25 August 2009

Relationship Craze (2 Questions)

I am on facebook, and from what I've seen, everyone is in a relationship. Either that or they just broke up! Its crazy! There are teens out there who are in relationships who can't even spell the word "relationship". I intend to write alot on this issue because I think its one of the big issues among Christian youths, especially among those I relate with at church and in my community. For now, an admission and two inevitable questions.



I have never had a girlfriend in my life. Since I know of only one other person like me, my admission begs two questions, in my mind at least.


1) Am I normal?!! &

2) Where on earth have I been??


Well first of all, I am normal. I'm abnormal as far as my friends, schoolmates, church mates and community mates are concerned but *very* normal as far as the bible is concerned:


Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the
field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. ~Song of Solomon 2:7


I'm normal alright. There is a difference between awakening love when you desire and when love, itself, desires. More of that later.


As for the question "where have I been?", I wish I could say I haven't been in one because I have never wanted to but alas my answer has little to do with me. Its not because I'm holy or spiritual or whatever. In my world where everyone around me is or has been in a romantic relationship, I have been spared by God's grace alone. I've been preserved by God. I hope he continues to preserve me until love so desires.

19 August 2009

18 August 2009

Find The Man



Doctors have concluded that, if you find the man in 3 seconds, then the Right half of your brain is better developed than most people.


If you find the man between 3 seconds and one minute, then your right Half of the brain is developed normally.


If you find the man between one minute and 3 minutes, then the right Half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to Eat moreprotein.


If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, the right half of your Brain is a mess, and the only advice is to look for more of these types of exercises to make that part of the brain stronger.


The man is really there. Keep looking!


I got it in about 20sec :-). You?

17 August 2009

Who cares?


I got a comment on my "Is Obama a Christian" post today, that was rather disturbing. You can see the post I am referring to here.




The comment was made in anonymity and I quote:






"Obama testifies that he is Christian so I take him at his word and regard him
as a brother in Christ. I don't agree with him on everything regarding his
approach to religion and the Christian faith, but so what, I probably don't
agree with anyone 100%. It doesn't really matter what I think about the state of
his soul anyway. Only he and God know this, it is not up to me to judge."




Its not the first time I'm hearing this thought pattern and I'd like to smash it to pieces right now.




The booklet by Albert N Martin, "What is a biblical Christian?" begins, if I may paraphrase, by stating that there are many things we can error on or simply be indifferent towards whose consequences we could live with. For example, If I don't know how a television works or perhaps I have an erroneous view of how it works, it will not cost me anything. The consequences of not knowing how the television works are insignificant, if any.




Whether one is a Christian or not is a totally different story. No man can afford to error on this issue. It is more important than anything else because it is a matter of life and eternity.




To hear, therefore, "anonymous" say that he/she takes Obama at his word when he says he's a Christian, is a sign that anonymous cares less for where Obama will spend eternity.




I'd never take anyone's word for it, who I love, if they told me they have become a Christian. I'd examine them and watch and analyse their lives because if they are not Christians, they would spend eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15) and I would never want anyone to suffer such a punishment, not anyone I love and not even Obama.




I'd rather be called judgemental and "holier than thou", than take someones word for it. Not when its a matter of eternal life and eternal death. We scrutinize the lives of those who profess faith for their own good.




Secondly, there is no such thing as "partially agreeing with someones approach to the Christian faith and religion" because there is only one approach to the Christian faith and religion. There is only one way to become a Christian. There is no such thing as "truths", there is only truth. There is only one way to attain eternal life. If you don't agree with someones "approach to the Christian faith", it must be on the basis of what the bible says and not on the basis of your opinion. What then is that only way, and what then is the truth and what is that way to eternal life? Jesus Christ answered that question:






Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
~John 14:6.




Never think that it doesn't matter whether you think anyone is really a Christian or not, actually, very few things in this whole world matter more! It's important what you think about whether or not anyone is saved, Obama inclusive. I repeat, it's a matter of eternal life and eternal death.




Finally, it is false to think that only God and I can know whether I am saved or not. On the contrary, others around me can know too. In fact they'd know better because they are looking from the outside in. Jesus himself said, "You shall know them by their fruit" (Matthew 7:16).




You shouldn't need a microscope to identify a Christian. If there was a Christian, anywhere, be it in the government, school, workplace, the gym, the soccer pitch or any other sphere or place, you should not need a microscope to find him! If you have to, either that so-called-Christian is not in fact a Christian or that Christian is living a life of compromise. Christians are to be the salt and light of the earth, they are to preserve morality wherever the are and they should shine (Matthew 5:13-15). Just like you can't miss illumination in a dark place, you can not miss a Christian wherever he/she is.




Thanks for reading.

16 August 2009

Shane & Shane in Zambia!!!!!!!!!!!!!


My favourite duo in the world, "Shane and Shane" (Shane Bernard & Shane Everett) are in my country! What are the odds?! I've spoken about them on here and sang their songs including the song "Holiday" which I sang at the Christmas concert in December! These guys are awesome and they are in Zambia!!!!


I'd give an arm to meet them!

