It's quite interesting that my last post had to do with on-line social networking as a connection rather than a community and then a few days later have UBHH. See, Anne Jackson posits that the web creates connection but not community and goes on to say that some off-line relationships may suffer because of the on-line ones.
I have seen a few of the comments and the general consensus is that there is actually community formed on-line. I for one can attest to the fact since I met one of my very good friends or tights (as The Igiss, who is no more would say,) on-line. The fact is she knows things about me my mother does not know, and I have known her since 2005. We have never met but I believe our relationship is not a connection but a community thing.
Other than that, Anne's society and our society differs greatly in terms of technology. Whereas the web maybe readily available in the U.S, in Uganda, apart from a privileged, few, the web ain't a luxury or rather a utility. So, my point is I think the web creates community. A good example of this is the Uganda Bloggers' Happy Hour. Connection leaves a lot to be desired so the wise "Oracle" in her Oracle-liness proposed community which caught on quite quickly. I for one do not know how long BHH has been running but the few times I have been there, I have been impressed by the level of community being developed.
See, it has moved from reading The Dark Knight to talking with him about business as well as personal matters. It transcends commenting a thing or two on a blog and discussing real issues like Who is Igiss? and what should a first kiss be like and other things.
Anyway, on a more serious note. BHH is a wonderful place, honest.
I did not mind showing up with The Safyre 45 minutes before any one else showed up. We thought someone had played a trick on us coz there was no one and come 1905 hours, we would have been leaving.
Thank God Lulu showed up then from inside Mateos emerged Be Silent who was on the verge of tears coz...she will explain. That's when the "community" started arriving.
Dee's outfit...for lack of appropriate words and for fear of losing my employer's favour....Anyway, Carlo showed up with Dante, the 2.Weak Dudes came in, Erique and then two camps were established. On the one side, there was talk of El Crapo, Igiss's real identity, cooking etc and on the other side -WORLD DOMINATION. I found myself sandwiched in the fair camp while the big guns talked of computers and the like... Not being sexist... I was in the middle of three relatives who had a lot to catch up on- Be Silent, Carlo and Dee...
I realise I am reaching my word limit so let me just highlight a few things.- The anthropology has kicked off and we are required to send our works to Lulu's email. The theme should be "I didn't die".
Igiss is still a mystery,and the word is since his identity was discovered he went offline! I hope he ain't PGB or something. I know a few of us who would be in trouble.
Chanel finally talked to me! Of course she acted like she did not know who I was but I discovered it's because she was afraid of misplacing her words in the presence of the Reverend Nev. People, I am sorry for being intimidating and being like a holier than thou fella, just like to point out a few things here and there. Thanks for smiling at me Chanel, I was encouraged.
We had a new blogger; Daniel whose blog I have failed to trace so far. The name is street siders.
Silverbow, The Antipop and Johnny 23 were all missing this time. She must have been working her behind off.
But it was on the whole a good BHH for me, met Erique, Be Silent, Dante, and Daniel.
Holla to Baz.
Word limit woes....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Facebook Fast | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders
The Facebook Fast
Uber-blogger, Anne Jackson, says the web creates connection but not community.
Blogging. Facebook. Twitter. Those three things are practically my middle name. I've been called a “social media butterfly” over the last four years.
The question of "Can community happen online?" which has been the topic of conversation on this blog recently, has also been asked wherever I go. At conferences, at churches, and yes, even at the local cafe where by chance, a Facebook friend recognizes me. Sorry. I have to admit. I usually don't know who you are.
Shane Hipps has spoken. Scot McKnight has spoken. And now, it’s my turn to add another view into this virtual world.
During my four years as the leader of a very thriving blog (FlowerDust.net), I've seen many incredible things happen. I've seen believers and unbelievers unite in generously donating close to $200,000 to social justice and poverty. I've seen people openly discuss taboo subjects: pornography, depression, anxiety, gay lifestyles, and theologically grey topics.
In some instances, these online conversations have translated into personal communication (by email, chats, or phone) and some have even turned into face-to-face meetings. The platforms of social media certainly give these personal interactions a "jump start" so to speak, because you do, in some regard, know bits and pieces of the other person's life.
But this is where it gets muddy for me. Is it community?
Given my experience living in both worlds, it may be surprising to hear, but I am beginning to lean on the side of no—what happens online is not community. Before you send me an army of frowning emoticons, please hear me out:
I believe what happens online is connection—not community.
People can be vulnerable and honest online. And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of our offline relationships, but they are not the same.
During Lent, I am going to close my blog down. I am not going to Twitter, or update my Facebook profile. I'll still email people, and chat with my friends, but for those few weeks my social networking is getting put on hold. There are a variety of reasons, of which I'll detail on my personal blog shortly, but a small part of this is a personal social experiment. I want to discover whether my online life gets in the way of my offline life. And do others' online lives get in the way of their offline lives?
I'll leave you with a couple small, hypothetical examples. Let’s say my friend (who lives in Nashville with me) puts a note on Twitter about having a girls' night. I miss the invitation because of my online Lenten fast, but since most of our "group" is plugged in, everyone else gets it. I'm at home cleaning my bathrooms, unaware of this event. In this case being online would have aided my offline relationships.
Or to take it one step further. Imagine I post about having dinner with a group of friends. Someone else in our online circle sees these updates and wonders why he or she wasn't invited. Although the uninvited person is internalizing the situation, it can still cause a serious sense of isolation and insecurity which then creates tension in our offline relationship. In this case my online life would be detrimental to my offline friendship.
I’m hoping my Lenten experiment will give me more clarity about whether my online life is benefiting my offline relationships.
Online connections are good. They can be deep and good for our souls. But when we turn them into an online community, they can, and do, impact our face-to-face interactions. When we spend more time staring at a glowing monitor than we do into the eyes of those we love, or need to love, it might be time to shut off the computer.
Anne Jackson is on staff at Cross Point Church in Nashville, and blogs at Flowerdust.net. She is also the author of Mad Church Disease (Zondervan, 2009).
Uber-blogger, Anne Jackson, says the web creates connection but not community.
Blogging. Facebook. Twitter. Those three things are practically my middle name. I've been called a “social media butterfly” over the last four years.
The question of "Can community happen online?" which has been the topic of conversation on this blog recently, has also been asked wherever I go. At conferences, at churches, and yes, even at the local cafe where by chance, a Facebook friend recognizes me. Sorry. I have to admit. I usually don't know who you are.
Shane Hipps has spoken. Scot McKnight has spoken. And now, it’s my turn to add another view into this virtual world.
During my four years as the leader of a very thriving blog (FlowerDust.net), I've seen many incredible things happen. I've seen believers and unbelievers unite in generously donating close to $200,000 to social justice and poverty. I've seen people openly discuss taboo subjects: pornography, depression, anxiety, gay lifestyles, and theologically grey topics.
In some instances, these online conversations have translated into personal communication (by email, chats, or phone) and some have even turned into face-to-face meetings. The platforms of social media certainly give these personal interactions a "jump start" so to speak, because you do, in some regard, know bits and pieces of the other person's life.
But this is where it gets muddy for me. Is it community?
Given my experience living in both worlds, it may be surprising to hear, but I am beginning to lean on the side of no—what happens online is not community. Before you send me an army of frowning emoticons, please hear me out:
I believe what happens online is connection—not community.
People can be vulnerable and honest online. And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of our offline relationships, but they are not the same.
During Lent, I am going to close my blog down. I am not going to Twitter, or update my Facebook profile. I'll still email people, and chat with my friends, but for those few weeks my social networking is getting put on hold. There are a variety of reasons, of which I'll detail on my personal blog shortly, but a small part of this is a personal social experiment. I want to discover whether my online life gets in the way of my offline life. And do others' online lives get in the way of their offline lives?
I'll leave you with a couple small, hypothetical examples. Let’s say my friend (who lives in Nashville with me) puts a note on Twitter about having a girls' night. I miss the invitation because of my online Lenten fast, but since most of our "group" is plugged in, everyone else gets it. I'm at home cleaning my bathrooms, unaware of this event. In this case being online would have aided my offline relationships.
Or to take it one step further. Imagine I post about having dinner with a group of friends. Someone else in our online circle sees these updates and wonders why he or she wasn't invited. Although the uninvited person is internalizing the situation, it can still cause a serious sense of isolation and insecurity which then creates tension in our offline relationship. In this case my online life would be detrimental to my offline friendship.
I’m hoping my Lenten experiment will give me more clarity about whether my online life is benefiting my offline relationships.
Online connections are good. They can be deep and good for our souls. But when we turn them into an online community, they can, and do, impact our face-to-face interactions. When we spend more time staring at a glowing monitor than we do into the eyes of those we love, or need to love, it might be time to shut off the computer.
Anne Jackson is on staff at Cross Point Church in Nashville, and blogs at Flowerdust.net. She is also the author of Mad Church Disease (Zondervan, 2009).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
When God loves me still
Too many times, when the heart is broken, and we face the dirt, and we wet the soil, with our salty tears,
When we feel the weight, of a guilt that's whole, of eyes gone sore, of sour remorse
His love never grows dim, His mercy never wanes.
+++
So why would we need a gentle saviour, a high priest who understands our weaknesses if we never had rough edges or if we always had the strength to overcome? Why would He fulfil the law and go to the cursed cross if we could perfect ourselves, if we could always do what is right?
Love, they say conquers all yet there I was interred by the fall. When I did sin, O did my soul writhe; it twisted, it turned. I saw that my sin was impossible to beat and so I cried because I had fallen again.
Should I ever fall? What will they say when they hear I fell? A man of words mighty and soothing to the soul, how come you yourself, tripped and then did fall? So I mourned that I was defeated, the sin has conquered my soul.
Yet He remained awake all the while. His soul received the pain without a qualm even when the metal ripped away his skin. He did not raise a finger, as they counted away, till all the strokes were fully embedded. And then to the cross, where they pierced his wrist and his feet as well.
But I thought I could do it; by myself I could. I could resist the temptation, I could stand the test. So when I fell I mourned that I couldn't.
But he watched all the while, even when the breathing got harder. He took my sin and made me whole.
+++
It gnaws at my soul when I fall again; to know that I have failed again. But the strokes and nails he endured for me, won't permit that I remain down. When I rise I see His face, with love and mercy and endless grace. Time after time after time after time, His mercy renews and His grace suffices. Where the sin abounds, much more grace abounds- to understand this is to keep in the fight.
So my face shall gaze upon His face, and His light will reveal His endless grace.
Grace shines much more when I fall again, for tis the strength that puts me on my feet again.
He is love.
When we feel the weight, of a guilt that's whole, of eyes gone sore, of sour remorse
His love never grows dim, His mercy never wanes.
+++
So why would we need a gentle saviour, a high priest who understands our weaknesses if we never had rough edges or if we always had the strength to overcome? Why would He fulfil the law and go to the cursed cross if we could perfect ourselves, if we could always do what is right?
Love, they say conquers all yet there I was interred by the fall. When I did sin, O did my soul writhe; it twisted, it turned. I saw that my sin was impossible to beat and so I cried because I had fallen again.
Should I ever fall? What will they say when they hear I fell? A man of words mighty and soothing to the soul, how come you yourself, tripped and then did fall? So I mourned that I was defeated, the sin has conquered my soul.
Yet He remained awake all the while. His soul received the pain without a qualm even when the metal ripped away his skin. He did not raise a finger, as they counted away, till all the strokes were fully embedded. And then to the cross, where they pierced his wrist and his feet as well.
But I thought I could do it; by myself I could. I could resist the temptation, I could stand the test. So when I fell I mourned that I couldn't.
But he watched all the while, even when the breathing got harder. He took my sin and made me whole.
+++
It gnaws at my soul when I fall again; to know that I have failed again. But the strokes and nails he endured for me, won't permit that I remain down. When I rise I see His face, with love and mercy and endless grace. Time after time after time after time, His mercy renews and His grace suffices. Where the sin abounds, much more grace abounds- to understand this is to keep in the fight.
So my face shall gaze upon His face, and His light will reveal His endless grace.
Grace shines much more when I fall again, for tis the strength that puts me on my feet again.
He is love.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Ori mi u wo e Lagi mo!! Wooo
Soulsnatcha and Sokleva are my latest music craze. These two belong to a group called Roof Top Mc's and their music is off the shi-hizzle. It would be good to point out at this point that these are not from the West or from the States; these two young men are Africans from Nigeria.
I did not anticipate ever getting to know there was a group called Roof Top Mc's or listening to their music and this is one of those (not so)pure coincidence things. I suspect I may be the only Ugandan , with my bro who know and love their music, even if it is just the one that is nominated for a Kora.
Lagi Mo is African hiphop but with a tint of those Jay-Z Linkin Park collaborations: Hiphoprock, if it exists.
We were watching the Kora show (I'm not too sure that's the real name of the show) and were able to watch many of the guys who have been nominated for Kora Awards this year. There is some good African music out there and must I say I think it is much more creative and hands on than much of the Ugandan music I hear. Very few Ugandan musicians can hold a guitar and perform while playing it and very few know even how to put their own sound onto a song. It is all the same in Uganda, no creativity, same beats of the "kibuk'okite" fame. Some are trying but it is too computerised to sound like they worked hard at all.
Now when me and bro watched these guys play, we were blown away! The live music was so enthralling, so riveting, it played with my ears and sparked my heart! Not only was the sound great, these guys have good voices! The song they were doing is called Lagi Mo and I must be honest and say it sounds better live than on Youtube. You can find the video here Lagi Mo.
Me and my bro first mourned about how we would not be able to listen to it again because prolly no Ugandan has ever heard about Roof Top Mc's but then I thought maybe I will talk to Lucy and see if she can get me anything from the station oba if they can play it again. Then I logged in and googled it and voila!! Solved my problem!
And gets better, I got the lyrics and you know how knowing a song's lyrics makes is so much more enjoyable!
Honestly I love the song and I could play it over and over again. Yes, I do that with most nice new songs then I get tired of them then after sometime I reignite my love...wooo...naye friends, please share my craze and tell me what you think!
