FOLLOWING GOD’S WAYS

Now the Lord has said to Abram “Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curses you and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 12:1-3

 Any great man or woman who influenced their generation was a risk taker.

Anonymous.

                 Its incredibly amazing and mind blowing how the Creator of the universe in His unfathomable wisdom can choose someone from an idolatrous background, give them a new identity and make them the envy of their generation.

                 What manner of love is this? Our God can stoop down to the lowly and helpless humanity, impart His nature and character in them and turn them into firebrands who will enforce His will in the earth. 

“..But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…” – 1^st Corinthians 1:26-28

         This was Abram’s story before he became Abraham (father of many nations). He came from an idol worship culture. This did not limit God’s grace and mercy. God bypassed what surrounded Abram in order to change him into a true worshiper of Yahweh. God does not consult anybody when He wants to bless His people. He goes beyond our limitations to bless us then use us for His glory.

There are many important lessons to learn from the life of Abraham who through obedience to God’s will received God’s blessing, a new identity and became a father of many nations. Jesus Christ descends or rather finds root from this same man.

Anyone who desires to be used of God irrespective of their area of calling needs to observe the following lessons:

a)      You must be willing to forsake the world:

Abraham was asked to get out of his country and to leave his family. This symbolically speaks to us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. God expects us to completely forsake the things that we are so accustomed to in order to venture into the unknown (1^st John 2:15-17). We are expected to live as strangers in this world. Why? Because although we live in the world, we are not of this world.

b)      Be ready and willing to heed instructions:

God’s instructions to us will many times not make sense, but our response to them is key. We need to have quick obedience because delayed obedience is disobedience. When God speaks to us reason is never required. Genesis 12:4 says “Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him.” If we desire to please God and experience His blessings in our lives, we will be required to obey His instructions.

c)      God will bless those who obey:

The blessings that became actualized in Abraham’s life came on the heels of his obedience and the promises God had given him. Abraham was blessed materially and financially. God gave him a son who later bore Jacob (Israel) from whom the seed of the Messiah came from.

Stay sober and expect God to instruct you on what to do concerning your need or situation. Be quick to heed His voice because instructions are the way of life and greatness.

MY FIRST LOVE

   

“Is this a long way?” asked the young mother as she set her foot on the path of life. And the Guide said:

“Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.”

The young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, taught them how to pray, reminded them to do their homework. The sun shone on them and the young mother cried.

“Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.”

Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms. The children said’

“Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near and no harm can come.”

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to her children,

“A little patience and we are there.”

So the children climbed and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this she gave them strength to face the world, year after year she taught them to hope but most of all unconditional love.

And when they reached the top they said,

“Mother we could not have done it without you.”

Days went on, weeks, months and years. The mother grew old, became little and bent. But her children were tall, strong and walked with courage. And when the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at stars and said:

“This is a better day than the last; my children have learned so much and now are passing the traits to my grandchildren.”

And when the way became tough for her, they lifted her, gave her strength just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they saw a shining road and a golden gate flung wide. And the Mother said,

“I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them”. And the children said,

“You will always walk with us, Mama, even when you have gone through the gates.”

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. They could see her no more.

A mother is more than a memory. She is a living presence. She is the cool hand on your brow when you are not feeling well, she is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, she is your birthday morning. She is the life inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop.

A mother shows through in every emotion-happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, joy- and all the while hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.

She is the place you came from, and she is the map you follow with every step you take. She is your first love, your friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, not space –not even death!

Happy Mother’s Day.

My Exile

Tonight, things feel different. My stomach refuses to settle, and the storm outside doesn’t show any signs of stopping. I open my eyes slowly and find comfort in the warm eyes of my mother.

“How much further?” I ask.

Her reply comes slowly, and a barely audible whisper,

“Not long now darling, go back to sleep.”

