are wasted trimming fat!” The King of Content scratched his head and wondered aloud:

“Why don’t the Writers just ask the magical beast to be concise from the beginning? Or why don’t the Editors simply fix the language and leave the extra words alone? Must we really waste energy at both ends, pretending this tug-of-war is productivity?”

But of course, no one listened. The Writers continued to inflate, the Editors continued to deflate, and the Kingdom of Content lived happily ever after in the eternal game of Write Too Much vs. Cut Too Hard.

 “Two teams. One battlefield. A magical beast called AI. What happens when one side keeps bloating scrolls and the other keeps butchering them? Read on—this is not fiction, it’s today’s work culture dressed as a fable.”

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MISSING FROM THE PEW

Why Some Christian Youth Leave the Faith and Enter Interfaith Relationships: 

Root Causes and a Redemptive Response

Philipose Vaidyar 

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"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." – Hosea 4:6

The Concern

Across denominations—whether evangelical, Pentecostal, or episcopal—families are increasingly facing a painful and confusing reality: young people who were raised in Christian homes are walking away from the faith. Often, this takes the form of entering romantic or marital relationships with non-Christian partners—not just Muslims, but individuals from various other religions or belief systems.

One hears of a boy from an aristocratic Christian family who maintained a school friendship with a girl from a non-Christian background, eventually leading to a relationship despite clear incompatibility in faith and values. In another case, a young Christian man marries a non-believing partner from another religion, leaving his parents to face difficulties in maintaining fellowship with the church and navigating family tensions.

But more than boys, many girls from strong churchgoing and faith-filled families have run away from their hostels or homes, forming surprising relationships with boys from other religious backgrounds. Parents are left shocked, their hopes shattered, and their lives emotionally broken, struggling to understand where things went wrong.

These situations may look like personal or emotional choices, but they reflect deeper cracks in spiritual formation, relational mentoring, and leadership engagement within the church community. Whether driven by emotional vulnerability, social pressure, or a lack of grounding in biblical truth, the issue demands a thoughtful, pastoral, and community-wide response.

Understanding the Roots

·       Shallow faith foundations: Many children grow up with Christian rituals but without a deep relationship with Christ.

·       Poor mentoring: No safe, trusted young mentors to walk with them through doubts, relationships, or personal struggles.

·       Over-controlling environments: Fear-based parenting and church cultures often suppress honest conversations.

·       Neglect of inner formation: Churches emphasize behavior over belief, and performance over transformation.

·       Clericalism in leadership: Many clergy—be they presbyters, pastors, or bishops—assume they are the sole experts and solution-givers in the congregation, leaving no room for lay voices, professionals, or lived experience.

Solutions That Go Beyond the Pulpit

1. Train a Generation of Lay Mentors

We must identify spiritually mature young adults and model families to serve as relational mentors.

·       These people—not just pastors—should be equipped as friendly counselors, walking with youth and children in everyday life.

·       Start a Training of Trainers (TOT) model in the church, where laypeople are empowered to counsel, guide, and mentor based on Scripture, empathy, and lived experience.

·       These could include Christian counselors, youth workers, godly couples, or even professionals like teachers and social workers with a heart for mentoring.

2. Subtly Orient Children Early in Life

Start early, but not with fear-based messaging. Help children understand who they are in Christ and how to respond to life’s challenges with discernment.”.

·       Teach Christ-centered identity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.

·       Introduce conversations on boundaries, media influence, interfaith interactions, and personal value gently but firmly.

·       Use storytelling, testimony, and role models—not just sermons.

3. Addressing the Leadership Myth in Clergy-Driven Churches

In many episcopal or clergy-centered churches, there’s a silent assumption: “The bishop, presbyter, or pastor must have the answer to every issue.” This assumption is not just false—it’s dangerous.

Problems with this mindset:

·       It isolates the clergy, placing unrealistic pressure and often preventing them from acknowledging their own vulnerabilities.

