I shared this last year on the social website, facebook and thot it was wise i did share it here too...

HIV Testing isn't that scary experience after all.... my friend and I made it a fun experience and a memorable one for that matter. we were all joking of all the craziest things we would do if we found ourselves positive like buying a rat rat - a pesticide for killing rat, trying to rob a bank and being shot dead or just walking home to our folks and requesting for our inheritance then spend it on all we have ever wished on then waiting to die - of course we were just kidding! none of us would dare do that.

We met in Thika coincidentally, i didn't have plans of visiting VCT but my friend managed to persuade me with a promise that we were to be tested together - as a couple would do.
The whole experience wasn't bad and we even shared with the nurse who was testing us the wiild thoughts we had and she was all laughing..... anyway all went well i was the first one to be tested then my friend. When the results were out the nurse enquired whether we were ready for the results and whether we were comfortable knowing each others status. My friend was OK with that, so i said yes also, after all the worst or the best one would do is change the status.
Otherwise we were showed the results and i have to confess i was for once nervous - !!!!!
We afterwards made some resolution, My friend vowed to be careful and me............................................................... to ABSTAIN! -


Abstinence Pride breaking the shame.


Now calling on all of you to CHANUKA and tu CHUKUA CONTROL get tested and know your HIV Status.

Some few facts you should know about HIV Aids.
• The good news. Infection rate of adults has been reduced from ten percent to seven percent. UNAIDS: November 2005
• Children made orphans in Kenya. As of 2003, 9% of children under 15 had lost their father, 4% had lost their mother, 2% had lost both parents. 11% of children under 15 had lost one or both parents, an increase of 2% from 1998.
• On the positive side. Knowledge of the cause of the HIV virus in Kenya is very high: more than four out of five persons know that the chances of getting the HIV virus can be reduced by limiting sex to one faithful partner.
• On the negative side. 39% of women and 26% of men do not know that the virus cannot be transmitted by mosquito bites. Similarly, 29% of women and 19 % men still hold the erroneous belief that one can be infected by the virus through sharing of utensils with a person who has AIDS. – 75 % of AIDS cases in Kenya are among people in their most economically productive time of life, i.e. in the 20-45 age bracket. – 75 % of the HIV virus transmission are by hetero-sexual contact. – 30-40 % of babies of HIV-positive mothers are born HIV-positive. More than 100,000 children under age 5 are infected.
• A positive attitude towards those who are HIV-positive is strongly related to level of education. • Wealth is positively associated with knowledge of HIV transmission. The poorest are disadvantaged in all aspects of HIV knowledge.
• In Kenya higher educational level does not protects one from HIV infection; HIV has spread through all regions and sectors of society.

Asking Someone for a Date

It seems simple enough, but it can be the most difficult part of a date.
So what do you do?

Biggest clue: THINK AHEAD

You don't want to be standing there going, "Um, ah." when the object of your affection says "Yes."
You can't just look stunned and be too shocked to utter the next sentence.
You can't wait for that very moment to try to think of what on earth you can do on a date.
You need a more impressive beginning.

If you're at the start of a relationship or asking for a first date, take the pressure off by not using the "D" word.
Don't ask for a "Date" and don't call it a "Date."
If you're uncomfortable saying, "Would you like to go out with me." Then don't say it. Make it casual. But (just a reminder) THINK AHEAD. Make it specific.

First - two deadly questions NOT to ask:
Do not ask, "You want to go out?" it's too open-ended and can lead to awkward follow up conversation.
Do not ask, "What are you doing Friday night?" It's too vague. It may leave your potential date wondering exactly what you have in mind.
The other person doesn't know if you're just curious about what she/he is doing on Friday night or if you want to do something with them...

Try something along the lines of:

"You like to rollerblade? I was thinking of going out to the lake on Saturday. It's great out there. Would you like to go with me?"

Or if you're really uncertain or uncomfortable about getting together - go with a group.

Ask the question:
"Hey, there're a bunch of us going bowling on Saturday. Would you like to go?"
The operative word here is "us." It immediately takes the pressure off.

Planning activities to do on your date and getting together in a group are good ways to go - especially if you think you or your date might get "tongue-tied."
If you're busy or there are a bunch of other people in the conversation, you won't hit awkward silences and won't have to talk all the time if you don't know your date very well.

In summary, just remember when you are asking someone out:
1) Plan ahead
Know what you are going to say AND what you want to suggest to do on the date.
2) Be specific
The other person will be much more comfortable if they know exactly what your intentions are and what you want to do.

AND try to relax and enjoy yourself - worst case - they'll say they can't go out and you'll find someone else who will. Someone who appreciates you.
In other words, if the person you are asking out doesn't have enough insight to recognize what a terrific person you are, then they're just not too bright now, are they?

