Risk Management

Was reading up about risk management, trying to understand more about risk in business ventures. In short, it involves identifying the risk, assessing it and prioritising it. Risk is in simple terms an uncertainty of an objective- your plans could succeed or fail. There is no definite way to predict to the highest correctness whether the outcome of your actions will be a success and not a failure.

Somethings are more risky than others because of the value of loss involved. Chances are if you bet on Manchester United winning in a Champions' League Final against Barcelona FC, you will lose your money. Why? Manchester are not half as good as the Catalans. In such cases, the skill is measurable.

What about when it comes to unmeasurables, for example, a person's will?

In Economics, one of the reasons people buy yet they do not necessarily need to is because despite the measurable variables, humans are oft illogical and will sometimes be led by their hearts and not their heads.

Between the heart and mind, what would I choose? Tough decision, out of the heart the issues of life flow but with a dead mind, we make all the wrong decisions.

When it comes to a person's will and their emotions, risk management becomes impossible. No way to determine an outcome, no previous data, nothing at all. Which is why we have this thing called hope. Hope is a nice little animal that sees the glass as always half full. There is always something good to look forward to in its books. Our hearts for some reason decide to hope, when they do not, they draw back.

The WORD lets us know that faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith without hope isn't faith. There needs to be a glass half full seen before one can believe it will be.

So, when our happiness depends on unclear circumstances, or a person's choice, we are left with hope, not even faith, just hope. For a man's will is theirs, and unless illegally bent by mind control, it is not subject to anyone else.

Can hope be perfected? So that despite the outcome, a man's heart fails not? I believe it can be.

Rom 5:5 And hope does not make us ashamed, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.

Risk management when dealing with free will? Hope. Especially when the love of God has been poured out in the heart through God's Holy Spirit. May there be comfort, refuge and restoration when things go bad, even when you hoped they would not. With these, hope and love, you can be like Joseph who endured his brothers' ostracism, prison, betrayal but still forgave.

You can be like David who though could have killed his enemy, turned from the evil act or above all, be like Emmanuel who forgave his assailants in the act of murdering him.

Hope you make sense of this.
Goodnight.

This is just for you.

Strange but Sweet Love.

Laughter, smiles, voice
When all are yours,
Leave me utterly no choice
But to ask for more.

More time to hear, feel, love, look
"Don't go yet"
Fairy tale book;
Sweets, ...it might be flavoured fate.

Elixir of love?
Fuel of longing?
It is all I have
And I keep on hoping.

I could start now,
To open and fill these cherry pages,
But we're both asking how
Yet somehow the double-tip pen forward-edges.

Subtle, but strangely imposing
It stays like good wine in a cellar.
Two boats on a sea sailing,
You and I, dreams gone stellar.

Isn't it strange yet sweet, love?

Leaving May.

Isn't it weird that it seems I always write an end of month post? Hmm...

May. Is going away.

I remember that as April came to an end, I thanked God for certain good things and hoped to do some new good in May. Well, the fifth month of the year is over and now we are crossing into the second half of 2011.

One. If there was actually a rapture and it took a select few, then I am in trouble. It means no more grace; this translates into getting what we deserve, earning our salvation, henceforth meaning we must all be on our best behaviour even after accepting the good Lord and Saviour. Not that we behaving badly was sanctioned before the rapture, but that after the rapture, there is no grace, no cover for your wrongs. Thank God Jesus is the picture of grace. Thank God for grace. With it, we can actually live a life pleasing to Him even when we are so weak (of course through faith- Eph 2:8)

Besides that, there are things I thought I would have done by the sixth month but the machinery for bringing them is taking its time. I am still patient though, because I have hope, I have a dream and will keep believing till I see these things come to pass.

Now, May has been particularly victorious. I was able to form a mutual benefit friendship with a very wise person and we are both reaping from the support we give each other. Iron sharpens iron, they say- cannot be truer. The Word says that two are better than one, one person puts 1000 men to flight, two people put 10,000 men to flight. So I am glad for the victories that are out of friendship that is honest and supportive.

However, scoffers were shouting very loudly in this month and for the past few days, I felt like I had no faith whatsoever! I was scared! Uneasy. Unhappy. Only for grace did I get the courage to pray and tell Him about it and already I am feeling better.

Love is funny. But it is beautiful too.

I am hoping for a June that is far greater in excellence than May. I know it is possible- I am believing and praying. May has been a testimony that God actually hears us when we pray and sends us the help we need.

Come June. You are already blessed.

Go with them two miles

I don't want to sleep tonight.

I have a working day tomorrow notwithstanding.

I think the muse had plans for me tonight but must have forgotten to make up his mind along the way; and I just thought, maybe music comes from the word muse.

I like to remind myself- there is grace, and it has no greys. To remember that when it rains, all our sins are washed away. Grace is not a mystery, it is not in need of a thesis. Grace is precious like gold, yet common like the airtime vendor. Nothing complex about it yet it is very comprehensive....all our sins are washed away.

Well, when the grace of God is in your life, you realise quickly that you've been given a get out of jail free card and some others to give out. Isn't it strange when we fail to do the same for others, when we fail to mete out the grace poured upon us to others? Claiming how incredulous people can be yet that's what the "accuser" is always telling God about us?

I can be dumb. Allow me to express myself though, hoping to emulate King David in his sincerity.

I never thought I'd ever be stood up, at least since 2007. I thought I had a good understanding with the people I connect with in that if anything happens maybe I will get a call to warn me about the danger of being stood up. For example, if I am running late, be told so.

I did not think it too much to ask since I like to be the one keeping time most of the time, and since I have learned to wait. I once had to wait close to two hours for a meeting I had been invited to to start, in those two hours none of the "inviters" had showed up!

I do not think it too much to ask for a warning.

Anyway, on this day as I get to the venue, I receive a text announcing how the other party has already left. The party cites their reason for leaving as having been there earlier and the waiter giving strange looks.

Blank stares and disbelief follows. I go an extra step and call up other party. They promptly apologise and go ahead to hang up on a call I have made... Hmmm. This time laughter ensues. I decide I will not whine or complain so I turn my attention to other things.

Today though, this thought comes up because worse than being stood up is being left on a date, with the wine glass in your hand, or worse still with the ring still in the box.

And are those not the times it calls for grace? I have my failings, I agree but they have to do with relatives... relatives can be such a test... As for those we relate with by choice, certain actions can easily cause anger, disbelief, ire, etc... So, in consideration that we have done worse to God, can't we be more gracious to others in how we react to the wrongs they do us?

Jus saying.

Baseline
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Matthew 5:38-41

Open letter and apology to my homosexual friends

For the homosexual who may not be comfortable with his or her sexual conduct, I pray you give me ear.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God; for the display of His righteousness at this time, for Him to be just and, forgiving the one being of the faith of Jesus. Then where is the boasting? It is excluded. Through what law? Of works? No, but through the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law. Or is He the God of the Jews only, and not also of the nations? Yes, of the nations also, since it is one God who will justify circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make the Law void through faith? Let it not be! But we establish the Law.
Rom 3:23-31

There is a debate going on about the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and it has generated a lot of anger from you. It seems like the intention of the Uganda Government and all in support of the Bill want to lock you up and let you rot in jail because of what you sanely choose.

