Today has been a strange day but good day. Strange in that, in our busy city of Nairobi people have forgotten how to walk on the streets!!!It was a really frustrating experience considering the fact that I was in a hurry (I'm sure we can all know how it feels). First I bumped into a lot who were just sauntering around town, crab walking and blocking the way. Then met another category who were walking in groups and filling the whole road-I mean, where are we supposed to walk?!NKT! As if that was not enough the last category was most annoying: those who were moving like they knew where they were going then suddenly realized that they going nowhere!! As in ReallY?!!I felt like knocking them and putting up a new law for pedestrians-how to walk on pathways and knowing where you are going. In fact I even felt like going all out on writing a book on street etiquette and the importance of knowing where YOU are going.
Good in that it ended up nicely.Finished a project on time. Okay, sort of. I finished but when I was about to print it out a lecturer came into the room demanding people get out of the class and he switched of the printer. :-( Eventually persuaded him to let me print it and I handed it on time-yay! Met up with a buddy of mine and caught up as we downed 'smokie pasua' ( best darn smokies this side of the Sahara) and had a good walk-out. That was nice and eventually had a big beautiful ice cream cone with mother dearest. Lovely.
On the downside, I have an assignment due Saturday :-( I'm supposed to write a story not less than 1500 words-sadly I've not got the burst or inspiration I was hoping for. For the piece we need to study, do research and for me,that's taking out the fun out of writing feel. Additionally, I feel tired&burn out. I know I have to do it, but it's hard. I've been psyching myself up the whole night but nothing doing. I thought that by the time I was done writing this I'd feel pumped but clearly that has not happened. Bummer!I'm giving myself 10 more min, if nothing changes I'll just go to bed and get started tomorrow. Risky, I know-you don't have to repeat it.
Today's piece had no definite direction, it was just a pull out of different experiences.Hope you enjoyed the read.
Till the next time,
Theng'e: Signing Out!
Friday, 13 July 2012
Thursday, 5 July 2012
WORLD IN NEED OF LOVE-JESUS LOVE!
Sup people!Hope you had an awesome day and week. I've had a pretty tough one with a few ups and downs.I feel absolutely drained!!!...but it's all good.On to the story of the day, enjoy and feel free to comment:
Today, I went shopping with a good friend of mine and on the way saw a lady squatting on the road. Yeah, sounds like a casual incidence but there was more to it than revealed. Let me try re-describe the scenario. On the roadside was a woman squatting; huddled in some way. She had partly covered her face with an dirty old headscarf as if to cover something that was meant to stay hidden. If one looked close enough they would see that she had a serious eye wound because on it, she had a bloodied eye patch. She was clothed in an old dress that seemed to have seen a few to many days for its lifetime, but I guessed that was all she had.
At first glance, I thought that she was one of those beggars; waiting and timing people on the road so as to ask for 'a little' something. However, I quickly dismissed it because I felt that there was something strange and almost scary about her. Then again, I thought she was one of those women who pose as troubled people and attack when helped, but I wasn't sure. My guards were high and I got a bit apprehensive, actually that's an understatement: a lot apprehensive.
"What if she's a thug and has accomplices nearby? What if she is the thug? Avoid! Avoid! Don't even make eye contact!" I told myself quietly as we got closer.
As we got closer I noticed that she did not look normal. I don't mean ghost-like or like a freak of nature, no. She looked sick physically, perhaps even mentally. It was as if she had been through so much suffering that words could not begin describe her story.
There was a demeanor about her that could not go unnoticed. She had an air of strength, defiance, rebellion, some sort of roughness probably acquired from what she had experienced in her life. Yet at the same time some level of fear and introvert tendencies. Being the person I am, seeing the indication of such a bad wound left me feeling queasy and coupled my fears. I hate seeing blood or evidence of a really bad wound, and that one there seemed to be one ghastly one.
I started to cross the road to the other side, doing my best not to look at her and my oh my didn't I get the fright of my life when she rose to her feet. She started approaching us as if coming to either ask as for something but I walked as fast as I could gesturing that she shouldn't come towards us and that we couldn't help her; may be some other time.
It sounds mean but you can't blame me for that. I was scared off my socks and was not sure what to expect. With the current state of affairs in our country, the number one rule is to trust no one, especially not strangers because it can land you in trouble. No matter how sweet, innocent or troubled one looks- walk away because it can be a trap to endanger you. With this in mind you can empathize with my school of thought.
As soon as we had crossed I breathed a breath of relief, perhaps even one of "Thank God, we're safe!". I began chatting with my friend and apologized for having seemed mean. She casually said it was okay but later explained that according to her, the woman was not coming to beg. Instead she was shooing us away; from the look of things may be what she had was contagious so she was warning us to stay away. Her speculation was that the lady might have had leprosy or something along those lines.
On hearing that I felt a pang of guilt. "How could I be so unfeeling?" I asked myself. The saddest thing about the whole ordeal was that even if we wanted to help after that how could we? We asked ourselves if there were any hospitals or medical offices nearby that we could call and direct their personnel to her but there were none. The question that began to gnaw at the back of my head was "What if it was me or my family member? How would I feel?"
We then began to discuss the need to show such people love. My friend had been talking about how people who are really sick need care, affection and affirmation. The reasoning behind this is that they can be made to feel like outcasts because of situations that are beyond their control such as their bodies giving up and becoming prone to diseases that no man can heal but only God can heal.
