He needs you & I

With all due respect to my fellow ladies, I would that I echo the words of the speaker in today's service. These words, that I by all means agree with made me remember what my mentor and dad, John Wesley Nguuh keeps saying; that, 'when the society got to empower women, no one told the men how to handle empowered women.' Yet again, we women forgot that in our being empowered, it dint mean the place of the man was lost! His place must and should be secured if we are to av a stable society.
Now, what then can we do so as to minister to the male man? Man was created to be the head of the family; Ephesians 5:23 hence forms its foundation; the teacher- Genesis 18:17-19 God expected Abraham to teach his household what He commanded him to. They are the priests, they determine the spiritual stability and growth of not only their children but eventually the generations to come. He is a protector and an instructor. HE IS THE LEADER!

With this knowledge in mind, there are things, issues and troubles that these men face; men here being your dad, husband, brother, cousin, friend... Troubles that end up affecting their being the best they can be. Issues that if we looked at them closely and sought to help, then and only then shall we have ministered to them and subsequently healed our society.

1. Loneliness
the male man is a lonely being. Always engrossed in their work trying to meet demands from all over. They are the bosses running companies, running homes, running ministries and the society looks to the man. He may end up finishing even a month or even two or a year before he ever engages in a meaningful talk with the wife or a child or his friends. He is only sought when there's a crisis but when things are well, he is ignored. This made me ask myself just when do I call my dad and how often? Busyness among men sometimes brings loneliness. Remember dear men, if you are to collapse, family wont find another to replace you but your company will. Please; SLOW DOWN.

2. Criticism
dear ladies...these guys have had enough. Criticism has become the order of the day. Even when one is trying so hard, we still just expect more. We ought to appreciate that there is something they are doing because apparently- and we all know this; when someone has done something wrong, he knows!! The more you criticise, it doesnt just help.

3. Unspoken challenges
this especially affects the African man that has grown up knowing that he has to be tough. That he is a MAN to the extend that when they are going through issues, they just cant speak. They av gotta MAN UP. Well, sin and secrecy thrives in silence. Secrecy aint godly at all.'confess your sins to one another that ye may be healed.' Christianity and life of character is not what people see, it is the inner you, the inner design, the inner man! Come out secrecy so we may, as a society benefit from a whole you!

4.Pressure
I wish there was a way ad type that title and it would be stressed. Pressure...from inlaws, family, if you are lucky-you are exempted from nagging spouses, bills...you name them. They all shout 'you are the man! You must bear the weight!' sometimes, men have no idea what to do!

With all these, men: you cannot do without prayer. Revive the family altar. Prayer is like fuel in an automobile, no matter how well serviced the vehicle is, pimped up, with awesome wheels-bila fuel it will stall. God is calling us, calling you to Himself. With the help of God and support from the female-man...be the lead!

May God bless you and make you a blessing.

Lilly’s Wedding Quilt… Lovely Read.

I must admit that Kelly Long is an awesome author. I enjoyed read this novel.

‘Talk of growing in love, something that would seldom occur in a couple getting married. Here is a man, Jacob that loves another woman, Sarah who ends up getting married and a lady, Lilly Lapp who has overtime admired Jacob though she knows where Jacob’s heart belongs… with Sarah King’s. With all these circumstances, the two get married in the most awkward of ways considering they truly are not fond of each other.

It starts out so cold, so weird and you almost want to pity these two for getting themselves to something they cant handle, yet…they keep trusting God and as spring comes, there is warmth, there is joy and a love has blossomed. I read this book and apart from interacting with the Amish culture, I have come to know that all things work for good, I get to admire how God can build something beautiful from that which we may have no trust in it.’

If you are a fun of romance reads and Christian novels, I recommend this to you. You gonna love it. Lilly's Wedding Quilt is written by Kelly Long and published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville: 2011. This book was provided free for review by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and booksneeze.com