Sorry for appearing like a self righteous bigot whose only estimation of you is that you should die. If that has been seen in the way I express myself I am sorry, I beg to rectify that image.
As a Christian, I take great comfort in knowing that I once was bound in hopelessness too, hating the thing I was doing but not seeming to stop doing it. I take great comfort in Jesus laying His life down for me so that I could receive His righteousness. I recognize when He reached out to me, I was a sinner to the core without hope and a child of His wrath because of my disobedience.

I learned that no matter how much I wanted to change, the law could not help me, it was but a shadow. It showed me the standard but did not really show me how to live to it. It never empowered me. In the same way, many of you feel like the Bahati bill cannot in anyway cause you to change, and that it in fact condemns you. It seeks not your welfare but your destruction. I understand how you feel. That is the work of the law. It shows perfection, rarely gives a solution.

The tug of war that seems to be going on between so called pro and anti has taken away much of the attention from the core issues I think we need to address. Yes, some of you seem to be in a circumstance you cannot control, but it is known there are others who have been oriented into that position.

While I agree the Bahati bill cannot work towards rehabilitation, it works especially against those who shamelessly do their acts in an aggravated manner. From my estimation of the bill, most of the focus is on aggravated homosexuality though it still addresses homosexuality in it’s “consentual” form. The aggravated form of it needs to be addressed, and in this case there are victims as well, who do not offer any consent and suffer.

I personally would like that a clause be included for those willing to change.

My beliefs may never meet with yours but I ascribe to rehabilitation. There are many who have changed their “orientation”, in which case I bring you to notice it is more about what you train your mind to accept rather than what you naturally feel.

I do not desire any of you perish. No, not in this life or the next. I pray that you may be able to see the grace of God available for you to change. Of course this only applies to those who see gay conduct as ungodly. There is help in God. No hope is lost.

God loves you, He seriously does, to the point He sacrificed His own son. Being gay is a choice, you can walk out of it, it is not God’s will.

I would like to say sorry for all the hate you seem to meet, sometimes we are misguided. In the end, my desire is we all may live righteous and uphold God’s holy law by the power that is given to us through Christ.

You can change.

Much love.

April's end.

April has come to an end and several things have been happening in and around me.

I'm not participating in the walk to work protests not because I do not realise the inflation but because I recognise, walk to work is a sheep in wolf's clothing. Except the people who have been imprisoned, the young who have lost their lives needlessly, the property which has been destroyed- nothing good has come out of it. It is a platform where little known politicians are trying to get recognition, where those who have outlived their service and appeal are trying to regain favour, where the high use the low to their own ends.

However, that is not the only reason. I realise that I am not bound by the economies of the world being in this world but not of it. God says He shall supply my needs according to His riches in glory. And in this time, I realise that giving is better than receiving- that we should learn to share, learn to not hold back our hands but freely give, and our God is faithful- He loves a cheerful giver. I have learnt a lot about giving in this month and I know God is leading me into a place where I take giving opportunities just as seriously I would receiving opportunities.

You know how a street kid comes up to you and you have a programmed response to say you don't have? That should change- seeing as God gave us not because we deserved. Many of us like to qualify those we give, but that is not how God reached to us in His Son Jesus Christ. He gave regardless how we looked, how bad we were, how good we were- He gave. In this time of seeming inflation, perhaps learn to give, I am sure you will not regret it especially if it is with a cheerful heart.

I was able to complete the ten weeks new life class at Church and I am glad I finally did. After 3 or 4 years in this Church, I did get through that class and hope to go to the next level. It is not really about a certificate or accomplishing something but to me it is about being grounded and getting more involved in Church.

However even as I enjoyed the treasures of God, I had struggles too. I have gone through periods of Romans 7 where the good I want to do I do not, and the bad I would not do , I do. It is a classical sin that so easily besets. In my reading however, I discover that I need to reach the end of myself- I need to die. And yes I have been through this over and over but gracefully God keeps showing me I need to die. I need to reach the end of myself. I need to accept my blindness so Christ can give me sight. It is a struggle I wish I did not have but God is not wasteful. In everything He sees the opportunity to grow me and the things I have learnt from this struggle are invaluable.

As for the crushes I have now and again, this time I think I have learnt to value them less. I have learnt the art of the background study, the counting of the cost. Not making mountain of mole hills and it has helped.

Work. New challenges, my prayer is to rise up to them with inventiveness.

I am waiting for July, for a special reason. Will holla when the time comes.

I also saw my first play in a long time with a dear recently- The Twelfth Night- it was such a dreamy experience- as if I was in heaven. Loved every moment.

Friend of mine got married. Now I also want to get married. Why? Because I know it is possible. lol. Anyway, God knows how mine will happen.

Things I need to work on this month are giving and obeying. So help me God.

April Grace even, and admonition.

April,

spring? Foot of mine! Ever since you came, I have been struggling to grasp myself. You're sending me the same ol earthquake and I keep crumbling with it.

I cannot seem to stop. Whenever I do, c'est juste pour un moment ! (Si c'est le français correct). Anyway, I hate to come here and just whine, so I am going to stop.

The thing about grace is this- the same way the sting of death is in sin, the effect of righteousness is grace. The fruit of sin is death (the child of sin is death), while the fruit of grace is righteousness (the one imputed unto us). Grace is receiving what we do not deserve, and this includes, justification, forgiveness, etc. Sin preempts God's righteous judgement upon the sinner but with Christ in the picture, the judgement falls (fell) upon Jesus.

However, it is not right for us to sin because we receive no judgement anymore from God. "Shall we then who have died to sin walk any longer in it?" (Rom 6:1-4) Rather, we are to consider ourselves dead to sin and walk in the good works prepared for us to do (Eph 2:10)

So why do we still sin?

We sin because we have two problems ever at hand- the mind and the flesh; in other words it could be referred to as one problem- the soul. Whereas our spirit is right with God, if it is not in agreement with the soul, it cannot effect itself on the flesh. We walk in the flesh, not in the Spirit.

According to Galatians-Gal 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The soul comprises our mind, will and emotions. Our flesh is the slave who is either to be led by the soul or the spirit. The problem we have is that our soul and flesh have been thoroughly educated in the ways of sin and self pleasure and therefore, only a thorough buffeting of the two can give us an upper hand.

My life as Christ follower is a process of no longer walking the way I used to. It starts with a willingness to obey and a desire to please God. Sans these two, we are bound to end up in circles of despair and disappointment. To this, we must purpose to devote ourselves to the renewal of our mind through the Word as well as not be empty by just knowing but not doing- knowledge should help us make better choices, better decisions. It ultimately trickles down from your mind to your actions. Mindless actions are like empty sacks. Mindful inaction is a sign of hypocrisy, pride and the whole lot.

How can God help us with ourselves? He has already.

He has given us all we need for life and godliness according to His divine power (2 Pet 1:3). It is upto us to do the right thing. So help us God do it.

Baseline:
That He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph 3:16-19

Lady Gaga's "H-I-M"

The number one song on the Billboard top ten is Lady Gaga's "Born this way". It's being top means it is getting extensive airplay on radio as well as on private players. She is delivering a message to the masses.

Gaga says, in the first line, that it does not matter if you love "him", and then goes on to say, "or capital H-I-M". In this statement, I would think, Gaga says, go ahead, you may or may not believe in "God" and then after that takes the opportunity to use "HIM" to justify certain things as I will highlight later.

