"It is not fair for one person to have that much power over another..." That is what somebody said regarding a boy/girl relationship. And yesterday I saw the truth in that statement. One of the few things that will make a man considerably weak and helpless and downright exposed, is his emotions for a woman.
"If you're a player out there sit your tail down and grow up..."
I am not writing from the view of a player, I am writing from the view of men who have discovered that the one worthwhile thing they can truly love is also the same thing that can make them truly abhor.
I do not know if I have the words to express what I want to express but, darn, sometimes girls just need to grow up.
There is an old tradition among women which goes along the lines of a guy doesn't love a woman who is "easy to get" and therefore meaning, never say yes to a guy the first time he asks you out. In other words, there is some unwritten rule that allows women to lead men on on the guise of proving if the guys really like them. So, they expect that the guy who doesn't take no for an answer really likes you, and the one who believes your no and moves on was just a joker.
I am not saying there is completely no truth in the above statement, however, over time, men are changing. After preaching the "no means no" gospel in the last century, women expect men not to practice what they have preached. No means no. Not wait.
I have met men who have taken the women at their word, honorable men who do not have time to engage their hearts in dangerous risk behaviour of maybes. They have received the no's albeit with a lot of heartbreak but have moved on, gone forward, left the women in their past.
So it is annoying when the same women come back and assault you with an unbelievable amount of attention trying to entice you back to what you have moved on from.
For some reason, men are taken to be beasts with hearts of steel. On the outside, maybe, but very few women know the thing a guy goes through to express his heart for a girl. A man is raised up to be strong, courageous, honorable and it seems to many men are more machine than human. That is not true.
The reason men seem to become machine is that they treasure their heart immensely and when one plays with it, the man, retrieves heart and guards it at whatever cost. Never wonder why crushes at school used to make men soft? That is a sacred part of a guy. Not saying it is not sacred for a woman too.
What I am saying is, girls need to grow up and stop thinking men are playthings you can remove from the closet whenever you feel like it.
A close friend shared with me how he was cruelly let down by a girl after almost a year of pursuit. She accepted the dates, received the gifts, as though everything was okay. Brother plots to make his true heart known and does so. Girl tells him she has heard and will get back to him as she has certain pressing things to do. Time passes and finally they meet. So, she decides to give him the answer, and the best way for her to do it was by saying, she has met someone she is more attracted to than him?!!!
Friend loses words, loses appetite, almost breaks down. His heart has been hit by a 2 ton boulder, and pressed against a 10 metre thick wall of concrete.
Well, if you don't like me like that, tell me so. Better yet, do not lead me on to think you may like me back like that. But what is worse is demeaning and devaluing a man by telling him there is a better guy you have met. That to me was cruel. Can easily make a man a player.
Another friend had a similar experience, he did not even drive home, he walked home. Grieved like he had lost a relative. The thing is , I do not think women take a man's pursuit in the same importance with which they treat their "in love" emotions. Want to break a man, (not a player), break his heart through a love for a woman.
You will know why Samson lost his hair and died a blind man.
Man can be wealthy, honorable, wise, but once you put a woman in the picture, all those things suddenly lose splendour. When a man loves a woman, believe me it is not a joke. I am not saying that means he deserves to be loved back just cause he loves seriously and solemnly.
I have a friend called Adler. She is a woman. She did not lead Sherlock on. From the moment she discovered he had feelings for her, she let him know she was not in the same mindset or "emotionset" and told him she would not lead him on but that they could be friends. Sher and Adler are one of the greatest examples of friendship I know. Why? There was mutual respect for each others feelings.
So, before you lead a guy on, girl, know that if you are joking about it, you may make a beast or a machine out of a man and so it is better to be wise enough and kind enough to let him know the truth early on before he gets over the moon.
Some people learn on the job, some people come already qualified. Whether you like a guy or maybe think you can learn to like him, why not be wise enough and let him know what is on the ground?
I think sometimes women/girls are just so selfish and cruel.
