tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68500348683324016222024-03-13T16:30:24.165-07:00Monday UpdatesMungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-67739873244843650692019-09-23T11:26:00.002-07:002019-09-23T20:26:15.955-07:00Not so with you<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Monday Updates - September 23, 2019. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last week we run induction training for our new staff. It
was a good to spend time being reminded who we are and what we are about. I was
asked to lead the devotion on the Friday and as we were coming to the end of
the training, I found it appropriate to go to Mark 10: 35 - 45 under the
heading – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not so with you. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In this passage, we come across a very interesting story.
John and James come up to Jesus with a special request. At first, they ask Jesus
to commit to do whatever they ask him to do. When Jesus asked them what it was
they wanted done for them, they said to sit on either side of Jesus in His
(Jesus’) glory. Jesus goes on to help them appreciate the cost of glory (pain
and suffering), something the brothers are willing to pay. Finally, he tells
them it was not in his place to assign positions in the father’s kingdom. This
whole conversation cause the other ten disciples to be indignant and Jesus
gathers them all together and teaches them about servanthood. They were not to
seek power through the worldly means but actually through service in following
after Christ’s own example. Here were some of the highlights/observations; </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. It is a legitimate thing to want power and
glory. It is interesting that Jesus does not chide the brothers for wanting
special positions. They wanted high positions in the kingdom – perhaps they had
in mind an earthly kingdom where Christ may rule and they wanted to be very
close to that power. I observe that Christians are rather restrained in their
talk about power and glory and yet I opine that these are genuine
needs/aspirations. We all like some measure of power – some ability to be in
charge. We like JDs and contracts because they empower us – giving us certain privileges
and certain responsibilities. We also like to shine, to stand out or to excel
and that is exactly what glory is. Our idea of glory may have been observed
more in aversion as we are those who do not want to ‘share in God’s glory’ and
we tend to imagine that means taking credit for ‘spiritual manifests’. God has
his glory which is His God-ness but glory in this sense points more to shining
or outstanding, legitimate things to actually desire especially in the context
of work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can be sincere in asking our
loving father exactly what we want. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. The request was not outrageous. ‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teacher,
we want you to do for us, whatever we ask of you’.</i></b> At first instance,
this sounds a bit cunning. If anybody told you that, you would be very careful
before proceeding with that conversation. John and James come up for a beating
every time because it seems they went behind the backs of the other disciples
and were trying to strike a deal with Jesus. Perhaps the fact that they were
brothers did not help matters (or the possibility that it was their mother who
actually voiced this request as recorded in Matthew’s gospel). No wonder they
were ‘indignant’ verse 41. But actually, it was ok to ask Jesus whatever we
want. The very same John tells us Jesus encourages believers to ask whatever
they want – John 15:16. May be some of us need to be encouraged to ask more
boldly and confidently. Jesus can handle our requests, however ‘out-of range’
they may be. These two brothers know exactly what they wanted and they asked
the Lord for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. There is a cost to 'power' and 'glory'. Jesus’
response to the brothers was that they did not appreciate exactly what they
were asking for. He asked them if they were willing to to drink the cup he
would drink and be baptized in the baptism that he would be baptized. The
brothers answered in the affirmative and the Lord told them they will indeed
suffer and possibly die a martyr’s death, but it was not for him to grant
positions in the father’s glory. One might be forgiven for imagining John and
James to be naïve but actually, they seemed to have counted the cost of glory
and were willing to pay the price. We live in a generation that like to have
something for nothing (an earlier generation called that cheating), we like to
get to Cannan before the wilderness or to enjoy fruit without the attendant
labour. The German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it cheap grace: ‘<span class="st">“</span><i>Cheap grace</i><span class="st"> is the </span><i>grace</i><span class="st"> we bestow on
ourselves. </span><i>Cheap grace</i><span class="st"> is the
preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church
discipline, Communion without confession...</span><i>Cheap
grace</i><span class="st"> is </span><i>grace</i><span class="st"> without discipleship, </span><i>grace</i><span class="st"> without the cross, </span><i>grace</i><span class="st"> without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/blogger.g?blogID=6850034868332401622#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span class="st"> Sometimes we might be tempted to want glory before the cross, power
without responsibility, a say without commitment.Often this is expressed in a sense of entitlement, or a demand for rights without responsibilities. </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. The Lord is sovereign in all things. Jesus does
not grant the brothers' wish. He is firm and clear that it is not his place to
grant positions in the father’s glory. <i>Hizo viti ziko na wenyewe</i>. There is a
sense in which that answer settles the matter once and for all but also leaves
a question – who are those to whom positions are reserved? Well, the answer is not given but it seems evident
from the text that the fathers overruling sovereignty is the
final answer to the question. There is no discussion beyond that. The
father has determined certain things and you and I need to be at home with that
reality. It might mean that our prayers are not answered in the way we had
hoped, or we are not where we had hoped we might be but the father is in charge
of everything. You and I need to rest in the assurance that He knows better and has
ordered everything for His good pleasure. Do I always like it? I
don’t have to but I do need to rejoice in His sovereignty at all times.This has massive implications for you. Think about it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. N<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span>ot so with you. The Lord then gathers all the
disciples together for a very important lesson on power dynamics in His
kingdom. He gives them an illustration from the Gentiles, who lord it over
their subjects and exercise authority in a military style (cf Luke 7:8) and warns them <i>'not so with you</i>' verse 43. Jesus' people will approach power, leadership and glory in contrast to the world. The way up will be the way down – whoever wants
to be great must be your servant and whoever would be first must be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the slave of all</i>. This turns everything
we read in leadership books upside down. Christian leadership must be a daily
practice of servant-hood. But how might that look like? Well, Christ gives his own example in verse 45: He did not come to be served but to
serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Whereas worldly power is about
influence and affluence, servant leadership is about humility and
servant-heartedness, Whereas worldly power is about commands and directives,
biblical servant leadership is about patient instruction (2Tim 2:24) and readiness to serve
(Luke 12:35), whereas worldly power is about position and entitlement, servant
leadership is about gratitude and obedience. (Phil 2: 1 -11)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Go on then dear brothers and sisters and serve the Lord in
your placements with all humility, knowing that your labour in the Lord is not
in vain (1Cor 15:58). </span></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br clear="all" /></span>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/3/blogger.g?blogID=6850034868332401622#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The Cost of Discipleship.</u></i></b></span> </div>
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Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-51192585919105308352019-09-16T10:23:00.000-07:002019-09-16T19:41:34.063-07:00A tale of four women <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had the rare privilege last Monday to drive four young women to a placement in Mt. Kenya, three of them were beginning their first year of apprenticeship and the fourth one is beginning her second. The programmes team is quite thin at the moment and we all stepped in to help where we can. The journey was unique in the sense that I had not done one of those in a while but I enjoyed every bit of it. The girls had amazing stories of their backgrounds, the anxiety about what to expect was evident in their eyes and in the conversations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1GiY8W14r9Ntwz74-e4fxGYsZHawYnir3_cDEsbXKqq4212dADJ1o9rmWiFOPlDGshqN-zGHibF7Ts4nKCr3-hPBqGPCFlTfOqWRL6F-hlLDUNAbO6D66Pfb0LDMYdCdUpx64vOfxc/s1600/Team+ADS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1GiY8W14r9Ntwz74-e4fxGYsZHawYnir3_cDEsbXKqq4212dADJ1o9rmWiFOPlDGshqN-zGHibF7Ts4nKCr3-hPBqGPCFlTfOqWRL6F-hlLDUNAbO6D66Pfb0LDMYdCdUpx64vOfxc/s320/Team+ADS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here are a few reasons that made for the day and perhaps speaks into the year ahead for Evelyn, Ruth, Mercy and Promise. They taught me a great deal about life and ministry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. They were ready. Our journey started late from the office. We were to leave very early at 7.00 AM but I had a few matters to attend to, so I was delayed. The girls had been in training for the previous two weeks and when I arrived, it was evident they were ready. All their bags were packed and they were looking forward to the mission ahead of them. I did not have to wait for any of them - not that I would have minded to wait, but I did not need to. They were ready to go. My mind goes back to the illustration the Lord used on readiness. These women were clearly ready - "<span class="woj">Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning" Luke 10:35</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. They were organized. Way before the journey begun, the ladies asked that we take the Probox because they had lots of luggage.Clearly these ladies did not travel light. The car was packed out full of anything imaginable - cookers, thermos flasks, shoe racks, carpets and who knows what else. They were not taking any chances about their forthcoming mission and they were prepared to face it. They had had traveled from their homes with almost everything they needed for the task. These were gospel women who understood the task ahead and were well organized to take it on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. They knew what they wanted. I think one of the biggest challenges in life is knowing what you want. This is clearly a lesson many take long into their lives and some miss it altogether. After we had driven for nearly two hours (having stopped at Kasarani to pick even more luggage - I really feared the police might stop us and I would have a lot of explaining to do), I thought we should have a snack break so we stopped at Kenol. I asked them to choose what they would like to have for a snack and after some consultation they settled on something that told me they really knew what they wanted. These were not pushover women who were taking an apprenticeship because they had nothing else to do. An array of options had been open to them but being the straight-shooting, fresh graduates that they are, they choose the path of service. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. They had a sense of mission. We arrived in Kerogoya - ADS Wanguru station shortly after one PM. We were ushered into a hall where a management training workshop was going on. And then the time for introductions came and one after the other they said what brought them here. They were not intimidated by the newness of the place or the people who were there, yet they were respectful. They had come here on purpose and they wanted to roll up their sleeves and get to work. They did not want to waste their lives but wanted their young lives to count for time and for eternity. Mission is in their hearts. Here was a bunch of risk-taking women, leaving behind their homes and dreams and coming out to serve the Lord they loved in a different part of Kenya. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5. They adorned the gospel. It is not everyday that I get to ride in car with four young women in their early twenties and the conversation is enriching. These girls were not chatting away on Instagram or tweeting. They engaged in meaningful conversation. They had been very patient with me and seemed to have confidence that I will deliver on my promise to take them to their placement. They were respectful and there was not a hint of familiarity even after spending the better part of the day together. As I was leaving in a rush to try and beat Nairobi traffic on my return leg, they all came to the car to express their thanks for the ride and a day well spent. A friend had once told me that at the heart of sin is ingratitude. Most, if not all of our relational struggles even in ministry result from an ungrateful heart. Not so with these young women. I left thinking what gifts these young women have? How they beautifully adorned the gospel (Titus 2:10, 1 Peter 3:1 -6) and what fruitful ministry lay ahead of them if they carry on in that path? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-19583583208694328182017-02-14T00:28:00.002-08:002017-02-14T00:28:21.097-08:00Monday Updates - 13th February 2017<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Last Sunday
I was invited to speak in what was dubbed ‘pre-valentine service’ at St.
Faith Church [yes, St. Faith]. A largish Anglican church in the middle of
Rongai township. At first I really struggled with what to say to Christians, who
were gathered for spiritual feeding, about Valentines – a rather awkward feast
for a lot of people. I knew from the vicar’s brief that they wanted his
people to hear about love for each other and for God but just exactly how to
frame that was the problem. The ‘go to’ method is to simply begin with
definition of terms, trace their classical or antiquity roots and then move
towards modern (or postmodern) interpretations and applications. But you can’t
do that in a sermon, neither can you use those categories of thought or even
the words if you are aiming to be helpful. After all, when we
arrived I noticed the bulletin had quite a bit of background on the origins of
valentines so there would be no point repeating that and worse still my host’s
source and mine were different (there are different theories as to the origins
of Valentine and not one is definitive) so I had to steer clear of that. The
last thing you want is to appear to contradict your host – even on an issue
open to interpretation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So I did
what I think any of us in iServe would do – stick to the passage. During my
preparation I had been torn between Song of Solomon and 1 Corinthians 13. I
feared that SoS might be too risqué for the comfort of most people in the
congregation (including our 3 boys) and after all I would not be the best
person to teach on that aspect of love that the Greeks called Eros. I was also
alive to the fact that there are many voices out there, not least late night
radio shows that teach a lot on love and expression of the same. I was also
hesitant about 1 Cor 13 as I feared it might be too cliché given that it is the
‘go to’ passage on the subject of love. If I went for Solomon, the congregation
might receive it very well especially because the book is rarely preached on.
If I went for Paul, I might not meet my host’s expectation of a guest preacher.
I had to decide and get down to actual prep before it was too late. In the end,
I settled for 1 Cor 13 – I had nothing new to say except the same old message
of the cross. Probably not the most romantic picture, but the greatest
demonstration of love. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">But Paul is
so meaty. Within those verses, he has managed to pack 15 attributes of love
and also dispelled the notion that gifts are of more value. I divided the
passage into 3 sections as </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Introduction</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Section 1 : Love as a measure of
spiritual maturity v1-3</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Section 2: The nature of agape love
v4-7</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Section 3: The supremacy of
love above all virtues v8-13. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Conclusion. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In the end
I preached God’s love for us in Christ and his call for us to love our
neighbours. What I had not fully appreciated however was that I needed to say
the same in the Kiswahili service. By purely God’s grace we got through the
second service but not without a few words in English thrown in to support a
point or two. I found it helpful also to use an illustration in the second
service and went for David’s kindness to Mephibosheth. I really felt I
needed to preach God’s grace and the cross and I hoped that the illustration
brought the point home. Oh the pains of sermon preparation and delivery!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">All is well
at the office. We are now well settled into a routine and everyone seems to
know their place. TransformD guys will take a break next week so they will go
away for a week. TransformD is a residential programme so quite intensive. Once
they are back, they will then do another five weeks of learning and then a
month of mission experience in Samburu. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo1kBYzcT3PVpMy_DLNWfTukjjbf0Vo088DehPABeAlZ-AvkWir1iBx832tRxdFfpGJwNTWvlkjiG_oyCh74XlbnOpJYbu4UQJfQaXLBva_9SBLd0KKylDFswRjk0zPUmilMyM1RMOuU/s1600/IMG-20170212-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo1kBYzcT3PVpMy_DLNWfTukjjbf0Vo088DehPABeAlZ-AvkWir1iBx832tRxdFfpGJwNTWvlkjiG_oyCh74XlbnOpJYbu4UQJfQaXLBva_9SBLd0KKylDFswRjk0zPUmilMyM1RMOuU/s320/IMG-20170212-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Last
Saturday we had a great time with Alumni during their annual mbuzi. It was
great to catch up with folk who served those many years ago together with their
loved ones. We danced to our fill and then played a game of volleyball – which
my side obviously won. This week is bit quieter save for a staff meeting
possibly on Thursday. We are however beginning to shift focus towards
recruitment of September apprentices and second year options for you guys.
Planning is also happening for the upcoming MTC. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A little
reminder however is for enhanced efforts in PD. Friends, however big our
ambitions for God and His kingdom are, we will never be able to realise them
without resources and the way to raise those resources is PD. This is an
important ‘home truth’ that we all in ministry need to hear – It won’t happen
without money. Sorry to be blunt but I need you to know that under supported
workers are ineffective workers. The vicious cycle of poor PD goes like this;
Bad/Poor attitude to PD - Poor/weak PD – Low Stipend – Discouraged
Gospel Worker – Few Prayer Letters – Poor/Weak PD – Negative Attitude to
PD/Ministry as a whole. The virtuous cycle however goes like; Positive
Attitude to PD – Good effort/Hard work in PD – Encouraging Results in PD – Good
Stipend – Happy/Enthusiastic/Encouraged worker – Frequent Prayer Letters – Even
More PD – More Partners on Board – Happy/Positive Disposition to PD/Ministry in
General. If your PD is 40% and below of your target so far, then it is
too low. Between 40 and 60% then it is average 60 to 80% is Good and beyond 80
commendable. Work towards exceeding of your target by the time you finish. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I wish you
a great week ahead and pray for your well-being especially at such a time when
our country which is fraught with many problems. May you know that the centre
holds – The Lord reigns. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Amen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Harrison.