How to Start a Relationship

Be awesome at anything; if you are smart, show it off, if you are funny, make her laugh, or if you are good at sports, give a demonstration. Let people know how you are different. Look far and wide. If you find yourself without 'any prospects', then you are probably not looking in the right places. Think of what you like to do that defines who you are. Ask yourself, where would someone meet me ? If you're into sports or exercise, then look into places where people do those activities.
Look for someone who you can easily talk to. The most important part of any type of relationship is communication. If you cannot communicate effectively with your partner, your relationship will probably not go far.
Start by first talking and later making friends with the person you think is special. Most people don't like to jump straight into a relationship, especially girls. Find a reason to talk to the person. Make sure that they want to talk to you. Just talk about something that keeps the conversation going.
Be yourself and don't lie just to get to a special person's heart. If they find out later and you're in the middle of a deep relationship or maybe a time when you really need that person, they will leave for good.
Let the person know that you like them. Beyond the cheesy sending a note through a friend, talk to them about something you both have in common. School, parents, teachers, vacations, etc. Anything besides a relationship should be fairly safe territory.
Flirt. Flirting is a fine activity if you are interested in people who like to flirt. The social and playful activity certainly draws attention and can lead to a relationship. If it is not you, then don't bother, it is better to be yourself.
Take things slowly. Don't be too needy. They'll think you're just an annoying friend and you probably don't want them to think that. That special person might actually ask you over or on a date, which doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is into you. Give it time and things could work out. Once you have established 'first contact', remember not to squeeze the person. Try to continue doing your normal routine, with them in mind, rather than changing your whole life around them. Hopefully they will want to have a relationship with YOU, not a clone of themselves or a tag along.

How to Break Up pt2

....continued from How to Break up Pt1

Expect any or all of the following reactions.

• Questioning -- He or she will want to know why, and whether there was anything he or she could have done to prevent the breakup. Answer the questions as honestly as possible.


• Crying -- The other person will likely be upset, and it will show. You can comfort him or her, but don't allow yourself to be manipulated into changing your decision.


• Arguing -- He or she may dispute anything you've said during the breakup, including examples you used in your reasons for breaking up. Don't get dragged into a fight, and don't split hairs. Let your partner know that arguing isn't going to change your decision.


• Bargaining or Begging -- He or she may offer to change, or to do things differently in order to preserve the relationship. If the person didn't change when you've discussed your problems in the past, it is too late to expect him or her to truly change now.


• Lashing out -- Whether it's as simple as saying "You'll never find anyone as good as me" or as scary as saying "I'll make you regret this", he or she is usually just trying to make himself or herself feel better. Threats of physical harm, however, are serious and should not be ignored. If you feel that your safety is at risk, stay calm and leave quickly.

Distance yourself. It'll be difficult, but don't call them, don't go places where you know they frequent, and make yourself scarce. Take the time to reflect on your situation and learn more about yourself. Do all the things you've ever wanted to do, that you wouldn't have done if you were still with this person. Now is the perfect time to focus on those missed opportunities. Your ex may try to get in touch, but wait a while (some people suggest six months) before resuming contact, if at all. You felt close to this person at one point in your life, and you will probably always have a soft spot for him or her, but it's time for both of you to move on.

Realize that breaking up is just a normal part of life. Yes, breaking up is difficult - but like it or not, this is a normal part of teenage and adult life, and as much as it is painful, it is normal. Sometimes you will be the dumper, sometimes you might be the dumpee. We all have heartbreak; it hurts- but we all survive it, and you (and your ex) will too.

Note: - If you are sure you want to break up with somebody, it is best done sooner rather than later. However, if your partner has had a particularly bad day already, you may want to consider waiting for a better moment. Breaking up with them when they are already down will make the break-up much harder for both of you.
While honesty is the best policy, you may want to focus on the fundamental issues destroying the relationship and not nitpick on the little annoyances that drive you mad. Those annoyances are usually symptoms of the underlying problems--we're far more likely to get annoyed, irritable, and frustrated when we know the relationship isn't working out.

How to Break Up pt1

Ending a relationship is one of the hardest things you can do, it breaks your heart inside, and your soon to be ex-partner. Sure, you have your reasons to break up with them, but how come it is still so hard? Because we don't want to break their hearts...
Steps

• Think about why you are breaking up with this person. If you are simply upset with your partner, you should consider talking about what upset you and focus on resolving it, rather than ending the relationship. But if this same issue has already been discussed, yet nothing changes and you keep feeling unsatisfied, hurt, or betrayed, then breaking up might be the only way to end the pattern. Your partner will ask you why you want out, and you should be prepared with answers. Before having "the talk" that ends the relationship, do your best to articulate the reasons you are breaking up. If you have trouble remembering examples during emotional discussions or arguments, write your reasons down in advance. It may help to talk this over with someone you trust, or with a counselor.


