The SAT
High
School student members from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut may send in copies of their SAT exam transcripts to Tony Braganza,
if they wish to qualify for the annual SAT award. Goan students from Pennsylvania whose parents are members of
either the Goan Association of New Jersey, Inc. or the New York Goan
Association, can also qualify for the $250 cash award and $50 plaque.
Last
year, the award was won by Carl (Bobbie), son of Blossom and Fred Coutinho.
Tony reminds qualifiers that their scores will be kept confidential. Copies of the transcripts may be mailed to
either of the Goan Associations or directly to:
100-06 67th Drive
Forest Hills, New York, 11375
Most
colleges and universities, use the SAT test scores, to measure the academic
levels of students seeking admission for undergraduate studies.
The Prayer of Jabez
- By
George Prins
In his book, The Prayer of Jabez, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson
explains a little fable about a Mr. Jones who dies and goes to heaven. St.
Peter greets him at the gates and asks the guest if he would like a tour.
Together they marvel at the streets paved with gold, beautiful mansions and
magnificent choirs singing.
However, Mr. Jones notices an
odd-looking building, which had no windows and only one door. He asks to see
inside but St. Peter hesitates, explaining, "You really don't want to go
in there." Mr. Jones is quite concerned and ponders the question,
"Why would there be secrets in heaven?" He gets enough courage and
again asks to go inside the structure.
Finally, St. Peter relents, opens
the door and Mr. Jones almost knocks the apostle over in his haste to enter.
The building is huge filled row after row with shelves, floor to ceiling, each
stacked neatly with white boxes tied in red ribbons. Each box had a name on it
and very quickly, Mr. Jones found the "J" aisle and his very own box.
St. Peter frowns in disbelief. Mr.
Jones had already taken the red ribbon off his box and popped the lid. Looking
inside, he instantly recognized Peter's dilemma. He lets out a sigh for inside
his white box were all the blessings that God wanted to give to him while he
was on earth...but he had never asked. He reminisced on the famous passage
Jesus had promised:
"Ask, and it will be given to
you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For, every
one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened" (Matthew 7:7-8).
In his book, Dr. Wilkinson
explains that Jabez, in I Chronicles 4:9, was a desperate victim of painful
situations: that is what his name, Jabez, meant.
He prayed a prayer that changed
his life completely saying, "Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and
enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep
me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what
he requested.
If only our friend, Mr. Jones,
would have prayed the prayer of Jabez, his life would have been much fuller and
more meaningful. I have heard many complain that God has given them only
bitterness and sorrow. When I hear their stories, I agree that their life is
quite desperate and their legacy is but a liability. God has withdrawn from
their account more than what they actually own--their life is in receivership!
But, God's grace and bounty is only limited by us!
Jabez was blessed because he
refused to let his past be a hindrance to what God's goodness is promised.
God's nature is to bless despite our failures.
Wilkinson concludes, "What
counts is – knowing who you want to be and asking God for it by daily using -
the prayer of Jabez."
A suggested prayer:
"God,
'Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory (horizons), that
Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may
not cause pain!' God, I am sorry for the bitterness I have carried for such a
long time. Remove it and help me to live for You. Amen!"