Oh and before I go
I did not anticipate ever getting to know there was a group called Roof Top Mc's or listening to their music and this is one of those (not so)pure coincidence things. I suspect I may be the only Ugandan , with my bro who know and love their music, even if it is just the one that is nominated for a Kora.
Lagi Mo is African hiphop but with a tint of those Jay-Z Linkin Park collaborations: Hiphoprock, if it exists.
We were watching the Kora show (I'm not too sure that's the real name of the show) and were able to watch many of the guys who have been nominated for Kora Awards this year. There is some good African music out there and must I say I think it is much more creative and hands on than much of the Ugandan music I hear. Very few Ugandan musicians can hold a guitar and perform while playing it and very few know even how to put their own sound onto a song. It is all the same in Uganda, no creativity, same beats of the "kibuk'okite" fame. Some are trying but it is too computerised to sound like they worked hard at all.
Now when me and bro watched these guys play, we were blown away! The live music was so enthralling, so riveting, it played with my ears and sparked my heart! Not only was the sound great, these guys have good voices! The song they were doing is called Lagi Mo and I must be honest and say it sounds better live than on Youtube. You can find the video here Lagi Mo.
Me and my bro first mourned about how we would not be able to listen to it again because prolly no Ugandan has ever heard about Roof Top Mc's but then I thought maybe I will talk to Lucy and see if she can get me anything from the station oba if they can play it again. Then I logged in and googled it and voila!! Solved my problem!
And gets better, I got the lyrics and you know how knowing a song's lyrics makes is so much more enjoyable!
Honestly I love the song and I could play it over and over again. Yes, I do that with most nice new songs then I get tired of them then after sometime I reignite my love...wooo...naye friends, please share my craze and tell me what you think!
Oh and before I go
Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants:and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hi
I just got to work today naye I have some work to do but thought it would be nice to say hello and leave y'all with this beautiful Psalmetry!
Chapter 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [fn1] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Chapter 33
1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars [fn1] ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sojourn by circumstance
Guys, I have not really had a so so good week, in fact I have come to ask of your forgiveness because I am not going to be here. My brother is seriously sick but he is coming down with a healing soon. Me, my foot has refused to be well, but only for a while. Your prayers are welcome.
Meanwhile, I leave you with this.
Psalm 21.
Joy in the Salvation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
You have given him his heart's desire,
And have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah
For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
He asked life from You, and You gave it to him--
Length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.
Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to perform.
Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.
1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Love you all.
Meanwhile, I leave you with this.
Psalm 21.
Joy in the Salvation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
You have given him his heart's desire,
And have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah
For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
He asked life from You, and You gave it to him--
Length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.
Your hand will find all Your enemies;
Your right hand will find those who hate You.
You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger;
The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath,
And the fire shall devour them.
Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth,
And their descendants from among the sons of men.
For they intended evil against You;
They devised a plot which they are not able to perform.
Therefore You will make them turn their back;
You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces.
Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength!
We will sing and praise Your power.
1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Love you all.
Friday, January 23, 2009
This little shy boy is my cousin.
This little shy boy is my cousin.
He has a knack for asking questions that I find hard to answer. He is as persistent as a monkey that wants to know how smooth snake skin feels. However that is not the problem. This little cousin of mine and I have struck up a nice relationship. In fact we sleep in the same room and on some nights discuss matters of absolute importance (read girls) till the almost wee hours of the morning.
This is me...(notice the resemblance)
Joel and I share a name; yes I mean that while his name is Joel mine is Joel- make sense? Okay, we move on. He and I never used to talk like we do previously. By previously I mean before last year. Talking was never a priority. In fact at home it was mostly voice commands when it came to him; and that was what everybody else used, like
“Have you bathed?”, “Have you taken drugs?” etc etc and his answer would either be “yes” or “no”. There was nothing like a relationship. I doubt he enjoyed coming to visit us, apart from playing Mortal Kombat and Bikes on the computer, the rest was really impersonal.
This is our favourite rap duo- The Grits. (Our favourite song is Where are you going by these two- Coffee and Bonafide)
What made it worse for the poor boy was that he had just previously lost his mom and brother. So, the trauma never allowed him to speak. We mistook the trauma for pride, I think. I am ashamed of myself. But let us move on anyway.
So Joel joined secondary school three years ago. He is now going to join senior three and so he came home for the Christmas break. I guess it would have been the same as each year hadn’t I moved out of the main house. So, my ka-temporary place is a bit spacious. It can handle two beds and ….yeah, so… My aunt decided that instead of sleeping via some hard floor he better move in with me.
The first nights were “normal”, normal being we did not talk that much if at all. However the subsequent nights kind of eased the both of us and we began speaking for long hours and on comprehensive topics (read girls). He does not talk to any of the guys at home like he does with me. I have been able to promise and deliver ice cream which he had longed for and made it a point to chip in some chops. (Sweet buttercookie, it was for the love of the boy…)
This is Coffee in the video of "Here We Go".
Yesterday I had issues. So when I got home, I went straight to my crib, did not talk mob with anyone. I decided to get onto the laptop and play NFS MW, to pass some time and think of my issues. After a while, I needed to go to the toilet and in the process passed by the fridge to get something cold. From the toilet I was going back to my crib and Joel said,
“Eiiih…as if I am not a person?”
I wondered whatever this little boy was trying to say
“Ever since you came back, you have not even said anything to me?”…
I felt bad on the inside, in fact I knew I was guilty but I like most guys would do, spoke as if I did not even commit the crime committed. I then went on to ask him how he was and that he was looking different because of the new t-shirt he was donning.
I quickly continued to my crib. Then I felt that sincerely I had not been a good brother/cousin. Thus this post. I love my cousin, he is one of the few souls I can take freely with among my relatives. He is like my kid brother. I felt bad for what I did but would like to give him a treat..what do u think I should do? I mean in a big way? More ice cream perhaps?
Anyway, when all is said and done, I guess the point of this post is to remind us not to forget who we are in the eyes of those around us. Be the Father, Mother, Wife, Husband, Brother, Sister, Teacher you ought to be despite your own personal struggles. There are people who look up to you for hope and consolation; you are their piece of relief. Whether you’re feeling wicked on the inside or angelic, to them you remain Joel, the cousin who talks with them each time he comes back from work.
On my stereo
No more- Papa San feat Cyril
Tight with these- Grits
How it used to be -Kirk Franklin
All I Ever Needed- Sherwin Gardner feat Isaac Blackman
Eye on the Sparrow- Sherwin Gardner
Disaster- Papa San
What is this- Mary Mary
Still in love- Kirk Franklin
Higher Heights- Papa San
He has a knack for asking questions that I find hard to answer. He is as persistent as a monkey that wants to know how smooth snake skin feels. However that is not the problem. This little cousin of mine and I have struck up a nice relationship. In fact we sleep in the same room and on some nights discuss matters of absolute importance (read girls) till the almost wee hours of the morning.
This is me...(notice the resemblance)
Joel and I share a name; yes I mean that while his name is Joel mine is Joel- make sense? Okay, we move on. He and I never used to talk like we do previously. By previously I mean before last year. Talking was never a priority. In fact at home it was mostly voice commands when it came to him; and that was what everybody else used, like
“Have you bathed?”, “Have you taken drugs?” etc etc and his answer would either be “yes” or “no”. There was nothing like a relationship. I doubt he enjoyed coming to visit us, apart from playing Mortal Kombat and Bikes on the computer, the rest was really impersonal.
This is our favourite rap duo- The Grits. (Our favourite song is Where are you going by these two- Coffee and Bonafide)
What made it worse for the poor boy was that he had just previously lost his mom and brother. So, the trauma never allowed him to speak. We mistook the trauma for pride, I think. I am ashamed of myself. But let us move on anyway.
So Joel joined secondary school three years ago. He is now going to join senior three and so he came home for the Christmas break. I guess it would have been the same as each year hadn’t I moved out of the main house. So, my ka-temporary place is a bit spacious. It can handle two beds and ….yeah, so… My aunt decided that instead of sleeping via some hard floor he better move in with me.
The first nights were “normal”, normal being we did not talk that much if at all. However the subsequent nights kind of eased the both of us and we began speaking for long hours and on comprehensive topics (read girls). He does not talk to any of the guys at home like he does with me. I have been able to promise and deliver ice cream which he had longed for and made it a point to chip in some chops. (Sweet buttercookie, it was for the love of the boy…)
This is Coffee in the video of "Here We Go".
Yesterday I had issues. So when I got home, I went straight to my crib, did not talk mob with anyone. I decided to get onto the laptop and play NFS MW, to pass some time and think of my issues. After a while, I needed to go to the toilet and in the process passed by the fridge to get something cold. From the toilet I was going back to my crib and Joel said,
“Eiiih…as if I am not a person?”
I wondered whatever this little boy was trying to say
“Ever since you came back, you have not even said anything to me?”…
I felt bad on the inside, in fact I knew I was guilty but I like most guys would do, spoke as if I did not even commit the crime committed. I then went on to ask him how he was and that he was looking different because of the new t-shirt he was donning.
I quickly continued to my crib. Then I felt that sincerely I had not been a good brother/cousin. Thus this post. I love my cousin, he is one of the few souls I can take freely with among my relatives. He is like my kid brother. I felt bad for what I did but would like to give him a treat..what do u think I should do? I mean in a big way? More ice cream perhaps?
Anyway, when all is said and done, I guess the point of this post is to remind us not to forget who we are in the eyes of those around us. Be the Father, Mother, Wife, Husband, Brother, Sister, Teacher you ought to be despite your own personal struggles. There are people who look up to you for hope and consolation; you are their piece of relief. Whether you’re feeling wicked on the inside or angelic, to them you remain Joel, the cousin who talks with them each time he comes back from work.
On my stereo
No more- Papa San feat Cyril
Tight with these- Grits
How it used to be -Kirk Franklin
All I Ever Needed- Sherwin Gardner feat Isaac Blackman
Eye on the Sparrow- Sherwin Gardner
Disaster- Papa San
What is this- Mary Mary
Still in love- Kirk Franklin
Higher Heights- Papa San
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Give me more
Chords, strings, hihats moving together in sync. It starts like a marathon race, first slowly then picking pace. Once in a while the pace slows down, like the runner slowing to grab a bottle of water and then again picks up.
There is a rush that comes with it, something deep down in the underground of the body. It is something that cannot be touched, cannot be explained aptly; it can only be felt.
It is the heart's pace growing faster with every turn on the journey. A fire starts and cannot be put out.
It feels good. It feels damn good.
Accelerando: the waves take me on a new high, I can almost touch the stars. I can almost kiss the moon.
Cadence: suddenly dawns on me, the bridge I can sit on.
Adagio: Somehow the waves take carry me like a baby in a cradle and the mellow sound puts me at ease. I feel peaceful.
I want more, I want some more and a lot more. Yet a time comes for the journey to end. The sway of the feeling must meet demise when the last string is strummed, when the last hihat is heard and I must stop.
The music is magical people, the music is like a drug. Give me music, give me their music.
There is a rush that comes with it, something deep down in the underground of the body. It is something that cannot be touched, cannot be explained aptly; it can only be felt.
It is the heart's pace growing faster with every turn on the journey. A fire starts and cannot be put out.
It feels good. It feels damn good.
Accelerando: the waves take me on a new high, I can almost touch the stars. I can almost kiss the moon.
Cadence: suddenly dawns on me, the bridge I can sit on.
Adagio: Somehow the waves take carry me like a baby in a cradle and the mellow sound puts me at ease. I feel peaceful.
I want more, I want some more and a lot more. Yet a time comes for the journey to end. The sway of the feeling must meet demise when the last string is strummed, when the last hihat is heard and I must stop.
The music is magical people, the music is like a drug. Give me music, give me their music.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Introducing
INTRODUCING
THE SAFYRE
The big brother/cousin I told you about has followed me to blogger...hehe. For those who didn't attend BHH, you will see him another time. As for now, enjoy.
THE SAFYRE
The big brother/cousin I told you about has followed me to blogger...hehe. For those who didn't attend BHH, you will see him another time. As for now, enjoy.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Desert song
Bang bang bang!!
The hammer keeps banging at the bones. He tries to rub the knee but the pain cannot be touched; it is only felt.
Bang bang bang!
His eyes become watery and he lifts up his leg, hoping the pain will subside....
But this pain sometimes never listens: Bang bang bang!
I do what I know best but at some point the groans almost whet my eyes to tear. So I walk out of the room, praying he gets better.
I wish I could explain it was a friend, but no- it's my brother in crisis.
...
Desert Song, Hillsong
Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow...
The hammer keeps banging at the bones. He tries to rub the knee but the pain cannot be touched; it is only felt.
Bang bang bang!
His eyes become watery and he lifts up his leg, hoping the pain will subside....
But this pain sometimes never listens: Bang bang bang!
I do what I know best but at some point the groans almost whet my eyes to tear. So I walk out of the room, praying he gets better.
I wish I could explain it was a friend, but no- it's my brother in crisis.
...
Desert Song, Hillsong
Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Fellowship at Mateos
I swear Antipop has a recording camera in her eyes and a mic in her ears plus a well controlled Operating System up in her head. She remembers word for word most of the conversations she took part in yesterday. If you have already watched the showing I do not know if you will enjoy this a lot because I think Carlo and I seem to share agnosia (snob sickness) but here I go.
I never go to a new place alone. Mummy told me if I am to talk to strangers I should move with someone older. I am not saying all of the people at Blogopolis are strangers but how would I know I had never seen them! I could believe Lulu because I "see" her often. For Dee, I had met previously at a soup kitchen but also had been surprised to see her on another occasion when I bought airtime. The Dark Knight-Rogue-Dawg-King removed the mask recently so I knew what to expect. I had been able to catch glimpses of Detamble but it was good finding out yesterday Rev's hair was actually not red. I had caught a glimpse of Chanel5 but thought she would be taller.
Apart from the afore mentioned, I could call the rest strangers. So I came with my big brother/cousin Simon, who is 13 days older than me.