</span></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-87115357101164951102017-02-13T18:55:00.001-08:002017-02-13T18:55:05.657-08:00Monday Updates - 06 February 2017 <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Greetings!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After a bit
of a break it is time to resume Monday updates. I think the last one went out
at the end of November and then we met at the MTC and then it was Christmas and
then it was January with all its demands. Before I knew it, it was February -
more than two months before I sent out what is ideally a weekly briefing. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We are
keeping well at the office. January was extremely busy for all staff and it is
only now that we are catching our breath. As you may well know, we have two
teams that joined us last month – The TransformD Discipleship Programme team of
13 ex candidates and a short term mission team of 8 girls from the UK, courtesy
of Crosslinks. Halfway house has been buzzing with activity ever since
mid-January. Administratively, we had to secure extra accommodation, expand our
support staff and enhance security. During the month, we also had two
incidences of crime – in the first one, a night guard from our contracted
security company made away with quite a few items from the kitchen and Berea
Hall and in the second one, the house where we accommodated the visitors was
broken into on a Sunday morning when the girls were away for church. Sad
incidences which remind us of the world we live in. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">January
also saw us welcome and deploy 3 apprentices who are joining us for the
calendar year 2017. Christopher Muraya and Josphine Makena are placed in the
new Anglican diocese of Kisii, teaching in a school called Misambi Secondary
School in Sondu, South Nyanza. Joseph Tsuma is placed in the office and is helping
to support TransformD. These guys seem to have settled in well in their posts
and we wish them well in their ministry apprenticeship for the coming months. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg87aSVR6EDyf5nMab0eEfKZY2ObNNtKgU65sIvIzB5j6TyrX64orHsM9bau3J1MUJAE8PdVmvc30HinHs4Axy0WHFapevIze2udswSbusMaOBUpqp397zhyphenhyphenj3rSBirkBnVC-ctFGNlQ/s1600/IMG-20170203-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg87aSVR6EDyf5nMab0eEfKZY2ObNNtKgU65sIvIzB5j6TyrX64orHsM9bau3J1MUJAE8PdVmvc30HinHs4Axy0WHFapevIze2udswSbusMaOBUpqp397zhyphenhyphenj3rSBirkBnVC-ctFGNlQ/s200/IMG-20170203-WA0003.jpg" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At the TCP
site there have also been developments. We started off by receiving a massive
donation of books for which we needed storage. We set up a temporary structure
to keep them even as we await to grow our own library there once the project is
complete. That kept us busy for quite a while. Later on in January we
began the works on a water tower as we awaited approvals from the county
government to commence construction of the main structure. The water tower is
progressing well as well as a little guard room at the gate. I reckon by the
time you come for MTC, there will be some visible progress on the main
structure. We continue to seek funds for this project and covet your prayers. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As the days
roll on, we find ourselves navigating in unfamiliar waters. This comes with
great joy and new anxieties as well. Though not entirely unexpected, the staff
team does find there to be a lot more to do, lots of new relationships to grow
and indeed shifting dynamics in the workplace. Through it all, we have been
encouraged every day particularly in reading John. We began with the gospel,
then the epistles and now we are working our way through Revelation. There was
such a strong message on identity as God’s children, how we should live as such
and our future hope. We desire to be that community of love and brotherhood
guided by a strong historical witness of our Lord’s life, death and
resurrection and a clear perspective of the eternity to come. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnmiIkvUxkSoSAQ3tIlP5qRUkFAzhbhB-L9V8KXwFB6FoaoTE97pWty7fbw1HdYZC4an4QbTz8JcmOdT9B9MEJnv00M4_OKoDa8nWJaHdAtr2Ny2bScG9FO6cA_8UkP1sZC4ecyjQTbo/s1600/Team+Tuum+Feb+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnmiIkvUxkSoSAQ3tIlP5qRUkFAzhbhB-L9V8KXwFB6FoaoTE97pWty7fbw1HdYZC4an4QbTz8JcmOdT9B9MEJnv00M4_OKoDa8nWJaHdAtr2Ny2bScG9FO6cA_8UkP1sZC4ecyjQTbo/s320/Team+Tuum+Feb+2017.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Last week I
thoroughly enjoyed visiting our apprentices in Samburu – Okiki, Jessica and
Pontive. Though the terrain is tough, these dear ones are so encouraged to keep
serving and loving the local community. It was amazing to see how they have
thrown themselves at the task – counting their lives as worth nothing for the
sake of the gospel. I enjoyed every moment I had with them from riding the
rough roads to sharing the top of a range rover for the night. I came back
quite challenged and maybe more encouraged in the ministry than those I
presumably went to care for. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I wish you
a great week ahead and look forward to hearing how you are doing from time to
time. </span></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-14297762982871567282016-10-25T00:59:00.001-07:002016-10-25T01:03:47.793-07:00Audits and Examinations<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I was a child there were many things I wanted to be
upon growing up. I dreamt of being a pilot [basically every child’s dream] or
being an electronics engineer. I really marvelled at the wiring of our old
Sanyo radio and thought that one day I could understand how all those wires
worked to give us the sound I could hear. Not once would I sit down and try to
join pieces of wire trying to make something useful but it was all boyish
curiosity. Perhaps this love of Physics is what led my form two self to ‘invent’
a homemade weapon – a rudimentary gun for Science Congress Physics Theory
(Talks) in 1996. Needless to say my ‘project’ did not go beyond the zonals (local
school grouping) as it involved ingredients such as milk and matchsticks! I
however carried on my love affair with Physics and really enjoyed deducing
formulas for this and that. At form four, my project for Science Congress was
an optical disc [CD] which surprisingly went <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">up</span> to national level. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am still su<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">rprised that I did not end up in <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">anything close<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But I also loved the ministry. I quite admired our local
vicar who drove a small Datsun to our home to lobby my father on PCC issues. He
seemed very smart all the time and had such a sense of composure about him. I
liked it that he ended his visit with us being rounded up to listen to a short
a sermon and then he would pray for us. Or maybe it was the girls – those ‘senior’
youth girls all looked amazing. They wore high heels and went for ‘missions’.
They sang deeply moving ‘hymn-spirituals’ that gave me goose bumps and really
got everyone into that pensive mood where people ‘get saved’. Whatever it was,
church circles were admirable to me. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp9ANa-GxCgeyxCS2Xoa_pbG5RT4dXRAZeWbhlX2H5X9UyOldluqQfhFJUNYgbG-zDJOwa6ioun1imJ4PmBAFEIZBXW6xL5Gjou4dLoxzVHyQ-j54J7nwBM1DmL4molU-RPKGZvagd7Y/s1600/Jabby+Jabby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp9ANa-GxCgeyxCS2Xoa_pbG5RT4dXRAZeWbhlX2H5X9UyOldluqQfhFJUNYgbG-zDJOwa6ioun1imJ4PmBAFEIZBXW6xL5Gjou4dLoxzVHyQ-j54J7nwBM1DmL4molU-RPKGZvagd7Y/s200/Jabby+Jabby.jpg" width="200" /></a>But there were ‘people’ that I did not want to become. A
doctor was among those I was certain I could not be. The ‘doctor’ who modelled
this was actually an assistant at our local health centre. We shall call her
Wacera. She was a no nonsense lady who made your visit to the GoK facility a horrifying
experience. Wacera was of more than average height, spoke loudly in a deep
baritone voice and had a stern face to go with it. She wore gumboots and a blue
dress and had no time for young boys who were scared of jabs. Perhaps it was
the way she announced the next patient or the way she handled young mothers who
had missed a visit or two, but she scared the wit out of me every time. I later
learnt she was not actually a nurse as such but an assistant in the facility to
help with cleaning, dressing and ‘boiling syringes’. She however ruled the
place with airs of a doctor and to me she symbolised what doctors were and I
knew I could not be one. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The other person I could not become was an auditor the
reason for that is clear – they did not exist in my childhood. I had never
heard of such a strange profession name until after high school at least. I had
heard of editors since I loved looking through the Daily Nation but auditors?
What on earth did they do? I still don’t know their exact work but I have an
intelligent guess. In high school there was such pressure for us to take
accounting after Form four as that would assure us of jobs but I think I am
more of a contrarian thinker, the more the people did it and the pressure
piled, the more I grew cold towards the field. At Uni however, I decided to
have a go at CPS in order to be a professional manager one day. After all I was
doing business studies and that involved quite a bit of accounting. My experience
was however not particularly great with the double entry concept or the endless
graphs in Economics 101. Case law was not as easy to remember as I had
imagined. All I remember is that I did the examination for CPS 1 in 2003. Quite
possibly I passed but I don’t know – the examination helped to clarify that
this was not for me. I might one day go for the results at KASNEB towers,
though they might not know what I am talking about. What was my student number
again?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the years have gone by, I have come to appreciate the
value of those two professions. Although I could not become a doctor or an
auditor the two are crucial to the health of a person or organisation. After
all, in own field of teaching – I was bound to be an examiner, making sure that
my students understand their math and business studies. They did not love it
(who does btw?) but it was crucial for their progress in school. They laboured
to remember the concepts and did all they can to pass the mark and it was most
rewarding when they did. I guess that is how life is – full of examinations and
audits. Left to ourselves, we would easily drift off the standards but when we
know there is an examination or audit, we pull up our socks. </span><br />
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, national examinations start this week. Our boys have
theirs too. At the office, we have an audit going on from today. I now look at
auditors and doctors as helpers not as killjoys who jumped at every opportunity
to ruin my day. I know they both ask uncomfortable questions and demand to see ‘things’
we’d rather they did not. Doctors examinations can be particularly intrusive
(especially as we get older) but that is what it takes to keep us healthy and
strong. Back in the day I could not see how a jab on the backside could be good
for me but now I know they mean well and in the end it serves a good purpose to
be examined and given a report. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pZovCqi3bYvRzU_64vdT4eGGFAw32So7QC9iarwS6czS69SjN6CUBUbuGJruZQXbyoisozvOCaO4Jve_MBkQtIxrgkKQ_3dOj7df6YbdZFpNB6iIiYhbCF1SfEyQMmoIl3nZt3eoxaU/s1600/IRS-tax-audit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pZovCqi3bYvRzU_64vdT4eGGFAw32So7QC9iarwS6czS69SjN6CUBUbuGJruZQXbyoisozvOCaO4Jve_MBkQtIxrgkKQ_3dOj7df6YbdZFpNB6iIiYhbCF1SfEyQMmoIl3nZt3eoxaU/s200/IRS-tax-audit.jpg" width="200" /></a>I submit to us that even our discipleship needs audit from
time to time. It may be self-evaluation, peer examination of sorts or perhaps
one done by those a little ahead of us in the walk with the Lord. We all need
it for our spiritual health. Our apprenticeship also needs to be checked from
time to time to see whether we are walking on the straight and narrow path of
the ideals and practices that we profess. Our lifestyle needs audit and so does
our leadership practices, our management style, our accounts and just about
everything really. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all need someone
else to have a little look into our inner selves. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But we must not be scared of audits, examinations and assessments
of whatever nature. They make us not break us. </span></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-35341764039970089772016-08-09T03:17:00.002-07:002016-08-09T03:17:41.462-07:00Unworthy Servants or Treasured Possessions?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been thinking about the oft quoted
words from Luke 17 that Jesus told his disciples to say after an act of obedience.
</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
“Will any one of you who has a
servant<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A7-10&version=ESV#fen-ESV-25650a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> ploughing or keeping sheep say to him when
he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? <sup>8 </sup>Will
he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly,<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A7-10&version=ESV#fen-ESV-25651b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> and serve me while I eat and drink, and
afterward you will eat and drink’? <sup>9 </sup>Does he thank the servant
because he did what was commanded? <sup>10 </sup>So you also, when you
have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants;<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A7-10&version=ESV#fen-ESV-25653c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> we have only done what was our duty.’”
[Luke 17:7-10]</div>
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<br /></div>
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This passage is quite strong when we read it with modern
eyes. It gives insight into the status of a slave [the best rendering of the
Greek <span lang="EL" style="mso-ansi-language: EL;">Δούλος</span>, (Doúlos) which
most translations render as servant] in the first century Palestine. He is
without much honour or recognition, he is not one to be invited to the table to
‘recline’ [interesting how they did not sit at tables like today but rather
reclined] in a meal. His place was at work – to prepare a meal, to dress up
properly and serve the master. Jesus then goes on to ask a rhetorical question,
almost suggesting that a slave is not to be thanked. He is to serve without
waiting to be asked or expecting to be thanked – it is a hard life and that is
all his status as a slave entitles him to. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We get revolted when we think about such a treatment of
workers. First it is important to note the Lord is not endorsing (neither is he
condemning) the treatment of slaves at the time but rather using a well
understood analogy to make a point. He then goes on to tell his disciples how
their perception of themselves should be - unworthy servants who only have
a duty to do. Does the Lord really mean that his workers are
unprofitable? Does he really want them to perceive themselves as worthless? At
one level, one might think the Lord is using self-deprecation as an expression
of humility [quite common in certain cultures to debase oneself in order to
show the worth of/respect to another] but it is also helpful to note that Jesus
is addressing the heart here. As I reflected on the word ‘say’ in verse 10, I
wondered who the saying is to be directed to and I came to the conclusion it is
to ‘self’ which shows us this words are to be addressed to self. What the Lord
is doing is really to rebuke the disciples. They think they need greater faith
to do dazzling works [reading the whole passage in context] but the Lord reminds them they need to be like servants in
their attitude. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is interesting to notice that the Lord is not speaking
from the masters point of view. Although he initially calls the listeners to
identify with the master in the opening line, the punch line (lesson) is drawn
from identifying with the slave in terms of attitude. Elsewhere and later on,
Jesus [the ultimate master] will dine with his servants and they will recline
at the table with him [22:14]. Afterwards, he will serve them as the servant in
a perfect demonstration of servant leadership [John 13:33 ff]. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is striking how this contrasts speak volumes to us. It is Os Guinness, that famous writer on discernment who said that
contrast is the mother of clarity. We get clearer in our understanding when we
look at things in contrast. We are in the Lord’s vineyard working for him
and we are indeed to perceive ourselves as slaves with a duty to do. In
contrast, we are also treasured possessions in the Lords hands. The reward due
to us is certain and it is glorious. The Lord is faithful and our labour in him
is not in vain. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I do not think it is an either/or situation but rather a both/and argument. We
are unworthy servants and treasured possessions (in jars of clay) at the same
time. </span>Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-75298193860636722202016-08-01T05:52:00.004-07:002016-08-01T05:52:56.023-07:00Masaa<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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During my graduation from AIU early last month, a very dear
person to me recently gave me a wrist watch. There are not many people who
fancy wrist watches anymore largely <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>because
of alternative means of knowing what time it is. Interestingly, like all things
fashion watches have made a comeback and are apparently now a must have
accessory [alongside a belt, leather shoes and a wallet as we were told in a
recent MTC]. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But I am sure Rhodah had more than an accessory in mind.
They say [I wonder who ‘they’ are?] that in gift giving, it is the thought that
matters. She must have thought about the symbolism of the watch before gifting
it to me. Instead of asking her, I have been thinking about it and drawing quite
some lessons. </div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Time is important. We are defined by our
attitude towards God, Others, Money, Time and Self. I needed a constant
reminder that time is important and it is all we’ve got in life actually. I
come from a background that views time as a variable dynamic and not a static
reality. I can easily think of events as fluid things that roll on rather than
time-bound happenings that have a definite start and stop. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Time is Life. Basically, this is to say that
life is demarcated in units of time with a clear start at birth and a definite
stop at death. Someone said that we live every day in denial of the reality of
death but Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians that we carry death with us all day
long. As a clock ticks away every second, a portion of our life is gone.
Forever. Never to be lived through again. For good. This is a scary lesson –
but I hope the point is not lost that we are momentary beings – only here for a
season and soon we are gone. We have to make the most of now. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Relationships are important. Perhaps that might
come across as a stretch of my watch analogy but give me a chance to elucidate
[I have always wanted to use that word but never got a chance]. In parenting,
we are told that love is a four letter word spelled as t.i.m.e. That can seem
mostly true for children but I suggest we spend time with whomever we love in
any shade or expression of it. When we mismanage time we risk ruining
relationships – and nothing makes us more human and dare I say, like God, than
our capacity for relationships. Relationships take time. That can sound as if
relationships consume time or they just take long to thrive but either way, the
fodder of any relationship is time together – be it in prayer, watching a
movie, taking a walk, studying or doing anything else of value. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Time is money. Those old words may sound a bit
overly capitalistic and as if money is everything. But I suppose the idea
behind the words is to communicate the value or preciousness of time. I guess
the words come from an understanding that if any money is to be made, it must
take time and that perhaps we should view time more or less in the same way as
we view money; precious, limited, important and to be handled wisely and
carefully. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So here we are in the month of August. Another cycle is
coming to an end – what seemed to be so far out sight for you is now at hand.