Come to think of it now, I'm led to think of the lady in the Bible (Mark 5:24-34) who bled for 12 years. If the lady we saw was anything to go by then that lady really suffered. She was an outcast because of her illness and no one understood. She sought treatment, with the hope of being healed but all was in vain. She was all alone, in her pit of problems, that was until she heard about Jesus. She heard that the healer was nearby and she dared to believe. A belief so great it was almost silly-if we try to reason logically. Her reasoning was if she just touched the hem, not the whole cloak, not Jesus, but if she touched ONLY the HEM of HIS garment then she WOULD BE HEALED. And so it was, her faith made her well. One encounter with Jesus, followed by the confession that it was she who touched him and her explanation as to why, not only saw her set free but totally and fully healed.
So what am I saying at the end of it all? Despite the hardened society and the degree of depravity of morals let not our hearts be hardened. May God open our eyes that we may be able to discern those that are in need from the deceitful who are out to endanger others. Let us not forget to be mindful and help where we can; in action through prayer-in whichever way. It is a tough call, I know-with the current times, why bother? 'There is no good in this world' we say, but we need to be the good, the light on the lamp stand, the salt of the earth. For you never know, one day it might be you or someone you love...What if everyone ignored you or them? How would you feel?
Till the next time,
Theng'e: Signing out!
Today, I went shopping with a good friend of mine and on the way saw a lady squatting on the road. Yeah, sounds like a casual incidence but there was more to it than revealed. Let me try re-describe the scenario. On the roadside was a woman squatting; huddled in some way. She had partly covered her face with an dirty old headscarf as if to cover something that was meant to stay hidden. If one looked close enough they would see that she had a serious eye wound because on it, she had a bloodied eye patch. She was clothed in an old dress that seemed to have seen a few to many days for its lifetime, but I guessed that was all she had.
At first glance, I thought that she was one of those beggars; waiting and timing people on the road so as to ask for 'a little' something. However, I quickly dismissed it because I felt that there was something strange and almost scary about her. Then again, I thought she was one of those women who pose as troubled people and attack when helped, but I wasn't sure. My guards were high and I got a bit apprehensive, actually that's an understatement: a lot apprehensive.
"What if she's a thug and has accomplices nearby? What if she is the thug? Avoid! Avoid! Don't even make eye contact!" I told myself quietly as we got closer.
As we got closer I noticed that she did not look normal. I don't mean ghost-like or like a freak of nature, no. She looked sick physically, perhaps even mentally. It was as if she had been through so much suffering that words could not begin describe her story.
There was a demeanor about her that could not go unnoticed. She had an air of strength, defiance, rebellion, some sort of roughness probably acquired from what she had experienced in her life. Yet at the same time some level of fear and introvert tendencies. Being the person I am, seeing the indication of such a bad wound left me feeling queasy and coupled my fears. I hate seeing blood or evidence of a really bad wound, and that one there seemed to be one ghastly one.
I started to cross the road to the other side, doing my best not to look at her and my oh my didn't I get the fright of my life when she rose to her feet. She started approaching us as if coming to either ask as for something but I walked as fast as I could gesturing that she shouldn't come towards us and that we couldn't help her; may be some other time.
It sounds mean but you can't blame me for that. I was scared off my socks and was not sure what to expect. With the current state of affairs in our country, the number one rule is to trust no one, especially not strangers because it can land you in trouble. No matter how sweet, innocent or troubled one looks- walk away because it can be a trap to endanger you. With this in mind you can empathize with my school of thought.
As soon as we had crossed I breathed a breath of relief, perhaps even one of "Thank God, we're safe!". I began chatting with my friend and apologized for having seemed mean. She casually said it was okay but later explained that according to her, the woman was not coming to beg. Instead she was shooing us away; from the look of things may be what she had was contagious so she was warning us to stay away. Her speculation was that the lady might have had leprosy or something along those lines.
On hearing that I felt a pang of guilt. "How could I be so unfeeling?" I asked myself. The saddest thing about the whole ordeal was that even if we wanted to help after that how could we? We asked ourselves if there were any hospitals or medical offices nearby that we could call and direct their personnel to her but there were none. The question that began to gnaw at the back of my head was "What if it was me or my family member? How would I feel?"
We then began to discuss the need to show such people love. My friend had been talking about how people who are really sick need care, affection and affirmation. The reasoning behind this is that they can be made to feel like outcasts because of situations that are beyond their control such as their bodies giving up and becoming prone to diseases that no man can heal but only God can heal.
Come to think of it now, I'm led to think of the lady in the Bible (Mark 5:24-34) who bled for 12 years. If the lady we saw was anything to go by then that lady really suffered. She was an outcast because of her illness and no one understood. She sought treatment, with the hope of being healed but all was in vain. She was all alone, in her pit of problems, that was until she heard about Jesus. She heard that the healer was nearby and she dared to believe. A belief so great it was almost silly-if we try to reason logically. Her reasoning was if she just touched the hem, not the whole cloak, not Jesus, but if she touched ONLY the HEM of HIS garment then she WOULD BE HEALED. And so it was, her faith made her well. One encounter with Jesus, followed by the confession that it was she who touched him and her explanation as to why, not only saw her set free but totally and fully healed.