·       It sidelines gifted laypeople who may have more real-life experience in counseling, family life, leadership, or youth mentoring.

·       It blocks the diversity of wisdom God has placed in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).

What needs to change:

·       Presbyters and pastors need to unlearn the myth that spiritual authority equals universal expertise.

·       Churches must intentionally invite mature lay voices to lead workshops, sessions, and mentoring programs.

·       Let model families, faithful couples, professionals, and trained youth take the stage alongside the clergy in retreats, seminars, and discipleship forums.

The cassock doesn’t make one immune to blind spots. God’s wisdom is not limited to the pulpit.

A Call to Rebuild the Church Family

Let’s stop treating the Church as a performance stage and rebuild it as a discipling family. We need:

·       Intentional mentoring models rooted in trust, Scripture, and accountability.

·       Clergy who are humble enough to share the stage and wise enough to empower others.

·       Parents and leaders who disciple, not just control.

·       Children who grow in identity, purpose, and discernment, knowing their value is rooted in Christ.

Takeaway

This isn’t about shifting blame. It’s about shifting focus—from controlling outcomes to cultivating hearts.  The goal is not to protect children from the world through fear, but to prepare them to face the world with faith, wisdom, and support.  

STOP PRESS!

Is the whole issue rooted in the church, or does it begin much earlier at home? While this article primarily focused on the church environment—its flawed theology, misplaced priorities, and misguided leadership—the intention was never to place all the blame solely there. In fact, we began this larger conversation by addressing the struggles between parents and children in a previous post: Who Fails—Parents or Children?. The heart of the issue lies in a dangerous assumption—that Sunday School, youth camps, and weekly sermons will take care of everything. However, faith isn't formed solely by programs. It is cultivated daily in the home—at the dining table, in quiet conversations, and through lived example.

When children take unexpected turns, we’re often surprised. But maybe the warning signs were there—just unseen, or worse, ignored. 

Let’s now turn the lens back to where faith is first meant to be formed: in the home. (in the next post)

My previous post: https://pvarticles.blogspot.com/2025/01/who-fails-parents-or-children.html 

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Can Death Get Hold of Us?

“Death any time can get hold of us.” — Is That True?

“Death any time can get hold of us.” I happened to hear this statement today. It was spoken by a teacher and an ordained minister — someone deeply respected. My intention in reflecting on this is not to oppose or put down the speaker. Rather, I believe many people use similar phrases without fully thinking through what they imply. Sometimes, we all need to unlearn certain expressions and reframe them with a more accurate and faith-filled perspective.

In Malayalam, people often say, “മരണം ഏതു സമയവും നമ്മെ കടന്നുപിടിക്കാം” (maranam ethu samayavum namme kadannu pidikkam), which carries the same idea: that death can overtake us at any moment. At first glance, this sounds reasonable. After all, death can be sudden. Accidents, illness, and unforeseen events remind us how fragile life is. But the wording — “death can get hold of us” — subtly suggests that death is in control, acting on its own, catching us unaware, as if we are powerless in its grip.

But that is not how Scripture teaches us to view life or death. As believers, we affirm that our lives are not ruled by chance or fate. The psalmist declares, “My times are in Your hands” (Psalm 31:15). Death does not "grab us"; rather, our lives are held and guided by a sovereign God who knows our beginning and our end. He has numbered our days, and nothing — not even death — comes without His knowledge or permission.

More importantly, for those who believe in Christ, death has lost its sting. The resurrection of Jesus has changed everything. The Apostle Paul, filled with hope, boldly asks: “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). He reminds us that death is not the end — it is a defeated enemy. For the believer, death is not something to fear, but a doorway into the eternal presence of God.

This view doesn’t ignore the reality of death. Instead, it calls us to live with wisdom and readiness — not driven by fear, but anchored in faith and hope. Each day is a gift from God, and we are called to live it well — loving others, walking humbly with God, and being faithful in our calling.

