God's not broke!

When the Bible says that 'Jesus became poor' {2Cor8:9}, people look at it in terms of material possessions going as far as saying that He could not afford His basic needs, and depended on others. But they miss point all-together. God cannot lack. Jesus humbled himself so much so, even to fit in a planet in form of a man (God cannot be confined) .. (see Phil2:5-11); a human who gets tempted, who gets hungry, who gets worn out, who has needs. This is the poverty that God talks about. He limited himself so much to become like us, so that we might become like Him. (He became poor, that we might be rich).

God allowed Himself, in the form of Jesus, to feel pain, and suffering, to be tempted, to live under law and not grace. In this way, he became poor. He felt first-hand how hard it was to live under the limitations of the law. The Bible says 'He was tempted in every way yet was without sin' {Hebrews 2:18; 4:15}. He came full of grace, and preached love and forgiveness and acceptance, mercy, freedom from bondage, righteousness and holiness.

We're rich!

{2Cor5:17} Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

{1Peter2:9} But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

We're rich, not just materially, but spiritually for we have eternal hope through Christ Jesus. We're rich in the love of God, in his grace. We're rich in that Jesus died for our sins, and rose that we might live freely ever after(eternally).

He took all our infirmities.

We're healed. We're rich.

Does anybody hear me?

I stand in the midst of the people,
Lost, trying to find meaning for life,
Indecisive, confused and fickle,
Behind the shadows longing to thrive.

In the midst of so much noise,
Lost in all the confusion,
Longing just to hear that voice,
That draws me away from illusion.

Even though I’m growing weary,
I’ve yet to quite give up,
Cried but no more teary,
Running but without a map.

Someone told me that Jesus cares,
That He came to save me from death,
And that in His word he declares,
His love transcends any form of depth.

So I let out a loud cry,
That all would be still,
As I seek to hear Him say,
I’ll save you from all things cruel.

But the noise keep getting louder,
I’m getting desperate Lord can you hear,
And as I expect the Lord in all His grandeur,
He whispers ‘Child I’m always near’.

He opens my eyes to the reality,
That he’s always been by my side,
And I can now see with all clarity,
That my fears all along made me blind.

More of you

I want more of you 

I want more of you Jesus 

Cause the more I know you 

The more I want to know you

Jesus More of you
You make my life so beautiful

As you are you have made me on earth

There’s nothing greater than this 

That is why I will love you evermore

More of you 

More of you 

More of you

Jesus more of you

Sinach

More of You

Be of Good Courage

I looked for these lyrics when this song came in my heart. I remember in high school how we used to sing along this song from the famous 'hymn book'. I actually knew the lyrics well. Back then it was protocol to sing along. It had to be done every morning when we habitually assembled.


It wasn't until now that the lyrics pierced through my heart, with their meaning and context ringing loud in my head.


We need courage in this life. There are enough things around us to make us coil back in fear. But God says, 'BE COURAGEOUS' 'BE OF GOOD COURAGE'. {Joshua1:6-9 }. Its interesting that the Lord put it forth as a command. It wasn't a request. He specifically said "Good Courage". Suffice it to say, there is bad courage. The kind that leads us into doing stupid things where consequences follow us. The Lord is not talking about showing how strong you are, in might or deed. I tend to think that He was talking about not being intimidated by anything, knowing well that He {The Lord}, is always on our side. There fore our courage solely rests upon the assurance that the Lord is on our side. And its a command.



Its actually a sin to be cowardly.


 {Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”}


How can sexual immorality and cowardice be mentioned in the same breath? Did you know that the devil is a coward? Cowardly people are not obedient to God. They choose the easy way out. It takes courage to obey God. You have to go out of your way and choose obedience, even when there are much simpler options, if we look at it from a worldly perspective. Its easier to give a bribe, for example, than to face the law. Its also cowardly. And cowardice and sexual immorality, to God, are one and the same: Both are sin.


Is there trouble in your life: Be of good courage, for the Lord is on your side. 


Do not be scared of lack.
Do not be scared of disease.
Do not be scared of war.
Do not be scared of death.
Do not be scared of men. 


Be of "Good Courage".


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,

Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right,
Trust no party, sect or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,


Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,

Trust in God and do the right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Background

I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs
I don't need my name in lights, I don't need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul
And my ways ain't purified, don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word to every dance, a foe, a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right
Praying the whole world will start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessing
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control. and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All the folks who follow me, going end up in the wrong place
So let me just shadow you, let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in you, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothing
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing, You know what's in my hand
Me, I'm just going to trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow you at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
Man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and gleam from You
Seems You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead. 

