Are we richly dwelling on what is part?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below are some Biblical reminders on this very thing.

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

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

To sum it all, in the words of Paul

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

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

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

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

Guilt Tripping

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

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

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

When Sorrow Helps.

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

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

Sorrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be blessed.

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

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

United We Stand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aren't pastors preaching tithe for their own gain?

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

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

"

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

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

Look at Paul's convictions-  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Does someone understand what I am saying?

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

The Controversy of Tithe

Church traditions versus the Word == controversy. "|

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The tithes

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

A comprehensive explanation is here

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

The offerings

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

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

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

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

The real benefit of tithe and offering is this:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ezekiel 34: 1-3

Be blessed.

3 B's: Breasts, Beards, Buttocks

Breasts. Round soft things that are nice to look at, if not to touch. And they belong on bodies. The ones humans like are the ones on women. They are good for babies and adults too. Sometimes, lousy men, indecent men, disrespectful men, decide that they can take chances and touch women's breasts during arrests.

Forgive me, but that policeman/men, might have been eyeing the FDC lady for sometime. Keeping law and order never neccessitates grabbing of organs that should otherwise be private. Imagine if men were arrested by grabbing their groins and dragging them? Or if women, like we saw last week were arrested by grabbing their cleavage?

A woman's breasts belong to her babies and her husband. Period. Which is why, I do not understand why some of you women like to put them on display like they were a spice in Nakasero market. The police man who grabbed the FDC lady by the breasts surely must be disciplined. Perhaps they should take him to Karamoja  and hang heavy items from his groin but will he get the point, apart from the pain?

Breasts are a big deal. As beards were in ancient Israel, and even now plus to some sections of the Arab community. There is a story in the Bible about the famous KING, a man after God's own heart who wanted to show kindness to a friend's son.

He sends servants to the son but on arrival, the son's advisors assure him the servants are sent to spy out the land and so they instead, do a shameful act on the servants. They shaved off half their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, to their buttocks, and sent them away.

Sincerely!!

On Monday, women activists decided to respond to the shameful act of men grabbing their breasts by going ahead to without force, display their breasts at the Police headquarters. Now, many women friends have praised this act as wonderful protest, bravery, honour and all that kind of stuff. Yet, let us go back to David and his servants.

 And they told David, and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Stay at Jericho until your beards are grown, and return. 

What was their response, these men whose beards had been cut off, buttocks been exposed?  They were greatly ashamed. They would not move. So their King advised them, tarry. Wait for the beards to grow; they probably got them new garments as they waited. They held their nakedness as a sign of shame, especially in the wrong context. Sure, I can be naked if I am with my wife, no problem. However, these men, nakedness applied to their cut garments and half shaved beards. The act of the friend's son was humiliating.

To the ladies yesterday. Instead of covering up, instead they showed more. Now, political activists, feminists  like I said before, hailed this move. However, at what cost?

In David's case, a war started because of beards and buttocks shown. The sons of Ammon who had advised the friend's son to treat David's servant this way were beaten in war with their allies. A war, because of shame inflicted. Because of dishonor.

Am I saying, our wonderful ladies should take arms and fight? No. Look at initial response. The men, drew away from public and recovered their beards and got new clothes. You might say beards and buttocks do not compare but ask an Arab how much he esteems a beard.

I hope none of these ladies profess Christ, for I would not think He approved. If we set our minds on things here, we shall get the definite effect; if we set our eyes on things above, we shall get eternal results.

See, " Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God. " Peace makers, not war mongers. Oh, my goodness, did Mandela, Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior ever sink to the levels of their tormentors?

The story is found in 2 Samuel 10. 

So, I wonder, would Mandela, Ghandi, King ever have undone their trousers and.....

God forbid!

Peace out my sisters. Two wrongs make not one right.

