Boxing day

Here, thinking about this like it was 21st Dec 2012, while you on the other hand whistle away like there's nothing serious.

A few good men.

There are a few good men now, it is not hard to see. Laws that jeopardise an entire country's sector credibility passed into law amidst comedy. There are a few good men left.

You hope that maybe just this once, there shall not just be a few good men to come to their senses and stand in the way of this great descent in unknown abyss.

When grown men clamour like children one day like they might for once do the right thing and then the next be stuffed with lolipops and then do the wrong thing, it is not wild to say that hope keeps dwindling.

History watches as a few evil men attempt to suck dry the future of one land with incredible possibilities. They may be few but the evil stupor is now across the land. Many of us, hands behind back, watch the endless spectacle saying to our selves "There is nothing we can do."

How much has been plundered? Year after year, shame upon shame... to the point where now, shame is not shame any more. Holes punched into accounts meant to help the whole mass of the nation, diverted to personal accounts; where a hospital would go up, in stead, a mansion does; where a school would go up, in stead, a few children go to high class schools outside the country; where a few women and men dress to mourn and are arrested by the Police for mourning, how long shall our eyes deliberately close to this?

“History had a slow pulse; man counted in years, history in generations” 
― Arthur Koestler, Darkness at Noon

We shall be judged, all of us. And we shall be judged, not for stealing a few millions, but for killing a few million country men by plundering that which could have been of help.

Impasse

Stories told by other souls that tell our own stories. 

The poem below is based on the lyrics of Brooke Fraser- Who are we fooling.

So we're here
Tip toeing round the edge of the end
Wondering who will be last to admit
That we're finally over.

We seem to be at an impasse
Both knowing what seems to be wrong;
We don't agree on where we should go
But together, we want to get there.

Have we tried to loosen the knots
To think perhaps once we're untangled we'll be better off
The hesitations and stalling can only but speak
We crave to leave the knots untied.

'Cause real love is hard love
It's all that's given
It's a break-neck, train wreck
Is it what's been given?

So we're here
At the  edge of the end
Still refusing to toe the line


Better or worse, but what else can we do?
And better or worse
Am I  tethered to you?  If it's not either of us
Tell me who are we fooling?

This beautiful tangle that's bruising us blue
Is it a beautiful knot that we can't undo?
Together we're one but apart
Tell me who are we fooling?


Together we're one, but apart tell me
Who are we fooling?

The Rain.... (Part Two)

It's like trying to remove the poisonous venom of a snake after a bite. Sometimes the writer's quill is pressed forcefully lest the heart of the writer die of poisoning. So the story continues...

No, it doesn't fall down mildly this time,
No, it doesn't come with a soft breeze,
It rains, it pours;
Forget cats and dogs - minuscule metaphors in comparison...

The drops strike.

They strike, they pierce.

It started like a normal day; clear skies, birds chirping, people were starting to move. It was a warm morning.

In the city, dirty puddles. Orange water. Potholed roads. Pick your step well, lest you literally soil yourself. So I walked, picking spots till safely on the pavement.

And then the spears. And everything disappeared.

They came down with the weight of one thousand Mjolnir hammers. Hard and fast. It rained, the cold enveloped my whole body, a bit of it, my soul. Where had the shelters gone to? There was no place to hide under, no place to run to.

No voice could be heard in this downpour. No singing this time. Heavy short breaths. Wiping the wetness from my eyes, so I could see; forward. I could not go back, I had to endure, till the mist dissolved, till the downpour died down, till I could start to make out what was reality.

Sometimes the rain, it hurts you.

The Rain

The movie was over. The proverbial "film star" had saved the day with the last shot of his bullet. The credits began to rain down, not in drip drops as rain would from clouds, rather like the slide of a water drop upon the smooth face of glass.

I paused for a moment and then got up to line up with the rest of the movie watchers who now made small chatter about the funny bits of the movie, the sad ones and all you would expect of a tête-à-tête after a movie. It was eleven a.m. One needed to go home.

Down the steps, the escalator and as I approached the mall's exit, a cold chill, a soft breeze, a light drizzle. 'How wonderful!' I thought. Just the other day I was watching Singing in the Rain. Never mind I had not just been kissed, I had not just said goodnight to the woman of my dreams; no, I had just been dreaming about the night sky and if there were stars tonight, if perhaps I could use it as an excuse to send her a text.

There were no stars tonight. From where I was, all I could see were street lights, and car lights. No stars tonight. The little invisible fireflies were in my belly. That's why I had that smile on my face. And now this beautiful late night rain.

I promptly removed my umbrella and with ease and adoration entered the delightful light shower. I couldn't wipe the smirk off my face as my feet landed into the little puddles of water scattered all over the pavement. How I would have laughed if a moon had I seen! For a moment home escaped my thoughts, and I dissolved in the moment.

Yet, in the midst of the joy, childhood escape, trickled in a heaviness. Not of holding the umbrella for long, not for the distance from home, not from the closeness of the labour of the day but rather the presence of double sorrow, and half a joy. All the while I did think of she who I do not know, could not tell whether she thought of me.

I wanted to text her straight away but feared I should awake her from her endearing sleep. After all I asked myself, on this eleven a.m, few minutes from the middle hour, could she tally awake for a droplet of gilded lullaby from me?