You have come to the end of your apprenticeship in iServe Africa and next week
we meet to take stock. Another team will be coming on board and to them maybe
August 2017 seems way too far but trust me it won’t be long. Every time the
clock ticks, a moment is gone and soon the year will be over. The big question
then remains – what have you done/will you do with the time in your hands? </div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-75220992895594788062016-08-01T05:12:00.001-07:002016-08-01T05:12:41.012-07:00A Tale of two men<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>A tale of two men: What is the Gospel? </u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For I delivered to you as of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">first importance</b> what I also received:
that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christ died for our sins</b> in
accordance with the Scriptures,</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<span class="text"><sup>4 </sup>that he was buried, that he was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">raised on the third day</b> in accordance
with the Scriptures” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span>1
Corinthians 15: 3-4</span></div>
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I became a follower of Jesus from a very young age and begun
going along to groups at church. In high school I was quite involved with the
Christian Union as one of the leaders. In college, I was even more involved
doing missions and discipleship and basically living out my Christian
faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I confessed Christ as my
Lord and saviour I barely understood what the gospel was and why it was good
news. It seemed to me like a cultural movement, one to which we needed to
recruit people and belonging to which, one needed to adhere to certain moral
expectations. </div>
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It is only years later when I read the Bible more carefully
that the light of the gospel begun to dawn on me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think most people do not really understand
what the gospel is, let alone its implications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many see Christianity or being saved as possessing a ticket to heaven,
others view it as joining an exclusive club of special people and many others,
perhaps in following in the steps of their families, find themselves in this cultural/religious
movement whose claims they agree with but not necessarily understand. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>So what is the
gospel? </u></b></div>
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The word gospel simply means ‘good news’ and usually refers
to the four ‘gospel accounts’ of the life of Jesus Christ – Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then what good news are we
exactly talking about? To understand the good news, we will take a few steps
back in time and first hear some really bad news. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>A Holy, Just and
Righteous God</u></b></div>
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When we look at our world today it is full of bad news. Terrorism,
corruption, immorality, murders and kidnappings, accidents, tribalism, racism,
loneliness, diseases, poverty and death are everywhere. But it was not so from
the beginning. We are told in the Bible that God made a perfect world – he
looked and behold, it was all good. (Gen 1:31) There was no lack or pain or
suffering or death. It was a perfect relationship of a holy God and his created
order. Human beings, created in God’s image lived in perfect harmony with God,
each other and with nature. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But this did not last for long. A disastrous event happened
when the devil tempted human beings to disobey God and they fell for it. They
disobeyed God’s law and the consequences were severe – their relationship with
God was eternally broken, their relationship with each other was severely
strained and their relationship with the rest of creation was damaged. From
that moment on the earth and all in it suffered under the judgement of God. No
longer could we expect to enjoy God’s presence like Adam and Eve did, nor
expect to enjoy eternal life. A holy God could not relate with a sinful,
disobedient people and since He is just and holy he had to judge sin and not
just look the other way. </div>
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But the really bad news is that this was going to be the
eternal state of things. You and I, by the one act of disobedience of our first
parents, were eternally separated from God. Never again to be his people
enjoying his presence in His holy place. Even more depressing is knowing that
there is nothing we could do about it unless God himself acted to redeem us
from our fallen state. We had been corrupted by sin totally, we were
responsible for it and we could do nothing about it since as scripture reveals,
we were dead in our transgressions. (Ephesians 2:1)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>A Loving, Gracious
and Forgiving God</u></b></div>
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Although it really grieved the heart of God to see the
broken relationship between himself and his created people, he initiated a
process of restoration to bring back fallen humanity into a perfect
relationship with him. He promised a redeemer right there [Genesis 3:9, 15b]
who would overcome the deceiver and restore the broken relationship. This
promised ‘serpent crusher’ is Jesus Christ who was born of a virgin girl from
Nazareth named Mary. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A new chapter was now opening. Another Adam had come onto
the scene. He who had long been promised through the prophets had finally
arrived and His name was Jesus Christ. The good news of God’s grace was now
taking shape. Jesus Christ led a perfect life and was obedient in every way. In
the end, he was crucified on a cross like a sinner even though he had committed
no offence. He suffered judgement on behalf of you and I because God poured His
wrath on Christ who was sinless so that the guilty may be counted free. That
really is the good news of God’s grace – God’s goodness freely lavished on
guilty sinners. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Imagine it like this – you go to a private school and the
child of the owner of the school is in also in the school – it is a beautiful
school with all the facilities you can imagine. One day, out of sheer mischief,
you obtain some chemical from the laboratory and poison the food and the entire
school is exposed to food poisoning. Soon the police are involved because the
entire population is at risk. The director learns of the situation and comes in
and is informed of your act of felony – this time you are being held at the
Deputy Head Teacher’s office. He carefully considers the matter and decides
that the felony will be blamed on his son, who was innocent all along. This
hurts the director deeply but he knows it is the only way to save you from a
lifetime in prison. His own son is whisked away by the police and suffers
separation from his loving father. He knows that the father means well and is
totally confident of His father’s decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The director then pays all the fines and expenses for those who were
sick and the court fines so that his son is released from prison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then comes to you and tells you to go back
to class, as everything has been restored to normal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine hearing that! That is really good
news, so amazing it is, that our proud selves can hardly accept it. That is
Grace – totally undeserved favour. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Two Men </u></b></div>
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Essentially then, the gospel is a narrative about two men –
the first man, Adam and the second Adam, Christ. The first represents the
natural man, who is fallen and subject to God’s judgement and eternal
separation from God in Adam, there is death, wrath and indeed law. The second
man is Christ in whom there is forgiveness of sins and restoration of the
relationship with God lost in the first Adam. In Christ, there is hope of
resurrection from the dead as He himself was resurrected. In Him there is life,
grace and redemption. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gospel is about a swap – a substitution of a sinner with
a righteous man. One who is guilty and deserves death goes free and the
innocent one is punished. The big question then is – in whom are you found? The
first or the second Adam? This is indeed of first importance. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="text">And be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of
my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ,
the righteousness from God that depends on faith”</span></i></div>
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</span></span></span><span class="text">Philippians 3:9</span></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-68924151169321126182016-08-01T05:08:00.000-07:002016-08-01T05:09:16.747-07:00A Dying USB Flash Stick<!--[if !mso]>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>A last note from a
‘Dying’ flash drive</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpFmEqpShpJ0UK6Ylyi1HE-l302kHb7FVjakExtb4Hy_YOmftVz0rbDRuWsIu6HA8PF-0zTzlHv7g8NS7JEbIq_IsjPX6stgzjf3xs0KuT4oNDisTqlPwsQeuzaOvBUwgCJjhiAG_gaw/s1600/USB+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpFmEqpShpJ0UK6Ylyi1HE-l302kHb7FVjakExtb4Hy_YOmftVz0rbDRuWsIu6HA8PF-0zTzlHv7g8NS7JEbIq_IsjPX6stgzjf3xs0KuT4oNDisTqlPwsQeuzaOvBUwgCJjhiAG_gaw/s200/USB+Image.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My name<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is Vic, Vic
Oldhart and I am a flash disk. I am writing this quick note for you from
Dandora. I need you to read it quickly and hopefully get the message. When you
do, please pass it on.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am sure you are familiar with me because there are so many
of us out there. You probably have one of my relatives with you right now. You
see, even though there are too many of us, each of us is unique, our maker
ensured that each of us is distinct, just like you are an individual each of us
is also unique. So I have a special story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am sure you know that we are very handy to have around.
When you need to print that document and your computer is not connected to a
printer you run to us to help you transfer that file. After that you probably
forget about us, throw us back to into the box, attach us to your keys or just
pop us into your bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But maybe there is a part of me that you probably don’t know
and that is what I want to tell you about. I am now not in a nice bag like my
friends, I am not in a special office transferring files from accounts to HR or
carrying exciting games for kids. I am in the dumpsite. This place is really
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am facing my final days in life
and soon the compressor will lift us up, and throw me and the rest of the
garbage into the pit and that will be it for me, so I decided as one last act
of courage, to send you this little missive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was made many years ago in a far, far away land. I was
precious to my maker and I remember him stamping his uniqueness in me along the
conveyor belt of that USB making factory. He knew we were needed all over the
world, but to be useful we had to have good memory and good physical features
and so he ensured all our parts were working well. We were then tested for
quality and I emerged among the best. I was so happy about myself – who was
like me, a new flashy flash disk with the highest capacity in the market. I was
actually quite big at 64GB, there were not many like me as many people could only
afford the smaller capacity drives. A few of my friends and I were very special
– only the well-heeled could afford us. We were the ones meant to do special
jobs in big offices and we looked forward to our assignments with eagerness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, when we came out of production we were ready to be shipped
all over the world. Our maker however gave us final instructions before we
left. We were to remain obedient, to carry useful information and to know that
there is an enemy out there against us. We never thought about those words well
enough as we could not wait to get to our destinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the long journey in the high seas
in a shipping container with hardly any air. It was traumatising but we finally
arrived in Mombasa. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It took a while to be cleared at the port but finally the
big crane lifted us up out of the ship and into a waiting truck. We were now
headed to the city. It was my first time to be in Kenya and so everything
looked new and exciting. I had heard so much about the Lions of Tsavo, the
Elephants and Buffalos but the most the amazing thing I looked forward to were
people of Kenya. I so badly wanted to be owned by a high profile sports
personality like Collins Injeera or Julius ‘Javelin’ Yego.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road journey was exciting, except for a
few potholes here and there and the queues from Mlolongo but we finally arrived
in the green city under the sun. I was moved to a shop in a place I came to
learn was an electronics shop in Moi Avenue and after only a day on display a
dashing young girl in school uniform actually bought me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part of me was sad as I had not landed a celebrity or a
senior politician as I had always dreamt. I was now owned by a regular person,
a teenager actually, her name was Evelyn. But then the fun was just about to
begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, people use us for all
sorts of reason, for some it is to buy videos and games from that guy in the
backstreet, others use us to carry nice smiling photos of their new-born babies
but some others also use us to carry secret information, like data from a
school exam management system or some government secret. I was ready to be
useful to my new owner just as I had been instructed by our maker. Throughout
my short life with Evelyn, I have done very exciting jobs for her and others. I
have carried beautiful memories for people, saved huge school projects for
students, travelled far and wide and brought many a smile to people. I never
learnt to say to what Evelyn wanted, as long as I had capacity I carried it
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This carried on for many years
until she finished school and college. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then one day, Evelyn wanted to apply for the American
Green Card. She saved all the important documents in me and then tucked me
nicely in her clutch and off we went to the city centre in search of a good
cyber café from where she could do her application. When we got there, she
logged on as usual and opened the right pages for her application and then she
was prompted to upload her documents and passport size photo. It was at that moment
that she reached out for me from her clutch and slotted me into this old
machine at the cyber café. As soon as I was plugged in, I could smell that the
environment was not great. Too many USB’s had been here and this computer had
been used to access all sorts of sites some very bad that I should advise you
never to visit. But then I assumed something, that the owner of the place might
have installed some form of protection for his machines. I was very wrong. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Within a moment, I noticed the files in my memory were
corrupted. It was now total chaos, I tried to beep and signal my little red
light to see if Evelyn could unplug me immediately but she did not notice.
Every second counted and as she fumbled through the file explorer trying to
access me, she got the message: Drive Inaccessible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my end, I was under extreme pressure. I was being choked
from every side by this new virus that was circulating on the internet. All my
files were now corrupted and many copies of the virus were loaded onto me.
Sadly, Evelyn did not know this was happening. After half an hour of trying to
access her document, she decided to try another cyber café. She unplugged me
and off we went, as we walked the crowded streets of Nairobi, I really wished
humans could understand the flashdisk language so I could tell her that I was
infected with a deadly virus and in urgent need of cleansing. And so we went to
another machine. I feared for the worst, Not only could my files not be useful
but I was now going to transmit this virus to another computer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Evelyn shared her need with Chris, the guy who managed
the new Cybercafe, he asked if he could see me. As a policy, he said he does
not allow clients to plug in their own USB sticks before he checked them for
viruses. He had this supersize server computer that run the entire Cyber cafe
named ‘Crossforce’ under his desk and he immediately plugged me in – it was a
dazzling moment of both shame and guilt on my part as the dangerous virus was
detected by the strong anti-virus in Chris’ Machine, I was carrying a virus and
did not say it, the virus had choked me and corrupted all my faculties. I was
guilty that I was useful to Evelyn and let her down on a very crucial
assignment. I had lost all her selfies, adventure photos, scanned school certificates,
games and movies. I was #heartbroken. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could now see the disappointment on Evelyn’s face. I could
only imagine the number of nkt’s on her Facebook post at that moment. I had
been a let-down. But most surprisingly, Chris was not shocked. I had expected
her to admonish Evelyn for having an infected flashdisk <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and worse still for bringing it to his Cyber
Cafe. But he calmly looked at her and reassured her that he had seen way too
many people with the same problem. A panicky Evelyn asked if there was anything
he could do to save her documents and he said he can try. He immediately
engaged a new level of the antivirus software called ‘RestorationX’ and the
process of file recovery begun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As this was going on, I could tell that my files were being
rearranged into new sectors. After nearly three hours, Chris approached Evelyn
who was seated in the Café alone, as everybody else had left for the day.
Evelyn was really anxious to hear an update and Chris said sternly: ‘Crossforce
has managed to rescue your files, folders and all documents but the disk is
severely infected, you have to get a new one and I recommend NewHart, the
latest from the same company that makes Crossforce. Do not use this USB anymore
as it is still infected </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A mixture of joy and pain welled up in my heart. I was not
useful to Evelyne anymore but at least her crucial documents were saved and
they would a new home soon. Chris also helped her to make her Visa application
as they chatted animatedly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But even more surprising for me was when Chris said to
Evelyne that she could not pay any money as she had suffered too much with me
already. There was a sparkle in his eye and I could not help but notice a warm
smile on Eveylyn as she took the compliment. As Chris and Evelyn walked out, I
overheard him ask her ‘Would you like to have a coffee sometime?’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 180.0pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon after I was popped into Chris’ dustbin and Newhart was
nicely put into Evelyn purse. I felt so jealous but my fate was now clear. Soon
after I was carried out by some guys and into this huge dumpsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here is my quick message to you and all
your friends – Please get rid of all your Oldharts, run quickly to Chris who is
offering restoration and cleansing and even replacement with Newhart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was put off because of a virus infection and Newhart had
now taken my place. Apparently, Newhart is virus free and has layers upon
layers of protection patented by his cosmic manufacturer and certified by full
Assurance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-87616600832536715342016-02-21T23:02:00.000-08:002016-02-21T23:11:41.955-08:00 The Book of Joshua: An Introduction. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been leading a small group Bible study in church as
we worked our way through Joshua the group found the book too hot to handle.