Day 4: Bullet

This is extremely hard. Asking me to bullet my day is like asking me to get to the top of a mountain using slippers. I cannot do it. My day is extremely pointless! This is an exercise in futility. I mean, yeah, alright, I 

• wake up: like normal people do. if everything goes according to plan, I 
• brush my teeth and then do the water dance. After that if I have no ironed clothes, I proceed to
• iron my clothes. After putting them on I went to the sitting room and 
• switched on the tele and ps3. I went back to my room and
• brushed my shoes. 
• brought my shoes to the sitting room
• and played FIFA11. After that I went out to the car with my bro
• Left home. In the car, I began
• Texting a flower about the sunrise
• Got to work 
• bought cassava and samosas
• got into office
• switched on Cortex
• loaded kika
• called the flower
• got to start my work day

Banange you people... Bullets? Ah!

Day 3: A Book I Love

I'm travelling tomorrow, so I better do this now, coz I will not be able to if I don't.

I am not such a reader, I confess. I have fooled many, I know. Learnt a bad habit from a comedy that reading a book is easy; read the first line and the last line and voila! You have the whole story. I tried it, does not work well. :)

Reading can be a burden, if I am not captivated. That is why the Bible stays relevant to me- it speaks. As in, it does not just toy with my emotions, it actually speaks. It rebukes, it encourages, it comforts and consoles. I consider it a book I love because it is the kind of book  I can go back to again and again, not for enjoyment but for learning, enjoying while at it.

Yes, this was obvious no?

I have tried to read before. The last book I finished reading was The Da Vinci Code. I almost never put it down. Brilliant suspense. I tried Angels and Demons after that and a whole lot of other books but unsuccesfully.

However, I have had good success before. Some of the best books I read were on the Literature syllabus at school: The River Between, Betrayal in the City, Carcass for Hounds, The Plague etc.. However, a book I will never forget is Darkness at Noon- Arthur Koestler. What a gripping story! The style itself was fabulous, raw, the book itself dark. Still, another book fits in this post:

Paradise Lost: John Milton.

I do not know how I landed on this book, but I did, and I had such a consuming read. It's like John Milton was Michale Holmes, giving the inside story of how things happened in the start. The plot of the devil, the gullibility of man, the passion of God, the scenes of heaven, descriptions of hell....

Ah, man. This book is awesome. It is an incredible poem. Wikipedia says this

Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. It was originally published in 1667 in ten books, with a total of over ten thousand individual lines of verse. A second edition followed in 1674, changed into twelve books (in the manner of the division of Virgil's Aeneid) with minor revisions throughout and a note on the versification.^[1]The poem concerns the Biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is to "justify the ways of God to men."^[2] Paradise Lost is often considered one of the greatest literary works in the English language.^[3]

Milton also goes on to write Paradise Regained- another tale, of the temptation of Jesus. I recommend this man's works.

Day 2: Blogger Challenge.Serving God and Mammon.

It wasn't funny, or was it? I mean that thing I did yesterday, when you asked me the five ways to win my heart?  Lol, I'm sorry, I know you wanted a serious answer but I did give one. Trust me.

Anyway, I continue on this challenge today.

I will write about something I feel strongly about now.

You see, I have conflicts with bandwagons. Albeit this challenge can also be called a bandwagon, but I will let this slide. Usually, my heart initially has this thing they call conviction. Others might call it conscience, or that still small voice. I hope you agree with me that conviction is not always a thing which ministers peace. No, it doesn't.

In a world where there are many opinions and voices, the conviction has it's own voice too, usually distinct from others. And when it speaks; conflict. Not that my conviction will always disagree but on many occasions it does.

When persuaded to do something against one's conviction or conscience, a quiet battle enrages inside me. It is not immediately visible on the outside but the more you prod and ask and talk, you would know there is a conflict.

I hate bandwagons. I hate having to conform to a standard I do not believe in on account of myself. I hate having to go with the flow because it is the popular flow. I will share an example. There is a popular thing these days going around especially among people my age. Everyone seems to have this one thing on their mind- How do I get rich? I am not against working to earn one's dime, or about investing to keep the money coming. I am just so amused at how it seems that if I do not fall in the box of the entrepreneurs or those with the start ups, then I might as well go back to the village.

I am not against entrepreneurs or anything. I feel that in this country today, getting rich is a big deal. And most especially among the youth.

Churches are going businesscentric. Everyone is "Thinking Big". Yes, I will be reminded about the parable of the talents- invest. Make 2 become 4. 5 ten. Do not sit on it. Get ahead of the game. Get out of the ratrace. Hit the top.