Bare with me I cannot recount a story as good as Antipop so let me....uh, try to make some sense.
Edmund looks suave. And he behaves like a gentleman. I noticed coz my big brother Simon is always giving me pointers on how to be a gentleman and I saw some in him. Please, I am not gay, just paying homage.
Lulu, sweetness. She can talk. Problem is I did not talk with her that much but she gave me a head pat. The one big sisters give kid brothers. She has gained good weight. Last time I saw her she looked like a shorter Ivan. That was way back in school.
I was shocked to find that Detamble looks more peaceable in person. I hope she was not being too protected by Rev, who wants to buy a gun given his pocket knife proved non yielding in stopping robbers who were running away from his hands' thrusts. I learnt he is a code freak but is also a major fan of the Rogue King. This brother owns green- no wonder he is giving up on communism.
Dee is a friendly gael. She made me feel comfortable with her conversation which due to agnosia I cannot properly remember. But she talked about VISA....Eh, and she had a new camera which I think will have a pishure of me for your brain's "my pictures" folder.
Then a white lady came in. She had not seen us till Dee called her by this name "Rebekah". Remember her in the Bible the one who favoured one of her children over the other? Yes I was reading about her favouritism just a few minutes ago. I was informed that she is the grandmother of BHH- jAckfruity.
I was now getting bored. Dee had gone to sit with Lulu, Rev was talking with Detamble and Rebekah and I had no blogger to talk to. Lindah, who says she is a laywer then arrived. She could not pay attention to my pestering of who she was and what she does so it was a relief when a tall guy walked in smarted up and introduced himself as Johhny!
I couldn't believe it! I am sure he saw how I worshipped with the gleam in my eyes...I was excited to meet this guy coz his stories are quite interesting. I later got to find out he is my O.B as well. This is when I loosened up and knew I could talk to any one.
Johnny seemed like he was not well settled as he was asking where Antipop was. I am sure the person he talked to was her coz after that call he told me she would be coming.
Kings cannot be missed! So when the Dawg, Rogue, King man arrived I knew it was his highness. He is quite the popular one. He must have received a hug from every female.
After that I briefly moved out with Simon to meet a friend and when I came back I discovered my seat was inconspicuously hidden. More had arrived. I first passed a small dimpled woman who I assumed could be the Antipop. We said nothing to each other at the moment. She first went round, distributing hugs and handshakes and when she came back found me engaged in conversation with a rather good looking young belle who I found out is a neatsilverbow. Eunice is her name and does she remind me of....not today!
She gives off energy this silver bow, that's all I can say for now. I found out she and Antipop were former workmates but also friends, so she must work at The Chapter! I was taken aback when I saw her article- about babies and constipation.
So when she (the antipop) returned, I introduced myself as the nevman and then the dimples...ooh those dimples...
Ivan then appeared as if from nowhere, a tall man with almost no expression on his face. The Chanel5 followed after, and then Sula (whose blog I have now forgotten).
By this time my good seat had been taken over and I could only manage to sit behind the Rev and talk to those closest.
Lulu had left by now. And at the time Antipop and the Silver Bow were leaving. I was joining suit but then SK informed me the Cheri was arriving and wanted to talk to me.
So I waited and she called. I was glad to hear the voice of the butter cookie who informed me she would be sorting out some men issues thereafter. It was exciting talking to her.
After that I said my good byes.
I did not see Igis, Baz,Carlo, Tumwi etc. I thought UgGal would come...But enough talking. I am out of cyber saliva.
Dee, I am waiting for the snaps.
I never go to a new place alone. Mummy told me if I am to talk to strangers I should move with someone older. I am not saying all of the people at Blogopolis are strangers but how would I know I had never seen them! I could believe Lulu because I "see" her often. For Dee, I had met previously at a soup kitchen but also had been surprised to see her on another occasion when I bought airtime. The Dark Knight-Rogue-Dawg-King removed the mask recently so I knew what to expect. I had been able to catch glimpses of Detamble but it was good finding out yesterday Rev's hair was actually not red. I had caught a glimpse of Chanel5 but thought she would be taller.
Apart from the afore mentioned, I could call the rest strangers. So I came with my big brother/cousin Simon, who is 13 days older than me.
Bare with me I cannot recount a story as good as Antipop so let me....uh, try to make some sense.
Edmund looks suave. And he behaves like a gentleman. I noticed coz my big brother Simon is always giving me pointers on how to be a gentleman and I saw some in him. Please, I am not gay, just paying homage.
Lulu, sweetness. She can talk. Problem is I did not talk with her that much but she gave me a head pat. The one big sisters give kid brothers. She has gained good weight. Last time I saw her she looked like a shorter Ivan. That was way back in school.
I was shocked to find that Detamble looks more peaceable in person. I hope she was not being too protected by Rev, who wants to buy a gun given his pocket knife proved non yielding in stopping robbers who were running away from his hands' thrusts. I learnt he is a code freak but is also a major fan of the Rogue King. This brother owns green- no wonder he is giving up on communism.
Dee is a friendly gael. She made me feel comfortable with her conversation which due to agnosia I cannot properly remember. But she talked about VISA....Eh, and she had a new camera which I think will have a pishure of me for your brain's "my pictures" folder.
Then a white lady came in. She had not seen us till Dee called her by this name "Rebekah". Remember her in the Bible the one who favoured one of her children over the other? Yes I was reading about her favouritism just a few minutes ago. I was informed that she is the grandmother of BHH- jAckfruity.
I was now getting bored. Dee had gone to sit with Lulu, Rev was talking with Detamble and Rebekah and I had no blogger to talk to. Lindah, who says she is a laywer then arrived. She could not pay attention to my pestering of who she was and what she does so it was a relief when a tall guy walked in smarted up and introduced himself as Johhny!
I couldn't believe it! I am sure he saw how I worshipped with the gleam in my eyes...I was excited to meet this guy coz his stories are quite interesting. I later got to find out he is my O.B as well. This is when I loosened up and knew I could talk to any one.
Johnny seemed like he was not well settled as he was asking where Antipop was. I am sure the person he talked to was her coz after that call he told me she would be coming.
Kings cannot be missed! So when the Dawg, Rogue, King man arrived I knew it was his highness. He is quite the popular one. He must have received a hug from every female.
After that I briefly moved out with Simon to meet a friend and when I came back I discovered my seat was inconspicuously hidden. More had arrived. I first passed a small dimpled woman who I assumed could be the Antipop. We said nothing to each other at the moment. She first went round, distributing hugs and handshakes and when she came back found me engaged in conversation with a rather good looking young belle who I found out is a neatsilverbow. Eunice is her name and does she remind me of....not today!
She gives off energy this silver bow, that's all I can say for now. I found out she and Antipop were former workmates but also friends, so she must work at The Chapter! I was taken aback when I saw her article- about babies and constipation.
So when she (the antipop) returned, I introduced myself as the nevman and then the dimples...ooh those dimples...
Ivan then appeared as if from nowhere, a tall man with almost no expression on his face. The Chanel5 followed after, and then Sula (whose blog I have now forgotten).
By this time my good seat had been taken over and I could only manage to sit behind the Rev and talk to those closest.
Lulu had left by now. And at the time Antipop and the Silver Bow were leaving. I was joining suit but then SK informed me the Cheri was arriving and wanted to talk to me.
So I waited and she called. I was glad to hear the voice of the butter cookie who informed me she would be sorting out some men issues thereafter. It was exciting talking to her.
After that I said my good byes.
I did not see Igis, Baz,Carlo, Tumwi etc. I thought UgGal would come...But enough talking. I am out of cyber saliva.
Dee, I am waiting for the snaps.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A Morning at the Police
She was a small bodied woman. Fair skin and braided hair. It looked old. She was short like Chandiru of the three . She came in, walking languidly and stood at the counter. She said something to the officer and a black book was opened.
"I have come to visit one of the people in the cell."
The cell was just adjacent to where the counter was. A heavy steel door with bars near the top where once in a while, someone would hold and peep through. It had a worn out tri-cycle padlock on it.
She told him a name and he got a book; it was a large one. I do not remember what was written on it but it recorded the names of people in the cell, the dates they were put in and the crimes they were accused of. He began turning the pages carefully, looking for the name. His finger landed on a particular name and it remained there.
"Do you know what case he's in here for?"
"No."
"Attempted rape."
As though he was poking at her.
.............
Brown skinned girl, not over 22. Blouse and skirt. No shoes. She was being moved to and fro offices. She had gentle looking eyes. Had a calm composure. Why was she here?
What was her story?
She reminded me of her. The big round eyes. She said nothing all the time I was there. All she said was yes to a question of whether the shoes she was being given were hers...
.............................
Dark man, normal build. He was putting on a white and red track suit and nice looking snake skin shoes. I wondered what he did for a living. I had been waiting four hours now for the O.C to make a return. There was no place to sit so we all were lingering outside the offices. So he began in Luganda;
"Life is not easy man."
I could only respond with a "Hmmmm.."
He then continued to tell me how he was reporting on issues of his bond. And how he ended up here.
"I was there in my butchery one day doing my good work when a police man came and told me to get out. He tried to come in on his own and I beat him. As I was there, I never realised there were four others outside. They were telling me to come out. I said I would not come out. "
I added an occasional "Eh! Ah!" here and there.
"These men thought I was easy but I stood my ground. So when they saw I wouldn't barge, they shot at me. Bwana, six shots through the roof! They thought they could scare me but I still jammed! I told them I was not going anywhere until they brought the Chairman to explain to me why they wanted to take me away.!"
I thought he had a good reason for resisting arrest until
"I knew why they had come but I just didn't want to go with them. The case is about the disappearance of some guy."
then I thought, "What if they see me talking to him and say I am an accomplice?" I prayed he would finish.
"Anyway, it was until the chairman came that I went but then as they were coming in to get me, one of them was pierced and they claimed it was me. I think one of the hooks that I hang the meat on did that. But then they put that case on me."
I wondered whether he was telling the truth.
"So man they opened three cases against me...."
"Ssebo, I think return at around 2pm because right now the O.C may not be coming."
This statement saved me from this butcher man. I decided to leave.
....................
"So brother why not I help you and you help me, on humanitarian grounds..."
I feigned ignorance of what he was meaning.
"What should I do?" I asked.
"Sir, the ball is now in your court, so...."
..............
Reporting loss of an I.D to the police in Uganda can take long but my visit to the station was quite interesting.
"I have come to visit one of the people in the cell."
The cell was just adjacent to where the counter was. A heavy steel door with bars near the top where once in a while, someone would hold and peep through. It had a worn out tri-cycle padlock on it.
She told him a name and he got a book; it was a large one. I do not remember what was written on it but it recorded the names of people in the cell, the dates they were put in and the crimes they were accused of. He began turning the pages carefully, looking for the name. His finger landed on a particular name and it remained there.
"Do you know what case he's in here for?"
"No."
"Attempted rape."
As though he was poking at her.
.............
Brown skinned girl, not over 22. Blouse and skirt. No shoes. She was being moved to and fro offices. She had gentle looking eyes. Had a calm composure. Why was she here?
What was her story?
She reminded me of her. The big round eyes. She said nothing all the time I was there. All she said was yes to a question of whether the shoes she was being given were hers...
.............................
Dark man, normal build. He was putting on a white and red track suit and nice looking snake skin shoes. I wondered what he did for a living. I had been waiting four hours now for the O.C to make a return. There was no place to sit so we all were lingering outside the offices. So he began in Luganda;
"Life is not easy man."
I could only respond with a "Hmmmm.."
He then continued to tell me how he was reporting on issues of his bond. And how he ended up here.
"I was there in my butchery one day doing my good work when a police man came and told me to get out. He tried to come in on his own and I beat him. As I was there, I never realised there were four others outside. They were telling me to come out. I said I would not come out. "
I added an occasional "Eh! Ah!" here and there.
"These men thought I was easy but I stood my ground. So when they saw I wouldn't barge, they shot at me. Bwana, six shots through the roof! They thought they could scare me but I still jammed! I told them I was not going anywhere until they brought the Chairman to explain to me why they wanted to take me away.!"
I thought he had a good reason for resisting arrest until
"I knew why they had come but I just didn't want to go with them. The case is about the disappearance of some guy."
then I thought, "What if they see me talking to him and say I am an accomplice?" I prayed he would finish.
"Anyway, it was until the chairman came that I went but then as they were coming in to get me, one of them was pierced and they claimed it was me. I think one of the hooks that I hang the meat on did that. But then they put that case on me."
I wondered whether he was telling the truth.
"So man they opened three cases against me...."
"Ssebo, I think return at around 2pm because right now the O.C may not be coming."
This statement saved me from this butcher man. I decided to leave.
....................
"So brother why not I help you and you help me, on humanitarian grounds..."
I feigned ignorance of what he was meaning.
"What should I do?" I asked.
"Sir, the ball is now in your court, so...."
..............
Reporting loss of an I.D to the police in Uganda can take long but my visit to the station was quite interesting.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Fly things
"According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a man should be able to fly. He has no wings and his bones are too heavy to stay off the ground. The man, of course, flies anyway. Because man doesn't care what humans think is impossible."
No! I did not steal it from the Bee Movie...maybe just a little.
This is the year I want to go bungee jumping in Jinja. Why? I want to fly. It's getting tired; this pork eating bizness, and ice creaming in town. I want a new experience, I want to fly.
Flying for a minute may look vain but it is one minute...0ne, two , three, fifty nine, sixty seconds! Just free fall, the feeling of letting go.
Jinja is a wonderful place for nostalgia. The quiet as you approach the city is calming, the environ just amicable. I was there; remember when I crossed the river with her?.
I want to go back. Perhaps as a ritual. Usually defeating nostalgia needs facing it. But forget that, I am not writing about that today. I am writing about flying! And yes, men can fly.
God never gave us wings because (I posit) he gave us creativity and adrenaline. Look around you: the humiliation of Chelsea FC by Man United; Louis Hamilton at the F1 track; Usain Bolt at the 100 metres and me this December at Jinja.
