We drove the “back way” to Raigad Fort (we cut straight across at Nizampur). I told my family that there were a billion Indians who had not seen this part of India. Even the locals at the turn had not heard of traveling this route to Raigad, but the GPS said it could be done.

When we saw the cable car there were a few in the family that had their doubts about going on it.

In the end no one wanted to walk up the mountain.

What an incredible cable car experience.

It felt like we were going straight up

View was amazing from the cable car.

This side shows the mountains we drove over from Nizambad

Once on top Raigad Fort is very impressive

What an incredible place for Shivaji to have his capital

We did not stay long considering how difficult the drive was to reach here.

We returned the conventional Raigad Road- Mahad- Mangoan- Mulshi Dam route. It was three times as long and we went 3 times as fast. Took about same time. No regrets on arriving the unconventional route.

Great video by the Avery Willis on the disciples Cross. This is a good one to put notes in the Bible you take with you so you can share with anyone at anytime.

Master Life 1: The Disciple’s Cross from Sandra Torres on Vimeo.

As I have visited various sites in Pune and around Maharashtra and India I realized that I have been in many of the places with Sambaji history.

Sambaji 1657-1689

One of my favorite places to visit for cycling and treking is Purandar Fort the birthplace of Sambhaji.

Purandar Fort

Sambaji’s coronation was at the Panhala Fort near Kholapur

Murud Janjir, Battle site of Sambaji and Siddis.

Murud-Janjira Siddi Fort

When I realized I had been to Sambaji’s birth and coronation places I became deliberate about it and visited Sambaji’s death place too: Tulapur.

I visited Agra the place of Sambaji’s captivity. Must get to Raighad Fort when I can.

My friend used to joke with me that I was one of God’s spoiled children. I agree with him that much has gone my way. But if anyone was ever born with a silver spoon in their mouth it was Solomon.

Solomon had all the advantages life could offer. He had a God-fearing home with his father being a man after God’s own heart. He inherited wealth and was given the best education. He had the equivalent of a PhD in many sciences, botany (study of plants), dendrology (study of trees), and zoology (study of animals). In addition he was lettered in literature.

Then there were the political advantages that Solomon inherited. He received the throne of Israel when the kingdom was at its zenith. The death of King David meant the assent of Solomon to the throne of Israel. Solomon took the throne during what could be called the “golden age of Israel”.  The entire world looked to Israel.

Solomon was David’s tenth son. He was the second son of Bathsheba. The first son died after King David’s sin, adultery and murder. But in God’s grace He gave David another son through Bathsheba.

In 2 Samuel 12:24-25 The Lord gave King David another son through Bathsheba. Nathan the prophet who seems to have had a special burden for Solomon brought word that the Lord had a special love for Solomon. He had two names.

Solomon: Which means Peace.

Jedidiah: Which means loved of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 29 We read how David orchestrated so much for Solomon to follow as king and gave Solomon a great blessing prayer for him to prosper and to build the great temple of God in Israel sometimes called “Solomon’s Temple.” Not because this temple was for Solomon but built during Solomon’s reign for the glory of Almighty God.

In verse 29:25 It says the Lord exalted Solomon at this time while King David was about to die. Royal majesty was bestowed on Solomon like had never been seen in Israel.

There was a challenge to Solomon taking the throne, but it was more of a final challenge to King David who was still living and declared Solomon the air to the throne.  David’s oldest son Adonija made a self-proclaimed claim on the throne without David’s knowledge (1 Kings 1).

To get the wheels of justice turning Nathan the prophet begins to act. He tells Bathsheba that Adonijah is undermining her son Solomon’s claim to the throne (1 Kings 1:11). This caused Bathsheba to swing into action   (1 Kings 1:17) and Solomon is anointed as King (1 Kings 1:39). The priest anointed Solomon with oil, blew the trumpet and all the people shouted “Long Live King Solomon!”

David gives a death-bed challenge to King Solomon.

1 Kings 2:1-4

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. ² “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, ³ and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go ⁴ and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

In 1 Kings 2:10-11 King David dies. The greatest King ever in the history of Israel except for the Messiah who came as the second King David. To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). Succeeding David as King will be a challenge.

Solomon faced his first test as king from his oldest brother Adonijah.  This challenge came when their father David died and it came to Solomon at the risk of his life. Adonija’s foolish action results in his own death and now the kingdom is firmly in Solomon’s hands (1 Kings 2:46)

Solomon started with so much. He did not squander his opportunity. The Queen of Sheba later said the half had not been told regarding the greatness of Solomon.