The Lord is His Name

How magnificent is grace! How malignant is guilt! How sweet are the promises! How sour is the past! How Precious and broad is God's love! How petty and narrow are man's limitations! How refreshing is the Lord!


Holy Father in heaven, your power provides us with hope - hope to start afresh, even though we have failed; hope to walk in moral purity, even though we are weak.


How the Lord cares for his sheep! How he loves and rescues us! How often He lifts us when we are low and supports us when we are weak!

Only One person can step into life and give it happiness when health fails - and give it peace even when possessions fade - and give it security when savings fly away.

When I say I'm a Christian

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost!"
That is why I chose this Way."

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I don’t speak of it with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble,

And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak,

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed,

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible,

But God believes I’m worth it.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches,

So I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian",
I do not wish to judge.
For I have no authority,
I only know I'm loved.

Carol S. Wimmer

Where the Echoes Stop

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Far past where sound has abandoned thought.

Where silence reigns over redundancy.

Where once well said is more than enough.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where words must be born to be heard.

Where speech is a gift and not a curse.

Where there is more of the unique and less of the mundane.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where meaning is rescued from noise…

Where conviction replaces thoughtless repetition…

Where what everyone is saying surrenders to what needs to be said.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where the shouting of the masses falls silent to the whisper of the one…

Where the voice of the majority submits to the voice of reason…

Where “they” do not exist; but “we” do.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where substance overthrows the superficial…

Where courage conquers compliance and conformity…

Where words do not travel farther than the person who speaks them.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where I only say what I believe.

Where I only repeat what changes me.

Where empty words finally rest in peace.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Erwin Raphael McManus

“Be still and know that I am God…” -Psalm 46:10a

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

Be careful little eyes what you see

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Casting Crowns

There is a time when life sucks!

There is a time in life when you’re just exhausted.

There is a time you want to lock yourself out of the world.

There is a time you are afraid.

There is a time you fail. And again. And again.

There is a time you want to give up.

There is a time you want to throw in the towel.

There is a time you cannot take it anymore.

There is a time when the world crumbles all around you.

There is a time you want to be quiet.

There is a time you want silence.

There is a time you can hear yourself breath.

There is a time when time stops.

There is a time when you feel numb.

There is a time when anger rules you.

There is a time when you hurt the ones you love.

There is a time you feel lost.

There is a time when meaning fades.

There is a time when life ceases to make sense.

There is a time when you want to scream.

There is a time when people are a nuisance.

There is a time when frustrations overwhelm you.

There is a time when you wonder if tomorrow will come.

There is a time you want to be enveloped in darkness.

There is a time you feel like going backwards.

There is a time when you feel stagnant

There is a time you wish you were a child.

There is a time when you get desperate.

There is a time when words cease.

Tears drop.

There is a time when you need God more than ever.

There is a time He seems farther than ever.

There is a time it feels like forever.

There is a time you say whatever!

There is a time you trust, however.

There is a time you hold on.

There is a time you pray long.

There is a time you pray none.

There is a time you hear nothing.

There is a time that God is with you.

There is a time He will come through.

All the time!

Alter and the Door

Careless, I am reckless
I'm a wrong-way-travelin'-slowly-unraveling shell of a man
Burnt out, I'm so numb now
That the fire's just an ember way down in the corner of my cold, cold heart

Lord, this time I'll make it right, here at the altar I lay my life
Your kingdom come but my will was done, my heart is broken as I...

Cry, like so many times before
But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor, oh Lord
I try but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through
Between the altar and the door

Here at the altar, oh my world so black and white
How could I ever falter
What You've shown me to be right

I'm trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me
Jesus, I'm trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me

Casting Crowns

Somewhere in the middle

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

Casting Crowns

Quite often, I find myself trusting

Why is “Trust” such an important thing in life? A lot comes to mind when we think about it. Maybe it reminds you of someone or something, either in a good or bad way. You have to agree that it’s important. We don’t actually learn it. We are born with it. We cannot exhaust all the dynamics of trust, but I just have a few thoughts put on paper. Let’s reason together. Who taught you to trust? You've trusted and still trust mom or dad since infancy. Kids trust mommy. They trust daddy too, well, most of the times. Mommies are more trusted, and really we can’t blame the kids. It’s a fact that they tend to warm up to the feminine side more easily. But that’s a story for another day. They trust that mommy loves them enough to do anything to make sure that their world is a happy place. They view life as one big roller-coaster ride. No worries. They trust. They trust that after a hard days work (Read PLAY, but they’ll make you believe they worked), mommy will make sure that they get dinner. I call it work since from my personal experience, a conversation in the evening with my daughter goes something like this

Daddy: How are you?