Sharp words were used to describe the books such as ‘too bloody’ ‘genocide’ ‘ethnic
cleansing’ and others we don’t normally use to describe events in the Bible. I
must confess that Joshua is not an easy read for the engaged reader but it has
deep treasures for us today. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The book opens with a very encouraging, if over-quoted
chapter. Be strong and courageous, Joshua is told by God and maybe that is a
strong hint of what lies ahead of the book. You are going to need to be bold
and courageous because Joshua is more a military battle front report than
encouraging poetry or a romantic narrative. From the spying in the second
chapter to a retiring general’s address in chapter 24, the book is clearly a
military notebook. What else should we expect other than gory images,
devastation, desolation, victory chants and looting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having said that, the book of Joshua is about God’s
faithfulness in keeping His promises to His people. The means might be
invasion, conquest and plunder but the end is the granting of the land to its
rightful grantees. It reflects God’s sovereignty in ways we don’t think of it
nowadays let alone condone. God will clearly demonstrate His love for His
people even in very unusual ways like the Sun stopping (10: 13 -14)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The key to understanding the book therefore lies in seeing the
covenant keeping God in action among and on behalf of His people. Joshua
summarises that for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>‘Thus the Lord gave to Israel all
the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it
and they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as He
had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them,
for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all
the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all
came to pass.’</i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 288.0pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i>Joshua 21: 43
- 45</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We can divide up Joshua into 3 main sections and an
introduction and summary on either end. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
1: Introduction – The calling and
commissioning of Joshua. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
2 – 5: Crossing into the Promised
Land</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
6 – 12: Conquest of the Land</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
13 – 21: Allotment of the Land</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
22 – 24: Epilogue</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although I have listed the last 3 chapters as an epilogue, they point to us
the purpose of it all – God has kept His Word and calls His people to serve Him
in response. It is very interesting that the call to covenant renewal and
worship comes after all the conquest. An important theological point emerges - God acts first in saving and then invites His
people to serve Him – never the other way round. Joshua strongly reminds the people of God's faithfulness to the nation
and then calls them to a personal decison. Will you serve Him? As for Joshua and His family (the other overly quoted bit) the choice was clear- we will serve the Lord. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
There is a lot to draw from the book but I suggest the overarching
message is God's faithfulness to His word. He promised to Abraham the land of Canaan
(Genesis 12:7) and He has delivered on that promise. He has called Isreal a
special people and a treasured possession and He has surely demonstrated it. From that we can safely deduce that the faithful God who called us in Christ will surely deliver on His promise of eternal life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although the message of Joshua may confuse the contemporary
reader at first, it affirms a truly biblical theme – God loves his special, chosen
people. This is clearly a counter-cultural idea but such is the message of the entire
Bible – it always sits uncomfortably to human ears. While modern philosophy
says God is for us all, the book of Joshua postulates a God who is for a
special, favoured people. And that is Yahweh, the God of the Bible. No need to apologise
for Him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Secondly, Joshua mirror in the face of present realities.
The world is full of strife, wars, conquests, murder and even genocide. We can
be slightly put off by the descriptions in Joshua but in reality it is the same
as reading a newspaper today. This must call us to an important truth I have
found in my limited study of the Bible: God is always sovereign and faithful to His word, mankind is
fallen and desperately in need of a saviour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is that saviour that mankind desperately needs that is
foreshadowed in the book named like Him – Yeshua, Jesus the saviour. It is this
Jesus who will win the land, security, status and identity of His special
people through a bloody crucifixion on a Roman cross. In a sense therefore Joshua
calls us to long for a lasting saviour who promises and delivers eternal rest
for His chosen people.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mungai Macharia. </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> February 2016 </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-40363422352421714592015-08-04T21:44:00.000-07:002015-08-05T05:09:00.301-07:00The Grace of Giving<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Last Sunday I had the
privilege of sharing God's word in our church. It was a late request so I was
nervous about my own preparation. I remember Rhodah asking matter-of-factly on
Saturday whether I was ready and I answering rather incoherently that I was
'kind of' ready and immediately realising that you never quite 'get there' in
sermon prep. There is always a bit of uncertainty and self doubt that lingers
on even after hours in study and prayer. <br />
<br />
I was going to teach from 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 on the grace of giving -
radical text that changes our traditional views on Christian giving that I knew
it could potentially disturb many including me. This is especially because
NT giving is different from the OT system of assorted sacrifices, tithes and
offerings. The most radical statement is what Paul tells us in verse 5 of
chapter 8 that the Macedonians had first given themselves to the Lord and then
their gifts followed. And that was striking for me. <br />
<br />
We live in a world where gifts are an easy form of manipulation. People give in
order to receive (the whole panda mbegu philosophy rides on that) and what they
want to receive varies from a phone, passing an exam, getting a spouse to
forgiveness for their guilt-laden souls. When a gift precedes a relationship
one might want to ask a few questions - is this genuine love or
manipulation? Is it an advance payment for a 'good or service' or is it a
ransom, 'hush money' or a 'placation'? Often times it is one of those.<br />
<br />
Sadly, we bring these worldly views into our worship of God with our
treasures. We use tithes and offerings as 'check boxes' of our godliness
or as means to another end rather than an overflow of our relationship with the
Lord. When relationship (Grace) precedes giving then quantities and 'labels' [Tithe, offering, First fruit etc] do not matter
as much as the quality of the relationship. It gets to a point where the
gift can be everything (Acts 4:32ff) or almost nothing (2 Cor 8: 2). It doesn't
matter anymore if it is a tithe or a third, a freewill offering or first fruit.
The object of affection means much more than the gift. <br />
<br />
The closest image I had to illustrate this is two lovers. When they are deeply in
love with each other, even a straw of grass picked in their romantic walk and
given to the gracious lady will be treasured dearly just as that huge bouquet
of roses. It is no longer about the gift, it is now a matter of the heart.
Things could however go bad very quickly if a young man thought they can buy
their way to the heart of the lady through flashy gifts without truly loving
her. It is offensive, cheapening and rude to do that by/to any
self-respecting person. It is comparable to trade and is a huge offense to
relationships. Sadly that is how we can be tempted to go about our
relationship with God - sending our gifts before our hearts. It may look
tactful like when Jacob sent gifts ahead of his meeting with his offended
brother but it is clearly not the gospel of Grace. The example of the
Macedonion church teach us otherwise. For God so <i>loved</i> that He <i>gave</i>...<br />
<br />
Perhaps we might want to evaluate our own service/desire to serve in light of this.
Verse 9 is a helpful reason for all that Paul had said before...'For you know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ....' this really is the basis of all our
stewardship. Dare I call it the 'acid test' of our giving/serving motives. If
it is not done in light of the incarnation, then perhaps it is not worship but
rather one of those worldly tools above. May we excel in this grace of giving. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">***</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">But what should we do with the obligatory requirement to tithe in our churches today? My answer is simple. If we are to teach tithing as a separate requirement for NT believers, then we must teach the entire mosaic law and implement it to the letter. But we can't do that as Christ alone fulfilled the law and all its requirements. There is freedom in Christ - freedom to commit ourselves to a regular discpline of tithing and freedom to give liberally as one is enabled and cheerful enough to do. To impose a requirement of tithes from Christians is manipulative and indeed repugnant to the gospel.So no, we are under no obligation in the new covenant to pay tithes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">But tithing precedes the law. This is perhaps the worst argument I ever heard for tithing/against the OT. It goes like - tithing was first seen in the great father Abraham [who gave a tenth of his war spoils to a mythical king of Salem in Genesis 14] Hebrews tells us this was a Christophany and so Abraham gave a tithe to Christ. What this argument does is to teach an obligation from an example. But it is not consistent beacuse it does not teach animal sacrifices or circumcision which also pre-dated mosaic law. It is weak on its understanding of OT/the law and the prophets as foreshadowing of Christ and does a '</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">convinient-</span>pick-and-mix-' of ideas from the OT and apply them to NT believers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">So should we tithe? No and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes</span>. It is all a question of the heart [motives]. If we are tithing to fulfil a requiremet then No. Tithing is instituted and deeply rooted in the mosaic law and Christ has fulfillled it perfectly and hence no need to try and go back to fulfil it. You and I cant anyway - it is an affront to the Grace of God in Christ Jesus. And where would we take the tithes anyway? To the temple in Jerusalem where the 'house of the Lord' is?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And yet we can tithe. By adopting the principle and not the practice of tithing and running it through the prism of the cross[2 Cor 8 'in light of the incarnation']. The principle behind tithing is worshipping the Lord with the fruits of our hands/land and supporting those those who give all their time to the Lord's service as their daily work. Paul clearly points to that. But the NT uses the langauge of gifts rather than tithes hence my inclination towards a 'gift' rather than tithe. Tithes are defined and technically limited to a tenth or 10% exactly. Working out the right tithe has been a source of controversy and many a soul have been spiritually abused by their leaders on this. Gifts on the other hand are an overflow of generosity ranging from two copper coins to whole estates - all a matter of the heart. So even though a Christian chooses to exercise their liberty and commit to a regular discpline of tithing, that language is odd, a carryover from the law. Tithes were paid [notice the obligation, more like taxes] but gifts are given freely and without compulsion [1Cor 9]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I do not think I have the last word on this touchy subject that often rubs pastors and church treasurers like myself the wrong way. But I also know why we love the law in all spheres of life [obligations, policies and requirements]. We find it hard cope with grace, we would rather the law which we think is straightforward and easy but that is not the case otherwise Christ needed not to redeem us from the law and all its requirements - that is why grace is so amazing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Give graciously for the Lord's work - '<i>What you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver</i>' - 2Cor 9:7ff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-91973601613992440592014-10-22T23:00:00.003-07:002014-10-22T23:00:39.671-07:00Prayer Letters - Why Bother?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In an age of so much information at very fast speeds, it may
appear as if writing prayer letters is a ritual or a motion one has to go
through while in ministry. Self description is
not the most natural thing for us to do, not least to the detail that a prayer
letter deserves. The fear that nobody really cares or bothers to read our
letters can also make us hesitant to write them and this can be evidenced by
the far too few responses that we get. Multiplicity of communication tools,
especially social media can also cast doubt on the relevance of prayer letters.
The truth however is that prayer letters are of great benefit both to the
sender and the receiver. I will try and give you 3 solid reasons to keep up
this discipline. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>1. Purpose.</b></u> The main reason for your prayer letters is in
the name – prayer letter. We to tell the story of your ministry, share our
vision and connect your partners to that vision so that they can pray from an
informed position. We write prayer letters in order to get buy-in for your
desire and decision to serve in ministry. The only way others can come behind
you in prayer, gifts and encouragement is if they know what you are doing.
People are more driven by vision not needs, passion not person. How clearly you
are able to communicate that vision determines how successful you will be in
winning their support. A simple, clear and focused prayer letter is a great aid
to that end. Whereas it is true that some people will support your work simply
because of who you are and how they know you, sustained ministry support over
the years will call for more than just familial relationships – A vision for
the gospel transcends social ties and is much more sustainable. Your partners
need clarity of vision and encouragement that your ministry is worth investing
in. Learning to tell the story of what God is doing in your ministry will make
them look forward to your letters and effectively participate in what God is
doing in and through you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Learning Point – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Focus
more on ‘ministry’ rather than ‘personal’ news. It is great to share some
personal quips but that is not the main purpose of the prayer letter. Too much
emphasis on personal news will elicit wrong feelings. People are supporting you
to do the work of ministry not to merely live. Remember they have their lives
too. However since ministry is a real life experience, do share personal news –
but the weight/emphasis should clearly be on the ministry side of things. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>2. Accountability</b></u>: It is true that when we ‘go’ we don’t do
it alone. There are others obeying the great commission as much as we do in
different ways – Giving, Praying or supporting in other practical ways. We need
to be accountable to them – are we using the resources given for the gospel for
that very purpose. They deserve to know how we are doing, the challenges we are
facing, the victories we are experiencing and what we might be looking forward
to in the near future. The good thing about this is that it keeps you humble –
aware of the need for others and your own need to report. Accountability keeps
us from a worldly sense of independence [ I am self contained, I work with my
own hands, I don’t need anybody] kind of thinking to a gospel-minded sense of
inter-dependence [I can’t do it on my strength alone, I need others beside me,
this is God’s work that he has called us to do as a community of believers] and
it has massive character benefits. For this reason alone, even if nobody reads
or replies to your prayer letters, keep writing them. Accountability is a
discipline that won’t come naturally to all of us – it is learnt, it is
cultivated and nurtured. Hence, the office might insist on so many prayer
letters. But like all things discipline – it is not sweet at initial stages but
when fully learnt, it has great benefits for the recipient. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Learning Point: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Writing
Prayer Letters is an important ministry discipline. Schedule a regular pattern
of when to do them and even when you don’t feel like doing it – do it anyway.
It is very humbling to look back prayer letters from years back and to see the
Lord’s faithfulness over the years. Writing things down clarifies our thoughts
and focuses our minds way better than a social media post. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Practical Partnership
in Action</b>. The last argument I will put in for prayer letters is that it is
a practical necessity. This is by no means no less important than the other two
but actually shows real value in doing regular prayer letters. Here I gather
several reasons; </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My partners are encouraged to give – they may drop
my support if I don’t send letters.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My organisation requires me to do them. I am in
trouble if I don’t. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">They help my readers to pray for my ministry,
personal or family needs.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">They keep communication open as partners write back
with encouragements.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">They offer a chance for my partners to give
practical or technical advice on an issue.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Other Christian workers may offer ministry advice
when they read my letters. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My letters could inspire others to join ministry or
evangelize where they live.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Regular writing lets me look back on events with
new perspective.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Writing openly and honestly keeps me accountable. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Writing regularly causes me to evaluate my own
spiritual progress.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prayer letters can inspire partners with
interesting or humorous stories.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12)<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">They demonstrate God’s goodness, faithfulness and
power.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Learning
Point: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Go ahead and do your prayer
letters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-71940537373167724142014-09-09T00:58:00.000-07:002014-09-09T01:03:08.986-07:00Raison d'être<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Critical needs that iServe Africa Seeks to
meet</span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">A new apprentice recently confronted me demanding to know the real reason why iServe Africa exists. I managed to get a few reasons together to his satisfaction but deep within I knew there was more to say than we could in that short moment. So, Omenda , here is a list of 12 [significant number?] reasons why you should stick through the programme for the [12!] months. </span></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">The need for ‘taster’ training. Many young
people are not sure whether gospel ministry is for them. They need some
elementary training and experience that would expose them to what it
really means to be a Christian worker. iServe Africa is an ideal place to
‘test the waters’ before further commitment in Bible School. </span><b><u><span style="line-height: 200%;"></span></u></b></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">The
youth are at a critical stage in their lives when they are exploring what
they would like to do with their lives; it is therefore timely to help
them develop a mission vision which will impact whatever they end up doing
in life. The immense potential of the youth – full of energy, daring to
explore new things, and often available. iServe Africa seeks to tap into
this huge potential</span>. <u><span style="line-height: 200%;"></span></u></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">Africa
is a youthful continent with some countries with over 50% of the
population under 15 years old. iServe Africa is therefore a move to invest
in the youth if we are to have a strong African Church and African mission
in the future.</span><u><span style="line-height: 200%;"></span></u></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">The need for faithful Bible teaching.
This has been described as the most urgent need in Africa today. Through
the Ministry Training Course (MTC) iServe Africa seeks to equip future
leaders with basic Bible handling skills. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">The challenge of Cross-cultural
living. Most Young people grow up in mono-cultural contexts with no
experience outside their own. iServe Africa offers opportunities for cross
cultural living, helping break down stereotypes and develop social skills.
This is especially helpful in fighting tribalism and other forms of ethnic
prejudice prevalent in Kenya. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">Many fresh graduates spend a long
time before landing a first job. Such young people have a lot of free time
and unfortunately it is not always spent productively. iServe Africa offer
a structured way of spending a year out for Christ. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">The need for trained gospel workers
in Africa. This has been a great challenge due to lack of affordable training
opportunities. iServe Africa’s Ministry Training Course is a low cost,
easy entry and time sensitive programme that offers targeted training for
practical use. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">Young people are
"adventurous" - They are interested in having new experiences
and are keen to be involved in a variety of activities. Unfortunately
there have not been structures in which this energy, skill and time can be
properly channeled in much of Kenya. iServe Africa apprenticeships provide
constructive adventure for the youth. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">Churches especially in the rural
areas are heavily deprived of resources. The work is huge but the churches
cannot afford extra workers. An apprenticeship model is one solution to
the problem of shortage of staff, not as cheap labour but as a win–win
situation where both the church and the apprentice mutually benefit. </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">There is insufficient ministry to the
youth and children in much of Africa. Many young people have become
disillusioned and lost focus in life. Many turn to drugs and sects in
their search for identity. iServe Africa sees sending workers to work with
the young people as one possible intervention.</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">Local Mission: There is a notion that
the African Church is thriving.
Many churches are full and this reinforces the impression that
Africa is generally reached. As such, mission is not adequately emphasized
in the typical church even large swathes of the continent are unreached
with the gospel. iServe Africa seeks to encourage apprentices into mission.
</span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 200%;">World Mission: The African church is
rising up to the challenge of world mission and slowly emerging as
senders. iServe Africa is a first
step into further involvement in world mission. iServe Africa recommends apprentices
for further involvement in world missions and exposes them to available
opportunities.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6850034868332401622#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US">[1]</span></span></span></a></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think the list is not exhaustive. Any thoughts? </span></span>
<br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6850034868332401622#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[1]</span></span></a> <span lang="SW">iServe Africa Concept Paper, 2007.