You may not have been given as much as Solomon; inheritance of billions, the most influential kingdom of any era. All at a time of religious fervor of the people. But I would suppose if you are reading this you have been given much.

In 1 Chronicles 1:29 David Prayed,

And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion

to keep your commands, statutes and decrees

He was given wisdom. But tragically at the end of his life he became a foolish wise man and strayed from the ways of the Lord that David prayed he would follow.

You have been given much. You have the riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ placed in your hand. To whom much is given much is required. You have been given a heart to keep faithful to God.

I had a great ride up Sinhagad today!

Now that I have my GPS I can give the numbers. Starting from Donje Phata at elevation 2072 ft the climb raises 1978 ft to 4156 ft in 6.5 miles. That is an average gradient of 7%. I Reached the top in 1 hour 7 minutes and didn’t even feel “that tired”.

Besides today I have:

Attempted my first climb of Sinhagad from Pune on May  10^th  2011. I  Didn’t make it up.

Then on May 14, 2011 I hiked Sinhagad with my family and another family. We turned back way before we reached the fort.

On May 30 I made it to top! A test run because I was thinking about racing up this mountian in June.

June 19, 2011 I raced the local Pune cyclists up Sinhagad. Very tough!   
Race pictures

Flood Sept 3 2011 I took my family up Sinhagad and we were caught in a flash flood on the Mountain. See pictures and video

I rode up Sinhagad again from Pune on December 10, 2011. I made it up and back but just barely.

October 22, 2012  Finally got my family to Sinhagad Fort for a Family fun day that ended with a flat tire.
  Photo Essay

Then there was today. Best experience up Sinhagad yet I think!

I look forward to my next meeting with Sinhagad.

View of the Craggy Oman coast from Oman Dive Centre.

Riyam Park.

Incense Burner. What a view from the top!

Frankincense and Omani daggers at the Mutra Souk (Traditional Market)

Jumping for joy at Qantab.

Grand Mosque Muscat.

Time for coffee and conversation in Muscat.

Shangrala

Marina Bandar

Old Watch tower at Riyam.

Camels grazing along Al Hail Beach. 

Sunrise with the Wave area in the background.

It is said that Matheran was discovered by Britisher Hugh Poyntz Malet in 1850. Yea right! There are 2000 year old caves associated with the Mahāsāṃghika sect of Buddhism surrounding Matheran (like Karla Caves) and there are nearby forts hundreds of years earlier where you can see Matheran. Matheran is located on an major ancient trade route. One fort near Matheran is Lohagad fort captured by Shivaji in 1648 which he surrendered to the moguls 1665.

Decided to climb Matheran by bicycle. On a hot day! Set out for my Matheran bicycle ride. It gets steep. 8% average gradient The gradient kicks way up at the end (of course)

Made it to the top and time for a photo opp with some children.

The toy train is an option to get up Matheran.

There are dozens of hotels so people come with luggage and coolies are on hand.

Horses are a way to get around the pollution free zone with no vehicles allowed past the parking point.

There are numerous lookout points and you could hike around up there for hours maybe days.

Horse rides are popular.

I liked taking a picture of the work horses.

One of the many outlook points.

Views are spectacular.

Imagine you are walking down a beach and you stumble upon an unusual looking bottle. You pick it up and you are engulfed with smoke. When all the smoke clears you have a genie before you ready to grant you any wish you ask for. What would you ask for? Would it be riches, fame, to be king? Would you ask for a long life, revenge on an enemy or would you ask for something else?

Our Lord is not a genie in a bottle. He is so much bigger than that. Every good gift comes from God. He is able to give all things and enjoys giving to those who ask according to His will. But Solomon is in a situation where he is going to get whatever he asks for, any wish he has.    

Solomon’s father David has died and now been buried. The throne of Israel in it’s golden years has now passed to Solomon. There is a massive weight that comes with the throne. The leadership has passed from David to Solomon and no doubt Solomon the new young ruler must be feeling the magnitude of the throne.

This is the context when the Lord appears to Solomon. The Lord appears to Solomon in a dream and tells him “Asks whatever you want of me and I will give you.” Could you imagine if God gave you a blank check? Whatever it is you want you can have it!

Read:

1 Kings Chapters 3-4

2 Chronicles Chapter 1

Solomon asks for wisdom. “For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her”. (Proverbs 8:11)  Solomon approached his new position as king with humility. He says, “I am only a child and I do not know how to carry out my duties”. (1 Kings 3:7)

Solomon felt inadequate for the task. He must have tossed and turned that night thinking about the magnitude of the task before him. He must have asked himself, how am I going to handle this? This task is beyond me. Solomon is burdened. He is young and inexperienced and does not know how he will rule the kingdom.  Solomon’s request to God is a discerning heart in administering justice.