Pati: fine

Daddy: “how was your day?”

Pati: fine

Daddy: What did you do?

Pati: I read, I watched my brother, and I molded.

This is the most recent one. She will hardly tell me that she played, though I know it makes up 95% of her activities.

Two nights ago I was “trusted” with the noble responsibility of buying her chocolate. Twice she asked me for it. I’m yet to buy but I have to, if I want to still be trusted. I’m not implying that we become genies to our kids by granting their every wish, but I love it when she asks me for something because that spells one word for me: TRUST.

So, we grow and we advance in age, doubt creeps in. Why is that the case? Well, of course the world turns out not to be that safe haven that our homes have been. I trust that most homes are safe havens, again, thanks to mommies. The reality of “the fall” dawns on us, and we begin to realize how rotten a world we live in. But still, we have to trust.

Trust is a significantly essential task that we engage in everyday. You trust that when you sleep at night, you’ll wake up the following morning. When you wake up you trust that you’ll get ready on time and be on schedule.When you get into the bus/matatu, you trust that the driver knows how to drive, and that his license is valid, and that the vehicle is capable of taking you from your home to the workplace without falling apart into pieces on the way. You never ask the driver how much fuel he has. God forbid, if he had a quarrel with the wife, has had it with life and so has decided to veer off the road when he approaches that bridge over Athi River. You simply trust him. You trust that you’ll get to work on time and find that your boss hasn’t woken up in a bad mood and decided to reduce the work force by half. You trust that at the end of the month when you cash the cheque that it won’t bounce.

Our trust either is developed from our own experiences or from the experiences of others.

When you drank your first coke soda, it wasn’t from your own experience, rather someone else’s. That goes for so many of the things that we trust. We sometimes know for a fact that our object of trust is trustworthy, or simply take the risk.

The hardest part of trust comes when we involve relationships. The simple reason being the fact that when we are relating, we’re revealing. We are revealing ourselves to another. What was safe with us is not anymore; we share. Our weaknesses are exposed. Our secrets sometimes are revealed. Yet, we have to trust the other person. It’s undeniably difficult to explain the need to trust others, but I guess it’s said that no man is an island. So really, does that leave me any choice? Given a choice won’t it be easier to just be on our own? God thought so too, until He saw Adam’s loneliness.

Life, really, is a journey full of hope and so we trust. We trust that tomorrow will come. We trust that things will get better. We trust that after the darkest night, dawn will break forth. We live a life of trust whether subconsciously or completely aware of that fact. We cannot do without trusting. So then here is what I have learnt; when I trust others, I expect them to never betray that trust. It’s the same case for me. I have a responsibility to never betray the trust that others have in me. When trust is broken, it can become irreparable. Why take the risk?

Finally brethren,

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths {Proverbs 3:5,6}

I Want To Be Just Like You

He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug
He calls me Dad and I call him Bub
With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh
He snuggles up close and says, "I want to be like you"
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Trippin' over the toys as I turn out the light
And I whisper a prayer that someday he'll see
He's got a father in God 'cause he's seen Jesus in me

Lord, I want to be just like You
'Cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example
For his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord
That my little boy can read
I want to be just like You
'Cause he wants to be like me

Got to admit I've got so far to go
Make so many mistakes and I'm sure that You know
Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try
With all the pressures in life I just can't get it all right
But I'm trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness
'Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me

Right now from where he stands I may seem mighty tall
But it's only 'cause I'm learning from the best Father of them all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z8bXcBRIU0

by Phillips Craig And Dean

When it's all been said and done

When it's all been said and done

There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You

When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's Reward
Will stand the test of time

Lord Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our Weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You've shown me Heaven's my True home

When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone
Lord I'll live my life for You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOyp7ERn6v8&feature=related

By Robin Mark

I need you. You need me.

There is something to learn;

In every mistake or good deed,

In every failure or victory,

In every broken or a joyful heart,

In every thought or conversation,

In every relationship or partnership,

In every friendship or enmity.

There is something to learn in every person.

I love Dr. Phil. He is painfully blunt and straight forward. So this time I'm the patient, seated next to him and he blurts out loudly in front of the audience,

"You think of yourself as self-sufficient. You judge almost everything and everyone. It has to be your way or no way. You are always right. You don’t take no for an answer. When you show up, you dominate conversations. When we plan events you’re the coordinator, facilitator, and any other available position. You have no respect for other people’s opinions or feelings. You’re the centre of attraction. In a community initiative, you want to be an individual. When we want to be a team, you want to be your own team."

