The 'Dogs' of Disgrace

Long time ago before Jesus became Christ and God became Emmanuel a prophet by the name Isaiah lived in the land of Israel. He prophesied more about the coming of new order and reminded Israel to turn away from wickedness. In chapter 56 he declares that gentiles will be incorporated into the League of Chosen people if they keep God’s commands.

Then he brings out some negative aspects of Israel leaders and it may ring a bell about our leadership in Kenya. In verse ten he says that the leaders who are supposed to see ahead for Israel are blind. They are like watchdogs that don’t bark (our leaders bark for the wrong reasons) and they love to sleep on the job. They are like greedy dogs that do not get enough and they lack understanding. They all do as they please as they seek their own selfish interest.

This situation in Israel many years ago brings out a nation that was in need of leadership. To warn the people, protect and provide for them. When you are likened to a dog then it means you have gone too low to lead. This situation led to Israel turning to idolatry because when the leaders do not lead, then every person will go their way.

It is our default setting to complain and vent yet inwardly we enjoy the drama that is beamed to us in daily news. We have to stand up for the society we want, politics has never guided a nation, it is ideals and timely ideas that guide politics. Let’s pray and win the battle in our closet first, before we come out and engage the systems.

© 1^st March 2010

Vision 3011 is Complicated

‘This is all I have learnt: God created man plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated’

Ecclesiastes 7:29 (Good News)

Though I studied Earth Science in college, I don’t regard myself a scientist. However, this has never stopped me from making reference to what I learned in reference to maters of life and faith. I enjoyed studying plate tectonics and earthquakes. They gave me a view of how God created the earth in such a way that it is balanced and the systems of the earth ideally should be in a state of equilibrium. 

After every major earthquake, there are smaller quakes called aftershocks that occur for the next few days. If you hold a board down a basin of water and let it float abruptly, that represents a quake.  Then the board will move for some time until it balances and floats on the water. This process is called isostacy, and it is what happens when we experience aftershocks; the disturbed systems are returning to a state of equilibrium.

In plate tectonics, we have trenches and subduction zones. This is a conveyor belt like system where new material comes from deep in the earth through the trenches, pushing the old ones further away. The old materials end up in a subduction zone where they are swallowed back into the earth. This happens unnoticed below our continents. There is a trench in the Atlantic Ocean and a Subduction Zone in the earthquake prone Indo-asia and Far East. 

The two examples exemplify the verse above that quotes the preacher saying that man is out on the wrong path. There are enough resources for everyone on earth if we use the resources sustainably. The problem is that man has gone out to overexploit what we have. The ground water reserves are almost depleted- and cities like Mexico City are sinking. We have cut down our forests and are emitting dangerous gasses into the atmosphere; now the rains have gone and the polar ice is melting. Food is scarce so we have come up with genetically modified foods as a remedy to our sins. With no regard to the natural systems to regenerate themselves, then in one hundred years, the earth may start being un-inhabitable.

Someone must save man from himself, thank God that Christ died on the cross for such a problem and time as this. 

© 22^nd February 2011

FOUR THINGS

Proverbs Chapter 30 has five lists of four things that Agur says are extra ordinary in different ways. I will look at the second list (in verse 18 and 19) of four things he says are too mysterious to understand. He must have watched them for a while for him to acknowledge their mystery. I am one of the people who prefer to believe in things that make sense to me. I have realized that in God, some things will never make sense, yet you just have to trust and obey.

An eagle flying in the sky: The eagle has a unique anatomy that God designed for greatness. It can fly higher than any bird and even fly against the wind and still spot a rat on the ground. Yes, this is one mysterious creation of God.

A snake moving on a rock: I fear snakes; I can’t trust them even when their eyes look harmless. I have watched a snake move on a rock and the speed is next to supersonic. How a snake does it, you will never tell.

A ship finding its way over the sea: This was before radars and other sophisticated navigation equipments were discovered. I have taken a ride in a boat on Lake Victoria, and I can assure you it requires great skill to navigate. The sea is vast and even more difficult for the sea men to find their way.

A man and woman falling in love: This must have been a mystery then and is still a mystery to date. You can take that to the bank. I cannot tell how one lady will catch my eye and move my heart while others merely exist around me. It is a mystery. Many books have been written about love but I still believe there is a God factor at the centre of a man and woman falling in love.

Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that there are some things that the Lord has kept secret but he has revealed his Law which we are to obey for ever. You may not understand everything, but our responsibility is to obey. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

© 16^th February 2011

The Language of Christianity is Love

Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not take revenge on anyone or continue to hate him, but love your neighbour as you love yourself. I am the Lord.

Luke 10:27
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Christianity is a religion of love. When Christ was asked the greatest commandment, he simply combined two laws that God had given Moses and gave it to us as a summary. Real and true love is a rare commodity in the world and the common version is adulterated. So what does the great commandment mean in Christianity and love?

Character:  Love the Lord with the whole of your HEART: The heart is the wellspring of who we are. Who we are is our character. Our character should be above reproach. The main pillars of character are faithfulness and integrity.

Connected to God: Love the Lord with the whole of your SOUL: The soul is our spiritual being. It is the part of us that seeks to connect with the supernatural and it is prudent that it is always calibrated to C.H.R.I.S.T. This is what will seek first the kingdom of God, if we want everything else. God is the source of love.

Competent: Love the Lord with all your STRENGTH: Everything you do, do it so well as an act of worship- as unto the Lord. There is no space for mediocrity in Christianity, simply do a good job as an offering to the Lord.

Contemplate: Love the Lord with all your MIND: A man is what he thinketh. Think whatever is pure, lovely, true and noble. Our actions are the products of our thoughts.

Compassion: Love others as you love YOURSELF: Simply share the love of God by putting it into action. Because true and real love is rare yet it is the most powerful force than any weapon on earth.Christians should be at the forefront in showing the world the true and pure love. Love among brethren, in courtship and in marriage.

The most important love is the vertical agape love between God and us. If that is taken care of then the horizontal filial and romantic love will fall into place.

WE ARE ALL BORN LOVING AND PURE OF HEART; we just learn how to hate. 

© 8^th February 2011