Business books are selling like hot cakes. Before the street vendors were evicted, you would have noticed that there are books popular on sale. Some titles: Think Big. Rich Dad Poor Dad. Richest Man in Babylon. etc. I talk with friends and their conversations are about money. Even in the fellowships.

Don't get me wrong. I want to have money. Enough and even more than enough, the purpose of which I will not share here. I have been told how to make that money too. "give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again."

Here is my problem especially with this bandwagon and it's impact on the Church. Yes, the Church.

I am perhaps low of knowledge, but doesn't the Lord say - “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise theother. You cannot serve God and wealth."

Also, doesn't the Word say -And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things,may have an abundance for every good work.."?

 Does the Word not say "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain kriches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things lto enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 mstoring up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim 6:17".

I am also certain Christ intimates to us Matthew 6:19-21  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustg consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but storeup for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rusthconsumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For whereyour treasure is, there your heart will be also. "

So where is my focus going? Everyone's getting rich. Or wants to be rich and are ready to do what it takes. But Father, what is the thing you have called me for? Isn't my heart tumultous when I know I am not doing the will of God. It might be fine that your conviction has no issue with this, perhaps God has sent you out to make that money. However, has He sent me?

 “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. " Acts 6:2 This sort of strikes a chord in me. What am I called to do?  Also "No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him." 2 Tim 2:4
It is easy to be in the bandwagon. But where does God want me to be?

Pea, a friend of mine says " how to get rich: invest into eternity.  the only wealth you have here that you will carry with you into eternity is people".

So, my conviction is building up a storm inside me. What if I am not meant to be at the top with you rich people? Christ's investment was time, and his life, his returns- brethren.

I want to follow my conviction- God given conviction, not economy driven conviction. Yes, He shall supply all my needs according to His riches. I will eat the good of the land if I obey, He will add all these things if I seek first His Kingdom.

God, won't you help me follow this conviction?

There- that is what I am feeling strongly about right now.

Five ways to win my heart

I do not know when I last attempted a blog writing challenge but I want to get involved. Spurred by Iteti and TRP, I decided to see how I will cope with the 30 Day Writer's Blog Challenge.

Here goes.

Five ways to win my heart?
Hmmm.
Is that rhetoric or an actual question?

The heart, you say, is like a mouse
And the traps for it are more than one?

Perhaps a sound of an acoustic guitar
Or the verse of skilled trobairitz?
Yet shall there be one?

Five ways to win my heart, you ask?
And I thought there was one-
So why five, may I ask,
For I cannot seem to even start.

Five.

One for each day of the week?
Maybe, weekends aside?
Shall my heart not need winning on the 6th?

Maybe five,
He loves me, He loves me not
Till the flower petals are done
Such that whether I want to or not
You will have to win my heart?

Five, so we can learn to love from our fingertips?
Never to forget what made this so special?

Five ways yet I do not know where to start!

Five ways,
And I thought there was only one.
And that one way,
Is it not that I win yours first?

The Meeting

I met her by the tree, on the path through the meadow. I had to stop for I heard sobs. I paused and turned, placed my eyes on her face and saw them rolling down her face. 

"Hey, what's wrong?" I said.

She looked up and wiped her tears, the gleam in her eyes disappearing as soon as I had seen it.

"Hi."

"Why are you crying?" I asked.

"Who said I'm crying?" 

Her eyes were completely dry now and she had on a stern look. I could tell she did not want me to ask any questions, especially since I was a stranger walking on the path through the meadow.I had no business asking. I had to ask though, because here was a flower, by herself in a garden crying instead of smiling.

"I am Sher."

"Hi Sher."

She was persisting. I just wanted to help.

"I bet if you'd smile, you'd look brighter than those daffodils", I said while looking at the yellow flowers a distance away.

A smile broke, and then a giggle and the she said,

"You're crazy".

"Haha, thanks. So, I wonder why you're sitting in such a beautiful place by yourself and shedding tears?"

"Don't worry, I am okay now".

"So you were actually crying, hehe" I said teasing her.

"You're really crazy."