She goes on to say that we were all born superstars; in essence that we were all born great and perfect. She adds and rides on the "HIM" factor by saying there is nothing wrong with loving who you are because "He" made you perfect, because after all "He" does not make mistakes.

Her chorus goes on to say that there is no other way, that we are born this way, that we are not a drag, that we are "queens", that it is okay to love ourselves the way we are. She says, that "a different lover is not a sin, believe capital H-I-M..." .

Lady Gaga is trying to kill your conscience.

She subtly tries to convince her listener that, in essence, God is not against you, and that He loves you the way you are and actually vetoes your nature, since He made you that way.

She does it subtly because she mixes truth with a lie and I am sure convinces many people that what she is saying is actually what God is saying too. Alas!!! God forbid.

The Bible clearly states, [Rom 3:10 as it is written: "There is none righteous, no not one; ] meaning, we are not born superstars. We are all born lost, in need of a saviour. The situation needs to change lest we perish.

The Bible also states that [Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. ] meaning there is only one way and that way is not you getting comfortable about your sin or what Gaga sells on her records in the name of "HIM". Further, it matters what you believe- God exists. What you believe shapes you. What you believe influences how you live. It determines whether you become an agent of destruction or an agent of good.

God is not the author of our sin. Why would He go to great lengths [John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.]to redeem us if He invented it? God makes no one a sinner [Jas 1:13-15 Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one.
But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death. ]

God states clearly in His word His perfect law. It shows us what is right and what is wrong. There is a distinction. It's not alright to be gay because God says so. He even warns us against such a vice and how such people only perish. It is not because of hate but because of love that He even tells us.

We are not Kings or Queens, we have no glory of our own. Only those in Christ can be said to be a Royal Priesthood. Without Christ, all our goodness or glory is like dung. Paul a man of academic accomplishment after changing says [Php 3:8 But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ ].

The person Lady Gaga is making references to must not be confused with God, the God of Jesus Christ. No. God's word clearly differs from whoever this "HIM" is. I protest that God's name may be confused with this "HIM" and therefore cause legalism due to what she says.

I have not even analysed the entire lyrics but friends the little I have shows you how easy it is to exchange the truth for a lie. Lady Gaga is no prophet or oracle for God. The Truth is in the Word of God.[Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth. ] Gaga's word is not truth, it is a mix of lies. It is another attempt to deceive the millions blinded by music. It is sad, this song is already number one, playing in the ears of many children, many struggling with sin and unwanted urges, giving them the right to do bad in the guise of being good. There is one way to God, one Way, one Truth, one Life; Christ Jesus, not our own philosophies.

Careful what you listen to, careful what you let your children listen to. Careful, read the Word and be able to know truth and lie when you see it.

What we all need to know is, the only way is Christ- and He died, willingly laid down His life so that you may be set free from the power of sin. Accept Him and seek His Way. Sin is wrong, and good news is Christ dealt with it on the cross- [Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ].

Take heed lest you be deceived and perish.

Dark Valentine

Some pain learns to become a silent drone in the heart, pulsating with the cadence of the heart it becomes inconspicuous and almost innocuous since it nearly now takes the form of the heart.

Tots of poison seeped through imperceptibly, unbeknown and slowly imbued the system. Formerly red now turning green, green blood filled with bitterness and sorrow from betrayal and disappointment.

She now turns to him, fang faced and sinks her teeth.

The green is pervading his system too ... the green threatens his very nature for it violently throws him into the water and the fire. Like a mad man, he shouts, spits, foams at the mouth...

I would hate and lament but the poison is pushed back... vomit, green on the ground.

I just can't be that man.

Baseline:

and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. Romans 5:5 (RSV)

Cold Rain

We interrupt our regular programming to bring you the following. For everyone in pain, everyone suffering guilt, suffering condemnation, for whoever is sad today, this is yours.

Cold Rain

Many never notice how the sun brings the rain-
Burying their heads in the sand,
Ignoring the pain.

Hot rays burn our peace still subtle,
Unseen dumb throbbing
Converging up in the sky.

And they rise while churning
Brewing a cold meal,
Unseen activity warming a dark chill.

They invite Nim over
Concealed in a tanned curtain,
And once he takes his seat
Fears start to become certain.

And the rain falls down
Soaking our linen skin,
Finally we can feel it-
Raw pain cold on our skin.

Baseline:

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

It's a sign!

Welcome fellow lovers, to the month of February. To the men, it is well with her soul if you have always treated her as a Princess. See, if you plan only for the 14th day, she will look right through you and judge you as such a crowd-pleaser. However, for the man who has taken care to as a lifestyle say those words, write the letters, take the long walks, buy her the blingey...rest. You have nothing to prove, just be yourself.

February started with rain! What a blessing! The blessing is no different from the one of sunshine when you learn to look at things as Paul does

Phil 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

and so we thank God for the rain and the sun.

More so, the rain reminds me so much of God's grace (and the Adler). You see with the sun, people need not do anything to receive it; it just shines. Unlike the faith required for grace where you either stay and get wet, take out the pail and collect, with the sun it is is not so much like that. So I think of it often.

Friend, like the rain, the grace of God is limited edition . The stock will run out. God's grace depends on availability of life. Once one's life expires, you have missed all the promises, all the love, all the safety, all the comfort, all the goodness, all the riches of His grace. Grace can be so easy to miss because it is right there where you are. We procrastinate, become defensive, and all sorts of things just because we know the grace is available.

God's grace is not limited to your lifetime, after you go, after I go, it will be here but it is most relevant to you who are here, breathing. The rain is falling, take this chance! Come on get wet, take out the pail! Engage your faith!

To me the start of February is a reminder of His love and grace. He knows we need the rain and will ever supply it, even if it takes months. And there I was thinking, what do people in the deserts do? They go to oases, they irrigate. When the rain falls, they never take it for granted. They use every bit of it! And that's the way to go. Grace is here while you are here. Get wet.

As for the lovers, Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. There is no greater love than when one lays down his life for a friend. How are you laying down your life for the people you say you love?

Baseline:
"Hallelujah, every breath is a second chance"

Get wet.

Another rain post?

Before I met the Adler, rain to me was a kill joy, an unnecessary occurrence that spoils plans and makes making babies easier. Rain was only needed when it was necessary. It was welcome in the night to enhance sleep but unwanted in the day for it would just cause unnecessary hustle.

The Adler loves the rain and at first I thought it was weird that anyone would choose the rain over the sunshine. She did not love the rain because it caused her to sleep, or because she did not want to wash, no....she just loved the rain. There was a fascination she had with the rain and with time I sort of caught onto this love for the rain.

We do not pick times for the rain to fall. The rain falls on its own accord. There have been many whose past two "christmases" were vitiated because the rain fell on the "wrong" day. Night or day, public holiday or not, when it falls, embrace it.

God's rain is falling. And Arsenal keep on scoring.

See, in God's world, Arsene Wenger is a much better manager than Mourinho. Why? Wenger does not look for the stars. He does not seek out or compete to make the big signings which everyone else is dashing after. Wenger goes for those who can grow, those who have room to learn, those who are not proud.

Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus came to seek out the Wilshere's and Fabregas's and the Djorou's and the Koscielny's and the Sagna's. If you consider yourself a Cristiano, a Rooney, a Drogba, there's no room for you on the Arsenal squad.

God loves those who are not afraid of getting into the rain; those who know their dirt can only be washed away by it. If you're able to play under Wenger, you're ready to play under Christ. The rain falls and only those who are not afraid of getting wet can get clean.

So, before I met the Adler, rain never really caught my fancy but after her, rain has a pleasant feel to it. And more so, because the rain reminds me of the grace of God. The grace that falls free.

The rain is falling; get out and play. Get wet. Get clean.

Can you handle the truth? When the rain falls (Part 2)

Previously I talked about grace and how it can be likened to the rain which falls upon all of us. Sorry to say, there has been a scarcity of rain lately but that does not hinder the graces of God. Take as an example, the favour and grace of God upon Egypt during the time Joseph was alive; God spoke to Pharaoh through a dream and foretold seven years of plenty notwithstanding the seven years of famine that would come after. It took the grace of God to present Joseph as the man who would have the wisdom to save some of the food in the years of plenty for use later during the famine. (Gen 41:33-36) By faith, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as governor (Gen 41:39-40) and kept the land in plenty.

So, can you handle the truth?

Truth must be eaten as a whole. No one should take sides of the truth and claim it as the whole truth. Gird your loins here, this article is about to get messy.

Rom 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

We know God as a God of forbearance, and love and mercy. Many, if not all of us, sorely depend on these qualities of God to get through our regrets and guilt and bad consciences. We have exercised great faith in accepting these qualities of God and thank God that He is such a God lest we be found without hope.

It is a relief that God is merciful but it is a fearful thing that God is just.

I need not look elsewhere in judging myself. I know that I have the capacity to do great evil. Lecrae posits "I notice when people notice me, my exterior is the only way they know it's me..." Do not be deceived, "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?..." (1 Cor 2:11). You will never know that I battle with doubt, greed and lust, unless I tell you. I have had and still have issues.

None of us is good. I wish we would all stop trying to pretend that we are "innately" good. Rom 3:10 (Amp) says "As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one." We all need God's rain.

It becomes a snare in today's world when we make distinctions in goodness. The Bible is very clear on many social issues today but I wonder why we are still contentious about them. In today's Uganda, it is better to eat government money with others than eat it alone. It is an excuse for entry level corruption when there is top level corruption(- Corruption is a sort of deceipt and gluttony and greed and selfishness). However, with much searing of our consciences we now make excuses and declare one's sin is greater and therefore God can handle it. In God's eyes, when you commit one sin, you break the whole law! You are as good as an adulterer, murderer, (I use this because we think these to be greater sins- not to be misunderstood, they have greater consequences but still are a breaking of God's law).

Homosexuality is a touchy concept in the world today because here we say, if something is consensual, then it does not concern others. I rather talk about something else for fear of criticism but here are more of my cents. If we accept God is love and forgiving and merciful, why is it hard to accept He is just as well? He has made it clear to us, homosexuality is wrong as is lying and cheating and stealing, downloading songs without paying for them, etc (1 Cor 6:9-10) and that whoever sows in these will reap from them. (Gal 6:7-8)

I am judging myself here, I have committed all those sins, however, I have not found comfort in continuing in them, so I take out my pail and collect the rain. This is the call of God, that we repent. We cannot give excuses to God about sin, He has all the solutions and has made them known to us. Repentance is not confessing one's sins, there is a difference. Repentance can be one's entire lifetime but it involves a contrite heart and a willingness to change plus a dependence on God to effect that change. Confession on the other hand can easily pass for lip service.

When we darken our hearts and sear our consciences it becomes harder to separate truth from lies but like the Bible says, we reap what we sow. This piece goes out to all of us. We all struggle with sin. I am no better than a homosexual in God's book when I keep on stealing, lying, cheating etc. To me, a proud gay person is like having someone proud of being a murderer. Why? There is no concession that what we are doing is wrong and that we need to change. However, make no mistake there is no distinction, -

1 Tim 1:9-10 (NIV,2011) We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.

Fear not, the struggle will never be won by your own attempts.

20For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [[a]not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].

21But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets,

22Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,

23Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory [b]which God bestows and receives.

24[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,

25Whom God put forward [[c]before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.

26It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time ([d]in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.

Rom 3 (Amp)

I reiterate: the rain is falling, take out your pail!

Baseline:Rom 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.

When the rain falls, take out the pail! (Part One)

Believe it or not, there was a time when National Water & Sewerage Corporation did not exist. So, there were no pipes, pumps, taps, toilets, tanks and the kind. Water was made available through the rain, or via streams, rivers and lakes. You did not have the luxury of going to the sink to open the water. So you needed to either go to the well, the spring, the river, or whatever place had clean water to help you in your nutritional and hygienic needs.

Water is a utility, and the fortunate have easy access to it. Once you have the plumbing done, you can have the good men from NWSC connect you to their reserves. From then, it becomes a matter of paying your bill as you open the tap whenever you need to.

However, as I was saying before, there was a time when there was no NWSC. ALL of us had no easy access to water. The methods we used were the same except of course the men dressed in purple robes. They had servants at their beck and call. Nonetheless, we needed to do the same thing to get water.

The most basic way of getting water is through the clear drops of rain from above. Back in the day, when it rained, you would take out all possible containers and place them on the veranda so that you would harvest as much water as you could for your personal use. If there were holes in your roof you would place the containers inside the house to make that harvest so that it would save you a trip to the well or wherever you needed to go for the water if it had not rained.

In the era of NWSC, when it rains, we prefer to be inside our houses, a car or have a jacket and umbrella on. No one wants the wet drops on his skin. No one even puts a bucket or pail outside to harvest lest they do not have NWSC services.

When it rains, it rains on all and we all can take out our pails and harvest it, so that we may bathe and brush and have water to drink. This is the grace of God; that it rains upon all of us. When it rains in Ntinda, it rains upon all of Ntinda. The rain is not choosy, it does not discriminate. It falls, upon the good, the bad, in fact even upon the ugly and the weird. It will fall on the bungalow and the shack, upon the murram and the tarmac.

Such is the goodness of God’s grace. However, the rain alone is useless if we do not take out the pails and buckets and whatever it is to trap the rain. See, God’s grace is amazing because it has no limits however, without faith, His grace goes to the drain [or the swamp ;)].

We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory but are justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus(Rom 3:23,24). We are however, not saved by His grace alone. We are saved by grace THROUGH faith (Eph 2:8). The rain is a gift, but we need to take out the pails to receive it.

All mankind has been forgiven. That there is God’s grace. In God’s eyes, a homosexual and a liar are pretty much the same. His grace is available for both. The difference is, will you take out the pail? Will you receive His mercy? His love? His kindness? His forbearance?

Make no mistake, living it good does not mean you are innocent.

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

It is raining, it’s been raining long. Will you take out the pail? Grace is available. Will you engage your faith?

The truth you may not have heard is

2Co 5:19 whereas God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and putting the word of reconciliation in us.

So this is what I is saying- use your faith. Enjoy God’s grace.

Gone in 60 Seconds....with Nevender Neva Nev

"Kawuna" is back and Ug Girl just tapped me. Have fun with the interview and when you get to the bottom, look for your name and continue with the tagging.