• Plan out how long you are willing to spend breaking up. The actual conversation in which you break up with this person can last a lot longer than it should, especially if your partner is devastated or completely surprised by your decision. It'll be much easier for you to stick to your guns if the conversation doesn't drag out. Expect to spend at least one hour breaking up, and longer if the relationship lasted a year or more. You may even want to arrange an appointment with a friend in a neutral location so that you can say "I'm supposed to meet John/Jane at the restaurant in fifteen minutes, so I have to go now."


• Break up in person. It is easier to break up with someone if you don't have to look the person in the eye, but it can also be interpreted as cruel and cowardly. Unless you are a long distance away and choose not to wait until you see the person again, don't break up by phone, e-mail, or through an instant messenger system. And don't even think about breaking up with someone by pulling a disappearing act, even if it's just by suddenly eliminating contact with the person. The lack of closure can be psychologically damaging.

If you don't live together, break the news at his/her home and in private. They'll want to feel safe enough to respond emotionally--no one wants to be broken up with in public or near family and friends, and risk bursting into tears, or be forced to bottle up all those emotions. While you can break up with them at your place, making someone go home after getting news like that will be difficult, and could make them more bitter. If you are at your partner's home, you can leave after you feel you've made your decision clear.

If you live together, breaking-up will be particularly problematic and stressful; you should have a place where you can stay until the person you've broken up with digests the big change. You can either move all of your stuff while they're not home and then break up when they come home and notice, or break up and leave with some of your things with the intention to come back when things have calmed down to get the rest of your belongings. Either way will be very difficult for the other person, but only you know what's best for your situation.

• Break up calmly. If you say the dreaded words "We need to talk", your partner will immediately know what's going on, and that's not a bad thing. You don't want to blurt out "We need to break up" out of the blue, or worse, when you're in an argument. You need to approach the whole thing calmly and peacefully, with a sense of resolution. Sit down with your partner and let him or her know that you've decided to end the relationship.

to be continued

How Do You Know It’s Love?

Sometimes, we develop a particular fondness for the person we’re dating. We just can’t stop thinking about him/her, even after many, many hours savoring his/her company. We are left in a quandary about our feelings, and certain queasiness pervades our days. Then we ask ourselves the question: have we fallen in love with that person?Love is indeed a wonderful thing. But it is something that we should be certain about, least we spend many sleepless nights in deep thoughts and confusion. Sadly, determining the veracity of love is not always easy. Sometimes, a deep infatuation is equated with the same. So how do we know that it’s love… real love that is? What could we be sure that the other person is not only the object of our thoughts, but the object of our hearts as well? Here are some signs that would help us say that what we’re feeling is indeed love.

1. When, at the beginning of the day, you are already filled with thoughts of the other person: what he/she is doing, how he/she looks, what you could do to make him/her smile today… when something good or nice happens to you, you always think of how you must share this with him/her, be it a funny story or a moment of your triumph. You always wish that he/she would be right there with you, but even if he/she isn’t, it’s okay because you know that soon you will be together and you anticipate that. No moment, no matter how dull it seems like simply watching TV together, is ever a wasted moment. Every minute counts when you’re with that person.
2. You become selfless. And you start thinking more about what would be good for the other person, than what would be good for you. Your ultimate happiness is to be able to make that other person happy, whether it is with you or with another person. You take care of him/her and you keep looking out for him/her. Be reminded however that making the other person happy does not include inflicting or causing harm to yourself or being untrue to yourself. You don’t ask that person to do sacrifices for you either, such as doing stuff you asked them to do just to prove their love to you.
3. You start to think of how it would be to be with this person forever… and you relish that dream or feeling. The thought of spending the rest of your lives together is not seen as being stuck with another person, but is considered to be a very wonderful idea.
4. Even if there are other people who are more beautiful or attractive, you still choose to be with this person. This means your commitment to this person is absolute. You have fully and undeniably decided to be with only him/her no matter what. It is not only love, but also devotion.
5. There is passion and fireworks, even after the infatuation period of six months. If you have been together for such a long time now, but aren’t bored out of your minds yet and can still feel the fire burning – simply because you keep it burning (and this requires dedication and effort), is a clear indication that love is still shared between two people.
6. There is a desire to understand each other, even at the biggest of arguments. You continue to communicate openly and do not harshly judge each other. You accept each other’s faults and shortcomings. For example, no matter how fat she gets and no matter how much he drools when he sleeps, you still stay and love the person. Also, you stay true and honest to that person.
7. There is a great deal of respect, admiration and trust for this person. And she/he has earned it well.