Unsure; wishing her here, to dance with in the rain, but only moving with thoughts and un-drawn paintings of perfect night with soft falling rain, I turned to the pages once again, inking them with these very words thinking perhaps one day, tis a story she reads and will indeed reply "That very night, I wanted to dance in the rain with you".

Why am I smiling

And why do I sing?

Why does September 

Seem sunny as spring?

Why do I get up

Each morning and start?

Happy and head up 

With joy in my heart

Why is each new task

A trifle to do?

Because I am living

A life full of you.

Gene Kelly (Singin in the rain)

Piano she played

Piano , set in lonely hallway, high ceiling, closed stained windows with pictures of cupids, hovering on stooping hooded figure. The silence, cold and dry emits dreary darkness in the lamp-less hall. It's covered with hues, blues, greens, reds, imprinted by the moon light passing through the windows.

A high note.

Hope.

The heart readies itself for elevation upon wings of anticipated bliss. The high notes rise and his cadence rises with them. High and sharp, they move quickly one to another, musical hopscotch leaving a danceable trail. So he taps his feet and bangs his thighs, and nods his head and snaps his fingers and so soon we have him upon that tide. Piano keys, they lift him high.

A low key.

Deferred

So the movement stops, there's a chill inside, it would seem that now, there was night to fear. And the fingers stopped, and the tap went down, and the head didn't nod, cold breeze came down. A slow fade, the notes were lower and lower and his head did droop, his heart resigned, the echoes died out.

And the lonely ones came. First the highs, then the lows. The keys interspersed among themselves as the pace picked up. Should I dance or be still, tap my feet, calm my head? It was all meted out, pretty fast, and to choose how to move left it I, to my bones. So I danced, yes I danced, in the highs, in the lows; yes the man, it was I, hiding nigh, 'twixt the shadows of the hall.

In the cadence of her notes, piano sounds found me out, out the shadows did I come out of the hallway to the night. Under night, silver light,found my rhythm, found my dance; for she played 'nchanting tones, they set me on fire, made me cold, in one sweep, untied my soul.

She played piano of the heart.

The Pilgrim Church

I am currently reading The Pilgrim Church by E.H Broadbent. Here's a brief background

"The author of this book, believing that the teaching given by the Apostles to the first Christians contained principles of permanent validity, gave himself to many years of exhaustive research in the realm of Church history, convinced that there has never been a generation without simple local congregations of believers existing who succeeded in maintaining these principles. His studies amply justified thw work involved, while exposing the Ecclesiastical Establishment of the centuries that persistently opposed the whole idea of local independent churches.

Known by different names in various countries, these communities kept the faith, frequently at great cost to themselves, but because of their virile witness to the basic truths of the gospel they were never completely extinguished, whatever they had to endure. The story makes clear the vital difference between mere institutional Christianity and the gatherings of evangelical believers who rejoiced in bearing only the name of 'Christian'.

Mr. Broadbent spent a great part of his life in travelling many parts of Europe, founding and establishing churches that held to the Apostolic principles. This record emphasises elements of truth that will not neccessarilybe found in the average handbook on Church history - and that the principles are workable is seen by the existence all over the modern world of local churches that are courageously observing them."

I am glad to be apart of this minor groups. It's a call to total faith.

Fall 39 for you

If I need to dive 39,
Stand at the edge of space,
Stare down at this peril
This peril that becomes knowing you
More than knowing, loving you
In loving, consumed by you
-
Won't I stand at that precipice
The darkness at the corner of my eye
Unknowing but lost in passion for you,
Won't I take the leap, fall 39
Abandon my safety, abandon the all
Fall fast, fall deep, fall in for you..?
-
Fall through and through till I'm undone,
Blazing like a comet across your sky
Heading for that ground,
I should call your heart
Risking life and limb, to save my heart
Falling 39, I come apart.

All

You know it's different;

When you stay up late,
Beyond your usual hours,
Holding a pen, inking your notebook,

When the dam can't hold
When the cracks start to appear,
And a flood comes rushing;

When you notice the painted sky,
Wait for the gilded sunrise,
Hear the morning's orchestra;

It's the star on her face when she smiles,
The glint in her eyes when she stares,
The fire in her voice when she speaks.

It's different;
Coz you remember it all,
Nothing leaves your heart,
You remember it all.

The Christian Call to One Another.

All the words below are not mine, rather they are from Holy Writ. This is a call to church in it's real sense : Christian community, brotherhood, kinship in Christ. The keywords you will notice repeating themselves are "love" and "one another". Be blessed.

Joh_13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. Joh_13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Joh_15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Joh_15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another. Act_19:38  Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

Rom_12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Rom_13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Rom_14:13  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Rom_15:7  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

 Rom_15:14  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Rom_16:16  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. 1Co_16:20  All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 2Co_13:12  Greet one another with an holy kiss. Gal_5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Gal_5:15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Gal_5:26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Gal_6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Eph_4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Eph_4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Col_3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

Col_3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 1Th_4:9  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.1Th_4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1Th_5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Tit_3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

 Heb_3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb_10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Heb_10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 1Pe_1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1Pe_5:14  Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

1Jn_3:11  For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1Jn_3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1Jn_4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1Jn_4:11

 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 1Jn_4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 2Jn_1:5  And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another

. 