13 August 2009

Opposition Guaranteed


There's a group of students who meet every Thursday evening at David Kaunda High School (DK). I usually attend their meetings and even though, I am neither a part of their school nor at their level of education (alittle past), I have been privileged to be accepted and involved there.


I have a burden for that fellowship. Most of the students who attend are not Christians and to have a meeting every week where around 60 students meet 80% of whom aren't Christians (just religious) is a golden opportunity to share the gospel if I ever saw one.


I've been attending the fellowship on and off and when I started consistently again, I was disappointed to see that the gospel was no longer being preached, the fellowship had turned into a joke. In God's providence, the leadership realised that they had very few people to share the preaching of God's word and asked me to provide them preachers, for about a month. It has been a joy to see the gospel preached Thursday after Thursday.


A few hours ago, I was at the meeting. I had been asked to provide a preacher again, I was, of course, much obliged. I had no clue that in the meeting were two young charismatic men, with strong pentecostal roots in the audience. They too, like me were outsiders only this was their first meeting. They had asked if they could be given a few minutes to share in the meeting. Their sharing was to come after the main sharing. I had asked a brother in the Lord to preach today at the meeting. He challenged those who weren't Christians, in his conclusion, to repent as judgement awaited us, his listeners.


The two guys were not impressed with this teaching it seems. After the preacher finished they were invited to share briefly. They implicitly encouraged the audience not to be "afraid" or "threatened" by what had been preached (underline implicitly). They spoke of how everyone in the room should seek to "know God so that he is revealed in your life". "So that you will be able to discern which preachers preach truth and which preach lies". "God's revelation in you will be signified by him sending you the Holy Spirit and this will be evidenced by speaking in tongues".


I was appalled. These two guys literally attempted to undo the gospel. I know we disagree on tongues and stuff but why undermine the gospel??


Several times during he's "sharing", I was tempted to rise and leave. But I endured the heresy.


On my way home and even during the sharing which countered the gospel, I wondered why God would allow he's gospel to be undermined. Then I remembered that the devil is not asleep. It flattered me that the devil would be so threatened by what we thought were feeble efforts so as to send false prophets to disrupt the work. It meant that we were actually having an impact in that place. Anything that is truly God centered will attract the devils opposition, which brings me to my point. (That's right, am only getting started!)


In Philippians 1:27-30, Paul takes it for granted that the Philippians would face opposition and would suffer for Christ:



"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."


I don't blame Paul, do you?


I mean if we "conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ", opposition would be inevitable. If we spoke up when people say or do things which are sinful e.g. cursing, gossiping, ill speech, lying etc, and if we rebuked those workmates or schoolmates who love to sin, they wouldn't really be fond of us, would they? If we always proclaimed the scripture (since the world proclaims their love for sin, why shouldn't we proclaim our love for Christ?), we would be unpopular. If for all the times our workmates or schoolmates spoke of how nice their sinful weekends were, we spoke of how the Lord spoke to us on Sunday, we wouldn't be liked at all, would we?


People would want to get us fired and in trouble, people would literally hate us and slander us. People would oppose us and cause us to suffer.


If, therefore, we aren't suffering, then we must be compromising. We must not, then, be speaking up when we hear sinful talk and see sinful deeds. We're probably silent when our workmates boast of sinful deeds and sinful weekends. We are not speaking up.


The devil will not sit back when our lives and ministries are God centered and have serious potential, he will oppose us and make us suffer.


I see this in the ministry to DK, as the devil has brought our way, charismatic fools. I know that a battle is inevitable as the charismatics will want to move in and influence the DK meetings and I am not keen on fighting, I'd rather pull out. But I got a message from a brother who also has a heart for DK that encouraged me and I will end with it:



"Now more than ever we need to be relentless in our efforts to share the truth,
it will, with the blessing of he who is the truth, sort its on enemies out."


I'm not going to back out, the devil can bring it on!

11 August 2009

Triangle Rule

Not too long ago, we had a family meeting at home. A few issues needed to be settled and so Dad got his bible out, opened in prayer, and we began.


I've always been amazed at how "bible oriented" Dad is. When resolving any matter, or handling disputes, or teaching truths about both godliness and life in general, Dad always pulls his bible out and quotes from it. If we really believed 2 Timothy 3:16, we'd do the same, we'd use the bible for everything;


All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

~2 Timothy 3:16

During our discussion, Dad taught us a rule that I'd like to write here for two reasons. Firstly, I never want to forget it. I've heard it said, "If you want to remember something, write it down." Secondly, its a helpful rule that I'd like to share for others to benefit too. Dad said he has kept the rule all through his pastorate and it has spared him alot of problems. The rule is simple, so simple that I couldn't help but smile when he said it:
"Never complete the triangle."
If brother B tells brother A something negative about brother C, brother A should not complete the triangle by telling brother C what brother B said.

Here's an example. Jack thinks that Fred talks too much. Jack shares this with Jill. Jill should never complete the triangle by telling Fred what Jack said.


If Jill completes the triangle, she will damage the relationship between Jack and Fred.



Many times people tell us things in confidence. Sometimes the things we hear are true, other times they are malicious. Sometimes we are told certain things in passing, needless to say half the time, its us doing the talking.