December. The month where I usually grow older and think deeper. Also the month I will have saved enough dime to go bungee jumping, and it is one of the less congested months. All this hoping I will not have attended my burial by then.
This is not a bucket list. This is a fly plan.
I and my frère are less privileged than most of the people we know personally. He was set back as I was by a demon that decided to reincarnate in me and him. There was hope late last year that that demon can actually die but the costs are a tad too high. So, with that I began feeling the need to represent this thing; okay the people suffering from it.
I hate being called a sickler. It makes me feel less human than everybody else yet there is some truth in it. Take for example the fact that I was not really encouraged to get sporty because of the risks involved; I joined boarding late in life because of the same fear.
My condition made me hate a part of myself, I hated the disease and everything to do with. Tis the reason why I never felt particularly confident with her at first. In fact when she found out she was pissed off! But not because I was sick, rather because I was pity partying. The girl gave me a rebuke!
But do people understand this thing? Do people know what it means to be a minority? I do yet so vaguely. I have been to the Sickle Cell Clinic at Mulago and it brings tears to my eyes as well as questions to Abba. My mzee has somehow been able to pay the bills but the guys who go there cannot afford it.
The crises are so bad.....in the words of a singer whose name I cannot remember It's like rain made of broken glass falling heavily upon the bones.
What does this have to do with flying?
Like I said, men will fly despite the limitations. They will rise higher than the challenge and live.
I want to go bungee jumping in December to celebrate my life. Many say it is a miracle for us to live beyond twenty but looky here, I am almost fifty! Hehehe.
I should have died before, even my brother-he has been on oxygen many times but God is faithful!
Men can fly people, no matter their limitation. However, the men who fly highest are those least expected, and those are the ones who God strengthens.
So no matter what you're feeling now, how un-winged you see yourself, how lonely you are, God is able to make you fly. And this is why:
No! I did not steal it from the Bee Movie...maybe just a little.
This is the year I want to go bungee jumping in Jinja. Why? I want to fly. It's getting tired; this pork eating bizness, and ice creaming in town. I want a new experience, I want to fly.
Flying for a minute may look vain but it is one minute...0ne, two , three, fifty nine, sixty seconds! Just free fall, the feeling of letting go.
Jinja is a wonderful place for nostalgia. The quiet as you approach the city is calming, the environ just amicable. I was there; remember when I crossed the river with her?.
I want to go back. Perhaps as a ritual. Usually defeating nostalgia needs facing it. But forget that, I am not writing about that today. I am writing about flying! And yes, men can fly.
God never gave us wings because (I posit) he gave us creativity and adrenaline. Look around you: the humiliation of Chelsea FC by Man United; Louis Hamilton at the F1 track; Usain Bolt at the 100 metres and me this December at Jinja.
December. The month where I usually grow older and think deeper. Also the month I will have saved enough dime to go bungee jumping, and it is one of the less congested months. All this hoping I will not have attended my burial by then.
This is not a bucket list. This is a fly plan.
I and my frère are less privileged than most of the people we know personally. He was set back as I was by a demon that decided to reincarnate in me and him. There was hope late last year that that demon can actually die but the costs are a tad too high. So, with that I began feeling the need to represent this thing; okay the people suffering from it.
I hate being called a sickler. It makes me feel less human than everybody else yet there is some truth in it. Take for example the fact that I was not really encouraged to get sporty because of the risks involved; I joined boarding late in life because of the same fear.
My condition made me hate a part of myself, I hated the disease and everything to do with. Tis the reason why I never felt particularly confident with her at first. In fact when she found out she was pissed off! But not because I was sick, rather because I was pity partying. The girl gave me a rebuke!
But do people understand this thing? Do people know what it means to be a minority? I do yet so vaguely. I have been to the Sickle Cell Clinic at Mulago and it brings tears to my eyes as well as questions to Abba. My mzee has somehow been able to pay the bills but the guys who go there cannot afford it.
The crises are so bad.....in the words of a singer whose name I cannot remember It's like rain made of broken glass falling heavily upon the bones.
What does this have to do with flying?
Like I said, men will fly despite the limitations. They will rise higher than the challenge and live.
I want to go bungee jumping in December to celebrate my life. Many say it is a miracle for us to live beyond twenty but looky here, I am almost fifty! Hehehe.
I should have died before, even my brother-he has been on oxygen many times but God is faithful!
Men can fly people, no matter their limitation. However, the men who fly highest are those least expected, and those are the ones who God strengthens.
So no matter what you're feeling now, how un-winged you see yourself, how lonely you are, God is able to make you fly. And this is why:
Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Live Coverage of the Israeli Palestinian war
...continues as we go on to give you updates.
The time is 9.00am and all the soldiers are fresh. The Palestinians look particularly relaxed and are laughing out loud at blonde jokes. They are particularly taken up by the shock 1-0 win of Derby over Manchester United.
The Israeli army though looking strong, seem a bit uncertain and unnerved by the whole scenario.
Their Commander in Chief is still with his generals considering how to deal with the threat posed by the Palestinians. As we all know, this is Nevender, live in Socoh east of Bethlehem. It is forty days since Goli Ath, the Palestinian Commander made his challenge to the Israeli's but up to now, there has been no response.
(Aside...receiving a call) What? Wha... hold on! This just in: a David of Jesse, 17 years old has taken on the challenge of Goli Ath. Live pictures are coming to you in a moment...and there he is! Dressed up in the brass armour that we all know belongs to the Commander in Chief.
We are still trying to ascertain more details..but wait..the boy, David is returning to the Commander's tent. Must be to receive last minute instructions on the battle ahead. However, we are all in shock, in utter disbelief at the turn of events. Why hasn't the Commander in Chief himself gone to fight? No one can tell. Yes the Palestinian champion Goli Ath is several sizes bigger than Saul, but he is the Commander in Chief! He should risk his own life, not some little kid's..!!?
This is sad. It is surely going to be a sad day for Israel. Stay with us as we continue coverage...
Back on the scene.
Goli Ath has just received the news and is laughing uncontrollably; he leads the entire Palestinian army into a bout of laughter as he shows off his huge armour. Saul's armour will not stand against this, especially with a boy putting it on.
And here we see David! Gosh! Cannot believe my eyes; David has emerged from the tent. However, he has done so without Saul's armour. Does he think this is some adolescent joke? Well, no one's laughing, not even him. All he carries is his staff, a sling and leather bag.
He is scouring for pebbles as he moves towards the giant. Something is wrong with this picture...I hope he doesn't want to engage the soldier from Gath in a game of duulu*. Well he continues, putting some in the bag, dropping others.
From my counting, he has put five smooth pebbles in the bag and now approaches Goli Ath. The two are now facing each other although several meters from each other. Goli Ath seems to be saying something to the boy...wait, we have it...
"Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks? Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field."
If I were David, I would plead for mercy now...yet he says something back:
"You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Jehovah will deliver you into my hand today, and I will strike you and take your head from you and give the bodies of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the air today, and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this multitude shall know that Jehovah does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is Jehovah's, and He will give you into our hands. "
This boy David has oversized courage.
As Goli Ath readies his spear, David runs towards him, removing a pebble from his bag and putting it in his sling then hurling it at the giant.
..........[speechless]...............
Viewers, this is unbelievable.
[softly]The giant has been hit between the eyes by the pebble which David threw and has stopped moving....
Oh my God...he is falling, he has fallen! David is running quickly to him...He retrieves the giant's spear....he is aiming for the neck......[signal lost]
THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE FOR MINORS.
The time is 9.00am and all the soldiers are fresh. The Palestinians look particularly relaxed and are laughing out loud at blonde jokes. They are particularly taken up by the shock 1-0 win of Derby over Manchester United.
The Israeli army though looking strong, seem a bit uncertain and unnerved by the whole scenario.
Their Commander in Chief is still with his generals considering how to deal with the threat posed by the Palestinians. As we all know, this is Nevender, live in Socoh east of Bethlehem. It is forty days since Goli Ath, the Palestinian Commander made his challenge to the Israeli's but up to now, there has been no response.
(Aside...receiving a call) What? Wha... hold on! This just in: a David of Jesse, 17 years old has taken on the challenge of Goli Ath. Live pictures are coming to you in a moment...and there he is! Dressed up in the brass armour that we all know belongs to the Commander in Chief.
We are still trying to ascertain more details..but wait..the boy, David is returning to the Commander's tent. Must be to receive last minute instructions on the battle ahead. However, we are all in shock, in utter disbelief at the turn of events. Why hasn't the Commander in Chief himself gone to fight? No one can tell. Yes the Palestinian champion Goli Ath is several sizes bigger than Saul, but he is the Commander in Chief! He should risk his own life, not some little kid's..!!?
This is sad. It is surely going to be a sad day for Israel. Stay with us as we continue coverage...
Back on the scene.
Goli Ath has just received the news and is laughing uncontrollably; he leads the entire Palestinian army into a bout of laughter as he shows off his huge armour. Saul's armour will not stand against this, especially with a boy putting it on.
And here we see David! Gosh! Cannot believe my eyes; David has emerged from the tent. However, he has done so without Saul's armour. Does he think this is some adolescent joke? Well, no one's laughing, not even him. All he carries is his staff, a sling and leather bag.
He is scouring for pebbles as he moves towards the giant. Something is wrong with this picture...I hope he doesn't want to engage the soldier from Gath in a game of duulu*. Well he continues, putting some in the bag, dropping others.
From my counting, he has put five smooth pebbles in the bag and now approaches Goli Ath. The two are now facing each other although several meters from each other. Goli Ath seems to be saying something to the boy...wait, we have it...
"Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks? Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field."
If I were David, I would plead for mercy now...yet he says something back:
"You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Jehovah of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Jehovah will deliver you into my hand today, and I will strike you and take your head from you and give the bodies of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the air today, and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this multitude shall know that Jehovah does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is Jehovah's, and He will give you into our hands. "
This boy David has oversized courage.
As Goli Ath readies his spear, David runs towards him, removing a pebble from his bag and putting it in his sling then hurling it at the giant.
..........[speechless]...............
Viewers, this is unbelievable.
[softly]The giant has been hit between the eyes by the pebble which David threw and has stopped moving....
Oh my God...he is falling, he has fallen! David is running quickly to him...He retrieves the giant's spear....he is aiming for the neck......[signal lost]
THIS BROADCAST HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE FOR MINORS.
Today's verse: Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled in but a little time. Blessed are all who put their trust in Him.Psalm 2:12
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The Picture
This is a piece about a girl.
~
I watch closely as she skips from one end of the compound to another. Like a light bulb, her smile is ever switched on. When she has no one to talk to- she simply sits on the verandah, knocks her knees and places her right elbow on her right thigh.
However, like a piece of lost treasure, the nearest person jumps for her attention and she never turns a friendly face away. She is like an angel, petite and joyful.
I try to put my head down in an attempt to sleep, but her picture on the side of my bed keeps my mind alert and stern. Her eyes stare back at mine, like brown pearls swimming in a pool of milk.
I attempt once more to close my eyes, but my closed eyelids spring once more to life, to catch another glimpse of her smile, like an arch of stars in the dawn of the morning.
This time I dare not to fight it. I muse at the smoothness of her skin, velvet in light brown.
Her stance is elegant and steady like a doe in the green serenity of a forest. her feet are small and shapely, in shoes that liken her to a princess.
The red flowers in the background fade out, as her beauty overwhelms my senses. The hanging lamps behind her look like lanterns in comparison to her pose. She is the highlight of the painting; the picture in the picture.
My heart beats a bit faster as I look at the picture again. Her earrings like little pearls on a bronze arch maker her glow brighter than before.
She calls for remembrance each time I look away but I have to remind myself that tomorrow yet comes my way.
So I look at the picture one last time tonight; prepare to say a prayer and then rest my enchanted head down.
***
Word for the day:
Be blessed.
I watch closely as she skips from one end of the compound to another. Like a light bulb, her smile is ever switched on. When she has no one to talk to- she simply sits on the verandah, knocks her knees and places her right elbow on her right thigh.
However, like a piece of lost treasure, the nearest person jumps for her attention and she never turns a friendly face away. She is like an angel, petite and joyful.
I try to put my head down in an attempt to sleep, but her picture on the side of my bed keeps my mind alert and stern. Her eyes stare back at mine, like brown pearls swimming in a pool of milk.
I attempt once more to close my eyes, but my closed eyelids spring once more to life, to catch another glimpse of her smile, like an arch of stars in the dawn of the morning.
This time I dare not to fight it. I muse at the smoothness of her skin, velvet in light brown.
Her stance is elegant and steady like a doe in the green serenity of a forest. her feet are small and shapely, in shoes that liken her to a princess.
The red flowers in the background fade out, as her beauty overwhelms my senses. The hanging lamps behind her look like lanterns in comparison to her pose. She is the highlight of the painting; the picture in the picture.
My heart beats a bit faster as I look at the picture again. Her earrings like little pearls on a bronze arch maker her glow brighter than before.
She calls for remembrance each time I look away but I have to remind myself that tomorrow yet comes my way.
So I look at the picture one last time tonight; prepare to say a prayer and then rest my enchanted head down.
Word for the day:
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water,
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3
Be blessed.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Happy New Year bloggers...
I thought TRP was joking when she talked about Llamas in the city but boy was she right! Every time I hit the street there is a llama spewing spittle. I guess with the men I can cut some slack but I was most amazed when I met a female llama! Gwe you guys I felt like puking...a female llama!!! Pity on the dudes.
Then I was on my way home from work yesterday and met a cool site. Two belles buying maize. Immediately my mind raced to SKing . Remember that time he didn't want to be seen buying maize by a belle but was later shocked by the same belle when she bought the maize?
Things remind me of bloggers.
Sometimes it is just seeing them, like Lulu on the tele looking gooood!! Then sometimes it's listening to a show like Pablo and Ben in the morning talking about nkuba kyeyos who are reluctant to go back to kuba kyeyo , when I remember the likes of Miss Cheri and Emi still missing out on the warm sunshine of Uganda.
Whenever I think of software solution, one name rings clear Solomon King .