So what am I saying at the end of it all? Despite the hardened society and the degree of depravity of morals let not our hearts be hardened. May God open our eyes that we may be able to discern those that are in need from the deceitful who are out to endanger others. Let us not forget to be mindful and help where we can; in action through prayer-in whichever way. It is a tough call, I know-with the current times, why bother? 'There is no good in this world' we say, but we need to be the good, the light on the lamp stand, the salt of the earth. For you never know, one day it might be you or someone you love...What if everyone ignored you or them? How would you feel?
Till the next time,
Theng'e: Signing out!
Saturday, 30 June 2012
OUT OF ORDER!
If anyone has been in Kenya, then you know for a fact that our transport system is something out of this world: and by transport I mean the public service vehicles, especially matatus. (For those who do not know, matatus are the Nissan 14-seater p.s.v vans and also include a smaller version of Isuzu buses.) Ridiculous if not ridonkulous you ask me-yes, it even makes me come up with new vocabulary to try and describe it. This one time I got on one and had quite an experience that I even wrote about it on my phone. Enjoy the read:
Matatu's are like deviant little children on sugar highs, who are absolutely out of order. For some funny reason they think and act as if they own the world and their word/ actions is law. Today I got in one at Madaraka in bid to get to town soonest but lo! What lay ahead was a twist of the unexpected.
My dad had been so sweet; dropped me half way (T-mall) and I quickly walked to the stage thinking that it had all been a miracle because I was there by 3.30pm or so. My agenda was to run to hospital quickly get some tests done, dash to River Road to buy some materials and make it just on time for class. I stood waiting for a while at the stage before finally getting in one Rongai matatu. (I have to emphasize this because they among the most notorious p.s.v's.). I was elated when we approached the Uhuru Highway roundabout and thought that the rest of the jam would clear soon. However, after approaching the roundabout the driver went and joined the road to Industrial Area. To me, this was totally off route- I was going to town, what were we doing in Industrial Area?
I started trying to console myself that it was okay, everything would be alright. It was just a short cut and that we would eventually get to town. After a while I began to doubt it because first I had no clue where we were. Secondly the next thing I saw was South C/B(I still get confused about this areas to date) matatus and that we were near the Oilibya near Bellevue. That did not make sense.
"May be we'll get out on the Mombasa Road highway? But that doesn't make sense, it's like going backwards!" I told myself. I finally asked the conductor who re-assured me that the endpoint would be town. Phew! Breath of relief!
Now that I was sure that we were headed to town I became a bit more relaxed. Funny thing though, despite the fact that the driver was trying to avoid jam, he put us in 'thicker' jam. It was massive. Wait until all the matatus decided to break all the traffic rules. It was as if they were all waiting for a sign from the sky to announce that they could all go berserk. All matatus got off the roads and drove on pathways causing havoc for pedestrians and raising a lot of dust. The roads at this point looked as if circus animals had been let loose and were running wild on rampage. I was silently praying that the vehicle I was in would not follow suit but that did not happen. All those that had dozed off were abruptly woken up and were now clinging to the seats in front of them for dear life. It was kind of funny, but the not-so-funny joke was that after all that we did not really get anywhere. The driver's effort to steer clear of looming traffic ended us in worse jam; had he stuck to the original route, we would have probably already reached town.
After a whole lot of waiting, cars started moving and by the look of things we had somehow wound up at Jogoo Road. Too funny( half laughing, more of disbelief) How now? A Rongai van ending up in Jogoo when the target was town? That's like going East and ending West or South. It felt like one of those moments you feel like slapping the driver for being too adventurous at the cost of delaying you.
We soon ended up in Muthurwa Market and I began thinking of the bus that I had seen pass by while I was with my dad. Had I got into it I would have been in town an hour ago and finished my errands plus headed to class. Wishful thinking.
"Breathe, Relax. It's all good, we are now in town," I told myself but what the driver did was totally out of order! I scurried off the matatu and made a dash for it but what was evident was that I would be late for my class. As Mojo-Jojo would say- 'Curses'!!!....(you driver!!Nktutho)
Till the next time,
Theng'e: Signing Out!
Matatu's are like deviant little children on sugar highs, who are absolutely out of order. For some funny reason they think and act as if they own the world and their word/ actions is law. Today I got in one at Madaraka in bid to get to town soonest but lo! What lay ahead was a twist of the unexpected.
My dad had been so sweet; dropped me half way (T-mall) and I quickly walked to the stage thinking that it had all been a miracle because I was there by 3.30pm or so. My agenda was to run to hospital quickly get some tests done, dash to River Road to buy some materials and make it just on time for class. I stood waiting for a while at the stage before finally getting in one Rongai matatu. (I have to emphasize this because they among the most notorious p.s.v's.). I was elated when we approached the Uhuru Highway roundabout and thought that the rest of the jam would clear soon. However, after approaching the roundabout the driver went and joined the road to Industrial Area. To me, this was totally off route- I was going to town, what were we doing in Industrial Area?
I started trying to console myself that it was okay, everything would be alright. It was just a short cut and that we would eventually get to town. After a while I began to doubt it because first I had no clue where we were. Secondly the next thing I saw was South C/B(I still get confused about this areas to date) matatus and that we were near the Oilibya near Bellevue. That did not make sense.