1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

They actually brought some forms in 1996 to our school asking us what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wonder where they took those forms? They should bring them back to us and we laugh!! ...Okay, I too wanted to be a Doctor.

2. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

To trust Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Saviour.

3. What’s the best piece of advice you ever gave?

Would not know.

4. What do you most enjoy about your job?

Creativity. Ah, just being able to express myself the way I know how.

5. Who would you most like to have dinner with?

Right now it is Andrew Wommack. I would learn so much. If you had asked me 2 weeks ago I would have said the name of a girl.

6. What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Seriously? I'm not saying it here...... Okay there are two. 1. Very quiet class, then an abrupt sound and then eyes on me....tihihi. 2. Entering the S.3 class after I knew every girl in the class had known about my failed heart conquest. Again, all eyes on me.

7. Who is the most important person in your life?

The Word.

8. What’s your worst regret in life?

I wish I had never seen those pictures.....

9. Who is your role model?

I do not have a role model. However, I have people that inspire me : Andrew Wommack, my mother, father, Paul ma brother, Monica my aunt, every person that is happily married.

10. If you could be one person for a day, who would that be?

Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa, as God has destined him to be; and then I would be him for all life.

Alright, a few tags. Dorene, Hellen, The Rising Page, Sleek, mILLY carry this on.

Are you self conscious?

"Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"

Ever considered the mirror may tell you lies? I heard a man last week say, you have actually never seen your face. Never. No matter how many times you look into the mirror or go to Do.Li.Co., you have never actually seen your face, face to face. You rely on the mirror and the lens to let you look at your face.

What gives you confidence? Is it the way you look, the way you feel, the way you smell, the way you talk, the way you dress or the way you walk? Is it where you walk, where you eat, where you sleep, where you dance, where you drink? Is it your wife, your husband, your child or children, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your clique, your parents, your workplace, your Church?

Many of us will probably look at the above and say yes to a lot of the options placed. To feel alive, to feel loved and important, a great deal of us have learnt and mastered the art of placing confidence in the things our senses can [sense?].

The mirror tells you you are beautiful and you believe it. Your bank account number tells you you are rich and you believe it. It is so easy to believe everything you sense. Those things your physical body understands are what you believe the most.

However, do we ever think to notice how strong the power of words are? The spoken unseen. "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body...Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" [James 3:3,5].

A word of disapproval from a friend can cause depression, a word from a lover can cause happiness. The spoken unseen has such great power over the felt unseen. In the same way you respond to the things you can see, feel, touch etc, there are also things you cannot sense. These are the things which matter the most to people. For example, "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. " [Prov 21:9], and "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting,^a with strife." [Prov 17:1].

We so often focus on the things that bring us physical comfort and forget that we need to also focus on the unseen. Words have a lot to do with this. Many beautiful women so often doubt it coz one man they esteemed said they were ugly. Or a wise man was told by a fellow that he was foolish. So easy to be moved by words.

Self consciousness is many times a product of our own self examinations, rather a a product of external evaluations. Many times this consciousness goes on to affect the person's confidence in life and other things. Words are important in treating this.

Moreso, the word is important. In His word is life, and health. In God's word is the true you. Your mirror may lie, your friends may lie, your enemies may scorn, so many will tell you stuff. However, at the end of the day, at the end of your life, it is the word of God that matters. It went forth before you did. It is what we need to believe first before we believe any thing else.

Are you self conscious? Dear, be not. Be Christ conscious. Be conscious of what he says about you, of what he did for you. He saved you, redeemed you , forgave you, put you above all things with him. He is life. His words are Spirit and they are life. LIFE!! Friends life! If you believe anything today, let it be what He says about you not what other people say.

Baseline: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. [Jeremiah 29:11]

Rich man problem.

There is a certain rich man mentioned in the Bible said to be customarily clothed in purple and fine linen, and who fared sumptuously every day. Purple and fine linen spoke of wealth and comfort therefore it meant, this man was living the proverbial "good life".

To many of us, the "good life" is a thing which pertains entirely to the physical, that is, good living means all your physical comforts are in place. More and more each day, new inventions are in place to increase convenience. When the conveniences are poked at, then there is a problem.

The travel upheaval during December took a toll on many, here in Uganda you can hear loud jeers when power goes when people are watching their favourite soap or program on t.v.

Good living is a pursuit. "You ain't lived yet till you drive your own car. You ain't lived yet till you own your piece of land. You ain't lived yet till you got your own company." We want to live easy and comfortable.

Now, this rich man we are talking about apparently has no name. Some attribute it to the fact that this is a parable and not a real character, others think it is a grace for all who would consider themselves in the same bracket.

Anyway, what about this rich man? This rich man is as I have said living the good life, however, at his gates is a beggar who seeks to survive by the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table. Dogs lick his wounds.

This beggar's name is Lazarus- in His parables, Christ rarely gives people names, perhaps this was a real occurrence?

Later, the two die. The rich man ends up in hell with torment and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. Abraham's bosom is a term used by Jews for heaven since their "Father" is Abraham, they hope to be with him when they die, for it is known he was a man with God's favour and grace upon him.

The rich man is suffering and begs that Abraham send Lazarus to cool him with some water, albeit it being a drop from the tip of his finger. Abraham's response is that since the rich man had his good things in his lifetime and Lazarus his pain, it was now time for the first to be the last, the tormented to be the comforted and the comforted to be the tormented.

Moreover, he continues to say that even if that were possible (the temporary quenching of thirst), a great chasm existed between the two and no one could move to and fro.

The rich man is in so much despair that his focus changes to his family. He asks that Lazarus would go to his five brothers and testify to them lest they end up in the same place. What change of focus, what love he seemed to have now. He cared that his family would be saved if not him.

Abraham tells him that Lazarus need not go for they have the prophets and Moses. Interesting to note that there was no excuse for the brothers for they had the Word. God's voice had gone out through Moses and the prophets and they should have paid attention.

The rich man insists and says that if one from the dead were to speak to them, they would repent. As though prophetically, Abraham affirms and says " And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

And this is exactly what we have today. That though Christ died for our sins, though He lived a spotless life, though through faith in Him we can have the righteousness of God, many of us still doubt and refuse to believe. He was that Lazarus who even though he had gone back to the rich man's brothers to testify, they would not have believed.

The good life maybe the world's top priority now but the God life is what God would want us to have. Selflessness instead of selfishness, humility instead of pride, pro-action instead of turning a blind eye, love instead of hate, giving more than receiving.

1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Is there a Lazarus at your gate? In your house? At your school? In your work place? Do not go the path of the rich man even though you may have things like him. "...for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12:15) Fear not, for I am listening to this sermon myself.

Hopefully we can listen to the Lazarus who died, and rose again; Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Story is from Luke 16:19-31)

Baseline: Mat 23:26 Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of them may be clean also.

The First Word.

In the beginning was the Word.

What better thing to be reminded of at the start of the new year than the fact that His Word is there even before anything else. Before we make plans and resolutions His Word is there. Before every thing else happens, His Word is there and since He is His Word, He is there.

I cannot stop marveling at the wisdom and grace of God. He is so good that, He goes before us. It says in Hebrews," ...where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. " (6:20) What this piece of scripture is talking about is the promise of God and how He swore by Himself He would bring it to pass. This provides a hope for us- the writer of Hebrews calls it - an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, (6:19). The veil refers to that most Holy place where no man must approach God without a High Priest.