Clearly she wasn't going to answer that question. All the while I was standing looking down at her, and she was sitting, looking up at me occasionally to tell me I was crazy so I thought it was maybe time to take a walk. I stretched my hand forward, motioning to her to help her up. She saw my hand, said no thanks and helped herself up.

"You don't touch strangers?"

"I guess by the time I know your name, your no longer one. I just didn't need your help."

"Oh, okay. Do you mind we take a walk?"

"I do, I have to get home."

"There's only one path out of here you know".

"I know", and she started walking towards the direction I had come from.

"Hey, do you mind if I walk with you ?" I asked.

"Don't you have somewhere to go?"

"I do, but that's not your worry."

She smiled, and then said it was okay. We walked back together into the other side of the valley, talking and laughing. By the time we got the departure point, I had seen more of her smile albeit hearing a lot more "you are crazy"'s but it was alright because that day changed the rest of my life, I had met Adler.

Delicate Honesty

Words. They are simply not just words.

If you have ever had an argument, ever been lied to, ever been fired or given a job, ever been told you're loved or hated, you know that words are not simply words. They are just so heavy!

She needed to talk. It's nothing serious She said. However, I knew, she knew it was very serious. Otherwise, why was she pausing with her words, breathing heavy, laughing at everything but what was funny? The walk, normally short, became needlessly long. The city became quiet at rush hour; there were people, just could not hear them. The thing in the chest was heavy.

Words were needed. And how I stalled. Jokes, quotes, anecdotes and silly arguments just to avoid the oncoming . Fighting fire with fire, fighting words with words. Alas, To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens: This needed to be addressed.

So, we went into a cafe, sat down our troubles and dined with them.

Still, we had to get through a meal, layers of superfluous conversation to the heart of the matter. Words. Words are like chords connected to everything in life. They have power to encourage or dishearten, to build up or destroy, to amuse or annoy. Whether they are read, or listened to, they have the same power.

Yes, there was an issue. However, the way the words were to come out would determine a lot in the future. They would reveal the true cloth of each of us. Sadly some words are so transparent they reveal the nature of the sayer right from the start. Some are opaque.

Words can be hateful, dishonest, harmful given how they are said, and in the cafe, that night, I did not want to use my words as causes of injury, or if they were, let it just be a glaze.

See, we cannot , should never be reckless with words for they are one of the hardest inks to erase. We should learn the art of delicate honesty, the need to tell the truth the right and least harmful but most effective way. I believe it is possible. Even in a bad situation, words can be used for good not for evil. I need greater help in this but I do hope that in that cafe, my words were building, not destroying coz 30 minutes after the truth had been served; we were both laughing, looking at the huge moon in the sky.
  
Col 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

I wear lipstick

I hate to admit it, I do. However, it is true. I wear cosmetics.

There,  I said it. Go ahead and call me names- metrosexual, gay, whatever. I do not mind being called the names because I bet there are some of you reading this who are exactly like me. What do I mean? Yes, you also put them on. Wha?? Am I crazy? You've never worn lipstick, eye shadow, fake breasts, high heels, tight jeans and the like? Are you sure?!

I do it, sometimes without noticing, sometimes and most times very consciously! You may have done it. I struggle with it: Trying to fit in.

I can blame it on being a social animal- trying to get into the group, or I could call it covetousness- trying to be like some one else. See, there's a group of people I know and whose lifestyle and interaction I envy. I keep asking myself, "Why can't I be in their group?" "Why don't they want to talk to me?" "How come they don't like me?" Why can't I, why don't they, how come, etc All traversing my mind faster than flies over dirt.

I envy the person, the group. Want what they have, try to speak like they do, dress like they do, talk like they do even when I know this is not really who I am. I end up doing what is unnatural to me because I want to behave right so as to be accepted. I want to blend in like a chameleone.

Sometimes it may be cornrows, other times a mohawk, dreads, other times a french cut or just shaolin. Changing the state of how we look so we can fit into the norm. That is putting on cosmetics.

I have been wasting time trying to be who I am not, trying to impress people who do not even notice the effort, people who are aware of who they are, others who are also following a band wagon. And now I am downcast, if not depressed. Instead of loving the man I am, I am loving the man I will never be. 