"May be we'll get out on the Mombasa Road highway? But that doesn't make sense, it's like going backwards!" I told myself. I finally asked the conductor who re-assured me that the endpoint would be town. Phew! Breath of relief!
Now that I was sure that we were headed to town I became a bit more relaxed. Funny thing though, despite the fact that the driver was trying to avoid jam, he put us in 'thicker' jam. It was massive. Wait until all the matatus decided to break all the traffic rules. It was as if they were all waiting for a sign from the sky to announce that they could all go berserk. All matatus got off the roads and drove on pathways causing havoc for pedestrians and raising a lot of dust. The roads at this point looked as if circus animals had been let loose and were running wild on rampage. I was silently praying that the vehicle I was in would not follow suit but that did not happen. All those that had dozed off were abruptly woken up and were now clinging to the seats in front of them for dear life. It was kind of funny, but the not-so-funny joke was that after all that we did not really get anywhere. The driver's effort to steer clear of looming traffic ended us in worse jam; had he stuck to the original route, we would have probably already reached town.
After a whole lot of waiting, cars started moving and by the look of things we had somehow wound up at Jogoo Road. Too funny( half laughing, more of disbelief) How now? A Rongai van ending up in Jogoo when the target was town? That's like going East and ending West or South. It felt like one of those moments you feel like slapping the driver for being too adventurous at the cost of delaying you.
We soon ended up in Muthurwa Market and I began thinking of the bus that I had seen pass by while I was with my dad. Had I got into it I would have been in town an hour ago and finished my errands plus headed to class. Wishful thinking.
"Breathe, Relax. It's all good, we are now in town," I told myself but what the driver did was totally out of order! I scurried off the matatu and made a dash for it but what was evident was that I would be late for my class. As Mojo-Jojo would say- 'Curses'!!!....(you driver!!Nktutho)
Till the next time,
Theng'e: Signing Out!
Thursday, 28 June 2012
THE LAST TRUMPET?
Yesterday I got the scare of my life. I've never seen life to be as vivid or short as then. I had been crafting a few necklaces and bracelets, trying to make some 'mulla'. The way our economy is, life is hard: so I best try to achieve financial independence as soon as possible but only through the right means. Back to the story, I had probably worked until around 1.30-2.00am or so, and I was tired. As I was having my 'snuck' (what do you call midnight supper?snuck=from supper/snack may be?) I remember hearing the dogs barking wildly. At first I ignored until I heard a long loud sound overhead. "What could it be," I wondered?
It sounded like an airplane at first but it lasted too long to be an airplane. It then sounded like a really loud buzz, somewhat like a call, a horn or trumpet of some sort that went on and on. At this point I began to get nervous, may be it was the sound of the last trumpet. Had the world come to an end?
Previously I had been reading the book of Revelation-all about end times and it spoke of signs of the end. I remember something about a trumpet going off worldwide where everyone would hear and soon God would come and take His people. I don't remember what the order was: trumpet, people disappearing happening at the same time or separately,or God coming before, after or as all this happens.I don't know. One thing was definitely certain, I was terribly freaked out because according to my calculation of events, the end might indeed have come. SCREAM! My biggest fear was the possibility of being left behind.Was I ready for this?
Sure, it sounds funny now but then it was not. I felt so confused, scared and sad. Confused because how was I going to escape this looming danger (of being left behind)? It was one of those moments you honestly know you need to pray & very hard for that matter but you feel that you can't. It's either your tongue-tied or feel too wrong to pray or so entangled that nothing comes out. Scared because I knew that if the world had really come to an end then I was finished, damned for that matter The grace period would be over and the only way out of the earth would be death. A gruesome death. :-(. Of course I did not want that. I hate any level of pain so definitely not the most ideal of situations. Sad, because I had perhaps been left behind and been doomed to die a terrible death . Sadder still that there was a possibility that there was no remedy for this. That if it really was the end then my prayers, pleas for forgiveness were hopeless: hell and the burning lake of sulfur was a reality I may endear.
I tried praying but all that came out was," Lord, I'm sorry for all my sins. Please forgive me. Please forgive me. Do not leave me behind. Please don't let me get left behind. I can't handle it. I know you're not supposed to listen to me at this point but please, please don't let me get left behind. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
I probably went on half praying, half wondering if that was what was really going on. I thought of calling some of my close more spiritual friends and find out whether they were gone, so to speak, or if they were still around. I didn't have enough airtime to do so, so that one went down the drain. I then thought of checking if my mum and sis (but mostly mum) were still there but I could not-at least not my mum. How? Was I going to bang on my parents door at 2.00am going to 3am, and say, "Hi, thought the world was ending so just checking if you're still around." Definitely not. I did however check to see if my sis was still there and found her in deep slumber. I breathed a sigh of relief but was still a but unsure. I decided I would know the truth in the morning.
By the time I was getting to bed I had a change of perspective in life. I saw the need to have an active relationship and constant conversation with God, and not saving my prayers for bedtime. Saving my prayers for bedtime whereas I have the whole day to pray, confess, repent, give thanksgiving seemed to ring a loud no-no.The moment is now: when I blunder I confess and ask for forgiveness at that exact moment. No waiting because it may be too late.
Yesterday went and today came-technically though it was all today. I woke up today, and found everything intact. The world was still up and running and boy, wasn't I glad. Honestly, the whole experience opened my eyes to the reality and truth that no-one knows when the world may end therefore we best be prepared for the unexpected. So, are you prepared for the sounding of the trumpet?