AMEN

Feel free to share this with other brothers and sisters in the body. 

Issues with Asking the Man of God..

Allow me to challenge your thinking. There are many shows on radio which feature men of God being on line to wait for the calls of believers so they can answerand help these believers find solutions to issues in their lives or pray for them.

The shows would initially look like a great opportunity for "pastor-sheep" interfacing; I mean - pastor - congregation interfacing. Which is an extension of a church service - where the pastor is addressing the audience but with a personal touch.  However it would seem to me that this in itself, cripples the body of Christ. Allow me to explain how.

1. When people, who are strangers to the pastor call in asking for quick solutions to life's problems, what does that indicate? That members of Christ have abandoned the idea of the real meaning of church which is Christian community and have resorted to the world's thinking of "self help books" or "gurus".

2. It also takes away our dependency on Christ and focuses it on human beings who we perceive to know it all. This puts heavy burdens on the pastors and allows us to be passive as well.

3. This also reinstates the dividing wall between lay man and priest that Christ removed when He died. Again, we go back to a system where there are those who are qualified to know about God and those who are not and thus need to depend on others. We neglect these truths in scripture

"Rev 1:6  and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. "

And

"1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; "

We have made the knowing and priesting and king-ing a one man job. 

The idea of calling in to ask the pastor to either pray for you or advise you while with good intentions causes essentially two things. People who could be able to seek God for themselves, become lazy and passive and put the entire burden of knowing God on a few people. These few people can easily become puffed up into thinking they are God's gift to the church yet everyone is God's gift to the church as long as their head is Christ. The others relax, mind their business and pay  the "pastors" to know God for them or pray for them. Therefore, a few of us seek first the kingdom so that other things may be added, and then the biggest part of us, seek other things first and refer to the ones who have sought the kingdom first when we are in trouble. Terrible interplay, not so?

Relationship that is basic to the body of Christ is relegated to selfish interests. Instead of building meaningful relationships built on the love of Christ, we opt for quick and easy solutions forgetting we are members of the body of Christ and are meant to all shine our different colours to the glory of God. I admit, some people call in in desperation, but why? Because they do not know or do not have the- father-son relationship or mother-daughter relationship or brother-brother/ sister-relation that happens when real people are relating healthily on a daily and receiving from the HEAD who is CHRIST.  We forget about the spring of life inside ourselves and look for wells.

The whole of Christ limited to "the Pastor?" Is the Spirit only in "The Pastor"? Grow up children. Church is a body. He uses each of us. 

  

Thank God for the brother that pastors. Those who do not take up titles but those who in real relationship learn to guide others humbly, not self serving, leading them away from themselves unto Christ. Thank God for the sister that teaches, that young lady who shares her secrets from the Lord with others, not that she may exalt herself but that she may edify the body. Thank God for the young man that encourages, that one who has a Spirit given knack of recognising those who are low in the body of Christ and encouraging them. Thank God for all these different members of the body of Christ. No Christian is an island, we all need each other. There is none greater or more important. Which is why those who would seem less important usually receive more glory. (Luk 7:28  For I say to you, Among those who are born of woman there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. But he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. )We must realise church as a body, not as an audience - speaker arrangement.

When our eyes are always on the pastor, can they ever be on Christ? We have forgotten real church people. Church is Christ living in all of us. 

"1Co 14:26  This is what I mean, my friends. When you meet for worship, one person has a hymn, another a teaching, another a revelation from God, another a message in strange tongues, and still another the explanation of what is said. Everything must be of help to the church. "

According to Paul, what is the real deal? Community. Relationship. Closeness not distant interaction. And all must be done for the good of the body.

Church is not a building or an arrangement. Church is Christ alive in His members, - the great Christ shares secrets with each one individually so that each member may bring their gem to build the whole household. He does not intend one person to seem to be the one with all the secrets.

Mat 23:8-11  But you must not be called Rabbi, for One is your teacher, Christ, and you are all brothers.  And call no one your father on the earth, for One is your Father in Heaven. Nor be called teachers, for One is your Teacher, even Christ.   But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Ask yourself, are you hearing from God? Or The Pastor? 

Think on these words.

Joh 4:39-42  And many of the Samaritans of that city believed upon Him because of the saying of the woman, who testified, He told me all that I ever did. Then as the Samaritans had come to Him, they begged Him that He would stay with them. And He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. And they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of your saying, for we have heard Him ourselves and know that this is truly the Christ, the Savior of the world. 

Indecipherable

Ones and zeros lost in the hexa tens. Beauty and grace hidden in broken mirrors. There is a tune that that is silently played and only the keen ears can pick up it's sound. There is a bright sun above the thick nimbus but only the hopeful can feel its warmth.

I take steps back and read the name, I've forgotten the mirrors, the silver sheet.

The greens are sour but the greens are sweet. Who knows what to think?

Script writers quit and leave the movie undone, no scores to entertain, no rhythm in their sound. Are the opening the closing credits? Are the actors on a string or did they get lost in their acting?

I look at the mirror again. The broken glass. I cannot decipher it. 