Getting over your crush!

So, you have a crush on this person, and you truly believe that he / she is one of a kind. But your crush does not reciprocate your feelings and has no romantic interest in you. It hurts you and bothers you on many levels.

After harboring a hope that your crush will eventually like

you or even fall in love with you for some time, you realize that the chances of the two of you getting involved romantically are dismal. But it still hurts - you still want to be with that person so badly. At the same time you realize that the right and the healthy thing for you to do is to get over him / her once and for all.
But it’s easier said than done. I want to suggest to you one powerful, five-step approch to getting over your crush permanently:

1. Realize that what you experience is an emotion, and as such it will take time to get over it. No one tip or advice will change how you feel in an instant. Only a conscious, continuous effort, lapse of sufficient time and patience on your part will allow you to fully recover from what you feel right now.



2. Stop harboring hope and imagining how great it would be spending time with your crush. Doing this only aggravates your condition and does absolutely no good to you. It's like opening a wound that just started healing. Do not do it.



3. Stop thinking that the person you have a crush on is one of a kind. It NOT TRUE. No matter how highly you think of him / her, there WILL be other people in your future that will be unique and speical in their own way, and this what will make you fall in love with them.



4. Refocus your attention and get busy. This is not that time to spend too much time alone and dwell on your situation. Pursue other romantic prospects, spend time with other people who are positive, supportive and funny, and pursue your professional, educational and social goals. Keep yourself busy to prevent boredom, because when boredom kicks in, all the negative, weak thoughts return to your mind.



5. Above all, remember: getting over the present crush will help you deal with similar situations in the future that will likely come and will make it much easier to get over a crush and move on with your life as a stronger, happier person, who is ready to date again

How to Have a Healthy Relationship Pt2

Cont. d from pt1

1. Review your expectations. Try to be as clear as you can about any expectations - including acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and attitudes, especially attitudes towards money. Everybody needs love, intimacy, affection, and affirmation.
   



2. Be Responsible. Here's a new definition: Responsible means that you have the ability to respond. Respond to the real problem, to your true needs. It does not mean you or your partner are to blame. There is tremendous power in claiming your creation. If you've been snippy to your partner, own up to it and say sorry. You'll be amazed how this works



3. Appreciate yourself and your partner. In the midst of an argument, it can be difficult to find something to appreciate. Start by generating appreciation in moments of non-stress, and that way when you need to be able to do it during a stressful conversation, it will be easier. One definition of appreciation is to be sensitively aware so you don't have to be sugar-coating anything; so tell your beloved that you love him or her, and that you don't want to argue but to talk and make it better.



4. Admit your mistakes and say sorry. Right after a misunderstanding or argument, tell your partner to give you some time to think of the wrong and right things that you and he/she did. Tell your partner to do the same thing and talk to them after 10-15 minutes. Tell your partner to give you time to talk and explain to them why you were angry, the wrong things you did, the things they did that you did not like and what you would like them to change. Ask your partner to do the same thing and give them a fair chance to talk and explain also. This will make your relationship stronger and help strengthen the communication between you and your partner.



5. Spend some quality time together. No matter how busy you two are, there is always an excitement when you do something together, when you share your precious time. Play a sport, eat at a restaurant, watch your favorite movies together. You will feel the magic of love and connection that you have with each other.



6. Laugh. Not only is it true that laughter is the best medicine, but it's also true that laughter can make a great relationship. In a tedious relationship, it is hard to communicate with your partner and share humorous feelings. Not only does laughing bring you two closer, but it also makes you seem fun and approachable.

How to Have a Healthy Relationship pt 1

There are reliable tools that can be used to create a healthy relationship, many of which have not been taught in our culture. If you want to have a really healthy relationship, follow these simple guidelines.
Step

1. Do not expect anyone to be responsible for your happiness. Ask yourself why you didn't? Too often relationships fail because someone is unhappy and blames their partner. Your life is SOLELY under your control, with your relationship you have to take the good with the bad. You need to give as well as take.
   Make and keep clear agreements. Respect the difference between yourself and your partner. Don't expect he or she agrees with you on everything. Reach mutual agreement or plan, and then commit to it. If you say you're going to meet your partner for lunch at noon, be on time, or call if you're going to be late. If you agree to have a monogamous relationship, keep that agreement. Keeping agreements shows respect for yourself and your partner, as well as creating a sense of trust and safety.