My jaw drops. If only I was deaf, so I don't get to hear that. The truth hurts.

More often than not we think our problems are around us or in other people, but we are not eager to look within ourselves. It’s easier to point a finger, than to admit wrong-doing. Fault in other people is identified with ease, than the good in them. We trust ourselves so much that we have stopped believing in other people. I watch WWW wrestling. Everyone considers them selves the only champion. Others, perfection {Read Alberto del Rio}. Others, awesome {Read ...The Miz}. There is a fight known as “the submission”, but don’t be cheated, no one submits. Even when beaten, one still beats his own chest and claims to be “The one”. We come short of feeling immortal.

What is it about humanity? We were made to co-exist, but would rather put a hedge around ourselves. We keep a safe distance to protect our “perfect lives”. Jesus taught us a very basic principle, “Do unto others what you’d have them do to you”—Luke 6:31. You don’t have to be a Christian to practice this truth. Our treatment for others is directly proportional to how we ought to be treated. If you treat your brother like a doormat, why in the world would you want a royal treatment yourself? They have a name for it; PRIDE. They also have a phrase for it; Pride comes before a fall.

So I looked under the sun. I found myself judging. I found myself looking at the external. The way he dresses. Where they live. Which community they come from. Just admit it. Like me, you have been at a place where you judged a person based on the external. What we come to learn afterwards is that mostly they are the complete opposite of what we thought they were. Maybe that’s why a man who doesn’t drive is intimidated by a lady who does, and would rather not ask her out. If she earns more than I do, then she is not my type.

Our perception is not always right. Our assumptions mislead us. Our society has made us consume beliefs and notions that have no iota of truth in them. Take, for example, the area of dating; Without naming names, some women or men from certain communities are considered good in sex, others are perceived as good at housework, others are considered lazy, others as either cons, unhygienic, hot-tempered, witches, and the list goes on. If you ask me, it’s irrelevant where a person comes from, when it comes to relating with them. Don’t get me wrong. I do respect the fact that people do have different preferences. But deep down in your heart, you know you look at certain people as lesser than yourself.

So, what’s the problem? The answer is “ME”. Let’s call it the “Me-Syndrome”. Whether you admit it or not, you can never live alone. God thought that Adam would do just fine on his own. He later realized the loneliness that Adam experienced inside. Many of us are “celebrities” to the world, but lonely within ourselves. We have deep flaws and that’s what we chew on when we switch off the lights and retire to bed. They keep us awake. The reason is simple. There are three people that we can never deceive; God, Satan (master deceiver) and ourselves. So I’m I living a lie?

This is what I think I should do;

Admit my inadequacy.

No matter how well we are doing financially, academically or in any other way, we are not complete all by ourselves. We are not self-sufficient! Period!

Realize my need for community.

The truth is; we need others. Well not if you have watched the series “LOST”, where a common phrase is used “The others are coming”, but let me not digress. Bottom line; I need you and you need me.

Choose to belong

Jesus walked on earth. He was and still is “All-Sufficient”. Yet, He chose 12 people (read fishermen, tax collector, doctor etc), to walk with. He actually chose the people that are often looked-down upon. Do I look down on certain people?

Get rid of the “Gain the world” mentality

Jesus Himself asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul”. {Mark 8:36}. Most of us have lost our souls within ourselves. According to our friends we are energetic, full of oomph, living to the fullest. We achieve and accomplish. We concur. We are at the top of “our world”. But deep down with in ourselves, we are lonely and looking for meaning. I might dominate the outside, but if I haven’t dominated myself {Emotions, attitude, ego}, it leaves me empty.

Let God be the judge

Stop judging people. Jesus taught that it’s easy to see the speck in my brother’s eye, while totally ignoring the plank in my own. We really want to help others, either genuinely or out of malice, but we ignore the fact that we too are in dire need of help.

Even when we are treated wrongly, Paul taught, “Do not repay evil for evil, but be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone” {Romans 12:17}. OUCH!! Yeah, I feel the same way, but hey, you want to go to heaven?? Just do it and leave the rest to God. Do not be quick to judge, or jump in to conclusions. Don’t believe every thing you hear. And, be that as it may, I ought to forgive even when I find out about the mistakes of others, of course, unless I’m perfect. I’m not. No one is.

So then, here is my conclusion. We need lessons about attitude, and Jesus is our greatest example.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! {Philippians 2:5-8}

This song humbles me;

I need you, you need me.
We're all a part of God's body.
Stand with me, agree with me.
We're all a part of God's body.