Leaders should learn how to wean the church members of themselves

If you are  called or call yourself a teacher, a bishop,  a pastor, a deacon, or whatever title --- Remember

1Co_3:21-22  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Learn how to teach the people you influence to not put their trust in you. Everyone in the body of Christ has the mind of Christ. Paul says "we". No one can claim to know more. We are a body and so we all have a part to contribute.

All things are ours. Do not create lines.

Therefore, equip the people you influence to be free of your influence and be fully influenced by Christ.

A gym instructor should not carry the weights for the one who has come, but steadily should show him that even he can carry the weights himself!

A mother only breastfeeds an infant. When the baby grows, he must learn to eat on his own.

Stop creating a dependency on you rather bring your part to the table and build the body of Christ! Equip the body of Christ to be fully mature in Christ to the point that they will be like the women of the town of the Samaritan woman who said

"John 4:42  and they said to the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy speaking: for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world. "

Matthew 23. An appeal for body life.

Share these words!

One Sweet Day....

More than a "personal saviour"....

Many of us like to refer to the Lord as "personal saviour" and in that essence embark on seeking the Lord in isolation. We start to use God as a personal encourager, provider, promoter, protector, name it! The Lord is indeed available and gracious to all who call upon His name however when we focus on Christ individually, we have become more egotistic and desire our wellness more than truly knowing Christ!

Here is the thing. From the beginning of time, God has had a plan to have a family, a home, a resting place.

 When He creates Adam, listen to what He says

"Gen 1:26  And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth."

When He says them, He is referring to a people, not a person. God delights in a them fulfilling the plans He has.

When we look at Abraham, who is called from Ur, the idea is to make him a great -nation. It is not about making Abraham's name the most famous in the world, fine, Abraham shall receive due honor but at the end of the day, God hopes that Abraham will be first of many.

Come to Christ! The famous verse John 3:16 does not make reference to an individual but to a "them", a people, the "world". For God so loves the world that He sends His son.

More so, "Col 1:18  And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He may be pre-eminent in all things."

God indeed loves you the individual however, the greatest part is that you see yourself as more than an individual but that you see yourself as part of the body.

Let us read

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

His idea is for a family where Christ is first born.

Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

This is the real deal friends! The fullness of Christ is His body - the Church, which you are apart of! You are not an isolated, individual stone, you are part of the living stones being built together! Christ is not full if you see yourself as apart from other members of the body! You my friend contribute to the fullness of Christ!

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Hallelujah! Has anyone seen this?

We are not strangers and foreigners to each other but we all make the household of God! Into Christ, we are all being fitly framed TOGETHER to grow into a holy temple in the Lord!!!

Friends, forget these things of sanctuaries or miracle centres, the real building, the real temple is the entire church, the members who make the body of Christ!

And see this friends, - when we accept to be built together, we become -A HABITATION ! We become God's dwelling place through the Spirit!!!

Awesome!!!! The individual thinking Christian must henceforth see the new light of Christ being on earth in His members, of which you and I are! In simple terms, Christ and the Church are the same!! He is the head, we are the body!!!

And friends when we see this, we can become the very things we seek indvidually to each other. All things are done so that the body is edified! 1Co 14:12  Even so you, since you are zealots of spiritual things, seek to build up the church, in order that you may abound!

Oh be blessed Church!!

Life in October.

Ten.

See it's October, ten months of a twelve month year gone. I did look up the meaning of ten on a numerology site and according to them, ten speaks of these:

"Leadership, confidence, optimism, energy, independence, creative power and every, success, original, adaptable, individualisation, determination."

Now, for a moment I thought I should stop and make meaning of these things but I continued to read and they began to talk about October;

"October is an ‘action’ month, so make the most of this time.  By month’s end you will find yourself in a much stronger position on a physical, mental and spiritual level."

Okay, so I guess I should have stopped to think about that too but then I just stopped reading. October is much more than a number with magical properties to me. Do not get me wrong, I find nothing oddly special about this month just sharing a few things that have come to me as this month gets going.

1. Breaking Up

For some reason, I had hope. I thought that a time would come and things would go back to normal, and the slate would be clean; and my sins would be white as snow. Unfortunately, the more I hoped, the more things turned sour.

Apologies mean nothing to a woman scorned. Even if you accidentally tipped the glass and it broke. See, (this is where the nostalgia kicks in) she was the first. Her love was like a crown of beautiful gems on my head. Her love was full, untainted (or was it?). I keep telling myself, I should have done better, I should have kept my honesty to myself, my hopes for a uniform mind off to a later time in the future but I hurried.

I tried to make the plant grow faster than it was meant to, and I lost it. She never was the same.

See, it has been almost two months since the break up and only recently, in fact, this week, did it completely sink in that this was truly over. There was no coming back. Much as I wanted reconciliation, it takes two to tango. So, indeed, I guess October is about letting go and looking to new things.

2. Fighting Demons

Old habits die hard they say and I do believe that was not an overstatement. This year was about kicking out old habits. Fine, it was not ABOUT that but it was part of the vision. However, one thing I have or should be learning is that passive action is no action. If I want to manage my money better, I need to actually start doing things that people who manage their money better do. So, again, at loss , perhaps realising all my demons have the same power, I should use this month as an opportunity to be pro-active and be on the offensive.