2. Use communication to establish a common ground to understand different points of view and to create a mutual, collaborative agreement or plan. You can either choose to be right, or you can have a successful relationship. You can't always have both. Most people argue to be "right" about something. They say. "If you loved me, you would..." and argue to hear the other say, "Okay, you're right." If you are generally more interested in being right, this approach will not create a healthy relationship. Having a healthy relationship means that you have your experience, and your partner has his or her experience, and you learn to love and share and learn from those experiences. If you can't reach any mutual agreement, that doesn't mean either of you is wrong or bad.



3. Approach your relationship as a learning experience. Each one has important information for you to learn. A true relationship will consist of both partners who need to equally contribute. Not only is that the only type of relationship that will work out, but it will work out in both of your favor.



4. Tell the unarguable truth. Be truthful to yourself and your partner if you want true love. Many people are taught to lie to protect someone's feelings, either their own or those of their partner. Lies create disconnection between you and your relationship, even if your partner never finds out about it. For any sort of relationship to work you need to have trust.



5. Forgive one another. Forgiveness is a decision of letting go of the past and focusing on the present. It's about taking control of your current situation. Talk about the issue and try to reach a mutual agreement on how to handle the situation in the future and then commit to it. If you can't reach an agreement, it's a bad sign. If you learn from the past and do not repeat the same pattern, it's a good sign. It's the only way to prevent yourself from more disappointment, anger or resentment. Respect your partner, when your partner tells you to leave them alone, do give him or her the time and space.

Toure - Was fan's favourite at Arsenal !!

Kolo Toure is now a Manchester City player after completing a transfer believed to be worth around £16 million. The Ivorian’s move has been confirmed on the official Arsenal website as well as the City one with Toure signing a four-year deal with his new club.
First things first I want to say that I wish Kolo all the best at his new club. He has served the Arsenal Football Club as good as anyone else under Arsene Wenger and has never given anything less than 100% in his eight years at the club. He’s experienced some outstanding moments since his move from the right wing to the centre of defence, forming an outstanding partnership with Sol Campbell during our ‘Invincibles’ year as well as scoring the goal that got us into our first and only Champions League final.
Toure has always been a fan favourite at Arsenal because he works his socks off, something that supporters value above all else. I wish him every success at City and I hope he plays out the remainder of his career with the same enthusiasm that he has always done. Unlike Emmanuel Adebayor, who acted foolishly throughout his final year at our club, I don’t think Toure deserves to be criticised by the Arsenal fans for joining City.
At the age of 28 he had reached a difficult point in his Arsenal career - stuck behind William Gallas, new signing Thomas Vermaelen and up-and-coming Johan Djourou in the pecking order - and with consistent first-team football a certainty in Manchester it is understandable to see him move on. From a purely personal level it would have been foolish for Toure to stay, just as it would have been foolish for Arsenal to ignore a £16 million offer for a third or fourth choice central defender who has performed poorly for the past season-and-a-half.
There will undoubtedly be a lot of Arsenal supporters calling for Toure to be replaced, but I won’t necessarily be among them. In William Gallas I believe we have one of the truly great central defenders in the Premier League - perhaps bettered only by Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Daniel Agger - and in Johan Djourou a player who is more than ready to become a big player for the club, as indicated by his early-season form in the last campaign. Throw in Thomas Vermaelen - who is obviously rated highly by the manager and will compete strongly for a starting position - and Philippe Senderos - who has had a year away from the spotlight and Didier Drogba to improve his game at Milan - and I believe we’re looking a lot stronger in this department than many people believe.
I still believe the way to significantly improve our defence is to sign a top-class defensive midfielder rather than to sign another centre back. As an attacking force we have good variety and depth, out wide at the back and in midfield we look terrific and the quality I see in Djourou leads me to believe we’re deceptively strong in defence. It’s just the middle that needs improvement.
Despite an excellent final third of last season Wenger’s “seven central defenders” comment from a couple of days ago suggests that Alex Song’s future may lie in defence. Meanwhile I still hold the opinion that - statistics or no statistics - Denilson does not have the stamina or physical presence required to give Cesc Fabregas the freedom he needs to wreak havoc from the middle of the park. It’s clear via the interest we showed in Felipe Melo that the manager is looking to strengthen and I can’t see why he would give up after one failed attempt. Wenger’s scouting ability is legendary and I think it would be foolish to believe that he doesn’t have other options (could it be this man?) to consider.
I should state here that even if a defensive-minded midfielder is not brought to the club I think we’re in a very good position going into next season. We have good depth in almost every area of the park, three top class attacking players that we didn’t have at the start of last season in Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo, and every single one of our younger players is a year older and a year more experienced. Contrast that with Manchester United (who have lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez), Liverpool (who have signed no-one) and Chelsea (who will have to adjust to their new coach and have only brought in a left-back) and I think of all the top teams (City excluded) we’re the ones who will improve the most on last season’s result.
I find it almost laughable that the Australian bookies have pushed Arsenal out to $9 to win the league after Toure’s exit while United, Chelsea and Liverpool are at $2.65, $3.25 and $3.50. Even City - a team with an average coach and a huge amount of imbalance in their squad - are almost on top of us at $13. While I’m not necessarily stating that I think Arsenal will win the league I think it’s a huge underestimation of our chances of doing so and if you’re a betting man I’d be putting the money down right now before we bring in any signings and the odds drop significantly.
To finish off today I just want to touch on the other very important Arsenal news item - the 1-0 pre-season win over Hannover 96. Cesc Fabregas got the only goal of the game in the 8th minute after a lovely Robin van Persie pass, but the big story of the day was Emmanuel Eboue’s apparent “goodbye” wave at the end of the match. I might be reading too much into it but with Eboue taking his shirt and boots off and giving them to the crowd and waving to the Arsenal fans it suggests he’s on his way out of the club as well, most likely to Fiorentina. Check out the video here (4:12 in) and let me know you think.
And on that note I’ll leave it there. Have a wonderful Thursday.