So while the statement might carry some truth, it needs correction. We are not helpless before death; we are held by the One who conquered it. That’s the perspective we need to live by — and gently remind others of, especially when such familiar phrases are spoken without reflection.

 Who Are the Illegal Migrants in America?

Philipose Vaidyar

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Immigration is making headlines again. Once more, there’s talk of building walls, tightening borders, and deporting people who don’t have official papers.  Some call them “illegal migrants.” They’ve crossed borders, stayed without visas, or entered without permission. Many work quietly, raise families, and strive to make a living. However, they live in fear of being caught, detained, or deported.

America is drawing lines again. But before we judge too quickly, maybe it’s time to pause and look back.

A Flashback: The First “Illegal” Migrants?

Let’s rewind the story. Way back.

Long before any presidents or passports, there were people already living here—Native American tribes who called this land home for centuries.

Then came others. Explorers. Traders. Settlers. They came from Europe by ship, not by visa. They didn’t have papers. They didn’t ask for permission. They didn’t follow any local laws.

Who were they?

1.  The Spanish (1500s):
Came to places like Florida and California, claimed land for their king without asking the people who lived there.

2.  The English (1600s):
Settled in Jamestown and Plymouth for wealth or religious freedom, but never got permission to settle on Native land.

3.  The French & Dutch (1600s–1700s):
Built forts and trade routes along rivers and coasts, without treaties or fair deals.

They didn’t ask. They didn’t wait. They just came and stayed.
By today’s terms, many would call them illegal migrants.

They came in, claimed the land, and asserted that it belonged to their kings and queens in faraway countries. Treaties were broken. Lands were taken. Entire tribes were pushed off their homes.

These people weren’t called “illegal migrants.” They were called pioneers.

A Voice from the Past: Chief Seattle’s Full Speech (1854)

In 1854, Chief Seattle of the Duwamish tribe gave a speech to Governor Isaac Stevens, who had come to negotiate for Native land. His words—shared orally, then translated—echo through time. Here’s the most widely quoted version of his speech, in full:

“The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. The Great Chief also sends us words of friendship and goodwill. This is kind of him, for we know he has little need of our friendship in return. But we will consider your offer.

It matters little where we pass the rest of our days. There are not many. The Indian’s night promises to be dark. Not a single star of hope hovers above his horizon. Sad-voiced winds moan in the distance. Grief shadows our faces.

We will consider your proposition, and once we have made a decision, we will notify you. But should we sell our land, I must make one condition: The white man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers.

I am a savage and do not understand any other way. I have seen a thousand rotting buffalo on the prairie, left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am a savage, and I do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important than the buffalo that we kill only to stay alive.

What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected.

You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children—that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.

This we know: the earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. All things are connected, like the blood that unites one family.

Man did not weave the web of life—he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

Even the white man, whose God walks and talks with him as friend to friend, cannot be exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see.

One thing we know, which the white man may one day discover—our God is the same God. You may think you own Him as you wish to own our land, but you cannot. He is the God of man, and His compassion is equal for the red man and the white. This earth is precious to Him, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its Creator.

The whites, too, shall pass—perhaps sooner than all other tribes. Continue to contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste.

But in your perishing, you will shine brightly, fired by the strength of the God who brought you to this land and for some special purpose gave you dominion over it and over the red man. That destiny is a mystery to us, for we do not understand when the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by talking wires.

Where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. The end of living and the beginning of survival.”

His speech wasn’t just about land. It was about respect for nature, for people, for what connects us all. A warning, a cry, and a prophecy.

US - The Paradox

Today, many descendants of those early settlers are debating who belongs and who doesn’t.

But here’s the strange twist:

The same country built by uninvited migrants now decides who is welcome.
The same land once settled without permission now calls others “illegal.”
The grandchildren of those who crossed oceans without asking now build walls.

So, the big question: Who are the “illegal” migrants—really?

Stop and Think

But can we really apply ancient injustices to today’s world of nation-states, borders, and immigration laws? Isn’t that an outdated lens?