3. Going with the flow

I find myself a fairly odd person. I am not good socially. However, I think when someone gets to know me, I become in my own sight, fairly normal. I've always had a problem going with the flow, doing what everyone is doing, buying the clothes everyone is buying! Thank God I was born a guy 'cause if I were born a woman, tisk, I would get  more depressed than I do being a guy. I do like my space too, so sometimes I keep people away. There's nothing about October that seems will change this, I am at a place where sometimes you just don care.

4. Leaving institutions

I left the insitutional church; a small problem though - Where will I get married? Lol.

Guys, have a great October. Celebrate the 50th independence with some style this time and yes I intend to write again. I will make time for it.

Cheers.

Are we richly dwelling on what is part?

Why do we esteem parts and never take the full? Why do we own corners and never take the seat? Many of us are so richly dwelling on what is part - incomplete and forgetting the full. Lately I realise the importance of always remembering that I am not a singular Christian, but I am part of God's household, saved and redeemed not individually but along with all the members who are being built up into God's temple.

For this reason, I cease in attaching identity as regards man but no longer regard man in the flesh - as perhaps in terms of race, sex, rank etc. I have realised that when we say brother or sister, it is not fancy Christianese, and indeed should not be. The word brethren, family of God is not one of the fancy words used in Christianity, they are not dead words, they ought to have meaning because at one time they were practical and did have meaning.

See, in the pursuit of Christ, it must be noted that we are actually pursuing each other (as weird as that sounds). Whilst your decision to come to Christ was an individual decision, you were born into a family of God, not into a school of spies who know nothing about each other and just mind their own business. This is not Christ.

The pursuit of Christ necessitates that we indeed must pursue each other.

Looking at the Lord's prayer for the disciples (and all those who would believe) in John 17, Christ makes a very important statement " Joh 17:21  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me."

Christ continues to reveal the fact that He and the Father are one, and He prays that this same mindset may be alive in the ones who have already believed and are going to believe.

Not only that, the famous John 3:16 points out that God loved the world. Many times we hear our brothers say that you can substitute "world" with your name the end being to ascribe some level of worth to yourself, such that if it were I, I might say - For God so loved Joel that He sent His only begotten son that whoever..... This helps many of us feel loved and appreciated by God. This is part of the story but not the complete one.

We are saved into God's house which is made up of God's family. It requires a pursuit of one another. Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;. In the same way, we are all members of the body of Christ " Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.", "Rom 12:5  so we, the many, one body are in Christ, and members each one of one another. " We are actually members of the Lord's body.

Seeing then we are members of His body and therefore one another we must learn to uphold what is the greatest. While God does give each member a different ministry " 1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.", he requires that we have the same regard for one another, in essence we must love one another as Christ has loved us and gave himself up for us collectively.

Below are some Biblical reminders on this very thing.

Therefore be ,of the same mind one toward another, not minding the high things, but with the lowly going along; become not wise in your own conceit; (Rom 12:16), then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind.(Php 2:2 ) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.( Php 2:3) Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others.(Php 2:4)

There desire is therefore ,To no one owe anything, except to love one another; for he who is loving the other--law he hath fulfilled,( Romans 13:8), also,  wherefore receive ye one another, according as also the Christ did receive us, to the glory of God.(Romans 15:7) That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same anxiety for one another,( 1Co 12:25).

To sum it all, in the words of Paul

1Co 13:8  The love doth never fail; and whether there be prophecies, they shall become useless; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall become useless; 1Co 13:9  for in part we know, and in part we prophecy; 1Co 13:10  and when that which is perfect may come, then that which is in part shall become useless.

In fact what I believe Paul is saying is simple, we know in part, we prophecy in part, we think we know but our knowledge is incomplete. What then is more complete than knowledge? It is love. If we, friends embark on proving each other wrong, talking ill, minding our own business and not being the Samaritans we are called to, we default and defraud one another on this thing- it is love. This is the thing that holds us together if all else should fail.

So when you love the member of Christ, as we have seen above, you are loving Christ which makes perfect sense when Jesus says, whatever you do to the least of these, you have done unto me.

So, like Paul said - 1Co 13:13  And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain; but the greatest of these is love.

Guilt Tripping

I am making rounds, on circular road;
Looking for something I must have lost
Trying to remember what I must have known
Hoping to suffer long 'fore I move on.

I make long strides with my head looking down
Earnestly seeking but what I can't find.
The garment has a rent, I must patch it up
Alas this Joseph coat can't be patched.

But my heart keeps pounding and reminds me yet
What a fool I was to allow this rent,
So she goes a travellin' n she takes me along
'Pon this circular route that will never be due.

When Sorrow Helps.

A few of us will testify to the melancholy of regret. The bile of wrong decisions. The gastric of sin. What shadows assail us when we sink into the reality of choosing a wrong turn, instead of a right one. The experience can be rightly termed "sorrow".

It is a raw experience. One that many should avoid. Countless warning needless to say, pieces of wisdom, prophetic go before a fall. This is the reason when the fall comes, it almost brings dementia because in one's mind, the phrases keep churning "How could I do it?" "I am so fake" "I wish I had done the right thing"... and more.