Being the Doer of the WORD

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:22-25 NIV

The scripture describes character development. It clearly states that it's not enough to listen to God's Word--we need to do it. Jesus said, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice." Luke 11:28 NLT

The Bible teaches us right from wrong--and how to make right choices. In a world that claims there is no absolute truth and no right or wrong, people are floundering, doing their own thing, and often ending up making bad choices--choices that harm themselves and others. How comforting to know that God has provided absolutes to guide us. We can find them in his Word.
If we are willing to continue looking into the mirror of God's Word ... and then trusting him to help us line our attitudes and actions up more closely with his Word ... we will begin the road to godly character.

Consider this...
Think back over the scriptures you have studied during the past year or so. Are there any that you read, but didn't apply to your life? Spend some time in reflection, asking God to show you what you have ignored ... and what steps you should take now.

Prayer
Father, sometimes I rush through my daily Bible reading and fail to seriously consider what you are saying to me at that moment or how I might apply what I have just read to my life. Help me to read for transformation, not just information. Help me to be a better doer of your Word. In Jesus' name ...

Through the Bible

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV)9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

A book on this passage has recently become a best seller. The author aptly describes all the implications of this passage, of which I will try to make a brief summary. Jabez means pain. Imagine having a name like that! A name was often an indication of destiny. Jabez refused to accept the destiny handed to him in his name. Instead of yielding to what was handed him, he stood as a man more honorable than his brothers. He held himself to a higher standard.
Reaction to difficulty will make or break a person. If you see it as an excuse to justify self and compromise, it will cripple you. If you see it as a reason to strive to an even greater extent, it can be your prodding to a life above the norm. Jabez chose the later. He asked God to change his destiny. He asked for the blessing of God to be on his life and for his territory to be enlarged. Territory implied the space of his influence. We need to ask God to increase our ministry for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Do you desire to be even more effective?

He recognized the need for God's hand to be with him. Then he asked for God to break that destiny that his name held him to. He asked for God to keep him from harm so that he would be free of pain. God granted his request.

Consider: Do you feel trapped by expectations others have placed on you, or your environment, or abilities? If you are asking in line with God's will, you can break those boundaries and be all God means for you to be.

An Intimate Relationship with God

Our first reading is taken from Matthew 22.37-40 “Jesus replied ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Our first call from God, our utmost and highest priority in life – to Love God with all we have. To give Him our highest devotion before all people and all things. This love is to be more than an expression of our mind, more than the words we speak. A sincere, intense and passionate love expressed through the emotion of the heart. A heart of submission to Him, and a soul consumed with an eternal longing for fellowship with Him.

And so, today as we meditate on the meaning of this first commandment from our Lord may we be challenged as He calls us on to a deeper walk with Him.

Genesis speaks of the intimacy with God experienced by the first created couple in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:8 ‘Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man ‘where are you?’

We see in this passage of Scripture the plan of God for His creation to walk in close fellowship with their Creator, to speak with Him in a personal and intimate way, to have communication between one another.

Jesus spoke in parables – in simple, illustrative stories -- to convey His message. John 10: 3-11.“The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

The relationship of God to His people is compared to the care and protection of a shepherd to his sheep and the sheep of the Lord will know His voice intimately and obey the voice of the shepherd. He calls His sheep by name, giving each one individual attention and leading them into green pastures of refreshing.

To know God in this way requires of us a high commitment to Him – in prayer, a two-way communication with our Creator. For the experience of prayer as described in His Word is not a one-sided conversation.