That’s a fair question. Yes, the modern world is structured differently—nations now have defined borders, legal systems, and rights of citizenship. But justice isn’t limited by centuries or systems—it’s about how we treat people here and now. We can’t rewrite history, but we can read it honestly to avoid repeating the same patterns of exclusion, dominance, and double standards. It’s not about erasing the nation-state; it’s about giving it a conscience.

o  Points2Ponder

This isn’t about politics. It’s not about borders or laws.

It’s about being honest with history—and with ourselves.

Maybe we need to think twice before we label someone “illegal.”
Maybe we need to listen to those who were here first.
Maybe we need to ask what justice looks like—not just for us, but for everyone.

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Disclaimer: This post isn’t written to support or oppose any government’s policies. I’m not against migration, nor am I promoting open borders. This reflection could apply to any country, any people, at any time. In a way, and in truth, we’ve all been outsiders. We’ve all come from somewhere. And to someone, at some point, we were all migrants.

So let’s stay human. Let’s stay fair.
Let’s think deeply—and live justly.

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From Provision to Possession

How We Forgot the Value of Enough

Philipose Vaidyar

Decades ago, life moved to a different rhythm. We worked not to impress, but to sustain. The purpose of our income was clear: to take care of our families, including our growing children, and our aging parents who needed our support. Income was not just money; it was a tool of responsibility.

Back then, children’s needs shaped our priorities. As they grew, our care deepened—involving school fees, exam supplies, transportation, hostel arrangements, books, and clothing. Every decision was rooted in usefulness and necessity. Choices were measured carefully against the family’s overall needs, and we used what we had wisely.

Purchases were purposeful. A refrigerator was replaced only when the old one stopped working. Phones weren’t changed every year; they were used until they wore out. Appliances were evaluated for how they served the home, not how they made us look.

There were no EMIs, no credit cards, and no digital wallets, which discouraged impulse buys. We planned, saved, and spent thoughtfully. We stretched every rupee, not to accumulate luxury, but to ensure stability. What little was left was saved for an emergency, a future need, or a child’s next educational step. The focus was on provision, and somehow, there was a deep contentment in that.

But now…

We live in a culture overtaken by Emotional shopping. Needs have been overtaken by wants—cleverly marketed as “must-haves.” We no longer buy because something is broken; we buy because something newer exists, and the pursuit is endless.

EMIs, credit cards, digital wallets—they’ve made spending feel painless and planning feel outdated. We ask not, “Do I truly need this?” but “Can I afford the monthly payment?” Every swipe promises joy, but the joy is fleeting.

We’ve shifted from a mindset of giving and growing to one of earning and upgrading. We work to spend, and spend to feel alive. But strangely, the more we accumulate, the less satisfied we feel. Contentment has been replaced by restlessness, and meaning has been diluted into consumption.

In this transition—from provision to possession—we’ve forgotten the value of enough.

But maybe it’s not too late. Maybe we can step off the treadmill. May be we can return to asking the deeper questions:
What do I truly need? What is worth saving for? Who am I living for?

Because the most important things in life were never things. They were people, purpose, and peace.  True wealth was never in what we bought—it was in what we gave.

A Challenge and Reflection

As you pause at this point in the journey, ask yourself:

• What drives my spending—necessity or emotional gratification?
• Have I exchanged contentment for convenience?
• Am I providing for my family, or performing for the world?

Here’s the challenge:
This week, choose one area of your life where consumption has become automatic—maybe it's tech, clothing, food delivery, or online shopping. Instead of spending, stop. Reflect. Save that amount or redirect it into something lasting: a gift to someone in need, time with family, or a handwritten letter to someone you love. Reclaim intentionality—one decision at a time.

The invitation is simple, yet powerful: Break the cycle. Rediscover the joy of enough.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
(Bible - Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

May we return to a life of purpose, rooted not in possession, but in peace. Not in accumulation, but in abiding.

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