Inspiration from so many: Walkonby , Master's Apprentice etc etc
I can walk on more and talk some more about bloggers (upto now the word blogger is unrecognised, mbu it should be web loggers) naye I would not finish. So here goes---
and all you wonderful people at Blogspirit.
I loved reading your blogs last year. Hope you will be good and do some more great writing. Officially opening my blogging year today, so HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Hehehe.
***
The darkness is calling....I don't want to look for the light...
Then I was on my way home from work yesterday and met a cool site. Two belles buying maize. Immediately my mind raced to SKing . Remember that time he didn't want to be seen buying maize by a belle but was later shocked by the same belle when she bought the maize?
Things remind me of bloggers.
Sometimes it is just seeing them, like Lulu on the tele looking gooood!! Then sometimes it's listening to a show like Pablo and Ben in the morning talking about nkuba kyeyos who are reluctant to go back to kuba kyeyo , when I remember the likes of Miss Cheri and Emi still missing out on the warm sunshine of Uganda.
Whenever I think of software solution, one name rings clear Solomon King .
Inspiration from so many: Walkonby , Master's Apprentice etc etc
I can walk on more and talk some more about bloggers (upto now the word blogger is unrecognised, mbu it should be web loggers) naye I would not finish. So here goes---
RogueKing
Lucy
EBaz
Tandra
B2B
Kizito
Antipop
Carlo
Princess
Chanel5
TRP
The Intelligensia
Yvonne
Emi
Tumwi
Sybella
Mudamuli
Ivan
Jaycee
UgGal
Petesmama
A Kintu
Elle B
Madandcrazy
Miss Cheri
Igiss
Eddsla
Jasmine
Minty
KigandaSkunk
Feather
and all you wonderful people at Blogspirit.
I loved reading your blogs last year. Hope you will be good and do some more great writing. Officially opening my blogging year today, so HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Hehehe.
The darkness is calling....I don't want to look for the light...
Monday, January 05, 2009
Call it Two Face, Face Off...watever.
Woe unto my soul.
The waves in my heart are impossible
The fires in my mind are intolerable;
Can't get a few days of relief from this darkness
Till I'm again enveloped in the perpetual sadness.
I wonder what is wrong with him,
Gilded on the outside yet rotten within:
Masks of smiles and glowing eyes
Concealing the wails,the sobs, the sighs.
Oh woe unto my poor soul.
Can this test come to an end
For I am in despair, and my heart may rend;
Cycling forever on a round path
I seek to touch heaven, but I'm stuck on brown earth.
The man is weak,
His lips have forgotten they can speak;
A prisoner of his own mind,
His thoughts are the shackles that bind.
Oh woe unto my helpless soul.
~~~
Starting today I am bringing my psychological battle to the blog. Heard of Sasha Fierce, Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker, Clark Kent? Or better Mr Jekyll, Mr Hide? Well, my battles with myself must come to an end this year.
Mr Solomon King, I do not want to copy your 2 weak dude thing but I need to do something like that of my own. Coz, honestly there are two dudes in me and I wish one would just fade away...like that.. in a twinkling of an eye yet wapi! That is for fairy tales.
This is Nevender as in Joel as in Ntwatwa as in Benjamin. Occasionally I may not be the one writing here because well, I would simply have taken the Jekyll portion and turned bad. I (screams....wicked laughter...)...I, I ....noooooo.....
Hahaha...silly boy. I have a question for you guys..ever been on the edge and want to fall over? Yes,to the other side;where the grass is greener, the barbecue is ready, the hot chicks, and you are the most suave gentleman of the evening.
Gentleness, humility? What if I would not like to talk to you? Or what if I want to call you a [screened out].....shit...stupid boy....
...(Gasp) You see what I mean? I am disconcerted...waves of darkness....
I am just not myself...and at the beginning of the year. How that sucks....
The waves in my heart are impossible
The fires in my mind are intolerable;
Can't get a few days of relief from this darkness
Till I'm again enveloped in the perpetual sadness.
I wonder what is wrong with him,
Gilded on the outside yet rotten within:
Masks of smiles and glowing eyes
Concealing the wails,the sobs, the sighs.
Oh woe unto my poor soul.
Can this test come to an end
For I am in despair, and my heart may rend;
Cycling forever on a round path
I seek to touch heaven, but I'm stuck on brown earth.
The man is weak,
His lips have forgotten they can speak;
A prisoner of his own mind,
His thoughts are the shackles that bind.
Oh woe unto my helpless soul.
~~~
Starting today I am bringing my psychological battle to the blog. Heard of Sasha Fierce, Bruce Wayne, Peter Parker, Clark Kent? Or better Mr Jekyll, Mr Hide? Well, my battles with myself must come to an end this year.
Mr Solomon King, I do not want to copy your 2 weak dude thing but I need to do something like that of my own. Coz, honestly there are two dudes in me and I wish one would just fade away...like that.. in a twinkling of an eye yet wapi! That is for fairy tales.
This is Nevender as in Joel as in Ntwatwa as in Benjamin. Occasionally I may not be the one writing here because well, I would simply have taken the Jekyll portion and turned bad. I (screams....wicked laughter...)...I, I ....noooooo.....
Hahaha...silly boy. I have a question for you guys..ever been on the edge and want to fall over? Yes,to the other side;where the grass is greener, the barbecue is ready, the hot chicks, and you are the most suave gentleman of the evening.
Gentleness, humility? What if I would not like to talk to you? Or what if I want to call you a [screened out].....shit...stupid boy....
...(Gasp) You see what I mean? I am disconcerted...waves of darkness....
I am just not myself...and at the beginning of the year. How that sucks....
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Back
Welcome back from the Christmas break. Well, bloggers never tire of blogging that is for sure.
I am not so writy this week, trying to finish up a lot of things but want to wish everyone the very best of the year end and year start.
God bless.
I am not so writy this week, trying to finish up a lot of things but want to wish everyone the very best of the year end and year start.
God bless.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Night of Christmas (finale)
One two three....feet slapping the ground in a hurry. Thud thud...from the staffs in their hands. They hurried down the hill in the direction of the light from above.
The feet of the camels pounded the ground furiously as they made their way to the light. The Kings needed to get there soon, they knew something was happening at that moment.
Bang bang...upon Herod's chest. The grape he had been trying to swallow shot out of his mouth suddenly. His heart was beating heavily! He had almost choked! He tried to calm down but his heart increased its pace. Something was amiss.
The clouds in the skies shimmered softly, the stars sparkled like diamonds. Not a sound could be heard.
Joseph held her hand as she writhed. He occasionally passed a cloth over her brow to soak the tiny drops of sweat. Mary looked at him intently, at Joseph. He smiled. She was a young woman, a virgin but she was strong. She did not curse, or scream. In her mind the words kept on ringing;
"You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was,and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!"
He was beautiful. Her eyes completely adored him. Here in her arms, she held the Son of God. The coming Messiah. Yet He was so frail, so feeble. He too needed to be held and swayed, and touched. He had emptied Himself for this moment when He would no longer sit in the majesty of the heavens, but be found in a manger in a small town as a child.
"Anyone there?"
A voice called
"Who could it be?" Joseph thought, after all the man of the Inn had allowed them to stay in this manger. He could not imagine who it was but went to see.
His eyes met a golden chain and they moved up till they saw the man's face. Long black hair, brown skin, red turban. A regal sort of appearance, as were two others with him.
"Yes sirs?"
We three Kings travelled from the East. We were led here by a star shining so bright. It spoke to us of a new King born here in this land. Is this the right place?
' Kings? What if they want my son's life? ' Joseph thought to himself. However, a soft voice spoke;
"Let them in."
He moved aside and pointed them to where Mary and the child were. Before he had turned, another group of men arrived! Shepherds.
"Is he here?" They asked.
He nodded as he led them in. He immediately went over to Mary's side and the two looked at each other very puzzled.
***
Herod tossed and turned. He was having a horrid dream. In this dream, the Romans were crucifying a man. This man's face was not clear but he read the words above it: KING OF THE JEWS. He awoke with a start!
"I am King of the Jews! Why would the Romans crucify me? Treachery! The boy... the boy...he must die..yes he must..."
He was shaking uncontrollably as he spoke these words. His silk sheets were wet again from sweat. He got up, rushed to the balcony and looked for the star...it was gone!
" The Kings, they will bring him to me...they must...!"
***
Simeon was sound asleep and his dream seemed to be pleasant.In this dream, the Romans were crucifying a man. This man's face was not clear but he read the words above it: KING OF THE JEWS. And he knew! He woke up...it must be that the boy had been born.
***
Racheal hurried to the cradle, Eli was crying. Eli her son. She swayed him and sang him a song. Soon he was asleep. She would go back to bed. In bed she thought to herself;
"What would I do without my children?"
Then continued to sleep.
***
The baby slept peacefully. The shepherds had gone. The Kings had gone. But in essence, the shepherd had come, the King had come. Joy to the world.
Merry Christmas
The feet of the camels pounded the ground furiously as they made their way to the light. The Kings needed to get there soon, they knew something was happening at that moment.
Bang bang...upon Herod's chest. The grape he had been trying to swallow shot out of his mouth suddenly. His heart was beating heavily! He had almost choked! He tried to calm down but his heart increased its pace. Something was amiss.
The clouds in the skies shimmered softly, the stars sparkled like diamonds. Not a sound could be heard.
Joseph held her hand as she writhed. He occasionally passed a cloth over her brow to soak the tiny drops of sweat. Mary looked at him intently, at Joseph. He smiled. She was a young woman, a virgin but she was strong. She did not curse, or scream. In her mind the words kept on ringing;
"You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was,and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!"
He was beautiful. Her eyes completely adored him. Here in her arms, she held the Son of God. The coming Messiah. Yet He was so frail, so feeble. He too needed to be held and swayed, and touched. He had emptied Himself for this moment when He would no longer sit in the majesty of the heavens, but be found in a manger in a small town as a child.
"Anyone there?"
A voice called
"Who could it be?" Joseph thought, after all the man of the Inn had allowed them to stay in this manger. He could not imagine who it was but went to see.
His eyes met a golden chain and they moved up till they saw the man's face. Long black hair, brown skin, red turban. A regal sort of appearance, as were two others with him.
"Yes sirs?"
We three Kings travelled from the East. We were led here by a star shining so bright. It spoke to us of a new King born here in this land. Is this the right place?
' Kings? What if they want my son's life? ' Joseph thought to himself. However, a soft voice spoke;
"Let them in."
He moved aside and pointed them to where Mary and the child were. Before he had turned, another group of men arrived! Shepherds.
"Is he here?" They asked.
He nodded as he led them in. He immediately went over to Mary's side and the two looked at each other very puzzled.
***
Herod tossed and turned. He was having a horrid dream. In this dream, the Romans were crucifying a man. This man's face was not clear but he read the words above it: KING OF THE JEWS. He awoke with a start!
"I am King of the Jews! Why would the Romans crucify me? Treachery! The boy... the boy...he must die..yes he must..."
He was shaking uncontrollably as he spoke these words. His silk sheets were wet again from sweat. He got up, rushed to the balcony and looked for the star...it was gone!
" The Kings, they will bring him to me...they must...!"
***
Simeon was sound asleep and his dream seemed to be pleasant.In this dream, the Romans were crucifying a man. This man's face was not clear but he read the words above it: KING OF THE JEWS. And he knew! He woke up...it must be that the boy had been born.
***
Racheal hurried to the cradle, Eli was crying. Eli her son. She swayed him and sang him a song. Soon he was asleep. She would go back to bed. In bed she thought to herself;
"What would I do without my children?"
Then continued to sleep.
***
The baby slept peacefully. The shepherds had gone. The Kings had gone. But in essence, the shepherd had come, the King had come. Joy to the world.
Merry Christmas
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
True Love's Form (poem)
True Love's Form
Joel Ntwatwa
-------------------------------------------
Put your heart where my eyes can see,
Lay bare all your soul to me.
Can I steal a glance into your thoughts?
Can I be sure your love's not a plot?
Where is friendship without gain?
Where was beauty seen in what was plain?
Love seems easy to do
When there's something to gain from you.
Words are always easy to say
When the chest is empty and the heart's away,
The promises that seemed to weigh
Turn from golden array to old and grey.
So will a real friend please stand up?
Someone who didn't regard you as the X on a treasure map?
Will a person tell me then
That they began to love
Without expecting gain?
Could somebody finally say
That they loved you indeed?
Not because of a thing they sensed
That made you smell like frankincense?
That even though you were short and stout or tall and thin,
Arrogant, irritable or gentle and meek
they loved you with no trophy to seek?
SO LORD
Make our eyes see what love is meant to be,
A lender that forgets the debtor
A giver that gives with heart not head.
--------------------------------
Love is my message to all of us this Christmas.
Joel Ntwatwa
-------------------------------------------
Put your heart where my eyes can see,
Lay bare all your soul to me.
Can I steal a glance into your thoughts?
Can I be sure your love's not a plot?
Where is friendship without gain?
Where was beauty seen in what was plain?
Love seems easy to do
When there's something to gain from you.
Words are always easy to say
When the chest is empty and the heart's away,
The promises that seemed to weigh
Turn from golden array to old and grey.
So will a real friend please stand up?
Someone who didn't regard you as the X on a treasure map?
Will a person tell me then
That they began to love
Without expecting gain?
Could somebody finally say
That they loved you indeed?
Not because of a thing they sensed
That made you smell like frankincense?
That even though you were short and stout or tall and thin,
Arrogant, irritable or gentle and meek
they loved you with no trophy to seek?
SO LORD
Make our eyes see what love is meant to be,
A lender that forgets the debtor
A giver that gives with heart not head.
--------------------------------
Love is my message to all of us this Christmas.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas
NOTE: Due to unforeseeable circumstances, this web logger has decided to bring this tale to an untimely close. Business just got hectic and time became finite, so instead of a story today,I leave you a link to let you in on the roots of common Christmas traditions we have today. Have fun.
Why we have Christmas trees, gift giving etc etc.
As Christmas dawns on us, may the star of love lead you to Jesus' arms.