Sorrow.

Sorrow has ever made me sick. It is a disease of the heart. It behaves like a poison that reaches to all parts of the body. Yet I realised, sorrow comes in two packages.

 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Sorrow has ever made me sick, because it was the sorrow of the world. It was the sorrow that refused me to take my eyes off myself. It was the sorrow that kept my eyes on the tablets. It was the sorrow that removed my set of eyes called hope. It was the sorrow that closed all doors and windows. It is the epitome of pride.

Godly sorrow on the other hand is a conduit of rebirth, renewal, it is revision in itself. It is humility. It is proper for it to take course so completely wash out silt of a believer who has willingly turned aside. Sorrow must not be confused for repentance, it is the first step- it is the initial step to repentance in that it is a realisation, an acceptance, an admittance of straying.

Godly sorrow must equip us with new resolve, higher standards, greater humility towards others who have fallen, deeper appreciation for God's law for it indeed cultivates health, purer love for grace for it makes it possible to have renewal. Godly sorrow must remind us, God is holy, God is love, God is merciful. In the absence of this truth, we are hopelessly waiting for a judgement as if we were fashioned for wrath.

1Th_5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom_5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

I am not willing to impress upon you that I am a flawless person. I too have made my errors, I have occasionally gone the other side and dined in the lusts of the world. I have willingly put aside truth and embraced lies, sadly to the dishonor and sorrow of my Father in heaven. Nevertheless, I am also not willing to deny the great gift of God- which is His Son, who forgives and disciplines His Children. (This discipline is very much present in godly sorrow). I am also not giving in to license but realising that if God has opened the door to freedom, who am I to sustain my pride and want to pay for my own sins?

We must learn to yield to forgiveness and walk in the light thereafter.

Be blessed.

Rom_4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 

Jas 4:8-10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.

United We Stand.

I wrote a note about tithe and pastors a few weeks ago. I tagged some people, others I did not but then also read it. In a previous article, I wrote 

Church traditions versus the Word == controversy. "| Anything, however good it is, presented as a law will never benefit God's people until it is presented as of faith! So, what I am examining here is the truth in the Word vis a vis Church traditions. 

Some people who have read might have found an excuse to stop tithing or giving. Others are genuinely wondering why we tithe, others love the study of the scriptures. Others, after reading have been offended, others have decided to be like the Berean [Act 17:10  But the brothers at once sent both Paul and Silas to Berea during the night; who having arrived went into the synagogue of the Jews. Act 17:11  And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with all readiness, daily examining the Scriptures if these things are so. ], others have agreed.

While I wrote to bring to light what the New Testament Church did with their money and giving, it would also be wise to add that the Church was one. Any teaching in the body of Christ is meant to build, knit together, mature believers. Not withstanding, some are babes in the Lord who should crave pure spiritual milk [1Co 3:1  And, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly ones, as to babes in Christ. 1Co 3:2  I gave you milk to drink, and not food, for you were not then able, for neither are you yet able now. ], some are young men, and some are Fathers. In simple terms, some of us have grown up more than others. More still, some of us might think we are right when we are wrong, and some of us may think we are wrong when we are right.

The Church of the New Testament was united, not according to denomination, or doctrine, or a man's calling; rather it was imperative that Christ united all. It was the desire of Christ and still is that we all mature to the same level, so that as prophesied Jer 31:34  And they shall no longer each man teach his neighbor, and each man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah. For they shall all know Me, from the least of them even to the greatest of them, declares Jehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.  

. In essence that we might be at the same level. Yet I will share about the greatest. Love. Knowledge, Paul rightly said, puffs up. Those who know more may look down on others who know less and create factions saying for example " we cannot fellowship with people who think the only way to worship is by singing", or "I cannot just give ten percent, I owe my whole life to God..." or "I belong to Ap. so and so".

Yes, it is intimated "2Ti 3:16-17  All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work. " . We need to learn how to be reproved, corrected, instructed so that we can be fully prepared for every good work. Love cannot be an excuse to live in sin, and reject the truth of God.

However, this is what the love of Christ does: regardless how I disagree with you, it should not give me a reason to stop fellowship with you. Fellowship, in this case, I do not mean gathering once in a while, but relationship with you. 

Because of doctrines and special "callings", the body of Christ has become this: "butchered, fragmented, sliced and diced into denominations, movements and parachurch organisations" . I need to accept someone who does not eat meat just as the one who does not must accept it. I must accept someone who tithes and the one who does not. I must accept the one who drinks wine and the one who does not. I must accept them. On what grounds? On the grounds that Christ desires it.

Rom 15:4-7 For whatever things were written before were written for our instruction, that through patience and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. And may the God of patience and encouragement give to you to mind the same thing among one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord and with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of this, receive one another as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

We have been received by Christ, so let us receive each other. Pray for each other and pray that the day will come, when the fault lines of doctrine, denomination, "men of God" (clergy) have been removed. Where Christ is all. Not Pastor M... or Pastor N or Pastor O. Not on the teaching of circumcision or whatever.