You might be thinking back to a time when you were overwhelmed with the task before you. I am thinking back like that. I am remembering my first job at Quaker Oats. One of the managers asked me; “You are 22 years old and you will be supervising people who have worked here 36 years so how will you do this?” Later I asked someone to help me. This is a huge task! How will I do this? “Be fair, and treat all people equally”, he advised.       

Solomon asked God, give me the wisdom needed to govern this great people of yours. God is pleased by this humble request. God will give Solomon the wisdom he asked for. He is also going to pour out on Solomon what a more selfish person would have asked for. When Solomon awoke he realized this dream was a vision from God. He knew that God was giving him the wisdom needed to lead God’s people. He was receiving wisdom and much more.

Solomon’s first big leadership challenge came from a dispute between two prostitutes. This was a test of his newly received wisdom. One of these woman had played the “old switcheroo” trick. She swapped her deceased newborn for the other woman’s live baby. What a conundrum! There are no witnesses, only the contradicting stories of these two women. One of them is lying, but there are no witnesses and it is just one word against the other. This type of case baffles judges and juries all the time.

What was Solomon’s response? Cut the child in two. He ordered his attendants to get the sword. There are two very different responses from the women, yes and no. Now Solomon could discern the truth. The one who would give up the child and see the little one die was lying. The real mother would give up her child before seeing him killed.

The response of the people was awe. Solomon’s fame spread. This young king is full of wisdom. It is evident that God gave Solomon his wisdom. Solomon was the wisest of them all. His wisdom extended to Government to the sciences. He wrote 3,000 Proverbs and 1,005 songs.  The traditional view of his Biblical writings are Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and Psalm 127.  Queen Sheba came to ask him difficult questions.  His fame spread and of course today his name is synonymous with wisdom.

 1 Kings 4:29-31  God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than anyone else… And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.

Who does not need more wisdom in these days? The pressures of life are immense. The world is in chaos and there are wars, financial pressures, health crises and violent crimes. What we need, desperately need in these times are wise leaders. We need wisdom in the government, in the schools in the home.  

 There is a true wisdom of heaven that will bless people and there is a false worldly wisdom which will ultimately ruin those who entrust them to leadership. James 3: 13-17 contrast these two kinds of wisdom:

 ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

In contrast to heavenly wisdom there is a “wisdom” that is worldly, selfish. This type of wisdom has selfish ambition as its source. This is a wisdom that connives, plans and schemes and ultimately destroys.  The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and peace-loving.  

We need strong spiritual leaders and only heavenly wisdom will do. True wisdom leads us to do the right thing in the face of moral choices. True wisdom means leading in light of God’s eternal values. Spiritual leaders in New Testament times were called upon to risk their very lives. To encounter trials as they led the church through times of persecution. Solomon knew he needed wisdom to lead the nation and we need leaders today with wisdom.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5  To aspire to leadership is an honorable ambition if the leader seeks godly wisdom the motive is to glorify God and lead His people to grow spiritually.  Not only should we ask for wisdom for ourselves but for our leaders. We should pray for wisdom for our children. We should pray for wisdom for those we disciple and train up to be leaders.

We read in Psalm 72 that King David trained and prepared Solomon for leadership by example. David’s prayer for Solomon was for wholehearted devotion to the Lord. We must seek the Lord, the source of wisdom and train our future leaders to do the same. Jesus is the wisdom of God.

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42

True wisdom is found in Jesus Christ. Without Jesus you are left with an earthly wisdom. So much “intellectual” wisdom is destructive and devoid of God. Those who have this kind of earthly wisdom are in fact blinded by Satan.

Solomon’s wisdom came from God. True wisdom that seeks justice and peace is found in Jesus Christ. True wisdom is turning to Jesus Christ. In Christ God will bless you with wisdom and much more. You will have the ultimate Spiritual blessing.

We started here. Parked our car headed for the high point.

We looked in the small cave to see if it had been part of the old Maratha Kingdom underground system and sealed off in modern day. It looked like it may have been.

After the cave we came across this small monument.

I don’t know how old this stone carving is, but it looked ancient to us.

We made it to the top! Also at the top we saw five deer. One of the bucks had antelope style horns (two striaght horns).

Another great view from the top toward Malharghad Fort.

Looking down to see where the car is parked here gives an idea how high up we really trekked.

This was the only other person we saw the whole time we trekked.

I just saw the real Santa Clause!

I was riding my bicycle to the bank when I saw the real Santa Clause.

How do I know this is the real Santa Clause?

Becuase he does not look like any fake Santa I have seen before.