We put so much effort into cosmetics yet at the end of the day we wash it off! Such vanity. It is sad that the things we most covet are meaningless in light of our own lives, and more importantly in light of eternity.

Not everyone was meant to be my friend. Not every girl I like is supposed to be my wife. I cannot make everything fit into my life. Each clay pot has one unique design and usage. There is no way a pot can have more than one design and more than one use. This writer does this coz this is a perfect place. Maurice Kirya is not me. I am not Maurice Kirya.

Many times we think because some people's lives are magnified by some public machinery, then that is what everyone should be. Sadly it is not. It reminds me of that colt.

 And it came to pass, when he drew nigh unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called the mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, Go your way into the village over against you; in the which as ye enter ye shall find a colt tied, whereon no man ever yet sat: loose him, and bring him. And if any one ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say, The Lord hath need of him.

And they that were sent went away, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
And they said, The Lord hath need of him.And they brought him to Jesus: and they threw their garments upon the colt, and set Jesus thereon.

As in?

Why is the colt even mentioned? Coz some of us have colt mentality. Tied up and never done any thing worth it. Young, inexperienced, over zealous...It is easy to fall into using cosmetics when one thinks they are not where they should be, or are not doing what they want to be doing. Waiting, of no apparent worth, such is what causes people like me to wear cosmetics. So because unlike a colt, we can easily untie ourselves and try and show off our moves, we wear lipstick.

In essence, how should we pray? I do not know. I just know that God does not demand that I be like you, or demand that I be liked by you, or be found in your group. I know God wants me to find my wholeness in Him. If it were that easy is one thing, but yes I can pray, so can you and I can search His Word. The Word shows that in a sea of variety of people, each one is unique, so no need for putting on cosmetics. Ask Moses, David, Daniel, Job, Samuel etc.

I say we stop wearing cosmetics. Let our beautiful righteousness in Him shine through instead. 

Php 3:9  and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith, 

Fighting God

Today I discovered or, re-learned that it is very easy to miss out on God's desired place for you when faith is omitted.

On my way to work, I usually get a lift from friends of mine but we do not stay in the same area. So, I get a taxi for a cost of about 500/- to the main road where I wait for them and they drop me near work. It saves me the energy of trekking from Cooper complex to City Square to get a taxi. Also, it is cheaper to get a taxi from where I am dropped off.

On this particular day, I was a bit late. The friends called to notify me they were on their way yet I had not even got a taxi and by now the taxis were taking ages to appear. I had prayed earlier on, that I would get a taxi and make it to the stage before my friends came.

I was late. A taxi showed up but it was already filled. Hmmmm. I thought to myself. That earlier prayer perhaps hasn't been answered, let me just get a boda boda. So a boda boda came along and I flagged him down, jumped on and was ferried along to the place. As we went we passed by two taxis coming along probably to pick more passengers but I thought, Nah, can't get off the boda, those taxis will not make it on time. I continued till destination and got off.  He took a kay. 

I was early now. Tihihi. So I began to wait. And then I noticed the traffic jam. The jam was incredible at that particular time, and I was not seeing these guys. I waited close to thirty minutes till they came.

Surely, if I had waited and entered a taxi, I would have got to the stage before my friends came as I had asked of God. Selah.

Later on at work. We are all busy at our desks, sending that email, inserting that piece of code, aligning a certain pixel when power goes off! Frankly, it is the third day it is happening in a row and it gets annoying working on generator, having to plug and unplug from the UPS. Quite frankly I was not impressed. So I said,

God, let power come back so we can work. Let it not go again. Right?

So, we wait till the guys decide the generator must come out. After plugging in everything, switching onto generator power, the power comes back! Hardly 3 minutes after unplugging from UPS! lol.

Isn't it weird that God answered both prayers even when I changed my mind? I call this fighting God. Asking God for help and then for one reason or another turning to your own means. Today, God heard both prayers, answered them too. However, my impatience caused me to labour and spend more than ought. You might say this is slight but God forbid I change my mind on big things I have prayed for! I may get the good thing from God but also waste my own strength trying to answer my prayer and fail.

Help me Father not pray and then try to answer my own prayer.