The only time a person is excused from the body of Christ, and please note "excused" is when he himself intentionally refuses what we saw above 2 Tim 3:16-17 and continues to live in sin. Why is he "excused" coz he might poison the unity. When he is excused, sometimes he does repent, like the brother in 1st and 2 Corinthians; sometimes, he may be given up so that his soul shall be saved on the last day.

So, if you've read my previous note. Maintain this, peace, love, the bond of the Spirit. Remember, knowledge can puff up, but love, the law of love, the love of Christ builds. If you and I disagree, it is okay, we are still growing in the Lord, it takes time sometimes but let Christ remain and let us join together. Let us blur out the lines tradition has painted , let us remove the wall of denomination, or doctrine, and become the Church- Christ;s bride, His temple made of living stones, His body.For when we do that- surely the world shall recognise and be drawn unto us and in essence unto Christ.

For your own reading, 1 John 2 is a gem.

Aren't pastors preaching tithe for their own gain?

The following is controversial. Might dislodge a bit. Feel free to read understanding this.

The laborer deserves his wages- 1 Cor 9.  Barnes a commentator of the Bible says of this- " He does not mean to say, by this example of the ox treading out the grain, that the law as given by Moses referred to the Christian ministry; but that the principle there was settled that the laborer should have a support, and that a suitable provision should not be withheld even from an ox; and if God so regarded the welfare of a brute when laboring, it was much more reasonable to suppose that he would require a suitable provision to be made for the ministers of religion.

"

Matthew 10:7-10. Luke 10:3-7. According to Barnes - "The workman is worthy of his meat - This implies that they were to expect a proper supply for their needs from those who were benefited. They were not to make “bargain and sale” of the power of working miracles, but they were to expect competent support from preaching the gospel, and that not merely as a gift, but because they were “worthy” of it, and had a right to it."

So  a Christian minister (servant for the Kingdom/Gospel ) , is sustained by those to who he has ministered. Sustained. They meet his needs. I feel as this strongly applies to evangelists and not more than that- for even Paul while in a city, teaching, trying to convince many worked - "Act 18:3  and stayed and worked with them, because he earned his living by making tents, just as they did. "

Look at Paul's convictions-  

"1Co 9:13-  Do you not know that those who minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And those attending the altar are partakers with the altar. Even so, the Lord ordained those announcing the gospel to live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it is good for me rather to die than that anyone nullify my glorying. For though I preach the gospel, no glory is to me. For necessity is laid on me; yea, woe is to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I am entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.  For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself servant to all, so that I might gain the more. "

Acts 20:34-35 GNB  "You yourselves know that I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed.   I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.' " 

Point is, there is need for the Church to take care of its own-so if an evangelist goes hungry, has no food, should you not take care of him seeing as you have benefited eternal life from his labor?  But also, the minister must take care of his flock. Should the evangelist abuse this right, by defrauding you to give? Using cunning and deceipt (tithe) to compel you to give? I rather not. 

"1Pe 5:2  Feed the flock of God among you, taking the oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly; nor for base gain, but readily;" 

"2Pe 2:1-3  But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction.  And many will follow their pernicious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be evil spoken of. And through covetousness they will use you for gain with well-turned words; for whom judgment from of old does not linger, and their destruction does not sleep." 

"Tit 1:9-11  holding fast the faithful Word according to the doctrine, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convict the gainsayers.  For there are indeed many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouth you must stop, who subvert whole houses, teaching things not right for the sake of ill gain. "

"2Co 4:1-2  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. "

Ministers of God, servants, need to make people know this. 

I feel tithe is wrongly used for ill gain by many a pastor. A minister should have what he needs for the ministry. If he moves to kampala to preach from Gulu, let the Church in Kampala feed him, clothe him, etc... But telling them to tithe to him is outright wrong. 

It is a shame to have the body of Christ with pastors who own lakeside villas while their congregation is poor. Large congregations are no good, if you do not know how each member is, if you are to follow Paul's advice and Peter's advice. (1 pet 5:2). Not only that- Christ looks for one lost sheep out of the hundred- what should that tell you?

Acts 4: 32-35. "And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. And not one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own. But they had all things common.And the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. And great grace was on them all. For neither was anyone needy among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and they laid them down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made to every man according as he had need."  

The above word and  Acts 20:34-35,  for me disqualify the teaching of tithe, in fact, the application of tithe to today's Church while there are poor, unfed congregations, large congregations where the elder cannot really oversee. 

The Lord attacks the Shepherds in Ezekiel.- these are His words- 

"Eze 34:2-4  "Mortal man," he said, "denounce the rulers of Israel. Prophesy to them, and tell them what I, the Sovereign LORD, say to them: You are doomed, you shepherds of Israel! You take care of yourselves, but never tend the sheep.   You drink the milk, wear clothes made from the wool, and kill and eat the finest sheep. But you never tend the sheep.  You have not taken care of the weak ones, healed the ones that are sick, bandaged the ones that are hurt, brought back the ones that wandered off, or looked for the ones that were lost. Instead, you treated them cruelly. " This sound like someone you know?

See how big congregations and a preaching of tithe make this possible? People are too many to be shepherded. (Cell groups are good especially when the routine is thrown out but the Holy Spirit allowed to lead) The tithe benefits the few. 