Why we have Christmas trees, gift giving etc etc.
As Christmas dawns on us, may the star of love lead you to Jesus' arms.
Friday, December 19, 2008
On the night of Christmas: the Shepherds.
Bethlehem, the city of bread, only ten kilometres from Jerusalem. It was cold in Bethlehem, it was winter but not too cold really. In the hill country of Judah, it was common to see shepherds ascend with their flock to look for pastures.
From afar off a small fire was glowing. The crackle of the branches used for the fire nudged at the silence of that night. Sheep were peacefully lying on the green grass. There was a lamb in the arms of one of the shepherds. The calm upon her face as she chewed brought a certain joy to this shepherd. He loved all this flock, and knew each sheep by name. This lamb in his arms was called Joy.
As the fire continued to crackle, suddenly the sheep all seemed to awake from their slumber, including Joy. A wave of excitement was building. The shepherds were not yet sure what it was until a golden light appeared in the heavens above them.
You could hear the thumping of the shepherd's heart against his chest a mile away; this man was scared! Joel had never ever seen a sight like this before. Surely some awful thing was going to happen to all of them that night.
The light moved from where he was and then covered all the sheep as well the other shepherds. On seeing the light, they hurriedly arose and came to Joel. It was a beautiful sight from afar off, a golden sunrise in the quiet of the dark cold night. But Joel and his fellows were scared.
Numbed because they felt running would be useless and also because there was the sheep to look after, they awaited whatever fate. The flocks' safety would matter the most now. Slings in hand, they waited for the unseen terror to strike.
And then, as if rising out of the light, a winged man shot up into the sky! He flew all around the shepherds and their flock and then descended!
"An angel..."
The words seemed to escape Joel's lips.
"Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born---Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
On saying this, the angel rose higher and then joined host of angels in a heavenly choir as they sang great praises to God!
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. "
The angels sang! Their faces were radiant with such a joy as cannot be explained in human language. They sang, praising God in the highest. They sang praying for peace and good will toward men. Why would angels who much greater in power and knowledge want good will toward men? Yet they sang, because they knew God had a plan to redeem all that were His. His heart was the heart of these angels. Their joy was a little bit of the joy He had; His Son would save many, Yes His Son would save!
Joy pervaded the hearts of these shepherds. Soon they too had lifted up holy hands and praised their God. Although their minds still trying to comprehend the message of the angels, their hearts were at peace. Warmth filled their inner souls. They sensed the truth of the good news and their hearts rejoiced!
The angels sang until they had their fill then the sight waned from the sky until it was the dark blue and glittering white of its stars.
Laughing and celebrating, the shepherds only realised later that the angels had gone. There was one thing left to do...
Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us."
From afar off a small fire was glowing. The crackle of the branches used for the fire nudged at the silence of that night. Sheep were peacefully lying on the green grass. There was a lamb in the arms of one of the shepherds. The calm upon her face as she chewed brought a certain joy to this shepherd. He loved all this flock, and knew each sheep by name. This lamb in his arms was called Joy.
As the fire continued to crackle, suddenly the sheep all seemed to awake from their slumber, including Joy. A wave of excitement was building. The shepherds were not yet sure what it was until a golden light appeared in the heavens above them.
You could hear the thumping of the shepherd's heart against his chest a mile away; this man was scared! Joel had never ever seen a sight like this before. Surely some awful thing was going to happen to all of them that night.
The light moved from where he was and then covered all the sheep as well the other shepherds. On seeing the light, they hurriedly arose and came to Joel. It was a beautiful sight from afar off, a golden sunrise in the quiet of the dark cold night. But Joel and his fellows were scared.
Numbed because they felt running would be useless and also because there was the sheep to look after, they awaited whatever fate. The flocks' safety would matter the most now. Slings in hand, they waited for the unseen terror to strike.
And then, as if rising out of the light, a winged man shot up into the sky! He flew all around the shepherds and their flock and then descended!
"An angel..."
The words seemed to escape Joel's lips.
"Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David's town your Saviour was born---Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
On saying this, the angel rose higher and then joined host of angels in a heavenly choir as they sang great praises to God!
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. "
The angels sang! Their faces were radiant with such a joy as cannot be explained in human language. They sang, praising God in the highest. They sang praying for peace and good will toward men. Why would angels who much greater in power and knowledge want good will toward men? Yet they sang, because they knew God had a plan to redeem all that were His. His heart was the heart of these angels. Their joy was a little bit of the joy He had; His Son would save many, Yes His Son would save!
Psa 40:5 You have done many things for us, O LORD our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all--- their number is so great!
Joy pervaded the hearts of these shepherds. Soon they too had lifted up holy hands and praised their God. Although their minds still trying to comprehend the message of the angels, their hearts were at peace. Warmth filled their inner souls. They sensed the truth of the good news and their hearts rejoiced!
The angels sang until they had their fill then the sight waned from the sky until it was the dark blue and glittering white of its stars.
Laughing and celebrating, the shepherds only realised later that the angels had gone. There was one thing left to do...
Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us."
Thursday, December 18, 2008
We Take A Commercial Break
NEVENDER'S SPECIALS FOR 18TH DECEMBER 2008.
For my mother whose love never wanes and has been there for me through all my issues (at least the ones I tell her about.)
For my family.
For my friends, my extra family.
...you can all drive one...
For every one this year who has enriched my life is some way, that includes you who is reading this
...try to share...
and lastly to the one who called me forth before I was even born
I am thankful. May you enjoy your day as I enjoy my birthday,...now those who promised gifts!!!
LoL. Much love.
For my mother whose love never wanes and has been there for me through all my issues (at least the ones I tell her about.)
For my family.
For my friends, my extra family.
...you can all drive one...
For every one this year who has enriched my life is some way, that includes you who is reading this
...try to share...
and lastly to the one who called me forth before I was even born
I am thankful. May you enjoy your day as I enjoy my birthday,...now those who promised gifts!!!
LoL. Much love.
Monday, December 15, 2008
A few nights before Christmas (continued)
(you could start here before you continue...)
The star kept steady in the sky and the Three Kings pressed on. Jerusalem was a noisy place, the streets were narrow but full of batembeyi. Roast maize, grass hoppers, sesame nuts (or simsim if you like) and kikalayi were in plenty at this time. Pharisees were in plenty on street corners rebuking and telling people to be like them. Goats and sheep could also be seen, being led by shepherds going out of the city to find pastures.
It would be rare to see any old men in this busy place but then there was one who always made his way through the city to go to the temple to pray. He was old but his eyes could still see well. A devout student of the books of his fathers, he always spoke of a coming messiah, of a light to reveal God's will to the Gentiles and bring glory to God's people Israel.
Simeon and God were homies. Often they would talk but mostly about Israel's salvation. As he went to the temple, thoughts were going through his mind:
"When is the coming salvation? How we have groaned and waited upon you O Lord?"
He was growing older by the day and surely soon he would have to go to his fathers but how he had longed to see this salvation.
"Simeon!"
"Yes!" He said as he turned around to look for who it was that had called him.
No one seemed to be calling him, everyone was minding his business.
"Simeon. You are loved and favoured by your God."
When he heard this, He knew who was talking.
"Yes, Lord."
"Salvation is coming to Israel. The child will be born soon."
"Where? So that I can go and see Him."
"Simeon, are you not blessed? Soon you will see this salvation. Soon you will see Him. Worry not. You will see Him."
"I am old my Lord, but I shall be sure in your promise that I will see Him."
He waited to hear if the voice would continue but it had stopped. Simeon's heart was racing. His eyes were teary. The Messiah was to be born soon! He continued to the temple to give praise and honour. He would see the King! He would see the child! He would see the salvation!
***
The star was always shining bright.
"Never have the stars spoken so clearly! The light keeps shining and it's rays pointing as if to an exact place."
The Kings nodded in agreement.
"We do not need King Herod's directions it seems. He looks a little too interested in the birth of a new King. Wouldn't most Kings want a new King dead?"
"Nay, this is a messiah. Even King Herod would want to look upon this child! To be saved! Don't you think?"
"Maybe, but still, something about him is droll."
They had stopped to rest for a while, the journey was still long. The first King reached into the sack on his camel and opened it revealing glittering gold. He wondered if this would be honourable enough but with a smile, knew it would be just right. Was there a crown without gold? Would any King boast in greatness without a crown of gold? Can a King be one without a crown of gold?
He replaced it and continued to look at the star.
***
Herod tossed and turned in his large bed. The silk of the sheets was not comforting him tonight. His sweat had made them uncomfortable.
"Silk". He muttered.
"Silk is made for the comfort of Kings! Not for commoners born in small towns like Bethlehem!"
He got up and went to the window. Outside the star was moving farther but never dimmer.
"Goddamn!" He barked.
"But I will kill him. I will kill that baby!
***
Far away, Mary and Joseph could now see where they were going; the little town, Bethlehem. The census was taking place and Joseph had to come to Bethlehem, it being the birthplace of his descendant King David. King David, the boy who slew a giant- this was his birthplace.
It was not a long way off, but long enough for a pregnant woman not to be hurried. So their journey continued.
Mary was already feeling the soft kicks of the baby who had been in the womb 8 months and 3 weeks. She was excited and thankful. God had surely been gracious. She was still unmarried but was expecting a baby. Joseph did not leave her, he had stood by her through all the 8 months but more importantly during the days when she told him she would have a baby.
That night was the hardest. She had received the news from the angel gladly yet after he was gone, she immediately thought of Joseph. Would he still marry her? Would he even look her in the face? How would she tell him it was God's power not another man?
But she had prayed and God had heard. Now she was here with Joseph, going to Bethlehem; and the little child was now getting ready to come out. Bethlehem would surely be His birthplace; he would surely be the "Son of David".
….to be continued.
kikalayi- chips sold on the street side and fried in wide pans called "bikalayi".
batembeyi- hawkers
May God bless all this week.
The star kept steady in the sky and the Three Kings pressed on. Jerusalem was a noisy place, the streets were narrow but full of batembeyi. Roast maize, grass hoppers, sesame nuts (or simsim if you like) and kikalayi were in plenty at this time. Pharisees were in plenty on street corners rebuking and telling people to be like them. Goats and sheep could also be seen, being led by shepherds going out of the city to find pastures.
It would be rare to see any old men in this busy place but then there was one who always made his way through the city to go to the temple to pray. He was old but his eyes could still see well. A devout student of the books of his fathers, he always spoke of a coming messiah, of a light to reveal God's will to the Gentiles and bring glory to God's people Israel.
Simeon and God were homies. Often they would talk but mostly about Israel's salvation. As he went to the temple, thoughts were going through his mind:
"When is the coming salvation? How we have groaned and waited upon you O Lord?"
He was growing older by the day and surely soon he would have to go to his fathers but how he had longed to see this salvation.
"Simeon!"
"Yes!" He said as he turned around to look for who it was that had called him.
No one seemed to be calling him, everyone was minding his business.
"Simeon. You are loved and favoured by your God."
When he heard this, He knew who was talking.
"Yes, Lord."
"Salvation is coming to Israel. The child will be born soon."
"Where? So that I can go and see Him."
"Simeon, are you not blessed? Soon you will see this salvation. Soon you will see Him. Worry not. You will see Him."
"I am old my Lord, but I shall be sure in your promise that I will see Him."
He waited to hear if the voice would continue but it had stopped. Simeon's heart was racing. His eyes were teary. The Messiah was to be born soon! He continued to the temple to give praise and honour. He would see the King! He would see the child! He would see the salvation!
***
The star was always shining bright.
"Never have the stars spoken so clearly! The light keeps shining and it's rays pointing as if to an exact place."
The Kings nodded in agreement.
"We do not need King Herod's directions it seems. He looks a little too interested in the birth of a new King. Wouldn't most Kings want a new King dead?"
"Nay, this is a messiah. Even King Herod would want to look upon this child! To be saved! Don't you think?"
"Maybe, but still, something about him is droll."
They had stopped to rest for a while, the journey was still long. The first King reached into the sack on his camel and opened it revealing glittering gold. He wondered if this would be honourable enough but with a smile, knew it would be just right. Was there a crown without gold? Would any King boast in greatness without a crown of gold? Can a King be one without a crown of gold?
He replaced it and continued to look at the star.
***
Herod tossed and turned in his large bed. The silk of the sheets was not comforting him tonight. His sweat had made them uncomfortable.
"Silk". He muttered.
"Silk is made for the comfort of Kings! Not for commoners born in small towns like Bethlehem!"
He got up and went to the window. Outside the star was moving farther but never dimmer.
"Goddamn!" He barked.
"But I will kill him. I will kill that baby!
***
Far away, Mary and Joseph could now see where they were going; the little town, Bethlehem. The census was taking place and Joseph had to come to Bethlehem, it being the birthplace of his descendant King David. King David, the boy who slew a giant- this was his birthplace.
It was not a long way off, but long enough for a pregnant woman not to be hurried. So their journey continued.
Mary was already feeling the soft kicks of the baby who had been in the womb 8 months and 3 weeks. She was excited and thankful. God had surely been gracious. She was still unmarried but was expecting a baby. Joseph did not leave her, he had stood by her through all the 8 months but more importantly during the days when she told him she would have a baby.
That night was the hardest. She had received the news from the angel gladly yet after he was gone, she immediately thought of Joseph. Would he still marry her? Would he even look her in the face? How would she tell him it was God's power not another man?
But she had prayed and God had heard. Now she was here with Joseph, going to Bethlehem; and the little child was now getting ready to come out. Bethlehem would surely be His birthplace; he would surely be the "Son of David".
….to be continued.
kikalayi- chips sold on the street side and fried in wide pans called "bikalayi".
batembeyi- hawkers
May God bless all this week.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Many nights before Christmas
About this time in Israel some 2008 years ago.
Jerusalem.
King Herod.
It was after a sumptuous meal; pork ribs, cassava, fries and Mountain Dew, that dear Mr Herod decided to waltz to the palace balcony to stare at the stars. Already, his protruding belly was starting to complain about the heavy load.