[unpublished] </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-6273322852978827262014-05-12T21:56:00.000-07:002014-05-12T21:56:04.967-07:00Decent Dudes, Graceful Girls. [Part 1]<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Decent Dudes, Graceful Girls</b>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">From: <i>Practical Medley @ MTC 3, April 2014.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In our day, there is so much casualness and familiarity that
we can easily forget values that make for good human relationships. Here are a
few that might help us to be better persons as well as live better with
others....</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Appreciate</i></b>: Those all-time important words ‘thank you’ are
indeed very important particularly if meant and well used. Cultivate an
attitude of gratitude. Thank the cashier at the supermarket till <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who serves you, the assistant who packs your
shopping, the M-Pesa agent who attends to you, the conductor who gives you
change, the passenger who lets you pass, the friend who calls you or that other
person who....</span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Compliment</i></b>: Appreciate positive traits in others in the right
way. Over doing it is unhelpful, not doing it is mean. Learn to compliment in a
simple, meaningful way. Detailed explanations in the name of compliments are a
No No. But a simple appreciation of another’s piece of dressing is right. Be
careful with cross-gender compliments as can be easily misunderstood to mean
flirting. Know your limits. It is better to be quiet and clear than to
compliment her short skirt and end up in a lot of trouble. Whereas it is good
to see good things in others asking prices/availability is considered unwelcome
in most circumstances</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Smile:</i></b> Nothing invites warmth of inter-personal relationships
better than a good, well meaning smile. Culturally this might be something to
learn as most of us do not grow up in smiling environments. A smile is an
expression of joy within, not necessarily circumstances without. The good thing
with a smile is when you give one; you normally get one in return [holding all
factors constant]. Nevertheless, smile away. It calms anxious nerves, settles
many arguments, says you value the other person and invites friendship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scrub Up</i></b>: Be a clean, neat and organised person. For some this
comes naturally but for others [unbelievable as it sounds] it is a struggle/discipline.
Besides the daily [twice a day?] shower, shave/remove all unwanted body
hair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have good well maintained shoes.
Please please take care of your feet. Smelly feet are uncomfortable things
after dumpsites. The reason your feet smell is simple: Fungi or bacteria
finding a warm place to thrive. The solution is equally simple – warm water and
salt every evening, a good clean towel. Wash thoroughly and dry properly. It
will also help a great deal if you have a spare set of shoes so that one pair
rests while the other one is on the road. Socks must also be changed daily.
Nothing is more embarrassing than having to remove shoes [as is the case in
most houses] only for people to choke under your spell. Long nails are a NO NO
for men as are unattended long nails for girls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dress Well</i></b>: Be sure to dress smart in clean decent clothes. No
need to be expensive or flashy. Simple is fine – within your reach. Let them be
neat, well pressed. Match your colours well so that we don’t have yellow trousers,
pink shirts/tops and a blue jacket unless it is a themed event like a colour –clashing
bash that you are going to. For gents, old fashioned as it sounds, have a wrist
watch. It complements your gentleman look. For ladies, have that purse, clutch
or handbag. It is difficult to talk about accessories and remain authoritative
but I say keep it simple. Body piercings are still culturally off limits with
the possible exception of earrings for girls. I would say tattoos are equally off
limits IMHO. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Smell Nice</i></b>: Nothing endears/repels people more than smell. The
sense of smell is probably the strongest and apparently it even has a memory of
its own. Whatever you do, manage your sweat. We all sweat and we all have a
unique odour – some are stronger [way stronger] than others. The difference is
how we manage it. Have some deodorant/roll on. Be careful with strong perfumes
that may affect others. If you must, wear the right perfume for the right occasion. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oral Health</i></b>: Brush after every meal, for at least 2 minutes
with a good brush. The dentist ordered a 45 degree angle between your teeth and
the brush. Visit a dentist at least once a year [twice is recommended]. Floss –
this is removing particles between teeth that your brush can’t remove. Be
particularly careful with the tongue and give it a good scrub to get rid of
bacteria. A mouthwash helps in eliminating bad odours and this can be done
using a commercial product like Listerine or just a simple homemade solution of
salt and water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Conversation</i></b>: Learn to engage people appropriately. Look at
people in the eye but do not stare or gaze at them. Eye contact can be both
threatening [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who is the top dog here?]</i>
or endearing [<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I really honour and respect
you, I am paying attention</i>]. Please make sense in your conversation and aim
for clarity rather than sophistication. The biggest part of conversation is
probably learning to listen – even to things that you perhaps know better. Use
suggestive rather than judgemental words. You might say – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I wonder if</i>, rather than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
know</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perhaps</i> rather than, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">obviously</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I think </i>rather than<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I believe.
</i>The last one is especially helpful in faith discussions or bible study.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>Faith positions are understood to be
final and can be conversation killers. Be careful with sensitive/touchy
subjects like age, ethnic stereotypes, politics and religious/denominational/theological
leanings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feed your Mind</i></b>: Get off that social media and get a life. Read
a good book. Read newspaper articles. Two old comments from my days in
education classes; education is the transition from an empty mind to an open
mind, to be educated is not learning everything about something, but something
about everything. Well, while you may not entirely agree with those statements,
read widely. Read and know your Bible. Read Christian Books. Read fiction, oh
yes, there is great value in appreciating art and creativity of others. Go
beyond comprehension -analyse characters in books and movies. Go to the theatre
to watch a production. Read newspapers. Subscribe to some journals. Follow
blogs. Download talks on various subjects and interact with content. This will
enrich your mind and broaden your perspective in life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reflect</i></b>: Put down your thoughts in a journal/scrapbook. We best
understand what we write and humanity has known that since antiquity. There are
no two ways about it – you have to write. Write odd poems, random thoughts,
creative ideas, business plans, family trees, future plans. Write your sermons,
bible study notes, anything. If you write for the consumption of others, blog. Put
it out there. It does not have to be refined but write. Write to the editors.
Write about your town, your area, your people. Social media maybe a good place
but care needs to be taken so that it does not become a running commentary on
your life. Too much of facebook/twitter may make one come across as idle or
attention seeker. Your thoughts in private need to be kept as such. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-66364141640904813312014-04-30T01:38:00.003-07:002014-04-30T01:44:23.845-07:00Biblical Manhood - A Sermon Outline <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">ACK St. Mark’s
Church, Kidfarmco. <span style="mso-tab-count: 5;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sunday
27th April 2014</i></b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Text: Genesis 1:
26 – 2 1- end, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ephesians 5.22 -32 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Introduction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is manhood today? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Simon – 36, is
married with 3 children. He Loves football to bits – supports Arsenal. Comes
along to church and encourages his family as well. An executive at his
workplace. Does not mind serving but finds active church participation more of
a woman’s ‘thing’. His wife, Patricia, leads the family devotions from time to
time though she secretely desires for him to take the lead role in family
worship. Simon is however adamant as he is not so secure in his knowledge of
scriptures or songs or making the children attentive. He however supports her
morally. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Patricia is worried that he
takes on too much resposibility for his relatives in the village. </i>He is
concerned that he does not own his own home in a good neighbourhood and is hence
not living the Kenyan dream – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1 wife, 2
children, 3 Bedroom House, 4 wheeldrive, 5-Star holidays, 6 figure salary. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Bernard is 44
married to Roslyn and they have 4 children all beyond primary school. He is
struggling with his teenage children who seem to be drifting from church and
one has openly abandoned the faith. He is a career civil servant and has risen
through the ranks through discipline and hard work. Rosylyn, a career teacher
has recently been promoted to head a local girls school. They both come along
to church. Bernard however, has recently began to notice younger girls in his
office, whose skirts appear to be getting shorter and shorter. He is not too
happy with his achievements so far.His high school and college contemporaries
have all had succesful businesses and even sent their children overseas for
further studies. He loves Bible study and communion but longs for a different
church experience. His commitment to Investment groups, Chamas, worries his
wife.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">John is 26 and
recently finished his degree in IT. He is now working hard to develop apps for
the android market and wants to fund his masters through selling mobile
applications. He dreams to grow an IT empire and has a poster James Mwangi
[Equity Bank] in his room. Although he is dating Angeline from the Church youth
group, he is addicted to porn and cant get his eyes off the x rated sites. He
confessed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in high school during a challenge
weekend but now he is not too sure about it. He comes along to church, not
least to meet Angeline, but also to obey his devoted parents. His mind however
easily wanders off the sermon and into the girls around him. He longs for true
obedience to Jesus and even confesses every time there is communion. At one
point in college, he sought delieverance in a charistmatic revival meeting but
his addiction still persists. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Peter is a
fatherly figure in church that everybody loves. He is in his late 60’s and
inspires many in the church family, not only for his seemingly well managed
family but also for his profesional and business career that he recently
retired from. He is a leader of the men’s Bible study in his area and commands
respect from everybody in the community. Sadly, he recently lost his wife,
Hannah to breast cancer and this greatly shook his faith in God. After all
those years of service, how could God be so unjust to take away Hannah from
him? He cant stop asking himself what wrong he did to deserve the loss of his
beloved wife. He is now wondering whether to re-marry or remain single for his
remaining years. He worries about his eldest son, who is an alcoholic but many
people do not know. He fears more about his own image than the welfare of his
son. He is also worried about a corrupt land deal that saw him earn millions in
commission that might come to the public soon. He justifies his actions in the
sense<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that he gave a good portion of the
money to the church. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Which of the 4 gentlemen do you most identify with? None of them? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Peter, John,
Bernard and Simon is all of us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Exegesis: </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">1. The Creation Call </span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">a. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Imago Dei</i> – Representation, Relationship
and Responsibility Genesis 1: 26 ff</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">b. Created Equal
but Different V 27. [A Helper – 2:18, 23] </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">c. ‘Blessed’ to
multiply, increase, have dominion V 28. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">d. Provided for
V. 29 – 31, but also called to Work – Responsibility Chap 2 Verse 15. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">e. Perfect
Relationship – Naked but not ashamed. The beauty of the marriage covenant. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">2. A Broken Relationship – The fall [Gen 3] </span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Result – Death in
Relationship with God, each other and creation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">A Begining of
blame game. Naked but now ashamed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Curse – Pain, Suffering
& Death in the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Strife
in gender relationships > <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your desire
will be for your husband, he will rule over you.</i> [Manipulation Vs
Domination]. Who wins in the battle of sexes? Which man can resist the
attraction of a woman? Which of us does not melt at the sight of curves,
hemlines and wily smiles? Which woman can resist the attraction of power,
wealth and influence?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Marriage
became an exercise of power and control. This extended to culture and
behaviour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Perverted
relationships – Polygamy, Homosexuality, Beastiality, fornication, Adulterly
etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">The
Rise of Feminist Movement – 18th & 19th Century. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Men
& Boys – An endangered species? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">3<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. A Redeemed Relationship: Christ on the
Cross.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus came to redeem and restore all that sin has damaged
and marred, including marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where we
could not live out God’s plan for marriage, Jesus perfectly fulfilled God’s
standards. Jesus loved the Church enough to die for her. He perfectly
submitted to the plan of God the Father. Jesus is the complete and perfect fulfilment
of God’s design.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Jesus’ counter-cultural view of women. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Early church’s inclusion of women in ‘ministry’.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Equality of status; difference of roles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marriage is designed to be a visual representation
of Christ’s relationship with his bride, the church (Ephesians 5). God
created men to lead and women to help. From the moment our first parents
chose to follow their own desires rather than obey God, sin entered the world
and we’ve been seeking after our own way ever since. Sin destroyed God’s plan for
marriage. Instead of seeking the good of one another, we demand our own way,
seek after our own desires, and expect our spouse to give to us without us
having to give anything in return.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Application: Christ
the Redeemer of Godly, Biblical manhood and womanhood. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>What shapes our manhood ideals – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mens Health, Business Daily, The
Enterpreneur or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Bible</b>? </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Who are our heroes – Barrack Obama, [Chivalry]
Wrestling Champions, Uhuru Kenyatta,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>David Moyes, Arsene Wenger, Naushad Meralli, Chris Kirubi? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christ Calls us to lead by loving - Sacrificial love.
Ephesians 5<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Love and Submission are to be understood as
mutually exclusive/not dependent on @other. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Women thrive when men take on leadership. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>An ongoing conversation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Family leadership is a call to Love – love your wife,
love your children. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Leadership is about Vision and Direction, not necessarily
speed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. Leadership is not a call to exercise power but
responsibility.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Roles are not superior or inferior – they are different. Perspectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. Christ restores broken human relationships. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ is summarised in his 3
offices: </div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Offices of Christ</div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Application to the godly husband</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Priest: Speaks to God on behalf of the people, offers sacrifices [His
own perfect, once and for all sacrifice], is people’s mouth-piece before God.
</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Godly men will want to mirror a priestly role in the family. Leading
the family in worship and intercession. </div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Prophet: God’s mouth-piece bears the word of God and delivers it to
the people. He is indeed the word of God [John 1:1]</div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Husbands can mirror the prophetic function of leading their families
in devotions, teaching the children in godliness [Eph. 6]. </div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
King/Prince – Christ was a ruler in the biblical sense of a leader,
an arbiter [judge], a protector and provider for his people. </div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="385"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Men are called to head their families through sacrificial love as
Christ loved the church. To provide, protect and lead as servants. </div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closing Remarks: A call for faithful search and obedience to
scripture. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">The promise of a
new heaven, a new paradise of God. Rev 22 when human relationships will be fully
restored. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Harrison
Mungai Macharia.</span><br />
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Please spare a few minutes to take a short 5 min survey....Please click <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NZF9FLK">Here</a></span></div>
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Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-28712081131630036792014-04-01T03:20:00.001-07:002014-04-01T03:20:08.362-07:00From the Archives - May 2010<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Monday Updates – 11th May 2010</span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Dear folk,</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">I am sure its
about a fortnight since you heard from me. I have been caught up in a wave of
‘activity’ that sometime make me rethink ‘ministry’. I have been sprucing up our
publicity efforts ahead of the planned partners do on 5th June. We had to get
the newsletter out in good time and also work on the website a little. I have
also been following up an intended trip to the UK next month to raise support
for the work as well as reconnect with mission partners/churches. I have also been
following up a number of potential placements in readiness for September. I
have been making contact with potential apprentices from Kenya and the region
as the recruitment goes on. I have been working on a number of proposals to
raise funds both locally and overseas for certain segments of the work – like
cushion fund, staff provident fund etc. I have been developing the conceptual
framework of iSA in readiness for demutualization (transisition) in September.
I have been developing a framework for the strategic plan for the next 5
years. I have been putting together a board of directors for the work and
working to make it functional. I have been pursuing different forms of registration
for iSA and with Duncan having travelled I have been doing quite a bit of admin
in the office. I could go on and on. (sounds like I am moaning or something?
Sorry it if sounds like so, I do not mean to complain, just to bring you a
little into my world)</span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Certainly my dear
apprentices suffer the most as I go on and on thinking at the strategic level. I
get caught up in all manner of activity which one might question whether it is
productive. Sadly, pastoral contact is lost and apprentices may be justified to
feel negelected. This could not come at a worse time when already attention is
slowly shifting towards the next team and on your part, gears are significantly
shifting towards your next step. I think one way of dealing with all this is to
take good old advice given to Moses by his wise uncle – choose some people and
share the burden with them. Clearly that is what apprenticeships are all about
– developing leaders and I think it is time we expanded the staff team so that
future apprentices do not suffer or the strategic edge of the ministry gets
blunt. </span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">So what is
ministry? I have been reflecting on this for a while and it is one thing I usually
hope apprentices will nail down by the end of their year. We are all in
ministry and perhaps that is why I am usually inclined to be more specific and
use the term gospel ministry. Certainly this carries the idea of service and
good news of the kingdom. Oftentimes we are accused, mainly by those in the corporate
world, of being lax, without tight controls of our time, with no deadlines to
beat, no one breathing heavily on our shoulder to check our performance etc.