In this same book, God promises us a better shepherd- "Eze 34:23-4  I will give them a king like my servant David to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them.  I, the LORD, will be their God, and a king like my servant David will be their ruler. I have spoken. " The whole chapter should be read.

Church, open your eyes. If you're forced to tithe, made guilty to tithe, you are doing no good for yourself or the Church, for anything not of faith is sin. If you're to tithe to anyone- let it be of Godly conviction not of man preaching that blessings come from tithe. No, that is not true, because even Abraham was blessed before he tithed, not after. 

Give willingly, cheerfully, compelled by love knowing it benefits another brother who is not doing well- that could be an orphan, widow, poor person who is brethren or even a pastor, prophet, evangelist, teacher in your midst.

Does someone understand what I am saying?

2Co 9:5-15  Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go forward to you, and make up beforehand your blessing, it having been promised that this would be ready, thus as a matter of blessing, and not as of covetousness. But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.  Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;   As it is written, "He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever."   Now He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, may He supply and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness   you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us.   For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,   through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your freely expressed submission to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship toward them and toward all,   and in their prayer for you, who long after you, because of the exceeding grace of God on you.  Thanks be to God for His unspeakable free gift. 

The Controversy of Tithe

Church traditions versus the Word == controversy. "|

Anything, however good it is, presented as a law will never benefit God's people until it is presented as of faith!

So, what I am examining here is the truth in the Word vis a vis Church traditions.

I have never had a problem with tithing.  I have not been weighed down by failing to tithe but also, I have never found it burdensome. Before learning about the freedom in giving, tithe was pretty much the only way for me to give.

I find it disturbing when people in the Church preach hard sermons on tithing and promise a curse if one does not tithe. The best proof text is Malachi 3:8 "Mal 3:8  Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me. But you say, In what have we robbed You? In the tithe and the offering! "

We rob God in the tithe and the offering. Gosh! And it says;

Mal 3:10  Bring all the tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. And test Me now with this, says Jehovah of Hosts, to see if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you, and pour out a blessing for you, until there is not enough room.

I would like to note that we rob God in the tithe and offering. Not only the tithe.  Let me share on the types of tithe and offering in the Bible, as it says above we should bring all the tithe and not rob God in the offering as well.

The tithes

• The Levitical tithe
• The Festival tithe
• The Poor tithe

A comprehensive explanation is here

http://depending-on-god.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-are-different-types-of-tithes.html

The offerings

• The Burnt offering- Leviticus 1:1-17.
• The Meat offering-  Leviticus 2:1-16
• The Peace offering- Leviticus 3:1-17
• The Sin offering- Leviticus 4:1-35; 6:24-30
• The Trespass offering- Leviticus 5:1-6:7.

Go to this link for a more comprehensive revelation of these offerings.--http://mysite.verizon.net/vzevpn2q/sermons/id2.html

You will note, there are three types or two types of tithe, and five types of offering according to the law. And according to Malachi, trespassing against any of these meant you were cheating God. Your ten percent is a tiny bit of the entire theft that is. To adhere to these laws, we must understand comprehensively their premise.

So, when we are asked by Pastors to tithe lest we be cursed coz we are robbing God, do we understand that Biblically, it is not a mere ten percent, but a failure to offer and tithe?

The real benefit of tithe and offering is this:

the tithe catered for God's people, not just the Levites (today referred to as those in Church leadership). It should have given people an understanding of the need to give, not as a law but as a good thing which benefits others and ourselves. (2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;

) That was applicable then and still is now. Giving is good, any day. (2Co 9:12  For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God, ).

Rather than apply a law, what does Paul suggest? 2Co 9:7  Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Coming back to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith- do we realise that the offerings in the old testament are all types? They show us who Christ is, what He does.They portray His wholesome nature. Did  Christ not become the curse? Was there any case given which should alight a curse even while our eyes focused on God? Unless we paid lip service while our hearts were away...?

Consider the death of Ananias and Sapphira. The premise: The Church was a body of believers who shared everything. There was no "Levitical" position in it. Acts 2:44-47  And all who believed were together and had all things common. And they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. And continuing with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they shared food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Ananias was judged because he lied to the Holy Spirit, in the area of giving. See

Acts 5:3-4  But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own authority? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.

Ananias could have not given to the Church, and he would not have been condemned, after all it was his property. Like Paul mentioned- give, not of grief or of neccessity, but cheerfully of one's own accord. He was judged and died because he was trying to appear proper in the believers. There is no such thing as proper or civil in the Church apart from faith.

Abraham gave, not out of law but of faith. Should we not do the same? Should threats of curses be promised if we do not adhere to this misrepresented law, forgetting Christ our redeemer? Giving works two fold- as a conduit of blessing as well as a receptacle of blessing. Remove faith from giving and, condemnation arises.

Similarly, there must be a curse against the uncircumcised as well coz....

I, heretical I suppose, think it is wiser to give than to tithe.After all, tithing is a subset of giving- literally a tenth.

Preach tithe if you may, but do not use Malachi please unless we are prepared to approach God through Levites and not through Christ. If tithe must be preached, can we understand it first from the eyes of Christ?

As a last note, I read this from another blog-

The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.

Ezekiel 34: 1-3

Be blessed.