Baseline:
...does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 1 Cor 13:5
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
We are Hosea's Wife
I just spoke silence with the seeker next to me
She had a heart with hesitant, halting speech
That turned to mine and asked belligerently
"What do I live for?"
I see the scars of searches everywhere I go
From hearts to wars to literature to radio
There's a question like a shame no one will show
"What do I live for?"
We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using people like ladders and words like knives
If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths
The word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin
There is truth in little corners of our lives
There are hints of it in songs and children's eyes
It's familiar, like an ancient lullaby
What do I live for?
We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using bodies like money and truth like lies
We are more than dust
That means something
That means something
We are more than just
Blood and emotions
Inklings and notions
Atoms on oceans
By Brooke Fraser
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Why Grace?
It's not that people cannot work for it, it's just that people will always want to do more, will always want to prove something, will always want to have one more star, their name in lights, on the silver screen...men will always need approval for their efforts.
Men can attempt to do right but at one point the line between doing right and motive for doing right will be lost. Sooner than later, you won't be giving because it is the right thing to do but rather because you want to receive applause for giving the bigger amount. Didn't the pharisees blow their own trumpets before they gave alms?
Righteousness can not be attained through our works, because somewhere along the way, superlatives will come into play.
Adam levelled the ground, out of him reduces us all to failure. Which is why we need grace. Grace demands no superlatives. Grace will take the best or the worst, the cleanest or filthiest. The shortest or tallest. The wisest or stupidest.
No need to pull rope trying to prove I am better than you. His blood makes us all acceptable.
Forget your goodness, your wealth, your wisdom, there are earthly merits. When it comes to God, the only merit is grace and faith in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God bless.
Men can attempt to do right but at one point the line between doing right and motive for doing right will be lost. Sooner than later, you won't be giving because it is the right thing to do but rather because you want to receive applause for giving the bigger amount. Didn't the pharisees blow their own trumpets before they gave alms?
Righteousness can not be attained through our works, because somewhere along the way, superlatives will come into play.
Adam levelled the ground, out of him reduces us all to failure. Which is why we need grace. Grace demands no superlatives. Grace will take the best or the worst, the cleanest or filthiest. The shortest or tallest. The wisest or stupidest.
No need to pull rope trying to prove I am better than you. His blood makes us all acceptable.
Forget your goodness, your wealth, your wisdom, there are earthly merits. When it comes to God, the only merit is grace and faith in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
God bless.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
I am Your Everyday Academic -Emotional Christian
I am an Academic -Emotional Christian. I am far from the Spiritual, Faith part of this walk.
I am moved by the Word of God, yes. I am moved by the Word of God only to the point of saying "wow", or "amen" or "this is so true", or "My God". Sure it moves me but not to the point where I actually want to make a difference:Where I know it is true but will not take the effort to make a change.
I am moved by the word of God. I am moved by the word of God but only through television, and in the e-mail devotional, Oh yes even on radio broadcasts. I catch snacks instead of "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" I limit the effect of God's word by demeaning it's importance in my life. I never have time for meditation, for study, for prayer, but have enough time for facebook, tetris, cards and FIFA10... I know, I've heard guys saying this before, but it's just no longer appealing.
I am able to recite John 3:16 , Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:6,7, 1 Cor 2:9 but never willing to go further to John 3:17, 18, 19 , 20; Jeremiah 29:11 onto 18 and 19; Philippians 4:8 and 9; 1 Cor 2:8. I prefer what is emotionally appealing.
I am emotionally living and not living by faith. I love to not judge, but am quiet on correcting and discipline. I am quick to be "inclusive" at the expense of holiness and justice.
I am going to be held accountable for loving someone so right yet not enough to lead them to the cross. I think I will hurt their feelings by telling them God does not approve of how they live their life. I am scared of being called unloving, politically incorrect, unfeeling, inhuman, selfish, close-minded if I tell it like it is.
I am glad when I hear feel-good Christian music but when it gets preachy, I lower the volume. I dance at God is enough-Lecrae but slightly turn away when they play After the music stops by the same man. I am wary of reproof but rejoice at encouragement.