They think that we have it too easy and that ministry does not involve
accountability. I wonder if we have sometimes reinforced this perception of
laid-back, hakuna matata attitude that does not get concerned about excellence,
time, results etc. On the contrary, I think we operate on a higher standard
since the one we seek to please sees both inside and outside. Way beyond what a
supervisor seeks, our ultimate Supervisor looks into our motives, attitudes and
is interested in both the big picture and the minute details of our service of
Him. </span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">May I encourage
you to relook at your definition of ministry. It captures just about anything
we do to the glory of God – active and passive since by word, deed and
lifestyle we are to be the sweet smelling aroma that draws people to God - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working on that report <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> ministry. Manning that reception. Delivering that letter.
Writing that receipt. Arranging those chairs. Keeping those kids in control.
Directing that parking. Typing those mails. Teaching those kids math. Ordering
that queue. Washing those shirts. Doing that Bible Study. Witnessing to that
soul. Making contact with that partner. Writing that article. Finishing that
research. </span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Dear ones, I now
need to close. I will not even have time to incubate this (they say if you
write something, please leave it for 24 hours and then re read it, you will see
a lot of changes that you need to make) I hope to hear from you on your
progress.Let me close with a couple of points. </span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Plans
for the partners day are on. I hope you are doing your bit in publicity (should
we put some pressure and require that each one of us hakikishas a certain
number of their partners come?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">We
hope to release a bumper copy of the newsletter before that day. Please send
your articles, reflections, poems, stories and stuff to Nyambura on – <a href="mailto:newsletter@iserveafrica.org">newsletter@iserveafrica.org</a> It
will largely be a print copy for free distribution during the partners day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">As
intimated above, we are working on a strategic plan for the next 5 years. This
is usually a long consultative process and we hope to have a document ready in
time for the convocation when we hope to launch it. Please participate by
giving us raw ideas on how you would like to see iSA in 5 years time. What
would you like to have differently? What must we not lose over time?
Later on, I will send you a structured questionnaire for more engagement, for
now just send me those raw (unrefined) thoughts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">I
have been hoping to do one good round of placement visits before the UK trip.
Good people, I am overwhelmed- my plate is just too full and I doubt I will
make it before August let alone mid June. Please bear with me. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">I
hope you got yor stipends last week. There was a 2 day delay as we waited for
last minute trickles from your mission partners (which significantly affected
your stipend). Its not particularly easy to keep Kenyans within deadlines and I
wonder if we are going contextual or just relaxing standards? We felt gracious
(sufficiently...) this time round and allowed the 2 days. Sorry if that
incovinienced you, especially since we did not comminicate to that effect. </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Thank
you to those who made it to First Priority on 2nd May. It was really good of
you to gather and pray. Never mind your (evil?) plot did not work. [note: they
had planned a birthday shower for me.]</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Please
pray for more staff. We need at least another 2 full time staff from September.
Ask the Lord to give us the right people. Please pray for my upcoming trip.
There have been a few setbacks already and we need the Lord’s favour to make
this trip. I will divulge more details soon. Pray for Duncan who is currently
in the UK. Pray for each other, especially the next step. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">You remain in my
thoughts and prayers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Regards,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Harrison. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-33112945268186332492014-03-24T09:53:00.002-07:002014-03-24T09:54:11.850-07:00Solitude & Silence<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Solitude & Silence</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Sermon at Deliverance
Church Kahawa Sukari, Sunday 23rd March
2014. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Introduction:
Self, Family & Ministry [iServe Africa]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Personal
greetings. Self & Family intro. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Acknowledge
long standing relationship with DC KS. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">A
highlight of the ministry of iSA. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Invitation
to further partnership in the coming years. APR/Apprenticeships etc. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Introduction
of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>select iSA resources [Events, Books
& Notebooks]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">The irony of
speaking about silence!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Opening Reflections: </span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">It is a noisy
world that we live in,noise everywhere, noise glorified. People make a career
out of noise-making and indeed the heroes among us are perhaps the loudest. I
might also add, with your leave, that we pentecostals are a particularly a
noisy lot. My task here is therefore clearly huge – to try and get a bunch of
pentecostals to be silent for a while (!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Our times are
filled with incessant noise invading every place. Noise in the public square
and in private places. Papers, on social media, Whatsapp, Images everywhere –
so much competition for our attention. Even the restroom, perhaps the only
place one could go and have sometime alone is not spared. If there are no witty
notices, crude humour or even dirty jokes, then there might be a book or a
magazine to flip through to while away those few minutes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">We are also a
busy people. In my estimation, the avarage kenyan has at least 5 major
stressors – A job, immediate family, extended family, masomo [that masters
degee!] a side hustle [This could be anything – A Matatu, taxi, Hoteli, Lorry
pahali, shamba ya Ngano Narok, Viazi Kinagop, Quails, Ngombe Nyumbani] Mjengo [
Own or rentals – hii ni lazma for 40 and above, though it never ends],
Chama/Vyama, Kanisa, friends etc. That is why kenyans totally love their
mobiles and will walk out of any meeting to answer that crucial call. It could
be anything fro the vet in the village to your boss in the city calling for
your attention. Whatever you do to a kenyan dont take their mobile phones. Hata
kanisani ukiwaabia wazime hawawezi – wanaiwekaga silent, ili wawe wakiangalia
from time to time. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">We are an
overloaded lot – exposed to so much data that I wonder how spirituality would
thrive if we do not withdraw and seek solitude and silence. I actually fear for
our mental health as a generation; we are <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eternally alert forever held at ransom by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tyranny of the Urgent</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Brothers and sisters, I come to you not
as an expert on the subject, not a great practioner of the discipline myself
but as a fellow struggler, one who speaks and works more than they should, one
whose spirituaility is hardly ever what it should be, one who needs to hear
this as much as anyone else in the congregation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">The Scriptural Call to Silence & Solitude</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Solitude is one of the most important disciplines for the
spiritual life, for all who need help unhooking from daily stress to experience
God restoring their souls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Be still and know
that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all
the earth be silent before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“In repentance and
rest is your Salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah
30:15)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone.” (Psalm
62:5)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">A Definition of Terms</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Solitude and silence is an opportunity to focus on intimacy
with Jesus, to unhook from daily responsibilities and people in order to attend
to the Lord alone. In solitude we don’t try to make anything happen. We just come
naked to the Lord to be with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Solitude is the creation of an open, empty space in our
lives by purposely abstaining from interaction with other human beings, so
that, freed from competing loyalties, we can be found by God” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life with God Bible</i>, p. 531).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Solitude is not
the same as Loneliness – Loneliness is inner emptiness while solitude is inner
fulfilment [Richard Forster]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">S&S in the OT</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Now Moses used to
take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the
‘tent of meeting’… The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks
with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua
son of Nun did not leave the tent.” (Exodus 33:7, 11)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“[Elijah] went into a
cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him… a gentle
whisper” (1 Kings 19:9, 12).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he
leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” (David; Psalm 23:1-3)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Let him sit alone in
silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.” (Lamentations 3:28)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I was silent and
still… my anguish increased. My heart grew hot within me… I meditated… Show me,
O Lord… how fleeting is my life… Each man’s life is but a breath.” (Ps. 39:2-5)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Job and his 3
friends. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">S&S perfected in Christ</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“At once the Spirit sent [Jesus] out into the
desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by
Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” (Mark
1:12-13)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus
got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
(Mark 1:35)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke
5:16)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the
night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and
chose twelve of them.” (Luke 6:12-13)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he
finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just
as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray,
say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…”‘”
(Luke 11:1-2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“When Jesus heard what had happened [that John the Baptist
was beheaded], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of
this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.” (Matthew 14:13)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Jesus Invites us to
join him in S&S </u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Because so many people were coming and going that they did
not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to [his disciples], ‘Come with me
by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by
themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:31-32)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jesus said to his disciples and a crowd of people: “Come to
me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother
of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was
transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became
as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:1-2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">S&S in the early church</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">“When [the disciples and other followers of Christ] arrived,
they went upstairs to the room where they were staying [waiting for the
gift of the Holy Spirit as Jesus had told them to do]… They all joined together
constantly in prayer… When the day of Pentecost came [ten days later],
they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the
blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where
they were sitting.” (Acts 1:13-14, 2:1-2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Peter went away from his travelling companions to go into
solitude and silence and seek God. He had a vision and heart the voice of the
Lord three times. His experience led to the Gospel being spread among the
Gentiles. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“About noon the following day
as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the
roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while
the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened…”</i>
Acts 10:9-11).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Apparently Paul spent <i>three years</i> mostly in solitude
and silence in the Arabian desert with the resurrected Christ before he began
his ministry. (The other Apostles were with Jesus physically for three years,
but for Paul, like us, he was with Jesus <i>in Spirit </i>for his
discipleship and training.) Paul wrote, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace… to reveal his Son
to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When
this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go
up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead,
I went away into Arabia.</i>” (Galatians 1:15-17)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paul experienced times of profound revelation from God.
Probably this came in solitude, at least in some instances. “The mystery
made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly” (Ephesians
3:2). “I know a man who was caught up in the third heaven” (2 Corinthians
12:2).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paul meditated on God in nature. Probably he often did this
in solitude. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities —
his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood
from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to tradition, John was in solitude and silence for
years, exiled on Patmos Island. It is here that he received the
Revelation. ”I, John, your brother and companion in the
suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in
Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the
testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I
heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…” (Revelation 1:9-10)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">The Life of Anthony by Athanasius. </span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Born in 251 in a wealthy family. At 20 he sold all his
possessions and moved to the desert but served the poor nearby. At 35 he
withdrew for 20 years into total solitude and no one knew if he were alive or
dead. Then at 55 he returned and ministered to the monks and the people who
came to him for prayer and counsel in the desert until he died at 105. Athanasius
wrote the biography of Antony. This was Athanasius’ ideal, the combination of
solitude and compassion on the poor based on rock-solid orthodoxy.<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">S&S in contemporary times</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">It seems to me
S&S is a discipline we possibly lost at reformation. Whereas we should and
must avoid the dangers of ascetism [seeking divine merit through personal
sacrifice] we need to rediscover spiritual disciplines as means that God has
ordained for the good of his people and the growth and enrichment of His
church. There are many retreat centres where one can withdraw to from time to
time and even more importantly is to create private moments and spaces to be
silent and in solitude. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Implementing Silence
and Solitude into Our Lifestyles</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As earlier suggested this habit may very well be the most
difficult of spiritual disciplines to develop and practice with any regularity.
Most of our lifestyles have become too fast-paced with too many
responsibilities in too little allotted time. There is little margin in our
lives. For silence and solitude to happen there will need to be planning to
carve out such opportunities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Solitude and silence can occur in the midst of our daily
lives, but making such a time will require resourcefulness and creativity.
Early morning or late evening schedules may need to be altered. Middle of the
day meals may be a chance to spend some time alone in silence. Discovering a
place in our lives where we are less apt to be interrupted is a part of the
challenge of the development of the discipline. Even time spent driving a car
by oneself can be an opportunity if the intent to spend time alone in silence
is there. At intervals in our schedules there is the need for withdrawal from
our normal routines to a place away where we can have a more extended time to
practice this discipline. Such retreats can last for half a day, a day, a weekend
or a week. The longer the time the more planning is required.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Initial thinking may be there are too many reasons why I
can’t do this. This discipline, while taught little, is a major pathway to
spiritual maturity. Unless we are willing to make lifestyle changes to get
alone in silence with the Father our spiritual development will be greatly
hampered. This time for study and listening to the Father speak to us is
foundational for growth. Being in church activities everyday will not replace
what this time alone with God can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Where can I go to be alone with God? When during the day can
I make opportunity to do this? When During a Year can I retreat for Silence
& Solitude? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Conclusion</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We live in a culture that is permeated with noise. We suffer
from noise pollution as much as we suffer from air pollution. We are never
anywhere without human contact. In addition to the constant flow of
conversation the volume of most sound has increased substantially. The problem
has not caused a spiritual dilemma; it has amplified it. The constant sound we
are bombarded with makes focusing on God and hearing his whispers in our souls
much more of a daunting task. The psalmist expressed this need for all of us
when he wrote: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be still, and know that I
am God…” (Psalm 46:10)</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is something about silence that enables us to hear
with our soul. We need to again deeply sense that God is present and wants to
impress us with thought and with awareness of his creation. It is in such
silence that there is opportunity for the act of prayer to be completed. More
often than not our praying is a time of telling God what we want to tell him,
but not allowing time for him to reply. We are off to other responsibilities or
engagements. Silence invites God’s response. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In some ways silence is the most difficult of disciplines to
develop. Such silence is void of music and all human sound. It creates the environment
for one to better pay attention to God and to himself. Special attention and
planning may very well be needed to arrange such an environment. Solitary places
allow the mind and heart to refocus. If Jesus found it necessary to be alone, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then how can we not also do the same? It is
interesting to note that at the very beginning of his earthly ministry Jesus
went into the desert for forty days of solitude where he would be silent. No
doubt it was during that time he received confirmation and direction from his
Father concerning his coming ministry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is in solitude and silence that one may more fully
discover how best to use his words. The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote there is a
“time to be silent and a time to speak…” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) Perhaps it is in
the silence that one learns when and what to speak. Because of the amount of
communication that we are bombarded with there is need for the words of the
Christian to be marked by timeliness and wisdom, not frequency.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Soli Deo Gloria!</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-13921047178792538872014-02-17T20:23:00.002-08:002019-09-16T08:53:53.293-07:00Baptism, Re-Baptism & Infant Baptism (Part 1)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was recently confronted with the question of whether adults should seek to be re-baptised if they are not confident about their earlier, perhaps infant, baptism. Here is a preliminary response which I will do in 3 parts. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Baptism is not a primary matter in salvation as it has no redemptive
benefits, it is rather an outside [visible] sign of inward [invisible]
change. I argue that though important Baptism does not save anyone in
and of itself. Traditionally [like John's Baptism] it was a public
ritual to declare one's denouncement of former ways/philosophy and to
take on a new teacher. The Lord Jesus ordained baptism as an
external/public marker of his people. Since it is a sign, it must not be
confused with the object it signifies. Ref: Romans 4:9-12, 1 Peter
3:21(notice the use of language in 1 Peter)</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /> 2. Baptism is an
ecclesiastical [to do with church/christian community] function rather
than a redemptive function. As argued above, baptism is a sign/identity
of the covenant people in the NT. Those who belong [in the covenant
community] have therefore been baptized in the Name of the Trinity and
hence made public their declaration to follow. [Matthew 28: 19,20] [1
Cor 1:13 -17]</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /> 3. Baptism in the NT is patterned after
circumcision in the old covenant. Both are outward signs of a complete
covenant. Perhaps this is the most controversial bit as many do not see
parallels between the two. As circumcision was the sign for covenant
people in the old covenant, baptism is the ordained sign in the latter
covenant [Colossians 2: 6-15, especially V11]. Some traditions strongly
oppose this position and argue that there is no connection between the
two. </span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /> Now to the question of re-baptism. Unless one is not
baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit or they were not
saved and they knew it, then re-baptism may not be a good practice to
embrace. I do not think it has any salvific consequences [I argued above
it is not a redemptive act, though the 1 peter passage might imply so]
but I suggest it might cause ecclesiastical confusion. Case in point-
whenever one moves from one congregation to another, or when a believer
falls in sin - would they need to be baptised afresh? If there is a
pattern between OT circumcision and NT baptism, then the former was
permanent and irreversible and the latter could be taken as such. </span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
But here we must allow for the liberty of conscience. There are those
who were baptised as infants and do not consider that to have been
proper baptism. I think one should be free to seek 'proper' baptism if
only to satisfy their conscience that they truly belong among God's
covenant people through their public, adult, conscientious decision. As
I said, it is a matter where Christians could differ. </span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /> One
last note on the NT treatment of sacraments [Baptism & Holy
Communion]. Though they are symbols, it appears they are more than mere
symbols [some call them means of grace]. Any abuse of them seems to have
consequences [1Cor 11: 27 - 32] and hence the need for caution in
dealing with them. Perhaps this is why some are hesitant to dunk people
under water without due diligence or to bless that Coke and Cookie in
the Cafe as their act of communion. </span>Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-42509448652844711082014-02-17T20:16:00.001-08:002014-02-17T20:27:20.708-08:00Freedom in Christ<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the recent past I have been reflecting on the area of
liberty in Christian life. My thoughts have stretched to cover such areas as
our freedom at home, church and in the workplace. At times, I wonder if we have
excessive freedom and whether that is a good thing. I have always understood
freedom to be bundled with responsibility/maturity. If one gets freedom before
they are ready for the responsibility that comes with it, the results are
disastrous, often in a self destructive way. Could this be the reason why
rules/regulations are much needed in our Christian formation? And where does
that leave Grace? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Drawing an example from parenting, how much freedom can a
child cope with? Are they not individuals with every right as adults? The
responsible parent will only allow them controlled freedom and this is for
their own good. My observation of Christian life and ministry is that it
affords us many liberties and particularly so for those in leadership roles.