For many believers, conversion to Christ comes through experiences in Sunday School or family sharing as a young child. The way of salvation and reconciliation to God is shared and a commitment is made. I became a Christian late in life and attending a local church was a new experience for me. Enjoying the fellowship and new way of life, I had much to learn. Scripture reading and prayer devotion became a daily commitment. However for some time I did not experience the presence of God, or the reality of knowing His voice.

Our local church sponsored a prayer seminar. We were challenged to devote one hour each day to prayer. The Scripture Matthew 26.40 was emphasized in the teaching sessions. Jesus prayed in the Garden before His crucifixion vs 39” My Father if it is possible may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will but as You will.” Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you not keep watch with Me for one hour”, he said to Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

I felt challenged to pray one hour each day, rising one hour early before my family on most days. Using the prayer model – ACTS –

A	Adoration	spending time in praise, expressions of delight in the Lord
C	Confession	personal repentance, seeking His forgiveness and restoration
T	Thanksgiving	giving thanks to Him for salvation, His goodness, answered prayer
S	Supplication	bringing personal prayer requests and supplication on behalf of others.

For some days, I felt no reality in my prayers. James 4:8 became my personal promise from the Lord “Draw close to Me, and I will draw close to you”. Then the presence of the Lord came as I entered my prayer session and suddenly it was as if someone had entered the room. My prayers no longer seemed to bounce back to me. The conversation was not one sided. For in the room with Me was the reality of the presence of another. And suddenly, prayer for one hour took on new meaning for me. To just sit in His presence and enjoy Him became a reality of my prayer life. The presence of the promised One, the comforter, had come. And how much we need His presence, for in the presence of the Lord is healing, power, strength, inner peace and restoration. At these times, we can sense the will of the Lord in the situations we bring to Him for direction; we can hear the still small voice of the Spirit.

What is our commitment in prayer to our Lord today? Will five or ten minutes be sufficient? Are we ‘too busy to pray’ or ‘too busy not to pray’?

For some of us, He may be saying “Will you not watch with Me for one hour?”

Our World is in need of prayers for peace, our families need prayers of protection and guidance, our community needs prayers of healing, provision and deliverance.

May we hear His challenge today and may the blessing of the Lord be on each one as we seek Him and trust in His unfailing love.

I will close with a personal experience. Recently, my spouse and I visited a lake nearby on a fishing trip. We set up our folding chairs and threw in our fishing rods and settled down to a relaxing wait for our ‘first bite’. Spending time in quiet meditation with the Lord I watched as a flock of noisy pink galahs flew past, flapping their wings rapidly. I felt the Lord impressing upon my heart that there are times in our lives when we deal with problems and situations in this way, with much stressful effort, drama and anxiety. And as I reflected on my own personal experiences, from across the lake on the right hand side, came a pair of eagles. The eagles soared effortlessly and majestically together in a ‘dance’ of harmony – from above the water across land they soared in my direction. I felt the Spirit of the Lord speak into my heart, the words of

Isaiah 40:31
But those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength
They will soar on wings like eagles
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not be faint.”

The prayers of the saints soar upwards towards God, heavenwards, on eagle’s wings. The mind, heart and soul of a praying saint are lifted upwards, towards God. The power, presence and love of Jesus call us to look up, and to know that our deliverance is near. For the Jesus we remember at Christmas has promised to come again.

And there is a place, even in the midst of all our suffering and trials, as we look to Him, where we can be taken out to soar with Him, above even our trials and circumstances. A peace that passes all understanding, a peace that the world cannot give.

Ps 26:8 “I love the house where you live, O Lord,
The place where your glory dwells.

Kenya JOKES!!!

This is an Conversation between a Kenyan Policeman and an Innocent Citizen who simply happens to be walking home from work late at night.


Gijana Untatoga wabi?
Jina yago nani?
Baba yago nani?
Unataga nini?

Gan you Broduce your ID?
Basi if you gannot broduce your ID
Wapi Gitambulisho?
If you gannot broduce Gitambulisho
Wapi drivers licence
If you gannot broduce the three gavament tocuments
Twende mbele!


(But I am innocent….)

Innocent gitu gani?
Haguna mutu innozent Genya
We gan charge you with anything
Unataga gani?
Smoking with violence
Looging at a female gender with breach of gontract
Looging at a government building zuzbiciously
With indend to gommit murder
Unataga gani?

Unaweza gujitetea?
Gitu gani hii?
Ati fifty bob
Hata haiwezi gununua jwing gum
Toa besa gijana

(…nibakishie bus fare)

Ogay,
You are a law abiding zitizen
Unataga tuguzindikishe?

Its FOOD we want, Not TALK!

"I am in danger of hunger in my country. Why can’t the Government look at our plight instead of leaving us to die like dogs?" Nobody could fail to be moved by the plea of Ethuko Nangole, 80, as narrated by The Standard, last week.