IN CONSTANT PRAYER

What does it mean when the Bible says pray without ceasing? That is a question that caught my eye when I began reading IN CONSTANT PRAYER by Robert Benson an author that has challenged my thinking on the importance of prayer to a growing Christian.
Explaining the office, he says, in simplest terms, the daily office is a regular pattern and order for formal worship and prayer that is offered to God at specific times throughout the course of the day. Each set of prayers known as an office, is made up of psalms, scriptures and prayers. It is the sort of prayer that is most often associated with monastic communities and the most liturgical and sacramental parts of our church.
As I kept on reading, I realized that for people that have not been exposed to ancient way of worship; I being one of them, may find this kind of prayer to be completely new and more than a little bewildering! Truly speaking, this is one book I have read and many times wondered if I was agreeing with the writer. For me, prayer has always been communicating to my Father, my King and Creator who says that He can be known so personally. This then would make me be adamant to fixing hours at specific time to talk to Him! I should and ought to do that every and any time I want.
Yet, we actually can find ourselves not praying in the name of I cannot fix a time for Him!! This knowledge has made me realize that maybe we need to fix time like the ancients did. They must have had a good reason. I mean, this practice was sustained for ages and most of the men that did exploits, were part of this. Even Jesus!!
We probably would want to ask and this is a question I have asked myself; how then do I begin? What do I tell God throughout the day for the many number of times the officer has to be said? Doesn’t it make prayer sound so ‘fake’? This is a question that would come from an evangelical that has often spent time so emotionally into prayer, so that prayer without some tears and groaning would almost seem artificial! I have come to realize from this book that it is I who needs prayer more than God because I am connecting to the divine! I am connecting to He with whom my live revolves and fins meaning. I need and maybe we all need to understand that so that we may take prayer with the seriousness it deserves.
Plan! That it should be part of our TO-DO-LIST for every day. You and I know that with our kind of schedules, the things we never put down; never get done and maybe, we have not been praying because we have not prioritized! That is dangerous.
We have scriptures and the psalms and songs… these are then the materials that would be important in scheduling our prayers and with time, get to write down prayers of thanksgiving, of peace, of journeys and even love to our Maker!!
The Word has power and I will quote a page in the book to end this review! This caught my attention:
The office is just a collection of words. But words are powerful things. Who knows what a single one of them might do to us overtime?
In the beginning was the Word—and here is everything else now, including me and you and all that there is, seen and unseen, all of it alive with life of that single word. From which has flowed grace upon grace.
Words are powerful things.
The daily office offers me rich, powerful, profound words that can change and shape me. Words that have been given as a gift through the ages to me and to you. Words that can grow in me and give voice to the groaning of my heart when I cannot. Words that can teach me to be attentive to and to perceive the meaning of the work of God. Words that will lead me into deeper and deeper communion with God.
But not if I do not say them.
Realize he ends with: not if I do not say them.

OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE

Max Lucado… this is an author that keeps amazing me by his writings and I must say he is gifted and is making a difference in the best way he knows how. Usage of scripture appropriately is one thing I would commend him for. An awesome read this book is. OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE. I have come to realize, after reading this book and I am truly blessed for he who thought of BookSneeze because a life here in Kenya, Africa has been touched. You may never meet me, but be sure that a life has been impacted and subsequently more lives will. I have come to realize, that one can actually live a life that may never be remembered because their actions were just as old as they were. Outliving one’s life is worship to God. I say this agreeing to a statement I always hear from a radio station here in Kenya, that: IF YOU ARE SELFISH, YOU CANT WORSHIP GOD. I agree totally because a life of impact, a life that makes a difference and leaves a legacy, is a life that gives. So that when the word says: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to…” then, God knows what He is saying. He simply says that, you really don’t own your life; it may never really profit you if it can’t impact another and if it isn’t for eternity’s sake, then it may never really matter.
Jesus, it is recorded in Philippians 2:6-8
“Who being in the 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 in human likeness. And being found in the appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
That was the attitude of Christ, well then I guess that is why His life on earth, History has never come to really comprehend His Story!
His life: no amount of books can explain it, no great prophecies can tell. No kind of journalism can report…His story still hits headlines…His impact outlives all life…His love, no kind of measurement can determine… His wisdom, no amount of learning can outdo it….Christ outlived His live…His life is in each one of us…He has (allow me to use this) reproduced himself in each one of us, yet He is one… He is all in all! Amazing! That is why, Paul encourages that we should have an attitude the same as that of Christ.
Max Lucado brings it well and I may not bring out every aspect of his writing but he has made me realize that, each day…every single moment of my life…with every breath I take…I ought to ask myself if the action I am doing now…will outlive me.
Will it live beyond the last breath off my nostrils?
That when He who owns me takes all that is His… will he find something worthwhile? Again I say…outliving one’s life is worship to God.
I am impacted by this writing and I again pray…

O Lord, where did I see you yesterday…and didn’t recognize you? Where will I encounter you today …and fail to identify you? O my Father, give me eyes to see, a heart to respond, and hands and feet to serve you wherever you encounter me! Transform me, Lord, by your Spirit into a servant of Christ, who delights to meet the needs of those around me. Make me a billboard of your grace, a living advertisement for the riches of your compassion. I long to hear you say to me one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” And I pray that today I would be that faithful servant who does well at doing good. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen. (Outlive Your Live page 173)
In conclusion, I couldn’t but agree with Sheila Walsh in her praise… “Every now and then you hear a call that is so clear, so true, that you know without a shadow of doubt it comes from the very heart of God. This book contains such a call. If we listen, it just might change the world.”
It will change the world. Thank you Max for listening to God…Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers…Thank you BookSneeze!
Greatest thanksgiving to you, Father. I am impacted and help me to outlive my life.