Not only does one have full control of their diary but one is also expected to
create their own work. For those who prefer structured work environments, the very
idea of going to work without a clear idea of what they will do that day is a
huge stress factor. This is made worse by the absence of clear deliverables in
most ‘Christian’ work environments. Others thrive in such environments and find
structured ‘tasks’ way too limiting. An apprenticeship in ministry can equally
have such a feel of freedom that one might wonder if controls exist. Critics of
Christian ministry argue that we are lazy, do not have a tight work ethic and
are not results oriented. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Indeed there are freedoms afforded in Grace but these
liberties can be abused. Pretenders and idlers can have a field day doing
absolutely nothing useful from dawn to dusk while zealots can overwork their
bodies so much so that their health breaks down for lack of rest. So then
brethren, how do we use our liberties so that God is honoured with our use of
time and glorified in our service to one another? Galatians 5 points to the
right use of our freedom in Christ. Paul is battling with judaisers who were
pushing for people to be under the law, especially on the area of circumcision.
In Verse 13, Paul gives us a clear statement that we were called to be free but
that our freedom is not to be used to indulge the sinful nature but rather to
serve one another in love. It seems to me then [as we can find in V16ff] that
our freedom in Christ can serve either purpose – to indulge the sinful nature
and hence bear the fruit described in v19 – 21 or to use our liberties to live
for and serve Christ, bearing the fruit of the Spirit described in V 22 – 23. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And yet, this is an ongoing battle between the desires of
the flesh and life by the Spirit. There will still be tensions within us,
competing interests that pull us in different directions as we are still ‘in
the body’. Paul suggests that those who are in Christ Jesus have crucified
their bodies with its passions and desires and hence are free to live by the
Spirit. What a high calling? So where is my body – hanging somewhere, subjected
to the will of God or all over me subjecting me to its whims and passions? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-69017657406048464142014-01-09T05:25:00.000-08:002014-01-09T05:25:29.593-08:00Monday Update - 23rd March 2010<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">A rather common
phrase in evangelical circles is ‘wait upon the Lord’. We use this words
oftentimes to encourage a brother or sister who might be going through a period
of trusting in God for a particular breakthrough. It may well be that they are
facing examinations, a financial need, in need of a job, or just about
anyhthing that we can name. Sadly however even the most gripping of words can
be eroded of their meaning due to misuse, overuse or ignorance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">When David wrote
the words many times in the Psalms certainly the situations were precarious to
say the least. There would be a chasing enemy or some other form of impending
danger. Clearly it was waiting upon God. Sadly, in our times we seldom
appreciate the import of waiting upon God. It almost sounds like an anathema to
talk ‘wait’ in our times. Nobody wants to wait. The contemporary buzzwords are
quick, fast, easy, instant, real-time etc patience is a forgotten virtue.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">It has been said
before that change is the only constant thing but I reckon the more things
change the more they remain the same. Although times have moved on, certain
truisms still hold. We are are an insecure people in a dangerous, cruel world.
We cannot help but look up to the hills and wonder with David where our help
will come from. In the face of the challenges besetting us, we cant but come
to the same conclusion that we will ‘wait upon the Lord’, the maker of
heaven and earth, who does not slumber or grow faint like mortal men. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Whereas that
might sound the easy part, the actual waiting is where the rubber meets the
road. Trusting unwaveringly is not easy. Our minds quickly begin working out
alternatives to faith and patience. We grow weary of it and wonder if God is
faithful as He is reported to be. But countless times He has proven himself
faithful to those who ‘wait upon the Lord’ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">This April, we
shall be looking in greater depth at the concept of trusting in God. Catherine
Wanjau will bring a five part series of talks on the subject of faith and
obedience at a time when most of us are right in the crossroads – shall I go on
or is that it for me? With dwindling support from friends and family, little or
no supervison, sagging PD curve, uncertain Sept, unmet expectations etc it may
well be that you are losing faith, even in yourself let alone in God. Its time
for that good old clarion call – wait upon the Lord. Prepare your heart for
deep engagement during NMTC 3.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">I invite you to
pray for yourself, our speakers and all sessions so that the Lord will
use this week to minister deeply to us.Find attached a copy the programme. We
have kept the topics and the spaekers few so that we can engage each other even
more – through your<b> well prepared</b> stories and micro sermons. </span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Greetings.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="mso-ansi-language: SW;">Rhodah, Tim and I
are well in Him.</span></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-29880373311123109842012-11-26T05:26:00.002-08:002012-11-26T05:26:48.941-08:00William Carey: Pioneer Missionary to India<br />
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<u><span lang="SW"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">William Carey: </span><span style="line-height: 42px;">Pioneer</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> Missionary to India</span><b style="line-height: 200%;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></u></div>
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<b style="line-height: 200%;"><u><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Early Life</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">William Carey was born in August 17th 1761 in
Northhampton, England to Christian parents Edmund and Elizabeth Carey. From a
very early age he showed interest in knowledge, reading every book he could get
including Latin, plants and animals. His schooling however came to and end at age
14 when he was sent to Clark Nichols, a shoemaker in Piddington as his
apprentice. At 17, he made a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ and left
his Anglican Church for the non-conformist Baptist Church. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carey developed his faith through Bible study,
reading religious books and deep discussions with Anglican and non-conformist
thinkers in the neighbourhood. He tookl opportunities to preach and succesfully
sought the conversion of others including his master Nichols who was converted
at his deathbed. In 1781 he married
Dorothy Plankett. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Missionary Call<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">William Carey was ordained as a baptist minister
at 26 but he carried on as a shoemaker. In his spare time he studies languages,
biographies and the conditions of the heathen world. 3 books particularly
influenced him – The Bible, The life of David Breinard and Captain Cook’s
Voyages whose vivid potrayal of the moral and spiritual conditions in the South
Sea Islands made clear the the crying need for missions. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="SW">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In 1786, he pleaded with other ministers in his
denomination to take up work among the heathen but was greatly grieved when the
chairman reproved him with the infamous words.. <i>“ Sit down young man. When it pleases God to convert the heathen, He
will do it without your help or mine”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span lang="SW">[2]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></i>
Carey was disturbed by this response so much so that he felt compelled to
express his missionary convictions in pamplet form to reach a wider, perhaps
more responsive audience. The pamphlet was published in 1792 under the heading “<i>An
enquiry into the obligations of Christians to use means for the conversion of
the heathen”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">That same year, Carey also preached his memorable sermon
giving out the challenge “<i>Expect great
things from God, attempt great things for God</i>” the immediate result of that
was the organisation of the Baptist Missionary Society. At 32, William secured passage on a ship and
headed off to India arriving in Serampore in 1793</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[3]</span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span style="line-height: 200%;">.</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> <span lang="SW"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Into the Field<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">Work in Serampore grew quickly</span><span style="line-height: 200%;">. From this base, he laboured for nearly a quarter century to spread
the gospel throughout the land. Through his unfailing love for the people and
his relentless campaign against “the spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12),
India was literally transformed. Asian historian Hugh Tinker summarizes Carey’s
impact on India this way: “And so in Serampore, on the banks of the river
Hooghly, the principal elements of modern South Asia—the press, the university,
social consciousness—all came to light.”<sup>2</sup></span><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carey didn’t go to India to just start new
churches or set up medical clinics for the poor. He was driven by a more
comprehensive vision—a vision for discipling the nation<a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="SW">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>. “Carey
saw India not as a foreign country to be exploited, but as his heavenly
Father’s land to be loved and served, a society where truth, not ignorance,
needed to rule.”<sup>4</sup> Among
other misionary triumphs William Carey managed to do the following<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">-<span style="line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">He carried out a systematic survey of agriculture and
campaigned for agriculture reform. He introduced the a system of plant organizations
and published the first science texts in India. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">-<span style="line-height: normal;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">He introduced the idea of savings banks to India to fight
the social evil of usury. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">-<span style="line-height: normal;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">He established the first newspaper in an Oriental
language, His English-language journal, <i>Friend
of India</i>, gave birth to the social-reform movement in India. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">-<span style="line-height: normal;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">He began schools for children of all castes and launched
the first college in Asia. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">-<span style="line-height: normal;"> - </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;">He was the first man to stand against the ruthless
murders and widespread oppression of women. Women in India were being crushed
through polygamy, female infanticide, child marriage, widow burning,
euthanasia, and forced illiteracy—all sanctioned by religion. Carey opened
schools for girls. When widows converted to Christianity, he arranged marriages
for them. It was his persistent, 25-year battle against widow burning – <i>sati-</i> that finally led to the formal
banning of this horrible religious practice.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="SW">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Jar of Clay<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although William Carey had a long, illustrous
mission career at Serampore, it was not without challenges , perhaps the
biggest being his own marriage to Dorothy Planket. Dorothy came from a poor
background and was herself illiterate. She had resisted going to India but went
nonetheless together with her seven children. However, with recurrent bouts of
illness she sufferred immensely and evantually went insane. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="SW">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Towards the end of his life, the mission suffered
serious financial challenges. In 1823 there were floods which destroyed his
school buildings, his own home and the beautiful garden washed away and there
was no help forthcoming from England. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At 71 years of age, William Carey was still
engaged in regular preaching, lecturing and translating of scriptures but in
1833, he took seriously ill on saveral occassions and had to give up all work
and was confined to bed. He died on June 9th 1834 and was buried the following
morning in the Baptist Mission Cemetery, Serampore. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="SW">[7]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><u><span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="SW" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As rightly reffered, William Carey is indeed the
father of the modern missionary movement, a movement that has since reached
every corner of the world. Although a man of simple origins, he used his God-given
gifts and every available means to serve Christ and illuminate the dark corners
of India with the light of the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt;">[</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span lang="SW">Davis,
W Bruce; <b><i>William Carey: Father of Modern Missions,</i></b> Moody Press Chicago,
1963. P 13. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[2]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span lang="SW"> Bach, TJ; <b><i>Vision and Valour</i></b>, Baker Book House,
Michigan, 1963 P38. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><sup>3.
</sup>Ruth
and Vishal Mangalwadi, <b><i>The Legacy of William Carey: A Model for the
Transformation of a Culture</i></b> Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999, p. vx.<span lang="SW"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[4]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> Scott
Allen; <b><i>William Carey: A Missionary who Transformed a Nation</i></b>, Journal
article available at <a href="http://www.missionfrontiers.org/">http://www.missionfrontiers.org</a><span lang="SW"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[5]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>Scott
Allen; <b><i>William Carey: A Missionary who Transformed a Nation</i></b>, Journal
article available at <a href="http://www.missionfrontiers.org/">http://www.missionfrontiers.org</a> <span lang="SW"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[6]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
<span lang="SW">Mangalwadi Ruth &
Vishal, <b><i>Willima Carey and the Regeneration of India</i></b>.Good Book
Publishers,New Delhi 1993 P 33</span><span lang="SW"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Documents/NEGST%20-%20M.Div%20(Th)/Introduction%20to%20Missions/Harrison%20Mungai%20-%20MS%20501%20-%20God's%20Mission%20in%20the%20Post%20Pentecost%20Past%20Assignment.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference">[7]</span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <span lang="SW">Davis, W Bruce; <b><i>William Carey: Father of Modern Missions,</i></b> Moody Press Chicago,
1963. P 104. </span></span><span lang="SW"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-37003510571450725632012-10-29T02:19:00.001-07:002012-10-29T02:19:16.686-07:00Antidote for Fear<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have spent much of last
week reflecting on the subject of faith,
trying to understand what it really is (and is not) and learning practical
lessons for application. It started when I was asked to share in our local
church on the subject as part of a teaching series. When faith is mentioned my
immediate response is to think of risk, daring men and women, extra ordinary
stuff and all that is associated with miracles. However a closer look this past
few days has helped me see and appreciate faith in new dimensions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The most precise definition
of faith is found in Hebrews 11 – the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. From this, it seems to me faith is a guarantee of fulfillment of a promise made. It is a collateral
held in trust that the promise will be fulfilled. I realised that faith is not
an idle notion, a wishful thought or a selfish ambition for anything but it is
the certainty that God will fulfill His Word. This led me to the conclusion
that Biblical faith is founded on God’s word and any emotive or rational
thought process outside the remit of scripture is effectively not Biblical
Faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A lot of what goes round
as faith is mere positive thinking and not to say bland triumphalism /heroism
branded as faith simply to give mileage to those who ‘possess’ it. It is viewed
as a special ability to trust God and ‘get certain things done’ based on our <i>capacity</i> to trust God. Contrary to that
I have come to to the conclusion that Biblical Faith is simple (as opposed to
complex) and natural. I wish to summarise a few lessons learnt on Biblical
faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Faith rests on God’s
faithfulness. Human faith and divine faithfulness are the obverse and reverse
of the same coin. It is precisely because God is faithful that faith is
reasonable, for there is no more trustworthy person than God. So, to trust the
trustworthy is hardly daring or adventurous – it is plain, sober common sense. Faith
is built solery on God’s word to build up expectation and even prayer on what
God has not specifically promised is vain and deceitful and the results are
often disillusioning and even disastrous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Faith is a gift. We do
not believe because we are anymore special than the non-believers. We believe
because we are enabled by God’s grace to do so. In other words, faith is itself
a response to grace. Faith comes by hearing God’s word and that capacity to
hear and respond in obedience and trust is simply a gift from God, not a work
of our own for which we can/should take credit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Faith = Believing+Trusting+Taking
Action. Biblical Faith is more than merely accepting facts. It involves
complete trust that He who said those words is completely trustworthy and he
will accomplish what He has said. The big contention for the christian, as was
for the Old testament Jew, is – will God fulfill His word? Biblical faith moves
individuals to act in obedience to God’s word even though the results are
uncertain. James warns that just believing is not sufficient – even demons
believe and shudder (Jas 2:19) we need to move to the next level of trusting
and acting in obedience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Faith is natural,
built on father-child relationship. God is not only the Faithful one but our Father
too through Jesus Christ. He invites us to call him ‘Father’ and to share our
concerns and needs with him as children do with their parents. Hudson Taylor
says: I notice that it is not difficult for me to remember that my children
need breakfast, lunch and supper. Indeed I could not forget it and I find it
impossible to suppose that our heavenly father is less tender or mindful of His
children. God is a good father, He cannot forget His children.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Desktop/An%20Antidote%20to%20Fear.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
I have come to appreciate that great faith is usually simple faith. It is not a
secret formula, mantra or code that unlocks God’s promises. It is simple –
taking God at His word and living in obedience to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Faith is necessary in
the material realm as in the spiritual realm – both for physical needs as well
as spiritual needs. I had an interesting conversation with a friend on the
nature of faith. On the one hand was the thinking that we need pure faith and
no action for spiritual needs (like the conversion of a friend or nations) and
for physical needs more of action than faith (like growing a business).
Whatever you think, it seems to me to be a continuum extending from pure faith
to pure action where either extremes are not helpful. The thinking then, ought
not to be either but both. Faith is necessary for both material and spiritual
needs and a fair balance between faith and action needs to be sought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Faith is not
incompatible with the use of means. During Hudson Taylor’s first voyage to
China in 1853, the vessel in which he was sailing was caught in severe storm.