Till next time: Theng'e signing out!
It sounded like an airplane at first but it lasted too long to be an airplane. It then sounded like a really loud buzz, somewhat like a call, a horn or trumpet of some sort that went on and on. At this point I began to get nervous, may be it was the sound of the last trumpet. Had the world come to an end?
Previously I had been reading the book of Revelation-all about end times and it spoke of signs of the end. I remember something about a trumpet going off worldwide where everyone would hear and soon God would come and take His people. I don't remember what the order was: trumpet, people disappearing happening at the same time or separately,or God coming before, after or as all this happens.I don't know. One thing was definitely certain, I was terribly freaked out because according to my calculation of events, the end might indeed have come. SCREAM! My biggest fear was the possibility of being left behind.Was I ready for this?
Sure, it sounds funny now but then it was not. I felt so confused, scared and sad. Confused because how was I going to escape this looming danger (of being left behind)? It was one of those moments you honestly know you need to pray & very hard for that matter but you feel that you can't. It's either your tongue-tied or feel too wrong to pray or so entangled that nothing comes out. Scared because I knew that if the world had really come to an end then I was finished, damned for that matter The grace period would be over and the only way out of the earth would be death. A gruesome death. :-(. Of course I did not want that. I hate any level of pain so definitely not the most ideal of situations. Sad, because I had perhaps been left behind and been doomed to die a terrible death . Sadder still that there was a possibility that there was no remedy for this. That if it really was the end then my prayers, pleas for forgiveness were hopeless: hell and the burning lake of sulfur was a reality I may endear.
I tried praying but all that came out was," Lord, I'm sorry for all my sins. Please forgive me. Please forgive me. Do not leave me behind. Please don't let me get left behind. I can't handle it. I know you're not supposed to listen to me at this point but please, please don't let me get left behind. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
I probably went on half praying, half wondering if that was what was really going on. I thought of calling some of my close more spiritual friends and find out whether they were gone, so to speak, or if they were still around. I didn't have enough airtime to do so, so that one went down the drain. I then thought of checking if my mum and sis (but mostly mum) were still there but I could not-at least not my mum. How? Was I going to bang on my parents door at 2.00am going to 3am, and say, "Hi, thought the world was ending so just checking if you're still around." Definitely not. I did however check to see if my sis was still there and found her in deep slumber. I breathed a sigh of relief but was still a but unsure. I decided I would know the truth in the morning.
By the time I was getting to bed I had a change of perspective in life. I saw the need to have an active relationship and constant conversation with God, and not saving my prayers for bedtime. Saving my prayers for bedtime whereas I have the whole day to pray, confess, repent, give thanksgiving seemed to ring a loud no-no.The moment is now: when I blunder I confess and ask for forgiveness at that exact moment. No waiting because it may be too late.
Yesterday went and today came-technically though it was all today. I woke up today, and found everything intact. The world was still up and running and boy, wasn't I glad. Honestly, the whole experience opened my eyes to the reality and truth that no-one knows when the world may end therefore we best be prepared for the unexpected. So, are you prepared for the sounding of the trumpet?
Till next time: Theng'e signing out!
Saturday, 18 February 2012
In this Century, Good People Still Exist
There is nothing as bad as losing an item. Be it big small, there is always some level of attachment and it hurts when the item is lost or stolen. The situation gets worse when it is a mobile phone. Out of all the things we own, this by far seems to be our most prized possessions. It is something we have all day and night round, almost forms part of our beings so to speak. In fact it can be regarded as 'part of the family'. That being said, you can imagine the emotions my mother experienced when she discovered her phone was missing.
At first we were all casual thinking it was in the car or, in her bag or the room and started calling it so as to find it. The first tell-tale signs that all was not well when we could not find it. We all got frantic looking for it: in the car, in her bag, in the shopping, in the garage, we had to find it. We checked, rechecked around the house, called the phone severally but to no avail. At one point it was as if someone was disconnecting it so we feared for the worst. We called the phone repeatedly, my aunt even sent a text message telling whoever had the phone and wanted to return it should contact her. Of course there was a subtle call to do the right thing by telling the individual that if he or she did not return it, they were at God's mercy and they would be dealt with appropriately. The choice was theirs.
My mother looked disturbed but at the same time, oh so calm. I did not understand it. On the inside I was so angry and could not understand why this was happening. In the past my mother had lost most her phones to hapless thugs and it was indeed frustrating. Now she finally had a phone she loved and was conversant with and now it disappeared? Not cool! As I was checking around I whispered a prayer; one of those prayers you should not really pray but I prayed it anyway. I guess it was frustration.
"God, what is this? Why is this happening? Does this mean that mum will lose all her phones? And the way she was happy with it?! Lord, please help us find it. May whoever has stolen it get so sick and convicted that they return it. If they try to sell it may it no one offer to buy it. May you convict the person until the only thing the individual can do is to return the phone." A bit harsh I know but I was sick of all the this thuggery. Thoughts of how pickpockets get into our public vehicles and rob us blind ran through my mind. At that point I understood the anger and drive of those who dish out mob justice. I was just dugusted, yet something within me told me to take this positively and try learn from the whole experience.
"Really? There is nothing positive about this," I thought and quickly shelved that idea.