In my case, I tend to take things am told too lightly. Perhaps someone will tell me that "so and so" has a big nose (for example). When am chatting with "so and so" one day, all it would take is for him to rub his nose, or sneeze or anything to do with the nose, and I'll unwittingly giggle and say, "You know, _______ actually said you have a big nose", foolishly expecting "so and so" to join me in my amusement. Before I know it, I've tied myself in a silly knot!


That's my weakness as far as the triangle rule is concerned. Others may find what they are told to be true and in a bid to help "so and so" start dressing better or stop chewing with an open mouth or whatever, we rebuke them saying, "Even ______ was complaining about the same thing, he said actually told me that you...".


Other "Jills" may decide to share what Jack said to Fred in confidence. As a result, everyone in the triangle knows the truth, in confidence!


Whatever the case may be, its important to know and master out pitfall as far the triangle rule is concerned. Even if someone says something negative about someone very close to us, we should not complete the triangle for the sake of the relationship between them.


This begs the question, must we then keep quiet and become accomplices?


Well, it really depends on what we've been told. We must encourage each other, or to put it negatively, we must discourage each other from making hurtful comments behind peoples backs. If someone tells you that "so and so" has a big nose, rebuke that individual and tell them that you are not interested in such hurtful talk. We should discourage ill talk.


Sometimes, however, we are told negative things which make it clear, that the one being talked about needs to change (e.g. "so and so" talks too much" or "is too loud" or "dresses scantily") or that "Jack" has things he needs to workout with "Fred".


In such cases, we must insist to "Jack" that he confront "Fred". In fact, give Jack a deadline. Tell Jack, "If you don't confront Fred about the things you've told me, I will tell him what you've told me, you have one week-and counting".


This way, the person that needs to change, will begin to, at the least, see that something about them affects others negatively. If the problem was their relationship, the two people involved will be able to iron their issues out.


It may cost you your friendship with Jack for a while but one day you will be thanked for it.




He who covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

~Proverbs 17:9

Hatred starts quarrels but love covers all transgressions.

~Proverbs 10:12

02 August 2009

Crazy

For one who loves writing so very much, I'm not much of a reader. Pretty ironic, huh?

The only books I read are either historical or biographical, for the most part. I've found that for me to finish even a single article on a blog, it would have to be really interesting, not a very good trait but a trait non the less. I began searching for some brilliant writers, good enough to keep me interested in their articles to the very end. My quest landed me on the blog of an atheist teenager (17, female). I must say her blog intrigued me. This young lady was very intelligent, quite knowledgeable and argued against Christianity in a very 'grown up' way. Many of her readers were, in fact, convinced that this alleged teen was actually a mature man, trying to deceive people, probably, so that his blog could be popular.

Anyway, I read all her articles in one sitting (they weren't many), as article by article she argued in an intelligent manner (sarcasm is intelligent too, I guess). I couldn't help but be saddened, of course, as I saw this young lady argue against the truth.

A number of Christians have found her blog and have tried to convince her of God the father's existence and the existence and claims of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. They've used many tactics, one of them being the, "If you're right in your belief that there is no, God, then you're safe, but what if your wrong?" card (Natalie Grant's song "What if" is based on that theme).

As I thought about what to say to this young lady, I could not help but... almost sympathise with her. I couldn't blame her and anyone else, who is not a Christian, for that matter, for finding Christianity... crazy.

However, when one becomes a Christian, their definition of 'crazy' changes. Now, its the idea of leaving their new found faith that becomes crazy. The people in the 'Christian camp' think that leaving their 'camp' would be crazy, while the onlookers who aren't in their camp, think the definition of insanity would be to join the Christian ranks.

Can you blame them? Can you blame that young atheist lady for finding Christianity crazy? I certainly cannot.

It reminds me of the brilliant song, by MercyMe (The band which wrote the song, "I can only imagine") entitled "Crazy".

Lead vocalist, Bart Millard, pens, an intelligently, beautifully written song, where he brings this idea of both camps thinking the other camp is crazy. The non-Christian looks at what we believe and how we live and thinks, "That's crazy!", while we think, having it any other way is the crazy. As you read through the lyrics, read through the way a layman would and you will see that Christianity is kinda crazy! Thank God he opens our eyes to see where the crazy really is.


Why would I spend my life longing,
For the day that it would end...
Why would I spend my time pointing,
To another man...
Isn't that crazy?

How can I find hope in dying,
With promises unseen...
How can I learn your way is better,
Than everything I'm taught to be...
Isn't that crazy?

I have not been called
To the wisdom of this world,
But to a God who's calling out to me
And even though the world may think
I'm losing touch with reality,
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity.

And if I boast, let me boast,
Of filthy rags made clean...
And if I glory, let me glory,
In my Savior's suffering...
Isn't that crazy?

And as I live this daily life,
I trust you for everything...
And I will only take a step,
When I feel You leading me...
Isn't that crazy?

I have not been called
to the wisdom of this world,
But to a God who is calling out to me
And even though the world my think
I'm losing touch with reality,
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity.

~Bart Millard