Yeah I love the Lord, I know he understands my addiction, my passion, my habit. I guess if He saw fit since He is sovereign to give me this "thorn", then He will take it away Himself. I am okay with how I am. I won't be bothered to grow in discipline after all He can take it away, His grace is sufficient. I have relegated the need to grow to the need to be accepted, the need to feel okay
I am academic, I know what's in the Bible, and I am emotional, I love to feel good inside. But going further addressing the spiritual?
Baseline:
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5. NKJV
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8. NKJV
I am moved by the Word of God, yes. I am moved by the Word of God only to the point of saying "wow", or "amen" or "this is so true", or "My God". Sure it moves me but not to the point where I actually want to make a difference:Where I know it is true but will not take the effort to make a change.
I am moved by the word of God. I am moved by the word of God but only through television, and in the e-mail devotional, Oh yes even on radio broadcasts. I catch snacks instead of "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" I limit the effect of God's word by demeaning it's importance in my life. I never have time for meditation, for study, for prayer, but have enough time for facebook, tetris, cards and FIFA10... I know, I've heard guys saying this before, but it's just no longer appealing.
I am able to recite John 3:16 , Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:6,7, 1 Cor 2:9 but never willing to go further to John 3:17, 18, 19 , 20; Jeremiah 29:11 onto 18 and 19; Philippians 4:8 and 9; 1 Cor 2:8. I prefer what is emotionally appealing.
I am emotionally living and not living by faith. I love to not judge, but am quiet on correcting and discipline. I am quick to be "inclusive" at the expense of holiness and justice.
I am going to be held accountable for loving someone so right yet not enough to lead them to the cross. I think I will hurt their feelings by telling them God does not approve of how they live their life. I am scared of being called unloving, politically incorrect, unfeeling, inhuman, selfish, close-minded if I tell it like it is.
I am glad when I hear feel-good Christian music but when it gets preachy, I lower the volume. I dance at God is enough-Lecrae but slightly turn away when they play After the music stops by the same man. I am wary of reproof but rejoice at encouragement.
Yeah I love the Lord, I know he understands my addiction, my passion, my habit. I guess if He saw fit since He is sovereign to give me this "thorn", then He will take it away Himself. I am okay with how I am. I won't be bothered to grow in discipline after all He can take it away, His grace is sufficient. I have relegated the need to grow to the need to be accepted, the need to feel okay
I am academic, I know what's in the Bible, and I am emotional, I love to feel good inside. But going further addressing the spiritual?
Baseline:
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5. NKJV
John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8. NKJV
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Find me
When it rains, let is wash
For my sins are upto my neck,
Regret down to my toes
Water, crystal clear, crystal clean
Wash away my sorrow.
When I let my eyes rove to the left ,
To the right;
Where is my shield, where is my name
Floating on this field creaking crumbling, very weak
Rain from above, wash away, wash away?
In a frenzy of uncertainty,
In a fury of doubt,
Ageless grace won't you find me
Direct me in your stream,
Carry me with your flow?
I don't know, I am scared
Sort of flipping, very pale,
What was clearing, some blurs more
I hate these shades,
Give me grace, no greys.
For my sins are upto my neck,
Regret down to my toes
Water, crystal clear, crystal clean
Wash away my sorrow.
When I let my eyes rove to the left ,
To the right;
Where is my shield, where is my name
Floating on this field creaking crumbling, very weak
Rain from above, wash away, wash away?
In a frenzy of uncertainty,
In a fury of doubt,
Ageless grace won't you find me
Direct me in your stream,
Carry me with your flow?
I don't know, I am scared
Sort of flipping, very pale,
What was clearing, some blurs more
I hate these shades,
Give me grace, no greys.
Friday, June 10, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, June 06, 2011
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?
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?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, May 23, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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
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
Monday, February 28, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, February 14, 2011
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)
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)
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
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)
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
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
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"
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"
Monday, January 31, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
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.
Friday, January 14, 2011
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)