My mind drifts in and out of reality, images of my friends, and my home flash before my eyes. The war at home is cast out of my mind as visions of my brother and I flood through my thoughts. We were collecting coca-cola bottle tops, David and I, not too far away from home. The fields we would walk through were suffocated by weeds, but this was my land and finding just one bottle top would brighten my day and make me forget about the terror that the rest of my people were facing. On this day my brother was feeling extra curious and we adventured on for miles. The land around us gradually turned scarred and black and a feeling of unease had begun to creep up on me. As we continued through the ghostly territory I began to see signs warning us of danger, the hazard signs burning into my mind. David was about twenty metres away from me when it happened. He was jogging backwards, a smile running across his face, when I suddenly spotted the metal explosive half covered in dirt,a grenade. I screamed for him to turn around but it was too late. I loved my brother.

I wake up to my mother holding me tightly, my brother’s last scream still pounding in my ears. These dreams has been plaguing me for months, and my family decided that leaving my home, the place where we all grew up, was the only way to start a new life. My mother looks down at me, I can see the pain in her eyes and I know she wishes that she could steal all my memories of that day away to relieve my suffering. As I begin to drift off to sleep again I am startled awake by the sounds of footsteps and low growls which seem to be coming closer. Suddenly they are upon us, yelling at me in a language I don’t understand. All of this reminds me of my home where bad things happened, the horrors seem to follow me wherever I go.

Everything is grey. The walls are grey, the roof is grey and the floor is grey. This place was not built for happiness; this is not the haven I was told about. I approach a man I met on the way and ask him what is happening. He responds that we in are in trouble. When you come to this county and you don't speak their language you are in a lot of trouble. I don’t understand what I have done wrong... I am only nine years old. How could I cause so much trouble?

It’s dinner time now, we are marched through the hallway and made to sit and eat. I don’t want to eat, I want to find my mother. Looking around the big room I feel like I am on stage performing. Millions of eyes are watching me, watching this little girl move around trying to find her mother. I finally find her, in the corner sitting by herself. She tells me that we are in prison, and not allowed to leave. I am scared, prison is for bad people that do bad things, my mother and I are not bad. The men in grey walk up to us and separate us, taking me back to my room and my mother back to hers.

After what seems like forever my mother and I are together again, eating what these people call food. She tells me that because I am a child, I will be allowed to leave this place but her, and the other family that we came with, will have to stay here for a long time. I begin to cry, where will I go? What will happen to me? The grey men don’t like it when I cry; I get marched down the halls back to my room. The last thing I see is my mother with her head bowed, weeping.

As I walk from the place with the other children, I am unsure of my future. This country was meant to bring happiness to my family, but instead it has taken the last person close to me away from me. The building is now shrinking away behind us and I take one more glance at its grey walls.

 Goodbye my family.I hate goodbyes.

Mystical dad.

The only thing I ever got off my old man was a handwritten birthday card and a doll when I was ten. He'd gone off when I was three and left me and mum and my sister to fend for ourselves. Mum never talks about him but my sister remembers him.

     ‘What was dad like?' I ask.

     She looks at me through dark, sleepy eyes, pushes her braided hair back from her eyes. Her arms are scabbed like she's been shinning up a rusty drainpipe and accidentally slid back down and scraped herself. ‘Whu?'

     ‘I said, what was dad like?'

     She smiles at me, and I assume that she's ignoring me and I should ask her later when she's in the mood.
     Anyhow, the only thing I ever got from him was a birthday card when I was ten. It said Happy Birthday Julie! And then there was a verse inside the card that went:
 

Now you're ten, and how you've grown
It really won't be long
‘Til you're a woman, and fully grown
With your family and independence.

 
     And on the front of the card was a picture, a cartoon, of a little girl wearing a hardhat and watering flowers. But I mean, how would he know I'd grown? To be honest, I was surprised he knew where I was, we moved so often.
 
But the killer was, at the bottom of the card, below the rhyme, he'd added:
 

Remember, no one's got your back
XX. Dad.

 
     I'd studied this card on more than one occasion, trying to work out some depth to what he was telling me. ‘Laura, what was dad like?'
     Three hours later and she's washing up. The dutiful daughter. She looked up a little, thought about my question for a second or two. Then she said, ‘I love him. Still.'
 