When he reached the steps, he felt how tiresome going up them would be. So he called Jamha, the new servant from some lands near Ethiopia to carry him. Jamha did as asked and soon Mr. Herod was enjoying the cool breeze of the night while gazing at the stars.
The steps he failed to climb were three to be exact.
The night sky was bright, illuminating the great town below: Jerusalem. Jerusalem which he had conquered, of course with the help of the Legion forces. Then, it had been ruined, turned into a pile of stone. However, who did not know this was King Herod. He had rebuilt it and this magnificent palace was his achievement. That was not all; he built the great fortress of Antonia, a temple three or four times bigger than the largest temple in Rome making it the largest religious complex in the ancient world. The size of the temple would elevate the esteem of the Jews as being important people and perhaps it would also elevate his importance as King of the Jews.
But the Romans. Spit. Damn Romans liked to give orders. As though this was their land. He spat again over the balcony. Yet it was not really something to complain about. He was rich- had all he needed: The fortress to protect his city, the temple to please his God and his God's priests, and the palace. In the palace was food, and Jamhas; answering each command . It was not a bad arrangement. It was simple really- he kissed Roman butt and others kissed his butt. Some unholy butt kissing order.
The spittle landed on a small stone and slid off.
As he continued to gaze, he noticed a queer site! There was an oddly bright star in the night, brighter than other stars. Almost as bright as the moon.
"Sir! You have visitors!"
Jamha interrupted the star gazing.
"Who?"
"Three important looking men. They have bling on head on ears and on fingers."
"Kings! You fool!"
He hurried down this time oblivious of the need for Jamha and eased into his throne. "Let them in."
The three men came in.
***
"Jamha!! Call Omunene!!"
Omunene came donning an all important look. He went over immediately to where Herod was and they ascended to the balcony. Herod pointed and Omunene was taken aback! They exchanged a few words. Suddenly, the calm on Herod disappeared. The two looked perturbed. Omunene then raised his hand as if with an idea and bid Herod to come with Him.
Down the three steps again, without calling Jamha, and down the stairs out the door into the carriage! It seems they were going to the temple.
Pwat! Pwat!
The horses began to move.
Soon they were at the temple. They both hurried after another and soon Omunene got into a room with thousands of scrolls. He looked up and down, sideways and then pointed to a particular row in the room. They went there in a hurry. Quickly he removed one scroll and opened it, it read:
Herod began to sweat uncontrollably. They both discussed intensely and then left the room.
***
It was very dark now. In the deep of the night. That time when evil men would plot evil things, that he sent for the three Kings.
"Gentlemen, this King I would also like to worship. I am told He will be born in Bethlehem. Please go and look diligently for him, and when you do find him please send word that I may also come to worship him."
***
They were gone now. He was in his bedroom thinking about the night.
"Child? King? I alone am King of Israel!!" He barked.
"And when they find him, I shall kill him."
...to be continued.
---------------------------
I need comments regarding the quality of the piece. Need ideas on how to better the writing. Other than that, my birthday to all who would like to know is on the 18th day of the 12th month. Enough questions already.
There seems not to be a carol about Herod, anyone want to compose one?
In the meantime, let me share a history of one of my favourite carols- We three Kings.
I love the song regardless of it being too traditional to this time and would have shared the lyrics if they were not so long but I was overwhelmed at least look at the last two:
So looking forward to Christmas.
Jerusalem.
King Herod.
It was after a sumptuous meal; pork ribs, cassava, fries and Mountain Dew, that dear Mr Herod decided to waltz to the palace balcony to stare at the stars. Already, his protruding belly was starting to complain about the heavy load.
When he reached the steps, he felt how tiresome going up them would be. So he called Jamha, the new servant from some lands near Ethiopia to carry him. Jamha did as asked and soon Mr. Herod was enjoying the cool breeze of the night while gazing at the stars.
The steps he failed to climb were three to be exact.
The night sky was bright, illuminating the great town below: Jerusalem. Jerusalem which he had conquered, of course with the help of the Legion forces. Then, it had been ruined, turned into a pile of stone. However, who did not know this was King Herod. He had rebuilt it and this magnificent palace was his achievement. That was not all; he built the great fortress of Antonia, a temple three or four times bigger than the largest temple in Rome making it the largest religious complex in the ancient world. The size of the temple would elevate the esteem of the Jews as being important people and perhaps it would also elevate his importance as King of the Jews.
But the Romans. Spit. Damn Romans liked to give orders. As though this was their land. He spat again over the balcony. Yet it was not really something to complain about. He was rich- had all he needed: The fortress to protect his city, the temple to please his God and his God's priests, and the palace. In the palace was food, and Jamhas; answering each command . It was not a bad arrangement. It was simple really- he kissed Roman butt and others kissed his butt. Some unholy butt kissing order.
The spittle landed on a small stone and slid off.
As he continued to gaze, he noticed a queer site! There was an oddly bright star in the night, brighter than other stars. Almost as bright as the moon.
"Sir! You have visitors!"
Jamha interrupted the star gazing.
"Who?"
"Three important looking men. They have bling on head on ears and on fingers."
"Kings! You fool!"
He hurried down this time oblivious of the need for Jamha and eased into his throne. "Let them in."
The three men came in.
***
"Jamha!! Call Omunene!!"
Omunene came donning an all important look. He went over immediately to where Herod was and they ascended to the balcony. Herod pointed and Omunene was taken aback! They exchanged a few words. Suddenly, the calm on Herod disappeared. The two looked perturbed. Omunene then raised his hand as if with an idea and bid Herod to come with Him.
Down the three steps again, without calling Jamha, and down the stairs out the door into the carriage! It seems they were going to the temple.
Pwat! Pwat!
The horses began to move.
Soon they were at the temple. They both hurried after another and soon Omunene got into a room with thousands of scrolls. He looked up and down, sideways and then pointed to a particular row in the room. They went there in a hurry. Quickly he removed one scroll and opened it, it read:
“And you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He shall come forth to Me, to become Ruler in Israel, He whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity. ” (Micah 5:2).
Herod began to sweat uncontrollably. They both discussed intensely and then left the room.
***
It was very dark now. In the deep of the night. That time when evil men would plot evil things, that he sent for the three Kings.
"Gentlemen, this King I would also like to worship. I am told He will be born in Bethlehem. Please go and look diligently for him, and when you do find him please send word that I may also come to worship him."
***
They were gone now. He was in his bedroom thinking about the night.
"Child? King? I alone am King of Israel!!" He barked.
"And when they find him, I shall kill him."
...to be continued.
---------------------------
I need comments regarding the quality of the piece. Need ideas on how to better the writing. Other than that, my birthday to all who would like to know is on the 18th day of the 12th month. Enough questions already.
There seems not to be a carol about Herod, anyone want to compose one?
In the meantime, let me share a history of one of my favourite carols- We three Kings.
The famous American carol We three Kings of Orient are was written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins. The minister is reputed to have written the carol We three Kings of Orient are for the General Theological Seminary in New York City as part of their Christmas pageant. The lyrics of We three Kings of Orient are are extremely traditional which makes the latter day fashion of referring to the carol as We 3 Kings of Orient are quite bizarre!
I love the song regardless of it being too traditional to this time and would have shared the lyrics if they were not so long but I was overwhelmed at least look at the last two:
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
So looking forward to Christmas.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
For your soul and my birthday
I googled up my birth date and do I have some high profile birthday mates!! Check this out-
Christina Aguilera
Katie Holmes
DMX
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Brad Pitt
Ray Liotta
Steve Biko
Stephen Spielberg
Keith Richards
etc etc....
So now you know my birth date.
***
Heard a wonderful song last week and I looked up its lyrics. I got them here, hope they bless you.
When The Tears Fall
I've had questions, without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
but there's one thing, that I'll cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
in the lone hour of my sorrow
through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me and sustain me
my defender, forevermore
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
and I will praise You, I will praise You
when the tears fall, still I will sing to You
and I will praise You, Jesus praise You
through the suffering still I will sing
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
oh yes, You are good to me
You've always been good to me
so trustworthy
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
and I will praise You, and I will praise You
when the tears fall, still I will sing to You
(I will sing to You) I will praise You,
Jesus praise You through the suffering
still I will sing
how faithful and true
sustain me through and through
You are hope and truth
You're my spring of living water
You're my spring of living water
in the lone hour of my sorrow
who springs never fail
be faithful and true
like...
like a spring it never fails
you're my spring never fails
Newsboys
Christina Aguilera
Katie Holmes
DMX
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Brad Pitt
Ray Liotta
Steve Biko
Stephen Spielberg
Keith Richards
etc etc....
So now you know my birth date.
Heard a wonderful song last week and I looked up its lyrics. I got them here, hope they bless you.
When The Tears Fall
I've had questions, without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
but there's one thing, that I'll cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
in the lone hour of my sorrow
through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me and sustain me
my defender, forevermore
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
and I will praise You, I will praise You
when the tears fall, still I will sing to You
and I will praise You, Jesus praise You
through the suffering still I will sing
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
oh yes, You are good to me
You've always been good to me
so trustworthy
when hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
when pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
when silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart
and I will praise You, and I will praise You
when the tears fall, still I will sing to You
(I will sing to You) I will praise You,
Jesus praise You through the suffering
still I will sing
how faithful and true
sustain me through and through
You are hope and truth
You're my spring of living water
You're my spring of living water
in the lone hour of my sorrow
who springs never fail
be faithful and true
like...
like a spring it never fails
you're my spring never fails
Newsboys
Monday, December 08, 2008
Christmas- ish feeling
I have nothing much to say today. However, I would like to thank God for again not turning His back on me. Thank you Father.
It is Christmas time. I am feeling it this time. The love of God. So I have began playing Christmas music and it is so nice. People do not wait for the day itself, play those rhymes now!! It is a season, not a day. So I have been building a ka little play list and it is nice.
Some songs from it are here:
- Transiberian Orchestra- O come all ye faithful
- Bing Crosby- Do you hear what I hear?
- Celtic Woman- Carol of the bells.
- Kenny G- We three Kings.
etc etc..
It's wonderful really. I never thought a season would make me feel so good. Also it is almost my birthday so...you know. If you need my address, I can give it on request..so you can send all those nice gifts.
Otherwise, I am loving it.
May God bless this week for all bloggers. Much love.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Fires
I never chose to be in the fire, I simply found myself there.
Fire.
Raging and roaring. Hungry and insatiable.
Fire.
I find myself in the fire. I did not choose this fire.
Wheezing and coughing. Sweaty and tired.
Fire.
It makes one change when they go through it, they say.
But does one see change when they are in the fire?
Flame and smoke blur our vision.
The poison and heat deter our reason.
Fire burns around me and I seem to be consumed.
How I need my Saviour, to walk with me through.
***
Then Nebuchadnezzar lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.
And he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up and throw them into the blazing furnace.
So they tied them up, fully dressed---shirts, robes, caps, and all---and threw them into the blazing furnace.
Now because the king had given strict orders for the furnace to be made extremely hot, the flames burned up the guards who took the men to the furnace.
Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, still tied up, fell into the heart of the blazing fire.
Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement. He asked his officials, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the blazing furnace?" They answered, "Yes, we did, Your Majesty."
"Then why do I see four men walking around in the fire?" he asked. "They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt---and the fourth one looks like an angel."
So Nebuchadnezzar went up to the door of the blazing furnace and called out, "Shadrach! Meshach! Abednego! Servants of the Supreme God! Come out!" And they came out at once.
(Dan 3:19-26)
~Praise God who walks with me in the fire.~
Nice weekend people.
Fire.
Raging and roaring. Hungry and insatiable.
Fire.
I find myself in the fire. I did not choose this fire.
Wheezing and coughing. Sweaty and tired.
Fire.
It makes one change when they go through it, they say.
But does one see change when they are in the fire?
Flame and smoke blur our vision.
The poison and heat deter our reason.
Fire burns around me and I seem to be consumed.
How I need my Saviour, to walk with me through.
Then Nebuchadnezzar lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.
And he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up and throw them into the blazing furnace.
So they tied them up, fully dressed---shirts, robes, caps, and all---and threw them into the blazing furnace.
Now because the king had given strict orders for the furnace to be made extremely hot, the flames burned up the guards who took the men to the furnace.
Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, still tied up, fell into the heart of the blazing fire.
Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement. He asked his officials, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the blazing furnace?" They answered, "Yes, we did, Your Majesty."
"Then why do I see four men walking around in the fire?" he asked. "They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt---and the fourth one looks like an angel."
So Nebuchadnezzar went up to the door of the blazing furnace and called out, "Shadrach! Meshach! Abednego! Servants of the Supreme God! Come out!" And they came out at once.
(Dan 3:19-26)
~Praise God who walks with me in the fire.~
Nice weekend people.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Waiting for Mr Money.
Money can be such an anxiously awaited guest. You tell your debtors to come over because you know their demands are going to be met. You even invite her home promising soon money will usher you into a marital home. You even tell Antipop that everything is going to be better while you entertain her at Serena hotel. When a debtor has promised money, the wait becomes exciting.
So, the visitors all come. You borrow from the shopkeeper niceties like milk, butter, cake because you know soon you will be able to pay for it all. Not now, but soon. Money said he would be coming at lunch time and guess what, his cousin Interest is also with him. And we all know, Interest always adds to what Money comes with.
So, like I said. The visitors have all come. You serve them some juice. Milk and cake will be for later when Money and Interest are about to go. In fact, you remembered that the neighbour had a good looking bull. You buy on credit; why not? Money is coming. You extend your generosity and invite the whole village. The meat is being roasted.
Just to make sure, you call Money and ask whether he is on his way and he assures you...lunch time, him and Interest will be there. Lunchtime is only ten minutes away.
And then nine minutes, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...lunch time. You are now waiting for a knock on the day.
Ten past lunch time. Money is not yet here. Must have delayed somewhere. So you wait some more, after all after money comes, are there worries? So you wait.
Half past lunch. By now the visitors are enjoying the barbecue. No one has noticed the absence of Money. You walk to the road and start looking; looking for someone that looks like Money. No sign.
