A "21" Reflection
As young boys we had some lucky breaks. On such lucky breaks, one of us would be in a team that wins in every game or goes without having to seek when playing hide and seek. May be the kid will win all the marbles while the rest of us go green with envy. So we coined a phrase to remind the lucky ones that they will not always be lucky. The phrase is in Swahili and it says: 'Kila siku si Sunday'. It simply meant that everyday is not Sunday.
As I write this I wonder why the connection between good luck and Sunday, the day kids go to Sunday school. Anyway, I was reminded of this phrase the day before yesterday. We arrived in the office to receive very distressing news. One of our colleagues had been carjacked the previous night and had suffered in the hands of those criminals until the early hours of Wednesday morning.
We couldn't go straight into our staff meeting as usual until we consoled with our brother. After seeing him and hearing about the ordeal, we prayed with him especially for the quick recovery of his car. Later that afternoon we received news that the car had been found in one of the neighborhoods where the gang was terrorizing drivers.
After that call our Pastor commented that he liked when prayers are answered that quickly. Then he added his wish for all prayers to be answered that fast. So the phrase that everyday is not Sunday came to mind. But what does scripture say? It says that God is always present and on time when we call on Him to help. As far as He is concerned, everyday is Sunday.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help us in times of trouble.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
God's Technology is Timam
A "21" Reflection
I have just read somewher that the Microsoft software is obsolete. Not only that but that over 70% of the Japanese people are already using the technology that will replace it. I never imagined that such a day will ever come. Not in a lifetime. I guess it is because I am not such a techy person. For me Microsoft is equal to computer; no Microsoft, no computer. The report also said that Billy, the brains behind Microsoft is a nervous wreck. And why shouldn't he be, the dude has had a near perfect monopoly since 1975.
You know this reminds me of the perfect monopoly that God's Word has had for all time. It is the only sure Word of prophecy (2Peter 1:19) that has accurately foretold world events. Many young people have found it as the perfect antivirus against sin (Psalms 119:9). Those who have believe it have found an eternal warranty (John 6:63).
I have chosen to make God's Word my default template. It is my first priority and finally authority. I am so glad it will never become obsolete for it is firmly fixed (Psalms 119:89). The Living God watches over it to make it work. I therefore need not fret or be anxious. It is a 'timam' perfect technology.
Isaiah 55:10-11 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."
I have just read somewher that the Microsoft software is obsolete. Not only that but that over 70% of the Japanese people are already using the technology that will replace it. I never imagined that such a day will ever come. Not in a lifetime. I guess it is because I am not such a techy person. For me Microsoft is equal to computer; no Microsoft, no computer. The report also said that Billy, the brains behind Microsoft is a nervous wreck. And why shouldn't he be, the dude has had a near perfect monopoly since 1975.
You know this reminds me of the perfect monopoly that God's Word has had for all time. It is the only sure Word of prophecy (2Peter 1:19) that has accurately foretold world events. Many young people have found it as the perfect antivirus against sin (Psalms 119:9). Those who have believe it have found an eternal warranty (John 6:63).
I have chosen to make God's Word my default template. It is my first priority and finally authority. I am so glad it will never become obsolete for it is firmly fixed (Psalms 119:89). The Living God watches over it to make it work. I therefore need not fret or be anxious. It is a 'timam' perfect technology.
Isaiah 55:10-11 "The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The GOD of Onyuro
A "21" Reflection
Last Saturday we were on day two of our prayer and fasting season and we had iGroup. It was one of those animated iGroup sessions. Everyone in attendance was fighting for a piece of the 2hrs airtime. It was the kind of session in which BGVs will unashamedly steal your show if you are not careful. Let me explain it for you.
In our iGroup, BGV-ing is a concept where people second what someone has shared because it has resonated with them. The BGVs (background voices) are supposed to make the one who shared look good but sometimes they usurp your show. They take your point and run with it. By the time they are done none of them remembers who was sharing.
I remember I was sharing the highlights of my last 2 weeks before the BGVs took over. We did not have iGroup on 31st October and that's why we were sharing the highlights of the last 2 weeks instead of the last one week. That day we missed iGroup because we were attending Onyuro One. For a while, Onyuro will remain my highlight and this is why; we got a DJ, extra decor fabric, publicity on mwafrica.com, award winning artistes, sound, lighting, and media equipment for free. The equipment set up was perfect and the performances were awesome. We also got prayer cover from friends all the way in North Carolina for a whole week. To cap it all up, God just checked in in such an amazing way.
At iGroup I almost said that God outdid Himself but then I remembered that He is always perfect. What happened is that He outdid our expectations, at least mine. We had asked Him for favor when borrowing stuff and provision of finances to purchase others. And guess what He did, He made sure that we got almost everything for free.