Najivunia kuwa Mkenya!

Kenyans were last weekend voted the funniest looking people in Africa. With 48 participating nations in the Annual Most Beautiful People of Africa Awards, held at the Gregor Theater in Bloemfontein SA, Kenya took the last position, dislodging Zambia and reclaiming the title it held in 2000.

It posted 7 points out of a possible 540 points. The top position was taken by Rwanda, followed by Cameroon and then Ethiopia as second runner up. The last three positions were Kenya at 48, Zambia at 47, then Gabon, at 46. The judges said they gave their points based on presentation, physical appearance, grooming, communication and other areas.

Coincidentally this came just a week after an article on Kenyans appeared in the Pretorian Bird. The article, in the entertainment section, claims Kenya has the funniest looking president on earth, and a VP with a strange looking head. It goes on to say that Kikuyu women and Luo men pose the most weird features.

"Women from the Kikuyu community have small legs, totally no figures, and a little exeggerated heads. They lack good behinds and those who have them look like inflated baloons.They are shaped like pyramids turned upside down.A big upper frame and an almost invisible lower bit.

Luo men on the other side have distorted facial features..say big lips and huge noses or should we call them knobs. Kikuyu men are also unproportional, and most of them are stunted. They walk leaning foward. Plus they have long rusty teeth."

"Those from Kisii Districts are small people, the average Kenyan man will stop growing at 5'2"...5'4" tops. Kisii men have mango shaped heads, and bowed legs, a feature also common in in their Luhya counterparts."

He goes on to describe Kaleos as "Funny little pitch black emaciated fellows, raking in millions from the track. However long they'll remain in Europe, their features never improve". "Nandis will have rounded foreheads, and thin, long arms". While occupants at the coast province are said to have "Wide faces, almost like a widescreen telly, especially taitas,and durumas"

"Kenyans do not know the meaning of good grooming" The writer says. "The women hate their dark skins and opt for mercury bleachs which mess them up. The result: A scary (unpigmented)light face, black legs, and a black back". As much as the Kenyan accent, of standard english is admired, "there's too much mothertounge interference, common in Merus, Kisiis, and Kikuyus".

While Luos were pointed out as to be suffering from chronic 'braggitis'. The research funded by the institute of Primate Research at the University of St. Kenkley, also noted that Kenyan men are very marketable in the Kimberely area of SA and parts of the Guateng region. Reason, they are big, hopeless spenders.

Moral lesson, "Be careful dating a Kenyan online." Accepting the Award Ambassador Kinyesi, complained of biased judging. Also present were dignitaries from all around Africa.

Dark,deep secret.

 I walked through the rain, thinking about what her secret is, not caring about anything else. She ignored me for months, left me to wonder what happened.

I tried asking her friends what happened and all they had to say was the same, "I can't tell you". After many months she finally contacted me. I asked her what happened, but all she said was, "I can't tell you". We went on talking normally, but during the whole time I wondered what her secret was.

We said our goodbyes and then went our separate ways. I couldn't sleep or think clearly, so I went for a walk. Walking through the rain, silently crying to myself, tearing my mind apart trying to figure out the secret.

Deep in thought I didn't see the car zooming towards me. When I opened my eyes I could hear shouting and then she was kneeling down beside me, crying. With every bit of strength I had left I asked, "What is your secret?" The last words I heard were, "I can't tell you" and then my eyes closed for the last time.

Smile............

A smile costs nothing, but gives much.

It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give.

It takes a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor, but that he can be made rich by it.

A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship.

It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature’s best antidote for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone, until it is given away.

Some people are too tired to give you a smile;

Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.

trust in me now by anthony evans

Anthony Evans - The Way You Love Me

Simply nice and meaningful.

As i was reading some magazine i came across this story written by an unknown author and thought why not share it.
                                  ......................................................................................

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realized it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?” “No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.” Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.” When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

“The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we realize the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”

              .........................................................................................