You go back to sit.
Evening time. You prepare the milk and bread for the visitors. They are having the time of their life at your place today. However, you long forgot the pleasure, now you are asking: " Where is money? Did he meet robbers? Did he lie to me? Did? Did? Did!!!
Then the visitors notice the sun is about to set and they need to leave. They want their money but their money is with Money. He has not yet arrived....
***
Me and my employer need the money.
So, the visitors all come. You borrow from the shopkeeper niceties like milk, butter, cake because you know soon you will be able to pay for it all. Not now, but soon. Money said he would be coming at lunch time and guess what, his cousin Interest is also with him. And we all know, Interest always adds to what Money comes with.
So, like I said. The visitors have all come. You serve them some juice. Milk and cake will be for later when Money and Interest are about to go. In fact, you remembered that the neighbour had a good looking bull. You buy on credit; why not? Money is coming. You extend your generosity and invite the whole village. The meat is being roasted.
Just to make sure, you call Money and ask whether he is on his way and he assures you...lunch time, him and Interest will be there. Lunchtime is only ten minutes away.
And then nine minutes, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...lunch time. You are now waiting for a knock on the day.
Ten past lunch time. Money is not yet here. Must have delayed somewhere. So you wait some more, after all after money comes, are there worries? So you wait.
Half past lunch. By now the visitors are enjoying the barbecue. No one has noticed the absence of Money. You walk to the road and start looking; looking for someone that looks like Money. No sign.
You go back to sit.
Evening time. You prepare the milk and bread for the visitors. They are having the time of their life at your place today. However, you long forgot the pleasure, now you are asking: " Where is money? Did he meet robbers? Did he lie to me? Did? Did? Did!!!
Then the visitors notice the sun is about to set and they need to leave. They want their money but their money is with Money. He has not yet arrived....
Me and my employer need the money.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Honors
In the beginning was the honor and the honor was with Emi's and the honor was atEmi's Works.
It is an honour to receive this award from Emi's who considers me someone who writes with conviction, and believes I am easy to get along with. It is good to know that what I write is not some bunch of nonsense but that it is considered by many peoples as worth the read. So Emi, I am grateful and thankful because you almost always put a comment on each post I blog. Your longsuffering with my sometimes dry posts keeps me going. Thanks for this award!
...Okay...
Since I have received this, I am told I can pass it on to five people but must fill you in on the rules as well which are:-
Rules:
* Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5(five) most-deserving bloggy Friends.
* Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
* Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to this Post,which explains The Award.
* Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List(which I don't know what it is yet). That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
(oops, copy and pasted).
-Drum Roll Please....
Princess の "Seamless"
When I had lost my first love for blogging, she brought it back. Even though the circumstances that brought this to be are somewhat not easy to talk about, she is the reason I gained faith in blogging. Not only that, she is too wise for her age, and her sex ...I know all the women are looking at me with contempt---that was a joke!! Oh, she was first my friend before she was my blogger buddy. This for you honey.
Auntie Pop の "Let there be me".
For the humour I so oft need, Auntie I honour you with this award. Notwithstanding your sarcasm and honesty. (I do not know if I am making sense). Naye I have to give her tis award because she deserves it. She is the most hardworking blogger in my opinion and deserves the props!( Remember her onions?) Yeah, and also for being a friend.
Miss Cheri の "Sugar and Spice."
Coz I have a crush on her...hehe and she likes to share socks. Anyhow, I love that she is open in her posts and I sense a sort of pureness in this girl, kind of like the one in virgins. Yes. This award is dedicated to her for her humour, openness, purity and then some.
Solomon King の "2 Weak Dudes."
You inspire me man.
And the final award goes to Lulu の "Where beauty lies".
She has the purity of Miss Cheri but not as wild. I love the frankness and simplicity of her posts and like Emi's said- the poetry is wonderful.
And all of the people at BlogSpirit who read my blog, you are sincerely the reason I became rare at the Multiply Network.
Off to make money and woo Miss...
It is an honour to receive this award from Emi's who considers me someone who writes with conviction, and believes I am easy to get along with. It is good to know that what I write is not some bunch of nonsense but that it is considered by many peoples as worth the read. So Emi, I am grateful and thankful because you almost always put a comment on each post I blog. Your longsuffering with my sometimes dry posts keeps me going. Thanks for this award!
...Okay...
Since I have received this, I am told I can pass it on to five people but must fill you in on the rules as well which are:-
Rules:
* Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5(five) most-deserving bloggy Friends.
* Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
* Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to this Post,which explains The Award.
* Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List(which I don't know what it is yet). That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
(oops, copy and pasted).
-Drum Roll Please....
Princess の "Seamless"
When I had lost my first love for blogging, she brought it back. Even though the circumstances that brought this to be are somewhat not easy to talk about, she is the reason I gained faith in blogging. Not only that, she is too wise for her age, and her sex ...I know all the women are looking at me with contempt---that was a joke!! Oh, she was first my friend before she was my blogger buddy. This for you honey.
Auntie Pop の "Let there be me".
For the humour I so oft need, Auntie I honour you with this award. Notwithstanding your sarcasm and honesty. (I do not know if I am making sense). Naye I have to give her tis award because she deserves it. She is the most hardworking blogger in my opinion and deserves the props!( Remember her onions?) Yeah, and also for being a friend.
Miss Cheri の "Sugar and Spice."
Coz I have a crush on her...hehe and she likes to share socks. Anyhow, I love that she is open in her posts and I sense a sort of pureness in this girl, kind of like the one in virgins. Yes. This award is dedicated to her for her humour, openness, purity and then some.
Solomon King の "2 Weak Dudes."
You inspire me man.
And the final award goes to Lulu の "Where beauty lies".
She has the purity of Miss Cheri but not as wild. I love the frankness and simplicity of her posts and like Emi's said- the poetry is wonderful.
And all of the people at BlogSpirit who read my blog, you are sincerely the reason I became rare at the Multiply Network.
Off to make money and woo Miss...
Monday, December 01, 2008
My weekend
My weekend, although almost plundered by an unwelcome bout of dios (from eating a day old pizza) turned out to be a good one. I had a wedding to attend on Saturday and would be privileged with the company of a most beautiful lady for the reception. Everything should have gone well except for that stomach disruption which took six hours to dissipate.
It began minutes before the service at KPC and I had to dart into the toilets to cause some calm before I would take part in the service. So, after that I witnessed the first ever wedding of a friend. I have been to weddings but this meant more than all I had attended. My friend became a man! He said "I do". I was challenged by the vows. Can I say that to a woman now? To love and to hold...sickness and health, poverty and disease, till death do us part.... banange.. commitment!
Anyway, I got to meet an old churchgoer. She is married to the best man of my friend. These two are young my friends! She got married in May and I bet I am older than her by some... Anyway, it was great seeing her again.
So, the service ends and I decide it would be wise to go for lunch while I wait for 3pm to pick my date and head to the reception. Little did I know, the stomach was still recovering and when I put there matooke and beef, the feeling returned. I do not trust city toilets so I walked back to KPC and eased again.
By now I was frustrated! So I bought a dosage of flagyl and waited for it to take effect while I walked to kiyembe to meet some guys who eventually never turned up. The feeling was persisting so I decided to get back to Kansanga, in the refuge of office and cool off.
The flagyl worked finally and 5:30 I was ready to go.
Embarrassment is when your date calls you when you're running real late. Oba I am beginning to fall for her again..she is quite patient with me. And oh-those eyes and smile, she is lovely really.
So I made it there at few minutes past six; I mean her place. She looked love..BEAUTIFUL. So we set out to the venue but as we proceeded, alas! Her shoe-thingy (someone help me with this word, it eludes me)- strap disengaged. And then she said "Why does this have to happen now!". We were still close to her place and could have walked back but she decided to keep on going.
It would be too far for the walk so we got on a bod-b(God bless the mothers of these guys) and got there in a few. First thing she said (okay, not really the first) was that "The food is over!" Apparently we had come too late for the kimere.
My friend (who is married now) is a man of honour, he declared the reception would start at 3pm and end at 8pm. I thought he was joking.... So, we got there just in time to see the bride and groom cutting cake. And cake was about the only thing we ate there! Plus a soda for the drink.
However it was not a loss because we got to talk with the lovely dame. She has kb and I like that in a woman. I ended up spending the evening with her and my cousin who couldn't back off! For God's sake, couldn't he bring a date. Anyway it was all good because it just made the experience better; she, myself and my cousin- I got to do a lot of listening though, to the both of them.
Apparently I got to spend some extra dimes on her supper because we had missed the kimere and well she had missed kimere by now.
All in all I enjoyed her presence.
Sunday went to Church. Was moved by the testimony of a Living Hope beneficiary. A cell member came to meet her need when she was really doing badly because of the disease-HIV/AIDS. She got better and gave her life to Christ, so did members of her family and now she has living hope.
Then my weekend went into mental pause...till Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1! Woohoo... Did your weekend rock like mine?
It began minutes before the service at KPC and I had to dart into the toilets to cause some calm before I would take part in the service. So, after that I witnessed the first ever wedding of a friend. I have been to weddings but this meant more than all I had attended. My friend became a man! He said "I do". I was challenged by the vows. Can I say that to a woman now? To love and to hold...sickness and health, poverty and disease, till death do us part.... banange.. commitment!
Anyway, I got to meet an old churchgoer. She is married to the best man of my friend. These two are young my friends! She got married in May and I bet I am older than her by some... Anyway, it was great seeing her again.
So, the service ends and I decide it would be wise to go for lunch while I wait for 3pm to pick my date and head to the reception. Little did I know, the stomach was still recovering and when I put there matooke and beef, the feeling returned. I do not trust city toilets so I walked back to KPC and eased again.
By now I was frustrated! So I bought a dosage of flagyl and waited for it to take effect while I walked to kiyembe to meet some guys who eventually never turned up. The feeling was persisting so I decided to get back to Kansanga, in the refuge of office and cool off.
The flagyl worked finally and 5:30 I was ready to go.
Embarrassment is when your date calls you when you're running real late. Oba I am beginning to fall for her again..she is quite patient with me. And oh-those eyes and smile, she is lovely really.
So I made it there at few minutes past six; I mean her place. She looked love..BEAUTIFUL. So we set out to the venue but as we proceeded, alas! Her shoe-thingy (someone help me with this word, it eludes me)- strap disengaged. And then she said "Why does this have to happen now!". We were still close to her place and could have walked back but she decided to keep on going.
It would be too far for the walk so we got on a bod-b(God bless the mothers of these guys) and got there in a few. First thing she said (okay, not really the first) was that "The food is over!" Apparently we had come too late for the kimere.
My friend (who is married now) is a man of honour, he declared the reception would start at 3pm and end at 8pm. I thought he was joking.... So, we got there just in time to see the bride and groom cutting cake. And cake was about the only thing we ate there! Plus a soda for the drink.
However it was not a loss because we got to talk with the lovely dame. She has kb and I like that in a woman. I ended up spending the evening with her and my cousin who couldn't back off! For God's sake, couldn't he bring a date. Anyway it was all good because it just made the experience better; she, myself and my cousin- I got to do a lot of listening though, to the both of them.
Apparently I got to spend some extra dimes on her supper because we had missed the kimere and well she had missed kimere by now.
All in all I enjoyed her presence.
Sunday went to Church. Was moved by the testimony of a Living Hope beneficiary. A cell member came to meet her need when she was really doing badly because of the disease-HIV/AIDS. She got better and gave her life to Christ, so did members of her family and now she has living hope.
Then my weekend went into mental pause...till Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1! Woohoo... Did your weekend rock like mine?
WORLD AIDS DAY.
If we do not change our attitude and behaviour towards sex, AIDS shall remain far from over. Behavioural change is the surest way out. Abstinence before marriage and faithfulness when married and above all Christ to strengthen us in our effort. Yea, we must accept and love those with the disease nonetheless, I am convinced Christ would do the same.
Friday, November 28, 2008
I missed BHH and I feel terrible.
So here I was all looking forward to BHH, probably the last one this year. I had been dreaming about it since the last BHH passed. So I even pimped my look...shaved so that I look younger, and got my Sunday best on! I swore I would enjoy BHH.
........
Last month I had finally got a "date" with some hot friend of mine and mind you we had set the date three weeks before the actual date. Now the day comes and I fall off a stool...imagine, one hour to the rendezvous. My butt was incapacitated, walking was difficult and gene I had to miss the date! Not gotten another chance ever since..and she laughed when I told her about what happened.
........
The leg started aching jokingly and I thought "It will be fine by evening time". So the thing led me on- behaving well for the first half of the day. And then at 1500hrs the pain...I cursed (actually I prayed). This pain was too much for me so I headed home with the thought that somebody is playing foul on me. They do not want me to hang out with cool people..and I know who it is! But greater is He that is in me than that person.
****
I am really sad I missed, but well, I have to wait again for next year. Anyway friends, I am glad I am a blogger and glad to know you all even without putting face on you. That is why I really feel terrible for having missed BHH. Otherwise, I am still not feeling well. I prolly need to get back home and eat and sleep and do those drugs they gave me.
God bless.
........
Last month I had finally got a "date" with some hot friend of mine and mind you we had set the date three weeks before the actual date. Now the day comes and I fall off a stool...imagine, one hour to the rendezvous. My butt was incapacitated, walking was difficult and gene I had to miss the date! Not gotten another chance ever since..and she laughed when I told her about what happened.
........
The leg started aching jokingly and I thought "It will be fine by evening time". So the thing led me on- behaving well for the first half of the day. And then at 1500hrs the pain...I cursed (actually I prayed). This pain was too much for me so I headed home with the thought that somebody is playing foul on me. They do not want me to hang out with cool people..and I know who it is! But greater is He that is in me than that person.
****
I am really sad I missed, but well, I have to wait again for next year. Anyway friends, I am glad I am a blogger and glad to know you all even without putting face on you. That is why I really feel terrible for having missed BHH. Otherwise, I am still not feeling well. I prolly need to get back home and eat and sleep and do those drugs they gave me.
God bless.
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