I am so excited as I anticipate what God will do during "21" because God is not limited to one miracle a month. I expect Him to "outdo" Himself again. He is not just the God of Onyuro, He is also the God of "21".
Ephesians 3:19-20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Last Saturday we were on day two of our prayer and fasting season and we had iGroup. It was one of those animated iGroup sessions. Everyone in attendance was fighting for a piece of the 2hrs airtime. It was the kind of session in which BGVs will unashamedly steal your show if you are not careful. Let me explain it for you.
In our iGroup, BGV-ing is a concept where people second what someone has shared because it has resonated with them. The BGVs (background voices) are supposed to make the one who shared look good but sometimes they usurp your show. They take your point and run with it. By the time they are done none of them remembers who was sharing.
I remember I was sharing the highlights of my last 2 weeks before the BGVs took over. We did not have iGroup on 31st October and that's why we were sharing the highlights of the last 2 weeks instead of the last one week. That day we missed iGroup because we were attending Onyuro One. For a while, Onyuro will remain my highlight and this is why; we got a DJ, extra decor fabric, publicity on mwafrica.com, award winning artistes, sound, lighting, and media equipment for free. The equipment set up was perfect and the performances were awesome. We also got prayer cover from friends all the way in North Carolina for a whole week. To cap it all up, God just checked in in such an amazing way.
At iGroup I almost said that God outdid Himself but then I remembered that He is always perfect. What happened is that He outdid our expectations, at least mine. We had asked Him for favor when borrowing stuff and provision of finances to purchase others. And guess what He did, He made sure that we got almost everything for free.
I am so excited as I anticipate what God will do during "21" because God is not limited to one miracle a month. I expect Him to "outdo" Himself again. He is not just the God of Onyuro, He is also the God of "21".
Ephesians 3:19-20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Tuskys Encourager
A "21" Reflection
Fasting is a deep thing. When we fast we are reminded how important food is to life. Someone rightly said that we eat to live. At Downtown, we started a 21 days long fast yesterday and it was the substance of a conversation I had with Bekki yesterday at around noon. It was one of those level 4 conversations if you know what I mean.
I was just about to leave home to attend to some office matters when she asked me what we will have for dinner. What I suggested didn't seem to elicit any excitement from her while her suggestion was pure impulsive spending in my view. Seeing that the dinner conversation was going nowhere she requested that I get her a snack to break the fast later in the evening. That's easy, so I thought. I would just pass by the shop outside our flat and buy her a loaf of 'Carlos' bread.
I had the guts to tell her as much to which she responded, "When we are fasting we need some encouragement and for me that will be a loaf of bread from TUSKYS (Supermarket)." Apparently, the people making 'Carlos' have compromised on quality hence the bread they are producing nowadays is a far cry when compared to what they had at the beginning of the year. So, TUSKYS bread it was because compromisers would not encourage her.
That afternoon I kept wondering what keeps me going during a fast. What is my encourager? Sometimes the thing that keeps us going during a deeply spiritual exercise like fasting is something very 'unspiritual'. For Bekki it was a loaf of bread from TUSKYS and for someone else it could be the promise of a doughnut from JAVA. Let us be real, what keeps you going? What is your encourager? For me, my encourager was the faith of the over 50 guys who signed up for "21" last Sunday alone. The knowledge that I am not the only one fasting kept me going.
Roman1:12 "...that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."
Fasting is a deep thing. When we fast we are reminded how important food is to life. Someone rightly said that we eat to live. At Downtown, we started a 21 days long fast yesterday and it was the substance of a conversation I had with Bekki yesterday at around noon. It was one of those level 4 conversations if you know what I mean.
I was just about to leave home to attend to some office matters when she asked me what we will have for dinner. What I suggested didn't seem to elicit any excitement from her while her suggestion was pure impulsive spending in my view. Seeing that the dinner conversation was going nowhere she requested that I get her a snack to break the fast later in the evening. That's easy, so I thought. I would just pass by the shop outside our flat and buy her a loaf of 'Carlos' bread.
I had the guts to tell her as much to which she responded, "When we are fasting we need some encouragement and for me that will be a loaf of bread from TUSKYS (Supermarket)." Apparently, the people making 'Carlos' have compromised on quality hence the bread they are producing nowadays is a far cry when compared to what they had at the beginning of the year. So, TUSKYS bread it was because compromisers would not encourage her.
That afternoon I kept wondering what keeps me going during a fast. What is my encourager? Sometimes the thing that keeps us going during a deeply spiritual exercise like fasting is something very 'unspiritual'. For Bekki it was a loaf of bread from TUSKYS and for someone else it could be the promise of a doughnut from JAVA. Let us be real, what keeps you going? What is your encourager? For me, my encourager was the faith of the over 50 guys who signed up for "21" last Sunday alone. The knowledge that I am not the only one fasting kept me going.
Roman1:12 "...that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."
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