However, Christ becomes our High Priest and becomes our forerunner. He goes in before us to make sure there is no enmity anymore. Even as the new year starts, Christ is our forerunner. He has taken upon Himself every possible thing that can keep us from having a relationship with God, thus we can enter the most Holy Place.

The Word, is crucial. Knowing God's word improves relationship with God, both literally and metaphorically. In the beginning was the Word. It (He) sets the standard for everything, it paves the way, it builds the house, it is the foundation. It is like starting a car's ignition, if you do not start it, nothing else will work.

It does not only cater for your soul, it works for your physical too. In God's Word is found wisdom, sobriety, hope. I thank God for being reminded at the start of the year to make the Word of God the first thing, that is , the foundation. I trust that with the Word (Christ) constantly at the fore of everything in your life, you shall be blessed. Not only this year, for surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

Baselines:
Joh 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

Happy New Year Uganda.

I did not stop blogging

There's a happy tune playing in my head- Ayiesha Woods' "Never". There's a retro peace about it that makes it nice to listen to. And it's not just the tune, the message reminds us that God will never give up on us regardless what we've been told or have heard.

Well, seems my last blog post gave the wrong impression. Whereas it noted the demise of the purple heart, it did not mean Nev generally stopped blogging. On the contrary; I intend to continue blogging as far as God can let it. Sadly though, I have not been too well thus the "scarcity" of posts but like I said, by grace I hope to continue posting.

This is Christmas season and hopefully we are all gearing up to spend some quality time with family. Let's face it, to many of us regardless how great our friends are, family are the closest we have in terms of relationship. It is not uncommon to find mothers and aunts in hospital rooms taking care of their sons and daughters whilst their friends come in only once in a while.

Your family is a gift. This Christmas, give them something back. They love you no matter what. And if they do not, why waste love, love them.

Switchfoot remark in one of their songs- "love is the final fight". If you find it hard to love someone, that is a worthy challenge-learning to love them. I know... I am doing my fair share of fighting but when love comes easy-treasure it.

See you on Christmas, for now, let me enjoy what's left of my birthday. Much love guys.

Fly free in God's love and grace.

Nev, your Nevelator

Demise of the Purple Heart

Legacy:the dream of many a legend.

Excuse my lack of eloquence, I am taking baby steps again given how long it's been since I last blogged. I will take it one step at a time.

It is innate, that every man longs to leave a legacy- some sort of thing to remember him by, something worthy of being recorded, someway to carry his life forward even after he dies.

Books, sons and daughters, companies, are some way of preserving legacy. Sometimes, legacy cannot be touched, it comes in form of heroism, villainy.

I hope I do not confuse any of you. This is a death announcement. The prevention of legacy. There will be no more purple heart after this post. This is the end, the realisation that Nevender must rise again. PH, the bitter, sour man has died and Nev shall now live.

Where am I heading?

Heard of alter ego? Laughable really. Sasha Fierce, Slim Shady etc? Well, it explains a lot about our nature. Trying to be good and bad at the same time and get away with it.

The nature of man is pretty straight forward and there need be no research concerning who we are. Men say that sometimes a man is born good and other times he is born evil. That it is not upto anyone but that that is the way one is. Is it really?

Judas Iscariot can be regarded the worst of men because he was not only greedy, his greed led to the death of a not just a good man but the God man- the messiah. Maybe he was born bad. So then, should bad men have a conscience after a lifetime of "badness"? Consider

"Then, Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4)

A bad man felt remorse. In this very sense it means there was something close to good in him.

Paul explains this nature very well

Rom 7:19 For what good I desire, I do not do. But the evil I do not desire, this I do.

It is easy to do bad. Without restraint, man can do very bad all by himself. It is easy to be angry, hateful, resentful. Most of this has the foundation of selfishness, needing to please oneself before anyone else.

Purple heart is a case study. Disappointment gave rise to this (blogger)man/ supposed alter ego and the need to be defiant gave him nourishment. However, where light is, shall no darkness be.

Men use rules to try and keep their evil nature under control. It is actually the grace of God which gives us that ability- innately it is that conscience which differentiates good from evil, and externally it is the law of God presented in the Torah. Having a conscience and knowledge of God's law however does not give one the ability to do good. It only presents a choice. It is like being given a mirror. A mirror cannot change you.

Praise God then:

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

But be aware:

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

And take heed:

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

For freedom to serve God, man must die. Not physically, but spiritually. Death to me has a new meaning- it is the ultimate humility. If we can kill our flesh, we have given ourselves over completely to God- totally dependent on God. This is why my old (blogger) man is gone. Purple heart is dead. It is a realisation that one must not always think to please himself, to vent ( yes, even doing it on blogger is an issue.) as if he deserves anything. We come into this world with nothing, we go out of it with nothing, how can we say we deserve anything?

One more thing before I go, our natural man has issues I mean look what God says

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,

Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,

Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

It would do you and I good to read the whole of Galatians 5 and make sense of this issue. Be blessed.

Baseline: Gal 5:24 But those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

Singular.

" I know that you care for me genuinely", she said. It was true, I did. It was also true that she cared for me. It was a blessing from God when our paths crossed again, 9 months later, it remains beautiful.

Final Announcement- BASIC Vision XP

You're welcome.
Faculty of Technology,
Makerere University
Conference room.
New building, ground floor.

BASIC Family's Vision XP

Simply put, you're invited.

Faith. Family. Fun

Doctor's words. Truth.

People make up so many conjectures and have so many positions about Christ Jesus. However, much as Christianity, theology may look grand things, they really are not. They are simple, for the base people of the world as well as the high.

I am not engaging in psychological or philosophical or scientific debates. I am only going to admit what I know.

Jesus Christ said this about himself at the start of his ministry- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18,19)

God's priorities are so much unlike ours- He cares to bring hope [good news] to the poor, to heal those whose hearts are broken, to preach deliverance to the captives, opening eyes of the blind, freedom to the bruised, to proclaim God's best. Us on the other hand, place priorities on things like career success, pleasure, comfort etc...

The Bible shows us a lot about the people He is most interested in- the poor in spirit,they that mourn,the meek,they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness,the merciful, the pure in heart,the peacemakers, they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:3-12).

God loves the man who knows he needs help. The parable of the Pharisee and Publican show Christ's attitude to pride and humility. These two men were both in the temple, before their God. The Pharisee was very proud of himself, his "righteous achievements", he told God how he used to carry out righteousness in his acts and even compared himself to the other man- the Publican. The Publican knew he had an issue- he was a sick man, needing help and even confessed while beating his chest " God be merciful to me a sinner." He did this standing afar off, and not even lifting his head.

What was Christ's response? "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

The sick seek out a doctor. The doctor loves to seek them out too. "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."(Luke 19:12) None are whole. So all need a doctor but those who fail to see they need help will eventually perish at their own indiscretion.

Christ is straightforward. He loves people. He loves the world. He loves the sinner. However, He is just. He never minces words, He gives you the whole shebang.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.(John 3:16-19)

He is not afar. He is not very complex. He has a part of Himself you can actually see and understand. Much as we may bring up arguments, I go back to the Bible. What it is to me is Word. Life. It is the refreshing, not like the refreshing which is exhausting, but real refreshing which brings peace. I have been able to partake of this.