Neither could anybody with the heart of flesh fail to feel for Mary Chelal as she resignedly narrated the wretched life she has been forced to live, thanks to the drought and famine ravaging huge swathes of the countryside.

Nobody, apart from our ever quarrelling political class, it seems. For as the ordinary folk dig deep into their already impoverished pockets to share with their dying colleagues, our leaders are twiddling their thumbs not sure how to react to the crisis. The best they have done is play a verbal ping pong on the causes — and the available mitigation routes — of the disaster.

In North Pokot, Chelal was quoted pitifully recounting her travails: "We share water pans with donkeys, cows and wildlife.

The animals defecate and urinate in the water but we still use the dirty water for domestic purposes, we have no option," she said, adding: "It smells bad but I have not taken water for two days, it’s the only water we have here."

As the two women were being interviewed, their leaders were engaged in "more pressing" matters in Nairobi. Agriculture Minister William Ruto was busy on the floor of the National Assembly engaged in verbal sparring with Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale. And while at it, sacking top officials of the National Cereals and Produce Board.

On his part, Nangole’s representative to the august House John Munyes blames the Government — the same one he serves as Labour Minister – for the poor woman’s woes.

The Government needs to streamline logistical details so that people like Nangole can get food, the minister says.

What our leaders should realise is that we do not care how much talk and verbal sparring they engage in. All said and done, what we want is food. Period. Isn’t it amazing that with all the machinery at its disposal, our Government is behaving like the current food crisis just hit us out of the blue?

Any intelligent person knows well the whole process of maize planting, weeding and harvesting. And I want to believe that there are people employed in various Government departments with the sole responsibility of tracking this process and ensuring that we have enough grain reserves.

If there was rain failure, what did these mandarins in Government do to cushion Kenyans against this disaster? Whatever happened to planning?

In China, those culpable in the scandal that saw baby milk being contaminated were sentenced to death with others getting stiff jail terms. In contrast, we have sent some fellows from the NCPB home.

Sadder than this callous incompetence is the booming business some unscrupulous traders have taken to, minting millions from selling maize meant for the starving. These death merchants smile all the way to the bank as they feed their children, wives and mistresses with blood money they made while some helpless Kenyans are burying their children, victims of famine.

Leaders must face the reality and address problems facing the people.

The Sad Story

When nine-year-old Samuel Mutunga collected empty jerricans with his mother to rush to the accident venue, he did not know he would witness the horror of his life.
This was after word went round that a tanker had overturned at Sachang’wan, two kilometres from their home at Kibunja.

Mutunga says his mother, Jacqueline Kavai, called him to go and get petrol, which they could later sell and get money for his school fees and buy food for the family.

"Mum told me to pick anything empty, from jerricans, buckets and basins," a tearful Mutunga recalled yesterday.

He said he followed his mother who was ahead of him because he had to ensure that his sick father had medicine by his bedside just in case they took long to return. The couple’s five other children were also left behind.

Scrambling for petrol

Mutunga said his mother arrived at the scene with his three uncles and immediately started scrambling for the spilt petrol. When he got there, Mutunga said he decided to stand across the road to witness the drama as men, women, and children fought and splashed over the petrol.

"I did not go near because I saw people shove and push and I knew I could not manage," he said.

However, what followed five minutes later would forever remain etched in his mind.

"I kept monitoring where my mum was because I knew she would call me once she had filled the jerricans, suddenly, I heard an explosion and everything was on fire," he said, shuddering.

"I saw my mother burning, she was at the edge of the trench where petrol was flowing. She was screaming as she tried to cross the road towards where I was. Then she fell down."

"I was confused, I could not help because she was on fire and rolling on the ground. When the fire went out on her body, she just lay there, badly burnt everywhere. I heard her say: "Mwambie baba yenu nimeenda (tell your father I have expired)".

The class three pupil at Noble Primary School at Kibunja started to run towards his home to tell his father.

"The place was full of fire. People were burning and screaming. Many headed towards the river, but they kept falling," Mutunga told The Standard.

He says when his father, who was suffering from a bout of malaria saw him, he sensed danger.

"My father demanded to know what was happening and I told him mother had burned to death. He fainted," he said.

"Every time I sleep I see my mother on fire and hear her shouting at me, I am gone! I am gone!" he says.

His father Mr Robert Chesima Kiraka says Mutunga is traumatised.

"He is young and the pain of seeing a parent die in a fire is just too much," he said.

Mr Kiraka says he was lucky because he was sick at the time since he would have definitely been at the trench of death with the rest of the village. Mutunga, who is the first-born, says he regrets going to the scene, but insists he loved his mother very much and always assisted her in chores.