The World is beautifully broken

BOOK REVIEW.

PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY by ANNE JACKSON

I have read books before and have always had a book to put down awesome statements that I would use next time am in a speaking engagement or better still, in my everyday conversation. Anne Jackson hasn’t given me a chance to do that. She makes me want to rip my heart apart, let the world see my pains and just realize how beautiful life can be with its pains and gains too!
She has given me a chance to go Second.
The world, the church… everyone has often lived a life knowing that there is really no permission to speak freely because in our heart of hearts, we always ask ourselves, “who cares anyway”, “everyone is hurting, so why burden others with issues that don’t matter to them?” The truth of the matter is; people care, they are and everyone is always looking for one or two, a person who would listen and understand. There is; someone said, in every person an insatiable need to be appreciated, accepted and approved. I call it the three needed As.
Accepted, that yes! It is really bad but it is OK. That, ‘buddy look here, my wound hurts too.’ That, I am also in pain; you think you can help me?
Anne Jackson has helped me realize that there is a purpose in communities. That there is a reason God calls His Church, His body. It is His body because sometimes the hand has got to apply oil to the head; that arteries need to supply blood with glucose to the brain; that when the feet ache, whole body parts take a break to rest because they need the feet; yet…there are parts that know, when others rest, they have got to keep going. Like the heart! It has got to keep beating!!
We all need each other.
And we are never alone: if only we are strong enough or even just a little to say, ‘am hurting’. Then shall we realize our healing. James5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”
It is in confession that we find our healing. Confessing and not admitting sin. Being able to come to a point of accepting the Grace of God to work in your life.
Can Church then, be a place of refuge? Rescue?
Only when we realize that we are all products of the Amazing Grace.
When we understand that the church is not the buildings nor the clergy
But that the church is you and I
Beautifully wrapped in Grace.
Wounded soldiers nursing one another and fighting on.

Again, thank you for a book creatively expressed.

Forgetting what is behind

Paul says that forgetting what is behind, I press on towards the goal marked out for me. At some point he makes sense but if that same past affects every thing that you do; then forgetting makes you change what you have always known as life; what you have always upheld as important and needful to you.
Yet again friend, without forgetting there is no progress
Without leaving there can never be any cleaving,
It may be painful but I wonder! How do you enjoy a ripe fruit when it is still on the tree?
How; friend do I eat a sugarcane when it is still on the ground?
Some cutting off has got to be done…..
Some leaving is necessary…
Yes, a bit of letting go is crucial.

I say this with a lot of care,
Not because I have a feeling you need to forget anything
But because I have had to do some forgetting recently.
It is fresh in my life now and though it feels strange to let go; I am free
Free from having to think about….this…that…..

Is it something that happened in your childhood?
Is it an event that never went well?
Did you lose a loved one?
Is it a betrayal that you went through?
Are they exams that you failed in kindergarten?
Did your mama beat you so bad you have never forgotten?
I really don’t know what it is?
But in you; you are sure you are always affected by one of them


My dear one…..I had to do it.
I realized I couldn’t keep holding them
They were paralyzing me.
I couldn’t see the horizon.

You have some forgetting to do? JUST DO IT.
FORGET.

Now faith......

‘Faith, He says, ‘is substance of things hoped for’

‘Evidence of things not seen,’

It is saying that you have when you can’t even see it

It is; my dear friend, thanking God when you cant even see the signs.

Faith is crazy

It is outrageous,

It is; I tell you, out of this world.

Because in this world, you plan and have the end in mind

You basically look at all the pros and corns

And are almost sure whether it’s gonna work or not

Faith is believing when you don’t know what to do

It is saying, Dad, ‘I can’t figure out what you are saying’

But I’ll do it anyway; coz I trust you.

Faith is having plan A which when it fails; it can only be God

I don’t know how often we trust God that much

I actually don’t know if I trust God myself.

I kinda always want to have a glimpse of the end;

The result expected…….

Today- though now it has to be my every today

I choose to trust in you Lord

Not because I know what you are up to

But because you are God.

If you made the world from nothing and this is what it became

And you ask me to trust you and you will do the rest

Then, I really don’t need evidence yet you still give me.

I trust you Lord.