Why don't you?

Baselines.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 )

(King James Version)

Plight of the World.

You know the plight of us; all the pains and the strains that this life covers
Things never go right, it's the gripe of us
It's like life came and took all the life from us, from us
Was supposed to go this way, hearts cold from coast to coast this days
Full of hope and nope it's gone, this grave
We need light and life to come invade
This cold world ain't nice to us
We so blind like the sights took our sight from us
I know you heard it more than once kinda like stutters
But this world needs help, all the likes of us, of us
What a lonely road is paved, with some broken souls that (groan midways)
On our domes we long to go get away, we cant go it alone come on invade

In this broken world we wanna find a way,
Cause it all went wrong, tell me who can take it away
come and invade our world.


You know the place where we placed at
It's like loves been erased they replaced that
There's no food in the crib where they plates at
The kid got shot in the place where he plays at
Jay said this can't be life, I'm lookin at the world like this can't be right
We lookin for the light but we can't be night
We lookin for our health but we can't see right (see right)
Comin y'all we gotta face facts
His years go tears roll down hhis face ??
When he had a lot of hope it would fade black
Now he cold and he ain't really fazed at anything
Anything his face seems light, cause his moneys out like they made three strikes
Needs something to come down invade these nights
A real life Hero need that'll make things right


I know of some folks thinkin, this dude trippin what he drinkin
What kinda little dream he chasin, he gonna spend his whole life waitin (I'm waitin)
For someone to come down to change this song, but not just me man creation groans
We are waitin for someone to erase this wrong
The Kingdom is here the invasion's on.

Trip Lee-Invade

The Bayimba International Festival of Arts 2010 Kampala UG

Forgive the fact that I have written this a week after the Festival started and 5 days after it ended. Forgive me also for the awful truth that I took no pictures, you can go to Bayimba facebook page for you to have a look.

Ugandans are not crazy about the arts. Ugandans just love entertainment. This is why it is easier for Moses Kyagulanyi to pull throngs while Maurice Kirya will attract a select few who are picky.

The recently concluded Bayimba festival had tough competition over the weekend. There was the Goat race at Munyonyo plus the Bride and Groom Expo. Bayimba's vision is "A vibrant creative arts industry in Uganda that is professional, creative and viable and contributes to social and economic development in Uganda and East Africa." It was evident from the festival's weekend line up that creative arts is a big deal with Bayimba.

First, the plates, cups, basins and other plastic stuff on the main stage background was a totally cool idea.

From the photography display, to the artisan craft, the music in the theatre from Kampala Music School, Abo Gospel, Ethno Uganda, and other acts, it was a dynamic mix of different art forms showcasing not only Ugandan culture but international culture as well.

There was a clear presence of "Mzungus" who are known to be more in love with the arts than the Ugandans themselves. To wit, there was a nice shirt with the words " My name is not Mzungu", which put a smile on my face.

However, I think the attendance of locals was not so bad although like I said at the start, Ugandans love entertainment. This is probably why we saw more people coming in the evening to watch mostly rock-oriented live music like the Uneven Band with Rachel K, Milege and and take part of the cooler than ice cold "Silent Disco".

My personal favourites were the photos upstairs; it revealed there is a growing skill in photography in Uganda. Some photos
were taken in ridiculous positions but came out looking gorgeous. The lighting, focus, colour was something to be proud of. Not to mention, Marcel Worms' dreamy piano playing in the main auditorium on Saturday.

Latif did this crazy thing where he made a dress for a model in around 5 minutes and my, wasn't she stunning!

At the end of the day, it seemed many of the people I knew were attending so for some part, it became a social event if you had not gone to the Goat Races or the Bride and Groom expo.

I loved it. Simply put. The diversity, the creativity, the flamboyance although we shall need more of that next time. One of the goals is to make Ugandan arts unique, whereas it is possible, I fear Uganda's arts are very cliche, it will need persistence, quality such as of Maurice Kirya to develop a distinct look for Ugandan art. Why am I ovcer Maurice Kirya-ing? Check this! My wish is that the festival becomes a must-attend on the international arts' calendar and that Ugandans become a bigger part of it than those they host from other countries.

If you missed Bayimba this year, wait patiently for the one next year. I think it is progress for arts in Uganda.

Sleep

What if I had an office job? In a proper organisation; maybe an NGO, advertising firm or something close to that? Perhaps I would actually sleep the prescribed 8 hours a normal human being should take.

This has been one crazy week; actually not just week, this current trend has taken 3 weeks. What trend? 3 -4 hrs of sleep per day.

Whereas the money is coming in, I am not as excited as before. Appointment here, call there, design here. Aya! My writing is even skewed. I cannot produce a piece of poetry anymore.

I need sleep.

This sort of striving is part of the work Christ came to put an end. Our accounts with God are too huge to be paid with our efforts. We end up stressed and tired like I am. When you believe in Christ as Lord and saviour you cease from labouring to pay back that debt because by grace He gifts salvation to you.Take note,Ephesians 2:8,9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

A performance based salvation is not existent- it is actually bondage.

The thing about rest/sleep is you cannot control it. You need to give up control for you to rest/sleep. Eevn with salvation, give up your ga efforts, they are filthy rags-capitulate to grace, and sleep. Give up and let Christ give you rest. Take note- Matthew 11:28,29Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

At the end of the day, Hebrews 4:10-For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his.

Sleep now.

Forerunner

I know, Rev mentioned something like this in his post- I was trying to explain it but I guess I won't. Let me just share it.

Hebrews 6: 19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil,


20where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, who is made a high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.

Important to note is the role of a high priest.

Hebrews4: 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5: For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;


2who can have compassion on the ignorant and on those who are outside of the Way, since he himself is also encompassed by infirmity.

3And by reason hereof, he ought, both for the people and also for himself, to make offering for sins.

4And no man taketh this honor unto himself, except he that is called by God, as was Aaron.

Wow! God is good.

Lions and Liars

Bazanye- you like rap or is it hip hop?. I'm giving you what I think is the best Sho Baraka-[mercy on me] on the Lions and Liars album.

This is a message to me, I can relate and I think many of us can. Immerse yourselves.

-----------------------------------------------


Hook
(Chinua Hawk)
Lord, Lord you know I tried/
When I should have been strong I cried/
When I should have helped I walked on by/
When I should have told the truth I straight up lied/
I know your love has set me free/
But I keep putting you back on that tree/
Oh Lord, Have your mercy on me/
Loving father put your grace on me, on me/

2nd thru 4th Chorus addition
Put your Grace on me, on me (repeat 3x)
Loving Father
Put your Mercy on me, on me (repeat 3x)
Loving Father Put you Mercy on me, on me

Verse 1
Tre's nerves are bubbling, juggling jobs, avoid hustling/
Hard trusting in God- because he's struggling/
TV's throwing lust at him, Corner boys punking him/
Wife wants to fuss with him, LORD keep touching him/
He might return to street life, But he'll fight will all he can/
Coz if they test him again, He would hate to have kill a man/
The pressure he can't handle it, he's lost his ways to channel it/
He might Black out, Then he ends up back in anger management/
His common problem- is his values aren't- matching his wallet/
He's praying but still jobless, his faith used to keep him honest/
His visions of bad decisions are void of the godly wisdom/
So this one bad decision will probably lead him to prison/
So a week from now, He'll be at a Bank in town/
he'll be yelling get down, with some other clowns, waving a gun around/
He'll succeed ducking the cops and leaving with the profits/
But he'll have problems dodging all the guilt that's working on his conscious/