I went back into the house,we called Safaricom Customer Care as my mother tried retracing her steps. That phone had to be found at all costs. My aunties suggested we go back to the shopping mall where she had last been and check for it there. They spoke with such conviction and belief that the phone was there and cracked a few light jokes on how one of the shop attendants probably had it but was confused about what to do with it.
My mother and my aunties dashed to the shopping mall and headed straight to the specific shop attendant my mother had dealt it. Meanwhile, as they went ahead I checked out with the guards at the parking lot and the mall to see if they had seen it. The guards were so nice and offered to help. Bless their souls. Just as the guards were about to check with one other guards, I saw my mother and aunts walking towards me smiling: thumbs up. They had found it. :-)! Truly God was faithful.
Apparently the shop attendant had seen it but was unsure about what to do with it. She saw the numerous calls and was unsure about receiving the calls, or replying the messages. Therefore, she decided to hold on to the phone and when the owner came by she would return it, and she did. We thanked God and thought of what a miracle and a blessing it was to have found it. As we left the shop, my faith was somewhat restored in the people of this century. Amidst all the bad and ugly there still runs some good in people.
At first we were all casual thinking it was in the car or, in her bag or the room and started calling it so as to find it. The first tell-tale signs that all was not well when we could not find it. We all got frantic looking for it: in the car, in her bag, in the shopping, in the garage, we had to find it. We checked, rechecked around the house, called the phone severally but to no avail. At one point it was as if someone was disconnecting it so we feared for the worst. We called the phone repeatedly, my aunt even sent a text message telling whoever had the phone and wanted to return it should contact her. Of course there was a subtle call to do the right thing by telling the individual that if he or she did not return it, they were at God's mercy and they would be dealt with appropriately. The choice was theirs.
My mother looked disturbed but at the same time, oh so calm. I did not understand it. On the inside I was so angry and could not understand why this was happening. In the past my mother had lost most her phones to hapless thugs and it was indeed frustrating. Now she finally had a phone she loved and was conversant with and now it disappeared? Not cool! As I was checking around I whispered a prayer; one of those prayers you should not really pray but I prayed it anyway. I guess it was frustration.
"God, what is this? Why is this happening? Does this mean that mum will lose all her phones? And the way she was happy with it?! Lord, please help us find it. May whoever has stolen it get so sick and convicted that they return it. If they try to sell it may it no one offer to buy it. May you convict the person until the only thing the individual can do is to return the phone." A bit harsh I know but I was sick of all the this thuggery. Thoughts of how pickpockets get into our public vehicles and rob us blind ran through my mind. At that point I understood the anger and drive of those who dish out mob justice. I was just dugusted, yet something within me told me to take this positively and try learn from the whole experience.
"Really? There is nothing positive about this," I thought and quickly shelved that idea.
I went back into the house,we called Safaricom Customer Care as my mother tried retracing her steps. That phone had to be found at all costs. My aunties suggested we go back to the shopping mall where she had last been and check for it there. They spoke with such conviction and belief that the phone was there and cracked a few light jokes on how one of the shop attendants probably had it but was confused about what to do with it.
My mother and my aunties dashed to the shopping mall and headed straight to the specific shop attendant my mother had dealt it. Meanwhile, as they went ahead I checked out with the guards at the parking lot and the mall to see if they had seen it. The guards were so nice and offered to help. Bless their souls. Just as the guards were about to check with one other guards, I saw my mother and aunts walking towards me smiling: thumbs up. They had found it. :-)! Truly God was faithful.
Apparently the shop attendant had seen it but was unsure about what to do with it. She saw the numerous calls and was unsure about receiving the calls, or replying the messages. Therefore, she decided to hold on to the phone and when the owner came by she would return it, and she did. We thanked God and thought of what a miracle and a blessing it was to have found it. As we left the shop, my faith was somewhat restored in the people of this century. Amidst all the bad and ugly there still runs some good in people.
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Got the Guts?
It's amazing what people will put on internet, from tardy to downright disgusting. Ranging from pictures to videos to sounds-ah!It is so annoying. Recently I bumped into one of these and my oh my was I grossed out. The intention of this particular was good but it didn't help the fact that it was utterly disgusting!
Twas an informative piece warning women to wash their inner wears before wearing them. Gnarly. I thought I had the stomach to see it but boy wasn't I wrong. ( To see what I'm talking about check out http://jawbreaker88.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/wash-before-wearing. Be warned if you are not strong do not look at the pictures) So, my friend opened the site and we began to read the text. Actually it was me who opened the site-I was feeling all 'super hero'; nothing could get to me...but this. We read and of course there was a warning on the content; and after psyching each other up we looked. What followed next was a sight I knew I would never forget, and not in a nice way. Utterly disturbing (psychologically and mentally) pictures. SCREAM!!!!AAAAHH!!
I closed my eyes upon seeing the first picture and began regretting why I ever went to that site. I tried to forget it and block it but to no avail. My friend was also grossed out but she was stronger than me. Needless to say she laughed at me and thanked God that she could easily block out what she didn't want to remember.The image just kept playing and playing in my head like a broken record, on and on, 'Somebody make it stop!' As Mojo Jojo from the Power Puff Girls would say, 'Curses!!!!!'. ...for having such an imaginative mind. Next time you hear someone say 'Curiosity killed the cat,' listen lest you end up as the dead cat. In this situation, I was the 'sleek cat' that plummeted into the raging waters...and died. I acted all 'super hero' thinking that looking at the pics would not disturb me but I'm paying for it now.