It is his will, that every need be supplied.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.
(repeat 3X)

I pray for you, you pray for me.
I love you, I need you to survive.
I won't harm you with words from my mouth.
I love you, I need you to survive.
(repeat 8 X)

It is his will, that every need be supplied.
You are important to me, I need you to survive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMcJL_UDAvw&feature=related

Single mothers or just irresponsible fathers?

For what seems like eternity, we wait. We long to behold our baby for the first time. You wonder how they are doing all that time. How are they developing? Is everything OK? You monitor the kicking, growth, development. The clock ticks. The day draws near. Emotions run wild. Anxiety. Excitement. Even Fear. You will be parents to a new born. It’s a joyful time.

Around the corner, it’s the same script but a different cast. A lady all by herself. She is carrying a bundle of joy, but with a faint look in her eyes. A wrinkled face, she has cried a lot. What’s it going to be for my baby? Why doesn’t the father care? She looks so lost in her own world. It’s as if the world is crumbling all around her. She knows too well that she is headed to becoming a social outcast. Single parenthood! The clinic visits! The bills! The burden! She feels all alone.

If children are really a gift from God, why would a man walk away from his own flesh and blood? How can a man ignore the fact that there is someone growing in a lady that he might now NOT want to see, but who happens to be his own DNA? Where is the first love? Where is the love for innocent life?

So finally the baby comes around. The joy cannot be contained. There are countless smiles of adoration in the faces of the family, friends and colleagues. The parents to the new born rejoice. The PARENT to the new born also rejoices. Both forget the pain, the waiting, the journey, and just want to celebrate. But there is a flip side…

Tears flow. Tears of joy; for the couple. Tears of joy and tears of pain for the single parent. So what is love? A feeling that is there today and gone tomorrow? Or, a choice we make? If I cannot feel love for my blood, at least I should BE A MAN. I should own up. I should be able to CHOOSE to love. A man who took pride in his strength, achievements, success; But now a frail image of a pathetic, selfish, cowardly being. I might not want to see the mother, possibly because I never wanted a baby in the first place. It was just sex, not just without strings attached, but without babies attached! Fine! This wasn’t part of the plan. But, does God make mistakes? We do! Why should our own mistakes, be carried on to our baby as if the baby is the “mistake”. He is not! She is not!

The society has done nothing much to make the situation better. Mothers loathe their baby for getting a baby of her own out of wedlock. Fathers hate. God forbid, they even throw out the “NOW EMOTIONALLY WEAK, PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED” daughter who is at this time in need of PSYCHOLOGICAL and EMOTIONAL support. Friends gossip. They become fewer. The lady has lost her self-worth, by now. There is no hope of getting back together with the baby’s father. We didn’t even want to get married in the first place. So, perish the thought. We can never be a family. Still, He is the father. But where is he?

Young mothers are with us. In church they are sitting next to us. In our neighborhoods we rub shoulders with them. They long to belong. They long for love. Are they any lesser? We are a close knit family. Perfect family, so we think. My daughter’s name is purity, she is pure. She can’t become like our neighbors’. Why worry? So, single mothers remain isolated. Rejected! Separated! Not needed! Unloved! .., and the many more evils that we heap on them. Is there hope for them, or is this the end of their story?....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................{SILENCE}............................................

Phew! Thank God. It’s not the end. The world may conclude our story, but God WONT. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to justify parenthood out of wedlock. But if church is for saints, what are you doing inside? Warming the pews? Hypocrite!

God Himself is the father to the fatherless. He is the husband to the widows. His anger lasts but for a moment, but his favor a lifetime. But what do we, as parents do? We trample upon them. We call them a disgrace. We write them off. How can they even hope to get married some day? HEHEHEHEHEHE! We laugh at the idea, it sounds ridiculous. SHUT UP!!!!! Who are we as a society, religion or social groupings to write off the “broken pots” if you would, when the potter Himself still has clay in His hands?

The baby grows. Their innocence draws back the very people who rejected them. Now the father wants to contest for custody. The grandpa wants to take pride in the grandkid. The society starts to realize their fault. They start to see the potential in the children who were once rejected. They are the top of their class. In Sunday school they prove to be the best. They excel. They once again light up the soul of the very mom who thought that her world was an abyss, full of agony and pain, and that she was seated alone at the bottom……………………………….

When we thought that the story had come to an end………{SILENCE}……………………… we start rewriting……

“He never got to have a surname, yet we write history… HIS STORY.”

OUR SOCIETY IS IN DIRE NEED OF RESPONSIBLE MEN…….. Why are we busy legalizing lethal brews….?

May God have mercy on “THE MAN”

IN CHRIST ALONE.....'NUFF SAID

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.