Verse 2
Jane's feeling the pain, like razors are in her vein/
Last year the cancer came, and now her life has changed/
Chemo and pain killers, the disdain's gettin realer/
Her Hope's becoming thinner, from all the news they give her/
She taking the news with caution, coz she knows the Lord is awesome/
But often she pauses, of the losses and of what death could cost us/
Is it worth fighting she nauseous, plus the hospital charges/
She heard there's a light in the tunnel but all she sees is Darkness/
No one is feeling her burden, they just keep giving her sermons/
If they listened with more discernment, they could tell that she's hurting/
Her speech is an illusion, she's scared of the end conclusion/
If she shares her doubt- then she fears her image may be ruined/
Shes holds her fears in, tears in, She'll be dead by years end/
Shes not thinking through how God forgives sins/
Until then her nights are long, and she's faking strong/
In the corner of her home, This will be her song, sing /

Verse 3
How often we go thru motions, of up and down rollercoasting/
Scared to admit were hurting, with nervous thoughts of perversion/
This culture we've built is perfect, were saying His death was worthless/
We're Not concerned with His worship as along we do our churchin/
Were decorating our person, just to continue lies/
Our shortcomings we hide, with a shallow disguise/
To prove we got it together, to make it seem like were better/
Than friends, family whoever, we take some extreme measures/
We have a desire to add, to the grace that we have/
We're never content with our lives, we operate with pride/
We hate to seem dependent, but that's the way that He intended/
Humans made in His image, built to live in the tension/
Learn His wisdom, were distant , love we didn't deserve it/
We confess that we're worthless, then we break our backs to earn it/
Without You I'm, helpless and weak, my existence is bleak/
I refuse to proceed without Your grace and mercy on me/

Routine Rejection and Switchfoot

My eyes wide open, I've got my eyes wide open, I've been keeping my hopes unbroken....

Those are words from Switchfoot's Your Love Is A Song. Ever since I got their album [Hello Hurricane], I have been feeding on it. I personally believe there is no greater rock band in the world than Switchfoot. The lyrics and clever instruments always gets me whether I am down or up or on the way up.

In a past life I think I was in Switchfoot. Anyway, there are times when the words they speak directly touch my circumstances and give me reason to keep trusting [GOD] and keep pushing forward.

"I've been keeping my hopes unbroken."

You know how easy it is to throw your hopes to the wind when things keep falling apart? It is this easy. Repetitive unsuccessful attempts have a way of drying up a man's resolve and making him soulless. There's a way such situations harden the heart. There's this song called Ononsonyiwa by Jamal which talks of how his behaviour has been affected by past hurts in love.

Naturally, that should be the case; hope keeps fading. However Switchfoot and I agree, it is always noble to "keep your hopes unbroken", regardless how many failures or how long it takes for you to see something come alive!

As a matter of fact, even the Apprentice according to his daughter advises, Don’t take no for an answer and Be annoyingly persistent when you want something.

Keep your hopes unbroken. No matter how many rejection letters you receive, no matter how many times girls say no to you, no matter, no matter, no matter.....


Hello hurricane, you're not enough
Hello hurricane, you can't silence my love
I've got doors and windows boarded up
All your dead end fury is not enough
You can't silence my love, my love

What do you usually do when storms come? Cower? Hide? Run? Scream? Some times in life, challenges befall us like hurricanes and the very core of our soul comes to a point of despair.

Loss? Rejection? Failure? etc? How do you prepare to face life's hurricanes? Love. Love at the core. Consider Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is a another stanza that rocks concerning this same thing:

Every thing I have I count as loss
Everything I have is stripped away
Before I started building I counted up these costs
There's nothing left for you to take away

Contentment. Faith. Purpose. If you know you have purpose, and you live it with faith, nothing can stop you because you find contentment in the perfect power of God who is able to do all things. These Switchfoot guys know how to share the Word. I love it so much.

Hallelujah, every breath is a second chance, yeah

Yes, another Switchfoot line. Every breath is a second chance. Another chance to dust yourself and keep pursuing God, keep pursuing life, keep pursuing peace, keep pursuing truth, keep pursuing love.

In my life, one can say I have gone through routine rejection all my life. Normally the response should be negative, you know, the things you hear in love songs about how people have given up on love, or are going to break hearts etc, such stupid stuff.

I am not saying there is no pain involved, there is pain. That pain pains! LOL. However, it helps to think, put things in perspective, trust God and just know all things work for the good of those who love the Lord.

Whoah!! You are reading this and you do not know the LORD? Eph 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Just come. Forget trying to earn salvation, it is impossible. Just do the 3:16, believe in Christ Jesus and start your journey.

Well, it is only appropriate I finish with Switchfoot,

And I fall in love
With the ones that run me through
When all along all I need is you

nowplaying: Always [Switchfoot]

Saying Goodbye for Good.

She never took her eyes off him the entire time the vows were being made. Her big round eyes. She stared deep into his eyes, ultimately showing certainty of what she was doing.

There are things in life which when they happen, momentarily challenge your sanity. July meant my time was up and that all hope was lost and that if I had any hope, I better relinquish it.

There's something about an ex getting married that touches you at the base. You may even be friends with her, not beefing with her but the fact that she is getting married rubs you the wrong way.

I will be honest. I had mixed emotions. On the one part I was happy for her, why? God had totally transformed her. I remember back when we were at Bible Study together and she used to say she never wanted to get married. I must admit I hoped that sort of thinking did not persist [for my own sake of course]. So seeing her make those vows to that man to me was God.

On the other hand, I was angry, selfish, dejected. I felt cheated, I felt like I had watered the plant and pruned it well only for someone else to eat the fruit. I know- I was being vain, there are the sowers and reapers and both must rejoice. However in my heart I was like it was 3 years of Nevonic presence in her life that brought about that change snd what were my gains?

I know- this is selfish but let me get it off my chest. I invited her to Church...the place she would grow and even find a husband and when I left she got angry. I felt I deserved more but heck life is not fair.

I approached to take the gift [in Church], and when she saw me she said " My God you made it!!". Yes, at one time we were inseparable and if she had invited me there would be no doubt I would be there. However, we grow up, we get exposed to Politics. Politics; she invited me, hoping I would make it but knowing I had an ego and may avoid it. However, she was my friend first. I owed her that. Therefore, I showed up; her acknowledging it made the Church feel a little warmer somehow.

I watched as she gave herself away, as she officially became his. As all prayer requests tumbled and broke, all hope was lost etc. . . Well not really. She was gone before she was married. I knew it was over at one point. However there's that thing about a girl you love well, when she goes, she never really goes. So now maybe the curtains are closed and I can focus on my hiking and adventuring business.

This is it. Freedom.

I ask myself at this point: LORD, did I learn the lesson you were teaching me all this while?

nowplaying : This is your life [Switchfoot]

Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead, yesterday is a promise that you've broken; Don't close your eyes this is your life, and today is all you got now, and today is all you'll ever have....

Forward we move [Kwame Nkrumah]