IT IS TIME

 

                        He has made everything beautiful in its time,
also He has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out
the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.
 Ecclesiastes 3:11

   Life is all about timing...the
unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable becomes available, the unattainable...attainable. Have the patience, wait it out. Its all about timing.

                                                                                                         Stacey Charter.

           This is our year of Divine Positioning. Expectant. Excited. Anticipating. Words that describe how many of us feel after hearing the Word of the Lord. But wait there's another word. Tired. "What??"some of you ask. How many times have your heard it said "Its your time" ? How long have you waited for the dreams that you have held dear to your heart to become a reality? Their fulfillment seems to be elusive and you are teetering at the edge of giving up. Your thoughts plagued by the hopelessness that threatens your faith.

                Our Father, our God is not a liar. Neither is He a fickle human being,promising one thing and doing another. When He says it, He means it. And when He means it, He says it. Your life is not a happenstance,a chance, a-by-the-way. It is perfectly ordered for, ordained for and planned for - Psalm 139:16, Acts 17:24-28. The very same God that put the stars into place, spins the planets in their
axis', He knows you by name.

                 What do you do then when it looks like no matter what you do, the promises of God are a dream away, unattainable and  unreachable?

(1) You trust - "Yeah right!!" some may say. "Why bother?" others may
ask. While you wait, you trust. You take Him at His Word,you believe
it and and you will see the fulfillment of His promises. - 2nd
Corinthians 7:1

(2) Keep your side of the deal - You are His child, His sheep, His
charge. He is your God, your Father, your provider. Don't try to do
His job for Him, He is quite capable and He will keep His promises.

(3) Live your faith a day at a time -  Seek the strength that you need
form His Word. Pursue after Him as you are combing through the
scriptures. Let your heart melt at the goodness of the Lord.

(4) Make praise your weapon - When it is hard to praise, do it anyway!
You  will begin to feel uplifted and you will have your focus
redirected to the One deserving your praise. Use it unashamedly. Use
it unreservedly. Use it apologetically. Use it. Praise your way
through. - Psalm 34:1

(5) Decree and declare - Speak His Word to yourself and back to Him.
Proclaim the finish before you get there. This takes the tenacity and
a 'don't-give-in,won't-give-in' attitude. He spoke it and it was -
Genesis 1:3,6,9. Do the same and it will be - Psalm 103:20.

                                           From Pasi,JCC Thika.

You are exclusive

Think what a remarkable, unduplicatable, and miraculous thing it is to be you! Of all the people who have come and gone on the earth, since the beginning of time, not ONE of them is like YOU!

No one who has ever lived or is to come has had your combination of abilities, talents, appearance, friends, acquaintances, burdens, sorrows and opportunities.

No one’s hair grows exactly the way yours does. No one’s finger prints are like yours. No one has the same combination of secret inside jokes and family expressions that you know.

The few people who laugh at all the same things you do, don’t sneeze the way you do. No one prays about exactly the same concerns as you do. No one is loved by the same combination of people that love you – NO ONE!

No one before, no one to come. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE!

Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren’t meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.

You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone’s mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind.

Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!

No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.

No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share.

See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it inform you and nudge you and inspire you! YOU ARE UNIQUE!

Don't Hope,decide.

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in JKIA,Marvin  had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about. This one occurred a mere two feet away from him.

Straining to locate his friend among the passengers walking through the way, he noticed a man coming toward him carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to him to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, he heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Tim!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was jumping excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her forehead and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate hug he ever remembered seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you ,honey!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.

For an instant they reminded him of newlyweds, but he knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. He puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed he was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from him. He suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if he was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear his own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?

“Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” he asked. The man finally turned and looked at him, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!”

Two days? He was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, he had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. He knew his expression betrayed him.

He said almost offhandedly, hoping to end his intrusion with some air of grace (and to get back to searching for his friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”

The man suddenly stopped smiling.

He looked him straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into his soul, he told him something that left him a different person. He told him, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed him his wonderful smile again, shook his hand and said, “God bless!”

Ngong Hills : In Awe of Mother nature