He had promised his mother that he would wear a life-belt but when the captain
ordered passengers to wear them, he felt it would be a sign of unbelief and thereby dishonouring
to God, so he gave his life-belt away. Later on he reflected on his action and
saw his mistake thus “The use of means ought not to lessen our faith in God,
and our faith in God ought not to hinder our using whatever means he has given
us for the accomplishment of His own purposes”. Similarly, a farmers trust in
God is not incompatible with ploughing, sowing or reaping nor a patients faith
incompatible with going to a doctor or taking medicine or a leaders faith
incompatible with necessary organisation or fundraising. We must remember that
Jesus is Lord over both the means and the ends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In conclusion, authentic Biblical
faith is not superstition or credulity or lazy inactivity – it rests on the
faithfulness and fatherliness of God and is accompanied by sensible precautions
and actions. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Desktop/An%20Antidote%20to%20Fear.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we are afraid we
need to hear Christ asking His disciples – where is your faith? (Mark 4:40)
Faith arrests all our fears – even the greatest of them all. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you think?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">H. </span></div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Desktop/An%20Antidote%20to%20Fear.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span>Steer, Roger: <b><i>Hudson
Taylor: Lessons in Discipleship</i></b>, OMF
International /Monarch Publications, Crowborough UK, 1995,Pg 14. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Harrison%20Mungai/Desktop/An%20Antidote%20to%20Fear.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span>John RW Stott(Foreword); <b><i>Hudson
Taylor: Lessons in Discipleship,</i></b> OMF International /Monarch Publications Pg.15 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-55106193576598843082012-10-08T20:23:00.002-07:002012-10-08T20:25:50.515-07:00Fears & Doubts<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It is an Air Uganda flight. I had come to
attend Bernard's commissioning service at All Saints Kampala and
everything seems to have gone well. I am encouraged by massive family support
and the local church’s enthusiasm to have Bernard quit his job and head off to
England for a year. I am however not sure whether they know what lies ahead of
him. Could they be under the illusion that their very own Bernie is about to cross
over the proverbial bridge? Are they aware that he won’t be making any money
and hence won’t be visiting that Western Union booth. Many thoughts are racing
through my mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I reflect on my own farewell/fundraiser
7 years ago – all my family were there, we had hired a small room and everyone
seemed keen to come along. I am not sure what their real motivations were but
they sure did help me raise the 65K (almost exactly) that BA needed for a
return missionary ticket for the one year I was going to be away. Perhaps they
thought once I am in the land of plenty, there will be no limit to the amount
of money I will be sending back, maybe some were genuinely supporting gospel
ministry and perhaps others thought of it as a social investment from which
they might need a hand in return someday... maybe. I wonder what some thought
when I finally returned without a Mercedes Benz to show, not even a plot in
Kitengela or a massive investment plan denominated in Pound Sterling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">At least I tried to clarify expectations
for poor Bernie’s family. He is going out as a missionary, a trainee missionary
actually, without a salary and whose life henceforth will be </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">characterized</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> by
seeking and building partnerships for the sake of the Kingdom and not the glory
and glamour that the world (sometimes including friends & family) would
like. He is going to seek and serve His Lord and </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">Savior</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> My role here is to
reassure family and the church that he is going for a good cause and that we
(iSA) are keeping an eye on him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I now need to return home. Its about
2.30 PM and the afternoon flight takes off from Entebbe at 4.50 PM. I need an
hour’s lead to get through immigration and checking in. My host however insists
I must have lunch and sure enough it is rude to leave without a meal. So they
put me in some room (since the other guests are not eating just yet), serve me
a director’s portion and get Celia to sit with me as I work my way through this
delicious Ugandan serving. I must gobble it down quickly so we can be on our
way to the airport by 3 O’clock. A
friend of Bernards offers to take me and Celia joins us. Its a scenic ride –
almost 40 KM but I am panicking most of the way wondering what will happen if I
miss this flight. Thankfully we get to Entebbe just before 4.00 PM. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My seat is quite close to the cockpit. I
am actually in the first row next to the window. I can see the ground moving </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> beneath us as we taxi away towards the runway. It is a slow move and as we
go along, safety instructions are given - usually a legal ritual before any
flight. I do not pay much attention on what to do if we </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">land</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> on water – whatever they mean by that cannot be landing. You </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">don't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> land in water – you sink or at least swim if you manage to get out of the
fireball that is a crashing aircraft. And that </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">if</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> had better be </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">if</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and
certainly not </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">when</i><span style="line-height: 115%;">. Next to me on the
aisle seat is a young man of about 21 years. He is light skinned and carries
with him one of those sophisticated phones. He had a big rucksack that the air
hostess had insisted is too heavy and could not fit into the overhead luggage
compartment. She had had it sent to the cargo hold while we waited and for a
moment I wondered what was in the bag. Why had he not checked in that bag? My
imagination is about to go on overdrive. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As we are about to get to the runway, I
notice the papers on my neighbour’s hands. He does not have a passport but has
a long letter printed on Ugandan Immigration authority’s letterhead. I manage
to read (rudely) at least the subject and a couple of odd lines. My neighbour
is being deported from Uganda to his country of origin – surprise surprise –
Somalia. This is it now. We are about to take off with an illegal immigrant
next to me, with funny looking gadgets in his hand, from Somali and he had a
rucksack, which is still with us in the cargo hold. Your guess is right. I
thought of him as a terrorist. All this talk about Al Shabab and the recent
Ugandan Airforce planes crashing in Mt. Kenya comes to mind. Interestingly he
does not switch off his phone even at take off when all gadgets are to be
switched off, or maybe he did not understand the instructions in English.
Should I offer to explain to him and maybe secure some friendship – may be not.
But why is he ignoring such important
safety notices? Does he need his gadget to detonate some stuff in the
rucksack remotely? Well, I don’t know and have no way of knowing. Shall I alert
the cabin crew of my fears? What if they are unfounded? I will come across as
paranoid but what if there is some truth? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We finally take off. Take offs and
landings are not anybody’s cup of tea – even for seasoned captains apparently.
Even our kind air hostess looks tense seated, all wrapped in seat belts in her
position, having just reassured us all will be well. I can’t help but doubt her
composure. Does she know what I </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">know</i><span style="line-height: 115%;">
about the guy next to me? Has she not read horror stories of flights gone bad
or watched movies like </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">Flightplan</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> or </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">Cast Away</i><span style="line-height: 115%;">? We are airborne now. I think
the best thing is distraction – it always works with the children to escape
from pain or discomfort. I will read the </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">in-flight</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> magazine or some other stuff
and shift my mind away from this </span><i style="line-height: 115%;">suicide
bomber</i><span style="line-height: 115%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I pick the magazine.Its a September
issue. This sends my mind back to Septembers – oh its actually the month I
joined full time christian ministry and was sent off like Bernard. But hold on
for a moment – today is actually 16th September, 7 years to the date since I
lost my father. Oh goodness and here I am next to a random Somali guy who is
being deported and who has a suspicious rucksack? This must be it. There is no
escape and I have absolutely no control of events </span><span style="line-height: 14px;">whatsoever. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> What will happen
to my family, how about the work – what if the worst I can imagine happens. My
back is against the wall and I feel helpless, almost hopeless. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">However, a helpful distraction comes to mind.
Prayer. I can call upon the God of the universe who knows all things. I feel a
little guilty that I have taken too long before coming to this. But it is never
too late to pray. I am a little anxious but I pray nevertheless at least to
reassure myself that I have prayed. I am reminded of some guys who were
crossing a lake on a boat and then there was a storm. They feared for their
lives and panicked a great deal. Among them however, was the One who created
the seas, the universe and all the laws of nature. He had stood up and challenged
the panic-striken guys – where is your faith? I drew a parallel between that
incident and my present circumstance and suddenly became aware of His presence
in the flight. Faith takes away fear. Knowing He is in control no matter what
may happen allayed my fears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">50 or so minutes later we land in
Nairobi. I am comforted to be on the ground – <i>where human beings should be</i> – and can’t wait to leave the
aircraft. I am eager to get out but I notice the inflight snacks they had
served us. I had not eaten them – Tim will probably enjoy them totally
oblivious of the reason I did not have them. I will happily share them with
him, conforted to know that I know One who is greater than all my fears, real
and unreal. One to whom I can commit all my thoughts and needs for the years
ahead, one who says to me...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. </span></i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pillipians 4:6<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">In Him Bernard and other apprentices can
put their trust as they step into christian ministry – The Lord will provide
for them, has eternally protected them and will bless the work of their hands.
Their future is safe in His hands. He has already given us <i>all</i> that we need and hence we need nothing but Him. In Him we can
keep going as a young movement working to raise a generation of servant leaders
for Him and faithfully proclaim His gospel till He returns. He will provide for
His work, we are literally onlookers as He works in and through us to
accomplish His purposes for His own Glory. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I will let Him know of requests for you,
me and His Kindgom. How about you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-49794687292971233882012-07-02T05:13:00.003-07:002012-07-02T05:14:35.548-07:00The Blood of the Martyrs<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is another Monday and
again the nation is engulfed in grief. It is difficult to imagine what must be
goin on in the minds of the victims of yesterday’s terrorism in Garissa and
their immediate kin. The entire body of Christ is hurting as we identify with
our brothers and sisters who had gone to church on an ordinary Sunday morning
(like you and I did, albeit at different places) to worship. This account
particularly caught my attention from The Nation;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“A saloon car drove
into the church compound, and two hooded men alighted. They walked the 15 or so
metres to where the armed policemen were seated.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They drew their
pistols and shot the officers in their heads. They blew off their scalps.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The driver of the
saloon car — none of those who spoke to the Nation had the presence of mind to
write down the registration number — turned the vehicle to face the gate, ready
for a quick getaway.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the policemen
dead, the two turned their wrath on the church and the congregation inside.The <span style="background-color: yellow;">men then fired bullets on a
window of the church</span>. At the same time, they threw a grenade at the
entrance <span style="background-color: yellow;">to ensure they
trapped those in the</span> church. It exploded.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They continued
shooting, pinning their targets on the ground. They walked to the door of the
church, still shooting. They then threw another grenade and then another one.
All of them exploded. Having accomplished their mission, the men ran outside,
jumped into the car and sped off. <span style="background-color: yellow;">In the church, nine people lay dead.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Meanwhile, another
saloon car was parked on the road to Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church,
about three kilometres away. Two occupants alighted and moved to different
locations along the church’s fence. They threw two grenades but one did not
explode. They ran back to the car and sped off.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The man who threw the
grenade that didn’t explode had got into the compound and after hurling it,
jumped over the fence and got into the car that sped off. Those interviewed
could not remember the car’s make or model.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the hospitals, seven
casualties were operated on. Two had multiple gunshot wounds to the chest while
another two had shots in their abdomens.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Three other victims
suffered multiple injuries in several parts of the body, multiple gunshot to
the head and soft tissue injuries respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thirty-three victims
admitted to the provincial general hospital were in stable condition. Twenty
three were treated and discharged at the sub-district hospital and the nursing
home.1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One cant help but feel vulnerable to this kind of extremely
heinious act of terrorism. However, I have a few raw reflections (general
wonderments) from the incidence;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">How does this event fit in the grand scheme of
things?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">Is this an event in isolation with nothing to do
with end times and everything to do with Al Shabab/KDF issues?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">Will these incidences increase in our time or
decrease? This is not the first attack in a church this year.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">How prepared are we as a body of believers to
face increased hatred, even persecution, at the academy (ideological), in the
marketplace, public square and in the street corner?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">What spiritual resources do we have to draw from
in times like these? Will the <i>man-centered feel-good-you-are-great</i> gospel equip
the church for difficult times?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">How ready are you and I to face such an event
should it occur to you or someone you know/close to you?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">-</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: -18pt;">How should we respond at these levels:
Personally, Missiologicaly and Theologically?</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I do not have the answers but my heart goes out to our
brothers and sisters who had to face such violent deaths and injuries in the
place where they had gone to seek solace for their weary souls. I am however
encouraged by the words of an ancient North African theologian – Tertullian, who lived during an era of great persecution of the church, “<i>The
blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church</i>”. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Zadock Angira, The Daily Nation, 2nd July 2012</span></div>Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6850034868332401622.post-43723368936687956642012-06-27T20:31:00.000-07:002012-06-28T19:34:02.988-07:00Missio Dei - Part 2<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Distinctives of iServe Africa in the
Mission of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.
An indigenous African organisation<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>iServe Africa has its roots firmly in Africa
but it is reaching out under the modern mission banner<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘from everywhere to everywhere’. The
organisation is registered in Kenya and the leadership (board) is largely
Kenyan with only a couple of expatriate missionaries on the board. Through the
training and placement of apprentices from all over the continent and finding
placements for the all over the world, iServe Africa embodies the concept of
modern missions as being from everywhere to everywhere. The thought that it is
Africa’s moment to missionize the rest of the world has no place in iServe
Africa as she sees her mission as a complementary effort that will be best
achieved in partnership with other players rather than in isolation. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br /><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Martin Goldsmith argues that mission needs
to move to the place where all are givers and all are recievers as we need each
other in mission and everybody has something to bring to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He goes on to say that such intermix of nationalities
and backgrounds in missions will bring international benefit, enhancing the
life and growth of God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>iServe
Africa has a British national on the staff team and has current apprentices
placed in England through international partnerships. Over the past 3 years, 5
international apprentices have served in Kenya from Uganda, Tanzania and
Rwanda. There is clear intention to continually recruit international
apprentices and then release them back to their countries at the end of their
apprenticeships, better equipped for mission in their own contexts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gives iServe Africa a global outlook and
it is equipping workers for global mission. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.
A Short Term Mission Movement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is clear understanding within iServe
Africa that the nature of its ministry placements (mission engagement) is
largely short term and hence the main concern is in doing it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is therefore care not to override
ongoing mission activity especially in contexts where there are Least Reached
people groups such as the placements in Moyale, Garissa and Wajir. We work closely,
and under the supervision of the existing missionaries drawing lessons from
past experiences and integrating them for effectiveness during the relatively
short period of apprenticeship. iServe Africa recognises that short term
mission is shaping the mission of the future and in this I agree with
Goldsworth in asserting that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">short term
mission is now not only a real possibility but has indeed become the norm.</i>
He contends that although short term mission has its unique challenges, it
seems to be the typical model of mission in the 21st century and that it is the
short termers who gain most from their term of service, they learn a great deal
and amazingly mature both spiritually and personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to do this well, iServe Africa has
an internal operation procedures and manuals and is also<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>subscribes to best practice in short term
missions. </span></span><br />
<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>3. A
Member Care Movement</u> </span></span></b><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the challenging areas of African
mission enterprise has been lack of sufficient member care for missionaries in
the field. Although the nature of iServe Africa apprenticeship is essentially
short term, great care and support is given to apprentices straight from
recruitment all the way through the apprenticeship and into debriefing to
integrate the lessons learnt. Deliberate effort is also made to encourage
alumni after they leave the programme to enhance ongoing missional lifestyle
and involvement at local church or market-place level. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the apprentices in any one given year,
there is a dedicated staff team that does visits in placements, supports the
apprentices in their discipleship and ensures the well being of the workers
among other member care initiatives. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.
A Missions Mobilising Movement <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">iServe Africa sees missions as a present
involvement and as a possible next step for its apprentices. Through the 1 or 2
year apprenticeship, young men and women are challenged to think about longer
term involvement through faithful going or faithful sending. Recruitment to
join the programme takes a great deal of mobilisation with staff and volunteers
transversing the country to make presentations in colleges and universities,
encouraging students to step up and take the challenge of missions. Through the
national student movements, more are recruited every year and taken through
this discipleship. Eventually this mobilises young people towards missions. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br /><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Among our alumni,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>some have joined longer term Christian
ministry. Others have gone into the marketplace and are honouring the Lord in
their jobs while supporting missions and bearing witness to the Lord Jesus. </span></span><br />
<br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.
A Locally Supported Movement (Partnership Development)</span></span></u></b><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">iServe Africa apprentices and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>staff are all supported with gifts from
partners, largely local. The apprentices are encouraged to meet the costs of
their ministry half way while their placement provides the other half. They are
trained on models of mission support and are expected to carry out Partnership
Development in order to raise the requisite support for their yearlong mission.
Staff are also required to raise their full support from partners who may be
individuals, churches or other Christian organisations. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whereas this model is vulnerable in the
sense that it depends very much on the charisma and personality of particular
staff/ apprentice, it also ensures longer term sustainability of the
organisation since staff costs are the single largest expense item to mission
agencies. As an intervention, careful training is provided to ensure success.
Many Christian organisations have faced challenges in the area of fundraising
and iServe Africa is by no means an exemption. However, the leadership believes
that African mission will be African supported (funded) and that we have to
grow an awareness of the need to support mission locally if we expect to be at
the forefront of the mission agenda in this century. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
see iServe Africa right at the cutting edge of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Missio Dei</i> in the 21st century African continent and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span>Mungai Machariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04669054396465288524noreply@blogger.com0