Lesson learnt: Don't you ever test the power of the mind. If you know you cannot handle something, do not bother with it. Leave it alone. Flee and flee fast because the mind can be impossible. It never, never forgets and you don't want to end up traumatised- wishing there was a way you could wash your brain and rid yourself of all the nasty things you've seen/ heard.
Till the next time: Theng'e signing out!
Twas an informative piece warning women to wash their inner wears before wearing them. Gnarly. I thought I had the stomach to see it but boy wasn't I wrong. ( To see what I'm talking about check out http://jawbreaker88.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/wash-before-wearing. Be warned if you are not strong do not look at the pictures) So, my friend opened the site and we began to read the text. Actually it was me who opened the site-I was feeling all 'super hero'; nothing could get to me...but this. We read and of course there was a warning on the content; and after psyching each other up we looked. What followed next was a sight I knew I would never forget, and not in a nice way. Utterly disturbing (psychologically and mentally) pictures. SCREAM!!!!AAAAHH!!
I closed my eyes upon seeing the first picture and began regretting why I ever went to that site. I tried to forget it and block it but to no avail. My friend was also grossed out but she was stronger than me. Needless to say she laughed at me and thanked God that she could easily block out what she didn't want to remember.The image just kept playing and playing in my head like a broken record, on and on, 'Somebody make it stop!' As Mojo Jojo from the Power Puff Girls would say, 'Curses!!!!!'. ...for having such an imaginative mind. Next time you hear someone say 'Curiosity killed the cat,' listen lest you end up as the dead cat. In this situation, I was the 'sleek cat' that plummeted into the raging waters...and died. I acted all 'super hero' thinking that looking at the pics would not disturb me but I'm paying for it now.
Lesson learnt: Don't you ever test the power of the mind. If you know you cannot handle something, do not bother with it. Leave it alone. Flee and flee fast because the mind can be impossible. It never, never forgets and you don't want to end up traumatised- wishing there was a way you could wash your brain and rid yourself of all the nasty things you've seen/ heard.
Till the next time: Theng'e signing out!
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
I don't know what it is with sin and man. It is like a bad love-hate relationship that exists worldwide.Sin is so ugly, so rotten yet we love what it brings (the offers) but at the same time hate the result of indulging. I don't understand it at all. Quite strange, if you ask me. It's like a magnet of some sort that attracts us yet in reality we are supposed to be repulsed if not repelled by it.How can something so bad look or feel so good? The reality is that it's so good, but only for a moment before guilt, regret, anxiety and torment kick in. This reminds me of the first sin-story and I can't help but running back to my Bible in Genesis to check for when it came into existence: how it all started.
Devil deceives Eve through the snake, she uses peer pressure on Adam and the result is a broken relationship between God. Worse still a new relationship rears it's ugly head on all humanity: a relationship with sin. This tragic shift of events causes a strain on man,; on one hand he has to a maintain a relationship with God while on the other side the Devil keeps trying to destroy it by making man cheat/ skunk on God. I still ask myself why God didn't just cut off sin as a whole. Create a system whereby man could exist in a loving relationship eternally( with Him) without the possibility of ever being drawn away. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Then again, who am I to question the great ways of the Almighty? Since when did the creation tell the Creator what to do? I guess that is where the difference between angels and man comes in. Angels were created to serve, love and glorify God-without choice, it's in their system while man was created to serve, love and glorify God- with choice. That is where the trick comes in.
Being given the gift of choice comes with heavy responsibility. Where ordinarily we are drawn to flesh desires we need to make conscious decisions to do what is right. Not just because it right but because it what God wants. If it is what God wants and commands us to do as a show of love then it ought to be our devotion-to please God and steer clear from sin. It sounds easy in theory but in reality it is a struggle all people go through.
I hate the feeling after that comes immediately after sinning. It just drives the point home- the Devil is a liar. Let me try set the scenario of how sin takes place. First of all sin will tend to creep in when you are idle. Doesn't the Bible say that an idle mind is the Devil's workshop? There you go. So you are doing nothing then a thought comes to mind. It may start as something totally harmless; tiny and then it soon builds up to something bigger than expected. The minds is an amazing thing. It can create anything it wants to or is allowed-there no restrictions, that is until we place them. We toy around with the ideas about the 'big thought' soon start picturing the so called benefits of indulging. The 'big thought' will arouse all our senses and emotions: and convince us that indulging in 'the act' will bring satisfaction beyond comprehension. Then our conscience has a go at us. He begins to present the reality: dangers of indulging in 'the act' and the aftermath on the negative if not real side. We are so caught up on the good that we refuse the wise counsel of our conscience and begin shut him up. "Keep quiet. I know what I am doing. Besides, I will feel good, why wait? The effects are not really that bad-the good surpasses it. Just hush up and let me be," we say. The truth is that we know what we are about to do is bad, we simply try to downplay the gravity of it all. No sooner than we know we take the dive into the act; dive and plunge deep into sin.
Almost immediately after soaring high and feeling good, realization sinks in (deep). We have sinned. The voice that was encouraging you to indulge in the act comes back but this time he is hitting us one blow after another. It hurts, it hurts so bad we feel like killing ourselves. "You are so stupid. Useless. Hopeless. You can't be helped. You keep messing up. You think God will forgive you let alone save you? Ha!Funny! How many times do you think He can forgive you?Even He gets tired and moreover disgusted. That's right, you are disgusting and you will always be disgusting. Failure-you can't do anything right. Waste of flesh! And you are supposed to be a leader/ example for others!So much for righteousness." Such things continue to run through our heads and it keeps getting worse. We regret ever indulging but we can't turn back the time. We want to tell somebody but feel afraid to; because if we do we may be judged, scorned or hated: that would only cause more trauma to our already difficult situation. We also want to pray but it's so hard. We just stabbed God right in the heart. What re-assurance do we have that He will listen to us let alone forgive us? We feel depressed, trapped and heavy laden. We know we have to pray but we're already so down. Where do we start? How? It's difficult.
Devil deceives Eve through the snake, she uses peer pressure on Adam and the result is a broken relationship between God. Worse still a new relationship rears it's ugly head on all humanity: a relationship with sin. This tragic shift of events causes a strain on man,; on one hand he has to a maintain a relationship with God while on the other side the Devil keeps trying to destroy it by making man cheat/ skunk on God. I still ask myself why God didn't just cut off sin as a whole. Create a system whereby man could exist in a loving relationship eternally( with Him) without the possibility of ever being drawn away. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Then again, who am I to question the great ways of the Almighty? Since when did the creation tell the Creator what to do? I guess that is where the difference between angels and man comes in. Angels were created to serve, love and glorify God-without choice, it's in their system while man was created to serve, love and glorify God- with choice. That is where the trick comes in.
Being given the gift of choice comes with heavy responsibility. Where ordinarily we are drawn to flesh desires we need to make conscious decisions to do what is right. Not just because it right but because it what God wants. If it is what God wants and commands us to do as a show of love then it ought to be our devotion-to please God and steer clear from sin. It sounds easy in theory but in reality it is a struggle all people go through.
I hate the feeling after that comes immediately after sinning. It just drives the point home- the Devil is a liar. Let me try set the scenario of how sin takes place. First of all sin will tend to creep in when you are idle. Doesn't the Bible say that an idle mind is the Devil's workshop? There you go. So you are doing nothing then a thought comes to mind. It may start as something totally harmless; tiny and then it soon builds up to something bigger than expected. The minds is an amazing thing. It can create anything it wants to or is allowed-there no restrictions, that is until we place them. We toy around with the ideas about the 'big thought' soon start picturing the so called benefits of indulging. The 'big thought' will arouse all our senses and emotions: and convince us that indulging in 'the act' will bring satisfaction beyond comprehension. Then our conscience has a go at us. He begins to present the reality: dangers of indulging in 'the act' and the aftermath on the negative if not real side. We are so caught up on the good that we refuse the wise counsel of our conscience and begin shut him up. "Keep quiet. I know what I am doing. Besides, I will feel good, why wait? The effects are not really that bad-the good surpasses it. Just hush up and let me be," we say. The truth is that we know what we are about to do is bad, we simply try to downplay the gravity of it all. No sooner than we know we take the dive into the act; dive and plunge deep into sin.
Almost immediately after soaring high and feeling good, realization sinks in (deep). We have sinned. The voice that was encouraging you to indulge in the act comes back but this time he is hitting us one blow after another. It hurts, it hurts so bad we feel like killing ourselves. "You are so stupid. Useless. Hopeless. You can't be helped. You keep messing up. You think God will forgive you let alone save you? Ha!Funny! How many times do you think He can forgive you?Even He gets tired and moreover disgusted. That's right, you are disgusting and you will always be disgusting. Failure-you can't do anything right. Waste of flesh! And you are supposed to be a leader/ example for others!So much for righteousness." Such things continue to run through our heads and it keeps getting worse. We regret ever indulging but we can't turn back the time. We want to tell somebody but feel afraid to; because if we do we may be judged, scorned or hated: that would only cause more trauma to our already difficult situation. We also want to pray but it's so hard. We just stabbed God right in the heart. What re-assurance do we have that He will listen to us let alone forgive us? We feel depressed, trapped and heavy laden. We know we have to pray but we're already so down. Where do we start? How? It's difficult.
Well, I am here to encourage you. In the Bible, 1John 1:8 , it says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us". We are all sinners. In Romans 3:23-24 it says, " ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Not one, not two but all have sinned therefore nobody is perfect except for Christ..(Note, I am not saying this to justify us such that from now on we think it is okay to sin. It is not.) The only person who can save us, redeem us is Jesus Christ. He alone can save us;cleanse us and forgive us. It is not by our might or our strength but indeed by His grace, amazing grace (and the immense love He has for us). That,we need to remember. 1John 1:9 says," 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." So let us go before our Father, our God and talk to him for indeed we are guaranteed that He will listen to us. We need not worry over who to confess to for He is right there.
In summing it all up, I will leave us with Psalm 51. Be encouraged!
Till the next time: Theng'e signing out!
Reference:
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.
In summing it all up, I will leave us with Psalm 51. Be encouraged!
Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
you teachb me wisdom in the inmost place.
7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
14Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
15O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Till the next time: Theng'e signing out!
Reference:
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica.
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